A80640:521
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the…
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A dissuasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book entitled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A disswasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book intituled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.
London: printed by Matthew Simmons for John Bellamie, 1648
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. What Power I acknowledge given to the Church of Believers Subjective, either in admission of Members, or election of Officers, or censure of Offenders, I do allege Scriptures for it; which when Vindex taketh in hand to evade them, I shall return him (God willing) further answer, which in this place were an unseasonable prevention: But when he affirmeth that such power ⟨p. 16⟩as I acknowledge given to the Church, is not to be read of in all Antiquity; it maketh me to suspect, that either he hath not read All Antiquity, (which yet is no crime, only he should not then have denied them all, to own this Power; for it is not safe to avouch more then we know:) or if he have read them all, he •ath forgotten what is recorded by the most ancient Antiquity for the space of the first three hundred years, during all the time of the Primitive persecutions. Of which I have given account to Mr Baily in answer to the Historical part of his Dissuasive, (chap. 4. Sect. 1, 2, 3.) whereto I refer him.
Answ. What Power I acknowledge given to the Church of Believers Subjective, either in admission of Members, or election of Officers, or censure of Offendors, I do alledge Scriptures for it; which when Vindex taketh in hand to evade them, I shall return him (God willing) further answer, which in this place were an unseasonable prevention: But when he affirmeth that such power ⟨p. 16⟩as I acknowledge given to the Church, is not to be read of in all Antiquity; it maketh me to suspect, that either he hath not read All Antiquity, (which yet is no crime, onely he should not then have denied them all, to own this Power; for it is not safe to avouch more then we know:) or if he have read them all, he •ath forgotten what is recorded by the most ancient Antiquity for the space of the first three hundred years, during all the time of the Primitive persecutions. Of which I have given account to Mr Baily in answer to the Historical part of his Disswasive, (chap. 4. Sect. 1, 2, 3.) whereto I refer him.