A80640:522
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.
But saith Vindex, it soundeth ill at first hearing, to say, that the People have any power to exercise Ordinances, of Preaching, or administering the Seals or Censures. The power of Preaching or administering Sacraments by the People, as none but Separatists do usurp; so your self complain of it, Page 6. And why you should allow them power in censures, there is very little reason.
But saith Vindex, it soundeth ill at first hearing, to say, that the People haue any power to exercise Ordinances, of Preaching, or administring the Seals or Censures. The power of Preaching or administring Sacraments by the People, as none but Separatists do usurp; so your self complain of it, Page 6. And why you should allow them power in censures, there is very little reason.
Answ. If Preaching the Word, or Administering the Seals, were all the Ordinances which Christ hath instituted, and no more but they, Vindex saith true, it would sound ill at first hearing (and if he will, at second and third hearing too) to say, The People have any power to exercise these Ordinances; unless that kind of Preaching be understood, which D. Ames approveth, l. 4. de Casibus Conscientiae, cap. 25. in respons. 3. ad Quaest. 1.
Answ. If Preaching the Word, or Administring the Seals, were all the Ordinances which Christ hath instituted, and no more but they, Vindex saith true, it would sound ill at first hearing (and if he will, at second and third hearing too) to say, The People have any power to exercise these Ordinances; unless that kind of Preaching be understood, which D. Ames approveth, l. 4. de Casibus Conscientiae, cap. 25. in respons. 3. ad Quaest. 1.
But to allow the people a power in Censures, I marvel it should sound so ill at first hearing, of such whose ears have been long wonted to hear of Suspensions, and Excommunications; not only of private Christians, but even of many Ministers, by Chancellors and Commissaries, who generally are no Ministers, and it were to be wished, that the most of them, (yea, or the best of them) were as good as Brethren. But yet I somewhat wonder, that he that in this Paragraph could allege all Antiquity, should think it to sound ill at first hearing, That the Brethren of the Church should have any hand in Church Censures; who knoweth what reverend Testimony Ancient Tertullian giveth of them (Apologetici Capite 39.) Quum Probi, Cum Boni Coeunt, Cum Pii, Cum Casti Congregantur, non Factio dicenda est, sed Curia. And what an hand Cyprian giveth to the People in Church censures, none that have read him can be ignorant. What reason there is for their Power in Church-censures (whether little, or much) we shall further consider (God willing) in its place: for here you