A80640:529
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. As if the People were not Stewards of the Grace of God given to them! The Apostle Peter maketh account, That as every man hath received the gift, so he should minister the same, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. 1 Pet. 4.10. If the people have received any gift of Grace, they are either Stewards of it, or Lords: Lords they are not, who must give account to the Lord for the employment and improvement of their gifts: what are they else then but Stewards? Yea, (you will say) but private men may bestow their Gifts privately. But election of Officers is a public Gift, whatsoever else beside; and that must be dispensed publicly; and that not as Lords, to elect whom they list, but as Stewards and Ministers to Christ, to elect whom the Lord hath chosen.
Answ. As if the People were not Stewards of the Grace of God given to them! The Apostle Peter maketh account, That as every man hath received the gift, so he should minister the same, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. 1 Pet. 4.10. If the people have received any gift of Grace, they are either Stewards of it, or Lords: Lords they are not, who must give account to the Lord for the employment and improvement of their gifts: what are they else then but Stewards? Yea, (you will say) but private men may bestow their Gifts privately. But election of Officers is a publike Gift, whatsoever else beside; and that must be dispensed publikely; and that not as Lords, to elect whom they list, but as Stewards and Ministers to Christ, to elect whom the Lord hath chosen.
I said indeed (in that Paragraph) That Christ in giving the Keys, investeth those to whom he giveth them, with a power to, open and shut the Gates both of the Church and Heaven; and that this power lieth partly in their spiritual calling (whether it be their Office, or their Place, and Order in the Church) and partly in the concourse and co-operation of Christ, accompanying the right dispensation of those Keys or Ordinances. But (saith Vindex) I suppose the word Calling, should be taken here of some special Calling or Office: which again would exclude the people, as having no Office in the Church.