A80640:531
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. There is no reason why you should suppose, That Calling here should be taken of some special Calling or Office; if special denotate a specification of a Calling distinct from other Members of the Church: But if it only specify a distinct calling, or state, or order different from such as are not members of the Church: so it is true indeed, every Member of the Body hath a special Calling distinct from such Believers or others, as are not yet received into Member like communion with this or that particular Church; Yea, and every Member of this or that particular Church, hath a calling to put forth some Acts of Power in his own Church, which Members of another particular Church have not power to put forth there, though they may put forth the same each one in his own Church, respectively: Every Member of the Body of a Particular Church hath some Function, or Act•on, (or as the New Translation termeth it) some office in the Body. For that which is expressed in the Protasis of the Apostles comparison, is implied in the reddition; Rom. 12.4, 5. As we have many Members in one Body, and all Members have not the same office: so we being many, are one Body in Christ, &c. If all the Members of the Body have not the same office, it implieth, they have all of them some office or function, or action, though not the same. But custom hath obtained, that they only are accounted to have a special calling or office in the Church, who are set apart for the eminent administrations in the Church; as the Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons. And such a special calling, it is not requisite that the common Brethren of the Church should have, to dispense that power of the Keys which is committed to them. For Christ hath neither called them to it, nor given them gifts suitable for it.
Answ. There is no reason why you should suppose, That Calling here should be taken of some special Calling or Office; if special denotate a specification of a Calling distinct from other Members of the Church: But if it onely specifie a distinct calling, or state, or order different from such as are not members of the Church: so it is true indeed, every Member of the Body hath a special Calling distinct from such Believers or others, as are not yet received into Member like communion with this or that particular Church; Yea, and every Member of this or that particular Church, hath a calling to put forth some Acts of Power in his own Church, which Members of another particular Church have not power to put forth there, though they may put forth the same each one in his owne Church, respectively: Every Member of the Body of a Particular Church hath some Function, or Acton, (or as the New Translation termeth it) some office in the Body. For that which is expressed in the Protasis of the Apostles comparison, is implyed in the reddition;