A80640:551
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.
Against these two Assertions, I do not find any thing in his distinctions or conclusions, or Arguments which doth prevail with me to depart from them, as indeed he doth not directly so much dispute against these conclusions which we hold, as against that question (which himself by mistake gathered from the Proposition) which we hold not.
Though I said the Keys were given to a Church of Believers, whereof Peter was one, yet that was only to show, that Peter in his lowest spiritual relation in the Church (as a Profest Believer) had his share in the power of the Keys: but not that he had his share in the whole power of the Keys, as a Profest Believer: but that he had other parts of the power of the Keys, as an Elder, and as an Apostle immediately given Him by the Lord Jesus.
Though I said the Keyes were given to a Church of Believers, whereof Peter was one, yet that was onely to shew, that Peter in his lowest spirituall relation in the Church (as a Profest Believer) had his share in the power of the Keyes: but not that he had his share in the whole power of the Keyes, as a Profest Believer: but that he had other parts of the power of the Keyes, as an Elder, and as an Apostle immediately given Him by the Lord Jesus.
In his second Distinction (pag. 7.) I do not understand the safety of that speech; That Pastors and Teachers are Gifts, of which the Church is not capable, as a Subject. For the Apostle saith, Christ hath given (amongst other Officers) Pastors, and Teachers to his Church. Ephes. 4.8.11. And if He have given them to the Church, the Church is the recipient Subject of them. As if the Eye be given to the Body, the Body is the recipient Subject of it. And though the Church cannot exercise the Pastors, and Teachers place by themselves; yet they may by their Pastors and Teachers. As the Body though it cannot se by it self, yet it may by the eye, which is given to it of God for that end: Neither is it a safe speech (as I conceive) to say, That the Church is capable of these Gifts (Pastors and Teachers) as the object and end, because the fruit and effect of these Gifts reoudeth to the good of the Church; if that be meant as the only respect, in regard of which they are said to