A80640:561
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 we cannot so easily admit that which he subjoineth, that the Keys are given to the Catholic Invisible Church, as the first and principal Subject (though we grant they are given for their end and use:) But we rather believe they are given to the particular Visible Church, wherein the power of the Keys is only exercised and used. The Invisible Catholic Church doth never convene for the Administration of Church-power: And it were in vain to give power to such a subject, which never is called to bring it forth into act.
But we cannot so easily admit that which he subjoyneth, that the Keyes are given to the Catholick Invisible Church, as the first and principal Subject (though we grant they are given for their end and use:) But we rather believe they are given to the particular Visible Church, wherein the power of the Keyes is only exercised and used. The Invisible Catholick Church doth never convene for the Administration of Church-power: And it were in vain to give power to such a subject, which never is called to bring it forth into act.
In his Arguments, M. Rutterford doth chiefly aim at this conclusion; To prove that the Keys are not given to a Church of professed Believers, destitute of Pastors and Teachers, &c. A conclusion which he is pleased to frame unto himself, but had not occasion to collect it from any words in my Proposition; which only affirmeth, that the Keye• were given to such a particular Visible Church, whereof Peter was one, and to whom Peter in case of offence might complain, even to the Congregation. I might therefore omit this Question wholly, but that he so handleth it, as if there were no Church-power at all, but only that which he calleth official, and Authoritative power: and so he maketh all the Acts of the Brethren of the Church (who are no officers) as no Acts of power at all, and consequently, no part left to the People in the power of the Keys: which puteth upon me a necessity of clearing some expressions in his Arguments.
In his Arguments, M. Rutterford doth chiefly aime at this conclusion; To prove that the Keyes are not given to a Church of professed Believers, dstitute of Pastors and Teachers, &c. A conclusion which he is pleased to fram unto himself, but had not occasion to collect it from any words in my Proposition; which onely affirmeth, that the Keye were given to such a particular Visible Church, whereof Peter was one, and to whom Peter in case of offence might complain, even to the Congregation. I might therefore omit this Question wholy, but that he so handleth it, as if there were no Church-power at all, but onely that which he calleth official, and Authoritaive power: and so he maketh all the Acts of the Brethren of the Church (who are no officers) as no Acts of power at all, and consequently, no part left to the People in the power of the Keyes: which puteth upon me a necessity of clearing some expressions in his Arguments.