A80640:571
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.
And though neither all, nor most of the Brethren of a Church have ordinarily received a gift of public Prophesying, or Preaching: yet in defect of public ministers, it is not an unheard of novelty; That God should enlarge private men with public gifts, and that they that have received such gifts, should take liberty to dispense them unto edification. For we read that when the Church at Jerusalem were all of them scattered abroad, except the Apostles; yet they that were scattered went every where preaching the Word. Acts 8.5. & 11.19, 20, 21.
And though neither all, nor most of the Brethren of a Church have ordinarily received a gift of publike Prophecying, or Preaching: yet in defect of publike ministers, it is not an unheard of novelty; That God should enlarge private men with publike gifts, and that they that have received such gifts, should take liberty to dispense them unto edification. For we read that when the Church at Jerusalem were all of them scattered abroad, except the Apostles; yet they that were scattered went every where preaching the Word. Acts 8.5. & 11.19, 20, 21.
Neither let it be said, That such a Church (or Society) of Believers is not Wisdoms house, because it is not builded by Pastors and Teachers, who are given to edify, and gather the Body. For though in a material house of wood or stone, the builders do not only prepare the materials, but do also introduce the form: yet in a spiritual house (such as a Church of Believers is) the form is induced not by any formal Act of the Ministry of Pastors and Teachers (though they may be instrumental, in giving a word of Direction:) but by the voluntary stipulation or profession of subjection of this society of Believers to the Lord Jesus in the use of his ordinances. The Church as it is the house of God; so it is also the Spouse of Christ: Ministers are the friends of the Bridegroom, and of the Bride. The ministers have done their work in preparing the Bride for the Bridegroom; as also in ministering to her when she is married. But in Betrothing her to Christ, the Bride in that work, must her self profess her own acceptance of the Lord Jesus, and subjection to him: which she may do effectually, whether ministers be present and Assistant or no. It is true, ministers