A80640:580
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.
Now then to apply this distinction of power to the Argument. All the places alleged by Mr Rutterford, do indeed prove That the Keys were promised and given to the Stewards and Officers, and Servants in the House of God: which we willingly acknowledge. We acknowledge also that which he affirmeth, That a company of professing Believers joined together in Church Covenant, and destitute of Officers, are not stewards by Office, nor servants in the House of God. But this we deny, that all the Keys, all kind of Power in the Church, is promised and given to the officers of the Church, solely and solidly. All Office-power indeed, is given to the Officers: Nor do we permit the Church of Brethren to usurp any part of office-power unto themselves. But we see the Scripture acknowledgeth other Power in the Church, besides office-power.
Now then to apply this distinction of power to the Argument. All the places alledged by Mr Rutterford, do indeed prove That the Keyes were promised and given to the Stewards and Officers, and Servants in the House of God: which we willingly acknowledge. We acknowledge also that which he affirmeth, That a company of professing Believers joyned together in Church Covenant, and destitute of Officers, are not stewards by Office, nor servants in the House of God. But this we deny, that all the Keyes, all kind of Power in the Church, is promised and given to the officers of the Church, solely and solidly. All Office-power indeed, is given to the Officers: Nor do we permit the Church of Brethren to usurp any part of office-power unto themselves. But we see the Scripture acknowledgeth other Power in the Church, besides office-power.
I shall not need to enlarge further answer to this second Argument. The Testimonies which he allegeth to prove his Proposition; they prove, that the Keys signify Power, and Authority, and that Stewardly, or Office-Power, is given to the Officers of the Church. But none of them prove, that all power is Office-Power, or that the Keys hold forth no other power but office-power: or that the Church of Believers hath received no power at all. The Text in Isa. 22.2•. speaketh not of a spiritual or Ecclesiastical Power, but of a Civil Power. The Text in