A80640:59
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
Treatise 1 › Chapter 2 › Section 5: Of Mr. Smith, and Mr. Robinson.
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.
SECT. V. of Mr. Smith, and Mr. Robinson.
The fall indeed of Mr. Smith, and the Spirit of errors and instability that fell upon him, was more observable: and a dreadful warning from heaven, against [Greek or Hebrew] self-fullness, and ⟨p. 7⟩self-pleasing. For though the tyranny of the Ecclesiastical Courts was harsh towards him, and the yokes put upon him in his Ministry, too grievous to be borne: yet neither was he alone in suffering: Nor were those that suffered with him at that time, (Mr. Clifton, and Mr. Robinson) such inconsiderable Persons, that he should affect to go alone from them. It is true, he had found help by the conference (which himself had requested) with Mr. Dod, Mr. Hilderson, and Mr. Barbon, before he left England: yea and such help, that he thought he could have gained his Tutor Johnson, from the Errors of his Rigid Separation. But he had promised them, not to go over to him, without their consents: and they utterly dissuaded him there-from, as fearing his instability. And yet contrary to his Promise he went over to him, yea, and that contrary to his own pretence and offer of another conference with them before his going. Though the way of Rigid Separation had been less Heterodoxall, then it is, yet to venture upon it in such breach of manifest Rules, no marvel, if it led him into manifest temptations and Aberrations.
The fall indeed of Mr. Smith, and the Spirit of errors and instability that fell upon him, was more observable: and a dreadfull warning from heaven, against 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 selfe-fulnesse, and ⟨p. 7⟩self-pleasing. For though the tyranny of the Ecclesiasticall Courts was harsh towards him, and the yokes put upon him in his Ministery, too grievous to bee borne: yet neither was hee alone in suffering: Nor were those that suffered with him at that time, (Mr. Clifton, and Mr. Robinson) such inconsiderable Persons, that hee should affect to goe alone from them. It is true, he had found helpe by the conference (which himself had requested) with Mr. Dod, Mr. Hilderson, and Mr. Barbon, before he left England: yea and such helpe, that he thought he could have gained his Tutor Iohnson, from the Errors of his Rigid Separation. But hee had promised them, not to goe over to him, without their consents: and they utterly disswaded him there-from, as fearing his instability. And yet contrary to his Promise he went over to him, yea, and that contrary to his owne pretence and offer of another conference with them before his going. Though the way of Rigid Separation had been lesse Heterodoxall, then it is, yet to venture upon it in such breach of manifest Rules, no marvell, if it led him into manifest temptations and Abberations.