A80640:606
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.
Again, if it were so, that a Church of Believers destitute of officers, should have received from Christ no part of the power of the Keys, then in case the whole Presbytery of a Church should be removed by Death, or Crime, o• otherwise, the Church should cease to be a Church. For the Power of the Keys comprehendeth the Latitude of all Church-power. And ut se res habet in esse, sic in operari. Take away all power of Action, and operation from a Church, and you take away the Church it self. And so you will make Ministers to be not only the Integral parts of a Church, but the Essential parts also. Yea by this means, The estate of the ⟨p. 36⟩Church is in worse condition, then is the estate of any civil Common-wealth. For take away all the Magistrates, and Governors of th Common-wealth, yet still the Common-wealth subsisteth in it self; It ceaseth not to be a Common-wealth, nor is it left destitute of all Actions of a Common-wealth. The Body of the People may solemnly assemble together, and choose out of themselves new Magistrates: or if they want g•od choice among themselves, they may supply themselves from their confederates. But the Church of Christ (which of all Societies is the most Honourable, and most completely supplied with Power to attain its own end, and is built upon the most sure Foundation) If it be once deprived of her Officers and Rulers, it straightway becometh Null, both in Essence and Action. Time was, when David speaking to the Church said, Glorious things are spoken of thee, thou City of God, Psal. 87.3. And one of those glorious things were, That her Foundations are in the Holy Mountains, v. 1. And the Lord loveth the Gates of Zion, more then all the dwellings of Jacob, v. 2. But surely, if the Churches Being, did so easily vanish with the loss of their Officers, This would turn their glory into shame, above all other societies.
Again, if it were so, that a Church of Believers destitute of officers, should have received from Christ no part of the power of the Keyes, then in case the whole Presbyt•ry of a Church should be removed by Death, or Crime, o• otherwise, the Church should cease to be a Church. For the Power of the Keyes comprehendeth the Latitude of all Church-power. And ut se res habet in esse, sic in operari. Take away all power of Action, and operation from a Church, and you take away the Church it self. And so you will make Ministers to be not only the Integral parts of a Church, but the Essential parts also. Yea by this means, The estate of the