A80640:619
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.
Therefore Believers Publicly professing the Faith, have some part of the power of the Keys given to them.
Therefore Believers Publikely professing the Faith, have some part of the power of the Keyes given to them.
What may here justly be denied, I see not. The major Proposition is evident of it self. For no man can do any Act of spiritual efficacy, but he hath received from Christ some spiritual Power to do it.
And habenti dabitur, to him that edifieth the Church by any power received, to him shall the more abundant power be given to do the same.
The minor Proposition is as clear: For the Keys are nothing else, but the Instruments of edifying the Church. Though their immediate ⟨p. 38⟩and proper work be to open and shut (and Metaphorically, to bind and loose:) yet both these are nothing else but Acts of edifying the Church. And that the Church is edified or builded of Believers, Publicly professing their Faith: the Lord himself doth acknowledge in the words of the Text: when he saith, Upon this Rock, (that is, upon this Public Profession of Faith in me) I will build my Church. Peter by this public profession of his Faith, did edify himself, and his fellow-Disciples: and thereby obtained both a reward of his Profession, to become the foundation of the Church: and a reward to himself, of receiving the Keys; that is, a power both by gift, and office to edify the Church in a more settled manner, and abundant measure, not only as a Believer, but as a chief Elder, and Apostle.