A80640:633
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.
Ob. 3. I ask, whether true or false profession be the nearest intervening cause of these, to whom the Keys are given?
Ob. 3. I aske, whether true or false profession be the neerest intervening cause of these, to whom the Keyes are given?
Answ. True or false profession may be attended, either in respect of the Doctrine of Faith in Christ professed, or in respect of the Grace of Faith professing it. If the profession of the Doctrine of Faith be true, though the Grace of Faith in the Professor of it be uncertain, and it may be hypocritical (and so false:) yet we dare not deny the nature and power of a Church to such. As the Church judgeth not of hidden crimes, so neither do the Faithful judge of the Churches by their hidden hypocrisy, but by their open scandals in Doctrine, or life. God would have his people live without anxious perplexity, (as in point of marriage, 1 Cor. 7.32. so) in every society. It were an inextricable perplexity, to suspend the Essence or validity of Churches or Church Administrations, upon the hidden sincerity of Churches, and of Church-Officers, or Members. It is true, that Church-estate and Church-privileges, and Church-power are given to Believers, making public profession of their holy Faith: to them are the Keys given, and for them. And yet for their sakes God doth vouchsafe both the Name, and Stile, and Power of a Church to such as make the like profession of the Faith with them, though not with the like sincerity. The Church of Sardis had a name to live, yet was dead, Rev. 3.2. Nevertheless, the Lord reckoneth it amongst the golden Candlesticks, and walketh ⟨p. 41⟩amongst them, Rev. 2.1. It appeareth there were a few Names amongst them, that were sincere: