A80640:649
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.
If it be objected, that it is a new and uncouth exposition of the Text, to interpret Peter's confession, of the confession which members make of their faith, when they enter into the fellowship of the Church: n•r were Christ and his Apostles at that time in hand with any such work.
If it be obj•cted, that it is a new and uncouth exposition of the Text, to interpr•t Petere confession, of the confession which members make of their faith, when they enter into the fellowship of the Church: n•r were Christ and his Apostles at that time in hand with any such work.
I answer, Though Peters confession of his faith at that time was not made for such an end, for his admission into the household or Church of Christ: yet it is enough, That Christ rewardeth that confession of his, with such a promise of all Believers into his Church by such a door. It is true, the same confession may be made upon other occasions: but yet this appeareth to be one occasion and use of this confession, to receive profest Believers into the fellowship of the Church, and the ordinances thereof; seeing we r•ad that Philip made it a necessary precedential act unto the Eunuch to make the like conf•ssion before he would receive him unto Baptism, which was the seal of his admission, as into Christ, so into the fellowship of his Church. And accordingly it hath been anciently observed in the Primitive Churches, not to receive Competentes, or Catechumen• into the fellowship of the Church, and unto Baptism, before they had made public confession of their faith before the Lord and his Church: Which is a thing I doubt not, well known to M. Rutterford, to no man more; that I might seem to do him wrong to allege testimonies for it.
I answer, Though Peters confession of his faith at that time was not made for such an end, for his admission into the houshold or Church of Christ: yet it is enough, That Christ rewardeth that confession of his, with such a promise of all Believers into his Church by such a dore. It is true, the same confession may be made upon other occasions: but yet this appeareth to be one occasion and use of this confession, to receive profest Believers into the fellowship of the Church, and the ordinances thereof; seeing we rad that Philip made it a necessary praecedential act unto the Eunuch to make the like confssion before he would receive him unto Baptisme, which was the seal of his admission, as into Christ, so into the fellowship of his Church. And accordingly it hath been anciently observed in the Primitive Churches, not to receive Competentes, or Catechumen into the fellowship of the Church, and unto Baptisme, before they had made publike confession of their faith before the Lord and his Church: Which is a thing I doubt not, well known to M. Rutterford, to no man more; that I might seem to do him wrong to alledge testimonies for it.