A80640:653
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.
Answ. 2. This or that Visible Church that did fall away, was not a society of such profest believers as were built upon a rock; but rather the sinful generation that rose up after them, who did degenerate from their Parents faith and Profession, and so fell into the gulf of Apostasy, whether Turkish or Antichristian.
Answ. 2. This or that Visible Church that did fall away, was not a society of such profest believers as were built upon a rock; but rather the sinful generation that rose up after them, who did degenerate from their Parents faith and Profession, and so fell into the gulf of Apostacie, whether Turkish or Antichristian.
Answ. 3. Though the gates of hell have sometimes prevailed against this or that particular Visible Church, holding fast the profession of their faith without wavering: yet they have not prevailed to their destruction, but to their dispersion only; which tendeth to the multiplication and enlargement of Particular Churches. The persecution raised by the gates of hell against the Primitive Church at Jerusalem about Stephen, it prevailed indeed to the dispersion of the whole Church (save the Apostles) Acts 8.1. but that dispersion was as seed scattered out of the garner into the field, which bringeth forth a more plentiful harvest. And so did their dispersion propagate Churches both in Samaria and Antioch.
Answ. 3. Though the gates of hell have somtimes prevailed against this or that particular Visible Church, holding fast the profession of their faith without wavering: yet they have not prevailed to their destruction, but to their dispersion onely; which tendeth to the multiplication and enlargement of Particular Churches. The persecution raised by the gates of hell against the Primitive Church at Jerusalem about Stephen, it prevailed indeed to the dispersion of the whole Church (save the Apostles) Acts 8.1. but that dispersion was as seed scattered out of the garner into the field, which bringeth forth a more plentiful harvest. And so did their dispersion propagate Churches both in Samaria and Antioch.