A80640:68
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.
TO shut up this Chapter, the Dissuader telleth us, That the way of the old Brownists is become contemptible not only to all the rest of the world, but to their own children also; even they begin to heap coals of contumelies upon their Parents heads; as may be seen in the Elogies which both Mr. Cotton, and the five Apologists are pleased to give them in Print; yea, so much are these Children ashamed of their Fathers, that they usually take it for a contumely to be called after their name. No Independent will take it well at any mans hand to be called a Brownist either in whole, or in the smallest part.
TO shut up this Chapter, the Disswader telleth us, That the way of the old Brownists is become contemptible not onely to all the rest of the world, but to their own children also; even they begin to heap coals of contumelies upon their Parents heads; as may be seen in the Elogies which both Mr. Cotton, and the five Apologists are pleased to give them in Print; yea, so much are these Children ashamed of their Fathers, that they usually take it for a contumelie to be called after their name. No Independent will take it well at any mans hand to be called a Brownist either in whole, or in the smallest part.
Answ. 1. No marvel, if Independents take it ill to be called Brownists, in whole, or in part. For neither in whole, nor in part do we partake in his Schism. He separated from Churches and from Saints: we, only from the world, and that which is of the world. He turned apostate from the Separation which he had professed: and it is absurd to denominate either Sect or right way, from such as apostate from it. If he had stood constant in his way, and his way had been the same with ours, yet we were ⟨p. 10⟩not baptized into his Name; and why should we then be called after his Name? If schism be a manifest fruit of the flesh, then they that give Nick-names tending to the reproach and division of Brethren, they walk after the flesh; for they sow variance and schism amongst Brethren.
Answ. 1. No marvail, if Independents take it ill to bee called Brownists, in whole, or in part. For neither in whole, nor in part doe we partake in his Schism. He separated from Churches and from Saints: we, onely from the world, and that which is of the world. He turned apostate from the Separation which he had professed: and it is absurd to denominate either Sect or right way, from such as apostate from it. If he had stood constant in his way, and his way had been the same with ours, yet we were