A80640:7
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
Letter: An Epistle PACIFICATORY, To the Brethren dissenting from this Way.
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.
An Epistle PACIFICATORY, To the Brethren dissenting from this Way.
Here (Reverend Brethren) is presented unto you in Print, that very Copy, which the worthy Author (Mr John Cotton, Teacher of the Church at Boston in New England) sent together with his letter under his own hand unto me. His honouring me therein (upon my real account) deserved his request, that I would assist the Press, which with the greatest diligence opportunity put into my hands I have performed. And the worth of the subject, and the Authors sweet and solid handling of it, hath richly rewarded my labour, legendo, perlegendoque, in the usal and perusal thereof. The Man, most patient towards a sharp Antagonist, (you your selves being judges.) The Manner of handling, gracious; meek words, playing the Champion for Verity and Innocency, with arguments of steel, unsheathed and shining with an amiable plainness of speech, and a free and sincere openness of heart. The Matter partly Apologetical, partly Controversial. In the former part you will meet with: 1. A true and terse History of the purer Churches in later puddled times: The blots aspersed upon them, clearly pumices and sponged off; and divers precious Saints for learning and religion (through whose sides Christs ways by opponents have been sorely wounded) [Greek or Hebrew], evidently and unrepliablely vindicated. 2. A very good account of many singular Doctrinal points, not only of more speculative Theology, ventilating the chaff from the wheat, Error from Truth; but of most practical Soul-searching, Soul-saving, and Soul-solacing Divinity. I might give golden instances, glating gloriously upon my Spirit, but for falling under a leaden retarding ⟨image 3⟩of dispatch; fearing lest the press tarry for me; for it even treads on my heel. In the latter part of this Book, being Controversial, you have a fair Additional to the