A80640:96
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.
Nor was there any other Church planted after Salem till Mr. Winthrop, and some other godly gentlemen, and many good Christians came over together with Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Philips, (Ministers of the Word:) whereof the one gathered a Church at Boston, the other at Water-Town, in the year 1630. The next year followed Mr. Eliot, and the year after Mr. Weld, who gathered into a Church at Rocksbury, as old Mr. Naverisk, and Mr. Warham had done the same before at Dorchester.
Nor was there any other Church planted after Salem till Mr. Winthrop, and some other godly gentlemen, and many good Christians came over together with Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Philips, (Ministers of the Word:) whereof the one gathered a Church at Boston, the other at Water-Towne, in the yeare 1630. The next yeare followed Mr. Eliot, and the yeare after Mr. Weld, who gathered into a Church at Rocksbury, as old Mr. Naverisk, and Mr. Warham had done the same before at Dorchester.
It was in the year 1633. when Mr. Hooker, Mr. Stone, with my self arrived in the same Ship together: and being come, we found several Churches gathered, and standing in the same Order, and way, wherein they now walk: at Salem, at Boston, at Water-Town, at Charle-Town, (which issued out of Boston) at Dorchester and Rockesbury. So that the Dissuader is much mistaken, when he saith, the Congregation of Plymouth did incontinently leaven all the vicinity: seeing for many years there was no vicinity to be leavened. And Salem it self that was gathered into Church-Order seven or eight years after them, was above 40. miles distant from them. And though it be very likely, ⟨p. 17⟩that some of the first comers might help their Theory by hearing and discerning their practice at Plymouth: yet therein the Scripture is fulfilled, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of Meal, till all was leavened, Matth. 13.13.
It was in the yeare 1633. when Mr. Hooker, Mr. Stone, with my self arrived in the same Ship together: and being come, we found severall Churches gathered, and standing in the same Order, and way, wherein they now walke: at Salem, at Boston, at Water-Towne, at Charle-Towne, (which issued out of Boston) at Dorchester and Rockesbury. So that the Disswader is much mistaken, when hee saith, the Congregagation of Plymouth did incontinently leaven all the vicinity: seeing for many yeares there was no vicinity to bee leavened. And Salem it selfe that was gathered into Church-Order seven or eight yeares after them, was above 40. miles distant from them. And though it bee very likely,