A Reply to his fifth Chapter Concerning a distinction of…: The bloody tenet, washed, and made white in the blood of… by John Cotton | AskReformation

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:40p. 8

It is not truly said, that the Spirit of God maketh the Ministry one of the Foundations of Christian Religion, Heb. 6.1.2. for it is only a foundation of Church Order, not of faith, or Religion, the Apostle puts an express difference between faith, and Church Order, Colos. 2.5. Nor is it a true and safe speech, to call the Fellowship or blessing of God vouchsafed to corrupt Churches, or Ministers, or Ministrations to call it, I say, unpromised, or to be beyond a word, or promise of God. For it is a large and yet an express promise of the Covenant of Grace, that God will be merciful to our iniquities, ¹That he will be merciful to every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary, 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, 20. with many more such like. And therefore there wants not Promises of Grace and blessing to the People of God, notwithstanding some defects and impurities found in their Administrations. Neither will it follow, that if our Ministry, and Ordination here be true, that then the former which we had in England was false, especially so false, as that according to visible Rule, Fellowship with God was lost.

It is not truly said, that the Spirit of God maketh the Ministry one of the Foundations of Christian Religion, Heb. 6.1.2. for it is onely a foundation of Church Order, not of faith, or Religion, the Apostle puts an expresse difference between faith, and Church Order, Colos. 2.5. Nor is it a true and safe speech, to call the Fellowship or blessing of God vouchsafed to corrupt Churches, or Ministers, or Ministrations to call it, I say, unpromised, or to be beyond a word, or promise of God. For it is a large and yet an expresse promise of the Covenant of Grace, that God will be mercifull to our iniquities, ¹That he will be mercifull to every one that prepareth his heart to seeke God, though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary, 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, 20. with many more such like. And therefore there wants not Promises of Grace and blessing to the People of God, notwithstanding some defects and impurities found in their Administrations. Neither will it follow, that if our Ministery, and Ordination here be true, that then the former which we had in England was false, especially so false, as that according to visible Rule, Fellowship with God was lost.

1Jer. 31.34.Ier. 31.34.

:45p. 9

Nevertheless, that will not weaken the Conclusion (formerly mentioned, and afterwards further discussed) That Fundamentals are so clear, that a man cannot but be convinced in Conscience of the Truth of them after two or three Admonitions: and that therefore such a Person as still continueth obstinate, is condemned of himself: and if he then be punished, He is not punished for his Conscience, but for sinning against his own Conscience. For both these may well stand together, and are far of from crossing or contrarying one another. A set form of Prayer, though it be unlawful, yet it is not such a Fundamental Error either in judgement or practise, as cutteth off from fellowship with God: That is only a resolute Assertion of the Discusser, but a vouched without all colour or pretence from the Scripture. There is some resemblance and proportion between Praying and Prophesying; Moses used an unwarranted way and Form of Prophesying, when God Commanding him to speak to the Rock before the Congregation of Israel, He spake not to the Rock, but stroke it with his Rod, (for which he had no Commandment) and spake to the People and that in a Passion (and (and both without a Commandment) Numb. 20.8.11. And yet this did not cut off his Fellowship with God, nor Gods gracious Presence with him in giving water to the People, no not at that time, God knoweth how to be present with his People, in blessing their Administrations, and forgiving their iniquities, though he do take vengeance of their Inventions, Psal. 99.8.

Neverthelesse, that will not weaken the Conclusion (formerly mentioned, and afterwards further discussed) That Fundamentalls are so cleare, that a man cannot but be convinced in Conscience of the Truth of them after two or three Admonitions: and that therefore such a Person as still continueth obstinate, is condemned of himselfe: and if he then be punished, He is not punished for his Conscience, but for sinning against his owne Conscience. For both these may well stand together, and are farre of from crossing or contrarying one another. A set forme of Prayer, though it be unlawfull, yet it is not such a Fundamentall Error either in judgement or practise, as cutteth off from fellowship with God: That is onely a resolute Assertion of the Discusser, but a vouched without all colour or pretence from the Scripture. There is some resemblance and proportion betweene Praying and Prophesying; Moses used an unwarranted way and Forme of Prophesying, when God Commaunding him to speake to the Rock before the Congregation of Israel, He spake not to the Rock, but stroke it with his Rod, (for which he had no Commaundement) and spake to the People and that in a Passion (and (and both without a Commaundament) Numb. 20.8.11. And yet this did not cutt off his Fellowship with God, nor Gods gracious Presence with him in giving water to the People, no not at that time, God knoweth how to be present with his People, in blessing their Administrations, and forgiving their iniquities, though he doe take vengeance of their Inventions, Psal. 99.8.