A coppy of a letter of Mr. Cotton of Boston, in New England, sent in answer of certaine objections made against their discipline and orders there, directed to a friend vvith the questions propounded to such as are admitted to the church-fellowship and the covenant it selfe.
         Way of the churches of Christ in New-England
         Cotton, John, 1584-1652.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A34672 of text R11464 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing C6422). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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             A coppy of a letter of Mr. Cotton of Boston, in New England, sent in answer of certaine objections made against their discipline and orders there, directed to a friend vvith the questions propounded to such as are admitted to the church-fellowship and the covenant it selfe.
             Way of the churches of Christ in New-England
             Cotton, John, 1584-1652.
          
           [2], 6 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London? :
             1641.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Congregational churches -- Discipline.
        
      
    
       A34672  R11464  (Wing C6422).  civilwar no A coppy of a letter of Mr. Cotton of Boston, in New England, sent in answer of certaine objections made against their discipline and orders Cotton, John 1641    1740 5 0 0 0 0 0 29 C  The  rate of 29 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           COPPY
           OF
           A
           LETTER
           of
           Mr.
           COTTON
           of
           
             Boston
             ,
          
           in
           
             New
          
           ENGLAND
           ,
           sent
           in
           answer
           of
           certaine
           Objections
           made
           against
           their
           Discipline
           and
           Orders
           there
           ,
           directed
           to
           a
           FRIEND
           .
           VVith
           the
           
             Questions
          
           propounded
           to
           such
           as
           are
           admitted
           to
           the
           
             Church-fellowship
             ,
          
           and
           the
           COVENANT
           it SELFE
           .
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           yeare
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           COPPY
           Of
           a
           LETTER
           of
           Mr.
           COTTON
           of
           
             Boston
             ,
          
           in
           an
           Answer
           of
           certaine
           Objections
           made
           against
           their
           Discipline
           and
           Orders
           there
           ,
           directed
           to
           a
           FRIEND
           .
        
         
           With
           the
           Questions
           put
           to
           such
           as
           are
           Admitted
           to
           the
           Church
           Fellowship
           and
           the
           COVENANT
           it selfe
           .
        
         
           THere
           have
           been
           things
           (
           as
           it
           seemeth
           )
           reported
           unto
           you
           ;
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           we
           receive
           none
           into
           our
           Church-fellowship
           untill
           they
           first
           disclaime
           their
           Churches
           in
           
             England
          
           as
           no
           Churches
           ,
           but
           as
           limbs
           of
           the
           devill
           ;
           now
           ,
           I
           answer
           ,
           God
           forbid
           ,
           God
           forbid
           :
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           one
           
             Sheba
          
           of
           
             ●ukry
          
           blew
           a
           Trumpet
           of
           such
           a
           ●●●●tious
           Separation
           ;
           I
           meane
           ,
           one
           Mr.
           
           
             Williams
          
           late
           T●●c●●r
           of
           
             Salem
             ,
          
           but
           himselfe
           and
           others
           that
           followed
           ●●st●●y
           in
           that
           way
           ,
           
           who
           were
           all
           excommunicated
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           banished
           out
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           for
           men
           in
           that
           way
           and
           of
           such
           a
           spirit
           are
           wont
           not
           onely
           to
           renounce
           the
           Churches
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           but
           ours
           also
           ,
           because
           we
           held
           communion
           with
           them
           in
           
             England
          
           in
           the
           things
           which
           are
           of
           God
           ;
           see
           therefore
           how
           unjustly
           wee
           are
           slandered
           for
           renouncing
           communion
           with
           you
           ,
           as
           is
           mentioned
           ,
           and
           for
           it
           they
           themselves
           are
           punished
           in
           our
           Common
           wealth
           ,
           censures
           in
           our
           Churches
           ;
           for
           such
           Antichristian
           exorbit●res
           :
           by
           this
           you
           may
           see
           the
           Objection
           clearely
           answered
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           Calumny
           is
           ,
           that
           our
           members
           must
           professe
           their
           repentance
           for
           all
           former
           communion
           with
           the
           Churches
           among
           you
           :
           Now
           for
           the
           answer
           ,
           wee
           professe
           no
           such
           things
           ,
           but
           onely
           in
           generall
           so
           farre
           as
           we
           have
           polluted
           our selves
           with
           any
           corruptions
           or
           inventions
           of
           men
           ,
           or
           defiled
           Gods
           Ordinances
           with
           any
           corruption
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           whereby
           you
           may
           gather
           answer
           from
           the
           second
           Calumny
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           Calumny
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           enter
           into
           covenant
           solemnly
           ,
           never
           to
           have
           communion
           with
           the
           present
           Churches
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           whereas
           in
           truth
           we
           never
           have
           such
           words
           or
           meaning
           in
           any
           part
           of
           our
           Covenant
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           professe
           to
           walke
           in
           all
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           will
           revealed
           in
           his
           Word
           .
        
         
           Of
           the
           fourth
           report
           you
           mention
           ,
           there
           is
           some
           ground
           for
           it
           ,
           our
           practise
           ,
           power
           indeed
           is
           given
           among
           us
           to
           the
           people
           to
           chuse
           their
           Ministers
           ,
           so
           likewise
           to
           receive
           any
           member
           unto
           the
           Church
           fellowship
           ,
           and
           to
           joyne
           in
           the
           excommunication
           of
           such
           as
           grow
           scandalous
           .
           which
           yet
           is
           very
           rare
           .
           Among
           us
           through
           the
           goodnesse
           of
           God
           scarce
           two
           or
           three
           have
           beene
           excommunicated
           out
           of
           our
           Churches
           ,
           which
           is
           more
           for
           rejecting
           communion
           with
           the
           Churches
           ,
           than
           for
           any
           other
           crime
           :
           It
           is
           true
           also
           ,
           that
           we
           allow
           any
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           complaine
           of
           an
           offence
           
           given
           him
           by
           any
           brother
           ,
           if
           a
           private
           way
           of
           Admonition
           according
           to
           the
           rule
           have
           not
           reformed
           him
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           18.
           17.
           but
           that
           hath
           fallen
           out
           very
           seldome
           since
           I
           came
           hither
           ,
           for
           ought
           I
           have
           heard
           ,
           either
           in
           our
           owne
           or
           other
           Churches
           ,
           they
           much
           wrong
           both
           you
           and
           us
           who
           told
           you
           that
           Master
           
             Wilson
          
           was
           suspended
           from
           his
           Ministry
           for
           his
           Journey
           into
           
             England
             ,
          
           or
           for
           any
           Communion
           he
           had
           with
           the
           Churches
           there
           ;
           nor
           to
           my
           remembrance
           did
           any
           of
           the
           Brethren
           question
           him
           about
           it
           ,
           till
           of
           himselfe
           he
           began
           to
           give
           some
           account
           of
           his
           journey
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           then
           indeede
           two
           or
           three
           grave
           and
           godly
           men
           desired
           him
           to
           cleare
           a
           passage
           or
           two
           ;
           first
           ,
           how
           he
           could
           leave
           the
           whole
           Congregation
           above
           twelve
           moneths
           together
           without
           their
           consent
           ,
           and
           how
           he
           could
           leave
           his
           wife
           (
           as
           I
           remember
           )
           without
           her
           consent
           ;
           to
           both
           which
           he
           gave
           a
           satisfactory
           answer
           ,
           and
           was
           not
           at
           all
           suspended
           by
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           of
           himselfe
           he
           forbare
           one
           day
           ,
           or
           at
           the
           least
           halfe
           a
           day
           ,
           till
           hee
           had
           declared
           both
           the
           particulars
           ;
           that
           which
           you
           adde
           of
           grace
           and
           gifts
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           of
           his
           presence
           in
           the
           Ministry
           of
           his
           servants
           among
           you
           ,
           we
           willingly
           &
           thankefully
           acknowledge
           and
           do
           professe
           ,
           that
           the
           hope
           which
           most
           of
           us
           have
           obtained
           of
           the
           common
           salvation
           wee
           received
           from
           the
           preaching
           of
           Gods
           faithfull
           Ministers
           among
           you
           ,
           wee
           cannot
           ,
           we
           dare
           not
           deny
           to
           
             Blesse
             the
             Wombe
             which
             bare
             us
             ,
             and
             the
             Paps
             which
             gave
             us
             sucke
             ;
          
           and
           long
           may
           these
           Lights
           shine
           among
           you
           ,
           with
           all
           peace
           ,
           purity
           ,
           and
           power
           ,
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           What
           you
           speake
           of
           Separatists
           and
           Brownists
           ;
           wee
           generally
           here
           doe
           consent
           with
           you
           ,
           that
           the
           bitternesse
           of
           Separation
           whereby
           men
           doe
           not
           onely
           cut
           themselves
           from
           the
           inventions
           of
           men
           ,
           but
           also
           from
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           God
           and
           fellowship
           of
           his
           servants
           ;
           for
           who
           so
           have
           done
           ,
           they
           never
           were
           blessed
           with
           peace
           :
           As
           for
           those
           scruples
           you
           pray
           me
           to
           weigh
           without
           prejudice
           ,
           we
           here
           doe
           consent
           with
           you
           therein
           ,
           
           only
           there
           is
           a
           passage
           or
           two
           which
           I
           crave
           leave
           to
           explaine
           my self
           in
           first
           that
           you
           say
           our
           Pastor
           M.
           
             Wilson
          
           affirmes
           among
           you
           that
           wee
           did
           not
           follow
           
             Calvins
          
           platforme
           as
           an
           Episcopall
           he
           saith
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           remember
           any
           such
           word
           to
           have
           fallen
           from
           him
           ,
           onely
           thus
           much
           he
           confesseth
           ,
           as
           we
           doe
           all
           here
           ,
           that
           wee
           doe
           not
           transact
           all
           things
           so
           reservedly
           in
           a
           consistory
           ,
           but
           though
           wee
           bee
           prebestary
           ,
           doe
           prepare
           all
           things
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           wee
           transact
           no
           publique
           act
           ,
           but
           in
           their
           presence
           ,
           and
           with
           their
           consents
           ,
           unlesse
           any
           of
           their
           brethren
           can
           give
           a
           reason
           from
           the
           Scripture
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           or
           some
           better
           intelligence
           of
           his
           owne
           ,
           which
           latter
           sometimes
           falls
           out
           ;
           secondly
           ,
           what
           you
           speake
           of
           prophesying
           ,
           I
           neede
           not
           say
           much
           of
           it
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           warily
           used
           here
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           be
           in
           absence
           ,
           and
           weakenesse
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           for
           any
           abuse
           herein
           allow
           it
           not
           ,
           but
           dislike
           it
           as
           you
           doe
           :
           Now
           you
           have
           shewed
           so
           much
           for
           to
           inquire
           the
           truth
           of
           these
           matters
           ,
           I
           pray
           you
           informe
           others
           also
           what
           answer
           you
           have
           received
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           a
           further
           testimony
           of
           your
           love
           ;
           pray
           for
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           doe
           for
           you
           ,
           so
           taking
           leave
           I
           rest
           ,
        
         
           
             Your
             unworthy
             weake
             Brother
             in
             Christ
             ,
             
               IOHN
               COTTON
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           Questions
           put
           to
           such
           as
           are
           admitted
           to
           the
           Church-Fellowship
           .
        
         
           HOw
           it
           pleased
           God
           to
           worke
           in
           them
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           home
           to
           Christ
           ,
           whether
           the
           law
           have
           convinced
           them
           of
           sinne
           ,
           how
           the
           Lord
           hath
           wonne
           them
           to
           deny
           themselves
           and
           their
           owne
           righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           to
           rely
           on
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           Christ
           ,
           then
           they
           make
           a
           briefe
           confession
           ,
           or
           else
           an
           answer
           to
           a
           few
           questions
           about
           the
           maine
           fundamentall
           points
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           appeare
           indeed
           whether
           they
           be
           competently
           endued
           with
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           sound
           in
           the
           faith
           ,
           and
           about
           the
           Godhead
           ,
           the
           Trinity
           ,
           the
           worke
           ,
           our
           first
           estate
           of
           innocency
           the
           fall
           our
           redemption
           ,
           Christ
           his
           Natures
           ,
           his
           Offices
           ,
           Faith
           ,
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           the
           last
           judgement
           ,
           such
           as
           every
           Christian
           man
           is
           bound
           to
           learne
           and
           give
           account
           of
           ;
           we
           refuse
           none
           for
           weakenesse
           ,
           either
           knowledge
           or
           grace
           ,
           if
           the
           whole
           be
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           any
           of
           the
           Church
           can
           give
           testimony
           of
           their
           Christian
           and
           sincere
           affections
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           Church
           consenting
           to
           their
           admission
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Elders
           propounded
           to
           the
           party
           ,
           the
           covenant
           that
           hee
           must
           enter
           into
           with
           God
           and
           the
           Church
           ,
           whereunto
           the
           party
           expresly
           covenants
           ,
           then
           is
           reciprocally
           received
           the
           Churches
           covenant
           backe
           againe
           by
           the
           voyce
           of
           the
           elder
           .
           This
           is
           all
           the
           secret
           we
           have
           among
           us
           ,
           neither
           have
           we
           any
           more
           secret
           carriage
           ,
           than
           this
           which
           no
           godly
           man
           that
           ever
           came
           over
           to
           us
           have
           ever
           disliked
           ,
           you
           come
           not
           more
           willingly
           to
           have
           communion
           with
           us
           ,
           then
           we
           receive
           you
           ,
           upon
           no
           harder
           termes
           then
           have
           been
           declared
           .
        
      
       
         
           The
           
             COVENANT
          
           it selfe
           .
        
         
           SInce
           it
           hath
           pleased
           God
           to
           move
           you
           brethren
           to
           hold
           forth
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           fellowship
           ;
           It
           is
           your
           part
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           
           I
           am
           to
           require
           of
           you
           in
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           before
           you
           can
           be
           admitted
           there
           unto
           ,
           whether
           you
           be
           willing
           to
           enter
           a
           holy
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           them
           and
           by
           the
           grace
           and
           helpe
           of
           Christ
           be
           willing
           to
           deny
           your selfe
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           former
           polutions
           ,
           and
           corruptions
           ,
           wherein
           in
           any
           sort
           you
           have
           walked
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           give
           up
           your selfe
           to
           the
           Lord
           Iesus
           ,
           making
           him
           your
           onely
           priest
           and
           attonement
           ,
           your
           onely
           profit
           ,
           your
           onely
           guide
           and
           King
           ,
           and
           Lawgiver
           ,
           and
           to
           walke
           before
           him
           in
           all
           professed
           subjections
           unto
           all
           his
           holy
           Ordinance
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           to
           walke
           together
           with
           his
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           thereof
           in
           brotherly
           love
           ,
           and
           mutuall
           edification
           and
           succor
           according
           to
           God
           ;
           then
           doe
           I
           also
           promise
           unto
           you
           in
           the
           name
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           helpe
           of
           Christ
           ,
           we
           likewise
           will
           walke
           towards
           you
           in
           all
           brotherly
           love
           and
           holy
           watchfulnesse
           to
           the
           mutuall
           building
           ,
           up
           one
           of
           another
           in
           the
           fellowship
           of
           the
           Lord
           Iesus
           ,
        
         
           Amen
           ,
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .