A brief refutation of the errors tolleration, erastianism, independency and separation delivered in some sermons from I Job. 4. I, preach'd in the year 1652 : to which are added four sermons preach'd on several occasions / by Mr. James Fergusson ...
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Title
A brief refutation of the errors tolleration, erastianism, independency and separation delivered in some sermons from I Job. 4. I, preach'd in the year 1652 : to which are added four sermons preach'd on several occasions / by Mr. James Fergusson ...
Author
Fergusson, James, 1621-1667.
Publication
Edinburgh :: Printed by George Mosman, and are to be sold at his shop ...
1692.
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Subject terms
Sermons, English -- 17th century.
Toleration -- Controversial literature.
Dissenters, Religious -- England.
Cite this Item
"A brief refutation of the errors tolleration, erastianism, independency and separation delivered in some sermons from I Job. 4. I, preach'd in the year 1652 : to which are added four sermons preach'd on several occasions / by Mr. James Fergusson ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online Collections. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/a41202.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 5, 2024.
Pages
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
TO THE
READER.
THere are divers years past, since
the Reverend, Learned, and
Pious Author of the following
Discourses, fell a sleep in the
Lord, and is gone to receive
the fruit of his Labours, from
the chief Shepherd of the Sheep: Yet we have
in his Memory a lasting proof of the Truth of
that Word, Pro. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is
Blessed And that of Psalm 112 6—The Right∣eous
shall be in everlasting Remembrance:
Their memory is Precious and Honour∣able:
For I can truly say, though I have
heard many, of high and low Degree speak
of Master Fergusson
arrow_forward
, I never heard any make
mention of him but with Honour and Re∣spect,
As a Man of great Piety and Learning,
and Eminent for Prudence and Moderation.
And I am confident, there will be no need of
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
Epistles of Recommendation, for any of his
Works, to any who either knew Himself, or
have perused his Judicious and Pious Trea∣tises,
published already, on the Epistles to
the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Co∣lossians
and Thes••alonians. Nor am I so pre∣sumptuous,
as to imagine my Testimony
could raise the Esteem of any thing done by
so Famous and Worthy a Man: But being his
Mediate Successor to the Parish of Kilwinning,
where he did for many years Labour in the
Work of the Gospel; and being desired by
his Son of the same Name, I could not deny
to express the esteem I have for his Memory,
Though I had not the Advantage of knowing
him while he lived.
I am informed the following Discourses,
were the subject of Divers Sermons, deliver∣ed
to that People, in a time when there was
much need of Warning; It was after that
through a Boundless Tolleration, a deludge
of Errors had broken in upon England, and
the Sectarian Army having Subdued Scot∣land,
and dispersed themselves in all the Parts
of it, Corrupt Men and Seducers among
Them, did endeavour to pervert the People
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
from the Truth: Then it was (anno 1652.)
When this worthy Author, as a Faithful
Watchman, gave to his Flock Warning of the
Danger; And that they might be rooted and
grounded in the Truth, did represent to them
the necessity of a sound and well-informed
Judgement, in order to Holiness and Salva∣tion;
and for that end did excite and direct
them to Try the Spirits; and afterw••rd▪ for
their further Instruction and establishment in
the Truth, took notice of some particular Er∣rors,
by which they seem'd to be in greatest
hazard at that time; and did in a plain and
convincing way, Refute the Errors, and
Confirm the Truth, making alwayes some
Practical Improvement of what he had deli∣vered.
Although the Reverend Author was known
to be a great Master of School-learning, and
was invited to be Professor of Divinity in the
Famous University of Glasgow (which yet he
humbly refused) yet he did not calculate these
Discourses for the School or Court; But being
to speak to a Countrey Congregation, wherein
were many Common People (for whom they
seem to have been intirely designed, since the
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
Author could never be induced to Publish them
in his own time) He had such a sense of the holy
Apostles example 1 Cor. 14. 18, 19. that he
choosed to speak to the edification of the
meanest; and he had a peculiar faculty of
making things intricate, plain and easie to be
understood. And I am confident that those
who are not for pleasing their fancy with fine
notions, or their ear with jingling-words, but
desire to have their judgement informed, and
their conscience satisfied, will find here that
which will be very edifying: For his endea∣vour
is, That Controversies be clearly stated;
And with great perspicuity and solidity doth
he confirm the Truth by Scripture and Reason,
and confute the contrary Error; and all this
without bitterness or wrath, but with such
calmness and moderation of Spirit, wherein he
did excell; So that (as I am informed) divers
of the English Army, though of a contrary
Judgement, did resort to hear him; I know
not what effects his Teaching of these Truths
had on Them, but by the Blessing of God,
these of his own Flock were so established in
the Truth, that not one of them was seduced
from it. And I cannot but record it to the
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
praise of God and commendation of that Con∣gregation,
and for the encouragement of any
who may be invited to be their Pastor, when I,
to their and my grief, am to be separated from
them, to a more difficult Post; I say, I cannot
but record it, that as that Congregation of Kil∣winning,
hath since the Reformation, been
blest with eminent learned and pious Men, Mr
Glasford. Mr Bailie, Mr
arrow_back
Fergusson
arrow_forward
and Mr
Rogirs; So they have by the Blessing of God
on their labours, been kept not only Sound in
the Faith, but United among themselves, when
others have been wofully Divided: And they
have alwayes shewed a great love to the Go∣spel,
and all the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus,
and the Ministers thereof: And I pray That
their fruit may abound more and more.
If some Expressions Concerning the Opini∣on
of Independents, or Congregational Men,
seem severe; It would be remembred, that the
Author doth not speak against Persons, but a∣gainst
Things; And in a time when many Er∣rors
followed that Division about Church Go∣vernment;
and the Debate was hot about it,
and fear that it should have taken place in Scot∣land:
But considering the Zeal these of New-England
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
have discovered against Error, and
their United way of acting in Association and
Synods, when they think there is need, and
the love that hath been in time of Common
Tryal, and the Late Essay which hath been
made for an Accomodation, betwixt Presbyte∣rians
and Them in England; I suppose if our
Reverend Author had lived until this time, he
would have concluded, the Difference may be
so lessened, that it need not hinder their walk∣ing
together, in that wherein they are agreed,
nor their Endeavours to keep the Vnity of the
Spirit in the bond of Peace.
I do not know of any particular design of pub∣lishing
these Discourses now, when they have
been kept hid for fourty years, but that the
Author's Son having long delay'd and declin'd
to Publish them, though frequently and seri∣ously
advis'd to do it by many, he was adver∣tised
that some would publish the Imperfect
Notes received from His mouth, in the time of
Hearing, which being incorrect, might not
only prejudge the Authors name, but the
Truth, and others Edification. If these (as
is hoped they will) be acceptable and useful,
what yet remains unprinted of these Discour∣ses,
may see the Light in due time.
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
There are here subjoyned Four Sermons
of the Reverend Author, which the Publish∣er
and others hope may be found of good use,
and may make way for the communicating
more of his Pious and Judicious Sermons,
which are longed for by them who knew Him,
or his other Works.
It had surely been of great advantage to the
Church, had it pleased God to have spared
this judicious and pious Author till now, and
that he had published more of his Works in his
own time: But seing our infinitely wise and
good God hath disposed otherwise, it becom∣eth
us to submit: But if by this, or any other
of his Works, God get Glory, and the Church
be edified; The Publisher will rejoice and
bless God, as having attained his end. And
if the Reader peruse his Works with the same
Spirit wherewith they seem to be spoken
and written, I am confident he will not fail of
profit.
Now that the Spirit of Truth and Holiness,
would lead Thee and all His people, into all
Truth, and help them to edify one another
in love, and that He would bless His Church∣es
with Truth and Peace, and send out many
descriptionPage [unnumbered]
Faithful Labourers into His Harvest with a
double measure of the Spirit that was in Mr.
arrow_back
Fergusson and other eminently holy Men who
then lived, shall be the Prayer of,
Christian Reader,
Thy Souls cordial
Well-wisher.
George Meldrum.
Edinburgh,
June 1692.
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