CHAP. XVIII.
Mr. Cotton.* 1.1 Yea but (saith he) the 3000. Jewes were admit∣ted when they repented of their murthering of Christ, al∣though they never saw all the superstitious leavenings wher∣with the Pharises had bewitched them: and so no doubt may godly persons now, although they be not yet convinced of every passage of Antichristian superstition, &c. and that upon this ground, that spirituall whoredome and drunkennesse is not so soon discerned as corporall.
I answer, it is not indeed so easily discerned, and yet not the lesse sinfull, but infinitly transcendent, as much as spirituall sobriety exceeds corporall, and the bed of the most high God, exceeds the beds of men, who are but dust and ashes.
Secondly,* 1.2 I answere the converted Jews although they saw not all the leavenings of the Pharises, yet they mourned for killing of Christ, and embraced him in his Worship Ministry, Government, and were added to his Church: and O that the least beames of light and sparkles of heat were in mine owne, and others soules, which were kindled by the holy Spirit of God in those famous converts at the preaching of Peter, Acts 2. The true Christ now in his Worship, Ministrie, &c. being dis∣cerned and repentance for persecuting and killing of him,* 1.3 be∣ing exprest, there necessarily follows a withdrawing from the Church, Ministry and Worship of the false Christ, and sub∣mission unto the true: and this is the summe and substance of our contraversie.
Concerning the confession of sinnes unto Iohn,* 1.4 he grants the Disciples of Iohn confest their sins, the Publicans theirs, the Souldiers theirs the people theirs, but saith he, it appeares not that they confest their Pharisaicall pollution.
And concerning the confession Acts 19. 18. he saith it is not exprest that they confest all their deeds.
Ans. If both these confest their notorious sins, (as Mr. Cot∣ton