Mr. Cottons letter lately printed, examined and ansvvered: by Roger Williams of Providence in New·England.:

CHAP. XXI.

Mr. Cotton proceedeth. The second stumbling block or of∣fence which you have taken at the way of these Churches, is that you conceive us to walk between Christ and Antichrist. First in practising separation here, and not repenting of our preaching and Printing against it in our own Countrie. Se∣condly, in reproaching your selfe at Salem, and others for sepa∣ration. Thirdly in particular, that my selfe have conceived and spoken, that separation is a way that God hath not pros∣pered: yet say you the truth of the Churches way depends not upon the countenance of men, or upon outward peace and liberty.

Unto this he answers, that they halt not, but walke in the

mid'st of 2 extreames, the one of being defiled with the pol∣lution of other Churches, the other of renouncing the Chur∣ches for the remnant of Pollutions.

This moderation he (with ingenuous moderation) profes∣seth he sees no cause to repent of, &c.

Ans. With the Lords gracious assistance we shall prove this middle walking to be no lesse then halting, for which we shall shew cause of repentance, beseeching him that is a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto his Israel, Acts 5 3.

First Mr. Cotton himselfe confesseth, that no Nationall, Pro∣vinciall, Diocesan, or Parish Church (wherin some truly god∣ly are not) are true Churches. Secondly, he practiseth no Church estate, but such as is constituted only of godly per∣sons, nor admitteth any unregenerate or ungodly person. Thirdly, he confesseth a Church of Christ cannot be consti∣tuted of such godly persons, who are in bondage to the inor∣dinate love of the world. Fourthly, if a Church consist of such, Gods people ought to separate from them.

Upon these his owne confessions,* 1.1 I earnestly beseech Mr. Cotton and all that feare God to ponder how he can say he walks with an even foot between 2 extreams, when according to his own confession, Nationall Churches, Parish Churches, yea a Church constituted of godly persons given to inordinate love of the world are false and to be separated from: and yet he will not have the Parish Church to be separated from, for the remnant of pollution (I conceive he meaneth ceremonies & Bishops) notwithstanding that he also acknowledgeth, that the generality of every Parish in England consisteth of unrege∣nerate persons, and of thousands inbondaged, not only to worldlines, but also ignorance, superstition, scoffing swearing, cursing, whoredome drunkennesse, theft, lying. What are 2. or 3. or more of regenerate and godly persons in such commu∣nions,* 1.2 but as 2 or 3 Roses or Lillies in a wildernesse? a few grains of good corne in a heap of chaffe? a few sheep among heards of Wolves or Swine, or (if more civill) flocks of Goats? a little good dough swallowed up with a whole bushell of lea∣ven? or a little precious gold confounded and mingled with a whole heap of drosse? The Searcher of all Hearts knowes I write not this to reproach any, knowing that my selfe am by nature a child of wrath, and that the father of mercies shews mercy

to whom and when he will:* 1.3 but for the Name of Christ Jesus, in loving faithfullnes to my Countrymens soules, and defence of truth, I remember my worthy adversary of that state and con∣dition, from which his confessions say he must separate, his practise in gathering of Churches seemes to say he doth sepa∣rate; and yet he professeth there are but some remnants of pol∣lution amongst them for which he dares not separate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr. Cotton extenuates & minceth the ••oot, masse and substance of the matter of national chur∣ches, which he acknowled∣geth to be un∣regenerate, not yet born again, by na∣ming onely a remnant of pollutions.
• * 1.2

  The estate of the godly mingled with the ungodly in worships.
• * 1.3

  The state of men must be faithfully discovered unto them,