The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared, Treatise 1 · Chapter 3 · Section 11
SECT. XI. Of Cottons pretended Pelagianiſm and Arminian Errors.
2. My next Error, he calleth, My more dangerous fall into the gulf of Pelagianiſm, ſome of the Arminian Errors. I did expect, he would have named what thoſe Pelagian or Arminian Errors had been. But for that, he referreth me to the Antapology, a Book which I doe not know that ever I have ſeen. Sure I am, I have often aſſayed to get, but cannot yet procure it. The teſtimony which Mr Baylie quoteth out of it, referreth me to the Preface of Dr. Twiſſe his Anſwer. I have read his Preface, wherein I finde no particular Tenents of mine expreſſed as Erroneous. But this teſtimony he is pleaſed to give me, (which might ſomewhat allay the ha…ſhneſſe of the ſcandall of my fall into the gulf of Pelagianiſm and Arminianiſm:) Mr. Cotton (ſaith he) as I have heard, is very ſound and orthodox in the Point of Election: and cometh to this work with a gracious intent to clear the Doctrine of Predeſtination, (and that, in the particular of Reprobation) from ſuch harſh conſequences as ſeemeth to be derived from thence.
Dr. Twiſſe doth indeed truly expreſſe that which (through grace) was my true intent, to clear the Orthodox Doctrine of Predeſtination from ſuch harſh conſequences, as are wonted to be derived from abſolute Reprobation. For when I was firſt called to Boſton in Lincoln-ſhire, ſo it was, that Mr. Doctor Baron, ſon of Dr. Baron, (the Divinity Reader at Cambridge) who in his Lectures there, firſt broched that which was then called Lutheraniſm, ſince Arminianiſm:) this Dr. Baron, I ſay, had leavened many of the chief men of the Town with Arminianiſm; as being indeed himſelf learned, acute, plauſible in diſcourſe, and fit to inſinuate into the hearts of his Neighbors. And though he was a Phyſitian by profeſſion, (and of good skill in that art:) yet he ſpent the greateſt ſtrength of his ſtudies in clearing and promoting the Arminian Tenents. Whence it came to paſſe, that in all the great Feaſts of the Town, the chiefeſt Diſcourſe at Table did ordinarily fall upon Arminian Points, to the great offence of the Godly Miniſters both in Boston, and Neighbor-Towns. I coming amongſt them a yong man, (as having gone to Cambridge in the beginning of the 13th year of my age, and tarrying there not above 14 years in all, before I was ſent for to Boſton:) I thought it a part both of modeſty and prudence, not to ſpeak much to the Points, at the firſt, amongſt Strangers and Ancients: untill afterwards, after hearing of many Diſcourſes in Publick meetings, and much private conference with the Doctor, I had learned at length where all the great ſtrength of the Doctor lay. And then obſerving (by the helpe of Chriſt) how to avoid ſuch expreſſions, as gave him any advantage in the expreſſions of others, I then began publickly to Preach, and in private Meetings to defend the Doctrine of Gods eternall Election before all foreſight of good or evil in the Creature: and the Redemption (ex gratiâ) only of the Ellict: the effectuall vocation of a Sinner per irreſiſtibilem gratiae vim, without all reſpect of the preparations of Free will: And finally, the impoſſibility of the fal of a ſincere Beleever either totally or finally from the eſtate of grace. Hereupon, when the Doctor had objected many things, and heard my anſwers to thoſe ſcruples which he was wont moſt plauſibly to urge; preſently after, our publick Feaſts and neighborly meetings, were ſilent from all further debates about Predeſtination, or any of the Points which depend thereon, and all matters of Religion were carryed on calmly and peaceably. Inſomuch, that when God opened mine eyes to ſee the ſin of conformity, (which was ſoon after:) my neglect of conformity was at firſt tolerated without diſturbance, and at length embraced in practiſe by the chief and g…eateſt part of the Town. But ſo it fell out, that a neighbor Miniſter dwelling about 16 miles off (and my very loving friend) hearing of ſome Anſwers of mine tending to clear the Doctrine of Reprobation againſt the exceptions of Dr. Baron, he ſeemed not to be ſatisfied therewith, but wrote to me ſeven or eight Queſtions about the ſame; whereto I willingly gave him ſuch Anſwers as then came to hand, and that ſoon after the receipt of his Queſtions, which is now long ſince, about 30 years agoe. Little did I think, that a private Letter of mine written to a very friend, ſhould ever have been divulged abroad. But it ſeemeth ſome got Copies of it; and in proceſſe of time, one Copy multiplyed another, till at length it came to Dr. Twiſſe his hand. None of his Writings againſt Arminius or his followers had been then publiſhed: but he was then (by the report which went of him) of ſuch high eſteem with me, as I wrote him a thankfull Letter for the pains I heard he had taken in examining my Anſwer to Mr. Pells Queries: (for that was the neighbor Miniſters name who ſent them to me;) and deſired from him leave to ſee the copy of his Anſwer. He lovingly granted it, onelyonly with deſire after a time to return his foreign: yet after that having got himſelf another Copy, he ſent me word, he was content I ſhould keep his. Whereupon I took it with me to New-England; but ſince my coming hither have found ſuch conſtant diverſion from ſuch Contemplative Controverſies, to attend Practicall, that I have not to this day been able to perpend the Doctors Anſwer, which I ſee is now Printed: I hope, God will give me opportunity ere long (after two or three other Treatiſes peruſed) to conſider of this his labor of Love. I bleſs the Lord, who hath taught me to be willing to be taught of a farre meaner Diſciple then ſuch a Doctor, whoſe Scholaſticall acuteneſſe, pregnancy of wit, ſolidity of judgment, and dexterity of argument, all Orthodox Divines doe highly honor, and whom all Arminians and Jeſuites doe fall down before with ſilence. God forbid I ſhould ſhut mine eys againſt any light brought to me by him. OnelyOnly I deſire I may not be condemned as a Pelagian or Arminian, before I be heard, or be found more ſlow in retracting an Error, then in diſcerning it.