A80608:10
The bloody tenet, washed, and made white in the blood of the LambThe bloudy tenent, washed, and made white in the bloud of the Lambe
The bloody tenet, washed, and made white in the blood of the Lamb: being discussed and discharged of blood-guiltiness by just defence. Wherein the great questions of this present time are handled, viz. how far liberty of conscience ought to be given to those that truly fear God? And how far restrained to turbulent and pestilent persons, that not only raze the foundation of godliness, but disturb the civill peace where they live? Also how far the magistrate may proceed in the duties of the first table? And that all magistrates ought to study the word and will of God, that they may frame their government according to it. Discussed. As they are alleged from divers Scriptures, out of the Old and New Testament. Wherein also the practise of princes is debated, together with the judgement of ancient and late writers of most precious esteem. Whereunto is added a reply to Mr. Williams answer, to Mr. Cottons letter. / By John Cotton Bachelor in Divinity, and teacher of the church of Christ at Boston in New England.The bloudy tenent, washed, and made white in the bloud of the Lambe: being discussed and discharged of bloud-guiltinesse by just defence. Wherein the great questions of this present time are handled, viz. how farre liberty of conscience ought to be given to those that truly feare God? And how farre restrained to turbulent and pestilent persons, that not onely raze the foundation of godlinesse, but disturb the civill peace where they live? Also how farre the magistrate may proceed in the duties of the first table? And that all magistrates ought to study the word and will of God, that they may frame their government according to it. Discussed. As they are alledged from divers Scriptures, out of the Old and New Testament. Wherein also the practise of princes is debated, together with the judgement of ancient and late writers of most precious esteeme. Whereunto is added a reply to Mr. Williams answer, to Mr. Cottons letter. / By John Cotton Batchelor in Divinity, and teacher of the church of Christ at Boston in New England.
London: printed by Matthew Symmons for Hannah Allen, 1647
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHAP. 2. Of the title he prefixeth to my answer of the prisoners letter.
CHAP. 2. Of the title he prefixeth to my answere of the prisoners letter.
IN printing my answer to the prisoners Letter, he prefixeth the title The answer of Mr. John Cotton of Boston in New-Englands ⟨p. 3⟩professedly maintaining Persecution for cause of Conscience.
IN printing my answer to the prisoners Letter, he prefixeth thititle The answer of Mr. John Cotton of Boston in New-Englands ⟨p. 3⟩professedly maintaining Persecution for cause of Conscience.
This Title trespasseth not only against the Creator of Christian love, which is wont to take even doubtful things in the fairest sense: but even against the Law of truth. For in the whole purport of my Answer to the Letter, both in stating the Question, and in answering Objections, I expressly profess, 1. That no man is to be persecuted at all (much less for Conscience sake:) because all persecution is oppression for Righteousness sake. 2. I Profess further, That none is to be punished for his Conscience sake, though Erroneous, unless his Errors be Fundamental, or seditiously, and turbulently promoted, and that after due conviction of Conscience: That it may appear, he is not punished for his Conscience, but for sinning against his Conscience.
This Title trespasseth not onely against the Creator of Christian love, which is wont to take even doubtfull things in the fairest sense: but even against the Law of truth. For in the whole purport of my Answer to the Letter, both in stating the Question, and in answering Objections, I expresly professe, 1. That no man is to be persecuted at all (much lesse for Conscience sake:) because all persecution is oppression for Righteousnesse sake. 2. I Professe further, That none is to be punishd for his Conscience sake, though Erroneous, unlesse his Errors be Fundamentall, or seditiously, and turbulently promoted, and that after due conviction of Conscience: That it may appeare, he is not punished for his Conscience, but for sinning against his Conscience.