A80608:1000
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.
I say again, if persecution be properly taken for the punishment of the Innocent for Truth, or Righteousness sake, it ought not to be found in a Christian Church, but is usually found in a false and Antichristian Church, but I cannot (as the Discusser doth) make it a mark of the Christian Church, to be persecuted, and a mark of a false Church to persecute. For a Mark is such a sign as belongeth, omni, soli, & semper, as a mark of the Church must agree to every Church, and at all times to the Church, and only to the Church. But to be persecuted, is not found in every true Church, at least not at all times: For after the conversion of Paul unto the Faith of Christ, the Churches had rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, Acts 9.31. shall we say they were then no true Christian Churches, because they wanted this mark of the Church, to be persecuted? Again, we read, that after the destruction of Antichrist, the Churches of the Saints ⟨p. 142⟩shall have rest and rule a thousand years, Revel. 20.4. Shall their freedom from persecution, be a dissolution of the Church-Estate? The like may be said of the New Jerusalem (the Churches of the Jews, after the destruction of Gog, and Magog) when God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and take away Death (violent Death) sorrow, crying, and pain, (Rev. 21.4.) shall they then cease to be Churches, when persecution ceaseth?
I say againe, if persecution be properly taken for the punishment of the Innocent for Truth, or Righteousnesse sake, it ought not to be found in a Christian Church, but is usually found in a false and Antichristian Church, but I cannot (as the Discusser doth) make it a marke of the Christian Church, to be persecuted, and a marke of a false Church to persecute. For a Marke is such a signe as belongeth, omni, soli, & semper, as a marke of the Church must agree to every Church, and at all times to the Church, and onely to the Church. But to be persecuted, is not found in every true Church, at least not at all times: For after the conversion of Paul unto the Faith of Christ, the Churches had rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria,