A80608:101
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.
Discharge.
This is as little to the purpose, as that which went before. The distinction spake of holding forth Erroneous and unlawful things, in a way tending of it self, to the disturbance of Civill Peace. This Discussion holdeth forth another way tending to the disturbance of Civill Peace, not of it self, but by occasion or by Accident, to wit, when the holding forth of Light and Truth disturbeth the sore Eyes of a corrupt State. If per se, and per Accidens (of it self, and by occasion) be all one: If the holding forth of Truth, and Error be all one, then this Discussion hath shaken the distinction of holding forth Error, not in an humble and meek way, but in a way of Arrogance and Impetuousness. But when he saith, vigilant and faithful Persons are not so troubled, no not at the false Religion of Jew or Gentile: If he mean not so much troubled at the false Religion, as corrupt Sates be at the true Religion: there may be truth in the speech, but it only argueth, That corrupt nature is more zealous in the defence of its own will-worship, then the faithful be in the defence of the Truth. But surely the faithful are called to contend Earnestly for the Faith, (Jude 3.) and have as much cause to be troubled at the holding forth of the Worship of Baal, as corrupt States be at the holding forth of the Worship of Jehovah. If his meaning be, that vigilant and faithful Persons, are not so troubled at the false Religion of Jew or Gentile, but that they can Tolerate them to live amongst them in a Civill Body, we say so too: And therefore the Indians, who have submitted to the Government of this jurisdiction, are not compelled to the Profession or acknowledgement of our Religion, either by Force of Arms, or Penal Laws. But yet if Christians should seduce Christians to turn Apostates from the Faith, and to embrace Judaism, or Paganism: Or if Jews or Pagans living amongst us should openly blaspheme the God of heaven, & draw away Christians to Atheism, or Judaism, I should not account them either vigilant, or faithful Christians, that were not troubled at such a destroying of the true Religion, and propagating of the false. Paul blamed the false Teachers to be the Troublers of the Churches of Galatia,