A80608:1013
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.
Secondly, if the censure of a man for cause of Conscience by the civill Sword, be persecution, it is a far greater persecution to censure a man for cause of Conscience, by the Spiritual Sword, by how much the more sharp and keen the spiritual Sword is above the civill. Sure I am, Christ Jesus reckoneth Excommunication for persecution, Luke 21.12. They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the Synagogues, and into Prisons. To deliver up into Synagogues is as much persecution, as to deliver into Prisons. And will the Discusser then say, that if Christ had been awakened from his spiritual slumber, and from the Drunkenness of the great Whore, it had been impossible, he should have accounted Excommunication a persecution?
Secondly, if the censure of a man for cause of Conscience by the civill Sword, be persecution, it is a farre greater persecution to censure a man for cause of Conscience, by the Spirituall Sword, by how much the more sharp and keen the spirituall Sword is above the civill. Sure I am, Christ Jesus reckoneth Excommunication for persecution, Luke 21.12. They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the Synagogues, and into Prisons. To deliver up into Synagogues is as much persecution, as to deliver into Prisons. And will the Discusser then say, that if Christ had been awakened from his spirituall slumber, and from the Drunkennesse of the great Whore, it had been impossible, he should have accounted Excommunication a persecution?
Me thinks, if a soul were awakened unto spiritual sobriety, he should judge it a sorer and a deeper affliction, to be bound with spiritual chains, both in Earth and Heaven, then to be bound in material chains on Earth only.
Me thinks, if a soule were awakened unto spirituall sobriety, he should judge it a sorer and a deeper affliction, to be bound with spirituall chaines, both in Earth and Heaven, then to be bound in materiall chaines on Earth onely.