A80608:1040
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.
Defender.
Neither of both these things are implied in that Answer. Not the first, (that the civill Magistrate must then Judge of all of the Consciences of their Subjects, whether they be convinced, or no:) For it implieth no more then that he is not to constrain them, till he see they be convinced. If he never see them convinced, he is to see, they be never constrained. But how far the Magistrate may discern, and judge in matters of Religion, hath been spoken above. Nor the second: For the constraint I spake of, was not by positive means, vi, & Armis, but negative, withholding such trust and employment from such, as he seeth are not faithful and trusty to their God, of whose Truth they are convinced, and yet withhold it in unrighteousness. I know no constraint at all, that lieth upon the consciences of any in New-England, to come to Church: neither do I know that any scruple lieth upon any Conscience in New-England, that withholdeth any from hearing the word amongst us. But least of all do I know, that any are constrained to pay Church-duties in New-England. Sure I am, none in our own Town, neither Church-members, nor other, are constrained to pay any Church-duties at all. What they pay, they give voluntarily, each one with his own hand, without any constraint at all, but their own will, as the Lord directs them.
Neither of both these things are implyed in that Answer. Not the first, (that the civill Magistrate must then Judge of all of the Consciences of their Subjects, whether they be convinced, or no:) For it implyeth no more then that he is not to constraine them, till he see they be convinced. If he never see them convinced, he is to see, they be never constrained. But how far the Magistrate may discerne, and judge in matters of Religion, hath been spoken above. Nor the second: For the constraint I spake of, was not by positive meanes, vi, & Armis, but negative, withholding such trust and employment from such, as he seeth are not faithfull and trusty to their God, of whose Truth they are convinced, and yet withhold it in unrighteousnesse. I know no constraint at all, that lieth upon the consciences of any in New-England, to come to Church: neither doe I know that any scruple lyeth upon any Conscience in New-England, that withholdeth any from hearing the word amongst us. But least of all doe I know, that any are constrayned to pay Church-duties in New-Englād. Sure I am, none in our own Town, neither Church-members, nor other, are constrained to pay any Church-duties at all. What they pay, they give voluntarily, each one with his owne hand, without any constraint at all, but their owne will, as the Lord directs them.