A80608:1097
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.
For though Spiritual weapons be absolutely sufficient to the end for which God hath appointed them (as hath been opened above) to wit, for the conviction, and (if he belong to God) for the conversion of the offender, for the mortifying of his flesh, & for the saying of his soul, and for the cleansing of the Church from the fellowship of that guilt: yet if an Heretic still continue obstinate, and persist in seducing, creep into Houses, lead captive silly souls, and destroy the faith of some, (it may be, of many) such Gangrenes would be cut off by another Sword, which in the hand of the Magistrate is not borne in vain.
For though Spirituall weapons be absolutely sufficient to the end for which God hath appointed them (as hath been opened above) to wit, for the conviction, and (if he belong to God) for the conversion of the offender, for the mortifying of his flesh, & for the saying of his soule, and for the cleansing of the Church from the fellowship of that guilt: yet if an Hereticke still continue obstinate, and persist in seducing, creepe into Houses, lead captive silly soules, and destroy the faith of some, (it may be, of many) such Gangrenes would be cut off by another Sword, which in the hand of the Magistrate is not borne in vaine.
Discusser.
But the eye of this Answerer could never be so obscured, as to run to a Smiths shop, for a Sword of Iron, and steel, to help the Sword of the Spirit, if the Sun of righteousness had once been pleased to show him; That a National Church (which elsewhere he professeth against) a State-Church, (whether explicit, as in Old England, or implicit, as in New) is not the Institution of the Lord Jesus Christ. The National Typical-State-Church of the Jews, necessarily called for such weapons: But the particular Churches of Christ in all parts of the world, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, is powerfully able to defend it self, and offend men, and Devils, although the State and Kingdom (wherein the Churches be) had neither carnal Sword, nor Spear, as once it was in the National Church in the Land of Canaan;