A80608:1141
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.
A man that is willing to open his eyes, may easily see, that though the Government of the civill Magistrate do extend no further then over the bodies and goods of his Subjects, yet he may and ought to improve that power over their bodies and goods, to the good of their souls: yea and by promoting the good of their souls, he may much advance the good of their ⟨p. 162⟩outward man also. The bodies, and goods, and outward Estates of men may expect a blessing, when their souls prosper. Though God may keep his Saints low in outward Estate, that grow fastest in Godliness: yet sure Godliness hath the Promises of this life, and of a better, 1 Tim. 4.8. And such as first seek the Kingdom of God, may expect all these outward things to be cast in upon them. If it seem a monstrous thing in the eyes of the Discusser, to imagine, that the good Estate of the Church, and the well-ordering of the Ordinances of God therein, should concern the civill good of the Common-wealth, it may well seem monstrous to him, to imagine that the flourishing of Religion is the flourishing of the civill State, and the decay of Religion is the decay and ruin of the civill State. But such Virgin souls, as follow the Lamb, wheresoever he goeth (Rev. 14.4.) would be loath to go to live in such a Common-wealth, to whom it should seem monstrous, that the things of God should belong to them.
A man that is willing to open his eyes, may easily see, that though the Government of the civill Magistrate doe extend no further then over the bodies and goods of his Subjects, yet he may and ought to improve that power over their bodies and goods, to the good of their soules: yea and by promoting the good of their soules, he may much advance the good of their ⟨p. 162⟩outward man also. The bodies, and goods, and outward Estates of men may expect a blessing, when their soules prosper. Though God may keep his Saints low in outward Estate, that grow fastest in Godlinesse: yet sure Godlinesse hath the Promises of this life, and of a better,