A80608:1165
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.
The Discusser sometimes endeavoured to draw away the Church of Salem (whereof he was sometime Teacher) from holding Communion with all the Churches in the Bay, because we tolerated our Members to hear the word in the Parishes of England. We to satisfy him in that, held forth (that which here he calleth a varnish) that hearing was a common Duty lying upon all men, where the word of God was truly taught. He replied, as he doth now, that Teaching and hearing in a Church-Estate is Church worship, Acts 2.46. To which we gave Answer (as now again) That though Teaching and being taught in a Church-Estate be Church-worship (according to Acts 2.46.) yet it is not a Church-worship, but to such as are in a Church-Estate. To all it is an holy Ordinance of Gods worship, and a Christian Duty. And though Teaching and hearing doth imply a Relation, yet not a Church-relation. There is a relation between a Teacher, and a Learner, in any Art, or Knowledge: and there may be a nearer relation between a Preacher and an Hearer, in case the Hearer be begotten to God by such a Sermon (even the same relation as is between a spiritual Father, and Son:) but this doth not amount to Church-relation, and Communion, till there pass some mutual profession of Covenant (explicit or implicit) between them. A Pagan Infidel may come into a Christian Church-Assembly to hear the word, and may be convinced and converted by it, (as suppose he in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 14.24, 25.) yet is he not therefore joined in Church-Estate, and Fellowship with them, without profession of acknowledgement, and acceptance.
The Discusser sometimes endeavoured to draw away the Church of Salem (whereof he was sometime Teacher) from holding Communion with all the Churches in the Bay, because wee tolerated our Members to heare the word in the Parishes of England. Wee to satisfie him in that, held forth (that which here he calleth a varnish) that hearing was a common Duty lying upon all men, where the word of God was truly taught. He replyed, as he doth now, that Teaching and hearing in a Church-Estate is Church worship, Acts 2.46. To which we gave Answer (as now againe) That though Teaching and being taught in a Church-Estate be Church-worship (according to