A80608:1190
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.
We keep not a weight and a weight (as he calumniateth) a measure and a measure: what we measure out to others, we should never think it hard measure to have the same returned to our selves in the like case, Only this measure we desire of all hands to be kept (that which Abraham the Father of the faithful, and God the Judge of all the Earth, thought equal, Gen. 18.25.) that the Righteous should not be as the wicked: nor that Truth, and Fidelity, should suffer as Heresy and Apostasy.
We keep not a weight and a weight (as he calumniateth) a measure and a measure: what we measure out to others, wee should never thinke it hard measure to have the same returned to our selves in the like case, Onely this measure we desire of all hands to be kept (that which Abraham the Father of the faithfull, and God the Judge of all the Earth, thought equall, Gen. 18.25.) that the Righteous should not be as the wicked: nor that Truth, and Fidelity, should suffer as Heresie and Apostacy.
Discusser.
Yea, but it is not confidence of being in the Truth (which they judge the Papists and others are not in) no nor the Truth it self that can privilege them to persecute others, and to exempt themselves from persecution, for three Considerations.
Yea, but it is not confidence of being in the Truth (which they judge the Papists and others are not in) no nor the Truth it selfe that can priviledge them to persecute others, and to exempt themselves from persecution, for three Considerations.
First, because it is against the nature of true sheep, to persecute, or hunt the Beasts of the Forrest, no not the Wolves, who have persecuted themselves.
Defender.
It is a feeble kind of reasoning, from a similitude in some things, to press a resemblance in every thing: Sheep do fitly resemble Christians in many proprieties: but he that shall therefore press ⟨p. 171⟩them to be like in all, shall not suffer a Magistrate (if he be a sheep of Christ) to punish Robbers, Adulterers, Murderers: why? for it is against the Nature of true sheep, to persecute any Beasts of the Forrest.
It is a feeble kind of reasoning, from a similitude in some things, to presse a resemblance in every thing: Sheep doe fitly resemble Christians in many proprieties: but he that shall therefore presse ⟨p. 171⟩them to be like in all, shall not suffer a Magistrate (if he be a sheep of Christ) to punish Robbers, Adulterers, Murderers: why? for it is against the Nature of true sheep, to persecute any Beasts of the Forrest.
Besides, I demand, whether Paul was a sheep, or a Wolfe, when he smote Elymas with blindness? If he were a Wolfe, how is he then said, to be filled with the Holy Ghost; Acts 13.9. If he were a sheep, why did he strike such a Beast of the Forrest? ver. 10, 11.
Besides, I demand, whether Paul was a sheep, or a Wolfe, when he smote Elymas with blindnesse? If he were a Wolfe, how is he then said, to be filled with the Holy Ghost; Acts 13.9. If he were a sheep, why did he strike such a Beast of the Forrest? ver. 10, 11.
Furthermore, when the Wolfe runneth ravenously upon the sheep, is it against the nature of the true sheep, to run to their Shepherd? And is it then against the Nature of the true Shepherd to send forth his Dogs to worry such a Wolfe, without incurring the reproach of a persecutor?
Furthermore, when the Wolfe runneth ravenously upon the sheep, is it against the nature of the true sheep, to run to their Shepheard? And is it then against the Nature of the true Shepheard to send forth his Dogs to worry such a Wolfe, without incurring the reproach of a persecutor?
Discusser.
Secondly, if it be a Duty and charge upon all Magistrates in all parts of the world to judge and persecute, in, and for spiritual Causes, then either they are no Magistrates, who are not able to judge in such cases: or else they must judge according to their Consciences, whether Pagan, Turkish, or Antichristian.
Secondly, if it be a Duty and charge upon all Magistrates in all parts of the world to judge and persecute, in, and for spirituall Causes, then either they are no Magistrates, who are not able to judge in such cases: or else they must judge according to their Consciences, whether Pagan, Turkish, or Antichristian.
Defender.
This hath been again, and again Answered above, though it be the Duty of all Magistrates in the world, to judge and punish Blasphemers, Idolaters, and Seducers: yet not in sensu composite, whilst they are ignorant of the Truth, and cannot judge of such causes: but in sensu diviso, they are bound to be wise, and instructed in the knowledge, and worship of Christ, (Psal. 2.10.11, 12.) and then to judge accordingly.
This hath been againe, and againe Answered above, though it be the Duty of all Magistrates in the world, to judge and punish Blasphemers, Idolaters, and Seducers: yet not in sensu composite, whilst they are ignorant of the Truth, and cannot judge of such causes: but in sensu diviso, they are bound to be wise, and instructed in the knowledge, and worship of Christ, (Psal. 2.10.11, 12.) and then to judge accordingly.
But in the mean time, it doth not follow, that they are no Magistrates, who are not able to do all the Duties of a Magistrate. Neither will it follow, that they must judge according to their Consciences, when their Consciences are blind, and erroneous, Pagan, Turkish, Antichristian. Let them first cast Beams out of their own eyes, and then they will better discern between Beam, and motes in other men.
But in the meane time, it doth not follow, that they are no Magistrates, who are not able to doe all the Duties of a Magistrate. Neither will it follow, that they must judge according to their Consciences, when their Consciences are blind, and erroneous, Pagan, Turkish, Antichristian. Let them first cast Beames out of their owne eyes, and then they will better discerne between Beame, and motes in other men.
Discusser.
Thirdly, the Experience of our Fathers errors, and of our own mistakes and ignorance, the sense of our own weaknesses, and blindness in the depths of the Prophecies and mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ, ⟨p. 172⟩and the great professed Expectation of the Light to come, which we are not now able to comprehend, may abate the edge and sheath up the Sword of Persecution against any, especially such as differ not from them in Doctrines of Repentance, or Faith, or Holiness of heart, and life, but only in the way, and manner of the Administration of Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, the Experience of our Fathers errours, and of our owne mistakes and ignorance, the sense of our owne weaknesses, and blindnesse in the depths of the Prophecies and mysteries of the Kingdome of Christ, ⟨p. 172⟩and the great professed Expectation of the Light to come, which wee are not now able to comprehend, may abate the edge and sheath up the Sword of Persecution against any, especially such as differ not from them in Doctrines of Repentance, or Faith, or Holynesse of heart, and life, but onely in the way, and manner of the Administration of Jesus Christ.
Defender.