A80608:1232
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.
His third Answer hath been removed above. Church-censures are sufficient to heal the Heretic, if he belong to God, and to remove the guilt of his wickedness from the Church: but not sufficient, to prevent his further spreading of the Leaven of his corruption: nor sufficient to cleanse the Common-wealth from the guilt of such Rebellion, as hath been taught by him against the Lord.
His third Answer hath been removed above. Church-censures are sufficient to heale the Heretick, if he belong to God, and to remove the guilt of his wickednesse from the Church: but not sufficient, to prevent his further spreading of the Leaven of his corruption: nor sufficient to cleanse the Common-wealth from the guilt of such Rebellion, as hath been taught by him against the Lord.
His fourth Answer taken from Christs toleration of the Tares hath be en largely, and (as I conceive) fully refelled above.
His fifth Answer hath also been cleared already. If the Answer were good, it would evacuate not only Augustine's Argument, but Pauls also, 1 Cor 8.11. Paul dissuadeth from eating things sacrificed to Idols in Idols Temples. The Argument to dissuade it, is from the offence thereby given to the Conscience of the weak: and that backed and strengthened from the heinousness of the sin of offence to Conscience: It is the murder, or perishing of a weak Brothers soul. Now if this Answer of the Discusser ⟨p. 176⟩might stand, it would make the Argument of the Apostle of none effect. For either this weak Brother is a natural man, dead in sin already, and then no man can kill him: or else he is in Christ, and then his Life is immortal, and Christ hath provided Ordinances powerfully sufficient to prevent or heal such deadly Dangers,