A80608:1244
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.
It is true the Sun of Righteousness hath set up another Church, Ministry, and Worship: But did he ever set up another civill Righteousness? or a M gistracy to walk by another rule of Righteousness, then that which God gave by Moses? If it be true, that Christ gave no express Ordinance, Precept, or Precedent of killing men by material Swords for Religion sake: It is as true that neither did he for any breach of civill Justice, no not for murder, nor adultery. Which maketh it therefore evident, that seeing he hath expressly authorized civill Magistracy in the New-Testament, and hath given no express Laws or Rules of Righteousness for them to walk by in Administration of civill Justice, therefore either he leaveth them to act and rule without ⟨p. 178⟩a Rule (which derogateth from the perfection of Scripture:) or else they must fetch their rules of Righteousness from the Law of Moses, and from the Prophets, who have expounded him in the Old-Testament.
It is true the Sunne of Righteousnesse hath set up another Church, Ministery, and Worship: But did he ever set up another civill Righteousnesse? or a M gistracy to walke by another rule of Righteousnesse, then that which God gave by Moses? If it be true, that Christ gave no expresse Ordinance, Precept, or Precedent of killing men by materiall Swords for Religion sake: It is as true that neither did he for any breach of civill Justice, no not for murder, nor adultry. Which maketh it therefore evident, that seeing he hath expresly authorized civill Magistracy in the New-Testament, and hath given no expresse Lawes or Rules of Righteousnesse for them to walke by in Administration of civill Justice, therefore either he leaveth them to act and rule without ⟨p. 178⟩a Rule (which derogateth from the perfection of Scripture:) or else they must fetch their rules of Righteousnesse from the Law of Moses, and from the Prophets, who have expounded him in the Old-Testament.
Discusser.