A80608:1293
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.
But here I Observe the Discussers both partiality and falsehood. Partiality, for I did but repeat the very words of the Author of the Letter, and grant them to be good. The Letter had said (as himself repeateth it, It is no prejudice to a Common-wealth if Liberty of Conscience were suffered to such as fear God indeed: whereto I subjoin my Attestation, It is true, that without prejudice to the Commonwealth, Liberty of Conscience may be suffered to men that fear God indeed.
But here I Observe the Discussers both partiality and fashood. Partiality, for I did but repeate the very words of the Author of the Letter, and graunt them to be good. The Letter had said (as himself repeateth it, It is no prejudice to a Common-wealth if Liberty of Conscience were suffered to such as feare God indeed: whereto I subjoyne my Attestation, It is true, that without prejudice to the Commonwealth, Liberty of Conscience may be suffered to men that feare God indeed.
Here the Discusser in me observeth Partiality: but in the Letter the very same speech passeth for Currant, and approvable. But the Lord help him to remember Divers weights, and divers measures are abomination to the Lord, Prov. 20.10. But I truly observe in his speech, not only partiality, but falsehood also. For it is a very falsehood, that I should say, None but such as truly fear God should enjoy Liberty of Conscience. I say no more then the Letter saith: It saith, That it is no prejudice to the Common-wealth, if Liberty of Conscience were suffered to such as fear God indeed. I say, It is true, without prejudice to the Common-wealth, Liberty of Conscience may be suffered to such as fear God indeed. Now if a man should gather the same Observation out of the Letter, That none but such as truly fear God should enjoy Liberty of Conscience, I believe the Discusser would observe notorious falsehood in such dealing. And justly he might: for it is one thing to say, liberty of Conscience may be suffered to men that truly fear God, without prejudice to the Common-wealth: another thing to say, it may be suffered to none else.