A80608:1307
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.
Let none now think, that the passage to New-England by Sea, or the nature of the Country can do, what only the Key of David can do, to wit, open and shut the Consciences of men.
Let none now thinke, that the passage to New-England by Sea, or the nature of the Countrie can doe, what onely the Key of David can doe, to wit, open and shut the Consciences of men.
Defender.
I did not think that any man in Old-England, or New, had been so ignorant, or uncharitable, as to think, the Pen-man of the Answer to these Questions had conceived, that either the voyage by Sea, or the change of the air from Old England to New, could change the judgements or Consciences of men. Nature could tell, Coelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare Currunt. But yet no Christian man is ignorant that mutual conference between Godly, ingenuous, and self-denying Christians is a notable means sanctified of God for the instruction & edification one of another, till we all come to be of one mind in the Lord. Else how shall there be mutual convictions without mutual conferences? It is the Key of David only, that can open and shut the Consciences of men: but that Key ordinarily doth it in the dispensation of Ordinances, whereof Conference is one.
I did not thinke that any man in Old-England, or New, had been so ignorant, or uncharitable, as to think, the Pen-man of the Answer to these Questions had conceived, that either the voyage by Sea, or the change of the aire from Old England to New, could change the judgements or Consciences of men. Nature could tell, Coelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare Currunt. But yet no Christian man is ignorant that mutual conference between Godly, ingenuous, and selfe-denying Christians is a notable meanes sanctified of God for the instruction & edification one of another, till wee all come to be of one minde in the Lord. Else how shall therebe mutuall convictions without mutuall conferences? It is the Key of David onely, that can open and shut the Consciences of men: but that Key ordinarily doth it in the dispensation of Ordinances, whereof Conference is one.