A80608:133
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.
For I do not lay it down as a Position, that it is not lawful to persecute the Lord Jesus: or that Christ in his Truth must not be persecuted. But my Position was, It is not lawful to persecute any for Conscience sake, rightly informed: And for a reason hereof, I give this Principle, for in persecuting such, Christ is persecuted: Is it now become an admirable strange thing to give a Principle of Religion, not for a Position, (and yet if it were so, what strange thing were it?) but for the proof of a Position? Let me give you a like instance, Gamaliel layeth it down for a Position, that the Doctrine of the Apostles, if it be of God, the Priests and Elders cannot overthrow it: and he gives this principle for a reason of it, lest in so doing, ye be found (saith he) to fight against God, Acts 5.38, 39. Now is this such a matter as will be admired of all sober men, that so wise a man as Gamaliel should lay down this as a Position, That men should not be found fighters against God? May not a man rather admire and adore the strange hand of God, that shall leave a man soberly to admire at such a thing, and to think all sober men will in like sort wonder at the same? But the truth is, Neither Gamaliel, nor my self, laid down that Principle for a Conclusion, nor for a Position: nor if we had, had we done any thing for sober men to admire at.
For I doe not lay it downe as a Position, that it is not lawfull to persecute the Lord Jesus: or that Christ in his Truth must not be persecuted. But my Position was, It is not lawfull to persecute any for Conscience sake, rightly informed: And for a reason hereof, I give this Principle, for in persecuting such, Christ is persecuted: Is it now become an admirable strange thing to give a Principle of Religion, not for a Position, (and yet if it were so, what strange thing were it?) but for the proofe of a Position? Let me give you a like instance, Gamaliel layeth it downe for a Position, that the Doctrine of the Apostles, if it be of God, the Priests and Elders cannot overthrow it: and he gives this principle for a reason of it, lest in so doing, ye be found (saith he) to fight against God, Acts 5.38, 39. Now is this such a matter as will be admired of all sober men, that so wise a man as Gamaliel should lay downe this as a Position, That men should not be found fighters against God? May not a man rather admire and adore the strange hand of God, that shall leave a man soberly to admire at such a thing, and to thinke all sober men will in like sort wonder at the same? But the truth is, Neither Gamaliel, nor my selfe, laid downe that Principle for a Conclusion, nor for a Position: nor if we had, had we done any thing for sober men to admire at.