A80608:135
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.
3. It is as clear, (to use his phrase) as the Sun beams, both in Scripture and other histories, and frequent experience, That Tyrants and Apostates have often persecuted Jesus as Jesus, Christ as Christ. The Scribes and Pharisees they knew that Christ was the Son of God, the Lord, and Heir of the Church: And therefore they said among themselves, This is the Heir, come let us kill him, Matth. 21.38. Nor could they be said, in persecuting Christ, to have sinned against the Holy Ghost: if they had not been enlightened to know him who he was, and yet leavened with such malice, as to persecute him, as they did. Histories tell us, that Julian the Apostate persecuted Jesus as Jesus, and Christ as Christ, yea and professed so to do. And experience telleth, That if a Christian shall in Turkey seek to gain Turks from the service of Mahomet, to the Faith of Jesus: they will persecute such a Christian to death, and in him Jesus, as Jesus.
3. It is as cleare, (to use his phrase) as the Sunne beames, both in Scripture and other histories, and frequent experience, That Tyrants and Apostates have often persecuted Jesus as Jesus, Christ as Christ. The Scribes and Pharisees they knew that Christ was the Sonne of God, the Lord, and Heire of the Church: And therefore they said among themselves, This is the Heire, come let us kill him, Matth. 21.38. Nor could they be said, in persecuting Christ, to have sinned against the Holy Ghost: if they had not beene enlightened to know him who he was, and yet leavened with such malice, as to persecute him, as they did. Histories tell us, that Julian the Apostate persecuted Jesus as Jesus, and Christ as Christ, yea and professed so to doe. And experience telleth, That if a Christian shall in Turkey seeke to gaine Turkes from the service of Mahomet, to the Faith of Jesus: they will persecute such a Christian to death, and in him Jesus, as Jesus.
4. Let Tyrants and Persecutors profess what they will, that they do not persecute Jesus as Jesus, but under some other pretence: yet that varieth not the Truth, nor impeacheth the wisdom of this Position, That it is not lawful to persecute any for Conscience rightly informed, or to persecute any for professing the Truth of Christ.