A80608:1355
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.
But this is not, pleasing to Christ, nor to the Spirit of his wisdom and Truth, that the Discusser should publish the delights of Christ in a confused way, without distinguishing things that differ, and so not dividing the Word aright. It is true, that Christ delighteth not in the blood of men, but shed his own for his bloodiest enemies, and gainsayers: to wit, whilst they gainsaying him, and bloodily persecute him, or his out of ignorance. In this case indeed, he prayeth for them, and dieth for them, Father forgive them, they know not what they do, Luk. 23.34. whilst we were enemies Christ died for us, Rom. 5.8, 10.
But this is not, pleasing to Christ, nor to the Spirit of his wisdome and Truth, that the Disousser should publish the delights of Christ in a confussed way, without distinguishing things that differ, and so not dividing the Word aright. It is true, that Christ delighteth not in the bloud of men, but shed his owne for his bloudiest enemies, and gainsayers: to wit, whilst they gainsaying him, and bloudily persecute him, or his out of ignorance. In this case indeed, he prayeth for them, and dieth for them, Father forgive them, they know not what they doe, Luk. 23.34. whilest wee were enemies Christ died for us, Rom. 5.8, 10.
But to say that Christ delighteth not in the blood of men, who after the acknowledgement of his Truth do tread the blood of his Covenant under foot, and wittingly and willingly reject him from reigning over them: To hold it forth, that Christ delighteth not in the blood of such men, or that he would not have such molested by the civill Sword, who gainsay Christ known and professed, and join with his enemy Antichrist, in blaspheming and persecuting Christ and his Saints, This the Discusser can never make good to be the word of Christ. It is indeed, to publish the glad Tidings of the Gospel, not to the humble and meek Lambs of Christ, but to the seed of the Serpent, to sow pillows under all elbows: to make the hearts of the righteous sad, whom God would not make sad: and to strengthen the hands of the wicked in their Apostasy from the truth, and malignity against it. Christ hath pronounced it upon earth, and ratified it in Heaven, Those mine enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither and slay them before my face,