A80608:1378
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.
I Answer, That easeth not the difficulty, no more then the other. For suppose the Magistrate (a Church member) live in Incest, break forth into murder, and notorious oppression: these are all civill causes, belonging to the second Table. If the Magistrate sit as Judge and supreme Governor in this case, then must ⟨p. 195⟩the Church tolerate him herein, to the dishonour of the great Name of Christ, to the leavening of the Church, and to the perdition of his soul. If it be granted, that in such a case though civill, the Church is bound to deal faithfully with the Magistrate, and not to suffer sin upon him: let the like power be granted to the Magistrate to deal faithfully with the Church in the notorious transgressions of the first Table, as is granted to the Church to deal with the Magistrate in the notorious transgressions of the second Table, and the controversy is ended.
I Answer, That easeth not the difficulty, no more then the other. For suppose the Magistrate (a Church member) live in Incest, breake forth into murder, and notorious oppression: these are all civill causes, belonging to the second Table. If the Magistrate sit as Judge and supreme Governor in this case, then must ⟨p. 195⟩the Church tolerate him herein, to the dishonour of the great Name of Christ, to the leavening of the Church, and to the perdition of his soule. If it be granted, that in such a case though civill, the Church is bound to deale faithfully with the Magistrate, and not to suffer sinne upon him: let the like power be granted to the Magistrate to deale faithfully with the Church in the notorious transgressions of the first Table, as is granted to the Church to deale with the Magistrate in the notorious transgressions of the second Table, and the controversie is ended.
If any further matter be claimed in making the Supreme Magistrate, the Supreme Judge and Governor in all causes, aswell Ecclesiastical, as civill, I do not understand, that the Ministers or Churches of Christ are called to acknowledge such a meaning. Sure I am, the Interpretation of that high stile, which godly learned Reynolds made of it in the 10. Chap. of his Conference with Hart, It was accepted of the State in the days of Queen Elizabeth. And the same Interpretation (if no more be intended by that stile) doth well stand with our defence.