A80608:1386
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 howsoever it was, upon the publishing of this Letter, Mr. Williams hath taken occasion (as is observed by some who are acquainted with the Spirit of the man) first to rise up against me (the meanest of many) in the examining and refuting of that Letter: And then (as if one Mordecai were too small a morsel) to stand forth against all the Churches, and Elders in New-England, in his Bloody Tenet: And then (as if New-England were but an handful) from thence to rise up against the choicest Ornaments of two populous Nations, England and Scotland, the reverend Assembly of Divines, together with the reverend Brethren of the Apology: and above them all to address himself (according to his high thoughts) to propound Queries of high concernment (as he calleth them) to the High and Honourable Court of Parliament. So a Bird of prey, affecting to soar aloft, getteth first upon the top of a molehill, and from thence taketh his rise from Pale to Tree, till he have surmounted the highest Mountains.
But howsoever it was, upon the publishing of this Letter, Mr. Williams hath taken occasion (as is observed by some who are acquainted with the Spirit of the man) first to rise up against me (the meanest of many) in the examining and resuting of that Letter: And then (as if one Mordecai were too small a morsell) to stand forth against all the Churches, and Elders in New-England, in his Bloudy Tenent: And then (as if New-England were but an handfull) from thence to rise up against the choisest Ornaments of two populous Nations, England and Scotland, the reverend Assembly of Divines, together with the reverend Brethren of the Apology: and above them all to addresse himselfe (according to his high thoughts) to propound Quaeries of high concernment (as he calleth them) to the High and Honourable Court of Parliament. So a Bird of prey, affecting to soare aloft, getteth first upon the top of a molehill, and from thence taketh his rise from Pale to Tree, till he have surmounted the highest Mountaines.
In this apprehension of him they are the more confirmed, as having discerned the like frame of Spirit in his former walking amongst us. Time was, when of all Christian Churches, the Churches of New-England were accounted, and professed by him, to be the most pure: and of all the Churches in New-England, Salem (where himself was Teacher) to be the most pure. But when the Churches of New-England took just offence at sundry of his proceedings, he first renounced communion with them all: and because the Church of Salem refused to join with him in such a groundless Censure, he then renounced communion with Salem also. And then fell off from his Ministry, and then from all Church-fellowship, and then from his Baptism, (and was himself baptized again) and then from the Lords Supper, and from all Ordinances of Christ dispensed in any Church-way, till God shall stir up himself, or some other new Apostles to recover, and restore all the Ordinances, and Churches of Christ out of the ruins of Antichristian Apostasy.