A80608:1387
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.
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.
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 himselfe was Teacher) to be the most pure. But when the Churches of New-England tooke just offence at sundry of his proceedings, he first renounced communion with them all: and because the Church of Salem refused to joyne with him in such a groundlesse Censure, he then renounced communion with Salem also. And then fell off from his Ministery, and then from all Church-fellowship, and then from his Baptisme, (and was himselfe baptized againe) and then from the Lords Supper, and from all Ordinances of Christ dispensed in any Church-way, till God shall stirre up himselfe, or some other new Apostles to recover, and restore all the Ordinances, and Churches of Christ out of the ruines of Antichristian Apostasie.
But for mine own part, whatsoever thoughts, others (who seem to know him well) have conceived of his Spirit, and course in these things: yet I choose rather to leave all Judgement of him, to Him, who seeth, and searcheth the heart, and reins, and will one day bring every secret thing, yea the very thoughts, and intents of the sons of men, unto righteous Judgement.