A80608:1390
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 his Epistle to the Reader, before his Answer to my Letter, he utterly misconstrueth the ground and scope, whether of this Letter, or of any other Letters of mine to him, As if I wrote upon occasion of the grief, which some friends conceived, That such an one as himself (publicly acknowledged to be godly, and dearly beloved) should be exposed to the mercy of an howling Wilderness, in frost and snow, &c. And that my intent in writing was, to take off the edge of Censure from my self, by professing in speech, and writing, That I was no procurer of his sorrows, &c. In which few lines, four things present themselves, which if they be cleared, may clear both his mistake of himself, and his cause, and together therewith the innocency of others.
In his Epistle to the Reader, before his Answer to my Letter, he utterly misconstrueth the ground and scope, whether of this Letter, or of any other Letters of mine to him, As if I wrote upon occasion of the griefe, which some friends conceived, That such an one as himselfe (publickly acknowledged to be godly, and dearely beloved) should be exposed to the mercy of an howling Wildernesse, in frost and snow, &c. And that my intent in writing was, to take off the edge of Censure from my selfe, by professing in speech, and writing, That I was no procurer of his sorrowes, &c. In which few lines, foure things present themselves, which if they be cleared, may cleare both his mistake of himselfe, and his cause, and together therewith the innocency of others.
1. When he speaketh of himself as one publicly acknowledged, ⟨p. 4⟩to be godly and dearly beloved, I did never perceive just ground for such public acknowledgement. For before my coming into New-England, the godly-wise, and vigilant Ruling-Elder of Plymouth (aged Mr. Brewster) had warned the whole Church of the danger of his spirit, which moved the better part of the Church, to be glad of his removal from them into the Bay. And in the Bay not long before my coming, he began to oppose the Kings Patent with much vehemency, (as he had done at Plymouth before;) which made the Magistrates to fear, they should have more to do with him, then with a man publicly acknowledged to be godly, and dearly beloved.