A80608:1391
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.
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.
1. When he speaketh of himselfe as one publickly acknowledged, ⟨p. 4⟩to be godly and dearely beloved, I did never perceive just ground for such publick acknowledgement. For before my coming into New-England, the godly-wise, and vigilant Ruling-Elder of Plymouth (aged Mr. Bruister) had warned the whole Church of the danger of his spirit, which moved the better part of the Church, to be glad of his removall 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 feare, they should have more to doe with him, then with a man publickly acknowledged to be godly, and dearely beloved.
Soon after, when upon hearing of some Episcopal, and malignant practises against the Country, the Magistrates, and whole general Court thought meet to take a trial of the fidelity of the people (not by imposing upon them, but) by offering to them an Oath of Fidelity, That in case any should refuse, they might not betrust them with place of public Command; He vehemently withstood it, partly because it was Christs Prerogative to have his Office established by Oath; partly, because an Oath was a part of Gods worship, and many of the people being carnal (as he conceived) it was not meet to put upon them an Oath, which was an act of Gods worship. Upon such, and the like disturbances to the Civill Peace (for upon this sundry refused the Oath, and upon their refusal the Magistrates could not discern how the people stood affected to the public Safety) therefore, both the Magistrates, and sundry Elders (though I do not remember my self to be one) advised the Church of Salem, not to proceed to choose him (as they were then about to do) unto office in the Church. Yea and in Salem (though many of the Members were taken with him) some judicious amongst them told me, they could not choose him to office, because they found him to be (contrary to the Apostles rule) [Greek or Hebrew], self-pleasing, self-full, or (as it is translated) self-willed,