A80608:1395
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 do believe indeed, that not some friends only, but many were grieved at the unmoveable stiffness, and headiness of his Spirit, that exposed him to such sufferings.
I do beleeve indeed, that not some friends onely, but many were grieved at the unmoveable stiffnesse, and headinesse of his Spirit, that exposed him to such sufferings.
But he doth not well to say, that some friends were grieved, that one so publicly acknowledged, should be exposed to such sufferings; thereby to intimate as if his sufferings were greater then his deservings. For neither might such friends be truly called his friends; nor was their judgement of any weight in his cause. For they cleaved to him, and his cause, not out of judicious charity, but out of an itching levity, taken with every wind of new Doctrine: which soon after appeared. For within a short time, when his new Notions grew stale to them, they separated from him, (as he from them) and began to listen after a more prodigious Minter of exorbitant novelties, (the very dregs of Familism) held forth by one Mr. Gorton. Gorton at first arrived in our Bay, and continued a while in our Town, till a reverend Minister in London, (Mr. Walker) sent over Directions to some friends, to demand an 100.li. debt of him, which he having borrowed of a Citizen, the Citizen bequeathed it to some good use, whereof Mr. Walker was called to some Trust. But then Mr. Gorton departed out of this Jurisdiction to Plymouth: and there beginning to spread some of his Opinions, to the disturbance of the Church, and fearing disturbance to himself, he came to Road-Island; and there raising some seditious disturbance against the Magistrates, he met with public correction. From thence ⟨p. 6⟩therefore he went to Providence, the place where Mr. Williams, (and those some friends he spake of) sat down. But those friends of Mr. Williams were soon taken with that greater Light, which they conceived was held forth by Mr. Gorton.
But he doth not well to say, that some friends were grieved, that one so publickly acknowledged, should be exposed to such sufferings; thereby to intimate as if his sufferings were greater then his deservings. For neither might such friends be truely called his friends; nor was their judgement of any weight in his cause. For they cleaved to him, and his cause, not out of judicious charity, but out of an itching levity, taken with every wind of new Doctrine: which soone after appeared. For within a short time, when his new Notions grew stale to them, they separated from him, (as he from them) and began to listen after a more prodigious Minter of exorbitant novelties, (the very dregs of Familisme) held forth by one Mr. Gorton. Gorton at first arrived in our Bay, and continued a while in our Towne, till a reverend Minister in London, (Mr. Walker) sent over Directions to some friends, to demand an 100.li. debt of him, which he having borrowed of a Citizen, the Citizen bequeathed it to some good use, whereof Mr. Walker was called to some Trust. But then Mr. Gorton departed out of this Jurisdiction to Plymouth: and there beginning to spread some of his Opinions, to the disturbance of the Church, and fearing disturbance to himselfe, he came to Roade-Island; and there raising some seditious disturbance against the Magistrates, he met with publick correction. From thence