A80608:1398
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 when it was further objected, That Christs death was the Price and Purchase of our Redemption; but the fall of Adam was not the Price of our Redemption, but the cause of our condemnation. He stopped, and would neither proceed to clear his mind further, nor by any means be persuaded to revoke that hellish blasphemy. These, and many such like Tenets were vented by him, and his company: and this company was made up of those friends of Mr. Williams, who (as he saith) were grieved at his exposal to the mercy of the Wilderness. Which I thought meet to declare, lest any should think that his sufferings (considering the causes of them) were grievous or offensive to godly minds.
But when it was further objected, That Christs death was the Price and Purchase of our Redemption; but the fall of Adam was not the Price of our Redemption, but the cause of our condemnation. He stopped, and would neither proceed to cleare his minde further, nor by any meanes be perswaded to revoke that hellish blasphemy. These, and many such like Tenents were vented by him, and his company: and this company was made up of those friends of Mr. Williams, who (as he saith) were grieved at his exposall to the mercy of the Wildernesse. Which I thought meet to declare, lest any should thinke that his sufferings (considering the causes of them) were grievous or offensive to godly mindes.
Where by the way, a sincere hearted humble Christian may easily discern the vast difference between the spirit of Mr. Williams, and of John the Apostle, in relating their sufferings by way of Banishment: John was a beloved Disciple, yea (by way of eminency) the Disciple whom Jesus loved: and He, for the testimony of Jesus, was banished by the bloody Emperor Domitian, into the Isle of Patmos, a desolate Wilderness, destitute (for the most part) of Inhabitants: yet he maketh no express mention of his Banishment, nor of the howling Wilderness, nor of frost, and snow, and such winter miseries: But (saith he) I was in the Isle of Patmos for the Testimony of Jesus. But Mr. Williams being called by a weak man beloved in Christ, he aggravateth the banishment of such an one as himself, by all the sad exaggerations, which wit and words could well paint it out withal; to wit, That he was, only for the holy Truth of Christ Jesus, denied the common air to breath in, and a civill cohabitation upon the same common earth, yea and without mercy, and humane compassion exposed to winter miseries in an howling Wilderness, in frost, and snow, and that amongst Barbarians. So deeply affected the sons of men can be in describing their own sufferings for themselves, and their own ways, above what the children of God be in their far greater sufferings for the Testimony of Jesus.