A80608:1405
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.
For 1. I did never doubt, that the way of persecution, (truly so called) that is, the affliction of others for righteousness sake, was utterly unlawful.
For 1. I did never doubt, that the way of persecution, (truly so called) that is, the affliction of others for righteousnesse sake, was utterly unlawfull.
2. I did never believe, that the sentence passed against him was an act of Persecution.
2. I did never beleeve, that the sentence passed against him was an act of Persecution.
3. Nor did I ever see cause to doubt, but that in some cases, (such as this of his was,) Banishment is a lawful, and just punishment: if it be in proper speech a punishment at all in such a Country as this is, where the Jurisdiction (whence a man is banished) is but small, and the Country round about it, large, and fruitful: where a man may make his choice of variety of more pleasant, and profitable seats, then he leaveth behind him. In which respect, Banishment in this Country, is not counted so much a confinement, as an enlargement, where a man doth not so much loose civill comforts, as change them. And as for spiritual liberties, (liberty ⟨p. 9⟩of Church Ordinances) they were a burden and bondage to his spirit here: And therefore he cast them off, before they left him; neither doth he to this day, look at it as a way of God, for any Christian man to look after the Ordinances of God in a Church-estate at all; As conceiving that the Apostasy of Antichrist hath so far corrupted all, that there can be no recovery out of that Apostasy, till Christ shall send forth new Apostles to plant Churches anew.