A80608:1418
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 he addeth in the next sentence; That he rejoiceth in the goodness, and wisdom of him, who is the Father of lights, and mercies, in ordering the season of his own present opportunity of Answer.
But when he addeth in the next sentence; That he rejoyceth in the goodnesse, and wisedome of him, who is the Father of lights, and mercies, in ordering the season of his own present opportunitie of Answer.
I confess we on the contrary have cause to admire, and adore the wisdom, and dreadful Justice of God herein, That seeing Mr. Williams hath been now as a branch cut off from the Church of Salem these many years, he should bring forth no spiritual good fruits in due season: and that which he bringeth forth now at the last is bitter, and wild fruit: and that in such a season, when the Spirit of Error is let loose to deceive so many thousand souls of our English Nation: So that now their hearts are become as Tinder, ready to catch and kindle at every spark of false light. Even so, O Father, because thy good pleasure is such, to let loose this Spirit of Error in the mouth of this Backslider, in the very hour and power of darkness: for these are the days of vengeance; when the Antinomians deny the whole Law; the Anti-Sabbatarians deny the Morality of the fourth Commandment; the Papists deny the Negative part of the second Commandment. It is a woeful opportunity that God hath left Mr. Williams to, now to step in, and deny the Affirmative part of it also, (as the Papists do the Negative) and so He and the Papists to combine together to evacuate the whole second Commandment altogether. For, take away (as Mr. Williams doth) all Instituted worship of God, as Churches, Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, Members, public Ministry of the Word, Covenant, Seals of the Covenant, (Baptism, and the Lords Supper) the Censures of the Church, and the like, what is then left of all the Institutions, and Ordinances of God, which the Lord established in the second Commandment, against the Institutions, Images, and Inventions of men in his worship? But it is an holy wisdom, and righteousness of the Lord, that he that refuseth the Communion with the Churches of the Saints, should ⟨p. 12⟩