A80608:1426
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 to weigh his words particularly: Persecution is the affliction of another for Righteousness sake. Now two things it will be requisite for Mr. Williams to prove, to make good his charge. 1. That the cause for which he suffered, was a cause of Righteousness. 2. That he suffered this Persecution, which he complaineth of, by me. And to make this latter charge good in such manner as he layeth it upon me, it were further requisite that he should prove two things more. 1. That my self was the principal mover and actor ⟨p. 14⟩in this his Persecution, (for I only am singled out by name;) 2. That this hath been evidenced to him by two, or three witnesses at least, if he account me for an Elder of a Church, 1 Tim. 5.19. But whether he account me for an Elder, or no Elder, (I claim no privilege of Office;) yet I require attendance to an eternal Law of moral Righteousness; One witness shall not rise up against a man for any Iniquity, or for any sin: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established, Deut. 15.15. But on the contrary, if it do appear, that the cause for which he suffered was not for Righteousness sake: and that the affliction which he did suffer was not put upon him by me at all much less in any eminent, and singular manner, then it will behoove Mr. Williams in Conscience to understand, that himself is the Persecutor, as of other servants of God, so of my self especially. For it is a case judged by the Holy Ghost, that he who mocketh, or reproacheth any of the least of Christs little ones, for walking in his way, he is a Persecutor, Gal. 4.29. It hath been the lot of the faithful of old to be tried by cruel mockings, Heb. 11.36. If a man be publicly accused to the world as a Persecutor, in case the accusation be proved true, Persecution is a cruel, and crying sin: but if it be not proved, nor true, the false accusation is a grievous Persecution, even a cruel mocking. But I shall refer the trial of his accusation to the place himself appointed, where he giveth Instance of the cause of his sufferings.