A80608:1433
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 what is all this to Mr. Williams? Hath he therefore not found the mercy, and humanity of Civill, and temporal life, and being amongst us, because Christ Jesus held forth by him a further light unto us?
But what is all this to Mr. Williams? Hath he therefore not found the mercy, and humanity of Civill, and temporall life, and being amongst us, because Christ Jesus held forth by him a further light unto us?
So it should seem, or else his Quaere is nothing to the purpose; surely if it be a further light which is held forth by him, it is such a transcendent light, as putteth out all other lights in the world besides: as (they say) Majus lumen extinguit minus. The Churches of Christ have been wont to be counted lights, the Ministry, lights, the Sacraments, and Censures, lights. But this new light held forth by Mr. Williams, hath put out all these lights, yea and all possibility of their shining forth again, till the Restitution of new Apostles. And yet if he had held forth any light from the word of light to manifest this great new light to us, truly I hope the Lord would give us hearts, not to shut our eyes against the light, but to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, and to follow the light of his word whithersoever it leadeth us. Christian Magistrates, they also have been wonted to be counted the light of Israel: and Oaths likewise have been thought to give light to discern the end of all Controversies: But by this new light, we may not accept from the Patents of Princes any light or direction where to sit down, with their warrant, and leave, in foreign Plantations: Neither may we make use of the light of Oaths between Magistrates, and people, to discern of the fidelity and constancy of the one to the other in times of danger. Where then shall his Marginal Note appear?
So it should seeme, or else his Quaere is nothing to the purpose; surely if it be a further light which is held forth by him, it is such a transcendent light, as putteth out all other lights in the world besides: as (they say) Majus lumen extinguit minus. The Churches of Christ have been wont to be counted lights, the Ministery, lights, the Sacraments, and Censures, lights. But this new light held forth by Mr. Williams, hath put out all these lights, yea and all possibilitie of their shining forth againe, till the Restitution of new Apostles. And yet if he had held forth any light from the word of light to manifest this great new light to us, truly I hope the Lord would give us hearts, not to shut our eyes against the light, but to follow the Lambe whithersoever he goeth, and to follow the light of his word whithersoever it leadeth us. Christian Magistrates, they also have been wonted to be counted the light of Israel: and Oaths likewise have been thought to give light to discerne the end of all Controversies: But by this new light, we may not accept from the Patents of Princes any light or direction where to sit downe, with their warrant, and leave, in forreine Plantations: Neither may we make use of the light of Oaths between Magistrates, and people, to discerne of the fidelity and constancy of the one to the other in times of danger. Where then shall his Marginall Note appeare?