A80608:1436
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.
Doth Mr. Williams hold me so far forsaken of common sense, as to frustrate, and destroy mine own expectations? If I expect more light, must I (according to mine own way) needs Persecute him that brings it, yea persecute Christ himself, if he bring it? But thus when a mans head runneth round, he thinketh all the House runneth round about him.
Doth Mr. Williams hold me so farre forsaken of common sence, as to frustrate, and destroy mine own expectations? If I expect more light, must I (according to mine own way) needs Persecute him that brings it, yea persecute Christ himselfe, if he bring it? But thus when a mans head runneth round, he thinketh all the House runneth round about him.
But what is my way of Persecution, according to which, I expecting more light, must needs persecute him that brings it? It is but a few days ago, since there came to my hand a book, published ⟨p. 17⟩(as is said) by Mr. Williams, and entitled, The Bloody Tenet. In which Mr. Williams (without my privity) published a private Letter of mine, and therewith a Confutation of it, touching Persecution for cause of Conscience. In my stating of that Question, (which he relateth in the 7th Page of that Book) he declareth my Judgement to be so far from persecuting any for cause of Conscience, that he layeth it down for my first Conclusion; That it is not lawful to persecute any for Conscience sake rightly informed [that is to say, bringing more, and true light.]
But what is my way of Persecution, according to which, I expecting more light, must needs persecute him that brings it? It is but a few dayes agoe, since there came to my hand a book, published ⟨p. 17⟩(as is said) by Mr. Williams, and entituled, The Bloudy Tenent. In which Mr. Williams (without my privity) published a private Letter of mine, and therewith a Confutation of it, touching Persecution for cause of Conscience. In my stating of that Question, (which he relateth in the 7th Page of that Book) he declareth my Judgement to be so farre from persecuting any for cause of Conscience, that he layeth it downe for my first Conclusion; That it is not lawfull to persecute any for Conscience sake rightly informed [that is to say, bringing more, and true light.]