A80608:1443
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 the shutting up of his Chapter, he is pleased to Comment upon a phrase in my Letter, wherein I styled my self a man of uncircumcised lips. And he doth acknowledge it to be an holy Character of an heavenly Spirit, to make an ingenuous, and true acknowledgement of an uncircumcised lip. Yet (saith he) that discerning Spirit, which God graciously vouchsafeth to them that tremble at his Word, shall find, that not only the will-worships of men may be painted, and varnished over with the glittering show of Humility, Colos. 2. but even Gods dearest servants (eminent for humility, and meekness) may yet be troubled with a swelling of spiritual pride, out of the very sense of their humility, &c. Humility is never in season to set up superstition, or persecute Gods children.
For the shutting up of his Chapter, he is pleased to Comment upon a phrase in my Letter, wherein I styled my selfe a man of uncircumcised lips. And he doth acknowledge it to be an holy Character of an heavenly Spirit, to make an ingenuous, and true acknowledgement of an uncircumcised lip. Yet (saith he) that discerning Spirit, which God graciously vouchsafeth to them that tremble at his Word, shall finde, that not onely the will-worships of men may be painted, and varnished over with the glittering shew of Humilitie, Colos. 2. but even Gods dearest servants (eminent for humility, and meeknesse) may yet be troubled with a swelling of spirituall pride, out of the very sence of their humilitie, &c. Humilitie is never in season to set up superstition, or persecute Gods children.
Answ. I could entreat some or other of Mr. Williams his acquaintance (whose words may find better acceptance with him, then mine do) to persuade him, not to attribute too much to his own Spirit of discerning; which though he truly saith, God doth vouchsafe to them that tremble at his word: yet I never read, nor heard, that God did vouchsafe a Spirit of discerning to any that are so far from trembling at the word, that they do not vouchsafe to hear the word from the mouth of so many thousand faithful Ministers of the Gospel. As for me, I desire not to neglect any word from the mouth of Mr. Williams, (upon what pretence soever spoken) that putteth me in mind of spiritual pride, arising out of the very sense of humility. Such smiting shall not break my head.