A80608:1451
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 will this indeed discharge an Elder of the Church before the Lord, from coming into the presence of the Church, when they send for him, because the greater part of them, are bowed, and swayed for fear of Persecution, to slip, and slide, and to say and practise that, which with sighs and groans they mourned under? Why then, if the Wolfe come, and scatter the sheep, and they slip out of the way, let the Shepherd fly, and leave them; that the word of the Lord Jesus might be fulfilled; He that is an Hireling, and not the Shepherd, ⟨p. 20⟩whose own the sheep are not, he seeth the Wolfe coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the Wolfe catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep, Joh. 10.12.
But will this indeed discharge an Elder of the Church before the Lord, from coming into the presence of the Church, when they send for him, because the greater part of them, are bowed, and swayed for feare of Persecution, to slip, and slide, and to say and practise that, which with sighes and groanes they mourned under? Why then, if the Wolfe come, and scatter the sheepe, and they slip out of the way, let the Shepheard fly, and leave them; that the word of the Lord Jesus might be fulfilled; He that is an Hireling, and not the Shepheard, ⟨p. 20⟩whose own the sheepe are not, he seeth the Wolfe coming, and leaveth the sheepe, and fleeth, and the Wolfe catcheth them, and scattereth the sheepe, Joh. 10.12.
Or will it go for currant Doctrine before the Lord, that if the greater part of a Church fall (through fear, or otherwise) into sin, and such a sin, which they mourn under with sighs, and groans, and which in it self is not heinous, that then they do ipso facto, cease to be a Church, and utterly to be cast out? Why then let the Covenant between the Lord and his Church be no more reputed any branch of the Covenant of Grace, but let it stand and fall as a Covenant of works.