A80608:1504
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.
These were (as I took it) the causes of his Banishment: two other things fell in upon these that hastened the Sentence. The former fell out thus: The Magistrates discerning by the former passages, the heady and turbulent spirit of Mr. Williams, both they, and others advised the Church of Salem not to call him to office in their Church; nevertheless, the major part of the Church made choice of him. Soon after, when the Church made suit to the Court for a parcel of Land adjoining to them, the Court delayed to grant their Request (as hath been mentioned before) because the Church had refused to hearken to the Magistrates, and others in forbearing the choice of Mr. Williams. Whereupon Mr. Williams took occasion to stir up the Church to join with him in writing Letters of Admonition unto all the Churches, whereof those Magistrates were members, to admonish them of their open transgression of the Rule of Justice. Which Letters coming to the several Churches, provoked the Magistrates to take the more speedy course with so heady, and violent a Spirit.
These were (as I tooke it) the causes of his Banishment: two other things fell in upon these that hastened the Sentence. The former fell out thus: The Magistrates discerning by the former passages, the heady and turbulent spirit of Mr. Williams, both they, and others advised the Church of Salem not to call him to office in their Church; neverthelesse, the major part of the Church made choice of him. Soone after, when the Church made suit to the Court for a parcell of Land adjoyning to them, the Court delayed to grant their Request (as hath been mentioned before) because the Church had refused to hearken to the Magistrates, and others in forbearing the choice of Mr. Williams. Whereupon Mr. Williams took occasion to stirre up the Church to joyne with him in writing Letters of Admonition unto all the Churches, whereof those Magistrates were members, to admonish them of their open transgression of the Rule of Justice. Which Letters coming to the severall Churches, provoked the Magistrates to take the more speedy course with so heady, and violent a Spirit.
But to prevent his sufferings, (if it might be) it was moved by some of the Elders, that themselves might have liberty (according to the Rule of Christ) to deal with him, and with the Church also in a Church-way. It might be, the Church might hear us, and he the Church; which being consented to, some of our Churches wrote to the Church of Salem, to present before them the offensive