A80608:1505
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 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 ⟨p. 30⟩Spirit, and way of their Officer, (Mr. Williams) both in Judgement, and Practise. The Church finally began to hearken to us, and accordingly began to address themselves to the healing of his Spirit. Which he discerning, renounced communion with the Church of Salem, pretending they held communion with the Churches in the Bay, and the Churches in the Bay held communion with the Parish-Churches in England, because they suffered their members to hear the word amongst them in England, as they came over into their native Country. He then refusing to resort to the Public Assembly of the Church. Soon after sundry began to resort to his Family, where he preached to them on the Lords day. But this carriage of his in renouncing the Church upon such an occasion, and with them all the Churches in the Country, and the spreading of his Leaven to sundry that resorted to him; this gave the Magistrates the more cause to observe the heady unruliness of his spirit, and the incorrigibleness thereof by any Church-way, all the Churches in the Country being then renounced by him. And this was the other occasion which hastened the Sentence of his Banishment, upon the former Grounds.
But to prevent his sufferings, (if it might be) it was mooved by some of the Elders, that themselves might have liberty (according to the Rule of Christ) to deale with him, and with the Church also in a Church-way. It might be, the Church might heare 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 ⟨p. 30⟩Spirit, and way of their Officer, (Mr. Williams) both in Judgement, and Practise. The Church finally began to hearken to us, and accordingly began to addresse themselves to the healing of his Spirit. Which he discerning, renounced communion with the Church of Salem, pretending they held communion with the Churches in the Bay, and the Churches in the Bay held communion with the Parish-Churches in England, because they suffered their members to heare the word amongst them in England, as they came over into their native Countrey. He then refusing to resort to the Publick Assembly of the Church. Soone after sundry began to resort to his Family, where he preached to them on the Lords day. But this carriage of his in renouncing the Church upon such an occasion, and with them all the Churches in the Countrey, and the spreading of his Leaven to sundry that resorted to him; this gave the Magistrates the more cause to observe the heady unruelinesse of his spirit, and the incorrigiblenesse thereof by any Church-way, all the Churches in the Countrey being then renounced by him. And this was the other occasion which hastened the Sentence of his Banishment, upon the former Grounds.