A80608:1509
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.
Here Mr. Williams thought better to hold his peace, then to give an Answer.
But thus have I opened the grounds, and occasions of his Civill Banishment; which whether they be sandy, or rocky, let the servants of Christ judge. Howsoever, my Letter gave him no occasion at all to put me upon this Discourse; for in my Letter I intended only to show him the sandiness of those grounds upon which he banished himself from the society (not of the Common-wealth, but) of all the Churches in these Countries.
But thus have I opened the grounds, and occasions of his Civill Banishment; which whether they be sandy, or rocky, let the servants of Christ judge. Howsoever, my Letter gave him no occasion at all to put me upon this Discourse; for in my Letter I intended only to shew him the sandinesse of those grounds upon which he banished himselfe from the society (not of the Common-wealth, but) of all the Churches in these Countreyes.
But whether I intended the one, or the other, he giveth an Answer for both; If Mr Cotton mean (saith he) my own voluntary withdrawing from all these Churches resolved to continue in those evils, and in persecuting the witnesses of the Lord, presenting light unto them. I confess it was mine own voluntary act: yea I hope the act of the Lord Jesus sounding forth in me (a poor despised Rams-horn) the blast which shall in his own holy season cast down the strength, and confidence of the Inventions of men in the worship of God: and lastly his act in enabling me to be faithful in any measure to suffer such great, and mighty Trials for his Names sake.
But whether I intended the one, or the other, he giveth an Answer for both; If Mr Cotton meane (saith he) my own voluntary withdrawing from all these Churches resolved to continue in those evills, and in persecuting the witnesses of the Lord, presenting light unto them. I confesse it was mine own voluntary act: yea I hope the act of the Lord Jesus sounding forth in me (a poore despised Rams-horne) the blast which shall in his own holy season cast down the strength, and confidence of the Inventions of men in the worship of God: and lastly his act in inabling me to be faithfull in any measure to suffer such great, and mightie Tryalls for his Names sake.