A80608:1516
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.
And as for persecuting the witnesses of the Lord, presenting light to us; himself (for ought I know) was the first in this Country, that ever pretended suffering for bearing witness in any matter of Religion true or false: And for him to withdraw himself from the society of all the Churches for their persecution of him, before he had suffered from them any thing but conference, and conviction, is to make them sufferers for well-doing, and to choose suffering, that he might have cause to complain of sufferings. Let him, if he be able, name any one in this Country of the witnesses of the Lord, (for he speaketh of witnesses) that ever did so much as pretend before himself to suffer Persecution, for presenting light to us.
And as for persecuting the witnesses of the Lord, presenting light to us; himselfe (for ought I know) was the first in this Countrey, that ever pretended suffering for bearing witnesse in any matter of Religion true or false: And for him to withdraw himselfe from the society of all the Churches for their persecution of him, before he had suffered from them any thing but conference, and conviction, is to make them sufferers for well-doing, and to choose suffering, that he might have cause to complaine of sufferings. Let him, if he be able, name any one in this Countrey of the witnesses of the Lord, (for he speaketh of witnesses) that ever did so much as pretend before himselfe to suffer Persecution, for presenting light to us.
Thus he maketh that the ground of his withdrawing, which was not then in Rerum naturâ, (no not in pretence) till after his withdrawing. As a furious School-master will beat a child for nothing till he cry, and then beat him for crying.
Thus he maketh that the ground of his withdrawing, which was not then in Rerum naturâ, (no not in pretence) till after his withdrawing. As a furious School-master will beate a childe for nothing till he cry, and then beate him for crying.