A80608:1523
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.
2. That I silently confess, that the frame and constitution of our Churches is implicitly National. Else if the Common-wealth, and Church were not one, how could he that is banished from the one, be necessarily banished from the other also?
2. That I silently confesse, that the frame and constitution of our Churches is implicitly Nationall. Else if the Common-wealth, and Church were not one, how could he that is banished from the one, be necessarily banished from the other also?
Reply. It was far from my meaning, and words, when I spake of his banishing of himself from the Fellowship of all the Churches in the Country, to intend his civill banishment. I knew his civill banishment was not merely his own Act. I knew also that he might have been banished from the Common-wealth, and yet have retained (as some others have done) Fellowship with some Churches, if not with all the Churches in the Country. And therefore both his observations are but empty flourishes, and vanish like Bubbles. It is the wiliness of the Spirit of the Serpent, to hide his head under fig-leaved evasions.
Reply. It was farre from my meaning, and words, when I spake of his banishing of himselfe from the Fellowship of all the Churches in the Countrey, to intend his civill banishment. I knew his civill banishment was not meerly his own Act. I knew also that he might have been banished from the Common-wealth, and yet have retained (as some others have done) Fellowship with some Churches, if not with all the Churches in the Countrey. And therefore both his observations are but empty flourishes, and vanish like Bubbles. It is the wilinesse of the Spirit of the Serpent, to hide his head under fig-leaved evasions.
But suppose I had meant by his banishment of himself, his civill banishment, and had meant, that by exposing himself deservedly to that censure, he had deprived himself of enjoying all the spiritual liberties of the Churches in the Country: might I not so have said, and yet not have spoken the language of the Dragon? What if the Dragon use such language to the Saints suffering innocently? may not the Spirit of God use the same words to a guilty person suffering deservedly? The language of the Dragon lieth not always in the words or meaning, but in the application, and intent of them. The Dragon said to Christ, I know who thou art, the holy One of God,