A80608:1534
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.
For neither was he so innocent, as was Uriah, and that Prophet: nor had my self the like hand in his sufferings, as David and Asa had in the other: nor did I ever see cause of regret, and reluctancy of conscience, for any act of mine own about his sufferings. Only I confess I had (as he saith) some regret, and reluctancy of affection, and of compassion, to see one who had received from God, stirring and useful gifts, to bestir himself so busily, and eagerly to abuse them, to the disturbance of himself, his family, the Churches, and the Common-wealth.
For neither was he so innocent, as was Ʋriah, and that Prophet: nor had my selfe the like hand in his sufferings, as David and Asa had in the other: nor did I ever see cause of regret, and reluctancy of conscience, for any act of mine own about his sufferings. Onely I confesse I had (as he saith) some regret, and reluctancy of affection, and of compassion, to see one who had received from God, stirring and usefull gifts, to bestirre himselfe so busily, and eagerly to abuse them, to the disturbance of himselfe, his family, the Churches, and the Common-wealth.
That I consented not to his Banishment, he in part admitteth; For what need was there (saith he) of that, being not one of the Civill Court?
As if I might not have consented to it, though I needed not to have done it. I might have drawn up Articles against him, I might have come in as a witness against him, I might have solicited, and stirred up the body of the Magistrates against him, to rid the country of him: and then I had consented before-hand to what was done by the Magistrates in that kind, though my self had been none of the Court; but none of all these acts, nor any such like were done by me.
As if I might not have consented to it, though I needed not to have done it. I might have drawn up Articles against him, I might have come in as a witnesse against him, I might have solicited, and stirred up the body of the Magistrates against him, to rid the countrey of him: and then I had consented before-hand to what was done by the Magistrates in that kinde, though my selfe had been none of the Court; but none of all these acts, nor any such like were done by me.