A80608:1539
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.
Reply. Were it not that I have learned from the word of truth, that when men are cast out of the Church of Christ, they are delivered up unto Satan, and so neither their wits, nor their tongues are their own. I could not easily have believed that Mr. Williams could so confidently and openly have avouched such a notorious slander. Since the Lord taught me to know any thing, what conscience, or the worship of God meant, it hath been my constant judgement, and doctrine, and practise to the contrary. Besides, To teach the killing of the bodies of all such Consciences, and ways of worship, as are not mine own, is to make mine own conscience, and way ⟨p. 37⟩of worship, the infallible Rule, and sovereign Standard, by which all consciences, and ways of worship throughout the world, were to be regulated: yea, and as if this were a light measure of arrogancy, and usurpation, I make it a capital crime, (a body-killing offence) for any man to swerve from my conscience, and way of worship, even in such Points wherein the Holy Ghost hath given express charge, that we should not judge, nor condemn one another, Rom. 14.3. But I durst appeal even unto the conscience of Mr. Williams himself, (if it were now in the gracious keeping of Christ, or of himself, as in former times) that himself knoweth, I do not think it lawful to Excommunicate an Heretic, much less to persecute him with the civill Sword, till it may appear, even by just and full conviction, that he sinneth not out of conscience, but against the very light of his own conscience. Sure I am, such a Point he reporteth is received from me, to the very same purpose, (and he reporteth it truly) in his Bloody Tenet, pag. 8. This Answer may suffice to his first (as he calleth it) unanswerable Testimony.
Reply. Were it not that I have learned from the word of truth, that when men are cast out of the Church of Christ, they are delivered up unto Satan, and so neither their wits, nor their tongues are their own. I could not easily have beleeved that Mr. Williams could so confidently and openly have avouched such a notorious slander. Since the Lord taught me to know any thing, what conscience, or the worship of God meant, it hath been my constant judgement, and doctrine, and practise to the contrary. Besides, To teach the killing of the bodies of all such Consciences, and wayes of worship, as are not mine own, is to make mine own conscience, and way