A80608:1541
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. I might here justly plead the equity of the Roman Custom, to excuse my self from this accusation, until the accusers come before me face to face: And truly, if Apocryphal witnesses may go for unanswerable Testimonies, it is an easy matter to oppress any innocency: I might also plead the incompetency of such a witness, as (haply lying under some censure from our Church, and removing himself from our fellowship) might take more liberty to speak against me in a pang of passion, what he would be loath to justify in cold blood.) I might likewise allege that one or two Magistrates makes not a Court, nor was his Sentence cast by the vote of one, or two: So that if I had counselled one or two to it, it would not argue that the act of the Magistrates, and of the Deputies, (which is the body of the Court) had been done by my counsel or consent. And indeed it was the very true ⟨p. 38⟩meaning of my speech, that for the hastening of the Sentence of the Court against Mr. Williams, that act of the Court (which was the act of the body of the Magistrates, and of the Deputies) it was neither done by my counsel, nor consent. For the body of them neither required my counsel, nor received my consent. What one of them did (for I remember but one that consulted with me about it) was not the act done by the Magistrates, whereof I spake. And let the occasion, and scope, and matter of that speech be remembered, and it will be found to tend to that purpose, and no other. About a year before the Sentence in Court passed against Mr. Williams, the Governor, and other Magistrates having understood of the disturbances put upon the Civill State by Mr. Williams, (which have been declared above) they sent for the Elders of the Churches in these parts, to acquaint us therewith, and to declare thereupon, the just grounds which they had to proceed against him: yet willing to confer thereof with us, because he was an Elder of a Church. I do not love to predicate mine own good offices to any: but his importunity forceth me to utter it; when I heard the motion, I presented (with the consent of my fellow Elders and Brethren) a serious Request to the Magistrates, that they would be pleased to forbear all civill prosecution against him, till our selves (with our Churches) had dealt with him in a Church way, to convince him of sin:
Reply. I might here justly plead the equitie of the Romane Custome, to excuse my selfe from this accusation, untill the accusers come before me face to face: And truely, if Apocryphall witnesses may goe for unanswerable Testimonies, it is an easie matter to oppresse any innocency: I might also plead the incompetency of such a witnesse, as (haply lying under some censure from our Church, and removing himselfe from our fellowship) might take more liberty to speake against me in a pang of passion, what he would be loath to justifie in cold bloud.) I might likewise alledge that one or two Magistrates makes not a Court, nor was his Sentence cast by the vote of one, or two: So that if I had counselled one or two to it, it would not argue that the act of the Magistrates, and of the Deputies, (which is the body of the Court) had been done by my counsell or consent. And indeed it was the very true