A80608:1569
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.
Also he that had unawares slain a man, was banished, though not out of all Israel, yet from his own House, and Town, and Tribe, till the death of the High Priest, and that was as much as Banishment out of any Society of Christs people now, whether in Church, or Civill Fellowship. For though out of Israel, there was no full Banishment legally enjoined, because there was then no other Church extant in the world, (and so to banish a man out of Israel, was as much as to say, Go, and serve other Gods, 1 Sam. 26.19) yet now when Church-fellowship in the true Religion may be had in so many places, to banish a man out of his Country, is no more then it was then to banish an Israelite into a City of Refuge. But though banishment be now a lawful punishment in some case, yet I go not about to prove that every wilful withholding of corn, in every State is banishment, much less death. But he that shall withhold his own corn, and go about to persuade all others that have corn lying by them, to shut up their sacks mouths, and not to bring forth their corn for the nourishment of the people, (which is, if we speak of spiritual corn, the very case of the ⟨p. 45⟩Examiner) I do not see but such an one may be justly accounted as Hostis Reipublicae, a public enemy of the Country, and, as such an one, in due order, to be cast out of it.
Also he that had unawares slaine a man, was banished, though not out of all Israel, yet from his own House, and Towne, and Tribe, till the death of the High Priest, and that was as much as Banishment out of any Society of Christs people now, whether in Church, or Civill Fellowship. For though out of Israel, there was no full Banishment legally enjoyned, because there was then no other Church extant in the world, (and so to banish a man out of Israel, was as much as to say, Goe, and serve other Gods, 1 Sam. 26.19) yet now when Church-fellowship in the true Religion may be had in so many places, to banish a man out of his Countrey, is no more then it was then to banish an Israelite into a Citie of Refuge. But though banishment be now a lawfull punishment in some case, yet I goe not about to prove that every wilfull withholding of corne, in every State is banishment, much lesse death. But he that shall withhold his own corne, and goe about to perswade all others that have corne lying by them, to shut up their sacks mouths, and not to bring forth their corne for the nourishment of the people, (which is, if we speake of spirituall corne, the very case of the