A80608:1570
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.
In due order I say; for if such an one be detained from bringing forth his corn by some scruple of Conscience, (as suppose a man able to Preach Christ, and so able to dispense spiritual corn, yet doubting of the true way of the Ministry since the Apostasy of Antichrist, dare not practise the Ministry.) Such an one should not be suddenly cast out of the Country, till he be first convinced, that the Apostasy of Antichrist, did never so far prevail against the Church of Christ, as to root it out from off the face of the earth. The woman (which is the Church of Christ) was still nourished in a Wilderness, even during all the Reign of Antichrist, Rev. 12.14, 15, 16. The Temple of God, (which is his Church) together with the Altar, and them that worship therein, were still measured, and that by John (by Apostolic measure) all the time, when Antichrist trod down the outward Court of the holy City, Rev. 11.1, 2. The Golden vessels of the Temple still continued in the middest of the Babylonish Captivity. And if spiritual Babylon have now so far prevailed against the Church of Christ, as that they have rooted it up from the face of the earth, then what is become of the promise of Christ; The gates of Hell shall never prevail against it? Mat. 16.18. Surely the Promise is given to a particular Congregational Church, that it shall never fail, but shall always be extant in some Country, or other; for he speaks of such a Church, to whom the keys of the Kingdom are committed, ver. 19. It will be vain to look for new Apostles to replant Churches out of the ruins of the Antichristian Apostasy. For the new Testament acknowledgeth Paul and Barnabas to be the last Apostles, 1 Cor. 4.9. If any Apostles rise up after them, then Paul and Barnabas will not be the last. And when the New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven, yet she shall not be builded by any new Apostles, but built upon that foundation which the Lambs twelve Apostles have already laid, Rev. 21.14.
In due order I say; for if such an one be detained from bringing forth his corne by some scruple of Conscience, (as suppose a man able to Preach Christ, and so able to dispense spirituall corne, yet doubting of the true way of the Ministery since the Apostasie of Antichrist, dare not practise the Ministery.) Such an one should not be sodainly cast out of the Countrey, till he be first convinced, that the Apostasie of Antichrist, did never so farre prevaile against the Church of Christ, as to roote it out from off the face of the earth. The woman (which is the Church of Christ) was still nourished in a Wildernesse, even during all the Reigne of Antichrist,