A80608:1603
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.
But further, (saith he) what if Mr. Cotton should dissent from the new English-Churches, and join in worship with some other, (as some few years since, he was upon the Point to do, in a separation from the Churches there, as Legal) would he count it a mercy to be plucked up by the roots, him, and his, and to endure the losses, distractions, miseries, that do attend such a condition?
But further, (saith he) what if Mr. Cotton should dissent from the new English-Churches, and joyne in worship with some other, (as some few yeares since, he was upon the Point to doe, in a separation from the Churches there, as Legall) would he count it a mercy to be pluckt up by the rootes, him, and his, and to endure the losses, distractions, miseries, that doe attend such a condition?
Reply. The Examiner is falsely, and foully mis-informed, when he saith, I was about to separate some few years since from the new English ⟨p. 50⟩Churches as Legal. For I never counted them as Legal Churches; nor was I ever about to separate from them as Legal, or otherwise so unclean, that a good conscience might not hold communion with them without sin.
Reply. The Examiner is falsly, and foully mis-informed, when he saith, I was about to separate some few yeares since from the new English ⟨p. 50⟩Churches as Legall. For I never counted them as Legall Churches; nor was I ever about to separate from them as Legall, or otherwise so uncleane, that a good conscience might not hold communion with them without sinne.