A80608:1609
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 whereas he talketh of plucking up by the roots, the Metaphor is too Catachrestical. An old Tree plucked up by the roots is not like to grow again: but neither he, nor I, was exposed to such an Eradication: we might have removed (with our selves) whatsoever movables we had; and what we could not remove, we might put it off (sooner, or later) unto others for a valuable consideration. So that though we had been plucked up by the roots, our roots had not been dried up, but would have sprung forth again to our comfortable supportance.
But whereas he talketh of plucking up by the rootes, the Metaphor is too Catachresticall. An old Tree pluckt up by the rootes is not like to grow againe: but neither he, nor I, was exposed to such an Eradication: we might have remooved (with our selves) whatsoever mooveables we had; and what we could not remoove, we might put it off (sooner, or later) unto others for a valuable consideration. So that though wee had been plucked up by the rootes, our rootes had not been dried up, but would have sprung forth againe to our comfortable supportance.
It is a question altogether impertinent, which the Examiner putteth in the next place, Whether if the Inhabitants in New-England were permitted to enjoy in Old-England their Congregational way, whether then Mr. Cotton himself (if be were seated in Old England again) would count it a mercy to be banished from the Civill State?
It is a question altogether impertinent, which the Examiner putteth in the next place, Whether if the Inhabitants in New-England were permitted to enjoy in Old-England their Congregationall way, whether then Mr. Cotton himselfe (if be were seated in Old England againe) would count it a mercy to be banished from the Civill State?
For that is not at all the Question in hand, but this: whether if there were no Congregational Churches in Old-England, unto which we might join without sin, whether then it were a mercy to be thrust out? And verily for my self (and I doubt not for many a thousand more) I should account is a mercy, to be hastened out, yea, (if I lingered) to be thrust out in such a case. If many thousand godly persons in this Country did not make the same