A80608:1636
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.
Mr. Williams witnesseth, that in such a case the Church, whose Petition is so delayed, may write Letters of Admonition to all the Churches, whereof such Magistrates are members, to require them to grant without delay such Petitions, or else to Proceed against them in a Church-way.
Now let the Churches of Jesus Christ, and all the Saints on earth judge, in whether sort of these witnesses, the word, and Spirit of Christ, or Antichrist breatheth. As for the deciphering which the Examiner maketh of Mr Cotton, as swimming with the stream of outward credit, and profit, and smiting with the fist, and sword of Persecution of such as do not join in worship with him. I cannot say that I have sworn, but I thank God I have waded through credit, and discredit, through evil report, and good report, as a deceiver, and yet true. And for profit, I have neither abounded in superfluities, nor (through mercy) have been long destitute of necessaries: but whether this be a badge of Antichrist, and not compatible to the witnesses of Christ, I have not yet learned.
Now let the Churches of Jesus Christ, and all the Saints on earth judge, in whether sort of these witnesses, the word, and Spirit of Christ, or Antichrist breatheth. As for the deciphering which the Examiner maketh of Mr Cotton, as swimming with the streame of outward credit, and profit, and smiting with the fist, and sword of Persecution of such as doe not joyne in worship with him. I cannot say that I have sworn, but I thanke God I have waded through credit, and discredit, through evill report, and good report, as a deceiver, and yet true. And for profit, I have neither abounded in superfluities, nor (through mercy) have been long destitute of necessaries: but whether this be a badge of Antichrist, and not compatible to the witnesses of Christ, I have not yet learned.
And for smiting with the fist, and sword of Persecution, if Persecution be affliction for Righteousness sake, I would willingly learn of the Examiner, whom of all the Righteous I have smitten with the fist, or wounded with the sword? I speak according to his own meaning, meaning (as I suppose himself doth) neither bodily fist, nor material sword; but let him then Instance in some one, or other, that hath felt the heaviness of my fist, or the keenness of my sword, or else let him remember what the Spirit of God hath said (