A80608:1654
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.
The sum of his Answer is (though delivered in other words obscurely and confusedly, yet in sense) thus much; That he accounteth our members, as Trees or Quarries, not for that they are not yet cut our of the pit or root of natural corruption, but for that they are not yet removed and cleansed from actual and Antichristian ⟨p. 60⟩pollution. In which case, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Sampson, Job, David, Peter, in their drunkenness, lying, whoredoms, cursings, murders, Perjuries, though they were godly persons: yet not fit members for Church estate. And so our Church-members, howsoever godly otherwise, yet through ignorance, and negligence, lying under Antichristian pollutions, ever since the Apostasy, are not fit members for Church-estate.
The summe of his Answer is (though delivered in other words obscurely and confusedly, yet in sence) thus much; That he accounteth our members, as Trees or Quarries, not for that they are not yet cut our of the pit or roote of naturall corruption, but for that they are not yet removed and clensed from actuall and Antichristian ⟨p. 60⟩pollution. In which case, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Sampson, Job, David, Peter, in their drunkennesse, lying, whoredomes, cursings, murders, Perjuries, though they were godly persons: yet not fit members for Church estate. And so our Church-members, howsoever godly otherwise, yet through ignorance, and negligence, lying under Antichristian pollutions, ever since the Apostasie, are not fit members for Church-estate.
Reply. 1. I do willingly allow him to be the Interpreter of his own meaning: and do easily grant him, that with that distinction, he salveth his contradiction. But yet let him remember, his words were very unproper, to account godly Persons fallen into any actual Pollution, to be matter fitted for a Church, no more then Trees or Quarries are fit matter proportioned to a Building.
Reply. 1. I doe willingly allow him to be the Interpreter of his own meaning: and doe easily grant him, that with that distinction, he salveth his contradiction. But yet let him remember, his words were very unproper, to account godly Persons fallen into any actuall Pollution, to be matter fitted for a Church, no more then Trees or Quarries are fit matter proportioned to a Building.