A80608:1665
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.
TO CHAP. XI.
IN this Chapter, the Examiner propoundeth a second, third, fourth, and fifth Reason, to prove that, (which I deny not) to wit, That a necessity lieth upon godly men, before they can be fit matter for Church-fellowship, truly to see and humbly to bewail their spiritual bondage under Antichristian pollution, and withal to obtain some power and strength from Jesus Christ to bring them out of it.
IN this Chapter, the Examiner propoundeth a second, third, fourth, and fifth Reason, to prove that, (which I deny not) to wit, That a necessitie lyeth upon godly men, before they can be fit matter for Church-fellowship, truely to see and humbly to bewaile their spirituall bondage under Antichristian pollution, and withall to obtaine some power and strength from Jesus Christ to bring them out of it.
This I say, I deny not, nor ever did. But this necessity I conceive to be Necessitas praecepti, (as they call it, or officii) as that which is the commandment of God, and the duty of godly men to do: But not Necessitas medij ad finem, such a necessity, as without which a godly person cannot be a member of the Church, unless the spiritual bondage under Antichristian pollution, do so far enthral him to Antichrist, as to separate him from Christ as he is the Head of the visible Church. Which what it is, we shall have fitter occasion to speak of in the sequel.
This I say, I deny not, nor ever did. But this necessitie I conceive to be Necessitas praecepti, (as they call it, or officii) as that which is the commandement of God, and the duty of godly men to doe: But not Necessitas medij ad finem, such a necessitie, as without which a godly person cannot be a member of the Church, unlesse the spirituall bondage under Antichristian pollution, doe so farre enthrall him to Antichrist, as to separate him from Christ as he is the Head of the visible Church. Which what it is, we shall have fitter occasion to speake of in the sequele.