A80608:1667
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.
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.
To his second Argument I would therefore Answer, that as an holy Altar and Temple to God, could not have been built to God in the midst of Babylon, but the Builders must come locally out of Babel to build it in Jerusalem: So a Church of Christ cannot be built to God, but by such Builders as spiritually come out of Antichristian pollutions and inventions, at least out of such pollutions as keep them still in Babel, and detain them under Antichrist, and separate them from Christ.
To his second Argument I would therefore Answer, that as an holy Altar and Temple to God, could not have been built to God in the midst of Babylon, but the Builders must come locally out of Babel to build it in Hierusalem: So a Church of Christ cannot be built to God, but by such Builders as spiritually come out of Antichristian pollutions and inventions, at least out of such pollutions as keepe them still in Babel, and detaine them under Antichrist, and separate them from Christ.