A80608:1680
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.
Let him be pleased to look back, to what hath been formerly laid open, and he will find this Instance of himself wholly impertinent. For the casting of him out of the Common-wealth, sprung not from his difference in matters of Church Discipline. It was well known that whilst he lived at Salem, he neither admitted, nor permitted any Church-members, but such as rejected all Communion with the Parish Assemblies, so much as in hearing of the Word amongst them. And this liberty he did use and might have used to this day, without any disturbance to his Civill or Church-Peace, (save only in a way of brotherly disquisition;) but it was his Doctrines and Practises which tended to the Civill disturbance of the Common-wealth, together with his heady and busy pursuit of the same, even to the rejection of all Churches here. These they were that made him unfit for enjoying Communion either in the one state, or in the other. When he reckoneth me, and me only by name, (as one of the most incensed against him) I reckon it as one of his usual exorbitant Hyperboles: unless by Incensed, he mean one that with some others, were most kindled, ⟨p. 65⟩and stirred up to endeavour his satisfaction. And then his term Incensed, though it be not an Hyperbole, yet it is an Acurology.
Let him be pleased to look back, to what hath been formerly laid open, and he will finde this Instance of himselfe wholly impertinent. For the casting of him out of the Common-wealth, sprung not from his difference in matters of Church Discipline. It was well knowne that whilest he lived at Salem, he neither admitted, nor permitted any Church-members, but such as rejected all Communion with the Parish Assemblies, so much as in hearing of the Word amongst them. And this libertie he did use and might have used to this day, without any disturbance to his Civill or Church-Peace, (save onely in a way of brotherly disquisition;) but it was his Doctrines and Practises which tended to the Civill disturbance of the Common-wealth, together with his heady and busie pursuite of the same, even to the rejection of all Churches here. These they were that made him unfit for enjoying Communion either in the one state, or in the other. When he reckoneth me, and me onely by name, (as one of the most incensed against him) I reckon it as one of his usuall exorbitant Hyperboles: unlesse by Incensed, he meane one that with some others, were most kindled, ⟨p. 65⟩