A80608:1695
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.
But there be other corruptions, and Antichristian corruptions too, which because they do not subvert the Foundation, neither of faith, nor of Church-order, I would not say that they separate from Christ, no not as he is the Head of the visible Church. For then if some whole Church were leavened with them, they might soon cease to be a Church. But we see the contrary in Scripture, the High Places were tolerated in Judah, and yet Judah ceased not to be a Church: And by like proportion some more high and eminent Power may be given by some Churches to their Officers, (according to an Antichristian Pattern in some measure) and yet they not cease to be a Church. David and all the Congregation of Israel might bring up the Ark of God in a Cart, (after the manner of the Philistines) and yet not disannul their Church-estate: And by like proportion, so may a Church of Christ take up some orders, (as the carting of some part of their worship upon a Book) after the manner of Antichrist, and yet not forthwith evacuate their Church-estate.
But there be other corruptions, and Antichristian corruptions too, which because they doe not subvert the Foundation, neither of faith, nor of Church-order, I would not say that they separate from Christ, no not as he is the Head of the visible Church. For then if some whole Church were leavened with them, they might soone cease to be a Church. But we see the contrary in Scripture, the High Places were tolerated in Judah, and yet Judah ceased not to be a Church: And by like proportion some more high and eminent Power may be given by some Churches to their Officers, (according to an Antichristian Patterne in some measure) and yet they not cease to be a Church. David and all the Congregation of Israel might bring up the Arke of God in a Cart, (after the manner of the Philistims) and yet not disanull their Church-estate: And by like proportion, so may a Church of Christ take up some orders, (as the carting of some part of their worship upon a Book) after the manner of Antichrist, and yet not forthwith evacuate their Church-estate.
But this let me further add, that a godly person may have some kind of communion, so far as hearing the word from a Minister well gifted by Christ, to whose calling some corruption may cleave, both in his Church-estate, and in his Ordination: And yet nevertheless, no Antichristian Pollution at all may cleave or redound to the hearer by his hearing of him. And this being the