A80608:1696
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 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 ⟨p. 68⟩Principal Exception wch the Examiner taketh against some of the members of our churches, & against all the churches for their sakes, we shall further (God willing) clear when the Examiner putteth it upon us in the sequel. Mean while, we profess as we do believe, that such an action is not any Church-communion with Antichrist, nor doth so enthral the People of God unto Antichrist, as to separate them from Christ, no not as he is Head of the visible Church.
But this let me further adde, that a godly person may have some kinde of communion, so farre 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 neverthelesse, no Antichristian Pollution at all may cleave or redound to the hearer by his hearing of him. And this being the ⟨p. 68⟩Principall Exception wch the Examiner taketh against some of the members of our churches, & against all the churches for their sakes, we shall further (God willing) cleare when the Examiner putteth it upon us in the sequele. Meane while, we professe as we doe beleeve, that such an action is not any Church-cōmunion with Antichrist, nor doth so enthrall the People of God unto Antichrist, as to separate them from Christ, no not as he is Head of the visible Church.
The Answer which (upon occasio of this Point) the Examiner giveth to the Papists Question, (Where was your Church before Luther?) though it seem to him well and good: yet it gratifieth the Papists, and straiteneth the holy Counsel of God in Scripture. The Question, saith he, is thus well answered, to wit, That since the Apostasy of Antichrist, Truth, and the holy City, (according to the Prophecy,