A80608:1697
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.
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, Rev. 11. & 13.) have been trodden under-foot, and the whole Earth hath wandered after the Beast; yet God hath stirred up witnesses to Prophecy in sackcloth against the Beast, during his 42 months Reign. Nevertheless, these witnesses have in their times more or less submitted to Antichrist, and his Church, Worship, Ministry, &c. And so consequently have been ignorant of the true Church, that is, Christ taken for the Church in the true Profession of that holy way of worship, which he himself at first appointed. This Answer giveth away the cause to the Papists. They demand, Where was your Church before Luther? This Answer giveth it for granted, that since the Apostasy there was no particular church extant in the world. This fully satisfieth their desire, and expectation: for if there were no Church of Christ in the world, for so many Centuries of years till Luther, then they readily conclude, That their Church of Rome was (before Luther) the only Church in the world. For they urge it, (and I know not how we can fairly deny it) that the Church of Christ, even that Church to which the keys of the kingdom are committed, (which is the visible Church) is that against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail, and so not all the Power of Antichrist. If then the visible Church of Christ shall never cease, and yet during all that time of the Apostasy of Antichrist, no Church was extant in the world, but the Church of Rome, then during all that time (which is not yet expired) the Church of Rome is, and hath been the only Church of Christ these many ages. Besides, as this Answerer gratifieth the Papist, and maketh the promise of Christ (Mat. 16.18, 19,) of none effect: so it ⟨p. 69⟩straiteneth the Counsel of God in the very Texts of Scripture alleged by himself. For in that Text (Rev. 11.) where the outward Court is given to the Gentiles, (that is, Ecclesiastical Courts, given to Antichrist & his Clergy) v. 2.