A80608:171
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.
3. Though he saith he findeth no one Tittle in the Text, that in Fundamental and Principal Points of Doctrine and Worship, the Word of God is so clear, that after once or twice Admonition, the Heretic cannot but be convinced in his own Conscience: Yet he might easily find it, and cannot but find it, if he were pleased to ponder the words of the Text: yea and he doth find it, though he be pleased to deny it. For the Heretic (whom the Text speaketh of) himself expoundeth to be a man wilfully obstinate: An Evidence, that he erreth not through want of light, or weakness of knowledge, but through strength of will. Whence also he is said to be condemned of himself, of his own Conscience: An Evidence that the Points about which he erreth, are so clearly delivered in Scripture, that after once or twice Admonition, the Heretic cannot but be convinced in his own Conscience. And if this hold in sundry lesser Points, how much more doth it hold in Fundamentals and Principals? Unless he think the Holy Ghost be more dark, & obscure in delivering Principles and milk to Babes, then in delivering lesser Points to men of riper growth. If the word be so clear as to make Fundamentals clear, (though not any more clear, as he saith, then lesser Points) yet then it followeth, It maketh them both so clear, that he that submiteth not to them after once, or twice Admonition is condemned of himself.
3. Though he saith he findeth no one Tittle in the Text, that in Fundamentall and Principall Points of Doctrine and Worship, the Word of God is so cleare, that after once or twice Admonition, the Heretick cannot but be convinced in his owne Conscience: Yet he might easily find it, and cannot but find it, if he were pleased to ponder the words of the Text: yea and he doth find it, though he be pleased to deny it. For the Heretick (whom the Text speaketh of) himselfe expoundeth to be a man willfully obstinate: An Evidence, that he erreth not through want of light, or weaknesse of knowledge, but through strength of will. Whence also he is said to be condemned of himselfe, of his owne Conscience: An Evidence that the Points about which he erreth, are so clearely delivered in Scripture, that after once or twice Admonition, the Heretick cannot but be convinced in his owne Conscience. And if this hold in sundry lesser Points, how much more doth it hold in Fundamentalls and Principalls? Unlesse he thinke the Holy Ghost be more darke, & obscure in delivering Principles and milke to Babes, then in delivering lesser Points to men of riper growth. If the word be so cleare as to make Fundamentals clear, (though not any more cleare, as he saith, then lesser Points) yet then it followeth, It maketh them both so cleare, that he that submiteth not to them after once, or twice Admonition is condemned of himselfe.