A80608:1712
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. The third thing which the Examiner would have to be observed in my words, is, How easily a soul may wander in his generals: for thus I write, though they see not all the pollutions, wherewith they have been defiled in their former Church-fellowship: Again, if they did see so much as did enthral them to Antichrist, and separate them from Christ. And yet (saith he) he expresseth nothing of that, all the pollutions, nor what so much is, as will separate them from Christ.
3. The third thing which the Examinen would have to be observed in my words, is, How easily a soule may wander in his generalls: for thus I write, though they see not all the pollutions, wherewith they have been defiled in their former Church-fellowship: Againe, if they did see so much as did enthrall them to Antichrist, and separate them from Christ. And yet (saith he) he expresseth nothing of that, all the pollutions, nor what so much is, as will separate them from Christ.
Reply. 1. Though these words might seem general to a stranger, who knew nothing of the occasion of them: yet to the Examiner himself, (to whom in private I writ them) it was easy and obvious to point with the finger, at the particular I intended in these. He knoweth the Question was; Whether the hearing of the Ministers of the Parishes in England, was such an Antichristian pollution, as either to cut off such persons from Church-fellowship, or the Churches themselves from Christ. Our Answer was; 1. That it was no Antichristian pollution at all: 2. If it were, it was more then either our members, or our Churches yet saw, or were convinced of: and then general confessions, and general repentance would serve for unknown ⟨p. 72⟩known sins. To the same purpose, is this general Answer framed here: which himself well knoweth upon what particular occasion it grew, and to what particular case it had reference.
Reply. 1. Though these words might seeme generall to a stranger, who knew nothing of the occasion of them: yet to the Examiner himselfe, (to whom in private I writ them) it was easie and obvious to poynt with the finger, at the particular I intended in these. He knoweth the Question was; Whether the hearing of the Ministers of the Parishes in England, was such an Antichristian pollution, as either to cut off such persons from Church-fellowship, or the Churches themselves from Christ. Our Answer was; 1. That it was no Antichristian pollution at all: 2. If it were, it was more then either our members, or our Churches yet saw, or were convinced of: and then generall confessions, and generall repentance would serve for unknowne