A80608:1716
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.
Reply. 3. If he please to look back to the Reply given in his 12. Chapter, he may find me plain and punctual in Instancing in particulars. But thus having passed over his Observations upon my former Answer, he now cometh to return Answer to me, by demanding a Question or two, to wit, 1. Whether if a godly person remain a member of a falsely constituted Church, and so consequently (in that respect) of a false Christ, whether in visible worship he be not separate from the true Christ?
Reply. 3. If he please to look back to the Reply given in his 12. Chapter, he may finde me plaine and punctuall in Instancing in particulars. But thus having passed over his Observations upon my former Answer, he now cometh to returne Answer to me, by demanding a Question or two, to wit, 1. Whether if a godly person remaine a member of a salsely constituted Church, and so consequently (in that respect) of a false Christ, whether in visible worship he be not separate from the true Christ?
Answ. That I may not delude neither him, nor my self, by answering to obscure and ambiguous terms, I would know (by some that understand his speech) what he meaneth by a falsely constituted Church: or else give me leave to explain the terms my self. There be but two things intrinsically necessary to the constitution of any thing, & so of a Church, to wit, a fit matter, and a fit form. The matter of a Church are visible Saints, Pro•essors of the faith of Christ. The form, is an holy Covenant, or Agreement, (either explicit or implicit) to join together in one Congregation, to worship the Lord, and to edify one another in the Administration of his holy Ordinances. Now if in stead of visible Saints professing the Name of Christ, there be a company of profane persons, Idolaters, Heretics, that shall covenant, or agree together to join in a Congregation to worship Idols, and to build up one another in Heresy, and Apostasy; This is Ecclesia Malignantium, a false constituted Church: And consequently, the Head of this Church is a false Christ, and every member of this Church, who joineth ⟨p. 73⟩