A80608:1732
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. 2. The Examiner requireth two things here to be carefully minded: In answer whereto, I desire but one thing to be carefully minded: to wit, to what end, I alleged the ignorance of the Jews in the Primitive times, and the indulgence of the Christian Churches, for receiving them into Church-fellowship, notwithstanding such ignorance: And then see, if it do not infer that which I brought it for.
Reply. 2. The Examiner requireth two things here to be carefully minded: In answer whereto, I desire but one thing to be carefully minded: to wit, to what end, I alledged the ignorance of the Jewes in the Primitive times, and the indulgence of the Christian Churches, for receiving them into Church-fellowship, notwithstanding such ignorance: And then see, if it doe not inferre that which I brought it for.
If in the Primitive times, the ignorance of the Jews in many weighty Points of Religion, and some of them fundamental, did not hinder their receiving into Christian Church-fellowship, nor disannul their Church-estate (who so received them) then it is not so necessary to Church-fellowship, as that without it a Church cannot be, that the Members admitted thereunto, should all of them see and expressly bewail, all the pollutions, wherewith they have been defiled in their former Church-fellowship, Ministry, Worship, Government, &c. But the former is true, as hath been opened from Acts 21.20. Rom. 14.1. to 6. Gal. 5.2. To which ⟨p. 76⟩may be added, Acts 15.5. with 24. Where it appeareth some of the members of the Church and of the Synod, held forth such Doctrine and Worship, touching the necessity of Circumcision, and observation of the Law, as tended to the subversion of souls: and yet neither their membership, nor the Estate of the Church was thereby disannulled.