A80608:1735
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.
It is a vain thing now to allege, that the Ordinances of Moses were sometimes the Ordinances of God, but so the inventions of Antichrist never were: and there is not the like honourable respect and tenderness to be showed to the inventions of Antichrist, as to the vanishing Ordinances of God; For though this were of weight, in case I had pleaded for the practise of any Antichristian inventions, (which indeed was far off, both from my meaning and words:) yet in this case it is wholly impertinent. For that which I pleaded for, was, the capableness of godly Persons of Church-estate, notwithstanding their ignorance of some weighty and necessary truths: and the soundness of their Church-estate, notwithstanding their admission and toleration of such ignorant members: unto which the difference of the several objects of their ignorance maketh nothing at all. For the ignorance of weighty Truths (of one sort as well as another) necessary to salvation, is a sin of like destructive nature, of what kind soever the Truths be.
It is a vaine thing now to alledge, that the Ordinances of Moses were sometimes the Ordinances of God, but so the inventions of Antichrist never were: and there is not the like honourable respect and tendernesse to be shewed to the inventions of Antichrist, as to the vanishing Ordinances of God; For though this were of weight, in case I had pleaded for the practise of any Antichristian inventions, (which indeed was farre off, both from my meaning and words:) yet in this case it is wholly impertinent. For that which I pleaded for, was, the capablenesse of godly Persons of Church-estate, notwithstanding their ignorance of some weighty and necessary truths: and the soundnesse of their Church-estate, notwithstanding their admission and toleration of such ignorant members: unto which the difference of the severall objects of their ignorance maketh nothing at all. For the ignorance of weighty Truths (of one sort as well as another) necessary to salvation, is a sinne of like destructive nature, of what kinde soever the Truths be.
Besides, there is no need, either for the clearing of our members, or of our Church-estate, to plead for the capableness of godly persons of Church-estate, notwithstanding their ignorance of the Truths of God, whether more or less necessary: For we do not look at it as any point of ignorance at all, for our members to believe, they may partake in the gifts of the godly Ministers in England, in hearing the word of God from them. I know the Examiner is vehement and peremptory in pleading for an absolute necessity, that godly persons before they do join to a true Church, and Ministry, should see and bewail so much as may amount to cut off the soul from a false Church, (whether National, Parishionall, or any other falsely constituted Church) Ministry, Worship, and Government of it.