A80608:1736
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.
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.
Besides, there is no need, either for the clearing of our members, or of our Church-estate, to plead for the capablenesse of godly persons of Church-estate, notwithstanding their ignorance of the Truths of God, whether more or lesse necessary: For wee doe 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 necessitie, that godly persons before they doe joyne to a true Church, and Ministery, should see and bewaile so much as may amount to cut off the soule from a false Church, (whether Nationall, Parishionall, or any other falsly constituted Church) Ministery, Worship, and Government of it.
But the voice of God is not always in every vehement and mighty wind, that rendeth mountains, and breaketh rocks, 1 Kings 19.11. The Examiner is not ignorant, that we have seen, ⟨p. 77⟩and bewailed National, and Parishionall Church-estate, and have cut off our selves (by the Grace of Christ) from any invented worship or government of it: yea and from such entrance into the Ministry or Administration of it, as was corrupt either by National or Parishionall Relation. But this is that which he requireth further, (He I say, but not the Lord) that we should cut off our selves from hearing the Ministry of the Parishes in England, as being the Ministry of a National, or Parishionall Church, whereof both the Church-estate is falsely constituted, and all the Ministry, Worship, and Government thereof false also.