A80608:1754
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.
But whilst the Saints of Christ continue amongst them, the mixed fellowship of ignorant and profane persons doth not evacuate or disannul their Church estate. The store of malignant and noisome humours in the body, yea the deadness and rottenness of many members in the body, though they may make the body ⟨p. 80⟩an unsound and corrupt body, yet they do not make the body no body. When the Prophet Isaiah complained, that in the Church of Judah, from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head, there was no soundness in it, but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores; yet whilst there was a Remnant amongst them of faithful Saints, they were not yet no Church, they were not yet Sodom and Gomorrah, though but for that Remnant, they had been as Sodom, and like unto Gomorrah, Isa. 1.6. with 9. Say not though Jerusalem and Judah were at that time degenerate, yet they had been at first an holy Nation, a faithful City, (Isa. 1.21.) and so had a true constitution: which the Churches of England never had.
But whilest the Saints of Christ continue amongst them, the mixt fellowship of ignorant and prophane persons doth not evacuate or disanull their Church estate. The store of malignant and noysome humours in the body, yea the deadnesse and rottennesse of many members in the body, though they may make the body ⟨p. 80⟩an unsound and corrupt body, yet they doe not make the body no body. When the Prophet Isaiah complained, that in the Church of Judah, from the soale of the foote to the crowne of the head, there was no soundnesse in it, but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores; yet whilest there was a Remnant amongst them of faithfull Saints, they were not yet no Church, they were not yet Sodome and Gomorrha, though but for that Remnant, they had been as Sodome, and like unto Gomorrha, Isa. 1.6. with 9. Say not though Hierusalem and Judah were at that time degenerate, yet they had been at first an holy Nation, a faithfull Citie, (Isa. 1.21.) and so had a true constitution: which the Churches of England never had.