A80608:1757
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.
3. The estate of the Churches of England was not corrupt in their first constitution. Baronius himself confesseth, that England received the Gospel ten years before Rome; and that from the Ministry of the Apostles, and Apostolic men: who doubtless constituted the English Churches:) not after the manner of Rome, (which was then Pagan;) but after the Apostolic Rules and Patterns.
3. The estate of the Churches of England was not corrupt in their first constitution. Baronius himselfe confesseth, that England received the Gospel ten yeares before Rome; and that from the Ministery of the Apostles, and Apostolick men: who doubtlesse constituted the English Churches:) not after the manner of Rome, (which was then Pagan;) but after the Apostolick Rules and Patternes.
This may suffice touching the matter of the English Churches. Now touching the second thing objected, which was from the efficient cause of their constitution; It is said, they were gathered not by the preaching of the Gospel, (by which Churches should be planted and constituted) but by the Proclamation of Princes.
Answ. 1. The efficient cause of a Church is a thing without the ⟨p. 81⟩Church, and so no essential cause of the Constitution of a Church. The Proclamation of King Hezekiah, and of the Princes, drew on multitudes of Apostate Israelites to the Communion of the Church at Jerusalem, and many of them in much pollution: yet neither their own pollution, nor the Proclamation of the King and Princes did evacuate their Church-estate, but encourage them rather in their Church-work, 2 Chron. 30.5