A80608:1768
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.
I know not what exception lieth against their Ministry, to argue it of falsehood, (save what hath been excepted and answered already touching the constitution of their Parishionall Churches) but only the falseness of the Power from whence their Ministry is derived, to wit, from Episcopal Ordination.
I know not what exception lyeth against their Ministery, to argue it of falshood, (save what hath been excepted and answered already touching the constitution of their Parishionall Churches) but onely the falsenesse of the Power from whence their Ministery is derived, to wit, from Episcopall Ordination.
But the Examiner is much mistaken, if he take us to conceive, or if he himself conceive, that the Power of the Ministerial calling is derived from Ordination, whether Episcopal or Presbyterial, or Congregational. The Power of the Ministerial Calling is derived chiefly from Christ, furnishing his servants with Gifts fit for the Calling; and nextly, from the Church, (or Congregation) who observing such whom the Lord hath gifted, do elect and call them forth to come and help them. For from that ground, Paul and Silas (to use the words of the Text) assuredly gathered that ⟨p. 83⟩the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel to the Macedonians, Acts 16.9, 10. to wit, because a man of Macedonia (in the name of the rest) had called unto them to come into Macedonia and help them. Pastor and flock are Relatives: and Relatives doe consist ex mutuâ alterius affection, Their mutual acceptance of one another is the essential cause of their Relation. Ordination is but adjunctum consummans (as Dr. Ames rightly observeth) of the Ministers Calling: the Relation between him and the people was truly wrought before. As the Coronation of the Prince is not that which giveth the Essence of his Princely Calling, but Election by the People, (where the Government is Elective:) so neither is Ordination that which giveth Essence to the Ministers Calling, but the peoples choice. Ordination by Imposition of Episcopal hands, doth pollute an Adjunct of the Ministers calling, (to wit, the solemnity of it:) but doth not destroy the essence, or nature of it, much less derive a false power to it, to evacuate the true.