A80608:1770
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.
The third Falsehood, which the Examiner chargeth upon the English-Parish-Churches, is the False worship. And truly whatsoever hath been corrupt in their worship, whether Prescript, Liturgies, or undue Honour put upon Saints or Angels, in denominating Days or Temples after them, and such times and places dedicated to God, which he never required, and what ever other Devices of like nature, I had rather bewail before the Lord, then excuse or justify before men. And I should think it had been a better service to God, and his Churches, and a greater comfort to the soul of the Examiner, to have expressed particularly what the false worship had been which he beareth witness against, and to have cleared wherein their falsehood lieth, rather then to have rested in condemning all false worships in overly Generalities: and especially at such a time when (through mercy) the State is set upon Reformation, and calleth for light. He that shall cry out against all false ways in Travels by Land, and exclaim against all Rocks and Quick-sands by Sea, and give no particular notice where they lye, what help doth he afford to the careful Passenger or Mariner, either by Land or Sea? When Trumpets give such an uncertain and obscure sound, who shall prepare themselves to avoid the danger on the one hand, or on the other?
The third Falshood, which the Examiner chargeth upon the English-Parish-Churches, is the False worship. And truly whatsoever hath been corrupt in their worship, whether Prescript, Liturgies, or undue Honour put upon Saints or Angels, in denominating Dayes or Temples after them, and such times and places dedicated to God, which he never required, and what ever other Devices of like nature, I had rather bewaile before the Lord, then excuse or justifie before men. And I should thinke it had been a better service to God, and his Churches, and a greater comfort to the soule of the Examiner, to have expressed particularly what the false worship had been which he beareth witnesse against, and to have cleared wherein their falshood lyeth, rather then to have rested in condemning all false worships in overly Generalities: and especially at such a time when (through mercy) the State is set upon Reformation, and calleth for light. He that shall cry out against all false wayes in Travels by Land, and exclaime against all Rocks and Quick-sands by Sea, and give no particular notice where they lye, what helpe doth he afford to the carefull Passenger or Marriner, either by Land or Sea? When Trumpets give such an uncertain and obscure sound, who shall prepare themselves to avoyd the danger on the one hand, or on the other?