A80608:1836
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.
In the third Paragraph, Further (saith he) it is clear, that if such unclean Touches obstinately maintained, (as Mr. Cotton professeth and practiseth) be a ground of a rejection of a Person in a Church, questionless, it is a ground of rejection when such Persons are to join unto the Church. And if obstinacy in the whole Church after Conviction be a ground for such a Churches rejection, questionless, such a Church or number of persons obstinate in such evils, cannot congregate, nor become a true constituted Church of Christ.
In the third Paragraph, Further (saith he) it is cleare, that if such uncleane Touches obstinately maintained, (as Mr. Cotton professeth and practiseth) be a ground of a rejection of a Person in a Church, questionlesse, it is a ground of rejection when such Persons are to joyne unto the Church. And if obstinacy in the whole Church after Conviction be a ground for such a Churches rejection, questionlesse, such a Church or number of persons obstinate in such evills, cannot congregate, nor become a true constituted Church of Christ.
But still the Argument is where it was, not only unshaken, but untouched. Neither is the Text in 2 Cor. 16. any whit at all cleared by these discourses, to argue them to be no true constituted Churches who live in such unclean touches, without conviction, without obstinacy. For the Text speaketh nothing of obstinacy, nor conviction: but only implieth, that such unclean Touches were found in the Church of Corinth, and yet that did not evacuate their Church-estate.
But still the Argument is where it was, not onely unshaken, but untoucht. Neither is the Text in 2 Cor. 16. any whit at all cleared by these discourses, to argue them to be no true constituted Churches who live in such uncleane touches, without conviction, without obstinacy. For the Text speaketh nothing of obstinacy, nor conviction: but onely implieth, that such uncleane Touches were found in the Church of Corinth, and yet that did not evacuate their Church-estate.