A80608:1847
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.
1. That it was not necessary to the Admission of members, that they should see, and bewail the sinfulness of every sipping of the whores Cup, (as he called it) (though the Whores cup do more intoxicate the mind, then the drunkards Cup doth the Body:) because bodily drunkenness and whoredom are such notorious and gross sins, that no man having true Repentance in him, cannot but be convinced of the sinfulness of them, and of the necessity of repentance of them in particular, if he do remember them. But the whores Cup being a mystery of Iniquity, the sinfulness of every sipping of it, is nothing so evident and notorious, as that every repentant soul doth at first discern it. And therefore as the 3000. Converts, Acts 2.37. to 47. were admitted into the first Christian Church, upon the Profession of their repentance of the murder of Christ, though they neither saw nor confessed all the superstitious leavenings wherewith the Pharisees had bewitched them: so here, &c. Yea and the Disciples of John (whom he instanceth in) though they did confess their sins, (the Publicans theirs, the Soldiers theirs, the People theirs:) to wit, the notorious sins incident to their callings: yet it doth not appear that they confessed their Pharisaical pollutions. And the Gentiles in Act. 19.18.19. Though they confessed their curious Arts, and burnt their conjuring Books, yet it doth not appear, that they confessed all their deeds.
1. That it was not necessary to the Admission of members, that they should see, and bewaile the sinfulnesse of every sipping of the whores Cup, (as he called it) (though the Whores cup doe more intoxicate the minde, then the drunkards Cup doth the Body:) because bodily drunkennesse and whoredome are such notorious and grosse sinnes, that no man having true Repentance in him, cannot but be convinced of the sinfulnesse of them, and of the necessitie of repentance of them in particular, if he doe remember them. But the whores Cup being a mystery of Iniquitie, the sinfulnesse of every sipping of it, is nothing so evident and notorious, as that every repentant soule doth at first discerne it. And therefore as the 3000. Converts, Acts 2.37. to 47. were admitted into the first Christian Church, upon the Profession of their repentance of the murther of Christ, though they neither saw nor confessed all the superstitious leavenings wherewith the Pharisees had bewitched them: so here, &c. Yea and the Disciples of John (whom he instanceth in) though they did confesse their sinnes, (the Publicans theirs, the Souldiers theirs, the People theirs:) to wit, the notorious sinnes incident to their callings: yet it doth not appeare that they confessed their Pharisaicall pollutions. And the Gentiles in