A80608:1851
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.
2. What if spiritual whoredom (though less evident) be more sinful then bodily? The nature of true Evangelical Repentance standeth not in seeing and bewailing every sin, no nor always of the greatest, but of those which are most evident and notorious. ⟨p. 98⟩A Christian man may more safely omit repentance of greater sins, if unknown, then of less sins known. I suppose the Israelites were guilty of many Idolatries, and superstitions in the days of Samuel, yet their repentance was chiefly fastened upon their asking of a King, of which they were then principally convinced, 1 Sam. 12.19. And such Repentance was then accepted of the Lord, and of Samuel, ver. 22, 23.
2. What if spirituall whoredome (though lesse evident) be more sinfull then bodily? The nature of true Evangelicall Repentance standeth not in seeing and bewailing every sinne, no nor alwayes of the greatest, but of those which are most evident and notorious. ⟨p. 98⟩A Christian man may more safely omit repentance of greater sins, if unknowne, then of lesse sinnes knowne. I suppose the Israelites were guiltie of many Idolatries, and superstitions in the dayes of Samuel, yet their repentance was chiefly fastned upon their asking of a King, of which they were then principally convinced, 1 Sam. 12.19. And such Repentance was then accepted of the Lord, and of Samuel, ver. 22, 23.
The very truth is, the ground and root of the Examiners Error in this case is, That he maketh Church-Covenant to be no better then a Covenant of works: whereas indeed if Church-Covenant be not a branch of the Covenant of grace, the Churches of Christ are not built upon Christ. In a Covenant of works, all sins must be avoided: or if not avoided, yet repented of expressly, and the greatest sins most. But in Evangelical Repentance, God dealeth not with us after our sins, nor rewardeth us according to our Iniquities,