A80608:1852
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 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, Psal. 103.10. The Grace of Christ is not given either to his Church, or to any Christian, upon the perfection of our Repentance, nor upon our Repentance of our greatest sins, in the greatest measure. But if the heart be truly humbled for any known sin, as sin, though the sin known be often less heinous, then others unknown, yet God accepteth his own work, and putteth away all sin in the acknowledgement of one. Yea in sins that be known, the compunction of the heart is sometimes more expressed for the occasions and inducements of the sin, which are less heinous; then for the greater sins, which are more grievous and dangerous. Solomon in his solemn Repentance in the Book of Ecclesiastes, doth more expressly bewail his entanglement with lewd women, Eccles. 7.27, 28. then all his Idolatrous Temples and worship, which were erected, and maintained at his charge. By the Examiners Doctrine, Solomon had never been received, and restored to the Church upon that Repentance.
The very truth is, the ground and roote of the Examiners Error in this case is, That he maketh Church-Covenant to be no better then a Covenant of workes: 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 workes, all sinnes must be avoyded: or if not avoyded, yet repented of expresly, and the greatest sinnes most. But in Evangelicall Repentance, God dealeth not with us after our sinnes, nor rewardeth us according to our Iniquities, Psal. 103.10. The Grace of Christ is not given either to his Church, or to any Christian, upon the perfection of our Repentance, nor upon our Repentance of our greatest sinnes, in the greatest measure. But if the heart be truly humbled for any knowne sinne, as sinne, though the sinne knowne be often lesse hainous, then others unknowne, yet God accepteth his own worke, and putteth away all sinne in the acknowledgement of one. Yea in sinnes that be knowne, the compunction of the heart is sometimes more expressed for the occasions and inducements of the sinne, which are lesse hainous; then for the greater sinnes, which are more grievous and dangerous. Solomon in his solemne Repentance in the Booke of Ecclesiastes, doth more expresly bewaile his entanglement with lewd women,