A80608:1864
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. That in our daily meetings, especially in the times of our solemn Humiliations, we do generally all of us bewail all our former Pollutions, wherewith we have defiled our selves, and the holy things of God in our former Administrations, and Communions: the which we have rather chosen to do, then to talk of, and therefore do marvel, that he should so resolutely renounce us for that, which he knew not whether we had neglected or no, and before he had admonished us of our sinfulness in such neglect, if it had been found amongst us.
2. That in our daily meetings, especially in the times of our solemne Humiliations, we doe generally all of us bewaile all our former Pollutious, wherewith we have defiled our selves, and the holy things of God in our former Administrations, and Communions: the which we have rather chosen to doe, then to talke of, and therefore doe marvell, that he should so resolutely renounce us for that, which he knew not whether we had neglected or no, and before he had admonished us of our sinfulnesse in such neglect, if it had been found amongst us.
Whereto his Answer is; That we make no mention, what such Inventions, and Ordinances, what such Administrations and Communions were, which we confessed and bewailed.
Reply. And yet lest he should too much wound his own Conscience with such a general charge, he acknowledgeth; That we have borne witness against Bishops, and Ceremonies, and do constitute only particular and Independent Churches, and have therefore so far at least seen the evil of a National Church. But I dare say further, that his own Conscience beareth him witness, that we have witnessed also both in Profession and Practise, against Prescript Liturgies and mixed Communions, both in Church-fellowship, and at the Lords Table.