A80608:1880
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.
His third Objection followeth from Haggai 2.13, 14, 15. where the Prophet telleth the Church of the Jews, That if a Person unclean by a dead body, do touch holy things, those holy things become unclean to him. And so (saith he) is this Nation, and so is every work of their hands, and that which they offer here is unclean. And from hence he argueth; That even Church-Covenants made and Ordinances practised by persons polluted through spiritual deadness, and filthiness of Communion, they become unclean to them, and are profaned by them: which he solemnly desireth might be advisedly weighed.
His third Objection followeth from Haggai 2.13, 14, 15. where the Prophet telleth the Church of the Jewes, That if a Person uncleane by a dead body, doe touch holy things, those holy things become uncleane to him. And so (saith he) is this Nation, and so is every worke of their hands, and that which they offer here is uncleane. And from hence he argueth; That even Church-Covenants made and Ordinances practised by persons polluted through spirituall deadnesse, and filthinesse of Communion, they become uncleane to them, and are prophaned by them: which he solemnely desireth might be advisedly weighed.
Whereto my Answer was; That if he had well weighed this place himself, he would never have alleged it to his purpose. His purpose was to prove, that Churches cannot be constituted of such members, as are unclean by Antichristian pollutions: or if they be so constituted, they are not to be Communicated with, but separated from. To prove this, you allege (said I) this place, where the Prophet acknowledgeth the whole Church to be unclean, and yet neither denieth them to be a Church truly constituted, nor stirreth up himself, or others to separate from them. If you say, why, but they were unclean.
Whereto my Answer was; That if he had well weighed this place himselfe, he would never have alledged it to his purpose. His purpose was to prove, that Churches cannot be constituted of such members, as are uncleane by Antichristian pollutions: or if they be so constituted, they are not to be Communicated with, but separated from. To prove this, you alledge (said I) this place, where the Prophet acknowledgeth the whole Church to be uncleane, and yet neither denieth them to be a Church truely constituted, nor stirreth up himselfe, or others to separate from them. If you say, why, but they were uncleane.