A80608:1917
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.
For the second part (which he maketh) of my Confessions, he had said true, if he had said, I endeavour such a thing, that our Church should be constitute of godly persons: but I do not say I have attained it; for God seeth not as man seeth: man looketh at the outward appearance, but the Lord regardeth the heart, 1 Sam. 16.7. And sure I am, we look at Infants as members of our Church, (as being federally holy) but I am slow to believe that all of them are regenerate, or truly godly.
For the second part (which he maketh) of my Confessions, he had said true, if he had said, I endeavour such a thing, that our Church should be constitute of godly persons: but I doe not say I have attained it; for God seeth not as man seeth: man looketh at the outward appearance, but the Lord regardeth the heart, 1 Sam. 16.7. And sure I am, we looke at Infants as members of our Church, (as being foedurally holy) but I am slow to beleeve that all of them are regenerate, or truly godly.
As for the third and fourth point (which he maketh) of my Confession; That a Church of Christ cannot be constituted of godly persons, taken with the inordinate love of the world: or that a Church consisting of such, ought to be separated from: These are only his own palpable mistakes of those words of mine, which I expressed as the sum of his words, which he (through hast) conceived to be mine, whereof we have spoken in the 20th Chapter.
As for the third and fourth point (which he maketh) of my Confession; That a Church of Christ cannot be constituted of godly persons, taken with the inordinate love of the world: or that a Church consisting of such, ought to be separated from: These are onely his own palpable mistakes of those words of mine, which I expressed as the summe of his words, which he (through hast) conceived to be mine, whereof we have spoken in the 20th Chapter.