A80608:1940
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.
If he tell us again, (as he doth in the next words, as indeed the mouth is most full of the abundance of the heart) if he tell us again of our guiltiness of cruelty, both against consciences and bodies, in persecuting of them, we must needs tell him again, that neither himself, nor any others, (that I can hear off) did ever suffer any Censure, (which he calleth cruelty to consciences and bodies) till after his separation from all the Churches in the Country. And though he saith in the next words, He separated Conscientiously and peaceably: Yet did ever peaceable Conscience (before him) separate from Churches for an offence before it was committed?
If he tell us againe, (as he doth in the next words, as indeed the mouth is most full of the aboundance of the heart) if he tell us againe of our guiltinesse of cruelty, both against consciences and bodies, in persecuting of them, wee must needs tell him againe, that neither himselfe, nor any others, (that I can heare off) did ever suffer any Censure, (which he calleth cruelty to consciences and bodies) till after his separation from all the Churches in the Countrey. And though he saith in the next words, He separated Conscientiously and peaceably: Yet did ever peaceable Conscience (before him) separate from Churches for an offence before it was committed?
If he tell us, he separated, for our communion with the Churches of England, in hearing the word in the Parishes there, let all that fear God (whose hearts are not forestalled with prejudice or partiality) judge whether his reasons alleged to convince us of such a sin, (the strongest whereof were answered in my Letter to him, and have been again refuted in this Reply) have been of ⟨p. 113⟩such convincing power, as that we for not hearkening to him must needs lie under the guilt of an ulcer, or Gangrene of obstinacy, and that after conviction. I may therefore well call it, not Chirurgery but Butchery, to cut off not only so many members of Christ, but also so many Churches of Christ from fellowship with Christ, before any ulcer or Gangrene of obstinacy was discovered to us; Nay, I fear I might speak a further word, (and yet I would be loath to speak any doubtful thing;) but surely (my memory much faileth me or else) he broke forth into this separation, before he gave us any grounds of his separation at all, or of our conviction of any such sin, as might deserve such a Censure. And whether that be Butchery or Chirurgery, let the upright judge.