A80608:1947
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.
TO CHAP. XXIII.
His 23. Chapter examineth a speech of mine which might tend to the dishonour of the Separation, as the reproach against ⟨p. 115⟩Salem had done before. My Speech was, That God had not prospered the way of Separation: which least it should be mistaken, I interpreted, not in respect of outward prosperity: for they found more favour in our native Country, then those who walked in the way of Reformation, which is commonly reproached by the name of Puritanism. The meetings of the Separatists might be known to the Officers in the Courts, and winked at, when the Conventicles of the Puritans (as they call them) are hunted out with all diligence, and pursued with more violence, then any Law can justify. But I said, that God had not prospered the way of Separation, in that he had not blessed it, either with peace amongst themselves, or with growth of grace, such as erring through simplicity, and tenderness of Conscience, have grown in grace, have grown also to discern their lawful liberty, to return to the hearing of the Word from English Preachers.
HIs 23. Chapter examineth a speech of mine which might tend to the dishonour of the Separation, as the reproach against ⟨p. 115⟩Salem had done before. My Speech was, That God had not prospered the way of Separation: which least it should be mistaken, I interpreted, not in respect of outward prosperitie: for they found more favour in our native Countrey, then those who walked in the way of Reformation, which is commonly reproached by the name of Puritanisme. The meetings of the Separatists might be knowne to the Officers in the Courts, and winked at, when the Conventicles of the Puritans (as they call them) are hunted out with all diligence, and pursued with more violence, then any Law can justifie. But I said, that God had not prospered the way of Separation, in that he had not blessed it, either with peace amongst themselves, or with growth of grace, such as erring through simplicitie, and tendernesse of Conscience, have growne in grace, have growne also to discerne their lawfull libertie, to returne to the hearing of the Word from English Preachers.