A80608:1954
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.
Reply. Paul accounteth it a folly to make boasts in comparisons, even of sufferings: And therefore I choose to be sparing and brief in this Argument: wherein otherwise I could be copious, there being ⟨p. 116⟩another Volume of the Book of Martyrs (as I hear) extant in the Country, (though not in print) of the sufferings of the godly Ministers and people, beginning where Mr. Fox left. When he saith, Their witnesses against Bishops and Ceremonies, (whom he calleth Puritans) have seldom met in separate Assemblies from the common: It seemeth he never read the story of the Classes in Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Essex, London, Cambridge, discovered by a false brother to Doctor Bancroft (Chaplain then to Lord Chancellor Hatton, afterwards Bishop of London, and after that Archbishop of Canterbury;) nor that he ever took notice of Doctor Bancrofts Book against them, entitled, Dangerous Positions and practises against Religion and State; neither doth it seem, that he doth acknowledge their frequent and continual meetings to duties of humiliation, as any separate meetings from the common. But I doubt not, the Lord took notice of both, and hath now rewarded their sighs and groans, prayers and tears in private with an open recompense and deliverance in the view of all men.
Reply. Paul accounteth it a folly to make boasts in comparisons, even of sufferings: And therefore I choose to be sparing and briefe in this Argument: wherein otherwise I could be copious, there being ⟨p. 116⟩another Volume of the Booke of Martyrs (as I heare) extant in the Countrey, (though not in print) of the sufferings of the godly Ministers and people, beginning where Mr. Fox left. When he saith, Their witnesses against Bishops and Ceremonies, (whom he calleth Puritans) have seldome met in separate Assemblies from the common: It seemeth he never read the story of the Classes in Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Essex, London, Cambridge, discovered by a false brother to Doctor Bancroft (Chaplain then to Lord Chancellor Hatton, afterwards Bishop of London, and after that Archbishop of Canterbury;) nor that he ever tooke notice of Doctor Bancrofts Booke against them, entituled, Dangerous Positions and practises against Religion and State; neither doth it seeme, that he doth acknowledge their frequent and continuall meetings to duties of humiliation, as any separate meetings from the common. But I doubt not, the Lord tooke notice of both, and hath now rewarded their sighes and groanes, prayers and teares in private with an open recompence and deliverance in the view of all men.