A80608:1960
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.
Mr. Greenwood (the Examiners last witness unto death) he indeed of all the rest was the more to be lamented, as being of a more tender, and conscientious spirit: but this have I heard reported of him by the same credible hands, That if he could have been sundered from Mr. Barrow, he was tractable to have been gained to the truth. But when the Examiner goeth on to make comparisons between the Sufferings of the Separatists, and of (those he styleth) Puritans, in his Margin, and in his Book. No comparison will hold from the Separatists to them, but a Minori. What compulsory banishments have been put upon those blessed and glorious lights, Mr. Cartwright, Parker, Ames? To say nothing of those in Scotland, or New-England: When have the Prisons been vacant of some or other godly Ministers, and Professors? When will the Examiner show forth alike company of his witnesses, to those 300. Ministers (whom Mr. Parker compareth to the 300. Soldiers of Gideon) who in one storm of persecution, were some suspended, some excommunicated, some imprisoned, all of them deprived of their Ministry, and of their maintenance? And provision made, that none might practise Physic, or teach School, unless they would accept a Licence with subscription? So that of necessity (had not the Lord been wiser, and stronger then men) they must in remediless misery, they and theirs, have either begged, or starved; But that with the Lord there be bowels of mercy, and fatherly compassions, and with him are plenteous redemptions, and provisions, and protections, when men fail.
Mr. Greenwood (the Examiners last witnesse unto death) he indeed of all the rest was the more to be lamented, as being of a more tender, and conscientious spirit: but this have I heard reported of him by the same credible hands, That if he could have been sundred from Mr. Barrow, he was tractable to have been gained to the truth. But when the Examiner goeth on to make comparisons between the Sufferings of the Separatists, and of (those he styleth) Puritans, in his Margent, and in his Booke. No comparison will hold from the Separatists to them, but a Minori. What compulsory banishments have been put upon those blessed and glorious lights, Mr. Cartwright, Parker, Ames? To say nothing of those in Scotland, or New-England: When have the Prisons been vacant of some or other godly Ministers, and Professors? When will the Examiner shew forth alike company of his witnesses, to those 300. Ministers (whom Mr. Parker compareth to the 300. Souldiers of Gideon) who in one storme of persecution, were some suspended, some excommunicated, some imprisoned, all of them deprived of their Ministery, and of their maintenance? And provision made, that none might practise Phyficke, or teach Schoole, unlesse they would accept a Licence with subscription? So that of necessicie (had not the Lord been wiser, and stronger then men) they must in remedilesse misery, they and theirs, have either begged, or starved; But that with the Lord there be bowells of mercy, and fatherly compassions, and with him are plenteous redemptions, and provisions, and protections, when men faile.