A80608:1978
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.
3. His third Answer is, That Gods people in that way have sometimes long enjoyed sweet peace, and soul contentment, in England, Holland, New-England, and other places, &c.
3. His third Answer is, That Gods people in that way have sometimes long enjoyed sweet peace, and soule contentment, in England, Holland, New-England, and other places, &c.
Reply. The Answer had been more clear and evident, if he had named those Churches, who have long enjoyed such peace in that way: in that way I say, of rigid Separation, separating from the Churches of England, as altogether false, in their Constitution, Ministry, worship, and therefore refusing to hear the word in the best of the Parish Assemblies. It is a wise Proverb of a wiser then Solomon, The back slider in heart (from any Truth or way of God) shall be filled with his own ways. They that separate from their brethren further then they have just cause, shall at length find cause (or at least think they have found cause) just enough to separate one from another. I never yet heard of any instance to the contrary, either in England, or Holland. And for New-England, there is no such Church of the Separation at all that I know of. That separate Church (if it may be called a Church) which separated with Mr. Williams, first broke into a division about a small occasion (as I have heard) and then broke forth into Anabaptism, and then into Antibaptisme, and Familism, and now finally into no Church at all.
Reply. The Answer had been more cleare and evident, if he had named those Churches, who have long enjoyed such peace in that way: in that way I say, of rigid Separation, separating from the Churches of England, as altogether false, in their Constitution, Ministry, worship, and therefore refusing to heare the word in the best of the Parish Assemblies. It is a wise Proverb of a wiser then Soloman, The back slider in heart (from any Truth or way of God) shall be filled with his owne wayes. They that separate from their brethren further then they have just cause, shall at length find cause (or at least thinke they have found cause) just enough to separate one from another. I never yet heard of any instance to the contrary, either in England, or Holland. And for New-England, there is no such Church of the Separation at al that I know of. That separate Church (if it may be called a Church) which separated with Mr. Williams, first broke into a division about a small occasion (as I have heard) and then broke forth into Anabaptisme, and then into Antibaptisme, and Familisme, and now finally into no Church at all.