A80608:2054
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. 1. We do not believe nor profess, that the Ministers of England, who received Ordination from the Bishops, did receive ⟨p. 133⟩their calling from the Bishops; their Episcopal ordination is no part of their vocation to the Ministry. Their vocation or calling is from Christ by the Election or at least acceptation of the Congregation: The ordination is only Adjunctum Consummans of the solemnity of their calling, as hath been showed above.
Reply. 1. We doe not beleeve nor professe, that the Ministers of England, who received Ordination from the Bishops, did receive ⟨p. 133⟩their calling from the Bishops; their Episcopall ordination is no part of their vocation to the Ministery. Their vocation or calling is from Christ by the Election or at least acceptation of the Congregation: The ordination is onely Adjunctum Consummans of the solemnity of their calling, as hath been shewed above.
Reply. 2. Episcopal ordination, though it be an aberration from the institution: yet we do not conceive, that it maketh an abrogation of the calling of a Minister. Extrinsical pollutions, though they defile the calling, yet they do not destroy it.
Reply. 2. Episcopall ordination, though it be an aberration from the institution: yet we doe not conceive, that it maketh an abrogation of the calling of a Minister. Extrinsecall pollutions, though they defile the calling, yet they doe not destroy it.
His second inference is; That a Calling from a Parish of natural and unregenerate persons, is none of Christs.