A80608:2077
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.
Sixthly, There is yet another separation whereby the Church and people of God, do separate from the scandalous offenders of their own body, 2 Thes. 3.6. 1 Cor. 5.11. This, though it be in a special manner aimed at here by the Examiner, yet is it by him most improperly and confusedly called separation from the world. The Apostle doth most expressly contradistinguish these, the one from the other: I wrote unto you (saith he) in an Epistle, not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with Idolaters, for then must ye needs go out of the world. But if any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an Idolater, with such an one, no not to eat, 1 Cor. 5.9, 10, 11. As who should say, a fornicator or Idolatrous ⟨p. 137⟩brother of the Church is one thing; a fornicator and Idolater of the world is another, from a fornicator or Idolatrous brother, you are to be separate: from a fornicator or Idolater of the world, in some kind you need not to separate; In as much therefore as the Churches of England do not separate sundry notorious scandalous persons from their Church-Communion, though it be a leavening corruption: yet their sin is not want of Separation from the world, but want of purification of the Church. In the mean time, they are separated from the world of Pagans, and Infidels, as the Church of Israel notwithstanding their toleration of all sorts of offenders, Idolaters, murderers, adulterers, they were yet separated from Pagans by profession of a different Religion, and the ordinances thereof.
Sixtly, There is yet another separation whereby the Church and people of God, doe separate from the scandalous offenders of their own body, 2 Thes. 3.6. 1 Cor. 5.11. This, though it be in a speciall manner aymed at here by the Examiner, yet is it by him most improperly and confusedly called separation from the world. The Apostle doth most expresly contradistinguish these, the one from the other: I wrote unto you (saith he) in an Epistle, not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with Idolaters, for then must yee needs goe out of the world. But if any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an Idolater, with such an one, no not to eate,