A80608:2087
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. Our practise in the constituting and ordering our own Churches here, holdeth forth, what matter, and form, and order of the Church, we do believe to be most agreeable to the pattern set before us in the Gospel of Christ. And our not receiving all comers unto the Communion of the Lords Table, and other parts of Church-fellowship, (saving only, unto the public hearing of the Word, and presence at other duties) it argueth indeed, that such persons, either think themselves unfit materials for Church-fellowship, (and so they never offer themselves to us) or else that we our selves conceive them to be as stones standing in need of a little more hewing and squaring, before they be laid, as living stones in the walls of the Lords house. All which amounteth only to this, That we do consider and bewail the defects of the Churches of England, in receiving ignorant and scandalous persons to all the liberties of the Lords Table, and of his house, as other ways. But it doth not at all argue (neither is it our mind it should argue) their Churches, and worship, and Ministry, and members, should all of them be separated from as false, or none at all.
Reply. 1. Our practise in the constituting and ordering our own Churches here, holdeth forth, what matter, and forme, and order of the Church, we doe beleeve to be most agreeable to the patterne set before us in the Gospel of Christ. And our not receiving all commers unto the Communion of the Lords Table, and other parts of Church-fellowship, (saving onely, unto the publick hearing of the Word, and presence at other duties) it argueth indeed, that such persons, either thinke themselves unfit materialls for Church-fellowship, (and so they never offer themselves to us) or else that we our selves conceive them to be as stones standing in need of a little more hewing and squaring, before they be layed, as living stones in the walls of the Lords house. All which amounteth onely to this, That we doe consider and bewaile the defects of the Churches of England, in receiving ignorant and scandalous persons to all the liberties of the Lords Table, and of his house, as other wayes. But it doth not at all argue (neither is it our minde it should argue) their Churches, and worship, and Ministery, and members, should all of them be separated from as false, or none at all.