A80608:271
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.
Answ. 2. If the Field should be the world, and the Tares Antichristians and false Christians; it is true, Satan sowed them in Gods Field, but he sowed them in the Church. The mystery of their Iniquity did secretly work in the very bosom of the Church, till in process of time, it grew so rank and gross, as transformed the Churches that drunk it up, into spiritual Babylon. But if Antichrist be an Apostate, and Antichristianitie Apostasy, then it was first sown in the field of the Church, and not of the wide world.
Answ. 2. If the Field should be the world, and the Tares Antichristians and false Christians; it is true, Satan sowed them in Gods Field, but he sowed them in the Church. The mystery of their Iniquitie did secretly work in the very bosome of the Church, till in processe of time, it grew so ranck and grosse, as transformed the Churches that drunke it up, into spirituall Babylon. But if Antichrist be an Apostate, and Antichristianitie Apostasie, then it was first sowen in the field of the Church, and not of the wide world.
Answ. 3. It is not the will of Christ, that Antichrist and Antichristians, and Antichristianitie should be tolerated in the world, until the end of the world. For God will put it into the hearts of faithful Princes, (as they have given their Kingdoms to the Beast, ⟨p. 43⟩so) in fullness of time to hate the whore, to leave her desolate and naked, and to burn her flesh with fire, Rev. 17.16, 17. And after this we read of a visible state of a new Jerusalem, which shall flourish many years upon Earth, before the end of the world, Revel. Chap. 20. Chap. 21. Chap. 22.
Answ. 3. It is not the will of Christ, that Antichrist and Antichristians, and Antichristianitie should be tolerated in the world, untill the end of the world. For God will put it into the hearts of faithfull Princes, (as they have given their Kingdomes to the Beast, ⟨p. 43⟩