A80608:315
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.
This objection hath been answered above, and let it be again denied (till the Discusser prove the contrary, which will never be) That hypocrites when they appear to be hypocrites, (and yet no worse then Tares) are to be purged out by the Government of the Church. It is true, if Hypocrites having a form of Godliness, and yet denying the power thereof, do break forth into such notorious scandalous Fruits of Hypocrisy, as tend to the leavening of the whole lump, they may then justly be proceeded against by the Government of the Church. But otherwise, if the Church proceed against an Hypocrite, as such, merely for his hypocrisy, for want of life and power of Godliness in his duties, they may soon root out, sometime or other, the best wheat in Gods Field, and the sweetest Flowers in his Garden, who sometimes loose their fatness and sweetness for a season.
This objection hath been answered above, and let it be againe denied (till the Discusser prove the contrary, which will never be) That hypocrites when they appeare to be hypocrites, (and yet no worse then Tares) are to be purged out by the Government of the Church. It is true, if Hypocrites having a forme of Godlinesse, and yet denying the power thereof, doe breake forth into such notorious scandalous Fruits of Hypocrisie, as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe, they may then justly be proceeded against by the Government of the Church. But otherwise, if the Church proceed against an Hypocrite, as such, meerely for his hypocrisie, for want of life and power of Godlinesse in his duties, they may soone roote out, sometime or other, the best wheate in Gods Field, and the sweetest Flowers in his Garden, who sometimes loose their fatnesse and sweetnesse for a season.
Discusser.
Every Brother that walketh disorderly is to be with-drawn; and separated from.