A80608:374
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.
To pass by this Assertion of the privacy of the Apostles, in that the Lord Jesus, commanded to Let them alone, that is, not only to be offended themselves, but not to meddle with them, It appeareth it was no Ordinance of God, nor of Christ, for his Disciples to have gone further, and have complained to, and excited, the Civill Magistrate to his duty. Which if it had been an Ordinance of God, and Christ, either for the vindicating of Christs Doctrine, or the recovering of the Pharisees, or the preserving of others from infection, the Lord Jesus would never have commanded them to omit that, which should have tended to these holy ends.
To passe by this Assertion of the privacy of the Apostles, in that the Lord Jesus, commanded to Let them alone, that is, not onely to be offended themselves, but not to meddle with them, It appeareth it was no Ordinance of God, nor of Christ, for his Disciples to have gone further, and have complained to, and excited, the Civill Magistrate to his duty. Which if it had been an Ordinance of God, and Christ, either for the vindicating of Christs Doctrine, or the recovering of the Pharises, or the preserving of others from infection, the Lord Jesus would never have commanded them to omitt that, which should have tended to these holy ends.
Defender.
Reply 1. To pass by the Assertion of the Privacy of the Apostles, It is not an Act of courtesy, and loathness to strive, but out of defect of just pretence to make any colourable exception against it. For though the Apostles were called to a public Ministry, Math. 10. yet it seemeth, not as then to a constant office, but to a transient Administration pro illa vice, for that time. Their constant calling required to attend continually upon Christs Ministry, to prepare and ripen them for the public constant office which they were to be called to, after Christs Resurrection,