A80608:42
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.
1. It needs no inquiry what worship I means, whether Church, and Minister, or Ministrations of the Word, Prayer, Seals &c. For I mean none of these, as they are dispensed in the Churches of England. Though there have been corruptions in the order and dispensations of these things amongst them, (especially in the times when we lived there) yet neither their Churches, nor Ministry, nor Ministrations were such, or so false that fellowship with God could not be held of them, not only inwardly and secretly, but also outwardly and visibly: not only in inward conversion and conviction, but also in outward and visible Reformation according to light received. Take my words as I wrote them, and as he relateth them, and my meaning is plain enough: I speak of such worship, which if false, fellowship with God is lost: which cannot truly be avouched of any part of the Worship of God in England.
1. It needs no inquiry what worship I meanes, whether Church, and Minister, or Ministrations of the Word, Prayer, Seales &c. For I meane none of these, as they are dispenced in the Churches of England. Though there have been corruptions in the order and dispensations of these things amongst them, (especially in the times when we lived there) yet neither their Churches, nor Ministry, nor Ministrations were such, or so false that fellowship with God could not be held of them, not onely inwardly and secretly, but also outwardly and visibly: not onely in inward conversion and conviction, but also in outward and visible Reformation according to light received. Take my words as I wrote them, and as he relateth them, and my meaning is plaine enough: I speake of such worship, which if false, fellowship with God is lost: which cannot truly be avouched of any part of the Worship of God in England.
It is not truly said, that the Spirit of God maketh the Ministry one of the Foundations of Christian Religion, Heb. 6.1.2. for it is only a foundation of Church Order, not of faith, or Religion, the Apostle puts an express difference between faith, and Church Order,