A80608:43
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.
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, Colos. 2.5. Nor is it a true and safe speech, to call the Fellowship or blessing of God vouchsafed to corrupt Churches, or Ministers, or Ministrations to call it, I say, unpromised, or to be beyond a word, or promise of God. For it is a large and yet an express promise of the Covenant of Grace, that God will be merciful to our iniquities, 1That he will be merciful to every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary, 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, 20. with many more such like. And therefore there wants not Promises of Grace and blessing to the People of God, notwithstanding some defects and impurities found in their Administrations. Neither will it follow, that if our Ministry, and Ordination here be true, that then the former which we had in England was false, especially so false, as that according to visible Rule, Fellowship with God was lost.
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 onely a foundation of Church Order, not of faith, or Religion, the Apostle puts an expresse difference between faith, and Church Order, Colos. 2.5. Nor is it a true and safe speech, to call the Fellowship or blessing of God vouchsafed to corrupt Churches, or Ministers, or Ministrations to call it, I say, unpromised, or to be beyond a word, or promise of God. For it is a large and yet an expresse promise of the Covenant of Grace, that God will be mercifull to our iniquities, 1That he will be mercifull to every one that prepareth his heart to seeke God, though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary,