A80608:435
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.
Defender.
Reply 1. No more can any man be murdered, but whom God hath ordained thereunto. But it is a profane sacrilege to excuse, or alleviate the punishment of sin by Gods eternal predestination. Was the sin of Herod, or the Jews, or of Pontius Pilate any whit the less, because they did nothing against Christ, but what the hand of God and his Counsel had fore-determined to be done? Acts 4.29. Sure it is, Christ aggravateth the sin of Judas, and of the High-Priests, and Elders of the Jews by this Argument, that Pilate could do nothing against him, but as it was given him from above. Therefore (saith he) he that delivered me to thee, hath the greater sin, John 19.11.
Reply 1. No more can any man be murthered, but whom God hath ordained thereunto. But it is a prophane sacriledge to excuse, or alleviate the punishment of sinne by Gods eternall predestination. Was the sinne of Herod, or the Jewes, or of Pontius Pilate any whit the lesse, because they did nothing against Christ, but what the hand of God and his Counsell had fore-determined to be done? Acts 4.29. Sure it is, Christ aggravateth the sinne of Judas, and of the High-Priests, and Elders of the Jewes by this Argument, that Pilate could doe nothing against him, but as it was given him from above. Therefore (saith he) he that delivered me to thee, hath the greater sinne, John 19.11.
Reply 2. The Discusser himself acknowledgeth, That though in a common plague or infection, none are smitten, or die, but such as are ordained thereunto: yet it is not only every mans duty, but the common duty of the Magistrates to prevent infection, and to preserve the common health of the place, by removing infectious persons into solitary tabernacles.