A80608:444
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.
But the Lord Jesus never appointed the civill sword for an Antidote, or Remedy in such a case.
Answ. It is evident the civill sword was appointed for a remedy in this case, Deut. 13. And appointed it was, by that Angel of Gods presence, whom God promised to send with his people, as being unwilling to go along with them himself, Exod. 33.2, 3. ⟨p. 67⟩And that Angel was Christ, whom they tempted in the wilderness, 1 Cor. 10.9. And therefore it cannot truly be said, that the Lord Jesus never appointed the civill sword for a remedy in such a case. For he did expressly appoint it in the Old-Testament: nor did he ever abrogate it in the New. The reason of the Law, (which is the life of the Law) is of eternal force and equity in all Ages. Thou shalt surely kill him, because be hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, Deut. 13.9, 10. This reason is of moral, that is, of universal and perpetual equity to put to death any Apostate seducing Idolater, or Heretic, who seeketh to thrust away the souls of Gods people, from the Lord their God. If Magistrates be the Ministers of God in the New-Testament, (as Paul calleth them, Rom. 13.4.) And Ministers of God to execute vengeance on him that doeth evil, surely either this is no evil, (to seek to thrust away Gods people from him) or the Magistrate beareth not the sword in vain, to execute vengeance on such an evil doer. Yea but such an evil, is evil only to the inner man, not to the civill State
Answ. It is evident the civill sword was appointed for a remedy in this case,