A80608:449
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. If it were true, That the Magistrate hath charge only of the bodies and goods of the Subject: yet that might justly excite to watchfulness against such pollutions of Religion as tend to Apostasy. For if the Church and People of God, fall away from God, God will visit the City and Country with public calamity, if not captivity for the Churches sake. The Idolatry and Image-worship of Christians, brought in the Turkish captivity upon the Cities and Countries of Asia, and upon some of Europe also, as hath been showed above.
Reply 1. If it were true, That the Magistrate hath charge onely of the bodies and goods of the Subject: yet that might iustly excite to watchfulnesse against such pollutions of Religion as tend to Apostacy. For if the Church and People of God, fall away from God, God will visit the City and Countrey with publicke calamity, if not captivity for the Churches sake. The Idolatry and Image-worship of Christians, brought in the Turkish captivity upon the Cities and Countryes of Asia, and upon some of Europe also, as hath been shewed above.
Reply 2. It is a carnal and worldly, and indeed, an ungodly ⟨p. 68⟩imagination, to confine the Magistrates charge, to the bodies, and goods of the Subject, and to exclude them from the care of their souls. Did ever God commit the charge of the body to any Governors, to whom, he did not commit (in his way) the care of souls also? Hath God committed to Parents the charge of their children's bodies, and not the care of their souls? To Masters the charge of their servants bodies, and not of their souls? to Captains the charge of their soldiers bodies, and not of their souls? shall the Captains suffer false worship, yea idolatry, publicly professed and practised in the camp, and yet look to prosper in the Battle? The Magistrates to whom God hath committed the charge of bodies, and outward man of the Subject, are they not also to take care to procure faithful Teachers to be sent amongst them? Jehoshaphat took faithful care for the souls of his people in this kind,