A80608:493
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.
Well then, this Point is none of those many doubtful things here wrapped: much less is it perplexed, or ravelled, but a plain, and confessed Truth. But whether the Author of that Letter sent to me, did take it for a certain and unquestioned Truth, I did not know: nor do I yet know, unless the Discusser speak his mind herein, as well as his own. Sure I am, Prosecution in a Churchway, (if the cause be not just) is as odious and dreadful a Persecution, as Prosecution in a Court of civill Justice, as hath been proved above.
Well then, this Point is none of those many doubtfull things here wrapped: much lesse is it perplexed, or ravelled, but a plaine, and confessed Truth. But whether the Author of that Letter sent to me, did take it for a certaine and unquestioned Truth, I did not know: nor doe I yet know, unlesse the Discusser speake his mind herein, as well as his owne. Sure I am, Prosecution in a Churchway, (if the cause be not just) is as odious and dreadfull a Persecution, as Prosecution in a Court of civill Justice, as hath been proved above.
Discusser.
Secondly, when the Answerer saith, much less doth this Text speak at all to the civill Magistrate: here I observe, that he implieth, that beside the censure of the Lord Jesus in the hands of his spiritual Governors, for any spiritual evil, in Life or Doctrine, the civill Magistrate is also to inflict corporal punishment.
Secondly, when the Answerer saith, much lesse doth this Text speake at all to the civill Magistrate: here I observe, that he implyeth, that beside the censure of the Lord Jesus in the hands of his spirituall Governours, for any spirituall evill, in Life or Doctrine, the civill Magistrate is also to inflict corporall punishment.