A80608:497
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.
This observation I may truly say is ravelled out of my Answer, and that so perplexedly, that it cannot be wound up out of my Answer without breaking the thread, both of my words, and meaning. It is a plain and certain Truth, that as the Disciples were not civill Magistrates, so neither doth Christ speak to them in ⟨p. 76⟩this Reproof as to such. But it is far from me to say, that it is lawful for civill Magistrates to inflict corporal punishment upon men contrary minded, standing in the same state the Samaritans did. No such thought arose in my heart, nor fell from my pen, either in my Answer to the Letter, or in any writing of mine, that it is lawful for a Civill Magistrate (though he had dominion over Pagans, much less if he have none) to inflict corporal punishments upon such as are contrary minded in matters of Religion. No, these are ravellings of a loose and ungirt disputer, not the Inferences of a serious and solid Discusser. And therefore the Reasons which he bringeth in the Sequel of this chapter, that the Magistrates should not lay violent hands upon any (such as the Samaritans) for not receiving of the Lord Jesus, might well have been spared: for they fight not against me, but against a shadow of his own fancy.
This observation I may truly say is ravelled out of my Answer, and that so perplexedly, that it cannot be wound up out of my Answer without breaking the threed, both of my words, and meaning. It is a plaine and certaine Truth, that as the Disciples were not civill Magistrates, so neither doth Christ speake to them in ⟨p. 76⟩this Reproofe as to such. But it is farre from me to say, that it is lawfull for civill Magistrates to inflict corporall punishment upon men contrary minded, standing in the same state the Samaritans did. No such thought arose in my heart, nor fell from my pen, either in my Answer to the Letter, or in any writing of mine, that it is lawfull for a Civill Magistrate (though he had dominion over Pagans, much lesse if he have none) to inflict corporall punishments upon such as are contrary minded in matters of Religion. No, these are ravellings of a loose and ungirt disputer, not the Inferences of a serious and solid Discusser. And therefore the Reasons which he bringeth in the Sequele of this chapter, that the Magistrates should not lay violent hands upon any (such as the Samaritanes) for not receiving of the Lord Jesus, might well have been spared: for they fight not against me, but against a shadow of his owne fancy.