A80608:537
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.
Secondly, if the Oppositions be within, and the Church-members become scandalous in Doctrine (I speak not of scandals in the Civill State, which the civill Magistrate ought to punish.) It is the Lord only (as the Scripture in Timothy implieth) who is able to give them Repentance, and to recover them out of Satan's snare, &c. It is true, the civill Sword may make a whole Nation of Hypocrites, as the Lord complaineth, Isay 10. and as befell our Native Country in a few scores of years, in the several Reigns of Henry 7. Henry 8. King Edward, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth; under whom our Nation was as ready to change the fashion of their Religions, as of their Suits of Apparel, which hath been their sinful shame.
Secondly, if the Oppositions be within, and the Church-members become scandalous in Doctrine (I speake not of scandalls in the Civill State, which the civill Magistrate ought to punish.) It is the Lord onely (as the Scripture in Timothy implyeth) who is able to give them Repentance, and to recover them out of Satans snare, &c. It is true, the civill Sword may make a whole Nation of Hypocrites, as the Lord complaineth, Isay 10. and as befell our Native Country in a few scores of yeares, in the severall Reignes of Henry 7. Henry 8. King Edward, Queen Mary, Queene Elizabeth; under whom our Nation was as ready to change the fashion of their Religions, as of their Suits of Apparell, which hath been their sinfull shame.
Defender.
If Opposition rise from within, from the Members of the Church, I do not believe it to be lawful for the Magistrate to seek to subdue, and convert them to be of his mind by the civill Sword: But rather to use all spiritual means for their conviction, and conversion. But if the Opposition still continue in Doctrine and Worship, and that against the vitals, and Fundamentals of Religion (whether by Heresy of Doctrine, or Idolatry in Worship) and shall proceed to seek the Seduction of others, I do believe the Magistrate is not to tolerate such opposition against the Truth in Church-members, or in any Professors of the Truth after due conviction from the word of Truth. Nor is it an Objection of any weight, that neither the Magistrate, nor his Sword can give Repentance unto such.