A80608:553
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 if after their continuance in obstinate Rebellion against the Light, he shall still walk towards them in soft and gentle commiseration, his softness and gentleness is excessive large to Foxes, and wolves: But his bowels are miserably straitened and hardened against the poor sheep and Lambs of Christ. If any be hardened ⟨p. 84⟩by the just and faithful severity of Magistrates in this case, it is merely accidental, from the extreme perverseness of the deceitful and corrupt heart of man, not from any corruption found in such dealings of Magistrates. Yea, Experience speaketh the contrary, not only in the instance of the Donatists, who were many of them reclaimed, by the just severity of the civill Magistrate in Augustine's time: But also in our own memory. Let the Discusser speak his conscience, whether Popery or Papists did more swarm and abound in Queen Elizabeths days, then in the days of King James?
But if after their continuance in obstinate Rebellion against the Light, he shall still walke towards them in soft and gentle commiseration, his softnesse and gentlenesse is excessive large to Foxes, and wolves: But his bowels are miserably straitned and hardned against the poore sheepe and Lambs of Christ. If any be hardned ⟨p. 84⟩by the just and faithfull severity of Magistrates in this case, it is meerely accidentall, from the extreme perversnesse of the deceitfull and corrupt heart of man, not from any corruption found in such dealings of Magistrates. Yea, Experience speaketh the contrary, not onely in the instance of the Donatists, who were many of them reclaimed, by the just severity of the civill Magistrate in Augustines time: But also in our owne memory. Let the Discusser speake his conscience, whether Popery or Papists did more swarme and abound in Queen Elizabeths dayes, then in the dayes of King James?
Discusser.