A80608:574
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.
It hath been declared above, that we do not hold it lawful, to constrain by Civill Sword, Jews, or Turks, or Antichristians to be of our Religion, whether they be good Subjects, loving Neighbours, fair dealers, yea or no. Nor doth the Apostle in that Text, (which the Discusser hath in hand) speak of men out of the Church, Jews, Turks, or Antichristians, but of such as enter into the Church, and are of themselves.
It hath been declared above, that we doe not hold it lawfull, to constraine by Civill Sword, Jewes, or Turkes, or Antichristians to be of our Religion, whether they be good Subjects, loving Neighbours, faire dealers, yea or no. Nor doth the Apostle in that Text, (which the Discusser hath in hand) speake of men out of the Church, Jewes, Turkes, or Antichristians, but of such as enter into the Church, and are of themselves.
Now if Church-members should Apostate from Christ, and of Christians become Jews, and Turks, and Antichristians, and draw away Disciples after them, I would demand of any man (whose Conscience is not past feeling of the danger of damnable Heresies) whether such Members may go for peaceable and quiet Subjects, for loving and helpful Neighbours, for fair and just dealers, for true and Loyal to the civill Government? If those be peaceable, and quiet Subjects, that withdraw Subjects from Subjection to Christ: if they be loving and helpful Neighbours, that help men on to perdition: If they be fair and just dealers, that wound the souls of the best, and kill and destroy the souls of many, if such be true and loyal to Civill Government, that subject it to the Tyranny of a foreign Prelate, then it will be no advantage to civill States, when the Kingdoms of the Earth shall become the ⟨p. 88⟩