A80608:63
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.
First, David saith they shall prosper that love the Peace of Jerusalem, and seek the good of it; Psalm. 122.6. &c. And Solomon saith, where the Righteous rejoice there is great Glory, Pro. 28.12. And what is the Church, but a Congregation of Righteous men? If the Rejoicing of the Church be the glory of a Nation, surely the disturbing, and distracting, and dissolving of the Church, is the shame and Confusion of a Nation.
First, David saith they shall prosper that love the Peace of Jerusalem, and seeke the good of it; Psalm. 122.6. &c. And Solomon saith, where the Righteous rejoyce there is great Glory, Pro. 28.12. And what is the Church, but a Congregation of Righteous men? If the Rejoycing of the Church be the glory of a Nation, surely the disturbing, and distracting, and dissolving of the Church, is the shame and Confusion of a Nation.
2. Consider the Excellency and Preeminence of the Church above all other Societies. She is the fairest amongst women, Cant. 1.8. and 6.1. She is the City and House of God, Revel. 21.2. Psal. 48.1.1. Tim. 3.15. The world and all the Societies of it, are for the Church, 1 Cor. 3.21, 22. The world would not subsist, but for the Church: nor any Country in the world, but for the service of the Church. And can the Church then break up, into pieces, and dissolve into nothing, and yet the Peace and welfare of the City, not in the least measure impaired or disturbed?