A80608:655
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.
Calvin saith, this whole Discourse concerneth Civill Magistrates: and therefore in vain do they who exercise Power over Consciences, go about from this place to establish their sacrilegious Tyranny.
Calvin saith, this whole Discourse concerneth Civill Magistrates: and therefore in vaine doe they who exereise Power over Consciences, goe about from this place to establish their sacrilegious Tyranny.
Defender.
Calvins Judgement herein (as generally in other points) is sound and agreeable to the Text: but not at all favouring the Discussers Imagination. This whole Disputation (saith he) is of Civill Governments: whereupon this inference is (according to his own true meaning and scope) therefore it doth nor concern Church-Government. Therefore such Church-Governors as upon pretence of this Text do make Laws, without the word, and besides the word, to bind Conscience, and to usurp power over Consciences, they in vain go about to establish their sacrilegious Tyranny from this place. But what is this to the point in hand? Church-Governors do in vain go about from this place to establish their Sacrilegious Tyranny by giving Laws without the word, and beside the word to bind Conscience: Therefore Civill Magistrates, (of whom this whole Discourse is) shall exercise a sacrilegious Tyranny over the Conscience, and in vain go about to establish it from this place, when from the word of God, they establish true Religion, and go about to punish the Fundamental subverters of the same. But how far off Calvins Judgement was to restrain Civill Magistrates from meddling in matters of Religion, let him interpret himself in his own ⟨p. 98⟩words (in his opuscula) in his Answer to Servetus, who was put to Death for his Heresies at Geneva by his procurement. Hoe uno (saith he) contentus sum, Christi adventû; nec mutatum esse Ordinem Politicum, nec de Magistratuum officio quicquam Detractum.