A80608:661
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.
So Beza upon the word [Greek or Hebrew], (if there be any other Commandment, it is summed up in this, thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self) the whole Law, (saith he) commandeth nothing, but the love of God, and our Neighbour: but since the Apostle in this place discourseth of the mutual Duties of men one to another, I think this Term, Law, ought to be restrained to the second Table.
So Beza upon the word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, (if there be any other Commandement, it is summed up in this, thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy selfe) the whole Law, (saith he) commandeth nothing, but the love of God, and our Neighbour: but since the Apostle in this place discourseth of the mutuall Duties of men one to another, I thinke this Terme, Law, ought to be restrained to the second Table.
Defender.
And so think I too, yet without the least prejudice to the cause in hand. For if the Question be of the duties which Subjects owe to Magistrates, they pertain to the second Table: or if the Question be of the virtue of love one to another, That it is the fulfilling ⟨p. 99⟩of the whole Law, It is meant chiefly of the second Table: though withal it be true, the second Table cannot be fulfilled without fulfilling of the first Table also. These things are out of controversy. But what is all this to the point in hand? The Apostle in calling love the fulfilling of the Law, speaketh of the Law of the second Table. Ergo, the Magistrate (who is spoken of in the same chapter) hath no power to punish the crimes against the first Table? or thus further, in the 13. of the Romans, the Apostle speaketh of the Duties of Subjects to Magistrates (which is a Duty of the second Table:) therefore Magistrates have no power to punish their Subjects for crimes against the first Table?