A80608:67
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.
Answ. It is true, where the Church is not, Cities and Townes may enjoy some measure of Civill Peace, yea and flourish in outward prosperity for a time, through the Patience and Bounty and Long-sufferance of God. The times of Ignorance God winketh at Act. 17.30. But when the Church cometh to be Planted amongst them, If then Civill States do neglect them, & suffer the Churches to corrupt, and annoy themselves by pollutions in Religion, the the staff of the Peace of the Common-wealth will soon be broken, as the Purity of Religion is broken in the Churches. The Common-wealth of Rome flourished five hundred years before the Kingdom of God in his Church came amongst them: and the decays of the Common-wealth occasioned by the persecutions of the Church, were Repaired by the Public establishment of ⟨p. 13⟩the Churches peace in Christian Emperors. But when the Churches begun to pollute themselves by the Idolatrous worship of Images, and the Christian Emperors took no care to reform this abuse in Churches, the Lord sent in (amongst other barbarous nations) the Turks to punish, not only degenerate Churches, but also the Civill State for this wickedness. And therefore the Holy Ghost upbraideth them for their continuance in Image worship, though the Turk were let loose from the River Euphrates, to scourge them for it, Rev. 9.14.20. Go now, and say, the estate of the Church whether true, or false, (pure or corrupt) doth not concern the Civill Peace of the Sate.
Answ. It is true, where the Church is not, Cittyes and Townes may enjoy some measure of Civill Peace, yea and flourish in outward prosperity for a time, through the Patience and Bounty and Long-sufferance of God. The times of Jgnorance God winketh at Act. 17.30. But when the Church cometh to be Planted amongst them, If then Civill States doe neglect them, & suffer the Churches to corrupt, and annoy themselves by pollutions in Religion, the the staffe of the Peace of the Common-wealth will soone be broken, as the Purity of Religion is broken in the Churches. The Common-wealth of Rome flourished five hundred yeares before the Kingdome of God in his Church came amongst them: and the decayes of the Common-wealth occasioned by the persecutions of the Church, were Repaired by the Publick establishment of