A80608:694
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.
I easily hold with the Discusser, that the civill Sword doth not extend to spiritual and soul punishments. But if the civill Sword ought to extend to the defence of civill men in civill Liberties, then why not also to the like defence of Churches, and spiritual persons in their spiritual Liberties? It is the Office of the civill Magistrate to govern his people in righteousness. And if spiritual Liberties be in righteousness due to spiritual persons, as well as civill Liberties to civill persons, doubtless the Magistrate is defective in Rules of righteousness, if he only attend the defence of the civill people, in their civill Rights, and neglect to defend his spiritual people in their spiritual Rights.
I easily hold with the Discusser, that the civill Sword doth not extend to spirituall and soule punishments. But if the civill Sword ought to extend to the defence of civill men in civill Liberties, then why not also to the like defence of Churches, and spirituall persons in their spirituall Liberties? It is the Office of the civill Magistrate to governe his people in righteousnesse. And if spirituall Liberties be in righteousnesse due to spirituall persons, as well as civill Liberties to civill persons, doubtlesse the Magistrate is defective in Rules of righteousnesse, if he onely attend the defence of the civill people, in their civill Rights, and neglect to defend his spirituall people in their spirituall Rights.
What though the Sword be of a material and civill nature? so it was in the Old Testament, as well as in the new. It can therefore reach no further, either then or now, then unto the punishment of men, in bodily life, or civill Liberties: But it can reach to punish in these things not only the offenders in bodily Life, and civill Liberties, but also the offenders against spiritual Life and soul Liberties.
What though the Sword be of a materiall and civill nature? so it was in the Old Testament, as well as in the new. It can therefore reach no further, either then or now, then unto the punishment of men, in bodily life, or civill Liberties: But it can reach to punish in these things not onely the offenders in bodily Life, and civill Liberties, but also the offendors against spirituall Life and soule Liberties.