A80608:696
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.
What though it be called a civill Sword in common speech? It is not a Scripture-phrase, so to call it: It may as fitly be called the Sword of God, as well as the Sword of war is so called (Judges 7.20.) which the Discusser (guilefully, or else unskilfully) distinguisheth in this chapter from the civill Sword. Now if the Sword of the Judge, or Magistrate, be the Sword of the Lord, why may it not be drawn forth, as well to defend his Subjects in true Religion, as in civill Peace?
What though it be called a civill Sword in common speech? It is not a Scripture-phrase, so to call it: It may as fitly be called the Sword of God, as well as the Sword of warre is so called (Judges 7.20.) which the Discusser (guilefully, or else unskilfully) distinguisheth in this chapter from the civill Sword. Now if the Sword of the Judge, or Magistrate, be the Sword of the Lord, why may it not be drawne forth, as well to defend his Subjects in true Religion, as in civill Peace?
And as Magistrates are called (in common speech) civill Magistrates: so are they called also in the Language of the Sanctuary) Gods, Psal. 82.1.6▪ If civill Magistrates are to attend to ⟨p. 105⟩civill matters: are not Gods to attend to Gods matters? It was wont to go for a good Argument â conjugatis, homo sum, humani nihil â me alienum puto. But now (by the Discussers Doctrine) the Magistrate may say, Ego (dignatione Divinâ) Deus sum (Psal. 82.) quatenus autem Deus sum; Divina omnia â me aliena puto. Now far be all such reasonless, and Paganish, yea worse then Paganish, Atheology from us. Worse then Paganish I say, for Pagan Princes accounted their Religion their chief care, prima cura sacrorum. And can a Christian forbid the care of Religion to Magistrates, I say not, without blushing, but without trembling?