A80608:713
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.
Defender.
If Magistrates be the Ministers of God (as Paul calleth them) then their Ministry or office is not merely humane, but as the Apostle saith, it is of God, and ordained of God, Rom. 13.1. And if it be of God, it must also be for God: or else he is a Minister and servant not of God, but of the world. It is true, men agree to constitute it, to wit, this or that form of it (in respect of which influence of men, it is called an humane Creation:) but the Truth is, Government it self is of God, and ordained by God, and every lawful form of Government (whether Monarchy, Aristarchy, or Democracy, or some mixed of these, according to the State of the People) they are all of God, and so acknowledged, and authorized by God in his word, and though they be as true and lawful in those Nations that never heard of the true God, or of his holy Son Jesus: yet it was from the guidance and appointment of God in the very light of Nature, that such Nations did erect such and such Governments, and Governments for the good of humane society, and that not only in worldly matters, But in matters also of Religion.
If Magistrates be the Ministers of God (as Paul calleth them) then their Ministery or office is not meerely humane, but as the Apostle saith, it is of God, and ordained of God, Rom. 13.1. And if it be of God, it must also be for God: or else he is a Minister and servant not of God, but of the world. It is true, men agree to constitute it, to wit, this or that forme of it (in respect of which influence of men, it is called an humane Creation:) but the Truth is, Government it selfe is of God, and ordained by God, and every lawfull forme of Government (whether Monarchy, Aristarchy, or Democracy, or some mixt of these, according to the State of the People) they are all of God, and so acknowledged, and authorized by God in his word, and though they be as true and lawfull in those Nations that never heard of the true God, or of his holy Sonne Jesus: yet it was from the guidance and appointment of God in the very light of Nature, that such Nations did erect such and such Governments, and Governments for the good of humane society, and that not onely in worldly matters, But in matters also of Religion.