A80608:755
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.
As first, in regard of the efficient cause of punishing; when the Magistrates hand is too weak and feeble, and the offenders Adherents so great and strong, that Justice cannot be done upon him, without manifest peril to the whole State, there the Magistrate may tolerate a notorious evil, even murder it self, as David upon this ground did tolerate in Joab and Abishai, the murder of Abner. 2 Sam. 3.39.
As first, in regard of the efficient cause of punishing; when the Magistrates hand is too weake and feeble, and the offendors Adherents so great and strong, that Justice cannot be done upon him, without manifest perill to the whole State, there the Magistrate may tolerate a notorious evill, even murther it selfe, as David upon this ground did tolerate in Joab and Abishai, the murther of Abner. 2 Sam. 3.39.
And secondly, in regard of the final cause, an evil may be tolerated to prevent other greater evils: As Moses tolerated divorce of unpleasing Wives, to prevent the murder, or other hard and cruel usage of them.
And secondly, in regard of the finall cause, an evill may be tolerated to prevent other greater evills: As Moses tolerated divorce of unpleasing Wives, to prevent the murder, or other hard and cruell usage of them.
In either of these cases, I would not deny but a murderer may be tolerated: if either the Magistrate want sufficient Power, with ⟨p. 113⟩safety of the State, to cut him off: or if a foreign State be so affected and addicted to the Murderer, that in case the Magistrate here cut off him, they will cut off sundry of our innocent and necessary members, whom they have gotten into their custody in revenge of him.