A80608:757
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.
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.
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 forraine 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.
And if either of these be the case, I easily grant that it is not evil to tolerate a notorious seducing false Teacher, or other scandalous liver: But such an extraordinary doth not hinder the due largeness, and generality of the Proposition, that it is evil to tolerate seditious evil doers, seducing Teachers, scandalous Livers. As in a parallel case, this Proposition is not too large, nor too general, it is evil to tolerate a bloody murderer: notwithstanding in some cases (such as have been named, but those are extraordinary) it may be lawful to tolerate him.
And if either of these be the case, I easily grant that it is not evill to tolerate a notorious seducing false Teacher, or other scandalous liver: But such an extraordinary doth not hinder the due largenesse, and generality of the Proposition, that it is evill to tolerate seditious evill doers, seducing Teachers, scandalous Livers. As in a paralell case, this Proposition is not too large, nor too generall, it is evill to tolerate a bloudy murderer: notwithstanding in some cases (such as have been named, but those are extraordinary) it may be lawfull to tolerate him.