A80608:801
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.
Discusser.
Lastly, from this perverse wresting of what is writ to the Church, and the Officers thereof, as if it were writ to the Civill Officers, and State thereof, all may see how since the Apostasy of Antichrist the Christian world (so called) hath swallowed up Christianity, how the Church, and Civill State, that is, the Church and the world are now become one flock of Jesus Christ, &c.
Lastly, from this perverse wresting of what is writ to the Church, and the Officers thereof, as if it were writ to the Civill Officers, and State thereof, all may see how since the Apostacie of Antichrist the Christian world (so called) hath swallowed up Christianity, how the Church, and Civill State, that is, the Church and the world are now become one flock of Jesus Christ, &c.
Defender.
Here is no wresting, much less perverse wresting of any Scripture at all, from the Church, to the Civill State. I intended to apply the Scripture written to the Churches, and to the Officers thereof, no further then to other Churches, and their Officers. The Scriptures upon which we call in the Magistrate to the punishment of Seducers, are such as are directed to civill States, and Magistrates, of which divers have been mentioned, and applied before.