A80608:877
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.
I subscribe to the King that persecution (properly so called, that is, the oppression of any for righteousness sake) is a note of a false Church: but nor a certain note. For again, I say, that persecution properly so called, may be sometime found, in the true Church. For which of all the Prophets did not the Church of the old Testament persecute? Acts 7.52.
I subscribe to the King that persecution (properly so called, that is, the oppression of any for righteousnesse sake) is a note of a false Church: but nor a certaine note. For againe, I say, that persecution properly so called, may be sometime found, in the true Church. For which of all the Prophets did not the Church of the old Testament persecute? Acts 7.52.
And yet that persecution was not the true and certain note of a false Church: For then God had left no true Church upon the face of the earth. But this I grant, That such persecution, where ever it is found, It is a degree of falsehood and A postacy in that Church. But what a vast distance is there between the just censure ⟨p. 125⟩of Apostasticall, and Heretical seducers, and disturbers of the Churches peace and truth, and between persecution?
And yet that persecution was not the true and certaine note of a false Church: For then God had left no true Church upon the face of the earth. But this I graunt, That such persecution, where ever it is found, It is a degree of falshood and A postacy in that Church. But what a vast distance is there between the just censure