A80608:917
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 the unknowing zeal of Constantine, & other Christian Emperors did more hur• to the Church, then the raging fury of bloody Neroes: It was not because the raging fury of those Persecutors was more accepted of God, then this unknowing zeal of the good Emperors. For though the unknowing zeal of the one was sinful, yet it was the fruit of humane frailty, Error Amoris: But the rage of the others was devilish fury, Amor Erroris. Besides the unknowing zeal of the good Emperors, lay not in punishing notorious Heretical Seducers; nor will the Discusser be ever able to show, that the Church of Christ suffered any hurt at all by that means. The contrary is evident, Constantius, and Valens by Tolerating and favouring the Arians, the whole world became Arian; Ingemuit orbis Christianus, et miratus est factum se esse Arianum. Now whether be the greater mischief the whole world to become Arian, or to become Christian, Let Christians judge. The Discusser indeed speaketh of it, as a solecism in Religion, that the whole world should become Christian, and quoteth for it, Rev. 12. and 13. But Rev. 12. speaketh nothing to the purpose: and Revel. 13. speaketh of it, as a marvellous evil, that the whole world should wonder after the Beast, ver. 3. But their wondering after the Beast, not a becoming Christian (for they were that before) nor did it spring only from the unknowing zeal of Christian Emperors in persecuting Apostate Heretics: But rather from their sinful Indulgence in the Toleration of Heretics in Doctrine, and Idolaters in Worship. For had they been zealous, and watchful against such, how is it possible, that ever Antichrist should have been hatched up, to carry the world after him into such a notorious Apostasy? It was not persecution, that made the world, Christian: but Toleration, that ⟨p. 132⟩made the world, Antichristian. Furthermore, the hurt of the unknowing zeal of good Emperors did to the Church, came in also another way, by advancing Church-Officers to Mountains of high preferments, and settled endowments,