A80608:948
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.
It followeth not. For Queen Elizabeth might do well in punishing seditious, or seducing Papists according to Conscience rightly informed, and King James do ill according to Conscience misinformed. Besides, It may be the worse, when a man persecuteth those, whom he knoweth to be innocent, against his own Conscience. Or suppose Conscience by often sinning against the light & checks of it, be (by the just Judgement of God) blinded and seared, In such a case to do a wicked act according to Conscience, doth not extenuate, but aggravate a sin: in that such a man sinneth not only in doing a corrupt act, but (which is worse) with a corrupt Conscience. But with what Conscience King James did persecute Puritans, I judge not: the judgement of such things is with the Lord.
It followeth not. For Queene Elizabeth might doe well in punishing seditious, or seducing Papists according to Conscience rightly informed, and King James doe ill according to Conscience misinformed. Besides, It may be the worse, when a man persecuteth those, whom he knoweth to be innocent, against his own Conscience. Or suppose Conscience by often sinning against the light & cheks of it, be (by the just Judgement of God) blinded and seared, In such a case to doe a wicked act according to Conscience, doth not extenuate, but aggravate a sin: in that such a man sinneth not only in doing a corrupt act, but (which is worse) with a corrupt Conscience. But with what Conscience King James did persecute Puritans, I judge not: the judgement of such things is with the Lord.
Discusser.