The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, To the reader
To the Merciful and Compaſsinate READER.
WHile the unmercifull Prieſts and Levits turn away their cruel Eyes and Feet from theirSoul wounds, the deepeſt. poor wounded neighbours (the oppreſſed for matters of Religion and Worſhip) it will be no ingratefull act to preſent thy tender heart and Ear (Compaſſionate Samaritane) with the dolefull cry of the Souls under the Altar [How long Lord before thou avenge our bloud on them that dwell upon the Earth] and to pray thy mournfull view of the Akeldemae's and fields of Blood, where thouſands and ten thouſand times ten thouſands of the pretious Saints (Servants and Witneſſes of Jeſus) lie ſlaughtered in their bloudie Gore, in all Ages and in all Nations, where the Trumpet of the Son of God hath ſounded:
Here and there among theſe ſlaughtered heaps of Saints lie (thin and rare) the ſlaughtered Carkaſſes of ſome poor Arrians or Papiſts, or other poor deluding and deluded ſouls: This ſeeming colour of Impartiall Juſtice ſerves (wofully)The Akeldamaes, or fields of Bloud, cauſed by the Bloudy Tenent of Perſecution. that murtherous enemy of all Mankind for a Stale or Covert under which his bloudie Game goes on, of perſecuting (or hunting) the harmleſs Deer, the children of the living God.
For the ſake then of the dear Saints and Followers of Jeſus, for his holy ſake and Truth, for the holy name and Truth of the moſt holy Father of Lights, the God of it, thy compaſſionate eye is here preſented with a Second Conference and view of Mr. Cottons Reply, and artificial bloudie waſhing of the Bloudie Tenent.
The Battel about any Truth of God in Chriſt, is fought and managed by that moſt high and glorious Michael the Arch-Angel and Son of God, attended with all his Holy Angels, the Meſſengers and Witneſſes of his Truth on the one ſide: On the other ſide by that great red Dragon, whoſe bloudie Followers, Michael, the ſon of God, and Sathan the red Dragon, the two great Generals.Devils and men of all ſorts and Nations, but eſpecially the Roman bloudie Emperor, and Roman Popes (with Lyon-like Furie, and Fox-like craft) have ſuck'd the Bloud and broke the Bones, and devoured the Fleſh of ſo many hundred thouſand, thouſands of the King of Kings his ſpiritual Hinds and Roes in this their bloudie hunting: So that aptly (I had almoſt ſaid Prophetically) wrote one of their own Roman Poets of the lamentable condition of the harmleſſe Deer above other Creatures: Dente tuetur Aper, defendunt, Cornua Taurum, Imbelles Damae quid niſi Praeda ſumus?
'Tis a lamentable and cruel ſight to ſee the ſons of one poor man and woman, (all the Globe of the world over (like Babels builders) ſo vaſtly diſagreeing about a God and his Worſhip.
'Tis lamentable to ſee theſe one Mans ſons Murthered and Maſſacred (in mutual ſlaughters) as for other pretended Cauſes: So this eſpecially of Conſcience and Religion.
'Tis yet more lamentable and never enough to be lamented,Lamentable diſcord… about Religion, even among the ſervants of the true and living God. that while the Sons of Men do but their kind! the Sons of God, the ſons of the God of Place, the Lillies, Doves and Spouſes of Jeſus ſhould thus diſcord and jart about this Chriſt their hope! that (like the very Turks and Perſians contending about their Mahomet his Succeſſors) the Children of God ſhould tear out each others Throats about the laſt Will and Teſtament of the Son of God their elder brother: That Ephraim ſhould be againſt Manaſſeh, and Manaſſeh againſt Ephraim, and both againſt Judah; yet all ſons of one, and profeſſors of one God of Iſrael:
But oh the low and ſhallow comprehenſions of the ſons ofThe Iſraelites divided. men, who as a Rotten thing (ſaith Job) conſumeth▪ Oh the depths of the Councels and workings of the moſt High, moſt Holy, and only wiſe, outſhooting all the Generations of men, who heat and know no more then Jonathans Lad, Is not the Arrow beyond thee? &c.
His holy Wiſdom hath an heavenly Reaſon (to touch a little upon this ſorrowfull ſtring) of that bloudie Device andJoſeph ſold by his brethren. Sale of innocent Joſeph by his own Brethren, the ſons of one Iſrael and God.
He knowes why ſo holy a Leader of ſuch a miraculous People (as I may truly call them) why Aaron (I ſay) was ſo left to the horrible, ungratefull, and outragious importunitiesIſrael force Aaron to make them Gods. of this (then the only) People of God, as to frame a Beaſtly worſhip, and to turn the moſt glorious and dreadfull Godhead into the ſimilitude of a Beaſt that ea…eth graſſe.
He knowes why the Iſrael of God) Rebels, as Moſes paſſionately called them) ſhould ſo often grieve the holy Spirit ofIſraels murmurings. God with their murmurings, and be ſo near to daſh out the brains of their moſt faithfull Leaders.
He knowes why two Parts or Angles of that Heavenly Triangle (Moſes, Aaron, and Miriam ſo neer in Earthly and Heavenly Relations) I ſay why that rare Pair, Aaron andAaron and Miriam againſt Moſes. Miriam ſhould yet envie and mutiny againſt their ſo dear a Brother, and ſo meek and heavenly a Ruler, Moſes.
His heavenly wiſdom hath a reaſon of that wonderfull Shrinking of an Army of 32 thouſand Iſraelits, into one poor 300 left behind, and found only fit for Gods battels againſtAn Armie of 32000 Iſraelites ſhrunk into 300. the Midianits.
A reaſon why thoſe two famous Champions, Samſon and David ſhould find ſo great diſcouragement to their fighting of Gods Battels, the men of Judah baſely binding Samſon, Samſon and David diſcouraged by their own brethren. Benjamin almoſt deſtroyed by the 11 Tribes. Iſraels rejecting of Samuel & the Lord himſelf.and the chief of Davids own Brethren flying in his face with open Railings.
A reaſon of that all moſt utter conſumption of one whole Tribe of Iſraels 12. by the furious flames of the Zeal and Indignation of the eleven.
Theſe things happened not by chance, but as the Apoſtle ſpeaks in Types (in curious and wonderfull figures) ſo that his holy wiſdom knowes: why Iſrael muſt be ſo weary of Samuel and himſelf, and (like the Nations of the World) muſt have a King to be their Champion and fight their Battels:
Why Saul this deſired King, the King of Gods own choice and Iſraels, why yet he muſt hunt an innocent David, as aSaul perſecuting David. Flea in the boſom, or a Partridg on the mountains, until he hath ſlain himſelf to ſet the Crown on Davids head.
A reaſon of that long continued Faction of ſo many Tribes againſt this Davids Crown, and that Iſrael (ſo importunate, ſo impatient for a King) ſhould now powre out each othersIſhboſheth and Iſrael againſt David and Judah. blood about a Succeſſor, whether a David, or (the ſon of Perſecution, Saul) Iſhboſheth.
A reaſon (when David wears both Crowns in one, and hath all that a moſt gracious God could eſpie out fit for David to receive, that yet he wants a wife that had ſo many, and rather then a Davids ſinfull Deſires and Whordomes ſhallDavid ſtabbing Ʋriah with his Pen. want a Covering, the blood of Ʋriah (that is fire or zeal of God) ſhall die and make up one to cover them.
O the Depths of the Councels of the holy one of Iſrael why (there being but 12 Tribes in all) 10 Tribes of his ownThe diviſions & diſperſions of the Tribes. people ſhould tear away from 2, and after many Captivities of the one and the other, both the one and the other now are ſcattered from each other upon the face of the Earth, and as yet no certain Tidings what's befaln to the 10 Tribes of the Iſrael of God.
He knowes why to leave an upright perfect Aſa…'s heart to ſuch folly and wrath, as to lay a Faithfull Prophet (admoniſhing him from God) by the heels.
Yea, why the Followers of the meek Lamb of God, ſhouldAſa impriſoning the Prophet. burn in ſuch Ʋnchriſtian Flames, as to call for fire from Heaven to conſume the contemners and deſpiſ…rs of their Lord Chriſts Diſciples deſtrous of fire from heaven, &cand Maſter, who quencheth the fire of their raſh zeal with this mild Check, You know not of what Spirit you are of.
Why ſuch foreign (Bitterneſſe as the Word is) ſhould riſe between two Turtle Doves, Paul and Barrabas, and that aboutBitterneſs between Saul and Barrabas. their moſt laborious and moſt dangerous Ministeries.
Why one cries Paul, another Apollo, another Caphas, another Chriſt, even in the firſt eſtabliſhed Churches.
This holy Plot, this heavenly deſigne of the moſt holy and only wiſe God, thus to permit the contentions and diviſions Gods mercy drawes one many ſweet fruits from the bitter contentions of his ſervants.of his own Servants, as it diſplaies Himſelf only Perfect and Excellent, and all (the beſt of) men in all Ages, but farthingcandles, yea ſmoaking Firebrands: As it brightly proves the admirable conſent and Angelical Harmony of the holy Scripture, relating Hiſtories, and in thoſe Hiſtories infolding Propheſies, fulfill'd before mens daily view thouſands of years after: As it makes us ſee our ſpiritual Povertie and Beggary, and infinit need of Mercy and Grace, and Peace from Heaven, and drives us to continual Prayers and cries, for mercifull ſupplies from thence! As it diſreliſheth this preſent ſweeteſt life, yea the very life of Spiritual Love, in the Communion of the Saints of God themſelves, if compared with the moſt pure and ſpiritual and abſolute Joyes and Life approaching.
So doth this heavenly Councel of the moſt High, aboundantly ſtop the mouths of all malicious, who (although they delight to ſcratch their Athenian Itch of hearing Novelties, new things, Newes, yet) ſtumble they at this ſtumbling-block of Novelties, new Churches, new Miniſters, new Diſcipline, new Baptiſm, new Light: The ancient of days (ſay they) the God of Peace and Love cannot be in ſuch Diviſions: The old Biſhops were better, the old Popes themſelves more tollerable.
But this is but the barking of malice againſt Gods holyneſs which his true ſervants deſire to partake of! Againſt Gods Truth, which his ſervants muſt contend for, (yea though it be one againſt another) againſt Gods Councels who hath ſo laid his holy project, that what he now ſets out in a clear Light and fairer Print, is the very ſame (had we inlightned eyes to ſee it (with the old edition of former times, more dark and rude in Ceremonies, Types, and figures.
I cannot but foreſee variety of divers Paſſions and Affections, Various affections of Readers expected.in a Variety of Beholders of this preſent Controverſie: Some will pleaſe themſelves and their curioſities in the Noveltie of ſuch diſcourſes: ſome will rejoice to ſee the light appear, and yet mourn in the lamentable differences of ſuch who profeſs the ſame God and Chriſt about it: Some will be angry and cry out of Blaſphemy againſt their Gods, their Bellies, and their Titles, &c. Some will fear diſturbances of the Civil, and ſome of the Spiritual peace and Chriſtianity: Yet ſome will truely deſire, to ſearch and know the will of God, humbly deſirous to do it on earth, as the Angels doe it in heaven.
The Courteous Reader may pleaſe to ſee, that in theThe Model of N. Engliſh Church and Civil Power. firſt Conference of Peace and Truth, there was Diſcuſt, a Modell of New Engliſh Church and Civill Power, which Mr. Cotton in his Reply waved and referred to others of the New Engliſh Elders to Reply unto, which whether they have ſo done as yet I have not heard:
Together with Mr. Cottons Reply to the Bloudy Tenent, Of Mr. Cottons Reply to the Anſwer to his Letter.there was alſo added a Reply of Mr. Cotton to an Anſwer of his Letter: The Examination of this Reply I deſired, and intended ſhould have been here preſented; But the ſtreights of time (being conſtantly drunk up by neceſſary Labours for bread for many depending on me, the diſcharge of Engagements, and wanting helps of tranſcribing) I ſay the ſtreights of time were ſuch, that the Examination of that Reply could not together with this, be fitted for Publick view, though with the Lords aſſiſtance will not delay to follow:
Touching Mr. Cotton I preſent two words: Firſt for his Perſon, Secondly for his Work.
For his Perſon, although I rejoyce that ſince it pleaſedGods wiſdom adored in the Diſcuſſing of the Bloudie Tenent. God to lay a Command on my Conſcience to come in as his poor Witneſſe in this great Cauſe: I ſay I rejoice it hath pleaſed him to appoint ſo able, and excellent, and Conſcionable an Inſtrument to bolt out the Truth to the bran: So I can humbly ſay it in his holy preſence, it is my conſtant heavineſs and ſouls grief as to differ from any fearing God; ſo much more ten thouſand times from Mr: Cotton, whom I have ever deſired and ſtill deſire highly to eſteem, and dearly to reſpect, for ſo great a portion of mercy and grace vouchſafed unto him, and ſo many Truths of Chriſt Ieſus maintained by him. And therefore (notwithſtanding that ſome (of no common Judgement and reſpect to him, have ſaid, that he wrote his waſhing of the Bloudie Tenent in Bloud againſt Chriſt Ieſus, and Gall againſt me, yet) if upon ſo ſlippery and narrow a paſſage I have ſlpit (notwithſtanding my conſtant reſolution to the contrary) into any Tearm or Expreſſion unbeſeeming his Perſon, or the Matter (the cauſe of the moſt high in hand conſidered) I humbly crave pardon of God, and Mr. Cotton alſo.
Secondly concerning his Work, I call to mind a ſpeech of one of eminent Note in N. England (obſerving a diſpoſition in men for one man to deifie another, and that ſome ofA memorable Speech touching Mr. Cotton. no ſmall note had ſaid they could hardly believe that God would ſuffer Mr. Cotton to err) the Speech was this [I fear that God may leave Mr. Cotton to ſome great error, that men may ſee he is a man] &c.
But concerning his Work, the obſervant Reader will ſoon diſcover, that whatever Mr. Cottons Stand is, yet he moſt weakly provides himſelf of very ſtrange Reſerves, and Retreats: to point with the finger at 2 or 3 moſt frequent and remarkable.
Firſt when he ſeems to be overwhelmed with the lamentable and doleful cries of the Souls under the Altar, cryingThe ſtrange retreats Mr. Cotton makes in this controverſie. out for Vengeance on their Perſecutors that dwell upon the Earth! He often retreats, and profeſſeth to hold no ſuch Doctrin of perſecuting the Saints, no nor of any for cauſe of Conſcience, nor that the Magiſtrate ſhould draw forth his Sword in matters of Religion.
When it is urged that through this whole Book he Perſecutes or Hunts (by name) the Idolater, the Blaſphemer, the Heretick, the Seducer, and that to Death or Baniſhment:The rearing of Lyon like perſecution, pag. and amongſt other Expreſſions uſeth this for one [If there be ſtones in the ſtreets, the Magiſtrate need not run for a Sword to the Smiths ſhop, nor to the Ropier for an Halter to puniſh Hereticks, &c.] Mr. Cotton retreats into the Land of Iſrael, and calls up Moſes and his Laws againſt Idolaters, Blaſphemers, Seducers, &c:
When he is Challenged (and that by his own frequent confeſſion in his Book) for producing the Pattern of a National Church when he ſtands only for a Congregationall! for producing that national church of Iſrael, ſo miraculous, ſo typical, as a Copie or Samplar for the Nations and Peoples of the World (who have no ſuch miraculous and Typicall reſpect upon them) Mr. Cotton retreats to Moral Equity, that the Seducer and he that kills a Soul ſhould die.
When it is urged that Chriſt Ieſus at his ſo long typed out coming, aboliſhed thoſe National ſhadowes, and erectedThe ſtrange reluctancies of the Lamb. like ſpirit of Mr. Cotton forced to againſt the Perſecuting Lyon. his Spiritual Kingdom of Iſrael, appinted Spiritual Officers, Puniſhments, &c. and that thoſe Scriptures, Tit. 3▪ againſt the Hereticks; and Rev. 2. againſt Baalam and Iezabel prove only a ſpiritual death and cutting off from Chriſt Jeſus his holy land of life and peace, his church & kingdom. Mr. Cotton retreats and confeſſeth Chriſts Kingdom is ſpiritual, not national, but congregational, and that thoſe Scriptures hold forth a Spiritual cutting off, and he ſo produceth them to prove the heretick ſo to be cut off, alledging that the queſtion was put in general tearms, that he knew not what Perſecution ſhould be intended, and that an unjuſt excommunication is as ſore a perſecution as an unjuſt baniſhment. When he is urged with the nature of the conſciences (even of all men to God or Gods in their worſhips, he profeſſeth that he is wronged, & that he doth not hold that any man ſhould be perſecuted for his conſcience, but for ſinning againſt his conſcience. When al the conſciences in the world cry out againſt him for ſetting up the civil power & officers, and Courts of civil Iuſtice, to judg of the conviction of mens ſouls and conſciences! Mr. Cotton retreats to his laſt refuge, and ſaith that although this be the duty of all the Magiſtrates in the world, yet not any of them muſt meddle to puniſh in Religion, untill they be informed which is (upon the point) untill he is ſure they will draw their ſwords for his Conſcience, Church, &c. againſt all other as heretical, blaſphemous.
The monſtrous Partiality of ſuch ſuſpending, &c. ofMonſtrous partiality, as touching the Magiſtracy. hanging up all the Magiſtrates in the world, (except a few of his own perſwaſion) and that from ſo principall and main a part of their Office, and that ſo many thouſands in the Nations of the world all the world over, and that conſtantly and perpetually all their dayes. If it pleaſe the moſt jealous and righteous God to hide it (I ſay the monſtrouſneſſe of ſuch a Suſpenſion) from Mr. Cottons eyes, yet thouſand and ten thouſands will behold and wonder at it.
But (fearing to exceed in diſcourſe at dore) let every mercifull and compaſſionate Reader freely enter in, and ſearch the in moſt Rooms and Cloſets:
If thou truly love the Truth and Peace, thou art too neer of kin to the Prince of Peace and Truth it ſelf, long to eſcape the Hunters. If the fourty two moneths of theThe ſlaughter of the Witneſſes, Revel. 2. 10. Beaſts reign, and the two hundred and threeſcore dayes of the propheſie of the Witneſſes of Jeſus in Sackcloth be expired: yet I fear the three dayes and a halfe of the greateſt ſlaughter of the Witneſſes is not over: Yet fear not what muſt be ſuffered, although the Devill caſt (not onelyonly ſome, but) all Chriſts Witneſſes into Priſon: yea, although he murther and fling out the Karkaſſes of the Saints to ſhame and injury, yet the mighty Spirit of God will raiſe them on their feet again, and into heavenly glory, out of this ſhame ſhall they aſcend in the ſight of their bloody enemies.
How many and how various are the Diſputings, &c. about what ſhould be this three dayes and a halfes calamity? How many hope this ſtorm is over? how many fear it is now a breeding? Yet why ſhould we fear ſo ſhort a draught (though) of a bitter Cup, when tempered by the gracious hand of an Heavenly Father, begun by ſo dear an Elder Brother, ſo ſweet a Saviour? The Revelations of John, and the Revelations of Gods wonderfull Providences, ſeem to proclaim wonderfull and dreadfull Diſcoveries of the Son of God approaching. And it is as ſure as that there is a Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that God will ſubdue all his enemies, that he will ſhortly breakChriſt Jeſus ſhortly ruining the two dreadfull Empites of the bloody Turk and Pope. (and make all his followers tread on) the proudeſt Necks born up this day in the world, even the grandeſt Seigniories of the Turkiſh and Popiſh Empires, the two ſo mighty oppoſers of the Son of God. And it is not improbable, both their ruines and downfall muſt be from ſome top and pinacle of glorious proſperity and furious outrage againſt their (Antichriſtian and Chriſtian) enemies.
The chiefeſt European enemies of the All devouring Turk (though all that bear the name of Christ The Turks ſoreſt enemies in Euope.are his enemies) are more eſpecially the Pope, the Emperour, the King of Spain and the Venetians, by whom Chriſt Jeſus (probably) will daſh that mighty Empire into pieces, as he ſeems to have propheſied of old by his ſervant Daniel: yet probably, as I ſaid before, this downfall muſt be from ſome more eminent height of Turkiſh bloody pride and glory, which that blaſphemous and bloody Monarchy ſhall immediatly before attain unto.
The ſoreſt enemies of the Roman Popes, are theThe Popes ſoreſt enemies. witneſſes of the Truths of Jeſus, whom he hath not left himſelf without, during the 42 moneths of the reign of this mighty and dreadfull Beaſt. Againſt theſe bleſſed followers of the Lamb muſt (probably) the rage of this bloody Beaſt riſe high in that his great ſlaughter of them and triumph three days and an half over them, (Rev. 11.) and this not long before his own eternall downfall.
Many have been the Interpretations of that propheſie, and ſome late Applications of the witneſſes and Time to particular perſons and Times of late.
But (with all due reſpect to the Apprehenſions of any ſtudious of the truth of Jeſus) I conceive the matter is of a more generall conſideration.
For in all that world over that wondred after the Beaſt, hath Chriſt Jeſus raiſed up a Generation or kind of Witneſſes bearing testimony againſt him. This witneſſe (more or leſſe) to the ſeverall Truths of Jeſus, he hath been pleaſed to maintain, before and ſince Luthers time, eſpecially: The finiſhing of the Teſtimony muſt (probably) be generall, not only in England, but in the reſt of the Proteſtant Nations; which finiſhing of the witneſſe (probably) wil conſiſt in the matters of the purity of his worſhip, and the Government of the Lord Jeſus in his own holy Appointments and Inſtitutions. The ſlaughter of theſe witneſſes muſt alſo (probably) be generall, and in the three dayes and half triumph over them generall: upon which follows that moſt glorious and generall riſing of the witneſſes unto their glory promiſed, Rev. 11.
I confeſs in this plea for freedom to all Conſciences Freedome of Conſcience in worſhip due even to the Papiſts themſelvs. See Chap.in matters (meerly) of worſhip, I have impartially pleaded for the freedom of the conſciences of the Papiſts themſelves, the greateſt enemies and perſecutors (in Europe) of the Saints and Truths of Jeſus: Yet I have pleaded for no more then is their due and right, and (what ever elſe ſhall be the Conſequent) it ſhall ſtand for a monument and teſtimony againſt them, and be an aggravation of their former, preſent, or future cruelties againſt Chriſt Jeſus the Head, and all that uprightly love him, his true Diſciples and Followers.
It is true, I have not ſatisfaction in the clear diſcovery of thoſe holy Propheſies & Periods ſet down and prefixed by the holy Spirit in Daniel, John, &c. concerning the Kingdom of Chriſt Jeſus: Yet two things I profeſſe in the holy preſence of God, Angels and Men.
Firſt, my humble Deſires and Reſolution (the Lord aſſiſting) to contend for the true and viſible worſhip of the true and living God, according to the Inſtitution and Appointment of the laſt will and Teſtament of Chriſt Jeſus.
2. I beleeve and profeſs, that ſuch perſons, ſuch Churches are got neereſt to Chriſt Jeſus, on whoſe forehead are written theſe bleſſed characters of the true Lord Jeſus Chriſt; Firſt, content with a poor and low condition in worldly things. 2. An holy cleanſing from the filthines of falſe worſhips and worldly converſations. 3. An humble and conſtant endeavour to attain (in their ſimplicity & purity) to the Ordinances and appointments of Christ Ieſus. 4. Are ſo far from ſmiting, killing, and wounding the Oppoſites of their profeſsion and worſhip, that they reſolve themſelves patiently to bear and carry the Croſs and Gallows of their Lord and Master, and patiently to ſuffer with him. In the number of ſuch his poor ſervants who as unfeignedly deſire (notwithſtanding my plea againſt Perſecutors and Perſecution) I ſay as unfeignedly deſire to ſuffer as cheerfully with Chriſt Ieſus, as gloriouſly to reign with him, deſires to be,
Thine unfeigned, though unworthieſt of all the Followers of IESUS. Roger Williams.