The bloody tenent yet more bloody: by Mr Cottons endevour to wash it white in the blood of the lambe; of whose precious blood, spilt in the blood of his servants; and of the blood of millions spilt in fromer and later wars for conscience sake, that most bloody tenent of presecution for cause of conscience, upon a second tryal, is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty. In this rejoynder to Mr Cotton, are principally I. The nature of persecution, II. The power of the civill sword in spirituals examined; III. The Parliaments permission of dissenting consciences justified. Also (as a testimony to Mr Clarks narrative) is added a letter to Mr Endicot governor of the Massachusets in N.E. By R. Williams of Providence in New-England.

Examination of CHAP. XXXVIII.

Peace.

MAster Cotton here first observing the discussers agreement with him, that this instruction (2 Tim. 2.) to be meek and patient to all men, is properly directive to the Ministers of the Gospel, he concludes that therefore hitherto his answer was not per∣plext and ravelled.

Truth.

Many plaine threads may be drawn forth of a perplext and ravelled string, as it seemes to me the many particulars of different natures here wrapt up together were.

Peace.

Yea, but he seems to disown those words [unconverted Christians in Crete) and more then once in the Chapter toucheth the discussers credit, &c.

Truth.

I know the discusser desires unfainedly (with the Lords assistance) rather to die a thousand deaths, then willingly to im∣peach the least of holy or civil truths; and therefore affirmeth in this case, that at his pleasure the copy (not which he received from Master Cotton for there never passed such writings between them as Master Cotton often affirmeth, but) which he received from another, with the correction of Master Cottons own hand to it, shall be ready for himself or any to view.

Peace.

However, Master Cotton maintaining the tearms of un∣converted converts from Ier. 3. 10. (Iudah turned unto me, but not with all her heart, but fainedly:) so Iudas, An••••••as, and Sapphira, Balaam, the Ni••••laitans, Iezabel in Thyatira, as al∣so the children of believing parents born in the Church, who though holy, yet cannot be conceived to be truely holy.

Truth.

Were the question about hypocrites, counterfeits and

trayters in the church and kingdome of Christ, these words might here rightly be alleadged; but Master Cottons words being these [unconverted Christians in Crete▪ whom Titus as an Evan∣gelist was to seek and to convert] I conceive that Master Cotton will not affirm that the office of an Evangelist was to seek to convert the church (though possibly an hypocrite may be turned from his hypocrisie by an Evangelist or private man in the church.)

2. He makes in the very words a distinction between these, un∣converted Christians, and those Iews and Gentiles in the Church, who (saith he) though carnal, yet were not convinced of the error of their way.

And to conclude this Chapter, the discusser readily with thanks acknowledgeth Master Cottons words, that it is not probable that Timothy was now at Ephesus, and that the subscription added to the second Epistle of Timothy in the English translation, is just∣ly to be suspected.

Notes

• All Truth, hea∣venly, moral, ci∣vil, &c. preci∣ous.
• Ʋnconverted Christians visi∣bly a paradox.