He was on intimate terms with Milton, to whom he read and from whom he received instruction in certain languages. He also was associated with Sir Henry Vane. Returning to his colony in 1654, he at once exercised his influence in smoothing out its many and varied difficulties.
During this second visit to England he issued three publications. John Cotton had written a reply to the “Bloody Tenent,” publishing it in London, in 1647. It had the following title:
The Bloudy Tenent, washed, and made white in the bloud of the Lambe: being discussed and discharged of bloud-guiltinesse by just Defence.
Roger Williams in 1652 printed his rejoinder to Cotton’s book. Its title is descriptive of its contents:
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 former and later Wars for Conscience sake, that Most Bloody Tenent of Persecution for cause of Conscience, upon a second Tryal, is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty, etc., etc. By R. Williams of Providence in New-England. London, Printed for Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at the black-spread-Eagle, at the West-end of Pauls, 1652.
It is a small quarto of three hundred and seventy-three pages. Two copies are in the Library of Brown University, one, a presentation copy from Williams to his friend, Dr. John Clarke, of Newport.
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, at the Crowne in
Popes-Head-Alley. 1647.
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 former and
later Wars for Conscience sake,
THAT
Most Bloody Tenent of Persecution 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, }Examined;
II. The Power of the Civill Sword }
in Spirituals }
III. The Parliaments permission of } Justified.
Dissenting Consciences }
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.
London, Printed for Giles Calvert, and are to be sold at
the black-spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls, 1652.