A30564:0
A brief answer to Doctor Ferns book tending to resolve conscience about the subjects…A briefe answer to Doctor Fernes booke tending to resolve conscience about the subjects…
A brief answer to Doctor Ferns book tending to resolve conscience about the subjects taking up of arms / by Jer. Burroughs.A briefe answer to Doctor Fernes booke tending to resolve conscience about the subjects taking up of arms / by Jer. Burroughes.
London? : s.n., 1643?
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.
A brief Answer to Doctor Ferns Book, tending to resolve Conscience, about the Subjects taking up of Arms.
A briefe Answer to Doctor Fernes Booke, tending to resolve Conscience, about the Subjects taking up of Arms.
By JER: BURROUGHS.
By JER: BURROUGHES.
There came to my hand a Book of D. Fern, tending to resolve Conscience in the case of the Subjects taking up Arms. I find it carried on without giving any ill terms, but in far expressions, suitable to a Treatise that concerns Conscience, and the more likely to prevail with it. Only now and then some bitterness breaks forth; I shall very briefly, yet faithfully give you the strength of it: Where he speaks right, I will acknowledge it; and where he mistakes, I will fairly discuss and show you whence the mistakes arise. I confess he hath great advantage in the subject, because it is for the King: 1. Because it is safer to plead for the King, though a man mistakes; but if there be a mistake in lessening the Kings right, a man endangers his utter undoing. 2. Truth about this argument, hath always been tenderly handled; those who have pleaded for the King, have with courage vented themselves to the utmost; but others have been forced to be silent, or else but even to whisper and speak half out, lest they presently meet with (not arguments, but) things of another nature to answer them. In which regard the power of Kings hath been raised to the height, and men have drunk in such opinions of absolute power in them, as they have heard confidently affirmed, practised, and seen in Books, and feeled by many taxations and censures; but whatsoever might inform them hath lain in the dark, not daring to appear: Therefore well might the D. call what now people begin to hear, and enquire after, a new doctrine; it is an old truth, but newly discovering it self. The name of King hath taken such impression in the hearts of people, that for a while they will be prejudiced against whatsoever may but sound of limiting his power, or maintaining our right against it.