A55307:83
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must…The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must…
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.
London: printed for Tho. Simmons, 1682
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.
2. The very great Trouble, Tyranny, and Vexation of a scrupulous Conscience. They that have had to do with those kind of persons, know something of it, but none understand it fully but those that have had experience thereof. The burden, the trouble, the anguish, and the torment of it is not to be expressed; the severity of its Lashes, the rigour of its Rule and Dominion, is almost insupportable. Persons of this temper there have always been, and will be, and though some incompassionate men, (whose Bowels seem to be made of Brass) laugh at them, and ridicule their tenderness and scruples, yet I do believe that Church-Governors (who should be Fathers to ⟨p. 45⟩their People) ought to have some respect unto them in their Constitutions and Impositions.
2. The very great Trouble, Tiranny, and Vexation of a scrupulous Conscience. They that have had to do with those kind of persons, know something of it, but none understand it fully but those that have had experience thereof. The burthen, the trouble, the anguish, and the torment of it is not to be expressed; the severity of its Lashes, the rigour of its Rule and Dominion, is almost insupportable. Persons of this temper there have always been, and will be, and though some incompassionate men, (whose Bowels seem to be made of Brass) laugh at them, and ridicule their tenderness and scruples, yet I do belive that Church-Governours (who should be Fathers to ⟨p. 45⟩their People) ought to have some respect unto them in their Constitutions and Impositions.
3. The impossibility of most mens giving assent with judgment to things controverted, difficult and obscure. Let men say what they list, 'tis not conviction that makes most men assent either way in the difficult controversies of Religion. Do most men, yea most Clergy men, give their assent in the controversies between Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants, out of conviction of Judgment? No: Those things are of such profound and deep Speculation, that very few men have either leisure, Books or Brains to fathom them, and make a judgment of them. The Controversy about the difference between Bishops and Presbyters, whether it be a difference in Order or in Degree, requires so much reading and skill in ancient Authors, Fathers and Councils, with the debates of Neotericks, that many men are not able with any settled judgment, to determine on the one side or the other. 'Tis true, that some of the Church have lately, with great confidence, without dispute, concluded a difference of Order between them, and we must now believe it with as much assurance as the Apostles Creed: yet I see no just reason to doubt, but that the Controversy will remain longer than our Establishment, & peradventure there may have been, and still are as great men, and as well skilled in ancient Learning, as the late and present Bishops, that are of the contrary persuasion. I might instance in many of their Controversies at this time, but this shall