A70175:52
Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty, or, The true resolution of a present controversy…Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty, or, The true resolution of a present controversie…
Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty, or, The true resolution of a present controversy concerning liberty of conscience here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyranny and schismatizing liberty approved and also confirmed from Scripture and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches : the chief arguments and exceptions used in the bloody tenet, The compassionate Samaritan, M.S. to A.S. &c., examined : eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter : and in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather than toleration.Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty, or, The true resolution of a present controversie concerning liberty of conscience here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyrannie and schismatizing liberty approved and also confirmed from Scripture and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches : the chiefe arguments and exceptions used in the bloudy tenent, The compassionate samaritane, M.S. to A.S. &c., examined : eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter : and in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather than toleration.
London: printed for Christopher Meredith, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
3. There are two sorts of Christs Ordinances: some for the communion of Saints: others, for the conversion of sinners: It is far from our thoughts to admit, much less to compel, a whole City, or Nation promiscuously, to the use of the former. But yet converting or reducing ordinances may and ought to put upon all whom they concern. The means must be used and mens hearts left to God.
3. There are two sorts of Christs Ordinances: some for the communion of Saints: others, for the conversion of sinners: It is far from our thoughts to admit, much lesse to compell, a whole City, or Nation promiscuously, to the use of the former. But yet converting or reducing ordinances may and ought to put upon all whom they concern. The means must be used and mens hearts left to God.
Object. 3. This Doctrine of the Magistrates coercive power, maketh many to stumble at the Presbyterian Reformation, as a bloody Reformation, as a building of Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity, Mic. 3. 10. Answ. 1. We have not so learned Christ, we abominate the Popish and Prelatical tyranny. We know that the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. yet he who said so, could also ⟨p. 19⟩say, I would they were even cut off which trouble you, Gal. 5. 12. It is my souls desire that the secular coercive power may be put forth upon those only who can by no other means be reclaimed, & who can be no longer spared without a visible rupture in the Church, and the manifest danger of seducing and misleading many souls. A Presbytery is not so ill a neighbour, that no man who hath the least differing opinion may live beside it.