A70175:55
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.
Therefore he would have the Presbyterians discountenanced and punished by authority, and intendeth liberty only to the Separatists, Anabaptists, and the like.
I have done with three objections, but I have three words more to speak with the compassionate Samaritan, i• answer to his three arguments for liberty of conscience, in which though all the strength of his discourse doth lie, I hope to make him ashamed of them, if he can at all blush.
I have done with three objections, but I have three words more to speak with the compassionate Samaritane, i• answer to his three arguments for liberty of conscience, in which though all the strength of his discourse doth lie, I hope to make him ashamed of them, if he can at all blush.
His first argument is this, Whatsoever a mans reason doth conclude to be true or false, to be agreeable or disagreeable to Gods word, that same to that man is his opinion or judgement, and so man is by his own reason necessitated to be of that mind he is: Now where there is a necessity, there ought to be no punishment, for punishment is the recompense of voluntary actions, therefore no man ought to be punished for his judgement. Answ. 1. The question is not whether a man ought to be punished for his judgement, but whether a man ought to be punished for such professions or practises in religion, as are found to be pernicious, hurtful, and destructive, to the glory of God, the truth of the Gospel, the Ordinances of Christ, the reformation of Religion, the peace of the Church. I know he will be ready still to set on foot his argument, for that a mans judgement and reason doth so necessitate and conclude him that he cannot choose but profess and practice as he doth. Therefore I add 2. this argument of his striketh against the justice of the Parliament done or to be done upon Malignants, for as much as their judgement bindeth them, and