A70175:65
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.
Answ. 1. This also shaketh loose Parliamentary authority; though the Gentleman who wrote these arguments pretendeth to stand for it, as much as any other. His argument will conclude (if it concludeth at all) that the Parliament may not compel Malignants, disaffected persons, Rebels, to any thing which they are not persuaded in their own minds to be right. It is against my conscience, will the Antiparliamentary malignant say, to contribute to the war, to acknowledge this for a Parliament, as long as the King doth not acknowledge it; to reveal such a design, or to confess this or that plot against the Parliament, when I am examined; therefore I shall sin if I do so, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin, and the Parliament shall compel me to sin, if they compel me to do so. For though the thing may be in it self good, yet if it do not appear to be so to my conscience, the practice thereof in me is sinful, which therefore I ought not to be compelled unto, saith the Samaritan. If he say his argument is only concerning matters of religion, I answer, Whatever his intention be in offering the argument, the very nature and force of the argument it self driveth universally against the compelling of a man to any thing whatsoever which is against his own conscience, except he will say that it is a sin to serve God against my conscience, but it is no sin to serve the Parliament against my conscience. Saith not the Apostle, WHATSOEVER is not of faith is sin: and, He that doubteth is damned?
Answ. 1. This also shaketh loose Parliamentary authority; though the Gentleman who wrote these arguments pretendeth to stand for it, as much as any other. His argument will conclude (if it concludeth at all) that the Parliament may not compell Malignants, disaffected persons, Rebels, to any thing which they are not perswaded in their own minds to be right. It is against my conscience, wil the Antiparliamentary malignant say, to contribute to the war, to acknowledge this for a Parliament, as long as the King doth not acknowledg it; to reveal such a design, or to confesse this or that plot against the Parliament, whē I am examined; therefore I shal sin if I do so, for whatsoever is not of faith is sinne, and the Parliament shall compell me to sinne, if they compell me to doe so. For though the thing may be in it selfe good, yet if it doe not appeare to be so to my conscience, the practice thereof in me is sinfull, which therefore I ought not to bee compelled unto, saith the Samaritan. If hee say his argument is only concerning matters of religion, I answer, Whatever his intention be in offering the argument, the very nature and force of the argument it selfe driveth universally against the compelling of a man to any thing whatsoever which is against his owne conscience, except he will say that it is a sinne to serve God against my consience, but it is no sinne to serve the Parliament against my conscience. Saith not the Apostle, WHATSOEVER is not of faith is sinne: and, He that doubteth is damned?