A76988:1240
The arraignment of errorThe arraignment of errour
The arraignment of error: or, A discourse serving as a curb to restrain the wantonness of mens spirits in the entertainment of opinions; and as a compass, whereby we may sail in the search and finding of truth; distributed into six main questions. Quest. 1. How it may stand with Gods, with Satan's, with a mans own ends, that there should be erroneous opinions? Quest. 2. What are the grounds of abounding errors? Quest. 3. Why so many are carried away with error? Quest. 4. Who those are that are in danger? Quest. 5. What are the examens, or the trials of opinions, and characters of truth? Quest. 6. What ways God hath left in his Word for the suppressing of error, and reducing of erroneous persons? Under which general questions, many other necessary and profitable queries are comprised, discussed, and resolved. And in conclusion of all; some motives, and means, conducing to an happy accommodation of our present differences, are subjoined. / By Samuel Bolton minister of the Word of God at Saviours-Southwark.The arraignment of errour: or, A discourse serving as a curb to restrain the wantonnesse of mens spirits in the entertainment of opinions; and as a compasse, whereby we may sail in the search and finding of truth; distributed into six main questions. Quest. 1. How it may stand with Gods, with Satans, with a mans own ends, that there should be erroneous opinions? Quest. 2. What are the grounds of abounding errours? Quest. 3. Why so many are carried away with errour? Quest. 4. Who those are that are in danger? Quest. 5. What are the examens, or the trials of opinions, and characters of truth? Quest. 6. What waies God hath left in his Word for the suppressing of errour, and reducing of erroneous persons? Under which generall questions, many other necessary and profitable queries are comprized, discussed, and resolved. And in conclusion of all; some motives, and means, conducing to an happy accommodation of our present differences, are subjoyned. / By Samuel Bolton minister of the Word of God at Saviours-Southwark.
London: printed by G. Miller for Andrew Kembe, 1646
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. It may fall out the state of all the Churches in a country may be corrupted, and beginning to discern their corruption, may desire the concourse and counsel of one another, for a speedy, and safe, and general Reformation. Thus far that learned author. By all which it is granted, The use and necessity of Synods, as an ordinance of God to suppress error, and reduce erroneous persons. Now we are to show you.
3. It may fall out the state of all the Churches in a countrey may be corrupted, and beginning to discern their corruption, may desire the concourse and counsell of one another, for a speedy, and safe, and generall Reformation. Thus farre that learned authour. By all which it is granted, The use and necessity of Synods, as an ordinance of God to suppresse errour, and reduce erroneous persons. Now we are to shew you.
Thirdly, That this means hath been blessed of God with power and efficacy for these ends.
And you see the truth of this in that first great Apostolic Synod and Council, Act. 15. There was an error broached, the Question and cause referred, and by common consent and decree,1 saith Reynolds, the controversy was ended, the truth of doctrine established, error condemned, the false teachers branded, and the souls of the believers established, and peace maintained in the Churches, as is evident, Act. 16.4.5. And as they went through the Cities, they delivered them the decrees of the Apostles and Elders—and so were the Churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. After which example the Churches which succeeded made the like Assemblies, upon the like occasions, and by this chiefly of judgement (as he calls it) healed breaches, suppressed errors, removed scandals, and extirpated heresies out of the Churches. The Primitive times of the Church were blessed with such conventions, and found Gods blessing in them.