A76988:444
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.
Qu. Who are those who are to examine opinions?
You have heard what the Papists say, viz. that none ought to doubt of, or examine the opinions, definitions and determinations of the Church. Before we come to give you our answer, we will premise some distinctions, as touching examination.
1. First then, there is an examination in foro publico, or externo. And, 2. There is an examination in foro privato, or interno; that is, 1. There is a public and authoritative examination. 2. There is a private and Christian examination. Or, 1. There is an examination in reference to public censure. 2. There is an examination in reference to private settlement.
1. First then, there is an examination in foro publico, or externo. And, 2. There is an examination in foro privato, or interno; that is, 1. There is a publike and authoritative examination. 2. There is a private and Christian examination. Or, 1. There is an examination in reference to publike censure. 2. There is an examination in reference to private settlement.
The first is authoritative, and is that which comes up to that which Divines call, judicium ministerial, or ministerial judgement, which is, when many Ministers are authoritatively called, convened and met together; there they are not only inquisitors and examiners of opinions, but Judges; that is, ministerial and subordinate Judges, or determinators of doctrines and opinions, and may pass censure upon such opinions, as are found erroneous. And of this kind is conceived to be that great solemn convention of the Disciples and Elders,