A76988:551
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.
And as I would not have you to embrace any thing out of corrupt affections or ignorance: so not to reject the sentences, determinations of Synods, unless you have firm ground. Take heed, they are weighty things, though they may err, yet thou art liker, and therefore take heed.
And as I would not have you to embrace any thing out of corrupt affections or ignorance: so not to reject the sentences, determinations of Synods, unlesse you have firme ground. Take heed, they are weighty things, though they may erre, yet thou art liker, and therefore take heed.
1. Beware of pride. 2. Of faction. 3. Of partiality. 4. Of corrupt affections. 5. Of profaneness of spirit.
1. Beware of pride. 2. Of faction. 3. Of partiality. 4. Of corrupt affections. 5. Of profanen•sse of spirit.
Ministerial judgement is their due, and the judgement of discretion, rational judgement is yours. You are not to embrace without ground, much less to dissent without cause, lest thou be found to be a troubler of Israel, a disturber of the peace of the Churches of God. As I would not have you shut your eyes, and go by the light of others: So I would not have thee put out their light, and go by the dark lantern of thine own understanding. I would have you to embrace knowingly, and not to reject ignorantly. I would give as much to such an Assembly, as to any judgement upon earth; I would give to such an Assembly as much as to man, but not so much as to God.
Ministeriall judgement is their due, and the judgement of discretion, rationall judgement is yours. You are not to embrace without ground, much lesse to dissent without cause, lest thou be found to be a troubler of Israel, a disturber of the peace of the Churches of God. As I would not have you shut your eyes, and goe by the light of others: So I would not have thee put out their light, and goe by the darke lanthorne of thine owne understanding. I would have you to embrace knowingly, and not to reject ignorantly. I would give as much to such an Assembly, as to any judgement upon earth; I would give to such an Assembly as much as to man, but not so much as to God.