A76988:772
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.
1. For a time, for it will not be long, either the light will overcome sin in life, or the sinful life will darken and obscure the light. God saith so, 2 Thess. 2.10, 11. They who receive the truth, and not with love of it, they shall be given up to strong delusions to believe lies, &c. And because we know not when God may leave such men, and give them up to blindness of mind, to strong delusions, and to their hearts lusts; therefore is it not safe, to receive knowledge, or rather doctrine from their lips.
1. For a time, for it will not be long, either the light will overcome sin in life, or the sinfull life will darken and obscure the light. God saith so, 2 Thess. 2.10, 11. They who receive the truth, and not with love of it, they shall be given up to strong delusions to believe lies, &c. And because we know not when God may leave such men, and give them up to blindenesse of minde, to strong delusions, and to their hearts lusts; therefore is it not safe, to receive knowledge, or rather doctrine from their lips.
2. The second restriction is in main things, for a time they may be right in their judgements in main things, that is, in general and common things, which are of universal reception, and have universal consent, of which things either by education, or by industry, and art, and diligence they have gotten, and acquired the light and knowledge of. God reveals no secrets to them, those he reserves to impart to his friends; he tells us, The secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him, Psal. 25.14. And Christ tells his Disciples, Henceforth I call you ⟨p. 158⟩not servants, but friends. And upon this ground, Because what ever I have heard of the Father, I have made known to you,