A77844:41
The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurence Jury, London, the…The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurencejury, London, the…
The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurence Jury, London, the 28. day of Sept. 1644. at the election of the Lord Major. / By Anthony Burgess, sometimes fellow of Immanuel College in Cambridge; now pastor of Sutton Coldfield in Warwick shire, and a member of the Assembly. Imprimatur Thomas Gataker.The magistrates commission from heaven. Declared in a sermon preached in Laurencejury, London, the 28. day of Sept. 1644. at the election of the Lord Major. / By Anthony Burgesse, sometimes fellow of Immanuel Colledge in Cambridge; now pastour of Sutton Coldfield in Warwick shire, and a member of the Assembly. Imprimatur Thomas Gataker.
London: printed by George Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1644London: printed by George Miller for Thomas Vnderhill, 1644
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.
But then afterwards, if men still remain refractory, then the Magistrate hath a power to compel to the external means of faith, though the Magistrate cannot ad fidem cogere, compel to believe; and no man doth credere invitus, believe against his will, all this is true, yet notwithstanding he may compel to the external means of faith and of salvation, as you see all the Magistrates in the Old Testament did: and Parents may do it, and ought to do it: and then why should it be denied unto a Magistrate?
But then afterwards, if men still remaine refractory, then the Magistrate hath a power to compell to the externall meanes of faith, though the Magistrate cannot ad fidem cogere, compell to beleeve; and no man doth credere invitus, beleeve against his will, all this is true, yet notwithstanding he may compell to the externall meanes of faith and of salvation, as you see all the Magistrates in the Old Testament did: and Parents may doe it, and ought to doe it: and then why should it be denied unto a Magistrate?
Again in the next place, there is a wary distinction to be made between Errors, some that overthrow fundamentals, whether directly, or indirectly, immediately or mediately, and here a great deal more severity is to be used: As, Popery, that overthrows fundamentals, directly or indirectly. Arians and Socinians, that immediately oppose the deity of Jesus Christ, and such things. Also such, that deny Magistracy, and so overthrow politic societies: So likewise Antinomians, or Autonomians, men that would overthrow the Law of God, or be a law to themselves merely without any bounds: These opinions are plainly prejudicial to piety, or to civill societies, therefore the Magistrate is to see, that such fire do not kindle, and by degrees burn, till all be consumed into ashes; but yet still he is patiently to try all fair ways of convincing before he proceedeth otherwise.
Againe in the next place, there is a wary distinction to be made between Errors, some that overthrow fundamentals, whether directly, or indirectly, immediately or mediately, and here a great deale more severity is to be used: As, Popery, that overthrowes fundamentals, directly or indirectly. Arrians and Socinians, that immediately oppose the deity of Jesus Christ, and such things. Also such, that deny Magistracy, and so overthrow politick societies: So likewise Antinomians, or Autonomians, men that would overthrow the Law of God, or be a law to themselves meerely without any bounds: These opinions are plainly prejudiciall to piety, or to civill societies, therefore the Magistrate is to see, that such fire doe not kindle, and by degrees burne, till all be consumed into ashes; but yet still he is patiently to try all faire wayes of convincing before he proceedeth otherwise.