A77844:42
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.
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.
But then there are others that are of an inferior nature, and there Austins rule is good, Saeviant illi, qui nesciunt quantis gemitibus datur vel tantillum de Deo intelligere, let them be fierce, and cruel, who know not with what sighs it is given, even to understand but a little of the truth of God: In Rom. 14. there you ⟨p. 10⟩