A80614:13
The controversy concerning liberty of conscience in matters of religion, truly stated, and distinctly…The controversie concerning liberty of conscience in matters of religion, truly stated, and distinctly…
The controversy concerning liberty of conscience in matters of religion, truly stated, and distinctly and plainly handled, by Mr. John Cotton of Boston in New-England. By way of answer to some arguments to the contrary sent unto him, wherein you have, against all cavils of turbulent spirits, clearly manifested, wherein liberty of conscience in matters of religion ought to be permitted, and in what cases it ought not, by the said Mr. Cotton.The controversie concerning liberty of conscience in matters of religion, truly stated, and distinctly and plainly handled, by Mr. John Cotton of Boston in New-England. By way of answer to some arguments to the contrary sent unto him, vvherein you have, against all cavils of turbulent spirits, clearly manifested, wherein liberty of conscience in matters of religion ought to be permitted, and in what cases it ought not, by the said Mr. Cotton.
London: printed for Thomas Banks, 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 the reason seems to be because they who now are Tares may hereafter become Wheat; they who now are blind may hereafter see, they that now resist him may hereafter receive him; they that are now in the Devils snare by adverseness from the truth, may hereafter come to repentance, they who are now persecutors and blasphemers (as Paul was) may in time become faithful as he did, they that are Idolaters as the Corinthians once were, (1 Cor. 6.9) may hereafter become true worshippers as they; and they that are now no people of God nor under mercy (as the Saints sometimes were) 1 Pet. 2.20. may hereafter become the people of God and obtain mercy as they. Some come not till the 11. hour. Math. 20.26. if those that come not till the last hour should be destroyed because they come not at the first, then should they never come but be prevented: Thus for the Argument from Scripture.
And the reason seems to be because they who now are Tares may hereafter become Wheat; they who now are blind may hereafter see, they that now resist him may hereafter receive him; they that are now in the Devils snare by adversenesse from the truth, may hereafter come to repentance, they who are now persecuters and blasphemers (as Paul was) may in time become faithfull as he did, they that are Idolaters as the Corinthians once were, (1 Cor. 6.9) may hereafter become true worshippers as they; and they that are now no people of God nor under mercy (as the Saints sometimes were) 1 Pet. 2.20. may hereafter become the people of God and obtaine mercy as they. Some come not till the 11. houre. Math. 20.26. if those that come not till the last houre should be destroyed because they come not at the first, then should they never come but be prevented: Thus for the Argument from Scripture.