Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty. Or, the true resolution of a present controversy…VVholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty. Or, the true resolution of a present controversie…

Now the necessity of a Heretics judging thus, because his reason concludeth him thus, is not a moral necessity or obligation upon him, as if it were not lawful to him to judge or do otherwise, (nay he ought and is bound by the word of God to judge otherwise, and do otherwise) but it is a natural necessity, (I mean of sinful nature) and that not simple and absolute, neither, but hypothetical only, and upon this supposition that he hath not yet opened his eyes to receive more light, nor set his heart singly and in the fear of God to seek more light. So that the plain English of this Samaritan argument is this: Though Gods word bindeth a man to such a duty, yet if his own erroneous, perverse and corrupt judgement conclude him so far that his opinion cannot agree with the word of God, and himself cannot be brought to the practice of that necessary duty; such a man ought not to be punished. Or as if one should argue thus: He that hath borrowed from me a thousand pound, hath by his own fault disabled himself to pay it: therefore I may not call him to an account for it.

Now the necessity of a Hereticks judging thus, because his reason concludeth him thus, is not a morall necessity or obligation upon him, as if it were not lawfull to him to judge or doe otherwise, (nay he ought and is bound by the word of God to judge otherwise, and doe otherwise) but it is a naturall necessity, (I meane of sinfull nature) and that not simple and absolute, neither, but hypotheticall only, and upon this supposition that he hath not yet opened his eyes to receive more light, nor set his heart singly and in the feare of God to seeke more light. So that the plaine English of this Samaritan argument is this: Though Gods word bindeth a man to such a duty, yet if his owne erroneous, perverse and corrupt judgement conclude him so farre that his opinion cannot agree with the word of God, and himselfe cannot be brought to the practice of that necessary duty; such a man ought not to be punished. Or as if one should argue thus: He that hath borrowed from me a thousand pound, hath by his owne fault disabled himselfe to pay it: therefore I may not call him to an account for it.

But let us see whether this Samaritan be happier in his second argument. Which is this: It's known that the Fathers, General Councils, National Assemblies, Synods and Parliaments in their times have been most grossly mistaken: and though the present times be wiser then the former, &c. yet since there remains a possibility of error, notwithstanding never so great presumptions to the contrary, one sort of men are not to compel another,