A86009:59
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…
Wholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty. Or, the true resolution of a present controversy concerning liberty of conscience. Here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyranny and schismatizing liberty approved, and also confirmed from Scripture, and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches: the chief arguments and exceptions used in The bloody tenet, The compassionate Samaritan, M.S. to A.S. &c. examined. Eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter. And in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather then toleration. Imprimatur. Ja. Cranford. Decemb 16. 1644.VVholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty. Or, the true resolution of a present controversie concerning liberty of conscience. Here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyrannie and schismatizing liberty approved, and also confirmed from Scripture, and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches: the chiefe arguments and exceptions used in The bloudy tenent, The compassionate samaritane, M.S. to A.S. &c. examined. Eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter. And in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather then toleration. Imprimatur. Ia. Cranford. Decemb 16. 1644.
London: printed for Christopher Meredith, 1645
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.
Answ. 1. Farewell Parliaments, if this argument hold good. The Parliament may fine no man, imprison no man, banish no man: they may compel no man to Assessments, Taxes, Excise, Billeting of Soldiers &c. And why forsooth? because they may not presume of an infallible and unerring spirit, but may err, and have erred as well as other men.
Answ. 1. Farewell Parliaments, if this argument hold good. The Parliament may fine no man, imprison no man, banish no man: they may compell no man to Assessements, Taxes, Excise, Billeting of Souldiers &c. And why forsooth? because they may not presume of an infallible and unerring spirit, but may erre, and have erred as well as other men.
2 He argueth from the hazard of compulsion, it may fall out that he who is in the truth may be constrained and persecuted. True: it may fall out so; and the Lord save us that we never be accessary to the persecuting of any who is in the truth, for so it may be again through mens corruption and abuse of the magistrates power, (so the best things may be abused.)
2 He argueth from the hazard of compulsion, it may fall out that he who is in the truth may be constrained and persecuted. True: it may fall out so; and the Lord save us that we never be accessary to the persecuting of any who is in the truth, for so it may be againe through mens corruption and abuse of the magistrates power, (so the best things may be abused.)
But the liberty of conscience which he pleadeth for, runs a far greater hazard, even the hazard of not only shaking but overturning truth, and peace, and religion, and ordinances, and Church, and souls, and all. To the ruin of all these, and to a thousand mischiefs, this kind of liberty prepareth a broad way, and openeth a wide door; and it is better, as he said, to live where nothing is lawful, then where every thing is lawful.