A86009:60
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.
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.
But the liberty of conscience which he pleadeth for, runs a farre greater hazard, even the hazard of not only shaking but overturning truth, and peace, and religion, and ordinances, and Church, and soules, and all. To the ruine of all these, and to a thousand mischiefes, this kinde of liberty prepareth a broad way, and openeth a wide doore; and it is better, as he said, to live where nothing is lawfull, then where every thing is lawfull.
3. It follows not that because Parliaments may not presume of an unerring spirit, therefore they cannot be certain that they are in the truth concerning this or that particular, so that they may confidently compel men to it, without fear of fighting against God. The acknowledgement of a possibility of error, and that we know but in part as long as we are in this world, may well consist with mens fullness of persuasion from the light of Gods word, concerning this or that truth to be believed, or duty to be done.