A86009:65
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.
But 2.1 when the Apostle saith so, he doth not exclude all manner of doubting, as the Casuists well observe, but only practical doubts: for a man may have his conscience morally and practically certain, so that he may do such a thing lawfully, and with confidence that he is doing the will of God, and yet withal he may be perhaps fluctuating in some speculative doubts concerning that very thing. For instance: a Christian may come to the Lords Table with so much faith (I mean not now the faith of the person ⟨p. 24⟩which justifieth before God, but the faith of that action) as maketh his coming lawful, though his thoughts be exercised with some doubts concerning the truth of his repentance and faith. A soldier may in faith go out to war, being assured that what he doth he may do without sin, but yet he hath happily his own speculative doubts concerning the nature, causes, and ends of the war. A man may with freedom and persuasion of mind (so far as concerneth his practice) submit to Presbyterial government, who yet perhaps hath not throughly satisfied himself concerning the grounds and warrants which it hath from the word of God.
But 2.1 when the Apostle saith so, he doth not exclude all manner of doubting, as the Casuists well observe, but only practicall doubts: for a man may have his conscience morally and practically certaine, so that he may doe such a thing lawfully, and with confidence that he is doing the will of God, and yet withall he may be perhaps fluctuating in some speculative doubts concerning that very thing. For instance: a Christian may come to the Lords Table with so much faith (I meane not now the faith of the person ⟨p. 24⟩which justifieth before God, but the faith of that action) as maketh his comming lawfull, though his thoughts be exercised with some doubts concerning the truth of his repentance and faith. A souldier may in faith goe out to warre, being assured that what he doth he may doe without sinne, but yet he hath happily his owne speculative doubts concerning the nature, causes, and ends of the warre. A man may with freedome and perswasion of minde (so farre as concerneth his practice) submit to Presbyteriall government, who yet perhaps hath not throughly satisfied himselfe concerning the grounds and warrants which it hath from the word of God.