A86009:74
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. That prophecy concerning the Christian Church, Isa. 11. 9. is not to be understood generally, as the word soundeth, for then adulterers, murderers, &c. are not to be hurt and destroyed by the Christian Magistrate. The meaning therefore is, that those who have formerly been as Lions & Wolves to the poor Lambs of Christ, shall either be renewed and changed in their nature, or (which is more probable) shall be so restrained and overawed by the power and providence of God, that it shall not be in their power to hurt or destroy any of the Saints for the truth or the Gospels sake. [Greek or Hebrew], Neither shall they be able to destroy any: So the Septuagints. God shall so preserve and protect his Church, that she shall be like a Lamb among Wolves, or like a Kid among Leopards, or like a Child putting his hand on the Cockatrice den, and yet shall not be hurt nor destroyed thereby. And as this prophecy guardeth and protecteth none but those who are in Gods holy Mountain, professors and lovers of the Gospel, and the ordinances of Jesus Christ: So our Lord Christs rebuke, Luke 9. 54, 55. striketh not against any just and necessary severity, but against a private vindictive spirit, and carnal blind zeal: It being the purpose of Christ, then, most of all other times, not to exercise violence, (as tyrants do in conquering new dominions) but to conquer and subdue souls by his doctrine and miracles, with a spirit of ⟨p. 30⟩meekness, especially having to do with the Samaritans, or any other who had never yet known nor received the Gospel. Even those who say most for a coercive power to be put forth against Heretics and Schismatics, do not allow of the compelling of Infidels, Pagans, or Jews, by external punishments to receive the Gospel.
Answ. That prophecy concerning the Christian Church, Isa. 11. 9. is not to be understood generally, as the word soundeth, for then adulterers, murtherers, &c. are not to be hurt and destroyed by the Christian Magistrate. The meaning therefore is, that those who have formerly been as Lions & Wolves to the poor Lambs of Christ, shall either be renewed and changed in their nature, or (which is more probable) shal be so restrained and overawed by the power and providence of God, that it shal not be in their power to hurt or destroy any of the Saints for the truth or the Gospels sake. , Neither shall they bee able to destroy any: So the Septuagints. God shall so preserve and protect his Church, that she shall be like a Lamb among Wolves, or like a Kid among Leopards, or like a Childe putting his hand on the Cockatrice den, and yet shall not be hurt nor destroyed thereby. And as this prophecie guardeth and protecteth none but those who are in Gods holy Mountaine, professors and lovers of the Gospel, and the ordinances of Jesus Christ: So our Lord Christs rebuke,