A86009:85
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.
Fifthly, we must distinguish the persons who are in the ⟨p. 35⟩Error, whether Heresiarchs and ring-leaders, or whether followers only, and such as do actiagere; whether schismatizing, or schismatized; whether more weak, or more wilful; whether seducers, or seduced; whether pious, or profane, or Pharisaical; whether peaceable, moderate, calm, docile, or turbulent, factious, fierce, railing, obstinate, incorrigible. So that when the thing is brought from the Thesis to the Hypothesis, there is very much to be trusted to the prudence, circumspection, and observation of those who are in authority,1 to set apart those for punishment who resist Reformation, as Jannes and Jambres did resist Moses, 2 Tim. 3. 8. and are said to trouble the Churches, Act. 15. 24. Gal. 1. 7. & 5. 12. and to trouble them more or less, as they are more or less troublers of Israel. Let not the Magistrate fear to say to every Achan, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day, Jos. 7. 25. Other seduced ones the Magistrate is to command sub poena, and cause them stand to the Covenant of God, as Josiah did, if they cannot be persuaded to do it willingly. If the Magistrate miscarry in a misapplication of his coercive power, let him answer to God and his conscience for his error. It is not in my thoughts either to plead for or allow of the persecuting of pious and peaceable men.
Fifthly, we must distinguish the persons who are in the ⟨p. 35⟩Error, whether Heresiarchs and ring-leaders, or whether followers only, and such as do actiagere; whether schismatizing, or schismatized; whether more weake, or more wilfull; whether seducers, or seduced; whether pious, or prophane, or Pharisaicall; whether peaceable, moderate, calme, docile, or turbulent, factious, fierce, railing, obstinate, incorrigible. So that when the thing is brought from the Thesis to the Hypothesis, there is very much to be trusted to the prudence, circumspection, and observation of those who are in authority,