A89735:246
The heart of N-England rent at the blasphemies of the present generation. Or A…
The heart of N-England rent at the blasphemies of the present generation. Or A brief tractate, concerning the doctrine of the Quakers, demonstrating the destructive nature thereof, to religion, the churches, and the state, with consideration of the remedy against it. : Occasional satisfaction to objections, and confirmation of the contrary trueth. / By John Norton ...
Cambridge: printed by Samuel Green, 1659
Chapter 4: CHAP: 4. Of the Remedy against Heretical doctrines, and in particular, against the doct…
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.
Object: If it be the trueth of God which is pleaded for, it is below the trueth to stand in need of the defence of man, God can defend the cause of Religion without his help.
Answ. Whether this objection, savour more of Enchantment, then an argument, i. e. whether it be looked upon as a mere argument or doth not rather give cause, to call to mind the witchcraft practised ⟨p. 55⟩sometimes upon the Galatians, is with the Reader whose senses are exercised in discerning good & evil to consider. That a malefactor (especially such who chooseth sin rather then suffering) pleadeth for impunity, why should it seem strange? But to attempt the representing of the application of the remedy of iniquity, as iniquity. Antichristianism, persecution, is indeed a device: and that as empty of reason, as full of transgression, A piece of the sophistry of the Prince of darkness, to charm that sword into a perpetual scabbard by a fallacy, the dexterous & vigorous use whereof, puts away the evil committed from, and for the time to come, prevents the committing of evil in Israel. But Christians, especially Church-members, should not be ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor: 2.11.
Answ. Whether this obiection, savour more of Inchantment, then an argument, i. e. whether it be looked upon as a meer argument or doth not rather give cause, to call to mind the witchcraft practised ⟨p. 55⟩sometimes upon the Galatians, is with the Reader whose senses are excercised in discerning good & evill to consider. That a malefactor (especially such who chooseth sin rather then suffering) pleadeth for impunity, why should it seem strange? But to attempt the representing of the application of the remedy of iniquity, as iniquity. Antichristianism, persecution, is indeed a device: and that as empty of reason, as full of transgression, A piece of the sophistry of the Prince of darkness, to charm that sword into a perpetual scabbard by a sallacie, the dexterous & vigorous use wherof, puts away the evill committed from, and for the time to come, prevents the committing of evill in Israel. But Christians, especially Church-members, should not be ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor: 2.11.