A92855:52
The nature and danger of heresies, opened in a sermon before the Honourable House…
The nature and danger of heresies, opened in a sermon before the Honourable House of Commons, January 27. 1646. at Margarets Westminster, being the day of their solemn monthly fast. / By Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Minister of Gods Word at Covent-Garden.The nature and danger of heresies, opened in a sermon before the Honourable House of Commons, Ianuary 27. 1646. at Margarets Westminster, being the day of their solemn monthly fast. / By Obadiah Sedgvvick, B.D. Minister of Gods Word at Covent-Garden.
London: printed by M.F. for Samuel Gellibrand, 1647
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.
3. If the erroneous opinion be against any one particular doctrinal necessary truth, even that particular error will amount to heresy: Indeed number (if I may so speak) is requisite to apostasy, but any particular necessity of a truth to our salvation (if opposed) is sufficient for heresy: The Apostate turns his back from the whole truth, the Heretic grapples with some truth, but denies other truth: And therefore though a person still retains an assent consonant to many truths, nay to most truths, nay to all except one necessary truth, yet if his erroneous opinion be subversive of that one, his error will come to heresy.
3. If the erroneous opinion be against any one particular doctrinall necessary truth, even that particular errour will amount to heresie: Indeed number (if I may so speak) is requisite to apostasie, but any particular necessity of a truth to our salvation (if opposed) is sufficient for heresie: The Apostate turns his back from the whole truth, the Heretique grapples vvith some truth, but denies other truth: And therefore though a person still retaines an assent consonant to many truths, nay to most truths, nay to all except one necessary truth, yet if his erroneous opinion be subversive of that one, his errour will come to heresie.
4. To make the erroneous opinion to be heretical, it is necessary (as to the person who holds it) that he be a professed Christian, one who is vinculo fidei obstrictus, as some do word it: It is a question put by Schoolmen and others, whether Infidels, Pagans, and Jews, who hold opinions contrary unto, and subversive of the faith, are to be reputed Heretics? Unto which it is answered, that one may be styled heretical, either, 1. Materially, as when his opinion for the matter and substance of it, is contrary to the faith, and subverting of the foundation; 2. Or else formally, as when not only the substance of the opinion is heretical and opposite to the Christian faith, but also it is maintained by one who hath formerly engaged himself to the profession and maintenance of the faith; In ⟨p. 12⟩