A92855:53
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.
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⟩the former consideration, Infidels and Jews may be reputed Heretics; but in this latter consideration, only he is so to be reputed, who was reckoned amongst the number of Christians professing the faith: If the Infidel and Jew deny Jesus Christ to be a Saviour of sinners, though this be a great sin, yet it is not (strictly considered) an heresy, because neither the one nor the other ever embraced or professed the Gospel: But if a Christian professing the Gospel doth this, in him it is heresy.
4. To make the erroneous opinion to be hereticall, it is necessary (as to the person who holds it) that he be a professed Christian, one who is vinculo fidei obstrictus, as some doe 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 Heretiques? Unto which it is answered, that one may be styled hereticall, 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 hereticall 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⟩the former consideration, Infidels and Jews may bee reputed Heretiques; but in this latter consideration, onely he is so to be reputed, who was reckoned amongst the number of Christians professing the faith: If the Infidel and Jew deny Jesus Christ to be a Saviour of sinners, though this be a great sin, yet it is not (strictly considered) an heresie, because neither the one nor the other ever embraced or professed the Gospel: But if a Christian professing the Gospel doth this, in him it is heresie.