A95413:28
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is…
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Twice D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more public edification.The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Tvvisse D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more publick edification.
London: printed for Thomas Matthews, 1652
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.
2. If it be objected unto them, that ⟨image 9⟩they wilfully, and against their consciences do condemn the Lutheran Tenets, and confirm their own: They will answer, That this were a very grievous sin, and that men ought not to presume that they would falsify and corrupt the Letters and Commands of their Lord to his sons and subjects, much less that they do maliciously err and lead themselves and others into the danger of their salvation; and to say the truth, it is not likely that so many hundred thousands of men would come to that pitch of malice, though one should, especially seeing they dare confirm their honest meaning with an Oath; wherefore unless they be convinced of maliciously-wilful error, we shall seem injuriously to slander them.
2. If it be objected unto them, that ⟨image 9⟩they wilfully, and against their consciences doe condemn the Lutheran Tenents, and confirm their own: They will answer, That this were a very grievous sin, and that men ought not to presume that they would falsifie and corrupt the Letters and Commands of their Lord to his sons and subjects, much less that they do maliciously erre and lead themselves and others into the danger of their salvation; and to say the truth, it is not likely that so many hundred thousands of men would come to that pitch of malice, though one should, especially seeing they dare confirm their honest meaning with an Oath; wherefore unless they be convinced of maliciously-wilfull error, we shall seem injuriously to slander them.
3. It may be objected, Perhaps they be fore-stalled with preconceived opinions. I answer. How? You will say they accustom themselves from their cradles to their own Religion, forsaking the Bible and other Books. ⟨image 9⟩I answer. This is true in Popery, but not in Calvinists, and others which urge the Bible more than we do. These have more freedom than we have to the other Religions. Do not the children of the Lutherans also inure themselves to their Religion from their childhood? Do they learn a Popish or Calvinistical Catechism, before they have learned a Lutheran one? Is not that a mans Religion to which he accustoms himself? How doth a child or a Lay-man, that hath been taught no Religion, know what is Lutheranism, or Calvinism? Doth he not take that Religion which is first offered to him? Besides, no fore-conceited Opinion is so fast rooted, but that it will give place to clear demonstrations, which is confessed among all. Therefore we shall never be able to confute any Religion with the Objection of fore-conceived opinions.