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Ne suitor ultra crepidam. Or Brief animadversions upon the New-England Anabaptists late fallacious narrativeNe sutor ultra crepidam. Or Brief animadversions upon the New-England Anabaptists late fallacious narrative
Ne suitor ultra crepidam. Or Brief animadversions upon the New-England Anabaptists late fallacious narrative; wherein the notorious mistakes and falsehoods by them published, are detected. / By Samuel Willard teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Eight lines of Scripture texts]Ne sutor ultra crepidam. Or Brief animadversions upon the New-England Anabaptists late fallacious narrative; wherein the notorious mistakes and falshoods by them published, are detected. / By Samuel Willard teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Eight lines of Scripture texts]
printed by S. Green, 1681
Brief Animadversions Upon the New England Anabaptists late Narrativ… › Section 7
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.
Their great Sufferings are of two forts.
1. In Estate, and Liberties, of which we must not expect a particular account, & are charitably to think it is because they are tender of our reputation: but errorsly in generals, a particular account might have been more satisfying. These things look directly upon our Magistracy, in vindication of them a word will suffice. Two things take ⟨p. 11⟩up this discourse; The persecution, and the success.
1. The persecution is compendiously represented. Some of […] were oftentimes brought before Councils, &c.] (I suppose they allude to Mat. 10. 17.) To which let this be taken as a Reply, viz. that as the Honoured Magistrates here are Christian, so have they judged it their duty to maintain the ways of Christ, and strengthen them by civil Laws, which hath not only been the practice of Reformers of old, but the constant Judgement of the Church of Christ ever since the Apostles. If evil minded men will take this advantage to oppress the truth, it is no more then may be done in all other cases: & as it is thought no good plea to keep the Scriptures from the laity, lest they should learn to be Heretics; so neither to deny the Magistrate his due power on supposition that he may abuse it. On this Principle our worthy Rulers have made Laws against many Sects and Intruders, and among the rest the Anabaptists. That in quelling the Anabaptists they do not oppose the truth, but suppress Error they are fully persuaded: and although they never pretended to a Lordship over mens Consciences, yet they account the outward man is subject to them: and if we must tarry till all men are agreed about what is truth before we oppose Error, we shall stay till there is no need […]. For the progress of our Magistracy in the execution of these Laws, they have been so far from a violent, eager, or willing taking advantage against these men, that (notwithstanding their opprobrious speeches when they have been before them, their scornful carriages, and purposed endeavours to irritate them by insolent challenges) they have always proceeded slowly, tenderly, far on this side the Law, as those who sought not to ruin either their Names, Liberties, or Estates. How often when fines have been laid upon them, have they stopped the Execution? if any have been imprisoned, it hath been but when dared to it: and though once a Sentence of Banishment did pass upon two of their Ring-leaders (heady violent men) yet then they neglected, and scorned to take notice of it (resolving to run utmost hazards) neither was this improved as any advantage against them. Nor is it to be wondered that our Governors have been opposite in particular to these men, since, if they could get head among us, they would certainly undermine the Churches, ruin Order, destroy piety, and introduce profaneness.