A letter written to my Lord Russel in Newgate, the twentieth of July, 1683
About this Item
- Title
- A letter written to my Lord Russel in Newgate, the twentieth of July, 1683
- Author
- Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
- Publication
- London :: Printed for R. Baldwin ...,
- 1683.
- Rights/Permissions
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- Subject terms
- Russell, William, -- Lord, 1639-1683.
- Broadsides -- England -- London -- 17th century
- Link to this Item
-
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A62569.0001.001
- Cite this Item
-
"A letter written to my Lord Russel in Newgate, the twentieth of July, 1683." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A62569.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 18, 2024.
Pages
Page 1
A LETTER Written to my Lord Russel IN NEWGATE, The Twentieth of July, 1683.
MY LORD,
I Was heartily glad to see your Lordship this Morning in that calm and devout temper at the Receiving of the Blessed Sacrament; but Peace of mind unless it be well-grounded will avail little: And because transient Discourse many times hath little effect for want of time to weigh and consider it, therefore in tender compassion of your Lord∣ships Case, and from all the good will that one man can bear to another, I do humbly offer to your Lordships deliberate thoughts these following Considerations concerning the points of Resistance. If our Religion and Rights should be invaded, as your Lordship puts the Case, concerning which I understand by Dr. B. that your Lordship had once received Satisfaction, and am sorry to find a change.
Page 2
First, That the Christian Religion doth plainly forbid the Resistance of Authority.
Secondly, That though our Religion be Established by Law, (which your Lordship urges as a difference between our Case, and that of the Primitive Christians) yet in the same Law which Establishes our Religion it is declared, That it is not Lawful upon any pretence whatsoever to take up Arms, &c. Besides that, there is a particular Law declaring the power of the Militia to be solely in the King. And that ties the hands of Subjects, though the Law of Nature and the General Rules of Scripture had left us at liberty; which I believe they do not, because the Government and Peace of Humane Society could not well subsist upon these Terms.
Thirdly, Your Lordships opinion is contrary to the decla∣red Doctrin of all Protestant Churches; and though some particular Persons have taught otherwise, yet they have been contradicted herein and condemned for it by the Generali∣ty of Protestants. And I beg your Lordship to consider how it will agree with an avowed asserting of the Protestant Re∣ligion, to go contrary to the General Doctrine of Prote∣stants. My end in this is to convince your Lordship that you are in a very Great and Dangerous Mistake, and being so convinced, that which before was a Sin of Ignorance, will appear of much more heinous Nature, as in Truth it is, and call for a very particular and deep Repentance; which if your Lordship sincerely exercise upon the sight of your Er∣ror, by a Penitent Acknowledgment of it to God and Men, you will not only obtain Forgiveness of God, but prevent a mighty Scandal to the Reformed Religion. I am very loath to give your Lordship any disquiet in the Distress you are in, which I commiserate from my heart, but am much more con∣cerned, that you do not leave the World in a Delusion and false Peace, to the hinderance of your Eternal Happiness. I heartily Pray for you, and beseech your Lordship to believe that I am with the greatest Sincerity and Compassion in the World,
My Lord,
Your Lordships most Faithful and Afflicted Servant, J. Tillotson.