The blovdy tenent, of persecution, for cause of conscience, discussed, in a conference betweene trvth and peace vvho, in all tender affection, present to the high court of Parliament, as the result of their discourse, these, amongst other passages, of highest consideration.
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Title
The blovdy tenent, of persecution, for cause of conscience, discussed, in a conference betweene trvth and peace vvho, in all tender affection, present to the high court of Parliament, as the result of their discourse, these, amongst other passages, of highest consideration.
Author
Williams, Roger, 1604?-1683.
Publication
London :: [s.n.],
1644.
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Subject terms
Religious tolerance -- History -- 17th century.
Cite this Item
"The blovdy tenent, of persecution, for cause of conscience, discussed, in a conference betweene trvth and peace vvho, in all tender affection, present to the high court of Parliament, as the result of their discourse, these, amongst other passages, of highest consideration." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A66445.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 30, 2024.
Pages
CHAP. LXIII.
NOw thirdly, in that the Answerer observeth, that amongst the
Romane Emperours, they that did not persecute, were Iulian the
Apostate, and Valens the Arrian; whereas the good Emperours,
Constantine, Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius, they did persecute
the Arrians, Donatists, &c.
Answ. It is no new thing for godly and eminently godly men,
to performe ungodly actions: nor for ungodly persons, for wicked
ends to act what in it selfe is good and righteous.
Abraham, Iacob, David Salomon, &c. (as well as Lamech, Saul,
&c.) lived in constant transgression against the institution of so holy
and so ratified a Law of Mariage, &c. and this not against the light
and checks of conscience, (as other sinnes are wont to be recorded
descriptionPage 95
of them) but according to the dictate and perswasion of a Resolved
Soule and Conscience.
David out of zeale to God, with 30 thousand of Israel, and Maje∣sticall
solemnity, carries up the Arke, contrary to the Order God
was pleased to appoint: the issue was both Gods and Davids great
offence•• 2 Sam. 6.
David in his zeale would build an house to entertaine his God?
what more pious? and what more (in shew) serio••sly consulted,
when the Prophet Nathan is admitted Councellour? 2 Sam. 7.
And probable it is, that his slaughter of Vriiah was not without
a good end, to wit, to prevent the dishonour of Gods name, in the
discoverrie of his Adulterie with Bathsheba: yet David was holy
and precious to God still, (though like a jewell fallen into the dirt)
whereas K. Ahab, though acting his fasting & humiliation, was but
Ahab still, though his Act (in it selfe) was a duty, and found suc∣cesse
with God.
Notes
The Godly somotimes e∣vill actors, and the Ungodly good actors. Poligamie, or the many wives of the Fathers.