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.
About this Item
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.
Rights/Permissions
To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
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. CXXIX.
What power Magistrates have in publike Assemblies
of Churches.
FIrst (say they) the Churches have power to assemble and con∣tinue
such Assemblies for the performance of all Gods Ordi∣nances,
without or against the consent of the Magistrate, renu∣ente
Magistratu, because
Christians are commanded so to doe, Matth. 28. 18. 19. 20.
Also because an Angel from God commanded the Apostles so
to doe, Acts 5. 20
Likewise from the practice of the Apostles, who were not re∣bellious
or seditious, yet they did so, Act. 4. 18. 19. 20. Act. 5.
27 28.
Further from the practice of the Primitive Church at Jeru∣salem,
who did meet, preach, pray, minister Sacraments, censures,
Act. 4. 23. renuente Magistratu.
descriptionPage 225
Moreover from the exhortation to the Hebrewes, 10. 25. not
to forsake their Assemblies, though it were in dangerous times, and
if they might doe this under professed Enemies, then we may
much more under Christian Magistrates; else we were worse un∣der
Christian Magistrates then Heathen: therefore Magistrates
may not hinder them herein, as Pharaoh did the people from sa∣crificing,
for Wrath will be upon the Realme, and the King and
his Sons, Ez•••• 7. 23.
Secondly, it hath been a usurpation of forraigne Countries and
Magistrates to take upon them to determine times and places of
Worship: rather let the Churches be left herein to their inof∣fensive
Libertie.
Thirdly, concerning their power of Synod Assemblies:
First in corrupt times, the Magistrate desirous to make Refor∣mation
of Religion, may and should call those who are most fit in
severall Churches, to assemble together in a Synod, to discusse
and declare from the Word of God, matters of Doctrine and
Worship, and to helpe forward the Reformation of the Churches
God: Thus did Iosiah.
Secondly, in the reformed times he ought to give Libertie to
the Elders of severall Churches to assemble themselves by their
owne mutuall and voluntary agreement, at convenient times, as
the meanes appointed by God, whereby he may mediately reform
matters amisse in Churches, which immediately he cannot nor
ought not to doe.
Thirdly, Those meetings for this end we conceive may be of
two sorts.
1. Monthly, of some of the Elders and Messengers of the
Churches.
2. Annuall, of all the Messengers and Elders of the Chur∣ches.
First monthly of some: First, those members of Churches which
are neerest together, and so may most conveniently assemble to∣gether,
may by mutuall agreement once in a moneth consult of
such things as make for the good of the Churches.
Secondly, the time of this meeting may be sometimes at one
place, sometimes at another, upon the Lecture day of every
Church where Lectures are: and let the Lecture that day be en∣ded
by eleven of the clock.
descriptionPage 226
Thirdly, let the end of this Assembly be to doe nothing by
way of Authoritie, but by way of Councell, as the need of
Churches shall require.
Secondly Annuall, of all the Elders within our jurisdiction or o∣thers,
whereto the Churches may send once in the yeare to con∣sult
together for the publike welfare of all the Churches.
First, let the place be sometimes at one Church, sometimes at
another, as Reasons for the present may require.
Secondly, let all the Churches send their waighty questions
and cases six weeks or a month before the set time, to the Church
where the Assembly is to be held, and the Officers thereof dis∣perse
them speedily to all the Churches, that so they may have
time to come prepared to the discussing of them.
Thirdly, let this Assembly doe nothing by Authoritie, but only
by Councell, in all cases which fall out, leaving the determinati∣on
of all things to particular Churches within themselves, who
are to judge, and so to receive all doctrines and directions agree∣ing
only with the Word of God.
The grounds of these Assemblies.
First, need of each others helpe, in regard of dayly emergent
troubles, doubts, and controversies.
Secondly, love of each others fellowship.
Thirdly, of Gods glory out of a publike spirit to seeke the wel∣fare
of the Churches, as well as their owne, 1 Cor. 10 33. 2 Cor.
11. 23.
Fourthly, The great blessing and speciall presence of God upon
such Assemblies hitherto.
Fifthly, the good Report the Elders and Brethren of Churches
shall have hereby, by whose communion of Love others shall
know they are the Disciples of Christ.