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THE TRUE RESOLUTION of a present Controversie concer∣ning Liberty of Conscience.
COncerning this Question there are three opi∣nions; two extreams, and one in the middle. So it is resolved not only by D. Voetius, in his late Disputations De libertate conscientiae, but long before by Calvin, in his Refuta∣tion of the errours of Servetus, where he disputeth this very question, Whether Christian Judges may lawfully punish Hereticks.
The first opinion is that of the Papists, who hold it to be not only no sin, but good service to God, to extirpate by fire and sword, all that are adversaries to, or opposers of the Church and Catholick Religion.* 1.1 Upon this ground Grego∣rius de Valentia tells us there were 180. of the Albigenses burnt under Pope Innocentius the third; and in the Councell of Constance were burnt John Hus and Hierome of Pragus.
Suarez de triplice virtute, Tract. 1. disp. 23. sect. 2. layeth downe these Assertions. 1. That all Hereticks who after sufficient instruction and admonition, still persist in their error, are to be without mercy put to death. 2. That all im∣penitent Hereticks, though they professe to be Catholicks, being convict of heresie, are to be put to death. 3. That re∣lapsing Hereticks, though penitent, are to be put to death