Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. VI. Of the way of the Lord to deal with Hereticks according to the Gospel.

That place of the Apostle, Tit. 3. 10, 11. A man that is an Here∣tick after the first and second Admonition reject, knowing that he that is such, is subverted and sinneth, having damnation of himself; Made some think, that Hereticks being so Admonished, can never be received into the Communion of the Faithful. But then it must be only such an obstinate Heretick as these words do set forth: otherwise, the consequence would be dreadful, if all that are led astray by Here∣tical Doctrine, should be exposed to such a severe Censure.

This Opinion, with respect to contumacious Hereticks seems to be strengthened by 1 Cor. 16. 22. If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. Where the Sentence seems irreversible in this World, as if Sinners of that kind were to be wholly left to the Judgment of Christ himself at his coming to judge the World, sith he alone knoweth both the Sins of Men, and all the aggravations thereof. But what shall we say? How few are there that love Christ? nay, how few so ever there where, his Gospel is in some measure received. But we are certain, the Jews do not love him, yet this Text hardly concerns them. For Paul speaks more hopefully of that wretched Nation, Rom. 11. 11. Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall, Salva∣tion is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to Jealousie. More safely therefore may we understand the Sentence of the Apostle; to conclude only those, who after they have known Christ; or rather, have been known of him; do withdraw their love from him, despise and deny him, or at least, but lightly esteem of him. These doubt∣less are grosly injurious to Christ, and their own Souls, and are ra∣ther to be left to the judgment of the Judge himself, then to be re∣leased by the Church his Substitute in this World.

The Apostle was not more industrious to gain the Galatians who were fallen into Heretical Opinions, than sharp and severe against those that seduced them. Gal. 5. 12. I would they were cut off which trouble you! which seems to import the irrecoverable Estate of those false Apostles, and deceitful Workers, as he elsewhere calls them.

Whom Jude calls, Trees twice dead, plucked up by the Roots: and conse∣quently uncapable of bearing fruit in Gods Vineyard for ever.

Of the same force are these two places, Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. Heb. 10. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. For when Men have destroyed a state of Faith, (in respect of themselves) trodden under foot the Son of God; counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith they were Sanctified an un∣holy thing, and thus doing despite to the Spirit of Grace; These Men cannot, (as Chrysostom notes upon the place) be twice made Chri∣stians; and there being but one Sacrifice for Sin, there remains no more for such presumptuous Hereticks as have contemned the ver∣tue thereof. For look how there was no mercy for such as DESPISED Moses's Law under two or three Witnesses; the Punishment must needs be very great to such as despise the Lord Christ himself, after they have been admonished the first, and second times.

Whether Hereticks ought to be put to Death, seems now to be happily resolved in the Negative by His Majesty Charles the Second, and his Honourable Court of Parliament, Anno 1677. Whiles by a publick Act they have worthily Repealed the Sanginary Laws, which heretofore have been Enacted, to the great prejudice of Christianity; and particularly, that Fiery Law, De Heretico comburendo. May His Majesty and great Council still proceed in such vertuous Acts, to the Glory of God, and their Peace and true Honour, both here, and to Eternity. And blessed be the Lord, that we have not occasion to write upon this bloody Subject, which is so forreign to Christia∣nity, as scarce any thing can be more. For Fire and Sword is Popish Discipline; but no Discipline of the Church of Christ.