A Free Disputation Against Pretended Liberty of Conscience #14 - Samuel Rutherford

This audio file contains Chapters 24.

Chapter 24. Whether punishing of seducing teachers, be inconsistent with the meekness of Christ, place Luke 9:54 disused.

The Lord's not burning Samaria with fire from heaven, Luke 9, is no color for pretended toleration.

The case of Elias calling for fire from heaven, and of the Apostles, much different.

The meekness of Christ being extended to publicans, extortioners, and harlots, doth as well conclude, such ought not to be punished by the magistrate, as that false teachers ought not to be punished by him.

By places from the meekness of Christ, Socinians labor to prove the magistrate is to shed no blood under the New Testament.

Christ's not breaking the bruised reed, would prove that heretics are gracious persons though weak in saving grace, and lovingly cherished by Christ, if place Isaiah 42, Matthew 12:19, 20 help the adversaries.

Christ's meekness not inconsistent with his justice.

Rash judgment condemned I Corinthians 4:5, 6, is nothing for pretended toleration.

That many through the corruption of their own heart, render hypocritical obedience because of the sword, proveth nothing against the use of the sword to coerce false teachers.

Matters of religion ought to be enacted by the law of princes and Christian rulers, that such as contravene may be punished.

Laws of rulers in matters of religion do only bind the outward man.

The false teacher is not to be sent to the church and pastors thereof, that he may be convinced before he be punished.

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