VI. There is but one truth, one way to heaven: there would be no hope that more persons should be led into it, if they were under a necessity to embrace the religion of their rulers, whatever it may be. Salvation in this case would depend on the place of nativity. Answer. There is but one truth and one church, which God has distinguished from falsehood and error by manifest signs. The magistrate's right only extends to the defence and propagation of this true religion: the subject's duty of obedience is also limited to it. VII. The church is a purely voluntary society, for no man is by nature a member of the church. He joins the society he judges most acceptable to God, and if he finds any thing wrong in it, he ought to be at liberty to leave it. Answer. No man can forsake the church without committing a grievous sin. The civil magistrate may reasonably restrain such men by temporal penalties, in order to prevent them from disturbing the weak brethren, and troubling the church. VIII. From the voluntary nature of the church it follows that its laws must be made by itself alone. Answer. Are all voluntary societies exempted from the authority of the state, and unprotected by the law? It is certain that many voluntary associations for various objects are both protected and regulated by the state. IX. No sect has a right to assume dominion over another nor is it to be said that the orthodox has authority over the heretical; because each asserts itself to be orthodox, and there is no earthly judge to decide on their claims. Answer. The church never claims dominion over those "that are without," but she has authority over her own children when they rebel. God has himself distinguished his true religion and church sufficiently from all heresies. To assert the contrary would be to deny in fact that God designs his church to be the way of salvation, and to dispute whether there be any true church. X. The points in discussion between the church and those who separate, are frequently matters of small importance, concerning rites, habits, &c. Why should men be blamed for omitting such trifling matters? Answer. Because they reject them on the principle that all human rites in religious service are sinful: and thus condemn the church universal in all ages, and "spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they may bring us into bondage." Therefore we are bound, in defence of the rights and liberties of the church, not "to give place by subjection" to such men, "no not for an hour." XI. Since churches are free societies, and since what is practised in them is only justifiable in so far as it is believed by those who practise it to be acceptable to God, the magistrate has no right to enforce any rites or ceremonies in the worship of God. Therefore the Acts of Uniformity are unjust. Answer. The church only adopts such rites and ceremonies as she judges pleasing to God, or lawful: the civil magistrate enforces them, in order to confirm her resolutions and to support her authority. XII. Speculative articles of faith ought not to be imposed on any church by law; because it is not in man's power to believe at pleasure, and a mere external profession cannot put men in the way of salvation. Therefore the act enjoining subscription to the Articles is unjust. VOL. II. B b Answer. It may be very useful to the church that evil men shall not be permitted to teach errors, especially within her communion, which (if allowed) would often involve her in great difficulties and dangers. The repression of such men is not so much for their benefit, as for that of the community. |