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Discussion of George Gillespie's Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty

Subject: GWS-9 From: Richard Bacon Date: Fri, 02 May 1997 07:56:42 -0500 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Discussion: GWS. Post 9. George Gillespie's Wholesome Severity=20 Reconciled with Christian Liberty The true resolution of a present controversy=20 concerning liberty of conscience. All text for this discussion taken from the=20 edition of this work, Copyright (c) Naphtali=20 Press 1996. Full text available at:=20 http://www.naphtali.com/naphtali +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [Part II continued. Proof from the law. This=20 and post 8 are considered key sections of WS] These are not my reasons (if it be not a word=20 or two added by way of explaining and=20 strengthening), but the substance of Piscator's=20 reasons. Unto which I add, 1. Though we have=20 clear and full scriptures in the New Testament=20 for abolishing the ceremonial law, yet we no=20 where read in all the New Testament of the=20 abolishing of the judicial law, so far as it did=20 concern the punishing of sins against the moral=20 law, of which heresy and seducing of souls is=20 one, and a great one. Once God did reveal his=20 will for punishing those sins by such and such=20 punishments. He who will hold that the=20 Christian Magistrate is not bound to inflict=20 such punishments for such sins, is bound to=20 prove that those former laws of God are=20 abolished, and to show some Scripture for it. 2. That judicial law for having two or three=20 witnesses in judgment (Deut. 19:15, Heb.=20 10:28), is transferred even with an obligation=20 to us Christians, and it concerns all judgment,=20 as well ecclesiastical as civil (Matt. 18:16; 2=20 Cor. 13:1), and some other particulars might=20 be instanced, in which are pressed and=20 enforced from the judicial law, by some who=20 yet mind not the obligation of it. To conclude=20 therefore this point, though other judicial or=20 forensical laws concerning the punishments of=20 sins against the moral law may, yea, must be=20 allowed of in Christian Republics and=20 Kingdoms; provided always, they are not=20 contrary or contradictory to God's own judicial=20 laws; yet I fear not to hold with Junius, De=20 Politi=E6 Mosis, that he who was punishable by=20 death under the judicial law, is punishable by=20 death still; and he who was not punished by=20 death then, is not to be punished by death now.=20 And so much for the first argument from the=20 Law of God. Dick Bacon Poster of the text and keeper of the order.