Helps for Discovery of the Truth in Point of Toleration, Title page – To the reader
Helpes for Diſcovery of the Truth In Point of TOLERATION: BEING The judgment of that eminent Scholler Tho. Cartwright, ſometimes Divinity-Profeſſor in the Univerſity of Cambridge in the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth of happy memory, and then a famous Non-Conformiſt, for which through the tyranny of the Biſhops he ſuffered Exile. Wherein the Power and Duty of the Magiſtrate in relation to matters of Religion is diſcuſſed; as alſo whether the Judiciall Lawes given by Moſes to the Jewes are abrogate by the coming of Chriſt. More particularly in relation to ſome ſinnes, viz. Blaſphemy, Adultery, &c. Occaſionally handled in a Controverſie betweene the ſaid publike Profeſſor T. C. and Doctor Whitgift. Here alſo by the way is laid downe his judgment in the caſe of Divorce, and that the party innocent may marrie again.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Banks, at the ſigne of the Seale in Weſtminſter Hall. 1648.
To the Reader.
Chriſtian Reader,
FOr underſtanding this piece of Mr. Cartwrights, thou art to conſider, that it is an extract out of a booke of his written for a reply to the then Biſhop of Canterbury Dr. Whitgift. And finding that he unfolds many truths for the ſetling of mens judgments in theſe times, as concerning the force of the Judiciall Lawes of Moſes given to the Jewes, concerning the puniſhment of blaſphemy, adultery, &c. it was judged likely to prove uſefull to the Church of Chriſt if it were made more publike, the old Book being neer worn out of print.
The extent and continuance of the Law Morall, Ceremoniall, and Judiciall, with their ſeverall uſes, not being well conſidered, hath been the cauſe that many errors of late times have been pleaded for. Somthing of the Law was abrogated by the coming of Chriſt: this being hinted and taken hold of by the ignorant and unſtable, they underſtand it of the abrogation of all, both Ceremoniall, Judiciall and Morall, and ſo open a gap to licentiouſneſſe. Thus by confounding what ſhould be diſtinguiſht, many abſurdities have their riſe. There is ſomthing Morall among the Iudicialls, which will ſtand againſt all oppoſition. There is ſomwhat in the Morall which is abrogate to the believer, as the curſe, the condemning power, the irritating nature, &c. Qui bene diſtinguit, bene docet. I leave the clearing of ſome of theſe things to this enſuing extract: The Lord grant us diſcerning ſpirits, together with hearts to walk in the light of his truth, when we diſcerne it.