Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
... An householder knoweth that faith is the gift of God; and yet notwithstanding, he instructeth his children in the word of truth, he chargeth them to go to church, to pray for faith, and to learn it at the preacher’s mouth. A good father would think much, yea, he would not think well of it, if his son should say: Father, I pray you, teach me not, send me not so much to church, and beat me not if I be not there; for faith is the gift of God, which whipping cannot bring me to. Then what man can quietly abide to hear that faith is the gift of God, and that therefore no man ought for faith, that is, for the corruption of faith and open blasphemy, to suffer any punishment? ...
For more, see Henry Bullinger on the distinction between punishing blasphemy and converting with the sword.
For more, see Henry Bullinger on the distinction between punishing blasphemy and converting with the sword.