saith one of him and of those who were taken one hundred and eighty were burned to death because they wâ—… 〈◊〉 abjure their Doctrine this was the first Example of putting erring Persons to death that I sind in the Romish Church By this time I hope it will not be thought unreasonable to say He that teaches mercy to erring Persons teaches indifferency in Religion unless so many Fathers and so many Churches and the best of Emperors and all the World till they were abused by Tyranny Popery and faction did teach indifferency For I have shewn that Christianity doth not punish corporally persons erring Spiritually but indeed Popery doth The Donatists and Circumcelians and Arrians and Itaciani they of old did in the middle Ages the Patrons of Images did and the Papists at this day do and have done ever since they were taught it by their St Dominick Let all Errors be as much and as zealously supprest as may be but let it be done by such means as are proper instruments of their suppression by Preaching and Disputation by Charity and Sweetness by Holiness of Life Assiduity of Exhortation by the Word of God and Prayer For these wayes are most natural most prudent most peaceable and effectual only let not men be hasty in calling every disliked Opinion by the name of Heresie and when they have resolved that they will call it so let them use the erring person like a Brother not beat him like a Dog or convince him with a Gibbit or vex him out of his understanding or perswasion Thus far Jer. Talyer these Passages being truly collected out of his Epistle where are many more to the same purpose to which the Reader is referred for further satisfaction if he desire it And further in his Sixteenth Section for the lawlulness of Princes giving Toleration to several Religions he hath these Passages For it may be safe in diversity of perswasions and it is also a part of Christian Religion that the Liberty of mens Consciences should be preserved in all things where God hath not set a limit That the Soul of man should be free and acknowledge no Master but Jesus Christ That matters Spiritual should not be restrained by punishments corporal That the same meekness and Charity should be preserved in the promotion of Christianity that gave it foundation and increment and firmness in its first publication And that Persons should not more certainly be condemned then their Opinions confuted And lastly That the Infirmities of men and difficulties of things should be both put in ballance to make abatement in the diffinitive sentence against mens persons As Christian Princes must look to the interest of their Goverment so especially must they consider the interests of Christianity and not call every redargution or modesty discovery of an established Error by the name of the disturbance of the Peace For It is very likely that the peevishness and impatience of contradiction in the Governors may break the peace Let them but remember the Gentleness of Christianity the Liberty of Consciences which ought to be preserved and let them do justice to the persons whoever they are that are peevish provided no mans person be over-born with prejudice For If it be necessary for all men to subscribe to the present established Religion by the same reason at another time a man may be bound to subscribe the contradictory and to all Religions in the World Uncharitableness is much prevented when no person is on either side engaged upon revenge or troubled with disgrace or vexed with punishments by any decretory sentence against him It was the saying of a wise States-man I mean Thuanus Haeretici qui pace data factionibus scinduntur persecutione uniuntur contra Remp. If you persecute Hereticks or Discrepants they unite themselves as to a common defence if you permit them they divide themselves upon private interest and the rather if this interest was an ingredient of the Opinion SECT VII Instances out of divers Authors treating on the same Subject Collected by W. C. deceased CHrisostomus said It is not the manner of the Children of God to Persecute others to death about their Religion but it hath been and is their condition to be put to death themselves for the Testimony of the Truth Moreover said he the shedding of Blood about Religion is an evident token of Antichrist Relig. Uris pag. 192. Haywardus said That the best Writers of that time did agree in one opinion and with Tertulliano Lactantio Cassidoro and Josephus c. That People must inform men to imbrace Religion with Reason and not compel them by violence I have for long season determined said one of the Kings of France â—o reform the Church which with out Peace said he I cannot do and it is unpossible to reform or convert people by violence I am King as a Shepherd said he and will not shed the Blood of my Sheep but will gather them through the mildness and goodness of a King and not through the power of Tyranny And I will give them that are of the reformed Religion right Liberty to live and dwell free without being examined perplexed molested or compelled to any thing contrary to their Consciences for they shall have the free exercise of their Religion c. vide Chron. Vande Underg 2. deel page 1514. Luther said That the Hypocrites Church was to be known by its Manners whose Image and Sign was Esau yet she boasted of God and would be accounted his Church but lived wholly according to the World Further said he the true Church is not defended by a â—…ly Armâ— which wicked Bishops especially use and cry unto Thesau pag. 622. Colvin said That the Apostle gave to understand that to exercise authority over ones Faith was in no wise just nor tolerable yea said he It is Tyranny in the Church for FAITH ought to be free from all Subjection of men When several of the Priests in the low Countries requested of the Prince and States that they would introduce Ordinances and Discipline according to their Opinions but the Prince and the States rejected their requests esteeming them prejudicial both to Religion and Pollicy when they observed the diverse Opinions that were among the People concluding It was the best way to perserve unity among the People to give Liberty to all and to Compel none Anno 1608. Edict Fol. 27. Areneus affirmed That all forcing of Conscience though it was but a forbiding of the Exercise which is esteemed by one or another to be necessary to Salvation is in no wise right nor fitting He also affirmed That through diversities of Religions the Kingdom should not be brought into any disturbance The Antient Reformed Protestants termed that forcing of Conscience when they were constrained to leave off the exercise of their Religion saying Car nous privant de nostre Religion on nous tiendroit en une continuele mors corporelle spirituelle that is For to deprive us
A Christian Plea Against PERSECUTION For the Cause of CONSCIENCE Grounded upon Scripture Reason Experience and Testimonies Of Princes learned Authors Impartially Collected by Ellis Hookes Now I say unto you Refrain from these Men a let them alone for if this Counsel or this Wond he of Men it will come to nought but if it brk God you cannot overthrow it lest happily yo e of found Fighters against God Acts 5.38 39. u be Published for the Service of Truth The Contents I. REason against Persecution is because it is Contrary to the Scriptures II. Reason against Persecution for the cause of Conscience is because it is against the Profession and Practice of Famous Princes III. Reason against Persecution is because it is condemned by the antient and the later Writers IV. Reason It s no prejudice to a Kingdom or Common-wealth if Libery of Conscience be suffered to such as fear God as is or will be manifested in such mens Lives and Conversations as Scripture-Examples Testifie V. Several Testimonies shewing that Conscience ought to be free and not to be imposed upon and no person ought to be Compelled to accuse himself or purge himself by Oath VI. Some remarkable Collections out of Doctor Taylors Book entituled OEOAOTIA EKAEKTIKH A Discourse of the Liberty of Prophesying shewing the unreasonableness of prescribing to other mens Faith and the Iniquity of persecuting different Opinions VII Instances out of divers Authors treating on the same subject by W. C. deceased VIII Several Reasons rendred why no outward force nor imposition ought to be used in matters of Faith and Religion by R. H. S. F. and F. H. deceased IX Several Sayings Collected from the Speeches and writings of King Charles the first X. Several Promises and Declarations for the Liberty of tender Consciences taken out of the Speeches of King Charles the second SECT I. Persecution for the cause of Conscience is against the Doctrine of Jesus Christ the King of Kings as these Scriptures and Reasons following do demonstrate The first Reason against Persecution is because it is contrary to Scripture FOr Christ commanded that the Tares and Wheat should be let alone in the World and not pluckt up until the Harvest which is the End of the World Matth. 13.30 38 c. Christ also commandeth that they that are blind should be let alone referring their punishment unto the falling into the Ditch Matth. 15.14 Again he reproved his Disciples who would have had Fire come down from Heaven and devour those Samaritans who would not receive him in these Words Ye know not of what Spirit ye are the Son of man is not come to destroy mens Lives but to save them Luke 9.54 55. Paul the Apostle taught that the Servant of the Lord must not strive but must be gentle towards all men suffering the evil men instructing them with meekness that are contrary-minded proving if God at any time will give them Repentance that they may acknowledge the Truth and come to amendment out of the Snare of the Devil 2 Tim. 2.24 25 26. According to these blessed Commandments the Prophets foretold that when the Law of Moses concerning Worship should cease and Christs Kingdom be established Esa 2.4 Mica 4.3 4. Esa 11.9 they should break their Swords into Plough-shares and their Spears into Pruning-hooks Then shall none hurt or destroy in all the Mountains of my holiness And when he came the same he taught and practised as before so did his Disciples after him for the Weapons of his Warfare are nor carnal saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 10.4 But he chargeth straitly that his Disciples should be so far from persecuting those that would not be of their Religion that when they were persecuted they should pray when they were Cursed they should Bless c. Matth. 5. And the reason seems to be because they who now are Tares may hereafter become Wheat they who are now Blind may hereafter see they that now resist him may hereafter receive him they that are now in the Devils snare in adversness to the Truth may hereafter come to Repentance they that are now Blasphemers and Persecutors as Paul was may in time become faithful as he they that are now Idolatrous as the Corinthians once were 1 Cor. 6.9 may hereafter become true Worshippers as they they that are now no people of God nor under Mercy as the Saints sometimes were 1 Pet. 2.20 may hereafter become the People of God and obtain Mercy as they Some come not till the eleventh hour Matthew 20.6 If those that come not till the last hour should be destroyed because they come not at the first then should they never come but be prevented SECT II. The second Reason against Persecution for cause of Conscience is because it is against the Profession and Practice of famous Princes FIrst Consider the speech of King James to the Parliament 1609. he saith It is 〈…〉 Râ—le in Divinity that God never serves to plant his Church by Violence and Bloodshed and that it was usually the Condition of Christians to be persecuted but not to persecute Again he saith page four speaking of the Papists I gave good proof that I intended no Persecution against them for Conscience Cause And in the same Kings Exposition of the Revelation the twentieth printed 1588 he writes thus Compassing of the Saints and beseiging of the beloved City declareth unto us a certain Note of a false Church to be Persecution for they come to seek the Faithful the Faithful are them that are sought the Wicked are the Besiegers the Faithful are the Besieged And the King of Bohemia hath thus written And notwithstanding the success of the later Times wherein Sundry Opinions have been hatched about the subject of Religion may make one clearly discern with his Eye and as it were to touch with his Finger that according to the Truth of the Scripture and a Maxime heretofore maintained by the antient Doctors of the Church that mens Consciences ought in no sort to be violated urged or constrained and whensoever men have attempted any thing by this violent course whether openly or by secret means the issue hath been Pernitious and the cause of great and wonderful Innovations in the Principalest and Mightiest Kingdoms and Countries of all Christendom And further he saith So that once more we do profess before God and the whole World that from this time forward we are firmly resolved not to persecute or molest or suffer to be persecuted or molested any person whosoever for matter of Religion no not those who profess themselves to be of the Romish Church neither to trouble nor disturb them in the Exercise of their Religion so they live conformable to the Laws of the States c. SECT III. The Third Reason because Persecution for Cause of Conscience is condemned by the antient and later Writers HIlary against Auxentius saith thus The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted And Lamentable it is to
of our Religion is to keep us in a perpetual corporal and spiritual death adding thereunto How that they would rather be put to death then be bereaved of the exercise of their Religion c. And also they testified how that the Religion which was defended with Cruelty was not grounded upon the Word of God Lactantius said If you will with blood with evil and with torments defend the Worship it shall not thereby be defended but polluted Lib. 5. Chap. 20. Constantius the Emperor said That it was enough that he perserved the unity of the FAITH that he might be excusable before the Judgment Seat of God and that he would leave every one to his own understanding according to the account he will give before the Judgment Seat of Christ Hereto may we stir up People said he not compel them beseech them to come into the unity of the Christians but to do VIOLENCE to them we will not in no wise Sabast Frank. Cron. Fol. 127. Augustinus said Some disturbed the Peace of the Church while they went about to root out the TARES before the time and through this Error of Blindness said he are they themselves separated so much the more from being united unto Christ Retnalduâ— testified That he who with Imprisoning and Persecuting seeketh to spread the Gospel and greaseth his Hands with Blood shall much rather be looked upon for a wild Hunter then a Preacher or a Defender of the Christian Religion The State of Holland testified Dat waer vervolginghen Zijndatter daer al in rocre is maer waer geen en sijdor verscheijden Religion dat dare alle saelren stilder sijn so oâ—lr in onse i den is â—evon den that is Where there was Persecution there was all in distraction but where there was none though there were several Religions there all things were the quieter as hath been evident in our dayes said they Vide Urede Handel Van. Col. Fol. 53. Calvin said That those that are set over us must be obeyed if that the Command of God be not thereby disobeyed but if they lead us from obedience to God and presumptiously strive against the Lord then must they not be regarded said he to the end that God with his Authority may retain the preheminence A Book written in French by N. M. Anno 1576. hath this Sentence in it Those Princes that have ruled by Gentleness and Clemency added to justice and have exercised Moderation and Meekness towards their Subjects alwayes greatly Prospered and Reigned long But on the contrary those Princes that have been Cruel Unjust Perfidious and Oppressors of their Subjects have soon fallen they and their Estate into danger or total ruin Veritus said Seeing Christ is a LAMB whom you profess to be your Head and Captain then it behoveth you to be Sheep and to use the same WEAPONS which he made use of for he will not be a Shepherd of Wolves and wild Beasts but only of SHEEP wherefore if you lose the Nature of Sheep said he and be changed into Wolves and wild Beasts and use fleshly Weapons then will you exclude your selves out of his Calling and forsake his Banner and then will he not be your Captain Stephanus King of Poland said It belongeth not to me to reform the Conscience I have alwayes gladly given that over to God which belongeth to him and so shall I do now and also for the future I will suffer the WEEDS to grew untill the time of Harvest for I know that the number of Believers are but small therefore said he when some were proceeding in persecution Ego sum Rex Populorum non Conscientiarum that is I am the King of the People not of their Consciences he also affirmed That Religion was not to be planted with FIRE and SWORD Chron. Van. de Rel. Urijh 2. deel Tindal said The New Testament of Christ suffered no Law of Compelling but alone of Perswading and Exhorting Fox Acts and Mon. page 1338. The Prince of Orange testified Anno 1579. That it was impossible that the Land should be kept in Peace except there was a free Toleration in the Exercise of Religion Where hast thou ever read in thy dayes said Menno in the Writings of the Apostles that Christ or the Apostles ever cryed out to the Magistrates for their Power against them that would not hear their Doctrine not obey their Words I know certainly said he that where the Magistrate shall Banish with the SWORD there is not the right Knowledge spiritual Word nor Church of Christ it is Invocare Brachium Seculare It is not Christian like but Tyrannical said D. Philipson to Banish and Persecute People about FAITH and Religion and they that so do are certainly of the Pharisaical Generation who resisted the Holy Ghost Erasmus said That though they take our Moneys and Goods they cannot therefore hurt our Salvation they afflict us much with Prisons but they do not thereby separate us from God In de Krijdges wrede Fol. 63. Lucernus said He that Commandeth any thing wherewith he bindeth the Conscience this is an Antichrist Inde Benuse disp Fol. 71. It was Luther's Opinion That those that stirred up the Princes to persecute about Religion they raised the Uproar Thesaur pag. 679. SECT VIII Several Reasons rendred why no outward Force nor Imposition ought to be used in Matters of Faith and Religion by R. H. S. F. and F. H. LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE ought to be allowed in the dayes of the Gospel in the free Exercise of it to God-ward without Compulsion in all things relating to His Worship for these REASONS following 1. Because the General and Universal Royal-Law of Christ commands it Matthew 7.12 All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do yeven so to them for this is the Law and Prophets That which every man would have and receive from another he ought by Christ RULE to give and allow it to another But every man is willing to have the LIBERTY of his OWN CONSCIENCE therefore ought to ALLOW it to another 2. Because no man can perswade the Conscience of another either what God is or how he should be worshipped but by the Spirit which God hath given to instruct man in the Ways of Truth 3. Because all Obedience or Service that is obtained by force is for fear of Wrath and not from Love nor for Conscience sake and therefore will but continue so long as that fear or force abides upon them 4. Because that by forcing no man can make a Hypocrite to be a true Believer but on the contrary many may be made Hypocrites 5. Because that in all forced Impositions upon mens Consciences there is something of the wrath of man exercised which works not the Righteousness of God but rather begets enmity in the heart one towards another 6. Because that by forcing any thing upon mens Consciences as to matters of Faith and Worship many are hardened in their hearts against the things imposed when