charge of souls Christ the true King of Israel Christs threefold sending of preachers â—o other true office of the Ministery since the apostacie but that of prophecy and opening the Testament of Christ against the falshood of Antichrist A foule imputation put upon Christ Jesus Pretended order moâ—â—tâ—oâ—s disorder The Parliaments high justice aggainst oppressors The title head of the Church The civil Megistrate no spiritual officer now as in Israel The peoples power All Commonweals that ever have been are or shal be in the World excepting that of typical Israel meerly civil The Decrees of Pagan kings for Israel and the God of it considered The Ministers lay heavy loads upon the Magistrates back A time when no visible Church of God in the world for the right forme and order c. The wolves at Ephesus Act. 20. The duty of civil power in matters of Religion The changing of persecutors is onething the abolishing of persecution another The persecuting Cleargy no cordial friends to Magistracie Neither Old nor New England statechurches separate from the Pope Master Cotton and Bellarmine all one for the deposing heretical princes c. The gods of this World The Lord Cobham his troubles in Henry the 5. dayes The best of our late Bishops as Bishop Hall have not spared to render hereticks and Traitors all one Civil society pluckt up by the rootes Civil honesty may stand with dishonesty against God and Christ in matters of Religion A turn-coat in Religion more faithless then a resolved Jew Turk or Papist Heresie and apostacie often change their names to truth and Christianity c. Who knows not that the many turnings of Do. Pearne in Cambridge brought it into a proverb to wit to pâ—â—nifie Consciences yeelding to be forced or ravished loosen all conscience 2 Paradoxes How the kings of Israel and Judah were types and figures of Christ to come The types of the old Testament many and deep Cyrus called Christ a figure of Christ The fire from heaven Rev. 13 All Truth heavenly moral civil c. precious Vnconverted Christians visibly a paradox Many excellent Magistrates of the Parliament of the Councel of the Army of the City of the Country are also excellent prophets or interpreters of Scripture yet may not use a civil but a spiritual sword in spirituals Magistrates may be prophets in Christs Church More confidence commonly put in the civil sword then the spiritual Engl. changes in Religion excused by those of Judah but not justly Whether England may â—â—â— receive the Poâ—â— againe Things of God and Caesar Religions of the world politick inventions to maintaine a civil state The aâ—soâ—uâ—e necessiâ—y of some order of government all the world over Antoninus Pius his distinction The degeneracy of Christianity now professed The loathsome hypocrisie of persecutors In their bloody sentence and proceedings with the persecuted Too short a time set for repentance in New England False teachers commonly hardned by persecution The great sufferings of Master Gorton and his friends in New England Antoninus Pius his Edict against persecution The difference between spiritual and corporal murther Civil justice ought impartially to permit one conscience as well as another The difference of the persecution of the Roman Emperors and the Roman Popes Antoninus Pius his famoâ—â—â—â—â—dict for liberty to the Christians related by that praise-worthy Master John Speede out of Eusebiâ—s The persecuted ever noâ—â—ish an hâ—rd conâ—â—it of 〈…〉 and Tyranay in their persecutors whereas Malefactors confess frequently the justice of their condemners If Civil power may force cut of the church it may also force in Every true Moses will make a difference between Israelites and Egyptians Cups of Blood given into the hand of persecuting nations Whether a commonweal prosper in divers religions permitted Men may be very faire and peaceable though not of the only one religion Scriptures perverted from the church to the civil state The Magistrate usually the Cleargies Cane c. Rom. 16. 17. grosly abused by a governor in New England The bloody Tenent plucks up the nations and all civil being c. The plague of the Turkes Romes glory and downfal The civil state and officers thereof cannot be spiritual judges Foul neglects cast upon Christ Jesus The case of Gallio Shameful weakness cast upon the spiritual Artillery of Christ Jesus The spiritual liberties of Christs people in spiritual causes The mighty power of spiritual weapons A vaine fear of false teachers Christ Jesus nor Paul adrest themselves to the civil state Turk and Pope and all Prostants against free conference The ammunition of Christs souldiers David and Goliah types Difference between spiritual and civil Ministers Israels corporal killing types of spiritual Achans troubling of Israel a figure of troubling the Israel or Church of Christ now The day of the civil state in maâ—ters of worship Concerning the kingdomes of the world becoming the kingdoms of Christ Rev. 11. Christ no temporal King Touching forcing men to church A Spanish Inquisition all the world A twofold fire kindled That may consume the kindlers Mathias the second Emperor granting liberty of conscience Christ came not to destroy mens bodies though to save their souls Christian weapons considered A fallacious distinction of using the civil sword not in but about spiritual matters Strange Carpenters The bloody tenent in plaine English All civil violence in spirituals is for interest Christs spiritual weapons never wanting The civil sword esteemed more powerful then the spiritual Rom. 13. Considered The great fort of The civil Magistrate not charged with the keeping of the seed tables Calvin and Beza's judgement on Rom. 13. Vnâ—ighteousness civil and spiritual Spiritual wars without civil disturbance The nature of twice subjection to civil powers Of the Roman Emperors power in spirituals Foule imputations against Christ Jesus Christ permiteth Tyrants over his churches Saints but appointeth none but his true spiritual Ministers Christ Jesus his careful and most wise provision for his kingdome The Cleargies evil dealing with the civil Magistrate The nature of a church but lately discovered since the apostasie Monstrous Suspentions Spiritual courts and Judges Touching Paul appealing to Caesar Pauls appeal to Caesar Spiritual rights and civil The civil Magistrate not bound to defend spiritual rights Israel a type of the Chrristian Church The â—â—me and odely Christendome Christ Jesus in himself and his spiritual officers the onely Key of Israel Christ Jesus roâ—d of his crown Of custome tribute c. Spiritual defence for spiritual right c. Touching prayer for all authority â— Tim. â— Cross Slavery Civil Ministers and Spiritual The God of heaven hath several sorts of Ministers Ordinarily the Truth is persecuted Touching the â—â—arâ—â— Evil Rom. 13. The civil Magistrate robbed of his civil power Of tolleration which Master Cotton in cases makes large enough The land of Israel a type Touching false and seducing Teachers Monstrous Mixture The great difference of evil and sin as against the civil or spiritual estate Gross
THE BLOODY TENENT YET More Bloody BY Mr Cottons endevour to wash it white in the BLOOD of the LAMBE Of whose precious Blood spilt in the Blood of his Servants and Of the blood of Millions spilt in former and later Wars for Conscience sake THAT Most Bloody Tenent of Persecution for cause of Conscience upon a second Tryal is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty In this Rejoynder to Mr Cotton are principally I. The Nature of Persecution Examined II. The Power of the Civill Sword in Spirituals Examined III. The Parliaments permission of Dissenting Consciences Justified Also as a Testimony to M r Clarks Narrative is added a Letter to Mr Endicet Governor of the Massachusets in N. E. By R. WILLIAMS of Providence in New-England London Printed for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at the black-spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1652. TO THE MOST HONORABLE THE PARLIAMENT OF THE Common-wealth of ENGLAND Most Noble Senators ONE of the greatest Spirits and as active as later times have yeelded Charles the fifth tired out with Affairs of State resigns up all and sits down to end his dayes in quiet Contemplation I doubt not but many of your Honorable Heads have felt the thorny Crown of these late years troubles so sharp so weighty that your tired Spirits would joyfully embrace if not with Charles the fifth a totall Cessation yet like some faithfull tired Judge after so long and troublesome a Tearm at least some breathing short Vacation Although I dare not as to Englands peace and safety admit desires of your Totall Cessation or long vacation yet common Gratitude for such incomparable labours expences hazards c. from whence the God of heaven hath vouchsafed such rare and incomparable preservations deliverances enjoyments c. I say common gratitude cannot onely wish you heartily pray for earnestly your eternal Rest and most joyfull Harvest in the Heavens but also all the possible breathing hours and cool retired shades of Contemplation and self-enjoyment amidst the scorching Travels of so many vexing and tedious Actions You cannot ever renowned Patriots but like some grave Commanders of Fleets and Armies who have brought their Ships and followers through tempestuous stâ—rms and bloody fights to joyful Rest and Harbours You cannot but look back with Admirings with Praisings with Resolvings to cast you Crowns and Heads and Hearts and Hands for the remaining Minutes of the short Candle of your life at his Feet in whose most High and most gracious Hands have all your Breaths and wayes been In the review of the multitude of your Actings and Sufferings your Battells and Victories Dangers and Deliverances you cannot no man can but observe and see a naked Arm from Heaven fighting for you but most especially since the times and houres you gratified the most High Eternall King of Kings now more then ever Englands King with these two famous Subsidies if I may in humble Reverence so call them The first of Mercy and Moderation to the poor oppressed Consciences of the English Nation amidst the throng of which he graciously will yea he hath acknowledged that some of his own dear Children the Sonnes and Daughters of the God of Heaven have been relieved and succoured by you The second your high and impartiall drawing of the Sword of Justice upon the great and highest offendors Since which two wonderfull Subsidies the most wilfully blind must be forced to see the glorious Goings of the God of Heaven with your Councels and Armies and the discharge of his holy promise in honouring you who have so highly in so rare and unparalleld Travels and Hazards honored him Concerning the first of these Subsidies I was humbly bold some few yeares since to present you with a Conference between Peace and Truth touching a most bloudy Murtherous Malefactor the bloody Tenent of Persecution for cause of Conscience a notorious and common Pyrate that takes and robbs that fires and sinkes the Spirituall Shipps and Vessels the Consciences of all men of all sorts of all Religions and Perswasions whatsoever It hath pleased Master Cotton a Man incomparably too worthy for such a service to attempt the washing of this bloody Tenent as hee speakes in the blood of the Lamb CHRIST JESUS though one part of the Conference to wit the Examination of a N. English Modell of Church and Civill Power he leaveth to the washing of some other of the N. English Ministers the Authors of that Modell of whose washings as yet I have not heard of This present discourse presents your Honours with the second part of the Conference between Peace and Truth and hath examined Mr. Cottons Reply and washings I summe up the multitude of my Thoughts touching your Honours Consideration of this point in these three most humble Petitions First I most humbly and earnestly beseech your Honours to mind the Difference between State Necessity of Freedome to different Consciences and the Equity and Piety of such a Freedome State Policie and Necessity of Affairs drew from great Constantine with his Colleague Licinius that famous Edict of Freedome to all mens Consciences whom yet afterward he persecuted But a Successor of his of late years Maximilian the second comes neerer the Life of the Businesse when he conscientiously profest in a solemne Speech to the Bishop of Olmuts in Bohemia There is no sin ordinarily greater against God said he then to use violence against the Consciences of men Your Honours will find if the Father of Spirits please to spare you time and Spirits to mind this Cause and Controversie that all violence to Conscience turns upon these two Hinges First of Restraining from that worshipping of a God or Gods which the Consciences of men in their respective worships all the world over believes to be true Secondly of Constraining to the practising or countenancing of that whereof their Consciences are not perswaded In the practice of both these the Histories of our own Nation will tell us besides the forraigne how sharp and zealous the strongest Swords of England have ever us'd to be And yet of the practice of both what a Propheticall passage of our late troubles and King did the foresaid Maximilian expresse to Henry the third of France in his passage from Poland to France to claim the French Crown to this effect Sir remember that when men think to get Heaven by using violence to the Consciences of men they oftentimes lose that which they might peaceably have kept on Earth Some have said that worldly policie perswaded as well as State-necessity compelled the States of Holland to a prudent permission of different Consciences And that the said State-Policie perswaded some Dutch to wish that England might not tolerate least a permission of Conscience in England should break down the Bridge and Passage into their parts of Freedome in causes of Conscience Those prudent and prosperous States have gone
Arrians or Papists or other poor deluding and deluded souls This seeming colour of Impartiall Justice serves wofully that murtherous enemy of all Mankind for a Stale or Covert under which his bloudie Game goes on of persecuting or hunting the harmless Deer the children of the living God For the sake then of the dear Saints and Followers of Jesus for his holy sake and Truth for the holy name and Truth of the most holy Father of Lights the God of it thy compassionate eye is here presented with a Second Conference and view of Mr. Cottons Reply and artificial bloudie washing of the Bloudie Tenent The Battel about any Truth of God in Christ is fought and managed by that most high and glorious Michael the Arch-Angel and Son of God attended with all his Holy Angels the Messengers and Witnesses of his Truth on the one side On the other side by that great red Dragon whose bloudie Followers Devils and men of all sorts and Nations but especially the Roman bloudie Emperor and Roman Popes with Lyon-like Furie and Fox-like craft have suck'd the Bloud and broke the Bones and devoured the Flesh of so many hundred thousand thousands of the King of Kings his spiritual Hinds and Roes in this their bloudie hunting So that aptly I had almost said Prophetically wrote one of their own Roman Poets of the lamentable condition of the harmlesse Deer above other Creatures Dente tuetur Aper defendunt Cornua Taurum Imbelles Damae quid nisi Praeda sumus 'T is a lamentable and cruel sight to see the sons of one poor man and woman all the Globe of the world over like Babels builders so vastly disagreeing about a God and his Worship 'T is lamentable to see these one Mans sons Murthered and Massacred in mutual slaughters as for other pretended Causes So this especially of Conscience and Religion 'T is yet more lamentable and never enough to be lamented that while the Sons of Men do but their kind the Sons of God the sons of the God of Place the Lillies Doves and Spouses of Jesus should thus discord and jart about this Christ their hope that like the very Turks and Persians contending about their Mahomet his Successors the Children of God should tear out each others Throats about the last Will and Testament of the Son of God their elder brother That Ephraim should be against Manasseh and Manasseh against Ephraim and both against Judah yet all sons of one and professors of one God of Israel But oh the low and shallow comprehensions of the sons of men who as a Rotten thing saith Job consumeth Oh the depths of the Councels and workings of the most High most Holy and only wise outshooting all the Generations of men who heat and know no more then Jonathans Lad Is not the Arrow beyond thee c. His holy Wisdom hath an heavenly Reason to touch a little upon this sorrowfull string of that bloudie Device and Sale of innocent Joseph by his own Brethren the sons of one Israel and God He knowes why so holy a Leader of such a miraculous People as I may truly call them why Aaron I say was so left to the horrible ungratefull and outragious importunities of this then the only People of God as to frame a Beastly worship and to turn the most glorious and dreadfull Godhead into the similitude of a Beast that eaâ—eth grasse He knowes why the Israel of God Rebels as Moses passionately called them should so often grieve the holy Spirit of God with their murmurings and be so near to dash out the brains of their most faithfull Leaders He knowes why two Parts or Angles of that Heavenly Triangle Moses Aaron and Miriam so neer in Earthly and Heavenly Relations I say why that rare Pair Aaron and Miriam should yet envie and mutiny against their so dear a Brother and so meek and heavenly a Ruler Moses His heavenly wisdom hath a reason of that wonderfull Shrinking of an Army of 32 thousand Israelits into one poor 300 left behind and found only fit for Gods battels against the Midianits A reason why those two famous Champions Samson and David should find so great discouragement to their fighting of Gods Battels the men of Judah basely binding Samson and the chief of Davids own Brethren flying in his face with open Railings A reason of that all most utter consumption of one whole Tribe of Israels 12. by the furious flames of the Zeal and Indignation of the eleven These things happened not by chance but as the Apostle speaks in Types in curious and wonderfull figures so that his holy wisdom knowes why Israel must be so weary of Samuel and himself and like the Nations of the World must have a King to be their Champion and fight their Battels Why Saul this desired King the King of Gods own choice and Israels why yet he must hunt an innocent David as a Flea in the bosom or a Partridg on the mountains until he hath slain himself to set the Crown on Davids head A reason of that long continued Faction of so many Tribes against this Davids Crown and that Israel so importunate so impatient for a King should now powre out each others blood about a Successor whether a David or the son of Persecution Saul Ishbosheth A reason when David wears both Crowns in one and hath all that a most gracious God could espie out fit for David to receive that yet he wants a wife that had so many and rather then a Davids sinfull Desires and Whordomes shall want a Covering the blood of Vriah that is fire or zeal of God shall die and make up one to cover them O the Depths of the Councels of the holy one of Israel why there being but 12 Tribes in all 10 Tribes of his own people should tear away from 2 and after many Captivities of the one and the other both the one and the other now are scattered from each other upon the face of the Earth and as yet no certain Tidings what 's befaln to the 10 Tribes of the Israel of God He knowes why to leave an upright perfect Asaâ—'s heart to such folly and wrath as to lay a Faithfull Prophet admonishing him from God by the heels Yea why the Followers of the meek Lamb of God should burn in such Vnchristian Flames as to call for fire from Heaven to consume the contemners and despisâ—rs of their Lord and Master who quencheth the fire of their rash zeal with this mild Check You know not of what Spirit you are of Why such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bitternesse as the Word is should rise between two Turtle Doves Paul and Barrabas and that about their most laborious and most dangerous Ministeries Why one cries Paul another Apollo another Caphas another Christ even in the first established Churches This holy Plot this heavenly designe of the most holy and
with God though he was clothed with filthy garments Zech. 3. Truth I answer Ordination or laying on of hands comprizeth the whole Ministery Heb. 6. wherein if Election or Ordination be false I see not how the Ministery is true any more then a marriage can be true where either consent oâ— solemnity by a true power is wanting or a King rightly instituted in his Kingly office when either election or coronation is given or made by a false power 2. But further Ordination is not well represented by a Kings coronation to say nothing of the statcliness of the simile for a King may administer by successive election and consent in some States before coronation and coronation is but for publike state and ceremony but a Minister cannot administer before ordination no more then a husband enjoy his spouse before marriage which is the puting of him into and the investing of him with his Authority as we see both in the priests of the law and the Ministers of the Gospel Concerning Jehoshua his garments This kind of confession is not after the patterne of Ezra Nehemiah David Daniel c. but with mincing and excusing Moreover in this place of Zechary God only comforts his people with the promise of better times and more new and costly garments for the High priest now returning from captivity his garments were torne foule and filthy Lastly These were the garments of the Lords appointing though in a poor and afflicted condition what is this to a fools cap or coate the cap or surplice what is this to the office of Ieroboams priests which never were of God though happily some of them might studiously give themselves to attaine and teach the knowledge of God and might in a kind separate from the false 2 Chron. 13. and some good thing might be found in some as in Ieroboams child and happily many others as in these our times Peace Concerning common prayer he pleades the time of their ignorance as also that the high places were removed 2 Chron. 14. and knows not of any such faithful admonition as was mentioned Truth God winketh at some ignorance but is not blind to pass by all The high places were an high sin and in Gods time discovered repented of and removed but ever by God disclaimed c. And although the discusser acknowledgeth himself unworthy to speak for God to Master Cotton or any yet possibly Master Cotton may call to minde that the discusser riding with himself and one other of precious memorie Master Hooker to and from Sempringham presented his Arguments from Scripture why he durst not joyn with them in their use of Common prayer and all the Answer that yet can be remembred the discusser received from Master Cotton was that he selected the good and best prayers in his use of that Book as the Author of the Councel of Trent was used to do in his using of the Masse-book Peace Yea but further saith Master Cotton Numbers 20. Moses used an unwarrantable way of prophesying and yet God gave water therefore set formes of prayer may bring a blessing down Truth Moses his calling was true in a true Church his failing was in point of passion and unbeliefe What is this to the Common prayer where all were Idols both the society or communion in which the priest himself and the worship were but inventions c. Peace But saith he Common prayer is not such a fundamentall errour Truth The word and prayer are those two great services of God which even the Apostles themselves gave themselves unto And if Master Cotton intend not that his Argument shall stand good against Master Ball to prove the falseness of such a maine worship of God let him shew what that worship of God is which he intendeth when he so distinguisheth of some false worship wherein fellowship with God is lost Peace To end this Chapter Master Cotton to clear himself from partiality and that he never useth to measure that to any which he would not have measured to himself He proposeth a threefold wickedness which he saith God never left him to fall into First Any fundamental errour Secondly persisting therein after admonition and conviction Thirdly seducing of others And lastly he professeth that if he should so fall it were better for him to be cut off by death or banishment then the flocke of Christ to be seduced by his heretical wickedness Truth I here first observe as also in other places Master Cottons acknowledgement and profession of what a man may be punished for to wit a fundamental errour persisting in it and seducing others all which are spiritual matters of religion and worship for which he decrees from the Magistrate death or banishment and yet elsewhere in many other passages he professeth against all persecution for conscience Secondly If Master Cotton should so fall and be so dealt withall by the civil state First would not Master Cotton conscientiously be perswaded of the Truth of what he held though accounted by others fundamental error obstinacy heresie c. Secondly Will Master Cotton think that death or banishment would be wholesome and Christian meanes and remedies to change and heal his conscience Thirdly He to prevent the infection of others granting the civil Magistrate must punish him with death or banishment doth he not make the Magistrate yea the Civil State what State soever he live in the Judge of his conscience and errors Fourthly Confessing it now that to worship God with a Common prayer was his sin and yet it was his conscience that he might so do If the Magistrate had judged it to be a fundamental error he grants he might then have put him to death or banishment if persisting c. though yet he hath a proviso and a retreat against this assault professing that if the Magistrate be not rightly informed he must stay his proceedings of which afterward Peace What is this but in plaine English to profess that all the Magistrates and Civil powers throughout the whole world although they have command and power from Christ Jesus to judge in matters of conscience religion and worship and live in daily sin that they do not cut off the heretick blasphemer seducer c. yet except they be of Master Cottons minde and conscience to account and judge to be they must suspend their duty and office in this case until they be better informed that is untill they be of his mind Examination of CHAP. VI. Peace BUt to proceed to the sixth Chapter in which is handled that which more especially concerns my self It is too lamentably known how the furious troopes of persecutors in all States Cities Towns c. have ever marched under my name the white colours of peace civil peace publike peace Truth Yet Master Cotton confesseth that the Cities peace is an humane and civil peace as was further explained in many instances from Babylon Ephesus Smyrna c. against which Master Cotton
Cotton will say that the kingdome of Christ on earth may receive and keep in her bosome such stinking weedes declared so to be which the kingdome of Christ in heaven abhors Who questions but while the hypocrisie of these foolish Virgins lay hid in their empty vessels that outwardly they appeared as wise as the wise Virgins But when the fruits of their hypocrisie discovered them to be fools how can Master Cotton according to the truth as it is in Jesus affirme that foolish Virgins known hypocrites are to be kept in and not cast out of the church of Christ unto the end of the world Peace O how contrary is this to the very fundamentals essence nature and being of a church or Spouse of Christ Jesus which is by the confession of Papists and Protestants a society of wise Virgins visibly Saints holy and faithful persons a society of such persons as outwardly profess to love Christ Jesus uprightly Cant. 1. and to be espoused to him 1 Cor. 11. Truth Yea and how contrary is this to the nature of Christ Iesus whose heart is all one fire towards the daughters of Ierusalem Cant. 4. and how contrary to the charge that great and solemn charge of the Lord Iesus to all his followers to take heed of that leaven which is hypocrisie which if suffered will leaven the whole lumpe and render the garden and spouse of Christ a filthy dunghill and whore-house of rotten and stinking whores and hypocrites Examination of CHAP. XXI Peace MAster Cotton here endeavors to prove as many have done before that the Field which the Lord Iesus interprets the world was meant by him to be the Church as he is said to love the world Iohn 3. to be propitiation for the sins of the world 1 Ioh. 2. Truth In these and many other places of like nature it pleaseth the Spirit of God to set forth his love to mankinde distinct from all other creatures As also the impartiality of his love calling his chosen out of all sorts of sinners mankinde all the world over and yet it cannot be denyed but that the Scriptures speak frequently of the world and of the church in a far distinct and contrary acceptation So as when he nameth the church it cannot signifie the world and when the world he cannot be said to intend the church the reasons therefore on either side must be expended and weighed in the fear of God why the Field here called by Christ the world cannot be intended to be the church of Christ Peace Your right distinguishing is a right dividing of the word of Truth but saith Master Cotton it cannot be the world in proper signification for which he aleadgeth three reasons First Because there had been saith he no place for the servants wonder at the appearing of the tares verse 27. for what wonder that the world should be so full of fornicators c Was it ever otherwise Truth It is true that the world lyeth in wickedness and is full of fornicators idolaters c. and yet it was some thousands of yeers when the world was not full of Christian that is anointed or holy fornicators holy idolaters c. That is indeed and truth Antichristian and that alone is the point in question about which this answer of Master Cotton hovers but comes not neer it This is indeed a most dreadful and wonderful point of the wisdome justice and patience of God so to suffer so many millions of men and women to arrogate to themselves the name and profession of the most holy living God and his holy Son Christ Iesus to be called Christians anointed or holy and yet upon the point to hate the holiness truth and spirit of Christ Iesus Truth This is doubtless to me what ere Master Cotton imagines a wonderful mystery in all Ages since these tares were first sown to see I say so many millions of holy idolaters holy murtherers holy whoremongers holy theeves c. The blasphemy of this is so wonderful and dreadful that I cannot sufficiently wonder at him that wonders not how this comes to pass Truth The like I answer to his second Reason that it is true that we read not that ever any of the Ministers or Prophets of Christ ever essayed to pluck up all such vicious notorious persons out of the world as they demanded concerning the tares for then indeed as the Spirit implies 1 Cor. 5. the whole state of the world would be overthrown but yet this hinders not but there may be a desire in Gods servants to pluck up this or that sect or sort of people Jews Turks or Antichristians Peace Dear Truth you make me call to minde the desire of Christs disciples that fire might descend from heaven not to consume all fornicators idolaters all cruel and unclean persons out of the world yet that particular unmerciful superstitions Town of the Samaritans they desired that fire might come from heaven and consume them Truth Indeed this desire of the disciples is no strange desire for what else do All they desire which permit not in the civil state any Religion worship or conscience but their own Nay far beyond that were the whole worlds neck under their imperial yoake the many millions of millions of blasphemers and idolaters of all sorts if they will not be convinced at their word must be cut off from all natural and civil being in the world by Fire and Sword Peace His third reason is That the discusser reckoned up as paralel goats and sheep wheate and tares as generally said he others do and he addeth that in the purest church after the ruine of Antichrist there shall be goats and sheep wise and foolish Virgins untill the coming of Christ to judgement Mat. 25. Truth Although the discusser spake of that eternal separation between wheat and tares sheep and goats approaching yet he never said that the tares and goats signified hypocrites in the Church which is the point in question Nor dare I subscribe to that opinion that after the destruction of Antichrist when purest times of the church shall come that there shall be such a mixt estate in the church of Christ untill the coming of Christ to judgement For first Although goats were clean for food and sacrifice yet it is apparant that as they are for the left hand So they are visibly known by every child where goats and sheep are kept And to image that visible hypocrites such as tares goats unprofitable servants foolish Virgins c. shall in a mixt way make up Christs churoh and that in the purest times of the church of which there are so many and wonderful prophecies is to me not onely to frame a church estate point blank cross to the purity of those churches but even to the first Apostolical churches yea and against that frame of church estate in New England where Master Cotton hath professed though now it is said the door is wider against receiving in
be found upon examination incomparably greater and wrought in the eighth part of the time that the changes of the church of Iudah were And yet this instance will not infringe that the civil sword of the Magistrate in a national way is ordinarily able to turn about a Nation to and againe to and from a truth of God in national hypocrisie and therefore most wisely hath the most holy and only wise by the most golrious brightness of his person and wisdom of the Father Christ Jesus abolished his own national and state church whether explicit or implicit that the two-edged sword of the word of the Lord in the mouths of his true messengers might alone be brandished and magnified Peace Master Cotton concludeth this Chapter with the observation that the revolt of England againe to Popery wanteth Scripture-light Truth He that loves Christ Iesus in sincerity cannot but long that Christ Iesus would speedily be pleased with the breath of his mouth to consume that man of sin But yet that worthy servant of God according to his conscience Master Archer doth not barely propose his opinion but also his Scripture-grounds which I believe compared with all former experiences will seem to be of great and weighty consideration and call all that wait for Christ Iesus to beg his Spirit deeply to weigh and ponder them Examination of CHAP. XL. Peace TO the several allegations concerning the woful slavery of all opposites of Christ Iesus and the mighty power of free grace only able to release them Master Cotton replies So is it with scandalous offenders against the Civil state and yet this doth not restraine Magistrates from executing just judgements upon them c. And he adds that better a dead soul in a dead body and that seducers die without faith then murther and seduce many precious souls from the faith Truth The Lord Iesus commanding to give God the things that be Gods and to Caesar the things that be Caesars gives all his followers a clear and glorious torch of light to distinguish between offenders against God in a spiritual way and offenders against Caesar his Lawes state and government in a civil way T is true slatterers and time-servers use to make Religion and justice the two pillars of a State and so indeed do all such states in the world as maintaine a state-Religion invented and maintained in civil policy to maintaine a civil state But all men that have tasted of history or travel are witnesses sufficient of these two particulars First concerning justice that if the sword and balances of justice in a sort or measure be not drawn and held forth against scandalous offenders against civil state that civil state must dissolve by little and little from civility to barbarisme which is a wilderness of life and manners Peace Yea the very barbarians and Pagans of the world themselves are forced for their holding and hanging together in barbarous compaines to use the ties and knots and bands of a kind of civil justice against scandalous offenders against their Commonweale and profit Truth But too many thousands of Cities and states in the world have and do flourish for many generations and ages of men wherein whatever Caesar gets God cannot get one penny of his due in any bare permission or toleration of his religion and worship Peace Dear Truth these two points being so constantly proved I can but wonder that Master Cotton or any servant of Christ Iesus should cry out to the Caesars of this world to help the eternal God to get his due because Christ Iesus grants them a civil sword in civil cases to preserve their civil states from barbarisme and confusion Truth That worthy Emperor Antoninus Pius in his letters for the Christians plainly tels the governors of his provinces that the gods were able to punish those that sinned against their worship evidently declaring by that light of conscience and knowledge which God had lighted up in his soul the vast difference between offenders in the civil state and offendors against the true and only religion and worship about which the whole world disagreeth and is hist together by this bloody tenent I say hist together by the ears and throat in blood and fire as the tide of times major vote armies and armes of flesh prevaile Peace Ah Dear truth is there is no Balme in Gâ—â—ead no balances no sword of spiritual justice in the City and kingdome of Christ Jesus but that the officers thereof must run to borrow Caesar Are the Armories of the true king Solomon Christ Jesus disarmed Are there no spiritual swords girt upon the thighs of those valiant ones that should guard his heavenly bed except the sword of steel be run for from the cutlers shop Is the Religion of Christ Jesus so poor and so weak and feeble grown so cowardly and base since Paul spake so gloriously of it and the weapons of it 2 Cor. 10. that neither the souldiers nor Commanders in Christs Army have any courage or skill to withstand sufficiently in all points a false teacher a false prophet a spiritual cheater or deceiver Truth This must all that follow Jesus bitterly lament that not a spiritual sword or spear is to be found in the spiritual Israel of God but that his poor Israelites are forced down to the Philistins of this worlds Smiths c. And that the princes of Zion are become feeble like harts without pasture as Jeremy complaineth in his Lamentations Peace Now whereas it was added that a civil sword hardens the followers of false teachers in the suffering of their leaders and begets an impression of the falshood of that religion which cannot uphold it self all the world over but with such instruments of violence c. Master Cotton replies that the Magistrate ought not to draw out his sword against seducers untill he hath used all good means for conviction c. and then saith he he should be cruel to Christs Lambs in sparing the Foxes c. Truth Who knows not this to be the plea and practise of all Popish persecutors in all ages to compass sea and land to reduce the heretick to the union and bosome of the church not only with promises threatnings c but oftimes with solemn disputations and sometimes writings and waitings before they come to the definitive sentence and deliver him to the secular power and so to the use of those desperate remedies of hanging burning c. How do the bloody Popes and the bloody Bonners in their hypocritical letters and bloody sentences profess their lamentable grief at errors and heresies their clemency and mercy and great pains taken to reduce that wandring to return the lost childe to heal the scabbed sheep yea and when they are forced as they say for the saving of the flock from infection to deliver such sheep to the secular power as their butchers and executioners yet beseech they that power and that
2. Of Jerome Heresie must be cut off with the Sword of the Spirit Let us strike through with the Arrowes of the Spirit implying not with other weapons 3. Of Luther in his Booke of the Civill Magistrate The Lawes of the Civill Magistrate extend no further then over the Bodies and Goods And againe upon Luk. 22. It is not the true Catholike church which is defended by the Secular Arme or humane Power Lastly The Papists in their Booke for Tolleration When Christ bids his Disciples to say peace to this house he doth not send Pursevants to ransack or spoyle the house Lastly The Prisoner in answering some Objections concludeth It is no prejudice to the Common-wealth if Libertie of Conscience were granted to such as feare God indeed He also alledged that many Sects lived under the Government of Caesar being nothing hurtfull unto the Common-weale Peace From these severall Tasts Deare Truth I cannot imagine how the Prisoner can be understood to cast the least glance unto spirituall persecution or prosecution as M r Cotton in this Chap calls it But to end this Chapter When as the Power of Christ Jesus in his Church was argued sufficient for spirituall ends M r Cotton grants both for the healing of sinners and for keeping of the Church from Guilt but not for the preventing of the spreading of false Doctrine among those out of the Church and in private among Church-Members nor sufficient to cleare the Magistrates of a Christian State from the Guilt of Apostasie in suffering such Apostates amongst them c. Truth I have in other Passages of this Discourse proved 1. That Christ Jesus whiles his Churches and Ordinances flourished and since the Apostasie of Antichrist in the hands of his Witnesses hath gloriously and sufficiently furnished his Servants for all spirituall cases of all sorts defending offending c. 2. That there is no other Christian State acknowledged in the New Testament but that of the Christian Church or Kingdome and that not Nationall but Congregationall 3. That the Apostles or Messengers of Christ Jesus never addressed themselves by Word or Writing to any of the Civill States wherein they lived and taught and were mightily opposed and blasphemed I say they never ran to borrow the Civill Sword to helpe the two edged Sword of Christ Jesus against Opposers Schismaticks Hereticks The Lord Jesus was a wiser King then Solomon even Wisdome it selfe and cannot without great Dishonour and Derogation to his Wisdome and Love be imagined to leave open such Gaps such Leakes such Breaches in the Ship and Garden of his Church and Kingdome The Exam of Chap. 56. replying to 58. 59. Peace TO the first observation that M r Cotton urgeth that Princes are nurcing Fathers to feede and correct and consequently must judge of feeding and correction and all men are bound to submit to such their feeding and correction M r Cotton sayth This is false and fraudulent so to collect and these are devised Calumnies Truth It will evidently appeare how greatly M r Cotton forgets the Matter and Himselfe when he so deeply chargeth for all this he granteth in this his Reply onely with this Limitation that Subjects are bound to submit to them herein when they judge according to the Word This Limitation takes not away the observation for it is alway implyed in subjection to all Civill Rulers Fathers Husbands Masters that it be according to the Word Peace Yea but sayth he it is a Notorious Calumnie so to represent M r Cottons dealing with Princes as if he made his owne Judgement and practice the Rule of the proceeding of Princes Truth Let it be laid in the Ballance and seene where the Calumnie or slander lies Princes or Civill Rulers saith M r Cotton are Fathers to feed and correct and their Judgement ought therein to be obeyed according to the Word Now some Princes and Rulers declare themselves against M r Cottons Tenent of persecution for conscience M r Cotton will answer The profession and practice of Princes is no rule to Conscience I reply and ask who shall judge of Princes profession and practice when they thus feed and judge in spirituall matters whether their profession and practice be according to the Word or no M r Cotton when Princes are alleadged against his judgement and conscience pleads that Princes profession and practice is no rule Let all men judge whether his judgement and conscience be not made the Rule to the consciences and practices of Princes whom yet he makes the nurcing Fathers Peace When it was further demanded whether M r Cotton and others of his minde could submit in spirituall cases to any Magistrates in the world but onely to those just of his owne Conscience He answers they will submit to any in Active or Passive obedience Truth But how can M r Cotton suppose Active obedience in spirituall things to such Magistrates who are Pagans Turkish Antichristian and unable to judge and bound by his Doctrine to suspend their Dealings upon matter of Religion untill they be better informed What Active obedience can I be supposed to give to him that hath no Activitie nor Abilitie to command and rule me And must it not evidently follow that Active obedience in these cases according to his Judgement must onely be yeelded to such Magistrates as are able to judge the true Religion and way of Worship That is the Religion and Worship which he takes to be of God Peace Whereas it was said will it not follow that all other Consciences in the world besides their owne must be persecuted by such their Magistrates were power in their hand M r Cotton replyes no except all Mens consciences in the world did erre fundamentally against the Principles of Christian Religion or fundamentally against Church-Order and Civill Order and that in a tumultuous and factious manner for in these cases onely sayth he we allow Magistrates to punish in matters of Religion Truth I have and must observe the Evill of that Distinction between Christian Religion and Christian Order as not finding any such in the Testament of the Sonne of God but finding Church-Order a principall part of the Christian Religion as well as Repentance and Faith Heb. 6. But 2. grant once M r Cottons Religion and way of Worship to be the onely true Religion and way of Gods Worship and all other Religions and wayes of Worship false how can that Errour be otherwise then fundamentall And if other mens Consciences attend not to M r Cottons convictions but obstinately maintaine their blasphemous Religions how can the Magistrates of his conscience be dispenced with and absolved from persecuting such obstinate Consciences throughout the whole World beside Peace When it was further demanded if this were not to make Magistrates Staires and Stirrops for themselves the Clergie to mount up in the seats and sadles of their great and setled Maintenance M r Cotton replyes this is rather to make them Swords and
Filthinesse the Pope Practicing most odious spirituall uncleannesse upon the Consciences of the Nations of the Earth 2. Peace Deare Truth who knowes not whose voyce and Song this is but that of all the bloudie Bonners Gardiners and most devouring persecutours that ever have or shall legally in way and pretence of Justice persecute You pretend Conscience that you dare not come to Church because of Conscience that so to sweare submit subscribe or conforme is against your Conscience that you are persecuted for your Conscience and forced against your Conscience Truth Indeed what is this before the flaming eyes of Christ but as Amnon-like in the type some lustfull Ravisher deales with a beautifull Woman firstâ—using all subtle Arguments and gentle perswasions to allure unto their spirituall Lust and Filthinesse and where the Conscience freely cannot yeeld to such Lust and Folly as Tamar said to Amnon then a forcing it by Penalties Penall Lawes and Statutes Yea what is this but more filthy and abominable then is commonly practiced against ravished Women to wit a perswading a Conscience that it is obstinate obstinate against its knowledge that a man might lawfully have yeelded that he is convinced of the lawfulnesse of the Act and therefore may justly be punished for repelling such Arguments and resisting such perswasions against the Conviction of his owne Conscience 3. Peace It is a common Question made by most who shall be Judge of this Convicted Conscience shall the lustfull Ravisher the Persecutor be Judge Will the burning Rage of his Spirituall Filthinesse and Antichristian Beastialitie cause no shaking of the scales of Justice And will M r Cotton indeed except he suspend them have all the Civill Magistrates or Civill States or Generall Assemblies or Courts of People in the World according to their severall Constitutions sit Judges o're Conscience to wit when the poore ravished Consciences of Men are convinced Truth What is this but in truth to submit the Soules and Consciences of the Saints yea the Conscience of the Lord Jesus in them unto the World that lyes in wickednesse and to the Devill in it out of which God hath chosen but few that are wise or that are Great Rich or Noble 4. And to end this Passage what is this but to destroy that distinction of a true and false Conscience which the holy Spirit expressely maketh relling 2 Thessal 2. of Antichristians that make Conscience of Lyes believing them conscientiously for Truths What is it now to force a Papist to Church but a Rape a Soule-Rape he comes to Church that is comes to that Worship which his Conscience tells him is false and this to save his Estate Credit c. What is this in a Papist but a yeelding unwillingly to be forced and ravished Take an instance of holy Cranmer and many other faithfull Witnesses of the truth of Jesus who being forced or ravished by terrour of Death subscribed abjured went to Masse but yet against their Wills and Consciences In both these Instances of Papist and Protestant M r Cotton must confesse a Soule-Ravishment for thâ— Conscience of a Papist is not convinced that it is his Dutie to worship God by the English common Prayer-Booke or Directorie c. And the Consciences of many are not convinced but that it is their sinne to come at either the Papists or common Protestants Worship So both Papist and Protestant are forced and ravished by force of Armes as a Woman by a Lustfull Ravisher against their Soules and Consciences Peace Againe in that King of Bohemia's Speech M r Cotton passed by that most true and lamentable experience of all Ages to wit that persecution for cause of Conscience hath ever proved pernicious and hath been the cause of great Alterations and changes in States and Kingdomes To this M r Cotton replyes No experience in any Age did ever prove it pernicious to punish Seducing Apostates after due Conviction of the Errour of their way And he asks wherein did the burning of Servetus prove pernicious to Geneva or the just Execution of many Popish Priests to Queene Elizabeth or the English State Truth I answer though no Historie did expresse what horrible and pernicious mischiefes the persecuting of the Arians and others caused in the World yet is it lamentably sufficient to the Point that all Ages testifie and I had almost said all Nations how pernicious this Doctrine hath been in raising the devouring flames of Fire and Sword about Hereticks Apostates Idolaters Blasphemers c. Peace Later Times have rendred the observation of that King most lamentably true in the many great Desolations in Germany Poland Hungaria Transilvania Bohemia France England Scotland Ireland Low Countries not to speake of the mighty warres between those dreafull Monarchies of the Turkes and Persians and other Nations to the Flames where of although other causes have intermingled the Matters of Heresie Blasphemie Idolatrie c. have been the chiefest sparkes and Bellowes Truth It is true as M r Cotton sayth it hath pleased the God of Heaven to spare some particular places and to preserve wonderfully for his Name and Mercy sake Geneva England c. c. When they have been besieged and invaded Yet M r Cotton confesseth that Queene Elizabeth by that course had like to have fired the Christian World in Combustion which though it pleased God to prevent yet later times have shewen how pernicious this Doctrine hath proved unto England Scotland Ireland c. in the slaughter of so many hundreth thousand Papists and Protestants upon the very point principally of Heresie Idolatrie c. Peace To end this Chapter To that observation that Persecution for cause of Conscience was practiced most in England and such places where Poperie reignes implying that such practices proceed from the great Whore and her Daughters M r Cotton replyes it is no marvaile he passed by this observation in the Kings speech for it was not the Speech of the King but of the Prisoner and it was not the persecuting of Antichristians but of Nicknamed Puritans and of them too without Conviction of the Errour of their way He addeth that he could never see Warrant to call that Church an Whore that worshipped the true God onely in the name of Jesus and depended on him alone for Righteousnesse and Salvation and that it is at least a base part of a childe to call his Mother whore who bred him and bred him to know no other Father but her lawfull Husband the Lord Jesus Christ Truth Whether the Observation was the Kings or the Prisoners yet it was passed by And if those Puritants or Protestants persecuted were not convinced Himselfe as he here sayth never saw Warrant that is was convinced for to call such a Church as he here describeth an Whore yet not a few of his opposites will say and that aloud that He and they were or might have been convinced what ever He or they themselves thought
righteous is it with God to send them persecution Quaere why Master Cotton leaps over the Epistles to the Parliament and Reader N. E. Persecution guilty of the persecution in old especially since this Rejoynder by their Law for Banishing such as hold not childrens Baptisme and their late fourscore and ten bloody lashes to the body of the Lord Jesus in the sufferings of his faithful witness Obadiah Holines at Boston meerly about that point of Baptisme â—he occasion of â—â—blishing the â—â—oody Tenent Master Cotton blames the discusser for not walking in contradictions Vnchristian partiality Master Cotton complaining of being persecuted by the discusser Persecution in plaine English is hunting Master Cottons tender conscience can hardly digest to be a persecutor but a punisher Gods children commonly persecuted for not yeelding to state-State-worships Act. 2. 2 Pet. 3. Ordination of Christs Ministry undfily compared to the coronation of Kings Master Cotton pleads for Common prayer Examination of Num. 6. 20. Acts 6. Three causes for which Master-Cotton maintaines persecution Christs Church may be gathered and dissolved without disturbance of civil Peace The doctrine and practise of Persecution breaks the peace where-ever it comes The Civil peace of a place or people is one thing and the welfare or presperity in health wealth c. another The Cities of the world enjoy peace and prosperity where Christ is not heard of Christianity lost most under such Emperours as claimed Christs power to reform the Church c. The Societies or Churches of the Saints are meerly voluntary in combinning or dissolving Christs Church is called out of the world The flourishing of civil states No Civil state can either by Christs Testimony or true reason be judge of the Ecclesiastical and spiritual Difference of spiritual and civil peace When Gods people flourish most in godliness then most persecuted A monstrous mingling of spiritual and civil resistance or disturbance Six instances of holy zeal in Scripture far from arrogance or impetuousness These were aleadged from Scripture in the bloody Tenent and acknowledged by Master Cotton The Indians prosessing subjection to the English in New England permited in their devillish worships when English fearing God persecuted Vnchristian conclusions Jonahs casting over-boord a ground of persecution c. examined The killing of the false Prophet Zech. 13. 6. examined Esa 26. Hos 6. 2. examined 2 Cor. 10. conviction of conscience The violation of civil peace though out of consciencâ— to be punished An over-ruling finger of God ordering Master Cotton to alleadge Gamaliel sure he had forgotten Master John Goodwins excellent labour in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fighting against God Christ Jesus never persecuted as Christ but as a deceiver brasphemer seduced Cant. 5. I sleep yet my heart waketh A deep mystery in persecution Wolves complaining that the sheep persecute them The blood of the souls under the Altar is a sealed mystery Rev. 6. A challenge to the devil himself All Antichristian 〈…〉 persecutors make Tit. 3. their den and Fortress Tit. 3. Discussed The horrible abusing and profaning of that word Heretick Great sins of Gods own children A child of God may possibly be an Heretick For which service through the hurry of the times and the necessity of his departure he lost his recompence to this day The straights of the discussers time in composing of the Bloody Tenent * I prejudice not the free and comfortable supplies of temporals which the Saints ought to make so their Teachers in spirituals only I affirme that such as will not teach will out money they must and do beg or steal Christ Jesus his distinction of Diggers Beggers Stealers Persecution not properly noâ— usually taken for any spiritual punishment Examination of Phil. 3. and Rom. 14. Very severe but not Christian more then Judaical punishment of Theeves in England The civil and spiritual life confounded God Caesar The great peace breakers English Diana's Gross partiality to private interests England in all Ages guilty of much persecution Two seasonable petitions of any persâ—outed The Parable of the Tares The Parable of Tares grosly abused Hypocrisie secret and open hypocrisie Spiritual whoredome in worship may and doth in all Nations subsist with Civil Beings Relations c. Of the Tares Of the wise and foolish Virgius No true church of Christ consisting of visible hypocrites The field of the World The mystery of Antichristians or false Christians Master Cotton knows not his own desire The first rise of Antichristians argued The judgement of the great whore Christs Church by 〈…〉 properly consisting of good ground The â—â—â—uâ—e of Jewish Church The nature of Christs true Apostles Antichristians monsters in rereligion Two sorts of sinners Two sorts of hypocrites Two sorts of opposites to Christ Jesus The rivers and fountaines of blood Rev. 16. Of hypocrites in profession of Christianity Corrupt consciences distinguished Tolleration of idolaters considered Civil weapons in spirituals blur and flight the spiritual The tolleration of Jezabel in Thyatira Christ Jesus under pretence persecuted The weapons of the Saints Rev. The difference between civil and spiritual slander The dreadful nature of Christs spiritual punishments Not such spiritual punishments in the national church of Israel Prayer against present destruction of tares Pastors and Teachers not Apostles and messengers Elijah stirring up Ahab to slay the Baalites Concerning Israel in the Apostacy of Jeroboam * Hence Baalls Priests Monks Friars and Bishops have not been civilly actually slaine in England c. but spiritually by Gods word the sword of his spirit cashiered and cut off eternally Touching Christs Apostles or messengers Touching fundamentals Laws for persecuting of Christ Jesus The Pharisees blaspheming of Christ Jesus * Magistrates kings high priests Herod â—ad kings good kings c. Acts 25. 11. considered No appeals to the civil powers in matters meerly spiritual Few Magistrates in the world know Christ Jesus Mystical and cruel Surgery The title of defender of the faith To serve God withal our might literally taken horribly abused Christ Jesus hath rarely furnished his people with godly Magistrates Defendor of the faith A bold but a true word The title of supream head oath of supremacy c. The plague of the Turkes upon the Antichrististian world The Civil Magistrate no governor over the spiritual kingdome of Christ Whether Saul a type of Christ The kings of Israel and Judah types The priests and Clergy in all Nations the greatest peace-breakers Touching the seducer Of seducing Bishop Longlands subtle Oaths of inquisition Canses of destruction to a Nation All nations Cities Towns c. are part of the world Change of Religions The state of Israel unparlleld The punishments of Christ sorer then the punishments of Moses Of Seducing What meant by twice dead Of Infection The sword of typical Israel a type of Christs spiritual sword Magistrates cannot receive from the people a spiritual power The charge of the civil Magistrate The plague of the Turkes A twofold care and
judgement of the great whore p. 55 Christs church by institution properly consisting of good ground p. 57. The nature of the Jewish church ibid. The nature of Christs true Apostles or Messengers p. 58 Antichristians monsters in Religion p. 59 Two sorts of sinners p. 60 Two sorts of Hypocrites ibid. Two sorts of opposites to Christ Jesus p. 61 The Rivers and Fountaines of Blood Rev. 16. p. 63 Of hypocrites in the profession of Christianity p. 64 Corrupt consciences distinguished p. 66 Toleration of idolaters considered ibid. Civil weapons in spirituals blur and slight the spiritual p. 67 The toleration of Jezabel in Thyatria p. 68 The difference between spiritual and civil slander p. 69 The dreadful nature of Christs spiritual punishments ibi The punishments in the national Church of Israel were material and corporeal p. 70 Touching Prayer against present destruction of the Tares p. 71 Pastors and teachers are not Apostles or messengers ib. Elijah stirring up Ahab to slay the Baalites p. 72 Touching the state of Israel in the Apostacy of Jeroboam and more of the Baalites p. 72 Touching Apostles or Messengers p. 74 Touching fundamentals p. 75 Persecuting of Christ Jesus by a Law p. 76 The greatest blasphemy against Christ Jesus that ever was yet not punished but spiritually ibid. Pauls appeal to Caesar more examined p. 78 Few Magistrates in the world that bear the very name of of Christ Jesus p. 79 Fewer truely Christians ibid. Mystical and most cruel Surgery ibid. To serve God with all our might literally taken horribly abused p. 80 The title of defender of the Faith in England p. 81 A bold but true Word touching defend or of the faith p. 83 The title of supream head of the church examined p. 84 The plague of the Turkes upon the antichristian world p. 84 Whether Saul was a type of Christ and the Kings of Israel c. p. 85 The Priests and Clergy in all nations the greatest peace-breakers p. 88 Touching the seducer and seducing p. 89 Bishop Longlands subtle and bloody oaths of inquisition against seducing christians ibid. Causes of destruction to a nation p. 90 All nations Cities and Towns of the world parts of the world c. p. 91 Changes of state Religions ibid. The state of Israel unparalleled p. 92 The punishments of Christ sorer then the punishments of Moses ibi That of Jude twice dead examined p. 93 Of spiritual infection p. 94 The sword of typical Israel a type of Christs spiritual sword p. 95 Magistrates cannot receive from the people a spiritual power p. 69 The proper charge of the civil Magistrate p. 97 The plague of the Turke upon the Antichristian world p. 98 A twofoldcare and charge of souls ibid. Christ the true King of Israel ibid. Christs threefold sending of Preachers p. 99 No true office of Ministery since the Apostacy but that of Prophesie ibid. Great neglects charged on Christ Jesus p. 100 Pretended order monstrous disorder p. 101 The Parliaments high justice against oppressors p. 102 The title head of the church p. 103 The civil Magistrate no spiritual officer now as in Israel p. 104 All commonweals that ever have been are or shall be in the world excepting that of typical Israel meerly civil p. 105 The decrees of Pagan kings for Israel and the God of it considered ibid. The Ministers lay heavy load upon the Magistrates back ibid. The great desolation of the visible order of Christs Saints and servants p. 107 The Wolves at Ephesus considered Act. 20 p. 108 The duty of the civil Magistrate in spirituals ibid. The changing of Persecutors is one thing the abolishing of persecution another ibid. The persecuting cleargy no cordial friends to Magistracy ibid Master Cotton and Bellarmine all one for the deposing heretical princes p 109 The Lord Cobham his troubles in Henry the fifths dayes p 110 Civil society plucke up by the roots ibid. A turn-coat in Religion more faithless then a resolved Jew Turk or Papist 111 Doctor Pearnes turning and returning and turning againe in Religion p. 111 Consciences yeelding to be forced lose all conscience ibid. Two strange Paradoxes about force in spirituals p. 112 How the kings of Israel and Judah were Types â—f Jesus Christ to come p. 113 Cyrus called Christ a figure of Christ p. 114 The fire from Heaven Revel 13. p. 115 All truth not only heavenly but moral civil c. precious p. 116 Many excellent Prophets in eminency and power and yet may not use a civil but a spiritual sword in spirituals p. 117 More confidence commonly put in the civil sword then the spiritual p. 118 Englands changes in Religion compared with those of Judah ibid. Whether England may not possibly receive the Pope againe 119 The Religions of the world politick inventions to maintaine a civil state p. 120 The absolute necessity of some order of Government all the world over ibid. The Emperor Antoninus Pius his distinction and Edict against persecution p. 120 123 The degeneracy of Christianity now professed p. 121 The horrible dâ—ssâ—mbling of some persecutors ibid. Too short a time set for repentance in New England p. 122 False Teachers commonly hardned by persecution ibid. The great sufferings of Master Gotton and his friends in England p. 123 The difference between spiritual and corporal murther p. 124 Civil Justice ought impartially to permit one conscience as well as another p. 124 The difference of the persecution of the Romane Emperors and Roman Popes p. 125 The difference between the persecuted for conscience and punished for civil crimes p. 127 Every true Moses will make a difference between Israelites and Egyptians p. 128 Whether a Commonweal may prosper in the permission of divers Religions p. 129 Cups of blood given into the hand of persecuting nations p. 129 Scripture perverted from the spiritual to the civil state p. 131 The Magistrate usually but the Clergies Cane and Trumpet ibid. Rom. 16. 17. grosly abused by a Governor in New England ibid. The bloody Tenent plucks up the Nations and all civil being p. 132 Romes glory and downfal p. 133 The civil state and officers thereof cannot be spiritual Judges ibid. The case of Gallio p. 134 The sufficiency of Christs spiritual weapons p. 135 A vaine fear of false Teachers p 136 Christ Iesus nor Paul addrest themselves to the civil state ibid. Turke and Pope and the generality of all Protestants against free conference p. 137 David and Goliah Types ibid. Difference between spiritual and civil Ministers p. 138 Israels corporcal killing types of spiritual ibid. The duty of the civil state in spirituals p. 139 The kingdomes of the world becoming Christs ibid. Touching forcing men to Church p. 140 A Spanish inquisition all the world over p. 141 Master Cotton kindling a twofold fire ibid. Mathias the second Emperor granting liberty of conscience p. 142 Christian weapons considered ibid. A fallacious distinction of using the civil sword not in but about spiritual matters p. 143 Wonderful strange
far though driven by Spanish persecution to it in taking off the yoak from the necks of Dutch English French yea Popish Jewish consciences For all which though but Mercy though but Justice and humanity to fellow mankind he that runs may read the truth of Gods never failing Promises Blessed are the Mercifull for they shall obtain Mercy Their own Chronicles tell us of a wonderfull walk of the God of Heaven between three of their most eminent Towns or Cities First Stafore was the wondrous Wealthy City their golden Citie til a proud wealthy Merchants widow caused a whole ships loading of wheat which her ship brought home and she despised to be thrown over into the Harbour which with other Accidents of water and weather Gods most righteous providences so choak'd up the Haven that Vessels of Burthen durst never frequent that Citie by this occasion most wondrously impoverish'd since From Stafore God carries all the Shipping and wealth to Enchuysin whose Zealous over-zealous and furious Clergie provoke the Civil Magistrates to persecute dissenting non conforming consciences Amongst the rest 't is rare if ever that the most glorious Son of God himself escapes From Enchuysin therefore a Den of persecuting Lyons and mountain of Leopards the persecuted fled to Amsterdam a poor fishing Town yet harborous and favourable to the flying though dissenting consciences This confluence of the persecuted by Gods most gracious coming with them drew Boats drew Trade drew Shipping and that so mightily in so short a time that Shipping Trading wealth Greatnesse Honour almost to astonishment in the Eyes of all Europe and the world have appeared to fall as out of Heaven in a Crown or Garland upon the head of that poor Fisher-Town O ye the prime of English men and English worthies whose sences have so oft perceived the everlasting Arms of the Invincible and Eternal King when your Ships Hold hath been full with water yea with Blood when storms without fires and mutinies within whence he hath beaten upon some Rocky Hearts and passages as if she would have staved and split into a thousand pieces yet this so neer stav'd so neer fired so neer split foundred sinking Nation hath the God of Heaven by your most valiant and carefull hands brought safe to Peace her Harbour Why now should any duty possible be impossible yea why not impossibilities possible Why should your English Seas contend with a neighbour Dutchman for the motion of a piece of Silk c and not ten thousand fold much more your English Spirits with theirs for the Crown of that State-piety and Wisdome which may make your faces more to shine not only with a common lustre after a Dutch Presisident but if it be the holy will of God and I humbly hope it may be with a glory far transcending all your fairest neighbours Copies The States of Holland having smarted deeply and paid so dearly for the purchase of their freedomes reach to the neighbour Nations and the world a tast of such their dainties And yet with due reverence to so wise a State and with due thankfulnesse for mercy and relief to many poor oppressed Consciences I say their Piety nor Policie could ever yet reach so far nor could they in all their School of Warre as their Countries have been call'd learn that one poor Lesson of setting absolutely the consciences of all men free 'T is true they vouchsafed to the Papists and Arminians the liberty as I may so speak of the prison and sometimes to go abroad as I may say with a Keeper c. But why should not such a parliament as England never had and who knows whether ever will the like why should not the piety and policie of such Statesmen out shoot and teach their Neighbours by framing a safe communication of freedome of Conscience in worship even to them to whom with good security of Civill peace it is as due as to any other Consciences or Worshippers in the World the Papists and Arminians themselves Of the Piety and Policie of such a freedom I have discoursed more largely in the answering of some Objections of Mr. Cotton in Chapter 59. of this Book and proved that such a freedom of the Conscience of each member of the Commonweal and such a Commonweal as Englands now is especially cannot in all probability prove so dangerous and prejudiciall as many do imagine and discourse but contrarily many wayes prove beneficiall and marvellously advantageous Your Honors know what bloody bickerings and bloodsheds have been in later times in Germany in the Low-Countries in France in England in Polonia in Hungaria Bohemia Transilvania c. about the Freedome of mens Consciences and Worship The God of Heaven may also please graciously to remember you that it hath been the fatall errour of all Reformers that England or other States have seen to doe as the Portugals did in the East-Indies who pull'd down the Images of the Pagans whom they conquered and set up their own Images of Portugall in their stead and places It is agreed on all hands that subscribe to one GOD that his worship is but one and that all besides that one true GOD are idols and all worship beside his own but one are Images And you know the fiery jealousie of the Eternall will not ever endure an Image though never so fair his Rivall Hence in the many former Changes of estates and State-worships by Gods just and jealous permission the childrens work hath been to tumble down their fathers buildings Nor can your most prudent Heads and potent Hands possibly erect that Fabrick which the next Age it may be the next Parliament may not tumble down And yet so may the God of Heaven so please to guide you in the high matters that concern the worship of God and the Consciences of men that what ever be the present or future consequences your own Consciences may reap the joyfull harvest of their present and eternall Requiems The Pope the Turk the King of Spain the Emperour and the rest of Persecutors build among the Eagles and the Starres yet while they practice violence to the Souls of Men and make their Swords of Steele Corrivals with the two-edged Spirituall Sword of the Sonne of GOD the Basis of their Highest Pillars the Foundation of their glorious Palaces are but Drosse and Rottennesse And however in our poore Arithmeticke their Kingdomes Number seem great yet in the onely wise account of the Eternall their Ages are but Minutes and their short Periods are neer accomplished for herein the Maxime is most true in the matters of Religion and Consciences of men especially the violent motion must break But Light from the Father of Lights hath shined on your eyes Mercy from the Father of Mercies hath softned your breasts to be tender of the tenderest part of Man his Conscience for indeed there is no true Reason of Policy or Piety as
Bloudy Tenents of Persecution Oppression and Violence in the Cause and matters of Conscience and Religion It is a Second Conference of Peace and Truth an Examination of the worthily honoured and beloved Mr. Cottons Reply to a former Conference and Treatise of this Subject And although it concern all Nations which have persecuted and shed the Bloud of Jesus the Bloudie Roman Empire with all the Savage Lyons thereof Emperours and Popes the bloudie Monarchies of Spain and France and the rest of Europs Kingdoms and States which under their several Vizards and Preteness of Service to God have in so many thousands of his Servants Murthered so many thousand times over his dear Son yea although it concern that Bloudie Turkish Monarchy and all the Nations of the World who practise violence to the Conscience of any Christian or Antichristians Jews or Pagans yet it concerns your selves with all due respect otherwise be it spoken in some more eminent degrees Partly as so many of yours of chief note beside Mr. Cotton are engaged in it partly as N. England in respect of Spiritual and Civil State professeth to draw nearer to Christ Jesus then other States and Churches and partly as N. England is believed to hold and practise such a Bloudie Doctrine notwithstanding Mr Cottons Vails and Pretences of not persecuting men for conscience but punishing them only for sinning against conscience and of but so and so not persecuting but punishing Hereticks Blasphemers Idolators Seducers c. It is Mr. Cottons great mistake and forgetfulnesse to charge me with a publick examination of his privat Letter to me whereas in Truth there never passed such Letters between himself and me about this Subject as he alledgeth But the Prisoners Arguments against Persecution with Mr. Cottons Answer thereunto which I examined I say these were unexpectedly and solemnly sent to me as no privat thing with earnest desire of my consideration or Animadversions on them These Agitations between Mr. Cotton and others so sent unto me as also the Model of Church and Civil Power by Gods Providence coming to hand I say they seem'd to me to be of too too Publick a nature And in which my soul not only heard the dolefull cry of the souls under the Altar to the Lord for Vengeance but their earnest sollicitations yea and the command of the Lord Jesus for Vindication of their blouds and lives spilt and destroyed by this Bloudie Tenent though under never so Fair and Glorious Shewes and Colours The most holy and allseeing knowes how bitterly I resent the least difference with Mr. Cotton yea with the least of the followers of Jesus of what conscience or worship soever How mournfully I remember this stroak as I believe on Mr. Cottons eye and the eyes of so many of Gods precious children and servants in these and other parts that those eyes so peircing and heavenly in other holy and precious Truths of God should yet be so over-clouded and bloudshotten in this I grieve I must contest and maintain this contestation with in other respects so dearly beloved and so worthy Adversaries And yet why mention I or respect I man that is but Grass and the children of men that must die whose Brains Eyes and Tongues even the holyest and the highest must shortly sink and rot in their skuls and holes Without remembring therefore who my Adversarie is nor all the Wormwood and the Gall so frequently in Mr. Cottons Reply against me I fully and only level with an upright and single eye the Lord Jesus graciously assisting against that fowl and monstrous bloudie Tenent and Doctrin which hath so slily like the old Serpent the Author of it crept under the shade and shelter of Mr. Cottons Patronage and Protection My end is to discover and proclaim the crying and horrible guilt of the bloudie Doctrin as one of the most Seditious Destructive Blasphemous and Bloudiest in any or in all the Nations of the World notwithstanding the many fine Vails Pretences and Colours of not persecuting Christ Jesus but Hereticks not Gods Truth or Servants but Blasphemers Seducers not Persecuting men for their Conscience but for sinning against their Conscience c. My end is to perswade Gods Judah especially to wash their hands from Bloud to cleanse their hearts and wayes from such Vnchristian practices toward all that is man capable of a Religion and a Conscience but most of all toward Christ Jesus who cries out as he did to Saul in the sufferings of the least of his Servants Old England Old England New England New England King King Parliaments Parliaments General Courts General Courts Presbyterians Presbyterians Independents Independents c. Why persecute you me It is hard for you to kick against the Pricks My end is to prepare the Servants and Witnesses of Jesus what Truth soever of his they testifie for that great and general and most dreadfull slaughter of the witnesses which I cannot but humbly fear and almost believe is near approaching and will be Vshered in provoak'd and hastned by the preud security worldly pomp fleshly confidence and bloudy violences of Gods own children wofully exercised each against other and so rendred wofully ripe for such an Vniversal and dreadfull Storm and Tempest My end and scope is to put a Christian barr and just and merciful Spoaks in the wheels of such zealous reforming Jehues who under the Vizard and Name of Baals Priests may possibly be induced to account it good service unto God to kill and burn his precious Servants My end is that the greatest Sons of Bloud the Papists may know when ever as the Saints in Queen Maries days confessed when ever it shall please the jealous God for the sins of his Saints to turn the Wheels of his most deep and holy Providences and to give the Power to the Paw of the Beast against his Saints and Truths for their last dreadfull slaughter as Daniel and John do clearly seem to tell us I say those Sons of Bloud the bloudie Papists may know that their bloudy Doctrin of persecution was disclaimed by some whom they call Sectaries That equall and impartiall favour was pleaded to the Catholicks as wel as to their own or other mens Souls and Consciences And that if that great Whore shall yet proceed not only to drink the wine of their carnal Jollitie in the Bowles of the holy Ordinances of Christs Temple and Sanctuary but also to drink more drunk in the bloud of his Saints and witnesses This Testimony may stand as a Character of Bloud fixed by the hand of Gods eternal Truth and Peace upon the Gates of their bloudie Courts and upon the forehead of their bloudie Judges who under what pretence soever hunt and persecute the Souls and Consciences of any Child of God or Man My truly honoured and beloved Countrimen vouchsafe me I beseech you that humane and Christian Libertie to say that I fear your Spirits are
cutting off from Christ Jesus his holy land of life and peace his church kingdom Mr. Cotton retreats and confesseth Christs Kingdom is spiritual not national but congregational and that those Scriptures hold forth a Spiritual cutting off and he so produceth them to prove the heretick so to be cut off alledging that the question was put in general tearms that he knew not what Persecution should be intended and that an unjust excommunication is as sore a persecution as an unjust banishment When he is urged with the nature of the consciences even of all men to God or Gods in their worships he professeth that he is wronged that he doth not hold that any man should be persecuted for his conscience but for sinning against his conscience When al the consciences in the world cry out against him for setting up the civil power officers and Courts of civil Iustice to judg of the conviction of mens souls and consciences Mr. Cotton retreats to his last refuge and saith that although this be the duty of all the Magistrates in the world yet not any of them must meddle to punish in Religion untill they be informed which is upon the point untill he is sure they will draw their swords for his Conscience Church c. against all other as heretical blasphemous The monstrous Partiality of such suspending c. of hanging up all the Magistrates in the world except a few of his own perswasion and that from so principall and main a part of their Office and that so many thousands in the Nations of the world all the world over and that constantly and perpetually all their dayes If it please the most jealous and righteous God to hide it I say the monstrousnesse of such a Suspension from Mr. Cottons eyes yet thousand and ten thousands will behold and wonder at it But fearing to exceed in discourse at dore let every mercifull and compassionate Reader freely enter in and search the in most Rooms and Closets If thou truly love the Truth and Peace thou art too neer of kin to the Prince of Peace and Truth it self long to escape the Hunters If the fourty two moneths of the Beasts reign and the two hundred and threescore dayes of the prophesie of the Witnesses of Jesus in Sackcloth be expired yet I fear the three dayes and a halfe of the greatest slaughter of the Witnesses is not over Yet fear not what must be suffered although the Devill cast not onely some but all Christs Witnesses into Prison yea although he murther and fling out the Karkasses of the Saints to shame and injury yet the mighty Spirit of God will raise them on their feet again and into heavenly glory out of this shame shall they ascend in the sight of their bloody enemies How many and how various are the Disputings c. about what should be this three dayes and a halfes calamity How many hope this storm is over how many fear it is now a breeding Yet why should we fear so short a draught though of a bitter Cup when tempered by the gracious hand of an Heavenly Father begun by so dear an Elder Brother so sweet a Saviour The Revelations of John and the Revelations of Gods wonderfull Providences seem to proclaim wonderfull and dreadfull Discoveries of the Son of God approaching And it is as sure as that there is a Lord Jesus Christ that God will subdue all his enemies that he will shortly break and make all his followers tread on the proudest Necks born up this day in the world even the grandest Seigniories of the Turkish and Popish Empires the two so mighty opposers of the Son of God And it is not improbable both their ruines and downfall must be from some top and pinacle of glorious prosperity and furious outrage against their Antichristian and Christian enemies The chiefest European enemies of the All devouring Turk though all that bear the name of Christ are his enemies are more especially the Pope the Emperour the King of Spain and the Venetians by whom Christ Jesus probably will dash that mighty Empire into pieces as he seems to have prophesied of old by his servant Daniel yet probably as I said before this downfall must be from some more eminent height of Turkish bloody pride and glory which that blasphemous and bloody Monarchy shall immediatly before attain unto The sorest enemies of the Roman Popes are the witnesses of the Truths of Jesus whom he hath not left himself without during the 42 moneths of the reign of this mighty and dreadfull Beast Against these blessed followers of the Lamb must probably the rage of this bloody Beast rise high in that his great slaughter of them and triumph three days and an half over them Rev. 11. and this not long before his own eternall downfall Many have been the Interpretations of that prophesie and some late Applications of the witnesses and Time to particular persons and Times of late But with all due respect to the Apprehensions of any studious of the truth of Jesus I conceive the matter is of a more generall consideration For in all that world over that wondred after the Beast hath Christ Jesus raised up a Generation or kind of Witnesses bearing testimony against him This witnesse more or lesse to the severall Truths of Jesus he hath been pleased to maintain before and since Luthers time especially The finishing of the Testimony must probably be generall not only in England but in the rest of the Protestant Nations which finishing of the witnesse probably wil consist in the matters of the purity of his worship and the Government of the Lord Jesus in his own holy Appointments and Institutions The slaughter of these witnesses must also probably be generall and in the three dayes and half triumph over them generall upon which follows that most glorious and generall rising of the witnesses unto their glory promised Rev. 11. I confess in this plea for freedom to all Consciences in matters meerly of worship I have impartially pleaded for the freedom of the consciences of the Papists themselves the greatest enemies and persecutors in Europe of the Saints and Truths of Jesus Yet I have pleaded for no more then is their due and right and what ever else shall be the Consequent it shall stand for a monument and testimony against them and be an aggravation of their former present or future cruelties against Christ Jesus the Head and all that uprightly love him his true Disciples and Followers It is true I have not satisfaction in the clear discovery of those holy Prophesies Periods set down and prefixed by the holy Spirit in Daniel John c. concerning the Kingdom of Christ Jesus Yet two things I professe in the holy presence of God Angels and Men. First my humble Desires and Resolution the Lord assisting to contend for the true and visible worship of the true and living God according to the
Hall not being satisfied he sends them unto the discusser who never saw the said Hall nor those Arguments in writing though he well remember that he saw them in print some yeers since and apprehending no other but that Master Cottons Answer was as publike as Master Cottons profession and practice of the same Tenent was and is what breach of rule can Master Cotton say it was to answer that in the streets which Master Cotton proclaimeth on the House top Peace But grant it had been a private letter and the discourse and the opinion private yet why doth he charge the discusser with breach of rule in not using orderly wayes of Admonition and telling the Church when Master Cotton himself in this Book blames the discusser for disclaiming Communion with their Church and they also after he was driven by banishment from civil habitation amongst them had sent forth a bull of excommunication against him in his absence Such practise the Lord Jesus and his first Apostles or Messengers never taught nor any that are truely their successors ever will But to end this Chapter in the last place why doth Master Cotton complaine of the loss of the liberty of his conscience and of the punishing of his conscience by the publishing of his letter aggravating it because the discusser pleads for liberty of conscience Is he indeed on the Lord Jesus mind for the sparing mens bodies and present life for their souls and eternal lives sake Doth he indeed plead for liberty of conscience Let the following discourse and this present passage manifest how tender he is of his own conscience and of the liberty of it But how censorious and senseless of the pangs and agonies of other mens conscience and spirits and sorrows As if his alone were the Apple of his eye but Theirs like the brawny hoofs of the roaring Bulls of Bashan Peace Complaines Master Cotton of persecution for such dealing against him I never heard that disputing discoursing and examining mens Tenents or Doctrines by the word of God was in proper English acceptation of the word persecution for conscience well had it been for New England that no servant of God nor witness of Christ Jesus could justly take up no other complaint against New England for other kinds of persecution surely the voice of Christ Jesus to Paul Saul Saul why persecutest thou me was for another kind of persecution Truth Deare Peace if the Bishops of Old England or new had never stirred up the Civil Magistrate to any other suppressing of mens consciences nor no other persecuting then discussing disputing c. they should never have needed to have been charged so publikely in the face of the world with the bloody Tenent of persecution for cause of conscience Examination of CHAP. II. Peace IN this Chapter Master Cotton much complaines that he is charged in the Title to maintaine persecution for cause of conscience and professeth That he would have none be punished for conscience unless his errour be fundamental or seditiously or turbulenly promoted and that after due conviction of conscience and that it may appear he is not punished for his conscience but for sinning against his conscience Truth Persecution for conscience is in plaine English hunting for conscience and Master Cotton being a son of wine as the Jews speak in their Proverb is loth to be counted a son of vinegar and therefore would avoid the word persecuting or hunting as something too wilde and fierce an expression more sutable to the bloody sons of vinegar and gall the Roman Emperors Popes and Bishops and he much desires to have the word persecuting changed for the word punishing a tearm more proper to true Justice But is not this the guise and profession of all that ever persecuted or hunted men for their Religion and conscience are not all histories and experiences full of the pathetical speeches of persecutors to this purpose You will say you are persecuted for your conscience you plead conscience Thou art a heretick the devil hath deceived thee thy conscience is deluded c. And 2. Whether such punishing as Master Cotton assigneth to that threefold degree of heretical wickedness chap. 5. to wit To hold a fundamental error To persist therein after conviction and lastly To seduce others thereunto Or these five summed up page 186 of his book subverters of the Christian Faith persisters therein after conviction blasphemers idolaters seducers I say such a punishing which he affirmes to be death and killing will not amount to make up a persecution for cause of conscience let the Spanish Inquisitions be an instance who when they torture and rack and kill and burn for such crimes yet varnish they and guild all over with the painted Title of Gods Glory holy zeal just punishment of hereticks blasphemers c. Peace But Master Cotton blameth that he should be charged with the Doctrine of persecution by consequence Truth Let his whole book and the prosecuting of this controversie be judge whether it be only drawn from consequences and not express Tearms And for the washing of this bloody Tenent in the blood of the Lambe Time hath and will discover that such a Blackamore cannot be washed in the blood of Christ himself without Repentance for they that washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb Revelations the 7. were true penitents untill therefore that persecutors repent of this bloody Doctrine and practice they must hear as the men of Judah did the prophet Isaiahs thunder Isa 1. Your hands are defiled with blood wash you make you clean c. Examination of CHAP. III. Peace BUt what knot in a Bulrush is that which Master Cotton observes the discusser findes in his first distinction of persecution for cause of conscience Truth For the matter upon the point they both agree as Master Cotton hath penned himself that persecution for cause of conscience is not onely when a man is punished for professing such Doctrines and Worships as he believes to be of God but also when he is punished for renouncing such Doctrine and not practising such Worships which he believes are not of God c. All the difference is this that the discusser saith This should have been expressed in the distinction Master Cotton saith it was implied and therefore the observing of the not expressing of it was but a knot in a Bulrush Peace T is wofully true that the peace of the Saints and the peace of the world hath been lamentably broake and distracted in punishing or persecuting of men but especially the Saints upon both these grounds but yet the records of time and experience will tell us that since the Apostasie from the truth of Jesus the rising of Antichrist and the setting up of many State Religions the forest and frequentest punishing or hunting of the children of God hath been as in the case of Nebuchadnezzars Image for not bowing down to the State-Images for not coming
to Church for not obeying the Laws for withstanding the Kings oâ— Queens or Parliaments proceedings Truth Your observation is most serious and seasonable and your complaint as true as lamentable for since all States and Governments of the world which lies in wickedness set up their State or Commonweal-Religions Nebuchadnezzars golden Images and Jeroboams golden Calves the types of the State-Worships of after Ages whereby others are made to sin and bow down to their seeming glorious worships and since the dissenters refusers non-conformers non-covenanters the witnesses of God against such abominations are but few and what positive worship they hold or practice commonly is most retired and flying into private corners by reason of the violence of the persecution they are hence soonest in all places of their abode and more speedily and immediately called for and sought out in the several Parish-towns where they live to bow down to the common-Image the beastly and Calvish inventions of the Ieroboams of this perishing world and for refusing to subscribe to conforme to come to Church to do as their neighbours for being wiser then their Teachers their Fathers their Magistrates the Country the Parliament the Kingdome and sometimes the whole world in their Oecumenical or worldly Councels they are thus punished and hunted for their conscience for Gods for Jesus sake which is a point Master Cotton will say if the blood of his dear Redeemer split in the blood of his servants kindly affect him of greater weight then knots in bulrushes Examination of CHAP. IV. Peace IN the second distinction to wit of fundamentals without right belief whereof a man cannot be saved Master Cotton upon the point confesseth it was a just reproof and saith that he meant only of the first sort of foundations that concern salvation and not of those that concerne the foundation of the Church and Christian Religion Truth It is strange that Master Cotton should so distinguish of foundations when the holy Scripture attributes salvation to those foundations of the Church and the order of it The Lord added to the Church such as should be saved and the like figure whereunto Baptisme now saveth us and concerning the resurrection that we are saved by hope Rom. 8. Besides are not those first foundations which he saith concerne salvation foundations also of the Christian Religion If not of the Christian then I demand of what Religion are they foundations Peace It cannot therefore be denyed but that his distinction of fundamentals was most dangerous tending directly to condemne the generation of the righteous who have been generally for many generations ignorant of the Christian way of worship But what say you to this reply touching how far the New English implicite Parishes compare and partake with those of old Truth How far those Churches cannot be cleered from not comming out from the Parish-worship from being themselves implicitely Parish-Churches notwithstanding their Fig-leaves c. and from being persecutors of such as endeavour to cover their nakedness with better clothing will appear with Christs assistance in the examination of his reply to the Answer of his Letter Examination of CHAP. V. Peace THe discourse of this chapter is larger and more controversial and therefore dear Truth requires your most serious and deeper examination of it Master Cotton here distinguisheth worship into true and false and infers that if true worship fellowship with God is held but if false fellowship with God is lost And whereas he was thereupon minded by the discusser to have lived in a false Ministery in England and to have practised the false worship of the Common Prayer he labours to clear both and in particular he saith It is not truly said that the Spirit of God maketh the Ministery one of the foundations of the Christian religion Heb. 6. For it is saith he only a foundation of Christian order not of faith or religion and he adds The Apostle puts an express difference between faith and order Col. 2. 5. What can be said thereunto Truth 1. Alas what buildings can weak souls expect from such Master-builders when Master Cotton is so confounded about the very foundations In the former Chapter he distinguisheth between foundations that concern salvation and those that concern the the Church and Christian religion here he distinguisheth between those of Christian order and those of Faith or Christian religion In the former he opposeth faith against religion and order here he opposeth faith and religion to order Grant his memory in so short a turn failed him yet doubtless his mistakes about the foundation of Christian religion are most gross and inexcusable Truth 2. I finde no such distinction in the Testament of Christ Jesus between the Christian order and the Christian religion as if the order of the Church of God I might say the Church it self and the Ministery of it were no part of the Christian religion It is true Coloss 2. speaks of faith and order but yet denies not the Christian Church and the order of it to be any part of the Christian religion It is true that sometimes faith implies the particular grace of believing and yet sometimes it is put for the whole Christian religion as Jude 1. contend for the faith once delivered so that if Master Cotton confesseth the Ministery of the Word Heb. 6. to be a foundation of Christian or Church-order he cannot deny it to be a foundation of the Christian religion or worship reduced to those two of Faith and Order Peace What answer you to his saying It is not a true and a safe speech to call the fellowship and blessing of God vouchsafed to corrupt Churches or Ministers or ministrations unpromised or beyond a word of promise of God Against which he alleadgeth Ier. 13. That God will be merciful to his peoples iniquities and 2 Chron. 30. Gods mercy to every one that prepareth his heart c. although he be not cleansed after the preparation c. Truth The promises hold forth no blessing or fellowship of God to false worships against which all the holy Scripture denounceth cursings both in the old and new Testament nor in particular doth that of Ieremy promise any pardon of sin but to the repentant though most true also is that distinction of particular repentance for known sins and general for sins unknown Such was the sin it may be of the Israelites 2 Chron. 30. in their want of such their legal cleansing But I add how can that one act of covering or conniving at ceremoniall uncleanness about a true worship be brought to prove a promise of Gods blessing and fellowship to a constant course of a false and invented way of prayer by the Latine or English Masse-book as some have rightly called it Peace Concerning Ordination Master Cotton saith that it is no essential part of a call to the Ministery no more then Coronation is essential to the Office of a King And Jehoshua the high priest did not lose fellowship
c. and it is just to preserve the Society of the church as well as any other Society Truth When we speak of the balances of Justice we must distinguish between the Balances of the Sanctuary and the Balances of the World or civil States It is spiritual justice to preserve spiritual right and for that end the spiritual King thereof hath taken care It is civil Justice to preserve the civil rights and the Rights of a civil society ought justly to be preserved by a civil State and yet if a company of men combine themselves into a civil society by voluntary agreement and voluntarily dissolve it it is not justice to force them to continue together Peace The church can least of all be forced for as it is a spiritual society and not subject to any civil Judicature though some say that a church in New England was cited to appear before a civil Court so is the combination of it voluntary and the dissolution of it in part or whole is voluntary and endures no Civil violence but as a virgin in point of marriage nec cogit nec cogitur she forceth not nor can be forced by any civil power Truth But lastly if it be justice to preserve the Society of the church is it not partiality in a meer civil State to preserve one onely society and not the persons of other Religious societies and consciences also But the Truth is this mingling of the church and the world together and their orders and societies together doth plainly discover that such churches were never called out from the world and that this is only a secret policy of flesh and blood to get protection from the world and so to keep with some little stilling of conscience from the Cross or Gallowes of Jesus Christ Truth Yea but hear saith Master Cotton those excellent penmen of the Spirit both the Father and the Son David and Solomon First David Psalme 122 They shall prosper that love the peace of Jerusalem and Solomon Where the righteous rejoyce there is great glory Prov. 28. Now saith he what is the church but a congregation of righteous men If the rejoycing of the Church be the glory of a Nation surely the disturbing and destroying and dissolving the church is the shame and confusion of a Nation Truth The outward prosperity of a Nation was a typical figurative blessing of that national and figurative church of Israel in Canaan It is now made good spiritually to them that love the spiritual Jerusalem for though godliness hath a promise of things of this life convenient yet persecution is the common and ordinary portion of the Saints under the Gospel thoughâ— that cup be infinitely sweetned also to them that drink of it with Christ Jesus by the measure and increase of a hundred fold for one even with persecution in this life 2. It is true the rejoycing of a Church of Christ is the glory of any Nation and the contrary a shame yet this proveth not that God vouchsafeth to no state civil peace and temporal glory except it establish and keep up a Church of Christ by force of armes for the contrary we have mentioned and Master Cotton confesseth the flourishing of States ignorant of Christ from Age to Age yea and as I have mentioned even to two thousand yeers in Athens six generations before it heard of Christ and fourteen generations since with the sprinking for some time of the knowledge of Christ Jesus in it Peace 2. But consider saith Master Cotton the excellency and preheminence of the church that the world is for it and would not subsist but for it c. Truth T is true glorious things are spoken of the City of God c. yet for many Ages together Master Cotton confesseth the Nations of the world may subsist flourish without it and though it be the duty of the Nations of the world to countenance and cherish the church of Christ yet where is there any commission either in the New or Old Testament that the Nations of the world should be the judges governors and defenders of Christ Iesus his spiritual kingdome and so bound to take up Armes and smite with the civil sword among so many pretenders for that which they believe to be the church of Christ Peace 3. saith he It is matter of just displeasure to God and sad grief of heart to the church when civil states looke at the state of the church as of little or no concernment to themselves Zech. 1. 19. Lam. 1. 13. Truth Grant this and that the most jealous God will awake in his season for these sins and for the persecutions idolatries and blasphemies which the Nations live in yet what is this for warrant to the Nations as before to judge and rule the church of Christ yea and under the colour of defending Christs faith and preserving Christs church pure to tear Christ out of heaven by persecuting of his Saints on earth and to fire the world with devouring flames of bloody wars and this onely for the sweet sake of the prince of peace Peace Dear Truth we are now upon an high point and that which neerly concerns my self the peace of the world and the Nations of it Master Cotton saith further God winketh at the Nations in the time of their ignorance and suffers the Nation to flourish many hundred yeers together as did the Empire of Rome yet when the church of Christ comes to be planted amongst them then as he brought the Turkes upon the Romans for their persecuting the church and not preserving it in purity so consequently will he do unto the Nations of the world Truth I answer the most righteous Judge of the whole world hath plauged the Nations of the world both before Christs coming and since for their pride and cruelty against his people for their idolateries blasphemies c. Yet Master Cotton acknowledgeth that many states have flourished many hundred yeers together when no true church of Christ hath been found in them and Master Cotton will never prove that God ever commanded the Nations and governments of the world to gather or constitute his churches and to preserve them in purity For God gave his ordinances both before and since Christ to his people onely whom he chuseth and calleth out of the World and the Nations of it and he hath punished and dissolved them for their obstinate neglect thereof And for the Roman Empire and the Emperors thereof the Christian Religion and the purity thereof never lost so much as when the Emperors were perswaded of Master Cottons bloody Tenent as Master Cotton and all men seen in History and Christianity must confess Peace But further although saith Master Cotton the peace of the church be a spiritual inward peace yet there is an outward peace of the church due to them from Princes and Magistrates in a way of godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2. But in a way of ungodliness and
of Gods servants have fed and himself not a little to the Lords praise and his own in former times Peace Whereas you argued it to be light alone that was able to dispell and scatter the mists and fogs of darkness in the souls and consciences of men Master Cotton answers The judgements of God are as light that goeth forth Hos 6. 3. Isa 26. 9. and the false Prophet repenting will acknowledge this Zech. 13. 6. Thus was I wounded in the house of my friends Truth But doth Master Cotton indeed believe that not only publike Magistrates but also each private father and mother as that place of Zechary literately taken carries it must now in the dayes of the Gospel wound and pierce yea run through and kill their Son the false Prophet would he justifie a parent so practising though it were in the neglect of the publike Magistrate who happily may be of the same Religion with the false prophet Will not this doctrine reach extend to the pulling down deposing and killing of all such governors and governments which God in his gracious providence hath set up amongst all peoples in all parts and dominions of the world yea and harden the heart of Pharoah the very Pope himself in his King-killing and State-killing doctrine Peace If ever Master Cotton wake in this point he will tell all the world that it is more Gospel-like that Parents Brethren Fathers Friends impartially fulfill this of Zechary 13. and Deut. 13. spiritually in the friendly wounding yea and zealous slaying by the two-edged sword of the Spirit of God which is the word of God comming forth of the mouth of Christ Jesus Ephes 5. Revel 1. Truth And it is most true as Master Cotton saith that the judgements of God legally executed or more terribly poured forth in the vials of sword plague and famine they are as heavenly lights shining out from the Father of lights teaching the inhabitants of the world righteousness Yea the creation it self or each creature are as candles and glasses to light and shew us the invisible God and creator but yet these are not the ordinances of Christ Jesus given to his church These are not the Preachings of the word and the opening of the mysteries of salvation which give light and understanding to the simple and convert the soul These are nor that marvailous light unto which the call of Christ Jesus in the preaching of the word had brought the Saints unto whom Peter writes The weapons of Pauls fighting whereby to batter down the high thoughts and imaginations of the sons of men against the sons of God were of another nature 3 Cor. 10. and his directions to Timothy and Titus how to deal with Hereticks and Gainsayers were never heard of to be such till the son of man and son of perdition brought forth such bloody weapons and bloody doctrines in the affaires of Christ Jesus Examination of CHAP. X. Peace IN this passage Master Cotton will subscribe to the whole matter saying This Chapter may stand for us without impeachment and yet in this Chapter is reported the persecution which both rightly informed and erroneous consciences suffer and the blind estate of such blinde guides and blinded consciences who so preach and practice Truth These first words We approve no persecution for conscience fight against his whole endeavour in this book which is to set up the civil throne and judgement-seat over the consciences and soules of men under the pretence of preserving the church of Christ pure and punishing the evil of heresie blasphemy c. 2. They fight against their fellows which follow thus unless the conscience be convinced of the error and perniciousness thereof which is all one as to say We hold no man is to be persecuted for his conscience unless it be for a conscience which we judge dangerous to our Religion No man is to be persecuted for his conscience unless we judge that we have convinced or conquered his conscience T is true all errour is perniciots many wayes to Gods glory to a mans owne soul to other mens souls and consciences yet I understand Master Cotton to say Except we judge the error to be so and so mischievous T is true there is a self-conviction which some consciences smite and wound themselves with But to submit these consciences to the tribunal of the civil Magistrate and Powers of the World how can Master Cotton do this and yet say no man is to be persecuted for his conscience Peace Alas how many thousands and millions of consciences have been persecuted in all Ages and Times iâ— a judicial war and how have their Judges pretended victory and triumph crying out We have convinced or conquered them and yet are they obstinate Truth Hence came that hellish Proverb That nothing was more obstinate then a Christian under which cloud of reproach hath been overwhelmed the most faithful zealous and constant witnesses of Jesus Christ Peace But saith Master Cotton Some blinded consciences are so judicially punished by God as his in Irelond that burnt his child in imitation of Abraham Truth In such cases it may be truly said the Magistrate beares not the sword in vaine either for the punishing or preventing of such sins whether uncleanness theft cruelty or persecution And therefore such consciences as are so hardned by Gods judgement as to smite their fellow-servants under the pretence of zeale and conscience as in the instance of Saul his zeal for the children of Israel against the Gibeonites they ought to be supprest and punished to be restrained and prevented And hence is seasonable the saying of King Iames that he desired to be secured of the Papists concerning civil obedience which security by wholesome Lawes and other wayes according to the wisdome of each state each state is to provide for it self even against the delusions of hardned consciences in any attempt which meerly concernes the civil state and Common-weale Examination of CHAP. XI Peace IN this Chapter Master Cotton takes himself wronged that he should be thought to lay this down as a conclusion viz. that it is not lawful to persecute Iesus Christ Truth What difference is there in saying It is not lawful to persecute a conscience rightly informed and to say It is not lawful to persecute Christ Iesus was it not all one in effect for Christ to say Take up thy bed and walk as to say Thy sins are forgiven thee Peace He adds It is no matter of wonder to lay down the principles of Religion for a proof as Gamaliel did Truth Who sees not a vast difference between Master Cottons and Gamaliels speech Gamaliel speaks of that particular controversie concerning Christs person and profession which the Iews so gainsayed and persecuted Gamaliel fitly aggravateth their opposition by the danger of their course if possibly it might prove to be the Truth which they persecuted Master Cotton is to lay down not a particular answer
toleration and gentleness to other consciences both English and Barbarians Examination of CHAP. XXV Peace IN this Chapter Master Cotton affirms that hypocrites even they that are discerned to be such yet they are not to be purged out except they break forth into such notorious fruits of hypocrisie as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe for otherwise saith he we may roote out the best wheate in Gods field c. Truth I answer sâ—â—â—â— hypocrites and all hypocrisie is so odious in Gods sight and so vehemently inveighed against by Christ Jesus what should be the cause why the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisie should finde greater favour and connivence in the church of Christ then the leaven of any other sin since all ought to be purged out 1 Cor. 5. 2. Contrary to what Master Cotton saith to wit That no man meerly for hypocrisie and want of life and power of Godliness ought to be proceeded against the Spirit of God by Paul saith That such kind of professours of the name of Christ should arise that should pretend a form of godliness but not shew forth the power thereof from which he commandeth us to turn away 1 Tim. 3. Peace But Master Cotton excepteth Except saith he they break forth into some notorious scandalous fruits of hypocrisie Truth How shall an hypocrite be discovered and known to be an hypocrite or traitor in church or civil state but by some such notorious scandalous fruits as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe Come to particulars was Iudas Ananias and Sapphira Simon Magus Demas or any other discovered to be Hypocrites when they broke forth into treachery lying covetousness and might the church proceed against such If it be denied I ask to what end the Lord hath given those holy rules of admonition c. will it prove ought but prophaning of the name of the Lord to pretend our clear discerning of the Scripture and ordinances and not to practise them If it be yeelded against these fruits of hypocrisie discovering men to be hypocrites why do we plead for a dispensation and not for the wheat of the Field and flowers of the garden but for the most stinking and loathsome tares and weeds to be continued in the holy garden of Christ Jesus Peace But many hypocrites saith Master Cotton fall not within the censure of that Scripture 2 Thess 3. 6. Withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly for many hypocrites follow their callings and are so far from being burthensome unto others that they are after choaked with the cares and businesses of the world and yet are not behind in liberal contribution to pious uses Truth But is not this halting between God and Baal yea is not this pleading for Baal for hypocrisie hypocrites and dissemblers false and Antichristian counterfeits to be permitted not onely in the wilderness of the world which I contend for but also even in the Garden House Bed and bosome of God What if men be civil and follow their callings Men that know not God so do What though they be liberal to pious uses millions of Papists are and have been so according to their consciences when as yet they are choaked with cares and businesses of this world How express is the charge of the Lord Jesus to with-draw from such notwithstanding their forme of Godliness and contribution to Godly uses when they declare not the power of godliness 1 Tim. 3. 2. Not to eate with them and therefore to seperate from such a brother as is covetuous 1 Cor. 5. as well as from an idolater drunkard c. The Church of Christ is a congregation of Saints a flock of sheep humble meek patient contented with whom it is monstrous and impossible to couple cruel and persecuting lyons subtle and hypocritical Foxes contentious biting dogs or greedy and rooting swine so visibly declared and apparant Examination of CHAP. XXI Peace IN this Chapter four answers were given by the discusser to that great objection of the mischief that the Tares will do in the field of the world if let alone and not pluckt up The first was That if the tares offend against Civility or civil state God hath armed the civil state with a civil sword c. Master Cotton replies what if their conscience incite them to civil offences I answer the conscience of the civil Magistrate must incite him to civil punishment as a Lord Maior of London once answered That he was born to be a Judge to a Thief that pleaded he was born to be a thief If the conscience of the worshippers of the Beast incite them to prejudice prince or state Although these consciences be not as the conscience of a thief commonly convinced of the evil of his fact but perswaded of the lawfulness of their actions yet so far as the civil state is endammaged or endangered I say the sword of God in the hand of civil Authority is strong enough to defend it self either by imprisoning or disarming or other wholesome meanes c. while yet their consciences ought to be permitted in what is meerly point of worship as prayer and other services and administrations Hence the wisdome of God in that 13 Rom. reckoned by Master Cotton the Magâ—a Charta for civil Magistrates dealing in matters of Religion I say there it pleaseth God expresly to reckon up the particulars of the second table chalking out as it were by his own finger the civil sphear or circle in which the civil Magistrate ought to act and execute his civil power and Authority Peace The second answer of the discusser was that the church or spiritual City hath laws and Armories to defend it self Master Cotton excepteth saying That if their members be leavened with Antichristian Idolatry and Superstition and yet must be tolerated in their idolatry and superstitious worship will not a litle leaven leaven the whole lumpe and how then is the church guarded Truth The question is whether idolatrous and Antichristian worshippers may be tolerated in civil state in the City in the Kingdome c. under any civil power Master Cotton answers no they will do mischief The reply is against any civil mischief though wrought conscientiously the civil state is strongly guarded Secondly Against the spiritual mischief the church or City of Christ is guarded with heavenly Armories wherein there hang a thousand Bucklers Cant. 4. and most mighty weapons 2 Cor. 10. In the church of Christ such worshippers ought not to be tolerated but cast out c. That is true saith Master Cotton but yet their leaven will spread I answer What is this but to make the most powerful appointments of Christ Jesus those mighty weapons of God terrible censures and soul punishments in his kingdome but as so many woodden daggers and leaden swords childrens Bull-beggars and scarcrows and upon the point so base and beggarly that without the help of the Cutlers shop or Smiths forge the church or
wit an impossibility of repentance and forgiveness of sins either in this or the world to come And for the present at every turn he concludes them hypocrites blind guides which could not escape the judgement of Hell So that all other sences of those words Let them alone that is of not reprooving them cannot stand nor if it were the duty of the Ministers of Christ to stir up the civil Magistrate against such hypocritical and blasphemous Pharisees could Christ Jesus himself or his servants the Apostles be excused for not complaining to the Romane State against them So leaving the blame upon the conscience of the governors if the land were not purged of such blasphemers and fundamental opposers of the Son of God Let me me end sweet peace with the bottome of all such persecutions Satan rageth against God and his Christ that devil that cast the Saints into prison Rev. 2. what instruments soever he useth would cast Christ himself into prison againe and to the gallows againe if he came again in person into any the most refined persecuting state in the world Examination of CHAP. XXX Peace I Doubt not dear truth in the first place but you cast an observant eye on Master Cottons collections in this Chapter from Pauls words Acts 25. 11. I will mention the two first 1. That a man may be such an offender in matters of Religion against the law of God against the Church as well as in civil matters against Caesar as to be worthy of death 2. That if a servant of God should commit any such offence he would not refuse judgement to the death vers 11. Truth Paul onely saith in the general If I have committed ought worthy of death I refuse not to die Now therefore as Paul said No man that is no man justly may deliver me to the Jews So say I no man from these words of Paul without wronging him and his Master the God of Truth can draw such a conclusion as if Paul had acknowledged it evil in him to have preached against the laws of the Jews or the temple which the Lord Jesus and his servants after him so abundantly did although at this time in point of fact Paul might well say he had not done ought against the law of the Jews I mean the ceremonial law and the Temple for he had now observed the ceremonies of the Law and the holiness of the Temple although for this some use to blame him not discerning that Paul knew there was a time to honour those ceremonies even after Christs death and a time as much to debase dishonour and abolish them Peace His third collection is That it is lawfull even in Ecclesiastical causes to appeale to a Pagan Magistrate Truth As I utterly renounce such a conclusion any otherwise then in respect of civil violence offered for a mans conscience which violence Caesar ought to see revenged and punished so neither will this instance of Paul prove it for in appealing to an higher Judge a man alwayes presupposeth if not skill perfect yet competent skill and a true power committed from God to judge in such cases which Paul for many reasons both in this Chapter and elsewhere manifested could not suppose in the Romane Caesars or any civil Magistrate Peace Master Cotton urgeth that these words verse 9. These Things imply matters of Religion as well as civil things Truth Those words These Things were not the words of Paul but the words of Festus 2. Grant them Pauls words yet if for those things the Jews seek his life Paul well appeals to Caesar against them for Caesar is bound to protect the bodies goods or good names of his subjects either from false accusations in civil things or persecution for matters of conscience which is a violence against the civil state of which Caesar was the supreme officer Peace His fourth collection is that civil Magistrates may and ought to â—e acquainted with all matters of Religion especially capital Truth In twenty five parts of the world of thirty civil Magistrates cannot possibly be thus acquainted for the sound of Christ Jesus is not there to be heard as the best Historians and Cosmographers yeeld Peace It seemes strange if Christ Jesus had intended any such delegation of spiritual power to civil Magistrates that he should keep the very sound of his name from them Againe in the other five parts of the world where his name is sounded how rarely hath he acquainted any civil Magistrate with the saving knowledge of his will Truth I add that such rare ones that savingly know Christ Jesus and his will are no judges in such cases over the consciences of their brethren or any by way of civil judicature this very instance of Pauls appealing to Caesar hath and shall further declare and mainfest Peace But what should be the reason why Master Cotton affirmeth That the civil Magistrate ought to be able to judge of all capital offences against Religion but not of all questions Truth The truth is if the civil Magistrate were a Surgeon appointed of Christ Iesus to judge in causes that concern cutting of life and limbe c. he would beyond all question be able to judge of petty cuts wounds c. But Satan that old deceiver that knew by Gods permission how to cozen Adam David Solomon Peter the most perfect wise and holiest of Gods servants is not now to learn how to cheat Master Cotton also Satan well â—ees if Master Cotton should grant it the Magistrates duty to judge in lesser questions the hope of Benefices and Livings were gone and the trade of Synods would down And if he should not grant it to be the Magistrates duty to judge in capitals the Pope the Bishops and all persecuting priests would want the secular power the servile executioners of their most wicked and most bloody decrees and sentences Peace In the next place Master Cotton seemes to charge a contradiction upon the discusser for saying that civil Magistrates were never appointed by God defenders of the faith of Iesus and yet every one is bound to put forth his utmost powers in Gods business Truth Love hath charged the discusser to spare the â—â—â—rm of contradiction in many passages of Master Cottons writing where he hath to his understanding observed them to prevent exasperations c. contrarily Master Cotton against the discusser straines the text and Margin to sound out contradictions contradictions to all passengers But let us examine And first Master Cotton will not deny but the son of perdition the Pope of Rome whose coming and practice is by the work of the devil was the blasphemous author he and his Cardinals in Councel together of that title defender of the faith sent with great gratitude and solemnity to Henry the eighth as a kingly popelike reward for penning or bearing the name of a blasphemous writing against Christ Iesus in his holy truth proclaimed by Luther Peace With
pleased with that passage viz. That God will take away such stayes upon whom Gods people rest in his wrath that king David that is Christ Jesus the Antitype in his own spiritual power in the hands of his Saints may spiritually and for ever be advanced Truth This power the General Councels the Popes the Prelates the kings of the earth the civil courts and Magistrates lay claime unto and most of them with bloody hands yea and Gods servants have too long leaned unto and longed after such an arme of flesh which proves most commonly but Sauls arme an oppressing and persecuting and a self killing and destroying power at the last Examination of CHAP. XXXII Peace THis Chapter containes a twofold denyal First saith Master Cotton we hold it not lawful for a Christian Magistrate to compell by civil sword either Pharisee or Pagan or Jew to profess his religion Truth He that is deceived himself with a bad commodity puts it off as good to others Master Cotton believes and would make others believe that it is no compulsion to make laws with penalties for all to come to church and to publike worship which was ever in our fathers dayes held a sufficient trial of their religion and of consenting to or dissenting from the religion of the times Hence by some is that of Luk. 14. alledged Compel them to come in sufficiently fulfilled if they be so far compelled as to be conformable to come to church though it be under the pretence and mask of comming only to hear the word whereby they may be converted But it is needless to stand guessing and guessing at the weight when the scales are at hand the holy word of God by which we all profess to have our weight or to be found too light Peace Master Cotton therefore Secondly denies that a blind Pharisee may be a good subject and as peaceable and profitable to the civil state as any since they destroyed the civil state by destroying Christ Truth When we speak of civil state and their administrations it is most improper and fallacious to wind or weave in the consideration of their true or false religions It is true idolatry brings judgement in Gods time and so do other sins for we read not of idolatry in Sodoms punishment Ezek. 16. notwithstanding there is a present civil state of men combined to live together there in a commonweale which Gods people are commanded to pray for Jerm 29. whatever be the religion there publikly professed Beside the Pharisees destroying Christ were guilty of blood and persecution which is more then idolatry c. and cries to heaven for vengeance Peace It cannot therefore with any shew of charity be denyed but that divers priests of Babel might be civil and peaceable notwithstanding their religion and conscience Truth Yea it is known by experience that many thousands of Mahumetan Popish and Pagan Priests are in their persons both of as civil and courteous and peaceable a nature as any of the subjects in the state they live in The truth is that herein all the priests in the world Mahumetan Pepish Pagan and Protestant are the greatest peace-breakers in the world as they fearing their own cause never rest stirring up Princes and people against any whether Gods or the devils instruments that shall oppose their own religion and conscience that is in plaine English their profits honours and bellies Examination of CHAP. XXXIII Peace THe entrance of this Chapter dear truth looks in mine eye like one of the bloody fathers of the inquisition and breaths like Paul in his mad zeal and frenzy slaughters against the Son of God himself though under the name or brand of a seducer as all persecutors have ever done For saith Master Cotton he that corrupteth a soul with a corrupt religion layeth a spreading leaven which corrupteth a state as Michals idolatry corrupted Laish Judg. 19. and that Apostacy was the captivity of the land and the worshipping of images brought the plague of the Turkes and therefore it is lex talionis that calleth for not only soul for soul but life for life Truth Thy tender braine and heart cannot let flie an arrow sharpe enough to pierce the bowels of such a Bloody Tenent Peace The flaming jealousie of that most holy and righteous Judge who is a consuming fire will not ever hear such Tenents and behold such practices in silence Truth Sweet peace long and long may the Almond-tree flourish on Master Cottons head in the armes of true Christianity and true Christian honour And let New Englands Colonies flourish also if Christ so please untill he come againe the second time But that he who is love it self would please to tell Master Cotton and the Colonies and the world the untrueness uncharitableness numercifulness and unpeaceableness of such conclusions For is not this the plaine English and the bottome to wit If the spirit of Christ Jesus in any of his servants sons oâ— daughters witnessing against the abominations or stinks of Antichrist shall perswade one soul man or woman to fear God to come out of Babell c. to refuse to bow down to and to come out from communion with a state-golden-image and not to touch what it is perswaded is an unclean thing That man or woman who was the Lambs and the Spirits instruments thus to inlighten and perswade one soul he hath saith this tenent laid a leaven which corrupteth the state that is the laud town city kingdome or Empire of the world that leaven shall bring the captivity ruine and destruction of the state and therefore Lex Talionis not only soul for soul in the next but life for life also in this present world Peace All thy witnesses dear truth in all ages have borne the brand and black mark of seducers and still shall even Christ Jesus himself to the last of his holy army and followers against his enemies Truth How famous or rather abominably infamous hath been the practice of all persecutors this way I shall pick out one instance a very stinking weed out of Babels desart to let pass all the bloody bulls and their roarings and threatning of Councels Popes and Emperors Kings Bishops Commissaries c. against the Waldensians Wickleviaâ—s the Hussites Hugonites Lutheraus Calvinists c. their infections and seducings To let pass former and latter persecutions in our own English Nation which hath been as France Spaine Italy Low-countries c. also a slaughter-house of Christs lambs one instance more pertinent then many we have in the raigne of that wise and mighty prince Henry the eighth of bloody Longland Lincolnes Bishop acting to the life Master Cottons Tenent against seducers throughout his Diocess What oaths did he exact what articles did he invent to find out the meetings the conventicles the conferences of any poor servants of God men and women day or night whether the father read to the child or the childe to the father the husband to
perish by it Peace And for the perpetuity of the reason of the law you formerly fully satisfied that even in the dayes of grace for him that shall thrust away an Israelite from his God there is upon his obstinacy a greater punishment beyond all imagination to wit a spiritual cutting off from the land of Canaan then under Moses which was but from the temporall the type and shadow But Master Cotton proceedeth alleadging that the Minister of God must have in a readiness to execute vengeance on him that doth evil and evil it is saith he to thurst away Gods people from him Truth Every lawful Magistrate whether succeeding or elected is not only the Minister of God but the Minister or servant of the people also what people or nation soever they be all the world over and that Minister or Magistrate goes beyond his commission who intermeddles with that which cannot be given him in commission from the people unless Master Cotton can prove that all the people and inhabitants of all nations in the world have spiritual power Christs power naturally fundamentally and originally residing in them as they are people and inhabitants of this world to rule Christs Spouse the church and to give spiritual power to their officers to exercise their spiritual laws and commands otherwise it is but prophaning the holy name of the most high It is but flattering of Magistrates it is but the accursed trusting to an arme of flesh to perswade the rulers of the earth that they are Kings of the Israel or church of God who were in their institutions and government immediately from God the rulers and gavernors of his holy church and people Peace Grant saith Master Cotton that the evil be spiritual and concern the inner man and not the civil state yet that evill will be destructive to such a City it shall not rise up the second â—ime Nâ—hâ—â—s 1. 9. Truth Although that it pleaseth God sometimes to bring a people to utter destruction for their idolatry against himself and cruelty against his people yet we see the Lord doth not presently and instantly do this but after a long course of many ages and generations as was seen in Nineve her self and since in Athens Constantinople and Rome both Pagan and Antichristian And therefore the example here by Master Cotton produced gives not the least colour of warrant for the civil state presently and immediately to execute vengeance for idolatry or heresie upon persons or Cities now all the world over as he gave commandment to that typical nation of Israel which is now also to be fulfilled spiritually upon the spiritual Israelite or Israelitish City a particular church or people falling away from the living God in Christ Jesus Peace Whereas it was said by the discusser that the civil Magistrate hath the charge of the bodies and goods of the subjects and the spiritual officers of the church or kingdome of Christ the charge of their souls and soul safety Master Cotton answers First If it were so that the civil Magistrate had the charge of the bodies and goods onely of the subject yet that might justly excite to watchfulness against such pollution of religion as tends to apostacy for God will visit city and country with publike calamity if not with captivity for the churches sake The idolatry and worship of Christians saith he brought the Turkish captivity upon the citys and countries of Asia Truth By soul and soul safety I think Master Cotton understands the same with the discusser to wit the matters of religion and spiritual worship If the Magistrate hath received any such charge or commission from God in spiritual things doubtless as before the people have received it originally and fundamentally as they are a people But now if neither the nations of the world as peoples and nations have received this power originally and fundamentally nor can they derive it Ministerially to their civil officers by what name or title high or low soever they be distinguished Oh what presumption what prophaning of Gods most holy name what usurpation over the souls and consciences of men though it come under the vaile or vizard of saving the City or kingdome yea of saving of souls and honoring of God himself Beside God is not wont to visit any country or people in general for the sin of his people but for their own idolatries and cruelty toward his people as all histories will prove And for this instance of the Turkes I say it was not the idolatry and image-worship alone of the Antichristians but joyned with their other sins which brought Gods vengeance by the Turks upon them as was said above from Revel 9. and especially their Antichristian cruelty grounded upon this bloody doctrine of persecution Both these Antichristian states and since also the Turkish Monarchy have flourished many generations in external and outward prosperity and glory notwithstanding their religion is false and although it is true that in the time and period appointed all nations shall drink of the cup of Gods wrath for their nationall sins both against the first and second table in matters concerning God and man Peace How satisfie you Master Cottons second answer or question to wit Did ever God commit the charge of the body to any Governor to whom he did not commit in his way the care of their souls also Truth There is a twofold care and charge of souls manifested in holy Scripture First That which in common belongs to all to love our neighbor as our selves to endeavor the present and eternal welfare both of superiors inferiors equals friends and enemies and this by prayers exhortations reproofs examples of justice loving kindness sobriety godliness c. But what is this to the second charge by way of office which in the old Testament was given not only to Priests and Levites but to the governors and rulers of the Iewish state of which state being mixed of spiritual and civil they were the head and governors as it was Israel a nation of worshippers of the true God And therein were they the types and forerunners of Christ Jesus the true King of Israel as he is called Joh. 1. The cure and charge of souls now saith Master Cotton in this Chapter belongeth by vertue of office to the spiritual officers of Christs kingdom I add and during the desolation of Zion and the time of the apostacy from Christs visible kingdome belongeth to the two Prophets and witnesses of truth Rev. 11. but not to the kings rulers nations and civil states of the world who can be no true parallel or antitype to the Israel or people of God Peace Master Cotton objects Jehosaphat sent abroad preachers throughout all the Cities of Judah and if that were a type of Christ it were to act that now which typed out Christ and he fulfilled in his own person Truth Christ Jesus sends out preachers three waies First In his own person as
on them In which respect God hath crowned the supream court of Parliament with everlasting honour in breaking the jaws of the oppressing Bishops c. Oh that such glorious Justice may not be blemished by erecting in their stead a more refined but yet as cruel an Episcopacy 2. If the offence be of a spiritual nature is there no spiritual way of judging except the church of Christ be granted visible during Antichrists Apostacy Hath not Christ Jesus given power to his two prophets even all the Raigne of the Beast to speak fire Revelations the 11. to shut up heaven to turn the waters into blood to smite the earth with all manner of plagues and this untill the time of the finishing of their prophecie or Testimony when their great slaughters shall prepare the way for the downfal of Antichrist and their own most glorious raising and exaltation There was no Chapter 34 which probably was Master Cottons oversight or the Printers therefore I pass to Chapter 35. Examination of CHAP. XXXV Peace HEre whereas it was said if it were the Magistrates duty or office to punish hereticks c. then he is both a temporal and Ecclesiastical officers Master Cotton answers It follows not except the Magistrate were to punish with Ecclesiastical censures his punishment is meerly civil whether imprisonment banishment or death Truth I reply first the statutes of the English nation and the oath of supremacy have proved the Kings and Queens of England heads and governors of the church of England And if to be an head or governor be not an office let Master Cotton be againe requested to ponder the instance given which he passeth by in silence deny it ingenuously he cannot and to justifie it I hope his light from heaven will not suffer him although yet he would â—aine excuse it by saying they punish only with civil punishment imprisonment banishment or death Therefore 2. Here lies the mystery of iniquity and the Babel and confusion of it that either according to Popish Tenents the kings of the earth must give their power to the beast and enslave themselves under the name and vizard of the secular power to be the Popes executioners or according to Protestant Tenents to wit that Kings and Governours be heads of the church and yet be furnished with no Church-power nor spirituall censures Peace It would be thought some mystical and monstrous thing that Kings and Governors should be obliged to act in civil Judicature and yet be furnished with no civil power but ought to punish onely with spirituall or Church-censures Truth The blinde and the lame mans robbing the Orchard is here verified The Minister though a blindeguide he is the seer but wanting legs and strength of civil power he is carried upon the civil Magistrates shoulders whose blindness the subtle Clergy abuseth c. but both together rob the Orchard of the most high and sureaâ—enging God Truth I conceive it true that the Kings and Governors of the national church of Israel had a national power and had the Kord Jesus been pleased to have continued national churches the Lings and governors of such states might well as they of Israel were have been both Temporal and Ecclesiastical officers Peace But now the Lord Jesus abolishing that national state and instituting and appointing his worshippers and followers to be the Israel of God the holy nation and proper Antitype of the former Israel it seems most unchristian that either the work or the title should remaine whether with open or a masked face or vizard Truth Therefore as it pleased God in wonderful wisdome and inconceiâ—eable depths of councel for a while to continue a national church national covenant c. and to take them away as unsufficient beggarly and weak either for the further advancement of his own glory or salvation of men so hath he taken away the administration thereof by carnal weapons armes of flesh c. In stead of fire and sword and stoning the oppositâ—es in stead of imprisonment banishment death he hath appointed exhortations reprehensions denunciations excommunications and together with preaching patient waiting if God peradventure will give repentance Lastly If the civil Magistrate must imprison and banish and put to death in spiritual cases and the civil Magistrate is but a Minister or servant of the people and so of God and if the people make the laws and give the Magistrate his commission and power doth it not follow by this doctrine that the people of the nations of the world are fundamentally and originally both Temporal and Ecclesiastical And then what is become of the foundations of the Christian faith And also are not hereby the people and nations of the world whatever care be had to the contrary to restraine incouraged according to their several consciences I say encouraged and hardened in their bloody wars imprisonings banishings and putting to death for cause of conscience Peace Whereas it was said to be Babel or confusion for the church to punish the offences of such as are not within its jurisdiction with spiritual censures or the civil state spiritual offences with corporal or temporal weapons Master Cotton answers No confusion for so Paul directs the church of Corinth Truth That very Parenthesis which Master Cotton stumbleth at takes away his answer For as it would be confusion for the church to censure such matters and of such persons as belong not to the church So is it confusion for the state to punish spiritual offenders for they are not within the sphear of a civil jurisdiction The body or Commonweal is meerly civil the Magistrate or head is a civil head and each member is a civil member and so far forth as any of this civil body are spiritual or act spiritually they and their actions fall under a spiritual cognizance and judicature Peace The reason saith Master Cotton is the same for there be offences which tend to provoke wrath against the civil state Ezra 7. Why should there be wrath against the king or his sons Truth This reason indeed Master Cotton often inculcates and beates upon it that the Pagan kings of Persia were of his mind â— I believe Master Cotton out of a zeal to God but the Pagan kings out of a slavish terror which never prevailed so far that I know of as to bring them to a kindly repentance of their own idolatries or a true love to the God of Israel or his people Peace However your former answer is to me sufficient to wit that thousands of famous Towns Cities and Kingdomes have flourished in peace and tranquillity for many ages and generations where God hath had no house and not only where it was by the civil state neglected but also wholly persecuted Truth In the time appointed and full ripeness of their sins the vengeance of God after patience many generations abused hath surely and fearefully visited yet in the interim it is clear it is no ground
principles also Papist and Protestant lead them necessarily to dispose and kill their heretical Apostate blaspheming Magistrates Peace But why should Master Cotton â—â— sinuate any affection in the discusser to that Tyrant of all earthly Tyrants the Pope Truth To my knowledge Master Cotton and others have thought the discusser too zealous against the bloody beast yea and who knows not this to be the ground of so much sorrowful difference between Master Cotton and the discusser to wit that the discusser grounds his separation from their churches upon their not seperating from that man of sin For Old England having compelled all to church compel'd the Papists and the Pope himself in them The daughter New England separaring from her mother in Old England yet maintaines and practises communion with the Parishes in Old Who sees not then but by the links of this mystical chaine New England Churches are still fastned to the Pope himself Peace Master Cottons third reply is this that it is not like that such Christians will be faithful to their prince who grow false and disloyal to their God and therefore consequently the civil Magistrate must see that the church degenerate and apostate not at least so far as to provoke Christ to depart from them Truth This is indeed the down right most bloody and Popish Tenent of persecuting the degenerate heretical and Apostate people of deposing yea and killing Apostatical and heretical princee and rulers The truth is the great Gods of this world are God-belly God-peace God-wealth God-honour God-pleasure c. These Gods must not be blasphemed that is evil spoke of no not provoked c. The servants of the living God being true to their Lord and Master have opposed his glory greatness honour c. to these Gods and to such religions worships and services as commonly are made but as a mask or vaile or covering of these Gods Peace I have long been satisfied that hence proceeds the mad cry of every Demetrius and crafts-Master of false worship in the world Great is our Diana c. These men blaspheme our goddess disturbe our City They are false to our Gods how will they be true to us Hence that bloody Act of Parliament in Henry the fifth his dayes made purposely against that true servant and witness of God in those points of Christianity which he knew and other servants of God with him the Lord Cobham concluding Lollardy not only to be heresie that is indeed true Christianity but also treason against the Kings person whence it followed that these poor Lollards the servants of the most high God were not only to be burnt as hereticks but hanged as traitors Truth Accordingly it pleased God to honour that noble Lord Cobham both with hanging and burning as an heretick against the church as a traiter against the king And hence those divelish accusations and bloody huntings of the poor servants of God in the reign of Francis the second in Paris because it was said that their meetings were to cousult and act against the life of the king Peace If this be the touchstone of all obedience will it not be the cut-throat of all civil relations unions and covenants between Princes and people and between the people and people For may not Master Cotton also say he will not be a faithful servant nor she a faithful wife nor he a faithful husband who grow false and disloyal to their God And indeed what doth this yea what hath this truly-ranting doctrine that plucks up all relations wrought but confusion and combustion all the world over Truth Concerning faithfulness it is most true that godliness is profitable for all things all estates all relations yet there is a civil faithfulness obedience honesty chastity c. even amongst such as own not God nor Christ else Abraham and Isaac dealt foolishly to make leagues with ungodly Princes Besides the whole Scripture commands a continuance in all Relations of government marriage service notwithstanding that the grace of Christ had appeared to some and the rest it may be an husband a wife a Magistrate a Master a servant were false and disloyal in their several kinds and wayes unto God or wholly ignorant of him 4. Grant people and Princes to be like Iulian Apostate from the true service of God and consequently to grow less faithful in their places and respective services yet what ground is there from the Testament of Christ Jesus upon this ground of their Apostacie to prosecute them as Master Cotton saith The civil Magistrate must keep the church from Apostatizing so as to cause Christ to depart from them 5. Can the sword of steel or arme of flesh make men faithful or loyal to God Or careth God for the outward Loyalty or Faithfullness when the inward-man is false and treacherous Or is there not more danger in all matters of trust in this world from an hyyocrite a dissembler a turncoat in his religion from the fear or favour of men then from a resolved Jew Turke or Papist who holds firme unto his principles c. Or lastly if one Magistrate King or Parliament call this or that heresie apostacie c. and make men â—ay so will not a stronger Magistrate King Parliament Army that is a stronger arm or longer and more prosperous sword call that heresie and Apostacie Truth and Christianity and make men call it so and do not all experiences and our own most lamentable in the changes of our English Religions confirme this 6. Lastly As carnal policy ever fals into the pit it digs and trips up its own heels so I shall end this passage with two paradoxes and yet dear peace thou and I have found them most lamentably true in all ages Peace God delights to befool the wise and high in their own conceit with paradoxes even such as the wisdome of this world thinks madness but I attend to hear them Truth First then The straining of mens cinsciences by civil power is so far from making men faithful to God or man that it is the ready way to render a man false to both my ground is this civil and corporal punishment do usually cause men to play the hypocrite and dissemble in their Religion to turn and return with the tide as all experience in the nations of the world doth testifie now This binding and rebinding of conscience contrary or without its own perswasion so weakens and defiles it that it as all other faculties loseth its strength and the very nature of a common honest conscience Hence it is that even our own histories testifie that where the civil sword and carnal power hath made a change upon the consciences of men those consciences have been given up not only to spiritual but even to corporal filthiness and bloody and mad oppressing each other as in the Marian bloody times c. Peace Indeed no people so inforced as the Papists and the
Mahumeâ—ans and no people more filthy in soul and body and no people in the world more bloody and persecuting but I listen for your second paradox Truth Secondly This Tenent of the Magistrates keeping the church from Apostatizing by practising civil force upon the consciences of men is so far from preserving Religion pure that it is a mighty Bulwark or Barricado to keep out all true Religion yea and all godly Magistrates for ever coming into the World Peace Doubtless this will seem a hard riddle yet I presume not too hard for the fingers of time and truth to unty and render easie Truth Thus I unty it If the civil Magistrate must keep the church pure then all the people of the Cities Nations and kingdomes of the world must do the same much more for primarily and fundamentally they are the civil Magistrate Now the world saith John lyeth or is situated in wickedness and conscquently according to its disposition endures not the light of Christ nor his golden candlestick the true Church nor easily chooseth a true Christian to be her officer or Megistrate for she accounts such false to her Gods and Religion and suspects their faithfulness c. Peace Hence indeed is it as I now conceive that so rarely this world admitâ—eth or not long continueth a true servant of God in any place of trust â—â—d credit except some extraordinary hand of God over-power or else his servants by some base staires of Flattery or worldly compliance ascend the chaire of Civil-power But to proceed saith Master Cotton It was the duty of Jehosaphat Hezekiah c. to reduce the people of Israel from their backslidings because they were an holy people and is it not the duty of godly Princes to reduce their backsliding Churches to their primitive purity It is true saith he David and Solomon were types of Christ but so were not the other Kings of Israel and Judah who were the one the kings of Israel all Apostates and the other the kings of Judah many of them Apostate from Christ And Secondly If they were saith he all types of Christ yet Christ being the Antitype Christ hath abolished them all and so it were sacriledge or Antichristian usurpation for any king to be set over Christians Or if they were types of Christ in respect of their kingly office over the Church alone was it typical in Solomon to put Joab a murtherer to death or Adonijah a traitor and so consequently unlawful for Christian Princes to put murtherers and traitors to death Further saith he What those kings might do in type Christ Jesus might much more do in his own person as the Antitype but he put no man to death in his own person and therefore they were not types but servants of Christ and paterns and examples to Christian Magistrates yea Ahab who should have put Benhadad to death for his blasphemy Truth I understand those kings of Israel and Judah untill their cutting off or excommunicating out of the land of Canaan to be yet visible members of the church of Israel and Judah and as kings of Israel and Judah types of Christ Jesus partly in his own person who did that being the true spiritual king of Israel which they did or should have done in that typical national church or land of Israel and 2 partly in the officers of his kingly power and government of his church which officers and church falling away untill an absolute cutting off are the Antitypes in respect of visible government of those former kings of Israel and Judah Peace Can it be imagined that those wicked Kings Jeroboam Baasha Ahab c. were figures of Christ Jesus Truth Master Cotton himself grants David and Solomon types of Christ Jesus and yet how abominable and monstrous some of their practices we must therefore distinguish between their persons and sins and frailties As kings of Israel Gods Church and people doubtless they were the figures of the K. of Israel Christ Iesus yea it is probable that the land of Canaan with the officers and governors thereof before Christ time was but a figure of the spiritual land or Christian church with the officers governors administrations therof good and evil Although the applying of the times and persons each to other requires a more then ordinary guidance of the finger or holy Spirit of God Peace I remember that some of eminent note for knowledge and godliness have not stuck to affirme that the Gentile Prince Cyrus as he was called Gods servant anointed or Christ Isa 44 I say that he in a respect as a restorer of Gods people was a figure of Christ Iesus Truth It is not improbable but that the most holy and only wise whose works are known unto himself from the beginning of the world did by such famous instruments of mercy to the literal Iew type out Christ Iesus and his heavenly instruments mercy and goodness to the mystical and spiritual Christian Iews c. Examination of CHAP. XXXVI and XXXVII Peace IN these passages Master Cotton first questions having not his copy by him the truth of some expressions printed as his Truth It is at hand for Master Cotton or any to see that copy which he gave forth and corrected in some places with his own hand and every word verbatiâ—â— here published 2. To the answer it self or reproof of the Lord Iesus given to his disciples for their bloody and rash zeal desiring fire to come down from heaven c. we both agree that Christs rebuking of his disciples did not hinder the Ministers of the Gospel from proceeding in a Church-way c. 2. That false â—persecution in a churchway is as odious and dreadful a persecution as any prosecution â— a court of civil justice as also that this is not the point intended though it be reckoned up with the rest Peace I marvel at that which follows where Master Cotton saith that it never fell from his pen in any writing of his viz. that it is lawful for a eivil Magistrate to inflict corporal punishment upon such as are contrary indeed in matters of Religion and therefore he passeth by the discussers reasons as which might well have been spared being brought but against a shadow of his own fancy Truth I am not able to imagine what Master Cotton meanes by such as are contrary minded against whom he will not in this Chapter maintaine any corporal punishment to be inflicted when in so many of his writings and throughout his whole book he maintaines corporal punishment and that to death it self in many cases against the idolatrous the blasphemous the heretical the seducing yea the degenerate and Apostate Peace Love bids us take this passage as a pang of reluctancy in his other wise-holy and peaceable breast against such unholy bloody Tenents But what say you to the passage about the second beast bringing fire from heaven Rev. 13. This was no wonder saith Master Cotton for
most hypocritically without shame in the bowels of Christ Jesus to Minister justice with such moderation that if it be possible the hereticks soul may be saved but however the flock may be preserved from such â—damnable Doctrine Peace Master Cotton will here blame the alleadging of this for the Popish Religion is false but their true c. Truth T is true the Papists Religion is false yet Master Cotton cannot pass without suspition to be too neer of kin to the bloody Papist to whom they are so neer in practice The Lord Jesus gave an everlasting rule to his poor servants to discern all false prophets by to wit their fruits and bloody practices But Secondly The holy Spirit of God in this 2 to Tim. now insisted on not only commands Timothy to exhort the opposite but patiently to wait and attend Gods will if peradventure God will give repentance and that they may recover themselves c. Peace Master Cotton will not deny together with meek exhortation patient waiting c. Truth Why then doth he limit the holy one of Israel to dayes or moneths Three months was by the law in Massachusets in New England the time of patience to the excommunicate before the secular power was to deal with him But we finde no time limited nor no direction given to Timothy or his successors to prosecute the opposite before Caesar bar in case God vouchsafed not repentance upon their means and waiting 3. Christ Jesus hath not been without bowels of compassion in all his gracious care and provision he hath made for his sheep and lambs against the spiritual Wolves and Foxes although we read not a word of the arme of flesh and sword of steel appointed by himself for their defence in his most blessed last Will and Testament 4. Lastly to that instance of the Donatists and Papists suppressed by the civil sword no question but as before a civil sword is able among civil people to make a whole nation or world of hypocrites and yet experience also testifies however Master Cotton makes it but accidental that it is the common and ordinary â—ffect of the civil sword drawn forth as they speak against hereticks seducers c. to harden the seducers and seduced by their sufferings and to beget no other opinion in their hearts then of the cruelty and weakness of the heart and cause of their persecutors Peace There hath been no small noise of Master Goâ—â—ons and his friends being disciplined or as the Papists call it discipled in the Schoole of the New English churches It is worth the inquiry to ask what conviction and conversion hath all their hostilities captivatings courtings imprisonings chainings banishings c. wrought upon them Truth Shall I speak my thoughts without partiality I am no more of Master Gortons Religion then of Master Cottons and yet if Master Cotton complaine of their obstinacy in their way I cannot but impute it to this bloody tenent and practice which ordinarily doth give strength and vigour spirit and resolution to the most erroneous when such unrighteous and most unchristian proceedings are exercised against them Peace Touching the Edict of Antoninus Pius concerning persecution of Christians and the opinion it begat in their hearts of the cruelty of their persecutors Master Cotton answers first the Pagan Religion is not of God but the Religion of Christians came down from Heaven in the Gospel-truth Truth This is most true to him that believeth that there is but one God one Lord one Spirit one baptism one body c. according to Christ Jesus his institution and that from that blessed estate the Apostacy hath been made and that all other Gods Lords Spirits Faiths Baptisms or churches are false But what is this to many millions of men and women in so many kingdomes and nations Cities and parts of the world who believe as confidently their lies of many Gods and Christs all which they believe as the Ephesians of their Diana and of the image of Jupiter and as Master Cotton of the way of his Religion that they come down from heaven Peace Doubtless according to their belief all the peoples of those nations kingdoms and countries wherein the name of Christ is sounded whether of the greek church or the latine whether of Popish or Protestant profession will say as Master Cotton my religion came down from heaven in the Gospel of Truth c. Truth Now then either the sword of steel must decide this controversie according to the bloody tenent of persecution in the suppressing of hereticks blasphemers idolaters and seducers by the strength of an arme of flesh or else the two-edged-sword of the Spirit of God the word of God coming out of the mouth of Christ Jesus in the mouths of his servants which will either humble and subdue the Rebels or cut most deep and kill with an eternal vengeance Peace But saith Master Cotton it will beget an opinion of cruelty to murther innocents but not to put to death murtherers of souls Truth I answer beside that great and common difference of civil murther and spiritual there is a second to wit that in the murther of an innocent the conscience of a murtherer is opened and commonly the mouth confesseth I am a murtherer I have killed an innocent but run through all the coasts and quarters of the whole world and the very consciences of so many thousands of soul murtherers are rootedly satisfied and perswaded that they are so far from being murtherers as that they are so many saviours of the souls of men and Priests and Ministers of the most high God or Gods c. Peace For instance if a man say Master Cotton is a subject of the state of England and a Minister of that worship which he believeth to be true confirmed by argument and light sufficient to his understanding soul and conscience How many thousand are there fellow subjects with Master Cotton to the English state yet of a contrary mind to Master Cotton in matter of Gods worship yea how many are there it may be thousands professing a Ministery contrary to Master Cottons and the like may be found in other nations and parts of the world Truth What true reason of justice peace or common safety of the whole can be rendred to the world why Master Cottons conscience and Ministry must be maintained by the sword more then the consciences and Ministeries of his other fellow-subjects Why should he be accounted I mean at the bar of civil justice I say accounted a soul Saviour and all other Ministers of other Religions and consciences soul-murtherers and so be executed as murtherers or forced to temporize or turn from their Religion which is but hypocrisie in Religion against their conscience which is ten thousand times worse and renders men when they sin against their conscience not only hypocrites but Atheists and so fit for the practise of any evil murthers adulteries treasons c
Peace Master Cottons second Answer is that the persecuting Emperors and governors of Provinces under them attended not to the conviction of christians nor did they endeavour to make it appear that the Christians sinned against the light of their consciences and therefore no marvel if it bred in the people a just opinion of the cruelty of persecutors and of the innocency of christians Truth Let it be granted that the Roman Emperors did not attend to nor endeavour this yet the Roman Popes and all the Antichrist governors of their mystical Provinces Bishops and Preists have professedly compassed Sea and Land to make a Proselyte Peace T is true the history of the death of the Saints slaughtered by such persecutors abundantly testifie this and yet their persecution will be found no other then cruelty and murther and the opinion of it will never be razed out of the heart of Gods people whatever the whole world which wonders after and worships the beast think to the contrary Truth And I add that herein Master Cottons former position to wit that hereticks must be punished by the civil sword for sinning against the light of their own conscience accords fully with the Popish clamors the hereticks mouths are stopped they are convinced they have not a word to say and yet they are obstinate away with them hang them burn them Peace Master Cotton saith It is an untrue intimation of the discusser that Antoninus forbod the persecuting of christians upon any such ground Truth That it may not rest upon the discussers credit or discredit I think it not unseasonable if I present to English eyes the English testimony of the diligent and praise worthy-Chronicler John Speede who also ingageth Eusebiâ—s his credit and thus relateth the effect of Antoninus his mind in these words The Emperor Caesar Marcus Auâ—â—lâ—us Antoninus c. Unto the Commons of Asia Sendeth Greeting I Doudt not but the Gods themselves have a care that wicked persons shall be brought to light for it doth much more appertaine to them then it doth to you to punish such as refuse to yeeld them worship but this course which you take doth confirme them whom you persecute in this their opinion of you That you are impious men and meer Atheists whereby it commeth to pass that they desire in the quarrel of their GOD rather to die then to yeeld to the will of such as you are and to embrace your form of Religion Let it not seem unseasonable to call to your remembrance the Earthquakes which lately have happsned and which are yet to your great terrour and grief because I understand that in such like Accidents you â—ast the Envy of such common misfortune upon their Shoulders whereby their confidence and trust in their GOD is much the more increased Whereas you being ignorant of the true causes of such things do both neglect the worship of the other Gods and also banish and persecute the servants of the immortal GOD whom the Christians do worship and you persecute to the death all the embracers of that profession In the behalf of these men many of the Provinces President have written before to my Father of famous memory to whom he answered That they should not be molested unless they were proved to have practised Treason against the Imperial State and concerning the same matter some have given notice to me to whom I answered with like moderation as my Father did before me And by our Edict do ordaine That if any hereafter be found thus busie in molesting these kind of men without any their offence We command that he that is accused upon this point be absolved albeit he be proved to be such an one as he is charged to be that is a Christian and he that is his accuser shall suffer the sanâ—e Punishment which he sought to procure unto the other In this passage the wise and experienced Emperor observeth many reasons for the toleration of Christians and insinuates that the persecuting of the Christians confirmed them in their opinion that their persecutors were not only cruel for that is the least that can be implied in persecution but also as the words run impious men and meer Atheists Peace Dear Truth your observation forceth from my peaceable mind this Testimony which oft to my grief and horror mine eares have heard many persons I hope in their persons chosen of the Lord having as they conceived suffered persecution from the hands and by the means of many worthy men both of Magistracy and Ministry of New England I say they have been by such persecution so far from being wrought on c. that they have been moulded into a strong apprehension that it was impossible that such their persecutors should be men of any fear of God but meer dissemblers time-servers Jehues reformers for their own ends of honor ease and liberty from the cross of Christ which apprehension although the discusser to my knowledge hath often labored to root out of many yet could he hardly prevaile to stir it so groslly odious unchristian or antichristian appears the ugly face of persecution c. Examination of CHAP. XLI Peace IN the discussing of the prophecy of Isaiah and Micah concerning the breaking of swords into plowshares and speares into pruning-hooks truely interpreted to foretell the meek temper of Christians in bringing others to Christ Jesus Master Cotton excepts against the discussers observation upon Master Cottons similitude from Wolves which he would have driven out from the sheepfold The observation was this or to this effect That if civil power might force the wolves out it might force the sheep in Truth The discusser denied not the use of Christs spiritual power for the life of his sheep and destruction of the Wolves but heaven and earth shall fall before this truth to wit That power that driveth Wolves out may drive sheep in If spiritual power drive out the wolfe spiritual also drives in the sheep but if civil power to wit by swords whips prisons burnings c. drives out the spiritual or mystical Wolfe the same undeniably must drive in the sheep Peace Yea but Master Cotton too too weakly would please himself upon the word same a father saith he with a staffe or sword may drive away dogs that might by the way worry or bite his children going to School may he therefore with a staffe or sword drive his children to School and are wolves to be driven away and sheep brought into the fold by the same instruments The dog that teares a wolfe if he tear the sheep also will finde an halter c. Truth Master Cotton hath had a name for a man of Moses spirit of a meek and gentle temper he cannot but know he hath lost that name with thousands â—earing God by not putting that difference between the Wolves and the sheep the Egyptians and the Israelites as Moses did Moses killed the Egyptian he reproves the Israelite All that
contradict Master Cottons church way though before dear brethren familiar and intimate he not only drives them out as wolves blasphemers seducers c. by his pretended spiritual weapons of Christ Jesus but also by civil sword imprisoning banishing whipping c. But more particularly The discusser indeed useth this word the same power but not as Master Cotton seemeth to understand it for the same weapon He hath in this very place printed the discussers words that a staff is for the wolfe and a rod or hook for the sheep The dog that teares the wolf is but to affright the sheep and consequently the father that hath a stick or rod for the child But yet these swords staves-sticks and rods are all of the same nature in general that is of a material temporal and civil nature which may be used about natural wolves sheep children c. And if they may be used also about spiritual or mystical wolves to force them out it is as cleare as the Sun-Beames that they may be used that is such civil weapons as are fit for mystical wolves to force them into the sheepfold And thus have all Popish persecutors practised in our own and other countries to wit by civil power as well as by their own pretended spiritual in forcing their supposed sheep to church and to conformity as well as by whips and Prisons Ropes and Fires driving out the supposed wolves or hereticks Peace In the close of this Master Cotton adds that Rev. 6. 6. the Antichristian wolves shall drink blood for they are worthy Truth I have in former passages declared the misconceit of Master Cotton and others as touching that Scripture and that although they shall drink blood filled out of the cups of Gods righteous vengeance yet not by judicial prosecution in civil courts for spiritual offences although yet it is most righteous for the kings and powers of the earth meerly with respect to these wolves their oppressions and bloodsheddings to repay them again with the like smart and paine and kinds of punishment Peace Yea and t is for ever memorable that while the kings of the earth have given their power to the beast against the bodies of the Saints what cups of blood hath the righteous hand of the most high filled to Antichristian kings and kingdomes by the bloody Turkes and by their own more bloody wars sometimes for the empty puffs of their titles and honors but as frequently for God as they pretend and for his Religion Examination of CHAP. XLII Peace IN this Chapter Master Cotton chargeth the discusser for making work to wit for examining more particularly the similitude of wolves brought in by Master Cotton himself yet he consenteth with him in the first quaery that those Wolves of which Paul warns the elders at Ephesus were mystical and spiritual wolves yet he adds that such cannot be good subjects loving neighbors faire dealers because they spiritually are not such and he argues that then it will be no advantage to civil states when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of the Lord and that then they may do as good service to the civil state who bring the wrath of God upon them by their apostacy as they that bring dow blessings from heaven by profession and practise of the true religion in purity Truth I desire that this reply be well pondred for it will be found dangerously destâ—â—ctive to the very roots of all civil relations converse and dealing yea and any civil being of the world it self For if none be peaceable subjects loving neighbors faire dealers but such of Master Cottons conscience and religion which he conceives to be the only true religion what will become of all other states governments cities towns peoples families neighbors upon the face of the earth I say what will become of them especially if power were in Master Cottons hand to deal with them as Wolves Peace Alas too too frequent experience tels us in all parts of the world that many thousands are far more peaceable subjects more loving and helpful neighbors and more true and fair dealers in civil conversation then many who account themselves to be the only religious people in the world Truth But againe What the state of things shall be and what the manner of the administration of Christs kingdome when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of the Lord Master Cotton doth not express and for wrath brought upon civil states for their apostacy I' desire Master Cotton to shew where ever God destroyed any Nation in the world one only excepted for Apostacy from his truth and worship Yea and where was ever Israel the only true national church that Master Cotton will acknowledge meerly for apostasie destroyed without general ripeness in other sins also and especially for their persecuting of such as declared their apostasie superstition and will-worship from God unto them Peace In the next place Master Cotton granting that the charge given to watch against these Wolves was not given to the Magistrates of the City of Ephesus but to the elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus he yet chargeth the discusser with a palpable and notorious slander for saying that many of those charges and exhortations given by the Lord Jesus to the shepherds and Ministers of the churches are commonly attributed by the answerer in this discourse to the civil Magistrate Truth This heavy charge of Master Cottons against the discusser will be found to be a fruit of Anger and passion and not of reason and moderation as also his denyal that one of those charges given to Ministers were directed by him to Magistrates For if Master Cotton or any please to view over Master Cottons allegations from the New Testament in this discourse he shall finde that Tit. 3. reject the heretick a charge given by the Lord Jesus to Titus and the church at Crete is brought for the proof of the Magistrates punishing imprisoning banishing killing the heretick idolater c. The like charges of Christ Jesus sent to the Ministers and churches of Asia for tolerating amongst them Balaam and Jezabel are produced to prove prosecutions against false Prophets and professors in the City and Commonweal Yea although Master Cotton name not Act. 20. yet in that Master Cotton affirmeth that Magistrates with the civil sword must drive away Wolves from the sheepfold of Christ the church meaning spiritual wolves false teachers he may be truly said to quote all such Scriptures as give charge against such Wolves Peace Indeed Master Cotton more then once pleaseth himself with this similitude of Wolves to prove the Magistrates piety and pity to the sheep in slaying and driving away the wolves false teachers c. Truth Hence was it for commonly where state-Religions are set up the Magistrate is but the Ministers Cane through whom the Clergy speaks I say probably hence from such misapplyed Scriptures in their churches that in
their solemn civil general court at the banishment of one poor man amongst them hunted out as a wolf or heretick the governor who then was standing up alleadged for a ground of their duty to drive away such by banishment that famous charge of Christ Jesus to his Ministers and Church at Rome Rom. 16 Marke them that cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which you have received and avoid that is by banishment By all which and more it may be found how Sathan hath abused their godly minds and apprehensions in causing them so to abuse the holy writings of truth and Testament of Christ Jesus and that how ever they deny it in express tearms yet by most impregnable consequence and implication they make up a kind of national church and as the phrase is a Christian state and government of church and Commonweale that is of Christ and the world together Peace To proceed it being further inquired into whether in all the New Testament of Christ Jesus there be any such word of Christ either by way of command Promise or example countenancing the civil state to meddle with these mystical Wolves if in civil things peaceable and obedient Master Cotton replieth that this condition of peaceable and obedient implies a contradiction to the nature and practise of wolves How can saith he wolves be peaceable and obedient unless restrained Can there be peace Jehu so long as the whoredomes of Jezabel and her witchcrafts are so many And when it might be objected that spiritual whoredomes and witchcrafts might stand with civil peace He answers No verily for the whoredomes and witchcrafts of the Jezabel of Rome took away civil peace from the earth and brought the Turks to oppress both the peace of Christian churches and Commonweals Rev. 9. 15 21. Truth I wonder since Master Cotton in this very passage mentioneth the spiritual wolves whores and witches as well as natural and moral How he can imagine that a spiritual wolf or witch to wit so or so in matters of spiritual worship and religion might not possibly be peaceable and obedient in civil things Peace Yea but he alleadgeth the whoredomes of the Jezabel of Rome Truth Why was not the State of England the Kings and Queens and Parliaments thereof lawful as kings and states though overwhelmed and overspread universally with the Romish abominations If such wolves whores and witches could yeeld no civil obedience could they then exercise by the same argument any civil authority And shall we then conclude all the former Popish kings and Parliaments and consequently lawes unlawful because in spiritual things they were as Wolves c. tearing and burning the poor sheep of Christ will it not then be unlawful for any man that is perswaded the whole nation where he lives is idolatrous spiritually whorish c. I say unlawful for him to live in such a state although he might with freedome to his own conscience whither will such kind of arguing drive at last but to pluck up up the roots of all states and peoples in the world as not capable to yeeld civil obedience or exercise civil authority except such people Magistrates c. as are of Master Cottons church and religion Peace Methinks experience were there no Scripture nor reason might tell us how peaceable and just neighbors and dealers many thousands and millions of Jews Turks Antichristians and Pagans are to be found notwithstanding their spiritual whoredoms witchcrafts c. Truth Yea and why doth Master Cotton alleadge the Jezabel of Rome and the comming in of the Turks It is true God brought in the Armies of the Turkes upon the Eastern Empire which yet flourished many ages even in their apostacies before their destruction by the Turkes And how many ages and generations hath Iezabel of Rome sitten as a Queen in triumphant peace and glory even since the rising of the Turks and so shall sit probably in greater and greater untill the time of her appointed judgement and downfal If Christ Jesus were a true Prophet Iohn 16. outward peace prosperity riches honor is the portion of this world notwithanding their idolatries apostacies blasphemies But the portion of Christs followers like his own and both like a woman in travel paine and sorrow yea poverty and persecution untill the great day of refreshing neer approaching Peace Master Cotton againe sends us to Revelations the 16. 4 5 6 7. Truth And I must also send Master Cotton and the Reader to our disproving of that proof abovesaid Further whereas he calls Rom. 13. the great Charter for all Magistrates to deal in spiritual matters I have and shall manifest in the examinations upon that place how weak a warrant it is for the civil state and the officers thereof to conceive themselves spiritual Physitians by vertue of their office appointed by God in spiritual and soul-evils Peace Whereas it was urged that Magistrates beside their skil in civil laws and government must be able if Master Cottons bloody tenent be true as judges and heads to determine spiritual causes and controversies and that by the sight of his own eyes and not other mens Master Cotton replies that Magistrates ought to be skilled in the fundamentals of religion and that their ignorance excuseth not Truth In this passage Master Cotton waâ—eth that inference That then Magistrates must be heads and judges in spiritual causes That inference cannot possibly be avoided if we grant it their duty as Master Cotton seemes to do to pass sentence in the fundamentals of religion and in those points which have been and are so greatly controverted among all sorts of men that name the name of Christ 2. If Magistrates must thus judge reforme c. where hath been the care of Christ Iesus to appoint in all parts of the world such Magistrates as might take care of his religion and worship why hath he not furnished them with some capacity and ability to the work Peace It is lamentable to think that most of the Magistrates in the world beyond compare know not so much as whether there be a Christ or no. Truth If Christ Iesus had forgotten himself for three hundred yeers together furnishing his church with no other heads but of Wolves Bear Lyons and Tygers the Romane Emperors yet after a little refreshing by Constantine Theodosius c. why should he still forget himself even a thousand yeers together providing no other heads but bloody and Popish kings and Emperors Peace What think you dear truth of Master Cottons grant of Gallios not being bound to judge in matters of religion because he had no Law from Caesar whose deputy he was Truth I answer what if he had not a law from Caesar if yet he had a law from Christ Iesus as Master Cotton implies Or will Master Cotton suspend the execution of Christs will upon the kings states or peoples minds that choose such Magistrates to be their deputies in the Commonweale But the
saith Master Cotton it is no Spanish inquisition to preserve the sheep of Christ from the ravening of the wolves but this rather which is the practice of the discusser to promote the principal end of the Spanish inquisition to advance the Romish tyranny idolatry and apostacie by proclaiming impunity to their whorish and wolvish emissaries Truth If the Nations of the world must judge as they must by Master Cottons doctrine who are Christs sheep and who are wolves which is a whore spiritually and which the true Spouse of Christ and accordingly persecute the whores and wolves this then they must do according to their conscience or else as Master Cotton elsewhere they must suspend What is this but either to set up a Spanish inquisition in all territories or else to hang up all matters of religion by this suspension he speakes of untill the civil states of the world become christian and godly and able to judge c. and what is this in effect but to practise the very thing which he chargeth on the discusser to wit a proclaimning an impunity all the world over except only in some very few and rare places where some few godly Magistrates may be found rightly informed that is according to his own conscience and religion Peace Yea further which I cannot without great horror observe what is this but to give a woful occasion at least to all Magistrates in the world who will not suspend their bloody hands from persecuting until Master Cotton shall absolve them from their suspension and declare them godly and informed and fit to draw their swords in matters of religion I say occasion at least to all the civil powers in the world to persecute as most commonly they have ever done and do Christ himself the Son of God in his poor Saints and servants Truth Yea if Master Cotton and his friends of his conscience should be cast by Gods providence whose wheels turn about continually in the depth of his councels wonderfully I say should they be cast under the reach of opposite swords will they not produce Master Cottons own bloody tenent and doctrine to warrant them according to their consciences to deal with him as a wolfe an idolater an heretick and as dangerous an emissary and seducer as any whom Master Cotton so accounteth But lastly Master Cotton hath no reason to charge the discusser with an indulgence or partiality toward Romish and wolvish emissaries his judgement and practise is known so far different that for departing too far from them as is pretended he suffers the brands and bears the marks of one of Christs poor persecuted hereticks to this day All that he pleaded for is an impartial liberty to their consciences in worshiping God as well as to the consciences and worships of other their fellow-subjects Peace When Mathias the second king of Hungary Bohemia c. afterward Emperor granted to his Protestant subjects the liberty of their consciences doubtless it had been neither prudence nor justice to have denyed equal liberty to all of them impartially But to finish this Chapter Master Cotton lastly affirmeth that it is not frustrating of the sweet end of Christs coming which was to save souls but rather a direct advancing of it to destroy if need be the bodies of those wolves who seek to destroy the souls of those for whom Christ died and whom he bought with his own blood Truth The place referred to was Luk. 9. where the Lord Jesus professeth unto the rash zeal of his Disciples desiring that fire might come down from heaven upon the refusers of Christ that he came not to destroy mens lives but to save them from whence it appears that Christ Jesus had no such intent as Master Cotton seems to make him to have had to wit to save souls by destroying of bodies but to save soul and body and that for soul sake for religion sake for his sake the bodies of none should be destroyed but permitted to enjoy a temporal being which also might prove a means of their eternal life and salvation as it may be was the very case of some of those Samaritans Examination of CHAP. XLIV Peace THe next Scripture produced by the prisoner against persecution for cause of conscience was 2 Cor. 10. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God c. unto which Master Cotton answers that he speaks not there of civil Magistrates It was replied True for in spiritual things the civil weapons were improper though in civil things most proper and suitable Master Cotton now replying grants that it is indeed improper for a Magistrate to draw his sword in matters spiritual yet saith he about matters spiritual they may as to protect in peace and to stave of disturbers and destroyers of them And he adds if it were unfitting for carpenters to bring axes and hammers to build up the spiritual kingdome of the church of Christ yet their tooles are fit to build Scaffolds for hearing Truth It is strange and in my understanding suits not with the rest of Master Cottons discurse to wit that which Master Cotton here acknowledgeth that a Magistrate is not to draw his sword in spiritual things but only about them when throughout the discourse he maintaines that the Magistrate must suppress the heretick blasphemer idolater seducer that he must reforme the church punish the apostate and keep the church in her purity which whether they be spiritual matters or no let such as be spiritual judge Peace He is saith Master Cotton to draw his sword about spiritual matters to protect in peace as a carpenter may build Scaffolds c. Truth If Master Cotton mean civil peace he knows we agree for all the officers of peace and justice ought to attend that work But if he mean spiritual to wit that by his sword he is to provide that no man dispute against his religion that no man preach nor write against it let it be well weighed whether the sword be not now used in spiritual matters As also whether in such cases and others before mentioned the civil Magistrate be not bound by Master Cottons doctrine to interpose as Judge in these controversies to pass sentence and to punish whom he judgeth delinquent notwithstanding that both parties and both religions are right and righteous and holy in their own perswasions and consciences Peace Beside I know you deny not civil conveniences in Gods worship and therefore when there is need upon occasion the help of a carpenter to build Scaffolds Truth True but since Master Cotton compares the work of the Magistrate to the building of a carpenters Scaffold let us in the fear of God consider if this similitude like some Scaffolds be not all too weak whereon to hazard so mighty a weight and burthen For what should we think of such a carpenter that after he hath built his Scaffold for people more conveniently to hear the
word of God suffers no man to preach in the whole country where his Scaffolds are set up but whom he pleaseth nor no doctrine to be taught but what he liketh no church to be gathered no persons to make up this church no persons to receive the Sacrament but what he approves of yea and further with broad axes and hammers and other tooles of violence should compel all persons directly or indirectly to come to church to make use of his Scaffold c. Whether this be not the true state of the business the Carpenters Son Christ Jesus will shortly more and more discover and break and tumble down those painted Scaffolds and fairest houses which are not built and framed according to the first most blessed line and rule of his holy institution and appointments Examination of CHAP. XLV Peace UPon the unfitness alleadged of spiritual weapons to batter a natural or artificial hold and consequently the unfitness of natural and carnal weapons to batter the spiritual strong holds in the heart Master Cotton replies that he allows not the civil state to make use of their civil weapons to batter down idolatry and heresie in the souls of men But if saith he the idolater or heretick grow obstinate worseand worse deceiving himself c. Now he maketh not use of stocks and whips which will but exasperate the malady but of death and banishment that may cut him off from the opportunity of spreading his leaven c. Truth Methinks in this passage Master Cotton resembleth an armed man who being almost convinced or overcome by the Spirit of God in the former part of this passage granting how unproper and unfit carnal weapons be in spiritual matters yet being loath to yeeld and holding up the goodness of his cause he recovers again and grows more fierce and violent for bearing more gentle stroaks of stocks and whips he cuts deeper with no less then quick and dreadful gashings of death or Banishment that the world were he one of the worlds Monarchs may be rid of such 〈…〉 Peace Oh How can Master Cotton wash this Tenent from blood Truth Yea whether this tenent be not invented as once that learned chancellor of England said of all violence against conscience for an end or interest or as that incarnate devil the Pope said more plainly of the fable of Christ for honor and profit shall further be examined Peace But who can read the bloody colour in this book and yet believe what Master Cotton elsewhere saith that he holds not persecution for cause of conscience Truth Lastly I aske whether is it not the same skill and power of Physick and Surgery that preserves the body and each member in health and welfare with that which cuts off as Master Cotton speaks the Gangrene c and since also t is in vaine to go about when the next way is as good or better what means then Master Cotton to bring in the Magistrate using spiritual means in all lenity and wisdome against heresie and idolatry in the souls of men since death or banishment will effect the cure so quickely Peace To proceed whereas it was urged that although civil weapons were proper in spiritual matters yet they were not necessary c. Master Cotton replies this is but a meer pretence because the discusser saith he denies all Church officers and Church weapons Truth This formerly was cleered from all appearance of pretence because during all the reign of the beast the discusser granteth the impregnable power of the spiritual weapons of Christs witnesses Rev. 11. although he see not extant the true form and order of the kingdome of Christ Jesus which at first he was pleased to establish Peace Master Cotton adds Although spiritual weapons are mighty to purge out leaven and to mortifie the flesh of offenders yet that is not a supersedeas to civil Magistrates to neglect to punish those sins which the church hath censured if the person censured do proceed to subvert the truth of the Gospel or the peace of the church or the souls of the people Truth Why must the Magistrate stay until the party censured do proceed so and so Why could not he have spared the drawing forth of any spiritual weapons since they are so effectual to do that which was not in the power and reach of the spiritual Why was not the first obstinacy which merited the spiritual stroaks and cersures worthy of the exercise of the civil Magistrates power and zeale Peace Me thinks this is an evident demonstration that men repose more confidence however they deceive themselves to the contrary in the sword of steel that hangs by the side of the civil officer then in the two-edged sword proceeding out of the mouth of Christ Jesus Rev. 1. Truth The truth is such doctrine makes Christs spiritual sword but serviceable and subordinate unto the temporal or worldly powers and presents the church but making essayes and trials of that cure which death and banishment gilded over with pretence of Gods glory c. they think will not faile to effect c. Peace More plainly therefore writes another Author of Master Cottons mind thus It is known by experience that one reproof or threatning from the Magistrate hath been known to do more then an hundred admonitions from the Minister Truth Yea no question to force a nation or a world of men to play the idolaters hypocrites c. but Gods true servants of whom these three famous Jews are type Dan. 3. know that God whom they serve is able to deliver them from such fiery threatnings and executions But if he please to try them as his gold in such fiery tryals they will not bow down to invented gods or worships Peace Methinks dear truth such Ministers deal upon the point and in effect with the civil Magistrate just as that ambitious Pope with the Emperors to wit make them hold the stirrop while they mount c. But I grieve c. What think you therefore of Master Cottons censure of the rest of the discourse in this Chapter to wit that it is but as Jude speaks clouds without waters words without matter c. Truth I will say no more but this Happily through Gods mercy Master Cottons censure may occasion some to view what he despiseth yea and happily to finde some heavenly drops out of those contemned empty clouds Examination of CHAP. XLVI Peace THe 13 to the Rom. which the answerer quotes is a fort of of such importance in so many controversies depending between the Papist and the Protestant and between many Protestants among themselves that all seek to gaine and win it In this present controversive I finde a wonderful wresting of this holy Scripture even by many holy and peaceable though herein violent and sinful hands and let the charge be examined in the fear of God whether slanderous as Master Cotton intimates or true and righteous Master Cotton freely grants that this
is said that such Magistrates as suffer the people to live in ungodliness fall short in returning spiritual Recompence I answer By this Doctrine most of the free Inhabitants of the world who live in ignorance of God and in abominable Religions without him must yet be supposed to choose and set up such Ministers or Servants of civil Justice amongst them who during their termes of administration or service should not suffer their Choosers and Makers to enjoy their owne Conscience but force them to that which their Officers shall judge to be Godliness but the neck of no free people can bow to such a Yoak and Tyrany Peace But lastly to that Argument of Rom. 13. from the title which God gives to Magistrates to wit Gods Ministers and to the Distinction of Spiritual Ministers for spiritual and civil Ministers for civil matters Master Cotton replies If Magistrates be Gods Ministers or Servants then must they do his work and be for God in matters of Religion And further saith he Magistracy is of God for light of Nature and not onely for civil things but also in matters of Religion and he produceth divers instantces of Pagans zeal for their Religion and worship Truth Because Magistrates are Gods Servants or Ministers civil and receive civil wages for their civil service will it therefore follow that they must attend and that chiefly and principally a spiritual work That noble-man or Lord that sets one to keep his children and another to keep his sheep expects not of him appointed to keep his sheep though a Minister or Servant to attend upon the keeping of his children nor expects he of the waiter on his children to attend the keeping of his sheep T is true that Magistrasie is of God but yet no otherwise then Mariage is being an estate meerly civil and humane and lawfull to all Nations of the World that know not God T is true that Magistrates be of God from the light of nature but yet as the Religions of the World and the worlds zealous contending for them with persecuting of others are from the Father of lies and murther from the beginning so seldome is it seen that the nations of the world have persecuted or punished any for error but for the truth condemned for error Peace Alas who sees not that all nations and people bow down to Idels and Images as all the world did to Nebuchaduezzars Image If any amongst them differ from them it is commonly in in some truths which God hath sent amongst them for witnessing of which they are persecuted Truth Your observation deare peace is evident from the cases of those Philosophers by Master Cotton alledged how weak and poor therefore is that Argument from the zeal of Pagans c. It is evident that such Builders frame by no other then that of nature depraved and rotten and not by the Goulden reed of the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus Examination of CHAP. LI. Peace IN the discourse concerning that terme Evil Master Cotton produceth Pareus who makes that Evil punishable by the Magistrate fourfold natural civil moral and spiritual Truth That excellent and holy witness of Christ Jesus in many of his precious truths Pareus being here produced without Scripture or Argument for the Magistrates punishing of the fourth sort of evil to wit spiritual nor answering my Arguments brought against such an Interpretation gives me occasion of no further answer to Master Cotton or him in this place Peace Whereas it was alleadged that the Elders of the New English Churches in the model prohibite expresly the Magistrates from the punishing or taking notice of some Evils and that therefore as they ascribe to the Civil Magistrates more then God gives so they take away and disrobe him of that Authority which God hath cloathed him with Master Cotton replies when we say that the Magistrate is an avenger of evil we mean of all sorts or kindes of evil and not every particular of each kind and further he saith that domestick evils may be healed in a domestick way Truth I readily concur with him that the Magistrate may not punish evils that he knowes not of in a due and orderly way sufficiently proved before him as also that many domestick evils are best healed in a domestick way but yet that Limitation added to wit without acquainting the Church first seems to bind the Magistrates hand where no true Church of Christ is to acquaint with such things yea and further where it is why should the Magistrate be denied to exercise his power in cases meerly civil the old practice of the Popish Church And to whom should the Servant or Child or Wife petition and complaine against oppression unless to the publike Father Master and Husband of the Common-weal And therefore from their own Interpretation they may well spare that strict and literal aception of the word evil and cease to cry Heresie is evil Idolatrie evil Blasphemie evill c. Examination of CHAP. LIII Answering to Chap. LIII LIV LV. Peace IN these three Chapters the last Reason which the Author of the Arguments against persecution produced was discussed to wit that the disâ—â—ples of Christ should be so far from persecuting that contrariwise they ought to bless such as curse them c. and that because of the freeness of Gods grace and the deepness of his counsels calling home them that be enemies persecutors no people yea some at the last hour In answer to which Master Cotton complaineth that two of his Answers were omitted and suspecteth that as children skip over hard places so they were skipt over c. Truth It is true those two answers were omitted not because the chapter was too hard c. but because the Discusser saw nor sees not any controversie or difference between Master Cotton and himself in those passages and also studying brevity and contraction as Master Cotton himself hath done omitting far more and contracting three Chapters in one in this very passage Upon the same ground I see no need of mentioning his Reply in these three Chapters wherein Master Cotton concurs in the point of the necessity of tolerating even notorious offenders in the State in some cases Peace The result of all agitations in this passage is this Master Cotton denies not but that in some cases a notorious malefactor may be tolerated and consequently as I understand him an â—â—reâ—iâ—k seducer c. But that ordinarily it is not lawful to tolerate a seducing teacher and that from the clearness of Gods command Deut. 13. and from the reason of it vers 10 Because he hath sought to turn thee away from the Lord thy God Withal he concludes that all Moses capital Politicks are eternal Truth Thus far is gained that it was no vain exception against Master Cotton's general proposition to wit that it is evil to tolerate notorious evil doers seducing teachers scandalous livers because he sees cause of toleration in
some cases Peace Yea but saith he In ordinary cases it is not lawful to tolerate from Deut. 13. Truth I am of Master Cotton's minde It is not lawful for Israel that is the Church of God to tolerate and the reason it pleaseth the Lord to alleadge is eternal But what is this to the nations of the world the states cities and kingdoms thereof Let Master Cotton finde out any such land or state that is the Church and Israel of God Yea Master Cotton confesseth in a fore-going passage that the Church is the Israel of God Then must he with me acknowledge that this Deut. 13. only concerns the Israel or Church of God whom Christ Jesus furnished with spiritual weapons against such spiritual offenders Peace But I wonder that Master Cotton should say that Moses capitals are eternal Truth I wonder not because I have seen in print sixteen or seventeen capital evils a great part of them of a spiritual nature censured with death in New England And yet again me thinks it is wonderful since Master Cotton knows how many of Moses capitals were of a ceremonial nature The breach of the sabbath the not coming to keep the passeover for neglect whereof the Israelites were to be put to death how can Master Cotton make these eternal in all nations Peace How many millions of millions of Heads and not a few of the highest in our own and other Nations would soon feel the capital calamity of such a capital bloody Tenent if Master Cotton swayed the Scepter of some of the worlds former or present Caesars Truth And yet I readily affirm that spiritually and mystically in the Church and Kingdom of Christ such evils are to be spiritually and so eternally punished CHAP. LIV Replying to Chap. LVI Examined Peace IN this 56 Chap. were observed two evils in Mr. Cottons conjoyning of seducing teachers and scandalous livers as the proper and adequate object of the Magistrates care and work to suppress and punish Unto which Master Cotton replies First That he no where makes it the proper and adequate object of the Magistrates care and work to suppress seducing teachers and scandalous livers saying that it ought to be the care of the church to suppress and punish seducing teachers and scandalous livers in a church-way as well as the Magistrates in a civil way Truth By this Doctrine Master Cotton will seem to deny it to be the Magistrates proper and adequate object to punish scandalous livers because the church also saith he is to make it her work also It is true if a scandalous liver be of the church and fall into any scandal she by the ruls and power of Christ ought to recover him in the spirit of meekness but yet the punishing of him with temporal punishment who will deny it to be the proper work of the civil state But Secondly what if the seducing teacher or scandalous liver be neither of them members of the Church and the church hath nought to do to judge them without will not Master Cotton then affirm the seducing Teacher or scandalous liver to be the proper and adequate object of the Magistrates care and work Peace When it was excepted against that things of such a different nature and kind as seducing Teachers and scandalous livers should be coupled together at the civil Bar Master Cotton replies that both these agree in one common kind to wit they are evil and destructive to the common good of Gods people which ought to be preserved both in church and Commonweal If a man shall say saith he that the work of creation on the sixth day was either of man or of Beast is here any such commiâ—ture Truth Were Master Cotton the worlds Monarch what bloody reformations or destructions rather would he fill the world withal if he walk by such rules and principles for what religions or almost men all the world over would he finde not opposite and destructive to Gods people 2. But Secondly an historical narration of Gods works on man or Beast Birds Fishes and all creatures Coelestial and Terrestial is one thing But to mix them together in doings or sufferings inconsistent with and improper to their kinds is another thing far different and insufferable As for a man to affirme that a man and a beast â—in'd against their Maker and therefore were justly punished with spiritual blindness and hardness of heart loss of Gods Image c. The same difference and no less is between transgressors against the heavenly state and kingdome of Christ and the earthly state or Commonweal of Cities kingdomes c. Peace Master Cotton adds that it is more tolerable for seducing Teachers to seduce those who are in the same gall of bitterness as for Pagans to seduce Pagans c. Truth That is but in the degree and so according to his supposition must be punished gradually but what is this to prove seducing Teachers as well as scandalous livers the joynt object of the civil sword Peace Why doth Master say it is more tolerable for Pagans to seduce Pagans Antichristians Antichristians What Scripture doth he produce for this toleration this indulgence this partiality All that is here said is this We look at it as more tolerable Truth One thing is shroudly to be suspect in this matter and that is a most unchristian partiality in directing the sword of the Magistrate to fall heaviest on such seducers only as trouble his conscience his Doctrine Worship and Government suppose in some of the Cities of Holland Poland or Turkie where some freedome is that Jews Pagans Antichristians and Christians that is Christians of Master Cottons conscience together with Turkes were commingled in civil cohabitation and commerce together Why now shall that Turke that hath seduced one of Master Cottons conscience to Mahumetaniâ—me be more punished for that crime then for turning a Jew Pagan or Papist to his Relief and worship What warrant shall the Magistrate of such a city or place finde to their souls either for striking at all with the civil sword in such a case or else in dealing such partial blows among the people Peace I fear that Gods own people of this opinion see not the deceitfulness of their own heart crying up the Christian Magistrate the Christian Magistrate Nursing fathers Nursing mothers c. when all is but to escape the bitter sweeting of Christs cross so dashing in pieces the most wise councels of the father concerning his blessed Son and his followers to whom he hath ordinarily alotted in this world the portion of sorrow and suffering and of raigning and triumphing after the battel fought and victory obtained in the world approaching Peace But Master Cotton will say that in such fore-mentioned cases such Magistrates must suspend punishments for religion c. Truth I say consequently all or most of the Magistrates in the world must suspend and none but some few of his conscience by his doctrine shall
or Tolleration As for the Exceptions following Unlesse they maintaine Fundamentall Heresie and unlesse they sin actually These pull backe againe with the Left hand what merciful Freedome he had given before with the Right 3. But lastly by this Interpretation of Let them alone by way of permission and praediction it appeares that M r Cottons Thoughts are not without checks and doubtings what these Tares might be For sayth he if by Tares are meant grosse offendours whereas before he spent much precious time to prove the Tares to be a kinde of closer Hypocrite Moreover all permission is of Evill for some Good so he the permission of Tares for the Wheate sake In which respect as I conceive the good Wheate is not so tendred nor the Word of Christ so attended to by such as presume in pretence for the good wheate sake to pluck up those Tares unto whom Christ Jesus for the good Wheate sake hath for a Time granted a permission Exam of Chap. 58. replying to Chap. 61. Peace VVHereas the Discusser professedly waved any Argument from the number of Princes witnessing in profession or practice against persecution for cause of Conscience M r Cotton replyes that this is a yeelding of the Invaliditie of the Argument But 2. that he urgeth not the number but the greater pietie and presence of God with those Princes who have professed and practiced against Tolleration Truth As I would not use an Argument from the number of Princes about an heavenly matter as knowing that the Kings and Rulers of the Earth commonly minde their owne Crownes Honours and Dominions more then Gods and such Princes as are called Christian use Gods Name Crowne and Ordinances as Jeroboam used Gods Name and Jezabell used Fasting and prayer for the advancement of their owne Crownes and persecuting of the Innocent and Righteous So neither would I rest in the Qualitie Greatnes or Goodnes of any That which I attend in this Argument is the Ground and Reasons of their Speeches which may also have this Consideration to boote that they are the Speeches of such who sit at the helme of great States and were not ignorant of the Affaires of States and what might conduce to the peace or disturbance to the wealth or woe of a Common-weale To their Ground and Reasons therefore I attend in the next Chapter Exam of Chap. 59. replying to Chap. 62. Peace IN this Chap. the Consideration of the Speeches themselves M r Cotton sayth he passed by because either the Reasons wanted waight or did not impugne the cause in hand as First That Speech of King James God never loved to plant his Church by Bloud It is farre from us sayth M r Cotton to compell men to yeeld to the Fellowship of the Church by bloudie Lawes or Penalties Neverthelesse this hindreth not but that his Blood may justly fall upon his owne head that shall goe about to supplant and destroy the Church of Christ Truth How light or how impertinent soever these Speeches may seems to M r Cotton yet to others fearing God also they are most sollid and waighty This Speech of King James seemes impertinent in this cause because sayth M r Cotton we compell no man by bloudy Lawes and Penalties to yeeld themselves to the Fellowship of the Church I answer as Saul by persecuting of David in the Land of Canaan and thrusting him forth of Gods Heritage did as it were bid him goe serve other Gods in other Countries So he that shall by bloudie Lawes and Penalties force any man from his owne Conscience and Worship doth upon the point say unto him in a language of bloud Come be of my Religion c. 2. Peace Why should not Men as well be forced to the Truth as forced from their Errours and Erroneous practices Since to keepe to the Similitude it is the same Power that sets a plant and plucks up weedes which is true mystically in the spirituall worke of Christ Jesus in his heavenly planting by his Word and Spirit 3. Truth I adde if men be compelled to come to Church under such a penaltie for Absence as hath been practiced in Old and New England How can M r Cotton say there is no forcing to the Fellowship of the Church when howsoever with the Papists he makes so great difference which Christ never made between the Lords Supper and the Word and Prayer and say that men may be forced to the hearing of the Word but not to the Supper Yet the consciences of thousands will testifie that it is as truely grievous to them to be forced to the one as to the other and that they had as lief be forced to the meat as to the Broth to the more inward and retired chambers and closets as into the Hall or Parlor being but partâ— of the same house c. Peace And I may adde Deare Truth that the bloudie Imprisonments Whippings and Banishments that have cryed and will cry in New England will not be stild untill the cry of Repentance and the bloud of the Lambe Christ Jesus put that cry to silence But to the second Speech of King James No marvell sayth M r Cotton that I past by that Speech to wit that Civill obedience may be performed by the Papists for I found it not in the Letter and beside how can Civill obedience be performed by Papists when the Bishop of Rome shall Excommunicate a Protestant Prince dissolve the Subjects Oath c. Truth I answer King James professing concerning the Oath of Allegiance which he tendred to the Papists and which so many Papists tooke that he desired onely to be secured for Civill Obedience to my understanding did as much as say that he beleeved that a Papist might yeeld Civill obedience as they did in taking this Oath as quiet and peaceable Subjects some of them being employed in places of Trust both in his and in Queene Elizabeths dayes What though it be a Popish Teâ—eâ—â— that the Pope may so doe and what though Bellarmine and others have maintained such bloudie Tenents yet it is no Generall Tenent of all Papists and it is well knowne that a famous Popish Kingdome the whole Kingdome of France assembled in Parliament in the yeare so calld 1610. condemned to the Fire the booke of Johannes Marianus for mainteining that very Tenent And two moneths after Bellarmines booke it selfe was condemned to the Fire also by the same Parliament for the same detestable Doctrine as the Parliament calld it as tending to destroy the higher Powers which God hath ordained stirring up the Subjects against their Princes absolving them from their Obedience stirring them up to attempt against their Persons and to disturbe the common peace and quiet Therefore all Persons who ever under Paine of High Treason were forbidden to print sell or keepe that booke c. Peace This passage being so late and so famous in so neere a Popish Countrie I wonder how M r Cotton
the Sunne of Righteousnesse in the free Conferrings Disputings and Preachings of the Gospel of Truth be more hopefully like to expell those Mists and Fogs out of the minds of Men and that Papists Jewes Turkes Pagans be brought home not onely into the common roade and way of Protestanisme but to the grace of true Repentance and Life in Christ I say why not this more likely by farre then that the mists and fogs of Poperie should over cloud and conquer that most glorious Light Peace 'T is true the holy Historie tells us of one Sampson laying heapes upon heapes of the proudest Philistims of one David and of his Worthies encountring with and slaying their stoutest Gyantâ— and Champions yet it is feared such is the depraved nature of all mankinde and not of the English onely that like a corrupted full Body it sooner sucks in a poysoned breath of Infection then the purest Ayre of Truth c. Truth Grant this I answer therefore thirdly If any of many conscientiously turne Papists I alledge the Experience of a holy wise and learned man experienced in our owne and other States affaires who affirmes that he knew but few Papists increase where much Libertie to Papists was granted yea fewer then where they were restrained Yet further that in his Conscience and Judgement he believed and observed that such Persons as conscientiously turned Papists as believing Poperie the truer way to Heaven and Salvation I say such Persons were ordinarily more conscionable loving and peaceable in their dealings and neerer to Heaven then thousands that follow a bare common trade and roade and name of Protestant Religion and yet live without all Life of Conscience and Devotion to God and consequently with as little love and faithfulnesse unto Men. Peace But now to proceed a third Speech of King James was Persecution is the note of a false Church the wicked are Besiegers the Faithfull are besieged upon Revel 20. M r Cotton here grants that it is indeed a Note of a false Church but not a certaine One for sayth he which of all the Prophets did not the Church of the Old Testament persecute Truth M r Cotton granting persecution to be a degree of Falsehood and Apostacie as he doth in his following words he must also grant that where such a Doctrine and practice prevailes and the Church growes obstinate after all the Lords meanes used to reclaime such a Church will proceede to further degrees untill the whole be leavened with Falshood and Apostacie and the Lord divorceth her and casts her out of his Heart and Sight as he dealt with Israel and Judah And it will be found no false but a dutifull part of a faithfull childe to abhorre the whoredomes of such an one though his own Mother who for her obstinacie in whoredomes is justly put away by his heavenly Father but of that the Lord assisting more in its place Peace Further Whereas it was said that M r Cotton had passed by King Stephen of Poland his Speech to wit the true Difference between the Civill and Spirituall Government M r Cotton answers that it is true that the Magistrate cannot command their Soules nor binde their Consciences nor punish their Spirits All that he can doe is to punish the Bodies of Men for destroying or disturbing Religion Truth It is true the Lord alone reacheth the Soules or Spirits of Men but he doth it two wayes First Immediately stirring up the Spirits of the Prophets by Visions Dreames c. Secondly By instituted Meanes and Ordinances of which is the Question Now Stephen King of Poland professed that he was King of bodies and not of Consciences It being most true that the Lord Jesus hath appointed spirituall Rulers and Governours to binde and loose Soules and Consciences to wound and kill Comfort and save alive the Spirits and Consciences of Men. This power Christ Jesus committed to his true Messengers but oh how many are there that pretend to this Apostleship or Ministrie who yet have sold away this spirituall Power to the Earthly or worldly powers upon an implyed secret Condition or Proviso to receive a broken Reed an Arme of Flesh in stead of the Everlasting Armes of Mercy to protect them Peace With your leave Deare Truth let me adde a second If the Magistrate as M r Cotton sayth punish the body for a spirituall offence why doth he not punish by a spirituall power as a spirituall Officer with a spirituall Censure and punishment Truth M r Cotton will tell us that the bodies of the Israelites were punished for spirituall offences And we may againe truely affirme that the very cutting off by the materiall Sword out of the typicall Land of Canaan was in the type a spirituall punishment Peace M r Cotton is not ignorant of this and hath often taught of these Types from Passages on Genesis and other bookes of Moses c. Truth The Father of Lights graciously be pleased to set home the light he hath vouchsafed him fix and imprint the beames thereof in his heart and affections also Peace This Argument of punishing the body for the soules good I remember was feelingly resented by an honourable Gentleman in the parliament against the Bishops urging how contrary unto Christ Jesus those Prelates were for Christ Jesus did make way for his working upon Mens soules by shewing kindnesse to their bodies c. but Prelates contrarily c. Truth All the Angells ' of God will one day witnesse that Christ Jesus was never Captain to Pope nor Prelate Presbyter no nor Independent Emperour nor King Parliament nor Generall Court who punish and afflict persecute and torture the bodies of Men under pretence of a spirituall and religious medicine Peace Yea but sayth M r Cotton Religion is disturbed and destroyed what shall be done Truth Religion is disturbed and destroyed two wayes First When the Professors or Assemblies thereof are persecuted that is hunted and driven up and downe out of the world Against such Destroyers or Disturbers being Tyrants and Oppressours the Civill Sword ought to be drawen Peace The drawing of the Sword of Justice against such Tyrants I believe hath prevailed in Heaven for the Parliaments successes and prosperitie The turning from the violence that was in the hands of those Men of Bloud the Bishops as in the Men of Ninivies case hath laid the long and violent storme of Fire and Bloud c. Truth Yea let the most renowned Parliament of England and all England know that when they cease to listen to Daniells counsell to Belshazzar to wit to shew Mercy to the poore even the poorest and most afflicted in the World the Consciences of Men then is their Parliamentarie Glory and Tranquillitie ecclipsed Till then I confidently believe their Government which hath now so many yeares with so many Wonders continued shall not be numbred nor another fatall change surprize them But now 2 the Disturbance or Destruction
of Religion is spirituall by false Teachers false Prophets by spirituall Rebells and Traytors against the Worship and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Against which Disturbers or Destroyers if Christ Jesus have not provided sufficient spirituall Defence let Moses his ancient Type be said to exceede him in Faithfulnesse David in holy zeale and affection to the house of God and Solomon in wisdome and heavenly prudence in ordering the Affaires of the holy Worship of God Peace But further whereas it was said that to confound these to wit a Civill and Spirituall Government was Babell and Jewish M r Cotton replyes That is Babell to tollerate and advance Idolatrie 2. Sayth he though Christ hath abolished a Nationall Church-State which Moses set up in the Land of Canaan yet Christ never abolished a Nationall Civill State nor the Judiciall Lawes of Moses which were of Morall Equitie and therefore sayth he If the true Christs bloud goe for the planting of the Church let the false Christs goe for supplanting it Truth I answer Babell was infamous for Pride for Confusion or Disorder for Idolatrie for Tyrannie Now let all persecuting Cities and Kingdomes be examined and see if they have been cleare from any of these and especially from Babells confusion and disorder from monstrous mingling of Spirituall and Civill the Devills Worship with Gods vessells It was no Confusion in the Nationall Church of Israel for the Power of that Nation in the hands of Kings and Civill Rulers to purge that Nationall Church by Nationall force of weapons and Death But since M r Cotton acknowledgeth that Christ hath abolished that Nationall Church and established Congregationall Churches in some of which possibly may be no Civill Magistrate fearing God for few wise or noble are called and consequently few godly or Christian Magistrates professing Christ Jesus What is this but Babell or a Babylonish mixture of the Old and New Testament Nationall and Congregationall Churches power and practices together Peace 2. What if Christ Jesus have not abolished a Nationall Church State it is sufficient that he hath abolished a Nationall Church And if so then in Church matters those Nationall Judicialls and the use of those Nationall Weapons and Punishments in attending upon such a Nationall Church Yea what colour of Morall Equitie is there that all the Nations of the World most of which never heard of Christ should be ruled by such Lawes and Punishments as were peculiarly and miraculously given and appointed to one selected and culd out Nation conceived borne and brought up as I may so speake from first to last by extraordinarie and miraculous dispensation Peace There may be sayth M r Cotton difference between the Nations professing Christianitie and other Nations Truth There is indeed great Difference There are two sorts of Nations or Peoples of the World which shall be Fewell for the devouring flames of the Lord Jesus 2 Thess 1. First such as know not Christ Jesus of which sort the greatest part of the Nations of the World beyond all colour of comparison consist 2. Such as have heard a sound and make some profession of the Name of Christ Jesus and yet obey him not as Lord and King c. Now it is true at the Tribunall of this dreadfull Judge Tyre and Sidon Sodome and Gomorra shall finde an easier doome then shall Bethsaida Chorazin Capernaum Jerusalem c. And M r Cotton need not feare the escaping of a false Christ when all Nations professing Christianitie Papist or Protestant if yet found disobedient to the true Christ shall passe under a more fierie Sentence then all Mahumetane and Pagan Countries Peace M r Cotton will not stick to subscribe to this But the false Christs bloud sayth he ought now to be spilt Truth Since there are so many false Christs as the true Christ Prophesied M r Cotton must unavoydably name and detect and convict those false Christs Popish and Protestant c. upon whom he passeth such a present Sentence He must also direct the way how the true Christ may shed the bloud of the false Christs When M r Cotton hath done this faithfully and impartially according to his Conscience and present Judgement what Reader will not at first view see rising up from such Premises these foure Conclusions First Amongst so many Christs extant that is visible Christs Head and Body in the Christian Antichristian World there can but One Christ be found to be true Secondly That Christ which M r Cotton professeth according to his Conscience will be He. Thirdly All such Christs as are extant beside M r Cottons Head and Body ought impartially to be put to Death as false counterfeit blasphemous c. Fourthly Such as embrace his Christ that is be of his Church and Conscience are bound if they once get power in their hands to pursue with fire and sword and to shed the bloud of all the false Christs that is the severall sorts of false or Antichristian Worshippers Peace Oh how wise and Righteous is the Lord in letting loose the Wolfe and Lyon persecutors and Hunters upon his Sheepe and People that by their owne painfull sence of such bloudie violence and crueltie he may graciously purge out the Malignant venemous Humours of such fowle Antichristian and bloudie Doctrines But to the next the King of Bohemia his saying Whereas it was said that in this Kings Speech M r Cotton had passed by that Foundation in Grace and Nature to wit that Conscience ought not to be violated or forced and that such forcing is no other then a Spirituall Rape M r Cotton replyes It was not passed by but prevented in stating the Question where it was said It is not lawfull to Censure any no not for Errour in Fundamentall Points of Doctrine or Worship till the Conscience of the offendour be first convinced out of the Word of God of the dangerous Errour of his way and then if he will persist it is not out of Conscience but against his Conscience as the Apostle sayth Tit. 3. 11. and so he is not persecuted for cause of Conscience but for sinning against his Conscience 1. Truth I answer the forcing of a Woman that is the violent Acting of uneleannesse upon her bodie against her will we count a Rape By Proportion that is a Spirituall or Soule-rape which is a forcing of the Conscience of any Person to Acts of Worship which the Scripture entitles by the name of the Marriage bed Cant. 1. This forcing of Conscience was in an high measure the branded sinne of that great typicall Machiavel Jeroboam who made Israel to Worship before the Golden Calves And this is the abominable practice of the Second Beast who compells all to take the Marke of the first Beast and this is the sinne of the mysticall Ammon the Princes of Europe and of the Antichristian World those mysticall effeminate Ahabs who give their power to the Beast themselves together with that Man of Sinne and
performed in the whole World and that Ex Officio to wit the Establishing Governing Reforming c. the Church the Spouse and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Peace 2. The Church and Servants of Christ had great hurt notwithstanding M r Cottons contrary beliefe by the Emperours persecuting of whom they judged hereticall partly in that the Arrians were hardned by their sufferings and Arrianisme increased by the sufferings of the professours of it as also that the Christians were more severely persecuted as hath often also come to passe in the Interchanges between the Papist and the Protestant when the Arrians came to weare the Sword and the Orthodox Christians were under Hatches Truth 3. But that the whole World that wonders after and worshippeth the Beast should yet possibly be of the small Number that follow the Lambe and stand opposite to the Beast on Mount Zion That the World upon whom the vialls of plagues and vengeance are to be powred according to the infallible Prophecies not to speak of the World from other Scriptures that this whole World I say should be brought into such an Onenes with Christ Jesus seemes so crosse to the fundamentall Enmitie between Christs Seede and the Serpents to the priviledges of the Saints to the puritie of Christ to the streame of Scripture and in particular to the sweete last Will and Testament of the Lord Jesus and the nature of his particular Flocks c. That I cannot wonder sufficiently how any man professing but a small Knowledge of the Mysteries and Kingdome of Christ Jesus should be so vailed so obscured so to write of the state of Christs Church and the World as M r Cotton doth Peace Christ Jesus Blessed Truth gave not thankes to his most holy most wise Father in vaine for hiding from Wise and Prudent and opening to Babes and Sucklings Truth 4. But further Such a Conversion of People from Idolatrie to Christianitie as fits them to be professours of the Sonne of God but yet not fits them for the Fellowship of Christians in Church State I finde not in the Testament of Christ Jesus Surely the Conversion of the Thessalonians was not such 2 Thess 1. Who turned not onely from Idolls but to serve the living and true God which service of God in Christ no Soule uprightly in love with Christ Jesus but in its measure longs after as vehemently and cordially as ever chast Spouse after her dearest earthly Husbands presence and Enjoyment Cant. 1. 3. 5. Peace Gods Spirit in John describes one Difference c. between the true Spirit and Professours and the fâ—â—se to wit that such as acknowledge that is truely as I conceive Christ Jesus to become in the flesh are borne of God Truth Yea therefore consequently such a Spirit cannot be of Jesus that makes such a profession of Christ Jesus as the Devills themselves may make and even for want of Regeneration and Personall Grace the professours are not fit for the Fellowship of the true Christian Worship and Worshippers 5. But lastly if M r Cotton or any of his bloudie Judgement woare the Imperiall Crowne of the Worlds Majestie what slaughters shall we imagine the World should heare and feele Whether would such fierie zeale transport Men Yea what an Earthly Dunghill Religion and Worship should the most High God be served with fit onely for the Dunghill Gods and Goddesses whom all Asiâ— as the Towne-clarke speakes and the World worshippeth Peace If the Report of M r Cottons interpreting that Scripture of Serving God with all our Might c. be true to wit of employing our Civill Armes and Forces to the utmost and that against other Peoples professing Idolatrie and Antichristianisme His Conscience as I conceive must needs force on and presse after an universall Conquest of all Consciences and under that like those bloudie Spaniards Turkes and Popes lay under that faire cloake the Rule and Dominion over all the Nations of the Earth Truth But may not M r Cotton better listen to the voyce of the Lord Jesus saying to him and such of his bloudie Tenent You know not of what Spirit you are of Were the Emperours too favourable as M r Cotton sayth in but Banishing How keene a Sword would M r Cotton draw against so many Millions of Gangreene Soules throughout the Turkish and the Popish World Peace Oh how farre different would M r Cottons Sword be from the Sword of the Spirit of God proceeding from the Mouth of Christ Jesus yet sharpe enough with two edges piercing between Soule and Spirit c. Truth Yea how farre different from the Meeke Spirit of the Lambe of God who came not to destroy Mens lives but to save them yea how different from the former make and noted gentle Temper of M r Cottons own Spirit now over-heat and enflamed by his unmercifull and bloudie Tenent Exam of Chap. 62. replying to Chap. 65. Peace VVHen M r Cotton was justly observed to use the Language of Lyon-like persecution in these words More and greater Princes then these you mention have not tollerated Hereticks and Schismaticks notwithstanding their pretence of Conscience and their arrogating the Crowne of Martyrdome to their suffrings He defendeth such Language by the Scripture Freedome in such Tearmes against Sinners which sayth he the Discusser acknowledgeth Truth In holy Scripture are many Expressions full of Holinesse Gravitie Love Meeknesse c. which yet are wrested by us poore Men to unholy and unchristian Ends and purposes How many wofully pervert many grave and heavenly Passages and Expressions of holy Scripture to base and filthy Jeasting How many from some sharp Expressions of Christ Jesus and Paul in cases take licence to raile and call Men all to naught in Wrath Revenge and Passion And how many out of pride and false zeale trampling upon the Heads and Consciences of all Men are ready not in an holy Meeke and Christian way but in a Pharisaicall Bishop-like and Pope-like way to roare and thunder out against Gods meekest Servants the odious tearmes of Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers Seducers c. Which tearmes though used in holy Scripture yet never in such a way as commonly and constantly the bloudie and persecuting expresse themselves in Peace But what or whom meanes M r Cotton in this passage what Language have they learned who in point of worship have left Zion but not the Gates and Suburbes of Babylon for they set up Bull-warkes of Impunitie to secure them Truth Surely M r Cotton knowes that none that plead against the Civill Power and Weapons in Spirituall Matters but they also maintaine that there ought to be in vigorous use the Spirituall and two edged Sword that comes forth of Christs Mouth not for the Impunitie but for the Ruine and Destruction of all Babells â—raâ—s and Abominations Peace M r Cotton spends many lines and quotes Austin to prove that Julians End of tollerating Heresie to grow was to choake
Christianitie Truth What ever were Julians End yet I deny that Tolleration of the weedes of Heresie and blasphemous Religion Paganish Turkish Jewish Popish in the field of the Civill State and World hath power to choake the vitalls of Christianitie in the Garden or Bodie the Church of Christ Jesus And concerning Infection It is to be observed that when the holy Scripture speakes by the Similitudes of Leaven Gangrene or Poysonfull weedes of Wolves or scabbed sheepe c. it is commonly with respect to such Evills got in among the Saints and Churches the Flocks and Gardens of Christ where such Leaven weedes c. tollerated may spread and infect But what is this to the Lyons Beares or Wolves not to be suffered in the Wildernesse or Swine or Dogs in the common high wayes or weedes in the Common or Forest which all may be and yet the Garden Body and Flock of Christ be pure and safe from such Infection Peace One passage more is very Considerable In former Discourse about the Tares M r Cotton was large in proving the permission of weedes even in the Church of Christ and that untill Christs Comming and that after they be discovered to be Hypocrites Truth O what a Distance is between that Doctrine and this here There the Tares must not be touched in the Garden of the Church here they must not be suffred abroad in the field of the World for feare of choaking the good plants in the Garden of Christ Who can finde out how these Doctrines suit with Godlinesse with Reason or Themselves Peace But now you speake of suiting It is sayth M r Cotton for a close a plaine Contradiction of the Discussers former Speech to say that persecuting of others was a meanes of choaking Christianitie whereas he had said that Constantines unknowing zeale did more hurt to Christs Kingdome then the raging furie of the most bloudie Neroes Truth Let the words be well weighed and no such Affirmation will be found The words are It was not when Christians lodged in cold Prisons but in Downâ— Beds of Ease and persecuted others The Discusser made not persecution to be a meanes of choaking Christianitie but attributes the Losse of Christians Life and Love to those Beds of their abused Sweete prosperitie 2. If he had made persecution a meanes to choake Christianitie it had been the persecution of Christians among Themselves and not the persecution of bloudie Neroes Which yet if it had been so it might yet be no Contradiction for Neroes persecution might doe hurt although Constantines unknowing zeale might doe much more Exam of Chap. 63. replying to Chap. 66. Peace MAster Cotton here being understood to smile on Q Elizabeth for persecuting the Papists and to â—â—â—wne on K James for persecuting the so named Puritans he denies neither but insists onely upon the Number that as many and as great Princes are against Tolleration as for it and in particular Q Elizabeth and K James Truth I say as before I should never use an Argument from the Number of Princes no more then from the Number of any other men for any truth of Christ Jesus Who as he was not pleased himselfe to be borne of the sons of Nobles so hath he not chosen many Nobles and Wise men of this World to be borne of him Yet 2. If that be his Argument he hath not satisfied in naming these two for more were named by the Prisoner and besides one of those Witnesses K James abundantly declared himselfe not onely against persecuting of Papists but against all persecution in generall what ever otherwise or afterwards his practices were against some Persons as M r Cotton too truely alledgeth Truth In the next Passage the Discusser having objected that both Q Elizabeth and K James did persecute according to their Consciences and arguing why should the one namely K James be more blamed for persecuting according to his Conscience then Q Elizabeth for persecuting according to hers M r Cotton distinguisheth of Consciences The Queenes sayth he was rightly informed but the Kings was not When it was replyed that either K James and such Princes whose Consciences according to M r Cottons Conscience are ill informed must act according to their Consciences or else they want the Qualification and Fitnes for such places M r Cotton answers two Things First that such Qualifications are not Essentiall but Integrall Secondly That such Princes must forbeare all Civill Censures in matters of Religion untill they be better informed Truth It is most true as M r Cotton sayth if we speake of the right of Succession a childe may be a Lawfull King as K. James himselfe was being but a yeare old But if we speake of the Qualifications of the minde by which a King is enabled to rule his State as is supposed Ecclesiasticall and Civill and to judge under Christ Jesus in all Causes Ecclesiasticall as well as Civill Surely he that knowes not which is the true Church true Ministrie true Ordinances yea and persecutes the true Church Ministrie and Worship what ever his Qualifications be for the Government of the Civill State yet can it never be made good that he is furnished with any Essentiall Qualification for the Spirituall Administration any more then He that undertakes to be a Guide and yet is blinde and never set foote in the way and knowes not the true from the false Or to be a Captaine Generall yea or but a Shepheard c. 2. Beside Christ Jesus never calld any person to any Employment of his to any Worke whom he inables not in a Measure proportionably c. Peace In such cases sayth M r Cotton Princes are called to suspend and forbeare all Execution of Civill Censures in the matters of Religion till they be better informed least they doe persecute the Son of God in stead of the Son of Perdition Truth I answer First Then M r Cotton hath cut off K James from acting though so long esteemed and sworne Supreame in all Causes Ecclesiasticall Secondly I aske how many shall forbeare and how long for evident then it is that most beyond all comparison of all the Princes and Magistrates in the World must not meddle with this pretended chiefe part of their Dutie and Office and that if they convert not for the whole Course and Race of their Life In particular that no Pagan Magistrate of all the ten thousands in the World no Persian Turkish Popish nor Protestant if Prelaticall or Presbyterian ought to exercise any of this High and Glorious Power but onely such Princes and Magistrates as are of M r Cottons Conscience for otherwise what Prince in the world more learned King in his time then King James yet was not he of M r Cottons Conscience Peace Deare Truth The fall of this partialitie is so apparant and withall so fowle that I thinke it impossible but ere long it must needs be condemned by Men on Earth as doubtless it
is abhord by the most holy and impartiall God and his holy Angells in Heaven Upon this occasion I call to minde that famous Act of the so greatly renowned Constantine who in his first wearing of the Diademe put forth his Colleauge Licinius concurring also a famous and most solemne Charter and Edict that no man throughout the whole Empire should be constraind in his Religion Truth M r Cotton according to his proviso of suspension must doubtles applaud Constantine for this his Forbearance untill he were better informed whereas afterward his Edicts against Arrius and Arrianisme testifie his practice to the contrary But he that shall reade seriously in Gods presence that first Edict of Constantine and Licinius will there finde Constantine to use such Arguments as might for ever have caused him to have forbore persecution to have still suspended to have gratified the Subjects of all his Empire with Libertie and Freedome in the Point of Worship and Religion But I will End this Passage with this Querie If Christ Jesus have left such Power with the Civill Rulers of the World Kingdomes and Countries of or for the Establishing Governing and Reforming his Church what is become of his Care and Love Wisdome and Faithfulnesse since in all Ages since he left the Earth for the generall beyond all exception he hath left her destitute of such qualified Princes and Governours and in the Course of his Providence furnished her with such whom he knew would be and all men finde as fit as Wolves to protect and feede his Sheepe and People Exam of Chap. 64. replying to Chap. 67. Peace VVHen it was questioned what good to the Soules or Bodies of their Subjects did those Princes bring in persecuting M r Cotton produceth a good â—iâ—â—fold that is brought to Princes and Subjects by the due punishment of Apostates Seducers Idolaters and Blasphemers Truth Let all that feare God and M r Cotton himselfe be perswaded to observe whether under this faire cloake of punishing these and these spirituall sinners he maintaine not strongly what elsewhere he denies to wit Persecution for cause of Conscience But we know the Evasion It is not for Apostatizing seducing out of Conscience but after Conviction against their Conscience c. Peace You have before satisfied me besides other Passages with this one that to this End of discerning the poore Hereticks sinning against his Conscience the Civill State the Earth the World must necessarily Erect its Tribunall to judge not onely Civill Things but even the Heart and Conscience also but now to M r Cottons five-fold good First sayth he it puts away Evill from the People by cutting off a Gangrene which would spread to further ungodlinesse Deut. 13. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 1. 6. 7. 13. Truth I answer these Scriptures though pure and holy in their places yet are here coupled together as Linsey Wollsey contrary to the Law Deut. 13. which concerns the typicall Nationall Church using Nationall temporall Weapons The 2 Tim. 2. concernes the Particular Congregations or Churches of Christians using onely the Sword of Gods Spirit the Word of God c. Beside Deut. 13. concerned such a People whom the Lord brought forth of Aegypt with Miracles into Canaan c. Let any such People be now produced excepting the Christian particular Churches Why doth M r Cotton then alledge this Scripture so frequently and in these five Reasons brings two from hence This the first and the Third to wit that all the People may heare and feare c. which is alone made good in the Antitype or Christian Church according to that 1 Tim. 5. 20. Rebuke them that sinne openly that others may learne to feare 2. Peace M r Cotton mentioneth a second good which is driving away Wolves from worrying and scattering the Sheepe of Christ Truth This was largely answered in discoursing the nature of mysticall or spirituall Wolves upon that very place which he quotes Acts 20. From whence it may evidently appeare that from the literall urging of such mysticall Scriptures all Peoples and Nations are enforced and that Conscientiously like Wolves and Lyons to teare and devoure each other 3. Peace M r Cotton addes that Punishments are wholesome Medicines to such as are curable of such Evills Zach. 13. 4 5 6. Truth I answer All the holy Appointments of God are most powerfull in their severall respective seasons and manner of Dispensations to his owne most holy Ends and purposes c. The Materiall Nationall Sword in the Nationall Church of Israel before Christ and the Spirituall Sword in the spirituall and Christian Church since his comming to abolish those shadowes As it was therefore in vaine to have cut off or Excommunicated spiritually in that Nationall State So is it in vaine to use the materiall or carnall Sword in the spirituall Wherefore according to this place of Zach. a true penitent will blesse God for the Wounds of Friends and Lovers faithfull and sharpe dealing and for Deliverance from the Kisse of deceitfull flatterie But what is this to prove that which is so much denied to wit Corporall Death or Wounds now to be inflicted upon false Teachers in these times of the Gospel and that in all parts and Nations of the World 4. Peace The punishment sayth M r Cotton executed upon false Prophets and seducing Teachers doe bring downe Showres of Gods blessing upon the Civill State 1 King 18. 40 41. Truth If that Nationall State of Israell and that Nationall or Corporeall killing of so many hundreth false Prophets and that literall drouth and literall showres of Raine and plentie were figures of no other Prophets and slaughters drouth and showers but literall materiall and corporeall now since the Body and Substance Christ Jesus is come What should hinder but that those Priests of Israel and Sacrifices and Temple and Nationall Church should all be in force for our Imitation literally the one as well as â—he other Peace I cannot possibly conceive but that all being of the same Nature the one is Typicall as well as the other and that they must flourish and be glorious as Gods Ordinances or vanish and disappeare giving place to brighter dispensations at the arising of Christ Jesus the Son of Righteousnesse Truth Hence false Apostles false Teachers false Prophets are Spiritually cut off Revel 2. 2 Pet. 2. Gal. 4. And spirituall showres of Blessings descend upon the Israel of God for although corporeall Blessings of Food and Raiment and plentie are Gods blessings yet principally under the Gospel God blesseth his Israel the Antitype with spirituall Blessings Eph. 1. Houses Lands Fathers Mothers Children c. with persecution Mark 10. Peace Me thinks Deare Truth If Christ Jesus had appointed such punishments such executions literall in the Christian Church he would also have appointed Offices and Officers suitable and proper for such Ends and purposes such punishments such executions Truth It cannot otherwise with Reason and
strangers in their Worship And for their Countrymen for the most part that they worship God with them They which are distant have Libertie of publike prayer and preaching by such as themselves choose without disturbance Truth Concerning the Indians it is most true that the Monahigganéucks Mishawomêucks Pawtuckséucks and Cawsumséucks who professe to submit to the English continue in their publike Paganish Worship of Devills I say openly and constantly Peace Yea but saith M r Cotton they have submitted to the ten Commandements Truth I answer the ten Commandements containe a Renunciation of all salse Gods and Worships and a Worshipping of the true God according to his owne Institutions and Appointments which their practice is as farre from as Mid-night is from Mid-day 2. To put men upon observations of Gods Worship as Prayer c. before the Foundations of Repentance from dead workes their worshipping of Idolls c. is as farre from the Order of Christ Jesus and his Christian principles whereof Repentance from dead workes is the first as the building of an House or Palace without the first Groundsell or Foundation laid Peace M r Cotton therefore saith they preach unto them Truth I from my soule wish that all the Lords people in New England were Prophets yea true Apostolicall Ministers or Preachers truely furnished with Christs Abilities and Christs Commission to goe forth to convert and baptize the Nations even these Wildest of the Nations of Adams Children But Conversion of Nations M r Cotton sayth upon Revel 15. untill the seaven plagues of the seaven Angells be fullfilled will not be great This Interpretation I acknowledge to be very probable so far as concernes any great Conversion of the Nations before the downfall of Antichrist and in the meane season I commend the pious Endeavours of any professing Ministery or not to doe good to the Soules of all Men as We have opportunitie But that any of the Ministers spoken of are furnished with true Apostolicall Commission Matth. 28. I see not for these Reasons First The Minister or Ministers whom M r Cotton I conceive intends professe an ordinarie Office in the Church of Christ which is cleerely distinct yea and another thing from the office of an Apostle or one sent forth to preach and baptize Ephes 4. 1 Cor. 12. Secondly Such Churches as are invested with the power of Christ and so authoriz'd to send forth are seperate from the World which many thousands of Gods people dead and living have seene just Reasons to deny those Churches so to be Thirdly Were the Church true and the Messenger or Apostle rightly sent forth with prayer and fasting according to Act. 13. yet I believe that none of the Ministers of New England nor any person in the whole Countrey is able to open the Mysteries of Christ Jesus in any proprietie of their speech or Language without which proprietie it cannot be imagined that Christ Jesus sent forth his first Apostles or Messengers and without which no people in the World are long willing to heare of difficult and heavenly matters That none is so fitted First The Natives themselves affirme as I could instance in many particulars Secondly The Experience of the Discusser and of many others testifie how hard it is for any man to attaine a little proprietie of their Language in common things so as to escape Derision amongst them in many yeares without abundance of conversing with them in Eating travelling and lodging with them c. which none of their Ministers other affaires not permitting ever could doe Peace There being no helpes of Art and learning amongst them I see not how without constant use or a Miracle any man is able to attaine to any proprietie of speech amongst them even in common things And without proprietie as before who knowes not how hardly all men especially Barbarians are brought to heare matters of Heaven so strange and contrary to Nature yea even matters of the Earth except profit and other worldly ends compell them to spell out Mens minds and meaning Truth 3. I may truely adde a third an Instance in the booke of their Conversion written by M r Tho Shepheard there M r Eliot the ablest amongst them in the Indian Speech promising an old Indian a suit of Cloths the man sayth the relation not well understanding M r Eliots speech asked another Indian what M r Eliot said Peace Me thinks the Native not understanding such a common and wellcome promise of cloths upon Gift would farre more hardly understand M r Eliots preaching of the garment of Righteousnesse Christ Jesus unto which Men mutually turne the deafe Eare c. Truth Neither you sweet Peace nor I Expresse thus much to dampe M r Eliot or any from doing all the good they can whiles opportunitie lasts in any truely Christian way but to shew how great that mistake is that pretends such a true preaching of Christ Jesus to them in their owne Language Peace But to proceed in the next Passage M r Cotton affirmes their Impartialitie in permitting others as well as the Indians Truth I answer it is one thing to connive at a strange Papist in private devotions on shoare or in their vessells at Anchor c. Another thing to permit Papists Jewes Turkes c. the free and constant Exercise of their Religion and Worship in their respective Orders and Assemblies were such Inhabitants amongst them Peace Doubtlesse the bloudie Tenent cannot permit this Libertie neither to the Papists Jewes Turkes c. nor to the Indians nor doth their practice toward their Countrymen hould forth a shew of such a freedome or permission Truth I wonder why M r Cotton writes that the most part of the English worship God with them and the rest absent have Libertie to choose their Preachers Since M r Cotton knowes the Petition and Petitions that have been presented for Libertie of Conscience in New England and he cannot but also know the Imprisoning and Fining of some of the Petitioners c. Peace It may be M r Cotton will use the common objection that some part of their Petition tended to Disturbance in Civill Things Truth Some of their Petitions were purely for Libertie of Conscience which some in Office both in Church and State favoured as is reported if not promoted If others or some part of them might be judged offensive against Lawes made yet why then hath not the Libertie of their Conscience in point of Worship been granted to them When they have complained amongst other Passages that they have been forced to stay the baptizing of other Mens children while their owne might not be admitted and therefore earnestly sued for Ministers and Congregations after their owne free choice and Consciences which have ever been denyed to them Peace It is said that their Ministers being consulted with utterly denied to yeeld to any such Libertie Truth They might justly feare that if such a window were opened as once Bishop Gardiner
Heauens The neerer Christs followers have approached to worldly wealth ease liberty honour pleasure c. the neerer they have approached to Impatience Pride Anger and Violence against such as are opposite to their Doctrine and Profession of Religion And 2 The further and further have they departed from God from his Truth from the Simplicitie Power and Puritie of Christ Jesus and true Christianitie Peace In the next Passage M r Cotton though with another heart yet in the Language and Tongue of the Pharisees seemes to take part with the Prophets against the persecuting Fathers and amongst many things he prohibites Magistrates this one to wit that he must not make Lawes to binde Conscience Truth What is a Law but a binding Word a Commandement What is a Law to binde Conscience but a Commandement that calls for Obedience And must wee raise up such Tumults such Tragedies and fill the face of the World with streames of bloud about the Christian Mâ—gistrates reforming Religion establishing Religion killing the Heretick Blasphemer Idolater Seducer and yet all this without a Law that may in the name of Christ exact obedience Peace I wonder what we shall thinke of those Lawes and Statutes of Parliament in old or New England that have bound the peoples Consciences at least so farre as to come to the Parish Church improving as M r Cotton sayth the power and Authoritie over their Bodies for their Soules good What shall wee call all those Lawes Commandements Statutes Injunctions Directions and Orders that concerne Religion and Conscience Truth The plaine truth is M r Cottons former reforming zeale cannot be so utterly extinguished as to forget the name and Notion of Christian Libertie although in this bloudie Discourse he hath well nigh if not wholly sold away the Thing The Conscience sayth he must not be bound to a Ceremonie to a pretended indifferent Ceremonie And yet loe throughout this Discourse he pleades for the binding of it from these and these Doctrines from these and these Worships and binding to this or that Worship I meane to come to the publike Towne or Countrey Worship Just for all the world as if a Woman should not be bound to make a Curtsie or Salutation to such a Man but yet shee should be bound will she nill she to come to his bed at his pleasure Worship is a true of false Bed Cant. 1. 16. Peace It is observable in the next place what M r Cotton observeth concerning the Principles of saving Truth to wit that no good Christian much lâ—sse good Magistrate can be ignorant of them Truth In the Consideration of the Modell this Goodnesse or Badnes of the Magistrate is Examined and easily it is proved to my understanding that this Assertion confounding the nature of Civill and Morall goodnesse with Religious is as farre from Goodnes as Darknes is from Light Peace To this Issue tends M r Cottons Conclusion of this passage verily the Lord will build up and establish the House and Kingdome of such Princes as doe thus build up his Truth The promise of God to David concerning his House and Kingdome in the Letter is most true in the Mystery and Antitype as to the Spirituall House and Kingdome of King David King Jesus in such Princes or Propheticall Kingly Spirits who Spiritually in the Word of Prophesie the Sword of Gods Spirit contend for the Spirituall Kingdome of Christ Jesus God will establish them in Spirituall Dignitie and Authoritie But take this literally as M r Cotton carries it and as he never will finde any such Dutie lying upon Princes in the Gospell nor any such promise of temporall prosperitie but holy praedictions foretellings of the crosse and persecution ordinarily to all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus and the greater persecution to the most zealous and faithfull Servants of Christ Jesus So neither can he give any true Instance truely proper and parallell to this purpose Peace Me thinks 〈…〉 hough successe be no constant rule to walke by yet Gods providence in successe of Journies Victories c. are with great care and feare to be attended to and pondered and the Hand and Eye of God to be observed in them of what sort or Nature so ever they be Truth Two instances of greatest successe and temporall prosperitie we have presented to us on the publike stage of this world before our owne Dores crowning the Heads of such States and States-men as have attended to mercy and freedome toward oppressed Consciences The first is that of the State of Holland The second of our owne Native England whose renowned Parliament and victorious Armie never so prospered as since their Declaration and practice of pitie and mercy to Consciences oppressed by M r Cottons bloudie Tenent Peace In the next Passage it being a Grievance that M r Cotton should grant with Luther the Magistrates power to extend no further then the Bodies and Goods of the Subject and yet withall maintaineth that they must punish Christians for sinning against the Light of Faith and Conscience M r Cotton answers First He supposeth the chiefe good to be that of Christian Faith and Good Conscience Secondly Suppose sayth he by Goods were meant outward Goods yet the Magistrate may punish such in their Bodies and Goods as seduce c. for sayth he in seeking Gods Kingdome and the Righteousnesse thereof Men prosper in their outward Estates Matth. 6. 23. Otherwise they decay Lastly He remembers not the proposition to be his The Magistrates power extendeth no further then the Bodies and Goods of the Subject He answereth it is true in respect of the Object though not in respect of the End which sayth he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bene administrare Rempublicam And he asketh if it be well with a Common-weale enjoying bodily health and worldly wealth without a Church without Christ And he concludes with the Instance of the Romane Empire which had it not cast away Idolatrie sayth he had been ruined Truth For answer First the distinction is famous among all Men of the Bona or Goods of Animi Corporis Fortunae and againe that of the Minde Soule and Conscience within and that of the Body and Goods without that it can be no lesse then a Civill as well as a Spirituall Babell to confound them Secondly To his Supposition suppose sayth he by Goods were meant outward Goods yet the Magistrate may punish such in their Bodies and Goods as doe Seduce c. I see not how these Cohere any better then the grant of some Papists that the Churches power extends no further then the matters of Faith and Conscience But yet say they they may punish such in their Bodies and Goods as seduce c. M r Cottons Suppositions and the Papists come both out of the same Babylonian Quiver But thirdly let us minde his Reason from Matth. 6. In seeking Gods Kingdome men prosper in outward estate otherwise not I answer this Proposition
civil wolfe for so we must speake to speake properly may also run upon a sheep of Christ by Civill Armes that is in a Civil respect upon Body and Goâ—â—â— c If now the Wolfe ravin the first way the shâ—ep of Christ may and ought to run to the Lord Jesus the great Mr. Shepheard and to such under and in inferiour Shepheards as he hath appointed if he can attain to them If the second way the sheep beside running to Christ Jesus by prayer and to his Ordinances and Officers for advice and comfort may run to the Civil Magistrate appealing to Caesar c. against such uncivill violence and oppression Peace Mine heart joyfully acknowledgeth the Light mine eye seeth in that true and necessary distinction Now to the Second Question is it against the nature of the true Shepheard saith Mr. Cotton to send forth his Doggs to worrie such a wolfe c. Truth M r Cotton here discoursing of Christs sheepe and Christs Shepheards Reason would perswade that the Shepheards or Pastours here intended should be the Shepheards or Pastours appointed by Christ Jesus Ephes 4. Peace If so he should intend it well suits with the spirit of some proud and scornfull pretended Shepheards of Christ Jesus in the World who have used to call their Clarkes Sumners Proctors and Pursevants their hunting Dogs c. Truth But such Dogs as yet the Independent Pastours or Shepheards keepe not Peace Yea but the Pope to speake in M r Cottons phrase yet with all humble respect to Civill Authoritie the blessed Ordinance of God and Man I say the Pope keeps such Dogs good store yea Dogs of all sorts not onely of those lesser kindes but whom he useth as his Dogs the Emperours Kings and Magistrates of the World whom he teacheth and forceth to crouch to lie downe to creepe and kisse his foote and from thence at his beck to flie upon such greedie Wolves as the Waldenses Wicklevists Hussites Hugonites Lutherans Calvinists Protestants Puritans Sectaries c. to imprison to whip to banish to hang to head to burne to blow up such vile Hereticks Apostates Seducers Blasphemers c. But I forget it will be said the Protestants Grounds and practices differ from the Popes as far as Light from Darknes and how ever the Pope useth the secular power and Magistrates thereof but as Dogs and Hangmen yet the Reformed Churches teach and practice better Truth 'T is true sweet Peace the Protestants professe greater honour and subjection to the Civill Magistrate But let plaine English be spoken and it will be found that the Protestant cleargie as they will be calld ride the backs and necks of Civill Magistrates as fully and as heavily though not so pompously as ever the great Whore sat the backs of Popish Princes Peace The Protestant Cleargie hath yeelded up the temporall sword into the hand of the temporall State Kings Governours c. They proclaime the Magistrates Head of the Church Defenders of their Faith the Supreame Judges in all causes as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill Truth 'T is true they make the Magistrate Head of the Church but yet of what Church they please to make and fashion They make him Defendour of the Faith but of what Faith what Doctrine what Discipline what Members they please to admit and account of And this under the penaltie of being accounted either hereticall and so Magistrates worthy themselves to be put to Death or ignorant and so not fit to act as M r Cotton sayth but must suspend their power untill they submit to the Cleargies pretended Light and so be learnd to see and read with the Cleargies Spectacles Peace To this purpose indeed agrees the next passage wherein M r Cotton affirmeth that although all the Magistrates in the World ought to punish Blasphemers Idolaters Seducers yet this must they not doe while their Consciences are blinde and ignorant of the Truth and yet they cease not to be Magistrates sayth he although they cannot performe all the Duties of Magistrates Truth Concerning this stated Dutie of all Magistrates and yet suspending of all ignorant Magistrates from acting according to this their Dutie I have spoken to before and often I now add according to M r Cottons similitude if the Errours of others be as motes in comparison of the beames of this ignorance and blindnesse in Magistrates which he calleth Beames it will be found that he renders thousands of the Magistrates of the World as uncapable to be true Magistrates as an heape of Timber to be an House which wants the beames and principalls Peace The summe of the Difference in the last passage is not great nor any in words for sayth M r Cottons Conclusion If the Difference be onely in the way and manner of the Administration of Christ and the Difference be held forth in a peaceable and Christian way God forbid a Staffe should be shaken against such or a Sword unsheathed Truth Alas where hath lien the great Difference between the Prelates and Presbyterians the Presbyterians and Independants but about the way and Administration of Christs Kingdome for as for matter of Doctrine according to the 39 Articles of the Church of England they have little differd Yea wherein for matter of Doctrine of Faith Repentance and Holinesse have the Churches which make whole seperation or such as goe further to a new Baptisme wherein have they differd from the former and yet we know what Lawes have been and are extant in Old and New England against them and what practices have been felt and may justly be expected both from the Mother and the Daughter if a jealous God and heavenly Father for our unthankfullnesse should once be pleased to finish this late and wonderfull calme and moderation Which yet may justly be feard to prove as Sea-men use to observe but a Winters calme and they ray a Winters calme for then stormes are breeding is as bad as a Summers storme Exam of Chap. 72. replying to Chap. 75. Concerning the Testimonie of Austin Peace MAster Cotton finds two faults in the first entrance First that Antichrist should be said to be too hard for Christ at voting 2. That Austins Testimonie should be put off as a Rhetoricall Evasion Truth To the first it will shortly appeare as the Light at Noone day what packing of Votes and listing and mustring up of Numbers have been in all Ages in all Councells in all Synods in all Parliaments and in all falsely so called Christian Countries against the Lord his Christ and Servants Peace But M r Cotton marvailes that when the case concernes tolleration of Hereticks and Antichristians that Antichrist should procure more Votes against Antichristians and that Christ should procure any Vote though fewer for them Truth To expound this ridle It was never affirmed that Christ hath any Votes for the tollerating of Hereticks or Antichristians in the Religious State or Church of Christ but in the Civil State or Common-weale
himselfe Heard he not that famous powerfull Sermon of Stephen Saw he not his glorious and most heavenly Death and having so much to doe with the Saints could he otherwise choose but heare and see many heavenly passages tending to his soules conviction Peace Yea why should M r Cotton pinch upon Apostates from the truth of Religion and Seducers he cannot choose but know how many thousands and millions of men and women in the world are Hereticall Blasphemers Seducers that never yet made profession of that which he accounteth True Religion True Yea and to plead thy case Deare Peace why should M r Cotton couple Murtherers and Adulterers with Apostates and Seducers Doth not even the naturall Conscience and Reason of all men put a Difference Doe not even the most bloudie Popes and Cardinalls Gardiners and Bonners put a difference between the crimes of Murther Treason Adulterie for which although the offendour repent c. yet he suffers punishment and the crimes of Heresie Blasphemie c. which upon Recantation and Confession are frequently remitted Peace I remember it was high Treason in H. 8. his dayes to deny the Kings spirituall Supremacie as well as to kill his person and yet upon Confession and Recantation we finde that the very Conscience of those bloudy men could distinguish between these Treasons Truth 'T is true this bloudie Tenent of persecution was lamentably drunke with bloud in the dayes of that Henry as well as afterwards in the dayes of his bloudie daughter Marie and yet in Henry his dayes we finde John Haywood recanting his so cald Treason against the Kings Supreamacie in spirituall things and is cleared When famous and faithfull Cromwell for words pretended to be spoken by him against the Kings person must pay his noble Head But to End this Chapter most true it is that multitudes of people in all parts of bloudie Christendome and not a few in England in Henry the 7. and Henry the 8. his dayes have escaped with a Recantation and Abjuration for spirituall Treasons when principles of Reason and Civill Government have taught men for their common safetie to thinke of other punishments for Murtherers Adulterers Traytours Exam of Chap. 73. replying to Chap. 76. Discussing the Testimonie of Optatus Peace MAster Cotton having alledged Optatus justifying Macarius his putting Hereticks to Death from the Example of Moses Phinehas and Elijah it was answered that these shafts were drawen not out of Christs but Moses Quiver M r Cotton replyes did ever any Apostle or Evangelist make the Judiciall Lawes of Moses concerning Life and Death ceremoniall and typicall Truth What ever the Apostles of Christ did in this matter yet sure it is Evident that M r Cotton himselfe makes some of Moses Lawes which he calls Judiciall to be but ceremoniall and typicall Peace Me thinks M r Cotton should never grant that who layes so much waight upon Moses practices and the morall and perpetuall ground of them Truth Well take for an Instance this very case of putting to Death Idolaters and false Prophets he grants this in this very Chapter to be typicall in the State of the Jewes for Israell sayth he being the Church of God and in Convenant with God their Example will onely extend to the like Execution of all the false Prophets in the Church of God Peace Such a Candle lighted up in the Conscience and Judgement and Confession of M r Cotton may if the Father of Lights so please light up many Candles more to M r Cottons owne and the eyes of others Truth Yea if the Father of Lights so please M r Cotton will looke back and see that if the Example of Israel extend no further then to the Church of God then those Lawes of Moses concerning Religion cannot but be typicall and ceremoniall for what is morall and perpetuall none can deny to concerne all Men in all Nations where no Church or House of God was ever erected 2. Peace If M r Cotton say it extends but to the Church of God what Church of God can M r Cotton meane but a particular Congregation for he professeth against Nationall Provinciall c. And yet how can he meane a particular Church since he grants the Church of Christ armed with no other weapons then spirituall like unto the Head and King thereof Christ Jesus 3. Truth If M r Cotton will grant the Church of Christ to have been extant upon Earth during the first three hundred yeares of her fiery tryalls he must grant that then the Church of Christ was furnished by Christ Jesus with no other weapons but spirituall for all the Civill powers of the World seemed to be against them All which time by M r Cottons Doctrine the Church of Christ his heavenly Garden must needs be over-growne with Hereticks Idolaters false Prophets for want of a Civill Sword c. Or if they were not as sure it is the Spouse and Garden of Christ was never fairer since As M r Cotton grants the Example typicall and extending onely to the Church of God so must he then also grant these false Prophets and Idolaters to be put to Death by the Churches power which is onely spirituall and Israels materiall Sword will then appeare to be a type of the two-edged sword of Christ Jesus in the Gospel Peace It is true sayth Master Cotton what the Discusser sayth that Christ Jesus gave no Ordinance Precept or President in the Gospel for killing men for Religion and no more sayth he for the breach of Civill Justice Civill Magistrates therefore must either walke without Rule or fetch their Rules of Righteousnesse from Moses and the Prophets who have expounded him in the Old Testament Truth If M r Cotton please more awfully to observe weigh the minde of Christ Jesus his New Testament in this point he will not onely heare himselfe subscribing to Caesars Right in Civill matters but also by his servant Peter establishing all other formes of Civill Government which the peoples or Nations of the World shall invent or create for their civill being Common-weale or wellfare Yea he may remember that Christ Jesus by his Servant Paul commandeth the Magistrate to punish Murther Theft Adulterie c. for he expresly nameth these Civill Transgressions together with the civill Sword the Avenger of them Rom. 13. Peace I cannot well conceive what M r Cotton meanes by saying that Moses and the Prophets expounded Christ Jesus in the Old Testament Truth Nor I They did speake or prophecie of Christ they did type or figure him to come with his sufferings and Glory but as John sayth Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ that is the fullfilling opening and expounding came by Jesus Christ Peace Hence indeed I remember that Christ Jesus Luc. 24. expounded to his Disciples out of Moses and the Prophets the things written of him But more particularly touching Moses Macarius did well sayth M r Cotton in putting Hereticks
to intrap intangle and bewilder themselves that they may learne to confesse him onely and infinitly wise and be more humble in themselves as fooles and lyars and lesse bitter in their Judgements and Censures on the poore Vnderlings and Outcasts Truth O that M r Cotton who grants the Godly may fall into such fowle sinnes of Heresie and Schisme may also be godly jealous over himselfe and others fearing God in old or New England that also possibly they may fall into the very sinne of persecuting the Sonne of God himselfe especially since it is the Lot of Christ Jesus beyond all compare both in Himselfe and his Followers to be accounted the greatest Heretick Blasphemer Seducer and Deceiver Peace To the second and third Charge M r Cotton complains of false dealing in that the Discusser should render his words as if he charged such to be obstinate persons that yeelded not to once or twice Admonition and that for every Errour when he speakes onely of persisting in Heresie or turbulent Schisme Truth For answer let M r Cottons Conclusions in the beginning of this Booke be remembred Wherein he maintaines that a Man of an Erroueous and blind Conscience in Fundamentall and weighty points and persisting in the Errour of his way is not persecuted for cause of Conscience but for sinning against his Conscience Whence it followes that the Civill Courts of the World must judge whether the matter be fundamentall and weighty whether the partie have been rightly once and twice admonished and whether he persist in the Errour of his Way that is whether he be obstinate after such Admonition and must then be persecuted though as the Conclusion wofully concludeth not for cause of Conscience but for sinning against his Conscience Peace Yea but the Discusser sayth M r Cotton dealeth falsly in carrying my words as if I had said that Godly persons in whatsoever Errour they hould if they yeeld not to once or twice Admonition they must needs be obstinate whereas he saith he speakes not of every Errour but of persisting in Heresie and turbulent Schisme Truth The Discusser did not so say or so carry it as M r Cotton insinuates but this he saith that even in the place of Righteousnesse and Judgement as Salomon saith Iniquitie and such Iniquitie in all civill Courts of the World and in all Ages of the World usually hath been found that as in multiplying glasses a Flea is made an Elephant c. So the poore witnesses of Christ have been proclaimed and persecuted for Hereticks Blasphemers Seducers c. not onely for not houlding the Popes Transubstantiation Auricular Confession Purgatorie and those waightier points of the Beasts worship but reading a piece of a Leafe of Scripture or any good booke is Heresie Eating a piece of Flesh in Lent yea the slight breaches of the smallest Traditions of the Elders and State Worships accounted Heresie Blasphemie c. Peace Hence was it I think that the Naturalist could tell us in the Fable of the Fox and the Lyon that the Fox ran not away in vaine upon the Proclamation of the departure of all horned Beasts as knowing that if the bloudie persecutours of the World shall say the plainest Ears are hornes that is the smallest Errours yea the plainest Truths are Heresies it is in vaine for any Innocent to plead they are but Eares c. Truth Yea hence it was that in that famous or rather most infamous Councell of Constance the blessed Servant and witnes of Christ Jesus John Hus was as it were stobd to Death before his burning with tearmes of Heresie Heretick Heresiarck yea though he held as the Pope and the Councell held even in those points for which they condemned him because beside their hatred of his Holines witnessing against their Filthines themselves would say from his writings that he did hould so and so against their Popish Tenents which he himselfe profest he never did Peace In the next place Deare Truth are two Passages related by the Discusser from New England To which M r Cotton gives no credit 2. He sayth If such words were spoken they might be spoken upon such waights as might hould waight c. Truth For the Stories and the Discussers mistakes willing mistakes as M r Cotton seemes to insinuate I know the Discusser humbly desires like a true Traveller to his heavenly Countrey to heare of and see and acknowledge and forsake every false path and step by the helpe of Christ that the poorest childe though but a naked Pagan shall hint him of But why should the Stories seeme incredible that suite so wofully fit with the Common Tenents Peace It may be M r Cotton will not believe it nor approve it But there are not two but ten witnesses to testifie such Stories were it seasonable to relate and inlarge such particulars Truth Let M r Cotton then please to understand to passe by particular names of the former Stories which are ready to be declared to any charitable and loving Enquirie that his bloudie Tenent is a bitter Roote of many bitter branches not onely bitter to spirituall tasts but even to the tast of Civilitie and Humanitie it selfe But since the names of persons are so desired I shall relate not out of any personall disrespect to M r Streete and the people of Cohannet aliàs Taunton my loving friends what many testifie that the said reputed Minister M r Streete publikely and earnestly perswaded his Church-members to give Land to none but such as might be fit for Church-members yea not to receive such English into the Towne or if in the Towne yet not to Land that if they lived in the Towne or place yet they might be knowne to be but as Gibeonites hewers of wood and drawers of water for the service of them that were of the Church Peace I know what troublesome Effects followed in the same place and what Breaches of Civill and humane Societie What Departures of divers and Barres to the comming of others to the spoile and hindrance of a most likely and growing Plantation But to proceede Deare Truth you cannot more faithfully and carefully labour to discharge the Discusser of falshoods then M r Cotton endeavours to lay them on For to the former three behould in the next passage foure more For first the Discusser is charged to report M r Cotton as expressing Confidence in this cause which M r Cotton sayth he expressed not Secondly He reports M r Cotton to say that he to wit M r Cotton had removed the grounds of this Errour whereas M r Cotton saith he said not so but that he had spoken so much for that End Thirdly He foisteth in the name of great Errour which though it be so yet M r Cotton did not so stile it Fourthly That M r Cotton should conclude that to be a great Errour that persons are not to be persecuted for cause of Conscience when he states the Question so that none
the Conscience of the Magistrate may know First That the carriage of the Lord Jesus about this case when the Question was precisely put to him was extraordinary and strange For although unto other Questions even of the Pharisees Herodians Sadduces the High Priest and Pilate he gave more or lesse first or last punctuall Resolutions yet here he condemnes the sinne yet he neither confirmes nor disanulls this punishment but leaves the Question in all probabilitie and leaves the severall Nations of the World to their owne severall Lawes and Agreements as is most probable according to their severall Natures Dispositions and Constitutions and their common peace and wellfare Secondly The Lord Jesus 1 Pet. 2. approveth of the severall humane Ordinances or Creations which the severall peoples and Nations of the World shall agree upon for their common peace and subsistence Hence are the severall sorts of Governments in the Nations of the World which are not framed after Israels Patterne And hence consequently the Lawes Rewards and Punishments of severall Nations vastly differ from those of Israell which doubtles were unlawfull for Gods people to submit unto except Christ Jesus had at least in generall approved such humane Ordinances and Creations of Men for their common peace and wellfare Peace Me-thinks M r Cotton and such as literally stick to the punishment of Adultery Witchcraft c. by Death must either deny the severall Governments of the World to be lawfull according to that of Peter and that the Nature and Constitutions of peoples and Nations are not to be respected but all promiscuously forced to one common Law or els they must see cause to moderate this their Tenent which else proves as bloudie a Tenent in civill affaires as persecution in affaires religious Truth Yea of what wofull consequence must this prove to the state of Holland and Low-Countries to the State of Venice to the Cantons of Switzerland to our owne deare State of England and others who have no King as Israells last established Government had especially no King immediately designed as Israells in the Roote was Yea what becomes of all Christianitie and of Christs Church and Kingdome in the World for ever if it want the Government of a King for sayth Bishop Hall in his Contemplation on Michaes Idolatrie in plaine and expresse words No King therefore no Church Peace To end this passage upon the former grounds methinks the Conscience of a New English Magistrate being calld to be a Magistrate in Old England may in Faith execute any other punishment according to Law established beside Death upon Adulterers And the New English Colonies may be exhorted to rectifie their wayes and to moderate such their Lawes which cannot possibly put on the face of morall Equitie from Moses c. Truth Your Satisfaction Deare Peace now praesupposed I proceed and grant with that Limitation forementioned that Christ Jesus neither abrogated Moses Moralls nor Judicialls yet who will deny that Moses established beside the two former a third to wit Lawes meerly figurative typicall and ceremoniall proper and peculiar to that Land and people of Israel Those Lawes necessarily wrapt up that Nation and people in a mixt constitution of Spirituall and Temporall Religious and Civill so that their Governours of Civill State were Governours of the Church and the very Land and People were by such Governours to be compelled to observe a ceremoniall puritie and Holines But Christ Jesus erected another Common-weale the Common-weale of Israel the Christian Common-weale or Church to wit not whole Nations but in every Nation where he pleaseth his Christian Congregation c. Peace Deare Truth I cannot count him a peaceable childe of mine that rests not herewith satisfied M r Cottons next Exception is against your excepting against a Magistrates Membership in a Church-estate joyned with an Head-ship over it to establish reforme c. as being impossible that a Magistrate should sit Head and Supreame on the spirituall Bench yet stand as a delinquent at the spirituall Barre of Christ Jesus M r Cotton answers that in severall respects a Magistrate may be a nursing Father and Judge in causes Ecclesiastiall and yet be subject to Christs censure in the offensive Government of himselfe against the Rules of the Gospel And where it might be said that the Church is subject to the Magistrate in civill causes and the Magistrate is subject to the Church in spirituall cases M r Cotton answers this easeth not the Difficultie for suppose sayth he the Magistrate fall into Murther Adulterie c. which are civill Abuses shall the Church tollerate him herein And he concludes Let the like Power be granted to the civill Magistrate to deale faithfully with the Church in the notorious Transgression of the first Table as is granted to the Church to deale with the Magistrate in the notorious Transgression of the second Table and the Controversie is ended Truth This Answer and instance of M r Cotton carries a seeming Beautie with it but bring it to the Triall of the Testament of Christ Jesus and it will appeare to be but a vanishing Colour For there is a vast Difference The sins of each Church-member whether against the first or second Table are proper to the Cognizance and Judgement of the Church as the sinne of the Incestuous person was punished by Christs Ordinances in the Church at Corinth as well as the Abuse of the Lords Supper But it is not so with the civill Magistrate whose Office is essentially civill one and the same all the world over among all Nations and people For having no spirituall power as the Authours of the Modell afterwards acknowledge he cannot possibly act as a Civill Magistrate in spirituall matters though as a Church-member he may in Church-estate as also may the rest of the Members of that spirituall Body Peace Me-thinks it it cleare as the Light that if that incestuous person in the Church of Corinth had beene a Magistrate of the Citie of Corinth the Church might justly have proceeded against him because all sinne is directly opposite to the holy Kingdome of Christ But in that abuse of the Lords Supper which was meerly unchristian neither that Magistrate nor all the Magistrates of Corinth or the World to helpe him could justly punish the Church because that Supper in the Institution and Spirituall use of it was not onely of the Nature of the Suppers of the meates and drinks of the Citie of Corinth but also of a divine and spirituall Institution of a heavenly and mysticall Nature and Observation But to Conclude this piece and the whole M r Cotton corrects himselfe for putting in his Sickle into the Harvest of his Brethren unto whom he refers the defence of their Modell and for himselfe ends with desires that Christ Jesus would blast that peace which he sayth the Examiner proclaimeth to all the wayes of false Religion to Heresie in Doctrine c. Truth If
Christ Jesus shall please for the further manifestation of his holy Truth and Glory to permit those able and worthy men to proceed to fortifie and defend their Modell I hope he will also please to assist the Discusser or some other of his poore servants to batter downe with the Spirituall Artillerie of his Word and Testament such weake and loose and unchristian Fortifications Peace But with what a deepe and unrighteous charge doth M r Cotton end against the poore Discusser as a Proclaimer of peace to all the wayes of false Religion to Heresie in Doctrine c. Truth Grant M r Cotton in many excellent Truths of Jesus a sweet sounding Silver Trumpet Grant the Discusser as base a Rams-horne harsh and contemptible Grant that for the peace of the Civill State the being of the Nations and the World the safetie of the good Wheate the Righteous and the calling home of the Elect to God Jewes and Gentiles the Discusser proclaimes a civill being and civill peace to Erroneous Consciences not sinning against humane and civill Principles Yet what Peace hath this Rams-horne proclaimed as M r Cotton insinuates when throughout this whole Booke from first to last the Proclamation soundeth ouâ— open warre against all false Worshippers Peace I am a joyfull witnes of warre proclaimed from the God of Truth from the Sun of Righteousnesse from the Spirit of Holines from the flames of Fire those mighty Angells from all the Saints and Witnesses of Jesus from all his holy Truths and Ordinances Warre to their Consciences Preachings Writings Disputations a warre present a warre perpetuall and without Repentance a warre eternall and everlasting Truth Deare Peace our goulden sand is out we now must part with an holy Kisse of heavenly Peace and Love M r Cotton speakes and writes his Conscience Yet the Father of Lights may please to shew him that what he highly esteemes as a Tenent washt white in the Lambes bloud is yet more black and abominable in the most pure and jealous eye of God Peace The Blackmores Darknes differs not in the darke from the fayrest white Truth Christ Jesus the Sun of Righteousnesse hath broke forth and dayly will to a brighter and brighter Discoverie of this deformed Ethiopian And for my selfe I must proclaime before the most holy God Angells and Men that what ever other white and heavenly Tenents M r Cotton houlds yet this is a fowle a black and a bloudie Tenent A Tenent of high Blasphemie against the God of Peace the God of Order who hath of one Bloud made all Mankinde to dwell upon the face of the Earth now all confounded and destroyed in their Civill Beings and Subsistences by mutuall flames oâ— warre from their severall respective Religions and Consciences A Tenent warring against the Prince of Peace Christ Jesus denying his Appearance and Comming in the Flesh to put an end to and abolish the shadowes of that ceremoniall and typicall Land of Canaan A Tenent fighting against the sweete end of his comming which was not to destroy mens Lives for their Religions out to save them by the meeke and peaceable Invitations and perswasions of his peaceable Wisdomes Maideâ—â— A Tenent fowly charging his Wisedome Faithfullnes and Love in so poorly providing such Magistrates and Civill Powers all the World over as might effect so great a charge pretended to be committed to them A Tenent lamentably guilty of his most precious bloud shed in the bloud of so many hundreth thousand of his poore servants by the civill powers of the World pretending to suppresse Blasphemies Heresies Idolatries Superstition c. A Tenent fighting with the Spirit of Love Holines and Meeknes by kindling fiery Spirits of false zeale and Furie when yet such Spirits know not of what Spirit they are A Tenent fighting with those mighty Angels who stand up for the peace of the Saints against Persia Grecia c. and so consequently all other Nations who fighting for their severall Religions and against the Truth leave no Roome for such as feare and love the Lord on the Earth A Tenent against which the blessed Soules under the Altar cry loud for vengeance this Tenent having cut their Throats torne out their Hearts and powred forth their Bloud in all Ages as the onely Heretickes and Blasphemers in the World A Tenent which no Vncleannes no Adulterie Incest Sodomie or Beastialitie can equall this ravishing and forcing explicitly or implicitly the very Soules and Consciences of all the Nations and Inhabitants of the World A Tenent that puts out the very eye of all true Faith which cannot but be as free and voluntarie as any Virgin in the World in refusing or embracing any spirituall offer or object A Tenent loathsome and ugly in the eyes of the God of Heaven and serious sonnes of men I say loathsome with the palpable filihs of grosse dissimulation and bypocrisie Thousands of Peoples and whole Nations compelled by this Tenent to put on the fowle vizard of Religious bypocrisie for feare of Lawes losses and punishments and for the keeping and hoping for of favour libertie worldly commoditie c. A Tenent wofully guiltie of hardning all false and deluded Consciences of whatsoever Sect Faction Heresie or Idolatrie though never so horrid and blasphemous by cruelties and violences practiced against them all false Teachers and their Followers ordinarily contracting a Brawnie and steelie hardnesse from their sufferings for their Consciences A Tenent that shuts and bars out the gracious prophesies and promises and discoveries of the most glorious Sun of Righteousues Christ Jesus that burnes up the holy Scriptures and forbids them upon the point to be read in English or that any tryall or search or truly free disquisition be made by them when the most able diligent and conscionable Readers must pluck forth their owne eyes and be forced to reade by the which soever praedominant Cleargies Spectacles A Tenent that seales up the spirituall graves of all men Jewes and Gentiles and consequently stands guiltie of the damnation of all men since no Preachers nor Trumpets of Christ himselfe may call them out but such as the severall and respective Nations of the World themselves allow of A Tenent that fights against the common principles of all Civilitie and the very civill being and combinations of men in Nations Cities c. by commixing explicitly or implicitly a spirituall and civill State together and so confounding and overthrowing the puritie and strength of both A Tenent that kindles the devouring flames of combustions and warres in most Nations of the World and if God were not infinitly gracious had almost ruind the English French the Scotch and Irish and many other Nations Germane Polonian Hungarian Bohemian c. A Tenent that bowes downe the backs and necks of all civill States and Magistrates Kings and Emperours under the proud feete of that man and monster of sinne and pride the Pope and all Popish and proud Cleargie-men
rendring such Laicks and Seculars as they call them but slavish Executioners upon the point of their most imperious Synodicall Decrees and Sentences A Tenent that renders the highest civill Magistrates and Ministers of Justice the Fathers and Gods of their Countries either odious or lamentably grievous unto the very best Subjects by either elapping or keeping on the iron yoakes of cruellest oppression No yoake or bondage comparably so grievous as that upon the Soules necke of mens Religion and Consciences A Tenent all besprinckled with the bloudie murthers stobâ— poysonings pistollings powder-plots c. against many famous Kings Princes and States either actually performed or attempted in France England Scotland Low-Countries and other Nations A Tenent all red and bloudie with those most barbarous and Tyger like Massacres of so many thousand and ten thousands formerly in France and other parts and so lately and so horribly in Ireland of which what ever causes be assigned this chiefly will be found the true and while this continues to wit violence against Conscience this bloudie Issue sooner or later must breake forth againe except God wonderfully stop it in Ireland and other places too A Tenent that stunts the growth and flourishing of the most likely and hopefullest Common weales and Countries while Consciences the best and the best deserving Subjects are forct to flie by enforced or voluntary Banishment from their native Countries The lamentable proofe whereof England hath felt in the flight of so many worthy English into the Low Countries and New-England and from New-England into old againe and other forraigne parts A Tenent whose grosse partialitie denies the Principles of common Justice while Men waigh out to the Consciences of all others that which they judge not fit not right to be waighed out to their owne Since the persecutours Rule is to take and persecute all Consciences onely himselfe must not be touched A Tenent that is but Machevilisme and makes a Religion but a cloake oâ— stalking horse to policie and private Ends of Jeroboams Crowne and the Priests Benefice c. A Tenent that corrupts and spoiles the very Civill Honestie and Naturall Conscience of a Nation Since Conscience to God violated proves without Repentance ever after a very Jade a Drug loose and unconscionable in all converse with men Lastly a Tenent in England most unseasonable as powring Oyle upon those Flames which the high Wisedome of the Parliament by easing the yoakes on Mens Consciences had begun to quench In the sad Consideration of all which Deare Peace let Heaven and Earth judge of the washing and colour of this Tenent For thee sweete heavenly Guest goe lodge thee in the breasts of the peaceable and humble Witnesses of Jesus that love the Truth in peace Hide thee from the Worlds Tumults and Combustions in the breasts of thy truely noble children who professe and endeavour to breake the irony and insupportable yoakes upon the Soules and Consciences of any of the sonnes of Men. Peace Me-thinks Deare Truth if any of the least of these deepe charges be found against this Tenent you doe not wrong it when you stile it bloudie But since in the wofull proofe of all Ages past since Nimrod the Hunter or persecutour before the Lord these and more are lamentably evident and undeniable it gives me wonder that so many and so excellent eyes of Gods servants should not espie so fowle a monster especially considering the universall opposition this Tenent makes against Gods Glory and the Good of all mankinde Truth There have been many fowle opinions with which the old Serpent hath infected and bewitched the sonnes of men touching God Christ the Spirit the Church against Holines against Peace against civill Obedience against chastitie in so much that even Sodomie it selfe hath been a Tenent maintained in print by some of the very pillars of the Church of Rome But this Tenent is so universally opposite to God and man so pernicious and destructive to both as hath been declared that like the Powder-plot it threatens to blow up all Religion all civilitie all humanitie yea the very Being of the World and the Nations thereof at once Peace He that is the Father of Lies and a murtherer from the beginning he knowes this well and that this ugly Blackmore needs a maske or vizard Truth Yea the bloudines and inhumanitie of it is such that not onely M r Cottons more tender and holy Breast but even the most bloudie Bonners and Gardiners have been forced to arme themselves with the faire shewes and glorious pretences of the Glory of God and zeale for that Glory the Love of his Truth the Gospel of Christ Jesus love and pitie to mens soules the peace of the Church uniformitie Order the peace of the Common-weale the Wisedome of the State the Kings Queenes and Parliaments proceedings the odiousnesse of Sects Heresies Blasphemies Novelties Seducers and their Infections the obstinacie of Heretickâ— after all Meanes Disputations Examinations Synods yea and after Conviction in the poore Hereticks owne Conscience Add to these the flattring sound of those glosing Titles the Godly Magistrate the Christian Magistrate the Nurcing Fathers and Mothers of the Church Christian Kings and Queenes But all other Kings and Magistrates even all the Nations of the World over as M r Cotton pleads must suspend and hould their hands and not meddle in matters of Religion untill they be informed c. Peace The dreadfull righteous hand of God the Eternall and avenging God is pulling off these maskes and vizards that thousands and the World may see this bloudie Tenents Beautie Truth But see my heavenly Sister and true stranger in this Sea-like restles raging World see here what Fires and Swords are come to part us Well Our meetings in the Heavens shall not thus be interrupted our Kisses thus distracted and our eyes and cheekes thus weâ— unwiped For me though censured threatned persecuted I must professe while Heaven and Earth lasts that no one Tenent that either London England or the World doth harbour is so hereticall blasphemous seditious and dangerous to the corporall to the spirituall to the present to the Eternall Good of all Mâ—n as is the bloudie Tenent how ever wash't and whited I say as is the bloudie Tenent of persecution for cause of Conscience The Copie of a Letter of R. Williams of Providence in New England to Major Endicot Governour of the Massachusets upon occasion of the late persecution against M r Clarke and Obadiah Holmes and others at Boston the chiefe Towne of the Massachusets in New England SIR HAving done with our transitorie Earthly Affaires as touching the English and the Indians which in Comparison of heavenly and Eternall you will say are but as dung and drosse c. Let me now be humbly bold to remember that Humanitie and pietie which I and others have formerly observed in you and in that hopefull Remembrance to crave your gentle audience with patience and
partiality the bloody doctrine of persebution Great shifting â—o â—sâ—â—â— Christs cross Christian weapons Christ Jesus betwen two Thieves The horible Hypocrisie of all persecutors Christs charge to Pergamus and Thiatira against Tolleration examined False Excommunication one kinde of persecution The word Persecution how ordinarily it is taken Persecution ordinarily implies corporall violence Speeches of Princes against Persecution No Civill Christian State Christs Sword Nurcing Fathers-dealt withall as children Active obedience cannot be given but to a competent Judge Persecutors if it were in their power would and are bound to persecute all Consciences and Religions in the World All persecutors hould the Popes trayterous Doctrine of deposing haereticall Princes The Popish and Protestant Clergie set the Popish and Protestant World on fire for their Maintenance The Dutch device to winne their Clergie to Tolleration of other Religions All that professe to be Christs Ministers must Dig or Beg or Steale All Antichristians are fundamentally opposite to Christ Jesus Touching the Tares Policie store but Pietie rare in Princes A Speech of King James considered No Man to he forced from his owne worship 〈…〉 c. Touching compelling to come to Church and to heare A second Speech of King James Papists may yeeld Civill obedience The Parliament at Paris although Popish yet condemned Bookes and Tenents against Civill obedience All England Papists and yet the Pope renounced A twofold holding the Pope as Head The two Sisters Lawes concerning Conscience Ceales of moderation and kindnesse may melt an Enemie as David melted Saul c. Cautions for preventing of disturbance by Papists c. Sufficient Provisions are made in other Nations against Distractions and Tumults from opposite Consciences and Worships Nâ—erâ—â— Comâ—â—tition home-bred oppositions most of all exâ—sperate c. The admired Prudence of the Parliament in preserving Civill Peace Increase of Papists unlikely in England M r John Robinson deceased his Testimonie in a Manus from Holland A third Speech of King James considered Persecution ordinarily the marke of a False Church Stephen King Poland his 〈…〉 The Spirituall Power of Christ Jesus betrusted not with Civill but spirituall Ministers An Argument used in Parliament against the Persecuting Bishops Of disturbance of Religion The Bishops as Tyrants justly suppressed and the Parliament therein prospered from Heaven Daniells Counsel to Bel-shazzar preserveth Parliaments Kingdomes Touching the Nationall Church of Israell Israell a miraculous Nation Two sorts of the Nations of the World Touching the true and false Christs King of Bohemia his Speech Spirituall Rapes All persecutours contumeliously object against Conscience Amnon his ravishing of Tamar a Type A Query who shall judge whether Conscience be convict Church Papists and Protestants also ravished Wars for Religion The bloudie Tenent Guiltie of all the bloud of Papists and Protestants lately spilt The strongest Arme sword the ordinarie Judge of the Conviction of Conscience Touching the Nationall Church of England Reall denying the greatest denying of Christ Jesus Two high Transgressions objected against M r Cotton Touching the Romane Emperours practices in Religious Affaires Christs Garden gaines by violent Stormes and looseth by sweete Sun-shines The Romane Emperours The Arrians persecuted and persecuting The great Difference between this World and Christ A Christianitie strange from Christ Antichristian Christianitie The bloudie Tenent tends to an universall Conquest of the whole World The bloudie Tenent in its colours No Booke or Writing ever so abused as the holy Writing Scripture of God is The Language of persecutours Julian his Tolleration Touching Infection of false Doctrine c. Hypocrites tollerated in the Church but not in the World Touching the Persecution of K James and Q Elizabeth Touching the Qualification of Princes Touching Magistrates suspending from acting in matters of Religion Monstrous partialitie Constantines Edict Foule imputations cast on Christ Jesus Vnchristian Tribunalls Dent. 13. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 16. Vnchristianly conjoyned Touching Excommunication in Israel Ans Spirituall Blessings and Curses the Antitypes of Corporall before Christ Great oversight imputed to Christ Jesus If civill punishments for spirituall offences they must be inflicted by holy and Christian Instruments and Officers A true Christ a true Sword a false Christ a false Sword Q Elizabeth her wars against the Papists The Warres of the Waldenses Acts 8. 11. Christian weapons Christs Sword Christs Warres and Victories Revel 17. Gideons Army typicall The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted Worldly glory and persecution characters of the false Church The sins of Gods children Christs Witnesses A true Wife of Christ no persecutour Touching persecution what it is Difference between a civill and spirituall State The nature of spirituall punishment The nature of Christs spirituall Government The Civill Powers and Officers the Clergies Executioners Spirituall Judgements more terrible since Christ then corporall before his coming The cutting off or Excommunicating from the holy Land of Israel figurative and typicall A twofold wâ—y of constraint What it is to walke according to a mans Light Conviction twofold Sufficient in it selfe or to the partie efficacious Touching the Maintenance of the new English Ministers Of propagating Religion by the Sword Touching the Indians of New-England Worshipping of God and Christ before the foundation of Repentance is nothing but Antichristian disorder Touching preaching to the Indians in New-England Proprietie of Language necessary to the true preaching of Christ Jesus to any people Conscience to God in Worship a close Prisoner in New-England and no Petitioner could obtaine its Libertie Publikâ— marriage or giving ones selfe to Christ Judges 21. 25 Considered Supreame Authoritie in Spiritualls Tertullians Speech of one Religion not hurting or profiting another Considered * M r Cottons and Mr Edwards Gangrenes have little differd Blasphemie against the holy Scripture Mysteries of false Christs The true Christ despised for his povertie A base esteeme of the Spirituall Sword Earthly Christs need earthly supports The state of Christianity during the reigne of Antichrist Constantines peace a greater tryal and danger to Christians then 300 years persecution Sathans two wayes of quenching the Candle of Christianity The French Massacre must doe what their pretended disputation could not effect Pretended disputes in Q. Maries days ending in fiery flames The late Synodicall disputes A bloody and most unchristian speech The rash fury and madnesse of persecutors even against themselves Pleasantnesse of wit sanctified glorifies the giver The pretended particulâ—r Churches of N. E. indeed but a Nationall Church No permission of any Religion or worship but one in N. E. therefore are the Churches but a Nationall Church in the mould them c. Where the Supream Authority in a Church is Civill the Body cannot but be like the head and all make up but one Civil or Nationall mixt Church like the Jewish Nationall Church The purging a Countrey of Hereticks declares that Countrey is explicitly or implicitly a National Church A State Maintenance proveth a State Church Synods assembled by
Civill Power prove the Churches of the same Nature with the Head that acts and calls them Touching the difference between the Church of the Jewes and the Christian Churches The holy Land of Canaan a Nonesuch A Figure of the Chrâ—stian The weapons of the Jewes and Christians compared No Speare nor Sword in Israel New-England loath to be accounted persecutours Lawes concerning Gods Worship Dangerous distinctions Touching keeping of both Tables Of Magistrates Judgement in Spirituals c. Of Qualifications of Magistrates Of Magistrates Abilities David and Hezekiah figurative Kings c. Magistrates suspending in matters of Religion Wofull Soul-saving The power of Parents Husbands Magistrates in spirituals 1 Cor. 7. The tearme Souls-good commonly but a paint c. The promises of temporall mercies considered Worldly prosperity ever dangerous to Gods children Of Lawes binding Conscience Persecution the ordinarie Portion of Christs Followers Two States wonderfully favoured by God upon mercy shewed to oppressed Consciences formerly Holland and now the State of England Bodies and Goods the Magistrates object Oppression in Bodies Goods and Minde Wealth Honour and Prosperitie seldome attending Christs true Followers What is the CoÌ„mon weale of Israel The Roman Empire flourisheth in worldly glory without Christ The Citie of Rome famous for prosessing Christ Jesus Christs Spouse most chast under persecution The Roman Monarchy bloody to the Saints Constantine a friend and enemy to Christs Spouse The state of the Romane Empire before and after Christ God will not wrong nor have Caesar wronged Concerning toleration in New England Witnesse the bloody whipping of Obadiah Homes for the point of Baptisme lately at Bostonâ— Communion Spirituall two-fold The great Triall among Papists Protestants concerning comming to Church Touching prayers for Vengeance upon Gods Enemies Stirring up of the Civill State to persecure The bloudie Tenent of persecution is alone the King killing and Stare-killing Doctrine Amoninus Pius his Edict for the Christians Transgression against the Spirituall or Civill peace Persecutours of Christs Sheepe pretend to save them and kill none but Wolves Antichristian Ministers great Thieves Hireling Ministers Fryars in Chancers time and the Cleargie in our time considered The Turkes themselves will be Muslemanni or right beleevers The horrible partialite of persecutors Misticall sheep Paul his striking Elimas blind considered Of the power of miracles Spirituall sheep and wolves considered The Pope and all proud Popish Priests and Cleargie use the Civill Powers but as Dogs The Protestant Cleargie their dealing with Magistrates A suspending or hanging up of Magistrates The great spirituall differences of these late Times Of rest from persecution Gods children may possibly fight each against the other 〈…〉 Antichristians against Antichristians but principally against Christ Touching spirituall murther Touching Seducers The hainousnes of spirituall stumbling blocks Punishing of Seducers Common-weale twofold and Rebellion twofold Mysticall Wolves and Muskeetoes Of Soule-killing Touching State Religions Gods children Gods Citie Nation and Kingdome A State Religion a prison A forc't Religion Of the late Warres The bloudie Tenent guilty of the Rivers of Bloud c. Warres for Religion Constantines warres for the Christians Constantines Edict against forcing in Religion Never any true Nationall Religion in the World but one Touching Pauls blasphemy before his Conversion Of Apostates Fallacious mixture and confusion Spirituall Treason recanted forgiven but not so by way ofcourse the Civill An Instance from â—â— Haywood and the Lord Cromwell in King Henry the 8. his dayes Of Moses Judicialls The first three hundred years after Christ The Primitive Church the purest and yet without a Civill Sword Christ no Author of Civill violence for Religion The Levites killing 3000. Exod 32. typicall Phineas his Act. The spirituall Civill State vastly different in their frame Lawes Officers c. Elijah and the Baalites The types and figures of the old Testament Righteousnes two fold The state oâ— Israel typicall Not only morall but naturall Actions of the Israelites typicall Whether Eliahs procuring the slaughter of the Baalites was Typicall or Morall No Commission from Christ for corporall punishment in religious matters Strange and monstrous duties of Morall Righteousnesse Gods children are wonders and monsters accounted Elijah his slaying the Captaines and their fifties Wonderfull Spiders and Cobwebs Prov 30 Touching Seducers and their punishments Christ Jesus abolished former figures though he name not each of them in particular The Mysterie of the Bloudy Tenent The bloudie consequences of the bloudy Tenent The sad Effects of the bloudie Tenent on M r Cottons owne Spirit A lamentable Character of the change of M r Cottons Spirit Differences of Gods own children in Old and New England Profession of Christ Jesus in New-England not so like to be true as that which was persecuted in Old The great â—in of New-Englands former Pattents The Authours tryalls about the Pattents of New-England Gods children may be guilty of bloudy persecution for the hiding of their spirituall uncleannessee Gods mercy in stopping New-Englands persecution by the mercy of old England the mother to dissenting Consciences Holy Cranmer and Cromwell joyning with persecutours of Christ Jesus out of great weaknes in H. 8. his dayes The most famous passages of Cromwell Lambert in H. the 8. his dayes Of Admonition and Conviction Conviction two-fold Of Conviction of Hereticks Conviction sufficient externall by the word and efficient internall by Gods Spirit Christ Jesus accounted the greatest Heretick Blasphemer Seducer and Deceiver that ever was in this world Small matters accounted Heresies The barbarous usage of John Hus in the Councell at Constance The bloudie Tenent destroying civilitie and humane Societie out of the World All Men are confident in their owne opinions The persecutour of Turks Pagans Jewes or Antichristiane is in a greater errour then any of them The bloudie Fruits of the bloudie Tenent Touching confidence in opinions Freedome of Conscience hath ever been a Peace-maker in all NatioÌ„s where it hath appeared And especially at this houre in England How Christ delights in bloud Of persecuting Apostates A monstrous suspension or hanging up of Magistrates Allegations of Scriptures ought seriously to be mad and answered Millions of Turks Jewes and Antichristians are far from the due charge of Apostasie The mysterie of the red Horse of War A spirituall and Civill peace Two wofull opinions bewitching the Nations The 3 great Causes of the downfall of the Church of Rome Touching a New English Modell of Church and civill power * Writing to â—â—â— M r Hall Deepe Censures for none or innocent mistakes Touching Moses his Judicialls Israel in a kinde a miraculous people Touching punishment of Adulterie All Civill Government Gods Ordinance True Republikes Common-weales without Kings A wonderfullâ— saying of Bishop Hall The State of Israel Of Magistrates being nursing Fathers c. Of Magistrates Power in Spiritualls Of the sins of Magistrates A case touching the Magistrates punishing the Sin of Church members The direfull state of false Worshippers The Portraiture
of the Bloudie Tenent Euc. 9. Prov. 9. The Portraiture of the bloudie Tenent The Portraiture of the bloudie Tenent The Portraiture of the bloudie Tenent The Portraiture of the bloudie Tenent The Portraiture of the bloudie Tenent The Portraiture of the bloudie Tenent Peace her Repose and Tabernacle The Bloudie Tenent of persecution compared The maskes and vizards of the bloudie Tenent Truth Peace their meetings seldome and short in this world * Matters touching the pâ—â—ce of the English and Indians about which the said Governour did write to R. W. Great love formerly between the said Governour Endicot and R. W. before his Banishment * The Seale wherewith the Governours Leter to R. W. was sealed Persecutours conclude no Conscience in the whole World but their owne All persecutours render the most innocent most odious Cromwell the second a Refuge of the oppressed This Rejoynder was sent to England long since and hoped to have been published Abuse of light most dangerous The power of Conscience though Erroneous True false Witnesses both Confident The Common Prayers the Composers of it What 's sweet with man stâ—nks often in Gods nostrills Sathans policie in proposing Motives and Baits to wise and excellent Saints Spirituall Witchcraft Mysticall Drunkennesse and the drunken Language of it The language of persecutours A price and a Heart blessed Companions The horrible dangerous path which all persecutours or Hunters walke in The least 〈…〉 sparke of persecution tends to bloud and will proceed except God mightlly stop it Gods most dreadfull Judgements against persecutours Death is a Boanerges Gray hayres are Gods Alarums An APPENDIX To the Cleargie of the foure great Parties professing the Name of Christ Jesus in England Scotland and Ireland viz. The Popish Prelaticall Presbyterian and Independent WORTHY SIRS I Have pleaded the Cause of your severall and respective Consciences against the bloudie Doctrine of Persecution in my former Labours and in this my present Rejoynder to M r Cotton And yet I must pray leave without offence to say I have impartially oppos'd and charg'd your Consciences also so farre as Guiltie of that bloudie Doctrine of persecuting each other for your Consciences You foure have torne the seameles Coate of the Son of God The seameles Coat of Christ Jesus torne into foure pieces and the three Nations torne into Thousands into foure pieces and to say nothing of former Times and Tearings you foure have torne the three Nations into thousands of pieces and Distractions The two former of you the Popish and Protestant Prelaticall are Brethren So are the latter the Presbyterian and Independent But oh how Rara est c What Concord what Love what pitie hath ever yet appear'd amongst you when the providence of the most High and onely wise hath granted you your Pattents of mutuall and successive Dominion and precedencie Just like two men whom I have knowne breake out to Blowes and Wrastling so have the Protestant Bishops fought and The Battells of the Cleargie wrastled with the Popish and the Popish with the Protestant The Presbyterian with the Independent and the Independent with the Presbyterian And our Chronicles and Experiences have told this Nation and the World how he whose Turne it is to be brought under hath ever felt an heavie wrathfull hand of an unbrotherly and unchristian persecutour Meane while what outcries for a Sword a Sword at any price All Court the Magistrate for his Sword his Money on any Tearmes wherewith to take finall Revenges on such their Blasphemous and Hereticall Adversaries and Corrivalls Hence is it that the Magistrate hath been so courted his person adored and Deified and his Religion magnified and Exalted Amongst the People some have thought and said How hath the shining of the Magistrates Money and Sword out-shin'd the Nobilitie of his person or the Christianitie of his Conscience For when the person changes and Religion too how grossely notorious have been the Cleargies Changes also For Instance how For which any person and Religion hath serv'd the Turne have they Pernified tack't and turn'd about as the wind hath blowne from Poperie to Protestanisme from Protestanisme to Poperie and from Poperie to Protestanisme againe and this within the Compasse of about a dozen yeares as the Purse and Sword-Bearers were changed what ever the persons of those Princes male or female Men or Children or their Consciences Popish or Protestant were Yea how justly in the late Kings book if his are the Cleargie The late K. charging his Cleargie c. of England charged with horrible breach of Vows and Oaths of canonicall obedience to their Fathers the Bishops against whom in the Turne of the Times and the Sword-Bearers they turned to the Scotch Presbyters their fathers dreadful Enemies and persecutours Now as to the persecuting each of other I confesse the Wolfe the persecutour devoures the Goate the Swine yea the very The Wolfe in plea with the Lambe will be alwaies Judge Fox and other Creatures as well as the inoffensive Sheepe and Lambe Yet as the Lord Jesus made use of that excellent Fable or Similitude of a Wolfe getting on a Sheepes-skin so may I not unseasonably make use of that of the Wolfe and the poore Lambe coming downe to drinke upon the same Brooke and Streame together The Wolfe cruell and strong drinks above and aloft The Lambe innocent and weake drinks upon the Streame below The Wolfe questions and quarrells the Lambe for corrupting and defiling the Waters The Lambe not daring to plead how easily the Wolfe drinking higher might transfer Defilement downeward but pleads Improbabilitie and Impossibilitie that the waters descending could convey defilement upwards This is the Controversie This the plea But who shall judge Be the Lambe never so innocent his plea never so just his Adversary the Wolfe will be his Judge and being so cruell and so strong soone teares the Lambe in pieces Thus the cruell Beast arm'd with the power of the Kings Revel 17. sits Judge in his owne Quarrels against the Lambe about the drinking at the Waters And thus sayth M r Cotton the Judgement ought to passe upon the Heretick not for matter of Conscience but for sinning against his Conscience Object Mâ— thinks I heare the great charge against the Independent partie to be the great pleaders for Libertie of Conscience c. Answ Oh the horrible Deceipt of the hearts of the sons of Men And what Excellent Physick can we prescribe to others till our Soule as Job said come to be in their soules cases What need have we to be more vile with Job before God to walke in holy sence of selfe Insufficiencie to cry for the blessed Leadings of the holy Spirit of God to guide and leade our Heads and Hearts uprightly For to draw the Curtaine and let in the Light alittle doe The wonderfull Mysterie of Libertie of Conscience not all persecutours themselves zealously plead for Freedome for Libertie for Mercie to Mens Consciences when themselves are
in the Grates and Pits and under Hatches Doth not Gesâ—er tell us of a Gentleman in Germanie who fitting his Pitfall for Wilde Beasts found in the morning a Woman a Wolfe and a Fox in three severall Corners as full of Which all persecutours themselves in their turnes plead for Feare and as quiet and as desirous of Libertie one as well as another Thus bloudie Gardiner and Bonner prisoners during King Edwards dayes yea and that bloudie Queene Mary her selfe all plead the Freedome of their Consciences What most humble Supplications and indeed unanswerable Arguments for Libertie K. Charles and his Chaplains forced to subscribe to Libertie of Conscience of Conscience have the Papists when in Restraint presented and especially in King James his time Yea what excellent Subscriptions to this Soule-Freedome are interwoven in many passages of the late Kings Booke if his Yea and one of his Chaplaines so cald Doctor Jer. Taylour what an Everlasting Monumentall Testimony did he publish to this Truth in that his excellent Discourse of the Libertie of Prophesying Yea the formerly Non-conforming Presbyterian and Independent Scotch and English Old and New what most humble and pious Addresses have they made before the whole World to Princes and Parliaments for just mercy in true Petitions of Right to their Consciences But let this present Discourse and M r Cottons About Twenty years persecution in New England Fig-leave Evasions and Distinctions Let the practices of the Massachusets in New England in twenty yeares persecution and this last of M r Clarke Obadiah Holmes and others be Examined Yea let the Independent Ministers late Proposalls be waighed with the double waight of Gods Sanctuary and it will appeare what Mercy the poore Soules of all Men and Jesus Christ in any of them may expect from the very Independents Cleargie themselves Object But doth not their Proposalls provide a Libertie to such as feare God viz. that they may freely preach without an Ordination and that such as are not free to the publike Assemblies may have Libertie to meete in private Answ It may so please the Father of Lights to shew them that their Lines and Modells and New-Englands Copie also after The persecution of the New and Old English Independent Cleargie which they write and pensill are but more and more refined Images whereby to worship the Invisible God and that still as before the Wolfe the persecutour must judge of the Lambes drinking For instance New Englands Lawes lately published in M r Clarks Narrative tell us how free it shall be for people to gather themselves into Church-estate how free to choose their owne Ministers how free to enjoy all the Ordinances of Christ Jesus c But yet provided so and so upon the point that the Civill State must judge of the Spirituall to wit Whether persons be fit for Church-estate Whether the Gathering be right Whether the peoples choice be right Doctrines right and what is this in truth but to sweare that blasphemous Oath of Supremacie againe to the Kings and Queenes and Magistrates of this and other Nations in stead of the Pope c Into these Prisons and Cages doe those otherwise worthy and excellent Men the Independents put all the Children of God and all the Children of Men in the whole World and then bid them flie and walke at Libertie to wit within the Conjured Circle so far as they please To particularize briefely When they have in their six severall Circuits ejected according to their Proposalls it may be A briefe touch upon the 15 Proposalls of the so calld Independent Ministers hundreths it may be thousands if impartiall of Episcopall and Presbyterian Ministers and that without against their Peoples consent to the present Distressing of thousands and inraging through such Soul-oppressions the whole Nation Then say they it shal be free for all that be able c. to be Preachers though not ordained c. But provided that two Ministers hands at least The Independents implicitly and silently challenge the power of Ordination which upon the point is instead of an Ordination be to their Approbation c. Upon this lock any shall be free to preach Christ Jesus upon this point of the Compasse as I may in humble reverence and with sorrow speake it the Spirit of God shall be free to breath and operate in the Soules of Men By this Plummet and Line Rule and Square and seeming Goulden Reede and Meetewand the Sanctuary must be built and measured c. But further if any shall be of tender Consciences and that the common size will not serve their foote if they shall thinke the Independents Foundations too weak or it may be too strong for their weake Beliefe if they cannot bow downe to their Goulden Image though of the finest and latest Edition and Fashion Why God forbid they should be forc'd to Church The Danger of pawning spirituall Liberties to Civill powers as others they shall enjoy their Libertie and meeteapart in private But provided they acquaint the Civill Magistrate that is as it may fall out who knows how soon and too too often hath faln out the poore Sheepe and Deere of Christ must take Licence of and betray themselves unto the pawes and jawes of their Lyon-like persecutours Heare Oh Heavens give Eare O Earth What is this but like The Dutch Attempts and the Independents on their Friends compared the Treacherous Dutchmen who Capitulate of Leagues of Peace and Amitie with their Neighbour English and in the midst of State Complements some say out of malicious wrath others say t was out of drunken Intoxications at the best thunder out Broad-sides of Fire and Smoake of persecution Object Some possibly may say Your just suffring from the Independents in New England makes you speake Revenges against them in Old Answ What I have suffred in my Estate Body Name Spirit I hope through helpe from Christ and for his sake I have desired to beare with a Spirit of patience and of respect and love even to my persecutours As to particulars I have and must if God so will further debate them with my truely honoured and beloved Adversarie M r Cotton But as to you worthy Sirs men of Learning and men of personall Holines many of you I truely desire to be far from envying your Honours pleasures and Revenues from whence the two former Popish Prelaticall are ejected unto which the two later Presbyterian and Independent are advanced Nor would I The Authours desire as to the Ministrie of the Land now possessed move a Tongue or pen that any of you now possessed should be removed or disturbed untill your Consciences by the holy Spirit of God or the Consciences of the people to whom you serve or minister shall be otherwayes then as you are yet perswaded Much rather would I make another humble plea and that I believe with all the Reason and Justice in the World that such And as to that Ejected who are ejected undone impoverished
Carpenters p. 144 Master Cotton slights stocks and whips c. and provokes to banish and kil hereticks c. ibid. All civil violence in spirituals is for an interest p. 145 The civil sword esteemed more powerful then the spiritual p. 146 That great fort of Rom. 13. considered p. 147 The civil Magistrate not charged with the keeping of two tables ibid. Calvin and Beza's judgement on Rom. 13. p. 148 Vnrighteousness civil and spiritual ibid. Spiritual wars without civil disturbance p. 149 Of the Romane Emperors power in spirituals p. 150 Foul imputation against Christ Jesus and yet his wise provision for his Kingdome p. 151 The Clergies evil dealing with the civil magistrate p. 152 The nature of the Church and of Christs true order but lately discovered since the Apostacy ibid. Spiritual Courts and Judges p. 153 Touching Pauls appeal to Caesar p. 154 155. Spiritual rights and civil p. 156 The true and only Christendome p. 157 Christ Jesus robbed of his crown p. 158 Of custome tribute c. p. 159 Of praying for Magistrates p. 160 Civil Ministers and spiritual ibid. The God of heaven hath many sorts of Ministers p. 161 Ordinarily the truth is persecuted ibid. Touching the tearm evil Rom. 13. p. 162 The civil Magistrate robbed of his civil power ibid. Of toleration which Master Cotton in cases makes large enough p. 163 The land of Israel a type p. 164 Touching false and seducing teachers p. 165 The great difference of sin against the civil or spiritual estate p. 166 The gross partiality of the bloody doctrine of persecution ibid. Gods children much labor to shift off the cross of Christ p. 167 Christ Jesus between two theeves p. 168 The horrible hypâ—câ—isie of all persecutors ibid. Christs charge to Pergamus and Thyatira against toleration examined p. 169 The word persecution how ordinarily taken ibid. Famous speeches of some kings against persecution p. 170 No civil state or country can be truly called Christian although true Christians be in it p. 171 Nursing fathers dealt with all as children p. 172 Persecutors if it were in their power would and are bound to persecute all consciences and Religions in the world p. 173 All persecutors hold the Popes traiterous doctrine of deposing Hereticks c. p. 174 The Popish and Protestant Clargy set the Popish and Protestant world on fire for their maintenance ibid. The Dutch device to win their Clergy to toleration of other Religions p. 175 All that profess to be Christs Ministers must resolve to dig or beg or steal ibid. All Antichristians are fundamentally opposite to Christ Jesus p. 176 Of letting the Tares alone p. 177 A speech of King James considered p. 178 Touching compelling to come to Church to hear p. 179 A second speech of King James proving it possible that a Papist may yeeld civil obedience ibid. The Parliament at Paris although Popish yet condemned books against civil obedience p. 180 All England was Catholick and yet the Pope renounced ibid. A twofold holding the Pope as head ibid. The two English sisters Laws concerning conscience p. 181 Cautions for preventing disturbance by Papists ibid. Other Nations well provide against distractions and tumults from opposite consciences p. 182 Neerer competitors to the truth among our selves then the Papist ibid. The admired prudence of the Parliament in preserving civil peace p. 183. Increase of Papists unlikely as things stand in England ibid Master Jo. Robinson from Holland as touching permission of Papists his testimony p. 184 A third speech of King James considered ibid. Persecution ordinarily the mark of a false Church ibid. Stephen King of Poland his speech ibid. The spiritual power of Christ intrusted not with civil but spiritual Ministers p. 185 An excellent argument used in Parliament against the persecuting Bishops ibid. Two wayes of disturbing and destroying Religion p. 186 The Bishops as Tyrants justly suppressed and the Parliament therein prospered from heaven ibid. Daniels councel to Belshazzar preserveth Parliaments and nations ibid. Israel a miraculous nation p. 187 Two sorts of nations in the world ibid. Touching the true Christ and the false p. 188 The King of Bohemia his speech p. 189 Spiritual Rapts and violence upon conscience p. 189 Amnon his ravishing of Tamat a Type p. 190 The Judge of conviction of conscience ibid. Wars for Religion p. 191 The bloody tenent guilty of all the blood of Papists and Protestants formerly and lately spilt p. 192 Touching national Churches ibid. Practical denying of Christ Jesus the greatest p. 193 Two high transgressions objected against Master Cotton p. 194 Touching Julian his toleration p. 199 Touching the infection of false doctrine ibid. King James and Queen Elizabeth their persecutions compared p. 200 Fit qualification of Princes p. 201 Master Cotton suspends most part of the Magistrates in the world from acting in matters of Religion ib. Constantines Edict as to Religion p. 202 Foule imputations cast on Christ Jesus ibid. Vnchristian Tribunals and proceedings p. 203 Touching excommunication in Israel p. 204 Spiritual blessings and cursings the Antitypes of Corporal in Israel p. 205 Holy and spiritual Constables prisons stocks posts gibbets Tyburnes c. ibid. A true Christ a true sword a false Christ a false sword p. 206 Queen Elizabeth her wars against the Papists ibid. The Wars of the Waldenses p. 207 Christian weapons wars and victories p. 208 Gideons army typical ibid. The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted p. 209 Poverty and persecution the most common companions of Gods Church p. 210 The sins of Gods children ibid. Christs witnesses in all Ages p. 211 A true wife of Christ no persecuter ibid. The difference between excommunication and persecution ibid. Difference between a spiritual and civil state p. 212 The civil powers made the Clergies executioners p. 213 Spiritual judgements more terrible since Christ then corporal before his coming p. 214 A twofold way of constraint p. 215 What it is to walk according to mans light ibid. Conviction twofold p. 216 The maintenance of the New English Ministers ibid. Of propagating Religion by the sword p. 217 Touching the Indians of New England p. 218 219 Propriety of Language necessary to all Preachers p. 220 Conscience a close prisoner in New England c. p. 221 Publike Marriage of a soul to Christ ibid. Spream Authority in spirituals p. 222 Mysteries of false Christs p. 225 The true Christ despised for his poverty ibid. A base esteem of the spiritual sword ibid. Earthly Christs need earthly supports p. 226 The state of Christianity during the reigne of Antichrist ibid. Satans two wayes of quenching the candle of Christianity p. 227 A note of the French Massacre ibid. The pretended disputes in Queen Maries dayes p. 228 The late Synodical disputes ibid. A bloody and most unchristian speech ibid. The rash madness of persecutors against themselves p. 229 Pleasantness of wit sanctified c. ibid. The Churches of New England proved an implicite national Church ibid. A
civil state maintenance proveth a state Church p. 231 Synods assembled by civil power cannot be but civil also p. 231 The holy Land and Country of Canaan a None-such p. 232 The weapons of the Jews and Christians compared p. 233 New English loath to be accounted persecutors p. 234 Laws concerning Gods worship p. 234 240 Touching the Magistrates keeping of both Tables p. 235 Of Magistrates suspending in matters of Religion p. 237 Woful soul-saving ibid. The tearm souls Good commonly but a paint p. 238 Worldly prosperity ever dangerous to Gods children p. 239 Holland and England wonderfully prospered upon mercy shewn to consciences p. 241 Bodies and goods not conscience subject to civil powers p. 242 What is the Commonweal of Isreal p. 243 The Romane Emperor flourished long though without Christ p. 244 Christs spouse most chast under persecution ibid. Constantine a friend and an enemy to Christs spouse p. 245 Concerning toleration in New England p. 247 Papists and Protestants both force to Church p. 248 Prayers for vengeance upon persecutors p. 249 The bloody Tenent of persecution is a King-killing and Sure killing p. 250 Pâ—rsecutors pretend to save but kill p. 251 Hireling Ministers ibid. Friers in Chaucers time and the Clergy in our time considered The Turkes will be Muselmanni that is true believers p. 253 Mystical sheep and wolves p. 253 254 Pauls striking Elimas blind considered p. 254 The Clergy using the Magistrate as dogs p. 256 The great spiritual differences of these times p. 257 Gods children may possibly fight each against other p. 258 Spiritual murtherers and seducers p. 259 261 Commonweal and Common-woe twofold p. 259 Mystical wolves and Muskeeto's p. 261 A state and forc't Religion a prison p. 262 Of Constantines wars for the Christians p. 263 Never any true Religion in the world but one p. 264 Touching Pauls blasphemy before his conversion ibid. An instance from John Haywood and the Lord Cromwel in K. Henry the eighth his days p. 265 Of Moses Judicials p. 266 The first Christians the purest and yet the civil sword was against them p. 267 The Levites killing 3000 Exod. 32 typical p. 268 Phineasâ— his act considered ibid. Elijah and the Baalites and other figurative passages of the Old Testament p. 269 270 Strange and monstrous duties of Moral righteousness p. 271 Gods children are monsters accounted c. p. 272 Elijah his slaying the Captains and their Fifties ibid. Wonderful Spiders and Cobwebs ibid. Touching Seducers and their punishments p. 273 The sad effects of the Bloody Tenent on M. Cotton's own spirit p. 274 275 The differences of Gods people in Old and New England p. 276 The great sin of New Englands former Patents p. 276 277 Old England curbing New Englands persecutions ibid. Holy Cranmer and Cromwel joyning with bloody persecutors in Hen. 8. his days p. 278 The famous passages of Cromwel and Lambert in Hen. 8. his days p. 278 Conviction twofold p. 279 280 Christ Jesus accounted the greatest Heretick Blasphemer and Seducer in the world p. 381 Small matters accounted Heresies ibid. The barbarous usage of John Hus in the Councel at Constance p. 282 The Bloody Tenent destroys civility out of the world p. 282 285 All men confident in their own way p. 284 He that persecutes Jews Turks Pagans or Antichristians is in a greater errour then any of them ibid. Freedom of conscience a great peace-maker p. 286 287 Of persecuting Apostates p. 287 288 Two woful opinions bewitching the Nations p. 289 Three great causes of the downfal of the Church of Rome p. 290 Touching the New English model of Church and Civil power p. 290 M. Cotton ' s too deep censuring p. 291 Israel a miraculous people p. 292 Touching the punishment of adultery among the Jews p. 293 All civil Government Gods Ordinance ibid. True Commonweals many without Kings p. 294 A wonderful saying of Bishop Hall ibid. Magistrates nursing fathers and their sins p. 295 296 The Pourtraicture of the Bloody Tenent p. 297 c. Compared with other Opinions and Practices p 301. The Maskes and Vizards of the Bloody Tenent p. 302. Truth and Peace their meeting seldom and short in this World ibid. The Letter of R. W. to Major Endicoâ— Governor of the Massachuset in N. E. upon occasion of the late Persecution at Boston p. 303 Persecutors approve no persecution in the World but their own p. 304 All Persecutors render the innocent most odious p. 305 Cromwel the 2 d a Refuge for the oppessed p. 306 This Rejoynder formerly sent out of N. Eng. but not till now published ibid. Abuse of Light most dangerous ibid. The power of Conscience though erroneous p. 307 The Common Prayer and the Composers of it p. 308 Perfumes with man stinks with God ibid. Of Spiritual Baites and Snares p. 309 Spiritual Witchcraft ibid. Spiritual Drunkenness and the persecuting Language of it p. 310 The horrible Path which Persecutors walk in p. 311 The least beginning of Persecution tends to Blood Gods dreadful judgement against Persecutors p. 312 Gray haires are Gods Alarums p. 313 An appendix to the Cleargie of old and New England Scotland and Ireland p. 314 The Cleargie Court the Magistrate for his Sword and his money 315 The late Kings charge against his Clergie ibid. The Woolf pleading with the Lamb will be judge ibid. All prosecutors in their turns plead for libertie of conscience p. 316 King Charles and his Chaplaias subscribe to libertie of Conscience ibid. About twenty years persecution in New England p. 317 The persecution of the New and old English independent Cleargie p. 317 A briefe touch upon the fifteen proposals of the so called Independent Ministers p. 318 They silently challenge the power of ordination in all England c. ibid. They sell the Spiritual Libertie of Christ ibid FINIS
kingdome of Christ cannot be purged from the leaven of idolatry and superstition Peace Me thinks the Lord Jesus was of another mind Mat. 18. when he accounted it sufficient to cut off the obstinate Let him be as a Gentile or publican and in the very similitude of leaven here used by Master Cotton Paul counted it sufficient to purge out the leaven 1 Cor. 5. if that evil person were put away from the midst of them that is from their holy and spiritual society Paul never asks as Master Cotton doth since we have not to our spiritual armes armes of flesh and a civil sword to help our spiritual how shall the safety of the church be guarded But let 's proceed The third Answer was That the elect cannot be finally deceived Master Cotton replies It is true but God provides meanes of preservation c. And Jezabels tolerating in Thiatira made the church guilty Truth This Argument was not used in derogation of Gods meanes spiritual in spiritual things civil in civil c. but by way of supposition of the worst as Job spake in another case How helpest thou the Arme that hath no strength Not but that in ordinary submission to means man ought to help the Lord against the mighty The sum is this rather let the Lord alone to help himself without meanes then to help the Lord to save his elect who cannot by vertue of his love and decree finally be deceived by any such means as are none of his own appointing 2. It is true that the church at Thyatira tolerating Jezabel to seduce was guilty yea and I add the City of Thiatira was guilty also if it tolerated Iezabel to seduce to fornication But what is this to the point of the issue to wit Whether the City of Thiatria should be guilty or not in tolerating Iezabel in that which the City judgeth to be idolatry and false worship Jezabels corporal whoredoms sinning against civility or state of the City the City by her Officers ought to punish lest civil order be broken and civility be infected c. but Iezabels spiritual whoredomes the civil state ought not to deal with but there being a church of Christ then in Thiatria and the spiritual whoredomes there taught and practised I say the church in Thyatira which in the name and power of Christ was armed sufficiently to pass and inflict a dreadful spiritual censure which God will confirme and ratifie most assuredly and undoubtedly in heaven Peace Two reasons more were alleadged out of the Text. The first was that by plucking up the tares the good wheate it self by such hurries and persecutions about Religion should be indangered to be plucked up which Master Cotton salveth thus to wit If Gods people themselves for their idolatry and superstition should be cut off it will be for warning unto others c. Truth Oh ungodly unchristian that is bloody and Antichristian doctrin by which under pretence of punishing hereticks schisâ—aticks and seditious persons the Son of God the Lord of Lords and King of Kings hath so many millions of times in his servants been persecuted slaine and crucified As for the world it lies in wickedness is a wilderness of sin over-grown with idolatry and superstition The Antichristian falsly called Christian world in most abundant and over-flowing measure hath wondred after and magnified the Beast Rev. 13. The two witnesses prophesie in sackcloth against this beast in all parts of his dominion by whom also they are persecuted and slaine and yet we read not that they judge or censure or fight for themselves with any other weapons then by the word of their prophecie the blood of the Lamb their patient sufferings the not loving of their lives unto the death Peace The second reason out of the parable was That the Angels of God have in charge to bundle up these tares for the burning Master Cotton replies two things First so these Angels will gather into bundles for the burning murtherers robbers c. who are not yet to be tolerated Truth I answer If a man call Master Cotton murtherer witch c. with respect to civil matters I say the civil state must judge and punish the offender else the civil state cannot stand but must return to barbarisme But if a man call Master Cotton murtherer witch c. in spirttual matters as deceiving and bewitching the peoples souls if he can prove his charge Master Cotton ought to give God the glory and and repent of such wickedness If he cannot prove his charge but slander Master Cotton yet is the slander of no civil nature and so not proper to any civil court but is to be cast out as we see commonly suits of law are rejected when brought into Courts which take no proper cognizance of such cases Peace What relief then hath Master Cotton or any so charged in this case Truth The court of heaven the church of Christ calls such a slanderer to repentance whether he be within the church or without though orderly proceeding lies only against him that is within If he be obstinate how dreadful is the sentence against such a slanderer both in earth and in heaven how dreadful the delivering up to hardness of heart a greater plague on Pharaoh then all the devouring plagues of Egypt how dreadful the delivering up to Satan the paw and jaw of the roaring Lyon infinitely far more terrible had we eyes to see it then to be thrown with Daniel to the devouring Lyon There is no reason in the world therefore for theeves and murtherers to be tolerated unto the last day without sentence and punishment because transgressors against spiritual state may be tolerated to live in the world yet punished for spiritual transgression with a greater censure and sorer punishment then if all their bones and flesh were rackt and torn in pieces with burning pincers Peace Master Cotton and others will say The idolaters and seducers were censured spiritually under Moses and yet were they also put to death Truth I desire Master Cotton to shew me under Moses such spiritual censures and punishments beside the cutting off by the civil sword which if he cannot do and that since the Christian Church antitypes the Israelitish and the Christian laws and punishments the laws and punishments of Israel concerning religion I may truely affirme that that civil state which may not justly tolerate civil offenders c. yet may most justly tolerate spiritual offenders of whose Delinquency it hath no proper cognizance Peace Lastly Master Cotton urgeth that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thess 2. should rather be translated presence then coming Truth Admit it though many able translators in divers languages rather translate it coming and that Antichrist shall not be consumed by the breath of the mouth of the Lord Jesus before his last coming to judgement yet then Master Cotton must give another interpretation of this end of the world and the Angels and
the fire then is usually given however the tares shall be bundled up for the everlasting burnings and are at present under a dreadful sentence and punishment and therefore not offending in civil things the civil state may the better tolerate them in matters of religion and conscience and Paul himself if opposed by them might the better wait with patience if God peradventure will give them repentance c. Examination of CHAP. XXVII Peace IN this Chapter those three particulars by which the Ministers of Christ are commanded to let the Tares alone Master Cotton evades by calling them so many slippery evasions c. Truth I believe neither the interpretations nor the intentions of the Author were evasive for a faithful witness will not lye though a false witness will utter deceit however the fire shall try The truth is the greater part and especially the former of Master Cottons answer in this Chapter comes not neer the point of the issue for that is not whether the Saints may pray or prophecy against idolaters and false worshippers but whether or no for their present temporal destruction and extirpation Perce Unto this Master Cotton saith Yes for the present destruction of some or other Antichristian idolaters in every age and he adds it might as well be said that a Minister of Christ should not denounce present or speedy destruction to any murtherers whoremongers c. because though some of them may fall under grievous plagues yet there will never want a company of such evil doers untill the great harvest or end of the world Againe saith he Though a Minister denounce not present destruction yet he cannot let them alone no more then the feller of an Oake that gives many a stroake before the last c. 2. It is not credible saith he that some of the Angels that poure out their vials upon the Antichristian state shall not be Ministers And when the ten horns shall burn the City of Rome it is not credible that they will do it without some excitement from the Angels Truth The instance brought of murtherers whoremongers c. is most improper because we all agree that present corporal or civil punishment is due to murtherers whoremongers c. and other like transgressors against the civil state of all Nations and peoples all the world over and this in all Ages and Times but Master Cotton himself acknowledgeth that many prophecies and periods are set for the continuance of the Antichristian state and the idolatry and desolations thereof and that those perieds shall be accomplished before the judgement day nor will it appear that those ten Kings that shall in the fulfilling of this prophecy burn the whore shall do it by way of ordinance and obedience to Gods command otherwise then he permitted Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus and other Tyrants of the world as the fishes of the sea one to devoure and swallow up another And for that instance of the wood-man selling of the Oake I grant that the prayers of the Saints hasten the whores downfal and the opening of these prophecies make way for Gods time but what is this to a present downfal before the time appointed Againe That it is not credible but that some of the Angels should be messengers of the Gospel I answer Master Cotton knows that the English word messengers and the Greek word Apostles are the same but no such messengers Master Cotton allows of And that the word messengers in the Apostles sence should imply Pastors and Teachers which Master Cotton now only allows of I finde not in the Testament of Christ Jesus That those Angels should be the witnesses and the Prophets in sackcloth seemes more credible And I may well affirme the contrary to Master Cottons credible that it is incredible that any servant or messenger of the King of Peace should stir up the civil Magistrate to cut off those by the civil sword whose repentance he is bound to wait for with patience bearing in the interim their oppositions and gainsayings 2 Tim. 2. Peace T is most true according to the testimony of Christ Jesus and most contrary to the tenents and practice of the Romish bloody Popes and their followers that Christs Ministers are wisdomes Maidens Prov. 9. sent forth in heavenly Beauty and chastity with meek and loving yet vehement perswasions to call in the foolish of the world to partake of wisdomes dainties but dear truth deliver your minde concerning the last passage to wit Elijahs act in stirring up Ahab to kill all the Priests and prophets of Baal This act saith Master Cotton was not figurative but moral for saith he Ahab could not be a figure of Christ nor Israel after their Apostacie a type of the true Church Beside blasphemers ought to die by the law and Ahab forfeited his own life because he did not put Benhadad to death for his blasphemy 1 Kings 20. Truth Christ Jesus is considered two wayes Christ in his person and Christ mystical in his church represented by the Governors thereof Some say that Israel was not in Ahabs time excommunicated and cut off from Gods sight untill their final carrying out of the land of Canaan 2 Kings 17. and that Israel remained though none of Gods in respect of her apostacy yet Gods in respect of covenant untill the execution of the sentence of excommunication or divorce And therefore that Ahab as King of Israel Gods people untill Israel ceased to be Israel was a figure of Christ that is Christ in his presence in his governors in his church though faln to idolatry under admonition not yet cast off But 2. grant the church false and Ahab King of a false church how will it appear that Elijahs Act was a moral act and so presidential to all Kings and Nations Peace Because saith Master Cotton it is moral equity that blasphemers and apostate idolaters seducing others to idolatry should be put to death Levit. 24. 16. Deut. 13. 5. Truth Those Scriptures concern a ceremonial land in a ceremonial time before Christ and in the same Lev. 24. the command is equally given for the lampe in the Tabernacle and the shew-bread as well as for the idolater Peace But Benhadad saith Master Cotton was no Israelite nor was his blasphemy belched out in the land of Israel Truth It is most true that blasphemers in Israel and blasphemers against Israel and the God of it were put to death It is also true in the antitype and substance since the coming of Christ that blasphemers in Israel and blasphemers against Israel the church of God are spiritually to be put to death by the two-edged sword coming forth of the mouth of Christ Rev. 1. and this Gospel-punishment is much more dreadful and terrible then the punishment of the first blasphemers under Moses or the prephets Peace Methinks also if Ahab were now presidentiall and that which he should have done to Benhadad presidential then is there now no spiritual