them but through a godly Zeal Vide Exod. 1.16 17 21. Considering how that the Commands of God are to be esteemed above the Commands of Men Obey your Masters saith he but not against God to whom you are more bound than unto men Daniel kept himself Innocent before God and the King notwithstanding his doing contrary to the King's command concerning the free Exercise of his Religion Dan. 6.22 But say some the Powers will not suffer this new Doctrine I know not but that they might well suffer it where it fundamentally manifesteth it self said Vrbanus Regnis yet though they will not suffer it every true Christian knoweth that he ought to keep to the Lord and his Truth and in such a case he may said he without contempt of Authority let pass that worldly command and of this will the spiritual Law admit For it doth not become the Emperour nor the King to determine any thing against the divine Command nor to do any thing that is against the Rule of the Exangelical Prophets and Apostles Truth and if that they command any Evil then must we give them this answer We must obey God rather than Men Acts 5.29 But in these things which are not against the Command of God we will be subject Yet when the Emperour or King commandeth one thing and God another and that we obey God who hath the Supream Power we desire herein to be excused by the Emperour and King if they threaten Imprisonment for Disobedience he threatneth Hell Vide his Epistle of twofold Righteousness Fol. 6 7. Anno 1532. CHAP. XVI How it doth not become the Magistrate to Force the Conscience nor to be a Iudge in Points of Doctrine and of what dangerous consequence it would be if the Magistrate should proceed against Hereticks according to his own Interpretation of the Law CAstellius testified That in Matters of Religion there was no other Magistrate than Christ alone and they that he not with the Sword but with his Word armeth and sendeth forth The Antient Protestants testified How that the most of the old Fathers affirmed That the Magistrate had nothing to do to meddle with the Conscience to force and compel that to believe seeing that the temporal Sword was put into their Hands to Punish Theeves Murderers and other disturbers of the Peace but as concerning Religion and that which pertaineth unto the Soul the only Spiritual Sword the Word of God must and ought herein to Remedy separating the Zeal and Religion which did defend man from Tumults and disturbing of Governments Neither doth it belong to any man to ordain other Laws for Punishment besides those which God hath appointed and therefore is it so highly forbidden to add or diminish Deut. 4.2 Chap. 12.32 Rev. 22.18 for no Laws but God's bind the Conscience Merck-tyck pag. 245. Moreover it hath been formerly testified That they do very unchristianly who under pretence of Ecclesiastical Discipline introduce a new Authority over the Faith and Consciences of Men Isa. 10.12 Psal. 94.20 21. Acontius testified That it was against the Office of a Magistrate to be a Judge in Points of Doctrine in matters of Religion and in the same to use his Power violently and that in particular he should do contrary to his Office if that he used his Power to please any man as that when he had committed the care of Religion to some particular Person or Persons and that he should be ready to draw out his Sword against those whom the other accused as Hereticks or give the Weapon into their Hand Now how guilty he that thus did would be in the day of the Lord may you judge Alcmerus testified That God alone is the judge of the heart and that he alone should judge of Faith and Unbelief therefore is it not lawful for Princes said he to judge any man in matters of Faith while they are not guilty of any manifest transgression of any known civil Law as Theft Murder c. for they are Judges of the Body and not of the Soul Rel. uriih 2 deel pag. 52. Through what impudency dare you judge them to Death saith Castellius that profess the name of Christ who hath taught you the matters of Religion of which you are most ignorant I believe you will say you do not these things alone from your own Judgement but through the judgement of the Learned who hath taught you who ought to be Punished and put to Death and verily it is so said he for I see that your Learned men do injoyne you not to put any to Death about Religion but according to their Judgement W. Teelingh testified That the Magistrate ought not to rest upon the conclusion of the Church nor thereupon to proceed being that the Church might err and that it was dangerous following De hevige ende huestige Kerckelijcbre luijden i. e. the vehement and hasty Clergy In Eubul 252.254 256 Follies The Lord of Pleffy referred the Judgement of Doctrine and Teachers c. to the Judgement of all Christians and not only to the Judgement of the pollitick Magistrates nor not alone to the Ecclesiastical Clergy neither only to them both no but to all men Vide his Trac of the Church pag. 80 130 147. Experience hath sufficiently demonstrated that it is a very hurtful thing to compel all People to dance after the Magistrates Pipe said a certain Writer for where it hath been so Oh! what hath been the Effect thereof but most commonly an Universal Delusion of the Subjects with a Bloody Persecution of the true Prophets for the greatest multitude of men is never the best as also the greatest number of Emperors and Kings are not very Holy but often have shewn themselves saith he to be very wicked Merck-tyck pag. 307. The Lord hath expresly declared said one That the Magistrate is no fit Judge to judge of Doctrine and that the use of such Jurisdiction is forbidden him For how shall a man know a Heretick but by knowing the Cause whereby a man is made a Heretick And if the Magistrate do so interpret the Law as that he thinketh those Hereticks may be forgiven who have not endeavoured to counsel others and that they are to be put to Death who persevere in teaching others and are resolved so to do shall men then be in safety and their Credit and Welfare preserved certainly no for so often as the Truth shall falsely be scandalized with the name of Heresie through the Orders of the Magistrate so often shall the Servants of the Lord be thereby brought into Suffering for it is not lawful for them to whom God hath manifested his Truth to hide their Talent in the Earth through silence and dissimulation Vide Arg. des Sat. lib. 3. pag. 184. idem pag. 94 95. With what clearer Example can the Magistrates be exhorted not to depend upon any mans Judgement then that concerning the Son of God who was so carelesly given over not only according to the
of War Therefore hath neither Christ himself nor his Apostles taught men to take up Armes against them that were reprobated from the Faith as if that were an external means for to rout out Errors for the receiving or spreading of Religion which is through fear of Weapons is more like unto Mahometisme than unto the Christian Religion Stephanus the King of Poland said Our desire is that all the Cities and Inhabitants did praise one God unanimously but it hath been declared that in the latter Dayes Offences shall come therefore will not we compel any to believe said he but will keep Peace and concord among the Contentious that contend about Religion and defend every one in his Religion Chronicle of the Tyrants second P. pag. 1326. CHAP. IX How Iudas Proselytes now do follow his footsteps How Confusion and Uproar is not occasioned in a Land through a just Toleration but rather through want of it And how none ought to be Banished about Religion THe Histories sheweth how that some of the Clergy hath said That the Princes ought to kiss the Son and to use their Power for to preserve and defend Religion against all her Enemies though their Lands should therefore be spoyled But the Son of God hath never taught any man so to kiss him though he was so unkindly kissed of Iudas as many Betrayers do yet in his Members yet notwithstanding Christ nor his Apostles did not seek to deliver Iudas over to the Magistrates but Iudas sought to deliver Christ over to them And so do Iudas Children at this day deliver the true Christians whom they falsly call Hereticks into the Hands of the Earthly Powers And though some say That People of different Opinions cannot live together in a Kingdom without continual contention and therefore say they must that be prevented with Fire and Sword But what though there be vertue and filthiness in a Kingdom good and bad men which are one contrary to the other one must not therefore said a wise Man to prevent it bring a whole Kingdom or Land into Confusion by stirring up the People one against another Again the true Church said he hath never helped her self with Persecution neither doth she use any other Sword than God's Word which she having and keeping the Commands of God prepareth her self for to bear the Cross and to Suffer Persecution but not to bring Suffering upon others Moreover it is evident That in Dutchland Poland and in the Low-Countryes more Religions than one are Suffered and yet there are not continual Uproars and Tumults as some imagine such Toleration would occasion in a Kingdom therefore may we conclude that it is not the Toleration of more Religions than one which produceth Uproar in a Kingdom but rather the untowardness and perverseness of them that seek to obstruct this Toleration Camerarius said That it was groundless and irrational to say that Diversities of Opinions in matters of Religion do disturb the Polity but on the contrary the Polity is disturbed when any man with the Liberty of his Opinion is not contented but will molest and trouble others But some say That every one in matters of Faith are bound to obey the Magistrates under whom they live and to follow them and that they are worthy of Punishment who do it not But let such know saith the Author that they do not only hereby condemn the first Reformed Protestants but also the true Prophets and Apostles yea Christ himself and all the Martyrs and so justifie their Persecutors and Murderers if not then may not the Magistrates now oppress a Church or a Religion as many of the disorderly Clergy would gladly see said he and make the Magistrates believe And it is to be observed how that among the Jews there were many Sects as the Pharisees Esseans Galileans Saduces Samaritans c. who retained many unwholsome Opinions yet they were not so Persecuted as now the false Christians do Persecute one another The History sheweth how that it hath been sufficiently proved That none ought to Banish any about Religion that payed Tribute yea that the peaceable Jews and Heathen ought not to be Banished out of the Land where they were born for that which they have they possess through that right which is common to all Nations and to banish People is said to be directly contrary to the Law of Nature and to the Commands of Love for Kings and Princes so well as others Ought to do unto others as they would have others to do unto them And if they would not be Banished out of their Dominions then should not they Banish others and Innocency becometh them as well as others who ought to do Evil to no man Les Princes qui se sont Gouvernez par douceur clemence conjointe a Iustice qui ont use de moderation debonnairete en vers leurs subjets ont tousjours grandement prosperè longuement regne Mais au contraire les Princes cruels iniques perfides oppresseurs de leurs subjets sont incontinent tombez eux leur estat en peril â—â— en totale ruine c. par N. M. Anno 1576. Those Princes that have ruled by Gentleness and Clemency added to Justice and have exercised Moderation and Meekness towards their Subjects alwayes greatly prospered and Reigned long But on the contrary those Princes that have been Cruel Unjust Perfidious and Oppressors of their Subjects have soon faln they and their Estate into danger or total Ruin N. M. 1576. CHAP. X. The Severity of a Popish Synode The Disposition of the right Christians How Heresie is not slain through the Death of Hereticks and the evil consequence of the Laws which tend to the putting of Hereticks to Death IN a General Synod holden at Rome it was forbidden men to hold any Fellowship with those they termed Enemies of Religion neither were they in any thing to assist them which might tend to the preserving of their Life and great things were promised them that persecuted such and inflicted punishment to the utmost upon them Vide Merula pag. 772. But the true Christians Persecute no man about Religion Socrat. lib. 4. chap. 3. For the right Christians did alwayes deal mercifully with them that were Hereticks indeed and not Tyrannically by shedding of their Blood but Hereticks and Infidels have been alwayes cruel towards the Christians with Persecuting of them to Death When men with the Truth said one slayeth the lies of Hereticks then their Bodies remain alive and their Souls come to be cured but when men put Hereticks to death they do not slay the Heresie but rather both Body and Soul Veritus said Seeing Christ is a Lamb whom you profess to be your Head and Captain then it behoveth you to be Sheep and to use the same Weapons which he made use of for he will not be a Shepherd of Wolves and Wild Beasts but only of Sheep wherefore if you lose the nature of Sheep said he and be changed
or other politick Punishments to come to hear the Sermon but others bare Testimony against such politick Corrections as to punish by Fines Imprisonments c. which they esteem unfitting to be introduced into the Church being they were inconsistant with the Christian Long-Suffering and Meekness and for the which they had no Example neither in the Old nor New Testament Anno 1619. Calvin said That the Apostle gave to understand that to exercise Authority over ones Faith was in no wise just nor tolerable yea saith he it is Tyranny in the Church for Faith ought to be free from all Subjection of men Though some are yet of that Opinion that it is lawful for the Magistrates to compel People contrary to their Consciences by corporal Punishments yea even to the Death for to make them keep silent or confess things contrary to their minds Yet most of the Old Fathers have alledged that it hath not been lawful for the Magistrates to touch the Conscience as to force it in matters of Religion Merck-teyck Chap. 4. 2 Deel pag. 132. The Antient Christians did not approve of any External Compulsion but only by Intreating by good Living with Exhortations Doctrins Informations and endeavours they laboured to convince People and through the Word of Truth they sought to bring People Captive so under the Obedience of Christ and if the like means now do not prevail then no humane invention through doing Violence will for that will rather make them worse as heretofore it hath done The most Violence that can be done by man cannot compel or change the vain infidelity of the mind how should that then possibly move or alter them that are unmoveably established in the Eternal Truth who will not in any wise be brought to receive things that are damnable nor to forsake that which they esteem to be necessary to their Salvation CHAP. V. A Chancellours Testimony Their Folly that would force Men and the Fruits thereof How Iust Liberty would preserve Unity And how they that Force others would not be forced TThe Chancellour of France said in the great Assembly of the three States before the King First That the absurdity of the Romish Church was the Cause of Heresie Secondly That evil Remedies had strengthened the same Thirdly That the Weapons of Love Prayer and Information with the Word of God were fit for such a Battle Fourthly That a good Life Preached more than Words Fifthly That the Sword could do little against the Spirit except it was to undoe both Body and Soul In the Comm. Fol. 132. Are they not carnal and violent Ishmaelites said one who would Violently Force rational Men often to humane and damnable Opinions as Horses and Mules and not with kindness intreat and only instruct with the Truth and invite to the needful spiritual knowledge of the Truth and true Worship as reasonable and free men Humani juris et naturalis potestatis est unicuique quod putaverit colere nec alij prodest aut obest alterius Religio sed nec Religionis est cogere Religionem que sponte non vi suscipi debeat Erasmus said the Divines not relying upon that Power wherewith they ought to be Armed they make Violence their Refuge as if men might be compelled to believe otherwise than their Opinion When several of the Priests in the Low-Country Requested of the Prince and States that they would introduce Ordinances and Disciplin according to their Opinions but the Prince and the States rejected their Requests esteeming them prejuditial both to Religion and Policy when they observed the divers Opinions that were among the People concluding it was the best as many Politicians have done to preserve Unity among the People to give Liberty at all and to compel none Anno 1608. Edict Fol. 27. It hath also been the judgement of many That Forcing of Conscience hath made many Hipocrites but no true Servants of God Therefore ought men to strive with the Word and Disputation and to conquer with Reason said Augustinus least that we make them Hypocritically Catholicks whom before we have known to be manifest Hereticks Anno 1200. The Chronicles do shew how that they that are and have been but seemingly Religious do commonly joyn themselves to that Religion or Sect which is the uppermost whereby they may live in Ease Honour and Fulness and get profit and preferment through Places and Offices instancing how that in England there were them in the Dayes of King Hendrick and Edward that shewed themselves to be Protestants and in the Dayes of Queen Mary Papists and Persecuted others to Death and afterwards in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth got again in the lap of the Protestant Church and then persecuted the Papists vide the second part of the Chronicle of the overthrow of Tyrants pag. 1502. Arennius affirmed That all Forcing of Conscience though it was but a forbidding of the Exercise which is esteemed by one or another to be necessary to Salvation was in no wise right nor fitting He also affirmed That through Diversities of Religions the Kingdom should not be brought into any Disturbance The Antient Reformed Protestants termed that Forcing of Conscience when they were constrained to leave off the exercise of their Religion saying Car nous privant de nostre Religion on nous tiendroit en une continuele mort corporelle spirituelle i. e. For to deprive us of our Religion is to keep us in a perpetual corporal and spiritual Death Adding thereunto how that they would rather be put to Death than be bereaved of the exercise of their Religion c. Many have testified and many do testifie that Forcing of Conscience is a wicked destructive means both for Soul and Body against which the Martyrs that have suffered have universally born Testimony Now said a certain Wise Man Let these consider who do so much stir up the Powers of the Earth to Force free minds against their consciences whether they would be forced by violence against their conscience to imbrace the Popes Faith of Rome with all its Superstitions or that which is worse and that upon pain of death Let such then judge said he how hard it is to be Forced against ones conscience to any Form of Worship which is not in the Spirit and Truth c. If any durst speak freely what he beleiveth and thinketh in his heart saith Castellio he should say that he thinketh and believeth that such Forcers are absolute Tyrants and that whereunto they press him is not good And if formerly he had any inclination thereunto that he through such violence cometh wholly to abhor it The Antient Protestants testified that that Religion which was defended with cruelty was not grounded upon the Word of God CHAP. VI. A shift of the Popes a humane invention how the Spiritual Kingdome and true Church subsisteth and is Defended by Spiritual Weapons and how Persecution answereth not the end of Persecutors THE History sheweth how that this is one