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
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
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-New-England Worshipping of God and Christ before the foundation of Repentance is nothing but Antichristian disorder Touching preaching to the Indians in new-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
might some way from the State or you receive reliefe and succour Considering that the very Nations Constitution hath occasioned parents to traine up persons to give themselves to studies though in truth but in a way of Trade Bargaining before God yet 't is according to the Custome of the Nation who ought therefore to share also in the fault of such Priests and Ministers who in all changes are ejected I end with humble begging to the Father of Spirits to perswade The Authour begs three things of God for the Cleargie of England and possesse yours with a true sence of three particulars First of the yoakes of Soule-oppression which lye upon the necks of most of the Inhabitants of the 3 Nations of the whole world as if Chams Curse from Noah were upon them Servants of Servants are they and that in the matters of the Soules Affection unto God which call for the purest Libertie I confesse the World lyes in wickednesse and loveth darknesse more then Soule Bondage the greatest light but why should you helpe on those yoaks and force them to receive a Doctrine to pray to give thanks c. without an Heart yea and in the many changes and cases incident against their Heart and Soules Consent Secondly of the bloudines of that most bloudie Doctrine of persecution for cause of Conscience with all the Winding Staires and back dores of it c. Some professors true and false Sheepe and Goats are daily found to differ in their Apprehensions perswasions professions and that to Bonds and Death What now shall these be wrackt their Soules their Bodies their purses c Yea if they refuse deny oppose the Doctrine of Christ Jesus whether Jewes or Gentiles why should you call for Fire from Heaven which suits not with Christ Jesus his Spirit The Bloudinesse of the Bloudie Tenent or Ends Why should you compell them to come in with any other Sword but that of the Spirit of God who alone perswaded Japhet to come into the Tents of Shem and can in his holy season prevaile with Shem to come into the Tents of Japhet Thirdly Of that Biass of selfe-love which hales and swayes our minds to hould so fast this bloudie Tenent You know it is the Spirit of Love from Christ Jesus that turns our feete from the Tradition of Fathers c. That sets the Heart and Tongue and Pen and Hands too as Pauls day and night to work rather Little of the Spirit of Love from Christ Jesus yet extant and our selfe-love biasseth us to Inventions Traditions and Doctrines of persecutions then the progresse and puritie and simplicitie of the Crowne of Christ Jesus should be debased or hindred This Spirit will cause you leave with joy Benefices and Bishopricks Worlds and Lives for his sake the Heights and Depths Lengths and Breadths of whose Love you know doth infinitely passe your most knowing Comprehensions and Imaginations There is but little of this Spirit extant I feare will not be untill we see Christ Jesus slaine in the slaughter of the Witnesses Then Joseph will goe boldly unto Pilate for the slaughtered bodie of most precious Saviour and Nicodemus will goe by day to buy and bestow his sweetest spices on his infinitly sweeter Soules beloved The full breathings of that heavenly Spirit unfeinedly and heartily wisheth you Your most unworthy Countriman R. Williams FINIS The Principal CONTENTS TRuth and peace rarely meet page 1 Many excellent men plead for persecution p. 2 New Englands persecution guilty of the persecution in Old p. 3 The first occasion of publishing the bloody tenent p 4 Master Cotton complains of being persecuted and yet writes so much for persecution p. 5 The word persecution in plain English what it is ibi Master Cotton would change the word persecuting into punishing p. 6 State worships the ordinary occasion of persecution p. 7 Ordination of Ministers and Coronation of Kings unfitly compared p. 11 Master Cotton pleading for Common Prayer p. 11 12 Three causes for which Master Cotton pleads for persecution p. 13 Christs church may be gathered and dissolved with no disturbance of civil peace p. 14 Persecution breaks all civil peace p. 15 Civil peace may be kept long and flourish even where Christ is not heard of yea disowned c. p. 16 Christianity lost most under reforming Emperors ibid. The societies or Churches of Saints are meerly voluntary in combining or dissolving p. 17 Christs Spouse is chosen out of this world p. 18 No civil state can judge the spiritual p. 19 The difference of spiritual and civil peace p. 20 When Gods people flourish most in godliness then most persecuted and when most persecuted then flourish most in godliness p. 21 A monstrous mingling of spiritual and civil disturbance p. 22 Six instances of zeal in Scripture charged with yet free from breach of civil peace p. 23 The Indians subjected to the English permitted while English fearing God in New England persecuted p. 25 Jonah's casting over board pleaded by Master Cotton as a ground for persecution examined p. 26 The killing of the false prophet Zech. 13. 6. p. 27 Conviction of conscience p. 28 The violation of civil peace though out of conscience to be punished p. 29 Gamaliells councel considered p. 30 Christ Jesus never persecuted as Christ but as a deceiver blasphemer seducer c. p. 31 Gods people fast asleep and yet awake ibid A deep mystery in persecution p. 32 Wolves complaining of being persecuted by the sheep p. 33 The blood of the souls under the Altar is a sealed Mystery p. 34 A challenge to the Devil himself touching the persecution of hereticks p. 34 All Antichristian hunters make Titus the third their Den or Fortress p. 35 The horrible abusing and prophaning of that word Heretick p. 36 A child of God may possible be an Heretick p. 37 The straights in which the bloody tenent and this Rejoynder also were composed p. 38 Thâ—se Preachers who will not Preach without money must beg or steal ibid. Christ Jesus his distinction of Diggers Beggers stealers p. 39 Persecution usually taken for a corporal not a spiritual punishment ibid. Very severe but not Christian and more then Judaical punishment of Theeves in England p. 41 The civil and spirituall life confounded p. 42 Gods right and Caesars p. 43 The great peace breakers ibid. English Diana's p. 44. Gross partiality to private interests ibid. England in all ages guilty of much persecution p. 45 Two seasonable Petitions of any persecuted ibid. The Parable of the Tares grosly abused p. 46 Hypocrisie both open and secret p. 47 Spiritual whoredome against God in his worship may be in the midst of pure civil relations p. 48 The parable of the wise and foolish Virgins p. 50. A true church or society of Christ cannot consist of visible Hypocrites p. 51 The Field of the World ibid The Mystery of christians and antichriastians p. 52 The first rise of Antichristians argued p. 54 Touching the
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
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
Institution and Appointment of the last will and Testament of Christ Jesus 2. I beleeve and profess that such persons such Churches are got neerest to Christ Jesus on whose forehead are written these blessed characters of the true Lord Jesus Christ First content with a poor and low condition in worldly things 2. An holy cleansing from the filthines of false worships and worldly conversations 3. An humble and constant endeavour to attain in their simplicity purity to the Ordinances and appointments of Christ Iesus 4. Are so far from smiting killing and wounding the Opposites of their profession and worship that they resolve themselves patiently to bear and carry the Cross and Gallows of their Lord and Master and patiently to suffer with him In the number of such his poor servants who as unfeignedly desire notwithstanding my plea against Persecutors and Persecution I say as unfeignedly desire to suffer as cheerfully with Christ Iesus as gloriously to reign with him desires to be Thine unfeigned though unworthiest of all the Followers of IESUS Roger Williams The Bloody Tenent yet more Bloody By Master Cottons attempting to wash it with the Blood of the Lambe Examination of CHAP. I. Truth BLest be the God of truth and peace sweet peace that once againe we finde a corner and a few hours to entertaine our sweet embraces and discourses about that Bloody Tenent of Persecution for cause of conscience Peace It is indeed Jehovah's work and it is marvellous in our eyes that ' midst this worlds combustions such a corner and such hours are found Truth Dear friends the longer absent meet the sweeter and have cause to spend each minute to his praise who wonders works and this not the least that we two see each others face at all in these tempestuous dayes and vale of tears How harshly were our last conferrings entertained by some How were our selves suspected and traduced for counterfeits and our pious and peaceable Meditations cruelly condemned to the devouring flames Truth That ever was our portion ever since the earthen pots arose against their glorious Potter and no better lot we must expect while the time doth last that is determined Peace Mean while t is yet our lamentation that so many of our darlings whom we have tendred as our eyes have both in Print and Pulpit cried out against us and amongst the rest one of thy dearest eldest children too too worthy to be the defender of the Bloody Tenent of Persecution Truth Our love shall cover his shame and nakedness and our wisdoms pity his heavy labour Blackamore-washings and so great expence of precious time and spirit in labouring to wash this so deeply bloody and Blackamore Tenent in the blood of the Lamb of God Peace So parents and true friends love and pity theirs though sick though froward and distracted and let our Bowels yearne over him who teares out ours who knows but once before he sleep his last in the pit of rottenness he may awake and give glory to the God of peace and truth of patience and long suffering whose thoughts whose wayes whose love whose pity hath no bounds nor limits toward them whom he hath loved before the worlds foundation O let these blessed buds of hope and sweet desires dear Truth put forth in pious fruits of renewed endeavors and let me once againe prefer my suit for your impartial weighing of what replies objections pleadings he hath brought against us Truth For the God of Peace for the Prince of Peace his sake yea for his servants sake for Zions sake I will not be silent and know at last I shall prevaile to scatter and dispell the mists and fogs that for a while arise to cloud and choak us Peace First then what cause should move this so able a defendant to leap over all our first addresses both to the high Court of Parliament and to every Reader and what may be conjectured why himself directs a word to neither in this controversie Truth I desire my Rejoynder may be as full of love as truth yet some say Master Cotton is wise and knows in what door the wind blows of late he is not ignorant what sad complaints in letters printings conferences so many of Gods people and of his own conscience and judgement of Independency have poured forth against New Englands persecuting c. He knows what Bars New Englands bloody Tenent and practice may put to his brethrens just desires and suits for moderation and toleration to non-conforming consciences T is true his conscience and the credit of his way compels his reply but the times advise him with as little noise as may be and it seems with no great willingness that that high and searching house of Englands Parliament should search and scan his Meditations Peace Well if the name of God were truely called upon them and as his title intimateth the great controversies of these present times are herein handled If all that is here presented be truly practised and he desire to buy and sell by one measure and to be no otherwaies measured unto then he measureth unto others why should not that renowned Court be more particularly and expresly attended with so high and needful examinations But now enough of that I long to see that weighed which is presented take up those holy weights of thine which may faithfully discover how light or ponderous each parcel is in Gods most holy presence Master Cotton first complaines against the publishing of his private letter with an Answer thereunto he faulteth the discusser for punishing his conscience against the discussers own Tenent of liberty of conscience for breach of rule in first publishing to the world before private admonition and telling the Church Truth How justly may I begin with the defenders own conclusion of this first Chapter He that setteth forth of his way in the first entrance of his journey no marvel if he wander all the day after For First the discusser never wrote any such letter to Master Cotton as Master Cotton so often affirms and mentioneth throughout his Book The like mistake he fals into in some other passages which shall be gently toucht at and passed by as the failing of memory Peace It is often seen that small matters in the first steps and entrance of a business prove ominous and although love bids us lay the blame on memory yet since Nil sine providentia Deus est maximus in minimis and not a Sparow nor a Haire fals without him methinks such a stumble in the threshold should have one sad consideration in Master Cottons brest so long as he resides in the chamber of this discourse Truth To my knowledge there was no such letter or intercourse passed between Master Cotton and the discusser but what I have heard is This One Master Hall of Roxbury presented the prisoners Arguments against persecution to Master Cotton who gave this present controverted Answer with the which Master
what eyes and eares such blasphemous and bloody titles are to be lookt upon and heard by the chaste eyes and ears of Christs Doves Christ Iesus will one day and shortly make appear Truth But what contradiction will be in the later to wit That every one must do his utmost in Gods business when this former to wit to be a defender of the Faith is constantly denied to be any of the businesses of civil officers and the preservation of the civil state which charge and worke by the civil state can only lawfully and therefore possibly be committed to them For otherwise to take these words in a literal sence without respect to the rules and limits of Gods order and righteonsness what is it but to fire the world with wild-fire of blind zeale and to tumble down all Gods beauteous structures and buildings into a Chaos and confusion of Antichristian Babylon And this especially by the meanes of such who think and say that they cannot serve God with all their might except they punish blaspemers and fight against blasphemous nations and subdue not only the holy land from the Turk but even all the world from their idolatries and blasphemies if it lie in their power which spirit whether it be the spirit of the Son of God and Prince of peace or the spirit of the world the spirit of the son of perdition let every mans own spirit search and judge in the holy fear and presence of God Peace But further saith Master Cotton it was unnecessary yea folly and preposterous to have complained to Herod Pilate Caesar against the Heresies of the Pharisees For if a poor sheep should complain to the Wolves of the Wolves heresies would not the whole kennel of Wolves rise up against him c Would it not have disturbed the civil state by putting them into jealousies of a new kingdome and it was necessary the Gospel should first be known and received believed and professed before any could be complained of for Apostacie from it into heresie Truth Master Cotton cannot deny but that most of the Magistrates of the world by far are such as Herod Pilate Caesar were without God and enemies to him yea also in that little paâ—t of the world which is called Protestant Now if they are but kennels of Wolves compared with Christs sheep as Master Cotton expresseth I first demand how poorely hath Christ Jesus in all ages provided for and furnished his people with such main pillars of their spiritual joyes light and confidence as godly and Christian Magistrates Peace It is as cleer as the Sun beams that if ever Christ Jesus had intended such an ordinance in and over his church he would never have been so mistaken as to supply his sheep in all ages and in all parts of the world with kennels of Wolves in stead of godly and Christian Shepherds Truth But secondly Grant them to be kennels of Wolves in Master Cottons sence yet what bar is this to any from presenting and to them from receiving such complaints as are proper to their cognizance to their duty and calling were they truely called of God and Christ to such a service to wit to govern in spiritual Ecclesiastical or Church causes what though a Magistrate be a drunkard whoremonger opperssour is it not the duty of the people to complain to him of drunkards thieves whoremongers oppressors whom if he punish not but countenance c. yet have such petitioners discharged their consciences and left the guilt upon the right head who should be an head of civil righteousness but is an head of wickedness and iniquity Peace By this argument of Master Cottons the poor widow that sued for right to the unjust Judge that neither feared God nor regarded man took a foolish and a prestoperous course though commended by the Lord Jesus Luk. 18. Truth Indeed as Master Cotton saith If we look at the probability of any wholesome fruit from such trees we cannot expect grapes from such briars not figs from such thistles But looking at the providence of God who ruleth and over ruleth the hearts of Kings and all Magistrates as in the case of the poor widow and thousand others as also at what is their Duty and profession to wit to invite cheerfully their subjects to bring their complaints to them as also what is the duty of the wronged and oppressed to wit to deliver and discharge their own souls I see not but it is safe sea sonable and a duty to cry even to the unjust Judge for Justice as that poor woman did Peace Yea were Caesar Herod Pilate by virtue of their places offices and duties Ecclesiastical Judges and ought to have suppressed the heresies and blasphemies of the Pharisees why should it be impossible but they might have removed the Pharisees offence as many Kings of England and France though evil themselves have stirred mightily upon complaints of their subjects against the Popish Pharisees of their times yea the highest of them the Pope himself And if Master Cottons doctrine be true why must not the Magistrate be sought unto that a true Gospel be received and believed Why may not the civil power be a judge in the first receiving of the Gospel as afterward for the preserving and restoring of it Truth Such is the brightness of the Gospel of Christ Iesus and the dread and the power of the two-edged sword coming out of his mouth subduing and slaying the highest opposites and adversaries that it will prove to be unnecessary foolish and preposterous to run to any other sword or censures then those alone of Christs so mighty and so powerful were they rightly administred as the Popish and Protestant world pretendeth Peace Lastly Master Cotton professeth he knows not how Magistrates can know the Son and kiss him and acknowledge his kingdome and submit their crowns to it love his truth be nursing Fathers and Mothers to his church and yet not be defenders of it Truth If kings must submit their crowns to this kingdome of Christ must it not undeniablly follow that the kingdom of Christ Iesus is far greater and higher then their thrones and crowns for none will submit to the lesser weaker c. And if so what weakness is it yet to expect that the inferiour power and authority to wit civil and earthly must defend the highest and most glorious crown and throne of Christ Iesus Like as if a poor Indian Canon should submit it self to some Royal Navy and yet must be this Navies defender or a few naked Americans submit to some Army or kingdome and yet these poor naked ones must bear and that seriously without Iâ—sting the title of their defenders Truth Master Cotton and those of his bloody judgement are not contented that the civil powers defend the bodies and goods of the Saints from oppressors from persecutors c. that love and affection by all gracious means be exprest more to the Saints then to other people of
the twelve and the seventy Secondly By his visible kingly power left in the hand of his true churches and the officers and governors thereof In which sence that church of Antioch and the governors thereof rightly invested with the kingly power of Christ Jesus sent forth Paul and Barnabas with prayer and fasting and saying on of hands And Paul and others of Christs messengers being furnished with this kingly power not only planted churches but also ordained elders visited these churches or visible cities of Judah that knowledge and teaching and the word of God might dwel plenteously among them Thirdly Christ Iesus as king of his church and head of his body during the distractions of his house and kingdome under Antichrists apostacy immediately by his own holy Spirit stirs up and sends out those fiery witnesses Rev. 11. to testifie against Antichrist and his several abominations For as for lawful calling to a true ordinary Ministery neither Wickliff in England nor Waldâ—â— in France nor Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prauge in Bohemia nor Luther in Germany nor multitudes more of famous preachers and prophets of Christ both in these countries and also in Spaine Italy c. I say no true ordinary Ministerial calling can they ever shew but Christ Jesus by the secret motion of his own holy Spirit extraordinarily excited in couraged and sent them abroad as an Angel or messenger Rev. 14. with the everlasting Gospel c. Peace To apply these three wayes or any of them to the civil Magistrates and rulers of the world of whom Iehosaphat in that his act should be a type is but to prophane the holy name of God to leane upon and â—dolize an arme of flesh c. Truth I grant the civil Magistrate is bound to countenance the true Ministers of Christ Iesus to incourage protect and defend them from injuries but to send them armed as the Popes Legats and Priests with a sword of steel and to compel people to hear and obey them this savours more of the spirit of the Pope his courses and practises Yea of Mahomet his Mussel-men Dâ—rgâ—es c. then the Lambe of God and his followers Peace What Iehosophat Asa Hezekiah Iosiah c. did they did not only by perswasion countenance example by which all are bound to further the preaching of Christ Iesus but also by force of armes and corporal punishments Truth Yea even to the death it self and this is not a bare sending out of Ministers as Master Cotton gives the instance For by his argument all rulers kings and Emperors and other states of the world ought to embrue their hands in the blood of the many thousands and millions of millions of the poor people if they forsake not their idolatry and embrace the religion which they say is Christian and the only true Peace No saith Master Cotton this ought not to be because only godly and truly Christian Magistrates may so put forth this power of Christ others must stay until they be informed Truth Can it enter into any Christian heart to believe that Christ Jesus should so loosly provide for his affaires so slightly for his name and Fathers work and so regardlesly for his dearest Spouse as to leave so high a care and charge with such as generally and constantly throughout the whole world are ignorant of yea and opposite to the very name of Christ and true Christianity Peace Surely if this payment were offered to the governour as Malachy saith to the world or governments of it it would not pass Truth I never knew a king or captaine councellor or constable officers of high or low condition rightly called according to to God who were not invested with ability more or less for the maine and principal points of their charge and duty Peace It seemes indeed a marvelous and yet it is Master Cottons conclusion that such Magistrates yea all or most of the Magistrates that ever have been since Christ and now extant upon the face of the earth must sit down stay and suspend and that all their life long from the executing of the maine and principal part of their office to wit in matters concerning the conscience religion and worship of the people Truth Yea Secondly in a due survey of the whole universe and globe of this world will one of a thousand or ten thousand according to Master Cottons disabling of them from the chief part of their office be found I will not say fit to be but to be at all lawful civil Magistrates or rulers according to Gods ordinance of Magistracy but meer shadows or images set on high with empty names or titles only of Magistrates Peace Master Cotton adds Although the good of souls is the proper or adequate object of the spiritual officers of Christ and the bodies and goods of the people the proper or adequate object of the civil Magistrate yet in order to the good of their souls he ought to procure spiritual helpes and to prevent spiritual evils Truth I reply If he mean as it is clear he doth that the civil Magistrate ought to do this not only as a Christian by spiritual meanes but as a civil Magistrate by force of armes It is not in order but monstrous disorder for then he the civil Magistrate must sit Judge judicially and formally in those spiritual causes and cases which Master Cotton grants are proper and adequate objects of the spiritual officers which Christ hath appointed Peace Yea why may not saith Master Cotton the Magistrate use his power spiritually in order to the good of bodies as the officers of Christ dehort from idleness and intemperance of meats and drinks c. in order to the good of souls Truth The spiritual officers in dehorting from these evils or any other of that kind interfere not nor take cognizance of that which belongs not to their spiritual court for holiness in all manner of conversation is the circle wherein they ought to see all their spiritual subjects to walk If the spiritual officers should cause by force of armes their people to walk justly temperately c. as Master Cotton saith the civil Magistrate in order to the good of bodies ought to deal in spiritual and soul-matters I say then the eyes of the civil Magistrate would begin to open and to see the horrible disorder and Babylonish confusion of that which is here masked under the abused name of order Peace Master Cotton closeth up this chapter with very bitter censures against the discusser Truth The discusser may well reply that although since the apostacy he sees not the visible thrones and tribunals of Christ Jesus according to his first institution erected and although the civil Magistrate hath not the power of Christ in matters of religion yet they that slay the Lords sheep are not exempted from all judgement For if the offenders slay them corporally the Lord hath armed the civil Magistrate with the sword of God to take vengeance
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
Chap. 66. replying to Chap. 69. Peace HEre M r Cotton complaines of wrong in that the Discusser chargeth him to plead for persecution and yet confesseth that he agrees with Hilarie Truth M r Cotton indeed agrees with Hilarie in generall profession that the Gospel is not to be propagated by Sword but in particulars he affirmes the Blasphemer the Idolater the Heretick the Seducer is to be persecuted In the generall he saith the Magistrate may not constraine any to believe professe the Truth yet in particulars thus far saith he a man may be constrained by the Magistrates withdrawing Countenance and Favour Incouragement and Employment from him which affirming what doth he else but affirme that he may be constrained deposed punished that is persecuted Peace Indeed such kinde of punishment as to displace men to keepe them out from all offices or places of Trust and Credit because of difference of Conscience may prove in the particular a greater affliction and punishment then a Censure a Fine Imprisonment yea sometimes more bitter to some Spirits then Death it selfe Truth Yea and M r Cottons ground is both unsafe and darke and needs a candle of Light to discover the bottome and compasse of it Such saith he as walke not according to their Light are neither true servants to God nor Man but First what meanes here M r Cotton by Light Light in this sence is commonly taken two wayes First For that is Light indeed to wit the precious Light of Gods revealed will Secondly That which so appeares to be to a mans minde and Conscience but may be a falshood a lye a mistake and darknesse M r Cotton had done well to have distinguished for before he blamed King James for walking according to his Light and although upon the point he makes the Civill Magistrates in all parts of the World the Heads Protectours and Governours of Christs Church yet if the eyes of these Heads see not by his Light he cuts off these Heads forbidding them to act as Heads and to walke according to their Light they must as often he tells us suspend untill they have Light c. 2. Peace Beside it comes oft to passe that the Light which shines by preaching or practice of others although it be a meane sufficient to convince if God please to blesse it yet untill the Consciences of men be convinced of the Light of it I Judge it cannot properly be said to be the Light of their Consciences nor they to sin against the Light of their Consciences 3. Truth Yea and there is a morall vertue a morall fidelitie abilitie and honestie which other men beside Church members are by good nature and education by good Lawes and good examples nourished and trained up in that Civill places of Trust and Credit need not to be Monopolized into the hands of Church-Members who sometimes are not fitted for them and all others deprived and despoiled of their naturall Civill Rights and Liberties Peace But what say you Deare Truth to M r Cottons Apologie for New England for as for constraint in old he is silent he sayth he knowes not of any constraint upon any to come to Church to pay Church Duties and sayth it is not so in his Towne Truth If M r Cotton be forgetfull sure he can hardly be ignorant of the Lawes and Penalties extant in New England that are or if repeald have been against such as absent Themselves from Church Morning and Evening and for Non-payment of Church-Duties although no Members For a Freedome of Not paying in his Towne it is to their commendation and Gods praise who hath shewed him and others more of his holy Truth Yet who can be ignorant of the Sessments upon all in other Townes of the many Suits and Sentences in Courts for Non-payment of Church-Duties even against such as are no Church Members Of the Motions and pleadings of some not the meanest of their Ministers for Tithes And how ever for my part I beleeve M r Cotton ingeniously willing that none be forced expresly to pay to his Maintenance yet I question whether he would work if he were not well payd And I could relate also what is commonly reported abroad to wit that the rich Merchants and people of Boston would never give so freely if they were forced yet now they are forced to give for shame I take it in the Publike Congregation The Indians of this Countrie have a Way calld Nanówwe or Giving their Commodities freely by which they get better bargaines then if they stood stiffly on their Tearmes of Anaqúshento or Trading And when not satisfied to the utmost they grudge revile c. It cannot be but that to such Deceitfulnesse of Heart M r Cotton is subject as well as others though Love bids me and others to hope the best Peace The close of this Chapter seemes strange and wonderfull for M r Cotton acknowledged that Propagation of Religion ought not to be by the Sword and yet instantly againe maintaines he the use of the Sword when persons which then must be judged by the Civill State blaspheme the true God and the true Religion and also seduce others to damnable Heresie and Idolatrie But this sayth he is not the Propagation of Religion but the preserving of it and if it doe conduce to Propagation it is onely Removendo prohibens Truth What is this Removendo prohibens but as the weeding of a Field or Garden And every Husbandman will say that the end of such his work is the propagation and increase of his graine and fruit as well as the making of his fence and planting and sowing of his Field or Garden What therefore is this Confession though with this Distinction but in truth an acknowledgement of what in Words and Tearmes he yet denies with Hilarie to wit a propagating of Christian Religion and Truth by the Civill Sword 2. Besides it is the same hand and power that plucks up the weedes and plants the Corne and consequently that same hand and Sword that destroyes the Heretick may make the Christian c. Exam of Chap. 67. replying to Chap. 70. Peace COncerning Tertullians speech and especially that Branch to win that By the Law of naturall equitie Men are not to be compelled to any Religion but permitted to believe or not believe at all Mr. Cotton answers that they doe permit the Indians but it will not therefore be safe to toller te the publicke Worship of Devills or Idolls The Discusser replied that they doe permit the Indians in their Paganish Worship and new- therefore were partiall to their Countrymen and others M r Cotton answers that it is not true that they doe so permit the Indians what ever they may doe privately That the Indians submit to the ten Commandements and that some of their Ministers have preached to them in English which hath been interpreted That one now preacheth in their owne Language Further That they permit
cases It is impossible but a Nationall and Civil head must be head of a Nationall or State Church which upon the point is but a civill or temporall Church like the head thereof and not a heavenly and spirituall I say a Civil or temporall Church subject to the changes of a changeable Court or Countrey and the interpretings and expoundings of Scripture to what the Court or Countrey is subject to approve ot disprove of 3 It is a Nationall or State Church where the opposite or gain-sayer the pretended Heretick Blasphemer Seducer c. is some way or other punished put forth of the State or Countrey it selfe by death or banishment whereas particular Churches put forth no further then from their particular societies and the Heretick c. may still live in the Countrey or Countreys unmolested by them 4 That Church cannot be otherwise then a Nationall or State Church where the maintenance of the Worship Priests and Officers is a State maintenance provided by the care and power of the State who upon the point payes their Ministers or Servants their wages whereas the maintenance of the Worship and Officers of a particular Church we finde by Christs Testament to be cared for sufficiently by Christs power and meanes in his Church 5 That Church is a Nationall or State Church whose whole Assemblies in Synods Councells Provinciall Nationall c. If M r Cotton can disprove the truth and substance of these and other particulars alledged so farre as concernes the generall and Body of the Countrey combined whatsoever little variation some particular Townes may make the Discusser must acknowledge his Errour but if M r Cotton cannot doe it as I believe he cannot what ever flourish a wit may pretend the God of mercy pardon what by M r Cotton is done in Ignorance and awaken him and others who cause his people to goe astray according to that of the Prophet Their Shepheards cause this people to goe astray Peace O that all Gods sheepe in New England and such as judge themselves their Shepheards may truely judge themselves at the tribunall of their owne Consciences in the presence of the Lord in the upright Examination of these particulars But to leave New England and to returne to the Land of Israel I should thinke sayth M r Cotton not onely mine eye obscured but the sight of it utterly put out if I should conceive as the Discusser doth that the Nationall Church State of the Jewes did necessarily call for such weapons to punish Heretiques more then the Congregationall State of particular Churches doth call for the same now in the dayes of the New Testament Truth It is a strange Speech to proceede from so knowing a Man but let us ponder his Reasons in the feare of God Peace Was not sayth M r Cotton the Nationall Church of the Jewes compleatly furnished with Spirituall Armour to defend it selfe and oppose Men and Devills as well as particular Churches of the New Testament Had they not power to convince false Prophets as Elijah did the Prophets of Baal had they not power to seperate Evill Doers from the Fellowship of their Congregations And he addeth an uncleane Person although he might not Enter into the Temple with the rest of the Israelites to worship the Lord yet he was permitted to live in the Common-weale of Israel Men uncircumcised both in Heart and Flesh He addeth further that the Nationall Church of Israel was powerfully able by the Sword of the Spirit to defend it selfe and to offend Men and Devills for which he quoteth Zach. 4. 6. And he asketh doth not the Discusser himselfe observe that time was in the Nationall Church of the Land of Canaan when there was neither Carnall Sword nor Speare to be found 1 Sam. 13 And was not then the Nationall Church powerfully able by the Spirit of God to defend it selfe and to offend Men and Devills as well as particular Churches now Truth I answer First As much as the shadow of a Man falls short of a Man himselfe so did all their Ordinances which were but shadowes of spirituall things to come fall short of that bright enjoyment of Christ Jesus and spirituall and heavenly things in him now brought to Light by Christ Jesus in the Gospel or New Testament 2. M r Cotton will never demonstrate that the putting forth or Excommunicating of a person from the Church of God amongst them was other then cutting off from the Land by Death and the Civill Sword the same being spiritually executed now in the Israel of God 1 Cor. 5. Gal. 5. 12. Thirdly Although the Stranger uncircumcised might live amongst them yet none of the Native Israelites might so live nor yet might the Stranger prophane the holinesse of the Lord by labour on the Sabbath which M r Cotton will never prove ought now to be kept by all Countries of the world and that under such Penalties as was in the Land of Canaan the holy Land Nor that they had spirituall power sufficient to punish the willfull breach of any Morall or Ceremoniall dutie without the helpe of the Carnall Sword the contrary to which is plaine in the New Testament 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 10. Fourthly For the Scripture Zach. 4. 6. Not by might nor Power c. The Prophet doth not here oppose the Spirit to might or power so as to deny the use of Carnall weapons might or power which God had vouchsafed to them against all Enemies within and without but sheweth it to be the work of Gods own finger or Spirit in the use of carnall meanes which they used for the raising of the Materiall Temple and Civill defence of Themselves against all Opposers Hinderers c. Whereas 2 Cor. 10. the Apostle flatly opposeth Spirituall Weapons against Carnall and M r Cotton will never prove that the Corinthians or any of the Saints of Christ did enjoy other Weapons in that first or the Ages next after but onely the Spirituall Weapons and Artillery which the Apostle mentioneth Lastly To that of 1 Sam. 13. I answer That when there was no Speare nor Sword in Israell the Israelites were not powerfully able to defend Themselves against their Enemies except that God was pleased extraordinarily to stirre up meanes of their preservation as wee see in the case of Jonathan and his Armour-bearer against the Philistims In like manner I believe that where the ordinary power of Gods hand in his holy Ordinances is withdrawen it is his extraordinarie and immediate power that preserveth and supporteth his people against Men and Devills as in particular during the reigne of Antichrist in stirring up and supporting the two Witnesses Exam of Chap. 69. replying to Chap. 72. Touching the Testimony of Brentius Peace IT is untrue sayth M r Cotton that we restraine Men from Worship according to Conscience or constraine them to Worship against Conscience or that such is my Tenent or practice Truth Notwithstanding
would better befit the pen of a Jew then a Christian a follower of Moses then of Jesus Christ who although he will not fayle to take care for his in Earthly Providences that make it their chiefe worke to seeke his Kingdome yet he maketh as I may say Christs Crosse the first Figure in his Alphabet taking up his Crosse and Gallowes in most ordinarie persecution which with selfe-deniall are the assured Tearmes his Servants must resolve to looke for 'T is true he promiseth and makes good an hundreth Fathers Mothers Brothers Sisters Wives Children Houses and Lands But M r Cotton well knowes it is with persecution And how this outward prosperitie agrees with Imprisonments Banishments hanging burning for Christs sake the Martyrs or Witnes of Jesus in all Ages and the cry of the Soules under the Altar may bring againe to his Remembrance if New Englands peace profit pleasure and Honour have lulld him into a Forgetfulnesse of the principles of the true Lord Jesus Christ Peace But M r Cotton remembreth not the Proposition to be his to wit that the Magistrates power extendeth no further then the Bodies and Goods of the Subject Truth M r Cotton hinted not his least dissent from Luther as he otherwayes useth to doe if he disowne c. Secondly He grants it true in the object to wit that the object of the Magistrates power is the Body and Goods of the Subject though not in the End which he saith is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well to administer the Common-weale Now I aske what is this Common-weale Peace The Spirit of God distinguisheth in the New Testament between the Common weales of the Nations of the World and the Common-weale of Israel The Common-weale of Israel M r Cotton will not affirme now to be a Church Provinciall Nationall Oâ—cumenicall but Particular and Congregationall Truth If so then the finall cause of both these Common weales or States cannot be the same But although the End of the Civill Magistrate be excellent to wit well to administer the Common-weale yet the end of the Spirituall Common-weale of Israel and the Officers thereof is as different and transcendent as the Heaven is from the Earth Peace But how sayth M r Cotton can it be well with the Common-wealth that injoyes bodily health and worldly wealth if there be no Christ no Church there and how was it with the Romane Empire which the Red-horse of War and Black horse of Famine and Pale horse of Pestilence would have ruined if she had not cast away her Idols Truth Concerning this instance of Rome Master Cotton here acknowledgeth it abounded in worldly blessings till the Lord Jesus came riding forth upon the White Horse of the Gospel And Master Cotton may remember that from the Foundation of her rising and Glory laid by Romulus untill Christs time it flourished about 750 years in a long chaine of generations succeeding each other in worldly prosperity and yet no Church nor Christ to uphold it so far is Master Cottons Romish instance from countenancing Mr. Cottons Roman Doctrine Peace But when Christ came saith Master Cotton and was neglected then the Red and Black and Pale horse had almost destroyed her if she had not cast away her Idols Truth I answer Rome the head of the Empire cannot be said to neglect Christ untill the bloody Tenent of persecution arose amongst them I say not to neglect Christ more nor so much as other States for there were so many of the Romanes and so glorious professors of Christ Jesus that all the world over the Faith and Christian obedience of the Romanes was renowned 2 The Roman Impire cannot be said to cast away her Idols but to change as the Portugals did in the East-Indies her Idols her more grosse and Pagan Idols for more refined beautified Idols painted over with the name of Christ the true God holines c. and this in the glorious dayes of Constantine or not long after The Church of Christ Jesus which under persecution remained a wise and spouse of Christ Jesus now degenerates and apostates into an Whore in the times of her ease security and prosperity Whole Cities Nations and the whole world forced and ravished into a whore or Antichristian Christian 3 As far as the East is from the West so far is the world and nations and Empire of it from the holinesse of Christ Jesus holy Spirit Truth and Saints With what appearance then of Christs holinesse glory c. can Master Cotton advance the world the Roman Empire to be as he here speaks the Advancer of the scepter of Christ Jesus Peace If this Roman Empire be that dreadfull Beast in Daniels prophecy more strange and terrible then the rest yea and more terrible to Christ Jesus and his servants then was the former Babilonian Lion or Persian Beare or Grecian Leopard what truth of Jesus is this that advanceth this dreadfull bloody Beast to be the Advancer of the Scepter that is the Church and Government the Truth and Saints of Christ Jesus Peace Glorious things Dear Truth are recorded of Constantine and other glorious Emperors Truth The Beast was sweet Peace the Beast still although it pleased God to give some refreshing and reviving to his persecuted servants by Constantine and other blessed instruments yet Constantines favour was a bitter sweeting his superstitiâ—us zeal laying the Foundation for after Vsurpations and Abominations 4 But further for neer 1000 years together both before and after Christs time Rome grew and flourished with little alterations of her glory in comparison untill this very time that Master Cotton cals the casting away of her Idols For not before but after Constantines advancing of Christians to wealth and honour c. I say neer about 300 years together interchangably after his time untill Pipinus and Charles the Great the City and state of Rome was almost ruined and destroyed by the often dreadfull incursions of the Goths and Vandals Huns Longobards and other furious Nations So contrary to the truth of Jesus is this fleshly doctrine of worldly wealth and prosperity and also this very instance of Rome and her glory here discussed Peace Master Cotton ends with prayer and blessing to God as James speakes and bitter and cutting cursings and censures to man the poor Discusser who saith Master Cotton seduceth himselfe and others and delights to doe it and against the light of grace and conscience against reason and experience Truth The Discusser is as humbly confident of Grace and Conscience Reason and Experience yea the God of all Grace Christ Jesus his holy Spirit Angels Truth and Saints to be on his side as Master Cotton otherwise can be but the day shall try the Fire and Time shall try which is the Gold of Truth and Faithfulnesse and which the Drosse and Stubble of Lyes and Errour In the meane time I dare pronounce from the Testimony of Christ Jesus that in all
Controversies of Religion That Soul that most possesseth it selfe in patient suffering and dependeth not on the arme of flesh but upon the arme of God Christ Jesus for his comfort and protection that Soul is most likely in my observation to see and stand for the Truth of Christ Jesus Peace In the next place Master Cotton denyes to compell to the Truth by penalties but onely by withdrawing such favours as are comely and safe for such persons Truth I have formerly answered and doe that a great Load may be made up by Parcels and particulars as well as by one masse or bulke and that the backs of some men especially Merchants may be broke by a withdrawing from them some Civill priviledges and rights which are their due as well as by afflicting them in their Purses or Flesh upon their backs 2 Christ Jesus was of another opinion who distinguisheth between Gods due and Caesars due and therfore with respect to God his cause and Religion it is not lawfull to deprive Caesar the Civil Magisteate nor any that belong to him of their Civil and Earthly rights I say in this respect although that a man is not Godly a Christian sincere a Church member yet to deprive him of any Civill right or Priviledge due to him as a Man a Subject a Citizen is to take from Caesar that which is Caesars which God indures not though it be given to himselfe Peace Experience oft-times tell us that however the stream of just Priviledges and Rights hath out of Carnal Policy been stopt by Gods people when they have got the Staffe into their hands in divers Lands and Countreys yet hath that streame ever returned to the greater calamity and tryal of Gods people Truth But thirdly it hath been noted that even in New-England penalties by Law have been set to force all to come to Church which will appear upon a due search to be nothing else but an outward profession of force and violence for that Doctrine which they suppose is the Truth Peace Concerning coming to Church wee tolerate saith Master Cotton Indians Presbyterians Antinomians and Anabaptists and compell none to come to Church against their conscience and none are restrained from hearing even in England Truth Compelling to come to Church is apparant whether with or against their Conscience let every man look to it The toleration of Indians is against professed principles and against the stream of all his present dispute as before I proved Touching the Magistrates duty of suppressing Idolatry Witchcraft Blasphemy c. such Indians as are pofessedly subject to English in N. England notoriously continue and abound in the same which if they should not permit it as apparant their subjection is hazarded T is true this Toleration is a Duty from God but a sin in them because they professe it their Duty to suppresse Idolatry Blasphemy adde Master Cotton may say we not onely tolerate the Indians in their abominable and barbarous worships but which may seem most incredible we tolerate the Indians also in that which by our civil principles we ought to tolerate no subject in that is in abominable lying whoring cursing thieving without any active course of restraint c. T is true Those Indians submitting to their Government as it may be Master Cotton will say to the ten Commandements yet living in all kind of Barbarisme live some miles more remote how ever they are they say their subjects were every miles distance an hundreth Peace But is there any such and professed tolleration of Antinomians Presbyterians Anabaptists as is here insinuated Truth I know of no toleration of Presbyterian Antinomians Anabaptists worshipping God in any meetings separate from the common Assemblies If any such persons be amongst them like Church-Papists it is their sin that they separate not from such opposite Assemblies and Worships and it is the sin of such assemblies to tolerate such persons after due admonitions in the name of Christ rejected But further Master Cotton grants a Communion in hearing in a Church-Estate by Church members but not in any as are no Church-members but come in as the Pagan Infidell 1 Cor. 14. Truth Communion is twofold First open and professed among Church-Members Secondly Secret and implicite in all such as give their presence to such Worships without witnessing against them For otherwise how can a Church-Papist satisfie the Law compelling him to come to Church or a Protestant satisfie a Popish Law in Popish Countries but by this Cloake or Covering hiding and saving of themselves by bodily presence at Worship though their Heart be farre from it Peace Whereas it was said that Conscionable Papists and all Protestants have suffered upon this ground especially of refusing to come to each others Church or meeting M r Cotton replies They have suffred upon other points and such as have refused to come to Church have not refused because such hearing implanted them into Church-Estate but out of feare to be leavened Truth 'T is true many have suffred upon other points but upon due Examination it will appeare that the great and most universall Tryall hath been amongst both Papists and Protestants about coming to Church and that not out of feare of being leavened for what Religion is ordinarily so distrustfull of its owne strength as of Countenancing what they believe false by their presence and appearance Exam of Chap. 71. replying to Chap. 74. Peace COncerning the Papists testimonie against persecution M r Cotton replyes First why may not their Testimonie be wicked as well as their Booke confest so to be Secondly He grants that Conversion of Soules ought not to be but by Spirituall meanes Truth It is true the Authour of the Letter calls their booke wicked and themselves the Authours of persecution yet their Testimonie is in part acknowledged by M r Cotton to be true and will further appeare so to be upon Examination But whether M r Cotton allow of no other Armes then Spirituall to be used about Spirituall conversion it hath and will be further examined Peace Whereas the Papists alledge Matth. 10. that Christ Jesus sent his Ministers as sheepe among Wolves not as Wolves among sheepe to kill imprison c. M r Cotton grants this true yet adds that this hindreth not Excommunication Tit. 3. nor miraculous Vengeance against Spirituall Wolves Acts 13. where there is a gift nor their Prayers against such 2 Tim. 4. 4. nor their stirring up of the Civill power against them as Elijah did Ahab and the people against the Prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18. 40. Truth Concerning the two first we agree for the third the Prayers of Gods people against Gods Enemies we finde two-fold First Generall against all secondly Particular against some and that two-fold First for Gods Vengeance in Gods time leaving it to his holy Wisdome as Paul prayd against Alexander Secondly For present Vengeance as the Disciples desired in the case of Christ Luke 9. And against
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-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