might be a Reconciliation made betweene them without any great difficultie II. Reconciliation that we dissent but onely in sophisticall captions of words and tearmes and that but for the humors of the Diuines of both side all things might be composed very easilie But these drones and dreamers because they thinke there may be an agreement betweene Christ and Antichrist light and darkenesse truth and falshood God and the Diuell I will remit vntill some other day of hearing as being vnworthy in this place where breuity is intended and other more necessarie points to be handled to receaue their answer III. Toleration A third sort there are who to take away all contrarie profession to extirpate heresies to represse schismes to restraine sects and to procure vnitie in Religion iudge this the onely meanes to wit to permit the promiscuous vse of all Religions to tolerate all Sects to abandon no Heretique or profession whatsoeuer Which wicked deuise how contrarie it is vnto the Word of GOD and the rule of reason how abhorrent from all examples of former ages and states and how pernicious vnto the Common-wealth I will God willing declare in as few wordes and with as much perspicuitie as may be CHAP. II. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions out of the Old Testament Toleration wicked and vnlawfull prooued out of the Old Test Moses 1 IN the Old Testament all communion and societie with Idolaters heretiques and schismatiques is vtterlie forbidden and prohibited Hence it is that Moses spake vnto the Congregation Depart from the tents of these wicked men Korah Dathan and Abiram and touch nothing of theirs least you perish in all their sinnes Numb 16.26 2 It is commanded in the Law that the false Prophet and the seducing Idolater whether he be our brother or sonne or daughter or wife or friend should be taken away from amongst vs and slaine that all Israël may heare and see and feare and not dare to commit the like Thou shalt not consent vnto him saith the Text nor heare him neither shall thine eye pittie him nor shew mercie nor keepe him secrete But thou shalt euen kill him thine hand shall be first vpon him to put him to death and then the handes of all the people c. Deut. 13.1 seqq 3 Againe There shall not be amongst you man nor woman nor familie nor tribe which shall turne his hart away this day from the Lord our God to go and serue the gods of these Nations there shall not be amongst you any roote that bringeth forth Gall and Wormewood Deut. 29.18 4 Hitherto appertaineth that for the fact of Achan who tooke of the excommunicate things being sacrificed vnto Idols the Children of Israël could not stand before the face of their enemies Iosh 7.1.5 And God threatned he would be no more with them except they would destroy the peccant and guiltie person from amongst them Iosh 7.12 5 This anger of God the Israëlites feared in so much as when the Reubenites the Gadites and the halfe tribe of Manasses whose lot fell beyond the riuer built themselues an Altar vpon the borders of Iordan they came to warre against them with this exprobration Haue we too little wickednesse of Peor whereof we are not cleansed vnto this day though a Plague came vpon the congregation of the Lord Yee also are turned away this day from the Lord and seeing yee rebell this day against the Lord euen to morrow he will be wroth with all the Congregation of Israël Notwithstanding if the land of your possession be vncleane come yee ouer vnto the Land of the possession of the Lord wherein the Lords Tabernacle dwelleth and take possession among vs but rebell not against the Lord nor rebell against vs in building you an Altar besides the Altar of the Lord our God Iosh 22.17.18.19 But when the other excused themselues that they built the Altar not for sacrifices and offerings but only for a witnesse then were the Israëlites contented and their anger appeased 6 Neither doe the Scriptures forbid vs onely the companie and societie of our Bretheren which were Idolaters and Heretiques but also of any Stranger dwelling among vs and of our Neighbours about vs. Take good heed vnto your selues that you loue the Lord you God Else if you goe backe and cleaue vnto the rest of these Nations that is of them which remaine with you and shall make marriages with them and goe to them and they to you Know you for certaine that the Lord your God will cast out no moe of these Nations from before you but they shall be a snare and destruction vnto you and a whip on your sides and thornes in your eyes vntill you perishout of this good Land which the Lord your God hath giuen you Iosh 23.11.12.13 7 Hereupon after the death of Ioshua The Booke of Iudges when the Israëlites had made a league with the Cananites an Angell of the Lord came vp from Gilgal to Bochim saying in the person of God I promised that I would neuer breake my couenant with you so that you made no couenant with the Inhabitants of this Land but breake downe their Altars But you haue not obeyed my voice Why haue you done this Wherefore I will not cast them out before you but they shal be as thornes vnto your sides and their gods shall be your destruction Iudg. 2.2.3 By the example of Kings 8 Diuerse was the estate of the Kings of Israël and Iudah according as they walked with God prospering when they trusted in God and worshipped him purely and sincerely and decaying when they forsooke him and corrupted the sinceritie of Gods worship and Religion The Kingly Prophet Dauid exhorteth Kings to be wise Dauid and Iudges to be well aduised that they worship GOD and his Annoynted denouncing to the Aduersaries the Almightie power of Christ to the confusion of all that set themselues against him Psal 2.10.11.12 9 And for himselfe speaking of Idolaters he protesteth saying Their offerings of blood will I not offer neither make mention of their names with my lips Psal 16.4 Wherefore this godly King had a very prosperous raigne and good successe in all things as himselfe often acknowledgeth 1. Sam. 15. Psal 18.2 Sam. 22. 10 King Salomon Salomon his Sonne because he fully established the seruice of God according to all that had beene commanded by the Prophets the Lord also established his seate and encreased his glory aboue all the Kings of the earth till he began to decline from the Lord his God and brought the abhominable Idols of the Strange women whom he loued into his Kingdome and houses 1. King 10. Then the Lord raysed vp his Seruant against him who also in the daies of his Sonne so rent away the ten tribes of Israël from the house of Dauid that they neuer returned vnto it againe 11 Rehoboam Salomons Sonne Rehoboam because he permitted Iudah to corrupt true Religion
to be contrarie to the word let vs see awhile what course is best in humane and ciuill policie Fol. 15 a The wisest Princes and greatest statesmen indure within their dominions in the 2 We vnderstand not what case this is case proposed diuerse sects and sorts of Religion contrary to their owne lett vs behold the experience as well of those that endure them as of those that haue bent their forces by violence to roote them out as first for example our late Queene was not of her selfe enclined to force or constraine the consciences of the Papistes her subiects and with that moderate course which she held in the beginning of her raigne she gained the generall good liking of all parts and liued in great securitie of her person But when she was once drawne by men of violent spirits to roote them out by losse of fortunes libertie and 3 She neuer put any to death but for Treason life she found by experience that 4 A manifest vntruth the more they were afflicted the more their numbers daily increased and her selfe put often in feare as well of insurrections at home as inuasions from abroade vnder colour of relieuing men so grieuously oppressed The greatest force that euer she vsed to roote them out was about the yeare of our Lord 1581. and inquirie being made in the yeare following of the number of Recusants they were found by the bils b of Sir Owen Hopton then Lieuetenant of the Towre and others in commission to haue increased in the circuit of that yeare 5 A thing altogether vnlikely ten for one She assaied an other way by banishment of some losse of goods and life of others yet left she at her death 6 The reason hereof see in the Answere more Papistes then when she first began those violent courses besides huge numbers of close Papistes and their well-willers among which are many of high calling who in regard that it concerneth their 7 And yet this fellow is no Papist forsooth Soules and euerlasting life could not liue but with a most fearefull disgust The warres also which haue beene continued in Ireland against Oneale Desmound and Tirone haue beene tedious bloody and coastly all which might haue beene auoyded with carying a gentle hand euer them and suffering them according to their Religion which notwithstanding is so firmely grounded in their harts as very fewe persons of marke doe at this time embrace the 8 Note the Libellers gall in this tearme libertie of the Gospell besides that the countrey hath beene in hazard to be lost and planted with 9 And all by the disloyaltie of Papistes a potent enemie Of the late Queenes proceedings against Papists As it is true that Consciences are not to be compelled but perswaded by force of truth and vse of all good meanes of instruction So it is certaine also that Causes of conscience when they grow to be matter of faction loose their nature wherefore Princes may and ought to punish exorbitant practises albeit coloured with pretence of conscience in Religion According vnto these principles hath that Mirrour of this Age our late Soueraigne Lady Queene ELIZABETH of eternall memorie behaued her selfe during the whole time of her happie raigne Comming to the Crowne detesting the Popish Tyrannie which by terrour and rigour ouerruled mens consciences with great wisedome she permitted onely the exercise of true Religion and tolerated the Papistes with vnspeakeable lenitie expecting that time would worke some good effect in them Popish Bulls against the Queene In the meane time when the Pope by intercession and intreatie of other Princes abroad could not preuaile with her Maiestie to receaue againe into her kingdome the contagion of Popish Heresie then he beganne to thunder out Bulles and excommunications against her which for many yeeres her Maiestie suffered quietly accompting them but as words or winde or water bubbles without punishing the diuulgers and fautours of them But after some proofe perceiuing that some intemperate and factious Subiects tooke courage thereby she could not but esteeme them to be preambles and forerunners of greater danger And therefore for her defence against them she reuiued former lawes to prohibite the publication or execution of such kinde of Bulles within her Realme and Dominions The Bull of Pius V. Notwithstanding this prohibition the Papistes abusing her Maiesties lenitie and clemency brought the said Bulles plentifully into the Realme to moue sedition and at length most impudently and most arrogantly set vp one of them publiquely vpon the gate of the Bishop of Londons pallace wherein her Maiestie was denounced to be no lawfull Queene and her Subiects drawne vpon paine of eternall damnation from her obedience Now who can in common Reason and Sense mislike that her Maiesty finding this kinde of denunciation of warre as a defiance to be made in her imperiall Citie by one of her Subiects auowing and obstinately maintaining the same should according to iustice cause the offendour to haue the reward due to such a fact Felton executed This was the first action of any capitall punishment inflicted for matter sent from Rome to moue rebellion which was about the 12. yeere of her Maiesties Raigne Rebellion in the North. Hereat the Pope burning with indignation and furie from words and writings fell to actions and practises against her Maiestie the State soliciting and prouoking her Noblemen and Subiects to disobedience and open rebellion Whereupon ensued the rebellion of the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland and their adherents in the North who putting themselues in armes against their liege Lady required by solemne Proclamation forsooth not onely safe conduct and libertie for the Masse but also the releasing of prisoners banishing of preachers reuersing of lawes and displacing of Counsellors whom the Queene subdued by her forces Inuasion of Ireland Not satisfied herewith the Pope entertained the Traitors and rebells that escaped out of the Realme for the rebellion and sent them with certaine bands of Souldiers and Captaines of his owne furnished with treasure munition victuals ensignes banners and all other things requisite for warre into the Realme of Ireland where the same forces with other auxiliar companies out of Spaine fortifying themselues very strongly on the sea side proclaimed open warre erecting the Popes banner against the Queene and also sent certaine disguised fugitiues into England secretly to allure the people to new rebellions But through Gods power and speciall helpe her Maiestie by lawes suppressed the factious stirrers of sedition in England and by her sword vanquished all the Popes forces in Ireland The Originall of Seminary Priests And when the Pope saw that he could not preuaile by way of force and violence he deuised to erect vp certaine Schooles which he tearmed Seminaries to nourish and bring vp persons naturally disposed to sedition to become seedes-men in the tillage of Rebellion and them to send secretly into these
Parma with Spanish forces taking the Rebells part against their lawfull king with Cyclopicall immanitie set vpon them of the Religion whom they could not subdue by any force of armes because it was but vaine for them to fight against GOD. And the Duke of Parma his disgraces and shame in those attempts are commonlie knowne How curteously the Pope entreated Henry 4. K. of France But for the Pope his curteous entreating of the now king of France besides that thereby he prouided for his owne commodity and profites in that kingdome What curteous dealing was it to lash such a mightie king in the person of his Embassadour at Rome after the singing of euery verse of Miserere vntill the whole Psalme was sung out The king of Great Brittaine will neuer enuie or grudge this humanitie and curtesie vnto any Of the queen Mothers dealing towards Protestants The Queene Mother desirous to retaine the Regency in her owne hands during the minoritie of her Sonnes vsed those of the house of Guise as a counterpoyse vnto the Princes of the bloud but neuer granted any thing vnto the Protestants but what had beene granted and ratified before by many publique Edicts Yea from the yeere of our Lord 1562. vntill the yeere 1588. Ian. 5. which was the time of her death she omitted no sleight deuise cunning policie nor diuellish practise that she could possiblie inuent vtterly to extirpate and roote out the Religion out of the kingdome of France As for the Duke Mommorancy the Duke Buillon the Lord of Diguieres and such other they do but as they are bound to doe by publique Edicts Now then let vs see what successe thay had that tooke the contrary course of violence Truxes in these our daies B. of Colen became a Lutheran and desirous to bring the Countrey of his Electorship and so in time the whole Empire to Lutheranisme vsed no violence against his subiects that were Papistes 1 Trucces neuer vsed violence a-against any man first nor last vntill Cassimere gaue him contrarie councell by which he cleane ouerthrew himselfe liued in banishment died in beggerie and left the Countrey without 2 False all hope of euer enioying the Gospell againe The zeale of the Archduke of Stiria was highly commended by the Papistes for his religious minde but not for his vndiscreete attempts in banishing them that were of a contrary Religion out of all his dominions except they would become Papist like himselfe and now it is euident that the moderate gouernment of his Father was much better who considering how dangerous a neighbour he had and the number of those who otherwise would haue liued discontented in his Countrey permitted them their Religion and intreated them no worse then a his other subiects whereby he ended his daies in peace Fol. 18 whereas his Sonne following a more heady course of gouernment was the occasion that some of his subiects 3 Being banished thence vpon pain of Death departed their Countrey and had 4 Most false entercourse with the Turke others stayed and dissembled their Religion while Canisia the key and stay of that countrey was deliuered vp 5 Because they could not choose the Turke winning the same by the dint of his sword by them to the Turke who the more freely spoiled all the Land because the Archduke hauing lost the harts of his subiects wanted men and meanes to resist him A worthy but lamentable mirror for all Princes to looke in and behold how perillous a thing it is to vse violence against 6 Against true Religion whatsoeuer Religion but especially for England that so neere at hand hath such mightie Kings who perhaps would be glad of the like occasions We haue sometimes supported their 7 A lying Libeller subiects against them for zeale of Religion and therefore we haue iust cause to feare the like measure If Charles 5. in Germany had not abated the flame of ciuill warres 8 by forbearing to persecute true Religion by his conniuence and toleration the French King had made as easie an entrance into other parts of the Empire as he did into b those three Imperiall townes Metz Towle and Verdun but by the losse of these Citties his successours haue learned to take a more milde course with their subiects of whatsoeuer Religion least they should open a more dangerous gap for the Turke the professed enemie of the Empire and all Christendome The like toleration as in the Empire is all so permitted in the kingdome of 9 We liue not by examples but by Lawes and rule of Reason Poland by reason of the Moscouit bordering vpon them and in Dantzik as you know there is publique profession of both Religions In Zuitzerland at the first heate many a bloody battaile was fought for Religion but in time they learned to ioyne wisedome with zeale for conseruation of the state and now they liue in peace with all securitie tolerating within their Cantons the one and the other Religion If the King of Spaine had at first permitted libertie of Religion in the lowe Countries he had spared many a million both of men and money and enioyed with peace that which he is neuer like to recouer In that glasse likewise may we see how ready 10 Great in the Libellers malice against the late Queene but God be thanked her Maiestie had neede neither to feare nor to enuie any King or Prince whatsoeuer Princes are vpon such occasions to weaken the forces of other a Princes their neighbours whose puissance they feare or enuie their glory Fol. 19 But now let vs looke home and we shall 11 The infatuated Libeller can see nothing but Papists see Ireland ouergrowen with Papistes who haue not dissembled themselues as by the late warres appeared but especially at the Queenes death when not onely in the Countrey 12 The Libellers generall and vniuersall Lie generally but also in the chiefe townes where they were most restrained made their publike processions after the Papisticall fashion where the Right honourable the now Earle of Deuenshire most sage and wise in his gouernment not by force but 13 True when he had fairely hanged vp the principall Agents in that vile attempt faire meanes suppressing their feruour conserued the Countrey in peace and obedience to his Maiestie and we see that the King doth not dislike that course by his singular fauour to 14 His Maiestie did but gratiously ratifie the pardon which the Queene had granted before Tyrone and his complices Scotland for the face of the Church is generally of our reformed Religion yet hath the Papist part 15 Popish sclanders of the Liberller so great a sway in the Countrey and so mightie a support of the Nobilitie that not many yeares since they encountred the Earle of Arguile in the fielde and gaue him the ouerthrowe Howbeit they 16 Loyall Subiects needed ot to haue fled fled before the face of the
to make them high places and Images and groues on euery high hill and vnder euery greene tree therefore Shishak King of Egypt came vp against Ierusalem and tooke the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the Kings house and tooke away all c. 1. King 14.23.25 12 Abiiah the Sonne of Rehoboam because he walked in his Fathers sinnes Abiiah and was polluted with Idols had continuall warre with Ieroboam King of Israël 1. King 15.3.7 13 But this Abiiah obiected against Ieroboam that he could not prosper because he had erected Idols in his kingdome and had made him Priestes contrarie to the Law and assured himselfe of Gods assistance against him for this reason because they had the Lord for their God who was their Captaine and his lawfull Priestes the Sonnes of Aaron sounding the Lords trumpets in the fielde before them Therefore saith he O yee children of Israël fight not against the Lord God of your Fathers for ye shall not prosper And accordingly it is added that the Israëlites were ouercome hauing fiue hundred thousand men of warre slaine and the Iewes were strengthened because they rested vpon the Lord God of their Fathers 2. Chron. 13. throughout 14 Asa Asa his Sonne one while prospered when he put away all the Idols that his Father had made and then decayed when he followed the vaine discourse of flesh and blood and sought vnto the Assyrians for helpe 1. King 15.10 2. Chron. 14.1 c. 15 Iehoshaphat the Sonne of Asa prospered and grew vp on high Ichoshaphat because he lifted vp his hart vnto the waies of the Lord and tooke away the high mountaines and groues out of Iudah 2. Chron. 17.6.12 Notwithstanding he is reprooued for his affinitie and societie with wicked Achab King of Israël 2. Chron. 19.2 16 Amasiah Amasiah because he obeyed not the Prophet but defiled himselfe with Idolatrie heard this saying I know that the Lord hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this 2. Chron. 35.16 17 The same thing also caused Azariah or Vzziah first to fall into sinne Azariah and then to become a leper 2. King 15.4.5 2. Chron. 26. 18 It was an obiection against Iotham the sonne of Azariah Iotham and a great fault laid to his charge 2. King 15.35 Ahaz as also vnto Ahaz his sonne 2. King 16.4 and to Manasses after his repentance 2 Chron. 33.17 that they tooke not away the high places 19 Ezechiah Ezechiah because he tooke away the high places and brake the images and cut downe the groues and brake in pieces the brasen Serpent and trusted in the Lord God of Israël deserued this commendation that after him there was none like him among all the Kings of Iudah neither were there any such before him 2. King 18.4.5 20 Manasses Manasses his Sonne falling into Idolatrie was carried away prisoner into Babylon but humbling himselfe and praying vnto GOD he was restored againe to his kingdome which he purged from Idolatrous worship 2. Chron. 23.11.12.15 Albeit it was a blemish vnto him that he tooke not away the high places as we haue noted before 21 Notable is the historie of King Iosiah Iosiah who did vprightly in the sight of the Lord walked in all the waies of Dauid and bowed neither to the right hand nor to the left who read the law before the people put downe the Idols killed their Priests destroied the Coniurers and at last was mercifullie taken away that his eies should not see all the euill which the Lord was to bring vpon Ierusalem 2. King 22. and 23. throughout also 2. Chron. 34. and 35. 22 Nebuchadnezzar when he had seene the power of God in the deliuerie of Shadrach Nebuchadnezzar Meshach and Abednago made this decree saying I make a decree that euery nation people and language which speake any blasphemie against the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednago shal be drawen in pieces and their houses shal be made a iakes Dan. 3.29 23 King Darius seeing Daniel strangely deliuered from the Lions denne Darius made this decree that all people nations and languages in the world should reuerence and feare the God of Daniel Dan. 6.25.26 24 The King of Niniueh compelled the whole Citie to humble themselues before God King of Niniuth to turne from their euill way and from the wickednesse that was in their handes Ionah 3.6 seqq 25 Ieroboam King of Israël Ieroboam knowing that vnity in Religion would turne the hearts of the people to the obedience of Rehoboam brought in new worship and caused them to commit Idolatrie And Ieroboam thought in his heart saith the text Now shall the kingdome returne to the house of Dauid If this people go vp and do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Ierusalem then shall the heart of this people turne againe vnto their Lord euen to Rehoboam King of Iudah so shall they kill me and goe againe to Rehoboam King of Iudah Whereupon the king tooke counsell and made two calues of gold and said vnto them It is too much for you to goe vp to Ierusalem Behold ô Israël thy gods which brought thee vp out of the land of Aegypt and he set the one in Bethel and the other in Dan. 1. King 12.26.27.28.29 Whereupon the Children of Iudah were interdicted their company 26 And of the Prophets A man of God And when a Prophet sent from Iudah did but goe in vnto another Prophet sent from Iudah did but goe in vnto another Prophet in Bethel to eate bread he was slaine by a Lion as he returned homeward 1. King 13.24 27 The Prophet Elias could not endure mixture of Religion but exhorted the people to one Religion saying How long halt you between two opinions If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal be he then go after him 1. King 18.21 28 The Lord saith by the Prophet Zephaniah Zephaniah I will stretch out mine hand vpon them that worship and sweare by the Lord and sweare by Malcham Zephan 1.5 Hosea Amos Micah 29 Hoseah Amos and Micah directed their Prophecies against the tribe of Ephraim or Samaria with whom Iudah had made a league 30 I will adde this one out of the Apocrypha that Iudas Macchabeus being alwaies a Conquerour as soone as he had made a league with the Romans was presently ouercome and perished and his Brethren when they had renewed their friendship with them and with the Spartanes neuer prospered in batraile 1. Macch. cap. 1. and 9. and 12. and 14. and 16. These and infinite such like auctorities and examples declare that puritie of Religion and true pietie are the foundation of all true wisedome and policie and the cause of all happie successe and prosperitie and that impietie idolatrie heresie corruption and mixture of diuers Religions what shew so euer it hath of outward commoditie and profit for a season yet indeed