Peace Master Cottons second Answer is that the persecuting Emperors and governors of Provinces under them attended not to the conviction of christians nor did they endeavour to make it appear that the Christians sinned against the light of their consciences and therefore no marvel if it bred in the people a just opinion of the cruelty of persecutors and of the innocency of christians Truth Let it be granted that the Roman Emperors did not attend to nor endeavour this yet the Roman Popes and all the Antichrist governors of their mystical Provinces Bishops and Preists have professedly compassed Sea and Land to make a Proselyte Peace T is true the history of the death of the Saints slaughtered by such persecutors abundantly testifie this and yet their persecution will be found no other then cruelty and murther and the opinion of it will never be razed out of the heart of Gods people whatever the whole world which wonders after and worships the beast think to the contrary Truth And I add that herein Master Cottons former position to wit that hereticks must be punished by the civil sword for sinning against the light of their own conscience accords fully with the Popish clamors the hereticks mouths are stopped they are convinced they have not a word to say and yet they are obstinate away with them hang them burn them Peace Master Cotton saith It is an untrue intimation of the discusser that Antoninus forbod the persecuting of christians upon any such ground Truth That it may not rest upon the discussers credit or discredit I think it not unseasonable if I present to English eyes the English testimony of the diligent and praise worthy-Chronicler John Speede who also ingageth Eusebiâ—s his credit and thus relateth the effect of Antoninus his mind in these words The Emperor Caesar Marcus Auâ—â—lâ—us Antoninus c. Unto the Commons of Asia Sendeth Greeting I Doudt not but the Gods themselves have a care that wicked persons shall be brought to light for it doth much more appertaine to them then it doth to you to punish such as refuse to yeeld them worship but this course which you take doth confirme them whom you persecute in this their opinion of you That you are impious men and meer Atheists whereby it commeth to pass that they desire in the quarrel of their GOD rather to die then to yeeld to the will of such as you are and to embrace your form of Religion Let it not seem unseasonable to call to your remembrance the Earthquakes which lately have happsned and which are yet to your great terrour and grief because I understand that in such like Accidents you â—ast the Envy of such common misfortune upon their Shoulders whereby their confidence and trust in their GOD is much the more increased Whereas you being ignorant of the true causes of such things do both neglect the worship of the other Gods and also banish and persecute the servants of the immortal GOD whom the Christians do worship and you persecute to the death all the embracers of that profession In the behalf of these men many of the Provinces President have written before to my Father of famous memory to whom he answered That they should not be molested unless they were proved to have practised Treason against the Imperial State and concerning the same matter some have given notice to me to whom I answered with like moderation as my Father did before me And by our Edict do ordaine That if any hereafter be found thus busie in molesting these kind of men without any their offence We command that he that is accused upon this point be absolved albeit he be proved to be such an one as he is charged to be that is a Christian and he that is his accuser shall suffer the sanâ—e Punishment which he sought to procure unto the other In this passage the wise and experienced Emperor observeth many reasons for the toleration of Christians and insinuates that the persecuting of the Christians confirmed them in their opinion that their persecutors were not only cruel for that is the least that can be implied in persecution but also as the words run impious men and meer Atheists Peace Dear Truth your observation forceth from my peaceable mind this Testimony which oft to my grief and horror mine eares have heard many persons I hope in their persons chosen of the Lord having as they conceived suffered persecution from the hands and by the means of many worthy men both of Magistracy and Ministry of New England I say they have been by such persecution so far from being wrought on c. that they have been moulded into a strong apprehension that it was impossible that such their persecutors should be men of any fear of God but meer dissemblers time-servers Jehues reformers for their own ends of honor ease and liberty from the cross of Christ which apprehension although the discusser to my knowledge hath often labored to root out of many yet could he hardly prevaile to stir it so groslly odious unchristian or antichristian appears the ugly face of persecution c. Examination of CHAP. XLI Peace IN the discussing of the prophecy of Isaiah and Micah concerning the breaking of swords into plowshares and speares into pruning-hooks truely interpreted to foretell the meek temper of Christians in bringing others to Christ Jesus Master Cotton excepts against the discussers observation upon Master Cottons similitude from Wolves which he would have driven out from the sheepfold The observation was this or to this effect That if civil power might force the wolves out it might force the sheep in Truth The discusser denied not the use of Christs spiritual power for the life of his sheep and destruction of the Wolves but heaven and earth shall fall before this truth to wit That power that driveth Wolves out may drive sheep in If spiritual power drive out the wolfe spiritual also drives in the sheep but if civil power to wit by swords whips prisons burnings c. drives out the spiritual or mystical Wolfe the same undeniably must drive in the sheep Peace Yea but Master Cotton too too weakly would please himself upon the word same a father saith he with a staffe or sword may drive away dogs that might by the way worry or bite his children going to School may he therefore with a staffe or sword drive his children to School and are wolves to be driven away and sheep brought into the fold by the same instruments The dog that teares a wolfe if he tear the sheep also will finde an halter c. Truth Master Cotton hath had a name for a man of Moses spirit of a meek and gentle temper he cannot but know he hath lost that name with thousands â—earing God by not putting that difference between the Wolves and the sheep the Egyptians and the Israelites as Moses did Moses killed the Egyptian he reproves the Israelite All that
the professors of it And how neer will Master Cotton be found to close with that late bloody Woolfe so far as his chaine reached Bishop Laud who being an instrument of the bloody hunting and worrying of those three famous witnesses of Christ Master Prin Master Bastwick and Master Burton yet at their publike sentence in the Star-chamber he lamentably complained that those poor Lambs did bark and bite him with unjust reproaches slanders c Examination of CHAP. XII Peace MAster Cotton here first complaineth that his words are misreported concerning the punishment of the heretick after once or twice admonition Tit. 3. 10. Truth I desire that others may judge in three particulars First whether the summ and pith of the words are not rendred 2. Whether this Titus 3. was brought by Master Cotton to prove as is now pretended that an Heretick might be persecuted with an excommunication after once or twice admonition or whether the question be not of another kind of persecution 3. Whether that Tit. 3. 11. do hold forth That although a man be a heretick blasphemer seducer he may be punished with a Civil or corporeal punishment yea though he sin against his own conscience I add a fourth whether indeed as Master Cotton intimates the discusser makes this Tit. 3 a refuge for hereticks Great sound and noise makes this word heretick heretick I dare appeal to Master Cottons conscience and memory whether the reading of histories and the experience of time will not evince and prove that hereticks and Christians hereticks and Martyrs or witnesses of Christ have not been the same men and women I say againe that such as have been ordinarily and commonly accounted and persecuted for hereticks have been the servants of the most high God and the followers and witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ Peace You know dear truth the catalogues of heresies and hereticks extant c. Truth Grant it sweet peace that some in all times have suffered for erroneous conscience Yet I dare challenge the father of lies himself to disprove this assertion That the most of such beyond all comparison that have ever suffered in this world for hereticks have been the disciples and followers of Christ Jesus And on that not only the Lions Leopards the Bears Woolves and Tygers the bloody Pharoahs Sauls Herods Neroes Popes Prelates c. should fetch from hence their persecuting arrows and commissions but that even the Davids the men after Gods own heart the Asa's whose hearts are perfect with God that such as are the sheep and lambs of Christ should be so monstrously changed and transformed into lyons beares c. yea and should flie to this holy Scripture of Tit. 3. for this their unnatural and monstrous change and transformation Examination of CHAP. XIII Peace IN this 13 Chapter dear truth you argue the great mistake of the world in their common clamour an heretick an heretick a person obstinate in fundamentals and you prove that this word heretick intends no more then a person obstinate against the admonitions of the Lord although in lesser matters upon this Master Cotton concludes in this 13 Chapter that the discusser gives a larger allowance for proceeding against erroneous persons then himself did Truth I must deny that the discusser gives a larger allowance then Master Cotton or any at all that the hereticks or obstinate person should be dealt withall by the Civil Magistrates of Crete but onely by the spiritual power of the Lord Jesus 1. For first What though I granted that an obstinate person contending about Genealogies ought not to be suffered but after once or twice admonition ought to be rejected And 2. What though I grant that after such faithful admonitions once or twice he cannot but be condemned of himself yet according to his third answer how will it appear that I grant that an heretick is rightly defined to be one obstinate in fundamentals when I maintaine and Master Cotton seemeth to grant that the heretick may be such an one as is obstinate in lesser points and practises 3. Further let the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imply an overturning yet will it not follow that therefore an heretick is he who is wilfully obstinate in holding forth such errors as subvert the foundation of the Christian religion For however that Master Cotton saith That such disputes may tend to overthrow Christianity yet that is but in remote possibility as the prick of a finger may kill the heart if it ranckle and fester and so go on from member to member without means applyed yet this cannot be said to be a mortal wound at first So is it in the body of Christ Peace The Apostle discoursing of meats and drinks of eating and drinking with offence calls an offensive eating a destruction of the soul for which Christ died and yet I suppose he will not say that that difference was a fundamental difference Truth It hath been a gross and barbarous mistake of the monopolizers of learning both divine and humane The Clergy both of Popish and Protestant factions and worships And how many are the thousands of millions of abuses prophanations and blasphemies against the God of heaven in all the Antichristian Christendome in all preachings writings proceedings and processes touching this name heretick heresie c By the impartial censure of the Lord he is an heretick who wilfully persists in any sinful doctrine against the due admonitions of the Lord for every bit and parcell of leaven is to be purged out of the house of God as well as the greater and fundamentall lumps Examination of CHAP. XIV Peace IT is a falshood saith Master Cotton that I call the slight listnings of Gods people to the checks of their consciences their sinning against their conscience for I speak not saith he of the sinning of Gods people against conscience but of an heretick subverted much less do I call their slight listening to conscience an heretical sinning against conscience least of all do I say that for slight listening to the checks of conscience he may lawfully be persecuted as for sinning against his conscience And he adds this gall to the former vinegar Thus men that have time and leasure at will set up images of clouts and then shoot at them Truth Master Cotton elsewhere granteth that Gods children may through passion c. be carried on to despise admonition and may be excommunicated and if so how can they refusing of Christs admonition in the church be excused from sinning against the self condemning of themselves For if a child of God may possibly be excommunicated for obstinacy in some passion temptations c. then may he be this heretick or wilfull man in this Tit. 3. T is true that in an houre of great temptations Gods people may sin against clear light of conviction and sentence of conscience as David and Peter c. But as I conceive the holy Spirit of God in this 3 of Titns
of Prage are declared for devils with the pictured devils upon their heads and under this cloud of heresie and black name of hereticks most commonly have suffered in all ages the true messengers of Christ Jesus Thus cryed they out Acts 17. These are they that have turned the world upside down and are come hither also and thus did they set the City all on an uproare And Acts 19. not the worshippers of Christ fill'd the whole City with confusion but the worshipers of Diana who filled the heavens with that Bedlam Outery of two houres continuance Great is Diana of the Ephesians Truth With as little reason and peaceableness of spirit hath our English Nation used to cry Great is the Church of Rome Great is our holy Father the Pope Great the Mass Great the Virgin Mary Great the General Councels c. And in later times Great the Church of England Great the Christian Magistrate Great the Ministery and Bishops of England Great the swearing and covenant of the people c. and such as dissent from us in these points and practices persecute them as hereticks and disturbers of the common civil peace Peace In the rest of this Chapter Master Cotton makes three grants with his exceptions annexed Truth Please you dear peace to mention them in one and accordingly I shall weigh them in the balance together Peace 1. Saith he The many causes which the discusser before wrote of are all of them allowed but none of them concern holding forth of errors which is the point in hand 2. Saith he It is easily granted that they do break the Cities or kingdoms peace who cry out for prisons and swords against such who cross their judgement or practice in religion to wit saith he unless their religion be of God and the crossing of it be such as destroyeth and subverteth the Religion of God 3. It is also easily granted saith he that many complaine most who are most in fault themselves Truth To these three I may answer thus in one The Mystery of preaching or holding forth the witness of the Truth of Jesus is interpreted by many to be the Mystery of the first seal the white horse and the being persecuted or slaughtered for the word of God and testimony of Jesus to be the Mystery of the third seal where the souls under the Altar cry to the Lord for vengeance against their persecutors These mysteries are sealed up and they are the Lords letters not to be opened and read by every one but as sealed letters be by such to whom they are directed Peace It follows therefore that in the midst of all the cries of Iews Pagans Turkes and Antichristians Our Religion is the Religion of God You are an heretick you are a persecutor We are true Christians we are persecuted c. that the hearts of Gods children must be comforted and staid up with the sight of this Mystery And doubtless it is most commonly though not alwayes true that the imprisoned fined whipt banished hanged burned c. in point of Religion have been so inhumanely oppressed for the word of God and the Testimony of Iesus Our own Chronicles Records of England and blessed Master Fox will in part evidence to us that scarce a King or Queen of England hath past since Richard the second his time but the blood of the witnesses of Iesus more or less hath been spilt in their Raignes as the blood of Hereticks Schismaticks c. and but few drops of the blood of any Heretick indeed have faln to the ground Truth The discusser therefore humbly to my knowledge desireth according to Master Cottons wish to reflect upon his own way and humbly to beg of God two things for himself and all in any measure censured and persecuted as hereticks First Iosephs innocency purity chastity in all those points and questions wherein they are charged and condemned unclean Secondly Iesephs patience to bear the accusations censures imprisonments c. from the tongues and hands of them who are notoriously unclean and guilty before the zealous and revenging eye and hand of God Examination of CHAP. XVIII Peace MAny of the following leaves and Chapters dear truth are spent upon that great and heavenly parable of the Tares a knot about which so many holy fingers dead and living have been so laboriously exercised all professing to unty yet some by seeming to untie have tyed the knot the faster Truth It is no wonder sweet peace to finde Master Cotton so intangled both in his answers and replies touching this Parable for men of all sorts in former ages have been so intangled before him To which purpose with thy patience I shall relate a notable passage recorded by that excellent witness or Martyr of God Master Fox in his book of Acts and Monuments t is this In the story of Master George Wisehart that famous Scotch witness of Christ Iesus in the dayes of King Henry the eighth there preached at the arraignment of the said Wiseheart one Iohn Winryme subprior of the Abbey of Saint Andrews he discoursed on the Parable of the Tares he interpreted the Tares to be hereticks and yet contrary to this very Scripture as Master Fox himself observeth though elswhere himself also maintaining it the duty of the civil Magistrate to suppress hereticks I say the said Winryme concludeth that hereticks ought not to be let alone until the harvest but to be supprest by the power of the civil Magistrate So that memorable it is that both the Popish Prior and that truely Christian Fox were intangled in contradictions to their own writings about the interpreting of this Heavenly Scripture Peace O what cause therefore have all that follow Iesus to beg of Iesus as the Disciples did the blessed Key of David to unloose this holy mistery In the entrance therefore of this discourse the discusser observing Master Cottons exposition to be fallacious and the Tares to be interpreted either persons or doctrines or practices he blames that Master Cotton gives no argument for proof of such an interpretation Master Cotton replies First Neither did the Author of the letter give reason for his interpretation 2. That they both gave one interpretation For the Author of the letter said that some expounded the Wheat and Tares to signifie such as walk in truth and such as walk in lyes now are not saith Master Cotton hypocrites and some corrupt doctrines and practices coincident with such as walk in lyes c Truth I answer First it might be both their failing not to strengthen their interpretations with some light and evidence from Scripture or reason although the Prisoners failing the less as being forced to write by shifts and difficulties in prison and so the shorter when Master Cotton had free liberty to inlarge and confirm without control c. 2. When the prisoner interprets the Tares to be such as walk in lyes it will be found evident upon examination that
wit an impossibility of repentance and forgiveness of sins either in this or the world to come And for the present at every turn he concludes them hypocrites blind guides which could not escape the judgement of Hell So that all other sences of those words Let them alone that is of not reprooving them cannot stand nor if it were the duty of the Ministers of Christ to stir up the civil Magistrate against such hypocritical and blasphemous Pharisees could Christ Jesus himself or his servants the Apostles be excused for not complaining to the Romane State against them So leaving the blame upon the conscience of the governors if the land were not purged of such blasphemers and fundamental opposers of the Son of God Let me me end sweet peace with the bottome of all such persecutions Satan rageth against God and his Christ that devil that cast the Saints into prison Rev. 2. what instruments soever he useth would cast Christ himself into prison againe and to the gallows againe if he came again in person into any the most refined persecuting state in the world Examination of CHAP. XXX Peace I Doubt not dear truth in the first place but you cast an observant eye on Master Cottons collections in this Chapter from Pauls words Acts 25. 11. I will mention the two first 1. That a man may be such an offender in matters of Religion against the law of God against the Church as well as in civil matters against Caesar as to be worthy of death 2. That if a servant of God should commit any such offence he would not refuse judgement to the death vers 11. Truth Paul onely saith in the general If I have committed ought worthy of death I refuse not to die Now therefore as Paul said No man that is no man justly may deliver me to the Jews So say I no man from these words of Paul without wronging him and his Master the God of Truth can draw such a conclusion as if Paul had acknowledged it evil in him to have preached against the laws of the Jews or the temple which the Lord Jesus and his servants after him so abundantly did although at this time in point of fact Paul might well say he had not done ought against the law of the Jews I mean the ceremonial law and the Temple for he had now observed the ceremonies of the Law and the holiness of the Temple although for this some use to blame him not discerning that Paul knew there was a time to honour those ceremonies even after Christs death and a time as much to debase dishonour and abolish them Peace His third collection is That it is lawfull even in Ecclesiastical causes to appeale to a Pagan Magistrate Truth As I utterly renounce such a conclusion any otherwise then in respect of civil violence offered for a mans conscience which violence Caesar ought to see revenged and punished so neither will this instance of Paul prove it for in appealing to an higher Judge a man alwayes presupposeth if not skill perfect yet competent skill and a true power committed from God to judge in such cases which Paul for many reasons both in this Chapter and elsewhere manifested could not suppose in the Romane Caesars or any civil Magistrate Peace Master Cotton urgeth that these words verse 9. These Things imply matters of Religion as well as civil things Truth Those words These Things were not the words of Paul but the words of Festus 2. Grant them Pauls words yet if for those things the Jews seek his life Paul well appeals to Caesar against them for Caesar is bound to protect the bodies goods or good names of his subjects either from false accusations in civil things or persecution for matters of conscience which is a violence against the civil state of which Caesar was the supreme officer Peace His fourth collection is that civil Magistrates may and ought to â—e acquainted with all matters of Religion especially capital Truth In twenty five parts of the world of thirty civil Magistrates cannot possibly be thus acquainted for the sound of Christ Jesus is not there to be heard as the best Historians and Cosmographers yeeld Peace It seemes strange if Christ Jesus had intended any such delegation of spiritual power to civil Magistrates that he should keep the very sound of his name from them Againe in the other five parts of the world where his name is sounded how rarely hath he acquainted any civil Magistrate with the saving knowledge of his will Truth I add that such rare ones that savingly know Christ Jesus and his will are no judges in such cases over the consciences of their brethren or any by way of civil judicature this very instance of Pauls appealing to Caesar hath and shall further declare and mainfest Peace But what should be the reason why Master Cotton affirmeth That the civil Magistrate ought to be able to judge of all capital offences against Religion but not of all questions Truth The truth is if the civil Magistrate were a Surgeon appointed of Christ Iesus to judge in causes that concern cutting of life and limbe c. he would beyond all question be able to judge of petty cuts wounds c. But Satan that old deceiver that knew by Gods permission how to cozen Adam David Solomon Peter the most perfect wise and holiest of Gods servants is not now to learn how to cheat Master Cotton also Satan well â—ees if Master Cotton should grant it the Magistrates duty to judge in lesser questions the hope of Benefices and Livings were gone and the trade of Synods would down And if he should not grant it to be the Magistrates duty to judge in capitals the Pope the Bishops and all persecuting priests would want the secular power the servile executioners of their most wicked and most bloody decrees and sentences Peace In the next place Master Cotton seemes to charge a contradiction upon the discusser for saying that civil Magistrates were never appointed by God defenders of the faith of Iesus and yet every one is bound to put forth his utmost powers in Gods business Truth Love hath charged the discusser to spare the â—â—â—rm of contradiction in many passages of Master Cottons writing where he hath to his understanding observed them to prevent exasperations c. contrarily Master Cotton against the discusser straines the text and Margin to sound out contradictions contradictions to all passengers But let us examine And first Master Cotton will not deny but the son of perdition the Pope of Rome whose coming and practice is by the work of the devil was the blasphemous author he and his Cardinals in Councel together of that title defender of the faith sent with great gratitude and solemnity to Henry the eighth as a kingly popelike reward for penning or bearing the name of a blasphemous writing against Christ Iesus in his holy truth proclaimed by Luther Peace With
Mahumeâ—ans and no people more filthy in soul and body and no people in the world more bloody and persecuting but I listen for your second paradox Truth Secondly This Tenent of the Magistrates keeping the church from Apostatizing by practising civil force upon the consciences of men is so far from preserving Religion pure that it is a mighty Bulwark or Barricado to keep out all true Religion yea and all godly Magistrates for ever coming into the World Peace Doubtless this will seem a hard riddle yet I presume not too hard for the fingers of time and truth to unty and render easie Truth Thus I unty it If the civil Magistrate must keep the church pure then all the people of the Cities Nations and kingdomes of the world must do the same much more for primarily and fundamentally they are the civil Magistrate Now the world saith John lyeth or is situated in wickedness and conscquently according to its disposition endures not the light of Christ nor his golden candlestick the true Church nor easily chooseth a true Christian to be her officer or Megistrate for she accounts such false to her Gods and Religion and suspects their faithfulness c. Peace Hence indeed is it as I now conceive that so rarely this world admitâ—eth or not long continueth a true servant of God in any place of trust â—â—d credit except some extraordinary hand of God over-power or else his servants by some base staires of Flattery or worldly compliance ascend the chaire of Civil-power But to proceed saith Master Cotton It was the duty of Jehosaphat Hezekiah c. to reduce the people of Israel from their backslidings because they were an holy people and is it not the duty of godly Princes to reduce their backsliding Churches to their primitive purity It is true saith he David and Solomon were types of Christ but so were not the other Kings of Israel and Judah who were the one the kings of Israel all Apostates and the other the kings of Judah many of them Apostate from Christ And Secondly If they were saith he all types of Christ yet Christ being the Antitype Christ hath abolished them all and so it were sacriledge or Antichristian usurpation for any king to be set over Christians Or if they were types of Christ in respect of their kingly office over the Church alone was it typical in Solomon to put Joab a murtherer to death or Adonijah a traitor and so consequently unlawful for Christian Princes to put murtherers and traitors to death Further saith he What those kings might do in type Christ Jesus might much more do in his own person as the Antitype but he put no man to death in his own person and therefore they were not types but servants of Christ and paterns and examples to Christian Magistrates yea Ahab who should have put Benhadad to death for his blasphemy Truth I understand those kings of Israel and Judah untill their cutting off or excommunicating out of the land of Canaan to be yet visible members of the church of Israel and Judah and as kings of Israel and Judah types of Christ Jesus partly in his own person who did that being the true spiritual king of Israel which they did or should have done in that typical national church or land of Israel and 2 partly in the officers of his kingly power and government of his church which officers and church falling away untill an absolute cutting off are the Antitypes in respect of visible government of those former kings of Israel and Judah Peace Can it be imagined that those wicked Kings Jeroboam Baasha Ahab c. were figures of Christ Jesus Truth Master Cotton himself grants David and Solomon types of Christ Jesus and yet how abominable and monstrous some of their practices we must therefore distinguish between their persons and sins and frailties As kings of Israel Gods Church and people doubtless they were the figures of the K. of Israel Christ Iesus yea it is probable that the land of Canaan with the officers and governors thereof before Christ time was but a figure of the spiritual land or Christian church with the officers governors administrations therof good and evil Although the applying of the times and persons each to other requires a more then ordinary guidance of the finger or holy Spirit of God Peace I remember that some of eminent note for knowledge and godliness have not stuck to affirme that the Gentile Prince Cyrus as he was called Gods servant anointed or Christ Isa 44 I say that he in a respect as a restorer of Gods people was a figure of Christ Iesus Truth It is not improbable but that the most holy and only wise whose works are known unto himself from the beginning of the world did by such famous instruments of mercy to the literal Iew type out Christ Iesus and his heavenly instruments mercy and goodness to the mystical and spiritual Christian Iews c. Examination of CHAP. XXXVI and XXXVII Peace IN these passages Master Cotton first questions having not his copy by him the truth of some expressions printed as his Truth It is at hand for Master Cotton or any to see that copy which he gave forth and corrected in some places with his own hand and every word verbatiâ—â— here published 2. To the answer it self or reproof of the Lord Iesus given to his disciples for their bloody and rash zeal desiring fire to come down from heaven c. we both agree that Christs rebuking of his disciples did not hinder the Ministers of the Gospel from proceeding in a Church-way c. 2. That false â—persecution in a churchway is as odious and dreadful a persecution as any prosecution â— a court of civil justice as also that this is not the point intended though it be reckoned up with the rest Peace I marvel at that which follows where Master Cotton saith that it never fell from his pen in any writing of his viz. that it is lawful for a eivil Magistrate to inflict corporal punishment upon such as are contrary indeed in matters of Religion and therefore he passeth by the discussers reasons as which might well have been spared being brought but against a shadow of his own fancy Truth I am not able to imagine what Master Cotton meanes by such as are contrary minded against whom he will not in this Chapter maintaine any corporal punishment to be inflicted when in so many of his writings and throughout his whole book he maintaines corporal punishment and that to death it self in many cases against the idolatrous the blasphemous the heretical the seducing yea the degenerate and Apostate Peace Love bids us take this passage as a pang of reluctancy in his other wise-holy and peaceable breast against such unholy bloody Tenents But what say you to the passage about the second beast bringing fire from heaven Rev. 13. This was no wonder saith Master Cotton for
Constantine had done the like before to hereticks the Arrian Bishops against the Orthodox Saints Also it is related as a different matter from the former vers 15. that he had power to cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed And this fire comes not down upon the Saints but the earth Truth Master Cotton I think knows that the discusser is not alone in this interpretation If he propose any other more suitable to Christ Iesus I hope the discusser desires thankfully to embrace it But this fire being not literal but mystical in imitation of the true prophet Elijah and also as the true witnesses cause fiery judgements descend from heaven upon the enemies of the truth so the false witnesses cause fire to descend against the faithful and sure it is as the discusser related that the Popish Bishops in France and England and other places have ever constantly cryed out that the just judgements of God are brought down by them upon the hereticks which is no smal wonder that the hearts of the sons of men should be so hardened against the light of truth in truths witnesses notwithstanding the acts of Constantine and the Arrian Bishops long before Peace But this fire saith Master Cotton comes down from heaven upon the earth Truth True but it may well imply no more then in the open view and face of all men in this world Peace And lastly saith he it is said that he causeth that as as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed which is a different effect Truth Because it comes from a different cause with respect not to the first Beast himself but only to his picture or image and implies that fiery judgements descend not onely upon such as refuse to worship the first or second beast but the very picture of the beast likewise Examination of CHAP. XXXVIII Peace MAster Cotton here first observing the discussers agreement with him that this instruction 2 Tim. 2. to be meek and patient to all men is properly directive to the Ministers of the Gospel he concludes that therefore hitherto his answer was not perplext and ravelled Truth Many plaine threads may be drawn forth of a perplext and ravelled string as it seemes to me the many particulars of different natures here wrapt up together were Peace Yea but he seems to disown those words unconverted Christians in Crete and more then once in the Chapter toucheth the discussers credit c. Truth I know the discusser desires unfainedly with the Lords assistance rather to die a thousand deaths then willingly to impeach the least of holy or civil truths and therefore affirmeth in this case that at his pleasure the copy not which he received from Master Cotton for there never passed such writings between them as Master Cotton often affirmeth but which he received from another with the correction of Master Cottons own hand to it shall be ready for himself or any to view Peace However Master Cotton maintaining the tearms of unconverted converts from Ier. 3. 10. Iudah turned unto me but not with all her heart but fainedly so Iudas Anâ—â—â—as and Sapphira Balaam the Niâ—â—laitans Iezabel in Thyatira as also the children of believing parents born in the Church who though holy yet cannot be conceived to be truely holy Truth Were the question about hypocrites counterfeits and trayters in the church and kingdome of Christ these words might here rightly be alleadged but Master Cottons words being these unconverted Christians in Crete whom Titus as an Evangelist was to seek and to convert I conceive that Master Cotton will not affirm that the office of an Evangelist was to seek to convert the church though possibly an hypocrite may be turned from his hypocrisie by an Evangelist or private man in the church 2. He makes in the very words a distinction between these unconverted Christians and those Iews and Gentiles in the Church who saith he though carnal yet were not convinced of the error of their way And to conclude this Chapter the discusser readily with thanks acknowledgeth Master Cottons words that it is not probable that Timothy was now at Ephesus and that the subscription added to the second Epistle of Timothy in the English translation is justly to be suspected Examination of CHAP. XXXIX Peace MAster Cotton here argues That if the Magistrate be a Prophet and opposed in his doctrine he ought from this Scripture 2 Tim. 2. meekly to bear the opposition waiting if God peradventure will give repentance yet withal by the way he observeth that if the Magistrate be a prophet he may do some things as a Magistrate which he may not do as a Prophet Truth Of this no question but what is this to a coercive Magisterial power in spiritual things which is the question 2. Since that Master Cotton acknowledgeth that Magistrates may be prophets and that divers Magistrates of New English churches have spoken as prophets eminently able in their churches what should be the reason I ask by the way that their Churches hear no more of such their propheticall gifts but that their talent's wrapt up c. Peace Of this let their consciences give account to Jesus Christ whom they call the King of their churches and the fountaine of such heavenly abilities But to proceed Master Cotton grants that Magistrates ought to bear in the church oppositions against their prophecyings but not continued opposings nor seduings c. Truth What is then the waiting here commanded until God peradventure will give repentance Peace It is true saith Master Cotton it is not in the power of man to give repentance but God alone Neither is it in mans power saith he to give repentance to scandalous persons against the civil state and yet the discusser acknowledgeth that the civil Magistrate ought to punish these Truth It is not the Magistrates work and office in the civil state to convert the heart in true repentance unto God and Christ The civil state respecteth conformity and obedience to civil laws though indeed the works and office of the Ministers of Christ Jesus are commonly laid upon the Magistrates shoulders and they pretending themselves the Ministers of Christ Jesus armed with the two-edged sword of the Spirit of God the Word of God do commonly flye unto and put more confidence in the sword of steel in the hand of their civil Ministers the Magistrates Peace The sword of steel hath done wonderful things throughout the whole world in matters of Religion and woful and wonderful as was formerly observed hath Religious changes been in the English nation and that by the power of the civil sword backward and forward and that in the space of a few yeers in the reigne of four or five Princes But this saith Master Cotton is no more then befell the church of Iudah in the dayes of Ahaz Hezekiah Manasseh and Iosiah Truth Englands changes will
be found upon examination incomparably greater and wrought in the eighth part of the time that the changes of the church of Iudah were And yet this instance will not infringe that the civil sword of the Magistrate in a national way is ordinarily able to turn about a Nation to and againe to and from a truth of God in national hypocrisie and therefore most wisely hath the most holy and only wise by the most golrious brightness of his person and wisdom of the Father Christ Jesus abolished his own national and state church whether explicit or implicit that the two-edged sword of the word of the Lord in the mouths of his true messengers might alone be brandished and magnified Peace Master Cotton concludeth this Chapter with the observation that the revolt of England againe to Popery wanteth Scripture-light Truth He that loves Christ Iesus in sincerity cannot but long that Christ Iesus would speedily be pleased with the breath of his mouth to consume that man of sin But yet that worthy servant of God according to his conscience Master Archer doth not barely propose his opinion but also his Scripture-grounds which I believe compared with all former experiences will seem to be of great and weighty consideration and call all that wait for Christ Iesus to beg his Spirit deeply to weigh and ponder them Examination of CHAP. XL. Peace TO the several allegations concerning the woful slavery of all opposites of Christ Iesus and the mighty power of free grace only able to release them Master Cotton replies So is it with scandalous offenders against the Civil state and yet this doth not restraine Magistrates from executing just judgements upon them c. And he adds that better a dead soul in a dead body and that seducers die without faith then murther and seduce many precious souls from the faith Truth The Lord Iesus commanding to give God the things that be Gods and to Caesar the things that be Caesars gives all his followers a clear and glorious torch of light to distinguish between offenders against God in a spiritual way and offenders against Caesar his Lawes state and government in a civil way T is true slatterers and time-servers use to make Religion and justice the two pillars of a State and so indeed do all such states in the world as maintaine a state-Religion invented and maintained in civil policy to maintaine a civil state But all men that have tasted of history or travel are witnesses sufficient of these two particulars First concerning justice that if the sword and balances of justice in a sort or measure be not drawn and held forth against scandalous offenders against civil state that civil state must dissolve by little and little from civility to barbarisme which is a wilderness of life and manners Peace Yea the very barbarians and Pagans of the world themselves are forced for their holding and hanging together in barbarous compaines to use the ties and knots and bands of a kind of civil justice against scandalous offenders against their Commonweale and profit Truth But too many thousands of Cities and states in the world have and do flourish for many generations and ages of men wherein whatever Caesar gets God cannot get one penny of his due in any bare permission or toleration of his religion and worship Peace Dear Truth these two points being so constantly proved I can but wonder that Master Cotton or any servant of Christ Iesus should cry out to the Caesars of this world to help the eternal God to get his due because Christ Iesus grants them a civil sword in civil cases to preserve their civil states from barbarisme and confusion Truth That worthy Emperor Antoninus Pius in his letters for the Christians plainly tels the governors of his provinces that the gods were able to punish those that sinned against their worship evidently declaring by that light of conscience and knowledge which God had lighted up in his soul the vast difference between offenders in the civil state and offendors against the true and only religion and worship about which the whole world disagreeth and is hist together by this bloody tenent I say hist together by the ears and throat in blood and fire as the tide of times major vote armies and armes of flesh prevaile Peace Ah Dear truth is there is no Balme in Gâ—â—ead no balances no sword of spiritual justice in the City and kingdome of Christ Jesus but that the officers thereof must run to borrow Caesar Are the Armories of the true king Solomon Christ Jesus disarmed Are there no spiritual swords girt upon the thighs of those valiant ones that should guard his heavenly bed except the sword of steel be run for from the cutlers shop Is the Religion of Christ Jesus so poor and so weak and feeble grown so cowardly and base since Paul spake so gloriously of it and the weapons of it 2 Cor. 10. that neither the souldiers nor Commanders in Christs Army have any courage or skill to withstand sufficiently in all points a false teacher a false prophet a spiritual cheater or deceiver Truth This must all that follow Jesus bitterly lament that not a spiritual sword or spear is to be found in the spiritual Israel of God but that his poor Israelites are forced down to the Philistins of this worlds Smiths c. And that the princes of Zion are become feeble like harts without pasture as Jeremy complaineth in his Lamentations Peace Now whereas it was added that a civil sword hardens the followers of false teachers in the suffering of their leaders and begets an impression of the falshood of that religion which cannot uphold it self all the world over but with such instruments of violence c. Master Cotton replies that the Magistrate ought not to draw out his sword against seducers untill he hath used all good means for conviction c. and then saith he he should be cruel to Christs Lambs in sparing the Foxes c. Truth Who knows not this to be the plea and practise of all Popish persecutors in all ages to compass sea and land to reduce the heretick to the union and bosome of the church not only with promises threatnings c but oftimes with solemn disputations and sometimes writings and waitings before they come to the definitive sentence and deliver him to the secular power and so to the use of those desperate remedies of hanging burning c. How do the bloody Popes and the bloody Bonners in their hypocritical letters and bloody sentences profess their lamentable grief at errors and heresies their clemency and mercy and great pains taken to reduce that wandring to return the lost childe to heal the scabbed sheep yea and when they are forced as they say for the saving of the flock from infection to deliver such sheep to the secular power as their butchers and executioners yet beseech they that power and that
be found fit to use the civil sword in matter of Religion and that is in plaine English to fight only for his conscience Peace But to proceed it will be hard saith Master Cotton for the discusser to finde Antichristian seducers clear from disobedience to the civil laws of the state in case that Antichrist to whom they are sworn shall excommunicate the civil magistrate and prescribe the civil state to the invasion of his followers Truth Most properly seducing teachers sin against the church and spiritual kingdome of Christ Jesus which if erected and governed according to Christ Jesus she is a Castel or Fort sufficiently provided with all sorts of heavenly ammunition against all sorts of her spiritual adversaries yea and in the desolation of the churches during the Apostacy Christ Jesus as I have elsewhere observed hath not left his witnesses destitute of terrible defence against all gainesayers But grant what Master Cotton supposeth such seducers from obedience to the civil state c. Such as the Seminaries and bringers over of Pope Pius the 5 his Bul against Queen Elizabeth c. The answer is short and plaâ—â— civil officers bear not the sword in vain when the civil state is assaulted as the spiritual officers and governors of the church bear not in vain the spiritual and two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of Christ Peace Whereas now secondly there was observed by the Discusser in such coupling of seducing teachers scandalous livers a silent and implicite justification of the Jews and Gentiles their coupling Christ Jesus and his followers as seducing teachers with scandalous livers Christ between two thieves c. The sum of what Master Cotton replies is that the Lord Jesus and his followers suffering under those names weakens not the hand of Authority to punish such who are seducing teachers scandalous livers Truth It hath ever been the portion of the Lord Jesus and his followers for the most part theirs onely to be accounted seducing teachers deceivers and cheaters of the people blasphemous against God seditious against the State and accordingly to be numbred as Christ Jesus between two thieves both in esteem and punishment with scandalous and notorious malefactors and this for no other cause but cause of conscience in spiritual matters and most commonly for differing from and witnessing against the several State and City-Religions and Worships wherein they lived Peace If the Jews notwithstanding their fair colours to the contrary walking in the doctrine of Persecution for conscience justified their fathers for murthering the Prophets c. I cannot dear Truth but subscribe to your sorrowful observation that Master Cotton and others otherwise excellent servants of God in coupling seducing teachers and scandalous livers as the proper object for the civil sword to strike at they do no other but act the Jews true Antitype coupling Christ Jesus the seducing teacher with Barabbas the scandalous liver and murtherer Truth Yea and who sees not how often Barabbas the scandalous liver is cried out of the Magistrates hands by the scandalous people while Christ Jesus in his servants is cried to the Cross to the Gallows to the Stake to Banishment c. Their Persecutors also are applauded for not persecuting men for their Consciences but righteously legally and with great sorrow punishing them for sinning against their own conscience for disturbing of the civil State and peace for contemning of Magistrates Kings Queens and Parliaments for blaspheming God and for seducing and destroying the souls of the people CHAP. 55. Replying to CHAP. 66. Exam Peace THe Discusser admired in this Chap how Mr. Cotton should alledge Revel 2. Christs charge against the Church of Pergamus for tollerating them that hould the Doctrine of Balaam and against the Church of Thiatira for tollerating Jezabell to teach and seduce M r Cotton here replies that he meant not in alledging those Scriptures to prove it unlawfull for Magistrates to tollerate seducing Teachers but unlawfull for Churches adding that the Letter of the Prisoner was so stated in generall tearmes that he knew not upon the point what Tolleration or Persecution should be meant or intended otherwise then generall against all Persecution for Conscience withall affirming that an unjust Excommunication is as true Persecution as unjust Banishment Truth It is true what M r Cotton saith An unjust Excommunication is as true Persecution as an unjust Banishment and therefore some may justly complaine against M r Cotton and others for practicing such persecution in both kindes being not onely banished from their civill State but unjustly and after the Popes way Excommunicated also from their Churches but of that more elsewhere 2. We doe not in ordinarie English read but that the word Persecution is taken for civill corporall violence and punishment inflicted on the body for some spirituall and religious matter according to the Lord Christ his words to Paul Actâ— 9. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 3. The passages in the Letter shew that the whole scope of the Letter was to contend against outward violence and corporall affliction in matters of Conscience Peace It may not be a lost Labour Deare Truth to draw a taste of some passages in the Letter Truth For further satisfaction my paines shall be a pleasure and first From the Arguments from holy Scripture observe Luc. 9. the Lord Christ reproving his two zealous Disciples You know not of what Spirit you are of The Son of Man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them Againe That of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah They shall breake their Swords into Mattocks and their Speares into Sithes Againe Christs charge unto his Disciples that they should be so farre from persecuting those that would not be of their Religion that when they were persecuted they should pray and blesse c. Peace These holy Passages Me thinks are not unlike the Stones in Davids sling smooth and plaine enough yet powerfull and dreadfull both against this Goliah Tenent of persecution and also prove a corporall persecution intended Truth Now a taste of the speeches of severall Kings produced by the prisoner 1. That of King James God never loves to plant his Church by Violence and Bloudshed 2. That of Stephen King of Poland I am King of Men not of Consciences of Bodies not of Soules 3. Of the King of Bohemia When ever Men have attempted any thing in this violent course the issue hath been ever pernicious and the cause of great and wonderfull Innovations 4. Another of King James That he was resolved not to persecute or molest or suffer to be persecuted or molested any Person whatsoever for matter of Religion In the third place a taste of the Speeches of the ancient Writers produced by the Prisoner 1. That of Hilarius That Church which formerly by enduring misery and imprisonment was knowne to be the true Church doth now terrifie others by imprisonment banishment and miserie
2. Of Jerome Heresie must be cut off with the Sword of the Spirit Let us strike through with the Arrowes of the Spirit implying not with other weapons 3. Of Luther in his Booke of the Civill Magistrate The Lawes of the Civill Magistrate extend no further then over the Bodies and Goods And againe upon Luk. 22. It is not the true Catholike church which is defended by the Secular Arme or humane Power Lastly The Papists in their Booke for Tolleration When Christ bids his Disciples to say peace to this house he doth not send Pursevants to ransack or spoyle the house Lastly The Prisoner in answering some Objections concludeth It is no prejudice to the Common-wealth if Libertie of Conscience were granted to such as feare God indeed He also alledged that many Sects lived under the Government of Caesar being nothing hurtfull unto the Common-weale Peace From these severall Tasts Deare Truth I cannot imagine how the Prisoner can be understood to cast the least glance unto spirituall persecution or prosecution as M r Cotton in this Chap calls it But to end this Chapter When as the Power of Christ Jesus in his Church was argued sufficient for spirituall ends M r Cotton grants both for the healing of sinners and for keeping of the Church from Guilt but not for the preventing of the spreading of false Doctrine among those out of the Church and in private among Church-Members nor sufficient to cleare the Magistrates of a Christian State from the Guilt of Apostasie in suffering such Apostates amongst them c. Truth I have in other Passages of this Discourse proved 1. That Christ Jesus whiles his Churches and Ordinances flourished and since the Apostasie of Antichrist in the hands of his Witnesses hath gloriously and sufficiently furnished his Servants for all spirituall cases of all sorts defending offending c. 2. That there is no other Christian State acknowledged in the New Testament but that of the Christian Church or Kingdome and that not Nationall but Congregationall 3. That the Apostles or Messengers of Christ Jesus never addressed themselves by Word or Writing to any of the Civill States wherein they lived and taught and were mightily opposed and blasphemed I say they never ran to borrow the Civill Sword to helpe the two edged Sword of Christ Jesus against Opposers Schismaticks Hereticks The Lord Jesus was a wiser King then Solomon even Wisdome it selfe and cannot without great Dishonour and Derogation to his Wisdome and Love be imagined to leave open such Gaps such Leakes such Breaches in the Ship and Garden of his Church and Kingdome The Exam of Chap. 56. replying to 58. 59. Peace TO the first observation that M r Cotton urgeth that Princes are nurcing Fathers to feede and correct and consequently must judge of feeding and correction and all men are bound to submit to such their feeding and correction M r Cotton sayth This is false and fraudulent so to collect and these are devised Calumnies Truth It will evidently appeare how greatly M r Cotton forgets the Matter and Himselfe when he so deeply chargeth for all this he granteth in this his Reply onely with this Limitation that Subjects are bound to submit to them herein when they judge according to the Word This Limitation takes not away the observation for it is alway implyed in subjection to all Civill Rulers Fathers Husbands Masters that it be according to the Word Peace Yea but sayth he it is a Notorious Calumnie so to represent M r Cottons dealing with Princes as if he made his owne Judgement and practice the Rule of the proceeding of Princes Truth Let it be laid in the Ballance and seene where the Calumnie or slander lies Princes or Civill Rulers saith M r Cotton are Fathers to feed and correct and their Judgement ought therein to be obeyed according to the Word Now some Princes and Rulers declare themselves against M r Cottons Tenent of persecution for conscience M r Cotton will answer The profession and practice of Princes is no rule to Conscience I reply and ask who shall judge of Princes profession and practice when they thus feed and judge in spirituall matters whether their profession and practice be according to the Word or no M r Cotton when Princes are alleadged against his judgement and conscience pleads that Princes profession and practice is no rule Let all men judge whether his judgement and conscience be not made the Rule to the consciences and practices of Princes whom yet he makes the nurcing Fathers Peace When it was further demanded whether M r Cotton and others of his minde could submit in spirituall cases to any Magistrates in the world but onely to those just of his owne Conscience He answers they will submit to any in Active or Passive obedience Truth But how can M r Cotton suppose Active obedience in spirituall things to such Magistrates who are Pagans Turkish Antichristian and unable to judge and bound by his Doctrine to suspend their Dealings upon matter of Religion untill they be better informed What Active obedience can I be supposed to give to him that hath no Activitie nor Abilitie to command and rule me And must it not evidently follow that Active obedience in these cases according to his Judgement must onely be yeelded to such Magistrates as are able to judge the true Religion and way of Worship That is the Religion and Worship which he takes to be of God Peace Whereas it was said will it not follow that all other Consciences in the world besides their owne must be persecuted by such their Magistrates were power in their hand M r Cotton replyes no except all Mens consciences in the world did erre fundamentally against the Principles of Christian Religion or fundamentally against Church-Order and Civill Order and that in a tumultuous and factious manner for in these cases onely sayth he we allow Magistrates to punish in matters of Religion Truth I have and must observe the Evill of that Distinction between Christian Religion and Christian Order as not finding any such in the Testament of the Sonne of God but finding Church-Order a principall part of the Christian Religion as well as Repentance and Faith Heb. 6. But 2. grant once M r Cottons Religion and way of Worship to be the onely true Religion and way of Gods Worship and all other Religions and wayes of Worship false how can that Errour be otherwise then fundamentall And if other mens Consciences attend not to M r Cottons convictions but obstinately maintaine their blasphemous Religions how can the Magistrates of his conscience be dispenced with and absolved from persecuting such obstinate Consciences throughout the whole World beside Peace When it was further demanded if this were not to make Magistrates Staires and Stirrops for themselves the Clergie to mount up in the seats and sadles of their great and setled Maintenance M r Cotton replyes this is rather to make them Swords and
the Sunne of Righteousnesse in the free Conferrings Disputings and Preachings of the Gospel of Truth be more hopefully like to expell those Mists and Fogs out of the minds of Men and that Papists Jewes Turkes Pagans be brought home not onely into the common roade and way of Protestanisme but to the grace of true Repentance and Life in Christ I say why not this more likely by farre then that the mists and fogs of Poperie should over cloud and conquer that most glorious Light Peace 'T is true the holy Historie tells us of one Sampson laying heapes upon heapes of the proudest Philistims of one David and of his Worthies encountring with and slaying their stoutest Gyantâ— and Champions yet it is feared such is the depraved nature of all mankinde and not of the English onely that like a corrupted full Body it sooner sucks in a poysoned breath of Infection then the purest Ayre of Truth c. Truth Grant this I answer therefore thirdly If any of many conscientiously turne Papists I alledge the Experience of a holy wise and learned man experienced in our owne and other States affaires who affirmes that he knew but few Papists increase where much Libertie to Papists was granted yea fewer then where they were restrained Yet further that in his Conscience and Judgement he believed and observed that such Persons as conscientiously turned Papists as believing Poperie the truer way to Heaven and Salvation I say such Persons were ordinarily more conscionable loving and peaceable in their dealings and neerer to Heaven then thousands that follow a bare common trade and roade and name of Protestant Religion and yet live without all Life of Conscience and Devotion to God and consequently with as little love and faithfulnesse unto Men. Peace But now to proceed a third Speech of King James was Persecution is the note of a false Church the wicked are Besiegers the Faithfull are besieged upon Revel 20. M r Cotton here grants that it is indeed a Note of a false Church but not a certaine One for sayth he which of all the Prophets did not the Church of the Old Testament persecute Truth M r Cotton granting persecution to be a degree of Falsehood and Apostacie as he doth in his following words he must also grant that where such a Doctrine and practice prevailes and the Church growes obstinate after all the Lords meanes used to reclaime such a Church will proceede to further degrees untill the whole be leavened with Falshood and Apostacie and the Lord divorceth her and casts her out of his Heart and Sight as he dealt with Israel and Judah And it will be found no false but a dutifull part of a faithfull childe to abhorre the whoredomes of such an one though his own Mother who for her obstinacie in whoredomes is justly put away by his heavenly Father but of that the Lord assisting more in its place Peace Further Whereas it was said that M r Cotton had passed by King Stephen of Poland his Speech to wit the true Difference between the Civill and Spirituall Government M r Cotton answers that it is true that the Magistrate cannot command their Soules nor binde their Consciences nor punish their Spirits All that he can doe is to punish the Bodies of Men for destroying or disturbing Religion Truth It is true the Lord alone reacheth the Soules or Spirits of Men but he doth it two wayes First Immediately stirring up the Spirits of the Prophets by Visions Dreames c. Secondly By instituted Meanes and Ordinances of which is the Question Now Stephen King of Poland professed that he was King of bodies and not of Consciences It being most true that the Lord Jesus hath appointed spirituall Rulers and Governours to binde and loose Soules and Consciences to wound and kill Comfort and save alive the Spirits and Consciences of Men. This power Christ Jesus committed to his true Messengers but oh how many are there that pretend to this Apostleship or Ministrie who yet have sold away this spirituall Power to the Earthly or worldly powers upon an implyed secret Condition or Proviso to receive a broken Reed an Arme of Flesh in stead of the Everlasting Armes of Mercy to protect them Peace With your leave Deare Truth let me adde a second If the Magistrate as M r Cotton sayth punish the body for a spirituall offence why doth he not punish by a spirituall power as a spirituall Officer with a spirituall Censure and punishment Truth M r Cotton will tell us that the bodies of the Israelites were punished for spirituall offences And we may againe truely affirme that the very cutting off by the materiall Sword out of the typicall Land of Canaan was in the type a spirituall punishment Peace M r Cotton is not ignorant of this and hath often taught of these Types from Passages on Genesis and other bookes of Moses c. Truth The Father of Lights graciously be pleased to set home the light he hath vouchsafed him fix and imprint the beames thereof in his heart and affections also Peace This Argument of punishing the body for the soules good I remember was feelingly resented by an honourable Gentleman in the parliament against the Bishops urging how contrary unto Christ Jesus those Prelates were for Christ Jesus did make way for his working upon Mens soules by shewing kindnesse to their bodies c. but Prelates contrarily c. Truth All the Angells ' of God will one day witnesse that Christ Jesus was never Captain to Pope nor Prelate Presbyter no nor Independent Emperour nor King Parliament nor Generall Court who punish and afflict persecute and torture the bodies of Men under pretence of a spirituall and religious medicine Peace Yea but sayth M r Cotton Religion is disturbed and destroyed what shall be done Truth Religion is disturbed and destroyed two wayes First When the Professors or Assemblies thereof are persecuted that is hunted and driven up and downe out of the world Against such Destroyers or Disturbers being Tyrants and Oppressours the Civill Sword ought to be drawen Peace The drawing of the Sword of Justice against such Tyrants I believe hath prevailed in Heaven for the Parliaments successes and prosperitie The turning from the violence that was in the hands of those Men of Bloud the Bishops as in the Men of Ninivies case hath laid the long and violent storme of Fire and Bloud c. Truth Yea let the most renowned Parliament of England and all England know that when they cease to listen to Daniells counsell to Belshazzar to wit to shew Mercy to the poore even the poorest and most afflicted in the World the Consciences of Men then is their Parliamentarie Glory and Tranquillitie ecclipsed Till then I confidently believe their Government which hath now so many yeares with so many Wonders continued shall not be numbred nor another fatall change surprize them But now 2 the Disturbance or Destruction
is abhord by the most holy and impartiall God and his holy Angells in Heaven Upon this occasion I call to minde that famous Act of the so greatly renowned Constantine who in his first wearing of the Diademe put forth his Colleauge Licinius concurring also a famous and most solemne Charter and Edict that no man throughout the whole Empire should be constraind in his Religion Truth M r Cotton according to his proviso of suspension must doubtles applaud Constantine for this his Forbearance untill he were better informed whereas afterward his Edicts against Arrius and Arrianisme testifie his practice to the contrary But he that shall reade seriously in Gods presence that first Edict of Constantine and Licinius will there finde Constantine to use such Arguments as might for ever have caused him to have forbore persecution to have still suspended to have gratified the Subjects of all his Empire with Libertie and Freedome in the Point of Worship and Religion But I will End this Passage with this Querie If Christ Jesus have left such Power with the Civill Rulers of the World Kingdomes and Countries of or for the Establishing Governing and Reforming his Church what is become of his Care and Love Wisdome and Faithfulnesse since in all Ages since he left the Earth for the generall beyond all exception he hath left her destitute of such qualified Princes and Governours and in the Course of his Providence furnished her with such whom he knew would be and all men finde as fit as Wolves to protect and feede his Sheepe and People Exam of Chap. 64. replying to Chap. 67. Peace VVHen it was questioned what good to the Soules or Bodies of their Subjects did those Princes bring in persecuting M r Cotton produceth a good â—iâ—â—fold that is brought to Princes and Subjects by the due punishment of Apostates Seducers Idolaters and Blasphemers Truth Let all that feare God and M r Cotton himselfe be perswaded to observe whether under this faire cloake of punishing these and these spirituall sinners he maintaine not strongly what elsewhere he denies to wit Persecution for cause of Conscience But we know the Evasion It is not for Apostatizing seducing out of Conscience but after Conviction against their Conscience c. Peace You have before satisfied me besides other Passages with this one that to this End of discerning the poore Hereticks sinning against his Conscience the Civill State the Earth the World must necessarily Erect its Tribunall to judge not onely Civill Things but even the Heart and Conscience also but now to M r Cottons five-fold good First sayth he it puts away Evill from the People by cutting off a Gangrene which would spread to further ungodlinesse Deut. 13. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 1. 6. 7. 13. Truth I answer these Scriptures though pure and holy in their places yet are here coupled together as Linsey Wollsey contrary to the Law Deut. 13. which concerns the typicall Nationall Church using Nationall temporall Weapons The 2 Tim. 2. concernes the Particular Congregations or Churches of Christians using onely the Sword of Gods Spirit the Word of God c. Beside Deut. 13. concerned such a People whom the Lord brought forth of Aegypt with Miracles into Canaan c. Let any such People be now produced excepting the Christian particular Churches Why doth M r Cotton then alledge this Scripture so frequently and in these five Reasons brings two from hence This the first and the Third to wit that all the People may heare and feare c. which is alone made good in the Antitype or Christian Church according to that 1 Tim. 5. 20. Rebuke them that sinne openly that others may learne to feare 2. Peace M r Cotton mentioneth a second good which is driving away Wolves from worrying and scattering the Sheepe of Christ Truth This was largely answered in discoursing the nature of mysticall or spirituall Wolves upon that very place which he quotes Acts 20. From whence it may evidently appeare that from the literall urging of such mysticall Scriptures all Peoples and Nations are enforced and that Conscientiously like Wolves and Lyons to teare and devoure each other 3. Peace M r Cotton addes that Punishments are wholesome Medicines to such as are curable of such Evills Zach. 13. 4 5 6. Truth I answer All the holy Appointments of God are most powerfull in their severall respective seasons and manner of Dispensations to his owne most holy Ends and purposes c. The Materiall Nationall Sword in the Nationall Church of Israel before Christ and the Spirituall Sword in the spirituall and Christian Church since his comming to abolish those shadowes As it was therefore in vaine to have cut off or Excommunicated spiritually in that Nationall State So is it in vaine to use the materiall or carnall Sword in the spirituall Wherefore according to this place of Zach. a true penitent will blesse God for the Wounds of Friends and Lovers faithfull and sharpe dealing and for Deliverance from the Kisse of deceitfull flatterie But what is this to prove that which is so much denied to wit Corporall Death or Wounds now to be inflicted upon false Teachers in these times of the Gospel and that in all parts and Nations of the World 4. Peace The punishment sayth M r Cotton executed upon false Prophets and seducing Teachers doe bring downe Showres of Gods blessing upon the Civill State 1 King 18. 40 41. Truth If that Nationall State of Israell and that Nationall or Corporeall killing of so many hundreth false Prophets and that literall drouth and literall showres of Raine and plentie were figures of no other Prophets and slaughters drouth and showers but literall materiall and corporeall now since the Body and Substance Christ Jesus is come What should hinder but that those Priests of Israel and Sacrifices and Temple and Nationall Church should all be in force for our Imitation literally the one as well as â—he other Peace I cannot possibly conceive but that all being of the same Nature the one is Typicall as well as the other and that they must flourish and be glorious as Gods Ordinances or vanish and disappeare giving place to brighter dispensations at the arising of Christ Jesus the Son of Righteousnesse Truth Hence false Apostles false Teachers false Prophets are Spiritually cut off Revel 2. 2 Pet. 2. Gal. 4. And spirituall showres of Blessings descend upon the Israel of God for although corporeall Blessings of Food and Raiment and plentie are Gods blessings yet principally under the Gospel God blesseth his Israel the Antitype with spirituall Blessings Eph. 1. Houses Lands Fathers Mothers Children c. with persecution Mark 10. Peace Me thinks Deare Truth If Christ Jesus had appointed such punishments such executions literall in the Christian Church he would also have appointed Offices and Officers suitable and proper for such Ends and purposes such punishments such executions Truth It cannot otherwise with Reason and
common prudence be supposed but that if Christ Jesus had appointed which we finde not in his holy Testament holy and Christian Magistrates for those great decrees and sentences wee should also have read of his holy Constables holy Sergeants holy Prisons holy Stocks holy Whipping Posts holy Gibbets and holy Tyburnes together also with holy Hangmen the spirituall Instruments and Officers of Christ Jesus for the Executions of his holy punishments upon Apostates Hereticks Blasphemers Idolaters Seducers c. 5. Peace Gods Justice sayth M r Cotton is honoured in the Execution of such Judgements Revel 16. 5 6. 1. Truth I have to my understanding formerly shewed M r Cottons mistake in his expounding of this third Violl and have presented an Exposition more agreeable with the scope of this Prophecie Peace 2. God was honoured in all his Judgements which the Tyrants of the World have executed the Babylonian Persian Grecian Romane yet not by way of Law and Ordinance but in the way of his holy providence and just permission 3. Truth Yea the Witnesses of Jesus by the two-edged Sword of God in their Mouths execute Gods Judgements to the vindicating of Gods Glory and their Innocencie Revel 11. although they used no carnall Weapon 4. The holy Name of God is much dishonoured and prophaned when the Inventions of Men are set up against his holy Appointments and when the Sword of Steele in spirituall cases is drawen in stead of the spirituall Sword proceeding out of the Mouth of Christ Jesus in his servants Testimonie All such worship is but vaine or idle worship Mark 7. and such is the carnall Sword and Executions of it Peace Whereas it was observed that M r Cotton acknowledged that Queene Elizabeth had well neere fired all Europe by such Executions M r Cotton answers God bore witnesse to his Truth in Deliverances And when it was replyed that Successe doth not prove causes true M r Cotton answers yes Psal 1. 3 4. Jer. 22. 15 16 17. Truth I reply Temporall prosperitie successe c. were proper in that Temporall and Civill State of that Nationall Church and spirituall Blessing and prosperitie proper in the Gospel now Ephes 1. Peace 2. It was answered that God had given victorie to the Papists especially against the Waldenses and the Beast makes warre against the Witnesses Revel 11. and overcomes them c. M r Cotton herein first observeth a Contradiction in the words to wit that the Papists ever had the victorie and yet their successe hath been various Truth I reply the words are not that the Papists had ever the Victory but that they ever had both Victory and Dominion which words may be true although that the Event were sometimes various 2. Peace Againe sayth M r Cotton Queene Elizabeth ever had the Victorie against the Papists Truth I answer Many gracious Deliverances God vouchsafed to Q Elizabeth yet sometimes her Armies prospered not against the Papists as in that famous Expedition of Essex Drake and Norris though in a most righteous cause against the Papists of Spaine and Portugall as also against the Papists in Ireland and the Low Countries at sometimes 2. Grant not onely Deliverances but Victories and Successe Her cause how ever intermingled was civill Defence of her Kingdome against Invation and Ambition Dominion and Conquest by practices of Tyrannie and oppression both against the English and the Hollanders especially as appeared by the horrible Exactions Outrages Murthers and Slaughters committed upon them by D'alva the King of Spaines Generall Peace But although the Papists sayth M r Cotton fought with various successe yet it is Gods manner to nurture his People with some crosses to teach them not to fight in their owne strength c. Truth Yea and it might also teach them not to fight but with Christs Weapons in Christs Cause who hath said That all that take the Sword that is as I conceive in Christs cause shall perish by it Matth. 26. 52. 3. Peace Concerning the Walldenses M r Cotton sayth They never lost Victorie but when they complied with the Papists and trusted more to their false praetences then to the Lord. And he adds that it is not true that the finall successe of Victorie fell to the Papists to the utter extirpation of those Walldenses for sayth he those Witnesses were not extirpated but dispersed Truth For their Complying with Papists alas what can Gods little flock his two Witnesses doe with carnall weapons unlesse assisted by carnall Men to whom this carnall course causeth them to bow downe dissemble lye c. as holy David with Achish and his Philistims 2. For the Successe it is evident that the Waldenses and their Adherents were so defeated by the Popes Armies that in respect of any power to resist the Armies of the Waldenses were wholly extirpated although it is true through Gods o're-powring hand the Truths of Christ which the holy Waldensian Witnesses testified were more and more propagated by their Dispersions Christ Jesus gaines more by preaching his Truth in a flying persecuted dispersion then by fighting on Horsbacke with carnall weapons in carnall companies c. 4. Peace But whereas it was observed from Daniell and John their Prophecies that Antichrist was foretold to obtaine great successe against Christ Jesus for a time determined M r Cotton sayth Not against Christ Jesus but his Servants and that either in Suffring for his Truth or when they ill handled his Cause Truth Be it so yet the Prophesies were true and truely were fullfilled and it is Gods Counsell that for the time appointed Christ Jesus in his Truths and Servants is despised Psal 89. c. How can then temporall victorie and prosperitie be expected by Christs followers for Christs Cause or the temporall Sword be an Ordinance for Christs spirituall Kingdome and Worship 5. Peace Now lastly when the weapons of the Saints Victories were mentioned three Revel 12. 1. Christs Bloud 2. The Word of their Testimonie 3. Their owne Bloud M r Cotton answers this is true in private Christians But sayth he the Sword of Gideon the publike Magistrate is the Lords Sword c. when drawen out for Gods cause and Worship according to God is Victorious Revel 17. with Revel 19. 14. 19 20. Truth I answer Gideons Sword if well examined will be found a Figure of that sharpe Sword of that great Captaine and Generall Christ Jesus This Sword comes forth of his Mouth in the Preachings and Writings of his Servants other sword we never finde he used in all his Battells against all his Adversaries yea even against the Devill himselfe and his Instruments Peace Yea those very Victories of the Saints Revel 19. are expressely won with that Sword which comes forth of his Mouth And his owne white Horse and the Horses of his Followers and the white Linnen with which they are clothed cannot with any shew of Christian Reason hould forth the carnall praeparation of white Horses
therefore Master Cotton elsewhere saith they must suspend to deal in Church matters untill they can judge c. And this First implies their light and judgement absolutely necessary in all such matters of the Church about which they are to Judge and act as often I affirme 2 I aske what kind of spirituall Physicians will Master Cotton have who shall be bound to suspend their power all their lives long unlesse they have skill to judge of Diseases will not the similitude hold against such spirituall Fathers Nurces Physicians who all their life long yea the greatest number beyond compare of all their spirituall Fathers upon the face of the Earth must wholly suspend from acting in spirituall diseases or cases to wit in reforming establishing c. 3 Although it excuseth not 't is true such Magistates Princes Common-wealths for making this Doctrine their ground of persecuting Christ and Christians yet doubtlesse it makes their sin the greater who feed them with such bloody Doctrines and so consequently occasion them upon the rocks of such fals and dangerous and bloudy practices Exam of Chap. 70. replying to Chap. 73. Peace IN this Chap. Dear Truth lye many stones of offence at which the feet of the unwary most easily many stumble I hope your carefull and steady hand may be a blessed Instrument of their Removall As First although Master Cotton subscribe unto Luther that the Government of the Civill Magistrate doth extend no further then over the Bodies and Goods of the subject yet saith he he may and ought to improve that power over their Bodies and Goods to the good of their Souls Truth Sweet Peace my hand the hand of Christ assisting shall not be wanting but what offence can be taken at the propositions Pea. The proposition like an aple of Sodom is fair and specious untill you crush it by examination For by maintaining the Magistrates power over the Bodies and Goods of the subject for the good of his Soul it is clear in this Chapter and others foregoing and following that Master Cottons words drive at no lesse then a seising upon and plundering of the goods the Imprisoning whipping Banishing and killing the Bodies of the poor people and this under the Cloak and colour of saving their Souls in the day of the Lord Jesus Truth The Civil State and Common-weal may be compared to a peice of Tapistry or rich Arras made up of the severall parts and parcels of the Families thereof Now by the Law of God Nature and Nations a Father hath a power over his Child the Husband over the Wife the Master over c. and doubtlesse they are to improve that power and Authority for the good of the souls of their Children Yoak-fellows c. But shall we therefore say that the Father and the Husband hath power under Christ over the conscienies and religion of the Child or Wife as a Father or Husband had under Moses Numb 30. Parents are commanded in the Gospel to bring up their Children in the instruction and fear of the Lord the Husband is commanded to labour to win and save his Wife with no other power then the Wife also her Husband whether Turke or Jew Antichristian or Pagan but such a power and sword to be improved as Mr. Cotton here pretends for soul-good Master Cotton will never finde in the Testament of Christ Jesus The Plain English is what ever be the Cloak or cover which the States Kings and Rulers of this world use in this case this terme for souls good is no more then the old Popish Jesabels painting pro salute animae pro redemptione animae or as that noble St. John observed in a speech at Guild-hall that the Kings party made use of the name of Peace as the Papists used the name of God In nomine Domini c. Peace It is most lamentable to see how the Kings of the Earth are grosly flattered by their Clergy into as grosse a belief that they are most Catholick Kings as in Spain most Christian Kings as in France Defendors of the Faith in England Hence those two bloody Persecutors of Luther Charles the Fifth and Henry the Eighth were celebrated even upon the posts of the doors in Guild-Hall Carolus Henricus vivant defensor uturque Henricus Fidei Carolus Ecclesiae Peace And yet to what other end have or doe ordinarily the Kings of the Earth use their power and authority over the Bodies and Goods of their Subjects but for the filling of their pauâ—ches like Wolves or Lions never pacified unlesse the peoples bodies goods and Souls be sacrificed to their God-belly and their owne Gods of profit honour pleasure c. Peace But in the second place Master Cotton affirmes that by procuring the good of their souls they may much advance the good of their bodies and outward man also Truth This Proposition is as fair as the former but in the searching and crushing is as rotten for however it is most true as he quoteth 1 Tim. 4. that Godlinesse hath the promise of this Life and of a better and also that such as seek first the Kingdome of God may expect outward mercies to be cast upon them yet these promises can never by any rule of Christ be stretched to proue outward prosperity and flourishing to the followers of Christ Jesus in this present evill world Peace He that is in a pleasant Bed and Dreame though he talke Idly and insensibly yet is loath to be awaked Truth Those sweet promises supply Gods servants with what outward blessings his holy Wisdome seeth they have need of for his service But when wil Master Cotton indeed witnesse against a Nationall Church and cease to mingle Heaven and Earth the Church and worldly state together when will he cease to propose the rich and peaceable victorious and flourishing Nationall State of the Jewes as the Type of the Carnall peace and worldly wealth and honour of the spirituall Nation and Kingdome of Christ Jesus when will he more plainely and simply conforme the members to the head Christ Jesus in the Holinesse Glory of his spirituall poverty shame and sufferings Peace I have in the experience of many Ages observed the flourishing prosperity of many Cities Common wealths and Nations where no sound of Christ hath come and that for hundreths yea some thousands of years together as hath formerin this discourse been instanced Truth You have found that when the Red and Black and Pale horse of War Famine and Death have thundered upon the Nations it hath not been upon the decay of a State Religion but most commonly upon the rejecting and persecuting of the Preachers and Witnesses against it Peace Yea Master Cotton himselfe observeth that such of Gods servants as grow fattest in Godlinesse grow not outwardly in wealth but God keepeth them low in outward estate Truth I conclude this passage with an observation of constant experience ever since the Son of God ascended the
that is in the common field of the world together Secondly Not onely Antichrist may oppose some Antichristians but the Israel of God may oppose Israel Ephraim may be against Manasseh and Manasseh against Ephraim and both against Judah in severall respects Have not the Presbyterians been against the Independents and the Independents against the Presbyterians and both against such aâ— seperate from the uncleannesses of them both No wonder then when one Antichristian Faction prevailes to crush another and therein wraps up Christ Jesus himselfe as an Antichristian that Christ Jesus should finde some Friends and Votes against the Oppressing Faction though the number of the oppressours doe farre exceede and cast the cause most commonly against Christ Jesus as a Male factor a Drunkard a Glutton a Deceiver a mad-man possest with a Devill a Seducer a Blasphemer c. Peace But to the second let us Examine the Reasons against Austins Argument with M r Cottons defence of them The first answer was that soule-killing was of a large extent in Scripture which may reach to many sins that are not capitall M r Cotton replyes the Answer reacheth not the point for as every killing of the Body is not a capitall crime so neither is every killing of the soule but such as is more voluntary and presumptuous and joyned with some grosse and murtherous intent Truth Austin and M r Cotton spake in generall without distinction of soule-murther and killing the Title and sound of soule-murther and soule-killing should not be cast abroad like Thunder and Lightning with a late excuse that we intend not every soule-murther and killing Peace Your second Argument was from the Dissimilitude of bodily and spirituall Death Body-killing is but once and for ever but a soule killed may recover c. M r Cotton replyes that the very attempt of soule-killing is capitall Deut. 13. 10. Truth First then the Dissimilitude or Difference remaines good between the murthering of the body and the killing of the soule or inner man contrary to his Answer foregoing Secondly Concerning this attempting I have spoken elsewhere and proved that spiritually it may be made good against a Christian Israelite falling away from Christ and seducing others but literally against such attempting against any mans present Religion or Worship in any Civill State all the World over it cannot be taken because the whole world the Nations and peoples of it cannot parallell this State of Israel whence this plea is taken Peace I presume Deare Truth you would not excuse and extenuate the punishment of a Soule-Traitour and seducer now under the Gospel Truth No I aggravate the least attempt of soule-murther and the least prejudice or hindrance to Eternall Life infinitly above what is temporall and corporall murther when either Husband or Wife Brother or Sister King or Queene Synod or Parliament shall lay a stumbling block in the heavenly way or grieve or offend the least of the littles ones of Christ Jesus and such dreadfull punishment shall all even the highest and greatest finde who now seeme to forget the Millstone Peace The third argument was from the different punishment which Christ Jesus hath appointed for Soul-killing to wit by the two edged sword which comes out of Christs mouth which is able to cut downe Heresie and to slay the soul of Hereticks everlastingly Master Cotton replies this answer hath been removed above Church censures are sufficient to heal the Heretick if he belong to God and to remove the guilt of his wickednesse from the Church but not to prevent spreading c. nor to cleâ—se the Common-wealth from such rebellion as hath been taught by him against the Lord. Truth Above hath also been shewen the soveraigne excellency and power of Christs spirituall meanes against spirituall infection Above hath also been shewen the two-fold Common-wealth First the Civil and natural Secondly the spiritual religious and Christian Rebellion also against the Lord hath been proved two-fold First spirituall against himselfe in point of his more immediate worship and service for which he hath provided not onely the vengeance of eternall fire approaching according to the degrees and hainousnesse of such rebellion but also present spirituall punishment far exceeding all corporall punishment and torment in the world 2 Rebellion against God is temporall and more mediate as it is a resistance opposition or violation of any Civil state or order appointed by God or Men. Now to confound these together and to hover in generall tearms of Rebellion against the Lord is to blow out the Candle or Light and to make a noise in the dark with a sound and cry of a guilty Land a guilty State soul-murtherers soul-killers hereticks blasphemers seducers rebels against the Lord kill them kill them c. Suppose these soul-murthering Hereticks Seducers c. be as full of vexation and mischief as the Musketoes or Wolves in New England or other Countries It were to be wished but never can be hoped in this world that every Civil state City and Towne in the world were free from such mysticall and soul-vermin The poor Planter and Farmer is glad if his house and chamber if his yard and field his family and cattel may be tolerably clear from such annoyances however the Woods and Wildernes abound with them They that are of such fierie pragmaticall restles spirits that they content not themselves to keep the Farme and House of the Church of Christ free from such Infection annoyance but rage that such vermin are suffered in the worlds Wood c. It is pity but they had their ful employment and taske to catch and kill even all the swarmes and Heards of all the Muskeetoes and Wolves which either the Wildernes of America or the whole World can afford them 4. Peace Accordingly the Fourth Argument was from Christs tolerating of soule-killers to live in the field of the World though not in the Garden of the Church M r Cotton replyes this hath been largely and fully refeld above Truth It is true the Discusser alledged and M r Cotton refuted the Exposition of this Parable but whether of them according to the minde of Christ Jesus let every reader uprightly judge with feare and trembling at the word of the Lord. Peace The Fifth Argument was from the Impossibilitie of killing and soule by a Heretick M r Cotton answers this is against Paul himselfe 1 Cor. 8. 11. Truth As I spake unto the Argument of the Impossibilitie of the perishing of any of Gods Elect so here the using of such an Argument is far from undervaluing or neglecting of any of the meanes or Ordinances naturall or spirituall which God hath graciously appointed but to condemne the over-wise and over-busie Heads and Hands of Men adding their Inventions to Gods Appointments as if weake and insufficient whereas Gods number of living and dead are certaine and though the meanes which he hath appointed for life should faile
and notwithstanding all other meanes in the World used by men as helps and hindrances yet his holy End shall not be disappointed but fulfilled Beside the Difference between soule-killing and body-killing is but as M r Cotton here useth the word so much as in us lieth that is by attempt or endeavour which may be many wayes frustrated and disappointed by the holy hand of God and the soule yet saved and live in the day of the Lord Jesus Peace Whereas you said that the imprisoning of Men in a Nationall or State Religion is guiltie of their Destruction together with the monstrous sword of Civill Warres which cuts off Men from all meanes of Repentance M r Cotton answers If the Religion be good it is no Imprisonment If it be naught then there should be no Imprisonment To the second sayth he this Feare is causeles for if Men belong to God he will give Repentance and how ever sayth he Godâ— revealed Will is fullfilled in their just Executions Truth I could here ask M r Cotton where amongst all the Religions and Worships of the sonnes of men he ever met in the whole World with above one Nation which Nationally profest a true Religion and where ever since Christ Jesus ending of the shadowes any State Religion or Nationall Worship can be found true notwithstanding M r Cotton knowes I grant Gods people in Kingdomes Nations Cities Townes c. to be Gods Kingdome Nation Citie c. Peace And since M r Cotton speakes thus of Imprisonment me-thinkes that every peaceable man and woman may bring in here against him at the Tribunall of Christ Jesus an Action of false Imprisonment indeed false every way not onely of the sensible and outward man but of the most noble and inner part the minde the spirit and Conscience for who knowes not that Jerusalem it selfe may be a prison to false-hearted Shimei Who hath not found a pallace a prison when forc't to keepe within it yea confine a man to his own house and home though deare and familiar and most intimate to him his owne house during that force and restraint is a prison to him Truth Yea it is most wofully found evident that the best Religion like the fairest Whores and the most golden and costlie Images yea the most holy and pure and onely true Religion and Worship appointed by God himselfe is a Torment to that Soule and Conscience that is forc't against its owne free love and choice to embrace and observe it And therefore whether the Religion be good oâ—â—aught as M r Cotton here distinguisheth there ought to be no forcing but the soule and minde and conscience of man that is indeed the man ought to be left free as in his Earthly marriage-choice so here ten thousand times rather in his heavenly and spirituall Peace But what say you to his unmercifull conclusion in the bloudshed and destruction of so many thousands and millions formerly and lately slaine and murthered by this bloudie Tenent of persecution Yea the late and lamentable streames of English bloud and the bloud of our neighbours friends Brethren Parents powred forth by these late Episcopall or Bishops Warres M r Cottons conclusion is The revealed will of God sayth he is fullfilled in their just Execution whether they belong to God or no. Truth I wish M r Cotton more mercy from God and a more mercifull minde toward the afflicted and I say as the Lord Jesus said in the case of offence Great offences Nationall offences will come for Religions sake for Nationall Religion sake but woe unto those that beare the guilt of so many thousand slaughters murthers ravishings plunderings c. The Pope the Bishops the Presbyterians the Independants so farre as they have been Authours or Actors in these horrible Calamities out of the perswasion of the bloudie Tenent of persecution for Religion and Conscience the voyce of so many Rivers of bloud cry to Heaven for vengeance against them Peace But may not blessed Truth the sword of Civill power which is from God Rom. 13. be drawne and drunke with bloud for Christ his sake What say you among the many Examples of Religions Warres to the most famous Battles of Constantine against the bloudie persecutour Maxentius Was not Constantine Christs Champion as once that valiant Scanderbeg cald himselfe against the bloudie Turks Truth Sweet Peace the sword of Civill power was Gods sword committed by Gods most wise Providence into the hands of that famous Constantine Doubtles his warre was righteous and pious so farre as he broke the Jawes of the oppressing persecuting Lyons that devoured Christs tender Lambes and sheepe And famous was his Christian Edict wherein Licinius joyned with him when he put forth that imperiall Christian Decree that no mane Conscience should be forced and for his Religion whether to the Romane Gods or the Christian no man should be persecuted or hunted When Constantine broke the bounds of this his owne and Gods Edict and drawes the sword of Civill power in the suppressing of other Consciences for the establishing of the Christian then began the great Mysterie of the Churches sleepe the Gardens of Christs Churches turned into the Wildernesse of Nationall Religion and the World under Constantines Dominion to the most unchristian Christendome Peace I am unquestionably satisfied that there was never any Nationall Religion good in this world but one and since the Desolation of that Nation there was never there shall be never any Nationall Religion good againe and this will be most evident to such as hould the Truth of the continuance of Christs visible Church in the way of particular Congregations 6. But now to the Sixt Argument which M r Cotton thus repeats from the possibilitie of a false Teacher a spirituall Wolves recoverie from the estate of a soule-killer to become a soule-Saviour as it was in the case of Paul And thus he answers If men be such Blasphemers and such Wolves as Paul was before his Conversion neither the Law of God nor man would put such a Man to death who sinned of Ignorance and walked as himselfe professed in all good Conscience even in his former evill times Acts 23. But as for such as apostate from the knowne truth of Religion and seeke to subvert the foundation of it and to draw away others from it to plead for their Tolleration in hope of their Conversion is as much as to proclaime a generall pardon to all malefactours save onely such as sin against the Holy Spirit for he that is a willfull murtherer and adulterer now may come to be converted and die a martyr hereafter Truth I see not why M r Cotton should passe a more charitable censure on Pauls Conscience then on other Mens professing Conscience also and the feare of God nor an harder censure upon other Men to wit that they are convinced and sinne against their owne Conscience more then upon Paul