〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Yea Paul himself declare it not only to be his judgement but the mind of God himself in those direct and plain Texts of the Epistles to the Romans Chap. 13.1 2 3 4 c. 1 Tim. 2.2 And Peter also in his Epistle Chap. 2.13 But to prevent any mistake here by speaking more particularly about the civil Magistrates Power and duty concerning matters of Religion it may be reduced to these three heads 1. The establishing the true Religion where it never was 2. The maintaining and upholding of it where it is 3. The reforming it where it is grown corrupt 1. Concerning the first of these It is made by learned and judicious Writers one of the undoubted Rights of Soveraignty to determine what Religion shall be publickly professed and exercised within their Dominions sci what in their Consciences is most agreeable to the word of God and the divine Law What reason can be rendred why the Popish Religion is professed only in Spain the Lutheran in some Kingdomes and Provinces of Europe the Calvinists in others an indulgence granted in some Kingdomes to differing professions but that the chief Rulers Kings or Princes of State are this or that way affected Why else doe wee in New-England that profess the doctrine of Calvin yet practise the discipline of them called Independant or Congregational Churches but because the authority of the Countrey is perswaded that to be most agreeable to the mind of God This is not to be understood as if it were to belong to civil Rulers to obtrude upon the Consciences of their Subjects and people the profession of what doctrine or Religion they please but that no perswasion in Religion can orderly become the publick profession of any people or person without liberty first obtained from the supream Rulers of the Nation For it is a most certain truth as Lactantius speaks there is nothing so voluntary as Religion which without the wills consent is nothing Another sayes also he that is compelled by law to serve God in this or that way serves not God but his prince The work of Rulers is therefore re◠her to keep men from doing evill then to compell them to doe good Thus did the first Christian Emperours of old shut up the Idol Temples not suffering their subjects to walk on in the practise of their former abominable Idolatryes but not compell them to embrace the Christian Faith As did Ezekiah and Josiah before break down the Grove and other Idolls not allowing their people publickly to commit Idolatry and if they did compell those of their own nation to attend the Celebration of the passeover and the like it was because that worship was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 literally enjoyned that people and they were to be cut off that did omit it But under the Gospel the Worship of God is more spirituall and requires Faith in the heart before the service of the outward man can be acceptable Now Faith is a perswasion wrought in the heart not ingendred by outward compulsion as saith Gregory Nova et inaudita est illa praedicatio qua verberibus exigit Fidem But more time need not be taken up in speaking to that which is taken for granted on all hands 2. In the second place therefore the same power is necessarily required to uphold maintain the true Religion which was at first to establish it that is to maintain the publick profession thereof Creation and providence are the issues of the same Being and Power If the true Religion had not been publickly professed without the countenance of the civill Power it is not like to be professed longer then the same power will give allowance or Command or encouragement Now this is or ought to be done 1. By taking care that publick Ministers be sent forth to preach the word of truth administer the Sacraments and celebrate all other rites and Ordinances that doe concern the true Religion Thus did Jehosophat in the 2. Cron. 17.7 8 9. So did the antient Christian Emperours by their Laws and Edicts with other civil Constitutions The Church by some is compared to hangings the Common-wealth to the walls the Church is the fruitfull Vine the Common-wealth the prop that supports it 2. By providing maintenance and other suitable encouragements for such Ministers in all their administrations according to the Apostolical practice Act. 6.24 and precept 1. Cor 9.5.6 7 9. c. For it will necessarily hold that if Ministers by divine Institution may expect maintenance and encouragement who should take care to see it done but the Rulers of Christian common-wealths God alwayes allotted a portion for those that ministred about holy things both before the Law and under the Law Abraham as a man of warre paid tithes to Melchizedek as a publick Minister of God in that place where he obtained his victory They will have an hard Task that will undertake to prove that Tithes in some sence are not moral as may be seen by the learned Mountagues discourse against Selden about that Subject But it is sufficient for our present purpose that those Texts under the New-Testament conclude it a moral duty with many other that might be cited to take care they be maintained 3. By setting up and encouraging the Schools of Learning for he that wills the end is supposed also to will the meanes It is not meet that the Israelits should alwayes goe down to the Philistines to sharpen their weapons which they are to use in fighting against the enemies of Gods Church or for whetting their tooles they must use in tilling Gods field Christian Emperours of old were wont to adorn Christian Temples with the Spoyles of the Gentiles Julian complaines that the Christians beat the heathen Philosophers with their owne weapons therefore did he subtilly contrive to deprive the Christians of the benefit of Schooles other meanes of humane Learning thinking that to be the likelyest meanes whereby to overthrow the Christian Religion T is true that the defect of Learning in the Apostles was supplyed by the extraordinary gifts of the Holy-Ghost but since those gifts are ceased because other ordinary means may be sufficient for that end God made Manna to follow the children of Israel from heaven till they had opportunity to sow and reap in the land of Canaan after which time the Manna ceased While Israel was without a teaching Priest without a Law they were also without the true God 2. Chron. 15.2 while the Scriptures were locked up in an unknown Language how can they be opened without the key of humane Learning or rightly divided without the study of the Workman as the Apostle speaks 2. Tim. 2.15 Of old time they had Colledges and Schools of Learning of which Elijah and Elisha were Presidents and Overseers What advantage the reformed Churches have had by their Princes and States erecting Schooles of Learning in their severall Dominions is so well known that there needs no more to be said
abstain from some expressions in the controversies then stirring with great freedome and boldness used by others that he might not be the envy of words and phrases draw upon himself and in him upon the Church of God an inevitable and unnecessary danger As a great Divine of ours notes out of Gregory Nazian If the like wisdome and Moderation had been observed in those that earnestly contend for truth so as not to load the truth they maintain with hard severe though it may be true expressions that beget more obstinacy in the Adversaries and it may be suspition in the weak or unresolved looker on differences amongst men might be more soberly composed and the truth with more assurance entertained Dr. R. on Psal 110. p. 372. The words of the wise saith Solomon are heard in quiet more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools i.e. A wise man that speaks without clamour noyse or contention gains more credit to his words by the weight of the matter then another can do by the obstreperous noise and loud sound they are wont to be uttered withal The like wisdome doth moderation discover in things of a civil nature where many times the rigorous exaction of the strict letter of the rule of Justice proves unjust in the issue and most unprofitable to the Cumini sectar himself or his instruments According to the usual saying summum jus est summa injuria The Duke of Burgundy began a quarrel with the Switzers about the Toll of a load of Calve-skins wherein he lost his life and all his treasure 5. Peaceableness is another property of Wisdome which ought to be esteemed by the tendency it hath toward the obtaining the great end that all ought to aym at sc the honour of God and good of Societies which is much more promoted by peace then by the proceeding of force The Woman of Abâ—l whom the Scripture commends for her wisdome discovered her wisdome by her peaceable Counsel The poor wise man saved the City by wise counsel not by weapons of War Eccles 9.15 when a great King came against it besieged it built Bulwarks against it There is nothing more easie then to begin a War as nothing more difficult then to manage it aright or bring it to a good issue therefore is peace in a wise mans eye a rich booty Contention saith Solomon is like the breaking forth of water therefore his advice is to leave off before it be medled with Prov. 17.14 Dâ—lcâ— bâ—llum inexpertis is a true saying i. e. War uses to be welcome to none but those that never made tryal thereof as I fear New-England may find by woful experience which will leave a reflection of the deeper guilt if any have had any needless hand in the inviting of such an unwelcome guest into the Country But I judge charitably of the present Auditors and dare not censure others It was the spirit of David one wise as the Angel of God and no mean Warriour neither I am for peace but when I speak they are for War Psal 120.7 It seemed then David used not Wars but when necessity forced him thereunto In matters of Religion who is it that gains by Contention it is the duty of every Christian to contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints but they ought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle speaks Eph. 4.15 least otherwise the loss of love is more matter of grief then the truth we suppose we have gained is matter of rejoycing like them that angle for small fish with a golden Hook Not that any truth of God ought upon any pretence to be undervalued nor any precept of God be counted little but every thing is beautiful in his season where the urging of some truth of less moment may certainly endanger the breach of peace which is a greater good I know not but it might with more acceptation have been forborn for we know our Saviour Christ did not nor the Apostles after him at every season declare such Truths as the Hearers were not capable to receive For all necessary and fundamental Truths we cannot be too resolved in Contention for them But for Opinions of less certainty and moment where wise and good men have alwayes needed a latitude wherein to differ and turn aside one from the other it can be no part of wisdome to be too eager or rigorous about them some with the Disciples Luke 9.54.55 are ready to think he deserves no less then to be destroyed by fire from Heaven if he follows not them whom yet our Saviour justly reproves for giving too much way to their own Spirits 6. Condescension may in the next place be added as another property of Wisdome Humility the ground of condescension is nearly allyed to wisdome both are the procreant causes of great Blessings to the Sons of men Prov. 22.4 The wisdome that is from above is gentle easie to be entreated No man ever thought that Abraham was the less wise because more willing to yield in the controversie between him and Lot Those parts of the natural body that are the most yielding are the stronger and most useful were all the other members of our body as hard and as stiff as the Bones how uncomfortable would our Actions and motions be If any finde it better to break then bow they may thereby gain some reputation for their wilfulness but not for their wisdome This must alwayes be understood of things lawful and expedient to be yielded to else Moses the meekest man upon Earth will not bate an hoof nor Paul the most humble of all Christians will not yield or give place for an hour both which in other cases could deny themselves and yield very far 7. Deliberation is the last property of Wisdome which I need mention it can hardly be thought to consist with Wisdome to do any thing rashly in matters of moment Temerity of Counsels argues rather height of folly and pride then depth of wisdome for in so doing we should lay aside Reason our most faithful and best Councellour and commit our affairs into the hands of passion and affection or worse cum res transit in affectum perit omne judicium they loose their wisdome that suffer themselves to be transported with passion Deliberandum diu quod semel statuendum it had need be a long time deliberated upon that is to be appointed for ever after For although our statutes be not unalterable like those of the Medes and Persians yet that which is maturely agreed upon at the first will stand in the less need of alteration or abrogation the frequency of either of which abates much of the rigour of the Laws and honour of the Law-makers Many things in humane affairs admit not of second thoughts notwithstanding they are generally known to be the best In bello non bâ—s â—ccat therefore sayes Solomon with good advice make War and manage it likewise with the same care lest there be no room
then from the executioner or officer of Justice 3. The third and last branch of the Magistrates care about Religion is to reform it when it is grown corrupt or is in tendency thereunto In clearing of which I need not stay long this part of their power so undeniably following upon the other two ex natura rei To whom doth it belong more properly to repair the house then to them that first laid the foundation and set it up As the first famous Kings of Israel prepared the matter and erected the Temple of God 〈◊〉 Jerusalem so the following Kings took it to be their duty to repair and put it in order again Solomon put out Abathaâ— as an unmeet person from the office of the priesthood no reason can be rendred why the Kings and Princes of our times may not do the like if the case be the same or if the like unworthiness be found in the persons of them that minister about holy things Idolatry was suppressed by Asa Jehosaphat Hezekiah and Josiah and the worship of God restored to the first Institution What hath been done by Christian Emperours and Kings in all former ages to our present dayes is well known by the History of those times by the Laws Edicts and Constitutions left upon Record enacted by their power But still we must keep in our minds that the power so exerted by the civil Magistrate supream oâ— subordinate is to be understood cumulativè not privativè so they that take it to be their duty to abolish Catholicorum Hierarchiam doe not in the stead thereof establish Poli icorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Uzz ah must not meddle with the exercise of the Priests office although he may and â—ught to require those that enjoy such offices to perform their duty As Paul or the Collossians may or should exhort Archippus to fullfill the ministry he hath received in the Lord to fullfill it The Magistrate may require and command it and prevent the corruption of the Church by removing such and substituting others in their room and in their stead 2. We are in the next place to consider of the political concernments of those who are the Heads of Israel the which are of two sorts Civil or Military i. e. take care it be done by them whom it concerns 1. For the civill concernments of the Leâ—ders in Israel there are exigenâ—s in reference to this as well as the former that require much prudence and skill to know what Israel ought to doe in and about the same There are two things principally to be attended here 1. The moderation of the civill power to a due Temperament 2. The faithfull improvement of it for the publick good For the first it is very true which a learned person observes that power is a lâ—quor very apt to overflow iâ— what vessâ—l soever it is put unless it be tempâ—red with a due proportion of Wisdome and Goodness and is apt though never so necessary in it self to prove pernicious and destructive to them that are concerned in it It is very observable that God gave Israel Laws Judicial as well as Ceremoniall leaving as little as might be to the arbâ—triment of civill Rulers And that hath been the continual care of prudent Law givers to abate the height of Soveraignty by a meet Temperament of some of the inferiour Sort. Such were the Ephori at Sparta of old the Tribunes at Rome and the Delegates of people in most modern Kingdomes and States as well as amongst our selves And it is noted by a very judicious Interpreter that when the people of Israel would not be satisfied without a king God ordered Samuel to write the manner of the Kingdome in a Book 1. Sam. 10.25 That is the fundamental Laws of the Kingdome to temper Monarchy with a liberty befitting his owne people and with equity toward a Nation which of its own free will did chuse a King and with a benignity of Goverment of Brethren of the same race to withstand the abuse of an absolute power which the peoples blind desire might have caused the new King to have run into As Diodate speaks upon that Text As for the improvement of this power the titles given to such Rulers in the Text and other places of the Scripture as a sufficient intimation of the duty of those that are called to the exercise thereof As they are heads so they ought to go before the members of the civil body by their pious and grave examples as well as by their prudent Counsels and their just and wholsome Laws for t is true which one hath longum iter per praecepta breve efficax per exempla examples of Rulers are always observed to take more place with their people then their precepts Posterity will as much honour the pâ—eâ—y of him that left a good patern of honesty or bounty as they will the wisdome of him that left a good body of just and useful Laws And some Princes have inherited the title and surname of good and liberal as well as for other perfections of wisdome or justice This way also is more fruitful in the propagating and increasing virtues Autor est bâ—norum consequentium qui bonum relinquit exemplum As on the other hand a people are apt to be leavened and hardened in vice by the evil example of their Governours Have any of the Rulers believed on him as they speak iâ— John you know David would not yield to an unequal Distribution of the body although thereby greater advantage might have accrued to his own person by which self-denying example so good a custome or standing Law in Israel had its first original We know also how much benefit hath followed such Examples in Nehemiah and others who have been a means to provoke others to the like acts of goodness and charity by their practices They are as Pillars that uphold the Foundation of the state which in a sense may be said to be built thereon David complains of the dissolution of the state in those times before he was called to bear up the pillars of it Rulers indeed if they are built like arches that clasp in all round together the more weight there is laid upon them the firmer they stand but being disunited or not joynted in well together they weaken the authority of each other and hasten the ruine of the whole It was noted of Themistocles and Aristides who alwayes had their private quarrels at home that when they were sent abroad upon publick service they never carried their particular coâ—tests bâ—yond the bounds of their own Country a commendable patern for others to imitate who as they are called also Corner stones ought carefully to endeavour not only to keep up but unite the whole building together They are the Watch-men set upon the Gates of Jerusalem to descry danger afar off which hath its truth in reference to civil Magistrates as well as spiritual Watch-men by the consent of the best Interpreters
It is not safe to give false Alarms because it may occasion true ones to be the less regarded nor yet to give an uncertain sound for who then can be prepared for the Battel yet in such cases a godly jealousie should not be complained of if a Watch-man shall cry an Enemy when a Friend cometh he ought more to be commended for his care then blamed for his errour as some have said They are nursing Fathers to Israel and Physitians to Gilead it is the office of the head not only to prevent the evill that may befall the other members of the body but also to heal it And therefore they must be endued with much patience to bear with the frowardness of those to whom they stand so related Neither must they heal the wound slightly for fear of the smart for sometimes it will fall out that impatiens aegrotans crudelem facit medicum They are Law-givers to prescribe wholsome Lawes and Rules of Living the Fountains of Justice whence flow the streames that refresh and make fruitfull the heritage of Israel Yea Magistratus est animata Lex a Ruler is a living Law The Law sayes one is an heart without affection a mind without passion a treasurer to keep what we have and a steward to distribute what we ought to have But it had need be considered that the life and virtue of Lawes lyes in their execution therefore the making of more Lawes then need or can be executed may weaken the authority of them that are in force and necessary to be attended Yea it is found by expeience that lenity in the executing of Lawes is more hurtfull then severity The best way to keep an instrument in good tune is to leave the strings upon a sharp they being naturally apt to fall of themselves And mankind is continually bent to declining And Politicians use to account violation of Lawes not so hurtfull as non-execution In this sence he that is slothfull in his work is brother to him that is a great Waster Prov. 18 9. They are Lords as well as Law-givers Nothing more truly denoting Lordship then a power to give Lawes No debt is more justly due then Homage tribute to the Lords of a people which if it were freely paid need not be exacted where we are required to render to God the things that are Gods in the same clause it is added likewise to Cesar the things that be Cesars Yet the less of the dead fly of covetousness that is found in the oyntment the more precious will the savour thereof be found A wise citizen of Genoa once told an Agent of the Duke of Millayn to whom at that time they of Genoa were Subjects that they should deal with their Tributaries as men use to doe with the herb Bazil which being gently stroked yields a pleasant savour but being pressed sends forth an unsavoury smell In fine they are Gods whose wisdome and goodness they ought to imitate as well as his power He by his wise providence maintains a sweet harmony in the whole world though made up of contrary Elements all which notwithstanding peace and concord is maintained in the universe by a wise and equal temperament of those several qualities There need be no exact enquiry into the crotchets of this or that persons particular fancy so they be ordered to keep in tune with their companions There is a Town in Germany called Mindin which the Hystory of that Country tells us it received its name from an agreement in that place betwixt the Emperour and some of the neighbour Princes the name signifying mine and thine It were well for the Christian world if there had been an occasion to build more such like Cities but this iron age hath been more successful or rather fatal in pulling down the old then in building up new Cities It were the presage of happy times at hand if once there were a good agreement established between the power of the Rulers and liberty of their Subjects that neither might encrease upon the others rites and liberties Thus much of the civil affairs relating to the Heads of Israel 2. In the second place the Military concernments of Israel call for no little prudence and skill sometimes as much stress and difficulty is found here as in the former Intricasies may be so interwoven that it may prove very difficult to know what Israel ought to do The Church is sometimes compared to a Lilly among Thorns there will need Gloves of iron to handle such thorns and pricking Bryars These may want also as well courage to know how as wisdome to know what to do Dolus an virtus yea sometimes God may be provoked to vex a people with all adversity He may raise such a tempest in a Nation as both head and Members may be at their wits end not knowing what to do Hence it hath been found in former times that no manner of persons ever gained more interest in the hearts of People then those that have manfully undertook and successfully accomplished their warrs Gideon is a Judge by Gods Election and might have been a King by the peoples but David must be a King by the call and consent of both In former times none were Kings but such as had been Captains they being accounted the fittest to govern a People in time of peace that had led them or saved them in time of War That valiant atchievement of Saul against the Amonites reconciled him to all his People with the highest degree of acceptance and stopped the mouthes of all the Sons of Belial that were opened against him at his first call to the Kingdome Yet will it be found a truth what that warlike people of Rome were wont to say Parvi sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi I shall only therefore here crave leave to commend some considerations to your acceptance on this account as are obvious to them that have had the least acquaintance with the sacred Hystory 1. It is never safe to take a Dog by the ears so Solomon tells us Prov. 26.17 that is to meddle with an unnecessary strife or begin a War without just ground This is one part of the power of the Sword which as the Magistrate beareth not in vain so neither must he take it in vain for he that so taketh the Sword as our Saviour speaks Mat. 26.52 may expect to perish by the Sword there is nothing more necessary then self preservation and our friends as our Country are part of our selves Noc is actual confederation alwayes necessary for taking up Arms in the behalf of our friends as appears by the Instance of Abraham and Lot yet had there need be great care had that an unnecessary war be not undertaken for the War is on one side an hainous evil or Murder on both it is a Judgement 2. War ought not to be made without good advice Prov. 20.18 24.6 which is to be understood as well of the managing as