which other Scriptures abundantly prove but to make it cleare against the Answerers allegation that even in the civill State permission of notorious evill doers even against the civill State is not disapproved by God himselfe and the wisest of his servants in its season CHAP. LV. Truth I Proceed Hence it is that some Generals of Armies and Governours of Cities Townes c. doe and as those former instances prove lawfully permit some evill persons and practices As for instance in the civill State Vsury for the preventing of a greater evill in the civill Body as stealing robbing murthering perishing of the poore and the hindrance or stop of commerce and dealing in the Commonwealth Just like Physicians wisely permitting noysome humours and sometimes diseases when the cure or purging would prove more dangerous to the destruction of the whole a weake or crazy body and specially at such a time Thus in many other instances it pleased the Father of lights the God of Israel to permit that people especially in the matter of their demand of a King wherein he pleaded that himselfe as well as Samuel was rejected This ground to wit for a common good of the whole is the same with that of the Lord Iesus commanding the Tares to be permitted in the World because otherwise the good wheat should be indangered to be rooted up out of the Field or World also as well as the ares and therefore for the good sake the Tares which are indeed evill were to be permitted Yea and for the generall good of the whole world the field it selfe which for want of this obedience to that command of Christ hath beene and is laid waste and desolate with the fury and rage of civill War professedly raised and maintained as all States professe for the maintenance of one true Religion after the patterne of that typicall land of Canaan and to suppresse and pluck up these Tares of false Prophets and false Professors Antichristians Heretickes c. out of the world Hence illae lachrymae hence Germanies Irelands and now Englands teares and dreadfull desolations which ought to have beene and may bee for the future by obedience to the command of the Lord Iesus concerning the permission of Tares to live in the world though not in the Church I say ought to have beene and may bee mercifully prevented CHAP. LVI Peace I Pray descend now to the second evill which you observe in the Answerers position viz. that it would bee evill to tolerate notorious evill doers seducing teachers c. Truth I say the evill is that he most improperly and confusedly joynes and couples seducing teachers with scandalous livers Peace But is it not true that the world is full of seducing teachers and is it not true that seducing teachers are notorious evill doers Truth I answer far be it from me to deny either and yet in two things I shall discover the great evill of this joyning and coupling seducing teachers and scandalous livers as one adaequate or proper object of the Magistrates care and worke to suppresse and punish First it is not an Homogeneall as we speake but an Heterogeneall commixture or joyning together of things most different in kindes and natures as if they were both of one consideration For who knowes not but that many seducing teachers either of the Paganish Iewish Turkish or Antichristian Religion may be clear and free from scandalous offences in their life as also from disobedience to the Civill Lawes of a State Yea the Answerer himselfe hath elsewhere granted that if the Lawes of a Civill State be not broken the Peace is not broken Againe who knowes not that a seducing teacher properly sinnes against a Church or Spirituall estate and Lawes of it and therefore ought most properly and onely to bee dealt withall in such a way and by such weapons as the Lord Iesus himselfe hath appointed gainsayers opposites and disobedients either within his Church or without to be convinced repelled resisted and slaine withall Whereas scandalous offendours against Parents against Magistrates in the 5 Command and so against the life chastity goods or good name in the rest is properly transgression against the Civill State and Commonweale or the worldly state of Men And therefore consequently if the World or Civill State ought to be preserved by Civill Government or Governours such scandalous effendours ought not to be tolerated but supprest according to the wisdome and prudence of the said Government Secondly as there is a fallacious conjoying and confounding together persons of severall kindes and natures differing as much as Spirit and Flesh Heaven and Earth each from other So is there a silent and implicite justification to all the unrighteous and cruell proceedings of Iews and Gentiles against all the Prophets of God the Lord Iesus Himselfe and all His Messengers and Witnesses whom their Accusers have ever so coupled and mixed with notorious evill doers and scandalous livers Elijah was a troubler of the State Ieremy weakned the hand of the people yea Moses made the people neglect their worke the Iewes built the Rebellious and bad City the three Worthies regarded not the command of the King Christ Iesus deceived the people was a conjurer and a traytor against Caesar in being King of the â—ewes indeed He was so spiritually over the true Jew the Christian therefore He was numbred with notorious evill doers and nailed to the Gallowes between two Malefactours Hence Paul and all true Messengers of Iesus Christ are esteemed seducing and seditious teachers and turners of the World upside downe Yea and to my knowledge I speake with honourable respect to the Answerer so far as he hath laboured for many Truths of Christ the Answerer himselfe hath drunke of this cup to be esteemed a seducing Teacher CHAP. LVII Peace YEa but he produceth Scriptures against such toleration and for persecuting men for the cause of conscience Christ saith he had something against the Angel of the Church of Pergamus for tolerating them that held the doctrine of Balaam and against the Church of Thiatira for tolerating Iesabel to teach and seduce Rev. 2. 14. 20. Truth I may answer with some admiration and astonishment how it pleased the Father of lights and most jealous God to darken and vaile the eye of so pretious a man as not to seek out and propose some Scriptures in the proofe of so weighty an assertion as at least might have some colour for an influence of the Civill Magistrate in such cases for First he saith not that Christ had ought against the City Pergamus where Sathan had his throne Rev. 2. but against the Church at Pergamus in which was set up the Throne of Christ. Secondly Christs Charge is not against the Civill Magistrate of Pergamus but the Messenger or Ministry of the Church in Pergamus Thirdly I confesse so far as Balaams or Iesabels doctrine maintained a liberty of corporall fornication it concerned the City of
in His Church His spirituall judicature and executes this sentence in part at present and hereafter to all eternity Such a sentence no Civill Iudge can passe such a Death no Civill sword can inâ—lict I answer secondly Dead men cannot be infected the civill state the world being in a naturall state dead in sin what ever be the State-Religion unto which persons are forced it is impossible it should be infected Indeed the living the beleeving the Church and spirituall state that and that onely is capable of infection for whose helpe we shall presently see what preservatives and remedies the Lord Iesus hath appointed Moreover as we see in a common plague or infection the names are taken how many are to dye and not one more shall be strucke then the destroying Angel hath the names of So here what ever be the soule infection breathed out from they lying lips of a plague-sicke Pharisee yet the names are taken not one elect or chosen of God shall perish Gods sheep are safe in His eternall hand and counsell and he that knowes his materiall knows also his mysticall stars their numbers and calls them every one by name none fall into the Ditch on the blinde Pharises backe but such as were ordained to that condemnation both guid and followers 1 Pet. 2. 8. Iude 4. The vessells of wrath shall breake and split and only they to the praise of Gods eternall justice Rom. 9. CHAP. XXXIV Peace BUt it is said be it granted that in a common plague or infection none are smitten and dye but such as are appointed yet it is not only every mans duty but the common duty of the Magistrate to prevent infection and to preserve the common health of the place likewise though the number of the Elect be sure and God knowes who are His yet hath He appointed meanes for their preservation from perdition and from infection and therefore the Angel is blamed for suffering Balaams doctrine and Iesabel to seduce Christ Jesus His servants Rev. 2. Tit. 3. 10. Rom. 16. 17. Truth I answer Let that Scripture and that of Titus reject an Hereticke and Rom. 16. 17. avoid them that are contentious c. let them and all of like nature be examined and it will appeare that the great and good Physitian Christ Iesus the Head of the Body and King of the Church hath not been unfaithfull in providing spirituall antidotes and preservatives against the spirituall sicknesses sores weaknosses dangers of his Church and people but he never appointed the civill sword for either antidote or remedy as an addition to those spiritualls which he hath left with his wife his Church or People Hence how great is the bondage the captivity of Gods owne People to Babylonish or confused mixtures in Worship and unto worldly and earthly policies to uphold State Religions or Worships since that which is written to the Angel and Church at Pergamus shall be interpreted as sent to the Governour and City of Pergamus and that which is sent to Titus and the Church of Christ at Creet must be delivered to the civill officers and City thereof But as the Civill Magistrate hath his charge of the bodies and goods of the subject So have the spirituall Officers Governours and overseers of Christs City or Kingdome the charge of their souls and soule safety Hence that charge of Paul to Tim. 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sinne rebuke before all that others may learne to fear This is in the Church of Christ a spirituall meanes for the healing of a soule that hath sinned or taken infection and for the preventing of the infecting of others that others may learne to feare c. CHAP. XXXV Peace IT is said true that Titus and Timothy and so the Officers of the Church of Christ are bound to prevent soule infection But what hinders that the Magistrate should not be charged also with this duty Truth I answer many things I have answered and more shall at present I shall only say this If it be the Magistrate duty or office then is he both a Temporall and Ecclesiasticall officer contrary to which most men will affirme and yet we know the policie of our owne Land and Country hath established to the Kings and Queens thereof the supreme heads or governours of the Church of England That doctrine and distinction that a Magistrate may punish an Heretick civilly will not here availe for what is Babel if this be not confusedly to punish corporall or civill offences with spirituall or Church censures the offendour not being a member of it or to punish soule or spirituall offences with corporall or temporall weapons proper to Delinquents against the temporall or civill state Lastly woe were it with the civill Magistrate and most intolerable burthens do they lay upon their backs that teach this doctrine if together with the common care and charge of the Commonwealth the peace and safety of the Towne City State or Kingdome the bloud of every soule that perisheth should cry against him unlesse he could say with Paul Acts 20. in spirituall regards I am clear from the blould of all men that is the bloud of soules which was his charge to looke after so far as his preaching went not the bloud of bodies which belongeth to the civill Magistrate I acknowledge he ought to cherish as a foster-father the Lord Iesus in his truth in his Saints to cleave unto them himselfe and to countenance them even to the death yea also to breake the teeth of the Lions who offer Civill violence and injury unto them But to see all his Subjects Christians to keepe such Church or Christians in the purity of worship and see them doe their duty this belongs to the Head of the Body Christ Iesus and such spirituall Officers as he hath to this purpose deputed whose right it is according to the true paterne Abimelech Saul Adonijah Athalia were but usurpers David Salomon Ioash c. they were the true heires and types of Christ Iesus in His true Power and Authority in His Kingdome CHAP. XXXVI Peace THe next Scripture brought against such persecution is Luke 9. 54 55. where the Lord Jesus reproved His Disciples who would have had fire come downe from Heaven and devoure those Samaritanesâ— that would not receive Him in these words You know not of what spirit you are the Son of Man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them With this Scripture Mr. Cotton joynes the fourth and answers both in one which is this 2 Tim. 2. 24. The servant of the Lord must not strive but must be gentle toward all men suffering the evill men instructing them with meeknesse that are contrary minded and oppose themselves proving if God peradventure will give them repentance that they may acknowledge the truth and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Divell who are taken captive by him at his will
mouth will I judge thee For what can be said more heavenly by the tongues of Men and Angels to shew the heavenly meek temper of all the Souldiers of the Lambe of God as also to set forth what are the Spirituall weapons and ammunition of the holy war and battle of the Gospell and Kingdome of Iesus Christ for the subduing of the Nations of the World unto him Peace And yet out of the same mouth which should not be faith Iames proceeds good and evill sweet and sowre for he addes But this doth not forbid them to drive ravenous wolves from the sheepfold and to restraine them from devouring the sheepe of Christ. Truth In these words according to the judgement here maintained by him he fights against the former truth to wit that by spirituall weapons Christ Iesus will subdue the Nations of the Earth to the obedience of the Gospel for by driving away these Wolves hee intends not onely the resistance and violence which the Shepherds of Christ ought spiritually to make but the civill resistance of the materiall Swords Staves Guns c. Whenceâ— I argue that same power that forceth the evill or Wolves out forceth the good the Sheepe in for of the same or like things is the same or like reason as the same arme of flesh that with a staffe beats off a Wolfe with a Rod and Hooke brings in the Sheepe the same dog that assaulteth and teareth the Wolfe frighteth and forceth in the straggling Sheep CHAP. XLII Peace BVt for the clearer opening of this mystery I pray explicate that Scripture where the Spirit of God is pleased to use this similitude of Wolves Acts 20. 29. out of which keeping to the Allegory I shall propose these Quaeries First what Wolves were these Paul warnes of Truth Answ. Wolves literally he will not say Nor secondly persecutors of the Flock such as the Romane Emperours were Magistrates under him Therefore thirdly such as brought other Religions and Worships as the Spirit of God opens it vers 30. Such as amongst themselves should speake perverse things as many Antichrists did and especially The Antichrist And I aske whether or no such as may hold forth other Worships or Religions Iewes Turkes or Antichristians may not be peaceable and quiet Subjects loving and helpfull neighbours faire and just dealers true and loyall to the civill government It is cleare they may from all Reason and Experience in many flourishing Cities and Kingdomes of the World and so offend not against the civill State and Peace nor incurre the punishment of the civill sword notwithstanding that in spirituall and mysticall account they are ravenous and greedy Wolves Peace 2. I quaere to whom Paul gave this charge to watch against them vers 31. Truth They were not the Magistrates of the City of Ephesus but the Elders or Ministers of the Church of Christ his mysticall flock of sheepe at Ephesus Vnto them was this charge of watching given and so consequently of driving away these Wolves And however that many of these charges and exhortations given by that One Shepherd Christ Iesus to the Shepherds or Ministers of Churches be commonly attributed and directed by the Answerer in this discourse to the civill Magistrate yet I desire in the feare and holy presence of God it may bee inquired into whether in all the Will or Testament of Christ there bee any such word of Christ by way of command promise or example countenancing the Governors of the civill State to meddle with these Wolves if in civill things peaceable and obedient Peace Truly if this charge were given to the Magistrates at Ephesus or any Magistrate in the World doubtlesse they must bee able to discerne and determine out of their owne officiall abilities in these spirituall Law questions who are spirituall Sheep what is their food what their poison what their properties who their Keepers c. So on the contrary who are Wolves what their properties their haunts their assaults the manner of taking c. spiritually and this beside the care and study of the Civill Lawes and the discerning of his owne proper Civill Sheep obedient Sheepe c. as also wolvish oppressors c. whom he is bound to punish and suppresse Truth I know that Civill Magistrates in some places have declined the name of Head of the Church and Ecclesiasticall Judge yet can they not with good conscience decline the name if they doe the worke and performe the office of determining and punishing a meerly spirituall Wolfe They must be sufficiently also able to judge in all spirituall causes and that with their owne and not with other mens eyes no more then they doe in civill causes contrary to the common practice of the Governours and Rulers of Civill States who often set up that for a Religion or Worship to God which the Clergie or Churchmen as men speake shall in their Consciences agree upon And if this be not so to wit that Magistrates must not be Spirituall Iudges as some decline it in the title Supreme Head and Governour why is Gallio wont to be exclaimed against for refusing to be a Iudge in such matters as concerned the Iewish Worship and Religion How is he censured for a Prophane person without conscience c. in that he would bee no Iudge or Head for that is all one in point of Government Peace In the third place I quaerie whether the Father who gave and the Sonne who keepes the Sheepe bee not greater then all Who can pluck these Sheepe the Elect out of his hand which answers that common objection of that danger of devouring although there were no other weapons in the world appointed by the Lord Jesus But CHAP. XLIII FOurthly I ask Were not these Elders or Ministers of the Church of Ephesus sufficiently furnished from the Lord Iesus to drive away these mysticall and spirituall Wolves Truth True it is against the inhumane and uncivill violence of Persecutors they were not nor are Gods children able and provided but to resist drive away expell and kill spirituall mysticall Wolves by the word of the Lord none are fit to be Christs Shepherds who are not ableâ— Tit. 1. 9. 10. 11. The Bishop or Overseer must be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the Gainsayers which Gainsayers to be by him convinced that is overcome or subdued though it may be in themselves ever obstinate they were I say as greedy Wolves in Crete as any could be at Ephesus for so saith Paul vers 10. they were unruly and vaine talkers deceivers whose mouthes must bee stopped who subverted whole houses and yet Titus and every ordinary Shepherd of a flocke of Christ had ability sufficient to defend the flock from spirituall and mysticall wolves without the helpe of the Civill Magistrate Peace In this respect therefore me thinks we may â—itly allude to that excellent answer of Iob to Bildad the Shuhite Iob 26. How
to be violated urged or constrained And whensover men have attempted any thing by this violent course whether openly or by secret meanes the issue hath beene pernicious and the cause of great and wonderfull innovations in the principallest and mightiest Kingdomes and Countries c. It cannot be denied to be a pious and prudentiall act for Your Honours according to your conscience to call for the advice of faithfull Councellours in the high debates concerning Your owne and the soules of others Yet let it not be imputed as a crime for any suppliant to the God of Heaven for You if in the humble sense of what their soules beleeve they powre forth amongst others these three requests at the Throne of Grace First That neither Your Honours nor those excellent and worthy persons whose advice you seek limit the holy One of Israel to their apprehensions debates conclusions rejecting or neglecting the humble and faithfull suggestions of any though as base as spittle and clay with which sometimes Christ Iesus opens the eyes of them that are borne blinde Secondly That the present and future generations of the Sons of Men may never have cause to say that such a Parliament as England never enjoyed the like should modell the worship of the living eternall and invisible God after the Biâ—â— of any earthly interest though of the highest concernment under the Sunne And yet saith that learned Sir Francis Bacon how ever otherwise perswaded yet thus he confesseth Such as hold pressure of Conscience are guided therein by some private interests of their owne Thirdly What ever way of worshipping God Your owne Consciences are perswaded to walke in yet from any bloody act of violence to the consciences of others it may bee never told at Rome nor Oxford that the Parliament of England hath committed a greater rape then if they had forced or ravished the bodies of all the women in the World And that Englands Parliament so famous throughout all Europe and the World should at last turne Papists Prelatists Presbyterians Independents Socinians Familists Antinomians c. by confirming all these sorts of Consciences by Civill force and violence to their Consciences To every Courteous Reader VVHile I plead the Cause of Truth and Innocencie against the bloody Doctrine of Persecution for cause of conscience I judge it not unfit to give alarme to my selfe and all men to prepare to be persecuted or â—â—nted for cause of conscience Whether thou standest charged with 10 or but 2 Talents if thou huntest any for cause of conscience how canst thou say thou followest the Lambe of God who so abhorr'd that practice If Paul if Iesus Christ were present here at London and the question were proposed what Religion would they approve of The Papists Prelatists Presbyterians Independents c. would each say Of mine of mine But put the second question if one of the severall sorts should by major vote attaine the Sword of steele what weapons doth Christ Jesus authorize them to sight with in His cause Doe not all men hate the persecutor and every conscience true or false complaine of cruelty tyranny c. Two mountaines of crying guilt lye heavie upon the backes of All that name the name of Christ in the eyes of Iewes Turkes and Pagans First The blasphemies of their Idolatrous inventions superstitions and most unchristian conversations Secondly The bloody irreligious and inhumane oppressions and destructions under the maske or vaile of the Name of Christ c. O how like is the jealous Iehovah the consuming fire to end these present slaughters in a greater slaughter of the holy Witnesses Rev. 11. Six yeares preaching of so much Truth of Christ as that time afforded in K. Edwards dayes kindles the flames of Q. Maries bloody persecutions Who can now but expect that after so many scores of yeares preaching and professing of more Truth and amongst so many great contentions amongst the very best of Protestants a fierie furnace should be heat and who sees not now the â—ires kindling I confesse I have little hopes till those flames are over that this Discourse against the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience should passe currant I say not amongst the Wolves and Lions but even amongst the Sheep of Christ themselves yet liberavl animam meam I have not hid within my breast my souls belief And although sleeping on the bed either of the pleasures or profits of sinâ—e thou thinkest thy conscience bound to smite at him that dares to waken thee Yet in the middest of all these civill and spirituall Wars I hope we shall agree in these particulars First how ever the proud upon the advantage of an higher earth or ground or ' clooke the poore and cry out Schismatickes Hereticks c. shall blasphemers and seducers scape unpunished c. Yet there is a sorer punishment in the Gospel for despising of Christ then Moses even when the despiser of Mâ—ses was put to death without mercie Heb. 10. 28 29. He that beleeveth not shall bee damned Marke 16. 16. Secondly what ever Worship Ministry Ministration the best and purest are practised without faith and true perswasion that they are the true institutions of God they are sin sinfull worships Ministries c. And however in Civill things we may be servants unto men yet in Divine and Spirituall things the poorest pesant must disdaine the service of the highest Prince Be ye not the servants of men 1 Cor. 14. Thirdly without search and triall no man attaines this faith and right perswasion 1 Thes. 5. Try all things In vaine have English Parliaments permitted English Bibles in the poorest English houses and the simplest man or woman to search the Scriptures if yet against their soules perswasion from the Scripture they should be forced as if they lived in Spaine or Rome it selfe without the sight of a Bible to beleeve as the Church beleeves Fourthly having tried we must hold fast 1 Thessal 5. upon the losse of a Crowne Revel 13. we must not let goe for all the â—lea bitings of the present afflictions c. having bought Truth deare we must not â—ell it cheape not the least graine of it for the whole World no not for the saving of Soules though our owne most precious least of all for the bitter sweetning of a little vanishing pleasure For a little puffe of credit and reputation from the changeable breath of uncertaine sons of men For the broken bagges of Riches on Eagles wings For a dreame of these any or all of these which on our death-bed vanish and leave tormenting stings behinde them Oh how much better is it from the love of Truth from the love of the Father of lights from whence it comes from the love of the Sonne of God who is the way and the Truth to say as he Iohn 18. 37. For this end was I borne and for this end came I into the World that I might be are witnesse to the Truth A Table of
the principall Contents of the Booke TRuth and Peace their rare and seldome meeting Page 15 2 Great complaints of Peace 16 Persecutors seldome plead Christ but Moses for their Authour 17 Strife Christian and unchristian ibid A threefold dolefull cry ibid. The wonderfull providence of God in the writing of the argumentâ—s against persecution 18 A definition of persecution discussed 19 Conscience will not be restrained from its owne worship nor constrained to another 20 A chaste soule in Gods worship compared to a chaste wife ibid. Gods people have erred stom the very fundamentalls of visible worship ibid 4 Sorts of spirituall foundations in the New Testament 21 The 6 fundamentalls of the Christian Religion ibid. The comming out of Babel not Iocall but mysticall ibid. The great ignorance of Gods people concerning the nature of a true Church ibid. Common-Prayer written against by the New English Ministers 23 Gods people have worshipped God with false worships ibid. God is pleased sometimes to convey good unto his people beyond a promise ibid. A notable speech of King James to a great Nonconformist turned persecutor 24 Civill peace discussed ibid. The difference between Spirituall and civill state 25 Six cases wherein Gods people have been usually accounted arrogant and peace breakers but most unjustly 26 The true causes of breach and disturbance of civill peace 29 A preposterous way of suppressing errours 30 Persecutors must needs oppresse both erroneous and true consciences ibid. All persecutors of Christ professe not to persecute him ibid. What is meant by the Hereticke Tit. 3. Pag. 33 The word Heretick generally mistaken 34 Corporall killing in the Law typing out Spirituall killing in the Gospell 36 The cariage of a Soule sensible of mercy towards others in their blindness c. 38 The difference between the Church and the World wherein it is in all places 38 The Church and civill State confusedly made all one 39 The most peaceable accused for peace-breaking 40 A large Examination of what is meant by the Tares and letting of them alone ibid. Sathans subtletic about the opening of Scripture 41 Two sorts of Hypocrites 44 The Lord Iesus the great Teacher by Parables and the only Expounder of them 44 Preaching for conversion is properly out of the Church 45 The tares proved properly to signifie Antichristians ibid. Gods Kingdome on Earth the visible Church 46 The difference between the Wheat and the Tares as also betweene these Tares and all others 46 A civill Magistracie from the beginning of the world 47 The Tares are to be tolerated the longest of all sinners 48 The danger of infection by permitting of the Tares assoyled ibid. The civill Magistrate not so particularly spoken to in the New Testament as Fathers Masters c. and why 50 A two-fold state of Christianitie Persecuted under the Romane Emperours and Apostated under the Romane Popes ibid. 3 Particulars contained in that prohibition of Christ Iesus concerning the Tares Let them alone Mat. 13. 51 Accompanying with Idolaters 1 Cor. 5. discussed 52 Civill Magistrates never invested by Christ Iesus with the power and title of Defenders of the Faith 54 Gods people ever earnest with God for an Arme of Flesh. 55 The 〈◊〉 punishment of the blind Pharises in 4 respects ibid. The point of seducing infecting or Soule killing examined 57 Strange consusions in punishments 59 The blood of Soules Acts 20. lies upon such as professe the Ministrie the blood of Bodies only upon the State ibid. â—surpers and true Heires of Christ Iesus Page 60 The Civill Magistrate bound to preserve the boâ—â—s of their subjects and not to destroy them for conscience sake 61 The fire from heaven Rev. 13. 13. 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. examined 62 The originall of the Christian name Acts 11. 63 A Civill sword in Religion makes a Nation of hypocrites Isa. 10 64 A difference of the true and false Christ and Christians 65 The nature of the worship of unbeleeving and naturall persons ibid. Antoninus Pius his famous act concerning Religion 66 Isa. 24. Mic. 4. 3. concerning Christs visible Kingdome discussed ibid. Acts 20 29. The suppressing of Spirituall wolves discussed 67 It is in vaine to decline the name of the head of the Church and yet to practise the headship 68 Titus 1. 9. 10 discussed 69 Vnmercifull and bloody doctrine 70 The Spirituall weapons 2 Cor. 10. 4. discussed ibid. Civill weapons most improper in Spirituall causes 71 The Spirituall artillerie Eph. 6. applied 72 Rom. 13. concerning Civill Rulers power in Spirituall causes largely examined 73 Pauls appeale to Caesar examined 77 And cleared by 5 arguments ibid. 4 Sorts of swords 79 What is to be understood by evill Rom. 13. 4. 81 Though evill be alwayes evill yet the permission of it may sometimes be good 83 2 Sorts of commands both from Moses and Christ. 84 The permission of diverce in Israel Mat. 19. 17 18. ibid. Usury in the Civill state lawfully permitted 85 Seducing teachers either Pagan Iewish Turkish or Antichristian way yet be obedient subjects to the Civill Laws 86 Scandalous livers against the Civill state 87 Toleration of Jesabel and Balaam Rev. 2 14. 20. examined 88 The Christian world hath swallowed up Christianity 89 Christ Iesus the deepest polititian that ever was yet commands be a toleration of Antichristians 91 The Princes of the world seldome take part with Christ Iesus 93 Buchanans items to King James ibid. King James his sayings against persecution ibid. King Steven of Poland his sayings against persecution Page 93 Forcing of conscience a soule rape 94 Persecution for conscience hath been the launcet which hath let blood the Nations All Spirituall whores are bloody ibid. Poligamie or the many wives of the Fathers ibid. David advancing of Gods worship against order 95 Constantine and the good Emperours confest to have done more hurt to the Name and Crowne of Christ then the bloody Noroes did ibid. The language of persecuters 96 Christs Liâ—â—ies may flourish in the Church notwithstanding the weeds in the world permitted 97 Queen Elizabeth and King James their persecuting for cause of Religion examined ibid. Queen Elizabeth confessed by Mr. Cotton to have almost fired the world in civill combustions 98 The Wars between the Papists and the Protestants ibid. The Wars and successe of the Waldensians against three Popes 99 Gods people victorious â—ver commers and with what weapons ibid. The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted ibid. The nature of excommunication 100 The opinion of ancient Writers examined concerning the doctrine of persecution 101 Constraint upon conscience in Old and New England ibid. The Indians of New England permitted in their worshipping of devils 102 In 2 cases a false Religion will not hurt 103 The absolute sufficiencie of the Sword of the Spirit 104 A Nationall Church not instituted by Christ. ibid. Man hath no power to make Lawes to binde conscience 105 Hearing of the word in a Church estate a part of Gods worship 107 Papists plea for
in 4 particulars 188 5 Demonstrative arguments proving the unsoundnesse of the maxime viz. The Church and Commonweale are liâ—e Hypocrates twins 189 Asacrilegious prostitution of the name Christian. 192 David immediately inspired by God in his ordering of Church affairs 193 Solomons deposing of Abâ—aâ—har 1 Kings 2. 26 27. discussed 194 The liberties of Christs Churches in the choice of her officers 195 A civill influence dangerous to the State liberties ibid. Jehosaphats fast examined ibid. God will not wrong Caesar and Caesar should not wrong God 196 The famous acts of Josiah examined ibid. Magistracie in generall from God the particular formes from the people ibid. â— Israel confirmed in a Nationall Covenant by revelations signes and miracles but not so any other Land ibid. Kings and Nations often plant and often plucke up Religions 197 A Nationall Church ever subject to turne and returne ibid. A woman Papissa or head of the Church ibid. The Rapists neerer to the truth concerning the governour of the Church then most Protestants 198 The Kingly power of the Lord Iesus troubles all the Kings and Rulers of the world ibid. A twofold exaltation of Christ. ibid. A monarchicall and Ministeriall power of Christ. 199 3 Great competitours for the Ministeriall power of Christ. ibid. The Pope pretendeth to the Ministeriall power of Christ yet upon the point chalengeth the Monarchicall also ibid. 3 Great factions in England striving for the Arme of Flesh. 200 The Churches of the separation ought in humanity and subjects liberty not to be oppressed but at least permitted 201 7 Reasons proving that the Kings of Israel and Iudah can have no other but a Spirituall Antitype 202 Christianitie â—â—des not to the nature of a Civill Commonweale nor doth want of Christianitie diminish it pag. 203 Most strange yet most true consequences from the Civill Magistrates being the Antitype of the Kings of Israel and Iudah ibid. If no Religion but what the Commonweale approve then no Christ no God but at the pleasure of the World 204 The true Antitype of the Kings of Israel and Iudah ibid. 4. The difference of Israels Statutes and Lawes from all others in 3 particulars ibid. 5. The difference of Israels Punishments Rewards from all others 205 Temporall prosperitie most proper to the Nationall state of the Iewe. ibid. The Excommunication in Israel 206 The corporall stoning in the Law typed out spirituall stoning in the Gospel ibid. The wars of Israel typicall and unparalleld but by the Spirituall wars of Spirituall Israel ibid. The famous typicall captivitie of the Iewes 207 Their wonderfull victories 208 The mysticall Army of white troopers 209 Whether the Civill state of Israel was presidentiall ibid. Great unfaithfulnesse in Magistrates to cast the burthen of judging and establishing Christianitie upon the Commonweale 210 Thousands of lawfull Civill Magistrates who never heare of Iesus Christ. 211 Nero and the persecuting Emperours not so injurious to Christianity as Constantine and others who assumed a power in Spirituall things ibid. They who force the conscience of others cry out of persecution when their owne are forced 212 Constantine and others wanted not so much affection as information of judgement ibid. Civill Authoritie giving and lending their Hornes to Bishops dangerous to Christs truth ibid. The Spirituall power of Christ Iesus compared in Scripture to the incomparable horne of the Rhinocerot 213 The nursing Fathers and Mothers Isa. 49. ibid. The civill Magistrate owes 3 things to the true Church of Christ. 214 The civill Magistrate owes â— things to false Worshippers 214 The rise of High Commissions 215 Pious Magistrates Ministers consciences are perswaded for that which other â—as plous Magistrates Ministers consciences condemn Page 215 An apt similitude discussed concerning the Civill Magistrate 216 A grievous charge against the Christian Church and the King of it 222 A strange Law in New England formerly against excommunicate persons ibid. A dangerous doctrine against all Civill Magistrates 223 Originall sin charged to hurt the Civill state ibid. They who give the Magistrate more then his duo are apt to disreabe him of what is his 224 A strange double picture 226 The great priviledges of the true Church of Christ. 227 2 Similitudes illustrating the true power of the Magistrate ibid. A marvelous chalenge of more power under the Christian then under the Heathen Magistrate 229 Civill Magistrates derivatives from the fountains or bodies of people 230 A beleeving Magistrate no more a Magistrate then an unbeleeving ibid. The excellencie of Christianity in all callings ibid. The Magistrate like a Pilot in the Ship of the Commonweale 231 The tearmes Heathen and Christian Magistrates ibid. The unjust and partiall liberty to some consciences and bondage unto all others 232 The commission Matth. 28. 19 20. not proper to Pastors and teachers least of all to the Civill Magistrate 233 Vnto whom now belongs the care of all the Churches c. ibid. Acts 15. commonly misapplied 234 The promise of Christs presence Mat. 18. distinct from that Mat. 28. 235 Church administrations firstly charged upon the Ministers thereof 236 Queen Elizabeths Bishops truer to their principles then many of a better spirit and profession 237. Mr. Barrowes profession concerning Queen Elizabeth ibid The inventions of men swarving from the true essentialls of civill and Spirituall Commonweales 239 A great question viz. whether only Church members that is godly persons in a particular Church estate be only eligible into the Magistracie ib. The world being divided into 30 parts 25 never heard of Christ. 240 Lawfull civill states where Churches of Christ are not ibid. Few Christians Wise and noble and qualified for affaires of State ibid. SCRIPTURES AND REASONS written long since by a Witnesse of lesus Christ close Prisoner in Newgate against Persecution in cause of Conscience and sent some while since to Mr. Cotton by a Friend who thus wrote In the multitude of Councellours there is safety It is therefore humbly desired to be instructed in this point viz. Whether Persecution for cause of Conscience be not against the Doctrine of Iesus Christ the King of Kings The Scriptures and Reasons are these BEcause Christ commandeth that the Tares and Wheat which some understand are those that walke in the Truth and those that walke in Lies should be let alone in the World and not plucked up untill the Harvest which is the end of the World Matth. 13. 30. 38. c. The same commandeth Matth. 15. 14. that they that are Blinde as some interpret led on in false Religion and are offended with him for teaching true Religion should be let alone referring their punishment unto their falling into the Ditch Againe Luke 9. 54 55. hee reproved his Disciples who would have had Fire come downe from Heaven and devoure those Samaritanes who would not receive Him in these words Ye know not of what Spirit ye are the son of Man is not come to destroy Mens lives but to save them Paul
the Apostle of our Lord teacheth 2 Tim. 24. 2. That the servant of the Lord must not strive but must be gentle toward all Men suffering the Evill Men instructing them with meeknesse that are contrary minded proving if God at any time will give them repentanco that they may acknowledge the Truth and come to amendment out of that snare of the devill c. According to these blessed Commandements the holy Prophets foretold that when the Law of Moses concerning Worship should cease and Christs Kingdome be established Esa. 2. 4. Mic. 4. 3 4 They shall breake their Swords into Mathookes and their Speares into Sithes And Esa. 11. 9. Then shall none hurt or destroy in all the Mountaine of my Holinesse c. And when he came the same he taught and practised as before so did his Disciples after him for the Weapons of his Warfare are not carnall saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 10 4. But he chargeth straitly that his Disciples should be so far from persecuting those that would not bee of their Religion that when they were persecuted they should pray Matth. 5. when they were cursed they should blesse c. And the Reason seemes to bee because they who now are Tares may hereafter become Wheat they who are now blinde may hereafter see they that now resist him may hereafter receive him they that are now in the devils snare in adversenesse to the Truth may hereafter come to repentance they that are now blasphemers and persecutors as Paul was may in time become faithfull as he they that are now idolators as the Corinths once were 1 Cor. 6. 9. may hereafter become true worshippers as they they that are now no people of God nor under mercy as the Saints sometimes were 1 Pet. 2. 20. may hereafter become the people of God and obtaine mercy as they Some come not till the 11. houre Matth. 20. 6. if those that come not till the last houre should be destroyed because they come not at the first then should they never come but be prevented All which premises are in all humility referred to your godly wise consideration Because this persecution for cause of conscience is against the profession and practice of famous Princes First you may please to consider the speech of King Iames in his Majesties Speech at Parliament 1609. He saith it is a sure Rule in divinity that God never loves to plant his Church by violence and bloodshed And in his Highnesse Apologie pag. 4. speaking of such Papists that tooke the Oath thus I gave good proofe that I intended no persecution against them for conscience cause but onely desired to bee secured for civill obedience which for conscience cause they are bound to performe And pag. 60. speaking of Blackwell the Arch-priest his Majesty saith It was never my intention to lay any thing to the said Arch-Priests charge as I have never done to any for cause of conscience And in his Highnesse Exposition on Revel 20. printed 1568. and after 1603. his Majesty writeth thus Sixthly the compassing of the Saints and the besieging of the beloved City declareth unto us a certaine note of a false Church to be Persecution for they come to seeke the faithfull the faithfull are them that are sought the wicked are the besiegers the faithfull are the besieged Secondly the saying of Stephen King of Poland I am King of Men not of Consciences a Commander of Bodies not of Soules Thirdly the King of Bohemia hath thus written And notwithstanding the successe of the later times wherein sundry opinions have beene hatched about the subject of Religion may make one clearly discerne with his eye and as it were to touch with his Finger that according to the veritie of Holy Scriptures and a Maxime heretofore told and maintained by the ancient Doctors of the Church That mens consciences ought in no sort to bee violated urged or constrained and whensoever men have attempted any thing by this violent course whether openly or by secret meanes the issue hath beene pernicious and the cause of great and wonderfull Innovations in the principallest and mightiest Kingdomes and Countries of all Christendome And further his Majesty saith So that once more we doe professe before God and the whole World that from this time forward wee are firmly resolved not to persecute or molest or suffer to be persecuted or molested any person whosoever for matter of Religion no not they that professe themselves to be of the Romish Church neither to trouble or disturbe them in the exercise of their Religion so they live conformable to the Lawes of the States c. And for the practice of this where is persecution for cause of conscience except in England and where Popery reignes and there neither in all places as appeareth by France Poland and other places Nay it is not practised amongst the Heathen that acknowledge not the true God as the Turke Persian and others Thirdly because persecution for cause of conscience is condemned by the ancient and later Writers yea and Papists themselves Hilarie against Auxentius saith thus The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted And lamentable it is to see the great folly of these times and to sigh at the foolish opinion of this world in that men thinke by humane aide to helpe God and with worldly pompe and power to undertake to defend the Christian Church I aske you Bishops what helpe used the Apostles in the publishing of the Gospel with the aid of what power did they preach Christ and converted the Heathen from their idolatry to God When they were in prisons and lay in chaines did they praise and give thankes to God for any dignities graces and favours received from the Court Or do you thinke that Paul went about with Regall Mandates or Kingly authority to gather and establish the Church of Christ sought he protection from Nero Vespasian The Apostles wrought with their hands for their owne maintenance travailing by land and water from Towne to Citie to preach Christ yea the more they were forbidden the more they taught and preached Christ. But now alas humane helpe must assist and protect the Faith and give the same countenance to and by vaine and worldly honours Doe men seek to defend the Church of Christ as if hee by his power were unable to performe it The same against the Arrians The Church now which formerly by induring misery and imprisonment was knowne to be a true Church doth now terrifie others by imprisonment banishment and misery and boasteth that she is highly esteemed of the world when as the true Church cannot but be hated of the same Tertull. ad Scapulam It agreeth both with humane reason and naturall equity that every man worship God uncompelled and beleeve what he will for it neither hurteth nor profiteth any one another mans Religion and Beleefe Neither beseemeth it any Religion to compell another to be of their Religion which willingly and freely should be
Christians are to be exhorted not compelled But this hundreth not that Christians sinning against light of Faith and Conscience may justly be censured by the Church with Excommunication and by the Civill Sword also in case they shall corrupt others to the perdition of their Soules As for the Testimony of the Popish Book we weigh it not as knowing whatsoever they speake for Toleration of Religion where themselves are under Hatches when they come to sit at Sterne they judge and practise quite contrary as both their Writings and Iudiciall proceedings have testified to the World these many yeares To shut up this Argument from Testimonie of Writers It is well known Augustine retracted this Opinion of yours which in his younger times he had held but in after riper age reversed and refuted as appeareth in the second Book of his Retractations chap. 5. and in his Epistles 48. 50. And in his 1. Book against Parmenianus cap. 7. he sheweth that if the Donatists were punished with death they were justly punished And in his 11 Tractate upon Iohn They murther saith he Soules and themselves are afflicted in Body They put men to everlasting death and yet they complaine when themselves are put to suffer temporall death Optatus in his 3. book justifieth Macharius who had put some Hereticks to death that he had done no more herein then what Moses Phincas and Elias had done before him Bernard in his 66 Sermon in Cantica Out of doubt saith he it is better that they should be restrained by the Sword of Him who beareth not the Sword in vaine then that they should be suffred to draw many others into their Errour For he is the Minister of God for Wrath to every evill doer Calvins judgement is well knowne who procured the death of Michael Servetus for pertinacie in Heresie and defended his fact by a Book written of that Argument Beza also wrote a Booke de Haereticis Morte plectendis that Hereticks are to be punished with Death Aretius likewise tooke the like course about the Death of Valentinus Gentilis and justified the Magistrates proceeding against him in an History written of that Argument Finally you come to answer some maine Objections as you call them which yet are but one and that one objecteth nothing against what we hold It is say you no prejudice to the Common-wealth if Libertie of Conscience were suffred to such as feare God indeed which you prove by the examples of the Patriarchs and others But we readily grant you Libertie of Conscience is to be granted to men that feare God indeed as knowing they will not persist in Heresie or turbulent Schisme when they are convinced in Conscience of the sinfulnesse thereof But the Question is Whether an Heretick after once or twice Admonition and so after conviction or any other scandalous and heynous offender may be tolerated either in the Church without Excommunication or in the Common-wealth without such punishment as may preserve others from dangerous and damnable infection Thus much I thought needfull to be spoken for avoyding the Grounds of your Errour I forbeare adding Reasons to justifie the Truth because you may finde that done to your hand in a Treatise sent to some of the Brethren late of Salem who doubted as you doe The Lord Jesus lead you by a Spirit of Truth into all Truth through Jesus Christ. A REPLY to the aforesaid ANSWER of Mr. Cotton In a CONFERENCE betweene TRVTH and PEACE CHAP. I. Truth IN what darke corner of the World sweet Peace are we two met How hath this present evill World banished Me from all the Coasts Quarters of it and how hath the Righteous God in judgement taken Thee from the Earth Rev. 6. 4. Peace 'T is lamentably true blessed Truth the foundations of the World have long been out of course the Gates of Earth and Hell have conspired together to intercept our joyfull meeting and our holy kisses With what a wearied tyred Wing have I flowne over Nations Kingdomes Cities Townes to finde out precious Truth Truth The like enquiries in my flights and travells have I made for Peace and still am told she hath left the Earth and fled to Heaven Peace Deare Truth What is the Earth but a dungeon of darknesse where Truth is not Truth And what 's the Peace thereof but a fleeting dreame thine Ape and Counterfeit Peace O where 's the Promise of the God of Heaven that Righteousnes and Peace shall kisse each other Truth Patience sweet Peace these Heavens and Earth are growing Old and shall be changed like a Garment Psal. 102. They shall melt away and be burnt up with all the Works that are therein and the most high Eternall Creatour shall gloriously create New Heavens and New Earth wherein dwells Righteousnesse 2 Pet. 3. Our kisses then shall have their endlesse date of pure and sweetest ioyes till then both Thou and I must hope and wait and beare the furie of the Dragons wrath whose monstrous Lies and Furies shall with himselfe be cast into the lake of Fire the second death Revel 20. Peace Most precious Truth thou knowest we are both pursued and laid for Mine heart is full of sighes mine eyes with teares Where can I better vent my full oppressed bosome then into thine whose faithfull lips may for these few houres revive my drooping wandring spirits and here begin to wipe Teares from mine eyes and the eyes of my dearest Children Truth Sweet daughter of the God of Peace begin powre out thy sorrowes vent thy complaints how joyfull am I to improve these precious Minutes to revive our Hearts both thine and mine and the hearts of all that love the Truth and Peace Zach. 8. Peace Deare Truth I know thy birth thy nature thy delight They that know thee will prize thee farre above themselves and lives and sell themselves to buy thee Well spake that famous Elizabeth to her famous Attorney Sir Edward Coke Mr. Attourney goe on as thou hast begun and still plead not pro Domina Regina but pro Domina Veritate Truth 'T is true my Crowne is high my Scepter 's strong to breake down strongest holds to throw down highest Crownes of all that plead though but in thought against me Some few there are but oh how few are valiant for the Truth and dare to plead my Cause as my Witnesses in sack-cloth Revel 11. While all mens Tongues are bent like Bowes to shoot out lying words against Me Peace O how could I spend eternall dayes and endlesse dates at thy holy feet in listning to the precious Oracles of thy mouth All the Words of thy mouth are Truth and there is no iniquity in them Thy lips drop as the hony-combe But oh since we must part anon let us as thou saidst improve our Minutes and according as thou promisedst revive me with thy words which are sweeter then the honey and the honey-combe CHAP. II. DEare Truth I have two sad Complaints First The most sober
inducement to the Answerers mind to lay down such a Position or Thesis as this is It is not lawfull to persecute the Lord Iesus Search all Scriptures Histories Records Monuments consult with all experiences did ever Pharaoh Saul Ahab Iezabel Scribes and Pharises the Jewes Herod the bloudy Neroes Gardiners Boners Pope or Devill himselfe professe to persecute the Son of God Jesus as Jesus Christ as Christ without a mask or covering No saith Pharaoh the Isrealites are idle and therefore speake they of sacrificing David is risen up in a conspiracy against Saul therefore persecute him Naboth hath blasphemed God and the King therefore stone him Christ is a seducer of the people a blasphemer against God and traytor against Caesar therefore hang him Christians are schismaticall factious hereticall therefore persecute them The Devill hath deluded Iohn Hus therefore crowne him with a paper of Devils and burne him c. Peace One thing I see apparantly in the Lords over-ruling the pen of this worthy Answerer viz. a secret whispering from heaven to him that although his soules ayme at Christ and hath wrought much for Christ in many sincere intentions and Gods mercifull and patient acceptance yet he hath never left the Tents of such who think they doe God good service in killing the Lord Jesus in his servants and yet they say if we had beene in the dayes of our Fathers in Queene Maries dayes c. we would never have consented to such persecution And therefore when they persecute Christ Jesus in his truths or servants they say Doe not say you are persecuted for the Word for Christ his sake for we hold it not lawfull to persecute Iesus Christ. Let me also adde a second So farre as he hath beene a Guide by preaching for persecution I say wherein he hath beene a Guide and Leader by mis-interpreting and applying the Writings of Truth so far I say his owne mouthes and hands shall judge I hope not his persons but his actions for the Lord Jesus hath suffered by him Act. 9. 3. and if the Lord Jesus himselfe were present himselfe should suffer that in his owne person which his servants witnessing his Truth doe suffer for his sake CHAP. XII Peace THeir second Conclusion is this It is not lawfull to persecute erroneous and blinde conscience even in fundamentall and weighty points till after admonition once or twice Tit. 3. 11. and then such consciences may be persecuted because the Word of God is so cleare in fundamentall and weighty points that such a person cannot but sin against his conscience and so being condemned of himselfe that is of his conscience hee may be persecuted for sinning against his owne conscience Truth I answer in that great battell betweene the Lord Jesus and the Devill it is observable that Sathan takes up the weapons of Scripture and such Scripture which in shew and colour was excellent for his purpose but in this 3. of Titus as Salomon speakes of the Birds of heaven Prov. 1. a man may evidently see the snare and I know the time is comming wherein it shall bee said Surely in vaine the Net is laid in the sight of the Saints heavenly Birds So palpably grosse and thicke is the mist and fog which Sathan hath raised about this Scripture that he that can but see men as trees in matters of Gods worship may easily discerne what a wonderfull deepe sleepe Gods people are fallen into concerning the visible Kingdome of Christ in so much that this third of Titus which through fearfull prophanations hath so many hundred years been the pretended Bulwark and defence of all the bloudy Wolves dens of Lions and mountains of Leopards hunting and devouring the Witnesses of Jesus should now be the refuge and defence of as I hope the Lambes and little ones of Jesus yet in this point so preaching and practising so unlike to themselves to the Lord Jesus and lamentably too like to His and their Persecutors CHAP. XIII Peace BRight Truth since this place of Titus is such a pretended Bulwark for persecuting of Hereticks under that pretence of persecuting all thy followers I beseech you by the bright beames of the Sun of Righteousnesse scatter these mists and unfold these particulars out of the Text First What this Man is that is an Hereticke Secondly How this Hereticke is condemned of himselfe Thirdly What is this first and second Admonition and by whom it is supposed to be given Fourthly What is this rejecting of Him and by whom it is supposed this Rejection was to be made Truth First What is this Heretick I find him commonly defined to be such an one as is obstinate in Fundamentalls and so also I conceive the Answerer seems to recent him saying That the Apostle renders this reason why after once and twice Admonition he ought to be persecuted because in fundamentall and principall points of Doctrine and Worship the Word of God is so cleare that the Hereticke cannot but be convinced in his owne Conscience But of this reason I finde not one tittle mentioned in this Scripture for although he saith such an one is condemned of himselfe yet he saith not nor will it follow that fundamentalls are so cleare that after first and second Admonition a person that submits not to them is condemned of himself any more then in lesser points This 11 verse hath reference to the former verses Titus an Evangelist a Preacher of glad Newes abiding here with the Church of Christ at Creet is required by Paul to avoid to reject and to teach the Church to reject Genealogies disputes and unprofitable questions about the Law Such a like charge it is as he gave to Timothy left also an Evangelist at Ephesus 1 Tim. 1. 4. If it should be objected what is to be done to such contentious vain strivers about Genealogies and questions unprofitable The Apostle seems plainly to answer Let him be once and twice admonished Ob. Yea but what if once and twice admonition prevaile not The Apostle seems to answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that is the man that is wilfully obstinate after such once and twice admonition Reject him With this Scripture agrees that of 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. where Timothy is commanded to withdraw himselfe from such who dote about questions and strife of words All which are points of a lower and inferiour nature not properly falling within the tearms or notions of those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first principles and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foundations of the Christian Profession to wit Repentance from dead workes Faith towards God the doctrine of Baptismes and of laying on of hands the Resurrection and eternall Judgement Heb. 6. 2. c. Concerning these Fundamentalls although nothing is so little in the Christian Worship but may be referred to one of these six yet doth not Paul to Timothy or Titus speake in those places by me alledged o◠of any of these as may evidently appeare by the context
And if a breach follow it is not made by such doctrines but by the boysterous and violent opposers of them Such persons onely breake the Cities or Kingdomes peace who cry out for prison and swords against such who crosse their judgement or practice in Religion For as Iosephs mistris accused Ioseph of uncleannesse and calls out for civill violence against him when Ioseph was chaste and her selfe guilty So commonly the meeke and peaceable of the earth are traduced as rebells factious peace-breakers although they deale not with the State or State-matters but matters of divine and spirituall nature when their traducers are the onely unpeaceable and guilty of breach of Civill Peace Peace We are now come to the second part of the Answer which is a particular examination of such grounds as are brought against such persecution The first sort of grounds are from the Scriptures CHAP. XVIII FIrst Matth. 13. 30 38. because Christ commandeth to let alone the Tares to grow up together with the Wheat untill the Harvest Unto which he answereth That Tares are not Bryars and Thornes but partly Hypocrites like unto the godly but indeed carnall as the Tares are like to Wheat but are not Wheat or partly such corrupt doctrines or practices as are indeed unsound but yet such as come very near the truth as Tares do to the Wheat and so neer that good men may be taken with them and so the persons in whom they grow cannot bee rooted out but good Wheat will be rooted out with them In such a case saith he Christ calleth for peaceable toleration and not for penall prosecution according to the third Conclusion Truth The substance of this Answer I conceive to be first negative that by Tares are not meant persons of another Religion and Worship that is saith he they are not Briars and Thornes Secondly affirmative by Tares are meant either persons or doctrines or practices persons as hypocrites like the godly doctrines or practices corrupt yet like the truth For answer hereunto I confesse that not onely those worthy witnesses whose memories are sweet with all that feare God Calvin Beza c. but of later times many conjoyne with this worthy Answerer to satisfie themselves and others with such an Interpretation But alas how darke is the soule left that desires to walke with God in holy feare and trembling when in such a waighty and mighty point as this is that in matters of conscience concerneth the spilling of the bloud of thousands and the Civill Peace of the World in the taking up Armes to suppresse all false Religions when I say no evidence or demonstration of the Spirit is brought to prove such an interpretation nor Arguments from the place it selfe or the Scriptures of truth to confirme it but a bare Affirmation that these Tares must signifie persons or doctrines and practices I will not imagine any deceitfull purpose in the Answerers thoughts in the proposall of these three persons doctrines or practices yet dare I confidently avouch that the Old Serpent hath deceived their precious soules and by Tongue and Pen would deceive the soules of others by such a method of dividing the word of truth A threefold Cord and so a threefold Snare is strong and too like it is that one of the three either Persons Doctrines or Practices may catch some feet CHAP. XIX Peace THe place then being of such great importance as concerning the truth of God the bloud of thousands yea the bloud of Saints and of the Lord Iesus in them I shall request your more diligent search by the Lords holy assistance into this Scripture I shall make it evident that by these Tares in this Parable are meant persons in respect of their Religion and way of Worship open and visible professours as bad as briars and thornes not onely suspected Foxes but as bad as those greedy Wolves which Paul speakes of Acts 20. who with perverse and evill doctrines labour spiritually to devoure the flocke and to draw away Disciples after them whose mouthes must be stopped and yet no carnall force or weapon to be used against them but their mischiefe to bee resisted with those mighty weapons of the holy Armoury of the Lord Iesus wherein there hangs a thousand shields Cant. 4. That the Lord Iesus intendeth not doctrines or practices by the tares in this Parable is cleare for First the Lord Iesus expresly interpreteth the good seed to be persons and those the children of the Kingdome and the tares also to signifie Men and those the children of the Wicked one ver 38. Secondly such corrupt doctrines or practices are not to bee tolerated now as those Iewish observations the Lords owne Ordinances were for a while to be permitted Rom. 14. Nor so long as till the Angels the Reapers come to reape the Harvest in the end of the world For can we thinke that because the tender Consciences of the Iewes were to be tendred in their differences of meats that therefore persons must now bee tolerated in the Church for I speake not of the Civill State and that to the worlds end in superstitious forbearing and forbidding of flesh in Popish Lents and superstitious Fridayes c. and that because they were to be tendred in their observation of Iewish Holidayes that therefore untill the Harvest or Worlds end persons must now be tolerated I meane in the Church in the observation of Popish Christmas Easter Whitsontide and other superstitious Popish Festivals I willingly acknowledge that if the members of a Church of Christ shall upon some delusion of Sathan kneele at the Lords Supper keep Christmas or any other Popish observation great tendernesse ought to bee used in winning his soule from the errour of his way and yet I see not that persons so practising were sit to be received into the Churches of Christ now as the Iewes weake in the Faith that is in the Liberties of Christ were to be received Rom. 14. 1. And least of all as before that the toleration or permission of such ought to continue till Doomes day or the end of the world as this Parable urgeth the Toleration Let them alone untill the Harvest CHAP. XX. AGaine Hypocrites were not intended by the Lord Iesus in this famous Parable First the Originall word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying all those Weeds which spring up with the Corne as Cockle Darnell Tares c. seemes to imply such a kinde of people as commonly and generally are knowne to bee manifestly different from and opposite to the true worshippers of God here called the children of the Kingdom as these weeds tares cockle darnell c. are commonly and presently knowne by every husbandman to differ from the wheat and to be opposite and contrary and hurtfull unto it Now whereas it is pleaded that these tares are like the wheat and so like that this consimilitude or likenesse is made the ground of this interpretation
viz. That tares must needs signifie hypocrites or doctrines or practices who are like Gods children Truth c. I answer first The Parable holds forth no such thing that the likenesse of the tares should deceive the servants to cause them to suppose for a time that they were good wheat but that as soone as ever the tares appeared ver 26. the servants came to the housholder about them ver 27. the Scripture holds forth no such time wherein they doubted or suspected what they were Peace It may be said they did not appeare to be tares untill the coâ—ne was in the blade and put forth its fruit Truth I answer The one appeared as soone as the other for so the word clearly carries it that the seed of both having been sowne when the wheat appeared and put forth its blade and fruit the tares also were as early and put forth themselves as appeared also Secondly there is such a dissimilitude or unlikenesse I say such a dissimilitude that as soone as tares and wheat are sprung up to blade and fruit every husbandman can tell which is wheat and which are tares and cockle c. Peace It may be said true So when the hypocrite is manifested then all may know him c. but before hypocrites be manifested by fruits they are unknowne I answer search into the Parable and aske when was it that the servants first complained of the tares to the housholder but when they appeared or came in sight there being no interim wherein the servants could not tell what to make of them but doubted whether they were wheat or tares as the Answerer implies Secondly when was it that the housholder gave charge to let them alone but after that they appeared and were known to be tares which should imply by this interpretation of the Answerer that when men are discovered and knowne to be Hypocrites yet stilâ—â—uch a generation of Hypocrites in the Church must be let alone and tolerated untill the harvest or end of the world which is contrary to all order piety and safety in the Church of the Lord Iesus as doubtlesse the Answerers will grant so that those Tares being notoriously knowne to be different from the Corne I conclude that they cannot here be intended by the Lord Iesus to signifie secret Hypocrites but more open and apparent Sinners CHAP. XXI THe second reason why these tares cannot signifie hypocrites in the Church I take from the Lord Iesus His own Interpretation of the field in which both wheat and tares are sowne which saith he is the World out of which God chooseth and calleth His Church The World lyes in wickednesse is like a Wildernesse or a Sea of wilde Beasts innumerable fornicators covetous Idolaters c. with whom Gods people may lawfully converse and cohabit in Cities Townes c. else must they not live in the World but goe out of it In which world as soone as ever the Lord Iesus had sowne the good seed the children of the Kingdome true Christianity or the true Church the Enemy Sathan presently in the night of security Ignorance and Errour whilest men slept sowed also these tares which are Antichristians or false Christians These strange Professours of the Name of Iesus the Ministers and Prophets of God beholding they are ready to runne to Heaven to fetch fiery judgements from thence to consume these strange Christians and to pluck them by the roots out of the world But the Son of Man the meek Lamb of God for the Elect sake which must be gathered out of Iew and Gentile Pagan Antichristian commands a permission of them in the World untill the time of the end of the World when the Goats and Sheep the Tares and Wheat shall be eternally separated each from other Peace You know some excellent Worthies dead and living have laboured to turne this Field of the World into the Garden of the Church Truth But who can imagine that the Wisdome of the Father the Lord Iesus Christ would so open this Parable as He professedly doth as that it should be close shut up and that one difficulty or locke should be opened by a greater and harder in calling the World the Church contrary also to the way of the Light and Love that is in Jesus when he would purposely teach and instruct His scholars contrary to the nature of Parables and similitudes And lastly to the nature of the Church or Garden of Christ. CHAP. XXII IN the former Parable the Lord Iesus compared the Kingdome of Heaven to the sowing of Seed The true Messengers of Christ are the Sowers who cast the Seed of the Word of the Kingdome upon foure sorts of ground which foure sorts of ground or hearts of men cannot be supposed to be of the Church nor will it ever be proved that the Church consisteth of any more sorts or natures of ground properly but one to wit the honest and good ground and the proper worke of the Church concernes the flourishing and prosperity of this sort of ground and not the other unconvertedâ—â—ree â—â—ree sorts who it may be seldome or never come 〈◊〉 the Church unlesse they be forced by the Civill sword which the paternâ— or first sowers never used and being forced they are put into a way of Religion by such a course if not so they are forced to live withoutâ— Religion for one of the two must necessarily follow as I shall prove afterward In the field of the World then are all those sorts of ground high way hearers stony and thorny ground hearers as well as the honest and good ground and I suppose it will not now be said by the Answerer that those three sorts of bad grounds were hypocrites or tares in the Church Now after the Lord Iesus had propounded that great leading Parable of the Sower and the Seed He is pleased to propound this Parable of the Tares with admirable coherence and sweet consolation to the honest and good ground who with glad and honest hearts having received the word of the Kingdome may yet seem to be discouraged and troubled with so many Antichristians and false Professours of the Name of Christ. The Lord Iesus therefore gives direction concerning these tares that unto the end of the World successively in all the sorts and generations of them they must be not approved or countenanced but let alone or permitted in the World Secondly he gives to His owne good seed this consolation that those heavenly Reapers the Angells in the harvest or end of the World will take an order and course with them to wit they shall binde them into bundles and cast them into the everlasting burnings and to make the cup of their consolation run over He addes vers 4. Then then at that time shall the Righteous shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father These tares then neither being erronious doctrines nor corrupt practises nor hypocrites
in the true Church intended by the Lord Jesus in this Parable I shall in the third place by the helpe of the same Lord Jesus evidently prove that these tares can be no other sort of sinners but false worshippers Idolaters and in particular properly Antichristians CHAP. XXIII FIrst then these Tares are such sinners as are opposite and contrary to the children of the Kingdome visibly so declared and manifest ver 38. Now the Kingdome of God below is the visible Church of Christ Jesus according to Matth. 8. 12. The children of the Kingdome which are threatned to be cast out seeme to be the Iewes which were then the onely visible Church in Covenant with the Lord when all other Nations followed other gods and worships And more plaine is that fearefull threatning Matth. 21. 43. The Kingdome of God shall be taken from you and given to a Nation that will bring forth the fruits thereof Such then are the good seed good wheat children of the Kingdome as are the disciples members and subjects of the Lord Iesus Christ his Church Kingdom and therefore consequently such are the tares as are opposite to these Idolaters Will-worshippers not truly but falsly submitting to Iesus and in especiall the children of the wicked one visibly so appearing Which wicked one I take not to be the Devill for the Lord Iesus seemes to make them distinct He that sowes the good seed saith he is the Son of man the field is the World the good seed are the Children of the Kingdome but the Tares are the children of the wicked or wickednesse the enemy that sowed them is the Devill The Originall here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agrees with that Luk. 11. 4. Deliver us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from evill or wickednesse opposite to the children of the Kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof CHAP. XXIV Peace IT is true that all drunkards thieves uncleane persons c. are opposite to Gods children Truth Answ. Their opposition here against the children of the Kingdome is such an opposition as properly sights against the Religious state or Worship of the Lord Iesus Christ. Secondly it is manifest that the Lord Jesus in this parable intends no other sort of sinners unto whom he saith Let them alone in Church or State for then he should contradict other holy and blessed ordinances for the punishment of offenders both in Christian and Civill State First in Civill state from the beginning of the World God hath armed Fathers Masters Magistrates to punish evill doers that is such of whose actions Fathers Masters Magistrates are to judge and accordingly to punish such sinners as transgresse against the good and peace of their Civill state Families Townes Cities Kingdomes their States Governments Governours Lawes Punishments and Weapons being all of a Civill nature and therefore neither disobedience to parents or magistrates nor murther nor quarrelling uncleannesse nor lasciviousnesse stealing nor extortion neither ought of that kinde ought to be let alone either in lesser or greater families townes cities kingdomes Rom. 13. but seasonably to be supprest as may best conduce to the publike safetie Againe secondly in the Kingdome of Christ Iesus whose kingdoms officers lawes punishments weapons are spirituall and of a Soule-nature he will not have Antichristian idolaters extortioners covetous c. to be let alone but the uncleane and lepers to be thrust forth the old leaven purged out the obstinate in sinne spiritually stoned to death and put away from Israel and this by many degrees of gentle admonition in private and publique as the case requires Therefore if neither offenders against the civill Lawes State and peace ought to be let alone nor the Spirituall estate the Church of Iesus Christ ought to beare with them that are evill Revel 2. I conclude that these are sinners of another nature Idolaters False-worshippers Antichristians who without discouragement to true Christians must be let alone and permitted in the world to grow and fill up the measure of their sinnes after the image of him that hath sowen them untill the great Harvest shall make the difference CHAP. XXV THirdly in that the officers unto whom these Tares are referred are the Angels the heavenly Reapers at the last day it is cleare as the light that as before these Tares cannot signifie Hypocrites in the Church who when they are discovered and seen to be Tares opposite to the good fruit of the good seed are not to be let alone to the Angels at Harvest or end of the world but purged out by the Governors of the Church and the whole Church of Christ. Againe they cannot be offenders against the civill state and Common welfare whose dealing with is not suspended unto the comming of the Angels but unto Men who although they know not the Lord Iesus Christ yet are lawfull Governours and Rulers in Civill things Accordingly in the 4. and last place in that the plucking up of these tares out of this field must bee let alone unto the very harvest or end of the world it is apparent from thence that as before they could not signifie hypocrites in the Church who when they are discovered to be so as these tares were discovered to be tares are not to be suffered after the first and second Admonition but to be rejected and every Brother that walketh disorderly to be withdrawen or separated from So likewise no offendour against the Civill state by robbery murther adultery oppression sedition mutinie is for ever to be connived at and to enjoy a perpetuall toleration unto the Worlds end as these tares must Moses for a while held his peace against the sedition of Korah Dathan and Abiram David for a season tolerated Shimei Ioab Adonijah but till the Harvest or end of the World the Lord never intended that any but these spirituall and mysticall Tares should be so permitted CHAP. XXVI NOw if any imagine that the time or date is long that in the meane season they may doe a world of mischiefe before the Worlds end as by infection c. Truth First I answer that as the civill State keepes it selfe with a civill Guard in case these Tares shall attempt ought against the peace and welfare of it let such civill offences be punished and yet as Tares opposite to Christs Kingdome let their Worship and Consciences be tolerated Secondly the Church or spirituall State City or Kingdome hath lawes and orders and armories whereon there hang a thousand Bucklers Cant. 4. Weapons and Ammunition able to break down the strongest Holds 1 Cor. 10. and so to defend it selfe against the very Gates of Earth or Hell Thirdly the Lord himself knows who are his his foundation remaineth sure his Elect or chosen cannot perish nor be finally deceived Lastly the Lord Iesus here in this Parable layes downe two Reasons able to content and satisfie our heartsâ— to beaâ—e patiently this their contradiction and Antichristianity and to permit or let them
and the redressing of evill and where it stops in any and runs nor cleere there the guilt like filth or mud will lie Thirdly had it been the holy purpose of God to have established the doctrine and kingdome of his Son this way since his comming he would have furnished Common-weales Kingdomes Cities c. then and since with such temporall Powers and Magistrates as should have been excellently sit and competent for he that could have had legions of Angels if he so pleased could as easily have been and still be furnished with legions of good and gracious Magistrates to this end and purpose CHAP. XXXI IT is generally said that God hath in former rimes and doth still and will hereafter stirre up Kings and Queenes c. I answer that place of Isa. 49. 23. will appeare to be far from proving such Kings and Queenes Iudges of Ecclesiasticall causes and if not Iudges they may not punish In Spirituall things themselves are subject to the Church and censures of it although in Civill respects superior How shall those Kings and Queenes be supreme Governours of the Church and yet lick the dust of the Churches feet as it is there exprest Thirdly Gods Israel of old were earnest with God for a King for an Arme of Flesh for a King to protect them as other Nations had Gods Israel still have ever been restlesse with God for an Arme of flesh God gave them Saul in his anger and took him away in his wrath And God hath given many a Saul in his Anger that is an Arm of Flesh in the way of his Providence though I judge not all persons whom Saul in his Calling typed out to be of Sauls spirit for I speake of a State and outward visible Power only I adde God will take away such stayes on whom Gods people rest in his wrath that King David that is Christ Iesus the Antitype in his own Spirituall power in the hands of the Saints may spiritually and for ever be advanced And therefore I conclude it was in one respect that the Lord Iesus said Let them alone because it was no Ordinance for any Disciple of Iesus to prosecute the Pharises at Caesars Bar. Beside let it be seriously considered by such as plead for present corporall punishment as conceiving that such sinners though they breake nor Civill peace should not escape unpunished I say let it be considered though for the present their punishment is deferred yet the punishment inflicted on them will be found to amount to an higher pitch then any corporall punishment in the World beside and that in these foure respects CHAP. XXXII FIrst by just judgement from God false teachers are starke blinde Gods sword hath strucke out the right eye of their minde and spirituall underderstanding ten thousand times a greater punishment then if the Magistrate should command both the right and left eye of their bodies to bee bored or pluckt out and that in so many fearfull respects if the blindenesse of the soule and of the body were a little compared together whether we looke at that want of guidance or the want of joy and pleasure which the light of the eye affordeth or whether we looke at the damage shame deformity and danger which blindenesse brings to the outward man and much more true in the want of the former and miseris of the latter in spirituall and soule blindenesse to all eternity Secondly how fearfull is that wound that no Balme in Gilead can cure How dâ—eadfull is that blindenesse which for ever to all eye-salve is incurable For if persons be wilfully and desperately obstinate after light shining forth let them alone faith the Lord. So spake the Lord once of Ephraim Ephraim is joyned to Idolls let him alone Hos. 7. what more lamentable condition then when the Lord hath given a poor sinner over as a hopelesse patient incurable which we are wont to account a â—orer affliction then if a man were torne and rack'd c. And this I speake not that I conceive that all whom the Lord Iesus commands His servants to passe from and let alone to permit and tolerate when it is in their power corporally to molest them I say that all are thus â—â—curaâ—le yet that sometimes that word is spoken by Christ Jesus to â—is servants to be patient for neither can corporall or spirituall 〈◊〉 or Physicke ever heale or cure â—â—em Thirdly their end is the Ditch that bottomlesse pit of everlasting separation 〈◊〉 the holy and sweet Presence of the Father of Lights Goodnesse and Mercy it selfe enalesse 〈◊〉 in extremity universality and eternity of torments which most direfull and lamenâ—able downefall should strike a â—oly fear trembling into all 〈◊〉 see the Pit whithâ—◠〈…〉 are â—umbling and cause us to strive so far as 〈…〉 by the spirituall eye-salve of the Word of God to heale and 〈…〉 â—heiâ— soule-destroying blindenesse 〈◊〉 of those that fall into this â—â—eâ—â—full Ditch both leader and followers how deplorable in more especiall manner is the leaders case upon whose necke the followers tumble the ruine not only of his owne soule being horrible but also the ruine of the followers soules eternally galling and tormenting Peace Some will say these things are indeed full of horrour yet such is the state of all sinners and of many Malefactours whom yet the State is bound to punish and sometimes by death it selfe Truth I answer The Civill Magistrate beareth not the sword in vaine but to cut off Civill offences yea and the offendours too in case But what is this to a blinde Pharisce resisting the Doctrine of Christ who happily may be as good a subject and as peaceable and profitable to the Civill State as any and for his spirituall offence against the Lord Iesus in denying Him to be the true Christ he suffereth the vengeance of a dreadfull judgement both present and eternall as before CHAP. XXXIII Peace YEa but it is said that the blinde Pharises misguiding the subjects of a Civill State greatly sinne against a Civill State and therefore justly suffer civill punishment for shall the Civill Magistrate take care of outsides only to wit of the bodies of men and not of soules in labouring to procure their everlasting welfare Truth I answer It is a truth the mischiefe of a blinde Pharises blinde guidance is greater then if he acted Treasons Murders c. and the losse of one soule by his seduction is a greater mischiefe then if he blew up Parliaments and cuts the throats of Kings or Emperours so pretious is that invaluable Jewell of a Soul above all the present lives and bodies of all the men in the world I and therefore a firme Justice calling for eye for eye tooth for tooth life for life calls also soule for soule which the blinde-guiding seducing Pharisee shall surely pay in that dreadfull Ditch which the Lord Jesus speakes of but this sentence against him the Lord Jesus only pronounceth
16 And if so how should Paul appeale in spirituall things to Caesar or write to the Churches of Iesus to submite in Christian or Spirituall matters Fifthly if Paul had appealed to Caesar in spirituall respects hee had greatly prophaned the holy name of God in holy things in so improper and vaine a prostitution of spirituall things to carnall and naturall judgements which are not able to comprehend spirituall matters which are alone spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. And yet Caesar as a civill supreme Magistrate ought to defend Paul from Civill violence and staâ—derous accusations about sedition mutiny civill disobedience c. And in that sense who doubts but God's people may appeale to the Romane Caesar an Egyptian Pharach a Philistian Abimelecke an Assyrian Nabuchadnezzar the great Mâ—gol Prester Iohn the great Turke or an Indian Sachim CHAP. L. Peace WHich is the third Argument against the civill Magistrates power in spirituall and soule matters out of this Scripture Rom. 13 Truth I dispute from the nature of the Magistrates weapons vers 4. He hath a sword which hee beares not in vaine delivered to him as I acknowledge from Gods appointment in the free consent and choice of the subjects for common good We must distinguish of swords We finde foure sorts of swords mentioned in the New Testament First the sword of persecution which Herod stretched forth against Iames Act. 12. Secondly the sword of Gods Spirit expresly said to be the Word of God Ephes. 6. A sword of two edges caried in the mouth of Christ Rev. 1. which is of strong and mighty operation piercing betweene the bones and the marrow betweene the soule and the spirit Heb. 4. Thirdly the great sword of War and Destruction given to him that rides that terrible Red Horse of War so that he takes Peace from the Earth and men kill one another as is most lamentably true in the slaughter of so many hundred thousand soules within these few yeares in severall parts of Europe our owne and others None of these 3 swords are intended in this Scripture Therefore fourthly there is a Civill sword called the Sword of Civill justice which being of a materiall civill nature for the defence of Persons Estates Families Liberties of a City or Civill State and the suppressing of uncivill or injurious persons or actions by such civill punishment It cannot according to its utmost reach and capacitie now under Christ when all Nations are meerly civill without any such typicall holy respect upon them as was upon Israel a Nationall Church I say cannot extend to spirituall and Soul-causes Spirituall and Soule punishment which belongs to that spirituall sword with two edges the soule-piercing in soule-saving or soule-killing the Word of God CHAP. LII Truth A Fourth Argument from this Scripture I take in the 6. verse from Tribute custome c. which is a meerly civill Reward or Recompence for the Magistrates worke Now as the wages are such is the worke But the wages are meerely civill Custome Tribute c. not the contributions of the Saints or churches of Christ proper to the Spirituall and Christian state and such work only must the Magistrate attend upon as may properly deserve such civill wages reward or recompence Lastly that the Spirit of God never intended to direct or warrant the Magistrate to use his Power in spirituall affaires and Religious worship I argue from the terme or title it pleaseth the wisedome of God to give such Civill officers to wit vers 6. Gods Ministers Now at the very first blush no man denies a double Ministerie The one appointed by Christ Iesus in his Church to gather to governe receive in cast out and order all the affaires of the Church the House Citie or Kingdome of God Ephes. 4. 1 Cor. 12. Secondly a Civill Ministery or office meerely humane and civill which Men agree to constitute called therefore an humane creation 1 Pet. 2. and is as true and lawfull in those Nations Cities Kingdomes c. which never heard of the true God nor his holy Sonne Iesus as in any part of the World beside where the Name of Iesus is most taken up From all which premises viz. that the scope of the Spirit of God in this Chapter is to handle the matters of the second Table having handled the matters of the first in the 12. since the Magistrates of whom Paul wrote were naturall ungodly persecuting and yet lawfull Magistrates and to be obeyed in all lawfull Civill things Since all Magistrates are Gods Ministers essentially civill bounded to a civill work with civill weapons or instruments and paid or rewarded with civill rewards From all which I say I undeniably collect that this Scripture is generally mistaken and wrested from the scope of Gods Spirit and the nature of the place and cannot truly be alleadged by any for the Power of the Civill Magistrate to be exercised in spirituall and Soule-matters CHAP. LII Peace AGainst this I know many object out of the 4. verse of this Chapter that the Magistrate is to avenge or punish Evill from whence is gathered that Heresie false Christs false Churches false Ministeries false Seales being evill ought to be punished Civilly c. Truth I answer that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is generally opposed to Civill Goodnesse or Virtue in a Common-wealth and not to Spirituall Good or Religion in the Church Secondly I have proved from the scope of the place that here is not intended Evill against the Spirituall or Christian Estate handled in the 12 Chap. but Evill against the Civill State in this 13. properly falling under the cognizance of the Civill Minister of God the Magistrate and punishable by that civill sword of his as an incivilitie disorder or breach of that civill order peace and civility unto which all the Inhabitants of a City Town or Kingdome oblige themselves Peace I have heard that the Elders of the New-English Churches who yet out of this 13 Rom. maintaine Persecution grant that the Magistrate is to preserve the peace and welfare of the State and therefore that he ought not to punish such sinnes as hurt not his peace In particular they say the Magistraâ—e may not punish secret sinnes in the Soule Nor such sinnes as are yet handling in the Church in a private way Nor such sinnes which are private in Families and therefore they say the Magistrate transgresteth to prosecute complaints of children against their parents servants agaiâ—st masters wives against husbands and yet this proper to the Civill State Nor such sinnes as are between the Members and Churches themselves And they confesse that if the Magistrate punish and the Church punish there will be a greater Rent in their Peace Truth From thence sweet Peace may we well observe First the Magistrate is not to punish all Evill according to this their confession The distinction of private and publike Evill will not here availe because such as urge
that terme Evill viz that the Magistrate is to punish Evill urge it strictly eo nomine because Heresie Blasphemie false Church false Ministerie is evill as well as Disorder in a Civill State Secondly I observe how they take away from the Magistrate that which is proper to his cognisance as the complaints of servants children wives against their parents masters husbands c. Families as families being as stones which make up the common building and are properly the object of the Magistrates care in respect of Civill Government Civill order and obedience CHAP. LIV. Peace I Pray now lastly proceed to the Authours Reason why Christs Disciples should be so far from persecuting that they ought to blesse them that curse them and pray for them that persecute them because of the freenesse of Gods grace and the deepenesse of his Councels calling them that are Enemies Persecutors No people to become meeke Lambes the sheep and people of God according to 1 Pet. 2. 20. You which were not a people are now a people c. and Matth. 20. 6. Some come at the Last houre which if they were cut off because they came not sooner would be prevented and so should never come Unto this Reason the Answerer is pleased thus to reply First in generall We must not doe Evill that Good may come thereof Secondly in particular he affirmeth that it is evill to tolerate seditious evill doers seducing Teachers scandalous livers and for proof of this he quotes Christs reproofe to the Angel of the Church at Pergamâ—s for tolerating them that hold the doctrine of Balaam and against the Church of Thiatyra for tolerating Iesabel to teach and seduce Revel 2. 14. 20. Truth I answer first by assenting to the generall Proposition that it is most true like unto Christ Jesus himselfe a sure foundation 1 Cor. 3. Yet what is built upon it I hope by Gods assistance to make it appeare is but hay and stubble dead and withered not suiting that golden foundation nor pleasing to the Father of mercies nor comfortable to the Soules of men It is evill saith he to tolerate notorious evill doers seducing Teachers scandalous livers In which speech I observe 2 evills First that this Proposition is too large and generall because the Rule admits of exception and that according to the will of God 1. It is true that Evill cannot alter its nature but it is alway Evill as darknesse is alway darknesse yet 2. It must be remembred that it is one thing to command to conceale to councell to approve Evill and another thing to permit and suffer Evill with protestation against it or dislike of it at least without approbation of it Lastly this sufferance or permission of Evill is not for its ownsake but for the sake of Good which puts a respect of Goodnesse upon such permission Hence it is that for Gods owne Glorie sake which is the highest Good he endures that is permits or suffers the Vessels of Wrath Rom. 9. And therefore although he be of pure eyes and can behold no iniquitie yet his pure eyes patiently and quietly beholds and permits all the idolatries and prophanations all the thefts and rapines all the whoredomes and abominations all the murthers and poysonings and yet I say for his glory sake he is patient and long permits Hence for his peoples sake which is the next Good in his Son he is oftentimes pleased to permit and suffer the wicked to enjoy a longer reprive Therefore he gave Paul all the lives that were in the ship Acts 27. Therefore he would not so soone have destroyed Sodome but granted a longer permission had there been but 10 righteous Gen. 19. Therefore Ierem. 5. had he found some to have stood in the gap he would have spared others Therefore gave he Iesabel a time or space Revel 2. Therefore for his Glory sake hath he permitted longer great sinners who afterward have perished in their season as we see in the case of Ahab the Ninevites and Amorites c. Hence it pleased the Lord not onely to permit the many evills against his owne honourable ordinance of Mariage in the world but was pleased after a wonderfull manner to suffer that sin of many wives in Abraham Iacob David Salomon yea with some expression which seeme to give approbation as 2 Sam. 12. Peace It may be said this is no patterne for us because God is above Law and an absolute Soveraigne Truth I answer although wee finde him sometime dispensing with his Law yet we never finde him deny himselfe or utter a falshood And therefore when it crosseth not an absolute Rule to permit and tolerate as in the case of the permission of the soules and consciences of all men in the world I have shewne and shall shew further it doth not it will not hinder our being holy as hee is holy in all manner of conversation CHAP. LIV. Peace IT will yet bee said it pleaseth God to permit Adulteries Murthers Poisons God suffers men like fishes to devoure each other Habac. 1. the wicked to flourish Ier. 12. yea sends the Tyrants of the world to destroy the Nations and plunder them of their riches Isa. 10. Should men doe so the world would be a Wildernesse and beside we have command for zealous execution of Justice impartially speedily Truth I answer we finde two sorts of commands both from Moses and from Christ the two great Prophets and Messengers from the living God the one the type or figure of the later Moses gave positive Rules both spirituall and civill yet also hee gave some not positive but permissive for the common good So the Lord Iesus expoundeth it For whereas the Pharises urged it that Moses commanded to give a Bill of Divorcement and to put away the Lord Iesus expoundeth it Moses for the hardnesse of your heart suffered or permitted Math. 19. 17 18. This was a permissive command universall to all Israel for a generall good in preventing the continuall fires of Dissentions Combustions in families yea it may be Murthers Poysons Adulteries which that people as the wisedome of God foresaw was apt out of the hardnesse of their heart to breake out into were it not for this preventing permission Hence it was that for a further publike good sake and the publike safety David permitted Ioab a notorious malefactor and Shimei and Adonijah c. And civill States and Governours in like cases have and doe permit and suffer what neither David nor any civill Governour ought to doe or have done were it not to prevent the hazard of the whole in the shedding of much innocent blood together with the nâ—cent in civill combustions Peace It may be said Ioab Shimei Adonijah c. were only as it were reprived for a time and proves only that a season ought to be attended for their punishment Truth Answ. I answer I produce not these instances to prove a permission of Tares Antichristians Heretikes
Iesus his command Magistrates are bound not to persecute and to see that none of their subjects be persecuted and oppressed for their conscience and worship being otherwise subject and peaceable in Civill Obedience CHAP. LXVII IN the second place I answer and aske what glory to God what good to the soules or bodies of their subjects shall Princes did these Princes bring in persecuting c. Peace Mr. Cotton tells us in his discourse upon the third Violl that Queene Elizabeth had almost fired the world in civill combustions by such her peâ—secuting For though hee bring it in to another end yet he confesseth that it raised all Christendome in combustion raised the Warres of 88. and the Spanish Invasion and he addes both concerning the English Nation and the Dutch that if God had not born witnesse to his people and their Laws in defeating the intendments of their enemies against both the Nations it might have beene the ruine of them both Truth That those Lawes and Practices of Queene Elizabeth raised those combustions in Christendome I deny not That they might likely have cost the ruine of English and Dutch I grant That it was Gods gracious worke in defeating the Intendments of their enemies I thankfully acknowledge But that God bore witnesse to such persecutions and lawes for such persecutions I deny for First event and successe come alike to all and are no Arguments of love or hatred c. Secondly the Papists in their warres have ever yet had both in Peace and War victory and dominion and therefore if successe be the measure God hath borne witnesse unto them It is most true what Daniel in his 8. and 11. and 12. Chapters and Iohn in his Revel 11. 12. and 13. Chapters write of the great successe of Antichrist against Christ Iesus for a time appointed Successe was various betweene Charles the fift and some German Princes Philip of Spaine and the Low Countries The French King and his Protestant Subjects sometimes losing sometimes winning interchangeably But most memorable is the famous history of the Waldâ—nses and Albingenses those famous Witnesses of Iesus Christ who rising from Waldâ— at Lyons in France 1160. spread over France Italy Germany and almost all Countries into thousands and ten thousands making separation from the Pope and Church of Rome These fought many Battels with various successe and had the assistance and protection of divers great Princes against three succeeding Popes and their Armies but after mutuall slaughters and miseries to both sides the finall successe of victory fell to the Popedome and Romish Church in the utter extirpation of those famous Waldensian witnesses Gods servants are all overcommers when they war with Gods weapons in Gods cause and Worship and Revel 2. and 3. Chapters seven times is it recorded To him that overcommeth in Ephesus To him that overcommeth in Sardis c. and Revel 12. Gods servants overcame the Dragon or Devill in the Romane Emperours by three weapons The blood of the Lambe The word of their Testimony and The not loving of their lives unto the death CHAP. LXVIII Peace THe Answerer in the next place descends to the third and last Head of Arguments produced by the Authour taken from the judgement of ancient and later Writers yea even of the Papists themselves who have condemned persecution for conscience sake some of which the Answerer pleaseth to answer and thus writeth You begin with Hilarie whose testimony without prejudice to the Truth we may admit For it is true the Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted But to excommunicate an Hereticke is not to persecute that is it is not to punish an innocent but a culpable and damnable person and that not for conscience but for persisting in errour against light of conscience whereof he hath beene convinced Truth In this Answer here are two things First his confession of the same Truth affirmed by Hilarius to wit that the Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted suâ—ing wiâ—h that foâ—egâ—ing observation of King Iames from Rev. 20. Peace Yet to this he addes a colour thus which saith he wee may admit without prejudice to the truth Truth I answer if it bee a marke of the Christian Church to bee persecuted and of the Antichristian oâ— false Church to persecute then those Churches cannot be truly Christian according to the first institution which either actually themselves or by the Civill power of Kings and Princes given to them or procured by them to fight for them doe persecute such as dissent from them or be opposite against them Peace Yea but in the second place he addeth that to excommunicate an Heretick is not to persecute but to punish him for sinning against the light of his own conscience c. Truth I answer if this worthy Answerer were throughly awaked from the Spouses spirituall slumber Cant. 5. and had recovered from the drunkennesse of the great Whore who intoxicateth the Nations Revel 17. It is impossible that he should so answer for First who questioneth whether to excommunicate an Heretick this is an obstinate Gainsayer as we have opened the word upon Tit. 3. I say who questioneth whether that be to persecute Excommunication being of a spirituall nature a Sentence denounced by the Word of Christ Iesus the Spirituall King of his Church and a Spirituall killing by the most sharpe two-edged Sword of the Spirit in delivering up the person excommunicate to Sathan Therefore who sees not that his Answer comes not neere our Question Peace In the Answerers second conclusion in the entrance of this Discourse he proves persecution against an Heretick for sinning against his conscience and quotes Tit. 3. 10. which only proves as I have there made it evident a Spirituall rejecting or excommunicating from the Church of God and so comes not neer the question Here again he would prove Churches charged to be false because they persecute I say he would prove them not to be false because they persecute not for saith he Excommunication is not Persecution Whereas the Question is as the whole discourse and Hilaries own amplification of the matter in this speech and the practice of all Ages testifies whether it be not a false Church that doth persecute other Churches or Members opposing her in Spirituall and Church matter not by Excommunications but by imprisonments stocking whipping sining banishing hanging burning c. notwithstanding that such persons in Civill obedience and subjection are unreproveable Truth I conclude this passage with Hilarius and the Answerer That the Christian Church doth not persecute no more then a Lilie doth scratch the Thornes or a Lambe pursue and teare the â—olves or a Turtle dove hunt the Hawkes and Eagles or a chaste and modest Virgin fight and scratch like whores and harlots And for punishing the Heretick for sinning against his conscience after conviction which in the second conclusion he affirmeth to be by a
each others Church or Meeting CHAP. LXXIV Peace THe next passage in the Author which the Answerer descends unto is the testimony of the Papists themselves a lively and shining testimony from Scriptures alledged both against themselves and all that associate with them as power is in their hand in such unchristian and bloody both tenents and practices As for the testimony of the Popish booke saith he we weight it not as knowing what ever they speake for toleration of Religion where themselves are under Hatches when they come to sit at Stern they judge and practise quite contrary as both their writings and judiciall proceedings have testified to the world these many yeares Truth I answer although both writings and practices have been such yet the Scriptures and expressions of truth alledged and uttered by them speake loud and fully for them when they are under the Hatches that for their conscience and religion they should not there be choaked and smothered but suffered to breathe and walke upon the Deckes in the ayre of civill liberty and conversation in the Ship of the commonwealth upon good assurance given of civill obedience to the civill State Againe if this practice bee so abominable in his eyes from the Papists viz. that they are so partiall as to persecute when they sit at Helme and yet cry out against persecution when they are under the Hatches I shall beseech the Righteous Judge of the whole world to present as in a Water or Glasse where face answereth to face the faces of the Papist to the Protestant answering to each other in the samenesse of partiality both of this doctrine and practice When Mr. Cotton and others have formerly been under hatches what sad and true complaints have they abundantly powred forth against persecution How have they opened that heavenly Scripture Cant 4. 8. Where Christ Iesus calls his tender Wife and Spouse from the fellowship with persecutors in their dens of Lions and mountaines of Leopards But comming to the Helme as he speaks of the Papists how both by preaching writing Printing practice doe they themselves I hope in their persons Lambes unnaturally and partially expresse toward others the cruell nature of such Lions and Leopards O that the God of Heaven might please to tell them how abominable in his eyes are a waight and a waight a stone and a stone in the bag of waights one waight for themselves when they are under Hatches and another for others when they come to Helme Nor shall their confidence of their being in the truth which they judge the Papists and others are not in no nor the Truth it selfe priviledge them to persecute others and to exempt themselves from persecution because as formerly First it is against the nature of true Sheep to persecute or hunt the Beasts of the Forrest no not the same Wolves who formerly have persecuted themselves Secondly if it be a duty and charge upon all Magistrates in all parts of the World to judge and persecute in and for spirituall causes then either they are no Magistrates who are not able to judge in such cases or else they must judge according to their Consciences whether Pagan Turkish or Antichristian Lastly notwithstanding their confidence of the truth of their owne way yet the experience of our Fathers errours our owne mistakes and ignorance the sense of our own weaknesses and blindnesse in the depths of the prophesies mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ and the great professed expectation of light to come which we are not now able to comprehend may abate the edge yea sheath up the sword of persecution toward any especially such as differ not from them in doctrines of repentance or faith or holinesse of heart and life and hope of glorious and eternall union to come but only in the way and manner of the administrations of Iesus Christ. CHAP. LXXV Peace TO close this head of the testimony of Writers it pleaseth the Answerer to produce a contrary testimony of Austin Optatus c. Truth I readily acknowledge as formerly I did concerning the testimony of Princes that Antichrist is too hard for Christ at votes and numbers yea and beleeve that in many points wherein the servants of God these many hundred yeares have beene fast asleep superstition and persecution have had more suffrages and votes from Gods owne people then hath either been honourable to the Lord or peaceable to their owne or the soules of others Therefore not to derogate from the pretious memory of any of them let us briefly consider what they have in this point affirmed To begin with Austin They murther saith he soules and themselves are afflicted in body and they put men to everlasting death and yet they complaine when themselves are put to temporall death I answer This Rhetoricall perswasion of humane wisdome seems very reasonable in the eye of flesh and blood but one Scripture more prevailes with faithfull and obedient soules then thousands of plausiâ—le and eloquent speeches in particular First the Scripture useth soule-killing in a large sense not only for the teaching of false prophets and seducers but even for the offensive walking of Christians in which respect 1 Cor. 8. a true Christian may be guilty of destroying a soule for whom Christ died and therefore by this rule ought to be hanged burned c. Secondly That plausible similitude will not prove that every false teaching or false practice actually kills the soule as the body is slaine and slaine but once for soules infected or bewitched may againe recover 1 Cor. 5. Gal. 5. 2 Tim. 2. c. Thirdly for soule-killings yea also for soule-woundings and grievings Christ Iesus hath appointed remedies sufficient in his Church There comes forth a two edged sword out of his mouth Rev. 1. and Rev. 2 able to cut downe Heresie as is confest yea and to kill the Hereticke yea and to punish his soule everlastingly which no sword of steele can reach unto in any punishment comparable or imaginable and therefore in this case we may say of this spirituall soule-killing by the sword of Christs mouth as Paul concerning the incestuous person 2 Cor. 2. Sufficient is this punishment c. Fourthly Although no Soule-killers nor Soule-grievers may be suffred in the Spirituall State or Kingdome of Christ the Church yet he hath commanded that such should be suffered and permitted to be and live in the World as I have proved on Matth. 13. otherwise thousands and millions of soules and bodies both must be murthered and cut off by civill combustions and bloody warres about Religion Fifthly I argue thus The Soules of all men in the World are either naturally dead in Sin or alive in Christ. If dead in sinne no man can kill them no more then he can kill a dead man Nor is it a false Teacher or false Religion that can so much prevent the means of Spirituall life as one of these
that judgement declare themselves never to have seene a true difference betweene the Church and the World and the Spirituall and Civill State and howâ—oever these worthy Authours seeme to make a kinde of separation from the World and professe that the Church must consist of spirituall and living Stones Saints Regenerate persons and so make some peculiar inclosed Ordinances as the Supper of the Lord which none say they but godly persons must taste of yet by compelling all within their Iurisdiction to an outward conformity of the Church worship of the Word and Prayer and maintenance of the Ministry thereof they evidently declare that they still lodge and dwell in the confused mixtures of the uncleane and cleane of the flock of Christ and Herds of the World together I meane in spirituall and religious worship Truth For a more ful and clear discussion of this Scripture 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2. on which is weakly built such a mighty building I shall propose and resolve these foure Quaeries CHAP. LXXXVII First what is meant by godlinesse and honesty in this place Secondly what may the scope of the holy Spirit of God be in this place Thirdly whether the civill Magistrate was then custos utriâ—â—sque Tabulae keeper of both Tables c. Fourthly whether a Church or Congregation of Christians may not live in godlinesse and honesty although the civill Magistrate be of another conscience and worship and the whole State and Country with him To the first What is here meant by godlinesse and honesty Answ. I finde not that the Spirit of God here intendeth the first and second Table For how ever the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifie godlinesse or the worship of God yet the second word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I finde not that it signifies such an honesty as compriseth the duties of the second Table but such an honesty as signifies solemnity gravity and so it is turned by the Translatours Tit. 2. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is in doctrine incorruptnesse gravity which doctrine cannot there bee taken for the doctrine of the civill state or second Table but the gravity majesty and solemnity of the spirituall doctrine of Christianity So that according to the Translatours owne rendring of that word in Titus this place of Timothy should be thus rendred In all godlinesse or worshipping of God and gravity that is a solemne or grave profession of the worship of God and yet this mistaken and misinterpreted Scripture is that great Castle and strong Hold which so many â—lye unto concerning the Magistrates charge over the two Tables Secondly what is the scope of the Spirit of God in this place I answer first negatively the scope is not to speake of the duties of the first and second Table Nor secondly is the scope to charge the Magistrate with forcing the people who have chose him to godlinesse or Gods worship according to his conscience the Magistrate keeping the peace of externall godlinesse and the Church of internall as is affirmed but Secondly positively I say the Spirit of God by Paul in this place provokes Timothy and the Church at Ephesus and so consequently all the Ministers of Christs Churches and Christians to pray for two things First for the peaceable and quiet state of the Countries and places of their abode that is implyed in their praying as Paul directs them for a quiet and peaceable condition and suits sweetly with the command of the Lord to his people even in Babel Ier. 29. 7. Pray for the peace of the City and seeke the good of it for in the Peace thereof it shall goe well with you Which Ruie will hold in any Pagan or Popish city and therefore consequently are Gods people to pray against Warres Famines Pestilences and especially to bee far from kindling coales of War and endeavour the bringing in and advancing their conscience by the sword Secondly they are here commanded to pray for the salvation of all men that all men and especially Kings and Magistrates might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth implying that the grave or solemne and shining profession of godlinesse or Gods worship according to Christ Iesus is a blessed meanes to cause all sorts of men to be affected with the Christian profession and to come to the same knowledge of that one God and one Mediatour Christ Iesus All which tends directly against what it is brought for to wit the Magistrates forcing all men to godlinesse or the worshipping of God which in truth causeth the greatest breach of peace and the greatest distractions in the World and the setting up that for godlinesse or worship which is no more then Nebuchadnezzars golden Image a State worship and in some places the worship of the Beast and his Image Dan 3. Rev. 13. CHAP. LXXXVIII THirdly I quaerie whether the Civill Magistrate which was then the Roman Emperour was keeper or guardian of both Tables as is affirmed Scripture and all History tell us that those Caesars were not only ignorant without God without Christ c. but professed worshippers or maintainers of the Roman gods or divells as also notorious for all sorts of wickednesse and lastly cruell and bloudy Lions and Tygers toward the Christians for many hundred yeares Hence I argue from the wisdome love and faithfulnesse of the Lord Iesus in his house it was impossible that he should appoint such ignorant such Idolatrous such wicked and such cruell persons to be his chiefe Officers and Deputy Lieutenants under himselfe to keep the worship of God to guard his Church his Wife No wise and loving father was ever knowne to put his childe no not his beasts dogs or swine but unto fitting keepers Men judge it matter of high complaint that the Records of Parliament the Kings children the Tower of London the Great Seale should be committed to unworthy keepers And can it be without high blasphemie conceived that the Lord Iesus should commit his Sheep his Children yea his Spouse his thousand shields and bucklers in the Tower of his Churchâ— and lastly his Great and Glorious Broad Seales of Baptisme and his Supper to be preserved pure in their adminstrations I say that the Lord Iesus who is wisdome and faithfulnesse it selfe should deliver these to such keepers Peace Some will say it is one thing what persons are in â—act and practice another what they ought to be by right and office Truth In such cases as I have mentioned no man doth in the common eye of reason deliver such matters of charge and trust to such as declare themselves and sinnes like Sodome at the very time of this great charge and trust to be committed to them Peace It will further be said that many of the Kings of Iudah who had the charge of establishing reforming and so consequently of keeping the first Table the Church Gods worship c. were notoriously wicked Idolatrous c. Truth I must
the heart of the King viz. to restraine upon paine of Death all the millions of men under his Dominion from the Idolatties of their severall and respective Countries to constraine them all upon the like penaltie to conforme to the Worship of the God of Israel to build him a Temple erect an Altar ordaine Priests offer sacrifice observe the Fasts and Feasts of Israel yea did God put it into the Kings heart to send Levites into all the parts of his Dominion compelling them to heare which is but a naturall thing as some unsoundly speake unto which all are bound to submit Well however Ezra gives thankes to God for the Kings and so should all that feate God in all Countries if he would please to put it into the hearts of the Kings States and Parliaments to take off the yoakes of Violence and permit at least the Consciences of their Subjects and especially such as in truth make Conscience of their Worships to the God of Israel and yet no cause for Ezra then or Gods Ezra's and Israelites now to acknowledge the care and charge of Gods worship Church and Ordinances to lie upon the shoulders of Artaxerxes or any other Civill Prince or Ruler Lastly for the Confirmation or Ratification which they suppose Magistrates are bound to give to the Lawes of Christ I answer Gods cause Christs Truth and the two-edged sword of his Word never stood in need of a temporall Sword or an humane Witnes to confirme and ratifie them If we receive the witnesse of an honest man the witnesse of the most holy God is greater 1. Iohn 5. The result and summe of the whole matter is this 1. It may please God sometimes to stir up the Rulers of the Earth to permit and tolerate to favour and countenance Gods people in their worships though only out of some strong conviction of conscience or feare of wrath c. and yet themselves neither understand Gods worship nor leave their owne state Idolatry or Country worship For this Gods people ought to give thankes unto God yea and all men from this example may learne not to charge upon the Magistrates conscience besides the care of the Civill peace the bodies and goods of men the Spirituall peace in the worship of God and soules of men but hence are Magistrates instructed favourably to permit their subjects in their worships although themselves bee not perswaded to submit to them as Nebuchadnezzar Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes did CHAP. XCVII Peace THe sixt question is this How far the Church is subject to their Lawes All those say they who are members of the Commonweale are bound to be subject to all the just and righteous Laws thereof and therefore membership in Churches not cutting men off from the membership in commonweales they are bound to be subject even every soule Rom. 13. 1. as Christ himselfe and the Apostles were in their places wherein they lived and therefore to exempt the Clergy as the Papists do from Civill subjection and to say that generatio Clerici is corruptio subditi is both sinfull and scandalous to the Gospel of God and though all are equally subject yet Church members are more especially bound to yeeld subjection and the most eminent most especially bound not only because conscience doth more strongly binde but also because their ill examples are more infectious to others pernicious to the State and provoke Gods wrath to bring vengeance on the State Hence if the whole Church or officers of the Church shall sin against the State or any person by sedition contempt of Authority heresie blasphemy oppression slander or shall withdraw any of their members from the service of the State without the consent thereof their persons and estates are liable to Civill punishments of Magistrates according to their righteous and wholsome Lawes Exod. 22. 20. Levit. 24. 16. Deut. 13. 5. 18. 10. Truth What concernes this head in civill things I gladly subscribe unto what concernes heresie blasphemy c. I have plentifully before spoken to and shall here only say 2 things First those Scriptures produced concerne only the people of God in a Church estate and must have reference onely to the Church of Christ Jesus which as Mr. Cotton confesseth is not Nationall but Congregationall of so many as may meet in one place 1 Cor. 14 therefore no Civâ—ll State can be the antitype and parallell to which purpose upon the 11 Question I shall at large shew the difference betweene that Nationall Church and State of Israel and all other States and Nations in the World Secondly If the Rulers of the Earth are bound to put to death all that worship other gods then the true God or that blaspheme that is speake evill of in a lesser or higher degree that one true God it must unavoidably follow that the beloved for the Fathers sake the Jewes whose very Religion blasphemeth Christ in the highest degree I say they are actually sonnes of death and all to be immediately executed according to those quoted Scriptures And Secondly the Townes Cities Nations and Kingdomes of the World must generally be put to the sword if they speedily renounce not their Gods and Worships and so cease to blaspheme the true God by their Idolatries This bloody consequence cannot be avoided by any Scripture rule for if that rule be of force Deut. 13. 18. not to spare or shew mercy upon person or City falling to Idolatry that bars out all favour or partiality and then what heapes upon heapes in the slaughter houses and shambles of Civill Warres must the world come to as I have formerly noted and that unnecessarily it being not required by the Lord Jesus for his sake and the Magistrates power and weapons being essentially Civill and so not reaching to the impiety or ungodlinesse but the incivility and unrighteousnesse of tongue or hand CHAP. XCVIII Peace DEare Truth these are the poysoned daggers stabbing at my tender heart Oh when shall the Prince of peace appeare and reconcile the bloudy sons of men but let me now propose their 7 head viz. In what order may the Magistrate execute punishment on a Church or Church-member that offendeth his Lawes First grosse and publicke notorious sinnes which are against the light of conscience as Heresie c. there the Magistrate keeping him under safe ward should send the offendour first to the Church to heale his conscience still provided that the Church be both able and willing thereunto By which meanes the Magistrate shall convince such an ones conscience that he seeketh his healing rather then his hurt The censure also against him shall proceed with more power and blessing and none shall have cause to say that the Magistrate persecutes men for their consciences but that he justly punisheth such an one for sinning rather against his conscience Tit. 3. 0. Secondly in private offences how the Magistrate may proceed see Chap. 12. It is not materiall
Conscience Peace What should be the reason of this their expression Truth Doubtles their Consciences tell them how few of those Churches which they yet acknowledge Churches are able and willing to hold forth Christ Iesus the Sun of Righteousnes healing with his wings the doubting and afflicted conscience Lastly their conscience tells them that a Servant of Christ Iesus may possibly be sent as an Heretick to be healed by a false Church which Church will never be willing to deale with him or never be able to convince him Peace Yea but they say by such a course the Magistrate shall convince such an ones conscience that hee seekes his good c. Truth If a man thus bound be sent to a Church to be healed in his conscience either he is an Heretick or he is not Admit he be yet he disputes in feare as the poor theefe the Mouse disputes with a terrible persecuting Cat who while she seemes to play and gently tosse yet the conclusion is a proud insulting and devouring crueltie If no Heretick but an innocent and faithfull witnes of any Truth of Jesus disputes he not as a Lambe in the Lyons paw being sure in the end to be torne in pieces Peace They adde The censure this way proceeds with more power and blessing Truth All power and blessing is from that blessed Son of God unto whom all power is given from the Father in Heaven and Earth He hath promised his presence with his Messengers preaching and baptizing to the worlds end ratifying in Heaven what they blinde or loose on Earth But let any man shew me such a commission instruction and promise given by the Son of God to Civill powers in these spirituall affaires of his Christian Kingdome and Worship Peace Lastly they conclude This course of first sending the Heretick to be healed by the Church takes away all excuse for none can say that he is persecuted for his Conscience but for sinning against his Conscience Truth Iesabel placing poore Naboth before the Elders as a blasphemer of God and the King and sanctifying the plotted and intended murther with a day of humiliation may seeme to take away all excuse and to conclude the Blasphemer worthy to be stoned But Iehovah the God of Recompences â—er 51. when he makes Inquisition for blood will find both Iesabel and Ahab guilty and make the Dogs a feast with the flesh of Iesabel and leave not to Ahab a man to pisse against the wall for as Paul in his owne plea there was nothing committed worthy of death and against thee O King saith Daniel I have not sinned Dan. 6. in any Civill fact against the State CHAP. C. Peace THeir eighth question is this viz. What power Magistrates have about the gathering of Churches First the Magistrate hath power and it is his duty to incourage and countenance such persons as voluntarily joyn themselves in holy Covenant both by his presence if it may be and promise of protection they accepting the right hand of fellowship from other neighbour Churches Secondly he hath power â—o forbid all Idolatrous and corrupt Assemblies who offer to put themselves under their patronage and shall attempt to joyne themselves into a Church-estate and if they shall not hearken to force them therefrom by the power of the Sword Psal. 101. 8. For our tolerating many Religions in a State in severall Churches beside the provoking of God may in time not only corrupt leaven divide and so destroy the peace of the Churches but also dissolve the continuity of the State especially ours whose wals are made of the stones of the Churches it being also contrary to the end of our planting in this part of the World which was not only to enjoy the pure Ordinances but to enjoy them all in purity Thirdly He hath power to compell all men within his grant to heare the Word for hearing the Word of God is a duty which the light of Nature leadeth even Heathens to The Ninivites heard Ionah though a stranger and unknowne unto them to be an extraordinary Prophet Ionah 3. And Eglon the King of Moab hearing that Ehud had a message from God he rose out of his seat for more reverent attention Iudg. 3. 20. Yet he hath no power to compell all men to become members of Churches because he hath not power to make them fit members for the Church which is not wrought by the power of the Sword but by the power of the Word Nor may he force the Churches to accept of any for members but those whom the Churches themselves can freely approve of Truth To the first branch of this head I answer That the Magistrate should encourage and countenance the Church yea and protect the persons of the Church from violence disturbance c. It being truly noble and glorious by how much the Spouse and Queene of the Lord Iesus transcends the Ladies Queens and Empresses of the World in glory beauty chastity and innocency 'T is true all Magistrates in the world do this viz. Incourage and protect that Church or Assembly of worshippers which they judge to be true and approve of but not permitting other consciences then their owne It hath come to passe in all ages and yet doubtlesse will that the Lord Iesus and His Queene are driven and persecuted out of the World To the second That the Magistrate ought to suppresse all Churches which he judgeth false he quoteth Psal. 101. 8. Betimes I will cut off the wicked of the Land that I may cut off all evill doers from the City of Jehovah unto which he addeth foure Reasons Peace Deare Truth first a word to that Scripture so often quoted and so much boasted of Truth Concerning that holy Land of Canaan concerning the City of Iehovah Ierusalem out of which King David here resolves to cut off all the wicked and evill doers I shall speake more largely on the 11 Head or Question in the differences between that and all other Lands At present I answer There is no holy Land or City of the Lord no King of Sion c. but the Church of Iesus Christ and the King thereof according to 1 Pet. 2. 9. Ye are a holy Nation and Ierusalem is the holy people of God in the true profession of Christianity Heb. 12. Gal. 4. Rev. 21. Out of which the Lord Iesus by his holy Ordinances in such a government and by such governours as he hath appointed he cuts off every wicked person and evill doer If Christ Iesus had intended any difference of plate Cities or Countries doubtlesse Ierusalem and Samaria had been thought of or the Cities of Asia wherein the Christian Religion was so gloriously planted But the Lord Iesus disclaimes Ierusalem and Samaria forth having any respect of holinesse more then other Cities Iohn 4. And the Spirit of God evidently testineth that the Churches were in the Cities and Countries not that the whole Cities or Countries were Gods holy Land
forth to preach by his supreme power and the Magistrate by his power subordinate to gather Churches CHAP. CIV Peace YOu have taken great paines to shew the irreconciliablenesse of those their two assertions viz. First there is now no Ministry as they say but what is mediat from the Church and yet secondly Christ Jesus sends Preachers forth by his supreme power to gather the Church I now wait to heare how as they say the Magistrate may send forth by his power subordinate to gather Churches enforcing the people to heare c. Truth If there be a Ministry sent forth by Christs supreme power and a Ministry sent forth by the Magistrates subordinate power to gather Churches I aske what is the difference between these two Is there any gathering of Churches but by that commission Mat. 28. Teach and baptize And is the civill Magistrate intrusted with a power from Christ as his Deputy to give this commission and so to send out Ministers to preach and baptize As there is nothing in the Testament of Christ concerning such a delegation or assignment of such power of Christ to the civill Magistrate So I also ask since in every free State civill Magistrates have no more power but what the people 's of those States Lands and Countries betrust them with whether or no by this meanes it must not follow that Christ Iesus hath left with the Peoples and Nations of the World his Spirituall Kingly power to grant commissions and send out Ministers to themselves to preach convert and baptize themselves How inevitably this followes upon their conclusion of power in Magistrates to send c. and what unchristian and unreasonable consequences must flow from hence let all consider in the feare of God Iehosaphats sending forth the Levites to teach in Iudah c. as they alledge it not so elsewhere it shall more fully appeare to be a type and figure of Christ Iesus the only King of his Church providing for the feeding of his Church and People by his true Christian Priests and Levites viz. The Ministry which in the Gospel he hath appointed CHAP. CV Peace VVE have examined the Ministry be pleased deare Truth to speake to the second branch of this head viz. the maintenance of it They affirme that the Magistrate may force out the Ministers maintenance from all that are taught by them and that after the patterne of Israel and the argument from 1 Cor. 9. Gal. 6. 6. Truth This theame viz. concerning the maintenance of the Priests and Ministers of worship is indeed the Apple of the Eye the Dianah of the Dianah c. yet all that love Christ Jesus in sincerity and soules in and from him will readily professe to abhorre filthy lucre Tit. 1. and the wages of Balaam both more common and frequent then easily is discernable To that Scripture Gal. 6. 6. Let him that is taught in the Word make him that teacheth partaker of all his goods I answer That teaching was of persons converted beleevers entred into the Schoole and Family of Christ the Church which Church being rightly gathered is also rightly invested with the power of the Lord Iesus to force every soule therein by spirituall weapons and penalties to doe its duty But this forcing of the Magistrate is intended and practised to all sorts of persons without as well as within the Church unconverted naturall and dead in sinne as well as those that live and feeding enjoy the benefit of spirituall food Now for those sorts of persons to whom Christ Iesus sends his Word out of Church estate Iewes or Gentiles according to the Parable of Math. 13. high-way hearers stony ground and thorny ground hearers wee never finde title of any maintenance to bee expected least of all to bee forced and exacted from them By civill power they cannot be forced for it is no civill payment or businesse no matter of Caesar but concerning God nor by spirituall power which hath nothing to doe with those which are without 1. Cor. 5. It is reasonable to expect and demand of such as live within the state a civill maintenance of their civill officers and to force it where it is denyed It is reasonable for a Schoole-master to demand his recompence for his labour in his Schoole but it is not reasonable to expect or force it from stranges enemies rebels to that City from such as come not within or else would not bee received into the Schoole What is the Church of Christ Iesus but the City the Schoolâ— and Family of Christ the Officers of this City Schoole Family may reasonably expect maintenance from such they minister unto but not from strangers enemies c. Peace It is most true that sinne goes in a linke for that tenent that all the men of the world may bee compelled to heare Christ preach and enjoy the labours of the Teacher as well as the Church it selfe forceth on another also as evill viz. that they should also be compelled to pay as being most equall and reasonable to pay for their conversion Truth Some use to urge that Text of Luc. 14. Compell them to come in Compell them to Masse say the Papists compell them to Church and Common prayer say the Protestants Compell them to the Meeting say the New English In all these compulsions they disagree amongst themselves but in this viz. Compell them to pay in this they all agree There is a double violence which both Errour and Falshood use to the soules of men First morall and perswasive such was the perswasion first used to Ioseph by his Mistris such was the perswasions of Tamar from Ammon such was the compelling of the young man by the Harlot Prov. 7. shee caught him by her much faire speech and kisses And thus is the whole world compelled to the worship of the Golden Image Dan. 3. The second Compulsion is civill such as Iosephs Mistris began to practise upon Ioseph to attaine her whorish desires Such as Ammon practised on Tamar to satisfie his brutish lust And such was Nabuchadnezzars second compulsion his fiery Furnace Dan. 3. and mysticall Nabuchadnezzars killing all that receive not his marke Rev. 13. The first sort of these violences to wit by powerfull argument and perswasion the Ministers of the Gospel also use Hence all those powerfull perswasions of Wisedomes Maidens Pro. 9. Hence saith Paul knowing the terrour of the Lord we perswade men 2 Cor. 5. and pull some out of the fire saith Iudâ— such must that compulsion be Luc. 14. viz. the powerfull perswasions of the word being that two-edged sword comming out of the mouth of Christ Iesus in his true Ministers sent forth to invite poore sinners to partake of the Feast of the Lambe of God The civill Ministers of the Commonweale cannot be sent upon this businesse with their civill weapons and compulsions but the spirituall Minister of the Gospel with his spirituall sword of
Christs mouth a sword with two edges But more particularly the contributions of Christs Kingdome are all holy and spirituall though consisting of materiall earthly substance as is Water in Baptisme Bread and Wine in the Supper and joyned with prayer and the Lords Supper Act. 2. 42. Hence as Prayer is called Gods sacrifice so are the contributions and mutuall supplyes of the Saints sacrifices Phil. 4. Hence also as it is impossible for naturall men to bee capable of Gods worship and to feed be nourished and edified by any spirituall ordinance no more then a dead childe can sucke the breast or a dead man feast So also is it as impossible for a dead man yet lodged in the grave of Nature to contribute spiritually I meane according to Scriptures rule as for a dead man to pay a reckoning I question not but naturall men may for the outward act preach pray contribute c. but neither are they worshippers suitable to him who is a Spirit Iohn 4. nor can they least of all bee forced to worship or the maintenance of it without a guilt of their hypocrisie Peace They will say what is to be done for their soules Truth The Apostles whom wee professe to imitate preached the Word of the Lord to unbeleevers without mingling in worship with them and such Preachers and preaching such as pretend to be the true Ministry of Christ ought to be and practise Not forcing them all their dayes to come to Church and pay their duties either so confessing that this is their Religion unto which they are forced or else that as before they are forced to be of no Religion all their dayes The way to subdue Rebels is not by correspondence and communion with them by forcing them to keepe the City Watches and pay sessements c. which all may be practised upon compulsion treacherously the first work with such is powerfully to subdue their judgments and wills to lay downe their weapons and yeeld willing subjection then come they orderly into the City and so to Citie priviledges CHAP. CVI. Peace PLease you now deare Truth to discusse the Scriptures from the Old Testament Nehem 13. and 2 Chron. 31. Truth God gave unto that Nationall Church of the Jewes that excellent Land of Canaan and therein Houses furnished Orchards Gardens Vineyards Olive yards Fields Wells c. they might well in this settled abundance and the promised continuation and increase of it afford a large temporall supply to their Priests and Levites even to the Tenth of all they did possesse Gods people are now in the Gospel brought into a spirituall land of Canaan flowing with spirituall milk and honey and they abound with spirituall and heavenly comforts though in a poore and persecuted condition therefore an inforced setled maintenance is not sutable to the Gospel as it was to the Ministry of Priests and Levites in the Law Secondly in the change of the Church estate there was also a change of the Priesthood and of the Law Heb. 7. Nor did the Lord Iesus appoint that in his Church and for the maintenance of his Ministrie the Civill sword of the Magistrate but that the Spirituall Sword of the Ministrie should alone compell 3. Therefore the compulsion used under Hezekiah and Nehemiah was by the civill and corporall Sword a type in that typicall State not of another materiall and corporall but of an heavenly and spirituall even the sword of the Spirit with which Christ fighteth Revel 3. which is exceeding sharpe entring in between the soule and spirit Heb. 4. and bringing every thought into captivitie to the obedience of Christ Iesus He that submits not at the shaking of this sword is cut off by it and he that despiseth this sword all the power in the World cannot make him a true worshipper or by his purse a mainteiner of Gods worship Lastly If any man professing to be a Minister of Christ Iesus shall bring men before the Magistrate as the practice hath been both in Old and New England for not paying him his wages or his due I aske if the voluntarie consent of the party hath not obliged him how can either the officers of the Parish Church or of the Civill State compell this or that man to pay so much more or lesse to maintaine such a Worship or Ministrie I ask further if the determining what is each mans due to pay why may they not determine the tenth and more as some desired others opposing in New England and force men not only to maintenance but to a Iewish maintenance Peace Yea but say they is not the Labourer worthy of his hire Truth Yes from them that hire him from the Church to whom he laboureth or ministreth not from the Civill State no more then the Minister of the Civill State is worthy of his hire from the Church but from the Civill State in which I grant the persons in the Church ought to be assistant in their Civill respects Peace What maintenance say they shall the Ministrie of the Gospell have Truth We finde two wayes of maintenance for the Ministrie of the Gospell proposed for our direction in the New Testament First the free and willing contribution of the Saints according to 1 Cor. 16. Luc. 8. 3. c. upon which both the Lord Jesus and his Ministers lived Secondly the diligent worke and labour of their owne hands as Paul tells the Thessalonians and that in two cases 1. Either in the inabilities and necessities of the Church 2. Or for the greater advantage of Christs truth as when Paul saw it would more advantage the name of Christ he denies himselfe and falls to worke amongst the Corinthians and Thessalonians Let none call these cases extraordinary for if persecution be the portion of Christs sheep and the busines or worke of Christ must be dearer to us then our right eyes or lives such as will follow Paul and follow the Lord Iesus must not thinke much at but rejoyce in poverties necessities hunger cold nakednesse c. The Stewards of Christ Iesus must be like their Lord and abhorre to steale as the evill Steward pretending that the shamed to beg but peremptorily dig he could not CHAP. CVII Peace ONe and the last branch deare Truth remaines concerning Schooles The Churches say they much depend upon the Schooles and the Schooles upon the Magistrates Truth I honour Schooles for Tongues and Arts but the institution of Europes Universities devoting persons as is said for Scholars in a Monasticall way forbidding Mariage and Labour to I hold as far from the mind of Iesus Christ as it is from propagating his Name and Worship We count the Universities the Fountaines the Seminaries or Seed-plots of all Pietie but have not those Fountaines ever sent what streames the Times have liked and ever changed their taste and colour to the Princes eye and Palate For any depending of the Church of Christ upon such Schooles
I finde not a little in the Testament of Christ Iesus I finde the Church of Christ frequently compared to a Schoole All Beleevers are his Disciples or Scholars yea women also Acts 9. 36. There was a certaine Disciple or Scholar called Dorcas Have not the Universities sacrilegiously stole this blessed name of Christs Scholars from his people Is not the very Scripture language it selfe become absurd to wit to call Gods people especially Women as Dorcas Scholars Peace Some will object how shall the Scriptures be brought to â—ight from out of Popish darknesse except these Schooles of Prophets convey them to us Truth I know no Schooles of Prophets in the New Testament but the particular Congregation of Christ Iesus 1 Cor. 14. And I question whether any thing but Sinne stopt and dried up the current of the Spirit in those rare gifts of tongues to Gods sons daughters serving so admirably both for the understanding of the Originall Scriptures and also for the propagating of the name of Christ. Who knowes but that it may please the Lord againe to cloath his people with a spirit of zeale and courage for the name of Christ yea and powre forth those fiery streames againe of Tongues and Prophecie in the restauration of Zion If it be not his holy pleasure so to doe but that his people with daily study and labour must dig to come at the Originall Fountaines Gods people have many wayes besides the Universitie lazie and Monkish to attaine to an excellent measure of the knowledge of those tongues That most despised while living and now much honoured Mr. Ainsworth had scarce his Peere amongst a thousand Academians for the Scripture Originalls and yet he scarce set foot within a Colledge walls CHAP. CVIII Peace I Shall now present you with their 10. Head viz. concerning the Magistrates power in matters of Doctrine That which is unjustly ascribed to the Pope is as unjustly ascribed to the Magistrates viz. to have power of making new Articles of Faith or Rules of Life or of pressing upon the Churches to give such publike honour to the Apocrypha writings or Homilies of men as to read them to the people in the roome of the Oracles of God Truth This Position simply considered I acknowledge a most holy truth of God both against the Pope and the Civill Magistrates challenge both pretending to be the Vicars of Christ Iesus upon the Earth Yet two things here I shall propose to consideration First since the Parliament of England thrust the Pope out of his chaire in England and set downe King Henry the 8. and his Successours in the Popes roome establishing them supreme Governours of the Church of England since such an absolute government is given by all men to them to be Guardians of the first Table and worship of God to set up the true worship to suppresse all false and that by the power of the Sword and therefore consequently they must judge and determine what the true is and what the false And since the Magistrate is bound by these Authours principles to see the Church the Church officers and members doe thair duty he must therefore judge what is the Churches duty and when she performes or not performes it or when she exceeds so like wise when the Ministers performe their duty or when they exceed it And if the Magistrate must judge then certainly by his owne eye and not by the eyes of others though assembled in a Nationall or Generall Councell Then also upon his judgement must the people rest as upon the minde and judgement of Christ or else it must be confest that he hath no such power left him by Christ to compell the soules of men in matters of Gods worship Secondly concerning the Apocrypha writings and Homilies to be urged by the Magistrate to be read unto the people as the Oracles of God I aske if the Homilies of England contain not in them much pretious and heavenly matter â— Secondly if they were not 〈◊〉 at least many of them by excellent men for learning holinesse and witnesse of Christs Truth incomparable Thirdly were they not authorised by that most rare and pious Prince Ed. 6. then head of the Church of England With what great solemnity and rejoycing were they received of thousands Yet now behold their children after them sharply censure them for Apocrypha writings and Homilies trust into the roome of the Word of God and so falling into the consideration of a false and counterfeit Scripture I demand of these worthy men whether a servant of God might then lawfully have refused to read or heare such a false Scripture Secondly if so whether King Edward might have lawfully compelled such a man to yeeld and submit or else have persecuted him yea according to the Authors principles whether he ought to have spared him because after the admonitions of such pious and learned men this man shall now prove an Hereticke and as an obstinate person sinning against the light of his owne conscience In this case what shall the conscience of the subject doe awed by the dread of the most High What shall the conscience of the Magistrate do zealous for his glorious Reformation being constantly perswaded by his Clergy of his Lieutenantship received from Christ Again what priviledge have those worthy servants of God either in Old or New England to be exempted from the mistakes into which those gloâ—ious Worthies in K. Edwards time did fall and if so what bloudy conclusions are presented to the World perswading men to plucke up by the Roots from the Land of the living all such as seem in their eyes hereticall or obstinate CHAP. CIX Peace DEare Truth What darke and dismall bloudy paths doe we walke in How is thy name and mine in all ages cried up yet as an English Flag in a Spanish bottome not in truth but dangerous treachery and abuse both of Truth and Peace We are now come to the 11 Head which concernes the Magistrates power in worship First they have power say they to reforme things in the worship of God in a Church corrupted and to establish the pure worship of God defending the same by the power of the sword against all those who shall attempt to corrupt it For first the reigning of Idolatry and corruption in Religion is imputed to the want of a King Iudges 17. 5 6. Secondly Remissenes in Reforming Religion is a fault imputed to them who suffered the High Places in Israel and in Gallio who cared not for such things Acts 18. Thirdly Forwardnesse this way is a duty not only for Kings in the Old Testament but for Princes under the New 1 Tim 2. 2. Rom. 13. 4. Esay 49. 23. Neither did the Kings of Israel reforme things amisse as types of Christ but as Civill Magistrates and so exemplary to all Christians And here Reformation in Religion is commendable in a Persian King Ezra 7.
23. And it is well knowne that remissenes in Princes of Christendome in matters of Religion and Worship divolving the care thereof only to the Clergy and so setting the Hornes thereof upon the Churches head hath been the cause of Antichristian inventions usurpations and corruptions in the Worship and Temple of God Secondly they have not power to presse upon the Churches stinted Prayers oâ— set Liturgies whether New or Old Popish or others under colour of uniformity of Worship or morall goodnesse of them both for matter and forme conceiving our arguments sent to our Brethren in England concerning this Question to evince this Truth Thirdly they have no power to presse upon the Churches neither by Law as hath been said before nor by Proclamation and command any sacred significant ceremonies whether more or lesse Popish or Jewish rite or any other device of man be it never so little in the worship of God under what colour soever of indifferencie civility using them without opinion of sâ—nctity publicke peace or obedience to righteous Authority as Surplice Crosse kneeling at Sacrament Salt and Spitle in Baptisme Holy dayes They having beene so accursed of God so abused by man the imposing of some ever making way for the urging of more the receiving of some making the conscience bow to the burthen of all Fourthly they have not power to governe and rule the acts of worship in the Church of God It is with a Magistrate in a State in respect of the acts of those who worship in a Church as it is with a Prince in a Ship wherein though he be governour of their persons else he should not be their Prince yet is not governour of the actions of the Maâ—iners then he should be Pilot Indeed if the Pilot shall manifestly erre in his action he may reprove him and so any other passenger may Or if he offend against the life and goods of any he may in due time and place civilly punish him which no other passenger can doe For it is proper to Christ the Head of the Church as to prescribe so to rule the actions of his own worship in the wayes of his servants Esay 96 7. The government of the Church is upon his shoulder which no Civill officer ought to attempt And therefore Magistrates have no power to limit a Minister either to what he shall preach or pray or in what manner they shall worship God lest hereby they shall advance themselves above Christ and limit his Spirit Truth In this generall Head are proposed two things First what the Magistrate ought to doe positively concerning the worship of God Secondly what he may doe in the worship of God What he ought to doe is comprised in these particulars First he ought to reforme the worship of God when it is corrupted Secondly he ought to establish a pure worship of God Thirdly he ought to defend it by the sword he ought to restrain Idolatry by the sword and to cut off offendours as former passages have opened For the proofe of this positive part of his duty are propounded three sorts of Scriptures First from the practice of the Kings of Israel and Iudah Secondly some from the New Testament Thirdly from the practice of Kings of other Nations Unto which I answer First concerning this latter the Babylonian and Persian Kings Nebuchadnezzar Cyrus Darius Artaxerxes I conceive I have sufficiently before proved that these Idolatrous Princes making such Acts concerning the God of Israel whom they did not worship nor know nor meant so to doe did onely permit and tolerate and countenance the Iewish worship and out of strong convictions that this God of Israel was able to doe them good as well as their owne gods to bring wrath upon them and their Kingdomes as they beleeved their owne also did in which respect all the Kings of the world may be easily brought to the like but are no president or patternes for all Princes and Civill Magistrates in the World to chalenge or 〈◊〉 the power of ruling or governing the Church of Christ and of wearing the spirituall Crowne of the Lord which he alone weareth in a spirituall way by his Officers and Governours after his owne holy appointment Secondly for those of the New Testament I have as I beleeve fully and sufficiently answered So also that prophesie of Isa. 49. Lastly however I have often touched those Scriptures produced from the practice of the Kings of Israel and Judah yet because so great a waeight of this controversie lyes upon this president of the Old Testament from the duties of this nature enjoyned to those Kings and Governours and their practices obeying or disobeying accordingly commended or reproved I shall with the helpe of Christ Iesus the true King of Israel declare and demonstrate how weake and brittle this supposed Pillar of Marble is to beare up and sustain such a mighty burthen and waight of so many high concernments as are laid upon it In which I shall evidently prove that the state of Israel as a Nationall State made up of Spirituall and Civill power so farre as it attended upon the spirituall was meerly figurative and typing out the Christian Churches consisting of both Iewes and Gentiles enjoying the true power of the Lord Iesus establishing reforming correcting defending in all cases concerning his Kingdome and Government CHAP. CX Peace BLessed be the God of Truth the God of Peace who hath so long preserved us in this our retired conference without interruptions His mercy still shields us while you expresse and I listen to that so much imitated yet most unimitable State of Israel Yet before you descend to particulars deare Truth let me cast one Mite into your great Treasury concerning that Instance just now mentioned of the Persian Kings Me thinkes those presidents of Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes are strong against New Englands Tenent and practice Those Princes professedly gave free permission and bountifull incouragement to the Consciences of the Iewes to use and practise their Religion which Religion was most eminently contrary to their owne Religion and their Countries worship Truth I shall sweet Peace with more delight passe on these rough wayes from your kinde acceptance and unwearied patience in attention In this discovery of that vast and mighty difference betweene that State of Israel and all other States onely to bee matched and parallel'd by the Christian Church or Israel I shall select some maine and principall considerations concerning that State wherein the irreconciliable differences and disproportion may appeare First I shall consider the very Land and Country of Canaan it selfe and present some considerations proving it to be a Noneâ— such First this Land was espyed out and chosen by the Lord out of all the Countries of the World to be the seat of his Church and people Ezek. 20â—6 But now there is no respect of Earth of Places or Countries with the Lord So testified the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe
obedience Which doctrine all such must necessarily hold however most loath to owne it that hold the Magistrate Guardian of both Tables and consequently such an one as is inabled to judge yea and to demonstrate to all men the worship of God yea and being thus Governor and Head of the Church he must necessarily be a part of it himselfe which when by Heresie he falls from though it may be by Truth miscalled Heresie he falls from his calling of Magistracy and is utterly disabled from his pretended guardianship and government of the Church Lastly we may remember the practice of the Lord Iesus and his followers commanding and practising obedience to the Higher Powers though we finde not one Civill Magistate a Christian in all the first Churches But contrarily the civill Magistrate at that time was the bloody Beast made up as Daniel seemes to imply concerning the Romane State Dan. 7. 7. of the Lion the Beare and the Leopard Rev. 13. 2. CHAP. CXV Peace BY these waights wee may try the waight of that commonly received and not questioned opinion viz. That the civill state and the spirituall the Church and Commonweale they are like Hippocrates twinnes they are borne together grow up together laugh together weepe together sicken and die together Truth A witty yet a most dangerous Fiction of the Father of â—ies who hardned in Rebellion against God perswades Gods people to drinke downe such deadly poison though he knowes the truth of these five particulars which I shall reminde you of First many flourishing States in the World have beene and are at this day which heare not of Iesus Christ and therefore have not the presence and concurrence of a Church of Christ with them Secondly there have beene many thousands of Gods people who in their personall estate and life of grace were awake to God but in respect of Church estate they knew no other then a Church of dead stones the Parish Church or though some light be of late come in through some cranny yet they seeke not after or least of all are joyned to any true Church of God consisting of living and beleeving stones So that by these New English Ministers principles not onely is the doore of calling to Magistracy shut against naturall and unregenerate men though excellently â—itted for civill offices but also against the best and ablest servants of God except they be entred into Church estate so that thousands of Gods owne people excellently qualified not knowing or not entring into such a Church estate shall not be accounted fit for civill services Thirdly admit that a civill Magistrate be neither a member of a true Church of Christ if any bee in his dominions nor in his person feare God yet may he possibly give free permission without molestation yea and sometimes incouragement and assistance to the service and Church of God Thus wee finde Abraham permitted to build and set up an Altar to his God wheresoever hee came amongst the idolatrous Nations in the Land of Canaan Thus Cyrus proclaims liberty to all the people of God in his Dominions freely to goe up and build the Temple of God at Ierusalem and Artaxerxes after him confirmed it Thus the Romane Emperours and Governours under him permitted the Church of God the Iewes in the Lord Christs time their Temple and Worship although in Civill things they were subject to the Romanes Fourthly the Scriptures of Truth and the Records of Time concurre in this that the first Churches of Christ Iesus the lights patternes and presidents to all succeeding Ages were gathered and governed without the aid assistance or countenance of any Civill Authoritie from which they suffered great persecutions for the name of the Lord Iesus professed amongst them The Nations Rulers and Kings of the Earth tumultuously rage against the Lord and his Anointed Psal. 2. 1. 2. Yet vers 6. it hath pleased the Father to set the Lord Iesus King upon his holy Hill of Zion Christ Iesus would not be pleased to make use of the Civill Magistrate to assist him in his Spirituall Kingdome nor would he yet be daunted or discouraged in his Servants by all their threats and terreurs for Love is strong as death and the coales thereof give a most vehement flame and are not quenched by all the waters and flouds of mightiest opposition Cant. 8. Christ Church is like a chaste and loving wife in whose heart is fixed her Husbands love who hath found the tendernesse of his love towards her and hath been made fruitfull by him and therefore seekes she not the smiles nor feares the frownes of all the Emperours in the World to bring her Christ unto her or keep him from her Lastly we finde in the tyrannicall usurpations of the Romish Antichrist the 10 hornes which some of good note conceive to be the 10 Kingdomes into which the Romane Empire was quartred and divided are expresly said Revel 17. 13. to have one minde to give their power and strength unto the Beast yea ver 17. their Kingdome unto the Beast untill the Words of God shall be fulfilled whence it followes that all those Nations that are guilded over with the name of Christ have under that mask or vizâ—rd as some Executioners and Tormentors in the Inquisition use to torment persecuted the Lord Iesus Christ either with a more open grosse and bloody or with a more subtle secret and gentle violence Let us cast our eyes about turne over the Records and examine the experience of past and present Generations and see if all particular observations amount not to this summe viz. that the great whore hath committed fornication with the Kings of the Earth and made drunke thereof Nations with the cup of the wine of her fornications In which drunkennes and whoredome as whores use to practice she hath robbed the Kings and Nations of their power and strength and Iesabel like having procured the Kings names and seales she drinks drunk Revel 17. with the blood of Naboth who because he dares not part with his rightfull inheritance in the land of Canaan the blessed land of promise and salvation in Christ as a Traitour to the civill State and Blasphemer against God she under the colour of a day of humiliation in Prayer and Fasting stones to death CHAP. CXVI Peace DEare Truth how art thou hidden from the eyes of men in these mysteries how should men weep abundantly with Iohn that the Lambe may please to open these blessed sealeâ— unto them Truth O that Men more prized their makers feare â— then should they be more acquainted with their Makers councells for his Secret is with them that feare him Psal. 25. I passe on to a second Difference The Kings of Israel and Iudah were all solemnly annointed with oyle Psal. 39. 20. I have found David my servant with my holy 〈◊〉 have I annointed him Whence the Kings of Israel and Iudah were
honoured with that mysticall and glorious Title of the Anointed 〈◊〉 Christ of the Lord Lam. 4. 20. the Breath of our Nostrils the Anointeâ— of Iehovah was taken in their pits c. Which anoynting and title however the Man of Sinne together with the Crowne and Diademe of Spirituall Israel the Church of God he hath given to some of the Kings of the Earth that so he may in lieu thereof dispose of their Civill Crownes the easier yet shall we finde it an incommunicable priviledge and prerogative oâ— of the Saints and people of God For as the Lord Iesus himselfe in the Antitype was not annointed with materiall but spirituall oyle Psal. 45. with the oyle of Gladnes and Luke 4. 14. from Isa. 61. 1. with the spirit of God The spirit of the Lord is upon me the Lord hath annointed me to preach good tidings c. So also all his members are annointed with the holy spirit of God 2 Cor. 1. 21. 1 John 2. Hence is it that Christians rejoyce in that name as carrying the very expresse title of the Anointed of the Lord which most superstitiously and sacrilegiously hath been applied only unto Kings Peace O deare Truth how doth the great Searcher of all Hearts finde out the thefts of the Antichristian World how are men caried in the darke they know not whither How is that heavenly charge Touch not mine Anointed c. Psal. 105. common to all Christians or anointed with Christ their Head by way of Monopoly or priviledge appropriated to Kings and Princes Truth It will not be here unseasonable to call to minde that admirable Prophecie Ezek. 21. 26 27. Thus saith Iehovah God Remove the Diadem take away the Crowne this shall not be the same exalt him that is low and abase him that is high I will overturne overturne overturne untill he come whose right it is and I will give it him The matter is a Crown and Diadem to be taken from an Vsurpers head and set upon the head of the right Owner Peace Doubtlesse this mystically intends the spirituall Crowne of the Lord Jesus for these many hundreth yeares set upon the heads of the Câ—mpetitours and Corrivals of the Lord Iesus upon whose glorious head in his Messengers and Churches the Crown shall be established The anointing the title and the crown and power must returne to the Lord Iesus in his Saints unto whom alone belongs his power and authoritie in Ecclesiasticall or Spirituall cases CHAP. CXVII Truth I Therefore proceed to a third difference between those Kings and Governours of Israel and Iudah and all other Kings and Rulers of the Earth Looke upon the Administrations of the Kings of Israel and Iudah and well weigh the Power and Authoritie which those Kings of Israel and Iudah exercised in Ecclesiasticall and spirituall causes and upon a due search we shall not find the same Scepter of Spirituall power in the hand of Civill Authoritie which was setled in the hands of the Kings of Israel and Iudah David appointed the Orders of the Priests Singers he brought the Arke to Ierusalem he prepared for the building of the Temple the patterne whereof he delivered to Salomon yet David herein could not be a type of the Kings and Rulers of the Earth but of the King of Heaven Christ Iesus for First David as he was a King so was he also a Prophet Acts 2. 30. and therefore a type as Moses also was of that great Prophet the Son of God And they that plead for Davids Kingly power must also by the same rule plead for his Propheticall by which he swayed the Scepâ—er of Israel in Church affaires Secondly it is expresly said 1 Cron. 28. 11. 12. 13. verses that the patterne which David gave to Salomon concerning the matter of the Temple and Worship of God he had it by the Spirit which was no other but a figure of the immediate inspiration of the spirit of God unto the Lord Iesus the true Spirituall King of Israel John 1. 49. Rabbi thou art the Son of God Rabbi thou art the King of Israel Againe What Civill Magistrate may now act as Salomon a type of Christ doth act 1 King 2. 26. 27. Salomon thrust out Abiathar from being Priest unto Iehovah Peace Some object that Abiathar was a man of death ver 26. worthy to die as having followed Adonijah and therefore Salomon executed no more then Civill justice upon him Truth Salomon remits the Civill punishment and inflicts upon him a spirituall but by what right but as he was King of the Church a figure of Christ Abiathar his Life is spared with respect to his former good service in following after David but yet he is turned out from the Priesthood But now put the case suppose that any of the Officers of the New-England Churches should prove false to the State and be discovered joyning with a French Monsieur or Spanish Don thirsting after conquest and dominion to further their invasions of that Countrey yet for some former faithfull service to the State he should not be adjudged to Civill punishment I aske now might their Governours or their Generall Court their Parliament depose such a man a Pastour Teacher or Elder from his holy Calling or office in Gods House Or suppose in a partiall and corrupt State a Member or Officer of a Church should escape with his life upon the commission of marther ought not a Church of Christ upon repentance to receive him I suppose it will not be said that he ought to execute himselfe or that the Church may use a Civill sword against him In these cases may such persons spar'd in civill punishments for some reason of or by partialitie of State be punished spiritually by the Civill Magistrate as Abiathar was Let the very Enemies of Zion be Judges Secondly If Salomon in thrusting out of Abiathar was a pattern and president unto all Civill Magistrates why not also in putting Zaâ—â—k in his roome ver 35. But against this the Pope the Bishops the Presbyterians and the Independents will all cry out against such a practice in their severall respective claimes and challenges for their Ministries We find the Libertie of the subjects of Christ in the choice of an Apostle Act. 1. of a Deacon Act. 6. of Elders Act. 14. and guided by the assistance either of the Apostles or Evangelists 1 Tim. 1. Tit. 1. without the least influence of any civill Magistrate which shewes the beauty of their liberty The Parliaments of England have by right free choice of their Speaker yet some Princes have thus farre beene gratified as to nominate yea and implicitely to commend a Speaker to them Wise men have seene the evill consequences of those influences though but in civill things how much farre greater and stronger are those snares when the golden Keyes of the Sonne of God are delivered into the hands of civill Authority Peace You know the noise
Word to bee with such his messengers to the end of the world Matth. 28. That Dog that feares to meet a man in the path runnes on with boldnes at his masters comming and presence at his backe Thirdly what imprudence and indiscretion is it in the most common affaires of Life to conceive that Emperours Kings and Rulers of the earth must not only be qualified with politicall and state abilities to make and execute such Civill Lawes which may concerne the common rights peace and safety which is worke and businesse load and burthen enough for the ablest shoulders in the Commonweal but also furnished with such spirituall and heavenly abilities to governe the Spirituall and Christian Commonweale the flocke and Church of Christ to pull downe and set up Religion to judge determine and punish in Spirituall controversies even to death or banishment And beside that not only the severall sorts of civill Officers which the people shall choose and set up must be so authorised but that all respective Commonweales or Bodies of people are charged much more by God with this worke and busines radically and fundamentally because all true civill Magistrates have not the least iâ—ch of civill power but what is measured out to them from the free consent of the whole even as a Committee of Parliament cannot further act then the power of the House shall arme and enable them Concerning that Objection which may arise from the Kings of Israel and Iudah who were borne members of Gods Church and trained up therein all their dayes which thousands of lawfull Magistrates in the world possibly borne and bred in false Worships Pagan or Antichristian never heard of and were therein types of the great anointed the King of Israel I have spoken sufficiently to such as have an eare to heare and therefore Lastly so unsutable is the commixing and intangling of the Civill with the Spirituall charge and Government that except it was for subsistence as we see in Paul and Barnabas working with their owne hands the Lord Iesus and his Apostles kept themselves to one If ever any in this world was able to manage both the Spirituall and Civill Church and Commonweale it was the Lord Jesus wisedome it selfe Yea hee was the true Heire to the Crowne of Israel being the Sonne of David yet being sought for by the people to be made a King Joh. 5. he refused and would not give a president to any King Prince or Ruler to manage both swords and to assume the charge of both Tables Now concerning Princes I desire it may bee remembred who were most injurious and dangerous to Christianity whether Nero Domitian Iulian c. Persecuters or Constantine Theodosius c. who assumed this Power and Authority in and over the Church in Spirituall things It is confest by the Answerer and others of note that under these later the Church the Christian State Religion and Worship were most corrupted under Constantine Christians fell asleepe on the beds of carnall ease and Liberty insomuch that some apply to his times that sleepe of the Church Cant. 5. 2. I sleep though mine heart waketh CHAP. CXXIV Peace YEs but some will say this was not through their assuming of this power but the ill managing of it Truth Yet are they commonly brought as the great Presidents for all succeeding Princes and Rulers in after Ages and in this very controvesiâ— their practices are brought as presidentiall to establish persecution for conscience Secondly those Emperours and other Princes and Magistrates acted in Religion according to their consciences perswasion and beyond the light and perswasion of conscience can no man living walk in any feare of God Hence have they forced their subjects to uniformitie and conformitie unto their own consciences what ever they were though not willing to have been forced themselves in the matters of God and Conscience Thirdly Had not the light of their eye of conscience and the consciences also of their Teachers been darkned they could not have been condemned for want of heavenly affection rare devotion wonderfull care and diligence propounding to themselves the best patternes of the Kings of Iudah David Salomon Asa Iehosaphat Iosiah Hezekiah But here they lost the path and themselves in perswading themselves to be the parallels and antytipes to those figurative and typicall Princes whence they conceived themselves bound to make their Cities Kingdomes Empires new holy lands of Canaan and themselves Governours and Iudges in spirituall causes compelling all consciences to Christ and persecuting the contrary with fire and sword Upon these rootes how was how is it possible but that such bitter fruits should grow of corruption of Christianitie Persecution of such godly who happily see more of Christ then such Rulers themselves their Dominions and Jurisdictions being overwhelmed with inforced dissimulation and hypocrisie and where power of resistance with flames of civill combustion as at this very day he that runs may read and tremble at Peace They adde further that the Princes of Christendome setting their Hornes upon the Churches head have been the cause of Antichristian inventions c. Truth If they mean that the Princes of Europe giving their power and authoritie to the seven-headed and ten-horned Beast of Rome have been the cause c. I confesse it to be one concurring cause yet withall it must be remembred that even before such Princes set their hornes or authoritie upon the Beasts head even when they did as I may say but lend their hornes to the Bishops even then rose up many Antichristian abominations And though I confesse there is but small difference in some respect betweene the setting their hornes upon the Priests heads whereby they are inabled immediately to push and gore whoever crosse their doctrine and practice and the lending of their hornes that is pushing and goriâ—g such themselves as are declared by their Bishops and Priests to be hereticall as was and is practised in some Countries before and since the Pope rose yet I confidently affirme that neither the Lord Iesus nor his first ordained Ministers and Churches gathered by such Ministers did ever weare or crave the helpe of such hornes in Spirituall and Christian affaires The spirituall power of the Lord Iesus in the hands of his true Ministers and Churches according to Balaams prophesie Num. 23. is the horne of that Vnicorne or Rhinocerot Psal 92. which is the strongest horne in the world in comparison of which the strongest hornes of the Bulls of Basan breake as sticks and Historieâ—ells â—ells us how that Vnicorne or one-horned Beast the Rhinocerot tooke up a Bull like a Tennis ball in the Theater at Rome before the Emperour according to that record of the Post Quantâ—â—s erat cornu cui pila Taurus erat Unto this Spirituall power of the Lord Iesus the soules and thoughts of the highest Kings and Emperours must subject Math. 16. 18. 1 Cor. 5.
10. chapters CHAP. CXXV Peace DEare Truth You know the noyse is made from those prophecies Isa. 46. Kings and Queenes shall be nursing Fathers c. and Revel 21. the Kings of the Earth shall bring their Glory and Honour to new Ierusalem c. Truth I answer with that mournfull Prophet Psal. 74. I see not that man that Prophet that can tell us how long How many excellent Pen-men fight each against other with their pens like swords in the application of those prophecies of David Isa. Ier. Ezekiel Daniel Zacharie Iohn when and how those Prophecies shall be fulfilled Secondly When ever those prophecies are fulfilled yet shall those Kings not be Heads Governours and Judges in Ecclesiasticall or Spirituall causes but be themselves judged and ruled if within the Church by the power of the Lord Jesus therein Hence saith Isaiah those Kings and Queenes shall lick the Dust of thy feet c. Peace Some will here aske What may the Magistrate then lawfully doe with his Civill horne or power in matters of Religion Truth His horne not being the horne of that Vnicorne or Rhinocerot the power of the Lord Iesus in Spirituall caseâ— his sword not the two-edged sword of the Spirit the word of God hanging not about the loines or side but at the lips and proceeding out of the mouth of his Ministers but of an humane and Civill nature and constitution it must consequently be of a humane and Civill operation for who knowes not that operation followes constitution and therefore I shall end this passage with this consideration The Civill Magistrate either respecteth that Religion and Worship which his conscience is perswaded is true and upon which he ventures his Soule or else that and those which he is perswaded are false Concerning the first if that which the Magistrate believeth to be true be true I say he owes a threefold dutie unto it First approbation and countenance a reverent esteeme and honorable Testimonie according to Isa. 49. Revel 21. with a tender respect of Truth and the professours of it Secondly Personall submission of his owne Soule to the power of the Lord Iesus in that spirituall Government and Kingdome according to Mat. 18. 1. Cor. 5. Thirdly Protection of such true professours of Christ whether apart or met together as also of their estates from violence and injurie according to Rom. 13. Now secondly if it be a false Religion unto which the Civill Magistrate dare not adjoyne yet he owes First permission for approbation he owes not to what is evill and this according to Matthew 13. 30. for publike peace and quiet sake Secondly he owes protection to the persons of his Subjects though of a false worship that no injurie be offered either to the persons or goods of any Rom. 13. Peace Deare Truth in this 11 head concerning the Magistrates power in Worship you have examined what is affirmed that the Magistrate may doe in point of Worship there remaines a second to wit that which they say the Magistrate may not doe in Worship They say The Magistrate may not bring in set formes of prayerâ— Nor secondly bring in significant ceremonies Nor thirdly not governe and rule the acts of worship in the Church of God for which they bring an excellent similitude of a Prince or Magistrate in a ship where he hath no governing power over the actions of the mariners and secondly that excellent propheciâ— concerning Christ Iesus that his government should be upon his shoulders Isa. 9. 6 7. Truth Unto all this I willingly subscribe Yet can I not passe by a most injurious and unequall practice toward the Civill Magistrate Ceremonies Holy dayes Common Prayer and what ever else dislikes their consciences that the Magistrate must not bring in Others againe as learned as godly as wise have conceived the Magistrate may approve or permit these in the Church and all men are bound in obedience to obey him How shal the Magistrates conscience be herein between both torn and distracted if indeed the power either of establishing or abolishing in Church matters bee committed to him Secondly me thinkes in this case they deale with the Civill Magistrate as the Souldiers dealt with the Lord Iesus First they take off his owne clothes and put upon him a purple Robe plat a Crowne of Thornes on his head bow the knee and salute him by the name of King of the Iewes They tell him that he is the Keeper of both Tables he must see the Church doe her duty he must establish the true Church true Ministry true Ordinances he must keepe her in this purity Againe hee must abolish superstition and punish false Churches false Ministers even to banishment and death Thus indeed doe they make the blood run downe the head of the civill Magistrate from the thorny vexation of that power which sometimes they crowne him with whence in great States Kingdoms or Monarchies necessarily arise delegations of that spirituall power High Commissions c. Anon againe they take off this purple robe put him into his own clothes and tell him that he hath no power to command what is against their conscience They cannot conforme to a set form of prayer nor to Ceremonies nor Holy dayes c. although the civill Magistrate that most pious Prince Edw 6. â— and his famous Bishops afterwards burnt for Christ were of another conscienceâ— which of these two consciences shall stand if either Magistrate must put forth his civill power in these cases the strongest arme of flesh and most conquering bloody sword of Steele can alone decide the Question I confesse it is most true that no Magistrate as no other superiour is to be obeyed in any matter displeasing to God yet when in matters of worship we ascribe the absolute headship and government to the Magistrate as to keepe the Church pute and force her to her duty Ministers and People and yet take unto our selves power to judge what is right in our owne eyes and to judge the Magistrate in and for those very things wherein we confesse he hath power to see us doe our duty and therefore consequently must judge what our duty is what is this but to play with Magistrates with the soules of men with Heaven with God with Christ Iesus c. CHAP. CXXVI Peace PAsse on holy Truth to that similitude whereby they illustrate that Negative Assertion The Prince in the Ship say they is governour over the bodies of all in the Ship but hee hath no power to governe the Ship or the Mariners in the Actions of it If the Pilot manifestly erre in his Action the Prince may reprove him and so say they may any Passenger if hee offend against the life or goods of any the Prince may in due time and place punish him which no private person may Truth Although deare Peace wee both agree that civill powers may not
for with a word to his Father he could have 12 legions of Angels 3 The councell of God to be fulfilled in the Scripture Thus it ought to be Peace It is much questioned by some what should be the meaning of Christ Iesus in that speech All that take the sword shall perish by the sword Truth There is a threefold taking of the sword First by murtherous crueltie either of private persons or secondly publike States or Societies in wrath or revenge each against other Secondly a just and righteous taking of the sword in punishing offenders against the Civill peace either more personall private and ordinary or more publike Oppressors Tyrants Ships Navies c. Neither of these can it be imagined that Christ Iesus intended to Peter Thirdly There is therefore a 3. taking of the sword forbidden to Peter that is for Christ and the Gospels cause when Christ is in danger which made Peter strike c. Peace It seemes to some most contrary to all true Reason that Christ Iesus 〈◊〉 it selfe should not be defended Truth The foolishnes of God is wiser then the wisedome of Man It is not the purpose of God that the Spirituall battailes of his Son shall be fought by carnall weapons and persons It is not his pleasure that the World shall flame on fire with civill combustions for his Sons sake It is directly contrary to the nature of Christ Iesus his Saints and Truths that throats of men which is the highest contrarietie to civill converse should be torne out for his sake who most delighted to converse with the greatest sinners It is the councell of God that his servants shall overcome by 3 weapons of a spirituall nature Revel 12. 11. And that all that take the sword of steele shall perish Lastly it is the Councell of God that Christ Iesus shall shortly appeare a most glorious Iudge and Revenger against all his Enemies when the Heavens and the Earth shall 〈◊〉 before his most glorious presence Peace I shall propose the last Scripture much insisted on by many for carnall weapons in spirituall cases Revel 17. 16. The 10 hornes which thou fawest upon the Beast these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and shall burne her with fire Truth Not to controvert with some whether or no the Beast be yet risen and extant Nor secondly whether either the Beast or the Hornes or the Whore may be taken literally for any corporall Beast or Whore Or thirdly whether these 10 Hornes be punctually and exactly 10 Kings Or fourthly whether those 10 Hornes signifie those many Kings Kingdomes and Governments who have bowed down to the Popes yoake and have committed fornication with that great Whore the Church of Rome Let this last be admitted which yet will cost some work to cleer against all opposites Yet First can the Time be now cleerly demonstrated to be come c Secondly how will it be proved that this â—atred of this Whâ—re shall be a true chaste Christian hatred against Antichristian whorish practices c Thirdly or rather that this hating and desolating and making naked and burning shall arise not by way of an ordinance waranted by the institution of Christ Iesus but by way of providence when as it useth to be with all whores and their lovers the Church of Rome and her great lovers shall fall out and by the righteous vengeance of God upon her drunke with the blood of Saints or holy Ones these mighty fornicators shall turne their love into hatred which hatred shall make her a poore desolate naked Whore torne and consumed c. Peace You know it is a great controversie how the Kings of the Earth shall thus deale with the Whore in the 17 Chap. and yet so bewaile her in the 18 Chapter Truth If we take it that these Kings of the Earth shall first hate and plunder and teare and burne this Whore and yet afterward shall relent and bewaile their cruell dealing toward her Or else that as some Kings deale so terribly with her yet others of those Kings shall bewaile her If either of these two answers stand or a better be given yet none of them can prove it lawfull for people to give power to their Kings and Magistrates thus to deale with them their subjects for their conscience nor for Magistrates to assume a title more then the people betrust them with nor for one people out of conscience to God and for Christ his sake thus to kill and slaughter and burne each other However it may please the Righteous Judge according to the famous types of Gideous and Iehosaphats battells to permit in Iustice and to order in Wisdome these mighty and mutuall slaughters each of other Peace We have now deare Truth through the gracious hand of God clambered up to the top of this our tedious Discourse Truth O 't is mercy unexpressible that either Thou or I have had so long a breathing time and that together Peace If English ground must yet be drunk with English blood O where shall Peace repose her wearied head and heavy heart Truth Deare Peace if thou finde welcome and the God of peace miraculously please to quench these all-devouring flames yet where shall Truth finde rest from cruell persecutions Peace Oh will not the Authority of holy Scriptures the Commands and Declarations of the Sonne of God therein produced by thee together with all the lamentable experiences of former and present slaughters prevaile with the Sons of Men especially with the Sons of Peace to depart from the dens of Lyons and mountaines of Leopards and to put on the bowels if not of Christianitie yet of Humanitie each to other Truth Deare Peace Habacacks Fishes keep their constant bloody game of Persecutions in the Worlds mighty Ocean the greater taking plundring swallowing up the lesser O happy he whose portion is the God of Iacob who hath nothing to lose under the Sun but hath a State a House an Inheritance a Name a Crowne a Life past all the Plunderers Ravishers Murtherers reach and furie Peace But loe Who 's here Truth Our Sister Patience whose desired company is as needfull as delightfull 'T is like the Wolfe will send the scattered Sheep in one the common Pirate gathers up the loose and scattered Navie the slaughter of the Witnesses by that bloody Beast unite the Independents and Presbyterians The God of Peace the God of Truth will shortly seale this Truth and confirme this Witnes and make it evident to the whole World That the Doctrine of Persecution for cause of Conscience is most evidently and lamentably contrary to the doctrine of Christ Iesus the Prince of Peace Amen FINIS Errata PAge 23. line 28. for this reâ—d that p. 31. l. ult his soule p. 32. l. 12. read month â—bid r. person p. 35. l. 16. r. turned off or loosed from p. 37. l. 8. for to read doc p. 38. l. 2. dele affirme p. 41.
l. 22. his perilous soule p. 43. l. 20. r. or l. ult Answeres p. 44. l. 2â— bâ— closer p. 49. l. 1. last p 57. l. 22. cut l. 24. l â—â—rme that Justice p. 58. l. 5. the lying p 98. l. 6. road or doe these p. 114. l. 29. r the 31 question p. 119 l. 10. remembers p. 139. l. 9. immunitie p. 161. l. 28. or Christ. p. 214. l. 36. delt shall p. 225. l. 19. the Churches of God 225. l. 25. not might not The famous saying of a late King of Bohemia Essay of Religion It is rarely seen that ever persons were persâ—â—â—ed for their 〈…〉 3. Reas. Truth and Peace rarely and seldom meet a great complaints of Peace Persecutors seldom plead Christ but Moses for their Author Strife distinguished 1. Ungodly strife 2. Godly strife A threefold dolefull cry Christs worship is his bed Cant. 1. 16. False worship therefore is a false bed The cry of the soules under the Altar A cry of the whole earth The wonderfull provideÌ„ce of God in the writing of the Arguments against persecution in Milke The Answer writ in Bloud The first distinctioÌ„ discussed Desinition of persecution discussed Conscience will not be restrained from its own worship nor constrained to another A chaste soule in Gods worship like a chast wife The second distinction discussedâ— Gods people may erre from the very fundamentals of visible worship 4 sorts of spirituall Foundations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The sixe Foundations of the Christian Religion or Worship Comming out of Babell not locall but mysticall The great Ignorance of Gods people concerning the Nature of the true Church Mr. Cotton all the Halfe Seperates halting between true fals Churches and consequently not yet clear in the fundamentall matter of a ChristiaÌ„ Church The true Ministrie a Fundamentall The New English Ministers examined Common Prayer cast off written against by the New-English Gods people have worshipped God with false worships It pleaseth God sometimes beyond his promise to convey blessings comfort to His in false worships Fundamentals of Christian worship not so easie and cleare A notable speech of K. Iames to a great non-conformist turned persecuter The 4. distinctioÌ„ discussed What civill peace is Gods people must be Nonconformitants to Evill The difference between Spirituall and Civill Peace The difference between the Spirituall and Civill State The Civil State the Spirituall estate and the Church of Christ distinct in Ephesus The Answerer too obscure in generalls Gods meekest servants use to be counted arrogant and impetuous 6 cases wherein Gods people have been bold zealous yet not arrogant Christ Jesus and his Disciples teach publikely a new Doctrine fundamentally different from the Religion professed Gods servants zealous and bold to the faces of the Highest Gods people constantly immoveable to death Gods people ever maintained Christ Jesus the only Lord and King to the conscience That Christ is King alone over conscience is the sum of all true preaching Gods people have see men the disturbers of Civill State Gods word and people the occasion of tumults The instances proposed carry a great shew of impeâ—â—ousnesse yet all are pure and peaceable The true cause of tumults at the preaching of the Word A preposterous way of suppressing errours Light only can expell fogs and darknesse Persecutors oppresse both true and erroneous consciences All persecutors of Christ professe not to persecute him All persecutors of Christ professe not to persecute him What is meant by Hereticke in Titus The word Hereticke generally mistaken Checks of conscience What is the first second admonition What the rejecting of the Heretick was Corporall killing in the Law typing out Spirituall killing by Excommunication in the Gospell The third ConclusioÌ„ discussed Sathans policie The Answerer granteth a Toleration Patience to be used toward the opposite The cariage of a Soule sensible of mercy toward other sinners in their blindnesse and opposition The Answerer coÌ„founds the Churches in Philippi and Rome with the Cities Philippi and Rome Difference between 〈◊〉 the Church and the World The Church and Civill Scare confusedly made all one Persecutors have forgotten the blessednesse promised to the mercifull Math. 5. What persons are guilty of breach of civil peace The most peaceable wrongfully accused of peace-breaking The examination of what is meant by the Tares and the command of the L. Jesus to let them alone The Answerers fallacious exposition that Tares signifie either Persons Doctrines or Practices The Answerer baâ—ely affirming a most strange interpretation Sathans subtletâ—e about the opening of Scripture Toleration in Rom. 14. considered ToleratioÌ„ of Jewâ—sh ceremonies for a time upon some grounds in the Jewâ—sh Church proves not toleration of Popish and Anti christian Ceremonies in the Christian Church although in the State Tares proved not to signifie hypocrites Hence were the witnesses of Christ 〈◊〉 and others in H. 4. his reigne called Loâ—lards as some say from 〈◊〉 weeds known well enough henâ—e taken for signe of barrenesse Iusâ—lix 〈◊〉 sterllâ—â— doâ—â—â—anâ—uâ— a vâ—â—a others conceive they were so called from one Lollaâ—d c. but all Papisâ—s accounted them as Tares because of their profession * The false and counterfeit Christians appeare as soon as the true and faithfull Hypocriticall Christians The Tares cannot signifie Hypocrites Two sorts of Hypocâ—ites 1. In the Church as Iudas St. â—oâ— Mâ—gâ—â— and these must be to leâ—ated untill discovered and no longer 2. Hypocrites in the world which aâ—e false Christians â—aâ—â—e Churches these the Lord Iesus wiâ— have let alone unto Harvest The Field by most generally but falsely interpreted the Church The Lord Iesus the great teacher by Parables and the only expounder of them The scope of the Parable Fouâ—e sorts of ground or hearers of the word in the world and but one properly in the Church the rest seldome come or accidenâ—ally to hear the word in the Church which word ought to be â—itted for the feedâ—ng of the Church or flocke preaching for conversion is properly out of the Church The scope of the Parable of the Tares The Lord Iesus in this â—arable of the Taâ—es gives direction and consolation to His servants The Tares proved properly to signifie Antichristians Math. 8. 12 Mat. 21. 43 Gods kingdome on Earth the visible Church The difference between the Wheat the Tares as also between these Tares and all other Civill Magistracie from the beginning of the World Offenders against the Civill lawes not to be perpetually tolerated Nor offenders in the Church of Christ Jesus to be suâ—â—red The great Reapers are the Angels The Tares to be tolerated the longest of any sinners The danger of infection by these tares assoyled Lamentable experience hath proved this true of late in Europe and lamentably true in the slâ—ughter of some hundred thousands of the English The great dreadfull Harvest The charge of Christ Jesus Let alone the Tares was not spoken to Magistrates Ministers of the civill state but to