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 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-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
toleration of conscience ibid. Protestant partiality in the cause of persecution 108 Pills to purge out the bitter humour of persecution ibid. Superstition and persecution have had many votes and suffrages from Gods owne people 109 Soul-killing discussed ibid. Phineas his act discussed 111 Eliah his slaughters examined ibid Dangerous consequences flowing from the civill Magistrates power in Spirituall cases 114 The world turned upside downe Page 114 The wonderfull answer of the Ministers of New England to the Ministers of Old ibid. Lamentable differences even amongst them that feare God 115 The doctrine of persecution ever drives the most godly out of the world 116 A Modell of Church and Civill power composed by Mr. Cotton and the Ministers of New England and sent to Salem as a further confirmation of the bloody doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience examined and answered 118 Christs power in the Church confest to be above all Magistrates in Spirituall things 119 Isa. 49. 23. lamentably wrested ibid. The civill Commonweale and the Spirituall Commonweale the Church not inconsistent though independent the one on the other 120 Christ ordinances put upon a whole city or Nation may civilize them and moralize but not Christianize before repentance first wrought 121 Mr. Cottons and the New English Ministers confession that the Magistrate hath neither Civill nor Spirituall power in Soul matters 122 The Magistrates and the Church by Mr. Cottons grounds in one and the same cause made the Iudges onthe Bench and delinquents at the Bar. 123 A demonstrative illustration that the Magistrate cannot have power over the Church in Spirituall or Church causes 124 The true way of the God of Peace in differences between the Church and the Magistrate 125. The tearms Godlinesse and Honesty explained 1 Tim. 2. x. and honesty proved not to signifie in that place the righteousnes of the second Table 127 The forcing of men to Gods worship the greatest breach of civill peace 129 The Roman Caesars of Christs time described ibid. It pleased not the Lord Iesus in the institution of the Christian Church to appoint and raise up any Civill Governours to take care of his worship 130 The true custodes utriusque Tabulae and keepers of the Ordinances and worship of Iesus Christ. ibid. The Kings of Aegypt Moah Philistia Assyria Niâ—â—vch were not charged with the worship of God as the Kings of Iudah were 131 Masters of families not charged under the Gospel to force all the consciâ—uces of their families to worship 132 Gods people have then shined brightest in Godlines when they have enjoyed least quietnesse pag. 134. Few Magistrates few Men spiritually good yet divers sorts of commendable Goodnes beside spirituall ibid. Civill power originally and fundamentally in the People Mr. Cotton and the New English give the power of Christ into the hands of thâ— Commonweale 137 Lawes concerning Religion of two sorts 138 The very Indians abhor to disturbe any Conscience at Worship 139 Canons and constitutions pretended Civill but indeed Ecclesiasticall ibid. A threesold guilt lying upon Civill powers commanding the Subjects Soule in Worship 143 Persons may with lesse sinne be forced to marry whom they cannot love then to worship where they cannot beleeve ibid. As the cause so the weapons of the Beast and the Laâ—â— be are infinitely different 146 Aâ—taxerxes his Dicree examined 147 The summe of the Examples of the Gentile Kings decrees concerning Gods worship in Scripture 149 The Doctrine of putting to death Blasphemers of Christ cuts off the hopes of the Iewes partaking in his blood 18â— The direfull effects of fighting for Conscience 151 Errour is confident as well as Truth 152 Spirituall prisons 153 Some Consciences not so easily healed and cured as men imagine 154 Persecuters dispute with Hereticks as a tyrann call Cat with the poore Mouse And with a true Witnes as a roaring Lyon with an innocent Lambe in his paw 155 Persecuters endure not tho name of Persecuters 156 Psal 101 concerning cutting off the wicked examined 158 No difference of Lands and Countries since Christ Iesus his comming ib. The New English seperate in America but not in Europe 159 Christ Iesus forbidding his followers to permit Leaven in the Church doth not forbid to permit Leaven in the World 160 The Wall Cant. 8. 9. discussed 161 Every Religion commands its professors to heare only its own Priests or Ministers 162 Ionah his preaching to the Ninevites discussed 162 â—â—aring of the Word discussed ibid. Eglon his rising up to Ehuds message discussed ibid. A two-fold Ministrie of Christ First Apostolicall properly converting Secondly Feeding or Pastorall pag. 162 The New English forcing the people to Church and yet not to Religion as they say forcing them to be of no Religion all their dayes 163 The Civill State can no more lawfully compell the Consciences of men to Church to heare the Word then to receive the Sacraments 164 No president in the word of any people converting and baptizing themselves 166 True conversion to visible Christianitie is not only from sins against the second Table but from false Worships also ibid. The Commission Mat. 28 discussed 167 The Civill Magistrate not be trusted with that Commission ibid. Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 1â— a figure of Christ Iesus in his Church not of the Civill Magistrate in the State 168 The maintenance of the Ministrie Gal. 6. 6. examined ibid. Christ Iesus never appointed a maintenance of the Ministrie from the iâ—penitent and unbelieving 169 They that compell men to heare compell them also to pay for their hearing and conversion ibid. Luc. 14. Compell them to come in examined ibid. Naturall men can neither truly worship nor mainteine it 170 The Nationall Church of the Iewes might well be forced to a setled maintenance but not so the Christian Church 171 The maintenance which Christ hath appointed his Ministrie in the Church 172 The Vniversities of Europe causes of universall sins and plagues yet Schooles are honourable for tongues and Arts. 173 The true Church is Christs Schoole and Believers his Scholars ibid. Mr. Ainsworth excellent in the Tongues yet no Vniversitie man 174 K. Henry the 8. set down in the Popes chaire in England 175 Apocrypha Homilies and Common Prayer precious to our forefathers ib. Reformation proved fallible 176 The president of the Kings of Israel Iudah largely examined 178 The Persian Kings example make strongly against the doctrine of Persecution 179 1. The difference of the hand of Canaan from all lands and countries in 7 particulars ibid. 2. The difference of the people of Israel from all other peoples in 7 particulars 183 Wonderfull turnings of Religion in England in twelve yeares revolution Page 185 The Pope not unlike to recover his Monarchy over Europe before his dowâ—fall ibid. Israel Gods only Church might well renew that Nationall Covenant and ceremoniall worship which other Nations cannot doe 187 â— The difference of the Kings and Governours of Israel from all Kings and Governours of the world
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
for righteousnesse sake but that hindreth not but that he would have them execute upon all disobedience the judgement and vengeance required in the Word 2 Cor. 10. 6. Rom. 13. 4. Though it be true that wicked persons now may by the grace of God become true Disciples and Converts yet we may not doe evill that good may come thereof And evill it would bee to tolerate notorious evill doers whether seducing teachers or scandalous livers Christ 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. Your second Head of Reasons is taken from the profession and practice of famous Princes King Iames Stephen of Poland King of Bohemia Whereunto a treble answer may briefly be returned First we willingly acknowledge that none is to be persecuted at all no more then they may be oppressed for righteousnesse sake Againe we acknowledge that none is to be punished for his conscience though mis-informed as hath been said unlesse his errour be fundamentall or seditiously and turbulently promoted and that after due conviction of his conscience that it may appeare he is not punished for his conscience but for sinning against his conscience Furthermore we acknowledge none is to be constrained to beleeve or professe the true Religion till he be convinced in judgement of the truth of it but yet restrained he may from blaspheming the truth and from seducing any unto pernicious errours 2. Wee answer what Princes professe or practise is not a rule of conscience they many times tolerate that in point of State policy which cannot justly be tolerated in point of true Christianity Againe Princes many times tolerate offendours out of very necessity when the offenders are either too many or too mighty for them to punish in which respect David tolerated Ioab and his murthers but against his will 3. We answer further that for those three Princes named by you who tolerated Religion we can name you more and greater who have not tolerated Heretickes and Schismatickes notwithstanding their pretence of conscience and arrogating the Crowne of Martyrdome to their sufferings Constantine the Great at the request of the Generall Councell of Nice banished Arrius with some of his fellowes Sozom. lib. 1. Eccles. Hist. cap. 19. 20. The same Constantine made a severe Law against the Donatists And the like proceedings against them were used by Valentinian Gratian and Theodosius as Augustine reporteth in Epist. 166. Only Iulian the Apostata granted liberty to Heretickes as well as to Pagans that he might by tolerating all weeds to grow choake the vitals of Christianity which was also the practice and sin of Valens the Arrian Queene Elizabeth as famous for her government as any of the former it is well knowne what Lawes she made and executed against Papists Yea and King Iames one of your own witnesses though he was slow in proceeding against Papists as you say for conscience sake yet you are not ignorant how sharply and severely he punished those whom the malignant world calleth Puritanes men of more conscience and better faith then he tolerated I come now to your third and last argument taken from the judgement of ancient and later Writers yea even of Papists themselves who have condemned persecution for conscience sake You begin with Hilary whose testimony we might admit without any prejudice to the truth 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 it hath beene convinced It is true also what he saith that neither the Apostles did not may we propagate Christian Religion by the Sword but if Pagans cannot be won by the Word they are not to be compelled by the Sword Neverthelesse this hindreth not but if they or any others should blaspheme the true God and his true Religion they ought to be severely punished and no lesse doe they deserve if they seduce from the truth to damnable Heresie or Idolatry Your next Writer which is Tertullian speaketh to the same purpose in the place alledged by you His intent is onely to restraine Scapula the Romane Governour of Africa from the persecution of Christians for not offering sacrifice to their gods And for that end fetcheth an argument from the Law of Naturall Equity not to compell any to any Religion but to permit them either to beleeve willingly or not to beleeve at all Which wee acknowledge and accordingly permit the Indians to continue in their unbeleefe Neverthelesse it will not therefore be lawfull openly to tolerate the worship of devils or Idols or the seduction of any from the truth When Tertullian saith Another mans Religion neither hurteth nor profiteth any it must be understood of private worship and Religion professed in private otherwise a false Religion professed by the Members of a Church or by such as have given their Names to Christ will be the ruine and desolation of the Church as appeareth by the threats of Christ to the Churches of Asia Revel 2. Your next Authour Hierom crosseth not the truth nor advantageth not your cause for we grant what he saith that Heresie must bee cut off with the Sword of the Spirit But this hindreth not but that being so cut downe if the Hereticke still persist in his Heresie to the seduction of others he may be cut off by the civill sword to prevent the perdition of others And that to bee Hieromes meaning appeareth by his note upon that of the Apostle A little Leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe therefore saith he a sparke as soone as it appeareth is to be extinguished and the Leaven to be removed from the rest of the dough rotten peeces of flesh are to be cut off and a scabbed beast is to be driven from the 〈◊〉 leâ—t the whole house masse of dough body and flocke be set on fire with the sparke bee sowred with the Leaven be putrified with the rotten flesh perish by the scabbed beast Brentius whom you next quote speaketh not to your Cause We willingly grant him and you that Man hath no power to make Lawes to bind Conscience But this hindreth not but that Men may see the Lawes of God observed which doe bind Conscience The like Answer may be returned to Luther whom you next alleadge First that the Government of the Civill Magistrate extendeth no further then over the Bodies and Goods of their Subjects not over their Soules And therefore they may not undertake to give Lawes to the Soules and Consciences of Men. Secondly that the Church of Christ doth not use the Arme of Secular Power to compell men to the Faith or profession of the Truth for this is to be done by Spirituall weapons whereby
of State policy tolerate what suits not with Christianity and out of State necessity tolerate â—s David did Ioab against their wils To which I answer First that although with him in the first I confesse that Princes may tolerate that out of State policy which will not stand with Christianity yet in the second he must acknowledge with me that there is a necessity sometime of State Toleration as in the case of Ioab and so his former affirmation generally laid downe viz. that it is evill to tolerate seducing Teachers or scandalous livers was not duly waighed in the Balance of the Sanctuary and is too light Secondly I affirme that that State policy and State necessity which for the peace of the State and preventing of Rivers of civill Blood permits the Consciences of men will bee found to agree most punctually with the Rules of the best Politician that ever the World saw the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in comparison of whom Salomon himselfe had but a drop of wisedome compared to Christs Ocean and was but a Farthing Candle compared with the All and Ever glorious Son of Righteousnesse That absolute Rule of this great Politician for the peace of the Field which is the World and for the good and peace of the Saints who must have a civill being in the World I have discoursed of in his command of permitting the Tares that is Antichristians or false Christians to be in the Field of the World growing up together with the true Wheat true Christians CHAP. LXI Peace HIs third Answer is this For those three Princes named by you who tolerated Religion we can name you more and greater who have not tolerated Heretickes and Schismatickes notwithstanding their pretence of Conscience and their arrogating the Crowne of Martyrdome to their sufferings Constantine the Great at the request of the Generall Councell at Nice banished Arrius with some of his Fellowes Sozom. lib. 1. Eccles hist. cap 19 20. The same Constantine made a severe Law against the Donatists and the like proceedings against them were used by Valentinian Gratian and Theodosius as Augustine reports in Ep. 166. Onely Iulian the Apostate granted liberty to Heretickes as well as to Pagans that he might by tolerating all weeds to grow choake the vitals of Christianity which was also the practice and sinne of Valens the Arrian Queene Elizabeth as famous for her Government as most of the former it is well knowne what Lawes she made and executed against Papists yea and K. Iames one of your owne Witnesses though he was slow in proceeding against Papists as you say for Conscience sake yet you are not ignorant how sharply and severely he punished those whom the malignant World calls Puritans men of more Conscience and better Faith then the Papists whom he tolerated Truth Unto this I answer First that for mine owne part I would not use an argument from the number of Princes witnessing in profession of practice against Persecution for cause of Conscience for the truth and faith of the Lord Iesus must not bee received with respect of faces be they never so high princely and glorious Precious Pearles and Iewels and farre more precious Truth are found in muddy shells and places The rich Mines of golden Truth lye hid under barren hills and in obscure holes and corners The most High and Glorious God hath chosen the poore of the World and the Witnesses of Truth Rev. 11. are cloathed in sackcloth not in Silke or Sattin Cloth of Gold or Tissue and therefore I acknowledge if the number of Princes professing persecution bee considered it is rare to finde a King Prince or Governour like Christ Iesus the King of Kings and Prince of the Princes of the Earth and who tread not in the steps of Herod the Fox or Nero the Lyon openly or secretly persecuting the name of the Lord Iesus such were Saul Ieroboam Ahab though under a maske or pretence of the name of the God of Israel To that purpose was it a noble speech of Buchanan who lying on his death-bed sent this Item to King Iames Remember my humble service to his Majestie and tell him that Buchanan is going to a place where few Kings come CHAP. LXII Truth SEcondly I observe how inconsiderately I hope not willingly he passeth by the Reasons and Grounds urged by those three Princes for their practices for as for the bare examples of Kings or Princes they are but like shining Sands or guilded Rockes giving no solace to such as make wofull shipwrack on them In K. Iames his Speech he passeth by that Golden Maxime in Divinity that God never loves to plant his Church by Blood Secondly that Civill Obedience may be performed from the Papists Thirdly in his observation on Revel 20. that true and certaine note of a false Church to wit persecution The wicked are besiegers the faithfull are besieged In K. Steven of Poland his Speech hee passeth by the true difference betweene a Civill and a Spirituall Government I am said Steven a Civill Magistrate over the bodies of men not a spirituall over their soules Now to confound these is Babel and Jewish it is to seek for Moses and bring him from his grave which no man shall finde for God buried him in setting up a Nationall state or Church in a land of Canaan which the great Messiah abolished at his comming Thirdly he passeth by in the speech of the King of Bohemia that foundation in Grace and Nature to wit that Conscience ought not to be violated or forced and indeed it it is most true that a Soule or spirituall Rape is more abominable in Gods eye then to force and ravish the Bodies of all the Women in the World Secondly that most lamentably true experience of all Ages which that King observeth viz. that persecution for cause of Conscience hath ever proved pernicious being the causes of all those wonderfull innovations of or changes in the Principalitiesâ— and mightiest Kingdomes of Christendome He that reads the Records of Truth and Time with an impartiall eye shall finde this to be the Launcet that hath pierc'd the veines of Kings and Kingdomes of Saints and Sinners and fill'd the streames and Rivers with their blood Lastly that Kings observation of his own time viz. that Persecution for cause of Conscience was practised most in England and such places where Popery raigned implying as I conceive that such practises commonly proceed from that great whore the Church of Rome whose Daughters are like their Mother and all of a bloody nature as most commonly all Whores be CHAP. LXIII NOw thirdly in that the Answerer observeth that amongst the Romane Emperours they that did not persecute were Iulian the Apostate and Valens the Arrian whereas the good Emperours Constantine Gratian Valentinian and Theodosius they did persecute the Arrians Donatists c. Answ. It is no new thing for godly and eminently godly men
to performe ungodly actions nor for ungodly persons for wicked ends to act what in it selfe is good and righteous Abraham Iacob David Salomon c. as well as Lamech Saul c. lived in constant transgression against the institution of so holy and so ratified a Law of Mariage c. and this not against the light and checks of conscience as other sinnes are wont to be recorded of them but according to the dictate and perswasion of a Resolved Soule and Conscience David out of zeale to God with 30 thousand of Israel and Majesticall solemnity carries up the Arke contrary to the Order God was pleased to appoint the issue was both Gods and Davids great offenceâ— 2 Sam. 6. David in his zeale would build an house to entertaine his God what more pious and what more in shew serioâ—sly consulted when the Prophet Nathan is admitted Councellour 2 Sam. 7. And probable it is that his slaughter of Vriiah was not without a good end to wit to prevent the dishonour of Gods name in the discoverrie of his Adulterie with Bathsheba yet David was holy and precious to God still though like a jewell fallen into the dirt whereas K. Ahab though acting his fasting humiliation was but Ahab still though his Act in it selfe was a duty and found successe with God CHAP. LXIV Peace I Have often heard that Historie reports and I have heard that Mr. Cotton himselfe hat affirmed it that Christianitic fell asleep in Constantines bosome and the laps and bosomes of those Emperours professing the name of Christ. Truth The unknowing zeale of Constantine and other Emperours did more hurt to Christ Iesus his Crowne and Kingdome then the raging fury of the most bloody Neroes In the persecutions of the later Christians were sweet and fragrant like spice pounded and beaten in morters But those good Emperours persecuting some erroneous persons Arrius c. and advancing the professours of some Truths of Christ for there was no small number of Truths lost in those times and maintaining their Religion by the materiall Sword I say by this meanes Christianity was ecclipsed and the Professors of it fell asleep Cant. 5. Babel or confusion was usher'd in and by degrees the Gardens of the Churches of Saints were turned into the wildernesse of whole Nations untill the whole World became Christian or Christendome Revel 12. 13. Doubtlesse those holy men Emperours and Bishops intended and aimed right to exalt Christ but not attending to the Command of Christ Iesus to permit the Tares to grow in the field of the World they made the Garden of the Church and Field of the World to be all one and might not onely sometimes in their zealous mistakes persecute good wheat in stead of Tares but also pluck up thousands of those precious stalkes by commotions and combustions about Religion as hath been since practised in the great and wonderfull changes wrought by such Wars in many great and mighty States and Kingdomes as we heard even now in the Observation of the King of Bohemia CHAP. LXV Peace DEare Truth before you leave this passage concerning the Emperours I shall desire you to glance your eye on this not unworthy observation to wit how fully this worthy Answerer hath learned to speake the roaring language of Lyon-like Persecution far from the purity and peaceablenesse of the Lambe which he was wont to expresse in England For thus he writes More and greater Princes then these you mention saith he have not tolerated Hereticks and Schismaticks notwithstanding their pretence of Conscience and their arrogating the Crown of Martyrdome to their suffâ—ings Truth Thy tender eare and heart sweet Peace endures not such language 'T is true that these termes Hereticks or wilfully obstinate and Schismaticks or Renders are used in Holy Writ 't is true also that such pretend conscience and challenge the crowne of Martyrdome to their suffrings Yet since as King Iames spake in his Marke of a false Church on Revel 20. the Wicked persecute and besiege and the Godly are persecuted and besieged this is the common clamour of Persecuters against the Messengers and Witnesses of Iesus in all Ages viz. You are Hereticks Schismaticks factious seditious rebellious Have not all Truths witnesses heard such reproaches You pretend conscience You say you are persecuted for Religion You will say you are Martyrs Oh it is hard for Gods children to fall to opinion and practice of Persecution without the ready learning the language thereof And doubtlesse that Soule that can so readily speake Babels language hath cause to fear that he hath not yet in point of Worship left the Gates or Suburbs of it Peace Againe in blaming Iulian and Valens the Arrian for tolerating all weeds to grow he notes their sinfull end that thereby they might choake the vitals of Christianity and seemes to consent in this and other passages foregoing and following on a speech of Ierome that the weeds of false Religions tolerated in the world have a power to choake and kill true Christianity in the Church Truth I shall more fully answer to this on Ieromes speech and shew that if the weeds be kept out of the Garden of the Church the Roses and Lilies therein will flourish notwithstanding that weeds abound in the Field of the Civill State When Christianity began to be choaked it was not when Christians lodged in cold Prisons but Downe beds of ease and persecuted others c. CHAP. LXVI Peace HE ends this passage with approbation of Q. Elizabeth for persecuting the Papists and a reproofe to King Iames for his persecuting the Puritans c. Truth I answer if Queene Elizabeth according to the Answerers Tenent and Conscience did well to persecute according to her conscience King Iames did not ill in persecuting according to his For Mr. Cotton must grant that either King Iames was not fit to be a King had not the essentiall qualifications of a King in not being able rightly to judge who ought to be persecuted and who not or else he must confesse that King Iames and all Magistrates must persecute such whom in their Conscience they judge worthy to be persecuted I say it againe though I neither approve Queen Elizabeth or K. Iames in such their persecutions yet such as hold this Tenent of persecuting for Conscience must also hold that Civill Magistrates are not essentially fitted and qualified for their function and office except they can discerne clearly the difference betweene such as are to be punished and persecuted and such as are not Or else if they be essentially qualified without such a religious spirit of discerning and yet must persecute the Hereticke the Schismaticke c. must they not persecute according to their conscience and perswasion And then doubtlesse though he bee excellent for Civill Government may he easily as Paul did ignorantly persecute the Son of God in stead of the Son of perdition Therefore lastly according to Christ
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
to the woman of Samaria Iohn 4. professing that neither at that Mountaine nor at Ierusalem should men worship the Father While that Nationall State of the Church of the Iewes remained the Tribes were bound to goe up to Ierusalem to worship Psal. 122. But now in every Nation not the whole Land or Country as it was with Canaan he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Act. 10. 35. This then appeared in that large Commission of the Lord Jesus to his first Ministers Goe into all Nations and not onely into Canaan to carry tidings of Mercy c. Secondly the former Inhabitants thereof seven great and mightie Nations Deuter. 7. were all devoted to destruction by the Lords owne mouth which was to bee performed by the impartiall hand of the Children of Israel without any sparing or shewing Mercy But so now it hath not pleased the Lord to devote any people to present Destruction commanding his people to kill and slay without Covenant or Compassion Deuteronomy 7. 2. Where have Emperours Kings or Generals an immediate call from God to destroy whole Cities City after City Men women Children Old and Young as Ioshua practised Ioshua 6. and 10. Chapters c. This did Israel to these seven Nations that they themselves might succeed them in their Cities Habitations and Possessions This onely is true in a spirituall Antitype when Gods people by the Sword the two-edged Sword of Gods Spirit slay the ungodly and become Heires yea fellow Heires with Christ Iesus Romanes 8. Gods meeke people inherit the earth Matthew 5. They mystically like Noah Hebrewes 11 condemne the whole unbeleeving World both by present and future sentence 2 Corinth 6. 2. CHAP. CXI THirdly the very materials the Gold and Silver of the Idols of this Land were odioâ—s and abominable and dangerous to the people of Israel that they might not desire it nor take it to themselves Deut. 7. 25. 26. lest themselves also become a curse and like unto those cursed abominable things Whereas we finde not any such accursed nature in the materials of Idols or Images now but that the Idolatrous formes being changed the silver and gold may be cast and coyned and other materialls lawfully employed and used Yet this we finde in the Antitype that gold silver yea house land yea wives children yea life it selfe as they allure and draw us from God in Christ are to be abominated and hated by us without which hatred and indignation against the most plausible and pleasing enticings from CHRIST IESVS it is impossible for any man to bee a true Christian Luke 14. 26. Fourthly this Land this Earth was an Holy land Zâ—ch 2. 12. Ceremonially and typically holy Fields Gardens Orchards Houses c. which Holines the World knowes not now in one Land or Country House Field Garden c. one above another Yet in the Spirituall Land of Canaan the Christian Church all things are made holy and pure in all Lands to the pure Tit. 1. meats and drinkes are sanctified that is dedicated to the holy use of the thankfull Believers 1 Tim. 4. vea and the unbelieving Husband Wife and their Children are sanctified and made holy to Believers insomuch that that golden inscription peculiar to the forehead of the High Priest Holines to Iehovah shall be written upon the very Bridles of the Horses as all are dedicated to the service of Christ Iesus in the Gospels peace and holines Fifthly the Lord expresly calls it his own Land Levit. 25 23. Hos. 9. 3 Iehovah his Land a terme proper unto Spirituall Canaan the Church of God which must needs be in respect of his choice of that Land to be the Seate and Residence of his Church and Ordinances Buâ— now the partition wall is broken down and in respect of the Lords speciall proprieâ—ie to one Country more then another what dâ—fference between Asia and Africa between Europe and America between England and Turkie London and Constantinople This Land among many other glorious Titles given to it was called Emanuels land that is God with us Christ his land or Christian land Isa 8. 8. But now Ierusalem from above is not materiall and Earthly but Spirituall Gal. 4. Heb. 12. Materiall Ierusalem is no more the Lords citie then Iericho Ninivie or Babell in respect of place or Countrey for even at Babell literall was a Church of Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 5. It is true that Antichrist hath christned all those Countries whereon the Whore sitteth Revel 17. with the Title of Christs land or Christian land And Hundius in his Map of the Christian World makes this land to extend to all Asia a great part of Africa all Europe and a vast part of America even so farre as his unchristian Christenings hath gone But as every false Christ hath false Teachers false Christians false Faith Hope Love c. and in the end false Salvation so doth he also counterfeit the false Name of Christ Christians Christian land or Countrey Sixthly this Land was to keepe her Sabbaths unto God Sixe yeares they were to sow their Fields and prune their Vines but in the 7. yeare they were not to sow their Fields nor prune their Vineyards but to eat that which grew of it selfe or own accord But such Observations doth not God now lay upon any Fields Vineyards c. under the Gospell Yet in the Spirituall land of Canaan the true Church there is a Spirituall Soule-rest or Sabbath a quiet depending upon God a living by Faith in him a making him our portion and casting all care upon him who careth for us yea sometimes he feedeth his by immediate gracious workes of Providence when comforts arise out of the Earth without secondary meanes or causes as here or as elsewhere Manna descended from Heaven Seventhly such portions and possessions of Lands Fields Houses Vineyards were sold with caution or proviso of returning againe in the yeare of Iubilee to the right owners Levit. 25. 23. Such cautions such provisos are not now injoyned by God in the sale of lands fields inheritances nor no such Iubilee or Redemption to be expected Yet this also finds a fulfilling in the spirituall Canaan or Church of God unto which the silver Trumpet of Iubilee the Gospel hath â—ounded a spirituall restitution of all their spirituall rights and inheritances which either they have lost in the fall of the first man Adam or in their particular falls when they are captive and sold unto sin Rom. 7. Or lastly in the spirituall captivitie of Babele bondage how sweet then is the name of a Saviour in whom is the joyfull sound of Deliverance and Redemption Eightly this Land or Country was a figure or type of the kingdome of Heaven above begun here below in the Church and Kingdome of God Heb. 4. 8. Heb. 11. 9. 10. Hence was a Birthright so pretious in Canaans Land Hence Naboth so inexorable and resolute in refusing to
the Church constituted and gathered but to such Ministers or Messengers of Christ Iesus whom he is pleased to imploy to gather and constitute the Church by converting and baptizing unto which Messengers if Christ Jesus will be pleased to send such forth that passage Acts 15. will be presidentiall Peace The 14. generall head is this viz. What power particular Churches have particularly over Magistrates First say they they may censure any Member though a Magistrate if by sinne he deserve it First because Magistrates must be subject to Christ but Christ censures all offenders 1 Cor. 5. 45. Secondly Every Brother must be subject to Christs censure Mat. 18. 15 16 17. But Magistrates are brethren Deut 17. 15. Thirdly They may censure all within the Church I Cor. 5. 12. But the Magistrates are within the Church for they are either without or within or above the Church not the first nor the last for so Christ is only above it Fourthly The Church hath a charge of all the Soules of the members and must give account thereof Heb. 13. 17. Fifthly Christs censures are for the good of Soules I Cor. 5. 6. but Magistrates must not be denied any priviledge for their Soules for then they must lose a priviledge of Christ by being Magistrates Sixthly In Church priviledges Christians are all one Gal. 2. 28. Col. 3. 11. 2. Magistrates may be censured for apparent and manifest sinne against any Morall Law of God in their judiciall proceedings or in the execution of their office Courts are not Sanctuaries for sin and if for no sin then not for such especially First because sinnes of Magistrates in Court are as hatefull to God 2. And as much spoken against Isa. 10. 1. Mic. 3. 1. Thirdly God hath no where granted such immunity to them Fourthly what a brother may doe privately in case of private offence that the Church may doe publikely in case of publike scandall But a private brother may admonish and reprove privately in case of any private offence Mat. 18. 15. Luc. 19. 17. Psal. 141. 5. Lastly Civill Magistracy doth not exempt any Church from faithfull watchfulnesse over any member nor deprive a Church of her due power not a Church member of his due priviledge which is to partake of every Ordinance of God needfull and requisite to their winning and salvation Ergâ— CHAP. CXXXV Truth THese Arguments to prove the Magistrate subject even for sinne committed in judiciall proceeding I judge like Mount Zion immoveable and every true Christian that is a Magistrate will judge so with mee Yet a Quaerie or two will not be unseasonable First where they name the Church in this whole passage whether they meane the Church without the Ministry or Governours of it or with the Elders and Governours joyntly and if the latter why name they not the Governours at all since that in all administrations of the Church the duty lies not upon the body of the Church but firstly and properly upon the Elders It is true in case of the Elders obstinacy in apparent sinne the Church hath power over him having as much power to take down as to set up Col. 4. Say to Archippus c. Yet in the ordinary dispensations and administrations of the Ordinances the Ministers or Elders thereof are first charged with duty c. Hence first for the Apostles who converted gathered espoused the Churches to Christ I question whether their power to edification was not a power over the Churches as many Scriptures seem to imply Secondly for the ordinary Officers ordained for the ordinary and constant guiding feeding and governing the Church they were Rulers Shepheards Bishops or Overseers and to them was every letter and charge commendation or reproofe directed Revel 2. 3. Acts 20. And that place by them quoted for the submission of the Magistrates to the Church it mentions only submission to the Rulers therof Heb. 13. 17. Those excellent men concealed not this out of ignorance and therefore most certainly in a silent way confesse that their doctrine concerning the Magistrates power in Church causes would too gâ—osse if they should not have named the whole Church and but silently implyed the Governours of it And is it not wonderfull in any sober eye how the same persons Magistrates can be exalted over the Ministers and Members as being bound to establish reforme suppresse by the civill sword in punishing the body or goods and yet for the same actions if the Church and Governours thereof so conceive be liable to a punishment ten thousand times more transcendent to wit excommunication a punishment reaching to their soules and consciences and eternall estate and this not only for common sins but for those actions which immediately concerne the execution of their civill office in judiciall proceeding Peace The Prelates in Q. Elizabeths dayes kept with more plainnesse to their principles for acknowledging the Queen to be Supreme in all Church causes according to the Title and Power of Henry the 8. her Father taken from the Pope and given to him by the Parliament they professed that the Queen was not a sheepe but under Christ the chiefe Shepheard and that the Church had not power to excommunicate the Queen Truth Therefore sweet Peace it was esteemed capitall in that faithfull witnesse of so much truth as he saw even unto death Mr. Barrow to maintaine before the Lords of the Councell that the Queen herselfe was subject to the power of Christ Iesus in the Church which Truth overthrew that other Tenent that the Queene should be Head and Supreme in all Church causes Peace Those Bishops according to their principles though bad and false dealt plainly though cruelly with Mr. Barrow but these Authors whose principles are the same with the Bishops concerning the power of the Magistrate in Church affaires though they wave the Title and will not call them Heads or Governors which now in lighter times seems too grosse yet give they as much spirituall power and authoritie to the civill Magistrates to the full as ever the Bishops gave unto them although they yet also with the same breath lay all their honour in the dust and make them to lick the dust of the feet of the Churches as it is prophesied the Kings and Queens of the Earth shall doe when Christ makes them nursing fathers and nursing mothers Isa 49. The truth is Christ Jesus is honoured when the civill Magistrate a member of the Church punisheth any member or Elder of the Church with the civill sword even to the death for any crime against the civill State so deserving it for he beares not the sword in vain And Christ Iesus is againe most highly honoured when for apparent sinne in the Magistrate being a member of the Church for otherwise they have not to meddle with him the Elders with the Church admonish him and recover his Soule or if obstinate in sin cast him forth of their Spirituall and
Ministers of the Gospel The civill Magistrate not so particularly spoken to as Fathers and Masters in the New TestameÌ„t and why Eph. 5. 6. Col. 3. 4. c. A twofold state of Christianity the persecuted under the Roman Emperors and the Apostate ever since Christs Messengers receive a threefold charge in that prohibition of Christ Let them alone Gods people not to pray for â—hâ— present ruine and destruction of idolaters although their persecutors but for their peace and salvations The word of God â—â—ghtly deâ—ounced plucks up kâ—ngâ—â—ms Gods Ministers are 〈◊〉 to provoke 〈…〉 1 â—et 2. 9. 1 Cor. 5. Companying with 〈…〉 1 Cor. 5 discussed Lawfull converse with idolaters in civill but not in spirituall things Dangerous and ungâ—ounded zeale Mâ—â—th 15. 14. the seâ—â—â—â— Scripture controvâ—rted in this cause Christ Jesus never directed his Disciples to the civill Magistrate for help in his cause Pauls appealing to Caesar. Civill Magistrates never appointed by God Dfenders of the Faith of Jesus Every oâ—â— is bound to put forth him selfe to his utmost power in Gods businesse whâ—re it stops the guilt will lie Christ could have easily been furnished with godly Magistrates if he had so appointed Gods Israel earnest with God for in Arme of Flesh which God gives in his anger and takes away in his wrath The punishment of blind Pharises though let alone yet is greater then any corporall punishment in the world in 4 respects The eye of the 〈◊〉 struck out is worse then for both right and left eye of the body to be 〈◊〉 out tenne thousand times Some soules incurable whom not only corporall bâ—â— spirituall physâ—â—ke can nothing availe The bottom 〈…〉 blind â—all Soul killing the châ—efest murder No Magistrate can execute true justice in killing soule for soule but christ Jesus who by typicall death in the Law typed out spirituall in the Gospel A great mistake in most to conceive that dead men that is soules dead in sin may be infected by false doctrine All naturall men being dead in sin yet none die everlastingly but such as are thereunto ordained The Lord Jesus hath not lest his Church without spirituall antidotes and remedies against infection The miserable bondage Gods people live in The Kings and Queens of England Governours of the Church Strange confusion in punishments Woe were it with the civill Magistrate if he bloud of soules beside the ordinary care of the boâ—ies â—â—d goods â—f 〈…〉 shâ—uld â—â—ry 〈◊〉 him The Magistrates duties toward the Church the Spâ—â—se of Christ. Usurpers and true heires of the spirituall Crowne of Jesus Luke 9. 54. 55 discussed An excellent saying of persecutors themselvesâ— The Answerer when he should speake to toleration in the State â—unnes to punishments in the Church which none can deny If the Civill Magistrate be a Christian he is bound to be like Christ in saving not destroying mens bodies The civill Magistrate bound not to inflict nor to suffer any other to inflict violence stripes or any corporall punishment for evill against Christ. Revel 13. 13. Fire from heaven What the fire from heaven is which the fals Prophet bringeth downe 2 Tim. 3. 25. 26. examined A quaere what the Answerer meanes by his unconverted Christian in Crete The originall of Christians The Answerer yet in the unconverted Churches and worships Gods people sleepy in the matters of Christs Kingdome Cant. 5. 2. 1 Cor. 14. Patience and â—eeknesse required in all that open Christs mysteries The civill Sword may make a Nation of Hypocrites Antichristians but not one Christian Wonderfull changes of Religion in England Englands changes in point of Religion The miserie of opposites against the Truth A difference between the true and false Christ and Christians The worship of unbelieving unregenerate persons The danger mischiefe of a civill sword in Soule matters which makes the civill Magistrate deeply guilty of all those evils which he aims to suppresse That cannot be a true Religion which needs carnall weapons to uphold it Persecutors beget a perswasion of their crueltie in the hearts of the persecuted Antoninus Pius his golden act Isa. 2. 4. Mic. 4. 3. Isa. 11. 9. concerning Christs peace able Kingdom discussed Mr. Cottons excellent interpretation of those Prophecies His doctrine and practice condemned by that interpretation Spirituall and mysticall Wolves Act. 20. 29. opened What those Wolves were Act. 20. 29. Charges directed to Ministers of the spiritual kingdome fasly applyed to the Magistrates of the civill No word of Christ to the civill Magistrate to feed his flock but to his Ministers who if true have spirituall power sufficient against spirituall Wolves Magistrates decline the name of Head of the Church and yet practise the headship or government The Elect shall not be devoured Christ Jesus furnisheth his Shepherds with power sufficient to drive away Wolves Tit. 1. 9. 10. opened Job 26. 1 2. Unmercifull and bloody doctrine John 6. 15. 2. Cor. 10. 4. discussed The difference of the civill spirituall estate Civill weapons most improper in spirituall causes fitly exemplified by that similitude 2 Cor. 10. 4. Spirituall weapons only effectuall in spirituall soule causes Civill weapons not only improper but unnecessary in spirituall causes No earthly Kings or Governours will be so served as we pretend to serve the King of Kings Psal. 45. The white Troopers Spirituall Ammunition Eph. 6. applied Materiall and Spirituall â—â—htly joyned together An alarme to civill or earthly Rulers Concerning the civill Rulers power in spirituall causes discust Rom. 13. speakes not at all of spirituall but civill affaires The scope of Rom 13. Love to man the duty of the whole second Table How love fulfilleth the Law Rom. 13 so interpreted even by them that held persecution for conscience Calvins judgement of Rom. 13. Gods people loath to be found yet proved persecutors Caelvin confesseth that the first Table concerning Gods worship is not here in Rom. 13. touched Beza upon Rom. 13. Paul writes not to the Romane Governors to defend the truth and to punish hereticks Pauls appeale to Caesar discussed If Paul had appealed to Caesar in spirituall things he had committed 5. evils Imperours than them selves if Christians subject to the Apostles and Churches in spirituall things Lawfull appeales in civill things to Civill Magistrates Foure sorts of swords mentioned in the New Testament The Civill Sword Tribute Custome c. meerly civill recompences for civil work Magistrates called by God Gods Ministers The spirituall Ministery The civill Ministery or service What is to bâ— understood bâ— Evill Rom. 13 4. Some give to the Magistrate what is not his and take from him that which is proper to him Toleration discussed Upon this point hath Mr. John Goodwin excellently of late discoursed Evill is always Evill yet permission of it may in case be good Deut. 24. Two sorts of commands both by Moses and Christ. Math 16. 17. 18. The permission of divorce in Israel Usurie in a Common-weale or Civill State lawfully permitted
Timothy Gods people must pray for and endeavour the peace of the State they live in Although Pagan or Popâ—sh Forcing of men to godlinesse or Gods worship the greatest cause of breach of Civill peace The Roman Caesars described Not appointed by Christ Jesus keepers and guardians of his Church It pleased not the Lord Jesus in the first institution of his Church to furnish himselfe with any such Civill Governours as unto whom hee might commit the care of his worship The true Keepers which Christ Jesus appointed of his Oâ—dinances and Worship The Kings of the Assyrians c. not charged with Gods worship as the Kings of Judah in that Nationall and typicall church Constantine Theodosius c. misâ—â—formed Masters of families under the Gospel not charged to force all under him from their owne consciences to his If the charge of Gods worship was left with the Romane Emperour then was he bound to turne the whole world into the Garden Flock and Spouse of Christ. Millions put to death Christ never sent any of his Ministers or Servants to the Civil Magistrate for help in spirituall matters Christ Jesus hath left power in his Church to preserve her selfe pure though in an idolatrous Countrey Gods people have used to shine in brightest godlinesse when they have enjoyed least quietnes Few Mâ—gistrates few men spiritually and christianly good Yet divers sorts of goodnesse nâ—turall artificiall ciâ—vill c. The Civill Goodnes of Cineâ— Kingdomes Subjâ—cts Mâ—gistrates must be owned although Spirituall goodnes proper to the Christian State or Church be wanting Civill power originally and fundamentally in the people Mr. Cotton and the New-English Ministers give the Government of Christs Church or Spouse into the hands of the people or Common-weale The very Indian Americans made Governours of the Church by the Authors of these Positions Many Civill States in flourishing peace and quiet where â—he Lord Jesus is not â—ounded Lawes concerning Religion either Religious oâ— Civill The very Indians abhor to disturbe any Conscience at Worship Canons and Constitutions pâ—etended Civill but indeed Ecclesiasticall Laws meerely concerning spirituall things must needs be spirituall The Authors large confession of the liberty of conscience from the Laws of Civill authority in spirituall cases Civill Magistrates confessed not to have power to urg the conscience in indifferent things A threefold guiltâ—lyâ—ng upon Civil powers commanding the subjects 〈◊〉 worship Persons may 〈◊〉 sin 〈◊〉 to many whom tâ—â—y 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to worship where they cannot beleeve Gods Israel desâ—oâ—s of Saulâ—arme of flesh The 7 headed Beast and the Lambe differ in their weapons Naboths case typicall Civill Powers abused as a Guard about the Bed of Spirituall whoredomes â—zra 7. 23. discussed Gods people not subject to â—he Kings of Babell or Perâ—â— in Spirituals Tyrants hearts sometimes wonderfully moâ—â—ified towards Gods people Nabuchadnezzar Dâ—riâ—us and Aâ—ta â—erxes thâ—ir decrees examined Ezra's thanksgiving for the Kings decree examined The duty of all Civill States toward the Consciences of their Subjects Christ needs no humane confirmations The sum of the Examples of Gentile Kings decreeing for Gods Worship in Scripture The Law of putting to death blaspheâ—â— of Christ cuts off I hopes from the Jewes of part kiâ—g in his blouâ— The dirâ—full effects of sighting for conscience Eâ—lour is confident as well as Truth Gods people as well as others will be found obstinate in fundamentall errors in which sufferings and persecution doth harden Strong delusions Spirituall prisons Christ Jesus appointed no materiall prisons for Blasphemers of him c. The Bishops prisons Like mother like daughter Conscience not so easily healed and cared Wounding instead of healing of Consciences Christs Spouse able and willing to be â—e wounded consâ—â—â—nces A persecuting Church disputes with an Heretick as a Cat with the Mouse and with a true Witnes as a Lyon with a Limbe in his paw Persecutours endure not so to be called Psal. 101. 8. concerning the cutting off the wicked examined No Land of Canaan nor holy City now No difference of Lands and Cities since the comming as was before the comming of the Lord Jesus The bloudy interpretation of Psal. 101. The New Englâ—sh seperate in America but not in Europe The New Engâ—ish permit not their brethren of Old England to enjoy their consciences left thâ—ir owne numbers might exceed their owne or at least the greatnesse of their owne Assemblies maintenances decrease Christ Jesus never appointed all Religions but his owne to be cut off by the Civill Sword A bloudy mother Christ Spirituall power most powerfull Christ forbidding his followers to permit leaven in the Church doth not forâ—bid to permit leaven in the World The Wall Cant. 8. 9. discussed A spirituall wall cannot properly impaire the civil Many flourishing Civill States where true Churches are not found Hearing discussed Every Religion prefers its owne Priests and Ministers before all other Jonahs preaching to the Ninevites and their hearing of his message examined Eglon his rising up to Ehuds message examined A two fold Ministry of Christ converting and feeding Paul never used any civill compulsion The New English forcing their subjects to church all their daies and yet forcing them not to any Religion as they say they force the people then to be of no religion all their dayes The Civill State can no more lawfully compell the Consciences of men to Church to heare the Word then to receive the Sacraments In the first patterne there is a converting Ministrie to gather the Church or Floâ—k of Christ. No president of any people in the Gospell converting gathering themselves without some Messenger sent from the Lord to effect those ends Professed publique conversion is not onely from sinnes against the second Table in personall Repentance but from false worship also A true Ministery necessary before conversion and therefore before the Church in the first patterne The true way of the Mâ—â—â—stâ—y sent with that commission Maâ—â—h 28. discussed The Civill Magistrate not betrusted with gathering of Churches If the Magistrate then much more the people of the world from whom the Magistrates receive their power Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 17. a figure of Christ Jesus in his Church not of the Civill Magistrate in the State Gal. 6. 6. Concerning the maintenance of the Ministry examined Christ Jesus never appointed a maintenance of his Ministers from the unconverted and unbeleeving They that compell men to heare compell men also to pay for their hearing and conversion Two sorts of compulsion Morall and Civill Compulsion The Ministers of Christ Jesus compell with no other sword then that of Christs mouth the sword of the Spirit with two edges The maintenance of the Ministry spirituall Naturall men can neither truly worship nor maintain it Rebels not subdued by compliance but resistance The nationall Church of the Jewes might well be forced to a settled maintenance of their priests but not so the Christian Church The Civill Sword of the Nationall Church of the Jewes could not
all parts of the World Christianitie adds not to the nature of a Civill Commonweale nor doth want of Christianitie diminish it Rom. 13. evidently proveâ— the Civill work and wages of the Civill Magistrate Most strange yet most true consequences from the Civill Magistrates now being the Antitype of the Kings of Israel and Judah If no Religion but that which the Common-weal approves theÌ„ no Christ no God but at the pleasure of 〈◊〉 world â— Ep. Jo 9. The true antitype of the â—â—ngs of Israel and Judah A fourth difference of Lawes and Statutes from all others Moses a type of Christ. The Lawes of Israel unparallel'd Gods owne finger penn'd Lawes for Israel Fift difference Temporall prosperity most proper to the temporall Nationall State of the Jewes The spirituall prosperity of Gods people now the antitype What Israels excommunication was The corporall stoning in the Law typed out spirituall sâ—oning in the Gospell The rewards or punishments of the Lawes of Israel not to be parallel'd The wars of Israel typicall Israels Enemiâ—s round about The Enemies of mysticall Israel Enemies against Israel in her owne bowells The famous typically captivities of the Jews Their wonderfull victories The mysticall battells of Gods Israel now The mysticall Army of white troopers R. 19. Whether the Civill state of Israel was presidentiall The true Christendome Great unfaithfulnesse in Ministers to câ—st the â—hiefest burden of judging and establâ—shâ—ng true Christiâ—nity upon the Commonweal or worlâ— it selfe To governe judge in civill affâ—â—â—es load enough on the Civill Magistrate Magistrates can have no more power then the common consent of the people shall betrust them with Thousands of lawfull Magistrates who never heare of the true church of God The Spirituall and Civill Sword cannot be managed by one and the same person The Lord Jesus refused so manage both Nero and the persecuting Emperours not so injurious to Christianity as Constantine and others who assumed a power in Spirituall things Under Constantine Christianity fell into corruption and Christians fell asleep Who force the consciences of others yet are not willing to be forced themselves Constantine and others wanted not so much affection as information of conscience Sad consequences of charging the Civill powers with the care of Spiritualls Civill Rulers giving and lending their Horns or Authority to Bishops both dangerous to the truth of Christ. The Spirituall power of the Lord Jesus compared in Scripture to the incomparable horne of the Rhinocerot A time when Gods people are wholly at a losse for Gods worship Nursing fathers and mothers The Civill horne or power being of a humane constitution cannot but be of a humane operation The Civill power owes 3 things to the true Church of Christ. 1. Approbation 2. Submission 3. Protection The Civill Magistrate owes to false worshippers 1. Permission 2. Protection The Civill Magistrates conscience torne and distracted between the divers and contrary affirmations even of the most godly Reformers The Authors of these positions deal with the Civill Magistrate as the souldiers dealt with the Lord Jesus The rise of high Commissions c. Pious Magistrates and Ministers consciences are perswaded for that which other Magistrates consciences condemne To professe the Magistrate must force the Church to her duty and yet must not judge what that is what is it but to play in Spirituall things An apt similitude discussed concerning the Civill Magistrate First quaerie what if the 〈◊〉 command the Mr. or Pilot to steere such a course which they know will never bring them to the harbour 2. Quaerie If the Mr. of the Ship command the 〈◊〉 thus the Prince command the contrary who is to be obeyed If the Prince have as much skill as the Mr. or Pilo c. 4. Quaerie 5. Quaerie Whether the meanest saylor in respect of his skill and service be not to be preferred before the Prince himself 6. Quaerie Whether if the Mr. of the ship gratifie the Prince to the casting away of the ship and Prince c. he be not guilty and 〈◊〉 to answer The application in generall of the ship to the Church c. The meanest Christian according to his knowledg and grace to bee preferred before the highest who have received none or lesse grace of Christ. A true Minister of Christ ought to walk by another rule then the command of Civill Authority in Spirituall causes Former positions compared with this similitude and found to contradict each other The similitude of the Magistrate prescribing to the Physician in civill things but the Physician to the Magistrate concerning his body The 12 Head examined To give the government of the Church to the Civill Magistrate as before and yet to abridge his conscience what is it but to sport with holy things c. An evident contradiction An excellent confession of the proper end of Civill Government When Civill Lawes are not broken it is confest that Civill Peace is not hurt A grievous charge against the Christian Church and the King of it A strange law in New England formerly against Excommunicate persons A dangerous doctrine against all civill Magistrates Many sins prohibited to be punished by the Magistrate and yet they also charge him to punish all sin Rom. 13. Originall sin charged to hurt remotely but falsely the civill state Magistrates strangely forbidden to hear civill complaints Thousands of Common-weales where no true church of Christ. The complaints of families properly fall into the cognizance of the civill Mastrate They who give to Magistrates more then is due are most apt to disâ—o to be them of what is theirs 13. Head A strange double picture The great priviledges of the true Spouse or Church of Christ. To hold with Iâ—ght and walk in darknesse The Magistrate lift up to be the chief 〈◊〉 of the Church and yet cast downe not to have power to appoint the place or time of meeting 2 Similitudes illustrâ—ting the Magistrate 〈◊〉 be â—oth governor of the Church and yet usurpâ—r in commanding If a Church may assemble without and against the Magistrates consent as is assiâ—â—ed then much more constitute and become a Church c. Grosse partiality If the Civill Magistrate be to build the Spirituall or Christian house he must judge of the matter A close and faithfull intergatory to the consciences of the authors of these positions A sad quaerie to some concerning their practice A marvallouâ— challenge of more Libertie to Christians under a Christian Magistrate then under the Heathen If Magistratesâ— were appointed by Christ Jesus Governours of his Kingdome it were not reasonable that Christians should more freely breake the commands of the Christian then of the Heathen Magistrate The necessry of Civill government in generall of God but the speciall kindes of men 1 Pet. 2. 13. Civill Magistrates are derivatives from the fountaines or bodies of people A beleeving Magistrate no more a Magistrate thâ—n an unbeleeving The excellenâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Christs 〈…〉 The Magistrate like a Pilot in the Ship of the Common-weale Christianitie steâ—â—es a Christian Pilots course The Christian Pilot hath no more power over the soules of his Mariners or passengers then the unchristian or Pagan Pilot. The tearmes Heathen and Christian Magistrate All out of Christ are heathens that is of the Nations or Gentiles Josiah a type of Christ Jesus the King of the Church An unjust and partiall desire of liberty to some coâ—sciences bondage unto all others The Commission Mat. 28. of preaching and baptizing not properly directed to the Churches or fixed Teachers of it least of al to the Commonweale A quaerie who have now the care of all the Churches A Ministrie before the Church Acts 15. commonly misapplied Christs promise and presence only makes an Assembly blessed The promise of Christs presence Mat. â— 8. distinct from that Mat. 28. 14. Position examined Church administrations are charged firstly upon the Misters thereof The Ministers or Governors of Christs Church to be acknowledged in their dispensations A paradox Magistrates made the Judges of the Churches and Governours of them yet censurable by them Queene Eliz. Bish pâ—truer to their principles then many of a better spirit and profession Mr. Borowes profession concerning Queen Elizabeth Is not this too like the Popes profession of servuâ— servorum Dei yet holding out his slipper to the lips of Princes Kings and Emperours 15. Head examined The inventions of men in swarving from the true essentialls of Civill and Spirituall Common-weales 16. and last Head examined A great Quegion viz. Whether only Church members that is as is intended Godly persons in a particular Church estate be only eligible or to be chosen for Magistrates Lawfull Civil States where Churches of Christ are not The world being divided into 30 parts 25 never heard of Christ. Lawfull heires of Crownes Civill Government although not Christian and godly Few Christians wise and noble and qualified for affaires of State Some Papists and some Protestants agree in deposing of Magistrates Those Scriptures Exod. 18 Deut. 17. 18. c. parallel'd in the true spirituall Israel by 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. The Ninevites Fast examined Object Answ. Object Answ. How England and London may yet be spared Luc. 22 the felling of the Coat to buy a Sword discussed A threefold taking of the Sword Revel 17. 16. the Kings having of the Whore discussed