the professors of it And how neer will Master Cotton be found to close with that late bloody Woolfe so far as his chaine reached Bishop Laud who being an instrument of the bloody hunting and worrying of those three famous witnesses of Christ Master Prin Master Bastwick and Master Burton yet at their publike sentence in the Star-chamber he lamentably complained that those poor Lambs did bark and bite him with unjust reproaches slanders c Examination of CHAP. XII Peace MAster Cotton here first complaineth that his words are misreported concerning the punishment of the heretick after once or twice admonition Tit. 3. 10. Truth I desire that others may judge in three particulars First whether the summ and pith of the words are not rendred 2. Whether this Titus 3. was brought by Master Cotton to prove as is now pretended that an Heretick might be persecuted with an excommunication after once or twice admonition or whether the question be not of another kind of persecution 3. Whether that Tit. 3. 11. do hold forth That although a man be a heretick blasphemer seducer he may be punished with a Civil or corporeal punishment yea though he sin against his own conscience I add a fourth whether indeed as Master Cotton intimates the discusser makes this Tit. 3 a refuge for hereticks Great sound and noise makes this word heretick heretick I dare appeal to Master Cottons conscience and memory whether the reading of histories and the experience of time will not evince and prove that hereticks and Christians hereticks and Martyrs or witnesses of Christ have not been the same men and women I say againe that such as have been ordinarily and commonly accounted and persecuted for hereticks have been the servants of the most high God and the followers and witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ Peace You know dear truth the catalogues of heresies and hereticks extant c. Truth Grant it sweet peace that some in all times have suffered for erroneous conscience Yet I dare challenge the father of lies himself to disprove this assertion That the most of such beyond all comparison that have ever suffered in this world for hereticks have been the disciples and followers of Christ Jesus And on that not only the Lions Leopards the Bears Woolves and Tygers the bloody Pharoahs Sauls Herods Neroes Popes Prelates c. should fetch from hence their persecuting arrows and commissions but that even the Davids the men after Gods own heart the Asa's whose hearts are perfect with God that such as are the sheep and lambs of Christ should be so monstrously changed and transformed into lyons beares c. yea and should flie to this holy Scripture of Tit. 3. for this their unnatural and monstrous change and transformation Examination of CHAP. XIII Peace IN this 13 Chapter dear truth you argue the great mistake of the world in their common clamour an heretick an heretick a person obstinate in fundamentals and you prove that this word heretick intends no more then a person obstinate against the admonitions of the Lord although in lesser matters upon this Master Cotton concludes in this 13 Chapter that the discusser gives a larger allowance for proceeding against erroneous persons then himself did Truth I must deny that the discusser gives a larger allowance then Master Cotton or any at all that the hereticks or obstinate person should be dealt withall by the Civil Magistrates of Crete but onely by the spiritual power of the Lord Jesus 1. For first What though I granted that an obstinate person contending about Genealogies ought not to be suffered but after once or twice admonition ought to be rejected And 2. What though I grant that after such faithful admonitions once or twice he cannot but be condemned of himself yet according to his third answer how will it appear that I grant that an heretick is rightly defined to be one obstinate in fundamentals when I maintaine and Master Cotton seemeth to grant that the heretick may be such an one as is obstinate in lesser points and practises 3. Further let the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imply an overturning yet will it not follow that therefore an heretick is he who is wilfully obstinate in holding forth such errors as subvert the foundation of the Christian religion For however that Master Cotton saith That such disputes may tend to overthrow Christianity yet that is but in remote possibility as the prick of a finger may kill the heart if it ranckle and fester and so go on from member to member without means applyed yet this cannot be said to be a mortal wound at first So is it in the body of Christ Peace The Apostle discoursing of meats and drinks of eating and drinking with offence calls an offensive eating a destruction of the soul for which Christ died and yet I suppose he will not say that that difference was a fundamental difference Truth It hath been a gross and barbarous mistake of the monopolizers of learning both divine and humane The Clergy both of Popish and Protestant factions and worships And how many are the thousands of millions of abuses prophanations and blasphemies against the God of heaven in all the Antichristian Christendome in all preachings writings proceedings and processes touching this name heretick heresie c By the impartial censure of the Lord he is an heretick who wilfully persists in any sinful doctrine against the due admonitions of the Lord for every bit and parcell of leaven is to be purged out of the house of God as well as the greater and fundamentall lumps Examination of CHAP. XIV Peace IT is a falshood saith Master Cotton that I call the slight listnings of Gods people to the checks of their consciences their sinning against their conscience for I speak not saith he of the sinning of Gods people against conscience but of an heretick subverted much less do I call their slight listening to conscience an heretical sinning against conscience least of all do I say that for slight listening to the checks of conscience he may lawfully be persecuted as for sinning against his conscience And he adds this gall to the former vinegar Thus men that have time and leasure at will set up images of clouts and then shoot at them Truth Master Cotton elsewhere granteth that Gods children may through passion c. be carried on to despise admonition and may be excommunicated and if so how can they refusing of Christs admonition in the church be excused from sinning against the self condemning of themselves For if a child of God may possibly be excommunicated for obstinacy in some passion temptations c. then may he be this heretick or wilfull man in this Tit. 3. T is true that in an houre of great temptations Gods people may sin against clear light of conviction and sentence of conscience as David and Peter c. But as I conceive the holy Spirit of God in this 3 of Titns
Cotton will say that the kingdome of Christ on earth may receive and keep in her bosome such stinking weedes declared so to be which the kingdome of Christ in heaven abhors Who questions but while the hypocrisie of these foolish Virgins lay hid in their empty vessels that outwardly they appeared as wise as the wise Virgins But when the fruits of their hypocrisie discovered them to be fools how can Master Cotton according to the truth as it is in Jesus affirme that foolish Virgins known hypocrites are to be kept in and not cast out of the church of Christ unto the end of the world Peace O how contrary is this to the very fundamentals essence nature and being of a church or Spouse of Christ Jesus which is by the confession of Papists and Protestants a society of wise Virgins visibly Saints holy and faithful persons a society of such persons as outwardly profess to love Christ Jesus uprightly Cant. 1. and to be espoused to him 1 Cor. 11. Truth Yea and how contrary is this to the nature of Christ Iesus whose heart is all one fire towards the daughters of Ierusalem Cant. 4. and how contrary to the charge that great and solemn charge of the Lord Iesus to all his followers to take heed of that leaven which is hypocrisie which if suffered will leaven the whole lumpe and render the garden and spouse of Christ a filthy dunghill and whore-house of rotten and stinking whores and hypocrites Examination of CHAP. XXI Peace MAster Cotton here endeavors to prove as many have done before that the Field which the Lord Iesus interprets the world was meant by him to be the Church as he is said to love the world Iohn 3. to be propitiation for the sins of the world 1 Ioh. 2. Truth In these and many other places of like nature it pleaseth the Spirit of God to set forth his love to mankinde distinct from all other creatures As also the impartiality of his love calling his chosen out of all sorts of sinners mankinde all the world over and yet it cannot be denyed but that the Scriptures speak frequently of the world and of the church in a far distinct and contrary acceptation So as when he nameth the church it cannot signifie the world and when the world he cannot be said to intend the church the reasons therefore on either side must be expended and weighed in the fear of God why the Field here called by Christ the world cannot be intended to be the church of Christ Peace Your right distinguishing is a right dividing of the word of Truth but saith Master Cotton it cannot be the world in proper signification for which he aleadgeth three reasons First Because there had been saith he no place for the servants wonder at the appearing of the tares verse 27. for what wonder that the world should be so full of fornicators c Was it ever otherwise Truth It is true that the world lyeth in wickedness and is full of fornicators idolaters c. and yet it was some thousands of yeers when the world was not full of Christian that is anointed or holy fornicators holy idolaters c. That is indeed and truth Antichristian and that alone is the point in question about which this answer of Master Cotton hovers but comes not neer it This is indeed a most dreadful and wonderful point of the wisdome justice and patience of God so to suffer so many millions of men and women to arrogate to themselves the name and profession of the most holy living God and his holy Son Christ Iesus to be called Christians anointed or holy and yet upon the point to hate the holiness truth and spirit of Christ Iesus Truth This is doubtless to me what ere Master Cotton imagines a wonderful mystery in all Ages since these tares were first sown to see I say so many millions of holy idolaters holy murtherers holy whoremongers holy theeves c. The blasphemy of this is so wonderful and dreadful that I cannot sufficiently wonder at him that wonders not how this comes to pass Truth The like I answer to his second Reason that it is true that we read not that ever any of the Ministers or Prophets of Christ ever essayed to pluck up all such vicious notorious persons out of the world as they demanded concerning the tares for then indeed as the Spirit implies 1 Cor. 5. the whole state of the world would be overthrown but yet this hinders not but there may be a desire in Gods servants to pluck up this or that sect or sort of people Jews Turks or Antichristians Peace Dear Truth you make me call to minde the desire of Christs disciples that fire might descend from heaven not to consume all fornicators idolaters all cruel and unclean persons out of the world yet that particular unmerciful superstitions Town of the Samaritans they desired that fire might come from heaven and consume them Truth Indeed this desire of the disciples is no strange desire for what else do All they desire which permit not in the civil state any Religion worship or conscience but their own Nay far beyond that were the whole worlds neck under their imperial yoake the many millions of millions of blasphemers and idolaters of all sorts if they will not be convinced at their word must be cut off from all natural and civil being in the world by Fire and Sword Peace His third reason is That the discusser reckoned up as paralel goats and sheep wheate and tares as generally said he others do and he addeth that in the purest church after the ruine of Antichrist there shall be goats and sheep wise and foolish Virgins untill the coming of Christ to judgement Mat. 25. Truth Although the discusser spake of that eternal separation between wheat and tares sheep and goats approaching yet he never said that the tares and goats signified hypocrites in the Church which is the point in question Nor dare I subscribe to that opinion that after the destruction of Antichrist when purest times of the church shall come that there shall be such a mixt estate in the church of Christ untill the coming of Christ to judgement For first Although goats were clean for food and sacrifice yet it is apparant that as they are for the left hand So they are visibly known by every child where goats and sheep are kept And to image that visible hypocrites such as tares goats unprofitable servants foolish Virgins c. shall in a mixt way make up Christs churoh and that in the purest times of the church of which there are so many and wonderful prophecies is to me not onely to frame a church estate point blank cross to the purity of those churches but even to the first Apostolical churches yea and against that frame of church estate in New England where Master Cotton hath professed though now it is said the door is wider against receiving in
perish by it Peace And for the perpetuity of the reason of the law you formerly fully satisfied that even in the dayes of grace for him that shall thrust away an Israelite from his God there is upon his obstinacy a greater punishment beyond all imagination to wit a spiritual cutting off from the land of Canaan then under Moses which was but from the temporall the type and shadow But Master Cotton proceedeth alleadging that the Minister of God must have in a readiness to execute vengeance on him that doth evil and evil it is saith he to thurst away Gods people from him Truth Every lawful Magistrate whether succeeding or elected is not only the Minister of God but the Minister or servant of the people also what people or nation soever they be all the world over and that Minister or Magistrate goes beyond his commission who intermeddles with that which cannot be given him in commission from the people unless Master Cotton can prove that all the people and inhabitants of all nations in the world have spiritual power Christs power naturally fundamentally and originally residing in them as they are people and inhabitants of this world to rule Christs Spouse the church and to give spiritual power to their officers to exercise their spiritual laws and commands otherwise it is but prophaning the holy name of the most high It is but flattering of Magistrates it is but the accursed trusting to an arme of flesh to perswade the rulers of the earth that they are Kings of the Israel or church of God who were in their institutions and government immediately from God the rulers and gavernors of his holy church and people Peace Grant saith Master Cotton that the evil be spiritual and concern the inner man and not the civil state yet that evill will be destructive to such a City it shall not rise up the second â—ime Nâ—hâ—â—s 1. 9. Truth Although that it pleaseth God sometimes to bring a people to utter destruction for their idolatry against himself and cruelty against his people yet we see the Lord doth not presently and instantly do this but after a long course of many ages and generations as was seen in Nineve her self and since in Athens Constantinople and Rome both Pagan and Antichristian And therefore the example here by Master Cotton produced gives not the least colour of warrant for the civil state presently and immediately to execute vengeance for idolatry or heresie upon persons or Cities now all the world over as he gave commandment to that typical nation of Israel which is now also to be fulfilled spiritually upon the spiritual Israelite or Israelitish City a particular church or people falling away from the living God in Christ Jesus Peace Whereas it was said by the discusser that the civil Magistrate hath the charge of the bodies and goods of the subjects and the spiritual officers of the church or kingdome of Christ the charge of their souls and soul safety Master Cotton answers First If it were so that the civil Magistrate had the charge of the bodies and goods onely of the subject yet that might justly excite to watchfulness against such pollution of religion as tends to apostacy for God will visit city and country with publike calamity if not with captivity for the churches sake The idolatry and worship of Christians saith he brought the Turkish captivity upon the citys and countries of Asia Truth By soul and soul safety I think Master Cotton understands the same with the discusser to wit the matters of religion and spiritual worship If the Magistrate hath received any such charge or commission from God in spiritual things doubtless as before the people have received it originally and fundamentally as they are a people But now if neither the nations of the world as peoples and nations have received this power originally and fundamentally nor can they derive it Ministerially to their civil officers by what name or title high or low soever they be distinguished Oh what presumption what prophaning of Gods most holy name what usurpation over the souls and consciences of men though it come under the vaile or vizard of saving the City or kingdome yea of saving of souls and honoring of God himself Beside God is not wont to visit any country or people in general for the sin of his people but for their own idolatries and cruelty toward his people as all histories will prove And for this instance of the Turkes I say it was not the idolatry and image-worship alone of the Antichristians but joyned with their other sins which brought Gods vengeance by the Turks upon them as was said above from Revel 9. and especially their Antichristian cruelty grounded upon this bloody doctrine of persecution Both these Antichristian states and since also the Turkish Monarchy have flourished many generations in external and outward prosperity and glory notwithstanding their religion is false and although it is true that in the time and period appointed all nations shall drink of the cup of Gods wrath for their nationall sins both against the first and second table in matters concerning God and man Peace How satisfie you Master Cottons second answer or question to wit Did ever God commit the charge of the body to any Governor to whom he did not commit in his way the care of their souls also Truth There is a twofold care and charge of souls manifested in holy Scripture First That which in common belongs to all to love our neighbor as our selves to endeavor the present and eternal welfare both of superiors inferiors equals friends and enemies and this by prayers exhortations reproofs examples of justice loving kindness sobriety godliness c. But what is this to the second charge by way of office which in the old Testament was given not only to Priests and Levites but to the governors and rulers of the Iewish state of which state being mixed of spiritual and civil they were the head and governors as it was Israel a nation of worshippers of the true God And therein were they the types and forerunners of Christ Jesus the true King of Israel as he is called Joh. 1. The cure and charge of souls now saith Master Cotton in this Chapter belongeth by vertue of office to the spiritual officers of Christs kingdom I add and during the desolation of Zion and the time of the apostacy from Christs visible kingdome belongeth to the two Prophets and witnesses of truth Rev. 11. but not to the kings rulers nations and civil states of the world who can be no true parallel or antitype to the Israel or people of God Peace Master Cotton objects Jehosaphat sent abroad preachers throughout all the Cities of Judah and if that were a type of Christ it were to act that now which typed out Christ and he fulfilled in his own person Truth Christ Jesus sends out preachers three waies First In his own person as
principles also Papist and Protestant lead them necessarily to dispose and kill their heretical Apostate blaspheming Magistrates Peace But why should Master Cotton â—â— sinuate any affection in the discusser to that Tyrant of all earthly Tyrants the Pope Truth To my knowledge Master Cotton and others have thought the discusser too zealous against the bloody beast yea and who knows not this to be the ground of so much sorrowful difference between Master Cotton and the discusser to wit that the discusser grounds his separation from their churches upon their not seperating from that man of sin For Old England having compelled all to church compel'd the Papists and the Pope himself in them The daughter New England separaring from her mother in Old England yet maintaines and practises communion with the Parishes in Old Who sees not then but by the links of this mystical chaine New England Churches are still fastned to the Pope himself Peace Master Cottons third reply is this that it is not like that such Christians will be faithful to their prince who grow false and disloyal to their God and therefore consequently the civil Magistrate must see that the church degenerate and apostate not at least so far as to provoke Christ to depart from them Truth This is indeed the down right most bloody and Popish Tenent of persecuting the degenerate heretical and Apostate people of deposing yea and killing Apostatical and heretical princee and rulers The truth is the great Gods of this world are God-belly God-peace God-wealth God-honour God-pleasure c. These Gods must not be blasphemed that is evil spoke of no not provoked c. The servants of the living God being true to their Lord and Master have opposed his glory greatness honour c. to these Gods and to such religions worships and services as commonly are made but as a mask or vaile or covering of these Gods Peace I have long been satisfied that hence proceeds the mad cry of every Demetrius and crafts-Master of false worship in the world Great is our Diana c. These men blaspheme our goddess disturbe our City They are false to our Gods how will they be true to us Hence that bloody Act of Parliament in Henry the fifth his dayes made purposely against that true servant and witness of God in those points of Christianity which he knew and other servants of God with him the Lord Cobham concluding Lollardy not only to be heresie that is indeed true Christianity but also treason against the Kings person whence it followed that these poor Lollards the servants of the most high God were not only to be burnt as hereticks but hanged as traitors Truth Accordingly it pleased God to honour that noble Lord Cobham both with hanging and burning as an heretick against the church as a traiter against the king And hence those divelish accusations and bloody huntings of the poor servants of God in the reign of Francis the second in Paris because it was said that their meetings were to cousult and act against the life of the king Peace If this be the touchstone of all obedience will it not be the cut-throat of all civil relations unions and covenants between Princes and people and between the people and people For may not Master Cotton also say he will not be a faithful servant nor she a faithful wife nor he a faithful husband who grow false and disloyal to their God And indeed what doth this yea what hath this truly-ranting doctrine that plucks up all relations wrought but confusion and combustion all the world over Truth Concerning faithfulness it is most true that godliness is profitable for all things all estates all relations yet there is a civil faithfulness obedience honesty chastity c. even amongst such as own not God nor Christ else Abraham and Isaac dealt foolishly to make leagues with ungodly Princes Besides the whole Scripture commands a continuance in all Relations of government marriage service notwithstanding that the grace of Christ had appeared to some and the rest it may be an husband a wife a Magistrate a Master a servant were false and disloyal in their several kinds and wayes unto God or wholly ignorant of him 4. Grant people and Princes to be like Iulian Apostate from the true service of God and consequently to grow less faithful in their places and respective services yet what ground is there from the Testament of Christ Jesus upon this ground of their Apostacie to prosecute them as Master Cotton saith The civil Magistrate must keep the church from Apostatizing so as to cause Christ to depart from them 5. Can the sword of steel or arme of flesh make men faithful or loyal to God Or careth God for the outward Loyalty or Faithfullness when the inward-man is false and treacherous Or is there not more danger in all matters of trust in this world from an hyyocrite a dissembler a turncoat in his religion from the fear or favour of men then from a resolved Jew Turke or Papist who holds firme unto his principles c. Or lastly if one Magistrate King or Parliament call this or that heresie apostacie c. and make men â—ay so will not a stronger Magistrate King Parliament Army that is a stronger arm or longer and more prosperous sword call that heresie and Apostacie Truth and Christianity and make men call it so and do not all experiences and our own most lamentable in the changes of our English Religions confirme this 6. Lastly As carnal policy ever fals into the pit it digs and trips up its own heels so I shall end this passage with two paradoxes and yet dear peace thou and I have found them most lamentably true in all ages Peace God delights to befool the wise and high in their own conceit with paradoxes even such as the wisdome of this world thinks madness but I attend to hear them Truth First then The straining of mens cinsciences by civil power is so far from making men faithful to God or man that it is the ready way to render a man false to both my ground is this civil and corporal punishment do usually cause men to play the hypocrite and dissemble in their Religion to turn and return with the tide as all experience in the nations of the world doth testifie now This binding and rebinding of conscience contrary or without its own perswasion so weakens and defiles it that it as all other faculties loseth its strength and the very nature of a common honest conscience Hence it is that even our own histories testifie that where the civil sword and carnal power hath made a change upon the consciences of men those consciences have been given up not only to spiritual but even to corporal filthiness and bloody and mad oppressing each other as in the Marian bloody times c. Peace Indeed no people so inforced as the Papists and the
Staves to punish them if need be for Hereticall Delinquencie 2. Their Magistrates themselves fall short of great and setled Maintenance And lastly Himselfe liveth upon no great and setled Maintenance Truth It is true M r Cotton allowes the same Power to Magistrates to punish all Hereticks Blasphemers Seducers one as well as another But what if it should fall out that his Magistrates should declare themselves for the Pope or for the Prelates or for the Presbyters yea or for some other way then is professed and left it free for each mans conscience to worship as he believed and to pay or not pay toward this or that Worship or Ministrie according to his owne perswasion more or lesse any thing or nothing will not M r Cotton then plead that such Magistrates themselves Apostatizing from the Truth of God and turning Enemies as the Pope clamours to the holy Church I say that such ought not onely to be accursed with the lesser and greater Censures of Suspention and Excommunication but also punished with Imprisonment Banishment and Death Or if they finde the mercy of Life and Favour of an Office by some over-ruling Providence will not M r Cotton then pleade that such Magistrates ought to suspend their Power to hould their hands and not to medle untill they be better informed c. Into such poore withered Strawes and Reedes will the Allowance of Swords and Staves M r Cotton here speakes of come to Concerning the seats and sadles of great and setled maintenance of Magistrates the Discusser spake not but heartily wisheth their Maintenance as great and setled as he knowes their Labours and Travells and Dangers be He spake onely of Ministers great and setled maintenance Peace O Truth this is the Apple of the Eye the true cause of so much combustion all the World over especially Popish and Protestants Truth Indeed this was the cause as Erasmus told the Duke of Saxonie that Luther was so stormed at because he medled with the Popes Crowne and the Monkes Bellies To obtaine these warme and soft and rich seats and sadles who ever stand or goe on foote or creepe or beg or Starve the Prelates practices all Ages know Yea and other practices of some of late who with the Evill Steward providing wisely first made sure of an Ordinance of Parliament for Tithes and Maintenance before any Ordinance for God Himselfe Peace This is that indeed which the Politick State of Holland well foresaw when they were lamentably whipt by the King of Spaines and Gods Scourge Duke D'alva into a Toleration of other mens Consciences The Politick States-men I say saw a necessitie of stopping their Dominies Mouths with sure and setled Maintenance out of the States purse Hence it is the Dutch Ministers zeale is not so hot against the Toleration of Hereticks in the Civill State as the English hath been Truth To this purpose sweet Peace how fitly did that learned Prideaux once tell his Sons the Oxford Doctors at one of their Superstitious Creations that since they could not dig and were ashamed to beg they had great need therefore of setled Maintenance This was but the Evil Stewards device and I adde little better then stealing Peace Yea but sayth M r Cotton I live not so c. Truth One Swallow makes not a Summer what others have done and doe and what practices have been and are for a forced setled maintenance as firme and setled as ever was the Parish maintenance of Old England hath been to the shame of Christianitie too apparant For M r Cotton himselfe as I envie not the faines of his morsells nor the sweetnes of his Cups but wish him as large a purse as I beleeve he hath an Heart and a desire to doe good with it Yet it hath been said that his case is no Praesident because what he looseth in the Shire he gets in the Hundreth and sits in as soft and rich a sadle as any throughout the whole Countrey through the greatnes and Richnes of the Marchandize of the Towne of Boston above other parts of the Land The truth is there is no Tryall of the good or Evill Servant in this case untill it comes to Digging or Begging or the third way viz of couzening of the great Lord Master Christ Jesus by running to carnall meanes and carnall weapons to force mens purses for a rich and setled Maintenance Chap. 57. replying to Chap. 60. Examined Peace COncerning Princes M r Cotton addeth that Princes out of State policie doe sometimes tollerate what suits not with Christianitie as David did Joab against their wills Unto this it was answered that this agrees not with his former generall Proposition to wit that it was evill to Tollerate seducing Teachers and scandalous livers M r Cotton replyes Yes for Moses laid downe in generall Who so sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed yet Joab was tollerated to live c. Truth If Moses had said It is not lawfull to tollerate a Murtherer and yet afterward had tollerated a Murtherer his later practice would not have seemed harmonious to his former speech but Moses did not so and therefore I conceive is not rightly alledged Peace Whereas it was further alledged that that State policie and State necessitie which permitted the consciences of Men will be found to agree most punctually with the Rules of the best politician that ever the world saw the Lord Jesus himselfe who commanded the permitting of the Tares M r Cotton replyes that he is not against the permitting of some Antichristians or false Christians unlesse they maintaine fundamentall Heresie against the Foundation of Religion and that obstinately after conviction and withall seduce others But for such Hereticks and seducing Teachers they are none of those Tares of which Christ sayth Let them alone Besides sayth he If by Tares are meant grosse offenders then the speech of Christ Let them alone is not a word of command but a word of permission and praediction like that Luc. 22. 36. He that hath no Sword let him sell his Garment and buy a Sword Truth I answer that there should be Antichristians or false Christians which maintaine not fundamentall Heresie against Foundation of Religion I thinke is new to the New Testament of Christ Jesus and to the Tryalls the holy Spirit proposeth by John in his Epistles discovering such to be the Hereticks and Apostates as deny the Lord Jesus as all Antichristians or false Christians doe more or lesse to be come in the Flesh the true Messiah and anointed King Priest and Teacher to his Church Peace If M r Cotton will make good his word to wit that he will permit some Antichristians or false Christians methinks the whole Tryall of this matter might well turne upon this Hinge so that the true or false Christian be tryed by the Rules of the New Testament Truth If so he must undeniably subscribe to this great and Christian policie of permission
to Church for not obeying the Laws for withstanding the Kings oâ— Queens or Parliaments proceedings Truth Your observation is most serious and seasonable and your complaint as true as lamentable for since all States and Governments of the world which lies in wickedness set up their State or Commonweal-Religions Nebuchadnezzars golden Images and Jeroboams golden Calves the types of the State-Worships of after Ages whereby others are made to sin and bow down to their seeming glorious worships and since the dissenters refusers non-conformers non-covenanters the witnesses of God against such abominations are but few and what positive worship they hold or practice commonly is most retired and flying into private corners by reason of the violence of the persecution they are hence soonest in all places of their abode and more speedily and immediately called for and sought out in the several Parish-towns where they live to bow down to the common-Image the beastly and Calvish inventions of the Ieroboams of this perishing world and for refusing to subscribe to conforme to come to Church to do as their neighbours for being wiser then their Teachers their Fathers their Magistrates the Country the Parliament the Kingdome and sometimes the whole world in their Oecumenical or worldly Councels they are thus punished and hunted for their conscience for Gods for Jesus sake which is a point Master Cotton will say if the blood of his dear Redeemer split in the blood of his servants kindly affect him of greater weight then knots in bulrushes Examination of CHAP. IV. Peace IN the second distinction to wit of fundamentals without right belief whereof a man cannot be saved Master Cotton upon the point confesseth it was a just reproof and saith that he meant only of the first sort of foundations that concern salvation and not of those that concerne the foundation of the Church and Christian Religion Truth It is strange that Master Cotton should so distinguish of foundations when the holy Scripture attributes salvation to those foundations of the Church and the order of it The Lord added to the Church such as should be saved and the like figure whereunto Baptisme now saveth us and concerning the resurrection that we are saved by hope Rom. 8. Besides are not those first foundations which he saith concerne salvation foundations also of the Christian Religion If not of the Christian then I demand of what Religion are they foundations Peace It cannot therefore be denyed but that his distinction of fundamentals was most dangerous tending directly to condemne the generation of the righteous who have been generally for many generations ignorant of the Christian way of worship But what say you to this reply touching how far the New English implicite Parishes compare and partake with those of old Truth How far those Churches cannot be cleered from not comming out from the Parish-worship from being themselves implicitely Parish-Churches notwithstanding their Fig-leaves c. and from being persecutors of such as endeavour to cover their nakedness with better clothing will appear with Christs assistance in the examination of his reply to the Answer of his Letter Examination of CHAP. V. Peace THe discourse of this chapter is larger and more controversial and therefore dear Truth requires your most serious and deeper examination of it Master Cotton here distinguisheth worship into true and false and infers that if true worship fellowship with God is held but if false fellowship with God is lost And whereas he was thereupon minded by the discusser to have lived in a false Ministery in England and to have practised the false worship of the Common Prayer he labours to clear both and in particular he saith It is not truly said that the Spirit of God maketh the Ministery one of the foundations of the Christian religion Heb. 6. For it is saith he only a foundation of Christian order not of faith or religion and he adds The Apostle puts an express difference between faith and order Col. 2. 5. What can be said thereunto Truth 1. Alas what buildings can weak souls expect from such Master-builders when Master Cotton is so confounded about the very foundations In the former Chapter he distinguisheth between foundations that concern salvation and those that concern the the Church and Christian religion here he distinguisheth between those of Christian order and those of Faith or Christian religion In the former he opposeth faith against religion and order here he opposeth faith and religion to order Grant his memory in so short a turn failed him yet doubtless his mistakes about the foundation of Christian religion are most gross and inexcusable Truth 2. I finde no such distinction in the Testament of Christ Jesus between the Christian order and the Christian religion as if the order of the Church of God I might say the Church it self and the Ministery of it were no part of the Christian religion It is true Coloss 2. speaks of faith and order but yet denies not the Christian Church and the order of it to be any part of the Christian religion It is true that sometimes faith implies the particular grace of believing and yet sometimes it is put for the whole Christian religion as Jude 1. contend for the faith once delivered so that if Master Cotton confesseth the Ministery of the Word Heb. 6. to be a foundation of Christian or Church-order he cannot deny it to be a foundation of the Christian religion or worship reduced to those two of Faith and Order Peace What answer you to his saying It is not a true and a safe speech to call the fellowship and blessing of God vouchsafed to corrupt Churches or Ministers or ministrations unpromised or beyond a word of promise of God Against which he alleadgeth Ier. 13. That God will be merciful to his peoples iniquities and 2 Chron. 30. Gods mercy to every one that prepareth his heart c. although he be not cleansed after the preparation c. Truth The promises hold forth no blessing or fellowship of God to false worships against which all the holy Scripture denounceth cursings both in the old and new Testament nor in particular doth that of Ieremy promise any pardon of sin but to the repentant though most true also is that distinction of particular repentance for known sins and general for sins unknown Such was the sin it may be of the Israelites 2 Chron. 30. in their want of such their legal cleansing But I add how can that one act of covering or conniving at ceremoniall uncleanness about a true worship be brought to prove a promise of Gods blessing and fellowship to a constant course of a false and invented way of prayer by the Latine or English Masse-book as some have rightly called it Peace Concerning Ordination Master Cotton saith that it is no essential part of a call to the Ministery no more then Coronation is essential to the Office of a King And Jehoshua the high priest did not lose fellowship
with God though he was clothed with filthy garments Zech. 3. Truth I answer Ordination or laying on of hands comprizeth the whole Ministery Heb. 6. wherein if Election or Ordination be false I see not how the Ministery is true any more then a marriage can be true where either consent oâ— solemnity by a true power is wanting or a King rightly instituted in his Kingly office when either election or coronation is given or made by a false power 2. But further Ordination is not well represented by a Kings coronation to say nothing of the statcliness of the simile for a King may administer by successive election and consent in some States before coronation and coronation is but for publike state and ceremony but a Minister cannot administer before ordination no more then a husband enjoy his spouse before marriage which is the puting of him into and the investing of him with his Authority as we see both in the priests of the law and the Ministers of the Gospel Concerning Jehoshua his garments This kind of confession is not after the patterne of Ezra Nehemiah David Daniel c. but with mincing and excusing Moreover in this place of Zechary God only comforts his people with the promise of better times and more new and costly garments for the High priest now returning from captivity his garments were torne foule and filthy Lastly These were the garments of the Lords appointing though in a poor and afflicted condition what is this to a fools cap or coate the cap or surplice what is this to the office of Ieroboams priests which never were of God though happily some of them might studiously give themselves to attaine and teach the knowledge of God and might in a kind separate from the false 2 Chron. 13. and some good thing might be found in some as in Ieroboams child and happily many others as in these our times Peace Concerning common prayer he pleades the time of their ignorance as also that the high places were removed 2 Chron. 14. and knows not of any such faithful admonition as was mentioned Truth God winketh at some ignorance but is not blind to pass by all The high places were an high sin and in Gods time discovered repented of and removed but ever by God disclaimed c. And although the discusser acknowledgeth himself unworthy to speak for God to Master Cotton or any yet possibly Master Cotton may call to minde that the discusser riding with himself and one other of precious memorie Master Hooker to and from Sempringham presented his Arguments from Scripture why he durst not joyn with them in their use of Common prayer and all the Answer that yet can be remembred the discusser received from Master Cotton was that he selected the good and best prayers in his use of that Book as the Author of the Councel of Trent was used to do in his using of the Masse-book Peace Yea but further saith Master Cotton Numbers 20. Moses used an unwarrantable way of prophesying and yet God gave water therefore set formes of prayer may bring a blessing down Truth Moses his calling was true in a true Church his failing was in point of passion and unbeliefe What is this to the Common prayer where all were Idols both the society or communion in which the priest himself and the worship were but inventions c. Peace But saith he Common prayer is not such a fundamentall errour Truth The word and prayer are those two great services of God which even the Apostles themselves gave themselves unto And if Master Cotton intend not that his Argument shall stand good against Master Ball to prove the falseness of such a maine worship of God let him shew what that worship of God is which he intendeth when he so distinguisheth of some false worship wherein fellowship with God is lost Peace To end this Chapter Master Cotton to clear himself from partiality and that he never useth to measure that to any which he would not have measured to himself He proposeth a threefold wickedness which he saith God never left him to fall into First Any fundamental errour Secondly persisting therein after admonition and conviction Thirdly seducing of others And lastly he professeth that if he should so fall it were better for him to be cut off by death or banishment then the flocke of Christ to be seduced by his heretical wickedness Truth I here first observe as also in other places Master Cottons acknowledgement and profession of what a man may be punished for to wit a fundamental errour persisting in it and seducing others all which are spiritual matters of religion and worship for which he decrees from the Magistrate death or banishment and yet elsewhere in many other passages he professeth against all persecution for conscience Secondly If Master Cotton should so fall and be so dealt withall by the civil state First would not Master Cotton conscientiously be perswaded of the Truth of what he held though accounted by others fundamental error obstinacy heresie c. Secondly Will Master Cotton think that death or banishment would be wholesome and Christian meanes and remedies to change and heal his conscience Thirdly He to prevent the infection of others granting the civil Magistrate must punish him with death or banishment doth he not make the Magistrate yea the Civil State what State soever he live in the Judge of his conscience and errors Fourthly Confessing it now that to worship God with a Common prayer was his sin and yet it was his conscience that he might so do If the Magistrate had judged it to be a fundamental error he grants he might then have put him to death or banishment if persisting c. though yet he hath a proviso and a retreat against this assault professing that if the Magistrate be not rightly informed he must stay his proceedings of which afterward Peace What is this but in plaine English to profess that all the Magistrates and Civil powers throughout the whole world although they have command and power from Christ Jesus to judge in matters of conscience religion and worship and live in daily sin that they do not cut off the heretick blasphemer seducer c. yet except they be of Master Cottons minde and conscience to account and judge to be they must suspend their duty and office in this case until they be better informed that is untill they be of his mind Examination of CHAP. VI. Peace BUt to proceed to the sixth Chapter in which is handled that which more especially concerns my self It is too lamentably known how the furious troopes of persecutors in all States Cities Towns c. have ever marched under my name the white colours of peace civil peace publike peace Truth Yet Master Cotton confesseth that the Cities peace is an humane and civil peace as was further explained in many instances from Babylon Ephesus Smyrna c. against which Master Cotton
excepts not Peace The difference or controversie in this Chapter lies in two things First In the similitudes used from companies and societies voluntarily entering into combinations which are distinct from the City 2. In the nature of the Church which he maintaines to be a society whose order the City is bound to preserve as well as any of their civil orders or societies Truth To begin with the first Master Cotton replies That although such societies be not of the essence of the City yet they are of the integral and conservant causes of the City and so the disturbance of any of those orders or societies in the City disturbes the City it self But I answer The similitude was used more especially from a colledge of Physitians or a society of Merchants Turkish East-Endies c. and consequently any other of that kinde voluntarily combining together for the better inriching of themselves in the improvement of their faculties for publike good at least so pretended It was never intended that if such necessary Trades Callings c. as he mentioneth be dissolved and ruined that there would be no disturbance of the peace of the City But that if such oâ— such a way and order of men of those faculties I mentioned voluntarily combine and voluntarily also dissolve yet all this may may be without any breach of civil and publike peace Peace If so much more the church of Christ which is a spiritual society voluntarily uniting may dissolve I say much more without the breach of the peace of the city which is of a civil and humane nature as is confessed and was urged in the instances of Ephesus c. Truth 2. We are wont when we speak of keeping or breaking the Peace to speake of Words or Actions of Violence Sedition Vproare c. for Actions of the Cases Pleas and Traverses may be and yet no peace broken when men submit to the Rule of State for the composing of such differences c. Therefore it is that I affirme that if any of Christs Church have difference with any other man in civill and humane things he ought to be judged by the Law But if the Church have spiritual controversies among themselves or with any other or if God take away the Candlestick as he threatned the Church in Ephesus all this may be and yet no civil peace broken Yea amongst those that profess the same God and Christ as the Papists and Protestants or the same Mahomet as the Turks and Persians there would no civil Peace be broken notwithstanding their differences in Religion were it not for the bloody Doctrine of Persecution which alone breaks the bounds of civil peace and makes Spiritual causes the causes of their bloodie dissentions I observe therefore a twofold Fallacie in Master Cottons reply First he fallaciously mingles Peace and Prosperity together for though it be true that under the terme Peace all good things are sometimes concluded yet when we speak of Hereticks or Schismaticks breaking the civil peace or strowing Doctrines tending to break the civill peace we must understand some such words or acts of violence wherein the bounds and orders of the City Laws and Courts are violated taking it for granted for this is the Supposition that the Lawes of the City be meerly civil and humane Hence then I affirme that there is no Doctrine no Tenent so directly tending to break the Cities peace as this Doctrine of persecuting or punishing each other for the cause of conscience or Religion Againe it is a second Fallacie to urge your order of the Church and the Excellency thereof and that therefore it is a Breach of the civil peace when the Order of the church is not preserved For although it is most true that sooner or later the God of heaven punisheth the nations of the world for their Idolatries Superstitions c. yet Master Cotton himself acknowledgeth as was affirmed that many glorious flourishing cities there are all the world over wherein no church of Christ is extant Yea that the Common-weale of Rome flourished five hundred years together before ever the name of Christ was heard in it which so great a Glory of so great a continuance mightily evinceth the distinction of the civill peace of a State from that which is Christian Religion It is true as Master Cotton tells us that the Turks have plagued the Antichristian world for their Idolatries Yet History tels us that one of their Emperours Mahomet was the man that first broke up and desolated two most glorious ancient cities Constantinople which had flourished 1120 yeares since its first building by Constantine and Athens which from Solons giving of it Laws had flourished two thousand yeares notwithstanding their Idolatries c. Truth It is apparent that then the Christian Religion gloriously flourished contrary to Master Cottons observation when the Roman Emperours too not power to themselves to reform the abuses in the Christian Church but persecuted it and then the church was ruined and overwhelmed with Apostacy and Antichristianism when the Emperours took that power unto themselves And then it was as Master Cotton elsewhere confesseth that Christianitie lost more even in Constantines time then under bloody Nero Domitian c. Peace It cannot be denied dear Truth but that the Peace of a civil State of all States excepting that of typical Israel was and is meerly and essentially civil But Master Cotton saith further Although the Inward Peace of a church is Spiritual yet the outward Peace of it Magistrates must keep in a way of Godliness and Honestie 1 Tim. 2. 1. Truth The Peace of a church of Christ the onely true Christian State Nation Kingdom or city is Spiritual whether internal in the Soul or external in the administration of it as the peace of a civil State is civil internal in the mindes of men and external in the administration and conversation of it and for that place of Timothy it hath been fully spoken to in this discourse and the Discusser hath as yet seen no exception against what hath been spoken Peace But further saith Master Cotton although the peace of a Country be civil yet it is distracted by disturbing the peace of the Church for God cut short the Coasts of the civil State when Jehu shortned his Reformation 2 King 10. 31 32. Truth Master Cotton denies not but confessed in his discourse concerning Baptism that Canaan was Typical and to be cast out of that Land was to be cast out of Gods â—ight which proves thus much That the church of Christ the Israel now neglecting to reform God will cut this Israel short But what is this to a meerly civil State which may flourish many hundreds yea some thousands of yeers together as I before instanced when the Name of the true Lord Jesus Christ is not so much as heard of within it Peace Lastly saith he the church is a Society as well as the Societies of Merchants Drapers
idolatry it is an wholesome faithfulness to the church if Princes trouble the outward peace of the church that so the church finding themselves wounded and pricked in the house of their friends they may repent and return to their first husband Zech. 13. Hof 2. Truth The peace of the Church is not only inward between God and themselves but as the Argument importeth to which Master Cotton answereth the peace of the Church external and outward is spiritual essentially differing from the peace of the civil state which is meerly civil and humane When the peace of the churches Antioch Corinth Galatia was disturbed by spiritual oppositions the Lord never sent his Saints for civil help to maintaine their spirituall peace though the Lord did send Paul to the higher civil powers to preserve his civil peace when he was molested and oppressed by the Jews and Romans 2. For that place of Timothy though I have fully spoken to it in this discourse elswhere yet this now It proves not because the church must pray for civil Rulers that so they may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty that therefore civil rulers are supream rulers and judges Ecclesiastical next unto Christ Jesus of what is godliness holiness c. since God hath chosen few wise or noble to know godliness And although it is true that Gods end of vouchsafing peace and quietness is that his Churches might walk in his fear and in the wayes of godliness yet it doth not hence follow that Magistrates were the causes of the Churches walking in the fear of God and being edified but only of enjoying Rest from Persecution Act. 9. 3. Although Gods chastisement call to repentance and although the false Prophet in the church of Israel was to be wounded and slaine as they are now to be cut off spiritually from the church of spiritual Israel yet was it so in all the other Nations of the world Or did Christ Iesus appoint it to be so in all the Nations of the world since his coming which is the great question in difference 4. And indeed what is this but to add coals to coals and wood to fire to teach the Nations of the world to be briars and thorns butchers and tormentors to the Lilies and Lambes of the most holy and innocent Lamb of God Christ Iesus Peace But God saith Master Cotton cut Israel short in their civil state or Nation when they cut short their reformation 1 King 10. Truth Master Cotton elswhere denying a National church which is bounded with natural and earthly limits it is a wonder how he can apply that instance of National Israel to the now spiritual Nation and Israel of God May he not as well promise earthly peace and prosperity then most to abound to Gods people when they most prosper and flourish in holiness zeal c. The contrary whereof to wit persecution is most evident in all the New Testament and all mens new and fresh experience Peace To end this Chapter Master Cotton affirmes that civil peace to speak properly is not only a peace in civil things for the object but the peace of all the persons in the City for the subject The church is one society in the City as well as the society of Merchants Drapers c. And if it be civil justice to protect one then the other also Truth Civil peace will never be proved to be the peace of all the subjects or Citizens of a City in spiritual Things The civil state may bring into order make orders preserve in civil order all her members But who ordained that either the spiritual estate should bring in and force the civil state to keep civil order oâ— that the civil state should sit judge and force any of her subjects to keep spiritual order The true and living God is the God of order spiritual civil and natural Natural is the same ever and perpetual civil alters according to the constitutions of peoples and nations spiritual he hath changed from the national in one figurative-land of Canaan to particular and congregational churches all the world over which order spiritual natural or civil to confound and abrogate is to exalt mans folly against the most holy and incomprehensible wisdome of God c. Examination of CHAP. VII Peace IN his description of Arrogancy and impetuousness Master Cotton tels us that he that refuseth to subject his Spirit to the Spirit of the prophets that shall oppose such as dissent with clubs swords and censorious reproaches or reject communion with the church c. his practise tends to the disturbing of civil or church-peace or both Truth It is a fallacious mingling of clubs swords reproaches c. with refusing to submit to the Spirit of prophecie in the Prophets and rejecting of communion c. For a man may out of true and upright conscience to God as Master Cotton will not deny refuse to submit to a whole true church having the Truth of God on his side and may withdraw from communion with a church obstinate in sin and this without breach of civil peace and therefore the mingling or confounding of these spiritual resistances or disturbances with guns swords c. is a mingling and confounding of heaven and earth together 2. In that he saith these wayes tend to the disturbance of either civil or church-peace or both he speakes too like the doubtful oracles of Apollo which will be true however the event fall out but yet he toucheth not the Truth of the question which concernes civil peace only against the disturbers of which I grant the civil powers to be armed with a civil sword not in vaine and concerning which divers cases were propounded of seeming Arrogance and impetuousness in Gods servants and yet they fell not justly under any censure of breach of civil peace Peace T is true saith Master Cotton because they were not wayes of Arrogance not Impetuousness Truth But will Master Cotton give way that any conscience but his own may freely preach and dispute against the state-religion freely reprove the highest in sharpest language for matter of religion refuse conformity to the common established religion and worship disclaime subjection to the civil powers in spiritual cases preach against the common policy and seeming wisdome of the State even to a seeming hazarding of all and lastly occasion great tumults and uproars which were the six cases alleadged If Master Cotton granteth this freedome to other consciences beside his own why preacheth he persecution against such a liberty which other consciences beside his own believe they justly challenge If to no other conscience then his own it is not his saying ten thousand times that his conscience is true and others false nor any other distinction in the world can clear him from most unrighteous and unchristian partiality Examination of CHAP. VIII Peace IN this Chapter dear Truth lies a charge concerning thy self For whereas thou answerest
an objection that this distinction concerns not Truth or errour but the manner of holding or divulging Master Cotton affirmes the distinction to speak expresly of things unlawfull and erroneous and therefore that it cannot be said with Truth that the distinction concernes not truth and error Truth The truth is this the former distinction speakes of matter and this distinction seems wholly to intend the manner of holding forth The words were these Again in points of Doctrine and Worship less principal either they are held forth in a meek and peaceable way though the things be erroneous and unlawful or they are held forth with such Arrogance and Impetuousness as tendeth to the disturbance of civil peace In which although things erroneous and unlawful are mentioned yet who sees not but that those words are brought in by the way of Parenthesis which may or may not be left out and the distinction be whole and intire And therefore Master Cotton doth not well to spend precious time and life upon seeming advantages Peace Yea but saith he why is this distinction blamed when the discusser himself acknowledgeth that there may be a way and manner of holding forth which may tend to break the civil peace Truth That which was excepted most against in the distinction was the persecuting language of arrogance impetuousness boisterousness without declaring what that was to which Master Cotton answers that the discussers request was not that he should compile a discourse but return an answer to the letter of his friend as also that he charged none of Gods children with such things I reply as formerly Master Cotton's memory though otherwise excellent herein faileth for such a request the discusser never made unto him by letter or otherwise 2. Although he charged not Gods people with arrogance and impetuousness yet mostly and commonly Gods children though meek and peaceable are accused to be arrogant impetuous c. and 't is the common notorious language of persecutors against them Peace Concering those six instances wherein Gods children were occasion of great opposition and spiritual hostility yea and of breach of civil peace notwithstanding the matter delivered was holy and the manner peaceable Master Cotton answers they nothing concern the distinction which speaks of holding forth things erroneous and unlawful for the matter and for the manner in a way of arrogance and impetuousness to the disturbance of civil peace Truth I reply first it speaks not only of erroneous and unlawful things though erroneous and unlawful things be admitted in way of Parenthesis as before 2. He describes not what this arrogance and impetuousness is but wraps up all in one general dark cloud wherein the best and most zealous of Gods Prophets and servants are easily wrapt up as proud arrogant and impetuous Examination of CHAP. IX Peace IN this Chapter I remember you affirmed that one cause of civil dissention and uproar was the lying of a State under false worship whence it endures not the preaching of light and truth c. Master Cotton answers This is not to the purpose because this is by accident Truth It is as much to the purpose to declare in the examination of the breach of civil peace about matters of Religion I say to declare the true cause of such troubles and uproares as it is in the search after the leaks of a ship to declare where the leake is indeed when many are said to be where they are not 2. Whereas he confesseth that vigilant and faithful ones are not so troubled at the false Religion of Jew or Gentile as not to tolerate them amongst them in a civil body he alleadgeth for instance that the Indians subjected to their government are not compelled to the confession or acknowledgement of their Religion I reply first who sees not herein unchristian partiality that Pagans Barbarians who happily might more easily be brought from their natural Religion to a new forme then any other I say that they should be tolerated in their hideous worships of creatures and devils while civil people his countrymen yea it may be the precious sons and daughters of the most high God shall be courted fined whipt banished c. for the matters of their conscience and worship to the true and living God 2. Is not this passage contradictory to all Master Cottons whole discourse in this book which pleades for the purity of Religion to be maintained by all Magistrates and civil governments within their jurisdictions and the suppressing of the contrary under the penalty of the destruction of their lands and countries and accordingly hath not the practice of New England answered such a doctrine and yet saith he we tolerate the false Religion of Jew or Gentile Peace Possibly Dear Truth the distinction between Jew Pagan and Christian may satisfie for the present Master Cottons conscience so to write and practise for thus he addeth But if Christians shall apostate or if Jews and Pagans be blasphemous and seducing then c. Truth Who knows not but that the very Religion of Jew or Pagan is a blaspheming of the true Religion Revel 2. I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not but are the Synagogue or church of Sathan And whereas Master Cotton alleadgeth for proof of this Pauls blaming of false teachers for being troublers to the churches of Galatia Gal. 5. and Acts 15 c. Who that puts this inference into Christs balance but will see the lightness of it thus The churches of Christ are to draw forth the sword and power of Christ and are not to suffer such as with false doctrine trouble their peace Ergo Therefore the civil state must not permit such persons to live in the world c. Peace The second cause I remember you alleadged of civil disturbances and hubbubs about Religion was the praeposterous way of healing of corruptions in Religion as by whips stocks imprisonment c. unto this Master Cotton answers Then the Mariners casting Jonah over-boord for his sin was the cause of the storme Truth I answer if that extraordinary and miraculous instance be sufficient ground for Magistrates casting over-boord whomsoever they judge Hereticks then all civil states and ships must so practise in stormes and troubles on sea or shore to wit throw over-boord put to death not only Hereticks Blasphemers Seducers c. but the best of Gods Prophets or servants for neglect of their duty Ministery c. which was Jonahs case And if so doth not this set up and all the world over by land or sea all Kings and Magistrates all Masters of ships and captaines to be the spiritual and Ecclesiastical Judges of the religion and spiritual neglects of all their subjects or Passengers Such doctrine I cannot imagine would have relished with Master Cotton in his passage to New England and I humbly desire of God that he may never tast the bitter fruit of this Tree of which yet so many thousands
but general conclusions and notwithstanding that in the course of his Book he maintaines such and such persecution yet he layes this down as his first conclusion It is not lawful to persecute a conscience rightly informed that is Christ Iesus in his Truths and Servants and that I say never persecutor professed to do without a Maske or covering Peace What of that saith Master Cotton for although they do not persecute Christ as Christ yet they do it and it is no matter of wonder to tell them as Christ tells Paul It is not lawful for them so to do Truth Doubtless whatever persecutors profess and what Apologies soever they make in all the particular cases for which Gods servants are persecuted yet the Saints of God have dealt faithfully to tell Persecuters that they persecute Christ himself and to breath out the fire of Gods judgements against them even out of their own mouth But what is this to a conclusion laid down for so Christ laid not down his expostulation with Paul as a conclusion as Master Cotton doth by way of teaching but as a conviction by way of reproofe Peace Yet persecutors saith he have persecuted Christ as Christ for the Scribes and Pharises said This is the heir come let us kill him and Iulian persecuted Iesus as Iesus And if a Christian in Turkie shall seek to gaine a Turke to Christianity they will persecute such a Christian and in him Iesus as Iesus Truth It is said Acts 3. that the Iews persecuted Christ out of ignorance for though they had sufficient knowledge to convince them yet did they not persecute Christ out of a clearely convinced conscience for then it could not be out of ignorance And yet it was sufficient that so great a power of Gods Spirit appeared in the evidence of Christs works as to make their sin to be against the Spirit of God yet had they their mask and covering as is evident For this is not the true Christ or Messiah say they but a deceiver a witch working by the power of the devil a blasphemer a seducer a Traitor c. Againe although wretched Iulian persecuted the very name of Christ and Iesus whom formerly he had acknowledged and professed Yet was it still under a mask or covering to wit that he was not the true Son of God nor his worship the Truth but his Roman gods were true c. And the same say the Turkes in persecuting Christians and in them Christ Iesus as aâ— Prophet inferiour to their onely great and true Prophet Mahomet And lastly neither Scribes nor Pharisees nor Iulian nor Turkes did or do persecute Christ Iesus otherwise then as they were and are bound so to do by Master Cottons doctrine as shall further appear notwithstanding his plea that such Magistrates must forbeare to punish untill they be better informed Peace But let tyrants and persecutors profess what they will saith Master Cotton yet this varieth not the truth nor impeacheth the wisdome of the conclusion Truth Sweet peace how can I here chuse but in the first place observe that great mystery of the waking sleep of the most precious servants of the most high God in the affaires of his worship and the Kingdome of his dear Son Awake for what fiery censures justly poureth forth this our excellent Adversarie against the oppressours of conscience entituling them with the names of tyrants and persecutors notwithstanding their vaine professions pretences apologies and pleas for their tyranny and Bloodshed Againe how fast asleep in his so zealous pleading for the greatest tyranny in the world throughout his whole book though painted and washed over with faire pretences c 2. He granteth upon the point the truth which was affirmed and he denyed to wit that no persecutor of Christ ever persecuted him as the Son of God as Iesus but under some mask or covering as thousands of black and bloody clouds of persecuting witnesses in this case most lamentably make it evident and apparent Peace Master Cottons next charge is very heavy against the discusser for exalting himself above God in the discerning of Master Cottons fellowship with persecutors notwithstanding his profession against such persecution Truth The Lord Jesus saw in the Iews such a contrariety between their professions and practises even in this case of persecution Mat. 23. 2. Himself in effect but even now said the same of all persecutors What ever pretences they make saith he and they will pretend great things of love to Christ and kiss him ten thousand times when treasons and slaughters are is in their courses And will Master Cotton say that Christ Iesus exalted himself above God inspying out so great a mystery It is no new thing that Master Cotton should be apt to say with David That man that hath done this thing shall die not duely considering and pondering that our selves are sons of blood and children of death condemned by our own mouth if the righteous Iudge of the whole world should deal severely with us Peace But Master Cotton for a close of this Chapter complaines of his own suffering of bitter persecution and the Lord Iesus in him being unjustly slandered except the discusser can prove that any doctrine of his tendeth to persecute any of the servants of Christ Truth Let a mans doctrine and practise be his witnesses and let every soul judge in the fear of God whether the doctrine of this Book maintaining such and such a persecution to be an holy truth wash'd white in the blood of the Lamb agree not lamentably with all their imprisonings banishings c. inflicted upon so many several sorts of their own countrimen friends and brethren in the wilderness for matter of Religion and conscience amongst which the Lord Jesus will be heard at last to have said Why persecutest thou me why banishest and whippest thou me c 2. Will not all persecuting prelates Popes c. take heart from hence according to their several religions and consciences to persecute the heretick blasphemer seducer c. although they all will say with Master Cotton It is not lawful to persecute a conscience rightly informed that is Christ Jesus in his truths or servants Peace But the discusser saith Master Cotton is a bitter persecutor in slandering him and Christ Jesus in him for a persecutor Truth I see not but Master Cotton though of Davids spirit may be guilty of Sauls lamentable complaint that David persecuted him and that he could finde none to pity him Who knows not that all and our own Popish Bishops in Queen Maries yea and of late times our Protestant Bishops against the non-conformists have been wont to cry out what bitter persecution themselves have suffered from the slanderous censures and reproaches of the servants of Christ Jesus against them Who yet have shot no other arrowes at them but the faithful declarations and discoveries of Gods holy truth and the evil of the opposing and persecuting of it and
four sorts Jews Turkes Pagans and Antichristians are full of blasphemy and idolatry Now in case rhey seduce not they are to be persecuted as idolaters and blasphemers how then are they to be tolerated Peace It could not be had not this holy man been catcht with sipping at the bloody cup of the great whore that Master Cottons affirmations and doctrines should thus quarrel among themselves But further I see not the equality of his yoaking the Oxe and the Asse together when he further coupleth seducing of people into worship of false Gods confidence of a mans own merit c. which are spiritual matters with seducing into seditions conspiracies against the lives and estates of such Princes as will not submit their conscience to the Bishop of Rome Truth Your observation dear peace is seasonable the former are meer Religious and spiritual the latter are meerly civil against which the civil state is bound to defend it self with civil weapons Peace In the next place Master Cotton chargeth the discusser with want of reason truth and candor for observing how unfitly those Scriptures of Phil. 3. Rom. 14. are produced to prove a tolleration of lesser errors And he affirmes that he never intended that what the Churches might not tolerate the Cities might not c. Truth The point is tolerating or persecuting by the civil state whatever therefore be Master Cottons intentions it is apparant unless the Cities and Churches of Rome and Philippi be confounded together as commonly they are in case of persecution I say it is then apparent that there is no Scripture brought for the civil state its tolerating of points of lesser moment nor are these Scriptures brought to any purpose in hand but prophaned Peace But observe his Argument The civil state tollerates petty theeves and lyers to live in Towns Cities c. Truth No well ordered State or City can suffer petty Theeves and lyers without some punishment and we know how severely in the State of England even theeves have been punished even with death it self but Master Cotton is against such cruelty for he pleades for tollerating of lesser errors even in points of Religion and worship 2. If tollerating of lesser errours be granted upon this ground viz. till God may be pleased to manifest his truth is not the same a ground for tollerating of greater as the holy spirit of God argues 2 Tim. 2. trying if God may be pleased to give repentance Peace Yea but saith he the greater will infect and so is more dangerous and the tolleration is the more unmerciful and cruel to the souls of many Truth Lyars and Theeves infect also even the Civil state and a little leaven will leaven the whole lumpe and therefore as the Commonweal ought not upon that ground to tollerate petty theeves and lyars so hath Christ Jesus provided in his holy kingdom and City against lesser evils and upon this ground that a little leaven will leaven the whole lumpe But yet Christ Jesus hath not spoken where he gives command for this thing to the Corinthians or Galatians that such persons so leavened should together with their being put out of the Church for obstinacy in a little leaven be put out of the world or civil state The one the Church being his Garden the other the Commonweal being the high wayes Field c. the proper place for men as men to abide in Examination of CHAP. XVII Peace COncerning the holding forth of errour with an arrogant and boysterous spirit to the disturbance of civil peace Master Cotton moderates the matter that he would not have such put to death unless the civil peace be destroyed to the destruction of the lives and souls of men Truth I cannot but here first observe the confounding of heaven and earth together the Church and the world lives and souls c. as if all were of one nature 2. Neither blessed Paul nor I need to be accused of cruelty in that grant of Paul if alleadged Acts 25. for there will not be found ought but a willingness to bear a righteous sentence of death in some crimes committed against the civil state 3. Master Cotton may here observe how justly as he speaks of the heretick he condemnes himself for it is too bloody a Tenent saith he that every man that holdeth errour in a boysterous and arrogant way to the disturbance of civil peace ought to be punished with death Is not this the whole scope of his discourse from Deut. 13. and other abrogated repealed laws to prove what was just and righteous in the land of Israel so bloody a Tenent and course to be inforced in all Nations all the world over Peace Master Cotton excepteth against that speech But if the matter be of a spiritual or divine nature There is no error saith he can be of divine nature though it may be spiritual Truth Master Cotton may hear Solomon here saying unto him Be not overwise c. For first the words are not If the errour be of a divine nature but if the matter that is the controversie cause c. be of a spiritual or divine nature which distinction between humane and divine things I conceive is the same with that of wisdome it self dividing between God and Caesar Give to God c. And so though no errour be of a spiritual or divine nature taking the words in their highth yet the matter in question may be of some spiritual or divine consideration belonging to God and his worship and not concerning the Commonweal or Civil state of men which belong to Caesars care 2. Taking spiritual as it is used sometimes in the holy Scripture as opposite to flesh and blood I see no ground for that distinction between spiritual and divine God is a spirit and the spiritual man discerneth All things In such places and their like to my understanding spiritual and divine are the same thing Peace But I marvel at the next passage how can Master Cotton with any colour of reason or charity conceive the discusser so reasonless and senceless as to intend by these words Such onely break the Cities or Kingdomes peace as call for prison and sword against hereticks as if as Master Cotton infers and saith that murtherers seditious persons rebels traitors were none of them such viz. Peace-breakers Truth This word onely can onely have a faire respect to such as are charged by their opinions of Religion and worship to break the Peace of the Commonweale who of what conscience soever they are may freely enjoy their conscience and worship either of many and false Gods or of the true God in a false way and yet not be guilty of the breach of civil peace but onely they I say they onely in this consideration who by their doctrine and practice cry out for prison and fire and sword against hereticks c. Peace As the devil appeared an Angel of light in Samuels mantle So John Hus and Jerome
of Prage are declared for devils with the pictured devils upon their heads and under this cloud of heresie and black name of hereticks most commonly have suffered in all ages the true messengers of Christ Jesus Thus cryed they out Acts 17. These are they that have turned the world upside down and are come hither also and thus did they set the City all on an uproare And Acts 19. not the worshippers of Christ fill'd the whole City with confusion but the worshipers of Diana who filled the heavens with that Bedlam Outery of two houres continuance Great is Diana of the Ephesians Truth With as little reason and peaceableness of spirit hath our English Nation used to cry Great is the Church of Rome Great is our holy Father the Pope Great the Mass Great the Virgin Mary Great the General Councels c. And in later times Great the Church of England Great the Christian Magistrate Great the Ministery and Bishops of England Great the swearing and covenant of the people c. and such as dissent from us in these points and practices persecute them as hereticks and disturbers of the common civil peace Peace In the rest of this Chapter Master Cotton makes three grants with his exceptions annexed Truth Please you dear peace to mention them in one and accordingly I shall weigh them in the balance together Peace 1. Saith he The many causes which the discusser before wrote of are all of them allowed but none of them concern holding forth of errors which is the point in hand 2. Saith he It is easily granted that they do break the Cities or kingdoms peace who cry out for prisons and swords against such who cross their judgement or practice in religion to wit saith he unless their religion be of God and the crossing of it be such as destroyeth and subverteth the Religion of God 3. It is also easily granted saith he that many complaine most who are most in fault themselves Truth To these three I may answer thus in one The Mystery of preaching or holding forth the witness of the Truth of Jesus is interpreted by many to be the Mystery of the first seal the white horse and the being persecuted or slaughtered for the word of God and testimony of Jesus to be the Mystery of the third seal where the souls under the Altar cry to the Lord for vengeance against their persecutors These mysteries are sealed up and they are the Lords letters not to be opened and read by every one but as sealed letters be by such to whom they are directed Peace It follows therefore that in the midst of all the cries of Iews Pagans Turkes and Antichristians Our Religion is the Religion of God You are an heretick you are a persecutor We are true Christians we are persecuted c. that the hearts of Gods children must be comforted and staid up with the sight of this Mystery And doubtless it is most commonly though not alwayes true that the imprisoned fined whipt banished hanged burned c. in point of Religion have been so inhumanely oppressed for the word of God and the Testimony of Iesus Our own Chronicles Records of England and blessed Master Fox will in part evidence to us that scarce a King or Queen of England hath past since Richard the second his time but the blood of the witnesses of Iesus more or less hath been spilt in their Raignes as the blood of Hereticks Schismaticks c. and but few drops of the blood of any Heretick indeed have faln to the ground Truth The discusser therefore humbly to my knowledge desireth according to Master Cottons wish to reflect upon his own way and humbly to beg of God two things for himself and all in any measure censured and persecuted as hereticks First Iosephs innocency purity chastity in all those points and questions wherein they are charged and condemned unclean Secondly Iesephs patience to bear the accusations censures imprisonments c. from the tongues and hands of them who are notoriously unclean and guilty before the zealous and revenging eye and hand of God Examination of CHAP. XVIII Peace MAny of the following leaves and Chapters dear truth are spent upon that great and heavenly parable of the Tares a knot about which so many holy fingers dead and living have been so laboriously exercised all professing to unty yet some by seeming to untie have tyed the knot the faster Truth It is no wonder sweet peace to finde Master Cotton so intangled both in his answers and replies touching this Parable for men of all sorts in former ages have been so intangled before him To which purpose with thy patience I shall relate a notable passage recorded by that excellent witness or Martyr of God Master Fox in his book of Acts and Monuments t is this In the story of Master George Wisehart that famous Scotch witness of Christ Iesus in the dayes of King Henry the eighth there preached at the arraignment of the said Wiseheart one Iohn Winryme subprior of the Abbey of Saint Andrews he discoursed on the Parable of the Tares he interpreted the Tares to be hereticks and yet contrary to this very Scripture as Master Fox himself observeth though elswhere himself also maintaining it the duty of the civil Magistrate to suppress hereticks I say the said Winryme concludeth that hereticks ought not to be let alone until the harvest but to be supprest by the power of the civil Magistrate So that memorable it is that both the Popish Prior and that truely Christian Fox were intangled in contradictions to their own writings about the interpreting of this Heavenly Scripture Peace O what cause therefore have all that follow Iesus to beg of Iesus as the Disciples did the blessed Key of David to unloose this holy mistery In the entrance therefore of this discourse the discusser observing Master Cottons exposition to be fallacious and the Tares to be interpreted either persons or doctrines or practices he blames that Master Cotton gives no argument for proof of such an interpretation Master Cotton replies First Neither did the Author of the letter give reason for his interpretation 2. That they both gave one interpretation For the Author of the letter said that some expounded the Wheat and Tares to signifie such as walk in truth and such as walk in lyes now are not saith Master Cotton hypocrites and some corrupt doctrines and practices coincident with such as walk in lyes c Truth I answer First it might be both their failing not to strengthen their interpretations with some light and evidence from Scripture or reason although the Prisoners failing the less as being forced to write by shifts and difficulties in prison and so the shorter when Master Cotton had free liberty to inlarge and confirm without control c. 2. When the prisoner interprets the Tares to be such as walk in lyes it will be found evident upon examination that
toleration and gentleness to other consciences both English and Barbarians Examination of CHAP. XXV Peace IN this Chapter Master Cotton affirms that hypocrites even they that are discerned to be such yet they are not to be purged out except they break forth into such notorious fruits of hypocrisie as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe for otherwise saith he we may roote out the best wheate in Gods field c. Truth I answer sâ—â—â—â— hypocrites and all hypocrisie is so odious in Gods sight and so vehemently inveighed against by Christ Jesus what should be the cause why the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisie should finde greater favour and connivence in the church of Christ then the leaven of any other sin since all ought to be purged out 1 Cor. 5. 2. Contrary to what Master Cotton saith to wit That no man meerly for hypocrisie and want of life and power of Godliness ought to be proceeded against the Spirit of God by Paul saith That such kind of professours of the name of Christ should arise that should pretend a form of godliness but not shew forth the power thereof from which he commandeth us to turn away 1 Tim. 3. Peace But Master Cotton excepteth Except saith he they break forth into some notorious scandalous fruits of hypocrisie Truth How shall an hypocrite be discovered and known to be an hypocrite or traitor in church or civil state but by some such notorious scandalous fruits as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe Come to particulars was Iudas Ananias and Sapphira Simon Magus Demas or any other discovered to be Hypocrites when they broke forth into treachery lying covetousness and might the church proceed against such If it be denied I ask to what end the Lord hath given those holy rules of admonition c. will it prove ought but prophaning of the name of the Lord to pretend our clear discerning of the Scripture and ordinances and not to practise them If it be yeelded against these fruits of hypocrisie discovering men to be hypocrites why do we plead for a dispensation and not for the wheat of the Field and flowers of the garden but for the most stinking and loathsome tares and weeds to be continued in the holy garden of Christ Jesus Peace But many hypocrites saith Master Cotton fall not within the censure of that Scripture 2 Thess 3. 6. Withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly for many hypocrites follow their callings and are so far from being burthensome unto others that they are after choaked with the cares and businesses of the world and yet are not behind in liberal contribution to pious uses Truth But is not this halting between God and Baal yea is not this pleading for Baal for hypocrisie hypocrites and dissemblers false and Antichristian counterfeits to be permitted not onely in the wilderness of the world which I contend for but also even in the Garden House Bed and bosome of God What if men be civil and follow their callings Men that know not God so do What though they be liberal to pious uses millions of Papists are and have been so according to their consciences when as yet they are choaked with cares and businesses of this world How express is the charge of the Lord Jesus to with-draw from such notwithstanding their forme of Godliness and contribution to Godly uses when they declare not the power of godliness 1 Tim. 3. 2. Not to eate with them and therefore to seperate from such a brother as is covetuous 1 Cor. 5. as well as from an idolater drunkard c. The Church of Christ is a congregation of Saints a flock of sheep humble meek patient contented with whom it is monstrous and impossible to couple cruel and persecuting lyons subtle and hypocritical Foxes contentious biting dogs or greedy and rooting swine so visibly declared and apparant Examination of CHAP. XXI Peace IN this Chapter four answers were given by the discusser to that great objection of the mischief that the Tares will do in the field of the world if let alone and not pluckt up The first was That if the tares offend against Civility or civil state God hath armed the civil state with a civil sword c. Master Cotton replies what if their conscience incite them to civil offences I answer the conscience of the civil Magistrate must incite him to civil punishment as a Lord Maior of London once answered That he was born to be a Judge to a Thief that pleaded he was born to be a thief If the conscience of the worshippers of the Beast incite them to prejudice prince or state Although these consciences be not as the conscience of a thief commonly convinced of the evil of his fact but perswaded of the lawfulness of their actions yet so far as the civil state is endammaged or endangered I say the sword of God in the hand of civil Authority is strong enough to defend it self either by imprisoning or disarming or other wholesome meanes c. while yet their consciences ought to be permitted in what is meerly point of worship as prayer and other services and administrations Hence the wisdome of God in that 13 Rom. reckoned by Master Cotton the Magâ—a Charta for civil Magistrates dealing in matters of Religion I say there it pleaseth God expresly to reckon up the particulars of the second table chalking out as it were by his own finger the civil sphear or circle in which the civil Magistrate ought to act and execute his civil power and Authority Peace The second answer of the discusser was that the church or spiritual City hath laws and Armories to defend it self Master Cotton excepteth saying That if their members be leavened with Antichristian Idolatry and Superstition and yet must be tolerated in their idolatry and superstitious worship will not a litle leaven leaven the whole lumpe and how then is the church guarded Truth The question is whether idolatrous and Antichristian worshippers may be tolerated in civil state in the City in the Kingdome c. under any civil power Master Cotton answers no they will do mischief The reply is against any civil mischief though wrought conscientiously the civil state is strongly guarded Secondly Against the spiritual mischief the church or City of Christ is guarded with heavenly Armories wherein there hang a thousand Bucklers Cant. 4. and most mighty weapons 2 Cor. 10. In the church of Christ such worshippers ought not to be tolerated but cast out c. That is true saith Master Cotton but yet their leaven will spread I answer What is this but to make the most powerful appointments of Christ Jesus those mighty weapons of God terrible censures and soul punishments in his kingdome but as so many woodden daggers and leaden swords childrens Bull-beggars and scarcrows and upon the point so base and beggarly that without the help of the Cutlers shop or Smiths forge the church or
kingdome of Christ cannot be purged from the leaven of idolatry and superstition Peace Me thinks the Lord Jesus was of another mind Mat. 18. when he accounted it sufficient to cut off the obstinate Let him be as a Gentile or publican and in the very similitude of leaven here used by Master Cotton Paul counted it sufficient to purge out the leaven 1 Cor. 5. if that evil person were put away from the midst of them that is from their holy and spiritual society Paul never asks as Master Cotton doth since we have not to our spiritual armes armes of flesh and a civil sword to help our spiritual how shall the safety of the church be guarded But let 's proceed The third Answer was That the elect cannot be finally deceived Master Cotton replies It is true but God provides meanes of preservation c. And Jezabels tolerating in Thiatira made the church guilty Truth This Argument was not used in derogation of Gods meanes spiritual in spiritual things civil in civil c. but by way of supposition of the worst as Job spake in another case How helpest thou the Arme that hath no strength Not but that in ordinary submission to means man ought to help the Lord against the mighty The sum is this rather let the Lord alone to help himself without meanes then to help the Lord to save his elect who cannot by vertue of his love and decree finally be deceived by any such means as are none of his own appointing 2. It is true that the church at Thyatira tolerating Jezabel to seduce was guilty yea and I add the City of Thiatira was guilty also if it tolerated Iezabel to seduce to fornication But what is this to the point of the issue to wit Whether the City of Thiatria should be guilty or not in tolerating Iezabel in that which the City judgeth to be idolatry and false worship Jezabels corporal whoredoms sinning against civility or state of the City the City by her Officers ought to punish lest civil order be broken and civility be infected c. but Iezabels spiritual whoredomes the civil state ought not to deal with but there being a church of Christ then in Thiatria and the spiritual whoredomes there taught and practised I say the church in Thyatira which in the name and power of Christ was armed sufficiently to pass and inflict a dreadful spiritual censure which God will confirme and ratifie most assuredly and undoubtedly in heaven Peace Two reasons more were alleadged out of the Text. The first was that by plucking up the tares the good wheate it self by such hurries and persecutions about Religion should be indangered to be plucked up which Master Cotton salveth thus to wit If Gods people themselves for their idolatry and superstition should be cut off it will be for warning unto others c. Truth Oh ungodly unchristian that is bloody and Antichristian doctrin by which under pretence of punishing hereticks schisâ—aticks and seditious persons the Son of God the Lord of Lords and King of Kings hath so many millions of times in his servants been persecuted slaine and crucified As for the world it lies in wickedness is a wilderness of sin over-grown with idolatry and superstition The Antichristian falsly called Christian world in most abundant and over-flowing measure hath wondred after and magnified the Beast Rev. 13. The two witnesses prophesie in sackcloth against this beast in all parts of his dominion by whom also they are persecuted and slaine and yet we read not that they judge or censure or fight for themselves with any other weapons then by the word of their prophecie the blood of the Lamb their patient sufferings the not loving of their lives unto the death Peace The second reason out of the parable was That the Angels of God have in charge to bundle up these tares for the burning Master Cotton replies two things First so these Angels will gather into bundles for the burning murtherers robbers c. who are not yet to be tolerated Truth I answer If a man call Master Cotton murtherer witch c. with respect to civil matters I say the civil state must judge and punish the offender else the civil state cannot stand but must return to barbarisme But if a man call Master Cotton murtherer witch c. in spirttual matters as deceiving and bewitching the peoples souls if he can prove his charge Master Cotton ought to give God the glory and and repent of such wickedness If he cannot prove his charge but slander Master Cotton yet is the slander of no civil nature and so not proper to any civil court but is to be cast out as we see commonly suits of law are rejected when brought into Courts which take no proper cognizance of such cases Peace What relief then hath Master Cotton or any so charged in this case Truth The court of heaven the church of Christ calls such a slanderer to repentance whether he be within the church or without though orderly proceeding lies only against him that is within If he be obstinate how dreadful is the sentence against such a slanderer both in earth and in heaven how dreadful the delivering up to hardness of heart a greater plague on Pharaoh then all the devouring plagues of Egypt how dreadful the delivering up to Satan the paw and jaw of the roaring Lyon infinitely far more terrible had we eyes to see it then to be thrown with Daniel to the devouring Lyon There is no reason in the world therefore for theeves and murtherers to be tolerated unto the last day without sentence and punishment because transgressors against spiritual state may be tolerated to live in the world yet punished for spiritual transgression with a greater censure and sorer punishment then if all their bones and flesh were rackt and torn in pieces with burning pincers Peace Master Cotton and others will say The idolaters and seducers were censured spiritually under Moses and yet were they also put to death Truth I desire Master Cotton to shew me under Moses such spiritual censures and punishments beside the cutting off by the civil sword which if he cannot do and that since the Christian Church antitypes the Israelitish and the Christian laws and punishments the laws and punishments of Israel concerning religion I may truely affirme that that civil state which may not justly tolerate civil offenders c. yet may most justly tolerate spiritual offenders of whose Delinquency it hath no proper cognizance Peace Lastly Master Cotton urgeth that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thess 2. should rather be translated presence then coming Truth Admit it though many able translators in divers languages rather translate it coming and that Antichrist shall not be consumed by the breath of the mouth of the Lord Jesus before his last coming to judgement yet then Master Cotton must give another interpretation of this end of the world and the Angels and
the fire then is usually given however the tares shall be bundled up for the everlasting burnings and are at present under a dreadful sentence and punishment and therefore not offending in civil things the civil state may the better tolerate them in matters of religion and conscience and Paul himself if opposed by them might the better wait with patience if God peradventure will give them repentance c. Examination of CHAP. XXVII Peace IN this Chapter those three particulars by which the Ministers of Christ are commanded to let the Tares alone Master Cotton evades by calling them so many slippery evasions c. Truth I believe neither the interpretations nor the intentions of the Author were evasive for a faithful witness will not lye though a false witness will utter deceit however the fire shall try The truth is the greater part and especially the former of Master Cottons answer in this Chapter comes not neer the point of the issue for that is not whether the Saints may pray or prophecy against idolaters and false worshippers but whether or no for their present temporal destruction and extirpation Perce Unto this Master Cotton saith Yes for the present destruction of some or other Antichristian idolaters in every age and he adds it might as well be said that a Minister of Christ should not denounce present or speedy destruction to any murtherers whoremongers c. because though some of them may fall under grievous plagues yet there will never want a company of such evil doers untill the great harvest or end of the world Againe saith he Though a Minister denounce not present destruction yet he cannot let them alone no more then the feller of an Oake that gives many a stroake before the last c. 2. It is not credible saith he that some of the Angels that poure out their vials upon the Antichristian state shall not be Ministers And when the ten horns shall burn the City of Rome it is not credible that they will do it without some excitement from the Angels Truth The instance brought of murtherers whoremongers c. is most improper because we all agree that present corporal or civil punishment is due to murtherers whoremongers c. and other like transgressors against the civil state of all Nations and peoples all the world over and this in all Ages and Times but Master Cotton himself acknowledgeth that many prophecies and periods are set for the continuance of the Antichristian state and the idolatry and desolations thereof and that those perieds shall be accomplished before the judgement day nor will it appear that those ten Kings that shall in the fulfilling of this prophecy burn the whore shall do it by way of ordinance and obedience to Gods command otherwise then he permitted Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus and other Tyrants of the world as the fishes of the sea one to devoure and swallow up another And for that instance of the wood-man selling of the Oake I grant that the prayers of the Saints hasten the whores downfal and the opening of these prophecies make way for Gods time but what is this to a present downfal before the time appointed Againe That it is not credible but that some of the Angels should be messengers of the Gospel I answer Master Cotton knows that the English word messengers and the Greek word Apostles are the same but no such messengers Master Cotton allows of And that the word messengers in the Apostles sence should imply Pastors and Teachers which Master Cotton now only allows of I finde not in the Testament of Christ Jesus That those Angels should be the witnesses and the Prophets in sackcloth seemes more credible And I may well affirme the contrary to Master Cottons credible that it is incredible that any servant or messenger of the King of Peace should stir up the civil Magistrate to cut off those by the civil sword whose repentance he is bound to wait for with patience bearing in the interim their oppositions and gainsayings 2 Tim. 2. Peace T is most true according to the testimony of Christ Jesus and most contrary to the tenents and practice of the Romish bloody Popes and their followers that Christs Ministers are wisdomes Maidens Prov. 9. sent forth in heavenly Beauty and chastity with meek and loving yet vehement perswasions to call in the foolish of the world to partake of wisdomes dainties but dear truth deliver your minde concerning the last passage to wit Elijahs act in stirring up Ahab to kill all the Priests and prophets of Baal This act saith Master Cotton was not figurative but moral for saith he Ahab could not be a figure of Christ nor Israel after their Apostacie a type of the true Church Beside blasphemers ought to die by the law and Ahab forfeited his own life because he did not put Benhadad to death for his blasphemy 1 Kings 20. Truth Christ Jesus is considered two wayes Christ in his person and Christ mystical in his church represented by the Governors thereof Some say that Israel was not in Ahabs time excommunicated and cut off from Gods sight untill their final carrying out of the land of Canaan 2 Kings 17. and that Israel remained though none of Gods in respect of her apostacy yet Gods in respect of covenant untill the execution of the sentence of excommunication or divorce And therefore that Ahab as King of Israel Gods people untill Israel ceased to be Israel was a figure of Christ that is Christ in his presence in his governors in his church though faln to idolatry under admonition not yet cast off But 2. grant the church false and Ahab King of a false church how will it appear that Elijahs Act was a moral act and so presidential to all Kings and Nations Peace Because saith Master Cotton it is moral equity that blasphemers and apostate idolaters seducing others to idolatry should be put to death Levit. 24. 16. Deut. 13. 5. Truth Those Scriptures concern a ceremonial land in a ceremonial time before Christ and in the same Lev. 24. the command is equally given for the lampe in the Tabernacle and the shew-bread as well as for the idolater Peace But Benhadad saith Master Cotton was no Israelite nor was his blasphemy belched out in the land of Israel Truth It is most true that blasphemers in Israel and blasphemers against Israel and the God of it were put to death It is also true in the antitype and substance since the coming of Christ that blasphemers in Israel and blasphemers against Israel the church of God are spiritually to be put to death by the two-edged sword coming forth of the mouth of Christ Rev. 1. and this Gospel-punishment is much more dreadful and terrible then the punishment of the first blasphemers under Moses or the prephets Peace Methinks also if Ahab were now presidentiall and that which he should have done to Benhadad presidential then is there now no spiritual
their dominions that all true Christian meanes be used for the spreading of the name and truth of the Lord Iesus I say this serves not the turn and gives not content except also the Magistrate defend by civil sword the purity of the doctrine and the ordinances of Christ Iesus in his church in punishing and suppressing the contrary by arme of flesh whether within or without the church Peace In this last respect I must speak an high and bold word to wit That the poorest youth or maid who hath more knowledge and graâ—e of Christ then a king or Emperour hath as well sometimes it hath and may come to pass may be a greater contender for the truth and a great defender of the faith of Iesus then the king or Emperor and so consequently then all the kings of the whole world Truth Paul was set for the defence of the Gospel and consequently every believer in Iesus according to his measure of grace received and therefore your word is not more bold then true For spiritual defences are most proper to a spiritual estate and so accordingly most potent prevalent and mighty Examination of CHAP. XXXI Peace HEre first Master Cotton will not own it that the title of Iudges of spiritual causes be given to Civil Magistrate Truth The Parliament of England established King Henry the eighth supreame head and Governor over the church of England and what is this but supreme Iudge in all Ecclesiastical causes What though the tearme judge be stumbled at by some and the tearm head will not down with others yet take but what Master Cotton grantâ— And as the devil himself lay hid under Samuels mantle so under Master Cottons tearm of fathers mothers shepherds that is spiritual fathers mothers shepherds must of necessity be concluded an headship and power and office of judging when this child doth a miss when these sheep go astray who are schismaticks who hereticks who sheep who Wolves that the sheep may be corrected and reduced and the Wolves braines knockt out Peace They may judge saith Master Cotton but not with a church but politick power and for want of which and for giving their kingdome to the Beast Revel 17. 12 13. God saith he opened a way for the Turkes to break in and destroy the third part of Christendome Rev. 9. 14. to 21. Truth Let it be under what cloake or colour or notion soever let it be politick indeed and subtle or plaine and simple yet it seemes it is true that he must judge which will not be owned in plaine tearms but as a Protector a Father or a Shepheard Secondly Those Scriptures quoted do not lay a guilt upon the ten horns or kings for suffering the beast in their dominions but for giving their power and authority unto him Thirdly the civil peace was not dissolved but preserved for many hundred yeers before the Turkes rose to punish either the Eastern or Western part of Antichristian Christendome So that a false religion doth not immediately and instantly dissolve the civil peace but kingdomes and states professing false religions may flourish T is true God in his deep councels and times brings judgements eternal and temporal upon false worshipping states especially where the truth of Christ is presented and persecuted Yet divers ages of temporal prosperity to the Antichristian kingdom prove that common Assumption and maxime false to wit that the church and Commonweale are like Hipocrates twins weep and laugh flourish and fade live and die together Peace I cannot reach the bottome of this next passage of Master Cotton viz. that Magistrates may be subject to the church and lick the dust of her feet and yet be supreme governors of the church also In spiritual matters saith he and in a right administration of them he is subject but is civil things and in the corrupt administration of church-affaires so far corrupt as tendeth to the disturbance of civil peace there the Magistrates saith he are supream governors even over the churches in their own dominions Truth Who sees not here but by this Doctrine Magistrates must judge when the church is rightly administred and when it is corruptly administred And that whatever the Ministers of the church or the whole church judge that is nothing for the Magistrate if he be supream governor he must judge and what is this but even in the very same respect I say in one and the same respect to make them high and low up and down mountaines and vallies supream governors and so above the church anon ageâ— to lick the dust of the feet of the church which Master Cotton will as soon make good as bring the East and the West together Besides as elsewhere I observed what if the people will have no kings governors c. nay no Parliament nor general courts but leave vast interregnums or Ruptures of government yea conclude upon frequent changes as all nations of the world have had great changes this way shall the churches of Christ Jesus be without an head a governor defender protector What a slavery doth this bloody doctrine bring the faire Spouse of Christ into Peace In the passage concerning Saul Master Cotton observeth that Saul was not taken away for exercising civil power against spiritual wickedness in the case of witches Truth Saul was king of Israel the church of God and a typical king the anointed or Christ of God and Master Cotton himself will subcribe to the confession of Nathaniel to Christ Iesus Thou art the king of Israel which he was and is in his own most holy person as also in his Ministers and governors during his absence It was now Sauls duty to put literal witches to death in his Christian Israel his church and Congregation It is true Saul forsaking the God of Israel perished for other wickedness and among other his sins for persecuting or hunting righteous David and therein Saul is a type and warning to all the apostates and persecuting Sauls of the earth that desperation and desperate self-destruction attend them Peace But whither tends this last passage concerning David We read not saith Master Cotton that he did exercise any spiritual power as a King but as a prophet Will he commend Sauls kingly acting in spiritual things as just and shall not David whose name and throne were most eminently figurative of Christ Jesus be found a king in Israel the house and church of God Truth The patern of David Solomon and the good kings of Israel and Judah is the common and great argument of all that plead for Magistrates power in spiritual cases And indeed what power was that but spiritual which he exercised in bringing up the Arke expresly said to be done by king David 2 Sam. 6. What power was that but kingly put forth in ordering and disposing the services of the Priests and Levites and singers 1 Chron. 16 Peace Master Cotton not ignorant of this it may be was not
the wife or the wife to the husband Yea whether they spake any thing though never so little out of any line of holy Scriptures or any of Wickliffes books or any good English writings By which abhorred practices the fathers caught in this bloody Bishops oath vehemently forced upon all suspected the fathers I say were forced to accuse and betray their children the children their fathers husbands their wives wives their husbands for fear of horrible death on the one side or else of running upon the rocks of Perjury on the other side Peace Hold dear truth and stop my spirit is wounded with such relations Truth O how were the Saints and Christ Jesus in them wounded with such tenents and practices Peace Master Cotton will salve this up with what he elsewhere saith thus Longlands and the Papists religion and the religion of England was then false in that kings time Truth What then No pious and sober man can hold all mâ—n devoid of conscience to God except himself In all religions sects and consciences the sons of men are more or less zealous and precise though it be in falshood 2. But let it be granted that the religion persecuted is false and that a false religion like leaven will spread as did this idolatry of Michal Jeroboam and others and grant that this idolatry will bring judgements from heaven in the end yet I desire Master Cotton or any knowing man to answer to these two questions 1. Where finde we since the comming of Christ Jesus a land like Canaan a state-religion a City or Town-religion wherein the Townes or Cities or kingdomes apostacie may be feared as Master Cotton here writes of Lâ—â—sh and consequently the Townes or Cities captivity for that sin 2. Where read we of the destruction of a land for idolatry or images without a ripeness in other sins and especially of violence and oppression of which persecution is the greatest And therefore to follow Master Cottons instance of the Turks beside idolatry which saith Master Cotton brought the plague of the Turks Rev. 9. read we not also in that Scripture and in all histories of their detestable and wonderful whoredomes witchcrafts thefts slaughters and murthers amongst which this bloody Tenent of persecution was ever in most high esteem c. Peace Indeed Bâ—â—â—â— hath been filled with blood of all sorts Râ—â—â—lations the 18. but in especial manner hath the whâ—re been drunk with the blood of the Saints and witnesses of Jesus Revel 17. Truth Hence then not idolatry onely but that bloody doctrine of persecution the great fire-brand and incendiary of all Nations and Commonweals brought in the bloody Turkes to revenge Gods truth and witnesses slaine by the idolatrous and bloody Antichristians Peace I something question that it can be proved that the most righteous Judge of the whole world ever destroyed state or nation for idolatry but where this bloody doctrine of persecution was joyned with it that is until he had graciously sent witnesses against such idolatries and till such witnesses were despised and persecuted and therefore here comes in seasonably the sad exprobration of the Lord Jesus against Jerusalem threatning the ruine and desolation of it Oh Ierusalem Ierusalem which killest the Prophets and stonest them which were sent unto thee c Truth I add lastly Let it be granted that a soul is corrupted with a false religion and that that false Religion like a leaven in time hath corrupted the state Yet first that state or land is none else but a part of the world and if so since every part more or less in degree follows the nature of the whole it is but natural and so lieth as the whole world doth in wickedness and so as a state or part of the world cannot but alter from one false way or path to another upon this supposition as before that no whole state kingdome City or Town is Christian in the new Testament Secondly Grant this state to be so corrupted or altered from one corrupt religion to another yet that state may many ages enjoy civil peace and worldly prosperity as all histories and experience testifies Thirdly That idolatry may be rooted out and another idolatrous religion of the conquerer as in the Roâ—aâ—e and other conquests brought in or the religion may be changed something to the better by the coming of new Princes to the crown as we see in Henry the eighth King Edward and Queen Elizabeth in our own Nation and of late times Lastly A soul oâ— souls thus leavened may be reduced by repentance as often it pleaseth God so to work why then should there as Master Cotton intimates such a peremptory bloody sentence be thundred out as life for life c. Peace But saith Master Cotton false prophets in the old Testament were to die but for attempting and the reason was not from any typical holiness of the land but from the dangerous wickedness of the attempting to thrust away a soul from God which is a greater injury then to deprive a man of bodily life Truth The reason to me appears plainly typical with respect to that holy nation and the seducers seeking to turn the soul away from the Lord their God who had brought them forth from the land of Egypt by such signes miracles c. Let Master Cotton now produce any such nation in the whole world whom God in the New Testament hath literally and miraculously brought forth of Egypt or from one land into another to the truth and purity of his worship c. then far be it but I should acknowledge that the seducer is fit to be put to death But draw away the curtaine of the shadow and let the substance appear not a whole Nation City c. but the Christian church brought by spiritual signes and wonders from the Egypt of this world in all nations of the world where the Gospel comes Justly therefore he that seduceth a soul from his God in Christ and so endangereth to leaven that only true Christian state or kingdome the church of Christ he ought to die upon his obstinacy without mercy as well under Christ as under Moses Yea he is worthy of a sorer punishment as saith the Spirit of God who trampleth under feet the blood of Christ such a deceiver or seducer except he repent is to be cut from the presence of the Lord and to lose an eternal life He that is cut off from material Israel might yet repent and live eternally but he that is cut off from mystical Israel under the Gospel that is for obstinacy in sin the proper hereticke he is cut off to all eternity which punishment as it is infinitely transcendent and more dreadful in the nature and kind of it so answereth it fully and infinitely that clause of Master Cotton to wit To thrust a soul from God is a greater injury then to deprive a man of his bodily life Peace Now whereas the discusser added
on them In which respect God hath crowned the supream court of Parliament with everlasting honour in breaking the jaws of the oppressing Bishops c. Oh that such glorious Justice may not be blemished by erecting in their stead a more refined but yet as cruel an Episcopacy 2. If the offence be of a spiritual nature is there no spiritual way of judging except the church of Christ be granted visible during Antichrists Apostacy Hath not Christ Jesus given power to his two prophets even all the Raigne of the Beast to speak fire Revelations the 11. to shut up heaven to turn the waters into blood to smite the earth with all manner of plagues and this untill the time of the finishing of their prophecie or Testimony when their great slaughters shall prepare the way for the downfal of Antichrist and their own most glorious raising and exaltation There was no Chapter 34 which probably was Master Cottons oversight or the Printers therefore I pass to Chapter 35. Examination of CHAP. XXXV Peace HEre whereas it was said if it were the Magistrates duty or office to punish hereticks c. then he is both a temporal and Ecclesiastical officers Master Cotton answers It follows not except the Magistrate were to punish with Ecclesiastical censures his punishment is meerly civil whether imprisonment banishment or death Truth I reply first the statutes of the English nation and the oath of supremacy have proved the Kings and Queens of England heads and governors of the church of England And if to be an head or governor be not an office let Master Cotton be againe requested to ponder the instance given which he passeth by in silence deny it ingenuously he cannot and to justifie it I hope his light from heaven will not suffer him although yet he would â—aine excuse it by saying they punish only with civil punishment imprisonment banishment or death Therefore 2. Here lies the mystery of iniquity and the Babel and confusion of it that either according to Popish Tenents the kings of the earth must give their power to the beast and enslave themselves under the name and vizard of the secular power to be the Popes executioners or according to Protestant Tenents to wit that Kings and Governours be heads of the church and yet be furnished with no Church-power nor spirituall censures Peace It would be thought some mystical and monstrous thing that Kings and Governors should be obliged to act in civil Judicature and yet be furnished with no civil power but ought to punish onely with spirituall or Church-censures Truth The blinde and the lame mans robbing the Orchard is here verified The Minister though a blindeguide he is the seer but wanting legs and strength of civil power he is carried upon the civil Magistrates shoulders whose blindness the subtle Clergy abuseth c. but both together rob the Orchard of the most high and sureaâ—enging God Truth I conceive it true that the Kings and Governors of the national church of Israel had a national power and had the Kord Jesus been pleased to have continued national churches the Lings and governors of such states might well as they of Israel were have been both Temporal and Ecclesiastical officers Peace But now the Lord Jesus abolishing that national state and instituting and appointing his worshippers and followers to be the Israel of God the holy nation and proper Antitype of the former Israel it seems most unchristian that either the work or the title should remaine whether with open or a masked face or vizard Truth Therefore as it pleased God in wonderful wisdome and inconceiâ—eable depths of councel for a while to continue a national church national covenant c. and to take them away as unsufficient beggarly and weak either for the further advancement of his own glory or salvation of men so hath he taken away the administration thereof by carnal weapons armes of flesh c. In stead of fire and sword and stoning the oppositâ—es in stead of imprisonment banishment death he hath appointed exhortations reprehensions denunciations excommunications and together with preaching patient waiting if God peradventure will give repentance Lastly If the civil Magistrate must imprison and banish and put to death in spiritual cases and the civil Magistrate is but a Minister or servant of the people and so of God and if the people make the laws and give the Magistrate his commission and power doth it not follow by this doctrine that the people of the nations of the world are fundamentally and originally both Temporal and Ecclesiastical And then what is become of the foundations of the Christian faith And also are not hereby the people and nations of the world whatever care be had to the contrary to restraine incouraged according to their several consciences I say encouraged and hardened in their bloody wars imprisonings banishings and putting to death for cause of conscience Peace Whereas it was said to be Babel or confusion for the church to punish the offences of such as are not within its jurisdiction with spiritual censures or the civil state spiritual offences with corporal or temporal weapons Master Cotton answers No confusion for so Paul directs the church of Corinth Truth That very Parenthesis which Master Cotton stumbleth at takes away his answer For as it would be confusion for the church to censure such matters and of such persons as belong not to the church So is it confusion for the state to punish spiritual offenders for they are not within the sphear of a civil jurisdiction The body or Commonweal is meerly civil the Magistrate or head is a civil head and each member is a civil member and so far forth as any of this civil body are spiritual or act spiritually they and their actions fall under a spiritual cognizance and judicature Peace The reason saith Master Cotton is the same for there be offences which tend to provoke wrath against the civil state Ezra 7. Why should there be wrath against the king or his sons Truth This reason indeed Master Cotton often inculcates and beates upon it that the Pagan kings of Persia were of his mind â— I believe Master Cotton out of a zeal to God but the Pagan kings out of a slavish terror which never prevailed so far that I know of as to bring them to a kindly repentance of their own idolatries or a true love to the God of Israel or his people Peace However your former answer is to me sufficient to wit that thousands of famous Towns Cities and Kingdomes have flourished in peace and tranquillity for many ages and generations where God hath had no house and not only where it was by the civil state neglected but also wholly persecuted Truth In the time appointed and full ripeness of their sins the vengeance of God after patience many generations abused hath surely and fearefully visited yet in the interim it is clear it is no ground
their solemn civil general court at the banishment of one poor man amongst them hunted out as a wolf or heretick the governor who then was standing up alleadged for a ground of their duty to drive away such by banishment that famous charge of Christ Jesus to his Ministers and Church at Rome Rom. 16 Marke them that cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which you have received and avoid that is by banishment By all which and more it may be found how Sathan hath abused their godly minds and apprehensions in causing them so to abuse the holy writings of truth and Testament of Christ Jesus and that how ever they deny it in express tearms yet by most impregnable consequence and implication they make up a kind of national church and as the phrase is a Christian state and government of church and Commonweale that is of Christ and the world together Peace To proceed it being further inquired into whether in all the New Testament of Christ Jesus there be any such word of Christ either by way of command Promise or example countenancing the civil state to meddle with these mystical Wolves if in civil things peaceable and obedient Master Cotton replieth that this condition of peaceable and obedient implies a contradiction to the nature and practise of wolves How can saith he wolves be peaceable and obedient unless restrained Can there be peace Jehu so long as the whoredomes of Jezabel and her witchcrafts are so many And when it might be objected that spiritual whoredomes and witchcrafts might stand with civil peace He answers No verily for the whoredomes and witchcrafts of the Jezabel of Rome took away civil peace from the earth and brought the Turks to oppress both the peace of Christian churches and Commonweals Rev. 9. 15 21. Truth I wonder since Master Cotton in this very passage mentioneth the spiritual wolves whores and witches as well as natural and moral How he can imagine that a spiritual wolf or witch to wit so or so in matters of spiritual worship and religion might not possibly be peaceable and obedient in civil things Peace Yea but he alleadgeth the whoredomes of the Jezabel of Rome Truth Why was not the State of England the Kings and Queens and Parliaments thereof lawful as kings and states though overwhelmed and overspread universally with the Romish abominations If such wolves whores and witches could yeeld no civil obedience could they then exercise by the same argument any civil authority And shall we then conclude all the former Popish kings and Parliaments and consequently lawes unlawful because in spiritual things they were as Wolves c. tearing and burning the poor sheep of Christ will it not then be unlawful for any man that is perswaded the whole nation where he lives is idolatrous spiritually whorish c. I say unlawful for him to live in such a state although he might with freedome to his own conscience whither will such kind of arguing drive at last but to pluck up up the roots of all states and peoples in the world as not capable to yeeld civil obedience or exercise civil authority except such people Magistrates c. as are of Master Cottons church and religion Peace Methinks experience were there no Scripture nor reason might tell us how peaceable and just neighbors and dealers many thousands and millions of Jews Turks Antichristians and Pagans are to be found notwithstanding their spiritual whoredoms witchcrafts c. Truth Yea and why doth Master Cotton alleadge the Jezabel of Rome and the comming in of the Turks It is true God brought in the Armies of the Turkes upon the Eastern Empire which yet flourished many ages even in their apostacies before their destruction by the Turkes And how many ages and generations hath Iezabel of Rome sitten as a Queen in triumphant peace and glory even since the rising of the Turks and so shall sit probably in greater and greater untill the time of her appointed judgement and downfal If Christ Jesus were a true Prophet Iohn 16. outward peace prosperity riches honor is the portion of this world notwithanding their idolatries apostacies blasphemies But the portion of Christs followers like his own and both like a woman in travel paine and sorrow yea poverty and persecution untill the great day of refreshing neer approaching Peace Master Cotton againe sends us to Revelations the 16. 4 5 6 7. Truth And I must also send Master Cotton and the Reader to our disproving of that proof abovesaid Further whereas he calls Rom. 13. the great Charter for all Magistrates to deal in spiritual matters I have and shall manifest in the examinations upon that place how weak a warrant it is for the civil state and the officers thereof to conceive themselves spiritual Physitians by vertue of their office appointed by God in spiritual and soul-evils Peace Whereas it was urged that Magistrates beside their skil in civil laws and government must be able if Master Cottons bloody tenent be true as judges and heads to determine spiritual causes and controversies and that by the sight of his own eyes and not other mens Master Cotton replies that Magistrates ought to be skilled in the fundamentals of religion and that their ignorance excuseth not Truth In this passage Master Cotton waâ—eth that inference That then Magistrates must be heads and judges in spiritual causes That inference cannot possibly be avoided if we grant it their duty as Master Cotton seemes to do to pass sentence in the fundamentals of religion and in those points which have been and are so greatly controverted among all sorts of men that name the name of Christ 2. If Magistrates must thus judge reforme c. where hath been the care of Christ Iesus to appoint in all parts of the world such Magistrates as might take care of his religion and worship why hath he not furnished them with some capacity and ability to the work Peace It is lamentable to think that most of the Magistrates in the world beyond compare know not so much as whether there be a Christ or no. Truth If Christ Iesus had forgotten himself for three hundred yeers together furnishing his church with no other heads but of Wolves Bear Lyons and Tygers the Romane Emperors yet after a little refreshing by Constantine Theodosius c. why should he still forget himself even a thousand yeers together providing no other heads but bloody and Popish kings and Emperors Peace What think you dear truth of Master Cottons grant of Gallios not being bound to judge in matters of religion because he had no Law from Caesar whose deputy he was Truth I answer what if he had not a law from Caesar if yet he had a law from Christ Iesus as Master Cotton implies Or will Master Cotton suspend the execution of Christs will upon the kings states or peoples minds that choose such Magistrates to be their deputies in the Commonweale But the
truth is concerning Gallio whatever he was in his person and however he did evil in suffering the peace to be broken yet will Master Cotton never prove that he had calling from either God or man to go beyond his civil Magistracy and office to intermeddle with matters of a spiritual nature and that Gallio knew well enough and other Magistrates of the world shall know in the Lords most gracious appointed season Peace The discusser ending this Chapter with the infallible safety of Gods chosen notwithstanding all ravenous wolves c. Master Cotton replies from Deut. 13. that God was able to keep his sheep in Israel yet they that seduced them were to be put to death Truth That argument was not alleadged with the derogation to any of Gods holy ordinances which concern the calling or preserving of such whom God hath chosen to salvation but only to discover the over-busie fear of Gods loosing any of his chosen to salvation by the jaws of spiritual wolves c. For Deut. 13. Let Master Cotton produce such a miraculous nation or people as I may call it so brought out of the land of Egypt into covenant with God c. and I shall readily grant that seducers of such a people from such a God are worthy to die a thousand deaths But if Master Cotton will now tell me that the Christian congregational church is the Israel of God and the coming forth of Egypt is now mystical and spiritual why will he not content himself with a mystical and spiritual death to be inflicted upon him that shall seduce an Israelite from the Lord his God Examination of CHAP. XLIII Peace UPon the fifth query to wit whether the elders of the church at Ephesus were not sufficiently furnished by the Lord Jesus to drive away these spiritual and mystical wolves Master Cotton replies by granting that they were furnished with sufficient power to cast them out of the church but being cast out they had not sufficient power to drive them away from conferring and corrupting the members of the church or other godly ones out of the church and he adds that it is no dishonour to Christ nor impeachment to the sufficiency of his ordinances left by Christ that in such a case the minister of justice in the civil state should assist the Ministers of the Gospel in the church state Truth This grant and this addition do as ill agree as light and darkeness Christ and Belial together For is the church or kingdome of Christ Jesus sufficiently furnished that is in it self without the help of the civil Magistrate to excommunicate to cast these wolves out of the Fold Oh let M. Cotton then and all that love Christ Jesus in truth observe what evidently follows then is this church of Christ sufficiently furnished to receive such persons in againe upon repentance then sufficiently furnished at first to be congregated together by Christs means to ordaine their officers to judge of doctrines and persons and all this necessarily upon Master Cottons grant without the help of the civil Magistrates Peace Yea and it seemes to me incredible and unreasonable that Christ Jesus should have left power and authority sufficient to take and bind a rebel against his kingdome to arraigne him and pass sentence upon him yea and execute him in the cutting off such an offendor from the land of the living delivering him over into the power of that roaring Lyon the devil And yet that Christ Iesus should not have left power sufficient in such publick high and solmne actions of his kingdome to declare sufficient cause of such proceedings by which all men may see the goings of the Son of God in his church and kingdome or if willfully blind may justly be further hardned Truth The place from Titus alleadged unto which many other Scriptures testifie I say that place doth evidently shew that the power of Christ Iesus left in the hand of his churches and elders was not only sufficient to cast out such wolves but even to stop or muzzle their mouthes whatever their gainsaying be whether by conferring preaching printing c. which takes off the plea of the great need of the civil sword to correct the conference of such persons c. when by the words of Paul it is here plaine that they can perform such conferences no otherwise but with a stopt or muzled mouth Let it be produced where Christ Iesus in such cases writes to the Magistrates either of Crete or Ephesus or any other civil jurisdiction where the churches were resident to help the Ministers and churches with their civil powers after they had cast forth any person obstinate Doubtless Christ Iesus in Paul and other of his servants would have written to some or such Magistrates in some place or others having occasion to write to so many churches about such cases Peace It will possibly be said it had been in vaine for they were idolaters and persecutors Truth The Lord is pleased throughout the whole Scripture in the mouths of his servants and prophets to call for duties at the hands of all men notwithstanding their natural hardness and inability that so he might drive them to see their duty and misery and remedy alone in God by Christ Jesus Peace I see now that this hindring of conference c. by the civil sword is nothing else but a conformity with the Pope in defending his Canons and with the Turk in guarding his Alcoran by fire and sword with whom and their ways Christ Jesus hath no conformity nor communion nor with their carnal sword his two-edged sword that proceedeth out of his mouth Rev. 1. Beside Christ Jesus hath not onely furnished his church with power sufficient to excommunicate but every one of his followers with a compleat armour from head to foot helmet breast-plate sword and Target and and spiritual shoes Ephes 6. in which respect the least of Christs servants are inabled to stop the mouth of Papists Pope Turks and devils Peace Yea all experience shews how Christ Jesus little David in the least of his servants hath been able with those plaine smooth stones out of the brook of holy Scripture to lay groveling in their spiritual gore the stoutest Champions Popes Cardinals Bishops Doctors of the Antichristian Philistins Truth I add if the elders and churches and ordinances of Christ have such need of the civil sword for their maintenance and protection I mean in spiritual things sure the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be excused for not being careful either to express this great ordinance in his will and Testament or else to have furnished the civil state and officers thereof with ability and hearts for this their great duty and employment to which he hath called them the contrary whereof in all Ages in all nations and in all experience hath ever been most lamentably true Peace I am not clear dear truth in the distinction Master Cotton makes of
Christs Ministers in the Gospel and Christs Ministers in the civil state Truth There is a mistake in it for although Christ hath all power delivered to him in heave and earth yet as touching his spiritual church or kingdome he disclaimes it to be of the world or worldly Hence cannot the civil state or officers thereof be called Christs as if they were of Christs institution and appointment himself being their spiritual head And therefore it is that the Spirit of God cals him the head of the body which is the church and the Ministers and officers of this his kingdome and body Christs Ministers or servants Beside Master Cotton will not say that the kingdomes of the world are yet become the Lord Christs In what manner also those kingdomes shall become his we have need of the holy Spirit to evidence and demonstrate to us Peace To the fifth query whether as men deal with wolves these wolves at Ephesus were intended by Paul to be killed their braines dasht out with stones staves halberts guns c. in the hands of the elders of Ephesus Master Cotton replies Elders must keep within the bounds of their calling But such courses were commanded the people of God by order from the Judges Deut. 13. And where it was added that comparing Things spiritual with spiritual spiritual and mystical wolves should be spiritually and mystically slaine Master Cotton replies True but in destroying religion they also disturbe the civil state and accordingly are to be dealt withal by civil Justice as Achan was for troubling Israel Iosh 7. 25. Truth This acknowledgement of Master Cotton that these wolves must spiritually be killed their braines dasht out by the elders and Saints might if the Lord should graciously so please easily satisfie himself and all men that the type of Israel stoning and killing corporally is here fulfilled in all dreadful abundance spiritually Peace Yea but saith Master Cotton they disturbe the civil state as Achan did Truth I answer Achan troubling of Israel the people of the Lord must figure out any such like troubling Gods Israel the church of Christ for which he is accordingly to be spiritually stoned or executed For as touching the civil state of the nations of the world who can prove and Master Cotton will not affirme that they are as the national church of the Iews was but being meerly civil are armed with civil power and weapons for their civil defence against all disturbers of their civil state as also Master Cotton confesseth the spiritual state is furnished with spiritual power against all the disturbers of its spiritual peace and safety Peace Now whereas it was further added that under pretence of driving away the wolves and preserving the sheep that streams of the blood of Saints have been spilt c. Master Cotton replies belike it is a milky and peaceable and Gospel-like Doctrine that the wolves hereticks are to be tolerated not an haire strook from their heads but for the poor sheep for whom Christ died let them perish unless Christ mean to preserve them alone with his immediate hand and no care of them belongs to the civil Magistrate Truth I have here in this discourse shewed with what honorable and tender respect every civil Magistrate is bound to honor and tender Christ Iesus in his christian sheep and shepherds but withall that it is against christianity for the civil Magistrate or civil state to imagine that all a whole nation was or ever will be called to the union of Gods Spirit in communion with God in Christ Also that it is against civil justice for the civil state or officers thereof to deal so partially in matters of God as to permit to some the freedome of their consciences and worships but to curbe and suppress the consciences and souls of all others of their free-born people c. Peace To end this Chapter whereas it was said is not this to take Christ and to make him a temporal king by force Is not this to make his kingdom of this world and to set up a civil and temporal Israel To bound out a new holy land of Canaan yea and to set up a Spanish inquisition in all parts of the world to the speedy destruction of millions of souls and to the frustrating of the sweet end of the coming of the Lord Iesus which was to save mens souls and to that end not to destroy mens bodies by his own blood To this Master Cotton replies when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of the Lord Rev. 11. it is not by making Christ a temporal king but by making temporal kings nursing fathers to the Church Truth If the Scripture At the sound of the seventh trumpet which is the last of the great woes when the time of Gods wrath shall be come be to be understood of the removing of the kingdomes of the world unto Christ Master Cotton cannot excuse Christ Iesus from being a temporal king and the kings of the earth to be but as inferior and subordinate officers For if they administer Christs kingdome temporally as deputies officers or Ministers temporally he is much more then himself a temporal king and Monarch Peace Methinks also if that committing of all judgement to the Son Iohn 5. be meant of Temporal judgement in spiritual things then can he not be said not to be a temporal king then can he not be said when those words were spoken and ever since not to have exercised a temporal government The contrary whereof is most true both at his first coming and ever since in all generations it having been his portion and the portion of his followers to be judged by this world although himself and his judge the world spiritually and will shortly pass an eternal sentence upon all the children of men Peace Master Cotton addeth this will not set up a civil or temporal Israel unless all the members of the Commonwealth be compelled to be members of the church Truth If that will do it then Christ must be a temporal king I say then when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdoms of the Lord for shall not the kings of the earth compel all Christs sheep to submit unto Christ Iesus their heavenly shepherd Peace Yea secondly will it not prove that all those common-weals where men are compelled explicitly or implicitly to be members of the church are holy lands of Canaan and if so Oh that Master Cotton and other worthy servants of God may timely consider whether an explicit forcing of all men to come to church because men cannot be denied to be members at least by implication with such members and congregations with whom they do ordinarily assemble and congregate although they be injuriously indeed but injuriously kept off from communion and participation of all ordinances which is indeed their right and due if they be though but implicitly constrained and forced to partake of any Againe
saith Master Cotton it is no Spanish inquisition to preserve the sheep of Christ from the ravening of the wolves but this rather which is the practice of the discusser to promote the principal end of the Spanish inquisition to advance the Romish tyranny idolatry and apostacie by proclaiming impunity to their whorish and wolvish emissaries Truth If the Nations of the world must judge as they must by Master Cottons doctrine who are Christs sheep and who are wolves which is a whore spiritually and which the true Spouse of Christ and accordingly persecute the whores and wolves this then they must do according to their conscience or else as Master Cotton elsewhere they must suspend What is this but either to set up a Spanish inquisition in all territories or else to hang up all matters of religion by this suspension he speakes of untill the civil states of the world become christian and godly and able to judge c. and what is this in effect but to practise the very thing which he chargeth on the discusser to wit a proclaimning an impunity all the world over except only in some very few and rare places where some few godly Magistrates may be found rightly informed that is according to his own conscience and religion Peace Yea further which I cannot without great horror observe what is this but to give a woful occasion at least to all Magistrates in the world who will not suspend their bloody hands from persecuting until Master Cotton shall absolve them from their suspension and declare them godly and informed and fit to draw their swords in matters of religion I say occasion at least to all the civil powers in the world to persecute as most commonly they have ever done and do Christ himself the Son of God in his poor Saints and servants Truth Yea if Master Cotton and his friends of his conscience should be cast by Gods providence whose wheels turn about continually in the depth of his councels wonderfully I say should they be cast under the reach of opposite swords will they not produce Master Cottons own bloody tenent and doctrine to warrant them according to their consciences to deal with him as a wolfe an idolater an heretick and as dangerous an emissary and seducer as any whom Master Cotton so accounteth But lastly Master Cotton hath no reason to charge the discusser with an indulgence or partiality toward Romish and wolvish emissaries his judgement and practise is known so far different that for departing too far from them as is pretended he suffers the brands and bears the marks of one of Christs poor persecuted hereticks to this day All that he pleaded for is an impartial liberty to their consciences in worshiping God as well as to the consciences and worships of other their fellow-subjects Peace When Mathias the second king of Hungary Bohemia c. afterward Emperor granted to his Protestant subjects the liberty of their consciences doubtless it had been neither prudence nor justice to have denyed equal liberty to all of them impartially But to finish this Chapter Master Cotton lastly affirmeth that it is not frustrating of the sweet end of Christs coming which was to save souls but rather a direct advancing of it to destroy if need be the bodies of those wolves who seek to destroy the souls of those for whom Christ died and whom he bought with his own blood Truth The place referred to was Luk. 9. where the Lord Jesus professeth unto the rash zeal of his Disciples desiring that fire might come down from heaven upon the refusers of Christ that he came not to destroy mens lives but to save them from whence it appears that Christ Jesus had no such intent as Master Cotton seems to make him to have had to wit to save souls by destroying of bodies but to save soul and body and that for soul sake for religion sake for his sake the bodies of none should be destroyed but permitted to enjoy a temporal being which also might prove a means of their eternal life and salvation as it may be was the very case of some of those Samaritans Examination of CHAP. XLIV Peace THe next Scripture produced by the prisoner against persecution for cause of conscience was 2 Cor. 10. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God c. unto which Master Cotton answers that he speaks not there of civil Magistrates It was replied True for in spiritual things the civil weapons were improper though in civil things most proper and suitable Master Cotton now replying grants that it is indeed improper for a Magistrate to draw his sword in matters spiritual yet saith he about matters spiritual they may as to protect in peace and to stave of disturbers and destroyers of them And he adds if it were unfitting for carpenters to bring axes and hammers to build up the spiritual kingdome of the church of Christ yet their tooles are fit to build Scaffolds for hearing Truth It is strange and in my understanding suits not with the rest of Master Cottons discurse to wit that which Master Cotton here acknowledgeth that a Magistrate is not to draw his sword in spiritual things but only about them when throughout the discourse he maintaines that the Magistrate must suppress the heretick blasphemer idolater seducer that he must reforme the church punish the apostate and keep the church in her purity which whether they be spiritual matters or no let such as be spiritual judge Peace He is saith Master Cotton to draw his sword about spiritual matters to protect in peace as a carpenter may build Scaffolds c. Truth If Master Cotton mean civil peace he knows we agree for all the officers of peace and justice ought to attend that work But if he mean spiritual to wit that by his sword he is to provide that no man dispute against his religion that no man preach nor write against it let it be well weighed whether the sword be not now used in spiritual matters As also whether in such cases and others before mentioned the civil Magistrate be not bound by Master Cottons doctrine to interpose as Judge in these controversies to pass sentence and to punish whom he judgeth delinquent notwithstanding that both parties and both religions are right and righteous and holy in their own perswasions and consciences Peace Beside I know you deny not civil conveniences in Gods worship and therefore when there is need upon occasion the help of a carpenter to build Scaffolds Truth True but since Master Cotton compares the work of the Magistrate to the building of a carpenters Scaffold let us in the fear of God consider if this similitude like some Scaffolds be not all too weak whereon to hazard so mighty a weight and burthen For what should we think of such a carpenter that after he hath built his Scaffold for people more conveniently to hear the
many thousands and ten thousands of those who neither know God nor Christ nor care to know them and this in all the states regions and civil governments of the world Eamination of CHAP. XLIX Peace COncerning Pauls appeale to Caesar it was argued that Paul appealed to Caesar even in spiritual things which that Paul did not nor could not do without the committing of five great evils was pleaded in this Chapter Master Cotton â—â—phes no more but this The reasons are but Bulrushes Truth Whether they are so or no or rather the Bulrushes and weak things of God which the gates of hell shall never be able to shake let the Saints judge in the fear of God Peace Master Cotton adds further in this Chapter that Paul pleadeth he was not guilty in any of those things whereof the Jews accused him those things saith he concerned the Law of the Jews and the Temple which were matters of religion and for trial thereof he appealed to Caesar Truth Lysias the chief captaine in his letter to Felix the Governor Chap. 24. distinguisheth vers 29. into questions of the Jews Law and secondly matters worthy of death or bonds Now t is true the Jews charged Paul with offences against religion their Law and the Temple Secondly against the civil state and with sedition For the first although it is apparent that all the scope of Pauls preaching was to exalt Christ Jesus and to preach down Moses â—aw yet at this present time of his apprehension he had seen cause to honour Moses his institutions at Jerusalem which was the wisdome of God in him for a season for the Jews sake and his own glory-sake And he had not at this present so much as disputed with any in the temple which was not so hainous a matter in Pauls eye as it is well known by his constant practice Secondly for matters of civil crime he pleadeth that he stirred up no mâ—n â—oâ— in the Synagogue nor City and prefesseth Chap. 25. that if he had committed ought worthy of death he would not wave death T is true that Paul was charged by the Iews with both these kinds of offences religious and civil according to Lysius his distinction but that Paul appealed to Caesar for tryal that is for trial of his person and cause in any religious respect as it cannot be collected from the Scripture or Paul own words so those five reasons against it will evidently disprove it if they be well and throughly weighed in the balance of the Sanctuary in the sight and fear of God Peace I cannot in my understanding clear Master Cottons own words from destroying one another T is true saith he those five sins might have been charged upon Paul with some colour if he had appealed to Caesar whether his religion or Ministery or Ministration were of God or no But yet saith he he might appeal whether his religion Ministry or Ministration were guilty of any capital crime against the Law of the Iews or the temple or against Caesar Truth Indeed what difference is there between the judging whether this Ministery deserve death supposing a false Ministery is worthy of death or judging whether it be of God or false and idolatrous must not he that sits judge of the desert and punishment judge also of the crime and fact whether so or not Peace When Master Cotton shall affirme and truly that the Magistrates of Israel were to judge a false prophet to death will he not also grant that they were to judge whether such persons so charged were false prophets or no Truth Yea and when Master Cotton shall affirme as unjustly that civil Magistrates in all nations of the world ought to kill or banish hereticks blasphemers seducers out of their dominions and jurisdictions doth he intend that they shall try and examine whether they be such and such or no But blessed be the Father of lights who hath now opened the eyes of so many thousands of his people to discern the difference between the Forts and Bulwarks of God here called Bulrushes and those strong holds and high imaginations of men erected against the crown and kingdome of the Lord Iesus which in Gods holy season shall more and more be found to be but straws and Bulrushes Examination of CHAP. L. Peace TO the arguing against the Magistrates civil power in Spiritual causes taken from the nature of the Magistrates weapons a material earthly and worldly sword distinguished from the two-edged sword of Christs spiritual power in the mouth of Christ Master Cotton replies First the Magistrate must governe his people in Righteousness and it is Righteous to defend his people in their Spiritual Rights as well as in their civil Rights This distinction of spiritual and civil Righteousness doth truely anatomize the cause It is righteous for the Magistrates to defend their subjects in their civil Rights for it is within the compass of his calling being essentially civil And unless we also grant him a spiritual calling and office which is the Point denied 't is beyond his calling and compass to judge of what is spiritual Right and wrong and accordingly to pass a spiritual sentence and and execute and inflict spiritual punishment Peace Methinks I may add if the Magistrate be bound to defend his Subjects in their spiritual rights then as he is bound impartially to defend all his subjects in their several and respective civil Rights so is he bound as impartially to defend all his subjects in their several and respective spiritual Rights and so accordingly to defend the Iews the Papists and all several sores of Protestants in their severall and respective consciences or else he must sit down in Christs stead and produce a Royal charter from the New Testament of Christ Iesus to judge difinitively which is the onely right to pass sentence and execute spiritual punishment on all offenders c. Peace But Master Cotton adds a second the sword was Material and civil in the Old Testament I answer If Master Cotton granted a national church under the Gospel his Argument were good but when he grants that national church under the Jews as afterward in this chapter he doth did type out the Christian church or churches in the Gospel why must he not grant that material Sword of the Church of Israel types out the spiritual sword of Christ Iesus proceeding out of his mouth and cutting off offenders spiritually with spiritual and soul punishments And I add As the sword was material so also was the Tabernacle and Temple worldly and material which he denies not to be typical of the spiritual Temple of Christ and his Church in the New Testament Peace Master Cotton adds Thirdly that the Magistrates Sword may well be call'd the Sword of God as the Sword of War Iudg. 7. Truth As it was call'd Iehovahs Sword in that typical Land So must it needs be typical as well as the Land it self which is
some cases Peace Yea but saith he In ordinary cases it is not lawful to tolerate from Deut. 13. Truth I am of Master Cotton's minde It is not lawful for Israel that is the Church of God to tolerate and the reason it pleaseth the Lord to alleadge is eternal But what is this to the nations of the world the states cities and kingdoms thereof Let Master Cotton finde out any such land or state that is the Church and Israel of God Yea Master Cotton confesseth in a fore-going passage that the Church is the Israel of God Then must he with me acknowledge that this Deut. 13. only concerns the Israel or Church of God whom Christ Jesus furnished with spiritual weapons against such spiritual offenders Peace But I wonder that Master Cotton should say that Moses capitals are eternal Truth I wonder not because I have seen in print sixteen or seventeen capital evils a great part of them of a spiritual nature censured with death in New England And yet again me thinks it is wonderful since Master Cotton knows how many of Moses capitals were of a ceremonial nature The breach of the sabbath the not coming to keep the passeover for neglect whereof the Israelites were to be put to death how can Master Cotton make these eternal in all nations Peace How many millions of millions of Heads and not a few of the highest in our own and other Nations would soon feel the capital calamity of such a capital bloody Tenent if Master Cotton swayed the Scepter of some of the worlds former or present Caesars Truth And yet I readily affirm that spiritually and mystically in the Church and Kingdom of Christ such evils are to be spiritually and so eternally punished CHAP. LIV Replying to Chap. LVI Examined Peace IN this 56 Chap. were observed two evils in Mr. Cottons conjoyning of seducing teachers and scandalous livers as the proper and adequate object of the Magistrates care and work to suppress and punish Unto which Master Cotton replies First That he no where makes it the proper and adequate object of the Magistrates care and work to suppress seducing teachers and scandalous livers saying that it ought to be the care of the church to suppress and punish seducing teachers and scandalous livers in a church-way as well as the Magistrates in a civil way Truth By this Doctrine Master Cotton will seem to deny it to be the Magistrates proper and adequate object to punish scandalous livers because the church also saith he is to make it her work also It is true if a scandalous liver be of the church and fall into any scandal she by the ruls and power of Christ ought to recover him in the spirit of meekness but yet the punishing of him with temporal punishment who will deny it to be the proper work of the civil state But Secondly what if the seducing teacher or scandalous liver be neither of them members of the Church and the church hath nought to do to judge them without will not Master Cotton then affirm the seducing Teacher or scandalous liver to be the proper and adequate object of the Magistrates care and work Peace When it was excepted against that things of such a different nature and kind as seducing Teachers and scandalous livers should be coupled together at the civil Bar Master Cotton replies that both these agree in one common kind to wit they are evil and destructive to the common good of Gods people which ought to be preserved both in church and Commonweal If a man shall say saith he that the work of creation on the sixth day was either of man or of Beast is here any such commiâ—ture Truth Were Master Cotton the worlds Monarch what bloody reformations or destructions rather would he fill the world withal if he walk by such rules and principles for what religions or almost men all the world over would he finde not opposite and destructive to Gods people 2. But Secondly an historical narration of Gods works on man or Beast Birds Fishes and all creatures Coelestial and Terrestial is one thing But to mix them together in doings or sufferings inconsistent with and improper to their kinds is another thing far different and insufferable As for a man to affirme that a man and a beast â—in'd against their Maker and therefore were justly punished with spiritual blindness and hardness of heart loss of Gods Image c. The same difference and no less is between transgressors against the heavenly state and kingdome of Christ and the earthly state or Commonweal of Cities kingdomes c. Peace Master Cotton adds that it is more tolerable for seducing Teachers to seduce those who are in the same gall of bitterness as for Pagans to seduce Pagans c. Truth That is but in the degree and so according to his supposition must be punished gradually but what is this to prove seducing Teachers as well as scandalous livers the joynt object of the civil sword Peace Why doth Master say it is more tolerable for Pagans to seduce Pagans Antichristians Antichristians What Scripture doth he produce for this toleration this indulgence this partiality All that is here said is this We look at it as more tolerable Truth One thing is shroudly to be suspect in this matter and that is a most unchristian partiality in directing the sword of the Magistrate to fall heaviest on such seducers only as trouble his conscience his Doctrine Worship and Government suppose in some of the Cities of Holland Poland or Turkie where some freedome is that Jews Pagans Antichristians and Christians that is Christians of Master Cottons conscience together with Turkes were commingled in civil cohabitation and commerce together Why now shall that Turke that hath seduced one of Master Cottons conscience to Mahumetaniâ—me be more punished for that crime then for turning a Jew Pagan or Papist to his Relief and worship What warrant shall the Magistrate of such a city or place finde to their souls either for striking at all with the civil sword in such a case or else in dealing such partial blows among the people Peace I fear that Gods own people of this opinion see not the deceitfulness of their own heart crying up the Christian Magistrate the Christian Magistrate Nursing fathers Nursing mothers c. when all is but to escape the bitter sweeting of Christs cross so dashing in pieces the most wise councels of the father concerning his blessed Son and his followers to whom he hath ordinarily alotted in this world the portion of sorrow and suffering and of raigning and triumphing after the battel fought and victory obtained in the world approaching Peace But Master Cotton will say that in such fore-mentioned cases such Magistrates must suspend punishments for religion c. Truth I say consequently all or most of the Magistrates in the world must suspend and none but some few of his conscience by his doctrine shall
charge of souls Christ the true King of Israel Christs threefold sending of preachers â—o other true office of the Ministery since the apostacie but that of prophecy and opening the Testament of Christ against the falshood of Antichrist A foule imputation put upon Christ Jesus Pretended order moâ—â—tâ—oâ—s disorder The Parliaments high justice aggainst oppressors The title head of the Church The civil Megistrate no spiritual officer now as in Israel The peoples power All Commonweals that ever have been are or shal be in the World excepting that of typical Israel meerly civil The Decrees of Pagan kings for Israel and the God of it considered The Ministers lay heavy loads upon the Magistrates back A time when no visible Church of God in the world for the right forme and order c. The wolves at Ephesus Act. 20. The duty of civil power in matters of Religion The changing of persecutors is onething the abolishing of persecution another The persecuting Cleargy no cordial friends to Magistracie Neither Old nor New England statechurches separate from the Pope Master Cotton and Bellarmine all one for the deposing heretical princes c. The gods of this World The Lord Cobham his troubles in Henry the 5. dayes The best of our late Bishops as Bishop Hall have not spared to render hereticks and Traitors all one Civil society pluckt up by the rootes Civil honesty may stand with dishonesty against God and Christ in matters of Religion A turn-coat in Religion more faithless then a resolved Jew Turk or Papist Heresie and apostacie often change their names to truth and Christianity c. Who knows not that the many turnings of Do. Pearne in Cambridge brought it into a proverb to wit to pâ—â—nifie Consciences yeelding to be forced or ravished loosen all conscience 2 Paradoxes How the kings of Israel and Judah were types and figures of Christ to come The types of the old Testament many and deep Cyrus called Christ a figure of Christ The fire from heaven Rev. 13 All Truth heavenly moral civil c. precious Vnconverted Christians visibly a paradox Many excellent Magistrates of the Parliament of the Councel of the Army of the City of the Country are also excellent prophets or interpreters of Scripture yet may not use a civil but a spiritual sword in spirituals Magistrates may be prophets in Christs Church More confidence commonly put in the civil sword then the spiritual Engl. changes in Religion excused by those of Judah but not justly Whether England may â—â—â— receive the Poâ—â— againe Things of God and Caesar Religions of the world politick inventions to maintaine a civil state The aâ—soâ—uâ—e necessiâ—y of some order of government all the world over Antoninus Pius his distinction The degeneracy of Christianity now professed The loathsome hypocrisie of persecutors In their bloody sentence and proceedings with the persecuted Too short a time set for repentance in New England False teachers commonly hardned by persecution The great sufferings of Master Gorton and his friends in New England Antoninus Pius his Edict against persecution The difference between spiritual and corporal murther Civil justice ought impartially to permit one conscience as well as another The difference of the persecution of the Roman Emperors and the Roman Popes Antoninus Pius his famoâ—â—â—â—â—dict for liberty to the Christians related by that praise-worthy Master John Speede out of Eusebiâ—s The persecuted ever noâ—â—ish an hâ—rd conâ—â—it of 〈…〉 and Tyranay in their persecutors whereas Malefactors confess frequently the justice of their condemners If Civil power may force cut of the church it may also force in Every true Moses will make a difference between Israelites and Egyptians Cups of Blood given into the hand of persecuting nations Whether a commonweal prosper in divers religions permitted Men may be very faire and peaceable though not of the only one religion Scriptures perverted from the church to the civil state The Magistrate usually the Cleargies Cane c. Rom. 16. 17. grosly abused by a governor in New England The bloody Tenent plucks up the nations and all civil being c. The plague of the Turkes Romes glory and downfal The civil state and officers thereof cannot be spiritual judges Foul neglects cast upon Christ Jesus The case of Gallio Shameful weakness cast upon the spiritual Artillery of Christ Jesus The spiritual liberties of Christs people in spiritual causes The mighty power of spiritual weapons A vaine fear of false teachers Christ Jesus nor Paul adrest themselves to the civil state Turk and Pope and all Prostants against free conference The ammunition of Christs souldiers David and Goliah types Difference between spiritual and civil Ministers Israels corporal killing types of spiritual Achans troubling of Israel a figure of troubling the Israel or Church of Christ now The day of the civil state in maâ—ters of worship Concerning the kingdomes of the world becoming the kingdoms of Christ Rev. 11. Christ no temporal King Touching forcing men to church A Spanish Inquisition all the world A twofold fire kindled That may consume the kindlers Mathias the second Emperor granting liberty of conscience Christ came not to destroy mens bodies though to save their souls Christian weapons considered A fallacious distinction of using the civil sword not in but about spiritual matters Strange Carpenters The bloody tenent in plaine English All civil violence in spirituals is for interest Christs spiritual weapons never wanting The civil sword esteemed more powerful then the spiritual Rom. 13. Considered The great fort of The civil Magistrate not charged with the keeping of the seed tables Calvin and Beza's judgement on Rom. 13. Vnâ—ighteousness civil and spiritual Spiritual wars without civil disturbance The nature of twice subjection to civil powers Of the Roman Emperors power in spirituals Foule imputations against Christ Jesus Christ permiteth Tyrants over his churches Saints but appointeth none but his true spiritual Ministers Christ Jesus his careful and most wise provision for his kingdome The Cleargies evil dealing with the civil Magistrate The nature of a church but lately discovered since the apostasie Monstrous Suspentions Spiritual courts and Judges Touching Paul appealing to Caesar Pauls appeal to Caesar Spiritual rights and civil The civil Magistrate not bound to defend spiritual rights Israel a type of the Chrristian Church The â—â—me and odely Christendome Christ Jesus in himself and his spiritual officers the onely Key of Israel Christ Jesus roâ—d of his crown Of custome tribute c. Spiritual defence for spiritual right c. Touching prayer for all authority â— Tim. â— Cross Slavery Civil Ministers and Spiritual The God of heaven hath several sorts of Ministers Ordinarily the Truth is persecuted Touching the â—â—arâ—â— Evil Rom. 13. The civil Magistrate robbed of his civil power Of tolleration which Master Cotton in cases makes large enough The land of Israel a type Touching false and seducing Teachers Monstrous Mixture The great difference of evil and sin as against the civil or spiritual estate Gross
judgement of the great whore p. 55 Christs church by institution properly consisting of good ground p. 57. The nature of the Jewish church ibid. The nature of Christs true Apostles or Messengers p. 58 Antichristians monsters in Religion p. 59 Two sorts of sinners p. 60 Two sorts of Hypocrites ibid. Two sorts of opposites to Christ Jesus p. 61 The Rivers and Fountaines of Blood Rev. 16. p. 63 Of hypocrites in the profession of Christianity p. 64 Corrupt consciences distinguished p. 66 Toleration of idolaters considered ibid. Civil weapons in spirituals blur and slight the spiritual p. 67 The toleration of Jezabel in Thyatria p. 68 The difference between spiritual and civil slander p. 69 The dreadful nature of Christs spiritual punishments ibi The punishments in the national Church of Israel were material and corporeal p. 70 Touching Prayer against present destruction of the Tares p. 71 Pastors and teachers are not Apostles or messengers ib. Elijah stirring up Ahab to slay the Baalites p. 72 Touching the state of Israel in the Apostacy of Jeroboam and more of the Baalites p. 72 Touching Apostles or Messengers p. 74 Touching fundamentals p. 75 Persecuting of Christ Jesus by a Law p. 76 The greatest blasphemy against Christ Jesus that ever was yet not punished but spiritually ibid. Pauls appeal to Caesar more examined p. 78 Few Magistrates in the world that bear the very name of of Christ Jesus p. 79 Fewer truely Christians ibid. Mystical and most cruel Surgery ibid. To serve God with all our might literally taken horribly abused p. 80 The title of defender of the Faith in England p. 81 A bold but true Word touching defend or of the faith p. 83 The title of supream head of the church examined p. 84 The plague of the Turkes upon the antichristian world p. 84 Whether Saul was a type of Christ and the Kings of Israel c. p. 85 The Priests and Clergy in all nations the greatest peace-breakers p. 88 Touching the seducer and seducing p. 89 Bishop Longlands subtle and bloody oaths of inquisition against seducing christians ibid. Causes of destruction to a nation p. 90 All nations Cities and Towns of the world parts of the world c. p. 91 Changes of state Religions ibid. The state of Israel unparalleled p. 92 The punishments of Christ sorer then the punishments of Moses ibi That of Jude twice dead examined p. 93 Of spiritual infection p. 94 The sword of typical Israel a type of Christs spiritual sword p. 95 Magistrates cannot receive from the people a spiritual power p. 69 The proper charge of the civil Magistrate p. 97 The plague of the Turke upon the Antichristian world p. 98 A twofoldcare and charge of souls ibid. Christ the true King of Israel ibid. Christs threefold sending of Preachers p. 99 No true office of Ministery since the Apostacy but that of Prophesie ibid. Great neglects charged on Christ Jesus p. 100 Pretended order monstrous disorder p. 101 The Parliaments high justice against oppressors p. 102 The title head of the church p. 103 The civil Magistrate no spiritual officer now as in Israel p. 104 All commonweals that ever have been are or shall be in the world excepting that of typical Israel meerly civil p. 105 The decrees of Pagan kings for Israel and the God of it considered ibid. The Ministers lay heavy load upon the Magistrates back ibid. The great desolation of the visible order of Christs Saints and servants p. 107 The Wolves at Ephesus considered Act. 20 p. 108 The duty of the civil Magistrate in spirituals ibid. The changing of Persecutors is one thing the abolishing of persecution another ibid. The persecuting cleargy no cordial friends to Magistracy ibid Master Cotton and Bellarmine all one for the deposing heretical princes p 109 The Lord Cobham his troubles in Henry the fifths dayes p 110 Civil society plucke up by the roots ibid. A turn-coat in Religion more faithless then a resolved Jew Turk or Papist 111 Doctor Pearnes turning and returning and turning againe in Religion p. 111 Consciences yeelding to be forced lose all conscience ibid. Two strange Paradoxes about force in spirituals p. 112 How the kings of Israel and Judah were Types â—f Jesus Christ to come p. 113 Cyrus called Christ a figure of Christ p. 114 The fire from Heaven Revel 13. p. 115 All truth not only heavenly but moral civil c. precious p. 116 Many excellent Prophets in eminency and power and yet may not use a civil but a spiritual sword in spirituals p. 117 More confidence commonly put in the civil sword then the spiritual p. 118 Englands changes in Religion compared with those of Judah ibid. Whether England may not possibly receive the Pope againe 119 The Religions of the world politick inventions to maintaine a civil state p. 120 The absolute necessity of some order of Government all the world over ibid. The Emperor Antoninus Pius his distinction and Edict against persecution p. 120 123 The degeneracy of Christianity now professed p. 121 The horrible dâ—ssâ—mbling of some persecutors ibid. Too short a time set for repentance in New England p. 122 False Teachers commonly hardned by persecution ibid. The great sufferings of Master Gotton and his friends in England p. 123 The difference between spiritual and corporal murther p. 124 Civil Justice ought impartially to permit one conscience as well as another p. 124 The difference of the persecution of the Romane Emperors and Roman Popes p. 125 The difference between the persecuted for conscience and punished for civil crimes p. 127 Every true Moses will make a difference between Israelites and Egyptians p. 128 Whether a Commonweal may prosper in the permission of divers Religions p. 129 Cups of blood given into the hand of persecuting nations p. 129 Scripture perverted from the spiritual to the civil state p. 131 The Magistrate usually but the Clergies Cane and Trumpet ibid. Rom. 16. 17. grosly abused by a Governor in New England ibid. The bloody Tenent plucks up the Nations and all civil being p. 132 Romes glory and downfal p. 133 The civil state and officers thereof cannot be spiritual Judges ibid. The case of Gallio p. 134 The sufficiency of Christs spiritual weapons p. 135 A vaine fear of false Teachers p 136 Christ Iesus nor Paul addrest themselves to the civil state ibid. Turke and Pope and the generality of all Protestants against free conference p. 137 David and Goliah Types ibid. Difference between spiritual and civil Ministers p. 138 Israels corporcal killing types of spiritual ibid. The duty of the civil state in spirituals p. 139 The kingdomes of the world becoming Christs ibid. Touching forcing men to Church p. 140 A Spanish inquisition all the world over p. 141 Master Cotton kindling a twofold fire ibid. Mathias the second Emperor granting liberty of conscience p. 142 Christian weapons considered ibid. A fallacious distinction of using the civil sword not in but about spiritual matters p. 143 Wonderful strange
Carpenters p. 144 Master Cotton slights stocks and whips c. and provokes to banish and kil hereticks c. ibid. All civil violence in spirituals is for an interest p. 145 The civil sword esteemed more powerful then the spiritual p. 146 That great fort of Rom. 13. considered p. 147 The civil Magistrate not charged with the keeping of two tables ibid. Calvin and Beza's judgement on Rom. 13. p. 148 Vnrighteousness civil and spiritual ibid. Spiritual wars without civil disturbance p. 149 Of the Romane Emperors power in spirituals p. 150 Foul imputation against Christ Jesus and yet his wise provision for his Kingdome p. 151 The Clergies evil dealing with the civil magistrate p. 152 The nature of the Church and of Christs true order but lately discovered since the Apostacy ibid. Spiritual Courts and Judges p. 153 Touching Pauls appeal to Caesar p. 154 155. Spiritual rights and civil p. 156 The true and only Christendome p. 157 Christ Jesus robbed of his crown p. 158 Of custome tribute c. p. 159 Of praying for Magistrates p. 160 Civil Ministers and spiritual ibid. The God of heaven hath many sorts of Ministers p. 161 Ordinarily the truth is persecuted ibid. Touching the tearm evil Rom. 13. p. 162 The civil Magistrate robbed of his civil power ibid. Of toleration which Master Cotton in cases makes large enough p. 163 The land of Israel a type p. 164 Touching false and seducing teachers p. 165 The great difference of sin against the civil or spiritual estate p. 166 The gross partiality of the bloody doctrine of persecution ibid. Gods children much labor to shift off the cross of Christ p. 167 Christ Jesus between two theeves p. 168 The horrible hypâ—câ—isie of all persecutors ibid. Christs charge to Pergamus and Thyatira against toleration examined p. 169 The word persecution how ordinarily taken ibid. Famous speeches of some kings against persecution p. 170 No civil state or country can be truly called Christian although true Christians be in it p. 171 Nursing fathers dealt with all as children p. 172 Persecutors if it were in their power would and are bound to persecute all consciences and Religions in the world p. 173 All persecutors hold the Popes traiterous doctrine of deposing Hereticks c. p. 174 The Popish and Protestant Clargy set the Popish and Protestant world on fire for their maintenance ibid. The Dutch device to win their Clergy to toleration of other Religions p. 175 All that profess to be Christs Ministers must resolve to dig or beg or steal ibid. All Antichristians are fundamentally opposite to Christ Jesus p. 176 Of letting the Tares alone p. 177 A speech of King James considered p. 178 Touching compelling to come to Church to hear p. 179 A second speech of King James proving it possible that a Papist may yeeld civil obedience ibid. The Parliament at Paris although Popish yet condemned books against civil obedience p. 180 All England was Catholick and yet the Pope renounced ibid. A twofold holding the Pope as head ibid. The two English sisters Laws concerning conscience p. 181 Cautions for preventing disturbance by Papists ibid. Other Nations well provide against distractions and tumults from opposite consciences p. 182 Neerer competitors to the truth among our selves then the Papist ibid. The admired prudence of the Parliament in preserving civil peace p. 183. Increase of Papists unlikely as things stand in England ibid Master Jo. Robinson from Holland as touching permission of Papists his testimony p. 184 A third speech of King James considered ibid. Persecution ordinarily the mark of a false Church ibid. Stephen King of Poland his speech ibid. The spiritual power of Christ intrusted not with civil but spiritual Ministers p. 185 An excellent argument used in Parliament against the persecuting Bishops ibid. Two wayes of disturbing and destroying Religion p. 186 The Bishops as Tyrants justly suppressed and the Parliament therein prospered from heaven ibid. Daniels councel to Belshazzar preserveth Parliaments and nations ibid. Israel a miraculous nation p. 187 Two sorts of nations in the world ibid. Touching the true Christ and the false p. 188 The King of Bohemia his speech p. 189 Spiritual Rapts and violence upon conscience p. 189 Amnon his ravishing of Tamat a Type p. 190 The Judge of conviction of conscience ibid. Wars for Religion p. 191 The bloody tenent guilty of all the blood of Papists and Protestants formerly and lately spilt p. 192 Touching national Churches ibid. Practical denying of Christ Jesus the greatest p. 193 Two high transgressions objected against Master Cotton p. 194 Touching Julian his toleration p. 199 Touching the infection of false doctrine ibid. King James and Queen Elizabeth their persecutions compared p. 200 Fit qualification of Princes p. 201 Master Cotton suspends most part of the Magistrates in the world from acting in matters of Religion ib. Constantines Edict as to Religion p. 202 Foule imputations cast on Christ Jesus ibid. Vnchristian Tribunals and proceedings p. 203 Touching excommunication in Israel p. 204 Spiritual blessings and cursings the Antitypes of Corporal in Israel p. 205 Holy and spiritual Constables prisons stocks posts gibbets Tyburnes c. ibid. A true Christ a true sword a false Christ a false sword p. 206 Queen Elizabeth her wars against the Papists ibid. The Wars of the Waldenses p. 207 Christian weapons wars and victories p. 208 Gideons army typical ibid. The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted p. 209 Poverty and persecution the most common companions of Gods Church p. 210 The sins of Gods children ibid. Christs witnesses in all Ages p. 211 A true wife of Christ no persecuter ibid. The difference between excommunication and persecution ibid. Difference between a spiritual and civil state p. 212 The civil powers made the Clergies executioners p. 213 Spiritual judgements more terrible since Christ then corporal before his coming p. 214 A twofold way of constraint p. 215 What it is to walk according to mans light ibid. Conviction twofold p. 216 The maintenance of the New English Ministers ibid. Of propagating Religion by the sword p. 217 Touching the Indians of New England p. 218 219 Propriety of Language necessary to all Preachers p. 220 Conscience a close prisoner in New England c. p. 221 Publike Marriage of a soul to Christ ibid. Spream Authority in spirituals p. 222 Mysteries of false Christs p. 225 The true Christ despised for his poverty ibid. A base esteem of the spiritual sword ibid. Earthly Christs need earthly supports p. 226 The state of Christianity during the reigne of Antichrist ibid. Satans two wayes of quenching the candle of Christianity p. 227 A note of the French Massacre ibid. The pretended disputes in Queen Maries dayes p. 228 The late Synodical disputes ibid. A bloody and most unchristian speech ibid. The rash madness of persecutors against themselves p. 229 Pleasantness of wit sanctified c. ibid. The Churches of New England proved an implicite national Church ibid. A
but lastly saith Master Cotton that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated the children of the wicked one or wickedness will agree to hypocrites Truth It will indeed if we respect their inside which is only visible to the invisible King as Judas in his profession but it cannot agree to such hypocrites as are undiscovered by their fruits in the church but unto such hypocrites as are discovered in their blades and fruit and so consequently are not fit to live with other sinners in the world I doubt not but Master Cotton will say That although a member of a Church prove a theife adulterer murtherer in the eyes of a Brother that sees and knows his secret wickedness yet that brother is censurable as a slanderer if he should report these evils though to the Church untill according to visible order he could produce good proof and evidence Examination of CHAP. XXIV Peace Still of the Tares MAster Cotton here seems to me with the Familists to confound heaven and earth together the matters of Worship and Ordinances of Religion with the affaires and businesses of this life for saith he such as stand for the kingdome of Satan as all evil men do they stand in opposition to the Kingdome of Christ Truth Master Cotton is not now to be taught the distinction between the church and Commonweale nor that a national church is not of Christ Jesus his institution yet as this discourse strongly inclines to erect a national church so doth this present answer to the confusion both of Church and Commonweale It is true a covetuous Iew that blasphemeth Christ Jesus stands for Satan against Christ But by his covetousness in one kinde as covetousness is opposite to Righteousness and contentation c. and for Sathan against Christ in another sence that is in a Religious and Spiritual sence as he prefers Moses before Christ Jesus and denies the true Messiah to be yet come in the flesh A cruel Turk stands for Satan against Christ by his cruelty in one sence to wit in opposition to Christs mercy gentleness patience c. but by his belief in Mahomet preferring him before Christ he opposeth him in his Kingdome and Worship To come neerer a drunken English Dutch or Frenchman stands for Satan against Christ as their drunkenness is opposite to Christs sobriety temperance c. but against Christ in another sence as they profess the wayes of Antichristian idolatry and superstition And not to observe this distinction is with some Familists to run upon quick-sands of confounding the spiritual kingdome of Christ Jesus his worship and ordinances with the kingdomes of this world and the common affaires thereof in natural and civil consideration Peace But though Christ saith Master Cotton should command other offenders to be let alone beside Antichristians yet he should not contradict any ordinances for the punishment of offenders c. because saith he No law of God nor just law of man commands the the rooting out of hypocrites though the church be bound to endeavour as much as in them lies to heale their hypocrisie Truth Hypocrisie discovered in the fruit of it is not to be let alone in the church or State For neither church of Christ nor civil state can long continue safe if hypocrites or traitors under what pretence soever be permitted to break forth in them without due punishment and rooting out this hypocrisie being especially that great sin against which Christ Iesus so frequently and so vehemently inveighed and against which he denounced the sorest of plagues â—nd judgements Truth By whose command and by what meanes and ordinances by whose power and authority but by the command meanes and power of Christ Jesus And I further aske If faithful admonition be not one good means of healing and if that lye not in the churches power and if the hypocrite after faithful admonition once or twice submit not to the voice of Christ Iesus I ask where the Lord Iesus commandeth to make a stop and not to cast forth and reject whomsoever wilfully obstinate Peace Doubtless dear Truth many will be apt to say Master Cotton intends secret and close hypocrisie Truth And I doubt not but himself will say That this is not our question but of known and unmasked hypocrisie as himself hath formerly declared and such as here he expresseth come under ordinances of healing Peace But further saith Master Cotton it is not true that Antichristians are to be let alone untill the end of the world Why Because Christ commanded excommunication c. Truth I am astonisht and wonder why Master Cotton here speaketh of excommunication a spiritual ordinance of Christ Iesus in his spiritual kingdome or city when the dispute onely concerns temporal excommunication or cutting off Let them alone that is in civil State I wonder also how he should imagine the discusser in this Chapter to affirme that Antichristians are to be let alone in the church unto the end of the world when it was the very scope of his argument in this Chapter to prove that the speech of Christ Jesus let them alone must needs be understood of letting idolaters and Antichristians alone in the civil state and in the world because otherwise if he had meant Let them alone in the church he should contradict himself who hath appointed meanes for the disturbing and purging out the corrupt leaven both of persons and practices out of his church and kingdome Peace The same answer indeed will easily be returned to his last supposition of any Popish spirit conspiring against the life of King and Parliament The whole scope of this book professeth and in this Chapter the discusser professedly argueth that Christ Jesus hath appointed that civil offenders against the civil state ought not to be let alone But Master Cotton adds If Popish Priests and Jesuits be rightly expounded to be the Rivers and fountaines of water which drive the dead sea of Antichristian pollutions up and down all Nations in Europe and in some cases are to drink blood Then are they not to be let alone but duely supprest and cut off from conveying up and down idolatrous heretical and seditious wickedness Rev. 16. 4. 7. Truth The exposition of this Scripture will be further examined in the sequel and found no true exposition That Rivers and fountaines of water drive the sea up and down For rivers and fountaines however they come from the salt-water yet lose they the savour of the salt-sea and yeeld a savour of the earth through which they make their passages and again they run into the sea and are themselves driven up and down and swallowed up in the sea Nor will it be found a true exposition according to Godliness and Christianity which commandeth patience and waiting not fire and sword to gaine sayers and opposites Nor lastly will it be found a true exposition agreeing with Master Cottons own profession in some passage of this book wherein he holds forth great
That dead men cannot die nor be infected with false doctrine and such is the State of all men all nations all the world over until the life of Christ Jesus quicken them Master Cotten replies First Dead men may be made worse and more the children of hell then before Mat. 23. and therefore such as so corrupt them are worthy in a way of due proceeding of a twofold death Secondly Such as profess the truth of the doctrine and worship of Christ they live a kind of spiritual life though not such as accompany salvation else how are false teachers and such as are led by them said to be twice dead pluckt up by the roots Jud. 12. Truth Dead men may be made worse that is more to rot and stink yet this is no taking away of any life And therefore there is no proportionable reason why the seducers should suffer a temporal death having neither taken away spiritual nor natural life only thus he may be justly liable to a spiritual death for endeavouring to hinder a spiritual life by furthering any in their natural state of spiritual death 2. For that place of Iude Master Cotton knows that Beza propounds two senses First Twice dead that is a certaine number for an uncertaine Secondly This sence urged by Master Cotton which if it be to be admitted yet is it but in appearance as his life which in hypocrisie he professed was but in shew and appearance he being never raised up from the spiritual death to a spiritual life and therefore really never suffered the loss of a spiritual life which he never had And yet as in typical Israel it stood with Gods justice to take away the life of the seducer which seduced an Israelite from the God of Israel or but attempted to do it so stands it with the holy justice of God to cut him off eternally who but attempteth to take away or hinders the spiritual and eternal life of any Peace Master Cotton in the next place presumes on advantage that the discusser should say that none are infected with natural plagues or spiritual but such are thereto appointed c. Truth It is plaine that the discusser alleadged not that to diminish or lessen sin let it have its due aggravation but as was said before in case of the not final deceiving of the elect so was it here spoken not to derogate fâ—om Gods meanes and remedies against natural or spiritual infection but to abate the needless feares of men who are apt to cry out Except the civil sword be drawn and so therewith the world set together by the eares the world cannot be preserved from infection Peace Whereas the discusser had affirmed that Christ Jesus had not left his people destitute of spiritual means against spiritual infections This is true saith Master Cotton but it falleth out sometimes that when the church hath cast out an heretick yet he may destroy the faith of many as did Hymeneus and Philetus 2 Tim. 2. 17. and if the Magistrates sword do here rust c. such leaven may leaven the whole country c. as Arrianisme leavened the world by Constantines indulgence Againe saith he it may be the heretick was never a member of the church how then shall the church do Truth Who can marvel at this that the dunghill of this world worldly men under the power of Satan unto whom the obstinate person the heretick is cast I say that they many of them receive worldly doctrine which the church as filth casts out c. 2. As Paul saith concerning the salvation of Gods children Let the world perish yet the foundation of God remaineth sure he knows who are his and how to provide meanes to save them though the world still act it self wallowing and tumbling like Swine in one puddle of wickedness after another 3. Master Cotton should read a little further in the same Scripture quoted by him where he finds not a tittle of Pauls directing Timothy to stir up the secular power as the Pope speakes to cut off Hymeneus and Philetus to prevent infection but tels him that the servants of God must not strive but must quiet themselves with patience waiting if peradventure God will please to give repentance Peace Methinks this Answer may also â—ully satisfie his second supposition to wit if that the heretick was never of the church Truth Yea what hath the church to do that is judicially with him that is without and what hath the civil state to judge him for who in civil matters hath not transgrest In vaine therefore doth Master Cotton suggest a persecuting or hunting after the souls or lives of such as being cast out of the church keep private conventicles c. Peace How grievous is this language of Master Cotton as if he had been nourished in the chappels and cloisters of persecuting prelates and priests the Scribes and Pharisees As if he never had heard of Jesus Christ in truth and meekness For surely as the discusser observed Christ Jesus never appointed the civil sword an Antidote or remedy in such a case notwithstanding Master Cotton replies that the civil sword was appointed a remedy in this case by Moses not Christ Deut. 13. Truth Moses in the old Testament was Christs servant yet Moses being but a servant dispensed his power by carnal rites and ceremonies laws rewards and punishments in that holy nation and that one land of Canaan But when the Lord Jesus the Son and Lord himself was come to bring the truth and life and substance of all those shadowes to break down the partition-wall between Jew and Gentile and to establish the Christian worship and kingdome in all Nations of the world Master Cotton will never prove from any of the books and institutions of the New Testament that unto those spiritual remedies appointed by Christ Jesus against spiritual maladies he added the help of the carnal sword Peace But Christ saith Master Cotton never abrogated the carnal sword in the new which he appointed in the old Testament and the reason of the law to wit an offence of thrusting away from the Lord is perpetual Truth If it appear as evidently it doth that this king Jesus the King of Israel wears his sword the Antitype of the Kings of Israel their swords in his mouth being a sharpe two-edged sword then the answer is as clear as the Sun that scatters the clouds and darkeness of the night Besides Master Cotton needs not flie to the Popes argument for childrens baptisme to wit to say that Christ never abrogated Dâ—â—â— 13. therefore c. For Master Cotton knows the profession of the Lord Jesus Iohn 18. that his kingdome was not earththly and therefore his sword cannot be earthly Master Cotton knows that Christ Iesus commanded a sword to be put up when it was drawn in the cause of Christ and addeth a dreadful threatning that all that take the sword that is the carnal sword for his cause shall