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-Commonweal-Religions Nebuchadnezzars golden Images and Jeroboams golden Calves the types of the state-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
13 to the Rom. exhorteth unto subjection to Magistrates and love to all men which are duties of the second table But yet withal he answers that is will not follow that Magistrates have nothing to do with the violation of the first table and further saith that it is a plaine case that amongst the duties of the second table people may be exhorted to honor their Magistrates and children may be exhorted to honour their Parents but will it saith he thence follow that Magistrates have nothing to do with matters of religion in the church or parents in the family Truth I answer the scope of the discourse was to prove that it pleaseth the Spirit of God in Paul here only to treat of the duties of the second table unto which limitation or restriction Master Cotton speaks not at all but only granteth in general that it speaketh of the duties of the second table And I still urge and argue that the spirit of God discoursing so largely in this Scripture of the duties of Magistrates and people and treating only of civil things in that civil relation between Magistrates and people points as with a finger of God at their error that wrest this Scripture to maintaine the power of Magistrates and civil states in the spiritual and church estate of the kingdome of Christ Peace But what may be said to Master Cottons argument Truth I answer If people are bound to yeeld obedience in civil things to civil officers of the state Christians are much more bound to yeeld obedience according to God to the spiritual officers of Christs kingdome But how weak is this argument to prove that therefore the civil officers of the state are constituted rulers or governors preservers and reformers of the Christian and spiritual state which differs as much from the civil as the heavens are out of the reach of this earthly Globe and Element Examination of CHAP. XLVII Peace AGainst the Judgement of those blessed worthies alleadged Calvin and Beza confining this passage of Rom. 13. to the second table Master Cotton here opposeth their judgement for the Magistrates power in matters of religion in other writings of theirs yea and from this very Scripture Truth This their judgement for the Magistrates power was granted and premised before yet let the expressions of those worthy men produced by the discusser on this Chapter be faithfully weighed and it will cleerly appear that as James speaks those excellent men endeavoured to bring from the same fountaines sweet water and bitter which is monstrous and contradictory Peace The pith of what Master Cotton further saith in this Chapter I conceive is couched in these demands Are not saith he all duties of righteousness to man commanded in the second table as well as all duties of holiness to God are commanded in the first table Is it not a duty of righteousness belonging to the people of God to enjoy the free passage of religion c. Is it not an injurious dealing to the people of God to disturbe the truth of religion with heresie the holiness of worship with idolatry the purity of government with tyranny and he concludes If so then these wayes of unrighteousness are justly punishable by the second table Truth I answer It hath pleased the Father of lights to open the eyes of thousands of his servants in thâ—se later times to discerne a fine spun fallacy in the tearm of unrighteousness and injury which being twofold spiritual against religion or spiritual state civil against the worldly or civil state It is no civil injury which he grants is the business of this 13 to the Romanes in matters of the second table for any man to disturbe or oppose a doctrine worship or government spiritual Christ Jesus and his messengers and servants did and do profess a spiritual war against the doctrine worship and government of the Jewish the Turkish and other Pagan and Antichristian religions of all sorts and sects churches and societies These all againe oppose and fight against his doctrine worship government And yet this war may be so managed were men but humane civil and peaceable that no civil injury may be commieted on either side Peace We may then well take up as Master Cotton doth Beza's own words on Rom. 13. 4. The civil sword must take vengeance on them that do evil It must therefore follow that hereticks are not evil doers which is gross c. Or else that Pauls speech is to be restrained to a certaine sort of evil deeds to wit such as they call corporal sins of which he saith he disputeth largely elsewhere Truth And so through the help of the most high shall I in proving that the second sort to wit external corporal civil evils between man and man city and city kingdomes and Nations in this faln estate of mankind wherein all civility and humanity it self are violated are alone and only intended in this Scripture by the holy Spirit of God and Paul his penman Examination of CHAP. XLVIII Peace TO the second argument to wit the incompetency of those higher powers to which Paul requires subjection which in his time were the ignorant and Pagan persecuting Emperors and their subordinate governors under them Master Cotton replies First It is one thing to yeeld subjection to the righteous decrees of ignorant and Pagan Magistrates And another thing to obey their ordinances in matters of faith and worship and government of the church The former of these Christians did yeeld unto the Romane Magistrates even subjection unto the death the other they did not nor ought to yeeld as knowing God was rather to be obeyed then man Truth Subjection may be either to lawful governors or but pretenders and usurpers Again subjection to lawful rulers may be in cases pertaining to their cognizance or in cases which belong not to their but another court or tribunal which undue proceeding is not tolerable in all well-ordered states We use also to say that subjection is either active or passive Now although we finde the Lord requiring and his servants yeelding all active or passive obedience to the Romane Emperors and their deputies yet finde we not a tittle of the Lords requiring or his people yeelding any kind of subjection to those Romane Emperors or their deputies in the matters of Christian religion except it be of so many hundred thousand of their bodies as the bodies of Lambs to the devouring jaws of those bloody lyons and devillish Monsters of more then barbarous cruelty Peace But Secondly saith Master Cotton although the Roman Emperors were incompetent Judges yet the Word of Christ which commandeth a duty commandeth also the necessary means which tend to that duty and therefore giving them a power and charge to execute vengeance on evil doers and that in matters of spiritual unrighteousness against the Church as in matters of civil unrighteousness against the Commonweal it behooved them to try and listen after the
pleased with that passage viz. That God will take away such stayes upon whom Gods people rest in his wrath that king David that is Christ Jesus the Antitype in his own spiritual power in the hands of his Saints may spiritually and for ever be advanced Truth This power the General Councels the Popes the Prelates the kings of the earth the civil courts and Magistrates lay claime unto and most of them with bloody hands yea and Gods servants have too long leaned unto and longed after such an arme of flesh which proves most commonly but Sauls arme an oppressing and persecuting and a self killing and destroying power at the last Examination of CHAP. XXXII Peace THis Chapter containes a twofold denyal First saith Master Cotton we hold it not lawful for a Christian Magistrate to compell by civil sword either Pharisee or Pagan or Jew to profess his religion Truth He that is deceived himself with a bad commodity puts it off as good to others Master Cotton believes and would make others believe that it is no compulsion to make laws with penalties for all to come to church and to publike worship which was ever in our fathers dayes held a sufficient trial of their religion and of consenting to or dissenting from the religion of the times Hence by some is that of Luk. 14. alledged Compel them to come in sufficiently fulfilled if they be so far compelled as to be conformable to come to church though it be under the pretence and mask of comming only to hear the word whereby they may be converted But it is needless to stand guessing and guessing at the weight when the scales are at hand the holy word of God by which we all profess to have our weight or to be found too light Peace Master Cotton therefore Secondly denies that a blind Pharisee may be a good subject and as peaceable and profitable to the civil state as any since they destroyed the civil state by destroying Christ Truth When we speak of civil state and their administrations it is most improper and fallacious to wind or weave in the consideration of their true or false religions It is true idolatry brings judgement in Gods time and so do other sins for we read not of idolatry in Sodoms punishment Ezek. 16. notwithstanding there is a present civil state of men combined to live together there in a commonweale which Gods people are commanded to pray for Jerm 29. whatever be the religion there publikly professed Beside the Pharisees destroying Christ were guilty of blood and persecution which is more then idolatry c. and cries to heaven for vengeance Peace It cannot therefore with any shew of charity be denyed but that divers priests of Babel might be civil and peaceable notwithstanding their religion and conscience Truth Yea it is known by experience that many thousands of Mahumetan Popish and Pagan Priests are in their persons both of as civil and courteous and peaceable a nature as any of the subjects in the state they live in The truth is that herein all the priests in the world Mahumetan Pepish Pagan and Protestant are the greatest peace-breakers in the world as they fearing their own cause never rest stirring up Princes and people against any whether Gods or the devils instruments that shall oppose their own religion and conscience that is in plaine English their profits honours and bellies Examination of CHAP. XXXIII Peace THe entrance of this Chapter dear truth looks in mine eye like one of the bloody fathers of the inquisition and breaths like Paul in his mad zeal and frenzy slaughters against the Son of God himself though under the name or brand of a seducer as all persecutors have ever done For saith Master Cotton he that corrupteth a soul with a corrupt religion layeth a spreading leaven which corrupteth a state as Michals idolatry corrupted Laish Judg. 19. and that Apostacy was the captivity of the land and the worshipping of images brought the plague of the Turkes and therefore it is lex talionis that calleth for not only soul for soul but life for life Truth Thy tender braine and heart cannot let flie an arrow sharpe enough to pierce the bowels of such a Bloody Tenent Peace The flaming jealousie of that most holy and righteous Judge who is a consuming fire will not ever hear such Tenents and behold such practices in silence Truth Sweet peace long and long may the Almond-tree flourish on Master Cottons head in the armes of true Christianity and true Christian honour And let New Englands Colonies flourish also if Christ so please untill he come againe the second time But that he who is love it self would please to tell Master Cotton and the Colonies and the world the untrueness uncharitableness numercifulness and unpeaceableness of such conclusions For is not this the plaine English and the bottome to wit If the spirit of Christ Jesus in any of his servants sons oâ— daughters witnessing against the abominations or stinks of Antichrist shall perswade one soul man or woman to fear God to come out of Babell c. to refuse to bow down to and to come out from communion with a state-golden-image and not to touch what it is perswaded is an unclean thing That man or woman who was the Lambs and the Spirits instruments thus to inlighten and perswade one soul he hath saith this tenent laid a leaven which corrupteth the state that is the laud town city kingdome or Empire of the world that leaven shall bring the captivity ruine and destruction of the state and therefore Lex Talionis not only soul for soul in the next but life for life also in this present world Peace All thy witnesses dear truth in all ages have borne the brand and black mark of seducers and still shall even Christ Jesus himself to the last of his holy army and followers against his enemies Truth How famous or rather abominably infamous hath been the practice of all persecutors this way I shall pick out one instance a very stinking weed out of Babels desart to let pass all the bloody bulls and their roarings and threatning of Councels Popes and Emperors Kings Bishops Commissaries c. against the Waldensians Wickleviaâ—s the Hussites Hugonites Lutheraus Calvinists c. their infections and seducings To let pass former and latter persecutions in our own English Nation which hath been as France Spaine Italy Low-countries c. also a slaughter-house of Christs lambs one instance more pertinent then many we have in the raigne of that wise and mighty prince Henry the eighth of bloody Longland Lincolnes Bishop acting to the life Master Cottons Tenent against seducers throughout his Diocess What oaths did he exact what articles did he invent to find out the meetings the conventicles the conferences of any poor servants of God men and women day or night whether the father read to the child or the childe to the father the husband to
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
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
spake in another case that the New English Congregations and Churches would be as thin as the Presbyterians complained theirs to have been when the people once began to taste the Freedome and Libertie of their Consciences from the slaves whip c. Peace In the next Passage the Discusser having excepted against M r Cottons distinguishing betweene Members of the Church and such as have given their names to Christ M r Cotton replies they are not all one and quotes Esa 65. 5 6. Truth Let the place be viewed and that place will be found to speake of no such Difference It speaks of the Lords promise to Eunuches and Strangers laying hould on the Lords Covenant and joyning themselves to the Lord which I conceive M r Cotton will not deny to be in a Church way in which condition the Lord gives the Eunuches a name better then of Sonnes and Daughters Peace In the next Passage M r Cotton upon Tertullians speech affirmes that a false Religion will hurt because the Red Horse followes the White c. Truth I answer Gods Judgements by Warre Famine Pestilence plaguing false Religions in his time though after many hundreth yeares patience as hath form â—ly been opened is one thing and the present hurting or profiting of others is another Peace In the next place M r Cotton takes offence that the Discusser should insinuate M r Cotton to have a hand in the Modell of Church Government Truth I answer M r Cottons words in the End of his Answer to the Prisoner where he speakes of this Treatise or Modell sent to some of the Brethren of Salem seemed to hould out the probabilitie of it How ever M r Cotton subscribeth to the rest of the Elders as he here sayth their words being rightly understood Peace Further M r Cotton here affirmes that the want of a Law for Religion in any State provokes the Wrath of God as the want of a King in Israel Judg. 21. 25. Truth This Scripture proves no more but that the want of a King Magistrate Governour or Civill Officer of Justice provokes the Wrath of God and endangereth the people against which the Discusser never affirmed but against their Kingly or Civill Authoritie in spirituall cases since Christ Jesus abolished that Nationall Church Peace But sayth M r Cotton the best Good of a Citie is Religion and therefore there should be a Law for it Truth To this I have spoken largely in discussing of that Modell unto which I know not of any Reply yet made by Himselfe or any of those worthy men whom he makes the Authours of it Peace But further whereas the Discusser had said that the weedes of the Wildernesse will not hurt the Garden nor poyson the Body if not suffred to grow in the Garden nor taken into the Body M r Cotton grants that Christ hath ordained Gardiners for his Garden and Physick and Physicians for his Body Yet withall he makes the Civill Officers to be as Supervisors Superintendents and consequently Bishops Governours and Heads of the Church or Churches and over the spirituall Officers of Christ Jesus Truth What is this but to establish Henry the 8. a Spirituall Civill Magistrate and Head of the Church in the roome of the Pope Contrary to which I have discoursed in the discussing of the Modell in the bloudie Tenent Peace But what thinke you of M r Cottons interpretation of Tertullians minde to wit that Tertullian should meane that the Christian Religion would not hurt nor disturbe the Romane Civill State Truth I conceive it cannot stand for although it be true that the Christian Religion hurts no Civill State but infinitly the contrary yet M r Cotton will not deny that the Christian Religion not of it selfe but through the corruption of the Civill State may provoke a Civill State many wayes and therefore Tertullian must meane otherwayes to wit every Man must stand or fall in his owne Religion and the Religion of one man will neither hurt nor save another Therefore to end this Passage Tertullians words may not unfitly be thus applied The Religion of the Protestants if permitted by the Papists will neither hurt nor profit the Papists The Religion of the Independents will nether hurt nor profit the Presbyterians if they permitted it And the Religion and Worship of other Consciences in old or New England will neither hurt nor profit the Independents where the power of tollerating or not tollerating lies in the hands and power of the Independents Exam of Chap. 68. replying to Chap. 71. Peace HEre M r Cotton urgeth two mistakes First in the quoting of Jerome secondly in naming Tertullian for Jerome Truth Possible it is they are neither the mistakes of the Prisoner nor Discusser but either the Scribe or Printers may share with them or if they were their owne mistakes although the Prisoner wrote in close prison in Newgate and the Discusser in multitude of Distractions yet they are justly to be blamed for their least sleepines in the handling of the matters of the most High Peace But Jeromes words saith M r Cotton imply more then a spirituall cutting off for Jerome immediatly subjoyneth these words Arius was but a sparke but because he was not speedily supprest his Flame depopulated all the World which cannot be meant sayth he of cutting off by Excommunication which proceeded against him once and twice Truth I cannot be easily induced to believe that Jerome intended to complaine of Constantine who was not sparing at the first to put forth his temporall Arme and power against Arrius But this is certaine his words are these Heresie must be cut off with the Sword of the Spirit and the Scriptures quoted by him 1 Cor. 5. Gal. 5. as M r Cotton yeeldeth prove onely a spirituall cutting off So that it seemes not rationall for Jerome to run from the Spirituall Sword about which he is now conversant to the carnall and temporall Sword of which those Scriptures as M r Cotton acknowledgeth discourse not Peace But let no man say sayth M r Cotton that this grant of his That Heresie must be cut off by the Sword of the Spirit doth imply an absolute sufficiencie in the Sword of the Spirit to cut it downe according to 2 Cor. 10. â—â— 5. For though spirituall Weapons be absolutely sufficient to the End for which God hath appointed them as hath been opened above to wit for the conviction and if he belong to God for the conversion of the offendour for the mortifying of his flesh and for the saving of his Soule and for the cleansing of the Church from the Fellowship of that Guilt Yet if an Heretick will still continue obstinate and persist in seducing creepe into Houses leade captive sillie Soules and destroy the Faith of some it may be of many such Gangrenes would be cut off by another Sword which in the hand of the Magistrate is not borne in vaine Truth This answer of M r Cotton lookes
by pretended legall tryals and executions of Justice sometimes by most horrid and dreadfull murthers and massacres Peace Thus hath Christ Jesus indeed been vanquished and driven out of this world by the powers of Caesars Kings and other earthly Governours and Rulers Truth 'T is a fresh and bleeding History of that famous disputation between the Cardinal and Prelates of France and Beza with his protestant assistants under Charles the 9 th And not long after of that most barbarous and horrible murther and massacre of about 30000 Innocents to finish and compleat that victory which the pretended Disputation and spirituall arme could never effect Peace Yea in the bloody Marian dayes there must be Convocations cald at London and downe must these famous witnesses of Jesus Cranmer Ridley Latimer to dispute at Oxford but faithfull Philpot for his free disputing in the Convocation at London and Cranmer Latimer and Ridley for not yeelding away the truth at Oxford they must all feel the rage of the fiery furnace who bow not downe to the golden Image And without offence of civill Authority or disrespect against any mans person be it spoken in the late great disputes between the Presbyterians and Independents at VVestminster what a Tempest raised what Earthquakes and Thunders cal'd for from Earth and Heaven ihat the second sword of the magistrate herein the Presbiterians Servant and Executioner might effect that which all the power of the pretended sword of Gods Spirit was never able to reach to Pea. To proceed M Cot. is greatly offended at this word to wit the Eye of the Answerer could never be so obscured as to run to the Smiths-shop for a sword of Iron and steel to help the Sword of the Spirit if the Sun of Ryghteousnes had pleased to shew him that a Nationall Church c. And his anger breaths forth first against all Hereticks thus If there be stones of the streets the Magistrate need not run for a Sword from the Smiths shop nor an Halter from the Ropiers to punish an Heretick Truth It is true the warehouse of persecution is so abundantly filled with all sorts of bloody Instruments besides Swords and Ropes that the Primitive and Latter times have told us how many severall sorts of sorrows pains and torments the servants of the living God have felt by severall Instruments of Blood and Death besides Ropes and Swords c. and all to punish as Master Cotton sayth the Heretick the Heretick Blasphemer Seducer c. Peace What is this Anger but Fury Ira furor brevis est And what weapons can be wanting to Fury not the stones in the streets saith Master Cotton Furor arma ministrat for the magistrate needs not saith he stay so long as to run to a Smiths-shop for a sword or to the Ropiers for a halter c. Peace O the mysteries of iniquitie and cozenage of sin that a Lambe of Christ should thus roar out like a Lyon and at the speech may be construed by some so far as in him lies to provoke the civill powers yea the people in the streets to furious outrage and not so much as to attend proceedings in pretended legal Trials and executions but in the madnesse of Barbarous murthers and massacres and that even upon himselfe and the Independants in their meetings c. Peace But 2dly he finds fault with the Discussers wit for bringing such light conceits into grave discourses and disputes about the holy things of God Truth If there be any thing savouring of wit in the Discussors speech let all men judge whether there be not a double yea a treble portion in this of Master Cottons I acknowledge Non est major confusio quam serij Joci The Discussor dares not willingly to prophane the holy name of the most high with lightnes no not with those fine turnings of wit which the word forbids 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 5. which becomes not Christs schollars but rather the giving of thanks And yet there is an holy wit and pleasantnes in Samsons Riddle in Jothams and Jesus his Parables yea and in Eliah his sharpe and cutting language which cut as deep to their deluding consciences as the Knives and Lances of their Idolatrous backs and bodies Yet none of these were as Mast Cotton insinuates against the Discusser for naming of Smiths-shop playings with feathers c. Peace But what think you of his confidence touching his New-England Diana to wit that the Discusser will never be able to make it good that the Church in New-England is implicitly a Nationall and State Church Truth His own words seem to prove it for if it be a Church and not Churches of N. England as elsewhere he speaks and as the Scripture ordinarily speaks the Churches of Judea Galatia c. it cannot be no other but a Nationall as the english-English-Church scotch-Scotch-Church french-French-Church c. But possibly it being a mistake I answer A Nation in the common and large extent I dare not call New-England but thus the severall Plantations or Colonies of one Religion or way of worship make up one Colonie or Province of English-men in this part or tract of America I cannot therefore call the Church of New-England properly a Nationall Church but a Provinciall Church a State-Church cast into the mould of a Nationall Church distinct into so many Parishes I say not expresly and explicitly but implicitly and secretly which the son of righteousnesse will at last reveal as clearly and brightly in the eyes of all men as the sun that shines at Noon-day At present I affirm what ever are the pretences pleas and coverings to the contrary that that Church estate that religion and worship w ch is commanded or permitted to be but one in a country nation or province as was the Jews religion in that typical land of Canan that Church is not in the nature of the particular Churches of Christ but in the nature of a Nationall or state Church the nature of a particular Church of Christ is to be one 2 or 3 more or lesse in Townes or Cities as in all the instances of the New-Testament but the nature of the State Church is when the whole State is turn'd into a State Church in so many Parishes or Divisions of worshippers and it is made odious intolerable for any part of this City state ce not to attend the common worship of the City sanctifie the holy times and contribute to the holy Officers and to walke in another way which is the generall state and practise of New-England 2 That is a nationall and state Church where the Civill power is constituted the Head thereof to see to the conforming or reforming of the Church the truth or falshood of the Churches Ministries or ministrations ordinances Doctrine c. In the particular Churches of Christ Jesus wee finde not a tittle of the power of the civill magistrate or civill sword in spirituall
M r Cottons cloake to wit that they will not meddle with the Heretick before he hath sinned against his owne Conscience and so persecute him onely for sinning against his owne Conscience yet I earnestly beseech every Reader seriously to ponder the whole streame and series of M r Cottons Discourse Propositions Affirmations c. through the whole booke and he shall then be able to judge whether it be untrue that his Doctrine tends not to constraine nor restraine Conscience 2. For the matter of fact how can he with any Humilitie before the staming eyes of the most High cry out no such practice when First Their Lawes cry out a Command under Penaltie for all to come to Church though not to be Members which in truth as hath been opened is but a colour and visard deceiving himselfe and others And a cruell Law is yet extant against Christ Jesus muffled up under the hood or vaile of a Law against Anabaptistrie c. Secondly Their practice cryes their Imprisonments Finings Whippings Banishments cry in the Eares of the Lord of Hosts and the louder because of such unchristian figleave cloakes c. Peace Let it be granted sayth M r Cotton that we did both yet this did not make Lawes to binde Conscience but the outward man onely Nor would we sayth he think it fit to binde the outward man against Conscience Truth I cannot discerne the Coherence of these three Affirmations 1. We restraine no man from Worship according to Conscience 2. We make Lawes but to binde the outward man onely And yet againe 3 we thinke not meete to binde the outward man against Conscience M r Cotton lived once under a Popish Law to weare a fooles Coat or Surplice on his back and to make a Conjuring Crosse with his Fingers why should he say that this Law went beyond his back and his fingers and came even to his Conscience If these pettie bonds did binde his Conscience as well as his back and his fingers Oh let not M r Cotton so farre put off the Bowells of Compassion toward Christ Jesus and his Followers yea toward all men as to binde their backs and their Necks their Knees and Hands backward and forward to or from Worship and yet say he binds but the outward man c. Yea and oh let not such uprightnes candor and Integritie as M r Cotton hath been noted for be blemished with such an Evasion as this to wit when it comes to selfe that Conscience his owne or his Friends be offred to be bound c. then he shall flie to his third Evasion saying We think it not meete to binde the outward man against Conscience that is against our Consciences c. What ever becomes sinck or swim of other Mens Peace In the next Passage God needs not sayth M r Cotton the helpe of the Magistrate more in the Second then in the first Table Truth God needeth not absolutely for the matters of the Second Table though respectively because he hath appointed Ordinances unto which he hath graciously referd himselfe But for the first Table he hath no neede at all of carnall weapons no not respectively because he hath appointed Ordinances to thousand-fold more potent suitable and sufficient Peace Whereas it was urged that if Magistrates must use their materiall Sword in keeping of both Tables they must be able to judge of both M r Cotton replies that it is enough that they be able to judge in Principles and Foundations and of the Arrogancie of a tumultuous Spirit for such want not Judgement to censure Apostasie or Heresie Idolatrie c. Truth It is not like that a Carpenter who hath skill sufficient to judge the Principles and Foundations of a house or Building should be unable to judge about the Beames Posts c. 2. With what great darknes have the best of Gods children themselves been covered these many hundreth yeares touching the very Fundamentalls of Gods Worship Peace Whereas it was said further that either they are not fitly qualified Magistrates and Common-weales that want this abilitie to judge c. Or else they must judge according to their Conscience M r Cotton replyes Many Qualifications are required in Husbands Wives Children Servants Ministers Churches the want whereof may make them sinfull but not unlawfull Truth I answer some Relations are Passive as that of children who may be true and lawfull children although they know not that they are children But such Relations as are active in their choice and consent as of Husband Wife Magistrate c. these cannot be lawfull unles they be fitted and qualified to performe the maine and essentiall duties of Husbands Wives Servants Magistrates That Husband Wife Servant cannot be lawfull that are engaged to other Husbands Wives Masters Nor can that Magistrate be lawfull who is a mad-man or Ideot not able to discerne between Right and Wrong and truely were Magistrates bound as to the chiefe part of their Dutie and Office to establish the true Religion c. he were no more then a mad-man as to the first Table that were not spiritually indued with ability of discerning the true Church Ministry Worship c. Peace Now whereas it was further urged that then the Common-weale the Civil Naturall state hath more Light concerning the Church of Christ then the Church it self c Master Cotton replies it followes not because that is a weak Church that knowes no more light then that of the Principles and beside what light the Common-wealth hath it may have received from the Church Truth I answer If Kings and Queens c. be nurcing Fathers and Mothers in a spirituall respect over the Church as is usually alleadged can it be expected but that the Nurse Father or Physician should know more of the Childs state then the Child or Patient himselfe who oftentimes knows not his sicknesse nor that he is sick as oft may be the case of a Church of Christ It is impossible but they must have more light then the Child yea and much more impossible that they should receive their Light and direction from the Child c. Peace We see saith Master Cotton that Magistrates sometimes have more Light in matters of Religion then the Church it self as David and Hezekiah Truth This 1 confirmes what I said that these Kings being appointed by God Formers and Reformers of the Church of Judah they must needs have more light in the matter of Reformation then the Church it selfe to be reformed 2 I must deny that David and Hezekiah were other then types of Christ Jesus both in his owne person and in such who in his absence are by him deputed to manage the spirituall power and sword of his holy and spirituall Kingdome Peace Yea but alas saith Master Cotton there is no colour that because Magistrates are bound to discerne and serve Christ with their power that therefore they may punish Christ and Christians Truth True
and notwithstanding all other meanes in the World used by men as helps and hindrances yet his holy End shall not be disappointed but fulfilled Beside the Difference between soule-killing and body-killing is but as M r Cotton here useth the word so much as in us lieth that is by attempt or endeavour which may be many wayes frustrated and disappointed by the holy hand of God and the soule yet saved and live in the day of the Lord Jesus Peace Whereas you said that the imprisoning of Men in a Nationall or State Religion is guiltie of their Destruction together with the monstrous sword of Civill Warres which cuts off Men from all meanes of Repentance M r Cotton answers If the Religion be good it is no Imprisonment If it be naught then there should be no Imprisonment To the second sayth he this Feare is causeles for if Men belong to God he will give Repentance and how ever sayth he Godâ— revealed Will is fullfilled in their just Executions Truth I could here ask M r Cotton where amongst all the Religions and Worships of the sonnes of men he ever met in the whole World with above one Nation which Nationally profest a true Religion and where ever since Christ Jesus ending of the shadowes any State Religion or Nationall Worship can be found true notwithstanding M r Cotton knowes I grant Gods people in Kingdomes Nations Cities Townes c. to be Gods Kingdome Nation Citie c. Peace And since M r Cotton speakes thus of Imprisonment me-thinkes that every peaceable man and woman may bring in here against him at the Tribunall of Christ Jesus an Action of false Imprisonment indeed false every way not onely of the sensible and outward man but of the most noble and inner part the minde the spirit and Conscience for who knowes not that Jerusalem it selfe may be a prison to false-hearted Shimei Who hath not found a pallace a prison when forc't to keepe within it yea confine a man to his own house and home though deare and familiar and most intimate to him his owne house during that force and restraint is a prison to him Truth Yea it is most wofully found evident that the best Religion like the fairest Whores and the most golden and costlie Images yea the most holy and pure and onely true Religion and Worship appointed by God himselfe is a Torment to that Soule and Conscience that is forc't against its owne free love and choice to embrace and observe it And therefore whether the Religion be good oâ—â—aught as M r Cotton here distinguisheth there ought to be no forcing but the soule and minde and conscience of man that is indeed the man ought to be left free as in his Earthly marriage-choice so here ten thousand times rather in his heavenly and spirituall Peace But what say you to his unmercifull conclusion in the bloudshed and destruction of so many thousands and millions formerly and lately slaine and murthered by this bloudie Tenent of persecution Yea the late and lamentable streames of English bloud and the bloud of our neighbours friends Brethren Parents powred forth by these late Episcopall or Bishops Warres M r Cottons conclusion is The revealed will of God sayth he is fullfilled in their just Execution whether they belong to God or no. Truth I wish M r Cotton more mercy from God and a more mercifull minde toward the afflicted and I say as the Lord Jesus said in the case of offence Great offences Nationall offences will come for Religions sake for Nationall Religion sake but woe unto those that beare the guilt of so many thousand slaughters murthers ravishings plunderings c. The Pope the Bishops the Presbyterians the Independants so farre as they have been Authours or Actors in these horrible Calamities out of the perswasion of the bloudie Tenent of persecution for Religion and Conscience the voyce of so many Rivers of bloud cry to Heaven for vengeance against them Peace But may not blessed Truth the sword of Civill power which is from God Rom. 13. be drawne and drunke with bloud for Christ his sake What say you among the many Examples of Religions Warres to the most famous Battles of Constantine against the bloudie persecutour Maxentius Was not Constantine Christs Champion as once that valiant Scanderbeg cald himselfe against the bloudie Turks Truth Sweet Peace the sword of Civill power was Gods sword committed by Gods most wise Providence into the hands of that famous Constantine Doubtles his warre was righteous and pious so farre as he broke the Jawes of the oppressing persecuting Lyons that devoured Christs tender Lambes and sheepe And famous was his Christian Edict wherein Licinius joyned with him when he put forth that imperiall Christian Decree that no mane Conscience should be forced and for his Religion whether to the Romane Gods or the Christian no man should be persecuted or hunted When Constantine broke the bounds of this his owne and Gods Edict and drawes the sword of Civill power in the suppressing of other Consciences for the establishing of the Christian then began the great Mysterie of the Churches sleepe the Gardens of Christs Churches turned into the Wildernesse of Nationall Religion and the World under Constantines Dominion to the most unchristian Christendome Peace I am unquestionably satisfied that there was never any Nationall Religion good in this world but one and since the Desolation of that Nation there was never there shall be never any Nationall Religion good againe and this will be most evident to such as hould the Truth of the continuance of Christs visible Church in the way of particular Congregations 6. But now to the Sixt Argument which M r Cotton thus repeats from the possibilitie of a false Teacher a spirituall Wolves recoverie from the estate of a soule-killer to become a soule-Saviour as it was in the case of Paul And thus he answers If men be such Blasphemers and such Wolves as Paul was before his Conversion neither the Law of God nor man would put such a Man to death who sinned of Ignorance and walked as himselfe professed in all good Conscience even in his former evill times Acts 23. But as for such as apostate from the knowne truth of Religion and seeke to subvert the foundation of it and to draw away others from it to plead for their Tolleration in hope of their Conversion is as much as to proclaime a generall pardon to all malefactours save onely such as sin against the Holy Spirit for he that is a willfull murtherer and adulterer now may come to be converted and die a martyr hereafter Truth I see not why M r Cotton should passe a more charitable censure on Pauls Conscience then on other Mens professing Conscience also and the feare of God nor an harder censure upon other Men to wit that they are convinced and sinne against their owne Conscience more then upon Paul
partiality the bloody doctrine of persebution Great shifting â—o â—sâ—â—â— Christs cross Christian weapons Christ Jesus betwen two Thieves The horible Hypocrisie of all persecutors Christs charge to Pergamus and Thiatira against Tolleration examined False Excommunication one kinde of persecution The word Persecution how ordinarily it is taken Persecution ordinarily implies corporall violence Speeches of Princes against Persecution No Civill Christian State Christs Sword Nurcing Fathers-dealt withall as children Active obedience cannot be given but to a competent Judge Persecutors if it were in their power would and are bound to persecute all Consciences and Religions in the World All persecutors hould the Popes trayterous Doctrine of deposing haereticall Princes The Popish and Protestant Clergie set the Popish and Protestant World on fire for their Maintenance The Dutch device to winne their Clergie to Tolleration of other Religions All that professe to be Christs Ministers must Dig or Beg or Steale All Antichristians are fundamentally opposite to Christ Jesus Touching the Tares Policie store but Pietie rare in Princes A Speech of King James considered No Man to he forced from his owne worship 〈…〉 c. Touching compelling to come to Church and to heare A second Speech of King James Papists may yeeld Civill obedience The Parliament at Paris although Popish yet condemned Bookes and Tenents against Civill obedience All England Papists and yet the Pope renounced A twofold holding the Pope as Head The two Sisters Lawes concerning Conscience Ceales of moderation and kindnesse may melt an Enemie as David melted Saul c. Cautions for preventing of disturbance by Papists c. Sufficient Provisions are made in other Nations against Distractions and Tumults from opposite Consciences and Worships Nâ—erâ—â— Comâ—â—tition home-bred oppositions most of all exâ—sperate c. The admired Prudence of the Parliament in preserving Civill Peace Increase of Papists unlikely in England M r John Robinson deceased his Testimonie in a Manus from Holland A third Speech of King James considered Persecution ordinarily the marke of a False Church Stephen King Poland his 〈…〉 The Spirituall Power of Christ Jesus betrusted not with Civill but spirituall Ministers An Argument used in Parliament against the Persecuting Bishops Of disturbance of Religion The Bishops as Tyrants justly suppressed and the Parliament therein prospered from Heaven Daniells Counsel to Bel-shazzar preserveth Parliaments Kingdomes Touching the Nationall Church of Israell Israell a miraculous Nation Two sorts of the Nations of the World Touching the true and false Christs King of Bohemia his Speech Spirituall Rapes All persecutours contumeliously object against Conscience Amnon his ravishing of Tamar a Type A Query who shall judge whether Conscience be convict Church Papists and Protestants also ravished Wars for Religion The bloudie Tenent Guiltie of all the bloud of Papists and Protestants lately spilt The strongest Arme sword the ordinarie Judge of the Conviction of Conscience Touching the Nationall Church of England Reall denying the greatest denying of Christ Jesus Two high Transgressions objected against M r Cotton Touching the Romane Emperours practices in Religious Affaires Christs Garden gaines by violent Stormes and looseth by sweete Sun-shines The Romane Emperours The Arrians persecuted and persecuting The great Difference between this World and Christ A Christianitie strange from Christ Antichristian Christianitie The bloudie Tenent tends to an universall Conquest of the whole World The bloudie Tenent in its colours No Booke or Writing ever so abused as the holy Writing Scripture of God is The Language of persecutours Julian his Tolleration Touching Infection of false Doctrine c. Hypocrites tollerated in the Church but not in the World Touching the Persecution of K James and Q Elizabeth Touching the Qualification of Princes Touching Magistrates suspending from acting in matters of Religion Monstrous partialitie Constantines Edict Foule imputations cast on Christ Jesus Vnchristian Tribunalls Dent. 13. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 16. Vnchristianly conjoyned Touching Excommunication in Israel Ans Spirituall Blessings and Curses the Antitypes of Corporall before Christ Great oversight imputed to Christ Jesus If civill punishments for spirituall offences they must be inflicted by holy and Christian Instruments and Officers A true Christ a true Sword a false Christ a false Sword Q Elizabeth her wars against the Papists The Warres of the Waldenses Acts 8. 11. Christian weapons Christs Sword Christs Warres and Victories Revel 17. Gideons Army typicall The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted Worldly glory and persecution characters of the false Church The sins of Gods children Christs Witnesses A true Wife of Christ no persecutour Touching persecution what it is Difference between a civill and spirituall State The nature of spirituall punishment The nature of Christs spirituall Government The Civill Powers and Officers the Clergies Executioners Spirituall Judgements more terrible since Christ then corporall before his coming The cutting off or Excommunicating from the holy Land of Israel figurative and typicall A twofold wâ—y of constraint What it is to walke according to a mans Light Conviction twofold Sufficient in it selfe or to the partie efficacious Touching the Maintenance of the new English Ministers Of propagating Religion by the Sword Touching the Indians of New-England Worshipping of God and Christ before the foundation of Repentance is nothing but Antichristian disorder Touching preaching to the Indians in New-England Proprietie of Language necessary to the true preaching of Christ Jesus to any people Conscience to God in Worship a close Prisoner in New-England and no Petitioner could obtaine its Libertie Publikâ— marriage or giving ones selfe to Christ Judges 21. 25 Considered Supreame Authoritie in Spiritualls Tertullians Speech of one Religion not hurting or profiting another Considered * M r Cottons and Mr Edwards Gangrenes have little differd Blasphemie against the holy Scripture Mysteries of false Christs The true Christ despised for his povertie A base esteeme of the Spirituall Sword Earthly Christs need earthly supports The state of Christianity during the reigne of Antichrist Constantines peace a greater tryal and danger to Christians then 300 years persecution Sathans two wayes of quenching the Candle of Christianity The French Massacre must doe what their pretended disputation could not effect Pretended disputes in Q. Maries days ending in fiery flames The late Synodicall disputes A bloody and most unchristian speech The rash fury and madnesse of persecutors even against themselves Pleasantnesse of wit sanctified glorifies the giver The pretended particulâ—r Churches of N. E. indeed but a Nationall Church No permission of any Religion or worship but one in N. E. therefore are the Churches but a Nationall Church in the mould them c. Where the Supream Authority in a Church is Civill the Body cannot but be like the head and all make up but one Civil or Nationall mixt Church like the Jewish Nationall Church The purging a Countrey of Hereticks declares that Countrey is explicitly or implicitly a National Church A State Maintenance proveth a State Church Synods assembled by
THE BLOODY TENENT YET More Bloody BY Mr Cottons endevour to wash it white in the BLOOD of the LAMBE Of whose precious Blood spilt in the Blood of his Servants and Of the blood of Millions spilt in former and later Wars for Conscience sake THAT Most Bloody Tenent of Persecution for cause of Conscience upon a second Tryal is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty In this Rejoynder to Mr Cotton are principally I. The Nature of Persecution Examined II. The Power of the Civill Sword in Spirituals Examined III. The Parliaments permission of Dissenting Consciences Justified Also as a Testimony to M r Clarks Narrative is added a Letter to Mr Endicet Governor of the Massachusets in N. E. By R. WILLIAMS of Providence in New-England London Printed for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at the black-spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1652. TO THE MOST HONORABLE THE PARLIAMENT OF THE Common-wealth of ENGLAND Most Noble Senators ONE of the greatest Spirits and as active as later times have yeelded Charles the fifth tired out with Affairs of State resigns up all and sits down to end his dayes in quiet Contemplation I doubt not but many of your Honorable Heads have felt the thorny Crown of these late years troubles so sharp so weighty that your tired Spirits would joyfully embrace if not with Charles the fifth a totall Cessation yet like some faithfull tired Judge after so long and troublesome a Tearm at least some breathing short Vacation Although I dare not as to Englands peace and safety admit desires of your Totall Cessation or long vacation yet common Gratitude for such incomparable labours expences hazards c. from whence the God of heaven hath vouchsafed such rare and incomparable preservations deliverances enjoyments c. I say common gratitude cannot onely wish you heartily pray for earnestly your eternal Rest and most joyfull Harvest in the Heavens but also all the possible breathing hours and cool retired shades of Contemplation and self-enjoyment amidst the scorching Travels of so many vexing and tedious Actions You cannot ever renowned Patriots but like some grave Commanders of Fleets and Armies who have brought their Ships and followers through tempestuous stâ—rms and bloody fights to joyful Rest and Harbours You cannot but look back with Admirings with Praisings with Resolvings to cast you Crowns and Heads and Hearts and Hands for the remaining Minutes of the short Candle of your life at his Feet in whose most High and most gracious Hands have all your Breaths and wayes been In the review of the multitude of your Actings and Sufferings your Battells and Victories Dangers and Deliverances you cannot no man can but observe and see a naked Arm from Heaven fighting for you but most especially since the times and houres you gratified the most High Eternall King of Kings now more then ever Englands King with these two famous Subsidies if I may in humble Reverence so call them The first of Mercy and Moderation to the poor oppressed Consciences of the English Nation amidst the throng of which he graciously will yea he hath acknowledged that some of his own dear Children the Sonnes and Daughters of the God of Heaven have been relieved and succoured by you The second your high and impartiall drawing of the Sword of Justice upon the great and highest offendors Since which two wonderfull Subsidies the most wilfully blind must be forced to see the glorious Goings of the God of Heaven with your Councels and Armies and the discharge of his holy promise in honouring you who have so highly in so rare and unparalleld Travels and Hazards honored him Concerning the first of these Subsidies I was humbly bold some few yeares since to present you with a Conference between Peace and Truth touching a most bloudy Murtherous Malefactor the bloody Tenent of Persecution for cause of Conscience a notorious and common Pyrate that takes and robbs that fires and sinkes the Spirituall Shipps and Vessels the Consciences of all men of all sorts of all Religions and Perswasions whatsoever It hath pleased Master Cotton a Man incomparably too worthy for such a service to attempt the washing of this bloody Tenent as hee speakes in the blood of the Lamb CHRIST JESUS though one part of the Conference to wit the Examination of a N. English Modell of Church and Civill Power he leaveth to the washing of some other of the N. English Ministers the Authors of that Modell of whose washings as yet I have not heard of This present discourse presents your Honours with the second part of the Conference between Peace and Truth and hath examined Mr. Cottons Reply and washings I summe up the multitude of my Thoughts touching your Honours Consideration of this point in these three most humble Petitions First I most humbly and earnestly beseech your Honours to mind the Difference between State Necessity of Freedome to different Consciences and the Equity and Piety of such a Freedome State Policie and Necessity of Affairs drew from great Constantine with his Colleague Licinius that famous Edict of Freedome to all mens Consciences whom yet afterward he persecuted But a Successor of his of late years Maximilian the second comes neerer the Life of the Businesse when he conscientiously profest in a solemne Speech to the Bishop of Olmuts in Bohemia There is no sin ordinarily greater against God said he then to use violence against the Consciences of men Your Honours will find if the Father of Spirits please to spare you time and Spirits to mind this Cause and Controversie that all violence to Conscience turns upon these two Hinges First of Restraining from that worshipping of a God or Gods which the Consciences of men in their respective worships all the world over believes to be true Secondly of Constraining to the practising or countenancing of that whereof their Consciences are not perswaded In the practice of both these the Histories of our own Nation will tell us besides the forraigne how sharp and zealous the strongest Swords of England have ever us'd to be And yet of the practice of both what a Propheticall passage of our late troubles and King did the foresaid Maximilian expresse to Henry the third of France in his passage from Poland to France to claim the French Crown to this effect Sir remember that when men think to get Heaven by using violence to the Consciences of men they oftentimes lose that which they might peaceably have kept on Earth Some have said that worldly policie perswaded as well as State-necessity compelled the States of Holland to a prudent permission of different Consciences And that the said State-Policie perswaded some Dutch to wish that England might not tolerate least a permission of Conscience in England should break down the Bridge and Passage into their parts of Freedome in causes of Conscience Those prudent and prosperous States have gone
lock'd up in a double prison from any serious Audience to ought of mine presented to you The first of Prejudice against such and such a person The second of Conscience against such and such a matter and that while my Conscience or another mans saith Let me be Heretick Blasphemer Idolater Seducer with Christ Jesus with his Apostles Saints and Witnesses Let me for his sake bear Frowns Censures and Persecutions from men so dear so excellent so holy Your Consciences plead for equall Libertie of opposing in your way all such erroneous or wandring Consciences For answer It is but Humanity it is but Christianity to exercise meeknesse and moderation to all men It is humane and Christian Wisdom to listen to a serious Alarm against a Common Enemy Prove the Alarm false it may be but troublesome Prove it true it may be Destruction to have despised it As the wounds of a Lover are better then the Kisses of an Enemy So saith the same Spirit an open Rebuke is better then secret Love But yet your Consciences as all mens must be satisfied I have therefore in all these Agitations humbly presented amongst others two Foundamental Hints or Considerations First that the People the Original of all free Power and Government are not invested with Power from Christ Jesus to rule his Wife or Church to keep it pure to punish Opposites by force of Armes c. Secondly that the Pattern of the National Church of Israel was a None-such unimitable by any Civil State in all or any of the Nations of the World beside In this latter hint I insisted more largely in my former Considerations upon Church and Civil Power in N. E. unto which Mr. Cotton replyed not and of any other Replyes of any to whom Mr. Cotton refers it do I yet not know of I Add it is a glorious Character of every true Disciple or Scholler of Christ Jesus to be never too old to learn It is the Command of Christ Jesus to his Schollars to try all things And Libertie of trying what a Friend yea what an esteemed Enemie presents hath ever in point of Christianity proved one especiall means of attaining to the truth of Christ For I dare confidently appeal to the consciences of Gods most knowing servants if that observation be not true to wit that it hath been the common way of the Father of Lights to inclose the Light of his holy Truths in dark and obscure yea and ordinarily in forbidden Books persons and Meetings by Sathan stiled Conventicles New English Voyages have taught most of our Old English spirits how to put due prices upon the most common and ordinary undervalued mercies how precious with some hath been a little water how dainty with others a piece of bread How welcome to some the poorest howsing Yea the very Land and Earth after long and tedious passages There is one commoditie for the sake of which most of Gods children in N. England have run their mighty hazards a commoditie marvellously scarce in former times though in some late years by Gods most gracious and mighty hand more plentifull in our native Countrey It is a Libertie of searching after Gods most holy mind and pleasure Out of this most precious and invaluable Jewel if you suffer Sathan that grand thief and cheater to bereave you and that it shall be a crime humbly and peaceably to question even Lawes and Statutes or what ever is even publickly taught and delivered you will most certainly find your selves after all your long Run like that little Frenchman who kill'd the Duke of Guise and was taken next morning neare the place from whence he had fled upon a swift horse all night I say you will most certainly find your selves but where you were enslav'd and captivated in the Chains of those Popish Darknesses to wit Ignorance is the mother of Devotion and we must believe as the Church believes c. Remember therefore O ye the Cream and Flower of English Plantations in America what a black and direfull a cole it was with which it pleased the Spirit of God in Habacuck to brand the Assirian Monarchie to wit a Bitter and hastie Nation but in the spirit of meeknesse in the meeknesse of wisdom be pleased to remember that possible it is for Gods visible only people in the world to have very foul and bloudie hands full of Bloud Isa 1. To build up Zion and Jerusalem that is to erect the Visible Church and Kingdom of God with Bloud Mic. 3. and with Iniquitie That the Heads and Judges of Gods People may judge for a reward and the deceitfull heart of man graspeth at rewards more then of one sort that the Priests and Prophets thereof may teach and Prophesie and it may be frequently and excellently but yet for an hire and for money And that yet their consciences may lean upon Jehovah and they may say with confidence is not the Lord amongst us None evil shall come unto us c. O remember that your Gifts are rare your Professions of Religion in such way rare your Persecutions and hidings from the storms abroad rare and wonderfull So in proportion your Transgressions estate and publicksins cannot but be of a rare and extraordinary Guilt Nor will New England's sorrowes when sins are ripe and full be other then the Dregs of Germanie's of Ireland's of England's and of Scotland's Tears and Calamities Amongst the crying sins of our own or other sinfull Nations those two are ever amongst the lowdest to wit Invented Devotions to the God of Heaven Secondly Violence and Oppression on the Sons of men especially if his sons for dissenting and against both these and that the impartial and dreadfull hand of the most holy and Jealous God a consuming fire tear and burn not up at last the Roots of these Plantations but graciously discovering the Plants which are not his he may graciously fructifie and cause to flourish what his Right hand will own I say this is the humble and unfeigned desire and cry at the Throne of Grace of your so long despised Out-cast ROGER WILLIAMS To the Merciful and Compassinate READER WHile the unmercifull Priests and Levits turn away their cruel Eyes and Feet from their poor wounded neighbours the oppressed for matters of Religion and Worship it will be no ingratefull act to present thy tender heart and Ear Compassionate Samaritane with the dolefull cry of the Souls under the Altar How long Lord before thou avenge our bloud on them that dwell upon the Earth and to pray thy mournfull view of the Akeldemae's and fields of Blood where thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands of the pretious Saints Servants and Witnesses of Jesus lie slaughtered in their bloudie Gore in all Ages and in all Nations where the Trumpet of the Son of God hath sounded Here and there among these slaughtered heaps of Saints lie thin and rare the slaughtered Carkasses of some poor
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-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
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
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
Christ Jesus would not pray Iohn 17. Examination of CHAP. XXII Peace IN this Chapter was urged the scope of the Lord Jesus to wit to foretell the Antichristian state opposing the true Christian church and worship as also to comfort and strengthen the hearts of his followers against the grievances ariâ—ing therefrom and where it was urged that the church consisteth onely of good ground and that the three sorts of Bad ground visibly so declared are properly in the world and not in the church Master Cotton answers First Did not Christ preach to all these sorts of hearers in the church of the Jews Truth That national church of the Iews in its first visible constitution consisted onely of good ground Now that the other three sorts of hearers were in the church of the Iews it was an accident and corruption when they grew incurable and received not the admonitions of the Lord by the Lord Iesus and his servants preaching unto them the Lord cast them out of his sight destroyed that nationall church and established the Christian church Now what is this to the permitting of known hypocrites in the Christian church to the worlds end since that the proper seat of known hypocrisie and of all other wickedness is the world which indeed properly consisteth of the three sorts of Bad ground as the church and Garden of Christ of the honest and good ground Peace But further If saith Master Cotton the children of the church-members be in the church then they growing up to yeers become some of them like the high-way and some like the stony and some like the thorny ground Truth Admit the Christian church were constituted of the natural seed and off-spring which yet Master Cotton knows will never be granted to him and I believe will never be proved by him yet he knows that upon the discovery of any such portion of ground in the church the church is bound to admonish and upon impenitency after admonition to cast them into the world the proper place of such kind of hearers and professors Peace Master Cotton proceeds to a third answer to wit Though it be not the proper work of the church to bring up their own children to become the sincere people of God And Christ hath given his Church and his Gospel preached to it to lye like leaven in three pecks of meal till all be leavened Mat. 13. 31. And he hath given Pastors and Teachers as well for the gathering of the Saints as for the edification of the Body of Christ Truth I answer the proper work of the Pastors and Teachers is to feed the sheep and flock and not the Heards the wild Beasts in the world And although it is the duty of parents to bring up their children in the nurture and fear of the Lord yet what if those children refuse to frequent the Assemblies of the Church and what if those three sorts of bad ground or hearers will not come within the bounds of the Pastors and Teachers feeding hath not the Lord Iesus appointed other Officers in the same Ephes 4. for the gathering of the Saints that is sending out of the Church of Christ Apostles or Messengers to preach Christ Iesus to the three sorts of bad ground to labour to turn them into good ground But alas to salve up all this the civil sword is commonly run for to force all sorts of ground to come to church instead of the sending forth Rom. 10. the heavenly sowers according to the Ordinance of Christ Iesus Peace But what say you to his fourth answer viz. There is no such Resemblance between the high-way-ground and good ground as between the Tares and the wheate nor would the servants wonder at Tares in the high-way nor ask about their plucking up Truth I answer Let the high-way stony and thorny ground be considered in their several qualities of prophaneness stouiness and worldliness and all the sons of men throughout the whole world naturally are such and t is no wonder nor would the servants of Christ be so troubled as to desire their plucking up out of the world But yet againe consider all these sorts of men as professing the name and anointing of Christ Iesus in a false and counterfeit Antichristian way and then it may well be wondred whence such monstrous kind of Christians or anointed ones arose And Gods people may easily be tempted rather to desire their rooting out of the world then the rooting out of any such sorts of ground or men professing any other Religion Jewish Mahometan or Pagan Antichristian and false Christians being more opposite to the kingdome of Christ Jesus and more dangerous by how much more a counterfeit and Traytor is worse then a professed Fox an Antichristian whether Papist or Protestant worse then a Jew a Pagan Whether Indian Turke or Persian Examination of CHAP. XXIII Peace Still of the Tares THese tares saith Master Cotton are not such sinners as are opposite and contrary for then none should be opposite or contrary but they Truth I acknowledge as Master Cotton here observeth two sorts of persons opposite and contrary to Christ Jesus and his Kingdome First All sorts of sinners scandalous in their lives and courses 2. More especially opposite in point of Religion and worship as all idolaters and especially Antichristians Now every man by nature the best and wisest is opposite and contrary to Christ his word and kingdome but an idolater and Antichristian is more especially opposite to his glorious Name Truth and Ordinances And therein properly lyes the mystery of iniquity brought in by the man of sin that lawless person 2 Thess 2. most opposite or contrary to Christ Jesus the Son of God and Son of Righteousness Peace But this is a begging of the question saith Master Cotton for the question is about visible worshippers such as were discovered and declared to be what they were as well by their fruit as by their clads and therefore againe saith Master Cotton these tares were the seed and children of the Devil for why should they be called the seed of the One and the children of the Other Truth I answer the Lord Jesus distinguisheth thus He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man and the good seed are the children of the Kingdome he that soweth the tares is the devil and these tares are the children of the evil or evil one Hence by way of opposition these children of evil or evil ones being visibly such as are opposite to the children of the kingdome they cannot be hypocrites in the church untill they are discovered These children therefore of the evil one opposite to the visible kingdome and so to visible Christ Jesus in point of his kingdome church and worship though they be the children of the devil in a sence yet can they be no other but the children of the false Christ or Antichrist in the way of a false church and worship Peace Yea
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
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 twelve and the seventy Secondly By his visible kingly power left in the hand of his true churches and the officers and governors thereof In which sence that church of Antioch and the governors thereof rightly invested with the kingly power of Christ Jesus sent forth Paul and Barnabas with prayer and fasting and saying on of hands And Paul and others of Christs messengers being furnished with this kingly power not only planted churches but also ordained elders visited these churches or visible cities of Judah that knowledge and teaching and the word of God might dwel plenteously among them Thirdly Christ Iesus as king of his church and head of his body during the distractions of his house and kingdome under Antichrists apostacy immediately by his own holy Spirit stirs up and sends out those fiery witnesses Rev. 11. to testifie against Antichrist and his several abominations For as for lawful calling to a true ordinary Ministery neither Wickliff in England nor Waldâ—â— in France nor Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prauge in Bohemia nor Luther in Germany nor multitudes more of famous preachers and prophets of Christ both in these countries and also in Spaine Italy c. I say no true ordinary Ministerial calling can they ever shew but Christ Jesus by the secret motion of his own holy Spirit extraordinarily excited in couraged and sent them abroad as an Angel or messenger Rev. 14. with the everlasting Gospel c. Peace To apply these three wayes or any of them to the civil Magistrates and rulers of the world of whom Iehosaphat in that his act should be a type is but to prophane the holy name of God to leane upon and â—dolize an arme of flesh c. Truth I grant the civil Magistrate is bound to countenance the true Ministers of Christ Iesus to incourage protect and defend them from injuries but to send them armed as the Popes Legats and Priests with a sword of steel and to compel people to hear and obey them this savours more of the spirit of the Pope his courses and practises Yea of Mahomet his Mussel-men Dâ—rgâ—es c. then the Lambe of God and his followers Peace What Iehosophat Asa Hezekiah Iosiah c. did they did not only by perswasion countenance example by which all are bound to further the preaching of Christ Iesus but also by force of armes and corporal punishments Truth Yea even to the death it self and this is not a bare sending out of Ministers as Master Cotton gives the instance For by his argument all rulers kings and Emperors and other states of the world ought to embrue their hands in the blood of the many thousands and millions of millions of the poor people if they forsake not their idolatry and embrace the religion which they say is Christian and the only true Peace No saith Master Cotton this ought not to be because only godly and truly Christian Magistrates may so put forth this power of Christ others must stay until they be informed Truth Can it enter into any Christian heart to believe that Christ Jesus should so loosly provide for his affaires so slightly for his name and Fathers work and so regardlesly for his dearest Spouse as to leave so high a care and charge with such as generally and constantly throughout the whole world are ignorant of yea and opposite to the very name of Christ and true Christianity Peace Surely if this payment were offered to the governour as Malachy saith to the world or governments of it it would not pass Truth I never knew a king or captaine councellor or constable officers of high or low condition rightly called according to to God who were not invested with ability more or less for the maine and principal points of their charge and duty Peace It seemes indeed a marvelous and yet it is Master Cottons conclusion that such Magistrates yea all or most of the Magistrates that ever have been since Christ and now extant upon the face of the earth must sit down stay and suspend and that all their life long from the executing of the maine and principal part of their office to wit in matters concerning the conscience religion and worship of the people Truth Yea Secondly in a due survey of the whole universe and globe of this world will one of a thousand or ten thousand according to Master Cottons disabling of them from the chief part of their office be found I will not say fit to be but to be at all lawful civil Magistrates or rulers according to Gods ordinance of Magistracy but meer shadows or images set on high with empty names or titles only of Magistrates Peace Master Cotton adds Although the good of souls is the proper or adequate object of the spiritual officers of Christ and the bodies and goods of the people the proper or adequate object of the civil Magistrate yet in order to the good of their souls he ought to procure spiritual helpes and to prevent spiritual evils Truth I reply If he mean as it is clear he doth that the civil Magistrate ought to do this not only as a Christian by spiritual meanes but as a civil Magistrate by force of armes It is not in order but monstrous disorder for then he the civil Magistrate must sit Judge judicially and formally in those spiritual causes and cases which Master Cotton grants are proper and adequate objects of the spiritual officers which Christ hath appointed Peace Yea why may not saith Master Cotton the Magistrate use his power spiritually in order to the good of bodies as the officers of Christ dehort from idleness and intemperance of meats and drinks c. in order to the good of souls Truth The spiritual officers in dehorting from these evils or any other of that kind interfere not nor take cognizance of that which belongs not to their spiritual court for holiness in all manner of conversation is the circle wherein they ought to see all their spiritual subjects to walk If the spiritual officers should cause by force of armes their people to walk justly temperately c. as Master Cotton saith the civil Magistrate in order to the good of bodies ought to deal in spiritual and soul-matters I say then the eyes of the civil Magistrate would begin to open and to see the horrible disorder and Babylonish confusion of that which is here masked under the abused name of order Peace Master Cotton closeth up this chapter with very bitter censures against the discusser Truth The discusser may well reply that although since the apostacy he sees not the visible thrones and tribunals of Christ Jesus according to his first institution erected and although the civil Magistrate hath not the power of Christ in matters of religion yet they that slay the Lords sheep are not exempted from all judgement For if the offenders slay them corporally the Lord hath armed the civil Magistrate with the sword of God to take vengeance
of a necessity of present punishing of false worshippers and idolaters least present wrath fall upon the King or his Son Peace Now whereas it was said an intollerable burthen laid upon the Magistrates back together with the care of the Commonweal to be charged also with the spiritual c. Master Cotton answers 1. That the Magistrate ought to seek out meaneâ— of grace for the people 2. To remove idolatry and idolatrous Teachers 3. It is commonly added that he ought to preserve the church pure by reformation Truth I reply This work charged upon the kings governors and Magistrates in the world makes the weight of their care and charge far greater then ever was the charge of the kings of Israel and Judah For their people were miraculously brought into covenant with God to their hands like a bridge or house or ship ready built and needed only keeping up in reparation yea an heavier yoak then either their or our fathers were able to bear considering all the several different consciences religions and worships of all mankind naturally and the many different opinions factions and sects which daily do arise and that conscientiously and zealously unto death All these must by Master Cottons doctrine lie before the bar beside all civil cases c. Peace T is memorable that Paul himself that had the care of all the churches would not be intangled with civil affaires further then his own necessities did call for and sometimes the necessities of his companions but this yoak put upon the necks of Magistrates is as full of temporal as spiritual care And as it is impossible for them to bear So the Lord in his holy season may please to teach them as he hath taught some already through his grace to lay that spiritual Burthen upon the shoulders of their only King of Saints Christ Jesus to whom the supream power and care of souls and churches doth alone belong Whereas it was further said that the Magistrate is to cherish and to cleave unto the Saints and to defend them from civil violence but the spiritual care of them belongs to spiritual officers appointed by Christ Jesus to that end Master Cotton replies this is but a pretence because the discusser acknowledgeth no churches extant c. Truth Although amongst so many pretending churches the discusser be not able to satisfie himself in the rightly gathering of the Churches according to the true order of Christ Jesus yet this is far from a pretence because the institution of any state government order c. is one thing and the administration and execution which may be interrupted and eclipsed is another Peace Indeed Ieremy could not rightly have been judged a pretender when he mourned for and lamented the desolations of the temple priests elders altar sacrifice c. and neither he nor Daniel nor any of Gods prophets or servants could during the time of the desolation and captivity acknowledge either temple or altar or sacrifice right extant upon the face of the earth Truth He that saith the Sun Christ Jesus is not to be seen in our Horizon or Hemisphere in his absence or when he suffers an Eclipse cannot be said to deny that the Lord Jesus his holy ordinances ought to be visible in the worship and service of God Although the discusser be not satisfied in the period of the times and the manner of his glorious appearing yet his soul uprightly desires to see and adore and to be thankful to Master Cotton yea to the least of the disciples of Christ Jesus for any coal or sparke of true light amongst so many false and pretended candles and candlesticks pretending the glorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ Peace Next Master Cotton demands what reason can be given why the Magistrate ought to break the teeth of lyons ought to suppress such as offer civil violence and not of the Wolves that make havock of their souls who are more mischievous then the lyon as the Pope of Rome then the Pagan Emperors He wonders the discusser should favor the Pope more then the Emperour except it be that he symbolizeth rather with Antichrist then with Caesar Truth It may here suffice to say two things not to repeat other passages First The civil state and Magistrate are meerly and essentially civil and therefore cannot reach without the transgressing the bounds of civility to judge in matters spiritual which are of another sphere and nature then civility is Now it is most just and proper that if any member of a civil body be opprest the body should relieve it As also it is just and proper that the spirituall state or body should relieve the soul of any in that spiritual combination oppressed Therefore Secondly for spiritual and religious oppressions the king of kings Christ Iesus hath sufficient providedly in his spiritual kingdome therefore Acts 20 Paul gives the charge against those spiritual Wolves to the elders of the church at Ephesus and not to civil Magistrates of the city which Paul should have done notwithstanding they were worshippers of Diana if it had been their duty to have broke the teeth of those spirituall Wolves c. Peace It is indeed one thing to prohibite the Pope the prelates the Presbyterians the Independents or any from forcing any in the matters of their respective consciences and accordingly to take the sword from such mens hands or as their executioners to refuse to use it for them It is another thing to leave them freely to their own consciences to defend themselves as well as they can by the two-edged sword of the spirit which is the word of God which all the several sorts of pretenders say they have received from Iesus Christ Truth The renowned Parliament of England hath justly deserved a crown of honour to all posterity for breaking the teeth of the oppressing Bishops and their courts but to wring the sword out of the hands of a few prelates and to suffer it willingly to be wrung out of their own hands by many thousand Presbyterians or Independants what is it but to change one wolfe or lyon for another or in stead of one to let loose the Dens of thousands Peace But why should Master Cotton insinuate the discusser to glance a more obsequious eye upon the Pope then upon the Emperor Truth I fear Master Cotton would create some evil opinion in the heart of the civil Magistrate that the discusser is as the bloody Iews told Pilate no friend to Caesar whereas upon a due search it will be sound clear as the light that it is impossible that any that subscribe ex animo to the bloody Tenent of persecution can ex animo be a friend to Magistracy The reason is all persecutors whether priests or people care onely for such Magistrates as suite the end the great bloody end of persecution of whom they either hope to borrow the sword or whom they hope to make their executioners Their very
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
Mahumeâ—ans and no people more filthy in soul and body and no people in the world more bloody and persecuting but I listen for your second paradox Truth Secondly This Tenent of the Magistrates keeping the church from Apostatizing by practising civil force upon the consciences of men is so far from preserving Religion pure that it is a mighty Bulwark or Barricado to keep out all true Religion yea and all godly Magistrates for ever coming into the World Peace Doubtless this will seem a hard riddle yet I presume not too hard for the fingers of time and truth to unty and render easie Truth Thus I unty it If the civil Magistrate must keep the church pure then all the people of the Cities Nations and kingdomes of the world must do the same much more for primarily and fundamentally they are the civil Magistrate Now the world saith John lyeth or is situated in wickedness and conscquently according to its disposition endures not the light of Christ nor his golden candlestick the true Church nor easily chooseth a true Christian to be her officer or Megistrate for she accounts such false to her Gods and Religion and suspects their faithfulness c. Peace Hence indeed is it as I now conceive that so rarely this world admitâ—eth or not long continueth a true servant of God in any place of trust â—â—d credit except some extraordinary hand of God over-power or else his servants by some base staires of Flattery or worldly compliance ascend the chaire of Civil-power But to proceed saith Master Cotton It was the duty of Jehosaphat Hezekiah c. to reduce the people of Israel from their backslidings because they were an holy people and is it not the duty of godly Princes to reduce their backsliding Churches to their primitive purity It is true saith he David and Solomon were types of Christ but so were not the other Kings of Israel and Judah who were the one the kings of Israel all Apostates and the other the kings of Judah many of them Apostate from Christ And Secondly If they were saith he all types of Christ yet Christ being the Antitype Christ hath abolished them all and so it were sacriledge or Antichristian usurpation for any king to be set over Christians Or if they were types of Christ in respect of their kingly office over the Church alone was it typical in Solomon to put Joab a murtherer to death or Adonijah a traitor and so consequently unlawful for Christian Princes to put murtherers and traitors to death Further saith he What those kings might do in type Christ Jesus might much more do in his own person as the Antitype but he put no man to death in his own person and therefore they were not types but servants of Christ and paterns and examples to Christian Magistrates yea Ahab who should have put Benhadad to death for his blasphemy Truth I understand those kings of Israel and Judah untill their cutting off or excommunicating out of the land of Canaan to be yet visible members of the church of Israel and Judah and as kings of Israel and Judah types of Christ Jesus partly in his own person who did that being the true spiritual king of Israel which they did or should have done in that typical national church or land of Israel and 2 partly in the officers of his kingly power and government of his church which officers and church falling away untill an absolute cutting off are the Antitypes in respect of visible government of those former kings of Israel and Judah Peace Can it be imagined that those wicked Kings Jeroboam Baasha Ahab c. were figures of Christ Jesus Truth Master Cotton himself grants David and Solomon types of Christ Jesus and yet how abominable and monstrous some of their practices we must therefore distinguish between their persons and sins and frailties As kings of Israel Gods Church and people doubtless they were the figures of the K. of Israel Christ Iesus yea it is probable that the land of Canaan with the officers and governors thereof before Christ time was but a figure of the spiritual land or Christian church with the officers governors administrations therof good and evil Although the applying of the times and persons each to other requires a more then ordinary guidance of the finger or holy Spirit of God Peace I remember that some of eminent note for knowledge and godliness have not stuck to affirme that the Gentile Prince Cyrus as he was called Gods servant anointed or Christ Isa 44 I say that he in a respect as a restorer of Gods people was a figure of Christ Iesus Truth It is not improbable but that the most holy and only wise whose works are known unto himself from the beginning of the world did by such famous instruments of mercy to the literal Iew type out Christ Iesus and his heavenly instruments mercy and goodness to the mystical and spiritual Christian Iews c. Examination of CHAP. XXXVI and XXXVII Peace IN these passages Master Cotton first questions having not his copy by him the truth of some expressions printed as his Truth It is at hand for Master Cotton or any to see that copy which he gave forth and corrected in some places with his own hand and every word verbatiâ—â— here published 2. To the answer it self or reproof of the Lord Iesus given to his disciples for their bloody and rash zeal desiring fire to come down from heaven c. we both agree that Christs rebuking of his disciples did not hinder the Ministers of the Gospel from proceeding in a Church-way c. 2. That false â—persecution in a churchway is as odious and dreadful a persecution as any prosecution â— a court of civil justice as also that this is not the point intended though it be reckoned up with the rest Peace I marvel at that which follows where Master Cotton saith that it never fell from his pen in any writing of his viz. that it is lawful for a eivil Magistrate to inflict corporal punishment upon such as are contrary indeed in matters of Religion and therefore he passeth by the discussers reasons as which might well have been spared being brought but against a shadow of his own fancy Truth I am not able to imagine what Master Cotton meanes by such as are contrary minded against whom he will not in this Chapter maintaine any corporal punishment to be inflicted when in so many of his writings and throughout his whole book he maintaines corporal punishment and that to death it self in many cases against the idolatrous the blasphemous the heretical the seducing yea the degenerate and Apostate Peace Love bids us take this passage as a pang of reluctancy in his other wise-holy and peaceable breast against such unholy bloody Tenents But what say you to the passage about the second beast bringing fire from heaven Rev. 13. This was no wonder saith Master Cotton for
be found upon examination incomparably greater and wrought in the eighth part of the time that the changes of the church of Iudah were And yet this instance will not infringe that the civil sword of the Magistrate in a national way is ordinarily able to turn about a Nation to and againe to and from a truth of God in national hypocrisie and therefore most wisely hath the most holy and only wise by the most golrious brightness of his person and wisdom of the Father Christ Jesus abolished his own national and state church whether explicit or implicit that the two-edged sword of the word of the Lord in the mouths of his true messengers might alone be brandished and magnified Peace Master Cotton concludeth this Chapter with the observation that the revolt of England againe to Popery wanteth Scripture-light Truth He that loves Christ Iesus in sincerity cannot but long that Christ Iesus would speedily be pleased with the breath of his mouth to consume that man of sin But yet that worthy servant of God according to his conscience Master Archer doth not barely propose his opinion but also his Scripture-grounds which I believe compared with all former experiences will seem to be of great and weighty consideration and call all that wait for Christ Iesus to beg his Spirit deeply to weigh and ponder them Examination of CHAP. XL. Peace TO the several allegations concerning the woful slavery of all opposites of Christ Iesus and the mighty power of free grace only able to release them Master Cotton replies So is it with scandalous offenders against the Civil state and yet this doth not restraine Magistrates from executing just judgements upon them c. And he adds that better a dead soul in a dead body and that seducers die without faith then murther and seduce many precious souls from the faith Truth The Lord Iesus commanding to give God the things that be Gods and to Caesar the things that be Caesars gives all his followers a clear and glorious torch of light to distinguish between offenders against God in a spiritual way and offenders against Caesar his Lawes state and government in a civil way T is true slatterers and time-servers use to make Religion and justice the two pillars of a State and so indeed do all such states in the world as maintaine a state-Religion invented and maintained in civil policy to maintaine a civil state But all men that have tasted of history or travel are witnesses sufficient of these two particulars First concerning justice that if the sword and balances of justice in a sort or measure be not drawn and held forth against scandalous offenders against civil state that civil state must dissolve by little and little from civility to barbarisme which is a wilderness of life and manners Peace Yea the very barbarians and Pagans of the world themselves are forced for their holding and hanging together in barbarous compaines to use the ties and knots and bands of a kind of civil justice against scandalous offenders against their Commonweale and profit Truth But too many thousands of Cities and states in the world have and do flourish for many generations and ages of men wherein whatever Caesar gets God cannot get one penny of his due in any bare permission or toleration of his religion and worship Peace Dear Truth these two points being so constantly proved I can but wonder that Master Cotton or any servant of Christ Iesus should cry out to the Caesars of this world to help the eternal God to get his due because Christ Iesus grants them a civil sword in civil cases to preserve their civil states from barbarisme and confusion Truth That worthy Emperor Antoninus Pius in his letters for the Christians plainly tels the governors of his provinces that the gods were able to punish those that sinned against their worship evidently declaring by that light of conscience and knowledge which God had lighted up in his soul the vast difference between offenders in the civil state and offendors against the true and only religion and worship about which the whole world disagreeth and is hist together by this bloody tenent I say hist together by the ears and throat in blood and fire as the tide of times major vote armies and armes of flesh prevaile Peace Ah Dear truth is there is no Balme in Gâ—â—ead no balances no sword of spiritual justice in the City and kingdome of Christ Jesus but that the officers thereof must run to borrow Caesar Are the Armories of the true king Solomon Christ Jesus disarmed Are there no spiritual swords girt upon the thighs of those valiant ones that should guard his heavenly bed except the sword of steel be run for from the cutlers shop Is the Religion of Christ Jesus so poor and so weak and feeble grown so cowardly and base since Paul spake so gloriously of it and the weapons of it 2 Cor. 10. that neither the souldiers nor Commanders in Christs Army have any courage or skill to withstand sufficiently in all points a false teacher a false prophet a spiritual cheater or deceiver Truth This must all that follow Jesus bitterly lament that not a spiritual sword or spear is to be found in the spiritual Israel of God but that his poor Israelites are forced down to the Philistins of this worlds Smiths c. And that the princes of Zion are become feeble like harts without pasture as Jeremy complaineth in his Lamentations Peace Now whereas it was added that a civil sword hardens the followers of false teachers in the suffering of their leaders and begets an impression of the falshood of that religion which cannot uphold it self all the world over but with such instruments of violence c. Master Cotton replies that the Magistrate ought not to draw out his sword against seducers untill he hath used all good means for conviction c. and then saith he he should be cruel to Christs Lambs in sparing the Foxes c. Truth Who knows not this to be the plea and practise of all Popish persecutors in all ages to compass sea and land to reduce the heretick to the union and bosome of the church not only with promises threatnings c but oftimes with solemn disputations and sometimes writings and waitings before they come to the definitive sentence and deliver him to the secular power and so to the use of those desperate remedies of hanging burning c. How do the bloody Popes and the bloody Bonners in their hypocritical letters and bloody sentences profess their lamentable grief at errors and heresies their clemency and mercy and great pains taken to reduce that wandring to return the lost childe to heal the scabbed sheep yea and when they are forced as they say for the saving of the flock from infection to deliver such sheep to the secular power as their butchers and executioners yet beseech they that power and that
most hypocritically without shame in the bowels of Christ Jesus to Minister justice with such moderation that if it be possible the hereticks soul may be saved but however the flock may be preserved from such â—damnable Doctrine Peace Master Cotton will here blame the alleadging of this for the Popish Religion is false but their true c. Truth T is true the Papists Religion is false yet Master Cotton cannot pass without suspition to be too neer of kin to the bloody Papist to whom they are so neer in practice The Lord Jesus gave an everlasting rule to his poor servants to discern all false prophets by to wit their fruits and bloody practices But Secondly The holy Spirit of God in this 2 to Tim. now insisted on not only commands Timothy to exhort the opposite but patiently to wait and attend Gods will if peradventure God will give repentance and that they may recover themselves c. Peace Master Cotton will not deny together with meek exhortation patient waiting c. Truth Why then doth he limit the holy one of Israel to dayes or moneths Three months was by the law in Massachusets in New England the time of patience to the excommunicate before the secular power was to deal with him But we finde no time limited nor no direction given to Timothy or his successors to prosecute the opposite before Caesar bar in case God vouchsafed not repentance upon their means and waiting 3. Christ Jesus hath not been without bowels of compassion in all his gracious care and provision he hath made for his sheep and lambs against the spiritual Wolves and Foxes although we read not a word of the arme of flesh and sword of steel appointed by himself for their defence in his most blessed last Will and Testament 4. Lastly to that instance of the Donatists and Papists suppressed by the civil sword no question but as before a civil sword is able among civil people to make a whole nation or world of hypocrites and yet experience also testifies however Master Cotton makes it but accidental that it is the common and ordinary â—ffect of the civil sword drawn forth as they speak against hereticks seducers c. to harden the seducers and seduced by their sufferings and to beget no other opinion in their hearts then of the cruelty and weakness of the heart and cause of their persecutors Peace There hath been no small noise of Master Goâ—â—ons and his friends being disciplined or as the Papists call it discipled in the Schoole of the New English churches It is worth the inquiry to ask what conviction and conversion hath all their hostilities captivatings courtings imprisonings chainings banishings c. wrought upon them Truth Shall I speak my thoughts without partiality I am no more of Master Gortons Religion then of Master Cottons and yet if Master Cotton complaine of their obstinacy in their way I cannot but impute it to this bloody tenent and practice which ordinarily doth give strength and vigour spirit and resolution to the most erroneous when such unrighteous and most unchristian proceedings are exercised against them Peace Touching the Edict of Antoninus Pius concerning persecution of Christians and the opinion it begat in their hearts of the cruelty of their persecutors Master Cotton answers first the Pagan Religion is not of God but the Religion of Christians came down from Heaven in the Gospel-truth Truth This is most true to him that believeth that there is but one God one Lord one Spirit one baptism one body c. according to Christ Jesus his institution and that from that blessed estate the Apostacy hath been made and that all other Gods Lords Spirits Faiths Baptisms or churches are false But what is this to many millions of men and women in so many kingdomes and nations Cities and parts of the world who believe as confidently their lies of many Gods and Christs all which they believe as the Ephesians of their Diana and of the image of Jupiter and as Master Cotton of the way of his Religion that they come down from heaven Peace Doubtless according to their belief all the peoples of those nations kingdoms and countries wherein the name of Christ is sounded whether of the greek church or the latine whether of Popish or Protestant profession will say as Master Cotton my religion came down from heaven in the Gospel of Truth c. Truth Now then either the sword of steel must decide this controversie according to the bloody tenent of persecution in the suppressing of hereticks blasphemers idolaters and seducers by the strength of an arme of flesh or else the two-edged-sword of the Spirit of God the word of God coming out of the mouth of Christ Jesus in the mouths of his servants which will either humble and subdue the Rebels or cut most deep and kill with an eternal vengeance Peace But saith Master Cotton it will beget an opinion of cruelty to murther innocents but not to put to death murtherers of souls Truth I answer beside that great and common difference of civil murther and spiritual there is a second to wit that in the murther of an innocent the conscience of a murtherer is opened and commonly the mouth confesseth I am a murtherer I have killed an innocent but run through all the coasts and quarters of the whole world and the very consciences of so many thousands of soul murtherers are rootedly satisfied and perswaded that they are so far from being murtherers as that they are so many saviours of the souls of men and Priests and Ministers of the most high God or Gods c. Peace For instance if a man say Master Cotton is a subject of the state of England and a Minister of that worship which he believeth to be true confirmed by argument and light sufficient to his understanding soul and conscience How many thousand are there fellow subjects with Master Cotton to the English state yet of a contrary mind to Master Cotton in matter of Gods worship yea how many are there it may be thousands professing a Ministery contrary to Master Cottons and the like may be found in other nations and parts of the world Truth What true reason of justice peace or common safety of the whole can be rendred to the world why Master Cottons conscience and Ministry must be maintained by the sword more then the consciences and Ministeries of his other fellow-subjects Why should he be accounted I mean at the bar of civil justice I say accounted a soul Saviour and all other Ministers of other Religions and consciences soul-murtherers and so be executed as murtherers or forced to temporize or turn from their Religion which is but hypocrisie in Religion against their conscience which is ten thousand times worse and renders men when they sin against their conscience not only hypocrites but Atheists and so fit for the practise of any evil murthers adulteries treasons c
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
also called by the Prophets Ichovah's Land Emanuels land which names and titles I think Master Cotton will not say are competent and appliable to any other Lands or Countries under the Gospel but onely to the Spiritual Canaan or Israel the Church and people of God the true and onely Christendome Peace But Fourthly saith he they are called Gods and shall they not attend Gods work Truth In the state of Israel they were Gods deputies to attend the causes of Israel the then onely Church of God But Master Cotton can produce no parallel to that but the Christian Churches and people of God not national but Congregational c. 2. Grant the Magistrates to be as Gods or strong ones in a Resemblance to God in all Nations of the world yet that is still within the compass of their calling which being confessed to be essentially civil the civil work of these servants of the Common-weal is Gods work as well as Paul calls in a sence the work of the servants of the Family Gods work for which he pays the wages Eph. 5. Lastly for spiritual causes we know the Lord Iesus is call'd God Psal 45. Heb. 1. whose Scepter and Kingdome being essentially spiritual the administrations which he hath appointed are also spiritual and of an heavenly and soul Nature Peace Master Cotton Fifthly adds Revel 17. The Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ Truth How the Kingdomes of the World shall become the Kingdomes of Christ is no smal mystery and controversie but grant it to be true that either Christ Iesus personally or by his Deputies the Saints shall rule all the Nations of the world in hearing and determining all civil Controversies Yet why doth Master Cotton draw an Argument from this Prophecie of what shall be in one Age or Time of the World and to come to prove an Vniversal power and Exercise of such power in all Ages and times since Christ Iesus his first comming to this day Peace Me thinks Master Cotton may as well argue that because it was prophesied that a Virgin should conceive and bring forth a child in Gods appointed season that therefore all Virgins must so conceive and so being in forth all ages of the world But Lastly saith Master Cotton although the nations have not that typical holiness which the nation of Israel had Yet all the Churches of the Saints have as much truth and realty of holiness as Israel had And therefore what holy care of Religion lay upon the Kings of Israel in the Old Testament the same lyeth now upon Christian Kings in the New Testament to protect the same in their Churches Truth Oh how neer the precious Iewels and Bargains of Truth come sometimes Gods Saints and yet miss of the finding and going through with it The chucrhes of the New Testament Master Cotton grants succeed the Church of Israel The Kings and Governours therefore of the churches of Christ must succeed those Kings What King and Governours of Israel are now to be found in the Gospel but Christ Iesus and his Servants deputed in his absence which are all of a spiritual consideration What is this to the Nations Kings and Governours of the world where few Kings few Nobles few Wise are cald to profess Christ Is not Christ Iesus the onely King of Israel and are not all his holy ones made Kings and Priests unto God And unto his Saints and his spiritual officers Administration in the midst of them is his Kingdomes power committed in his absence This spiritual power however the Pope and prelates Kings and Princes Parliaments and General Courts and their respective Officers of Justice to be honoured and obeyed in civil things I say however they have challenged and assumed this Kingly Power of the Son of God yet the King of Kings Christ Jesus hath begun to discover and will never leave until he hath made it clear as the Sun Beames that he is robd of his crown and will shake and break all the nations and Powers of the world until his Heavenly crown be again restored Examination of CHAP. LI. Peace TO the fourth Argument Rom. 13. from the civil rewards due to Magistrates to wit custom Tribute c. Master Cotton replies That even the contributions of the Saints are called carnal things shall therefore their work be called carnal It is true saith he the contributions of the Saints are called holy because they are given to God for his service about holy things So the reward given to Magistrates is for their service about Righteous things And it is righteous saith he to preserve the purity of Doctrine VVorship and Government which if Magistrates do not they do not deserve all their wages Truth It is true that money or monies-worth is the same for value in the contribution of the Saints and in that of custome tribute and yet Master Cotton grants a Holiness of the Saints contribution which he doth not affirme of custome tribute c. There is also a two fold way disputed of preserving of the purity of Doctrine worship c. First That which I plead for by spiritual weapons appointed by Christ Iesus Secondly that of Civil weapons Force of Armes c. which Master Cotton affirmes and I deny to be ever appointed by Christ Iesus or able to accomplish a spiritual end but the Contrary Peace Me thinks Master Cottons addition not a little concernes my self in the peace of all Citties and Kingdomes for if as Master Cotton saith Magistrates shall not deserve all their wages except they preserve the purity of Doctrine worship c. which upon the point is that Doctrine Worship and Government Master Cotton approves of what is this in effect but to deny tribute custome subsidies c. to Caesar the Kings and Governours of the Earth if they prove Hereticks Idolaters c. I cannot see but this in plaine English tendeth to little less then the Popish bloudy Doctrine of deposing heretical Kings c. But Master Cotton further adds that spiritual wages are to be paid to Magistrates 1 Tim. 2. to wit Prayers Intercessions c. If therefore saith he the Magistrates suffer their Subjects to live a quiet life in ungodliness and Dishanesty the Magistrate fals short of returning spiritual recompence for the spiritual Duties and services performed for them Truth Those prayers are not the proper wages paid to Magistrates for their work for then should they not be paid as the Spirit of God there exhorteth to all men whether Magistrates or not Peace And I may add nor paid to those Magistrates that are Idolatrous Blasphemous Persecutors But those prayers were to be poured forth for such Magistrates such as most of the Magistrates in the world then were and are Those prayers then were a general Duty to be paid to all men and especially to the chiefe and principal Kings and all that are in Authority Truth Now further wherein it
is said that such Magistrates as suffer the people to live in ungodliness fall short in returning spiritual Recompence I answer By this Doctrine most of the free Inhabitants of the world who live in ignorance of God and in abominable Religions without him must yet be supposed to choose and set up such Ministers or Servants of civil Justice amongst them who during their termes of administration or service should not suffer their Choosers and Makers to enjoy their owne Conscience but force them to that which their Officers shall judge to be Godliness but the neck of no free people can bow to such a Yoak and Tyrany Peace But lastly to that Argument of Rom. 13. from the title which God gives to Magistrates to wit Gods Ministers and to the Distinction of Spiritual Ministers for spiritual and civil Ministers for civil matters Master Cotton replies If Magistrates be Gods Ministers or Servants then must they do his work and be for God in matters of Religion And further saith he Magistracy is of God for light of Nature and not onely for civil things but also in matters of Religion and he produceth divers instantces of Pagans zeal for their Religion and worship Truth Because Magistrates are Gods Servants or Ministers civil and receive civil wages for their civil service will it therefore follow that they must attend and that chiefly and principally a spiritual work That noble-man or Lord that sets one to keep his children and another to keep his sheep expects not of him appointed to keep his sheep though a Minister or Servant to attend upon the keeping of his children nor expects he of the waiter on his children to attend the keeping of his sheep T is true that Magistrasie is of God but yet no otherwise then Mariage is being an estate meerly civil and humane and lawfull to all Nations of the World that know not God T is true that Magistrates be of God from the light of nature but yet as the Religions of the World and the worlds zealous contending for them with persecuting of others are from the Father of lies and murther from the beginning so seldome is it seen that the nations of the world have persecuted or punished any for error but for the truth condemned for error Peace Alas who sees not that all nations and people bow down to Idels and Images as all the world did to Nebuchaduezzars Image If any amongst them differ from them it is commonly in in some truths which God hath sent amongst them for witnessing of which they are persecuted Truth Your observation deare peace is evident from the cases of those Philosophers by Master Cotton alledged how weak and poor therefore is that Argument from the zeal of Pagans c. It is evident that such Builders frame by no other then that of nature depraved and rotten and not by the Goulden reed of the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus Examination of CHAP. LI. Peace IN the discourse concerning that terme Evil Master Cotton produceth Pareus who makes that Evil punishable by the Magistrate fourfold natural civil moral and spiritual Truth That excellent and holy witness of Christ Jesus in many of his precious truths Pareus being here produced without Scripture or Argument for the Magistrates punishing of the fourth sort of evil to wit spiritual nor answering my Arguments brought against such an Interpretation gives me occasion of no further answer to Master Cotton or him in this place Peace Whereas it was alleadged that the Elders of the New English Churches in the model prohibite expresly the Magistrates from the punishing or taking notice of some Evils and that therefore as they ascribe to the Civil Magistrates more then God gives so they take away and disrobe him of that Authority which God hath cloathed him with Master Cotton replies when we say that the Magistrate is an avenger of evil we mean of all sorts or kindes of evil and not every particular of each kind and further he saith that domestick evils may be healed in a domestick way Truth I readily concur with him that the Magistrate may not punish evils that he knowes not of in a due and orderly way sufficiently proved before him as also that many domestick evils are best healed in a domestick way but yet that Limitation added to wit without acquainting the Church first seems to bind the Magistrates hand where no true Church of Christ is to acquaint with such things yea and further where it is why should the Magistrate be denied to exercise his power in cases meerly civil the old practice of the Popish Church And to whom should the Servant or Child or Wife petition and complaine against oppression unless to the publike Father Master and Husband of the Common-weal And therefore from their own Interpretation they may well spare that strict and literal aception of the word evil and cease to cry Heresie is evil Idolatrie evil Blasphemie evill c. Examination of CHAP. LIII Answering to Chap. LIII LIV LV. Peace IN these three Chapters the last Reason which the Author of the Arguments against persecution produced was discussed to wit that the disâ—â—ples of Christ should be so far from persecuting that contrariwise they ought to bless such as curse them c. and that because of the freeness of Gods grace and the deepness of his counsels calling home them that be enemies persecutors no people yea some at the last hour In answer to which Master Cotton complaineth that two of his Answers were omitted and suspecteth that as children skip over hard places so they were skipt over c. Truth It is true those two answers were omitted not because the chapter was too hard c. but because the Discusser saw nor sees not any controversie or difference between Master Cotton and himself in those passages and also studying brevity and contraction as Master Cotton himself hath done omitting far more and contracting three Chapters in one in this very passage Upon the same ground I see no need of mentioning his Reply in these three Chapters wherein Master Cotton concurs in the point of the necessity of tolerating even notorious offenders in the State in some cases Peace The result of all agitations in this passage is this Master Cotton denies not but that in some cases a notorious malefactor may be tolerated and consequently as I understand him an â—â—reâ—iâ—k seducer c. But that ordinarily it is not lawful to tolerate a seducing teacher and that from the clearness of Gods command Deut. 13. and from the reason of it vers 10 Because he hath sought to turn thee away from the Lord thy God Withal he concludes that all Moses capital Politicks are eternal Truth Thus far is gained that it was no vain exception against Master Cotton's general proposition to wit that it is evil to tolerate notorious evil doers seducing teachers scandalous livers because he sees cause of toleration in
be found fit to use the civil sword in matter of Religion and that is in plaine English to fight only for his conscience Peace But to proceed it will be hard saith Master Cotton for the discusser to finde Antichristian seducers clear from disobedience to the civil laws of the state in case that Antichrist to whom they are sworn shall excommunicate the civil magistrate and prescribe the civil state to the invasion of his followers Truth Most properly seducing teachers sin against the church and spiritual kingdome of Christ Jesus which if erected and governed according to Christ Jesus she is a Castel or Fort sufficiently provided with all sorts of heavenly ammunition against all sorts of her spiritual adversaries yea and in the desolation of the churches during the Apostacy Christ Jesus as I have elsewhere observed hath not left his witnesses destitute of terrible defence against all gainesayers But grant what Master Cotton supposeth such seducers from obedience to the civil state c. Such as the Seminaries and bringers over of Pope Pius the 5 his Bul against Queen Elizabeth c. The answer is short and plaâ—â— civil officers bear not the sword in vain when the civil state is assaulted as the spiritual officers and governors of the church bear not in vain the spiritual and two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of Christ Peace Whereas now secondly there was observed by the Discusser in such coupling of seducing teachers scandalous livers a silent and implicite justification of the Jews and Gentiles their coupling Christ Jesus and his followers as seducing teachers with scandalous livers Christ between two thieves c. The sum of what Master Cotton replies is that the Lord Jesus and his followers suffering under those names weakens not the hand of Authority to punish such who are seducing teachers scandalous livers Truth It hath ever been the portion of the Lord Jesus and his followers for the most part theirs onely to be accounted seducing teachers deceivers and cheaters of the people blasphemous against God seditious against the State and accordingly to be numbred as Christ Jesus between two thieves both in esteem and punishment with scandalous and notorious malefactors and this for no other cause but cause of conscience in spiritual matters and most commonly for differing from and witnessing against the several State and city-City-Religions and Worships wherein they lived Peace If the Jews notwithstanding their fair colours to the contrary walking in the doctrine of Persecution for conscience justified their fathers for murthering the Prophets c. I cannot dear Truth but subscribe to your sorrowful observation that Master Cotton and others otherwise excellent servants of God in coupling seducing teachers and scandalous livers as the proper object for the civil sword to strike at they do no other but act the Jews true Antitype coupling Christ Jesus the seducing teacher with Barabbas the scandalous liver and murtherer Truth Yea and who sees not how often Barabbas the scandalous liver is cried out of the Magistrates hands by the scandalous people while Christ Jesus in his servants is cried to the Cross to the Gallows to the Stake to Banishment c. Their Persecutors also are applauded for not persecuting men for their Consciences but righteously legally and with great sorrow punishing them for sinning against their own conscience for disturbing of the civil State and peace for contemning of Magistrates Kings Queens and Parliaments for blaspheming God and for seducing and destroying the souls of the people CHAP. 55. Replying to CHAP. 66. Exam Peace THe Discusser admired in this Chap how Mr. Cotton should alledge Revel 2. Christs charge against the Church of Pergamus for tollerating them that hould the Doctrine of Balaam and against the Church of Thiatira for tollerating Jezabell to teach and seduce M r Cotton here replies that he meant not in alledging those Scriptures to prove it unlawfull for Magistrates to tollerate seducing Teachers but unlawfull for Churches adding that the Letter of the Prisoner was so stated in generall tearmes that he knew not upon the point what Tolleration or Persecution should be meant or intended otherwise then generall against all Persecution for Conscience withall affirming that an unjust Excommunication is as true Persecution as unjust Banishment Truth It is true what M r Cotton saith An unjust Excommunication is as true Persecution as an unjust Banishment and therefore some may justly complaine against M r Cotton and others for practicing such persecution in both kindes being not onely banished from their civill State but unjustly and after the Popes way Excommunicated also from their Churches but of that more elsewhere 2. We doe not in ordinarie English read but that the word Persecution is taken for civill corporall violence and punishment inflicted on the body for some spirituall and religious matter according to the Lord Christ his words to Paul Actâ— 9. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me 3. The passages in the Letter shew that the whole scope of the Letter was to contend against outward violence and corporall affliction in matters of Conscience Peace It may not be a lost Labour Deare Truth to draw a taste of some passages in the Letter Truth For further satisfaction my paines shall be a pleasure and first From the Arguments from holy Scripture observe Luc. 9. the Lord Christ reproving his two zealous Disciples You know not of what Spirit you are of The Son of Man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them Againe That of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah They shall breake their Swords into Mattocks and their Speares into Sithes Againe Christs charge unto his Disciples that they should be so farre from persecuting those that would not be of their Religion that when they were persecuted they should pray and blesse c. Peace These holy Passages Me thinks are not unlike the Stones in Davids sling smooth and plaine enough yet powerfull and dreadfull both against this Goliah Tenent of persecution and also prove a corporall persecution intended Truth Now a taste of the speeches of severall Kings produced by the prisoner 1. That of King James God never loves to plant his Church by Violence and Bloudshed 2. That of Stephen King of Poland I am King of Men not of Consciences of Bodies not of Soules 3. Of the King of Bohemia When ever Men have attempted any thing in this violent course the issue hath been ever pernicious and the cause of great and wonderfull Innovations 4. Another of King James That he was resolved not to persecute or molest or suffer to be persecuted or molested any Person whatsoever for matter of Religion In the third place a taste of the Speeches of the ancient Writers produced by the Prisoner 1. That of Hilarius That Church which formerly by enduring misery and imprisonment was knowne to be the true Church doth now terrifie others by imprisonment banishment and miserie
2. Of Jerome Heresie must be cut off with the Sword of the Spirit Let us strike through with the Arrowes of the Spirit implying not with other weapons 3. Of Luther in his Booke of the Civill Magistrate The Lawes of the Civill Magistrate extend no further then over the Bodies and Goods And againe upon Luk. 22. It is not the true Catholike church which is defended by the Secular Arme or humane Power Lastly The Papists in their Booke for Tolleration When Christ bids his Disciples to say peace to this house he doth not send Pursevants to ransack or spoyle the house Lastly The Prisoner in answering some Objections concludeth It is no prejudice to the Common-wealth if Libertie of Conscience were granted to such as feare God indeed He also alledged that many Sects lived under the Government of Caesar being nothing hurtfull unto the Common-weale Peace From these severall Tasts Deare Truth I cannot imagine how the Prisoner can be understood to cast the least glance unto spirituall persecution or prosecution as M r Cotton in this Chap calls it But to end this Chapter When as the Power of Christ Jesus in his Church was argued sufficient for spirituall ends M r Cotton grants both for the healing of sinners and for keeping of the Church from Guilt but not for the preventing of the spreading of false Doctrine among those out of the Church and in private among Church-Members nor sufficient to cleare the Magistrates of a Christian State from the Guilt of Apostasie in suffering such Apostates amongst them c. Truth I have in other Passages of this Discourse proved 1. That Christ Jesus whiles his Churches and Ordinances flourished and since the Apostasie of Antichrist in the hands of his Witnesses hath gloriously and sufficiently furnished his Servants for all spirituall cases of all sorts defending offending c. 2. That there is no other Christian State acknowledged in the New Testament but that of the Christian Church or Kingdome and that not Nationall but Congregationall 3. That the Apostles or Messengers of Christ Jesus never addressed themselves by Word or Writing to any of the Civill States wherein they lived and taught and were mightily opposed and blasphemed I say they never ran to borrow the Civill Sword to helpe the two edged Sword of Christ Jesus against Opposers Schismaticks Hereticks The Lord Jesus was a wiser King then Solomon even Wisdome it selfe and cannot without great Dishonour and Derogation to his Wisdome and Love be imagined to leave open such Gaps such Leakes such Breaches in the Ship and Garden of his Church and Kingdome The Exam of Chap. 56. replying to 58. 59. Peace TO the first observation that M r Cotton urgeth that Princes are nurcing Fathers to feede and correct and consequently must judge of feeding and correction and all men are bound to submit to such their feeding and correction M r Cotton sayth This is false and fraudulent so to collect and these are devised Calumnies Truth It will evidently appeare how greatly M r Cotton forgets the Matter and Himselfe when he so deeply chargeth for all this he granteth in this his Reply onely with this Limitation that Subjects are bound to submit to them herein when they judge according to the Word This Limitation takes not away the observation for it is alway implyed in subjection to all Civill Rulers Fathers Husbands Masters that it be according to the Word Peace Yea but sayth he it is a Notorious Calumnie so to represent M r Cottons dealing with Princes as if he made his owne Judgement and practice the Rule of the proceeding of Princes Truth Let it be laid in the Ballance and seene where the Calumnie or slander lies Princes or Civill Rulers saith M r Cotton are Fathers to feed and correct and their Judgement ought therein to be obeyed according to the Word Now some Princes and Rulers declare themselves against M r Cottons Tenent of persecution for conscience M r Cotton will answer The profession and practice of Princes is no rule to Conscience I reply and ask who shall judge of Princes profession and practice when they thus feed and judge in spirituall matters whether their profession and practice be according to the Word or no M r Cotton when Princes are alleadged against his judgement and conscience pleads that Princes profession and practice is no rule Let all men judge whether his judgement and conscience be not made the Rule to the consciences and practices of Princes whom yet he makes the nurcing Fathers Peace When it was further demanded whether M r Cotton and others of his minde could submit in spirituall cases to any Magistrates in the world but onely to those just of his owne Conscience He answers they will submit to any in Active or Passive obedience Truth But how can M r Cotton suppose Active obedience in spirituall things to such Magistrates who are Pagans Turkish Antichristian and unable to judge and bound by his Doctrine to suspend their Dealings upon matter of Religion untill they be better informed What Active obedience can I be supposed to give to him that hath no Activitie nor Abilitie to command and rule me And must it not evidently follow that Active obedience in these cases according to his Judgement must onely be yeelded to such Magistrates as are able to judge the true Religion and way of Worship That is the Religion and Worship which he takes to be of God Peace Whereas it was said will it not follow that all other Consciences in the world besides their owne must be persecuted by such their Magistrates were power in their hand M r Cotton replyes no except all Mens consciences in the world did erre fundamentally against the Principles of Christian Religion or fundamentally against Church-Order and Civill Order and that in a tumultuous and factious manner for in these cases onely sayth he we allow Magistrates to punish in matters of Religion Truth I have and must observe the Evill of that Distinction between Christian Religion and Christian Order as not finding any such in the Testament of the Sonne of God but finding Church-Order a principall part of the Christian Religion as well as Repentance and Faith Heb. 6. But 2. grant once M r Cottons Religion and way of Worship to be the onely true Religion and way of Gods Worship and all other Religions and wayes of Worship false how can that Errour be otherwise then fundamentall And if other mens Consciences attend not to M r Cottons convictions but obstinately maintaine their blasphemous Religions how can the Magistrates of his conscience be dispenced with and absolved from persecuting such obstinate Consciences throughout the whole World beside Peace When it was further demanded if this were not to make Magistrates Staires and Stirrops for themselves the Clergie to mount up in the seats and sadles of their great and setled Maintenance M r Cotton replyes this is rather to make them Swords and
of Religion is spirituall by false Teachers false Prophets by spirituall Rebells and Traytors against the Worship and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Against which Disturbers or Destroyers if Christ Jesus have not provided sufficient spirituall Defence let Moses his ancient Type be said to exceede him in Faithfulnesse David in holy zeale and affection to the house of God and Solomon in wisdome and heavenly prudence in ordering the Affaires of the holy Worship of God Peace But further whereas it was said that to confound these to wit a Civill and Spirituall Government was Babell and Jewish M r Cotton replyes That is Babell to tollerate and advance Idolatrie 2. Sayth he though Christ hath abolished a Nationall Church-State which Moses set up in the Land of Canaan yet Christ never abolished a Nationall Civill State nor the Judiciall Lawes of Moses which were of Morall Equitie and therefore sayth he If the true Christs bloud goe for the planting of the Church let the false Christs goe for supplanting it Truth I answer Babell was infamous for Pride for Confusion or Disorder for Idolatrie for Tyrannie Now let all persecuting Cities and Kingdomes be examined and see if they have been cleare from any of these and especially from Babells confusion and disorder from monstrous mingling of Spirituall and Civill the Devills Worship with Gods vessells It was no Confusion in the Nationall Church of Israel for the Power of that Nation in the hands of Kings and Civill Rulers to purge that Nationall Church by Nationall force of weapons and Death But since M r Cotton acknowledgeth that Christ hath abolished that Nationall Church and established Congregationall Churches in some of which possibly may be no Civill Magistrate fearing God for few wise or noble are called and consequently few godly or Christian Magistrates professing Christ Jesus What is this but Babell or a Babylonish mixture of the Old and New Testament Nationall and Congregationall Churches power and practices together Peace 2. What if Christ Jesus have not abolished a Nationall Church State it is sufficient that he hath abolished a Nationall Church And if so then in Church matters those Nationall Judicialls and the use of those Nationall Weapons and Punishments in attending upon such a Nationall Church Yea what colour of Morall Equitie is there that all the Nations of the World most of which never heard of Christ should be ruled by such Lawes and Punishments as were peculiarly and miraculously given and appointed to one selected and culd out Nation conceived borne and brought up as I may so speake from first to last by extraordinarie and miraculous dispensation Peace There may be sayth M r Cotton difference between the Nations professing Christianitie and other Nations Truth There is indeed great Difference There are two sorts of Nations or Peoples of the World which shall be Fewell for the devouring flames of the Lord Jesus 2 Thess 1. First such as know not Christ Jesus of which sort the greatest part of the Nations of the World beyond all colour of comparison consist 2. Such as have heard a sound and make some profession of the Name of Christ Jesus and yet obey him not as Lord and King c. Now it is true at the Tribunall of this dreadfull Judge Tyre and Sidon Sodome and Gomorra shall finde an easier doome then shall Bethsaida Chorazin Capernaum Jerusalem c. And M r Cotton need not feare the escaping of a false Christ when all Nations professing Christianitie Papist or Protestant if yet found disobedient to the true Christ shall passe under a more fierie Sentence then all Mahumetane and Pagan Countries Peace M r Cotton will not stick to subscribe to this But the false Christs bloud sayth he ought now to be spilt Truth Since there are so many false Christs as the true Christ Prophesied M r Cotton must unavoydably name and detect and convict those false Christs Popish and Protestant c. upon whom he passeth such a present Sentence He must also direct the way how the true Christ may shed the bloud of the false Christs When M r Cotton hath done this faithfully and impartially according to his Conscience and present Judgement what Reader will not at first view see rising up from such Premises these foure Conclusions First Amongst so many Christs extant that is visible Christs Head and Body in the Christian Antichristian World there can but One Christ be found to be true Secondly That Christ which M r Cotton professeth according to his Conscience will be He. Thirdly All such Christs as are extant beside M r Cottons Head and Body ought impartially to be put to Death as false counterfeit blasphemous c. Fourthly Such as embrace his Christ that is be of his Church and Conscience are bound if they once get power in their hands to pursue with fire and sword and to shed the bloud of all the false Christs that is the severall sorts of false or Antichristian Worshippers Peace Oh how wise and Righteous is the Lord in letting loose the Wolfe and Lyon persecutors and Hunters upon his Sheepe and People that by their owne painfull sence of such bloudie violence and crueltie he may graciously purge out the Malignant venemous Humours of such fowle Antichristian and bloudie Doctrines But to the next the King of Bohemia his saying Whereas it was said that in this Kings Speech M r Cotton had passed by that Foundation in Grace and Nature to wit that Conscience ought not to be violated or forced and that such forcing is no other then a Spirituall Rape M r Cotton replyes It was not passed by but prevented in stating the Question where it was said It is not lawfull to Censure any no not for Errour in Fundamentall Points of Doctrine or Worship till the Conscience of the offendour be first convinced out of the Word of God of the dangerous Errour of his way and then if he will persist it is not out of Conscience but against his Conscience as the Apostle sayth Tit. 3. 11. and so he is not persecuted for cause of Conscience but for sinning against his Conscience 1. Truth I answer the forcing of a Woman that is the violent Acting of uneleannesse upon her bodie against her will we count a Rape By Proportion that is a Spirituall or Soule-rape which is a forcing of the Conscience of any Person to Acts of Worship which the Scripture entitles by the name of the Marriage bed Cant. 1. This forcing of Conscience was in an high measure the branded sinne of that great typicall Machiavel Jeroboam who made Israel to Worship before the Golden Calves And this is the abominable practice of the Second Beast who compells all to take the Marke of the first Beast and this is the sinne of the mysticall Ammon the Princes of Europe and of the Antichristian World those mysticall effeminate Ahabs who give their power to the Beast themselves together with that Man of Sinne and
The truth is the carnall Sword is commonly the Judge of the conviction or obstinacie of all supposed Hereticks Hence the faithfull Witnesses of Christ Cranmer Ridley Latimer had not a word to say in the Disputations at Oxford Hence the Non-conformists were cryed out as obstinate Men abundantly convinced by the Writings of Whitgift and others And so in the Conference before King James at Hampton Court c. But concerning the Church of England whether a daughter or no of the Great Whore of Rome It is not here seasonable to repeate what the Witnesses of Christ to Bonds Banishments and Death whom M r Cotton here calls the rigid Seperation have alledged in this case I thinke it here sufficient to say two things First M r Cotton himselfe is thought to believe that it is not a profession of words containing many fundamentall Doctrines that makes a people a true Church who professing to know God yet in workes deny him notwithstanding that amongst them by Gods gracious Dispensation much good may be wrought by many 2. M r Cotton himselfe will not say that ever Christ Jesus was married to a Nationall Church which all men know the Church of England ever was and M r Cotton elsewhere acknowledgeth as Nationall to be none of Christs but onely Churches Congregationall Exam of Chap. 60. Concerning the Romane Emperours which did or did not persecute Peace VVHereas it was answered that Godly Persons as some Godly Emperours might doe evill to wit in persecuting And ungodly Emperours in not persecuting might doe well c. M r Cotton replyes This begs the Question to say that Kings alledged by the Prisoner did that which was good but Kings alledged by M r Cotton though better persons did that which was Evill Truth I think M r Cotton mistakes the poore Prisoner if he conceives him to have argued from the Number or by way of comparison the Qualitie or Goodnesse of the Kings I am sure he mistaketh the Discusser who argues neither from their Persons nor Number nor Practices but from the waight of their Speeches qualified onely with the consideration of their State Their Speeches M r Cotton passed by but now hath waighed though not so fully as it may please God to cause Himselfe or others to doe hereafter Peace I conceive it to be a further mistake to thinke the Discusser accounted the Persons alledged by M r Cotton better Persons then those alledged by the Prisoner Truth The Discusser compared them not but desired that their Speeches and Arguments might have their just and due waight and then I believe it will be found not a begging but a winning of the Question even from the Testimonie of some Kings themselves Chap. 61. replying to Chap. 64. Examined Peace IN this Chapter God is pleased to leave M r Cotton to fall into two Evills then which ordinarily greater cannot be among the sonnes of Men I speake not of the Aggravations of malice and obstinacie which I hope the most gracious Lord will keepe him from but of the sinnes themselves in themselves The One is monstrous Blasphemie and abominable profanation of the most holy Name of his most High and holy Maker c. The second extreamest Crueltie and Tyrannie against Men his fellow Creatures For the first after a new refined fashion and dress he projects how to turne this whole Dunghill of the corrupt and rotten World into a most sweet and fragrant Garden of the Church or Dove of Christ For the second he contents not Himselfe with the Severitie and Crueltie of former times exercised by the Emperours professing the Name of Christ against such whom they reputed Hereticks but blames them for applying too favourable and gentle Medicines of Exile and Banishment and in plaine tearmes he sayth It had been better they had put them to death Truth Your observation sweet Peace is full of pietie and Mercy It is most true that a private opinion or an Act of Antichristianisme and Idolatrie like a dead flie may cause a sweet pot of Christian Oyntment to yeeld a stincking savour but such a Doctrine of such a generall Nature and extent as reaches to all men to all the World in my apprehension should cause Men to feare and tremble at such Rocks against which such Gallant vessells may strike and split if the most holy and jealous God be pleased a little to withdraw his holy hand from the steering of them Peace Let me Deare Truth summe up the Heads to which I shall request your Consideration It is true sayth M r Cotton when God advanced Constantine and other Christian Emperours to sit on the Throne the Church soone became a Wildernesse and he also seemeth to consent that the unknowing zeale of Constantine and other good Emperours did more hurt to Christianitie then the raging fury of bloudie Neroes But withall he addeth that their unknowing zeale did not lye in punishing notorious Hereticks Seducers c. And he sayth that the Church never had hurt by such punishments He affirmeth that it is no Sollecisme in Religion for the whole World to become Christian that the World became Antichristian by the tolleration of Princes and their advancing of Church affaires together with the unwatchfullnesse of such being advanced that if the World had renounced Paganisme and professed Christ to be the Sonne of God but yet had been kept from the Fellowship of the Church till they had approved their profession by a sincere conversation it had been no Sollecisme c. Further He sayth the Christian Emperours did permit Hereticks to live in the field of the World that they seldome or never put them to Death for hereticall pravitie though it had been better sayth he they had so done with some of them but onely expelled them from populous Cities and Countries where the Gangrene might spread c. Truth You have well summd up Sweet Peace I shall briefly touch these Heads with Gods assistance and first concerning the zeale of the Romane Emperours It is confest by M r Cotton that upon the good Emperours coming to the Throne the Church soone became a Wildernesse and that was a greater hurt and mischiefe then ever befell the Saints and Churches under the fierie persecution of the most bloudie Neroes surely such zeale that brought forth such fruit to Christianitie might seeme justly to be suspected not to be kindled from Heaven but from Men. 2. It seemes not reasonable to the weakest understanding nor suitable to the wisdome and constant care and love of Christ Jesus to his Wife and Spouse in his absence that the Romane Emperours should be such Godly Persons and that also neither by Christ Jesus nor his Apostles or Messengers the least word should be directed to them when as yet they were extant in Christs and his Messengers times and by the bloudie Tenent must be supposed invested with so high a calling too so high a worke and dutie as higher is not to be
performed in the whole World and that Ex Officio to wit the Establishing Governing Reforming c. the Church the Spouse and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Peace 2. The Church and Servants of Christ had great hurt notwithstanding M r Cottons contrary beliefe by the Emperours persecuting of whom they judged hereticall partly in that the Arrians were hardned by their sufferings and Arrianisme increased by the sufferings of the professours of it as also that the Christians were more severely persecuted as hath often also come to passe in the Interchanges between the Papist and the Protestant when the Arrians came to weare the Sword and the Orthodox Christians were under Hatches Truth 3. But that the whole World that wonders after and worshippeth the Beast should yet possibly be of the small Number that follow the Lambe and stand opposite to the Beast on Mount Zion That the World upon whom the vialls of plagues and vengeance are to be powred according to the infallible Prophecies not to speak of the World from other Scriptures that this whole World I say should be brought into such an Onenes with Christ Jesus seemes so crosse to the fundamentall Enmitie between Christs Seede and the Serpents to the priviledges of the Saints to the puritie of Christ to the streame of Scripture and in particular to the sweete last Will and Testament of the Lord Jesus and the nature of his particular Flocks c. That I cannot wonder sufficiently how any man professing but a small Knowledge of the Mysteries and Kingdome of Christ Jesus should be so vailed so obscured so to write of the state of Christs Church and the World as M r Cotton doth Peace Christ Jesus Blessed Truth gave not thankes to his most holy most wise Father in vaine for hiding from Wise and Prudent and opening to Babes and Sucklings Truth 4. But further Such a Conversion of People from Idolatrie to Christianitie as fits them to be professours of the Sonne of God but yet not fits them for the Fellowship of Christians in Church State I finde not in the Testament of Christ Jesus Surely the Conversion of the Thessalonians was not such 2 Thess 1. Who turned not onely from Idolls but to serve the living and true God which service of God in Christ no Soule uprightly in love with Christ Jesus but in its measure longs after as vehemently and cordially as ever chast Spouse after her dearest earthly Husbands presence and Enjoyment Cant. 1. 3. 5. Peace Gods Spirit in John describes one Difference c. between the true Spirit and Professours and the fâ—â—se to wit that such as acknowledge that is truely as I conceive Christ Jesus to become in the flesh are borne of God Truth Yea therefore consequently such a Spirit cannot be of Jesus that makes such a profession of Christ Jesus as the Devills themselves may make and even for want of Regeneration and Personall Grace the professours are not fit for the Fellowship of the true Christian Worship and Worshippers 5. But lastly if M r Cotton or any of his bloudie Judgement woare the Imperiall Crowne of the Worlds Majestie what slaughters shall we imagine the World should heare and feele Whether would such fierie zeale transport Men Yea what an Earthly Dunghill Religion and Worship should the most High God be served with fit onely for the Dunghill Gods and Goddesses whom all Asiâ— as the Towne-clarke speakes and the World worshippeth Peace If the Report of M r Cottons interpreting that Scripture of Serving God with all our Might c. be true to wit of employing our Civill Armes and Forces to the utmost and that against other Peoples professing Idolatrie and Antichristianisme His Conscience as I conceive must needs force on and presse after an universall Conquest of all Consciences and under that like those bloudie Spaniards Turkes and Popes lay under that faire cloake the Rule and Dominion over all the Nations of the Earth Truth But may not M r Cotton better listen to the voyce of the Lord Jesus saying to him and such of his bloudie Tenent You know not of what Spirit you are of Were the Emperours too favourable as M r Cotton sayth in but Banishing How keene a Sword would M r Cotton draw against so many Millions of Gangreene Soules throughout the Turkish and the Popish World Peace Oh how farre different would M r Cottons Sword be from the Sword of the Spirit of God proceeding from the Mouth of Christ Jesus yet sharpe enough with two edges piercing between Soule and Spirit c. Truth Yea how farre different from the Meeke Spirit of the Lambe of God who came not to destroy Mens lives but to save them yea how different from the former make and noted gentle Temper of M r Cottons own Spirit now over-heat and enflamed by his unmercifull and bloudie Tenent Exam of Chap. 62. replying to Chap. 65. Peace VVHen M r Cotton was justly observed to use the Language of Lyon-like persecution in these words More and greater Princes then these you mention have not tollerated Hereticks and Schismaticks notwithstanding their pretence of Conscience and their arrogating the Crowne of Martyrdome to their suffrings He defendeth such Language by the Scripture Freedome in such Tearmes against Sinners which sayth he the Discusser acknowledgeth Truth In holy Scripture are many Expressions full of Holinesse Gravitie Love Meeknesse c. which yet are wrested by us poore Men to unholy and unchristian Ends and purposes How many wofully pervert many grave and heavenly Passages and Expressions of holy Scripture to base and filthy Jeasting How many from some sharp Expressions of Christ Jesus and Paul in cases take licence to raile and call Men all to naught in Wrath Revenge and Passion And how many out of pride and false zeale trampling upon the Heads and Consciences of all Men are ready not in an holy Meeke and Christian way but in a Pharisaicall Bishop-like and Pope-like way to roare and thunder out against Gods meekest Servants the odious tearmes of Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers Seducers c. Which tearmes though used in holy Scripture yet never in such a way as commonly and constantly the bloudie and persecuting expresse themselves in Peace But what or whom meanes M r Cotton in this passage what Language have they learned who in point of worship have left Zion but not the Gates and Suburbes of Babylon for they set up Bull-warkes of Impunitie to secure them Truth Surely M r Cotton knowes that none that plead against the Civill Power and Weapons in Spirituall Matters but they also maintaine that there ought to be in vigorous use the Spirituall and two edged Sword that comes forth of Christs Mouth not for the Impunitie but for the Ruine and Destruction of all Babells â—raâ—s and Abominations Peace M r Cotton spends many lines and quotes Austin to prove that Julians End of tollerating Heresie to grow was to choake
Chap. 66. replying to Chap. 69. Peace HEre M r Cotton complaines of wrong in that the Discusser chargeth him to plead for persecution and yet confesseth that he agrees with Hilarie Truth M r Cotton indeed agrees with Hilarie in generall profession that the Gospel is not to be propagated by Sword but in particulars he affirmes the Blasphemer the Idolater the Heretick the Seducer is to be persecuted In the generall he saith the Magistrate may not constraine any to believe professe the Truth yet in particulars thus far saith he a man may be constrained by the Magistrates withdrawing Countenance and Favour Incouragement and Employment from him which affirming what doth he else but affirme that he may be constrained deposed punished that is persecuted Peace Indeed such kinde of punishment as to displace men to keepe them out from all offices or places of Trust and Credit because of difference of Conscience may prove in the particular a greater affliction and punishment then a Censure a Fine Imprisonment yea sometimes more bitter to some Spirits then Death it selfe Truth Yea and M r Cottons ground is both unsafe and darke and needs a candle of Light to discover the bottome and compasse of it Such saith he as walke not according to their Light are neither true servants to God nor Man but First what meanes here M r Cotton by Light Light in this sence is commonly taken two wayes First For that is Light indeed to wit the precious Light of Gods revealed will Secondly That which so appeares to be to a mans minde and Conscience but may be a falshood a lye a mistake and darknesse M r Cotton had done well to have distinguished for before he blamed King James for walking according to his Light and although upon the point he makes the Civill Magistrates in all parts of the World the Heads Protectours and Governours of Christs Church yet if the eyes of these Heads see not by his Light he cuts off these Heads forbidding them to act as Heads and to walke according to their Light they must as often he tells us suspend untill they have Light c. 2. Peace Beside it comes oft to passe that the Light which shines by preaching or practice of others although it be a meane sufficient to convince if God please to blesse it yet untill the Consciences of men be convinced of the Light of it I Judge it cannot properly be said to be the Light of their Consciences nor they to sin against the Light of their Consciences 3. Truth Yea and there is a morall vertue a morall fidelitie abilitie and honestie which other men beside Church members are by good nature and education by good Lawes and good examples nourished and trained up in that Civill places of Trust and Credit need not to be Monopolized into the hands of Church-Members who sometimes are not fitted for them and all others deprived and despoiled of their naturall Civill Rights and Liberties Peace But what say you Deare Truth to M r Cottons Apologie for New England for as for constraint in old he is silent he sayth he knowes not of any constraint upon any to come to Church to pay Church Duties and sayth it is not so in his Towne Truth If M r Cotton be forgetfull sure he can hardly be ignorant of the Lawes and Penalties extant in New England that are or if repeald have been against such as absent Themselves from Church Morning and Evening and for Non-payment of Church-Duties although no Members For a Freedome of Not paying in his Towne it is to their commendation and Gods praise who hath shewed him and others more of his holy Truth Yet who can be ignorant of the Sessments upon all in other Townes of the many Suits and Sentences in Courts for Non-payment of Church-Duties even against such as are no Church Members Of the Motions and pleadings of some not the meanest of their Ministers for Tithes And how ever for my part I beleeve M r Cotton ingeniously willing that none be forced expresly to pay to his Maintenance yet I question whether he would work if he were not well payd And I could relate also what is commonly reported abroad to wit that the rich Merchants and people of Boston would never give so freely if they were forced yet now they are forced to give for shame I take it in the Publike Congregation The Indians of this Countrie have a Way calld Nanówwe or Giving their Commodities freely by which they get better bargaines then if they stood stiffly on their Tearmes of Anaqúshento or Trading And when not satisfied to the utmost they grudge revile c. It cannot be but that to such Deceitfulnesse of Heart M r Cotton is subject as well as others though Love bids me and others to hope the best Peace The close of this Chapter seemes strange and wonderfull for M r Cotton acknowledged that Propagation of Religion ought not to be by the Sword and yet instantly againe maintaines he the use of the Sword when persons which then must be judged by the Civill State blaspheme the true God and the true Religion and also seduce others to damnable Heresie and Idolatrie But this sayth he is not the Propagation of Religion but the preserving of it and if it doe conduce to Propagation it is onely Removendo prohibens Truth What is this Removendo prohibens but as the weeding of a Field or Garden And every Husbandman will say that the end of such his work is the propagation and increase of his graine and fruit as well as the making of his fence and planting and sowing of his Field or Garden What therefore is this Confession though with this Distinction but in truth an acknowledgement of what in Words and Tearmes he yet denies with Hilarie to wit a propagating of Christian Religion and Truth by the Civill Sword 2. Besides it is the same hand and power that plucks up the weedes and plants the Corne and consequently that same hand and Sword that destroyes the Heretick may make the Christian c. Exam of Chap. 67. replying to Chap. 70. Peace COncerning Tertullians speech and especially that Branch to win that By the Law of naturall equitie Men are not to be compelled to any Religion but permitted to believe or not believe at all Mr. Cotton answers that they doe permit the Indians but it will not therefore be safe to toller te the publicke Worship of Devills or Idolls The Discusser replied that they doe permit the Indians in their Paganish Worship and therefore were partiall to their Countrymen and others M r Cotton answers that it is not true that they doe so permit the Indians what ever they may doe privately That the Indians submit to the ten Commandements and that some of their Ministers have preached to them in English which hath been interpreted That one now preacheth in their owne Language Further That they permit
strangers in their Worship And for their Countrymen for the most part that they worship God with them They which are distant have Libertie of publike prayer and preaching by such as themselves choose without disturbance Truth Concerning the Indians it is most true that the Monahigganéucks Mishawomêucks Pawtuckséucks and Cawsumséucks who professe to submit to the English continue in their publike Paganish Worship of Devills I say openly and constantly Peace Yea but saith M r Cotton they have submitted to the ten Commandements Truth I answer the ten Commandements containe a Renunciation of all salse Gods and Worships and a Worshipping of the true God according to his owne Institutions and Appointments which their practice is as farre from as Mid-night is from Mid-day 2. To put men upon observations of Gods Worship as Prayer c. before the Foundations of Repentance from dead workes their worshipping of Idolls c. is as farre from the Order of Christ Jesus and his Christian principles whereof Repentance from dead workes is the first as the building of an House or Palace without the first Groundsell or Foundation laid Peace M r Cotton therefore saith they preach unto them Truth I from my soule wish that all the Lords people in New England were Prophets yea true Apostolicall Ministers or Preachers truely furnished with Christs Abilities and Christs Commission to goe forth to convert and baptize the Nations even these Wildest of the Nations of Adams Children But Conversion of Nations M r Cotton sayth upon Revel 15. untill the seaven plagues of the seaven Angells be fullfilled will not be great This Interpretation I acknowledge to be very probable so far as concernes any great Conversion of the Nations before the downfall of Antichrist and in the meane season I commend the pious Endeavours of any professing Ministery or not to doe good to the Soules of all Men as We have opportunitie But that any of the Ministers spoken of are furnished with true Apostolicall Commission Matth. 28. I see not for these Reasons First The Minister or Ministers whom M r Cotton I conceive intends professe an ordinarie Office in the Church of Christ which is cleerely distinct yea and another thing from the office of an Apostle or one sent forth to preach and baptize Ephes 4. 1 Cor. 12. Secondly Such Churches as are invested with the power of Christ and so authoriz'd to send forth are seperate from the World which many thousands of Gods people dead and living have seene just Reasons to deny those Churches so to be Thirdly Were the Church true and the Messenger or Apostle rightly sent forth with prayer and fasting according to Act. 13. yet I believe that none of the Ministers of New England nor any person in the whole Countrey is able to open the Mysteries of Christ Jesus in any proprietie of their speech or Language without which proprietie it cannot be imagined that Christ Jesus sent forth his first Apostles or Messengers and without which no people in the World are long willing to heare of difficult and heavenly matters That none is so fitted First The Natives themselves affirme as I could instance in many particulars Secondly The Experience of the Discusser and of many others testifie how hard it is for any man to attaine a little proprietie of their Language in common things so as to escape Derision amongst them in many yeares without abundance of conversing with them in Eating travelling and lodging with them c. which none of their Ministers other affaires not permitting ever could doe Peace There being no helpes of Art and learning amongst them I see not how without constant use or a Miracle any man is able to attaine to any proprietie of speech amongst them even in common things And without proprietie as before who knowes not how hardly all men especially Barbarians are brought to heare matters of Heaven so strange and contrary to Nature yea even matters of the Earth except profit and other worldly ends compell them to spell out Mens minds and meaning Truth 3. I may truely adde a third an Instance in the booke of their Conversion written by M r Tho Shepheard there M r Eliot the ablest amongst them in the Indian Speech promising an old Indian a suit of Cloths the man sayth the relation not well understanding M r Eliots speech asked another Indian what M r Eliot said Peace Me thinks the Native not understanding such a common and wellcome promise of cloths upon Gift would farre more hardly understand M r Eliots preaching of the garment of Righteousnesse Christ Jesus unto which Men mutually turne the deafe Eare c. Truth Neither you sweet Peace nor I Expresse thus much to dampe M r Eliot or any from doing all the good they can whiles opportunitie lasts in any truely Christian way but to shew how great that mistake is that pretends such a true preaching of Christ Jesus to them in their owne Language Peace But to proceed in the next Passage M r Cotton affirmes their Impartialitie in permitting others as well as the Indians Truth I answer it is one thing to connive at a strange Papist in private devotions on shoare or in their vessells at Anchor c. Another thing to permit Papists Jewes Turkes c. the free and constant Exercise of their Religion and Worship in their respective Orders and Assemblies were such Inhabitants amongst them Peace Doubtlesse the bloudie Tenent cannot permit this Libertie neither to the Papists Jewes Turkes c. nor to the Indians nor doth their practice toward their Countrymen hould forth a shew of such a freedome or permission Truth I wonder why M r Cotton writes that the most part of the English worship God with them and the rest absent have Libertie to choose their Preachers Since M r Cotton knowes the Petition and Petitions that have been presented for Libertie of Conscience in New England and he cannot but also know the Imprisoning and Fining of some of the Petitioners c. Peace It may be M r Cotton will use the common objection that some part of their Petition tended to Disturbance in Civill Things Truth Some of their Petitions were purely for Libertie of Conscience which some in Office both in Church and State favoured as is reported if not promoted If others or some part of them might be judged offensive against Lawes made yet why then hath not the Libertie of their Conscience in point of Worship been granted to them When they have complained amongst other Passages that they have been forced to stay the baptizing of other Mens children while their owne might not be admitted and therefore earnestly sued for Ministers and Congregations after their owne free choice and Consciences which have ever been denyed to them Peace It is said that their Ministers being consulted with utterly denied to yeeld to any such Libertie Truth They might justly feare that if such a window were opened as once Bishop Gardiner
therefore Master Cotton elsewhere saith they must suspend to deal in Church matters untill they can judge c. And this First implies their light and judgement absolutely necessary in all such matters of the Church about which they are to Judge and act as often I affirme 2 I aske what kind of spirituall Physicians will Master Cotton have who shall be bound to suspend their power all their lives long unlesse they have skill to judge of Diseases will not the similitude hold against such spirituall Fathers Nurces Physicians who all their life long yea the greatest number beyond compare of all their spirituall Fathers upon the face of the Earth must wholly suspend from acting in spirituall diseases or cases to wit in reforming establishing c. 3 Although it excuseth not 't is true such Magistates Princes Common-wealths for making this Doctrine their ground of persecuting Christ and Christians yet doubtlesse it makes their sin the greater who feed them with such bloody Doctrines and so consequently occasion them upon the rocks of such fals and dangerous and bloudy practices Exam of Chap. 70. replying to Chap. 73. Peace IN this Chap. Dear Truth lye many stones of offence at which the feet of the unwary most easily many stumble I hope your carefull and steady hand may be a blessed Instrument of their Removall As First although Master Cotton subscribe unto Luther that the Government of the Civill Magistrate doth extend no further then over the Bodies and Goods of the subject yet saith he he may and ought to improve that power over their Bodies and Goods to the good of their Souls Truth Sweet Peace my hand the hand of Christ assisting shall not be wanting but what offence can be taken at the propositions Pea. The proposition like an aple of Sodom is fair and specious untill you crush it by examination For by maintaining the Magistrates power over the Bodies and Goods of the subject for the good of his Soul it is clear in this Chapter and others foregoing and following that Master Cottons words drive at no lesse then a seising upon and plundering of the goods the Imprisoning whipping Banishing and killing the Bodies of the poor people and this under the Cloak and colour of saving their Souls in the day of the Lord Jesus Truth The Civil State and Common-weal may be compared to a peice of Tapistry or rich Arras made up of the severall parts and parcels of the Families thereof Now by the Law of God Nature and Nations a Father hath a power over his Child the Husband over the Wife the Master over c. and doubtlesse they are to improve that power and Authority for the good of the souls of their Children Yoak-fellows c. But shall we therefore say that the Father and the Husband hath power under Christ over the conscienies and religion of the Child or Wife as a Father or Husband had under Moses Numb 30. Parents are commanded in the Gospel to bring up their Children in the instruction and fear of the Lord the Husband is commanded to labour to win and save his Wife with no other power then the Wife also her Husband whether Turke or Jew Antichristian or Pagan but such a power and sword to be improved as Mr. Cotton here pretends for soul-good Master Cotton will never finde in the Testament of Christ Jesus The Plain English is what ever be the Cloak or cover which the States Kings and Rulers of this world use in this case this terme for souls good is no more then the old Popish Jesabels painting pro salute animae pro redemptione animae or as that noble St. John observed in a speech at Guild-hall that the Kings party made use of the name of Peace as the Papists used the name of God In nomine Domini c. Peace It is most lamentable to see how the Kings of the Earth are grosly flattered by their Clergy into as grosse a belief that they are most Catholick Kings as in Spain most Christian Kings as in France Defendors of the Faith in England Hence those two bloody Persecutors of Luther Charles the Fifth and Henry the Eighth were celebrated even upon the posts of the doors in Guild-Hall Carolus Henricus vivant defensor uturque Henricus Fidei Carolus Ecclesiae Peace And yet to what other end have or doe ordinarily the Kings of the Earth use their power and authority over the Bodies and Goods of their Subjects but for the filling of their pauâ—ches like Wolves or Lions never pacified unlesse the peoples bodies goods and Souls be sacrificed to their God-belly and their owne Gods of profit honour pleasure c. Peace But in the second place Master Cotton affirmes that by procuring the good of their souls they may much advance the good of their bodies and outward man also Truth This Proposition is as fair as the former but in the searching and crushing is as rotten for however it is most true as he quoteth 1 Tim. 4. that Godlinesse hath the promise of this Life and of a better and also that such as seek first the Kingdome of God may expect outward mercies to be cast upon them yet these promises can never by any rule of Christ be stretched to proue outward prosperity and flourishing to the followers of Christ Jesus in this present evill world Peace He that is in a pleasant Bed and Dreame though he talke Idly and insensibly yet is loath to be awaked Truth Those sweet promises supply Gods servants with what outward blessings his holy Wisdome seeth they have need of for his service But when wil Master Cotton indeed witnesse against a Nationall Church and cease to mingle Heaven and Earth the Church and worldly state together when will he cease to propose the rich and peaceable victorious and flourishing Nationall State of the Jewes as the Type of the Carnall peace and worldly wealth and honour of the spirituall Nation and Kingdome of Christ Jesus when will he more plainely and simply conforme the members to the head Christ Jesus in the Holinesse Glory of his spirituall poverty shame and sufferings Peace I have in the experience of many Ages observed the flourishing prosperity of many Cities Common wealths and Nations where no sound of Christ hath come and that for hundreths yea some thousands of years together as hath formerin this discourse been instanced Truth You have found that when the Red and Black and Pale horse of War Famine and Death have thundered upon the Nations it hath not been upon the decay of a State Religion but most commonly upon the rejecting and persecuting of the Preachers and Witnesses against it Peace Yea Master Cotton himselfe observeth that such of Gods servants as grow fattest in Godlinesse grow not outwardly in wealth but God keepeth them low in outward estate Truth I conclude this passage with an observation of constant experience ever since the Son of God ascended the
Heauens The neerer Christs followers have approached to worldly wealth ease liberty honour pleasure c. the neerer they have approached to Impatience Pride Anger and Violence against such as are opposite to their Doctrine and Profession of Religion And 2 The further and further have they departed from God from his Truth from the Simplicitie Power and Puritie of Christ Jesus and true Christianitie Peace In the next Passage M r Cotton though with another heart yet in the Language and Tongue of the Pharisees seemes to take part with the Prophets against the persecuting Fathers and amongst many things he prohibites Magistrates this one to wit that he must not make Lawes to binde Conscience Truth What is a Law but a binding Word a Commandement What is a Law to binde Conscience but a Commandement that calls for Obedience And must wee raise up such Tumults such Tragedies and fill the face of the World with streames of bloud about the Christian Mâ—gistrates reforming Religion establishing Religion killing the Heretick Blasphemer Idolater Seducer and yet all this without a Law that may in the name of Christ exact obedience Peace I wonder what we shall thinke of those Lawes and Statutes of Parliament in old or New England that have bound the peoples Consciences at least so farre as to come to the Parish Church improving as M r Cotton sayth the power and Authoritie over their Bodies for their Soules good What shall wee call all those Lawes Commandements Statutes Injunctions Directions and Orders that concerne Religion and Conscience Truth The plaine truth is M r Cottons former reforming zeale cannot be so utterly extinguished as to forget the name and Notion of Christian Libertie although in this bloudie Discourse he hath well nigh if not wholly sold away the Thing The Conscience sayth he must not be bound to a Ceremonie to a pretended indifferent Ceremonie And yet loe throughout this Discourse he pleades for the binding of it from these and these Doctrines from these and these Worships and binding to this or that Worship I meane to come to the publike Towne or Countrey Worship Just for all the world as if a Woman should not be bound to make a Curtsie or Salutation to such a Man but yet shee should be bound will she nill she to come to his bed at his pleasure Worship is a true of false Bed Cant. 1. 16. Peace It is observable in the next place what M r Cotton observeth concerning the Principles of saving Truth to wit that no good Christian much lâ—sse good Magistrate can be ignorant of them Truth In the Consideration of the Modell this Goodnesse or Badnes of the Magistrate is Examined and easily it is proved to my understanding that this Assertion confounding the nature of Civill and Morall goodnesse with Religious is as farre from Goodnes as Darknes is from Light Peace To this Issue tends M r Cottons Conclusion of this passage verily the Lord will build up and establish the House and Kingdome of such Princes as doe thus build up his Truth The promise of God to David concerning his House and Kingdome in the Letter is most true in the Mystery and Antitype as to the Spirituall House and Kingdome of King David King Jesus in such Princes or Propheticall Kingly Spirits who Spiritually in the Word of Prophesie the Sword of Gods Spirit contend for the Spirituall Kingdome of Christ Jesus God will establish them in Spirituall Dignitie and Authoritie But take this literally as M r Cotton carries it and as he never will finde any such Dutie lying upon Princes in the Gospell nor any such promise of temporall prosperitie but holy praedictions foretellings of the crosse and persecution ordinarily to all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus and the greater persecution to the most zealous and faithfull Servants of Christ Jesus So neither can he give any true Instance truely proper and parallell to this purpose Peace Me thinks 〈…〉 hough successe be no constant rule to walke by yet Gods providence in successe of Journies Victories c. are with great care and feare to be attended to and pondered and the Hand and Eye of God to be observed in them of what sort or Nature so ever they be Truth Two instances of greatest successe and temporall prosperitie we have presented to us on the publike stage of this world before our owne Dores crowning the Heads of such States and States-men as have attended to mercy and freedome toward oppressed Consciences The first is that of the State of Holland The second of our owne Native England whose renowned Parliament and victorious Armie never so prospered as since their Declaration and practice of pitie and mercy to Consciences oppressed by M r Cottons bloudie Tenent Peace In the next Passage it being a Grievance that M r Cotton should grant with Luther the Magistrates power to extend no further then the Bodies and Goods of the Subject and yet withall maintaineth that they must punish Christians for sinning against the Light of Faith and Conscience M r Cotton answers First He supposeth the chiefe good to be that of Christian Faith and Good Conscience Secondly Suppose sayth he by Goods were meant outward Goods yet the Magistrate may punish such in their Bodies and Goods as seduce c. for sayth he in seeking Gods Kingdome and the Righteousnesse thereof Men prosper in their outward Estates Matth. 6. 23. Otherwise they decay Lastly He remembers not the proposition to be his The Magistrates power extendeth no further then the Bodies and Goods of the Subject He answereth it is true in respect of the Object though not in respect of the End which sayth he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bene administrare Rempublicam And he asketh if it be well with a Common-weale enjoying bodily health and worldly wealth without a Church without Christ And he concludes with the Instance of the Romane Empire which had it not cast away Idolatrie sayth he had been ruined Truth For answer First the distinction is famous among all Men of the Bona or Goods of Animi Corporis Fortunae and againe that of the Minde Soule and Conscience within and that of the Body and Goods without that it can be no lesse then a Civill as well as a Spirituall Babell to confound them Secondly To his Supposition suppose sayth he by Goods were meant outward Goods yet the Magistrate may punish such in their Bodies and Goods as doe Seduce c. I see not how these Cohere any better then the grant of some Papists that the Churches power extends no further then the matters of Faith and Conscience But yet say they they may punish such in their Bodies and Goods as seduce c. M r Cottons Suppositions and the Papists come both out of the same Babylonian Quiver But thirdly let us minde his Reason from Matth. 6. In seeking Gods Kingdome men prosper in outward estate otherwise not I answer this Proposition
Controversies of Religion That Soul that most possesseth it selfe in patient suffering and dependeth not on the arme of flesh but upon the arme of God Christ Jesus for his comfort and protection that Soul is most likely in my observation to see and stand for the Truth of Christ Jesus Peace In the next place Master Cotton denyes to compell to the Truth by penalties but onely by withdrawing such favours as are comely and safe for such persons Truth I have formerly answered and doe that a great Load may be made up by Parcels and particulars as well as by one masse or bulke and that the backs of some men especially Merchants may be broke by a withdrawing from them some Civill priviledges and rights which are their due as well as by afflicting them in their Purses or Flesh upon their backs 2 Christ Jesus was of another opinion who distinguisheth between Gods due and Caesars due and therfore with respect to God his cause and Religion it is not lawfull to deprive Caesar the Civil Magisteate nor any that belong to him of their Civil and Earthly rights I say in this respect although that a man is not Godly a Christian sincere a Church member yet to deprive him of any Civill right or Priviledge due to him as a Man a Subject a Citizen is to take from Caesar that which is Caesars which God indures not though it be given to himselfe Peace Experience oft-times tell us that however the stream of just Priviledges and Rights hath out of Carnal Policy been stopt by Gods people when they have got the Staffe into their hands in divers Lands and Countreys yet hath that streame ever returned to the greater calamity and tryal of Gods people Truth But thirdly it hath been noted that even in New-England penalties by Law have been set to force all to come to Church which will appear upon a due search to be nothing else but an outward profession of force and violence for that Doctrine which they suppose is the Truth Peace Concerning coming to Church wee tolerate saith Master Cotton Indians Presbyterians Antinomians and Anabaptists and compell none to come to Church against their conscience and none are restrained from hearing even in England Truth Compelling to come to Church is apparant whether with or against their Conscience let every man look to it The toleration of Indians is against professed principles and against the stream of all his present dispute as before I proved Touching the Magistrates duty of suppressing Idolatry Witchcraft Blasphemy c. such Indians as are pofessedly subject to English in N. England notoriously continue and abound in the same which if they should not permit it as apparant their subjection is hazarded T is true this Toleration is a Duty from God but a sin in them because they professe it their Duty to suppresse Idolatry Blasphemy adde Master Cotton may say we not onely tolerate the Indians in their abominable and barbarous worships but which may seem most incredible we tolerate the Indians also in that which by our civil principles we ought to tolerate no subject in that is in abominable lying whoring cursing thieving without any active course of restraint c. T is true Those Indians submitting to their Government as it may be Master Cotton will say to the ten Commandements yet living in all kind of Barbarisme live some miles more remote how ever they are they say their subjects were every miles distance an hundreth Peace But is there any such and professed tolleration of Antinomians Presbyterians Anabaptists as is here insinuated Truth I know of no toleration of Presbyterian Antinomians Anabaptists worshipping God in any meetings separate from the common Assemblies If any such persons be amongst them like Church-Papists it is their sin that they separate not from such opposite Assemblies and Worships and it is the sin of such assemblies to tolerate such persons after due admonitions in the name of Christ rejected But further Master Cotton grants a Communion in hearing in a Church-Estate by Church members but not in any as are no Church-members but come in as the Pagan Infidell 1 Cor. 14. Truth Communion is twofold First open and professed among Church-Members Secondly Secret and implicite in all such as give their presence to such Worships without witnessing against them For otherwise how can a Church-Papist satisfie the Law compelling him to come to Church or a Protestant satisfie a Popish Law in Popish Countries but by this Cloake or Covering hiding and saving of themselves by bodily presence at Worship though their Heart be farre from it Peace Whereas it was said that Conscionable Papists and all Protestants have suffered upon this ground especially of refusing to come to each others Church or meeting M r Cotton replies They have suffred upon other points and such as have refused to come to Church have not refused because such hearing implanted them into Church-Estate but out of feare to be leavened Truth 'T is true many have suffred upon other points but upon due Examination it will appeare that the great and most universall Tryall hath been amongst both Papists and Protestants about coming to Church and that not out of feare of being leavened for what Religion is ordinarily so distrustfull of its owne strength as of Countenancing what they believe false by their presence and appearance Exam of Chap. 71. replying to Chap. 74. Peace COncerning the Papists testimonie against persecution M r Cotton replyes First why may not their Testimonie be wicked as well as their Booke confest so to be Secondly He grants that Conversion of Soules ought not to be but by Spirituall meanes Truth It is true the Authour of the Letter calls their booke wicked and themselves the Authours of persecution yet their Testimonie is in part acknowledged by M r Cotton to be true and will further appeare so to be upon Examination But whether M r Cotton allow of no other Armes then Spirituall to be used about Spirituall conversion it hath and will be further examined Peace Whereas the Papists alledge Matth. 10. that Christ Jesus sent his Ministers as sheepe among Wolves not as Wolves among sheepe to kill imprison c. M r Cotton grants this true yet adds that this hindreth not Excommunication Tit. 3. nor miraculous Vengeance against Spirituall Wolves Acts 13. where there is a gift nor their Prayers against such 2 Tim. 4. 4. nor their stirring up of the Civill power against them as Elijah did Ahab and the people against the Prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18. 40. Truth Concerning the two first we agree for the third the Prayers of Gods people against Gods Enemies we finde two-fold First Generall against all secondly Particular against some and that two-fold First for Gods Vengeance in Gods time leaving it to his holy Wisdome as Paul prayd against Alexander Secondly For present Vengeance as the Disciples desired in the case of Christ Luke 9. And against
that is in the common field of the world together Secondly Not onely Antichrist may oppose some Antichristians but the Israel of God may oppose Israel Ephraim may be against Manasseh and Manasseh against Ephraim and both against Judah in severall respects Have not the Presbyterians been against the Independents and the Independents against the Presbyterians and both against such aâ— seperate from the uncleannesses of them both No wonder then when one Antichristian Faction prevailes to crush another and therein wraps up Christ Jesus himselfe as an Antichristian that Christ Jesus should finde some Friends and Votes against the Oppressing Faction though the number of the oppressours doe farre exceede and cast the cause most commonly against Christ Jesus as a Male factor a Drunkard a Glutton a Deceiver a mad-man possest with a Devill a Seducer a Blasphemer c. Peace But to the second let us Examine the Reasons against Austins Argument with M r Cottons defence of them The first answer was that soule-killing was of a large extent in Scripture which may reach to many sins that are not capitall M r Cotton replyes the Answer reacheth not the point for as every killing of the Body is not a capitall crime so neither is every killing of the soule but such as is more voluntary and presumptuous and joyned with some grosse and murtherous intent Truth Austin and M r Cotton spake in generall without distinction of soule-murther and killing the Title and sound of soule-murther and soule-killing should not be cast abroad like Thunder and Lightning with a late excuse that we intend not every soule-murther and killing Peace Your second Argument was from the Dissimilitude of bodily and spirituall Death Body-killing is but once and for ever but a soule killed may recover c. M r Cotton replyes that the very attempt of soule-killing is capitall Deut. 13. 10. Truth First then the Dissimilitude or Difference remaines good between the murthering of the body and the killing of the soule or inner man contrary to his Answer foregoing Secondly Concerning this attempting I have spoken elsewhere and proved that spiritually it may be made good against a Christian Israelite falling away from Christ and seducing others but literally against such attempting against any mans present Religion or Worship in any Civill State all the World over it cannot be taken because the whole world the Nations and peoples of it cannot parallell this State of Israel whence this plea is taken Peace I presume Deare Truth you would not excuse and extenuate the punishment of a Soule-Traitour and seducer now under the Gospel Truth No I aggravate the least attempt of soule-murther and the least prejudice or hindrance to Eternall Life infinitly above what is temporall and corporall murther when either Husband or Wife Brother or Sister King or Queene Synod or Parliament shall lay a stumbling block in the heavenly way or grieve or offend the least of the littles ones of Christ Jesus and such dreadfull punishment shall all even the highest and greatest finde who now seeme to forget the Millstone Peace The third argument was from the different punishment which Christ Jesus hath appointed for Soul-killing to wit by the two edged sword which comes out of Christs mouth which is able to cut downe Heresie and to slay the soul of Hereticks everlastingly Master Cotton replies this answer hath been removed above Church censures are sufficient to heal the Heretick if he belong to God and to remove the guilt of his wickednesse from the Church but not to prevent spreading c. nor to cleâ—se the Common-wealth from such rebellion as hath been taught by him against the Lord. Truth Above hath also been shewen the soveraigne excellency and power of Christs spirituall meanes against spirituall infection Above hath also been shewen the two-fold Common-wealth First the Civil and natural Secondly the spiritual religious and Christian Rebellion also against the Lord hath been proved two-fold First spirituall against himselfe in point of his more immediate worship and service for which he hath provided not onely the vengeance of eternall fire approaching according to the degrees and hainousnesse of such rebellion but also present spirituall punishment far exceeding all corporall punishment and torment in the world 2 Rebellion against God is temporall and more mediate as it is a resistance opposition or violation of any Civil state or order appointed by God or Men. Now to confound these together and to hover in generall tearms of Rebellion against the Lord is to blow out the Candle or Light and to make a noise in the dark with a sound and cry of a guilty Land a guilty State soul-murtherers soul-killers hereticks blasphemers seducers rebels against the Lord kill them kill them c. Suppose these soul-murthering Hereticks Seducers c. be as full of vexation and mischief as the Musketoes or Wolves in New England or other Countries It were to be wished but never can be hoped in this world that every Civil state City and Towne in the world were free from such mysticall and soul-vermin The poor Planter and Farmer is glad if his house and chamber if his yard and field his family and cattel may be tolerably clear from such annoyances however the Woods and Wildernes abound with them They that are of such fierie pragmaticall restles spirits that they content not themselves to keep the Farme and House of the Church of Christ free from such Infection annoyance but rage that such vermin are suffered in the worlds Wood c. It is pity but they had their ful employment and taske to catch and kill even all the swarmes and Heards of all the Muskeetoes and Wolves which either the Wildernes of America or the whole World can afford them 4. Peace Accordingly the Fourth Argument was from Christs tolerating of soule-killers to live in the field of the World though not in the Garden of the Church M r Cotton replyes this hath been largely and fully refeld above Truth It is true the Discusser alledged and M r Cotton refuted the Exposition of this Parable but whether of them according to the minde of Christ Jesus let every reader uprightly judge with feare and trembling at the word of the Lord. Peace The Fifth Argument was from the Impossibilitie of killing and soule by a Heretick M r Cotton answers this is against Paul himselfe 1 Cor. 8. 11. Truth As I spake unto the Argument of the Impossibilitie of the perishing of any of Gods Elect so here the using of such an Argument is far from undervaluing or neglecting of any of the meanes or Ordinances naturall or spirituall which God hath graciously appointed but to condemne the over-wise and over-busie Heads and Hands of Men adding their Inventions to Gods Appointments as if weake and insufficient whereas Gods number of living and dead are certaine and though the meanes which he hath appointed for life should faile
himselfe Heard he not that famous powerfull Sermon of Stephen Saw he not his glorious and most heavenly Death and having so much to doe with the Saints could he otherwise choose but heare and see many heavenly passages tending to his soules conviction Peace Yea why should M r Cotton pinch upon Apostates from the truth of Religion and Seducers he cannot choose but know how many thousands and millions of men and women in the world are Hereticall Blasphemers Seducers that never yet made profession of that which he accounteth True Religion True Yea and to plead thy case Deare Peace why should M r Cotton couple Murtherers and Adulterers with Apostates and Seducers Doth not even the naturall Conscience and Reason of all men put a Difference Doe not even the most bloudie Popes and Cardinalls Gardiners and Bonners put a difference between the crimes of Murther Treason Adulterie for which although the offendour repent c. yet he suffers punishment and the crimes of Heresie Blasphemie c. which upon Recantation and Confession are frequently remitted Peace I remember it was high Treason in H. 8. his dayes to deny the Kings spirituall Supremacie as well as to kill his person and yet upon Confession and Recantation we finde that the very Conscience of those bloudy men could distinguish between these Treasons Truth 'T is true this bloudie Tenent of persecution was lamentably drunke with bloud in the dayes of that Henry as well as afterwards in the dayes of his bloudie daughter Marie and yet in Henry his dayes we finde John Haywood recanting his so cald Treason against the Kings Supreamacie in spirituall things and is cleared When famous and faithfull Cromwell for words pretended to be spoken by him against the Kings person must pay his noble Head But to End this Chapter most true it is that multitudes of people in all parts of bloudie Christendome and not a few in England in Henry the 7. and Henry the 8. his dayes have escaped with a Recantation and Abjuration for spirituall Treasons when principles of Reason and Civill Government have taught men for their common safetie to thinke of other punishments for Murtherers Adulterers Traytours Exam of Chap. 73. replying to Chap. 76. Discussing the Testimonie of Optatus Peace MAster Cotton having alledged Optatus justifying Macarius his putting Hereticks to Death from the Example of Moses Phinehas and Elijah it was answered that these shafts were drawen not out of Christs but Moses Quiver M r Cotton replyes did ever any Apostle or Evangelist make the Judiciall Lawes of Moses concerning Life and Death ceremoniall and typicall Truth What ever the Apostles of Christ did in this matter yet sure it is Evident that M r Cotton himselfe makes some of Moses Lawes which he calls Judiciall to be but ceremoniall and typicall Peace Me thinks M r Cotton should never grant that who layes so much waight upon Moses practices and the morall and perpetuall ground of them Truth Well take for an Instance this very case of putting to Death Idolaters and false Prophets he grants this in this very Chapter to be typicall in the State of the Jewes for Israell sayth he being the Church of God and in Convenant with God their Example will onely extend to the like Execution of all the false Prophets in the Church of God Peace Such a Candle lighted up in the Conscience and Judgement and Confession of M r Cotton may if the Father of Lights so please light up many Candles more to M r Cottons owne and the eyes of others Truth Yea if the Father of Lights so please M r Cotton will looke back and see that if the Example of Israel extend no further then to the Church of God then those Lawes of Moses concerning Religion cannot but be typicall and ceremoniall for what is morall and perpetuall none can deny to concerne all Men in all Nations where no Church or House of God was ever erected 2. Peace If M r Cotton say it extends but to the Church of God what Church of God can M r Cotton meane but a particular Congregation for he professeth against Nationall Provinciall c. And yet how can he meane a particular Church since he grants the Church of Christ armed with no other weapons then spirituall like unto the Head and King thereof Christ Jesus 3. Truth If M r Cotton will grant the Church of Christ to have been extant upon Earth during the first three hundred yeares of her fiery tryalls he must grant that then the Church of Christ was furnished by Christ Jesus with no other weapons but spirituall for all the Civill powers of the World seemed to be against them All which time by M r Cottons Doctrine the Church of Christ his heavenly Garden must needs be over-growne with Hereticks Idolaters false Prophets for want of a Civill Sword c. Or if they were not as sure it is the Spouse and Garden of Christ was never fairer since As M r Cotton grants the Example typicall and extending onely to the Church of God so must he then also grant these false Prophets and Idolaters to be put to Death by the Churches power which is onely spirituall and Israels materiall Sword will then appeare to be a type of the two-edged sword of Christ Jesus in the Gospel Peace It is true sayth Master Cotton what the Discusser sayth that Christ Jesus gave no Ordinance Precept or President in the Gospel for killing men for Religion and no more sayth he for the breach of Civill Justice Civill Magistrates therefore must either walke without Rule or fetch their Rules of Righteousnesse from Moses and the Prophets who have expounded him in the Old Testament Truth If M r Cotton please more awfully to observe weigh the minde of Christ Jesus his New Testament in this point he will not onely heare himselfe subscribing to Caesars Right in Civill matters but also by his servant Peter establishing all other formes of Civill Government which the peoples or Nations of the World shall invent or create for their civill being Common-weale or wellfare Yea he may remember that Christ Jesus by his Servant Paul commandeth the Magistrate to punish Murther Theft Adulterie c. for he expresly nameth these Civill Transgressions together with the civill Sword the Avenger of them Rom. 13. Peace I cannot well conceive what M r Cotton meanes by saying that Moses and the Prophets expounded Christ Jesus in the Old Testament Truth Nor I They did speake or prophecie of Christ they did type or figure him to come with his sufferings and Glory but as John sayth Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ that is the fullfilling opening and expounding came by Jesus Christ Peace Hence indeed I remember that Christ Jesus Luc. 24. expounded to his Disciples out of Moses and the Prophets the things written of him But more particularly touching Moses Macarius did well sayth M r Cotton in putting Hereticks
Peace that in the winding up of this Discourse M r Cotton winds up resolveth and reduceth his former pleaded for persecuting of Hereticks Blasphemers Idolaters Seducers into the persecuting onely of Apostates who after the acknowledging of the Truth doe tread the bloud of Christs Covenant underfoote c. To which I answer If so then the discerning judging between such as gainsay Christ and blaspheame him out of Ignorance such as M r Cotton makes the Jewes who put him to Death and such as willingly and wittingly reject him I say the judging of this must then rest at the Barre of the Civill Courts and Judicatures of the World which necessarily implies a supposition of power of Judging in all the Nations of the World and so consequently in Naturall men contrary to the Scriptures which conclude all Mankinde while in their naturall estate uncapable of the things of Gods Spirit Peace Yea and also to my understanding it implies a submitting and subjecting of the Crowne and Scepter and affaires of Christ Jesus to the Civill and humane Crownes and Scepters and Tribunalls of the Nations of this World and that in spirituall and heavenly things the proper affaires of his owne Spirituall Kingdome in the which the wisest of this world are ignorant and extreamly opposite Truth For this you know M r Cotton hath a broken Refuge to wit the Nations of the World Naturall men must not judge untill they be better informed In which what a wonderfull and menstrous suspension doth he put upon the affaires of Christ Jesus all the world over and leaves the matters of Christ Jesus in worse case and more poorely provided for by Christ Jesus then the matters and affaires of any King or Kingdome in the World beyond compare and Imagination Peace Yet me-thinks those Scriptures quoted by M r Cotton Luc. 17. Those mine Enemies c. and Revel 16. Bloudie vengeance upon Antichristian Emissaries are very considerable Truth Doubtles all Scripture seriously alledged by the most ignorant and unworthy how much more from so learned and conscientious ought seriously and awfully to be pondered in the holy presence of God The Warrants and Authorities of civill powers though but pretended are not without due respect to be examined although rejected in the end as insufficient c. But consider in the Examination of those Scriptures Is it credible that all that resist Christ Jesus his Kingdome and Government are Apostate and Antichristian Emissaries against whom he powres out that Violl Have they first acknowledged the Covenant of Jesus and then trod the precious bloud of that High Covenant under feete Peace The East is not so farre from the West as those Scriptures from such a Conclusion Truth Yea how many hundreth thousands of Jewes and Turkes and Antichristians perish temporally and eternally and that for refusing Christ Jesus to be King and for shedding his bloud in his servants who can never be brought under this guilt of Apostacie after they have once acknowledged the truth of Christs Government and Kingdome Peace Me-thinks to understand the Scriptures in M r Cottons sence were a wonderfull penning up and straightning the holy Scripture Truth Sweet Peace as soone may we immure the glorious Sun in a darke dungeon as confine those bright Scriptures in the dark Cels of Apostacie but I further observe that Christ Jesus not only praid and dyed for his Enemies who bloudily persecuted him and his out of Ignorance but gave this reason against bodily Death to be inflicted on any for his cause and sake Luc. 9. The Son of Man is not come to destroy Mens lives and I might returne the Question to M r Cotton not unfitly Are not these the words oâ— Him that delighteth not in the bloud of his bloudiest enemies and Gainsayers Peace It will be said What slaughters what drinking of Bloud is that which Christ Jesus in these Scriptures intendeth Truth I answer although the Sword of Christs Kingdome that sharpe Sword with two edges is a Spirituall Sword and is carried in his Mouth yet all power in Heaven and Earth being given into his hands by his Father he ruleth and over-ruleth in a way of power and providence all the powers of the World There is therefore a great Sword given to him that rideth upon the white Horse Revel 6. by which for the resisting of him that rideth upon the white Horse in the gainsaying and persecuting of Christ in his Members Christ Jesus takes peace from the Earth and suffers the Turkes to plague the Antichristian World Papists and carnall Protestants to plague each other and to fill Cups of Bloud each to other while they contend and fight first against God and then one against another for their severall false Prophets and Religions Peace Me-thinks then M r Cotton might have spared to charge the Discusser with proclaiming of peace to Jezabell c. Truth There is a Spirituall peace in the matters of Christs Kingdome and Worship and in the particular Consciences and Soules of his Servants There is a Civill peace in the quiet enjoyment of each mans proprietie in the Combination of Townes Cities Kingdomes c. But neither of these three will M r Cotton prove the Discusser proclaimeth to such Antichristians or enemies of Christ Jesus who persecute and oppresse Jew or Gentile upon any civill or spirituall pretence 'T is true the Consciences and Worships of all men peaceable in their way he affirmes ought not to be molested and though not approved yet permitted and although no spirituall yet a civill peace proclaimed to their outward man while peaceable in civill commerce To persecutours he not onely proclaimes Gods Judgements spirituall and eternall but temporall also and affirmeth that all persecutours of all sorts and especially the bloudie Whore of Rome who hath so long been drunk with the bloud of the Saints ought by the Civill Sword to be restrained and punished as the Destroyers of Mankinde and all civill and peaceable being in the World according to the hight of their cruell and murtherous Oppressions Peace But Tolleration of her sayth M r Cotton brings her in at the back dore and so we may come to drink deeply of the Cup of the Lords wrath and be filled with the Cup of her plagues Truth There are two opinions which have bewitched the Nations professing the name of Christ First That a Nationall Church or State is of Christs appointing Secondly That such a Nationall Church or State must be maintained pure by the power of the Sword While M r Cotton prayes against the bewitching of the Whores cup O that the Father of Lights might graciously please to shew him the depth of her witchcrafts and his owne most wofull Delusions in both these In vaine doth M r Cotton feare partaking of her sinnes and plagues by a tollerating meerly of her Worship in a civill State while he forgets the three great causes of her downfall and
rendring such Laicks and Seculars as they call them but slavish Executioners upon the point of their most imperious Synodicall Decrees and Sentences A Tenent that renders the highest civill Magistrates and Ministers of Justice the Fathers and Gods of their Countries either odious or lamentably grievous unto the very best Subjects by either elapping or keeping on the iron yoakes of cruellest oppression No yoake or bondage comparably so grievous as that upon the Soules necke of mens Religion and Consciences A Tenent all besprinckled with the bloudie murthers stobâ— poysonings pistollings powder-plots c. against many famous Kings Princes and States either actually performed or attempted in France England Scotland Low-Countries and other Nations A Tenent all red and bloudie with those most barbarous and Tyger like Massacres of so many thousand and ten thousands formerly in France and other parts and so lately and so horribly in Ireland of which what ever causes be assigned this chiefly will be found the true and while this continues to wit violence against Conscience this bloudie Issue sooner or later must breake forth againe except God wonderfully stop it in Ireland and other places too A Tenent that stunts the growth and flourishing of the most likely and hopefullest Common weales and Countries while Consciences the best and the best deserving Subjects are forct to flie by enforced or voluntary Banishment from their native Countries The lamentable proofe whereof England hath felt in the flight of so many worthy English into the Low Countries and New-England and from New-England into old againe and other forraigne parts A Tenent whose grosse partialitie denies the Principles of common Justice while Men waigh out to the Consciences of all others that which they judge not fit not right to be waighed out to their owne Since the persecutours Rule is to take and persecute all Consciences onely himselfe must not be touched A Tenent that is but Machevilisme and makes a Religion but a cloake oâ— stalking horse to policie and private Ends of Jeroboams Crowne and the Priests Benefice c. A Tenent that corrupts and spoiles the very Civill Honestie and Naturall Conscience of a Nation Since Conscience to God violated proves without Repentance ever after a very Jade a Drug loose and unconscionable in all converse with men Lastly a Tenent in England most unseasonable as powring Oyle upon those Flames which the high Wisedome of the Parliament by easing the yoakes on Mens Consciences had begun to quench In the sad Consideration of all which Deare Peace let Heaven and Earth judge of the washing and colour of this Tenent For thee sweete heavenly Guest goe lodge thee in the breasts of the peaceable and humble Witnesses of Jesus that love the Truth in peace Hide thee from the Worlds Tumults and Combustions in the breasts of thy truely noble children who professe and endeavour to breake the irony and insupportable yoakes upon the Soules and Consciences of any of the sonnes of Men. Peace Me-thinks Deare Truth if any of the least of these deepe charges be found against this Tenent you doe not wrong it when you stile it bloudie But since in the wofull proofe of all Ages past since Nimrod the Hunter or persecutour before the Lord these and more are lamentably evident and undeniable it gives me wonder that so many and so excellent eyes of Gods servants should not espie so fowle a monster especially considering the universall opposition this Tenent makes against Gods Glory and the Good of all mankinde Truth There have been many fowle opinions with which the old Serpent hath infected and bewitched the sonnes of men touching God Christ the Spirit the Church against Holines against Peace against civill Obedience against chastitie in so much that even Sodomie it selfe hath been a Tenent maintained in print by some of the very pillars of the Church of Rome But this Tenent is so universally opposite to God and man so pernicious and destructive to both as hath been declared that like the Powder-plot it threatens to blow up all Religion all civilitie all humanitie yea the very Being of the World and the Nations thereof at once Peace He that is the Father of Lies and a murtherer from the beginning he knowes this well and that this ugly Blackmore needs a maske or vizard Truth Yea the bloudines and inhumanitie of it is such that not onely M r Cottons more tender and holy Breast but even the most bloudie Bonners and Gardiners have been forced to arme themselves with the faire shewes and glorious pretences of the Glory of God and zeale for that Glory the Love of his Truth the Gospel of Christ Jesus love and pitie to mens soules the peace of the Church uniformitie Order the peace of the Common-weale the Wisedome of the State the Kings Queenes and Parliaments proceedings the odiousnesse of Sects Heresies Blasphemies Novelties Seducers and their Infections the obstinacie of Heretickâ— after all Meanes Disputations Examinations Synods yea and after Conviction in the poore Hereticks owne Conscience Add to these the flattring sound of those glosing Titles the Godly Magistrate the Christian Magistrate the Nurcing Fathers and Mothers of the Church Christian Kings and Queenes But all other Kings and Magistrates even all the Nations of the World over as M r Cotton pleads must suspend and hould their hands and not meddle in matters of Religion untill they be informed c. Peace The dreadfull righteous hand of God the Eternall and avenging God is pulling off these maskes and vizards that thousands and the World may see this bloudie Tenents Beautie Truth But see my heavenly Sister and true stranger in this Sea-like restles raging World see here what Fires and Swords are come to part us Well Our meetings in the Heavens shall not thus be interrupted our Kisses thus distracted and our eyes and cheekes thus weâ— unwiped For me though censured threatned persecuted I must professe while Heaven and Earth lasts that no one Tenent that either London England or the World doth harbour is so hereticall blasphemous seditious and dangerous to the corporall to the spirituall to the present to the Eternall Good of all Mâ—n as is the bloudie Tenent how ever wash't and whited I say as is the bloudie Tenent of persecution for cause of Conscience The Copie of a Letter of R. Williams of Providence in New England to Major Endicot Governour of the Massachusets upon occasion of the late persecution against M r Clarke and Obadiah Holmes and others at Boston the chiefe Towne of the Massachusets in New England SIR HAving done with our transitorie Earthly Affaires as touching the English and the Indians which in Comparison of heavenly and Eternall you will say are but as dung and drosse c. Let me now be humbly bold to remember that Humanitie and pietie which I and others have formerly observed in you and in that hopefull Remembrance to crave your gentle audience with patience and
with God all things are possible and they that laughed the Lord Jesus to scorne when he said the Damsell is not dead but sleepeth were afterwards confounded when they saw her raised by his heavenly voice His holy pleasure I know not nor doe I know which way the Glory of his great Name will more appeare either in finally suffering so great a fall and ruine of so strong a pillar that Flesh may not Glory but that his strength and Glory onely may be seene in Weaknesse Or else in your holy Rising and Reviving from the Bed of so much spirituall filthines and from so bloudie a minde and lip and hand against all withstanders or Disturbers in it That so the short Remainder of your Candle may hould out to the World the Riches of his Mercy at whose words the holyest of his Servants ought to tremble and to work out their Salvation with feare and trembling I say I desire to say it tremblingly and mournfully I know not which way he will please to raise his Glory onely I know my Dutie my Constience my Love all which inforce me to knock to call to cry at the Gate of Heaven and at Yours and to present you with this loving though lowd and faithfull noyse and sound of a few Grounds of deeper Examination of both our Soules and Consciences uprightly and impartially at the holy and dreadfull Tribunall of Him that is appointed the Judge of all the Living and the Dead Be pleased then honoured Sir to remember that that thing which we call Conscience is of such a Nature especially in English-men as once a Pope of Rome at the suffering of an English-man in Rome himselfe observed that although it be groundles false and deluded yet is it not by any Arguments or Torments easily removed I speake not of the streame of the multitude of all Nations which have their ebbings and flowings in Religion as the longest Sword and strongest Arme of Flesh carries it But I speake of Conscience a perswasion fixed in the minde and heart of a man which inforceth him to judge as Paul said of himselfe a persecutour and to doe so and so with respect to God his worship c. This Conscience is found in all mankinde more or lesse in Jewes Turkes Papists Protestants Pagans c. And to this purpose let me freely without offence remember you as I did M r Clarke newly come up from his sufferings amongst you I say remember you of the same Story I did him t was that of William Hartly in Queene Elizabeth her dayes who receiving the Sentence of hanging drawing c. spake confidently as afterward he suffered what tell you me of hanging c. If I had ten thousand millions of lives I would spend them all for the Faith of Rome c. Sir I am far from glancing the least Countenance on the Consciences of Papists yea or on some Scotch and English Protestants too who turne up all Rootes and lay all levell and in bloud for exaltation of their owne way and Conscience All that I observe is that Boldnes and Confidence Zeale and Resolution as it is commendable in a kinde when it seriously respects a Dietie so also the greatest Confidence hath sometimes need of the greatest Search and Examination I confesse that for Confidence no Romish Priest hath ever exceeded the holy Martyrs or Witnesses of Jesus Witnes amongst so many that holy English Woman who cryed out that if every haire of her head were a life or man they should burne for the Name of the Lord Jesus But Sir your Principles and Conscience binde you not to respect Romish or English Saints or Sinners William Heartly and that Woman with all their lives you are bound by your Conscience to punish and it may be to hang or burne if they transgresse against your Conscience and that because according to M r Cottons monstrous Distinction as some of his chiefe Brethren to my knowledge have called it not because they sinne in matters of Conscience which he denies the Magistrate to deale in but because they sinne against their Conscience Secondly It is so notoriously knowne that the Consciences of the most holy men zealous for God his Christ to Death and Admiration yea even in our owne Countrey and in Queen Maries dayes especially have been so grossly mislead by mistaken Consciences in matters concerning the worship of God the comming out of the Antichristian Babell and the Rebuilding of the spirituall Jerusalem that I need but hint who were they that pend the Common prayer in its Time as glorious an Idoll and as much adored by Godly persons as any Invention now extant I say who they were that lived and dyed five in the flames zealous for their Bishopricks yea and some too too zealous for their Popish Ceremonies against the doubting Consciences of their Brethren At which and more we that now have risen in our Fathâ—rs stead wonder and admire how such piercing eyes could be deceived such Watchmen blinded and deluded But Thirdly We shall not so much wonder when we lift up our trembling eyes to Heaven and remember our selves poore dust that our Thoughts are not as the Thoughts of our Maker that that which in the eyes of man as the Lord Jesus tells us Luc. 16. is of high and sweet esteeme it stincks and is abomination with God Hence such Worships such Churches such glorious professions practices may be as may ravish themselves and the behoulders when with the piercing eyes of the most High they may looke counterfeit and ugly and be found but spiritually Whores and Abominations Fourthly Wise men use to inquire what Motives what Occasions what Snares what Temptations were there which mooved which drew which allured c. This is the Apologie which the five Apologists M r Goodwin M r Nye c. made to the Parliament to wit That they were not tempted with the moulding of New Common-wealths after which they might be mooved to frame their Religion c. Surely Sir the Baits the Temptations the Snares laid to catch you were not few nor common nor laid to every foote Saul pretended zeale to the Name of God and love to Israel in persecuting the poore Gibeonites to death but Honour me before the people was the maine Engine that turned the Wheeles of all his Actions and Devotions What set Jeroboams braines to consult and plot the Invention of a new Religion Worship Priests c. but Honour the feare of the losse of his gained honour What moved Jehu to be false and halting with God after so much glorious zeale in Reformation Yea I had almost said what mooved David to stob Vriah the fire of God with his pen but the feare of dishonour in the Discovery of his sin though doubtles there was some mixtures of the feare of his Gods displeasure and dishonour also Sir it is no small offer the choice and applause and Rule over so many Townes
black Catalogues it hath pleased the most jealous and righteous God to make of his fierie Judgements and most dreadfull stoakes on Eminent and remarkeable persecutours even in this life It hath been his way and course in all Countries in Germanie France and England especially what ever their pretences have been against Hereticks Rebells Schismaticks Blasphemers Seducers c. How hath he left them to be their owne Accusers Judges Executioners some by hanging some by stobbing some by drowning and poysoning themselves some by running mad and some by drinking in the very same Cup which they had filld to others Some may say Such persecutours hunted God and Christ but I but we c. I answer the Lord Jesus Christ foretold how wonderfully the wisest of the World should be mistaken in the things of Christ and a true visible Christ Jesus When did we see thee naked hungry thirstie sicke inprison How easie how common how dreadfull these mistakes Oh remember once againe as I began and I humbly desire to remember with you that every gray haire now on both our heads is a Boanerges a sonne of Thunder and a warning piece to prepare us for the waighing of our last Anchors and to be gone from hence as if we had never been 'T was mercy infinite that stopt provoked Justice from blowing out our Candles in our youths but now the feeding Substance of the Candle 's gone and 't is impossible without repentance to recall our Actions nay with repentance to recall our minutes past us Sir I know I have much presumed upon your many waighty affaires and thoughts I end with an humble cry to the Father of mercies that you may take Davids Counsell and silently commune with your owne heart upon your Bed reflect upon your owne spirit and believe Him that said it to his over-zealous Disciples You know not what spirit you are of That no sleepe may seize upon your eyes nor slumber upon your eye-lids untill your serious thoughts have seriously calmely and unchangeably through helpe from Christ Jesus fixed First On a Moderation toward the Spirits and Consciences of all mankinde meerly differing from or opposing yours with onely Religious and Spirituall opposition Secondly A deepe and cordiall Resolution in these wonderfull searching disputing and dissenting times to search to listen to pray to fast and more fearefully more tremblingly to enquire what the holy pleasure and the holy mysteries of the most Holy are In whom I humbly desire to be Your poore fellow-Servant unfainedly respective and faithfull R. VVilliams The Parliaments Labours and Labyriâ—ths Two Subsidies granted by the Parliament to the King of Kings The first Subsidy The second Subsidâ— The Bloody Tenent a common Pyrat Mr. Cottons Reply The first Petition Difference between the Piety and Mercy and State-necessity of granting freedâ—m to mens Consciences Constantines and Maximilians acts compared Two wayes of oppressing conscience in Religion The late King Charles his conscience to oppresse the consciences of others no small occasion of the ruine of him and his The Bishops kild the King Hollands policy The permission of conscience in Holland Gods wonderful goings in Holland from Stafore undone by Pride and Unthankfulness To Enchuysin undone by the bloody Tenent of Persecution From Enchuysin to Amsterdam raised to its present hight and glory by mercy to the persecuted Englands ship got into Harbour Striking of Colours The States of Holland yet to seek in the matters of liberty of Conscience Touching absolute freedome to every mans conscience impartially Freedome of Popish consciences Sâ—â— Chap. 59 more particularly Old images puld down and new set up All Images must down All violent courses must break The Act for Civill Engagement of great necessity The second Pettion Worldly wisdome in straits a most dangerous rock The third Petition Soul shipwrack Dangers of Parliament men Wonderfull Confessions of two mighty Kings True Heavenly wisdome The onely valour or cowardize True and best diligence True Justice and Righteousness Heavenly mercy Late zealous Reformations Jehu his zeal and reward Of the Parliaments patience Of the Crown of true Constancy The Controversies of late years about Religion So many opposite Churches so many opposite Christs to the onely true The Pageant of Perken Warbeck in K. H. 7. his dayes a picture of false Christs or Churches * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The six fundamentals of Christian Religion Heb. 6. with or without the first two salvation or no salvation N England Priviledge Whole Nation of Lyons or Persecutors The Bloudy Tenent more especially concerns N. E. The occasion of the present conâ—â—â—versie This Contestation is not with persons but against their bloody Doctrins and Tenents The end of this Treatise The cry of the Lord Jesus A Bar against Persecution Or a Testimony against it especially in the Papists A double prison of prejudice and Conscience 2 Foundamentall Hints against Persecution Libertie of trying forbidden Books c. New Englands Lessons Liberty of searching our Truth hardly got and as hardly kept Jan le petit The wonderfull deceitfulnesse of the hearts of Gods only people Mic. 3. N. England must be singular as in Mercies so in Judgments 2 of the loudest State crying sins Soul wounds the deepest The Akeldamaes or fields of Bloud caused by the Bloudy Tenent of Persecution Michael the son of God and Sathan the red Dragon the two great Generals Lamentable discordâ— about Religion even among the servants of the true and living God The Israelites divided Joseph sold by his brethren Israel force Aaron to make them Gods Israels murmurings Aaron and Miriam against Moses An Armie of 32000 Israelites shrunk into 300. Samson and David discouraged by their own brethren Benjamin almost destroyed by the 11 Tribes Israels rejecting of Samuel the Lord himself Saul persecuting David Ishbosheth and Israel against David and Judah David stabbing Vriah with his Pen. The divisions dispersions of the Tribes Asa imprisoning the Prophet Christs Disciples destrous of fire from heaven c Bitterness between Saul and Barrabas Gods mercy drawes one many sweet fruits from the bitter contentions of his servants Various affections of Readers expected The Model of N. English Church and Civil Power Of Mr. Cottons Reply to the Answer to his Letter Gods wisdom adored in the Discussing of the Bloudie Tenent A memorable Speech touching Mr. Cotton The strange retreats Mr. Cotton makes in this controversie The rearing of Lyon like persecution pag. The strange reluctancies of the Lamb. like spirit of Mr. Cotton forced to against the Persecuting Lyon Monstrous partiality as touching the Magistracy The slaughter of the Witnesses Revel 2. 10. Christ Jesus shortly ruining the two dreadfull Empites of the bloody Turk and Pope The Turks sorest enemies in Euope The Popes sorest enemies Freedome of Conscience in worship due even to the Papists themselvs See Chap. Truth peace rarely meet in this vale of tears Many dear Saints of God plead for persecution Oh how
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
Civill Power prove the Churches of the same Nature with the Head that acts and calls them Touching the difference between the Church of the Jewes and the Christian Churches The holy Land of Canaan a Nonesuch A Figure of the Chrâ—stian The weapons of the Jewes and Christians compared No Speare nor Sword in Israel New-England loath to be accounted persecutours Lawes concerning Gods Worship Dangerous distinctions Touching keeping of both Tables Of Magistrates Judgement in Spirituals c. Of Qualifications of Magistrates Of Magistrates Abilities David and Hezekiah figurative Kings c. Magistrates suspending in matters of Religion Wofull Soul-saving The power of Parents Husbands Magistrates in spirituals 1 Cor. 7. The tearme Souls-good commonly but a paint c. The promises of temporall mercies considered Worldly prosperity ever dangerous to Gods children Of Lawes binding Conscience Persecution the ordinarie Portion of Christs Followers Two States wonderfully favoured by God upon mercy shewed to oppressed Consciences formerly Holland and now the State of England Bodies and Goods the Magistrates object Oppression in Bodies Goods and Minde Wealth Honour and Prosperitie seldome attending Christs true Followers What is the CoÌ„mon weale of Israel The Roman Empire flourisheth in worldly glory without Christ The Citie of Rome famous for prosessing Christ Jesus Christs Spouse most chast under persecution The Roman Monarchy bloody to the Saints Constantine a friend and enemy to Christs Spouse The state of the Romane Empire before and after Christ God will not wrong nor have Caesar wronged Concerning toleration in New England Witnesse the bloody whipping of Obadiah Homes for the point of Baptisme lately at Bostonâ— Communion Spirituall two-fold The great Triall among Papists Protestants concerning comming to Church Touching prayers for Vengeance upon Gods Enemies Stirring up of the Civill State to persecure The bloudie Tenent of persecution is alone the King killing and Stare-killing Doctrine Amoninus Pius his Edict for the Christians Transgression against the Spirituall or Civill peace Persecutours of Christs Sheepe pretend to save them and kill none but Wolves Antichristian Ministers great Thieves Hireling Ministers Fryars in Chancers time and the Cleargie in our time considered The Turkes themselves will be Muslemanni or right beleevers The horrible partialite of persecutors Misticall sheep Paul his striking Elimas blind considered Of the power of miracles Spirituall sheep and wolves considered The Pope and all proud Popish Priests and Cleargie use the Civill Powers but as Dogs The Protestant Cleargie their dealing with Magistrates A suspending or hanging up of Magistrates The great spirituall differences of these late Times Of rest from persecution Gods children may possibly fight each against the other 〈…〉 Antichristians against Antichristians but principally against Christ Touching spirituall murther Touching Seducers The hainousnes of spirituall stumbling blocks Punishing of Seducers Common-weale twofold and Rebellion twofold Mysticall Wolves and Muskeetoes Of Soule-killing Touching State Religions Gods children Gods Citie Nation and Kingdome A State Religion a prison A forc't Religion Of the late Warres The bloudie Tenent guilty of the Rivers of Bloud c. Warres for Religion Constantines warres for the Christians Constantines Edict against forcing in Religion Never any true Nationall Religion in the World but one Touching Pauls blasphemy before his Conversion Of Apostates Fallacious mixture and confusion Spirituall Treason recanted forgiven but not so by way ofcourse the Civill An Instance from â—â— Haywood and the Lord Cromwell in King Henry the 8. his dayes Of Moses Judicialls The first three hundred years after Christ The Primitive Church the purest and yet without a Civill Sword Christ no Author of Civill violence for Religion The Levites killing 3000. Exod 32. typicall Phineas his Act. The spirituall Civill State vastly different in their frame Lawes Officers c. Elijah and the Baalites The types and figures of the old Testament Righteousnes two fold The state oâ— Israel typicall Not only morall but naturall Actions of the Israelites typicall Whether Eliahs procuring the slaughter of the Baalites was Typicall or Morall No Commission from Christ for corporall punishment in religious matters Strange and monstrous duties of Morall Righteousnesse Gods children are wonders and monsters accounted Elijah his slaying the Captaines and their fifties Wonderfull Spiders and Cobwebs Prov 30 Touching Seducers and their punishments Christ Jesus abolished former figures though he name not each of them in particular The Mysterie of the Bloudy Tenent The bloudie consequences of the bloudy Tenent The sad Effects of the bloudie Tenent on M r Cottons owne Spirit A lamentable Character of the change of M r Cottons Spirit Differences of Gods own children in Old and New England Profession of Christ Jesus in New-England not so like to be true as that which was persecuted in Old The great â—in of New-Englands former Pattents The Authours tryalls about the Pattents of New-England Gods children may be guilty of bloudy persecution for the hiding of their spirituall uncleannessee Gods mercy in stopping New-Englands persecution by the mercy of old England the mother to dissenting Consciences Holy Cranmer and Cromwell joyning with persecutours of Christ Jesus out of great weaknes in H. 8. his dayes The most famous passages of Cromwell Lambert in H. the 8. his dayes Of Admonition and Conviction Conviction two-fold Of Conviction of Hereticks Conviction sufficient externall by the word and efficient internall by Gods Spirit Christ Jesus accounted the greatest Heretick Blasphemer Seducer and Deceiver that ever was in this world Small matters accounted Heresies The barbarous usage of John Hus in the Councell at Constance The bloudie Tenent destroying civilitie and humane Societie out of the World All Men are confident in their owne opinions The persecutour of Turks Pagans Jewes or Antichristiane is in a greater errour then any of them The bloudie Fruits of the bloudie Tenent Touching confidence in opinions Freedome of Conscience hath ever been a Peace-maker in all NatioÌ„s where it hath appeared And especially at this houre in England How Christ delights in bloud Of persecuting Apostates A monstrous suspension or hanging up of Magistrates Allegations of Scriptures ought seriously to be mad and answered Millions of Turks Jewes and Antichristians are far from the due charge of Apostasie The mysterie of the red Horse of War A spirituall and Civill peace Two wofull opinions bewitching the Nations The 3 great Causes of the downfall of the Church of Rome Touching a New English Modell of Church and civill power * Writing to â—â—â— M r Hall Deepe Censures for none or innocent mistakes Touching Moses his Judicialls Israel in a kinde a miraculous people Touching punishment of Adulterie All Civill Government Gods Ordinance True Republikes Common-weales without Kings A wonderfullâ— saying of Bishop Hall The State of Israel Of Magistrates being nursing Fathers c. Of Magistrates Power in Spiritualls Of the sins of Magistrates A case touching the Magistrates punishing the Sin of Church members The direfull state of false Worshippers The Portraiture
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
true Religion to heare and try all Truth Master Cotton may here be intreated to take notice of his own distinction of unrighteousness which a little before he seemed to me to forget for here he rightly distinguisheth between spiritual matters of unrighteousness against the church and civil unrighteousness against the Commonweal I therefore urge as before that the civil Magistrate although he punish according to his civil place and calling civil unrighteousness against the state yet he hath no warrant from Master Cottons argument nor any from the Lord Jesus Christ to punish spiritual unrighteousness against the church and why then should that tearm of unrighteousness so generally and fallaciously go undistinguished and Master Cotton thus promisâ—uoâ—sly proclaime idolatry is unrighteousness heresie is unrighteonsness and therefore the civil Magistrate is bound to punish c 2. But oh that this maxime alleadged by Master Cotton might receive its due weight and consideration hath Christ commanded all means as well as the duty what then is the reason that since as Master Cotton argues that Christ hath commanded all the civil powers of the world such a spiritual duty and yet I say that all or most of the civil states of the world beyond comparison are not furnished by Christ with those chief means of grace and light whereby to try and search as Master Cotton exhorteth Or in some few places where means of light are vouchsafed with hearts and spirits unto such a duty May we not here say that men make Christ Jesus in appointing such officers such a duty without furnishing them accordingly to forget that maxime of his Type Solomon Prov. 26. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the leg and drinketh dammage Did not Christ know as well as John that all the world lay in wickedness that all the world in a respect was then Roman Paganish and that all the world in after-ages would wonder after the beast and become Roman Popish Or can we imagine that Christ Jesus did not foresee the cutting off of legs and the cup of dammage and loss which he must drink in sending his minde and will into the world by such foolish instruments Peace Surely Master Cotton would never advise the civil state ty send a weighty cause and the lives of souldiers with such captaines Nor will he set an unruly childe under the rod of such teachers or reformers He will not set forth his Farme or betrust his cattel no not his very hogs to such keepers Truth On the other hand let the government of Christs kingdome be laid upon the right shoulders and we shall finde the admirable wisdome and care of Christ in the affaires of his kingdom in appointing such messengers or Apostles to gather and found his churches as also ordinary Pastors Shepherds or teachers for their feeding and building up c. The qualification of these the Spirit of God hath expresly and exactly recorded wherein according to the principle mentioned by Master Cotton Christ Jesus his highest care and wisdome shines most gloriously in appointing the means as well as the duty it self Peace But Master Cotton addeth that the causes of religion wherein we allow the civil Magistrate to be Judges are so fundamental and palpable that no Magistrate studious of Religion in the fear of God cannot but judge such as cannot they ought to forbear c. the exercise of their power either in protecting or punishing matters of Religion till they learn so much knowledge of the truth as may inable them to discerne of things that differ This forbearance of theirs saith he is not for want of authority in their callings nor for want of duty in their consciences but want of evidence to them in the cause In which case Magistrates are wont to forbear their exercise of power and judgement even in civil cases Truth O the miserable allowance which Master Cotton hath brought the kings and governors of the world unto We allow them saith he to judge in such fundamentals and palpable causes c. Oh with what proud and domineering feet do all Popes tread upon the necks even of the highest kings and Emperors The Magistrate must wait at their gates for their poor allowance They shall judge and they shall not judge They shall judge that which is gross and palpable and enough to hold the people in slavery and to force them to sacrifice to the Priests belly but the more sublime and nicer mysteries they must not judge or touch but attend upon the tables of the Priests infallibility Peace Concerning fundamentals dear truth you have well observed that since the apostacy and the worlds wondring after the beast even Gods servants themselves untill yesterday have not so much as heard of such a kind of church and so consequently of such a Christ the head of it as Master Cotton now professeth For no other matter and forme of a church about which Master Cotton justly contends was known I say among Gods people themselves till yesterday then the matter and form of the stone or woodden Parish-church Truth Yea an happy man were Mr. Cotton could he rectifie and settle those foundations which are yet so controverted amongst Gods servants to wit the Doctrine of Baptismes and laying on of hands Peace You may also mention other foundations which want not their great disputes among the servants of Christ Truth But further that Christ Jesus the wisdome of the Father should commit his wife his church to be governed in his absence by such who generally know not the church and Saints but cruelly and blasphemously persecute them with fire and sword and this with charge to suspend most Magistrates of the world and that all their dayes from generation to generation as appeareth in all parts of the world which is such a monstrous and blasphemous Paradox that common reason cannot digest nor suffer Peace If Merchants and owners of ships should commit their vessels to such men as wanted ability to steer their courses nay could not tell what a ship was yea were never like to know all their dayes surely it were not only matter of admiration but even of laughter and derision among all the sons of men Truth But further How weak is that distinstion which Master Cotton makes between authority of calling and duty and evidence in the cause when in all judicatures in the whole world even amongst the Pagans there is necessarily supposed beside these three a fourth to wit ability or skill of discerning or judging in such cases Now cognizance of the cause or evidence of the cause may be wanting in most able judges where matters are not proper or not ripe for hearing and trials whereas our dispute is of the very ability or skil of judging which Master Cotton himself confesseth is wanting except in such Magistrates as fear God which will be found to be but a little flock especially compared with the