raised concerning those famous acts of Asa Hezekiah Iehosaphat Iosiah What thinke you of the Fast proclaimed by Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 20. 3. Truth I finde it to be the duty of Kings and all in authority to incourage Christs Messengers of Truth proclaiming Repentance c. But under the Gospel to enforce all naturall and unregenerate people to acts of worship what president hath Christ Iesus given us First t is true Iehosaphat proclaimed a Fast c. but was he not in matters spirituall a type of Christ the true King of Israel Secondly Iehosaphat calls the members of the true Church to Church service and worship of God But consider if civill Powers now may judge of and determine the actions of worship proper to the Saints Iâ— they may appoint the time of the Churches worship Fasting and Prayer c. why may they not as wel forbid those times which a Church of Christ shall make choice of seeing it is a branch of the same Root to forbid what likâ—th not as well as to injoyne what pleaseth And if in those most solemne duties and exercises why not also in other ordinary meetings and worships And if so where is the power of the Lord Jesus bequeathed to his Ministers and Churches of which the power of those Kings was but a shadow CHAP. CXVIII Peace THe liberty of the Subject sounds most sweet London and Oxford both professe to fight for it How much infinitly more sweet is that true soule liberty according to Christ Iesus I know you would not take from Caesar ought although it were to give to God And what is Gods and his peoples I wish that Caesar may not take Yet for the satisfaction of some be pleased to glance upon Iosiah his famous Acts in the Church of God concerning the worship of God the Priests Levites and their Services compelling the people to keepe the Passeover making himselfe a covenant before the Lord and compelling all that were found in Ierusalem and Benjamin to stand to it Truth To these famous practices of Iosiah I shall parallell the practices of Englands Kings and first de jure a word or two of their right then de facto discusse what hath been done First de jure Iosiah was a precious branch of that Royall Root King David who was immediately designed by God and when the golden linkes of the Royall chaine broke in the usurpations of the Romane Conquerour it pleased the most wise God to send a Sonne of David a Sonne of God to beginne againe that Royall Line to sit upon the Throne of his Father David Luc. 1. 32. Acts 2. 30. It is not so with the Gentile Princes Rulers and Magistrates whether Monarchicall Aristrocraticall or Democraticall who though government in generall be from God yet receive their callings power and authority both Kings and Parliaments mediately from the people Secondly Iosiah and those Kings were Kings and Governours over the then true and onely Church of God Nationall brought into the Covenant of God in Abraham and so downward and they might well be forced to stand to that Covenant into which with such immediate signes and miracles they had beene brought But what Commission from Christ Iesus had Henry the eight Edward the 6. or any Iosiah like to force the many hundred thousands of English men and women without such immediate signes and miracles that Israel had to enter into an holy and spirituall Covenant with the invisible God the Father of Spirits or upon paine of death as in Iosiaâ—s time to stand to that which they never made nor before Evangelicall Repentance are possibly capable of Now secondly de facto let it be well remembred concerning the Kings of England professing Reformation The foundation of all was laid in Henry the 8. The Pope chalengeth to be the Vicar of Christ Iesus here upon earth to have power of reforming the Church redressing abuses c. Henry 8. falls out with the Pope and chalengeth that very power to himself of which he had despoiled the Pope as appeares by that Act of Parliament establishing Henry 8 the supreme Head and Governour in all cases Ecclesiasticall c. It pleased the most High God to plague the Pope by Henry the 8. his means but neither Pope nor King can ever prove such power from Christ derived to either of them Secondly as before intimated let us view the Workes and Acts of Englands imitation of Iosiahs practice Henry the 7. leaves England under the slavish bondage of the Popes yoake Henry the 8. reformes all England to a new fashion halfe Papist halfe Protestant King Edward the 6. turnes about the Wheele of the State and workes the whole Land to absolute Protestanisme Queene Mary succeeding to the Helme steeres a direct contrary course breakes in peeces all that Edward wrought and brings forth an old edition of Englands Reformation all Popish Mary not living out halfe her dayes as the Prophet speakes of bloudy persons Elizabeth like Ioseph advanced from the Prison to the Palace and from the irons to the Crowne she pluckes up all her sister Maries plants and sounds a Trumpet all Protestant What sober man stands not amazed at these Revolutions and yet like Mother like Daughter and how zealous are we their off-spring for another impression and better edition of a Nationall Canaan in imitation of Iudah and Iosiah which if attained who knowes how soone succeeding Kings or Parliaments will quite pull downe and abrogate Thirdly in all these formings and reformings a Nationall Church of naturall unregenerate men was like wax the subject matter of all these formes and changes whether Popish or Protestant concerning which Nationall State the time is yet to come when ever the Lord Jesus hath given a word of institution and appointment CHAP. CXIX Peace YOu bring to minde deare Truth a plea of some wiser Papists for the Popes supremacy viz. that it was no such exorbitant or unheard of power and jurisdiction which the Pope chalenged but the very same which a Woman Queene Elizabeth her selfe chalenged stiling her Papissa or she Pope withall pleading that in point of Reason it was far more suitable that the Lord Jesus would delegate his power rather to a Clergie man then a Lay man as Henry the 8. or a woman as his daughter Elizabeth Truth I beleeve that neither one nor t'other hit the white yet I beleeve the Papists arrowes fall the nearest to it in this particular viz. That the government of the Church of Christ should rather belong to such as professe a Ministry or Office Spirituall then to such as are meerly Temporall and Civill So that in conclusion the whole controversiâ— concerning the government of Christ Kingdome or Church will be found to lye between the true and false Ministry both chalenging the true commission power and keyes from Christ. Peace This all glorious diadem of the Kingly power of the Lord Iesus
THE BLOVDY TENENT of PERSECUTION for cause of CONSCIENCE discussed in A Conference betweene TRVTH and PEACE VVHO In all tender Affection present to the High Court of Parliament as the Result of their Discourse these amongst other Passages of highest consideration Printed in the Year 1644. FIrst That the blood of so many hundred thousand souls of Protestants and Papists spilt in the Warâ— of present and former Ages for their respective Consciences is not required nor accepted by Iesus Christ the Prince of Peace Secondly Pregnant Scriptures and Arguments are throughout the Worke proposed against the Doctrine of Persecution for for cause of Conscience Thirdly Satisfactorie Answers are given to Scriptures and objections produced by Mr. Calvin Beza Mr. Cotton and the Ministers of the New English Churches and others former and later tending to prove the Doctrine of Persecution for cause of Conscience Fourthly The Doctrine of Persecution for cause of Conscience is proved guilty of all the blood of the Soules crying for vengeance under the Altar Fifthly All Civill States with their Officers of justice in their respective constitutions and administrations are proved essentially Civill and therefore not Iudges Governours or Defendours of the Spirituall or Christian state and Worship Sixtly It is the will and command of God that since the comming of his Sonne the Lord Iesus a permission of the most Paganish Iewish Turkish or Antichristian consciences and worships bee granted to all men in all Nations and Countries and they are onely to bee fought against with that Sword which is only in Soule matters able to conquer to wit the Sword of Gods Spirit the Word of God Seventhly The state of the Land of Israel the Kings and people thereof in Peace War is proved figurative and ceremoniall and no patterne nor president for any Kingdom or civill state in the world to follow Eightly God requireth not an uniformity of Religion to be inacted and inforced in any civill state which inforced uniformity sooner or later is the greatest occasion of civill Warre ravishing of conscience persecution of Christ Iesus in his servants and of the hypocrisie and destruction of millions of souls Ninthly In holding an inforced uniformity of Religion in a civill state we must necessarily disclaime our desires and hopes of the Iewes conversion to Christ. Tenthly An inforced uniformity of Religion throughout a Nation or civill state confounds the Civill and Religious denies the principles of Chrâ—stianity and civility and that Iesus Christ is come in the Flesh. Eleventhly The permission of other consciences and worships then a state professeth only can according to God procure a firme and lasting peace good assurance being taken according to the wisdome of the civill state for uniformity of civill obedience from all sorts Twelfthly lastly true civility and Christianity may both flourish in a State or Kingdome notwithstanding the permission of divers and contrary consciences either of Iew or Gentile TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE both Houses of the High Court of PARLIAMENT Right Honourable and Renowned Patriots NExt to the saving of your own soules in the lamentable shipwrack of Mankind your taske as Christians is to save the Soules but as Magistrates the Bodies and Goods of others Many excellent Discourses have been presented to your Fathers hands and Yours in former and present Parliaments I shall be humbly bold to say that in what concernes your duties as Magistrates towards others a more necessary and seasonable debate was never yet presented Two things your Honours here may please to view in this Controversie of Persecution for cause of Conscience beyond what 's extant First the whole Body of this Controversie form'd pitch'd in true Battalia Secondly although in respect of my selfe it be impar congressus yet in the power of that God who is Maximus in Miniâ—is Your Honours shall see the Controversie is discussed with men as able as most eminent for abilitie and pietie Mr. Coâ—ton and the New English Ministers When the Prophets in Scripture have given their Coats of Armes and Escutchâ—ons to Great Men Your Honours know the Babylonian Monarch hath the Lyon the Persian the Beare the Grecian the Leopard the Romane a compound of the former 3. most strange and dreadfull Dan. 7. Their oppressing plundring ravishing murthering not only of the bodies but the soules of Men are large explaining commentaries of such similitudes Your Honours have been famous to the end of the World for your unparallel'd wisdome courage justice mercie in the vindicating your Civill Lawes Liberties c. Yet let it not be grievous to your Honours thoughts to ponder a little why all the Prayers and Teares and Fastings in this Nation have not pierc'd the Heavens and quench'd these Flames which yet who knowes how far they 'll spread and when they 'll out Your Honours have broke the jawes of the Oppressour and taken the prey out of their Teeth Iob. 29. For which Act I believe it hath pleased the most High God to set a Guard not only of Trained men but of mighty Angels to secure your sitting and the Citie I feare we are not pardoned though reprieved O that there may be a lengthning of Londons tranquilitie of the Parliaments safetie by mercy to the poore Dan. 4. Right Honourable Soule yokes Soule oppressions plundrings ravishings c. are of a crimson and deepest dye and I believe the chiefe of Englands sins unstopping the Viols of Englands present sorrowes This glasse presents your Honours with Arguments from Religion Reason Experience all proving that the greatest yoakes yet lying upon English necks the peoples and Your own are of a spirituall and soule nature All former Parliaments have changed these yoakes according to their consciences Popish or Protestant 'T is now your Honours turne at helme and as your task so I hope your resâ—lution not to change for that is but to turne the wheele which another Parliament and the very next may turne againe but to â—ase the Subjects and Your selves from a yoake as was once spoke in a case not unlike Act 15. which neither You nor your Fathers were ever able to beare Most Noble Senatours Your Fathers whose seats You fill are mouldred and mouldring their braines their tonguâ—s c. to ashes in the pit of rottenesse They and You must shortly together with two worlds of men appeare at the great Barre It shall then be no griefe of heart that you have now attended to the cries of Soules thousands oppressed millions ravished by the Acts and Statutes concerning Soules not yet repealed Of Bodies impoverished imprisoned c. for their soules beliefe yea slaughtered on heapes for Religions controversies in the Warres of present and former Ages Notwithstanding the successe of later times wherein sundry opinions have been hatched about the subject of Religion a man may clearly discerne with his eye and as it were touch with his finger that according to the verity of holy Scriptures c. mens consciences ought in no sort
23. And it is well knowne that remissenes in Princes of Christendome in matters of Religion and Worship divolving the care thereof only to the Clergy and so setting the Hornes thereof upon the Churches head hath been the cause of Antichristian inventions usurpations and corruptions in the Worship and Temple of God Secondly they have not power to presse upon the Churches stinted Prayers oâ— set Liturgies whether New or Old Popish or others under colour of uniformity of Worship or morall goodnesse of them both for matter and forme conceiving our arguments sent to our Brethren in England concerning this Question to evince this Truth Thirdly they have no power to presse upon the Churches neither by Law as hath been said before nor by Proclamation and command any sacred significant ceremonies whether more or lesse Popish or Jewish rite or any other device of man be it never so little in the worship of God under what colour soever of indifferencie civility using them without opinion of sâ—nctity publicke peace or obedience to righteous Authority as Surplice Crosse kneeling at Sacrament Salt and Spitle in Baptisme Holy dayes They having beene so accursed of God so abused by man the imposing of some ever making way for the urging of more the receiving of some making the conscience bow to the burthen of all Fourthly they have not power to governe and rule the acts of worship in the Church of God It is with a Magistrate in a State in respect of the acts of those who worship in a Church as it is with a Prince in a Ship wherein though he be governour of their persons else he should not be their Prince yet is not governour of the actions of the Maâ—iners then he should be Pilot Indeed if the Pilot shall manifestly erre in his action he may reprove him and so any other passenger may Or if he offend against the life and goods of any he may in due time and place civilly punish him which no other passenger can doe For it is proper to Christ the Head of the Church as to prescribe so to rule the actions of his own worship in the wayes of his servants Esay 96 7. The government of the Church is upon his shoulder which no Civill officer ought to attempt And therefore Magistrates have no power to limit a Minister either to what he shall preach or pray or in what manner they shall worship God lest hereby they shall advance themselves above Christ and limit his Spirit Truth In this generall Head are proposed two things First what the Magistrate ought to doe positively concerning the worship of God Secondly what he may doe in the worship of God What he ought to doe is comprised in these particulars First he ought to reforme the worship of God when it is corrupted Secondly he ought to establish a pure worship of God Thirdly he ought to defend it by the sword he ought to restrain Idolatry by the sword and to cut off offendours as former passages have opened For the proofe of this positive part of his duty are propounded three sorts of Scriptures First from the practice of the Kings of Israel and Iudah Secondly some from the New Testament Thirdly from the practice of Kings of other Nations Unto which I answer First concerning this latter the Babylonian and Persian Kings Nebuchadnezzar Cyrus Darius Artaxerxes I conceive I have sufficiently before proved that these Idolatrous Princes making such Acts concerning the God of Israel whom they did not worship nor know nor meant so to doe did onely permit and tolerate and countenance the Iewish worship and out of strong convictions that this God of Israel was able to doe them good as well as their owne gods to bring wrath upon them and their Kingdomes as they beleeved their owne also did in which respect all the Kings of the world may be easily brought to the like but are no president or patternes for all Princes and Civill Magistrates in the World to chalenge or 〈◊〉 the power of ruling or governing the Church of Christ and of wearing the spirituall Crowne of the Lord which he alone weareth in a spirituall way by his Officers and Governours after his owne holy appointment Secondly for those of the New Testament I have as I beleeve fully and sufficiently answered So also that prophesie of Isa. 49. Lastly however I have often touched those Scriptures produced from the practice of the Kings of Israel and Judah yet because so great a waeight of this controversie lyes upon this president of the Old Testament from the duties of this nature enjoyned to those Kings and Governours and their practices obeying or disobeying accordingly commended or reproved I shall with the helpe of Christ Iesus the true King of Israel declare and demonstrate how weake and brittle this supposed Pillar of Marble is to beare up and sustain such a mighty burthen and waight of so many high concernments as are laid upon it In which I shall evidently prove that the state of Israel as a Nationall State made up of Spirituall and Civill power so farre as it attended upon the spirituall was meerly figurative and typing out the Christian Churches consisting of both Iewes and Gentiles enjoying the true power of the Lord Iesus establishing reforming correcting defending in all cases concerning his Kingdome and Government CHAP. CX Peace BLessed be the God of Truth the God of Peace who hath so long preserved us in this our retired conference without interruptions His mercy still shields us while you expresse and I listen to that so much imitated yet most unimitable State of Israel Yet before you descend to particulars deare Truth let me cast one Mite into your great Treasury concerning that Instance just now mentioned of the Persian Kings Me thinkes those presidents of Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes are strong against New Englands Tenent and practice Those Princes professedly gave free permission and bountifull incouragement to the Consciences of the Iewes to use and practise their Religion which Religion was most eminently contrary to their owne Religion and their Countries worship Truth I shall sweet Peace with more delight passe on these rough wayes from your kinde acceptance and unwearied patience in attention In this discovery of that vast and mighty difference betweene that State of Israel and all other States onely to bee matched and parallel'd by the Christian Church or Israel I shall select some maine and principall considerations concerning that State wherein the irreconciliable differences and disproportion may appeare First I shall consider the very Land and Country of Canaan it selfe and present some considerations proving it to be a Noneâ— such First this Land was espyed out and chosen by the Lord out of all the Countries of the World to be the seat of his Church and people Ezek. 20â—6 But now there is no respect of Earth of Places or Countries with the Lord So testified the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe
type out a Civill but a Spirituall Sword of the Christian Church No man should be bound to worship nor maintaine a Worship against his own consent Christs labourers worthy of their hire but from them that hire them What maintenance Christ hath appointed his Ministers in the Gospell Universities of Europe a cause of universall sins plagues yet Schooles honourable for Tongues and Arts. Christs church his Schoole and all Believers Scholars Who knowes but God may againe powre forth the gifts of Tongues Tongues attainable out of Oxford or Cambridge Mr. Ainsworth King Henry the 8. set downâ—â— the Popes chaire in England If the Mgistrate must punish in Spirituall 〈◊〉 he must 〈◊〉 be judge 〈◊〉 Spirituall causes also Apocripha Common-Prayer and Homilies pretious to our forefaâ—hers A case Reformations are fallible Bloudy conclusions 11 Head The argument from the Babylonian and Persian kings re-minded The president of the Kings and Governoâ—â—s of Israel and Iudah examined The state of Israel relating to spirituall matters proved typicall The Persian Kings make evidently against such as produce them for maintenance of the doctrine of persecution The Land of Canaan chosen by God to be the seat of the Church but under the New Testament all Nations alike The inhabitants of Canaans Land every soule to be put to death that the Israelites might enjoy their possessions not so now The very 〈◊〉 silver of Caraâ—aesâ— Images 〈◊〉 to be abhorred The Land of Canaan ceremonially holy Greater holynesse in the Antitype under the Gospel then in the types under the Law The Land of Canaan Jehorahs Land Emanuels Land so no Land or country more then another The Blasphe mâ—us titles of the Christned and Christian World The materiall Land of Caâ—aâ—n was to keep her Sabboths so no materiall land or Country now God feedeth his sometimes immediately The Jâ—bilee of Canaan a type of restitution and redemption in the Gospell Canaans land a type of 〈◊〉 Kingdome of God on Earth and in Heaven Why Naboth refused to part with a Garden plot to his King upon hazard of his life The difference of the people of Israel and all other Peoples The people of Israel the seed of one man Only made good in the Spirituall seed the regeneâ—ate or new-borne The people of Israel separate from all Nations in Spâ—â—â— all and in some Civill things No Nation so sâ—parated to God in the Gospel but only the new borne Israel that feare God in every Nation The whole people of Israel 〈…〉 of Egypt Not so any whole Nation now Popeâ—y not so easily turned from as iâ— conceived Wonderfull turnings in Religion in 12 yeares conpasse in England The Pope not unlike to recover his Monarchie over Europe before his downfall Who are now the true Seed of Abraham The people of Israel all holy in a typicall 〈◊〉 All Nations now alike since the comming of the Lord Jesus The children of Israel a figure of the Israel or people of God only uâ—der the Gospel The people of Israel 〈◊〉 rent from all the world in their figurative and ceremoniall worships Israel Gods only Church might well renew that Nationall Covenant and ceremoniall worship which other Nations cannot imitate The hypocrisies prophanations and slaughters which such imitation now in the Gospell produce The difference of the Kings and Governours of Israel from al Kings Governors of the world First they were all members of the Church Excellent Talents vouchsafed by God to unregenerate persons A doctrine contrary to all true Piety and Humanity it selfe The Papists doctrine of deposing Magistrates confessed in effect to be true by the Pâ—â—cestants No civill Magistrate Christian in Christs time Five demonstrative arguments proving the unsoundnesse of that Maxime The Church and Common-wealth are like Hypocrates twins Many flourishing States without a true Church Many of Gods people 〈…〉 from a true Church state Yet â—it for civill services Gods people permitted and favoured by Idolaters Christs church gathered and governed with out the helpe of an arme of flesh Christs true â—pouse 〈◊〉 and faithfull to Christ Jâ—sus in the 〈…〉 or 〈◊〉 from the World The 10 horns Revel 13. 17. The great mysterie of Persecution unfolded Christian Naboths slaughtered 2. Difference The mysterie of the anointing the Kings of Israel and Judah The Name Christian or Anointed A Sacrilegious Monopolie of the Name Christian. The Crown of Christs Kingly power 3. The Kings of Israel and Judah invested with aâ— Spirituall power David immeately inspired by the Spirit of God in his ordering of Church maâ—ters Salomons deposing Abiathar â— Kings 2. 26. 27â— discussed Salomon his putting Abiathar from the Priesthood examined A case put upon occasion of Abiathars case Another â—ase The liberties of Christs Churches in the choice of their officers A civill influence dangerous to the Saints liberties Jehosaphats â—ast examined If civill powers may injâ—yâ—e the time oâ— the Churches wâ—rship the may also forbid her times God will not wrong Caesar and Caesar should not wrong God The famous acts of 〈◊〉 examined Mâ—gistracy in generall from God the particular formes from the people Israel confirmed in a Nationall Covenant by revelations signes and miracles but so not England Henry 8. the first head and governour of the Church of England The wonderfull formings and reformings of Religion by Englands Kings Kings and States often plant and often pluck up Religions A Nationall Church ever subject to turne and returne c. A woman Papissa or head of the Church The Papists neerer to the Truth concerning the government of the Church then most Protestants The Kingly power of the Lord Jesus troubles all the Kings and Rulers of the Woâ—ld A twofold exaltation of Christ. The world â—â—oâ—meth at both A fourth difference Kings of Israel â—ypes They wore a double Crown The Saviours of the Jewes â—igures of the Saviour of the World The Monarchicall and Ministeriall power of Christ. 3 Great Competitours for the Ministeriall power of Christ. The Popes great pretenders foâ— the Ministeriall power of Christ. They also upon the point chalenge the Monarchicall also The second great pretender the Civill Magistrate 3 Great factions chalenging an Arme of Flesh. 1. The Preâ—aciâ— 2. The Presbyterie The Pope and Presbyteâ—iâ— make use of the Civill Magistrate but as of an Executioâ—er 3. Independents The Independents who come neerest to the Bishops The third competition of those that seperate Their neerer conformitie to Christ. The Churches of the Seperation ought in Humanitie and Subjects Libertie not to be oppressed but at least permitted â— Reasons proving that the Kings of Israel and Judah cannot have any other but a Spirituall Antitype Civill Types and figures must needs be answered by Spirituall Antitypes Civill compulsion was proper in the Nationall Church of the Jewes but most improper in the Christian which is not Nationall Neither Christ Jesus nor his Messengers have made the Civill Magistrate Israels Antitype but the contrary Civill Magistracie essentially civill and the same in
to be violated urged or constrained And whensover men have attempted any thing by this violent course whether openly or by secret meanes the issue hath beene pernicious and the cause of great and wonderfull innovations in the principallest and mightiest Kingdomes and Countries c. It cannot be denied to be a pious and prudentiall act for Your Honours according to your conscience to call for the advice of faithfull Councellours in the high debates concerning Your owne and the soules of others Yet let it not be imputed as a crime for any suppliant to the God of Heaven for You if in the humble sense of what their soules beleeve they powre forth amongst others these three requests at the Throne of Grace First That neither Your Honours nor those excellent and worthy persons whose advice you seek limit the holy One of Israel to their apprehensions debates conclusions rejecting or neglecting the humble and faithfull suggestions of any though as base as spittle and clay with which sometimes Christ Iesus opens the eyes of them that are borne blinde Secondly That the present and future generations of the Sons of Men may never have cause to say that such a Parliament as England never enjoyed the like should modell the worship of the living eternall and invisible God after the Biâ—â— of any earthly interest though of the highest concernment under the Sunne And yet saith that learned Sir Francis Bacon how ever otherwise perswaded yet thus he confesseth Such as hold pressure of Conscience are guided therein by some private interests of their owne Thirdly What ever way of worshipping God Your owne Consciences are perswaded to walke in yet from any bloody act of violence to the consciences of others it may bee never told at Rome nor Oxford that the Parliament of England hath committed a greater rape then if they had forced or ravished the bodies of all the women in the World And that Englands Parliament so famous throughout all Europe and the World should at last turne Papists Prelatists Presbyterians Independents Socinians Familists Antinomians c. by confirming all these sorts of Consciences by Civill force and violence to their Consciences To every Courteous Reader VVHile I plead the Cause of Truth and Innocencie against the bloody Doctrine of Persecution for cause of conscience I judge it not unfit to give alarme to my selfe and all men to prepare to be persecuted or â—â—nted for cause of conscience Whether thou standest charged with 10 or but 2 Talents if thou huntest any for cause of conscience how canst thou say thou followest the Lambe of God who so abhorr'd that practice If Paul if Iesus Christ were present here at London and the question were proposed what Religion would they approve of The Papists Prelatists Presbyterians Independents c. would each say Of mine of mine But put the second question if one of the severall sorts should by major vote attaine the Sword of steele what weapons doth Christ Jesus authorize them to sight with in His cause Doe not all men hate the persecutor and every conscience true or false complaine of cruelty tyranny c. Two mountaines of crying guilt lye heavie upon the backes of All that name the name of Christ in the eyes of Iewes Turkes and Pagans First The blasphemies of their Idolatrous inventions superstitions and most unchristian conversations Secondly The bloody irreligious and inhumane oppressions and destructions under the maske or vaile of the Name of Christ c. O how like is the jealous Iehovah the consuming fire to end these present slaughters in a greater slaughter of the holy Witnesses Rev. 11. Six yeares preaching of so much Truth of Christ as that time afforded in K. Edwards dayes kindles the flames of Q. Maries bloody persecutions Who can now but expect that after so many scores of yeares preaching and professing of more Truth and amongst so many great contentions amongst the very best of Protestants a fierie furnace should be heat and who sees not now the â—ires kindling I confesse I have little hopes till those flames are over that this Discourse against the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience should passe currant I say not amongst the Wolves and Lions but even amongst the Sheep of Christ themselves yet liberavl animam meam I have not hid within my breast my souls belief And although sleeping on the bed either of the pleasures or profits of sinâ—e thou thinkest thy conscience bound to smite at him that dares to waken thee Yet in the middest of all these civill and spirituall Wars I hope we shall agree in these particulars First how ever the proud upon the advantage of an higher earth or ground or ' clooke the poore and cry out Schismatickes Hereticks c. shall blasphemers and seducers scape unpunished c. Yet there is a sorer punishment in the Gospel for despising of Christ then Moses even when the despiser of Mâ—ses was put to death without mercie Heb. 10. 28 29. He that beleeveth not shall bee damned Marke 16. 16. Secondly what ever Worship Ministry Ministration the best and purest are practised without faith and true perswasion that they are the true institutions of God they are sin sinfull worships Ministries c. And however in Civill things we may be servants unto men yet in Divine and Spirituall things the poorest pesant must disdaine the service of the highest Prince Be ye not the servants of men 1 Cor. 14. Thirdly without search and triall no man attaines this faith and right perswasion 1 Thes. 5. Try all things In vaine have English Parliaments permitted English Bibles in the poorest English houses and the simplest man or woman to search the Scriptures if yet against their soules perswasion from the Scripture they should be forced as if they lived in Spaine or Rome it selfe without the sight of a Bible to beleeve as the Church beleeves Fourthly having tried we must hold fast 1 Thessal 5. upon the losse of a Crowne Revel 13. we must not let goe for all the â—lea bitings of the present afflictions c. having bought Truth deare we must not â—ell it cheape not the least graine of it for the whole World no not for the saving of Soules though our owne most precious least of all for the bitter sweetning of a little vanishing pleasure For a little puffe of credit and reputation from the changeable breath of uncertaine sons of men For the broken bagges of Riches on Eagles wings For a dreame of these any or all of these which on our death-bed vanish and leave tormenting stings behinde them Oh how much better is it from the love of Truth from the love of the Father of lights from whence it comes from the love of the Sonne of God who is the way and the Truth to say as he Iohn 18. 37. For this end was I borne and for this end came I into the World that I might be are witnesse to the Truth A Table of
the principall Contents of the Booke TRuth and Peace their rare and seldome meeting Page 15 2 Great complaints of Peace 16 Persecutors seldome plead Christ but Moses for their Authour 17 Strife Christian and unchristian ibid A threefold dolefull cry ibid. The wonderfull providence of God in the writing of the argumentâ—s against persecution 18 A definition of persecution discussed 19 Conscience will not be restrained from its owne worship nor constrained to another 20 A chaste soule in Gods worship compared to a chaste wife ibid. Gods people have erred stom the very fundamentalls of visible worship ibid 4 Sorts of spirituall foundations in the New Testament 21 The 6 fundamentalls of the Christian Religion ibid. The comming out of Babel not Iocall but mysticall ibid. The great ignorance of Gods people concerning the nature of a true Church ibid. Common-Prayer written against by the New English Ministers 23 Gods people have worshipped God with false worships ibid. God is pleased sometimes to convey good unto his people beyond a promise ibid. A notable speech of King James to a great Nonconformist turned persecutor 24 Civill peace discussed ibid. The difference between Spirituall and civill state 25 Six cases wherein Gods people have been usually accounted arrogant and peace breakers but most unjustly 26 The true causes of breach and disturbance of civill peace 29 A preposterous way of suppressing errours 30 Persecutors must needs oppresse both erroneous and true consciences ibid. All persecutors of Christ professe not to persecute him ibid. What is meant by the Hereticke Tit. 3. Pag. 33 The word Heretick generally mistaken 34 Corporall killing in the Law typing out Spirituall killing in the Gospell 36 The cariage of a Soule sensible of mercy towards others in their blindness c. 38 The difference between the Church and the World wherein it is in all places 38 The Church and civill State confusedly made all one 39 The most peaceable accused for peace-breaking 40 A large Examination of what is meant by the Tares and letting of them alone ibid. Sathans subtletic about the opening of Scripture 41 Two sorts of Hypocrites 44 The Lord Iesus the great Teacher by Parables and the only Expounder of them 44 Preaching for conversion is properly out of the Church 45 The tares proved properly to signifie Antichristians ibid. Gods Kingdome on Earth the visible Church 46 The difference between the Wheat and the Tares as also betweene these Tares and all others 46 A civill Magistracie from the beginning of the world 47 The Tares are to be tolerated the longest of all sinners 48 The danger of infection by permitting of the Tares assoyled ibid. The civill Magistrate not so particularly spoken to in the New Testament as Fathers Masters c. and why 50 A two-fold state of Christianitie Persecuted under the Romane Emperours and Apostated under the Romane Popes ibid. 3 Particulars contained in that prohibition of Christ Iesus concerning the Tares Let them alone Mat. 13. 51 Accompanying with Idolaters 1 Cor. 5. discussed 52 Civill Magistrates never invested by Christ Iesus with the power and title of Defenders of the Faith 54 Gods people ever earnest with God for an Arme of Flesh. 55 The 〈◊〉 punishment of the blind Pharises in 4 respects ibid. The point of seducing infecting or Soule killing examined 57 Strange consusions in punishments 59 The blood of Soules Acts 20. lies upon such as professe the Ministrie the blood of Bodies only upon the State ibid. â—surpers and true Heires of Christ Iesus Page 60 The Civill Magistrate bound to preserve the boâ—â—s of their subjects and not to destroy them for conscience sake 61 The fire from heaven Rev. 13. 13. 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. examined 62 The originall of the Christian name Acts 11. 63 A Civill sword in Religion makes a Nation of hypocrites Isa. 10 64 A difference of the true and false Christ and Christians 65 The nature of the worship of unbeleeving and naturall persons ibid. Antoninus Pius his famous act concerning Religion 66 Isa. 24. Mic. 4. 3. concerning Christs visible Kingdome discussed ibid. Acts 20 29. The suppressing of Spirituall wolves discussed 67 It is in vaine to decline the name of the head of the Church and yet to practise the headship 68 Titus 1. 9. 10 discussed 69 Vnmercifull and bloody doctrine 70 The Spirituall weapons 2 Cor. 10. 4. discussed ibid. Civill weapons most improper in Spirituall causes 71 The Spirituall artillerie Eph. 6. applied 72 Rom. 13. concerning Civill Rulers power in Spirituall causes largely examined 73 Pauls appeale to Caesar examined 77 And cleared by 5 arguments ibid. 4 Sorts of swords 79 What is to be understood by evill Rom. 13. 4. 81 Though evill be alwayes evill yet the permission of it may sometimes be good 83 2 Sorts of commands both from Moses and Christ. 84 The permission of diverce in Israel Mat. 19. 17 18. ibid. Usury in the Civill state lawfully permitted 85 Seducing teachers either Pagan Iewish Turkish or Antichristian way yet be obedient subjects to the Civill Laws 86 Scandalous livers against the Civill state 87 Toleration of Jesabel and Balaam Rev. 2 14. 20. examined 88 The Christian world hath swallowed up Christianity 89 Christ Iesus the deepest polititian that ever was yet commands be a toleration of Antichristians 91 The Princes of the world seldome take part with Christ Iesus 93 Buchanans items to King James ibid. King James his sayings against persecution ibid. King Steven of Poland his sayings against persecution Page 93 Forcing of conscience a soule rape 94 Persecution for conscience hath been the launcet which hath let blood the Nations All Spirituall whores are bloody ibid. Poligamie or the many wives of the Fathers ibid. David advancing of Gods worship against order 95 Constantine and the good Emperours confest to have done more hurt to the Name and Crowne of Christ then the bloody Noroes did ibid. The language of persecuters 96 Christs Liâ—â—ies may flourish in the Church notwithstanding the weeds in the world permitted 97 Queen Elizabeth and King James their persecuting for cause of Religion examined ibid. Queen Elizabeth confessed by Mr. Cotton to have almost fired the world in civill combustions 98 The Wars between the Papists and the Protestants ibid. The Wars and successe of the Waldensians against three Popes 99 Gods people victorious â—ver commers and with what weapons ibid. The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted ibid. The nature of excommunication 100 The opinion of ancient Writers examined concerning the doctrine of persecution 101 Constraint upon conscience in Old and New England ibid. The Indians of New England permitted in their worshipping of devils 102 In 2 cases a false Religion will not hurt 103 The absolute sufficiencie of the Sword of the Spirit 104 A Nationall Church not instituted by Christ. ibid. Man hath no power to make Lawes to binde conscience 105 Hearing of the word in a Church estate a part of Gods worship 107 Papists plea for
be so farre from striving to subdue their opposites with the civill sword that they are bound with patience and meeknesse to wait if God peradventure will please to grant repentance unto their opposites So also it pleaseth the Answerer to acknowledge in these words It becomes not the Spirit of the Gospel to convert Aliens to the Faith such as the Samaritanes and the unconverted Christians in Crete with Fire and Brimstone Secondly be they oppositions within and Church members as the Answerer speakes become scandalous in doctrine I speake not of scandals against the civill State which the civill Magistrate ought to punish it is the Lord onely as this Scripture to Timothy implyes who is able to give them repentance and recover them out of Sathans snare to which end also he hath appointed those holy and dreadfull censures in his Church or Kingdome True it is the Sword may make as once the Lord complained Isa. 10. a whole Nation of Hypocrites But to recover a Soule from Sathan by repentance and to bring them from Antichristian doctrine or worship to the doctrine or worship Christian in the least true internall or externall submission that only works the All-powerfull God by the sword of his Spirit in the hand of his Spirituall officers What a most wofull proofe hereof have the Nations of the Earth given in all Ages And to seeke no further then our native Soyle within a few scores of yeeres how many wonderfull changes in Religion hath the whole Kingdome made according to the change of the Governours thereof in the severall Religious which they themselves imbraced Henry the 7. finds and leaves the kingdome absolutely Popish Henry the 8. casts it into a mould half Popish halfe Protestant Edward the 6. brings forth an Edition all Protestant Queene Mary within few yeares defaceth Edwards worke and renders the Kingdome after her Grandfather Hen. 7. his pattern all Popish Maries short life and Religion ends together and Elizabeth reviveth her Brother Edwards Modell all Protestant And some eminent Witnesses of Gods Truth against Antichrist have enclined to believe that before the downfall of that Beast England must once againe how down her faire Neck to his proud usurping yoake and foot Peace It hath been Englands sinfull shame to fashion change their Garments and Religions with wondrous ease and lightnesse as a higher Power a stronger Sword hath prevailed after the ancient patterne of Nebuchaanezzars bowing the whole world in one most solemne uniformitie of worship to his Golden Image Dan. 3. CHAP. XL. BUt it hath been thought or said Shall oppositions against the Truth escape unpunished will they not prove mischievous c. Truth I answer as before concerning the blinde Guides in case there be no Civill offence committed the Magistrates all men that by the mercy of God to themselves discerne the miserie of such Opposites have cause to lament and bewaile that fearfull condition wherein such are entangled to wit in the snares chains of Satan with which they are so invincibly caught and held that no power in Heaven or Earth but the Right hand of the Lord in the meeke and gentle dispensing of the Word of Truth can release and quit them Those many false Christs of whom the Lord Jesus forewarnes Mat. 24. have sutably their false bodies faith spirit Baptisme as the Lord Jesus hath his true body faith spirit c. Ephes. 4. correspondent also are their weapons and the successe issue or operation of them A carnall weapon or sword of steele may produce a carnall repentance a shew an outside an uniformitie through a State or Kingdome But it hath pleased the Father to exalt the Lord Iesus only to be a Prince armed with power and meanes sufficient to give repentance to Israel Acts 5. 31. Accordingly an unbelieving Soule being dead in sinne although he be changed from one worship to another like a dead man shifted into severall changes of apparell cannot please God Heb. 11. and consequently whatever such an unbelieving unregenerate person acts in Worship or Religion it is but sinne Rom. 14. Preaching sinne praying though without beads or booke sinne breaking of bread or Lords supper sinne yea as odious as the oblation of Swines blood a Dogs neck or killing of a Man Isa. 66. But Faith it is that gift which proceeds alone from the Father of Lights Phil. 1. 29. and till he please to make his light arise and open the eyes of blind sinners their soules shall lie fast asleep and the faster in that a sword of steele compells them to a worship in hypocrisie in the dungeons of spirituall darknesse and Sathans slavery Peace I adde that a civill sword as wofull experience in all ages hath proved is so far from bringing or helping forward an opposite in Religion to repentance that Magistrates sinne grievously against the worke of God and blood of Soules by such proceedings Because as commonly the suffrings of false and Antichristian Teachers harden their followers who being blind by this meanes are occasioned to tumble into the ditch of Hell after their blind leaders with more inflamed zeale of lying confidence So secondly violence and a sword of steele begets such an impression in the sufferers that certainly they conclude as indeed that Religion cannot be true which needs such instruments of violence to uphold it so that Persecutors are far from soft and gentle commiseration of the blindnesse of others To this purpose it pleased the Father of Spirits of old to constraine the Emperour of Rome Antoninus Pius to write to all the Governours of his Provinces to forbeare to persecute the Christians because such dealing must needs be so far from converting the Christians from their way that it rather begat in their mindes an opinion of their crueltie c. CHAP. XLI Peace THe next Scripture against such persecution is that of the Prophet Isa. 24. together with Mic. 4. 3. they shall break their swords into plough-shares and their speares into pruning-hookes Isa. 11. 9. There shall none hurt or destroy in all the mountaine of my Holinesse Unto which it pleased Mr. Cotton to say That these predictions doe onely shew first with what kinde of weapons he should subdue the Nations to the obedience of the faith of the Gospell not by fire and sword and weapons of War but by the power of the Word and Spirit of God which faith he no man doubts of Secondly those predictions of the Prophets shew what the meeke and peaceable temper will be of all true converts to Christianity not Lyons or Leopards not cruell oppressors nor malignant opposers or biters one of another but doth not forbid them to drive ravenous wolves from the sheep-fold and to restraine them from devouring the sheep of Christ. Truth In this first excellent and truly Christian Answer me thinks the Answerer may heare a voyce from Heaven Out of thine owne
civill sword I have at large there answered CHAP. LXIX Peace IN the next place he selecteth one passage out of Hilarie although there are many golden passages there exprest against the use of Civill Earthly Powers in the Affaires of Christ. The passage is this It is true also what he saith that neither the Apostles nor We may propogate Christian Religion by the Sword but if Pagans cannot he won by the Word they are not to be compelled by the Sword Neverthelesse this hindreth not saith he but if they or any other should blaspheme the true God and his true Religion they ought to be severely punished and no lesse doe they deserve if they seduce from the Truth to damnable Heresie or Idolatrie Truth In which Answer I observe first his Agreement with Hilarie that the Christian Religion may not be propagated by the Civill Sword Unto which I reply and aske then what meanes this passage in his first answer to the former speeches of the Kings viz. We acknowledge that none is to be constrained to beleeve or professe the true Religion till he be convinced in judgement of the Truth of it implying 2 things First that the Civill Magistrate who is to constraine with the Civill Sword must judge all the Consciences of their Subjects whether they be convinced or no. Secondly when the Civill Magistrate discerns that his Subjects consciences are convinced then he may constraine them vi armiâ— hostily And accordingly the Civill State and Magistracie judging in spirituall things who knowes not what constraint lies upon all consciences in Old and New England to come to Church and pay Church duties which is upon the point though with a sword of a finer gilt and trim in New England nothing else but that which he confesseth Hilarie saith true should not be done to wit a propagation of Religion by the Sword Againe although he confesseth that propagation of Religion ought not to be by the sword yet he maintaineth the use of the sword when persons in the judgement of the Civill State for that is implied blaspheme the true God and the true Religion and also seduce others to damnable Heresie and Idolatrie Which because he barely affirmeth in this place I shall defer my Answer unto the after Reasons of Mr Cotton and the Elders of New English Churches where Scriptures are alleadged and in that place by Gods assistance they shall be examined and answered CHAP. LXX Peace THe Answerer thus proceeds Your next Writer is Tertullian who speaketh to the same purpose in the place alleadged by you His intent is only to restraine Scapula the Roman Governour of Africa from persecuting the Christians for not offering sacrifice to their Gods and for that end fetcheth an Argument from the Law of Naturall equity not to compell any to any Religion but permit them to believe or not to believe at all Which we acknowledge and accordingly we judge the English may permit the Indians to continue in their unbeliefe neverthelesse it will not therefore be lawfull to tolerate the worship of Devils or Idols to the seduction of any from the Truth Truth Answ. In this passage he agrees with Tertullian and gives instance in America of the English permitting the Indians to continue in their unbeleefe yet withall he affirmeth it not lawfull to tolerate worshipping of Devils or seduction from the Truth I answer that in New England it is well known that they not onely permit the Indians to continue in their unbeliefe which neither they nor all the Ministers of Christ on Earth nor Angels in Heaven can helpe not being able to worke beleefe but they also permit or tolerate them in their Paganish worship which cannot be denied to be a worshipping of Devils as all false Worship is And therefore consâ—quently â—ccording to the same practice did they walke by Rule and impartially not onely the Indians but their Countrymen French Dutch Spanish Persians Turkes Iewes c. should also be permitted in their Worships if correspondent in civill obedience Peace He addes further when Tertullian saith That another mans Religion neither hurteth nor profiteth any It must be understood of private worship and Religion professed in private otherwise a false Religion professed by the members of the Church or by such as have given their names to Christ will be the ruine and desolation of the Church as appeareth by the threats of Christ to the Churchesâ— Revel 2. Truth I answer passing by that unsound distinction of members of the Church or those that have given their Names to Christ which in point of visible profession and Worship will appeare to be all one it is plaine First that Tertullian doth not there speake of private but of publike Worship and Religion Secondly Although it be true in a Church of Christ that a false Religion or Worship permitted will hurt according to those threats of Christ Revel 2. Yet in 2 cases I believe a false Religion will not hurt which is most like to have been Tertullians meaning First a false Religion out of the Church will not hurt the Church no more then weedes in the Wildernesse hurt the inclosed Garden or poyson hurt the body when it is not touched or taken yea and antidotes are received against it Secondly a false Religion and Worship will not hurt the Civill State in case the worshippers breake no civill Law and the Answerer elswhere acknowledgeth that the civill Lawes not being broken civill Peace is not broken and this only is the Point in Question CHAP. LXXI Peace YOur next Authour saith he Ierome crosseth not the Truth nor advantageth your Cause for we grant what he saith that Heresie must be cut off with the sword of the Spirit but this hinders not but being so cut downâ— if the Heretick will persist in his Heresie to the seduction of others he may be cut off also by the Civill Sword to prevent the perdition of others And that to be Ieromes meaning appeareth by his note upon that of the Apostle A little Leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe Therefore saith he a sparke as soon as it appeareth is to be extinguished and the leaven to be removed from the rest of the dough Rotten pieces of flesh are to be cut off and a scabbed beast is to be driven from the sheepfold lest the whole House Body masse of Dough and Flock be set on fire with the sparke be putrified with the rotten slesh sowred with the leaven perish by the scabbed beast Truth I answer first he granteth to Tertullian that Heresie must be cut off with the sword of the Spirit yet withall he maintaineth a cutting off by a second sword the sword of the Magistrate and conceiveth that Tertullian so meanes because he quoteth that of the Apostle A little leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe Answ. It is no Argument to prove that Tertullian meant a civill sword by alleadging 1 Cor. 5. or Gal. 5. which properly and only
Ministers of the Gospel The civill Magistrate not so particularly spoken to as Fathers and Masters in the New TestameÌ„t and why Eph. 5. 6. Col. 3. 4. c. A twofold state of Christianity the persecuted under the Roman Emperors and the Apostate ever since Christs Messengers receive a threefold charge in that prohibition of Christ Let them alone Gods people not to pray for â—hâ— present ruine and destruction of idolaters although their persecutors but for their peace and salvations The word of God â—â—ghtly deâ—ounced plucks up kâ—ngâ—â—ms Gods Ministers are 〈◊〉 to provoke 〈…〉 1 â—et 2. 9. 1 Cor. 5. Companying with 〈…〉 1 Cor. 5 discussed Lawfull converse with idolaters in civill but not in spirituall things Dangerous and ungâ—ounded zeale Mâ—â—th 15. 14. the seâ—â—â—â— Scripture controvâ—rted in this cause Christ Jesus never directed his Disciples to the civill Magistrate for help in his cause Pauls appealing to Caesar. Civill Magistrates never appointed by God Dfenders of the Faith of Jesus Every oâ—â— is bound to put forth him selfe to his utmost power in Gods businesse whâ—re it stops the guilt will lie Christ could have easily been furnished with godly Magistrates if he had so appointed Gods Israel earnest with God for in Arme of Flesh which God gives in his anger and takes away in his wrath The punishment of blind Pharises though let alone yet is greater then any corporall punishment in the world in 4 respects The eye of the 〈◊〉 struck out is worse then for both right and left eye of the body to be 〈◊〉 out tenne thousand times Some soules incurable whom not only corporall bâ—â— spirituall physâ—â—ke can nothing availe The bottom 〈…〉 blind â—all Soul killing the châ—efest murder No Magistrate can execute true justice in killing soule for soule but christ Jesus who by typicall death in the Law typed out spirituall in the Gospel A great mistake in most to conceive that dead men that is soules dead in sin may be infected by false doctrine All naturall men being dead in sin yet none die everlastingly but such as are thereunto ordained The Lord Jesus hath not lest his Church without spirituall antidotes and remedies against infection The miserable bondage Gods people live in The Kings and Queens of England Governours of the Church Strange confusion in punishments Woe were it with the civill Magistrate if he bloud of soules beside the ordinary care of the boâ—ies â—â—d goods â—f 〈…〉 shâ—uld â—â—ry 〈◊〉 him The Magistrates duties toward the Church the Spâ—â—se of Christ. Usurpers and true heires of the spirituall Crowne of Jesus Luke 9. 54. 55 discussed An excellent saying of persecutors themselvesâ— The Answerer when he should speake to toleration in the State â—unnes to punishments in the Church which none can deny If the Civill Magistrate be a Christian he is bound to be like Christ in saving not destroying mens bodies The civill Magistrate bound not to inflict nor to suffer any other to inflict violence stripes or any corporall punishment for evill against Christ. Revel 13. 13. Fire from heaven What the fire from heaven is which the fals Prophet bringeth downe 2 Tim. 3. 25. 26. examined A quaere what the Answerer meanes by his unconverted Christian in Crete The originall of Christians The Answerer yet in the unconverted Churches and worships Gods people sleepy in the matters of Christs Kingdome Cant. 5. 2. 1 Cor. 14. Patience and â—eeknesse required in all that open Christs mysteries The civill Sword may make a Nation of Hypocrites Antichristians but not one Christian Wonderfull changes of Religion in England Englands changes in point of Religion The miserie of opposites against the Truth A difference between the true and false Christ and Christians The worship of unbelieving unregenerate persons The danger mischiefe of a civill sword in Soule matters which makes the civill Magistrate deeply guilty of all those evils which he aims to suppresse That cannot be a true Religion which needs carnall weapons to uphold it Persecutors beget a perswasion of their crueltie in the hearts of the persecuted Antoninus Pius his golden act Isa. 2. 4. Mic. 4. 3. Isa. 11. 9. concerning Christs peace able Kingdom discussed Mr. Cottons excellent interpretation of those Prophecies His doctrine and practice condemned by that interpretation Spirituall and mysticall Wolves Act. 20. 29. opened What those Wolves were Act. 20. 29. Charges directed to Ministers of the spiritual kingdome fasly applyed to the Magistrates of the civill No word of Christ to the civill Magistrate to feed his flock but to his Ministers who if true have spirituall power sufficient against spirituall Wolves Magistrates decline the name of Head of the Church and yet practise the headship or government The Elect shall not be devoured Christ Jesus furnisheth his Shepherds with power sufficient to drive away Wolves Tit. 1. 9. 10. opened Job 26. 1 2. Unmercifull and bloody doctrine John 6. 15. 2. Cor. 10. 4. discussed The difference of the civill spirituall estate Civill weapons most improper in spirituall causes fitly exemplified by that similitude 2 Cor. 10. 4. Spirituall weapons only effectuall in spirituall soule causes Civill weapons not only improper but unnecessary in spirituall causes No earthly Kings or Governours will be so served as we pretend to serve the King of Kings Psal. 45. The white Troopers Spirituall Ammunition Eph. 6. applied Materiall and Spirituall â—â—htly joyned together An alarme to civill or earthly Rulers Concerning the civill Rulers power in spirituall causes discust Rom. 13. speakes not at all of spirituall but civill affaires The scope of Rom 13. Love to man the duty of the whole second Table How love fulfilleth the Law Rom. 13 so interpreted even by them that held persecution for conscience Calvins judgement of Rom. 13. Gods people loath to be found yet proved persecutors Caelvin confesseth that the first Table concerning Gods worship is not here in Rom. 13. touched Beza upon Rom. 13. Paul writes not to the Romane Governors to defend the truth and to punish hereticks Pauls appeale to Caesar discussed If Paul had appealed to Caesar in spirituall things he had committed 5. evils Imperours than them selves if Christians subject to the Apostles and Churches in spirituall things Lawfull appeales in civill things to Civill Magistrates Foure sorts of swords mentioned in the New Testament The Civill Sword Tribute Custome c. meerly civill recompences for civil work Magistrates called by God Gods Ministers The spirituall Ministery The civill Ministery or service What is to bâ— understood bâ— Evill Rom. 13 4. Some give to the Magistrate what is not his and take from him that which is proper to him Toleration discussed Upon this point hath Mr. John Goodwin excellently of late discoursed Evill is always Evill yet permission of it may in case be good Deut. 24. Two sorts of commands both by Moses and Christ. Math 16. 17. 18. The permission of divorce in Israel Usurie in a Common-weale or Civill State lawfully permitted
Permission of the Tares in the field of the world for a twofold good 1 Of the good Wheâ—e 2 Of the whole world â—he field it selfe Seducing teachers either Pagan Jewish or Antichristian may yet be obedient subjects to the Civill lawes Scandalous livers against the Civill state who they are Toleration Rev. 2. 14. 20. examined Christ Ministers Churches have power sufficient from Christ to suppresse Balaam and Iesabel seducing to false worship The Christian world hath swallowed up Christianity The second head of Reasons against such persecution viz. the profession of famous Princes K. James Steven of Poland and K. of Bohemia Isa. 40 6. 2 Pet. 2. Mr. Cottons unequall dealing with Princes The Answerer a knowledgeth a necessiâ—y of some tolâ—ration Christ Jesus the deepest politician that ever was and yet he commands a toleration of Antichristians The Princes of the world seldome take put with Christ. Princes not persecuting are very rare Buchanans Item to King Iames. King Iames his sayings against persecution King Steven of Poland his speech against Persecution Forcing of Conscience is a Soule rape Persecution for conscience the Launcet that letteth blood Kings Kingdomes All spirituall Whores are bloody The Godly somotimes evill actors and the Ungodly good actors Poligamie or the many wives of the Fathers Davids advancing of Gods Worship against Gods Order Constantine and the good Emperours are confest to have done more hurt to the name and crown of the Lord Jesus then the persecuting Neroes c. The Garden of the Church and Field of the World made all one by Antichrististianisme The language of Persecuters the wolves and hunters of the World Christs Lilies may flourish in his Church notwithstanding the abundance of weeds in the world permitted The persecution of Queen Elizabeth and King Iames compared together In his opening of the 7. Viols in print Mr. Cotton confesseth that Queen Elizabeth her persecuting the Papists had almost ruined the English Nation The Wars betweene the Papists and the Protestants Eventus omnis 〈…〉 The wars and successe of the Waldenâ—â—an witnesses against three Popes and their popish Armies Gods people victorious overcommers and with what weapons The third head of Arguments from ancient and later writers The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted Persecuting 〈◊〉 cannot be Christs Churches The nature of excommunication What persecution or hunting is Christs Spouse noâ—ser â—tcher or fighter Who cannot be won by the Word must not be compelled by the Sword Constraine upon Consciences in Old and New England Tertullian his speech discussed The Indians of New England permitted by the English not only to continue â—n their unbeleâ—f which they canâ—â—â—â—ure but also in their fâ—lse worshâ—p which they might by the civil sworrestraine In a cases a false Religion will not hurt the true Church or the State The seducing or infecting of others discussed The Answerer trusâ—eth not to the sword of the Spirit only in Spirituall causes The absolute sufficiencie of the sword of the Spirit The Church of Christ to be kept pure A Nationall Church not instâ—â—â—tâ—d by Christ Jesus The nationall Church of the Jewes 1 Sam. 13. Man hath no power to mâ—ke lawes to binde conscience Desperate consequences unavoidable Luthers testimony in this case discussed Mr. Cottons positions evidently proved contradictory to themselves Hearing of the Word of God in a Church estate a part of Gods worship Papists plea for toleration of conscience The Protestants partiall in the case of persecution A false balance in Gods matters abominable to God Sheep cannot hâ—nt no not the wolves Pills to purge out the spiâ—it of persecution Superstition persecution have had many votes from Gods owne people Austins saying for persecution examined Soul-killing Punishments provided by Christ Jesus against Soule-killers and Soule-wounders Men dead in Sin cannot be Soule kill'd A Nationall enforced Religion or a Civill War for Religion the two great preventers of soule conversion and life Soule killers prove by the grace of Christ Soule savers Optatus examined Persecuters leave Christ flie to Moses for their practice Phineas his act discussed Eliaâ—s slaughters examined Eliahs consuming the 2 Captaâ—nes and their companies by â—iâ—e discussed Dangerous consequences flowing from the Civill Magistrates judging in Spirituall causes The World turned upside down The wonderfull answer of the Ministers of the Church of New England to the Ministers of the Church of Old England Lâ—mentable differences even amongst them that â—ear God Betweene the Presbyterians and Independants Covenanters and Noncovenanters of both which many are truly godly in their persons The doctrine of persecution necâ—ssâ—râ—ly and most commonly falls 〈◊〉 viâ—st upon he â—â—ost godly persons The doctrine of persecution drives the most godly persons out of the world The bloody Tenent Warres for Conscience The blessed Magna Charta A strange Modell of a Church and Common-weale after the Mâ—sâ—call and Jewish pattern Mat. 16. 19. with â—oh 20. 23. Rom. 13. 1. Mat. 10. 18. T it 3. 1. Acts 15. 20. Isa. 49. 2â— Gal. 3. â—8 Christs power in his Church confest to be above all Magistrates in 〈◊〉 all things Isa. 49. 23. lamentably wrested The first head examined John 18. 36. Jâ—r 29. 7. Ezta 7. 23. Rom. 1. 2. 3. Tim. 2. 2. The Civill Commonweal and the Spirituall Commonweale the Church not inconsistent though independent the one on the other Christs Ordinances put upon a whole City or Nation may more civilize and moralize but â—ever Christianize them The second head concerning superiority of each power Rom. 13. 1. 5. 6 Isa. 49. 23. Isa. 49. 23. Luc. 12. 14. Joh. 8. 11. And that judicium of the church in law suits 1 Cor. 62 is only arbitrarium not coastiâ—â—m Ans. Truth A contradiction to make the Magistrate supreme judge in spirituall causes and yet to have no spirituall power The Civill Magistrate confest to have no Civill power over the soules of men Nor spirituall The Magistrate and the Church by the Authors grounds at one and the same time in one and the same cause made the Judges on the Bâ—â—â—h and Dâ—â—â—quents â—â—â—th Bâ—â—re An illustration demonstratâ—ng thâ—â— the Câ—vill Magâ—stâ—atâ— câ—nnot hâ—ve power over the Church 〈◊〉 spirituâ—ll or Church causes The punishments Civill which the Magistrate insticts upon the Church for Civill crimes lawfull and necessary The true way of the God of Peace in differenâ—es between the Church the Magistrate Châ—mer de Ec. lâ—s p. 376. Park part polit lib. 1. cap. 1 The Gâ—rden of the Church and the Wildernesse of the World maâ—e all one The Commonweale more charged by these Authors with the Wâ—â—shâ—p and Ordinances then the Church The authors of these Positionâ— never yet sâ—w a true dâ—fference betweene â—he Church of Châ—â—â—t â—nd the world in poâ—â—t of worshâ—p 1 Tim 2. 1. discussâ—d The word honesty in this place of Timothy cannot signifie here the honesty or righteousnesse of the second Table The scope of Gods Spirit in this place of
Timothy Gods people must pray for and endeavour the peace of the State they live in Although Pagan or Popâ—sh Forcing of men to godlinesse or Gods worship the greatest cause of breach of Civill peace The Roman Caesars described Not appointed by Christ Jesus keepers and guardians of his Church It pleased not the Lord Jesus in the first institution of his Church to furnish himselfe with any such Civill Governours as unto whom hee might commit the care of his worship The true Keepers which Christ Jesus appointed of his Oâ—dinances and Worship The Kings of the Assyrians c. not charged with Gods worship as the Kings of Judah in that Nationall and typicall church Constantine Theodosius c. misâ—â—formed Masters of families under the Gospel not charged to force all under him from their owne consciences to his If the charge of Gods worship was left with the Romane Emperour then was he bound to turne the whole world into the Garden Flock and Spouse of Christ. Millions put to death Christ never sent any of his Ministers or Servants to the Civil Magistrate for help in spirituall matters Christ Jesus hath left power in his Church to preserve her selfe pure though in an idolatrous Countrey Gods people have used to shine in brightest godlinesse when they have enjoyed least quietnes Few Mâ—gistrates few men spiritually and christianly good Yet divers sorts of goodnesse nâ—turall artificiall ciâ—vill c. The Civill Goodnes of Cineâ— Kingdomes Subjâ—cts Mâ—gistrates must be owned although Spirituall goodnes proper to the Christian State or Church be wanting Civill power originally and fundamentally in the people Mr. Cotton and the New-English Ministers give the Government of Christs Church or Spouse into the hands of the people or Common-weale The very Indian Americans made Governours of the Church by the Authors of these Positions Many Civill States in flourishing peace and quiet where â—he Lord Jesus is not â—ounded Lawes concerning Religion either Religious oâ— Civill The very Indians abhor to disturbe any Conscience at Worship Canons and Constitutions pâ—etended Civill but indeed Ecclesiasticall Laws meerely concerning spirituall things must needs be spirituall The Authors large confession of the liberty of conscience from the Laws of Civill authority in spirituall cases Civill Magistrates confessed not to have power to urg the conscience in indifferent things A threefold guiltâ—lyâ—ng upon Civil powers commanding the subjects 〈◊〉 worship Persons may 〈◊〉 sin 〈◊〉 to many whom tâ—â—y 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to worship where they cannot beleeve Gods Israel desâ—oâ—s of Saulâ—arme of flesh The 7 headed Beast and the Lambe differ in their weapons Naboths case typicall Civill Powers abused as a Guard about the Bed of Spirituall whoredomes â—zra 7. 23. discussed Gods people not subject to â—he Kings of Babell or Perâ—â— in Spirituals Tyrants hearts sometimes wonderfully moâ—â—ified towards Gods people Nabuchadnezzar Dâ—riâ—us and Aâ—ta â—erxes thâ—ir decrees examined Ezra's thanksgiving for the Kings decree examined The duty of all Civill States toward the Consciences of their Subjects Christ needs no humane confirmations The sum of the Examples of Gentile Kings decreeing for Gods Worship in Scripture The Law of putting to death blaspheâ—â— of Christ cuts off I hopes from the Jewes of part kiâ—g in his blouâ— The dirâ—full effects of sighting for conscience Eâ—lour is confident as well as Truth Gods people as well as others will be found obstinate in fundamentall errors in which sufferings and persecution doth harden Strong delusions Spirituall prisons Christ Jesus appointed no materiall prisons for Blasphemers of him c. The Bishops prisons Like mother like daughter Conscience not so easily healed and cared Wounding instead of healing of Consciences Christs Spouse able and willing to be â—e wounded consâ—â—â—nces A persecuting Church disputes with an Heretick as a Cat with the Mouse and with a true Witnes as a Lyon with a Limbe in his paw Persecutours endure not so to be called Psal. 101. 8. concerning the cutting off the wicked examined No Land of Canaan nor holy City now No difference of Lands and Cities since the comming as was before the comming of the Lord Jesus The bloudy interpretation of Psal. 101. The New Englâ—sh seperate in America but not in Europe The New Engâ—ish permit not their brethren of Old England to enjoy their consciences left thâ—ir owne numbers might exceed their owne or at least the greatnesse of their owne Assemblies maintenances decrease Christ Jesus never appointed all Religions but his owne to be cut off by the Civill Sword A bloudy mother Christ Spirituall power most powerfull Christ forbidding his followers to permit leaven in the Church doth not forâ—bid to permit leaven in the World The Wall Cant. 8. 9. discussed A spirituall wall cannot properly impaire the civil Many flourishing Civill States where true Churches are not found Hearing discussed Every Religion prefers its owne Priests and Ministers before all other Jonahs preaching to the Ninevites and their hearing of his message examined Eglon his rising up to Ehuds message examined A two fold Ministry of Christ converting and feeding Paul never used any civill compulsion The New English forcing their subjects to church all their daies and yet forcing them not to any Religion as they say they force the people then to be of no religion all their dayes The Civill State can no more lawfully compell the Consciences of men to Church to heare the Word then to receive the Sacraments In the first patterne there is a converting Ministrie to gather the Church or Floâ—k of Christ. No president of any people in the Gospell converting gathering themselves without some Messenger sent from the Lord to effect those ends Professed publique conversion is not onely from sinnes against the second Table in personall Repentance but from false worship also A true Ministery necessary before conversion and therefore before the Church in the first patterne The true way of the Mâ—â—â—stâ—y sent with that commission Maâ—â—h 28. discussed The Civill Magistrate not betrusted with gathering of Churches If the Magistrate then much more the people of the world from whom the Magistrates receive their power Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 17. a figure of Christ Jesus in his Church not of the Civill Magistrate in the State Gal. 6. 6. Concerning the maintenance of the Ministry examined Christ Jesus never appointed a maintenance of his Ministers from the unconverted and unbeleeving They that compell men to heare compell men also to pay for their hearing and conversion Two sorts of compulsion Morall and Civill Compulsion The Ministers of Christ Jesus compell with no other sword then that of Christs mouth the sword of the Spirit with two edges The maintenance of the Ministry spirituall Naturall men can neither truly worship nor maintain it Rebels not subdued by compliance but resistance The nationall Church of the Jewes might well be forced to a settled maintenance of their priests but not so the Christian Church The Civill Sword of the Nationall Church of the Jewes could not