Persecution for Religion JUDG'D and CONDEMN'D In a DISCOURE between an ANTICHRISTIAN and a CRHISTIAN PROVING By the Law of God and of the Land And By King James his many Testimonies That no man ought to be Persecuted for his Religion so he Testifie his Allegiance by the Oath appointed by Law Proving also That the Spiritual Power in England is the Image of the Spiritual Cruel Power of Rome or that Beast mentioned Rev. 13. Manifesting the fearful Estate of those who subject to such Powers that Tyrannize over the Conscience And shewing the Unlawfulness of Flying because of the Trouble men see or fear is coming upon them To which is added An humble SUPPLICATION to the Kings Majesty Wherein among other things is proved 1. That the Learned usually Erre and resist the Truth 2. That Persecution is against the Law of Jesus Christ 3. Against the Profession and Practice of famous Princes 4. Condemned by ancient and later Writers 5. Freedom in Religion not hurtful to any Common-wealth and it depriveth not Kings of any Power given them of God 2 Cor. 10.4 For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Printed in the years 1615. and 1620. And now Reprinted for the Establishing some and Convincing others 1662. To all that truly wish Jerusalem's Prosperity and Babylons Destruction Wisdom and Understanding be multiplyed upon you IN these dayes if ever that is true which the Wiseman said Eccl. 12.12 There is no end in making many books and much reading is a weariness to the flesh yet considering how heinous it is in the sight of the Lord to force men and women by cruel Persecutions to bring their bodies to a Worship whereunto they cannot bring their spirits we thought it our duty for Gods Glory and the reformation thereof in this our own Nation to publish this little Writing following wherein is manifestly proved by the Law of God the Law of our Land and his Majesties own divers Testimonies That no man ought to be persecuted for his Religion be it true of false so he testifie his faithful Allegiance to the King What shall men do striving about matters of Religion till this be ended For if this be a truth that the Kings of the Earth have power from God to compel by Persecution all their Subjects to believe as they believe then wicked is it to resist and the Persecutions of such is justly upon them and the Magistrates that execute the same are clear from their blood and it is upon their own heads but if the Kings of the Earth have not power from God to compel by Persecution any of their Subjects to believe as they believe seeing Faith is the work of God then no lesse wicked is it in the sight of God to disobey and the Persecutions of such are upon the Magistrates and the blood of the Persecuted cryeth unto the Lord and will be required at the Magistrates hands Wherefore in all humility reverence and loyalty we do humbly desire of our Sovereign Lord the King and all Gods Ministers under him as Judges Justices of Peace c. by whom this Persecution is executed themselves to consider not whether herein they please Lord Bishops but whether they please the Lord Jesus Christ who after a little while shall judge all Judges according to their works without respect of persons and therefore are commanded to kiss the Son lest he be angry and they perish in the way Psal 2. Our humble desire is that they would consider what is testified in the Scriptures That the Kings of the Earth shall give their power unto the Beast till the words of God be fulfilled then shall they take their power from her If it be granted as it is that the Kings of this Nation formerly have given their power unto that Romish Beast it shall evidently appear that our Lord the King and all Magistrates under him do give their power to the same Beast though the Beast be in another shape For as that spiritual Power or Beast of Rome sets up a Worship as they pretend for God and force all thereto by cruel Persecutions the Kings of the Earth giving their Power thereunto So this spiritual Power or Beast of England sets up a Worship as they pretend for God and force all thereto by cruel Persecutions the Kings Majesty giving his Power hereunto Oh that all that are in Authority would but consider by the Word of God which shall judge them at the last day what they do when they force men against their souls and consciences to dissemble to believe as they believe or as the King and State believe they would withdraw their hands and hearts therefrom and never do as they have done partly through inconsideration and partly to please Lord Bishops being in favour with the King It cannot but with high thankfulness to God and to the King be acknowledged of all that the Kings Majesty is no blood-thirsty man for if he were bodily destruction should be the portion of all that fear God and endeavour to walk in his wayes as may be seen in the primitive time of this spiritual Power or Beast of England after that K. Henry the eight had cast off the Romist Beast and since so far as leave hath been granted them by hanging burning banishing imprisoning and what not as the particulars might be named Yet our most humble desire of our Lord the King is That he would not give his Power to force his faithful Subjects to dissemble to believe as he believes in the least measure of Persecution though it is no small Persecution to lye many years in filthy Prisons in hunger cold idleness divided from Wife Family Calling left in continual miseries and temptations so as Death would be to many less Persecution seeing his Majesty confesseth that to change the mind must be the work of God And of the Lord Bishops we desire that they would a little leave off persecuting those that cannot believe as they till they have proved that God is well-pleased therewith and the souls of such as submit are in safety from Condemnation let them prove this and we protest we will for ever submit unto them and so will thousands and therefore if there be any spark of grace in them let them set themselves to give satisfaction either by word or writing or both But if they will not but continue their cruel-courses as they have done let them yet remember that they must come to Judgment and have their Abominations set in order before them and be torn in pieces when none shall deliver them And whereas they have no other colour of ground out of the Scriptures than that they have canonized a Law viz. That whosoever shall affirm that the Kings Majesty hath not the same power over the Church that the godly Kings of Israel had under the Law c. Let him be excommunicate ipso facto The unsoundness of which
Master-builders and layers of a new foundation or another Gospel And for the Apostle Paul his delivering Hymeneus and Alexander unto Satan 1 Tim. 1.20 it was not by any temporal sword or power but even by the Power of our Lord Jesus Christ in his Name by the sword of the Spirit 1 Cor. 5.4 And this was not extraordinary but ordinary to continue in all Churches to the end and not to destroy the outward man as you teach and practise but to destroy those lustful affections which dwell in the flesh that so the flesh being mortified the Spirit may be quickned and the Soul saved in the day of the Lord Jesus And whereas you say that as they did it by extraordinary means so you may do it by ordirary means If you would use only those weapons which Christ commanded his Disciples to use in this business which are not carnal we would agree with you herein but if your ordinary means be such as Christ never had nor any of his Disciples then it is a means of your own devising for Christ hath all means whatsoever for bringing men to the obedience of the Truth Ant. Doth not Christ in the Parable teach that he compelled all to come in Ch. I demand of you wherewith doth he compel them he hath no carnal weapons Doth he not compel them by his Word which is his two-edged Sword Heb. 4.12 Rev. 2.12 Doth he smite the Earth with any other weapons than by the breath of his lips Isa 11.4 Ant. Well then you see then compulsion may be used Ch. Yes I confess to you such compulsion as much as you will if when you have done you will walk in his steps who when the Gaderens prayed him to depart he left them and taught his Disciples where they should preach the Word of God if they would not receive them that they should shake off the dust of their feet for a witness against them Mat. 10.14 which accordingly they practised Act. 13.51 and 18.6 c. He never taught them to pull the contrary-minded out of their houses and put them in Prisons to the undoing of them their wives and children This was Saul's course when he was a Blasphemer and Persecutor c. Act. 9.1 c. Christ taught his Disciples to wait if at any time God would give the contrary-minded repentance and not to prevent their repentance by seeking their blood Indifferent man I have heard you all this while and by that I have heard I see evidently that none ought to be compelled by any worldly means to worship God neither can any be accepted in such worship in that it is Spiritual Worship that he accepteth Ch. Blessed be the Lord that you see it I would not you only but all men did see that the sword of the Magistrate and all afflictions proceeding therefrom are only upon the outward man and connot convert a soul from going astray not beget faith for Faith comes by hearing the Word of God Rom. 10.17 and therefore is no instrument in this work All that the Magistrate can do is to compel me to bring my body for except there be a willing mind which no man can see there is no acceptance with God and therefore it is not Gods Glory nor my acceptance with him they seek by forcing me but meerly their own Obedience to God's great dishonour and the destruction of my soul if I should so do But if it would suffice them to bring my body to that they call their Church and require of me no worship I will go when they will only not when their false worship is performed For I abhor the accursed Doctrine of the Familists herein Indif It is a lamentable thing to consider how many thousands in this Nation there be that for fear of trouble submit to things in Religion which they disapprove of Ch. Oh! whose eyes do not gush out with tears in the confideration thereof seeing in all that God is highly displeased and all those are under the Judgments of God everlastingly if they repent not Ant. If it were as you would have it that all Religions should be suffered how dangerous would it be to the Kings Person and State what Treacheries and Treasons would be plotted Indif Indeed that is a thing greatly to be suspected but if permission of all Religions could be cleared in that there is no question but it might prevail with the King and State Ch. If it be not cleared of that then let all men abhor it It is the Commandment of him who is the God not of confusion but of Peace and Order and therefore to be obeyed Mat. 13.30 Let the good and bad grow together unto the end of the world Suffering the contrary-minded patiently proving if God at any time will give them repentance that they may acknowledge the Truth c. First for all those that seek and practise in themselves Reformation in Religion Satan himself cannot task them with the least jot of Treachery And for the Papists may it not justly be suspected that one chief cause of all their Treasons hath been because of all the Compulsions that have been used against their Consciences in compelling them to the Worship practised in publick according to the Law of this Land which being taken away there is no doubt but they would be much more peaceable as we see it verified in divers other Nations where no such Compulsion is used for if they might have freedom in their Religion unto their faithful Allegiance to the King the fear of the Kings Laws and their own Prosperity and Peace would make them live more inoffensively in that respect Indif Only the Papists are dangerous in that some of them hold That the Kings and Princes that be Excommunicated by the Pope may be deposed or murdered by their Subjects or any other Ch. For that damnable and accursed Doctrine as we abhor it with our souls so we desire all other may and therefore all the Laws that can be made for the prevention of such execrable practices are most necessary But now I desire all men to see that the Bishops and we justly cry out against this accursed doctrine and practice in the Pope and his associates That Princes should be murdered by their Subjects for contrary-mindedness in Religion yet they teach the King to murder his Subjects for the self-same thing viz. for being contrary-minded to them in their Religion So likewise as that accursed doctrine is to be abhorred in the Papists who teach Subjects not to be obedient to their Princes that are excommunicated by the Pope even so is that accursed doctrine of the Bishops to be abhorred who teach Princes not to protect their Subjects that are excommunicated by them in not affording them either Law or Justice nor to bear Testimony in any Court Do not the Bishops herein justifie this accursed doctrine and practice in the Papists Ant. There is a great difference in the persons for the one are
extends no further than over the body or goods and to that which is external for over the Soul God will not suffer any man to rule only He himself will rule there Therefore wheresoever the Civil Magistrate doth undertake to give Laws unto the Soul and Consciences of men he usurpeth that Government to himself which appertaineth to God c. The same upon 1 King 6. In building of the Temple there was no sound of Iron heard to signifie that Christ will have in his Church a free and willing People not compelled and constrained by Laws and statutes Again he saith upon Luke 22. It is not the true Catholick Church which is defended by the Seculare arm or Humane power but the false and feigned Church which although it carries the name of a Church yet it denyes the power thereof And upon Psal 17. he saith For the true Church of Christ knoweth not Brachium Seculare which the Bishops now a dayes chiefly use Again in Postil Dom. 1. post Epiph. he saith Let not Christians be commanded but exhorted for he that will not willingly do that whereunto he is friendly exhorted he is no Christian Therefore those that do compel them that are not willing shew thereby that they are not Christian Preachers but worldly Beadles Again upon 1 Pet. 3. he saith If the Civil Magistrate would command me to believe thus or thus I should answer him after this manner Lord or Sir look you to your Civil or worldly Government your Power extends not so far to command any thing in Gods Kingdom therefore herein I may not hear you For if you cannot suffer that any man should usurp Authority where you have to command how do you think that God should suffer you to thrust him from his seat and to seat your self therein The Puritans as appeareth in their Answer to Admonit to Parl. pag. 109. That Papists nor others neither constrainedly nor customally communicate in the mysteries of Salvation Also in their Supplication printed 1609 pag. 21 c. much they write for Toleration Lastly the Papists the inventers of Persecution in a wicked Book lately set forth thus they write Moreover the means which Almighty God appointed his Officers to use in the conversion of Kingdoms and People was Humility Patience Charity c. Saying Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves Mat. 10.16 He did not say I send you as wolves among sheep to kill imprison spoil and devour those unto whom they were sent Again ver 7. he saith They to whom I send you will deliver you up in Councils and in their Synagogues they will scourge you and to Presidents and to Kings shall you be led for my sake He doth not say You whom I send shall deliver the people whom you ought to convert into Councils and put them in Prisons and lead them to Presidents and Tribunal Seats and make their Religion Felony and Treason Again he saith ver 12. When ye enter into the house salute it saying Peace be to this house He doth not say You shall send Pursevants to sansack and spoyl the house Again lie saith Joh. 10. The good Pastor giveth his life for his sheep the Thief cometh not but to steal kill and destroy He doth not say the Thief giveth his life for his sheep and the good Pastor cometh not but to steal kill and destroy c. So that we holding our peace our Adversaries themselves speak for us or rather for the Truth CHAP. 9. It is no prejudice to the Commonwealth if freedom of Religion were suffered but would make it flourish BE pleased not to hearken to mens leasings but to what God and Experience teacheth in this thing Abraham abode among the Canaanites a long-time yet contrary to them in Religion Gen. 13.7 and 16.3 Again He sojourned in Gerar and King Abimelech gave him leave to abide in his Land Gen. 20 21.33 34. Isaac also dwelt in the same Land yet contrary in Religion Gen. 26. Jacob lived twenty years in one house with his uncle Laban yet differed in Religion Gen. 31. The People of Israel were 430 years in that famous Land of Egypt and afterwards 70 years in Babylon all which times they differed in Religion from the States Exod. 12. and 2 Chron. 36. Come to the time of Christ where Israel was under the Romans where lived divers sects of Religions as Herodians Scribes and Pharifees Saduces Libertines Theudaeans Samaritans besides the common Religion of the Jews Christ and his Apostles all which differed from the common Religion of the State which is like was the Worship of Diana which almost the whole world then worshipped Act. 19.20 All these lived under the Government of Caesar being nothing-hurtfull to the State and Commonwealth for they gave unto Caesar that which was his and for Religion to God he left them to themselves as having no dominion therein And when the enemies of the Truth raised up any Tumults the wisdom of the Magistrates most wisely appeased them as Acts 18.14 c. and 19.35 c. Again be pleased to look into the neighbour Nations who tolerate Religion how their Wealths and States are governed many sorts of Religions are in their Dominions yet no trouble of State no Treason no hinderance at all of any good but much prosperities brought unto their Countries they having all one harmony in matters of State giving unto Caesar his due and for Religion they suffer one another If any object the Troubles of France Germany c. We answer They are such as have been procured by the learned but most bloody Jesuites who seek to establish their Religion by blood for subversion of whom your Wisdoms are wise to deal in Yet be pleased not to let faithful Subjects be punished for their wickedness But let most severe Laws be made for the maintenance of Civil and humane Peace and Welfare as to your Majesty and others shall seem expedient And if it be well observed it is the Learned that raised up all the bloody Wars among the Princes of the Earth CHAP. 10. King are not deprived of any Power given them of God when they maintain Freedom for cause of Conscience WE know the Learned do perswade that Kings have power from God to maintain the Worship and Service of God as they have power to maintain Right and Justice between man and man For Christian Kings say they have the same power that the Kings of Israel had under the Law For answer to which First let it be observed the Kings of Israel had never power from God to make new Laws or set up new Worships which Gods Word required not nor to set high Priests or Spiritual Lords for the performance of the Services other than such as God by Moses expresly had commanded and therefore the power of the Kings of Israel will warrant to Kings to make or confirm Canons set up new Worships and appoint Spiritual Lords and Law givers to the
Princes the other Subjects and Subjects must be obedient Ch. Most true it is but is it not also true that Princes must afford all their Subjects Justice and Equity although they be as Heathens and Publicans For if Princes be freed from doing Right and Justice and protecting their Subjects that be excommunicated why are not Subjects also freed from Subjection and Allegiance to their Princes being excommunicated if Excommunication be Christ's Law to all alike that will be saved without respect of persons And also Is not that Law of Christ herein to be observed That whatsoevr ye would men should do unto you even so do ye unto them Mat. 7.12 And therefore as Princes would that all their Subjects should be faithfull and obedient unto them so ought Princes to be just and equal to all their Subjects in maintaining them in every just and equal cause between man and man For For this cause not for Religion saith the Apostle the Saints at Rome payed Tribute to Caesar their Heathen Prince who was against them in Religion Shall they not escape Damnation for this accursed doctrine and practice and think ye you shall Thou that judgest another judgest thou not thy self By this it may appear as also by exceeding many other doctrines and practices how near you are to that bloody spiritual power what pretences to the contrary soever you make Ant. It were a lamentable thing if that bloody Religion should be practised again in this Nation Ch. I acknowledge it a bloody Religion but God hath cast down the Power thereof in this Kingdom blessed be his Name but I would you could see your own cruel bloody Religion But that God of his mercy hath restrained it by the Kings Majesty who thirsteth not after blood How many only for seeking Reformation in Religion have been put to death by your Power in the dayes of Qu. Elizabeth and how many both then and since have been consumed to death in Prisons Yea since that cruel spiritual Power hath been set up hath not Hanging Burning Exile Imprisonments and all manner of contempt been used and all for Religion although some for grievous Errours and yet you see not this to be a bloody Religion Further You cry out of their bloody Cruelty the reason is because you will not be of their Religion And when you have done your selves are most bloody and cruel so far as is in your power because we and all men will not not be of your Religion Ant. If men hold Errors and will not obey the Truth do they not sin against God and deserve punishment Ch. Yes such deserve punishment but God hath appointed their punishment and the time thereof Their punishment Rom. 2.8 9. To them that are contentions and disobey the Truth and obey unrighteousness shall be Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish shall be upon the soul of every one that doth evil Mark 16.16 He that will not believe shall be damned 2 Thes 1.8 In flaming fire rendring Vengeance unto them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which shall be punished with everlasting perdition from the Presence of the Lord and the Glory of his Power The time thereof is mentioned in the last recited place ver 7. When the Lord Jesus shall shew Himself from Heaven with his mighty Angels And Rom. 2.5 The day of Wrath. And ver 16. At that day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ And Mat. 13.40 41. At the end of this World the Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them that do iniquity and shall cast them into a furnace of Fire c. Here is shewed the Punisher the Punishment and the Time thereof This Punisher hath commanded you to wait for their repentance by his own example which is in his hands to give them and not to cut them off and send them to Hell as you teach and practise which is contrary to God who is patient towards mockers which walk after their own lusts 2 Pet. 3.3 Because he would have no man to perish but would that all men whatsoever should come to repentance But you contrary to Him use all means you can to cut men off that they might perish in that you seek to destroy their bodies whilst they remain in their errors Ant. I confess that God commandeth Matth. 13. that the good and bad must grow together unto the end of the World but that is in the Church Ch. Well if that be the true exposition I pray you why do you then excommunicate any out of your Church contrary to your own acknowledgment And here let all men take notice that by this Exposition you overthrow your own Excommunication quite and accuse Christ for giving a Rule Mat. 18. and the Apostle Paul and the Church of Corinth for practising that Rule 1 Cor. 5. in casting out of the Church For you say all must grow together to the end in the Church But the Exposition of the Law-giver himself is against you that the Field is the World ver 38. Yet in that you confess that the Wicked and the Godly must be let alone in the Church unto the end then much more in the World unto the end For if the Wicked pollute not the Church sure it is they pollute not the World This then you are commanded unto ver 29 30. Nay gather them not let them grow together unto the end of the World Ant. Let them come to Church and they shall grow together unto the end Ch. Indeed I think so Hereby you manifest you regard not how wicked and ungodly men be so they come to your Church you will not destroy them though they remain in their abominable lusts but if they will not come to your Church let them be Wheat or Tares you will gather them and as much as in you is send them to burning Herein all men may see as I said before that you seek your own Glory and Obedience and not Gods and so exalt your selves above God 2 Thess 2. Indif Well I bless God I see this as clearly as the Sun shining in his brightness That it is to fight against God to compel any contrary to their consciences to perform any service unto Him in that there are so many places of Scripture commanding the contrary Ch. The whole New Testament throughout in all the Doctrines and Practices of Christ and his Disciples teach no such thing as compelling men by Persecutions and Afflictions to obey the Gospel but the direct contrary viz. to suffer at the hands of the wicked when they were persecuted for Righteousness sake to suffer it when the unbelievers and wicked curse them to bless and pray for their repentance and that God would forgive them and never lay these sins to their charge as our Saviour Luke 23.34 Stephen Act. 7.60 and the rest did And for a conclusion
Gospel an Israelite doing ought through ignorance or through frailty as Peter and Barnabas with the rest of the Jews mentioned Gal. 2. or the Incestuous Person 1 Cor. 5. there is Repentance for him This is it that confounds all true Religion That because it was so in the time of the Law therefore it may be so in the time of the Gospel by which reason men might set up as truly the whole Law as some part and utterly abolish Christ I pray you seriously consider what is here said Ant. Hath not the King the same Power that the Kings of Israel had who compelled men to the observation of the Law of God Ch. First I answer you That the Kings of Israel had never power from God to set up any thing in or for the the service of God but that only which was commanded by God Deut. 4.2 no not so much as the manner of any Law Numb 15.16 and 9.14 and therefore this will not serve your purpose that Kings may set up within their Dominions such spiritual Lords and Laws for the serving of God no nor the manner thereof as may best please themselves under what pretence soever thereby making God for his Worship subject to their pleasures And his Majesty acknowledgeth that Christs Church after the establishing of it by miracles in the primitive time was ever after to be governed within the limits of his revealed will Speech at Parliam Anno 1609. Secondly the Kings of Israel might compel men to the Sacrifices and Ordinances of the Old Testament all which were carnal and purged not the conscience Heb. 9.9 10. as Circumcision the Passeover c. But no mortal man whatsoever he be can compel any man to offer the Sacrifices of the New Testament which are spiritual and purge the conscience except he can beget Faith in him and convert his soul The Ordinances of the Old Testament were to be performed by the posterity of Abraham according to the flesh that thereby they might be taught Christ but the Ordinances of the New Testament are to be performed only by the posterity of Abraham according to Faith that have learned Christ and have put on Christ and so having Him all things else appertain unto them But one thing I demand of you Who now is King of Israel Ant. I confess CHRIST is King of Israel Ch. Yes CHRIST alone is King of Israel that sits upon Davids Throne and therefore mark the true proportion In the time of the Old Testament the Kings of Israel had power from God to compel all to the Ordinances of God or to cut them off by their Sword from the earthly Land of Canaan and the Promises thereof So in the New Testament the King of Israel Christ Jesus hath power from the Father to compel all to the Ordinances of God or to cut them off by his Sword from the heavenly Land of Canaan and the Promises thereof The Kings of Israel only had this power under the Law and the King of Israel only hath this power under the Gospel And therefore whosoever will challenge this power under the Gospel he must be the King of Israel in the time of the Gospel which is peculiar only to Jesus Christ unto whom all Power in Heaven and Earth is given And let it be here well observed that by this opinion of yours you make the Kingdom and Ordinances of Israel under the Law and the Kingdom Ordinances of Israel under the Gospel all one directly contrary to the whole Scripture for the Kingdom and Ordinances of Israel under the Law were of this world but the Kingdom and Ordinances of Israel under the Gospel are not of this world as Christ the King thereof himself testifieth John 28. And therefore you setting up a worldly King over this Heavenly Kingdom and Ordinances you and all of your Profession declare your selves to be of that worldly Kingdom and so to look for that Heavenly and Spiritual King yet to come in the flesh being of the number of those that deny Him to be come in the flesh and so are Deceivers and Antichrists whatsoever you say to the contrary Ant. Well yet I cannot see but that as the Kings of Israel had power from God to compel all their Subjects to the Worship then appointed so the King being a Christian King hath power to compel his Subjects to the Worship now appointed Ch. You may see if you shut not your eyes that what power the Kings of Israel had under the Law in matters of Religion Christ Jesus the King of Israel hath under the Gospel but I pray let me ask you this Question you say the Kings Majesty hath this power as he is a Christian King my Question is Whether it appertain unto him as he is a King or as he is a Christian Ant. Neither simply as he is a King nor as he is a Christian but joyntly as he is compleat in them both for I grant that no Heathen King hath power to compel in matters of Religion but a Christian King hath Ch. Then you confess that if a Christian King may be deprived of his Christianity for of his Kingdom or Kingly Power or any part thereof I affirm he may not be deprived he hath lost this power you plead for in compelling men in matters of Religion What say you to this Ant. I confess if he may be deprived of his Christianity he hath not this power I plead for Ch. Then I demand this Question Whether every Christian without respect of persons ought not to be subject to Christs Laws for his Salvation Ant. Yes it cannot be denyed Ch. Christ hath given his censure Excommunication for the Salvation of every Christian That he that will not hear the Church is to be as a Heathen and a Publican that is hath lost all right and title in Christ and in his Church till he repent Now I know it cannot be denyed but every Christian whatsoever is subject to sin and so to Excommunication to be as an Heathen c. If you say that Kings either are not subject to sin and to impenitency therein and so not to this censure of Christ of Excommunication for their impenitent sin then consider what you make them and God you make a lyer If you grant as you cannot deny that Kings as well as others are subject to impenitent sin and so to Excommunication for the same then they being deprived of their Christianity by your own confession they are deprived of power to compel in matters of Religion the which if it were any part of their Kingly Power they might be deprived of a part of their Kingly Power by being excommunicated Consider what a wicked doctrine you teach herein Ant. Doth not the Prophet say That Kings shall be Nursing Fathers and Queens Nursing Mothers to the Church And also it is said that Kings shall hate the Whore make her desolate eat her flesh and burn it with fire Where we see that
Kings that have power and authority shall destroy Antichrists Kingdom and nourish and cherish Christs Kingdom Ch. Most true it is the Lord hath spoken it and therefore it ought to be a great comfort to Gods People but what is this to the purpose in hand namely That Kings may persecute the contrary-minded The words of the Prophet Isaiah prove that Kings and Queens that have formerly persecuted and destroyed the Church their hearts shall be turned by the power of Gods Word to be lovers and preservers of the Church And the other place Rev. 17.16 proves that Kings shall make that Whore desolate c. not by their temporal Authority or Sword as some say that make more shew of Religion than you do although themselves be now persecuted yet if Kings were of their minds would be as cruel as you for they maintain the same thing but by the Spirit of the Lords mouth and the Brightness of his coming 2 Thess 2.8 For this kingdom of Antichrist shall be destroyed without hand Dan. 8. 25. only by the Everlasting Gospel the true Armour indeed wherewith the Witnesses fight against the Antichrist As the Kings Majesty acknowledgeth Apol. pag. 93. Ant. You are so stiff against using of outward weapons in Church matters Did not our Saviour make a Whip of small cords and whip the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple And why may not we follow his example Ch. In this and many other actions of Christ our Saviour we are to consider him as the fulfiller and ender of the Law as in the action of the Passover and sending him that was clensed of his Leprosie to offer to the Priest the gift that Moses commanded in which things we are not to imitate him for by him the Ceremonies are fulfilled and abolished and the everlasting Gospel established in the which we are to walk and it were more than foolish to reason thus Christ whipped wicked men out of Gods Temple made with hands with whips made of cord therfore we may whip wicked men out of Gods Temple made without hands with whips made of cord There is a wholsom doctrine to be collected from the Type to the Truth as thus Christ drove out wicked men out of the Temple made with hands by a carnal or worldly whip So Christ by his People must drive wicked men out of the Temple made without hands by a Spiritual whip even his Word which is called a Whip or Rod. Rev. 2 27. and Psal 2.9 So is Excommunication 1 Cor. 4.21 Ant. If freedom of Religion should be granted there would be such Divisions as would breed Sedition and Innovasion in the State Ch. Thus when your shews out of the Scripture are answered then you run to conceits and imaginations of Sedition Innovasion and the like thinking thereby to disswade Princes and all that are in authority therefrom knowing else your kingdom of iniquity would fall But that it may appear to all that you deal deceitfully herein let us consider first the Scriptures secondly behold the success of suffering of Religion free in other Countries And first Christ our Saviour who is that Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 not of Sedition hath taught Mat. 10 and Luk. 12. That he came not to send Peace on the earth but Debate to divide five in one house two against three and three against two the father against the son c. And a mans enemies shall be they of his own houshold And his desire is that the fire of such Sedition should be kindled Where we see this Prince of Peace putteth difference in Religion by preaching his Gospel which some receive as the savour of life unto them others refuse it and so become enemies unto the Truth and witnesses thereof as they did to Christ Jesus himself and his Disciples and as you do to me and others Secondly behold the Nations where freedom of Religion is permitted and you may see there are not more flourishing and prosperous Nations under the Heavens than they are Indif The Convocation of Bishops and the rest have made a Canon That whosoever shall affirm that the Kings Majesty hath not the same power in Causes Ecclesiastical under the Gospel that the godly Kings of Israel had under the Law let him be excommunicated ipso facto Ch. Yes they have so In the beginning of his Majesties Reign when they had gotten him sure unto them of the which they so much doubted as with my own ears I heard some of their chief followers say when his Highness was coming into England Now must Steeples down and we shall have no more High Commission with a lamentation they spake it then they made this Canon because their consciences are convinced that they stand only by his Power and if his hand be turned their spiritual power of darkness falleth to the pit of darkness from whence it came and whither it must go though there be never so much means used for the supporting of it for the strong Lord hath spoken it Revel 18. As for their sending men to Hell as they suppose with their ipso facto Excommunications if they had no stronger weapons for the supportting of their kingdom it would stand but a short space If Israel now were of this world as it was under the Law then they said something but if it be not of this world as it is not John 17.14 then the King of Israel is not of this world for when this King came the worldly Israel knew him not Indif I see evidently that all are but cavels and that no mortal man can make any man offer Sacrifices under the New Testament until he be a Believer and converted for he must be in Christ before he may offer Sacrifices for in Christ only the Father accepteth us But what say you Have they not power to compel men to come to the place where the Word is publickly taught that they may be converted Ch. Well then you see that the example of the Kings of Israel who had power to compel them to Sacrifice or to cut them off applyed to earthly Princes is gone as a meer doctrine of man and not of God And for compelling men to hear that they may be converted we can learn of no better than of Him who if we hear not we shall have a dreadfull recompence He had all power in Heaven and in Earth for converting souls given unto him and sent his Disciples as his Father sent him Joh. 20.21 charging them that when they should come into a City c. if they would not receive them nor their Word to shake off the dust of their feet for a witness against them saying it should be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for that City or house And so the Apostles went from City to City accordingly Here were no Temples made with hands nor worldly power to compel all to come unto them to hear the Word of the Lord but they were commanded to go
came the same he taught and practised as begore so did his Apostles after him for the weapons of his warfare are not carnal c. 2 Cor. 10.4 But he charged strictly that his Disciples should be so far from persecuting those that would not be of their Religion that when they were persecuted they should pray Mat. 5. when they were cursed they should bless the reason is because they that are now Tares may hereafter become Wheat tehy who are now blind may hereafter see they that now resist him may hereafter receive him they that are now in the Devils snare in adversness to the Truth may hereafter come to repentance they that are now Blasphemers Persecutors Oppressors as Paul was may in time become Faithful as he they that are now Idolaters as the Corinths once were 1 Cor. 6.9 may hereafter become true worshippers as they they that are now no People of God nor under mercy as the Saints sometimes were 1 Pet. 2.20 may hereafter become the People of God and obtain mercy as they Some come not till the eleventh hour Mat. 20.6 if those that come not till the last hour should be destroyed because they came not at the first then should they never come but be prevented And why do men call themselves Christians and do not the things Christ would CHAP. 7. Persecution for cause of Conscience is against the profession and practice of famous Princes First we beseech your Majesty we may relate your own worthy Sayings in your Majesties Speech at Parliament 1609. Your Highness saith It is a sure Rule in Divinity that God never loves to plant his Church by violence and bloodshed c. And in your Highness Apol. pag. 4. speaking of such Papists as took the Oath thus I gave a good proof that I intended no persecution against them for Conscience cause but only desired to secured for civil obedience which for Conscience cause they were bound to perform And pag. 60. speaking of Blackwel the Arch-Priest your Majesty saith It was never my intention to lay any thing to the said Arch-Priests charge as I have never done to any for cause of Conscience c. And in your Highness Expos on Revel 20. printed 1588 and after 1603. your Majesty truly writeth thus Sixtly The compassing of the Saints and besieging of the beloved City declareth unto us a certain note of a false Church to be Persecution For they come to seek the Faithful the Faithful are those that are sought the Wicked are the besiegers the Faithful be besieged Secondly the saying of Stephen King of Poland I am King of men not of Consciences a Commander of bodies not of Souls c. Thirdly the King of Bohemia hath thus written And notwithstanding the success of the later time wherein sundry opinions have been hatched about the subject of Religion may make one clearly discern with his eye and as it were touch with his finger that according to the verity of holy Scripture and a Maxime heretofore held and maintained by the ancient Doctors of the Church That mens Consciences ought in no sort to be violated urged or constrained and whensoever men have attempted any thing by this violent course whether openly or by secret means the issue hath been pernicious and the cause of great and wonderful Innovasions in the principallest and mightiest Kingdoms and Countries of all Christendom c. And further his Majesty saith So that once more we do protest before God and the whole world that from this time forward we are firmly resolved not to persecute or molest or suffer to be persecuted or molested any person whosoever for matter of Religion no not they that profess themselves to be of the Roman Church neither to trouble or disturb them in the exercise of their Religion so they live conformable to the Laws of the States c. And for the practice of this Where is Persecution for cause of Conscience except in England and where Popery reigns and not there neither in all places as appeareth by France Poland and other places Nay it is not practised among the Heathen that acknowledge not the true God as the Turk Persian and others CHAP. 8. Persecution for cause of Conscience is condemned by the ancient and later Writers yea by Puritans and Papists HIllary against Anxentius saith thus The Christian Church doth not persecute but is persecuted and lamentable it is to see the great folly of these times and to sigh at the foolish opinion of this world in that men think by humane aid to help God and with worldly pomp and power to undertake to defend the Christian Church I ask of you Bishops what help used the Apostles in the publishing of the Gospel With the aid of what Power did they preach Christ and converted the Heathen from their Idolatry to God When they were Imprisoned and lay in Chains did they praise and give thanks to God for any dignities graces and favours received from the Court Or do you think that Paul went about with Regal Mandates or Kingly Authority to gather and establish the Church of Christ Sought he Protection from Nero Vespatian c. The Apostles wrought with their hands for their own maintenance travelling by land and water from Town to City to preach Christ yea the more they were forbidden the more they taught and preached Christ But now alas humane help must assist and protect the Faith and give the same countenance To and by vain and worldly honours do men seek to defend the Church of Christ as if He by his Power were unable to perform it The same against the Arians The Church now which formerly by enduring Misery and Imprisonment was known to be a true Church doth now terrific others by Imprisonment Banishment and Misery and boasteth that she is highly esteemed of the world whereas the true Church cannot but be hated of the same Tertul. ad Scapul It agreeth both with humane Equity and natural Reason that every man worship God uncompelled and believe what he will for another mans Religion or Blief neither hurteth nor profiteth any man neither beseemeth it any Religion to compel another to be of their Religion which willingly and freely should be imbraced and not by constraint for asmuch as the Offerings were required of those that freely and with a good will offered and not from the contrary Jerom. in Proaem lib. 4. in Jeremiam Heresie must be cut off with the sword of the Spirit Let us strike through with the arrows of the Spirit all sons and disciples of misled Hereticks that is with testimonies of holy Scriptures The slaughter of Hereticks is by the Word of God Brentius on 1 Cor. 3. No man hath power to make or give Laws to Christians whereby to bind their Consciences For willingly freely and uncompelled with a ready desire and chearful mind must those that come run unto Christ Luther in his Book of the Civil Magistrate The Laws of the Civil Government
Conscience and persecute all that submit not to them 2. Let it be well observed only the Kings of Israel had this power but no other Kings whose Commonwealths did flourish to them and their seeds after them to many generations and it must be granted that he that is King of Israel now which is Jesus Christ the truth of those typical Kings of Israel he hath the power according to the proportion the temporal Kings had temporal power to compel all to the observation of those carnal or temporal Commandments Heb. 7.16 and 9.10 So Christ the Spiritual King hath Spiritual Power to compel all to the observation of his Spiritual Commandments For when he came himself said Joh. 4.23 The hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father requireth even such to worship him If Christ be only King of Israel that sits upon Davids Throne for ever as he is Acts 2.30 far be it from any King to take Christs seat from him The Wisdom of God foresaw that seeing the Misteries of the Gospel are such spiritual things as no natural men though they be Princes of this world can know them he left not Kings and Princes to be Lords and Judges thereof seeing they are subject to erre but he left that Power to his beloved Son who could not erre and the Son left his only Deputy the holy Ghost and no moral man whatsoever as your Highness worthily acknowledgeth in Apol. pag. 46. I utterly deny that there is any earthly Monarch over the Church whose word must be a Law and who cannot erre by an infallibility of spirit Because earthly Kingdoms must have earthly Monarchs it doth not follow the Church must have a visible Monarch too Christ is the Churches Monarch and the holy Ghost his Deputy The Kings of the Gentiles reign over them but you shall not be so c. Luke 22. Christ when he ascended left not Peter with them to direct them into all truth but premised to send the holy Ghost unto them for that end c. Further these Learned alledge the Commandments Exod. 23.33 Deut. 7. and Deut. 13. where Israel are commanded to destroy all the Inhabitants of the Land lest they intice them to serve their gods and to slay all false prophets c. These they collect from the time of the Law for in the time of the Gospel they have nothing to alledge for Rom. 13. maketh nothing for their purpose Caesar being a Heathen King For answer unto the places of Moses first The sins of this people the Canaanites were full and the Lord would destroy them and give their possessions unto the Israelites but the sins of the refusers of Christ are not full until the end or last hour as before is proved 2. The Children of Israel had a special Commandment from the Lord to destroy them but the Kings of the Nations have no Command at all to destroy the bodies of the contrary-minded nay they are expresly forbidden it Mat. 13.29.3 The Canaanites would have rebelled against Israel and have des troyed them but the contrary-minded will not rebell against their Kings but give unto them the things that belong unto them not so much for fear as of conscience and of this the GOD of Gods is Witness 4. The Heads and Rulers of Israel could command and compel the people to observe those carnal Rites and Ordinances of the Law even as CHRIST the Head and Ruler of Israel can compel to the observations of his spiritual Ordinances of the Gospel but the Heads of the Nations cannot compel their Subjects to believe the Gospel for Faith is the gift of God which Faith if they want all they do in Gods Worship is sin Rom. 14.23 Heb. 11.6 Therefore they cannot compel any to worship because they cannot give them Faith for which cause the Lord in wisdom saw it not meet to charge Kings with a duty which they cannot perform God will never require it at their hands the blood of the faithless and unbelieving shall be on their own heads He that will not believe shall be damned Mark 16.16 Again Seeing it is true as your Majesty well observeth in your Highness speech at Parl. 1609. That the Judicials of Moses were only fit for that time and those persons And also it is confessed the Law for Adultery Theft and the like is not now to be executed according to the Judicials of Moses nor directions for the Magistrates of the Earth to walk by Why should these be any directions for them seing also our Savior and his Apostles have taught the contrary as before hath been proved If all false Prophets should be now executed according to Deut. 13. the Kings of the Earth would not onely be deprived of many of their Subjects but the Cities of their habitation with all the Inhabitants of the Cities must be destroyed with the edge of the sword the cattel thereof and all the spoyl thereof must be brought into the midst of the City and the City and all therein by burnt with fire be made a heap of stones for ever and never be built again which God forbid such execration should ever be seen And if these Judicials of Moses be not now directions for the Kings of Nations we reade not in all the Book of God any directions given to Kings to rule in matters of Conscience and Spiritual Worship to God But often we reade that the Kings of the Nations shall give their power to the Beast and fight against the Lamb Rev. 16.14 and 17.2 12 13 14 18. and 18. 3 9. and 19.19 as lamentable experience hath plainly taught it Thus all men may see there is only deceit in these Learned mens comparisons of the Kings of Israel in the Law with the Kings of Nations in time of the Gospel in matters of Religion Much might be written to prove that Kings are not deprived of their power by permitting of Freedom of Religion but are rather deprived thereof by using compulsion to the contrary-minded and do sin grievously in causing them to sin for want of Faith but this may suffice the Almighty blessing it with his blessing which we humbly-beseech Him for his Christs sake for his own Glory sake for the prosperity and welfare of these Kingdoms and for the comfort of your faithful and true-hearted Subjects that are now distressed by long and lingring Imprisonments and otherwise who of conscience give unto Caesar the things which are his Which is to be Lord and Law-giver to the Bodies of his Subjects and all belonging to their outward-man for the preservation of himself and his good Subjects and for the punishment of the evil In which preservation the Church of Christ hath a special part when their outward Peace is thereby preserved from the fury of all adversaries in which respect Princes are called Nursing Fathers as many are at this day blessed be our Lord. Oh be pleased to consider why you should persecute us for humbly beseeching you in the words of the King of kings Mat. 22.21 To give unto God the things which are Gods which is to be Lord and Law-giver to the soul in that Spiritual Worship and Service which he requireth If you will take away this from God What is it that is Gods Far be it from you to desire to sit in the Consciences of men to be Law-giver and Judge therein This is Antichrists practice perswading the Kings of the Earth to give him their power to compel all hereunto But whosoever submitteth shall drink of Gods fierce wrath Revel 14.9 10. You may make and mend your own Laws and be Judge and Punisher of the transgressors thereof but you cannot make or mend Gods Laws they are perfect already Psal 19.7 You may not adde nor diminish Deut. 4.2 Rev. 22.18 19. Nor be Judge nor Monarch of his Church that is CHRISTS Right he left neither you nor any mortal man his Deputy but only the holy Ghost as your Highness acknowledgeth And whosoever erreth from the Truth his Judgment is set down 2 Thess 1.8 c. Rom. 2.8 c. and the time thereof Matth. 13.40 and 25.31 c. Rom. 2.16 This is the Sum of our humble Petition That your Majesty would be pleased not to persecute your faithful Subjects who are obedient to you in all Civil Worship and Service for walking in the practice of what Gods Word requireth of us for his Spiritual Worship as we have Faith knowing as your Majesty truly writeth in your Medit. on Mat. 27. pag. 69. in these words We can use no Spiritual Worship or Prayer that can be available to us without Faith This is the sum of our most humble Petition thus manifoldly proved to be just O LORD GOD of Glory raise up in this High Assembly the heart of some Nehemiah of some Ebed-melech That may open their mouthes for the Dumb that cannot speak for themselves in a Truth so apparant as this is lest it be said as Isa 59.16 And when he saw that there was no man he wondred that none would offer himself Therefore his Arm did save it and his Righteousness it self did sustain it And now we cease not to pray for the King and his Son and his Seed and this whol High and Honourable Assembly now and alwayes Calling the all-seeing God to witness that we are your Majesties loyal Subjects not for fear only but for Conscience sake Unjustly called ANA-BAPTISTS