of War Therefore hath neither Christ himself nor his Apostles taught men to take up Armes against them that were reprobated from the Faith as if that were an external means for to rout out Errors for the receiving or spreading of Religion which is through fear of Weapons is more like unto Mahometisme than unto the Christian Religion Stephanus the King of Poland said Our desire is that all the Cities and Inhabitants did praise one God unanimously but it hath been declared that in the latter Dayes Offences shall come therefore will not we compel any to believe said he but will keep Peace and concord among the Contentious that contend about Religion and defend every one in his Religion Chronicle of the Tyrants second P. pag. 1326. CHAP. IX How Iudas Proselytes now do follow his footsteps How Confusion and Uproar is not occasioned in a Land through a just Toleration but rather through want of it And how none ought to be Banished about Religion THe Histories sheweth how that some of the Clergy hath said That the Princes ought to kiss the Son and to use their Power for to preserve and defend Religion against all her Enemies though their Lands should therefore be spoyled But the Son of God hath never taught any man so to kiss him though he was so unkindly kissed of Iudas as many Betrayers do yet in his Members yet notwithstanding Christ nor his Apostles did not seek to deliver Iudas over to the Magistrates but Iudas sought to deliver Christ over to them And so do Iudas Children at this day deliver the true Christians whom they falsly call Hereticks into the Hands of the Earthly Powers And though some say That People of different Opinions cannot live together in a Kingdom without continual contention and therefore say they must that be prevented with Fire and Sword But what though there be vertue and filthiness in a Kingdom good and bad men which are one contrary to the other one must not therefore said a wise Man to prevent it bring a whole Kingdom or Land into Confusion by stirring up the People one against another Again the true Church said he hath never helped her self with Persecution neither doth she use any other Sword than God's Word which she having and keeping the Commands of God prepareth her self for to bear the Cross and to Suffer Persecution but not to bring Suffering upon others Moreover it is evident That in Dutchland Poland and in the Low-Countryes more Religions than one are Suffered and yet there are not continual Uproars and Tumults as some imagine such Toleration would occasion in a Kingdom therefore may we conclude that it is not the Toleration of more Religions than one which produceth Uproar in a Kingdom but rather the untowardness and perverseness of them that seek to obstruct this Toleration Camerarius said That it was groundless and irrational to say that Diversities of Opinions in matters of Religion do disturb the Polity but on the contrary the Polity is disturbed when any man with the Liberty of his Opinion is not contented but will molest and trouble others But some say That every one in matters of Faith are bound to obey the Magistrates under whom they live and to follow them and that they are worthy of Punishment who do it not But let such know saith the Author that they do not only hereby condemn the first Reformed Protestants but also the true Prophets and Apostles yea Christ himself and all the Martyrs and so justifie their Persecutors and Murderers if not then may not the Magistrates now oppress a Church or a Religion as many of the disorderly Clergy would gladly see said he and make the Magistrates believe And it is to be observed how that among the Jews there were many Sects as the Pharisees Esseans Galileans Saduces Samaritans c. who retained many unwholsome Opinions yet they were not so Persecuted as now the false Christians do Persecute one another The History sheweth how that it hath been sufficiently proved That none ought to Banish any about Religion that payed Tribute yea that the peaceable Jews and Heathen ought not to be Banished out of the Land where they were born for that which they have they possess through that right which is common to all Nations and to banish People is said to be directly contrary to the Law of Nature and to the Commands of Love for Kings and Princes so well as others Ought to do unto others as they would have others to do unto them And if they would not be Banished out of their Dominions then should not they Banish others and Innocency becometh them as well as others who ought to do Evil to no man Les Princes qui se sont Gouvernez par douceur clemence conjointe a Iustice qui ont use de moderation debonnairete en vers leurs subjets ont tousjours grandement prosperè longuement regne Mais au contraire les Princes cruels iniques perfides oppresseurs de leurs subjets sont incontinent tombez eux leur estat en peril â—â— en totale ruine c. par N. M. Anno 1576. Those Princes that have ruled by Gentleness and Clemency added to Justice and have exercised Moderation and Meekness towards their Subjects alwayes greatly prospered and Reigned long But on the contrary those Princes that have been Cruel Unjust Perfidious and Oppressors of their Subjects have soon faln they and their Estate into danger or total Ruin N. M. 1576. CHAP. X. The Severity of a Popish Synode The Disposition of the right Christians How Heresie is not slain through the Death of Hereticks and the evil consequence of the Laws which tend to the putting of Hereticks to Death IN a General Synod holden at Rome it was forbidden men to hold any Fellowship with those they termed Enemies of Religion neither were they in any thing to assist them which might tend to the preserving of their Life and great things were promised them that persecuted such and inflicted punishment to the utmost upon them Vide Merula pag. 772. But the true Christians Persecute no man about Religion Socrat. lib. 4. chap. 3. For the right Christians did alwayes deal mercifully with them that were Hereticks indeed and not Tyrannically by shedding of their Blood but Hereticks and Infidels have been alwayes cruel towards the Christians with Persecuting of them to Death When men with the Truth said one slayeth the lies of Hereticks then their Bodies remain alive and their Souls come to be cured but when men put Hereticks to death they do not slay the Heresie but rather both Body and Soul Veritus said Seeing Christ is a Lamb whom you profess to be your Head and Captain then it behoveth you to be Sheep and to use the same Weapons which he made use of for he will not be a Shepherd of Wolves and Wild Beasts but only of Sheep wherefore if you lose the nature of Sheep said he and be changed
them but through a godly Zeal Vide Exod. 1.16 17 21. Considering how that the Commands of God are to be esteemed above the Commands of Men Obey your Masters saith he but not against God to whom you are more bound than unto men Daniel kept himself Innocent before God and the King notwithstanding his doing contrary to the King's command concerning the free Exercise of his Religion Dan. 6.22 But say some the Powers will not suffer this new Doctrine I know not but that they might well suffer it where it fundamentally manifesteth it self said Vrbanus Regnis yet though they will not suffer it every true Christian knoweth that he ought to keep to the Lord and his Truth and in such a case he may said he without contempt of Authority let pass that worldly command and of this will the spiritual Law admit For it doth not become the Emperour nor the King to determine any thing against the divine Command nor to do any thing that is against the Rule of the Exangelical Prophets and Apostles Truth and if that they command any Evil then must we give them this answer We must obey God rather than Men Acts 5.29 But in these things which are not against the Command of God we will be subject Yet when the Emperour or King commandeth one thing and God another and that we obey God who hath the Supream Power we desire herein to be excused by the Emperour and King if they threaten Imprisonment for Disobedience he threatneth Hell Vide his Epistle of twofold Righteousness Fol. 6 7. Anno 1532. CHAP. XVI How it doth not become the Magistrate to Force the Conscience nor to be a Iudge in Points of Doctrine and of what dangerous consequence it would be if the Magistrate should proceed against Hereticks according to his own Interpretation of the Law CAstellius testified That in Matters of Religion there was no other Magistrate than Christ alone and they that he not with the Sword but with his Word armeth and sendeth forth The Antient Protestants testified How that the most of the old Fathers affirmed That the Magistrate had nothing to do to meddle with the Conscience to force and compel that to believe seeing that the temporal Sword was put into their Hands to Punish Theeves Murderers and other disturbers of the Peace but as concerning Religion and that which pertaineth unto the Soul the only Spiritual Sword the Word of God must and ought herein to Remedy separating the Zeal and Religion which did defend man from Tumults and disturbing of Governments Neither doth it belong to any man to ordain other Laws for Punishment besides those which God hath appointed and therefore is it so highly forbidden to add or diminish Deut. 4.2 Chap. 12.32 Rev. 22.18 for no Laws but God's bind the Conscience Merck-tyck pag. 245. Moreover it hath been formerly testified That they do very unchristianly who under pretence of Ecclesiastical Discipline introduce a new Authority over the Faith and Consciences of Men Isa. 10.12 Psal. 94.20 21. Acontius testified That it was against the Office of a Magistrate to be a Judge in Points of Doctrine in matters of Religion and in the same to use his Power violently and that in particular he should do contrary to his Office if that he used his Power to please any man as that when he had committed the care of Religion to some particular Person or Persons and that he should be ready to draw out his Sword against those whom the other accused as Hereticks or give the Weapon into their Hand Now how guilty he that thus did would be in the day of the Lord may you judge Alcmerus testified That God alone is the judge of the heart and that he alone should judge of Faith and Unbelief therefore is it not lawful for Princes said he to judge any man in matters of Faith while they are not guilty of any manifest transgression of any known civil Law as Theft Murder c. for they are Judges of the Body and not of the Soul Rel. uriih 2 deel pag. 52. Through what impudency dare you judge them to Death saith Castellius that profess the name of Christ who hath taught you the matters of Religion of which you are most ignorant I believe you will say you do not these things alone from your own Judgement but through the judgement of the Learned who hath taught you who ought to be Punished and put to Death and verily it is so said he for I see that your Learned men do injoyne you not to put any to Death about Religion but according to their Judgement W. Teelingh testified That the Magistrate ought not to rest upon the conclusion of the Church nor thereupon to proceed being that the Church might err and that it was dangerous following De hevige ende huestige Kerckelijcbre luijden i. e. the vehement and hasty Clergy In Eubul 252.254 256 Follies The Lord of Pleffy referred the Judgement of Doctrine and Teachers c. to the Judgement of all Christians and not only to the Judgement of the pollitick Magistrates nor not alone to the Ecclesiastical Clergy neither only to them both no but to all men Vide his Trac of the Church pag. 80 130 147. Experience hath sufficiently demonstrated that it is a very hurtful thing to compel all People to dance after the Magistrates Pipe said a certain Writer for where it hath been so Oh! what hath been the Effect thereof but most commonly an Universal Delusion of the Subjects with a Bloody Persecution of the true Prophets for the greatest multitude of men is never the best as also the greatest number of Emperors and Kings are not very Holy but often have shewn themselves saith he to be very wicked Merck-tyck pag. 307. The Lord hath expresly declared said one That the Magistrate is no fit Judge to judge of Doctrine and that the use of such Jurisdiction is forbidden him For how shall a man know a Heretick but by knowing the Cause whereby a man is made a Heretick And if the Magistrate do so interpret the Law as that he thinketh those Hereticks may be forgiven who have not endeavoured to counsel others and that they are to be put to Death who persevere in teaching others and are resolved so to do shall men then be in safety and their Credit and Welfare preserved certainly no for so often as the Truth shall falsely be scandalized with the name of Heresie through the Orders of the Magistrate so often shall the Servants of the Lord be thereby brought into Suffering for it is not lawful for them to whom God hath manifested his Truth to hide their Talent in the Earth through silence and dissimulation Vide Arg. des Sat. lib. 3. pag. 184. idem pag. 94 95. With what clearer Example can the Magistrates be exhorted not to depend upon any mans Judgement then that concerning the Son of God who was so carelesly given over not only according to the
THE TESTIMONY OF A Cloud of Witnesses Who in their Generation have testified against that horrible Evil of FORCING of CONSCIENCE and PERSECUTION about Matters of RELIGION Whose Testimony may be seasonable and sutable for the present state of the wise and learned men in England whether of the Magistrates or of the Clergy And may serve as a timely Warning to them all of defiling their hands with that horrible filthy thing which is already in part committed in the Land Composed together and Translated into English by a living Witness against the aforesaid Evil WILLIAM CATON God shall perswade Japheth and he shall dwell in the Tents of Shem and Canaan shall be his Servant Gen. 9.27 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 Printed in the Year 1662. TO THE READER FRIEND IN these latter Dayes the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ hath raised up many Witnesses who Faithfully bear their Testimony to the Eternal Truth against the many Evils which superabound in the World but as the Testimony of his Faithful Witnesses hath been heretofore Rejected by the World in like manner is the Testimony of his Servants now contemned and set at nought by the Wise and Learned of this World who now with their Power and Wisdom resist the Almighty as in Ages and Generations past which thing I seriously observing it entered into my Heart to manifest the Testimony of some of the Antients who heretofore have been renowed in their Generations to my Country-men to the end that both the Wise and Simple Noble and Ignoble amonst them might see and perceive how that the Almighty even the Lord of Hosts hath so far opened the Understandings of many as that he hath given them to see the Evil of that horrible Evil viz. of FORCING of CONSCIENCE which noysome and hurtful thing hath been testified against by Emperours and Kings and by other Potentates of the Earth who by experience have found the Evil of it And likewise it hath been witnessed against by many Wise and Eminent Learned Men in their several Generations even as it is now testified against by the Servants and Hand-maids of the Most High which is evidently manifested by this following Treatise It hath been long upon me to produce this to our Native Country and to publish these Testimonies in its own Language that its Inhabitants might understand how other Kingdoms and Countries have been depopulated and spoyled through their Persisting in the aforesaid Evil and that they also might be warned from running head-long in that evil Course unto Perdition and thereby incur Desolation upon the Land and hasten the Lord's Judgements upon its Inhabitants Much I might have added to the further demonstrating of this Evil but being there is so much writ already concerning it and so much testified daily against it and that I was not desirous to make a great Volumn but chused much rather such a compendious Abstract as this Therefore have I only inserted their Testimonies without any Paraphrasing upon them which I leave unto thy just Judgement Sometimes I have instanced the Chronicle or History in which they are to be found more at large and sometime I have not for I believe that very few of them are extant in our English Language and that there is not one among a thousand in England that do know the Chronologies out of which they have been extracted If that thou Courteous Reader do with the Spirit of Meekness peruse this brief Treatise then mayest thou reap of the Fruit of this my Labour of Love the effects of which I shall leave unto the Lord whose Power I know is sufficient to make it effectual W. C. Palatine in Germany the 29th of the first Month called March 1662. The Epistle to the READER IT hath been the fervent labour and travel of my youth to seek for and to follow after the way of Righteousness and Truth and it hath ever been the very temper of my Spirit until this day to affect Iustice and Mercy and the Virtues of the Lord God hath delighted my Soul in what Person and among what People soever as I have seen the same and perfect Liberty and Freedom in all the wayes of God inwardly and outwardly in all the exercise of godliness and the Virtues of the Spirit of Christ I have longed after and according to that Light and Knowledge committed to me these things have I followed that I might attain to the perfection thereof to the fulfilling of my Faith and Patience in the enjoyment of these things when God himself should bring them forth in the World and give his chosen People the possession of the same as the Lot of their Inheritance And for this Cause and the accomplishing of this end I have had my Portion of afflictions among many other and I have suffered somewhat in Body and Spirit in my day if possibly this may be obtained in the end to wit free open publick and perfect Liberty in the exercise of Conscience in Duty and Worship to Godwards in and through the whole World This hath been and is the end of that long travelled Iourney which once obtained is a sufficient reward for all Afflictions and Tribulations and Persecutions suffered and endured in the way and saving my Hope and Faith and Confidence in the Promises of God concerning this thing the heart would faint the Spirit fail and the Soul be weary and nothing could comfort my life Thus it is not onely with me but with many more like minded who are all Travellers Mourners and disconsolate till the Lord appear bringing with him perfect Liberty of Conscience to all his People now Oppressed and Imposed upon with grievous Burdens of Force and Violence concerning Worship and Duty to Godwards under which Soul groans Spirit grieves Life mourns and the Holy Seed is slain in all Nations through the World and the Soul Spirit Life and Holy Seed Cryes unto God day and night and are poured out before him How long Lord how long when shall it once be That Persons Peoples and Nations shall offer Service Obedience and Worship to thee according to thy Teaching and as they are led and perswaded by thy Spirit Free Service and Worship and without force is that which God onely accepts and by which he is glorified 't is the way of true Worship 't is the way of Salvation Duty and Service in the exercise of the free Spirit of the Lord in the hearts of his People in this onely is he delighted and all the exercise of that concern which is by force through Imposition is neither pleasing to him nor saving to the Soul but abomination in his sight as Iniquity which his Soul hates and a vexation of guilt unto the Righteous Soul Hence may it be said wo unto Imposed Worship and Service which is forced by outward Power it grieves and vexes the God of
Heaven unto Wrath and Indignation and it wounds and oppresses the Immortal Soul unto Death and Damnation Surely It is contrary to the very purpose of God in Order of Creation who made and Ordained Mankind free from Bondage and never brought him forth into the World to be a subjected slave to the will of another man in things Temporal much lesse in things Spiritual and relating to Eternity and this work of Imposing by force in matters of Faith Worship and Duty to God of one man upon another or of some Persons over all is certainly an Act of Bondage and Slavery laid as a grievous yoak upon the necks one of another and subjecting one another in Oppression not unto the good Will of the Creator but unto the evil will of mortal perishing and sinful Creature and this differing from and contrary to the pure and perfect Order and Decree of Creation which was blessed altogether and whatsoever is degenerated by Corruption and Erred through Temptation from that Pure and Holy Order of Creation either in things Wordly or Divine is in the Curse and Oposition against the Holy Creator and so is this thing of which I am now Treating Imposition upon Conscience in matters Divine and Temporal Force exercised in Spiritual Cases is the highest Product of Degeneration and the greater degression from the Holy Order of Creation for without Controversie the Creator himself reserved and retained in his alone onely Power the Priviledge of Supremacy in and over the inward man in all the matters Immortal that he might be the onely Lord in that Case and give Spiritual Law to Command and force thereby to exercise the Soul and heart in Fear Love Faith Worship and Obedience to himself that he might be served as the Lord over all most chiefly in respect of the Inward Spiritual and Immortal man This Power of Supremacy I say he reserved and retained in himself in the Creation to exercise over Mankind and did not commit this Priviledge to any other wherefore without Controversie it is an Usurpation of the Creators rightful Dominion it is a robbing of him of his Dignity and Prerogative it is an Act of Violence done against his Soveraignty an audacious intruding into his proper right and a violating of the Law and Decree of Creation for one Person or one People to assume to themselves Power Authority and Government over other Persons and Peoples in Commanding and Imposing in matters Spiritual over their Consciences in the Worship and Service of God and it is such an abomination against the Creator both in the Cause and End of it That he will arise and take Vengeance upon it and he will ease himself of all such his adversaries Again It is contrary to the Law of Love Unity Fellowship and Concord among the sons of men by order of Creation which God appointed to be among them and by Imposing in matters of Spiritual concern as aforesaid that Love Unity Fellowship and Concord among men decreed in Creation is broken and confounded and disannulled among them by reason of the same and Nations and Kingdoms hate and contend one with another Neighbors and Brethren cannot agree but fall into strife one against another Kings and their Subjects Rulers and their People are in discord debate Disobedience and Rebellion one contrary to another by reason that Liberty of Conscience in Worship and Duty to Godwards is wanting in the World and Impositions and force by outward Authority in that Case are prevailing and in Power And thus the Law of Love Unity and Concord Decreed in Creation is violated despised and made voyd and hatred divisions strifes and discords intraduced in its room and abounds in the Spirits and visible actions of the sons of men through the World to the woful effects of killing persecuting and destroying one another Nation of Nation Neighbours of Neighbours and Kings of their Subjects occasioned and grounded upon this thing as the Foundation of the same to wit Imposing by force upon Conscience in matters Divine Wherefore not onely against God is this evil extended to dishonour and disgrace him as is shewed but against man also is this evil and mischief in the effects of it reached forth as ye have seen and the Law of Creation is violated both in respect of Creator and Creature It is in its cause and ground so evil in its works and effects so wicked and mischievous and in its end so provoking and damnable and all this both in respect of God and man that I have not yet Comprehended the height and depth thereof though my Spirit from a Child hath often entered into the serious Considerations of this thing with mourning and sorrow because of it and with testimony and abhorrance against it and at this hour I am a sufferer in body and Spirit because of the same Carnal Imposition upon Conscience in Spiritual things wo unto it my Soul hates and my God will Plague in his season If I should study in searching to find out and to discribe all the evils mischiefs and wofull Inconveniences and effects of this Gulf out of which they ascend I might make this Epistle a large Volumn but since that I have elsewhere written about this matter I shall now Contract this with the saying of the Apostle This Mistery of iniquity doth work untill he be taken out of the way Yea this Imposition upon Conscience opposite to perfect Liberty in the exercise of the same is the onely Main Material Support Prop and Defence of the Kingdome of Antichrist throughout the World at this day and whomsoever as are friends hereunto they are friends to him and they love his wayes and are subjects of his Kingdome and are rebellious against Christ and to his Kingdome they are Enemies Wherefore my heart and soul saith within me would to God I had such a gift of Demonstration by Pen or Tongue and that the same were so forcible and Efficacious to awaken every soul to an abhorrance and dislike of that Spirit Principle and Practice of Imposition upon Conscience that there might be a total turning from the Kingdome of Antichrist which Consists of Falshood Darkness Sin and Enmity of Bondage Oppression and cruel Impositions to the Kingdome of Christ Jesus which Consists of Truth Light and Righteousness of freedome and perfect Liberty in Soul and Spirit Which Kingdome and Government the Lord of Heaven and Earth will promote and Exalt in the Kingdomes of this World which must become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of His Christ according to Promise It hath ever been my Iudgment That want of Liberty and free exercise of Conscience in Spiritual matters and the Contrary Imposed by worldly Power and it remains still with me That this is one main Cause of the woful Distractions in Kingdomes of the unsetledness in States and of many evil Consequences abounding in the Governments of the World and also the Cause wherefore the God of Heaven is angry and provoked
semen Ecclesiae i. e. the blood of the Martyrs to be the seed of the Church for said he as one was put to death there came ten in his stead Luther said That the hypocrites Church was to be known by its manners whose Image and figure was Esau yet she boasted of God and would be accounted his Church but lived wholly according to the World Further said he the true Church is not defended by a fleshly Arm which wicked Bishops especially use and cry unto Thaesau Pag. 622. As heretofore he that was born after the flesh Persecuted him that was born after the Spirit even so is it now c. Consider these words of Paul said Castellio Ishmael that was born after the flesh Persecuted Isaac who was born after the Spirit even so now do the fleshly Persecute the Spiritual But Abell did not Persecure Cain nor Lot the Sodomites nor David Saul nor the true Prophets the false nor Christ and his Apostles the Scribes and Pharesees although some of them might have done it yet nevertheless they did it not So is it at this day though the number of the Righteous be but smal who are Persecuted of the wicked yet sometimes they might injury their Persecutors but they are so far from doing that that they are rather helpful to them and do seek their Salvation The false Church is grounded more upon men then upon Christ and she Persecuteth those that live Righteously according to the Word of God and such as reprove her for her failings Damascenus said that the Gospel had been Preached in all the World but did not conquer its opposers with Weapons Arms or Fighting but a few unlearned confounded the Wise ones of the World Oh said Boudaert that the Bishops were so well experienced in the Word of God that they would rather with Reason seek to bring them that go astray to the right way then to compell them by Corporal punishment to adhere unto their Elect. It is impossible said Luther that the Church of Christ should be or should stand without bloodsheding for the Devil who is an Enemy of God's Church is also a Lyar and a Murtherer yet the Church hath alwayes increased in blood said He in the Colloq Sanguine mundata est Ecclesia Sanguine cepit Sanguine succrevit sanguine finis erit Ian Monliu the Bishop of Valence affirmed That it was an Error to molest the publick Peace with Weapons under pretence of Religion a thing saith he which hath been alwayes abhorred by the Antients For Wars and compulsary punishments have never been the means to bring to Unity For Wars and cruelty tend to the destroying both of Body and Soul even of those who peradventure might otherwise have been gained through love and gentleness for that counsel which tends to cruelty is worse then the desease yet notwithstanding it is the manner of such Bishops to plead for Weapons as have lost the Spiritual Sword of Peter and therefore said he do they now make that Sword their Defence which he drew against the servant of the High Priest Chron. vande Rel. uriih pag. 123 124. Anno 1579. The States of Holland said That this they observed finding it by true experience viz. dat gewelt ende wapenen luttel helpen tot verbreijdinghe ende behoudenisse der Religien i. e. That violence and Weapons availed little in spreading and maintaining Religion And further said they as we would not have that men should do violence to our consciences neither will we do violence to the consciences of others for we are not to do that to another which we would not have another to do unto us The Prince of Orange said We are not so unexperienced in the Doctrine of the Christian Religion as that we do not know that all those tyes of Conscience wreathed or turned of men are to no purpose to bind man before God People should not think it strange nor therefore take up Arms said he because that many of the Inhabitants of this Country are become of another opinion and simply declare themselves yea against the Will of the Magistrates which thing the Histories do testifie not to be new but that such differences have been in the World in many Monarchies heretofore To the same purpose did the States of Holland testifie viz. how that difference in doctrine was not strange in the Church but said they it is better rectified through forbearance then through devision Inde Apolog. 1581. fol. 15. CHAP. III. Concerning cruel Lawes against Hereticks how the Bishops and Clergy heretofore have been the cause of them who are the cause of tumults the necessity of just Liberty and the good effect thereof IN the year 553. the Pope Palagius instituted first of all That Hereticks and Apostates should be forced by external compulsion c. Clemens the fifth made Lawes that Hereticks should be burned Gerandus Naviomagus sheweth how that the Laws for putting of Hereticks to death came not by the free will of the Emperours but through the earnest importuning of blood-thirsty Bishops whose constant recourse was a burthen to the Emperours so that finally they obtained what they desired but when the Clergy could not prevail with one Emperour they excluded him out of Italy excommunicated him brought him in suspition freed the Subjects from the Oath and stirred them up against the Power And thus have the Clergy handled when they could not have their wills And it might be plenteously manifested out of the Histories how that it hath been blood-thirsty Bishops with others of the Clergy that have provoked Kings and the Potentates of the Earth to cruelty and who have counselled them to make bloody Lawes like the Bishop Nestorius who in his Sermon spoke unto the Emperour and said O Emperour give me a Land cleansed of Hereticks and I will give thee Heaven help me against the Hereticks and I will help thee to subdue the Persians thy Enemies c. Yet it doth not appear that upright and sincere Teachers have sought the defence or help of the Emperours or Kings against Hereticks but it is evident that banishing and persecuting to death about Religion came not from the example of the Righteous but rather from the Heathen and from Arius Nestorius Palagius and their Proselytes There was a certain man that complained unto the Prince of Orange saying That it was sufficiently known that since the dayes of the Apostles that hurtful and noisom Plague hath reigned and had the Dominion in the Church viz. that the greatest part of the Divines and Clergy have assumed more Authority and Power to themselves yea and have taken it by force then ever God the Father gave them And the aforesaid Prince observed how they sought to usurp Authority over the Conscience and to bring People in subjection to their Lawes and Institutions There are some Teachers said a certain wise man that are exceeding cruel angry passionate full of Covetousness and Pride who judge and reject all things but their own and
or other politick Punishments to come to hear the Sermon but others bare Testimony against such politick Corrections as to punish by Fines Imprisonments c. which they esteem unfitting to be introduced into the Church being they were inconsistant with the Christian Long-Suffering and Meekness and for the which they had no Example neither in the Old nor New Testament Anno 1619. Calvin said That the Apostle gave to understand that to exercise Authority over ones Faith was in no wise just nor tolerable yea saith he it is Tyranny in the Church for Faith ought to be free from all Subjection of men Though some are yet of that Opinion that it is lawful for the Magistrates to compel People contrary to their Consciences by corporal Punishments yea even to the Death for to make them keep silent or confess things contrary to their minds Yet most of the Old Fathers have alledged that it hath not been lawful for the Magistrates to touch the Conscience as to force it in matters of Religion Merck-teyck Chap. 4. 2 Deel pag. 132. The Antient Christians did not approve of any External Compulsion but only by Intreating by good Living with Exhortations Doctrins Informations and endeavours they laboured to convince People and through the Word of Truth they sought to bring People Captive so under the Obedience of Christ and if the like means now do not prevail then no humane invention through doing Violence will for that will rather make them worse as heretofore it hath done The most Violence that can be done by man cannot compel or change the vain infidelity of the mind how should that then possibly move or alter them that are unmoveably established in the Eternal Truth who will not in any wise be brought to receive things that are damnable nor to forsake that which they esteem to be necessary to their Salvation CHAP. V. A Chancellours Testimony Their Folly that would force Men and the Fruits thereof How Iust Liberty would preserve Unity And how they that Force others would not be forced TThe Chancellour of France said in the great Assembly of the three States before the King First That the absurdity of the Romish Church was the Cause of Heresie Secondly That evil Remedies had strengthened the same Thirdly That the Weapons of Love Prayer and Information with the Word of God were fit for such a Battle Fourthly That a good Life Preached more than Words Fifthly That the Sword could do little against the Spirit except it was to undoe both Body and Soul In the Comm. Fol. 132. Are they not carnal and violent Ishmaelites said one who would Violently Force rational Men often to humane and damnable Opinions as Horses and Mules and not with kindness intreat and only instruct with the Truth and invite to the needful spiritual knowledge of the Truth and true Worship as reasonable and free men Humani juris et naturalis potestatis est unicuique quod putaverit colere nec alij prodest aut obest alterius Religio sed nec Religionis est cogere Religionem que sponte non vi suscipi debeat Erasmus said the Divines not relying upon that Power wherewith they ought to be Armed they make Violence their Refuge as if men might be compelled to believe otherwise than their Opinion When several of the Priests in the Low-Country Requested of the Prince and States that they would introduce Ordinances and Disciplin according to their Opinions but the Prince and the States rejected their Requests esteeming them prejuditial both to Religion and Policy when they observed the divers Opinions that were among the People concluding it was the best as many Politicians have done to preserve Unity among the People to give Liberty at all and to compel none Anno 1608. Edict Fol. 27. It hath also been the judgement of many That Forcing of Conscience hath made many Hipocrites but no true Servants of God Therefore ought men to strive with the Word and Disputation and to conquer with Reason said Augustinus least that we make them Hypocritically Catholicks whom before we have known to be manifest Hereticks Anno 1200. The Chronicles do shew how that they that are and have been but seemingly Religious do commonly joyn themselves to that Religion or Sect which is the uppermost whereby they may live in Ease Honour and Fulness and get profit and preferment through Places and Offices instancing how that in England there were them in the Dayes of King Hendrick and Edward that shewed themselves to be Protestants and in the Dayes of Queen Mary Papists and Persecuted others to Death and afterwards in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth got again in the lap of the Protestant Church and then persecuted the Papists vide the second part of the Chronicle of the overthrow of Tyrants pag. 1502. Arennius affirmed That all Forcing of Conscience though it was but a forbidding of the Exercise which is esteemed by one or another to be necessary to Salvation was in no wise right nor fitting He also affirmed That through Diversities of Religions the Kingdom should not be brought into any Disturbance The Antient Reformed Protestants termed that Forcing of Conscience when they were constrained to leave off the exercise of their Religion saying Car nous privant de nostre Religion on nous tiendroit en une continuele mort corporelle spirituelle i. e. For to deprive us of our Religion is to keep us in a perpetual corporal and spiritual Death Adding thereunto how that they would rather be put to Death than be bereaved of the exercise of their Religion c. Many have testified and many do testifie that Forcing of Conscience is a wicked destructive means both for Soul and Body against which the Martyrs that have suffered have universally born Testimony Now said a certain Wise Man Let these consider who do so much stir up the Powers of the Earth to Force free minds against their consciences whether they would be forced by violence against their conscience to imbrace the Popes Faith of Rome with all its Superstitions or that which is worse and that upon pain of death Let such then judge said he how hard it is to be Forced against ones conscience to any Form of Worship which is not in the Spirit and Truth c. If any durst speak freely what he beleiveth and thinketh in his heart saith Castellio he should say that he thinketh and believeth that such Forcers are absolute Tyrants and that whereunto they press him is not good And if formerly he had any inclination thereunto that he through such violence cometh wholly to abhor it The Antient Protestants testified that that Religion which was defended with cruelty was not grounded upon the Word of God CHAP. VI. A shift of the Popes a humane invention how the Spiritual Kingdome and true Church subsisteth and is Defended by Spiritual Weapons and how Persecution answereth not the end of Persecutors THE History sheweth how that this is one