be so farre from striving to subdue their opposites with the civill sword that they are bound with patience and meeknesse to wait if God peradventure will please to grant repentance unto their opposites So also it pleaseth the Answerer to acknowledge in these words It becomes not the Spirit of the Gospel to convert Aliens to the Faith such as the Samaritanes and the unconverted Christians in Crete with Fire and Brimstone Secondly be they oppositions within and Church members as the Answerer speakes become scandalous in doctrine I speake not of scandals against the civill State which the civill Magistrate ought to punish it is the Lord onely as this Scripture to Timothy implyes who is able to give them repentance and recover them out of Sathans snare to which end also he hath appointed those holy and dreadfull censures in his Church or Kingdome True it is the Sword may make as once the Lord complained Isa. 10. a whole Nation of Hypocrites But to recover a Soule from Sathan by repentance and to bring them from Antichristian doctrine or worship to the doctrine or worship Christian in the least true internall or externall submission that only works the All-powerfull God by the sword of his Spirit in the hand of his Spirituall officers What a most wofull proofe hereof have the Nations of the Earth given in all Ages And to seeke no further then our native Soyle within a few scores of yeeres how many wonderfull changes in Religion hath the whole Kingdome made according to the change of the Governours thereof in the severall Religious which they themselves imbraced Henry the 7. finds and leaves the kingdome absolutely Popish Henry the 8. casts it into a mould half Popish halfe Protestant Edward the 6. brings forth an Edition all Protestant Queene Mary within few yeares defaceth Edwards worke and renders the Kingdome after her Grandfather Hen. 7. his pattern all Popish Maries short life and Religion ends together and Elizabeth reviveth her Brother Edwards Modell all Protestant And some eminent Witnesses of Gods Truth against Antichrist have enclined to believe that before the downfall of that Beast England must once againe how down her faire Neck to his proud usurping yoake and foot Peace It hath been Englands sinfull shame to fashion change their Garments and Religions with wondrous ease and lightnesse as a higher Power a stronger Sword hath prevailed after the ancient patterne of Nebuchaanezzars bowing the whole world in one most solemne uniformitie of worship to his Golden Image Dan. 3. CHAP. XL. BUt it hath been thought or said Shall oppositions against the Truth escape unpunished will they not prove mischievous c. Truth I answer as before concerning the blinde Guides in case there be no Civill offence committed the Magistrates all men that by the mercy of God to themselves discerne the miserie of such Opposites have cause to lament and bewaile that fearfull condition wherein such are entangled to wit in the snares chains of Satan with which they are so invincibly caught and held that no power in Heaven or Earth but the Right hand of the Lord in the meeke and gentle dispensing of the Word of Truth can release and quit them Those many false Christs of whom the Lord Jesus forewarnes Mat. 24. have sutably their false bodies faith spirit Baptisme as the Lord Jesus hath his true body faith spirit c. Ephes. 4. correspondent also are their weapons and the successe issue or operation of them A carnall weapon or sword of steele may produce a carnall repentance a shew an outside an uniformitie through a State or Kingdome But it hath pleased the Father to exalt the Lord Iesus only to be a Prince armed with power and meanes sufficient to give repentance to Israel Acts 5. 31. Accordingly an unbelieving Soule being dead in sinne although he be changed from one worship to another like a dead man shifted into severall changes of apparell cannot please God Heb. 11. and consequently whatever such an unbelieving unregenerate person acts in Worship or Religion it is but sinne Rom. 14. Preaching sinne praying though without beads or booke sinne breaking of bread or Lords supper sinne yea as odious as the oblation of Swines blood a Dogs neck or killing of a Man Isa. 66. But Faith it is that gift which proceeds alone from the Father of Lights Phil. 1. 29. and till he please to make his light arise and open the eyes of blind sinners their soules shall lie fast asleep and the faster in that a sword of steele compells them to a worship in hypocrisie in the dungeons of spirituall darknesse and Sathans slavery Peace I adde that a civill sword as wofull experience in all ages hath proved is so far from bringing or helping forward an opposite in Religion to repentance that Magistrates sinne grievously against the worke of God and blood of Soules by such proceedings Because as commonly the suffrings of false and Antichristian Teachers harden their followers who being blind by this meanes are occasioned to tumble into the ditch of Hell after their blind leaders with more inflamed zeale of lying confidence So secondly violence and a sword of steele begets such an impression in the sufferers that certainly they conclude as indeed that Religion cannot be true which needs such instruments of violence to uphold it so that Persecutors are far from soft and gentle commiseration of the blindnesse of others To this purpose it pleased the Father of Spirits of old to constraine the Emperour of Rome Antoninus Pius to write to all the Governours of his Provinces to forbeare to persecute the Christians because such dealing must needs be so far from converting the Christians from their way that it rather begat in their mindes an opinion of their crueltie c. CHAP. XLI Peace THe next Scripture against such persecution is that of the Prophet Isa. 24. together with Mic. 4. 3. they shall break their swords into plough-shares and their speares into pruning-hookes Isa. 11. 9. There shall none hurt or destroy in all the mountaine of my Holinesse Unto which it pleased Mr. Cotton to say That these predictions doe onely shew first with what kinde of weapons he should subdue the Nations to the obedience of the faith of the Gospell not by fire and sword and weapons of War but by the power of the Word and Spirit of God which faith he no man doubts of Secondly those predictions of the Prophets shew what the meeke and peaceable temper will be of all true converts to Christianity not Lyons or Leopards not cruell oppressors nor malignant opposers or biters one of another but doth not forbid them to drive ravenous wolves from the sheep-fold and to restraine them from devouring the sheep of Christ. Truth In this first excellent and truly Christian Answer me thinks the Answerer may heare a voyce from Heaven Out of thine owne
16 And if so how should Paul appeale in spirituall things to Caesar or write to the Churches of Iesus to submite in Christian or Spirituall matters Fifthly if Paul had appealed to Caesar in spirituall respects hee had greatly prophaned the holy name of God in holy things in so improper and vaine a prostitution of spirituall things to carnall and naturall judgements which are not able to comprehend spirituall matters which are alone spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. And yet Caesar as a civill supreme Magistrate ought to defend Paul from Civill violence and staâ—derous accusations about sedition mutiny civill disobedience c. And in that sense who doubts but God's people may appeale to the Romane Caesar an Egyptian Pharach a Philistian Abimelecke an Assyrian Nabuchadnezzar the great Mâ—gol Prester Iohn the great Turke or an Indian Sachim CHAP. L. Peace WHich is the third Argument against the civill Magistrates power in spirituall and soule matters out of this Scripture Rom. 13 Truth I dispute from the nature of the Magistrates weapons vers 4. He hath a sword which hee beares not in vaine delivered to him as I acknowledge from Gods appointment in the free consent and choice of the subjects for common good We must distinguish of swords We finde foure sorts of swords mentioned in the New Testament First the sword of persecution which Herod stretched forth against Iames Act. 12. Secondly the sword of Gods Spirit expresly said to be the Word of God Ephes. 6. A sword of two edges caried in the mouth of Christ Rev. 1. which is of strong and mighty operation piercing betweene the bones and the marrow betweene the soule and the spirit Heb. 4. Thirdly the great sword of War and Destruction given to him that rides that terrible Red Horse of War so that he takes Peace from the Earth and men kill one another as is most lamentably true in the slaughter of so many hundred thousand soules within these few yeares in severall parts of Europe our owne and others None of these 3 swords are intended in this Scripture Therefore fourthly there is a Civill sword called the Sword of Civill justice which being of a materiall civill nature for the defence of Persons Estates Families Liberties of a City or Civill State and the suppressing of uncivill or injurious persons or actions by such civill punishment It cannot according to its utmost reach and capacitie now under Christ when all Nations are meerly civill without any such typicall holy respect upon them as was upon Israel a Nationall Church I say cannot extend to spirituall and Soul-causes Spirituall and Soule punishment which belongs to that spirituall sword with two edges the soule-piercing in soule-saving or soule-killing the Word of God CHAP. LII Truth A Fourth Argument from this Scripture I take in the 6. verse from Tribute custome c. which is a meerly civill Reward or Recompence for the Magistrates worke Now as the wages are such is the worke But the wages are meerely civill Custome Tribute c. not the contributions of the Saints or churches of Christ proper to the Spirituall and Christian state and such work only must the Magistrate attend upon as may properly deserve such civill wages reward or recompence Lastly that the Spirit of God never intended to direct or warrant the Magistrate to use his Power in spirituall affaires and Religious worship I argue from the terme or title it pleaseth the wisedome of God to give such Civill officers to wit vers 6. Gods Ministers Now at the very first blush no man denies a double Ministerie The one appointed by Christ Iesus in his Church to gather to governe receive in cast out and order all the affaires of the Church the House Citie or Kingdome of God Ephes. 4. 1 Cor. 12. Secondly a Civill Ministery or office meerely humane and civill which Men agree to constitute called therefore an humane creation 1 Pet. 2. and is as true and lawfull in those Nations Cities Kingdomes c. which never heard of the true God nor his holy Sonne Iesus as in any part of the World beside where the Name of Iesus is most taken up From all which premises viz. that the scope of the Spirit of God in this Chapter is to handle the matters of the second Table having handled the matters of the first in the 12. since the Magistrates of whom Paul wrote were naturall ungodly persecuting and yet lawfull Magistrates and to be obeyed in all lawfull Civill things Since all Magistrates are Gods Ministers essentially civill bounded to a civill work with civill weapons or instruments and paid or rewarded with civill rewards From all which I say I undeniably collect that this Scripture is generally mistaken and wrested from the scope of Gods Spirit and the nature of the place and cannot truly be alleadged by any for the Power of the Civill Magistrate to be exercised in spirituall and Soule-matters CHAP. LII Peace AGainst this I know many object out of the 4. verse of this Chapter that the Magistrate is to avenge or punish Evill from whence is gathered that Heresie false Christs false Churches false Ministeries false Seales being evill ought to be punished Civilly c. Truth I answer that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is generally opposed to Civill Goodnesse or Virtue in a Common-wealth and not to Spirituall Good or Religion in the Church Secondly I have proved from the scope of the place that here is not intended Evill against the Spirituall or Christian Estate handled in the 12 Chap. but Evill against the Civill State in this 13. properly falling under the cognizance of the Civill Minister of God the Magistrate and punishable by that civill sword of his as an incivilitie disorder or breach of that civill order peace and civility unto which all the Inhabitants of a City Town or Kingdome oblige themselves Peace I have heard that the Elders of the New-English Churches who yet out of this 13 Rom. maintaine Persecution grant that the Magistrate is to preserve the peace and welfare of the State and therefore that he ought not to punish such sinnes as hurt not his peace In particular they say the Magistraâ—e may not punish secret sinnes in the Soule Nor such sinnes as are yet handling in the Church in a private way Nor such sinnes which are private in Families and therefore they say the Magistrate transgresteth to prosecute complaints of children against their parents servants agaiâ—st masters wives against husbands and yet this proper to the Civill State Nor such sinnes as are between the Members and Churches themselves And they confesse that if the Magistrate punish and the Church punish there will be a greater Rent in their Peace Truth From thence sweet Peace may we well observe First the Magistrate is not to punish all Evill according to this their confession The distinction of private and publike Evill will not here availe because such as urge
in 4 particulars 188 5 Demonstrative arguments proving the unsoundnesse of the maxime viz. The Church and Commonweale are liâ—e Hypocrates twins 189 Asacrilegious prostitution of the name Christian. 192 David immediately inspired by God in his ordering of Church affairs 193 Solomons deposing of Abâ—aâ—har 1 Kings 2. 26 27. discussed 194 The liberties of Christs Churches in the choice of her officers 195 A civill influence dangerous to the State liberties ibid. Jehosaphats fast examined ibid. God will not wrong Caesar and Caesar should not wrong God 196 The famous acts of Josiah examined ibid. Magistracie in generall from God the particular formes from the people ibid. â— Israel confirmed in a Nationall Covenant by revelations signes and miracles but not so any other Land ibid. Kings and Nations often plant and often plucke up Religions 197 A Nationall Church ever subject to turne and returne ibid. A woman Papissa or head of the Church ibid. The Rapists neerer to the truth concerning the governour of the Church then most Protestants 198 The Kingly power of the Lord Iesus troubles all the Kings and Rulers of the world ibid. A twofold exaltation of Christ. ibid. A monarchicall and Ministeriall power of Christ. 199 3 Great competitours for the Ministeriall power of Christ. ibid. The Pope pretendeth to the Ministeriall power of Christ yet upon the point chalengeth the Monarchicall also ibid. 3 Great factions in England striving for the Arme of Flesh. 200 The Churches of the separation ought in humanity and subjects liberty not to be oppressed but at least permitted 201 7 Reasons proving that the Kings of Israel and Iudah can have no other but a Spirituall Antitype 202 Christianitie â—â—des not to the nature of a Civill Commonweale nor doth want of Christianitie diminish it pag. 203 Most strange yet most true consequences from the Civill Magistrates being the Antitype of the Kings of Israel and Iudah ibid. If no Religion but what the Commonweale approve then no Christ no God but at the pleasure of the World 204 The true Antitype of the Kings of Israel and Iudah ibid. 4. The difference of Israels Statutes and Lawes from all others in 3 particulars ibid. 5. The difference of Israels Punishments Rewards from all others 205 Temporall prosperitie most proper to the Nationall state of the Iewe. ibid. The Excommunication in Israel 206 The corporall stoning in the Law typed out spirituall stoning in the Gospel ibid. The wars of Israel typicall and unparalleld but by the Spirituall wars of Spirituall Israel ibid. The famous typicall captivitie of the Iewes 207 Their wonderfull victories 208 The mysticall Army of white troopers 209 Whether the Civill state of Israel was presidentiall ibid. Great unfaithfulnesse in Magistrates to cast the burthen of judging and establishing Christianitie upon the Commonweale 210 Thousands of lawfull Civill Magistrates who never heare of Iesus Christ. 211 Nero and the persecuting Emperours not so injurious to Christianity as Constantine and others who assumed a power in Spirituall things ibid. They who force the conscience of others cry out of persecution when their owne are forced 212 Constantine and others wanted not so much affection as information of judgement ibid. Civill Authoritie giving and lending their Hornes to Bishops dangerous to Christs truth ibid. The Spirituall power of Christ Iesus compared in Scripture to the incomparable horne of the Rhinocerot 213 The nursing Fathers and Mothers Isa. 49. ibid. The civill Magistrate owes 3 things to the true Church of Christ. 214 The civill Magistrate owes â— things to false Worshippers 214 The rise of High Commissions 215 Pious Magistrates Ministers consciences are perswaded for that which other â—as plous Magistrates Ministers consciences condemn Page 215 An apt similitude discussed concerning the Civill Magistrate 216 A grievous charge against the Christian Church and the King of it 222 A strange Law in New England formerly against excommunicate persons ibid. A dangerous doctrine against all Civill Magistrates 223 Originall sin charged to hurt the Civill state ibid. They who give the Magistrate more then his duo are apt to disreabe him of what is his 224 A strange double picture 226 The great priviledges of the true Church of Christ. 227 2 Similitudes illustrating the true power of the Magistrate ibid. A marvelous chalenge of more power under the Christian then under the Heathen Magistrate 229 Civill Magistrates derivatives from the fountains or bodies of people 230 A beleeving Magistrate no more a Magistrate then an unbeleeving ibid. The excellencie of Christianity in all callings ibid. The Magistrate like a Pilot in the Ship of the Commonweale 231 The tearmes Heathen and Christian Magistrates ibid. The unjust and partiall liberty to some consciences and bondage unto all others 232 The commission Matth. 28. 19 20. not proper to Pastors and teachers least of all to the Civill Magistrate 233 Vnto whom now belongs the care of all the Churches c. ibid. Acts 15. commonly misapplied 234 The promise of Christs presence Mat. 18. distinct from that Mat. 28. 235 Church administrations firstly charged upon the Ministers thereof 236 Queen Elizabeths Bishops truer to their principles then many of a better spirit and profession 237. Mr. Barrowes profession concerning Queen Elizabeth ibid The inventions of men swarving from the true essentialls of civill and Spirituall Commonweales 239 A great question viz. whether only Church members that is godly persons in a particular Church estate be only eligible into the Magistracie ib. The world being divided into 30 parts 25 never heard of Christ. 240 Lawfull civill states where Churches of Christ are not ibid. Few Christians Wise and noble and qualified for affaires of State ibid. SCRIPTURES AND REASONS written long since by a Witnesse of lesus Christ close Prisoner in Newgate against Persecution in cause of Conscience and sent some while since to Mr. Cotton by a Friend who thus wrote In the multitude of Councellours there is safety It is therefore humbly desired to be instructed in this point viz. Whether Persecution for cause of Conscience be not against the Doctrine of Iesus Christ the King of Kings The Scriptures and Reasons are these BEcause Christ commandeth that the Tares and Wheat which some understand are those that walke in the Truth and those that walke in Lies should be let alone in the World and not plucked up untill the Harvest which is the end of the World Matth. 13. 30. 38. c. The same commandeth Matth. 15. 14. that they that are Blinde as some interpret led on in false Religion and are offended with him for teaching true Religion should be let alone referring their punishment unto their falling into the Ditch Againe Luke 9. 54 55. hee reproved his Disciples who would have had Fire come downe from Heaven and devoure those Samaritanes who would not receive Him in these words Ye know not of what Spirit ye are the son of Man is not come to destroy Mens lives but to save them Paul
Peace Finally let me adde this one distinction more When we are persecuted for Conscience sake It is either for Conscience rightly informed or for erronious and blind Conscience These things premised I would lay down mine Answer to the Question in certaine Conclusions First it is not lawfull to persecute any for Conscience sake Rightly informed for in persecuting such Christ himselfe is persecuted in them Acts 9. 4. Secondly for an Erronious and blind Conscience even in fundamentall and weighty Points It is not lawfull to persecute any till after Admonition once or twice â— and so the Apostle directeth 7 it 3. 10. and giveth the Reason that in fundamentall and principall points of Doctrine or Worship the Word of God in such things is so cleare that hee cannot but bee convinced in Conscience of the dangerous Errour of his way after once or twice Admonition wisely and faithfully dispensed And then if any one persist it is not out of Conscience but against his Conscience at the Apostle saith vers 11. He is subverted and sinneth being condemned of Himselfe that is of his owne Conscience So that if such a Man after such Admonition shall still persist in the Errour of his way and be therefore punished He is not persecuted for Cause of Conscience but for sinning against his Owne Conscience Thirdly In things of lesser moment whether Points of Doctrine or Worship If a man hold them forth in a Spirit of Christian Meeknesse and Love though with Zeale and Constancie he is not to be persecuted but tolerated till God may be pleased to manifest his Truth to him Phil. 3. 17. Rom. 14. 1 2 3 4. But if a Man hold forth or professe any Errour or false way with a boysterous and arrogant spirit to the disturbance of Civill peace he may justly be punished according to the qualitie and measure of the disturbance caused by him Now let us consider of your Reasons or Objections to the contrary Your first head of Objections is taken from the Scripture Object 1. Because Christ commandeth to let alone the Tares and Wheat to grow together unto the Harvest Mat. 13. 30. 38. Answ. Tares are not Briars and Thornes but partly Hypocrites like unto the Godly but indeed Carnall as the Tares are like to Wheat but are not Wheat Or partly such Corrupt Doctrines or Practices as are indeed unsound but yet such as come very neere the Truth as Tares doe to the Wheat and so neere that Good men may be taken with them and so the Persons in whom they grow cannot be rooted out but good will be rooted up with them And in such a case Christ calleth for Toleration not for penall prosecution according to the 3. Conclusion Object 2. In Math. 15. 14. Christ commandeth his Disciples to let the Blind alone till they fall into the ditch therefore he would have their punishment deferred till their â—â—all destruction Answ. He there speaketh not to publiâ—â—e officers whether in Church or Common-weale but to his private Disciples concerning the Pharises over whom they had no power And the Command he giveth to let them alone is spoken in regard of troubling themselves or regarding the offence which they tooke at the wholesome Doctrine of the Gospell As who should say Though they be offended at this Saying of mine yet doe not you feare their Feare nor bee troubled at their offence which they take at my Doctrine not out of sound Judgement but out of their Blindnesse But this maketh nothing to the Cause in hand Ob. In Luk. 9. 54. 55. Christ reproveth his Disciples who would have had fire come downe from Heaven to consume the Samaritanes who refused to receive Him Obj. And Paul teacheth Timothy not to strive but to be gentle towards All men suffering evill patiently Answ. Both these are Directions to Ministers of the Gospell how to deale not with obstinate offenders in the Church that sinne against Conscience but either with Men without as the Samaritanes were and many unconverted Christians in Crete whom Titus as an Evangelish was to seeke to convert Or at best with some Iewes or Gentiles in the Church who though carnall yet were not convinced of the errour of their Way And 't is true it became not the Spirit of the Gospell to convert Aliens to the Faith of Christ such as the Samaritanes were by Fire and Brimstone nor to deale harshly in publique Ministerie or private Conference with all such contrary minded men as either had not yet entred into Church-Fellowship or if they had yet did hitherto sinne of Ignorance not against Conscience But neither of both these Texts doe hinder the Ministers of the Gospell to proceed in a Church-way against Chruch-members when they become Scandalous offenders either in Life or Doctrine much lesse doe they speake at all to Civill Magistrates Ob. 5. From the prediction of the Prophets who foretold that Carnall Weapons should cease in the dayes of the Gospell Isa. 2. 4. 11. 9. Mic. 4. 3. 4. And the Apostie professeth The weapons of our Warfare are not carnall 2 Cor 10. 4. And Christ is so farre from persecuting those that would not be of his Religion that he chargeth them when they are persecuted themselves they should pray and when they are cursed they should blesse The reason whereof seemeth to be that they who are now Persecuters and wicked persons may become true Disciples and Converts Answ. Those predictions in the Prophets doe onely shew First with what kind of Weapons he will subdue the Nations to the Obedience of the Faith of the Gospell not by Fire and Sword and Weapons of Warre but by the Power of his Word and Spirit which no man doubteth of Secondly those predictions of the Prophets shew what the meeke and peaceable temper will be of all the true Converts to Christianity not Lions or Leopards c. not cruell oppressors nor malignant opposers or biters of one another But doth not forbid them to drive ravenous Wolves from the sheepfold and to restraine them from devouring the Sheepe of Christ. And when Paul saith The weapons of our warfare are not carnall but spirituall he denyeth not civill weapons of Iustice to the Civill Magistrate Rom. 13. but onely to Church officers And yet the weapons of such officers he acknowledgeth to be such as though they be spirituall yet are ready to take vengeance of all disobedience 2 Cor. 10. 6. which hath reference amongst other Ordinances to the censure of the Church against scandalous offenders When Christ commandeth his Disciples to blesse them that curse them and persecute them he giveth not therein a rule to publick officers whether in Church or Commonweale to suffer notorious sinners either in life or doctrine to passe away with a blessing But to private Christians to suffer persecution patiently yea and to pray for their persecutors Againe it is true Christ would have his Disciples to bee farre from persecuting for that is a sinfull oppression of Men
or unrighteous Ier. 37. 38. chapters and yet in Ieremy no Arrogance nor Impetuousnesse 6. Lastly Gods people by their preaching disputing c. have beene though not the cause yet accidentally the occasion of great contentions and divisions yea tumults and uproares in Townes and Cities where they have lived and come and yet neither their Doctrine nor themselves Arrogant nor Impetuous however so charged For thus the Lord Jesus discovereth mens false and secure suppositions Lukeâ— 1. 51. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on the earth I tell you nay but rather division for from hence forth shall there be five in one house divided three against two and two against three the father shall be divided against the sonne and the sonne against the father c. And thus upon the occasion of the Apostles preaching the Kingdome and Worship of God in Christ were most commonly uproares and tumults where ever they came For instance those strange and nonstrous uproares at Iconium at Ephesus at Ierusalem Acts 14. 4. Acts 19. 29. 40. Acts 21. vers 30 31. CHAP. VIII Peace IT will be said deare Truth what the Lord Jesus and his Messengers taught was Truth but the question is about Errour Truth I answer this distinction now in discussion concernes not Truth or Errour but the manner of holding forth or divulging I acknowledge that such may bee the way and manner of holding forth either with railing or reviling daring or chalenging speeches or with force of Armes Swords Guns Prisons c. that it may not only tend to breake but may actually breake the civill peace or peace of the Citie Yet these instances propounded are cases of great opposition and spirituall hostility and occasions of breach of civill peace and yet as the borders or matter were of gold so the speckes or manner Cautic 1. were of silver both matter and manner pure holy peaceable and inoffensive Moreover I answer that it is possible and common for persons of soft and gentle nature and spirits to hold out falshood with more seeming meeknesse and peaceablenesse then the Lord Jesus or his servants did or doe hold forth the true and everlasting Gospell So that the answerer would be requested to explain what he means by this arrogant and impetuous holding forth of any doctrine which very manner of holding forth tends to breake civill peace and comes under the cognisance and correction of the Civill Magistrate Lest hee build the Sepulchre of the Prophets and say If we had been in the Pharises daies the Romane Emperours dayes or the bloody Marian dayes we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets Mat. 23. 30. who were charged with arrogance and impetuousnesse CHAP. IX 2. Ob. Peace IT will here be said Whence then ariseth civill dissentions and uproares about matters of Religion Truth I answer When a Kingdome or State Towne or Family lyes and lives in the guilt of a false God false Christ false worship no wonder if sore eyes be troubled at the appearance of the light be it never so sweet No wonder if a body full of corrupt humours be troubled at strong though wholsome Physick If persons sleepy and loving to sleepe be troubled at the noise of shrill though silver alarums No wonder if Adonijah and all his company be amazed and troubled at the sound of the right Heyre King Salomon â— King 1. If the Husbandmen were troubled when the Lord of the Vineyard sent servant after servant and at last his onely Sonne and they beat and wounded and kill'd even the Sonne himselfe because they meant themselves to seize upon the inheritance unto which they had no right Matth. 21. 38. Hence all those tumults about the Apostles in the Acts c. whereas good eyes are not so troubled at light vigilant and watchfull persons loyall and faithfull are not so troubled at the true no nor at a false Religion of Jew or Gentile Secondly breach of civil peace may arise when false and idolatrous practices are held forth yet no breach of civil peace from the doctrine or practice or the manner of holding forth but from that wrong and preposterous way of suppressing preventing and extinguishing such doctrines or practices by weapons of wrath and blood whips stockes imprisonment banishment death c. by which men commonly are perswaded to convert Heretickes and to cast out uncleane spirits which onely the finger of God can doe that is the mighty power of the Spirit in the Word Hence the Towne is in an uproare and the Country takes the Alarum to expell that fog or mist of Errour Heresie Blasphemy as is supposed with Swords and Guns whereas t is Light alone even Light from the bright shining Sunne of Righteousnesse which is able in the soules and consciences of men to dispell and scatter such fogges and darknesse Hence the Sons of men as David speakes in another case Psal. 39. disquiet themselves in vaine and unmercifully disquiet others as by the helpe of the Lord in the sequell of this discourse shall more appeare CHAP. X. Peace NOw the last distinction is this Persecution for Conscience is either for a rightly informed conscience or a blinde and erroneous conscience Answ. Truth Indeed both these consciences are persecuted but lamentably blinde and erronious will these consciences shortly appear to be which out of zeale for God as is pretended have persecuted either And heavie is the doome of those blinde Guides and Idoll Shepherds whose right eye Gods finger of jealousie hath put out who flattering the ten Homes or worldly Powers perswade them what excellent and faithfull service they performe to God in persecuting both these consciences either hanging up a rightly informed conscience and therein the Lord Jesus himselfe betweene two malefactors or else killing the erroneous and the blinde like Saul out of zeale to the Israel of God the poore Gibeonites whom it pleased God to permit to live and yet that hostility and cruelty used against them as the repeated judgement yeare after yeare upon the whole Land after told them could not be pardoned untill the death of the persecutor Saul his sons had appeased the Lords displeasure 2 Sam. 21. CHAP. XI Peace AFter explication in these Distinctions it pleaseth the Answerer to give his resolution to the question in foure particulars First that he holds it not lawfull to persecute any for conscience sake rightly informed for in persecuting such saith he Christ himself is persecuted for which reason truly rendred he quotes Act. 9. 4. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Truth He that shall reade this Conclusion over a thousand times shall as soone finde darknesse in the bright beames of the Sunne as in this so cleare and shining a beame of Truth viz. That Christ Jesus in his Truth must not be persecuted Yet this I must aske for it will be admired by all sober men what should be the cause or
and scope The beloved Spouse of Christ is no receptacle for any filthy person obstinate in any filthynesse against the purity of the Lord Jesus who hath commanded his people to purge out the old leaven not only greater portions but a little leaven which will leaven the whole lumpe and therefore this Hereticke or obstinate person in these vaine and unprofitable questions was to be rejected as well as if his obstinacie had been in greater matters Againe if there were a doore or window left open to vaine and unprofitable questions and sinnes of smaller nature how apt are persons to cover with a silken covering and to say Why I am no Hereticke in Fundamentalls spare me in this or that little one this or that opinion or practice these are of an inferiour circumstantiall nature c. So that the coherence with the former verses and the scope of the Spirit of God in this and other like Scriptures being carefully observed this Greek word Hereticke is no more in true English and in Truth then an obstinate and wilfull person in the Church of Creet striving and contending about those unprofitable Questions and Genealogies c. and is not such a monster intended in this place as moâ—â— Interpreters run upon to wit One obstinate in Fundamentalls and as the Answerer makes the Apostle to write in such Fundamentalls and principall points wherein the Word of God is so cleare that a man cannot but be convinced in conscience and therefore is not persecuted for matter of conscience but for sinning against his conscience CHAP. XIV Peace NOw in the second place What is this Self-condemnation Truth The Apostle seemeth to make this a ground of the rejecting of such a person because he is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himselfe It will appeare upon due search that this selfe-condemning is not here intended to be in Hereticks as men say in fundamentalls only but as it is meant here in men obstinate in the lesser Questions c. First he is subverted or turned crooked 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word opposite to streightnesse or rightnesse So that the scope is as I conceive upon true and faithfull admonition once or twice the pride of heart or heat of wrath drawes a vaile over the eyes and heart so that the soule is turned loosed and from the checks of truth Secondly he sinneth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is being subverted or turned aside he sinneth or wanders from the path of Truth and is condemned by himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is by the secret checkes and whisperings of his owne conscience which will take Gods part against a mans selfe in smiting accusing c. Which checks of conscience we finde even in Gods owne dear people as is most admirably opened in the 5 of Cant. in those sad drowsie and unkinde passages of the Spouse in her answer to the knocks and calls of the Lord Iesus which Gods people in all their awakening acknowledge how sleightly they have listned to the checks of their owne consciences This the Answerer pleaseth to call sinning against his conscience for which he may lawfully be persecuted to wit for sinning against his conscience Which conclusion though painted over with the vermillion of mistaken Scripture and that old dreame of Iew and Gentile that the Crowne of Iesus will consist of outward materiall gold and his sword be made of iron or steele executing judgement in his Church and Kingdome by corporall punishment I hope by the assistance of the Lord Jesus to manifest it to be the overturning and rooting up the very foundation and roots of all true Christianity and absolutely denying the Lord Iesus the Great Anointed to be yet come in the Flesh. CHAP. XV. THis will appeare if we examine the two last Quaries of this place of Titus to wit First What this Admonition is Secondly What is the Rejection here intended Reject him First then Titus unto whom this Epistle these directions were written and in him to all that succeed him in the like work of the Gospell to the Worlds end he was no Minister of the Civill State armed with the majestie and terrour of a materiall sword who might for offences against the civill state inflict punishments upon the bodies of men by imprisonments whippings sines banishment death Titus was a Minister of the Gospel or Glad tidings armed onely with the Spirituall sword of the Word of God and such Spirituall weapons as yet through God were mighty to the casting down of strong holds yea every high thought of the highest head and heart in the world 2 Cor. 10. 4. Therefore these first and second Admonitions were not civill or corporall punishments on mens persons or purses which the Courts of Men may lawfully inflict upon Malefactors but they were the reprehensions convictions exhortations and perswasions of the Word of the Eternall God charged home to the Conscience in the name and presence of the Lord Iesus in the middest of the Church Which being despised and not hearkned to in the last place followes rejection which is not a cutting off by heading hanging burning c. or an expelling of the Country and Coasts neither which no nor any lesser civill punishment Titus nor the Church at Crete had any power to exercise But it was that dreadfull cutting off from that visible Head and Body Christ Iesus and his Church that purging out of the old leaven from the lumpe of the Saints the putting away of the evill and wicked person from the holy Land and Commonwealth of Gods Israel 1 Cor. 5. where it is observable that the same word used by Moses for putting a malefactor to death in typicall Israel by sword stoning c. Deut 13. 5. is here used by Paul for the spirituall killing or cutting off by Excommunication 1 Cor. 5. 13. Put away that evill person c. Now I desire the Answerer and any in the holy awe and feare of God to consider That From whom the first and second Admonition was to proceed from them also was the rejecting or casting out to proceed as before But not from the Civill Magistrate to whom Paul writes not this Epistle and who also is not bound once and twice to admonish but may speedily punish as he sees cause the persons or purses of Delinquents against his Civill State but from Titus the Minister or Angel of the Church and from the Church with him were these first and second Admonitions to proceed And Therefore at last also this Rejecting which can be no other but a casting out or excommunicating of him from their Church-societie Indeed this rejecting is no other then that avoyding which Paul writes of to the Church of Christ at Rome Rom. 16. 17. which avoyding however wofully perverted by some to prove persecution belonged to the Governours of Christs Church Kingdom in Rome and not to the Romane Emperour for him to rid and avoyd the World of
them by bloody and cruell Persecution CHAP. XVI Peace THe third Conclusion is In points of lesser moment there ought to be a Toleration Which though I acknowledge to be the Truth of God yet 3 things are very observable in the manner of laying it down for Sathan useth excellent arrowes to bad markes and sometimes beyond the intent and hidden from the eye of the Archer First saith he such a person is to be tolerated till God may be pleased to reveale his Truth to him Truth This is well observed by you for indeed this is the very ground why the Apostle calls for meekenesse and gentlenesse toward all men and toward such as oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. because there is a peradventure or it may be It may be God may give them Repentance That God that hath shewen mercy to one may shew mercy to another It may be that eye-salve that anointed one mans eye who was blinde and opposite may anoint another as blinde and opposite He that hath given Repentance to the husband may give it to his wise c. Hence that Soule that is lively and sensible of mercy received to it selfe in former blindnesse opposition and enmitie against God cannot but be patient and gentle toward the Iewes who yet deny the Lord Iesus to be come and justifie their Fore-fathers in murthering of him Toward the Turkes who acknowledge Christ a great Prophet yet affirme lesse than Mahomet Yea to all the severall sorts of Antichristians who set up many a false Christ in stead of him And lastly to the Pagans and wildest sorts of the sons of men who have not yet heard of the Father nor the Son And to all these sorts Iewes Turkes Antichristians Pagans when they oppose the light presented to them In sense of its owâ— former opposition and that God peradventure may at last give repentance I adde such a Soule will not onely be patient but earnestly and constantly pray for all sorts of men that out of them Gods elect may be called to the fellowship of Christ Iesus And lastly not only pray but endeavour to its utmost abilitie their participation of the same grace and mercy That great Rock upon which so many gallant Ships miscarrie viz. That such persons false Prophets Hereticks c. were to be put to death in Israel I shall with Gods assistance remove as also that fine silken covering of the Image viz. that such persons ought to be put to death or banished to prevent the infecting and seducing of others I shall with Gods assistance in the following discourse pluck off Secondly I observe from the Scriptures he quoteth for this Toleration Phil. 3. Rom. 14 how closely yet I hope unadvisedly he makes the Churches of Christ at Philippi and Rome all one with the Cities Philippi and Rome in which the Churches were and to whom onely Paul wrote As if what these Churches in Philippi and Rome must tolerate amongst themselves that the Ciâ—ies Philippi and Rome must tole rate in their citizens and what these Churches must not tolerate that these Cities Philippi and Rome must not tolerate within the compasse of the City State and Jurisdiction Truth Upon that ground by undeniable consequence these Cities Philippi and Rome were bound not to tolerate themselves that is the Cities and Citizens of Philippi and Rome in their own Civill life and being but must kill or expell themselves from their own Cities as being Idolatrous worshippers of other gods then the true God in Iesus Christ. But as the Lilie is amongst the Thornes so is Christs Love among the Daughters and as the Apple-tree among the Trees of the Forrest so is her Beloved among the Sons so great a difference is there between the Church in a Citie or Country and the Civill state City or Country in which it is No lesse then as David in another case Psal. 103. as far as the Heavens are from the Earth are they that are truly Christs that is anointed truly with the Spirit of Christ from many thousands who love not the Lord Iesus Christ and yet are and must be permitted in the World or Civill State although they have no right to enter into the gates of Ierusalem the Church of God And this is the more carefully to bee minded because when ever a toleration of others Religion and Conscience is pleaded for such as are I hope in truth zealous for God readily produce plenty of Scriptures written to the Church both before and since Christs comming all commanding and pressing the putting forth of the uncleane the cutting off the obstinate the purging out the Leaven rejecting of Heretickes As if because brians thornes and phistles may not be in the Garden of the Church therefore they must all bee pluckt up out of the Wildernesse whereas he that is a Briar that is a Iew a Turke a Pagan an Antichristian to day may be when the Word of the Lord runs freely a member of Iesus Christ to morrow cut out of the wilde Olive and planted into the true Peace Thirdly from this toleration of persons but holding lesser errours I observe the unmercifulnesse of such doctrines and hearts as if they had forgotten the Blessednesse Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtaine mercy Math. 5. He that is sleightly and but a little hurt shall be suffered and meanes vouchsafed for his cure But the deepe wounded sinners and leprous ulcerous and those of bloudy issues twelve yeares together and those which have been bowed down 38. years of their life they must not be suffered untill peradventure God may give them repentance but either it is not lawfull for a godly Magistrate to rule and governe such a people as some have said or else if they be under government and reforme not to the State Religion after the first and second admonition the Civill Magistrate is bound to persecute c. Truth Such persons have need as Paul to the Romanes Chap. 12. 1. to be besought by the mercy of God to put on bowels of mercy toward such as have neither wronged them in body or goods and therefore justly should not be punished in their goods or persons CHAP. XVII Peace I Shall now trouble you deare Truth but with one conclusion more which is this viz. That if a man hold forth errour with a boysterous and arrogant spirit to the disturbance of the civill Peace he ought to be punished c. Truth To this I have spoken too confessing that if any man commit ought of those things which Paul was accused of Act. 25. 11. he ought not to be spared yea he ought not as Paul saith in such cases to refuse to dye But if the matter be of another nature a spirituall and divine nature I have written before in many cases and might in many more that the Worship which a State professeth may bee contradicted and preached against and yet no breach of Civill Peace
Unto both these Scriptures it pleaseth him thus to answer Both these are directions to Ministers of the Gospel how to deale not with obstinate offendors in the Church who sin against conscience but either with men without as the Samaritanes were and many unconverted Christians in Creet whom Titus as an Evangelist was to seek to convert Ot at best with some Iewes or Gentiles in the Church who though carnall yet were not convinced of the errour of their way And it is true it became not the Spirit of the Gospel to convert Aliens to the Faith such as the Samaritanes were by fire and brimstone nor to deale harshly in publicke Ministery or private conference with all such severall minded men as either had not yet entred into Church fellowship or if they had did hitherto sin of ignorance not against Conscience But neither of both these Texts doe hinder the Minister of the Gospel to proceed in a Church way against Church members when they become scandalous offenders either in life oâ— doctrine much lesse doe they speake at all to the Civill Magistrate CHAP. XXXVII Truth THis perplexed and ravelled Answer wherein so many things and so doubtfull are wrapt up and intangled together I shall take in pieces First concerning that of the Lord Iesus rebuking his Disciples for their rash and ignorant bloudy zeale Luc. 9. desiring corporall destruction upon the Samaritanes for refusing the Lord Iesus c. the Answerer affirmeth that hindreth not the Ministers of the Gospell to proceed in a Church way against scandalous offenders which is not here questioned but maintained to bee the holy will of the Lord and a sufficient censure and punishment if no civill offence against the Civill State be committed Secondly saith hee Much lesse doth this speake at all to the Civill Magistrate Where I observe that he implyes that beside the censure of the Lord Iesus in the hands of his spirituall governours for any spirituall evill in life or doctrine the Civill Magistrate is also to inflict corporall punishment upon the contrary minded whereas First if the Civill Magistrate be a Christian a Disciple or follower of the meeke Lambe of God he is bound to be far from destroying the bodies of men for refusing to receive the Lord Iesus Christ for otherwise hee should not know according to this speech of the Lord Iesus what spirit he was of yea and to be ignorant of the sweet end of the comming of the Son of Man which was not to destroy the bodies of Men but to save both bodies and soules vers 55. 56. Secondly if the Civill Magistrate being a Christian gifted prophesie in the Church 1 Corinth 1. 14. although the Lord Iesus Christ whom they in their owne persons hold forth shall be refused yet they are here forbidden to call for fire from heaven that is to procure or inflict any corporall judgement upon such offenders remembring the end of the Lord Iesus his comming not to destroy mens lives but to save them Lastly this also concernes the conscience of the Civill Magistrate as he is bound to preserve the civill peace and quiet of the place and people under him he is bound to suffer no man to breake the Civill Peace by laying hands of violence upon any though as vile as the Samaritanes for not receiving of the Lord Iesus Christ. It is indeed the ignorance and blinde zeale of the second Beast the false Prophet Rev. 13. 13. to perswade the civill Powers of the earth to persecute the Saints that is to bring fiery judgements upon men in a judiciall way and to pronounce that such judgements of imprisonment banishment death proceed from Gods righteous vengeance upon such Hereticks So dealt divers Bishops in France and England too in Queene Maries dayes with the Saints of God at their putting to death declaiming against them in their Sermons to the people and proclaiming that these persecutions even unto death were Gods just judgements from heaven upon these Heretickes CHAP. XXXVIII Peace DOubtlesse such fiery spirits as the Lord Jesus said are not of God I pray speake to the second place out of Timothy 2. Epist. 25. 26. Truth I acknowledge this instruction to be meeke and patient c. is properly an instruction to the Ministers of the Gospel Yet divers Arguments from hence will truly and fairly be collected to manifest and evince how farre the civill Magistrate ought to bee from dealing with the civill sword in spirituall cases And first by the wayâ— I desire to aske What were these unconverted Christians in Crete which the Answerer compareth with the Samaritanes whom Titus saith he as an Evangelist was to seek to convert and whether the Lord Iesus have any such Disciples and Followers who yet are visibly in an unconverted estate O that it may please the Father of mercies the Father of lights to awaken and open the eyes of all that feare before him that they may see whether this be the Language of Canaan or the Language of Ashdod What is an unconverted Christian but in truth an unconverted Convert that is in English one unturned turned unholy holy Disciples or Followers of Iesus not following of him In a word that is Christians or anointed by Christ Antichristians not anointed with the Spirit of Iesus Christ. Certaine it is such they were not unto whom the Spirit of God gives that name Act. 11. And indeed whither can this tend but to uphold the blasphemy of so many as say they are Iewes that is Christians but are not Rev. 2. But as they are not Christians from Christ but from the Beast and his Picture so their proper name from Antichrist is Antichristians How sad yet and how true an evidence is this that the soule of the Answerer I speake not of his inward soule and person but of his worship hath never yet heard the call of the Lord Iesus to come out from those unconverted Churches from that unconverted Antichristian Christian world and so from Antichrist Belial to seeke fellowship with Christ Iesus and his converted Christians Disciples after the first patterne Againe I observe the haste and light attention of the Answerer to these Scriptures as commonly the spirits of Gods children in matters of Christs Kingdome are very sleepy for these persons here spoken of were not as he speakes unconverted Christians in Crete whom Titus as an Evangelist was to convert but they were such opposites as Timothy to whom Paul writes this Letter at Ephesus should meet withall CHAP. XXXIX Peace BUt what is there in this Scripture of Timothy alledged concerning the civill Magistracy Truth I argue from this place of Timothy in particular thus First if the civill Magistrates hee Christians or members of the Church able to prophesie in the Church of Christ then I say as before they are bound by this command of Christ to suffer opposition to their doctrine with meeknesse and gentlenesse and to
civill sword I have at large there answered CHAP. LXIX Peace IN the next place he selecteth one passage out of Hilarie although there are many golden passages there exprest against the use of Civill Earthly Powers in the Affaires of Christ. The passage is this It is true also what he saith that neither the Apostles nor We may propogate Christian Religion by the Sword but if Pagans cannot he won by the Word they are not to be compelled by the Sword Neverthelesse this hindreth not saith he but if they or any other should blaspheme the true God and his true Religion they ought to be severely punished and no lesse doe they deserve if they seduce from the Truth to damnable Heresie or Idolatrie Truth In which Answer I observe first his Agreement with Hilarie that the Christian Religion may not be propagated by the Civill Sword Unto which I reply and aske then what meanes this passage in his first answer to the former speeches of the Kings viz. We acknowledge that none is to be constrained to beleeve or professe the true Religion till he be convinced in judgement of the Truth of it implying 2 things First that the Civill Magistrate who is to constraine with the Civill Sword must judge all the Consciences of their Subjects whether they be convinced or no. Secondly when the Civill Magistrate discerns that his Subjects consciences are convinced then he may constraine them vi armiâ— hostily And accordingly the Civill State and Magistracie judging in spirituall things who knowes not what constraint lies upon all consciences in Old and New England to come to Church and pay Church duties which is upon the point though with a sword of a finer gilt and trim in New England nothing else but that which he confesseth Hilarie saith true should not be done to wit a propagation of Religion by the Sword Againe although he confesseth that propagation of Religion ought not to be by the sword yet he maintaineth the use of the sword when persons in the judgement of the Civill State for that is implied blaspheme the true God and the true Religion and also seduce others to damnable Heresie and Idolatrie Which because he barely affirmeth in this place I shall defer my Answer unto the after Reasons of Mr Cotton and the Elders of New English Churches where Scriptures are alleadged and in that place by Gods assistance they shall be examined and answered CHAP. LXX Peace THe Answerer thus proceeds Your next Writer is Tertullian who speaketh to the same purpose in the place alleadged by you His intent is only to restraine Scapula the Roman Governour of Africa from persecuting the Christians for not offering sacrifice to their Gods and for that end fetcheth an Argument from the Law of Naturall equity not to compell any to any Religion but permit them to believe or not to believe at all Which we acknowledge and accordingly we judge the English may permit the Indians to continue in their unbeliefe neverthelesse it will not therefore be lawfull to tolerate the worship of Devils or Idols to the seduction of any from the Truth Truth Answ. In this passage he agrees with Tertullian and gives instance in America of the English permitting the Indians to continue in their unbeleefe yet withall he affirmeth it not lawfull to tolerate worshipping of Devils or seduction from the Truth I answer that in New England it is well known that they not onely permit the Indians to continue in their unbeliefe which neither they nor all the Ministers of Christ on Earth nor Angels in Heaven can helpe not being able to worke beleefe but they also permit or tolerate them in their Paganish worship which cannot be denied to be a worshipping of Devils as all false Worship is And therefore consâ—quently â—ccording to the same practice did they walke by Rule and impartially not onely the Indians but their Countrymen French Dutch Spanish Persians Turkes Iewes c. should also be permitted in their Worships if correspondent in civill obedience Peace He addes further when Tertullian saith That another mans Religion neither hurteth nor profiteth any It must be understood of private worship and Religion professed in private otherwise a false Religion professed by the members of the Church or by such as have given their names to Christ will be the ruine and desolation of the Church as appeareth by the threats of Christ to the Churchesâ— Revel 2. Truth I answer passing by that unsound distinction of members of the Church or those that have given their Names to Christ which in point of visible profession and Worship will appeare to be all one it is plaine First that Tertullian doth not there speake of private but of publike Worship and Religion Secondly Although it be true in a Church of Christ that a false Religion or Worship permitted will hurt according to those threats of Christ Revel 2. Yet in 2 cases I believe a false Religion will not hurt which is most like to have been Tertullians meaning First a false Religion out of the Church will not hurt the Church no more then weedes in the Wildernesse hurt the inclosed Garden or poyson hurt the body when it is not touched or taken yea and antidotes are received against it Secondly a false Religion and Worship will not hurt the Civill State in case the worshippers breake no civill Law and the Answerer elswhere acknowledgeth that the civill Lawes not being broken civill Peace is not broken and this only is the Point in Question CHAP. LXXI Peace YOur next Authour saith he Ierome crosseth not the Truth nor advantageth your Cause for we grant what he saith that Heresie must be cut off with the sword of the Spirit but this hinders not but being so cut downâ— if the Heretick will persist in his Heresie to the seduction of others he may be cut off also by the Civill Sword to prevent the perdition of others And that to be Ieromes meaning appeareth by his note upon that of the Apostle A little Leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe Therefore saith he a sparke as soon as it appeareth is to be extinguished and the leaven to be removed from the rest of the dough Rotten pieces of flesh are to be cut off and a scabbed beast is to be driven from the sheepfold lest the whole House Body masse of Dough and Flock be set on fire with the sparke be putrified with the rotten slesh sowred with the leaven perish by the scabbed beast Truth I answer first he granteth to Tertullian that Heresie must be cut off with the sword of the Spirit yet withall he maintaineth a cutting off by a second sword the sword of the Magistrate and conceiveth that Tertullian so meanes because he quoteth that of the Apostle A little leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe Answ. It is no Argument to prove that Tertullian meant a civill sword by alleadging 1 Cor. 5. or Gal. 5. which properly and only
I heartily subscribe and know the God the Spirit the Prince the Angels and all the true awaked Sons of Peace will call thee blessed Truth How sweet and precious are these contemplations but oh how sweet the actions and fruitions Peace Thy lips drop as the Honey-combe Honey and Milke are under thy Tongue oh that these drops these streames might flow without a stop or interruption Truth The glorious white Troopers Rev. 19. shall in time be mounted and he that is the most High Prince of Princes and Lord Generall of Generalls mounted upon the Word of Truth and Meeknesse Psal 45. shall triumph gloriously and renew our meetings But harke what noise is this Peace These are the dolefull drums and shrill sounding trumpets the roaring murthering Canons the shouts of Conquerours the grones of wounded dying slaughtered righteous with the wicked Deare Truth how long how long these dreadfull sounds and direfull sights how long before my glad returne and restitution Truth Sweet Peace who will beleeve my true report yet true it is if I were once beleev'd blest Truth and Peace should not so soone be parted Peace Deare Truth what welcome hast thou found of late beyond thy former times or present expectations Truth Alas my welcome changes as the times and strongest swords and armes prevaile were I beleeved in this that Christ is not delighted with the blood of men but shed his owne for his bloodiest enemies that by the word of Christ no man for gainsaying Christ or joyning with his enemy Antichrist should bee molested with the civill sword Were this foundation laid as the Magna Charta of highest liberties and good security given on all hands for the preservation of it how soone should every brow and house be stucke with Olive Branches Peace This heavenly invitation makes mee bold once more to crave thy patient eare and holy tongue Errourâ—s impatient and soon tyred but thou art Light and like the Father of Lights unwearied in thy shinings Loe here what once againe I present to thy impartiall censure A MODEL of CHURCH and CIVIL Power Composed by Mr. COTTON and the MINISTERS of NEW-ENGLAND And sent to the CHURCH at SALEM as a further Confirmation of the bloody Doctrine of PERSECUTION for cause of CONSCIENCE Examined and Answered CHAP. LXXXII Truth VVHat hast thou there Peace Here is a combination of thine owne Children against thy very life and mine Hâ—re is a Modell framed by many able learned and godly hands of such a Church and Common-weale as wakens Moses from his unknown Grave and denies Iesus yet to have seene the Earth Truth Begin sweet Peace read and propound My hand shall not be tyred with holding the ballances of the Sanctuarie doe thou put in and I shall weigh as in the presence of Him whose pure eyes cannot behold iniquitie Peace Thus then speakes the Preface or Entrance Seeing God hath given a distinct power to Church and Common-weale the one Spirituall called the Power of the Keyes the other Civill called the Power of the Sword and hath made the members of both Societies subject to both Authorities so that every soule in the Church is subject to the higher powers in the Commonweale and every member of the Commonweale being a member of the Church is subject to the Lawes of Christs Kingdome and in him to the censures of the Church the Question is how the Civill State and the Church may dispence their severall Governments without infringement and impeachment of the power and honour of the One or of the Other and what bounds and limits the Lord hath set betweene both the Administrations Truth From that conclusion deare Peace that every memâ— of the Commonweale being a member of the Church is subject to the Lawes of Christs Kingdome and in Him to the censure of the Church I observe that they grant the Church of Christ in Spirituall causes to be superiour and over the highest Magistrates in the World if members of the Church Hence therefore I infer may she refuse to receive and may also cast forth any yea even the highest if obstinate in Sin cut of her Spirituall society Hence in this Spirituall society that soule who hath most of Christ most of His Spirit is most spiritually honourable according to the Scriptures quoted Acts 15. 20. Isa. 49. 23. Gal. 3. 28. And if so how can this stand with their common tenent that the Civill Magistrate must keep the first Table set up reforme the Church and be Iudge and Governour in all Ecclesiasticall as well as Civill causes Secondly I observe the lamentable wresting of this one Scripture Sometimes this Scripture must prove the Power of the Civill Magistrates Kings and Governours over the Church in Spirituall causes c. Yet here this Scripture is produced to prove Kings and Magistrates in Spirituall causes to be censured and corrected by the same Church â—Tis true in severall respects he that is a Governour may be a subject but in one and the same spirituall respect to judge and to be judged to sit on the Bench and stand at the Bar of Christ Iesus is as impossible as to reconcile the East and West together CHAP. LXXXII The first head That both Iurisdictions may stand together Peace VVHereas divers affecting transcending power to themselves over the Church have perswaded the Princes of the World that the Kingdome of Christ in His Church cannot rise or stand without the falls of those Common-weales wherein it is set up we do beleeve and professe the contrary to this suggestion the government of the one being of this World the other not the Church helping forward the prosperity of the Commonweale by meanes only Ecclesiasticall and Spirituall the Commonweale helping forward her owne and the Churches felicity by meanes politicall or temporall the falls of Commonweales being knowne to arise from their scattering and diminishing the power of the Church and the flourishing of Commonweales with the well ordering of the people even in morall and civill virtues being observed to arise from the vigilant administration of the holy Discipline of the Church as Bodin a man not partiall to Church Discipline plainely testifieth The vices in the free estate of Geneva quae legibus nusquam vindicantur by meanes of Church Discipline sine vi tumultu coercentur the Christian liberty not freeing us from subjection to Authority but from inthrallment and bondage unto sinne Truth Ans. From this confession that the Church or Kingdome of Christ may be set up without prejudice of the Commonweale according to Iohn 18. 36. My Kingdome is not of this World c. I observe that although the Kingdome of Christ the Church and the Civill Kingdome or Government be not inconsistent but that both may stand together yet that they are independent according to that Scripture and that therefore there may be as formerly I have proved flourishing Commonweales and Societies of menâ— where no
Christs mouth a sword with two edges But more particularly the contributions of Christs Kingdome are all holy and spirituall though consisting of materiall earthly substance as is Water in Baptisme Bread and Wine in the Supper and joyned with prayer and the Lords Supper Act. 2. 42. Hence as Prayer is called Gods sacrifice so are the contributions and mutuall supplyes of the Saints sacrifices Phil. 4. Hence also as it is impossible for naturall men to bee capable of Gods worship and to feed be nourished and edified by any spirituall ordinance no more then a dead childe can sucke the breast or a dead man feast So also is it as impossible for a dead man yet lodged in the grave of Nature to contribute spiritually I meane according to Scriptures rule as for a dead man to pay a reckoning I question not but naturall men may for the outward act preach pray contribute c. but neither are they worshippers suitable to him who is a Spirit Iohn 4. nor can they least of all bee forced to worship or the maintenance of it without a guilt of their hypocrisie Peace They will say what is to be done for their soules Truth The Apostles whom wee professe to imitate preached the Word of the Lord to unbeleevers without mingling in worship with them and such Preachers and preaching such as pretend to be the true Ministry of Christ ought to be and practise Not forcing them all their dayes to come to Church and pay their duties either so confessing that this is their Religion unto which they are forced or else that as before they are forced to be of no Religion all their dayes The way to subdue Rebels is not by correspondence and communion with them by forcing them to keepe the City Watches and pay sessements c. which all may be practised upon compulsion treacherously the first work with such is powerfully to subdue their judgments and wills to lay downe their weapons and yeeld willing subjection then come they orderly into the City and so to Citie priviledges CHAP. CVI. Peace PLease you now deare Truth to discusse the Scriptures from the Old Testament Nehem 13. and 2 Chron. 31. Truth God gave unto that Nationall Church of the Jewes that excellent Land of Canaan and therein Houses furnished Orchards Gardens Vineyards Olive yards Fields Wells c. they might well in this settled abundance and the promised continuation and increase of it afford a large temporall supply to their Priests and Levites even to the Tenth of all they did possesse Gods people are now in the Gospel brought into a spirituall land of Canaan flowing with spirituall milk and honey and they abound with spirituall and heavenly comforts though in a poore and persecuted condition therefore an inforced setled maintenance is not sutable to the Gospel as it was to the Ministry of Priests and Levites in the Law Secondly in the change of the Church estate there was also a change of the Priesthood and of the Law Heb. 7. Nor did the Lord Iesus appoint that in his Church and for the maintenance of his Ministrie the Civill sword of the Magistrate but that the Spirituall Sword of the Ministrie should alone compell 3. Therefore the compulsion used under Hezekiah and Nehemiah was by the civill and corporall Sword a type in that typicall State not of another materiall and corporall but of an heavenly and spirituall even the sword of the Spirit with which Christ fighteth Revel 3. which is exceeding sharpe entring in between the soule and spirit Heb. 4. and bringing every thought into captivitie to the obedience of Christ Iesus He that submits not at the shaking of this sword is cut off by it and he that despiseth this sword all the power in the World cannot make him a true worshipper or by his purse a mainteiner of Gods worship Lastly If any man professing to be a Minister of Christ Iesus shall bring men before the Magistrate as the practice hath been both in Old and New England for not paying him his wages or his due I aske if the voluntarie consent of the party hath not obliged him how can either the officers of the Parish Church or of the Civill State compell this or that man to pay so much more or lesse to maintaine such a Worship or Ministrie I ask further if the determining what is each mans due to pay why may they not determine the tenth and more as some desired others opposing in New England and force men not only to maintenance but to a Iewish maintenance Peace Yea but say they is not the Labourer worthy of his hire Truth Yes from them that hire him from the Church to whom he laboureth or ministreth not from the Civill State no more then the Minister of the Civill State is worthy of his hire from the Church but from the Civill State in which I grant the persons in the Church ought to be assistant in their Civill respects Peace What maintenance say they shall the Ministrie of the Gospell have Truth We finde two wayes of maintenance for the Ministrie of the Gospell proposed for our direction in the New Testament First the free and willing contribution of the Saints according to 1 Cor. 16. Luc. 8. 3. c. upon which both the Lord Jesus and his Ministers lived Secondly the diligent worke and labour of their owne hands as Paul tells the Thessalonians and that in two cases 1. Either in the inabilities and necessities of the Church 2. Or for the greater advantage of Christs truth as when Paul saw it would more advantage the name of Christ he denies himselfe and falls to worke amongst the Corinthians and Thessalonians Let none call these cases extraordinary for if persecution be the portion of Christs sheep and the busines or worke of Christ must be dearer to us then our right eyes or lives such as will follow Paul and follow the Lord Iesus must not thinke much at but rejoyce in poverties necessities hunger cold nakednesse c. The Stewards of Christ Iesus must be like their Lord and abhorre to steale as the evill Steward pretending that the shamed to beg but peremptorily dig he could not CHAP. CVII Peace ONe and the last branch deare Truth remaines concerning Schooles The Churches say they much depend upon the Schooles and the Schooles upon the Magistrates Truth I honour Schooles for Tongues and Arts but the institution of Europes Universities devoting persons as is said for Scholars in a Monasticall way forbidding Mariage and Labour to I hold as far from the mind of Iesus Christ as it is from propagating his Name and Worship We count the Universities the Fountaines the Seminaries or Seed-plots of all Pietie but have not those Fountaines ever sent what streames the Times have liked and ever changed their taste and colour to the Princes eye and Palate For any depending of the Church of Christ upon such Schooles
honoured with that mysticall and glorious Title of the Anointed 〈◊〉 Christ of the Lord Lam. 4. 20. the Breath of our Nostrils the Anointeâ— of Iehovah was taken in their pits c. Which anoynting and title however the Man of Sinne together with the Crowne and Diademe of Spirituall Israel the Church of God he hath given to some of the Kings of the Earth that so he may in lieu thereof dispose of their Civill Crownes the easier yet shall we finde it an incommunicable priviledge and prerogative oâ— of the Saints and people of God For as the Lord Iesus himselfe in the Antitype was not annointed with materiall but spirituall oyle Psal. 45. with the oyle of Gladnes and Luke 4. 14. from Isa. 61. 1. with the spirit of God The spirit of the Lord is upon me the Lord hath annointed me to preach good tidings c. So also all his members are annointed with the holy spirit of God 2 Cor. 1. 21. 1 John 2. Hence is it that Christians rejoyce in that name as carrying the very expresse title of the Anointed of the Lord which most superstitiously and sacrilegiously hath been applied only unto Kings Peace O deare Truth how doth the great Searcher of all Hearts finde out the thefts of the Antichristian World how are men caried in the darke they know not whither How is that heavenly charge Touch not mine Anointed c. Psal. 105. common to all Christians or anointed with Christ their Head by way of Monopoly or priviledge appropriated to Kings and Princes Truth It will not be here unseasonable to call to minde that admirable Prophecie Ezek. 21. 26 27. Thus saith Iehovah God Remove the Diadem take away the Crowne this shall not be the same exalt him that is low and abase him that is high I will overturne overturne overturne untill he come whose right it is and I will give it him The matter is a Crown and Diadem to be taken from an Vsurpers head and set upon the head of the right Owner Peace Doubtlesse this mystically intends the spirituall Crowne of the Lord Jesus for these many hundreth yeares set upon the heads of the Câ—mpetitours and Corrivals of the Lord Iesus upon whose glorious head in his Messengers and Churches the Crown shall be established The anointing the title and the crown and power must returne to the Lord Iesus in his Saints unto whom alone belongs his power and authoritie in Ecclesiasticall or Spirituall cases CHAP. CXVII Truth I Therefore proceed to a third difference between those Kings and Governours of Israel and Iudah and all other Kings and Rulers of the Earth Looke upon the Administrations of the Kings of Israel and Iudah and well weigh the Power and Authoritie which those Kings of Israel and Iudah exercised in Ecclesiasticall and spirituall causes and upon a due search we shall not find the same Scepter of Spirituall power in the hand of Civill Authoritie which was setled in the hands of the Kings of Israel and Iudah David appointed the Orders of the Priests Singers he brought the Arke to Ierusalem he prepared for the building of the Temple the patterne whereof he delivered to Salomon yet David herein could not be a type of the Kings and Rulers of the Earth but of the King of Heaven Christ Iesus for First David as he was a King so was he also a Prophet Acts 2. 30. and therefore a type as Moses also was of that great Prophet the Son of God And they that plead for Davids Kingly power must also by the same rule plead for his Propheticall by which he swayed the Scepâ—er of Israel in Church affaires Secondly it is expresly said 1 Cron. 28. 11. 12. 13. verses that the patterne which David gave to Salomon concerning the matter of the Temple and Worship of God he had it by the Spirit which was no other but a figure of the immediate inspiration of the spirit of God unto the Lord Iesus the true Spirituall King of Israel John 1. 49. Rabbi thou art the Son of God Rabbi thou art the King of Israel Againe What Civill Magistrate may now act as Salomon a type of Christ doth act 1 King 2. 26. 27. Salomon thrust out Abiathar from being Priest unto Iehovah Peace Some object that Abiathar was a man of death ver 26. worthy to die as having followed Adonijah and therefore Salomon executed no more then Civill justice upon him Truth Salomon remits the Civill punishment and inflicts upon him a spirituall but by what right but as he was King of the Church a figure of Christ Abiathar his Life is spared with respect to his former good service in following after David but yet he is turned out from the Priesthood But now put the case suppose that any of the Officers of the New-England Churches should prove false to the State and be discovered joyning with a French Monsieur or Spanish Don thirsting after conquest and dominion to further their invasions of that Countrey yet for some former faithfull service to the State he should not be adjudged to Civill punishment I aske now might their Governours or their Generall Court their Parliament depose such a man a Pastour Teacher or Elder from his holy Calling or office in Gods House Or suppose in a partiall and corrupt State a Member or Officer of a Church should escape with his life upon the commission of marther ought not a Church of Christ upon repentance to receive him I suppose it will not be said that he ought to execute himselfe or that the Church may use a Civill sword against him In these cases may such persons spar'd in civill punishments for some reason of or by partialitie of State be punished spiritually by the Civill Magistrate as Abiathar was Let the very Enemies of Zion be Judges Secondly If Salomon in thrusting out of Abiathar was a pattern and president unto all Civill Magistrates why not also in putting Zaâ—â—k in his roome ver 35. But against this the Pope the Bishops the Presbyterians and the Independents will all cry out against such a practice in their severall respective claimes and challenges for their Ministries We find the Libertie of the subjects of Christ in the choice of an Apostle Act. 1. of a Deacon Act. 6. of Elders Act. 14. and guided by the assistance either of the Apostles or Evangelists 1 Tim. 1. Tit. 1. without the least influence of any civill Magistrate which shewes the beauty of their liberty The Parliaments of England have by right free choice of their Speaker yet some Princes have thus farre beene gratified as to nominate yea and implicitely to commend a Speaker to them Wise men have seene the evill consequences of those influences though but in civill things how much farre greater and stronger are those snares when the golden Keyes of the Sonne of God are delivered into the hands of civill Authority Peace You know the noise
all parts of the World Christianitie adds not to the nature of a Civill Commonweale nor doth want of Christianitie diminish it Rom. 13. evidently proveâ— the Civill work and wages of the Civill Magistrate Most strange yet most true consequences from the Civill Magistrates now being the Antitype of the Kings of Israel and Judah If no Religion but that which the Common-weal approves theÌ„ no Christ no God but at the pleasure of 〈◊〉 world â— Ep. Jo 9. The true antitype of the â—â—ngs of Israel and Judah A fourth difference of Lawes and Statutes from all others Moses a type of Christ. The Lawes of Israel unparallel'd Gods owne finger penn'd Lawes for Israel Fift difference Temporall prosperity most proper to the temporall Nationall State of the Jewes The spirituall prosperity of Gods people now the antitype What Israels excommunication was The corporall stoning in the Law typed out spirituall sâ—oning in the Gospell The rewards or punishments of the Lawes of Israel not to be parallel'd The wars of Israel typicall Israels Enemiâ—s round about The Enemies of mysticall Israel Enemies against Israel in her owne bowells The famous typically captivities of the Jews Their wonderfull victories The mysticall battells of Gods Israel now The mysticall Army of white troopers R. 19. Whether the Civill state of Israel was presidentiall The true Christendome Great unfaithfulnesse in Ministers to câ—st the â—hiefest burden of judging and establâ—shâ—ng true Christiâ—nity upon the Commonweal or worlâ— it selfe To governe judge in civill affâ—â—â—es load enough on the Civill Magistrate Magistrates can have no more power then the common consent of the people shall betrust them with Thousands of lawfull Magistrates who never heare of the true church of God The Spirituall and Civill Sword cannot be managed by one and the same person The Lord Jesus refused so manage both Nero and the persecuting Emperours not so injurious to Christianity as Constantine and others who assumed a power in Spirituall things Under Constantine Christianity fell into corruption and Christians fell asleep Who force the consciences of others yet are not willing to be forced themselves Constantine and others wanted not so much affection as information of conscience Sad consequences of charging the Civill powers with the care of Spiritualls Civill Rulers giving and lending their Horns or Authority to Bishops both dangerous to the truth of Christ. The Spirituall power of the Lord Jesus compared in Scripture to the incomparable horne of the Rhinocerot A time when Gods people are wholly at a losse for Gods worship Nursing fathers and mothers The Civill horne or power being of a humane constitution cannot but be of a humane operation The Civill power owes 3 things to the true Church of Christ. 1. Approbation 2. Submission 3. Protection The Civill Magistrate owes to false worshippers 1. Permission 2. Protection The Civill Magistrates conscience torne and distracted between the divers and contrary affirmations even of the most godly Reformers The Authors of these positions deal with the Civill Magistrate as the souldiers dealt with the Lord Jesus The rise of high Commissions c. Pious Magistrates and Ministers consciences are perswaded for that which other Magistrates consciences condemne To professe the Magistrate must force the Church to her duty and yet must not judge what that is what is it but to play in Spirituall things An apt similitude discussed concerning the Civill Magistrate First quaerie what if the 〈◊〉 command the Mr. or Pilot to steere such a course which they know will never bring them to the harbour 2. Quaerie If the Mr. of the Ship command the 〈◊〉 thus the Prince command the contrary who is to be obeyed If the Prince have as much skill as the Mr. or Pilo c. 4. Quaerie 5. Quaerie Whether the meanest saylor in respect of his skill and service be not to be preferred before the Prince himself 6. Quaerie Whether if the Mr. of the ship gratifie the Prince to the casting away of the ship and Prince c. he be not guilty and 〈◊〉 to answer The application in generall of the ship to the Church c. The meanest Christian according to his knowledg and grace to bee preferred before the highest who have received none or lesse grace of Christ. A true Minister of Christ ought to walk by another rule then the command of Civill Authority in Spirituall causes Former positions compared with this similitude and found to contradict each other The similitude of the Magistrate prescribing to the Physician in civill things but the Physician to the Magistrate concerning his body The 12 Head examined To give the government of the Church to the Civill Magistrate as before and yet to abridge his conscience what is it but to sport with holy things c. An evident contradiction An excellent confession of the proper end of Civill Government When Civill Lawes are not broken it is confest that Civill Peace is not hurt A grievous charge against the Christian Church and the King of it A strange law in New England formerly against Excommunicate persons A dangerous doctrine against all civill Magistrates Many sins prohibited to be punished by the Magistrate and yet they also charge him to punish all sin Rom. 13. Originall sin charged to hurt remotely but falsely the civill state Magistrates strangely forbidden to hear civill complaints Thousands of Common-weales where no true church of Christ. The complaints of families properly fall into the cognizance of the civill Mastrate They who give to Magistrates more then is due are most apt to disâ—o to be them of what is theirs 13. Head A strange double picture The great priviledges of the true Spouse or Church of Christ. To hold with Iâ—ght and walk in darknesse The Magistrate lift up to be the chief 〈◊〉 of the Church and yet cast downe not to have power to appoint the place or time of meeting 2 Similitudes illustrâ—ting the Magistrate 〈◊〉 be â—oth governor of the Church and yet usurpâ—r in commanding If a Church may assemble without and against the Magistrates consent as is assiâ—â—ed then much more constitute and become a Church c. Grosse partiality If the Civill Magistrate be to build the Spirituall or Christian house he must judge of the matter A close and faithfull intergatory to the consciences of the authors of these positions A sad quaerie to some concerning their practice A marvallouâ— challenge of more Libertie to Christians under a Christian Magistrate then under the Heathen If Magistratesâ— were appointed by Christ Jesus Governours of his Kingdome it were not reasonable that Christians should more freely breake the commands of the Christian then of the Heathen Magistrate The necessry of Civill government in generall of God but the speciall kindes of men 1 Pet. 2. 13. Civill Magistrates are derivatives from the fountaines or bodies of people A beleeving Magistrate no more a Magistrate thâ—n an unbeleeving The excellenâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Christs 〈…〉 The Magistrate like a Pilot in the Ship of the Common-weale Christianitie steâ—â—es a Christian Pilots course The Christian Pilot hath no more power over the soules of his Mariners or passengers then the unchristian or Pagan Pilot. The tearmes Heathen and Christian Magistrate All out of Christ are heathens that is of the Nations or Gentiles Josiah a type of Christ Jesus the King of the Church An unjust and partiall desire of liberty to some coâ—sciences bondage unto all others The Commission Mat. 28. of preaching and baptizing not properly directed to the Churches or fixed Teachers of it least of al to the Commonweale A quaerie who have now the care of all the Churches A Ministrie before the Church Acts 15. commonly misapplied Christs promise and presence only makes an Assembly blessed The promise of Christs presence Mat. â— 8. distinct from that Mat. 28. 14. Position examined Church administrations are charged firstly upon the Misters thereof The Ministers or Governors of Christs Church to be acknowledged in their dispensations A paradox Magistrates made the Judges of the Churches and Governours of them yet censurable by them Queene Eliz. Bish pâ—truer to their principles then many of a better spirit and profession Mr. Borowes profession concerning Queen Elizabeth Is not this too like the Popes profession of servuâ— servorum Dei yet holding out his slipper to the lips of Princes Kings and Emperours 15. Head examined The inventions of men in swarving from the true essentialls of Civill and Spirituall Common-weales 16. and last Head examined A great Quegion viz. Whether only Church members that is as is intended Godly persons in a particular Church estate be only eligible or to be chosen for Magistrates Lawfull Civil States where Churches of Christ are not The world being divided into 30 parts 25 never heard of Christ. Lawfull heires of Crownes Civill Government although not Christian and godly Few Christians wise and noble and qualified for affaires of State Some Papists and some Protestants agree in deposing of Magistrates Those Scriptures Exod. 18 Deut. 17. 18. c. parallel'd in the true spirituall Israel by 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. The Ninevites Fast examined Object Answ. Object Answ. How England and London may yet be spared Luc. 22 the felling of the Coat to buy a Sword discussed A threefold taking of the Sword Revel 17. 16. the Kings having of the Whore discussed