The Kingdom of God Among Men, Tract 1 · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
Religion may be advanced by human Prudence; what ways and methods it cannot admit in order to its advancement.
THough true Religion stands by an unchangeable Law, and depends not upon the mutable things of this World, and varies not according to their variations, nor is to be governed by the common policy of secular Kingdoms: nevertheless its affairs may be much advanced by prudence, and disadvantaged by indiscretion. There is a lawfull use of human Policy, being refined from Hypocrisie and all iniquity. The Author of this Profession, the holy and just One, in whose mouth was no guile, adviseth his Disciples to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. St. Paul one of his chief Ministers was attentive to all the methods of gaining People, and became all things to all men that he might win some; and he was bold to tell some, that being crafty he caught them with guile: but it was the guile of abounding Charity and self-denial, managed with prudence for the service of Christ, and the saving of Souls.
In secular Kingdoms the reasons of State are locked up from the common view. But the maxims and methods of this Interest may with great advantage be disclosed as well to Aliens and Enemies, as to Friends and fellow-Citizens. For by this discovery the powers of the World, who through their own misapprehensions, or others malicious suggestions are sometimes turned against it, may become more propense and indulgent towards it; and the more sober part of Men may be inclined to favour it, and greater numbers both of high and low Degree may be brought intirely to close with it, when they shall behold the goodness and usefulness, the innocency and integrity of its Principles. As for the Enemies counterworking we need not dread it. For the stratagems of this warfare are not carnal, and cannot be counterwrought with carnal stratagems.
It remaineth therefore as the business of this inquiry, to consider how we may improve the intrinsical and innate Advantages before mentioned; and to gain all extrinsical and adventitious ones, that may be made, and to make th… most of them all for the designed end. But due care must be had, that the wisdom of this World or human Policy have not too great … stroke. For many are the arts and method… that serve secular Interests, which the sincerity and purity of true Religion can by no mean admit.
It cannot stablish it self in bloud and cruelty nor murther the innocent for its own security nor hold People in subjection by the horro… of a Spanish Inquisition, which is not the policy of the city of God, the Spiritual Jerusalem, but of Babylon.
It cannot make use of such impostures, as are used to uphold the mystery of iniqui…y, and which is the way of those Church Politicians that make Men stupid and foolish, that they may the better Lord it over them as besotted Vassals.
It cannot invite or ingage any to its Side by …arnal allurements, and provisions made for …he lusts of Men. The making of such Provisions would extinguish its life and power, and bring forth a spurious carnal Brood, that always with deadly hatred pursues its true Pro…essors.
It cannot lift up it self by serving the de…gns and lusts of earthly Potentates; though it …ives them their due honour to the full, yet it …empts them not by flattery to think of themselves above what they are, nor doth it pro…itute its Sacred Rules to patronize any enor…ities in their Conversations, or political Ad…inistrations.
It cannot subdue a People, and hold them un…er by armed violence and usurpation, for his were to subvert it self, and undermine its …wn foundation, which is truth, meekness and …ghteousness.
It seeks not by any irregular motions to per…rb a settled State, though adverse and injurious to it. It cannot enter into the recesses … wicked Policy; its principles will not bear … out in the cunning and close ways of dishon… sty. It abhors such ingagements, as draw o… necessity of proceeding in unrighteous or da… gerous Counsels, and especially such iniqui… as would not pass away in a transient action but would hold up a lasting usurpation or i… jury to its perpetual reproach and repugnan… to it self.
It neither hath, nor in human judgment … like to have the sufficiency of an arm of Fles… or worldly Puissance, for its intrinsick and a… biding strength, untill it comes in a more ex… tensive power, and more ample victory that hath been yet manifested in the World. Th… mutable Advantages of certain times and occa… sions are but loose and hollow ground, and n… settled foundation for it to build upon.
It is not furthered by a course of subtilties and of intricate and cloudy projects, which be get suspition of evil; but by an openess an frankness of dealing in all certainty and clearness. For in it self it is clear as the Sun, an… regular and certain as the ordinances of He… ven, or the Motions of the Celestial Bodies Whatsoever degree of obliquity or uncertainty happeneth to it, is only extrinsical proceeding from Mens corruptions and frailties, who ne… ther are, can be here absolutely exact and perfect in it.
It rejects the fury of passion, bitterness, clamours, wrath, tumult, and all outrage. In a word, it can admit nothing that is inconsistent with intire honesty.
And it is not weakened by this strictness. For Truth is great and powerfull; and by a weak and gentle, yet sound and solid manifestation of it self, it maintains a conquest answerable to its own condition in this present World.