Christianity a Doctrine of the Cross, Title page – Errata
CHRISTIANITY, A DOCTRINE OF THE CROSS: OR, Passive Obedience, UNDER ANY Pretended Invasion of LEGAL RIGHTS and LIBERTIES.
LONDON: Printed for Jos. Hindmarsh, and Rob. Kettlewell, and are to be sold at the Golden Ball in Cornhill. 1691.
TO THE READER.
IT is a sad Reflection to a true Christian Spirit, to see some of the noblest Virtues of our Holy Religion, and Points of Good Practice, not only neglected in the Lives, but endeavoured to be driven out of the Reverence and Esteem of Christians. Among these, I think none of late have bore more of the rude Batteries of Noise and Violence, or fallen deeper under the Wanton Sport or Malicious Strokes of Profane Wits, than the Doctrine of Passive Obedience.
I take it to be an unquestionable Gospel Truth, and Primitive Doctrine. And to carry in it the most lively exercise and expression, of the two grand Virtues, of Faith, and Patience. It is Faith, that under persecuting or oppressive Governors, rather than save our selves by sinning against God or them, dare run Ventures, and trust or rely on him, either to prevent those Persecutions and outward Losses, that are ready to meet us in this stedfastness to our Duty, or to support us under them, and abundantly Compensate and Reward us for them. And it is Patience, that bears all the pressing Conflicts without Fainting, till the Grace of God has brought us through them. And these two Virtues, raise us so much above our selves, and this World; or above Human Weaknesses, Affections, and Interests: that God has always dignified, them with especial Marks, and Prerogatives of his Favor and Acceptance. And on the same account, good Men have ever held them, as the brightest Glory of the Saints, and what they were most ambitiously to aim at. As on the other Hand, for the same Reason, they have ever been the greatest Terror and Stumbling-Block, to Worldly and Carnal Minds.
My design in the ensuing Papers, is to do what seasonable Service I am able, to this great and noble instance, of Oppressed Truth and Righteousness. And because, after all that has been so often, and so well said of late upon this Subject by others, particularly in the Elaborate and much Celebrated Discourses, of Jovian, and the Case of Resistance of the Supreme Powers Stated, &c. The Adversaries of this Truth still insist with great Confidence and Triumph, upon the Plea of Legal Rights for Authorizing Resistance; I have singled out this Plea, and Discuss'd it in the ensuing Treatise. My aim is, not so much to ingage in particular and personal Disputes, as to speak to the Argument; and to say so much, as among Minds willing to see it, may be sufficient to Prove and Establish a Doctrine so necessary, as that whereof I write, and to obviate the most Colorable Pretences brought against it. Passive Obedience, is a great, and Practical Truth: and I seek herein, by setting it off with as much Strength and Clearness, and withal as briefly as I can, to build up honestly disposed Readers in the Belief and Practice thereof, notwithstanding any things, which, either in pretended Favor to Religion, or on any fancied Autority from Civil Right, they shall find urged in opposition to it.
I must advertise thee further, that this Treatise was sent away in Company of another, Intituled, Of Christian Prudence, &c. And being both then prepared, and designed for the Press, there is a Reference to it in Page 160. of that Book. Which, not being observed by those, who had the care thereof, (the Author himself being at a great distance from the Press,) that Book was Published first, and this was left to follow it. And now it is come abroad, I beseech Almighty God of his Infinite Mercy to vouchsafe it his Acceptance, and to accompany it with his Grace, that it may not fail to do an Holy Religion some Honor, a Noble, but decried and exploded Duty, some Credit, and thy Self and his Church some Service.
THE CONTENTS.
CHAP. I.
NO Arming against Sovereign Powers, in Love for Religion.
Religion, an internal thing. So 1. Others Force, can never make us lose Religion. But only the external things about Religion. Nor binder the force of our Ministry. 2. When Religion suffers force from Persecuting Sovereigns, to rise in Arms, is not a way for us to defend and Preserve Religion.
CHAP. II.
That the Subjects of the Empire had Legal Rights.
The Invasions upon Laws, in the days of Christ and his Apostles. Yet they Preached up Submission and Non-Resistance. The Emperors were to Govern by Laws. In what sense said to be loose from the Laws. The Romans had both their Laws and Customs, and several Freedoms.
CHAP. III.
Of Invasion, &c. under the Persecuting Emperors.
The Persecuting Emperors invaded these Legal Rights. An account thereof in several Particulars.
CHAP. IV.
The Christians Passive Obedience, under these Invaders of Legal Rights.
Many Emperors in Fact, and opportunities for Resistance. The Christians still true to the Rightful Emperors, not resisting under invasions of Legal Rights. The general Pleas for Resistance never more strong, than under those Emperors, shown in Particulars.
CHAP. V.
Of Passive Obedience under Invasions of Legal Rights among the Jews.
Of Persecutions of Religion against Law, and of the illegality of Idolatry, among the Jews. Of breach of Property against Law by their Kings. VnderUnder all which no Liberty of Resistance. No evading these Scriptures, by saying their Kings were personally nominated by God. Nor the Scriptures of the New Testament, by the Answers given to them.
CHAP. VI.
Of the unlawfulness of Resistance on such Invasions of Rights, by our own Laws.
No pretence left for Resistance, by our Laws. Nor from the Subjects Share in Legislation. No appealing in this Point from the Letter of our Laws, to the equity thereof. Or to the Nature of our Constitution, and to the end of our Frame.
CHAP. VII.
Of Passive Obedience under Invaders of Natural Rights, &c.
Natural Rights as Defensible by Arms, as Civil Rights are. Subjects must defend both, by ways consistent with Subjection. No great difference, as to Point of Resistance, when Religion is Persecuted, whether it stand on its own Right, or on Civil Right. Nor betwixt our Case and that of the Primitive Saints, on the Distinction of Absolute and Limited Governors.
CHAP. VIII.
No Resistance, on pretence that Acts against Law are inautoritative.
Non-Resistance due to a King, whilst the Regal Autority is not forfeited, but resides in his Person. This it doth for all his unautoritative and illegal Actings, which is shewn in several instances. No making War upon him for the same, because they do not disauthorize his Person, or unking him. An Answer on these Grounds, to several Questions about the Autority of Kings acting against Laws.
CHAP. IX.
The Reasons of Non Resistance, &c.
On what Grounds, the Primitive Saints paid this Non-Resistance. Non-Resistance on Invasion of Laws, doth not make Arbitrary Government.
ERRATA.
PAge 2. Line 11. Read of our Holy. p. 4. l. 21. r. of this World. p. 11. l. 33. r. that it is but fit. p. 14. l. 17. r. this external Force. p. 23. l. 6. in the Margin, r. cited. p. 3. p. 29. l. 15. in the Margin, r. Apol. p. 6. &c. 13. p. 38. l. 18. in the Margin, r. &c. l. 4. p. 39. l. 8. r. Romans. p. 43. l. 29. r. to bear. p. 46. l. 16. r. which no Judge. and l. 25 in the Margin, r. convenit eum. p. 51. l. 21. in the Margin, r. Vindemiam. p. 52. l. 11. r. Persecutors. p. 65. l. 1: r. manner p. 66. l. 24. r. third. p. 67. l. 29. r. Houses. p. 68. l. 17. r. not on. p. 71. l. 7. r. Salvo p. 79. l. 1. r. Sue for it in.