Animadversions Upon the New England Anabaptists, Section 7
SECT. VII.
Their great Sufferings are of two ſorts.
1. In Eſtate and Liberties of which we muſt not expect a particular account, & are charitably to th…nk it is becauſe they are tender of our reputation: but errorsly in generals, a particular account might have been more ſatisfying: Theſe things look directly upon our Magiſtracy, in vindication of them a word will ſuffice. Two things take up this diſcourſe; The perſecution, and the ſucceſs.
1. The perſecution is compendiouſly repreſented. Some of us were oftentimes brought before Councils, &c.] (I ſuppoſe they allude …o Mat. 10. 17.) To which let this be taken as a Reply, viz. that as the Honoured Magiſtrates here are Chriſtian, ſo have they judged it their duty to maintain the ways of Chriſt, and ſtrengthen them by civil Laws, which hath not only been the practice of Reformers of old, but the conſtant judgement of the Church of Chriſt ever ſince the Apoſtles. If evil minded men will take this advantage to oppreſs the truth, it is no more then may be done in all other caſes: & as it is thought no good plea to keep the Scriptures from the la…ty, leſt they ſhould learn to be Hereticks; ſo neither to deny the Magiſtrate his due power on ſuppoſition that he may abuſe it. On this Principle our worthy Rulers have made Laws againſt many Sects and Intruders, and among the reſt the Anabaptiſts. That in quelling the Anabaptiſts they do not oppoſe the truth, but ſuppreſs Error they are fully perſwaded: and although they never pretended to a Lordſhip over mens Conſciences, yet they account the outward man is ſubject to them: and if we muſt tarry till all men are agreed about what is truth▪ before we oppoſe Error, we ſhall ſtay till there is no need of it. For the progreſs of our Magiſtracy in the execution of theſe Laws, they have been ſo far from a violent, eager, or willing taking advantage againſt theſe men, that (notwithſtanding their opprob… ous ſpeeches when they have been before them, their ſcornful carriages, and purpoſed indeavours to irritate them by inſolent challenges) they have alwayes proceeded ſlowly, tenderly, far on this ſide the Law, as thoſe who ſought not to ruine either their Names, Liberties, or Eſtates. How often when fines have been laid upon them, have they ſtopt the Execution? if any have been impriſoned, it hath been but when dared to it: and though once a Sentence of Baniſhment did paſs upon two of their Ring-leaders (heady violent men) yet then they neglected, and ſcorned to take notice of it (reſolving to run utmoſt hazards) neither was this improved as any advantage againſt them. Nor is it to be wondred that our Governours have been oppoſite in particular to theſe men, ſince, if they could get head among us, they would certainly undermine the Churches … Order, deſtroy piety, and introduce prophaneſs.
2. For the ſucceſs of theſe endeavours: God is pleaſed ſtill to uphold them, and they are by theſe means not weakened, but ſtrengthened and increaſed) Methinks I hear the Jews crying, we are delivered to do all th…ſe abominations. Let them but remember that many things are done by Gods permiſſive providence, when the doers have not his approbation: nor is it an unfailing ground of ſincerity that they have withſtood ſuch trials and are increaſed: we know (do what we can to reſtrain them) Evil men and Seducers ſhall wax worſe and worſe, and many ſhall follow their p…nicious wa…es. Nor is it to be wondred at, that perſons diſcontent with the yoke of Chriſt in the Churches or taking offence at particular Adminiſtrations, which might touch their own intereſt, have ſo readily followed the faction of the Anabaptiſts, of which ſort of men, the moſt of their ſociety and Founders here, have conſiſted.