The Bloody Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience, Part 4 · Chapter 138
CHAP. CXXXVII.
Peace.
DEare Truth, We are now arrived at their last Head: the Title is this,16. and last Head examined. viz.
Their power in the Liberties and Priviledges of these Churches.
First, all Magistrates ought to be chosen out of Churchmembers, Ezod. 18. 21. Deut. 17. 15. Prov. 29. 2. When the Righteous rule, the people rejoyce.
Secondly, that all free men elected, be only Church-members.
1. Because if none but Church members should rule, then others should not choose, because they may elect others beside Church members.
2. From the patterne of Israel, where none had power to choose but only Israel, or such as were joyned to the people of God.
3. If it shall fall out, that in the Court consisting of Magistrates and Deputies, there be a dissent between them which may hinder the common good, that they now returne for ending the same, to their first principles, which are the Free men, and let them be consulted with.
Truth.
In this Head are 2 branches: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. First concerning the choice of Magistrates, that such ought to be chosen as are Church members: for which is quoted, Exod. 18. 21. Dut. 17. 15. Proverbs 19. 29.
Unto which I answer: It were to be wished, that since the point is so weighty, as concerning the Pilots and Steeresmen of Kingdoms and Nations, &c. on whose abilitie, care and faithfulnesse depends most commonly the peace and safety of the commonweales they fall in: I say it were to be wished that they had more fully explained what they intend by this Affirmative, viz. Magistrates ought to be chosen out of Church members.
For if they intend by this [Ought to be chosen] a necessitie of concenience, viz. that for the greater advancement of common utilitie and rejoycing of the people, according to the place quoted (Prov. 29. 2.) it were to be desired, prayed for, and peaceably endeavored, then I readily assent unto them.
But if by this [Ought] they intend such a necessitie as those Scriptures quoted imply, viz. that people shall sin by choosing such for Magistrates as are not members of Churches; as the Israelites should have sinned, if they had not (according to Iethro's counsell, Exod. 18. and according to the command of God, Deut. 18.) chosen their Iudges and Kings within themselves in Israel: then I propose these necessary Quaries.
First whether those are not lawfull Civill combinations, societies, and communions of men, in Townes, Cities, States or Kingdoms, where no Church of Christ is resident,Lawfull Civil States, where Churches of Christ are not. yea where his name was never yet heard of: I adde to this, that Men of no small note, skilfull in the state of the World, acknowledge, that the World divided into 30 parts,The world being divided into 30 parts, 25 never heard of Christ. 25 of that 30 have never yet heard of the name of Christ: If their Civill polities and combinations be not lawfull, (because they are not Churches, and their Magistrates Church members) then disorder, confusion, and all unrighteousnes is lawfull, and pleasing to God.
Secondly, whether in such States or Commonweales, where a Church or Churches of Christ are resident, such persons may not lawfully succeed to the Crown or Government,Lawfull heires of Crownes & Civill Government, although not Christian and godly. in whome the feare of God (according to Iethroes councell) cannot be discerned, not are brethren of the Church, according to Deut. 17.) but only are fitted with Civill and Morall abilities, to manage the Civill affaires of the Civill State.
Thirdly, since not many Wise and Noble are called, but the poores receive the Gospel, as God hath chosen the poore of the World to be rich in Faith, 1 Cor. 1 Jam. 2. Whether it may not ordinarily come to passe,Few Christians wise and noble, and qualified for affaires of State. that there may not be found in a true Church of Christ (which sometimes consisteth but of few persons) persons fit to be either Kings or Governours, &c. whose civill office is no lesse difficult then the office of a Doctor of Physick, a Master or Pilot of a Ship, or a Captaine or Commander of a Band or Army of men: for which services, the children of God may be no wayes qualified, though otherwise excellent for the feare of God, and the knowledge and Grace of the Lord Iesus.
4. If Magistrates ought (that is, ought only) to be chosen out of the Church, I demand if they ought not also to be dethroned and deposed, Some Papists and some Protestants agree in deposing of Magistrates.when they cease to be of the Church, either by voluntary departure from it, or by excommunication out of it, according to the bloody tenents and practice of some Papists, with whom the Protestants (according to their principles) although they seeme to abhor it, doe absolutely agree?
5. Therefore lastly, I ask if this be not to turne the World upside down, to turne, the World out of the World, to pluck up the roots and foundations of all common societie in the World? to turne the Garden and Paradice of the Church and Saints into the Field of the Civill State of the World, and to reduce the World to the first Chaos or confusion