The Bloody Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience, Part 3 · Chapter 57 – Chapter 66
CHAP. LVII.
Peace.
YEa but he produceth Scriptures against such toleration, and for persecuting men for the cause of conscience: Christ (saith he) had something against the Angel of the Church of Pergamus for tolerating them that held the doctrine of Balaam, and against the Church of Thiatira for tolerating Iesabel to teach and seduce, Rev. 2. 14. 20.
Truth.
I may answer with some admiration and astonishment how it pleased the Father of lights, and most jealous God to darken and vaile the eye of so pretious a man, as not to seek out and propose some Scriptures (in the proofe of so weighty an assertion) as at least might have some colour for an influence of the Civill Magistrate in such cases: for
First,Toleration. Rev. 2. 14. 20. examined. he saith not that Christ had ought against the City Pergamus, (where Sathan had his throne Rev. 2.) but against the Church at Pergamus, in which was set up the Throne of Christ.
Secondly, Christs Charge is not against the Civill Magistrate of Pergamus, but the Messenger or Ministry of the Church in Pergamus.
Thirdly, I confesse so far as Balaams or Iesabels doctrine maintained a liberty of corporall fornication, it concerned the City of Pergamus and Thiatira, and the Angel or Officers of those Cities to suppresse not only such practices, but such Doctrines also, as the Roman Emperour justly punished Ovid the Poet, for teaching the wanton Art of Love, leading to and ushering on laciviousnesse and uncleannesse.
4. Yet so far as Balaams teachers or Iesabel did seduce the members of the Church in Pergamus or Thiatira, to the worship of the Idolaters in Pergamus or Thiatira (which will appeare to be the case) I say so far I may well and properly answer, as himselfe answered before those Scriptures, brought from Luc. 9. & 2 Tim. 2. to prove patience and permission to men opposite, viz. These Scriptures (saith he) are directions to Ministers of the Gospel, and in the end of that passage he addes, Much lesse doe they speake at all to Civill Magistrates.
Fifthly, Either these Churches and the Angels thereof had power to suppresse these doctrines of Balaam, Christ Ministers & Churches have power sufficient from Christ to suppresse Balaam and Iesabel seducing to false worship.and to suppresse Iesabel from teaching, or they had not:
That they had not cannot be affirmed, for Christs Authority is in the hands of his Ministers and Churches, Matth. 16. & 18. & 1 Cor. 5.
If they had power, as must be granted, then I conclude sufficient power to suppresse such persons, who ever they were that maintained Balaams doctrine in the Church at Pergamus, although the very Magistrates themselves of the City of Pergamus, (if Christians) and to have suppressed Iesabel from teaching and seducing in the Church had she been Lady, Queen, or Empresse, if there were no more but teaching without hostility: And if so, all power and authority of Magistrates and Governours of Pergamus and Thiatira, and all submitting or appealing to them, in such cases, must needs fall as none of Christs appointment.
Lastly, From this perverse wresting of what is writ to the Church and the Officers thereof, as if it were written to the Civill State and Officers thereof; all may see how since the Apostacie of Antichrist, The Christian world hath swallowed up Christianity.the Christian World (so called) hath swallowed up Christianity, how the Church and civill State, that is the Church and the World are now become one flocke of Iesus Christ; Christs sheepe, and the Pastors or Shepherds of them, all one with the severall unconverted, wilde or tame Beasts and Cattell of the World and the civill and earthly governours of them: The Christian Church or Kingdome of the Saints, that stone cut out of the mountaine without hands, Daniel 2. now made all one with the mountaine or Civill State, the Roman Empire, from whence it is cut or taken: Christs lilies, garden and love, all one with the thornes, the daughers and wildernesse of the World, out of which the Spouse or Church of Christ is called, and amongst whom in civill things for a while here below, she must necessarily be mingled and have converse, unlesse she will goe out of the World (before Christ Iesus her Lord and Husband send for her home into the Heavens, 1 Cor. 5. 10.)
CHAP. LVIII.
Peace.
HAving thus (by the help of Christ) examined those Scriptures or writings of truth, The second head of Reasons against such persecution, viz. the profession of famous Princes, K. James, Steven of Poland, and K. of Bohemia.brought by the Author against Persecution, and cleared them from such vailes & mists wherewith Mr. Cotton hath endeavored to obscure & darken their light: I pray you now (by the the same gracious assistance) proceed to his answer to the second head of Reasons from the profession of famous Princes against persecution for conscience, K. Iames, Steven of Poland, K. of Bohemia, unto whom the Answerer returneth a treble answer.
First, saith he, We willingly acknowledge that none is to be persecuted at all no more then they may be oppressed for righteousnesse sake.
Againe, we acknowledge that none is to be punished for his conscience though misinformed (as hath been said) unlesse his Error be fundamentall or seditiously and turbulently promoted, and that after due conviction of his conscience, that it may appeare he is not punished for his conscience, but for sinning against his conscience.
Furthermore, we acknowledge none is to be constrained to beleeve or professe the true Religion, till he be convinced in judgement of the truth of it, but yet restrained he may be from blaspheming the truth, and from seducing any unto pernicious error.
Truth.
This first answer consists of a repetition and enumeration of such grounds or conclusions, as Mr. Cotton in the entrance of this Discourse laid downe, and I beleeve that (through the helpe of God) in such replies as I have made unto them, I have made it evident what weak foundations they have in the Scriptures of truth;Isa. 40 6. 2 Pet. 2. as also that, when such conclusions (excepting the first) as grasse, and the flower of the grasse shall sade, that holy Word of the Lord, which the Author against such persecution produced, and I have cleared, shall stand for ever, even when these Heavens and Earth are burnt.
Peace.
His second answer is this: What Princes professe and practice is not a rule of conscience. They many times tolerate that in point of State-policie, which cannot justly be tolerated in point of true Christianity.
Againe, Princes many times tolerate offendours out of very necessity, when the offenders are either too many or too mighty for them to punish, in which respect David tolerated Ioab and his murders, but against his will.
CHAP. LIX.
VNnto those excellent and famous speeches of those Princes worthy to be written in golden letters or rows of Diamonds upon all the gates of all the Cities and Palaces in the World, the Answerer (without any particular reply) returnes two things.
Truth.
First, that Princes profession and practice is no rule of conscience: Mr. Cottons unequall dealing with Princes.unto this as all men will subscribe, so may they also observe how the Answerer deales with Princes.
One while they are the nursing Fathers of the Church, not only to feed, but also to correct, and therefore consequently bound to iudge what is true feeding and correcting: and consequently all men are bound to submit to their feeding and correcting.
Another while, when Princes crosse Mr. Cottons judgement and practice, then it matters not what the profession and practice of Princes is; for (saith he) their profession and practice is no Rule to Conscience.
I aske then, unto what Magistrates or Princes will themselves or any so perswaded submit, as unto keepers of both Tables, as unto the Antitypes of the Kings of Israel and Iudah, and nursing Fathers and Mothers of the Church?
First, will it not evidently follow, that by these Tenents they ought not to submit to any Magistrates in the world in these cases, but to Magistrates just of their owne conscience: and
Secondly, that all other Consciences in the world (except their owne) must be persecuted by such their Magistrates?
And lastly, is not this to make Magistrates but steps and stirrops to ascend and mount up into their rich and honourable Seats and Sad…les; I meane great and setled maintenances, which neither the Lord Iesus, nor any of his first Messengers, the true patternes, did ever know?
CHAP. LX.
Truth.
IN the second place hee saith that Princes out of State policy tolerate what suits not with Christianity, and out of State necessity tolerate (…s David did Ioab) against their wils.
To which I answer,
First, that although with him in the first I confesse that Princes may tolerate that out of State policy which will not stand with Christianity, The Answerer a knowledgeth a necessi…y of some tol…ration.yet in the second he must acknowledge with me, that there is a necessity sometime of State Toleration, as in the case of Ioab, and so his former affirmation generally laid downe [viz. that it is evill to tolerate seducing Teachers, or scandalous livers] was not duly waighed in the Balance of the Sanctuary, Christ Jesus the deepest politician that ever was, and yet he commands a toleration of Antichristians.and is too light.
Secondly, I affirme that that State policy and State necessity, which (for the peace of the State and preventing of Rivers of civill Blood) permits the Consciences of men, will bee found to agree most punctually with the Rules of the best Politician that ever the World saw, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, in comparison of whom Salomon himselfe had but a drop of wisedome, compared to Christs Ocean, and was but a Farthing Candle compared with the All and Ever glorious Son of Righteousnesse.
That absolute Rule of this great Politician for the peace of the Field, which is the World, and for the good and peace of the Saints, who must have a civill being in the World, I have discoursed of in his command of permitting the Tares, that is, Antichristians or false Christians to be in the Field of the World, growing up together with the true Wheat, true Christians.
CHAP. LXI.
Peace.
HIs third Answer is this:
For those three Princes named by you who tolerated Religion, we can name you more and greater who have not tolerated Heretickes and Schismatickes, notwithstanding their pretence of Conscience, and their arrogating the Crowne of Martyrdome to their sufferings.
Constantine the Great at the request of the Generall Councell at Nice, banished Arrius, with some of his Fellowes, Sozom. lib. 1. Eccles hist. cap 19 20.
The same Constantine made a severe Law against the Donatists: and the like proceedings against them were used by Valentinian, Gratian, and Theodosius, as Augustine reports in Ep. 166. OnelyOnly Iulian the Apostate granted liberty to Heretickes, as well as to Pagans, that he might by tolerating all weeds to grow, choake the vitals of Christianity: which was also the practice and sinne of Valens the Arrian.
Queene Elizabeth, as famous for her Government as most of the former, it is well knowne what Lawes she made and executed against Papists: yea and K. Iames (one of your owne Witnesses) though he was slow in proceeding against Papists (as you say) for Conscience sake, yet you are not ignorant how sharply and severely he punished those whom the malignant World calls Puritans, men of more Conscience and better Faith then the Papists whom he tolerated.
Truth.
Unto this I answer: First, that for mine owne part I would not use an argument from the number of Princes, witnessing in profession of practice against Persecution for cause of Conscience; for the truth and faith of the Lord Iesus must not bee received with respect of faces, The Princes of the world seldome take put with Christ.be they never so high, princely and glorious.
Precious Pearles and Iewels, and farre more precious Truth are found in muddy shells and places. The rich Mines of golden Truth lye hid under barren hills, and in obscure holes and corners.
The most High and Glorious God hath chosen the poore of the World: Princes not persecuting are very rare.and the Witnesses of Truth (Rev. 11.) are cloathed in sackcloth, not in Silke or Sattin, Cloth of Gold, or Tissue: and therefore I acknowledge, if the number of Princes professing persecution bee considered, it is rare to finde a King, Prince or Governour like Christ Iesus the King of Kings, and Prince of the Princes of the Earth, and who tread not in the steps of Herod the Fox, or Nero the Lyon, openly or secretly persecuting the name of the Lord Iesus; such were Saul, Ieroboam, Ahab, though under a maske or pretence of the name of the God of Israel.
To that purpose was it a noble speech of Buchanan, Buchanans Item to King Iames.who lying on his death-bed sent this Item to King Iames: Remember my humble service to his Majestie, and tell him that Buchanan is going to a place where few Kings come.
CHAP. LXII.
Truth.
SEcondly, I observe how inconsiderately (I hope not willingly) he passeth by the Reasons and Grounds urged by those three Princes for their practices; for as for the bare examples of Kings or Princes, they are but like shining Sands, or guilded Rockes, giving no solace to such as make wofull shipwrack on them.
In K. Iames his Speech he passeth by that Golden Maxime in Divinity, King Iames his sayings against persecution.that God never loves to plant his Church by Blood.
Secondly, that Civill Obedience may be performed from the Papists.
Thirdly, in his observation on Revel 20. that true and certaine note of a false Church, to wit, persecution: The wicked are besiegers, the faithfull are besieged.
In K. Steven of Poland his Speech,King Steven of Poland his speech against Persecution. hee passeth by the true difference betweene a Civill and a Spirituall Government: I am (said Steven) a Civill Magistrate over the bodies of men, not a spirituall over their soules.
Now to confound these, is Babel; and Jewish it is to seek for Moses, and bring him from his grave (which no man shall finde, for God buried him) in setting up a Nationall state or Church in a land of Canaan, which the great Messiah abolished at his comming.
Thirdly, he passeth by in the speech of the King of Bohemia, that foundation in Grace and Nature, to wit, that Conscience ought not to be violated or forced: and indeed it it is most true, that a Soule or spirituall Rape Forcing of Conscience is a Soule rape.is more abominable in Gods eye, then to force and ravish the Bodies of all the Women in the World.
Secondly, that most lamentably true experience of all Ages, which that King observeth, viz. that persecution for cause of ConsciencePersecution for conscience, the Launcet that letteth blood Kings & Kingdomes. hath ever proved pernicious, being the causes of all those wonderfull innovations of, or changes in the Principalities… and mightiest Kingdomes of Christendome. He that reads the Records of Truth and Time with an impartiall eye, shall finde this to be the Launcet that hath pierc'd the veines of Kings and Kingdomes, of Saints and Sinners, and fill'd the streames and Rivers with their blood.
Lastly,All spirituall Whores are bloody. that Kings observation of his own time,, viz. that Persecution for cause of Conscience, was practised most in England, and such places where Popery raigned, implying (as I conceive) that such practises commonly proceed from that great whore the Church of Rome, whose Daughters are like their Mother, and all of a bloody nature, as most commonly all Whores be.
CHAP. LXIII.
NOw thirdly, in that the Answerer observeth, that amongst the Romane Emperours, they that did not persecute, were Iulian the Apostate, and Valens the Arrian; whereas the good Emperours, Constantine, Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius, they did persecute the Arrians, Donatists, &c.
Answ. It is no new thing for godly and eminently godly men,The Godly somotimes evill actors, and the Ungodly good actors. Poligamie, or the many wives of the Fathers. to performe ungodly actions: nor for ungodly persons, for wicked ends to act what in it selfe is good and righteous.
Abraham, Iacob, David Salomon, &c. (as well as Lamech, Saul, &c.) lived in constant transgression against the institution of so holy and so ratified a Law of Mariage, &c. and this not against the light and checks of conscience, (as other sinnes are wont to be recorded of them) but according to the dictate and perswasion of a Resolved Soule and Conscience.
David out of zeale to God, Davids advancing of Gods Worship against Gods Order.with 30 thousand of Israel, and Majesticall solemnity, carries up the Arke, contrary to the Order God was pleased to appoint: the issue was both Gods and Davids great offence… 2 Sam. 6.
David in his zeale would build an house to entertaine his God? what more pious? and what more (in shew) serio…sly consulted, when the Prophet Nathan is admitted Councellour? 2 Sam. 7.
And probable it is, that his slaughter of Vriiah was not without a good end, to wit, to prevent the dishonour of Gods name, in the discoverrie of his Adulterie with Bathsheba: yet David was holy and precious to God still, (though like a jewell fallen into the dirt) whereas K. Ahab, though acting his fasting & humiliation, was but Ahab still, though his Act (in it selfe) was a duty, and found successe with God.
CHAP. LXIV.
Peace.
I Have often heard that Historie reports, and I have heard that Mr. Cotton himselfe hat affirmed it, that Christianitic fell asleep in Constantines bosome, and the laps and bosomes of those Emperours professing the name of Christ.
Truth.
The unknowing zeale of Constantine and other Emperours,Constantine and the good Emperours are confest to have done more hurt to the name and crown of the Lord Jesus, then the persecuting Neroes &c. did more hurt to Christ Iesus his Crowne and Kingdome, then the raging fury of the most bloody Neroes. In the persecutions of the later, Christians were sweet and fragrant, like spice pounded and beaten in morters: But those good Emperours, persecuting some erroneous persons, Arrius, &c. and advancing the professours of some Truths of Christ (for there was no small number of Truths lost in those times) and maintaining their Religion by the materiall Sword, I say by this meanes Christianity was ecclipsed, and the Professors of it fell asleep, Cant. 5. Babel or confusion was usher'd in, and by degrees the Gardens of the Churches of Saints were turned into the wildernesse of whole Nations, untill the whole World became Christian or Christendome, The Garden of the Church and Field of the World made all one by Antichrististianisme.Revel. 12. & 13.
Doubtlesse those holy men, Emperours and Bishops, intended and aimed right, to exalt Christ: but not attending to the Command of Christ Iesus, to permit the Tares to grow in the field of the World, they made the Garden of the Church, and Field of the World to be all one; and might not onelyonly sometimes in their zealous mistakes persecute good wheat in stead of Tares, but also pluck up thousands of those precious stalkes by commotions and combustions about Religion, as hath been since practised in the great and wonderfull changes wrought by such Wars in many great and mighty States and Kingdomes, as we heard even now in the Observation of the King of Bohemia.
CHAP. LXV.
Peace.
DEare Truth, before you leave this passage concerning the Emperours, I shall desire you to glance your eye on this not unworthy observation, to wit, how fully this worthy Answerer hath learned to speake the roaring language of Lyon-like Persecution, far from the purity and peaceablenesse of the Lambe, which he was wont to expresse in England. For thus he writes:
More and greater Princes then these you mention (saith he) have not tolerated Hereticks and Schismaticks, notwithstanding their pretence of Conscience, and their arrogating the Crown of Martyrdome to their suff…ings.
Truth.
Thy tender eare and heart (sweet Peace) endures not such language: 'Tis true, that these termes, Hereticks (or wilfully obstinate) and Schismaticks (or Renders) are used in Holy Writ: 'tis true also, that such pretend conscience, and challenge the crowne of Martyrdome to their suffrings: The language of Persecuters, the wolves and hunters of the World.Yet since (as King Iames spake in his [Marke of a false Church] on Revel. 20.) the Wicked persecute and besiege, and the Godly are persecuted and besieged; this is the common clamour of Persecuters against the Messengers and Witnesses of Iesus in all Ages, viz. You are Hereticks, Schismaticks, factious, seditious, rebellious. Have not all Truths witnesses heard such reproaches? You pretend conscience; You say you are persecuted for Religion; You will say you are Martyrs?
Oh it is hard for Gods children to fall to opinion and practice of Persecution, without the ready learning the language thereof: And doubtlesse, that Soule that can so readily speake Babels language, hath cause to fear that he hath not yet in point of Worship left the Gates or Suburbs of it.
Peace.
Againe, in blaming Iulian and Valens the Arrian, for tolerating all weeds to grow, he notes their sinfull end, that thereby they might choake the vitals of Christianity; and seemes to consent (in this and other passages foregoing and following on a speech of Ierome) that the weeds of false Religions tolerated in the world, have a power to choake and kill true Christianity in the Church.
Truth.
I shall more fully answer to this on Ieromes speech, and shew that if the weeds be kept out of the Garden of the Church, the Roses and Lilies therein will flourish, notwithstanding that weeds abound in the Field of the Civill State. Christs Lilies may flourish in his Church, notwithstanding the abundance of weeds (in the world) permitted.When Christianity began to be choaked, it was not when Christians lodged in cold Prisons, but Downe beds of ease, and persecuted others, &c.
CHAP. LXVI.
Peace.
HE ends this passage with approbation of Q. Elizabeth for persecuting the Papists, and a reproofe to King Iames for his persecuting the Puritans, &c.
Truth.
I answer, if Queene Elizabeth The persecution of Queen Elizabeth and King Iames compared together.according to the Answerers Tenent and Conscience, did well to persecute according to her conscience, King Iames did not ill in persecuting according to his: For Mr. Cotton must grant, that either King Iames was not fit to be a King, had not the essentiall qualifications of a King, in not being able rightly to judge who ought to be persecuted, and who not, or else he must confesse that King Iames and all Magistrates must persecute such whom in their Conscience they judge worthy to be persecuted.
I say it againe (though I neither approve Queen Elizabeth or K. Iames in such their persecutions, yet) such as hold this Tenent of persecuting for Conscience, must also hold that Civill Magistrates are not essentially fitted and qualified for their function and office, except they can discerne clearly the difference betweene such as are to be punished and persecuted, and such as are not.
Or else if they be essentially qualified, without such a religious spirit of discerning, and yet must persecute the Hereticke, the Schismaticke, &c. must they not persecute according to their conscience and perswasion. And then doubtlesse (though he bee excellent for Civill Government) may he easily, as Paul did ignorantly, persecute the Son of God, in stead of the Son of perdition.
Therefore (lastly) according to Christ Iesus his command, Magistrates are bound not to persecute, and to see that none of their subjects be persecuted and oppressed for their conscience and worship, being otherwise subject and peaceable in Civill Obedience.