The Bloody Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience, Part 3 · Chapter 74
CHAP. LXXIV.
Peace.
THe next passage in the Author which the Answerer descends unto,Papists plea for toleration of conscience. is the testimony of the Papists themselves, a lively and shining testimony from Scriptures alledged both against themselves and all that associate with them (as power is in their hand) in such unchristian and bloody both tenents and practices.
As for the testimony of the Popish booke (saith he) we weight it not, as knowing what ever they speake for toleration of Religion, where themselves are under Hatches, when they come to sit at Stern they judge and practise quite contrary, as both their writings and judiciall proceedings have testified to the world these many yeares.
Truth.
I answer, although both writings and practices have been such, yet the Scriptures and expressions of truth alledged and uttered by them, speake loud and fully for them when they are under the Hatches, that for their conscience and religion they should not there be choaked and smothered, but suffered to breathe and walke upon the Deckes in the ayre of civill liberty and conversation in the Ship of the commonwealth, upon good assurance given of civill obedience to the civill State.
Againe, if this practice bee so abominable in his eyes from the Papists, viz. The Protestants partiall in the case of persecution.that they are so partiall as to persecute when they sit at Helme, and yet cry out against persecution when they are under the Hatches, I shall beseech the Righteous Judge of the whole world to present as in a Water or Glasse (where face answereth to face) the faces of the Papist to the Protestant, answering to each other in the samenesse of partiality, both of this doctrine and practice.
When Mr. Cotton and others have formerly been under hatches, what sad and true complaints have they abundantly powred forth against persecution? How have they opened that heavenly Scripture, Cant 4. 8. Where Christ Iesus calls his tender Wife and Spouse from the fellowship with persecutors in their dens of Lions, and mountaines of Leopards?
But comming to the Helme (as he speaks of the Papists) how, both by preaching, writing, Printing, practice, doe they themselves (I hope in their persons Lambes) unnaturally and partially expresse toward others, the cruell nature of such Lions and Leopards?
O that the God of Heaven might please to tell them how abominable in his eyes are a waight and a waight, A false balance in Gods matters abominable to God.a stone and a stone in the bag of waights! one waight for themselves when they are under Hatches, and another for others when they come to Helme.
Nor shall their confidence of their being in the truth (which they judge the Papists and others are not in) no nor the Truth it selfe priviledge them to persecute others, and to exempt themselves from persecution, because (as formerly.)
First,Sheep cannot h…nt, no not the wolves. it is against the nature of true Sheep to persecute or hunt the Beasts of the Forrest, no not the same Wolves who formerly have persecuted themselves.
Secondly, if it be a duty and charge upon all Magistrates in all parts of the World to judge and persecute in and for spirituall causes, then either they are no Magistrates who are not able to judge in such cases, or else they must judge according to their Consciences, whether Pagan, Turkish or Antichristian.
Lastly,Pills to purge out the spi…it of persecution. notwithstanding their confidence of the truth of their owne way, yet the experience of our Fathers errours, our owne mistakes and ignorance, the sense of our own weaknesses and blindnesse in the depths of the prophesies & mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ, and the great professed expectation of light to come which we are not now able to comprehend, may abate the edge, yea sheath up the sword of persecution toward any, especially such as differ not from them in doctrines of repentance, or faith, or holinesse of heart and life, and hope of glorious and eternall union to come, but only in the way and manner of the administrations of Iesus Christ.