The Bloody Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience, Part 3 · Chapter 75 – Chapter 81
CHAP. LXXV.
Peace.
TO close this head of the testimony of Writers, it pleaseth the Answerer to produce a contrary testimony of Austin, Optatus, &c.
Truth.
I readily acknowledge (as formerly I did concerning the testimony of Princes) that Antichrist is too hard for Christ at votes and numbers: Superstition & persecution have had many votes from Gods owne people.yea and beleeve that in many points (wherein the servants of God these many hundred yeares have beene fast asleep) superstition and persecution have had more suffrages and votes from Gods owne people then hath either been honourable to the Lord, or peaceable to their owne or the soules of others: Therefore (not to derogate from the pretious memory of any of them) let us briefly consider what they have in this point affirmed.
To begin with Austin: They murther (saith he) soules, and themselves are afflicted in body, and they put men to everlasting death, and yet they complaine when themselves are put to temporall death.
I answer,Austins saying for persecution examined. This Rhetoricall perswasion of humane wisdome seems very reasonable in the eye of flesh and blood, but one Scripture more prevailes with faithfull and obedient soules then thousands of plausi…le and eloquent speeches: in particular,
First, the Scripture useth soule-killing Soul-killing.in a large sense, not only for the teaching of false prophets and seducers, but even for the offensive walking of Christians, in which respect 1 Cor. 8.) a true Christian may be guilty of destroying a soule for whom Christ died, and therefore by this rule ought to be hanged, burned, &c.
Secondly, That plausible similitude will not prove that every false teaching or false practice actually kills the soule, as the body is slaine, and slaine but once, for soules infected or bewitched may againe recover, 1 Cor. 5. Gal. 5. 2 Tim. 2. &c.
Thirdly, for soule-killings, yea also for soule-woundings and grievings, Christ Iesus hath appointed remedies sufficient in his Church. There comes forth a two edged sword out of his mouth (Rev. 1. and Rev. 2) able to cut downe Heresie (as is confest) yea and to kill the Hereticke, Punishments provided by Christ Jesus against Soule-killers and Soule-wounders.yea and to punish his soule everlastingly, which no sword of steele can reach unto in any punishment comparable or imaginable; and therefore in this case we may say of this spirituall soule-killing by the sword of Christs mouth, as Paul concerning the incestuous person, 2 Cor. 2. Sufficient is this punishment, &c.
Fourthly, Although no Soule-killers, nor Soule-grievers may be suffred in the Spirituall State or Kingdome of Christ, the Church; yet he hath commanded that such should be suffered and permitted to be and live in the World, as I have proved on Matth. 13. otherwise thousands and millions of soules and bodies both, must be murthered and cut off by civill combustions and bloody warres about Religion.
Fifthly, I argue thus: The Soules of all men in the World are either naturally dead in Sin, or alive in Christ. If dead in sinne, no man can kill them,Men dead in Sin, cannot be Soule kill'd. A Nationall enforced Religion or a Civill War for Religion the two great preventers of soule conversion and life. no more then he can kill a dead man: Nor is it a false Teacher or false Religion that can so much prevent the means of Spirituall life, as one of these two; Either the force of a material sword, imprisoning the Soules of men in a State or Nationall Religion, Ministery or Worship; Or secondly, Civill warres and combustions for Religion sake, whereby men are immediately cut off without any longer meanes of Repentance.
Now againe, for the Soules that are alive in Christ, he hath graciously appointed Ordinances powerfully sufficient to maintaine and cherish that life, Armour of proofe able to defend them against men and devils.
Secondly, the Soule once alive in Christ, is like Christ himselfe, (Revel. 1.) alive for ever, (Rom. 6.) and cannot die a spirituall death.
Lastly, Grant a man to be a false Teacher, an Heretick, a Balaam, a Spirituall Witch, a Wolfe, a Persecuter, breathing out blasphemies against Christ, Soule killers prove (by the grace of Christ) Soule savers.and slaughters against his followers, as Paul did, Act. 9. I say, these who appeare Soule-killers to day, by the grace of Christ may prove (as Paul) Soule-savers to morrow: and saith Paul to Timothy (1 Tim. 4.) thou shalt save thy selfe and them that heare thee: which all must necessarily be prevented, if all that comes within the sense of these Soule-killers, must (as guilty of blood) be corporally kill'd and put to death.
CHAP. LXVI.
Peace.
DEare Truth, your Answers are so satisfactorie to Austins speech, that if Austin himselfe were now living, me thinkes he should be of your mind. I pray descend to Optatus, Optatus examined.who (saith the Answerer) justifies Macharius for putting some Hereticks to death, affirming that he had done no more herein then what Moses, Phineas and Elias had done before him.
Truth.
Th…se are shafts usually drawne from the Quiver of the Ceremoniall and typicall state of the Nationall Church of the Iewes, Persecuters leave Christ, & flie to Moses for their practice.whose shadowish and figurative state vanished at the appearing of the Body and substance, the Sun of Righteousnesse, who set up another Kingdome or Church (Heb. 12.) Ministrie and Worship: in which we finde no such Ordinance, precept or president of killing men by Materiall Swords for Religion sake.
More particularly concerning Moses, I quaerie what commandement or practice of Moses either Optatus or the Answerer here intend? Probably that passage of Deut. 13. wherein Moses appointed a slaughter either of a person or a city that should depart from the God of Israel, with whom that Nationall Church was in Covenant. And if so, I shall particularly reply to that place in my Answer to the Reasons hereunder mentioned.
Concerning Phineas his zealous Act:
First, his slaying of the Israelitish man, and woman of Midian, Phineas his act discussed.was not for spirituall, but corporall filthines.
Secondly, no man will produce his fact as presidentiall to any Minister of the Gospel so to act in any Civill state or Commonweale; although I believe in the Church of God it is presidentiall for either Minister or people to kill and slay with the two-edged sword of the Spirit of God any such bold and open presumptuous sinners as these were.
Lastly, concerning Eliah: There were two famous acts of Eliah of a killing nature:
First, that of slaying 850 of Baals Prophets. 1 Kings 18.
Secondly of the two Captaines and their Fifties, by fire, &c.
For the first of these,Elia…s slaughters examined. it cannot figure or type out any materiall slaughter of the many thousands of false Prophets in the World by any materiall sword of Iron or Steele: for as that passage was miraculous, so finde we not any such commission given by the Lord Iesus to the Ministers of the Gospel. And lastly, such a slaughter must not only extend to all the false prophets in the World, but (according to the Answerers grounds) to the many thousands of thousands of Idolaters and false worshippers in the Kingdomes and Nations of the World.
For the second Act of Eliah, Eliahs consuming the 2 Capta…nes and their companies by …i…e, discussed.as it was also of a miraculous nature: So secondly, when the followers of the Lord Iesus (Luc. 9.) proposed such a practice to the Lord Iesus, for injury offered to his owne person, he disclaimed it with a milde checke to their angry spirits, telling them plainly they knew not what spirits they were of; and addeth that gentle and mercifull conclusion, That he came not to destroy the bodies of men, as contrarily Antichrist doth, alledging these instances from the Old Testament, as also Peters killing Anania…, Acts 5. and Peters vision and voice, Arise Peter, kill and eat, Acts. 10.
CHAP. LXXVII.
Peace.
YOu have so satisfied these instances brought by Optatus, that me thinks Optatus and the Answerer himself might rest satisfied.
I will not trouble you with Bernards argument from Rom. 13. which you have already on that Scripture so largely answered.
But what thinke you (lastly) of Calvin, Beza, and Aretius?
Truth
Ans. Since matters of fact and opinion are barely related by the Answerer without their grounds, whose grounds notwithstanding in this Discourse are answered. I answer, if Paul himself were joyned with them, yea or an Angel from Heaven bringing any other rule then what the Lord Jesus hath once delivered, we have Pauls conclusion and resolution, peremptory and dreadfull, Gal. 1. 8.
Peace.
This passage finished, let me finish the whole by proposing one conclusion of the Author of the arguments, viz. It is no prejudice to the Commonwealth if Liberty of Conscience were suffered to such as feare God indeed: Abraham abode a long time amongst the Cananites, yet contrary to them in Religion, Gen. 13. 7. & 16. 13. Againe, he s…journed in Gerar, and King Abimel…ch gave him leave to abide in his Land, Gen. 20. 21. 23. 24.
Isaack also dwelt in the same Land, yet contrary in Religion, Gen. 26.
Iacob lived 20 yeares in one house with his Unkle Laban, yet differed in Religion, Gen. 31.
The people of Israel were about 430 yeares in that infamous land of Egypt, and afterwards 70 yeares in Babylon: all which times they differed in Religion from the States, Exod. 12. & 2 Chron. 36.
Come to the time of Christ, where Israel was under the Romanes, where lived divers Sects of Religion, as Herodians, Scribes and Pharises, Saduces and Libertines, Theudaeans and Samaritanes, beside the Common Religion of the Jews, & Christ and his Apostles. All which differed from the Common Religion of the State, which was like the Worship of Diana, which almost the whole World then worshipped, Acts 19. 20.
All these lived under the Government of Caesar, being nothing hurtfull unto the Commonwealth, giving unto Caesar that which was his. And for their Religion and Consciences towards God, he left them to themselves, as having no dominion over their Soules and Consciences: And when the Enemies of the Truth raised up any tumults, the wisedome of the Magistrate most wisely appeased them, Acts 18 14. & 19. 35.
Unto this the Answerer returnes thus much:
It is true, that without prejudice to the Common-wealth, Libertie of Conscience may be suffered to such as feare God indeed, as knowing they will not persist in Heresie or turbulent Schisme, when they are convinced in Conscience of the sinfulnes thereof. But the question is, whether an Heretick after once or twice Admonition, (and so after Conviction) and any other scandalous and heynous offender, may be tolerated either in the Church without Excommunication, or in the Common-weale without such punishment as may preserve others from dangerous and damnable infection.
CHAP. LXXIX.
Truth.
I Here observe the Answerers partiality, that none but such as truly feare God should enjoy Libertie of Conscience, whence the Inhabitants of the World must either come into the estate of men fearing God, or else dissemble a Religion in hypocrisie, or else be driven out of the World: One must follow. The first is only the gift of God, the second and third are too commonly practised upon this ground.
Againe, since there is so much controversie in the World, where the name of Christ is taken up, concerning the true Church, the Ministrie and Worship, and who are those that truly feare God; I aske who shall judge in this case, who be they that feare God?
It must needs be granted, that such as have the power of suffring or not suffring, Dangerous consequences flowing from the Civill Magistrates judging in Spirituall causes.such Consciences, must judge: and then must it follow (as before I intimated) that the Civill State must judge of the truth of the Spirituall; and then Magistrates fearing or not fearing God, must judge of the feare of God: also that their judgement or sentence must be according to their conscience, of what Religion soever: Or that there is no lawfull Magistrate, who is not able to judge in such cases. And lastly, that since the Soveraigne power of all Civill Authority is founded in the consent of the People, that every Common-weale hath radically and fundamentally in it a power of true discerning the true feare of God,The World turned upside down. which they transfer to their Magistrates and Officers: Or else that there are no lawfull Kingdomes, Cities, or Townes in the World, in which a man may live, and unto whose Civill Government he may submit: and then (as I said before) there must be no World, nor is it lawfull to live in it, because it hath not a true discerning Spirit to judge them that feare or not feare God.
Lastly, although this worthy Answerer so readily grants, that Libertie of Conscience should be suffred to them that feare God indeed:The wonderfull answer of the Ministers of the Church of New England to the Ministers of the Church of Old England. yet we know what the Ministers of the Churches of New-England wrote in answer to the 3 Question sent to them by some Ministers of Old England, viz. that although they confest them to be such persons whom they approved of far above themselves, yea who were in their hearts to live and die together; yet if they and other godly people with them, comming over to them, should differ in Church constitution, they then could not approve their Civill cohabitation with them, and consequently could not advise the Magistrates to suffer them to enjoy a Civill being within their Iurisdiction.
Heare O Heavens, and give eare O Earth, yea let the Heavens be astonished, and the Earth tremble at such an Answer as this from such excellent men to such whom they esteeme for godlinesse above themselves.
CHAP. LXXIX.
Peace.
YEa, but they say, they doubt not if they were there but they should agree; for, say they, either you will come to us, or you may shew us light to come to you, for we are but weak men, and dreame not of perfection in this life.
Truth.
Alas,L…mentable differences even amongst them that …ear God. who knowes not what lamentable differences have beene betweene the same Ministers of the Church of England, some conforming, others leaving their livings, friends, country, life, rather then conforme; when others againe (of whose personall godlinesse it is not questioned) have succeeded by conformity into such forsaken (so called) Livings? Betweene the Presbyterians and Independants, Covenanters and Noncovenanters, of both which many are truly godly in their persons.How great the present differences even amongst them that feare God, concerning Faith, Iustification, and the evidence of it? concerning Repentance and godly sorrow, as also and mainly concerning the Church, the Matter, Forme, Administration and Government of it?
Let none now thinke that the passage to New England by Sea, or the nature of the Countrey can doe what onelyonly the Key of David can doe, to wit, open and shut the Consciences of men.
Beside, how can this bee a faithfull and upright acknowledgement of their weaknesse and imperfection, when they preach, print, and practise such violence to the soules and bodies of others, and by their Rules and Grounds ought to proceed even to the killing of those whom they judge so deare unto them, and in respect of godlinesse far above themselves?
CHAP. LXXX.
Peace.
YEa but (say they) the godly will not persist in Heresie or turbulent Schisme, when they are convinced in Conscience, The doctrine of persecution nec…ss…r…ly and most commonly falls … vi…st upon he …ost godly persons.&c.
Truth.
Sweet Truth, if the Civill Court and Magistracy must judge (as before I have writ…en) and those Civill Courts are as lawfull, consisting of naturall men as of godly persons, then what consequences necessarily will …ollow, I have before mentioned. And I adde, according to this conclusion it must follow, that, if the most godly persons yeeld not to once or twice Admonition (as is maintained by the Answerer) they must necessarily be esteemed obseinate persons, for if they were godly (saith he) they would yeeld. Must it not then be said (as it was by one, passing sentence of Banishment upon some, whose godlinesse was acknowledged) that he that commanded the Iudge not to respect the poore in the cause of judgement, commands him not to respect the holy or the godly person?
Hence I could name the place and time when a godly man,The doctrine of persecution drives the most godly persons out of the world. a most desirable person for his trade, &c. (yet something different in conscience) propounded his willingnesse and desire to come to dwell in a certaine Towne in New England; it was answered by the Chiefe of the place, This man differs from us, and wee desire not to be troubled. So that in conclusion (for no other reason in the world) the poore man, though godly, usefull and peaceable, could not be admitted to a Civill Being and Habitation on the Common Earth in that Wildernesse amongst them.
The latter part of the Answer concerning the Hereticke or obstinate person to be excommunicated, and the scandalous offender to be punished in the Commonweale, which neither of both come neere our Question: I have spoken I feare too largely already.
Peace.
Mr. Cotton concludes with a confident perswasion of having removed the grounds of that great errour, viz. that persons are not to be persecuted for cause of conscience.
Truth.
And I beleeve (deare Peace) it shall appear to them that (with feare and trembling at the word of the Lord) examine these passages, that the charge of errour reboundeth backe even such an errour, as may well bee called the bloody tenent, The bloody Tenent.so directly contradicting the spirit and minde and practice of the Prince of Peace; so deeply guilty of the blood of soules compelled and forced to …ypocrisie in a spirituall and soule rape; so deeply guilty of the blood of the Soules under the Altar, persecuted in all ages for the cause of Conscience, and so destructive to the civill peace and welfare of all Kingdomes, Countries, and Commonwealths.
CHAP. LXXXI.
Peace.
TO this Conclusion (deare Truth) I heartily subscribe, and know the God, the Spirit, the Prince, the Angels, and all the true awaked Sons of Peace will call thee blessed.
Truth.
How sweet and precious are these contemplations, but oh how sweet the actions and fruitions?
Peace.
Thy lips drop as the Honey-combe, Honey and Milke are under thy Tongue; oh that these drops, these streames might flow without a stop or interruption!
Truth.
The glorious white Troopers (Rev. 19.) shall in time be mounted, and he that is the most High Prince of Princes, and Lord Generall of Generalls mounted upon the Word of Truth and Meeknesse (Psal 45.) shall triumph gloriously, and renew our meetings. But harke, what noise is this?
Peace.
These are the dolefull drums, and shrill sounding trumpets, Warres for Conscience.the roaring murthering Canons, the shouts of Conquerours, the grones of wounded, dying, slaughtered, righteous with the wicked. Deare Truth how long? how long these dreadfull sounds and direfull sights? how long before my glad returne and restitution?
Truth.
Sweet Peace, who will beleeve my true report? yet true it is, if I were once beleev'd, blest Truth and Peace should not so soone be parted.
Peace.
Deare Truth, what welcome hast thou found of late beyond thy former times or present expectations?
Truth.
Alas, my welcome changes as the times, and strongest swords and armes prevaile: were I beleeved in this, that Christ is not delighted with the blood of men (but shed his owne for his bloodiest enemies) that by the word of Christ no man for gainsaying Christ, or joyning with his enemy Antichrist, should bee molested with the civill sword: The blessed Magna ChartaWere this foundation laid as the Magna Charta of highest liberties, and good security given on all hands for the preservation of it, how soone should every brow and house be stucke with Olive Branches?
Peace.
This heavenly invitation makes mee bold once more to crave thy patient eare and holy tongue. Errour…s impatient and soon tyred, but thou art Light, and like the Father of Lights, unwearied in thy shinings. Loe here what once againe I present to thy impartiall censure.