The Bloody Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience, Part 4 · Chapter 87
CHAP. LXXXVII.
First,1 Tim 2. 1. discuss…d. what is meant by godlinesse and honesty in this place.
Secondly, what may the scope of the holy Spirit of God be in this place.
Thirdly, whether the civill Magistrate was then custos utri…sque Tabulae, keeper of both Tables, &c.
Fourthly, whether a Church or Congregation of Christians may not live in godlinesse and honesty, although the civill Magistrate be of another conscience and worship, and the whole State and Country with him.
To the first, What is here meant by godlinesse and honesty?
Answ. The word honesty in this place of Timothy cannot signifie here the honesty or righteousnesse of the second Table.I finde not that the Spirit of God here intendeth the first and second Table.
For, how ever the word foreign signifie godlinesse, or the worship of God, yet the second word foreign I finde not that it signifies such an honesty as compriseth the duties of the second Table, but such an honesty as signifies solemnity, gravity, and so it is turned by the Translatours, Tit. 2. 7. foreign, that is, in doctrine, incorruptnesse, gravity: which doctrine cannot there bee taken for the doctrine of the civill state, or second Table, but the gravity, majesty, and solemnity of the spirituall doctrine of Christianity. So that according to the Translatours owne rendring of that word in Titus, this place of Timothy should be thus rendred (In all godlinesse (or worshipping of God) and gravity) that is, a solemne or grave profession of the worship of God; and yet this mistaken and misinterpreted Scripture is that great Castle and strong Hold which so many …lye unto concerning the Magistrates charge over the two Tables.
Secondly, what is the scope of the Spirit of God in this place?
I answer first negatively, The scope of Gods Spirit in this place of Timothy.the scope is not to speake of the duties of the first and second Table:
Nor secondly is the scope to charge the Magistrate with forcing the people (who have chose him) to godlinesse or Gods worship, according to his conscience, (the Magistrate keeping the peace of externall godlinesse, and the Church of internall, as is affirmed:) but
Secondly, positively, I say the Spirit of God by Paul in this place provokes Timothy and the Church at Ephesus, and so consequently all the Ministers of Christs Churches and Christians, to pray for two things.
First,Gods people must pray for and endeavour the peace of the State they live in. for the peaceable and quiet state of the Countries and places of their abode, that is implyed in their praying (as Paul directs them) for a quiet and peaceable condition, and suits sweetly with the command of the Lord to his people, even in Babel, Ier. 29. 7. Pray for the peace of the City, and seeke the good of it, for in the Peace thereof it shall goe well with you. Which Ruie will hold in any Pagan or Popish city, Although Pagan or Pop…shand therefore consequently are Gods people to pray against Warres, Famines, Pestilences, and especially to bee far from kindling coales of War, and endeavour the bringing in and advancing their conscience by the sword.
Secondly, they are here commanded to pray for the salvation of all men, that all men, and especially Kings and Magistrates might be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, implying that the grave or solemne and shining profession of godlinesse or Gods worship according to Christ Iesus, is a blessed meanes to cause all sorts of men to be affected with the Christian profession, and to come to the same knowledge of that one God and one Mediatour Christ Iesus. All which tends directly against what it is brought for, to wit, the Magistrates forcing all men to godlinesse or the worshipping of God, Forcing of men to godlinesse or Gods worship, the greatest cause of breach of Civill peacewhich in truth causeth the greatest breach of peace, and the greatest distractions in the World, and the setting up that for godlinesse or, worship which is no more then Nebuchadnezzars golden Image, a State worship, and in some places the worship of the Beast, and his Image, Dan 3. Rev. 13.