An Answer to Eight Queries Propounded by the House of Commons, List of queries
Certain Quaeries propounded (by the Author) to the Aſſembly called Devines.
1. Whether that Doctrine of obedience to Magiſtrats or higher powers, which the Apoſtles taught, Rom. 13.1 Pet. 1.2 13.14.15. &c were true or no.
2. Whether it was not the Apoſtles duty, to practice that himſelf which he taught and commanded others to do as Rom. 2.21.22.23
3. Whether the Magiſtrates or thoſe higher powers, which from the diſciples he required obedience unto, were of their Religion or in the Goſpell practice yea or no?
4. If not, Whether it was lawfull for thoſe Magiſtrates or higher powers, to perſecute Paul and the reſt of the Church for their Religion.
5. Whether Paul and the Diſciples might plot againſt or perſecute the Magiſtrate, or any of his ſubjects by compelling or forcing their Conſcience or otherwiſe, though to the true worſhip God under the Goſpel.
6. Whether Magiſtrates as well as Subjects, be not to be ſubje… to the Lawes, Statutes, and cenſures of King Jeſus only, who as unde… the Law, ſo under the Goſpel is no reſpecter of perſons, Dent. 10.17. Rom. 2.11. 1 Pet. 1.17.
7. Whether it may not be conceived, The Lord is now making inquiſition for the blood that hath been ſhed in this Land, and other parts of the world, of the Jewes his ancient and peculiar people, … Iſal. 51.21.22, 23. where the Lord ſaith, heare thou this, thou miſerable and drunken, but not with wine. Thus ſaith the Lord God, even God that pleadeth the cauſe of his people, behold I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dreggs of the cup of my weath, thou ſhalt drink it no more, but I wil put it into their hand that afflicted thee, which have ſaid to thy ſoule, bowdown that we may go over, and thou haſt laid thy body as the ground, & as the… ſtreet to them that went over, comp… with Th. 1.2.12. to 17. Re. 18.24.
8. The puniſhing ſome as the Catholicks, &c. more then with death, to the unhumain quartering and hanging up their quarters; alſo the Childrē luffering for their Parents ſin, contrary to the expres word of the Lord, Ezek. 18.4.20. that ſoul that ſinneth, it ſhall dye, the ſonne ſhall not bear the iniquity of the Father, neither ſhall the Father bear the iniquity of the ſonne, the righteouſneſſe of the righteous ſhall be upon him, and the wickedneſſe of the wicked ſhall be upon him, alſo executing men for theft, it being contrary to the Law of God.
9. VVhether there ought not to be a Faſt kept for all the innocent bloed that hath been ſhed in this Land, not only of the Jews, but alſo in Herry the 8. dayes, Queen Maries, and in Queen Elizabeths, as Barrovvs Greenwoods Penries, &c. who dyed for oppoſing the Common Prayer, &c.
10. VVhether there be any Goſpell rule by precept, or example for compulſion of Conſcience in matters of Religion, taking of Oaths, making of forſt Covenants &c. that ſo we being truly informed, may prevent the reproof Ier. 23.10 once g ven to the Iewes, the Land is full of Adulterers, becauſe of ſwearing the Land mourneth, the pleaſant places of the wilderneſſe are dryed up. and their courſe is evill, & their force is not right, Ho. 4.2. by ſwearing lying killing ſtealing and committing adultery; they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Chapt. 10.4. They have ſpoken words, ſwearing falſly in making a Covenant. Thus Iudgement groweth as vvormvvood in the furrovves of the field
11. By what rule from the Goſpell of Chriſt may Chriſtians being Members of one Church; as they profeſſe under Chriſt their head kill one another. or that they would diſtinguiſh what makes the one more then the other, by Goſpell rule, or whether they ought not to excommunicate the unruly and diſorderly walkers, before they kill them, and not let them ſtand Members of their Church, though worthy of death, and ſo kill them, which the Church of Corinth might not, though for a l…ſ…e ſinne, in which ther doings they come ſhort of the Church of Roome.
FINIS.
End of the text · Edward Barber, An Answer to Eight Queries Propounded by the House of Commons (1648)