The Bloody Tenant Washed and Made White in the Blood of the Lamb, Part 1 · Chapter 66
CHAP. 66. A Reply to his Chap. 69.
Diſcuſſer.
THe Anſwer by conceſſion to Hilaryes words may ſurther be diſcuſſed. It is true (ſaith the Anſwerer) as Hylary ſpeaketh, that neither the Apoſtles, nor we, may propagate Chriſtian Religion by the Sword: But if Pagans cannot be wonne by the word, they are not to be compelled by the Sword. Nevertheleſſe this hindreth not, but if they, or any other ſhould blaſpheme the true God, and his true Religion, they ought to be ſeverely puniſhed: and no leſſe doe they deſerve who ſeduce from the Truth to damnable Hereſie and Idolatrie.
In which Anſwer, I obſerve, Firſt, his Agreement with Hilary, that Chriſtian Religion may not be propagated by the civill Sword.
Ʋnto which I Reply, what meaneth then this paſſage in his firſt Anſwer to the former ſpeeches of the Kings, viz. We acknowledge, that none is to be conſtrained to believe or profeſſe the true Religion, till he be convinced in Judgement of the Truth of it.
Defender.
If it be obſerved, my Agreement with Hilary, then let it be obſerved, that the Diſcuſſer in whetting the words of the Authors of the Letter againſt us, layeth a falſe charge upon us, as if we maintained ſuch perſecution for cauſe of Conſcience, as is condemned by the Ancient Writers. Of whom Hilary is named for one, and for the firſt: and yet in the Diſcuſſion it is found that we agree with him.
In that Anſwer to the ſpeeches of the Kings, when I acknowledged, that none was to be conſtrained to beleive, or profeſſe the true Religion, till he be convinced of the Truth of it.
I did not meane, that after he was convinced, he might then be conſtrained with civill cenſfures: for neither beleiving nor profeſſing to beleive, is to be conſtrained with civill cenſures.
But yet thus farre he may be conſtrained, by withholding ſuch countenance and favour from him, ſuch encouragement, and employment from him, as a wiſe and diſcerning Prince, would otherwiſe grant, to ſuch as beleive the Truth, and profeſſe it, ſo far as they are convinced of it in Judgement and Conſcience. For ſuch as will not walke according to their Light, are neither truſty ſervants to God, nor man.
Diſcuſſer.
That Anſwer to the ſpeech of the Kings implyeth two things.
1. That the civill Magiſtrate, who is to conſtraine, muſt judge of all the Conſciences of their Subjects, whether they be convinced or no.
2. That when the civill Magiſtrate diſcerneth that his Subjects Conſciences are convinced, then he may conſtraine them vi & armis, hoſtilely. And accordingly, who knoweth not what conſtraint lyeth upon all Conſciences in Old and New-England, to come to Church, and to pay Church-Duties? which is upon the point (though with a Sword of a finer gilt and trim in New-England) nothing elſe, but that which he confeſſeth, Hilary ſaith, ſhould not be done, to wit, a Propagation of Religion by the Sword.
Defender.
Neither of both theſe things are implyed in that Anſwer. Not the firſt, (that the civill Magiſtrate muſt then Judge of all of the Conſciences of their Subjects, whether they be convinced, or no:) For it implyeth no more then that he is not to conſtraine them, till he ſee they be convinced. If he never ſee them convinced, he is to ſee, they be never conſtrained. But how far the Magiſtrate may diſcerne, and judge in matters of Religion, hath been ſpoken above. Nor the ſecond: For the conſtraint I ſpake of, was not by poſitive meanes, vi, & Armis, but negative, withholding ſuch truſt and employment from ſuch, as he ſeeth are not faithfull and truſty to their God, of whoſe Truth they are convinced, and yet withhold it in unrighteouſneſſe. I know no conſtraint at all, that lieth upon the conſciences of any in New-England, to come to Church: neither doe I know that any ſcruple lyeth upon any Conſcience in New-England, that withholdeth any from hearing the word amongſt us. But leaſt of all doe I know, that any are conſtrayned to pay Church-duties in New-Englād. Sure I am, none in our own Town, neither Church-members, nor other, are conſtrained to pay any Church-duties at all. What they pay, they give voluntarily, each one with his owne hand, without any conſtraint at all, but their owne will, as the Lord directs them.
Diſcuſſer.
Againe, although he confeſſeth, that Propagation of Religion ought not to be by the Sword; yet he maintaineth the uſe of the Sword, when perſons (in the Judgment of the Civill State, for that is implyed) ſhall blaſpheme the true God, and the true Religion, and alſo ſeduce others to damnable Hereſie and Idolatry.
Defender.
True: but this is not the Propagation of Religion but the preſervation of it; or if it doe conduce to Propagation, it is onelyonly removendo probibens.