The Divine Right and Original of the Civil Magistrate, Chapter 10 · Section 7
SECT. VII. CHAP. X. SECT. VII.Many examples given of perſons of good account, who have diſowned, or oppoſed meer poſſeſſory powers in ſuch Recognitions, or rights as are due to the powers that are ordained of God.
7 IN the next place, is asked, But can any instances be given of any of the people of God, or of ſuch perſons whoſe examples are of any commendable, or imitable note, who at any time have profeſſedly detrected, or denyed to thoſe in actuall dominion any duty, or acknowledgement due unto Magiſtrates; or that have practiſed the contrary to what this, or any other Text confeſſedly delivers to be obſerved in relation to thoſe who are here entitled to be the powers ordained of God?
Anſw. A multitude (doubtleſſe) of ſuch examples there have been, as may be evident by the no ſmall number of remarkable inſtances of this kinde, which my ſhort obſervation, and memory hath here recollected.
1. Of ſuch as have practiſed the contrary to what is a plain, and confeſſed duty, or rule to be obſerved towards thoſe who are the powers ordained of God.
1 And firſt examples of ſuch as being under the preſent predominancy of meer poſſeſſory powers, and being private perſons have either deſerted ſuch, and gone over to their oppoſites, or remaining under them have acted, or aſſiſted againſt them.
We finde a large liſt of C…ptains, and their men of ſeverall Tribes of Iſrael, who being actually ſeated under the Dominion of the houſe of Saul, fell from it, and turned to David, both during the Reign of Iſhboſheth, and upon his death, although there were then many heires left of Sauls line. See for this 1 Chron. 12.22. unto v. 39. We read of Huſhai the Archite, of Zadok, and Abiathar the Prieſts, and of their two ſons, Ahimaaz, and Jonathan, who after Davids flight out of Jeruſalem, and the maine of the Kingdome both in reſpect of places, and people, ſeiſed by Abſalom, and themſelves being fully under the territory and command of Abſalom, yet acted for David in his ſtate of ej…ction, and againſt Abſalom. 2 Sam. 15.32. to the end, 16.16, 17, 18, 19.17.6. to the 23. verſ.
When the men of Iſrael in diſtinction from Judah generally had caſt off David, and followed Sheba the ſon of Bichri (upon that variance which fell out betwixt the Judabites, and the Iſraelites about Davids return to his Kingdom, and in his way betwixt Jordan, and Jeruſalem) the wiſe woman of Abel, and after the people in that City by her perſwaſion (though they were of thoſe that had deſerted David) and ſet up Sheba, and though he then had the ſupream command there) conſulted, and executed a rendition of themſelves, and City to David, and the deſtruction of Sheba upon Joabs pacificatory offer to them. 2 Sam. 20.1, 2.14, 16, &c.
Upon Jeroboams uſurpation, and the ten Tribes revolt from the Kingdome of the houſe of David the Prieſts, and Levites that were in all Iſrael, and other people out of all the Tribes of Iſrael which adhered to the true God, and his worſhip upheld in the Kingdome of Judah, forſook Jeroboam, and his Dominions, and joyned themſelves to Rehoboam, and ſo ſtrengthened the Kingdome of Judah, and R…hoboam in it, 2 Chr. 11.13, 16, 17. In like m…nner did multitudes out of Iſrael fall from Baaſha King of Iſrael unto Aſa King of Judah. Although Baaſha was an enemy to the Kingdome of Judah, and to that their revolt, and endeavoured by force to prevent it, 2 Chron. 15.9. 1 King. 15.17.
To this I ſhall add, that the Prophet Jeremiah exhorts the people of Judah from God to relinquiſh Zedekiah, the preſent ſupream G…vernor over them, and to yeeld up themſelves to Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, Jer. 27.16, &c. 21.8, 9. And the ground of that appears to be,
1. Zedekiah, and his Kingdome had lately beene ſubject, and tributary to the Babylonian, Ezek. 27.…. to 16. and Zedekiah's, and their preſent ſtanding up againſt him, by their own force of Armes, and the aſſiſtance of the Aegyptian was but rebellion. Ez…k 17.6. 2 Kings 24.28.
2 The Lord had given unto the Babylonian the command of that Territory and people for 70 years by his expreſs order and declaration, Jer. 27.12.28.14, 16. And the ſaid ſeventy yeares were ere this (that is in the fourth yeare of Jehoiakim) begun, according to the computation of our beſt Chronologers*To wit, Archbiſhop Uſher, Dr. John Reynolds, Hugh Broughton, Mr. Mede, The Divines Annot. and Mr. Light. who all of them begin the 70. years the 4. of Jehoiakim.. And unto theſe exhortations it's probable ſome hearkned, and thoſe might be they who fell to the Chaldeans, mentioned Jer. 38.19.
To theſe Scripture-inſtances I ſhall adjoyne one, or two obſervable ones out of other Hiſtories. Ambroſe being Biſhop of Millain in Italy, at what time Maximus the Tyrant (of whom before†Chap. 8. ſect 4) had deprived Valentinian of poſſeſſion of his Empire of the Weſt, he conteſted with Maximus about his ſaid act, and that very ſharply; and twice went Ambaſſadour to him unto Triers, and pleaded the right of young Valentinian in that Empire againſt him, the preſent poſſeſſor. And when he could not ſo prevaile, he diſcommunioned Maximus, to his owne mighty perill, for Maximus threatned him with death. Upon which he was forced to to flie to Aquileia: whence he returned not untill the ſaid Maximus was repreſſed, and ſlain by Theodoſius *Proximum ei (ſc. Ambroſio) certamen cum Maximo fuit Tyranno; apud quem legarum pro Valentiniano juniore quem ex Galliis Maximus expulerat, bis egit in Urbe Trovirorum. Apud quem cùm acerrimè primum contendiſſer, ne adoleſcentem, cui ſucceſſionis, & haereditatis jure deberetur regnū, imp…rii juſta poſſeſſione pelleret: deinde communione etiam ei interdixit, non ſine ingenti ſui periculo: caedem enim ei Maximus minatus eſt: ob quam Aquileiam Ambroſ. ſecedere coactus eſt: ex quo loco rediit Mediolanum poſt, cum a Theodoſio interfectus Maximus eſſet. Magdebur. C…nt. 4. cap. 10 pag. 1163..
It is alſo obſerved of the ſame Ambroſe, that when that Maximus, to ingratiate himſelfe by an office ſo juſt and good, offered to interpoſe his power in the defence of Ambroſe, againſt Juſtina the Arrian Empreſſe (the mother of Valentinian whom Maximus diſpoſſeſſed) ſhe being about to baniſh him from Millain; Ambroſe would not accept of the help of Maximus, whoſe power he diſallowed, and gainſayed*Grot. de jure Belli, lib. 1. cap. 4. ſect. 5..
Another is of no long diſtance from our own time. It is that of the Suffolk men, who were zealous confeſſors of the Goſpel, and Proteſtant faith, and were the firſt that joyned themſelves to the Lady Mary, after the death of King Edward the ſixth, and the advancement to the Crown of the Lady Jane. The ſum of the Story I ſhall give out of Mr. Fox, and Mr. Speed in their own expreſſions.
King Edward did by his Teſtament (or Letters Patent, ſigned with his own hand, and ſealed with the great Seale, ſaith the Letter of the Lords to the Lady Mary) in the preſence of the moſt part of the Nobles, Counſellors, Judges, with divers other grave, and ſage Perſonages, aſſenting, and ſubſcribing to the ſame, appoint the Lady Jane to be Inheritrix unto the Crown of England. To this order ſubſcribed all the Kings Councell, and the chiefe of the Nobility, the Mayor, and City of London, and almoſt all the Judges, and chiefe Lawyers of this Realm.
When King Edward was dead, the Lady Jane was eſtabliſhed in the Kingdome by the Nobles conſent, and was forthwith publiſhed Queen by Proclamation at London, and in other Cities where was any great reſort, and was there ſo taken, and named. The Lord Maior of London, ſixe of the Aldermen, and twelve Commoners Merchants being ſent for by the Nobility, take their Oaths for the Lady Jane, and unto her obedience they promiſe to ſecure the City. The Lords of the Councell write to the Lady Mary (in anſwer to her Letter, wherein ſhe had required their owning, and proclaiming her as Queen) telling her that the Lady Jane is, after the death of Edward the ſix…h, inveſted, and poſſeſſed with the juſt, and right Title in the Imperiall Crown of this Realm, &c.
The Lady Mary upon this Letter of refuſall, ſpeedeth her ſecretly away far off from the City. The Councell, hearing of her ſudden departure, gather ſpeedily a power of men, appoint an Army, and …end forth the Duke of Northumberland with it. Mary in the meane time toſſed with much travail up and down, &c, w th-drew her ſelfe into the quarters of Norfolk, and Suffolk…, and there gathering to her ſuch ayd of the Commons as ſhe might, keepeth her ſelfe cloſe for a ſpace in Fremingham Caſtle. To her firſt of all reſorted the Suffolk-men, who being alwayes forward in promoting the proceedings of the Goſpell, promiſed her their ayd, ſo that ſhe would not attempt the alteration of the Religion which her brother King Edward had before eſtabliſhed, &c. Thus Mary, being guarded by the power of the Goſpe lers, did vanquiſh the Duke, and all thoſe that came againſt her. The Lords after this proclaimed for Queen the Lady Mary, eldeſt daughter to King Henry the 8th. and appointed by Parliament to ſucceed King Edward dying without iſſue.
The brief of this ſtory, as to our preſent ſcope, is this. Here we have the Lady Jane in poſſeſſion of the Crown, by her immediate Predeceſſors teſtament by proclamation, and by the conſent and actual reception of the Chieftains of the Land, and having the firſt Military power on foot to uphold her therein. And the Lady Ma…y claiming the Crown by vertue of lineall ſucc…ſſion, the Act of Parliament, and the T…ſt…ment of King Henry the 8 h, which laid the ground of her title antecedent to (as well as more ſpeciouſly (to ſay no more here) then) any thing the other could challenge, or be inveſted by. And, notwithſtanding the ſaid poſſ…ſſion of the other, the Suffolke Goſpellers are the fi…ſt comers in to Mary, and undertakers of her aſſiſtance, for the vindication of her Title, and the g…ining her poſſeſſion of the Throne: and this before ſhe had any acknowledgment, or reception of the Nobles, or Commons, or other ayd appearing for her.
2. Another ſort of examples may be of ſuch as being Princes, or communities have caſt off, or by Armes repulſed the domination of them who have had preſent command over them. Scripture examples in this kinde I have given before*Chap. 8. Sect. 4.: and ſhall therefore here but name them. Such are thoſe of Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, and the reſt of the Judges, with the Iſraelites riſing up againſt Chuſanriſhathaim, Eglon, Jabin, and the other invaders, and captivers of them reſpectively, of which in the book of Judges. In like manner were the wars of the ſame people for their liberty againſt the Philiſtines, and the Syrian Kings, in the times, and under the conducts of Eli, Samuel, Saul, and David in the ſtories of both the Books of Samuel, and of the Kings; of the ſame ſort were the recuperative Armes of David, and Jehoiada, againſt Abſalom, Sheba, and Athaliah, in the ſaid Books. As alſo were the ſtirrings of the Kings, and people of Judah from Solomon, unto the time of their Babyloniſh captivity, againſt the Kings of Iſrael, Syria, Aſſyria, and other encroachers, related in the ſecond Book of Chronicles. And ſuch, laſtly, were the conflicts of the Jewes under the Aſmonean government, againſt diverſe of the Selencian Kings Of all theſe I will make particular narrative but of one, that is, that good King Hezekiah, and of him but ſhortly thus.
2 King. 18.7.It is ſaid, That he rebelled againſt the King of Aſſyria, and ſerved him not. Expoſitors obſerve the reaſon of theſe words to be, The kingdome was left to Hezekiah by his father Ahaz, in a ſubjection to Shalmantzar King of Aſſyria; but he being no way bound to ſerve at his father did, becauſe he uſed his liberty, and caſt that yoke from him, he is ſaid to rebell. Mr. Lightfoot Divines Annotat. in loc. and Mr. Lightfoot his Harmon. of the old Teſt. pag 117.obſerves further, that, not onelyonly had Ahaz his father but himſelfe reigned as an Homager to the Aſſyrian; who ſubdued, and depoſed Ahaz, and ſet up Hezekiah on the Th…one in his ſtead: and, that Hezekiah being thus under the Aſſyrian for a time, he would beare it no longer, &c.
A multitude of inſtances of this ſort out of other ſtories are produceable. Among others, thoſe of the Chriſtian Princes, and Nations, on the Eaſtern confines of Chriſtendome, who bordering upon the Turkiſh Sultan, have been by him ſubdued, and held under; and being in that condition, have at ſeveral times attempted, and ſometimes proſperouſly effected a recovery from that ſubjection. As, for inſtance, have done ſundry Princes of Hungary, of Macedon, and of Greece, and the State of Venice. Amongſt them the atchievements of George Caſtriot (ſurnamed Scanderbeg) in his regaining of the Countreys of Epirus, and Albania, from which his Father had been oured, and himſelfe was excluded by Amurath the ſixth: and of John Huniades, the Vayvod of Tranſylvania (under the ſhi…ld of whoſe valour, and ſucceſſe, the Countreys of Moldavia, and Valachia roſe up for, and recovered their freedome from the ſame Turkiſh Signior) are very notable, and eaſie to be remembred.
3. There may be under this head another ſort of examples given, to wit, of ſuch as have not been under the command, and actuall ſubjectedneſſe of the meer poſſeſſory power, but have aſſailed, and come in upon him from abroad, upon the quarrell of the diſſeiſure of a juſt title, and for the reinveſting of it, the cauſe being either their owne, or others, whom they have thought it juſt, and requiſite to aſſiſt therein.
The inſtance of Abrahams arming, purſuing, and fighting in the reſcue of his brother Lot, and the people of Sodome, and Gomorrah, and their goods taken, and carryed away by, and remaining wholly in the poſſeſſion of Chederlaomer, &c. went before: onelyonly I ſhall obſerve here upon it, that Mr. Calvin (in his Sermons on Gen. 14.13, &c. tranſ…ed out of French into Engliſh, page 5, 6, 7, 8.) moving this queſtion, Whether theſe a…mes of Abraham were lawfull, or no, being he was neither King, nor Prince, but dwelt in the Land of Canaan as a ſtranger? An…wers thus. Howbeit here is one thing fi…ſt to be noted of us: that he had been already conſtituted, and ordained to be Lord, and Maſter of this Countrey: and, although the p…ſſ…ſſion thereof was not yet given him, yet for all tha…, the right and title thereof belonged to him. By which wo…ds, Mr. Calt in pl inly teacheth, that the poſſ…ſſion of a Countrey m…y be in one, the right thereof in another, and that the perſon in whom the right is, may lawfully war upon the poſſ…ſſor for the recovery of his ſaid right.
We had alſo before the inſtance of Theodoſius the Emperour of the Eaſt, his coming in the quarrell of Valentinian, fi…ſt upon Maximus, who had took the Weſtern Empire, and held it from Valentinian; and, after the ſuppreſſion of him, upon Eugenius, who had a while after inju…iouſly ſe…ſed the ſame Empire*See before Chap. 8. Sect. 4..
I will here add one more out of Scripture, and a few more out of other H…ſtories. The Scripture inſtance is this.2 King. 3.4. M…ſha King of Moab rebelling againſt Jehoram King of Iſrael, not onelyonly doth Jehoram make an invaſive War upon him for the recovery of his Dominion over Mo…b, but Jehoſhaphat, that good King of Judah, aſſiſts him therein in his owne pe… ſon: yea, and Eliſha the Prophet was with them in that Expedition; and in their great diſtreſſe for lack of water enquired of the Lord for them, and from the Lord gave them a promiſe, and direction for their obtaining, both of water, and of victory in their preſent War.
The examples out of other H…ſtori s ſhall be ſet down but by way of b iefe remembrance. As firſt, the enterp ize of the Eaſtern Emper…ur Co…ſtantius, his invading, and deſt…oying Magnentius, who had uſurped the Weſt by the murther of Conſtance the Emperour there†S…e Roſſe his Hiſtory, Book 3. chap 1. p. 82.. To this may be annexed the examples of many of the Weſtern, or Italian Chriſtian Emperours, as Honorius, Theodoſius Junior, Martian, Leo, and other their Succeſſo…s, who b ing diſſeiſed of whole Countreys, and Na…ions, by the breaking in of the Go…bes, &c. into Italy, Spain, and Africa, and ſometimes of Rome it ſelf, yet they c aimed, after ſuch their diſpoſſeſſion, their right to thoſe Te…ritories, and proſecuted the ſame by force of Armes, wherein they ſome-while prevailed to a recovery*Idem pag. 92, &c..
I ſhall refer alſo to the proceedings of Elubean the Chriſtian King of the Ethiopians againſt Dunaan the Jew, the uſurper of Nargan a City in Arabia, whom in behalf of the Chriſtian people of that Region Eliſb…an invaded, and …j cted*Vide B…ron. Annal. ad An. Chriſti 522, & 523.. As alſo to the ſeverall wars undertaken by the Chriſtian Princes of Europe for the recovery of Paliſtine from the Saracens.
Here may be alſo remembred that when the Anabaptiſts of Munſt r, had diſpoſſeſſed the Biſhop, who was the civill Lord thereof, and taking into their own hands the rule of all, did after ſome time of their p pular diſorder, put themſelves under the abſolute ſoveraignty of John Becold; the Proteſtant P…inces of Germany (as the Duke of Saxony, the Lantgrave of Heſſen, &c.) joyned in aſſiſtance to the ſaid Biſhop (a Papiſt) againſt the ſaid pretended King in Munſter, and his partakers, for the ſuppr…ſſion of them (then the poſſeſſory power there) by the Sword, and for the re-inveſting of the Biſhop, as the rightfull Lord. And that both they, and the Proteſtant Divines (as Luther, &c.) condemned, and declared againſt them, as violaters of the civill order of that place†Jo. Sleiden Comment. lib. 10. pag. 255..
As alſo that up…n the death of Henry the third of France, when the Kingdome was generally poſſeſſed by the Leaguers (the Guiſians, the Spaniſh, and the Popes party) under the command of the D…ke of Maine, (who with the pretence of the title of the Cardinall of Bou…bon, by him proclaimed King, by the ſtyle of Charls the tenth, ruled all, and throwded his owne uſurpation) Henry King of Navar, and with him all the Proteſtant Nobility, and peop…e …f France ſtood up for the recovery of that Kingdome out of the hands of thoſe confederates, the poſſeſſors, in as much as the Crown of France lineally deſcended upon the ſaid King of Navar, and Henry the Third had immediately before his laſt breath nomina ed him his lawfull Heir, and Succeſſor. And unto his ayd in that cauſe did out Queen Elizabeth ſend aſſiſtance of men, arms, and money*Speeds Hiſt. in Q. Eliz. Sect. 259..
The taking up of the cauſe of the Prince Elector, the Count Pa…atine, both the Father, and the Son, by many Proteſtant Princes, as of England, Swethland, Germany, when they were outed of the Palatinate, and it poſſeſſed by the Emperour, and the Bavarian, for their re-inveſting therein, is well known, and ſhall be the laſt example I will mention of this ſort.
For, beſides examples, we have it generally acknowledged, that the recovery of a diſſeiſed title to Dominion is a juſt cauſe of wa…†Vide Auguſt. T…. 4. part 1. queſt. 10. ſuper Joſua. Grot. de Jur. B. l. 2. c. 1. Sect. 2.
If it be objected againſt the alledging of theſe examples, that being their acts are the acts of perſons who are not in actuall ſubjection to the meer poſſeſſory power, but ſuch as aſſaile him ab entra, they come not up to the purpoſe for which they are brought. I anſwer,
1. Reſiſtance of that power which is the ordinance of God is in this place (ve…ſ. 2.) diſallowed in all, without reſtriction (whoſoever reſiſteth the power, &c,) and may therefore be ex…ended to any, as well Foreiners in regard of State-relation, or of reſidence, as thoſe who are Members of, or reſiding in the Common wealth ſo poſſeſſed.
2. Though theſe be reſiders other-where, yet in their attempt, or in the act of their aſſault of the p ſſeſſing power they enter within the bounds of the Common-wealth he is over; and ſo, were there indeed a reall Magiſtracy in the actuall poſſeſſor, they would come wi…hin the obligation of ſubjection to him. For this is certain, whoſoever are, upon any account, within a Territory, whether as fixed Inhabitants, or as ſtrangers, whether as friendly gueſts, or hoſtile invaders, yea, though they be Soveraign Princes in another Countrey, yet, being there, they owe ſubmiſſion to the lawfull power of that Countrey they enter into; they are ſubditi there, though not cives.
3 They that are actually under the command of another perforce, and they that aſſiſt them are involved in the ſame act. So that, if the former be bound to the duty of Subjects, then it is unlawfull for any, (though Foreiners, yea, though Forein Princes) to ayd them in the violation, or caſting off of any ſuch ſubjection, or the reſcue, or reſtoring of anothers right to it.
2. But enough of exemplification in the point of oppoſition. In the ſecond place I am to produce ſome examples of ſuch as have profeſſedly diſowned, or denyed to thoſe that have had no more but their actual domination to claim by, any of the duties of Subj…cts belonging to their civill Magiſtrates.
It is a known duty of Subjects to their Soveraigns to ſtand by them (to their power) in defence of them and their poſſeſſion of the Dominions, and Territories which they hold, againſt whoſoever would deprive them thereof.Jo. 18.36. Our Saviours acknowledgment to Pilate was; My kingdome is not of this world. If my kingdome were of this world, then would my ſervants fight, that I ſhould not be delivered to the Jewes. But the contrary to this I finde practiſed in reference to meer poſſeſſors.
When the Jewiſh Nation had before the deſtruction of Jeruſalem made a generall defection from the Romans, and had under the conduct of their own Leade…s poſſeſſed themſelves of the Forts and ſtrength of all Judea, and held them againſt the Romans, and by that meanes had the ruling power then in that Region, the Chriſtians that were in Jeruſalem, deſerted the defence of the Jewes, and of their City, and cauſe, and removed out both of Jeruſalem, and of Judea: ſo that Hiſtorians obſerve there was at the time of the laſt ſiege by Titus not one good Chriſtian left in the City*Euſeb. Hiſt. Eccleſ. lib. 3. cap. 4. Epiphanius de menſuris, cap. 15. Joſeph. de B…l. Jud lib. 2. cap. 22. &c. Dr. Simſon Chron. Cathol. lib. 7. An. Chriſti 67. pag. 46. Dr. Hammond Annot. on Matth 24 Note G. and on Revel 7. Note G.. Indeed the grand Sectaries among the Chriſtian profeſſors, the Gnoſticks (as one noteth)†Dr. Hammond on 2 Theſ. 2. Note K. ſided with, and adhered to the Jewes aginſt the Romans in that war, and by that meanes periſhed with them. But the Orthodox wholly relinquiſhed them. Yea it is obſerved, that many of the more adviſed, and honeſt ſort of the Jewiſh, both Nation, and Religion among them deſerted their Nations defence againſt the Romans, yea, and went over to their enemies, and with them took part againſt the Deſendants*Uſſer. Annal. part. poſt. pag. 691. 693. and Dr. Simſon ut ſupra..
The Jewes that remained after the deſtruction of Jeruſalem by Titus, made a City called Bitter in Arabia, the chiefe ſeate of their Kingdome, and made a Jew one Barcochebas▪ (or Barcochab, or Barcochah, as he is generally ſtyled) their King. Under him they riſe up in ſedition againſt Hadrian the Roman Emperour: and over all Judea, and every where elſe they caſt off the Roman government, and ſlaughter, and deſtroy whoſoever ſtands againſt them. To them alſo joyne very many other Nations; and for that cauſe almoſt all the world are in an uproar. Hadrian ſending out his Forces againſt them, a great, and continued War thereof ariſeth. They ſay this Barchochebas reigned thir…y yeares, and a halfe, and that at the laſt he endured in the ſiege of Bitter three years and a halfe againſt the Romans to their great loſſe, ere he and his Jewes were vanquiſhed That which we chiefly obſerve in the ſtory is, that this Barcochebas, being now the poſſeſſing and ruling power over Judea, and many other parts, the Chriſtians that were in his precincts refuſed (notwithſtanding) to owne, or joyn with him againſt the Romans: yea, though for this refuſall he ſlew them with all kind of tortures. Inſomuch that Hugo Grotius, and Dr. Hammond t…ke him to be the beaſt that aſcendeth out of the bo… tomleſſe pit, and maketh war againſt the two witneſſes, and overcometh, and killeth them (Rev. 11.) and anſwerably the two witneſſes to be the Biſhops, and Chr…ſtians of the Jewiſh, and Gentile Churches which were at this time at Jeruſalem. Some ſay indeed that he moreover gave himſelfe out to be the Meſſi…h; others, that he pretended to be that Star in Balaams viſion (Num. 24.24.) and true it is that Juſtin Martyr relateth (who himſelf was an eye-witneſs of thoſe Wars, and on that occaſion fled the Countrey) he perſecuted the Chriſtians becauſe they would not deny Chriſt. But his impoſture, and enmity to Chriſtianity was not the ſole matter in which the Chriſtians deſerted him, or upon which he perſecuted them. For both Mr. Mede, Dr. Hammond, and Spondanus obſerve out of Euſebius, that the Chriſtians denyed to ayd him in his defence againſt the Romans, whoſe q…arrell againſt him was about civill dominion; and la… downe that their refuſall as a diſtinct cauſe by it ſelfe of his perſecuting them*Mr. Mede in Apocalyp. Com. part 1. pa. 43. Dr Hammond in Revel. 11.3, 7. and Note B. &c. M…. Calvert his Jew of Morocco, pag. 220. Mr. Bogan of Threats. p. 372. Spondanus Epitome Baron. Ann. 130. ſect. 4. He being the preſent actuall Ruler over them, what-ever his Religion, or his enmity to their Religion was, they were bound to aſſiſt him in up…olding his civil… poſſeſſion and authority, if indeed the actual poſſeſſor alwayes be (and conſeq…ently, he by vertue of preſent poſſeſſion then was) the power of God, ordained of God. The then Roman Emperour, and State were no leſſe diſtant in Religion, no nor enemies to the Chriſtian then were Barcochebas, and his Jewes. For under this Hadrian ſome reckon the continuation of the third, others begin the fourth of the ten perſecutions†See Mr. Fox Acts. Vol. 1. Prideaux of Hist. pag. 199. Mr. Clarks Martyrol. p. 36.. The reaſon then of the Chriſti…ns refuſall of the Jewes aſſiſtance againſt the Romans c…n be deemed no other then the civill right of the Roman, though diſſeiſed, and the nullity, and illegitimacy of the Jew, though the preſent All-commander.
Our next example ſhall be out of Tertullian, who gives us a very remarkable teſtimony to our purpoſe, in a threefold inſtance of the Chriſtians pract…ſe in relation to three poſſeſſors of the ſtyle, and power of the Roman Emperours, all of them in, or neer about his time: The which he compriſeth b…iefly (as his manner is) in one ſhort ſentence; and he remembers the ſame twice in his works, viz. in his B…ok ad Scapulam, cap. 2. Nanquam Albiniani, nec Nigriani, vel Caſſiani inveniri potuerunt Chriſtiani. The Chriſtians could never be found to be Albinians, or Nigrians, or Caſſians. And again in his Apologeticus cap. 35. unde Caſſii, & Nigri, & Albini, &c. de Romanis ni full…r, i e. de non Chriſtianis. Whence aroſe the Caſſu, the Nigri, the Albini, &c of the Romans I take it, that is, of they who were not Chriſtians.
The Scholiaſts upon Tertullian, viz. Zephyrus, Rhenanus, and Junius, doe agree that theſe ſayings of his do refer to Avidi… Caſſius, Peſcenius Niger, and Clodius Albinus, their reſpective ſtandings up, at ſeverall times, as Emperours, and each obtaining to be ſo named, and to have under their command a vaſt Territory of the Roman Dominions; but their aſſumption of the ſame being violent, as in oppoſition to other Emperours, who were choſen, inveſted, and received by the Senate, and people of Rome, (which was then the legall entry to the Empire*For this Title ſee Grot. de Jure Bel. lib. 2. cap. 9. Sect. 11.:) as Caſſius againſt Marcus Antoninus, Niger and Albinus againſt Septimius Severus; Tertullians drift in thoſe ſentences is to vindicate the Chriſtians from diſloyalty, by aſſoyling them of joyning, having any h…nd with, or aiding any of thoſe poſſeſſors, and titular Emperours in the Countreys where they were generally followed, and maintained by the Roman Legions, and Subjects, againſt the right and lawfull Emperours of Rome †Albinianos, Nigrianos, & Caſſianos vocat Tertullianus defectionum iſtorum conſcios. Rhenanus in loc. ad Scap..
He that ſhall conſult thoſe above named Annotators, with the Hiſtorians of thoſe times ſhall finde;
That Avidius Caſſius a Nobleman of Rome (of the F…mily of that Caſſius who was a Conſpirator againſt Julius Caeſar) whileſt Marcus Antoninus was in his wars in Germany, and the bordering Countreys, (thoſe wars where the famous victory and relief of water was obtained for him by the prayers of his Chriſtian Souldiers, called upon that the Thundering Legion) gives out that Antoninus was dead; by which means the forces and people of the Eaſt, within the Mountain Taurus, generally, ſuppoſing the Empire vacant, ſet up Caſſius to be Emperour. After this, Antonine to ſhew himſelf alive, and to recover his Empire in the Eaſt, marcheth thither againſt Caſſius, whoſe ſouldiers perceiving the error they had been caught in by his lye, kill him with his ſon, and preſenting their heads to Antonine, the ſedition is appeaſed*Vide Zephyrū & Rhenanum in loc. Tertulliani. & Roſſe. Hiſtor. Book 2. Chap. 2..
Alſo that Peſcenius Niger Proconſul of Sy…ia, and Governour of the whole Eaſtern part, upon the people of Romes generall diſcontent at the corrupt entrance and male-adminiſtration of the Empire by Didius Julianus, is wiſhed for by them to come, and take the Empire; and is thereto made choice of, and even ſued to accept of it by the Roman Legions, and Subjects of the Eaſt, and is by them (as far as in them lay) made Emperour at Antioch. But in competition for it, Septimius Severus ariſes in Pannonia, being the praefect there, and by the ſouldiery and people at Illyricum, is ſet up as their Emperour; and being ſo, (whiles Niger taken up with ſport and jollity, looſeth his time in the Eaſt) he marcheth to Rome, and obtains the election of the Senate there; and having ſo ſped, he goes up into the Eaſt againſt Niger, overthrowes his power at Cyzicum, and ſo ſuppreſſeth, and ſlayeth him†Vide praeter Zephyr. & Rhenan. in Tertull. Herodianum Hiſt lib. 2. ſect. 21, 22, 23, 25, &c. et lib. 3. ſect. 3.12, 13, 14. Item Sum. Herod. ex Photii Biblioth. Epiſt. Herod. praefix. et Brev. lib. 2. Herod. praefix. & Speeds Hiſt. Book 6. Chap. 22. Sect. 3..
And that Severus the Emperour being upon his enterpriſe againſt Niger (as aforeſaid) and conceiving jealouſie of Clodius Albinus the Proconſul of Britain, his ſtirring againſt him in the Weſt, during his abſence; to make him the ſurer to him, he creates him Caeſar, and after that his co-partner in Government; but having overc me Niger, his jealouſie againſt Albinus is made good, or retorted by Albinus his riſing up in Arms againſt him. This brings the difference to an open warre, which is ended by Severus his vanquiſhment and deſt uction of Albinus *Vide Herod. Hiſt. lib. 2. Sect. 48. lib. 3. Sect. 16, &c. Speeds Hiſt. Book 6. Chap. 23. Sect. 2. &c..
Of the poſſeſſion of the Eaſt by Caſſius firſt againſt Antonine, and then by Niger againſt Severus, and of the Weſt by Albinus againſt the ſame Severus, and by their reſpective accomplices in ſuch manner as hath been related, Tertullian ſaith, None of the Chriſtians were ever found to be Albinianes, Nigrianes, or Caſſianes. That is, they none o… them intereſted themſelves in the cauſes of Albinus, Niger, or Caſſius, or were partakers with, upholders of, or ſticklers for them: which yet it had been their duty to have bin, had their reſpective Titles been as good as their poſſeſſion was full in thoſe Territories; or had their poſſeſſion made them the powers of God, ordained of God. But contrarywiſe, theſe three having none of them any legall inveſture, and there being lawfull Emperours claiming thoſe Dominions againſt them, the Chriſtians declined the poſſ…ſſ…rs in a duty belonging to thoſe who are powers of Gods ordaining, in recognition of the rightfull c…aimers againſt them.
It is likewiſe to be remembred, that at what time John of Leyden ruled as King in Munſter, and ſtood out in defence of his pretended Kingdome againſt the Biſhop, the Temporall P…ince thereof, and his aſſiſtants, the Princes of Germany, (as was above related) there were ſome good men in that City, who would have no hand with him in the maintaining thereof in that manner, and cauſe†See Roſſe of Religions in John of Leydens life, pag. 18, 19. Jo. Sleiden Comment. l. 10. pag. 258. 259.
Theſe examples produced may be both for number, and pregnancy ſufficient to ſatisfie the query unto which they are returned. For a concluſion of my anſwer to it, I ſhall obſerve, that with theſe examples of them of the true faith, and religion aforegiven, ſome even of the prudenter Heathen have comported. To this purpoſe, I ſhall remember two, one of M ſſala Corvinus, and his Heroicall reply to Auguſtus. He being Colleague with Caeſar Octavian in the Roman Con…ulſhip,Plutarchus in vita Bruti ſub finem. and Caeſar (after his famous victory at Actium over Antony, the which raiſed him up to his Imperial Throne) taking occaſion to give him a publique encomium, hat although in the cauſe of B utus in the Philippick warre he had been a ſtout enemy againſt him, yet now in the battel at Actium he had been his ſpeciall fautor, and aider; he (to wit, this Meſſala Corvinus) returns this Anſwer to Caeſars Encomiaſtick. Tu me Caeſar ſ…mper ſectae, partium que invenies meliorum, & juſtiorum. q. d. Whoever is the upper, thou ſhalt ever finde me the friend, and follower of the better, and juſter party. The other is that of the honeſt, and excellent Poet Juvenal, who thus whips the ſordid ſervility, and compliance of the Roman common people in reference to prevalent ſucceſſe:
—Sed quid
Turba Remi? ſequitur fortunam, ut ſemper, Juvenal Satyr 10.et odit
Damnatos. Idem populus ſi Nurſcia Thuſco
Faviſſet: ſi opp…eſſa foret ſ…cura ſenectus
Principis; hac ipſâ Seianum diceret horâ
Auguſtum.—
But what way goes the Roman rout? they own,
Or 'bandon Princes ſtill, as up, or down
The wheel of Fortune bears them; for if ſhe
The Thuſcan S…ian favoured had (even he
That firſt Tibe…ius minion was, and then
His Rivall) and his jealous maſter fallen
The crafty Fox Tiberius; at this hour,
Their crie had been, Sejanus Emperour.