Against Pretended Liberty of Conscience, Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI. Of the Samaritans, and of no compelling of Heathens. How the Covenant bindeth us.
LIbertines alledge, Luke▪ 9. 51, 52, 53. &c. When Chriſt by a village of the Samaritans, was rejected and denied lodging, James and John ſay, Lord, wilt thou that we command … come downe from heaven, and conſume them, even as … did? But Chriſt rebuked them and ſaid, yee know not what manner of ſpirit yee are of? for the Son of man is not come to deſtroy mens lives, but to ſave them.Min… Celſus de hereticcus …ocrecudis 24. Then are we to ſpare the lives of thoſe that refuſe the true and ſound doctrine of the Goſpel, yea who oppugne it, and to admoniſh them; Celſus ſaith, this example is not propoſed to compare the Samaritans with hereticks, or the Apoſtles with the Miniſters and the Magiſtrate, but that the benigne and meeke engine of Chriſt, in matters of Religion, may be cleare, and that we ſhould abhorre cruelty, in matters of Religion, for if the Apoſtles had moved the ſame queſtion touching heretickes at that time, Chriſt would have given the ſame anſwer. The Holland Arminians ſay, if Chriſt ſuffered not his Diſciples to conceive a deſire of revenge from heaven from the onelyonly love and zeale of Religion againſt the Samaritans that denyed lodging to him,Remonſtrantes Be…g…ci. Apol. c. 24. p. 279. farre leſſe muſt we beleeve that he will ſuffer, that in matters of Religion, for meere conſcience any manifeſt violence ſhould be exerciſed; for Chriſt ſaith, the ſpirit that leads you is raging, vehement, fiery, the ſpirit of my Diſciples is not ſo. 2. Your ſpirit ſeeks to deſtroy lives, out of a zeale for Religion, the Spirit of the Son of man is for ſaving, not for deſtroying of mens lives. And this generall anſwer of Chriſt forbids all cruelty in the matters of Religion, ſaith Celſus.
Anſw. The not burning of the Samaritans doth prove nothing for the immunity of hereticks from the ſword.Firſt, the Libertines muſt prove from this, that the Diſciples made Religion the quarrell, why they would have the Samaritans burnt, and not an inhumane fact of denying againſt the Law of nature, an act of hoſpitality to ſtrangers, and that becauſe of the envy between the Jews and Samaritans, Chriſt ſeeming to grace Jeruſalem, with his preſence, then the Samaritans have had a high eſteem of Chriſt, & were offended that ſo mighty a Prophet ſhould viſit their hatefull enemies this was an act of envy rather then an heterodoxy in the faith, or oppoſing the doctrin of the Goſpel.
2. The Samaritans were yet in their Idolatry and utterly ignorant of the Goſpel: now we had never a queſtion with Libertines, whether the firſt thing to be done to ſuch as will not admit Chriſt or his meſſengers within their houſes; & for the firſt act of refuſing to hear the Goſpel, before they be inſtructed, we are to call for the Magiſtrates ſword to kill them, or for fire from heaven to deſtroy them? we think no: we ſhould thinke this no way of God to convert them (wee plainly ſay) It is not lawfull to us to goe with fire and ſword, to force the Indians, Samaritans, or any heathen to embrace the Chriſtian faith,How ſ…re wee may compell other Nations or …eathen to imbrace the true faith. the weapons of our warfare are not carnall, if they be within our power, we may reſtraine them, 1. From ſpreading their blaſpemies to hurt and ſeduce the ſoules of the people of God. 2. We may hinder them from reproaching God or his ſon Chriſt in the hearing of the people of God▪ as David fought againſt Goliah, who blaſph…med the … God. 3. If they do Nationall injuries, and acts of hoſtility, we may raiſe armes againſt them, and in theſe warres in caſe of ſubduing, we may intend the propagating of the Goſpel to them, as the Maſter is to command and teach his ſervants, Gen. 18. 18. Deut. 6. 6, 7. ſo the victors having made the ſubdued people their ſervants, doe now acquire ſome maſterly power over them to ſee them inſtructed in the knowledge of the true God. Nor is the intention of overcomming in a lawfull warre, the more unlawfull, but rather more ſpirituallized by the acceſſion of a ſpirituall intention to doe good to their ſoules, whether wee may by force take their children from them, and train them up in the Chriſtian Religion, is diſputable, ſince their condition of being ſubdued denudes them not of the naturall relation of fathers to ſonnes, or becauſe in ſo robbing them of their children, we ſhould but ſpoyle them of the actuall abuſe of that paternall right, which is now conveyed to runne in a right channell, to traine up young ones in a right way, whereas their parents would imploy it to a wrong end, it would ſeeme no violence to the ſoules of young ones, ſince nothing is done, but by gracious education and inſtruction. 4. If they joyne with us in one Religious Covenant, and we ſweare with our lives and goods to defend one another, we may cauſe them ſtand to the oath of God they were under. As Aſa compelled not onelyonly Judah but thoſe of Iſrael that fell in to him, to ſtand to the oath; for the Covenant, when it is mutuall, giveth a reciprocation of Rights to each Kingdome over the other, for if he that makes a promiſe to another, much more he that ſweares a Covenant to another, makes over a right to the other, to plead for the fulfilling thereof, omnis qui promittit facit jus alteri, cui eſt facta promiſſio, ad requirendam promiſſi implectionem. This is cleare in the King… covenanting at his coronation with his people, and the people with the King, in the compacts between the maſter and the hired ſervant, between two merchant…; if thi… were not, the nerves of all ſocieties, and lawfull confederations between man and man, nation and nation ſhould bee broken. 2. Omne promiſſum cadit in debitum, promiſe becomes debt, and ſo doth a Covenant.
But before I ſay more of compulſion of heathen, Of the Covenants obliging of us to the religious obſervance thereof.that are without. A word to the wiſe of forcing within, and of the Covenant, endeavouring of uniformity, not the Prelaticall in Ceremonies and canonicall obedience, which Familiſts impute to the Covenant, but Scripturall uniformity in the ſame faith and forme of wholeſome words, and externall worſhip and ordering of it, which is not indifferent, as Libertines and Familiſts, who in this are brethren againſt Preſbyterians, the Authors of their breathing in England, (but we intended good to men, not to ſects) endeavouring of neareſt uniformity in the three Kingdomes, which we did ſweare is contrary to actuall tollerating of all ſects and Religions, but the Sectaries endeavour the latter, and have compaſſed it, ergo, the Sectaries are gone contrary to their Oath and Covenant. The Propoſition is evident ſetting up of all ſects and Religions by a Law-tolleration, is an endeavouring, yea and actuall erecting of the wideſt multiformity that is, Yea but the Ordinance provides againſt Antitrinitarians, Socinians, Papiſts.
Anſw. There is no proviſion againſt them, Papiſts will ſay Amen to tollerate them.
2. There is no proviſion made to try Socinians and Papiſts whether they be ſuch or no, but the old way of trying them by the Law removed, and no new one eſtabliſhed, then are they the ſame way tollerated, that the Familiſts, Aminomians, Arminians, Libertines, Enthyſiaſts, Antiſcripturiſts, Sceptiſts, Seekers, are tollerated, who all will acquieſce to the Ordinance, as I conceive, and within theſe few yeares would have rejoyced at leſſe then the halfe of it.
A certaine Author hath written a Treatiſe called Ancient bonds, Ancient bonds c. 10. ſect. 3. p. 67. 68.in which there is little antiquity, leſſe …, no impartiality, much ignorance, for he neither doth, nor can ſo much as ſtate the queſtion. And he faith 1. We are to endeavour Reformation of Religion in the three Kingdomes not ſimply, but according to the word of God, The word of God as it is in every mans conſcience no rule of Reformation in the Covenant.the only patterne and regulation of the beſt Reformed Churches, and of us, we clip the Covenant of theſe words.
Anſw. The word of God (ſay the Familiſts in their Petition to King James an. 1604.) as we understand it. So as Libertines underſtand it, and according to their conſcience, ſo the Jewes would ſweare to endeavour a Reformation according to the word of God in the Old Teſtament, as they underſtand it, and the Papiſts according to the word of God, as they underſtand it, to written and not written, and will the Author dare to looke God or men in the face▪ and ſay the words, according to the word of God, is according as every Covenanter underſtands the word of God, the Prelaticall man, the Socinian, Arrian, Familiſt, Antinomian, Seeker, Separatiſt, Antiſcripturiſt, Antitrinitarian, Arminian? for all theſe did take the Covenant (if we ſpeake de genere ſingulorum) or did thoſe that took the Covenant ſpeak or meane that tolleration of all theſe Sects and Reformation, and neareſt uniformity can conſiſt, or that he, and all theſe had this ſenſe under-hand of theſe words (according to the word of God) that is, as Socinians, Libertines, Familiſts, Antinomians, &c. expound the word of God? If ſo, we muſt juſtifie the Jeſuits equivocation, and their oaths with mentall reſervation, for the ſenſe of Prelaticall men, and of thoſe that goe for Heretickes and Schiſmatickes now as then,The …quivocation of Sectaries in ſwearing the Covenant. to wit, Socinians, Libertines, Arrians, Familiſts, and the reſt were knowne Heretickes, and Schiſmatickes, and their Socinian, Arrian, Familiſticall, &c. ſenſe of the word of God, was excluded in the ſecond Article of the Covenant in theſe words, We ſhall—endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy—Superſtition, Hereſie, Schiſme, &c. by this Jeſuiticall ſenſe, we all ſweare we ſhall endeavour to be perjured, and to reforme each mans Religion according to his owne ſenſe of the word, and whereas in former times it was beleeved that Chriſt was God-man. We Familiſts ſweare to reforme Religion in the three Kingdomes in that part, and to teach and profeſſe, that every Saint is ſo Godded, and Chriſted, that there is as much of the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwelling in every Saint as in Chriſt; ſo that there be as many Saints▪ as many Chriſts, and as many Gods manifeſted in the fleſh, as there be Saints, for ſince liberty of conſcience was then not profeſſed, and was a point holden by no Reformed Church, yea not by the Church of New England, the beſt Reformed Church (as this man ſaith) but deteſted by all, it was preſuppoſed that the true ſenſe of the word of God was againſt it, and Independents who then did ſweare the Covenant knew our minde, and did ſweare the preſervation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in doctrine, worſhip and diſcipline againſt the common enemy, and they knew Presbyteriall Government approves both of the cenſures of the Church and of the Magiſtrates ſword againſt heretickes, and therefore Turkes and Pagans would never have ſworne a Covenant to endeavour uniformity in one Religion according to the word of God, and after petition the Parliament to ſet up in England the wideſt multiformity that Sathan can deviſe, and ſay they have ſworne to endeavour the neareſt uniformity in Religion, and yet to preach and print, and endeavour by the ſame Covenant, and the word of God the rule of ſworne Reformation, the wideſt multiformity, and that the Lord ſhould be one, and his name one in both Kingdomes, and yet that the Lord be two, or ten, and his name, that is, the maners and kinds of Religions be two and twenty, that Gods name may be divided amongſt Socinians, Arrians, Familiſts, Antinomians, Anabaptiſts, Seekers, Antiſcripturiſts, Libertines, Scepticks, Enthyſiaſts, Browniſts, Independents… this is worſe then a Popiſh implicit faith, which we diſclaim.
The other thing (ſaith he) left out, Ancient bonds p. 68.which yet referres to all, The Covenant is, that hee that ſweares ſhall by all lawfull wayes and meanes, and according to his place and calling endeavour to performe the Covenant, v. 13. to bring the Churches to uniformity, and to extirpate hereſie. As for inſtance, it is the godly Magiſtrates duty, their place and calling, to ſend forth Miniſters to the darke places of the land, and to ſet up lights to guide mens feet into the wayes of truth and peace, and reclaime them from errors: and he cannot be urged upon his calling to puniſh or compell gaineſayers. And the Miniſter is to doe it in his place by exhorting, rebuking, inſtructing, but he is to goe no further, he is not to deliver men up to judge, and be an executioner.
Anſw. The words by all lawfull meanes and wayes, which this man puts in Italian letters, The Author of the Antient bonds an ignorant prevoricator in the Covenant.and ſays are left out by the Authour, whom he refutes, may ſoon be left out, for they were never in the Covenant. The man will defend the Covenant, and apparently hath ſworne it, but I thinke he hath ſcarce read it, for theſe words are not in the Covenant, let him read againe. Turpe eſt doctori cum culpa redarnit ipſum.
2 He ſweares to bring the Churches to neareſt uniformity according to his place, but when this man defends the tolleration of all the ſects in England, Socinians, Arians, Familiſts, for he writing anno 1645 when above twenty ſundry Religions in England came to the ſtreets, he excepts not one in all his Treatiſe, but calls them all the godly party, Saints, Brethren, the Godly, and ownes them ſo, in his preface and whole booke. He muſt grant there is no uniformity in faith, diſcipline, worſhip, by the word of God, for if all theſe be Saints, Godly, and holy Brethren, they have all one faith, and are ſaved, but let him tell me, by the next, if he can anſwer, whether there is a neareſt, or any uniformity in faith, worſhip and government, betweene Presbyterians and Socinians, Familiſts, Antinomians, and Seekers, yet this man ſweares to indeavour the neareſt conjunction and uniformity amongſt all the Saints who are to be tollerated, but let him ſay, if he hath, in this caſe ingenuity or learning, what neareſt uniformity hee knowes amongſt all theſe, whether the Covenant ſhould not obliege a Libertine to indeavour the wideſt contrariety and deformity of religious amongſt theſe, and to plead for forbearance of them all as he expoundeth it.
3 But wee are (ſaith he) to indeavour by all lawfull meanes and wayes, the neareſt uniformity among the Churches, and the onelyonly lawfull way, as he thinks is not by force, but by rebuking, inſtructing, exhorting, and by no weapons, but onelyonly by the word of God. But ſince this Authour and all the Nation of Libertines goe upon this principle, Religion is not to be compelled by force, for we are not infallible, and thoſe whom we force as hereticks may be no hereticks, for ought we know, but as ſound in the faith as our ſelves. Then we have no faith, nor any well-grounded perſwaſion of the word of God, to refute them by the word; and we refute them not of faith, but ſinfully and erroniouſly,Al moral compel…ing of hereticks, and refuting of falſe…teachers by the wo…d, … as unlawfull as c… p…l…ion …y the ſw…rd, according to the principles of Libertines. for they may be as ſound in the faith, as we our ſelves, for ought wee know, and this is a ſtrong argument againſt morall wayes of gaining hereticks by the power of the word, for if they may be ſound in the faith, and we the hereticks, though we refute them by the word, we may be perverting the right wayes of God, and …ight againſt Chriſt, as Elim…s: for Eli…s onelyonly by morall wayes, not by force or violence laboured to pervert the faith of Sergius Paulus, and it is not apparent that Elimas was perſwaded in his conſcience, that the Goſpel Paul preached was the truth of God, and ſo by no meanes, lawfull or unlawfull, by force, or by the word of God, are we to indeavour uniformity, for our indeavouring is not of faith, nor from the real grounds of the word, but from meere opinions and conjectures, for it may be (ſay Libertines) that all thoſe whom wee refute as hereticks, be ſound in the faith, and we, not they the hereticks, and thoſe whom we refute, are as much oblieged in faith to refute us, as we to refute them. So I ſee not how Libertines can uſe ſo much as morall compelling of Hereticks. For 1. They cannot compell them with the ſword to forſake their hereſies, becauſe the ſword bearer being fallible knoweth them not to be hereſies, they may be neceſſary truths for him. Ergo, becauſe the Paſtor is no more infallible then the Magiſtrate, the Paſtor with certainty of faith cannot ſay, thus ſaith the Lord. Jezabel is a falſe Propheteſſe, Hymaeneus and Phyletus depart from the faith, for Jezabel, Hemaeneus and Philetus may be ſound in the faith, and this Paſtor, who refuteth them, the falſe heretick, for there is no peremptory and impoſing deciſion of any of theſe, till the laſt judgement, ſince now the infallible Prophets and Apoſtles are dead 2. Upon this ground, yee cannot eſchew any as a heretick after twiſe admoniſhing him of his here…ie, for ye have no faith, nor divine certainty, it is an hereſie that he holdeth, it m…y be you who admoniſh him are the heretick: only upon opinion you admoniſh him. 3, You cannot rebuke any Heretick ſharpely, that hee may be ſound in the faith, for you are not infallible in the beſtowing of the laſhings of your tongue on a heretick, more then the Magiſtrate in beating him with the ſword, and your rebuking of him, may be heretical and unjuſt, and he the man ſound in the ſaith. 4. Upon the ſame ground you cannot admoniſh and inſtruct him in faith. Nor, 5. Call the opinion of the Magiſtrates coercing of men with the ſword for their conſcience, a bloody tenet and perſecution of the Saints. Nor, 6. Can you in faith refuſe him lodging in your houſe, and all your 7. Saying in the pulpit, ſuch a way of Familiſme is a way of hereſie, is not reſolved in, thus ſaith the Lord, by ſuch a preacher, but ſuch a preacher ſo thinketh, poſſibly phancies, that the Lord ſayth ſuch a way is hereſie. And by the ſame reaſon what ever paſtors preach, eſpecially except it be two or three fundamentalls which all Chriſtians, Papiſts, Socinians, Lutherans, Proteſtants, Familiſts, Arminians, Seekers, &c. Is but the dictates of their own conſcience, and ſo they preach, ſo they beleeve, and ſo they profeſſe not, becauſe God ſo ſaith, but becauſe their conſcience ſo dictates to them. And here is the Libertines Creed, Me thinks Chriſt died for ſinners, the dead ſhall be raiſed, &c. And ſo Libertines are very Papiſts in this, and reſolve our faith into the teſtimony of men, the conjectures of the conſcience.p. …6. 69.
So he goes on; Hee expounds uniformity and neareſt conjunction, to be abſolute conjunction and identitie. If we be agreed of the ſame Church Officers with the reformed Churches, and have caſt out the old Ʋſurpers, caſhiered the Common-prayer booke, Ceremonies, Alters, Crucifixes (all which we have don by the Covenant) do we not ſave our Covenant, though we caſt not our Churches into ſuch Claſſicall provinciall, or nationall formes.
Anſw. Nor do we plead for abſolute identitie in doctrine, and worſhip,The Magiſtrate is the magiſtrate cannot ſend miniſters but … a compl…ſory way. but indeavour it we ought. But how I pray you doth the Magiſtrate (for that I had almoſt forgot) ſend Miniſters to rebuke, exhort and reclaime men from their errors, but not compel gaineſayers? The Magiſtrate (I am ſure) ſent not Paul and Barnabas; it was not ſo from the begining, in the Apoſtilick Church there were no Parliament-Miniſters. But it may be the Authour meanes a politicall civill ſending of Miniſters to extirpate hereſies. But be it ſo, all Magiſtraticall ſending of Magiſtrates is a commanding of them by the ſword in a compulſive way, that they goe preach againſt Familiſme, Socinianiſme, Arrianiſme. But if ſo, good Sir remember your ſelfe, the Magiſtrate, as the Magiſtrate doth not requeſt, and morally by the power of the word (for he hath not any ſuch ſpirituall armour, I conceive, for his warfare) intreat, and ſay, good Paſtors, I beſeech you go preach againſt Del, Randal, Saltmarſh and other Familiſts, and extirpate their hereſies; private men ſo ſend Paſtors, but as a Magiſtrate he muſt ſay, I command you goe preach againſt theſe hereſies, under the paine of bearing the vengeance of my ſword, now if the Paſtors reply, Good Maſter Judge, we cannot doe that, for we think Familiſme a new glorious diſcovery of ſpirit, and Mr. Saltmarſh hath beaten out of the Scriptures, new ſparkles of glory and flowings of free grace, Familiſme is no hereſie. If the Magiſtrate notwithſtanding by his place and calling ſend theſe, and command them to goe and extirpate Familiſme, doth he not compell the conſciences of theſe paſtors he ſends? what doe ye then talke of no compelling? for what ever the Magiſtrate by his place doth command which is lawfull, if Miniſters or any other refuſe to obey, he may uſe the ſword againſt them. Ye cannot ſay, if it be a matter of conſcience he cannot compell them to doe it by his place: then (ſay I) by his place hee cannot command them neither. Beſide that, this anſwer is, directly againſt the words of the Covenant, if every man in like manner. Art. 2. Be to endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Hereſie and Schiſme, in his ſeverall places and calings, as the Author ſaith, this referres to the whole obligation of each perſon reſpectively. Then is the Magiſtrate according to his place and calling, which is to beare the ſword, to compell with the ſword, the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Hereſie and Schiſme, and what hath the Author gained by this gloſſe, which I conceive is the true gloſſe? except he mean the Magiſtrate, as the Magiſtrate ſhould lay aſide his ſword and fall to prayers, requeſts, obteſtations, that hereticks would lay aſide their errours and preach ſound doctrine, but now he doth ſo pray and requeſt, not according to his place, as a Magiſtrate, but according to his vocation as a Saint and a Chriſtian, which yet croſſes the Covenant, and makes the Parliament not as the ſupream Court of Judges to take the Covenant, but as ſo many private Chriſtians.
2 If ſo, the Judges are not in their reſpective places to take the Covenant, nor endeavour the extirpation of hereſie, becauſe that is againſt the word of God, but then by what authority or calling did the Parliament caſt out old Ʋſurpers, the Prelates, caſheire the Service booke, Ceremonies, Alters and Crucifixes? Either as a Parliament, and ſo by the ſword: is not here yet the Prelates conſcience ſqueezed to the blood? is not here higheſt violence done to the conſciences of high alter men and adorers of crucifixes? Why to them more then to Famili…s? But if this was done by reque…, and word… of butter and oyl from the Parliament and Committee-men, then are Ordinances of Parliament but meer requeſts to the Subjects. But it is proteſtatio con…raria facto.
He addeth, if theſe words (we ſhall endeavour the extirpation of Schiſme,p. … and whatſoever ſhal be found contrary to …ound doctrine, &c.) be levelled onelyonly againſt the Congregational men, it was not fa…re to draw them into a Covenant to deſtroy themſelves. Its diſſervice to the State, to ſpoyle the State of ſo many Godly and brave men, and ſeemes to be but the birth of that challenge againſt theſe men (to bee the Sanballets and Tobia's of this preſent worke) and is the higheſt breach of love.
Anſw. It is apparent the Congregationall men he meaneth are the Independents, who would have their Churches gathered out of true Churches. Who will not be called Schiſmaticks, as if enſis and gladius were not one thing,How Independents were inſnared by Preſbyterians to take the Covenant as the lying Author ſaith. then this Author levelled theſe words againſt Presbyterians, as the Schiſmaticks, for where ever one Church is rent from another true Church, one of the two is the Schiſmatick Church; ſure but the Author will not have Independents the Schiſmaticks, then was it faire to levell theſe words in the Covenant againſt Presbyterians, and draw them in a Covenant to deſtroy both their ſoule and body?
2 The Congregationall men were not drawne, but they came to another Kingdome with faire words to draw Preſbyterians in a Covenant, and ſaid, and ſwore to indeavour uniformity, and yet practiſe this day multiformity of Religions and have put to the ſaile, the blood of many gallant men in Scotland, that ſo they may buy with their lives, curſed Liberty of Conſcience. But will it not be bitterneſſe in the end?
3. The Author hints at a ſtory that fell out in the Aſſembly of Divines where I was witneſſe, Mr. Phi. Nye having ſworne to endeavour the preſervation of Presbyterian government in the Covenant, was pleaſed in the face of the Aſſembly in the hearing of that renowned Generall of England, for the time, the Earle of Eſſex, and many other honourable and noble perſons, to declaime againſt Presbyteriall government, as formidable to States and free Kingdomes, as of old ſome called Jeruſalem the rebellious City, and the Prelates the ſame way burdened the Generall Aſſembly of the Church of Scotland, but Mr. Alexander Henderſon, a man for piety, learning, prudency and ſingular moderation, from zeale, not from the ſpirit of gall and wormewood, as the Authour ſlanderouſly ſpeaketh, ſaid they were the words of Tobiah and Sanballet, to hinder the worke of Reformation; now whether that worthy man ſpake what hath now come to paſſe, let the godly Divines of the Aſſembly be judge.
4. We know no ſervice to the State done by theſe men, but that they ſet up with the ſword all the blaſphemous and hereticall Sects and Religions that Th. Muncer or John of Leydon phancied contrary to the oath of God, for they all profeſſed they were for the Covenant, many of them did ſweare it, with what conſcience to perfome, let Crumwel and others ſpeake, God will not be mocked, which is ſuch diſſervice to the State of England as cannot but draw downe from heaven the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple upon the land; or was it fair when the Congregationall men did hide their concluſion of liberty of conſcience, would keepe that intended Idoll in the bottome of their heart, and joyne in Covenant with Presbyterians, and ſweare againſt multiformity of Religions in words, known to be contrary to the ſenſe of thoſe who drew up the Covenant, contrary to ſenſe and reaſon, and the ſame words of the Covenant, and now obtrude on us multiformity for uniformity.
5. The Authour inſinuates as much, as not to give them liberty of conſcience, as a reward of their valorous fighting, is diſſervice to the State. But ingenuous workmen ſpeake of their wages, before they ingage in the work, but to keepe up any word of liberty of conſcience untill the worke bee ended, and it come to disbanding, is no fair bargaining, but rather in plaine Engliſh, either ſell to us Law, Liberties, Religion, and give them to us beſide our arreares, or we muſt be a perpetuall ſtanding Army to governe England, and manage Religion with the ſword, and to ſet up all Religions, and deſtroy the Covenant and the Proteſtant faith, Pag. 70, 71.and live upon the ſweat of other mens browes.
The Covenant with a faire interpretation may be urged againſt Presbyterians, and for the Congregationall way, as well as otherwiſe. The Covenant binds no man, nor number of men to State or Church for their parts reſpectively, to any paterne or degree of Reformation, conformity or uniformity with other Churches, but what ſhall ſatisfactorily to them and each of their conſciences, appeare to be according to the word of God; and ſuch a Reformation doe the Congregationall men deſire, pray, preach, endeavovr for and after, in the purſuance of the Covenant, as if there had beene no ſuch outward Covenant obliging them, would yee have men driven in droves to the Sacrament ſtill, and the pretious and the vile mixed? and Idol-ſhepheards ſuffered? and Biſhops Courts, and Conſiſtories continued? had theſe beene beaten downe, had not we under God, as a forlorne hope firſt given them battell? how can ye ſay, we hinder Reformation? when we are for a further and purer Reformation (your ſelves being judges?) you would …it down on this ſide Jordan, we would advance? Si… you quiet, if you will not helpe us, as we helped you.
Anſw. When you of the Congregationall way, that is, of the Church way (for none are Churches but you, we are excommunicated, and all elſe but your ſelves) did ſweare to endeavour the preſervation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in doctrine, worſhip, diſcipline, and government, which to your conſciences, and all the Reformed Churches is Presbyterian, can the Covenant be turned againſt Presbyterians, as well as againſt you?
2. You write and preach that the government Presbyterian, is Popiſh, Antichriſtian, more tyrannicall then that of Babel, of Aegypt, ſo all your way, and particularly Mr. Burton in his conformities deformity, and your Independents in the Aſſembly, yet you did ſweare to endeavour its preſervation, and all the Independents in both Houſes ſpake againſt it as tyrannicall, and have voted to clog it with Eraſtianiſme, I would beleeve Eraſtus, How Independents ſware to defend the Presbyterian government, & with tong…, pen, ſword, cry out at it, as Tyrannicall, Antichriſtian, and Popiſh.if he had ſworne to endeavour the preſervation of it, better then your oath. I think Pagans would not ſweare to endeavour the preſervation of any religious way which with tongue, pen, lawes, and ſword, they endeavour to undoe and extirpate▪ ſee if diſtinctions will defend it againſt the common enemy, and whether theſe words, according to the word of God expounded by you, will ſave you from the quarrell and wrath of God for a broken Covenant? Paſſe over the Iſles, and goe to Turkey, to America, and ſee if ſuch a thing as this hath been?
2. The Covenant bindes no man (ſaith he) to any degree of Reformation, but what ſhall ſatisfactorily appeare to each mans conſcience to be according to the word of God. 1. Then the Reformed Religion in Scotland, in doctrine, worſhip, and government according to the word of God, appeared once ſatisfactorily to your conſcience to be according to the word of God, for you tooke the Covenant, yet ye ſay it is Antichriſtian, it drives men in droves to the Sacrament, it is the Biſhops Courts and Conſiſtories continued. But yee did ſweare to endeavour the preſervation of their Reformed Religion according to the word of God the onelyonly rule. But if it was ſworne to as the Reformed Religion, was it not according to the word of God? is it reformed, and not according to the word of God? or was theſe words according to the word of God; A condition, inſinuating what is in the doctrine and diſcipline of the Reformed Religion of that Church? not according to the word of God, to that you did not ſweare. But ſo if the Turke ſhould come and wage warre againſt Papiſts for their Religion, and a heathen people that maintaines there bee more Gods then one, and that the Old Teſtament is not the word of God, ſhould raiſe Armes againſt the Jewes, you might as well ſwear you ſhould defend the doctrine of the Church of Rome, and the Religion of the Jewes againſt the Turke, and thoſe heathen people according to the word of God; for ſure theſe fundamentalls that Jewes and Papiſts hold in doctrine are according to the word of God, and ſo you did ſwear no otherwiſe to defend the Reformed Religion of the Church of Scotland then that of the Church of England, before theſe troubles aroſe for that ye ſwore to defend in ſo far as it agrees with …e word of God, yea ſo ye did ſweare to defend any Religion of any Nation you never heard of, according to the word of God, if you ſay, But we knew the Reformed Religion of the Church of Scotland, therefore ye might ſweare to it, but yee know not all the Religions of any Nation you never heard of. But if ſo, then yee knew the Reformed Religion of Scotland to be according to the word of God, then it appeared ſatisfactorily to your conſcience ſo to be. But did their fundamentalls againſt Familiſts, Antiſcripturiſts, Socinians, Arrians, ſo appeare to your conſcience to be according to the word of God, and their Antichriſtian and tyrannicall Presbyteries, that are but, as you ſay, Epiſcopall Courts and Conſiſtories appear to be ſo, and that ſatisfactorily to your conſciences? if ſo, why judge ye Familiſts, Socinians, ſuch as deny the Trinity, and ſuch as make all the Saints to be Chriſt, and Godded with the indwelling fulneſſe of God, to be Gods manife…ed in the fleſh, to be Saints, brethren, the godly party to be indulged? then you muſt queſtion the fundamentalls of the doctrine of Scotland▪ and they did not ſatisfactorily appeare to your conſcience to be according to the word of God. And why did you ſimply without any limitation ſweare to endeavour the preſervation of the Reformed Religion? you ſhould have ſaid, truly Reformed Religion of the Church of Scotland; and why did you ſweare ſimply to the doctrine, worſhip, diſcipline and government of the Church according to the word of God? when yee knew then, as now, their government was Antichriſtian, and not according to the word of God? and their doctrine even in fundamentalls not ſo ſure but Socinians, Arrians, and the Saints your brethren the Familiſts may hold the contrary, and bee tollerated as Saints, and their doctrine, though oppoſite in fundamentalls to ours, may be as ſatisfactory truths to your conſcience as ours of Scotland. Confeſſe and glorifie God, you ſware the Covenant in a Jeſuiticall reſerved ſenſe, kept up in your minde, as you inſinuate pag. 66, 67. and ſuch as the words cannot beare.Libertines make conſcience, not the word of God their rule.
3. There is here a new Tricke put on the Covenant, it bindes to no truth but what ſhall appeare ſatisfactorily to the conſcience of each ſwearer to be according to the word of God. If a Merchant promiſe and ſwear to a ſimple man to give him for ſuch wares an hundred pounds,So Remo…ſtrantes in vindici…s Apol. l. 2. c. 6. 135, 136. nominem, poſt quam acceptavit decretum, (this Author, poſt quam accepta…it …uramentum) ten…ri illo diutius▪ quam ea …ge qua…enus & qu…ndin ipſe i… co … ſua judica illud eſſe …erum. he gives him but an hundred pounds Scotch, whereas the wares are to the man as dear as an hundred pounds Starling, is the Merchant abſolved of his oath and promiſe, if he pay him but an hundred pounds Scotch? and ſay, it appeares ſatisfactorily to my Antinomian conſcience the … of no more value then a hundred pound Scotch, and my oath and promiſe obligeth me to no more then ſatisfactorily appeareth to my conſcience the onelyonly rule of my obligation, to be according to equity and juſtice, and ſo you are fully paid with an hundred pounds Scotch.
So this Authour abſolves us from all oaths and covenants, though we ſweare not to kill a captive taken in warre, and ſweare to adhere to the fundamentalls that there is one God, Chriſt is the one onelyonly Mediator, God and man, conſubſtantiall with the father, yet if after you have talked with Sa… marſh, or put your faith in the power of the ſophiſmes o… a cunning Jeſuit, he makes it ſatisfactorily appeare to your conſcience that it is according to the word of God that the captive …e killed, …e is a murtherer, and there be as many Mediators, as there be Saints in heaven, and as many Chriſts Godded with the fulneſſe of the Godhead, as there be Saints of the family of love, and ſo your oath to your fundamentalls obligeth you not; and you are guilty of no per…ury though firſt you ſware to the neceſſary truths of God, and now ye turne apoſtate from both faith and oath. Libertines infuſe ſuch a magick in your erroneous conſcience that it is your onelyonly rule, and diſplaceth the Law of nature from all obligation, or the word of God the onelyonly rule of faith and manners, you are tyed no longer by the oath of God, then your weather-cock-conſcience,How appearing to the conſcience makes not the word of God to be the obliging rule, but onelyonly as touching the right and due manner of being obliged thereby. with this new Moon, hath catched a new light, you are as if there had been no ſuch outward Covenant obliging you, take it upon the word of this Gamaliel, dormii ſecurd in utramque aurem. But though it be true, nothing doth oblige, but it muſt appeare to be according to the word of God, that it may oblige in the right and due manner and way, yet it is moſt falſe that it obligeth, as it ſhall appear, or qua… nus, becauſe it doth appear to the conſcience to be the word of God, for a quatenus ad omne valet conſequentia. Then every thing obligeth, as it appears to be the word of God to the conſcience moſt erroneous, then are ſome obliged to murther the innocent Apoſtles; for it appeares ſatisfactorily to their conſcience to be the word of God, and ſervice to God ſo to doe, Joh. 16. 1. and ſome are obliged to ſacrifice their ſons to God, though they did vow and covenant the contrary in Baptiſme, for it appeares ſatisfactorily to their conſcience, it is according to the example of Abraham, to offer their ſonnes to God, except God from heaven forbid them as he did Abraham.
5. To Libertines no Covenants nor Oaths of the moſt lawfull things layes on any more obligation to performance, then if theſe Oaths had never been made, if the erroneous conſcience gainſay.
6. You did know the diſcipline of the Church of Scotland debars not all from the Sacrament, except known unregenerate perſons; yee knew their Conſiſtories to be hatefull to the common enemies, why then did you ſwear to defend them againſt the commmon enemy, ſince both to your conſcience and the common enemy they are contrary to the word of God.
7. You durſt not give the firſt battle to Biſhops, Scotland gave it to them, when your Grandees were as low as ſhrubs, as feared as Harts.
8. You hinder Reformation, your Independents wrought with all their power, there ſhould be no Aſſembly, and that no old non-conformiſts, ſuch as ſound and learned Mr. Ruthband, gracious and zealous Mr. Aſh, and others, to bee members thereof, and would rather have had Prelaticall Conformiſts in the Aſſembly then they. You joyne with all the Sectaries, who are againſt Covenant, Government, Confeſſion of faith, and Directory of worſhip, retarded the proceedings of the Aſſembly; we heard often in Scotland▪ you wiſhed Prelacie were gone, if ye knew what to put in its place, as if no Government known to you could fit England but Prelacy, and that of the Reformed Churches were not ſo good.
9. You would goe further on then we, and be over Jordan, but we had rather ſit downe on this ſide of Jordan, as go over with you, for ye was not well over, when yee ſet up at the Kings houſe Idolatrous bowing to Altars, and the abjured Maſſe-booke, and Familiſts, Socinians, Antinomians, Seekers, Arrians, preaching Souldiers, who teach as many Saints, as many Chriſts and Gods manifeſted in the fleſh, and when theſe perverters of the right wayes of God were ſilenced by a godly Preacher at London, they prayed woe with learning, it oppoſeth all the wayes of God; and is that a Reformation on the other ſide of Jordan, which ſends out Apoſtles to preach that are as blinde as Moles in the principles of the ſingle Catechiſme, who know not whether there bee-one God, and one Mediator Chriſt, or millions of Gods and Chriſts, yet theſe are the onelyonly a…ointed ones. It were good that ſuch a Reformation were over Jordan, and millions of miles beyond America.