The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 59 – Chapter 60

The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody · Chapter 59 – Chapter 60

p. 178Exam: of Chap. 59. replying to Chap. 62.

Peace.

IN this Chap. the Conſideration of the Speeches themſelves, M^r Cotton ſayth, he paſſed by, becauſe, either the Reaſons wanted waight, or did not impugne the cauſe in hand, as

Firſt, That Speech of King James; God never loved to plant his A Speech of King James conſidered.Church by Bloud: It is farre from us (ſayth M^r Cotton) to compell men to yeeld to the Fellowſhip of the Church by bloudie Lawes or Penalties: Nevertheleſſe, this hindreth not but that his Blood may juſtly fall upon his owne head that ſhall goe about to ſupplant and deſtroy the Church of Chriſt.

Truth.

How light or how impertinent ſoever theſe Speeches may ſeems to M^r Cotton, yet to others (fearing God alſo) they are moſt ſollid and waighty.

This Speech of King James ſeemes impertinent in this cauſe▪ becauſe (ſayth M^r Cotton) we compell no man by bloudy Lawes and Penalties to yeeld themſelves to the Fellowſhip of the Church.

I anſwer, as Saul by perſecuting of David in the Land of Canaan, and thruſting him forth of Gods Heritage, did as it were bid him goe ſerve other Gods in other Countries: So he thatNo Man to he forced from his owne worſhip, … &c. ſhall by bloudie Lawes and Penalties force any man from his owne Conſcience and Worſhip, doth upon the point, ſay unto him, in a language▪ of bloud, Come be of my Religion, &c.

p. 1792. Peace.

Why ſhould not Men as well be forced to the Truth, as forced from their Errours and Erroneous practices? Since (to keepe to the Similitude) it is the ſame Power that ſets a plant, and plucks up weedes, which is true (myſtically) in the ſpirituall worke of Chriſt Jeſus, in his heavenly planting by his Word and Spirit.

3. Truth.

I adde, if men be compelled to come to Church Touching compelling to come to Church and to heare.under ſuch a penaltie, for Abſence (as hath been practiced in Old and New England) How can M^r Cotton ſay, there is no forcing to the Fellowſhip of the Church; when (howſoever with the Papiſts) he makes ſo great difference, which Chriſt never made, between the Lords Supper, and the Word and Prayer, and ſay, that men may be forced to the hearing of the Word, but not to the Supper. Yet the conſciences of thouſands will teſtifie, that it is as truely grievous to them to be forced to the one as to the other, and that they had as lief be forced to the meat as to the Broth, to the more inward and retired chambers and cloſets, as into the Hall or Parlor, being but part… of the ſame houſe, &c.

Peace.

And I may adde (Deare Truth) that the bloudie Impriſonments, Whippings and Baniſhments, that have cryed, and will cry in New England, will not be ſtild untill the cry of Repentance, and the bloud of the Lambe Chriſt Jeſus, put that cry to ſilence. But to the ſecond Speech of King James, No marvellA ſecond Speech of King James. (ſayth M^r Cotton) that I paſt by that Speech, to wit, [that Civill obedience may be performed by the Papiſts,] for I found it not in the Letter; and beſide, how can Civill obedience be performed by Papiſts, when the Biſhop of Rome ſhall Excommunicate a Proteſtant Prince, diſſolve the Subjects Oath, &c.

Truth.

I anſwer; King James profeſſing concerning thePapiſts may yeeld Civill obedience. Oath of Allegiance (which he tendred to the Papiſts, and which ſo many Papiſts tooke,) that he deſired onelyonly to be ſecured for Civill Obedience▪ to my underſtanding did as much as ſay, that he beleeved that a Papiſt might yeeld Civill obedience, as they did in taking this Oath, as quiet and peaceable Subjects, ſome of them being employed in places of Truſt, both in his and in Queene Elizabeths dayes▪

What though it be a Popiſh Te…e…, that the Pope may ſo doe, and what though Bellarmine▪ and others, have maintained ſuch p. 180bloudie Tenents, yet it is no Generall Tenent of all Papiſts, andThe Parliament at Paris, although Popiſh, yet condemned Bookes and Tenents againſt Civill obedience. it is well knowne that a famous Popiſh Kingdome, the whole Kingdome of France aſſembled in Parliament in the yeare (ſo calld) 1610. condemned to the Fire the booke of Johannes Marianus for mainteining that very Tenent. And two moneths after Bellarmines booke it ſelfe was condemned to the Fire alſo, by the ſame Parliament for the ſame deteſtable Doctrine, as the Parliament calld it, as tending to deſtroy the higher Powers, which God hath ordained, ſtirring up the Subjects againſt their Princes, abſolving them from their Obedience, ſtirring them up to attempt againſt their Perſons, and to diſturbe the common peace and quiet: Therefore all Perſons who ever under Paine of High Treaſon, were forbidden to print, ſell, or keepe that booke, &c.

Peace.

This paſſage being ſo late, and ſo famous in ſo neere a Popiſh Countrie, I wonder how M^r Cotton could chaine up all Papiſts in an Impoſſibilitie of yeelding Civill obedience, when a whole Popiſh Kingdome breakes and abhorres the chaines of ſuch bloudy and unpeaceable Doctrines and Practices.

2. Experience hath proved it poſſible for Men to hould otherAll England Papiſts, and yet the Pope renounced. maine and fundamentall Doctrines of that Religion, and yet renounce the Authoritie of the Pope, as all England did under King Henry 8. when the ſix bloudie Articles were maintained and practiced, and in them the Subſtance of that Idolatrous Religion, although the Power of the Pope of Rome was generally acknowledged no other, then of a forreigne Biſhop in his owne Dioceſſe.

3. But grant the Engliſh Catholicks maintaine the Supreame Authoritie of the Pope, even in England, it muſt be conſidered and declared how farre: If ſo farre, as to owne his Power of abſolving from obedience (againſt which the aforeſaid Parliament A twofold holding the Pope as Head.of Paris declared) the wiſdome of the State knowes how to ſecure it ſelfe againſt ſuch Perſons. But if onelyonly as Head of the Church in ſpirituall matters, & they give Aſſurance for Civill obedience, why ſhould their Conſciences more then others be oppreſſed?

Peace.

M^r Cotton, (as all men and too juſtly in this Controverſie) alledgeth the Papiſts practices, what ever profeſſions otherwiſe have been▪ So long as they hould the Pope, they are p. 181ſure of a Diſpenſation to take any Oath, ſubſcribe to any Engagement, and of Abſolution for the Acting of any Crime of Treaſon or Murther againſt the chiefeſt States-men, and the State it ſelfe.

Truth.

What is it that hath rendred the Papiſts ſo inraged and deſperate in England, Ireland, &c? What is it that hath ſo imbittered and exaſperated their minds, but the Lawes againſt their Conſciences and Worſhips?

Peace.

The two Siſters Lawes compared, Maries and Elizabeths, The two Siſters Lawes concerning Conſcience.concerning mens Conſciences, while Maries were certainly written with bloud againſt the Proteſtants, Elizabeths may ſeeme to be written with milke againſt the Papiſts.

Truth.

Deare Peace, Chaines of Gold and Diamonds are chaines, and may pinch and gall as ſore and deepe, as thoſe of Braſſe and Iron, &c. all Lawes to force even the groſſeſt Conſcience (of the moſt beſotted Idolaters in the world, Jew or Turke, Papiſt or Pagan) I ſay, all ſuch Lawes, reſtraining from or conſtraining to Worſhip, and in matters meerly Spirituall, and of no Civill nature, ſuch Lawes, ſuch Acts, are chaine…, are yoakes, not poſſibly to be fitted to the Soules neck, without oppreſſion, and exaſperation.

Peace.

It is no wonder indeed that the Brains of thoſe of the Popiſh Faith are ſo diſtempered and enraged by yoakes clapt on the neck of their Conſciences, when Solomon the wiſeſt obſerves it common: that Civill oppreſſion (how much more Soule-oppreſſion, the moſt grievous and intollerable) doth uſe to render the Braines of men (otherwayes moſt ſober and judicious) madde and deſperate.

2. Truth.

I anſwer (ſecondly) grant the Practices of theCeales of moderation and kindneſſe, may melt an Enemie, as David melted Saul, &c. Papiſts againſt the Civill State, fowle, dangerous, &c. yet why ſhould there not be hope (according to the rules of pietie in Scripture, and policie in Experience) that the coales of mercy and moderation may melt the Head of an Enemie, as hard as any ſtone or mettall, and render imbittered Enemies, loving Friends, combined and reſolved for their common ſafetie and Liberties.

Thirdly, Againſt the feare of Evill practices the Wiſdome ofCautions for preventing of diſturbance by Papiſts, &c. the State may ſecurely provide, by juſt cautions and proviſoes, as of Subſcribing the Civill Engagement▪ of yeelding up their Armes, the Inſtruments of miſchiefe and diſturbance; of being p. 182noted (as the Jewes are in ſome parts) by ſome diſtinction of or on their Garments, or otherwiſe, according to the Wiſdome of the State. And without ſuch or the like ſufficient cautions given, it is not Civill Juſtice to permit juſtly ſuſpected perſons, dangerous to the civill peace, to abide out of places of Securitie and ſafe Reſtraint.

Peace.

If ſuch a courſe were ſteered with the Conſciences of that Religion, yet are there ſome Objections waighty concerning the Body of the People.

Firſt, There will be alwayes danger of tum…l…s and uproares between the Papiſts and the Proteſtants▪

1. Truth.

Sweet Peace, thou mayſt juſtly be tender of the quiet repoſe and ſecure Tranquilitie of all men, and with All men (if it be poſſible, as the Scripture ſpeakes) as thou art …nSufficient Proviſions are made in other Nations, againſt Diſtractions and Tumults from oppoſite Conſciences and Worſhips. heavenly daughter of the God of peace and love. But yet thou knoweſt the Wiſdome of the Engliſh State need… not be taught from abroad (where Li…ertie abroad is granted to the Popiſh o… Proteſtan… Conſciences) of making ſafe and ſufficient proviſion againſt all Tumults, and feare of uproares.

2. But ſecondly, it is too too fully and lamentably true, that the Congregations or Churches of the ſeverall ſort… of ſuch as in whole or in part ſeperate from the Pariſh worſhip and …orſhipper…, are …arr… more odious to, and doe more ex…ſper…e a thouſand times, the Pariſh Aſſemblies, then the Papiſt… or Catholiques themſelues are or doe: So that if the People were let looſe to take their choice of exerciſing violence and furie, either upon▪ a …opiſh o… a Proteſtant Seperate Aſſembly, it is cleare from the greater corrivation and competition (made by the Proteſtants that ſeperate▪ ) to the true Church, true Government, true Worſhip, true Miniſtrie, true Seales, &c. the rage of the People would mount up incomparably fiercer againſt the one then the other. Hence i… was the Papiſts ever found more favour with the laſtN…er… Com… tition▪ & homebred oppoſitions moſt of all ex…ſperate, &c. two Kings and thei… Biſhops, then the Puritants (ſo called) did, and the ſeperate Aſſembl…es were not ſo maligned by them as the Noncon…ormiſts, no… they ſo much as the very conforming Puritants. And therefore ſuitably it was b…lcht out from a fowle-mouth … a Chapl…ine to one of the late Biſhops; A…plagu… (ſaid …) on all Conforming Puritants, they doe us moſt miſchiefe▪ Notwithſtanding all this, and the bitter Indignation p. 183of People againſt theſe Sectaries (ſo called) and their Aſſemblies, yet the moſt holy wiſdome of the Father of Lights The admired Prudence of the Parliament in preſerving Civill Peace.hath taught the Parliament of England that wonderfull skill (in the midſt of ſo many Spirituall oppoſitions) to preſerve the Civill peace from the danger… and occaſions of civill Tumults and Diſtractions.

Peace.

Admit the civill peace be kept inviolate, yet how ſatisfie we the feares and jealouſies of many who cry out of danger of Infection, and that Jezabels Doctrine will leaven and ſeduce the Land, &c.

Truth.

I will not here repeate what in other parts of this booke I have preſented touching that Point of Infection. At preſent, I anſwer;

Firſt, It is to me moſt improbable, that (except the Body Increaſe of Papiſts unlikely in England.of the Nation face about from Proteſtaniſme to Poperie) (as in Queene Maries dayes) that the number of Proteſtants turning Papiſts, will be great in a Proteſtant Nation, eſpecially if ſuch ſecuritie be taken, as was above-mentioned, and otherwiſe, as the State ſhall order, &c. together with ſuch publick notes and markes (before mentioned) on the People of that Way, becauſe of their former practices.

Secondly, Yea, why ſhould not rather the glorious Beames of the Sunne of Righteouſneſſe in the free Conferrings, Diſputings and Preachings of the Goſpel of Truth, be more hopefully like to expell thoſe Miſts and Fogs out of the minds of Men, and that Papiſts, Jewes, Turkes, Pagans, be brought home, not onelyonly into the common roade and way of Proteſtaniſme, but to the grace of true Repentance and Life in Chriſt. I ſay, why not this more likely, by farre, then that the miſts and fogs of Poperie ſhould over cloud and conquer that moſt glorious Light.

Peace.

'Tis true, the holy Hiſtorie tells us of one Sampſon laying heapes upon heapes of the proudeſt Philiſtims; of one David, and of his Worthies, encountring with and ſlaying their ſtouteſt Gyant… and Champions, yet it is feared ſuch is the depraved nature of all mankinde (and not of the Engliſh onelyonly) that like a corrupted full Body, it ſooner ſucks in a poyſoned breath of Infection, then the pureſt Ayre of Truth, &c.

Truth.

Grant this, I anſwer therefore (thirdly) If any of many conſcientiouſly turne Papiſts. I alledge the Experience p. 184of a holy, wiſe, and learned man, experienced in our owneM^r John Robinſon (deceaſed) his Teſtimonie in a Manuſ: from Holland. and other States affaires, who affirmes that he knew but few Papiſts increaſe, where much Libertie to Papiſts was granted, yea fewer then where they were reſtrained: Yet further, that in his Conſcience and Judgement he believed and obſerved that ſuch Perſons as conſcientiouſly turned Papiſts, (as believing Poperie the truer way to Heaven and Salvation) I ſay, ſuch Perſons were ordinarily more conſcionable, loving, and peaceable in their dealings, and neerer to Heaven then thouſands that follow a bare common trade and roade and name of Proteſtant Religion, and yet live without all Life of Conſcience and Devotion to God, and conſequently with as little love and faithfulneſſe unto Men.

Peace.

But now to proceed; a third Speech of King James A third Speech of King James conſidered.was, [Perſecution is the note of a falſe Church, the wicked are Beſiegers, the Faithfull are beſieged, upon Revel. 20.] M^r Cotton here grants, that it is indeed a Note of a falſe Church, but not a certaine One; for, ſayth he, which of all the Prophets did not the Church of the Old Teſtament perſecute?

Truth.

M^r Cotton granting perſecution to be a degree of Falſehood Perſecution ordinarily the marke of a Falſe Church.and Apoſtacie, as he doth in his following words, he muſt alſo grant, that where ſuch a Doctrine and practice prevailes, and the Church growes obſtinate after all the Lords meanes uſed to reclaime, ſuch a Church will proceede to further degrees, untill the whole be leavened with Falſhood and Apoſtacie, and the Lord divorceth her, and caſts her out of his Heart and Sight; as he dealt with Iſrael and Judah: And it will be found no falſe, but a dutifull part of a faithfull childe to abhorre the whoredomes of ſuch an one, though his own Mother, who for her obſtinacie in whoredomes is juſtly put away by his heavenly Father, but of that (the Lord aſſiſting) more in its place.

Peace.

Further, Whereas it was ſaid, that M^r Cotton had paſſed by King Stephen of Poland his Speech, to wit, the true Difference between the Civill and Spirituall Government, M^r Cotton anſwers, that it is true, that the Magiſtrate cannot commandStephen King ▪ Poland his … their Soules, nor binde their Conſciences, nor puniſh their Spirits: All that he can doe is to puniſh the Bodies of Men for deſtroying or diſturbing Religion.

p. 185Truth.

It is true, the Lord alone reacheth the Soules or Spirits of Men, but he doth it two wayes.

Firſt, Immediately ſtirring up the Spirits of the Prophets, by Viſions, Dreames, &c.

Secondly, By inſtituted Meanes and Ordinances: of whichThe Spirituall Power of Chriſt Jeſus betruſted not with Civill but ſpirituall Miniſters. is the Queſtion: Now Stephen King of Poland profeſſed that he was King of bodies, and not of Conſciences: It being moſt true, that the Lord Jeſus hath appointed ſpirituall Rulers and Governours, to binde and looſe Soules and Conſciences, to wound and kill, Comfort and ſave alive the Spirits and Conſciences of Men. This power Chriſt Jeſus committed to his true Meſſengers; but oh, how many are there that pretend to this Apoſtleſhip or Miniſtrie, who yet have ſold away this ſpirituall Power to the Earthly or worldly powers, upon an (implyed ſecret) Condition or Proviſo, to receive a broken Reed an Arme of Fleſh, (in ſtead of the Everlaſting Armes of Mercy,) to protect them.

Peace.

With your leave (Deare Truth) let me adde a ſecond: If the Magiſtrate (as M^r Cotton ſayth) puniſh the body for a ſpirituall offence, why doth he not puniſh by a ſpirituall power as a ſpirituall Officer, with a ſpirituall Cenſure and puniſhment?

Truth.

M^r Cotton will tell us that the bodies of the Iſraelites were puniſhed for ſpirituall offences: And we may againe truely affirme, that the very cutting off by the materiall Sword out of the typicall Land of Canaan, was in the type, a ſpirituall puniſhment.

Peace.

M^r Cotton is not ignorant of this, and hath often taught of theſe Types from Paſſages on Geneſis and other bookes of Moſes, &c.

Truth.

The Father of Lights graciouſly be pleaſed to ſet home the light he hath vouchſafed him, & fix and imprint the beames thereof in his heart and affections alſo.

Peace.

This Argument (of puniſhing the body for the ſoules An Argument uſed in Parliament againſt the Perſecuting Biſhops.good) I remember was feelingly reſented by an honourable Gentleman in the parliament againſt the Biſhops, urging how contrary unto Chriſt Jeſus thoſe Prelates were; for Chriſt Jeſus did make way for his working upon Mens ſoules, by ſhewing kindneſſe to their bodies, &c. but Prelates contrarily, &c.

Truth.

All the Angells' of God will one day witneſſe, that Chriſt Jeſus was never Captain to Pope, nor Prelate, Presbyter, no p. 186nor Independent, Emperour nor King, Parliament, nor Generall Court, who puniſh and afflict, perſecute and torture the bodies of Men under pretence of a ſpirituall and religious medicine.

Peace.

Yea, but ſayth M^r Cotton, Religion is diſturbed and deſtroyed, what ſhall be done?

Truth.

Religion is diſturbed and deſtroyed two wayes.Of diſturbance of Religion.

Firſt, When the Profeſſors or Aſſemblies thereof are perſecuted, that is hunted and driven up and downe out of the world: Againſt ſuch Deſtroyers or Diſturbers (being Tyrants and Oppreſſours,) the Civill Sword ought to be drawen.

Peace.

The drawing of the Sword of Juſtice againſt ſuch Tyrants, The Biſhops as Tyrants juſtly ſuppreſſed, and the Parliament therein proſpered from Heaven.I believe hath prevailed in Heaven, for the Parliaments ſucceſſes and proſperitie: The turning from the violence that was in the hands of thoſe Men of Bloud the Biſhops, (as in the Men of Ninivies caſe) hath laid the long and violent ſtorme of Fire and Bloud, &c.

Truth.

Yea let the moſt renowned Parliament of England, and all England know, that when they ceaſe to liſten to Daniells counſell to Belſhazzar, to wit, to ſhew Mercy to the poore, (evenDaniells Counſel to Bel-ſhazzar preſerveth Parliaments & Kingdomes. the pooreſt and moſt afflicted in the World) the Conſciences of Men, then is their Parliamentarie Glory and Tranquillitie ecclipſed: Till then I confidently believe, their Government (which hath now ſo many yeares with ſo many Wonders continued) ſhall not be numbred, nor another fatall change ſurprize them.

But now (2) the Diſturbance or Deſtruction of Religion is ſpirituall, by falſe Teachers, falſe Prophets, by ſpirituall Rebells and Traytors againſt the Worſhip and Kingdome of Chriſt Jeſus: Againſt which Diſturbers or Deſtroyers, if Chriſt Jeſus have not provided ſufficient ſpirituall Defence, let Moſes (his ancient Type,) be ſaid to exceede him in Faithfulneſſe, David in holy zeale and affection to the houſe of God, and Solomon in wiſdome and heavenly prudence, in ordering the Affaires of the holy Worſhip of God.

Peace.

But further, whereas it was ſaid, that to confound theſe (to wit, a Civill and Spirituall Government) was Babell and Jewiſh: M^r Cotton replyes, That is Babell to tollerate and advance Idolatrie. 2. (Sayth he) though Chriſt hath aboliſhed a Nationall Church-State, which Moſes ſet up in the Land of Canaan, p. 187yet Chriſt never aboliſhed a Nationall Civill State, nor the Judiciall Lawes of Moſes, which were of Morall Equitie, and therefore (ſayth he) If the true Chriſts bloud goe for the planting of the Church, let the falſe Chriſts goe for ſupplanting it.

Truth.

I anſwer; Babell was infamous for Pride, for Confuſion or Diſorder, for Idolatrie, for Tyrannie: Now let all perſecuting Cities and Kingdomes be examined and ſee if they have beenTouching the Nationall Church of Iſraell. cleare from any of theſe: and eſpecially from Babells confuſion and diſorder, from monſtrous mingling of Spirituall and Civill, the Devills Worſhip with Gods veſſells: It was no Confuſion in the Nationall Church of Iſrael for the Power of that Nation, in the hands of Kings and Civill Rulers, to purge that Nationall Church by Nationall force of weapons and Death: But ſince M^r Cotton acknowledgeth that Chriſt hath aboliſhed that Nationall Church, and eſtabliſhed Congregationall Churches, (in ſome of which poſſibly may be no Civill Magiſtrate fearing God, for few wiſe or noble are called, and conſequently few godly or Chriſtian Magiſtrates profeſſing Chriſt Jeſus▪ ) What is this but Babell or a Babyloniſh mixture of the Old and New Teſtament, Nationall and Congregationall Churches power and practices together?

Peace.

2. What if Chriſt Jeſus have not aboliſhed a Nationall Church State, it is ſufficient that he hath aboliſhed a Nationall Church. And if ſo, then in Church matters thoſe Nationall Judicialls, and the uſe of thoſe Nationall Weapons and Puniſhments, inIſraell a miraculous Nation. attending upon ſuch a Nationall Church: Yea what colour of Morall Equitie is there that all the Nations of the World (moſt of which never heard of Chriſt) ſhould be ruled by ſuch Lawes and Puniſhments as were peculiarly and miraculouſly given and appointed to one ſelected and culd out Nation, conceived, borne, and brought up (as I may ſo ſpeake) from firſt to laſt, by extraordinarie, and miraculous diſpenſation?

Peace.

There may be (ſayth M^r Cotton) difference between the Nations profeſſing Chriſtianitie, and other Nations.

Truth.

There is indeed great Difference: There are twoTwo ſorts of the Nations of the World. ſorts of Nations or Peoples of the World, which ſhall be Fewell for the devouring flames of the Lord Jeſus, 2 Theſſ. 1. Firſt, ſuch as know not Chriſt Jeſus, of which ſort the greateſt part of the Nations of the World (beyond all colour of compariſon) conſiſt. 2. Such as have heard a ſound, and make ſome profeſſion p. 188of the Name of Chriſt Jeſus, and yet obey him not as Lord and King, &c.

Now it is true at the Tribunall of this dreadfull Judge, Tyre and Sidon, Sodome and Gomorra, ſhall finde an eaſier doome, then ſhall Bethſaida, Chorazin, Capernaum, Jeruſalem, &c. And M^r Cotton need not feare the eſcaping of a falſe Chriſt, when all Nations profeſſing Chriſtianitie (Papiſt or Proteſtant▪ ) (if yet found diſobedient to the true Chriſt) ſhall paſſe under a more fierie Sentence then all Mahumetane and Pagan Countries.

Peace.

M^r Cotton will not ſtick to ſubſcribe to this; But, the falſe Chriſts bloud (ſayth he) ought now, to be ſpilt.

Truth.

Since there are ſo many falſe Chriſts (as the true Chriſt Touching the true and falſe Chriſts.Propheſied) M^r Cotton muſt unavoydably name and detect and convict thoſe falſe Chriſts, Popiſh and Proteſtant, &c. upon whom he paſſeth ſuch a preſent Sentence. He muſt alſo direct the way how the true Chriſt may ſhed the bloud of the falſe Chriſts. When M^r Cotton hath done this faithfully and impartially (according to his Conſcience and preſent Judgement) what Reader will not at firſt view ſee riſing up from ſuch Premiſes theſe foure Concluſions?

Firſt, Amongſt ſo many Chriſts extant (that is viſible Chriſts Head and Body) in the Chriſtian Antichriſtian World, there can but One Chriſt be found to be true.

Secondly, That Chriſt which M^r Cotton profeſſeth (according to his Conſcience) will be He.

Thirdly, All ſuch Chriſts as are extant, beſide M^r Cottons, Head and Body, ought impartially to be put to Death, as falſe, counterfeit, blaſphemous, &c.

Fourthly, Such as embrace his Chriſt, that is, be of his Church and Conſcience, are bound (if they once get power in their hands) to purſue with fire and ſword, and to ſhed the bloud of all the falſe Chriſts, that is, the ſeverall ſorts of falſe or Antichriſtian Worſhippers.

Peace.

Oh how wiſe and Righteous is the Lord, in letting looſe the Wolfe and Lyon (perſecutors and Hunters) upon his Sheepe and People, that by their owne painfull ſence of ſuch bloudie violence and crueltie, he may graciouſly purge out the Malignant venemous Humours of ſuch fowle Antichriſtian and bloudie Doctrines? But to the next, the King of Bohemia his ſaying. p. 189Whereas it was ſaid that in this Kings Speech M^r Cotton King of Bohemia his Speech.had paſſed by that Foundation in Grace and Nature, to wit, that Conſcience ought not to be violated or forced, and that ſuch forcing is no other then a Spirituall Rape.

M^r Cotton replyes, It was not paſſed by, but prevented in ſtating the Queſtion, where it was ſaid, It is not lawfull to Cenſure any, no not for Errour in Fundamentall Points of Doctrine or Worſhip, till the Conſcience of the offendour be firſt convinced (out of the Word of God) of the dangerous Errour of his way, and then if he will perſiſt, it is not out of Conſcience, but againſt his Conſcience, as the Apoſtle ſayth, (Tit. 3. 11.) and ſo he is not perſecuted for cauſe of Conſcience, but for ſinning againſt his Conſcience.

1. Truth.

I anſwer, the forcing of a Woman, that is, the violentSpirituall Rapes. Acting of uneleanneſſe upon her bodie againſt her will, we count a Rape: By Proportion that is a Spirituall or Soule-rape, which is a forcing of the Conſcience of any Perſon, to Acts of Worſhip, which the Scripture entitles by the name of the Marriage bed, Cant. 1.

This forcing of Conſcience was in an high meaſure the branded ſinne of that great typicall Machiavel Jeroboam, who made Iſrael to Worſhip before the Golden Calves: And this is the abominable practice of the Second Beaſt, who compells all to take the Marke of the firſt Beaſt, and this is the ſinne of (the myſticall Ammon) the Princes of Europe, and of the Antichriſtian World, thoſe myſticall effeminate Ahabs, who give their power to the Beaſt, themſelves (together with that Man of Sinne and Filthineſſe (the Pope) Practicing moſt odious ſpirituall uncleanneſſe upon the Conſciences of the Nations of the Earth.

2. Peace.

Deare Truth, who knowes not whoſe voyce andAll perſecutours contumeliouſly object againſt Conſcience. Song this is, but that, of all the bloudie Bonners, Gardiners, and moſt devouring perſecutours that ever have or ſhall legally in way and pretence of Juſtice, perſecute. [You pretend Conſcience that you dare not come to Church becauſe of Conſcience, that ſo to ſweare, ſubmit, ſubſcribe, or conforme, is againſt your Conſcience, that you are perſecuted for your Conſcience, and forced againſt your Conſcience.

Truth.

Indeed, what is this before the flaming eyes of Chriſt; but as (Amnon-like in the type) ſome luſtfull Raviſher deales p. 190with a beautifull Woman, firſt…uſing all ſubtle Arguments andAmnon his raviſhing of Tamar, a Type. gentle perſwaſions, to allure unto their ſpirituall Luſt and Filthineſſe, and where the Conſcience freely cannot yeeld to ſuch Luſt and Folly (as Tamar ſaid to Amnon) then a forcing it by Penalties, Penall Lawes and Statutes? Yea, what is this but more filthy and abominable then is commonly practiced againſt raviſhed Women, to wit, a perſwading a Conſcience that it is obſtinate, obſtinate againſt its knowledge, that a man might lawfully have yeelded, that he is convinced of the lawfulneſſe of the Act, and therefore may juſtly be puniſhed for repelling ſuch Arguments, and reſiſting ſuch perſwaſions againſt the Conviction of his owne Conſcience.

3. Peace.

It is a common Queſtion, made by moſt, who ſhall be Judge of this Convicted Conſcience; ſhall the luſtfull Raviſher (the Perſecutor) be Judge? Will the burning Rage of his Spirituall A Query, who ſhall judge, whether Conſcience be convict.Filthineſſe and Antichriſtian Beaſtialitie cauſe no ſhaking of the ſcales of Juſtice? And will M^r Cotton indeed (except he ſuſpend them) have all the Civill Magiſtrates, or Civill States, or Generall Aſſemblies, or Courts of People in the World (according to their ſeverall Conſtitutions) ſit Judges o're Conſcience, to wit, when the poore raviſhed Conſciences of Men are convinced.

Truth.

What is this, but (in truth) to ſubmit the Soules and Conſciences of the Saints (yea the Conſcience of the Lord Jeſus in them,) unto the World that lyes in wickedneſſe (and to the Devill in it) out of which God hath choſen; but few, that are wiſe, or that are Great, Rich, or Noble.

4. And to end this Paſſage, what is this, but to deſtroy that diſtinction of a true and falſe Conſcience, which the holy Spirit expreſſely maketh, relling (2 Theſſal: 2.) of Antichriſtians that make Conſcience of Lyes, believing them conſcientiouſly for Truths. What is it now to force a Papiſt to Church, but a Rape, a Soule-Rape? he comes to Church, that is, comes to that Worſhip, whichChurch Papiſts and Proteſtants alſo raviſhed. his Conſcience tells him is falſe, and this to ſave his Eſtate, Credit, &c. What is this in a Papiſt, but a yeelding unwillingly to be forced and raviſhed? Take an inſtance of holy Cranmer, and many other faithfull Witneſſes of the truth of Jeſus, who being forced or raviſhed by terrour of Death, ſubſcribed, abjured, went to Maſſe, but yet againſt their Wills and Conſciences. In both theſe Inſtances of Papiſt and Proteſtant, M^r Cotton muſt confeſſe p. 191a Soule-Raviſhment; for, th… Conſcience of a Papiſt is not convinced that it is his Dutie to worſhip God by the Engliſh common Prayer-Booke, or Directorie, &c. And the Conſciences of many are not convinced but that it is their ſinne to come at either the Papiſts or common Proteſtants Worſhip. So both Papiſt and Proteſtant are forced and raviſhed by force of Armes, (as a Woman by a Luſtfull Raviſher) againſt their Soules and Conſciences.

Peace.

Againe, in that King of Bohemia's Speech M^r Cotton paſſed by that moſt true and lamentable experience of all Ages, to wit, that perſecution, for cauſe of Conſcience, hath ever proved pernicious, and hath been the cauſe of great Alterations and changes in States and Kingdomes. To this M^r Cotton replyes, No experience in any Age did ever prove it pernicious to puniſh Seducing Apoſtates, after due Conviction of the Errour of their way: And he asks, wherein did the burning of Servetus prove pernicious to Geneva, or the juſt Execution of many Popiſh Prieſts to Queene Elizabeth, or the Engliſh State?

Truth.

I anſwer, though no Hiſtorie did expreſſe what horrible and pernicious miſchiefes the perſecuting of the Arians and others cauſed in the World: yet is it lamentably ſufficientWars for Religion. to the Point, that all Ages teſtifie (and I had almoſt ſaid all Nations) how pernicious this Doctrine hath been in raiſing the devouring flames of Fire and Sword, about Hereticks, Apoſtates, Idolaters, Blaſphemers, &c.

Peace.

Later Times have rendred the obſervation of that King moſt lamentably true, in the many great Deſolations, in Germany, Poland, Hungaria, Tranſilvania, Bohemia, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Low Countries (not to ſpeake of the mighty warres between thoſe dreafull Monarchies of the Turkes and Perſians, and other Nations) to the Flames where of although other cauſes have intermingled, the Matters of Hereſie, Blaſphemie, Idolatrie, &c. have been the chiefeſt ſparkes and Bellowes.

Truth.

It is true (as M^r Cotton ſayth,) it hath pleaſed the God of Heaven to ſpare ſome particular places, and to preſerve wonderfully for his Name and Mercy ſake, Geneva, England, &c. &c. When they have been beſieged and invaded: Yet M^r Cotton confeſſeth, that Queene Elizabeth by that courſe had like to have fired the Chriſtian World in Combuſtion, which though it p. 192pleaſed God to prevent, yet later times have ſhewen how perniciousThe bloudie Tenent Guiltie of all the bloud of Papiſts and Proteſtants lately ſpilt. this Doctrine hath proved unto England, Scotland, Ireland, &c. in the ſlaughter of ſo many hundreth thouſand Papiſts and Proteſtants, upon the very point (principally) of Hereſie, Idolatrie, &c.

Peace.

To end this Chapter: To that obſervation that Perſecution for cauſe of Conſcience was practiced moſt in England, and ſuch places where Poperie reignes, implying that ſuch practices proceed from the great Whore, and her Daughters: M^r Cotton replyes, it is no marvaile he paſſed by this obſervation in the Kings ſpeech, for it was not the Speech of the King, but of the Priſoner, and it was not the perſecuting of Antichriſtians, but of Nicknamed Puritans, and of them too without Conviction of the Errour of their way: He addeth that he could never ſee Warrant to call that Church an Whore, that worſhipped the true God onelyonly in the name of Jeſus, and depended on him alone for Righteouſneſſe and Salvation, and that it is (at leaſt) a baſe part of a childe to call his Mother whore, who bred him and bred him to know no other Father, but her lawfull Huſband the Lord Jeſus Chriſt

Truth.

Whether the Obſervation was the Kings, or the Priſoners, yet it was paſſed by: And if thoſe Puritants or Proteſtants perſecuted, were not convinced, Himſelfe (as he here ſayth) never ſaw Warrant, that is, was convinced, for to call ſuch aThe ſtrongeſt Arme & ſword the ordinarie Judge of the Conviction of Conſcience. Church as he here deſcribeth, an Whore, yet not a few of his oppoſites will ſay, and that aloud, that He and they were or might have been convinced, what ever He or they themſelves thought. The truth is, the carnall Sword is commonly the Judge of the conviction or obſtinacie of all ſuppoſed Hereticks. Hence the faithfull Witneſſes of Chriſt, Cranmer, Ridley, Latimer, had not a word to ſay in the Diſputations at Oxford: Hence the Non-conformiſts were cryed out as obſtinate Men, abundantly convinced by the Writings of Whitgift and others: And ſo in the Conference before King James at Hampton Court, &c.

But concerning the Church of England, whether a daughter or no of the Great Whore of Rome, It is not here ſeaſonable toTouching the Nationall Church of England. repeate what the Witneſſes of Chriſt to Bonds, Baniſhments, and Death (whom M^r Cotton here calls the rigid Seperation) have alledged in this caſe. I thinke it here ſufficient to ſay two p. 193things. Firſt, M^r Cotton himſelfe is thought to believe that it is not a profeſſion of words containing many fundamentall Doctrines that makes a people a true Church, who profeſſing toReall denying, the greateſt denying of Chriſt Jeſus. know God, yet in workes deny him; notwithſtanding that amongſt them by Gods gracious Diſpenſation much good may be wrought by many.

2. M^r Cotton himſelfe will not ſay that ever Chriſt Jeſus was married to a Nationall Church▪ which all men know the Church of England ever was, and M^r Cotton elſewhere acknowledgeth (as Nationall) to be none of Chriſts, but onelyonly Churches Congregationall.

Exam: of Chap. 60. Concerning the Romane Emperours, which did or did not perſecute.

Peace.

VVHereas it was anſwered, that Godly Perſons (as ſome Godly Emperours) might doe evill, to wit, in perſecuting: And ungodly Emperours in not perſecuting, might doe well, &c. M^r Cotton replyes, This begs the Queſtion, to ſay that Kings alledged by the Priſoner did that which was good, but Kings alledged by M^r Cotton (though better perſons) did that which was Evill.

Truth.

I think M^r Cotton miſtakes the poore Priſoner if he conceives him to have argued from the Number, or (by way of compariſon) the Qualitie or Goodneſſe of the Kings. I am ſure he miſtaketh the Diſcuſſer, who argues neither from their Perſons, nor Number, nor Practices, but from the waight of their Speeches, qualified onelyonly with the conſideration of their State: Their Speeches M^r Cotton paſſed by, but now hath waighed, though not ſo fully as it may pleaſe God to cauſe Himſelfe, or others to doe hereafter.

Peace.

I conceive it to be a further miſtake, to thinke the Diſcuſſer accounted the Perſons alledged by M^r Cotton better Perſons then thoſe alledged by the Priſoner.

Truth.

The Diſcuſſer compared them not, but deſired that their Speeches and Arguments might have their juſt and due waight, and then I believe it will be found, not a begging, but a winning of the Queſtion, even from the Teſtimonie of ſome Kings themſelves.