The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 44
Examination of CHAP. XLIV.
Peace.
THe next Scripture produced by the priſoner againſt perſecution Chriſtian weapons conſidered.for cauſe of conſcience was 2 Cor. 10. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, &c. unto which Maſter Cotton anſwers, that he ſpeaks not there of civil Magiſtrates.
It was replied, True, for in ſpiritual things the civil weapons were improper, though in civil things moſt proper and ſuitable.
Maſter Cotton now replying grants, that it is indeed improper for a Magiſtrate to draw his ſword in matters ſpiritual, yet ſaith he, about matters ſpiritual they may, as to protect in peace, and to ſtave of diſturbers and deſtroyers of them: And he adds, if it were unfitting for carpenters to bring axes and hammers to build up the ſpiritual kingdome of the church of Chriſt, yet their tooles are fit to build Scaffolds for hearing.
Truth.
It is ſtrange, and in my underſtanding ſuits not with the reſt of Maſter Cottons diſcurſe, to wit, that which Maſter Cotton here acknowledgeth, that a Magiſtrate is not to draw his ſword in ſpiritual things, but only about them: when throughout the diſcourſe he maintaines, that the Magiſtrate muſt ſuppreſs the heretick▪ blaſphemer, idolater, ſeducer▪ that he muſt reforme the church, puniſh the apoſtate, and keep the church in her purity; which whether they be ſpiritual matters or no, let ſuch as be ſpiritual judge.
Peace.
He is (ſaith Maſter Cotton) to draw his ſword about ſpiritual matters, to protect in peace, as a carpenter may build Scaffolds, &c.
Truth.
If Maſter Cotton mean civil peace, he knows weA fallacious diſtinction of uſing the civil ſword, not in, but about ſpiritual matters. agree, for all the officers of peace and juſtice ought to attend that work: But if he mean ſpiritual, to wit, that by his ſword he is to provide, that no man diſpute againſt his religion, that no man preach nor write againſt it, let it be well weighed, whether the ſword be not now uſed in ſpiritual matters: As alſo whether in ſuch caſes and others before mentioned; the civil Magiſtrate be not bound by Maſter Cottons doctrine to interpoſe as Judge in theſe controverſies, to paſs ſentence and to puniſh whom he judgeth delinquent, notwithſtanding that both parties and both religions are right, and righteous and holy in their own perſwaſions and conſciences.
Peace.
Beſide, I know you deny not civil conveniences in Gods worſhip, and (therefore when there is need upon occaſion) the help of a carpenter to build Scaffolds.
Truth.
True, but ſince Maſter Cotton compares the work ofStrange Carpenters. the Magiſtrate to the building of a carpenters Scaffold, let us in the fear of God conſider, if this ſimilitude (like ſome Scaffolds) be not all too weak▪ whereon to hazard ſo mighty a weight and burthen: For what ſhould we think of ſuch a carpenter, that after he hath built his Scaffold for people more conveniently to hear the word of God ſuffers no man to preach in the whole country (where his Scaffolds are ſet up) but whom he pleaſeth, nor no doctrine to be taught but what he liketh; no church to be gathered, no perſons to make up this church, no perſons to receive the Sacrament but what he approves of: yea and further with broad axes and hammers▪ and other tooles of violence▪ ſhould compel all perſons (directly or indirectly) to come to church, to make uſe of his Scaffold &c. Whether this be not the true ſtate of the buſineſs▪ the Carpenters Son Chriſt Jeſus will ſhortly more and more diſcover, and break, and tumble down thoſe painted Scaffolds and faireſt houſes▪ which are not built and framed according to the firſt moſt bleſſed line and rule of his holy inſtitution and appointments.