The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 49
Eamination of CHAP. XLIX.
Peace.
COncerning Pauls appeale to Caeſar▪ it was argued that Paul appealed to Caeſar even in ſpiritual things; which that Paul did not nor could not do without the committing of five great evils, was pleaded in this Chapter, Maſter Cotton …phes no more but this The reaſons are but Bulruſhes.
Truth.
Whether they are ſo or no, or rather the Bulruſhes and weak things of God, which the gates of hell ſhall never be able to ſhake▪ let the Saints judge in the fear of God.
Peace.
Maſter Cotton adds further in this Chapter▪ that Paul pleadeth he was not guilty in any of thoſe things whereof the Jews accuſed him: thoſe things (ſaith he) concerned the Law of the Jews and the Temple, which were matters of religion; and for trial thereof he appealed to Caeſar.
Truth.
Lyſias the chief captaine in his letter to Felix the Governor (Chap. 24.) diſtinguiſheth (verſ. 29.) into queſtions of the Jews, Law▪ and (ſecondly) matters worthy of death or bonds: Touching Paul appealing to Caeſar.Now tis true the Jews charged Paul with offences againſt religion their Law and the Temple: Secondly, againſt the civil ſtate, and with ſedition. For the firſt although it is apparent that all the ſcope of Pauls preaching▪ was to exalt Chriſt Jeſus, and to preach down Moſes …aw; yet at this preſent time of his apprehenſion, he had ſeen cauſe to honour Moſes his inſtitutions at Jeruſalem (which was the wiſdome of God in him for a ſeaſon, for the Jews ſake, and his own glory-ſake:) And he had not at this preſent ſo much as diſputed with any in the temple (which was not ſo hainous a matter in Pauls eye, as it is well known by his conſtant practice.) Secondly, for matters of civil crime, he pleadeth that he ſtirred up no m…n▪ …o… in the Synagogue nor City, and prefeſſeth (Chap. 25.) that if he had committed ought worthy of death, he would not wave death: Tis true that Paul was charged by the Iews with both theſe kinds of offences, religious and civil (according to Lyſius his diſtinction) but that Paul appealed to Caeſar for tryal, that is, for trial of his perſon and cauſe in any religious reſpect, as it cannot be collected from the Scripture or Paul own words: ſo thoſe five reaſons againſt it▪ will evidently diſprove it, if they be well and throughly weighed in the balance of the Sanctuary in the ſight and fear of God.
Peace.
I cannot in my underſtanding clear Maſter Cottons ownPauls appeal to Caeſar. words from deſtroying one another. Tis true (ſaith he) thoſe five ſins might have been charged upon Paul with ſome colour, if he had appealed to Caeſar whether his religion or Miniſtery, or Miniſtration were of God or no? But yet (ſaith he) he might appeal whether his religion, Miniſtry or Miniſtration were guilty of any capital crime againſt the Law of the Iews, or the temple, or againſt Caeſar.
Truth.
Indeed what difference is there between the judging whether this Miniſtery deſerve death (ſuppoſing a falſe Miniſtery is worthy of death) or judging whether it be of God, or falſe and idolatrous? muſt not he that ſits judge of the deſert and puniſhment, judge alſo of the crime and fact, whether ſo or not?
Peace.
When Maſter Cotton ſhall affirme (and truly) that the Magiſtrates of Iſrael were to judge a falſe prophet to death, will he not alſo grant that they were to judge whether ſuch perſons ſo charged were falſe prophets or no?
Truth.
Yea, and when Maſter Cotton ſhall affirme (as unjuſtly) that civil Magiſtrates in all nations of the world ought to kill or baniſh hereticks, blaſphemers, ſeducers, out of their dominions and juriſdictions, doth he intend that they ſhall try and examine, whether they be ſuch and ſuch or no? But bleſſed be the Father of lights, who hath now opened the eyes of ſo many thouſands of his people to diſcern the difference between the Forts and Bulwarks of God▪ here called Bulruſhes, and thoſe ſtrong holds and high imaginations of men (erected againſt the crown and kingdome of the Lord Ieſus) which in Gods holy ſeaſon ſhall more and more be found to be but ſtraws and Bulruſhes.