The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 6 – Chapter 8
Examination of CHAP. VI.
Peace.
BUt to proceed to the ſixth Chapter, in which is handled that which more eſpecially concerns my ſelf. It is too lamentably known, how the furious troopes of perſecutors in all States, Cities, Towns &c. have ever marched under my name, the white colours of peace, civil peace, publike peace.
Truth.
Yet Maſter Cotton confeſſeth, that the Cities peace is an humane and civil peace, as was further explained in many inſtances from Babylon, Epheſus, Smyrna, &c. againſt which Maſter Cotton excepts not.
Peace.
The difference or controverſie in this Chapter lies in two things. Firſt, In the ſimilitudes uſed from companies and ſocieties, voluntarily entering into combinations, which are diſtinct from the City.
2. In the nature of the Church, which he maintaines to be a ſociety, whoſe order the City is bound to preſerve, as well as any of their civil orders or ſocieties.
Truth.
To begin with the firſt, Maſter Cotton replies, That although ſuch ſocieties be not of the eſſence of the City, yet they are of the integral and conſervant cauſes of the City, and ſo the diſturbance of any of thoſe orders or ſocieties in the City, diſturbes the City it ſelf.
But I anſwer, The ſimilitude was uſed more eſpecially from aChriſts Church may be gathered and diſſolved without diſturbance of civil Peace. colledge of Phyſitians, or a ſociety of Merchants, Turkiſh, Eaſt-Endies, &c. and conſequently any other of that kinde, voluntarily combining together for the better inriching of themſelves in the improvement of their faculties for publike good (at leaſt ſo pretended.) It was never intended, that if ſuch neceſſary Trades, Callings &c. as he mentioneth, be diſſolved and ruined, that there would be no diſturbance of the peace of the City: But that if ſuch o… ſuch a way and order of men of thoſe faculties I mentioned, voluntarily combine, and voluntarily alſo diſſolve; yet all this may may be, without any breach of civil and publike peace.
Peace.
If ſo, much more the church of Chriſt, which is a ſpiritual ſociety voluntarily uniting, may diſſolve; I ſay, much more, without the breach of the peace of the city, which is of a civil and humane nature, as is confeſſed, and was urged in the inſtances of Epheſus &c.
Truth.
2. We are wont when we ſpeak of keeping or breaking the Peace, to ſpeake of Words or Actions of Violence, Sedition, Ʋproare, &c. for, Actions of the Caſes, Pleas, and Traverſes may be, and yet no peace broken, when men ſubmit to the Rule of State, for the compoſing of ſuch differences, &c. Therefore it is that I affirme, that if any of Chriſts Church have difference with any other man in civill and humane things, he ought to be judged by the Law: But if the Church have ſpiritual controverſies among themſelves or with any other, or if God take away the Candleſtick as he threatned the Church in Epheſus, all this may be,The doctrine and practiſe of Perſecution, breaks the peace whereever it comes. and yet no civil peace broken: Yea, amongſt thoſe that profeſs the ſame God and Chriſt, as the Papiſts and Proteſtants, or the ſame Mahomet, as the Turks and Perſians, there would no civil Peace be broken, notwithſtanding their differences in Religion, were it not for the bloody Doctrine of Perſecution, which alone breaks the bounds of civil peace, and makes Spiritual cauſes the cauſes of their bloodie diſſentions.
I obſerve therefore, a twofold Fallacie in Maſter Cottons reply. Firſt, he fallaciouſly mingles Peace and Proſperity together: for though it be true, that under the terme Peace all good things are ſometimes concluded, yet when we ſpeak of Hereticks or Schiſmaticks The Civil peace of a place or people is one thing, and the welfare or preſperity in health wealth, &c. another.breaking the civil peace, or ſtrowing Doctrines tending to break the civill peace, we muſt underſtand ſome ſuch words or acts of violence, wherein the bounds and orders of the City, Laws, and Courts are violated; taking it for granted (for this is the Suppoſition) that the Lawes of the City be meerly civil and humane. Hence then I affirme, that there is no Doctrine, no Tenent ſo directly tending to break the Cities peace, as this Doctrine of perſecuting or puniſhing each other for the cauſe of conſcience or Religion.
Againe, it is a ſecond Fallacie to urge your order of the Church, and the Excellency thereof, and that therefore it is a Breach of the civil peace, when the Order of the church is not preſerved: For although it is moſt true, that ſooner or later the God of heaven puniſhethThe Cities of the world enjoy peace and proſperity, where Christ is not heard of. the nations of the world▪ for their Idolatries, Superſtitions, &c. yet Maſter Cotton himſelf acknowledgeth (as was affirmed) that many glorious flouriſhing cities there are all the world over, wherein no church of Chriſt is extant: Yea, that the Commonweale of Rome flouriſhed five hundred years together, before ever the name of Chriſt was heard in it; which ſo great a Glory of ſo great a continuance, mightily evinceth the diſtinction of the civill peace of a State from that which is Chriſtian Religion.
It is true (as Maſter Cotton tells us) that the Turks have plagued the Antichriſtian world, for their Idolatries: Yet Hiſtory tels us, that one of their Emperours (Mahomet) was the man that firſt broke up and deſolated two moſt glorious ancient cities, Conſtantinople (which had flouriſhed 1120 yeares (ſince its firſt building by Conſtantine) and Athens, which from Solons giving of it Laws, had flouriſhed two thouſand yeares, notwithſtanding their Idolatries, &c.
Truth.
It is apparent that then the Chriſtian Religion gloriouſly flouriſhed (contrary to Maſter Cottons obſervation) when the Roman Emperours too not power to themſelves to reform theChristianity lost moſt under ſuch Emperours as claimed Christs power to reform the Church, &c. abuſes in the Chriſtian Church, but perſecuted it; and then the church was ruined and overwhelmed with Apoſtacy and Antichriſtianiſm, when the Emperours took that power unto themſelves: And then it was (as Maſter Cotton elſewhere confeſſeth) that Chriſtianitie loſt more, even in Conſtantines time, then under bloody Nero, Domitian, &c.
Peace.
It cannot be denied (dear Truth) but that the Peace of a civil State (of all States, excepting that of typical Iſrael) was and is meerly and eſſentially civil. But Maſter Cotton ſaith further, Although the Inward Peace of a church is Spiritual, yet the outward Peace of it, Magiſtrates muſt keep in a way of Godlineſs and Honeſtie, 1 Tim. 2. 1.
Truth.
The Peace of a church of Chriſt (the onelyonly true Chriſtian State, Nation, Kingdom, or city) is Spiritual, whether internal in the Soul, or external in the adminiſtration of it; as the peace of a civil State is civil, internal in the mindes of men, and external in the adminiſtration and converſation of it; and for that place of Timothy, it hath been fully ſpoken to in this diſcourſe, and the Diſcuſſer hath as yet ſeen no exception againſt what hath been ſpoken.
Peace.
But further, ſaith Maſter Cotton, although the peace of a Country be civil, yet it is diſtracted by diſturbing the peace of the Church for God cut ſhort the Coaſts of the civil State when Jehu ſhortned his Reformation, 2 King. 10. 31, 32.
Truth.
Maſter Cotton denies not (but confeſſed in his diſcourſe concerning Baptiſm) that Canaan was Typical, and to be caſt out of that Land, was to be caſt out of Gods …ight: which proves thus much, That the church of Chriſt, the Iſrael now, neglecting to reform, God will cut this Iſrael ſhort. But what is this to a meerly civil State, which may flouriſh many hundreds, yea ſome thouſands of yeers together (as I before inſtanced) when the Name of the true Lord Jeſus Chriſt is not ſo much as heard of within it?
Peace.
Laſtly, (ſaith he) the church is a Society, as well as the Societies of Merchants, Drapers, &c. and it is juſt to preſerve the Society of the church, as well as any other Society.
Truth.
When we ſpeak of the balances of Juſtice, we muſt diſtinguiſh between the Balances of the Sanctuary and the Balances of the World or civil States. It is ſpiritual juſtice to preſerve ſpiritual right; and for that end, the ſpiritual King thereof hath taken care. It is civil Juſtice to preſerve the civil rights; and the Rights of a civil ſociety ought juſtly to be preſerved by a civil State: (and yet if a company of men combine themſelves into a civil ſociety by voluntary agreement, and voluntarily diſſolve it, it is not juſtice to force them to continue together.)
Peace.
The church can leaſt of all be forced: for as it is a ſpiritual The Societies or Churches of the Saints are meerly voluntary in combinning or, diſſolving.ſociety, and not ſubject to any civil Judicature; (though ſome ſay that a church in New England was cited to appear before a civil Court:) ſo is the combination of it voluntary, and the diſſolution of it in part or whole is voluntary, and endures no Civil violence, but as a virgin (in point of marriage) nec cogit, nec cogitur, ſhe forceth not, nor can be forced by any civil power.
Truth.
But laſtly, if it be juſtice to preſerve the Society of the church, is it not partiality in a meer civil State to preſerve one onelyonly ſociety, and not the perſons of other Religious ſocieties and conſciences alſo? But the Truth is, this mingling of the church and the world together, and their orders and ſocieties together, doth plainly diſcover, that ſuch churches were never called outChriſts Church is called out of the world. from the world, and that this is only a ſecret policy of fleſh and blood, to get protection from the world, and ſo to keep (with ſome little ſtilling of conſcience) from the Croſs or Gallowes of Jeſus Chriſt.
Truth.
Yea, but hear (ſaith Maſter Cotton) thoſe excellent penmen of the Spirit (both the Father and the Son) David and Solomon. Firſt David (Pſalme 122) They ſhall proſper that love the peace of Jeruſalem: and Solomon, Where the righteous rejoyce, there is great glory, Prov. 28. Now (ſaith he) what is the church but a congregation of righteous men? If the rejoycing of the Church be the glory of a Nation, ſurely the diſturbing, and deſtroying, and diſſolving the church is the ſhame and confuſion of a Nation.
Truth.
The outward proſperity of a Nation, was a typical figurative bleſſing, of that national and figurative church of Iſrael in Canaan. It is now made good ſpiritually to them that love the ſpiritual Jeruſalem: for though godlineſs hath a promiſe of things of this life convenient; yet perſecution is the common and ordinary portion of the Saints under the Goſpel, though… that cup beThe flouriſhing of civil ſtates. infinitely ſweetned alſo to them that drink of it with Chriſt Jeſus, by the meaſure and increaſe of a hundred fold for one, even with perſecution in this life.
2. It is true, the rejoycing of a Church of Chriſt, is the glory of any Nation, and the contrary a ſhame: yet this proveth not that God vouchſafeth to no ſtate, civil peace, and temporal glory, except it eſtabliſh and keep up a Church of Chriſt by force of armes; for the contrary we have mentioned, and Maſter Cotton confeſſeth the flouriſhing of States ignorant of Chriſt, from Age to Age, yea, and as I have mentioned, even to two thouſand yeers in Athens; ſix generations before it heard of Chriſt, and fourteen generations ſince▪ with the ſprinking (for ſome time) of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus in it.
Peace.
2. But conſider (ſaith Maſter Cotton) the excellency and preheminence of the church, that the world is for it, and would not ſubſiſt but for it, &c.
Truth.
Tis true, glorious things are ſpoken of the City of God, &c. yet for many Ages together Maſter Cotton confeſſeth theNo Civil ſtate can either by Chriſts Teſtimony, or true reaſon, be judge of the Eccleſiaſtical and ſpiritual. Nations of the world may ſubſiſt & flouriſh without it; and though it be the duty of the Nations of the world to countenance and cheriſh the church of Chriſt; yet where is there any commiſſion, either in the New or Old Teſtament, that the Nations of the world ſhould be the judges, governors, and defenders of Chriſt Ieſus his ſpiritual kingdome, and ſo bound to take up Armes and ſmite with the civil ſword (among ſo many pretenders) for that which they believe to be the church of Chriſt?
Peace.
3. (ſaith he) It is matter of juſt diſpleaſure to God, and ſad grief of heart to the church, when civil ſtates looke at the ſtate of the church, as of little or no concernment to themſelves, Zech. 1. 19. Lam. 1. 13.
Truth.
Grant this, and that the moſt jealous God will awake in his ſeaſon, for theſe ſins, and for the perſecutions, idolatries, and blaſphemies; which the Nations live in: yet what is this for warrant to the Nations (as before) to judge and rule the church of Chriſt, yea, and under the colour of defending Chriſts faith, and preſerving Christs church pure, to tear Chriſt out of heaven, by perſecuting of his Saints on earth; and to fire the world with devouring flames of bloody wars, and this onelyonly for the ſweet ſake of the prince of peace?
Peace.
Dear Truth, we are now upon an high point, and that which neerly concerns my ſelf, the peace of the world, and the Nations of it. Maſter Cotton ſaith further, God winketh at the Nations in the time of their ignorance, and ſuffers the Nation to flouriſh many hundred yeers together, as did the Empire of Rome; yet when the church of Chriſt comes to be planted amongſt them, then, as he brought the Turkes upon the Romans, for their perſecuting the church, and not preſerving it in purity; ſo conſequently will he do unto the Nations of the world.
Truth.
I anſwer, the moſt righteous Judge of the whole world hath plauged the Nations of the world, both before Chriſts coming, and ſince, for their pride and cruelty againſt his people, for their idolateries, blaſphemies, &c. Yet Maſter Cotton acknowledgeth that many ſtates have flouriſhed many hundred yeers together, when no true church of Chriſt hath been found in them: and Maſter Cotton will never prove, that God ever commanded the Nations and governments of the world, to gather or conſtitute his churches, and to preſerve them in purity: For God gave his ordinances, both before and ſince Chriſt, to his people onelyonly, whom he chuſeth and calleth out of the World, and the Nations of it: and he hath puniſhed and diſſolved them for their obſtinate neglect thereof. And for the Roman Empire, and the Emperors thereof, the Chriſtian Religion, and the purity thereof, never loſt ſo much, as when the Emperors were perſwaded of Maſter Cottons bloody Tenent, as Maſter Cotton and all men ſeen in History and Chriſtianity muſt confeſs.
Peace.
But further, although (ſaith Maſter Cotton) the peace of the church be a ſpiritual inward peace, yet there is an outward peace of the church due to them from Princes and Magiſtrates, in a way of godlineſs and honeſty, 1 Tim. 2. But in a way of ungodlineſs and idolatry, it is an wholeſome faithfulneſs to the church, if Princes trouble the outward peace of the church, that ſo the church finding themſelves wounded, and pricked in the houſe of their friends, they may repent, and return to their firſt husband, Zech. 13. Hof. 2.
Truth.
The peace of the Church is not only inward, between God and themſelves; but as the Argument importeth, to which Maſter Cotton anſwereth, the peace of the Church external andDifference of ſpiritual and civil peace. outward, is ſpiritual, eſſentially differing from the peace of the civil ſtate, which is meerly civil and humane. When the peace of the churches, Antioch, Corinth, Galatia, was diſturbed by ſpiritual oppoſitions, the Lord never ſent his Saints for civil help to maintaine their ſpirituall peace, though the Lord did ſend Paul to the higher civil powers, to preſerve his civil peace, when he was moleſted and oppreſſed by the Jews and Romans.
2. For that place of Timothy, though I have fully ſpoken to it in this diſcourſe elſwhere, yet this now: It proves not, becauſe the church muſt pray for civil Rulers, that ſo they may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godlineſs and honeſty, that therefore civil rulers are ſupream rulers and judges Eccleſiaſtical, next unto Chriſt Jeſus, of what is godlineſs, holineſs, &c. ſince God hath choſen few wiſe or noble, to know godlineſs: And although it is true that Gods end of vouchſafing peace and quietneſs, is, that his Churches might walk in his fear, and in the wayes of godlineſs; yet it doth not hence follow, that Magiſtrates were the cauſes of the Churches walking in the fear of God, and being edified, but only of enjoying Reſt from Perſecution, Act. 9.
3. Although Gods chaſtiſement call to repentance, and although the falſe Prophet in the church of Iſrael was to be wounded and ſlaine (as they are now to be cut off ſpiritually from the church of ſpiritual Iſrael) yet was it ſo in all the other Nations of the world? Or did Chriſt Ieſus appoint it to be ſo in all the Nations of the world, ſince his coming, which is the great queſtion in difference?
4. And indeed, what is this, but to add coals to coals, and wood to fire, to teach the Nations of the world, to be briars and thorns, butchers and tormentors to the Lilies and Lambes of the moſt holy and innocent Lamb of God Chriſt Ieſus?
Peace.
But God (ſaith Maſter Cotton) cut Iſrael ſhort in their civil ſtate or Nation, when they cut ſhort their reformation, 1 King. 10.
Truth.
Maſter Cotton elſwhere denying a National church, which is bounded with natural and earthly limits, it is a wonder how he can apply that inſtance of National Iſrael, to the now ſpiritual Nation and Iſrael of God? May he not as well promiſe earthly peace and proſperity then moſt to abound to Gods people, When Gods people flouriſh moſt in godlineſs then moſt perſecuted.when they moſt proſper and flouriſh in holineſs, zeal, &c. The contrary whereof, to wit, perſecution, is moſt evident in all the New Teſtament, and all mens new and freſh experience.
Peace.
To end this Chapter, Maſter Cotton affirmes, that civil peace (to ſpeak properly) is not only a peace in civil things for the object, but the peace of all the perſons in the City for the ſubject. The church is one ſociety in the City, as well as the ſociety of Merchants, Drapers &c. And if it be civil juſtice to protect one, then the other alſo.
Truth.
Civil peace will never be proved to be the peace of all the ſubjects or Citizens of a City in ſpiritual Things: The civil ſtate may bring into order, make orders, preſerve in civil order all her members: But who ordained, that either the ſpiritual eſtate ſhould bring in and force the civil ſtate to keep civil order, o… that the civil ſtate ſhould ſit, judge, and force any of her ſubjects to keep ſpiritual order?
The true and living God, is the God of order, ſpiritual, civil and natural: Natural is the ſame ever and perpetual: civil alters according to the conſtitutions of peoples and nations: ſpiritual he hath changed from the national in one figurative-land of Canaan, to particular and congregational churches all the world over; which order ſpiritual, natural or civil▪ to confound and abrogate, is to exalt mans folly againſt the moſt holy and incomprehenſible wiſdome of God, &c.
Examination of CHAP. VII.
Peace.
IN his deſcription of Arrogancy and impetuouſneſs, Maſter Cotton tels us, that he that refuſeth to ſubject his Spirit to the Spirit of the prophets, that ſhall oppoſe ſuch as diſſent with clubs ſwords and cenſorious reproaches, or reject communion with the church, &c. his practiſe tends to the diſturbing of civil or church-peace, or both.
Truth.
It is a fallacious mingling of clubs, ſwords, reproaches, &c. with refuſing to ſubmit to the Spirit of prophecie in the Prophets, and rejecting of communion, &c. For a man may out of true and upright conſcience to God (as Maſter Cotton will not deny)A monſtrous mingling of ſpiritual and civil reſiſtance or diſturbance. refuſe to ſubmit to a whole true church, having the Truth of God on his ſide; and may withdraw from communion with a church obſtinate in ſin, and this without breach of civil peace; and therefore the mingling or confounding of theſe ſpiritual reſiſtances or diſturbances with guns, ſwords, &c. is a mingling and confounding of heaven and earth together.
2. In that he ſaith, theſe wayes tend to the diſturbance of either civil or church-peace, or both; he ſpeakes too like the doubtful oracles of Apollo, which will be true however the event fall out; but yet he toucheth not the Truth of the queſtion, which concernes civil peace only; againſt the diſturbers of which, I grant the civil powers to be armed with a civil ſword, not in vaine, and concerning which divers caſes were propounded of ſeeming Arrogance and impetuouſneſs in Gods ſervants, and yet they fell not juſtly under any cenſure of breach of civil peace.
Peace.
Tis true (ſaith Maſter Cotton) becauſe they were not wayes of Arrogance not Impetuouſneſs.
Truth.
But will Maſter Cotton give way that any conſcience but his own may freely preach and diſpute againſt the ſtate-religion, freely reprove the higheſt, in ſharpeſt language, for matter of religion, refuſe conformity to the common eſtabliſhed religion Six instances of holy zeal in Scripture, far from arrogance or impetuouſneſs. Theſe were aleadged from Scripture in the bloody Tenent and acknowledged by Maſter Cotton.and worſhip, diſclaime ſubjection to the civil powers, in ſpiritual caſes, preach againſt the common policy and ſeeming wiſdome of the State, even to a ſeeming hazarding of all, and laſtly occaſion great tumults and uproars (which were the ſix caſes alleadged?) If Maſter Cotton granteth this freedome to other conſciences beſide his own, why preacheth he perſecution againſt ſuch a liberty, which other conſciences beſide his own, believe they juſtly challenge? If to no other conſcience then his own, it is not his ſaying ten thouſand times, that his conſcience is true, and others falſe, nor any other diſtinction in the world, can clear him from moſt unrighteous and unchriſtian partiality.
Examination of CHAP. VIII.
Peace.
IN this Chapter (dear Truth) lies a charge concerning thy ſelf. For whereas thou anſwereſt an objection, that this diſtinction concerns not Truth or errour, but the manner of holding or divulging, Maſter Cotton affirmes the diſtinction to ſpeak expreſly of things unlawfull and erroneous, and therefore that it cannot be ſaid with Truth, that the diſtinction concernes not truth and error.
Truth.
The truth is this, the former diſtinction ſpeakes of matter, and this diſtinction ſeems wholly to intend the manner of holding forth. The words were theſe: [Again, in points of Doctrine and Worſhip leſs principal, either they are held forth in a meek and peaceable way (though the things be erroneous and unlawful) or they are held forth with ſuch Arrogance and Impetuouſneſs as tendeth to the diſturbance of civil peace.] In which although things erroneous and unlawful are mentioned; yet who ſees not but that thoſe words are brought in by the way of Parentheſis, which may or may not be left out, and the diſtinction be whole and intire? And therefore Maſter Cotton doth not well to ſpend precious time and life upon ſeeming advantages.
Peace.
Yea, but (ſaith he) why is this diſtinction blamed, when the diſcuſſer himſelf acknowledgeth, that there may be a way and manner of holding forth, which may tend to break the civil peace.
Truth.
That which was excepted moſt againſt in the diſtinction, was the perſecuting language of [arrogance, impetuouſneſs, boiſterouſneſs,] without declaring what that was: to which Maſter Cotton anſwers, that the diſcuſſers requeſt, was not that he ſhould compile a diſcourſe, but return an anſwer to the letter of his friend; as alſo that he charged none of Gods children with ſuch things.
I reply (as formerly) Maſter Cotton's memory (though otherwiſe excellent) herein faileth; for, ſuch a requeſt the diſcuſſer never made unto him, by letter or otherwiſe. 2. Although he charged not Gods people with arrogance and impetuouſneſs, yet moſtly and commonly Gods children (though meek and peaceable) are accuſed to be arrogant, impetuous &c. and 'tis the common notorious language of perſecutors againſt them.
Peace.
Concering thoſe ſix inſtances wherein Gods children were occaſion of great oppoſition and ſpiritual hoſtility, yea and of breach of civil peace, notwithſtanding the matter delivered was holy, and the manner peaceable, Maſter Cotton anſwers, they nothing concern the diſtinction which ſpeaks of holding forth things erroneous and unlawful for the matter, and for the manner in a way of arrogance and impetuouſneſs, to the diſturbance of civil peace.
Truth.
I reply, firſt, it ſpeaks not only of erroneous and unlawful things (though erroneous and unlawful things be admitted in way of Parentheſis, as before.) 2. He deſcribes not what this arrogance and impetuouſneſs is, but wraps up all in one general dark cloud, wherein the beſt and moſt zealous of Gods Prophets and ſervants are eaſily wrapt up as proud, arrogant, and impetuous.