The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 65
Exam: of Chap. 65. replying to Chap. 68.
Peace.
FRom the Argument of the Teſtimonie of Kings and Princes concerning perſecution for matters of Religion in their Kingdomes and Dominions, the Priſoner deſcended to the Argument from ancient Writers: unto ſome of which ſayth the Diſcuſſer, the Anſwerer pleaſeth to make Anſwer: Unto this Mr Cotton replyes; As if any of them were omitted, or as if all of them were not anſwered: Compare the Priſoners Letter and mine together, and ſee if I have balked any one of them.
Truth.
Mr Cotton would here inſinuate a falſe Charge: I have compared the Priſoners Letter, and the Anſwer, and although Mr Cotton hath ſaid ſome-thing to ſome-thing, which every one of them ſpake: Yet he that impartially will view the Paſſages ſhall finde, that although in ſtrictneſſe of Gammar Rules, he may not be ſaid to omit to ſay ſomething to each of them, yet in reſpect of Matter and Argument, he hath toucht but ſome, and that but lightly, as the Candle of Examination will make it appeare.
Peace.
Hilarius words in the Letter are theſe: The Chriſtian The Chriſtian Church doth not perſecute, but is perſecuted.Church doth not perſecute, but is perſecuted: and lamentable it is to ſee the great folly of theſe Times, and to figh at the fooliſh opinion of this World, in that Men thinke by humane ayde to helpe God, and with worldly pompe and power to undertake to defend the Chriſtian Church: I aske you Biſhops, what helpe uſed the Apoſtles in the publiſhing of the Goſpel? With the ayde of what power did they Preach Chriſt, and convert the Heathen from their Idolatrie to God? When they were in priſons, and lay in chaines, did they praiſe or give thankes to God for any Dignities or Graces and Favours received from the Court? Or doe you thinke that Paul went about with Regall Mandates or Kingly Authoritie, to gather and eſtabliſh the Church of Chriſt? Sought he protection from Nero, Veſpatian, &c? The Apoſtles wrought with their own hands for their Maintenance, travelled by Land, and wandred from Towne to Citie to preach Chriſt: Yea the more they were forbidden, the more they taught and preached Chriſt: But now alas Humane helpe muſt aſſiſt and protect the Faith, and give countenance to it, and by vaine and worldly Honours doe men ſeeke to defend the Church of Chriſt, as if he by his power were unable to performe it.
Truth.
How many goulden heavenly Sentences (like ſo many precious Jewells) are treaſured up, in the Cabinet of this holy Teſtimonie of Hilarius? And yet, but ſome of them, nay onelyonly one of them doth Mr Cotton chooſe to anſwer, to wit, this, The Chriſtian Church doth not perſecute, but is perſecuted.
Truth.
Deare Peace, Each inch and ſhread of heavenly Gold is precious, forget not therefore the Addition in the Letter, Hilarie againſt the Arrians thus: The Church which formerly by enduring miſerie and Impriſonment, was knowne to be the trueWorldly glory and perſecution characters of the falſe Church. Church, doth now terrifie others by Impriſonment, Baniſhment, and Miſerie, and boaſteth that …hee is highly eſteemed of the World, whereas the true Church cannot but be hated of the ſame. In which and other Paſſages of Hilarius Mr Cotton might ſee as in a Glaſſe, the foule ſpots of his owne and New Englands face, in a moſt lively Teſtimonie againſt both bloudie Tenents and practices.
Peace.
To cloſe upon the Point: Mr Cotton ſayth, He cannot make it a marke of a Chriſtian Church to be perſecuted, for (Acts 9 31.) the Churches had reſt, &c. Nor a marke of a falſe Church to perſecute; for, Aſa perſecuted the Prophet (2 Chron. 16. 10.) Acts 7. 51. the true Church perſecuted the Prophets.
Truth.
When the Scripture or common Reaſon ſpeakes of a common marke or Character, proper to one they deny not; but in an Act, or unuſuall caſes that Marke or Character may beThe ſins of Gods children. worne by the Contraries. Noah was drunk; Abraham lyes; David commits Adulterie: yet lying, drunkenneſſe and whoredome were not their ordinarie Characters, but the Markes of the common Lyars, Drunkards and Adulterers of this World: David ſtobd Ʋriah with his Pen, and Aſa impriſoned the Prophet; yet theſe Acts were not their ordinarie Badges, but rather Spots or Blemiſhes, Warts, or Scabs, which grew on and were caſt off (like Pauls Viper) without the note of a conſtant marke or character.
It is the propertie of Fire to aſcend, and Water to deſcend, yet the Scripture relates of the deſcending of Fire, and the aſcending of Water, which takes not away the ordinarie Nature of the marke and character of Fires aſcending, and Waters deſcending the Hills and Mountaines.
An arrant Whore is not alwayes in actuall Whoredome and Bloud, though both are her Markes and Diſpoſitions: A chaſt wife or Virgin abhorres both, and yet by force or great Temptation, may be vanquiſhed (as Bathſheba) which afterwards the Teares of godly Sorrow and Repentance waſh away.
Peace.
Yea but, the Queſtion is (ſayth Mr Cotton) whether Magiſtrates may not puniſh arrogant Hereticks and Seducers?
Truth.
In all ages God hath permitted, Goulden Images (likeChriſts Witneſſes. Nebuchadnezzars) to be ſet up, I ſay State Worſhips and Religions! And he hath alſo provided his Witneſſes to teſtifie his Truth againſt ſuch Abominations: Such Witneſſes diſſenting, Nonconforming, and refuſing to come to the Common Aſſemblies of ſuch Worſhippers (to come to Church in plaine Engliſh) to yeeld Conformitie, to Subſcribe, to Sweare, &c. are commonly cryed downe for Hereticks, Schiſmaticks, &c. And if they open their Lips in defence of their owne Conſcience, and profeſſion of Gods Truth! Seducers, Seducers, Blaſphemers, Blaſphemers.
2. Peace.
But 2. ſayth Mr Cotton) it is another begging of the Queſtion, to take it for granted, that it is a marke of no true Church to procure the Civill puniſhment of incorrigible, obſtinate Hereticks and Seducers.
Truth.
I intend by a marke of character, an inbred conſtant diſpoſition, put forth in a conſtant and ordinarie practice: And thenA true Wife of Chriſt no perſecutour. I dare challenge Mr Cotton to produce any true Church of Chriſt, eyther in Scripture or Hiſtorie, that did ordinarily and conſtantly profeſſe and practice to ſtirre up the Civill Magiſtrate againſt ſuch whom they judged incorrigible obſtinate Hereticks and Seducers.
Peace.
That which follows is full of Wonder and Aſtoniſhment, for Mr Cotton confeſſing the Chriſtian Church doth not perſecute, that is (ſayth he) perſecute in Excommunicating theTouching perſecution what it is. Heretick) it was replyed; this is but an Evaſion, for who denies Power to Chriſts Church to Excommunicate? or who underſtands by Excommunication, perſecution for Conſcience? Mr Cotton anſwers; the Priſoner did nōt expreſſe himſelfe, what perſecution he meant, and alſo ſince falſe Excommunication is a great perſecution, and ſo Chriſt Jeſus himſelfe eſteemes of it, Luk. 21. 22.
Truth.
I have formerly and muſt againe appeale to the nature of the word, commonly uſed and taken, and aske, if perſecution properly ſo taken be not a corporeall violence, or hunting for Religion and Conſcience ſake! And then halfe an eye will ſee through this poore and thin excuſe and covering, notwithſtanding that falſe excommunication be a ſpirituall perſecution, and the abuſe of the ſpirituall Sword be alſo deeper and fouler then the abuſe of the civill and materiall.
Peace.
To this (upon the Point) Mr Cotton conſented, to wit, that Hilarius complaint, ſpeaketh not to Excommunication, but civill cenſures, and therefore anſwers, firſt by proportion that excommunication of an Heretick is no perſecution, and therefore by proportion neither is the civill puniſhment of an Heretick, perſecution. By conceſſion of Hilaries words, that the Apoſtles did not, and we may not propagate Religion by the Sword.
Truth.
The Queſtion with Hilarie was not whether a true Church did perſecute an Heretick Idolater, Blaſphemer, &c. but whether a true Church perſecuted at all by civill cenſures: NowDifference between a civill and ſpirituall State. there being two States, the Civill or Corporeall, and the Eccleſiaſticall or ſpirituall: There are conſeqnently two ſorts of Lawes, two ſorts of Tranſgreſſions, two ſorts of puniſhments, to wit, Civill and Spirituall, and there muſt of neceſſitie be two ſorts of falſe or corrupt puniſhments, which are not juſt puniſhments, but oppreſſions, perſecutions or huntings, to wit, the Civill perſecution and the ſpirituall: Now Mr Cotton (confounding Heaven and Earth together) deceives himſelfe and others by a notion of ſpirituall perſecution, to wit, by Excommunication, contrary to Hilaries ſcope, and the ſcope of this whole Diſpute and Controverſie.
I may illuſtrate it thus: Some Tutours of Kings Children, not being authorized to correct the Bodies of ſuch young Princes, are ſaid ſometimes (not without ſome deſert) to correct the Bodies of Inferiours (the young Princes Favourites,) by which the minds of ſuch young Princes ſmarted ſufficiently, if not exceedingly. The nature of ſpirituall puniſhment.I parallell not the ſimilitude in all reſpects, but to illuſtrate the difference and diſtinction, between a ſpirituall puniſhment of the minde, and ſpirit, ſoule and affections, with which Chriſt Jeſus hath furniſhed his Churches: and that Civill or corporall puniſhment, which he never gave them power to inflict (unleſſe in miraculous diſpenſation) over the Bodies of any, directly or indirectly by Themſelves or others.
Peace.
It is an everlaſting Truth; Rightly diſtinguiſh, rightly Teach: but let us view Mr Cottons Second Anſwer, He grante that the Chriſtian Religion was not, nor is not to be propagated by the Sword.
Truth.
Then let Heaven and Earth judge, if Mr Cotton may not (in this caſe) out of his owne mouth be judged, ſince in this whole Diſcourſe he ſets the viſible Headſhip of Chriſt Jeſus (that golden Head, Cant. 5.) over the Church and all her Officers, The nature of Chriſts ſpirituall Government.Doctrines and Practices, (in the power of Correcting, Reforming, &c.) on the ſhoulders of the Civill State, the Miniſters and Officers thereof: provided that they execute not this Headſhip or Government, except they be able to judge, that is, (in Engliſh) provided they be of his Conſcience and Judgement, and ſo conſequently will judge and execute, according to the Clergies (though implicite) decree and ſentence.
Peace.
It is not much unlike that Mr Cotton affirmeth in theThe Civill Powers and Officers the Clergies Executioners. words following: for although he confeſſeth it is not proper for Chriſtian Churches to inflict Civill puniſhments by Themſelves, yet makes he (as all Popes and Popiſh perſecutours have done) the Magiſtrates and Civill powers, their ſervants and ſlaves for execution, &c.
Truth.
This Mr Cotton covers over with this Similitude, ſaying that although it is not proper for Lambes to teare Wolves, yet if they were reaſonable they would run to their Shepheards to ſend out their Dogs after them.
Now under this fine Paint and vizard of Lambe like diſpoſitions of Shepheards, the Biſhops, Presbyterians, and Independents, may render the Civill Magiſtrate not as Shepheards, but no other upon the point and in plaine Engliſh, then their ſervants and Executioners, to puniſh ſuch on whom the Clergie firſt have paſt their Sentence. The bloudie Papiſts have commonly uſed to perſecute Chriſt Jeſus formally and judicially, delivering over Chriſt Jeſus (in his Servants,) orderly to Pontius Pilate, the Secular Power. The Proteſtant perſecutors uſe a finer vaile (every ugly vizard will not ſo deceive) for though they practice not ſo above boord, in reſpect of a formall and judiciall delivering of Chriſt (the Heretick) unto their Shepheard Pontius Pilate the Secular power, yet they doe it, and doe it as ſubſtantially and fully by preaching and chalking out to then ſervants the Magiſtrates, their task, I ſay, as fully as ever the bloudie Popes, the Biſhops; or their Chancellours did.
Peace.
But why (ſayth Mr Cotton) ſhould a Chriſtian Church ſpare an Idolater tempting of her now, any more then the eye of an holy Iſraelite was to ſpare the like Tempters in the dayes of old, Deut. 13. 3?
Truth.
Mr Cotton cannot get over this block, though it be but a ſhadow, yea the ſhadow of a ſhadow, aboliſhed by Chriſt Jeſus: Spirituall Judgements more terrible ſince Chriſt, then corporall before his coming.Mr Cotton a little before grants that the power of ſpirituall chaines far exceeds the power of materiall, and if ſo how cleere is it, that the ſpirituall impartialitie and ſeveritie of a Virgin Iſraelite now, is incomparablie ſharper and more dreadfull, by putting ſpiritually to Death ſuch as Tempt them from the Lord their God, who hath brought them forth of Aegypt into ſpirituall Canaan, then the impartialitie and ſeveritie of any literall Iſraelite, againſt ſuch as tempted them from the Lord, who in a Type had brought them forth of materiall Aegypt into materiall Canaan?
I adde (ſweete Peace) to end this Chapter, If the Father of Lights graciouſly pleaſe to open a crevis of Light to that (otherwiſe) excellent and piercing eye of Mr Cotton in this Controverſie, he will confeſſe concerning this cutting off in Iſrael theſe two things.
Firſt, that the cutting off in materiall Iſrael, was by Swords, The cutting off or Excommunicating from the holy Land of Iſrael figurative and typicall.Stones, &c. a cutting off from the holy Land, and a caſting out of Gods ſight, which cutting off God executed either by legall Judgement and Sentence among Themſelves, or by furious hand of perſecutours and oppreſſours, ſlaughtering or captivating that People.
Secondly, That there is no other cutting off in the Goſpel, but by the ſpirituall Sword of the Word & Ordinances of Chriſt, or the violent hand of Oppreſſours, Antichriſtians, &c. carrying Gods Iſrael captive into myſticall Babylon, or Aegypt of falſe Worſhip, or worldly corruption, which is ten thouſand-fold more terrible and dreadfull, then the literall and materiall Captivitie of Iſrael.