And whereas in the pollicie of M. Doctor it seemeth a furtherance to the Gospell to ioyne these togither which was also the pollicie of the Idolaters as I haue before declared) in the wise∣dome of God it hath seemed farre otherwise, which I doubt not did therfore separate the ministerie from this pompe, which is commendable in the ciuill magistrate. least the efficacie and power of the simplicitie of the worde of God and of the ministerie should be obscured, whilest men would attri∣bute the conuersion of soules vnto the gospell (due vnto the worde and to the spirite of God) to these glorious shewes. And least whilest the Minister haue the word in one hande, and the swordem the other, men should not be able to iudge so well in their consciences▪ of the mightie operation of the worde of God in them. For they might doubte with themselues whether these are and outwarde shewe of the minister, caried some stroke with them in beleuing the worde.
One of your reasons conteyned in this place, in effect is this. If ministers shoulde enioy ciuill functions, men would attribute the conuersion of soules vnto these shewes: but that ought they not to do: therefore. &c. I denie your Maior as a fonde and vaine imagination. An other reason you frame on this sorte: If the mynister haue both ciuill and Ecclesiasticall power▪ men should not be able to iudge in their consciences of the mightie operation of the worde of God in them: for they might doubt whether the feare of the outward shewe of the minister carried* 1.1 some stroke with them, &c. This is as vayne an imagination as is the other: and they both may as aptly be applied agaynst the authoritie of the ciuill Magistrate, as a∣gaynst the ciuill iurisdiction of the minister: yea in déede they serue to the ouerthrow of all kinde of ciuill punishment. For if the Magistrate make sharpe lawes for com∣ming to the Churche, hearing the woorde of God, contemning religion, and such like, men that by such meanes are driuen to heare the woorde of God. &c. & so at the length conuerted, may doubt whether the woorde hath wrought this in them or the feare of outwarde punishment. Do you not marke how he still smiteth at the Magistrate? Percey〈1 line〉〈1 line〉te you not how neare he approcheth to the opinion of the Anabaptistes, who would haue no kinde of discipline in the Church but only excommunication?* 1.2
But to Answere you briefly, God vseth corporall punishments as a meanes to driue▪ euen the elect to the hearing of the worde of God, & to honestie of lyfe. He vseth it also to brydle the wicked, that by their exāples other men might learne to beware, and that they themselues also may be kepte in order. And no man that is truly con∣uerted by the preaching of the woorde, can doubt but that God by the working of his spirite, thorough the ministerie of his woorde, hath wrought that good in him, though by externall meanes (as feare of punishment, and such lyke) he was first as it were enforced to heare the woorde, and to kéepe himselfe in order. In deede if these reasons of yours were of any force, the Magistrate might put vp his sworde, especially in Ec∣clesiasticall matters, and so might the minister lay aside his authoritie also, least any thing be ascribed there vnto Your glaunce (that this was also the pollicy of the Idolaters) though you haue no where proued it, yet haue I answered it before.