An harmonie vpon the second booke of Samuel wherein according to the methode and order obserued vpon the first booke, these speciall things are obserued vpon euerie chapter. The diuers readings compared, doubtfull questions explaned, places of Scripture reconciled, controversies briefly touched, and morall collections applyed. VVherein neere fowre hundred theologicall questions are handled, with great breuitie, and much varietie, by the former author of Hexapla on Genesis and Exodus.

29. Quest. v. 31. Of the lawfulnesse of warre.

1. In that Ioab by Dauids authoritie did encounter with Abner, and his men, and obtained victorie of them, and smote of Abner and his men, 360. men; we see, that it is lawfull▪ for Christians now also vpon iust occasion to wage battell, as may appeare by these reasons, and places of Scripture. 1. Iohn Baptist, when the souldiers came vnto him, did not bid them renounce their calling, but onely saide, Doe violence to no man, neither accuse any falsly, &c. he would onely haue them to keepe within their bounds. 2. Cornelius the Centurion, Act. 10. pleased God in that calling, and his prayers were heard, and almes accepted before God. 3. God gaue diuerse lawes vn∣to his people concerning warre: as Deut. 20.6.7. it is prescribed, who should be ex∣empted and freèd from battell, and in what manner they should behaue themselues in battell, v. 10. but if it had beene vnlawfull at all to make warre, it would rather by law haue been altogether prohibited and restrained, then by certaine orders and rules commended. 4. Warre also is ascribed vnto God, as Exod. 17.16. The Lord will haue warre with Amalek: and Dauid is said, to fight the battels of the Lord, 1. Sam. 25.28. But God is not the author of euill.

2. But as it is lawfull to wage battell, so yet euerie kind of warre is not lawfull. These conditions then therein are required. First, that warre is not to be attempted without the authoritie of the Magistrate: for to him the sword is committed; as the A∣postle saith, He beareth not the sword for naught. Rom. 13.4. therefore it is not lawfull for priuate men of their owne head to beare armes: but in case of extreame necessitie, as where the enemies make sodaine inuasion, when there is no time to consult with the Magistrate: who yet haue the secret consent and authoritie of the Magistrate, whose will is, that his subiects should be preserued from wrong. Secondly, the cause

of warre must be iust and honest, as to deliuer the oppressed, to suppresse the ene∣mies of God, to recouer things wrongfully taken away, and for such like causes. Thirdly, it must be enterprized with a good minde; not to seeke reuenge, or with a desire to the spoile of the enemies, or to grow rich by warre, as mercenarie souldiers for no other cause loue warre: but first all honest meanes must be vsed for peace before warre be attempted; and then the other conditions concurring, they must proceede to battell, setting before them chiefely the glorie of God, to the ende they may liue in peace.

3. The contrarie obiections of the Anabaptists, that hold it not lawfull for Chri∣stians to wage battell are these.

1. Our Sauiour Christ saith, Resist not euill, whosoeuer will smite thee on the right cheek, turne to him the other also.

2. Christ said to Peter, Hee that smiteth with the sword, shall perrish with the sword.

3. S. Paul findeth fault with the Corinthians for going one to lawe with an other, 1. Cor. 6. much lesse is it lawfull to goe to warre.

4. Christ in the parable would not haue the tares weeded out, but to remaine vn∣till the time of haruest, therefore warre is not to bee taken in hand for to purge the euill.

4. Christ saith vnto his Apostles, My peace I giue vnto you: Christs kingdome is peaceable, of the which the Prophet Isay saith, they shall breake their swords into mat∣tocks, and their speares into sythes, Isay. 2.4. How is this Prophesie verified, if now Christians vnder the kingdome of Christ should defend themselues with speares and swords?

6. The warfare of a Christian is now spirituall: as the Apostle sheweth, That wee wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principallities and powers, &c. against spiritu∣all wickednesses: and therefore he would haue vs put on the armour of God. Such are their reasons, which are thus briefly answered.

Contr. 1. Our Sauiour in that place speaketh not of the authoritie of the Magistrate, but of euery priuate mans dutie, that they should be readie to suffer wrong, if they see it make more for the glorie of God, and the winning of their brother: for other∣wise our Sauiour himselfe did not keepe it according to the letter: for when he was smitten vpon the one cheeke, he did not turne the other: and S. Paul beeing smitten vpon the face, Act. 23. answered againe.

2. S. Peter also was a priuate man, and beside, he vsed the sword in his heat, with a reuengefull minde, and therefore he receiued that answer.

3. The Apostle doth not simply forbid to goe to Lawe; but two things he findeth fault with: the one, because they drewe their brethren before the tribunall of heathen Iudges: the other, for that they were apt vpon euerie occasion to goe to lawe, and would not suffer any wrong at all.

4. In that parable our Sauiour intreateth not of the dutie either of Magistrate or Minister: but sheweth the present condition of the Church what it is, that it shall ne∣uer be without tares: for if that were the meaning, as they pretend, then there should be no place left for any ciuill punishment, or Ecclesiasticall censure.

5. Christ indeede left peace vnto his disciples, both the internall peace of consci∣ence, and the externall also to them, which are his true followers: neither betweene Christian Princes and kingdomes, which truely professe the Gospel of Christ, doth there vse to be warre: If Christians then were such as by their profession they ought to be, that prophesie would haue his effect here in this world: but now because there are many carnall men in the Church, which mooue debate and dissention, it is suffi∣cient for vs, that this promise of peace beeing but in part begun here, be respited for the full and finall accomplishment thereof vnto the next life.

6. As wee are Christians indeede, so our aduersaries are spirituall, and our ar∣mour spirituall: but besides, wee are men, and encumbered with the affaires and businesse of this world, and haue other carnall aduersaries. And the Apostle speaketh by way of comparison, that our carnall enemies are nothing to our spi••i∣tuall,

and th••refore these are named not as our onely enemies, but as the cheife. ex Mart.

Notes

• The Anabap∣tists reason•• an∣swered, who denie it to be lawfull for ch••i∣stians to make warre.