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§. 239. Of warring against Aliens.
THE persons over whom faith makes men valorous and victorious are here* 1.1 said to be Aliens: such as are strangers from the Covenant of God, none of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 confederates: but rather opposite to them, most of the victorious warrs before mentioned, and approoved in Scripture, were such.
They are Gods enemies, and we may in that respect the more confidently rest upon God for his assistance. But for Gods confederates to fight one against ano∣ther without just cause, is to make God to fight against himself: or rather to make God to be on neither part, but in Justice to suffer them to devour one another. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5. 15.
1. Object. After the division of the ten Tribes from the house of David there* 1.2 were warrs betwixt Iudah and Israel.
Answ. Israel separated themselves from the Ordinances of God, and became no people of God. They were like those, who said they were Iewes, but were not 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Rev. 2. 9. Such are Papists who carry the name of Christians. What can Papists more plead for right to the Church of God, than the ten Tribes after their division could?
2. Object. There was long war betwixt the house of David, and the house of* 1.3 Saul. 2 Sam. 3. 1.
Answ. The cause is to be considered, as well as the persons▪ If such as pro∣•…•…ess the the true Faith offend other Professors and invade them, they who are so effended may defend themselves: or if they do notoriously sin against their pro∣•…•…ession, and provoke Gods Wrath, they may be that publick sword of Justice, which is war, be punished. Iosh. 22. 12. Iudg. 20. 10. In such cases professors make themselves to be as Heathen-men and Publicans. Matth. 18. 17.
Of war betwixt Professors of the Faith see. The Churches Conquest, on Exod. 17. 9 §. 16.
1. By the foresaid point of warring with Aliens, the ambitions, envies, jea∣•…•…,* 1.4 quarrels, and warrs of Christians against Christians, and Churches against Churches are justly taxed. This is a matter much to be lamented. Religion it self much suffers hereby: Superstition, Idolatry, Heresy, and Schism get two great ground hereby. While Churches are at variance among themselves, enemies of the Church get great advantage. Here that mind in us which was in Abraham (Gen. 13. 8. &c.) the very consideration of this that we are Sons of the same Father, the Lord God, and of the same Mother, the Church, would make us yield, as he did, from our right, rather than by bloody war seek to recover it?
2. O let us pray for the peace of the Church, and every way seek it. If any desire to give proof of their valour, let them do it upon right objects: even such as are Gods Enemies, Such as are Aliens, Idolaters, Antichristians. Thus they may in Faith expect, and obtain such success and victory, as the weakning of ene∣mies may proove to be the strengthning of the Church.