The blovdy tenent, of persecution, for cause of conscience, discussed, in a conference betweene trvth and peace vvho, in all tender affection, present to the high court of Parliament, as the result of their discourse, these, amongst other passages, of highest consideration.

CHAP. XXXV.

Peace.

IT is said true that Titus and Timothy, and so the Officers of the Church of Christ are bound to prevent soule infecti∣on: But what hinders that the Magistrate should not be charged also with this duty?

Truth.

I answer, many things I have answered, and more shall; at present I shall only say this:* 1.1 If it be the Magistrate duty or of∣fice, then is he both a Temporall and Ecclesiasticall officer; con∣trary to which most men will affirme: and yet we know the poli∣cie of our owne Land and Country hath established to the Kings and Queens thereof, the supreme heads or governours of the Church of England.

That doctrine and distinction that a Magistrate may punish an Heretick civilly will not here availe;* 1.2 for what is Babel if this be not confusedly to punish corporall or civill offences with spirituall or Church censures (the offendour not being a member of it) or to pu∣nish* 1.3 soule or spirituall offences with corporall or temporall weapons proper to Delinquents against the temporall or civill state.

Lastly, woe were it with the civill Magistrate (and most intole∣rable burthens do they lay upon their backs that teach this doctrine) if together with the common care and charge of the Commonwealth (the peace and safety of the Towne, City, State or Kingdome) the bloud of every soule that perisheth should cry against him, unlesse he could say with Paul, Acts 20. (in spirituall regards) I am clear from the blould of all men, that is the bloud of soules, which was his charge to looke after,* 1.4 so far as his preaching went, not the bloud of bodies which belongeth to the civill Magistrate.

I acknowledge he ought to cherish (as a foster-father) the Lord Iesus in his truth, in his Saints, to cleave unto them himselfe, and

to countenance them even to the death, yea also to breake the teeth of the Lions, who offer Civill violence and injury unto them.

But, to see all his Subjects Christians, to keepe such Church or Christians in the purity of worship, and see them doe their duty, this belongs to the Head of the Body Christ Iesus, and such spiritu∣all Officers as he hath to this purpose deputed, whose right it is ac∣cording to the true paterne:* 1.5 Abimelech, Saul, Adonijah, Athalia were but usurpers: David, Salomon, Ioash, &c. they were the true heires and types of Christ Iesus in His true Power and Authority in His Kingdome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Kings and Queens of England Go∣vernours of the Church.
• * 1.2

  Strange confu∣sion in punish∣ments.
• * 1.3

  Woe were it with the civill Magistrate if he bloud of soules (beside the ordinary care of the bo∣••ies ••••d goods ••f 〈…〉〈…〉) sh••uld ••••ry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him.
• * 1.4

  The Magi∣strates duties toward the Church the Sp••••se of Christ.
• * 1.5

  Usurpers and true heires of the spirituall Crowne of Je∣sus.