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. XLIV.

Peace.

THe next Scripture produced against such Persecution, is 2 Cor. 10. 4.* 1.1 The weapons of our warfare are not carnall, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, ca∣sting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and having in a readinesse to avenge all disobedience, &c.

Unto which it is answered,

When Paul saith, The weapons of our warfare are not carnall, but spirituall: he denieth not ci∣vill weapons of Iustice to the civill Magistrate, Rom. 13. but only to Church-officers: and yet the weapons of Church officers he ac∣knowledgeth to be such, as though they be spirituall, yet are ready to take vengeance on all disobedience, 2 Cor. 10. 6. which hath re∣ference, amongst other Ordinances, to the censures of the Church against scandalous offenders.

Truth.

I acknowledge that herein the Spirit of God denieth not

civill weapons of justice to the Civill Magistrate, which the Scrip∣ture he quotes, Rom. 13. abundantly testifie.

Yet withall I must aske, why he here affirmeth the Apostle de∣nies not civill weapons of Justice to the civill Magistrate? of which there is no question, unlesse that (according to his scope of proving persecution for conscience) he intends withall, that the Apostle denies not civill weapons of justice to the Civill Magistrate in Spirituall and Religious causes: The contrary whereunto (the Lord assisting) I shall evince, both from this very Scripture, and his owne obser∣vation, and lastly by that 13 of the Romanes, by himsefe quo∣ted.

First then from this Scripture and his owne Observation: The weapons of Church officers (saith he) are such, which though they be spirituall, are ready to take vengeance on all disobedience; which hath reference (saith he) amongst other Ordinances, to the Cen∣sures of the Church against scandalous offenders.

I hence observe,* 1.2 that there being in this Scripture held forth a two-fold state, a Civill state and a Spirituall, Civill officers and spi∣rituall, civill weapons and spirituall weapons, civill vengeance and pu∣nishment, and a spirituall vengeance and punishment: although the Spirit speakes not here expresly of Civill Magistrates and their civill weapons,* 1.3 yet these States being of different Natures and Con∣siderations, as far differing as Spirit from Flesh, I first observe, that Civill weapons are most improper and unfitting in matters of the Spirituall state and kingdome, though in the Civill state most proper and sutable.

Notes

• * 1.1

  John 6. 15. 2. Cor. 10. 4. discussed.
• * 1.2

  The difference of the civill & spirituall e∣state.
• * 1.3

  Civill wea∣pons most improper in spirituall cau∣ses: fitly exem∣plified by that similitude, 2 Cor. 10. 4.