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. LXX.

Peace.

THe Answerer thus proceeds:

Your next Writer is Tertullian,* 1.1 who speaketh to the same purpose in the place alleadged by you. His intent is only to restraine Scapula the Roman Governour of Africa, from persecuting the Christi∣ans, for not offering sacrifice to their Gods: and for that end, fetcheth an Argument from the Law of Naturall equity, not to compell any to any Religion, but permit them to believe or not to believe at all.

Which we acknowledge; and accordingly we judge, the English may permit the Indians to continue in their unbeliefe: ne∣verthelesse it will not therefore be lawfull to tolerate the worship of Devils or Idols, to the seduction of any from the Truth.

Truth.

Answ. In this passage he agrees with Tertullian, and gives instance in America of the English permitting the Indians to continue in their unbeleefe: yet withall he affirmeth it not lawfull to tolerate worshipping of Devils,* 1.2 or seduction from the Truth.

I answer, that in New England it is well known that they not onely permit the Indians to continue in their unbeliefe, (which neither they, nor all the Ministers of Christ on Earth, nor Angels in Heaven can helpe, not being able to worke beleefe) but they also permit or tolerate them in their Paganish worship, which cannot be denied to be a worshipping of Devils, as all false Worship is.

And therefore cons••quently ••ccording to the same practice, did they walke by Rule and impartially, not onely the Indians, but their Countrymen, French, Dutch, Spanish, Persians, Turkes, Iewes, &c. should also be permitted in their Worships, if correspondent in civill obedience.

Peace.

He addes further, when Tertullian saith, That another mans Religion neither hurteth nor profiteth any; It must be under∣stood of private worship and Religion professed in private: other∣wise a false Religion professed by the members of the Church, or by such as have given their names to Christ, will be the ruine and desolation of the Church, as appeareth by the threats of Christ to the Churches•• Revel. 2.

Truth.

I answer (passing by that unsound distinction of members of the Church, or those that have given their Names to Christ, which in point of visible profession and Worship will appeare to be all one) it is plaine,

First, that Tertullian doth not there speake of private, but of pub∣like Worship and Religion.

Secondly, Although it be true in a Church of Christ, that a false Religion or Worship permitted, will hurt, according to those threats of Christ, Revel. 2. Yet in 2 cases I believe a false Religion will not hurt (which is most like to have been Tertullians meaning)

First,* 1.3 a false Religion out of the Church will not hurt the Church, no more then weedes in the Wildernesse hurt the inclosed Garden, or poyson hurt the body when it is not touched or taken, yea and anti∣dotes are received against it.

Secondly, a false Religion and Worship will not hurt the Civill State, in case the worshippers breake no civill Law: and the Answe∣rer (elswhere) acknowledgeth, that the civill Lawes not being bro∣ken, civill Peace is not broken: and this only is the Point in Que∣stion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tertullian his speech discus∣sed.
• * 1.2

  The Indians of New Eng∣land permitted by the English not only to continue ••n their unbele••f (which they can•••••• ••ure) but also in their f••lse worsh••p which they might by the civil swor∣restraine.
• * 1.3

  In a cases a false Religion will not hurt the true Church, or the State.