The bloody tenent yet more bloody: by Mr Cottons endevour to wash it white in the blood of the lambe; of whose precious blood, spilt in the blood of his servants; and of the blood of millions spilt in fromer and later wars for conscience sake, that most bloody tenent of presecution for cause of conscience, upon a second tryal, is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty. In this rejoynder to Mr Cotton, are principally I. The nature of persecution, II. The power of the civill sword in spirituals examined; III. The Parliaments permission of dissenting consciences justified. Also (as a testimony to Mr Clarks narrative) is added a letter to Mr Endicot governor of the Massachusets in N.E. By R. Williams of Providence in New-England.

Exam: of Chap. 59. replying to Chap. 62. (Book 59)

Peace.

IN this Chap. the Consideration of the Speeches them∣selves, M^r Cotton sayth, he passed by, because, either the Reasons wanted waight, or did not impugne the cause in hand, as

First, That Speech of King James; God never loved to plant his* 1.1 Church by Bloud: It is farre from us (sayth M^r Cotton) to com∣pell men to yeeld to the Fellowship of the Church by bloudie Lawes or Penalties: Neverthelesse, this hindreth not but that his Blood may justly fall upon his owne head that shall goe about to supplant and destroy the Church of Christ.

Truth.

How light or how impertinent soever these Speeches may seems to M^r Cotton, yet to others (fearing God also) they are most sollid and waighty.

This Speech of King James seemes impertinent in this cause▪ because (sayth M^r Cotton) we compell no man by bloudy Lawes and Penalties to yeeld themselves to the Fellowship of the Church.

I answer, as Saul by persecuting of David in the Land of Canaan, and thrusting him forth of Gods Heritage, did as it were bid him goe serve other Gods in other Countries: So he that* 1.2 shall by bloudie Lawes and Penalties force any man from his owne Conscience and Worship, doth upon the point, say unto him, in a language▪ of bloud, Come be of my Religion, &c.

2. Peace.

Why should not Men as well be forced to the Truth, as forced from their Errours and Erroneous practices? Since (to keepe to the Similitude) it is the same Power that sets a plant, and plucks up weedes, which is true (mystically) in the spiri∣tuall worke of Christ Jesus, in his heavenly planting by his Word and Spirit.

3. Truth.

I adde, if men be compelled to come to Church* 1.3 under such a penaltie, for Absence (as hath been practiced in Old and New England) How can M^r Cotton say, there is no for∣cing to the Fellowship of the Church; when (howsoever with the Papists) he makes so great difference, which Christ never made, between the Lords Supper, and the Word and Prayer, and say, that men may be forced to the hearing of the Word, but not to the Supper. Yet the consciences of thousands will testifie, that it is as truely grievous to them to be forced to the one as to the other, and that they had as lief be forced to the meat as to the Broth, to the more inward and retired chambers and closets, as into the Hall or Parlor, being but part•• of the same house, &c.

Peace.

And I may adde (Deare Truth) that the bloudie Im∣prisonments, Whippings and Banishments, that have cryed, and will cry in New England, will not be stild untill the cry of Repen∣tance, and the bloud of the Lambe Christ Jesus, put that cry to silence. But to the second Speech of King James, No marvell* 1.4 (sayth M^r Cotton) that I past by that Speech, to wit, [that Civill obedience may be performed by the Papists,] for I found it not in the Letter; and beside, how can Civill obedience be per∣formed by Papists, when the Bishop of Rome shall Excommunicate a Protestant Prince, dissolve the Subjects Oath, &c.

Truth.

I answer; King James professing concerning the* 1.5 Oath of Allegiance (which he tendred to the Papists, and which so many Papists tooke,) that he desired onely to be secured for Civill Obedience▪ to my understanding did as much as say, that he beleeved that a Papist might yeeld Civill obedience, as they did in taking this Oath, as quiet and peaceable Subjects, some of them being employed in places of Trust, both in his and in Queene Elizabeths dayes▪

What though it be a Popish Te••e••••, that the Pope may so doe, and what though Bellarmine▪ and others, have maintained such

bloudie Tenents, yet it is no Generall Tenent of all Papists, and* 1.6 it is well knowne that a famous Popish Kingdome, the whole Kingdome of France assembled in Parliament in the yeare (so calld) 1610. condemned to the Fire the booke of Johannes Marianus for mainteining that very Tenent. And two moneths after Bellarmines booke it selfe was condemned to the Fire al∣so, by the same Parliament for the same detestable Doctrine, as the Parliament calld it, as tending to destroy the higher Powers, which God hath ordained, stirring up the Subjects against their Princes, absolving them from their Obedience, stirring them up to attempt against their Persons, and to disturbe the com∣mon peace and quiet: Therefore all Persons who ever under Paine of High Treason, were forbidden to print, sell, or keepe that booke, &c.

Peace.

This passage being so late, and so famous in so neere a Popish Countrie, I wonder how M^r Cotton could chaine up all Papists in an Impossibilitie of yeelding Civill obedience, when a whole Popish Kingdome breakes and abhorres the chaines of such bloudy and unpeaceable Doctrines and Practices.

2. Experience hath proved it possible for Men to hould other* 1.7 maine and fundamentall Doctrines of that Religion, and yet re∣nounce the Authoritie of the Pope, as all England did under King Henry 8. when the six bloudie Articles were maintained and practiced, and in them the Substance of that Idolatrous Re∣ligion, although the Power of the Pope of Rome was generally acknowledged no other, then of a forreigne Bishop in his owne Diocesse.

3. But grant the English Catholicks maintaine the Supreame Authoritie of the Pope, even in England, it must be considered and declared how farre: If so farre, as to owne his Power of ab∣solving from obedience (against which the aforesaid Parliament* 1.8 of Paris declared) the wisdome of the State knowes how to se∣cure it selfe against such Persons. But if onely as Head of the Church in spirituall matters, & they give Assurance for Civill obe∣dience, why should their Consciences more then others be op∣pressed?

Peace.

M^r Cotton, (as all men and too justly in this Contro∣versie) alledgeth the Papists practices, what ever professions o∣therwise have been▪ So long as they hould the Pope, they are

sure of a Dispensation to take any Oath, subscribe to any Engage∣ment, and of Absolution for the Acting of any Crime of Treason or Murther against the chiefest States-men, and the State it selfe.

Truth.

What is it that hath rendred the Papists so inraged and desperate in England, Ireland, &c? What is it that hath so imbittered and exasperated their minds, but the Lawes against their Consciences and Worships?

Peace.

The two Sisters Lawes compared, Maries and Eliza∣beths,* 1.9 concerning mens Consciences, while Maries were certain∣ly written with bloud against the Protestants, Elizabeths may seeme to be written with milke against the Papists.

Truth.

Deare Peace, Chaines of Gold and Diamonds are chaines, and may pinch and gall as sore and deepe, as those of Brasse and Iron, &c. all Lawes to force even the grossest Conscience (of the most besotted Idolaters in the world, Jew or Turke, Papist or Pagan) I say, all such Lawes, restraining from or constraining to Worship, and in matters meerly Spirituall, and of no Civill na∣ture, such Lawes, such Acts, are chaine••, are yoakes, not possi∣bly to be fitted to the Soules neck, without oppression, and ex∣asperation.

Peace.

It is no wonder indeed that the Brains of those of the Popish Faith are so distempered and enraged by yoakes clapt on the neck of their Consciences, when Solomon the wisest ob∣serves it common: that Civill oppression (how much more Soule-oppression, the most grievous and intollerable) doth use to render the Braines of men (otherwayes most sober and judici∣ous) madde and desperate.

2. Truth.

I answer (secondly) grant the Practices of the* 1.10 Papists against the Civill State, fowle, dangerous, &c. yet why should there not be hope (according to the rules of pietie in Scripture, and policie in Experience) that the coales of mercy and moderation may melt the Head of an Enemie, as hard as any stone or mettall, and render imbittered Enemies, loving Friends, com∣bined and resolved for their common safetie and Liberties.

Thirdly, Against the feare of Evill practices the Wisdome of* 1.11 the State may securely provide, by just cautions and provisoes, as of Subscribing the Civill Engagement▪ of yeelding up their Armes, the Instruments of mischiefe and disturbance; of being

noted (as the Jewes are in some parts) by some distinction of or on their Garments, or otherwise, according to the Wisdome of the State. And without such or the like sufficient cautions given, it is not Civill Justice to permit justly suspected persons, dangerous to the civill peace, to abide out of places of Securi∣tie and safe Restraint.

Peace.

If such a course were steered with the Consciences of that Religion, yet are there some Objections waighty concern∣ing the Body of the People.

First, There will be alwayes danger of tum••l••s and uproares between the Papists and the Protestants▪

1. Truth.

Sweet Peace, thou mayst justly be tender of the quiet repose and secure Tranquilitie of all men, and with All men (if it be possible, as the Scripture speakes) as thou art ••n* 1.12 heavenly daughter of the God of peace and love. But yet thou knowest the Wisdome of the English State need•• not be taught from abroad (where Li••ertie abroad is granted to the Popish o•• Protestan•• Consciences) of making safe and sufficient pro∣vision against all Tumults, and feare of uproares.

2. But secondly, it is too too fully and lamentably true, that the Congregations or Churches of the severall sort•• of such as in whole or in part seperate from the Parish worship and ••orshipper••, are ••arr•• more odious to, and doe more ex••sper••••e a thousand times, the Parish Assemblies, then the Papist•• or Ca∣tholiques themselues are or doe: So that if the People were let loose to take their choice of exercising violence and furie, either upon▪ a ••opish o•• a Protestant Seperate Assembly, it is cleare from the greater corrivation and competition (made by the Protestants that seperate▪) to the true Church, true Government, true Worship, true Ministrie, true Seales, &c. the rage of the People would mount up incomparably fiercer against the one then the other. Hence i•• was the Papists ever found more favour with the last* 1.13 two Kings and thei•• Bishops, then the Puritants (so called) did, and the seperate Assembl••es were not so maligned by them as the Noncon••ormists, no•• they so much as the very conform∣ing Puritants. And therefore suitably it was b••lcht out from a fowle-mouth 〈…〉〈…〉 a Chapl••ine to one of the late Bishops; A••plagu•• (said ••••) on all Conforming Puritants, they doe us most mischiefe▪ Notwithstanding all this, and the bitter In∣dignation

of People against these Sectaries (so called) and their Assemblies, yet the most holy wisdome of the Father of Lights* 1.14 hath taught the Parliament of England that wonderfull skill (in the midst of so many Spirituall oppositions) to preserve the Civill peace from the danger•• and occasions of civill Tumults and Distractions.

Peace.

Admit the civill peace be kept inviolate, yet how sa∣tisfie we the feares and jealousies of many who cry out of dan∣ger of Infection, and that Jezabels Doctrine will leaven and se∣duce the Land, &c.

Truth.

I will not here repeate what in other parts of this booke I have presented touching that Point of Infection. At present, I answer;

First, It is to me most improbable, that (except the Body* 1.15 of the Nation face about from Protestanisme to Poperie) (as in Queene Maries dayes) that the number of Protestants turning Papists, will be great in a Protestant Nation, especially if such securitie be taken, as was above-mentioned, and otherwise, as the State shall order, &c. together with such publick notes and markes (before mentioned) on the People of that Way, because of their former practices.

Secondly, Yea, why should not rather the glorious Beames of the Sunne of Righteousnesse in the free Conferrings, Disputings and Preachings of the Gospel of Truth, be more hopefully like to expell those Mists and Fogs out of the minds of Men, and that Papists, Jewes, Turkes, Pagans, be brought home, not onely into the common roade and way of Protestanisme, but to the grace of true Repentance and Life in Christ. I say, why not this more likely, by farre, then that the mists and fogs of Poperie should over cloud and conquer that most glorious Light.

Peace.

'Tis true, the holy Historie tells us of one Sampson laying heapes upon heapes of the proudest Philistims; of one David, and of his Worthies, encountring with and slaying their stoutest Gyant•• and Champions, yet it is feared such is the de∣praved nature of all mankinde (and not of the English onely) that like a corrupted full Body, it sooner sucks in a poysoned breath of Infection, then the purest Ayre of Truth, &c.

Truth.

Grant this, I answer therefore (thirdly) If any of many conscientiously turne Papists. I alledge the Experience

of a holy, wise, and learned man, experienced in our owne* 1.16 and other States affaires, who affirmes that he knew but few Papists increase, where much Libertie to Papists was granted, yea fewer then where they were restrained: Yet further, that in his Conscience and Judgement he believed and observed that such Persons as conscientiously turned Papists, (as believing Pope∣rie the truer way to Heaven and Salvation) I say, such Persons were ordinarily more conscionable, loving, and peaceable in their dealings, and neerer to Heaven then thousands that fol∣low a bare common trade and roade and name of Protestant Re∣ligion, and yet live without all Life of Conscience and Devoti∣on to God, and consequently with as little love and faithfulnesse unto Men.

Peace.

But now to proceed; a third Speech of King James* 1.17 was, [Persecution is the note of a false Church, the wicked are Besiegers, the Faithfull are besieged, upon Revel. 20.] M^r Cotton here grants, that it is indeed a Note of a false Church, but not a certaine One; for, sayth he, which of all the Prophets did not the Church of the Old Testament persecute?

Truth.

M^r Cotton granting persecution to be a degree of False∣hood* 1.18 and Apostacie, as he doth in his following words, he must also grant, that where such a Doctrine and practice prevailes, and the Church growes obstinate after all the Lords meanes used to reclaime, such a Church will proceede to further degrees, untill the whole be leavened with Falshood and Apostacie, and the Lord divorceth her, and casts her out of his Heart and Sight; as he dealt with Israel and Judah: And it will be found no false, but a dutifull part of a faithfull childe to abhorre the whoredomes of such an one, though his own Mother, who for her obstinacie in whoredomes is justly put away by his hea∣venly Father, but of that (the Lord assisting) more in its place.

Peace.

Further, Whereas it was said, that M^r Cotton had passed by King Stephen of Poland his Speech, to wit, the true Difference between the Civill and Spirituall Government, M^r Cotton answers, that it is true, that the Magistrate cannot command* 1.19 their Soules, nor binde their Consciences, nor punish their Spi∣rits: All that he can doe is to punish the Bodies of Men for de∣stroying or disturbing Religion.

Truth.

It is true, the Lord alone reacheth the Soules or Spi∣rits of Men, but he doth it two wayes.

First, Immediately stirring up the Spirits of the Prophets, by Visions, Dreames, &c.

Secondly, By instituted Meanes and Ordinances: of which* 1.20 is the Question: Now Stephen King of Poland professed that he was King of bodies, and not of Consciences: It being most true, that the Lord Jesus hath appointed spirituall Rulers and Gover∣nours, to binde and loose Soules and Consciences, to wound and kill, Comfort and save alive the Spirits and Consciences of Men. This power Christ Jesus committed to his true Messengers; but oh, how many are there that pretend to this Apostleship or Mi∣nistrie, who yet have sold away this spirituall Power to the Earthly or worldly powers, upon an (implyed secret) Condition or Proviso, to receive a broken Reed an Arme of Flesh, (in stead of the Everlasting Armes of Mercy,) to protect them.

Peace.

With your leave (Deare Truth) let me adde a se∣cond: If the Magistrate (as M^r Cotton sayth) punish the body for a spirituall offence, why doth he not punish by a spirituall pow∣er as a spirituall Officer, with a spirituall Censure and punishment?

Truth.

M^r Cotton will tell us that the bodies of the Israelites were punished for spirituall offences: And we may againe truely affirme, that the very cutting off by the materiall Sword out of the typicall Land of Canaan, was in the type, a spirituall punish∣ment.

Peace.

M^r Cotton is not ignorant of this, and hath often taught of these Types from Passages on Genesis and other bookes of Moses, &c.

Truth.

The Father of Lights graciously be pleased to set home the light he hath vouchsafed him, & fix and imprint the beames thereof in his heart and affections also.

Peace.

This Argument (of punishing the body for the soules* 1.21 good) I remember was feelingly resented by an honourable Gentleman in the parliament against the Bishops, urging how con∣trary unto Christ Jesus those Prelates were; for Christ Jesus did make way for his working upon Mens soules, by shewing kind∣nesse to their bodies, &c. but Prelates contrarily, &c.

Truth.

All the Angells' of God will one day witnesse, that Christ Jesus was never Captain to Pope, nor Prelate, Presbyter, no

nor Independent, Emperour nor King, Parliament, nor Generall Court, who punish and afflict, persecute and torture the bodies of Men under pretence of a spirituall and religious medicine.

Peace.

Yea, but sayth M^r Cotton, Religion is disturbed and destroyed, what shall be done?

Truth.

Religion is disturbed and destroyed two wayes.* 1.22

First, When the Professors or Assemblies thereof are persecu∣ted, that is hunted and driven up and downe out of the world: Against such Destroyers or Disturbers (being Tyrants and Op∣pressours,) the Civill Sword ought to be drawen.

Peace.

The drawing of the Sword of Justice against such Ty∣rants,* 1.23 I believe hath prevailed in Heaven, for the Parliaments successes and prosperitie: The turning from the violence that was in the hands of those Men of Bloud the Bishops, (as in the Men of Ninivies case) hath laid the long and violent storme of Fire and Bloud, &c.

Truth.

Yea let the most renowned Parliament of England, and all England know, that when they cease to listen to Daniells counsell to Belshazzar, to wit, to shew Mercy to the poore, (even* 1.24 the poorest and most afflicted in the World) the Consciences of Men, then is their Parliamentarie Glory and Tranquillitie ecclip∣sed: Till then I confidently believe, their Government (which hath now so many yeares with so many Wonders continued) shall not be numbred, nor another fatall change surprize them.

But now (2) the Disturbance or Destruction of Religion is spirituall, by false Teachers, false Prophets, by spirituall Rebells and Traytors against the Worship and Kingdome of Christ Jesus: Against which Disturbers or Destroyers, if Christ Jesus have not provided sufficient spirituall Defence, let Moses (his ancient Type,) be said to exceede him in Faithfulnesse, David in holy zeale and affection to the house of God, and Solomon in wisdome and heavenly prudence, in ordering the Affaires of the holy Wor∣ship of God.

Peace.

But further, whereas it was said, that to confound these (to wit, a Civill and Spirituall Government) was Babell and Jewish: M^r Cotton replyes, That is Babell to tollerate and advance Idolatrie. 2. (Sayth he) though Christ hath abolished a Nationall Church-State, which Moses set up in the Land of Ca∣naan,

yet Christ never abolished a Nationall Civill State, nor the Judiciall Lawes of Moses, which were of Morall Equitie, and therefore (sayth he) If the true Christs bloud goe for the plant∣ing of the Church, let the false Christs goe for supplanting it.

Truth.

I answer; Babell was infamous for Pride, for Confusi∣on or Disorder, for Idolatrie, for Tyrannie: Now let all persecu∣ting Cities and Kingdomes be examined and see if they have been* 1.25 cleare from any of these: and especially from Babells confusion and disorder, from monstrous mingling of Spirituall and Civill, the Devills Worship with Gods vessells: It was no Confusion in the Nationall Church of Israel for the Power of that Nation, in the hands of Kings and Civill Rulers, to purge that Nationall Church by Nationall force of weapons and Death: But since M^r Cotton ac∣knowledgeth that Christ hath abolished that Nationall Church, and established Congregationall Churches, (in some of which pos∣sibly may be no Civill Magistrate fearing God, for few wise or no∣ble are called, and consequently few godly or Christian Magistrates professing Christ Jesus▪) What is this but Babell or a Babylonish mixture of the Old and New Testament, Nationall and Congrega∣tionall Churches power and practices together?

Peace.

2. What if Christ Jesus have not abolished a Nationall Church State, it is sufficient that he hath abolished a Nationall Church. And if so, then in Church matters those Nationall Judi∣cialls, and the use of those Nationall Weapons and Punishments, in* 1.26 attending upon such a Nationall Church: Yea what colour of Morall Equitie is there that all the Nations of the World (most of which never heard of Christ) should be ruled by such Lawes and Punishments as were peculiarly and miraculously given and appoin∣ted to one selected and culd out Nation, conceived, borne, and brought up (as I may so speake) from first to last, by extra∣ordinarie, and miraculous dispensation?

Peace.

There may be (sayth M^r Cotton) difference between the Nations professing Christianitie, and other Nations.

Truth.

There is indeed great Difference: There are two* 1.27 sorts of Nations or Peoples of the World, which shall be Fewell for the devouring flames of the Lord Jesus, 2 Thess. 1. First, such as know not Christ Jesus, of which sort the greatest part of the Nations of the World (beyond all colour of comparison) con∣sist. 2. Such as have heard a sound, and make some profes∣sion

of the Name of Christ Jesus, and yet obey him not as Lord and King, &c.

Now it is true at the Tribunall of this dreadfull Judge, Tyre and Sidon, Sodome and Gomorra, shall finde an easier doome, then shall Bethsaida, Chorazin, Capernaum, Jerusalem, &c. And M^r Cot∣ton need not feare the escaping of a false Christ, when all Nations professing Christianitie (Papist or Protestant▪) (if yet found diso∣bedient to the true Christ) shall passe under a more fierie Sen∣tence then all Mahumetane and Pagan Countries.

Peace.

M^r Cotton will not stick to subscribe to this; But, the false Christs bloud (sayth he) ought now, to be spilt.

Truth.

Since there are so many false Christs (as the true Christ* 1.28 Prophesied) M^r Cotton must unavoydably name and detect and convict those false Christs, Popish and Protestant, &c. upon whom he passeth such a present Sentence. He must also direct the way how the true Christ may shed the bloud of the false Christs. When M^r Cotton hath done this faithfully and impartially (according to his Conscience and present Judgement) what Reader will not at first view see rising up from such Premises these foure Conclusions?

First, Amongst so many Christs extant (that is visible Christs Head and Body) in the Christian Antichristian World, there can but One Christ be found to be true.

Secondly, That Christ which M^r Cotton professeth (accord∣ing to his Conscience) will be He.

Thirdly, All such Christs as are extant, beside M^r Cottons, Head and Body, ought impartially to be put to Death, as false, counterfeit, blasphemous, &c.

Fourthly, Such as embrace his Christ, that is, be of his Church and Conscience, are bound (if they once get power in their hands) to pursue with fire and sword, and to shed the bloud of all the false Christs, that is, the severall sorts of false or Antichristian Worshippers.

Peace.

Oh how wise and Righteous is the Lord, in letting loose the Wolfe and Lyon (persecutors and Hunters) upon his Sheepe and People, that by their owne painfull sence of such bloudie violence and crueltie, he may graciously purge out the Malignant venemous Humours of such fowle Antichristian and bloudie Doctrines? But to the next, the King of Bohemia his say∣ing.

Whereas it was said that in this Kings Speech M^r Cotton* 1.29 had passed by that Foundation in Grace and Nature, to wit, that Conscience ought not to be violated or forced, and that such forcing is no other then a Spirituall Rape.

M^r Cotton replyes,

It was not passed by, but prevented in stating the Question, where it was said, It is not lawfull to Censure any, no not for Errour in Fundamentall Points of Doctrine or Worship, till the Conscience of the offendour be first convinced (out of the Word of God) of the dangerous Er∣rour of his way, and then if he will persist, it is not out of Conscience, but against his Conscience, as the Apostle sayth, (Tit. 3. 11.) and so he is not persecuted for cause of Con∣science, but for sinning against his Conscience.

1. Truth.

I answer, the forcing of a Woman, that is, the vio∣lent* 1.30 Acting of uneleannesse upon her bodie against her will, we count a Rape: By Proportion that is a Spirituall or Soule-rape, which is a forcing of the Conscience of any Person, to Acts of Worship, which the Scripture entitles by the name of the Mar∣riage bed, Cant. 1.

This forcing of Conscience was in an high measure the bran∣ded sinne of that great typicall Machiavel Jeroboam, who made Israel to Worship before the Golden Calves: And this is the abo∣minable practice of the Second Beast, who compells all to take the Marke of the first Beast, and this is the sinne of (the mysti∣call Ammon) the Princes of Europe, and of the Antichristian World, those mysticall effeminate Ahabs, who give their power to the Beast, themselves (together with that Man of Sinne and Filthinesse (the Pope) Practicing most odious spirituall un∣cleannesse upon the Consciences of the Nations of the Earth.

2. Peace.

Deare Truth, who knowes not whose voyce and* 1.31 Song this is, but that, of all the bloudie Bonners, Gardiners, and most devouring persecutours that ever have or shall legally in way and pretence of Justice, persecute. [You pretend Conscience that you dare not come to Church because of Conscience, that so to sweare, submit, subscribe, or conforme, is against your Consci∣ence, that you are persecuted for your Conscience, and forced against your Conscience.

Truth.

Indeed, what is this before the flaming eyes of Christ; but as (Amnon-like in the type) some lustfull Ravisher deales

with a beautifull Woman, first••using all subtle Arguments and* 1.32 gentle perswasions, to allure unto their spirituall Lust and Fil∣thinesse, and where the Conscience freely cannot yeeld to such Lust and Folly (as Tamar said to Amnon) then a forcing it by Penalties, Penall Lawes and Statutes? Yea, what is this but more filthy and abominable then is commonly practiced against ra∣vished Women, to wit, a perswading a Conscience that it is obsti∣nate, obstinate against its knowledge, that a man might law∣fully have yeelded, that he is convinced of the lawfulnesse of the Act, and therefore may justly be punished for repelling such Arguments, and resisting such perswasions against the Conviction of his owne Conscience.

3. Peace.

It is a common Question, made by most, who shall be Judge of this Convicted Conscience; shall the lustfull Ravisher (the Persecutor) be Judge? Will the burning Rage of his Spi∣rituall* 1.33 Filthinesse and Antichristian Beastialitie cause no shaking of the scales of Justice? And will M^r Cotton indeed (except he su∣spend them) have all the Civill Magistrates, or Civill States, or Generall Assemblies, or Courts of People in the World (according to their severall Constitutions) sit Judges o're Conscience, to wit, when the poore ravished Consciences of Men are convinced.

Truth.

What is this, but (in truth) to submit the Soules and Consciences of the Saints (yea the Conscience of the Lord Je∣sus in them,) unto the World that lyes in wickednesse (and to the Devill in it) out of which God hath chosen; but few, that are wise, or that are Great, Rich, or Noble.

4. And to end this Passage, what is this, but to destroy that distinction of a true and false Conscience, which the holy Spirit expressely maketh, relling (2 Thessal: 2.) of Antichristians that make Conscience of Lyes, believing them conscientiously for Truths. What is it now to force a Papist to Church, but a Rape, a Soule-Rape? he comes to Church, that is, comes to that Worship, which* 1.34 his Conscience tells him is false, and this to save his Estate, Cre∣dit, &c. What is this in a Papist, but a yeelding unwillingly to be forced and ravished? Take an instance of holy Cranmer, and many other faithfull Witnesses of the truth of Jesus, who being forced or ravished by terrour of Death, subscribed, abjured, went to Masse, but yet against their Wills and Consciences. In both these Instances of Papist and Protestant, M^r Cotton must con∣fesse

a Soule-Ravishment; for, th•• Conscience of a Papist is not con∣vinced that it is his Dutie to worship God by the English common Prayer-Booke, or Directorie, &c. And the Consciences of many are not convinced but that it is their sinne to come at either the Papists or common Protestants Worship. So both Papist and Protestant are forced and ravished by force of Armes, (as a Wo∣man by a Lustfull Ravisher) against their Soules and Consci∣ences.

Peace.

Againe, in that King of Bohemia's Speech M^r Cotton pas∣sed by that most true and lamentable experience of all Ages, to wit, that persecution, for cause of Conscience, hath ever proved pernicious, and hath been the cause of great Alterations and changes in States and Kingdomes. To this M^r Cotton replyes, No experience in any Age did ever prove it pernicious to punish Seducing Apostates, after due Conviction of the Errour of their way: And he asks, wherein did the burning of Servetus prove pernicious to Geneva, or the just Execution of many Popish Priests to Queene Elizabeth, or the English State?

Truth.

I answer, though no Historie did expresse what hor∣rible and pernicious mischiefes the persecuting of the Arians and others caused in the World: yet is it lamentably sufficient* 1.35 to the Point, that all Ages testifie (and I had almost said all Nations) how pernicious this Doctrine hath been in raising the devouring flames of Fire and Sword, about Hereticks, Apostates, Idolaters, Blasphemers, &c.

Peace.

Later Times have rendred the observation of that King most lamentably true, in the many great Desolations, in Germany, Poland, Hungaria, Transilvania, Bohemia, France, Eng∣land, Scotland, Ireland, Low Countries (not to speake of the mighty warres between those dreafull Monarchies of the Turkes and Persians, and other Nations) to the Flames where of although other causes have intermingled, the Matters of Heresie, Blas∣phemie, Idolatrie, &c. have been the chiefest sparkes and Bellowes.

Truth.

It is true (as M^r Cotton sayth,) it hath pleased the God of Heaven to spare some particular places, and to preserve wonderfully for his Name and Mercy sake, Geneva, England, &c. &c. When they have been besieged and invaded: Yet M^r Cotton confesseth, that Queene Elizabeth by that course had like to have fired the Christian World in Combustion, which though it

pleased God to prevent, yet later times have shewen how per∣nicious* 1.36 this Doctrine hath proved unto England, Scotland, Ire∣land, &c. in the slaughter of so many hundreth thousand Pa∣pists and Protestants, upon the very point (principally) of He∣resie, Idolatrie, &c.

Peace.

To end this Chapter: To that observation that Per∣secution for cause of Conscience was practiced most in England, and such places where Poperie reignes, implying that such practices proceed from the great Whore, and her Daughters: M^r Cotton replyes, it is no marvaile he passed by this observation in the Kings speech, for it was not the Speech of the King, but of the Prisoner, and it was not the persecuting of Antichristians, but of Nicknamed Puritans, and of them too without Conviction of the Errour of their way: He addeth that he could never see

Warrant to call that Church an Whore, that worshipped the true God onely in the name of Jesus, and depended on him alone for Righteousnesse and Salvation, and that it is (at least) a base part of a childe to call his Mother whore, who bred him and bred him to know no other Father, but her lawfull Hus∣band the Lord Jesus Christ

Truth.

Whether the Observation was the Kings, or the Priso∣ners, yet it was passed by: And if those Puritants or Protestants persecuted, were not convinced, Himselfe (as he here sayth) never saw Warrant, that is, was convinced, for to call such a* 1.37 Church as he here describeth, an Whore, yet not a few of his op∣posites will say, and that aloud, that He and they were or might have been convinced, what ever He or they themselves thought. The truth is, the carnall Sword is commonly the Judge of the conviction or obstinacie of all supposed Hereticks. Hence the faith∣full Witnesses of Christ, Cranmer, Ridley, Latimer, had not a word to say in the Disputations at Oxford: Hence the Non-conformists were cryed out as obstinate Men, abundantly convinced by the Writings of Whitgift and others: And so in the Conference before King James at Hampton Court, &c.

But concerning the Church of England, whether a daughter or no of the Great Whore of Rome, It is not here seasonable to* 1.38 repeate what the Witnesses of Christ to Bonds, Banishments, and Death (whom M^r Cotton here calls the rigid Seperation) have alledged in this case. I thinke it here sufficient to say two

things. First, M^r Cotton himselfe is thought to believe that it is not a profession of words containing many fundamentall Do∣ctrines that makes a people a true Church, who professing to* 1.39 know God, yet in workes deny him; notwithstanding that amongst them by Gods gracious Dispensation much good may be wrought by many.

2. M^r Cotton himselfe will not say that ever Christ Jesus was married to a Nationall Church▪ which all men know the Church of England ever was, and M^r Cotton elsewhere acknowledgeth (as Nationall) to be none of Christs, but onely Churches Con∣gregationall.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Speech of King James considered.
• * 1.2

  No Man to he forced from his owne worship, 〈…〉〈…〉 &c.
• * 1.3

  Touching com∣pelling to come to Church and to heare.
• * 1.4

  A second Speech of King James.
• * 1.5

  Papists may yeeld Civill obedience.
• * 1.6

  The Parliament at Paris, al∣though Popish, yet condemned Bookes and Te∣nents against Civill obedi∣ence.
• * 1.7

  All England Papists, and yet the Pope re∣nounced.
• * 1.8

  A twofold hold∣ing the Pope as Head.
• * 1.9

  The two Sisters Lawes concern∣ing Conscience.
• * 1.10

  Ceales of mode∣ration and kind∣nesse, may melt an Enemie, as David melted Saul, &c.
• * 1.11

  Cautions for preventing of disturbance by Papists, &c.
• * 1.12

  Sufficient Pro∣visions are made in other Nati∣ons, against Di∣stractions and Tumults from opposite Consci∣ences and Wor∣ships.
• * 1.13

  N••er•••• Com••••∣tition▪ & home∣bred oppositions most of all ex∣••sperate, &c.
• * 1.14

  The admired Prudence of the Parliament in preserving Ci∣vill Peace.
• * 1.15

  Increase of Pa∣pists unlikely in England.
• * 1.16

  M^r John Ro∣binson (decea∣sed) his Testi∣monie in a Ma∣nus: from Hol∣land.
• * 1.17

  A third Speech of King James considered.
• * 1.18

  Persecution or∣dinarily the marke of a False Church.
• * 1.19

  Stephen King ▪Poland his 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.20

  The Spirituall Power of Christ Jesus betrusted not with Civill but spirituall Ministers.
• * 1.21

  An Argument used in Parlia∣ment against the Persecuting Bishops.
• * 1.22

  Of disturbance of Religion.
• * 1.23

  The Bishops as Tyrants justly suppressed, and the Parliament therein prospered from Heaven.
• * 1.24

  Daniells Coun∣sel to Bel-shaz∣zar preserveth Parliaments & Kingdomes.
• * 1.25

  Touching the Nationall Church of Israell.
• * 1.26

  Israell a mira∣culous Nation.
• * 1.27

  Two sorts of the Nations of the World.
• * 1.28

  Touching the true and false Christs.
• * 1.29

  King of Bo∣hemia his Speech.
• * 1.30

  Spirituall Rapes.
• * 1.31

  All persecutours contumeliously object against Conscience.
• * 1.32

  Amnon his ra∣vishing of Ta∣mar, a Type.
• * 1.33

  A Query, who shall judge, whether Consci∣ence be convict.
• * 1.34

  Church Papists and Protestants also ravished.
• * 1.35

  Wars for Reli∣gion.
• * 1.36

  The bloudie Te∣nent Guiltie of all the bloud of Papists and Protestants lately spilt.
• * 1.37

  The strongest Arme & sword the ordinarie Judge of the Conviction of Conscience.
• * 1.38

  Touching the Nationall Church of England.
• * 1.39

  Reall denying, the greatest de∣nying of Christ Jesus.