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. 66. replying to Chap. 69. (Book 66)

Peace.

HEre M^r Cotton complaines of wrong, in that the Discusser chargeth him to plead for persecution, and yet confesseth that he agrees with Hilarie.

Truth.

M^r Cotton indeed agrees with Hilarie in generall pro∣fession, that the Gospel is not to be propagated by Sword, but in particulars he affirmes, the Blasphemer, the Idolater, the Heretick, the Seducer is to be persecuted. In the generall he saith, the Ma∣gistrate may not constraine any to believe & professe the Truth, yet in particulars; thus far saith he, a man may be constrained by the* 1.1 Magistrates withdrawing Countenance and Favour, Incouragement and Employment from him, which affirming, what doth he else but affirme that he may be constrained, deposed, punished, that is, persecuted.

Peace.

Indeed such kinde of punishment, as to displace men, to keepe them out from all offices, or places of Trust and Credit (because of difference of Conscience) may prove in the particu∣lar a greater affliction and punishment, then a Censure, a Fine, Im∣prisonment, yea sometimes more bitter to some Spirits then Death it selfe.

Truth.

Yea and M^r Cottons ground is both unsafe and darke, and needs a candle of Light to discover the bottome and com∣passe of it: Such, saith he, as walke not according to their Light, are neither true servants to God nor Man, but

First, what meanes here M^r Cotton by Light? Light in this* 1.2 sence is commonly taken two wayes.

First, For that is Light indeed, to wit, the precious Light of Gods revealed will.

Secondly, That which so appeares to be, to a mans minde and Conscience, but may be a falshood, a lye, a mistake, and dark∣nesse. M^r Cotton had done well to have distinguished, for (be∣fore) he blamed King James for walking according to his Light: and although (upon the point) he makes the Civill Ma∣gistrates in all parts of the World, the Heads, Protectours, and Go∣vernours of Christs Church, yet if the eyes of these Heads see not by his Light, he cuts off these Heads, forbidding them to act as Heads, and to walke according to their Light, they must (as

often he tells us) suspend, untill they have Light, &c.

2. Peace.

Beside, it comes oft to passe, that the Light which* 1.3 shines by preaching or practice of others, although it be a meane sufficient to convince, if God please to blesse it, yet untill the Consciences of men be convinced of the Light of it, I Judge it can∣not properly be said to be the Light of their Consciences, nor they to sin against the Light of their Consciences.

3. Truth.

Yea, and there is a morall vertue, a morall fidelitie, abi∣litie and honestie, which other men (beside Church members) are, by good nature and education, by good Lawes and good examples nourished and trained up in, that Civill places of Trust and Credit need not to be Monopolized into the hands of Church-Members (who sometimes are not fitted for them) and all others deprived and despoiled of their naturall & Civill Rights and Liberties.

Peace.

But what say you (Deare Truth) to M^r Cottons Apo∣logie for New England (for as for constraint in old he is silent) he sayth he knowes not of any constraint upon any to come to Church, to pay Church Duties, and sayth it is not so in his Towne.

Truth.

If M^r Cotton be forgetfull, sure he can hardly be igno∣rant of the Lawes and Penalties extant in New England that are (or if repeald have been) against such as absent Themselves from Church Morning and Evening, and for Non-payment of Church-Duties, although no Members.

For a Freedome of Not paying in his Towne, it is to their com∣mendation* 1.4 and Gods praise, who hath shewed him and others more of his holy Truth: Yet who can be ignorant of the Sess∣ments upon all in other Townes, of the many Suits and Sen∣tences in Courts (for Non-payment of Church-Duties) even against such as are no Church Members? Of the Motions and pleadings of some (not the meanest of their Ministers) for Tithes? And how ever for my part I beleeve M^r Cotton ingeni∣ously willing, that none be forced expresly to pay to his Main∣tenance, yet I question whether he would work if he were not well payd: And I could relate also what is commonly repor∣ted abroad, to wit, that the rich Merchants and people of Boston would never give so freely, if they were forced, yet now they are forced to give for shame (I take it) in the Publike Congre∣gation.

The Indians of this Countrie have a Way calld Nanówwe, or Giving their Commodities freely, by which they get better bar∣gaines, then if they stood stiffly on their Tearmes of Anaqúshento, or Trading: And when not satisfied to the utmost, they grudge, revile, &c. It cannot be, but that to such Deceitfulnesse of Heart M^r Cotton is subject as well as others, though Love bids me, and others, to hope the best.

Peace.

The close of this Chapter seemes strange and wonder∣full,* 1.5 for M^r Cotton acknowledged that Propagation of Religion ought not to be by the Sword, and yet instantly againe main∣taines he the use of the Sword

when persons (which then must be judged by the Civill State) blaspheme the true God and the true Religion, and also seduce others to damnable Heresie and Idolatrie: But this (sayth he) is not the Propa∣gation of Religion, but the preserving of it, and if it doe conduce to Propagation, it is onely Removendo prohibens.

Truth.

What is this Removendo prohibens, but as the weeding of a Field or Garden? And every Husbandman will say, that the end of such his work, is the propagation and increase of his graine and fruit, as well as the making of his fence, and planting and sowing of his Field or Garden: What therefore is this Confession, (though with this Distinction) but in truth an acknowledge∣ment of what in Words and Tearmes, he yet denies (with Hila∣rie) to wit, a propagating of Christian Religion and Truth by the Civill Sword?

2. Besides it is the same hand and power that plucks up the weedes, and plants the Corne, and consequently, that same hand and Sword that destroyes the Heretick, may make the Christian, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A twofold w••y of constraint.
• * 1.2

  What it is to walke accord∣ing to a mans Light.
• * 1.3

  Conviction two∣fold: Sufficient in it selfe: or to the partie effi∣cacious.
• * 1.4

  Touching the Maintenance of the new English Ministers.
• * 1.5

  Of propagating Religion by the Sword.