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. 71. replying to Chap. 74. (Book 71)

Peace.

COncerning the Papists testimonie against persecution; M^r Cotton replyes: First, why may not their Testimo∣nie be wicked, as well as their Booke, confest so to be? Secondly, He grants, that Conversion of Soules ought not to be but by Spirituall meanes.

Truth.

It is true, the Authour of the Letter calls their booke wicked, and themselves the Authours of persecution, yet their Te∣stimonie is in part acknowledged by M^r Cotton to be true, and will further appeare so to be upon Examination: But whether M^r Cotton allow of no other Armes, then Spirituall to be used about Spirituall conversion, it hath and will be further exa∣mined.

Peace.

Whereas the Papists alledge (Matth. 10.) that Christ

Jesus sent his Ministers as sheepe among Wolves, not as Wolves among sheepe, to kill, imprison, &c. M^r Cotton grants this true, yet adds that this hindreth not Excommunication, Tit. 3. nor miraculous Vengeance against Spirituall Wolves (Acts 13.) where there is a gift: nor their Prayers against such, 2 Tim. 4. 4. nor their stirring up of the Civill power against them, as Elijah did Ahab and the people against the Prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18. 40.

Truth.

Concerning the two first we agree, for the third, the* 1.1 Prayers of Gods people against Gods Enemies, we finde two-fold: First, Generall against all; secondly, Particular against some; and that two-fold; First, for Gods Vengeance in Gods time, lea∣ving it to his holy Wisdome; as Paul prayd against Alexander. Secondly, For present Vengeance; as the Disciples desired in the case of Christ, Luke 9. And against such Prayers the Discusser did and doth contend.

For the fourth, in Stirring up of the Civill State against false* 1.2 Prophets, I must answer as before, Let M^r Cotton produce any such Civill State in the World, as that Extraordinarie and miracu∣lous State of Israel was, and I yeeld it: otherwise, if the passage be extraordinarie and typing, why doth M^r Cotton adde fuell to Nebuchadnezzars fierie furnace, which hath been so dreadfully hot already, and hath devoured so many millions of Gods people?

Peace.

Further out of Matth. 10. Whereas the Papists booke says, Christs Ministers should be delivered, but should not deliver up, those whom they are sent unto to convert, unto Councells or Prisons, or to make their Religion Felonie or Treason; M^r Cotton answers; What is this to Apostates, who seeke to subvert the Faith they have profest? What is this to them that seeke to subvert States, and kill Kings; which Doctrine, in downe∣right tearmes, he at last chargeth upon the Authour of the Let∣ter, and the Discusser.

Truth.

But how falls an Antichristian or Apostate more di∣rectly under the stroake of the Civill Sword, then a Jew or Turke or Pagan? By what rule of God or Christ hath a Magistrate of this World, Authoritie, so to punish the one above the other? And where hath M^r Cotton found one Title, either in the Letter or in the Discusser, which forbids the Magistrate to punish Felonie

or Treason, whether it be in practice, or in Doctrine, leading to it? Doth not every Leafe and Line breath the contrary to what M^r Cotton here insinuateth? The Truth is, as Potiphars wife accu∣sing* 1.3 Joseph was not cleare her selfe, so let this charge be well examined, and this will be the Result of it; The Papists and the Discusser agree together in asserting one Truth in this Chapter, to wit, that Gods Messengers ought not to deliver any to Prisons or Councells. But in the Doctrine of killing hereticall Kings or Magistrates, who sees not but such Papists as ••hould that Do∣ctrine, and M^r Cotton meete in the end? For if the Magistrate prove an Apostate, Blasphemer, Idolater, Heretick, Seducer (accor∣ding to M^r Cottons Doctrine, as well as the Papists) such Kings and Magistrates ought (as well as thousands of his Subjects in like case) be put to Death.

Peace.

Againe, where the Papists booke argued from Matth. 10 that Christ bids his Ministers to salute an house with peace, he sends no Pursevant to ransack and spoile it: M^r Cotton answers: True, but if Seducers be there, or Rebells or Conspiratours be there, God hath armed the Magistrate, Rom. 13.

Truth.

M^r Cotton (too too like the bloudie persecutours of Christ Jesus in all Ages) still couples the Seducer and the Re∣bells together, as the Jewes coupled Christ and Barrabbas, though Barrabbas finds more favor then the Son of God, for Christ as a se∣ducer, a D••ceiver, &c. is commonly executed, & Barrabas released.

'Tis true the Magistrates Commission is from God, even in the time of the Gospel, but Christ Jesus never gave Commission to Ma∣gistrates to send Pursevants to ransack an house, to search for Seducers and Idolaters, who transgresse onely against the Spiri∣tuall Kingdome of Christ Jesus, but not against Civilitie and the Civill State.

Peace.

This Distinction of Evills▪ I remember it pleased God to open some of the Romane Emperours eyes to see, upon the oc∣casion of his poore servants Apologies presented unto them.

Truth.

You seasonably remember this (Deare Peace) for al∣though* 1.4 we finde not Antoninus Pius or Aurelius Antoninus to have been Believers in Christ Jesus, yet they gave forth their Edicts, tha•• no Christian should be punished meerely for that he was a Christian, except some other crime against the Civill State were proved against him: And the later of these gave in Ex∣presse

charge, that such as were their Accusers should be burnt alive.

Peace.

If such an Edict or any farre more moderate should come forth in our Time, against the great troublers of all Ci∣vill* 1.5 States, to wit, Informers, Accusers and Maintainers of the bloudie Doctrine of persecution: Doubtles thousands and ten thousands of Men, yea not a few of the most zealous Hunters or persecutors would easily submit to the Truth of the Distin∣ction between the crime of a Religion contrary to a State Reli∣gion, and a crime against the Civill State thereof.

But to the Papists againe, they (lastly) alledged, John 10. that the true Shepheard comes not to kill the sheepe, &c. Upon this Master Cotton queries. But what if the Wolfe, the Thiefe come, shall the Shepheard use Spirituall Censures, when they are not capeable of such stroakes, or shall he not seeke helpe from the Magistrate, who is to see Gods people live a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godlines and Honestie, 1 Tim. 2.?

Truth.

I answer, and cry out, how long, how long Lord,* 1.6 before thou avenge the bloud of thy holy ones, against them that dwell on the Earth, both bloudie Papists and bloudie Protestants? Out of their owne Mouthes shall Papists and Protestants be con∣demned, for slaughtering Christ Jesus (the Shepheard) in his poore Sheepe and Servants, and especially the bloudie Papist, for alledging that Scripture, for the Popes bloudie Butcherie, [Arise Peter, kill and Eate:] yet all pretending to save the sheepe, and onely to resist Wolves, Thieves, &c.

But more punctually Master Cotton well knowes, that in the* 1.7 Mysterie of Antichristianisme, many thousand Antichristian Wolves pretend strongly to be the harmeles sheepe of Christ Jesus, yea his tender and carefull Shepheards, yet are but Antichristian Thieves and Robbers, who cannot dig and to beg are ashamed, and therefore finde it best to steale and rob••, whole Parishes and Provinces, whole Nations, &c. for Livings, for Benefices, for Bi∣shopricks, Cardinalships, Popedomes, &c.

Peace.

What kinde of Sheepe and Shepheards (Christ Jesus* 1.8 will finde out shortly) are all those Hirelings, Papists or Prote∣stant, who no longer peny, no longer paternoster, no longer pay, no longer pray, no•• preach, no•• fast, nor convert, &c.

Truth.

These Babylonian Rivers shall at last be stopt: God and

Man shall agree to stop them: The truth of that holy Mysterie of that great Exchange shall be opened, Revel. 10. And Peo∣ples eyes shall be opened to see, how these mysticall Marchants of the Earth (pretending to be the great Sellers of Truth) have been the greatest Deceivers, and Cheators, the greatest Thieves and Robbers in the World.

Peace.

But M^r Cotton will say, Gods people would live at peace in Godlinesse and Honestie, 1 Tim. 2. 1. as Paul professeth, Acts 25. 8.

Truth.

I remember when old Chaucer puts this Querie to* 1.9 the foure chiefe sorts of Fryers in his Time [which of the foure sorts is the best] he finds every sort applauding it selfe, and concluding the other three sorts of Fryers to be Liars: whence in Conclusion he finds them all guilty of Lying (in a round) before God, for all profest themselves to be the only godly men.

I may now ask, who among all the sorts of Churches and Ministers applaud not themselves (like the Fryars in Chaucers dayes) to be Christs onely Churches, Christs Ministers, &c. And who among the severall sorts of such as are Gods people indeed, believe not their own Godlines (or worshipping of God) to be onely right and Christian?

Peace.

What now if each sort should enjoy Magistrates of their owne profession and Way?

Truth.

The bloudie Tenent will unavoydably set them alto∣gether by the Eares, to try out by the longest Sword, and strongest Arme, which Godlines must live in peace and quietnes: But as for that Scripture, 1 Tim. 2. I have (as I believe) fully deba∣ted it, in the Examination of the Modell, and made it evident how farre from all Godlines and Honestie that holy Scripture is perverted.

Peace.

M^r Cotton in the next passage being charged with par∣tiall dealing, and a double waight and measure, one for him∣selfe and another for others; M^r Cotton in effect answereth, that it is a true and just Complaint against persecution and per∣secutours, but not against them, for they are Righteous and not Apostates, Seducers, Hereticks, Idolaters, Blasphemers, &c.

Peace.

What doth Master Cotton answer, but what all religi∣ons, sects▪ and severall sorts of worshippers in the world▪ all religious Priests and Church-men plead, We are Righteous?

Peace.

Yea, the very Turkes and Mahumetans challenge to* 1.10 themselves true Faith in God, yea, whether Jews, Antichristians or Christians, they all call themselves Muselmanni that is the right beleevers.

Truth.

It is not so great wonder then if the popish and prote∣stant sects, and ministers of worship cry out (as men use to doe in suits of Law and pretences to the Crowne) We are righteous, my title is good, and the best. We are holy, we are Orthodox and god∣ly: You must spare us, beleeve us, honour us, feed us, protect and defend us in peace and quietnesse. Others are Hereticks, A∣postates, Seducers, Idolators, Blasphemers, starve them, imprison them, banish them, yea hang them, burne them with fire and sword pursue them.

Peace.

When it was urged (by way of prevention) that per∣sons truly professing Christ Jesus be his sheep, and they cannot persecute;

First, Because it is against the nature of Sheep to hunt, no not the Wolves that have hunted themselves, &c. Master Cotton answers, First if the similitude be so stretched, then if a Magi∣strate be a sheep, he ought not to punish, robbers, adulterers, mur∣therers, &c.

2

Paul was a sheep, and yet he strook Elimas with blind∣nesse, Acts 13.

3

(Saith he) when the Wolfe runs upon the sheep, it is not a∣gainst the nature of the true sheep to run to the true sheepherd, and is it against the nature of the true Sheepherd to send forth his Dogs, to worrie such a VVolfe, without incurring the re∣proach of a persecutour.

Truth.

To the first, the finger of true Distinction will easily untie these seeming knots.* 1.11

Sheep therefore are two-fold, naturall and misticall.

Againe, misticall are two-fold, First, Civill, and so all Magi∣strates have rightly been called Sheepherds and the people sheep.

2 Spirituall, and so Christ Jesus gave pastors, that is Sheep∣heards and Teachers, and all Believers and followers of Jesus are sheep▪

On the contrary there are naturall and misticall wolves: of misticall some oppose the spirituall, and some the Civill State, and some both, who must be resisted by the proper sheepheads, and

proper weapons in each kind, and to confound these is to deceive and to be deceived.

Peace.

Upon the ground of this Distinction we may easily perceive, that a Shepheard in Civil state, of what Religion soe∣ver he be, as a Shepheard of the people he ought to defend them by force of Civill arms, from all oppressions of body, goods, chastily, name, &c. This doth the Magistrate as a Shepheard of the Civil state and people, considered in a Civil respect and capacity, and this ought all the Magistrates in the world to doe, whether they be sheep or no themselves in another respect, that is in a spirituall and Christian.

Truth.

Yea, and if a Magistrate be a sheep or a true Christian, who seeth not that he punisheth not the robber, adulterer, mur∣therer as a spirituall shepheard with spirituall weapons, but as a Civil Shepheard with a C••vill stasse, sword, &c?

Tis true, Paul was a sheep, that is, a spirituall sheep; he also* 1.12 was a spirituall Shepheard, and Elimas was a wolfe opposing spiritually, and Paul in his opposition strook him blind. Striking is two-fold, spirituall and corporall: And all the sheep of Christ as spirituall, are also Lyons and armed men, and so doe strike spiritually.

Peace.

It will be said that Paul strook both spiritually and corporally.

Truth.

Corporal stroaks may be considered either ordinary or mediate, by force of armes, fire and sword, &c. or extraordina∣ry and immediate, such as it pleased God to use himselfe, and his holy Prophets and Apostles by his power: Now 'tis true, in this second way, (even in spirituall cases) Gods sheep which have been inducd with power above nature, that is of mira∣cles, have plagued Egypt, have burnt up Captaines and their Fifties, yea pluckt up Nations and Kingdomes as Jeremie: Peter kild Ananias and his wife, Paul strook Elimas blind, and the two witnesses consume their Enemies with fire out of their mouths.* 1.13

If either of these should doe this ordinarily, that is, by or∣dinary means (for instance, if Peter had killed Ananias with a Sword, or Paul beat out Elimas his eyes with a Fist or stone) they ought to have been punished by the Civil state, as oppressors of the people, and transgressors against Civill peace, &c. But per∣forming

these executions, by a spirituall, divine and miracu∣lous power, above humane reach: all that heard were to ac∣knowledge, and feare and tremble at the holy Spirits might: of this gift of miracles, I say as the Lord Jesus spake touching the gift of Continency, he that can receive it, let him receive it.

Peace.

By what hath been said, I see Master Cottons last an∣swer will be more easily satisfied: when the VVolfe runneth ra∣venously (saith he) upon the sheep, is it against the nature of the true sheep to run to their Shepheards? and it is not against the nature of the true Sheepherd to send forth his Doggs to worrie such a VVolfe, &c?

Truth.

Master Cotton (doubtlesse) here intends misticall sheep, and Shepheards, and VVolves and Doggs, and presseth the simili∣tude from the naturall sheep in Civill respect, he cannot here mean (for that is not the Question) whether Wolvish-men oppres∣sing the Civill state are to be resisted and suppressed by civill wea∣pons, &c.

Concerning Spiritual sheep then: the first question is: If the* 1.14 wolfe runs ravenously upon the Sheep, is it against the nature of the true Sheep to run to their Shepheard? I answer, a spiri∣tual Wolfe (a false Teacher, &c.) may be said to run ravenously upon a spirituall sheep, by spiritual assault of Argument, Dispute, Reproach, &c. The same man as a civil wolfe (for so we must speake to speake properly) may also run upon a sheep of Christ by Civill Armes, that is in a Civil respect, upon Body and Go••••••, &c,

If now the Wolfe ravin the first way, the sh••ep of Christ may and ought to run, to the Lord Jesus (the great M^r. Shepheard) and to such under and in inferiour Shepheards as he hath ap∣pointed (if he can attain to them.)

If the second way, the sheep (beside running to Christ Jesus by prayer, and to his Ordinances and Officers for advice and com∣fort) may run to the Civil Magistrate (appealing to Caesar, &c.) against such uncivill violence and oppression.

Peace.

Mine heart joyfully acknowledgeth the Light mine eye seeth, in that true and necessary distinction: Now to the Se∣cond Question, is it against the nature of the true Shepheard (saith M^r. Cotton) to send forth his Doggs to worrie such a wolfe, &c.

Truth.

M^r Cotton here discoursing of Christs sheepe, and Christs Shepheards, Reason would perswade, that the Shepheards or Pa∣stours here intended should be the Shepheards or Pastours appoin∣ted by Christ Jesus, Ephes. 4.

Peace.

If so he should intend, it well suits with the spirit of some proud and scornfull (pretended) Shepheards of Christ Je∣sus in the World, who have used to call their Clarkes, Sumners, Proctors, and Pursevants, their hunting Dogs, &c.

Truth.

But such Dogs, (as yet) the Independent Pastours or Shepheards, keepe not.

Peace.

Yea but the Pope (to speake in M^r Cottons phrase,* 1.15 yet with all humble respect to Civill Authoritie, the blessed Or∣dinance of God and Man) I say the Pope keeps such Dogs good store, yea Dogs of all sorts, not onely of those lesser kindes, but whom he useth as his Dogs, the Emperours, Kings, and Ma∣gistrates of the World, whom he teacheth and forceth to crouch, to lie downe, to creepe, and kisse his foote, and from thence at his beck to flie upon such greedie Wolves, as the Waldenses, Wickle∣vists, Hussites, Hugonites, Lutherans, Calvinists, Protestants, Puri∣tans, Sectaries, &c. to imprison, to whip, to banish, to hang, to head, to burne, to blow up such vile Hereticks, Apostates, Seducers, Blasphemers, &c.

But I forget, it will be said, the Protestants Grounds and practices differ from the Popes as far as Light from Darknes, and how ever the Pope useth the secular power and Magistrates there∣of, but as Dogs and Hangmen, yet the Reformed Churches teach and practice better.

Truth.

'Tis true (sweet Peace) the Protestants professe grea∣ter* 1.16 honour and subjection to the Civill Magistrate: But let plaine English be spoken and it will be found that the Protestant clear∣gie (as they will be calld) ride the backs and necks of Civill Magistrates, as fully and as heavily (though not so pompously) as ever the great Whore sat the backs of Popish Princes.

Peace.

The Protestant Cleargie hath yeelded up the temporall sword into the hand of the temporall State, Kings, Governours, &c. They proclaime the Magistrates, Head of the Church, Defenders of their Faith, the Supreame Judges in all causes as well Ecclesia∣sticall as Civill.

Truth.

'Tis true, they make the Magistrate Head of the

Church, but yet of what Church they please to make and fa∣shion.

They make him Defendour of the Faith, but of what Faith, what Doctrine, what Discipline, what Members they please to admit and account of: And this under the penaltie of being accounted either hereticall (and so Magistrates worthy them∣selves to be put to Death) or ignorant, and so not fit to act (as M^r Cotton sayth) but must suspend their power, untill they sub∣mit to the Cleargies pretended Light, and so be learnd to see and read with the Cleargies Spectacles.

Peace.

To this purpose (indeed) agrees the next passage, wherein M^r Cotton affirmeth, that although all the Magistrates* 1.17 in the World, ought to punish Blasphemers, Idolaters, Seducers, yet this must they not doe while their Consciences are blinde and ignorant of the Truth, and yet they cease not to be Magistrates (sayth he) although they cannot performe all the Duties of Magistrates.

Truth.

Concerning this stated Dutie of all Magistrates, and yet suspending of all ignorant Magistrates from acting, according to this their Dutie I have spoken to before and often, I now add, according to M^r Cottons similitude, if the Errours of others be as motes in comparison of the beames of this ignorance and blindnesse in Magistrates, which he calleth Beames, it will be found that he renders thousands of the Magistrates of the World as uncapable to be true Magistrates, as an heape of Timber to be an House, which wants the beames and principalls.

Peace.

The summe of the Difference in the last passage is not great, nor any in words, for sayth M^r Cottons Conclusion, If the Difference be onely in the way and manner of the Administration of Christ, and the Difference be held forth in a peaceable and Christian way, God forbid a Staffe should be shaken against such, or a Sword unsheathed.

Truth.

Alas, where hath lien the great Difference between the Prelates and Presbyterians, the Presbyterians and Indepen∣dants, but about the way and Administration of Christs King∣dome (for as for matter of Doctrine according to the 39 Arti∣cles* 1.18 of the Church of England, they have little differd)? Yea wherein for matter of Doctrine, of Faith, Repentance and Holi∣nesse) have the Churches which make whole seperation, or such

as goe further to a new Baptisme, wherein have they differd from the former? and yet we know what Lawes have been and are extant in Old and New England against them, and what practices have been felt, and may justly be expected both from the Mother and the Daughter, if a jealous God and heavenly Fa∣ther (for our unthankfullnesse) should once be pleased to finish this late and wonderfull calme and moderation: Which yet may* 1.19 justly be feard to prove, (as Sea-men use to observe) but a Winters calme, and they ray, a Winters calme (for then stormes are breeding) is as bad as a Summers storme.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Touching prayers for Vengeance upon Gods Enemies.
• * 1.2

  Stirring up of the Civill State to per∣secure.
• * 1.3

  The bloudie Tenent of per∣secution is alone the King killing and Stare-kil∣ling Doctrine.
• * 1.4

  Amoninus Pi∣us his Edict for the Chri∣stians.
• * 1.5

  Transgression against the Spirituall or Civill peace.
• * 1.6

  Persecutours of Christs Sheepe pre∣tend to save them and kill none but Wolves.
• * 1.7

  Antichristian Ministers great Thieves.
• * 1.8

  Hireling Ministers.
• * 1.9

  Fryars in Chancers time and the Clear∣gie in our time considered.
• * 1.10

  The Turkes themselves will be Musle∣manni, or right beleevers. The horrible partialite of persecutors.
• * 1.11

  Misticall sheep.
• * 1.12

  Paul his stri∣king Elimas blind consi∣dered.
• * 1.13

  Of the power of miracles.
• * 1.14

  Spirituall sheep and wolves con∣sidered.
• * 1.15

  The Pope and, all proud Po∣pish Priests and Cleargie use the Civill Powers but as Dogs.
• * 1.16

  The Prote∣stant Cleargie their dealing with Magi∣strates.
• * 1.17

  A suspending or hanging up of Magistrates
• * 1.18

  The great spi∣rituall diffe∣rences of these late Times.
• * 1.19

  Of rest from persecution.