The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

SECT. I.

Persecution for the cause of Conscience is against the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, as these Scriptures and Reasons fol∣lowing do demonstrate.

The first Reason against Persecution is, because it is contrary to Scripture.

FOr Christ commanded, that the Tares and Wheat should be let alone in the World,* 1.1 and not pluckt up until the Harvest, which is the End of the World.

Christ also commandeth,* 1.2 that they that are blind should be let alone referring their punishment unto the falling into the Ditch.

Again, he reproved his Disciples, who would have had Fire come down from Heaven,* 1.3 and devour those Samaritans, who would not receive him, in these Words, Ye know not of what Spirit ye are; the Son of man is not come to destroy mens Lives, but to save them.

Paul the Apostle taught,* 1.4 that the Servant of the Lord must not strive, but must be gentle towards all men, suffering the evil men, instructing them with meekness that are contrary-minded, proving if God at any time will give them Repentance, that they may ac∣knowledge the Truth, and come to amendment out of that Snare of the Devil.

According to these blessed Commandments the Prophets fore∣told,* 1.5 that when the Law of Moses (concerning Worship) should cease, and Christs Kingdom be established, they should break their Swords into Plough-shares and their Spears into Pruning-hooks. Then shall none hurt or destroy in all the Mountains of my ho∣liness: And when he came, the same he taught and practised as before,* 1.6 so did his Disciples after••him, for the Weapons of his Warfare are nor carnal, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 10.4.

But he chargeth straitly (that his Disciples should be so far from persecuting those that would not be of their Religion) that when they were persecuted, they should pray; when they were Cursed,* 1.7 they should Bless, &c. And the reason seems to be, because they who now are Tares, may hereafter become Wheat; they who are now Blind, may hereafter see; they that now resist, him, may hereafter receive him; they that are now in the Devils snare, in adversness to the Truth, may hereafter come to Repentance; they that are now Blas∣phemers and Persecutors (as Paul was) may in time become faithful as he; they that are now Idolatrous, as the Corinthians once were,* 1.8 may

hereafter become true Worshippers as they; they that are now no people of God, nor under Mercy (as the Saints sometimes were, 1 Pet. 2, 20.) may hereafter become the People of God, and obtain Mercy as they.

Some come not till the eleventh hour:* 1.9 If those that come not till the last hour should be destroyed, because they come not at the first, then should they never come but be prevented.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth. 13.30.38. &c
• * 1.2

  Matth. 15.14.
• * 1.3

  Luke 9.54, 59.
• * 1.4

  2 Tim. 24.2.
• * 1.5

  Esa. 2.4. Mica. 4.3.4.
• * 1.6

  Esa. 11.9.
• * 1.7

  Matth. 5.
• * 1.8

  1 Cor. 6.9.
• * 1.9

  Matt. 20. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.