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. III.

The Third Reason, because Persecution for Cause of Conscience, is condemned by the antient and later Writers.

HIlary against Auxentius, saith thus, The Christian Church doth not persecute, but is persecuted. And Lamentable it is to see the folly of these Times, and the foolish Opinion of this World, in that men think by humane Aid to help God, and with Wordly Pomp and Power to undertake to defend the Christian Church: I ask the Bishops, what help used the Apostles, in the publishing the Gos∣pel? with the Aid of what power did they Preach Christ, and con∣verted the Heathen from their Idolatry to God? When they were in Prisons, and lay in Chaines, did they praise and give thanks to God for any dignities or favours received from the Court, or do you think that Paul went about with regal Mandates, or kingly Authority, to gather and establish the Church of Christ? Sought he Protection from Nero Vespatian?

The Apostles wrought with their hands for their own Maintenance, travelling by Land and Water, from Town to City; to preach Christ; yea, the more they were forbidden, the more they taught and preached Christ; but now, alas, humane help must assist and protect the Faith, and give the same Countenance too, and by vain and worldly Honours do men seek to defend the Church of Christ, as if he by his Power were unable to perform it,

The Church formerly by enduring Misery and Imprisonment was known to be a true Church: The pretended Church now do terrifie others by Imprisonment, Banishment and Misery, and boasteth that she is highly esteemed of the World, when as the true Church can∣not but be hated of the same.

Tertul. ad scapulam,

It agreeth both with human Reason and na∣tural Equity, that every man worship God uncompelled; neither beseemeth it any Religion, to compel another to be of their Religion, which willingly and freely should be imbraced, and not by constraint; forasmuch as the Offerings were required of those that freely and of good will offered, and not from, the contrary.

Jerom in Proaem lib. 4. in Jeremiam,

Heresie must be cut off with the Sword of the Spirit, let us strike through with the Arrows of the Spirit all Sons and Disciples of mis-led Hereticks, that is, with Te∣stimonies of Scriptures; the slaughter of Hereticks is by the Word of God.

Brentius upon the first of the Corinthians, chap. 3.

No man hath power to make, or give Laws to Christians, whereby to bind their Consciences; for willingly, freely and uncompelled, with a

ready desire, and cheerful mind, must those that come, run unto Christ.

Luther in his Books of the Civil Magistrate, saith,

The Laws of the Civil Magistrates Government extends no further then over the Body or Goods, and to that which is external, for over the Soul God will not suffer any man to rule, only he himself will Rule there; wherefore whosoever doth under take to give Laws unto the Souls and Consciences of men, he usurpeth that Government himself, which appertaineth unto God, &c.

Therefore upon 1 Kings 5. In the building of the Temple, there was no sound of Iron heard, to signifie, that Christ will have in his Church a free and a willing People, not compelled and constrained by Laws and Statutes.

Again, he faith upon Luke 22.

It is not the true Catholick Church, which is defended by the secular Arm, or humane Power, but the false and feigned Church, which although it carries the name of a Church, yet it denies the power thereof.

And upon Psal. 17. he saith,

For the true Church of Christ, know∣eth not Brachium seculare, which the Bishops now adayes chiefly use.

Again, in Postil Dom. 1 post Epipham, he saith,

Let not Christians be commanded, but exhorted; for he that willingly will not do that whereunto he is friendly exhorted, he is no Christian; wherefore they that do compel those that are not willing, shew thereby that they are not Christian Preachers, but worldly Beadles.

Again upon 1 Peter 3. He, saith

If the Civil Magistrate shall com∣mand me to believe thus and thus, I should answer him after this manner; look you to your civil or worldly Government, your Power extends not so far as to command any thing in Gods Kingdom; therefore herein I may not hear you; for if you cannot bear it, that any should usurp Authority, where you have to command, how do you think that God should suffer you to thrust him from his Seat, and to seat your self therein?