Page 174
ANother Tenent which is attributed unto them is, That they* 1.1 hold it not lawfull for a Christian to beare Armour, or Wea∣pons, or wage Battell, their reasons and objections being these, viz.
Obj: Our Saviour exhorteth us not to resist evill, but who∣soever shall smite us on the cheeke, to turne to him the other also, Mat. 5. 39.
Ans. It is evident that Christ doth not here bring in a new Law, but only freeth it from the corrupt glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees, he therefore giveth the true sence of the Law, gi∣ven by Moses, which allowed lawful warre to be made; there∣fore Christs meaning cannot be, that evell, and injuries should no wayes be resisted. It must also be considered, that Christ spake there to private men, (not unto Magistrates) that they were not to seeke revenge, which belongeth to Rulers and Gover∣nours; as also his intent was to restraine mens corrupt affections, and grudges to seeke revenge, and to exhort them to patience, for according to the very letter our Saviour himselfe did not performe this precept, for being smitten with a Rod, did not turne the other cheeke, but answered for himselfe, Joh•• 18▪ 23. so did also the Apostle Paul, when the High Priest commanded him to be smitten on the face, Act. 23.
Obj. The Apostle would not haue us goe to Law one with ano∣ther, 1 Cor. 6. 1. &c. much lesse is it lawfull to make warre one against another.
Ans. The Apostle doth not simply finde fault with their going to Law one with another, but because they convented one ano∣ther, before Heathen Judges, and for that they were impatient of wrongs, and would put up nothing at one anothers hands; as al∣so in refusing to be tryed by the Saints, and their own Church.
Obj. Our Saviour biddeth Peter to put up his Sword, adding further, that they which take the Sword, shall perish with the Sword, Mat. 26. 32.
Ans. It is plaine that our Saviour in that place speaketh of the private use of the Sword, not of the publick, in lawfull Bat∣tels; when as the souldier doth not take the Sword in hand by