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THE next eminent thing in our way that offereth it self to view, is the mansion of Christian Fortitude, which is a Castle situated upon ground raised somewhat above the rest near it. This place had need to be defensible, for that precious treasure of truth seemeth to
trust her self in it, and where can she be with more safety than in Custody of those who will lay down their life for her defence? This Fort hath arms offensive and defensive, since For∣titude cannot want the fire arms of holy Zeal supplying arguments sufficient to maintain truth, and the armour of Patience is always at hand, enabling to receive and bear without giving ground, the violent assaults of Error and Heresie. And within this Castle there may be sup∣posed to be kept a Record or Register of those eminent persons, who have either spent their lives in actual resistance against Invasions made upon the Church by Pagans, Saracens, &c. or laid down their lives by suffering as Mar∣tyrs for the true Faith. But here may arise a question how far war only offensive is law∣full in Christianity, I conceive their opinion to be fairest, who are absolutely against all war offensive, and it is hard in that respect, for the King of Spain, and Duke of Florence, to justifie themselves in their fixed resolution, not to have peace, treaty, or commerce with the Turks. Peaceable society between man and man by the law of Nature is to be had when∣soever it may; and surely Christianity, which exalteth peace and amity above all other religions, will not contradict such a law. Besides this, very learned men conclude Kil∣ling to be unlawfull (even in War it self) unless it be in defence of person or possessions, and in such cases War becomes defensive,
though it be to recover that which is lost for the present. Thus it was with Ahab for Ra∣moth Gilead, and he is no ways reproved for it, either by the Prophets, or by the pious King Jehosaphat his associate in that War. The like may be said in justification of War made by union of many States, or Princes against any one, who by continual encroach∣ments rendreth his Neighbour incapable of sin∣gle resistance. But it is not the being defen∣sive of a War, that can justify an armed oppo∣sition by Subjects against their Sovereign, or supreme Magistrate, and least of all for de∣fence of Religion, for this is diametrically op∣posite to the practice of primitive Christians, whose custome was, rather to submit their bodies to Martyrdom, than to make opposi∣tion to their Prince by force; And least it should be said they did so for want of power, there was Ten thousand Souldiers martyred at one time under Adrianus, and a whole Le∣gion suffered it self to be decimated under Maximinianus, which always consisted of above Six thousand men. The necessity of Fortitude may appear, by the inconveniences and danger of the contrary, which is fearful∣ness. This taketh away the perfection of judging for the present, and exposeth a person to mischief, as appeareth by Scripture, Rev. 21.8. where the fearfull are set in the front of those, who shall have their part in the Lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone. Both
kinds of Fortitude active and passive (though otherwise precious) may be abused in Patro∣nizing an evil Cause, but the passive hath one great advantage beyond the active, for no per∣son can be enrouled as a Souldier, in the no∣ble and victorious Army of Martyrs, but by the means of passive fortitude, or constancy, as some style it.