The testimony of a cloud of witnesses who in their generation have testified against that horrible evil of forcing of conscience, and persecution about matters of religion ... / composed together, and translated into English, by ... William Caton.
         Caton, William, 1636-1665.
      
       
         
           1662
        
      
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             The testimony of a cloud of witnesses who in their generation have testified against that horrible evil of forcing of conscience, and persecution about matters of religion ... / composed together, and translated into English, by ... William Caton.
             Caton, William, 1636-1665.
          
           [12], 51 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London? :
             1662.
          
           
             Place of publication suggested by Wing.
             Imperfect: pages tightly bound with some loss of print.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Freedom of religion -- England -- 17th century.
           Theology, Practical.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           TESTIMONY
           OF
           A
           Cloud
           of
           Witnesses
           ,
           Who
           in
           their
           Generation
           have
           testified
           against
           that
           horrible
           Evil
           of
           FORCING
           of
           CONSCIENCE
           ,
           and
           PERSECUTION
           about
           Matters
           of
           RELIGION
           .
        
         
           Whose
           Testimony
           may
           be
           seasonable
           and
           sutable
           for
           the
           present
           state
           of
           the
           wise
           and
           learned
           men
           in
           England
           ,
           whether
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           or
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ;
           And
           may
           serve
           as
           a
           timely
           Warning
           to
           them
           all
           ,
           of
           defiling
           their
           hands
           with
           that
           horrible
           filthy
           thing
           ,
           which
           is
           already
           in
           part
           committed
           in
           the
           Land.
           
        
         
           Composed
           together
           ,
           and
           Translated
           into
           English
           ,
           by
           a
           living
           Witness
           against
           the
           aforesaid
           Evil
           ,
           WILLIAM
           CATON
           .
        
         
           
             God
             shall
             perswade
             Japheth
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             dwell
             in
             the
             Tents
             of
             Shem
             ,
             and
             Canaan
             shall
             be
             his
             Servant
             ,
          
           
             
               Gen.
               9.27
            
             .
          
        
         
           
             And
             they
             overcame
             him
             by
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             word
             of
             their
             Testimony
             ,
             and
             they
             loved
             not
             their
             lives
             unto
             the
             death
             ,
          
           
             
               Rev.
               12.11
            
             .
          
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           ,
           1662.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             FRIEND
             ,
          
        
         
           IN
           these
           latter
           Dayes
           ,
           the
           Father
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           hath
           raised
           up
           many
           Witnesses
           ,
           who
           Faithfully
           bear
           their
           Testimony
           to
           the
           Eternal
           Truth
           ,
           against
           the
           many
           Evils
           which
           superabound
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           but
           as
           the
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Faithful
           Witnesses
           hath
           been
           heretofore
           Rejected
           by
           the
           World
           ;
           in
           like
           manner
           is
           the
           Testimony
           of
           his
           Servants
           now
           ,
           contemned
           and
           set
           at
           nought
           by
           the
           Wise
           and
           Learned
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           who
           now
           with
           their
           Power
           and
           Wisdom
           resist
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           as
           in
           Ages
           and
           Generations
           past
           :
           which
           thing
           I
           seriously
           observing
           ,
           it
           entered
           into
           my
           Heart
           to
           manifest
           the
           Testimony
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Antients
           (
           who
           heretofore
           have
           been
           renowed
           in
           their
           Generations
           )
           to
           my
           Country-men
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           that
           both
           the
           Wise
           and
           Simple
           ,
           Noble
           and
           Ignoble
           amonst
           them
           ,
           might
           see
           and
           perceive
           ,
           how
           that
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           even
           the
           Lord
           of
           Hosts
           ,
           hath
           so
           far
           opened
           the
           Understandings
           of
           many
           ,
           as
           that
           he
           hath
           given
           them
           to
           see
           the
           Evil
           of
           that
           
             horrible
             Evil
             ,
             (
             viz.
          
           )
           of
           FORCING
           of
           CONSCIENCE
           ;
           which
           noysome
           and
           hurtful
           thing
           hath
           been
           testified
           against
           by
           Emperours
           and
           Kings
           ,
           and
           by
           other
           Potentates
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           who
           by
           experience
           have
           found
           the
           Evil
           of
           it
           :
           And
           likewise
           it
           hath
           been
           witnessed
           against
           by
           many
           Wise
           and
           Eminent
           Learned
           Men
           in
           their
           several
           Generations
           ,
           even
           as
           it
           is
           now
           testified
           against
           ,
           by
           the
           Servants
           and
           Hand-maids
           of
           the
           Most
           High
           ,
           which
           is
           evidently
           manifested
           by
           this
           following
           Treatise
           .
        
         
         
           It
           hath
           been
           long
           upon
           me
           to
           produce
           this
           to
           our
           
             Native
             Country
          
           ,
           and
           to
           publish
           these
           Testimonies
           in
           its
           own
           Language
           ,
           that
           its
           Inhabitants
           might
           understand
           how
           other
           Kingdoms
           and
           Countries
           have
           been
           depopulated
           and
           spoyled
           ,
           through
           their
           Persisting
           in
           the
           aforesaid
           Evil
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           also
           might
           be
           warned
           from
           running
           head-long
           in
           that
           evil
           Course
           unto
           Perdition
           ,
           and
           thereby
           incur
           Desolation
           upon
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           hasten
           the
           Lord's
           Judgements
           upon
           its
           Inhabitants
           .
        
         
           Much
           I
           might
           have
           added
           to
           the
           further
           demonstrating
           of
           this
           Evil
           ,
           but
           being
           there
           is
           so
           much
           writ
           already
           concerning
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           testified
           daily
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           was
           not
           desirous
           to
           make
           a
           great
           Volumn
           ,
           but
           chused
           much
           rather
           such
           a
           
             compendious
             Abstract
          
           as
           this
           ;
           Therefore
           have
           I
           only
           inserted
           their
           Testimonies
           ,
           without
           any
           Paraphrasing
           upon
           them
           ,
           which
           I
           leave
           unto
           thy
           just
           Judgement
           .
        
         
           Sometimes
           I
           have
           instanced
           the
           Chronicle
           or
           History
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           are
           to
           be
           found
           more
           at
           large
           ,
           and
           sometime
           I
           have
           not
           ;
           for
           I
           believe
           that
           very
           few
           of
           them
           are
           extant
           in
           our
           English
           Language
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           not
           one
           among
           a
           thousand
           in
           England
           that
           do
           know
           the
           Chronologies
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           they
           have
           been
           extracted
           .
        
         
           If
           that
           thou
           (
           
             Courteous
             Reader
          
           )
           do
           with
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Meekness
           peruse
           this
           brief
           Treatise
           ,
           then
           mayest
           thou
           reap
           of
           the
           Fruit
           of
           this
           my
           Labour
           of
           Love
           ,
           the
           effects
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           leave
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           whose
           Power
           I
           know
           is
           sufficient
           to
           make
           it
           effectual
           .
        
         
           
             W.
             C.
             
          
           
             Palatine
             in
             Germany
             ,
             
               the
               29th
               .
               of
               the
               first
               Month
               ,
               (
               called
               March
               )
               1662.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Epistle
           to
           the
           READER
           .
        
         
           IT
           hath
           been
           the
           fervent
           labour
           and
           travel
           of
           my
           youth
           ,
           to
           seek
           for
           ,
           and
           to
           follow
           after
           the
           way
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           it
           hath
           ever
           been
           the
           very
           temper
           of
           my
           Spirit
           until
           this
           day
           ,
           to
           affect
           Iustice
           and
           Mercy
           ;
           and
           the
           Virtues
           of
           the
           Lord
           God
           hath
           delighted
           my
           Soul
           ,
           in
           what
           Person
           ,
           and
           among
           what
           People
           soever
           as
           I
           have
           seen
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           perfect
           Liberty
           and
           Freedom
           in
           all
           the
           wayes
           of
           God
           inwardly
           and
           outwardly
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           exercise
           of
           godliness
           ;
           and
           the
           Virtues
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           I
           have
           longed
           after
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           that
           Light
           and
           Knowledge
           committed
           to
           me
           ,
           these
           things
           have
           I
           followed
           that
           I
           might
           attain
           to
           the
           perfection
           thereof
           ,
           to
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           my
           Faith
           and
           Patience
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           when
           God
           himself
           should
           bring
           them
           forth
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           give
           his
           chosen
           People
           the
           possession
           of
           the
           same
           as
           the
           Lot
           of
           their
           Inheritance
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           this
           Cause
           and
           the
           accomplishing
           of
           this
           end
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           my
           Portion
           of
           afflictions
           among
           many
           other
           ;
           and
           I
           have
           suffered
           somewhat
           in
           Body
           and
           Spirit
           in
           my
           day
           ,
           if
           possibly
           this
           may
           be
           obtained
           in
           the
           end
           (
           to
           wit
           )
           
             free
             ,
             open
             ,
             publick
             and
             perfect
             Liberty
          
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           in
           
             Duty
             and
             Worship
          
           to
           Godwards
           ,
           in
           and
           through
           the
           whole
           World
           ;
           This
           hath
           been
           and
           is
           the
           end
           of
           that
           long
           travelled
           Iourney
           ,
           which
           once
           obtained
           is
           a
           sufficient
           reward
           for
           all
           Afflictions
           ,
           and
           Tribulations
           ,
           and
           Persecutions
           suffered
           and
           endured
           in
           the
           way
           ;
           and
           saving
           my
           Hope
           ,
           and
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Confidence
           in
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           concerning
           this
           thing
           ,
           the
           heart
           would
           faint
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           fail
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           be
           weary
           ,
           and
           nothing
           could
           comfort
           my
           life
           :
           Thus
           it
           is
           not
           onely
           with
           me
           ,
           but
           with
           many
           more
           like
           minded
           ,
           who
           are
           all
           
             Travellers
             ,
             Mourners
             and
             disconsolate
          
           ,
           till
           the
           Lord
           appear
           bringing
           with
           him
           
             perfect
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           to
           all
           his
           People
           ,
           now
           Oppressed
           and
           Imposed
           upon
           with
           grievous
           Burdens
           of
           Force
           and
           Violence
           ,
           concerning
           Worship
           and
           Duty
           to
           Godwards
           ,
           under
           which
           Soul
           groans
           ,
           Spirit
           grieves
           ,
           Life
           mourns
           ,
           and
           the
           Holy
           Seed
           is
           slain
           in
           all
           Nations
           through
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           Spirit
           ,
           Life
           ,
           and
           Holy
           Seed
           ,
           Cryes
           unto
           God
           day
           and
           night
           ,
           and
           are
           poured
           out
           before
           him
           ,
           
             How
             long
             Lord
             ,
             how
             long
             ,
             
             when
             shall
             it
             once
             be
             ,
          
           That
           Persons
           ,
           Peoples
           ,
           and
           Nations
           ,
           shall
           offer
           Service
           ,
           Obedience
           and
           Worship
           to
           thee
           ,
           according
           to
           thy
           Teaching
           ,
           and
           as
           they
           are
           led
           and
           perswaded
           by
           thy
           Spirit
           ?
           Free
           Service
           and
           Worship
           ,
           and
           without
           force
           is
           that
           which
           God
           onely
           accepts
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           he
           is
           glorified
           ;
           't
           is
           the
           way
           of
           
             true
             Worship
          
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           way
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           Duty
           and
           Service
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           
             free
             Spirit
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           in
           this
           onely
           is
           he
           delighted
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           exercise
           of
           that
           concern
           which
           is
           
             by
             force
          
           through
           Imposition
           ,
           is
           neither
           pleasing
           to
           him
           ,
           nor
           saving
           to
           the
           Soul
           ,
           but
           abomination
           in
           his
           sight
           ,
           as
           Iniquity
           which
           his
           Soul
           hates
           ,
           and
           a
           vexation
           of
           guilt
           unto
           the
           Righteous
           Soul
           :
           Hence
           may
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           wo
           unto
           Imposed
           Worship
           and
           Service
           which
           is
           forced
           by
           outward
           Power
           ,
           it
           grieves
           and
           vexes
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           unto
           Wrath
           and
           Indignation
           ,
           and
           it
           wounds
           and
           oppresses
           the
           Immortal
           Soul
           unto
           Death
           and
           Damnation
           .
        
         
           Surely
           ,
           
             It
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             very
             purpose
             of
             God
             in
             Order
             of
             Creation
             ,
          
           who
           made
           and
           Ordained
           Mankind
           free
           from
           Bondage
           ,
           and
           never
           brought
           him
           forth
           into
           the
           World
           to
           be
           a
           subjected
           slave
           to
           the
           will
           of
           another
           man
           ,
           in
           things
           Temporal
           ,
           much
           lesse
           in
           things
           Spiritual
           ,
           and
           relating
           to
           Eternity
           ;
           and
           this
           work
           of
           Imposing
           by
           force
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             and
             Duty
             to
             God
             ,
          
           of
           one
           man
           upon
           another
           ,
           or
           of
           some
           Persons
           over
           all
           ,
           is
           certainly
           
             an
             Act
             of
             Bondage
             and
             Slavery
             ,
          
           laid
           as
           a
           grievous
           yoak
           upon
           the
           necks
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           subjecting
           one
           another
           in
           Oppression
           ,
           not
           unto
           the
           good
           Will
           of
           the
           Creator
           ,
           but
           unto
           the
           evil
           will
           of
           mortal
           perishing
           and
           sinful
           Creature
           ,
           and
           this
           differing
           from
           and
           contrary
           to
           ,
           the
           pure
           and
           perfect
           Order
           and
           Decree
           of
           Creation
           ,
           which
           was
           blessed
           altogether
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           is
           degenerated
           by
           Corruption
           ,
           and
           Erred
           through
           Temptation
           from
           that
           Pure
           and
           Holy
           Order
           of
           Creation
           ,
           either
           in
           things
           Wordly
           or
           Divine
           ;
           is
           in
           the
           Curse
           and
           Oposition
           against
           the
           
             Holy
             Creator
          
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           this
           thing
           of
           which
           I
           am
           now
           Treating
           ,
           Imposition
           upon
           Conscience
           in
           matters
           Divine
           and
           Temporal
           :
           Force
           ,
           exercised
           in
           Spiritual
           Cases
           ,
           is
           the
           highest
           Product
           of
           Degeneration
           ,
           and
           the
           greater
           degression
           from
           the
           Holy
           Order
           of
           Creation
           ;
           for
           without
           Controversie
           the
           Creator
           himself
           ,
           
             reserved
             and
             retained
          
           in
           his
           alone
           onely
           Power
           ,
           the
           
             Priviledge
             of
             Supremacy
          
           ,
           in
           and
           over
           the
           inward
           man
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           
             matters
             Immortal
          
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           be
           the
           onely
           Lord
           in
           that
           Case
           ,
           
           and
           give
           Spiritual
           Law
           ,
           to
           Command
           ,
           and
           force
           thereby
           to
           exercise
           the
           Soul
           and
           heart
           ,
           
             in
             Fear
             ,
             Love
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             Worship
             ,
             and
             Obedience
             to
             himself
             ,
          
           that
           he
           might
           be
           served
           as
           the
           Lord
           over
           all
           ,
           most
           chiefly
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           
             Inward
             Spiritual
             and
             Immortal
             man
          
           ;
           This
           Power
           of
           Supremacy
           I
           say
           ,
           he
           reserved
           and
           retained
           in
           himself
           in
           the
           Creation
           to
           exercise
           over
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           commit
           this
           Priviledge
           to
           any
           other
           ;
           wherefore
           without
           Controversie
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           
             Usurpation
             of
             the
             Creators
             rightful
             Dominion
             ,
          
           it
           is
           a
           
             robbing
             of
             him
             of
             his
             Dignity
             and
             Prerogative
             ,
          
           it
           is
           an
           Act
           of
           Violence
           done
           against
           
             his
             Soveraignty
          
           ,
           an
           audacious
           intruding
           
             into
             his
          
           proper
           right
           ,
           and
           a
           violating
           of
           the
           Law
           
             and
             Decree
             of
          
           Creation
           ,
           for
           one
           Person
           ,
           or
           one
           People
           ,
           to
           assume
           to
           themselves
           ,
           Power
           ,
           Authority
           and
           Government
           ,
           over
           other
           Persons
           and
           Peoples
           ,
           in
           Commanding
           and
           Imposing
           
             in
             matters
             Spiritual
             ,
             over
             their
             Consciences
             in
             the
             Worship
             and
             Service
             of
             God
          
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           such
           an
           abomination
           against
           the
           Creator
           both
           in
           the
           Cause
           and
           End
           of
           it
           ,
           That
           he
           will
           arise
           and
           take
           Vengeance
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           ease
           himself
           of
           all
           such
           his
           adversaries
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           
             It
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             Love
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             Fellowship
             ,
          
           and
           Concord
           among
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           by
           order
           of
           Creation
           ,
           which
           God
           appointed
           to
           be
           among
           them
           ;
           and
           by
           Imposing
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Spiritual
             concern
          
           ,
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           that
           Love
           ,
           Unity
           ,
           Fellowship
           and
           Concord
           among
           men
           decreed
           in
           Creation
           ,
           is
           broken
           and
           confounded
           ,
           and
           disannulled
           among
           them
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           Nations
           and
           Kingdoms
           hate
           and
           contend
           one
           with
           another
           ;
           Neighbors
           and
           Brethren
           ,
           cannot
           agree
           but
           fall
           into
           strife
           one
           against
           another
           :
           Kings
           and
           their
           Subjects
           ,
           Rulers
           and
           their
           People
           ,
           are
           in
           discord
           ,
           debate
           ,
           Disobedience
           and
           Rebellion
           one
           contrary
           to
           another
           ,
           by
           reason
           
             that
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             in
             Worship
             and
             Duty
             to
             Godwards
             is
             wanting
             in
             the
             World
             ,
          
           and
           Impositions
           and
           force
           by
           outward
           Authority
           in
           that
           Case
           ,
           are
           prevailing
           and
           in
           Power
           ;
           And
           thus
           the
           Law
           of
           Love
           ,
           Unity
           ,
           and
           Concord
           ,
           Decreed
           in
           Creation
           ,
           is
           
             violated
             ,
             despised
             ,
             and
             made
             voyd
          
           ;
           and
           hatred
           ,
           divisions
           ,
           strifes
           ,
           and
           discords
           intraduced
           in
           its
           room
           ,
           and
           abounds
           in
           the
           Spirits
           and
           visible
           actions
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           through
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           the
           woful
           effects
           of
           
             killing
             ,
             persecuting
             ,
             and
             destroying
             one
             another
             ,
          
           Nation
           of
           Nation
           ,
           Neighbours
           of
           Neighbours
           ,
           and
           Kings
           of
           their
           Subjects
           ;
           occasioned
           and
           grounded
           upon
           this
           thing
           as
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           (
           to
           wit
           )
           
             Imposing
             by
             force
             upon
             Conscience
             in
             matters
             
             Divine
             .
          
           Wherefore
           not
           onely
           against
           God
           is
           this
           evil
           extended
           ,
           
             to
             dishonour
             and
             disgrace
             him
          
           as
           is
           shewed
           ,
           but
           against
           man
           also
           is
           this
           
             evil
             and
             mischief
             in
             the
             effects
             of
             it
          
           reached
           forth
           as
           ye
           have
           seen
           ;
           and
           the
           Law
           of
           Creation
           is
           violated
           ,
           both
           in
           respect
           of
           Creator
           and
           Creature
           .
           It
           is
           in
           its
           cause
           and
           ground
           so
           evil
           ,
           in
           its
           works
           and
           effects
           so
           wicked
           and
           mischievous
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           end
           so
           provoking
           and
           damnable
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           both
           in
           respect
           of
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           not
           yet
           Comprehended
           the
           
             height
             and
             depth
          
           thereof
           ;
           though
           my
           Spirit
           from
           a
           Child
           hath
           often
           entered
           into
           the
           serious
           Considerations
           of
           this
           thing
           ,
           with
           
             mourning
             and
             sorrow
          
           because
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           with
           
             testimony
             and
             abhorrance
          
           against
           it
           ;
           and
           at
           this
           hour
           I
           am
           a
           sufferer
           in
           body
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           same
           ;
           Carnal
           Imposition
           upon
           Conscience
           in
           Spiritual
           things
           ,
           wo
           unto
           it
           ,
           my
           Soul
           hates
           ,
           and
           my
           God
           will
           Plague
           in
           his
           season
           .
        
         
           If
           I
           should
           study
           in
           searching
           to
           find
           out
           ,
           and
           to
           discribe
           all
           the
           
             evils
             ,
             mischiefs
             and
             wofull
             Inconveniences
             ,
             and
             effects
          
           of
           this
           Gulf
           out
           of
           which
           they
           ascend
           ,
           I
           might
           make
           this
           Epistle
           a
           large
           Volumn
           ;
           but
           since
           that
           I
           have
           elsewhere
           written
           about
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           shall
           now
           Contract
           this
           ,
           with
           the
           saying
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             This
             Mistery
             of
             iniquity
             doth
             work
             ,
             untill
             he
             be
             taken
             out
             of
             the
             way
          
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           this
           
             Imposition
             upon
             Conscience
          
           opposite
           to
           
             perfect
             Liberty
          
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           is
           the
           onely
           
             Main
             ,
             Material
             ,
             Support
             ,
             Prop
             ,
          
           and
           Defence
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Antichrist
           throughout
           the
           World
           at
           this
           day
           :
           and
           whomsoever
           as
           are
           friends
           hereunto
           ,
           they
           are
           friends
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           they
           love
           his
           wayes
           ,
           and
           are
           subjects
           of
           his
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           are
           rebellious
           against
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Kingdome
           they
           are
           Enemies
           :
           Wherefore
           my
           heart
           and
           soul
           saith
           within
           me
           ,
           would
           to
           God
           I
           had
           such
           a
           gift
           of
           Demonstration
           ,
           by
           Pen
           or
           Tongue
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           same
           were
           so
           forcible
           and
           Efficacious
           to
           awaken
           every
           soul
           ,
           to
           an
           abhorrance
           and
           dislike
           of
           that
           
             Spirit
             ,
             Principle
             and
             Practice
             of
             Imposition
             upon
             Conscience
             ,
          
           that
           there
           might
           be
           a
           total
           turning
           from
           the
           Kingdome
           
             of
             Antichrist
          
           ,
           which
           Consists
           of
           
             Falshood
             ,
             Darkness
             ,
             Sin
             ,
             and
             Enmity
             ,
             of
             Bondage
             ,
             Oppression
             ,
             and
             cruel
             Impositions
          
           to
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ,
           which
           Consists
           of
           
             Truth
             ,
             Light
             and
             Righteousness
             ,
             of
             freedome
             and
             perfect
             Liberty
             in
             Soul
             and
             Spirit
          
           ;
           Which
           Kingdome
           and
           Government
           ,
           the
           Lord
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           will
           
             promote
             and
             Exalt
          
           in
           the
           Kingdomes
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           which
           must
           become
           the
           
           
             Kingdomes
             of
             the
             Lord
             and
             of
             His
             Christ
             ,
          
           according
           to
           Promise
           .
        
         
           It
           hath
           ever
           been
           my
           Iudgment
           ,
           That
           want
           of
           
             Liberty
             and
             free
             exercise
             of
             Conscience
          
           in
           Spiritual
           matters
           ,
           and
           the
           Contrary
           Imposed
           by
           worldly
           Power
           ,
           and
           it
           remains
           still
           with
           me
           ,
           That
           this
           is
           one
           main
           Cause
           of
           the
           
             woful
             Distractions
          
           in
           Kingdomes
           ,
           of
           the
           unsetledness
           in
           States
           ,
           and
           of
           many
           evil
           Consequences
           abounding
           in
           the
           Governments
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           also
           the
           Cause
           wherefore
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           is
           angry
           and
           provoked
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           Cause
           he
           will
           smite
           and
           wound
           ,
           confound
           and
           overturn
           
             Kingdomes
             ,
             Powers
             ,
             and
             Authorities
             ,
          
           even
           till
           he
           Reign
           whose
           Right
           it
           is
           ;
           who
           onely
           and
           alone
           ,
           will
           Rule
           in
           the
           
             free
             exercise
             of
             Soul
             ,
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             Conscience
             ,
          
           through
           the
           teachings
           of
           his
           own
           Spirit
           :
           And
           though
           much
           Opposition
           and
           great
           Contention
           have
           been
           made
           against
           this
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           which
           men
           have
           striven
           against
           their
           own
           good
           and
           welfare
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           a
           day
           ,
           and
           it
           hastens
           to
           come
           
             in
             Power
          
           ,
           when
           Imposition
           upon
           Conscience
           by
           outward
           worldly
           force
           in
           Cases
           Divine
           ,
           will
           be
           banished
           the
           whole
           Fabrick
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           exiled
           into
           the
           pit
           of
           never-rising
           
             obscurity
             and
             darkness
          
           ,
           and
           then
           shall
           the
           Sons
           of
           men
           be
           delivered
           from
           the
           
             Violence
             of
             it
          
           ,
           and
           from
           all
           its
           
             miserable
             and
             mischievous
             Consequence
          
           ;
           Then
           shall
           the
           heritage
           of
           the
           Lord
           rejoyce
           in
           Ioy
           unspeakable
           ,
           being
           delivered
           from
           the
           oppression
           under
           which
           she
           hath
           long
           
             mourned
             ,
             travelled
             ,
             and
             groaned
             in
             deep
             distresse
          
           ;
           Then
           shall
           Nations
           delight
           in
           amity
           one
           with
           another
           ;
           then
           shall
           Neighbours
           rejoyce
           in
           Society
           one
           among
           another
           ;
           and
           then
           shall
           
             Kings
             and
             Rulers
          
           love
           their
           Subjects
           and
           People
           freely
           ,
           and
           People
           shall
           
             Obey
             and
             serve
             their
             Rulers
          
           with
           a
           willing
           and
           
             chearful
             heart
             and
             mind
          
           ;
           Hereby
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           should
           be
           Glorified
           ,
           and
           all
           People
           become
           Blessed
           ,
           
             Amity
             ,
             Love
             ,
             Unity
             ,
             and
             Concord
             ,
          
           and
           the
           first
           Creation
           order
           and
           Decree
           ,
           would
           be
           restored
           between
           God
           and
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           also
           between
           man
           and
           man
           ,
           in
           holy
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           matter
           (
           to
           wit
           )
           Concerning
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             in
             the
             free
             exercise
             of
             Godliness
          
           )
           hath
           been
           of
           these
           late
           years
           in
           great
           Debate
           and
           Contest
           among
           men
           in
           these
           Nations
           ,
           and
           some
           have
           been
           of
           one
           Iudgement
           ,
           and
           others
           of
           a
           contrary
           about
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           the
           Contention
           hath
           arisen
           very
           high
           ,
           even
           unto
           Blood
           and
           losse
           of
           all
           ;
           and
           is
           yet
           remaining
           undetermined
           in
           the
           minds
           and
           
           Spirits
           of
           many
           people
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           resolved
           in
           every
           heart
           through
           conviction
           by
           sound
           Arguments
           of
           Truth
           and
           Divine
           reason
           ;
           and
           men
           ought
           then
           to
           obey
           the
           same
           according
           to
           inward
           Spiritual
           Conviction
           ;
           and
           this
           Case
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           determined
           by
           
             Carnal
             weapons
          
           ,
           forcibly
           Compelling
           people
           in
           the
           Case
           by
           the
           
             Impositions
             of
             Conquest
          
           ,
           in
           a
           Violent
           way
           of
           outward
           Power
           :
           And
           since
           that
           ,
           This
           is
           
             a
             Case
             dubious
          
           ,
           whether
           
             free
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Worship
             ,
             or
             Imposition
             about
             the
             same
          
           is
           most
           worthy
           :
           I
           therefore
           upon
           this
           necessity
           calling
           upon
           me
           ,
           with
           my
           willingness
           to
           assist
           in
           such
           a
           work
           ,
           would
           add
           my
           mite
           and
           grain
           of
           Knowledge
           and
           Wisdome
           towards
           the
           
             resolving
             of
             such
             a
             dubious
             and
             needful
             Case
             ,
          
           And
           have
           taken
           this
           opportunity
           and
           occasion
           thus
           to
           declare
           my
           mind
           ,
           and
           shall
           leave
           the
           effect
           hereof
           to
           the
           purpose
           and
           Providence
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           onely
           is
           Wise
           ,
           to
           work
           whatsoever
           he
           will
           ,
           by
           whomsoever
           he
           pleases
           ;
           for
           he
           never
           yet
           limited
           himself
           to
           any
           one
           Instrument
           ,
           in
           the
           bringing
           forth
           ,
           and
           accomplishing
           his
           purpose
           ;
           however
           no
           man
           is
           to
           dispute
           the
           Leadings
           and
           Commands
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           yet
           to
           measure
           his
           obedience
           to
           him
           ,
           by
           
             either
             objected
             ,
             or
             real
             Consequence
             ,
          
           in
           the
           fruits
           and
           effects
           of
           his
           obedience
           :
           And
           this
           is
           that
           warrant
           (
           to
           wit
           the
           leadings
           of
           God
           )
           under
           the
           Commission
           of
           which
           ,
           the
           Servants
           of
           God
           do
           Act
           in
           their
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           disputes
           not
           the
           Authority
           nor
           the
           Consequence
           ,
           but
           leaves
           the
           Issue
           of
           all
           things
           to
           him
           that
           Commands
           .
        
         
           The
           total
           sum
           of
           this
           matter
           (
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           )
           is
           very
           large
           ,
           and
           requires
           multitude
           of
           Words
           ,
           and
           many
           arguments
           to
           unfold
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           vertue
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Evil
           
             Causes
             ,
             Works
             and
             effects
          
           of
           the
           Contrary
           ;
           but
           at
           this
           time
           I
           shall
           contract
           the
           sum
           into
           ,
           &
           state
           it
           in
           this
           total
           head
           ;
           Whether
           
             it
             is
             not
             perfect
             Reason
             ,
             Justice
             ,
             and
             Equity
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             all
             Exceptions
             ,
             that
             every
             man
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ,
             be
             permitted
             in
             the
             free
             exercise
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             without
             any
             kind
             of
             Force
             put
             upon
             him
             by
             any
             man
             to
             the
             contrary
             ,
             to
             follow
             that
             Religion
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             in
             such
             Faith
             ,
             and
             perform
             such
             Worship
             to
             God
             ,
             as
             he
             dares
             trust
             his
             own
             Soul
             withal
             ,
             and
             give
             account
             thereof
             before
             God
             in
             the
             day
             of
             dreadful
             Judgement
             .
          
        
         
           My
           Iudgement
           is
           on
           the
           affirmative
           Part
           ,
           in
           answer
           to
           this
           Question
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           my
           Iudgement
           in
           the
           Fear
           and
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           perfectly
           
             reasonable
             ,
             Just
             and
             Equal
          
           ,
           that
           every
           man
           in
           the
           
           World
           be
           permitted
           his
           Liberty
           in
           the
           free
           exercise
           of
           his
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           any
           force
           imposed
           upon
           him
           to
           the
           Contrary
           ,
           to
           follow
           that
           Religion
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           that
           Faith
           ,
           and
           perform
           
             that
             Worship
             to
             God
          
           ,
           with
           which
           he
           dares
           trust
           his
           own
           Soul
           to
           the
           Salvation
           thereof
           ;
           and
           the
           contrary
           is
           
             Unreasonable
             ,
             Unjust
             and
             Unequal
          
           ;
           and
           this
           might
           be
           amplified
           in
           a
           large
           manner
           upon
           occasion
           :
           And
           this
           is
           not
           only
           my
           Iudgement
           alone
           ,
           nor
           the
           false
           Fancy
           of
           a
           single
           Person
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           the
           Faith
           and
           Judgement
           of
           many
           more
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           of
           Fools
           altogether
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Wise
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           some
           few
           men
           of
           our
           Age
           ,
           but
           of
           many
           Ages
           past
           ,
           whose
           Principles
           were
           for
           the
           Toleration
           of
           
             Liberty
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Conscience
             in
             matters
             Spiritual
             ,
          
           as
           in
           this
           smal
           Treatise
           following
           more
           at
           large
           appears
           ;
           to
           which
           ,
           for
           proof
           of
           this
           Particular
           ,
           and
           to
           second
           the
           Truth
           of
           my
           Iudgement
           ,
           I
           do
           refer
           the
           serious
           and
           well
           considerate
           Reader
           ;
           in
           which
           small
           Piece
           ,
           he
           may
           find
           the
           Iudgements
           of
           divers
           Persons
           asserted
           by
           their
           own
           Sayings
           ,
           concerning
           the
           very
           Case
           of
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           ;
           and
           what
           esteem
           some
           
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             ,
             and
             Religious
             Men
          
           have
           had
           of
           the
           same
           ;
           for
           this
           following
           Piece
           (
           to
           which
           I
           am
           now
           prefacing
           )
           is
           no
           other
           than
           a
           certain
           sum
           of
           brief
           
             Collections
             ,
             of
             the
             Sayings
             of
             Emperors
             ,
             Kings
             and
             Potentates
             ,
             of
             former
             Ages
             ,
          
           contracted
           into
           this
           short
           method
           ,
           for
           the
           better
           Intelligence
           of
           all
           that
           are
           inquiring
           about
           this
           occasion
           ;
           and
           such
           is
           mine
           affection
           to
           the
           present
           
             Contraction
             collected
          
           ,
           that
           I
           wish
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           
             Rulers
             and
             Princes
          
           of
           our
           Age
           through
           the
           World
           ,
           would
           seriously
           read
           ,
           and
           rightly
           study
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           improve
           it
           to
           their
           own
           advantage
           ,
           in
           practising
           the
           Sayings
           of
           their
           Grave
           and
           Wise
           Progenitors
           ;
           and
           oh
           that
           they
           would
           engross
           this
           small
           Piece
           in
           
             their
             Records
          
           ,
           and
           enclose
           it
           in
           
             their
             Closets
          
           ,
           and
           use
           the
           same
           as
           
             Counsel
             and
             Instruction
          
           to
           themselves
           in
           the
           Premises
           ;
           the
           effect
           of
           it
           might
           prove
           happy
           to
           them
           ,
           if
           their
           present
           Practise
           would
           be
           answerable
           to
           the
           Intimations
           of
           the
           Antients
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           small
           Piece
           happily
           ariving
           the
           harbour
           of
           my
           hands
           ,
           through
           the
           tedious
           industry
           of
           the
           Collector
           ,
           and
           through
           other
           passages
           of
           tempestious
           Dangers
           ,
           which
           it
           lay
           liable
           unto
           ;
           I
           have
           transported
           it
           over
           a
           serious
           view
           ,
           and
           am
           affected
           with
           it
           unto
           my
           Commendation
           and
           approof
           ;
           first
           
             of
             the
             matter
             it self
          
           ,
           and
           secondly
           
             of
             its
             Author's
             pains
             and
             Industry
             ,
             in
             forming
             of
             it
             into
             this
             
             method
             ,
             in
             which
             it
             now
             appears
          
           ;
           both
           of
           which
           I
           cannot
           but
           commend
           ,
           and
           do
           also
           herewith
           recommend
           to
           the
           View
           ,
           Consideration
           ,
           and
           Instruction
           of
           every
           impartial
           Reader
           ,
           who
           must
           ,
           and
           that
           every
           man
           for
           himself
           ,
           be
           judge
           of
           the
           verity
           of
           what
           he
           Reads
           ,
           even
           by
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           Iesus
           in
           his
           own
           Conscience
           ;
           to
           which
           this
           is
           singly
           committed
           .
        
         
           
             E.
             B.
             
          
           
             
               From
               my
               place
               of
               present
               restraint
               ,
            
             
               the
               
                 27th
                 .
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 7th
                 .
                 Month
                 ,
                 1662.
                 
              
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           TESTIMONY
           OF
           A
           CLOUD
           of
           WITNESSES
           ,
           Who
           in
           their
           Generation
           have
           testified
           against
           that
           horrible
           Evil
           of
           
             FORCING
             OF
             CONSCIENCE
          
           ,
           and
           PERSECUTION
           about
           Matters
           of
           RELIGION
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             
               Concerning
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               how
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               planted
               ,
               established
               ,
               nor
               defended
               by
               Weapons
               ,
               nor
               by
               Violence
               ;
               and
               how
               it
               doth
               not
               admit
               of
               any
               forcing
               of
               Conscience
               .
            
          
           
             A
             Certain
             Chancellour
             ,
             speaking
             before
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Council
             at
             Orleans
             ,
             in
             praise
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             said
             ,
             That
             those
             that
             went
             about
             to
             Establish
             the
             same
             by
             Weapons
             ,
             did
             against
             their
             Calling
             ,
             which
             is
             (
             said
             he
             )
             to
             suffer
             Violence
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             do
             it
             .
          
           
             Herein
             differ
             we
             (
             said
             Chrisostomus
             )
             from
             the
             Heathen
             ,
             who
             do
             force
             and
             compel
             by
             Violence
             ,
             but
             the
             Christians
             they
             are
             patient
             and
             forbearing
             ;
             neither
             hath
             our
             Religion
             had
             her
             beginning
             with
             Weapons
             (
             said
             he
             )
             neither
             hath
             it
             been
             maintained
             by
             Weapons
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             to
             Persecute
             others
             to
             Death
             about
             their
             Religion
             ,
             but
             it
             hath
             been
             ,
             and
             is
             their
             Condition
             to
             be
             put
             to
             Death
             themselves
             for
             the
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Truth
             ;
             Moreover
             (
             said
             he
             )
             the
             shedding
             of
             blood
             
             about
             Religion
             ,
             is
             an
             evident
             token
             of
             Antichrist
             .
             
               Relig.
               Uryl
               .
               Pag.
            
             192.
             
          
           
             That
             Religion
             which
             goeth
             about
             to
             set
             up
             a
             Sect
             ,
             which
             seeketh
             not
             Peace
             ,
             but
             speaketh
             against
             all
             ,
             and
             will
             suffer
             none
             equal
             with
             it
             ,
             but
             will
             be
             alone
             Master
             ,
             and
             exercise
             Lordship
             over
             the
             faith
             of
             all
             others
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Civil
             Powers
             ,
             persecute
             those
             that
             are
             of
             another
             Opinion
             ,
             by
             shedding
             their
             blood
             ,
             Banishing
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             spoiling
             of
             their
             Goods
             ,
             or
             with
             War
             and
             Fighting
             Establish
             their
             own
             ,
             such
             do
             thereby
             shew
             that
             they
             are
             no
             right
             Shepherds
             of
             the
             true
             Christians
             ,
             but
             rather
             Wolves
             ,
             
               Caines
               ,
               Ishmaelites
            
             ,
             and
             Esauhites
             ,
             whose
             hand
             is
             against
             all
             ,
             and
             every
             mans
             hand
             against
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             Christ
             (
             which
             is
             otherwise
             called
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             said
             a
             certain
             Writer
             )
             hath
             no
             earthly
             King
             ,
             no
             Temporal
             Magistrate
             nor
             Governour
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             alone
             is
             King
             in
             his
             Kingdom
             ;
             as
             he
             is
             Ordained
             to
             be
             the
             Head
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             so
             he
             hath
             committed
             that
             to
             none
             to
             Govern.
             
          
           
             This
             King
             governeth
             with
             the
             word
             of
             his
             Grace
             ,
             the
             Soul
             and
             Conscience
             ;
             here
             are
             none
             compelled
             ,
             for
             there
             is
             a
             Spiritual
             Freedom
             and
             willingness
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             Violence
             or
             contention
             ;
             which
             was
             held
             forth
             by
             the
             Figure
             of
             Solomon's
             Temple
             ,
             where
             no
             Hammar
             ,
             no
             Axe
             ,
             or
             Iron
             instrument
             was
             to
             be
             heard
             ,
             but
             there
             's
             Love
             and
             Unity
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Mercy
             among
             all
             his
             Children
             .
          
           
             That
             is
             certain
             (
             said
             one
             )
             that
             all
             Religion
             is
             vain
             without
             true
             Godliness
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             little
             matter
             of
             what
             Opinion
             any
             man
             be
             in
             different
             points
             of
             Religion
             ,
             while
             he
             leadeth
             an
             ungodly
             life
             ,
             and
             through
             that
             Doctaine
             which
             he
             professeth
             is
             not
             bettered
             ,
             but
             bittered
             against
             his
             fellow
             Christian
             ,
             and
             hateth
             ,
             judgeth
             ,
             and
             persecuteth
             him
             ,
             as
             it
             often
             happeneth
             among
             them
             that
             seem
             to
             be
             Religious
             .
          
           
             The
             
               States
               of
               Holland
            
             ,
             have
             confessed
             that
             the
             point
             of
             Religion
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             a
             Land
             ,
             was
             of
             great
             concernment
             ;
             And
             further
             they
             said
             ,
             that
             they
             abominated
             
               forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             ,
             otherwise
             then
             with
             good
             Doctrine
             ,
             good
             works
             ,
             and
             intreaties
             .
          
           
             A
             certain
             Turkish
             Ambassadour
             ,
             complained
             to
             the
             King
             Emmanuel
             of
             Portugal
             ,
             of
             the
             King
             of
             Spain
             ,
             for
             his
             compelling
             
             by
             Violence
             the
             Moores
             in
             his
             Dominion
             to
             the
             Christian
             Faith
             or
             Religion
             ,
             saying
             ;
             it
             was
             not
             lawful
             neither
             for
             the
             Christians
             ,
             nor
             yet
             for
             the
             Mahomets
             to
             compel
             any
             man
             so
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             should
             forsake
             that
             Religion
             in
             which
             he
             had
             been
             Educated
             ;
             And
             that
             he
             could
             not
             be
             silent
             to
             see
             such
             things
             ,
             to
             the
             injury
             and
             desolation
             of
             People
             in
             the
             general
             ,
             but
             must
             testifie
             that
             it
             was
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             disadvantage
             of
             Religion
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Osorius
             declared
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             neither
             according
             to
             the
             Law
             ,
             nor
             according
             to
             Religion
             ,
             to
             compel
             the
             Iewes
             and
             Moores
             to
             the
             Faith
             ;
             And
             that
             none
             ought
             to
             determine
             to
             restrain
             the
             free
             mind
             ,
             for
             he
             affirmed
             ,
             it
             was
             not
             the
             Will
             of
             Christ
             ,
             neither
             ought
             such
             things
             to
             be
             .
          
           
             Anno
             1455.
             
             The
             Turk
             wrote
             a
             Letter
             to
             the
             Pope
             Calixtus
             the
             third
             ,
             wherein
             he
             acknowledged
             ,
             that
             
               Iesus
               Christ
            
             had
             been
             a
             great
             Prophet
             ,
             yet
             (
             said
             he
             )
             he
             hath
             not
             commanded
             that
             any
             should
             compel
             People
             by
             Violence
             and
             Weapons
             ,
             to
             believe
             his
             Law.
             
          
           
             Haywardus
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             best
             Writers
             of
             that
             time
             did
             agree
             in
             one
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             with
             
               Tertulliano
               ,
               Lactantio
               ,
               Cassiodoro
               ,
               Iosepho
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             That
             People
             must
             inform
             men
             to
             imbrace
             Religion
             with
             reason
             ,
             and
             not
             compel
             them
             by
             Violence
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             for
             a
             long
             season
             determined
             (
             said
             one
             of
             the
             Kings
             of
             France
             )
             to
             reform
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             without
             Peace
             (
             said
             he
             )
             I
             cannot
             do
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             reform
             or
             convert
             People
             by
             Violence
             .
          
           
             I
             am
             King
             as
             a
             Shepherd
             (
             said
             he
             )
             and
             will
             not
             shed
             the
             blood
             of
             my
             Sheep
             ,
             but
             will
             gather
             them
             through
             the
             mildness
             and
             goodness
             of
             a
             King
             ,
             and
             not
             through
             the
             Power
             of
             Tyranny
             ;
             And
             I
             will
             give
             them
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             ,
             right
             Liberty
             to
             live
             and
             dwell
             free
             ,
             without
             being
             examined
             ,
             perplexed
             ,
             molested
             ,
             or
             compelled
             to
             any
             thing
             contrary
             to
             their
             Conscience
             ;
             for
             they
             shall
             have
             the
             free
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Vide
               Chron.
               Vande
               Onderg
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Deel
               .
               Page
            
             1514.
             
          
           
             And
             as
             concerning
             the
             planting
             ,
             nourishing
             ,
             and
             defending
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             that
             is
             said
             to
             be
             the
             office
             and
             work
             of
             upright
             and
             sincere
             Teachers
             ;
             further
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             it
             concerns
             
             the
             Magistrate
             to
             defend
             and
             protect
             the
             Innocent
             and
             harmless
             People
             ,
             who
             are
             Persecuted
             ,
             Robbed
             ,
             Prisoned
             ,
             and
             Tyrannically
             used
             .
          
           
             Experience
             hath
             sufficiently
             manifested
             ,
             both
             in
             
               France
               ,
               Germany
               ,
               Bohemia
            
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Low-Countries
             ,
             and
             elsewhere
             ,
             that
             to
             make
             War
             about
             Religion
             ,
             or
             thereby
             to
             establish
             and
             defend
             it
             ,
             is
             an
             absolute
             perverse
             and
             destructive
             means
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             totally
             against
             the
             true
             Christian
             Religion
             :
             yet
             notwithstanding
             some
             cry
             up
             
               Weapons
               ,
               Weapons
            
             ,
             but
             alas
             have
             we
             not
             seen
             ,
             that
             Weapons
             are
             stirred
             up
             against
             Weapons
             ?
             And
             what
             is
             this
             reconciling
             slaughter
             ,
             with
             slaughter
             ,
             and
             blood
             with
             blood
             ,
             but
             the
             manner
             and
             custome
             of
             the
             Heathen
             ?
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             
               Concerning
               the
               true
               and
               false
               Church
               ;
               the
               Gospel
               and
               Religion
               :
               As
               also
               shewing
               the
               insufficiency
               of
               carnal
               Weapons
               in
               Spiritual
               Matters
               .
            
          
           
             THe
             Church
             that
             is
             dispersed
             through
             the
             World
             ,
             hath
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             her
             Head
             ,
             and
             is
             strengthened
             not
             with
             resisting
             ,
             but
             with
             Suffering
             and
             Patience
             ;
             for
             the
             Gospel
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             ,
             was
             not
             Preached
             with
             Swords
             and
             an
             Armed
             hand
             ,
             but
             with
             Exhortation
             and
             Perswasion
             ,
             
               Hist.
               Eccl.
               lib.
            
             4
             Chap.
             26.
             
          
           
             Barnardus
             said
             ,
             The
             Church
             must
             not
             persecute
             as
             Wolves
             ,
             but
             be
             Persecuted
             ,
             like
             as
             the
             Sheep
             are
             of
             the
             Wolves
             ;
             And
             in
             this
             Calamity
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             they
             stand
             as
             Palm-trees
             through
             the
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             grow
             and
             increase
             ;
             so
             that
             some
             have
             esteemed
             
               Sanguis
               Martirum
               est
               semen
               Ecclesiae
            
             ,
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Martyrs
             to
             be
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             for
             (
             said
             he
             )
             as
             one
             was
             put
             to
             death
             ,
             there
             came
             ten
             in
             his
             stead
             .
          
           
             Luther
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             hypocrites
             Church
             was
             to
             be
             known
             by
             its
             manners
             ,
             whose
             Image
             and
             figure
             was
             Esau
             ,
             yet
             she
             boasted
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             would
             be
             accounted
             his
             Church
             ,
             but
             lived
             wholly
             according
             to
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Further
             (
             said
             he
             )
             the
             true
             Church
             is
             not
             defended
             by
             a
             fleshly
             
             Arm
             ,
             which
             wicked
             Bishops
             especially
             use
             and
             cry
             unto
             ,
             
               Thaesau
               .
               Pag.
            
             622.
             
          
           
             As
             heretofore
             ,
             he
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             flesh
             ,
             Persecuted
             him
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             even
             so
             is
             it
             now
             ,
             &c.
             
             Consider
             these
             words
             of
             Paul
             (
             said
             Castellio
             )
             Ishmael
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             flesh
             ,
             Persecuted
             Isaac
             who
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Spirit
             ;
             even
             so
             now
             do
             the
             fleshly
             Persecute
             the
             Spiritual
             ;
             But
             Abell
             did
             not
             Persecure
             Cain
             ,
             nor
             Lot
             the
             Sodomites
             ,
             nor
             
               David
               Saul
            
             ,
             nor
             the
             true
             Prophets
             the
             false
             ,
             nor
             
               Christ
               and
               his
               Apostles
            
             the
             
               Scribes
               and
               Pharesees
            
             ,
             although
             some
             of
             them
             might
             have
             done
             it
             ,
             yet
             nevertheless
             they
             did
             it
             not
             .
          
           
             So
             is
             it
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             though
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Righteous
             be
             but
             smal
             ,
             who
             are
             Persecuted
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             yet
             sometimes
             they
             might
             injury
             their
             Persecutors
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             so
             far
             from
             doing
             that
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             rather
             helpful
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             do
             seek
             their
             Salvation
             .
          
           
             The
             false
             Church
             is
             grounded
             more
             upon
             men
             then
             upon
             Christ
             ,
             and
             she
             Persecuteth
             those
             that
             live
             Righteously
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             reprove
             her
             for
             her
             failings
             .
          
           
             Damascenus
             said
             ,
             that
             the
             Gospel
             had
             been
             Preached
             in
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             did
             not
             conquer
             its
             opposers
             with
             Weapons
             ,
             Arms
             ,
             or
             Fighting
             ,
             but
             a
             few
             unlearned
             ,
             confounded
             the
             Wise
             ones
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             Oh
             (
             said
             Boudaert
             )
             that
             the
             Bishops
             were
             so
             well
             experienced
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             rather
             with
             Reason
             seek
             to
             bring
             them
             that
             go
             astray
             to
             the
             right
             way
             ,
             then
             to
             compell
             them
             by
             Corporal
             punishment
             to
             adhere
             unto
             their
             Elect.
             
          
           
             It
             is
             impossible
             (
             said
             Luther
             )
             that
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             should
             be
             ,
             or
             should
             stand
             without
             bloodsheding
             ,
             for
             the
             Devil
             who
             is
             an
             Enemy
             of
             God's
             Church
             ,
             is
             also
             a
             Lyar
             and
             a
             Murtherer
             ,
             yet
             the
             Church
             hath
             alwayes
             increased
             in
             blood
             ,
             said
             He
             ;
             in
             the
             Colloq
             .
          
           
             
               Sanguine
               mundata
               est
               Ecclesia
               ,
               Sanguine
               cepit
            
             
               Sanguine
               succrevit
               ,
               sanguine
               finis
               erit
               .
            
          
           
           
             
               Ian
               Monliu
            
             ,
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Valence
             affirmed
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             an
             Error
             to
             molest
             the
             publick
             Peace
             with
             Weapons
             ,
             under
             pretence
             of
             Religion
             ;
             a
             thing
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             which
             hath
             been
             alwayes
             abhorred
             by
             the
             Antients
             .
          
           
             For
             Wars
             and
             compulsary
             punishments
             ,
             have
             never
             been
             the
             means
             to
             bring
             to
             Unity
             ;
             For
             Wars
             and
             cruelty
             tend
             to
             the
             destroying
             both
             of
             Body
             and
             Soul
             ,
             even
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             peradventure
             might
             otherwise
             have
             been
             gained
             through
             love
             and
             gentleness
             ,
             for
             that
             counsel
             which
             tends
             to
             cruelty
             is
             worse
             then
             the
             desease
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             manner
             of
             such
             Bishops
             to
             plead
             for
             Weapons
             as
             have
             lost
             the
             Spiritual
             Sword
             of
             Peter
             ,
             and
             therefore
             (
             said
             he
             )
             do
             they
             now
             make
             that
             Sword
             their
             Defence
             ,
             which
             he
             drew
             against
             the
             servant
             of
             the
             High
             Priest.
             
               Chron.
               vande
               Rel.
               uriih
            
             .
             pag.
             123
             ,
             124.
             
          
           
             Anno
             1579.
             
             
               The
               States
               of
               Holland
               said
            
             ,
             That
             this
             they
             observed
             ,
             finding
             it
             by
             true
             experience
             ,
             (
             viz.
             )
             
               dat
               gewelt
               ende
               wapenen
               luttel
               helpen
               tot
               verbreijdinghe
               ende
               behoudenisse
               der
               Religien
            
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
             That
             violence
             and
             Weapons
             availed
             little
             in
             spreading
             ,
             and
             maintaining
             Religion
             ;
             And
             further
             said
             they
             ,
             as
             we
             would
             not
             have
             that
             men
             should
             do
             violence
             to
             our
             consciences
             ,
             neither
             will
             we
             do
             violence
             to
             the
             consciences
             of
             others
             ;
             for
             we
             are
             not
             to
             do
             that
             to
             another
             ,
             which
             we
             would
             not
             have
             another
             to
             do
             unto
             us
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Prince
               of
               Orange
            
             said
             ,
             We
             are
             not
             so
             unexperienced
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             do
             not
             know
             ,
             that
             all
             those
             
               tyes
               of
               Conscience
            
             wreathed
             or
             turned
             of
             men
             ,
             are
             to
             no
             purpose
             to
             bind
             man
             before
             God
             :
             People
             should
             not
             think
             it
             strange
             ,
             nor
             therefore
             take
             up
             Arms
             (
             said
             he
             )
             because
             that
             many
             of
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             this
             Country
             are
             become
             of
             another
             opinion
             ,
             and
             simply
             declare
             themselves
             ,
             yea
             against
             the
             Will
             of
             the
             Magistrates
             ,
             which
             thing
             the
             Histories
             do
             testifie
             not
             to
             be
             new
             ,
             but
             that
             such
             differences
             have
             been
             in
             the
             World
             in
             many
             Monarchies
             heretofore
             .
          
           
             To
             the
             same
             purpose
             did
             the
             
               States
               of
               Holland
            
             testifie
             ,
             (
             viz.
             )
             how
             that
             difference
             in
             doctrine
             was
             not
             strange
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             said
             they
             ,
             it
             is
             better
             rectified
             through
             forbearance
             ,
             then
             through
             devision
             ,
             
               Inde
               Apolog.
            
             1581.
             fol.
             15.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             
               Concerning
               cruel
               Lawes
               against
               Hereticks
               ,
               how
               the
               Bishops
               and
               Clergy
               heretofore
               have
               been
               the
               cause
               of
               them
               ;
               who
               are
               the
               cause
               of
               tumults
               ;
               the
               necessity
               of
               just
               Liberty
               ,
               and
               the
               good
               effect
               thereof
               .
            
          
           
             IN
             the
             year
             553.
             the
             
               Pope
               Palagius
            
             instituted
             first
             of
             all
             ,
             That
             Hereticks
             and
             Apostates
             should
             be
             forced
             by
             external
             compulsion
             ,
             
               &c.
               
               Clemens
            
             the
             fifth
             made
             Lawes
             that
             Hereticks
             should
             be
             burned
             ;
             
               Gerandus
               Naviomagus
            
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             that
             the
             Laws
             for
             putting
             of
             Hereticks
             to
             death
             ,
             came
             not
             by
             the
             free
             will
             of
             the
             Emperours
             ,
             but
             through
             the
             earnest
             importuning
             of
             blood-thirsty
             Bishops
             ,
             whose
             constant
             recourse
             was
             a
             burthen
             to
             the
             Emperours
             ,
             so
             that
             finally
             they
             obtained
             what
             they
             desired
             ;
             but
             when
             the
             Clergy
             could
             not
             prevail
             with
             one
             Emperour
             ,
             they
             excluded
             him
             out
             of
             Italy
             ,
             excommunicated
             him
             ,
             brought
             him
             in
             suspition
             ,
             freed
             the
             Subjects
             from
             the
             Oath
             ,
             and
             stirred
             them
             up
             against
             the
             Power
             ;
             And
             thus
             have
             the
             Clergy
             handled
             when
             they
             could
             not
             have
             their
             wills
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             might
             be
             plenteously
             manifested
             out
             of
             the
             Histories
             ,
             how
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             blood-thirsty
             Bishops
             with
             others
             of
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             that
             have
             provoked
             Kings
             ,
             and
             the
             Potentates
             of
             the
             Earth
             to
             cruelty
             ,
             and
             who
             have
             counselled
             them
             to
             make
             bloody
             Lawes
             ,
             like
             the
             Bishop
             Nestorius
             ,
             who
             in
             his
             Sermon
             spoke
             unto
             the
             Emperour
             and
             said
             ,
             
               O
               Emperour
               give
               me
               a
               Land
               cleansed
               of
               Hereticks
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               give
               thee
               Heaven
               ;
               help
               me
               against
               the
               Hereticks
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               help
               thee
               to
               subdue
               the
               Persians
               thy
               Enemies
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Yet
             it
             doth
             not
             appear
             that
             upright
             and
             sincere
             Teachers
             have
             sought
             the
             defence
             or
             help
             of
             the
             Emperours
             or
             Kings
             against
             Hereticks
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             evident
             that
             banishing
             and
             persecuting
             to
             death
             about
             Religion
             ,
             came
             not
             from
             the
             example
             of
             the
             Righteous
             ,
             but
             rather
             from
             the
             Heathen
             ,
             and
             from
             
               Arius
               ,
               Nestorius
               ,
               Palagius
            
             ,
             and
             their
             Proselytes
             .
          
           
             There
             was
             a
             certain
             man
             that
             complained
             unto
             the
             Prince
             of
             
             Orange
             ,
             saying
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             sufficiently
             known
             ,
             that
             since
             the
             dayes
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             that
             hurtful
             and
             noisom
             Plague
             hath
             reigned
             and
             had
             the
             Dominion
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             viz.
             )
             that
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             the
             Divines
             and
             Clergy
             ,
             have
             assumed
             more
             Authority
             and
             Power
             to
             themselves
             (
             yea
             and
             have
             taken
             it
             by
             force
             )
             then
             ever
             God
             the
             Father
             gave
             them
             ;
             And
             the
             aforesaid
             Prince
             observed
             ,
             how
             they
             sought
             to
             usurp
             Authority
             over
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             to
             bring
             People
             in
             subjection
             to
             their
             Lawes
             and
             Institutions
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             some
             Teachers
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             wise
             man
             )
             that
             are
             exceeding
             cruel
             ,
             angry
             ,
             passionate
             ,
             full
             of
             Covetousness
             and
             Pride
             ,
             who
             judge
             and
             reject
             all
             things
             but
             their
             own
             ,
             and
             would
             have
             such
             punished
             and
             put
             to
             death
             as
             do
             not
             agree
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             conform
             unto
             them
             ;
             Another
             sort
             there
             are
             that
             are
             Meek
             ,
             Patient
             ,
             Gentle
             and
             Humble
             ,
             who
             bear
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             hope
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             will
             compel
             none
             to
             their
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Brassius
             said
             ,
             That
             they
             that
             have
             a
             right
             Evangelical
             Doctrine
             and
             Faith
             ,
             persecute
             none
             ,
             but
             are
             persecuted
             themselves
             ;
             't
             is
             true
             Paul
             said
             ,
             we
             should
             
               reject
               a
               Heretick
               after
               the
               first
               and
               second
               Admonition
            
             ;
             but
             he
             said
             not
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             Banish
             him
             out
             of
             the
             City
             or
             Country
             .
          
           
             Consider
             once
             ,
             said
             Adrianus
             ,
             and
             see
             if
             the
             Hereticks
             have
             not
             alwayes
             persecuted
             the
             Righteous
             ;
             but
             where
             do
             you
             find
             that
             false
             Prophets
             and
             false
             Teachers
             have
             been
             persecuted
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             doth
             alwayes
             love
             that
             which
             belongs
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             vilifie
             ,
             curse
             ,
             kill
             and
             murder
             that
             which
             Christ
             hath
             chosen
             ;
             for
             that
             which
             he
             chuseth
             is
             not
             of
             the
             World
             :
             And
             now
             is
             Christ
             and
             his
             Disciples
             (
             said
             he
             )
             esteemed
             of
             the
             World
             as
             Hereticks
             ,
             Seducers
             ,
             Uprore-makers
             ;
             and
             the
             Seducers
             ,
             Hereticks
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             rise
             up
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             his
             Anointed
             ,
             they
             are
             by
             the
             World
             called
             Christians
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             Christians
             have
             been
             alwayes
             persecuted
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             not
             because
             they
             have
             deserved
             it
             ,
             but
             because
             they
             have
             not
             been
             conformable
             to
             their
             false
             Doctrines
             ,
             false
             Sacraments
             ,
             their
             Vanity
             and
             Superstition
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             false
             Teachers
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             writer
             )
             to
             cry
             out
             against
             those
             that
             teach
             any
             thing
             contrary
             to
             them
             ;
             for
             say
             they
             ,
             
               They
               make
               Tumults
               among
               the
               People
            
             ;
             and
             this
             with
             
             other
             things
             they
             charge
             upon
             those
             that
             reprove
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             themselves
             are
             the
             most
             tumultuous
             ;
             for
             if
             they
             did
             not
             stir
             up
             the
             Magistrates
             and
             People
             to
             Persecution
             and
             shedding
             of
             blood
             ,
             there
             would
             not
             be
             such
             Tumults
             among
             the
             People
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             the
             contention
             and
             Tumults
             that
             are
             among
             men
             ,
             proceed
             not
             from
             them
             that
             serve
             God
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             according
             to
             their
             Conscience
             ,
             but
             from
             such
             as
             will
             not
             suffer
             that
             ,
             but
             with
             Violence
             will
             usurp
             Authority
             over
             the
             Faith
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             The
             Histories
             do
             testifie
             ,
             how
             that
             the
             Mallady
             wherewith
             several
             Emperours
             ,
             Kings
             ,
             and
             Princes
             have
             been
             perplexed
             ,
             could
             nor
             be
             cured
             ,
             nor
             perfect
             Peace
             and
             Rest
             injoyed
             ,
             nor
             true
             Obedience
             and
             Subjection
             maintained
             to
             Magistracy
             ,
             except
             they
             gave
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
             to
             their
             Subjects
             ;
             wherefore
             some
             of
             them
             suffered
             themselves
             to
             be
             thereunto
             perswaded
             by
             their
             Subjects
             .
          
           
             Anno
             1601.
             
             In
             the
             Land
             of
             Cleave
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             notable
             Reformation
             and
             Tolleration
             in
             Religion
             ;
             For
             there
             it
             was
             decreed
             ,
             that
             from
             henceforth
             ,
             no
             man
             should
             be
             adjudged
             unfit
             for
             places
             of
             Office
             ,
             for
             his
             different
             judgement
             in
             Religion
             ;
             which
             did
             occasion
             much
             trust
             and
             Peace
             ,
             and
             did
             free
             the
             People
             from
             all
             Persecution
             in
             Spiritual
             matters
             .
          
           
             It
             hath
             been
             formerly
             said
             ▪
             that
             when
             a
             Prince
             cometh
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             between
             two
             parties
             he
             defendeth
             one
             party
             with
             Weapons
             ,
             and
             oppresseth
             the
             other
             with
             Weapons
             ,
             that
             then
             he
             getteth
             the
             name
             of
             a
             Tyrant
             ,
             and
             robbeth
             the
             Land
             of
             its
             welfare
             ,
             and
             through
             his
             own
             Power
             weakeneth
             his
             own
             might
             ,
             and
             maketh
             the
             same
             open
             for
             an
             Enemy
             .
             Merck-tyck
             :
             Page
             57.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             
               The
               evil
               Effects
               of
               Forcing
               of
               the
               Conscience
               ;
               what
               it
               is
               ;
               Their
               Folly
               shewn
               ,
               that
               would
               have
               the
               Magistrates
               to
               Force
               People
               ;
               How
               the
               Old
               Fathers
               and
               Antient
               Christians
               heretofore
               have
               witnessed
               against
               it
               ;
               and
               what
               other
               Means
               they
               used
               .
            
          
           
             THis
             do
             most
             Histories
             testifie
             (
             viz.
             )
             That
             the
             Distractions
             ,
             Uproars
             ,
             and
             many
             more
             Inconveniences
             have
             been
             chiefly
             occasioned
             through
             severe
             Proclamations
             ,
             cruel
             Proceedings
             ,
             and
             Persecution
             about
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             ,
             which
             is
             plenteously
             to
             be
             found
             in
             several
             Chronicles
             ;
             but
             especially
             in
             the
             Chronicles
             of
             the
             overthrow
             of
             the
             Tyrants
             ,
             Printed
             at
             Hoorn
             ,
             in
             
               North
               Holland
            
             ,
             Anno
             1620.
             
          
           
             
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             is
             said
             to
             be
             this
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             When
             any
             Compels
             Men
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             their
             Conscience
             ,
             or
             to
             abstain
             from
             such
             Exercises
             as
             they
             in
             Conscience
             esteem
             to
             be
             profitable
             and
             necessary
             to
             their
             Salvation
             ;
             one
             of
             these
             two
             is
             that
             which
             is
             commonly
             called
             
               forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             ,
             against
             which
             the
             Martyrs
             since
             the
             Dayes
             of
             the
             Apostles
             have
             testified
             ,
             and
             have
             manifested
             it
             clearly
             to
             be
             an
             unfitting
             thing
             ,
             as
             might
             be
             shewn
             at
             large
             out
             of
             
               Histories
               ,
               Books
               of
               Martyrs
               ,
               Apologies
               ,
               Remonstrations
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             Maximillian
             the
             Emperor
             ,
             told
             Hendricus
             the
             King
             of
             France
             ,
             That
             there
             was
             no
             Sin
             so
             great
             (
             in
             his
             account
             )
             as
             to
             do
             Violence
             to
             the
             Conscience
             ;
             And
             that
             those
             that
             went
             about
             to
             conquer
             the
             same
             ,
             thinking
             to
             gain
             Heaven
             ,
             did
             often
             lose
             that
             they
             had
             upon
             Earth
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             well
             known
             ,
             that
             many
             are
             of
             Opinion
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             very
             necessary
             that
             the
             Magistrate
             compel
             by
             Force
             and
             Violence
             the
             unwilling
             to
             the
             Faith
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             they
             may
             come
             of
             themselves
             as
             they
             imagine
             :
             But
             said
             Erasmus
             ,
             Most
             men
             are
             so
             disposed
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             rather
             be
             led
             then
             compelled
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             Intreaties
             more
             may
             be
             obtained
             than
             through
             Cruelties
             .
          
           
           
             Those
             that
             are
             ignorant
             of
             the
             drawings
             of
             the
             Father
             (
             said
             a
             Wise
             man
             )
             would
             have
             Magistrates
             to
             draw
             by
             violence
             ;
             such
             ,
             as
             do
             not
             only
             remain
             Ignorant
             of
             the
             Drawings
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             but
             also
             others
             that
             are
             in
             the
             Truth
             ,
             they
             would
             have
             drawn
             to
             their
             dead
             Inventions
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             would
             conform
             so
             soon
             as
             they
             are
             punished
             :
             But
             I
             suppose
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             that
             those
             that
             would
             otherwise
             come
             of
             themselves
             voluntarily
             ,
             through
             Punishments
             are
             terrified
             away
             ;
             As
             the
             Fish
             in
             the
             Water
             that
             come
             voluntarily
             to
             the
             Bait
             and
             Net
             ,
             but
             when
             People
             would
             compel
             them
             ,
             they
             fly
             .
             The
             truth
             of
             this
             ,
             can
             
               Geneva
               ,
               Savoy
            
             ,
             and
             other
             Places
             witnesse
             ,
             said
             the
             Author
             .
          
           
             Chrisostomus
             said
             ,
             That
             in
             Heavenly
             matters
             ,
             People
             must
             use
             no
             Violence
             ;
             for
             saith
             he
             ,
             These
             that
             use
             Violence
             ,
             estrange
             men
             most
             of
             all
             from
             their
             Religion
             ;
             instancing
             an
             Example
             in
             West-India
             ,
             of
             the
             Spaniards
             Tormenting
             a
             Casique
             or
             Lord
             ,
             (
             so
             called
             )
             and
             one
             of
             the
             Clergy
             seeking
             by
             his
             Preaching
             to
             convert
             him
             to
             the
             Faith
             ,
             told
             him
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Hell
             ,
             &c.
             
             Then
             he
             asked
             the
             Clergy-man
             ,
             Where
             he
             and
             the
             Spaniards
             should
             be
             ?
             he
             said
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             then
             said
             the
             other
             ,
             Let
             me
             continue
             in
             Hell
             ,
             not
             being
             willing
             to
             be
             with
             such
             cruel
             People
             :
             
               Bartolomeus
               delas
               casas
               Lactantius
               dixit
               ,
               non
               est
               opus
               vi
               et
               injura
               quia
               Religio
               cogi
               non
               potest
               ;
               verbis
               potius
               quam
               verberibus
               ves
               agenda
               est
               ,
               ut
               sit
               voluntas
               .
               Nihil
               est
               enim
               tam
               voluntarium
               quam
               Religio
               ,
               in
               quasi
               animus
               sacrificantis
               aversus
               est
               ,
               jam
               sublata
               ,
               jam
               nulla
               est
               .
            
          
           
             Augustinus
             said
             ,
             He
             did
             not
             approve
             of
             the
             Emperors
             Compelling
             any
             by
             violence
             ,
             contrary
             to
             their
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             he
             with
             Chrisostomus
             ,
             together
             with
             several
             others
             of
             the
             Antient
             Writers
             ,
             inferred
             from
             the
             13th
             .
             of
             Matthew
             ,
             that
             men
             should
             do
             no
             Violence
             to
             Hereticks
             neitheir
             compel
             any
             to
             the
             free
             Faith
             ,
             seeing
             God
             would
             have
             a
             willing
             unforced
             Heart
             .
             
               Chron.
               van
               de
               urijh
               .
               der
               ,
               Rel.
            
             2.
             
               deel
               ,
               pag.
            
             17.
             
          
           
             There
             were
             some
             in
             a
             certain
             National
             Synod
             ,
             that
             did
             much
             endeavour
             to
             stir
             up
             the
             civil
             Powers
             to
             compel
             all
             People
             by
             Fines
             ,
             or
             other
             politick
             Punishments
             ,
             to
             come
             to
             hear
             the
             Sermon
             ;
             but
             others
             bare
             Testimony
             against
             such
             politick
             
             Corrections
             ,
             as
             to
             punish
             by
             Fines
             ,
             Imprisonments
             ,
             &c.
             which
             they
             esteem
             unfitting
             to
             be
             introduced
             into
             the
             Church
             ,
             being
             they
             were
             inconsistant
             with
             the
             Christian
             Long-Suffering
             and
             Meekness
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             which
             they
             had
             no
             Example
             neither
             in
             the
             Old
             nor
             New
             Testament
             .
             Anno
             1619.
             
          
           
             Calvin
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Apostle
             gave
             to
             understand
             ,
             that
             to
             exercise
             Authority
             over
             ones
             Faith
             ,
             was
             in
             no
             wise
             just
             nor
             tolerable
             ;
             yea
             ,
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             it
             is
             Tyranny
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             for
             Faith
             ought
             to
             be
             free
             from
             all
             Subjection
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             Though
             some
             are
             yet
             of
             that
             Opinion
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             lawful
             for
             the
             Magistrates
             to
             compel
             People
             contrary
             to
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             by
             corporal
             Punishments
             ,
             yea
             even
             to
             the
             Death
             ,
             for
             to
             make
             them
             keep
             silent
             ,
             or
             confess
             things
             contrary
             to
             their
             minds
             :
             Yet
             most
             of
             the
             Old
             Fathers
             have
             alledged
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             not
             been
             lawful
             for
             the
             Magistrates
             to
             touch
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             as
             to
             force
             it
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             .
             
               Merck-teyck
               .
               Chap.
            
             4.
             2
             
             Deel
             .
             pag.
             132.
             
          
           
             The
             Antient
             Christians
             did
             not
             approve
             of
             any
             External
             Compulsion
             ,
             but
             only
             by
             Intreating
             ,
             by
             good
             Living
             ,
             with
             Exhortations
             ,
             Doctrins
             ,
             Informations
             and
             endeavours
             ,
             they
             laboured
             to
             convince
             People
             ,
             and
             through
             the
             Word
             of
             Truth
             ,
             they
             sought
             to
             bring
             People
             Captive
             so
             under
             the
             Obedience
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             like
             means
             now
             do
             not
             prevail
             ,
             then
             no
             humane
             invention
             through
             doing
             Violence
             will
             ,
             for
             that
             will
             rather
             make
             them
             worse
             ,
             as
             heretofore
             it
             hath
             done
             .
          
           
             The
             most
             Violence
             that
             can
             be
             done
             by
             man
             ,
             cannot
             compel
             or
             change
             the
             vain
             infidelity
             of
             the
             mind
             ;
             how
             should
             that
             then
             possibly
             move
             or
             alter
             them
             ,
             that
             are
             unmoveably
             established
             in
             the
             Eternal
             Truth
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             in
             any
             wise
             be
             brought
             to
             receive
             things
             that
             are
             damnable
             ,
             nor
             to
             forsake
             that
             which
             they
             esteem
             to
             be
             necessary
             to
             their
             Salvation
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             V.
             
          
           
             
               A
               Chancellours
               Testimony
               .
               Their
               Folly
               that
               would
               force
               Men
               ,
               and
               the
               Fruits
               thereof
               .
               How
               Iust
               Liberty
               would
               preserve
               Unity
               .
               And
               how
               they
               that
               Force
               others
               ,
               would
               not
               be
               forced
               .
            
          
           
             TThe
             Chancellour
             of
             France
             said
             in
             the
             great
             Assembly
             of
             the
             three
             States
             before
             the
             King
             ,
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 absurdity
                 of
                 the
                 Romish
                 Church
                 was
                 the
                 Cause
                 of
                 Heresie
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 That
                 evil
                 Remedies
                 had
                 strengthened
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Weapons
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 Information
                 with
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 were
                 fit
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 Battle
                 .
              
               
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 That
                 a
                 good
                 Life
                 Preached
                 more
                 than
                 Words
                 .
              
               
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Sword
                 could
                 do
                 little
                 against
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 except
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 undoe
                 both
                 Body
                 and
                 Soul.
                 
                   In
                   the
                   Comm.
                   Fol.
                
                 132.
                 
              
            
          
           
             Are
             they
             not
             carnal
             and
             violent
             Ishmaelites
             (
             said
             one
             )
             who
             would
             Violently
             Force
             rational
             Men
             (
             often
             to
             humane
             and
             damnable
             Opinions
             )
             as
             Horses
             and
             Mules
             ,
             and
             not
             with
             kindness
             intreat
             ,
             and
             only
             instruct
             with
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             invite
             to
             the
             needful
             spiritual
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Truth
             ,
             and
             true
             Worship
             ,
             as
             reasonable
             and
             free
             men
             .
          
           
             
               Humani
               juris
               et
               naturalis
               potestatis
               est
               unicuique
               ,
               quod
               putaverit
               colere
               ,
               nec
               alij
               prodest
               aut
               obest
               alterius
               Religio
               ;
               sed
               nec
               Religionis
               est
               cogere
               Religionem
               que
               sponte
               non
               vi
               suscipi
               debeat
               .
            
          
           
             Erasmus
             said
             ,
             the
             Divines
             not
             relying
             upon
             that
             Power
             wherewith
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             Armed
             ,
             they
             make
             Violence
             their
             Refuge
             ,
             as
             if
             men
             might
             be
             compelled
             to
             believe
             otherwise
             than
             their
             Opinion
             .
          
           
             When
             several
             of
             the
             Priests
             in
             the
             Low-Country
             ,
             Requested
             of
             the
             Prince
             and
             States
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             introduce
             Ordinances
             and
             Disciplin
             according
             to
             their
             Opinions
             ;
             but
             the
             Prince
             and
             the
             States
             rejected
             their
             Requests
             ,
             esteeming
             them
             prejuditial
             both
             to
             Religion
             and
             Policy
             ,
             when
             they
             observed
             the
             
             divers
             Opinions
             that
             were
             among
             the
             People
             ,
             concluding
             it
             was
             the
             best
             (
             as
             many
             Politicians
             have
             done
             )
             to
             preserve
             Unity
             among
             the
             People
             ,
             to
             give
             Liberty
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             to
             compel
             none
             ,
             Anno
             1608.
             
             
               Edict
               .
               Fol.
            
             27.
             
          
           
             It
             hath
             also
             been
             the
             judgement
             of
             many
             ,
             That
             
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             hath
             made
             many
             Hipocrites
             ,
             but
             no
             true
             Servants
             of
             God
             :
             Therefore
             ought
             men
             to
             strive
             with
             the
             Word
             and
             Disputation
             ,
             and
             to
             conquer
             with
             Reason
             ,
             said
             Augustinus
             ,
             least
             that
             we
             make
             them
             Hypocritically
             Catholicks
             ,
             whom
             before
             we
             have
             known
             to
             be
             manifest
             
               Hereticks
               .
               Anno
            
             1200.
             
          
           
             The
             Chronicles
             do
             shew
             ,
             how
             that
             they
             that
             are
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             but
             seemingly
             Religious
             ,
             do
             commonly
             joyn
             themselves
             to
             that
             Religion
             or
             Sect
             which
             is
             the
             uppermost
             ,
             whereby
             they
             may
             live
             in
             Ease
             ,
             Honour
             and
             Fulness
             ,
             and
             get
             profit
             and
             preferment
             ,
             through
             Places
             and
             Offices
             ;
             instancing
             how
             that
             in
             England
             ,
             there
             were
             them
             in
             the
             Dayes
             of
             
               King
               Hendrick
            
             and
             Edward
             ,
             that
             shewed
             themselves
             to
             be
             Protestants
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             Dayes
             of
             
               Queen
               Mary
            
             Papists
             ,
             and
             Persecuted
             others
             to
             Death
             ,
             and
             afterwards
             in
             the
             dayes
             of
             
               Queen
               Elizabeth
            
             ,
             got
             again
             in
             the
             lap
             of
             the
             Protestant
             Church
             ,
             and
             then
             persecuted
             the
             Papists
             ;
             vide
             the
             second
             part
             of
             the
             Chronicle
             of
             the
             overthrow
             of
             Tyrants
             ,
             pag.
             1502.
             
          
           
             Arennius
             affirmed
             ,
             That
             all
             
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             ,
             though
             it
             was
             but
             a
             forbidding
             of
             the
             Exercise
             which
             is
             esteemed
             by
             one
             or
             another
             to
             be
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             was
             in
             no
             wise
             right
             nor
             fitting
             :
             He
             also
             affirmed
             ,
             That
             through
             Diversities
             of
             Religions
             ,
             the
             Kingdom
             should
             not
             be
             brought
             into
             any
             Disturbance
             .
          
           
             The
             Antient
             Reformed
             Protestants
             ,
             termed
             that
             
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             constrained
             to
             leave
             off
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Car
               nous
               privant
               de
               nostre
               Religion
               ,
               on
               nous
               tiendroit
               en
               une
               continuele
               mort
               corporelle
               &
               spirituelle
               .
            
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
             For
             to
             deprive
             us
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             is
             to
             keep
             us
             in
             a
             perpetual
             corporal
             and
             spiritual
             Death
             .
             Adding
             thereunto
             ,
             how
             that
             they
             would
             rather
             be
             put
             to
             Death
             ,
             than
             be
             bereaved
             of
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Many
             have
             testified
             ,
             and
             many
             do
             testifie
             ,
             that
             
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             is
             a
             wicked
             destructive
             means
             ,
             both
             for
             Soul
             and
             Body
             ,
             
             against
             which
             the
             Martyrs
             that
             have
             suffered
             have
             universally
             born
             Testimony
             .
          
           
             Now
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Wise
             Man
             )
             Let
             these
             consider
             ,
             who
             do
             so
             much
             stir
             up
             the
             Powers
             of
             the
             Earth
             to
             Force
             free
             minds
             against
             their
             consciences
             ,
             whether
             they
             would
             be
             forced
             by
             violence
             against
             their
             conscience
             ,
             to
             imbrace
             the
             Popes
             Faith
             of
             Rome
             ,
             with
             all
             its
             Superstitions
             ,
             or
             that
             which
             is
             worse
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             pain
             of
             death
             :
             Let
             such
             then
             judge
             (
             said
             he
             )
             how
             hard
             it
             is
             to
             be
             Forced
             against
             ones
             conscience
             to
             any
             Form
             of
             Worship
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             in
             the
             Spirit
             and
             Truth
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             If
             any
             durst
             speak
             freely
             what
             he
             beleiveth
             ,
             and
             thinketh
             in
             his
             heart
             (
             saith
             Castellio
             )
             he
             should
             say
             that
             he
             thinketh
             ,
             and
             believeth
             that
             such
             Forcers
             are
             absolute
             Tyrants
             ;
             and
             that
             whereunto
             they
             press
             him
             is
             not
             good
             :
             And
             if
             formerly
             he
             had
             any
             inclination
             thereunto
             ,
             that
             he
             through
             such
             violence
             cometh
             wholly
             to
             abhor
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             Antient
             Protestants
             testified
             ,
             that
             that
             Religion
             which
             was
             defended
             with
             cruelty
             ,
             was
             not
             grounded
             upon
             the
             Word
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI.
             
          
           
             
               A
               shift
               of
               the
               Popes
               ;
               a
               humane
               invention
               ;
               how
               the
               Spiritual
               Kingdome
               ,
               and
               true
               Church
               ,
               subsisteth
               and
               is
               Defended
               by
               Spiritual
               Weapons
               ;
               and
               how
               Persecution
               answereth
               not
               the
               end
               of
               Persecutors
               .
            
          
           
             THE
             History
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             that
             this
             is
             one
             of
             the
             Popes
             Maxim's
             ,
             (
             viz.
             )
             that
             when
             he
             sees
             the
             Spiritual
             Weapons
             are
             not
             sufficient
             for
             him
             ,
             then
             doth
             he
             fly
             unto
             the
             carnal
             ,
             therewith
             to
             help
             himself
             :
             
               Int
               Duii●se
            
             ,
             244.
             
          
           
             And
             others
             have
             been
             and
             are
             of
             that
             opinion
             ,
             That
             Religion
             could
             not
             be
             preserved
             without
             the
             Magistrates
             Sword
             ,
             therefore
             understood
             they
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             to
             be
             cryed
             unto
             for
             help
             ,
             as
             many
             do
             now
             .
          
           
             But
             
               Ireneus
               Philaletius
            
             said
             ,
             That
             this
             was
             but
             a
             humane
             invention
             of
             the
             Natural
             understanding
             ,
             which
             would
             gladly
             
             change
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             in
             vain
             said
             he
             .
          
           
             The
             
               States
               of
               Holland
            
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             true
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             ,
             who
             did
             perfectly
             trust
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             had
             no
             External
             Sword
             ,
             nither
             did
             they
             call
             unto
             any
             civill
             Power
             for
             Protection
             ;
             but
             they
             used
             the
             Sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             living
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             with
             which
             they
             defended
             the
             Church
             ,
             &c.
             
               vide
               urede
               Handel
               van
               Colen
            
             ,
             Pag.
             198.
             
          
           
             Barnardus
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Kindome
             of
             Christ
             was
             Spiritul
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             was
             builded
             by
             Spiritual
             Vertues
             ,
             so
             was
             it
             spread
             ,
             preserved
             ,
             and
             established
             with
             Spiritual
             Weapons
             ;
             for
             its
             Enemies
             were
             and
             are
             Spiritual
             ,
             Eph.
             6.11
             .
             &
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Lactantius
             said
             ,
             If
             you
             will
             with
             blood
             ,
             with
             evil
             ,
             and
             with
             torments
             defend
             the
             Worship
             ,
             it
             shall
             not
             thereby
             be
             defended
             ,
             but
             polluted
             ,
             Lib.
             5.
             
             Chap.
             20.
             
          
           
             The
             Apostles
             had
             not
             the
             assistance
             of
             Emperours
             ,
             Kings
             ,
             Princes
             ,
             nor
             Lords
             ;
             but
             had
             even
             the
             whole
             World
             against
             them
             ,
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Wise
             Man
             )
             wherefore
             how
             can
             this
             stirring
             up
             ,
             and
             instigating
             of
             Magistrates
             be
             Evangelical
             ,
             or
             according
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ?
             Or
             how
             can
             this
             work
             of
             tumultuous
             Teachers
             ,
             bring
             honour
             to
             Gods
             Word
             and
             his
             Truth
             ?
             Who
             hath
             heretofore
             defended
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             was
             it
             defended
             by
             Pilate
             ?
             Or
             was
             the
             Church
             of
             the
             Apostles
             no
             Church
             ?
             What
             coercive
             Power
             or
             outward
             Protection
             had
             they
             ?
             Or
             what
             external
             Power
             ,
             or
             outward
             defence
             had
             their
             Church
             in
             the
             Beginning
             ?
             And
             cannot
             the
             true
             Church
             now
             subsist
             ,
             with
             that
             which
             she
             had
             in
             the
             Begining
             ?
          
           
             And
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             many
             who
             have
             suffered
             much
             Persecution
             for
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             conscience
             ,
             have
             been
             thereby
             strengthened
             ,
             and
             have
             therein
             multiplyed
             ;
             therefore
             it
             is
             apparent
             ,
             that
             the
             fruit
             of
             Persecuting
             to
             death
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             is
             wholly
             contrary
             to
             the
             determination
             of
             Persecutors
             .
          
           
             Castellius
             said
             ,
             That
             Paul
             strove
             with
             Spiritual
             Weapons
             ,
             and
             thereby
             overcame
             hundreds
             ;
             but
             we
             (
             alas
             said
             he
             )
             are
             together
             by
             hundreds
             to
             put
             to
             death
             one
             single
             man
             ,
             and
             appear
             for
             Christ
             with
             fleshly
             Weapons
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             People
             might
             understand
             ,
             
             that
             we
             are
             stripped
             of
             the
             Spiritual
             Weapons
             ,
             and
             will
             have
             a
             fleshly
             Christ.
             
          
           
             But
             seeing
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             Planted
             the
             Church
             were
             satisfied
             with
             their
             Spiritual
             Weapons
             ;
             it
             is
             then
             evident
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             make
             use
             of
             carnal
             Weapons
             ,
             confide
             not
             sufficiently
             in
             the
             Spiritual
             ,
             which
             they
             would
             confide
             in
             no
             doubt
             if
             they
             had
             them
             ,
             seeing
             they
             are
             alsufficient
             ,
             as
             shall
             appear
             at
             the
             coming
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             who
             will
             conquer
             Antichrist
             his
             greatest
             Enemy
             ,
             with
             no
             other
             Weapon
             ,
             then
             with
             the
             Sword
             of
             his
             Mouth
             .
          
           
             Constantinus
             the
             Emperour
             said
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             enough
             that
             he
             preserved
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             Faith
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             excusable
             before
             the
             judgement
             Seat
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             would
             leave
             every
             one
             to
             his
             own
             understanding
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             account
             he
             will
             give
             before
             the
             judgement
             Seat
             of
             Christ
             ;
             hereto
             may
             we
             stir
             up
             People
             (
             said
             he
             )
             not
             compel
             them
             ,
             beseech
             them
             to
             come
             into
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             Christians
             ;
             but
             to
             do
             violence
             to
             them
             ,
             we
             will
             not
             in
             no
             wise
             .
          
           
             [
             Nota
             ]
             Herein
             was
             Constantinus
             much
             commended
             ,
             because
             that
             he
             tollerated
             every
             one
             to
             believe
             ,
             and
             to
             serve
             God
             as
             he
             was
             perswaded
             in
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
             esteeming
             his
             gentleness
             and
             mercy
             more
             available
             ,
             then
             severe
             Proclamations
             ;
             and
             in
             this
             particular
             he
             was
             not
             deceived
             ,
             
               Sabast.
               Frank.
               Chron.
               fol.
            
             127.
             
          
           
             The
             Christian
             Religion
             (
             said
             the
             States
             of
             Holland
             )
             is
             a
             great
             Mistery
             ,
             for
             the
             furtherance
             of
             which
             God
             doth
             not
             make
             use
             of
             wicked
             Souldiers
             ,
             nor
             of
             Bow
             ,
             nor
             of
             Sword
             ,
             but
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             the
             Shepherds
             that
             are
             sent
             by
             him
             ;
             further
             they
             said
             it
             was
             not
             their
             intention
             to
             compell
             any
             to
             their
             Religion
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             
               How
               the
               Inquisitioners
               and
               Clergy
               have
               stirred
               up
               the
               Powers
               to
               Persecute
               ;
               and
               what
               fair
               pretences
               Persecutors
               have
               had
               ;
               how
               dangerous
               it
               is
               to
               root
               out
               the
               Tares
               before
               the
               time
               ;
               and
               wherein
               the
               Ancient
               Protestants
               have
               been
               more
               Noble
               than
               the
               Clergy
               now
               .
            
          
           
             IT
             is
             a
             common
             thing
             with
             many
             ,
             to
             accuse
             those
             with
             troubling
             of
             the
             Churches
             peace
             ,
             and
             with
             disturbing
             of
             the
             publick
             peace
             ,
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             wise
             Man
             )
             who
             teach
             otherwise
             than
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             who
             speak
             any
             thing
             against
             the
             Clergy
             ,
             or
             dispute
             with
             any
             of
             their
             restless
             Priests
             ,
             or
             hold
             their
             Meetings
             apart
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             in
             all
             civility
             and
             stilness
             .
          
           
             In
             like
             manner
             hath
             the
             Inquisitioners
             and
             the
             Clergy
             (
             said
             he
             )
             stirred
             up
             the
             Emperour
             ,
             the
             King
             of
             Spain
             and
             of
             France
             ,
             to
             terrible
             Persecution
             ,
             laying
             it
             upon
             their
             consciences
             to
             quit
             themselves
             severely
             against
             the
             Hereticks
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             escape
             the
             Lords
             reproof
             ,
             though
             most
             of
             their
             Subjects
             and
             Land
             should
             perish
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Clergy
             had
             prevailed
             with
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             declared
             in
             their
             Proclamations
             and
             Edicts
             ,
             That
             their
             intent
             was
             onely
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Salvation
             of
             the
             Hereticks
             Souls
             ,
             and
             to
             prevent
             the
             peoples
             being
             drawn
             to
             any
             cursed
             Error
             or
             Sect
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             should
             continue
             in
             subjection
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             old
             observations
             of
             the
             Mother
             ,
             the
             H.
             Church
             ,
             and
             H.
             Christians
             Faith
             and
             Sacraments
             ,
             as
             appears
             from
             their
             Proclamations
             ,
             Annis
             .
             1538
             ,
             1546
             ,
             1560
             ,
             1564.
             
          
           
             Erasmus
             said
             ,
             How
             that
             sometime
             it
             cometh
             to
             passe
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             with
             more
             fury
             ,
             then
             with
             good
             understanding
             carry
             on
             matters
             ,
             do
             sometime
             not
             only
             root
             out
             the
             Wheat
             with
             the
             Tares
             (
             which
             Christ
             hath
             forbidden
             )
             but
             also
             in
             place
             of
             rootting
             out
             the
             Tares
             do
             root
             out
             the
             Wheat
             ;
             seeing
             they
             Judge
             before
             they
             have
             understanding
             ,
             or
             will
             make
             that
             odious
             ,
             which
             is
             well
             spoken
             by
             perverting
             of
             it
             ;
             And
             they
             will
             have
             that
             to
             be
             a
             Zeal
             for
             Religion
             ,
             and
             a
             detesting
             of
             Heresie
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             
             the
             onely
             destroying
             of
             Godliness
             and
             Unity
             .
             
               Chron.
               van
               de
               Rel.
               urijh
            
             .
             2
             Deel
             ,
             pag.
             33.
             
          
           
             Augustinus
             said
             ,
             Some
             disturbed
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             while
             they
             went
             about
             to
             root
             out
             the
             Tares
             before
             the
             time
             ;
             and
             through
             this
             Error
             of
             blindness
             (
             said
             he
             )
             are
             they
             themselves
             seperated
             so
             much
             the
             more
             from
             being
             united
             unto
             Christ.
             
          
           
             Retnaldus
             testified
             ,
             That
             he
             who
             with
             Imprisoning
             and
             Persecuting
             seeketh
             to
             spread
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             greaseth
             his
             hands
             with
             blood
             ,
             shall
             much
             rather
             be
             looked
             upon
             for
             a
             wild
             Hunter
             ,
             then
             a
             Preacher
             ,
             or
             a
             Defender
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Erasmus
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             World
             had
             common
             Lawes
             for
             to
             punish
             offenders
             ;
             but
             the
             Christian
             meeknesse
             must
             rather
             use
             diligence
             to
             reform
             men
             ,
             then
             to
             judge
             them
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             begining
             of
             Reformation
             (
             saith
             the
             Chron.
             )
             the
             Church
             gloried
             of
             the
             Truths
             Weapons
             ,
             and
             desired
             that
             those
             that
             had
             any
             thing
             to
             say
             concerning
             their
             Doctrine
             ,
             should
             freely
             reprove
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             would
             defend
             the
             same
             with
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             ;
             Exhorting
             people
             in
             their
             Pulpits
             ,
             and
             freely
             proffering
             to
             confer
             or
             Dispute
             with
             any
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             had
             then
             freedome
             .
          
           
             But
             now
             will
             not
             the
             Clergy
             (
             said
             the
             same
             Author
             )
             be
             spoken
             against
             ,
             who
             sit
             at
             ease
             in
             Pride
             ,
             Idleness
             ,
             and
             Fulness
             ;
             and
             if
             any
             do
             speak
             against
             them
             ,
             they
             will
             so
             much
             as
             in
             them
             lie
             ,
             cause
             such
             to
             suffer
             ,
             charging
             them
             with
             breaking
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             ;
             and
             with
             rayling
             words
             ,
             will
             evade
             entering
             into
             a
             sober
             discourse
             ,
             thereby
             manifesting
             the
             badness
             of
             their
             Cause
             ,
             and
             the
             guiltiness
             of
             their
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             then
             seek
             to
             defend
             themselves
             more
             by
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             then
             with
             Gods
             Word
             and
             Godly
             testimony
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             prejudice
             others
             ,
             by
             procuring
             their
             own
             rest
             and
             peace
             ;
             but
             surely
             this
             is
             neither
             just
             ,
             right
             ,
             nor
             equal
             .
          
           
             Further
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             those
             men
             would
             have
             a
             triumphant
             Church
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ,
             but
             no
             suffering
             ;
             neither
             will
             they
             suffer
             any
             trouble
             ,
             difficulty
             ,
             or
             opposition
             ,
             but
             do
             make
             the
             Magistrate
             believe
             ,
             that
             such
             things
             incurr
             trouble
             ,
             
             Uproar
             ,
             Disturbance
             ,
             &c.
             
             Yet
             nevertheless
             some
             of
             the
             Clergy
             themselves
             have
             put
             forth
             sundry
             Treatises
             ,
             wherein
             they
             shewed
             how
             that
             the
             Peace
             and
             Welfare
             of
             the
             Land
             might
             be
             preserved
             ,
             though
             several
             Religions
             in
             the
             Land
             were
             tollerated
             .
          
           
             
               Quand
               à
               la
               permission
               de
               S'assembler
               es
               Temples
               ,
               Sire
               ,
               aucunc
               division
               &
               tumulte
               ne'n
               adviendra
               entre
               vous
               Subjects
               ,
               mais
               bien
               un
               repos
               public
               &
               extinction
               de
               toute
               Sedition
               Populaire
               .
            
          
           
             As
             touching
             the
             permitting
             the
             assembling
             together
             in
             Temples
             ,
             no
             manner
             of
             Division
             or
             Tumult
             can
             from
             hence
             arise
             among
             your
             Subjects
             ,
             but
             rather
             a
             Publick
             rest
             and
             extinguishing
             of
             all
             Popular
             Sedition
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             Chronicle
             also
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             that
             the
             disturbance
             and
             trouble
             cometh
             not
             through
             those
             that
             live
             orderly
             according
             to
             their
             Conscience
             and
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             exercise
             their
             Religion
             in
             Stilness
             ,
             but
             through
             those
             who
             will
             not
             suffer
             this
             ,
             nor
             bear
             others
             ,
             but
             seek
             to
             have
             the
             Preheminence
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             Lordship
             over
             others
             ,
             and
             therefore
             do
             they
             raise
             up
             Persecution
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             
               States
               of
               Holland
            
             testified
             ,
             
               Dat
               waer
               vervolginghen
               Ziju
               ,
               datter
               daer
               al
               in
               roere
               is
               ,
               maer
               waer
               geen
               en
               sijn
               al
               sijnder
               verscheijden
               Religien
               ,
               dat
               daer
               alle
               saelren
               stilder
               sijn
               ,
               so
               ●olr
               in
               onse
               vijden
               is
               bevonden
               ,
               (
               i.
               e.
               )
            
             That
             where
             there
             was
             Persecution
             ,
             there
             was
             all
             in
             distraction
             ;
             but
             where
             there
             was
             none
             (
             though
             there
             were
             several
             Religions
             )
             there
             all
             things
             were
             the
             quieter
             ;
             as
             have
             been
             evident
             in
             our
             dayes
             ,
             said
             they
             .
             
               Vide
               urede
               Handel
               van
               Coln
               .
               fol.
            
             53.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             
               Concerning
               obedience
               to
               Magistrates
               ;
               the
               vanity
               and
               evil
               of
               forcing
               of
               Conscience
               ;
               Certain
               Mixims
               asserted
               by
               many
               wise
               men
               ,
               how
               Violence
               becometh
               not
               the
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               neither
               hath
               Christ
               nor
               his
               Apostles
               taught
               it
               ,
               nor
               practised
               it
               .
            
          
           
             CAlvin
             said
             ,
             That
             those
             that
             are
             set
             over
             us
             must
             be
             obeyed
             ,
             if
             that
             the
             command
             of
             God
             be
             not
             thereby
             
             disobeyed
             ,
             but
             if
             they
             lead
             us
             from
             Obedience
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             presumptuously
             strive
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
             then
             must
             they
             not
             be
             regarded
             (
             said
             he
             )
             to
             the
             end
             that
             God
             with
             his
             Authority
             may
             retain
             the
             Preheminence
             .
          
           
             The
             
               States
               of
               Holland
            
             ,
             testified
             ,
             That
             Subjects
             were
             not
             obliged
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             whether
             right
             or
             unright
             ,
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             their
             
               Princes
               .
               Int
               plac
               .
               Anno
            
             1581.
             2.
             
             
               Deel
               .
               fol.
            
             12.
             
          
           
             Prince
             of
             Orange
             being
             commanded
             by
             the
             King
             ,
             when
             he
             departed
             out
             of
             Zealand
             ,
             to
             put
             many
             sober
             People
             to
             death
             ,
             who
             were
             suspected
             concerning
             their
             Religion
             ,
             but
             therein
             he
             would
             not
             obey
             the
             King
             ,
             knowing
             he
             could
             not
             do
             it
             with
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             also
             being
             assured
             ,
             
               that
               it
               was
               better
               to
               obey
               God
               than
               man.
               
            
          
           
             Moreover
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Writer
             )
             the
             truth
             with
             sad
             experience
             hath
             learned
             us
             ,
             and
             plainly
             shewn
             us
             ,
             That
             
               forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             and
             Persecuting
             about
             Religion
             is
             not
             onely
             in
             vain
             ,
             but
             a
             direct
             contrary
             means
             ,
             and
             a
             cause
             of
             Sects
             and
             disturbances
             ,
             and
             of
             many
             evils
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Chroncles
               of
               Germany
               ,
               France
            
             and
             the
             
               Low
               Countryes
            
             ,
             do
             abundantly
             testifie
             .
          
           
             The
             States
             of
             Holland
             also
             affirmed
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             to
             find
             out
             means
             of
             any
             good
             and
             certain
             Peace
             ,
             otherwise
             then
             by
             Tollerating
             more
             then
             one
             Religion
             .
          
           
             
               Experientia
               satis
               edocti
               sumus
               ,
               ferrum
               ,
               flammas
               ,
               exilum
               ,
               proscriptiones
               ,
               irritasse
               potius
               ,
               quam
               sannasse
               morbum
               menti
               inhaerentem
               .
            
          
           
             The
             King
             of
             France
             was
             moved
             with
             great
             Zeal
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Bishop
             )
             to
             ordain
             great
             Torment
             and
             punishment
             for
             the
             Hereticks
             ,
             thinking
             thereby
             to
             root
             out
             their
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             to
             Unite
             the
             People
             together
             in
             one
             Opinion
             ;
             but
             in
             his
             determination
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             he
             was
             deceived
             ;
             So
             was
             also
             
               Duke
               d'Alba
            
             ,
             who
             for
             five
             or
             six
             years
             together
             ,
             endeavoured
             with
             exceeding
             great
             Tyranny
             ,
             to
             maintain
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             King
             in
             the
             Low-Countryes
             .
             
               In
               Het
            
             .
             36.
             
               van
               de
               standt
               der
               Rel.
               fol.
            
             190.
             
          
           
             Now
             notwithstanding
             the
             great
             Persecution
             that
             is
             and
             hath
             been
             about
             Religion
             ,
             these
             following
             Maximes
             are
             asserted
             and
             owned
             by
             most
             men
             ;
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   That
                   Faith
                   is
                   the
                   gift
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   That
                   Relgion
                   ought
                   to
                   be
                   free
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 3.
                 
                 
                   That
                   no
                   Religion
                   by
                   Violence
                   can
                   be
                   imprinted
                   in
                   the
                   Heart
                   .
                
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   That
                   Forcing
                   maketh
                   men
                   Hypocrites
                
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   That
                   it
                   is
                   impossible
                   to
                   preserve
                   the
                   Land
                   in
                   Peace
                   ,
                   without
                   giving
                   Liberty
                   for
                   the
                   free
                   exercise
                   of
                   Religion
                   .
                
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   That
                   in
                   one
                   Land
                   or
                   City
                   ,
                   there
                   may
                   be
                   well
                   more
                   Religions
                   than
                   one
                   .
                
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   That
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   seed
                   of
                   Contention
                   and
                   Uproar
                   among
                   the
                   People
                   ,
                   when
                   men
                   contrary
                   to
                   Promise
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   what
                   they
                   ought
                   ,
                   resist
                   one
                   another
                   in
                   their
                   Religion
                   .
                
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 
                   And
                   that
                   prohibiting
                   the
                   free
                   exercise
                   of
                   Religion
                   ,
                   tendeth
                   openly
                   or
                   manifestly
                   to
                   the
                   destruction
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   which
                   happeneth
                   ,
                   when
                   one
                   party
                   with
                   Violence
                   seeketh
                   to
                   root
                   out
                   anothers
                   Religion
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             Nevertheless
             (
             said
             the
             Author
             )
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             that
             many
             foolish
             Zealots
             will
             obstinatly
             run
             on
             in
             that
             destructive
             path
             of
             forcing
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             thereby
             bereave
             others
             of
             the
             Exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Fredericus
             the
             King
             of
             Bohemia
             said
             ,
             That
             in
             these
             last
             times
             there
             were
             many
             different
             Opinions
             risen
             among
             men
             in
             matters
             of
             Faith
             and
             Religion
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             what
             is
             contained
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             setled
             Foundation
             of
             Doctrine
             (
             said
             he
             )
             men
             will
             not
             be
             urged
             ,
             compelled
             or
             forced
             in
             their
             Conscience
             ;
             for
             when
             such
             forcing
             hath
             been
             attempted
             ,
             it
             hath
             had
             an
             evil
             end
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             chiefest
             Kingdoms
             and
             Provinces
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             a
             remarkable
             change
             made
             ;
             for
             through
             this
             means
             ,
             Cities
             come
             to
             be
             more
             ruined
             than
             benefitted
             .
             Vide
             his
             Declaration
             Printed
             in
             the
             
               Hagne
               ,
               Anno
            
             1619.
             
          
           
             It
             doth
             in
             no
             wise
             become
             the
             Preachers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             New-Testament
             ,
             to
             deal
             in
             Matters
             of
             Faith
             by
             Force
             ,
             Violence
             and
             Tyranny
             (
             said
             a
             wise
             Man
             )
             or
             thereunto
             to
             help
             ,
             Counsel
             ,
             or
             Advise
             ;
             but
             with
             Prayer
             ,
             with
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             Lambertus
             testified
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Truly
             things
             are
             not
             well
             ,
             neither
             do
             men
             right
             ,
             when
             they
             go
             about
             to
             remove
             Hereticks
             and
             Errors
             with
             Weapons
             ;
             for
             the
             Truth
             and
             certainty
             of
             the
             Christian
             Doctrin
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             depend
             upon
             the
             uncertain
             Effects
             of
             War
             :
             Therefore
             hath
             neither
             Christ
             himself
             nor
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             taught
             men
             to
             take
             up
             Armes
             against
             them
             that
             were
             reprobated
             from
             the
             Faith
             ,
             as
             if
             that
             were
             an
             external
             means
             for
             to
             rout
             out
             Errors
             ,
             for
             the
             receiving
             or
             spreading
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
             which
             is
             through
             fear
             of
             Weapons
             ,
             is
             more
             like
             unto
             Mahometisme
             ,
             than
             unto
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Stephanus
             the
             King
             of
             Poland
             said
             ,
             Our
             desire
             is
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             Cities
             and
             Inhabitants
             did
             praise
             one
             God
             unanimously
             ;
             but
             it
             hath
             been
             declared
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             latter
             Dayes
             Offences
             shall
             come
             ;
             therefore
             will
             not
             we
             compel
             any
             to
             believe
             (
             said
             he
             )
             but
             will
             keep
             Peace
             and
             concord
             among
             the
             Contentious
             ,
             that
             contend
             about
             Religion
             ,
             and
             defend
             every
             one
             in
             his
             Religion
             .
             Chronicle
             of
             the
             Tyrants
             ,
             second
             P.
             pag.
             1326.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             
               How
               Iudas
               Proselytes
               now
               do
               follow
               his
               footsteps
               ;
               How
               Confusion
               and
               Uproar
               is
               not
               occasioned
               in
               a
               Land
               through
               a
               just
               Toleration
               ,
               but
               rather
               through
               want
               of
               it
               ;
               And
               how
               none
               ought
               to
               be
               Banished
               about
               Religion
               .
            
          
           
             THe
             Histories
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             that
             some
             of
             the
             Clergy
             hath
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Princes
             ought
             to
             kiss
             the
             Son
             ,
             and
             to
             use
             their
             Power
             for
             to
             preserve
             and
             defend
             Religion
             against
             all
             her
             Enemies
             ,
             though
             their
             Lands
             should
             therefore
             be
             spoyled
             :
             But
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             hath
             never
             taught
             any
             man
             so
             to
             kiss
             him
             ,
             though
             he
             was
             so
             unkindly
             kissed
             of
             Iudas
             ,
             as
             many
             Betrayers
             do
             yet
             in
             his
             Members
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             Christ
             nor
             his
             Apostles
             did
             not
             seek
             to
             deliver
             Iudas
             over
             to
             the
             Magistrates
             ,
             but
             Iudas
             sought
             to
             deliver
             Christ
             over
             to
             them
             :
             And
             so
             do
             Iudas
             Children
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             deliver
             the
             true
             Christians
             (
             whom
             they
             falsly
             call
             Hereticks
             )
             into
             the
             Hands
             of
             the
             Earthly
             Powers
             .
          
           
             And
             though
             some
             say
             ,
             That
             People
             of
             different
             Opinions
             ,
             cannot
             live
             together
             in
             a
             Kingdom
             without
             continual
             contention
             ;
             and
             therefore
             say
             they
             ,
             must
             that
             be
             prevented
             with
             Fire
             and
             Sword.
             But
             what
             though
             there
             be
             vertue
             and
             filthiness
             in
             a
             Kingdom
             ,
             good
             and
             bad
             men
             ,
             which
             are
             one
             contrary
             to
             the
             other
             ,
             one
             must
             not
             therefore
             (
             said
             a
             wise
             Man
             )
             to
             prevent
             it
             ,
             bring
             a
             whole
             Kingdom
             or
             Land
             into
             Confusion
             ,
             by
             stirring
             up
             the
             People
             one
             against
             another
             .
          
           
           
             Again
             ,
             the
             true
             Church
             (
             said
             he
             )
             hath
             never
             helped
             her self
             with
             Persecution
             ,
             neither
             doth
             she
             use
             any
             other
             Sword
             than
             God's
             Word
             ,
             which
             she
             having
             and
             keeping
             the
             Commands
             of
             God
             ,
             prepareth
             her self
             for
             to
             bear
             the
             Cross
             ,
             and
             to
             Suffer
             Persecution
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             bring
             Suffering
             upon
             others
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             That
             in
             
               Dutchland
               ,
               Poland
            
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Low-Countryes
             ,
             more
             Religions
             than
             one
             are
             Suffered
             ,
             and
             yet
             there
             are
             not
             continual
             Uproars
             and
             Tumults
             ,
             as
             some
             imagine
             such
             Toleration
             would
             occasion
             in
             a
             Kingdom
             ;
             therefore
             may
             we
             conclude
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             the
             Toleration
             of
             more
             Religions
             than
             one
             ,
             which
             produceth
             Uproar
             in
             a
             Kingdom
             ,
             but
             rather
             the
             untowardness
             and
             perverseness
             of
             them
             that
             seek
             to
             obstruct
             this
             Toleration
             .
          
           
             Camerarius
             said
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             groundless
             and
             irrational
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             Diversities
             of
             Opinions
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             do
             disturb
             the
             Polity
             ;
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             the
             Polity
             is
             disturbed
             ,
             when
             any
             man
             with
             the
             Liberty
             of
             his
             Opinion
             is
             not
             contented
             ,
             but
             will
             molest
             and
             trouble
             others
             .
          
           
             But
             some
             say
             ,
             That
             every
             one
             in
             matters
             of
             Faith
             ,
             are
             bound
             to
             obey
             the
             Magistrates
             under
             whom
             they
             live
             ,
             and
             to
             follow
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             are
             worthy
             of
             Punishment
             who
             do
             it
             not
             .
          
           
             But
             let
             such
             know
             (
             saith
             the
             Author
             )
             that
             they
             do
             not
             only
             hereby
             condemn
             the
             first
             Reformed
             Protestants
             ,
             but
             also
             the
             true
             Prophets
             and
             Apostles
             ,
             yea
             ,
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Martyrs
             ,
             and
             so
             justifie
             their
             Persecutors
             and
             Murderers
             ;
             if
             not
             ,
             then
             may
             not
             the
             Magistrates
             now
             ,
             oppress
             a
             Church
             ,
             or
             a
             Religion
             ,
             as
             many
             of
             the
             disorderly
             Clergy
             would
             gladly
             see
             (
             said
             he
             )
             and
             make
             the
             Magistrates
             believe
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             is
             to
             be
             observed
             ,
             how
             that
             among
             the
             Jews
             there
             were
             many
             Sects
             ,
             as
             the
             
               Pharisees
               ,
               Esseans
               ,
               Galileans
               ,
               Saduces
               ,
               Samaritans
               ,
            
             &c.
             who
             retained
             many
             unwholsome
             Opinions
             ,
             yet
             they
             were
             not
             so
             Persecuted
             ,
             as
             now
             the
             false
             Christians
             do
             Persecute
             one
             another
             .
          
           
             The
             History
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             sufficiently
             proved
             ,
             That
             none
             ought
             to
             Banish
             any
             about
             Religion
             that
             payed
             Tribute
             ;
             yea
             ,
             that
             the
             peaceable
             Jews
             and
             Heathen
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             Banished
             out
             of
             the
             Land
             where
             they
             were
             born
             ;
             for
             that
             
             which
             they
             have
             ,
             they
             possess
             through
             that
             right
             which
             is
             common
             to
             all
             Nations
             ;
             and
             to
             banish
             People
             ,
             is
             said
             to
             be
             directly
             contrary
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Commands
             of
             Love
             ;
             for
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             so
             well
             as
             others
             ,
             
               Ought
               to
               do
               unto
               others
               as
               they
               would
               have
               others
               to
               do
               unto
               them
               ,
            
             And
             if
             they
             would
             not
             be
             Banished
             out
             of
             their
             Dominions
             ,
             then
             should
             not
             they
             Banish
             others
             ;
             and
             Innocency
             becometh
             them
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ,
             who
             ought
             to
             do
             Evil
             to
             no
             man.
             
          
           
             
               Les
               Princes
               qui
               se
               sont
               Gouvernez
               par
               douceur
               &
               clemence
               conjointe
               a
               Iustice
               ,
               &
               qui
               ont
               use
               de
               moderation
               &
               debonnairete
               en
               vers
               leurs
               subjets
               ont
               tousjours
               grandement
               prosperè
               &
               longuement
               regne
               .
            
          
           
             
               Mais
               au
               contraire
               ,
               les
               Princes
               cruels
               ,
               iniques
               ,
               perfides
               &
               oppresseurs
               de
               leurs
               subjets
               ,
               sont
               incontinent
               tombez
               eux
               &
               leur
               estat
               en
               peril
               ●●
               en
               totale
               ruine
               ,
            
             &c.
             par
             .
             N.
             M.
             Anno
             1576.
             
          
           
             Those
             Princes
             that
             have
             ruled
             by
             Gentleness
             and
             Clemency
             added
             to
             Justice
             ,
             and
             have
             exercised
             Moderation
             and
             Meekness
             towards
             their
             Subjects
             alwayes
             ,
             greatly
             prospered
             and
             Reigned
             long
             .
          
           
             But
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             those
             Princes
             that
             have
             been
             Cruel
             ,
             Unjust
             ,
             Perfidious
             and
             Oppressors
             of
             their
             Subjects
             ,
             have
             soon
             faln
             ,
             they
             and
             their
             Estate
             into
             danger
             ,
             or
             total
             Ruin
             ,
             
               N.
               M.
            
             1576.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             
               The
               Severity
               of
               a
               Popish
               Synode
               ;
               The
               Disposition
               of
               the
               right
               Christians
               ;
               How
               Heresie
               is
               not
               slain
               through
               the
               Death
               of
               Hereticks
               ;
               and
               the
               evil
               consequence
               of
               the
               Laws
               ,
               which
               tend
               to
               the
               putting
               of
               Hereticks
               to
               Death
               .
            
          
           
             IN
             a
             General
             Synod
             holden
             at
             Rome
             ,
             it
             was
             forbidden
             men
             to
             hold
             any
             Fellowship
             with
             those
             they
             termed
             Enemies
             of
             Religion
             ,
             neither
             were
             they
             in
             any
             thing
             to
             assist
             them
             ,
             which
             might
             tend
             to
             the
             preserving
             of
             their
             Life
             ,
             and
             great
             things
             were
             promised
             them
             that
             persecuted
             such
             ,
             and
             inflicted
             punishment
             to
             the
             utmost
             upon
             them
             .
             
               Vide
               Merula
            
             ,
             pag.
             772.
             
          
           
             But
             the
             true
             Christians
             Persecute
             no
             man
             about
             Religion
             ,
             
             Socrat.
             lib.
             4.
             chap.
             3.
             
             For
             the
             right
             Christians
             did
             alwayes
             deal
             mercifully
             with
             them
             that
             were
             Hereticks
             indeed
             ,
             and
             not
             Tyrannically
             by
             shedding
             of
             their
             Blood
             ;
             but
             Hereticks
             and
             Infidels
             have
             been
             alwayes
             cruel
             towards
             the
             Christians
             ,
             with
             Persecuting
             of
             them
             to
             Death
             .
          
           
             When
             men
             with
             the
             Truth
             (
             said
             one
             )
             slayeth
             the
             lies
             of
             Hereticks
             ,
             then
             their
             Bodies
             remain
             alive
             ,
             and
             their
             Souls
             come
             to
             be
             cured
             ;
             but
             when
             men
             put
             Hereticks
             to
             death
             ,
             they
             do
             not
             slay
             the
             Heresie
             ,
             but
             rather
             both
             Body
             and
             Soul.
             
          
           
             Veritus
             said
             ,
             Seeing
             Christ
             is
             a
             Lamb
             ,
             whom
             you
             profess
             to
             be
             your
             Head
             and
             Captain
             ,
             then
             it
             behoveth
             you
             to
             be
             Sheep
             ,
             and
             to
             use
             the
             same
             Weapons
             which
             he
             made
             use
             of
             ,
             for
             he
             will
             not
             be
             a
             Shepherd
             of
             Wolves
             ,
             and
             Wild
             Beasts
             ,
             but
             only
             of
             Sheep
             ;
             wherefore
             if
             you
             lose
             the
             nature
             of
             Sheep
             (
             said
             he
             )
             and
             be
             changed
             into
             Wolves
             or
             Wild
             Beasts
             ,
             and
             use
             fleshly
             Weapons
             ,
             then
             will
             you
             exclude
             your selves
             out
             of
             his
             calling
             ,
             and
             forsake
             his
             Banner
             ,
             and
             then
             will
             he
             not
             be
             your
             Captain
             .
          
           
             Often
             doth
             Chrisostomus
             shew
             ,
             how
             that
             the
             true
             Christians
             may
             not
             put
             any
             Heretick
             to
             Death
             ,
             nor
             with
             Violence
             Force
             him
             to
             the
             Faith
             ;
             manifesting
             how
             it
             is
             against
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             Reason
             and
             Equity
             ,
             that
             People
             should
             put
             men
             to
             Death
             because
             of
             their
             Opinion
             or
             Ignorance
             ,
             who
             otherwise
             are
             of
             a
             good
             Life
             and
             Conversation
             .
          
           
             Aug.
             
               Diligite
               homines
               ,
               interficite
               Errores
               ,
               sine
               sevitia
               pro
               veritate
               certate
               .
            
          
           
             Where
             hast
             thou
             ever
             read
             in
             thy
             dayes
             (
             said
             Menno
             )
             in
             the
             Writings
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             that
             Christ
             or
             the
             Apostles
             ever
             cryed
             out
             to
             the
             Magistrates
             for
             their
             Power
             ,
             against
             them
             that
             would
             not
             hear
             their
             Doctrin
             ,
             nor
             obey
             their
             Words
             ?
             I
             know
             certainly
             said
             he
             ,
             that
             where
             the
             Magistrate
             shall
             banish
             with
             the
             Sword
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             the
             right
             Knowledge
             ,
             Spiritual
             Word
             ,
             nor
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             't
             is
             
               Invocare
               brachium
               seculare
            
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             Christian-like
             but
             Tyrannical
             ,
             said
             D.
             Philipsen
             ,
             to
             Banish
             and
             Persecute
             People
             about
             Faith
             and
             Religion
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             so
             do
             ,
             are
             certainly
             of
             the
             Pharisaical
             Generation
             to
             whom
             Stephen
             said
             ,
             
               you
               stiff-necked
               and
               uncircumcised
               in
               heart
               and
               ears
               ,
               you
               do
               alwayes
               resist
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
            
             Acts
             7.51
             ,
             52.
             
          
           
             When
             a
             King
             or
             a
             Prince
             giveth
             forth
             a
             Law
             ,
             by
             virtue
             of
             
             which
             Murderers
             are
             to
             be
             put
             to
             Death
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             People
             that
             own
             and
             obey
             this
             Law
             ,
             will
             do
             their
             best
             in
             helping
             to
             put
             them
             Death
             ,
             whom
             they
             know
             assuredly
             to
             be
             Murderers
             ;
             even
             so
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Writer
             )
             when
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             Presbyters
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             writeth
             or
             publisheth
             ,
             that
             People
             ought
             to
             put
             Hereticks
             to
             Death
             ,
             then
             must
             it
             needs
             follow
             (
             said
             he
             )
             that
             the
             Papists
             shall
             do
             their
             best
             to
             put
             the
             Protestants
             to
             Death
             ,
             and
             the
             Protestants
             the
             Papists
             ,
             the
             Episcopal
             men
             the
             Presbyterians
             ,
             and
             the
             Presbyterians
             the
             Episcopal
             men
             ;
             for
             every
             Sect
             supposeth
             themselves
             to
             be
             the
             right
             Believers
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             they
             esteem
             to
             be
             Hereticks
             ;
             and
             then
             should
             Mannasseh
             with
             Ephraim
             ,
             and
             Ephraim
             with
             Mannasseh
             ,
             rise
             up
             against
             the
             Jews
             ,
             yet
             should
             not
             the
             Wrath
             of
             the
             Lord
             be
             appeased
             .
          
           
             Castellius
             testified
             ,
             how
             that
             some
             of
             the
             Divines
             (
             so
             called
             )
             when
             they
             medled
             with
             Hereticks
             ,
             they
             judged
             them
             all
             to
             be
             Apostates
             ,
             false
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             Blasphemers
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             that
             thereby
             they
             might
             the
             more
             vilifie
             and
             oppresse
             those
             that
             differed
             from
             them
             ;
             which
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             hath
             been
             the
             manner
             of
             all
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             .
          
           
             But
             who
             can
             produce
             a
             Law
             out
             of
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             requires
             Hereticks
             to
             be
             put
             to
             Death
             ?
             't
             is
             true
             (
             said
             he
             )
             there
             are
             Laws
             against
             Blasphemers
             ;
             but
             what
             is
             this
             to
             the
             purpose
             ,
             except
             it
             can
             be
             proved
             that
             Hereticks
             are
             Blasphemers
             ?
             for
             who
             will
             believe
             that
             all
             these
             who
             at
             this
             day
             are
             crlled
             Hereticks
             ,
             are
             Blasphemers
             and
             ungodly
             Men
             ?
             who
             are
             so
             foolish
             as
             to
             believe
             the
             Pope
             (
             who
             judgeth
             the
             Protestants
             to
             be
             Blasphemers
             ,
             because
             they
             differ
             from
             him
             in
             point
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             )
             that
             they
             therefore
             are
             Blasphemers
             ?
             and
             that
             the
             Baptists
             are
             Blasphemers
             ,
             because
             they
             differ
             from
             him
             in
             their
             Baptism
             .
          
           
             Aeontius
             said
             ,
             It
             cannot
             be
             that
             a
             Heretick
             should
             reject
             his
             Errour
             when
             he
             will
             ,
             except
             that
             some
             reason
             constrain
             him
             thereunto
             ;
             Wherefore
             then
             said
             he
             ,
             do
             you
             trouble
             such
             a
             miserable
             man
             ,
             for
             to
             make
             him
             Lie
             ,
             and
             to
             provoke
             him
             more
             and
             more
             to
             Sin
             against
             the
             Lord
             ?
             surely
             men
             cannot
             deny
             but
             that
             it
             is
             an
             Invention
             of
             Satan
             (
             said
             he
             )
             for
             to
             Force
             the
             Servants
             of
             God
             to
             deny
             Christ
             for
             fear
             of
             Punishment
             :
             Further
             (
             said
             he
             )
             people
             must
             seek
             to
             conquer
             such
             men
             ,
             not
             through
             Threatnings
             ,
             
             but
             it
             must
             be
             through
             the
             Power
             of
             certain
             Testimonies
             and
             living
             Manifestations
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Popes
               Counsel
               and
               Intreaty
               ;
               The
               sad
               Effects
               of
               cruel
               Proclamations
               ;
               How
               Inconsistant
               it
               is
               with
               the
               Life
               of
               Christ
               to
               Persecute
               ;
               Under
               what
               pretence
               the
               true
               Believers
               have
               Suffered
               ;
               And
               how
               Persecution
               cannot
               effect
               the
               thing
               for
               which
               it
               is
               intended
               .
            
          
           
             HEresie
             is
             a
             Greek
             Word
             ,
             and
             signifieth
             a
             Sect
             or
             an
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             did
             stiff-neckedly
             cleave
             unto
             evil
             Sects
             were
             called
             by
             the
             Greeks
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             by
             the
             Latines
             Pertinaces
             ,
             and
             by
             us
             are
             they
             called
             Hereticks
             .
             Now
             it
             is
             an
             easie
             matter
             to
             accuse
             a
             man
             of
             being
             a
             Heretick
             ,
             and
             of
             retaining
             Opinions
             contrary
             to
             his
             Conscience
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             a
             difficult
             thing
             ,
             sufficiently
             to
             prove
             and
             manifest
             the
             same
             ;
             for
             all
             the
             Martyrs
             that
             have
             Suffered
             for
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             have
             been
             accused
             with
             being
             Hereticks
             ,
             even
             as
             the
             Innocent
             Lamb
             's
             of
             Christ
             that
             Suffer
             now
             for
             his
             Names
             sake
             ,
             are
             accused
             at
             this
             day
             .
          
           
             
               Pope
               Paul
            
             the
             third
             ,
             counselled
             and
             intreated
             the
             
               Emperour
               Charles
            
             ,
             and
             King
             Ferdinandus
             ,
             to
             compel
             the
             Protestants
             to
             forsake
             their
             Error
             .
             Anno
             1545.
             
          
           
             There
             can
             be
             no
             greater
             Suffering
             and
             Sorrow
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             wise
             Man
             )
             brought
             upon
             such
             as
             fear
             the
             Lord
             ,
             than
             there
             may
             by
             compelling
             them
             through
             Punishment
             ,
             to
             do
             that
             which
             is
             against
             their
             Conscience
             ,
             or
             to
             leave
             off
             such
             an
             Exercise
             as
             they
             are
             perswaded
             in
             their
             Conscience
             is
             necessary
             to
             their
             Salvation
             .
          
           
             The
             History
             do
             shew
             ,
             how
             that
             in
             the
             Low-Countries
             ,
             there
             were
             betwixt
             eighteen
             and
             
               nineteen
               thousand
            
             Men
             put
             to
             Death
             ,
             upon
             their
             resisting
             of
             the
             Inquisition
             ,
             being
             brought
             into
             those
             Parts
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             ,
             the
             Chronicle
             testifieth
             ,
             That
             in
             the
             Dayes
             of
             Charles
             the
             Emperor
             ,
             there
             were
             above
             
               fifty
               thousand
            
             Men
             put
             to
             Death
             by
             Proclamations
             ;
             some
             Proclamations
             did
             forbid
             
             upon
             pain
             of
             Death
             ,
             Peoples
             holding
             any
             Fellowship
             with
             them
             that
             fled
             ,
             or
             were
             Banished
             about
             Religion
             ,
             or
             of
             assisting
             them
             with
             Money
             or
             Provision
             ;
             yea
             ,
             one
             was
             Hanged
             (
             saith
             the
             Chronicle
             )
             because
             he
             entertained
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
             
               Merck-tyck
               .
               pag.
            
             77.
             
          
           
             Now
             ,
             if
             any
             Emperor
             ,
             King
             ,
             Prince
             ,
             or
             Superiours
             ,
             should
             through
             the
             Counsel
             of
             the
             Divines
             or
             Clergy
             ,
             goe
             the
             same
             way
             that
             this
             Emperor
             Charles
             went
             with
             his
             Son
             King
             Phillip
             ,
             who
             were
             Destroyed
             with
             their
             Land
             and
             People
             ;
             who
             may
             not
             so
             truly
             ,
             as
             certainly
             Prophesie
             and
             warn
             such
             Powers
             ,
             who
             wilfully
             take
             such
             a
             Course
             (
             said
             the
             Author
             )
             that
             they
             also
             will
             bring
             themselves
             with
             their
             Land
             ,
             Religion
             ,
             and
             Subjects
             to
             Ruine
             ?
          
           
             
               M.
               Publ.
               Alienis
               malis
               cautior
               .
               Seneca
               ,
            
             21.
             
          
           
             Some
             are
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             of
             that
             Opinion
             ,
             That
             there
             are
             no
             People
             that
             ought
             to
             be
             more
             severely
             Punished
             than
             Hereticks
             ,
             Blasphemers
             ,
             and
             Contemners
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             But
             what
             said
             Erasmus
             ,
             Is
             it
             a
             greater
             Transgression
             to
             be
             a
             Christian
             than
             to
             be
             a
             Murtherer
             of
             Father
             or
             Mother
             ,
             &c.
             
             But
             such
             things
             shall
             the
             Devil
             raise
             up
             against
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             and
             oftentimes
             they
             are
             called
             Hereticks
             ,
             who
             do
             so
             little
             contemn
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             die
             for
             their
             Religion
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             appears
             (
             said
             he
             )
             that
             they
             are
             no
             despisers
             of
             Religion
             ,
             who
             are
             so
             given
             up
             to
             Suffer
             ,
             for
             to
             keep
             a
             good
             Conscience
             before
             God.
             
          
           
             Likewise
             ,
             He
             appears
             to
             be
             free
             from
             Blasphemy
             ,
             who
             will
             rather
             die
             ,
             than
             by
             imbracing
             Error
             will
             be
             freed
             from
             Death
             or
             Persecution
             ;
             such
             appear
             to
             be
             free
             from
             Blaspheming
             God
             willingly
             .
          
           
             And
             as
             concerning
             the
             Life
             of
             Christ
             ,
             that
             hath
             been
             alwayes
             so
             meek
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             as
             possible
             to
             find
             an
             Example
             of
             a
             Lambs
             devouring
             of
             a
             Wolf
             ,
             as
             of
             that
             putting
             a
             Heretick
             to
             Death
             by
             the
             Sword
             ;
             and
             they
             in
             whom
             his
             Spirit
             dwelleth
             are
             minded
             like
             him
             :
             But
             as
             concerning
             Persecutors
             ,
             while
             in
             the
             New-Testament
             they
             find
             nothing
             but
             Meekness
             ,
             which
             is
             directly
             contrary
             to
             their
             Persecution
             (
             said
             he
             )
             therefore
             are
             they
             necessitated
             to
             fly
             unto
             the
             Old
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             suffiiently
             manifest
             whose
             Spirits
             Children
             they
             are
             .
          
           
           
             This
             doth
             the
             multitude
             of
             the
             Martyrs
             testifie
             with
             their
             Innocent
             Blood
             ,
             how
             that
             the
             true
             Believers
             ,
             have
             Suffered
             as
             Hereticks
             ,
             Blasphemers
             ,
             Uproar-makers
             ,
             Contemners
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             Seducers
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Yet
             it
             is
             a
             fast
             and
             certain
             Rule
             (
             saith
             the
             History
             )
             That
             where
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             and
             his
             truth
             hath
             place
             ,
             that
             there
             must
             all
             Consultations
             of
             Persecutions
             cease
             ;
             then
             much
             more
             the
             thing
             it self
             ,
             knowing
             that
             their
             Weapons
             are
             wholly
             Spiritual
             (
             even
             as
             God
             and
             his
             whole
             Kingdom
             is
             )
             which
             must
             be
             used
             and
             Felt
             ,
             and
             keep
             the
             Authority
             ;
             for
             there
             are
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             Weapons
             of
             Love
             ,
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             of
             Peace
             ,
             and
             of
             Patience
             ,
             whereby
             the
             inward
             Understanding
             of
             the
             Heart
             and
             Soul
             ,
             may
             be
             brought
             unto
             the
             right
             Way
             :
             But
             what
             is
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             with
             fleshly
             Weapons
             ,
             alas
             (
             said
             he
             )
             in
             no
             wise
             fitting
             ,
             but
             like
             unto
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             run
             on
             in
             the
             broad
             Way
             to
             Destruction
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             it
             is
             evident
             enough
             ,
             for
             in
             the
             whole
             Europa
             ,
             Experience
             hath
             learned
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             cruel
             Condemning
             ,
             Banishing
             ,
             Persecuting
             and
             putting
             Hereticks
             to
             Death
             about
             Matters
             of
             Faith
             and
             Religion
             ,
             is
             an
             absolute
             contrary
             means
             ,
             for
             to
             rout
             out
             Hereticks
             ,
             for
             to
             unite
             the
             divided
             Christendom
             ,
             and
             to
             quiet
             its
             Disturbances
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             hath
             also
             been
             found
             by
             Experience
             ,
             that
             External
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             ,
             can
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             better
             preserved
             in
             a
             Kingdom
             or
             Common-wealth
             ,
             through
             forbearance
             ,
             and
             by
             Suffering
             of
             contrary
             Opinions
             (
             through
             Love
             and
             Christian
             Meekness
             )
             than
             by
             Banishing
             and
             Persecuting
             People
             to
             Death
             ,
             about
             Matters
             of
             Faith
             and
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             
               When
               the
               Bishops
               began
               to
               seek
               the
               help
               of
               the
               Magistrate
               ;
               How
               it
               then
               Ministered
               Offence
               ;
               What
               Punishment
               the
               Church
               heretofore
               had
               (
               according
               to
               the
               Will
               of
               the
               Lord
               )
               for
               Hereticks
               ;
               And
               how
               difficult
               a
               thing
               it
               is
               for
               Magistrates
               to
               judge
               aright
               in
               Matters
               of
               Heresie
               .
            
          
           
             ERasmus
             Testified
             ,
             That
             for
             above
             400.
             
             Years
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             did
             not
             seek
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Emperors
             against
             the
             Hereticks
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             did
             seek
             it
             against
             the
             insufferable
             Wickedness
             of
             the
             Donatisten
             ,
             it
             did
             not
             please
             the
             good
             Party
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             then
             seek
             the
             help
             of
             the
             Civil
             Power
             ;
             for
             they
             then
             Judged
             ,
             that
             it
             became
             not
             the
             Bishops
             to
             use
             any
             other
             Weapons
             ,
             or
             to
             have
             any
             other
             Help
             ,
             than
             the
             Sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             although
             the
             Evil
             was
             incurable
             ,
             yet
             would
             they
             have
             excluded
             it
             by
             Excomunication
             ,
             which
             is
             said
             to
             be
             the
             greatest
             Judgment
             or
             Punishment
             that
             then
             the
             Church
             had
             .
          
           
             Now
             it
             is
             confessed
             ,
             that
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             hath
             manifested
             his
             Will
             by
             that
             which
             is
             left
             upon
             record
             ,
             and
             which
             was
             delivered
             by
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             who
             have
             shewn
             us
             how
             we
             should
             carry
             our selves
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               
                 Towards
                 them
                 that
                 resist
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
              
               2
               Tim.
               2.24
               ,
               25.
               
               Chap.
               3.6.8
               .
               Chap.
               4.15
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 Towards
                 Back-sliders
              
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.20
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 Towards
                 them
                 that
                 deny
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ,
              
               2
               Tim.
               2.16
               ,
               18.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               
                 Towards
                 them
                 that
                 Teach
                 what
                 they
                 ought
                 not
                 ,
                 Titus
              
               1.11
               ,
               13.
               
            
             
               5.
               
               
                 Towards
                 them
                 that
                 cause
                 Divisions
                 and
                 Offences
                 ,
                 Rom.
              
               16.17
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               
                 Towards
                 false
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 Mat.
              
               7.15
               .
               Chap.
               16.11
               ,
               12.
               
            
             
               7.
               
               
                 Towards
                 them
                 that
                 Walk
                 Disorderly
              
               ,
               2
               Thes.
               3.6
               .
            
             
               8.
               
               
                 Towards
                 Pharisaical
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 the
                 Form
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 Power
                 ,
                 Luke
              
               12.1
               .
               2
               Tim.
               3.5
               .
            
             
               9.
               
               
                 Towards
                 false
                 Brethren
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               5.11
               .
            
             
               
               10.
               
               
                 Towards
                 Hereticks
                 ,
                 Titus
              
               3.10
               .
            
             
               11.
               
               
                 Towards
                 Fornicators
                 ,
                 and
                 Idolaters
              
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               5.11
               .
            
             
               12.
               
               
                 Towards
                 the
                 Disobedient
              
               ,
               2
               Thess.
               3.14
               .
            
             
               13.
               
               
                 Towards
                 the
                 Stiff-necked
                 ,
                 Mat.
              
               18.17
               .
            
          
           
             Thus
             it
             appears
             from
             the
             Scripture
             of
             Truth
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             not
             the
             Will
             of
             our
             Lord
             and
             Lawgiver
             ,
             That
             they
             should
             be
             punished
             with
             severe
             Punishments
             in
             Prisons
             ,
             or
             by
             Banishment
             ,
             or
             by
             having
             their
             Goods
             spoyled
             ,
             or
             by
             being
             put
             to
             Death
             ;
             nay
             ,
             but
             he
             hath
             rather
             commanded
             ,
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   That
                   with
                   Meekness
                   we
                   should
                   Instruct
                   ,
                
              
               
                 2
                 Tim.
                 24.25
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Deliver
                   unto
                   Satan
                
                 ,
              
               
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.20
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Sharply
                   to
                   rebuke
                
                 ,
              
               
                 Tit.
                 1.11
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   To
                   avoid
                   them
                
                 ,
              
               
                 Rom.
                 16.17
                 .
                 2
                 Thes.
                 3.6
                 .
                 2
                 Ioh.
                 10.11
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   To
                   beware
                   of
                   them
                
                 ,
              
               
                 Mat.
                 7.15
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   To
                   have
                   no
                   fellowship
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                
              
               
                 1
                 Cor.
                 5.11
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   To
                   reject
                   them
                
                 ,
              
               
                 Tit.
                 3.10
                 .
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.15
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 
                   To
                   let
                   them
                   alone
                
                 ,
              
               
                 Mat.
                 15.14
                 .
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 
                   To
                   esteem
                   them
                   as
                   Heathens
                   or
                   Publicans
                   ,
                
              
               
                 Mat.
                 18.17
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Thus
             we
             see
             the
             Laws
             that
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             hath
             ordained
             for
             their
             Punishment
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             that
             the
             Fruits
             hereafter
             mentioned
             might
             be
             brought
             forth
             ;
             for
             God
             willeth
             not
             (
             as
             many
             blood
             thirsty
             Men
             )
             that
             they
             should
             die
             and
             perish
             ;
             but
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             is
             ;
             
               
                 That
                 they
                 all
                 should
                 repent
                 ,
              
               
                 2
                 Pet
                 3.9
                 .
                 2
                 Tim.
                 2.25
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 they
                 cease
                 from
                 mens
                 Traditions
                 .
              
               
               
                 That
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 ashamed
                 ,
              
               
                 2
                 Thes.
                 3.14
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 they
                 might
                 learn
                 not
                 to
                 Blaspheme
                 ,
              
               
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.20
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
              
               
                 Tit.
                 1.13
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 the
                 Spirit
                 might
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
              
               
                 1
                 Cor.
                 5.5
                 .
              
            
             For
             the
             Power
             which
             the
             Lord
             hath
             given
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             was
             to
             Edification
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             Destruction
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             13.10
             .
          
           
             Erasmus
             said
             ,
             The
             Christian
             Meekness
             must
             satisfie
             it self
             with
             these
             Punishments
             ;
             to
             Stone
             ,
             that
             is
             the
             Jewes
             work
             ;
             but
             the
             true
             Christians
             work
             is
             to
             Heal.
             
          
           
             Ambrosius
             said
             ,
             That
             Hereticks
             were
             only
             to
             be
             Punished
             by
             Excomunication
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             be
             Beat
             and
             Persecuted
             ;
             for
             so
             did
             the
             Heathen
             said
             he
             ,
             that
             knew
             not
             God
             :
             And
             Ignatius
             said
             ,
             you
             shall
             seperate
             your selves
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             exhort
             them
             to
             Repentance
             .
          
           
           
             
               In
               Haereticis
               coercendis
               quatenus
               progredi
               liceat
               ubi
               nominatius
               eos
               ultimo
               supplicio
               affici
               non
               deberi
               aperte
               demonstratur
               ,
            
             Christlinge
             Impressum
             ,
             Anno
             1577.
             
             Sectio
             2.
             
          
           
             Chrisostomus
             said
             ,
             That
             he
             was
             not
             such
             a
             Fool
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             would
             suffer
             them
             to
             be
             his
             Judges
             who
             were
             his
             open
             Enemies
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             against
             all
             right
             and
             reason
             ,
             that
             he
             who
             is
             the
             Accuser
             ,
             and
             Witness
             ,
             should
             also
             be
             Judge
             .
             Every
             one
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             will
             be
             judge
             over
             another
             ,
             yet
             none
             acknowledging
             the
             other
             to
             be
             his
             Judge
             .
          
           
             Tell
             me
             then
             ye
             wise
             Men
             (
             who
             would
             have
             the
             Hereticks
             Punished
             ,
             or
             Persecuted
             to
             Death
             by
             the
             Magistrate
             )
             who
             shall
             be
             the
             Judge
             ,
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             the
             Doctrin
             which
             is
             spoken
             against
             ?
             And
             how
             shall
             the
             Magistrate
             be
             assured
             of
             the
             Odiousness
             of
             the
             Blasphemy
             ,
             and
             Crimes
             ?
             And
             how
             shall
             the
             Magistrate
             know
             certainly
             who
             are
             punishable
             
               Sismaticks
               ,
               Apostates
            
             ,
             false
             Teachers
             ,
             Hereticks
             and
             Seducers
             ;
             who
             they
             are
             that
             set
             up
             a
             Sect
             or
             a
             Church
             ?
             Who
             believe
             well
             or
             Evil
             ?
             Who
             Teach
             according
             too
             ,
             or
             contrary
             to
             the
             Scripture
             ?
             Who
             are
             moved
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             by
             his
             own
             Zeal
             ?
             Who
             do
             according
             to
             a
             good
             Conscience
             or
             contrary
             ?
             Who
             are
             wounded
             and
             judged
             in
             themselves
             ,
             and
             who
             are
             not
             ?
             And
             who
             are
             obstinate
             and
             stiff-necked
             Hereticks
             ,
             or
             constant
             upright
             Christians
             ?
          
           
             But
             suppose
             the
             Magistrates
             should
             refer
             this
             to
             the
             Divines
             or
             Clergy
             (
             said
             he
             )
             to
             judge
             of
             ,
             what
             more
             assurance
             shall
             they
             have
             than
             the
             Magistrate
             ?
             who
             through
             their
             strong
             importuning
             ,
             blindly
             Persecute
             the
             Hereticks
             ,
             and
             have
             martyred
             and
             put
             to
             death
             most
             of
             the
             Christians
             and
             Servants
             of
             God
             ;
             (
             said
             he
             )
             how
             can
             they
             then
             more
             than
             the
             Magistrate
             judge
             of
             such
             hidden
             Mysteries
             as
             before
             mentioned
             ?
             
               Vide
               Synopsis
               Disp.
            
             57.
             
             
               Thes.
               Chap.
            
             20.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             
               The
               necessity
               of
               just
               and
               equal
               Liberty
               ;
               How
               expedient
               it
               is
               to
               hear
               and
               see
               before
               one
               Iudge
               ;
               How
               the
               Persecuting
               Clergy
               do
               follow
               the
               Example
               of
               the
               Iewes
               ;
               How
               Life
               and
               Conversation
               hath
               not
               been
               so
               much
               looked
               at
               ,
               as
               difference
               in
               Doctrine
               and
               Worship
               ;
               And
               how
               prejudicial
               it
               would
               be
               for
               Christians
               ,
               if
               their
               Counsel
               were
               followed
               ,
               that
               stir
               up
               men
               to
               Persecute
               .
            
          
           
             ARemnus
             said
             ,
             The
             profitableness
             of
             the
             King
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             requireth
             a
             firm
             and
             intire
             Union
             of
             all
             the
             Citizens
             and
             Subjects
             ;
             now
             there
             can
             be
             no
             firm
             Union
             (
             said
             he
             )
             except
             that
             all
             the
             Citizens
             and
             Subjects
             injoy
             equality
             ,
             and
             that
             especially
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ;
             for
             inequallity
             among
             them
             in
             that
             particular
             ,
             is
             and
             hath
             been
             of
             most
             Politicians
             called
             one
             Pestilence
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             or
             Common-Wealth
             .
             Anno
             1575.
             
             
               Com.
               dist
               .
               Fol.
            
             79.
             
          
           
             Qui
             autem
             partem
             civium
             consulunt
             ,
             partem
             negligunt
             rem
             pernitiosissimam
             in
             civitatem
             inducunt
             .
             Cicero
             in
             offi
             .
          
           
             When
             the
             King
             Lodewick
             of
             France
             ,
             was
             much
             importuned
             by
             the
             Cardinals
             and
             Bishops
             to
             put
             several
             People
             to
             Death
             in
             his
             Dominion
             ,
             who
             were
             accused
             of
             much
             odious
             Heresie
             ;
             the
             King
             said
             ,
             If
             I
             were
             to
             begin
             a
             War
             with
             the
             Turk
             ,
             or
             the
             Devil
             ,
             I
             would
             first
             hear
             them
             :
             And
             afterwards
             he
             sent
             Legaten
             to
             examine
             the
             matter
             ,
             and
             when
             he
             found
             them
             to
             be
             such
             in
             their
             Life
             and
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             Worship
             ,
             that
             he
             broke
             out
             with
             an
             Oath
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             
               These
               men
               are
               better
               than
               I
               with
               my
               Catholicks
               .
            
             Urede
             hand
             .
             van
             Colen
             .
             Fol.
             39.
             
          
           
             The
             
               Iewes
               ,
               Scribes
            
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
             exclaimed
             against
             Christ
             to
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             
               If
               he
               had
               not
               been
               an
               Evil
               doer
               ,
               we
               would
               not
               have
               delivered
               Him
               up
               unto
               thee
               :
            
             And
             then
             they
             accused
             Him
             
               of
               perverting
               the
               Nation
               ,
               of
               forbidding
               the
               People
               to
               give
               tribute
               to
               Caesar
               ,
               of
               stirring
               up
               the
               People
               ,
               of
               casting
               out
               Devils
               through
               Beelzebub
            
             ;
             and
             they
             also
             said
             ,
             
               That
               they
               had
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               that
               by
               that
               Law
               he
               ought
               to
               die
               ,
            
             &c.
             Luke
             23.2
             ,
             5.
             
             John
             
             18.30
             .
             Mark.
             3.21
             .
             John
             19.6
             ,
             7.
             
             Thus
             did
             they
             seek
             to
             deceive
             Pilate
             ,
             who
             was
             unexperienced
             in
             their
             Law
             ;
             even
             as
             the
             Clergy
             now
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Writer
             )
             stir
             up
             the
             Magistrates
             with
             their
             Lies
             ,
             seeking
             to
             make
             them
             believe
             that
             they
             have
             a
             Law
             ,
             by
             which
             Hereticks
             ought
             to
             be
             Persecuted
             and
             put
             to
             Death
             ;
             and
             by
             their
             
               Sophistical
               Art
            
             (
             said
             he
             )
             can
             they
             prevaile
             with
             them
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             that
             finally
             they
             (
             to
             continue
             their
             Friend
             ,
             and
             the
             Emperours
             (
             or
             the
             Kings
             )
             deliver
             them
             into
             their
             hands
             as
             Pilate
             did
             Christ
             ,
             who
             said
             ,
             
               Take
               Him
               ,
               and
               Iudge
               Him
               according
               to
               your
               Law
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Certainly
             said
             one
             ,
             where
             Christ
             is
             now
             made
             manifest
             ,
             there
             are
             also
             Iudas's
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             the
             World
             is
             no
             better
             nor
             holier
             then
             it
             was
             ,
             but
             rather
             worse
             ;
             and
             therefore
             doth
             the
             Truth
             now
             suffer
             under
             the
             name
             of
             Heresie
             (
             said
             he
             )
             as
             heretofore
             .
          
           
             For
             now
             in
             these
             Dayes
             men
             do
             little
             regard
             Life
             or
             Conversation
             ,
             but
             presently
             fall
             upon
             judging
             of
             the
             Doctrine
             ,
             Persecuting
             and
             shamefully
             Intreating
             those
             that
             differ
             from
             them
             in
             Doctrine
             ,
             though
             their
             Life
             be
             never
             so
             good
             (
             said
             he
             )
             but
             indeed
             they
             ought
             to
             do
             otherwise
             ,
             and
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Meekness
             to
             instruct
             those
             that
             Erre
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             put
             men
             to
             death
             for
             their
             Errors
             ,
             which
             is
             indeed
             a
             very
             great
             Error
             .
          
           
             Condonabiles
             sunt
             quidem
             piorum
             hominum
             errores
             ,
             sicut
             et
             non
             quivis
             corporis
             morbus
             uxitialis
             est
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             it
             is
             Unchristian-like
             ,
             yea
             unnatural
             ,
             That
             any
             should
             judge
             a
             man
             to
             be
             an
             obstinate
             Heretick
             ,
             who
             lives
             a
             good
             life
             ,
             and
             is
             of
             an
             upright
             mind
             ,
             and
             who
             cannot
             comprehend
             the
             matter
             otherwise
             than
             he
             understandeth
             it
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             is
             he
             resolved
             to
             suffer
             whatsoever
             may
             come
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             have
             nothing
             to
             charge
             against
             his
             Life
             ,
             then
             rail
             they
             against
             his
             Doctrine
             ;
             like
             as
             the
             Persecutors
             of
             Daniel
             said
             ,
             
               We
               shall
               have
               nothing
               against
               him
               ,
               except
               it
               be
               concerning
               his
               Worship
               :
            
             And
             as
             Amazia
             the
             Priest
             of
             Bethel
             informed
             the
             King
             against
             Amos
             ,
             and
             accused
             him
             of
             Uproar
             ,
             and
             told
             him
             that
             the
             Land
             could
             not
             bear
             all
             his
             Words
             ,
             Amos
             7.10
             .
             Dan.
             6.5
             .
             Acts
             24.
             
             Ier.
             26.8
             ,
             9
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             If
             one
             Sect
             should
             rise
             up
             against
             another
             ,
             to
             the
             destroying
             one
             of
             another
             (
             which
             must
             needs
             follow
             ,
             if
             their
             Counsel
             be
             
             followed
             ,
             who
             would
             have
             Hereticks
             put
             to
             Death
             )
             then
             when
             they
             had
             destroyed
             one
             another
             ,
             consider
             then
             what
             a
             door
             there
             would
             be
             opened
             for
             the
             Turk
             ,
             and
             for
             other
             Barbarous
             People
             ,
             for
             them
             to
             take
             possession
             of
             the
             remainder
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             Tyrannize
             over
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             Lactantius
             said
             ,
             Even
             as
             they
             are
             deceived
             in
             the
             Religion
             it self
             ,
             so
             are
             they
             deceived
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             its
             Protection
             ;
             for
             the
             true
             Religion
             is
             not
             to
             be
             defended
             with
             Killing
             ,
             but
             with
             Exhorting
             ;
             not
             with
             Cruelty
             ,
             but
             with
             Patience
             ;
             not
             with
             Wickedness
             ,
             but
             by
             Faith
             :
             for
             they
             that
             go
             about
             to
             defend
             their
             Worship
             with
             Torments
             ,
             they
             rather
             pollute
             it
             ,
             than
             defend
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             
               Several
               Testimonies
               against
               Persecution
               ,
               and
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
               ;
               Of
               the
               Liberty
               among
               the
               Heathen
               ;
               How
               Meekness
               is
               better
               than
               War
               ;
               How
               the
               Christians
               Meetings
               were
               forbidden
               upon
               Pain
               of
               Death
               ;
               And
               of
               the
               Efficacy
               of
               Faith
               and
               Patience
               .
            
          
           
             STephanus
             King
             of
             Poland
             ,
             said
             ,
             It
             belongeth
             not
             to
             me
             to
             Reform
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             I
             have
             alwayes
             gladly
             given
             that
             over
             to
             God
             which
             belongeth
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             so
             shall
             I
             do
             now
             ;
             and
             also
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             I
             will
             suffer
             the
             Weeds
             to
             grow
             until
             the
             time
             of
             Harvest
             ,
             for
             I
             know
             that
             the
             number
             of
             Believers
             is
             but
             small
             ;
             therefore
             said
             he
             ,
             when
             some
             were
             proceeding
             in
             Persecution
             ,
             
               Ego
               sum
               Rex
               Populorum
               non
               Conscientiarum
            
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
             I
             am
             King
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             their
             Consciences
             :
             He
             also
             affirmed
             ,
             That
             Religion
             was
             not
             to
             be
             planted
             with
             Fire
             and
             Sword.
             
               Chron.
               van
               de
               Rel.
               vrijh
            
             .
             2
             deel
             .
          
           
             
               Tindallus
               (
               apud
               Foxium
               in
               Actis
               et
               Monument
               is
               )
            
             said
             ,
             The
             New-Testament
             of
             Christ
             suffered
             no
             Law
             of
             Compelling
             ,
             but
             alone
             of
             Perswading
             and
             Exhorting
             ,
             pag.
             1338.
             
          
           
             Timestius
             ,
             Exhorted
             the
             Emperor
             ,
             To
             cease
             from
             Persecution
             ,
             beseeching
             him
             that
             he
             would
             not
             be
             cruel
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             discord
             or
             defference
             of
             the
             Christians
             Doctrine
             ,
             seeing
             there
             was
             such
             a
             multitude
             of
             Sects
             among
             the
             Heathen
             ;
             and
             that
             
             every
             one
             continue
             in
             his
             own
             Doctrine
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Meaning
             and
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             rest
             .
          
           
             The
             Prince
             of
             Orange
             Testified
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             impossible
             that
             the
             Land
             should
             be
             kept
             in
             Peace
             ,
             except
             there
             was
             a
             free
             Tolleration
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Religion
             ,
             Anno
             1579.
             
          
           
             Swinckfeild
             testified
             ,
             That
             according
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             Example
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             it
             did
             not
             become
             the
             Preachers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             of
             the
             New-Testament
             ,
             in
             no
             wise
             to
             Force
             with
             Violence
             and
             Tyranny
             the
             Conscience
             in
             Matters
             of
             Faith
             ,
             but
             with
             the
             Sword
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             with
             Prayer
             ,
             were
             they
             to
             resist
             the
             evil
             Spirit
             and
             all
             its
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             with
             long
             Suffering
             learn
             to
             overcome
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             The
             Chronicle
             testifieth
             ,
             How
             that
             Theodosius
             Persecuted
             no
             Man
             ,
             neither
             did
             he
             constrain
             any
             to
             hold
             Fellowship
             with
             him
             ,
             but
             permitted
             every
             Man
             to
             meet
             in
             his
             own
             house
             ,
             or
             at
             his
             own
             Meeting
             ;
             and
             he
             being
             a
             very
             meek
             man
             ,
             did
             thereby
             (
             to
             wit
             ,
             through
             Meekness
             )
             sooner
             bring
             his
             Subjects
             to
             Obedience
             ,
             than
             by
             War
             ,
             neither
             would
             he
             Force
             the
             Consciences
             of
             his
             Subjects
             .
             
               Relig.
               Uriih
            
             .
             pag.
             6.
             
          
           
             
               Iohn
               Taulerius
            
             spoke
             also
             much
             in
             his
             Sermon
             Book
             ,
             of
             the
             Tribulation
             ,
             Oppression
             and
             great
             Suffering
             ,
             that
             the
             Christians
             were
             to
             expect
             here
             ,
             but
             not
             that
             he
             should
             cause
             any
             of
             them
             to
             suffer
             .
          
           
             The
             Burgemeesteren
             of
             Amsterdam
             testified
             ,
             That
             no
             man
             had
             Power
             to
             bind
             another
             mans
             Conscience
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             who
             he
             will
             (
             said
             they
             )
             for
             this
             Power
             pertaineth
             only
             to
             God
             ,
             under
             whose
             Command
             and
             Power
             the
             Conscience
             is
             ,
             Anno
             1617.
             
          
           
             Erasmus
             said
             ,
             That
             though
             they
             take
             our
             Moneys
             and
             Goods
             ,
             they
             cannot
             therefore
             hurt
             our
             Salvation
             ;
             they
             afflict
             us
             much
             with
             Prisons
             ,
             but
             they
             do
             not
             thereby
             separate
             us
             from
             God
             :
             Moreover
             the
             Lord
             said
             ,
             
               If
               they
               Persecute
               you
               in
               one
               City
               ,
               fly
               unto
               another
            
             ;
             thereby
             doth
             he
             teach
             (
             saith
             Eras
             )
             that
             persecuted
             Christians
             ,
             should
             not
             expel
             Weapons
             with
             Weapons
             ,
             but
             rather
             fly
             before
             Weapons
             ;
             for
             if
             Peter
             was
             reproved
             ,
             because
             he
             drew
             his
             Sword
             against
             the
             Wicked
             and
             Ungodly
             ,
             for
             his
             harmless
             Lord
             ;
             wherefore
             then
             should
             a
             Christian
             man
             for
             the
             future
             ,
             revenge
             Wrong
             with
             Wrong
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             done
             unto
             him
             ?
             
               In
               de
               Krijgdes
               urede
               .
               Fol.
            
             63.
             
          
           
           
             Lactantius
             said
             ,
             We
             Christians
             desire
             not
             that
             any
             man
             against
             his
             Will
             should
             serve
             our
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Creator
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             neither
             are
             we
             likewise
             angry
             if
             he
             be
             not
             served
             ;
             for
             we
             believe
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             that
             his
             Majesty
             might
             as
             well
             revenge
             their
             despisings
             ,
             as
             he
             doth
             the
             injuries
             of
             his
             Servants
             :
             And
             therefore
             when
             we
             suffer
             such
             shameful
             things
             ,
             we
             keep
             silent
             ,
             referring
             vengeance
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             like
             unto
             those
             who
             would
             be
             esteemed
             Defenders
             of
             their
             Gods
             ,
             who
             are
             full
             of
             Wrath
             against
             those
             that
             do
             not
             honour
             them
             .
             
               Rel.
               Uriih
               .
               pag.
            
             17.
             
          
           
             We
             are
             assured
             (
             said
             Cyprianus
             )
             That
             they
             that
             Persecute
             us
             ,
             shall
             not
             remain
             long
             unpunished
             ,
             and
             the
             greater
             Injuries
             which
             they
             have
             done
             ,
             the
             more
             manifest
             revenge
             will
             come
             upon
             them
             ;
             though
             we
             had
             no
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Antient
             times
             ,
             yet
             notwithstanding
             ,
             that
             which
             of
             late
             hath
             happened
             ,
             might
             serve
             for
             a
             sufficient
             Warning
             ,
             (
             to
             wit
             )
             that
             in
             so
             short
             a
             time
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             so
             grievious
             and
             terrible
             a
             revenge
             is
             already
             come
             upon
             Persecutors
             .
             Merula
             .
             pag.
             214.
             
          
           
             When
             Cyprianus
             was
             threatned
             to
             be
             Banished
             out
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             except
             he
             would
             renounce
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ;
             he
             replyed
             to
             those
             that
             threatned
             him
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             He
             that
             carrieth
             Christ
             shut
             up
             in
             his
             Heart
             and
             Mind
             ,
             can
             be
             no
             Exile
             or
             banished
             Man
             ,
             
               For
               the
               Earth
               is
               the
               Lords
               ,
               and
               the
               Fulness
               thereof
               .
            
             Afterwards
             he
             was
             much
             urged
             by
             the
             Governour
             to
             betray
             his
             Brethren
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             would
             in
             no
             wise
             condescend
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             Governour
             told
             him
             ,
             that
             the
             Emperour
             had
             forbidden
             the
             Meetings
             of
             the
             Christians
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             not
             meet
             upon
             pain
             of
             death
             ,
             then
             he
             gave
             the
             Governour
             to
             understand
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             prepared
             to
             die
             for
             the
             Profession
             of
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             said
             Cyprianus
             ,
             Have
             we
             not
             seen
             that
             the
             Martyrs
             of
             Christ
             ,
             did
             not
             look
             upon
             their
             Torments
             with
             cruel
             Eyes
             ,
             neither
             did
             they
             threaten
             Tyrants
             ,
             but
             was
             more
             sorrowful
             for
             their
             Blindness
             ,
             than
             for
             their
             own
             Suffering
             .
             Anno
             1567.
             
          
           
             
               Petrus
               Viretus
            
             said
             ,
             That
             there
             was
             nothing
             that
             sooner
             broke
             the
             Violence
             of
             Tyranny
             ,
             than
             the
             Patience
             of
             the
             Saints
             ;
             neither
             was
             there
             any
             better
             means
             to
             take
             away
             the
             sharpness
             of
             their
             Swords
             (
             said
             he
             )
             and
             to
             quench
             and
             extinguish
             their
             Fire
             ,
             than
             through
             Faith
             ,
             Constancy
             and
             Prayer
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             CHAP.
             XV.
             
          
           
             
               Augustinus's
               Testimony
               ;
               How
               Ambrosius
               was
               threatned
               ;
               How
               private
               Meetings
               could
               not
               be
               prevented
               by
               Proclamations
               ,
               &c.
               
               How
               it
               is
               the
               Duty
               of
               Christians
               to
               continue
               their
               Meetings
               ;
               And
               how
               we
               are
               to
               Obey
               God
               more
               than
               the
               Emperor
               or
               the
               King.
               
            
          
           
             AUgustinus
             testified
             ,
             That
             when
             Emperours
             were
             in
             Error
             ,
             then
             did
             they
             make
             Laws
             for
             to
             defend
             Errors
             against
             the
             Truth
             ;
             yet
             Ambrosius
             would
             not
             obey
             the
             Emperor
             in
             things
             that
             were
             contrary
             to
             God
             and
             his
             Commands
             ,
             wherefore
             the
             Emperor
             threatned
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             cut
             off
             his
             Head
             ;
             then
             said
             
               Ambrosius
               ,
               I
               will
               Suffer
               as
               a
               Bishop
               ,
               do
               thou
               as
               becometh
               an
               Executioner
               or
               Hangman
               .
            
             Apoph
             .
             Fol.
             144.
             
          
           
             The
             Chronicle
             testifieth
             ,
             How
             that
             in
             times
             past
             ,
             private
             Meetings
             could
             never
             be
             hindred
             through
             rigorous
             Proclamations
             ,
             strict
             Orders
             ,
             and
             Executions
             ,
             nor
             yet
             Sects
             of
             sinister
             Opinions
             ,
             but
             by
             how
             much
             the
             more
             they
             were
             forbidden
             by
             Orders
             ,
             and
             Persecuted
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             they
             Acted
             against
             the
             Orders
             .
             Bor.
             111.6.91
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             it
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             the
             Martyrs
             in
             Tribulation
             were
             mostly
             accused
             ,
             because
             they
             continued
             their
             Meetings
             contrary
             to
             the
             Command
             of
             the
             King.
             
               Int
               Martel
               .
               lib.
            
             5.
             pag.
             456.
             
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             Duty
             of
             all
             the
             Faithful
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             wise
             Man
             )
             That
             they
             continue
             their
             Meetings
             together
             in
             the
             name
             and
             fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             though
             Kings
             ,
             Princes
             ,
             and
             Magistrates
             by
             their
             Proclamations
             and
             Orders
             command
             the
             contrary
             ;
             for
             after
             the
             Apostle
             through
             many
             perils
             of
             his
             Life
             ,
             had
             Preached
             the
             Doctrin
             of
             the
             Gospel
             in
             Synagogues
             ,
             Schools
             and
             Markets
             ,
             and
             being
             resisted
             by
             open
             Violence
             ,
             and
             forbidden
             to
             Preach
             any
             more
             in
             that
             Name
             ,
             he
             notwithstanding
             after
             that
             kept
             Meetings
             in
             private
             Houses
             when
             he
             Preached
             .
          
           
             Grotius
             testified
             ,
             How
             that
             it
             was
             the
             Opinion
             of
             some
             ,
             that
             they
             that
             did
             cruelly
             handle
             ,
             such
             as
             kept
             their
             Meetings
             (
             not
             to
             Gormandize
             or
             play
             the
             Glutton
             ,
             nor
             to
             disturb
             the
             publick
             
             Peace
             ,
             but
             as
             Schools
             of
             Vertue
             )
             were
             themselves
             in
             such
             a
             State
             ,
             as
             ought
             to
             be
             punished
             .
             
               Vide
               Grot.
               lib.
            
             2.
             pag.
             445.
             
          
           
             The
             History
             sheweth
             ,
             how
             that
             heretofore
             some
             said
             ,
             as
             others
             do
             now
             ,
             That
             new
             things
             ,
             as
             new
             Opinions
             ,
             &c.
             are
             alwayes
             to
             be
             feared
             ,
             especially
             great
             Meetings
             and
             Assemblies
             ;
             but
             (
             said
             the
             Author
             )
             Men
             need
             not
             fear
             that
             Doctrine
             which
             tends
             to
             the
             bringing
             of
             People
             to
             Piety
             and
             Honesty
             ;
             neither
             need
             men
             be
             afraid
             of
             the
             Meetings
             of
             honest
             peaceable
             People
             ,
             who
             seek
             not
             to
             keep
             themselves
             private
             ,
             except
             that
             they
             be
             thereunto
             constrained
             ;
             concerning
             whom
             I
             may
             say
             (
             said
             he
             )
             as
             Augustus
             said
             concerning
             the
             Meetings
             of
             the
             Jews
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             not
             to
             Domineer
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             excessive
             in
             eating
             and
             drinking
             ,
             nor
             yet
             to
             disturb
             the
             Peace
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Anno
             1560.
             
             In
             Scotland
             it
             was
             decreed
             and
             concluded
             ,
             That
             People
             should
             in
             all
             things
             ,
             obey
             the
             Magistrates
             ,
             Religion
             only
             excepted
             .
             
               Hist.
               Georg.
               Fol.
            
             697.
             
          
           
             Lucernus
             said
             ,
             He
             that
             commandeth
             any
             thing
             wherewith
             he
             bindeth
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             is
             an
             Antichrist
             .
             
               Inde
               Bennse
               Disp.
               Fol.
            
             71.
             
          
           
             Therefore
             said
             Erasmus
             ,
             If
             that
             at
             any
             time
             Evangelical
             Godliness
             require
             that
             People
             must
             contemn
             their
             Commands
             ,
             that
             must
             be
             done
             with
             such
             moderation
             ,
             as
             that
             it
             may
             not
             be
             through
             any
             hate
             against
             them
             ,
             but
             through
             a
             godly
             Zeal
             .
             
               Vide
               Exod.
            
             1.16
             ,
             17
             ,
             21.
             
             Considering
             how
             that
             the
             Commands
             of
             God
             are
             to
             be
             esteemed
             above
             the
             Commands
             of
             Men
             ;
             
               Obey
               your
               Masters
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             but
             not
             against
             God
             ,
             to
             whom
             you
             are
             more
             bound
             than
             unto
             men
             .
          
           
             Daniel
             kept
             himself
             Innocent
             before
             God
             and
             the
             King
             ,
             notwithstanding
             his
             doing
             contrary
             to
             the
             King's
             command
             ,
             concerning
             the
             free
             Exercise
             of
             his
             Religion
             ,
             Dan.
             6.22
             .
          
           
             But
             say
             some
             ,
             the
             Powers
             will
             not
             suffer
             this
             new
             Doctrine
             ;
             I
             know
             not
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             might
             well
             suffer
             it
             ,
             where
             it
             fundamentally
             manifesteth
             it self
             ,
             said
             
               Vrbanus
               Regnis
            
             ;
             yet
             though
             they
             will
             not
             suffer
             it
             ,
             every
             true
             Christian
             knoweth
             that
             he
             ought
             to
             keep
             to
             the
             Lord
             and
             his
             Truth
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             a
             case
             he
             may
             (
             said
             he
             )
             
               without
               contempt
               of
               Authority
            
             ,
             let
             pass
             that
             worldly
             command
             ;
             and
             of
             this
             will
             the
             spiritual
             Law
             admit
             :
             For
             it
             doth
             not
             become
             the
             Emperour
             ,
             nor
             the
             King
             to
             determine
             any
             
             thing
             against
             the
             divine
             Command
             ,
             nor
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             against
             the
             Rule
             of
             the
             Exangelical
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             Apostles
             Truth
             ;
             and
             if
             that
             they
             command
             any
             Evil
             ,
             then
             must
             we
             give
             them
             this
             answer
             ,
             
               We
               must
               obey
               God
               rather
               than
               Men
               ,
            
             Acts
             5.29
             .
             But
             in
             these
             things
             which
             are
             not
             against
             the
             Command
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             will
             be
             subject
             .
             Yet
             when
             the
             Emperour
             or
             King
             commandeth
             one
             thing
             ,
             and
             God
             another
             ,
             and
             that
             we
             obey
             God
             ,
             who
             hath
             the
             Supream
             Power
             ,
             we
             desire
             herein
             to
             be
             excused
             by
             the
             Emperour
             and
             King
             ;
             if
             they
             threaten
             Imprisonment
             for
             Disobedience
             ,
             he
             threatneth
             Hell.
             
               Vide
               his
               Epistle
               of
               twofold
               Righteousness
               ,
               Fol.
            
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             Anno
             1532.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
          
           
             
               How
               it
               doth
               not
               become
               the
               Magistrate
               to
               Force
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               nor
               to
               be
               a
               Iudge
               in
               Points
               of
               Doctrine
               ;
               and
               of
               what
               dangerous
               consequence
               it
               would
               be
               ,
               if
               the
               Magistrate
               should
               proceed
               against
               Hereticks
               ,
               according
               to
               his
               own
               Interpretation
               of
               the
               Law.
               
            
          
           
             CAstellius
             testified
             ,
             That
             in
             Matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             there
             was
             no
             other
             Magistrate
             than
             Christ
             alone
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             he
             (
             not
             with
             the
             Sword
             ,
             but
             with
             his
             Word
             )
             armeth
             and
             sendeth
             forth
             .
          
           
             The
             Antient
             Protestants
             testified
             ,
             How
             that
             the
             most
             of
             the
             old
             Fathers
             affirmed
             ,
             That
             the
             Magistrate
             had
             nothing
             to
             do
             to
             meddle
             with
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             to
             force
             and
             compel
             that
             to
             believe
             ,
             seeing
             that
             the
             temporal
             Sword
             was
             put
             into
             their
             Hands
             to
             Punish
             Theeves
             ,
             Murderers
             ,
             and
             other
             disturbers
             of
             the
             Peace
             ;
             but
             as
             concerning
             Religion
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             pertaineth
             unto
             the
             Soul
             ,
             the
             only
             Spiritual
             Sword
             ,
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             must
             and
             ought
             herein
             to
             Remedy
             ,
             separating
             the
             Zeal
             and
             Religion
             which
             did
             defend
             man
             from
             Tumults
             ,
             and
             disturbing
             of
             Governments
             .
             Neither
             doth
             it
             belong
             to
             any
             man
             to
             ordain
             other
             Laws
             for
             Punishment
             ,
             besides
             those
             which
             God
             hath
             appointed
             ;
             and
             therefore
             is
             it
             so
             highly
             forbidden
             to
             add
             or
             diminish
             ,
             Deut.
             4.2
             .
             Chap.
             12.32
             .
             Rev.
             22.18
             .
             for
             no
             Laws
             but
             God's
             bind
             the
             Conscience
             .
             
               Merck-tyck
               ,
               pag.
            
             245.
             
          
           
           
             Moreover
             it
             hath
             been
             formerly
             testified
             ,
             That
             they
             do
             very
             unchristianly
             ,
             who
             under
             pretence
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Discipline
             ,
             introduce
             a
             new
             Authority
             over
             the
             Faith
             and
             Consciences
             of
             Men
             ,
             Isa.
             10.12
             .
             Psal.
             94.20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Acontius
             testified
             ,
             That
             it
             was
             against
             the
             Office
             of
             a
             Magistrate
             to
             be
             a
             Judge
             in
             Points
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             same
             to
             use
             his
             Power
             violently
             ;
             and
             that
             in
             particular
             he
             should
             do
             contrary
             to
             his
             Office
             ,
             if
             that
             he
             used
             his
             Power
             to
             please
             any
             man
             ,
             as
             that
             when
             he
             had
             committed
             the
             care
             of
             Religion
             to
             some
             particular
             Person
             or
             Persons
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             should
             be
             ready
             to
             draw
             out
             his
             Sword
             against
             those
             whom
             the
             other
             accused
             as
             Hereticks
             ,
             or
             give
             the
             Weapon
             into
             their
             Hand
             :
             Now
             how
             guilty
             (
             he
             that
             thus
             did
             )
             would
             be
             in
             the
             day
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             may
             you
             judge
             .
          
           
             Alcmerus
             testified
             ,
             That
             God
             alone
             is
             the
             judge
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             alone
             should
             judge
             of
             Faith
             and
             Unbelief
             ;
             therefore
             is
             it
             not
             lawful
             for
             Princes
             (
             said
             he
             )
             to
             judge
             any
             man
             in
             matters
             of
             Faith
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             not
             guilty
             of
             any
             manifest
             transgression
             of
             any
             known
             civil
             Law
             ,
             as
             Theft
             ,
             Murder
             ,
             &c.
             for
             they
             are
             Judges
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             
               Rel.
               uriih
            
             .
             2
             
               deel
               .
               pag.
            
             52.
             
          
           
             Through
             what
             impudency
             dare
             you
             judge
             them
             to
             Death
             (
             saith
             Castellius
             )
             that
             profess
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ?
             who
             hath
             taught
             you
             the
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             of
             which
             you
             are
             most
             ignorant
             ?
             I
             believe
             you
             will
             say
             ,
             you
             do
             not
             these
             things
             alone
             from
             your
             own
             Judgement
             ,
             but
             through
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             Learned
             ,
             who
             hath
             taught
             you
             ,
             who
             ought
             to
             be
             Punished
             ,
             and
             put
             to
             Death
             ;
             and
             verily
             it
             is
             so
             (
             said
             he
             )
             for
             I
             see
             that
             your
             Learned
             men
             do
             injoyne
             you
             ,
             not
             to
             put
             any
             to
             Death
             about
             Religion
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             their
             Judgement
             .
          
           
             
               W.
               Teelingh
            
             testified
             ,
             That
             the
             Magistrate
             ought
             not
             to
             rest
             upon
             the
             conclusion
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             nor
             thereupon
             to
             proceed
             ,
             being
             that
             the
             Church
             might
             err
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             was
             dangerous
             following
             .
             
               De
               hevige
               ende
               huestige
               Kerckelijcbre
               luijden
            
             (
             i.
             e.
             )
             the
             vehement
             and
             hasty
             Clergy
             .
             
               In
               Eubul
            
             .
             252.254
             ,
             256
             ,
             Follies
             .
          
           
             The
             Lord
             of
             Pleffy
             referred
             the
             Judgement
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             &c.
             to
             the
             Judgement
             of
             all
             Christians
             ,
             and
             not
             
             only
             to
             the
             Judgement
             of
             the
             pollitick
             Magistrates
             ,
             nor
             not
             alone
             to
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Clergy
             ,
             neither
             only
             to
             them
             both
             ,
             no
             ,
             but
             to
             all
             men
             .
             
               Vide
               his
               Trac
               .
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               pag.
            
             80
             ,
             130
             ,
             147.
             
          
           
             Experience
             hath
             sufficiently
             demonstrated
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             very
             hurtful
             thing
             ,
             to
             compel
             all
             People
             to
             dance
             after
             the
             Magistrates
             Pipe
             (
             said
             a
             certain
             Writer
             )
             for
             where
             it
             hath
             been
             so
             ,
             Oh!
             what
             hath
             been
             the
             Effect
             thereof
             ,
             but
             most
             commonly
             an
             Universal
             Delusion
             of
             the
             Subjects
             ,
             with
             a
             Bloody
             Persecution
             of
             the
             true
             Prophets
             ;
             for
             the
             greatest
             multitude
             of
             men
             is
             never
             the
             best
             ;
             as
             also
             the
             greatest
             number
             of
             Emperors
             and
             Kings
             are
             not
             very
             Holy
             ,
             but
             often
             have
             shewn
             themselves
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             to
             be
             very
             wicked
             .
             
               Merck-tyck
               .
               pag.
            
             307.
             
          
           
             The
             Lord
             hath
             expresly
             declared
             (
             said
             one
             )
             That
             the
             Magistrate
             is
             no
             fit
             Judge
             to
             judge
             of
             Doctrine
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             use
             of
             such
             Jurisdiction
             is
             forbidden
             him
             .
             For
             how
             shall
             a
             man
             know
             a
             Heretick
             but
             by
             knowing
             the
             Cause
             ,
             whereby
             a
             man
             is
             made
             a
             Heretick
             ?
             And
             if
             the
             Magistrate
             do
             so
             interpret
             the
             Law
             ,
             as
             that
             he
             thinketh
             those
             Hereticks
             may
             be
             forgiven
             ,
             who
             have
             not
             endeavoured
             to
             counsel
             others
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             are
             to
             be
             put
             to
             Death
             ,
             who
             persevere
             in
             teaching
             others
             ,
             and
             are
             resolved
             so
             to
             do
             ;
             shall
             men
             then
             be
             in
             safety
             ,
             and
             their
             Credit
             and
             Welfare
             preserved
             ?
             certainly
             no
             ;
             for
             so
             often
             as
             the
             Truth
             shall
             falsely
             be
             scandalized
             with
             the
             name
             of
             Heresie
             ,
             through
             the
             Orders
             of
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             so
             often
             shall
             the
             Servants
             of
             the
             Lord
             be
             thereby
             brought
             into
             Suffering
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             lawful
             for
             them
             to
             whom
             God
             hath
             manifested
             his
             Truth
             ,
             to
             hide
             their
             Talent
             in
             the
             Earth
             ,
             through
             silence
             and
             dissimulation
             .
             
               Vide
               Arg.
               des
               Sat.
               lib.
            
             3.
             pag.
             184.
             
               idem
               pag.
            
             94
             ,
             95.
             
          
           
             With
             what
             clearer
             Example
             can
             the
             Magistrates
             be
             exhorted
             not
             to
             depend
             upon
             any
             mans
             Judgement
             ,
             then
             that
             concerning
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             was
             so
             carelesly
             given
             over
             ,
             not
             only
             according
             to
             the
             Judgement
             of
             his
             wicked
             and
             ungodly
             Enemies
             ,
             but
             also
             according
             to
             their
             desire
             .
             
               Take
               Him
            
             (
             said
             Pilate
             )
             
               and
               judge
               him
               according
               to
               your
               Law.
            
             pag.
             100.
             
          
           
             David
             said
             ,
             
               That
               Heaven
               was
               given
               to
               the
               Lord
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               but
               the
               Earth
               unto
               the
               Children
               of
               men
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             God
             hath
             given
             man
             Power
             over
             earthly
             matters
             ,
             and
             over
             whatsoever
             belongeth
             
             unto
             Earthly
             Matters
             ,
             but
             over
             Heavenly
             Matters
             ,
             and
             these
             things
             which
             appertain
             unto
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             King
             of
             Heaven
             hath
             only
             dominion
             over
             .
             
               Vred
               .
               hand
               .
               tot
               .
               Col.
               Fol.
            
             137
             ,
             195.
             
          
           
             
               Regula
               sit
               morte
               non
               puniendos
               ,
               sed
               Iudex
               videat
               et
               ponderet
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
          
           
             
               How
               the
               Truth
               is
               Oppressed
               through
               somes
               Vsurpation
               ;
               How
               the
               Protestants
               have
               been
               hindred
               from
               Printing
               of
               their
               Books
               ;
               The
               unjustness
               of
               the
               thing
               ;
               How
               it
               hath
               been
               the
               Papists
               doing
               ,
               who
               will
               neither
               suffer
               Disputations
               nor
               Books
               against
               themselves
               ;
               The
               Cause
               why
               ;
               And
               how
               unjust
               a
               thing
               it
               is
               that
               one
               should
               usurp
               Authority
               over
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
           
             NOt
             without
             Reason
             are
             men
             offended
             ,
             said
             Calvine
             ,
             when
             they
             see
             the
             Truth
             of
             God
             lye
             oppressed
             with
             Fire
             and
             Sword
             ,
             and
             that
             none
             dare
             appear
             to
             help
             and
             defend
             the
             same
             ;
             and
             that
             Error
             is
             so
             strongly
             maintained
             with
             the
             Cloak
             of
             
               Lawful
               Iudgement
            
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             Freedom
             to
             reprove
             and
             amend
             the
             same
             ;
             neither
             will
             they
             that
             have
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Supream
             Authority
             ,
             suffer
             any
             thing
             to
             be
             spoken
             that
             is
             contrary
             to
             their
             Institutions
             ;
             and
             if
             one
             reprove
             or
             rebuke
             them
             ,
             and
             Teach
             any
             thing
             contrary
             to
             what
             they
             Teach
             ,
             then
             do
             they
             account
             that
             to
             be
             uproarish
             ,
             when
             they
             themselves
             are
             the
             most
             tumultuous
             ,
             
               Decl.
               Chap.
            
             14
             ,
             15.
             
             Further
             he
             added
             ,
             That
             if
             they
             themselves
             did
             not
             stir
             up
             the
             Mighty
             to
             shed
             Blood
             ,
             there
             would
             never
             arise
             so
             many
             Uproars
             among
             the
             People
             .
          
           
             And
             it
             was
             Luthers
             Opinion
             ,
             That
             those
             that
             stirred
             up
             the
             Princes
             to
             Persecute
             about
             Religion
             ,
             they
             raised
             the
             Uproar
             .
             
               Thesaur
               .
               pag.
            
             679.
             
          
           
             Likewise
             the
             Reformed
             Protestants
             complained
             of
             being
             forbidden
             to
             Print
             Bookes
             ,
             and
             to
             Sell
             them
             ,
             as
             appears
             from
             the
             Chronicles
             ;
             which
             thing
             the
             Prince
             of
             Orange
             held
             for
             unfitting
             ,
             
               a
               Forcing
               of
               Conscience
            
             ,
             a
             quenching
             of
             Prophesie
             ,
             and
             an
             oppressing
             of
             the
             Truth
             .
             
               Bor.
               Chron.
               second
               part
               ,
               Fol.
            
             48.47
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Papists
             counselled
             the
             Emperour
             ,
             the
             Princes
             and
             States
             ,
             That
             they
             should
             obstruct
             Writing
             and
             Printing
             of
             Books
             ,
             as
             also
             Disputing
             and
             Preaching
             ,
             otherwise
             than
             according
             to
             the
             Interpretation
             and
             Approbation
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             and
             that
             the
             Dispersers
             of
             such
             Books
             should
             be
             Punished
             .
             
               Vide
               ,
               History
               of
               the
               Counsel
               of
               Trent
               .
               pag.
            
             42
             ,
             43.
             
          
           
             When
             Tacitus
             had
             declared
             ,
             How
             that
             the
             Lords
             Fathers
             had
             thought
             it
             good
             ,
             to
             burn
             the
             Books
             of
             
               Cremutius
               Cordus
            
             (
             some
             of
             which
             were
             afterwards
             brought
             to
             light
             )
             he
             said
             ,
             He
             must
             laugh
             at
             the
             Folly
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             thought
             by
             their
             present
             Power
             ,
             they
             could
             extinguish
             the
             remembrance
             of
             them
             from
             ages
             to
             come
             ,
             for
             most
             commonly
             the
             contrary
             happens
             ;
             and
             when
             men
             reprove
             the
             glorious
             Understandings
             ,
             their
             honour
             and
             renown
             is
             not
             thereby
             diminished
             ,
             but
             rather
             augmented
             :
             Further
             (
             said
             he
             )
             All
             Kings
             that
             have
             used
             great
             Tyranny
             in
             such
             Cases
             ,
             have
             thereby
             brought
             contempt
             upon
             themselves
             ,
             and
             more
             honour
             and
             esteem
             to
             the
             other
             .
             
               Vide
               Annales
               ,
               lib.
            
             3.
             pag.
             22.
             
          
           
             The
             Emperour
             Nero
             ,
             caused
             the
             Books
             of
             
               F.
               Veientio
            
             (
             who
             reproved
             the
             Priests
             and
             the
             Council
             )
             to
             be
             burned
             ;
             yet
             while
             they
             were
             to
             be
             gotten
             (
             notwithstanding
             the
             danger
             )
             they
             were
             sought
             and
             read
             ,
             but
             afterwards
             People
             were
             permitted
             to
             have
             them
             and
             to
             read
             them
             .
          
           
             [
             Nota.
             ]
             When
             such
             Writings
             (
             said
             he
             )
             are
             little
             esteemed
             ,
             they
             perish
             of
             themselves
             ,
             but
             when
             men
             are
             angry
             ,
             then
             they
             come
             to
             be
             the
             more
             manifest
             ;
             for
             the
             difficulty
             in
             procuring
             of
             them
             ,
             sharpeneth
             the
             Desire
             ,
             kindleth
             the
             Zeal
             ,
             and
             bringeth
             the
             matter
             into
             more
             esteem
             .
             Pol.
             4.
             
             Lipsi
             .
             6.
             
               lib.
               Fol.
            
             354.
             
          
           
             The
             Professors
             of
             Leyden
             said
             ,
             That
             it
             sounded
             strange
             in
             their
             Ears
             ,
             that
             Men
             were
             come
             to
             the
             forbidding
             of
             Books
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             suffer
             them
             according
             to
             their
             Rights
             and
             Priviledges
             ;
             A
             thing
             (
             said
             they
             )
             for
             which
             People
             have
             justly
             exclaimed
             against
             the
             
               Popish
               Government
            
             ,
             for
             Liberty
             herein
             chiefly
             consisteth
             ,
             (
             viz.
             )
             that
             every
             one
             may
             freely
             speak
             his
             Judgment
             ;
             and
             heretofore
             it
             hath
             been
             esteemed
             a
             mark
             of
             Tyranny
             ,
             when
             People
             might
             not
             speak
             their
             thoughts
             .
             
               Vide
               their
               Remonst
               .
               Anno
            
             1582.
             
             Verily
             (
             said
             they
             further
             )
             Reason
             which
             opposeth
             
             all
             Tyranny
             ,
             teacheth
             us
             in
             the
             general
             ,
             that
             the
             truth
             can
             be
             no
             more
             than
             the
             Light
             constrained
             ;
             therefore
             is
             it
             Tyrannical
             to
             forbid
             good
             Books
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostate
             Iulianus
             did
             .
          
           
             The
             King
             of
             Spain
             ,
             with
             other
             of
             the
             Popish
             Princes
             ,
             will
             not
             suffer
             different
             Religions
             in
             their
             Dominion
             ,
             nor
             yet
             Disputations
             about
             Religion
             ,
             neither
             will
             they
             suffer
             any
             Books
             that
             speak
             in
             the
             least
             against
             their
             Orders
             and
             Religion
             ;
             this
             do
             many
             reprove
             in
             the
             Papists
             ,
             and
             yet
             would
             gladly
             have
             it
             so
             themselves
             .
          
           
             They
             fear
             (
             said
             Lactantius
             )
             that
             being
             conquered
             by
             us
             ,
             they
             should
             be
             constrained
             to
             give
             us
             the
             hand
             ;
             whereby
             they
             sufficiently
             manifest
             the
             desparation
             of
             their
             corrupt
             Reason
             ,
             seeing
             they
             dare
             not
             search
             nor
             enter
             into
             dispute
             with
             any
             ,
             because
             they
             know
             they
             should
             soon
             be
             overcome
             ;
             and
             so
             not
             searching
             ,
             
               they
               expel
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               set
               Violence
               in
               its
               place
            
             ;
             and
             being
             they
             endeavour
             to
             judge
             those
             as
             being
             guilty
             ,
             whom
             they
             know
             well
             to
             be
             guiltless
             ,
             yet
             will
             they
             not
             suffer
             their
             Innocency
             to
             be
             made
             manifest
             ;
             as
             if
             it
             were
             more
             unreasonable
             to
             manifest
             Innocency
             ,
             than
             to
             condemn
             them
             that
             have
             not
             been
             heard
             :
             But
             as
             I
             have
             said
             (
             said
             he
             )
             They
             fear
             that
             they
             should
             not
             be
             able
             to
             judge
             ,
             if
             they
             heard
             ;
             and
             therefore
             Tortour
             ,
             Kill
             ,
             and
             Banish
             they
             the
             Servants
             of
             the
             most
             high
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             righteous
             Men.
             
               Lactant.
               lib.
            
             5.
             
             Chap.
             1.
             
          
           
             Certainly
             (
             said
             Acontius
             )
             If
             the
             Shepherds
             once
             get
             it
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             that
             none
             may
             oppose
             them
             ,
             then
             will
             they
             Force
             the
             poor
             People
             ,
             and
             compel
             them
             to
             receive
             whatsoever
             they
             will
             ;
             Then
             
               woe
               be
               to
               us
               and
               our
               Posterity
               ,
               and
               woe
               be
               to
               all
               honest
               People
            
             ;
             if
             it
             once
             come
             again
             so
             far
             ,
             that
             the
             just
             and
             equal
             defence
             against
             the
             Learned
             ,
             should
             be
             esteemed
             Calumnies
             ,
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             
               Crimen
               laesae
               Ma
               estatis
               .
               Arg.
               des
               sat
               .
               lib.
            
             3.
             
             Fol.
             97.
             
             For
             the
             
               Pope
               Innocentius
            
             the
             third
             ,
             made
             a
             Law
             ,
             That
             he
             that
             presumed
             to
             Blaspheme
             the
             Pope
             ,
             was
             to
             be
             Punished
             with
             death
             ,
             neither
             was
             any
             to
             speak
             against
             him
             ,
             nor
             against
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             which
             were
             not
             to
             be
             judged
             by
             any
             man
             :
             Likewise
             a
             Synod
             at
             Rome
             made
             a
             Decree
             ,
             That
             none
             in
             the
             World
             should
             speak
             against
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ;
             and
             cruelly
             did
             they
             Persecute
             those
             that
             did
             contrary
             to
             their
             Decree
             .
             
               Merul.
               pag.
            
             783
             ,
             787
             ,
             741
             ,
             748.
             
          
           
           
             At
             Geneva
             it
             was
             also
             forbidden
             by
             a
             Proclamation
             ,
             that
             any
             should
             speak
             against
             Calvin
             and
             his
             Doctrine
             .
             An.
             1553.
             
             Anno
             1619.
             
             There
             were
             several
             of
             the
             Clergy
             in
             the
             Low-Country
             ,
             that
             thought
             it
             needful
             that
             some
             Order
             was
             taken
             ,
             for
             the
             preventing
             and
             dispersing
             of
             such
             Books
             as
             they
             thought
             unfitting
             .
          
           
             If
             that
             one
             Church
             or
             Teacher
             (
             said
             Castel
             .
             )
             be
             only
             tolerated
             ,
             to
             reprove
             ,
             vilifie
             ,
             and
             falsely
             to
             accuse
             all
             other
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             permitting
             any
             Opposition
             ,
             Defence
             or
             Reply
             ;
             how
             can
             such
             clear
             themselves
             from
             being
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             will
             be
             Holier
             than
             others
             ?
             And
             how
             can
             they
             reprove
             that
             great
             Wickedness
             in
             the
             Papists
             of
             cutting
             out
             Peoples
             Tongues
             (
             or
             depriving
             them
             of
             the
             power
             of
             Speaking
             )
             while
             they
             do
             the
             same
             ,
             though
             in
             another
             manner
             .
             
               Castel
               .
               cal
               .
               Chap.
            
             19.
             
          
           
             With
             diligence
             do
             they
             hinder
             so
             much
             as
             they
             can
             any
             Books
             being
             Written
             or
             Printed
             against
             them
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             not
             be
             made
             manifest
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             be
             Printed
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             not
             be
             sold
             but
             burned
             ;
             and
             moreover
             ,
             if
             any
             have
             them
             ,
             such
             are
             to
             be
             Banished
             and
             esteemed
             as
             
               Hereticks
               ▪
               Merck-tyck
            
             .
             pag.
             315.
             
          
           
             If
             that
             some
             had
             Power
             according
             to
             their
             Wills
             (
             said
             one
             )
             all
             should
             finally
             be
             esteemed
             and
             holden
             for
             Blasphemers
             and
             Hereticks
             ,
             that
             reprove
             any
             Divine
             of
             any
             Error
             ,
             or
             that
             is
             of
             another
             Opinion
             in
             Points
             of
             Religion
             .
             
               Chron.
               vande
               Rel.
               uriih
            
             .
             223.
             
          
           
             But
             said
             the
             
               Duke
               of
               Saexon
            
             ,
             It
             would
             tend
             to
             much
             praise
             ,
             if
             they
             by
             their
             Doings
             and
             Authority
             did
             bring
             it
             to
             pass
             ,
             that
             this
             Controversie
             might
             not
             be
             ended
             with
             Arms
             or
             Weapons
             ,
             but
             that
             an
             orderly
             course
             might
             be
             maintained
             ,
             which
             would
             heal
             the
             Sickness
             ,
             reconcile
             the
             Church
             or
             People
             ,
             and
             do
             no
             Violence
             to
             the
             Consciences
             of
             Men.
             Vide
             John
             Sleid.
             
               Chron.
               lib.
            
             10.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             God's
             Mercy
             and
             Iudgment
             rationally
             shewn
             to
             England
             .
          
           
             HEar
             O
             England
             ,
             and
             consider
             the
             things
             which
             the
             Lord
             hath
             done
             in
             thee
             ,
             and
             suffer
             me
             a
             little
             to
             reason
             with
             thee
             ,
             thou
             choicest
             of
             the
             Nations
             ,
             and
             much
             Renowned
             among
             God's
             People
             ;
             In
             thee
             hath
             the
             Light
             ,
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Power
             of
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             appeared
             ;
             in
             thee
             hath
             the
             Standard
             of
             the
             Lord
             been
             set
             up
             ;
             in
             thee
             hath
             the
             acceptable
             Day
             of
             Salvation
             and
             Deliverance
             been
             Proclaimed
             ;
             in
             thee
             hath
             many
             Prophets
             and
             Hand-maids
             been
             brought
             forth
             ,
             which
             have
             gone
             out
             of
             thee
             into
             other
             Nations
             ,
             and
             thou
             hast
             been
             as
             a
             Nursery
             unto
             them
             ;
             in
             thee
             hath
             the
             everlasting
             Gospel
             been
             Preached
             freely
             ,
             both
             in
             thy
             
               Steeple-houses
               ,
               Markets
               ,
               High-wayes
            
             ,
             and
             in
             many
             other
             Places
             ;
             in
             thee
             hath
             the
             Way
             of
             Life
             ,
             Peace
             ,
             and
             Everlasting
             Salvation
             been
             made
             manifest
             ;
             yea
             ,
             in
             thee
             hath
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             thy
             Creator
             ,
             done
             many
             notable
             and
             wonderful
             things
             ;
             And
             what
             !
             wilt
             thou
             now
             undo
             thy self
             by
             resisting
             the
             Lord
             ,
             by
             rebelling
             against
             Him
             ,
             and
             by
             chusing
             thy
             own
             Wayes
             ,
             by
             fulfilling
             thy
             own
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             by
             satisfying
             thy
             own
             Desires
             ,
             by
             Persecuting
             and
             shamefully
             Intreating
             the
             Servants
             and
             Hand-maids
             of
             the
             Most
             High
             ?
             Of
             which
             things
             thou
             wouldst
             not
             have
             become
             so
             highly
             guilty
             ,
             hadst
             thou
             not
             rebelled
             against
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Lord
             which
             is
             arisen
             in
             thee
             ,
             and
             resisted
             his
             Eternal
             Power
             and
             Counsel
             ,
             which
             is
             broke
             forth
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             thee
             ;
             many
             besides
             my self
             lament
             over
             thee
             ,
             and
             the
             Hearts
             of
             many
             have
             been
             filled
             with
             Sorrow
             and
             Heaviness
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             thy
             Degeneration
             and
             Apostasie
             ,
             by
             reason
             
             of
             thy
             Violence
             and
             Cruelty
             ,
             and
             by
             reason
             of
             thy
             Persecution
             and
             Oppression
             ;
             Oh!
             alas
             for
             thee
             ,
             how
             shalt
             thou
             avoid
             the
             Wrath
             that
             is
             to
             come
             ,
             or
             escape
             the
             Hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             ?
             yet
             thy
             Destruction
             will
             be
             of
             thy self
             ,
             and
             thy
             Iniquities
             the
             Cause
             of
             thy
             Judgement
             .
          
           
             But
             hear
             and
             consider
             ,
             and
             suffer
             me
             to
             reason
             a
             little
             with
             thee
             ;
             Was
             thy
             King
             reduced
             out
             of
             his
             deplorable
             Sufferings
             in
             forragin
             Parts
             ,
             and
             Peaceably
             introduced
             into
             thee
             ,
             to
             connive
             at
             the
             grievous
             Suffering
             of
             the
             Innocent
             in
             thee
             ?
             Have
             thy
             Parliaments
             and
             Councils
             been
             broken
             to
             pieces
             ,
             and
             with
             contempt
             secluded
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             others
             might
             come
             in
             ,
             to
             make
             Acts
             and
             Laws
             for
             the
             Binding
             and
             Forcing
             of
             the
             Consciences
             of
             the
             Lords
             dear
             Children
             ?
             Were
             thy
             Bishops
             reinstalled
             to
             exercise
             Lordship
             over
             Gods
             Heritage
             ,
             and
             to
             augment
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             the
             afflicted
             in
             thee
             ?
             Were
             thy
             Judges
             and
             Justices
             (
             together
             with
             many
             inferior
             Officers
             )
             turned
             out
             of
             their
             Places
             ,
             that
             others
             who
             are
             more
             deboyst
             might
             come
             in
             ,
             to
             Oppress
             and
             Persecute
             the
             Harmless
             ,
             more
             than
             heretofore
             ,
             in
             thee
             ?
             Were
             thy
             high
             ,
             notional
             pretended
             gifted
             Priests
             ejected
             ,
             that
             they
             that
             are
             more
             Lewd
             and
             Prophane
             ,
             might
             be
             brought
             in
             ?
             Yet
             greater
             havock
             and
             spoile
             to
             make
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             Substance
             ,
             than
             their
             Predecessors
             did
             ?
             
               In
               summa
            
             ,
             Was
             that
             notable
             overturning
             and
             remarkable
             change
             ,
             which
             of
             late
             happened
             in
             thee
             ,
             to
             this
             end
             ?
             Or
             was
             it
             not
             rather
             to
             manifest
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Most
             High
             ,
             and
             his
             wonderful
             Works
             in
             thee
             ,
             that
             thy
             Inhabitants
             might
             know
             that
             he
             alone
             will
             Rule
             ,
             not
             alone
             in
             thee
             ,
             but
             in
             all
             the
             Kingdoms
             of
             the
             whole
             Earth
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             ,
             consider
             whether
             or
             no
             it
             hath
             been
             for
             thy
             Profit
             and
             Honour
             ,
             to
             have
             so
             many
             of
             the
             Lord's
             
             Servants
             and
             Hand-maids
             in
             thy
             Goals
             ,
             Dungeons
             and
             Houses
             of
             Correction
             ;
             and
             so
             many
             Drunkards
             and
             Swearers
             ,
             Cozenners
             and
             Cheaters
             ,
             at
             Liberty
             in
             thy
             Cities
             ,
             Towns
             and
             Villages
             ?
             Is
             it
             for
             thy
             Honour
             ,
             and
             the
             Welfare
             of
             thy
             Inhabitants
             Souls
             ,
             that
             Covetous
             and
             Proud
             men
             ,
             yea
             such
             as
             God
             never
             sent
             ,
             should
             have
             their
             free
             Liberty
             to
             Preach
             in
             thee
             for
             their
             Heir
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             true
             Messengers
             and
             Servants
             of
             the
             Lord
             (
             who
             Preach
             freely
             )
             should
             be
             cast
             into
             Holes
             and
             Dungeons
             ,
             thereby
             to
             silence
             them
             ,
             or
             to
             prevent
             them
             from
             spreading
             God's
             Truth
             abroad
             in
             thee
             ?
             Is
             it
             for
             thy
             Profit
             and
             Advantage
             ,
             that
             faithful
             and
             discreet
             Merchants
             ,
             trusty
             and
             laborious
             Tradesmen
             ,
             diligent
             and
             expert
             Marriners
             ,
             careful
             and
             industrious
             Husband-men
             ,
             should
             be
             deprived
             of
             their
             Liberty
             ,
             about
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             thereby
             consequently
             obstructed
             from
             getting
             a
             comfortable
             Livelihood
             for
             themselves
             and
             their
             Families
             ?
             How
             think'st
             thou
             shall
             they
             be
             able
             to
             Pay
             all
             the
             Customes
             ,
             Taxes
             ,
             Dues
             ,
             Rights
             ,
             and
             Assessments
             ,
             &c.
             that
             are
             required
             in
             thee
             of
             thy
             Inhabitants
             ?
             How
             shall
             they
             possibly
             discharge
             those
             I
             say
             ,
             if
             they
             do
             not
             injoy
             their
             Liberty
             and
             the
             Priviledges
             of
             free-born
             English-men
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             thereby
             come
             to
             be
             Impoverished
             ,
             what
             will
             their
             Impoverishment
             enrich
             thee
             ?
             Or
             who
             is
             there
             in
             thee
             that
             will
             willingly
             relieve
             and
             maintain
             such
             ,
             if
             external
             Poverty
             should
             overtake
             them
             ?
             Were
             it
             not
             therefore
             better
             for
             thee
             to
             let
             them
             injoy
             their
             Liberty
             (
             notwithstanding
             their
             different
             Judgment
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             ,
             provided
             that
             they
             lived
             Peaceably
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             )
             that
             through
             Diligence
             and
             Industry
             ,
             they
             might
             win
             or
             gain
             their
             own
             Bread
             ,
             though
             with
             the
             Sweat
             of
             their
             Browes
             ,
             that
             the
             Land
             might
             so
             much
             the
             better
             yeild
             her
             Increase
             ,
             
             and
             that
             Trading
             in
             thee
             might
             not
             decay
             ,
             to
             the
             Impoverishing
             of
             many
             more
             Families
             ,
             whose
             Livelihood
             depends
             upon
             their
             Trade
             ,
             which
             can
             scarcely
             go
             well
             when
             the
             Father
             or
             Master
             of
             it
             is
             cast
             into
             a
             Prison
             for
             the
             Exercise
             of
             his
             Couscience
             ?
             which
             things
             I
             know
             will
             tend
             to
             the
             laying
             of
             thee
             waste
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             depopulating
             of
             thee
             ,
             even
             as
             many
             Parts
             of
             Germany
             and
             other
             Countries
             ,
             have
             been
             laid
             waste
             and
             ruined
             ;
             which
             desolation
             hath
             had
             its
             rise
             from
             such
             differences
             in
             part
             ,
             as
             seem
             to
             arise
             in
             thee
             ,
             which
             in
             process
             of
             time
             may
             produce
             the
             like
             Effects
             ,
             if
             God
             in
             his
             Mercy
             ,
             through
             his
             Power
             and
             Wisdom
             do
             not
             direct
             them
             .
             Though
             this
             brief
             Hint
             which
             I
             signifie
             hereof
             to
             thee
             ,
             may
             be
             little
             regarded
             by
             thee
             ,
             yet
             when
             thou
             hast
             felt
             the
             smart
             of
             it
             ,
             then
             mayest
             thou
             lament
             it
             as
             other
             places
             have
             done
             ,
             and
             remember
             that
             it
             was
             told
             thee
             before
             it
             came
             upon
             thee
             :
             And
             this
             shall
             I
             add
             further
             (
             viz.
             )
             If
             thy
             Land
             open
             her
             Mouth
             to
             drink
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Saints
             (
             after
             which
             it
             seems
             to
             thirst
             already
             )
             then
             expect
             thou
             the
             coming
             of
             the
             overflowing
             scourge
             suddenly
             ,
             which
             hath
             been
             heavy
             upon
             other
             Countries
             ,
             who
             have
             polluted
             themselves
             with
             the
             Blood
             of
             the
             Lamb's
             Followers
             ,
             from
             which
             horrible
             thing
             ,
             
               the
               Lord
               deliver
               Thee
            
             .
             Though
             I
             am
             not
             within
             thy
             Territories
             ,
             yet
             my
             Spirit
             is
             present
             with
             the
             suffering
             Seed
             in
             thy
             Dominion
             ;
             for
             the
             deliverance
             of
             which
             my
             Soul
             hath
             often
             interceeded
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             know
             assuredly
             ,
             that
             in
             true
             and
             entire
             Love
             to
             thee
             ,
             have
             I
             laid
             these
             things
             before
             thee
             ,
             for
             thy
             Inhabitants
             (
             my
             Country-men
             )
             to
             weigh
             and
             consider
             in
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
           
             
               W.
               C.
               
            
             
               Germany
               the
               
                 17th
                 .
                 
                   of
                   the
                
                 11th
                 .
                 Month
                 ,
                 1661.
                 
                 
                   But
                   Transcribed
                   in
                
                 Amsterdam
                 
                   the
                   second
                   Month
                
                 ,
                 1662.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .