72 A COUNTRY ESSAY FOR THK PRACTICE
all, their tenets being unto them the only form of wholesome words: moreover (for these things recounted make not the difference, for it is so with all sects of men) the magistrates, or those who are intrusted with all the power over men, which for the preservation of human society, God hath been pleased to make out from himself, are also of the same per- suasion with them : these they supplicate that an effectual course may be taken (asserting not only that they are in- trusted with power from above so to do, but also that it is their great sin if they do it not) whereby all sectaries and erroneous persons may not only not be countenanced, or kept within bounds, and not be forborn in any disturbing, insolent miscarriage; but also, that all that doctrine which is not publicly owned, may be sure to be supplanted by the restraint and punishment of the dissenters, whether unto imprisonment, confiscation of goods, or death itself; for they must not cease, nay (if the thing is to be effected) they cannot rationally assign where to stay in punishing, before they come to the period of all, death itself, which is the point and centre wherein all the lines of this sentencemeet:y where- in, to me truly there is nothing but 'luctus ubique, pavor, et pluriiiia mortis imago.' I know it is coloured with fair pre- tences;^ but 'quid ego verba audiam, facta cum video?' It is written with red letters, and the pens of its abetters are dipt in the blood of Christians. Doubtless between these extremes lies the v.ay.
Again, some by a toleration understand a mutual forbear- ance in communion, though there be great differences in opinion ; and this the generality of the clergy (as heretofore they were called) did usually incline unto, viz. that any men almost might be tolerated, whilst they did not separate. And these lay down this for a ground, that there is a latitude in judgment to be allowed ; so that the communion may be held by men of several persuasions, in all things, with an allow- ance of withdrawing in those particulars, wherein there is dissent amongst them ; and this the Belgic remonstrants pressed hard for, before they were cast out by the synod of Dort.
y Inventus, Chr^sippe, tui finitor acervi.
OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT THERE. 73
Others plead for a toleration out of communion, that is, that men renouncing the communion of those whose religion is owned and established by authority, may yet peaceably be suffered to enjoy the ordinances in separation.
Moreover, by communion some understand one thing, some another. Some think that is preserved sufficiently, if the dissenters do acknowledge those from whom they do dis- sent to be true churches, to enjoy the ordinances of Christ, to have the means of Ufeand salvation in them, closing with them in all substantial of doctrine ; but yet, because of some disor- ders in and amongst them, they dare not be as of them, but yet only separate from those disorders.
Others again think that communion is utterly dissolved, if any distinctions of persons be made, more than all acknow- ledge ought to be, any differences in the administration of the ordinances, any divisions in government at all.
Now all these things, and many more that might be added, must clearly be distinguished and determined by him that would handle his matter at large and exactly, that we may know what he means by those ambiguous words, and in what acceptation he owns them. Until this be done, a man may profess to oppose both toleration and non-toleration, without any contradiction at all, because in their several senses they do not always intend the same.
For my part, as on the one side if by toleration you raean'po- testatem vivendi ut velis' (as the stoics defined liberty), a uni- versal concession of an unbounded liberty ."or rather bold un- bridled licentiousness, for every one to vent what he pleaseth, and to take what course seems good in his own eyes, in things concerning religion and the worship of God, I cannot give my vote for it. So if by non-toleration you mean that which the gloss upon that place, * Hasreticum hominem de vita,' in- tended by adding * suppletolle,''' to make up the sense ; as if they were not to be endured in any place, who dissent only in not-fundamentals, from that which is established, but to be hated, 'ad furcas et leones,' as the Christians of old, or to have their new derided lights extinguished in that light, ' Qua stantes ardent, qui fixo gutture fumant,' in a Nero's bonfire; into the secrets of them that are thus minded let not my soul descend. ' In their anger they will slay a man,
* 'e^ovtU auTswpayki;. Cicf r. Farad. ^ Tolle de vi(a.
74 A COUNTRY ESSAY FOR THE PRACTICE
and in their self-will they dig down a wall ; cursed be their anger for it is fierce, and their wrath for it is cruel.' These things then being so ambiguous, doubtful, and uncertain, we dare not be too peremptorily dogmatical, nor positively as- sert but only what is certainly true ; as are these following.
1. That heresies and errors ought not to be tolerated; that is, men ought not to connive at, or comply with those ways and opinions which they are convinced to be false, er- roneous, contrary to sound doctrine, and that form of whole- some words which is delivered unto us as (next unto Christ) the greatest treasure of our souls, especially if credibly sup- posed to shake any fundamentals of the common faith ; but with all their strength and abilities, in all lawful ways, upon every just call, to oppose, suppress, and overthrow them, to root them up, and cast them out, that they may not as noxious weeds and tares overgrow and choke the good corn, amongst which they are covertly scattered. All predictions of ' false christs, false prophets, false teachers to come,' and, 'to be avoided,' all cautions to ' try spirits, avoid heretics, beware of seducers, keep close to the truth received, to hate the doc- trine of Nicolaitans, to avoid endless disputes, strife of words, old fables, languishing about unprofitable questions ;' the epithets given to, and descriptions made of, heresies, that they are ' pernicious, damnable, cankers, works of the flesh,' and the like, are all incitations and encouragements for the ap- plying of all expedient means, for the taking out of the way these stumbling-blocks. Let then the Scriptures be searched, and all ways embraced which the gospel holdeth forth, for the discovering, convincing, silencing, reproving, confuting of errors, and persons erring, by admonitions, reproofs, mighty Scripture convictions, evidencing of the truth, with fervent prayers to Almighty God, the God of truth, that he would give us one heart and one way ; and if these weapons of our warfare do not prevail, we must let them know, that one day their disobedience will be revenged with being cut off, and * cast out as unprofitable branches, fit to be cast into the fire.'