(1st.) From the right which the gospel of Christ hath to be received amongst men, according to his own appointment ; whether that be the appointment of Christ, or not, amongst us is no question.
(2dly.) Because the magistrate hath the sole power of all public places, and the protection of them is committed to
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him alone, by virtue of that consent into government which is among any people. This proved as above.
2(lly. A protection in the use of those places, and all things exercised in them, answerable to that which he doth, and is bound to grant unto men in their own private dwell- ings and families. The reason why I am protected from all hurt or violence in my family is, because I have a right to dispose of all things in my family being my own, and so hath not another. It was asserted before, that Christians have a right to the ordinances of Christ, and truth a right to be at liberty; and therefore if any shall invade, disturb, or trouble them in their rio-hts and liberties, he is bound 'exofl&cio' to give them a protection, ' not bearing the sword in vain.'
Now being in my family, in my private house, the assist- ance of those in authority is due,
(1st.) In respect of them without.
(2dly.) In respect of them within.
(1st.) For them without, if any one will, against my con- sent, intrude himself upon my family enjoyments, to share with me, or violently come to take away that is mine, or disturb me in the quiet possession of it ; the magistrate takes cognizance of such disturbances, and punisheth them ac- cording to equity. Suitably, if any person, or persons whatsoever, shall with violence put themselves upon the enjoyments of such ordinances, as those enjoying the rights of the gospel have obtained to themselves, or shall come in their celebration of them, to cause disturbance ; certainly that magistrate protects not every one in his undoubted rights, who doth not accommodate the wronged parties with the assistance of his power, to the punishment of the transgressors.
(2dly.) For house dwellers, servants, or any others, who may break out into such offences, and incorrigibleness, as the amendment thereof may be beyond what I am intrusted to do to any, by law of God or man ; shall not the magistrate here also interpose ? is not his assistance here abundantly required, and always granted ?
From parity of reason is it not as due for their protection, who in the enjoyment of their public religious rights may receive disturbance, and be under force, from some, incorri-
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gible by any rule among themselves ? For instance ; suppose a person justly excommunicated, and ejected any society of Christians as to any spiritual communion, yet will with out- ward force and violence put himself upon them in their closest acts of communion ; doubtless their rights are here to be by power preserved.
3dly. That whereas the preachers of the gospel are now to be maintained in an ordinary way, and to e.xpect their supportment in a usual course of providence ; and seeing that many to whom we have proved that the gospel is to be declared, by the care of the magistrate, will not, or cannot make such provisions for them as is needful, in these last evil days of the world ; it is incumbent on those nursing fathers to provide for them, who because of their continual labours in the work of the Lord, are disenabled to make provision for themselves. Where churches are settled ac- cording to the rule of the gospel, and not too much strait- ened by reason of want, there may be an alteration as to this proposal. That this engagement lies first upon the churches, was seen of old. Hence that caution, or canon, of the council of Chalcedon, cap. 6. jurjSac x^ 'po'"ov£t3'a> otto- XeXv/xivoQ, Met none be ordained at large:' * Ne dicatur, Mendicat in palasstra infelix clericus,' says the scholiast, 'lest he should be driven to beg for want of maintenance.'
This being the sum of what, as to this head, I have to assert, I shall give in the proofs of it, and then draw some farther positions.
Reason 1. The bottom of the whole ariseth from that right which the gospel hath to be preached to all nations and people, and that right paramount to all civil sanctions and constitutions, which every soul hath to receive it in the profession thereof. And all this flows from the donation of the Father unto Jesus Christ, whereby * he is made heir of all things ;' Heb. i. 3. ' Having the nations given him for his inheritance, the utmost parts of the earth for his possession ;' Psal. ii. 8. Being also 'Lord of lords, and King of kings,' acting nothing in taking possession of his own, but what his sovereignty bears him out in.
Reason 2. All this tends to the apparent good of those committed to his charge, that they may lead their lives in godliness and honesty, which is the very chief end of raagis-
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tracy committed unto men. This is directly intended ; all other things come in by accident, and upon suppositions.
Reasons. No person living can pretend to the least injury by this, none is deprived, none wronged.