6. The New Testament doth also afford sufficient warrant 1for war: as is evident by these following reasons.
1. aWhen professed Soldiers, who lived on that profession, being powerfully wrought upon by John the Baptists ministry, asked him (for their future course of life) what they should do, he counsels them not to leave that profession, but well to use it, to be content with their wages, (Luk. 3. 14.) not to return their wages back again. Thus he justifieth their calling. For in an unlawful calling they might not continue, nor receive wages for it.
2. bCenturions, who were principal persons in war, are commended for those graces which were in them, and for the evidences they gave thereof, without any reproof or dis-allowance of their warlike profession, Matth. 8. 10. Acts 10. 4.
3. Wars waged in the Old Testament are commended in the New, Heb. 11. 33, 34.
4. Michael and his Angels are brought in fighting with the Dragon and his Angels, Rev. 12. 7.
5. The victories which the Church under the New Testament shall have over her enemies is foretold, Rev. 17. 14. & 19. 19.
6. The Magistrates sword is justified. But he beareth the sword aswell to subdue open enemies abroad, as to punish evil subjects at home, Rom. 13. 4. With that public sword when he slayeth a malefactor he is not to be counted a slayer of men, but a destroyer of evil men, and Christs avenger of those that do evil, and a protector of Christians.
6. The New Testament doth also afford sufficient warrant 1for war: as is evident by these following reasons.
1. aWhen professed Souldiers, who lived on that profession, being powerfully wrought upon by Iohn the Baptists ministry, asked him (for their future course of life) what they should do, he counsels them not to leave that profession, but well to use it, to be content with their wages, (Luk. 3. 14.) not to returne their wages back againe. Thus he justifieth their calling. For in an unlawfull calling they might not continue, nor receive wages for it.
2. bCenturions, who were principall persons in warre, are commended for those graces which were in them, and for the evidences they gave thereof, without any reproofe or dis-allowance of their warlike profession, Matth. 8. 10. Acts 10. 4.
3. Warres waged in the Old Testament are commended in the New, Heb. 11. 33, 34.
4. Michael and his Angels are brought in fighting with the Dragon and his Angels, Rev. 12. 7.
5. The victories which the Church under the New Testament shall have over her enemies is foretold, Rev. 17. 14. & 19. 19.
6. The Magistrates sword is justified. But he beareth the sword aswell to subdue open enemies abroad, as to punish evill subjects at home, Rom. 13. 4. With that publique sword when he slayeth a malefactour he is not to be counted a slayer of men, but a destroyer of evill men, and Christs avenger of those that do evill, and a protector of Christians.
- 1Arguments in the New Testament for war.Arguments in the New Testament for warre.
- aSi percutere gla•io omninò •a• non est Christiano, cur ergò Praeco Salvatoris contentos sore suis stipendijs militibus indixit, & non potius omnem militiam interdixit. Bernad Mil Temp. c. 3. Vide Aug contra Faust. Manich. l. 22. c. 74.
- bFidem laudavit Centurionis, non illius militiae desertionem imperavit. Aug. loc. citat. Sanē cum occidit malefactorem, non homicida, sed, ut ità dicam, malicida, & planè Christi vindex in his malè agunt, & defensor Christianorum reputatur. Ibid.Fidem laudavit Centurionis, non illius militiae desertionem imperavit. Aug. loc. citat. Sanē cum occidit malefactorem, non homicida, sed, ut ità dicam, malicida, & planè Christi vindex in his malè agunt, & defensor Christianorum reputatur. Ibid.
