Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the moral law and the covenants, from the…Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the morall law and the covenants, from the…

There remain two Questions more to be decided in this business, concerning Christs interpretation of the Law of Moses: The one is about the lawfulness of repelling force by force: The other about applying our selves to the Magistrate, to defend us against the injury, and violence of others. Now, that I may not be tedious in the discussing of these, I will lay down foam few grounds that serve to the clearing of the truth herein, and so proceed to other matter, although (as you have heard) this tendeth much to the dignity and excellency of the Law.

THere remain two Questions more to be decided in this businesse, concerning Christs interpretation of the Law of Moses: The one is about the lawfulnesse of repelling force by force: The other about applying our selves to the Magistrate, to defend us against the injury, and violence of others. Now, that I may not be tedious in the discussing of these, I will lay down fome few grounds that serve to the clearing of the truth herein, and so proceed to other matter, although (as you have heard) this tendeth much to the dignity and excellency of the Law.

First therefore take notice, that there is in all a cursed proneness to do things by way of revenge: Insomuch that there is not ¹one in a thousand that doth rise up in practise to this excellent way, and rule of patience. The Heathens, they thought to revenge our selves was lawful: Thus Tully, It is the first office of Justice to hurt no body, unless first provoked by injury: O quam simplicem, veramque sententiam (saith Lactantius) duorum verborm adjectione corrupit! But Seneca, he was against this, Immane verbum est ultio; and, Qui ulsciscitur, excusatiùs peccat. ⟨p. 193⟩Now whatsoever the thoughts of men may be about the lawfulness, it's certain, the practises of men are much contaminated this way. In State and Civil matters, in Church matters, what a revengeful spirit breatheth in men? This certainly cometh much short of our Saviours Directions. There is no injury or violence offered unto thee, but, in stead of revengeful affections, there may be holy mortifying thoughts in thee: As when Sheba cursed David, see how that brought him to the sense of sin, to look up unto God more then to the instrument. All defamations and reproaches may serve to make thy graces more splendent. As Plutarch observeth, the Gardener planteth his unsavoury herbs, Garlic and Onions near his sweetest Roses, that so the smell thereof may be the more prized. That was an excellent temper of Calvin, when reviled by Luther, he said, Etiamsi Lutherus millies me diabolum vocet, ego tamen illum insignem Domini servum agnosco. Although Luther call me a thousand times a Devil, yet I acknowledge him, an eminent servant of God. Why is it, that there are such suspicions, heart-burnings, defamations of one another, hard speeches and censures, but because this lesson of Christ is not learned by us?