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…

2. Consider this, that the primitive Christians have gone very far in this Question, holding it unlawful to defend a mans self ¹from another who would kill us, by killing of the Invader. Austin saith, he cannot tell how to defend those that do kill the invader; and to this purpose others. It is maintained by some, that though indeed a man is not bound to be killed rather then to kill; yet if he do choose the former rather then the latter, he doth a work full of charity, and worthy of admiration. Another saith, these precepts of Christ were given to the Disciples, who were by their blood to increase the Church, and by their patience and humility to convert tyrants: but now modernis non congruit, nec locum habet hodie, esset enim ad detrimentum Ecclesiae; It doth not hold in these latter times, for that would be to the prejudice of the Church; A foolish assertion. As these go too high, so the Jesuits in their cases, they go too low, and give too much room to the revenge of man; for so it's determined by them, That a noble man, though he may save his life by flying, when invaded suddenly, ⟨p. 194⟩yet is not bound to fly, but may lawfully kill the invader, If he cannot otherwise preserve his life and honour together. But this is corrupt counsel, and opens a way to many murders upon a pretence of honour.

2. Consider this, that the primitive Christians have gone very farr in this Question, holding it unlawfull to defend a mans self ¹from another who would kill us, by killing of the Invader. Austin saith, he cannot tell how to defend those that do kill the invader; and to this purpose others. It is maintained by some, that though indeed a man is not bound to be killed rather then to kill; yet if he do chuse the former rather then the latter, he doth a work full of charity, and worthy of admiration. Another saith, these precepts of Christ were given to the Disciples, who were by their blood to increase the Church, and by their patience and humility to convert tyrants: but now modernis non congruit, nec locum habet hodie, esset enim ad detrimentum Ecclesiae; It doth not hold in these latter times, for that would be to the prejudice of the Church; A foolish assertion. As these go too high, so the Jesuits in their cases, they go too low, and give too much roome to the revenge of man; for so it's determined by them, That a noble man, though he may save his life by flying, when invaded suddenly,