1Zanchy saith, That almost all Divines in his time were of this mind, that Heretics were to be punished with the sword. So is Beza likewise who saith, Docemus Christianis Magistratibus praecipue dandam operam, ut purus ac sincerus Dei cultus vigeat ejusque perturbatores ut res postvlat, authoritate sua legitime juadicatos, capitali quoque paena si necessitas et sceleris magnitudo postulent, coerceant potius, quam ecclesia detrimentum capiat. The Christian Magistrate (saith Beza) should use his endeavour, that the pure & sincere worship of God might flourish, and that he should restrain and punish, and that with a capital punishment, if need so require, all the disturbers thereof, rather then the Church should receive any damage. Of the same mind is Bullinger, conc. 18. fol. 89. and Aretius in Historia valentini gentilis. Danaeus in Ethic. Christi, lib. 2. c. 13. fol. 199. So Junius in defensione, 2. de Trinitate adversus Samosatenianos edita Heidelb. Ann. 1591. p. 40. now lest it might invalidate what these Orthodox Divines assert as being of a Presbyterian judgement; I shall here insert what some of the Independent way do hold, touching the Magistrates power, in suppressing Heresies and punishing the promoters thereof. Mr. John Goodwin in a book, entitled M. S. to A. S. pag. 50. saith that if the Magistrate avoid this danger, that he smite not the truth of God instead of Heresy, and the Worship of God instead of superstition, he professeth, that for his part when the civill Magistrate shall be far enough out of this danger of fighting against God (in opposing truth instead of Heresy) he hath nothing to say against his fighting with superstition, Heresy, Schism, as well as corruptions in manners: He grants what the Presbyterian desire; so doth Mr. Burton likewise in his vindication of the Independent Churches, pag. 70. you must distinguish betwixt mens consciences and their practice, the conscience simply considered is for God, but for mans practises, if they be against any of Gods commands of the first or second Table, that appertains to the civill Magistrate to punish, who is for this cause called custos utriusque tabulae, the keeper ⟨p. 21⟩of both Tables. I shall only instance in one more, the glory of their way; I mean that man of God,2 Mr. Burroughs, who quotes that text in Deut. 13.6.
1Zanchy saith, That almost all Divines in his time were of this minde, that Hereticks were to bee punisht with the sword. So is Beza likewise who saith, Docemus Christianis Magistratibus praecipue dandam operam, ut purus ac sincerus Dei cultus vigeat ejusque perturbatores ut res postvlat, authoritate sua legitime juadicatos, capitali quoque paena si necessitas et sceleris magnitudo postulent, coerceant potius, quam ecclesia detrimentum capiat. The Christian Magistrate (saith Beza) should use his endeavour, that the pure & sincere worship of God might flourish, and that he should restraine and punish, and that with a capitall punishment, if need so require, all the disturbers thereof, rather then the Church should receive any dammage. Of the same minde is Bullinger, conc. 18. fol. 89. and Aretius in Historia valentini gentilis. Danaeus in Ethic. Christi, lib. 2. c. 13. fol. 199. So Iunius in defensione, 2. de Trinitate adversus Samosatenianos edita Heidelb. Ann. 1591. p. 40. now lest it might invalidate what these Orthodox Divines assert as being of a Presbyterian judgement; I shall here insert what some of the Independent way doe hold, touching the Magistrates power, in suppressing Heresies and punishing the promoters thereof. Mr. Iohn Goodwin in a booke, intituled M. S. to A. S. pag. 50. saith that if the Magistrate avoid this danger, that hee smite not the truth of God instead of Heresie, and the Worship of God instead of superstition, he professeth, that for his part when the civill Magistrate shall bee far enough out of this danger of fighting against God (in opposing truth instead of Heresie) hee hath nothing to say against his fighting with superstion, Heresie, Schisme, as well as corruptions in manners: Hee grants what the Presbyterian desire; so doth Mr. Burton likewise in his vindication of the Independent Churches, pag. 70. you must distinguish betwixt mens consciences and their practice, the conscience simply considered is for God, but for mans practises, if they bee against any of Gods commands of the first or second Table, that appertaines to the civill Magistrate to punish, who is for this cause called custos utriusque tabulae, the keeper ⟨p. 21⟩of both Tables. I shall only instance in one more, the glory of their way; I mean that man of God,2 Mr. Burroughs, who quotes that text in Deut. 13.6.
- 1•neh••m mis••m. in cap de ••gistratu sic ••bit omnes fere nostra•ibus ••ius sunt sen•tiae quod Ho••• si•t gladis ••itudi. ••a in librum ••tra Holderum ••lac. Andreae ••no 81. edito 21.
- 2See Mr. Bur•roughs of he• Divisions, p • & 21.
