Whereby it followeth that this Luzite which betrayed his citizens did it either of faith, as did Rahab in Jericho, or else by some humane bargain. For the keepers or spies said unto him, We will show thee mercy. If he were stricken with fear, how could that (as they say) happen unto a constant man (for he was after a sort a prisoner, and was fallen into the hands of his enemies) then was he brought to it by humane convention, and then did he foully, for it is not lawful for any man, to make any filthy covenants against his country. Neither can he be excused because of fear,1 for nothing is to be done against justice and conscience, although what fear so ever he should be stricken with, but if he were stirred up unto it by faith, and for that he saw his citizens obstinately to resist the word of God and his works, then he did well, neither can his treason be either disallowed or else condemned. For no laws, no vows, no covenants or bonds, though they be never so strait,2 can bind any man to fight against or to resist the word of God: which word all men must earnestly labour to have done and fulfilled. For this sentence abideth and shall perpetually abide: That we must obey God more than men. Neither can any man (as Christ sayeth) serve two masters, specially if they command contrary things.3 Moreover the Magistrate is to be aided in rooting out of vice and naughtiness, and to him without doubt is lawful privily to send men, to make enquiry, and to deject wicked Acts, that the offenders may be punished, and (as God hath commanded) that evil may be taken away from the world. Yea and it is also lawful for him to offer rewards to men confederated together for some ill purpose,4 to allure them to open and detect the conspiracy, because that assuredly pertaineth to treason. Howbeit heresy is never either to be dissembled, or to be praised, or any wicked Act to be committed that lawful kind of treason should have good success. Wherefore Augustine in his latter book of Retractions testifieth, that he wrote hys book de Mendatio chiefly for this cause, because some, to the end they would detect the Priscillianistes, feigned them selves to be followers of the same heresy, for that the same Priscillianistes when they were accused,5 affirmed with great stoutness, that they were far from any such doctrine.
Wherby it followeth that this Luzite which betrayed hys citizens dyd it either of faith, as did Rahab in Iericho, or els by some humane bargayne. For the kepers or spyes sayd vnto him, VVe will shewe thee mercy. If he were stricken with feare, howe could that (as they say) happen vnto a constant man (for he was after a sorte a prisoner, and was fallen into the handes of hys enemyes) then was he brought to it by humane conuention, and then did he fowly, for it is not lawfull for any man, to make any fylthy couenauntes agaynst hys countrey. Neyther can he be excused bycause of feare,1 for nothyng is to be done agaynste iustice and conscience, althoughe what feare so euer he should be stryken with, but if he were stirred vp vnto it by fayth, and for that he sawe hys citezens obstinately to resiste the worde of God and his workes, then he did well, neither can hys treason be either disallowed or elles condemned. For no lawes, no vowes, no couenaūtes or bondes, thoughe they be neuer so strayte,2 can bynd any man to fight agaynst or to resiste the worde of God: whiche worde all men must earnestly labour to haue done and fulfilled. For this sentence abydeth and shall perpetually abyde: That we must obey God more than men. Neither can any man (as Christe sayeth) serue two maisters, specially if they commaunde contrary thinges.3 Moreouer the Magistrate is to be ayded in rooting out of vice and naughtynesse, and to hym without doubte is lawfull priuely to send men, to make enquiry, and to deiecte wicked Actes, that the offendors may be punished, and (as God hath commaunded) that euill maye be taken awaye from the worlde. Yea and it is also lawfull for hym to offer rewardes to men confederated together for some ill purpose,4 to allure them to open and detecte the conspiracye, bycause that assuredly pertayneth to treason. Howbeit heresy is neuer either to be dissembled, or to be praysed, or any wicked Acte to be committed that lawfull kynde of treason shoulde haue good successe. Wherefore Augustine in hys latter booke of Retractions testifieth, that he wrote hys booke de Mendatio chiefly for thys cause, bycause some, to the ende they woulde detecte the Priscillianistes, fayned them selues to be followers of the same heresye, for that the same Priscillianistes when they were accused,5 affirmed with greate stoutenesse, that they were farre from any suche doctrine.
- 1It is not lawful for any man to make any filthy covenants against his country.It is not lawfull for any mā to make any fylthy couenā tes against hys countrey.
- 2Fear must not cause us to do any thing against justice.Feare must not cause vs to do any thyng against iustice.
- 3It is lawful for the magistrate privily to send inquisitors.It is lawfull for the magistrate priuely to send inquisitors.
- 4It is lawful for them to offer rewards to conspirators to open their conspiracy. AugustineIt is lawfull for them to offer rewardes to conspirators to open theyr conspiracye. Augustine
- 5Of the Priscillianistes.
