A77854:519
Vindiciæ legis
Vindiciæ legis: or, A vindication of the moral law and the covenants, from the errors of papists, Arminians, Socinians, and more especially, Antinomians. In XXIX. lectures, preached at Laurence-Jury, London. / By Anthony Burgess, preacher of Gods Word.Vindiciæ legis: or, A vindication of the morall law and the covenants, from the errours of papists, Arminians, Socinians, and more especially, Antinomians. In XXIX. lectures, preached at Laurence-Jury, London. / By Anthony Burgess, preacher of Gods Word.
London: printed by James Young for Thomas Underhill, 1646
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Consider this, that the primitive Christians have gone very 1far in this Question, holding it unlawful to defend a mans self from 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; 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, 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 1farre in this Question, holding it unlawfull to defend a mans self from another who would kill us, by killing of the Invader. Austin saith; he cannot tell how to defend those that doe 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 doe 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; A foolish assertion. As these goe too high, so the Jesuites in their cases, they goe 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, 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 counsell, and opens a way to many murders upon a pretence of honour.