The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

4. A fourth sort of thing, wherein the church is not to refuse subjection to the Civill Magistrate, is in patient suffering their unjust persecutions without hostile or rebellious resistance. For though persecution of the churches and servants of Christ will not advance the civill peace, but overthrow it; yet for the church to take up the sword in her own defence, is not a lawful means of preserving the church peace, but a disturbance of it rather. In this case, when Peter drew his sword in defence of his Master, (the Lord Jesus) against an attachment served upon him, by the Officers of the high Priests and Elders of the people: our Saviour bade him put up his sword into his sheath again; for (saith he) all they that take the sword, shall perish by the sword, Mat. 27.50, 51, 52. where he speaketh of Peter, either as a private Disciple, or a church-officer, to whom, though the power of the keys was committed, yet the power of the sword was not committed. And for such to take up the sword, though in the cause of Christ, it is forbidden by Christ; and such is the case of any particular church or of a Synod of churches. As they have received the power of the keys, not of the sword, to the power of the keys they may, and ought to administer, but not of the sword. Wherein nevertheless, we speak of churches and Synods, as such, that is, as church-members, or church-assemblies, acting in a church-way, by the power of the keys received from Christ. But if some of the same persons be also betrusted by the civill State, with the preservation and protection of the Laws and Liberties, peace and safety of the same state, and shall meet together in a public civill assembly (whether in Council or Camp) they may there provide by civill power (according to the wholesome laws and liberties of the countrey) Ne quid Ecclesia, ne quid Respublica detrimenti capiat. If King Saul swear to put Jonathan to death, the Leaders of the people may by strong hands rescue him from his fathers unjust and illegal fury. 1 Sam. 14.44, 45. But if Saul persecute David (though as unjustly as Jonathan) yet if the Princes and Leaders of the people will not rescue him from the wrath of the King, David (a private man) will not draw out his sword in his own defence, so much as to touch the Lords anointed, 1 Sam. 24.4. to 7.