O but saith M. S. to A. S. pag. 51, 52. Idolatry and Idolaters were the adequate object of that coercive power in matters of religion, whereof we read in the Old Testament. Nor do we read that ever the lewish Kings or Magistrates attempted any thing against Sectaries or Schismatics. I answer, 1. The object of that coercive power of Josiah, 2 Chron. 34. 32. was generally the matter of the Covenant, that is, the taking away not only of Idolatry, but of all abominations, and a walking after the Lord, and keeping of his Testimonies, and Statutes, and Commandments, ver. 31. 33. Nehemiah did drive away the son of Eliashib the high Priest, not for Idolatry, but for marrying the daughter of Sanballat, and thereby defiling the Covenant of the Priesthood, Nehem. 13. 28, 29. Ezra made the Chief Priests, the Levites, and all Israel to enter into a Covenant and to swear, that they would put away the strange wives, and that it should be done according to the Law, Ezra 10. 3. 5. and whosoever would not come to Jerusalem for this thing, was not only himself excommunicated from the Church, but all his goods forfeited. v. 8. Artaxerxes decreed punishment for all who should oppose the Law of God, and the building of the Temple: wherein he is so far approved, as that Ezra blesseth God for it, Ezra 7. 26, 27. Whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the King, let judgement be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or unto banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or imprisonment, &c. which doth not concern Idolatry only, but generally the laws of God, v. 25. ⟨p. 11⟩Set Magistrates and Judges which may judge all the people, all such as know the laws of thy God. He who wrote Liberty of Conscience, p. 27, 28. is so far confounded with this laudable Decree of Artaxerxes, that he can say no more to it, but that it was the commandment of God, not an invention of men which Artaxerxes did thus impose, which is as much as we desire. But 2. Sects and Schisms are to be punished as well, though not as much as Heresy and Idolatry. There are degrees of faults, and accordingly degrees of punishments. Augustine wrote an Epistle to Bonifacius upon this occasion,1 to show that the Donatists had nothing to do with the Arians, and so were not to be punished with such rigour and severity;
O but saith M. S. to A. S. pag. 51, 52. Idolatry and Idolaters were the adaequate object of that coercive power in matters of religion, whereof we reade in the Old Testament. Nor doe we read that ever the lewish Kings or Magistrates attempted any thing against Sectaries or Schismaticks. I answer, 1. The object of that coercive power of Josiah, 2 Chron. 34. 32. was generally the matter of the Covenant, that is, the taking away not only of Idolatry, but of all abominations, and a walking after the Lord, and keeping of his Testimonies, and Statutes, and Commandments, ver. 31. 33. Nehemiah did drive away the son of Eliashib the high Priest, not for Idolatry, but for marying the daughter of Sanballat, and thereby defiling the Covenant of the Priesthood, Nehem. 13. 28, 29. Ezra made the Chief Priests, the Levites, and all Israel to enter into a Covenant and to swear, that they would put away the strange wives, and that it should be done according to the Law, Ezra 10. 3. 5. and whosoever would not come to Ierusalem for this thing, was not only himself excommunicated from the Church, but all his goods forfeited. v. 8. Artaxerxes decreed punishment for all who should oppose the Law of God, and the building of the Temple: wherein he is so far approved, as that Ezra blesseth God for it, Ezra 7. 26, 27. Whosoever will not doe the law of thy God, and the law of the King, let judgement be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or unto banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or imprisonment, &c. which doth not concern Idolatry only, but generally the laws of God, v. 25. ⟨p. 11⟩Set Magistrates and Iudges which may judge all the people, all such as know the laws of thy God. He who wrote Liberty of Conscience, p. 27, 28. is so far confounded with this laudable Decree of Artaxerxes, that he can say no more to it, but that it was the commandment of God, not an invention of men which Artaxerxes did thus impose, which is as much as we desire. But 2. Sects and Schismes are to be punished as well, though not as much as Heresy and Idolatry. There are degrees of faults, and accordingly degrees of punishments. Augustine wrote an Epistle to Bonifacius upon this occasion,1 to shew that the Donatists had nothing to doe with the Arrians, and so were not to be punished with such rigour and severity;
- 1Tom. 2. Ep. 50.
