Zions' Groans for her Distressed, OR Sober Endeavours to prevent Innocent Blood, and to establish the Nation in the best of SETTLEMENTS.  
Grounded upon Scripture, Reason, and Authority.  
Proving it the undoubted right of Christian Liberty under different persuasions, in matters Spiritual, to have equal Protection as to their Civil Peace.  
Unto which is added the Testimony of fifteen ANCIENTS.  
Humbly offered to the King's Majesty, Parliament and People.  
And left unto their Serious View.  
By Tho. Monck, joseph Wright, Fran. Stanley, etc.  Matth. 7.12. 
Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.  Mat. 13.28, 29, 30. 
The servants said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? but he said nay, lest while ye gather up the Tares, ye root up also the Wheat with them, let both grow together in the field (the world) until the Harvest, which is the end of the world.  Act. 5.38. 
And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone, for if this Counsel or Work be of man, it will come to nought, but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found to fight against God.  
London, Printed for the Authors, and are to be sold in London, and at Westminster. 1661.   

TO THE READER.  
Courteous Reader,  
WIth burdened hearts as once the two Disciples travelling unto Emaus, spoke to Christ a supposed stranger, so speak we unto thee, Art thou a stranger in our Island, and hast not known the things that have come to pass in these days, while the father hath been divided against the son, and the son against the father, three against two, and two against three, Even a man's foes they of his own household; so great have been our Divisions like Reuben, that no sooner light hath been by God's grace manifested to the begetting Children of the Freewoman, but presently they are persecuted by the Children of the Bondwoman; and how unpleasing this is to jesus Christ, and how unlike his golden Rule that saith, And all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the Law, and the Prophets. We say how unpleasing this is to him, judge upon thy serious perusal of this following Treatise, which we commend to thy perusal in thy most retired consideration, when thou canst read with thy thoughts, least cumbered with other business, our design in what we beg may be perused, is general good, in setting at liberty that which God made free, even the Conscience. Thou canst not be ignorant of the great Contriversie that now is on foot as to uniformity in Worship, to impose by violence, where they cannot persuade, under seeming pretence of Scripture warrant and antiquity, the contrary to which is asserted in the words of truth and soberness, by Scripture, reason, and practice of the Primitive times.  
And lest violence and oppressing of conscience, should run up to that height till it terminate in the blood of some who are dear, and their blood precious in the eyes of the God of all the Earth, therefore have we committed this unto the view of all men as part of the work of our Generation in singleness of heart, and remain lovers and prayers for all men that we might live a peaceable, and a quiet life in all godliness and honesty.  
Farewell. 

Tho. Monck.  
joseph Wright.  
Geo. Hamon.  
Fran. Stanley.  
Will. Reynolds.  
Will. jeffery.   The eight day of the 3 Month, 1661.   

Zions' Groans for her Distressed, OR Sober Endeavours to prevent Innocent Blood, and establish the Nation in the best of Settlements.  
AS all the holy Scriptures have been written afore-time for our learning and admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come; So that particular Book of the Revelation, is of such excellent worth, That blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, 
Rev. 14.8. Chap. 17.2. and 18.3.  and keep those things that are written therein, for the time is at hand. In which Book, in no less than three several Texts it is testified, that the Nations of the world, and inhabiters of the Earth, with their Kings, would drink the wine of the fornication of that abominable Harlot, that sitteth upon Peoples, and Multitudes, and Nations and Tongues, and by her sorceries deceiveth all Nations until they become drunk, and altogether uncapable (in that condition) to receive the pure waters of life, tendered to them in the plain way of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.  
This with grief of heart we see too visible, for the Doctrine and Traditions of Rome (who is mystery Babylon, and since her Apostasy the Mother of Harlots, For the woman which thou sawest, is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth) have so corrupted the earth, 
Chap. 17 18.  and clouded the understandings of the sons of men, that the great and most important truths of God cannot be received or believed.  
The reason why the Nations are so generally beguiled in the concernments of their souls, is because the greatest part being carnal and unregenerate persons; they are naturally inclined to such ways of worship, as are accompanied with external pomp and glory, and therefore the Spirit of the Lord testifies that the great Harlot filleth her abominations, 
Chap. 17.4.  and filthy fornications in a golden cup, like the Physician that guilds his bitter Pill, that his Patient may the better swallow it.  
Thus doth the Romish Church, and her followers, who to make their carnal Ordinances find the better reception, deliver them to the inhabitants of the earth by such as are honourable amongst men in worldly Sanctuaries, most magnificently built and adorned, endowed with Lordly Revenues, accompanied with Music and Voices, and Pontificial Vestments, yea many Superstitions and Customs merely earthly and sensual (if not worse) which we say so pleaseth the earthly and unregenerate man, that he is ready to say, This is the best Religion, which is of most esteem in the Nations, and accompanied with all earthly glory and delights, altogether forgetting, that straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it, 
Mat. 7.14. Luke 16.15.  And that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God.  
And if it had been the mind of the Lord Jesus, that the Gospel should have been recommended unto the world, and accompanied with these Ceremonies and Formalities that are practised in the worship of the Nations, or were used amongst the jews, it is very strange we should not have one word for it in all the Scriptures of the New Testament, when Christ was as faithful over his house, 
Heb. 3.2, 5, 6. Deut. 18 18, 19  as Moses was over his, and is to be heard in all things as Moses himself commanded; and there will be little encouragement to touch with the Gentile Nations in their superstitious Ceremonies, when it shall be considered, that the Rites and Ceremonies of the Mosaical law being once the appointments of God, did far exceed in glory what the shallow inventions of the Romish, or any of the National Churches are able to produce, yet wholly taken away; which the Author to the Hebrews notably proves, saying, Then verily the first Covenant had also Ordinances of Divine service, and a worldly Sanctuary, for there was a Tabernacle made, the first wherein was the Candlestick and the Table, and the Shewbread which 〈◊〉 called the Sanctuary, and after the second vail the Tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all. They had also their Highpriest, 
Heb. 8. ●. Chap. 10.9.  and offerings, and linen Ornaments belonging to this Covenant; but saith our Author, If that first Covenant had been faultless, than no place had been sought for the second, and he taketh away the first, that he might establish the second.  
And now under the second Covenant, which is the Gospel, the Romish Bishop, 
Chap. 8. 1●2.  or any man on earth, cannot be our Highpriest, For we have such an Highpriest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the Tabernacle which the Lord pitcheth, and not man.  
And under this second Covenant, God hath not promised his presence to any Temple built of wood and stone, as of old, 
Act. ●. 48.  For now the most High dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, as the superstitious Clergy would persuade us, but where two or three are gathered together in the name of Christ, there is he in the midst of them, although it be in a House, by a River's side, on a Mountain, or in a Wilderness, such little respect hath he to place.  
As little respect hath God to persons, because of any honour or esteem they may have in the world, either for birth or natural endowments, but such as usually are foolish, weak, and base in the eyes of the world, doth he make use of in the work of the Gospel, that so the learned Doctors and Masters of Arts may not have wherewithal to boast. 
1 Cor. 1.26, 27, 28, 29.   
Which despised way of the Gospel we well know becomes a great stumbling block to the Gentile Nations, as in the first delivery of it it did unto the jews, who would not receive the Lord of life, nor his Doctrine, because not accompanied with that earthly glory which their corrupt hearts affected, and rather would retain that exploded dispensation of the Law which God had departed from, than they would receive the glorious Gospel by those hands the wisdom of God thought fit to tender it, for which obstinacy, as the Apostle Paul saith, The wrath of God is come upon them to the uttermost, even to the laying waste their Temple and Cities, the great slaughter of their persons, and captivating their posterity as at this day. 
1 Thess. 2.16.  Let therefore the Gentile Nations fear, but more especially this Nation, for some such spirit seems to appear amongst those that would retain their empty and dead forms of worship, which God hath showed his displeasure against, and have no footing in the whole Book of God, rather than they will receive the pure way of God, without the mixture of humane Inventions and Traditions.  
But the bare rejection of Truth, and embracing of error is not all the evil, that the Nations generally are engaged in by the Church of Rome, and her followers; but for to complete and fill up the measure of their iniquities, like Nabuchadnezzar, nothing less must be inflicted on the servants of the most High God, that cannot bow down to the golden Image of their Inventions, than the fiery furnace of Persecution, many times unto death itself.  
And this the people of the Lord must endure, it being as certain their portion to be persecuted, as it is the practice of the false Church to persecute, who build their superstructures of Will-worship, on no other foundations but Violence and Cruelty; else what mean these imprisonments, banishments, wars and massacres, which have been made in Europe for Religion; what troubles and desolations in Germany, civil commotions in France, cruelties exercised in the Netherlands by that Darling of the Romish Church, the Duke of Alva, & others? what Massacres in France, Piedmont, and Ireland, to carry on the business of Religion, for the satisfaction of a bloodthirsty and insatiable Clergy, when the Disciples of the Lord Jesus were to use no other violence against those that rejected them, than to shake the dust from their feet, which should be a witness against them at the Tribunal of Jesus, 
Act. 13.51. Mat. 10.14, 15.  not Caesar's? yea this Popish principle of propagating Religion by the Sword, hath reached the poor Americans, many hundred thousands of them having been destroyed, because they would not be Proselytes, no other cause being to be given; for it cannot be supposed, those remote and simple people had so much as known the Spaniard, much less done any injury unto him; our own Nation hath also felt the rage of this fury, both before, and in the Reign of Queen Mary, and the wise may judge whether the Bishop's endeavours to impose their Liturgy in Scotland, with their cruelties in England, did not contribute much to our late unhappy troubles. But certainly if the Romish and National Clergy were guided by the Spirit of God, the Authority of Scripture, or force of Argument to support their forms of worship, they would not then impose them by external force, when by such proceedings they render themselves altogether unlike the Lord Jesus the Prince of peace, who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them.  
But on the contrary it will evince to all that have their eyes open, how like they are to that woman which is drunken with the blood of the Saints, 
Rev. 17.6.  and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, 
Chap. 18.24.  in whom will be found the blood of Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were slain on the earth. Although as our Lord and Master hath foretold, 
Joh. 16.2.  in killing others, she may think she doth God service.  
Lest therefore those unchristian principles of persecution for conscience, which troubleth the world, should take root in this Nation, to the stirring up men's minds to shed the blood of the innocent, the guilt whereof is able to sink the most flourishing Kingdoms into an ocean of misery and calamity, we have here following written some arguments (which we humbly offer to all men) to prove, how contrary to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, and good reason it is for any Magistrate by outward force to impose any thing in the worship of God, on the consciences of those whom they govern, but that liberty ought to be given to all such as disturb not the civil peace, though of different persuasions in Religous matters.  
In which Discourse we neither desire nor design, to diminish any of that power which God hath given to the King's Majesty that now Reigneth, whom we own to be chief Magistrate and Governor of these Nations, over all persons as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal, and to all his Commands, that do not oppose the Scriptures of 〈…〉 we yield active obedience not only for wrath but also 〈◊〉 conscience sake, and if any thing otherwise shall be required, we shall be passive, and suffer what may be inflicted on us for our consciences; for what ever hath been suggested by evil men, 
See the Confession of faith printed in March 1659. and since reprinted, and presented to his Majesty.  yet that Magistracy and Government is an Ordinance of God, hath been frequently asserted in our discourses and writings, and is by us believed, as fully as the Apostle Paul in the 13 of the Romans hath taught: And all that we desire, which is dearer to us than our lives, is that our spirits and consciences may be left free to serve the Eternal God, which ought to be granted us, seeing as the same Apostle saith in these cases, 
Rom. 14.12.  We shall every one of us give an account of himself to God. But to our Arguments, the first of which shall be that which some of us made use of to the King's Majesty from Maidstone, which we have not yet seen weakened.  
Let it therefore be considered, if any Magistrate under Heaven in the days of the Gospel, hath power by outward force to impose any thing in the worship and service of God on the conscience, it is given him as he is a Magistrate only, or as a Christian so considered, but that no such power is given by God to any Magistrate, appears, 

1 Because if Magistrates as such, have such an Authority, than all Magistrates in all Nations have the same power; then if we lived in Turkey, must we receive the Koran, and be worshippers of Mahomet; if in Spain, be Papists, in England, sometimes Papists as in Henry the eighths ●ayes, Protestants in Edward the sixths, Papists again in Queen mary's, and Protestants again in Queen Elizabeth's, and so for ever as the Authority changes Religion, we must do the same, but God forbid, for nothing is more absurd.  
2 Seeing in the days of the Gospel, the Lord Jesus is that great Prophet, which as Moses said is to be heard in all things, 
Mat. 28.18.  and as himself testifieth, Hath all power in heaven and earth given unto him; Then if Magistrates have power to impose any thing by outward force on the conscience, it must be committed unto them from the Lord Jesus, and written in the Scriptures of the New Testament, or else how doth it appear, 
Let no man think of men above that which is written, 1 Cor. 4 6.  but the whole stream of the New Testament Scriptures run clear in another channel, and there is no colour for any such supposition, as farther appears.  
3 Because the Apostles themselves (that gave forth those Commands which are written in Scripture to be obedient to Magistrates) refused to be obedient to their Rulers; when they were commanded to forbear, that which they judged part of the worship of God, 
Acts 4.19.20.  and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  
4 All the Scriptures of the New Testament, that enjoin obedience unto Magistrates, were written when the Romans had the Empire of the world, whose Emperors were for the most part (if not all) heathenish Idolators, for the first three hundred years until Constantine's time, it therefore cannot be supposed, that any of those Texts of Scripture that call for obedience to Magistrates, intent an obedience in matters of faith, for then the Christians that lived under those Emperors, 
As Dioclesian Euseb. 8. Book. 3. Chap.  must needs have denied Christ, and worshipped the Roman gods, as some of the Emperors commanded.  
5 If Magistrates as such, have power from God in the days of the Gospel, to command in spiritual matters, and to punish those that obey not, then must Christians surely be actually obedient, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake, because else they should resist the Ordinance of God; but if this were true, the way to heaven would be so far from being straight and narrow, 
Luke 14.27.  that any might be a Disciple of Christ without taking up the cross and following him; yea all sufferings and persecutions should wholly be at an end, and they that undergo them should utterly be condemned (for it is not to be supposed there could be persecutions, if all the commands of the Magistrate in spiritual causes were actually to be obeyed) It therefore reasonably follows, 
Rev 7.14, 15. Jam. 1.12. Act. 14.32. 2 Tim. 2.11.12  that no Magistrate as such, hath power from God to compel in spiritual causes, but on the contrary for Saints to endure persecutions and sufferings rather than actually obey, is abundantly by the Lord foretold, rewarded and justified, as by the Scriptures of the New Testament appears. Bu● if it be objected, that neither the Magistrate is to command, nor the subjects actually to obey any thing but what is according to the mind of God.    
It is answered, that all Magistrates suppose what ever they impose to be so; but the question is, who is to determine, for if the Magistrate, or any other man, or men, have power from God to judge and determine what is lawful for men to obey, than no room is left for them to dispute the lawfulness of any of his commands, it being their duty to obey what ever is commanded, and so as it hath been said before, the Cross of Christ ceases; but if every one shall give account for himself to God, than it reasonably follows that every man judge for himself in matters spiritual, 
Rom. 14.12.  and therefore for the Magistrate to compel, 
Josh. 24.15.  cannot be warrantable by Scripture or Reason.  
Again, that the power to judge and determine in spiritual matters, is not in a Magistrate as such, Gallio the Roman Deputy of Achaia, well understood, when the jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the Judgement seat, saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the Law (which almost ever since hath been the great cry by all sorts of the National Clergy, whose turns it hath been to have the Magistrate on their sides, against all others that have differed from them) but Gallio said, 
Act. 18.12, 13, 14, 15, 16.  If it were a matter of wrong, or wicked lewdness, O ye jews, reason would that I should bear with you, but if it be a question of words, and names, and of your Law, look ye to it, for I will be no judge of such matters: 
But in that he suffered So●thenes to be beaten, he did not well, it being a civil injury.  And he drove them from the judgement seat. Which worthy example, if Magistrates would be persuaded to follow, by judging and punishing only Civil injuries and wrongs, and leaving Spiritual differences to be decided and judged, and punished by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel, they then would find themselves and Governments quickly free from many inconveniences that now they are involved in, about deciding Religious Controversies, with external force and power.  
And now that no Magistrate, although a Christian, hath power to be a Lord over another's faith, or by outward force to impose any thing in the worship of God, is also very clear.  
1 Because the Lord Jesus himself, would never by any outward force compel men to receive him or his Doctrine, for when his Disciples supposing they might use violence (as under the Law) would have commanded fire to come down from heaven (as Elias did) to consume them that would not receive him, Christ turned and rebuked them, 
Luke 9.44, 45, 46.  saying, Ye know not what spirit ye are of, for the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them; and most remarkable doth it appear, that it is not the intent of the Lord Jesus, that judgement should be executed on those that reject his words to the punishing them in their bodies and estates in this life (as under the Law) from his own sayings, written john 12.47, 48. which speak thus, If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world, and he that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him, the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day. And the Apostles also were so far from propagating the Gospel by outward violence and force, 
Mat. 10.14. Act. 13.51.  that all their proceedings were by entreaty and persuasion, and in case of resistance to shake the dust from their feet as a witness against their opposers; nor will it avail to say, 
As the dividing Inheritances, etc.  because the Magistrate exercises authority on civil and temporal things, which the Lord Christ would not, that therefore in spiritual things they may do the same; unless it may be supposed the Magistrates right to have supremacy over the world to come, in all heavenly and eternal things, because God hath given him power over the world that now is in earthly and temporal things, which may be conjectured upon as good ground from what is written, as that a Magistrate under the Gospel-dispensation, hath more power in spiritual causes, than the Lord Christ, or his Apostles would exercise, especially seeing there is not the least warrant for any such power from Christ or the Apostles, from any thing that is written in the Scriptures of the New Testament, 
Isa. 8.20.  And to the Law, and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.  
2 If any men, as Christians, under heaven have had any such power in the days of the Gospel, the Apostles and Elders in the Primitive times must needs have had it; but this they utterly disclaimed, as Paul in the 2 Cor. 1.24. Not for that we have Dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy, for by faith ye stand: Yea the Lord Jesus when they strove for Domination forbids it, 
Mat. 20.25.  saying, Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise Dominion over them, and they that are great do exercise Authority upon them, but it shall not be so amongst you; 
1 Pet. 5.2, 3.  even so saith Peter speaking to the Elders, Feed the flock of God which is amongst you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being Lords over God's Heritage, but being Examples to the flock: Why therefore the Christian Religion should be built and supported by Violence and Cruelty, when the Foundation was laid, and the work carried on all the Apostles days, and some hundreds of years after, by a quite contrary means, is a question would be resolved by those, whose strongest Arguments, for the support of their Religion, is take HIM JAILOR: For such is the difference between the way which the Apostles and Primitive Saints took in carrying on the work of the Gospel, and approving themselves to be the Ministers of God, and the way now used by the National Clergy, that nothing is more unlike; they being Ambassadors for the Prince of Peace▪ 
2 Cor. 5.20.  did in his stead beseech and pray the disobedient to be reconciled to God, never stirring up the Nations to ruin, and destroy by external Violence those that opposed them in their Ministry; 
1 Cor. 4.12, 13  but as the Apostle Paul saith, Being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we suffer it, being defamed, we entreat, giving no offence in any thing, that the Ministry be not blamed, but in all things approving ourselves as the Ministers of God, 
2 Cor. 6. from 3. ●. to the 10.  in much Patience, in Afflictions, in Necessities, in Distresses, in Stripes, in Imprisonments, in Tumults, in Labours, in Watchings, in Fast, by Pureness, by Knowledge, by Long-suffering, by Kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by Love unfeigned, etc. O ye Rulers of the World, and Inhabitants of the Earth, this was the way the Lord of all things, with his Disciples and followers took, to plant and establish the Doctrine of the Gospel in the hearts and affections of the Sons of men. Be ye not therefore unlike those whom you say you follow, by imposing your Doctrines and Traditions by the Violence of Penal Laws and Edicts, to the Imprisoning, Banishing, and Spoiling the Goods of the Conscientious, causing them (as the Saints of old) to be Destitute, 
Heb. 11.30, 37, 38.  Afflicted, and Tormented, although for their innocency and uprightness, the world is not worthy of them.  
3 It is very plain that the Lord Jesus himself, 
Mat. 13.  in his Parable of the Tares, and Wheat, forbids any outward force or violence, to be exercised upon false Worshippers and Heretics as such, for by the Tares, which he forbids the pulling up cannot be intended the Transgressor's of the Second Table, such as Thiefs, Murderers, or any that should do that Civil injury or wrong unto another; which he would not have done unto himself, for all confess with one consent, that the Magistrates Authority reaches such, neither can it be intended that the children of the wicked one in any sense that visibly appear to be so, should be tolerated in the Church, for that destroys the power of Excommunication: That which unavoidably then follows, is, That although men are Tares, or the Children of the wicked one, by erring in the worship of God, yet should they not be plucked up, but tolerated in the Field of the World, until the Harvest shall come at the end of this World, when the Angels who are to be the Reapers (and infallibly can distinguish between the Tares and the Wheat, which no Magistrate now can) shall gather the Tares in bundles, and cast them into a Furnace of fire; there shall be wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Which Scripture so eminently concludes for a Toleration, that the greatest Enemies to true Liberty, have been at a great loss, when they have endeavoured to make it speak some other thing, as that Expositor is, 
J. T. Supplem. p. 29. l. 32.  who says, It seems to him not to note the duty of the Civil Magistrate, but the event of God's Providence, that God would permit the co-habitation of the wicked in the World with the just; not that Magistrates or Ministers should permit them, and not by Civil punishment, or Ecclesiastical, remove them out of the Church, or the World.  
But if men did not fight against Truth, they would not so eminently contradict their own sayings, for who can believe that it should be the mind of God, to permit the co-habitation of the wicked in the World with the just, as aforesaid, and yet the Magistrate should not permit them, but remove them by Civil punishment out of the World. Hath the Magistrate power to remove those out of the World, that God would have permitted to live. How soon may a Magistrate, if guided by such Doctrine, bring the blood of the Innocent upon himself and Nation? and innocent blood the Lord will not pardon, 2 King. 24.4. It therefore highly concerns all Magistrates, before they persecute any for matters of Faith or Worship, to see they have a better warrant for so doing, than the word of men, which will not secure them at that day when God shall judge the secrets of men, by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel, 
Rom. 2.16. Rev. 20.12.  which will be found to be the Book that shall be opened, when the dead both small and great shall stand before God to be judged by what is written therein, 
So many as have lived where the word of the Gospel comes  according to their works; as the Lord Jesus saith, The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge you at the last day; and this is his word, to Let both Tares and Wheat grow together in the Field of the World until the Harvest.  
4 It can in no wise be safe, for Magistrates in the days of the Gospel, to persecute and destroy those that are contrary minded in Religious matters, because of their fallibility, and that is the very reason why the Lord Jesus, in the forementioned Parable, 
Mat. 13.29.  forbids gathering up the Tares, lest the Wheat be rooted up along with them. That Magistrates may err in Spiritual and Religious matters, woeful experience hath taught the world in all ages, the Lord of Life himself was put to death, for supposed blasphemy and wickedness, and accused for being an enemy unto Cesar, which great mistake was committed through ignorance, as Peter saith, 
Act. 3.17.  And now Brethren, I not that through ignorance ye did it, as also did your Rulers. And at this day, what mistakes are continued in Magistrates about Religion, some being Calvinists as in Holland, 
In Europe  and Geneva, more Lutherans, but the greatest part Papists, and each of these condemneth, and many times persecuteth the other for Heresy or Superstition, avoidable therefore it follows, that some of these must err, but we need not go far for the proof of this in one and the same person, who receives that at one time for truth, which at another time must be persecuted for error; this appeared notably in King Henry the Eighth, who persecuted the Protestants to death, and writes against Luther, for which the Pope gives him the Title of Defender of the Faith, and yet a while after receives some of Luther's Doctrine, and rejects the Supremacy and Authority of the Pope, and serves the Papists as he did the Protestants; nor will Magistrates be the more free from mistakes, by relying on the Authority of Synods, Popes, or General Councils, because such eminent contradictions, and oppositions have appeared amongst each of them, that nothing is more uncertain than their conclusions. As for General Councils, whose Authority is in the greatest estimation of the three, 
As jer. Taylor now Bishop of Down in his Liber. of Proph. Sect. 6. at large proves.  it is plain they are so far from being infallible, that their Decrees have been not only directly opposite to plain Texts of Scripture, and the practice of the Primitive Church, but also against each other; which appeared first in the Council of Constantine, the Thirteenth Session, where it was Decreed that the Lords Supper should be given but in one kind, when nothing is more plain, than that the Lord Jesus instituted it, the Apostle Paul afterwards delivered it to the Corinth's, 
Mat. 26.26, 27. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25.  and the Primitive Church received it, with both the Bread, and the Cup.  
So for the Council of Trent, to Decree that the Service in the Church should be performed in Latin, how contrary is it to the Doctrine of Paul, who said in the Church, He had rather speak five words with understanding, that he might teach others, than ten thousand words in an unknown Tongue. So also have they clashed one with another, 
1 Cor. 14.19.  the Council of Trent allowing Picturing of God the Father, the Council of Nice altogether disallowing of it, and in the great Arrian Controversy, which was no circumstantial business, how many Councils and Conventions, were both for, and against it.  
As little reliance can be put on any supposed infallibility the 〈◊〉 may have; 
Benedict the Silvest 3. Gregory 6.  there having been two or three at one time, each raging against the other, with their censures and decrees: and notorious it is, 
Fo● Acts and Monuments, vol Page 188.  what descension there was amongst the Popes, and Cardinals about Pope Formosus, who being first Bishop of Pontiniake was degraded by Pope john the 8 th'. and made to take an oath to lead a secular life all his days, yet by Pope Martin that succeeded john, was Formosus released from his Oath, restored to his Bishopric, and afterwards came to be Pope, & so continued 5. years, making several Decrees; but Stephen the 6 th'. coming to the Popedom, abrogates the decrees of Formosus, takes up his body, cuts off two of his fingers, throws them into the river Tiber, & then buries him in a layman's Sepulchre: Next to Stephen, succeeded Romanus, who on the other hand repeals the Acts and Decrees of his Predecessor Stephen against Formosus, & Pope john the 10 th'. in a Synod at Ravena, ratifies all the decrees and doings of Formosus, yet after all this, comes Pope Sergins, digs up again Formosus, cuts off his Head, and 3 more of his fingers, and throws his body into Tiber, likewise deposed all such as had been consecrated by him; All which Schisms and discensions, makes it plain to the World, that there is nothing of infallibility in the Popes.  
And for National Conventions and Synods, they are so far from any show of infallibility, that the same complexion and temper the Nation is of wherein they are called, and have their promotions, you shall be sure to find them of, because they have their dependency on the Authority that calls them together. So that although the last National Synod in this Nation, would have established Presbytery, because that then was most like to take, yet it is very questionable, if now a Convention be called, whether it will be much talked of amongst them.  
Then this must be concluded from all, that seeing Magistrates themselves General Councils, Popes, or National Synods may err, in judging and determining the most weighty Controversies in Religion, there can therefore be no security for a Magistrate that he doth well, in persecuting or putting to Death the contrary minded, in religious matters, seeing thorough mistake he may as soon persecute, or put to death, the true followers of the Lord Jesus, or any other; yea, in likelihood much sooner, because they in conscience towards God, cannot receive the inventions and traditions of men, in the Worship of God, but must be a witness for the eternal God against them, for which they are accounted (as the Saints of old) pestilent fellows, 
Acts 24.5, 12. Chap. 17.6.7.  movers of sedition, turners of the World upside down, enemies to Cesar, and upon this account persecuted, when the greatest part of men being unregenerate, and have no other Spirit in them, but what is of this World; there is therefore no reason why the World should persecute and hate his own.  
Fifthly, For Magistrates to inflict temporal punishments upon any of their Subjects, for not conforming to their decrees, that enjoin any Spiritual Worship or Service, 
Mat. 7.12.  is undoubtedly a breach of that Royal Law, which says, That whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets; and is a sure and standing rule, by which all men, if they would deal ingeniously by themselves, might measure the justice of their proceedings towards others, for who, that was not a desperate enemy to himself, would put out another man's eye, if he were sure his own should be put out as soon as he had done, as he was to be served by the judicial Law, neither would those that are forward to persecute, be very zealous in their proceedings, if they were sure, that those whom they persecute, should have power on their sides, to meet the same measure unto them; and this is worthy of observation, that this rule of doing as we would be done unto, can be received, and pleaded by all sorts of men, whilst they are under affliction and persecution, but who remembers it, when they have power to afflict and persecute others: the Papists themselves, when out of power in this and other Nations can plead against persecution for their conscience, 
Annals of Eliz. written by Camden Pa●●●●k, Page 20.  as they did in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, procuring the Letters of the Emperor, and other Princes, to intercede for some places to be allowed▪ where they may worship by themselves; but in this they desired more than themselves would allow to others, when in power, so many of the Protestants, where the Magistrate is different from them in Religion, 
As in France  can be very well pleased with a toleration and: Martin Luther in his Sermon of the Good Shepherd, 
Pag. 81. of his Book.  englished by W. G. in the year 1581. speaking of the Kingdom of Christ, saith it is not governed at all by any force or power, but by outward Preaching alone, that is, by the Gospel; why therefore ●●nnot the Protestants, who would seem to have an honourable Esteem of this man, be of the same Spirit, and the Papists be as much for Liberty in prosperity, as in adversity, seeing the Lord Jesus hath not directed at one time to the use of force and violence, in the work of the Gospel, and at another time, if the civil sword be not to be procured, then to use arguments and persuasions; no, at all times the rule which his Disciples must take notice of, says, whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them, 
Mat. 7.1, 2.  for with what measure ye meet, it shall bemeasured to you again.  
And because mystery Babylon, hath not regarded these sayings but exerciseth all manner of cruelties, and deaths upon such as cannot believe as she believes and practices, therefore God will find out a way to retaliate upon her, all the blood of his servants, and in the cup which she hath filled, shall it be filled to her double; how much she hath glorified herself, 
As at this day. Rev. 18.6, 7, 8, 9  and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a Queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, Death and Mourning, and Famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her, and the Kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail and lament for her, and her Merchants, which are the great men of the earth, who Traffic with her in things costly, 
vers. 11.23.  delicate and of esteem in the World, and enslaves the souls of men, or (as by the margin it may be read) body's and souls of men these also shall mourn over her, 
vers. 13.  for no man buyeth their Merchandise any more, and thus the fierceness of God's wrath will over take her, to the sinking of her like a Millstone into the bottom of the Sea, because the great weight of innocent blood lieth upon her, for in her will be found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and all that were slain upon the earth; he that therefore would not partake with her in any of her plagues, let him flee from her, and partake not with here in any of her sins (one of the greatest, 
vers. 4.  being the persecution of men for keeping a good conscience) for except the great God should cease to be what he is, if men repent not of their deeds, there will be as certainly punishment, as there is sin, and it shall not be the arm of flesh, that will be able to support this strumpet, although many Kingdoms should engage in her quarrel, 〈◊〉 shall the wisdom and prudence of great states men be able to keep of her judgements, for if men should cease to do any thing against her, yet God will make the very Elements to fight against her, and will contend with her, by famine, and Pestilence, yea and Sword to, although she fears it not, for God will stir up the 10. King's to do his will upon her, and by his great works, & judgements, that he will manifest in the Earth, will he gain himself a name, and great honour and glory even so Amen.  
As it is no ways lawful from the word of God, for Christian Magistrates in the days of the Gospel, to destroy, and root out the contrary minded in religious matters (although Idolaters,) so such proceedings may sometimes prove inconsistent, with the very being of Nations, for suppose any Nation were wholly Heathenish idolators, and the word of God coming in amongst them, should convert, the chief Magistrate, and one twentieth part of the Nation more; must he then with that twentieth part, destroy all the other nineteen, if they will not be converted, but continue in their Heathenish Idolatry? it cannot possibly be supposed to be warrantable: and this reason holds good likewise against the rooting up and destroying Heriticks, out of the world, because if the Church proceeds against any of her members to Excommunication, the Church's deportment towards him so cast out, is to be the same as towards a Heathen, so saith Christ himself, If he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen man, and a Publican, 
Mat. 18.17.  who for the aforesaid reason is not to be destroyed because he is so: and moreover seeing the Lord who is abundantly Merciful, many times give repentance not only to the unbelieving Idolater, but also to the excommunicated person, he therefore that destroys the body of such a one, doth as much as in him lieth destroy his soul also; for the Lord you see brings into his vineyard, some at the third hour, some at the sixth, 
Mat, ●●.  some at the ninth, and others at the eleventh: he therefore that shall destroy any at the third, or sixth hour of the life, hinders his conversion that possibly may be called at the ninth, or eleventh hour. And so may be charged with bringing eternal loss and damage, to him whom he destroyed  
Object. But whereas the Example of the Kings of Israel and juda, is made the greatest Pillar to support the Magistrates proceedings under the Gospel, in persecuting, and punishing, the contrary minded in religious matters, or such as shall be judged guilty of Blasphemy, or Idolatry; therefore the second Cannon of the English Church, tells us, Whosoever shall affirm, that the King's Majesty hath not the same Authority in causes Ecclesiastical, that the godly Kings had amongst the jews, shall be Excommunicated: but if Magistrates would defer persecuting any man for religion, until the Clergy had proved this unto them, it would be happy for the most Conscientious under them, and themselves too.  
Answ. But in answer, we deny not, but the Kings of the jews had power to punish Idolatours, and Blasphemers, and some other transgressors of the then Law of God; which power was given them of God, and written in plain precepts, in the Mosaical Law, but who tells them that Magistrates under the Gospel Dispensation, hath such power? hath the Lord Jesus said any such thing? or if he have where is it written? nay where is it written from the beginning of Genesis, to the end of the Revelations, that Magistrates under the Gospel, should have the same power in Religious causes, as those under the Law? If the judicial Law be a rule, for Magistrates under the Gospel to walk by, then why must it be mangled in pieces, and just so much taken of it as suits their interest, and all the rest rejected? Is it left to Magistrates now, or was it ever left to the Jewish Kings, to take what part of it they please to be a rule to them, and reject all the rest, and it is eminently remarkable, how this plea is by the Clergy themselves that most contend for it, made together invalid, for by it they will stir up the Civil Magistrate, to punish those that dissents from them about the Doctrine and worship, under the notion of Blasphemers or Heretics, and against such this Law must be held Authentic, but he that smiteth or curseth his Father, or Mother, or stealeth a man, or him that committeth Adultery, or breaketh the Sabbath; who were all of them sure to be put to death by the same judicial Law, yet in these cases they will not tell the Magistrate it is any rule, but is to be rejected, because here they cannot much make it reach their supposed Heretics, who they are more jealous of, than any of the aforementioned offender's.  
But besides, it is observable, that the Kings of the jews, all the time they kept to the Law of God, had advantages to give Righteous Judgement in Spiritual Causes, (which Magistrates under the Gospel have not) for they had that standing Oracle of God amongst them, the U●m and Thumum, together with extraordinary Prophets, which in all difficult Cases they had recourse unto, and would infalliably direct them, to judge according to the Mind of God, but when these Kings became wicked, and lost the benefit of the abovesaid Oracle, and extraordinary Prophets, then although they had the written Law amongst them) did they run headlong into gross mistakes, that the True Prophets of the Lord were sure to be persecuted, and those Prophets which would prophesy smooth things unto them, were cherished, although many times by harkening unto them, they lost their Kingdoms, Lives, and it is to be feared, Souls and all; How grossly did Ahab mistake, when he accounted Elijah the troubler of Israel, 
1 Kings 18.17  and caused poor Micaiah to be imprisoned, and fed with bread and water of affliction, 
Chap. 22.6.17.  because he would not help to deceive him, at his 
* 400 False Prophets must eat bread at Iezebels table, when Micaiah must have bread and water of afflict. jer. 8.4, 5, 6. As it hath been In our day.  400. time serving Prophets had done: So Ieremiah ●●s accused for seeking the hurt of his Nation, and not the welfare, and must be put in a miry Dungeon, because he in plainness delivered the Mind of the Lord to the K●ng, his Princes and People; how therefore can the Gentile Rulers assure themselves, they do any better than these Rulers did, if they shall persecute the contrary minded in Religious matters, s●eing they have neither an infalliable Oracle to inquire at, nor extraordinary Prophet, nor yet such written precepts, as the jews under the Mosaical Law had that did not only direct them what offenders should be punished, but also what the particular punishment to every several offence should be.  
Furthermore, it is very plain, that the Gospel which we live under, is clear another Dispensation, far different in all its Ordinances, and Administration from the Law; under which the Lord Jesus is the only Lawgiver, who doth not (as Moses) proceed against the Transgressor's of his Precepts, by External force and power, to the destroying them in their Bodies, and Estates, 
1 Thes. 1.9. 2 Pet. 3.9. Acts 17.31.  in this life, but in long sufferings waits on men, not willing they should perish, but rather that they should repent and be saved. And when any continues in disobedience to the Gospel, his punishment is eternal in the World to come; therefore as the Apostle Paul saith, Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, 
1 Cor. 4.5.  who will bring to light hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the Counsels of the Hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God; the same Apostle testifieth of himself, that he was a Blasphemer and Persecutor, 1 Tim. 1.13. and if the Mind of God had been, that he should have suffered death in that Condition, how should he have had repentance given him, and been such a glorious Instrument in the Church, as afterwards he was.  
And it is too well known, that the jews are the great Blasphemers against our Lord Jesus Christ, that is on Earth, yet it is not the mind of the Lord, they should be destroyed from the face of the earth, for how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, wherein God hath promised to call them, and make them the most Glorious Nation on earth? or how can they be converted, if they be not permitted where the Gospel is preached? we speak not this in favour of any Blasphemy, for our Souls abhor it, but because all men that have Powers in their hands, might be as tender of t●● Lives of Men, as the most Righteous and Holy God is, who would have men be imitators of himself, in mercy and goodness towards others, and he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and unjust.  
If it shall still be objected, that it is inconsistent with the safety and well being of any Nations, to allow or Tolerate any more ways of worship than one: we answer, experience hath taught the contrary, to several Countries of Europe, as France, and the united Provinces, and several Countries of Germany, besides those that say they are the Servants of God, should conclude that to be most for the safety and well being of their Countries, which is most agreeable to his heavenly will, declared in his Word: it was the ruin of jeroboam, & almost all the Kings of Israel that succeeded him, that they would rather Act by corrupt Principles of State-Policy, than by the Word which God had spoken; and although God had rend 10 Tribes from Rehoboam, and given them to him, yet he wanted faith to believe his new Kingdom could any ways be secured to him, or kept from going back to the Lineage of David, unless he devised some new way of Worship, to keep the People in their own Land, and for his so doing, he thought he had much reason of State; for what Prince now will conclude it good Policy, to permit his People to go up yearly into his Enemies chief City to worship, but will conclude it to be a notable way to alienate the affections of his Subjects from him, to his great prejudice and detriment: thus jeroboam reasons as by his words appears, 
1 King 12.16. ●7, 21.  (take them at length) And jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the Kingdom return to the house of David; if this people go up to do Sacrifice in the house of the Lord at jerusalem, then shall the heart of this People turn again unto their Lord, even unto Rehoboam King of juda, and they shall kill me, whereupon the King took Council, and made two Calves of Gold, and said to ●h●m, it is too much for you to go up to jerusalem; behold thy God Oh Israel, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt? which Policy of his procured this Event, which God denounced against him, saying, I will bring evil upon the house of jeroboam, and will cut off from jeroboam, 
1 Kings 14.10.11.  him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up, and left in Israel, and will take away the Remnant of the house of jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung till it be all gone. And for the sin wherein he made Israel to sin, is he Branded to all posterity, but on the other hand had he permitted the people to go up to jerusalem to worship, and keep the appointments of God though seemingly against his present interest, than had the Promise of God been made good unto him, 
Chap. 11.38.  which the Prophet Ahijah declared long before he came to the Kingdom, Saying, And it shall be (if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight) to keep my statutes and commandments, as David my servant did, that I will be with thee and build the a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. Which things were written for the example of such as should come after, be wise now therefore O ye Kings, be instructed ye Judges of the earth, serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with Trembling, Kiss the Son lest he be angry, 
Psal 2.10.11.12.  and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little, Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.