Part 52
[Sidenote: _The Law of Christ more perfect than that of _Moses.] These Words, with Respect to _Revenge_, as the former in the Case of _Swearing_, do forbid some Things, which in Time past were lawful to the _Jews_, considering their Condition and Dispensation; and command unto such as will be the Disciples of Christ, a more perfect, eminent, and full Signification of Charity, as also Patience and Suffering, than was required of them in that Time, State, and Dispensation by the Law of _Moses_. This is not only the Judgment of most, if not all, the _ancient Fathers_, so called, of the first three hundred Years after Christ, but also of many others, and in general of all those who have rightly understood and propagated the Law of Christ concerning _Swearing_, as appears from _Justin Martyr_ in Dialog. cum Tryph. ejusdemque Apolog. 2. Item ad Zenam. _Tertul._ de Corona Militis. [Sidenote: _Testimonies of the Fathers _against Fighting.] It. Apolog. Cap. 21. and 37. It. Lib. de Idolol. Cap. 17, 18, 19. It. ad Scapulam. Cap. 1. It. adversus Jud. Cap. 7. and 9. It. adv. Gnost. Cap. 13. It. ad. Marc. Cap. 4. It. Lib. de Patientia C. 6. 10. _Orig._ cont. Celsum, Lib. 3. 5. 8. It. in Josuam Hom. 12. Cap. 9. It. in Mat. Cap. 26. Tract. 35. _Cyp._ Epist. 56. It. ad Cornel. Lactan. de Just. Lib. 5. C. 18. Lib. 6. C. 20. _Ambr._ in Luc. xxii. _Chrysost._ in Mat. v. Horn. 18. It. in Mat. xxvi. Hom. 85. It. Lib. 2. de Sacerdotio. It. in 1 Cor. xiii. _Chromat._ in. Mat. v. _Jerome_ ad Ocean. It. Lib. Epist. P. 3. Tom. 1. Ep. 2. _Athan._ de Inc. Verb. Dei. _Cyrill. Alex._ Lib. 11. in Johan. Cap. xxv. 26. Yea, _Augustine_, although he vary much in this Matter, notwithstanding in these Places he did condemn _Fighting_, Epist. 158, 159, 160. It. ad Judices, Epist. 203. It. ad Darium, &. Lib. 21. It. ad Faustum. Cap. 76. Lib. 22. de Civit. ad Marc. Cap. 6. as _Sylburgius_ relates. _Euthym._ in Mat. xxvi. and many others of this Age. _Erasmus_ in Luc. Cap. 3. & 22. _Ludov. Vives_ in Introduc. ad Sap. _J. Ferus_, Lib. 4. Comment. in Mat. vii. & Luc. xxii.
[Sidenote: _The Laws of Christ in the New Testament are irreconcileable to Persecution, Wars, and Fighting._] From hence it appears, that there is so great a Connexion betwixt these two Precepts of _Christ_, that as they were uttered and commanded by him at one and the same Time, so the same Way they were received by Men of all Ages, not only in the first Promulgation by the little Number of the Disciples, but also after the Christians increased in the first three hundred Years. Even so in the _Apostasy_, the one was not left and rejected without the other; and now again in the _Restitution_, and renewed Preaching of the _Eternal Gospel_, they are acknowledged as eternal and unchangeable Laws, properly belonging to the _Evangelical State_ and _Perfection_ thereof; from which if any withdraw, he falls short of the Perfection of a _Christian Man_.
And truly the Words are so clear in themselves, that, in my Judgment, they need no Illustration to explain their Sense: For it is as easy to reconcile the greatest Contradictions, as these Laws of our Lord Jesus Christ with the wicked Practices of _Wars_; for they are plainly inconsistent. Whoever can reconcile this, _Resist not Evil_, with _resist Violence by Force_: again, _Give also thy other Cheek_, with _strike again_; also _Love thine Enemies_, with _spoil them, make a Prey of them, pursue them with Fire and Sword_; or, _Pray for those that persecute you, and those that calumniate you_, with _persecute them by Fines, Imprisonments, and Death itself_; and not only such as do not _persecute you_, but _who heartily seek and desire your eternal and temporal Welfare_: Whoever, I say, can find a Means to reconcile these Things, may be supposed also to have found a Way to reconcile _God_ with the _Devil_, _Christ_ with _Antichrist_, _Light_ with _Darkness_, and _Good_ with _Evil_. But if this be impossible, as indeed it is, so will also the other be impossible; and Men do but deceive themselves and others, while they boldly adventure to establish such absurd and impossible Things.
§. XIV. Nevertheless because some, perhaps through _Inadvertency_, and by the Force of _Custom_ and _Tradition_, do transgress this _Command of Christ_, I shall briefly shew how much _War_ doth contradict this Precept, and how much they are inconsistent with one another; and consequently, that _War is no Ways lawful to such as will be the Disciples of Christ_. For,
_First_, Christ commands, That [159]_we should love our Enemies_; but War, on the contrary, teacheth us to hate and destroy them.
[159] Matt. 5. 43.
_Secondly_, The Apostle saith, That [160]_we war not after the Flesh_, and that _we fight not with Flesh and Blood_; but outward War is according to the Flesh, and against Flesh and Blood; for the shedding of the one, and destroying of the other.
[160] Eph. 6. 12.
_Thirdly_, The Apostle saith, That [161]_the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but spiritual_; but the Weapons of outward Warfare are carnal, such as Cannon, Muskets, Spears, Swords, _&c._ of which there is no Mention in the Armour described by _Paul_.
[161] 2 Cor. 10. 4.
_Fourthly_, Because _James_ testifies, That [162]_Wars and Strifes come from the Lusts, which war in the Members of carnal Men_; but Christians, that is, those that are truly Saints, _have crucified the Flesh, with its Affections and Lusts_; therefore they cannot indulge them by waging War.
[162] Jam. 4. 1. Gal. 5. 24.
_Fifthly_, Because the Prophets _Isaiah_ and _Micah_ have expresly prophesied, That [163]_in the Mountain of the House of the Lord, Christ shall judge the Nations, _and then_ they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares_, &c. [Sidenote: _Primitive Christians most averse from War._] And the _ancient Fathers_ of the first three hundred Years after Christ did affirm these Prophecies to be fulfilled in the Christians of their Times, who were most averse from _War_; concerning which _Justin Martyr_, _Tertullian_, and others may be seen: Which need not seem strange to any, since _Philo Judæus_ abundantly testifies of the _Essenes_, That _there was none found among them that would make Instruments of War_. But how much more did Jesus come, _that he might keep his Followers from fighting, and might bring them to Patience and Charity_?
[163] Isa. 2. 4. Mic. 4. 3.
_Sixthly_, Because the Prophet foretold, That [164]_there should none hurt nor kill in all the Holy Mountain of the Lord_; but outward War is appointed for killing and destroying.
[164] Isa. 11. 9.
_Seventhly_, Because Christ said, That [165]_his Kingdom is not of this World_, and therefore that _his Servants shall not fight_; therefore those that fight _are not his Disciples nor Servants_.
[165] John 18. 36.
_Eighthly_, Because he reproved _Peter_ for the Use of the Sword, saying, [166]_Put up again thy Sword into his Place: For all they that take the Sword, shall perish with the Sword_. Concerning which _Tertullian_ speaks well, Lib. de Idol. “How shall he fight in Peace without a Sword, which the Lord did take away? For although Soldiers came to _John_, and received a Form of Observation; if also the Centurion believed afterwards, he disarmed every Soldier in disarming of _Peter_.” Idem. de _Coron. Mil._ asketh, “Shall it be lawful to use the Sword, the Lord saying, That he that useth the Sword, shall perish by the Sword?”
[166] Mat. 26. 52.
_Ninthly_, Because the Apostle admonisheth Christians, [167]_That they defend not themselves, neither revenge by rendering Evil for Evil; but give Place unto Wrath, because Vengeance is the Lord’s. Be not overcome of Evil, but overcome Evil with Good. If thine Enemy hunger, feed him; If he thirst, give him Drink._ But War throughout teacheth and enjoineth the quite contrary.
[167] Rom. 12. 19.
_Tenthly_, Because [168]_Christ calls his Children to bear his Cross, not to crucify or kill others_; to _Patience_, not to _Revenge_; to _Truth and Simplicity_, not to _fraudulent Stratagems of War_, or to _play the Sycophant_, which _John_ himself forbids; to _flee the Glory of this World_, not _to acquire it by warlike Endeavours_; therefore War is altogether contrary unto the Law and Spirit of Christ.
[168] Mark 8. 54.
§. XV. [Sidenote: Obj. 4.] But they object, _That it is lawful to War, because _Abraham_ did war before the giving of the Law, and the _Israelites_ after the giving of the Law_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_ as before, 1. That _Abraham_ offered Sacrifices at that Time, and circumcised the Males; which nevertheless are not lawful for us under the Gospel.
[Sidenote: _Israelites going to War enquired of the Oracle of God._] 2. That neither defensive nor offensive War was lawful to the _Israelites_ of their own Will, or by their own Counsel or Conduct; but they were obliged at all Times, if they would be successful, first to enquire of the _Oracle of God_.
3. That their Wars against the wicked Nations were a Figure of the Inward War of the true Christians against their Spiritual Enemies, in which we overcome the Devil, the World, and the Flesh.
4. Something is expresly forbidden by Christ, _Mat._ v. 38, _&c._ which was granted to the _Jews_ in their Time, because of their Hardness; [Sidenote: _Some Things permitted in the Old Testament, because of Hardness of Heart._] and on the Contrary, we are commanded that singular Patience and Exercise of Love, which _Moses_ commanded not to his Disciples. From whence _Tertullian_ saith well against _Marc._ “Christ truly teacheth a new Patience, even forbidding the Revenge of an Injury, which was permitted by the Creator.” And _Lib. de Patien._ “The Law finds more than it lost, by Christ saying,” _Love your Enemies_. And in the Time of _Clem. Alex._ Christians were so far from Wars, that he testified that they had no Marks or Signs of Violence among them, saying, “Neither are the Faces of Idols to be painted, to which so much as to regard is forbidden: Neither Sword nor Bow to them that follow Peace; nor Cups to them who are moderate and temperate,” as _Sylvius Disc. de Rev. Belg._
[Sidenote: Object.] _Secondly_, They object, _That Defence is of natural Right, and that Religion destroys not Nature_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_, Be it so; but to obey God, and commend ourselves to him in Faith and Patience, is not to destroy Nature, but to exalt and perfect it; to wit, to elevate it from the natural to the supernatural Life, by Christ living therein, and comforting it, that it may do all Things, and be rendered more than Conqueror.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Thirdly_, They object, _That _John_ did not abrogate or condemn _War_, when the Soldiers came unto him_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_, What then? The Question is not concerning _John_’s Doctrine, but _Christ_’s, whose Disciples we are, not _John_’s: For _Christ_, and not _John_, is that Prophet, whom we ought all to hear. And although Christ said, [169]_That a greater than _John_ the Baptist was not among Men born of Women_; yet he adds, _That the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he_. But what was _John_’s Answer, that we may see if it can justify the Soldiers of this Time? For if it be narrowly observed, it will appear, that what he proposeth to Soldiers doth manifestly forbid them that Employment; for he commands them [170]_not to do Violence to any Man, nor to defraud any Man_; but that they _be content with their Wages_. Consider then what he dischargeth to Soldiers, _viz._ Not to use Violence or Deceit against any; which being removed, let any tell how Soldiers can war? For is not _Craft_, _Violence_, and _Injustice_, three Properties of _War_, and the natural Consequences of _Battles_?
[169] Luke 7. 23.
[170] Luke 3. 14.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Fourthly_, They object, _That _Cornelius_, and that Centurion, of whom there is Mention made, _Mat. viii. 5._ were Soldiers; and there is no Mention that they laid down their military Employments_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_; Neither read we that they continued in them. But it is most probable that if they continued in the Doctrine of Christ (and we read not any where of their Falling from the Faith) that they did not continue in them; especially if we consider, that two or three Ages afterwards _Christians_ altogether rejected War, or at least a long While after that Time, if the Emperor _Marc. Aurel. Anton._ be to be credited, who writes thus:----“I prayed to my Country Gods; but when I was neglected by them, and observed myself pressed by the Enemy; considering the Fewness of my Forces, I called to one, and intreated those, who with us are called _Christians_, and I found a great Number of them: [Sidenote: _Christians instanced, that did not War_.] And I forced them with Threats, which ought not to have been, because afterwards I knew their Strength and Force:” Therefore they betook themselves neither to the Use of Darts nor Trumpets, “for they use not so to do, for the Cause and Name of their God, which they bear in their Consciences:” And this was done about an hundred and sixty Years after Christ. To this add those Words, which in _Justin Martyr_ the Christians answer, [Greek: ou polemoumen tois echthrois: ου πολεμουμεν τοις εχθροις], that is, _We fight not with our Enemies_. And moreover the Answer of _Martin_ to _Julian_ the Apostate, related by _Sulpitius Severus_: “I am a Soldier of Christ, therefore I cannot fight;” which was three hundred Years after _Christ_. It is not therefore probable that they continued in warlike Employments. How then are _Vincentius Lyrinensis_ and the _Papists_ consistent with their Maxim, “That which always, every where, and by all was received,” _&c._ And what becomes of the _Priests_, with their Oath, “That they neither ought nor will interpret the Scripture, but according to the universal Consent of the Fathers,” so called? “For it is as easy to obscure the Sun at Mid-day, as to deny that the _Primitive Christians_ renounced all Revenge and War.”
And although this Thing be so much known; yet it is as well known that almost all the modern Sects live in the Neglect and Contempt of this Law of Christ, and likewise oppress others, who in this agree not with them for Conscience Sake towards God: [Sidenote: _Persecution for not bearing Arms, and not Fasting and Praying for Victory._] Even as we have suffered much in our Country, because _we neither could ourselves bear Arms, nor send others in our Place, nor give our Money for the buying of Drums, Standards, and other Military Attire_. And lastly, _Because we could not hold our Doors, Windows, and Shops close, for Conscience Sake, upon such Days as Fasts and Prayers were appointed, to desire a Blessing upon, and Success for the Arms of the Kingdom or Commonwealth under which we live; neither give Thanks for the Victories acquired by the Effusion of much Blood_. By which forcing of the Conscience, they would have constrained our Brethren, living in divers Kingdoms, at War together, to have implored our God for contrary and contradictory Things, and consequently impossible; for it is impossible, that two Parties fighting together, should both obtain the Victory. And because we cannot concur with them in this Confusion, therefore we are subject to _Persecution_. Yea, and others, who with us do witness that the Use of Arms is unlawful to _Christians_, do look asquint upon us: But which of us two do most faithfully observe this Testimony against Arms? Either they, who at certain Times, at the Magistrate’s Order, do close up their Shops and Houses, and meet in their Assembly, praying for the Prosperity of their Arms, or giving Thanks for some Victory or other, whereby they make themselves like to those that approve Wars and Fighting; or we, who cannot do these Things for the same Cause of Conscience, lest we should destroy, by our Works, what we establish in Words; we shall leave to the Judgment of all prudent Men.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Fifthly_, They object, _That Christ, _Luke xxii. 36._ speaking to his Disciples, commands them, That he that then had not a Sword, should sell his Coat, and by a Sword: Therefore, _say they_, Arms are lawful_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] I _answer_; Some indeed understand this of the _outward Sword_, nevertheless regarding only that Occasion; otherwise judging, that Christians are prohibited Wars under the Gospel. Among which is _Ambrose_, who upon this Place speaks thus: “O Lord! Why commandest thou me to buy a Sword, who forbiddest me to smite with it? Why commandest thou me to have it, whom thou prohibitest to draw it? Unless perhaps a Defence be prepared, not a necessary Revenge; and that I may seem to have been able to revenge, but that I would not. For the Law forbids me to smite again; and therefore perhaps he said to _Peter_, offering two Swords, [It is enough] as if it had been lawful, until the Gospel-times, that in the Law there might be a Learning of Equity, but in the Gospel a Perfection of Goodness.” [Sidenote: Peter _offered two Swords._] Others judge Christ to have spoken here mystically, and not according to the Letter; as _Origen_ upon _Mat._ xix. saying, _If any looking to the Letter, and not understanding the Will of the Words, shall sell his bodily Garment, and buy a Sword, taking the Words of Christ contrary to his Will, he shall perish; but concerning which Sword he speaks, is not proper here to mention_. And truly when we consider the Answer of the Disciples, _Master, behold, here are two Swords_; understanding it of outward Swords; and again Christ’s Answer, _It is enough_; it seems that Christ would not that the Rest, who had not Swords (for they had only two Swords) should sell their Coats, and buy an outward Sword. Who can think that, Matters standing thus, he should have said, _Two was enough_? But however it is sufficient that the Use of Arms is unlawful under the Gospel.
[Sidenote: Object.] _Sixthly_, They object, _That the Scriptures and old Fathers_, so called, _did only prohibit private Revenge, not the Use of Arms for the Defence of our Country, Body, Wives, Children and Goods, when the Magistrate commands it, seeing the Magistrate ought to be obeyed; therefore although it be not lawful for private Men to do it of themselves, nevertheless they are bound to do it by the Command of the Magistrate_.
[Sidenote: _Answ._] [Sidenote: _Christian Magistrates ought to obey the Command of their Master _Christ.] I _Answer_; If the Magistrate be truly a Christian, or desires to be so, he ought himself, in the first Place, to obey the Command of his Master, saying, _Love your Enemies_, &c. and then he could not command us to kill them; but if he be not a true Christian, then ought we to obey our _Lord_ and _King_, _Jesus Christ_, whom he ought also to obey: For in the Kingdom of Christ all ought to submit to his Laws, from the highest to the lowest, that is, from the _King_ to the _Beggar_, and from _Cæsar_ to the _Clown_. But alas! Where shall we find such an Obedience? [Sidenote: Lud. Vives _against Arms_.] O desperate Fall! Concerning which _Ludov. Viv._ writes well, _Lib. de Con. Vit. Christ. sub Turc._ by Relation of _Fredericus Sylvius_, Disc. de Revol. _Belg._ P. 85. “The Prince entered into the Church, not as a true and plain Christian, which had indeed been most happy and desirable; but he brought in with him his Nobility, his Honours, his ARMS, his Ensigns, his Triumphs, his Haughtiness, his Pride, his Superciliousness; _that is_, He came into the House of Christ, accompanied with the Devil; and which could no ways be done, he would have joined two Houses and two Cities together, God’s and the Devil’s, which could not more be done, than _Rome_ and _Constantinople_, which are distant by so long a Tract both of Sea and Land. (What Communion, saith _Paul_, is there betwixt Christ and _Belial_?) Their Zeal cooled by degrees, their Faith decreased, their whole Piety degenerated; instead _whereof_ we make now use of Shadows and Images, and (as he saith) I would we could but retain these.” Thus far _Vives_. But _Lastly_, as to what relates to this Thing, since nothing seems more contrary to Man’s Nature, and seeing of all Things the Defence of one’s self seems most tolerable, as it is most hard to Men, so it is the most perfect Part of the Christian Religion, as that wherein the _denial of Self_ and _entire Confidence in God_ doth most appear; and therefore Christ and his Apostles left us hereof a most perfect Example. [Sidenote: _Concerning the present Magistrates of the Christian World._] As to what relates to the present Magistrates of the _Christian World_, albeit we deny them not altogether the Name of _Christians_, because of the publick Profession they make of _Christ’s Name_, yet we may boldly affirm, that they are far from the Perfection of the _Christian Religion_; because in the State in which they are (as in many Places before I have largely observed) they have not come to the pure Dispensation of the Gospel. And therefore, while they are in that Condition, we shall not say, That _War_, undertaken upon a just Occasion, is altogether unlawful to them. For even as Circumcision and the other Ceremonies were for a Season permitted to the _Jews_, not because they were either necessary of themselves, or lawful at that Time, after the Resurrection of Christ, but because that Spirit was not yet raised up in them, whereby they could be delivered from such Rudiments; so the present Confessors of the _Christian Name_, who are yet in the Mixture, and not in the patient suffering Spirit, are not yet fitted for this Form of Christianity, and therefore cannot be undefending themselves, until they attain that Perfection. But for such whom Christ has brought hither, it is not lawful to defend themselves by _Arms_, but they ought overall to trust to the Lord.
§. XVI. [Sidenote: _The Conclusion._] But _Lastly_, to conclude, If to give and receive flattering Titles, which are not used because of the Virtues inherent in the Persons, but are for the most Part bestowed by wicked Men upon such as themselves; if to bow, scrape, and cringe to one another; if at every Time to call themselves other’s _Humble Servants_, and that most frequently without any design of real Service; if this be the Honour that comes from God, and not the Honour that is from below, then indeed our Adversaries may be said to be Believers, and we condemned as proud and stubborn, in denying all these Things.
[171]But if with _Mordecai_, to refuse to bow to proud _Haman_, and with _Elihu_ not to give _flattering Titles to Men, lest we should be reproved of our Maker_; and if, according to _Peter_’s Example and the Angel’s Advice, to bow only to God, and not to our Fellow-servants; and if to call no Man _Lord_ nor _Master_, except under particular Relations, according to Christ’s Command; I say, if these Things are not to be reproved, then are we not blameworthy in so doing.
[171] Esther 3. 5. Job 32. 21, 22.
If to be vain and gaudy in Apparel; if to paint the Face and plait the Hair; if to be clothed with Gold and Silver, and precious Stones; and if to be filled with Ribbands and Lace be to be clothed in modest Apparel; and if these be the Ornaments of Christians; and if that be to be humble, meek, and mortified, then are our Adversaries good Christians indeed, and we proud, singular, and conceited, in contenting ourselves with what Need and Conveniency calls for, and condemning what is more as superfluous; but not otherwise.