MATTH. 5. 21, 22.
THere remain two Questions more to be decided in this businesse, concerning Christs interpretation of the Law of Moses: The one is about the lawfulnesse of repelling force by force: The other about applying our selves to the Magistrate, to defend us against the injury, and violence of others. Now, that I may not be tedious in the discussing of these, I will lay down some few grounds that serve to the clearing of the truth herein, and so proceed to other matter, although (as you have heard) this tendeth much to the dignity and excellency of the Law.
First therefore take notice, that there is in all a cursed pronenesse to do things by way of revenge: Insomuch that there is not1 one in a thousand that doth rise up in practise to this excellent way, and rule of patience. The Heathens, they thought to revenge our selves was lawfull: Thus Tully, It is the first office of Justice to hurt no body, unlesse first provoked by injury: O quam simplicem, veramque sententiam (saith Lactantius) duorum verborm adjectione corrupit! But Seneca, he was against this, Immane verbum est ultio; and, Qui ulsciscitur, excusatiùs peccat. Now whatsoever the thoughts of men may be about the lawfulnesse, it’s certain, the practises of men are much contaminated this way. In State and Civil matters, in Church matters, what a revengefull spirit breatheth in men? This certainly cometh much short of our Saviours Directions. There is no injury or violence offered unto thee, but, in stead of revengefull affections, there may be holy mortifying thoughts in thee: As when Sheba cursed David, see how that brought him to the sense of sinne, to look up unto God more then to the instrument. All defamations and reproaches may serve to make thy graces more splendent. As Plutarch observeth, the Gardener planteth his unsavory herbs, Garlike and Onyons neer his sweetest Roses, that so the smell thereof may be the more prized. That was an excellent temper of Calvin, when reviled by Luther, he said, Etiamsi Lutherus millies me diabolum vocet, ego tamen illum insignem Domini servum agnosco. Although Luther call me a thousand times a Divell, yet I acknowledge him, an eminent servant of God. Why is it, that there are such suspicions, heart-burnings, defamations of one another, hard speeches and censures, but because this lesson of Christ is not learned by us?
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Consider this, that the primitive Christians have gone very farr in this Question, holding it unlawfull to defend a mans self2 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 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; It doth not hold in these latter times, for that would be to the prejudice of the Church; A foolish assertion. As these go too high, so the Jesuits in their cases, they go 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.
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Take notice of this, That the Law of God in the Old-Testament, was as strict against revenge as any precept in the New-Testament,3 and therefore nothing is now required of us, which was not then. Consider that place, Lev. 19. 16. Thou shalt not avenge, or beare any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe: What can be clearer then this, to subdue those waves and tempests that do rise in our hearts? So Prov. 24. 29. Say not, I will do to him, as he hath done to me: I will render to the man, according to his work: here also revengefull expressions & resolutions are forbidden; yea the reason why we are forbidden to avenge our selves given by Paul, Rom. 12. 19. because vengeance belongs unto God, is that which was drawn from the Old-Testament. In stead therefore of disputing, let us seriously set upon the practise of the duty, & the rather because it’s sweeter then honey it selfe to our corrupt hearts; and at this time this sinne doth much rage every where.