( 15 5 ) M. That's their way, but not Chrift's way. Why thould they put Apoftates or 1~iereticks to death, any more than In- fidels that never believed ? L. Becaufe they brew, their Covenant ; and becaufe they fin a- gainft the Laws which they contented to. M. And doth not finningagainft God's Law, inneither Conn fearing to nor Obeying, it, deferve as bad ? If God, by manyyears Preaching call one man to Chriftianity, and he derides it to the laft ; and another took it up but by Education and the Law of the Land, and never heard and underflood the Rea- fons of it, and turneth from ni it, being taken prifoner by the Turk f, which of thefe is the greater firmer ?. 'God binds them to Believe and Content that do not; and they fin againit God's Law, which is more than to break their own Covenant as fuch: But both thefe deferve death and worfe from God : But if it wereChrift's way, to have men put one of them to death, I fee not but why they Ihould do fo by the other. Torment or Death is no fitter way to maké anApoJue believe than other Infidels. It's known that all the-ancient Churches abhorred this.for- cing and punning way. I have wondered at the Impudence of_Baronius, Binnius, and other Papifts that juftifie Martin for., feparating from the Communion of the Bifhops that were for punifhing the Prifcillianifls by the fword, and Cano- ni'e him as a Saint, and condemn thefe Bifhops for it, and yet are for fir more cruelties themfelves, to far better men than the Prifcillianifts. But where Flefhly intereft is a mans Religion, no wonder if it have neither confiftency with Rea- fon nor Modefty. L. But if none but Volunteers be Chriftans or Communicants mooft will defpife the ,.Church and it will be empty. M. All that are fit tobe there will come in nd thole fewwill ' give the Paftorsmore comfort and lefïer trouble than the multi- tude oftheuncapable. Ifyour purfe be notquite fullofGold, will you fill it upwith dung or Itones ? Theuncapable will dobetter for themfelves, and theChurch among the iludientes or Catechu- mens. It is their forcing inthe uncapable, that hath corrupted the Church, and deprived the Flock of their due privileges (choofing their Paltors, &c.) becaufe it'smade up of men un- worthy of them. And doubtlefs if you but countenance and preterr ,:
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