66 A whole.fateCaveat upon the Magiftrate put him to death, who dyedwith cxrreaih horror; Whereupon herefies being begun to be feibb'd and buffed, Beffius writes a Book : r. That men fhould punifh no herefie at all; but be merciful' and meek, as Chrifl was to the adulterous woman. 2. If they did yet that Magiflrates they fhould not punifh for errors or herefies. 3. If theydid, yet not with Inch fe- verity as they begun. To all which, Beta hath given a molt learned and folid anfwer, detefting the hypocrifie of the roan, and the fad confequences of fuch opinions, if their power fhould be diminifhed. I conceive, 'cis caning offChrifts power, to takeaway power from Magittrates topunifh fns againft the fiat Ta- ble, of which errors and herefies in Religion are part.It's as clear as the Sun, that the Kings of Judah that were g-city did it, and were commended for it ; and 'tisas eiear, they were commended for it ; not as types of (Thrift, bút becaufe they did therein that which was right in Gods eyes, and according to the commandment of the lord ; Which judiciall commandments, concern- ing the punifhing of Sablxtth- breakers, falle Prophets, Hercticks, &c. Gods fence to preferve morall Iawes; they are of rnorall equity, and fo to be obferved to this day of Chriftian Magiftrates, &c. To exempt Clergy- men in matters of ROigion from the power of -the civili fword, is flat Popery ; by means of which Antichrift hath rifer, and hathcontinued in his pomp and power fo long together ; The indulgence of Princes towards the Papal f 3r. rion in matters of Religion, hark undone Chriften- dome. ' r'is,true, every error is not to be immediately com- mitted, but when 'tis like a gangrene, ofa fpreading na- ture, then the Magiftrate in due time mutt cut it offfpee- lily. Ohjeil. Leave them to the Church. An/w. True, leave them r. there. But 2. Sometimes the Church will not, fometimes they are not of any Church. A Papift, an Arminian may come in and lea- ven and donne manya foul, for which theyhad better never been ; If it were but one, and if he fayes, I do it with a meek fpirir, (their trick of late) and none mtift meddle, becaufe mercy muff be fliewen to rhei wolves : Awife fhepherd had rather let a hunter cone in and kill one of his fheep,than let a Wolfor k.ox efcape,A4is 20.29 and. 01:30'5.
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