George
Gillespie - The
Works of George Gillespie 2 Volume Set - ALL
PURITAN HARD DRIVE VIDEOS
The text has been edited to bring it into greater conformity with
contemporary spelling, punctuation, and grammatical usage.
Copyright © 1988 by
Presbyterian Heritage Publications
Third Edition, 1995
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Publisher's
Introduction
George
Gillespie was born in January 1613 at Kircaldy; he was the son of John
Gillespie, a minister of the gospel. The younger Gillespie received a classical
education at St. Andrews.
George
Gillespie demonstrated his gifts for the ministry as a young man.
Nevertheless, his ordination was delayed, due to his refusal to submit to an
Episcopal ordination. At that time, the Church of Scotland was suffering from
the intrusion of Episcopal prelates who had been thrust into the church by the
policies of the king.
Meanwhile, Gillespie formed an acquaintance with Samuel
Rutherfurd. Their friendship grew deeper until one day, in a manner similar
to Jonathan and David, "the two men took one another by the hand, and
swore a covenant that all their days, and amid all the trials they saw were coming
to Scotland and her church, they would remain fast friends, would often think
of one another, would often name one another before God in prayer, and would
regularly write to one another, and that not on church questions only and the
books they were reading, but more especially on the life of God in their own
souls."[1]
Tensions grew within the Scottish church because attempts were made to
impose the Anglican liturgy on the Scots. The Church of England had never been
purged of many liturgical corruptions which were carried over from Roman
Catholicism. Thus, when the Anglican rituals were obtruded upon the Scottish
church by the king, militant opposition arose among the Scots.
George Gillespie wrote a definitive response to the advocates of the
Anglican order. Entitled A
Dispute Against the English-Popish Ceremonies Obtruded upon the Church of
Scotland, Gillespie's book was
published in 1637. The work was so controversial, it was initially published
anonymously in Leiden and smuggled back into Scotland. To Gillespie's
contemporaries, it seemed incredible that a work of such depth had been written
by a mere youth of twenty-five.[2]
Gillespie's book contains a thorough assault upon the Anglican ceremonies in
general, while repeatedly citing examples to illustrate his main points.
Specifically, Gillespie disputes the act of kneeling to receive the Lord's
Supper, the use of the sign of the cross in baptism, the rite of confirmation,
ministerial vestments, ecclesiastical holidays, etc. First, Gillespie argues
against their necessity; second, he dispels notions that they are expedient;
third, he demonstrates their unlawfulness; and, fourth, he shows they are not
things indifferent.
"In the Spring of 1638 Gillespie was the first to be ordained by a
Presbytery without regard to the authority of the Bishops. Later that year he
took an active part in the Glasgow Assembly in which the Bishops were deposed
and Presbyterian church government reestablished."[3]
Gillespie subsequently served in pastorates in Wemyss and the Greyfriars Church
in Edinburgh.
In 1643, Gillespie was appointed as one of the Scottish Commissioners to the
Westminster
Assembly, along with Rutherfurd, Alexander Henderson, and Robert Baillie.
Although Gillespie was the youngest member of the Westminster Assembly, he took
a prominent role in the debates. Indeed, Gillespie's memorable speech against
Erastianism is credited with providing the decisive vindication of church
discipline.
Gillespie produced a written defence of Presbyterian church government in Aaron's
Rod Blossoming (1646). In this volume,
Gillespie maintains the right of the church to govern itself, free from
intrusion by the State.
Gillespie took leave of the Westminster Assembly in July 1647 and returned
to Scotland. In September he was called to pastor the High Church in Edinburgh.
In 1648, Gillespie served as the Moderator of the General Assembly. Later
that year, he became ill and died in December, just shy of his thirty-sixth
birthday.
Although Gillespie's years seemed cut short, he accomplished much during his
brief tenure in the church. Writing to Gillespie during Gillespie's final
illness, Samuel Rutherfurd sought to encourage him, noting, "Christ in and
by you hath done more than by twenty, yea, an hundred grey-haired and godly
pastors."[4]
Gillespie ministered during the turbulent era of the English Civil War. It
was a period which witnessed numerous ecclesiastical and civil covenants, most
notably The Solemn League and Covenant (1643). Thus, covenants and political
alliances formed the basis of lively discussion among theologians and
statesmen. Further, ecclesiastical matters and civil government were greatly
intertwined, as is often the case.
Gillespie's treatment of forbidden alliances is set within this historical
background. Nevertheless, his discussion examines timeless principles which
bear upon many contemporary issues. "God rules in Jacob to the ends of the
earth" (Psalm 59:13). As the sovereign ruler of his people, the Lord
requires the fidelity of his people, commanding them to avoid ungodly
entanglements (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Yet, Christians are often tempted to form
unequal yokes in many spheres of life: in the church, in politics, in business,
in social ties, and in marriage. Gillespie's words may provide us with a timely
warning, enabling us to avoid a multitude of unwise connections which could
bring disastrous consequences upon ourselves, our families, and the church.
The perceptive reader will find many areas of contemporary application. How
should the Christian faith affect our political involvement? What kinds of
political coalitions are forbidden in scripture?
When do calls for church union and cooperation actually become a snare? How
do scriptural principles reflect upon our own personal church affiliations and
ecclesiastical connections?
Should we form personal business partnerships with persons outside the
Reformed faith? What biblical restrictions apply to our business dealings in
general?
Are social organizations such as fraternities, the lodge, labour unions,
etc. enticing us to become unequally yoked? In our own personal bonds of
friendship, or in contemplation of marriage, have we considered the propriety
of these intimate connections in the light of scriptural principles related to
personal covenants?
While Gillespie does not answer each of these individual questions, his
discussion is of immense value in settling such inquiries. Gillespie gives us
the overarching scriptural principles which apply in a variety of situations.
He shows us how fidelity to Christ is the preeminent claim which must regulate
all our alliances among the sons of men.
Footnotes for Publisher's Introduction
1. Alexander Whyte, Samuel Rutherford and Some of His
Correspondents. Edinburgh: Oliphant
Anderson and Ferrier, 1894, p. 152.
2. David C. Lachman, "Preface" to the reprint of Aaron's
Rod Blossoming; or, the Divine Ordinance of Church Government Vindicated by George Gillespie (1646; rpt. Harrisonburg, Va.:
Sprinkle Publications, 1985).
3. Lachman, "Preface."
4. Letters of Samuel Rutherford, edited, with notes, by A. A. Bonar ( 1891; rpt.
Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1984), p. 644.
Forbidden
Alliances
While I have occasion to speak of human covenants, it shall not be
unprofitable to speak somewhat to that question so much debated, as well among
divines as among politicians and lawyers, whether a confederacy and association
with wicked men, or such as are of another religion, be lawful, yea or no. For
answer whereunto shortly, let us distinguish, (1) civil covenants; (2)
ecclesiastical, sacred or religious covenants; (3) mixed covenants, partly
civil, partly religious.[1] The last two, being made with
wicked men, and such as differ in religion from us, I hold to be unlawful, and
so do the best writers.[2]
When the Israelites are forbidden a covenant with the Canaanites, special
mention is made of their gods, altars, images, Ex. 23:32; 34:13-14; Judges 2:2,
that no such superstitious, unlawful worship might be tolerated. As for civil
covenants, if they be for commerce or peace, which were called [Gk.] spondai, they are allowed, according to the scriptures, Gen.
14:13; 31:44; 1 Kings 5:12; Jer. 29:7; Rom. 12:18. Such covenants the Venetians
have with the Turks, because of vicinity; such covenants also Christian
emperors of old had sometimes with the pagans. It was the breach of a civil
covenant of peace with the Turks that God punished so exemplarily in
Uladyslaus, king of Hungary.
But if the civil covenant be such a covenant as the Greeks called [Gk.] summaxia, to join in military expeditions together, of this is
the greatest debate and controversy among writers.[3] For
my part, I hold it unlawful, with diverse good writers; and I conceive that,
Ex. 34, God forbids not only religious covenants with the Canaanites, but even
civil covenants, verse 12, and conjugal covenants, verse 16; which is also
Junius' opinion, in his analysis upon that place.
The reason for the unlawfulness of such confederacies are brought: 1. From
the law, Ex. 23:32; 34:12,15; Deut. 7:2. Yea, God makes this a principal
stipulation and condition, upon their part, while he is making a covenant with
them, Ex. 34:10,12; Judg. 2:1-2. And lest it should be thought that this is
meant only of those seven nations enumerated [in] Deut. 7, the same law is
interpreted of four other nations, 1 Kings 11:1-2; so that it is to be
understood generally against confederacies with idolators and those of a false
religion. And the reason of the law is moral and perpetual, viz., the danger of
ensnaring the people of God. Therefore they were forbidden to covenant either
with their gods or with themselves; for a conjunction of counsels and familiar
conversations (which are consequents of a covenant) draws in the end to a
fellowship in religion.
2. From disallowed and condemned examples; as Asa's covenant with Benhadad,
2 Chron. 16:1-10, and Ahaz's covenant with the kings of Assyria, 2 Kings
16:7,10; 2 Chron. 28:16-23. And should it be objected, "These are but
examples of covenants with idolatrous heathens, there is not the like reason to
condemn confederacies and associations with wicked men of the same
religion," I answer, (1) It holds a fortiori [with stronger reason] against confederacies with such of the seed of
Jacob as had made defection from true religion; for Grotius (de Jure
Belli et Pacis [Concerning the
Law of War and Peace], lib. 2, cap. 15, num. 9) notes, God would have such to
be more abominated than heathens, and to be destroyed from among their people,
Deut. 13:13. (2) We have in other scriptures examples which meet with that case
also; for Jehoshaphat's confederacy with Ahab, 2 Chron. 18:3, with 2Chron.
19:2, and after with Ahaziah, 2 Chron. 20:35, are condemned, which made
Jehoshaphat (although once relapsing into that sin) yet afterwards mend his
fault, for he would not again join with Ahaziah when he sought that association
the second time, 1 Kings 22:49. So Amaziah, having associated himself in an
expedition with the Israelites, when God was not with them, did, upon the
prophet's admonition, disjoin himself from them, and take his hazard of their
anger, 2 Chron. 25:7-10. Lavater upon the place, applying that example, notes
this as one of the causes why Christian wars with the Turks had so ill success.
Why, says he, consider what soldiers were employed: this is the fruit of
associations with the wicked.
3. These confederacies proceed from an evil heart of unbelief; as is manifest
by the reasons which are brought against Ahaz's league with Benhadad, 2 Chron.
16:7-9, and by that which is said against the confederacy with the king of
Assyria, Isa. 8:12-13; for as Calvin upon the place notes, the unbelievers
among the people, considering their own inability for managing so great a war,
thought it necessary to have a confederacy with the Assyrians; but this was
from faithless fears, from want of faith to stay and rest upon God as
all-sufficient.
4. If we must avoid fellowship and conversation with the sons of Belial
(except where natural bonds or the necessity of calling ties us), Ps. 6:8;
Prov. 9:6; 24:1; 2 Cor. 6:14-15; and if we should account God's enemies our
enemies, then how can we join with them, and look upon them as friends?
Now as to the arguments which used to be brought for the contrary opinion,
first it is objected that Abraham had a confederacy with Aner, Eshchol, and
Mamre, Gen. 14:13; Abraham with Abimelech, Gen. 21:27, 32; and Isaac with
Abimelech, Gen. 26; Jacob with Laban, Gen. 7:44; Solomon with Hiram, 1 Kings
5:12. Answer. (1) It cannot be proved
that those confederates of Abraham, Isaac and Solomon were either idolators or
wicked. Laban, indeed, was an idolator, but there are good interpreters who
conceive that Abraham's three confederates feared God, and that Abimelech also
feared God, because he speaks reverently of God, ascribes to God the blessing
and prosperity of these patriarchs. It is presumed, also, that Hiram was a
pious man, because of his epistle to Solomon, 2 Chron. 2:11. However, (2) those
confederacies were civil, either for commerce or for peace and mutual security,
that they should not wrong one another, as that with Laban, Gen. 31:52; and
with Abimelech, Gen. 26:28-29, which kind of confederacy is not controverted.
It is objected, also, that the Maccabees had a covenant with the Romans and
Lacedæmonians, 1 Mac. 8; 12:1-2. Answer.
(1) That covenant is disallowed by many good writers, yet it is observed from
the story that they had not the better but the worse success, nor the less but
the more trouble following it. (2) The story itself, 1 Mac. 1:11, tells us that
the first motion of a confederacy with the heathen in those times proceeded
from the children of Belial in Israel.
Lastly, it may be objected that persons discontented, and of broken
fortunes, were gathered to David, and that he received them, and became a
captain unto them, 1 Sam. 22:2. Answer.
(1) Some think (and it is probable) they were such as were oppressed and
wronged by Saul's tyranny, and were therefore in debt and discontented, and
that David, in receiving them, was a type of Christ, who is a refuge for the
afflicted, and touched with the feeling of their infirmities. (2) Whoever they
were, David took care that no profane nor wicked person might be in his
company, Ps. 101; yea, Ps. 34:11 (which was penned at the time when he departed
from Achish and became captain of those four hundred men), he says to them,
"Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the
Lord." (3) I shall bring a better argument from David's example against
joining such associates in war as are known to be malignant and wicked: Ps.
118:7, "The Lord taketh my part with them that help me, therefore I shall
see my desire upon them that hate me;" Ps. 54:4, "The Lord is with
them that uphold my soul." Upon this last place, both Calvin and Gesnerus
observe that, although David's helpers were few and weak, yet God being in them
and with them, his confidence was that they should prove stronger than all the
wicked. He intimates also, that if he had not known that God was with his
helpers, leading and inspiring them, he had looked for no help by them 2 Chron.
15:7-8. That David's helpers in the war were looked upon as sincere, cordial,
and stirred up of God, may farther appear from 1Chron. 12, where David joins
with himself, fidos homines qui idem cum sentirent (says Lavater on the place): "faithful men of
his own mind." He adds that they were such as hated Saul's impiety and
injustice, and loved David's virtue. Vict. Strigelius calls them fideles
amicos: "faithful friends." The
text itself tells us that diverse of them joined themselves to David while he
was yet in distress, and shut up in Ziklag, ver. 1 (which was an argument of
sincerity); also, that some of Benjamin (Saul's own tribe) adjoined themselves
to David, and the Spirit came upon Amasai, who by a special divine instinct
spoke to assure David of their sincerity, ver. 2, 16, 18. They also who joined
themselves with David after Saul's death, ver. 23, were not of a double heart,
but of a "perfect heart," ver. 33, 38; and they all agreed that the
first great business to be undertaken should be religion, the bringing back of
the ark, 1 Chron. 13:3-4.
This point of the unlawfulness of confederacies with men of a false religion
is strangely misapplied by Lutherans against confederacies with us, whom they
call Calvinists. So argues Tarnovius, Trac. de Fderib. But we may make a very good use of it; for as we
ought to pray and endeavour that all who are Christ's may be made one in him,
so we ought to pray against, and by all means avoid fellowship, familiarity,
marriages, and military confederacies with known wicked persons, and such as
are of a false or heretical religion. I shall branch forth this matter in five
particulars, which God forbade to his people in reference to the Canaanites and
other heathens, which also (partly by parity of reason, partly by concluding
more strongly) will militate against confederacies and conjunctions with such
as, under the profession of the Christian religion, do either maintain heresies
and dangerous errors, or live a profane and wicked life.
1. God forbade all religious covenants with such, and would not have his
people to tolerate the gods, images, altars, or groves of idolaters, Ex. 23:32;
34:12-13; Deut 7:2-5; Judg. 2:2. And although the letter of the law mentions
this in reference to the Canaanites, yet the best reforming kings of Judah
applied and executed this law in taking away the groves and high places abused
by the Jews in their superstition. And what marvel? If such things were not to
be tolerated in the Canaanites, much less in the Jews. Theodosius[3] is
commended for his suppressing and punishing heretics.
2. God forbade familiar conversation with these heathens, that they should
not dwell together with his people, nay, not in the land with them, Ex. 23:33,
lest one of them, being familiar with an Israelite, might call him to a feast,
and make him eat of things sacrificed to idols, Ex. 34:15. Compare this with
Judg. 1:21; Ps. 106:35. Now the apostle lays much more restraint upon us from
conversing, eating, and drinking with a scandalous Christian, 1 Cor. 5:11, than
with a pagan or unbeliever, 1 Cor. 10:27. There is a conversing and companying
with wicked persons which is our affliction, not our fault; that is, when we
cannot be rid of them, do what we can, 1Cor. 5:10 which is an argument
against separating and departing from a true church, because of scandalous
persons in it. The apostle gives this check to such: go where they will, they
shall find scandalous persons all the world over. There is, again, a conversing
and companying with wicked persons which natural and civil bonds, or near
relations, or our calling, ties us unto, as between husband and wife, parent
and child, pastor and people, magistrate and those of his charge. But wittingly
and willingly to converse and have fellowship with heretical or profane
persons, whether it be out of love to them and delight in them, or for our own
interest or some worldly benefit, this is certainly sinful and inexcusable. If
we take care of our bodily safety, by flying the company of such as have the
plague; yea, if we take care of the safety of our beasts, and would not, to our
knowledge, suffer a scabbed or rotten sheep to infect the rest; shall we not
much more take care of our own and neighbors' souls, by avoiding (and warning
others to avoid) the fellowship of the ungodly, whereby spiritual infection
comes? Remember, it was but a kind visit of Jehoshaphat to Ahab which was the
occasion of engaging him into a confederacy with that wicked man, 2 Chron.
18:2-3.
3. God forbade conjugal covenants or marrying with them, Ex. 34:16; Deut.
7:3. The rule is the same against matching with other wicked persons, whether
idolaters or professing the same religion with us. We read not of idolatry, or
any professed doctrinal differences in religion between the posterity of Seth
and the posterity of Cain, yet this was the great thing that corrupted the old
world, and brought on the flood, that the children of God joined themselves in
marriage with the profane, Gen. 6:1-3. Jehoram married not an heathen, but the
daughter of Ahab; but it is marked, he did evil as did the house of Ahab. And
what is the reason given for this? "For the daughter of Ahab was his
wife," 2 Kings 8:18; and, by and by, ver. 27, the like is marked of
Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram, who "did evil in the sight of the Lord as did
the house of Ahab; for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab." The
apostle Peter supposes that Christians marry such as are "heirs together
of the grace of life," 1 Pet. 3:7; see also Prov. 7:30.
4. God forbade his people to make with the Canaanites foedus deditionis [a treaty of surrender], or subactionis [of subjugation], or (as others speak) pactum liberatorium [a deliverer's agreement]; he
would have his people show no mercy to those whom he had destined to
destruction, Deut. 7:2. Herein Ahab sinned, by making a brotherly covenant of
friendship with Benhadad when God had delivered him into his hand, 1 Kings
20:32-34. So, in all Christian commonwealths, the magistrate, God's vicegerent,
ought to cut off all such evil doers as God's word appoints to be cut off.
David's sparing of Joab and Shimei, being partly necessitated thereto, partly
induced by political reasons (whereof he repented when he was dying, nor could
his conscience be at ease till he left a charge upon Solomon for executing
justice upon both Joab and Shimei, 1 Kings 2:5-9), are no good precedents or
warrants to Christian magistrates to neglect the executing of justice. It is a
better precedent which David resolves upon more deliberately, Ps. 101:8,
"I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all
wicked doers from the city of the Lord." Mark this all, of what degree or
quality soever, without respect of persons, and that early, and without delay.
Lastly, and even Joab himself was so far punished by David, that he was cast
out of his place and command, 2 Sam. 19:13; 20:4.
5. The law is also to be applied against civil covenants, not of peace or of
commerce, but of war; that is, a league offensive and defensive, wherein we
associate ourselves with idolaters, infidels, heretics, or any other known
enemies of truth or godliness, so as to have the same friends or enemies. A
covenant of peace or commerce with such may happen to be unlawful in respect of
some circumstances, as when peace is given to those rebels, murderers,
incendiaries in the kingdom, who, by the law of God, ought to be destroyed by
the hand of justice; or when commerce with idolaters is so abused, as to
furnish them with the things that they are known to make use of in their
idolatry. But as for [Gk.] summaxia, a
confederacy engaging us into a war with such associates, it is absolutely, and
in its own nature, unlawful; and I find it condemned by good writers of the
popish party, of the Lutheran party, and of the orthodox party. Some of all
these are before cited.
What holiness God required in the armies of Israel, see Deut. 23:9-14. We
may well argue, as Isidorus Pelusiota does (lib. 3, epist. 14), if the law was
so severe against such uncleannesses as were not voluntary, how much less would
God suffer such as did voluntarily and wickedly defile themselves. It is marked
as a part of Abimelech's sin, Judg. 9:4, that he "hired vain and light
persons which followed him." God would have Amaziah to dismiss an hundred
thousand men of Israel, being already with him in a body, and told him he
should fall before the enemy if these went with him, because God was not with
them, 2 Chron. 25:7, etc. If they had not yet been gathered into a body, it had
been much to abstain from gathering them, upon the prophet's admonition; but
this is much more, that he sends them away after they are in a body, and takes his
hazard of all the hurt that so many outraged soldiers could do to him or his
people; and indeed they did much hurt in going back, ver. 13. Yet God regarded
Amaziah's obedience with a great victory.
In the last age, shortly after the begun reformation in Germany, this case
of conscience, concerning the unlawfulness of such confederacies, was much
looked at. The city of Strasbourg, anno 1629, made a defensive league with
Zurich, Bern, and Basil.[4] Qui et vicini erant, et
dogmate magis conveniebant, says Sleidan:
"they were not only neighbors, but of the same faith and religion."
Therefore they made a confederacy with them. About two years after, the Elector
of Saxony refused to take into confederacy those Helvetians,[5]
because although they were powerful, and might be very helpful to him, yet they
differing in religion concerning the article of the Lord's supper, he said he
durst not join with them as confederates, lest such sad things might befall him
as the scripture testifies to have befallen those who, for their help or
defence, took any assistance they could get. The rule was good in itself,
although, in that particular case, misapplied.
The very heathens had a notion of the unlawfulness of confederacies with
wicked men; for, as Vict. Strigelius, on 2 Chron. 25, notes out of Æschylus'
tragedy entitled Seven to Thebe,
Amphiaraus, a wise and virtuous man, was therefore swallowed up in the earth,
with seven men and seven horses, because he had associated himself with Tydeus,
Capaneus, and other impious commanders, marching to the siege of Thebe.
Lastly, take this reason for further confirmation: as we must do all to the
glory of God, so we must not make wars to ourselves, but to the Lord; hence,
"the book of the wars of the Lord," Num. 21:14, and "the battle
is not ours, but the Lord's" [cf.] 1 Sam. 25:28; 2 Chron. 20:15. Now, how
shall we employ them that hate the Lord to help the Lord? Or how shall the
enemies of his glory do for his glory? Shall rebels and traitors be taken to
fight in the king's wars? Offer it to your governor, as it is said, Mal. 1:8,
see if he would take this well.
As for the objections from scripture, they are before answered. There are
many other exceptions of men's corrupt reasoning, which may yet be easily taken
off, if we will receive scripture light. That very case of Jehoshaphat's
confederacy with Ahab takes off many of them; for although (1) Jehoshaphat was
a good man, and continued so after that association, not drawn away into
idolatry, nor infected with Ahab's religion, but only assisting him in a civil
business. (2) Ahab lived in the church of Israel, which was still a church,
although greatly corrupted, and he was no professed hater of God (only he had
professed to hate Micaiah, the man of God); yea, lately before this, he
appeared very penitent; and some think Jehoshaphat now judged charitably of
Ahab, because of that great humiliation and repentance of his, which God did
accept so far as to reward it with a temporal sparing mercy, 1 Kings 21, at the
end. Then follows immediately, chap. 22, Jehoshaphat's association with him;
although Jehoshaphat was also joined in affinity with Ahab, Ahab's daughter
being married to his son. (3) The enemy was the king of Assyria; and Jehoshaphat
does not join with a wicked man against God's people, but against the infidel
Assyrians; even as Amaziah was beginning to join with those of the ten tribes
against the Edomites. (4) The cause seems to have been good, as Carthusian on 1
Kings 20:3, and Lavater upon 2Chron. 19:2 note;[6] for
Ramoth Gilead was a city of refuge pertaining to the Levites in the tribe of
Gad, and should have been restored by the king of Assyria to Ahab according to
their covenant, 1 Kings 20:34. Daneus brings that same example of Ahab's going
up against Ramoth Gilead to prove that it is just to make war against those who
have broken covenant with us. (5) Jehoshaphat's manner of proceeding was pious
in this respect, that he said to Ahab, "Inquire, I pray thee, of the word
of the Lord today;" and again, "Is there not here a prophet of the
Lord besides," he inquires ultra [further], and seeks all the light he could there have, in
point of conscience, from prophets of the Lord; which makes it probable that
those four hundred prophets did not profess, or were not known to Jehoshaphat,
to be prophets of Baal, but were looked upon as prophets of the Lord, as
Cajetan thinks; therefore they answer also in the name of the Lord, "the
Lord shall deliver it." It is not likely that Jehoshaphat would desire the
prophets of Baal to be consulted, or that he would harken to them more than to
the prophet of the Lord, Micaiah. Yet, in this he failed extremely, that he had
too far engaged himself to Ahab before inquiring at the word of the Lord.
However, it seems he was, by this inquiring, seeking a fair way to come off
again. (6) Jehoshaphat's end was good. Martyr, on 1 Kings 22, thinks
Jehoshaphat entered into this confederacy with Ahab for the peace and safety of
his kingdom, and to prevent a new war between Judah and Israel, such as had
been between Asa, his father, and Baasha, king of Israel; for which end also
Carthusian, on 1Kings 22, thinks that Jehoshaphat took Ahab's daughter to his
son.
Yet notwithstanding of all this the prophet Jehu says to him, 2 Chron. 19:2,
"Shouldest thou help them that hate the Lord?" The Septuagint reads,
"hated of the Lord," which comes all to one thing. And lest it should
be thought a venial or light matter, he adds, "Therefore is wrath upon
thee from before the Lord." So that from this example we learn, that let
us keep ourselves unspotted from the false religion or errors of those with
whom we associate. Let wicked men seem never so penitent, and our relations to
them be never so near; let the common enemy be an infidel; let the manner of
proceeding be never so pious, and the end also good; yet all this cannot excuse
nor justify confederacies and associations with wicked and ungodly men. And if
God was so angry at Jehoshaphat when there were so many things concurring as
might seem to excuse or extenuate his fault, it being also in him a sin of
infirmity only, and not without a reluctance of conscience, and a conflict of
the spirit against the flesh (which Pareus, upon 1 Kings 1:22, does well
collect from his desire of inquiring at the word of the Lord, that he might
have occasion to come off), how much more will God be angry with such as go on
with a high hand in trespass, casting his word behind them, and hating to be
reformed?
If it be further objected, that we are not able without such confederacies
and help to prosecute a great war alone, this also the Holy Ghost has
beforehand answered, in the example of Ahaz's confederacy with the king of
Assyria; for he had a great war to manage, both against the Assyrians, and
against the king of Israel, 2 Kings 16:7; also against the Edomites and
Philistines, 2 Chron. 28:16-18. Yet, although he had so much to do, this could
not excuse the confederacy with the Assyrian. He should have trusted to God,
and not used unlawful means. God can save by few, as well as by many. Yea,
sometimes God thinks not fit to save by many, Judg. 7. It shall not be the
strength of battle to have unlawful confederates, but rather to want them, Ex.
23:22.
If it be said it is dangerous to provoke and incense many wicked men by
casting them off, this is plainly answered from the example of Amaziah, and the
hundred thousand men of Israel with him of which [we spoke] before. If,
furthermore, objection be made, that we must be gentle and patient towards all,
and in meekness instruct those that oppose themselves, 2 Tim. 2:24-25. Answer. (1) Yet he bids us turn away from the wicked, chap.
3:5. We ought in meekness to instruct even him that is excommunicate, 2 Thess.
3:15, yet we are there warned, ver. 14, to have no company with him. (2) The
angel of the church at Ephesus is at once commended both for his patience, and
that he could not bear them which were evil [Rev. 2:2].
I shall add five distinctions which will take off all other objections that
I have yet met with.
1. Distinguish between a confederacy which is more discretive and
discriminative, and a confederacy which is more unitive. And here is the reason
why covenants of peace and commerce, even with infidels and wicked persons, are
allowed, yet military associations with such disallowed. For the former keeps
them and us still divided as two; the latter unites us and them as one, and
embodies us together with them. For Thucidides defines [Gk.] summaxia to be such a covenant as makes us and our
confederates to have the same friends and enemies;[7] and
it is mentioned by writers as a further degree of union than [Gk.] spondai, or covenants of peace.
2. Distinguish between endeavor of duty, and the perfection of the things
which answers that exception: "O, then, we must have an army all of saints
(it should be said) without any known wicked person in it." Now, even as
it is our duty to endeavor a purging of the church from wicked and scandalous
persons, yet, when we have done all we can, the Lord's field shall not be
perfectly purged from tares till the end of the world, Matt. 13. So when we
have done all that ever we can to avoid wicked persons in an expedition, yet we
cannot be rid of them all; but we must use our utmost endeavors that we may be
able to say, "It is our affliction, not our fault."
3. Distinguish between some particular wicked persons here and there mixing
themselves with us, and between a wicked faction and malignant party. The
former should be avoided as much as possible, but much more a conjunction with
a wicked faction. David would by no means meet and consult with the [Heb.] kahal
meregnim, "the assembly of
malignants." Neither did he only shun to meet and consult with "vain
persons," who openly show and betray themselves, but even "with
dissemblers," or (as the Chaldee) "with those that hide themselves,
that they may do evil," Ps. 26:4-5. We can know better how to do with a
whole field of tares, in which no wheat is, than we can do with tares growing
here and there among the wheat.
4. Distinguish between such a fellowship with some wicked persons as is
necessary (which is the case of those that are married, and of parents and
children) or unavoidable, which is the case of those whose lot it is to cohabit
in one town, or in one family, in a case of necessity, travelling, or sailing
together distinguish, I say, between these and an elective or voluntary
fellowship with wicked men, when love to them, or our own benefit, draws us
thereunto. We neither loose natural bonds, nor require impossibilities, but
that we keep ourselves pure, by not choosing or consenting to such fellowship.
5. Distinguish between infidels, heretics, wicked persons repenting, and
those who go on in their trespass. Whatever men have been, yet as soon as the
signs of repentance and new fruits appear in them, we are ready to receive them
into favour and fellowship. Then, indeed, the wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together;
meaning such as were wolves, leopards, bears, and now begin to change their
nature. Not so with the obstinate, contumacious and impenitent, who still
remain wolves, etc.
Let us now, (1) examine ourselves, whether there be so much tenderness of
conscience in us as to close with those scripture truths, or whether we are
still in a way of consulting with flesh and blood. (2) Be humbled for former
miscarriages and failings in these particulars, and for not walking accurately
according to these scripture rules. (3) Beware for the future; remember and
apply these rules when we have to do with the practice of them.
And that I may drive home this nail to the head, I add (beside what was said
before) these reasons and motives: First, it is a great judgment when God
"mingleth a perverse spirit" in the midst of a people, Isa. 19:14.
Shall we then make that a voluntary act of our own which the word mentions as a
dreadful judgment? With this spiritual judgment is oftentimes a temporal
judgment, as 2 Chron. 16:9; 20:37; 28:22; so Hos. 5:13; 7:8, compared with
chap. 8:8-9, where their judgment sounds forth their sin as by an echo. The
Chaldee paraphrase, in the place last cited, says, "The house of Israel is
delivered into the hands of the people whom they loved."
Secondly, remember what followed upon God's people mingling themselves with
the heathen, Ps. 106:35, "They were mingled among the heathen, and learned
their works." Hos. 7:8: "Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the
people" that is, by making confederacies with the heathen (as Luther
expounds the place), and by seeking their help and assistance, Hos. 5:13. But
what follows? "Ephraim is a cake not turned," hot and overbaked in the
nether [lower] side, but cold and raw in
the upper side. This will prove the fruit of such confederacies and
associations to make us zealous for some earthly or human thing, but remiss and
cold in the things of Christ: to be too hot on our nether side, and too raw on
the upper side. Whereas not mingling ourselves with the wicked, we shall,
through God's mercy, be like a cake turned; that heat and zeal which was before
downward shall now be upward, heavenward, Godward.
Let it also be remembered how both Ahaz, 2 Kings 16:10, and Asa himself, 2
Chron. 16:10 (though a good man), were drawn into other great sins, upon
occasion of these associations with the enemies of God and his people. This sin
will certainly ensnare men in other sins. It is well said by Calvin, upon Ezek.
16:26, that as we are too prone of ourselves to wickedness, so when we enter
into confederacies with wicked men we are but seeking new temptations, and, as
it were, a bellows to blow up our corruptions. As wine, being mixed with water,
loses of its spirits; and white, being mixed with black, loses much of its
whiteness; so the people of God, if once mixed with wicked enemies, shall
certainly lose of their purity and integrity.
Thirdly, as these unlawful confederacies draw us both into great judgments
and great sins, so into great security and stupidity under these great plagues
and sins, which will make the estate of such to be yet worse, Hos. 7:9. After
Ephraim's mixing himself among the people, it is added, "Strangers have
devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not; yea, grey hairs are here and
there upon him, yet he knoweth it not." Although his confederates have
distressed him, and not strengthened him, and although there may be observed in
him diverse signs of a decaying dying condition, yet he knows it not, nor takes
it to heart. The same thing is insisted upon, ver. 11, "Ephraim also is
like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go up to
Assyria." He is as void of understanding as a silly dove, whose nest being
spoiled, and "her young ones taken from her" (which the Chaldee
paraphrase adds for explication's cause), yet she still returns to those places
where, and among those people by whom, she has been so spoiled: so Israel will
still be meddling with those that have done him great hurt.
Fourthly, we find that such confederacy or association, either with
idolaters or known impious persons, is seldom or never recorded in the book of
God without a reproof, or some greater mark of God's displeasure put upon it.
If it were like the polygamy of the patriarchs, often mentioned and not
reproved, it were the less marvel to hear it so much debated. But now, when God
hath so purposely set so many beacons upon those rocks and shelves, that we may
be aware of them, O why shall we be so mad as still to run upon them? It was
reproved in the time of the judges, Judg. 2:1-3. It was reproved in the time of
the kings. Ahab's covenant with Benhadad; Asa's covenant with Benhadad; Ahaz's
confederacy with the Assyrian; Jehoshaphat's association, first with Ahab, then
with Amaziah; Amaziah's association with those hundred thousand men of Ephraim,
when God was not with them all these are plainly disallowed and condemned.
Moreover, that reproof, Jer. 2:18, "And now, what hast thou to do in the way
of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? Or what hast thou to do in the way of
Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?" the Chaldee has thus:
"What have ye to associate with Pharoah king of Egypt? And what have ye to
do to make a covenant with the Assyrian?" Again, after the captivity, Ezra
9, the Jews' mingling of themselves with the heathen is lamented.
Fifthly, the great and precious promises of God may encourage us so as we
shall never say to the wicked, "a confederacy." For, upon condition
of our avoiding all such confederacies and conjunctions, God promises never to
break his covenant with us, Judg. 2:1-2, and to receive us as his sons and
daughters, 2 Cor. 6:14, 16-18.
Sixthly, it is one of God's greatest mercies which he has covenanted and promised,
"I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress
against me," Ezek. 20:38. Why should we then forsake our own mercy, and
despise the counsel of God against our souls?
Seventhly, as it was Asa's experience, 2 Chron. 16:7-8, so it has been in
our own. God has done his greatest works for us when we were most unmixed with
such men.
There is another objection which at the writing hereof I have met with. It
is David's confederacy and association with Abner, 2 Sam. 3:12-13, and with Amasa,
2 Sam. 19:13, whom, according to agreement, he made general of his host, 2 Sam.
20:4, although both of them had been David's enemies and borne arms against
him, Abner being also scandalous both for his whoredom, 2 Sam. 3:7, and his
treachery against Ishbosheth in aspiring to the crown (which is collected from
his going in unto Saul's concubine, as Absalom did unto David's afterward).
Yea, for that he had borne arms against David, when he knew that God had sworn
to make David king, and so against the light of his conscience, 2 Sam. 3:9, 18.
Answer. 1. Peter Martyr, commenting
upon these places, disallows David's practice in both these cases, especially
his league with Abner. Should we follow these two examples, not being allowed
or commended in scripture? Or should we not rather avoid such confederacies,
because of many examples thereof plainly condemned in the word of God?
2. Whatsoever may be conceived to be allowable or excusable in these
examples of David, yet it cannot be applied except in like cases. When David
covenanted with Abner he was but king of Judah. Abner undertakes to bring about
all Israel to him, and that he should make him reign over all the tribes,
whereas otherwise there was no appearance of David's subduing of all the other
tribes but by a long and bloody war. Again, when David covenanted and
capitulated with Amasa, he was in a manner fled out of the land for Absalom, 2
Sam. 19:9, and was forced to abide in the land of Gilead beyond Jordan, fearing
also (as interpreters observe)[8] that the men of Judah,
having strengthened Jerusalem and kept it with a garrison for Absalom, and
having done so much in assisting Absalom against David, should grow desperate
in holding out against him, hoping for no mercy. Therefore he is content to
make Amasa general of his army, upon condition that he would cause the men of
Judah to bring him back to Jerusalem, which Amasa moves the men of Judah to do,
2Sam. 19:14. For it was done by his authority, as Josephus also writes;[9] nor could it be done without his authority, for Absalom
and Ahitophel being dead, Amasa had the whole power and sole headship of that
army, and of all that faction that had followed Absalom.
Now, then, let them that will plead for the lawfulness of confederacies with
wicked persons from these examples of David first make the case alike, that is,
that the wicked one have the power of an army, and of a great part of the body
of the kingdom, to make them either continue in rebellion and enmity or to come
in and submit. Next let it be remembered, that both Abner and Amasa did a great
service (which was most meritorious at the hands of men) for the good, peace,
and safety of king and kingdom. And they did it at that time also when David
was but weak, and they had power enough to have continued a war against him,
which is a very rare case, and far different from the case of such as have done
and are doing all that they can to pervert and mislead thousands of the people
of God, instead of reducing many thousands to obedience, as Abner and Amasa
did.
3. There are some other answers proper to the one case and the other. There
is nothing in the text to prove that David made such a covenant with Abner as
the Greeks call [Gk.] summaxia, or that
he covenanted to make him general of his army (as afterwards he covenanted with
Amasa), for at that time he could have no other color of reason for casting
Joab out of his place, as afterwards he had. Therefore, I understand with
Sanctius, that the league which Abner sought from David was fdus
pacis, "a covenant of peace."
Jerome reads, fac mecum amicitias:
"make friendship with me," for before they had been enemies, so that
this league is not of that kind which is chiefly controverted.
As for Amasa, I shall not go about (as some have done) to excuse or
extenuate his fault in joining with Absalom, as not being from any malice or
wicked intention against David his uncle; but there is some probability that
Amasa was a penitent and hopeful man. Sure David had better hopes of him than
of Joab; and if it be true which Josephus writes,[10] that before David sent
Zadock and Abiathar to the men of Judah, and to Amasa, frequent messages came
from them to the king, desiring to be received into his favour; however, Amasa
being willing and ready to do so much for David, when he might have done so
much against him; David, as he could not do his business without him, so he had
some ground to hope well of him, considering withal, that Amasa was not set
upon this business by any offence or displeasure at the other party, as Abner
was.
4. Even as this example, so far as concerns the laying aside and casting off
of Joab, and not preferring his brother Abishai in his room (both of them being
guilty of Abner's blood, 2 Sam. 3:30, and both of them being too hard for
David), helps to strengthen that which I have been pleading for.
The point being now so fully cleared from scripture there is the less reason
to argue contrariwise from human examples[11] in Christian
states and commonwealths. The word of God must not stoop to men's practices,
but they to it. Yet even among those whose examples are alleged for the
contrary opinion there want not instances for cautiousness and
conscientiousness in choosing or refusing confederates, as, namely, among the
Helvetians or Swiss. They of Zurich and Bern, when once reformed, renounced
their league made before with the French king for assisting him in his wars,
and resolved only to keep peace with him, but would not continue the league of
[Gk.] summaxia, or joining with him in
his wars.[12]
And whatsoever were the old leagues about three hundred years ago mutually
binding those cantons each to other for aid and succour, and for the common
defence of their country, and for preservation of their particular rights and
liberties, and for a way of deciding controversies and pleas between men of one
canton and of another (which leagues are recorded by those that write of that
commonwealth) yet after the reformation of religion, there was so much zeal
on both sides, that it grew to a war between the popish and the protestant
cantons, wherein, as the popish side strengthened themselves by a confederacy
with Ferdinand the emperor's brother; so the protestant side, Zurich, Bern and
Basil, entered into a confederacy, first with the city of Strasbourg, and
shortly thereafter with the landgrave of Hesse, that thereby they might be
strengthened and aided against the popish cantons.[13] The
differences of religion put them to it to choose other confederates.
Nevertheless, I can easily admit what Lavater judiciously observes upon Ex.
16:26-29, that covenants made before true religion did shine among a people are
not to be rashly broken; even as the believing husband ought not to put away
the unbelieving wife, whom he married when he himself was an unbeliever, if she
be willing to abide with him. Whatsoever may be said for such covenants, yet
confederacies with enemies of true religion, made after the light of
reformation, are altogether inexcusable.
Peradventure some have yet another objection: "This is a hard
saying," say diverse malignants; "we are looked upon as enemies if we
come not in and take the covenant, and when we are come in and have taken the
covenant, we are still esteemed enemies to the cause of God and his servants."
Answer. This is just as if those
traitors, covenant breakers, and other scandalous persons, from which the
apostle bids us turn away, 2 Tim. 3:5, had objected: "If we have no form
of godliness we are looked upon as aliens, and such as are not to be numbered
among God's people; yet now when we have taken on a form of godliness, we are
in no better esteem with Paul, but still he will have Christians turn away from
us." Yea, it is as if workers of iniquity, living in the true church,
should object to Christ himself: "If we pray not, if we hear not the word,
etc., we are not accepted, but rejected for the neglect of necessary duties;
yet when we have prayed, heard, etc., we are told for all that, 'Depart from
me, ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you.'" Men must be judged
according to their fruits, according to their words and works, and course of
living; and if any who have taken the covenant show themselves in their words
and actions to be still wicked enemies, our eyes must not be put out with their
hand at the covenant.
If any disaffected shall insist and say, "But why, then are we received
both to the covenant and to the sacrament?" Answer.1. If any known malignant, or complier with the
rebels, or with any enemy of this cause, has been received, either to the
covenant or sacrament, without signs of repentance for the former malignancy
and scandal (such signs of repentance, I mean, as men in charity ought to be
satisfied with), it is more than ministers and elderships can answer for,
either to God or the acts and constitutions of this national church. I trust
all faithful and conscientious ministers have laboured to keep themselves pure
in such things. Yea, the General Assembly has ordained, that such known
compliers with the rebels, and such as did procure protections from the enemy,
or keep correspondence and intelligence with him, shall be suspended from the
Lord's supper till they manifest their repentance before the congregation. Now
if any, after signs and declaration of repentance, have turned again to their
old ways of malignancy, their iniquity be upon themselves, not upon us.
2. Men are no otherwise drawn or forced into the covenant than into other
necessary duties. Nay, it ought not to be called a forcing or compelling. Are
men forced to spare their neighbor's life, because murder is severely punished?
Or are men compelled to be loyal, because traitors are exemplarily punished?
There may, and must be, a willingness and freeness in the doing of the contrary
duty, although great sins must not go away unpunished. Men are not compelled to
virtue because vice is punished, else virtue were not virtue. Those that refuse
the covenant, reproach it, or rail against it, ought to be looked upon as
enemies to it, and dealt with accordingly. Yet, if any man were known to take
the covenant against his will, he were not to be received.
3. These two may well stand together: to censure the contempt or neglect of
a duty, and withal to censure wickedness in the person that has taken up the
practice of the duty. If any Israelite would not worship the true God he was to
be put to death, 2 Chron. 15:13; but withal, if worshipping the true God, he
was found to be a murderer, and adulterer, etc., for this also he was to be put
to death. The General Assembly of this church has appointed that such as, after
admonition, continue in an unusual neglect of prayer, and the worship of God in
their families, shall be suspended from the Lord's supper till they amend. Yet,
if any man shall be found to make family worship a cloak to his swearing,
drunkenness, adultery, or the like, must these scandalous sins be uncensured,
because he has taken upon him a form of godliness? God forbid. It is just so
here. Refusers of the covenant, and railers against it, are justly censured;
but withal, if wickedness and malignancy be found in any that have taken the
covenant, their offence and censure is not to be extenuated, but to be
aggravated.
I had been but very short in the handling of this question, if new
objections coming to my ears had not drawn me forth to this length. And now I
find one objection more. Some say the arguments before brought from scripture
prove not the unlawfulness of confederacies and associations with idolaters,
heretics, or profane persons of the same kingdom, but only those of another
kingdom.
Answer. 1. Then, by the concession of
those that make the objection, it is at least unlawful to associate ourselves
with any of another kingdom who are of a false religion, or wicked life.
2. If familiar fellowship, even with the wicked of the same kingdom be
unlawful, then is a military association with them unlawful; for it cannot be
without consulting, conferring, conversing frequently together. It were a
profane abusing and mocking of scripture to say, that we are forbidden to converse
familiarly with the ungodly of another kingdom, but not with the ungodly of the
same kingdom; or that we are forbidden to marry with the ungodly of another
kingdom, but not with the ungodly of the same kingdom. For what is this, but to
open a wide gate upon the one hand, while we seem to shut a narrow gate upon
the other hand?
3. Were not those military associations, 2 Chron. 19:2; 25:7-8, condemned
upon this reason, because the associates were ungodly, haters of the Lord, and
because God was not with them? Now, then, a
quatenus ad omne [from
the particular to the general], the reason
holds equally against associations with any of whom it can be truly said, they
are ungodly, haters of the Lord, and God is not with them.
4. God would have the camp of Israel altogether holy and clean, Deut.
23:9-14. Clean from whom? Not so much from wicked heathens (there was not so
much fear of that) as from wicked Israelites.
5. Says not David, "I will early destroy all the wicked of the
land," Ps. 101:8, and "Depart from me all ye workers of
iniquity," Ps. 6:8? How can it then be imagined that he would make any of
them his associates and helpers in war?
Amandus Polanus, Comment. in Ezek.
16:26-28: "One who censures the prostitution of the church, that is
idolatry or false doctrine, and associations with the impious, is no heretic,
is no schismatic, is not being ungrateful toward the mother church; otherwise,
even Ezekiel, along with Jeremiah and the other prophets, would have been a
heretic, a schismatic, or an ingrate."[14]
Footnotes for Forbidden Alliances
1. Zeperus, de Pol. Mos., lib. 6, cap. 4; Pelargus in Deut. 7:1-3; Pareus in Gen. 14; Rivetus
in Ex. 23:32; Tarnovius, Tract. de Fderibus.
2. See Victor. Strigel. in 7 Paralip. 25, 2; also Zeperus,
Pelargus, Tarnovius, ubi supra; Lavater in 2 Paralip. 25; and in Ezek. 6:26; P.
Martyr, Loc. Com., clas. 4, cap. 16; Num. 23; and Comment. in 1 Reg. 15:17,
etc. The same thing is held by Tostatus in 3 Pag. 22:3.
3. Socrates, Hist.,
lib. 5, cap. 10.
4. Sleid. Com., lib. 7, p. 106.
5. Ibid, lib. 8, p. 127: De Helvetiis in foedus
recipiendis, quod civitates valde cupiebant, Saxo per Legatos respondent,
quoniam de cna Dom. diversum sequantur dogma non sibi licere societatem cum
ipsis ullam coire: quanti sit ipsorum conjunctio, propter vires atque
potentiam, non se quidem latere, sed eo sibi minime respiciendum esse, ne
tristis inde sequatur exitus, quod iis accidisse, Scriptura testatur, qui muniendi
sui causa, cujusque modi præsidiis
usi fuissent. ["About taking the Swiss
into treaty, which the cities vehemently desired, Saxony answers through
ambassadors that since they follow a different doctrine of the Lord's Supper,
he may not allow himself to join in any alliance with them: it does not escape
him how much their friendship might mean, on account of their numbers and
power; but he must have regard for that least of all, lest the tragic result
follow from it which scripture records happened to those who, for the sake of
fortifying themselves, had used any assistance at hand."]
Vide etiam, p. 113: Quod si
Zuingliani faterentur errorem atque desisterent, comprehendi etiam in hac pace
sin minus, tum deserendos, nec auxilii quicquam eis communicandum, neque fdus
ullum cum ipsis faciendum esse. Et infra,
lib. 9, p. 156: Et recipiendos esse placet in hoc foedus
(Smalcaldicum) qui velint atque cupiant, modo, Doctrinam Augustæ propositam in
comitiis profiteantur, et sortem communem subeant. [See also p. 113: "And if the Zwinglians confessed and left off
their error, they could be included in this peace, but if not, then they were
to be held abandoned, and no aid must be shared with them at all, nor could any
treaty be made with them." And below, lib. 9, p. 156: "And it is
agreeable that they are to be accepted into this treaty (the one at Smalcald),
whoever wishes and desires it, provided they confess in assembly the Augsburg
Doctrine and submit to a public decision."]
6. Polit. Christ.,
lib. 7, cap 1.
7. Keckermann. de Repub. Spart., disp. 4, lib. 2, cap. 20.
8. Sanctius et Corn. a Lapide in 2 Sam. 19.
9. Antiq. Jud., lib.
7, cap. 10.
10. Antiq., lib. 7,
cap. 10.
11. See Mr. Fox, Acts and Monuments, Vol. 2, p. 869-870.
12. See The Estates, Principalities, and Empires of the
World, translated by Grimston, pp. 364-70.
13. Acts and Monuments,
ubi supra, p. 872; Sleid. Com., lib. 7, pp. 106, 110, 120.
14. [Gillespie
originally cited this passage in Latin: Qui ecclesiæ scortationem, hoc est
idololatriam vel falsam doctrinam, et confederationes cum impiis reprehendit,
non est hereticus, non est schismaticus, non est ingratus adversus matrem
ecclesiam: Alioquin etiam Ezekiel cum Jeremiâ, aliisque prophetis, fuisset
hereticus, aut schismaticus, aut ingratus.]
George Gillespie (Scottish Commissioner To the Famous Westminster Assembly) - Back to swrb home page - A Dispute Against the English Popish Ceremonies Obtruded on the Church of Scotland (1637, reprinted from the 1660 edition) by George Gillespie ALL PURITAN HARD DRIVE VIDEOS - The Works of George Gillespie 2 Volume Set - George Gillespie