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Discussion of George Gillespie's Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty

Subject: GWS-10 From: Richard Bacon Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 08:11:59 -0500 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Discussion: GWS. Post 10. George Gillespie's Wholesome Severity=20 Reconciled with Christian Liberty The true resolution of a present controversy=20 concerning liberty of conscience. All text for this discussion taken from the=20 edition of this work, Copyright =A9 Naphtali=20 Press 1996. Full text available at:=20 http://www.naphtali.com/naphtalii +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [Part II continued. Point 2, Proof from=20 Scripture example] 2. A second argument we have from diverse=20 laudable examples in the Old Testament:=20 Moses drew the sword against idolaters (Ex.=20 32:27); the children of Israel resolved to go=20 out to war against the Reubenites and=20 Gadites, when they understood that they were=20 building another altar (Josh. 22:12). Elijah=20 commanded to slay the priests of Baal (1=20 Kings 18:40). In Asa's time there was a=20 covenant for putting to death such as would=20 not seek the Lord God of their fathers (2=20 Chron. 15:13). Jehu slew the priests of Ahab,=20 and the worshippers of Baal (2 Kings 10:11,=20 24), first searching and making sure that there=20 were none of the servants of the Lord among=20 them (v. 23). Josiah sacrificed the priests of=20 Samaria upon their own altars (2 Kings=20 23:20). Nebuchadnezzar, although an=20 heathen, being convinced that there was no=20 god like the God of Israel, made a decree that=20 whosoever speaketh blasphemy, or uttereth=20 any error against God, shall be cut in pieces,=20 and their houses made a dunghill (Dan.=20 3:29). As for those whose errors and corruptions in=20 religion were not so great, there was some=20 (though not the highest) severity used against=20 them. Moses was so angry with the people=20 that were seduced into idolatry, that he burnt=20 the calf which they had worshipped, and=20 ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the=20 water, and made the children of Israel to=20 drink of it (Ex. 32:20); thereby teaching them=20 (as Hierome and others give the reason) to=20 abhor that idolatry, while their idol did pass=20 from them among their own excrements. Asa=20 did remove his mother, Maachah from being=20 Queen, because of an idol which she had=20 made in a grove (1 Kings 15:13). Josiah=20 caused all that were present in Jerusalem and=20 Benjamin to stand to the covenant (2 Chron.=20 34:32), which could not be without either=20 threatening or inflicting punishment upon the=20 transgressors; there being many at that time=20 disaffected to the Reformation. O but says M.S. to A.S. (p. 51-52), idolatry=20 and idolaters were the adequate object of that=20 coercive power in matters of religion,=20 whereof we read in the Old Testament. Nor=20 do we read that ever the Jewish Kings or=20 Magistrates attempted anything against=20 sectaries or schismatics. I answer, 1. The=20 object of that coercive power of Josiah (2=20 Chron. 34:32), was generally the matter of=20 the covenant, that is the taking away not only=20 of idolatry, but of all abominations, and a=20 walking after the Lord, and keeping of his=20 testimonies, and statutes, and commandments=20 (vs. 31, 33). Nehemiah did drive away the=20 son of Eliashib the high priest, not for=20 idolatry, but for marrying the daughter of=20 Sanballat, and thereby defiling the covenant=20 of the priesthood (Neh. 13:28-29). Ezra made=20 the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel to=20 enter into a covenant and to swear, that they=20 would put away strange wives, and that it=20 should be done according to the Law (Ezra=20 10:3, 5); and whosoever would not come to=20 Jerusalem for this thing, was not only himself=20 excommunicated from the Church, but all his=20 goods forfeited (v. 8). Artaxerxes decreed=20 punishment for all who should oppose the=20 Law of God, and the building of the Temple:=20 wherein he is so far approved, as that Ezra=20 blessed God for it (Ezra 7:26-27). Whosoever=20 will not do the law of thy God, and the law of=20 the King, let judgment be executed speedily=20 upon him, whether it be unto death, or unto=20 banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or=20 imprisonment, etc., which does not concern=20 idolatry only, but generally the laws of God=20 (v. 25). Set Magistrates and Judges which=20 may judge all the people, all such as know the=20 laws of God. He who wrote Liberty of=20 Conscience (pp. 27-28), is so far confounded=20 with this laudable decree of Artaxerxes, that=20 he can say no more to it, but that it was the=20 commandment of God, not an invention of=20 men which Artaxerxes did thus impose,=20 which is as much as we desire. Dick Bacon Poster of the text and keeper of the order.