[168] Mark 8. 54.
§. XV.
Answ.I answer as before, 1. That Abraham offered Sacrifices at that Time, and circumcised the Males; which nevertheless are not lawful for us under the Gospel.
Israelites going to War enquired of the Oracle of God.2. That neither defensive nor offensive War was lawful to the Israelites of their own Will, or by their own Counsel or Conduct; but they were obliged at all Times, if they would be successful, first to enquire of the Oracle of God.
3. That their Wars against the wicked Nations were a Figure of the Inward War of the true Christians against their Spiritual Enemies, in which we overcome the Devil, the World, and the Flesh.
4. Something is expresly forbidden by Christ, Mat. v. 38, &c. which was granted to the Jews in their Time, because of their Hardness; Some Things permitted in the Old Testament, because of Hardness of Heart.and on the Contrary, we are commanded that singular Patience and Exercise of Love, which Moses commanded not to his Disciples. From whence Tertullian saith well against Marc. “Christ truly teacheth a new Patience, even forbidding the Revenge of an Injury, which was permitted by the Creator.” And Lib. de Patien. “The Law finds more than it lost, by Christ saying,” Love your Enemies. And in the Time of Clem. Alex. Christians were so far from Wars, that he testified that they had no Marks or Signs of Violence among them, saying, “Neither are the Faces of Idols to be painted, to which so much as to regard is forbidden: Neither Sword nor Bow to them that follow Peace; nor Cups to them who are moderate and temperate,” as Sylvius Disc. de Rev. Belg.
Object.Secondly, They object, That Defence is of natural Right, and that Religion destroys not Nature.
Answ.I answer, Be it so; but to obey God, and commend ourselves to him in Faith and Patience, is not to destroy Nature, but to exalt and perfect it; to wit, to elevate it from the natural to the supernatural Life, by Christ living therein, and comforting it, that it may do all Things, and be rendered more than Conqueror.
Object.Thirdly, They object, That John did not abrogate or condemn War, when the Soldiers came unto him.