A Philosophical Commentary on These Words of the Gospel, Luke 14:23, “Compel Them to Come In, That My House May Be Full”. Pierre Bayle

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rel="nofollow" href="#litres_trial_promo">Trifling Distinction of St. Austin, between Violences done from a charitable Motive, and Violences without Charity.

       XI. St. Austin’s Words.

       If the being persecuted were always a sign of Merit, Jesus Christ wou’d only have said, Blessed are they who are persecuted, and not have added, for Righteousness sake. In like manner, if persecuting were always a Sin, David wou’d not have said, Psalm 101. 5. Whoso privily slandereth his Neighbor, him will I persecute.

       St. Austin’s injurious Treatment of Texts of Scripture, to prove what is not in question.

       XII. St. Austin’s Words.

       The wicked have never left persecuting the Good, nor the Good the Wicked: but these act unjustly herein, and only to do mischief; those charitably, and so far as the necessity of correcting requires. … As the Wicked have slain the Prophets, so the Prophets have sometimes slain the Wicked; as the Jews were seen with Scourge in hand against Jesus Christ, so Jesus Christ was seen with Scourge in hand against the Jews. Men deliver’d the Apostles to the earthly Powers, and the Apostles deliver’d Men to the infer-<xxiii>nal Powers. What then ought we to consider in all these Examples? only this, which Side acts for the Truth and Righteousness, and which for Iniquity and a Lye; which acts only to destroy, and which to correct.

       Horrid Consequences of this detestable Moral.

       Conformity of St. Austin’s Distinction with loose Morals.

       All the Dutys God has enjoin’d, may be eluded by it.

       St. Austin’s Inaccuracy.

       XIII. St. Austin’s Words.

       But, say you, it no where appears from the Gospel, or from the Writings of the Apostles, that they ever had recourse to the Kings of the Earth against the Enemys of the Church. True; but the reason is because this Prophecy, Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings; be instructed, ye Judges of the Earth: Serve the Lord with Fear, and rejoice with Trembling; was not as yet accomplish’d.

       This is in effect to say, that if the first Christians did not take up Arms against the Pagans, ’twas because they were too weak.

       XIV. St. Austin’s Words.

       As it is not impossible, but that even among those Christians, who have suffer’d themselves to be seduc’d, there may be some of the true Sheep of Jesus Christ, who soon or late shall come back to the Fold, tho ever so far gone astray; for this reason we mitigate the Severitys appointed against ’em, and use all possible Lenity and Moderation in the Confiscations and Banishments which we are oblig’d to ordain, in hopes of making ’em enter into themselves.

       Allowing Persecution, the greatest Punishments are lawful against the erroneous.

       XV. St. Austin’s Words.

       There is not a Man among us, nor yet among you (Donatists) but approves the Laws of the Emperors against the Sacrifices of the Pagans; yet these Laws ordain much severer Punishments, and punish those <xxiv> with Death who are guilty of these Impietys: whereas in the Laws enacted against you, it’s visible they have study’d much more how to recover you from your Errors, than how to punish your Crimes.

       St. Austin’s Contradictions.

       There may have been predestin’d Souls among Pagans, as well as among Hereticks.

       St. Austin not the most human nor best-natur’d Man.

       Blunder of the Sieur Brueys.

       Strange Idea which the Clergy form of Moderation.

       XVI. St. Austin’s Words.

       As to the solliciting the Emperors to make Laws against Schismaticks or Hereticks, or to enforce ’em, and enjoin their being put in Execution; you’l be pleas’d to remember the Violence with which the other Donatists egg’d on, not only the Maximinists, &c. but above all, you won’t forget how in the Petition, by which they implor’d the Authority of the Emperor Julian against us, they tell this Prince, whom they knew to be an Apostate and Idolater, That he was wholly mov’d by Justice, and that nothing else had any Power over him.

       St. Austin’s Sophistrys give occasion to call in question his Sincerity.

       XVII. St. Austin’s Words.

       By this time you must, I’m sure, be sensible, that we ought not so much to consider, whether People are forc’d, as what they are forc’d to; that is, whether to Good or to Evil. Not that any one becomes a better Man by mere Force; but the dread of what People are loth to suffer, makes ’em open their Eyes to the Truth.

       Constraint is always a wicked Action, and opposite to the Genius of the Gospel.

       St. Austin begs Principles.

       Every Sect may challenge the Right of using Violence.

       XVIII. St. Austin’s Words.

       I cou’d instance you not only in private Persons, but intire Citys, which of Donatists,

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