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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Doctrine of the Fathers upon Persecution.

Chapter IX. The eighth Argument against the Literal Sense, drawn from its rendring the Complaints of the first Christians against their Pagan Persecutors all vain.

       A Supposition of a Conference between Deputys of the Primitive Church, and some Ministers of the Emperors.

Chapter X. The ninth and last Argument against the Literal Sense, drawn from its tending to expose true Christians to continual Violences, without a possibility of alledging any thing to put a stop to ’em, but that which was the ground of the Contest between the Persecutors and the Persecuted: And this, as ’tis but a wretched begging the Question, cou’d not prevent the World’s being a continual Scene of Blood.

       Consideration of what wou’d happen between Sect and Sect among Christians.

       The ridiculous Answer to this, That they have Truth on their side.

The Second Part.

Chapter I. First Objection, That Violence is not design’d to force Conscience, but to awaken those who neglect to examine the Truth. The Illusion of this Thought, and Inquiry into the Nature of what they call Opiniatrete.

       <x> How the Passions are Obstacles in a Search after Truth.

       That Persecutors, forcing People to examine, put ’em into a condition which makes ’em incapable of chusing well.

       What might be objected to the Wisdom of Jesus Christ, if he had ordain’d Persecution as a Preparatory to Examination.

       That Persecutions wou’d be fruitless, if not intended to force Conscience.

       Examination of what is call’d Obstinacy, and the Impossibility of distinguishing it from Constancy.

       To persist in one’s Religion, after having bin silenc’d by a Controvertist, is no mark of Obstinacy.

       Evidence, a relative Quality.

       Chapter II. Second Objection, The Literal Sense appears odious, only by our judging of the ways of God from those of Men. Tho the State that Men are in, when they act from Passion, seems likely to lead ’em to wrong Judgments, it does not follow but God, by the wonderful Issues of his Providence, may accomplish his own Work. The Fallacy of this Thought, and what are the ordinary Effects of Persecution.

       Confutation of those who may have recourse to the Maxim, That the ways of God are not as our ways.

       Difference between the Clay us’d to cure bodily Blindness, and Persecution to cure spiritual.

       Proof drawn from its being unlawful to do wrong to a Man in order to correct his Vices.

       Experience proves, that Persecutions are not an occasional Cause establish’d by God for Illumination.

       A general Review of the Effects of Persecution.

       Opposition between the Maxims of the Papists of France, and those of England.

       Reflection of Montagne upon the Punishment of the Rack.

       Observation of Mezeray on the Martyrdom of Anne du Bourg.

       <xi> Chapter III. Third Objection: They aggravate the matter maliciously, by representing the Constraint enjoin’d by Jesus Christ, under the Idea of Scaffolds, Wheel, and Gibbet; whereas they shou’d only talk of Fines, Banishment, and other petty Grievances. The Absurdity of this Excuse; and supposing the literal Sense, That capital Punishments are much more reasonable than the Law-Quirks, Pillorys, and Captivitys made use of in France.

       First Proof: That supposing the Sense of Constraint, Fire and Faggot wou’d be lawful against the Erroneous.

       Second Proof, drawn from the Usefulness of Punishments for increasing the number of that Communion on which side they are imploy’d.

       The French Authors are in no condition to reproach the Spaniards upon the Inquisition.

       A new Apology for the bloodiest Persecutions, particularly that of the Duke d’ Alva, supposing the Sense of Constraint.

       Remarks against Alexander a French Monk.

       Absurditys of Justus Lipsius, in his Treatise de una Religione.

       A Dilemma of Tertullian against moderate Persecutors.

      Martyrdom of the Emperor of Trebizond.

       Chapter IV. The Fourth Objection: We can’t condemn the literal Sense of the words, Compel ’em to come in, but we must at the same time condemn those Laws which God gave the Jews, and the Conduct of the Prophets on several occasions. The Disparity, and particular Reasons for giving the Old Law, which don’t take place under the Gospel.

      

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