very Order of Aug. 10. 1643. For the Assembly-Divines to 〈◊〉 the People to rise for their Defence There is another person also who is engaged iâ— This present Controversy to whom I would gladly Recommend a due Consideration of this following Extract When Kings Command Unrighteous things and people suit them with willing Commplyance none doubts but the destruction of them both is Just and Righteous A Fast Sermon to the House of Commons Ian. 31. 1648. Pa. 5. He that is Entrusted with the Sword and dares not do Justice on every one that dares do Jnjustice is affraid of the Creature but makes very bold with the Creator Pa. 15. The Kings of the Eaâ—th have given their Power to Anti Christ. How have they earn'd their Titles Eldest Son of the Chuach The Catholick and most Christian King Defender of the Faith and the Like Hath it not been by the Bloud of Saints is there not in every corner of These Kingdomes the Slain and the Banish'd ones of Christ to Answer for A Fast Sermon of Apr. 19. 1649. Pa. 22. Do not the Kings of all these Nations stand up in the Room of their Progenitors with the same Implacable Enmity to the Power of the Gospel Pa. 22. There are Great and Mighty Works in hand in this Nation Tyrants are punish'd the Jaws of Oppressors are broken bloudy Revengefull people in Wars disappointed A Thanksgiving Sermon for the Scots defeat at Worcester Octo 24. 1651. P. 2. What is This Prelacy A meer Antichristian Encroachment upon the Inheritance of Christ Pa. 5. A Monarchy of some hundred years continuance allways affecting and at length wholly degenerated into Tyranny destroy'd pull'd down Swallow'd up a great mighty Potentate that had caused terrour in the Land of the Living and laid his Sword under his head brought to Punishment for Blood P. 6. If any persons in the World had cause to sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb We have this day The Bondage prepared for us was both in Spirituals and Temporalls about a Tyrant full of Revenge and a Discipline full of Persecution hath been our Contest whether the Yoke of the One and the Other should by the Sword and Violence be put upon our Necks and Consciences is our Controversy Pa. 7. Is it not a Prodigious boldness for such Spirits as These to obtrude themselves either upon the Government or the People as men of Scruple and the most competent Agents for the Promoting of Vnity and Peace And you your self Mr. Baxter have not been out neither at this great work of Reforming Confusion as your own Confessions in some measure but your Conversation and Writings do Abundantly bear Witness Mr. Richard here I must confess furnishes you with a Salvo that Ignatious Loyola himself would have blush'd at You were ever True to the King you say but you did not know Who was King Some would have him to be where he was NOT and Others would not allow him to be where he WAS. Sir This doctrine might have done well enough in a Pulpit at Coventry when you were helping the Lord against the Mighty but from such a Restauration Sermon the Lord deliver us There is first not one word of Restoring the King in 't though it was a Fast that had a Particular Regard to That Debate 2. It Asserts the Loyalty of the Presbyterians and yet at the same time supposes the Supreme Power in the Two Houses which in few words makes the Late King both a Subject and with Reverence a Rebell 3. The Setling of the Presbytery for that 's allways the English of their SOUND DOCTRINE and CHURCH GOVERNMENT Pa. 46. is violently prest as the first thing to be done Give FIRST to God the Things that are Gods 43. with a Pharisaical Ostentation of the Conscionable Prudent Godly People of the Land Pa. 46. in opposition to the Prophane You could not do any thing in the world more to obstruct his Majestys Return and yet you are pleased to make this Sermon an Instance of your Zeal to advance it Ri· The Parliament did not raise War against the Person or Authority of the King nor did I ever serve them on any such Account but to defend themselves against the Kings Mis-guided will Holy Common-Wealth Pa. 476. Their Commissions all that ever I saw were for King and Parliament We had Two Protestations and a Solemn League and Covenant Impos'd upon the Nation to be for King and Parliament And if Dâ—claâ—ations Professions Commissions and National Oaths and Covenants will not tell us what the cause of the War was thâ—n there is no Discovery Ibid. Pa. 477. Mo. These Commissions Oathes and Covenants tell you the Pretext of the War but you must go to their Proceedings and Practices to find the Cause of it The Two Houses Seize the Kings Towns Magazins Forts and Shipping They violently take the Militia into their own hands Vote an Ordinance of Both Houses as binding as an Act of Parliament Declare his Majestys Commissions Voyd Issue out Orders for Securing the Kingdome Vote the Maintaining of a War and the Seizing of his Majestys Magazins Sequester the Church and Crown Revenues and justify all these Injuries as done in pursuance of their Protestations and Covenants and This is your way now of being FOR the King Suppose that any man had beaten you and Plundred ye and Imprison'd ye and abus'd your Friends for your sake and a body should tell you all this while that this man was FOR Mr. Baxter If you were really for the King why would not For the King according to the Oath of Allegiance do the businesse as well as For the King according to the Covenant Or how came you to Alienate your self from his Majesties Iurisdictino and to turh Subject to the Two Houses Who Absolv'd you from the One Oath or who Authoris'd you in the Other or when you found that the King in the Covenant clash'd with the King in the Oath of Allegeance why did you not rather comply with the Law then with the Usurpation For it is Impossible to be True to both Interests under so manifest an Opposition You see the Colour of the War and I shall not need to tell you that the Cause of it was Ambition of Dominion which was exercised to the highest degree of Tyranny Ri. If a People that by Oath and Duty are obliged to a Sovereign shall sinfully dispossess him and contrary to their Covenants chuse and Covenant with Another they may be obliged by their Latter Covenants notwithstanding the Former Holy-Common-Wealth Pag. 188. Ba. That cannot be my Friend for we hold it Impious and Papal to pretend to absolve Subjects from their Oaths to their Sovereign Holy Com. Pa. 359. It is not in Subjects Power by Vows to with-draw themselves from Obedience to Authority Non-Confor Plea P. 213. Mo. But why can ye not now
the Republican Faction in England pay them their wages and call them their Dear Brethren for their pains And then the Presbyterian war was denounc'd in the Pulpiâ— and in the Parliament-house too long before the Republican broke out openly in the Field What if the first Publick Sticklers were not at that time Declar'd Presbyterians They were yet in the Conspiracy against Bishops though under another Notion and quickly after they Listed themselves under That very Profession as the best cover in nature for their purpose for That Schisme was never without a State-faction in the Belly on 't But nothing is more Notorious then the Intelligence that was held from the Beginning betwixt the Republican Caball and the Presbyterian Divines The one drew the Bellowes and the Other Play'd the Tune And take notice likewise That Presbyterian was a mark of the Faction rather then a note of the Religion and used in Contradistinction to Royallist But Pray'e finish your Repentance Ba. For All the rest of my Sins in this business which I know not of Particularly I do Implicitly and generally Repeâ—â— of and ask of God to give me a particular Conversion c. Ibid 53. Mo. If you have told all the Particulars you know of yoâ—â— Account Mr. Baxter is soon cast up You begin with a Genâ—rall Supposition All that ever I Thouâ—â—â— Said c. without any One Instance or Acknowledgement If you had sayd I have committed many Sins of This kinde and 〈◊〉 That it had been something Your Second Branch of Repentance is for no more discouragiâ—â— Peevishnesse toward Superiours and Then sometimes too 〈◊〉 Encouraging it by being too Sharp your self against what yoâ— took to be Church Corruptions Why Sorry for no MORE discouraging when you were so far from discouraging at all thâ—â— on the Contrary you Repent in the same Period for too 〈◊〉 Encouraging This is at the best but a Lame and a Geneâ—â—â— Particular Repentance That which you make no more of thâ—â— the Spirit of Peevish Quarrelling as if the people had only 〈◊〉 upon a Nettle you should have spoken out and call'd it the Spirit of Contumacy and Rebellion And what is it that yoâ— charge upon your self here more then that you were a little too Mealy-mouth'd But wher 's your Vindication of the Châ—râ—â—-Orders you mention where 's your Determination which 〈◊〉 the Right Superiours Why do ye not tell the People that yoâ— were mistaken in the Opinion of our Church-Corruptions and Instruct them in their Duties of Obedience to God and the King Without so doing That which you call Repentance is oâ—lâ— a Snare to the Multitude and a Scandal to the Government Your next Pang of Repentance is for not Consulting tâ—e best Lawyers that were against the Parliament more Impartially and dilligently then you did Is This the Repentance Mr. Baxter of a Confessor A Râ—pentance without a Confession an arrant peice of Artifice aâ—d Design to put on the Disguise of a Recantation and withoâ—â— any charge or discharge of Conscience to keep in with Boâ—h Parties The Sin does not Ly in your not Advising with Lawyers concerning the State of the Controversy but in Plungiâ—g your self and Others into Bloud hand over head contrary to the Laws of God and man without so much as consulting the grounds of the Quarrell To the Royallists it looks like an excuse of your Disloyalty to the King as who should say 'T is true I was to blame It was a Poynt of Law and I should have taken better Advise upon 't And if the Other Side accuse you as a desertor of the Cause you can acquit your self There too that you have not Repented of any one Poynt to their Prejudice If it be not as I say and that you mean Good Faith do but publish your Loyalty to the World in the manner or to the effect Following and I 'le ask your Pardon I Do Declare that the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament are still the Kings Subjects and that it is not Lawfull for them to exercise any Act of Sovereign Power without or Against the Kings Command or Consent I do lâ—kewise declare that the War Raised by the pretended Authority of the Lords and Commons in 1642. with all their Orders Ordinances and Impositions in pursuance thereof were also unlawfull And that All Acts of Hostility done by Them or their Order against the King or the Party Commssioned by hâ—m during the Command of the Earl of Essex were Acts of disloyalty and Rebellion If you be really the man that you would be thought to be you 'le never Boggle at This Test But if This will not down with ye let me tell you Sir that to my knowledge worse then this has you will make me think of the Lady in the Proverbs that Eateth and wipeth her Mouth and saith I have done no Wicâ—ednesse Ba. You Reflect in These Reproaches either upon my Particular Principles or upon the Principles of the Party or upon Both. As to my self If any man can prove that I was Guilty of hurt to the Person or destruction of the Power of the King or of Changing the Fundamental Constitution of the Common-Wealth c. Holy Com. Pa. 489.490 I will never gain-sâ—y him if he call me a most persidious Rebell and tell me that I am Guilty of far greater Sin then Murther Whoredome Drunkenesse or such like Ibid. Or if they can solidly Confute my Grounds I will thaâ—â— them and Confesse my Sin to all the World Ibid. Ri. Nay Brother Baxter you must give Me leave to put in â— Word now and first to your Practice then to your Grounds Diâ— not you animate the Party that was in Arms against the King 〈◊〉 much as any man and was That no hurt to his Person Rememâ—â— say you to the Army how far I have gone with you in the Wâ—â— And shall I be affraid of my Old most Intimate Friends c. Holy Com. Pref. Will you have it now that This Army your Oâ—â— and intimate Friends did no Hurt to his Majesties Person Aâ—â— now bethink your self of your Challenge in the Preface to your Hoâ—â— Common wealth Prove that the King was the Highest Powâ—â— in the time of Divisions and that he had Power to make 〈◊〉 War which he made and I will offer my Head to Iustice as a â—â—bell Is not This Destructive of the Kings Power And is not 〈◊〉 a Change of the Fundamental Constitution of the Common-weaâ—â—◠〈◊〉 say that the Members of Parliament considered disjunctly 〈…〉 Subjects but that Conjunctly as a House or Body they 〈◊〉 the Sovereignty Holy Com. Pa. 433. And again pa. 462. Teâ—â— the Parliament hath a part of the Legislative Power eve◠〈◊〉 ENACTING and not only of Proposing is undoubted Ba. Nay if you go to That Richard I shall call You to Aâ—compt for your Practises and Propositions too Do not you
by wicked Counsells intends to make War against the Parliament c. 2. That whensoever the King maketh War upon the Parliament it is a Breach of the Trust reposed in him by his People Contrary to his Oath and tending to the Dissolution of This Government 3. That whosoever shall serve or Assist him in such Wars are Traytors by the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdome and have been so Adjudg'd by Two Acts of Parliaments and ought to suffer as Traytors c. Ri. Your Majesties most humble and Faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament c. Ib. Jun. 2. 1642. Pa. 307. Mo. This was the Petition that Accompanied the Nineteen Propositions demanding from the King the discharge of all his Ministers and Embassadors and none to be taken into their Places but what the Parliament shall approve That all matters of State may be transacted only in Parliament the Privy Counsell to be by Them approved from time to time and supply'd All Great Officers to bâ— Chosen by their Approbation They to have the Education of the Kings Children and the Choyce of their Servants No Maâ—ch to be treated of without them A Reformation of Church-Government and Liturgy to be contrived by their Advice The Militia to be settled in them till settled by a Bill and all Proclamations against it to be recalled New Oaths for Privy Councellors and Iudges All Iudges and Officers to hold their Places Quamdiâ— se bene Gesserint Parliament-Iustice upon all Delinquents An Amnestry with such exceptions as the Parliament shall advise All Forts and Castles under Gouernours approved by Parliament All Forces to be Disbanded and a Prohibition of any Peers hereaftâ—â— to be made from Sitting or Voting in Parliament without the Consent of Both Houses Are not these the Propositions think ye of Most Humble and Faithful Subjects Ri. Yo ur Majesties Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament Ibid. Sept. 24. 1642. Pa. 617. Mo. His Majesties Loyal Subjects had now sent the Earl of Essex to fall upon the Kings Army and desired his Majesty to leave them and come to his Parliament And they Petition'd his Majesty to the same Purpose again Pa. 630. And so as the Humour took them to the very Treaty at the Isle of Wight But whether These were the Actions of Rebells or Loyall Subjects be you your self the Judge Ri. Well But what say ye to the Stile of We your Humble and Loyal Subjects of both Kingdomes Appendix to Husbands Ex. Coll. 2 d. Part. Fol. 22. Jan. 13. 1645. Mo. These were the Humble and Loyal Subjects that in the same Paper Refused his Majestys Proffer of a Personal Treaâ—â— with Them at Westminster Your Majesty say they desires 〈◊〉 Engagement not only of the Parliament but of the Lord Mayor Aldermâ—n Common-Councill and Militia of the City of London 〈◊〉 Chief Commanders of Sir Tho. Fairfaxes Army and Those of the Scots Army which is against the Privileges and Honour of the Pâ—â—liamenâ— those being Ioyn'd with them who are Subject and Subordinate to their Authority At the same rate they Proceeded in Their Professions They desire only to Lay a Foundation of Honour Safety and Happiness to the Kings Person and Throne Ex. Coll. dec 14. 1641. The Greatnesse and Prosperity of his Majesty and his Royal Posterity Ib. Dec. 15. Pa. 2. His Majestys greatnesse and Honour â—b Mar. 1.41 Pa. 94. Honour and greatnâ—sse Mar. 2. P. 102. Honour Safety and Prosperity of your Majesty Mar. 16. P. 118. We seek nothing but your Majesties Honour Mar. 15. P. 123. The Safety of his Majesties Person and his Royal Posterity May 5. 42. Pa. 173. Our most Dutyfull care for the Safety of your Royal Person May 9. P. 180. For the Preserving and Mayntaining the Royal Honour Greatness and Safety of your Majesty and Posterity Jan. 2. 42. P. 310. And then see their Remarkable Protestation of Octob. 22. 1642. We the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled do in the Presence of Almighty God for the Satisfaction of our Consâ—iâ—nces and the Discharge of That Great Trust which lyes upon us make this Protestation and Declaration to The Kingdome and Nation and to the whole World That no Private Passion or Respect no Evill Intention to his Majestys Person no design to the Prejudice of his Iust Honour and Authority Engaged us to rayse Forces and take up Arms against the Authours of This War wherewith the Kingdome is now Enflamed Ibid. Pa. 663. Without any Intention or desire as we do here professe before the Ever-living God to hurt or Injure his Majesty Either in his Person or Iust Power b. P. 666. I could give you Instances of this kind without End and as many of the gross and Unquestionable violations of These Professions For every Order they past and every â—istol that they Fired was a poynt-blank Contradiction to their Pretensions Beside that in the same Breath they Usurped all the Regalities of the Crown and yet Wrote Themselves His Majesties most Obedient SUBJECTS So that This Stile of Loyalty was at the same time a Blind to the Well-meaning Multitude and a Note of Confederacy among Themselves a Loyal Subject according to the Covenant Importing in plain Terms a Traytor in the eye of the Law And yet the Cause and the Obligation of this Covenant and the Proceedings upon it are openly Asserted at This very day Ba. Yes yes There 's The Counterminer the Popish Dialogue and many others that continue lowdly to Accuse us and make men believe that we are Plotting a new War and that our Principles are Rebellious c. Non Conf. Plea 2d Part. Pref. Mo. What do ye think of maintaining that Whatsoever the Twâ— Houses declare for Law must pass for Law without Controul both upon King and People Ex. Coll. 297. That they may do whatever they please Ibid. That the Major Part of Both Houses are the absolute Masters of the Lives and Liberties of the Subject Ibid. That no member of the House of Commâ—ns be medled with for Treason Felony c. Without Leave of the House Ibid. That thâ— Sâ—vâ—reignty resides in the two Houses and that the King has no Negâ—tivâ— Voice Ibid. That there lyes no Treason against the Person of the King Ibid. That the Two Houses may Depose the King and not be blameâ— for so doing Ibid. Now in calling Those people that did all This The Bell Governors in the World as in the Preface to your Holy Common-Wealth And in Vindicating That Book from any Principles of Disloyalty toward the Person of the King as you do toward the close of your Preface as to the 2 d. Part of the Non-conformists Pleâ— Apri 16. 1680. What is This but the Asserting of Rebellioâ—â— Principles And the Preaching of the old Doctrine to the people over again What Is it but the Preface to another War Ba. What have we done
Constitution of Churches the Powers of Princes and Pastors in Eccclesiastical Matters and Cases of Lawful Separation he makes a Sally without any manner of Connexion or Provocation into the State and Right of the War Pa. 123. He charges it upon a Faction among the Bishops and the falling in of the Majority of the Parliaments to the Popular part of them in That division which is a Calumny as remote from the Subject of his Discourse as it is from Truth If it had been as he woud have it how comes the whole Order of Bishops to be Assaulted Their Persons Affronted and their Votes in Parliament taken away without distinction Was the Feud so deadly as to make them destroy Themselves and Ruine the whole Hierarchy in Revenge How came it to pass that Bishop Hall a Person Celebrated even by Mr Baxter himself for his Piety and Moderation How came This Reverend Prelate I say te be so Coursly handled by the Corporation of the Smectymnuans Marshall Calamy Young Newcomen and Spurstow and Treated by Five of the most Eminent men of the Parâ—y with Scurrilitys fitter for the Priests of Priapus then the Ministers of the Gospell Pa. 124. He goes on with his Remarks upon Bishop Laud over and over The Book of Sports on the Lords day the business of Altars Rayls and Bowing towards them Afternoon-Sermons and Lectures put down Imprisonments Stigmatisings Removals c. And then Pa. 125. He pâ—oceeds to the new Liturgy Imposed on the Scots c. But says he a little below we are Vnwilling to be the Mentioners of any More then Concerneth our Present Cause and the Things are Commonly known Which is such a way of Mentioning no more as gives to understand without speaking all the Ill Imaginable that was Left unsaid Methinks Mr. Baxter might have let This most Reverend Pious Loyal and ANTIPAPAL Arch-Bishop have slept quietly in â—is Grave and out of pure Gratitude to our Present Sovereign to whose Mercy this very Gentleman owes his Life setting aside the Veneration that belongs to Majesty and Truth Mâ—thinks Mr. Baxter might have spared this Lâ—bell ander the Government of the Son against the Administrations of the Father But it is no new thing â—or Criminals to Arraign Innocents or for Those that aâ—e Pardon'd for Subverting the Government to shoot thâ—ir Arrows â—vâ—n â—itter Words against Those that hâ—ve been Persecuted and Murther'd for Endeavouring to defend it And now after all Thesâ— Imputations upon the King the Church and the Loyall Party â—vâ—n to the Degree of making them Aâ—sweraâ—le for all the Blood that has been spilt We must not so much as presume to say that we are Innocent But every Vindication of the King the Church and the Law from the Insults of the Common Enemy is exclaimed against as an Inrode upon the Act of Indemnity If Mr. Baxter will needs be laying the Râ—bâ—llion at the wrong dâ—or and Discharging the Presbyterians Why mâ—y not any Honest man Reply upon him and say in agreement with Mr. Baxter himself Non-Conformists Plea I. Part. Pa. 127. that it was the Solemn League and Covenant that did the work Which Solemn League was not only an Exprâ—sse Oath of Allegiancâ— to Presbytery but to the most Tyrannical of all Presbyteriâ—s Thâ—t of tâ—e Scottish Kirk it self But why do I call it an Oath of Allegiance to Presbytery When it was in Truth a direct Conjuration against the Government both Ecclesiastical and Civil for the Introducing of it It would be Tedious and Superfluous to Crowd all the Particulars of This Pamphlet into a Preface so that I shall rather refer the Reader to the Book for the rest where he may compare Mr. Baxter with himself for it is Effectually but an Abstract out of Mr. Baxter's Writings By the Paradoxes Disagreements and Contradictions he will be able to Iudge of the Authour and by the Authour in a great Measure of the Party He that would see them drawn more to the Life may repair to the Original of our Saviours for the Pharisees in the Gospell Examin them Narrowly and you shall not find so much as the semblance of a Colourable Argument but they are still changing their Battery and Pretense according to the various Accidents and dispositions of State and it is but tracing the History of the Late times to find every Round of the Ladder that advanc'd them from Petitioners to Rulers They Plead the Cause of Thousands in the Land they tell us and yet there 's not a Single man in all Those Thousands that understands one bit of the Controversy They cry aloud against Idolatry Superstition Abominations Symbolical Ceremonies Will-Worship Humane Inventions and Order their Disciples just as they do their Children They dresse up a Terrible thing of Clouts and call it a Bull-begger which is no other then a Mormo of their own Creating They have a certain Routin of Words and Sayings that have the tone of Magique in the very Sound of them and serve only without any other Meaning like the Drum and the Trumpet to rouse up the Multitude to Battle But the Lords Ordinance and the Primitive Pattern stand them in Mighty stead For though they have been Foyld as often as Encountred upon This Question yet the very Terms of the Controversy being is good as Syriack to the Common people there is a Mist cast before their Eyes and they are never in so good time to see Visions as when they are stark blind To Conclude I have exposed these Sheâ—â—s to the â—â—â—â—ck rather as Mr. Baxters work then my own If 〈…〉 it was none of my Fault that my Authour would not me 〈…〉 Nor have I any more to say upon the whole matter but that I have been as fair to Mr. Baxter as He hath been to Himself A DIALOGUE c. Moderator Richard and Baxter Moderator YEs yes I remember the Conference at the Savoy perfectly well by This Token that Dr. Gunning and Dr. Pearson the Bishops of Ely and Chester deliver'd you this very Proposition That Command which Commandeth an Act in it self Lawfull and no other Act whereby any unjust Penalty is enjoyned nor any Circumstance whence directly or per accidens any Sin is Consequent which the Commander ought to provide against hath in it all things requisâ—â—â— to the Lawfulnesse of a Command and particularly cannot be guilty of commanding an Act per accidens Unlawfull nor of Commanding an Act under an Unjust Penalty B of Worcesters Letter in his Vindication against M. Baxter P. 36. Ri. Very Good and I gave them under my hand my Opinion to the Contrary Because said I the fiâ—st Act commanded may be per accidens Unlawful and be Commanded by an Vnjust Penalty tho' no other Act or Circumstance Commanded be such Ibid. Pa. 36. Ba. Nay hold you Brother I 'm of another Opinion If the thing Commanded be such as is simply ill and forbidden us by God in all Cases whatsoever then no ones Commands can
dispense with your Covenants as well as you did formerly with the Oath of Allegeance Ri. Part of This Covenant is against Popery Superstition and Profaneness and all that is against Sound Doctrine and Godlinesse c. which the Non-Conformists take to be Lawful and Necessary things Non-Conf Plea 1st Part. P. 142. But the Controversy is not This and That but whether as a Vow made to God it binde to things Necessary P. 143. Ba. Soft a little This that you speak of is the League and Covenant not the Vow and Covenant The Latter was only a Bond of Confederacy to assist the Parliaments Forces against the King and taken by the Lords ane Commons Iun. 6. 1673. and then Ordred Iun. 27. to be taken all over the Kingdome But the Other was Composed afterwards and upon closing with the Scots accomodated to the Scottish Model and Order'd Feb. 2. 1643. to be taken throughout England and Wales and Entitled For Râ—formation and Dâ—fence of Reliâ—ion the Honour and Happiness of the KING c. By this Covenant you are bound not only to an Extirpation of Bishops but to endeavouâ— the Introducing of a Scottish Presbytery How can you then dispence with an Admittance of the Primates Episcopacy as you propounded in Contradiction to the Terms of that Engagement Mo. Favour me with a word I pray'e Did ye not Covenant to preserve and defend the Kings Majestys Person and Authority Ri. Yes in the Preservation and Defence of the True Religion Ba. But in case of the Kings Opposing it we are still Obliged to continue therein against all Opposition and â—o promote the samâ— according to our Power against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever See the Covenant Mo. Let it suffice Gentlemen that your Party destroy'd the King it is no great matter How Ri. As to the Death of the King I have in the times of Vsurpation proved that the Presbyterians detestâ—d it That it was a Proud Conquering Army by the Contrivance of Ol. Cromwell and the applause of a Few Phanatiques that did it by the consent of a small care of the Old Parliament called the Rump that durst not trust the King in Power Non-Conf Plea part 2. Preface Ba. Prethee Dick Speak truth and shame the Devil What did we raise Armyes for And Attaque the King himself in the Head of his Troops Wee 'l maintain That by our Principles and Aphorisms War is not an Act of Government but Hostility Men are not in Reason to be supposed to Intend their Enemies Good if they fight we are to bâ—lieve they would Kill and Nature believeth not Killing to be an Act of Friendship Holy Common-Wealth Pa. 422. â— do Unfeignedly Repent that I did no more for â—eace in my Place then I did and that I did not pray more heartily againâ—t Conâ—â—ntion and Wâ—r bâ—forâ— it camâ— and spake no more against it thâ—n I 〈…〉 that I spaâ—e so much to blow the Coals For â—his 〈…〉 forâ—ivenâ—sse of the Lord through the Pretious bâ—oâ—d of tâ—â— Grâ—â—t Reconciler The hatred of strife and War aâ—d Love of Pâ—aâ—e and Obsâ—rvation of the Lamentable Miscariages siâ—ce have call'd me often to search my heart and try my ways by the word of God whether I did Lawfully engage in That War or not which I was confident then was the Greatest outward service that ever I performed to God And whether I Lawfully encouraged so many Thousands to it Holy Common-Wealth Pa. 485.486 But yet I cannot see that I was mistaken in the main Cause nor dare I repent of it nor forbear the same if it were to do again in the same State of Things I should do all I could to prevent such a War but if it could not be prevented I must take the same side as then I did And my Judgment tells me that if I should do otherwise I should be Guilty of Treason or disloyalty against the SOVEREIGN POWER of the Land and of Perâ—idiousnesse to the Common-Wealth and of preferring Offending Subjects before the Laws and Justice and the Will of the King above the safety of the Common-wealth and consequently above his own Wellfare Ibid And then for you so Impudently and Impertinently Mo. Nay let 's have none of this Gentlemen I beseech ye why You Two are Old Acquaintances Fellow-Labourers Fellow-Sufferers and One Womans Children as we say Ba. I shall not eat my words I assure ye I may forget my self perhaps but I am not a man for Recantations I say again that it was Impudently and Impertinâ—â—tly done to reflect upon Oliver Cromwell as if he had done an Ill thing My Holy Common-wealth was written while the Lord Protâ—ctor â—rudently Piously Faithfully to his Immortal Horrour how ill soever you have used him did Exercise the Government Holy Common wealth Preface to the Army And I have forborn to change any One Word of it all that you may see the worst of my Intendments And that True Principles will stand in all Times and Changes though to the shame of those Changes that make bad Times Ibid. These are my own words and do you think that I would ever have bestowed upon a detestable wretch the Epithetes of PRUDENT PIOUS and FAITHFUL And again If Oliver had not been a Religious and Gratious Prince can you Imagine that I should ever have treated his Son Richard with this Complement We pray that you may INHERIT a Tender care of the Cause of Christ. Key for Catholiques Ep. Ded. which shews both that Oliver had a Tendernesse for Christs Cause and necessarily Implys that the Cause he Managed was the Cause of Christ. And then you shuffle it again upon the Phanatiques and the Rump that durst not trust the King with Power Why prethee what Power did we allow him We took away his Arms and his Men and his Money and his Credit and his Towns and his Ships and his Laws and his Liberty and all the Ensignes of Royalty and the Maxims whereupon we supported our Proceedings did his besinesse The Two Houses and the Army were no more then the Gun and the Ball The one gave fire and the other kill'd him Mo. Mr. Baxter I as you say you do Vnfeignedly Repent that you spake so much Formerly to blow the Coals Why are ye blowing of them again You carry'd Thousands you say into the War and Engâ—ged in it your self and would do the same thing over again upon the like Occâ—sion And your Judgment tells you that it were Treason against the Sovereign Power of the Land to do otherwise According to This Doctrine a Remnant of the Lords and Commons may do as much to This Kâ—â—g as they did to his Father and the Presbyterians Pulpiâ—s shall justify the Proocâ—eding You do Generously however to own your Positions But yet methinks you should have some regard to the dismal Consequences that have â—nsu'd upon this Controversy Ba. It were too great
other Places And then the boldnesse and Importunity of the Dividers encrease the necessity of the Injunction If you have forgotten the Common Votes and Addresse of Feb 25. 1662. upon This Subject Pray let me remember you of them Resolved c. Nemine Contradicente That the humble Thanks of This House be returned to his Majesty for his Resolution to maintain the Act of Vniformity Resolved c. That it be presented to the Kings Majesty as the humble Advise of the House that no Indulgence be granted to the dissentâ—â— from the Act of Vniformity For these Reasons 1. It will establish Schisme by a Law amd make the 〈◊〉 Government of the Church Precaeious and the Censures of it of no moment or Consideration at all 2. It will no way become the Gravity or Wisdome of a Parliâ—ment to passe a Law at One Session for Vniformity and 〈◊〉 the next Session the Reasons of Vniformity continuing still the Same to passe Another Law to frustrate or Weaken the Execution of it 3. It will expose your Majesty to the Restlesse Importunity of every Sect or Opinion and of every single person also who shal presume to Dissent from the Church of England 4. It will be a cause of encreasing Sects and Sectaries 〈◊〉 Numbers will weaken the true Protestant Religion so far thâ—t it will at least be difficult for it to defend it self against theâ— And which is yet further Considerable those Numbers which by being Troublesome to the Government find they can arrive to 〈◊〉 Indulgence will as their Numbers encrease be yet more Troubâ—â—some that so at length they may arrive to a General Toleration which your Majesty hath declar'd against and in time some preâ—â—lent Sect will at last contend for an Establishment which for 〈◊〉 can be fore-seen may end in Popery 5. It is a thing altogether without Precedent and will take away all means of Convicting Recusants and be inconsistent with the Method and Proceedings of the Laws of England Lastly It is humbly conceived that the Indulgence Proposed will be so far from tending to the Peace of the Kingdome that it is rather likely to Occasion great Disturbance And on the Contrary that the Asserting of the Laws and the Religion Established according to the Act of Uniformity is the most probable means to produce a settled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdome Because the Variety of Professions in Religion when openly divulged doth directly distinguish men into Parties and withall gives them opportunity to count Their Numbers which considering the Animosities that out of a Religious Pride will be kept on foot by the severall Factions doth tend directly and Inevitably to open disturbance Nor can your Majesty have any security that the Doctrine or Worship of the severall Factions which are all govern'd by a severall Rule shall be Consistent with the Peace of your Kingdome And if any Persons shall presume to disturb the Peace of the Kingdome We do in all Humility dâ—clare that we will for ever and in all Occasions be ready with our utmost Endeavours and Assistance to adhere to and serve your Majesty according to our bounden Duty and Allegiance Only one Word more and That must be to tax you with Infinite Ingratitude in saying that Parliaments for ought you know never did any thing for your Relief or Ease what do ye think of the Act of Indemnity I beseech ye Was it Nothing to give you your Lives Liberties and Estates again when all was Forfeited Nay and it is come to that Point now too that those very Instruments that were forgiven by the King for the Ruin of the Church and Three Kingdoms will not at this day forgive his Majesty for Endeavouring according to the Advice of his Parliament to Re-establish and Preserve them Ri. If you would understand us aright you must repair to our Declarations Professions Commissions National Oaths and Covenants and the Like Ho Com. Pag. 477. And pray Observe the Tenor of our Stile Addresse Protestations and other Proceedings Your Majesties most Humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons Dec. 14. 1641. Most Humble and Faithfâ—â—â— Subjects Dec. 15. Most Humble and Obedient Subjects Exact Collections â—a 2. Mo. And now put That Libellous Remonstrance of Dec. 15. in the Scale against Three or Four Words of Course of the same date Ri. The Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons your Faithful and Loyall Subjects c. Ibid. Pa 44. Dec. 31. 1641. Mo. This was a Message to his Majesty for a Guard which the King most graciously offer'd them but One of his Chusing it seems would not do the Businesse Ri. Your most faithful and Obedient Subjects the Lords and Commons in this Present Parliament c. Ibid. Pa. 65. Jan. 29. Mo. They Petition'd to have the Tower of London and all oeher Forts and the whole Militia of the Kingdom to be FORTHWITH put into the hands of such Persons as both Houses should Recommend c Ex. Coll. Jan. 29. 1641. And what did his Majesty now get by the Complement Ri. Your Humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ibid. Feb. 22. 1641. Pa. 80. Mo. His Majesties Humble and Loyal Subjects are pleas'd to declare in this Petition that if the King does not Instantly grant them their Petition about the Militia they are bound by the Laws of God and man to take the Militia into their own hands Ri. Your Majesties most Loyal and Obedient Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ib. Mar. 1. 1641. Pa. 92. Mo. In this Petition they threaten to dispose of the Militia by the Authority of the Two Houses They Order his Majesty where to dispose of his Person and absolutely deny the Kings Powâ—â— of the Militia but by Authority and consent of Parliament Ri. Your most Dutyful and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ib. 138. Apr. 1642. Your Majesties most Loyal and Faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ib. Apr. 8. 1642. Pa. 141. Mo. Very Good And the Former of These was for Leave to remove the Magazin at Hull to the Tower of London And the Other was to divert the King from going into Ireland to supptesse the Irish Rebellion which had certainly been done and to tell him that if he went contrary to the Advice of his Parliament They were resolved in his Absence not to submit to any Commissioners he should appoint but to preserve and Govern the Kingdome by the Counsell and Advice of Parliament c. Ri. Your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in his Parliament Ibid. 258. May 1642. Mo. Here His Majesties Loyal Subjects presse the King to disband his Troops at York or otherwise they 'le take the Quiet of the Kingdome into their own Care And passe These following Votes Resolved upon the Question 1. That it appears that the King seduced