Other violent motions which are neither Manly Christian nor Loyall shall never either shake or settle my Religion nor any mans else who knowes what Religion means And how farre it is removed from all Faction whose proper engine is force the arbitrator of beasts not of reasonable men much lesse of humble Christians and loyall Subjects in matters of Religion But men are prone to have such high conceâ—ts of themselves that they care not what cost they lay out upon their opinions especially those that have some temptation of gain to recompence their losses and hazards Yet I was not more scandalized at the Scots Armies comming in against my will and their forfeiture of so many obligations of duty and gratitude to me then I wondered how those here could so much distrust Gods assistance who so much pretended Gods cause to the People as if they had the certainty of some divine Revelation considering they were more then competently furnished with my Subjects Armes and Ammunition My Navie by Sea my Forts Castles and Cities by Land But I find that men jealous of the Justifiablenesse of their doings and designes before God never think they have humane strength enough to carry their worke on seem it never so plausible to the People what cannot be justified in Law or Religion had need be fortified with Power And yet such is the inconstancy that attends all minds engaged in violent motion that whom some of them one while earnestly invite to come into their assistance others of them soone after are weary of and with nauseating cast them out what one Party thought to rivet to a setledness by the strength and influence of the Scots that the other rejects and contemnes at once despising the Kirk Government and Discipline of the Scots and frustrating the successe of so chargable more then charitable assistance For sure the Church of England might have purchased at a farre cheaper rate the truth and happinesse of Reformed government and discipline if it had been wanting though it had entertained the best Divâ—nes of Chrâ—stendome for their advice in a full and free Synod which I was ever willing to and desirous of that matters being impartially setled might be more satisfactory to all and more durable But much of Gods justice and mans folly will at length be discovered through all the filmes and pretensions of Religion in which Politicians wrap up their designes In vaine do men hope to build their piety on the ruines of Loyalty Nor can those considerations or designs be durable when Subjects make bankrupt of their Allegiance under pretence of setting up a quicker trade for Religion But as My best Subjects of Scotland never deserted Me so I cannot think that the most are gone so far from Me in a prodigality of their love and respects toward Me as to make Me to despaire of their returne when besides the bonds of nature and Conscience which they have to Me all Reason and true Policy will teach them that their chiefest interest consists in their fidelity to the Crowne not in their serviceablenesse to any Party of the People to a neglect and betraying of My Safety and Honour for their owne advantages However the lesse cause I have to trust to men the more I shall apply My self to God The Troubles of My Soule are enlarged O Lord bring thou me out of My distresse Lord direct thy Servant in the waies of that pious simplicity which is the best policy Deliver Me from the combined strength of those who have so much of the Serpents subtilty that they forget the Doves Innocency Though hand joyne in hand yet let them not prevaile against My soule to the betraying of My Conscience and Honour Thou O Lord canst turne the hearts of those Parties in both Nations as thou didst the men of Judah and Israel to restore David with as much loyall Zeale as they did with inconstancy and eagernesse pursue Him Preserve the love of thy Truth and uprightnesse in Me and I shall not despaire of My Subjects affections returning towards Me. Thou canst soone cause the overflowing Seas to ebbe and retire back again to the bounds which thou hast appointed for them O My God I trust in thee let me not be ashamed let not My enemies triumph over Me. Let them be ashamed who transgresse without a cause let them be turned back that persecute My Soule Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve Me for I wait on thee O Lord. Redeeme thy Church O God out of all its Troubles 14. Vpon the Covenant THe Presbyterian Scots are not to be hired at the ordinary rate of Auxiliaries nothing will induce them to engage till those that call them in have pawned their Soules to them by a Solemne League and Covenant Where many engines of religious and faire pretensions are brought chiefly to batter or rase Episcopacy This they make the grand evill Spirit which with some other Imps purposely added to make it more odious and terrible to the Vulgar must by so solemne a charm exorcism be cast out of this Church after more than a thousand yeares possession here from the first plantation of Christianity in this Island and an universall prescription of time and practise in all other Churches since the Apostles times till this last Century But no Antiquity must plead for it Presbytery like a young Heyre thinks the Father hath lived long enough and impatient not to be in the Bishops Chaire Authority though Lay-men go away with the Revenues all art is used to sink Episcopacy and lanch Presbytery in England which was lately boyed up in Scotland by the like artifice of a Covenant Although I am unsatisfied with many passages in that Covenant some referring to My selfe with very dubious and dangerous limitations yet I chiefly wonder at the designe and drift touching the Discipline and Government of the Church and such a manner of carrying them on to new waies by Oaths Covenants where it is hard for men to be engaged by no lesse then swearing for or against those things which are of no cleare morall necessity but very disputable and controverted among learned and godly men whereto the application of Oaths can hardly be made and enjoyned with that judgment and certainty in ones selfe or that charity and candour to others of different opinion as I think Religion requires which never refuses faire and equable deliberations yea and dissentings too in matters onely probable The enjoyning of Oaths upon People must needs in things doubtfull be dangerous as in things unlawfull damnableâ— and no lesse superfluous where former religious and legall Engagements bound men sufficiently to all necessary duties Nor can I see how they will reconcile such an Innovating Oath and Covenant with that former Protestation which was so lately taken to maintaine the Religion established in the Church of England since they count Discipline so great a part of Religion But ambitious minds never think they have laid snares and
other in the Church as succeeding the Apostles in the ordinary and constant power of governing the Churches the honour of whose name they moderately yet commendably declined all Christian Churches submitting to that speciall authority appropriated also the name of Bishop without any suspicion or reproach of arrogancy to those who were by Apostolicall propagation rightly descended invested into that highest and largest power of governing even the most pure and Primitive Churches which without all doubt had many such holy Bishops after the pattern of Timothy and Titus whose speciall power is not more clearly set down in those Epistles the chief grounds and limits of all Episcopall claime as from divine right then are the characters of these perilous times and those men that make them such who not enduring sound doctrine and cleare testimonies of all Churches practise are most perverse Disputers and proud Usurpers against true Episcopacy who if they be not Traytours and Boasters yet they seem to be very covetous heady high-minded inordinate and fierce lovers of themselves having much of the forme little of the power of godlinesse Who by popular heaps of weak light and unlearned Teachers seek to over-lay and smother the pregnancy authority of that power of Episcopall Government which beyond all equivocation and vulgar fallacy of names is most convincingly set forth both by Scripture and all after Histories of the Church This I write rather like a Divine than a Prince that Posterity may see if ever these Papers be publique that I had faire grounds both from Scripture-Canons Ecclesiastical examples whereon My judgement was stated for Episcopall Government Nor was it any policy of State or obstinacy of will or partiality of affection either to the men or their Function which fixed Me who cannot in point of worldly respects be so considerable to Me as to recompence the injuries and losses I and My dearest relations with My Kingdomes have sustained and hazarded chiefly at first upon this quarrell And not onely in Religion of which Scripture is the best rule and the Churches Universall practise the best commentary but also in right reason and the true nature of Government it cannot be thought that an orderly Subordination among Presbyters or Ministers should be any more against Christianity then it is in all secular and civill Governments where parity breeds Confusion and Factionâ— I can no more beleeve that such order is inconsistent with true Religion then good features are with beauty or numbers with harmony Nor is it likely that God who appointed severall orders a Prelacie in the Government of his Church among the Jewish Priests should abhor or forbid them among Christian Ministers who have as much of the principles of schisme and division as other men for preventing and suppressing of which the Apostolicall wisdome which was divine after that Christians were multiplied so many Congregations and Presbyters with them appointed this way of Government which might best preserve order and union wâ—th Authority So that I conceive it was not the favour of Princes or ambition of Presbyters but thâ— wisdome and piety of the Apostles that first setled Bishops in the Church which Authority they constantly used and injoyed in those times which were purest for Religion though sharpest for Persecution Not that I am against the managing of this Presidency and Authority in one man by the joynt Counsell and consent of many Presbyters I have offered to restore that as a fit meanes to avoid those Errours Corruptions and Partialities which are incident to any one man Also to avoid Tyranny which becomes no Christians least of all Church-men beâ—ides it will be a meanes to take away that burden and odium of affaires which may lie too heavy on one mans shoulders as indeed I think it formerly did on the Bishops here Nor can I see what can be more agreeable both to Reason and Religion then such a frame of Government which is paternall not Magisteriall and wherein not only the necessity of avoiding Faction and Confusion Emulations and Contempts which are prone to arise among equals in power and function but also the differences of some Ministers gifts and aptitudes for Government above others doth invite to imploy them in reference to those Abilities wherein they are Eminent Nor is this judgement of Mine touching Episcopacy any pre-occupation of opinion which will not admit any oppositions against it It is well known I have endeavoured to satisfie My self in what the chief Patrons for other wayes can say against this or for theirs And I find they have as farre lesse of Scripture grounds and of Reason so for examples and practice of the Church or testimonies of Histories they are wholly destitute wherein the whole stream runs so for Episcopacy that there is not the least rivulet for any others As for those obtruded examples of some late reformed Churches for many retain Bishops still whom necessity of times and affaires rather excuseth then commendeth for their inconformity to all Antiquity I could never see any reason why Churches orderly reformed and governed by Bishops should be forced to conform to those few rather then to the Catholick example of all Ancient Churches which needed no Reformation And to those Churches at this day who Governed by Bishops in all the Christian world are many more then Presbyterians or Independents can pretend to be All whom the Churches in My three Kingdomes lately Governed by Bishops would equalize I think if not exceed Nor is it any point of wisdom or charity where Christians differ as many do in some points there to widen the differences and at once to give all the Christian world except a handfull of some Protestants so great a scandall in point of Church-government whom though you may convince of their Errrours in some points of Doctrine yet you shall never perswade them that to compleat their Reformation they must necessarily desert and wholly cast off that Government which they and all before them have ever owned as Catholick Primitive and Apostolicall So far that never Schismaticks nor Hereticks except those Arians have strayed from the Unity and Conformity of the Church in that point ever having Bishops above Presbyters Besides the late generall approbation and submission to this Government of Bishops by the Clergy as well as the Laity of these Kingdomes is a great confirmation of My Judgment and their inconstancy is a great prejudice against their novelty I cannot in charity so far doubt of their learning or integrity as if they understood not what heretofore they did or that they did conform contrary to their Consciences So that their facility and levity is never to be excused who before ever the point of Church-government had any free impartiall debate contrary to their former Oathes and practice against their obedience to the Lawes in force and against My consent have not only quite cryed down the Government by Bishops but have approved and incouraged the
plentifull Estates they got and enjoyed under My Government in peaceable times which yet must now be blasted with all the odious reproaches which impotent malice can invent and My self exposed to all those contempts which may most diminish the Majesty of a King and encrease the ungratefull insolencies of My People For Mine Honour I am well assured that as Mine Innocency is clear before God in point of any calumnies they object so My reputation shall like the Sun after Owles and Bats have had their freedome in the night and darker times rise and recover it self to such a degree of splendour as those ferall birds shall be grieved to behold and unable to bear For never were any Princes more glorious than those whom God hath suffer'd to be tried in the fornace of afflictions by their injurious Subjects And who knows but the just and mercifull God will doe Me good for some mens hard false and evill speeches against Me wherein they speak rather what they wish than what they believe or know Nor can I suffer so much in point of Honour by those rude and scandalous Pamphlets which like fire in great conflagrations flie up and downe to set all places on like flames than those men doe who pretending to so much piety are so forgetfull of their duty to God and Me By no way ever vindicating the Majesty of their KING against any of those who contrary to the precept of God and precedent of Angelsâ— speake evill of dignities and bring railing accusations against those who are honoured with the name of Gods But 't is no wonder if men not fearing GOD should not Honour their KING They will easily contemne such shadowes of God who reverence not that Supreme and adorable Majesty in comparâ—son of whom all the glory of Men and Angels is but obscurity yet hath he graven such Characters of divine Authority and Sacred power upon Kings as none may without sinne seek to blot them out Noâ—â—hall their black veiles be able to hide the shâ—ning of My face while God gives Me a heart frequently and humbly to converse with him from whom alone are all the traditions of true glory and majesty Thou O Lord knowest My reproach and My dishonour My Adversaries are all before thee My Soule is among Lyons among them that are set on fire even the Sons of Men whose teeth are spears and arrows their tongue a sharp sword Mine enemies reproach Me all the day long and those that are mad against Me are sworne together O My God how long shall the sonnes of men turne My glory into shame how long shall they love vanity and seek after lies Thou hast heard the reproaches of wicked men on every side Hold not thy peace lest My Eâ—emies prevaile against me and lay mine Honour in the dust Thou O Lord shalt destroy them that speak lâ—es the Lord will abhorre both the bloud-thirsty and deceitfull men Make my righteousnesse to appeare as the light and mine innocency to shine forth as the Sun at noone day Suffer not my silence to betray mine innocence â—or my displeasure my patience That after my Saviours example being reviled I may not revile againe and being cursed by them â— may blesse them Thou that wouldst not suffer Shimei's tongue to go unpunished when by thy judgements on David he might seem to justiâ—â—e his disdainfull reproaches give me grace to intercede with thy mercy for these my enemies that the reward of false and lying tongues even hot burning coals of eternall fire may not be brought upon them Let my prayers and patience be as water to coole and quench their tongues who are already set on fire with the fire of Hell and tormented with those malicious flames Let me be happy to refute and put to silence their evill-speaking by well-doing and let them enjoy not the fruit of their lips but of my prayer for their repentance and thy pardon Teach me Davids patience and Hezekiah's devotion that I may look to thy mercy through mans malice and see thy justice in their sin Let Sheba's seditious speeches Rabshekah's railing and Shimei's cursing provoke as my humble prayer to thee so thy renewed blessing toward me Though they curse doe thou blesse and I shall be blessed and made a blessing to my people That the stone which some builders refuse may become the head-stone of the corner Looke downe from heaven and save me from the reproach of them that would swallow me up Hide me in the secret of thy presence from the pridâ— of man and keep me from the strife of tongues 16. Vpon the Ordinance against the Commoâ— Prayer-Booke IT is no news to have all Innovations ushered in with the name of Reformations in Church and State by those who seeking to gaine reputation with the Vulgar for their extraordinary parts and piety must needs undoe whatever was formerly setled never so well and wisely So hardly can the pride of those that study Novelties allow former times any share or degree of wisdome or godlinesse And because matter of prayer and devotion to God justly beares a great part in Religion being the Soules more immediate converse with the divine Majesty nothing could be more plausible to the People than to tel them They served God amisse in that point Hence our publique Liturgy or Formes of constant Prayers must be not amended in what upon free and publique advice might seem to sober men inconvenient for matter or manner to which I should easily consent but wholly cashiered and abolished and after many popular contempts offered to the Booke and those that used it according to their Consciences and the Lawes in force it must be crucified by an Ordinance the better to please either those men who gloried in their extemporary veyne and fluency 〈◊〉 others who conscious to their owne formality in the use of it thought they fully expiated their sin of not using it aright by laying all the blame upon it a totall rejection of it as a dead letter thereby to excuse the deadnesse of their hearts As for the matter contained in the Booke sober and learned men have sufficiently vindicated it against the cavils and exceptions of those who thought it a part of piety to make what proâ—ane objections they could against it especially for Popery Superstition whereas no doubt the Liturgy was exactly conformed to the doctrine of the Church of England and this by all Reformed Churches is confessed to be most sound and Orthodox For the manner of using Set and prescribed Formes there is no doubt but that wholsome words being knowne and fitted to mens understandings are soonest received into their hearts and aptest to excite and carry along with them judicious and fervent affections Nor doe I see any reason why Christians should be weary of a wel-composed Liturgy as I hold this to be more than of all other things wherein the Constancy abates nothing of the excellency and usefulnesse I could never see any