Folly by Following Accideâ—ts that were then unknown for me to Judge of the Former Cause That which Is Calamitous in the Event is not allways sinfull in the Enterprize Should the Change of Times make me forget the State that we were formerly in and Change my Judgment by losing the sense of what then conduced to it's Enformation This Folly and forgetfullnesse would be the way to a sinfull and not an Obedient Repentance Nor can I be so Unthankful as to say for all the sins and Miscarriages of Men since that we have not received much mercy from the Lord Holy Common-wealth Pa. 487. When Godlynesse was the Common Scorn the Prejudice and shame most lamenâ—ably prevail'd to kâ—ep men from it and so encouraged them in Wickednesse But through the great mercy of God many Thousands have been converted to a Holy upright Life proportionably more then were before since the Reproach did cease and the Prejudice was removed and Faithfull Preachers took the Place of Scandalous ones or Ignorant Readers When I look upon the Place where I live and see that the Families of the Ungodly are here one and there one in a street as the Families of the Godly were heretofore though my own Endeavours have been too weak and cold it â—orceth me to set up the stone of Remembrance and to say HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US Ibid. Oh the sad and Heart-piercing Spectacles that mine Eyes have seen in four years space This was Jan. 15. 1649. In this Fight a dear Friend falls down by me From another a Pretious Christian bâ—ought home wounded or dead Scarce a month scarce a week without the sight or Noise of Bloud Saints Rest P. 139. Mo. Here 's first a most Evangelicall accompt of the blessed Effects of a Civill War The Propagation of Holynesse And Then a most Remarkable Calculation of the date of your Calamities which commences precisely from the Armies getting the Ascendent of the Two Houses without any respect to the Outrages both upon the Church and State while the Presbyterians Govern'd Ri. Pray'e will ye patiently read over the Representation â—r Letter of the London Ministers to the Lord Generall Jan. 18. 1648. Mo. Very well and since you are pleas'd to cast the Cause and the Integrity of your Party upon That Issue wee 'l see what they say It is allready sufficiently known besides all former Miscarriages what Attempts of late have been put in Practice against Lawfull Authority Letter P. 3. This Lawfull Authority was a Faction of the Two Houses Especially by the Late Remonstrance and Declaration published in Opposition to the Proceedings in Parliament Hâ—re's the Crimen lesae Majestatis As also by seizing and Imprisoning the Kings Person without the Knowledge and Consent of Parliament Ibid. Here 's only a plain Seizure of the Kings Person without the Parliaments Privity or Leave No Condâ—mnation of the Thing it self furthâ—r then as it was done without his Masters Consent Nor was the King more a Prisoner in the hands of the Army then he had been at Newcastle in the hands of the Presbyterians But now they come to That late Vnparall'd violence offer'd to the Members of it forcibly hindâ—ing above one hundred of them if we mistake not the Number from sitting in Parliament Imprisoning many of their Persons though many of them are known to us to be men of Eminent worth and Integrity and who have given most Ample Testimony of their Real Affection to the good of the Kingdome Ibid. Pray'e take notice that it was upon the Members an Unparallel'd violence upon the King no more then a Simple Seizure and methinks they might have bestowed some kind Epithete upon his Majesty as well as upon the Eminent and Worthy Members But 't is only the bare King and That 's All. And besides All This There is an Intent of Framing and contriving a New Model as well of the Laws and Government of the Kingdom as of the Constitution of a new kind of Representative All which Practices we cannot but Judge to be manifestly opposite to the Lawfull Authority of those Majestrates which God hath set over us and to the Duty and Obedience which by the Laws of God and man and by our manifold Oaths and Covenants we stand obliged to render to them Ibid. You are not aware Mr. Richard that to Justify the Doctrine of these Letters falls very little short of Justifying downright Treason unlesse you can shew a Law that places the Supreme Power in the Two Houses The Fear of God therefore whose Ordinance is violated when Magistracy is opposed makes us affraid of medling with Those who without any Colour of Legal Authority meerly upon the Presumption of strength shall attempt such Changes as these are And we â—annot but be deeply Affected with Grief and Astonishment to see that an Army raised by Authority of Parliament for the Preservation of the Priviledges thereof and of our Religion Laws and Liberties should contrary to their Trust and many engagements do That which tends to the Manifest subversion of them All. P. 4. Pray'e where was the Fear of Cod when the King was opposed what Legal Authority had the Two Houses over his Majesty more thâ—n the Army had over the Two Houses Or by what Law did That Parliament raise That Army We have not forgotten those Declared Grounds and Principles upon which the Parliament first took up Arms and upon which we were induced to joyn with them from which we have not hitherto declared and we trust through Gods Grace we NEVER SHALL Pa. 5. We have here in few words the Judgment and the Resolution of the Presbyterian Divines and the standard of their Loyalty from the Lips of the very Oracle of the Party I would fain know now which waâ— the fouler breach of Trust That of the Two Houses toward his Majesty to whom both by Law and Conscience they were obliged besides so many Gratious Concessioâ—s or that of the Army to the Two Houses The one being like the Robbing of an Honest man and the other the Pillaging of That Thief Over and above that the Army was Trayn'd up in the Trade of turning out their Masters And moreover although the PARLIAMENT thus tooâ— up Arms for the defence of their Persons Priviledges and the Preservation of Religion Laws and Liberties yet was it not their Intention thereby to do violence to the Person of the King or divest him of â—is Regal Authority and what of Right belongeth to him Pa. 7. Do but shew me now any one Essential of Sovereignty which those people left hiâ— if they could take it away and I will be answerable to forfeiâ— my head for 't But still it is but what of Righâ— bâ—longeth to him and That 's a Salvo for all the Violences Imaginable We disclam detest and abhor the Wicked and bloudy Teâ—ents and Practices of Iesuits the whrst of Papists
The Casuist Uncas'd IN A DIALOGUE Betwixt RICHARD AND BAXTER With a MODERATOR Between Them For QUIETNESSE Sake By Roger L' Estrange The Second Edition LONDON â—rinted for H. Brome at the Signe of the Gun in S. Pauls Church-yard 1680. upon the Manners as well as the Services of the Royall Party What can I do better then to face him with the Acts of the Assembly and the Proceedings of the Two Houses to the Contrary And to produce his own Act and Deed in evidence against his Profession On the One hand you have Mr. Baxter valuing himself upâ—â— his Principles of Loyalty and Obedience And on the Other haâ—â— you have the very same Mr. Baxter according to the Outward Man not only pleading the Cause but Celebrating the Justice and Canonizing as in his Saints Rest Pa. 101. of the Old Editions the Prime Directors and Instruments of The Late Rebellion Asserting the very Doctrine of Those Positions whereupon it was founded When Mr. Baxter Sets up for a Toleration whâ—â— can be fairer then to shew him his own Arguments against it Or to ask him how HE a kinde of Heteroclite in his opinions that has Chalk'd out so singular a Plat-Form of Church-Regiment 〈◊〉 himself comes now to be a Common Advocate for all the Dissenting Parties Take him in One Mood as in his Five Disputations and elsewhere and he tells ye that a Diocesan Prelacy is plainly Antichristian and Intolerable And yet in his Noâ—-Conformists Plea and other parts of his Writings he tells ye agaâ—n that the Nonconformists would have submitted to it Now if the Constitution was so Abominable why should they submit to it And if it was not so why does Mr. Baxter say that it was Anâ— why does he still persist in Debauching and Alienating the heaâ—â— of the People from their Rulers in matters which he himself acknowledges to be Warrantable and Established by Law And so for 〈◊〉 Liturgy and Ceremonies he 's at the same Variance with himself about the Lawfulnesse or Vnlawfulnesse of Those Points also Now since Mr. Baxter has been pleased to take upon himself the Patronage of the Non-Conformists Cause and to put forth his Plea and his Plea again for That Interest what can be more Obâ—iging then to take him at his word and consider him under the Publick Character of Their Representative At This Rate Mr. Baxters Works will be as good as a Non-conformists Dictionary to us and assist the World toward the Vnderstanding of the Holy Dialect iâ— a Wonderful manner For the Purity of the Gospell the ways of Christ the Ordinances of the Lord the Power of Godlynesse the Foundations of Faith the Holy Discipline A Blessed Reformation c. These are Words and Expressions that signify quite another thing to Them then they do to Us. Faithful Pastors Laborious Ministers Heavenly Guides Zealous Protestants The Upright in the Land Humble Petitioners Just Priviledges Higher Powers Glorious Kings Holy Covenanting unto the Lord c. This is not to be taken now as the Language Câ—rrant of the Nation but only as a Privy Cypher of Intelligence betwixt Themselves and the Cant or Jargon of the Party Nay they fly from us in their Speech their Manners their Meaning as well as in their Profession The very Christ-Crosse in the Horn-Book is as much a Scandal to them as the Crosse in Baptisme and they make it a point of Honour to maintain the Freedome of their Own Tongue in token that they are not as yet a Conquer'd Nation But are the Non-conformists agreed upon it or not that Mr. Baxter shall be their Speaker and that what he delivers in Their Name shall be taken and deemed as the sense of the Party If it be so we have no more to do then to Consult Mr. Baxter himself and from his oâ—n Writings which I have here Cited and Apply'd with exact Faith and Justice to take our Measures of the Dissenting Brethren No man presses Obedience to the HIGHER POWERS more Imperiously then He does But then he makes Those Higher Powers to be still the Usurpers one after another as they get into ACTUAL POSSESSION Prove says he in the Preface to his Holy Common-Wealth that the KING was the HIGHEST POWER in the time of Division and I will offer my Head to Justice as a Rebell His meaning must Inevitably be This Either that the King had no Right to the Crown before the Divisions or that he forfeited his Title by the Rebellion which is an Admirable way of Transition from rank Treason to Lawfull Authority But in all Thâ—se Cases he has still a Recourse for a Salvo to his Box of Distinctions and tells ye that they Shot at CHARLES STUART in the Field for the Honour and Safety of the KING in the Two Houses And then Good Lord How he runs himself out of Breath with Detesting and Renouncing and Renouncing and Detesting KING-KILLING And yet upon Occasion when Oliver the King-killer falls in his Way How does he lay himself out in Euloyges upon the PIOUS Defunct Praying as the highest Instance of the Veneration he had for That Usurper that the Spirit of the Father might descend upon the Son We pray says he to Richard that you may INHERIT a tender care of the Cause of Christ Key for Catholicks Ep. Ded. But then in another Fit he shall advance ye into his Politicks with a Troop of Aphorismes Lay Principalities and Powers Levell with the Ground and tear up the very Ordinance it self of Government by the Roots If Providence Says he STATEDLY disable him that was the Governour c. Ho. Com. Thes. 136. And yet he does not down-Right â—vow the Doctrine of King-Killing He does indeed approve of giving Battle to the Kings WILL but whether to aym at it in his Maiestys HEAD or in his HEART is not as yet STATEDLY determin'd Now tâ— moderate the matter The Presbyterians only cut off his Majestys Hands and Feet so that he could neither Help nor Shift for himself and then gave him Sold him I should say to the Independents Who cut off his Head If Mr. Baxter speaks the Sence of the Non-Consormists as he pretends to do then must This serve for an Exposition of their Loyalty But if not Why does not the Party either disown or take away his Commission This is it which the Restlesse and Implacable Adversaries of our Common Repose make such a noyse in the World with as the work of the spirit of Persecution the Enflaming of Differences the Widening of Breaches and the Violation of the Act of Oblivion Whereas in Truth there 's nothing in it of a Spiteful Invective but on the other side it is only a playn and a necessary defence Mr. Baxter in his Non-Conformists Pleas delivers in his way a kind of Deduction of the War Particularly under the Head of Matters of Fact to be fore-known to the True Understanding of the Cause 2d Part. Pag. 120. In This Chapter from the Question of the
Grounds The extirpation of Piety was the then great Designe which had so far succeeded that very many of the most able Ministers were silenced Lecturers and Evening-Sermons on the Lords Day suppressed Christians imprisoned dismembred and Banished the Lords Day reproached and devoted to Pastimes that it was as much as a mans Estate at least was worth to hear a Sermon abroad when he had none or worse at home To meet for Prayer or any Godly Exercise and that it was a matter of Credit and a way to Perferment to revile at and be enemies against those that were most Conscientious And every where safer to be a drunkard or an Adulterer then a painfull Christian And that multitudes of Humane Ceremonies took place when the worship of Christs Institution was cast out besides the slavery that Invaded us in Civil Respects So am I MOST CERTAIN that this was the work which We took up Arms to resist And these were the Offenders whom we endeavoured to Offend And many of those that scruple the Lawfulness of our War did never Scruple the Lawfullness of destroying us nor of that dolefull havock and Subversion that was made in the Church of Christ amongst us The fault was that we would not more willingly change the Gospel for Ignorance and our Religion for a Fardel of Ceremonies R. B's Saints Rest. p. 257.258 Ri. But the Kings Subjects may not enter into Leagues Câ—â—â—nants and Arms against him without his consent and Laws mâ—â—ly to propagate Religion and Reformation in the Kingdom Non-conf Plea 2d part pa. 77. If Governors command us to sin against Gâ—â— Subjects must not obey but yet not Resist Much less take up Arm◠〈◊〉 Reform Others or even to bring in a True Religion by Vnauthorisâ—â— Violence Ibid. p. 56. Ba. It is but a delusory course of some in These Times tâ—â—t write many Volâ—mns to pâ—ove that Subjects may not beâ—t Arms against thâ—iâ— Priâ—ces foâ— Religion Ho. Common-wealth p. 4â—1 It is either Confusion and Ignorance of the State of thâ—â—uestion or palâ—aâ—le errour in them that maintain that it is 〈◊〉 lawfull to fight for Religion It is one thing to fight to maâ—e oâ—â—ers Religious and another thinâ— to sight to preserve 〈◊〉 â—wn Religion and to preserve tâ—e means of Religion to Us â—nd the Nation and our Posterity Ibid. Persecutors 〈◊〉 taâ—e away our Lives or Liberties if we worship God accordiâ—â—â—o his Will and use the necessary means of Salvation It â—â—ghting aâ—â—inst this Persecutiâ—n we sight principally and ultimately for our Own and Posterities Salvation and nexâ— for the Necessary means theâ—eto and Proximately for 〈◊〉 Lives and Liberties Ibid. Mo. The Rancour and Inhumanity of This Scandal makes me take the Lesse notice of your shifts and contradictions so that I shall wave the Course of your Reasoning and speak a Word to your Conscience Pray'e cast a back Thought upon the Piety the Moderaâ—ion the Unexampled sufferings and Constancy of That Incomparable Prince whose Government and Administration is here so Diabolicall Traduc'd It is a wonderfull thiâ—g to me that thâ— Legal Justice that was execâ—â—ed upon two or thrâ—â— Contumacious Schismatiques should be so fresh in your Memory and yet the Tragedy of that Royal and Protestant Martyr that fell a Sacrifice to the Idol of your Enthusiastical Reformation should be so utterly forgotten How can you so call to mind the silencing of a Stubborn Cabal of Lawless Mutineers And the Bloud of Canterbury your Sacrilegious Robbing and Taking Possession not fly in the â—aces of your Complices Especially considering how much you your selves have contributed to the common Fate Ri. How far the â—arliament was fâ—om being Presbyterians may bâ— sâ—â—n in tâ—e Propositions sent from them by the Earl of Essex to the King at â—otinâ—ham and paâ—tly their defeating all the desires and endeavâ—urs of â—hose that would have Presbytery settlâ—d thorow the Land We know of no places but London and Lancaâ—hire where it was commonly taken up and some little of 〈◊〉 at Coventry and some few such places Non-Cons Plea â—st part 128. Ba. It is not known that the Presbyterian Government hath been exercised in London in Lancashire and in many Counties these many years 5. Disp. Prâ—f 28.29 Look into this County where I live and you shall finde a faithful humble laborious Ministry Associated and walking in as great Unity as ever I read of since the Apostles Days No Difference no Quarrels but sweet and amicable Correspondency and Communion that I hear of Was there such a Ministry or such Love and Concord or such a Godly People under them in the Prelates Reign There was not Where we had Ten drunken Readers Then we have not One now and where we had One Able Godly Preacher Then we have many Now and This is our Loss and misery in these times which yoâ— so much lament Ibid. Mo. This last passage I finde in a Preface Entitled To those of the Nobility Gentry and Commons of This Land that adhere to Prelacy Publâ—shed in the year 1659. and usher'd in by an Epistle Dedicatory To his â—ighness Richard Lord Protector of the Common Wealth of England Scotland and Ireland with this expression in the last Page Your zeal for God will kindle in your SUBJECTS a zeal for You and for a Farewell A Faithfull Subject to your Highness as you are an Officer of the Universal King Richard Baxter It is worthy of a Note Mr. Baxter that your Pen cuts more still in 1659. then it did in seven years before and that your Humour runs much about That season upon Casuistical Points and the Collation of Affairs and Times Now all the Reason I can discern for your change of Topique still upon That Crisis is This. The Wheel was almost come round again and Rebellion upon the very point of finishing its Course â—or they had run the Monorchy down into an Aristocracy That into a Democracy Cromwell took up the Government next in a Single Person But all these Successive Usurpations were so Grievous and Insupportable to the people that necessarily the next Remove must be the Restoring of the King to perfect the Revolution Now so soon as ever you discover'd the dawning but of the least hope for his Majesties Restauration what Mists did you presently cast before the Peoples Eyes in your Political Aphorismes upon the Question of Authority and Obedience What pains did you take to possesse the Nation with an Opinion of the blessed differences betwixt the State of Matters uoder Richard the Usurper and Charls the Martyr and to hammer into the heads of the Multitude the danger of Re-admitting their Lawfull Sovereiâ—n Pray'e tell me Sir was Mr. Dance's Sequestred Living and your Little Worcestershire Association so Inestimable a Prize that you could part with the Bloud of a most Religious Prince the Lives of at least Fourscore Thousand Christians the Order of the Government both in
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
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
that neither the King may destroy or hurt the Kingdome nor the Kingdome the King much lesse a Peer but their Union is the Kingdomes Life And the very Book Accused goeth on such Principles and hath not a word meet to tempt a man in his Witts to This Accusation Judge now by this one Instance and by the Cry of the Plotters now against Us Catilina Cethegum seeking our destruction and the Parliaments as supposed to favour us which for ought I know never did any thing for our Relief or Ease whether it be meet that I should dye in silence under such horrid Accusations Against which I appeal to the Great and Righteous Judge before whom I am shortly to appear begging his Pardon and Reforming Conviction whereever I Erre Apr. 16. 1680. Non-Con Plea 2 d Part. Preface last Page Mo. Be not so Transported Mr Baxter at the bloudy Slander as you call it for the very excusing of your self after This Manner falls heavier upon you then the Accusation it self There was a Gentleman of a Good Family that had Stol'n a Silver-Spoon and it was layd home to him as a mighty Aggravation of the Crime tâ—at a man of his Quality could let himself so low as to pilfer for such a Trifle Ay Sir Says he you say very Right if That had been All But in good Faith Sir my Aym was at the Great Tankard If it had been a Single Peer it had been indeed a bloudy Slander But your Ayme was the calling of the King to an Account by the Authority of the Two Houses And then you are pleased to blesse God for the next Change that call'd Them to Account too for you give the Two Vsurpers much better Words then any you could afford to the Lords Annoynted You call Them the Higher Powers and enjoyn Obedience to Them upon the pain of Damnation which is a Favour you would never allow to his Late Majesty Any Government but the Right will down with ye and Still That which was a Rebellion in the Enterprize proves to be a Providence in the Execution But do you say Mt Baxter that you have allways asserted the Kings Person to be Inviolable c. and that the very Boâ—â— accused goeth on such Pronciples Why then it is no hurt to the King to be Assaulted despoyl'd of his Regalitys Deposed Imprisoned Try'd Condemn'd and Executed For the King you say is but a Title of Respect not a Character of Power a Nominal Empty businesse A kinde of Dignity Party-perpale Half-Prince half-Subject and 't is but taking him on the Popular side and you may do what you will with him This is the Chimera of a Prince according to your Aphorismes A kind of Mock-Majesâ—â— set up for every Seditious Libertine to throw a Cudgell at You make his Authority to be so Conditional and Precarious that he is upon his good behaviour for his Crown If his Administration be not answerable to the Ends of Government If he wants either Power or Money or Grace or Vnderstanding or which is worst of All If the Licentious Rabble will but say that he wants This or That hee 's gone and Deposed â—pso facto as an Unqualifi'd Person For according to your Thesâ— The Multitude are to be the Judges of These Incapacities Iâ— is a hardy Adventure M. Baxter unless you can make Almâ—nacks to set up such Positions as These at This time of day 'T is True They were printed in Fifty-nine But they are noâ— Resum'd and Avow'd in Eighty But your Patience yet a little further Sir Is it such a Horrid Accusation to say that Mr Baxter Mâ—iâ—tains the King may be call'd to Account by a Single Peer Consâ—der first that it is a Church-man charges it upon you and yoâ— are before-hand with him for you have over and over set forth Those of the Church-way without exception either of King Lords or Commons to be a Crew of Superstitious Formâ—l Prophane Wretches that out of a meer Enmity to Godlynesse set themselves in Opposition to the ways of Christ. Take notice again if you have not deliver'd the Doctrine aforesaid in expresse Termes It is already made appear that you have said as much as That amounts to And over and above the Whymsâ—â— of your Aphorismes your Thirteenth Chapter of the Late Wars is one of the Rudest and the falsest pieces of Calumny against the Late King that I know anywhere Extant Your Appeal upon This One Instance as you call it for Equity of Iudgement and Liberty of Speech would move the very Stones in the Walls to give you a Hearing And yet if I had been of your Counsell Mr. Baxter you should have bethought your self before you Exclaim'd whether the Enquiry into the Subject-matter of your Complaint might not possibly lay open something that was worse As undoubtedly it has for This Holy Commonwealth of yours is a kind of send me well deliver'd of the Word a kind of Theologico-Political Whole-Sale Shop and furnished with Cases of all Sorts and Sizes for the Consciences of the Weak and the Pretentions of the Malitious In One Case the King is Dispossest by Providence In another he is deposed for Incapacity In a Third he must not so much as dare to Return even if the Door wer set open to him In Such or such a case the People are bound not to Re-admit him and in such another they may if they please but they are not oblig'd to 't and every one of These Cases Calculated for this very Poynt which was at That Time in Agitation Insomuch that the Application of your Arguments was yet more Criminal then the Errour of them But what do ye mean I beseech ye by the Cry of the Plotters against ye As if they knew their Friends no better then So. Their business is the Subversion of the Government and of the Protestant Religion that falls with it What should they cry out for against the Separatists that are all this while doing the Papists business to their hands The Kings Wittnesses Speak no such matter but on the Contrary that the Priests and Jesuits make use of the Schismatiques toward our Common Ruine So that by Plotters in This place Mr. Baxter it is Intended I presume according to your Wonted Benignity not the Popish Plotters but the Episcopal Plotters against ye which as you would gladly have the World to believe Seek your Destruction and the Parliaments as supposed to Favour ye c. Now to my thinking the Parliaments Destruction and Ours would have run every jot as well as Our Destruction and the Parliaments Beside that it is not yet come to That Pass I hope that Parliaments and Schismatiques must Stand or fall together Neither can I Imagine why This Parliament should be suppos'd more Inclinable to favour ye then former Parliaments have been The Reasons for Vniformity are the same now that ever they were and the same Here as in
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
Baxtâ—rs Unfeigneâ— Repenâ—ance Mr. Baxter consulted the Word of God about Opposing the King Mr Baxter would be the same man if another King were to be Depos'd and Murthered Mr. Baxter very cautious of Treason against the two Houses Baxter fails foul upon Richard The Moderator interposes Baxter vindicates Oliver A prudent pious Faithful Prince Baxter prays that Richard Cromwell may Inherit the Piety of his Father The Presbyterians Disarm'd the King and the Independents Kill'd him Baxter repenâ—s and then â—epents of his Repentance Baxter thanks God for his Blessings upon this Nation in consequence of the Rebellion The Blessed Difference betwixt the Government of the Late King of Cromwell Baxters Comfortable Effects of a Civill War The Blessed Times we had till the Army got the better of the Two Houses London-Ministeâ—s Letter to the Lord-General Ian 18. 1648. The Armies Crime waâ— the opposing of the Parliament and Imprisoning tâ—e King without Leave Only a Sâ—izure of the Kings Person But an Vnparallâ—l'd Violenâ—e upon tâ—e Members of the House Being men of Eminent Worth and Inâ—egâ—ity A Factious Reâ—nant thâ— Magistraâ—es which God hâ—tâ— set oveâ— us The London· Ministers Mediation little lesse then Treason Gods Ordinance violated when Magistrâ—cy is oppos'd The Divines fear ull of opposing God in an Ordinance of the Two Houses None of these scruples in the case of the King Thâ— Presbyterians â—rue to the Faction from the beginnâ—ng The Standard of the Presbyteâ—ian Loyalty why not as tender of a breach of Trust according to Law as against it There was no Intent to divest the King of hiâ— Legal Right But he had a Righâ— to nothing then for tâ—eâ—â—ook all away The Presbyterians â—ell us they are no Jesâ—itâ— Not one word for the King in the whole Letter The Army in Gods way wâ—ile they joyn'd with the Presbyâ—erians Sworn to preserve his Majesties· Persoâ— and Priviledges of Parliament Wâ—o absolv'd the Presbyteriâ—ns of their former Oaths If Baxtâ—r had serv'd the king he had been a Traytor Baxters Holy Com. wealth to â—e taken as Non-Scriptus A shâ—ft not a Recantation For the Aphoâ—isms â—ere â—eâ—el'd directly against the King Baâ—teâ—â— Recantation A Repentance that will passe neither upon God nor Man Baxter Reâ—sons why his Repenâ—ance is not Particular Mr. Baxters Piâ— Fraus A Jesuitism For fear of too Much or too Little Mr. Baâ—ter confesses just nothing at all Mr. Baxter proceeds in â—is repentance He ever opposeth what he sometimes encouraged A Baxterism â—'s very Repentances are Calumnies He Repents and Relapses in the same breath Prophanness in Habit and in Conspiracy A Covenanting Prophannesse worse then a Personal He repents that he did not advise with Lawyers An Invidious Refleâ—ion upon Hooker Jesuitical Dodging Why could not Hooker set him Right to the Church as well as wrong to the State Hookers popular poâ—er nothing to Co-ordination Baxters Writings aâ—e a direct Satyr upon Government B's quarrel to the Visible Church The Reasons of B's Unkindness to the Visible Church He makes Dissenters the Invisible Church and Conformists the Visibâ—â— Presbyterians began the War A State Faction as well as a Schisme B's Implicite Repentance B's account soon cast up A General Particular Repentance Rebellion and Peevishnesse B. Repents of being too mealy-mouth'd A Repentance wiâ—hout a Confession And an abuse upon Both Parties Mr. Baxter's Test. Mr Baxter's Challenge Richard takes him up and proves him guilty as â—o the Kings Person An Opposer of the Kings Power And the Fundamental Constitution He acknowlâ—dgeth the Protectors Soveraignty And blesseth the Providences that brought Richard to the Government Richard had his Principles from Baxter Baxter makeâ— the Protectâ—rs Title as good as the Kings Baxters Addresses to Richard Protector Baâ—ters Resolution in â—â—ree Cases expresly to keep out the King Baxters Incapaciâ—ies for Government Dominion is founded in Grace Want of Power deposes a Prince A Case against his Majesties â—estauration Cases of Forfeiture Baxter asserts Obedience at all hazzards Baxter against the King though the Parliament had been in the wrong â— does nâ—â— love to rub old sores Neutrality a sin and Treachery â—o servâ— the King Tâ—e praying Rebels against the Loyall Damme's A just way of Deposing a King imply'd A Parliament may betray their Trust 100. Tho a Prince be injur'd the people may joyn with his Enemies No Obedience due to an Usurper Usurpr rsmust be oppos'd They have no true power Who are Usurpers The people to be Judges The people may mis-judge Baxt. laments the losse of the late Ruleâ—s Sworn and sworn to King Lords â—nd Commons The Lords Commons rule alone and â—he Government not changed Baxter charg'd wiâ—h conâ—radiction The Higher Poâ—ers 〈◊〉 the Goveâ—norâ— in possession 'T is not thâ— Nâ—me thâ—t makes the King The peopâ—e Judges of the King and oâ— the Law Seize the Kings Revenue and â—e is no longer a King Inferiour Magistrâ—tes still Subjeâ—â—s Richard eâ—er True to tâ—e Crown The Law of Natuâ—e iâ— above the Law of the Land Modest Subjects study their own Duty not tâ—e Kings Sovereign Power not to be reâ—trâ—ined by tâ—e people The Multitude no Judges of Government The Secluâ—ed Members and the â—wo Crâ—mwells tâ—e beâ—t Governors Rebellion to oppose the sâ—preme Rulers The Parâ—iameâ—â— toâ—d us our danger And we weâ—e bâ—und to 〈◊〉 with Their Eyes TheKing himselâ— opposed and Baxteâ— â—eâ—oâ—ved to jusâ—ify it A Fundamental deâ—troy'd Baxter defends it Parliaments may be corrupt Instances of Parliamentary Coâ—ruptions Votes may be câ—rried by Faction Aâ— appeâ—rs to our cost The major part of Electors are ill meâ— And will chuse others like themsâ—lves Baxter's model for Regâ—lation of Elections The Peoples Right of Election taken away by partial qualifications A Faction packt under he name of a Parliament The People are disoblig'd and not trusted with chusing their own Representative The peoâ—le sick of their Representative The Pastors to approve of the Electors The Empire of Presbytery The Petition and Advice concerning Elections Baxters admirable Expedient ☞ His qualifications accepted The Pharisee and the Publican What if the King should take upon him so Baxtâ—r fâ—â—des Presbyterian and Episcopal Loyalty the same Baxter confounds hisMâ—taphsiycks with his Poliâ—icks Presbyterian Positions Episcopal Positions Presbyt Posit Episc. Posit The Assembly crys out for bloud And stir up the people Mr. â—axter never wrong'd any man Richard refreshes his memory Mr. Baxters Governours A Plot upon the Presbyteâ—ians A bloudy slander Alas the Ho. Com. a most Innocent Book Mr. Baxter lies under horrid Accusations Mr. Baxter transported Any Government but the Right A King is a name of Respect not Power The Kings Authority made precarious And under several Incapacities Baxters Horrid Accusation His Character of ouâ— Church-men Baxters damnable Cases of Conscience Baxt. dreams of a Plot upon him The Cart before the Horse Votes for Uniformity Reasons against Toâ—eration ☜ Mr Baxters Ingratitude How to understand the Presbyterians Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practisâ—s The War charg'd upon the King Treason to serve the King Words The 19. Deposing Propositions Words Practises Words Practâ—ses Their Professions In the presence of the Almighty A Rebellion in tâ—eName of the everlasting God Covenant Loyalty Slanders upon â—he haâ—m esâ— Presbyterians Presbyteâ—iâ—ns Positions Mr. Baxters best Goâ—ernors in the world The Innocent Non-Conformists The principles of the Late Rebellion revived Mr. â—axters Odd persons He Himselâ— One. Mr. Baxter his oâ—n King and Popâ— Baxters Agument against Ceâ—â—monies The Câ—se wâ—ll Resolved