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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A40767	A faithfull and conscientious account for subscribing the engagement discussed in four sections : I. Motives for just expediency of giving such account, 2. The account truely stated and explained, 3. Reasons justifying the faithfulness of it, 4. Objections against it, satisfactorily answered.	Paget, Thomas, d. 1660.	1650 (1650)	Wing F265; ESTC R25205	22,683	38

SECT. I. Motives and Grounds for the Reasonableness and Expediency of giving Account herein 1. MOses and the Prophets in the sacred Historical Scriptures written for our instruction and admonition on whom the ends of the world are come Rom. 15. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 11. declaring the true state and Occurrences of Old Testament Times do give a just and faithful Account of their own faithful and warrantable Deportment and likewise of the faithful Deportment of others the good Servants of God in their generations occasionally made mention of by them viz. of Noah Abraham David Asa Iehoshaphat c. This is so plainly written throughout their Books that a man may run and read the same To allude to Habak. 2. 2. And surely they saw a reasonableness and expediency in so doing they being holy men of God and writing as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. 2. The Apostles and Evangelists who wrote the Historial Scriptures respecting the state of New Testament Times which being compared with Old Testament Times are stiled times of Reformation Heb. 9. 10. they also do give a clear and perfect Account not only of Evangelical Doctrine the truth which is after godliness Tit. 1. 1. but also of particular occasional Acts wherein they were exemplary for our Imitation and following in the same Iohn 20. 31. Luk. 1. 1 2 3 4. Act. 1. 1. As may most fully appear in a short view of the two remarkable Instances beyond all exception Viz. 1. Instance Touching our most blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ our Spiritual King and Prophet his worthy acting and walking excepted against 1. By Pharisees for his eating with Publicans and sinners Mat. 9. 11 12 13. 2. By the Disciples of Iohn Baptist about frequent fasting Chap. 9. 14. 15 16 17. 3. By the multitudes concerning Iohn Baptists and his own Ministry Chap. 11. 7 c. 4. By the Pharisees about the Traditions of the Elders Chap. 15. 1 to 15. 5. By his own Disciples ignorant of the meaning of Parables Chap. 15. 15 to 21. 6. By the Herodians and Pharisees about tribute to Caesar Chap. 22. 15 to 22. In all these it is requisite that Wisdom should be justified of her children See Mat. 11. 19. 2. Instance Touching Apostolical Practises and Actings in the first and purest Primitive Times who were vindicated therein albeit they were contradicted 1. By mockers at the fulness of the Holy Ghost given Acts 2. 13 14 c. 2. By people wondering at the cure of an impotent man Chap. 3. 11 12. 3. By Rulers Elders and Scribes touching the same thing Chap. 4. 5 8. 4. By them of the Circumcision about the Gentiles Conversion Chap. 11. 2 3 4. 5. By certain men from Iudea about Observation of Circumcision Acts 15. 1 c. 6. By the Athenians concerning the Resurrection Chap. 17. 16 17 to the end 7. See also more specially and fully the perfect Account of the Apostle Paul himself touching the main of his actings Acts 22. c. to the end of the book 3. There is a cloud of Witnesses even of the Greek and Latin ancient Fathers viz. Iustine Martyr Athenagorus Tertullian c. It may seem vain to amuze the Reader with a Catalogue of their Names and Titles of their Books respecting this matter who gave good Account of their Christian Actings against Pagans and Hereticks of various sorts and otherwise also as emergent cause and occasion called for plentifully testified in their useful learned Writings 4. In the several Centuries when gross Antichristianism dominecred for the most part throughout all Europe then God had his faithful Witnesses notwithstanding who did substantially and couragiously withstand and testifie against the same Apocal. 11. 3. This is most singularly evidenced by the industrious Collection of the Magdeburg Centurists by Mr Iohn Fox in his book of Martyrs by the noble French Lord Philip Morney in his History of the Mystery of Iniquity its progress and opposition by Doctor Usher in his Latin Treatise of the State and Succession of Christian Churches c. 5. When our English Nation came out of Spiritual Babylon the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth here was Iohn Iewel returned from Exile a most learned and renowned Confessor who wrote an Apology for the Church of England for her forsaking Rome in the Point of Doctrine Here was also learned and conscientious Mr Thomas Cartwright Udall and divers others who excellently declared and demonstrated against Hierarchy and Romish Superstitious Ceremonies in their Judicious Treatises against the same 6. In the beginning of K. Iames his Reign in England some Overtures being for the reforming of Discipline and divine Service there was arguing against Corruptions in Discipline and Worship at the Hampton Court-Conference by profound Dr Reinolds Mr Chadderton and Mr Knewstubs And besides that many godly learned and zealous Ministers of Lincoln Diocess by themselves of Devonshire and Cornwall of London and sundry other Counties each by themselves exhibited their solid Arguments against Episcopacy and Superstitious Conformity yea much was effectually pleaded in this kind by Mr Bradshaw Mr Sherwood and other particular men 7. After this Dr Morton becoming Prelate of Chester looked on for great dexterity in Popish Controversies he resolved to try his strength against the Non-Conformists in Cheshire and Lancashire and to this purpose required some of them which he singled out to propound their Arguments against the Cross in Baptism Surplace and Kneeling at the Communion which done by them and yet they in no wise convinced The said Non-Conformists amongst whom the now Accountant was one were commanded to give him their Arguments in writing which they also did yet he finding his endeavor fruitless in Conferences openly and privately by how much they justified their Reasons he then as the event manifested wrote a Book in defence of those three nocent Ceremonies But howbeit the said Non-Conformists could not with liberty and safety reply unto his Books which otherwise they were ready unto yet God raised up pious and acute Dr Ames who then was an Exile in the United Netherlands to Reply unto it yea and whereas Mr Burges a Doctor in Physick and sometimes himself a Non-Conformist however he declined therefrom through the ensuaring Iniquity of the Times and became a conforming Minister Rejoyned unto the Reply yet the said Dr Ames commenced a fresh Suit against his Rejoynder for these Ceremonies which as it is well known was an exceptible Service in those times to the suffering people of God although it were barked against by the Prelatical Party 8. Of late in K. Charls his Reign swollen into extream Tyranny every one almost of any observation may have taken knowledg of manifold notable and just Declarations and Remonstrances of Parliament tending to undeceive the people yea and manifold effectual Petitions and humble Advertisements to the Parliament from the Oppressed People throughout the Land witnessing

they had also sundry conditions of persons and wayes of governing namely 1. In the Wildernesse by the hands of Moses and Aaron see Psal. 77. 20. 2. In Canaan by Judges 450. years see Act. 13. 20. 3. By Kings afterwards till the captivity and these variously obtaining their regality see Books of Samuel Kings and Chronocles 4. By variously conditioned men after the captivity neere 500. years c. and yet from Moses to Herod they were the Commonwealth of Israel see Luke 1. 5. 68. cap. 2. 25. These instances being duly observed there is just cause that English Patriots in their love and zeal of their native Country should shew themselves to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England in whose hands soever the Government is established and this the rather because true Israelites indeed in whose spirits was no guile see Iohn 1. 47. were wont to be faithfull in their dayes to such their Common-wealth Let some instances of a few such Worthies of the Lords be remembred also herein who did demean themselves faithfully as present state required 1. Ioshua and Caleb incouraging the Israelites in the Wildernesse when many others discouraged them see Numb. 14. 6 7. 2. Congregation of Israel when there was no King in Israel on occasion of the horrid distemper mentioned Iudg. 20. 1. c. 3. David a private man when Goliah defied the Host f Israel 1 Sam. 17. 32. 4. Hushai the Archite acting faithfully in the time of Absolons unnaturall rebellion 2 Sam. 15. 32. 5. Obediah in the time of Iezabels persecuting malignity 1 King 18. 3 4. 6. Iehonadab the son of Rechab adhering to Iehu 2 Kings 10. 15. 7. Shecaniah stirring up Ezra to act in perplexed times Ezra 10. 2 3. Certainly such examples ought to be presidents unto the people of God in England to act as such faithfull servants of God did act in their generations 4. Lastly the modification and restriction of the object viz The Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King and House of Lords being compared with such Texts of Scripture as by just consequence are to be made use of will strongly argue its establishment to be agreeable to the mind of God the Law-giver so as therefore there is good reason for subscribing the Engagement For this purpose let these three assertions implied in this modification of object be well considered 1. The Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King and House of Lords is so established by the Parliament 2. The Parliament that hath declared and setled the Common-wealth of England in a free State without a King and House of Lords is the Soveraign Power in England 3. There is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement because of Common-wealths establishment without a King and House of Lords 1. Assertion The first of these Assertions may be manifested by the Parliaments Declaration March 17. 1648. expressing the grounds of their proceedings c. of setling the present Government in the way of a free State The Parliament Declaration containeth four remarkable Causes of such their proceedings and setling the Government to be viewed in a short Synopsis viz. 1. Cause The first cause was in respect of Kingly Government set up in our Nation by the agreement of the people for their protection and better government according to such Laws as they consented unto which is taken away for these Reasons 1. Reason Kingly Power was perverted by most of the Trustees and most notoriously by the late King who by many degrees exceeded the rest Such his vile miscarriage is exemplified in the Parliament Declaration by about fifty undeniable pregnant instances needlesse to insert It were good that every English Patriot had the Declaration by him in these confused times to peruse frequently 2. Reason The Kings two eldest Sonnes appeared in actuall arms against the Parliament so as no hope of future security could be expected unto the Nation from them 3. Reason There is elder right of supreme power in the people of the Land then was in the Kings children 4. Reason If any Right or Title belonged to the Kings eldest sonne the same is forfeited by the Fathers treasonable Act as in other cases even in offices of Inheritance it is wont 5. Reason The Kings younger children equally forfeited upon the same account 6. Reason It is in the same power and authority which at first erected a King for common good and afterwards findeth him to pervert his Kingship to common evill it is in their power whether they will continue his Kingly power or change it to a better 7. Reason God hath specially blessed free States who formerly were oppressed by tyranny as is seen in united Netherlands and others 8. Reason There are manifold commodious advantages to people in Free-States Manifold oppressions and dammages are under Monarchy Vast expense is wont to be by Court luxury and prodigality Profuse Donations and pensions for the promoting Tyranny yea and the Court being the nursery of vices and corrupter of hopeful branches of noble Families prevented in a Free State See Declarat 2. Cause The second cause of Parliament proceedings touched on in the Declaration respecteth the taking away of the House of Lords for just reasons viz. 1. Reason The Lords sate in an house by themselves and did not represent the people and therefore might be well spared 2. Reason They exercised a negative Vote tending to obstruct much 3. Reason They exercised a juridicall power over the persons and estates of all the Commons whereof they were not competent Judges 4. Reason Their power did specially depend on the absolutenesse of the King 5. Reason The Common-Wealth could not well beare their delaies in times of exigency 6. Liberty is left to such Lords who have been and shall be found faithfull to choose and to be chosen Representatives as other competent persons have their right unto See Declarat 3. Cause Thirdly the Parliament giveth satisfactory answers to the obvious main objections against their proceedings viz. Anticipat 1. It was intended as it was declared April 1646. for governing the Nation by King Lords and Commons in a confidence that the King and Peers would have applied themselves as had been meet but they wholly and obstinately failing therein and there being no stipulation on both sides it could not be esteemed a contract so that the Commons did most justly after their intentions 2. Although some Members of the House of Commons had some force on them it having at any time rarely happened in times of Parliament but some force more or lesse hath been exercised against them or some of them and they esteemed to be Parliament for all this yet no breach of Priviledge can be charged upon the remaining part in the House which remaining part did farre exceed such authorized number who do make an House beyond all exception 3. The Parliament hath declared that the Fundamentall Laws of the Nation