Selected quad for the lemma: book_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A88310
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The kingdoms divisions anatomized, together with a vindication of the Armies proceedings. By Franciscus Leinsula.
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Lisle, Francis.
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1649
(1649)
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Wing L2369; Thomason E545_25; ESTC R206071
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11,594
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15
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are Independants so called the which if I mistake not is a word of derision cast upon the purest sort of professors in the Kingdom A people though small and despised yet sundry of them through grace highly and divinely principled acting to high and divine ends fighting under Christs Banner and maugre men and Devills do zealously and eminently appear for Christ and his Church amongst whom I humbly conceive it were but requisite to distinguish viz. betwixt such as are truly godly and tenderly conscientious though differing from other godly and sound men in such opinions as do neither prejudice faith nor a sanctified course and betwixt such as are grosly opinionated whose opinions do necessarily lead them into grosse practices who according to the apprehensions of sundry learned and godly men are by no meanes to be tolerated as having in them too much of the seed of the Serpent and a serpentine desgine to undermine and overturn both the faith of a Christian and the foundation of true constituted Churches The second are Presbyterians so nominated many of whom I easily believe to be very precious in Gods sight and such whom I dare not but both love and honour howbeit I much feare there be too many which passe under this denomination who are too much inclined to malignancy or a connivance at it as appeares by their extream unseemly and unchristianly expressions Some saying they had rather be slaves under the Turks others they had rather the King with his Army had prevailed chusing rather to be under the power of Popery and Prelacy then Independency as they call it as if they should say they had rather be under the power of the Devill and Antichrist then under the power of Christ and his Saints These and the like have my self heard exprest and that by some who are deemed godly Besides the extream uncivill and not to be exprest Language they breath forth against his Excellency the Lord Gen. Fairfax Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell Commissary Gen. Ireton with others of the gallant and godly Commanders of the Army amongst the doggs of whose flocks they are scarcely to be accompted Now these things under favour to me argue high Malignancy and such things which I dare say some Malignants through their Morality and Civility would abhorre to expresse Yet set me modestly expresse my selfe concerning these men I conceive them to be such as desire some a kind of Government also though they chuse not their Magistrates to be of the purest nor their Government the strictest and therefore they stand at large for a King and Parliament But before I passe this kinde let me crave libertie to insert a few words concerning them I should under favour conceive it but meet That these men should be as little tollerated as grosse Opinionists Sir my conscience beares me witnesse that I intend not in the least any godly and innocent man though a Presbyterian and I beleeve which I hope without offence I may speake viz. That neither your selfe the Army High Court of Justice or Parliament would or durst touch any of Gods Annointed in this kind or lay the least of your fingers upon the least of the Saints as Saints Neverthelesse if any Presbyterian or other though possibly otherwise godly whether any Member impeached or such as have preached together with others amongst them who in their Prayers preaings Printings Practises private Discourses and consultations shall behave themselves more like rayling Rabshachas cursing Shemeis schoffing Ishmaels then sweet and meek Christians I humbly conceive in this case they may be looked at as obstructors and interruptors of the Kingdomes peace both Civill and Ecclesiasticall and may so be proceeded against notwithstanding their Devotion and Profession The devout Jewes persecuted and stirr'd up the Raskallity of the people against Paul as some now would gladly doe against Peeters setting all the City upon an uproare Acts 17.5 And it is very well known the Scribes and Pharisees notwithstanding their devotion and professions were Christs and his Disciples chiefest and greatest enemies There was a Booke lately Printed subscribed as I remember with about 47. Presbyterians hands I seeing a godly and discret Gentleman reading therein desired to know how he approved of it He answered it was a Bull. Now I well remember that many years since I had heard of a popish Bull but to live to see a Presbyterian Bull it could not but seem exceeding strange to me as being such a Beast as I think the world it self never heard of untill now And truly to me it administers matter of sadnes and lamentation that learned and godly Presbyterians should act the parts of ungodly and popish Prelats Object 1. But they say in so doing they discharge their consciences and thinke they do God and their Countreymen good service Answ So did Paul whilst being Saul was little better then starke staring mad in persecuting the Saints and yet did nothing but what in conscience he then verily thought he ought to have done Acts 26.9.10.11 And I cordially wish they would be pleased seriously to consider of it for truly it seemes to me as if there were a viall of contempt from heaven powred upon the spirit that too frequently breaths from these men though themselves may otherwise in the roote be sincere and godly Alas their very Religion I mean of the Presbyterianisme being a poore Scottish and humane institution received but a humane grant for about three years never prospered from the first and I doubt not but it will be blasted at the last and no marvell for it is to be feared their Alpha and Omega was not Jehovah but themselves and that which had not its rise and foundation before all time must needs in time perish But take a true constituted Presbyter and the God of all grace forbid that either my self or any Professing the fear of God should have the least rysing of heart against it I could with all my heart desire that all the true Congregational Churches both in City and Kingdom were not so defective in this respect but that they were more and more studious and diligent to obtaine and establish a full and compleate Presbytery in all their severall Churches that so all the Ordinances of Christ might be dispenced with more Majesty and authority and the members of Christ that come from forragn parts the more refreshed whilst they behold the Churches of the Saints walking in the compleat Order of the Gospel Object 2. But further some say that the Army and I beleive they meane this Parliament also be none of their parents nor themselves their children Answ Then both Parliament and Army hath lesse to care for and if they were not the more mercifull should cast them out both of their provision and protection and proceed against them as Rebells The God of Israel respects neither accepts any man as he is Scotch or English but in his sonne as he is a man fearing God and working righteousnes Acts