much happiness with many secret and glorious things after all their trouble so saith the same Author ibid. pag. 6. We shall see at last that the mercy God intended for us was worth all the troubles and bloud c. God hath many Promises to his Church to accomplish many Prophecies to fulfil many glorious things to declare many Mercies for his Saints to bestow and these stirs among us will make way for all And so Mr. Joh. Bond 1644. Bond tells the Parliament That the present work of Salvation and Reformation they had in hand was carried on in a mystery was a shadowed master-piece altogether made up of stratagems paradoxes and wonders and so the comfort is it shall be a great Salvation a Salvation from Babylon But this will suffice at present to shew that the people was deluded more ways than one and to give a warning to the following Generation that so they never be drawn into Rebellion by the same arts and pretences as their Fathers were It would be endless to rehearse all the equivocations jugglings and deceits as were used to seduce the people next time we meet perchance you shall hear more of them What I have said now is enough to prove that your words signifie nothing but what you please that your dissimulations are deep and specious and that you never want arts and evasions to plead innocency and salve your credit after the foulest doings and miscarriages Now you differ but a very little from the Church of England and you are for Obedience to the King whatever some of you may have said or done heretofore Very good That 's as much as to say That do you what you will you are resolved ever to be in the right and never to acknowledge your selves faulty in the least for fear of losing the repute of Infallibility But let it be considered 1. That I have proved what I charged upon you not by the words of the obscure and ordinary but of the most famous men of your Party who must needs have known the Tenets and Doctrines of your Sect and who were then and are still now cryed up and followed by your Disciples and Admirers 2. That those words of theirs I have cited were not taken out of Libels or prophane Books nor were spoken heedlesly in the heat of dispute but are to be found in their Sermons and were delivered out of their Pulpits in the powerfulness of Preaching as being the Word of God 3. That those Sermons were not preached in Country-Towns or to ordinary Congregations where any stuff preached after the tone and manner in use among you had been as good as the best but almost all of them before the Parliament where none but great men were admitted to preach and where to be sure they preached none but their best Sermons and moreover that those Sermons were printed with the names of the Authors and with License and Approbation 4. That 't is more likely they would then deliver their true Opinions and speak out what was in their hearts when they had the power in their hands and were free to speak what they pleased than now they are under fear and restraint and are fain to conceal or dissemble what they would then openly preach and proclaim 5. That they not only preached Sermons but they and their Disciples lived Sermons also your practice and Doctrine agreed excellently well what was preach'd was acted there was none of their good Instructions lost you approved what they said by doing accordingly and you generally own'd by a practical belief those Doctrines I have set down as yours out of your most approved Authors Lastly It is manifest by my Quotations that your Ministers rendred the last King odious to his people and preacht him out of his Throne and Kingdom but 't is no where to be seen that they ever preach'd this King into the favour of his people again or used their powerful eloquence to have him restor'd to his Right And since his return though you have given over printing yet most of you have kept up the Faction and in stead of crying peccavi have still endeavour'd to weaken the Church and draw Disciples after you and your Synods have never disclaimed those men who by their Preaching had kindled up the late Rebellion and the Preachers have never recanted their former Opinions but either justified or disguised them nay many of them own still the Obligation of that infamous Oath call'd the Covenant whereby they acted and warranted all their wickedness Therefore though the people may be excused having been deluded and imposed upon yet you the Ministers and Heads of the Faction can never with all the wit you have plead any thing that can justifie you from owning the worst of Popish Errours Now let our Judge speak if he pleaseth G. I confess I am somewhat amazed at what I have heard I never thought so much could be said for proving a Conformity betwixt Papists and Presbyterians in so many points but yet I will decide nothing nor make any reflections upon what you have said I 'll rather transcribe and print your discourse and leave the Reader to think and to judge as his own discretion shall advise him Only seeing that you are most chiefly agreed in denying the King that Supreme Authority which God hath given him and pretending a certain Power and Jurisdiction over him in ordine ad spiritualia for the good of souls or to phrase it aright for to advance Gods Cause and to set up Christ I shall set down some Texts of Scripture which plainly evince the contrary and then desire all Christians to yield a chearful and loyal Obedience until they have been told from Heaven that the Pope or Classis are impowered from God to act contrary to his Word in this particular First For the Authority of the Supreme Magistrate over all that live in his Dominions read Rom. 13.1 and 2. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers for there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation v. 5. Wherefore ye must be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake Here you see that neither Pope nor Puritan is excepted but every soul is to be subject this was written when the Higher Powers were Heathen bloudy Persecutors of Christianity who endeavoured to destroy the Gospel and yet for all that they must not be rebelled against and their Authority must not be resisted Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation and therefore we must be subject to them not only for fear of their anger but also for fear of Gods not only for wrath but also for conscience sake In Tit. 3.1 Put them in mind saith the Apostle to be subject to principalities and powers to obey
magistrates to be subject to every good work You see that good works and obedience to Magistrates are joined together and appointed to be equally prest upon the people by the Exhortations of Christs Ministers In the 1 Pet. 2.13 c. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of men for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supreme or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for so is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free but not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness but as the servants of God Fear God honour the King You see it is the will of God that with well-doing that is by obeying the King and his Governours we should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men who thought that Religion freed them from the yoke of subjection and that we should not make Christian liberty a cloak of maliciousness a pretence of Disobedience and Rebellion but as servants to God honour the King and submit our selves to him for the Lords sake Therefore it is a great impiety and hypocrisie to pretend Gods cause and interest for rebelling and disobeying when he bids us for his sake to obey and to be subject 2. That none must presume upon any account whatsoever to rebel against the Sovereign or Supreme Governour read Num. 16. at the 3. v. you shall find that Korah and his rebellious crew pleaded that the people was the Lords people and that they were holy every one of them and therefore say they to Moses and Aaron Why lift ye up your selves above the Congregation of the Lord But at the 32. v. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up and their houses and all that appertained to them And by that dreadful and unheard-of judgment God manifested how much he detests Rebellion that following Ages might beware of the heinousness of that crime So in 1 Sam. 24.5 and 6. Davids heart smote him because he had cut off Sauls skirt and he said to his men The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lords Anointed to stretch forth mine hand against him seeing he is the Lords Anointed And c. 26. v. 9. David saith unto Abishai Destroy him not for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lords Anointed and be guiltless David was then Anointed King he was persecuted wrongfully by Saul Saul was rejected of God and he had most barbarously put to death the Priests of God and their whole families and yet because he was King over the people Who can stretch forth his hand against the Lords Anointed and be guiltless God as you see allows no pretence at all for Rebellion for that as I have shewn you Kings have their Authority from him By me Kings reign saith the Divine Wisdom Prov. 8.15 and therefore Solomon joins God and the King together as the objects of our respect and obedience Prov. 24.21 My son fear thou the Lord and the King and so Eccles 8.2 I counsel thee to keep the Kings Commandment and that in regard of the Oath of God 3. We are not to speak evil of the King but rather to pray for him in 22. Exod. 28. Thou shalt not revile the Gods that is Supreme Magistrates nor curse the Ruler of thy people Job 34.18 Is it fit to say to a King Thou art wicked and to Princes Ye are are ungodly So it was witnessed against Naboth by his false accusers That he blasphemed God and the King 1 King 21.13 and then he was stoned to death Whereby it appears that in Israel it was one of the greatest impieties to speak ill of the King As also it is commanded by Solomon Eccles 10.20 Curse not the King no not in thy thoughts c. And you may see what a black character the Apostles set upon those that despise Dominion and speak evil of Dignities in the Epistle of Saint Jude and in 2 Pet. 2.10 Now that it is our duty to pray for the King we have these examples 1 Sam. 10.24 when Saul was anointed the people cryed God save the King and so likewise when Solomon was anointed 1 King 1.39 But what need any more than this precept of St. Paul 1 Tim. 2.1 and 2. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in Authority for it is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Lastly That we are to pay Tribute to Kings and Sovereign Princes read Rom. 13.6 and 7. For this cause pay you Tribute also for they are Gods Ministers attending continually upon this very thing Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear honour to whom honour If the Heathen Emperours were Gods Ministers and therefore to receive Tributes and Customs much more the Christian Kings that now reign over us Moreover we have the example of Christ himself who when he had not wherewithal to pay that Tribute which the Roman Kings had imposed upon the Jews was pleased to work a miracle for to get money to pay it withal Mat. 17.24 c. He that was and is King of Kings and Lord of Lords the God of Heaven and Earth pleaded no exemption from paying Taxes but bound this duty upon all his followers by his own example and thereby confirmed also that precept which he gave us when the Jews asked him whether it was lawful to pay Tribute to Caesar Mat. 22.21 of rendring to Caesar the things that are Caesars as well as to God the things that are Gods Now therefore let no Christian dare to go against these so many and so plain and express Scriptures in disobeying or resisting his King and Sovereign under pretence of Religion or of removing evil Councellors or of fighting for the Kings Authority against his Person or because the Pope or the Presbyterian Synod enjoin him so to do for the good of souls for the cause and interest of Christ and the Gospel for you see that God makes no reservations and allows of no distinctions or equivocations but bids every soul to be subject and threatens damnation to any that shall not And now Sirs I leave you to meditate upon what you have heard and I heartily wish it may do you good FINIS ERRATA In the first Part. PAge 4. line 25. for cryed read erred P. 11. l. 11. f. falsam r. falsum P. 22. l. 5. f. fansie r. suffer In the second Part. In the Preface P. 3. f. are r. err Pag. 11. l. 19. add we P. 16. l. 7. add lost P. 26. l. 12. f. ever r. even P. 39. l. 25. f. then r. them P. 50. l. 7. r. did reach no further than the end of P. eadem l. 27. add it is P. 64. f. general r. quarrel P. 72. l. 8. f. subject r. ready
to the Higher Powers it doth not bid us to be subject to the will of those who are in highest places But two or three specious words serv'd the turn this was chiefly to seduce the Kings own Friends if it were possible Those that had a Loyal Soul here was a bait for them you were fighting for to make the King great and glorious though 't was against his will and for his Authority against his Person and he was on your side in his Political though not in his Personal capacity and so if they lov'd the King they might join with you and no doubt but those goodly pretences deluded then many a well-meaning Soul But then if people were not for the King to be sure they would be for the Lord and upon that account they might and they must join with you for you were fighting the Lords Battels warring for Sion against Babylon this was the grand cheat whereby the Nation was deluded Had the Parliament-Officers gone about and told the people that the King encroacht upon their Priviledges and acted against the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom the generality of men was not so well read in the ancient Statutes and Charters of this Realm as to know whether it was so or no and so 't is likely they had been very slack in engaging in a doubtful general But you knew well enough that the people would fight for God therefore you made him a party in the case and then called upon them to help the Lord against the Mighty to help to throw down Antichrist and to set up Christ and those that came to your call were rewarded besides the holy Plunder with good words flatteries high and lofty titles they were the Saints the Godly the Chosen the Lambs Followers and the precious Ones and so you made them active in their wickedness by making their deluded Consciences to warrant their accursed doings Though the way was besprinkled with bloud yet that the people might not be deterred from doing Gods work ◠Palmer p. ◠they were told that God had seen it good to bring Christ into the Kingdom that bloudy way and then who would be afraid of bloud-shedding upon such an account But this hath been sufficiently proved when I spoke of your cruelties and made it appear that the War was Religious and not Civil and that for the good of Souls you may do what you lift as well as the Pope Now I desire only to mention a few more of your juggling tricks and then I shall endeavour to say somewhat in defence of those Authorities I have cited out of your Books Mr. p. ◠◠Palmer resolves that grand Query How shall I know that the Parliaments Cause is Gods Cause and those that join with them more Gods people than on the other side in this manner Alas it is the plainest thing in the world look to the words of Christ John 10.5 and 44. My Sheep know my Voice c. Now do but consider which of the new-raised Forces come nearest to this Rule who is it that submits to the Word and Rule of God who set up the work of Reformation who is desirous to preserve the people of God Was not he an excellent Casuist to make your pretences and doings an argument to prove that your War against the King was just Much like him that said it is and hath been the design and practice of Jesus Christ to break all Kingdoms that oppose him 〈…〉 and oppress his Saints As much as to say that God pulled down the King because he opprest Christ and did not favour the Saints by which Rule the best cause is condemned if it be unsuccessful and well-fare the Turk and all the wicked as long as they prosper according to this we have seen before that Providence was your Guid and Captain it led you and did all things for you and so it came to pass that the worst of your doings were charged upon God Jehovah-Jireh pag. 65. The Prentices and Porters were stimulated and stirr'd up by Gods Providence thousands of them to petition the Parliament for speedy redress And Mr. Will. Jenkins in his Conscientious Queries and Submission to the then present Power 1651. useth only the Turkish Argument of good success to prove that the prosperous Rebels were to be obeyed as lawful Superiours and that by charging all that had been done upon God and Providence pag. 2. Whether the stupendious Providences of God manifested among us in the destruction of the late King and his Adherents in so many pitcht Battels and in this Nations universal forsaking of Charles Stuart and the total overthrow of him and his Army whether by these Providences God hath not plainly removed the Government from Charles Stuart and bestowed it upon others as ever he removed and bestowed any Government by any Providence in any Age Whether a refusal to yield Obedience and Subjection to this present Gouernment be not a refusal to acquiesce in the wise and righteous pleasure of God and a flat breach of the fifth Commandment Therefore he saith in his Humble Petition That he looks upon it as his duty to the then Authority to yield all active and cheerful Obedience in the Lord even for conscience sake as though their prosperous wickedness could give them a just title to their Usurpation Another would have it believed that the Saints were victorious Joh. Owen 1659. p. 22. because of Christ being with them and their having a Commission from him to act as they did saying That the Saints and the secret ones shall work destruction and that this feeble Generation shall be as a Lion from the presence of Christ amongst them Christ saith he assigns that to them which is his own proper work let men take heed how they provoke this Lion for then he will not lie down until he eat of the prey and drink of the bloud of the slain As though it had been by the order and power of Christ that the Lion or the wild Beasts had filled all the Nation with bloud and slaughter Then in stead of teaching the people to obey the Precepts of the Gospel Charity Humility Meekness Obedience to the King c. you would have them mind the secret intentions of God and set forward that work which his Providence had begun as you said which was called Generation-work a phrase and a Doctrine still in use amongst you It is the duty of the Saints saith one to observe what the way of God is in the time of their Generation Jer. Burr 1643. p. 2. to see what Name of God is most conspicuous in his administration and accordingly to sanctifie that Name of his Nothing can be more pregnant with delusions and evil consequences than this Afterwards when in the carrying on of the designs in hand the Kingdom was filled with bloud and confusion that the people might not see how they were gull'd you fell to prophecying promising them