to give in witnesse An. Very well if they be parties interessed and so not fit to give in witnes then they are of our judgment observe Reader here he granteth that the Protestant Churches and the Divines of France and the Low-Countries are parties interessed so of our judgement What Protestant Churches or Divines then will he alledge for his sentence Will hee have the Diviner of Switzerland I brought a Testimony of the Divines of the Councell of Basil and that hee doth not contradict Are the Divines of Geneva of his mind I brought the Testimony of Calvin that hee saith nothing to but it passeth with him as granted by him Are the Divines of Scotland I brought him the Testimony of Mr. Bucanan that Testimony also he doth not deny It may be that was but one and so he would not take notice of it Read therefore what Mr. Knox saith Because this occasion is layed against Gods true Ministers Wee cannot but witnesse what Trade and Order of Doctrine they have kept and keepe in that point they affirme that if wicked persons abusing the authority established by God command things manifestly wicked that such as may and doe bridle this inordinate appetite of Princes cannot bee accused as resistaries of Authority which is Gods good Ordinance to bridle the fury and rage of Princes in free Kingdomes and Realmes They affirme it appertaineth to Nobility sworne and borne Counsells of the same and also to the Barons and People whose Wills and Consents are to bee required in all great matters of the Common wealth Which if they doenst they declare themselves criminall with their Princes and subject to the same vengeance of God This was the doctrine and judgement of the Divines in Scotland in the beginning of Reformation as related by Mr. Knox And what the judgement of the Scots Divines is for the present seeing he will not take practise for Testimony of Judgement he may Read in their Answer to Lysimachus Nicanour thus As for the lawfullnesse of resistance hee may understand that that hath been the tenet of our Church since the Reformation it hath beene the right and practise of our Kingdomes since the first foundation A number of instances thereof are approved in our standing acts of Parliament unrepealed to this day It hath beene the practise of all Reformed Churches abroad wherein by Queen Elizabeth King James and King Charles they have been all allowed And the most of them allowed by powerfull assistance both with Men and Money To this purpose Dr. Rutherford also as I have shewed already Chap. 1. ropos 3. But it may be the Dr. will tell us that the Scottish Divines are also Parties and interessed in the Cause Very good Wee shall shortly have a great Party in the Protestant Churches for us and with us What Divines then are against us in the Doctors opinion Are the Divines of England He tels us also page 45. yet doe some of them allow of Resistance in some cases Good still By and by it will arise to somewhat here is yet more of our Party as the Dr. calls them by his owne confession As for the Testimonies that I brought of Dr. Bilson and Dr. Willet he saith that 's plaine they speake of such Government such States such cases as will not agree to this Kingdom at this time But why not the Dr. will not tell us If I tell him that Peter Martyr also Professor of divinity in England was of our Judgement as he may read plainely â—udg 1. hee will tell me it may be that Peter Martyr speakes not of this time or of this case or of this State If I referre him to Polanus Dan. 11. who writes largely in this matter with us it may bee hee will tell us also that Polanus speakes not to our case to our time or to our State But if I referre him to Barkley and Hugo Grocius who well knew the judgment of the low Countrey divines I suppose the Dr. will not say those are Parties Barcleus saith Hugo Grocius the most strong defender of Regall Empire yet descends thus farre to yeeld unto the people and the chiefe part of them a power to defend themselves against immane cruelty when yet notwithstanding hee confesses that the people are subject unto the King and as for â—ne saith Hugo Grocius I dare not indiscriminatim condemne those or that part of the people which doe use this defence having respect unto the publike good For David had many armed men about him that hee might repell violence offered unto him And at that time David was commended by a prudent Woman that hee sought the Lords Battell which words many doe ill referre to Davids former Battels where as Abigails Speech is rather a correction of what Naball sayd Many Subjects are now fallen from their King which words that Abigail might correct Shee saith the Warres of David were Godly as being undertaken not out of defection from his Prince but for tuition and preservation of his owne life But because the Doctor seemes to want some testimonies of the French Protestant divines I will give him one for all and surely hee will not say the words are not spoken of such Government such States such cases or such times as ours are This question being on foot in Charles 9 time What is to be done by the Subject when he is violenced by the Magistrate or if the chiefe magistrate degenerate into a Tyrant may the Subjects resist by force of Arms That was Answered by one Learned Man for and in the defence of the Protestants in those times thus Subjects are of three sorts either meâ—re private men bearing no publike Office or else they are such as are in some inferiour and subordinate place of Magistracie or else they are such as are so inferiour to the chiefe Magistrate that by the laws of the Land are appointed to bridle the chiefe as for private men saith the Author it is evill for them to resist with force of Armes either they must sly or suffer As for the second sort they not being the Kings houshold Servants but rather to bee called Officers of the Crowne depending not so much on the King as Kingdome the King abusing his power to the overthrow of Lawes these inferiour Magistrates ought to oppose for the conservation of those who are committed unto their trust and if need bee to take up Armes tilthings bee otherwise provided for by the Estates of the Kingdome As for the third sort saith hee though they in some respect are under the chiefe Magistrate yet in some respect they are keepers of the Supreme dignity that the chiefe Magistrate may bee kept in his Office These may if need require represse and chastise him for the people is not made for the Magistrate but the magistrate for the people his power taking its rise from them Ob. But though this were the first rise of magistracie yet
of Egypt into Canaan they carried in their colours some significative signe Judah carried a Lyon in his Standard Ephraim an Ox Reuben the picture of a man Nepthali an Hinde a Lyon noting their courage a Man noting their skill and understanding an Hinde noting their swiftnâ—sse and readinesse for execution and an Ox for patience strength and obedience Such colours should those weare in their lives that are Souldiers for God The enemies of the Churches had their Colours also the Beare the Leopard c. Dan. 7. cruell in humane practises being more fit to be worne in their lives then ours How can men be faithfull to you that are unfaithfull to God Dr. Ferne your Adversary and mine writes thus of the Parliaments Forces If a list of the Army against his Majestie were examined there would be found if not a considerable number of Papists yet of such as they that employ them would have cause to be ashamed of c. It may be some of your Souldiers would say as Davids did Let me go over I pray thee and take off his head But let your answer rather be Let him alone and let him reproach it may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction and that the Lord will requite good for his reproaching this day And as formerly so now yet more and more let your endeavour be to wipe off such aspersions by sending and employing such Souldiers as may not stain your good cause with their ill practise let your Motto be Militia fine malitia And as for your successe either it will be good or bad if bad measure not the goodnesse of your cause thereby Eventus est stultorum argumentum It is Gods course to give by denying Non habendo habemus Wicked Benjamin who took part with the delinquents of Gâ—beah must first prevaile against not representative but all Israel who took up armes to do justice that Israel might be the more provoked against them Judg. 20. And if your successe be good let your men carry it humbly humilitie after mercie makes men fit for more mercie And he that boasts in his own bodie boasts in his own prison Rejoyce not saith Solomon when thine enemie falleth Pro. 24. 17. Your Souldiers may rejoyce in Gods providence but not in their enemies blood Zonarus writes that this was the manner amongst the Romanes when any triumphed that an Officer stood behind him saying {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} look what is behind and there he saw a bell and a whip a whip noting that for all his greatnesse he might come under the lash of misery which bell-like would sound very loud Thus have I taken the boldnesse to present you with my rude thoughts and this small Treatise concerning which I say as Salvian I have not sought smooth but profitable words And in which because it hath pleased God to lay the foundation of your proceedings in your good successe at Crowland by the hand and Command of that worthie Gentleman Sir Miles Hobert I wish you that blessing which the Abbat of Crowland when he began to build the Abbey would have made the foundation thereof Perpetuam foelicitatem Your humble Servant in the Gospel of Christ Jesus W. BRIDGE An Advertisement to the Reader THou mayst perhaps wonder that this Answer was no sooner returned to the Doctors Reply which came forth so long agoe so that now it may seem to come forth too late Know therefore first that the Doctors Book it selfe some while went up and downe in the darke seen onely of a few Secondly that the Author of the Answer living farre from London it was much longer before he could have the sight of it After he had it he soone dispatched his Answer which he left in the hands of some friends here a moneth since to be published but new Licencers being appointed much time was spent in carrying of it from one to another for leave to travell safely as also Printers being full either of businesse or negligence it comes to passe that it hath been much longer in the birth then in the breeding I hope it comes not too late to satisfie the conscience of the well-affected or to encourage those that are engaged in this so necessary a defensive warre and it may be much more seasonable then if before whiles peoples mindes are generally inclined to goe up with one unanimous consent personally to maintain the true Religion Life and Liberty of the Subiect which seems to be the likeliest way to put an end to our unnaturall uncivill warres and happy shall that man be called that shall help forward that great worke and be a meanes to still the storme the end of a inst warre being peace as the lancing of the wound is for the cure of it Farewell I. A. AN INTRODVCTION TO THE READER GOOD Reader you see into what sad times we are now fallen our English Sunne is almost set out day of peace and plenty is almost done workmen go from their labour beasts go forth to their prey And it war be the worst of all miseries and civill warre the worst of all wars as indeed it is For there the parents do bury their children a whereas otherwise the children do bury their parents then is our condition of all the most lamentable The disputing time is almost now over The Doctor hath stared so long in bringing up his Rear that I fear the controversie depending is now rather to be determined with the dint of the sword then with the strength of the pen yet because the Temple must be built in troubleous times and the tide of truth doth usually at the first creep up by the bank side against the streame I am not unwilling for truths sake once more to appeare in this cause that I may deliver it from those exceptions wherewith the Doctor hath burthened the same It is not long since I met with the Doctors reply and at the first I thought it not necessary to give any answer unto it partly beeause the subject is so well beaten that he is almost answered before he hath objected partly because I count that Reply scarce worth a sober answer which is clothed with so many scoffing jeeres and vile reproches things unworthy of a D. D. especially such as pretend satisfaction of conscience but it will finde entertainment with conscience according to its owne nature For what Luther speakes of certaine Preachers is true of Writers also b Multi sunt saith he there are many hot and tumultuous Preachers who would have all things done as they say not so much willing to be heard because they speake the word of God as because they are teachers of it desiring rather that the Organ then the sonnd may be commended who having meditated and conceived some words do promise to themselves presently to convert those that heare them Whereas through the wonderfull wisedome of God they do nothing lesse then what
THE TRUTH OF THE TIMES VINDICATED WHEREBY The lawfulnesse of Parliamentary procedings in taking up of Arms is justified Doctor Fernes Reply answered and the Case in question more fully resolved By WILLIAM BRIDGE Preacher of Gods word at great Yarmoth PSAL. 127. 1. Except the Lord keep the Citie the Watchman waketh but in vain Quaeso lector ut memor tribunalis Domini de judicio tuo te intelligens judicandum nec mihi nec adversario meo foveas neve personas loquentium sed causam consideres Hierom. Printed according to Order LONDON Printed by T. P. and M. S. for Ben Allen and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Alley 1643. Errata IN the Frontispice for soveas read faveas In the Epistle for being asked read having asked P. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. for Truths of the time r. Truth of the times p 4 for there r. they p 5. for Althaâ—ius r. Althaâ—ius for Henomus c. r. Henonius Henning and Amisaus p 7. for yet r. yea p. 8. for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} p 10. for duct a naturar dâ—cta naturae p. 13. for Rainervus r. Rainerius p. 13. for affect r. effect p. 14. for under r. into p 15. for oppose r. expose p. 15. for governed r. governing p. 26. for Junius Josephus Brutus read Junius Brutus Josephus p. 29. for ropos r. propos. p. 35 36. for dwell r. dwelt p. 37. for thats read its p 39. for Wisd. 22. r. Rev. 2. p. 39. for but passive r. not passive p 40. for if lawfull r. lawfull p. 41. for take of r. take heed of pag. 45. for to which r. which p. 45. for see will read so will p. 46. for Committe r. community p. 47. for that Prince r. the Prince p. 47. for being read bring for that that r. that it There are many faults escaped in the marginall Latine yet because the Latine is turned into English and the Authors cited I do not note those Errata TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL The Knights and Gentlemen Deputie-Lieutenants of the County of NORFOLK Honoured Sirs GIve me leave to joyn you together in one Epistle whom God and your Countrey hath joyned together in one service It is not in my purpose to blazen your worth before the world your own actions speak you in the gate and wise men had rather do worthily then heare of it onely observing your unwearied labour of love for God and your Countrey I count it my duty to come forth and meet you with this pen-service in testimonie of my thankfull respects to you You read Numb. 25. when the wrath of God brake out against Israel that Phineas stood up and executed judgement and the wrath was not onely diverted but himself blessed yea the blessing was a blessing of peace though wrought out by the sword your like action in this time of wrath will carrie the like blessing on your selves and houses yet your work is rather to bring men to justice then to execute it Many blessed comforts wâ—it on your service First we read in Scripture but of one man so potent in heaven that he could command the Sun to stand still and he was a Souldier Joshua but of one man of whom it was said that he had an heart after Gods own heart and he was a great Souldier David but of one man of whom Christ gave that great testimonie I have not found so great faith no not in Israel And he was a Souldier too the Centurion thus haâ—h God honoured your calling Secondly your work is good for you are the Ministers of Reformation I read of a King of Meth sometimes in Ireland that being asked how certain noysome birds that came flying into that countrey and bred there might be destroyed Was answered thus Nidos eorum ubique destruendos The way to be rid of them was to destroy their nests Now for a long season many noysome birds have been flying over into this Kingdom and have bred here the work of these times is to destroy those nests of Jesuites and Jesuited persons and it is that work which now you are upon Though it cost some paines its worth your labour happie is that necessitie which leads to better things Thirdly your cause is just also agreeable to the Law of Nature for Conservatio sui ipsius est opus naturalissimum to the Law of God for David though not the representative body yâ—t lawfully took up armes for his own defence to the Law of the Kingdom for what more legall then that the Houses of Parliament should bring in Delinquents to triall and how can that be without Armes when the Delinquents betake themselves to their Armes The Schoolmen say three things concurre to a just warre First Jurisdictio indicentis and for that you have the Authoritie of Parliament which as one writes if you respect Antiquitie is of all Courts the most ancient if dignitie is of all Courts the most hononorable if authoritie and jurisdiction is of all Courts the most copious Secondly Offensio patientis and for that you have matter too much and your enemies too little the great cause of their armes is but some peece of prerogative if they pretend truly a cause infinitely beneath so unkind bloodie a war as this is Thirdly Intentïo boni convenientis and for that I dare say you are bellando pacifici your war being to prevent warre and your present bleeding to prevent some great sicknesse which this State would sink under Fourthly your Forces live and march under as many prayers as ever English Armies did you have preces armaâ—as and though Joshua fought valiantly Exod. 17. yet the prayers of Moses who was not in the fight got the field Fifthly If you do overcome you shall not make your selves slaves by your own victories we may truly say of some Dum vincunt victi sunt when they have overcome others they are slaves themselves your Religion Laws and Liberties stand all readie to reward your prowes And sixthly If you be overcome and die you die for God and your Countrey who can bring his life into a better market blessed are those that dye for the Lord so that word â— is rather to be read Rev. 14. 13. Wherefore as heretofore so now much more labour to hold forth the vertues of him that hath called you to this great imployment As Souldiers are more honoured then others so they should be more vertuous he had need carry much grace in his heart that doth daily carrie his life in his hand and your Souldiers should as well overcome the Countreys with their good examples as the Enemies with their swords When Joshua went out to battell against the Amalakites his men were all chosen or choice men Exod. 17. 9. And saith the Lord Deut. 23. 9 when the hoste goeth forth against thine enemie then keep thee from every wicked thing It is ordinarily observed that when the jews marched out