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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A67702	A declaration of the Right Honourable Robert, Earle of Warwick, Lord High Admirall of England, and of all the plantions [sic] belonging to any His Majesties, the King of Englands subjects upon the coasts of America, Governour of the Company of London for the plantation, of the Summer Islands, and of the said company to the colony and plantation there : as the happinesse of a Christian people is ever best advanced, by their constant progresse in the waies of peace and holiness.	Warwick, Robert Rich, Earl of, 1587-1658.	1644 (1644)	Wing W994; ESTC R212401	8,153	10

saith who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2.16 And the Apostles doe reject such employments with a kinde of contempt saying It is not meet that we should leave the word of God to serve Tables and a litle after Act. 6 2● wee will give our selves continually to prayer and to the Ministry of the Word intimating that these things would hinder them from prayer and the Ministry of the Word whereby it appeares they would not be De●cons nor take upon them any other Office in or over the Church but ●pend themselves wholly in the 〈◊〉 and prayer the like might be manifested by s●nd●● other Scriptures And the evill of it hath beene so generally observed in England that as I heard Queene Elizabeth when she had conferred upon a Ministers authority and power to rule was wont to say I have spoiled a good Preacher to day And surely if we observe it the desire of Superiority and Dominion in or over the Church in Ministers and Clergy-men and the readinesse of Princes and people to conferre it upon them hath beene a principall if not the principall cause in corrupting Religion from time to time and of setting up the great Antichrist and many others as might easily be shewed if it were not an argument too long for this place Thus farre through the gracious assistance of God I have expressed my mind in this matter to the intent I might stop so much as in me lyes the setting up of a new Discipline and Government of our owne framing seeing we are already freed of all those things that have usually beene burthensome and offensive to good Christians in England and that we expect dayly the further determination and decree of the Honourable Assembly of Parliament in these things Or if I cannot prevaile so farre as to stop it yet that wee might looke before we leap and understand well what we doe before we doe it O● if neither that may be obtained yet hence it will appeare that my selfe and some others deserve no blame much lesse such evill speeches as are usually vented against us by some because we will not rashly runne with them we know not whither And lastly I desire that this may be a publique testimony of my judgement in these things For to be present and heare them dayly pressed and to be alwayes silent is taken for a signe of consent and approbation March 1. 1642. RICH. NORVVOOD Postscript SInce this Advertisement of mine came abroad though but a moneth what horrible forespeakings threatnings imprecations and censures have beene publikely denounced against me in severall parts of the Countrey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not need to repeat being too well knowne Neither will I answer t●●● accordingly lest I also be like them I will onely in the feare of God 〈◊〉 by the comfortable assistance of his holy Spirit apply that saying Num. 23.8 How ●●●●ld they curse where God hath not cursed Or how should they detest wher●● 〈◊〉 Lord hath not detested 2 Sam 16.12 And those words of David It may be that the Lord will looke on mine affliction and doe me good for his cursing this day A desperate thing it is for men to blaspheme against some good light and what is it to acknowledge the good gifts and graces of God in those which they so bitterly preach against and to overwhelme them all with most foule and feigned susspicions and aspersions without cause As when they say Satan will not use prophane and wicked men but he makes choise of those that are of good and able parts men of a religious life of a blamelesse conversation these close hypocrites ●e makes his instruments to oppose the Kingdome of Christ that is their intended Discipline c. with other like speeches I say it is very dangerous for men thus to give way to wrath and malice The Scribes and Pharisees did see and would no doubt have acknowledged the eminent gifts and graces that shined in our Saviour if he would have applied them to the establishing of their Faction But because he would not doe so they maliciously traduced him and said he had an uncleane spirit but he reproves their desperate wickednesse shewing how nearely they did approach or became guilty of the sinne against the Holy Ghost And let every man take heed how they doe cunningly fasten slanders or otherwise shew despight unto the spirit of Grace because it would not be subordinate unto their ends I could wish also they would consider the words of Marsilius Patavinus in his Booke entituled Defender of the Peace Where speaking of those that presume to frame or presse Orders Decrees and other parts of Discipline without license of the true Law-giver or Prince a●d endeavour to draw people to the observation of them by surreptitious words as it were compelling them by threatning eternall damnation to such as transgresse them or denouncing execratio●● reproachfull speeches excommunications slanders revilings or other maledictions against them or any of them in word or writing such saith he are to suffer corporall punishment in a most high degree as conspirators and stirrers up of civill schisme or division in a Common-wealth For it is saith he a most grievous kinde of treason because it is commited directly against the Royall Majesty of the Prince and his Soveraigne Authority and tendeth to set up a plurality of supreame authorities or powers and so of nec●ssity to the dissolution or overthrow of every civill Government They object also that I am but a Lay-man and therefore should not meddle with matters of Divinity applying that Proverbe Ne sutor ultra crepidam and saying that even the Sunne Moone and Starres wherein he hath skill should teach him that lesson which alwayes move in their owne spheares except they be wandring starres for whom the blackenesse of darkenesse is reserved for ever with many o●her bitter expressions But this is an old plea of the Popish Clergy to hold the people in ignorance and thraldome and should not be taken up by those that would seeme to be more opposite to Pope●y then Protestants are That eminent and blessed Divine Doctor Sibbes was of another minde who speaking in commendation of Mr. Sherland that was no Preacher disdaines not to say he had good skill in controverted points of Divinity and that he was a good Divine And surely the calling of a Christian is of that importance that he must if need so require omit whatsoever calling he have besides to make good that one most necessary neither can hee justly be charged to move out of his spheare whensoever he meddles with matters of Christianity and Religion especially such points as he is pressed to embrace and submit unto The Apostle exhorts us all that wee should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints And I may fitly answer them in the words of that renouned Souldier of Christ Doctor Bastwicke who being checked by the Bishop of Canterbury in like sort as I am by these that he being a Physitian a Lay-man should 〈…〉 points in Divinity answers in Latine to this purpose 〈…〉 I writ a Booke saith he not to finde my selfe employment or to stirr● 〈◊〉 strife but of a Christian mind and affection according to my duty to Go● and my Prince The reproach of a Lay-man toucheth not me for he which hath vowed himselfe to Christ is one of Gods Clergy The ancient Church doth not acknowledge that surname of a Lay-man but reckons it among the Soloecismes of the Beast Wee have given promised and vowed unto Christ in Baptisme our name and faith and have solemnely denounced battell against the flesh the world the devill heresie c. against which we must fight unlesse wee put off the reverence and respect of our Vow How unseasonable is it then to aske by what authority we fight against these And a litle after shall that be a fault in mee which is a praise to Divines They exercise Physick Grazing merchandize they husband their grounds plant gather in their fruits they all may doe 〈◊〉 things I envy not yet I wonder wee should be so streightned whilst they have such liberty But if some blunt fellow should aske a Divine Hear'st thou good man what hast thou to doe with the Court with privy Councell with seates of Judgement wha● hast thou to doe with renting lands with planting vineyards with breeding cattell with money the provocation of al● evills would he not checke such a bold question with some sharp answer yes doubtlesse he would What then should we doe when we are asked What we have to doe with God with Christ with Religion with the Truth Wee will laugh to scorne such envious questions and performe with diligence what God calls us to Wee will endeavour with all chearefulnesse the defence of the truth the conservation of Religion the observation of our fidelity and allegiance to that Soveraigne Authority which is over us rendring an account of our endeavours to him to whom we have vowed our selves c. He that desires to see his defence more at large may peruse his Apology to the English Prelates Rom. 16.17 Now I beseech you brethren marke them diligently which cause division and offences contrary to the Doctrine which yee have learned and avoyd them 18. For they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but ●●●ir owne bellies and with faire speech and flattering deceive the hearts of the 〈◊〉 March 30. 1643.

A declaration of the Right Honourable ROBERT Earle of Warwick Lord High Admirall of ENGLAND and of all the Plantions belonging to any his Majesties the King of ENGLANDS Subjects upon the Coasts of AMERICA Governour of the Company of LONDON for the Plantation of the Summer ISLANDS And of the said Company To the Colony and Plantation there AS the Happinesse of a Christian People is ever best advanced by their constant Progresse in the waies of Peace and Holinesse So are they in nothing more miserable themselves and offensive to others then in their uncharitable Contentions and Discords interrupting the same We have therefore thought meet out of our most affectionate desires of your Welfare to make this ensuing Declaration wherein first and above all things we do with all earn●●●nesse bespeake all and every one That in their severall Places and Conditions they will endeavour by following the Truth in Love to advance the Glory of God and of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ We intend not to anticipate or prevent the Honourable Houses of Parliament in any their Determinations in matters Ecclesiasticall or Civill but with Prayer and Patience attend that Resolution which it shall please the Lord to direct them unto And whilest we thus waite we desire and hope that you will doe the like What the thoughts of the Parliament have been and are for all the Plan●●tions upon the Coasts of AMERICA The Ordinance of Parliament therewith sent will abundantly declare And what our endeavours are for your happinesse this writing is a Witnesse wherein we shall expresse our Desires in some particulars We have thought meet for the present to continue the Government as now it stands by Commission together with all Officers and Commanders formerly chosen by us untill we shall give further direction therein as to prevent that disturbance which an alteration might occasion so for the better moderation and improvement of Authority to encourage Piety Goodnesse and Industry and to suppresse Prophanenesse wickednesse and idlenesse in all sorts of People and places of the Colony We thinke it not meet for the present to give any intimation either to Ministers or People touching the the publike Administration of Gods Worship being in expectance of that Directory which the Parliament with the advice of the Assembly of Divines shall hold forth according to sacred Scriptures In the meane time we desire you would follow Peace with all men and Holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord looking diligently lest any man faile of the grace of God lest any root of Bitternesse springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled As a good meanes to promote Pietie in the minds of all and to prevent Prophanesse we doe in a speciall manner recommend unto your best care the observance of the Lords day whereon as wee hope the Ministers will so improve their Labours at every Church within their severall Tribes that all the people may have the best conveniency to heare the Word of God Preached So we also trust that Masters of Families will be carefull by Catechizing and otherwise so to instruct their Children and Servants that all may come to the knowledge of God and of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ whom rightly to know is life eternall And that both Magistrates and Masters of Families will restraine them under their Commands from carelesse and sinfull expence of that precious time in sloth idlenesse or any way to Gods dishonour and their own hurt For your better direction herein we herewith send you an Ordinance of Parliament The Company is very sensibly affected with your want of a Minister And that thereby any particular person or part of the Colony should suffer a Famine of the Word of God is very grievous unto us We intend God willing by the very first opportunity to supply your want herein In the meane while we earnestly desire the Ministers would double th●ir diligence in teaching the knowledge of God through the Land knowing that as their Labour therein cannot be in vain in the Lord So shall they thereby exceedingly indeare themselves into the good Affections of the Company who desire nothing so much as the Salvation of your soules For Counsellors Captains and all other Officers as we require all due honour and respect to be given them So as a meanes thereof we desire they may be as a Sanctuary and City of refuge to all such as love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity improving all their Power and Authority as for the securing of the Islands preserving of Peace and promoting the power of Godlinesse in all places and Persons so for suppressing of all manner of sinne and wickednesse And for that Tipling Houses Idlenesse and ill Company are those Anvils whereon Satan with our owne Lusts Forgeth out all manner of sinne and wickednesse We desire great care be taken to prevent the same That so by the Officers faithfull performance of their Duties in their severall places The people being kept in Peace and Amitie The multitude of Indictments and P●esentments commonly brought to the publi●● Assize● may be prevented And though we would not encourage Appeales which proofe so troublesome and chargeble to them that make them Yet in that case we shall expect to receive from the publike Officers what ever may cleare the businesse to us who by Gods Grace shall proceed according to the merit of the Cause without respect of Persons In all Causes wherein Oathes are Administred wee desire great care may bee used to informe both the Jury and Witnesses of the horrible sinne of Perjurie with the dreadfull severity of Gods punishments thereupon That so they may not adventure to sweare but in Truth Judgement and Righteousnesse We had good hope that ere now by the small quantity meane condition and short returnes you have found of Tobacco you would have beene put upon that diligence and industry which might have introduced some more profitable and staple Commodity whereunto as we formerly have so we are still ready to affoord all possible encouragement and assistance We shall now desire all those that have made any essayes therein with such others as have affection thereunto That they would improove their best Observations and Experience to finde out somewhat which may be of more benefit to you and satisfaction to us which as we shall accept as an evidence of Affection to the Publike Good So we shall consider of some way for compensation according to their charge and endeavours therein We have just cause to complaine of the wrong we have suffered in the Case of Wrecks not only by more private persons but by publike Officers And truely we are much troubled to finde so great injustice among you as might occasion us to revoke that Law which in great favour allowes a Moitie to the Recoverers We shall expect and hope for better Accompts then yet we have received both of that which lately happened and what hereafter may We have seriously