so many Consecrated Murders which are only wrapt up in Scripture Phrases as the Execution of Judgment Justice running down like a stream c. And the Wickedness looks then as if it were Hallow'd which is no more in short then playing the Devil in Gods name and dedicating the Oblation of Humane Sacrifices to the Everliving God as to an Insensible Idol But to what end serves Argument in the face of so many Pregnant and Undeniable Proofs It is true or not that what I have here recited is an Authentique Evidence both for the Words and for the Authors of them And if the matter of Fact be honestly reported let but any man consider if we follow these Guides whither they 'l carry us at last and how great a scandal 't is to Christianity to suffer such Hearts and Hands as these to serve at the Altar §. 13. The Murder of the King Encourag'd 1 THOSE mine Enemies which would not that I should Reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Let me see them Executed KINGS Rulers People Conspiring Rebellion against the Lord and against his Christ. Maynard to the Commons Octob. 28. 1646. p. 15. 2 Let us he Active against the KINGS and Prince of the Earth those Claws of the cruel Beast Feak at Black Friers Sept. 1â—… 1653. 3 The Quarrel is not now with us only de Terminis Laâ—…tibus touching Bounds or Land-marks touching Privileges and Liberties but whether Christ shall Reign over us or we shall basely yâ—…ld our Necks under the Yoke of Anti-Christ Pet. Smith May 2â—… 1644. p. 42. 4 The King is fallen from Faith in thee and become an Enemy to thy Church Is it not He that has Sinned and done Evil indeed but as for these Sheep what have they done Let thy hand we pray thee O Lord our God be on him and on his Fathers House but not on thy People that they shall be Plagu'd A Lecturer in South-hampton Aug. 1643. 5 Nothing has so much deceived the world as the Name of KING which is the ground of all Mischiefs in the Church of Christ. Corbâ—… a Lecturer in Glocester-shire Iuly 1644. 6 O Lord if thou wilt not Eless us with a King Bless us without one â—…arkin a Lecturer in Greenwich Iune 31. 1â—…44 7 Neither let your eyes spare though there are Great ones that are Guilty The Highest Court may reach the Highest Persons Causes and not Persons are to be heard in your Parliament Heyrick to the Commons May 27. 1646. p. 23. 8 God will make the Sons of Princes bow down unto ye The Greatest that have Afflicted ye and Despised ye shall lye at your feet Id. p. 31. 9 If the KING be a Murderer Adulterer or an Idolater he shall suffer according to Gods Law not as a King but as an Offender Knox Hist. 392. 10 When Great Delinquents go unpunished Divine Providence is brought to the Bar and question'd Greenhill to the Commons April 26. 1643. p. 34. 11 This Arrow Prayer will find a Joynt in Ahabs Armour 1 King 22. 34. Draw this Arrow as Iehu did against Iehoram with your full strength and doubt not but it will in Gods time smite our Romish Iehoram at the heart 2 King 9. 24. and sink him in his Chariot and Chair of Pride Green to the Commons April 24. 1644. pag. 17. 12 Oh Right Honourable take Glorious Resolutions to your selves though your Fathers may stand before you and your Brethren and Friends press about you though your Mother should hang on you I mean the nearest Relations throw down the one and break through the other and trample upon the third that your souls may cleave to the ways of God to the ways of Justice and Righteousness You know the Rule is Fiat Iustitia Ruat Mundus Brooks to the Commons Decemb. 26. 1648. p. 15. Ah Right Honourable As you would not have your Services thrown as dung in your Faces look that Justice and Judgment run down as a mighty stream Ibid. p. 19. Right Honourable Guilty Persons that be by you sinfully acquitted their Sin God will charge upon your account And therefore as you would not have the Guilt of other mens sins upon you hold on in the way of well doing Let Justice and Judgment run down as mighty streams Ibid. p. 18. 13 Phinehas is the Man that Executes Judgment a Man unthought of for such a Service Hence observe that when God hath work to do he can find our Work-men A Phinehas with Zeal in his heart and a Iavelin in his hand to thrust through the Proudest Zimries and Cosbies the most daring Sinners Staunton to the Commons Octob. 30. 1644. p. 9. 14 When Esther was advanc'd she would not lose her opportunities she will in to the King although contrary to a Law She will have the Liberty of her People and Hamans head off and venture her Life to accomplish it If I Perish I Perish Iosiah Hezekiah took their opportunities and made a thorough Reformation in Iudah You know what great things Elijah did Inspiciente Reluctante Rege Greenhill to the Commons April 26. 1643. p. 48. 15 When the Kings of the Earth have given their Power to the Beast these Choice Soldiers will be so faithful to the King of Kings as to oppose the Beast though Armed with King-like Power Cheynel to the Commons May 31. 1643 p. 10. 16 You see the Faithful People make no scruple at all of Fighting against the Beast though their Enemies were like enough to say that by Fighting against the Beast they did Rebel against their own Kings Id. Ibid. 17 Others say Rebellion against the King is the cause of Judgment upon the Nation but rather the not Timous Rising to help the Lord and his oppressed People against the Mighty is the cause Rutherford to the Lords June 25. 1645. p. 44. Notes on §. 13. WE have now brought ye step by step from the Blind and Pretext of a Reformation to the Highest pitch of Wickedness and the Train was both laid and fir'd in the Pulpit Undutiful thoughts bring forth Seditious words and those Seditious words are naturally follow'd with Violent and Treasonous actions and when People come once to be Plung'd into a Rebellion all other sins even of the highest magnitude flow like streams into that Ocean till at last mens Consciences grow Câ—…llous and Obdurate as under a Iudicial Reprobation It could never be else if it may be said without offence to Charity that so many of the Principal and known Actors in the late Execrable Tragedy should now wipe their mouths after it and fall so comfortably to the old work again without any sort of Reluctancy or Remorse But it will be said perhaps that it was not so much a thirst after the Blood of their Sovereign that pusht them forward to these Extremities but that they were forc'd upon desperate Courses by their Interest and Despairs This would be a sorry excuse God knows for Committing
us so they fled before us Sterry to the Commons No. 26. 1645. P. 23. 22 When Christ was Crucifi'd did not all forsake him Had but a few of that Inconstant multitude which but a while before had cry'd Hosanna stuck close to Christ in likelyhood they had deliver'd him Carter to the Commons Aug. 31. 1642. P. 12. 26 This year God by a Providence hath buryed this Feast Christmas day in a â—…ast and I hope it will never rise again Calamy to the Commons Dec. 25. 1644. P. 41. 27 I ask whether the Repetition of these words Our Father c. after men have been long praying for the things contained in them as the manner of some is be not so remote from any Pretence or Colour of Warrant in the Scripture as that it is in plain Terms RIDICULOUS D. Io. Owen Vindiciae Evangel P. 669. 28 As men set Traps to catch Vermine so God appoints Heresyes to Insnare Arrogant and Self-presuming or Vicious and Self-defiling men Bagshaw of Heresyes P. 8. 26 Where is the God of Marston-Moor and the God of Naseâ—…y is an Acceptable Expostulation in a Gloomy day O what a Catalogue of Mercyes has this Nation to Plead by in a time of Trouble God came from Naesby and the Holy One from the West Selah c. D. Owens Eben-Ezâ—…r P. 13. 30 God had so wonderfully wrought upon the Spirits of men particularly on those Soldiers who were to fight the Bishops Battels in Scotland that they pull'd down the Railes threaten'd the Priests and kept such a Visitation in their Progress as the Bishops hardly ever had done since Q. Elizabeths days Case to the Commons Gods waiting 1642. 31 Let me tell ye if ever Gentlemen you might use this Speech O happy penny you may use it now Happy money that will purchase my Gospel happy money that will Purchase Religion and Purchase a Reformation to my Posterity O happy Money and Blessed be Cod that I have it to Lend E. Calamy's Speech at Guild-Hall Oct. 6. 1643. 32 The Lord Iesus hath his Concubines his Queens his Virgins Saints in Remoter Forms Saints in Higher Forms Saints Unmarried to any Forms who keep themselves single for the Immediate Embraces of their Lord. Sterry's Englands Deliverance Epistle 33 God did not Measure Iob in his Wallops but when he was Cold As we do not measure Milk when it Wallops and Seeths but when it is Cold Bridge's First and Last in Suffering P. 47. 34 I will gently lead those that are with Young that is saith he Christ will be very kind to those Saints that step aside and he thus Comforts those that are big with young in a sinfull sense O ye Sinning Ewes who have been big with young hath not he gone after you and sound you and laid you upon his shoulders rejoycing It may be thou hast been wand'ring like Dinah from thy Fathers House and art big with young and afraid to go home but fear not Go and Try he will not cast you out of Doors though you come with Big Bellyes he will deal gently with you though with Young And then It is our Glory to be Christs Ewes and that when a MAN is Big with Young and Cryes out O my Belly my Belly here is a Point of Comfort that Christ is Sweet to such Persons Afterwards He cryes out O Blessed Ewes O Believing Ewes And O Believing Bees that suck the Hony of Sin-Hatred out of the Wormwood of Sin-Acted In another place he tells us that Christ accounts their very Stammerings sweet Meih Meih saith the Little One and the Mother Counts it musick Durant's Sips of sweetness upon Isaiah 40. 11. Reprinted 1662. 35 I dare speak it as Confidently as I Believe the Revelation to be Divine Scripture that what Viol soever is pouring out the Issue will be Anti-Christ shall loose and Christ shall gain Marshall to the Commons Iune 15. 1643. P. 45. 36 Not only is that Covenant which God hath made with us founded in the Bloud of Christ but that also which we make with God Caryl Oct. 6. 1643. P. 33. 37 Beloved can ye forget the Soldiers I say the Soldiers who have spent their Bloud for Christ as Christ did for them even their own Precious Bloud in Gods Cause at Newbery Evans to the Earl of Essex at St. Clements Sept. 26. 1643. 38 You who sit at the Right hand of the Lord Iesus in this Common-wealth as the Lord Jesus sits at the Right Hand of his Father in that Kingdom which is over all c. Sterry to the Commons No. 26. 1645. Epistle 39 All you that have Contributed to the Parliament come and take this Sacrament to your Comfort Case 40 One Redman of Castle-Dunnington in Leicester-shire in Opposition to the Order of the Church deliver'd the Sacrament in the Afternoon in Ale Notes upon §. 2. TOleration will make way for False Christs and False Prophets 1 Destroy all Government 8. Introduce Schisms and Heresies 3. 4. Authorize Mechanicks to Preach 5. Tear the Church to peices 6 Divide us from God 7 Give Encouragement to Blasphemy Prophaneness and Dissolution of manners 8 And so to the End How can the Dissenters Press for a Toleration now after this agreement among themselves that it must Inevitably draw after it the Ruine and Confusion both of Church and State §. 3. The Dissenters Harmony among themselves 1 Does not the Apostle Prophesy That in the last days Perillous Times shall come for men shall be lovers of themselves Covetous Boasters Proud Heady High-minded having a Form of Godlyness but denying the Power thereof Ever learning but never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth Yea such as will not Endure sound Doctrine but after their own lusts will heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears turning away their Ears from the Truth and will be turned into Fables and Fictions New lights and Revelations And are not your thus pretended New-lights the very Persons thus delineated by your own Confessions and practices too even Murmurers Complainers desirous to walk after your own lusts and having mens Persons in admiration for Advantage Yea take heed I say ye be not found to be those Clouds without water carried about with Wâ—…des and those wand'ring Stars which the Apostle Iude speaks of which know not when or where Immutably to fix your faith and Judgments Whereas our Presbyterians and all other True Believers are allways 1. Cor. 15. 58. Phil. 1. 27. and Chap. 4. 1. c. stedfast Unmoveable standing fast in the Lord in one spirit and in One mind striving together for the faith of the Gospell and not tossed to and fro like Children carried about with Every Wind of Doctrine by the slight of men as too many Scepticall Independents are to the Great Obloquy and Scandall of Religion Picture of Independency P. 9. Independent 2 You complain of your Misery and Bondage Sorrows and Oppressions and Troubles of the Church What ails you What Troubles
at leisure perhaps to turn over Books and zealously affected over and above to the Reputation of an odd sort of Christians that style themselves True Protestants what more agreeable Present in this World could I make you than this Collection of True-Protestant-Sayings ready drawn up to your hands where you shall see all their Virtues Common-plac'd their Graces drawn to the life their Agreement among themselves their Affection to the King and Church the Moderation of their Principles and the tenderness of their hearts towards their Sovereign Faithfully and Impartially set forth and transmitted to Posterity by themselves and effectually Sign'd Seal'd and Deliver'd to the World for the use of future Generations by their own Rabbies Gentlemen I am with all Reciprocal Affection Your most Humble Servant Roger L'Estrange THE CONTENTS § 1. OF Toleration pag. 1. § 2. The Fruits of a Toleration p. 7. § 3. The Dissenters Harmony among themselves p. 13. § 4. The Dissenters Behaviour toward the Government and first the Clergy p. 22. § 5. The Dissenters Behaviour towards the Civil Government p. 30. § 6. The Presbyterians Opinion of the Covenant p. 34. § 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience p. 37. § 8. The Power of the Kirk p. 39. § 9. Principles and Positions p. 45. § 10. Tumults Encouraged And chiefly by the Able Holy Faithful Laborious and Trulypeaceable Ministers of the Gospel p. 51. Petition for Peace p. 4. § 11. The War Iustified p. 55. § 12. Reformation by Blood p. 59. § 13. The Murder of the King Encouraged p. 67. § 14. The King's Murder Iustifi'd p. 70. §. 1. Dissenters Sayings c. 1 TOleration hath done much more toward the Rooting of Religion out of the Hearts of many men in seven year then the Enforcing of Uniformity did in Seventy years Cawdrys Independency a great Schism 1657. P. 14. 2 A Toleration hath All Errors in it and All Evills Edwards Gangreen P. 58. 3 A Toleration would be the putting a Sword in a Mad man's hand a Cup of Poyson into the hand of a Child a Letting loose of Madmen with Firebrands in their hands An appointing a City of Refuge in mens Consciences for the Devil to fly to a laying of a stumbling Block before the Blind a Proclaiming Liberty to the Wolves to come into Christs Fold to Prey upon the Lambs Neither would it be to Provide for Tender Consciences but to take away all Conscience The Harmonious Consent of the Lancashire Ministers with their Brethren in London Subscribed by 84. 1648. P. 12. 4 A Toleration would make us become the Abhorring and Loathing of all Nations and being so palpable a Breach of Covenant would awaken against us the Lord of Hosts to bring a Sword upon us to Avenge the Quarrell of his Covenant Mr. Noise of New England of the Power of Magistrates P. 13. 5 That Doctrine that cryeth up Purity to the Ruine of Unity is Contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel Vindication of the Presbyterial Government and Ministry 1649. P. 124. 6 That Religion which carries in the Front of it a Toleration of Different Religions and not sufficient to keep the Body of Christ in Unity and Purity is not the Government of Christ. Ibid. 7 Liberty in all matters of Worship and of Faith is the open and Apparent way to set up Popery in the Land Bax. Non-Con Plea Pref. 8 Must he have his Conscience that makes no Conscience What he that hath sin'd away his Conscience If Conscience be a sufficient Plea the Papists may come in for a Childs part If Conscience goes against the word Deponenda est talis Conscientia Get Conscience better Enform'd The Conscience of a Sinner is Desil'd 1. Tit. 15. Conscience being desil'd may Erre Conscience erring may suggest that which is sinfull There is nothing can bind a man to sin Watson to the Commons Dec. 27. 1646. P. 17. 9 A Toleration of Independent Churches and Government with Opinions and Practise against the Magistrates Duty lay'd down in Scripture Edwards Full Answer P. 237. It is against the Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation P. 238. A shrew'd Temptation to make many fall and a means of Confirmation in the way of Errour P. 244. A Toleration of One or more Different ways of Churches and Church-Government from the Church and Church-Government Establish'd will be to this Kingdom very Mischievous Pernicious and Destructive P. 247. It hath ever been from first to last a Fountain of Evil and a Root of Bitterness of many bitter Divisions and Separations among themselves of Manifold Errors and other Mischiefs in those Churches and Places where they liv'd P. 248. 10 Will Mercifull Rulers set up a Trade for Butchering of Souls and allow men to set up a shop of Poyson for all men to Buy and take that will yea to Proclaim this Poyson for Souls in streets and Church-Assemblies c Baxters Self-Denial Epist. Monitory 11 We must either Tolerate all men to do what they will which they will make a matter of Conscience or Religion and then some may offer their Children in Sacrifice to the Devil and some may think they do God service in Killing his servants c. Or else you must Tolerate no Errour or Fault in Religion and then you must advise what measure of Penalty you will Inflict Baxters Church-Divis P. 363. 364. 12 I have known too many very honest hearted Christians Especially Melancholique Persons and women who have been in great doubt about the opinions of the Millenaryes the Separatists the Anabaptists the Seekers and such like and after Earnest Prayer to God they have been strongly resolv'd for the way of Errour and Confident by the strong Impression that it was the Spirits Answer to their Prayers and thereupon they have set themselves into a Course of sin Ibid. P. 162. It is very ordinary with poor Fantasticall Women and melancholique Persons to take all their deep Apprehensions for Revelations Ibid. P. 167. 13 If we do through weakness or Perverseness take Lawfull things to be Unlawfull that will not excuse us in our disobedience Our Errour is our sin and one sin will not excuse another Baxters 5. Dispute P. 483. 14 Oh what a Potent Instrument for Satan is a Misguided Conscience It will make a man kill his Dearest Friend yea Father or Mother yea the holyest Saint and think he doth God good service by it And to Facilitate the work it will first blot out the Reputation of their Holiness and make them take a Saint for a Devil Bax. Saints Rest P. 133. 15 Take heed how you tolerate Schism for in little time without great care it will open the door to Heresy Hodges to the Commons Mar. 10. 1656. P. 55. 16 Divisions whether they be Ecclesiasticall or Politicall in Kingdoms Citys and Familyes are Infallible Causes of Ruine to Kingdoms Cityes and Familyes Calamy to the Commons Dec. 25. 1644. P. 4. 17 Lyes would not take if they were not Commended by the Holyness of the
dying man who dare not dissemble that as I thought and still aver that the Erecting of this Abjured Prelacy is the Cause of much of the Sin in the Land and of all the Sufferings of the Lords People So I had no worse Design then the Restoring of the work of Reformation according to the Covenant and more Particularly the Extirpation of Prelacy c. Naphtali The Testimony of Alexander Robertson P. 229. 13 Oh might this Privilege be offered to the Apostate Angels which kept not the Covenant of their Creation nor consequently their First Estate and to the rest of the Damned Souls in Hell Would God send an Angel from Heaven to Preach unto them a Second Covenant upon the laying hold whereon and closing wherewith they might be receiv'd into Grace and Favour How would those poor Damned Spirits bestir themselves What Rattling of their Red hot Chains What shaking of their Fiery Locks In a word What an uproar of Joy would there be in Hell upon such Glad Tydings Case's Quarrel of the Covenant Dec. 1643. P. 60. 14 There is much Sin in making a Covenant on sinful Grounds and there is more Sin in keeping it but when the Preservation of True Religion and the Vindication of Iust Liberties meet in the Ground-work ye may Swear and not Repent yea if you Swear you must not Repent Caryl Oct. 6. 1643. P. 18. 15 Let them first shave their Heads and pare their Nails as the strange Virgin of Old was commanded to do and so let them enter into that Sacred and Dreadful Covenant Bond to the Commons on Isa. 25. 9. Oct. 8. 1645. P. 37. Notes upon §. 6. IT is but suitable that the Blasphemy Heresy and Sedition that went to the Framing of this Oath of Conspiracy should be follow'd with an answerable measure of Wickedness in the promoting of it and in the Execution Whereof you have here Three Notorious Instances Num. 1 2 3. And a Clause that draws Blood upon the King himself 4 A Brand upon all the Refusers of it 5 And another Sanguinary Clause 6 A Protestation against Soveraign Authority 7 And a Jesuitical Exposition of the meaning of it 8. 9. The Breach of it no less than a Sin against the Holy Ghost 10 And the Murther of the Late King Iustifi'd upon the Obligation of it 11 The Malice of the Confederacy own'd at the last Gasp. 12 A most Impious and Phantastical Exaggeration of the blessed Privileges of that Brand. 13 The Cheat. 14 And a Foppish Allusion to the pretended Solemnity and Sacredness of it 15 So that upon the main the Covenanters do assert First the Indissolvable Tye of That Oath Secondly the Intent of it to be the Dissolution of the Government And in the Third place so often as every they move for a Toleration they do as good as desire the King in plain Terms That he will be Graciously pleased to give them leave to serve his Majesty as they did his Father §. 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience 1 THat there may be a Thorough and Speedy Proceeding against Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers by whose Wickedness People either Lack or Loath the Ordinances of the Lord and Thousands of Souls Perish and the removal of the Ark from among us is to the Trembling of our Hearts evidently Threatned And that your Wisdoms would find out some way to admit into the Ministry such Godly and Hopeful men as have prepared themselves and are willing thereunto without which there will be such a scarcity of Able and Faithful Ministers that it will be to little purpose to cast out such as are Unable Idle or Scandalous The Assemblies Petition to both Houses of Parliament July 19. 1643. Husbands Collections Part 2 fol. 241. His Highness by the Advice of his Council doth Publish Declare and Order that no Person or Persons aforesaid do from and after the First day of January 1655. keep in their Houses or Families as Chaplains or School-Masters for the Education of their Children any Sequester'd or Ejected Minister Fellow of a College or School-Master nor permit any of their Children to be taught by such upon pain of being proceeded against in such sort as the said Orders do direct in such Cases And that no person who hath been Sequestred or Ejected out of any Benefice College or School for Delinquency or Scandal shall from and after the First day of January keep any School either Publick or Private nor any Person who after that time shall be Ejected for the Causes aforesaid 3 And that no Person who for Delinquency or â—…candal hath been Sequester'd or Ejected shall from and after the First day of January aforesaid Preach in any Publick place or at any Private Meeting of any other Persons then those of his own Family nor shall administer Baptism or the Lords Supper or Marry any Persons or use the Book of Common Prayer or the Forms of Prayer therein contained upon pain that every Person so offending in any of the Premises shall be proceeded against as by the said Order is provided and directed Olivers Declaration Nov. 24. 1655. A Confession of Faith to be agreed by your Highness and the Parliament according to the Rule and Warrant of the Scriptures to be asserted held forth and recommended to the People of these Nations so that this Liberty be not extended to Popery or PRELACT Humble Petition and Advice May 25. 1657. Notes on §. 7. NOT to cloy the Reader with Repetitions out of my First Part upon this subject I shall pass over the whole History of the Late Persecution with this short Note upon 't That as it was levell'd at the Destruction both of Church and State so it fell heaviest upon persons of Condition Honesty and Letters as the men most sensible of the Tyes of Honour and Duty And I shall now content my self with these few Instances of the Rigour of those times which methinks might stop the mouths of those that cry out so loud against the Uncompassionate severity of the present Age. What were the Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers c. Num. 1 but the Canonical Clergy that were forc'd away from their Livings and their Families by a Popular Rage and Violence under the countenance of that Diabolical Slander Neither was the loss of their Lawful Possessions and the Ordinary Comforts of Life sufficient to Expiate for their Piety Integrity and Virtue without their Adversaries doing as much as in them lay to Starve them too 2 and 3 And this was the Liberty of Conscience of those days Is it not a Reasonable Proposition now for those men that gave no quarter to the Church upon that Revolution to Mutiny for the same Liberty again of Destroying it And for the whole Schism that from time to time by Common Agreement Excluded the Prelacy to Expect that the Ecclesiastical Government should be now torn to pieces in their favour §. 8. The Power of the Kirk 1 IF the Prince with Gideon Nadab
the Supream Power to be in themselves Exclusively without a King or House of Lords And they are the Powers that now are as hath been cleared Saunders Mar. 23. 1650. p. 24. 32 It is altogether Lawful for the Parliament to take up Arms for the Defence of the Liberty or any other Imaginable Cause against any Party Countenanced by the Kings Presence against his Laws Baylyes Review p. 83. 33 The Votes Orders and Ordinances of the Lords and Commons in Parliament even without or against the Kings Personal Command are to be obey'd and observ'd Câ—…oftons fastening of St. Peters Fetters p. 118. 34 A Reformation is setled by Highest Authority in despight of Papists Prelate Pope or Devil Staunton to the Commons April 24. 1644. p. 24. 35 Is it so high a Crime for the Great Council of the Nation to determine things necessary for the safety of King and Kingdom without consent of his Majesty when it cannot be obtained Newcomen to the Commons Nov. 5. 1642. p. 48. 36 You are Ambassadors of the Greatest King The Great things of Heaven and Earth are committed to your care the Glory of Iehovah the Gospel of Christ the Welfare of Churches the Good of Kingdoms and in some respect of the whole Christian world is in your hands Greenhil to the Commons April 26. 1643. p. 45. 37 There is no danger in Resisting Acts of Tyranny for Tyrants exercising Tyranny are no Terror to Evil doers Apol. Rel. 154. 38 The Authority and Gods Ordinance can never do wrong but the Corrupt Person placed in Authority may offend so that the King as King is one thing and the King acting Tyranny is another thing Knox Hist. Li. 2. p. 141. Notes on §. 9. THE King render'd Accountable to his Subjects Num. 1 2. His Power Fiduciary and not to be obey'd in doubtful Cases 3 4 The People the Fountain of Power 5 6. And may Depose their Sovereign if he fails in his Duty 7 The Abuse of his Power is the forfeiture of it 8 9. His Parliament is above him 10 11. And so are the People 12. The Parliament are his Superiors and may Depose him 13 14. The Kings Power at Westminster though his Person may be at Oxford 15 The People may discharge themselves of their Allegiance 16 The Crown forfeitable and fâ—…rfeited 17 Supremacy only a Complement 18 The late War justifi'd and the Resistance Lawful 19 20. Cromwel to be Obey'd for Conscienoe sake 21 22. Resistance allowable 23 The Parliament are Supream and the Subjects Obedience Conditional 24 25. Princes Punishable as well as others 26 The Scottish Invasion defended 27 28. And the taking up of Arms against Tyrants 29 Kings subject to their States 30 The Commons and the Parliament-War defended 31 32 33 34 35 36. Tyranny is not Gods Ordinance 37 38. Let the Reader judge now what any man can design that exposes and supports these Positions but the Ruin of the Government §. 10. Tumults Encouraged And chiefly by the Able Holy Faithful Laborious and Truly-Peaceable Preachers of the Gospel Petition for Peace P. 4. 1 IT is not unknown nor unobserved by the Wise that the Ministers have been very serviceable to the Civil State and to the Military too Not only by their Supplications to God for good success in all their Undertakings and their happy Proceedings in all their Warlike Marches and Motions as at the Removal of the Ark Num. 10. 35. Rise up Lord and let thine Enemies be scatter'd Let them that hate thee flee before thee But 2 By their Informations and 3 Solicitations of the People to Engage both their Estates and Persons in the Case of God and their Country Iohn Ley's Examination of the New Quere 1646. Epis. Ded. to the Lord Mayor 2 And we do not Repent of any part of our Pains or Pressures or Perils so long as we may be Serviceable to so good a Cause and to such Good and Gracious Masters as under Christ they The Parliament have hitherto approved themselves towards us And I hope we may without Boasting say by way of Apology that we have not been altogether their unprofitable Servants in respect 1 of our Interest in and 2 Endeavours with the People without whom the Greatest Kings are rather Cyphers than Figures and destitute both of Honour and Safety Prov. 14. 28 1 To Inform their Iudgments and 2 to Enflame their Zeal and 3 to oblige their Consciences and 4 to Fasten their Affections in Loyalty and Fidelity to those worthy Patriots whom they have in their Choice and Votes of Election entrusted with the Religion the Lives and Estates of themselves and their Posterity Hyde p. 80. Sect. 22. 3 After-Ages will Abominate their Baseness and Villanies that have lifted up their hands against the Parliament But the Fsthers the Mordecais the Religious Patriots that have acted in this Sphear the brave Soldiers whose Lives were not dear unto them the FAITHFUL MINISTERS the Horse-men and the Chariots of Israel they shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance Heyrick to the Commons May. 27. 1646. p. 16. 4 You are required to Commend to God in your Prayers the Lord General the whole Army employ'd in the Parliaments Service as also in your Sermons effectually to stir up the People to appear in Person and to joyn with the Army to stand up for our Religion and Liberties as is desired and expected by the Army and the Committee for the Militia in this City Penningtons Order to the London Ministers Ap. 1643. 5 The work of Reformation still goes on There we do get ground as to Perfect a Protestation into a Covenant to ripen an Impeachment into a Root and Branch And in a word to settle an Assembly of Divines as a General Refiners fire to try all Metals of the Church Bond. to the Commons March 27. 1644. p. 56. 6 The Assembly Petition'd both Houses for a Fast and the removing of Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers destroying all Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition the Executing of Justice upon all Delinquents according to the Solemn and Religious Vow and Protestation for that purpose that so God who is now by the Sword avenging the Quarrel of his Covenant beholding the Integrity and Zeal of the Two Houses might turn from the fierceness of his wrath hear their Prayers go forth with their Armies and perfect the work of Reformation c. Ex. Col. July 19. 1643. p. 242. 7 I must truly tell ye that before these Late Wars it pleas'd the Lord to call me by his Grace through the work of the Ministry and afterwards keeping a day of Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer with Mr. Simeon Ash Mr. Love Mr. Woodcock and other Ministers in Laurence-Lane they did so clearly state the Cause of the Parliament that I was fully convinc'd in my own Conscience of the Justness of the War and thereupon Engaged in the Parliaments Service which as I did and do believe was the Cause of the Lord. I ventur'd my Life
for his Mercy c. who remembred us at Tauntâ—…n for his Mercy c. who remembred us at Bristol for his Mercy c. p. 9. 5 As Sampson with the Philistims so let us die with Babylon if we cannot out-live Anti Christ and the Enemies of Reformation let us adventure our selves to death in the Cause yea lâ—…t us take hâ—…ld of the Pillars of the Church of Dagon of the Temple of Anti-Christ and say Now let me die with Anti-christ Rome and Babylon Bond 1644. p. 59. 6 God hath put you in his own Place God hath grac'd you with his own Name Lord of Hosts General of Armies God hath committed to your care what is most precious to himself precious Gospel precious Ordinances a precious Parliament a precious People God hath called forth your Excellency as a choice Worthy to be a General and the Champion of Iesus Christ to fight the great and last Battel with Anti-christ in this your Native Kingdom Palmer to the E. of Essex 1644. Ep. Ded. 7 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 of 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 Government be not a refusal to acquiesce in the Wise and Righteous pleasure of God and a flat breach of the Fifth Commandment W. Ienkins's Conscientious Quaeries 1651. p. 2. 8 The Prenâ—…ices and Porters were stimulated and stir'd up by God's Providence thousands of them to Petition the Parliament for speedy Relief Palmer to the E. of Essex 1644. Ep. Ded. 9 Remember how far I have gone with ye in the War And shall I be affraid of my old most Intimate Friends Bax. Holy Com. Pref. to the Army 10 If I had known that the Parliament had been the Beginners and in most fault yet the Ruin of our Trustees and Representatives so of all the Security of the Nation is a Punishment greater than any fault of theirs against the King can from him deserve and their faults cannot disoblige me from defending the Common-wealth Ho. Com. p. 48â—… 11 If the King Venture into Battel and hazard his Person we are sorry for it and he hath been most humbly requested by the Honourable Houses of Parliament not to expose his Royal Person unto such extremities But iâ—… his Evil Council prevail more with him than the good Advice of the Parliament we wash our hands in Innocency and plead Not Guilty of any Evil that may befall his Majesties Person in the like occasions In the mean while we must not forbear to defend our Religion and Liberties against our Bloody Enemies but go on couragiously and play the Men to fight for our People and for the Cities of our God 2 Sam. â—…0 12. The Covenanters Catechisms 1644. p. 26. 12 I think I have not read of many Assemblies oâ—… Worthiâ—…r men since the Apostles days Bax. Answer to Dr. Sâ—…llingfleet p. 84. 13 Phinehas executes Justice upon great ones and what follow'd a Commotion No Gâ—…d's wâ—…ath was â—…urn'd away and a Covenant of Peace made Greenhil April 26. 1643. p. 37. 14 This is a time wherein we should all Unite against the Common Enemy that seeks to devour us all Calamy to the Commons Decemb. 25. 1644. p. 36. Notes on §. 11. IT is no wonder after the foundation of a War so fairly laid to see the Peaceable Preachers of the Gospel as they call themselves well â—…nough satisfied to reap the fruits of their own labours Nor could any other be expected then that the Seeds of so Pestilent a Sedition should quickly grow up into a rank Rebellion The best that can be said for them is that the Broil went farther then they intended or otherwise that they were misled into a mistake of the question in hand But even in this point also they have left themselves without excuse for 't is a clear Case that their Zeal and Confidence increas'd with their Successes And all their care was at first for his Majesties Honour and Safety and to bring him home to his Parliament out of the hands of Cut-throats and Papists They were up at every turn with the Maxim that the King could do no wrong and all the blame was laid upon his Ministers This way of Pretended Tenderness for his Majesties Authority and Person implys their secret Consciousness of a Legal Duty only 't was too early days yet to take off the Masque Now their judgment upon the Point was the same afterwards as at first but as they gather'd Strength they grew Bolder too and the last Violence was no more than the putting of their first Thoughts in Execution And whoever observes the method and the scope of their Proceedings will find their Principles varying with their Fortunes and the deepest Professors of Veneration for the Dignity of the King and his Government in the Beginning prove the most daring Insulters upon his Imperial Regalities and Honour in the Conclusion But to the next Section §. 12. Reformation by Blood 1. â—… Have often thought that too much Mercy towards Malignants hath made more Delinquents than ever Iustice hath Punished Mercy should not weigh down Iustice. Loves Serm. at Uxoridge Ian. 30. 1644. p. 26. 2 Moses bids all the Levites Consecrate their hands to God What to do To Kill Three-thousand No sewer of the Idolaters fâ—…ll that day c. How brave a pattern have we here for those that are in Magistracy and Authority All you Honourable and Beloved that God hath called to any place of Authority and Trust Consider but this of Moses here the meekest man upon the Earth yet what a Pattern is he to you herein How excellent a Champion is he for God upon the People Herle to the Lord Mayor c. Lond. 1644. p. 22. 3 Probably the way to sheath one Sword were to draw another and if the Sword of Iustice did more the Sword of War would do less The Physitian by way of Revulsion stops bleeding by letting blood and did England bleed enough in the Malignant Vein we have cause to think that other sad Issues of Blood would be stopt and staunched Staunton to the Lords Oct. 30. 1644. p. 26. 4 Iosiah Executed the Justice and Vengeance of God upon the Instruments of the Kingdoms ruin the Idolatrous Priests digging the very bones of some of them out of their Graves the same Lord direct you c. Then let not the man Escape whom God appoints out to Punishment Marshal to the Commons Dec. 22. 1642. p. 52 53. 5 Let none think it Bloody Divinity if I say Execution of Judgment is good Phinehas stood up and Executed Judgment and so
Contributions for all his Payments and Hazards I say he is blind I say his heart is not right with God Marshal to both Houses Jan. 18. 1643. p. 20. All Christendom except the Malignants in England do now see that the Question in England is whether Christ or Anti-Christ shall be Lord and King Ibid. p. 21. 17 Q. Whether the whole Kirk of Scotland in their Letters sent to the King at Oxford as in Mays History hath not judged the late King Guilty of the Blood of Thousands of his best Subjects And if so whether the Laws of God or Man give any Pardon or Dispensation to Kings more than to others If not whether his Judges are not sufficient to justifie it Valley of Achor Q. 8. Q. Whether beside the Guilt of Blood contracted upon himself in the Wars of England and Scotland he was not also Guilty of the Blood of Ireland Ibid. Q. 9. 18 No Sober and Impartial Person can Condemn their Position who denying that a Tyrannous Magistrate was the Minister of God to them for their Good did plainly assert the Lawfulness of Self-defence and Holy Reformation without the Violation of the Ordinance of God Naphtali p. 30. 19. As he The late King to acquit himself hath not spar'd his Adversaries to load them with all sorts of blame and accusation so to him as in his Books alive there will be us'd no more Courtship than he uses but what is properly his own Guilt not imputed any more to his Evil Councellors a Ceremony us'd longer by the Parliament than he himself desired shall be laid here without Circumlocutions at his own door That they who from the first beginning or but now of late by what Unhappiness I know not are so much affatuated not with his Person only but with his palpable faults and dote upon his Deformities may have none to blame but their own folly if they live and dye in such a strucken blindness as next to that of Sodom hath not happen'd to any sort of men more gross or more misleading Miltons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pref. 20 The People exorbitant and excessive in all their motions are prone oft-times not to a Riligious only but to a Civil kind of Idolatry in Idolizing their Kings though never more mistaken in the Object of their Worship heretofore being wont to repute for Saints those Faithful and Couragious Barons who lost their lives in the Field making glorious War against Tyrants for the Common Liberty as Simon de Momfort Earl of Leicester against Henry the Third Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster against Edward the Second But now with a Besotted and Degenerate baseness of spirit except some few who yet retain in them the Old English Fortitude and love of Freedom and have testifi'd it by their matchless deeds the rest Embastardiz'd from the ancient Nobleness of their Ancestors are ready to fall flat and give adoration to the Image and Memory of this Man who hath offer'd at more fetches to undermine our Liberties and put Tyranny into an Art than any Brittish King before him Ibid. Pref. 21 Whosoever sheddeth Man's Blood by Man shall his Blood be shed we find here no exception If a King therefore do this to a King and that by men also the same shall be done Ibid. pag. 229. 22 To have brought the King to Condign Punishment hath not broke the Covenant but it would have broke the Covenant to have sav'd him from those Judicatories which both Nations declar'd in that Covenant to be Supream against any person whatsoever Ibid. p. 237. God hath testifi'd by all propitious and evident designs whereby in these latter times he is wont to testifie what pleases him that such a solemn and for many Ages unexampled act of due Punishment was no mockery of Justice but a most grateful and well-pleasing Sacrifice Neither was it to cover their Perjury as he accuses but to uncover his Perjury to the Oath of his Coronation Ibid. 23 This is the Cause of the Kingdom the King should have helpt c. but did not then it became the Duty of the Parliament to have relieved the Kingdom but they did not her necessities great and many Petitions concerning them were slighted and burnt waited many years for help our Oppressions not removed all complain dangers encrease no remedy appears they not help us nor tell us how long it will be before this Parliament will be at an end that we may have another to see if they will help us when all falls no ground of hope of life is left danger eminent and no other means of help left this is a cause of Necessity Now it 's the duty of the Army to help and if they had not it had been their sin if not their overthrow if they had suffer'd it to Perish the Kingdom had been well holpen up with a remedy in extremity An Answer to John Geree c. 1649. p. 4. 24 As to the Blood of the King I have not in the least any Guilt lying upon me for I have many a time sought the Lord with tears to know if I have done amiss in 't but 't was rather confirm'd that the thing was more of God than of Men. Nine Mens Speeches Harrison p. 2. I go to suffer upon the account of the most glorious Cause that ever was in the world Ibid. p. 6. Blessed be the Name of God that I have a Life to lose upon so Glorious and so Honourable an account p. 10. 25 I dye not in the Lord only but for the Lord and think not that this Blessed Cause shall be lost for it shall reach to the end of the Earth Think not your Prayers lost for your Prayers and Tears with our Blood shall come down shortly upon Babylon Mr. Carew's Speech p. 15. 26 I cannot Confess any Guilt It is such a Cause that the Martyrs would gladly come again from Heaven to suffer for if they might I look upon it as the most Noble and High act of Justice that our Story can parallel Nine Mens Speeches Cook p. 41. 27 I Bless Gods Name he hath engaged me in a Cause not to be Repented of Scott Ibid. p. 71. 28 In all that is past I could never yet suffer so much as a wish to pass through my thoughts Oh that I had not been engaged in this thing Or that I had before Forty-eight deserted this Cause Barkstead to a Friend Three Mens Speeches 29 I do believe at long-run there is not a man that Fears the Lord will have any reason to be sorrowful for engaging in that Good Old Cause which I am now to Seal with my Blood again as I have many a time done I am satisfied in my soul that it is a most Just and Glorious Cause c. Three Mens Speeches Coll. Okey 30 As it is unquestionably lawful on serious and real grounds to Depose and do Justice on Kings and Princes as other Magistrates so never was there a greater and more
you Who Oppresses you Where is the least shew of Oppression or Cause of Complaint Minister'd to you except it be because you are not suffer'd to oppress your Brethren Can you feed upon nothing but Bloud yea the Bloud of your Brethren that though you have every thing else you so complain of sorrow and Oppression Is this your sorrow and Oppression that you cannot Oppress Pulpit-Incendiary 1648. P. 45. P. 3 Our Sectaries in their Sermons Prayers Pamphlets Discourses Petitions all cry out of Persecution and accuse the Orthodox Presbyterians of Persecution yea when for their Seditious Tumultuous Libellous Scoffing Wicked Lying Scandalous Reports Books and Practices they have been Questioned there 's nothing in their Mouths but Persecution and of Unheard-of Prosecution of the Godly I am of the mind if any of them should come to be Imprison'd and Hang'd for Stealing Killing a Godly Presbyterian Plotting against the Parliament and City in seizing upon their Forts or some Parliament-men One or other of them would cry out of Persecution Edwards Gang. P. 37. I. 4 The way Sirnamed Presbyterian conjures all mens Gifts Parts and Industry into a Synodical Circle and suffers them only to Dance there Jo. Goodwins Theomachia P. 33. P. 5 Independents are Beasts Grolls Puffoists Wild-Geese a Company of Juglers sticklers against Parliament and Presbytery a Generation of cunning Deceivers and Fighters against God Violaters of all the Laws of God and Nature the most dangerous Sect that ever yet the world Produc'd a Company of Rats among Joyn'd-stools Despisers of Magistracy a Generation of men not worthy to give guts to a Bear Moon-Calves All the Independents put together have not so much learning as one of a thousand other Ministers A Wheel-Barrow such as they trundle white-wine Vinegar on fitter for them then a Coach Bastwick Cited by Burton in his Brief answer P. 28. I. 6 That Reformation which is forward Rough Peremptory Impatient Imperious and will gather where it hath not strewed and reap where it hath not sow'd exact Obedience and Subjection from those to whom it hath not Effectually taught or Perswaded Obedience and Subjection nor ever gave any tolerable account unto truly Conscientious and Considering and Disinteressed men of any worthyness in it why it should be submitted unto and cannot be Iudg'd a Reformation according to the word of God Jo. Goodwins 12 Cautions P. 5. P. 7 The Independents are Railers Revilers Slanderers Covenant-Breakers with God and man Ordinary Lyers Notorious Calumniators and False accusers such as in holy Scripture are call'd Diaboli Devils Heretiques open Seducers and Causers of Division and Offences contrary unto the Doctrine of Christ such as all Christians have a special Command to take heed of and to shun and are prohibited to receive into their Houses or bid God speed or so much as to eat with they are no Visible Saints nor Good Daemons and therefore no True Form'd Churches nor to be Communicated with in Holy things Burton Cited by Bastwick Independency not Gods Ordinance P. 310. I. 8 Mr. John Goodwin says in his Theomachia That the presbyterian is a Bloudy Unpeaceable and Persecuting way a way much Damping and Deading the Flourishing Improvements of the Gifts and Graces of the Saints Picture of Independency P. 12. P. 9 Independency a Seminary of Schisms and Dangerous Divisions in Church and State A Floud-Gate to let in an Inundation of Heresyes Errots Sects Libertinism and Lawlessness without means of Suppressing them when Introduc'd Prinn Cited by Burton Vindication of Independency P. 40 41. Pharisaical Spiritual Pride Vain-Glory Singularity Self-conceitedness of Superlative Holiness Ib. 43. I. 10 If Ephraim be against Manasseh is it any ways like but Manasseh will be against Ephraim And God himself Prophecying of Ishmael told his mother that he would be a wild man and that his hand should be against every man and Every mans hand against him Undoubtedly that way whose hand shall be against every way will find that the hand of every way will be against it and then what manner of Peace can reasonably be expected under the Predominancy of such a way Goodwins Theomachia P. 30. P. 11 The Independents have now the sword in their hands and they think their party strong enough to Encounter any adverse and Opposing Party and they Profess they care not how soon they come to cutting of throats and speak of nothing but the slaughtering and butchering of the Presbyterians Bastwicks Postcript to Burton I. 12 At the beginning of this Parliament the whole Kingdom sided with Both Houses in the Vindication of their Liberties and so it continued untill such as did overmuch Idolize Presbytery prevail'd for a Bill to Damn Episcopacy Root and Branch that Presbitery might succeed it with it 's Fascibus and Fustibus with its Pontificalibus and Synodalibus nothing to be ahated which concern'd either Wealth or Iurisdiction only an Episcopall Tyranny to be Exchanged for a Presbyteriall Slavery Answer to Prinnes 12. Queryes P. 19. P. 13 With what Faces and Consciences can ye think to Obtrude your Independent ways and Fancies upon us c. Picture of Independency Licensed by Cranford 1645. I. 14 As the Bishops would call men Puritans and Non-Conformists and so Persecute them so will the Presbytery call men Schismaticks Heretiques Antinomians Separatists and do the like Jo. Goodwins Answer to Mr. Prinns Full Reply P. 15. P. 15 The Assembly of Câ—…renton judging the Sect of Independents to be not only Prejudicial to the Church of God in so far that it endeavours to bring in Confusion opening a Gate to all kinds of Singularities and Extravagancies and taking away all means of any remedy to the Evil but also most Dangerous to the State where if it had place there might be as many Religions set up as there be Parishes or particular Congregations doth enjoyn to all the Provinces and particularly to the Maritimes to take heed that the Evil takes no foot in the Churches of this Kingdom to the end that Peace and Uniformity as well in Religion as in DISCIPLINE may be Inviolably Preserv'd and that nothing be brought in amongst us which may alter in any kind the Service due unto their Majesties An Extract of the Act. Dec. 26. 1644. I. 16 The Spirit of the Ten-horned Beast Rev. 17. is now making war with the Lamb which is likely to be his last War Babylons fall following in the next Chap. and this Spirit warreth under new Colours not red but white whose word is Reformation and this under a Fair Colour of a Covenant by Virtue whereof pretending a just Title to the War he hopes by the help of the Remonstrance and the Prime Authors thereof and their Adherents to enact a New Bestiall Tyranny over Souls Bodies and Estates under new Names and Notions Burton's Conformities Deformity Ep. Ded. P. 17 The Independents worse then Diotrephes or the Pope most Diabolicall Tyranny Lording it over Gods Clergies Fellows of Goatham College not knowing their