preference and preeminence see Hag. 2. 7 8 9. True it is when strange and sudden changes do happen in the state of Nations it is no great marvel if mens spirits be much moved and greatly troubled If the good and grave Prophet Samuel did mourn for King Saul in such sort as he did and yet God himself did therefore reprove him see 1 Sam. 16. 1. yea when he was rejected from being King for his disobeying God and governing the people unworthily It is the less to be wondred at if the Scots after a succession of 107 Kings a total eclipse ensuing or like to ensue should be exceedingly moved in their mindes But however it may be may not the same reproof and complaint be applyed to them as was to Samuel for his mourning for Saul when now a door of hope as it were in the valley of Achor is opened for the taking away of the offender and troubler of Israel for the better fruition of just freedom Sirs ye are not ignorant what pressures and oppressions have been on your Nation from sundry tyrannical persons from generation to generation whatever garnishing is now adays of pretended glorious Kingly remembrances among you But for brevity sake as the concernments have been latest and therefore more sensibly affecting mention shall be onely made of King Iames and King Charls his son principled by his Father treading in his steps and in some things doing worse then all that were before him as was said of King Ahab see 1 Kings 16. 30 c. It seemeth therefore it is now high time for you to call to remembrance those former days in which ye endured a great fight of afflictions First through King Iames his tyrannical oppressions who was the notorious Covenant breaker as your frequent sighing and groaning complaints both in publiks and private have spoken in the ears of the Lord and of his people and he who did rend in sunder the Kirk of Scotland as in his nonage in a sullen and peevish fume he rent of his Hanks head even as his Tutor G. Buckanan on that occasion and throughly acquainted with his untoward disposition sagaciously presaged So wilt thou rend the Kirk of Scotland The precious names of Master Andrew Melvin Master David Chalderwood Mr. John Sharp and many many other glorious Confessors together with the infamous Articles enacted at the pretended Assembly at Perth 1618. do give full and pregnant evidence hereunto Besides the havock made of the Ministry of many many hundred Worthies of the Lord in England Secondly through King Charls his oppressing and vexing tyranny who fiercely assayed at the time of his Coronation in Edinburg 1633. the introducing of spiritually poysonous means for prevailing of Hierarchy and superstitious Conformity not so fully taking place there as in England howbeit he was at that time repulsed therein the Parliament at that time suffering aborsion But his expectation being disappointed and many Common-prayer Books and other English superstitious utensils drowned and himself in greater danger of drowning also he returned into England full of rage and fury posting with great hast even in four hours space from Berwick to Newcastle which is fifty long miles where assoon as he came his breathing himself was in breathing out in a cursing way threatning and persecution to the true religious Ministery not onely not conforming to Hierarchy but conforming also if any whit zealous Preachers both in England and Scotland as some of Newcastle being present did with grief of heart report unto their friends Ever after which time he either by open hostility or by subtil undermining imposture pursued that his malicious designe as many woful instances might be mentioned if need required until when there was no remedy the sword of justice drawn out in England for his blood-gueltiness gave a stop to the swift and violent torrent of blood issuing from many many thousands of English Irish and Scots which had cryed in the ears of the Lord of hosts for vengeance And O that your remembring hereof may be more and more effectual unto you for your hearing the rod and who hath appointed it for giving instruction if probably ye may escape the danger of a giantly generation and if after such threatning storms ye may safely arrive in the Harbor of wel-grounded Peace To this end observing the Lords proceedings alluded unto Ezek 21. 25 26. above mentioned compared with Mal. 2. 12. Ye may do well to serve Gods providence in the use of means in becoming followers of our English Parliament and in walking so as ye have them for an ensample who have also had the united Netherlands in casting of the Spanish tyrannical yoke for their example in obtaining freedom A course approved and justified throughout all the Reformed Churches in Europe contributed unto from the first all along by the English to this day in a special maner And as touching the sound mindes of the Orthodox Theologues expressing their sense of Scripture according to Scripture It is presumed that ye do certainly like well what venerable Master Knox and others heretofore and of late of your own Countrey have suggested and published touching the lawful warrantableness of present necessary undertakings besides what forraign Professors of Divlnity have written and commended to the Christian world Let the judgment of judicious and faithful D. Paraeus in stead of many suffice for instance who was a man of God highly reverenced and accepted in the Reformed Churches of Christ and was evidenced as otherwise by his learned and pious Commentaries so by his Letters and advice inserted in the Acts of the Synod of Dort 1618. touching the five controverted Articles debated and determined there however his most approved and learned Exposition on the Epist. to Rom. suffered Martyrdom in England being burnt at London and elsewhere by the tyrannical persecution of King Iames for its opposing tyranny This worthy man in his way of resolving doubts on Rom. 13. touching civil Anthority in a second Proposition there hath five Reasons the last whereof in special from sacred examples and others speaks fully in vindication of our matter in hand whether the Reader is referred to see further Object Buy whereas it is vehemently objected by your Nations Commissioners in their Papers and otherwise represented to our Parliament and likewise it is suggested by your Correspondents of London Province in a little Pamphlet stiled A Vindication of the Ministers of the Gospel in and about London subscribed with divers names as if they had promoted the bringing of the King to justice do they not blush in so speaking The purport whereof is As if an unlawful and unjust course was used for the doing of justice and judgment on the King notwithstanding all the blood guiltiness which by you and them was charged on him and most substantially by witnesses evidenced for the more compleat satisfaction of his Judges which proof also had been publikely managed had he pleased to answer to the Charge And
in the settlement of this Nation upon the Concessions at Newport as being destructive to the specially profest Interest of themselves and their Presbyterian friends in England The which acquiescers seeing they were those very heterogeneous Members who could not but let any building save on that foundation till they were taken out of the way what a chain of security their continuance at the stern might have framed the consideration of the links of their adherents Inchiquin Belfast Ormond c. Yet going on who knows how far further will help themselves to give judgment It is heartily therefore wished by me and with me I doubt not but by all those who duely ponder the present carriage of the most of them That if their judgments be indeed inclined to the Presbyterian way they would be more cautelous in the offering to engage a whole Party in what is too too evidently the meer driving on of the self-interest of some discontented persons and indeed apply themselves without partiality to the Law and Testimony as they have this aged and reverend Author in these his grave and judicious Discussions upon special Reason we see directed to those our neerest neighbors of Scotland for an example together with such other worthy ancients whether in yeers or understanding which do yet remain exemplary who being of a fuller age in controversies of this nature then by such as satisfie themselves to swim in a stream is attained by reason of use have their sences exercised to discern and are become more skilful in the word of righteousness and shine with greater brightness in the rendring of what is due unto all as ordained of God And that they would timely cease their causing of many to stumble an evil of old complained of by the Prophet as raigning in the Ministery of that generation see and consider Mal. 2. 7 8 9. and that they would not go on to render themselves contemptible before the people by their corrupting the Covenant which is the main scope of this premised Advertisement to these Leaders of the over-credulous into the snare wherein they have led themselves captive By a Friend to pure Religion and his Native Country A Religious Scrutiny Or an important expedient QVESTION To be represented to the GENERAL ASSEMBLY Of the Kirk of SCOTLAND Touching the unlawfulness and nullity of some kinde of unequal Marriage As a Consectary to the late Necessary and Seasonable Testimony against Toleration in reference to Religion From the Commissioners of the Kirk The Preamble to the Question IT is most humbly and sincerely desired That the Reverend and godly-wise Pastors and Elders of Scotland conveening in the General Assembly of the Kirk may be pleased to take into their grave and mature deliberations the ensuing Question of grand importance and expediency They are earnestly and religiously solicited hereunto the rather sith a satisfying Resolution of the case in hand may argue not onely their unfeigned and impartial zeal against Toleration in reference to Religion which the necessary and seasonable Testimony from their Commissioners of the Kirk with their Admonition and Exhortation unto their Brethren in England together also with the Concurrence of the Estates in Parliament allowing and attesting the same and a Letter likewise from the said Commissioners to the Ministers of London Province dated at Edinburg Ian. 18. 1649. do fairly and learnedly pretend unto and in the judgment of Christian charity do piously contend for according to the Scriptures but also may tend to instruct and establish pure mindes studious of truth and p 〈…〉 in this conjuncture of cloudy and scrupulous emergencies occasioned by the extraordinary overtures and mysterious transactions of the Parliaments and Souldieries in England and Scotland even in the one Nation as well as in the other both in the State and Church affairs But let the Answer be ingenuous punctual solid plain and cleer grounded on the holy and good Word of the eternal God and let it be truly weighed in the balances of the Sanctnary which deceive not nor can be deceived For so it becometh the truth which is after godliness This is brotherly and modestly requested by an English Minister of the Gospel in his measure zealously affected to the honor of the true God and sincerely loving to his most endeared native Country and a hearty wel-wisher of the best good unto theirs who hath now about the space of fourty yeers served God with his Spirit in the Gospel preaching the Word in season and out of season reproving rebuking and exhorting with all long-suffering and doctrine save in some intervals when a first second and third time hindered and restrained by Prelatical suspension and Tycannical persecution for the Testimony of Jesus Christ and thereby necessitated to keep silence till the indignation was overpast and who still aged endevoreth diligently and industriously according to his capacity ability and opportunity the propagating of the Gospel and Kingdom of Christ the utter extirpation and subversion of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schism and Prophaneness and the establishment of the Ministry and Discipline of Christ in Presbyteries and Synods in all Churches joying greatly in beholding such order and contributing prayers That notorious Delinquents may in a due way be censured and proceeded against according as the nature and degree of their offence may require in doing justice and judgment upon them that so the Lords people may not be left to oppressors whose designes and machinations do portend to make voyd God his holy just and good Laws and Ordinances The Question WHether the marriages of men professing the true Religion of God according to the Faith of Gods elect and acknowledging the Truth which is after godliness contracted and made with the idolatrous daughters of a strange god and through strong delusion beleeving a lye after the working of Satan in all deceiveableness of unrighteousness ought not in a due way to be separated and made voyd as being a nullity de jure from the first And whether the children born of them in their pretended conjugal Society ought not to be separated and cast out from patrimonial Inheriting And consequently whether the marriages of Protestants of the true Christian Religion made with Papists of the Antichristian false Religion ought not to be separated And whether the children born of them ought not to be cast out from inheriting in Christian Nations of the Reformed true Religion The state of the Question discussed and ventilated in the consideration of certain Observations Cases and Restrictions for anticipating misprision and futile prevarication I. THe subject of the Question is taken for granted viz. There is a lawfulness and requisitness of separating and making voyd the marriages of some persons unlawfully contracted at the first and there is a lawfulness of the casting out the children born of them The Word of God giveth very evident testimony hereunto holding forth a most direct and undeniable president beyond all exception as being practicable according
England Why not much more therefore in the case of notorious blood-guiltiness by vertue of the sixth Commandment of the Decalogue VI. Samuel did justice on King Agag being Iudg of Israel to execute the sentence of God pronounced 6. The High Court of Justice erected by the Parliament have justly sentenced the great and hainous Delinquents unto just punishment against Amalek which was neglected by Saul That it might be also a terror to other Kings that they persecute not the people of God see Doctor Willet on 1 Sam. 15. 33. however such proceeding hath not been ordinarily means having been wanting used That this course also may be a terror to the greatest personages that they may not oppress nor raise unjust and unatural war in the Nation 2 Sam. 12. 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 13 14. Observation I. 1. Parallel Inference DAvid the King of Israel having highly and hainously transgressed in the matter of Uriah the Hittite see 1 Kings 15. 5. compared with 2 Sam. 11. 2. He was therefore according to Gods direction to be convinced and reproved of such his capital sin by Nathan the Prophet see Vers. 1. 2 7 8 9. KIngs in all ages and times as well as others falling by occasion into scandalous and capital offences a faithful and impartial course of conviction and reproof ought to be held with them by meet persons as just opportunity may serve thereunto The Law is given to Kings as well as to others and therefore they ought to know it and be convinced by it that their hearts may not be lifted up see Deut. 17. 18 19 20. Hos. 5. 1. II. For the better and more effectual convincing David the King of his odious sin of oppression adultery and murder God directed Nathan to take up a parable in his mouth Sith in such way of expression there was a special 2. It is Gods will that such persons whom it may more specially concern do hold the most effectual course for the detecting and convincing grosse offenders of the vile and odious sins they are tainted with whether oppression tyranny adultery murder c. And in case of effectual course held and efficacious vertue see Ver. 1 2 3 4. see also Jothams Parable in such case Judg. 9. 7. Yea and our Saviours most authoritative course therein Mat. 21. 45. not prevailing whether by similitudes or otherwise the Delinquents shall remain untractable and obstinate they may certainly be left without excuse see Hosea 12. 10. III. King David who had more understanding then all his Teachers see Psal. 119. 99. And who was also a man singularly zealous see Psal. 119. 139. He having now heard and observed a cleer eviction in the case represented in the parable of the implied Delinquent he even as right reason guided gave this just sentence That he was worthy to die see Vers. 5. 3. Hainous capital Transgressors whoever they are whether high or low ought without any respect of persons to be adjudged by the Magistrate sitting on the seat of Justice and bearing the Sword to such corporal punishment as the nature of the offence calleth for in its desert whether death or any other see Rom. 13. 4. Note There ought to be an unresistable force in Right Reason to sway Judges to act according to it see Acts 4. 20. IV. The general and indefinite expression in the parable uttered by Nathan Vers. 1 2 3 4. Moving David on just ground unto such his sentence Vers. 5. is particularly applyed by Nathan to David himself vers 7. So as David saw it did belong unto himself although a King as well as to any other faulty in such kinde see vers 13. 4. The Law and Minde of God touching the capital punishment of the polluting and crying sin of wilful murder whosoever is the committer of it yea though he be a blood-guilty King may not be by the Magistrate looked upon as one to be dispensed withal see Gen. 9. 6. Numb 35. 30 33. Matth. 26. 52. V. Gods sparing David 5. The unsearchable ways of the from death and yet appointing the childe to death see vers 13 14. as it argued Gods absolute soveraignty and indepency in doing what he will yea touching his Laws so it sheweth his just severity against murder see Ibid. 13 14. one onely absolute Lawgiver even the infinite most wise holy and just God ought to be admired and adored see Rom. 11. 33 34. But the people of God ought to walk and act according to his revealed Will in his Word see Deuter. 29. 29. Zechar. 7. 1 2 3 4 5. 8. 19. Observation I. Parallel Inference 1. IT was well understood by the people of God the Jews unto whom one ly in the Old Testament times were committed the Oracles and Ordinances of God as their singular advantage and preferment see Psal. 147. 19 20. Rom. 3. 1 2. yea even by those Jews who lived in the time of the Babylonish captivity and newly after the return thence that the divine Ordinance of Religious and Solemn Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer on just cause and occasion thereunto was very requisite and IT hath been well understood by the Reformed Churches in Europe and particularly by the people of God in England who heretofore lived under the spiritual Babylonish captivity that the sacred Ordinance of Religious Humiliation on just cause and occasion is very requisite in New Testament times as well as it was of old even according to the New Testament doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and accordingly they do exercise themselves therein This may evidently appear to any that observeth the doctrine and practice of the Reformed Churches and particularly and in a special and effectual maner in the English Nation even unto this day as the accordingly did exercise themselves therein see Vers. 3. 5. Dan. 9. 3. Ezr. 8. 21. Nehe. 1. 4. Acts of Parliament for Fasting and Prayer in April 19. and May 17. do bear witness 1649. II. The Jews of those times also knew well what were the kindes and ways of such religious Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer and answerably as the emergency of the cause and opportunity served thereunto they exercised themselves 2. The people of God in England do likewise by the patterns in Scripture know well the approved kindes and ways of religious Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer and answerably as any just occasion and opportunity requireth and serveth they are wont to set themselves thereunto viz. 1. Publikely as publike Authorised Persons ordered Ezra 8. 21. 1. Publikely as Parliament and Rulers do appoint and require 2. Privately as the Governors of Families saw it meet Esth. 4. 16. 2. Privately as Families approve themselves in England above other Nations 3. Secretly and alone as any singular person saw fit Dan. 9. 3. Nehe. 1. 4. 3. Secretly as conscientious persons having ability and opportunity approve themselves to him that seeth in secret III. The Jews had likewise the prudence to discern what were special