in this cause especially since our said engagement in pursuance of the said Covenant have thought fit lest we partake in other mens sins and therby be in danger to receive of their plagues to set forth this our deep sence of the great dishonour of God and perillous condition that this Kingdome is in through the abhominable blasphemies and damnable heresies vented and spread abroad therein tending to the subversion of the faith contempt of the Ministry and ordinances of Iesus Christ And as we are resolved to imploy and improve the utmost of our power that nothing be done or said against the truth but for the truth So we desire that both ourselves and the whole Kingdom may be deeply humbled before the Lord for that great reproach and contempt which hath been cast upon his Name and saving truthes and for that swift destruction that we may justly fear will fall upon the immortall souls of such who are or may be drawn away by giving heed to seducing spirits In the hearty and tender compassion whereof We the said Lords and Commons doe order and ordaine That Wednesday being the 10. day of March next be set apart for a day of publike humiliation for the growth and spreading of errors heresies and blasphemies to be observed in all places within the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick and to seek God for his direction and assistance for the suppressing and preventing the same And are these the waies and meanes that the Houses of Parliament have thought upon for suppressing Errors Heresies and Blasphemies to desire that a Toleration of them may be established by a Law Is the laying of a foundation to propagate Heresie and Schisme the best way to extirpate the same Are these the fruits and effects of their solemne Fast and Humiliation Certainly God will not be mocked The Covenant doth also oblige us mutually to preserve the Authority of the supream Magistrate the priviledges of Parliaments and firm peace and union between the kingdoms to all posterity And is it not visible that many of those Sectaries with their adherents and abettors doe by their pernicious doctrine and actions offer violence to the Kings person and Authority and against the rights and priviledges of Parliament So as there is not any one Article of the Solemn League and Covenant which is not in a high degree violated by them And shall a toleration be established for all such The opposing the Covenant and Reformation of Religion the dividing betwixt the King and his people or making any faction among the people contrary to this League and Covenant were formerly the characters of our enemies and whosoever mayntayn and doe these things though they should assume to themselves the name of Saints are still to be accounted Incendiaries Malignants and evill Instruments And we are obliged by Covenant with faithfulnesse to endeavour the discovery of all such that they may bee brought to publique triall and receive condigne punishment And though it be far from our intentions that pious and peaceable men should be troubled because in every thing they cannot conform themselves to Presbyteriall Govenment for we did never oppose such an indulgence to their persons as is agreeable to the Word of God may stand with the publick peace and is not destructive to the order and Government of the Church yet wee do from our very souls abhor such a generall and vast Toleration as is expressed in the Proposition And if the Houses which God forbid shall adhere thereunto and insist that it may be established We do protest against it as that which is expresly contrary to the Word of God utterly repugnant to the solemn League and Covenant destructive to Reformation and Uniformity in Religion altogether inconsistent with the Declarations and Professions of the Houses against the Treaty between the Kingdomes directly opposite to the example and practice of all the reformed Churches and as that which will unavoidably subvert all Order and Goverment and introduce a world of confusion Our mindes are astonied and our bowels are moved within us when we think of the bitter fruits and sad consequences of such a Toleration What horrid blasphemies against God! What vile abominations What pernicious doctrine to the subversion and perdition of souls What disobedience to the Magistrate What violation of duties between persons of neerest relation What differences and divisions in Families and Congregations it will bring forth What bitter heart-burnings it will beget and perpetuate to posterity Nay it is impossible for us to expresse what infinite distraction disorder and confusion it will make both in Church and State thorowout all the three Kingdoms And therefore wee do obtest the Houses of Parliament by the solemn League and Covenant which they have made in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as they shall answer at that great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed and by all the promises professions and Declarations wherewith they induced the Kingdom of Scotland to an engagement and conjunction with them in this Cauâ—â— That they do not establish such an impious Toleration as cannot but draw down the judgement of God and make a rent between the two Kingdoms united by so many tyes and relations which wee desire to cherish and strengthen and to continue to all posterity That next to Religion wherein we differ in judgement from the Propositions is concerning the interest power of the Crown We are obliged by our Covenant allegeance and the duty of Subjects not to diminish but to support the Kings just power and greatnes The question then is wherein his royall Authority and just power doth consist And we affirm and hope it cannot be denyed that regall power and authority is chiâ—fly in making and enacting Laws and in protecting and defending their subjects which are of the very essence and being of all Kings And the exercise of that power are the chief parts and duties of their royall office and function And the Scepter and Sword are the badges of that power Yet the new preface compared with other parts of these new Propositions takes away the Kings negative voice and cuts off all Royall power and righâ— in the making of Laws contrary to the constant practice of this and all other Kingdoms For the Legislative power in some Monarchies is Penes Principem solum and their Laws are called Principum placita which is the highest and most absolute kinde of Sovereignty And in other Kingdoms and Monarchies the power of making Laws is by compact between the Prince and people or according to the constitution practice and usage of the severall Kingdoms In the last the power of the King is least but best regulated where neither the King alone without his Parliament nor the Parliament without the King can make Laws and where nothing enacted by the one without the consent of the other can
Sectaries and their families but gives a full liberty to set up their professions in any fit and convenient places that so Scandals Heresies Schismes and new Religions may grow in their kinds and also multiply in the number of Professours and Disciples as if there were not enough already 7. Though it seemeth that a provision is made that this indulgence shall not extend to the toleration of Antitrinitarians Arrians and Antiscripturists yet there is no more expressed but that this indulgence shall not extend to tolerate the Printing Publishing or Preaching such blasphemies and errours as they do maintain against God the Holy Trinity and the Scriptures They are not made lyable to any penalty and suppose penalties were imposed upon them for Printing Publishing or Preaching those errours yet they are by this Proposition left to a full liberty to maintain them in private to reason and dispute that there is no God that Christ is but an Impostor that there is no such thing as the Holy Ghost that the Scriptures are but like other writings blaspheming at their pleasure and seducing others to their opinions in secret All which and much more according to this Proposition may not be questioned and so in reality though not in pretext they shall be tolerated as well as others 8. Al protane and wicked persons are left at liberty by this toleration to doe what they please For they are not obliged to be subject to any Discipline or Government and so neither the duties of the first nor second table of the Law of God shall be observed but all sort of impiety and works of darknesse shall abound and such as hate the sincere worship of God in the Church may have the most unlawfull and wicked meetings elsewhere under a profession of religious exercises or Ordinances We might adde more exceptions against this Proposition But these we trust may suffice to make any that is but a little indued with the light of the Gospell and hath any love to the truth for to detest and abhorre such a toleration And now we desire the Houses of Parliament to remember their Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdome of the 15 of December 1642. where they resent it as a great injury that any should infuse into the people that they meane to leave every man to his own judgement and fancy for the service and worship of God and do declare that it is farre from their purpose and desire to let loose the golden reynes of Discipline and Government in the Church to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what kinde of divine service they please and hold it requisite that there should be throughout the whole Realme a conformity to that Order which the Laws enjoyne according to the word of God How consonant this toleration is to that Declaration we leave it to the Houses of Parliament and all wise men to consider and whether the danger of the true reformed Religion in these Kingdomes be not greater now then before the taking of the Covenant yea or since Christian Religion came first into this Island when toleration of all Religions the name of Popery only excepted is desired by the Houses of Parliament to be established by Law and the very Principles and Fundamentals of faith which under Prelacy yea under Popery it selfe were generally received as uncontroverted are now by many Sectaries of this time either oppugned or called in question There are divers other passages in the Declarations and Ordinances of both Houses to the same purpose but here we shall only mention one or two In particular we would have the Houses call to minde their Declaration and answer to the Lords of his Majesties Secret Counsell of Scotland and the generall Assembly of the Church of that Kingdome in the yeare 1642. where besides other expressions they use these words We acknowledge it an act of love to us and Wisdome for the good of both Churches for which we are thankefull both to God and them that our Brethren of Scotland have bestowed their serious thoughts and earnest desires for Vnity of Religion that in all his Majesties Dominions there might be one confession of faith one Directory for worship one publick Catechisme and one forme of Church Government And although it will hardly be obtained punctually and exactly unlesse some way might be found for a mutuall communication and conjunction of Counsell and debate in frameing that one forme yet both intending the same and proceeding by the same rule of Gods word and guided by the same Spirit we hope by Gods assistance to be so directed that we may cast out whatsoever is offensive to God or justly displeasing to any neighbour Church And so farre agree with our Brethren of Scotland and other reformed Churches in all substantiall parts of Doctrine Worship and Discipline that both we and they may enjoy those advantages and conveniences which are mentioned by them in this their answer In the more strict Vnion of both Kingdomes more safe easy and comfortable Government of his Majesty and both to himselfe and coâ—le more free communion in all holy exercises and dutyes of worship more constant security of Religion against the bloody practises of Papists and deceitfull errours of other Sectaries And having there made known their resolution to take away the Government by Bishops they desire some godly and learned Divines of that Church to bee sent to the Assembly of Divines here whereby an uniformity in form of Church Government may bee obtayned and one Confession of Faith one Directory and one Catechism may be setled in all the three Kingdomes Which desire was afterwards renewed to their Commissioners sent to Scotland and in end the mutuall and joynt desires of both Kingdomes were crowned with a solemne League and Covenant as for other ends so for endeavouring the nearest conjunction and uniformity in al these and for extirpation of Heresy and Schisme These foure yeares past the labours of many learned and godly Divines of both Kingdomes thereunto appointed have been spent in framing a Directory for worship which was long since approved and received in both Kingdomes a Confession of Faith a form of Church Government and Catechising all which have been presented to both Houses and some progresse was made therein toward the establishing of them till of late they were laid aside The Houses not many months since did appoint a solemn Fast and day of Humiliation to be kept throughout the whole kingdome because of the growth of Heresies Blasphemies and Schism The words of the Ordinance are these We the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England having entred into a solemn Covenant to endeavour sincerely really and constantly the reformation of Religion in Doctrine Discipline and Worship And the extirpation of Popery superstation heresie schisme prophanesse and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse And having found the presence of God wonderfully assisting us
the Church Government by Bishops intended in the paper of the Dutch Ambassadours both in England and Ireland and to hinder the setting of it up again in the Kingdom of Scotland All which being duly considered we are extreamly sory that the Houses of Parliament should not only have given way but countenanced the Army in their medling with the setling of the peace of the Kingdom authorized Commissioners to treat with them upon Propositions of peace which we take to be the reason that these Propositions are in so many things agreeable to the Proposals of the Army especially in matters of Religion and without all question it had been more agreeable to the Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms and to former professions and proceedings that the Propositions of peace had been framed and agreed upon with advice and consent of both Kingdoms We have known the Houses of Parliament formerly look upon it as an offence of a high nature for any other then themselves to meddle in the matters of peace especially the Commanders and officers of the Army though in prime place and of great and eminent fidelity making it only proper for them to be exercised in matters of warre according as they should receive direction from the Houses And much more would the Houses have been offended if any officers of their Army should have taken upon them to offer proposals to the King for setling a peace without authority from the houses as we are informed some officers of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army have done If the Houses of Parliament had according to our earnest desire the third of March 1644. when they modelled their Army made choice of such officers as were known to be zealous of the Reformation of Religion of that uniformity which both Kingdoms are obliged to promote and maintain and if they had also renewed their Declaration made the twentieth of September 1643. That they could not confide in such persons to have or execute place and authority in the Armies raised by them who did not approve and consent to the Covenant or if their Ordnance on the 15 of February 1644 which appointeth all officers to be imployed in Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army to take the National league Covenant of both Kingdoms within 20 days after they were approved by the Houses had been really put in execution we are very confident it would have prevented a world of inconveniences and evils which have ensued upon the neglect thereof Wee shall not further insist on this subject neither shall we inlarge our selves upon the proceedings of the Army But we must alwayes put the Houses of Parliament in minde that our greatest strength is in a good agreement with the King and a firme Union between the Kingdomes There is left out in these Propositions the Proposition â—â—â—â—erning the City of London whereby they were to have the Government of their owne Militia and the Tower and assurance that their Forces shall not be compelled to goe out of the City for Military Service without their owne consent An Act of Parliament confirming their Charters Customes Liberties c. And an Act that all the By-Laws and Ordinances of Common-Councell made or to be made should bee as effectuall to all inâ—â—â—â—â— and purposes as if they were enacted by Authority of Parliament with liberty also for them to repeale these Ordinaunces as they shall see cause These things were formerly desired in the Propositions in behalfe of the City because of their affection forwardnesse faithfullnesse and â—ealâ— in the common cause of both Kingdomes And we conceive our selves in duty obliged to desire that this Proposition may not be omitted but presented to His Majesty for His assent Concerning the Propositions for taking away the Court of Wards and Porrest Lands from His Majesty It cannot be â—â—pected when the Houses of Parliament shal take into their consideration the glory and greatnesse wherein their Kings have 〈◊〉 that they will ever take away or diminish any part of that â—atrimony and Revenue which is necessary for supporting the Dignity of their Royall place without giving a full recompence for thâ— same Touching the Proposition for salâ— and disposall of the Lands of Deanes and Chapters c. as the Houses shall think fit We have onely this to say that we have alwayes heâ—rd those lands were reserved by the Houses for maintenance of the Miâ—â—sterie and if they should be otherwise disposed of it will 〈◊〉 a great discouragement to faithfull Pastors make their subsistâ—â—â—â—â— to depend upon the benevolence and charity of their 〈◊〉 and give occasion to the people where Ministers 〈◊〉 wanting for lacke of maintenance to follow after Sectaries and Tâ—â—â— Preachers We desire to see the Ordinances for Indemnity mentioned in the Propositions And now to conclude we shall here set downe most of our desires Which are That there may be a Personall Treaty with His Majesty at London That the Preface may be the same as in the former Propositions That the Honourable Houses according to the solemne Vowes Treaties Declarations and Engagements between the two Kingdomes would after so very long delay establish the Solemne League and Covenant and that His Majesty be desired to give His Royall Assent for confirming the same by Act of Parliament in both Kingdomes That the setling Reformation of and Vniformity in Religion according to the Covenant in England and Ireland be likewise desired in these new Propositions And in particular that the Confession of Faith Directory of Worship Forme of Church-Government and Catechising agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines and presented to the Houses be established That by Act of Parliament effectuall Course be taken for suppressing Blasphemy Heresie Schisme and all such scandalous Doctrines and Practises as are contrary to the light of Nature or to the knowne principles of Christianity whether concerning Faith Worship or Conversation or to the power of Godlinesse or which may be destructive to Order and Government or to the Peace of the Church or Kingdome That the Ordinances concerning the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines be desired to be confirmed by Act of Parliament as in the former Propositions That the Proposition for confirmation of the Treaties betwixt the Kingdomes And all Ordinances and proceedings betwixt them be expressed as in the former Propositions And that the Treaty for the returne of the Scots Army of the Date of the 23 of Decemb. 1646. be inserted amongst the rest That His Majesties Assent be desired to what the two Kingdomes shall agree upon in prosecution of the Articles of the large Treaty which are not yet finished And that all other things concerning joynt-Interest or the Kingdome of Scotland in particular which are omitted be inserted and expressed as in the former Propositions That Armies in both Kingdomes which were raised for preservation and Reformation of Religion And for defence of the Kings Person and safety of the Kingdomes be not kept up to hinder Reformation of Religion And