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A89872 Anti-Machiavell. Or, honesty against poljcy An answer to that vaine discourse, the case of the kingdome stated, according to the proper interests of the severall parties ingaged. By a lover of truth, peace, and honesty. Lover of Truth, Peace, and Honesty.; Nedham, Marchamont, 1620-1678, attributed name. 1647 (1647) Wing N375; Thomason E396_16; ESTC R201652 19,689 26

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destructive to the faith those all ought to oppose in their owne spheare 3. Oppression makes wise men mad but just and deserved censure is no oppression though it may be esteemed so with men yet * Rom. 5.34 not with God Secondly I hope with Saints tribulation will bring forth patience c. else they will make but sorry Martyrs neither will they I hope be led by interests but by rule else they are unfit followers for Christ Mat. 16.24 4. If a rigid course be prosecuted and a breach made betwixt those who for the Major part be one by solemne Covenant the whole scandall will retort on the Presbyter Ans 1. They have the Art to cry whore first 2. For rigidnes its never comely among brethren but if according to the former rules course be taken against revilers of establisht order and desertors of the faith not the inflicters but the sufferers will be the evill doers for his answer to the objection of covenanting uniforme Reformation That the Covenant in its extent is limited by the word of God I answer this man counts that uniformity of Reformation is a thing without any footing in the Word of God so it makes him covenant a non-sense which asperses this man and his party as well as others for taking it 2. His interpretation with the application makes the covenant a nose of waxe to bend to every mans fancy and so rather a combination of all sorts against an enemy then an ingagement to any to promote uniform Reformation Lastly he layes down the benefits of a moderate condescension in the Presbyter as that which crosses new designs in the Independent and insinuations of the Royall party for a moderate condescension as I have limited it I hope all Presbyters will subscribe to though no benefits accrue out of charity to brethren and for a boundlesse toleration let some irregularly force it or others timorously yeeld it yet every conscientious Presbyter I hope will witness against it The conclusion is That its the sole interest of the Presbyter to counter-work the King and to count all rigid Presbyterians of what robe soever very Malignants that fulminate against our fast friends as Hereticks and Schismaticks But who be these fast friends Independents the following Interest will give us but little incouragement to thinke so if any call those Schismaticks and Hereticks which are not so as Independents may be and many are free from both they deserve sharp checks but that there are such things as Schismaticks and Hereticks is apparant in Scripture that some of those that shrowd themselves under the name of Independents are such is as apparant likewise and why we should count him a Malignant that calls a spade a spade I yet see no reason The truth is the Presbyterian interest with his duty was in peace which he should have studied upon all lawfull condescension to have obtained with the King but he acted the Independents Interest in crying up the War still and keeping the King at too great a distance both in place and tearmes contrary to his pretences and prayers which hath given great and just offence to the Royallists and advantage to the Independent though the Independent were as deep in this transgression as the Presbyterian but the Independent can vary his principles with his condition and interest as hee faith here in reason third and so hath gone beyond the Presbyterian The Presbyterian therefore now is to be humbled for neglect not so much of following interest as dutie and study reconciliation with the King and settlement of the nation and serve God humbly in the best condition he can attaine and God will not be wanting to his owne way Touching the interest of the Independent party THis Machivilian Agent hath now bespok two suiters for his Paramour that so she may see who offers fairest and make her choise to best advantage this is policie indeed but such as an honest Virgine would not count honesty to hold two in hand when she could but answer the expectation of one but with some men what 's politicke and serves interest is honest enough First he compares his Rivals and asperses them at pleasure and then advances his owne Idol above the cloudes That the Independent would have the Church a spirituall building framed of such stones as are chosen out of the World but founded only on the wisdome of God c. Which is indeed the nature and constitution of the invisible Church of the Elect but let him shew me such a visible Church-constitution in Scripture or let him make good that divers of the Churches of Asia did not apparently consist of other members and let him carry the cause but if he cannot his Independent Church so constituted here on earth is but a Chimaera of his owne braine Next he tells us againe That the Independents leave to all the Magistrate save the Kingdome of Christ. And so doe the Presbyterians though he dictate the contrary And the Kingdome of Christ being not of this World can be no trouble to it unlesse his be first troubled Here 's an exception for them to hold up the Sword against the Magistrate King or Parliament if they doe trouble them But it s a most plain and pernicious addition to the Words of Christ The scope whereof was that his servants would not fight though they were troubled See Ioh. 6.36 because his Kingdome was not of this world Well Now sayes he Independencie which ownes no policie he should say but whatserves her turne becomes the ballancing power between them that is by the Armes the Parliament have intrusted them with and they now hold perforce against it now her interest is to close where shee may have most indulgence and little or no scandall A little scandall then she may undergoe for interest but that may prove a Mill-stone Mat. 18.6 if she take not heed and that indulgence hee conceives may be expected rather from the Episcopall Party and wherein interest is he must goe loe what a fast friend the Independent is to the Presbyter His Reasons 1. Though principles of Faith should sway Presbyters to brotherly amity yet by their eagernesse of Discipline and uniformitie of Letter neglecting that of the Spirit c. they give little hope What fury doe the Presbyterian show in driving on upon termes of discipline It s not in acting that I know and for procuring settlement Why may not the Presbyterian be as zealous for his way as the Independent for his Wherin doth the Presbyterian sleight the glorious uniformity of Spirit Si satis est accusasse quis erit innocens Wherein his eagernesse in uniformity of Letter hath he not studyed accommodation by all means though he be against a wild tolleration And I know not where the Furnace is heating for any brethren in the Faith but in your owne fancies Secondly Setting aside that grosse mixture of Ceremonies the Episcopall Discipline were more tollerable because Tyranny cannot