against Oppressions by arbitrary Power in the Civil and Ecclesiastical State and submisly requesting and pleading for Reformation IX In this present juncture of the perplexed scruples of many by occasion of the required Subscribing the Engagement There are some eminent men of well guided counsels and composed temper of their publique spirits who have given forth their judicious Considerations endevoring meekly and learnedly to give satisfaction to such as are studious to understand rightly in so grand a Case of Conscience as it is pretended to be X. And hence it is that the Premisses are effectual Motives some Commissioners having been designed by the Supreme Power to take Subscription to the Engagement according to the Act of Parliament unto the Accountant having declared his submission to Authority to declare also that he acteth according to right Reason satisfactory unto himself and for the satisfying of others who possibly may wonder and marvel for want of information at such his compliance SECT. II. The Account it self truly stated and clearly explained in its genuine and proper sence THe form of Subscription to the Engagement ordained by the Act of Parliament is expressed in these words viz. I do declare and promise that I will be true and faithful to the Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King or House of Lords Howbeit it must needs be acknowledged that this form of words hath a most easie and clear sence to any ordinary capacity so as no doubt nor scruple can be contained in it Yet notwithstanding for our better making use and improvement of the certain and unquestionable meaning of it unto an effectual demonstration of its lawfulness and expediency The Contents thereof shall be resolved into the four parts or branches which are obviously remarkable and each of them explained and considered by themselves viz. 1. The particular condition of the person concerned and engaged 2. The Act of subscribing in the peculiar nature thereof 3. The object of this peculiar Act 4. The modification and restriction of the object in its limits and bounds The Explanation of the Parts and Branches I. The condition of the person engaging I An English born Subject receiving benefit and protection from this present Commonwealth as it is now established in the exercise of Christianity and of my particular Calling unto the Ministry of the Gospel in a Pastoral charge Note That which is said touching the condition of the particular person in his Calling and Capacity specified hath the same sence mutatis mutandis respecting all sorts of persons concerned in the Engagement of what Calling state degree and condition soever whether they be Noblemen Gentlemen or Commons whether they be subordinate Magistrates Judges Justices Majors Sheriffs Bayliffs or Constables whether they be Lawyers Physicians Ministers Schoolmasters Souldiers Merchants Mariners Tradesmen Husbandmen or Artificers and whether their habitations are in Cities Towns or Villages or whether of any other Province comprehended under the same Government II. The Act of subscribing in the peculiar nature of it is in this expression I do Declare and Promise that I will be true and faithful to c. Expla. The nature and sum of this Act consisteth in the exercising of truth and faithfulness and approving ones self therein as occasion offereth in no wise giving way to an acting of falshood and Treachery against the Commonwealth nor to an opposing or undermining the Peace of the English Nation under the present Government by any means nor to a contriving or practising directly or indirectly any thing to the disturbance thereof For to this effect the very Preamble of the Act of Parliament for subscribing the Engagement hinteth the sence Vid. ibid. And the Law-givers themselves are their own best Interpreters III. The Object of the Act of declaring and promising to be true and faithful is as it is expressed The Commonwealth of England Expla. Touching this branch it may be observed for the better understanding of it God that made the world and hath made of one blood all Nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth and hath determinted all the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation see Act. 17. 24. 26. he hath so ordered and brought to passe according to the counsell of his own will Eph. 1. 11. that even Englishmen for many generations have as a Nation lived Nationally in England and been combined in a politike Body or Common-wealth according to the Rights and Customes of this Nation chosen and consented unto by the people hereof Thus is the Common-wealth of England to be estimated IV. The Modification and Restriction of the object of the Act of subscribing is limited and bounded in this expression As the Common-wealth of England is now established without a King and House of Lords Expla. Concerning this last branch it may be observed that the Common-wealth of England is now established without a King and House of Lords according to a Declaration of the Parliament intituled A Declaration of the Parliament of England expressing the grounds of their late proceedings and of setling the present Government in the way of a free State This was Ordered March 17. 1648. by the Commons in Parliament assembled to be printed and published And thus much briefly and perspicuously for the summe and parts and sense of the forme of the Engagement SECT. III. Reasons asserting and justifying the faithfulnesse and conscionablenesse of Engagement I. REASON BEcause such subscribed Engagement is agreeable to the law of nature and Nations revealed in the holy Scriptures dictated and inspired by the Spirit of the God of Nature and Nations who is our King and Law-giver Isai. 33. 22 even the one onely Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy see Iam. 4. 12. compared with 2 Tim. 3. 16. Ergo It may and ought to be subscribed This Reason shall be evidenced and illustrated according to the foure branches and parts observed in the Forme of Engagement 1. The condition of the person subscribing even one who is a Subject under this established present Government of the Common-wealth of England and receiveth benefit and protection from the same giveth good evidence and illustration to this first Reason For it is both lawfull and requisite that any person who is a Subject under any supreme power whatsoever of what kind soever the power is whether it be Monarchicall Aristocraticall or Democraticall and of what Nation soever the person and subject is it is necessary I say that such subject person be true and faithfull to such Supreme Power This is demonstrable by an Induction of particular instances viz. 1. Ioseph the son of the Patriark Iacob an Hebrew fearing God he by occasion living in Egypt having been sold thither did not onely accept imployment under the Supreme Power there but also was true and faithfull thereunto yea though Egypt was an house of bondage unto the Israelites see Gen. 41. c. 2. Mordecai a truly religious Jew of
they had also sundry conditions of persons and wayes of governing namely 1. In the Wildernesse by the hands of Moses and Aaron see Psal. 77. 20. 2. In Canaan by Judges 450. years see Act. 13. 20. 3. By Kings afterwards till the captivity and these variously obtaining their regality see Books of Samuel Kings and Chronocles 4. By variously conditioned men after the captivity neere 500. years c. and yet from Moses to Herod they were the Commonwealth of Israel see Luke 1. 5. 68. cap. 2. 25. These instances being duly observed there is just cause that English Patriots in their love and zeal of their native Country should shew themselves to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England in whose hands soever the Government is established and this the rather because true Israelites indeed in whose spirits was no guile see Iohn 1. 47. were wont to be faithfull in their dayes to such their Common-wealth Let some instances of a few such Worthies of the Lords be remembred also herein who did demean themselves faithfully as present state required 1. Ioshua and Caleb incouraging the Israelites in the Wildernesse when many others discouraged them see Numb. 14. 6 7. 2. Congregation of Israel when there was no King in Israel on occasion of the horrid distemper mentioned Iudg. 20. 1. c. 3. David a private man when Goliah defied the Host f Israel 1 Sam. 17. 32. 4. Hushai the Archite acting faithfully in the time of Absolons unnaturall rebellion 2 Sam. 15. 32. 5. Obediah in the time of Iezabels persecuting malignity 1 King 18. 3 4. 6. Iehonadab the son of Rechab adhering to Iehu 2 Kings 10. 15. 7. Shecaniah stirring up Ezra to act in perplexed times Ezra 10. 2 3. Certainly such examples ought to be presidents unto the people of God in England to act as such faithfull servants of God did act in their generations 4. Lastly the modification and restriction of the object viz The Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King and House of Lords being compared with such Texts of Scripture as by just consequence are to be made use of will strongly argue its establishment to be agreeable to the mind of God the Law-giver so as therefore there is good reason for subscribing the Engagement For this purpose let these three assertions implied in this modification of object be well considered 1. The Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King and House of Lords is so established by the Parliament 2. The Parliament that hath declared and setled the Common-wealth of England in a free State without a King and House of Lords is the Soveraign Power in England 3. There is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement because of Common-wealths establishment without a King and House of Lords 1. Assertion The first of these Assertions may be manifested by the Parliaments Declaration March 17. 1648. expressing the grounds of their proceedings c. of setling the present Government in the way of a free State The Parliament Declaration containeth four remarkable Causes of such their proceedings and setling the Government to be viewed in a short Synopsis viz. 1. Cause The first cause was in respect of Kingly Government set up in our Nation by the agreement of the people for their protection and better government according to such Laws as they consented unto which is taken away for these Reasons 1. Reason Kingly Power was perverted by most of the Trustees and most notoriously by the late King who by many degrees exceeded the rest Such his vile miscarriage is exemplified in the Parliament Declaration by about fifty undeniable pregnant instances needlesse to insert It were good that every English Patriot had the Declaration by him in these confused times to peruse frequently 2. Reason The Kings two eldest Sonnes appeared in actuall arms against the Parliament so as no hope of future security could be expected unto the Nation from them 3. Reason There is elder right of supreme power in the people of the Land then was in the Kings children 4. Reason If any Right or Title belonged to the Kings eldest sonne the same is forfeited by the Fathers treasonable Act as in other cases even in offices of Inheritance it is wont 5. Reason The Kings younger children equally forfeited upon the same account 6. Reason It is in the same power and authority which at first erected a King for common good and afterwards findeth him to pervert his Kingship to common evill it is in their power whether they will continue his Kingly power or change it to a better 7. Reason God hath specially blessed free States who formerly were oppressed by tyranny as is seen in united Netherlands and others 8. Reason There are manifold commodious advantages to people in Free-States Manifold oppressions and dammages are under Monarchy Vast expense is wont to be by Court luxury and prodigality Profuse Donations and pensions for the promoting Tyranny yea and the Court being the nursery of vices and corrupter of hopeful branches of noble Families prevented in a Free State See Declarat 2. Cause The second cause of Parliament proceedings touched on in the Declaration respecteth the taking away of the House of Lords for just reasons viz. 1. Reason The Lords sate in an house by themselves and did not represent the people and therefore might be well spared 2. Reason They exercised a negative Vote tending to obstruct much 3. Reason They exercised a juridicall power over the persons and estates of all the Commons whereof they were not competent Judges 4. Reason Their power did specially depend on the absolutenesse of the King 5. Reason The Common-Wealth could not well beare their delaies in times of exigency 6. Liberty is left to such Lords who have been and shall be found faithfull to choose and to be chosen Representatives as other competent persons have their right unto See Declarat 3. Cause Thirdly the Parliament giveth satisfactory answers to the obvious main objections against their proceedings viz. Anticipat 1. It was intended as it was declared April 1646. for governing the Nation by King Lords and Commons in a confidence that the King and Peers would have applied themselves as had been meet but they wholly and obstinately failing therein and there being no stipulation on both sides it could not be esteemed a contract so that the Commons did most justly after their intentions 2. Although some Members of the House of Commons had some force on them it having at any time rarely happened in times of Parliament but some force more or lesse hath been exercised against them or some of them and they esteemed to be Parliament for all this yet no breach of Priviledge can be charged upon the remaining part in the House which remaining part did farre exceed such authorized number who do make an House beyond all exception 3. The Parliament hath declared that the Fundamentall Laws of the Nation
A FAITHFULL AND Conscientious Account For Subscribing the ENGAGEMENT Discussed in four Sections 1. Motives for just Expediency of giving such Account 2. The Account truely Stated and Explained 3. Reasons justifying the Faithfulness of it 4. Objections against it satisfactorily Answered GAL. 6. 4. But let every man prove his own worke and then shall he have rejoycing in himself alone and not in another ACT. 24. 16. And herein do I exercise my self to have alwayes a Conscience voyd of offence toward God and toward men LONDON Printed for L. L. and H. C. MDCL To the Right VVorshipful Mr. Mayor Aldermen and Inhabitants of Shrewsbury fearing God and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England Together with my ancient Neighbours and Christian acquaintance in Cheshire Lancashire and other parts Love and Peace with Holinsse be multiplied unto you Most endeared Fathers and Brethren in the Lord Christ FOrasmuch as subscribing the Engagement required by Act of Parliament is very unworthily contradicted and unjustly censured not only by some men of corrupt minds and perverse spirits but also by some eminent persons professing the truth which is after godliness as if a declaring promising to be true and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England as it is now-established without a King and house of Lords were unlawfull It hath therefore seemed good unto me who am concerned herein as well as other prudent and piously conscientious Christians throughout the Nation to give a just and faithful account of the Reasons grounded on the Word of God perswading and swaying to ingage This my undertaking is also the rather in the behalf and for the sake of severall sorts of people I being desirous according to the will of God as oportunity and capacity serveth to do good unto all albeit more especially to the houshold of faith Because some are viz. 1. Malignant adversaries who cease not to withstand and calumniate just waies and to speak evill of them that walk therein as evill doers even these enemies of righteousnesse have notwithstanding some offices of heighbourly love and Christian duty owing to them from Christs Disciples which ought to be performed See Mat. 5. 44. that so they may be convinced and made ashamed and their ignorance may be put to silence 1 Pet. 2. 15. 3. 16. if peradventure they may repent and obtaine paidon of their sin See Act. 8. 22. 2. Sullen malecontents and refractory despisers of present Government transported by a spirit of delusion who unavoidably taking notice of the Viall of Gods Wrath powred upon the Sun i. e probably on an eminent nominall Protestant Prince but adhering fixedly to Romish Hierarchy rooted in Popery so as they are scorched with heat and gnaw their tongues for pain and think they do well to be angry even to death not repenting of their deeds nor giving glory to God Who knoweth whether it may yet please God that these may not hearken to that divine exhortation Zech. 2. 13. Be silent O all flesh before the Lord for he is raised up out of his holy habitation Yea and take up the acclamation of the Angell of the waters Rev. 16. 5 6 7. Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus For they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them bloud to drink for they are worthy And of another Angell Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgements 3. Novices and unskilfull persons newly entred into the way of Christianity who are as children and have not so fully attained the Spirit of Love of Power and of a sound mind nor yet are of capacity by use to exercise their senses in discerning both good and evill Heb. 5. 13. 14. such ought to be dealt withall respectively and tenderly and by some manuduction guided in their way even as a nurse cherisheth her children in their minority See Isa 66. 12 13. Hos. 11. 3. 1 Thes. 2. 7. 4. Scrupulous questionists and conflicting Christians in the school and field of spirituall warfare who being assaulted by the lustfull devices of their owne deceitfull hearts and also by Satan and his Agents co-operating suggestions may stand in need of brotherly and fellow souldierly assistance and mutuall incouragement See Gal. 5. 17. 1 Iohn 2. 13 14. Even as the brave Captaine Generall Ioab did most prudently in a Councel of War advertise his brother Abishai in the warre against the Syrians and Ammonites 2 Sam 10. 9. 10 11 12. 5. Fathers and growne men in Christianity established in the truth which is after godlinesse who are come to the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God and a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Ephes. 4. 13. even these may be excited and incouraged to glorifie God in their beholding the unanimity of their brethren in their actings according to the uncontroulable principles of the sacred Scriptures of both the Old and New Testament See Exod. 20. 12. Rom. 13. 1. compared with Galat. 1. 23. 24. 6. The Supreme Powers and Fathers of our Native Countrey may hence take knowledge for their greater incouragement who have enacted Parliamentarily the subscribing of the Engagement in their well-governing that the Christians subject to their Authority doe with good reason submit themselves to a due compliance therein and are ready to render just grounds of their so obeying in the Lord according to the rule of Scripture See Mat. 22. 21. Titus 3. 1. This my plain and upright-hearted endeavour I doe humbly offer and dedicate to your prudent and impartiall censures and patronage who according to the knowledge you have experienced of my doctrine and conversation amongst you are most able and meet to judge what I say and in proving all things to hold fast that which is good as indeed ye ought See 1 Cor. 10. 15. 1 Thes. 5. 21. My reciprocall and obliged Engagement mutually I chuse to expresse in the very words of the blessed Apostle Paul even as he testified his love and faithfulnesse to the Saints at Corinth See 2 Cor. 1. 12 13. My rejoycing is this the testimony of my conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God I have had my conversation in the world and more abundantly to you wards For I write none other things unto you then what you read or acknowledge and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepheard of the Sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is wel-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ To whom be glory for ever and ever Amen So prayeth Your servant in the Lord for Jesus sake Thomas Paget A Faithful Conscientious Account For Subscribing the ENGAGEMENT
the children of the captivity did witnesse his truth and faithfulnesse unto the Persian Monarchy by his ingenuous discovery of the treasonable and murderous designe of Bigthan and Teresh two of the Kings Chamberlains against King Ahashuerus reigning in Persia at that time see Esther 2. 21 22. 3. Nehemiah an eminent servant of God served Artaxerxes the King of Persia and was true and faithfull unto the supreme Power both in submitting unto and observing of his directions and appointment see Neh. 2. 6. cap. 13. 6. 4. Our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in the dayes of his flesh here on earth declared his mind touching faithfulnesse to Tiberius Caesar the Romane Emperor being at that time supreme Commander over the Jewish Nation so far as did concern that his supreme power whatever difficulties and confusions the Jewish Nation was involved into in those daies see Mat. 22. 19 20 21. 5. The holy Apostle Paul approving his Apostleship to the Gentiles as became him instructeth the Christians at Rome to submit faithfully and conscientiously to the present supreme power there though the Emperors in those times were monstrous and bloody usurping Emperors see Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 c. 6. The great Apostle Peter saw just cause that the brethren of the dispersion throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythinia should submit themselves unto the present power they were under in those severall Territories what ever the power was for its kind and this for the arguing their faithfulnesse unto those Powers and their Christian faithfulnesse in so doing see 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15 16 17. These instances may beyond all exception vindicate the person who is an English Subject and hath his subsistence and livelihood in England for his ingaging unto the now established Common-wealth of England the tie of this relation being more naturall and fundamentall then those before mentioned Hereunto might be added of how good report it is Philip 4. 8. that in case any prisoners amongst us have liberty to go abroad upon their parole and ingaging themselves to their Goalers and Keepers to faithfulnesse that they approve themselves unto them therein how much more in the case in hand 2. The second branch in the form of Engagement is the Act of subscribing in its peculiar nature and it is expressed in these words I declare and promise to be true and faithfull to c. Now this peculiar Act doth afford another ground to argue the reasonablenesse of the Engagement according to Scripturall Reason Sith truth and faithfulnesse in any persons in any concernments doth hear well on all hands as on the contrary falshood and trechery doth hear ill This may be manifested and evinced in these ensuing assertions 1 God himself is glorified by his Attribute of faithfulnesse Deut. 7. 9. Psal. 36. 5. 2. Christ stileth himselfe the faithfull and true witnesse Apocal. 3. 14. 3. Gods gracious respect is unto faithfull ones Heb. 3. 2. 5. Mat. 25. 21. 23. 4. Faithfulnesse is a character of approved ones See instances viz. 1. A faithfull man fearing God above many Neh. 7. 2. 2. A faithfull Priest doing according to Gods heart 1 Sam. 2. 35. 3. Faithfull with the Saints ruling with God Hos. 11. â—2 4. A faithfull Ambassador is health Prov. 13. 17. 5. It is required of Stewards to be found faithfull 1 Cor. 4. 2. 6. A faithfull and wise servant Mat. 24. 45. 7. A faithfull Martyr Apocal. 2. 13. c. 5. Falshood and unfaithfulnesse is a character of the wicked Psal. 5. 9. as being 1. Prohibited Exod. 23. 7 2. Reproved Psal. 1 20. 3. 3. Punishable Deut. 19. 18 19. c. These particular assertions being duly weighed are grounds and motives to attract and perswade evermore to act truly and faithfully as the nature of the object doth also further require nextly to be insisted on 3. The object of the Act of subscribing the Engagement doth give yet further ground of evidence and confirmation of the first Scripturall Reason viz. I declare and promise to be true and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England Sith the Common wealth of England is the same Common-wealth that it hath been for very many ages and generations successively as it may appeare divers wayes 1. It is of the same English language and native Mother tongue 2. It is the same Continent and hath the same borders and bounds 3. It hath the same great Charter of its Laws Magna Charta 4. It acteth in the doing of Justice and Judgment in the same way of open Courts at Westminster and in the severall Counties of the Nation at Assizes and Sessions and inferior Judicatories and these transactions are managed by the learned Judges Justices of Peace Stewards Juries and Witnesses c. as hath been antiently accustomed 5. It professeth and establisheth the true Christian Religion according to the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testament 6. And principally it enacteth Lawes by Parliamentary Power and it onely enacting some new Laws and repealing some old Lawes pro re nata as occasion and cause requireth and as it hath been wont to do And herein the very form of the Commonwealth consists Yea and howbeit there have been and are various conditions of persons and also of wayes of governing by Britains Saxons Danes and Normans both in Civill and Ecclesiasticall Affairs unto this day refining and reforming Laws and Government as need hath required yet none of these variations may be said to abrogate or disanull the identity of the Common-wealth of England It is true indeed that as in some part heretofore so in the later times very much that was amisse hath been amended not only in the expulsion of Antichrist in the branch in Queen Elizabeths time but also in the root by this present Parliament as also much good hath been by the Parliament in suppressing of arbitrary power taking away the High Commission Court Star-Chamber Hierarchie and superstitious monuments of Popish Idolatry c. but yet notwithstanding it is the same Common-wealth still yea and English blood and spirits are yet remaining amongst us It is in great part with us in England as it was with the Commonwealth of Israel Chronichled in the Canonicall Scriptures of the Old Testament viz. They were the same Common-wealth of Israel from their first establishment to be a National Commonwealth in Sinai Exod. 19. 1. c. untill the utter ruine of their Commonwealth fore-told and prophecied of by our Saviour Christ Mat. 24. and afterwards effected by Vespasian the Roman Emperor as may be seen in these instances 1. They were all along of the same Hebrew language 2. They had the same great Charter of Moses Lawes both for Civill and Church Affairs 3. They had the same borders and bounds still reckoned on albeit sometimes more or lesse extended or restrained 4. They reformed amisses both in Church and State as their condition did admit as occasion was and their hearts bent thereto 5. And although
are to be continued as also Courts of Justice and Judicature in a due way See Declaration Cause Lastly the Parliaments Declaration sheweth their just and well-grounded ends in the establishing the Common-wealth as now it is without King and Lords Let the Declaration it self be exactly skanned in its full and effectuall expressions and it may appeare it was not force on some without the Parliament doors but the force of right reason on the Members within the House which hath so declared How forcible are right words See Iob 6. 25. II. Assertion The second Assertion touching the Soveraign Power of the English Parliament is taken for granted not only by the Parliament themselves groundedly demonstrated in their Declaration above mentioned in the first Assertion and likewise in their exercise of supreme power in issuing out Commissions both to subordinate Magistrates for the doing of justice and to the Souldiery for defensive and offensive warres but also it is taken for granted by others rationall men in the Common-wealth who have acted by their Commissions and this from year to year of late whilest the King lived as well as this present year 1649. yea and there are many who have published their minds touching this matter This hath been done by Mr. Prynne though now an adversary hereunto in foure voluminous parts of one of his books with a large Appendix thereunto intituled The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments whither the Reader may be referred only I doe observe hereabouts That God the onely Law-giver and Soveraign King of Kings and all supreme powers having been graciously pleased to preserve unto us in England the substance of our Common-wealth hitherto surely he hath appointed and continued unto us the Law of Nature contained in the Decalogue to be our rule of life in our severall capacities of inferiority and superiority whether supreme or subordinate as well in Civill Government as in Church and Family yea to have a Magistracy to be keepers of both the Tables see Rom. 13. 4. compared with Exod. 19. 6. cap. 20. 1. 12. And therefore our transactions in England touching our Lawes and the executing of them areby lawfull commissioned persons of severall sorts otherwise the Law of Nature feemeth to fail and so consequently are lawfully administred by them Oh that all men fearing God amongst us specially such as have complied with the Parliament after the King his leaving the House and withdrawing from it would consider soberly and seriously hereof and so take heed of daring to think or speak or act against those in Authority lest they do incurre Gods fierce displeasure See Numb. 12. cap. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Psal. 2. 12. It is hard for any to kick against the pricks Acts 9. 5. and to resist the Ordinance of God Rom. 13. 2. III. Assertion The third Assertion That there is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement in regard of the present establishment of the Common-wealth of England without a King and House of Lords It may be argued as otherwise so from the rule of our own practice who doe professe our due respects to Parliaments viz. 1. It was not taken to be prejudiciall or dangerous to the Priviledges of Parliament that the Lords spirituall as they were stiled were cashiered and expelled out of the House of Lords albeit they had been called by Writ and had formerly and very antiently been esteemed and reputed Members of that House 2. It did not infringe the nature and being of the Parliament that the King after a time with-drew himself totally from the House 3. The Parliament did retain its perfect constitution and being when very many yea most of the Lords and when very many of the Commons with-drew themselves pretending to be a Parliament at Oxford sith a competent number remained still in the House 4. It is alledged out of approved Antiquaries that in case all the Lords after a due Summons should fail to appeare and sit in the House that their totall absence doth not nor cannot hinder or nullifie the due Parliamentary proceedings whereas it is destructive to the being of the Parliament if a competent number of Commons constituted to make up an House be absent sith the Commons are the Representatives of the people see Prynnes Soveraign Power of Parliament Part 1. Pag. 43. Edit. 2. 5. It is resolved and declared by the Parliament that the King had not a negative Vote These five particular instances being duely marked together with that which the Parliament hath declared March 17. 1648. as above may abundantly convince that according to this third Assertion there is no cause of just refusall to subscribe the Engagement to the Common-wealth of England as it is now established And so the first Argument justifying the faithfulnesse and conscionableness of the subscription is fully concluded II. REASON Because subscribing the Engagement hath its due consistency and agreement with the main scope and intention of former Oaths Protestations and Covenants prae-ingaged in nationally unto the supreme Power of England approved mostly on all hands so that as right reason did then require the taking of them in their just sense so doth the same reason now require to take the Engagement For the more effectuall arguing the case by this reason these Conclusions are to be opened and considered viz. 1 Conclusion It is presumed and taken for granted that the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance the Protestations and solemn Covenants were made of lawfull things lawfully and in the Lord according to the sacred and divine Rule Thou shalt sweare the Lord liveth in Truth in Iudgement and in Righteousnesse Ier. 4. 2. For otherwise there is an undoubted nullity of them ipse facto sith no man ought to perform what is irrationally sworn and is in it self unrighteous and unlawfull Of this sinfull nature have been the unlawfull and unrighteous Oaths and Subscriptions of many many Ministers in this Land in the times of prevailing Episcopacy and superstitious conformity for which things sake the Land mourneth Ier. 23. 10. And therefore the swearers of Canonicall obedience of the c. Oath and the Subscribers willingly ex animo to the Articles by Cannon required to be subscribed unto have cause to set themselves to sorrow godly so as they may evidence their repentance not to be repented of which will produce the effects of godly sorrow mentioned 2 Cor. 7. 11. for otherwise the Lord will not hold them guiltlesse that have taken his name in vain Exod. 20. 7. 2. Conclusion The main and chief scope and end of the oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance formerly and of the Protestation and Covenant lately and likewise of the Engagement at the present was and is the just safety and preservation of the Common-wealth of England against illegall and violent usurpations and attempts whether of Forreiners or Natives of any sort and condition of persons in what kind or notion soever as may appear by the Statutes Acts Declarations and orders
that any knowing Christian and least of all that any Minister of the Gospell could have had such a scruple sith neither it's notation nor the obvious use of the word as it is either in the Scripture which is full of it or as it is in ordinary speech and acception amongst men can give any rise for such a groundlesse scrupulous fancy 2. A doting about strifes of words produceth no profit but strife envy railings evill surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth even to the subverting of the hearers see 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. 2 Tim. 2. 14. let therfore the godly wise Christians and Ministers avoid such questions about words clear in themselves studying to shew themselves approved unto God c. 2 Tim. 2. 15. 3. Let such wordy Questionists remember that the pious and prudent contrivers of the Directory for the publike Worship of God throughout England Scotland and Ireland established by our Parliament in that part of it which directeth about the solemnization of Marriage they thought it meet that the persons to be married together should promise mutually to be faithfull unto one another In the Directory for the Ordination of Ministers it is Ordered that such as shall be ordained do declare a promise of faithfulnesse as well as of other duties in the exercise of their Ministery I do hence demand whether persons to be married or Ministers to be ordained should the one sort of them scruple the accomplishment of their marriage or the other sort scruple their Ordination because of the Engagement to be faithfull in their relative conditions and whether they should surcease rather therefrom upon a phantasticall conceit that the sense of the word faithfull may be strained to some insnaring afterwards I conclude therefore that as in Domestical and Ecclesiastical relations there is a requisitenesse of promising to be true and faithful so it ought to be likewise in the relation in the Common-wealth that there be an Engagement of faithfulnesse thereunto If any man be otherwise minded touching being faithfull in the mentioned relations in Family Church and Commonwealth surely he seemeth to give ground of just jealousie that he meaneth not fairly that I say no more VI Object There was a liberty granted and directed by Order of Parliament that Preachers in giving of the Covenant should explain it and accordingly the Preacher explained it in such sense as he apprehends stands not with his freedome of conscience to subscribe the Engagement Ans. 1. The liberty allowed and directed unto Preachers for explaining the Covenant ought to be understood of such explaining it as stood with the just and genuine sense of it as all rationall men will easily acknowledge If any Preachers took a liberty otherwise they did abuse their liberty yea it was a collusion and imposture in the Preacher whoever he was to put a sense thereon of his owne not agreeing thereto frustrating what in him lay the end of the Covenant and the taking of it 2. They that thus object do not speak out what the sense of the Preacher was that he gave of the Covenant inconsistent with the Engagement so as it cannot be expected that a full and satisfactory answer should be made thereto his sense being in the dark may be reputed an act of darknesse albeit confused and uncertain speech be of it in the streets at noon day 3. This Objection giveth occasion to suspect that some persons yea some who pretend for Presbytery but are loosly minded thereunto sith such do thus object do make an advantage to put the Covenant to their own sense to free themselves thereby from the sacred bonds of it in its own sense and meaning 4. Let such Objecters be pleased for the undeceiving themselves and their adherents plainly and punctually in their own consciences and conferences with their Associates answer these demands without any tergiversation for arguing their sincerity towards God and towards men about the Covenant 1. Whether the Covenant was not obligatory in its due sense and meaning in every article of it as well as in some branches of some of the Articles more specially affected 2. Whether there were not some main things primarily and other things subserviently covenanted And what those maine things and what the subservient things were that thus truth and faithfulnesse may be discerned hereabouts 3. Whether the chief ends of the Covenant were not Reformation and defence of Religion and the safety of the People 4. Whether the honour and happinesse of the King was absolutely covenanted albeit he should remain obstinate in his tyranny and in other unnaturall capitall crimes unto which God had appointed temporall death 5. Whether the grand Priviledge of Parliament unto which others are subservient be not that above forty members of the House of Commons acting freely in the House doe continue the being of the House of Parliament And consequently whether by vertue of the Covenant such House of Commons ought not to be acknowledged the Parliamentary supreme Power FINIS