England to be bound by any Coronation Oath in a blind and brutish formality and that the King reckons himselfe accomptable to none but God which the Parliament objecteth as a maxime and ground for any Tyranny the enacting Lawes are of no value as to the King and then the Question is how far swearing Allegiance is to the Subject as the Oath was therefore and then imposed which is next to be discussed To the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance obje Books seditiously printed and privately dispersed abroad to discountenance and depresse the Parliaments cause to extoll and magnifie their own obtruding their writings on such Authors as they please all to affect the Reader sometimes on the adverse part to render them the more dâ—spicable and ridiculous sometimes on their own Friends to make them the more applauded and famous for their Actions or sufferings as by that one more remarkeably for the King in his name it may appeare of which it may be said as it was of Sampson that it did his Enemies more hurt upon and by the occasion of his death then he could doe when he was alive namely and to instance in one of his parties acts amongst the rest their publishing the Posthume Book called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} by some men reputed to be his though unlikely since by the Parliaments Declarations and Proofes convicting him of severall crimes it is made appeare unto those who shall impartially read and judge the transactions mutually passed betwixt him and his accusers either that the Book and those applauded Tracts and Meditations in it are none of his or that his party by setting forth that Book in his name would have him act the part of an exquisite hypocrite in representing such devotions as most of all should consist and be wholly taken up in a serious and reall sincerity so that the Tytle of that Book might be both literally and morally as to the King himselfe or to him who personates such conceptions in his name be entituled the Image and Pourtraiture of a Counterfeit rather than the Pourtraiture of a King the falshood and imposture resting on them alone who thus dresse and sets him forth Whosoever shall read the Parliaments often Declarations and Charges against the King set forth since the beginning of this War not denyed or answered by any of his Party saving in a recriminatory and scoffing way calling the Parliament and their Acherents Rebells or who shall read the n History of the Parliament of England summarily reciting what the Lords and Commons have accused the King of his countenancing and giving way to the Rebellion in IRELAND setting downe at large the strong presumptions against him for his countenancing it although eloquently excused and in a fine and pious Language denyed by the Author of the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} his averseness from calling Parliaments cannot but acknowledg that Book o whatsoever the fair and plausible flourishes in it do pretend of the Kings inclining to and desiring Parliaments to be falsly and injuriously charged on him few or none so indulgent to his Cause as to beleeve the whole Booke both for matter and forme to be of his owne penning however they may thinke some part of it to be his Falsly because they cannot but know how p unwillingly and seldome he called any how q oft he did dissolve or attempt to dissolve them when they were called notwithstanding the great Necessity of that Court for the propagation and maintenance of Justice that it drew on a r Law yet in force to call a Parliament every year in that through the discontinuance of them through the often dissolving them in the time of his Reigne and his Declarations published against some of the Members of either House the Historian reports The deiected People were forced to read with Patience and to allow against their own Reason Whence the Reader may observe an Answer to an Objection which the Kings Party makes r That the Parliaments party did begin the Preparations for a War before the Kings The People 't is true were discontented and greived at the Exactions and Oppressions practised in the time of his Reign they held themselves destitute of any means of redresse and therefore might harbour Heart burnings and thoughts of Rising but could not devise or thinke of any course towards the Preparations for a War the Power of the County being in every Sheriff of the severall Shires and Lords Lieutenants and their Deputies many other suborâ—inate Officers of the Kings upon the first Summons given from him to them in a readinesse to suppresse and check the People in case they should but move or stir up Commotions to the likenesse of a War neither could they build upon the strength of any Power to levy War on their behalf a Parliaments strength they sadly and long since observed was of too frail and uncertain a fabrick for them to trust unto as being awed and dissolved at pleasure so that if they had no thoughts of levying a War wanting the opportunities means of Prevailing if they had entertained such thoughts the first offering of Hostile attempts and acts will lye upon the Kings Parties accompt his aversenesse to call Parliaments his awing and dissolving them when called often and long before any preparations could be thought of for a War may satisfie the Objection when as to adde to the probability of some of his parties hostile and warlike preparations it hath been observed that some of his Friends knowing themselves obnoxious and questionable for their Tenents Demeanours when time should serve have long since before this Parliament was called fortified and furnished their Houses in divers parts of the Klngdome with Armes and Ammuniâ—ion no other notice taken til of late then of adorning them for strength and splendour which with some small addition became strong Garrisons for him the Parliaments Friends had none or not so many Holds so soon or suddenly to be fortified for their defeâ—ce The most wise and happy of Å¿ Kings could tell us by his own practiced Policy That it is not the first Blow that makes the War Invasive for that no wise Power would stay for nor the Voting a War to be Defensive as the t Scots have theirs which makes it so but the first Provocation or at least the first Preparations towards a War Injuriously charged on the King in that the Author and Reader also if a friend to Him and would have the Book reputed his doe unawares and as it were against their Will wound his honour and render the manner of his death the more unchristian then otherwise it might be judged when whilst the life is mortall they make the Vices of Dissembling and Uncharitablenesse to be surviving and immortall moâ—ions The reporting it to be the Kings seems besides to blemish the credit of those penitentiall expressions therein derogating from the serious
But how they have been discouraged retarded and diverted in and from this pious and glorious worke by those traiterous Counsells about his Maiesty will appear by these particulars They there mention the sending over at the first of twenty thousand pounds by the Parliament and that good way found out to reduce Ireland by the Adventure of private men without charging the Subiect in generall which would probably have brought in a million of money had the King continued in or near London and not by leaving his Parliament and making War upon it so intimidated and discouraged the Adventurers and Others who would have adventured that that good Bill is rendered in a manner ineffectuall They mention that when at the sole charge of the Adventurers five thousand Foot and five hundred Horse were designed for the relief of Munster under the Command of an English w Lord and nothing was wanting but a Commission to enable him for the service such was the power of wicked Counsell that no Commission could be obtained from the King by reason whereof Lymrick was wholly lost and the Province of Munster since in very great distresse That when well-affected Persons at their own charges by way of Adventure had prepared divers Ships and Pinnaces with a thousand Land Forces for the service of Ireland desiring nothing but a Commission from his Maiesty that Commission after twice sending to York for it and the Ships lying ready to set saile three weeks together at the charge of neer three hundred pounds a day was likewise denyed and those Adventurers rather than to lose their Expedition were constrained to goe by vertue of an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament That although the Lords Iustices of Ireland earnestly desired to have some pieces of Battery sent over as necessary for that service â—et such Command was given to the Officers of the Tower that nâ—ne of the Kings Ordnance must be sent to save his Kingdome That a prime Engineer and Quarteâ— master Generall of the Army in Ireland and in actuall imployment there against the Rebells was called away from that important service by expresse command from the King That a Captaine Comptroller of the Artillery a man in pay and principally imployed and trusted here by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for providing and ordering the Train of Artillery which was to be sent to Dublin and who had received great sums of money for that purpose was Commanded from that Employment and Trust to serve the King in this unnaturall War against his Parliament and when the Parliament had provided many hundred suits of Cloaths and sent them towards Chester the Waggoners that undertook the Carriage of them were assaulted by the Kings Souldiers lying about COVENTRY who took away the Clothes That three hundred suits of Clothes sent likewise by the Parliament for Ireland towards Chester were all taken away by the Kings Troopers under their Captain allowing it As likewise that a great number of Draught-Horses prepared by the Parliament for the Artillery and Baggage for the Irish Army and sent to Chester for that purpose being there attending a Passage were then required by the King for his present service in England whose Forces were so quartâ—râ—d about the Roads to Ireland that no Provision could pass thither by Land with any safety That two other Captains the the Admirall and Vice-Admiral of the ships appointed to lie upon the Coast of Ireland to annoy the Rebels and to prevent the bringing Ammunition and Relief from Forreign Parts were both called away from that employment by the Kings Command and by reason of their departure from the Coast of Munster to which they were designed the Rebels there have received Powder Ammunition and other Relief from Forreign Parts By which z particulars say they it may seem that those Rebells were countenanced there to assist the Enemies of the Parliament here especially considering that those confident Rebels have presumed very lately to send a Petition to the King entituling themselves his Majesties Catholique Subjects of Ireland complaining of the Puritan Parliament of England and desiring that since his Majesty comes not over thither according to their expectation they may come into England to his Maiâ—sty These are the Charges whereof both Houses of Parliament have in these very words accused the King and cannot look back to retract their Charge And what at the beginning of this Warre was imputed to the Kings evill Counsell as their crime in seducing him to an arbitrary and tyrannicall way of Government to the countenancing if not the promoting this Rebellion of the Irish even now mentioned to the refusing to signe the Proposition tendered to him by the two Houses of Parliament as the onely and necessary means for setling a firm and well-grounded Peace with other of the like kinde which might be instanced in the Houses out of tendernesse to his honour would have remitted as to him being willing to abstract and sever his personall Acts from the Acts of such his Counsell yet he refuseth not to excuse his Counsell nor positively or seriously denieth those Charges as to himself only jestingly declines the particular presumptions wherewith he was charged of his privily countenancing that Rebellion in Ireland as not worth the answering Withall whereas the Kings party argue to have the King himself excused his Counsell blamed for his mis-government they must as well distinguish betwixt his Counsell before the Warre and his Counsel since the War began and limit it to whom of that his Counsel were his Seducers so the distinguishing before the War began between the Kings own Acts and those of his evill Counsell seems to be of no value whereby to excuse the King and wholly and in a generall way to charge his Counsell indefinitely named his Evill Counsell ignoâ—ely spoken who they were neither assigning or setting forth as the Arguers in the particulars should for the better compleating their Apology for the King who the Super-intendent and President of that Counsell was Besides the King contending on the one hand to rescue and protect whom the Parliament on the other did contend to punish it was a matter of no small difficulty to discern and judge by the understanding how an abstract and separation might be had betwixt the King and that his Counsell they mutually and strenuously contending to assist and defend one another The Question therefore by way of Argument betwixt the Kings party and the Parliaments as between the Commissioners imployed on either side to Treat admits now no verball or written Answer to or Denying it is to be determined by no other Umpire then the Sword and what the two opposite Parties have a long time strove for the one defending their Cause in their Books and Writings by vehemency and height of Wit the other theirs by solid and substantiall Prudence seems to be left to the Conquerour to determine What the odds is betwixt their Writings because controverted by either side
of their Right to the Crown as Hen. 6. the lawfulness whereof not at any time questioned and when the Tytle to the Crown hath been disputed it was by Authority of that Court setled and the Crown entailed as they in Pollâ—y and prudence thought sit Speeds Chronic. in the life of Hen. 6. Edward 4 5. k See the Scots Remonstrance Printed 1640 cited by Master Thomas May in his History of the Parliament of England written 1647. l Cited and complained of by the King in the same Dâ—clararation against His Scotish Subjects for inviting forrein forces into this Kingdome page 55 56. See the Letter it self in the same Declaration signed by seven of the principall of the Nobility of Scotland m The Lord London See his Answer n See in the Kings name the Authors accompt of them how in the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} he keeps in memory That the Scots weâ—e the first that began the Kings troubles in the Treatise of his leaving Oxford and going to the Scots and elsewhere in severall places of that Book Also in the Declaration printed on the Kings behalfe at Oxford 1643. pag. 23. suggesting an intent in them to confound the Government and alter the Laws of England The Marquesse of Montrosse declareth how they began His Troubles viz. by dispersing their Apologeticall Pamphlets as he termes them through Great Britaine before the Troubles began and before their comming with an Army into England See a Book entituled The History of His Majesties affairs under the Conduct of the Marquesse in the years 1644 1645 1646. page 3. o Amongst other Motives to his aâ—gâ—r about the Earl of Strafford's death which whether he would have avenged on the Party who condemned him may be guessed at in that an unknown Author in his name severall times repents the injustice of that Act to which he was forced to yeeld complyance for which sin as the Author mentions it the King and his Kingdomes have felt long great and heavy Troubles See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Treatise concerning the Earl of Strafford and the Marquesse of Moâ—trosse his Declaration set forth 1649 aggravating the same to incense the King and his party against the Scots expressing in it their disloyall Practices Breach of Duty Covenants calling them Traytors c. p See the Kings gratefull acknowledgement of the Affection and Loyalty of his Irish Subjects in offering to supply him with Preparations c. together with their Persons and Estates even to the uttermost of their ability to reduce his dis-affected Subjects of Scotland to their obedience desiring withal it may be Recorded as an Ordinance of Parliament and to be Printed as a Testimony of their Loyalty to all the world and succeeding Ages In his Declaration since the Pacification pag. 63. Which could not but stir up the Scots to seeke protection and assistance from their fellow subjects and friends wheresoever whom the King calls his dis-affected subjects and how he doth secern them from the rest is hard to judge when as the whole and most considerable part of that Kingdome did by their Pacts and Counsels at their Assemblies hâ—ld withstand and resolve to withstand divers of his Messages obtruding on them such matters as made against the Peace of their Church and Kingdome q In the third Treatise r Mr. Dâ—nz Hollis his speech June 1642. Å¿ See the Message sâ—nt from both Houses of Parliament to the King his parties receiving it mentioned in this Book t See the Declaration of the Lords Commâ—ns assembled at Oxford printed there 1643. u See the Remonstâ—ance sent out of Scotland 1639. w See the same Declaration ibid. x See it cited in the Declaration Printed at Oxford 1643. pag. 13. y Mr. John Heywood on the life of Hen the 4th z Bracton lib. 4. a France b See the Duke of Rohan in his Treatise of the Interests of the Princes and States of Christendome calling England a little world set apart as having nothing to do with other Princes c. c Mercurius Aulicus d Victoria naturâ insolens superba est Cicero e King James his Speech in Parliament 1609 f In Norththamptonshire g Sir Francis Bacon on the life of Hen. the 7th h Nulla tam sancta Lex est quam non oppoâ—ceat si salus populi postâ—let urgeatque necessitâ—s muâ—are Bodin lib. 4. de Repub. i See the Parliaments Remonstrance 1647. k In the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Treatise 28. upon the Vote of Non-Addresses l In the Book stiled the present judgment of the Convocation held at Oxford m Calâ—ing Jâ—piter amongst the rest of tâ—e heathen Gods {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} n {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} quasi {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} o Sir Francis Bacon on the life of Hen. the 7th p In the Remonstrance dated Nov. 1648. pag. 6. q See the Declaration of the Lords and Commons in Answer to the Scots Commissioners dated the fourth of March 1647. r See the Breviary of the History of the Parliament of England pag. 112. Å¿ See the Objections and Answers at large in the relation of the passages at the meeting at Vxbridge 1644. Printed then at Oxford t Hen. 2. â— Eliz. u The Law book Casâ—s give the Reason why the bringing counterfeit money into England out of Ireland is but Misprision of Treason although the bringers know and utter it Quiae Hibernia est membrum Angliae Dalâ—on Iustice of Peace in cap. de high Treason w The Lord wâ—aâ—ton z See these Charges mentioned by the two Houses of Parliament against the King in Mâ— May his History lib. 1. cap. 6. pag. 118. a BERK-SHIRE b Twyford O kingham â—arringdon c See Master May his History of the Parliament of England mentioning the Demand and Answer d In the Book of an unknown Author called The State's Martyr e See the Message and Answer f See the History of the Kings affaires in Scotland c. where the Historian speaking of the Marquesses Mâ—nâ—â—osse and Argyle the Generalls of the two opposite Armies in the Kingdome of Scotland he highly exâ—olls Mâ—ntrosse and as much reviles and derogates from Argyle rendring him in many passages of that Booke A 〈◊〉 spirited Soâ—ldâ—er and a Knave when as in other mens judgements he had when he was so depraved otherwise proved himself g See it cited in the Oxford Declaration pag. 1â— h See the Kings Letter March 23. 1644. and the Committees Summons in Aprill following i See the Proclamation in the Kings name set forth 1642 accusing many Gentlemen serving as Knights and Burgesses for their severall and respective Countâ—es to be Trayâ—ors and their Persons to be seized on as Rebells k See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in Treatise 17. on Church-Government l See their Declaration Printed at Oxford March 1643. towards the end of the Book m In a Book styled The
which Party doth declare and argue more prudentially the Reasons of their severall undertakings in this Quarrell as which Party the Kings or the Parliaments have writ more sufficiently and substantially concerning the subject of their Proceedings in this Warre whose Writings and Declarations have been more true whose most seditious and false which Party hath in their severall Books been most seriously and truly charged and accused of offending which more genuinely and sincerely have argued let the Reader judge So because there may not want Fuell for Contention 't is debated concerning the actions of Violence and Terrour to the People on either part the Kings and the Parliaments which did act with more Cruelty by putting all sorts of People to the Sword spoyling consuming with sire laying wast Houses Villages Towns 'T is known that a a County not farre distant scituate in the chiefest part of the Land gives testimony of consuming by b fire against the one in a sad Record As to the Writings on either side where the one hath propounded and objected what the other hath answered for instance sake take three or four here following for the rest First the Letter to the Governour and Councell of War at Bristol that City being then a Garrison for the Parliament from the Lord Lieutenant-Generall of the Kings Forces c requiring the Governour and Councell there to forbear the putting to death the two Citizens threatning withall to retaliate the like judgment and execution upon some Gentlemen of the Parliaments Party kept Prisoners by the Kings with the resolution and Answer of the Governour and Councell to such Message The quality of which Answer is forejudged already and replyed unto in d Print to be an insolent Pamphlet with other words of scorne which Letter and Answer being here set down the Reader may discerne the difference between the weight of either PATRICK Earl of FORTH Lord ETTERICK and Lord Lieutenant-Generall of all his Majesties Forces I Having been informed that lately at a Councell of War you have condemned to death Robert Yeomans late Sheriffe of Bristol who hath his Majesties Commission for raising a Regiment for his service William Yeomans his Brother George Bourchier and Edward Dacres all for expresing their Loyalty to his Majesty and endeavouring his service according to their Allegiance and that you intend to proceed speedily against others in the like manner do therefore signifie to you that I intend speedily to put Master George Master Stephens Captaine Huntley and others taken in Rebelion against his Majesty at Cyrencester into the same condition I do further advise you that if you offer by that unjust judgment to execute any of them you have so condemned that those here in Custody Master George Master Stephens and Captaine Huntley must expect no Favour or Mercy Given under mine hand at Oxford this 16th of May 1643. FORTH To the Commander in chief of the Councell of Warre at Bristoll The Answer of this Letter was as followeth NATHANIEL FIENNES Governour and the Councell of Warre in the City of BRISTOL HAving received a writing from your Lordship wherein it is declared that upon information of our late proceedings against Robert Yeomans William Yeomans and others you intend to put Master George Master Stephens Captaine Huntley and others into the same condition we are well assured that neither your Lordship or any other mortall man can put them into the same condition for whâ—ther they live or dye they will alwayes be accounted true and honest men faithfull to their King and Country and such as in a faire and open way have alwayes prosecuted that cause which in their judgment guided by the judgement of the highest Court they held the justest whereas the Conspirators of this City must both in life and death carry perpetually with them the Brand of Treachery and Conspiracy and if Robert Yeomans had made use of his commission in an open way he should be put in no worse condition then others in the like kind had been but the law of Nature amongst all men and the Law of arms among Souldiers make a difference between open Enemies and secret Spyes and Conspirators And if you shall not make the like distinction we do signifie unto you that we will not only proceed to the execution of the persons already condemned but also of divers others of the Conspirators unto whom we had some thoughts of extending mercy And doe further advise you that if by any inhumane and un-souldier-like sentence you shall proceed to the execution of the persons by you named or any other of our freinds in your custody that have been taken in a faire and open way of Warre then Sir Walter Pye Sir William Crofts and Colonell Connesby with divers others taken in open Rebelion and actuall Warre against the King and Kingdom whom we have here in custody must expect no Favour or Mercy And by Gods blessing upon our most just Cause we have powers enough for our friends security without taking in any that have gotten out of our reach and power and although divers of yours of no mean quality and condition have been released by us Given under our hand the 18th of May 1643. Nathaniel Fiennes President Clement Walker c. To Patrick Earl of Forth Lord Lieutenant-Generall Secondly e That from the Marquesse of Argyle and Sir William Armine Commissioners from both Kingdomes of England and Scotland fully and in few words delivering their Intentions and Reasons for the Summons sent to the Governour of Carlislâ—a Garrison for the King with his Answer to them full of words pregnancy of wit and iealousie reiecting their Summons and some of his Party derogating elsewhere from the worth of f one of the Commissioners A g third of no great length the Reader hath it in the very words sent from both Houses of Parliament to the King with his Parties descant and scornfull Comment on the same The Message sent from both Houses of Parliament to the King VVE the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England taking into our Consideration a Letter sent from your Majesty dated the third of March instant and directed to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster which by the contents of a Letter from the Earle of Forth unto the Lord Generall the Earl of Essex we conceive was intended to our selves Have resolved with the concurrent advice aâ—d consent of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland to represent to your Majesty in all humility and pâ—aiâ—nessâ— as followeth That as we have used all means for a just and safe Peace so will we never be wanting to dâ—e our utmost for the procuring thereof But when we consider the expressions in that Letter of your Majesties we have more sad and despairing thoughts of attaining the same then ever because thereby those persons now assembled at Oxâ—ord who contrary to their duty have deserâ—ed your Parliament are put
that end so the Protestation taken all together is best observed and kept To the Protestation for the Defence of the Protestant Religion every one who takes it is not immediately and specially bound by vertue of his Vow to n extirpate and remove all Papists or to offer violence to their persons that is above the Power and Liberty of every common Person neither is wishing well alone and sitting still a sufficient discharge of the Protesters duty of vowing to endeavour Endeavouring is a progressive motion and the Protesters neglecting and supine failing to endeavour can be no better reckoned of in these divided and subtile times then the * Historian did of those Souldiers who dreamed of their enemies Votis Sedenâ—o debellari posse or what the * Prophet doth of the Aegyptians that their strength was sitâ—ing still A perfunctory and neutrall slackness in the Protester satisfies not the precept which God himself enjoynes When thou vowest a vow unto the Lord thou shalt not bee slack to pay it and wherein many have not only deserted this their vow but endeavoured against the same others contemplatively onely and remisse as not endeavouring at all but with close and cautiouâ— Reservations keep off their Endeavourings thence become wiser in their owne eyes then their fellow Subjects their abstruse and close demeanour being like Caius Cotta his observed by the * Oratour who to carry on his Ambition and private Interests did outwardly comply with all sides concealing and reserving the affections of his heart to his best advantage The passive and faint observing of the Vow and Protestation in some the Acting contrary to it in others is a sinne which GOD is justly angry for the neglect of which vow as wee may justly feare to use the very words of the o Divines open one Flood Gate the more to let in all these calamities upon the Kingdom Wherefore if he who hath taken this protestation and shall solemnly observe the same shall foresee or hath cause of suspition to believe that the Protestant Religion is or was when he took the same in danger of declining and that the Papist was then p connived at and countenanced by higher powers for the Question is not about the certaine and actuall bringing in of Popery but touching the pregancy of suspition if the Protestor adhereth to that party which promiseth to defend the Protestant and opposeth that which countenanceth the Popish his Protestation is then truliest kept a promise or vow the more pursued the more fulfilled in like manner to the other part of the same Protestation viz. The maintenance of the Kings honour every one who takes the same is not thereby bound to comply assent unto and obey the King in whatsoever he may command whether unlawfull or unjust or to think all his attempts and actions Iustifiable throughout This were indeed in the highest degree and seemingly to honour him but in a more serious and as truly a loyall way of his being honoured by his Subjects is when they or those who are put in Place and Auhority over them shall enquire into and provide against all things incident to his Dishonour when they shall endeavour to suppresse all Astronts which may be offered to his Dignity This though a more remote and lesse flattering yet a more stableand certain discharge of duty in honoring him To the COVENANT the q Preamble prefixed thereto points at the sense thereof in these words VVHereas a Covenant for reformation and preservation of Religion the maintenance and defence of Lawes and Liberties hath been thought a fit and excellent means to acquire the favour of Almighty God towards the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and likewise to unite and by uniting to strengthen and fortifie them against the common Enemy of the true reformed Religion peace and prosperity of these Kingdoms And in the Covenant it selfe wherein the Noblemen Barons Knights Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland do swear That they shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in their severall Places and Callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion Secondly That they shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy c. Thirdly That they shall with the same reality and constancy in their severall vocations endeavour with their Estates and Lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the Kingdoms and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes Fourthly That they shall with all faithfullnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shal be Incendiaries Malignants or Evill instruments by hindering the reformation of Religion dividing the King from his People or one of the Kingdoms from another and them to bring to publick tryall Fifthly That Iustice may be done upon the willfull opposers of the firme Peace and Union betwixt the Kingdoms Sixthly That they shall in this common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms assist and defend all those that take the Covenant and shall not suffer themselves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided or with-drawn from this Union or Conjunction The Objection which some men make that the late Engagement doth crosse the Covenant at least one Article thereof of defending the Kings Person and Authority It seems not so if we go further to what his Person and Authority is to be defended and observe the whole Article the current of the Covenant being for the preservation of Religion the Liberties the Peace and Union betwixt the three Kingdoms against Papists Prelates Disturbers and Opposers of such Peace r In divers cases it canot be denyed but the obligation of an Oath or Covenant doth cease As when we swear Homage and Fealty to our Lord and Superiour who afterward ceaseth to be our Lord and Superiour then the formal cause of the Oath is taken away and therefore the Obligation Sublato relato tollitur Correlatum Admit that the three Kingdoms had been in imminent danger of Invasion from a Forrein Enemy and the Subjects should for the defence thereof enter into a Solemn League in these words Whereas a League and Covenant for strengthning the three Kingdomes is thought a safe and necessary means conducing thereunto That they will resist prevent and bring to publique Tryall all wilfull Opposers of the safety of the said Kingdomes with sowe other subordinate clauses and branches in the Covenant as namely That they will maintain the Chief Governour of them in his just Power c. let it be the King himself or some other supreme Power equal to the King although the King were to be valued as King David's People did value him at the price of ten thousand of
presenâ— judgment of the Corvocation at Oxford dated June 1647. which if weighed with the Arguments in the Letter written by the London Ministers to the Lord Fairfax and his Councell of War dated January 1648. in behalf of the Covenant and the keeping it the Reader will soone discern the odds * Suprema Lex Salus Populi n See the Exhortation to the taking the Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion c. * Livy * Isaiah * Ciceâ—o o See the Exhortation of the Assembly of Divines to the taking the Covenant Printed Feb. 1643. p See the Lords and Commons Instructions for taking the Covenant The unanimous judgment of most part of the Kingdome observed by their severall Petiâ—ions at that time presented especially that of the Gentry and Trained Bands of the County of Essex presented to their Lord Lieut. the Earl of Warwick Likewise Sir Benjamine Rudyard his speech in the beginning of this Parliament about Popery countenanced See Master May his History Lib. 2. Chapter 6. Page 15. q See the Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament with Instructions for taking the Covenant r Mr. Alexander Henderson in his reply to the Kings first Paper Å¿ See the Essex Petition before cited t See their Commissioners judgement and intentions concerning Episcopacy Declaring Prelacy to be the cause of all our broilâ— In their Papers dated 24 Feb. 1640. u See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in severall Treatises viz. Upon the Listing Raising Armieâ— against the King Upon the Covenant and elsewhere w See the 6. Article of the Covenant x See the Articles pag. 16 Demand 4 Granted by the King 1641. viz. That none should be admitted to his Councell or attendance but such as should be approved by both Kingdoms y See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Treatise 4 and elsewhere in that Book his parties constant 〈◊〉 towards the City of London and upon all occasions of his partâ—s naming it some of them have termed it a Rebellious City a Magazine of Arms and Ammunition raised against their King reproaching it with scornfull Nick-names as they pleased z See their Declaration Printed at Oxford 1643 pag. 14 15. against the suggested irregular and undue procâ—edings of the Common-Councell the Represenâ—ative of the whole City a See in the Letter of the Ministers their notice taking of the Parliament and Armies conceipt had of the Covenant page 8. b See his Parties opinion of the Covenant and the taking of it in the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} pag. 113 114 115. whether and how far it is to be kept how little uniformity in the taking or keeping it and for what purpose in the Authors judgment framed at first how ambiguous and hard to be understood how much mistaking or dissembling in the making it at first or mis-representing by those who like it noâ— that howbeit one part thereof is That they had then no intention to diminish the King's just Power and Greatnesse the Authour in the King's name conceives that it was made and intended against the King as in many places of the Treatise against the Covenant the Kings Party complaineth See also the Kings Declaration since the Paciâ—iâ—aâ—ion against the Scots and the Covenant pag 8 which opinion of his see confirmed in the Marquesse of Montrosse his Declaration set forth 1649 As in a Bâ—ok called the History of the Kings affairs in Scotland before cited pag. 6. * Paâ—auâ— * St. Ierome c See their Acts and Ordinances for raising Contribution-money towards the Warrs throughout all Counties exempting the Universities and other Colledges from such Payments * Oxford d See the like observed in the Consecration of the Bishops of England written by Mr. Mason sometimes Fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford in his Epâ—stle to the Archbishop of Canterbury e See their Remonstrances since the beginning of this War h See their Remonstrance before cited i See the Declaration of the Lords Commons assembled at Oxford c. printed there 1643. p. 24. 26. 27. k In the Treaâ—ise concerning the Kings retirement from Westminster n Written by Mr. Tho. May 1647. beginning at pag. 6. unto pag. 46. o See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Treatise 1. on the Kings calling the Parliament p Mr. May his History q Mr. Hollis his Speech r See the 36 Statute of Edw. â— r See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Treatise to upon their seizing the Kings Magazines Forts Navy and Militia Å¿ Hen. the 7. t In their Apology Printed soon after the â—nglâ—sh Army went toward Scotland y Tantum res 〈◊〉 câ—m qu 〈◊〉 satellâ—ith 〈◊〉 Pontific is 〈◊〉 Iewel in Apolog. Eccles. Anglican z The speedy and effectu-suppressing Errors and Schisms is charged on him b K. Iames his Speech before-mentioned c See the Oxford Declaration pag. 19. d In the treatise concerning the Kings going to the House of Commons to surprise the five Members g Marlborougâ— Decemb. 1642. h See the Oxford Declaration page 26. 27. i See the same Declaration page 11. * 25 Edw. 3 l Sir Edward Cooke his Collections concerning the Authority of the Parliament in the fourth Book of his Institut m Quanquam Principes sunt ex numero {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} tamen natura temporis ratione prius sueâ— int Subditi Princ pes veâ—o nisi qui Tyrannidem usurpârint non naturà ut Patâ—es sed suffragio Subditorum gratia constituti sâ—nt Iâ—de illud Domini apud Daniel 4. 32. Scias quod dominetur Altissimus in regno homin um cui volueâ—it dabiâ— illud Ex quâ— sequitur non Regum causâ Subditos nasci sed Reges commodis SubditoruÌ„ inserviâ—e debere Bucan. Institut Theolog. Tractat. de Magistratu Thomas 1 part 1 samma Theolog. quest 9. Art 3 4. n The Author of the Peoples Plea * Aristotle * Tertullian * Treatise 26. p Master Lambards Eirenarch cap. 2. in his Tract on King Edw. the third his Writ directed to the high Sheriff of Kent for the Proclaming Peace where he speaks first of Uâ—iting Minds then of Restraining Hands as a meanes for the preservation of the publick peace * See the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} upon the Covenant * See the Covenant * Pag. 16. Demand 4. q At the defeat given them by Montrosse at Kilsyth eveâ— to the ruining the State of Scotland when the Lord Fairfax the English Generall and other Commanders in chief wrote to the Earle of Leven the Scottish Generall that they accounted the calamities of Scotland to be their own and would willingly adventure their owne blood for the Scots as for the English till the Enemies of the three Kingdoms were fully vanquâ—shed See the Breviary of the History of the Parliament of England r Noli in caducum parietem inclinare Lipsius Politic. * In sapientem non potest cadere Injuria Seneca Å¿ See the exhortation for and touching the taking the Covenant annexed to the Covenant Printed 9 February 1643 t Commonly discoursed in the Diurnalls and Occurrences Printed in Aprill and May 1651. * Psal. 19.