Supremacy are by the Law of the Land injoyned to be taken by all Persons capable thereof especially men imployed in any publicke Office but more particularly the House of Commons in Parliament sine quo non est talis 5. Eliz. cap. 1. In which they sweare without Equivocation or mentall reservation to beare Faith and true alleagiance to his Majestie his Heires and Successours to defend him and them against all Conspiracies and attempts whatsoever against their Persons Crown and Dignitie Now let all reasonable Men consider and within their owne judgements resolve these questions themselves Coll. Ordn. first book 93. Is it maintenance of his Majesties crown and dignity and defence against all attempts c. To force the Militia inseperably belonging to the Crown from him under pretence of groundlesse feares and jealousies Is it maintenance of his Crowne and Dignitie First book Coll. Par. Ordn. pag. 309 310. June 1642. I meane his regall Crowne of Government to demand as they did in their nineteen Propositions all governing Kingly power from him plainly then speaking that their intent was not to maintaine notwithstanding their glorious pretences the Law nor resolution ad errores reformandum but regimen Angliae mutandum For had they really intended as they verbally often pretended in their Ordinances and Declarations Coll. Ordn 130. alibique Preservation of the Law of the Land his Majesties royall person Fo. 15. Coll. Ordn. Decemb. 1641. honour and Estate just Prerogative and Soveraignty they should have provided having also declared in that grand Remonstrance to the Kingdome that their intent was to restore the ancient honour greatnesse and security of the Crowne More wals of Brasse if it were possible to invent which I must confesse passeth my beleefe more and a more excellent one for preventing any more shaking of the Law established by intrenching upon the Kings just Prerogative and the Subjects Liberty then the Trienniall Parliament which they confesse themselves to be a perpetuall Spring of remedies for the future And not on the first Onset Magis Postulare quam Petere totally require rather then desire the Kings royall Power Nineteen Propos for that end breaking all hedges of publicke and generall liberty to preserve or advantage some few private peeces of inclosed grounds Oath of Alleagiance and Supremacy Is it faith and alleagiance and a Declaration in your Consciences that none hath power to discharge Subjects from their Alleagiance and Obedience to his Majesty To frame Oathes wherein you ingage your fellow Subjects Coll. Ordn. 93 138. even in a manner to protest against their alleagiance and obedience to his Majestie by Covenanting to assist the Forces raised and continued by both Houses who are but Subjects else why doe they Petition to his Majesty in those submissive stiles Of his Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects against the Forces raised by the King and that they shall nor directly nor indirectly assist the Forces raised by the King without the consent of both Houses witnesse their Vow and Covenant Ordered die Sabbathi 1643. and and their latter composed Negative Oath much to the same effect Oath of Supremacy Is it a Declaration in your Conscience that the Kings highnesse is the onely supreame Governour of this Realme and all other his Majesties Dominions To deprive him of his Negative voyce in Parliament to create Magistrates to exercise a power over the life and death of his Subjects nay to doe any thing but what Subjects ought to doe and Oaths oblige unto Is it a defence of all Jurisdictions and Priviledges Preheminences and Authorities belonging to the Kings highnesse his heirs and Successours and annexed to the imperiall crown of this Realm To declare that the King is not in a condition to govern Answer to the Scots Declaration Novemb. 28. 1647. to imprison him to affirm that they will make no more addresses unto him that they will settle the government of the Kingdom without and against him These considered I appeal to all hear O heaven judge O earth with yee Inhabitants of England Scotland and Ireland who are guilty of perjury I am sure none but will confesse that the Oaths of Alleagiance and Supremacy are lawfull in themselves commanded by a compleatly lawfull authority remaining enjoyned confirmed by act of Parliament therefore ought to be taken by all according to the literall sense thereof and endeavours used to perform the same according to each mans uttermost ability As for that exception savouring more of a Turkish or Jesuiticall then of a Christian Protestant's affirmative judgement nay it is contrary to common reason and altogether vain For any one to apprehend that singular persons one by one are obliged to the observation of these Oaths but a body representative is one as if one man alone could be perjured and yet that the multiplication of that unite equally engaged both in the keeping and the breach thereof to four hundred gave a dispensation from the guiltinesse of the sin as if an offender were an offender because quatenus homo unicus per se peccans sinning as one man alone and not because the offence committed was a deviation from the Law of God Reason or the Law when as it is far more correspondent to reason to affirm that the more the Offenders are the more guilty because more spreading and the greater the Offenders are as representitave bodies or Magistrates abusing a conferred power are more dangerous because exemplary for citius ducti per exempla quà m praecepta we are too apt to follow sin in a multitude especially if they be great persons of repute pretending assertours and reformers though they prove desertours and deformers of Religion Lawes and Liberties Besides God in the Scriptures commandeth us not to follow a multitude to do evil which implieth that a multitude may do evil and what is a representitative body but a multitude in a grammaticall sense and therefore if they do evil they must not be followed Nay the whole current of Gods Word runs with variety of judgements threatned against all that are in authority if they recede from his Commandements The Prophet Micah with others are full in this respect You may see many more among the rest of the Prophets Micah 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Amos 6.11 12 13 14. Hosea 5.9 10 11 12 13 14 15. O come therefore for the prevention of such like judgements and the removing from us what we already lye under let us by a timely repentance return unto the God of heaven humbly entreating him that he would forgive us all our sins more particularly that he would not lay this hainous sin of Perjury to Englands charge but give us grace to mourn and weep for that and all others which have occasioned our Land to mourn in misery and weep in blood Now to contract the premised severals into a narrower compasse thereby to make this rooting design appear plainly
to all I shall desire all rationall men to take notice that the Lords and Commons in that grand Remonstrance to the Kingdom in December 1641. and their Petitions to his Majestie Declarations and Ordinances Preambles to their Protestation Vow and Covenant solemn League and Covenant which were but as so many applications to the people for their information and procuration of their approbations assistance and affections alwayes pretended a preservation of the Kings Honour Rights and Authority the Law of the Land the Protestant Religion the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject To this purpose you shall find many expressions In the grand Remonstrance they complain of the Jesuited Papists c. and a malignant Party Col. Ordnan fo 3. pernicious designs to subvert the fundamentall Lawes and principles of Government on which the Religion and justice of this Kingdom is established They confesse the King to be trusted with the Ecclesiastical law as well as temporall Coll. Ordn. fo 19. that next under God the people owe obedience unto him They professe their intent was not to abolish all government and leave every man to his own fancy for the service and worship of God but to reduce within bounds the exorbitant power which some Prelates had assumed to themselves contrary to the Word of God and law of the land Where by the way takes notice that then there was no mention made of extirpating Episcopall Government since that as much as in them lyeth by their solemn League and Covenant and Ordinances effected They professe to maintain the true Protestant Religion Coll. Ordn. 281. the Kings just Prerogative the lawes and liberties of the Land and the priviledges of Parliament Resolved upon the Question 12. July 1642 fo 457. That an Army shall be forthwith raised for the safety of the Kings person preserving of the true Religion Lawes Liberties and Peace of the Kingdom There they expresse fears Fo. 461. that the true Protestant Religion and Lawes will be extinguished c. That they will maintain and support his Majesties royall Honour and greatnesse Fo. 466. But I will trouble the Reader with no more expressions of this nature the first Book of collection of Ordinances if he please will afford him variety Take a brief view of their Preambles to all their Oaths which they pretend as motives and grounds occasioning their framing and imposing them May 5. 1641. We the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament c. having cause to suspect endeavours still continuing to subvert the true reformed Protestant Religion in his Majesties Dominions * Observe that Established established and the fundamentall Lawes and to introduce an arbitrary and tyrannicall Government c. therefore make this ensuing Protestation c. June 1643. in their Vow and Covenant There they declare That there hath been and is a Popish and traiterous Plot for the subversion of the true Protestant Religion c. Thus you may perceive how in all their applications to the common people they still urge intentions of preserving the King 's just Prerogative and royall Rights true Protestant Religion the Lawes and Liberties of the Land Now this must necessarily according to common sense be construed by the common people whatsoever private reserved resolutions to the contrary the framers of the Oathes and Ordenances had to themselves a preservation and defence of Religion Prerogatives Rights Lawes and Liberties which are established and in being for according to that old adage ex nihilo nil fit But alas these specious pretences were but Decoyes sent abroad to catch the plain hearted people and the lesse advised multitude into a complying assistance their hands and tongues must help toward the demolition of England's ancient and well compacted Monarchical Fabrick their breathlesse bodies must be instrumentall piles to mount these Designers into the chair of a new modelized pre-intended Government To this purpose therefore contrary to all their Paper intelligencers Nineteen Propositions daily diispersed among the people they in their first Propositions to his Majesty as I have already observed lay the foundation though cunningly of this generall alteration in Church and State wherein they had left nothing more to demand of him but that as a King he had nothing more to grant Which design of theirs hath appeared in more legible additionall demands in their succeeding Treaties and Propositions from that time unto this very day wherein they have violently deprived his Majesty of his regall power he at present being so far from commanding as a * King Being kept as a Prisoner in the Isle of Wight that his power in commanding is far below the commanding power of some of his meanest Subjects Proh dolor usque quo domine usque quò how long Lord how long holy and true wilt thou suffer the Rod of the wicked to remain upon the back of the righteous how long shall the workers of iniquity triumph speaking fiercely smiting down thy people and troubling thy Heritage Deliver our Soveraign thy servant King CHARLES from cruell men who imagine evil things in their heart making war continually whose tongues are sharper then a Serpent and under whose lips lye the poyson of Adders Amen Again to make these Rooters design appear plainer and plainer to every eye the Treaties at Oxford and since at Vxbridge at which time nothing was left ungranted by his Majesty whereby his people might be satisfied but that he would have something left I say as King to give will evidence it to any impartiall judgement At Oxford Anno 1643. the maine dispute betweene his Majestie and the two Houses Commissioners was who should have the Power of Nomination and Election of State-Officers The Right to both belonged to his Majestie how ever so desirous was he of Peace and a Reconciliation his heart bleeding in tendernesse within for the losse of so much of his Subjects blood did readily and willingly condescend that the Power of Nomination should be theirs reserving choice of them to himselfe Now let us weigh the inequality in reference to the prevention of the effusion of more blood It may be supposed upon grounds of reason that if I have the Power of Nomination I will not name any one in whom I cannot confidently repose my trust and of whom I have not a good opinion therefore if it be onely Peace and a mutuall agreement betweene two differing Parties where it is sometimes fitting that both should abate of the rigour of their demands what need I care who chooseth or upon whom the election falleth seeing they are all equall in my esteeme But this would not doe they must have the Kings Supremacy Election too all or as yet no peace otherwise indeed the Civill Government cannot be altered from a Monarchy into an Aristocracy and so by degrees subdivide it selfe into a Democracy The Ecclesiasticall cannot be changed from Episcopacy into Presbytery and so againe into Independency or confusion visibly at
the disturbance of the Peace of Church and State by complaining of their attempts and deeds to the Magistrate leaving them to the justice of the Law and lastly by recovering them by strength of holy arguments as with strong phisick from that infection of their judgment and consciences and their soul-poysoning heresies praying continually in the fervency of the spirit for their conversion But before I proceed to the next words Extirpation of Church-Government by Bishops c. I must desire the Reader to reflect back upon what I have already written concerning the Limitations of an Oath briefly thus That no unlawfull Oath bindeth Vide fol. 46. nor must unlawfull means be used for the compassing for effecting any thing in it self lawfull c. Extirpation of Government by Arch-bishops Bishops Covenant their Chancellors c. That is by using all lawfull means warrantable by the law of God and the Kingdome to that end as petitioning the supream Magistrate the King or any other way if any other way can be imagined not I say intrenching upon the law of God For were an abolition hereof absolutely necessary conducing to the generall peace of the Kingdom as it is upon good grounds believed rather altogether distructive thereunto will you buy a temporall peace upon such unequal termes as to hazard your soul eternally unlesse the mercy of God interpose by wilfull perjury in the purchase and gain an eating curse to your Posterity by Sacriledge Besides it is against the Principles of all Governments the Law of God and the Land to enforce an alteration by bloody force as I have already shewed Nay you doe not onely hereby make your selves guilty of perjury treason bloud and sacriledge but you endeavour to compell His Majesty to the breach of His Oath taken at His Coronation wherein He swore to Defend the Bishops their priviledges and Churches under their government Again were the Presbyterian government absolutely good so out of necessity the Episcopal must be removed as it is not yet a bloudy eradication is proculdubio unlawfull for we must not do evill that good may come thereof we must not like mad Mariners desperately steer our course amongst Rocks hoping to arrive at a rich freight lest we shipwrack our selves here and lose the end of our voyage our hopes hereafter therefore let all men take heed of pretending a necessity of keeping this one Article of extirpation because they have so Covenanted unlesse they will make good also a necessity of breaking all Gods Commandements which is an high degree of Blasphemy to maintain for that is impia promissio quae sine scelere impleri non potest nonque obligat no Law obligeth in opposition to the Gods Law if it doth binde it is to a repentance only Therefore Recollect your thoughts now for your owne Experience cannot but acquainte you that a violent deprivation of the Kings Regall power was at first the contrivers designe and now plainly appeareth to be the Result of the Warre on their part and reflect upon the almost six years means made use of or rather sinnes committed to effect the accomplishment thereof as Envy Hatred Malice Hypocrisie publick pretences of Reformation private intentions of Eradication and Deformation revilings of His Majesties Royall Person and Government Scandalizing of the English Nationall Church abominable Lying contempt of Superiors forceing of mens Consciences Disloyalty Perjury Theft Bloodshedding nay all imaginable Sinnes with renewing of old Heresies and raising of all manner of Schismes Now if you love your selves and your soules and would not contract the guilt of all these sinnes upon your owne heads and as it were set your Seal of confirmation and approbation to the Sinnes of others thus heaping up wrath against the day of wrath be perswaded to desert these Plotters and their Designes persist not contrary to Reason and Religion in a rigid and sinfull keeping of that extirpating Article Now seeing the day-star appeareth and every one who formerly were wraped up in the night of mistakes and misapprehensions or blinded with the silken veile of a good Opinion of the Contrivers because outwardly they appeared in Angelicall habits may without spectacles read that their pretences were only to usher in the intention therefore the plea of ignorance and good meaning as formerly can no longer be used but be perswaded to come out from among these progressive ROOTERS lest continuing with them in Sinne you also with them partake of punishment For God is just as well as mercifull Covenant Superstition Heresie Schisme and Profanesse c. For the residue of this second Article having already written something which also may aptly be applyed to these when I handled the word Popery I shall only turne it into a Prayer yet because Schisme is joyned with the rest if it were a time in these sad times to jest I should make it good Rationally that your Contriving Presbyterians have in that Sworn against their owne Practice for although the Protestant Church like the Spouse in the Canticles is black that is not appearing genuina gloria by reason of stormy weather yet still she is Comly still in her doctrine and discipline unaltered remaining firme upon its old established foundation notwithstanding the violent Endeavours of their changing times nor was their Presbyterian Government then extant and as yet but an infant for want of the Royall assent being neither able to stand goe or speak they themselves also very well knew what the word Schisme in an Ecclesiasticall sense meaneth how that ille Schismaticus qui a ritu Ecclesiae petulanter ambitionis studio discedit that Separateth himselfe upon a proud Pharisaicall conceit of holinesse from the Communion of the Church in the performance of Religious acts But I passe that by Praying that God the searcher of all hearts would be pleased to root out of all our hearts and mindes the destroying blindnesse of Superstition the spreading Leprosie of Heresie the peace-Eating Gangren of Schisme the tainting Corrupt humours of Profanesse and all other things displeasing unto him and contrary to His word that we enjoy a blessed harmonious consent in Truth and Godlinesse expressing the power thereof in our lives and conversations and that the Lord may be One and his name One in these three Kingdomes We shall with the same sincerity 3 Article Covenant c. Endeavour to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament These are freedome of expressing mens judgements if taken in a comprehensive compleate sense King Lords and Commons power to repeal old and Establish new Lawes to which every Subject is bound to yeild obedience Only thus much let me adde that no Priviledges of one or both Houses can Patronize Treason Murder Vide Lex terrae J. Jenkens or breach of the Peace by their own confession nor is it indeed consonant to reason that they whose first institution was ordained for preservation should themselves practice or command desolation whose
Consultations should tend to the prevention of Treasonable and Rebellious excursions their concatenated effects dissolution of the band of a nationall Peace effusion of bloud by imposing to that purpose penalties punishments upon the offenders should amidst such consultations be practically guilty themselves of the same Crimes they should be guiltless that condemne the guilty Quae culpare soles ea tu ne feceris ipse Turpe est doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum Preserve the Liberties of the Kingdomes That is as Kingdomes having liberties by the Law and Custome thereof distinct one from the other Covenant to preserve each of them free from any usurping power and unlawfull intrenching one upon the Other And in this respect it were to be wished that our Northern friends had kept close in their practice and that England for the future would take care to defend its particular Interests Liberties of the Kingdomes not Libertinisme in a Kingdome But Liberties that is the Liberty of each man therein which as Natives or otherwise belong unto them according to the fundamentall Constitution and Law of each respective Nation now this Liberty must necessarily have a respect to all degrees of men therein Pray then let us not exclude the head of all the King as I have touched in my observation upon the preamble especially having sworn in the next Clause to Preserve and Defend the Kings Majesties Person Covenant c. That is Not to hazard His Person by opposing Armies in the field where the ignorant Bullet cannot distinguish persons Nor by administring the least occasion of heart-grieving melancholy sadnesse the slie yet certain impairers of health menacers of the bodies ruine nor by and actions or speeches derogatory to the honour of a King and not becomming the duty of a Subject for you all know what greived David most and who it was that said At quod tu facis hoc mihi dolet Subjects insurrections against and insolent abuses of their King like the apprehension of an injury received from an intimate friend non tam cito tangit quam penetrat like an arrow pierceth the very heart upon an instant therefore this is not the way to preserve the Kings person Covenant Vide more to make this good backward And Authority Now what that is I have already shewed how that to Him belongeth the power of making and repealing Lawes War or Peace c. In the preservation of the true Religion Liberties of the Kingdom Covenant This upon Rationall grounds must necessarily imply Religion and Liberties in esse not posse or velle as I have already observed Now both this Religion in esse by Law established and the Kingdomes Liberties His Majesty hath preserved stil doth even with the losse of his own Defence the Kingdomes true Liberties And for His Religion I attest His very Enemies confession to make good His constant Perseverance therein and preservation thereof my self in this particular esteeming it melius silere quam pauca dicere admiration supplying the place of Expression O therefore that the world may bear witnesse with your Consciences of your Loyalty that is Covenant faithfull obedience to your Soveraigne notwithstanding former aberrations through ignorance and that you for your parts had no thoughts or intents to diminish that just power and greatnesse which belongeth unto him by the Law Use your best endeavours to free Him from this unparallel'd and unjust restraint and restore Him to His Regall power and possession of His Royall prerogative Thus you will be instrumentall restorers of Englands Honour Peace and Glory and doe not content your selves as too many doe that you have only sworn to maintaine the Kings Just Rights when as your actions Endeavour the contrary or endeavour not at all the maintenance of them contrary unto this Clause of your Covenant We shall also with all faithfullnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants 4. Article Covenant or evill Instruments by hindring the Reformation of Religion c. Who hindreth Reformation and a reduction of Religion to the purity of practice but those who hitherto have countenanced and still connive at a Toleration of all Erroneous practices Schisme c. contrary to the second Article of this Covenant hereby making themselves guilty for Qui non vetat peccare cum potest Jubet Dividing the King from His people Are not they such dividers who have taken up armes only to deprive His Majesty of His Regall Power Declared him not in a condition to governe Covenant Answers to Scots Papers Novemb. 1647. Dec. Answer to Scots Papers 13 March 1647. and by imprisonment of Him disabled Him from performing His duty as a King by protecting His Subjects and by Proclamations enjoyning their Obedience to the established Lawes Who have divided the Kingdome from the King but such as by their actions Negat Oath Oathes and Declarations have endeavoured to frame Rem publicam in Regno Supreamacy in the people never heard of nor ever practised in this Nation before in opposition to His Majesties justly Supream power going about to transforme this Kingdome into a body with two heads which is monstrous and contrary to nature and to contrive two shining Suns in Englands Hemisphear which was ever ominous and Prognosticatours of Destruction O Deus bone in quae tempora reservasti Preserve us good God from confusion and suddaine ruine Who divide one Kingdom from another making factions among the people and causing fractions in their duties and affections but they that invite the assisting invasion of neighbour Nations maintaining Armies within its one bowells to effect an alteration of Government by force Who divide one Kingdome from another but they that neglect nay deny timely supplies whereby Ireland might have been reduced in Obedience to His Majesty and the Law of the Land the want whereof disabled the Protestant party there and enableth the Irish Papists to divide themselves from the Crown of England and Ireland endangering also the ruine of our own Nation and all these contrary to the common rules of Humanity much more Christianity and in opposition also to the Law of the Land and this League and Covenant thus rightly Rationally and Religiously expounded Covenant That they that is Incendiaries Malignants c. may be brought to publick triall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their Offences shall require For this part of the Article I have nothing to write but this Secundum Leges fiat Justitia may Justice take place running down like a stream yet because non sanguinis homo Misericordia praevaleat opto may they all finde pardon for their Treason and Rebellion against our Soveraign Lord the King the Laws in this world mercy forgiveness for all their sins against the God of Heaven in the world to come To this purpose it were to be wished they would follow
confesse that many of that Nation were and by their loyall words and deeds then did expresse themselves repugnant to such a repugnancy than with the losse of part of his Commanding power Soon after which these two unequall opposites met in mutuall embraces and a pacification and because their reciprocall agreement was confirmed by the agreeing suffrages of the supreamest Court I will here silentium tenere restrain my pen from being further inquisitive Whether or no it was an act lawfull and that warranted also by religion reason and law in them not only to deny obedience unto but oppose the commands of their lawfull for now my expressions shall be plain to the apprehensions of every one and Native Soveraigne or Whether it were not an action absolutely necessary in their Prince both in respect of religions reasons lawes and his honours vindication to demand a reason thereof and that not proving satisfactory to oppose such an opposition However I shall be bold to adde thus much that if amidst the troubled waters of another Nation England then labouring with the almost unavoydable effects of a long continuing peace a supine securitie with its adjuncts as erroneous practices oversights miscarriages in some particular Ministers of State as what Nation can plead a totall freedom from some intervening corruptions and Justice-perverting instruments If by the additional aggravations of these Errours and mistakes by the Ambition faction of some who the better to facilitate a progresse in their own desâ—gnes loudly spake to the undistinguishing multitude that such deviations from particular lawes were but intentions but upon what rationall ground I know not of subverting the whole frame of the Law If such like stormes in England proved furthering instruments to purchase them a Calme and a Serene Kingdome If they beyond a probability of former hopes in this very opportunitie of opportunitie obtained their owne desires from the unparalell'd favour of their Soveraigne It were to be wished that they then had rather remained satisfied with the possession of so much happinesse returning to God the fountain of all blessings thankfulnesse for so great a mercy studying expressive gratitude by obedientiall and loyall actions to their Prince for such gracious manifestations than like phanatick people who havving miraculously quenched fire begun in their own houses and thereby prevented a menaced ruine Not satisfied therewith as if the misery of others could adde perpetuitie to their procured happinesse cast fire-balls so long into their Neighbours dwellings untill in it its furiously-devouring race it returne where it first began Which if God for ingratitude and other concomitant sins as he is just without respect of persons should in the revolution of future time permit what mercy although his mercy is above his justice can they with confidence hope from him who with so much neglect I had almost written impudence have slighted his favours Or what pittying assistance can they expect others should shew unto them who never supposed themselves contentedly happy in their own particular interests untill they had endeavoured nay effected the generall unhappiness of others Deus necessitatis causam talis avertat oro O Lord prevent the occasion of such a necessitous assistance Further all things considered rather than expose themselves to future hazards it might have been and still may be a consideration worthy their thoughts a little praevidere Whether or no in after ages when hot fiery disputing passions shall be lull'd asleep when mens imbittered spirits shall by well poyzed impartiall judgements be stopp'd from irregular verball excursions when private interests shall freely and unanimously resolve themselves into the generally reall good of the publike Whether or no then their Successours reflecting upon such past actions and their Circumstantiall means also made use of probably may not both in their private discourses esteeme and in publike generall Counsells censure their favours Examples to this effect our Nation hath many and it is believed theirs is not without some few presidents or if they wil reformation or rather alteration in government Now freely theirs by the voluntary and graciously Confirming grant of his Majesty to bee but the enforced issue of griping necessitie and the purchase of a menacing brandished Sword and because so enforced resolve them as Null and therefore for the Prevention hereof that in the judicious ballances of after times they may not to their lasting dishonour be found too light It had been and as yet may be a well becomming policie in them to be fruitfull in succeeding actions of loyall thankfulnesse Estote prudentes praestat esse Promethium quam Epimethium Too late penitentiall experience is but a sadning mistris Therefore to this purpose before the houre-glasse of such an opportunity is irrecoverably past and its sands quite spent It were a seasonable wish that they would take into their serious considerations even their own loving Compellation and title of Brethren and indeed wee are no lesse having one politicall Father the King who is amborum pater regnorum to whom we owe obedience by the law of God and the lands which being undoubtedly true That they would make good that title by affectionate fraternall actions expressing themselves brethren Affectione reali activaque non titulari solummodoque professione That their deeds speaking the language of enemies like Cain's dealing with Abel may no longer contradict their tongues expression Ceremoniously if not treacherously tearming us brethren that they Sub specie fraterni nominis as hitherto wee have had grounds to suspect may with more facilitie deceive the credulous and the rather now because it is murmured abroad that Englands present miseries by their fighting and Covenanting assistance have received much addition It concerneth them non verba solummodo sed facta dicere for non prosunt verba quum contraeria facta videmus Therefore it were to bee desired that they would obey the command of Christ to differ no longer nor fall into new fractions or further factions because we are brethren And to this purpose it is expected as well for their own vindication I mean not the whole Nation for many thousands therein have made good their constant loyalty to their King really not verbally but all such in that Nation whose consciences cannot but whisper themselves necessarily concerned in such a vindication as requested for their Brethrens assistance that they would really and positively not with intermixed uncertain distinctions doubtfull expressions ambiguous tearms which like wax from the Seal may be apted to any construction thereby owning the Jesuit whom they seem so much to detest for their Parent but on the contrary that plene planeque sine equivocatione without mental reservation or premised evasion declare and because mera declaratio sine actu inutilis otiosa words in such a case are ayery nothings accordingly to act for the restoration of our Protestant Religion to its generally practicall purity unity and uniformity his royall Majesty their and our dread Soveraign
now horresco scribere a restrained Prisoner to his royall Prerogative and Rights by the Law of the Land justly and undoubtedly manifested to be his his Subjects singulatim and their fellow Subjects to their ancient Liberties Proprieties and Immunities by the same Law really theirs and in the conjunction of such loyall affections and really performed actions the three Kingdoms to an entire Peace and undeniable Truth according to the truest construction of their own solemn League and Covenant which being by their contributed assistance forwarded to a perfect consummation we shall return thanks to God for his exceeding bountifull expressions of such a mercy and gratification to them as Instruments conducing thereunto hoping that we shall not need to put them in mind that our hopes onely are that such kind of auxiliary affections will proceed meerly out of loyall affections to his Majesty and love to us their Brethren and not from an intent commandingly to incorporate themselves into Englands Priviledges Freedoms Honours and Wealth therefore at present shall have no occasion to acquaint them that Englands birth-right will not be sold upon unequall terms to this purpose O thou God of all Spirits grant to them and us thy assisting grace that we may obey thee O Lord who art the King of heaven and earth in all things for thy own sake according to thine own rule and King Charles our Soveraign thy substitute upon earth for thy sake that so all of us guided by one Law of truth thy will reveiled in thy Word governed by him our King according to the truth of Law established and all our multiplied sinnes against thee being pardoned treason and rebellion against his Majesty buried in an unrepealable Act of oblivion we may for the future live in piety and godlinesse towards thee our God in obedience and loyalty to his Majesty in unity peace and concord like Brethren one among another Amem Amen Amen But I return to England which still remaineth passive under a tyrannically wasting fire and like a Ship still tossed to and fro by raging tempestuous windes it 's true Religion by Law established it 's really fundamentall Lawes respecting both Prince and People his just Rights and the Subjects most certain and generally contenting Liberties approaching neer to a dissolutiō though not a destruction for magna veritas prevalebit the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against truth being ready to sink into an Aristocraticall boundlesse or Anarchicall bottomles Sea Therefore my dear Country-men that I might not appear like an uncharitable Travellour passing thorow a Town contracted by fire into one flame without observation pitty or according to my present poor ability some assistance or that I may not seem carelesse to sail by a distressed Vessell lost almost in the deep by the violent beatings of seditiously conspiring waves I have here contributed some buckets of water towards the asswaging of this devouring fire sent some assisting necessaries aboard the Kingdoms sinking Ship In doing whereof if my zeal to the Protestant Religion loyalty to my Soveraign love and fidelity to my native Country affection and approbation of the well composed Lawes thereof compassion and pitty to all my misguided misinformed and seduced Country-men shall expose me to censure condemnation nay death it self I am resolved by the help of God in whom alone is my confidence with the Apostle into whatsoever condition I shall be cast therewith to remain content esteeming it dulce decorum pro Religione Rege Patria legibusque Angliae mori Now because it concerneth all who raise buildings not so much to catch the eyes-observance with insubstantiall shadowes as to remain lastingly serviceable to lay a sure foundation least that declining or by opposing force enforced to a removall each particuler superstructure meet with the same ruine and suddenly sinking-fate my intent therefore not being for procuration of popular ayery applause but information and reduction of those into the good old way of the Christian Protestant Religion Reason Law and Loyalty who through ignorance and misinformation have been made pedes instrumentales the feet by which the Machiavilians of these times have walked on towards the end of their designs manus complicantes the hands with which Politicians have framed their Engines for an enforced alteration of Englands government without whose assistāce their plots would have proved but like statues without motion or abortive Births dead in the very womb those I mean whose intentions at first never aimed at a totall change of Government by a diminishing though in a petitionary much lesse a bloody compulsive way his Majesties royall Prerogative and just Regall power but having been abused through specious pretences of Reformation have been ignorant instruments of Englands unhappinesse As for the Initiatours Contrivers Plotters of this rooting design who begin at the end thereof and accordingly have in England per fasque nefas endeavoured the attaining their ends levelling all ancient bounds of Regall Prerogative just Parliamentary Priviledges private mens proprieties and liberties digging so deep in quest of the fundamentall Lawes that they have arrived at the Antipodes and yet after six yeers endeavours are as far from finding that fundamentall vein as they were when their bloody designs opened the first vein in the Kingdoms body I cannot expect a smooth face from them expressing favour to these lines or remain satisfied with what is written therefore I shall onely pray for them that the God of heaven would open their eyes causing them to see how with Jeroboam they have not onely sinned themselves but caused many thousands in England to sin and grant them repentance and pardon for all their accumulative offences before they go down to the grave and be seen no more I shall therefore fundamina ponere leaving discourses of the necessity of a Nationall government the antiquity rationality and precedency of Monarchy beyond any other form the comparative excellency of the English Government in respect of others practized and bearing the same title the Presse having been already fruitfull in Writings of that nature lay down some undeniable positions and truths ab omnibusque concessa First in respect of a Government already lawfully setled Secondly in regard of those ligamenta fidelitatis promissory oaths by which religious engagements we oblige our selves to an acknowledgement of some rights due to the supream Governour by the generally received and practized custome of a Nation as also to maintain such rights against all violent opposition hindering any compelled diminution or alteration of the same by any persons whomsoever Hoping that in the result of all nemo Christianus contra Religionem nemo Anglicina contra leges Angliae nemo sobrius contra rationem nemo fidelis contra Regem nemo Pacificus contra pacem durabilem contendet that all true Protestants rational men faithfull Subjects lovers of their Religion King Country and Peace will condescend to what hereafter they shall find propounded Therefore
by the way first let me request all such whose thoughts cannot but speak themselves interested in these lines to lay aside all prejudicate opinions both of my self and others hitherto practically different from them prejudice being like a partition-wall which will hinder the judgements yeelding to what is proposed and really made good to be Reason Religion and Law Secondly that they would banish from their brests that Rebel to Religion and Reason a too confident tenaciousnesse of their own opinions not because in their appearance they still continue undoubted truths to their approving judgements but because the past insinuating Declarations of some cunning Polititians and rhetoricall Jesuitized perswasions of others have consonant to their particular erronious maximes and pre-resolved upon designes urged them to a former practice of unjust and unlawfull actions Thirdly therefore that they would cast away that desperately ruining resolution of potiùs malè currendo crimina criminibus addere quà m errorem confi teri recurrendo veritatemque veritatis causa propugnare being rather willing to continue slayes to the commission of additionall sins then by repentance become triumphing Champions for the sincerity of truth when as it is far greater and better policy humane and divine by repentance to return into the way of truth then by a continuing progresse in erronious paths to expose themselves to a possible ruine here and destruction hereafter Besides the whole current of the Scriptures every where speaketh mercy and pardon to the penitent an argument in my judgement sufficient to induce all thereunto against contrary suggestions of the world and the Devil nay Ezek. 18.21 to the end the very end of Christs Birth Death Resurrection and Ascention onely proclaim an invitation of sinners to come unto him promising them pardon and salvation Now therefore if that any one in this respect shall turn away his ear neglecting to hearken to the Charmer charm he never so well let them take heed that that place of Scripture Zech. 1.4 5 6. prove not an evidence against their obstinacy and the complaint and threats of our Saviour in Mat. 23.37 38. concern not them O Hierusalem Hierusalem which hast killed the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thee together as a hen gathereth her chickens and you would not Behold therefore your habitation shall be left desolate From which heavy judgement O thou preserver of men keep and defend us all But I proceed to lay down my first fundamentall positions in respect of a Government already established That all violent and irregular alteration of Government contrary to the fundamentall customes and constitutions of every respective Nation First if it receive its original from the supream Magistrate and pressed upon the people hath alwayes been branded with the names of tyranny and oppession nor have such sins although the Word of God permit not Subjects by armes to rebel against him passed unpunished oftentimes here in this world however without repentance cannot escape in the world to come Secondly if violently streaming from the seditious compulsive combination of the people without and against the supream Magistrates consent hath ever been stigmatized with those odious titles of Rebellion and Treason whose just rewards are death here with a successive never dying infamy and unlesse the mercy of Heaven interpose the eternity of death hereafter Therefore for the avoyding of Tyranny and Oppression on the one side preventing of Treason and Rebellion on the other with all those bloody issues and ruinous effects flowing from thence tanquam a fonte sanguinolento and consequently those punishments which tanquam undae sequuntur undas tread on the very heels of such offences It must necessarily be granted an undeniable truth that obedience indispensable is due from every Subject of what degree soever according to the qualification of the persons unto all Lawes not opposite to the Law Word of God made confirmed by the supream power of any Nation and that these Lawes according to reason ought and must remain in full force and vertue untill the same lawfull power which first gave them the power of a commanding law shall repeal and nullifie them That all Christian Subjects do or should yeeld obedience to Kings personall and the Law his vertuall commands if not derogatory to the Law of God not onely because the King quatenus Rex or the Law quatenus Lex tantùm commandeth the same but because in his Word he hath laid a precept upon us both in the fourth Commandement and in Rom. 13.1 2 3. where he enjoyneth every soul to be subject to the higher Powers c. and 1 Pet. 2.14 15 17. where he commandeth us by his Apostle to submit our selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be unto the King as unto the supream c. so that if we deny active obedience to his legall commands we deny it not to the King and oppose the Law therein alone but to God himself per quem Reges regnant Prov. 9.15 16 acting contrary to his will revealed in his Word and the practice of Christ himself who gave Caesar his due But because peradventure a demonstration of my own judgement about passive obedience active to Kings having already been discussed of may be expected therefore that I might not leave my self to the uncertain interpretation of any I professe my self an English Protestant and therefore in the truest sense shall not refuse the stile of an English Catholike disavowing all hereticall idolatrous and superstitious Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome and all other Opinions different from and contradictory unto the Doctrine of the Church of England established in the thirty nine Articles not because it is established onely but because it is consonant and agreeable to the Word of God the truth whereof hath been is and hereafter will be made good against all hereticall and schismaticall Opponents whomsoever In particular reference to a lawfull King and the continuance of his government in peace and piety I detest and protest against all Jesuiticall distinctions Vide King James premonition to christian Princes and his Apology for the Oath of Alleagiance pag. 50 51 108 109. alibique destructive tenents to all Religion and Government of power reserved in Pope or people of what degree or number soever whether they be a body representative conjunctìm if a body can properly be termed a body without an head or any particular members divisìm under any pretence or intention whatsoever by force to dispose of and change the Lawes of a Kingdom depose Kings divest them of their lawful power dispense with Oaths by which their Subjects stand as well religiously as naturally obliged resist their lawfull commands by the sword perswading Subjects to follow their example I acknowledge according to the truth of the Word of God 2 Thes 1.4 Matth. 26.51 Matth. 9.54 55 56. Mat. 16.23 Book of Martyrs
3. vol. Hom. Church Engl. Artic. the practice and precept of Christ himself the examples of the Prophets and Apostles the pattern of all the Martyrs the generally concurring Doctrine of the Catholike Church now in profession continued in the Church of England That active obedience is to be yeelded to the King as supream in omnibus licitis in things lawfull but if God for the punishment of a Nation should set over us a tyrannicall King secundam voluntatem pravam non rationem rectam regentem governing by his depraved will against reason and commanding things contrary to the Word of God we must not by force of arms rebel against him but rather then so if not prevailing by Petition unto him or escaping by flight from him patiently submit to the losse of our lives estates agreeing with the ancient Christians that preces lachrymae sunt arma ecclesiae that the pen rather then the sword patience prayers and tears then actively shedding blood best becommeth Christians Herein committing my soul into the hands of my faithfull Creator and mercifull Redeemer Revel 2.10 Mat. 5.10 11 12. 1 Pet. 3.14 17. 1 Tim. 2.9 who have pronounced them blessed that suffer for righteousnesse sake and the testimony of a good conscience But I know the Jesuite and others too neer him in opinion though remote from him in name will contract their browes into a frown at this though Christian like asseveration and resolution interposing many ayery suppositions distinctions Homily Chur. Engl. Sacred royall Prerogative of christian Kings printed Anno 1644. and I know not what frivolous questions all which I shall at present forbear to insert much more to answer because they have sufficiently been in the religious and rationall works of many learned Writers both ancient and modern refuted and made to appear but groundlesse quickly vanishing into ayre Beside his royall Majesty since the beginning of this unnaturall War having commanded nor demanded any thing as in the sequell will appear contrary to established Law nor performed any action which any other Prince as supream might not lawfully have done se sobolem leges Regnaque defendendo It would be a needlesse and a labour in vain in me although in my conscience I approve the same to spend paper in vindication of a Christians passive obedience it being a question not arising from the past or present practice of our Soveraign Lord the King therefore without all question at present standeth not in need either of mine or any other his Majesties Subjects defence For he hath been and is so far from commanding any unjust things contrary to the Law of God and the Land that he hath patiently suffered reproaches against his royall person deprivation of his noble Consort dispersion of his Princely Son hazard of his own life losse of his Revenues with many thousands of his loyall Subjects nay almost all the comforts which felicitates a mans life upon earth being at last after all these a restrained prisoner O happy thrice-blessed wals conteyning such a King pattern of true Piety president of religious constancy example of an unparalelled Patience O unnaturall men Rebels to the King Reason Religion and Law whose trayterous commands thus turns Princes Pallaces into a royall Prison And all this he undergoeth because he would govern onely by Law and preserve a power in himself whereby he may be enabled to preserve the Law But I proceed passing by the generall power of a King in Divinity and in that respect what he may do and consider him onely as he is King of England in a well setled Government and therefore to this purpose shall lay down some more fundamentall positions and unquestionable truths Vide all Acts of Parliament confessing the 1. Jac. cap. 1. 9. Edw. 4 fol. 8 That our Soveraign Lord CHARLES by the grace of God is lawfull King of England and of all other his Majesties Dominions and Countries that he is supream Governour over all persons and in all causes whether Ecclesiastical or Civil That is There is by the Law of the Land established in which he is vertually present no commanding power above him without him much lesse against him nor can ought or must any conjunctim or divisim exercise any governing power within his Majesties Dominions nor must any willingly expresse subjection or obedience to such an unjust and usurped power standing in opposition to his lawfull power That there are regales columnae to support this Monarchicall Fabrick from sinking or suffering any injury from any persons whomsoever as summoning and dismissing of generall Counsels whether Ecclesiastical or Civil making or anulling of Laws that is his affirmative or negative voyce in Parliament without which the Building were rather a painted then substantiall Edifice Secondly making of War or Peace that is disposing of the Militia of arming his Subjects to prevent forraign Invasions or suppresse domestick rebellious Insurrections without which it would also soon fall by seditious and ambitious underminers nor could the King without this power be able to defend himself from wrong or his Subjects from oppression Thirdly creating and disposing of Magistrates power over life and death highest and last appeal without which his title of Supremacy would be a title of supream mockery the stile of * School boys know that Rex is but a derivative of Rego which signifies to Govern King a meer contradiction nay if he had not these additionals whereby he is onely abled Regis agere partem he were rather Rex titularis quà m realis and if so rather regulatus and therefore in the best sense but a supream Subject then Rex regens by vertue of his supream power governing his Subjects were he deprived of these necessary adjuncts to a regall power he then may as his Majesty hath well observed himself be waited upon bare-headed have his hand kissed His Answer to the nineteen Propositions Anno 1642. his Authority declared by his Subjects have Swords and Maces carried before him and please himself with the sight of a Crown and Scepter but as to true and reall power he should remain but the out side picture and sign of a King Now that all these with many more attributes of power requisite for a King to have do appertain by the established Law of this Land to our Soveraign Lord King CHARLES his Heirs and Successors I will not trouble the margin with quotations from the Fountain Lex terrae A-1647 a principio ad fiuem Remonst Feb. 21. 1647. alibique scriptis to make good but refer the Reader to those pure streams flowing from thence those brief Collections of that Reverend Lawyer Judge Jenkins who therein Atlas like hath supported the true fundamentall Lawes of England and like a faithfull Expositor given the most religious rationall and lawfull practiced sense of them But for the cleering hereof I shall propound some queries to all rationall men which will the premises considered answer
of themselves to which even the knowledge of the meanest judgement if he know any thing cannot but assent as reall truth Presupposed the King not the King in his minority although it is as true then for there is his tacite supream power implied his Protectour â— Jenk Remonstr Febr. 21. 1647. Vide Recordi Whether ever in this Kingdom any new Law was enjoyned or new Oath imposed upon the people in opposition to the Law established by the two houses conjunctim or by either of them seperatim without nay against the King's consent and if none as none can be produced by what power have they contrived Ordinances and imposed them with a Vow and Covenant solemn League and Covenant contrary to established Law and his Majesties Proclamation Whether or no turbulent violent and irregular transaction in former Parliaments wherein Kings have been deposed or necessitated to unlawfull condescentions through force or fear have not been by succeeding Parliaments made null and those Parliaments themselves esteemed but as traiterous Assemblies and so as cannot be denied Res pares cum paribus comparemus And let us all pray that England may enjoy the happinesse of a free lawfully acting Christian like peaceable unbyased no private self ends respecting but the truly publike and generall good cordially affecting and really effecting Parliament To which let all true English men with my self say Amen Amen Whether ever formerly the Lords and Commons conjunctim or either of them divisim had the disposing of the Militia of the Kingdom did create Magistrates had power over life and death to whom highest and last appeal were made did make a great Seal acting by vertue thereof by any Law of the Land established without nay against the King's consent And if there be no Law extant interesting them in such a power but on the contrary it must necessarily be confessed that all these things by the letter of the Law and the continuall practice thereof which is optimus leges interpres do belong to the King's Majesty his Heirs and Successors their own Propositions of the second of June 1642. confessing no lesse First Book Col. Ordnan 307. for then they petitioned him for a resignation of all these insignia regalia for the removing of fears and jealousies between him and his people which must necessarily imply a tacite confession that his Majesty is solely interested in the disposing of them for to what end should they petition for those things which without his consent they may claim as their own and if so let every mans judgement speak Quis reus Whether or no there be any Law remaining established or any clause reserved in the Law by vertue whereof the Lords and Commons or either of them are authorized in any case whatsoever reall much lesse upon a pretence of any case to remove Counsellours from his Majesty by force to imprison his sacred Person to use the regall Power to alter the Lawes established to impose new Lawes without his consent upon his Subjects and the like by force All which and more then these have been put in practice since these unhappy times began and if they cannot produce any Law or the least resemblance of a Law nay of Christian reason to warrant such like actions Judge Jenkins Lex tâ—rrae Remonffr Frb. 1647. they must give us leave to ask the question Who are guilty of Treason seeing all these particulars thus usurped are by the Law declared no lesse And here by the way let me put them in mind of the different judgement of former Ages in Bishop Cranmer a glorious Martyr for our Religion from such kind of positions or practices He would not admit of the Popes authority in England because he was pre-engaged to the King by Oath Book Martyrs according to the Law of the Land affirming that the Popes authority was against the Crown Custome and Lawes of the Kingdom Now unlesse there be a Law authorizing the People under what notion soever to do that which was unlawfull in the Pope to do the offence being one and the same committed only by differing persons I know not what to write more but that Pope and People begin both with one letter praying God to deliver us from the Pope and Papistical false Doctrines As for that old stalking-horse the fundamental Law which hath so often and so long been pretended as an undeniable warrant authorizing their beginnings and proceedings in opposition to his Majesty Truly loyall English hearts and rationall men will no sooner credit that there is such a Law because of their meer declarative affirmation then that there is such an one as Atlas really supporting the Heavens with his shoulders because Poets have delivered so much to succeeding Ages in their feigned writings There indeed not any such Law warranting these kind of actions for none hitherto hath appeared in view it being a maxime that quod non apparet jure non est therefore shall be bold to put them in mind of part of Master Pym's speech at the beginning of this Parliament leaving the application to their consideration The Law is that which putteth a difference between good and evill between just and unjust if you take away the Law all things will fall into a confusion every man will become a Law to himself which in the depraved condition of humane nature must needs produce many great enormities Lust will become a Law Envy will become a Law Ambition will become a Law and what dictates and decisions such Lawes will produce may easily be discerned Thus far Master Pym. Now that these things may not come to passe in its height however and perfection in these our dayes Let us pray that the Lord would grant us all grace to tread constant steps in the path of his Law giving us loyall hearts to the King and causing us to expresse a reall not verball obedience to the Law of the Land Further because humanum est errare and omnis perfectio nostra est imperfectio all of us being full of originall sin by reason of which the suggestion of Satan and the enticing pleasures and profits of this life we are alas quamvis Christiani though stiled Christians yet ready to commit sin with greedinesse against the God of heaven as also too too apt to prefer our own private advantage and interest before the publike good and benefit not minding the peoples happinesse in practising piety and enjoying Peace the mother of plenty but oftentimes spurred on by avaritious and ambitiously aspiring thoughts we neglect rendring to God his and all other degrees of men from the Prince to the meanest of the people their respective dues which often occasioneth that confusion like a fierce torrent overfloweth and ruine like a boisterous storme suddenly shipwracks a well governed Kingdom Therefore are Oathes tanquam Clavi religiosi framed to keepe this building of Government more firme and close together To this end the Oathes of Alleagiance and
God the searcher of all hearts is my witnesse not to revile any Divines of the Presbyterian Party whom I honour as Ambassadours from Heaven when they dispense the truth of of God's Word but they must give me leave to acquaint them that unlesse they can shew any better grounds then I have hitherto read or heard from any of them since these unnaturall Wars for the making good the lawfulnesse of introducing this their meer alteration of Government by blood contrary to the Kings consent and the warrant of the Law of the Land and having not the least ground for it in the Word of God No errours formerly in Government being unreformed by his Majesty no lawfull means by a Synoy legally called and elected for redresse of what possibly could be found either unnecessary or burdensome in the Church to really tender consciences being by him also denied the Poynt of Government being then onely and still is the difference between his Majesty and the two Houses Therefore although the Protestants and they mutually agree in the fundamentals ef faith and many other necessary truthes yet I say I cannot but certifie them that neither my self nor any Protestant of ENGLAND have reason to beleeve that they have kept so close to the rule of God's Word Reason and the Law as they should have done Malachi 2.7 or perhaps may prend Therefore If they have any Arguments now in this juncture of time besides that of meerly ignorant persons professions of their good intentiōs good meaning which they know will not excuse a toto though in some things in may a tanto It being a common excuse of many in these times though they still persist in their irregularly first begun courses they may perform a Christian like and wise duty to themselves for their owne vindication and to others for their information to divulge them to the world or if they cannot produce any that then they would be perswaded even for Christ Jesus sake the Bishop of our soules to returne and doe their first workes least God come against them and us and remove our Candlestick out of its place But I proceed Because the introduction of the Presbyterian government in the Church and a proportionable alteration of the Civill Government in the State is by some Ministers of that Party cryed up as the unum necessarium tending to their preintended Reformation and the fulfilling of their solemne League and Covenant I shall endeavour although the Designers intents probably were to lock fast the Common Peoples Consciences thereby unto them to make good according to the rule of Reason Religion and Law that nothing lesse is comprehended and contained therein so that none stand ingaged unlesse they wilfully will persist in sin by their further assistance to endeavour a compleating of their Innovasion To this purpose I shall desire all a little to reflect backe upon what I have already promised how that seeing the irregular faction of the two Houses alwayes applyed themselves to the Common People as assertours and maintainors of the Law Religion and the Kings just rights towards which the assistance of many have been desired and accordingly yeelded they themselves having deferted their own Principles acted in opposition to the Law and their owne Oathes and Covenant as I have made good they are not in theis owne sence though for my part I deny that they were ever at first in a lawfull sence ingaged to take notice of their Ordinances and Commands But rather to use all possible lawfull meanes for the Restoring of his Majestie to his just Rights The established Religion both in Doctrine and Discipline to its former purity in practice according to Law the Parliament of England to its ancient genuine freedome and regular Priviledges and the resetling of Peace truth in Church and State And to this effect because some peradventure may apprehend themselves conscienciously ingaged by the solemne League and Covenant to continue their aydes in firmly setling the Presbyterian Government I shall for the removing of such obliging apprehensions passing by the unlawfulnesse of contriving imposing and indeed unwarrantablenesse of entring into it at first in which regard I acknowledge it contrary to the Lawes of the Land and authority of Scriptures give a truely Christian and lawfull construction thereof as it did at first literally and still doth onely appeare to the takers thereof who at first were not Concatenated Designers and therefore for the better clearing of Mens judgements herein shall first propound some necessary Qualifications and Limitations of Promissary Oathes being bold to affirme that if any afterwards shall obstinately persist in remaining Instrumentally Active for this Innovasion that I cannot see how they can free themselves from being wilfully guilty of opposing Reason Religion and Law as also rending in peeces all holy and obligatory Oathes and Covenants That all Promissory lawfull Oaths being religious bonds must be taken in a literall and Gramaticall sense and all lawfull endeavours used for the performance of each clause contained therein as they plainly appear not admitting of alteration afterwards or a contradiction by the mentall Reservations of the Imposers at the time of taking thereof to the judgment and understanding of him that sweareth otherwise a man cannot sweare in Judgement That if any clause shall be inserted into any Oath directly opposite to the Word of God or if any part of an Oath cannot be observed and performed without intrenching upon the breach of Gods Lawes the one ipso facto is void for Rei illicitae nulla obligatio and the other ingageth to a * Impia poenitenda promissi◠non perficiend◠repentance only and not to endeavours of performance for per juramentum non tenemur nisi ad bonum legale by Oaths men are bound to nothing but what is lawfull and good either in respect of the end to which Oaths have a respect or meanes conducing to that end therefore in all such kind of Oaths their generall conditions should be inserted however are necessarily implied if I can if it shall please God if lawfully I may for nemo tenetur ad impossibile and nil possimus quod non de Jure possimus both possible and things lawfull must be the substance of Oaths otherwise we cannot sweare in righteousnesse That no particular sentence in a secondary Oath destructive unto or different from any former lawfull ingagement ought to be kept therefore any Oath imposed by the irregular factions of the two Houses must not receive a construction or actions accordingly used in opposition to the Affirmatively and Negatively Genuine and commonly received and practised sense of the former Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy both lawfull in themselves and still according to Law resting established least we adde sinnes of Omission to sinnes of Commission but what is lawfull in any second Oath we must performe what is not we must forbear That in all clauses in Oaths concerning Reformation preservation or
defence of any thing that thing necessarily must be extant must have a being otherwise we obliging our selves if we can properly be said to be ingaged to nothing to nothing attest God as witnesse thereunto thereby mocking him and taking his holy Name in vaine and in so doing erre against his third Commandement therefore the Presbyterian Government not being particularly mentioned in the Covenant nor at the first taking thereof now about foure years and an halfe since digested in England into any form much lesse obedience thereunto commanded cannot be intended as a fulfilling of the Covenant but the words Reforme preserve and defend must have a regard to the Doctrine Discipline and Government established as for that evasion that the then takers of the Covenant dispensed with resolutions and actions of preservation c. untill the same should afterwards be setled it is altogether unlawfull and vaine nor can any one by so doing observe the Prophets counsell in Oaths which must be taken in Righteousnesse Judgement and Truth These things premised I proceed to the Oath it self only by the way let me put you in mind of your first Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy with your Protestation an Epitome of the former in these words I promise vow and protest to maintaine so far as lawfully I may his Majesties Royall Person Honor and Estate the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England c. For explanation whereof I referre you to what already hath been said concerning the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy advising every one to consider seriously that place in 30. Numb 2. Ver. If a man vow a Vow unto the Lord or sweare an Oath to bind his soule with a bond he shall not breake his word he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth Solemne League and Covenant We Noble-men Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England c. by the providence of God living under one King Vnder one King that according to common sense and reason must imply obedience and subjection in us unto him as a King enabled with power to governe and that obedience must presuppose a rule of reason and law now what that Law is I have already handled to square our actions of obedience by O that the people of England c. would in in this respect obey the Precept of Christ Give unto Caesar what belongs unto Caesar His Majestie never expected more then what the Law manifesteth to be justly his Witnesse all his Declarations why then should we give him lesse Nay endeavour to deprive him altogether of what we have neither reason nor just power to attempt And being of one reformed Religion The Covenant This must necessarily intend our Religion established a Religion that is not that shall be which Religion commandeth obedience to all His Majesties lawfull commands denieth the Subjects Liberty to take up armes against their lawfull Soveraigne acknowledgeth him to be Supreme in all causes and over all persons Vide homilies 37. Artic. Church Engl. as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill c. that to him properly and wholly belongeth the government of all Estates of this Realme therefore without and against his consent no different Government can be introduced Covenant Having before our eyes the glory of God God is never more glorified then when we expresse a willing obedience to his commands two whereof emphatically enjoyne obedience to Superiors and forbid wrong and prejudice to be offered by any to any one whomsoever First Honour thy Father and Mother that is all those that have authority over us as all Expositors upon good grounds render the meaning of it Secondly Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours house c. nor any thing that is his that is thou shalt not wish thy Neighbours hinderance in any thing much lesse deprive him of the least thing properly belonging unto him Vide the Margent of the Bible or you shall not offer any wrong to any man whomsoever whereby he may suffer damage in person estate reputation or otherwise for the word neighbour must be taken in a more extensive signification in the Commandement then we commonly use it O that every man with one eye fixed upon these two Commandements would with the other view what by the Law is justly due to his Majestie and Posterity and then consider c. Besides these you have the Prophets and Apopostles Pro. 27.29.30 speaking the same truth as Ambassadours from heaven Solomon adviseth us not to with-hold the goods from the owners thereof though there be power in thy hand to do it Prov. 3.27 29 30. nor to intend hurt against our neighbour seeing he doth dwell by us without * Feare that is putteth trust in us Pro. 24.21 Eccles 8.3 4. Vide margent in the Bible Covenant feare not to strive with a man causlesse seeing he hath done no harme My sonne fear the Lord and the King and meddle not with those that are given to change saith the same wiseman Take heed to the mouth of the King and to the Word of the Oath of God saith the Preacher that is obey the King and keep the Oath that thou had made for the same cause The advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ His Kingdome is never more advanced then when we obey his Precepts and imitate his practice Mat. 5.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.16 Now his Precepts will appear in part if we consider that in his Sermon upon the Mount after he had pronounced blessednesse to the poore in spirit to those that mourne to the meeke to those which hunger and thirst for righteousnesse to the pure in heart to peace-makers to those which suffer for righteousnesse sake to those that are falsly reviled and persecuted he addeth this Exhortation to his Apostles Let your light so shine that is let these things for which men shall be blessed practically appeare in your lives and conversations that so they may see your good workes that is others by your example of holinesse may be brought home to the fold of Christ and glorifie his Father which is in heaven And for his practise you may read it in respect of his paying tribute Matth. 22.21 as also how that being brought before Rulers whom though causelesly reviling of him hee reviled not againe being led as a sheep to the slaughter and obedient unto death that thereby hee might be a patterne for our imitation to which purpose he invites us Follow me for I am lowly and meeke c. and in our imitation we must follow him in obeying his Messengers the Apostles counsells for they are sent from him and what their counsell was you may peruse Rom. 13. submit your selves unto the higher Powers c. 1 Pet. 2.13 14 17. be obedient to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether
unto the King as supreme c. Now what is this but to advance the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ The honour and happinesse of the King that is Covenant honour him as a King of England by a cheerfull obedience unto his Lawes in which consists his greatest happinesse honour him by your assistance as Subjects supporting and sustaining him by your supplies according to his important occasions calling for the same For as Christ advised his Apostles to expresse their affections by keeping of his Commandements if you love me saith he keep my Commandements as if he should have said if you love me you will keep my Commandements and if you doe keep my Commandements you then evidence that you love me so in this respect obedience to and assistance of His Majestie are but expressions of honour if you honour the King you will obey and assist him if you obey and assist him you make it appeare to the world that you do really honour him And Royall Posterity that is Covenant what Honour and Rights were justly due to the Father render to his Children deprive not them of any part of their inheritance their regall honour and power The publike liberty safety and peace of the Kingdome Covenant That must needs imply the * Magna Charta Law for by that we are distinguished from slaves and in that we have security and safety with peace the fruit of the observation of the Law Wherein every ones private condition is included Covenant That is Prince as well as people O Lord blesse the Kings Majesty and royall Posterity restore our Lawes to their vigor and this poore Kingdome to a lasting peace Calling to mind the conspiracies and practices of the enemies of God Covenant against the true Religion and professors thereof That is against the doctrinall part of our Religion Vide the qualification of an oath behind expressed in the 39. Articles of the Church of England for common reason and your Protestation affirmeth it necessarily meant of our Religion established and against the maintainers thereof Covenant Calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots against the Law of the Kingdome that is plots by such waies and meanes as the deplorable estate of Ireland long since was a sad witnesse of whose rebellious and trayterors courses against His Majesties Royall Person Crowne of England and Ireland sufficiently then spake their intentions to subvert both Religion and Law Covenant We have now at last for preservation of our selves and Religion from utter ruine and destruction That againe I say according to reason must have a respect to a Religion and Law that is established for it is improper and absurd to say much more vaine to sweare that I will preserve that from ruine and destruction which is not in being ruine presupposing somthing that is to be destroyed and preservation somthing that otherwise will be ruined Thus you have the ground of this Covenant without mentall reservation and equivocation which if the contrivers had any as since it appears they had non ad vos pertinet it savoureth too much of the Jesuite ipsi viderint let them look to it it concerneth not you to whom I write according to the literall and Gramaticall sense and consonant to the Rules of Religion Reason and Law explained I proceed to the Covenant it selfe wherein I shall observe the same religious rationall and lawfull method i Art Covenant That we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our severall places and callings That is according to the station wherein God hath placed us the King in his regall Power Magistrates as derivatives from him in their places Ministers in theirs private subordinate persons according to their severall degrees in theirs none exceeding the rules proper to their peculiar Vocation where by the way take notice that although Superiours may and often do at one and the self-same time performe both their owne duties and also actions proper to Inferiours yet it is unlawfull for Inferiours to take upon them without lawfull Commission the duty of Superiours Lay private men must not inâ—ermeddle with what concerneth the proper duty of a Minister nor must Divines wilfully intrench upon the bounds of the Civill Magistrates nor they upon the Royall Fuction of the King for this were to authorize confusion whereas God is the God of Order Covenant Endeavour * That clause must be implied though not inserted Besides it is also confessed as needfull in the exhortation for taking the Covenant Ordered by the House of Commons Die Veneris Feb. 1643. Covenant so far as lawfully I may the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine That is if their Reformed Religion be not contrary to the Word of God this I adde because few in England know what it is in its Doctrinall part but by an implicite faith and I adde it the rather because the practice of the prevailing party there since these stormes first begun so contrary to professions may occasion suspition of their doctrines sincere truth witnesse their Declarations and therein Protestations to maintaine the Kings Rights c. contradicted by assisting endeavours to deprive him of his Rights In worship discipline and government That is that Government which was established and so remained at the compiling of the Covenant grant it the Presbyterian by the lawfull and supreme power of that Kingdome untill that government shall be altered by virtue of the self-same power Against our common enemies That is Covenant all who by unlawfull meanes contrary to the Word of God the Lawes and customes of that Nation and the consent of his Royall Majesty shall indeavour an inforced alteration thereof And here by the way as well for vindication of my self and many others in England as also seeing they esteem the Presbyterian Government there so rich a purchased jewell for their future security I shall add thus much that since they enjoyed that government so confirmed as they have by the Royall assâ—nt we never would have disturbed them in their desired possession of their Church-government as they have visited for I love mildnesse in expressions in what concerneth my Countries interest us by oaths and armes for an extirpation of Episcopacy and for the future shall never intermeddle contrary to Reason Religion or Law Covenant The reformation of religion in the Kingdome of England and Ireland c. in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches As for the doctrine of the Church of England expressed in the * The doctrine of the Protestant Church in Ireland agreeable to them 39. Articles being grounded on a sure foundation the holy Scriptures which are onely able to make us wise unto salvation hath even to this very day by the assistance protection and efficaciously working of
Gods Spirit in the hearts of many glorious pillars of our Church reverend Bishops and other pious and learned Divines stood like a rock unshaken their tongues preaching their pens maintaining their bloods confirming the irresistable prevailing truth thereof against Turke Jew Jesuite and all other hereticall and schismaticall opponents whatsoever Thus much I am confident all neighbouring Protestant Churches will condescend unto therefore I shall proceed Covenant In Doctrine and Worship That is all erroneous tenents and practices whether Papisticall Schismaticall or others of those qui ambulant post spiritum suum against whom the Prophet denounceth a woe Ezek. 13.3 who being departed from the * 1 Tim. 4.1 faith which they once professed are guided by the spirit of error leading silly women and unstable mindes captive by the whistling of every breath of their windy doctrine being clad in sheeps cloathing Mat. 7.15 but inwardly ravenous Wolves Examples of which nature too too many offer them themselves in these unhappy times wherein almost all things are countenanced or at least connived at as lawful but lawful things therefore let us pray That the God of Peace and Truth would bring into the way of Truth and Peace all such as have erred and been deceived by seditious Schismatical guids and erronious directions and prosper thou oh Lord all their endeavours tending to such a Reformation Amen Discipline Government according to the Word of God Covenant and the best Reformed Churches Now the question will be which cometh nearest to the Word of God That Episcopacy claimeth the nearest alliance truly entituling it self to be of Apostolical Institution is a truth that hath been made good in all ages That for 1500 years continuance of Christianity there is no example of the Church Governed otherwise An Argument sufficient to suspect Novelties in opposition unto it That it hath been approved of by most of the Protestant Divines beyond the Seas Vide Ecclesiast Historiâ—â— who are rather induced by necessity to the practise of Presbytery there wanting means to maintain or abilities lawfully to compass Episcopal Government them wills and desires to enjoy the same A strong Argument perswading that our Church is the best Reformed is also an apparent truth That in all disputes especially this latter Doctor Hall against 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11 SMECTYMNVVS Since the War of the reverend and learned Remonstrancer against that odd Combination of * Letters Episcopacy hath stood the field triumphing in Reason and Religion which have only perswaded my judgment to an inclination thereunto and an approbation thereof and I presume any one not obstinately prejudicate in their judgments will soon be satisfied thereof and agree with me herein by the perusal of that learned Bishops writings or by any whose learning and judgments are able to inform them therein But to write truth whether Episcopacy or Presbytery come nearest to the Word of God never was nor at present is the dispute between His Majesty and the two Houses but quis regnabit Where the supream power in Causes Ecclesiasticall and Civil shall practically remain for the future either in Prince or people Nor indeed was it the end that these Covenant-Contrivers did aim at Witness their second Article wherein before tryal and examination whereby truth or falshood is made evident they contrary to reason pass sentence of condemnation upon it therein positively swearing without respect of persons a strange expression whereas the King is the first moving wheel of a new Law to extirpate the Government it self that indeed being a Marble pillar which first must be removed by them before they can introduce their bloody-colour'd post of Presbytery endeavouring in that Article to ingage the common peoples Consciences though I shall by and by make good that no mans Conscience is thereby ingaged to assist them I mean the Plotters to attain that which they had a pre-resolution to effect si non Precibus tunc vi armisque Since that plainly appearing as I have already shewed However that my deceived Countrymen may see how they have been abused into a belief of enjoying I know not how much happiness under the term of Reformation in Church now generally re-baptized Presbytery I shall present to your veiw a short Paralel collected out of the writings of a pious learned and conscientious Divine of these two Governments Episcopal and Presbyterian Doctor Fearne For as for that illegitimate thing that new-born brat Independency it hath such variety of shapes and each of them also so monstrous that I shall not need to meddle with it at all being Confident that it will soon be hissed out of the Kingdom by a Universal Consent or like Jonah's gourd vanish away unthought of in a moment And here I cannot but insert my admiration to perceive so many men still so firmly in their affections and Judgments adhering to the present conclusive determinations of that changeable-coloured thing nay that word Parliament when as it is that which hath so much abused even these first affecting persons the City of London in general their mis-lead supporters Witness in particular the present continuing imprisonment of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and that strange and uncivil expulsion out of the Leiutenan cy of the Tower that deserving Gentleman Col. Francis West without the least pretended cause even in the very middest of his expressed courtesies and feasting favours cofenr'd upon their great Don and his followers although he formerly was chosen by the general Vote nay acclamation of the whole City approved of by themselves and indeed beloved by all Only to make way for that unflâ—dg'd Titmouse of Manhood and Wit that Imp of Independency Tichbourn fitter by far mimically again in his Fathers Chamber to act a wanton girles part in a Commedy then to have so great a part of trust and commanding power as he now hath conferred upon him Oh Lord open the eyes of poor deceived England especially the City of London and suffer them no longer to walk in darkness and in the shadow of a senceless stupidity thus like blind men groping for the path of peace and truth even at noon day But I proceed to the Paralel of these Ecclesiastical Governments And in the first place take their definitions in general Episcopacy in it self considered is a prelacy or superiority of one above all the Presbyters within such a precinct or diocess which one is appointed to have care of all the Churches within that compass and furnished with Power and Authority for Ordination and Jurisdiction that Authority not being Arbitrary but bounded by Laws and administred or exercised with advice and assistance of certâ—in choyce Presbyters to the intent that all Churches or Congregations under him may be provided of able Pastors and that both these inferior Pastors and people may perform the duties required of them Pressbytery is such a form of Church-Government Doctor Fearn in his book of Episcopacy Presbytery considered as
and Constitutions nor publish and put in uâ—e any of them being made Now Presbyterians take upon them to set up their Discipline in a Kingdom therein indeed shaking hands with Jesuited Papists maugre all opposition It is true for external peace sake they hold it fit to crave leave first and beg the assistance of the Civil Power but if denyed will proceed without it assembling together and making their own Laws without regulations from the Civil Power for the manner and form of exercising their Discipline allowing only the Prince Potestatem Cumulativam as they speak a power to add more strength and vigour not Privativam to interpose or hinder their assemblies or decrees And in this respect it were to be wished that England had never proved exemplary as now in these latter times it doth by such kind of proceedings The fountain from whence hath issued too ny bloody streams And here it will not be amiss to present the Reader with the grounds and reasons enforcing his Majesty with his loyal Subjects assistance to defensive Arms and in that a Declaration of my own in particular and many thousand English Protestant Judgments more whose pens tongues and hands only endeavored a restoration of his Royal Majesty to his just regal honor and authority Themselves and their fellow-subjects unto their due liberties both Parliamentary and private The preservation of the Protestant Religion in the Doctrine and Profession of the Church of England against all Papists and Sectaries The maintenance of the Government of the Church of England as it standeth still by Law established until the Law of the Land shall make alteration thereof not so peremptorily maintaining the continuance of Episcopal Government as to enforce the remaining of its general practice in England by force of Arms in opposition and against his Majesties suppose that the King could or would dispence with his Coronation Oath will and consent to that purpose cheerfully and voluntarily ratified not by the pressing violence of almost unavoydable necessity or tyrannizing power of the prevailing Sword but freely confirmed and declared by Act of Parliament although peradventure they may mourn the alteration and abrogation of so ancient and apostolical a Government But because my Judgment pleadeth for Episcopacy and it hath been an argument much urged against the Bishops and in them the Government it self defamed That That formerly they silenced severall godly Ministers prohibiting them and others the exercise of holy duties because they did only exercise duties that were holy I shal write my thoughts freely herein For far be it from me to speak against or any to forbid the Exercise of holy duties as hearing praying reading living strictly Endeavouring to have a Conscience void of offence towards God and towards Men No no the practice of them in sincerity is the high way to Heaven for without holinesse none shall see God but in the mean time take heed what you hear beware of swallowing poyson wrapped up in Leaves of gold take heed of these who have a forme of Godlinesse a forme in Practice onely that under pretence of long Prayers and outside piety devour Widdows houses that deny the truth of the word of God the holy Scriptures by their false Doctrines seducing many into erronious Opinions the parents of worse succeeding actions For my part if any did so forbid performance of holy duties as I am altogether ignorant of any such nor can easily be induced to believe it howsoever were I assured of its truth I would not minima defendere peccata plead an excuse for them But if then they did as I believe they did onely by suspensions endeavour to prevent the sowing of the seeds of sedition schisme and heresie or the growth thereof to any strength either in publick or in private as it was there and is the duty of all Ecclesiasticall Governours they did no more then what the law of God and the land gave them a warrant for therefore let every one as well take heed of calling good evill as tearming evill to be good for in all probability had such preventing-remedies as these been timely applied when sedition schisme and heresie first opened their black mouths we never had arrived at this high degree as at this present we are of variety of Errours and pernicious destructive Opinions O Lord have mercy upon us But grant that some of them stretched the exercise of power beyond its lawfull bounds and in that respect were guilty deserving punishment What is the fault of one or more Bishops to the Government it self could not the errours of particular persons be reformed or punished but by an extirpation of the whole Government durus est hic sermo it is hard indeed if God for the sin of two Adam and Eve nay of many thousands more should have therefore denied mercy and reconciliation to all mankind How everlastingly unhappy would the residue of the world have been Deliver us good God from the cruell dealings of men and if affliction must be our portion let us fall into thy hands O Lord for thy mercy endureth for ever As for the remaining clauses in the first Article viz. Of bringing the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest uniformity c. these things considered Covenant That the Discipline of the Church of God is most Consonant to the word of God approved of and desired by forraigne Divines and therefore the best reformed not intrenching with the Papists upon the Civill power nor with them denying the Kings supremacy in causes Ecclesiasticall agreeing best with Monarchy confirmed by the Law of the Land Other Churches therefore according to the rule of reason and religion within His Majesties Dominions should rather conform to ours then the uniformity of ours in Religion Government and Worship admit a change or be transformed into any other form To this purpose O Lord inspire the universal Church with the spirit of truth unity and concord and grant that all that do Confesse thy holy name may live in peace and godly love one with another Amen Covenant This limitation is approved by the Parliament as behind fol. 53. That we shall in like manner that is in a lawfull manner according to the word of God endevour the extirpation of Popery that is their tenents of transubstantiation worshipping of Images praying to Saints Preaching good works as meritorious to everlasting life and salvation that Kings for diverse respects may be Deposed by the people that then Subjects Oaths of Alleagiance may be dispensed with King James Apol. Oath Alleg. with their deniall of the Kings Supremacy in all Causes as well Ecclesiasticall and Civill and the like Endeavour extirpation of these by execution of good Laws already established against their Errours and Professours thereof by that meanes preventing their further growth hindring their seducing of ignorant and unwary people and in case of Conspiracy and Treason against the Kings Majesty His Queen or Royall off-spring
the often reiterated advice of Reverend Judge Jenkens to restore His Majesty to His Throne and procure a gracious Pardon from Him with an all-burying Act of Oblivion O that men would in this their day perceive those wayes wich do lead to Peace and Truth and walk therein before they be hidden from their eyes And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace between these Kingdomes that is 5. Article Covenant by the union of the three Kingdomes under One King professing the truth of Religion governing by His established Law denyed in former times to our Progenitours is by the providence of God granted unto us c. So that now we are no more Aliens nay Neighbours but Brethren not envying one anothers happinesse and prosperity being not infested with offensive or defensive Acts of hostility upon either of our borders but reciprocally endeavouring one anothers peace and welfare mutually joying in the enjoyment of one anothers happinesse Let each of us endeavour that the Kingdomes may remaine in such a firme peace and union that is by our mutuall obedience to our Soveraigne and the Laws of each respective Nation and in brotherly love one towards another Amen O heavenly Father Give us to this end powerfull endeavours to make good our Covenant accordingly And may Justice be done to the wilfull opposers in manner expressed in the precedent Article We shall also according to our places in this common cause of Religion Liberty and peace of the Kingdomes 6. Article Covenant assist and defend by all lawfull meanes all those that enter into this League and Covenant c. nor shall we make defection to the contrary part but shall oppose and hinder That is all such who envying our blessed union thus religiously lawfully cemented shal oppose us and it endeavouring by heretical erroneous divulged positions to dishonour God and robbe him of his glory by seditious doctrines to infuse into the people a disloyal spirit of Treason and Rebellion against the Kings Majesty His heires and successours of disobedience to Him and His lawfull Commands whereby His honour is despised the generall good of the Kingdomes not onely neglected â—ut much endangered all which we shall do as in the sight of God And because these Kingdomes are guilty of many sins against God and his Son Christ Jesus as by our present distractions dangers too manifestly appeareth Let us all pray that the God of heaven and earth would give us his grace of humiliation for our own particular the general sins of this Nation especially that we have not valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel nor received Christ into our hearts conforming our lives and actions to his practice and precept but rather have made use of the liberty and freedome which we had by Christ from the rigorous exaction and condemning power of the Law Gal. 5.13 as an occasion to neglect and altogether to deny our obedience to the Law as the rule of direction Notwithstanding that thou who art truth it self hast told us that the end of thy comming was to fulfill and not to destroy the Law 5 Mat. 17. Neverthelesse we despise it running madly into sin as an horse rusheth into the battaile Let us further pray that God would bestow upon us his grace of assistance whereby we may be enabled to amend our lives to performe all holy actions required by himselfe to himself according to his revealed will all our duties towards Men according to their severall degrees and places Honour and obedience to the King as Supreame to whom they primarily belong to all subordinate Magistrates as rivelets streaming from him the Spring Forgiving all our enemies persecutors and slanderers praying God who hath the hearts of all men at command winding them which way he please as he doth the Rivers of water to pardon their sins and turne their hearts and cause us to live in love peace and charity one with another Thus let us shew an example of a reall reformation that the Lord may turne away his wrath and heavy indignation and restore truth and peace to these Churches and Kingdoms which God out of his infinite mercy grant Amen Amen To draw to a conclusion I shall by way of a briefe recollection propound some few questions to my poor deceived Country-men which their owne knowledge can answer Had the irregular faction of the two Houses intended as they only pretended a reformation of some errours which perhaps like Cobwebs in an uninhabited house were growne through too much security a crime incident to an uninterrupted peace in Kingdomes they might have been swep't downe with the milde beesome of Instruction and care taken to prevent the like for future and needed not to have pull'd downe the building to take them away Did ever His Majesty in all His transaction by His Messages and Declarations since these unhappy times propose any new thing for the inlargement of His owne Prerogative or derogatory to the Law of the Land and more particularly that part thereof which concerneth the Subjects Liberty Did the King Patronize any Instruments who ranne formerly beyond the just bounds of the Law from condigne punishment Did He ever practice Popery truely so called or propose any thing that to the most jealous and suspicious thoughts might in after-times have occasioned the introduction thereof Or did he ever administer the least ground to fear his recidivation from the Protestant Religion but rather hath evidenced the contrary by His Practice Proclamations Declarations and Commands Did not His Majesty ever first send Messages of Peace and reconciliation Vid. all His Messages Col. Parl. Ordin Wooing His Subjects to the enjoyment of their owne Tranquility and happinesse On the contrary have not the irregular faction of the two Houses notwithstanding their pretences of Religion and Law subverted the ancient Law and Liberty of our Nation and defamed the Religion established abrogating its formes of Worship This will appear if you consider That in all their addresses though pretending Peace they never endeavoured a reconciliation between His Majesty and themselves in such a manner whereby a mutuall satisfaction and security might have been given and received as it is requisite between two differing parties but they must have all giving His Majesty no satisction at all Did they ever command the practice of the Religion and formes of worship established notwithstanding their pretended maintenance thereof or did they ever so much as consult about preservation thereof but on the contrary have suffered heresies Schismaticall opinions openly to be Preached and Printed contrary to the same Government Did not His Majesty yeild to the setling of the Presbyterian Government for three years in a Legall manner as flowing from the power of the Crowne But this would not satisfie They like strange gamesters fling at all they must have totaliter totum Therefore consider hereof you have againe the result of the designe Epitomized Nolunt hunc regnare Their Writings
Actions past present although spiced over with never so many plausible pretences affirme no lesse O Angliginae Angliginae quae vos dementia cepit O English-men let me expostulate with you Did all of you nay did any of you six years past by your first assistance intend what you now see brought to passe The frame of your Government altered Your King your Soveraigne a Prisoner I am confident that few or none of you you I meane to whom I write contributers of your assistance not knowing wilfull contrivers had then no such intentions Why then by silence will you suffer the guilt of these bloody designers to be originally pinn'd upon your back Take notice that sin-guilty men are of a nature much like the Plague they love to have company in infection avoid the one therefore as you would flie from the other follow the common Proverbe Set the saddle upon the right horse Weigh in your thoughts past and present actions have they not sufficiently abused you you deceived mislead Londoners I meane Could you ever some years past have supposed that an Army formerly stiling themselves your protecting friends â— July 1647. should by an opposing march come against you slaying even at your City wals some ingaged for your and its defence that the Cannons mouth should by them be turned against your dwellings that your defensive meanes of preservation within your wals your Chaines I meane by the prevalency of that faction should be knock'd off Could you then expect or fear to be thus domineered over by such bucklers and the Lording swords I am certaine such thoughts could not then possesse you Now all this being true why will you by your too too passivenesse be continuers of your owne Miseries Consider further do you all expect Clavum regni tenere doe you all hope to be Kings to governe none obey you cannot entertaine such vaine conceipts Do you expect that liberty should be granted in Civill affaires Vitam sine lege vivere to live without a Law No no deceive not your selves your cunning Masters that have hitherto blindfolded you and led you by the nose will when they have gained the full command of the reines make you passive in any thing that their ambition malice and covetousnesse shall though falsely suggest as necessary and convenient Therefore be perswaded to a desertion of them and their designes What though you have got a scratch or two in your reputation by your former erroneous actions would you rather have it fester through neglect and so indanger the losse of a member then apply this salve of a penitentiall returne which will heale you in a moment Non est perniciosum in praelio vulnerari sed post vulnus acceptum vulneri medicamentum non applicare It is more madnesse to refuse a cure then dishonour to receive a wound Is it not a far better happier Government and freer from oppression to live under our Soveraigne Lord the King Ruling His Subjects by a written Law and resigning the Ministers of that Law if they neglect executing Justice and Judgement according to the direction thereof to the strictly searching examination of a Parliament one of their proper workes and according to their merit by them to receive Punishment then under a company of Tyrannicall persons quibus voluntates solummodo leges governing according to their owne wils and from whom there is no appeale Once more therefore let me earnestly desire all my abused and deceived Country-men to returne to the God of heaven by a true and unfeigned repentance to their Soveraigne in Loyall affections and obedienciall actions to their Country in a true hearted fidelity And here although I have not the least cause knowing the principles of Religion on which they stand to doubt their contrary practice yet for the further advancement of His Majesties Honour their owne reputations as English Protestants Vindication of the Kings so just a Cause and stopping the mouthes of envious men who watch for reviling opportunities let me adde this request to all those who by the assisting and directing power of the Almighty God have ever since these dismall dayes of bloody disloyalty been kept in the straight path of obedience to His Majesty That they would invite all former wanderers out of that way unto a returne by perswasive arguments of reason sound principles of Religion alluring expressions of affection laying aside all bitternesse of spirit revenge and hatred the bane of Peace and reconciliation forgetting all former deviations putting a difference between the efficient and instrumentall cause I meane the contrivers of this Rooting designe and the Instruments who were abused into unlawfull actions by specious pretences and know not the end to which these beginnings did tend considering that though Nature hath equally bestowed eyes upon all birds yet she hath not given to all eyes alike qualified with the Eagles therefore let us all rather endeavour to cleare their sight then muffle them with the vailes of scornefull and reproachfull words Nay let us even to the most wilfull persisters and invenomed spirits imitate the example of blessed S. Steven whose heart hands eyes and tongue then begg'd mercy and forgivenesse of the God of heaven for his hard hearted adversaries when they were knocking him downe to the earth with stones And when in after times the wheel shall turne placing their expectations in the chaire of power with a nunc fruimur votis forget not to use the reines of command with Moderation still remembring that the irregular deeds of State affaires and Princes imployed instruments reflect alwayes upon their Royall Master the Kings honour being then wounded when they do but slip into the practice of unwarrantable unjust oppressing actions remembring also that many thousands in England have almost for seaven years time been bred up like wilde Colts by their Riders unto stubbornesse and disobedience and therefore in probability may sooner be stroked then whipp'd into a condescending compliance for oftentimes we know that the sence of an immoderately beating hand forceth a penitentiall though formerly prodigall child to a backsliding and re-excursions unto more desperate undertakings Although England hath been long troubled almost with a general phrenzie yet the Iron rod Bread and Water are not properly to be given them as food whom Time the mother of Truth and Instruction the Judgements Informer hath like Physick recovered from that distemper Remember that England hath been long sick of a Consumption even to a fear'd dissolution of the whole body like a Patient by the losse of much blood brought into an extreame weakenesse and all know that knowing Physitians although probably there may still remaine some bad humour administer not strong Purges but comforting Cordials then when there is as it were an interregnum inter mortem vitamque not knowing which will be the Conquerour life or death still having in your thoughts that it is the onely glorious property of mercy for a man then to pardon