provoked against them though had they continued in their Integrity and had really performed what some time they pretended and had forsaken all Sin it had not been thus with them neither had this guilt been upon them which now they are like to be accountable for And this is my Judgment concerning these things Quer. 6. Whether or no he may justly think ye and with more safety to himself and happiness to the Kingdoms Tollerate and Allow LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE so called to all the many Sects and sorts of People and Worshippers that are now in being in these Nations Or whether he may Tollerate some and not all Or whether he may Tollerate none but reduce the Government of the Church into the way of Bishops and Prelates as it was in his Fathers dayes Which of these may he do justly and with more safety to himself and happiness to his Government and Kingdoms Answ. We do believe he may and ought justly and with most safety to himself and happiness to the Kingdoms Tollerate and Allow free LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE in all the Matters of Faith and Worship towards God for LIBERTY in exercise of CONSCIENCE in the Matters of Gods Kingdom is a very precious thing to the Lord and very dear in his sight and he is tender of it and I do stedfastly believe he will not bless the Rulers of this Nation that shall deny to the People of this Nation and oppose LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE in the exercise of Faith and Worship towards God for I do know it is not given of God to any Earthly King or Ruler whatsoever to exercise Lordship over the Consciences of People in the Matters of Faith and Worship and the things pertaining to Gods Kingdom for Kings and Rulers are but to Rule over men in a Nation in the Matters between one man and another in outward things and worldly affairs and therein only men ought to Rule in Equity over a Nation or City or Country and Magistracy in this state and for such an end is Gods Ordinance appointed of him for the preserving of Peace and good order among men in outward things and it is a priviledge of the Crown of Christs Spiritual Kingdom to be Lord and Ruler over and in mens Consciences in Faith and Worship and all the Matters of his Kingdom even as and according to his pleasure and as his Spirit leads and guids for and if any man shall assume to prescribe God a way how he must be Worshipped and shall limit his Spirit from this or to the other way of Religion and think to be Lord in mens Consciences in religious Matters such are but Usurpers and are not well-pleasing to the Lord in such their way and Government if they oppress mens Consciences by limiting from or compelling to any such way of Worship or kind of Religion neither are they Ordained to Rule among men for that end not to be King and Iudge and Law giver in Heavenly and Spiritual Matters and this ought not CHARLES the King to do but and if he do it and will not let Christ alone be the Head over his Church it cannot be with safety to himself nor happiness to the Kingdoms nor justly in the sight of God but it will work contrary effects And he may and ought to Tollerate and Allow LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE in the matters of Gods Kingdome to all sorts of People and Worshippers that are in this Nation and let him mind Gods Wisdom how to keep the Nations in peace and good order in all outward and civil Affairs between man and man and between one sort of People and another that none destroy each others persons or estates nor be Oppressors one of another in outward and earthly Matters and that is the place and priviledge of a just King and Ruler upon Earth and to leave Faith and Worship and Duty towards God as every one is perswaded in their own Consciences is the right Way whether they will read the Common-Prayer or Preach and Pray after the order of the Directory or otherwise Or whether they will meet in silence without words and let all these enjoy their way of Religion and Worship in outward peace and not kill one another about their Religion Worship Church and Ministry nor imprison and persecute one another about these things but let them all be preserved as men living in peace one with another in all outward relations and yielding Subjection to good Laws which concerns their outward man and their peace and well-being as Subjects of a Nation but there ought to be no Law of Bondage and Force nor violent Impositions by any man concerning Religion for the Lord alone is sufficient to give Prescriptions and Laws to his Peopâ—â— how he may be served and worshipped and this is the way of good Government in this Nation that only the outward man in outward things be Governed and all Matters of Conscience in Spiritual things be left unto God that his Spirit may therein only rule and have the preheminence and if the King do Rule thus he may be more blessed and in that this Nation hath his word for LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE it is expected for because this hath been wanting to wit the allowance of LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE in Spiritual Matters because of this have been much strife and contention and heart-burnings in the Nation while some Sects of People have been tollerated and upheld and others persecuted for their Religion-sake by Law and this was one of the chief causes wherefore the Presbyterians so called first raised War against the Bishops even because they could not be tollerated but were persecuted while the other were guarded and defended by Law and this was a great cause of enmity which if the Presbyterians so called could have had Liberty and Tolleration at that day for their Worship and Faith it is possible the War against the Bishops had not so far proceeded though when they had gotten Victory they were no less furious towards the Bishops to destroy them than the other had been once against them and this arose by reason of persecuting for Conscience sake because all had not Liberty in the exercise of Spiritual things which if the King had declared at that day Equal Liberty to both in Matters of their Faith and Religion and yet ruled over both in outward affairs and had Authority over the Persons and Estates in Matters not related to Spiritual Worship but left them therein free and in their Religion by such means the War might have been stopped and not proceeded so far as it did and into such destruction and this being now well considered may be an Example to prevent the like hereafter So that I say it cannot be for his safety nor for the good of the Kingdoms to Tollerate some sorts of People and Religions and Persecute others for that will be the very Cause of strife among men it will provoke one sort to destroy another and it will provoke the
that have been and are upright and sincere towars God in their way they are not afraid but are confident in the Lord and are given up in his will whether to do or suffer for his Names-sake and they have no terror upon them because of any guilt because they have been upright in that way which they were perswaded to be right and such lives in a patient and quiet life and are contented whatsoever comes to pass because they have the witness that they have not followed their Religion for self ends nor taken the name of Righteousness for a Cloak as many others have upon whom this overturning falls very heavy And these things with many more the like we do observe from the present transfactions which are fallen out in Mercy to some and in Iudgment to others even a Iudgment upon all that do not fear the Lord but walk in wickedness and that have been Hypocrites and hard-hearted and cruel and to all that doth not repent of their sins these things and the end of them are and shall be great Iudgments and shall be turned into bitterness even their joy and rejoycing into howling and great Lamentation this shall be the end unto all the ungodly but unto all that fear the Lord and departs from Iniquity even unto such the end of all these things shall be good even Mercy and Peace and their sorrow shall be turned into joy And as for us we are not faint-hearted though it be supposed that we are in our last dayes and as though our ruin were nigh to come but we believe other wise for we have clearness of Conscience towards God and all men and walks in Faith and patience and knowing this assuredly that if we be persecuted and afflicted in Person or Estate by you that now are in Power yet it is for Righteousness sake and for the Lords sake and not for the guilt of any Rebellion against you that you have or ever can have to Charge upon us for we cannot befound in these things for we can neither secretly flatter to make peace with you neither can we openly rebell against you or resist you but as our right from God and you we claime the LIBERTY of the Exercise OF OUR CONSCIENCES in the Matters of Faith and a holy Life towards God that we may mind the things of Gods Kingdome and may so walk and worship as to have peace with God in our Consciences that no burden of Sin and Iniquity may lye upon us but that we may live and dye in peace with God this is all we Claime of you But and if you will not allow it us but will persecute us and seek to destroy us only for our Conscience-sake and because of our Faith and Religion if you do make and execute Laws against us in opposition to the Law of our God that you may take an occasion against us to destroy us because thereof then Innocent blood and cruel suffering will be upon you and the weight of it will sink you into confussion when your measure is full and if you should destroy these vessels yet our Principles you can never extinguish but they will live for ever and enter into other bodies to live and speak and act through other vessels for our Principles are standing and unchangeable through Ages and Generations and may be clouded but can never be extinguished for every man hath a Light in his Conscience which Christ hath inlightened them withal which Light reproves Men for sin and with it they know they should not Lie nor Swear nor be Drunk nor deal doubbly nor walk in any sin but and if they do these things and live contrary to the Light in their own Consciences then they deny Christ and are unbelievers and they are condemned and have trouble in their Consciences but if men do own that Light in their Consciences which doth reprove them for sin then it leads them to Repentance and to the forsaking of all sin and they cease from all Iniquity and receive Iesus Christ and his blood to cleanse them And the Light of the Spirit of God leads them into all Truth to do and speak the Truth in all things and then he hath peace with God in his Conscience And these are some of our Principles which can never be Subdued by all the Powers of the Earth though the vessels which now retain these were out off yet these Principles are unchangeable in themselves and can never be extinguished so that this our Religion cannot come to ruin but they that think so they are indeed deceived and whosoever shall seek to destroy that which Gods purpose is to exalt woe shall be unto them and as they purpose towards others so shall it come upon them from the Lord in his Day and Season And thus I have answered the Queries directed to the Quakers and subscribed Tradite hanc Amico Regis and I do desire that the Friend of the King and all his Friends and he himself may receive and road over these my Answers and may consider them in coolness and moderation for they may be to their Edification if they be Sober minded I am a Friend unto all men as men and creatures and a lover of all Souls and am in Principles and Practises one of them scornfully called a Quaker E. B. An OBjECTION Answered concerning the KINGS SUPREMACY ANd whereas it is Objected by some Whether or not we will be obedient Subjects accepting of him as our Lawful King and own his Supremacy and will obey him willingly or unwillingly and be Subjects in Conscience or against our Consciences Answ. It is our Principle and hath ever been our Practise to be obedient Subjects to whatsoever Power or Authority of man or men as have been in being over us either by doing and fulfilling their just Commands or by suffering under their Commands which have been unjust and thus we are perswaded and resolved in the Lord to continue even to be obedient to the Commands of Men in Authority which are just and according to our Consciences but and if any thing or matter be required of us and Imposed upon us which is contrary to the Law of God and our Consciences that we must fulfill by Suffering whatsoever is put upon us by him or any under him and so we own him and accept him as knowing and believing that he is set to Rule in this Nation not without but by and according to the purpose of the Lord and that he hath secretly purposed and Suffered the accomplishing of these things and thus we account that he is CHEIF MAGISTRATE because these things are Effected through the Lords Power who doth whatsoever he will and we do own that he is set and proclaimed to be the Head and Supream over this Nation in Civil Outward Affaires and Matters and in those things that are related to the outward man all his Commands which are just we can willingly be subject unto
A VISITATION AND PRESENTATION OF LOVE UNTO THE KING And Those call'd ROYALLISTS Consisting I. Of an ANSWER to several QUERIES proposed to the People called QUAKERS from a supposed ROYALLIST II. Of an OBjECTION Answered concerning the KINGS SUPREMACY III. Of an EPISTLE directed to the KING those that go under the name of ROYALLISTS IV. Of certain QUERIES returned to them called ROYALLISTS to Answer LONDON Printed and are to be fold by Robert Wilson 1660. AN ANSVVER To divers QUERIES Superscribed thus To the Quakers some Queries is sent to be Answered that all People may know your Spirit and the temper of it and your Judgment concerning the Times and Seasons and Subscribed let your Answer be directed Tradite banc Amico Regis AS concerning the Quakers that are scornfully so called We are at this day and have been ever since we were a People a poor despised and contemptible People in the eye of this world and deep Sufferers under the Injustice and Cruelties and Oppressions both of Rulers Teachers and People and we have been a prey to the wicked and troden down under the feet of Ambitious men that have been in Power in this Nation and have Ruled in force and cruelty over us and this hath been ever since the Lord raised us up to be a People though we have not been offensive to any just Law or Government or to any sort of People otherwise then that we have given our Witness against Sin and wickedness in all People but we have not been Oppressors of others neither have we envied the persons of any but in all good Conscience have we walked towards all men doing no otherwise to any than we would be done unto and this is the very Law we walk by towards all men desiring the good of all and that all may come to Repentance and be Saved and what we are as unto the Lord if I should declare it could not be believed by many But we are his People and he hath Chosen us and he is our God and we have Believed in him and walked with him in the uprightness of heare and we have this Testimony in our own hearts if we die it is for him and if we live it is to him and though we have been and may be clouded with the Reproaches and Persecutions of an Uncircumcised Generation yet in the Lords season it shall be manifest even to the world and to our very enemies that we are his People and Chosen of him and he in the midst of us whom we Serve and Worship in Spirit in Truth and in Righteousness and this shall be manifest in the day of the Lord and in the mean time we are willing to bear and to suffer all things that is put upon us for the Name of the Lords sake Query 1. Whether you or any of you that pretend to Inspiration and Revelation did foresee or was it revealed to you that ever Charles Stuart should be Proclaimed King to Reign in England ever any more Or whether or no any of you did believe it or could have believed it by your great Faith which you profess if it had been told you long ago Answ. As for the Proclaiming of Charles Stuart King to Reign in England it was not improbable unto our Faith neither is it contrary unto that which some of us hath seen for we know that God respecteth neither persons nor names but doth give the Kingdoms of this World to whomsoever he will And thus much was said as may be seen in a Book called GOOD COUNSEL AND ADVICE REIECTED and divers other Papers c. p. 17. In a Letter to Oliver Cromwell it is said concerning you that are commonly called Cavaliers But what and if for and because of thy wickedness in the sight of God he should raise them up and make them Instruments in his hand to accomplish his wrath upon thee even like as he made thee once his Instrument to overthrow them c. And here the thing was believed to be possible that the Lord might raise you up again for his pleasure to fulfil his will because of the wickedness of the Army and Nation and it is now come to pass even as was seen and believed And also it was expressed in a Letter written in the tenth Month 1659. concerning them that were your Enemies and that were at first raised against you The very same spirit of Pride and Oppression and Idolatry is entred into them meaning your Enemies and now lives in them in as high a measure as ever it lived amongst you and their Iniquities are well nigh finished and the Lord will one way or other correct and reproue them and they shall be dealt with in like manner as they have dealt with you for they were no more than a Rod in the hand of the Lord for a season and they must also be broken and cast into the fire and whether the Lord may ever make use of you to reprove them as he did of them to reprove you this I determine not but leaves it to him who can do whatsoever he will by what Instruments he pleaseth It is true you have made many Attempts to be revenged upon them but you have not hitherto prospered but could you be humbled and come into the meek Spirit of the Lord then might you prosper but hitherto the Lord hath alwayes defeated you and bowed you down under a People as unworthy at others but their time will come to an end And submit unto the will of the Lord in what is come to pass and seek not vengeance to your selves and then the Lord will avenge your cause for the Iniquities of your Adversaries are ripe c. And Charles Stuart must either be Converted to God and ruled by him or else he can never rightly Rule for God in this Nation though this I believe it is not impossible but that he may be a Rod upon them that once smote him and their Oppressions and Ambitions may receive a check through him c. These things were written in a Letter to all the people of your part long before there was any visible appearance of that which is now come to pass whereby it doth appear that these things in a great measure were foreseen and Prophesied of and it was believed as a thing very possible that thus it might be as is already come to pass And as for visions they are for an appointed time there is a time to see and a time to speak what is seen and revealed things belongs to us and when we declare them then you may take notice of it But it was verily believed as a thing possible that such a thing would be and also by the proceedings and transactions as they have fallen out for your very enemies have so acted and proceeded as to destroy themselves to bring you in over their Heads though they little intended the thing yet the effect of their proceedings could hardly
prove otherwise than to destroy themselves and make room for you and these things I observed And also thus far we did fore see and it was revealed to us and believed by many of us fully and we did often Prophesie it that the Lord God of Heaven Earth would destroy and bring down the Government Authority as they have stood in this Nation for divers years and that he would bring Iudgment upon the Rulers and upon many of the Teachers People of this Nation because of their Oppressions and Unfaithfulness and Treachery Hypocrisie Wickedness which abounded amongst them which we have felt and seen and been sensible of and we have often given our witness against them because of their guiltiness in their sinful waies Oh it hath been loathsome unto the Lord even the Oppressions Treacheries of the Rulers Oh how hath Cruelty and Injustice abounded in their Government their hypocrisie hath been evident in our sight in many Particulars even in that they have cryed against and overthrown King and Kingly Government charging them with oppression and cruelty and pretended to ease the People in a better way of Government when as though Governors and Names Titles of Government were changed and altered yet oppression ceased not neither was injustice forsaken nor was the heavy yoakes of great bondage removed but the rather these things were increased upon many good People in these Nations and herein was the unfaithfulness and treachery of the Rulers very great in the sight of God and their Government unjust and unequal wherefore the Lord hath been provoked against them to confound them and overturn them and we have often told it them and also the Hypocrisie and deceits and sinfulness of Teachers we have seen testified against our witness to them both is and will be found true and Gods justice will be fulfilled upon them both these things we have observed even the heinous guilt of sin against God in both Rulers and Teachers the abominations that have been committed both in Civil and Church Government so called also and many People have loved to have these things so and we have been sensible how the Lord hath been provoked to overthrow the Governors of this Nation because hereof and this we have foreseen and Prophesied of even that Iudgement and Confusion would come upon the Government the Rulers and the Teachers but particularly when and after what manner judgment overthrow should come upon them was left to the Lord who hath brought to pass his own will according to Justice and it may prove to be a just Jugdment from the Lord upon the Unfaithful and Treacherous and Unjust Rulers and Teachers and People which I have mentioned and the Lord may justly avenge himself upon them who have abused his Mercies and not improved his Deliverance to his glory but perverted the end wherefore they were at first raised up I say the Lord may justly be avenged of them by this means of this mans comingin and he may be in the hand of the Lord a very smiting Rod to correct and rebuke and may be a heavy Judgment upon many in this Nation even from that cause and for that end as before I have expressed Quer. 2. Whether you or any of you do adjudge it Reasonable and Equitable that he should come inherit the Nations of which he is born the right Heir Or whether or no it is just or unjust to God and men that he should Reign King over these Nations If you walk judg by the Law of God which is Equal then judge of this whether he hath been kept out this many Years now is brought in again Reasonably Iustly or Unjustly contrary to Reason Answ. That he should come in is Reasonable and Equitable because through the purpose of the Lord his coming in is accomplished who effecteth nothing but what is Equal Reasonable there is cause in God sufficient wherefore it should thus be there is Sufficient cause Reason appearing to us in this matter upon the very account as laid down in my Answer to the first Query it is Equal as in the Lord that he should be restored who hath been removed cast out by such as have pretended to Govern Rule better than he but have ruled in Oppression Injustice not answered the cause wherefore he was cast out that he should come in to be a Scourge upon these this is just and in this particular doth lie the Reason Equity of his coming in to inherit this Nation And as for Reigning justly over this Nation that may better be answered when we have had experience of his Reign for if he Reign Rule in Truth Righteousness in Mercy and in Iustice and by and according to the Iust Law of God if thus he Reign then he Reigneth justly it is just to God and men that he should Reign and this the Law of God which is Equal judgeth by which we walk in all things do judge of all things And as for his being kept out this many years we do judge that the hand of the Lord is in these matters they were done suffered to be done by him in which he will be glorified yet thus far I say they that have kept him out in pretence that they would Rule better than he yet have ruled in Oppression Injustice as much more may be then he would have done they have dealed unjustly and contrary to reason both to him and much more to the People of these Nations while they have made and had new Names and Titles of Government and Governors but have continued the old oppressions and not releived the oppressed according to their own vows and promises which they have broken and it is but just they should be punished for it but if he render not evil for evil he doth well Quer. 3. Whether or no ye can judge that his Reign and Government shall be blessed to himself and these Nations or the contrary Or whether shall Peace or Trouble be in the Land in his dayes And shall his dayes be many or shall his time be short if this be revealed to you let us know Answ. We do judge that his Reign and Government may be blessed to himself and these Nations or not blessed and peace may be in the Land or trouble in his dayes and his time may be long or it may be short according as he walketh in the fear of the Lord or as he walketh wickedly and according as his Reign and Government is in Righteousness Mercy and Truth or in Oppression and Injustice accordingly do I judge may he be blessed may have Peace and long dayes or the contrary if he walk in the way which brings contrary effects and we take not upon us to judge any thing before the time but as thorow time he discovers himself so
we may judge of him for we desire well for him and all men that he may so Reign and Govern as to be a blessing to himself and these Nations that Peace may be in his dayes and his Time may be happy And this we certainly know that there is an Eternal God who is over all and that can do whatsoever he will even set up and pull down whomsoever he will and though his strength now be great and his number very many yet there is an Eternal God above all who is mighty to save and mighty to destroy and if he please no God in his wayes and in his Reign but be an Oppressor and walk in evil wayes we certainly believe he cannot be blessed nor have Peace nor long time but the Lord may bring to pass the contrary for as the Scriptures say it is by him that Kings Reign and he makes Kings blessed or miserable the Scriptures gives much evidence concerning the good and the bad Kings of Israel they that were good men and Ruled well they were blessed and had long dayes and people were happy under them and to the Kings that were Idolaters and Oppressors and walked in wickedness and vexed the Lord it was contrary for the Lord cut them off and destroyed them and delivered the oppressed and God is the same now as he was then as powerful to save the Righteous as mighty to destroy the wicked we rather desire that he may follow the example of the good Kings of Israel that the good effects may follow that he may not follow the evil example of Tyrants Oppressors But if he do the effect and reward will certainly be upon him and the Lord will rebuke him and this we know by the Spirit of the Lord Quer. 4. Whither may he justly forgive or avenge himself of his and his Fathers Enemies and if he do avenge whether or no can that be called persecution and if any or many suffer death or otherwise on that account because they destroyed his Father sought to destroy him also do such suffer for righteousness good conscience or no If some of you suffer for that cause shall you have Peace with God in it or is it for the name of Christ as ye often say Answ. He may justly in the sight of God forgive his and his Fathers Enemies and he will be the more blessed if he do it for it is a happy thing to forgive Enemies and it is Christs Doctrine also to forgive Enemies and it would be a good report unto him among his Friends and it would win his Enemies or be a good means towards it if he do forgive all Enemies and it will be a good beginning of his Government to remit offences though yet in his heart he may be perswaded that he and his Father have been much injured yet I say justly he may forgive all in the sight of God and also in the sight of men as many wayes may appear even in as much as his Father and he did flie to the Sword to determine their Controversie in this Nation and the Sword went against them and did determine the Controversie even against them and that whereby they thought to stand they did fall and that which they chused for their defence did destroy them and who then shall they blame for that which befel them seeing the Sword destroyed them * which themselves did chuse thought thereby to stand but it determined the Controversie against them and if you cannot own it as that the Hand of the Lord went against you in Battel yet you must confess that the fortune of War as some call it went against you and must such now suffer because hereof nay they ought not but may rather be spared by the King in as much as he is restored again without blood or loss of lives it may be very just for him not to take away any mens lives but it will be more just to pass by all old things and if he have a deliverance let him turn it into the praise of the Lord in holiness and not into the shedding of blood in the way of a fierce revenge and let him leave it to the Lord to avenge himself upon such as have been his Enemies and upon such as have cast out King and Kingly Government and pretended to a better Government and to Govern more Righteously and yet have been Oppressors and not answered their own pretences and engagements but broken them and acted contrary by their Unfaithfulness and Hypocrisie and in that doth lie the justness of punishment if it come upon them and if they be punished with death or otherwise if they suffer on that account I say because they destroyed Kingly Government in Name and Title and pretended better things to Govern better and did not make Reformation but were Oppressors as I have said Suffering for that cause cannot be called Persecution nor is it for good Conscience nor Righteousness sake that such do Suffer But none of us can Suffer for that cause as not being guilty thereof as in the Answer to the next Querie I shall have full occasion to shew you but and if we Suffer in your Government it is for the Name of Christ and we shall have Peace with God in it because nothing can be charged against us in this Capacity as we now stand and in this State into which we are now gathered and changed not in any matter of Action or Rebellion against him nor his Father nor any thing but concerning the Law and Worship of our God and the matters of his Kingdome and our pure Consciences and if upon this account we are made to suffer by him and for this cause the reward will be Sad and Heavy upon him in the day of the Lord And if any that are now amongst us were any way engaged in the Parliament Service in the Wars it was not in Rebellion against him or his Father as that we sought their destruction as men but upon Sober Reasonable Principles not for corrupted ends nor to get Honour Riches to our selves as some others might do who went in the War for self ends continued in action after the cause which was once engaged for was utterly lost as we have long seen it and that Principle which some time led some in action to oppose Oppression seek after Reformation we never have nor shall deny but that Principle is still justified though we are now better informed than once we were for though we do now more than ever oppose Oppression and seek after Reformation yet we do it not in that way of outward Warring Fighting with Carnal Weapons Swords YOU and the KING ought to put a difference both in their guilt suffering between such as some time acted in the Wars against you in and upon Sober Reasonable Principles that did not make themselves Rich and
their Affliction but they have already been told of their Treachery and what would come to pass And Oh that they could now humble themselves before the Lord and confess to the Iustice of this their Affliction they might yet partake of his Mercy through great Iudgments And as for you Oh that you would consider these things and by whose purpose you are restored and from what cause and for what end it is accomplished Oh that you would mind what your work now is and that you would not exceed your Permission for you are raised up for an end and there is a work for you to do Oh that you could do it with respect unto the Lord it should be the better for you Oh those men that have long Sate as Princes in this Nation and Pretended and Vowed and promised Reformation in Church and State but they have not done it as they ought but as great Oppressions and Injustice as great Superstitions and Idolatries both in Church and State were continued and carried on in their dayes as in dayes before them Oh how abominable have these things been multitude of words might demonstrate but now their reproof and Iudgment is come and their fall is just upon them Who should pitty them or mourn for them seeing they have deserved all this and much more which has yet happened unto them as some of them may confess and those things their Treachery Unfaithfulness Oppressions I mean must needs be avenged one way or another How often hath it been foretold them yea it hath been often said unto them that God would bring them down and destroy their Power they have been told that these things were not right neither could they escape unavenged and it new appears as if the day were come and if you must be their Executioners and must execute the wrath upon them who shall prevent you or say unto you stay your hand Or rather who of them that sees these things shall not be patient while you take vengeance for ths Lords sake and for the sake of his People whom they have long Vexed and Opppessed Nay who of the Lords People shall not say let the Lords will be done and his Iustice Executed upon his Enemies If this be your work that you are called to must it not go on till it be finished They have been Hard-hearted and Oppressors towards others and by a Hard-hearted People may not the Lord justly deal with them and be a Plague unto them in that very manner that they have sinned against him for this is usual with the Lord even to destroy Oppressors by the Wickedness of others and often he Rebukes the sin of a People by a People as bad as themselves he may justly give unto men from the hands of others what they love in their own hearts and even as those men have loved Pride and Ambition over others and Oppression and Hard-heartedness towards others even so and much more may justly be done unto them and that according to the Will of the Lord and if this be your work designed you by the eternal hand who shall prevent you But yet Oh that you would consider and that you would have some respect unto the Lord lest you out-go the end of your Restoration You would indeed be happy if you could forgive your Enemies if you could reward them good for their evil and you would be happy if you could not exceed the measure of your permission be not too Hard-hearted towards them but shew Mercy And Oh you must take heed lest you cause the Righteous to suffer with the Wicked and that you cause not the Innocent to groan and mourn in your execution of Gods purpose upon the ungodly you must be a ware lest while you punish Offenders you smite not them that are free Oh that you had hearts this to understand and that you could walk in the path of fulfilling Gods pleasure and not go further I mean though you may be raised to be a Plague upon Hypocrites and Disobedient and Treacherous men and to avenge Gods Cause and his Peoples but you are not raised to be Oppressors of the Lords People nor to destroy his Heritage this is not your work God hath not called you to Destroy and Persecute them that fear his Name and tremble at his Word though you have Power to be avenged on your Enemies And Oh that your hearts could understand this that you might distinguish in your proceedings between executing of Iustice upon Transgressors Persecution for Conscience-sake the one you have to do but the other is forbidden you of the Lord and you ought not to do it for if you Persecute any for good Conscience-sake or because they are of such and such an Assembly of People and Worships in such a way if you inflict Tribulation upon any because hereof or because they are such or such in their Profession and Religion then you persecute for Conscience-sake and you go beyond the End and by the Path for which you were raised and if you turn your Hand and Power to persecute for good Conscience-sake then you divert the End and Purpose of this your Restoration and the Lord will require it of you if that you go beyond his Permission and Assignment and go beyond his Pleasure in Persecuting his People and so turn your Power to a wrong Use and End O then the Lord shall suddenly confound you and he will find out instruments that shall fulfil his Wrath and Iustice upon you as he hath found you fit to execute Wrath upon others and therefore do not O do not persecute any for Conscience-sake if you have nothing against them but concerning their Faith and Worship and their Religion do not lay your hand upon them nor let them be touched for if you do the Lord will take it as a heinous offence against him and in this life or hereafter he will Plague you for it and you shall not escape unpunished and therefore I say once more to you as the advice of your Friend let no man be persecuted for his Faith and for his Religion-sake but make a distinction between inflicting wrath upon offenders that have been hypocritical and deceitful and that have made themselves rich through the ruins of others and that will how to any thing or any kind of Worship for their own ends and between such who have a Principle and do stand by it and are humble and acted in the principles of sincerity and follows that way of Religion which they suppose and are perswaded is the best and the rightest all such ought to have their Liberty under you in their Profession and Faith and Worship and ought not to be Persecuted while they live Peaceably as men with one another and towards all men and the God of Heaven requires it of you and your Standing or your Fall the Blessing or the Curse unto you depends hereupon and this you shall find to be true unto
even to the dishonour of God throughout this Nation this Spirit we bear witness against that it is evil and brings forth bad effects in every City and Town throughout the Land whereby the Lord is provoked against you and this Nation in an high measure Oh that you would consider of it while there is time to be corrected and amended before it have brought forth unpardonable Iniquities which it hastens to fulfill and draws down wickedness as with cords Oh the excessiveness in Drinking and other vanities Oh what destroying of the good Creatures it greives the hearts of the Righteous and vexeth the Sober minded to consider it and also their is a great deal of Hipocrisie and deceitfull-heartedness amongst many I have considered this thing and it is a vexation to the Lord and cannot but be detestable to you even in that many contrary to their Principles Engagements and Promises Covenants do now cry you up for to save themselves their Lives and Estates who have been deeply engaged against you publiquely and privately and yet now in Hypocrisie are fallen in with you such their proceedings are loathsome to God and your present Cause is no better because of such though as for some of you that have stood to your Principle and suffered for it this long while in your state you are more honourable and rather justified Oh let the King fear and reverence the eternal God knowing he is but mortal man and his breath in his Nostrils and let him keep himself clear from Persecution for Conscience-sake for that will destroy Kings and Governments who are guilty thereof and let him be Meek and Sober and take the Lord before him in all his proceedings or else he cannot prosper his Day and Time is now present that Gods purpose is to try him if he Rule in Righteousness and Truth in Equity and Iustice he may be blessed But if otherwise he Govern and walk not in reverence to the Lord and spare his People the God of Heaven shall rebuke him and deliver his People another way Consider of these things in a sober mind Read them over in meekness This was written about the middle of the 3d. month called May From a Lover of your Souls Edw. Burrough A few QUERIES I do return to you for you to Consider and Answer relating to the present Affairs and Proceedings in this Nation even to all you that are called and known by the Name of ROYALLISTS and CAVALIERS that are really so and have Suffered for that Cause Query 1. TO what do you Attribute the first Cause of the Advancement of this present Government And whether or no ye believe that there was any thing of the purpose and hand of the Lord by intending and bringing these things about without expectation by you and contrary to the great strength of your Enemies who are suddenly of a great and high Mountain made a low Valley and you of a low and troden down Valley suddenly raised up into a great Mountain And to what do you Attribute this Changing and Overturning of Power and Authority and Rulers even them that have been as Princes and Potentates to be Rebels and them that have been accounted as Rebels and Traitors to be Rulers and Governours I say to what do you Attribute these things on their first Cause whether to the Pollicy of some or to Accident or to good Fortune as some call it Or whether you believe in your Consciences that the Lord God by his secret Power hath purposed and suffered the effecting and accomplishing of these things Quer. 2. And if you believe that there is any thing of the band and purpose of the Lord in doing or suffering these Transactions Then wherefore and for what Cause do you believe hath he done these things Is it because you are more Righteous in the sight of God than they who are cast out before you and because he loveth you and hateth them Or whether it is not because they have proved Treacherous and Deceitful and not answered unto the Lord what he requireth of them but sought themselves and forgot the Lord and took your Estates and Titles of Honour upon them and pretended a better Government and to Govern better than that way of Monarchical Government but did not but were Oppressors even as others before them And is not this the Iust Cause wherefore the Lord hath suffered these Overturnings May not we justly that are neither of you Attribute this to be the very Cause wherefore the Lord hath brought them down and raised up you over them whereas if they had repented of their Sins and been faithful to what the Lord required of them and what themselves pretended to and had indeed Governed Iustly and Righteously and freed the Oppressed and answered unto the Lord in an Equal Government according to his Law Whether may it not be believed that these things had never thus been brought to pass Quer. 3. Whether or no you believe that there is a GOD so mighty in Power and so wise in Counsel and Purpose that can Turn and Overturn you and your Power and lay you low even as others and raise up others who are now as low as you hà ve been for divers years Whether you believe that there is a GOD that by his Power can effect such a thing and accomplish it in his wisdom And whether do you not believe in your Consciences that he will do it if you do not please him and fear his Name and forsake allwickedness and if you be Oppressors and cruel-heated as others have been and do not Rule in Righteousuoss and Equity And whether you believe not that the Lord doth watch over you with his eye that sees you and marks all your wayes Whether do you consider that the Lord looks for good fruit from you and that you should free the Land from Oppression which if you answer not the Will of the Lord in what he requires Whether do not you believe that he is so Wise in Counsel and Mighty in Power that he can and will whether by Means or without Means Overturn and Confound YOU and your Government Quer. 4. Whether you believe in your Consciences and do acknowledge unto God that there was any thing of his IUSTICE in your late Sufferings for these divers years Or whether all of them or no part of that Suffering which hath been upon you were any whit Iust as from the Lord And whether there was not a great Measure of Iniquity filled up in Monarchical Government and a great Measure of Oppression upon the poor people of this Nation by their Lords and great men And whether this Rebuke and Reproof that you have had in this measure of Suffering that hath been upon you was not in some measure Iust as from the Lord that you might be humbled before him though it is by me acknowledged that your Enemies these I mean who are now cast out before you brought great guilt upon themselves in
executing Wrath upon you in that and because they proceeded further and into more Bitterness and Cruelty towards you then they had either Commission or Authority from God But whether there was not a Iustice as from the Lord in that which partly befel you And was not his hand many times against you in Battel though Number nor Valour was not wanting on your part yet are not you sensible how by a Secret hand you were often Defeated and Victory given to your Enemies though the less in Number And were not these things in the Iustice of the Lords Hand Whether do you not believe it and acknowledge it Quer. 5. Whether or no you do intend any Reformation from OLD Oppressions Or whether you intend to tread in the very steps and to walk in the very path in every Particular of Government as it stood was carryed on in the beginning of CHARLES the First his dayes And whether you ought not in the sight of God and before him to consider how to relieve the Oppressed and break off all Cruel Bonds of Injustice how a Government may be set up which may be answerable to the Lord not unto your own and other Corrupted mens ends but if you shall do so Whether do you Answer the End or Deny the End wherefore the Lord hath thus dealt with you in giving of you this Day unexpected and contrary to all your Enemies And whether do you not believe that God hath set you between good and evil between Right and Wrong between doing of his Will and the Will of the Devil in the doing and fullfilling one or the other by you whether doth not Depend Happiness and Blessedness upon you or the Woe and the Curse your Standing or your Fall your Renown or your Dishonour perpetually Quer. 6. Whether or no you do not believe in your Consciences that the Prosperity and Continuance and Happiness of this your Government to your selves the King and Kingdomes or the Unhappiness Overthrow Misery and Confusion of the Government it self the King and these Nations doth not stand and wholly depend upon the Government and Authority as it proceedeth in Iustice Righteousness and Equity or as it is and proceedeth contrary and is Injustice Oppression and Unrighteousness And if therein it stand whether do you believe in your Consciences that God shall Bless it and Prosper it or he shall Destroy it and Confound it for is not the hand of the Lord Stretched forth in Mercy or in Iudgment accordingly as men walketh in his Fear or without his Fear And whether if your CAUSE be Iust in it self yet if-you walk in Unrighteousness and Ungodliness and Oppression and Cruelty Whether may not you thereby destroy your Cause and Loose it and provoke the Lord to anger against you and your Cause to Confound you and Destroy you And whether you do seriously Consider of this And is it not your Duty so to do And ought you not to endeavour to stop this Flood of Wickedness that is broken out which if it it be not stopped may provoke God against you to overthrow your proceedings Quer. 7. What is the very End of Rule and Government outward in this World And for what Cause did God at the first ordain it whether upon this or not really consider Was it not that Evil Doers might be Punished And them that did well might be Praised And was not the outward Law added because of Transgrssion and to Punish Transgressors But for the Preserving of the Peaceable and Meek who walked in the Law of God and when the People had forgotten God and his Law in their hearts and his Power that executed Iudgment and Meroy Was it not then that the Law outward was added and committed into the Hands of Men to execute upon such as regarded not the Law of God in their hearts And is not this the very End of Rule and Government and Magistracy at this very day Whether ought it to be extended further than only over and concerning the Affairs of the outward Man to keep that in good order not to be a Load and Burthen and Vexation and Bondage upon a Nation and People but to Suppress that which would Load and Burthen and Oppress the Creation and People that all men may be preserved in their just Right and not Vex and Oppress one anothers Persons and Estates And if your Government be not from this Ground and for this very End shall it ever be blessed and happy either to the Governors or Governed Quer. 8. What do you believe of and concerning LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE in all Matters appertaining to the Kingdome of God Whether ought not you to give that LIBERTY in your Government that every man and all sorts of People may believe in God and Worship God according as he or they shall suppose and be perswaded in his or their Consciences provided still that he and they annoy not or Oppress his or their neighbors Person or Estate for if he or they do that then he and they go out of the true Faith and breaks the Law of God and the outward Law is to take hold of him and them But whether it is not a just Right and may justly be allowed from you to all the People of this Nation to live under what Ministry and under what Worship and to go to what Assemblies as they shall suppose or be perswaded in their Consciences is the Best and Rightest And whether or no it be not GODS Proper Right alone to be Ruler and Lord over mens Consciences and that he alone should Prescribe Instruct and Teach Faith Worship and Duty in all things in the matters of his own Kingdome And whether God hath committed that Power and Authority ever since the dayes of Christ to any Emperor King or other Ruler whatsoever to be Lord and to exercise Lordship in and over mens Consciences in the matters appertaining to Gods Kingdome And whether it is not Gods only and alone Peculiar Priviledge to be Lord there and not any man to impose one upon another in Spiritual Matters And whether you your selves would be Imposed upon in such case that is Whether you would have such a Church-Government and Ministry Imposed upon you upon such or such a Penalty which you Know or Believe or Suppose is not Right nor according to God nor Suiting with your own Consciences And then how can you with good Conscience in the sight of God Impose upon others whenas your selves would not be Imposed upon in such a Case Quer. 9. Whether or no if that you cause any to Suffer Loss or be Afflicted in Person or Estate for and because of their Conscience sake that is because they are of such a Faith and of such a Worship and of such a Principle in Religious matters though different from others and from you yet if they walk Honestly and Soberly and Peaceably as men and not Plotting and Contriving any Mischief in the Nation I say