Youth Especially amongst the Poorer sort 11. The want of Imployment 12. The Excessive number of Private and Publique Ale houses and Tap-houses Malus culturafit bonus An Evil person by due ordering is made good Statutes 25 R. 2. c. 6.14 Eliz. c. 5.23 E. 3. c. ult 34 E. 3. c. 1.7 R. 2. c. 5.12 R. 2. c. 7 8.11 H. 7. c. 2.19 H. 7. c. 12.22 H. 8. c. 12.27 H. 8. c. 25.3 E. 6. c. 6. 5 E. 6. c. 2.7 E. 6. c. 11. An. 1. M. c. 12 13.2 3 Ph. M. c. 5.5 Eliz. c. 5.29 Eliz. 39 Eliz. 43 Eliz. 3.1 K. I. E. 6. Injunction 24. Eliz. Injunction 11.14 K. C 2. A CATALOGUE Of all the Arch-bishops and Bishops in England and Wales as they were first Established by his Majesty K. CHARLS the II. Canterbury DR VVilliam Juxon Lord Archbishop Primate and Metropolitan of all England 1633. York Doctor Accepted Frewen Lord Arch-Bishop and Metropolitan of England 1634. London Dr. Gilbert Shelden Lord Bishop 1660. Durham Dr. John Cossens Lord Bishop 1660. Winchest Dr. Brian Duppa Lord Bishop 1638. Prelate of the Garter Bath and Wells Dr. William Piers Lord Bishop 1632. Oxford Dr. Robert Skinner Lord Bishop 1636. Bangor Dr. VVilliam Roberts Lord Bishop 1637. Rochester Dr. John VVarner Lord Bishop 1637. Ely Dr. Matthew VVren Lord Bishop 1638. Chichester Dr. Henry King Lord Bishop 1641. Salisbury Dr. Humphrey Henchman Lord Bishop 1660. Worcester Dr. George Morley Lord Bishop 1660. Lincoln Dr. Robert Sanderson Lord Bishop 1660. St. Asaph Dr. George Grissith Lord Bishop 1660. St. Davids Dr. VVilliam Lucey Lord Bishop 1660. Peterborough Dr. Benjamin Laney Lord Bishop 1660. Landaff Dr. Hugh Lloyd Lord Bishop 1660. Carlisle Dr. Richard Stern Lord Bishop 1660. Chester Dr. Brian VValton Lord Bishop 1660. Exeter Dr. John Gauden Lord Bishop 1660 Bristol Dr. Gilbert Ironside Lord Bishop 1660. Norwich Dr. Edward Reynolds Lord Bishop 1660. Gloucester Dr. VVillam Nicholson Lord Bishop 1660. Hereford Dr. Nicholas Monck Lord Bishop 1660. Coventry and Lichfield Dr. John Hacket Lord Bishop The first five take place by Act of Parliament the rest according to their Consecration Counties under their Several Jurisdictions with the Parishes in each Diocesse Canterbury CAnterbury 257 Rochester 098 have all Kent York Yorkshire Nottinghamshire 581. London Essex Middlesex Hartfordshire part 623. Durham Durham Northumberland Man Isle 135. Winchester Hantshire Surrey Wight Isle Guernsey Isle Jersey Isle 362. Bath and Wells Sommersetshire 388. Oxford Oxfordshire 195. Bangor Carnarvonshire Anglesey Isle Merioneth Denbishire part 107. Rochest Kent part 98. Ely Cambridgeshire Ely Isle 141. Chiche Sussex Hartfordshire part 557. Salisbury Wiltshire Barkshire 248. Worcester Worcestershire Warwickshire part 241. Lincoln Lincolnshire Leicestershire Huntingdonshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Hartfordshire part 1255. St. Asaph Denbyshire part Flintshire part 121. St. Davids Pembrokshire Carmarthenshire 308. Peterborough Northamptonshire Rutlandshire 293. Landaff Glamorganshire Monmouthshire Brecknockshire Radnorshire part 177. Carlisle Cumberland part VVestmerland 93. Chester Cheshire Richmondshire Flintshire part Cumberland part Lancashire 256. Exeter Devonshire Exeter City Cornwal 623. Bristol Bristol City Dorsetshire 236. Norwich Norfolk Suffolk 1121. Glocest Gloucestershire 267. Hereford Herefordshire Shropshire part VVorcestershire part Radnorshire part 213. Coventry and Lichfield VVarwickshire part Staffordshire Derbyshire Shropshire 241. York Durham Carlisle Chester are Diocesles in the Province of York all the rest are in the Province of Canterbury MORAL SENTENCES MOnarchia perfectissima gubernatio A Monarchy is a most perfect Government Basilica reverenter visitanda A Cathedral Church is Reverently to be frequented Vulgi genius perplexus The nature of the Common people is uncertain Seditiosi Rei-publicae ruina Seditious persons are the ruine of a Common-weal Ingenuis acerba penuria Penury is bitter to Ingenuous men Ad inferospoenas parricidii luent They shall suffer Punishment for their Murther in Hell Deteriores omnes sumus licentia We be all the worse by having too much liberty Turba gravis paci A rabble rout grievous to peace Quid opus est armis habentibus Regem What need we fall to Civil warrs seeing we have a King already Sat is peccavit qui resistere non potuit He hath offended sufficiently who cannot oppose Stultus fui qui multos fecerim inimicos Stultior qui falsis amicis confisus fuerim I was a Fool that made so many to be my Enemies but more Foolish that trusted false Friends Ei qui semel fidem solvit iterum habere fidem vix est tutum It is not safe to give credit to him the second time who hath once Violated his faith Odio digna est simulatio simulatione capienda Dissembling is worthy of hatred and to be catched with Dissembling De quo bene Merearis vide Beware of whom you deserve well Cave fidem habeas verbis Take heed how you trust words Invidia vero dementius est nihil Nothing more mad than Envy Falsis testimoniis opprimi quamplurimos tum nemo nescit Very many men are undone by false witnesses as every one knoweth Intellige per vulpem pauperculos quos calumniis premere contumeliisque afficere divitibus aequè studium est By the Fox understand poor men whom wealthy ones study to oppress with Calumnies and Reproaches Malus si libitum fuerit quo jure quaque injuria praecipitem dabit A wicked man right or wrong will undoe thee Impotenti sincero perpetuò est cum malis parata certatio There is a perpetual Enmity betwixt powerless honest and wicked men Non sunt amici omnes qui blande dicunt They are not all Friends who speak flatteringly Verum amicum res adversae pericula designant Adversity and danger Evidence a true friend Qui plura quà m decet quaerit interdum acquirit nihil He that hunts after more than is sitting sometimes gets nothing Potens si libet nocere facile capit nocendi causam A mighty man if he lists to hurt easily takes occasion Unumquemque suo decet esse contentum It becometh every man to be content with his own Unicum summum praesidium complurium amicitia est The only and chief strength is the friendship of many Noli omnibus fidem habere Multi enim dum aliis videntur velle prodesse sibi interim consulunt Trust not all men for many while they seem willingly to do others a pleasure in the mean time provide for themselves Quibuslibet enim rebus potior est libertas Liberty is better than any thing whatsoever FINIS Words explained used in this Book Indifferent Not forbiden nor Commanded that may or may not be done but as Authority shall Judge most meet Properly bind the Conscience By a Divine ordination Simply necessary Of Divine ordination Immediate worship An Act of obedience to the first Table for the honouring of God Properly so called Any action done to the honouring of God immediately in such things as God hath to that end ordained Improperly or Respectively Ceremonies ordained of men to attend upon any service or an Act done to the honouring of God by the orderly and comely usage of his own ordinance Ambulatory Rites Ceremonies that have not Divine Institution Properly Sacred Of Divine Institution Symbols Tokens Institution Ordination Appointment disposing Administration Subaltern Placed under another Venerable Honourable Convocation An Assembling together of Arch-bishops Bishops c. Books written by the Author ADvice or Considerations for Parents and Masters Masters and Scholars Scholars Parents and Masters Printed for the Author and to be sold by R. H. at the Bible in Heart in Little Britain The young Maidens Guide directing the Newest Exactest and easiest way to Learn to Spell with a Catechism Lessons Divine and Moral Graces Prayers The Praise of Women and Virgins Directions for their Carriage with other Delightfull matter crept abroad full of Errours and wanting many pages to the great wrong of the buyer and greater injury to the Author the perfect Copy being now ready and intended for the Press
of all Subjects unto Our Dread Soveraign Lord King Charls the Second of whom and of whose Government I cannot Write too much but may Err in this that I have Writ no more The Everlasting Arms of Divine Power be under Him and the Never-dying Favours of His All enduring Love rest upon you upon all Loyal and Royal Hearts and His well-placed Subjects of Honour and Obedience which is the daily Orison of Right Honourable and Right Worshipfull His Majestie 's Most Loyal Subject and Your Devoted Servant W. Wasse TO THE READER Christian Reader IT is not possible for any Man to make a true and constant Profession and Confession of his Faith except he understand the Doctrine of the Church aright and exercise his Conscience therewith Then such men as have not the understanding of the Articles of the Doctrine of Christ expressed in the 39. Articles of the Church of England in some good degree and measure are nothing else but Vain Bubbles which suddenly swell start up and fall away of themselves And if any man will stand in doubt of them he is justly counted not to be a Man but the Monster of a Man and without all Wit it being the property of a good and sober Wit not to love Cavillations knowing that two times four makes eight and the Excess brings nothing but Disorder and Amazement What these Articles be are plainly Comprised in the Creeds of the Apostles of Nice and Athanasius and these we judge and believe do agree with the perpetual meaning of the Prophets and Apostles Writings Now sith that there is but one Truth and more than one there cannot be and this Truth we Have Hold and Profess Then whatsoever varyeth from that one Truth must needs be no Truth for Truth agreeth with Truth Reader art thou a Christian I suppose thou art canst thou say the parts of thy Catechism I think that there is no Christian will be so wickedly rude as not to know so few Heads Now let those Heads of the Catechism be unto thee instead of a most sure perfect Rule to examine to try and to judge all Religious and all Doctrines by For it is certain that the Catechism is a short Sum of all the whole Bible and containeth all that is required of Necessity unto Faith and unto our Salvation But what I write or have written I know not how it may please I have made it my Study rather to please God than Man whether I shall offend I know not with much doubt I have changed some Words and fear if I take others I may take worse what ever the Pains be I have taken I cannot pass the Strife of Tongues neither the Malice of Ungratefull and Irreligious Spirits nor yet Jerks of the False Government and the No-Government Faction who as they have so still will endeavour to Disturb my outward and my inward Peace by False Malicious Scandals Lying Reports and Accusations whereby they have and still may promise themselves Concealment of their Ill-contrived Enterprises Like the Artians of old the better to bring in their damnable Error concerning the Deity of Christ which Athanasius withstanding and holding fast his Judgment in the truth of the Deity of Christ they forged Lies and Accusations against him of dishonesty with a woman and cutting off a man's hand as Eusebius relates Christian Reader that these Reasons have been kept from the Press twelve months beyond my first intentions hath been by reason of some proud and ignorant persons whose Lives were notoriously tainted as the Judgments of others are notably corrupted who withstood me to my face Yet have I this hope that they are not so long in coming forth as to hinder thy profit and satisfaction who yet remainest full of doubt concerning our Governours and sure established Government nor yet too late for the confirmation and strengthning of those who doubt not of the one nor the other Remember we are all under one Head and why not all of one Heart Seek not thy own honor profit or private estimation amongst men but the Peace of the Kingdom with the Salvation of Souls and the work is done without any danger of failing from the Land of Uprightness Read and consider what thou readest pray that thou maist understand and believe the Truth and the Truth will make you free which is the hearty prayer of Your Christian Faithful Remembrancer of your Duty and Allegiance W. WASSE March 20 1662. TAlem nobis Hierarchiam si exhibeunt ir qua sic emineant Episcopi ut Christo subesse non recusent ut ab illo tanquam unico capite pendeant ad ipsum referantur in qua sic inter se fraternam societatem colant ut non alio modo quam ejus veritate sint colligati tum vero nullo non Anathemate dignos fateor si qui erunt qui non eam reverenter summaque obedientia observent Cal. de Neces Reforman Ecclesiae If they would bring unto us such an Hierarchy wherein the Bishops shall so rule as that they refuse not to submit themselves to Christ that they depend upon him as their onely Head and refer all to him and so embrace Brotherly Society that they are knit together by no other means than his truth then surely if their shall be any that shall not submit themselves to that Hierarchy reverently and with the greatest obedience that may be I confess there is no Anathema of which they are not worthy Calvin in the Treatise of the Necessity of Reforming the Church If then it hath pleased Gratious Princes for expression of the Honor which they gave to God in the Honor given by them to our holy Function to grace us with eminent Titles and Rights can any Christian man be so foolishly spightful as to think because we are lord-Lord-Bishops that we challenge to be Lords of our Clergy I would these Maligners should know that with High Titles we can bear as humble minds as those that pick that quarel and are so little transported with these Puffs of Style that we account it according to our Saviour's prescription our greatest glory to be Servants to the Souls of the meanest Drudges in the Family of our God Bishop Hall in his Episcopacy of Divine Right Imprimatur Geo. Stradling S. T. P. Rev. in Christo Pat. D. Gilb. Episc Lond. Ã sac Domest Ex Aed Sab. Feb. 26. 1662. A CENTURY OF REASONS For Subscription c. Con. Toledo Can 2.636 THE Decree of the B B of Spain assembled in a National Council at Toledo against Perjury and Treason Whosoever amongst us shall from this time forward violate the Oath which he hath taken for the safeguard of this Country and the preservation of the King's Majesty Whosoever shall attempt the King 's Death or Deposition Whosoever shall by Tyrannical presumption aspire to the Royal Throne let him be Accursed before the Holy Spirit before the blessed Saints let him be cast out of the Catholique Church
which he hath polluted by Perjury let him have no Communion with Christian men nor Portion with the Just but let him be Condemned with the Devil and his Angels eternally together with his Complices that they may be tied in the Bonds of Damnation which were joyned in the Society of Sedition Con. 4.5.6.10 Can. 74. VVhosoever of us or of all the People through all Spain shall go about by any means of Conspiracy or Practice to violate the Oath of his Fidelity which he hath taken for the preservation of his Country or of the King 's Life or who shall attempt to lay violent hands upon the King or to deprive him of his Kingly power or by Tyrannical presumption Usurp the Soveraignty of the Kingdom let him be Accursed in the sight of God the Father and of his Angels and let him be made and declared a Stranger from the Catholique Church which he hath prophaned with his Perjury The Oath of Supremacy I A. B. do utterly testifie and declare in my conscience that the King's Highness is the onely Supreme Governor of this Realm and of all other his Highness's Dominions and Countries as well in all Spiritual or Ecclesiastical things or causes as Temporal and that no Forein Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preheminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm and therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all Forein Jurisdiction Powers Superiorities and Authorities and do promise that from henceforth I shall bear Faith and true Allegiance to the King's Highness his Heirs and Lawful Successors and to my power shall assist and defend all Jurisdictions Privileges Preheminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the King's Highness his Heirs and Successors or United and Annexed to the Imperial Crown of the Realm So help me God and by the Contents of this Book The Oath of Allegiance I A. B. do truly and sincerely acknowledge profess testifie and declare in my conscience before God and the World that our Soveraign Lord King CHARLS is Lawful and Rightful King of this Realm and of all other his Majesty 's Dominions and Countries and that the Pope neither of himself nor by any Authority of the Church or Sea of Rome or by any other means with any other hath any Power or Authority to Depose the King or to dispose any of his Majesty 's Kingdoms or Dominions or to authorize any Forein Prince to invade or annoy him or his Countries or to discharge any of his Subjects of their Allegiance and Obedience to his Majesty or to give License or Leave to any of them to bear Arms raise Tumult or to offer any violence or hurt to his Majesty 's Royal Person State or Government or to any of his Majesty 's Subjects within his Majesty 's Dominions Also I do swear from my heart that notwithstanding any Declaration or Sentence of Excommunication or Deprivation made or granted or to be made or granted by the Pope or his Succestors or by any Authority derived or pretended to be derived from him or his Sea against the said King his Heirs or Successors or any Absolution of the said Subjects from their Obedience I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against Him his or their Persons their Crown and Dignity by reason or colour of any such Sentence or Declaration or otherwise and will do my best indeavour to disclose and make known unto his Majesty his Heirs and Successors all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against Him or any of them And I do further swear that I do from my heart abhor detest and abjure as Impious and Heretical this damnable Doctrine and Position That Princes which be Excommunicated or Deprived by the Pope may be Deposed or Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do believe and in conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any Person what soever hath power to Absolve me of this Oath or any part thereof which I acknowledge by good and full Authority to be Lawfully ministred unto me and do renounce all Pardons and Dispensations to the contrary And all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words without any Equivocation or mental Evasion or secret Reservation whatsoever And I do make this Recognition and Acknowledgment heartily willingly and truly upon the Faith of a Christian So help me God Two things in special are to be observed in this Oath 1. That the King receiveth his Authority onely from God and hath no Superior to punish or chastize him but God alone 2. That the Bond of Subjects in Obedience to his Sacred Majesty is inviolable and cannot be dissolved Bracton 20. years Chief Justice in the time of King Henry 3. There are under the King Free-men and Servants are Subject unto his Power as also whatsoever is under him and he himself is Subject to no Man but only unto God and no Man may presume Judicially to Examine his doings much less to Oppose them by Force and Violence St. Ambr. Kings are not bound unto Law because Kings are Free from the Bond of Crimes and are not called unto Punishment by any Law being Safe by the Power of Command Anonymus The people manifest the King to be their King but do not give unto him the right unto his Kingdome which is of the Lord's appointment By me Kings Reign The outward Unction not enferring upon Kings their Authority but used as a sign of Soveraignty So that the People making a King is not by giving him the Right of his Kingdome but by putting Him into the Possession of his Kingdome to Reign over them Succession and Lawfull Conquest are but Titles whereby Princes receive their Authority they are not the Original and Immediate fountain of their Authority Tertull. Inde illis est porestas unde spiritus Thence have Princes their Power whence their Spirit Irenaeus Cujus jussu nascuntur homines ejus jussu constituuntur Principes By God's Appointment By whose Appointment they are born Men by his Appointment are they made Princes God only makes them Kings and God only can unmake them and deject them from their Thrones King James's Royal assent to Church-Government We of our Princely inclination and Royal care for the maintenance of the present Estate and Government of the Church of England by the Laws of this our Realm now Setled and Established having diligently with great contentment and comfort read and consiâ—ered of all these their Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions agreed upon as is before Expressed and finding the same such as We
the Lord's day by several Abuses and Misdemeanors in excess of Riot by Tipling Sporting Idling and Wandring about the Streets in the time of Divine Service and other unlawful and unwarrantable courses committed and continued both in your Parish and divers other parts of the City and Suburbs thereof by an Idle and Licentious sort of People to the great dishonor of God and profanation of his Day the scandal of our Religion and the conscientious Professors thereof and contempt of the Laws and Authority both Ecclesiastical and Civil These are therefore to require you duely and seriously to exhort and perswade those in Authority in your Parish and Congregation carefully to look after all such offenders in any kind whatsoever together with all those that Abet Receive or Entertain them and either present them unto Us that we may proceed against them or if the nature of their Crime and Offence require it return them to the Civil Magistrate that so by the Conjunction of Our Power and Authority such seasonable and timely Remedy may be used for prevention of the like disorders for the time to come as is fit and necessary in business of so serious and General concernment Given under our Hand and Seal the Twelfth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand six hundred sixty and two And in the second Year of our Consecration Act. Mon. fol. 1521. There was set forth by the most Innocent King Edward the whole Church-Service with great Deliberation and the Advice of the best Learned men of the Realm and Authorised by the whole Parliament and Received and Published gladly by the whole Realm which Book was never Reformed but once and yet by that one Reformation it was so fully perfected according to the Rules of Christian Religion in every behalf that no Christian Conscience can be offended with any thing therein contained Dering against Haddon Look if any Line be blameable in our Service take hold of your advantage I think Mr. Jewel will accept it for an Article Our Service is good and godly every Tittle grounded upon Holy Scripture and with what face do you call it darkness But men are ashamed to seem guilty who always have been Judges or at least Accusers Anonymus The Papists of all Places their desires and attempts to recover England have been always and still are the strongest which in their sober moods many of them will acknowledge to have been the onely Nation that walk the Right way of sustifiable Reformation in comparison of others who have run headlong rather to a Tumultuous Innovation whereas that alteration that hath been in England was brought in with peaceable and orderly proceedings by General consent of the Prince and whole Realm Representatively Assembled in Solemn Parliament a great part of their own Clergy according and conforming themselves unto it What publick discussing and long deliberation did perswade them to be faulty that taken away The Succession of Bishops and Vocation of Ministers continued the Dignity and State of the Clergy preserved the Honor and Solemnity of the Word of God not abused the more Antient Usages not cancell'd no Humor of affecting contrariety but a charitable endeavour rather of Conformity with the Church of Rome in whatsoever they thought not gain-saying to the express Law of God which is the onely approveable way in all New Reformations Reasons against the Covenant Ursinus PRincipalis autem causa juramenti debet esse gloria Dei salus proximi privata publica The chief ends of an Oath are the Glory of God the safeguard and welfare as well private as publick of our Neighbours But the ends of the Covenant have not been answerable to these ends and therefore ought not to be kept nor observed though sworn unto For 1. The Covenant Cum verbo Dei pugnat fit de rebus adversis falsis incertis illicitis non necessariis impossibilibus levibus futilibus irrationabilibus absque necessitate The Covenant is not agreeable to the Word of God and is made of things preposterous false uncertain unlawful not necessary impossible light frivolous and unseasonable without necessity See Dr. Featly's League Illegal The Anti-Covenant Printed at Oxford 1643. Ursinus 2. Juramenta autem de rebus illicitis c. facta sive per errorem sive per ignorantiam sive per infirmitatem sive contra conscientiam non sunt servanda sed retractanda corrigenda poenitentiam agendo a malo proposito desistendo non autem in eo persistendo illud exsequendo Ps 15.6 Nam qui servat juramentum illicitum as is the Covenant bis peccat semel male jurando iterum malè juratum servando juxtaregulam Quod malè juratur pejus servatur Quae enim Deus prohibet ea nec jurata vult servari quae vetat promittere vel jurare ea tantò magis facere prohibet quanto facere quam promittere est gravius Illicitum enim non servatum minimè facit Deum testem mendacii quando quidem mali retractatio bona est ut retractatio juramenti Davidis quo juraverat se Nabalem perditurum cum familia c. Ursinus 2. Oaths made of Unlawfull things either by an Error or by Ignorance or through Infirmity or against the Conscience it is a sin to keep them And therefore such Oaths are to be Retracted and Re-called by Repenting and Surceasing a wicked purpose not to be continued by Persisting and Practising lest we add thereby sin unto sin For he that keeps an Oath made of Unlawfull things as is the Covenant heapeth sin upon sin both in that he Sware amiss and also in that he endeavoureth to do that which he Sware amiss according to the Common rule Ill sworn and Worse kept For what things God forbids those things he will not have Men either Sworn or Unsworn to perform And what he forbids us to will or promise or swear so much the more he forbids us to do the same how much the more grievous a thing it is to do them than to will or promise For an unlawful Oath being broken maketh not God witness of a Lie because the revoking of it is good as appears in the revoking of that Oath which David had made to destroy Nabal with all his houshold c. 3. Henderson Although no Human Power and Authority can dispence with a Lawful Oath Quia juramentum pertinet ad forum Divinum yet in some case as in the Covenant it cannot be denied but the Obligation of an Oath ceaseth Sublata causa tollitur effectus sublato relato tollitur correlatum Or when any Oath hath a special reference to the benefit of those to whom we swear or make the promise as the Covenant had first to the Church of Scotland and pretendedly to the Church of England Henderson if we have their desire or consent the Obligation ceaseth because all such Oathes and so
in the judgment of the Law To alter the setled frame and constitution of the Government is Treason in any State Cicero Aut undique Religionem tolle aut usquequaque conserva Either take away Religion clean or preserve it in all points whole and sound Bracton l. 1. c. 8. The material Sword is put into the hands of the King by Almighty God lib. 2. c. 24. By the material Sword is meant Power and Right to look to the defence and preservation of the Kingdom and it is no less than Treason to enter into any Association or Confederacy without the King's Consent or against His Will By the KING His Majesty's Proclamation forbidding the tendring or taking the late Vow or Covenant c. WHereas We have lately seen a Vow or Covenant pretended to be taken by some Members of both Houses of Parliament whereby after the taking notice of a Popish and Traiterous Plot for the subversion of the True Reformed Religion and the Liberties of the Subject and to surprise the Cities of London and Westminster They do promise and covenant according to their utmost power to assist the Forces pretended to be raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament against the Forces raised by Us and to assist all other persons that shall take the said Oath which Oath as the same hath been taken without the least colour or ground the Contrivers thereof well knowing that there is no Popish Army within this Kingdom that We are so far from giving countenance to that Religion that We have always given and always offered Our consent to any Act for the suppression of Popery and the growth thereof and that the Army raised by Us is in truth for the necessary defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion established by Law the Liberty and Property of the Subject and Our Own Just Rights according to Law All which being setled and submitted to or such a free and peaceable Convention in Parliament being provided for that the same might be setled We have offered and are still ready to Disband Our Armies and as the said Oath was devised onely to prevent peace and to pre-ingage the Votes of the Members of both Houses directly contrary to the Freedom and Liberty of Parliament and to ingage them and Our good Subjects in the maintenance of this horrid and odious Rebellion so it is directly contrary as well to their natural Duty as to the Oathes of Allegiance and Supremacy established by Law which obliges them to bear to Us Truth and Faith of life Members and Earthly Honor and to defend Us to the utmost of their powers against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever which shall be made against Our Person Our Crown and Dignity and to do their best Endeavours to disclose and make known to Us all Treasons and Traiterous Conspiracies which shall be against Us and to their power to assist and defend all Jurisdictions Privileges Preheminences and Authority belonging to Us or united and annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm And whereas We are informed that some desperate seditious persons do endeavour to perswade and seduce others of Our good Subjects to take the said Oath thereby to ingage them and this Kingdom into a continuance of these miserable and bloody distempers We do therefore out of Grace and compassion to Our people and that they may not by any craft or violence suffer themselves to be seduced against their Duty and Conscience warn them of their natural Allegiance and their Obligations by Oathes lawfully administred to them and with them to remember the great Blessings of God in Peace and Plenty which the whole Kingdom hath received whilst that Dâ—ty and those Oathes were carefully observed and the unspeakable miseries and calamities they have suffered in the breaking and violating thereof And we do streightly charge and command Our loving Subjects of what degree and quality soever upon their Allegiance that they presume not to take the said Seditious and Traiterous Vow or Covenant which indeavours to withdraw them from their Natural Allegiance which they owe unto Us and to which they are or ought to be sworn and are bound by the Laws of the Land albeit they are not sworn and engages them in Acts of High Treason by the express Letter of the Statute of the twenty fifth year of King Edward the Third And We do likewise hereby forbid and inhibit all Our Subjects to impose administer or tender the said Oath or Covenant And if notwithstanding this Our Gracious Proclamation any person shall presume to impose tender or take the said Vow or Covenant We shall proceed against him or them with all severity according to the known Laws of the Land Given at Our Court at Oxford the one and twentieth day of June in the nineteenth year of Our Reign God save the King Antiqua fert animus-dicere From his Majesty's command and because our Government hath been and stands established by Kingly power which power I am not to question but perform what is commanded for the King ruleth absolutely and commandeth his people at his pleasure as the World and all things contained therein are tied in subjection unto the will of the Highest King Because the Statutes and Acts of Parliament which banished Popery out of this Kingdom did establish our Church-Government with the Ceremonies as Lawful and if we through weakness or perversness make Lawful things to be Unlawful Baxter that will not excuse us in our disobedience our error is our sin and one sin will not excuse another sin Because the King as God's Vicegerent is bound to maintain and advance the true Religion so far forth as the light of Nature can manifest it or Divine Revelation doth make it known unto Him yea a Christian King is a Law-giver above the Ecclesiastical Law-makers for with Him is Wisdom Power Righteousness Meekness Justice and Judgment Therefore we ought to acquiesce in the unanimous Votes of the King's Majesty The Honorable Houses of Parliament And the Venerable Convocation and all Powers and Interests ought to be fully satisfi'd whether in the decision of Controversies in Religion making Ecclesiastical Canons c. or any the like Ecclesiastical matters because they are the conjunct Votes of all the concerned The General Assembly in Parliament is the Common-Council of the Realm called together by the King for advice in matters concerning the whole Realm of which Assembly Lambard some be Counsellors by birth as the Barons by Succession as the Bishops by Election as Knights and Burgesses the King as the Head to give life The Barony consisting of Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commonalty made up of the Knights and Burgesses be as the Body to deliberate confer and conclude So that forasmuch as every man from the highest to the lowest is there either in person or procuration therefore of right reason every man is said to be bound by that which doth pass from such an Assembly
any particular Act but have Liberty to ordain such wholesome Laws Canons Orders Constitutions c. Ecclesiastical and Civil as are not repugnant to the Word of God which are binding to the Conscience and ought to be observed of every Man though not particularly enjoyned in the Scripture or written Word of God Because it is better to bear the Use of the Ceremonies and yield Obedience to the Government than occasion the Rending of the Church the Displeasure of our Governours the Loss of those Talents God hath entrusted any one with the Distress of a man's Family the Confirming of an error by Example and Condemning as Untollerable Sinfull and Unlawfull what God will Justifie as Lawfull in the Great Day For fear lest by my Disobeying the Lawfull Authority of a Christian Church and Magistrate whom I ought to obey for Conscience sake I Scandalize the weak or become an occasion to them that are weak to Contemn the Authority of the Magistrate and of the Church and the Ceremonies thereof which are appointed and by them thought convenient yea necessary that the External Glory of the Church should be in some measure proportionable to the Glory of the Kingdome Because as Subjects we are bound in Duty and Conscience to Submit which all may readily do with a free Conscience because whatsoever Laws are Imposed are Limited by the Word and the Law-makers are restrained from Commanding that which God Forbids Because the Peace of the Church is one of the sweetest rellished Mercies that we hold next unto the Graces of God's Spirit which by In-conformity is broken And the Punishment of the Omission or rather the refusal of Submission to the established Government is in respect of the neglect if not contempt of Lawfull Authority of the Churches Discipline and Peace and not because the meer Omission is Sin Because if the Ceremonies and established Government of the Church were Sinfull and Unlawfull why do Ministers themselves and not a few others who refuse to Conform to the Government in their own Persons quietly suffer it in their own Children do they not love the Salvation of their Children they shall be your Judges Because the Church of England receiveth its own Customs with difference from other Churches lest men should think that Religion is tied to outward Ceremonies which Customs our Clergy use as the Customs of the place wherein they Live Because those Laws which of their own nature are changeable be notwithstanding uncapable of change if he which gives them being of Authority so to do absolutely forbid to change them neither may they admit alteration against the Will of such a Law-maker Because Magistrates must Judge all causes and Govern the people whom all are to Honour Submit unto and Reverence in deed word and gesture as to the Lord Ainsworth For the Word of God is Committed to them and they therefore are called Gods And Subjection is due unto the King as to the Superiour unto the Governours as they are sent of him And this Subjection must be both openly and secretly even of Conscience and not for fear of wrath only And there is not a cause why either Princes should forsake their Places Titles Dignities or the People shake off their Subjection For seeing Magistracy is God's Ordinance none are meeter to Execute it to have his Word and Sword committed to them to carry his Titles and to Judge the people And seeing it is still his Ministery for the good of his people none can better perform this Duty and be Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers of the Church than Christian Kings in which Ministration they both maintain and conserve the true Religion of God according to his Word and reform things Amiss and also maintain Civil peace So that they are not only Ornaments of Common-wealths but their Safety and Strength under God and they are the Shields of the World to whom we owe Homage Service and Subjection and should allow them Maintenance pay them Tributes and other Duties in recompence of their Cares Labours and Imployments that so mutual Concord may all manner of ways be Conserved Because nothing is Commanded strictly to be observed but such things as are necessary and cannot be omitted without Disorder and Scandal unto the Obedience of which all have been and are still invited and sweetly drawn with yielding to the Conditions capacities and judgments of 〈◊〉 so farr forth as the Stamp which God hath set on those he hath called to Office and Command may be Preserved and not Debased And seeing that the Original occasion of Episcopacy doth very much commend it Lloyd it being brought in to Heal the evil of Schism and by preventing it for time to come to secure the Peace of the Church it should be the more acceptable to us From a desire by our example of Obedience to win others to the love of the Government and by our sweet behaviour to attract others to Virtue not to Disputations while they observe our Dispositions Manners Affections Aims and Intendments are to glorifie God and not being otherwise minded in all Humility to yield to reason not presuming upon our own strength but with patience bearing what is Commanded with all Long-suffering that we may be like our Heavenly Father Lest we seem to make our selves wiser than He. Because our Spiritual Governours are given unto us and set over us as those to whom the whole care of the Church belongeth and by whose Authority the honour of the Church is preserved which remaining safe Peace is safe therefore let us be followers of their Doctrine Living in Conformity to the Customs of the present times Imitators of wise Christians and such as are Patterns to be practised by considering that our Prince and Governours who are the true Patterns and Mirrours of God amongst us are not ignorant of any thing whatsoever which may tend to the quiet Religious and civil Government of us and the Kingdome Because Princes are Lords over Laws and enjoyn them to others of whom it is not Lawfull to invent or speak that thing which may turn to the Disgracing of the Laws and Government or Reproach of our Governours appointed by our Head and Superiour to whom we must and ought to yield Obedience by the Command of God in all causes whatsoever Because it is more meet that we follow the Counsel of many Learned Bishops who had the chiefest hand in Planting in the Restitution and Reformation of Religion in all Ages than that all of them should strike Sail to the fancies of a few inconsiderate Mushromes considering that the Power they have committed to them hath been and still is for the good of the Church and not for themselves which others that want Integrity Morality Charity Mercy and Judgment cannot exercise nor discharge suitable to the ends of Government Because the Churches abroad confess their Preachers have a great deal of wrong and injury offered them in that they are blamed as though they
sought to bring the Authority of Ecclesiastical Praelates to nothing when as they never forbad them that worldly Government and Authority which they have given unto them by Kings and Emperours for the civil Government of their Goods c. it being conferred upon them by Pious Princes out of their Love to Christ and his Ambassadors the better to preserve them from the contempt of the wicked and to inable them the better to maintain the great interest which in civil things belongs to the Ecclesiastical State and that the great Honour of a Christian Kingdome should not sit without giving the Ambassadors of Christ an Honourable place and Privilege amongst them Because the Churches abroad confess that so many as do despise Ecclesiastical Assemblies and separate themselves from them they are contemners of true Religion and are to be compelled by the Bishops and Godly Migistrates to surcease stubbornly to separate and absent themselves from sacred Assemblies Because the Churches abroad confess if any Church do Religiously celebrate the memory of the Lord's Nativity Circumcision Passion Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven and sending the Holy Ghost upon his Disciples according to Christian Liberty they do very well allow of it Because the Churches abroad confess no Religion doth keep every where the same Ceremonies although they admit and receive the self same Doctrine touching them For say they even they which have one and the self same Faith disagree amongst themselves about Ceremonies the Churches having always used their liberty in Rites as being things indifferent Because the Churches abroad confess Ceremonies brought in by good Custome are with an Uniform consent to be retained in the Ecclesiastical Assemblies of Christian People at the common Service of God according to the Doctrine of the Holy Apostles Let all things be done in the Church decently and in order For God is not the Author of confusion but of peace and no man by pretending a shew of Christian liberty should withdraw himself from such constitutions as be godly and serve to a good use Because the Churches abroad confess although their Preachers do not keep all Rites with other Churches yet they do not withstand or oppose themselves to any good and godly Constitutions neither are they so minded as that for the Ceremonies sake they would raise up any dissentions although they should think that some of them were not very necessary Because the Churches abroad confess their meaning is not to have Rule taken from the Bishops but teach that the true Pastors of the Churches may ordain Publick Rites in their Churches for good Order's sake and if they be broken with offence given there where the Churches are well ordered and there be not error in Doctrine let him that in such a place breaketh them know that he doth offend because he disturbeth the peace of the Church well ordered or doth withdraw others from the true Ministery Because the Churches abroad do profess Ceremonies invented by Man such as are seemly devised for Order may be observed without any opinion of Merit Worship or Necessity and confess they do both observe certain Ceremonies which are comely and made for good order and also teach that they ought to be observed even as men cannot live without good order Because the Churches abroad confess that it is lawful for the Bishops with the consent of the Church to appoint Holy-days Lessons and Sermons for edifying and for instruction in the true Faith in Christ Because the Churches abroad touching Traditions of the Fathers or such as the Bishops and the Churches do at this day ordain hold it as their opinion such as agree with the Scripture and were ordained for good manners and the profit of men although they be not expressed in the Scripture nevertheless in that they proceed from the commandement of Love which ordereth all things most decently they are worthily to be accounted rather of God than of man which no good Christian will refuse to obey no not unlawful Laws so they have no wicked thing in them Because the Churches abroad deny not the Churches Canons about Rites which serve for the publick order and edification of the Church but that the matter of the Canon warranted by God's Word doth bird Because the Churches abroad confess indeed they teach that the care of Religion doth chiefly appertain to the Magistrats and he that opposeth himself against the Magistrate doth procure the wrath of God against him and therefore condemn all contemners of Magistrates as Rebels enemies of the Common-wealth seditious Villains and all such as do either openly or closely refuse to perform those duties which they ought to do and confess all men of what dignity condition or state soever they be ought to be subject to their lawful Magistrates and obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the Word of God and condemn all those troublesome spirits who do reject Higher Powers and Magistrates overthrow Laws and Judgments that do abolish and confound all those Orders and Degrees which God hath appointed amongst men for Degrees and Vocations should not be confounded nor is it lawful for every man to start up into the Pulpit and there shew his mind and teach others openly Con. Tol. Solus ad sacra Dei mysteria tractanda accedat quem morum innocentia literarum splendor reddunt illustrem Let such an one alone undertake to handle the Divine mysteries of God who is renowned both for integrity of life and excellency of Learning and these Councils conclude Concil Mediolan Toledo Trident. Lateran Carthage Apostoli in quorum locum Episcopi successerunt satis nobis aperuerunt verbi Dei praedicationem esse praecipuum illorum munus qui in Episcopali sede collocantur The Apostles in whose room the Bishops come have made it sufficiently manifest unto us that the preaching of the Word of God is the principal function of those who are placed in Bishops Seas Because it were scandal not to give obedience to the Laws of the Church when they prescribe things necessary or expedient for eschewing of scandal and it were contempt to refuse obedience to them when we are not certainly perswaded of the unlawfulness or inexpediency of things prescribed Because in things which are in themselves indifferent and none of them inexpedient we ought to do that the Church requireth though our Brethren should exhort us unto the contrary being bound in conscience to obey the Ordinances of the Church except they be evidently unlawful and when the Authority of the Church doth ordain and the things be lawful and expedient we are bound by both saith an Anonymus of Scotland Because the Church of Scotland profess his Majesty shall ever find that he hath none more loyal and true Subjects who will more gladly imploy and bestow their Lives Lands Goods Houses Holds Gear Rents Revenues Places Privileges Means Moyeties and all in his Highness Service and maintenance of his Royal Crown and moreover
the undermining the Tribunals of Judgment and the Wofull disturbance of Church and State which the proudest Non conformist cannot Balk but must confess it is a Truth and that they have walked within the Enormous confines of their own Exorbitant desires and even as Atheistical Nullifidians have not regarded the Blood of a King like riotous Ruffians eating and drinking and taking pleasure therein adjoyning Criticks to justle out the truth of the Lawfull absoluteness of Kingly power practizing as the Scenical jesters do fast and loose without a Cordial subjection and obedience but being Covetous cried give give for a King to whom no Antheme was more pleasant than possession of 80000 l. Diotrephes like seeking for the Pre-heminence yet pretending to have the self-denying Virtue but Demas like did embrace the present now and at the same time while they did profess themselves lofty Favourites took a Pattern of Religion from Raviliack and cared not for a King so much as a Wildred promise a Promise that made a King of never Dying Virtues and Bishops of never Dying Fame troublesome to their queasie Stomacks The Devil they had rather have for their Father and Confessour by whom they were led to follow the bright Beams of Corruscant Gold and Silver that had with them Authority to make them turn Turn-coats yet ceased not Parasitically to profess and swear they Loved the King with all their Saul at that very time the Friperers of Power and Government were telling them so much Money as made those Mercenary Pensioners bow before they would break though they had a King of Power in their Hands able for ever to have made them and three Kingdoms happy if these were not Ideots going in the Pride and Presumption of their Hearts after the Gods of Gold and Silver let all Generations judge whose Faith was Spun so broad and whose Consciences were without Measure as the Corn in Egypt without Number let any who have had so great Convincing reasons as we have had Judge how likely they should be the only feeling and faithfull Members that made so great a Defection from Duty and Allegiance or with what Confidence we should rely upon their Pargetting Profession whose Pandects and Plagiaries have made their Mountainous thoughts to swell higher than any Mountain in their barren Country being a people more Lapped than Nichodemus who was ignorant of the Mysteries of the Gospel and came by night to Jesus for Instruction but these who professed they knew Jesus to be Christ the King of Jews and Gentiles came by night to their Annointed Soveraign Lord and King not for instruction but to betray him and Judas like sold him for Money the root of all Evil. Now consider if God was so severely wrath with David a King for the Death of Urias the Hittite that Dyed in Warr with others of his Subjects that God did threaten Him that the Sword should not depart from his House And tell me nay tell the whole World whether you think Private persons Subjects sworn in Allegiance to their undoubted Lawfull King if they shall treacherously Murther their King will go Unpunished of God shall not his Sacred blood be upon their Heads upon the Heads of those that have Slain a righteous King upon the Heads of those that put the Sword of Warr by their side at a time of tenders of Peace Can such be guiltless O tempora O Mores it is hard to Kick against the Pricks By this very thing let it be known to all Generations ye were Sons of Belial ye that might have prevented the Murther and did it not ye are guilty His blood be upon you and your Children and the Innocent let them be free Thus far I hope I have kept a good Conscience in what I have done and hope so to keep it whatsoever I suffer for this my Integrity when I was a Child I did as a Child and took the Covenant being traiterously mis-led by them that did pretend Zeal and Piety for which transgression I humbly plead the forgiveness of Our Dread Soveraign Lord King Charls the First I willingly forgive such mens taking the Covenant who keep it within such bounds of Piety and Loyalty as can neither hurt either the Church my Self or the Publick peace Otherwise than thus I have not kept it and therefore with humble boldness lay hold upon and plead my right unto and in the Act of Indempnity given and granted by Our Dread Soveraign Lord and King Charls the Second as my Salvo against all the false Rumours and Reports gone out against me unto which I humbly add the Admission under Seal from the Right Reverend Father in God Gilbert by the Divine Providence Lord Bishop of London which I doubt not but they are sufficient Indempnities for my first Oath that ever I took 1643. being in Nonage and under Servitude when I took it And when enlarged into freedome I took the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy 1648. and since never took any Oath in any kind whatsoever but in Obedience to His Sacred Majesty And therefore let those that would retort upon me the Covenant consider the time when it was taken by me and under what Jurisdiction I then was remember that one Grand objection against our Rulers brought by all Non-conformists as a reason to enforce the taking of it viz. that they were Wicked but now are Justified which Objection brought as a reason did much prevail upon the Hearts of multitudes of Ignorant Men Women and Children and upon my Self amongst others But had we been able wisely to have considered that the wickedness of the Rulers if any such there were did not make the truths of God a Lye and his Commandments of none Effect it might have been a good Premonition to us that profess our selves the true Members of the Church to have taken heed we had not fallen and carefully to have minded those that made it their business to creep into mens affections with entising Words and under pretence of Religious opposing Ceremonies and established Government Kill'd the power of Godliness Nevertheless as I have so still I do acknowledge many Godly men to be amongst those that do not Conform and sound Religion yet not more sound Religion as some formerly and now would perswade than is in them that Conform although some might then and may now seemingly be of a more holy Conversation Howsoever that was and is the Error of the Person not of the Government or Doctrine of the Church yet such themselves being Judges cannot but have Regret upon their Spirits for those desperate falls they have had in the Opposing of the Doctrine of our Church and our established Government The fall of Contempt and Disobedience unto that Divine Commandment Curse not the King no not in thy thought The breach of four great Commandments the 5 6 9 10. their joyning Violence with that they called truth and Cruelty with that they called righteousness too evidently
manifest by which things alone I might easily be Convinced of the Equity of an established Government and the Iniquity of them that did and do oppose it who knowingly so horribly did Violate God's own Laws which here I use as an Argument for my own lawfull and just Defence especially when I consider that the first Opposing of established Government was but the beginning of Evils which gave scope to Bloody Seditions And therefore by this my contending for the established Government with Subjection and Obedience to the King is that I may go the right way to meet Peace that I may be clear from the Blood of all men pure then peaceable From whence I inferr that it is better to Contend against you who have preferred your own Humors and Opinions before the Commandments of God and the King than to be at Peace with you You who have occasioned dangerous Schisms Seditions and Bloody warrs by which you clearly Evidence and Justifie the Authority of a Law in Church and State Under which Law had we acquiesced we had not been wrapped in such evil snares but by our Obedience removed much Evil and prevented the shedding of much Blood besides the good we might have done to others others whose Consciences by strange Doctrine and unparalleld Practice have been made Bold Erring Presuming Secure if not Seared who under a pretence of good Meaning attempted Unlawfull nay Sinfull nay Damnable actions which cannot be Justified or Excused For if a good meaning did or could justifie or excuse evil actions then they who killed the Apostles might be justified and excused because in so doing they thought they did God good Service How farr any of ye that have been Leaders in the Church of God through your good meaning if I may so say have been or are from Soul ruinating Scandal though ye might not intend any such thing let your own Consciences and the fearfull Effects of the late Warr give in Evidence for Conviction as it doth clearly manifest the danger of yielding to the first beginnings of Evil as also the danger of opposing established Government and teaching others so to do by Doctrine or Example Ye could not swallow Gnats of Ceremonies but Camells of Blood went down O Bellua Multorum Capitum These these things we should lay to Heart and be humbled for 〈◊〉 great Provocations and Defections from our Covenant made in Baptism our Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy for the breach of less Oaths than these we find the Romans branded from the time of the third Punick Warr our opposing of the established Government of the Church of England our loss of the Practice of Piety and this with all our Hearts and according to all our Powers to endeavour to help the wounded Church of Christ the cause of our Religion which suffers much at home and much abroad by our strange Doctrines Opinions and more strange Actions and this with the loss of our Credits and all that is dear unto us endeavouring all of us in our Places and Callings for the time to come to keep the Commandments of God and the King without declining unto the right hand or the left that so the Evils felt or feared for our former Disobedience and Rebellion may be removed and prevented and our Persons find acceptance with God through the only Merits and Mediation of our Great High Priest the Lord Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament to whom be Honour and Glory ascribed of us and all the Churches of God now and for evermore Scriptures whereby the fore-going Reasons are inforced Gen. 13.8 And Abraham said unto Lot Let there be no strife I pray thee between me and thee and between my Herd-men and thy Herd-men for we be Brethren Gen. 47.22 Only the Land of the Priests bought he not for the Priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them wherefore they sold not their Lands ver 26. And Joseph made it a Law over the Land of Egypt unto this day that Pharaoh should have the Fifth part except the Land of the Priests only which became not Pharaohs Ex. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill Numb 8.14 Thus thou shalt separate the Levites from among the children of Israel and the Levites shall be mine ver 16. For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel ver 18. For I have taken the Levites for all the first-born of the children of Israel ver 19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel 26.9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to himself to do the service of the Tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them ver 10. And he hath brought thee near to him and all thy brâ—thren the sons of Levi with the and seek ye the Priesthood also Deut. 17.15 Thou shalt in any wise set him King over thee whom the Lord thy God shall chuse ver 18. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a Book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites 23.21 When thou shalt Vow a Vow unto the Lord thy God thou shalt not slack to pay it for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee and it would be sin in thee Josh 1.17 According as we hearkned unto Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee 6.19 But all the Silver and Gold and Vessels of Brass and Iron are consecrated unto the Lord they shall come into the Treasury of the Lord. Judg. 17.26 In those days there was no King in Israel but every man did that which was right in his own eyes 1 Sam. 15.17 And Samuel said When thou wast little in thine own sight wast thou not made the Head of all the Tribes of Israel and the Lord annointed thee King over Israel 16.9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by and he said Neither hath the Lord chosen thee 24.6 And he said unto his men The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lord 's Annointed to stretch forth mine hand against him seeing he is the Lord 's Annointed 2 Sam. 5. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-Gilead and said unto them Blessed be ye of the Lord that ye have shewed this kindness unto your Lord even unto Saul and have buried him ver 6. And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you and I also will requite you this kindness because ye have done this thing 1 King 7.51 So was ended all the work that King Solomon made for the House of the Lord 2 Chron. 15.8 9. And Solomon brought
in the things which David his father had dedicated even the Silver and the Gold and the Vessels did he put among the Treasures of the House of the Lord 2 King 23.5 2 Chron. 19.6 And he said to the Judges Take heed what ye do for ye judge not for man but for the Lord who is with you in the Judgment Ezr. 12.7 Artaxerxes King of Kings unto Ezra the Priest ver 13. I make a Decree ver 21. And I even I Artaxerxes the King do make a Decree ver 26. And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God and the Law of the King let judgment be executed speedily upon him whether it be unto death or to banishment or to confiscation of goods or to imprisonment ch 8.36 And they delivered the King ' s Commissions unto the King 's Lieutenants and to the Governors on this side the River and they furthered the people and the House of God Ps 82.6 I have said ye are Gods and all of you are children of the most High 47.9 The Princes of the people are gathered together even the people of the God of Abraham For the Shields of the earth belong unto God he is greatly exalted 51.4 Against thee thee onely have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight 88.20 I have found David my servant with my Holy Oyl have I annointed him Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and Princes decree justice ver 16. By me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth 24.21 My son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change Eccles 8.12 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth that there be just men unto whom it hapneth according to the work of the wicked again there be wicked men to whom it hapneth according to the work of the righteous I said that this also is vanity 1.1 The words of the Preacher the son of David King of Jerusalem 10.17 Blessed art thou O Land when thy King is the son of Nobles and thy Princes eat in due season for strength and not for drunkenness ver 20. Curse not the King no not in thy thoughts and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber for a bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter Jer. 33.20 Thus saith the Lord If you can break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night and that there should not be day and night in their season ver 21. Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant that he should not have a Son to Reign upon his Throne and with the Levites the Priests my Ministers Dan. 2.27 Thou O King art a King of Kings for the God of Heaven hath given thee a Kingdom power and strength and glory Dan. 3.9 They spake and said to the King Nebuchadnezzar O King live for ever ver 10. Thou O King hast made a Decree c. 6.26 I make a Decree that in every Dominion of my Kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel for he is the living God and stedfast for ever and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed and his Dominion shall be even unto the end Mal. 3.7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine Ordinances and have not kept them Return unto me and I will return unto you saith the Lord of Hosts but ye said Wherein shall we return ver 8. Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me but ye say Wherein have we robbed thee in Tithes and Offerings ver 9. Ye are cursed with a curse for ye have robbed me even this whole Nation ver 10. Bring ye all the Tithes into the Store-house that there may be meat in mine house and prove me now therewith saith the Lord of Hosts if I will not open you the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it ver 12. And all Nations shall call you blessed for ye shall be a delightsome Land saith the Lord of Hosts Mat. 5.19 Whosoever shall break one of these least commandements and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven 26.52 Then said Jesus unto him Put up again thy sword into his place For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword Mar. 6.27 And immediately the King sent an Executioner and commanded his head to be brought and he went and beheaded him in the prison 15.2 And Pilate asked him Art thou the King of the Jews And he answering said unto him Thou sayest it ver 15. And so Pilate willing to content the people released Barabbas unto them and delivered Jesus when he had scourged him to be crucified 23.12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together for before they were at enmity between themselves Joh. 19.15 But they cried out Away with him away with him crucifie him Pilate saith unto them Shall I crucifie your King The chief Priests answered We have no King but Caesar Io. 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time commeth that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service Acts 1.10 And while they looked stedfastly toward Heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white Apparel ver 20. For it is written in the Book of Psalms Let his Habitation be desolate and let no man dwell therein And his Bishoprick let another take 3.1 Now Peter and John went up together into the Temple at the hour of Prayer being the Ninth hour 4. ver 25 26 27 28. 29 30 31 32. Acts 8.14 Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John v. 15. who when they were come down Prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost v. 17. Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost Acts 10.9 Peter went up upon the House-top to pray about the Sixth hour ver 15. What God hath cleansed that call not thou common 15.22 Then it pleased the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas ver 23. And wrote Letters by them after this manner The Apostles and Elders c. 20.30 Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them Rom. 12.3 For I say through the Grace given unto me to every man that is among you not to think of himself more highly than
One Lord one Faith one Baptism ver 6. One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all 1 Thes 5.12 And we beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you ver 13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake And be at peace among your selves 2 Thes 3.6 Now we command you Brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Tradition which he received of us 1 Tim. 1.3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine ver 5. Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned ver 6. From which some having swarved have turned aside unto vain Janglings ver 7. Desiring to be teachers of the Law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm ver 18. This charge I commit unto thee Son Timothy according to the Prophecies which went before on thee that thou by them mightest Warr a good warfare ver 19. Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made Ship-wrack 3.4 One that ruleth well his own House having his Children in subjection with all Gravity ver 6. Not a Novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil ver 10. And let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a Deacon being found blameless ver 14. These things write I unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly ver 15. But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth 5.1 Rebuke not an Elder but entreat him as a Father and the younger men as Brethren ver 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who Labour in the Word and Doctrine ver 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by Partiality ver 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins keep thy self pure 2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 2.14 Of these things put them in remembrance charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit but to the subverting of the hearers ver 15. Study to shew thy self approved unto God a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth ver 16. But shun Profane and Vain bablings for they will increase unto more ungodliness 3.6 For of this sort are they which creep into Houses and lead captive silly Women laden with Sins led away with divers Lusts ver 7. Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ver 13. But evil Men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse Deceiving and being Deceived ver 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness Titus 1.5 For this cause I left thee in Crete that thou should'st set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee ver 10. For there are many Unruly and Vain talkers and Deceivers especially they of the Circumcision ver 11. Whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake ver 15. Unto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled ver 16. They profess that they know God but in works they deny him being Abominable and Disobedient and unto every good work Reprobate 3.1 Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work ver 2. To speak evil of no man to be no brawlers but gentle shewing all meekness unto all men ver 9. But avoid foolish Questions and Genealogies and Contentions and Strivings about the Law for they are unprofitable and vain ver 10. A man that is an Heretick after the first and second admonition reject ver 11. Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being Condemned of himself Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you ver 24. Salute all them that have the Rule over you and all the Saints 7.7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better 9.6 Now when these things were thus ordained the Priests went always into the first Tabernacle accomplishing the service of God ver 7. But into the second went the High-Priests alone once every year not without blood which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord sake whether it be to the King as Supreme ver 14. Or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well ver 15. For so is the will of God c. ver 17. Honour all men Love the brother-hood Fear God Honour the King 3.17 For it is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing 5.1 The Elders which are among you I exhort who also am an Elder c. ver 5. Likewise ye younger submit your selves unto the elder yea all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with Humility c. Jude v. 8. Likewise also these filthy Dreamers defile the Flesh despise Dominion and speak evil of Dignities ver 10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not but what they know naturally as brute Beasts in those things they corrupt themselves ver 17. But beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ ver 18. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts ver 19. These be they who separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit Rev. 2.1 Unto the Angel of the
Church of Ephesus write ver 8. And unto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna write ver 12. And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos write ver 18. And to the Angel of the Church in Thyatira write 3.1 And unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis write ver 7. And to the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia write ver 14. And to the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write ver 18. I counsell thee to buy of me Gold tried in the Fire that thou maist be rich and White raiment that thou maist be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and annoint thine eyes with Eye-salve that thou mayest see Statutes PArl. 21. Edw. 1.1 Edw. 3. c. 2. 25. Edw. 3. c. 2. 12. Hen. 3. p. 23. 12. Hen. 7. c. 18. 19. Hen. 7. c. 1. 12. Hen. 8. 31. Hen. 8. c. 9.13 25. Hen. 8. c. 20. 2. Ric. 3.11 18. Hen. 8.1 Bracton c. 9.10 8. Eliz. c. 1. 25. Eliz. c. 3. Jacob 3.11 Canons 1604. Canon 33 34. 42 43 44 45 46 47.59 139 140 141. The End MAY 29. 1660. YE Angels great in power Protect Our Soveraign Charls the Lord's Elect. Let Monk be Blest with showers of Grace That hath Unveil'd His Royal Face Oh welcome welcome from Exile Your waiting Captives can't but Smile Our King by Wisdome hath Release Our suffering Charls the Prince of Peace All tongues without false hearts let Sing With warbling Notes God save the King MAY 30th HAst thou an Eye Then look on Majesty Three Kingdoms just Possessour In Seisin full In Re-assuming free Faith's fence and best Professour Let Heads and Tongues ' Mongst Salvage have their doom Their Heart-strings break with fear That Treason hatch Against our Spotless joy Or England ravish of her Kingly Sphere Instruments be Blest That opened our Eyes To see Deliverers that Catechize In Proditores September 1660. HEnce hence absent what is it your desire You Enginers Massacres to conspire Let only such as Love a Royal peace Such and their Fruit for evermore encrease Cease cease your thoughts contrive not Murders still Against a King of Peace ye worst of ill What ere you think our Duty is to Sing Glory to God Honour to the King God save the King W. W. THE OFFICE and CHARGE Belonging to the OVER SEERS OF The POOR Of Hospitals Bridewell and of Every Parish in pursuance of several Acts Of PARLIAMENT Give to him that asketh thee c. 35 Matth. 42. When I was an hungred yee gave me meat when thirsty ye gave me drink when a Stranger ye took me in when Naked ye Cloathed me when Sick ye visited me when in Prison ye came unto me 35 Matth. 35 36. The Poor yee shall have alwayes with you 12 John 8. Let all your things be done with Charity 1 Cor. 16.14 By W. Wasse School-master in Little Britain near unto Christ-church London Printed by W. W. for R. H. at the Bible in Heart in Little Britain 1663. THE OFFICE and CHARGE Belonging to the Overseers of the Poor c. Quest 1 WHat is the word Overseer Answ The Word Overseer is a distinction of Office a word of Antiquity not of Novelty a word of Excellency not of Indignity an Office beseeming the best of men not the worst of men 1 Chron. 23.4 Acts 20.28 Quest 2 What is an Overseer of the Poor Answ One placed over others to see unto them 1. To see what is to be done 2. To foresee how it may be done 3. To Oversee that it be well done 1. To imploy the Poor by Work 2. To Relieve the Poor by Money 3. To order by Discretion the wants of the Poor Quest 3 What men are fit to be Overseers of the Poor 1. Men of Honest Report 2. Men of Wisdom 3. Men of Wealth 4. Men of a good Conscience Quest 4 What men are not meet to be made Overseers of the Poor Answ 1. Such as complain of their being taxed too high for the Poor which give with grudging and pay with delaying 2. Such as will not be spake with at home when the Tax is to be gathered nor bring money to the Church to pay it but rather absent themselves from Church to defraud the Poor of their right 3. Such as spend all upon their Pride in Diet and Apparel beyond their degree but part with little to the Poor 4. Such as abuse the Overseers and out-face them to defraud the Poor 5. Such men as will pay no more then the Law compels them to alleging that there is a Law and by the Law they must live Quest 5 What should Overseers consider of in their Office Answ 1. To discharge their Office as in the sight of God who searcheth the heart and seeth all their actions 2. To avoid all malice and not to Tyrannize over the Poor The Naturalists observe that the Governour of the Bees is without a sting or useth it not though it have a sting 3. That their Office is not held by Patent but that they are as Tenants at will and as they do over-see so they shall be over-seen 4. That if any perish for want of succour through their neglect it is their sin 5. That what Beggars are licensed in the Parish according to the Law to continue them within their limits or else to punish them for their defaults 6. That if they shall tax ten shillings more by the week then is needfull and then give largely because there is enough it will but encrease the number of the Poor and nothing decrease the charge of the Parish 7. That they relieve not such as may forbear it because it is to nourish idleness to rob those that want it to wrong those that pay it and condemn them of oversight which dispose it 8. That to enquire after Poor is the way to procure Poor and some will sue to be Recorded for Poor that are able to contribute to the Poor and being Recorded raise scandal upon them if not the Curse of the Poor Quest 6 What is the Office of an Overseer Answ The Office of an Overseer is to Tax the Contributions for the Poor and receive the Donations and then discreetly to dispose thereof Taxing all men that are Inhabitants 1. According to Equality The middle sort not equal with the Rich and when every one is rated equally according to his Estate to see that every one pay their rates though there be sufficient besides for the Poor 1. For Example sake Lest others be backward in paying their due 2. For the good of the Inhabitants If any thing be left it will some what abate the taxation the year following Moreover if the weaker sort pay and the better able be undertaxed or forborn it is an injury 2. According to their Estates Which is not to be judged by reports that is the next way to make Poor maintain Poor For a man of 250 pounds Estate with no Children is
for the enabling of Citations Suspensions Excommunications or other Censures of the Church And that it is not necessary that Summons Citations or other Processes Ecclesiastical in the said Courts or Institutions or Inductions to Benefices or Correction of Ecclesiastical Offences by Censure in those Courts be in the King 's Name or with the Style of the King or under the King 's Seal or that their Seals of Office have in them the King 's Arms. And that the Statute of Primo Edwardi Sexti cap. 2. which Enacted the contrary is not now in force We are also of Opinion that the Bishops Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Persons may keep their Visitations as usually they have done without Commission under the Great Seal of England so to do John Bramstone John Finch Humphrey Davenport William Jones John Dinham Richard Hutton George Croke Thomas Trevor George Vernor Robert Berkley Francis Crawley Richard Weston The Right Reverend Father in God George Lord Bishop of London His Advertisment To all and every the Ministers Church-wardens and Side-men within the City Suburbs and Diocess of London WHereas I am daily advertised by the relations of many honest and religious persons of a General Misbehaviour in most Churches in and about the City of London in time of Divine Service Men and Boys sitting then cover'd with their Hats on their heads without all shew of Reverence or Respect either of that Holy place or Action the one being the House of Almighty God the other a continued Vicissitude as it were of Speech between God and his People The due consideration whereof might easily induce any well-disposed Christian to use such Outward posture and gesture of his body as becometh that Sacred place and the great Majesty of that God to whom they come at that time Professedly to perform a Divine Worship I have therefore thought it my duty incessantly to recommend unto you the Ministers Church-wardens and Side-men the Reformation of this prophane abuse scandalous to our Religion against an express Law in that case provided and condemned by the contrary practice of all Christians in all Ages in their like Solemnities and Assemblies praying and requiring you to joyn together your utmost endeavours to effect the same for which purpose it shall be necessary for you the Church-wardens and Side-men during the time of Divine Service diligently to look about the Church and where you see any covered if Boys or of the younger sort those to shame openly by pulling off their Hats and chastize with such Discipline as you have been laudably accustomed to inflict upon such rude and unmannerly Fellows If the Elder or better sort though I well hope that none of that condition out of their own judgment will hereafter offend in this kind those to admonish gravely of their duty representing unto them the inconvenienâ—es of this their ill example and how directly repugnant it is to the Apostle 's Rule of Decency in the Church thus to celebrate Divine Service and to perform a Professed and Religious Worship of Almighty God After which your Admonition if any shall obstinately refuse to uncover his oâ— their heads in Service time you shall then present them to Me or my Chancellor to the end that they by the severity of Censures may be amended by whom brotherly and gentle perswasions have been contemned Moreover also I am certainly informed That the Publick Service of Almighty God in the Churches is omitted and thereby come to neglect and almost scorned forasmuch as the Ministers read not the Divine Service the First and Second Service before their Sermons according to the order of our Church Liturgy and the Canon in that case provided I do therefore hereby require all the Parsons Vicars and Curates in my Diocess to take care that they offend not in this kind strictly likewise requiring you the Church-wardens and Side-men that according to your Oathes you present to Me or my Chancellor those Ministers that shall be faulty in this kind c. City Petition 1646 1. That some strict and speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of all Private and Separate Congregations 2. That all Anabaptists Brownists Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers and all such Sectaries as conform not to the Publick Discipline established or to be established by Parliament may be fully declared against and some effectual course taken for proceeding against such persons 3. That as we are all Subjects of one Kingdom so all may equally be required to yield obedience unto the Government set forth or to be set forth by Parliament 4. That no Person disaffected to the Government set forth or to be set forth by Parliament may be employed in any place of Publick trust The most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace to all the Lords the Bishops within his Province of Canterbury AFter my hearty Commendations I have lately received Letters from His Majesty wherein He takes notice of the continuance and increase of some bold Abuses and Extravagances in the Church especially in Preachers notwithstanding His great Indulgence used towards them And fore-seeing the mischief and inconveniencies likely to ensue thereupon if not timely prevented and repressed Hath out of His Princely and tender care of the Peace of the Church sent withall certain Directions to be strictly observed by the Bishops in their several Diocesses as by the Copies thereof which I have sent here inclosed your Loâ—dship 's will more fully understand and for the more speedy dispatch and ease in the Communication hath been Graciously pleased to command so many Copies thereof to be Printed as shall be needful a proportionable number whereof will be forthwith sent unto your Lordship for your Diocess Now as we cannot but with all thankfulness acknowledge His Majesty's Affectionate Care and Zeal in this His providing for the good and Welfare of the Church by all means which He finds may be conducible thereunto So my earnest desire and hope is We shall not be so much wanting to our own good as not to second those His Majesty's Commands with the utmost of Our endeavours But that your Lordship when you shall have given order for the careful dispersing and communicating those Copies as is required will by your diligent inspection and serious Admonitions to your Clergy as occasion shall be offered be able in due time to return an account of the success in the Observation answerable to His Majesty 's expectation and Pious Designs in this His Injunction And so with my Prayers to God for a Blessing upon your Endeavours herein I commit you to His holy Protection and rest Your Lordships very Loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. Lambeth 23 Octob. 1662. The Right Reverend Father in God Gilbert Lord Bishop of London his Injunction GIlbert by the Divine Providence Bishop of London To our Well-beloved in Christ in the City and Our Diocess of London sendeth Greeting Whereas we are informed and sadly resent the great Profanation of