Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n
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A49310
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A complaint of the oppressed against the oppressors, or, The unjust and arbitrary proceedings of some souldiers and justices against some sober godly persons, in and near London who now lye in stinking goals [i.e. gaols] for the testimony of good conscience : with some reasons why they cannot swear allegiance to obtain their liberty / faithfully collected by John Lovewel.
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Lovewel, John.
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1661
(1661)
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Wing L3292; ESTC R31000
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13,310
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20
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or lawfully may be exercised or used for the visitation of the Ecclesiastical State and Persons and for Reformation Order and Correction of the same and of all manner of Errors Heresies Schismes Abuses Offences Contempts and Enormities shall for ever by the Authority of this present Parliament be united and annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm c. See also a Statute Anno 1. Ed. 6. Cap. 12. Let the Reader take notice that these things are not cited or said to shew that not the King but the Pope or some man else is Supream Head of the Church for such a thing is abhorred by them they utterly dis-claiming and dis-owning any Power or Authority the Pope hath and would rejoyce to see the utter desolation of him and all that Hierarchy They knowing that no man living upon the Earth hath that dignity but it is Christs to whom All Power in Heaven and in Earth is committed by the Father Mat. 28 18. Whence then it 's clear That he that Swears is not onely bound by Oath to yeeld actual Obedience to the Kings Commands in falling in with Common Prayer c. as above but he is bound by Oath with a Sword in his hand to maintain his Dignity in point of Spirituals as well as any other against all attempts made against it Therefore they cannot take the Oath of Allegiance Sixthly Because he that Swears is ignorant of what he binds his Soul to which to do is sin Lev. 5.4 5. If a Soul Swear pronouncing with his Lips to do evil or to do good what soever it be that a man shall pronounce with an Oath and it be hid from him when he knoweth of it then he shall be guilty in one of these and it shall be when he shall be guilty in one of these things that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing Now that whosoever takes the Oath of Obedience must be ignorant of what he binds his Soul to is evident because he binds his Soul not onely to the King in being to whom he Swears Allegiance but to his Successors also And if it were possible for a man to know what the King now in being would command in all points yet it is impossible to know what his Successors may For were the present King a man after God's own heart as David was yet who knowes but he that succeeds him may introduce Popery as Queen Mary who succeeded Edward the sixth did Now he that takes the Oath binds his Soul to obey those that shall succeed whether Papist or Pagan as much as the King that is in present being Therefore they cannot take the Oath of Allegiance Seventhly Because they cannot Swear upon the true Faith of a Christian as they are enjoyned in the Oath to do For as much as in part or in whole they are ignorant if not at present yet for the future what it is they are bound by Oath to Eighthly Because he that takes the Oath of Allegiance must Swear by the true Faith of a Christian now to Swear by the Faith of a Christian is to Swear by something that is not God contrary to Jer. 4.2 and James 5.12 Therefore they cannot take the Oath of Allegiance Ninthly Because they that take the Oath must Swear they take it heartily willingly and truly which no man can do except he have great clearness in himself by undeniable testimony from the Word of Life that the things he Swears to perform are uncontrovertably his Liberty if not his Duty Tenthly Because God expresly Commandeth him that will Swear and bind his Soul by an Oath to Swear in Truth Righteousness and in Judgement Jer. 4.2 which no man can do if ignorant as above said These are their Reasons or at least some of them besides all which they are in doubt in other things relating to the Oath In order unto which for satisfaction they propound these Queries following First Whether all such that Swear Allegiance who have been Actors in the late War in Person Estate or otherwise do not Build again the things they Destroyed and whether so to do be no Sin Secondly Whether all such as have Sworn or shall Swear Allegiance who assisted the Parliament in the War either in Person or Estate do not openly proclaim themselves and acknowledge upon Oath to the World that they are Trattors Thieves and Murtherers Thirdly Whether all such as have Sworn or shall Swear who have set days apart either in publick or in private to Fast and Pray for the good Success of the Parliament do not manifest themselves to be notorious Dissemblers and God-Mockers Fourthly Whether such who shall Swear as abovesaid who have kept days of Thanks-giving when any Victory hath been obtained to praise the Lord for his wonderful goodness and to speak of the might of his terrible Acts do not by Swearing openly throw dirt in the face of God and conclude that to be of the Devil that they then said was the glorious Honour of his Majesty and his wonderous Works Fifthly Whether a man though he make a hundred Exceptions if possible against some things in the Oath and leave be given him so to do and he take it after the Exceptions be made doth not Swear notwithstanding his Exceptions according to the plain and expresse Letter of it and so make void his former Exceptions forasmuch as he Swears according to these express words viz. 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 sence and understanding of the same words without equivocation or mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever Thus may all men see that these men do not lie in Prison out of any self-willedness as some wickedly say they do but meerly upon the account of Christ and a good Conscience which they dare not violate or make shipwrack of in following the steps of others neither dare they engage in any thing dishonourable to Christ their King which they conceive Swearing Allegiance to any man upon the Earth will be their refusing the Oath is not without ground Their Reasons are prevailing to them and may be to others did they duly weigh and consider them if any can take them off by the word of Truth and right Reason they will do God service and them also in being instrumental to open the Prison doors for were they satisfied then would they Swear and obtain their Liberty and acknowledge their mistake as I am truly and well perswaded of them but till then their Conscience and the Honour of Christ who is precious to them is more than stone-Walls iron Grates Locks and Bolts to hold them and therefore let not their Persecutors think to escape the dreadfull Judgements of God if they repent not of their wickedness and hard speeches that they have ungodlily spoken against them For in touching them that fear the Lord and an Oath they touch the apple of Gods eye Zech. 2.8 He reproved Kings for their sake saying touch not mine Anointed nor do my Prophets no harm Psal 105.14 15. The Lord will one day arise and have mercy upon Sion so the Heathen shall fear the Name of the Lord and all she Kings of the Earth thy glory Psal 102.14 15. For he hath looked down from the height of his Sanctuary from Heaven did the Lord behold the Earth to hear the groaning of the Prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death Vers 19 20. The humble shall see this and be glad your heart shall live that seek God for the Lord heareth the poor and despiseth not his Prisoners Ps 69.32 33. Oh happy men are they that thus suffer reproach and bonds for the Name of Christ 1 Pet. 4.14 Yea Blessed are they when men revile them and persecute them and shall say all manner of evil of them falsly for his sake Mat. 5.11 as that they are Phanaticks or Mad-men for so said they of Christ John 10.20 And many of them said he hath a Devil and is mad why hear ye him That they have turned the World upside-down and do things contrary to the Decrees of the King saying that there is another King one Jesus So said those wicked Persecutors of Gods People of Old Act. 17.6 7. That they are Pestilent fellows and movers of Sedition So said Tertullus the Orator of Paul Acts 24.5 That they are Hereticks Schismaticks and what not as saith the Pope and Englands Lordly Bishops Well notwithstanding let them rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is their reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets Christ and his Servants that were before them Mat. 5.12 It being an evident token of Perdition to their adversaries but of Salvation to them and that of God Phil. 1.28 Let them therefore be encouraged to stand fast and keep their integrity and not touch with any of the filthy Abominations of the times to obtain their Liberty God will one day make up all their losses and sufficiently repair them For if they suffer with Christ they shall reign with him 2 Tim. 2.12 Walk not then ye Prisoners of Hope nor ye Saints at Liberty in the way of this People Say ye not a Confederacy to all them to whom this People shall say a Confederacy neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid but sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread and he shall be for a Sanctuary Isa 8.11 12 13. Be ye waiting upon the Lord until the day that he rise up to the Prey for his determination is to gather the Nations that he may assemble the Kingdoms to poure upon them his indignation even all his fierce anger For all the Earth shall be devoured with the fire of his Jealousie for then will he turn to the People of pure Language that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord to serve him with one consent Zeph. 3.8 9. Wait I say on the Lord and keep his way and he shall exalt thee to inherit the Land when the wicked are cut off Thou shalt see it Psal 37.34 THE END