they had also sundry conditions of persons and wayes of governing namely 1. In the Wildernesse by the hands of Moses and Aaron see Psal. 77. 20. 2. In Canaan by Judges 450. years see Act. 13. 20. 3. By Kings afterwards till the captivity and these variously obtaining their regality see Books of Samuel Kings and Chronocles 4. By variously conditioned men after the captivity neere 500. years c. and yet from Moses to Herod they were the Commonwealth of Israel see Luke 1. 5. 68. cap. 2. 25. These instances being duly observed there is just cause that English Patriots in their love and zeal of their native Country should shew themselves to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England in whose hands soever the Government is established and this the rather because true Israelites indeed in whose spirits was no guile see Iohn 1. 47. were wont to be faithfull in their dayes to such their Common-wealth Let some instances of a few such Worthies of the Lords be remembred also herein who did demean themselves faithfully as present state required 1. Ioshua and Caleb incouraging the Israelites in the Wildernesse when many others discouraged them see Numb. 14. 6 7. 2. Congregation of Israel when there was no King in Israel on occasion of the horrid distemper mentioned Iudg. 20. 1. c. 3. David a private man when Goliah defied the Host f Israel 1 Sam. 17. 32. 4. Hushai the Archite acting faithfully in the time of Absolons unnaturall rebellion 2 Sam. 15. 32. 5. Obediah in the time of Iezabels persecuting malignity 1 King 18. 3 4. 6. Iehonadab the son of Rechab adhering to Iehu 2 Kings 10. 15. 7. Shecaniah stirring up Ezra to act in perplexed times Ezra 10. 2 3. Certainly such examples ought to be presidents unto the people of God in England to act as such faithfull servants of God did act in their generations 4. Lastly the modification and restriction of the object viz The Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King and House of Lords being compared with such Texts of Scripture as by just consequence are to be made use of will strongly argue its establishment to be agreeable to the mind of God the Law-giver so as therefore there is good reason for subscribing the Engagement For this purpose let these three assertions implied in this modification of object be well considered 1. The Common-wealth of England as it is now established without a King and House of Lords is so established by the Parliament 2. The Parliament that hath declared and setled the Common-wealth of England in a free State without a King and House of Lords is the Soveraign Power in England 3. There is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement because of Common-wealths establishment without a King and House of Lords 1. Assertion The first of these Assertions may be manifested by the Parliaments Declaration March 17. 1648. expressing the grounds of their proceedings c. of setling the present Government in the way of a free State The Parliament Declaration containeth four remarkable Causes of such their proceedings and setling the Government to be viewed in a short Synopsis viz. 1. Cause The first cause was in respect of Kingly Government set up in our Nation by the agreement of the people for their protection and better government according to such Laws as they consented unto which is taken away for these Reasons 1. Reason Kingly Power was perverted by most of the Trustees and most notoriously by the late King who by many degrees exceeded the rest Such his vile miscarriage is exemplified in the Parliament Declaration by about fifty undeniable pregnant instances needlesse to insert It were good that every English Patriot had the Declaration by him in these confused times to peruse frequently 2. Reason The Kings two eldest Sonnes appeared in actuall arms against the Parliament so as no hope of future security could be expected unto the Nation from them 3. Reason There is elder right of supreme power in the people of the Land then was in the Kings children 4. Reason If any Right or Title belonged to the Kings eldest sonne the same is forfeited by the Fathers treasonable Act as in other cases even in offices of Inheritance it is wont 5. Reason The Kings younger children equally forfeited upon the same account 6. Reason It is in the same power and authority which at first erected a King for common good and afterwards findeth him to pervert his Kingship to common evill it is in their power whether they will continue his Kingly power or change it to a better 7. Reason God hath specially blessed free States who formerly were oppressed by tyranny as is seen in united Netherlands and others 8. Reason There are manifold commodious advantages to people in Free-States Manifold oppressions and dammages are under Monarchy Vast expense is wont to be by Court luxury and prodigality Profuse Donations and pensions for the promoting Tyranny yea and the Court being the nursery of vices and corrupter of hopeful branches of noble Families prevented in a Free State See Declarat 2. Cause The second cause of Parliament proceedings touched on in the Declaration respecteth the taking away of the House of Lords for just reasons viz. 1. Reason The Lords sate in an house by themselves and did not represent the people and therefore might be well spared 2. Reason They exercised a negative Vote tending to obstruct much 3. Reason They exercised a juridicall power over the persons and estates of all the Commons whereof they were not competent Judges 4. Reason Their power did specially depend on the absolutenesse of the King 5. Reason The Common-Wealth could not well beare their delaies in times of exigency 6. Liberty is left to such Lords who have been and shall be found faithfull to choose and to be chosen Representatives as other competent persons have their right unto See Declarat 3. Cause Thirdly the Parliament giveth satisfactory answers to the obvious main objections against their proceedings viz. Anticipat 1. It was intended as it was declared April 1646. for governing the Nation by King Lords and Commons in a confidence that the King and Peers would have applied themselves as had been meet but they wholly and obstinately failing therein and there being no stipulation on both sides it could not be esteemed a contract so that the Commons did most justly after their intentions 2. Although some Members of the House of Commons had some force on them it having at any time rarely happened in times of Parliament but some force more or lesse hath been exercised against them or some of them and they esteemed to be Parliament for all this yet no breach of Priviledge can be charged upon the remaining part in the House which remaining part did farre exceed such authorized number who do make an House beyond all exception 3. The Parliament hath declared that the Fundamentall Laws of the Nation
are to be continued as also Courts of Justice and Judicature in a due way See Declaration Cause Lastly the Parliaments Declaration sheweth their just and well-grounded ends in the establishing the Common-wealth as now it is without King and Lords Let the Declaration it self be exactly skanned in its full and effectuall expressions and it may appeare it was not force on some without the Parliament doors but the force of right reason on the Members within the House which hath so declared How forcible are right words See Iob 6. 25. II. Assertion The second Assertion touching the Soveraign Power of the English Parliament is taken for granted not only by the Parliament themselves groundedly demonstrated in their Declaration above mentioned in the first Assertion and likewise in their exercise of supreme power in issuing out Commissions both to subordinate Magistrates for the doing of justice and to the Souldiery for defensive and offensive warres but also it is taken for granted by others rationall men in the Common-wealth who have acted by their Commissions and this from year to year of late whilest the King lived as well as this present year 1649. yea and there are many who have published their minds touching this matter This hath been done by Mr. Prynne though now an adversary hereunto in foure voluminous parts of one of his books with a large Appendix thereunto intituled The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments whither the Reader may be referred only I doe observe hereabouts That God the onely Law-giver and Soveraign King of Kings and all supreme powers having been graciously pleased to preserve unto us in England the substance of our Common-wealth hitherto surely he hath appointed and continued unto us the Law of Nature contained in the Decalogue to be our rule of life in our severall capacities of inferiority and superiority whether supreme or subordinate as well in Civill Government as in Church and Family yea to have a Magistracy to be keepers of both the Tables see Rom. 13. 4. compared with Exod. 19. 6. cap. 20. 1. 12. And therefore our transactions in England touching our Lawes and the executing of them areby lawfull commissioned persons of severall sorts otherwise the Law of Nature feemeth to fail and so consequently are lawfully administred by them Oh that all men fearing God amongst us specially such as have complied with the Parliament after the King his leaving the House and withdrawing from it would consider soberly and seriously hereof and so take heed of daring to think or speak or act against those in Authority lest they do incurre Gods fierce displeasure See Numb. 12. cap. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Psal. 2. 12. It is hard for any to kick against the pricks Acts 9. 5. and to resist the Ordinance of God Rom. 13. 2. III. Assertion The third Assertion That there is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement in regard of the present establishment of the Common-wealth of England without a King and House of Lords It may be argued as otherwise so from the rule of our own practice who doe professe our due respects to Parliaments viz. 1. It was not taken to be prejudiciall or dangerous to the Priviledges of Parliament that the Lords spirituall as they were stiled were cashiered and expelled out of the House of Lords albeit they had been called by Writ and had formerly and very antiently been esteemed and reputed Members of that House 2. It did not infringe the nature and being of the Parliament that the King after a time with-drew himself totally from the House 3. The Parliament did retain its perfect constitution and being when very many yea most of the Lords and when very many of the Commons with-drew themselves pretending to be a Parliament at Oxford sith a competent number remained still in the House 4. It is alledged out of approved Antiquaries that in case all the Lords after a due Summons should fail to appeare and sit in the House that their totall absence doth not nor cannot hinder or nullifie the due Parliamentary proceedings whereas it is destructive to the being of the Parliament if a competent number of Commons constituted to make up an House be absent sith the Commons are the Representatives of the people see Prynnes Soveraign Power of Parliament Part 1. Pag. 43. Edit. 2. 5. It is resolved and declared by the Parliament that the King had not a negative Vote These five particular instances being duely marked together with that which the Parliament hath declared March 17. 1648. as above may abundantly convince that according to this third Assertion there is no cause of just refusall to subscribe the Engagement to the Common-wealth of England as it is now established And so the first Argument justifying the faithfulnesse and conscionableness of the subscription is fully concluded II. REASON Because subscribing the Engagement hath its due consistency and agreement with the main scope and intention of former Oaths Protestations and Covenants prae-ingaged in nationally unto the supreme Power of England approved mostly on all hands so that as right reason did then require the taking of them in their just sense so doth the same reason now require to take the Engagement For the more effectuall arguing the case by this reason these Conclusions are to be opened and considered viz. 1 Conclusion It is presumed and taken for granted that the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance the Protestations and solemn Covenants were made of lawfull things lawfully and in the Lord according to the sacred and divine Rule Thou shalt sweare the Lord liveth in Truth in Iudgement and in Righteousnesse Ier. 4. 2. For otherwise there is an undoubted nullity of them ipse facto sith no man ought to perform what is irrationally sworn and is in it self unrighteous and unlawfull Of this sinfull nature have been the unlawfull and unrighteous Oaths and Subscriptions of many many Ministers in this Land in the times of prevailing Episcopacy and superstitious conformity for which things sake the Land mourneth Ier. 23. 10. And therefore the swearers of Canonicall obedience of the c. Oath and the Subscribers willingly ex animo to the Articles by Cannon required to be subscribed unto have cause to set themselves to sorrow godly so as they may evidence their repentance not to be repented of which will produce the effects of godly sorrow mentioned 2 Cor. 7. 11. for otherwise the Lord will not hold them guiltlesse that have taken his name in vain Exod. 20. 7. 2. Conclusion The main and chief scope and end of the oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance formerly and of the Protestation and Covenant lately and likewise of the Engagement at the present was and is the just safety and preservation of the Common-wealth of England against illegall and violent usurpations and attempts whether of Forreiners or Natives of any sort and condition of persons in what kind or notion soever as may appear by the Statutes Acts Declarations and orders
A FAITHFULL AND Conscientious Account For Subscribing the ENGAGEMENT Discussed in four Sections 1. Motives for just Expediency of giving such Account 2. The Account truely Stated and Explained 3. Reasons justifying the Faithfulness of it 4. Objections against it satisfactorily Answered GAL. 6. 4. But let every man prove his own worke and then shall he have rejoycing in himself alone and not in another ACT. 24. 16. And herein do I exercise my self to have alwayes a Conscience voyd of offence toward God and toward men LONDON Printed for L. L. and H. C. MDCL To the Right VVorshipful Mr. Mayor Aldermen and Inhabitants of Shrewsbury fearing God and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England Together with my ancient Neighbours and Christian acquaintance in Cheshire Lancashire and other parts Love and Peace with Holinsse be multiplied unto you Most endeared Fathers and Brethren in the Lord Christ FOrasmuch as subscribing the Engagement required by Act of Parliament is very unworthily contradicted and unjustly censured not only by some men of corrupt minds and perverse spirits but also by some eminent persons professing the truth which is after godliness as if a declaring promising to be true and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England as it is now-established without a King and house of Lords were unlawfull It hath therefore seemed good unto me who am concerned herein as well as other prudent and piously conscientious Christians throughout the Nation to give a just and faithful account of the Reasons grounded on the Word of God perswading and swaying to ingage This my undertaking is also the rather in the behalf and for the sake of severall sorts of people I being desirous according to the will of God as oportunity and capacity serveth to do good unto all albeit more especially to the houshold of faith Because some are viz. 1. Malignant adversaries who cease not to withstand and calumniate just waies and to speak evill of them that walk therein as evill doers even these enemies of righteousnesse have notwithstanding some offices of heighbourly love and Christian duty owing to them from Christs Disciples which ought to be performed See Mat. 5. 44. that so they may be convinced and made ashamed and their ignorance may be put to silence 1 Pet. 2. 15. 3. 16. if peradventure they may repent and obtaine paidon of their sin See Act. 8. 22. 2. Sullen malecontents and refractory despisers of present Government transported by a spirit of delusion who unavoidably taking notice of the Viall of Gods Wrath powred upon the Sun i. e probably on an eminent nominall Protestant Prince but adhering fixedly to Romish Hierarchy rooted in Popery so as they are scorched with heat and gnaw their tongues for pain and think they do well to be angry even to death not repenting of their deeds nor giving glory to God Who knoweth whether it may yet please God that these may not hearken to that divine exhortation Zech. 2. 13. Be silent O all flesh before the Lord for he is raised up out of his holy habitation Yea and take up the acclamation of the Angell of the waters Rev. 16. 5 6 7. Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and shalt be because thou hast judged thus For they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them bloud to drink for they are worthy And of another Angell Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgements 3. Novices and unskilfull persons newly entred into the way of Christianity who are as children and have not so fully attained the Spirit of Love of Power and of a sound mind nor yet are of capacity by use to exercise their senses in discerning both good and evill Heb. 5. 13. 14. such ought to be dealt withall respectively and tenderly and by some manuduction guided in their way even as a nurse cherisheth her children in their minority See Isa 66. 12 13. Hos. 11. 3. 1 Thes. 2. 7. 4. Scrupulous questionists and conflicting Christians in the school and field of spirituall warfare who being assaulted by the lustfull devices of their owne deceitfull hearts and also by Satan and his Agents co-operating suggestions may stand in need of brotherly and fellow souldierly assistance and mutuall incouragement See Gal. 5. 17. 1 Iohn 2. 13 14. Even as the brave Captaine Generall Ioab did most prudently in a Councel of War advertise his brother Abishai in the warre against the Syrians and Ammonites 2 Sam 10. 9. 10 11 12. 5. Fathers and growne men in Christianity established in the truth which is after godlinesse who are come to the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God and a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Ephes. 4. 13. even these may be excited and incouraged to glorifie God in their beholding the unanimity of their brethren in their actings according to the uncontroulable principles of the sacred Scriptures of both the Old and New Testament See Exod. 20. 12. Rom. 13. 1. compared with Galat. 1. 23. 24. 6. The Supreme Powers and Fathers of our Native Countrey may hence take knowledge for their greater incouragement who have enacted Parliamentarily the subscribing of the Engagement in their well-governing that the Christians subject to their Authority doe with good reason submit themselves to a due compliance therein and are ready to render just grounds of their so obeying in the Lord according to the rule of Scripture See Mat. 22. 21. Titus 3. 1. This my plain and upright-hearted endeavour I doe humbly offer and dedicate to your prudent and impartiall censures and patronage who according to the knowledge you have experienced of my doctrine and conversation amongst you are most able and meet to judge what I say and in proving all things to hold fast that which is good as indeed ye ought See 1 Cor. 10. 15. 1 Thes. 5. 21. My reciprocall and obliged Engagement mutually I chuse to expresse in the very words of the blessed Apostle Paul even as he testified his love and faithfulnesse to the Saints at Corinth See 2 Cor. 1. 12 13. My rejoycing is this the testimony of my conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God I have had my conversation in the world and more abundantly to you wards For I write none other things unto you then what you read or acknowledge and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepheard of the Sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is wel-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ To whom be glory for ever and ever Amen So prayeth Your servant in the Lord for Jesus sake Thomas Paget A Faithful Conscientious Account For Subscribing the ENGAGEMENT
of those in Supreme Authority that have required the people of the Land to submit unto the taking and subscribing of them 3. Conclusion It is taken for granted that the Parliament Party who ordered the Protestation first and the Covenant afterwards to be taken did apprehend and judge that the said Protestation and Covenant did not contradict the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance neither yet did the Covenantiers understand any contrarinesse therein however the Malignant Cavaliers and Royalists might possibly think otherwise but rather that there was a legall consistency and agreement in their sense and meaning inasmuch as at the same time when occasion required there was a taking of the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance notwithstanding the taking of the Covenant as it is well known For it was not the person of Charles Stuart that was sworn unto but his Kingly legal Office to be administred by him according to Law for the safety of the people Because any mans person and therefore the Kings also being subject to such occasionall accidents and incident condition as may justly disfit and disable not only for governing but also from being preserred alive there is therefore no just reason of swearing fealty simply absolutely but in the Lord only according to Law Now there is the same reason of legall consistency and agreement with the Engagement and with the Protestation and Covenant as there was of the consistency and agreement of the Protestation and Covenant with the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance And albeit severall sorts of persons exercised the supreme power at severall times viz. The King before the Parliament was called The King Lords and Commons a space together after the first sitting of the Parliament The Commons alone at the present yet notwithstanding the safety of the Common-wealth was all along propounded and to be prosecuted and still is 4. Conclusion Every lawfull Oath Protestation Covenant and Engagement are undoubtedly sacred Obligations and ought to be kept and preserved inviolably For so God 1. Commandeth Levit. 19. 12. 2. Approveth Psal. 15. 4. 3. Threatneth otherwise Exod. 20. 7. 4. Yea and punisheth breaches when it is otherwise 2 Chron. 36. 13. Ezek. 17. 15. c. whence it followeth that Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance yea and the Protestation and the Covenant formerly taken have in the maine scope and end of them an obligatory force still even the safety of the Common-wealth as hath been already declared 5. Conclusion Subscribing the Engagement having it 's legall consistency and agreement with former Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance and also with the Protestation and Covenant doth engage to perform and fulfill what â—n the main of the said Oaths Protestation and Covenant was engaged even the approving truth and faithfulnesse to the Common-wealth whereas refusing to subscribe the Engagement argueth a breach at least a disposition unto the breach of those Oaths Protestation and Covenant These five Conclusions as they have been laid open are a sufficient way and means of making good our second reason Let us have grace whereby we may serve the Lord acceptably with reverence and godly fear For our God is a consuming fire Heh. 12. 28 29. III. REASON Because the profit and advantage of subscribing the Engagement may most probably by Gods blessing be much every way See this in some instances 1. Prevention of the ruine of the Common-wealth which may be occasioned and caused through disagreement and distance in point of just and requisite compliances For when a Kingdome is divided against it self it is brought to desolation and every City or house divided against it self shall not stand See Mat. 12. 25. It is a token of Gods great controversie when he setteth Egyptians against Egyptians to fight every one against his brother and every one against his neighbour City against City and Kingdome against Kingdome See Isa. 19. 2. It was a difficult and perplexed state of times in the Common-wealth of Israel when civill warres were betwixt David and the house of Saul 2 Sam. 2. 3. cap. but bettered more happy when matters were composed and a league made 2 Sam. 5. 1 2 3. And so it was an exceeding distempered state of times of late in England for some years together when their just Liberties were endeavoured by the Parliament and their Forces protesting and covenanting thereunto that then others of the Nation were up in arms for tyranny and protested for it But the most infinitely wise and gracious God having now been pleased to grant deliverance from Tyranny unto the Nation by the Parliament and their Forces why should not people come in and engage together as did the Israelites above mentioned 2 Sam. 5. 1 2 3. Oh that we of this Nation were affected as David was most probably on that occasion to say or sing heartily Psal. 133. 1. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity c. 2. Setled peace and prosperity which religiously affected Common-wealths-men ought to pray and seek for See Psal. 122. 6 7 8. is likest to be effected and promoted in the Common-wealth as otherwise so by mutuall engaging to be true and faithfull thereunto For hence good and speciall incouragement may be to the inhabitants to exercise husbandry trade merchandize building planting c. there being in such case oportunity to live quietly and peaceably without any disturbance and to enjoy the administration of Justice and Judgement as occasion shall require even as it fared with the flourishing Common-wealth of Israel at such times when they had rest in the dayes of the Judges albeit they then had no King see Iudg. 3. 11. 30. 3. Welfare of Church state which consisteth singularly in speciall united combinations of single Congregations in their Presbyteries and of Presbyteries combined in Synods lesser or greater see Acts 2. 47. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Tim. 4. 14. Acts 15. 2. 4. 6. c. shall be notably and effectually accomplished by such Engagement For thereby such as are Church-Officers and likewise such as are Church-members shall be disposed in their spirits and composed in their minds and hearts to thinke and act humbly and soberly as becometh members of the mysticall body whereof Christ Jesus is the head see Rom. 12. 3 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 1. 10. whereas when divisions do take place then unavoidable offences and scandalls are occasioned to the Churches very great damage Rom. 16. 17. Alas alas how can it be much expected that Presbytery shal be generally setled throughout England when so many as do pretend to affect and desire it are not only contrary minded to their brethren who should combine together in severall associations but do also walk contrary to the supreme power who are the Churches nursing Fathers and to whom it belongeth to establish and patronize Church Government see Rom. 13. 4. 4. Silencing the mouthes of ignorant and foolish prophane men who are corrupt and forward to be clamorously talkative
and babbling against the waves of God and his people see Prov. 9. 13. but it is Gods will that by a due Christian doing their ignorance and folly should be stopped 1 Pet. 2. 15. shall be commodiously attained by a unanimous concurrence of brethren to ingage and act for common and publike safety even unto the vexing disheartning and daunting of adversaries see the exemplification hereof in a pregnant instance of the State of the Jewish Common-wealth after their returne from the captivity and had no King at such time applying themselves to reforme amisses and repaire breaches when grudged at and opposed greatly for whereas all sorts set themselves in their standings unto the work as we have a full Catalogue of their names and order of their building the wall Neh. 3. yea of the Tekoites repairing though their Nobles put not their neck to the work of the Lord Neh. 3. 5. it came to passe that Sanballat and Tobiah the Ammonite were wondrously and strangely exanimated and confounded thereat see Neh. 4. 1. c. 5. Rejoycing of the spirits of Christians at home and abroad both in our own Land and in neighbour Churches and Countreys and their glorifying of God in such case shall be the consequent of such Engagement which is no small benefit How Christians at home are taken and affected when with one accord there is a joyning and continuing together and what is the fruit thereof we may see declared Act. 2. 42. 46 47. yea and abroad likewise Act. 15. 31. Gal. 1. 23 24. That comfortable Prophecy and gracious Promise respecting Gospel-times more specially made mention of Isaiah 44. 5. viz. One shall say I am the Lords and another shall call himselfe by the God of Iacob and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord and sirname himselfe by the name of Israel And another mentioned Zach. 8. 23. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those dayes it shall come to passe that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Iew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Even these Prophecies and Promises may be alluded unto by way of resemblance to denote the advantages by Englishmens concurrence unto the publike good and welfare of the Nation This fivefold profit insisted on may well be an attractive to allure and perswade to seek and follow after it sith the merchandize thereof is better then the merchandize of silver and the gaine thereof is better then gold it is more precious then Rubies and nothing that can be desired is to be compared unto it And thus far of the three Reasons And a threefold cord is not quickly broken Eccles. 4. 12. SECT. IV. Objections against subscribing the Engagement satisfactorily answered ALthough that which hath been already declared in the true stating of the Account of subscribing the Engagement and also in the evincing the truth and faithfulnesse of it by the three Reasons which have been hitherto insisted on is of full sufficiency to give satisfaction to such persons as are cordially inclined to a love of truth and peace yet notwithstanding because there are some Zealots found having therein a zeal of God but not according to knowledge Rom. 10. 2. who at least do think that they do God good service in refusing to act in that which they are warrantably called unto even as Peter the Apostle did Acts 10. 1â— c. and in acting contrary unto the way which it is meet they should walkin as the Apostle Paul somtime thought he ought to do Act. 26. 9. It shall not there fore be grievous unto me and I trust it will not be irksome to the Reader to adde a few lines more for the further convincing of obstinace gain-sayers and for the undeceiving of tractable minded persons who are willing to be instructed in righteousnesse and this is to be done in answering some Objections made against the Subscribing of the Engagement I. Object The generality of all sorts of persons in London yes and throughout the whole land are disaffected unto this subscribing Ans. It is no good argument against it because it is said that it is generally disaffected as it were no good argument for it if it should be said that it were generally approved sith it is not simply to the commendation ordiscommendation of a course that it is generally observed or not observed for somtimes a righteous way is generally spoken against see Act. 28. 22. and sometimes a notorious sinfull way is generally cried up with great acclamation see Act. 19. 34. And yet notwithstanding it is well known that very many of all sorts in the Land besides the supreme power requiring it are well-affected unto it even reverend Judges faithfull justices knowing Lawyers understanding Souldiers judicious Preachers and conscientious religious People c. II. Object Subscription unto the Engagement is refused not only by malignant Cavaliers and Royalâ—sts c. but also generally by Covenantiers and Presbyterians in London Province and likewise throughout the Land Answ. 1. It were to be wished affectionately that this Objection might not be declared in Gath to the rejoycing and exulting of the Canaanite and Perizzite who do yet dwell in the Land See Micah 1. 10. Gen. 13. 7. 2. It doth not simply nor yet justly at all reflect disgracefully either on the Presbytery or on the solemn Covenant that some or many persons who have conformed to Presbytery and Covenant do now shew themselves unconformable to the Engagement sith it is no new thing for many to cleave unto others by flatteries See Dan. 11. 34. There were false brethren brought into Churches and amongst the true brethren See Galat. 2. 4. 3. Albeit the Covenant and the Engagement being both of them rightly understood can well agree together as hath been cleared in the second reason of this account yea and there is nothing in Presbytery soundeth of any discrepancy so as neither Presbytery nor Covenant is any way trenched on by engaging yet notwithstanding sith Presbytery is of Ecclesiasticall cognizance and Engagement is unto civill Power this objection therefore beareth no proportion to the case in hand 4. Many Ministers and people through vulgar weaknesse and too great a degree of time-serving sinister respects have been apt to Vote and Act after the mind of some eminent ring-leaders to faction as well as by eminent Reformers unto good waies See Iosiahs daies asis to be seen in that preference of Barabbas before Christ through the perswasion of the chief Priests and Elders Mat. 37. 20. How many Ministers were there in prelaticall times who did swear canonically and subscribe implicitly who yet did change also implicitly with the times covenanting against former waies Thus it was also with many former conforming and late covenanting people following their guides Not long since there were very many who have professed Christs way of Presbytery who did