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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
power_n	absolute_a	great_a	king_n	3,193	5	3.9690	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A84002	Englands sole remedy: or, A vvholsome directory, for the recory [sic] of our languishing kingdome: drawn from the law of God, and the land. Containing some necessary and pertinent queries, with their resolutions, by Scriptures, law, and reason: very fit and convenient to be thought upon by all Englishmen, for the begetting of a sure, safe, and well-grounded peace. Collected and intended for the good of all. By a lover of peace and truth.	Lover of peace and truth.	1648 (1648)	Wing E3053; Thomason E453_7; ESTC R201935	9,161	16

ENGLANDS Sole Remedy OR A VVholsome Directory for the recory of our languishing Kingdome Drawn from the Law of God and the Land CONTAINING Some necessary and pertinent Queries with their Resolutions by Scriptures Law and Reason very fit and convenient to be thought upon by all Englishmen for the begetting of a sure safe and well-grounded Peace Collected and intended for the good of all By a Lover of Peace and Truth Printed in the Yeere 1648. To all English Subjects REader whoever thou art Peace is that we all cry out for and that we all seek after but few there are which in a right way endeavour thereafter wherefore in this juncture of time to help forward so good and blessed a worke it may be very seasonably advantagious for all English Subjects seriously to consider of some Queries and their Resolutions concerning the Politicall frame and constitution of this our Kingdome which being well and conscientiously thought upon and digested into act doubtlesly would beget a sure sound and well grounded peace which out of a reall and sincere affection and indeavour thereafter I have composed and contrived as followeth wherein thou shalt finde me Thine in Christ Jesus Christianus Philopater Englands sole Remedy Quaerie 1. Monarchicall that is government 〈◊〉 one which is a King Aristocraticall that is government by a few of the best Nobles Origarchicall that is government by a few of the most wealthy and powerfull VVHether the government of this Kingdome which hath ever been Monarchicall since His Majesties departure from the two Houses hath been Aristocraticall or Oligarchicall Resol In the resolving of this Quaerie it is observable that the matter doubted is the ordering and mannagement of the affairs of this Kingdome by the two Houses at Westminster within a certain time which is from His Majesties departure from them unto this present wherein the shaken and tottered condition of our distressed Nation hath wrested out a straine very improper thereby seeming to take it for granted that the exercise of the two Houses over this Kingdome since His Graces departure from them hath beene a government which will not beare water for these reasons Reasons why the usurpation of the 〈…〉 cannot 〈…〉 be a Government 1 No Common-wealth may be said to be governed but by lawfull Authority which lawfull Authority where there are established Lawes and Sanctions doe uphold and maintaine the rule and power of that Government which the Laws and Sanctions of this Kingdom do not uphold and maintain in the two Houses wherefore must it needs be most certaine that they have no authority for their over-swaying of this Kingdome since his Majesties departure 2 In this Kingdome where there are established Lowes and Sanction that cannot be said to be government but what is in conformity and obedience unto the said established Lawes and Sanctions therefore their managing of the affaires of this Kingdome contrary and in opposition unto the Lawes of our Nation by an arbitrary and tyrannicall power must needs conclude their usurpation to be no Government 3. Because the end of Government is the good and perfect state of the Common-wealth which cannot be kept but by an union of the whole whereas they have made the greatest disunion that can be imagined by disjoynting and rending this Kingdome in neglecting the Lawes thereof and begetting severall factions divisions and parties therein wherefore their undertaking the rule and command of this Realme is an absolute usurpation and no Government which phrase in this Quaerie is to be understood as they pretend themselves to be Governours and others doe confesse themselves to be governed by them which taken in their owne sense cannot be said to be Government Monarchicall which is the state and constitution of this Kingdome seeing they have ever since acted not onely besides but against his Majesty contrary unto both the Law of God and the Land therefore if their usurpation must be accounted for a Government it must either be Aristocraticall or Oligarchicall whereof it cannot be the former that is Dominium Optimatum Government by the best Nobles for this hath been in that sense Regimen Communium the government of Commons by a few or a party of the lower House of Commons therefore must it needs be Oligarchicall because it is an usurpation of a few of the said House who contrary to Law have exploded the gravest wisest best learned and most conscientious men from amongst them not suffering them to performe that trust which their Countrey had committed to them wherefore the Resolution of this first Quaerie must be thus that since His Majesties departure from the two Houses this Kingdome hath been tyrannized over by an Oligarchy Quaere 2. Whether or no it may be accounted a sinne against the Word of God in the most moderate Subjects of England to believe the constituted Government thereof to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e Rignum Regale when a people are governed by a King according to the Law of the Land 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is where a King reigns so absolute that his word is a Law Resol This Quaerie sets the people of England in three ranks whereof two are in extremes and one in a meane the one extreme are they who would attribute all that power and authority which is attributed and given unto a King in the Word of God unto the King of England and so make him the most absolute King in the highest degree the other extreme are the Sectaries who will not put any difference betwixt a King and other inferiour Magistrates which is directly against the Word of God and the Law of the Land but the best are the middle and moderate men who hold our Kingdome to be ruled by a King according to Law concerning whom this scruple is raised whether or no they sin against the Word of God in so holding To which it is answered the King of England in himselfe being as absolute as any in the world it must needs be most certaine that at first he had all that absolute power and then to have holden this had been a sin against the Word of God but as the King of England hath freely of his owne accord by the great Charter of England made the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a Kingdome wherein the King is to rule according to Law and thus to hold cannot be a sinne against the Word of God because holding otherwise we hold contrary to the Kings Law which is a sin against the Word of God besides the King of England having made this perpetuall pact and agreement with his people this therein is most certain that volenti non fit injuria Therefore it can be no sin against the Word of God in the most moderate Subjects of England to believe the constituted Government thereof to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quaerie

3. Whether or no at the time of the Reformation that good which was done by casting the Popes Authority out of mens consciences was overballanced by therewith casting out the authority of Scriptures concerning Regall Authority Resol The full solution of this Quaerie requires a larger Tract and a more able pen then for present is alloted unto me wherefore herein to move greater judgements I will but therein deliver mine owne opinion which is this that heretofore the Pope over-ruling mens consciences did not onely usurp that authority but thereby did also greatly injoyne grosse Idolatry and Superstition directly against the Word of God wherefore our exemption and freedome therefrom must needs be unspeakable good unto this Kingdome but on the contrary the casting out or at least neglecting the authority of Scriptures concerning Regall Authority hath brought an unspeakable hurt unto this Kingdome by begetting and causing blasphemy and prophanation sacriledge and impiety against God treason and rebellion against his sacred Majesty ruine and destruction to the Church faction and division in the Kingdome which though at first they were not discerned this our age hath had thereof too deare and deep experience but whether or no these evills do counterpoize or overballance that good which was done by exploding the Popes Authority out of this Kingdome I leave to be determined by greater abilities Quaerie 4. Whether or no a right and lawfull King hath power from God to blesse or curse his People Resol This question is to be holden in the Affirmative for whosoever hath any much more this power hath it from God because every good and perfect gift comes from him who hath given this power unto all that call upon him thus giving unto the poor is a casting our bread upon the waters which we shall find after many daies and almesdeeds do prevaile as far as heaven God heares the cries and sighs of the afflicted and the cries of the poor fatherlesse and widdowes all which are as the power of blessing and cursing from God and if God have granted this unto all and ordinary people how much more unto Kings who are said to be Gods whose hearts are unsearchable Prov. 25.3 A divine sentence is in the lips of the King Prov. 16.10 and the honour of Kings is to search out a matter Pro. 25.2 They sit at the stern to distribute justice mercy which is blessing and cursing eminenter thus Moses yet both a blessing and a curse before the People Deut. 11.26 The exercise of both which we find in particular 1. That of blessing thus Moses blessed the children of Israel before his death Deut. 33.1 And Joshua sent away the two Tribes and halfe with a blessing Josh 22.6.7 and David blessed his people in the name of the Lord 1 Chron. 16.2 2 Sam. 6.18 and Solomon stood and blessed all the Congregation of Israel with a loud voice 1 Kings 8.55 And David kissed 〈◊〉 and blessed him 2 Sam. 19.39 2. That of cursing 〈◊〉 cursed the rebuilder of Jericho Jos 6.26 which was executed above 520 years after upon Hiel the Bethe●●● 1 King 16.24 And David layd a very heavie curse upon Joah 2 Sam. 3.24 therefore unto some purpose hath Solomon said the wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lion Prov. 14.12 which God having given unto all Kings it must needs also be given unto the King of England which God hath made manifest and apparent unto all the world and that in an extraordinary manner in that his touch doth heal that disease which hath received name from him which is a great certain blessing and having the one he hath the other as well as the Kings of Israel for it is a maxime in Logick Contrariorū eadem est ratio It is true I have heard some say how truly I know not that his Majesties touch in this last age hath not proved unto all so effectuall as in former the answer whereunto if it may be granted is very cleare and obvious was there ever age more traiterous trecherous rebellious against their Soveraigne then this which are the effects of incredulity which were so praevalent amongst the Nazarites our Saviours own country-men that he did not many works there because of their unbelief Mat. 13.58 that abating the power in the giver we herein may see Gods great mercy that it is not quite obstructed in the gifted though a King Therefore it is to be believed that a right and lawfull King hath power from God to blesse or curse his People Quaerie 5. Whether or no that forme of Government Ecclesiasticall and civill pretended or intended by the two Houses may stand with the nature of this Age and People Resol This Quaerie consists of two parts concerning goverment 1 Ecclesiasticall 2 Civill in both which I will but deliver mine opinion which I conceive to be truth and in the latter I will but only give a word or two referring it unto the learned in the Lawes of the Land unto whom it is most proper which shall be this that the Civill Government of this Kingdome by the Ordinances of the two Houses must needs prove destructive unto this Nation because 1. They are destructive unto the establisht Law of the Land which is the preservation of the people 2. The good and peace of no Kingdome can stand in continuall change and mutability full whereof are their Ordinances which have been ordered unordered and counter-ordered at pleasure for their pleasures without respect unto the good of the Common-wealth 3. This kind of Government if it may be so called is absolutely the most Arbitrary Tyrannicall and Licentious that can be imagined and therefore can stand with no age nor People 2. Ecclesiasticall Government that as the former no man can tell what is but something they would seem to put upon us by the name of Presbytery which cannot stand with this age nor people for these reasons in respect unto 1. The People of the Land 2. The Law of the Land 3. The Law of God 1. In respect of the people of the Land because all the Kingdome which are noble wealthy wise knowing honest and conscientious which are numerous and most fit to sit at the stern of the State are of a contrary judgement besides the greatest part the most sober minded and moderate men have ever been educated and brought up in so contrary a way that they will never submit thereunto but with murmuring heart-burning and repining which at least will bring disturbance if not ruine unto this Kingdome 2. In respect unto the Law of the Land this imaginary Ecclesiasticall Eutopia would so cut clash thwart crosse and interfere all the old Law of the Kingdom that it must be destroyed and either a new made which what it may prove no wise man would put unto venture or it would give us over unto all liberty and licence or beget arbitrary and tyrannicall Government 3. In respect unto the Law of God this

the Land may determine herein I leave unto them studied in that Profession onely heare what the Civill Law saith in such a case concerning Councellours failing in their trust Si quid praeter spem accesserit non inveneris eum custodientem tibi fidem justam illum quidem expelles alio verò uter is consiliario legem justitiam cùm puris servante manibus Par. Vol. Col. 3. de Mand. Princip Titul 4. If any thing shall fall out besides hope and thou shalt not find him keeping right faith with thee thou shalt expell him but thou shalt use another Councellour which keepeth the Law and Justice with pure hands and if this sentence was justice upon one private Counsellour how much more upon publike Parliament-men which have failed in all trust and fidelity But herein I will but onely hint what may be the judgement of the Holy Ghost whereunto all other Reason Law and Authority ought to vaile and submit and it shall be thus amongst many conditions requisite to make a man a fit inhabiter of heaven the Psalmist Ps 15.4 gives this for one that he that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not he then that sweareth to his owne good and the good of the weale publike and changeth shall never abiding in that condition come in heaven but least they should take a starting hole at the Old Testament let them undergo the sentence of the New wich is this that Covenant-breakers are in number of them who knowing the judgment of God that they who commit such things are worthy of death not only to do the same but to have pleasure in them that do them Rom. 1.31 32. Thus you see it is an invincible truth that the Speaker of the lower House having the first day of this last PARLIAMENT promised in the name of the Commons that they should not abuse but have such regard as most faithfull Subjects ought to have to their Prince considering their cariage towards him for these severall yeares have thereby forfeited their honour trust right and interest in the Common-wealth Quaere 12. Whether or no the two Houses by dissolving the privy Counsell did not dissolve a greater and more honourable authority then themselves Resol The very termes of this Quearie lay down the state thereof for it is whether the two Houses not the Parliament by dissolving c. And thus it falls clearely into the Affirmative for the Kings power lies habitually and originally in himselfe but more actually and effectually in his Privy Counsell which makes a King in the exercise of his Regall Power and his Privy Counsell inseparable and the Law of this Land makes the Privy Counsell of greater honour and authority then the remaining part of a full and lawfull Parliament My reasons are these 1. It appeares so by their place and order confirmed by Act of Parliament St. 31. Hen. 8 10. 2. It is an order in well regulated Parliaments if any speak unreverently or seditiously against the Prince or the Privy Counsell to send them to the Tower Sir Thom. Smith Common-weal of Engl. Book 2. Chap. 3. 3. The Parliament Law of the Land makes it good St. 28. Ed. 2. the words are these Neverthelesse the King and his Counsell do not intend by reason of this Statute to diminish the Kings right c. Where you see the Statute there sets both the King and his Counsel above the Parliament as it is confirmed again St. 33. Ed. 1.20 The King and his Counsell and they that were present at the making of this Ordinance will and intend that the right and Prerogative of his Crown shall be saved to him in all things where the King and his Counsell are preferred before all that were present in Parliament The two Houses therefore by dissolving the Privy Counsell did dissolve a greater and more honourable Authority then themselves Quaere 13. Whether or no the usage of the two Houses in their mannaging of affaires for these late yeares being approved may not become president unto other inferior Courts to all in their severall limits and jurisdictions without Law Statute Ordinance or other lawfull Edict Resol What is to be said of this the late and present Practise of the Army the severall Committees Sequestrators and Excize men do give a sad and deare experience in all of them by their acting not only contrary unto Law and Conscience but even contrary to their own Ordinances whence it followes that the usage of the two Houses in their mannaging of Affaires for these late yeares being approved may become a president unto every other inferiour Court to act in their severall Iurisdictions without Law Statute Ordinance or other lawfull Edict FINIS POSTSCRIPT COurteous Reader since the Authors composing of this he hath made another piece called a Commission or Position wherein it is proved to be lawfull to labour and endeavour for the Restitution of his Majesty though without Commission for the same