Abihu and Saul will intermeddle with Gods Warrant as she Q. Eliz. hath done with matters of Religion with God's matters she must think it no Injury to be Disobey'd Soldier of Berwick Cited by the Author of an Answer to a Factious Libel Entitled An Abstract of several Acts of Parliament c. 2 Kings no less then the Rest must obey and yield to the Just Authority of the Ecclesiastical Magistrates Ecclesiastical Discip. P. 142. 3 The Consistory may and ought to admonish the Magistrate which is negligent in Punishing Vice Danaeus Par. 2. Isag. li. 2. Cap. 62. And also may upon Knowledge of the Cause taken Excommunicate even the Chief Magistrate unto the which he ought to submit himself Ibid. ca. 67. 4 Princes must remember to subject themselves to the Church and to submit their Scepters to throw down their Crowns before the Church yea to Lick the dust of the Feet of the Church T. Cartwright P. 645. 5 Every Eldership is the Tribunal Seat of Christ. Beza de Presb. P. 124. 6 The Holy Discipline ought to be set up and All Princes to submit themselves under the Yoke of it What Prince King or Emperour shall Disanul the same he is to be reputed Gods Enemy and to be held unworthy to Reign above his People Knox Exhort to Eng. P. 91. c. 7 Our Church-History tells that Mr. Andrew Melvin that Faithful and Zealous Servant of Christ would not answer before the King and the Council for his Alledged Treasonable Discourse in a Sermon until he had first given in a Plain and Formal Protestation and the like was done by Worthy Mr. David Blake upon the like occasion and the Protestation was Approved and Signed by a good Part of the Church of Scotland 1596. Hist. Indul. P. 14. 8 The Irreligiousness Antichristianism and Exorbitancy of this Explicatory and as to some things Ampliatory Act and Assertion of the Kings Supremacy in Church-Affairs of Nov. 16. 1669 this Supra-Papal Supremacy Hist. Indul. P. 27. 9 The Accepters of the Indulgence are Chargeable with High Treason against the King of Kings our Lord Iesus Christ. Hist. Indul. p. 86. 10 Christ breaks and moulds Commonwealths at his Pleasure He hath not spoke much in his Word how long they shall last or what he intends to do with them Only this That all Kings and Kingdoms that make War against the Church shall be broken a pieces and that in the end All the Kingdoms of the World shall be the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Saints and they shall reign over them Marshal to the Commons June 15. 1643. p. 47. 11 What was our Posture and Practice after we had so stupidly stood by till we saw the whole work overturn'd without offering to Interpose effectually to prevent its ruine or to fall with it Hist. of Indulgence Pref. 1678. Speaking of the Action of Bothwell-Bridge 12 The Father having given to Christ all Power both in Heaven and in Earth and the Rule and Regiment of this Kingdom he hath Committed to Monarchies Aristocracies or Democracies as the several Combinations and Associations of the People shall between themselves think good to Elect and Erect God leaves People to their own Liberty in this Case Case on Isaiah 43. 4. p. 26. 13 They were carrying on a Malignant Interest to wit The Establishing the King in the Exercise of his Power in Scotland and the Re-investing him with the Government in England when he had not yet Abandoned his Former Enmity to the Work and People of God and the securing of Power in their own hands under him Gillespies Useful Case of Conscience p. 66. 14 There was a sin in the Peoples Joyning because few or none of those who did Joyn did give any Testimony against the Magistrates Employing of the Malignant Party Ibid. 15 After the Treaty was brought to some close the King did before his coming to Sea Receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper from one of the Prelatical Chaplains and according to the Service-Book c. notwithstanding the Commissioners of the Kirk did represent the Evil thereof to him Gillespies Useful Case of Conscience Discuss'd p. 56. Another Exception That the King did not think his Father Guilty of Blood Ibid. 16 Was there not Cause to Scruple at the taking of this Oath of Allegeance which would have Imported 1. A Condemning of the Convention of Estates in Scotland 1643. 2. A Condemning of the Parliaments An. 1640. 41. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. As also the Committees and Parliaments thereafter An. 1649. 1650. 1651. 3. A Condemning of all the Acts made by These Parliaments 4. A Condemning of all the Meetings Councils and Conventions of the Subjects at the beginning of the Late work of Reformation 5. A Condemning of the League and Covenant 6. A Condemning of Scotlands Joyning with and Helping of England in the day of their streight 7. A Condemning of the Renewing of the National Covenant 1638. 1639. 8. A Condemning of the General Assembly 1638. and several others thereafter 9. A Condemning of Scotlands Rising in Arms in their own Defence against the Popish Prelatical and Malignant Party 10. A Condemning of their seizing upon Forts and Castles in their own Defence An Apolâ—…getical Relation of the Sufferings of the Scotch Ministers 1665. p. 127. 128. 17 We ought to consider the Conditions of the Kings Letter of Indulgence to the Kirk Iune 7. 1669. what is accounted living Peaceably and Orderly by such as propose this Qualification And that sure to speak it in the smoothest of Terâ—…s is a Negative Compliance with all their Tyranny Oppression of Church and Country Blood-shed Overturning of the Work of God Establishing Iniquity by Law Perjury Apostacy Re-establishing of Perjur'd Prelates and Abjured Prelacy Hist. of Indulg p. 7. 18 We Remarque further that the Letter saith that none of these Ministers have any Seditious Discourses or Expressions in Pulpit or Elsewhere And what is understood here by Seditious Discourses or Expressions we cannot be Ignorant But now what Conscientious Ministers can either Tacitly promise such a thing or upon the Highest Peril forbear to Utter such Discourses Or who can think that any such thing can be yielded unto who considereth what God requireth of Ministers in Reference to a Corrupted and Apostatized state And what the weight of the Blood of Souls is Hist. Indul. p. 11. 19 The Unparallel'd Perfidy and Breach of Covenant The most Abominable Irreligious Inhumane and Tyrannical Acts made for Establishing of this Wicked Course of Defection Hist. Indul. p. 12. 20 Christ and his Apostles were the Greatest of Conventicle Preachers and almost Preached no other way wanting always the Authority of the Supream Magistrate and yet not waiting upon their Indulgence Hist. Indul. p. 17. 21 They have power to Abrogate and Abolish all Statues and Ordinances concerning Ecclesiastical matters that are found Noysom and Unprofitable and agree not with the time or are abused by the People 2 Book of Discipline cap. 7. To
Discipline must all the Estates within this Realm be Subject as well the Rulers as they that are Ruled 1 Lib. Disc. cap. 7. 22 As the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiastical State are subject to the Magistrate-Civil so ought the Person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk Spiritually and in Ecclesiastical Government 2 Lib. Disc. c. 1. 23 As Ministers are Subject to the Judgment and Punishment of the Magistrate in External things if they offend so ought the Magistrates to submit themselves to the Discipline of the Kirk if they transgress in matters of Conscience and Religion Ibid. 24 The National Assemblies of This Country called commonly the General Assemblies ought always to be retained in their own Liberty and have their own place with Power to the Kirk to appoint Times and Places and Convenient for the same And all men as well Magistrates as Inferiors to be subject to the Judgment of the same in Ecclesiastical Causes without any Reclamation or Appellation to any Judge Civil or Ecclesiastical within the Realm 2 Lib. Disc. c. 12. 25 The Princes and Magistrates not being Exemed and these that are Placed in the Ecclesiastical Estate Rightly Ruling Governing God shall be Glorified c. 2 Lib. Disc. c. 13. 26 The Ministers Exerce not the Civil Jurisdiction but teach the Magistrate how it should be Exercised according to the word 27 To Disobey or Resist any that God hath placed in Authority while they pass not over the Bounds of their office we Confess or Affirm to be sin Large Confess Art 15. 28 We Confess and Avow that such as resist the Supream Power doing that thing which appertaineth to his Charge do resist God's Ordinance and therefore cannot be Guiltless Ibid. Art 25. 29 Blasphemy Adultery Murder Perjury and other Crimes Capital worthy of death ought not properly to fâ—…ll under Censure of the Kirk because all such open Transgressors of Gods Law ought to be taken away by the Civil Sword 1 Book of Discip. cap. 7. 30 In the fear of God we signifie unto your Honours that whosoever persuades you that ye may pardon where God Commandeth Death deceives your Souls and provokes you to offend God's Majesty 1 Book of Disc. cap. 9. 31 The Magistrate Commandeth External things for external Peace and Quietness among the Subjects The Minister handleth External things only for Conscience-cause 2 Lib. Disc. cap. 1. 32 If the Offender abide an Assise and by the same be Absolved then may not the Church pronounce Excommunication but justly may exhort the man by whose hand the Blood was shed to enter into Consideration with himself how precious is the Life of man before God and how severely God commandeth Blood howsoever it be shed except it be by the Sword of the Magistrate to be punished And so may Enjoyn unto him such satisfaction to be made publick to the Church as may bear Testification of his obedience and unfeigned Repentance Psalm-Book in the order of Excommunication 33 Wanton and Vain words Uncomly Gestures Negligence in hearing the Preaching or Abstaining from the Lords Table when it is publiquely Ministred suspicion of Avarice or of Pride Superfluity or Riotousness in Chear or Raiment These We say and such others that of the world are not regarded deserve admonition amongst the Members of Christs Body If he continues Stubborn then the Third Sunday ought he to be Charged Publiquely to satisfie the Church for his Offence and Contempt under the pain of Excommunication Psalm Book in the Order of Publique Repentance 34 It is Ordained that every Thursday the Ministers and Elders in their Assembly or Consistory diligently Examine all such faults and suspicions as may be espied not only amongst others but chiefly amongst themselves Psalm-Book Sect. of the weekly Assembly 35 In every Notable Town we Require that one day beside the Sunday be appointed to the Sermon and Prayers which during the time of Sermon must be kept from all Exercise of Labour as well of the Master as the Servant 1 Lib. Disc. cap. 9. of Policy Notes on §. 8. THere can be no better Antidote against the Poyson of a Presbyteriaâ—… Government than the very Orders of their Discipline which are the most Unanswerable Condemnation of the Party You have here a more than Papal Tyranny in the Usurpations of the Kirk over Kings and Princes in the 6 first Clauses Treason it self exempted from the Cognizance of the Civil Power Num. 7. The Kings Supremacy not only disclaimed but the bare acknowledgment of it made Criminal 8 9 All the Governments of the World subjected to the Holy Discipline and Rebellion it self abetted and maintained 10 11 Sovereign Power Vested in the Multitude 12 The Restoring of the King Condemn'd 13 14 And the Objections against it his receiving the Sacrament from a Prelatical hand according to the Order of the Church and the Charging his Father with the Guilt of Bloâ—…d 15 The Taking of the Oâ—…th of Allegiance and the Acceptance of the Kings Indulgence pronounced utterly Unlawful 17 18 19 Conventicle-Preachers Warranted from the Precedent of Christ and his Apostles 20 The Ministers above their Sovereign 21 22 23 24. Princes upon their Good Behaviour and accountable to the Presbytery if they transgress their Bounds 25 26 27 28. The Power of Life and Death taken from the Magistrate 29 3â—… The Minister Usâ—…rps the Civil Power 31 The Presbytery take upon them to punish Malefactors when the Law has acquitted them 32 And call People to account for their very Thoughts Cloaths Gestures nay a suspition is enough to make a body lyable to their Censure 33 They make Two Sabbaâ—…hs in the Week more than God ever Commanded and by the same Authority they may set apaâ—…t all the rest 34. 35. This is enough said to shew the Shameful and Intolerable Rigour of that Government §. 9. Principles and Positions 1 WHEN the Supream Magistrate will not Execute the Judgment of the Lord those who made him Supream Magistrate under God who have under God Sovereign Liberty to dispose of Crowns and Kingdoms are to Execute the Judgment of the Lord when Wicked men make the Law of God of none Effect 1 Sam. 15. 32. so Samuel killed Agâ—…g whom the Lord expresly Commanded to be kill'd because Saul disobey'd the Voice of the Lord. Lex Rex p. 173. 2 Shall it Excuse the States to say We could not judge the Cause of the Poor nor Crush the Priests of Baal and the Idolatrous Mass Prelates because the King forbad us Lex Rex p. 175. 3 The Kings Power is Fiduciary and put in his hand upon Trust and must be Ministerial and borrow'd from those who put him in trust and so his Power must be Less and derived from the Parliament Lex Rex p. 177. 4 The Magistrate hath no Power to suppose things Doubtful and Disputable upon the Practice of any in the Service of God and therefore it cannot be lawful for any to obey him when
at leisure perhaps to turn over Books and zealously affected over and above to the Reputation of an odd sort of Christians that style themselves True Protestants what more agreeable Present in this World could I make you than this Collection of True-Protestant-Sayings ready drawn up to your hands where you shall see all their Virtues Common-plac'd their Graces drawn to the life their Agreement among themselves their Affection to the King and Church the Moderation of their Principles and the tenderness of their hearts towards their Sovereign Faithfully and Impartially set forth and transmitted to Posterity by themselves and effectually Sign'd Seal'd and Deliver'd to the World for the use of future Generations by their own Rabbies Gentlemen I am with all Reciprocal Affection Your most Humble Servant Roger L'Estrange THE CONTENTS § 1. OF Toleration pag. 1. § 2. The Fruits of a Toleration p. 7. § 3. The Dissenters Harmony among themselves p. 13. § 4. The Dissenters Behaviour toward the Government and first the Clergy p. 22. § 5. The Dissenters Behaviour towards the Civil Government p. 30. § 6. The Presbyterians Opinion of the Covenant p. 34. § 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience p. 37. § 8. The Power of the Kirk p. 39. § 9. Principles and Positions p. 45. § 10. Tumults Encouraged And chiefly by the Able Holy Faithful Laborious and Trulypeaceable Ministers of the Gospel p. 51. Petition for Peace p. 4. § 11. The War Iustified p. 55. § 12. Reformation by Blood p. 59. § 13. The Murder of the King Encouraged p. 67. § 14. The King's Murder Iustifi'd p. 70. §. 1. Dissenters Sayings c. 1 TOleration hath done much more toward the Rooting of Religion out of the Hearts of many men in seven year then the Enforcing of Uniformity did in Seventy years Cawdrys Independency a great Schism 1657. P. 14. 2 A Toleration hath All Errors in it and All Evills Edwards Gangreen P. 58. 3 A Toleration would be the putting a Sword in a Mad man's hand a Cup of Poyson into the hand of a Child a Letting loose of Madmen with Firebrands in their hands An appointing a City of Refuge in mens Consciences for the Devil to fly to a laying of a stumbling Block before the Blind a Proclaiming Liberty to the Wolves to come into Christs Fold to Prey upon the Lambs Neither would it be to Provide for Tender Consciences but to take away all Conscience The Harmonious Consent of the Lancashire Ministers with their Brethren in London Subscribed by 84. 1648. P. 12. 4 A Toleration would make us become the Abhorring and Loathing of all Nations and being so palpable a Breach of Covenant would awaken against us the Lord of Hosts to bring a Sword upon us to Avenge the Quarrell of his Covenant Mr. Noise of New England of the Power of Magistrates P. 13. 5 That Doctrine that cryeth up Purity to the Ruine of Unity is Contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel Vindication of the Presbyterial Government and Ministry 1649. P. 124. 6 That Religion which carries in the Front of it a Toleration of Different Religions and not sufficient to keep the Body of Christ in Unity and Purity is not the Government of Christ. Ibid. 7 Liberty in all matters of Worship and of Faith is the open and Apparent way to set up Popery in the Land Bax. Non-Con Plea Pref. 8 Must he have his Conscience that makes no Conscience What he that hath sin'd away his Conscience If Conscience be a sufficient Plea the Papists may come in for a Childs part If Conscience goes against the word Deponenda est talis Conscientia Get Conscience better Enform'd The Conscience of a Sinner is Desil'd 1. Tit. 15. Conscience being desil'd may Erre Conscience erring may suggest that which is sinfull There is nothing can bind a man to sin Watson to the Commons Dec. 27. 1646. P. 17. 9 A Toleration of Independent Churches and Government with Opinions and Practise against the Magistrates Duty lay'd down in Scripture Edwards Full Answer P. 237. It is against the Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation P. 238. A shrew'd Temptation to make many fall and a means of Confirmation in the way of Errour P. 244. A Toleration of One or more Different ways of Churches and Church-Government from the Church and Church-Government Establish'd will be to this Kingdom very Mischievous Pernicious and Destructive P. 247. It hath ever been from first to last a Fountain of Evil and a Root of Bitterness of many bitter Divisions and Separations among themselves of Manifold Errors and other Mischiefs in those Churches and Places where they liv'd P. 248. 10 Will Mercifull Rulers set up a Trade for Butchering of Souls and allow men to set up a shop of Poyson for all men to Buy and take that will yea to Proclaim this Poyson for Souls in streets and Church-Assemblies c Baxters Self-Denial Epist. Monitory 11 We must either Tolerate all men to do what they will which they will make a matter of Conscience or Religion and then some may offer their Children in Sacrifice to the Devil and some may think they do God service in Killing his servants c. Or else you must Tolerate no Errour or Fault in Religion and then you must advise what measure of Penalty you will Inflict Baxters Church-Divis P. 363. 364. 12 I have known too many very honest hearted Christians Especially Melancholique Persons and women who have been in great doubt about the opinions of the Millenaryes the Separatists the Anabaptists the Seekers and such like and after Earnest Prayer to God they have been strongly resolv'd for the way of Errour and Confident by the strong Impression that it was the Spirits Answer to their Prayers and thereupon they have set themselves into a Course of sin Ibid. P. 162. It is very ordinary with poor Fantasticall Women and melancholique Persons to take all their deep Apprehensions for Revelations Ibid. P. 167. 13 If we do through weakness or Perverseness take Lawfull things to be Unlawfull that will not excuse us in our disobedience Our Errour is our sin and one sin will not excuse another Baxters 5. Dispute P. 483. 14 Oh what a Potent Instrument for Satan is a Misguided Conscience It will make a man kill his Dearest Friend yea Father or Mother yea the holyest Saint and think he doth God good service by it And to Facilitate the work it will first blot out the Reputation of their Holiness and make them take a Saint for a Devil Bax. Saints Rest P. 133. 15 Take heed how you tolerate Schism for in little time without great care it will open the door to Heresy Hodges to the Commons Mar. 10. 1656. P. 55. 16 Divisions whether they be Ecclesiasticall or Politicall in Kingdoms Citys and Familyes are Infallible Causes of Ruine to Kingdoms Cityes and Familyes Calamy to the Commons Dec. 25. 1644. P. 4. 17 Lyes would not take if they were not Commended by the Holyness of the
Primer in Politicks nor their Catâ—…hisme in Divinity I. 18 The Church of England is a True whorish Mother and they that were of her were base begotten and â—… astardly Children and she neither is nor ever was truly married Ioyned or United unto Iesus Christ in that Esponsal Baâ—…d which his True Churches are and ought to be but is one of Anti-Christs Nationall Whorith Churches and Cities spoken of Revel 16. 19. c. The Church of England is False and Anti-Christian and as she is a False and Anti-Christian Church she shall never make True Officers and Ministers of Jesus Christ As Iâ—…nnes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these Men also Resist the Truth Liâ—…urn Cited by Bastwick Indep c. P. 315. Yea when they write most mildly against the Presbyterians they call them Lyons Bears Wolves Tygers Baals Priests The Limbs of Anti-Christ the Anti-Christian Brood the Devils Ministers Presbyterants Ibid. P. 316. P. 19 The Independents are taken up in Biting and Devouring one another in Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings c. Bastwick's Indep not Gods Ord. P. 330. I. 20 I Challenge our Brother for taking Christs name in vain when in stead of finding Christ set upon his Throne in their Congregations we find there no more then an Image such as Michal had made up instead of King David or as those that in Mockery made of Christ a Pageant King Stripping him and putting on him a Scarlet Robe and on his head a Crown of Thorns and in his hand a Reed Saluting him with Hail King of the Jews Burton cited by Bastwick Independency not Gods Ordinance P. 312. P. 21 I here present ye with a Catalogue or Black Bill of the Errors Heresies Blasphemies and practises of the Sectaries of this Time Broached and Acted within these Four last Years in England And that in your Quarters and in places under your Government and Power for which I tremble to think lest the whole Kingdom should be in Gods Black Bill Edwards Gangren 1646. Ep. Ded. to the Lords and Commons I 22 This whole Postcript of Bastwick is a very Cento and farrago or hodge-podge of Invectives Sarcasms Scurrilous Scoffs Incendiary Incentives to stir up the State and all sorts of People to root out and cut off all those that are of the Independent way as they call it Burtons Brief answer to Bastwick Postcript P. 23 Oh the Faithfullness Dutifullness Patience Long-Suffering Forbearance of the Presbyterians Their Dutifullness and Patience in waiting upon the Parliament their Faithfullness in not abating in their zeal and Respects to them Oh their Love Kindness and Tenderness to the Independents yea to other Sectaries also who have had something of Christ and Grace in them and have not fal'n into Errors and Blasphemies rasing their foundations But now on the other hand the Sectaries though a Contemptible number and not to be named at the same time with the Presbyterians have not waited upon the Parliament and Assembly for the Reformation but Preach'd against it and stir'd up the People to Embody themselves and to Joyn in Church Fellowship gathering Churches setting up Independent Government Re-baptizing and Dipping many hundreds c. Edwards Discovery P. 51. I. 24 Such an Oracle of Infallibility and sâ—…ch a Supremacy as 〈◊〉 True-bred-English-Christian can Interpret for other then Anti-Christian Tyranny And all under the name of a Christian-Presbyterian Church-Government Burtons Conformities Deformity P. 21. P. 25 Ambitious Proud Covetous men Libertines and Loose Persons who have a Desire to live in Pleasures and Enjoy their Lust and to be under no Government they are Fierce and Earnest for Independency and against Presbytery All wanton-witted Unstable Erroneous Spirits of all Sorts all Heretiques and Sectaries Strike in with Independency and Plead they are Independents Edwards Further Discovery P. 185. I. 26 Their Ordinary Councells the Presbyterians drive at two Main things yet both reduc'd to One Head to wit Tyranny The one Tyranny over our Bodies Estates Free-holds Liberties Laws and Birthrights of all English Free-born Subjects The other Tyranny over our Souls and Consciences Burtons Conformities Deformity Ep. Ded. 1646. P. 27 Independents are most Obstinate Rebells both in Opinion and Practise and Perfidious Violators of such a Main and Principal Foundation as will Inevitably Ruinate all other Fundamentals of True Religion if allow'd unto them Colemanstreet Conclave Visited Pref. 1648. I say and hold that all sorts of Independents among us Separating themselves into their Private Conventicles and Unwarranted Church-way as they call it against all Authority and Power of the King and Parliament the Unquestionable Sovereign and Supreme Magistracy ordain'd by God himself and in resisting whose ordinance they apparently oppose and resist even the Lord God of Heaven Himself are not by any means to be admitted or permitted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—… 〈◊〉 is â—…heir Separation or Division from us to be so 〈◊〉 or so 〈◊〉 by us as to give any the least allowance to them Ibid. I. 28 Is Presbytery because Parochial Classical Provincial lâ—…ss Tyrannical then Episcopacy because many Rule in that and in this but One Or rather not more Tyrannical because One Tyrant is not so much as many together Evil in a Community is stronger and more diffusive then in Unity Saltmarsh'es Answer to Ley. 1646. P. 5. P. 29 Korah Dathan and Abiram rose up against Moses and Aaron as our Independents do now adays against the most Just and Righteous Authority of Parliaments and their Power in constituting under them for their assistance in matters of Religion the Synods or Assembly of Divines at Westminster Even as the Lord appointed and constituted Aaron under Moses in Holy things Coleman-street Conclave Parallell to the Reader 1648. I. 30 The Idolatrous Heathen sought to maintain their Idolatrous Religions by the same Stratagems Methods and Ways which the Ord'nance for the Preventing of the growing and spreading of Herefies proposeth for maintaining the Religion of Christ. Modest and Humble Queries Printed London 1646. p. 2. P. 31 The Apostles in many Places of their Writings speaking of Heretiques and false Teachers in their times and Prophâ—…sying of those in after times both the Popish Faction and the Sectarian speak of them as Apostates Antichrists False Prophets Seducers Deceivers Idolaters Blasphemers and their Doctrines and ways as Apostacy Idolatry Blasphemy worshipping of Devils Seducing and such like Edwards against Toleration 1647. P. 185. I. 32 In the Latter days False Christs and False Prophets shall arise saying Loe Here is Christ Or Loe there he is c. Wherfore if they shall say unto you see here how our Saviour Ingeminates the Caution as a thing of Serious Consideration Behold he is in the Desert Go not forth Behold he is in the Secret Chambers Mark her 〈◊〉 how near our Saviour comes to our Sectaries Practices and Rebellious Church-ways as they call them now adays Or he is in Shops Barns and such like Private Conventicles Believe it not
dying man who dare not dissemble that as I thought and still aver that the Erecting of this Abjured Prelacy is the Cause of much of the Sin in the Land and of all the Sufferings of the Lords People So I had no worse Design then the Restoring of the work of Reformation according to the Covenant and more Particularly the Extirpation of Prelacy c. Naphtali The Testimony of Alexander Robertson P. 229. 13 Oh might this Privilege be offered to the Apostate Angels which kept not the Covenant of their Creation nor consequently their First Estate and to the rest of the Damned Souls in Hell Would God send an Angel from Heaven to Preach unto them a Second Covenant upon the laying hold whereon and closing wherewith they might be receiv'd into Grace and Favour How would those poor Damned Spirits bestir themselves What Rattling of their Red hot Chains What shaking of their Fiery Locks In a word What an uproar of Joy would there be in Hell upon such Glad Tydings Case's Quarrel of the Covenant Dec. 1643. P. 60. 14 There is much Sin in making a Covenant on sinful Grounds and there is more Sin in keeping it but when the Preservation of True Religion and the Vindication of Iust Liberties meet in the Ground-work ye may Swear and not Repent yea if you Swear you must not Repent Caryl Oct. 6. 1643. P. 18. 15 Let them first shave their Heads and pare their Nails as the strange Virgin of Old was commanded to do and so let them enter into that Sacred and Dreadful Covenant Bond to the Commons on Isa. 25. 9. Oct. 8. 1645. P. 37. Notes upon §. 6. IT is but suitable that the Blasphemy Heresy and Sedition that went to the Framing of this Oath of Conspiracy should be follow'd with an answerable measure of Wickedness in the promoting of it and in the Execution Whereof you have here Three Notorious Instances Num. 1 2 3. And a Clause that draws Blood upon the King himself 4 A Brand upon all the Refusers of it 5 And another Sanguinary Clause 6 A Protestation against Soveraign Authority 7 And a Jesuitical Exposition of the meaning of it 8. 9. The Breach of it no less than a Sin against the Holy Ghost 10 And the Murther of the Late King Iustifi'd upon the Obligation of it 11 The Malice of the Confederacy own'd at the last Gasp. 12 A most Impious and Phantastical Exaggeration of the blessed Privileges of that Brand. 13 The Cheat. 14 And a Foppish Allusion to the pretended Solemnity and Sacredness of it 15 So that upon the main the Covenanters do assert First the Indissolvable Tye of That Oath Secondly the Intent of it to be the Dissolution of the Government And in the Third place so often as every they move for a Toleration they do as good as desire the King in plain Terms That he will be Graciously pleased to give them leave to serve his Majesty as they did his Father §. 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience 1 THat there may be a Thorough and Speedy Proceeding against Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers by whose Wickedness People either Lack or Loath the Ordinances of the Lord and Thousands of Souls Perish and the removal of the Ark from among us is to the Trembling of our Hearts evidently Threatned And that your Wisdoms would find out some way to admit into the Ministry such Godly and Hopeful men as have prepared themselves and are willing thereunto without which there will be such a scarcity of Able and Faithful Ministers that it will be to little purpose to cast out such as are Unable Idle or Scandalous The Assemblies Petition to both Houses of Parliament July 19. 1643. Husbands Collections Part 2 fol. 241. His Highness by the Advice of his Council doth Publish Declare and Order that no Person or Persons aforesaid do from and after the First day of January 1655. keep in their Houses or Families as Chaplains or School-Masters for the Education of their Children any Sequester'd or Ejected Minister Fellow of a College or School-Master nor permit any of their Children to be taught by such upon pain of being proceeded against in such sort as the said Orders do direct in such Cases And that no person who hath been Sequestred or Ejected out of any Benefice College or School for Delinquency or Scandal shall from and after the First day of January keep any School either Publick or Private nor any Person who after that time shall be Ejected for the Causes aforesaid 3 And that no Person who for Delinquency or â—…candal hath been Sequester'd or Ejected shall from and after the First day of January aforesaid Preach in any Publick place or at any Private Meeting of any other Persons then those of his own Family nor shall administer Baptism or the Lords Supper or Marry any Persons or use the Book of Common Prayer or the Forms of Prayer therein contained upon pain that every Person so offending in any of the Premises shall be proceeded against as by the said Order is provided and directed Olivers Declaration Nov. 24. 1655. A Confession of Faith to be agreed by your Highness and the Parliament according to the Rule and Warrant of the Scriptures to be asserted held forth and recommended to the People of these Nations so that this Liberty be not extended to Popery or PRELACT Humble Petition and Advice May 25. 1657. Notes on §. 7. NOT to cloy the Reader with Repetitions out of my First Part upon this subject I shall pass over the whole History of the Late Persecution with this short Note upon 't That as it was levell'd at the Destruction both of Church and State so it fell heaviest upon persons of Condition Honesty and Letters as the men most sensible of the Tyes of Honour and Duty And I shall now content my self with these few Instances of the Rigour of those times which methinks might stop the mouths of those that cry out so loud against the Uncompassionate severity of the present Age. What were the Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers c. Num. 1 but the Canonical Clergy that were forc'd away from their Livings and their Families by a Popular Rage and Violence under the countenance of that Diabolical Slander Neither was the loss of their Lawful Possessions and the Ordinary Comforts of Life sufficient to Expiate for their Piety Integrity and Virtue without their Adversaries doing as much as in them lay to Starve them too 2 and 3 And this was the Liberty of Conscience of those days Is it not a Reasonable Proposition now for those men that gave no quarter to the Church upon that Revolution to Mutiny for the same Liberty again of Destroying it And for the whole Schism that from time to time by Common Agreement Excluded the Prelacy to Expect that the Ecclesiastical Government should be now torn to pieces in their favour §. 8. The Power of the Kirk 1 IF the Prince with Gideon Nadab
he so Imposes E. Bagshaw of things Indifferent Part. 2. p. 3. 5 Our Fundamentals were not made by our Representatives but by the People themselves and our Representatives themselves limited by them which it were Good that Parliaments as well as People would observe and be faithful to For no Derivative Power can Null what their Primitive Power hath Established The English-man p. 11. 6 Royal Primogeniture alone without the Peoples consent is no Rightful Title to the Government nor hath the Eldest Son or Heir of the King any Right to the Government by Birth unless the People consent to chuse him thereto Mene-Tekel p. 10. 7 The Parliaments of England and often the People without the Parliament have in their Addresses to the King given him the Title of Lord in a way of Honour and Respect but when he hath refused to perform his Duty to them and endeavoured by his Unlawful Prerogative to abridge them of their Liberties they have made him understand his Relation and by force of Arms Asserted their own Privileges and sometimes compelled the King to Perform his Duty other times Deposed him from the Government as the People of Israel did Rehoboam upon the same account and so have most if not all the Nations in the World done the same Ibid. pag. 36. 8 Rising up against Authority it self the Ordinance of God and Disobeying the Powers therewith vested standing and acting in their Right Line of Subordination is indeed Rebellion and as the sin of Witchcraft but to Resist and Rise up against Persons Abusing Sacred Authority and Rebelling against God the Supream is rather to adhere to God as our Liege Lord and to Vindicate both our selves and his Abused Ordinance from Man's Wickedness and Tyranny Naphtali p. 157. 9 The Power of the King Abused to the Destruction of Laws Religion and Subjects is a Power contrary to Law Evil and Tyrannical and Tyeth no man to subjection Lex Rex p. 261. 10 If we consider the Fountain-Power the King is Subordinate to Parliament and not Co-ordinate for the Constituent is above that which is Constituted Lex Rex p. 377. 11 Whensoever a King or other Supream Authority Creates an Inferiour they Invest it with a Legitimacy of Magistratical Power to punish themselves also in case they prove evil doers yea and to act any other thing requisite for the Praise and Encouragement of the Good Io. Goodwins Right and Might well met 1648. p. 7. 12 The People is not King formally because the People is eminently more than the King for they make David King and Saul King Lex Rex p. 156. 13 The Laws are in the hands of the Parliament to Change or Abrogate as they shall see best for the Common-wealth even to the taking away of Kingship it self when it grows too Masterful and Burdensome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 101. 14 The Parliament sit in that body not as his Subjects but as his Superiors call'd not by him but by the Law not only twice every year but as oft as great affaire require to be his Counsellors and Dictators though he stomack it nor to be Dissolved at his pleasure but when all Grievances be first removed all Petitions heard and answered Ibid. p. 110. 15 Our Covenant was not taken without the Royal Authority of the King though it be Condemn'd by his Personal Command for as long as this Parliament of England continueth the Royal Authority and Power is annexed to it by vertue of that Act of Continuance So that the King of England in his Power may still be at Westminster though King Charles in his Person be at Oxford or elsewhere The Covenanters Catechism 1644. p. 16. 16 If a People that by Oath and Duty are obliged to a Sovereign shall sinfully Dispossess him and contrary to their Covenants chuse and Covenant with another they may be Obliged by their latter Covenants notwithstanding the former Ho. Com. p 188. 17 Though the Perfidious Parliament or rather Mock Parliament have lately betrayed their own Trust and our Liberties making it Treason for us to mention the Cruel Tyranny and Oppression we groan under yet by the Ancient Laws of England this Man that Rules at present is no Rightful King of England but by Oppressing the Nation and Persecuting the Lords People hath loss the Title of a King and the Name of a King doth not agree to him but Tyrant is the Name due to him Mene-Tekel p. 63. 18 Q. Whether the Title of Supream be not rather Nominal than Real Valley of Acbor p. 1. 19 Our War has been proved over and over to Unbiast Consciences to be Just. Caryl to the Commons April 23. 1644. p. 15. 20 If the King raise War against the Parliament upon their Declaration of the Dangers of the Common-wealth in that case people may not only Resist him but also he Ceases to be a King Baxter H. Common-wealth Thes. 368. 21 It is our Duty to yield to this Authority all Active and Chearful Obedience in the Lord even for Conscience sake Ibid. 22 A Refusal to be subject to this Authority under the pretence of Upholding the Title of any One upon Earth is a Refusal to Acquiesce in the Wise and Righteous pleasure of God Ienkins Petition Printed Oct. 15. 1651. 23 The King must Command not only according to God's but Man's Laws And if he do not so Command the Resistance is not a Resistance of Power but Will. Bridges to the Commons Feb. 7. 1642. Pref. 24 Let not the Sons of Belial say there is no Law now let them not be as when there was no King in Israel every man doing that which was right in his own eyes let them know that the Kingly Power Resides in the High Court of Parliament Pickering No. 27. 1649. Epist. Ded. 25 Subjects do promise Obedience that the Magistrate might help them which if he do not they are discharg'd of their Obedience Goodman p. 190. 26 Judges ought by the Law of God to Summon Princes before them for their Crimes and to proceed against them as against all other Offenders Obedience p. 111. 27 Scotland fought for themselves and their own safety and whatever Law will Warrant Nations now to joyn together against the Turk will Warrant Scotland their joyning with England against their Common-Enemy Apologet. Relat. p. 138. 28 A War raised by the Parliament against the Common Enemy in defence of the Kings Honour the safety of the People and the Purity of Religion cannot be Condemned as Unjust and Illegal Apol. Rel. p. 142. 29 It was the common practice of the Parliaments of Scotland and Lex currit cum Praxi to rise in Arms against their Kings when they turned Tyrants Ibid. 143. 30 It is lawful for the Inferiour and Subordinate Magistrates to defend the Church and Common-wealth when the Supream Magistrate degenerates and falleth into Tyranny or Idolatry for Kings are subject to their Common-wealths Canterburies Doom p. 290. c. 31 The Parliament have declar'd