Book of Martyrs 3. vol. Hom. Church Engl. Artie the practice and precept of Christ himself the examples of the Prophets and Apostles the pattern of all the Martyrs the generally concurring Doctrine of the Catholike Church now in profession continued in the Church of England That active obedience is to be yeelded to the King as supream in omnibus licitis in things lawfull but if God for the punish ment of a Nation should set over us a tyrannicall King secundam voluntaiem pravam non rationem rectam regentem governing by his depraved will against reason and commanding things contrary to the Word of God we must not by force of arms rebel against him but rather then so if not prevailing by Petition unto him or escaping by flight from him patiently submit to the losse of our lives estates agreeing with the ancient Christians that preces lachrymae sunt arma ecclesiae that the pen rather then the sword patience prayers and tears then actively shedding blood best becommeth Christians Herein committing my soul into the hands of my faithfull Creator and mercifull Redeemer Revel 2.10 Mat. 5.10 11 12. 1 Per. 3.14 17. 1 Tim. 2.9 who have pronounced them blessed that suffer for righteousnesse sake and the testimony of a good conscience But I know the Jesuite and others too neer him in opinion though remote from him in name will contract their browes into a frown at this though Christian like asseveration and resolution Homily Chur. Engl. Sacred royall Prerogative of christian Kings printed Anne 1644. interposing many ayery suppositions distinctions and I know not what frivolous questions all which I shall at present forbear to insert much more to answer because they have sufficiently been in the religious and rationall works of many learned Writers both â—ncient and modern refuted and matle to appear but groundlesse quickly vanishing into ayre Beside his royall Majesty since the beginning of this unnaturall War having dommanded nor demanded any thing as in the sequell will appear contrary to established Law nor performed any action which any other Prince as supream might not lawfully have done se sobolem leges Regnaque defendendo It would be a needlesse and a labour in vain in me although in my conscience I approve the same to spend paper in vindication of a Christians passive obedience it being a question not arifing from the past or present practice of our Soveraign Lord the King therefore without all question at present standeth not in need either of mine or any other his Majesties Subjects defence For he hath been and is so far from commanding any unjust things contrary to the Law of God and the Land that he hath patiently suffered reproaches against his royall person deprivation of his noble Consort dispersion of his Princely Son hazard oâ— his own life losse of his Revenues with many thousands of his loyall Subjects nay almost all the comforts which felicitates a mans life vpon earth being at last after all these a restrained prisoner O happy thrice blessed wals conteyning such a King pattern of true Piety president of religious constancy example of an unparalelled Patience O unnaturall men Rebels to the King Reason Religion and Law whose trayterous commands thus turns Princes Pallaces into a royall Prison And all this he undergoeth because he would govern onely by Law and preserve a power in himself whereby he may be enabled to preserve the Law But I proceed passing by the generall power of a King in Divinity and in that respect what he may do and confider him onely as he is King of England in a well setled Government and therefore to this purpose shall lay down some more fundamentall positions and unquestionable truths That our Soveraign Lord CHARLES Vide all Acts of Ravliament confessing the 1. Jac. cap. 1.9 Edw. 4 fol 8 by the grace of God is lawfull King of England and of all other his Majesties Dominions and Countries that he is supream Governour over all persons and in all causes whether Ecolesiastical or Civil That is There is by the Law of the Land established in which he is vertually present no commanding power above him without him much lesse against him nor can ought or must any conjunctim or divisim exercise any governing power within his Majesties Dominions nor must any willingly expresse subjection or obedience to such an unjust and usurped power standing in opposition to his lawfull power That there are regales columnae to support this Monarchicall Fabrick from sinking or suffering any injury from any persons whomsoever as summoning and dismissing of generall Counsels whether Ecclesiastical or Civil making or anulling of Laws that is his affirmative or negative voyce in Parliament without which the Building were rather a painted then substantiall Edifice Secondly making of War or Peace that is disposing of the Militia of arming his Subjects to prevent forraign Invasions or suppresse domestick rebellious Insurrections without which it would also soon fall by seditious and ambitious underminers nor could the King without this power be able to defend himself from wrong or his Subjects from oppression Thirdly creating and disposing of Magistrates power over life and death highest and last appeal without which his title of Supremacy would be a title of supream mockery the stile of * School boys know that Rex is but a derivative of Rego which signifies to Govern King a meer contradiction nay if he had not these additionals whereby he is onely abled Regis agere partem he were rather Rex titularis quà m realis and if so rather regulatus and therefore in the best sense but a supream Subject then Rex regens by vertue of his supream power governing his Subjects were he deprived of these necessary adjuncts to a regall power he then may as his Majesty hath well observed himself be waited upon bare-headed have his hand kissed His Answer to the nineteen Proposition Anno 1â—â—â— his Authority declared by his Subjects have Swords and Maces carried before him and please himself with the sight of a Crown and Scepter but as to true and reall power he should remain but the out side picture and sign of a King Now that all these with many more attributes of power requisite for a King to have do appertain by the established Law of this Land to our Soveraign Lord King CHARLES his Heirs and Successors I will not trouble the margin with quotations from the Fountain Lex terrae A. 1647. a principio ad siuem Remonst Feb. 21. 1647. alibique scriptis to make good but refer the Reader to those pure streams flowing from thence those brief Collections of that Reverend Lawyer Judge Jenkins who therein Atlas like hath supported the true fundamentall Lawes of England and like a faithfull Expositor given the most religious rationall and lawfull practiced sense of them But for the cleering hereof I shall propound some queries to all rationall men which will the
Presbytery considered as is administred by preaching and Lay Elders joyntly with equal voice and power in the several Judicatorics of their Parochial Sessions of their Classical or greater Consistories of their P. ovincial Synods and National Assemblies Page 3. Now by this if I mistake not you may perceive that they both agree in ipso regimine Ecclesiastico in the Government it self considered as itteferreth to the Church that is all Members therein that are to be governed though not in the manner number or qualification of the persons governing both parties confessing that the power of Ordination and of Judicature so far forth as the keys left by Christ in his Church do extend is of Divine Institution and that this power must be excecised or administred in his Church by some so that I say the difference is whether the exercise or ministration of that power be restrained to certain choice men or indifferently left to all Presbyters and their assisting Lay Elders For none will accuse themselves guilty of so much ignorance and folly as to affirm that the decent Ceremonies and innocent Vestments of the Church as Cross in Baptism Surpless Cope the like were practised imposed as essential and inseparably necessary adjuncts to the Government it self All which rather then contention for them should have extended to blood might nay would have been by the condescention of His Majesty quietly layd aside needing not the peremptormeis of the sword to silence them I. Under episcopal there is in every Parish a preaching Minister with Churchwardens and in some Deacons or Curates by these offenders are noted and admonished and the offences presented to the Ecclesiastical Courts or Consistories where they may be heard and censured the Minister having power in some cases of notorious scandal to restrain from the Communion untill the offence may be heard and judged in the Court and the party so offending by the censure of the Church brought to give publike satisfiction II. Under Episcopal in every diocess there are several divisions the lesser and the greater these being called Deanties there is Arch-Deconries in those the Arch-Presbyters in these the Arch-Deacons have power to call the Parochial Ministers together to enquire of doctrine and manners and see to the red ressing of smaller abuses In the Mother City is the Bishop residing with his Presbyters having the power of Ordination of judging and determining of all matter of doctrine or seandal reserevd to his hearing by his Arch-Deacons and of rejudging what was judged amiss by them This he doth either in his Consistory which he holdeth in his City assisted by his Presbyters or in his Vsitiations going through his diocess and causing his Clergy personally to appear or in his diocesan Synod which is made up of the City Presbyters Dean and Chapter the Arch-Deacons and other choice Presbyters under the presidency of the Bishop III. Under Episcopal Government are held Provincial Synods consisting of all the Bishops Deans Arch-Deacons and of certain choice Presbyters from every diocess within the Province these have power to order all matters concerning the whole Province to hear appeals from every Diocess to re-judg what is done amis that could not be well determined in a Diâ—cesan Synod IIII. Under Episcopal Government are also held National Councels consisting of the like Members as do the Provincial these are of greatest authority they examine and judg any thing done amiss any in Province they consider and determine matters of Doctrine and Discipline inorder to the whole Nationall Church Under the Presbyterian Government there is in every Parish a Minister with a competent number of Lay Elders and Deacons according to the largeness of the Parish These make the Parochial Session and have power to censure scandalous livers contentious persons and the like to enjoyn publke penance and impose upon the penitent before he be received into the Church a fine to be imployed on pious uses Under the Presbyterian in every County there are also several divisions or Classes containing such a number of Parochiall Ministers who have their set meetings for conference and in the City or more eminent Town is the great Presbyterian Consistory commonly called the Presbytery made up of all the Parochiall Ministers within its precincts and of Lay Elders from each Parish one in this is the power of Ordination of censuring crimes of the higher strain with the greater Excommunication of hearing appeals from the Parochial Sessions and rejudging what was there judged amiss Under the Presbyterian also are held Provincial Synods made up of Commissioners that is certain preaching and Lay Elders from every Individual Presbytery or Presbyterian Consistory within the Province These judg and determine matters pertaining to the whole Province Also all difficult cases that could not well be determined within the Presbytery they receive appeals also from the Presbyyters and examine what was there thought to be done amiss Under the Presbyterian likewise are held National Assemblies consisting of Commissioners from all the Presbyteries in the Kingdom each of them sending two preaching and one Lay Eider also from every Burrough one and he a Lay man and from every University one and for the most part a Ley man too In these is the supream and finall determination of all complaints and controversies and unto the decrees that issue thence all must obey under pain of Excommunication Now these premises impartially considered which of these two Governments have the more effectual means to procure the end of Church Government the preservation of truth and peace the suppression of Heresie and Schism let any rational unbyass'd-minded man judg For my part I ingenuously confess that it is contrary to common reason in my upprehension that Lay-men from whose education no knowledg extraordinary beyond their trades and such like affairs can be expected although it is true that many are furnished with knowing parts yet as true that the most in a Nation are altogether defective therein can be as ficinstruments for such kind of imployments as grave and learned Divines whose only business it is to tread the path of all arts both humane and divine so that if this continue in England what I once read alledged against the Papal Consistory that they did potius numer are suffragia quam argumenta pondâ—rare number rather their Votes then weigh the solidity of their Arguments will I fear be our deserved censure From which justly meriting accusation Good Lord deliver this Nation Again consider further Bishops assume not the exercise of any power within any Princes Dominions or use it over his subjects but by permission and authority from him and that according to just Laws and Rules made by soveraign Authority for the manner of external Ministration thereof so that when the Episcopal power cometh to the holding of Courts and calling Assemblies it wholy depends on the soveraign power 25 Hen. 8.19 without whose Assent signified by his writ they cannot assemble for
the making of Canons and Constitutions nor publish and put in ure any of them being made Now Presbyterians take upon them to set up their Discipline in a Kingdom therein indeed shaking hands with Jesuited Papists maugre all opposition It is true for external peace sake they hold it fit to crave leave first and beg the assistance of the Civil Power but if denyed will proceed without it assembling together and making their own Laws without regulations from the Civil Power for the manner and form of exercising their Discipline allowing only the Prince Potestatem Cumulativam as they speak a power to add more strength and vigour not Privativam to interpose or hinder their assemblies or decrees And in this respect it were to be wished that England had never proved exemplary as now in these latter times it doth by such kind of proceedings The fountain from whence hath issued too ny bloody streams And here it will not be amiss to present the Reader with the grounds and reasons enforcing his Majesty with his loyal Subjects assistance to defensive Arms and in that a Declaration of my own in particular and many thousand English Protestant Judgments more whose pens tongues and hands only endeavored a restoration of his Royal Majesty to his just regal honor and authority Themselves and their fellow-subjects unto their due liberties both Parliamentary and private The preservation of the Protestant Religion in the Doctrine and Profession of the Church of England against all Papists and Sectaries The maintenance of the Government of the Church of England as it standeth still by Law established until the Law of the Land shall make alteration thereof not so peremptorily maintaining the continuance of Episcopal Government as to enforce the remaining of its general practice in England by force of Arms in opposition and against his Majesties suppose that the King could or would dispence with his Coronation Oath will and consent to that purpose cheerfully and voluntarily ratified not by the pressing violence of almost unavoydable necessity or tyrannizing power of the prevailing Sword but freely confirmed and declared by Act of Parliament although peradventure they may mourn the alteration and abrogation of so ancient and apostolical a Government But because my Judgment pleadeth for Episcopacy and it hath been an argument much urged against the Bishops and in them the Government it self defamed That formerly they silenced severall godly Ministers prohibiting them and others the exercise of holy duties because they did only exercise duties that were holy I shal write my thoughts freely herein For far be it from me to speak against or any to forbid the Exercise of holy duties as hearing praying reading living strictly Endeavouring to have a Conscience void of offence towards God and towards Men No no the practice of them in sincerity is the high way to Heaven for without holinesse none shall see God but in the mean time take heed what you hear beware of swallowing poyson wrapped up in Leaves of gold take heed of these who have a forme of Godlinesse a forme in Practice onely that under pretence of long Prayers and outside piety devour Widdows houses that deny the truth of the word of God the holy Scriptures by their false Doctrines seducing many into erronious Opinions the parents of worse succeeding actions For my part if any did so forbid performance of holy duties as I am altogether ignorant of any such nor can easily be induced to believe it howsoever were I assured of its truth I would not minima defendere peccata plead an excuse for them But if then they did as I believe they did onely by suspensions endeavour to prevent the sowing of the seeds of sedition schisme and heresie or the growth thereof to any strength either in publick or in private as it was there and is the duty of all Ecclesiasticall Governours they did no more then what the law of God and the land gave them a warrant for therefore let every one as well take heed of calling good evill as tearming evill to be good for in all probability had such preventing-remedies as these been timely applied when sedition schisme and heresie first opened their black mouths we never had arrived at this high degree as at this present we are of variety of Errours and pernicious destructive Opinions O Lord have mercy upon us But grant that some of them stretched the exercise of power beyond its lawfull bounds and in that respect were guilty deserving punishment What is the fault of one or more Bishops to the Government it self could not the errours of particular persons be reformed or punished but by an extirpation of the whole Government durus est hic sermo it is hard indeed if God for the sin of two Adam and Eve nay of many thousands more should have therefore denied mercy and reconciliation to all mankind How everlastingly unhappy would the residue of the world have been Deliver us good God from the cruell dealings of men and if affliction must be our portion let us fall into thy hands O Lord for thy mercy endureth for ever As for the remaining clauses in the first Article viz. Of bringing the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest uniformity c. these things considered That the Discipline of the Church of God is most Consonant to the word of God Covenant approved of and desired by forraigne Divines and therefore the best reformed not intrenching with the Papists upon the Civill power nor with them denying the Kings supremacy in causes Ecclesiasticall agreeing best with Monarchy confirmed by the Law of the Land Other Churches therefore according to the rule of reason and religion within His Majesties Dominions should rather conform to ours then the uniformity of ours in Religion Government and Worship admit a change or be transformed into any other form To this purpose O Lord inspire the universal Church with the spirit of truth unity and concord and grant that all that do Confesse thy holy name may live in peace and godly love one with another Amen That we shall in like manner Covenant This limitation is approved by the Parliament as behind fol. 53. that is in a lawfull manner according to the word of God endevour the extirpation of Popery that is their tenents of transubstantiation worshipping of Images praying to Saints Preaching good works as meritorious to everlasting life and salvation that Kings for diverse respects may be Deposed by the people that then Subjects Oaths of Alleagiance may be dispensed with King James Apol. Oath Alleg. with their deniall of the Kings Supremacy in all Canses as well Ecclesiasticall and Civill and the like Endeavour extirpation of these by execution of good Laws already established against their Errours and Professours thereof by that meanes preventing their further growth hindring their seducing of ignorant and unwary people and in case of Conspiracy and Treason against the Kings Majesty His Queen or
propounded Therefore by the way first let me request all such whose thoughts cannot but speak themselves intereshed in these lines to lay aside all prejudicate opinions both of my self and others hitherto practically different from them prejudice being like a partition-wall which will binder the judgements yeelding to what is proposed and really made good to be Reason Religion and Law Secondly that they would banish from their brests that Rebel to Religion and Reason a too confident tenaciousnesse of their own opinions not because in their appearance they still continue undoubted truths to their approving judgements but because the past insinuating Declarations of some cunning Polititians and rhetoricall Jesuitized perswafions of others have consonant to their particular erronious maximes and pre-resolved upon designes urged them to a former practice of unjust and unlawfull actions Thirdly therefore that they would cast away that desperately ruining resolution of potius malè currendo crimina criminibus addere quam errorem confireri recurrendo veritatemque veritutis â—â—â—sa propugnare being rather willing to continue slaves to the commission of additionall sins then by repentance become triumphing Champions for the sincerity of truth when as it is far greater and better policy humane and divine by repentance to return into the way of truth then by a continuing progresse in erronioue paths to expose themselves to a possible ruine here and destrustion hereaster Bosides the whole outrent of the Scriptures every where speaketh merey and pardon to the penitent an argument in my judgement sufficient to induce all there unto against contrary suggestions of the world and the Depilâ— nay Ezek. 18.21 to the end the very end of Christs Dirth Death Resurrection and Asoention onely proclaim an invitation of sinners to iome unto him promising them pardon and saivation Now therefore if that any one in this respect shall turn away his ear neglecting to hearken to the Charmer charm he never so well let them take heed that that place of Beelpture Zech. 1.4 5 6. prove not an evidence against their obstindey and the complaint and threats of our Saviour in Mat. 23.37 38. concern not them O Hierusalem Hierusalem which hast killed the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thee together as a hen gathereth her chickens and you would nor Behold therefore your habitation shall be left defelate From which heavy judgement O them preserver of men keep and defend us all But I proceed to lay down my first fundamentall positions in respect of a Government already established That all violent and irregular alteration of Government contracy to the fundamentall customes and constitutions of every respective Nation First if it receive its original from the supream Magistrate and prossed upon the people hath alwayes been branded with the names of tyranny and oppession nor have such sms although the Word of God permit not Subjects by armes to rebel against him passed impunished oftentimes here in this world however without repentance cannot escape in the world to come Secondly if violently streamfing from the seditions compulsive dombination of the people without and against the supream Magistrates consent hath ever been stigmatived with those odious titles of Rebellion and Treason whose just rewards are death here wich a successive never dying infamy and unlesse the mercy of Heaven inter pose the eternity of death hereafter Therefore for the avoyding of Tyranny and Oppression on the one side preventing of Treason and Rebellion on the other with all those bloody issues and ruinous effects flowing from thence tanquam a fonte sanguinolento and confequently those punishments which tanquam uncle sequuntur undas tread on the very heels of such offences It must necessarily be granted an undeniable truth that obedience indispensable is due from every Subject of what degree soever according to the qualification of the persons unto all Lawes not opposite to the Law Word of God made confirmed by the supream power of any Nation and that these Lawes according to reason ought and must remain in full force and vertue untill the same lawfull power which first gave them the power of a commanding law shall repeal and nullifie them That all Christian Subjects do or should yeeld obedience to Kings personall and the Law his vertuall commands if not derogatory to the Law of God not onely because the King quatenus Rex or the Law quatenus Lex tantiem commandeth the same but because in his Word he hath laid a precept upon us both in the fourth Commandement and in Rom. 13.1 2 3. where he enjoyneth every soul to be subject to the higher Powers c. and 1 Pet. 2.14 15 17. where he commandeth us by his Apostle to submit our selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be unto the King as unto the supream c. so that if we deny active obedience to his legall commands we deny it not to the King and oppose the Law therein alone but to God himself pen quem Reges regnant Prov. 9.15 16 acting contrary to his will revealed in his Word and the practice of Christ himself who gave Caesar hiâ— due But because peradventure a demonstration of my own judgement about passive obedience active to Kings having already been discussed of may be expected therefore that I might not leave my self to the uncertain interpretation of any I professe my self an English Protestant and therefore in the truest sense shall not refuse the stile of an English Catholike disavowing all hereticall idolatrous and superstitious Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome and all other Opinions different from and contradictory unto the Doctrine of the Church of England established in the thirty nine Articles not because it is established onely but because it is consonant and agreeable to the Word of God the truth whereof hath been is and hereafter will be made good against all hereticall and schismaticall Opponents whomsoever In particular reference to a lawfull King and the continuance of his government in peace and piety I detest and protest against all Jesuiticall distinctions Vide King James premonition to christian Princes and his Apology for the Oath of Alleagiance pag. 50 51 108 109. alibique destructive tenents to all Religion and Government of power reserved in Pope or people of what degree or number soever whether they be a body representative conjunctim if a body can properly be termed a body without an head or any particular members divisim under any pretence or intention whatsoever by force to dispose of and change the Lawes of a Kingdom depose Kings divest them of their lawful power dispense with Oaths by which their Subjects stand as well religiously as naturally obliged refist their lawfull commands by the sword perswading Subjects to follow their example I acknowledge according to the truth of the Word of God 2 Thes 1.4 Match 26.51 Match 9.54 55 56. Mat. 16.23
premises confidered answer of themselves to which even the knowledge of the meanest judgement if he know any thing cannot but assent as reall truth Whether ever in this Kingdom any new Law was enjoyned or new Oath imposed upon the people in opposition to the Law established Presupposed the King not the King in his minority although it is as true then for there is his tacite supream power implied his Protectour J Jenk Remonstr Febr. 21. 1647. Vide Recordi by the two houses conjunctim or by either of them seperatim without nay against the King's consent and if none as none can be produced by what power have they contrived Ordinances and imposed them with a Vow and Covenant solemn League and Covenant contrary to established Law and his Majesties Proclamation Whether or no turbulent violent and irregular transaction in former Parliaments wherein Kings have been deposed or necessitated to unlawfull condescentions through force or fear have not been by succeeding Parliaments made null and those Parliaments themselves esteemed but as traiterous Assemblies and so as cannot be denied Res pares cnm paribus comparemus And let us all pray that England may enjoy the happinesse of a free lawfully acting Christian like peaceable unbyased no private self ends respecting but the truly publike and generall good cordially affecting and really effecting Parliament To which let all true English men with my self say Amen Amen Whether ever formerly the Lords and Commons cenjunctim or either of them divisim had the disposing of the Militia of the Kingdom did create Magistrates had power over life and death to whom highest and last appeal were made did make a great Seal acting by vertue thereof by any Law of the Land established without nay against the King's consent And if there be no Law extant interesting them in such a power but on the contrary it must necessarily be confessed that all these things by the letter of the Law and the continuall practice thereof which is optimus leges interpres do belong to the King's Majesty his Heirs and Successors their own Propositions of the second of June 1642. confessing no lesse First Book Col. Ordnan 307. for then they petitioned him for a resignation of all these insignia regalia for the removing of fears and jealousies between him and his people which must necessarily imply a tacite confession that his Majesty is solely interested in the disposing of them for to what end should they petition for those things which without his consent they may claim as their own and if so let every mans judgement speak Quis reus Whether or no there be any Law remaining established or any clause reserved in the Law by vertue whereof the Lords and Commons or either of them are authorized in any case whatsoever reall much lesse upon a pretence of any case to remove Counsellours from his Majesty by force to imprison his sacred Person to use the regall Power to alter the Lawes established to impose new Lawes without his consent upon his Subjects and the like by force All which and more then these have been put in practice since these unhappy times began and if they cannot produce any Law or the least resemblance of a Law nay of Christian reason to warrant such like actions they must give us leave to ask the question Who are guilty of Treason seeing all these particulars thus usurped are by the Law declared no lesse Judge Jenkins Lex tâ—râ—ae Remonstr Frb. 1647. And here by the way let me put them in mind of the different judgement of former Ages in Bishop Cranmer a glorious Martyr for our Religion from such kind of positions or practices He would not admit of the Popes authority in England because he was pre-engaged to the King by Oath Book Martyrs according to the Law of the Land affirming that the Popes authority was against the Crown Custome and Lawes of the Kingdom Now unlesse there be a Law authorizing the People under what notion soever to do that which was unlawfull in the Pope to do the offence being one and the same committed only by differing persons I know not what to write more but that Pope and People begin both with one letter praying God to deliver us from the Pope and Papistical false Doctrines As for that old stalking-horse the fundamental Law which hath so often and so long been pretended as an undeniable warrant authorizing their beginnings and proceedings in opposition to his Majesty Truly loyall English hearts and rationall men will no sooner credit that there is such a Law because of their meer declarative affirmation then that there is such an one as Atlas really supporting the Heavens with his shoulders because Poets have delivered so much to succeeding Ages in their feigned writings There indeed not any such Law warranting these kind of actions for none hitherto hath appeared in view it being a maxime that quod non apparet jure non est therefore shall be bold to put them in mind of part of Master Pym's speech at the beginning of this Parliament leaving the application to their consideration The Law is that which putteth a difference between good and evill between just and unjust if you take away the Law all things will fall into a confusion every man will become a Law to himself which in the depraved condition of humane nature must needs produce many great enormities Lust will become a Law Envy will become a Law Ambition will become a Law and what dictates and decisions such Lawes will produce may easily be discerned Thus far Master Pym. Now that these things may not come to passe in its height however and perfection in these our dayes Let us pray that the Lord would grant us all grace to tread constant steps in the path of his Law giving us loyall hearts to the King and causing us to expresse a reall not verball obedience to the Law of the Land Further because humanum est errare and omnis perfectio nostra est imperfectio all of us being full of originall sin by reason of which the suggestion of Satan and the enticing pleasures and profits of this life we are alas quamvis Christiani though stiled Christians yet ready to commit sin with greedinesse against the God of heaven as also too too apt to prefer our own private advantage and interest before the publike good and benefit not minding the peoples happinesse in practising piety and enjoying Peace the mother of plenty but oftentimes spurred on by avaritious and ambitiously aspiring thoughts we neglect rendring to God his and all other degrees of men from the Prince to the meanest of the people their respective dues which often occasioneth that confusion like a fierce torrent overfloweth and ruine like a boisterous storme suddenly shipwracks a well governed Kingdom Therefore are Oathes tanquam Clavi religiost framed to keepe this building of Government more firme and close together To this end the Oathes
of Alleagiance and Supremacy are by the Law of the Land injoyned to be taken by all Persons capable thereof especially men imployed in any publicke Office but more particularly the House of Commons in Parliament sine quo non est talis 5. Eliz. esp 1. In which they sweare without Equivocation or mentall reservation to beare Faith and true alleagiance to his Majestie his Heires and Successours to defend him and them against all Conspiracies and attempts whatsoever against their Persons Crown and Dignitie Now let all reasonable Men confider and within their owne judgements resolve these questions themselves Coll. Ordn. first book 93. Is it maintenance of his Majesties crown and dignity and defence against all attempts c. To force the Militia inseperably belonging to the Crown from him under pretence of groundlesse feares and jealousies Is it maintenance of his Crowne and Dignitie First book Coll. Par. Ordn. pag. 309 310. June 1642. I meane his regall Crowne of Government to demand as they did in their nineteen Propositions all governing Kingly power from him plainly then speaking that their intent was not to maintaine not withstanding their glorious pretences the Law nor resolution ad errores reformandum but regimen Angliae mutandum For had they really intended as they verbally often pretended in their Ordinances and Declarations Coll. Ordn. 130. alibique Fo. 15. Coll. Ordn. Decemb. 1641. Preservation of the Law of the Land his Majesties royall person honour and Estate just Prerogative and Soveraignty they should have provided having also declared in that grand Remonstrance to the Kingdome that their intent was to restore the ancient honour greatnesse and security of the Crowne More wals of Brasse if it were possible to invent which I must confesse passeth my beleefe more and a more excellent one for preventing any more shaking of the Law established by intrenching upon the Kings just Prerogative and the Subjects Liberty then the Trienniall Parliament which they confesse themselves to be a perpetuall Spring of remedies for the future And not on the first Onset Magis Postulare quam Petere totally require rather then desire the Kings royall Power Nineteen Propos for that end breaking all hedges of publicke and generall liberty to preserve or advantage some few private peeces of inclosed grounds Is it faith and alleagiance Oath of Alleagiance and Supremacy and a Declaration in your Consciences that none hath power to discharge Subjects from their Alleagiance and Obedience to his Majesty To frame Oathes wherein you ingage your fellow Subjects Coll. Ordn. 93 138. even in a manner to protest against their alleagiance and obedience to his Majestie by Covenanting to assist the Forces raised and continued by both Houses who are but Subjects else why doe they Petition to his Majesty in those submissive stiles Of his Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects against the Forces raised by the King and that they shall nor directly nor indirectly assist the Forces raised by the King without the consent of both Houses witnesse their Vow and Covenant Ordered die Sabbathi 1643. and and their latter composed Negative Oath much to the same effect Is it a Declaration in your Conscience Oath of Supremacy that the Kings highnesse is the onely supreame Governour of this Realme and all other his Majesties Dominions To deprive him of his Negative voyce in Parliament to create Magistrates to exercise a power over the life and death of his Subjects nay to doe any thing but what Subjects ought to doe and Oaths oblige unto Is it a desence of all Jurisdictions and Priviledges Preheminences and Authorities belonging to the Kings highnesse his heirs and Successours and annexed to the imperiall crown of this Realm To declare that the King is not in a condition to govern Answer to the Scots Declaration Novemb. 28.1647 to imprison him to affirm that they will make no more addresses unto him that they will settle the government of the Kingdom without and against him These considered I appeal to all hear O heaven judge O earth with yee Inhabitants of England Scotland and Ireland who are guilty of perjury I am sure none but will confesse that the Oaths of Alleagiance and Supremacy are lawfull in themselves commanded by a compleatly lawfull authority remaining enjoyned confirmed by act of Parliament therefore ought to be taken by all according to the literall sense thereof and endeavours used to perform the same according to each mans uttermost ability As for that exception savouring more of a Turkish or Jesuiticall then of a Christian Protestant's affirmative judgement nay it is contrary to common reason and altogether vain For any one to apprehend that singular persons one by one are obliged to the observation of these Oaths but a body representative is one as if one man alone could be perjured and yet that the multiplication of that unite equally engaged both in the keeping and the breach thereof to four hundred gave a dispensation from the guiltinesse of the sin as if an offender were an offender because quatenus home unicus per se peccans sinning as one man alone and not because the offence committed was a deviation from the Law of God Reason or the Law when as it is far more correspondent to reason to affirm that the more the Offenders are the more guilty because more spreading and the greater the Offenders are as representitave bodies or Magistrates abusing a conferred power are more dangerous because exemplary for citius ducti per exempla quà m praecepta we are too apt to follow sin in a multitude especially if they be great persons of repute pretending assertours and reformers though they prove desertours and deformers of Religion Lawes and Liberties Besides God in the Scriptures commandeth us not to follow a multitude to do evil which implieth that a multitude may do evil and what is a representitative body but a multitude in a grammaticall sense and therefore if they do evil they must not be followed Nay the whole current of Gods Word runs with variety of judgements threatned against all that are in authority if they recede from his Commandements The Prophet Micah with others are full in this respect You may see many more among the rest of the Prophets Micah 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Amos 6.11 12 13 14. Hosea 5.9 10 11 12 13 14 15. O come therefore for the prevention of such like judgements and the removing from us what we already lye under let us by a timely repentance return unto the God of heaven humbly entreating him that he would forgive us all our sins more particularly that he would not lay this hainous sin of Perjury to Englands charge but give us grace to mourn and weep for that and all others which have occasioned our Land to mourn in misery and weep in blood Now to contract the premised severals into a narrower compasse thereby to make this rooting design
concerning Reformation preservation or defence of any thing that thing necessarily must be extant must have a being otherwise we obliging our selves if we can properly be said to be ingaged to nothing to nothing attest God as witnesse thereunto thereby mocking him and taking his holy Name in vaine and in so doing erre against his third Commandement therefore the Presbyterian Government not being particularly mentioned in the Covenant nor at the first taking thereof now about foure years and an halfe since digested in England into any form much lesse obedience thereunto commanded cannot be intended as a fulfilling of the Covenant but the words Reforme preserve and defend must have a regard to the Doctrine Discipline and Government established as for that evasion that the then takers of the Covenant dispensed with resolutions and actions of preservation c. untill the same should afterwards be setled it is altogether unlawfull and vaine nor can any one by so doing observe the Prophets counsell in Oaths which must be taken in Righteousnesse Judgement and Truth These things premised I proceed to the Oath it self only by the way let me put you in mind of your first Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy with your Protestation an Epitome of the former in these words I promise vow and protest to maintaine so far as lawfully I may his Majesties Royall Person Honor and Estate the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England c. For explanation whereof I referre you to what already hath been said concerning the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy advising every one to consider seriously that place in 30. Numb 2. Ver. If a man vow a Vow unto the Lord or sweare an Oath to bind his soule with a bond he shall not breake his word he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth We Noble-men Solemne League and Covenant Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgeffes Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England c. by the providence of God living under one King Vnder one King that according to common sense and reason must imply obedience and subjection in us unto him as a King enabled with power to governe and that obedience must presuppose a rule of reason and law now what that Law is I have already handled to square our actions of obedience by O that the people of England c. would in in this respect obey the Precept of Christ Give unto Caesar what belongs unto Caesar His Majestie never expected more then what the Law manifesteth to be justly his Witnesse all his Declarations why then should we give him lesse Nay endeavour to deprive him altogether of what we have neither reason nor just power to attempt And being of one reformed Religion The Covenant This must necessarily intend our Religion established a Religion that is not that shall be which Religion commandeth obedience to all His Majesties lawfull commands denieth the Subjects Liberty to take up armes against their lawfull Soveraigne acknowledgeth him to be Supreme in all causes and over all persons Vide homilies 37. Artic. Church Engl. as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill c. that to him properly and wholly belongeth the government of all Estates of this Realme therefore without and against his consent no different Government can be introduced Having before our eyes the glory of God Covenant God is never more glorified then when we expresse a willing obedience to his commands two whereof emphatically enjoyne obedience to Superiors and forbid wrong and prejudice to be offered by any to any one whomsoever First Honour thy Father and Mother that is all those that have authority over us as all Expositors upon good grounds render the meaning of it Secondly Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours house c. nor any thing that is his that is thou shalt not wish thy Neighbours hinderance in any thing much lesse deprive him of the least thing properly belonging unto him Vide the Margent of the Bible or you shall not offer any wrong to any man whomsoever whereby he may suffer damage in person estate reputation or otherwise for the word neighbour must be taken in a more extensive signification in the Commandement then we commonly use it O that every man with one eye fixed upon these two Commandements would with the other view what by the Law is justly due to his Majestie and Posterity and then consider c. Besides these you have the Prophets and Apopostles Pro. 27.29.30 speaking the same truth as Ambassadours from heaven Solomon adviseth us not to with-hold the goods from the owners thereof though there be power in thy hand to do it Prov. 3.27 29 30. nor to intend hurt against our neighbour seeing he doth dwell by us without * Feare that is putteth trust in us Pro. 24.21 Eccles 8.3 4. Vide margent in the Bible Covenant feare not to strive with a man causlesse seeing he hath done no harme My sonne fear the Lord and the King and meddle not with those that are given to change saith the same wiseman Take heed to the mouth of the King and to the Word of the Oath of God saith the Preacher that is obey the King and keep the Oath that thou had made for the same cause The advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ His Kingdome is never more advanced then when we obey his Precepts and imitate his practice Now his Precepts will appear in part Mat. 5.3.4 5.6.7.8.9.10.11.16 if we consider that in his Sermon upon the Mount after he had pronounced blessednesse to the poore in spirit to those that mourne to the meeke to those which hunger and thirst for righteousnesse to the pure in heart to peace-makers to those which suffer for righteousnesse sake to those that are falsly reviled and persecuted he addeth this Exhortation to his Apostles Let your light so shine that is let these things for which men shall be blessed practically appeare in your lives and conversations that so they may see your good workes that is others by your example of holinesse may be brought home to the fold of Christ and glorifie his Father which is in heaven And for his practise you may read it in respect of his paying tribute Matth 22.21 as also how that being brought before Rulers whom though causelesly reviling of him hee reviled not againe being led as a sheep to the slaughter and obedient unto death that thereby hee might be a patterne for our imitation to which purpose he invites us Follow me for I am lowly and meeke c. and in our imitation we must follow him in obeying his Messengers the Apostles counsells for they are sent from him and what their counsell was you may peruse Rom. 13. submit your selves unto the higher Powers c. 1 Pet. 2.13 14 17. be obedient to every Ordinance of man for
Royall off-spring the disturbance of the Peace of Church and State by complaining of their attempts and deeds to the Magistrate leaving them to the justice of the Law and lastly by reovering them by strength of holy arguments as with strong phisick from that infection of their judgment and consciences and their soul poysoning heresies praying continually in the fervency of the spirit for their conversion But before I proceed to the next words Extirpation of Church-Government by Bishops c. I must desire the Reader to reflect back upon what I have already written concerning the Limitations of an Oath briefly thus That no unlawfull Oath bindeth Vide fol. 46. nor must unlawfull means be used for the compassing or effecting any thing in it self lawfull c. Extirpation of Government by Arch-bishops Bishops Covenant their Chancellors c. That is by using all lawfull means warrantable by the law of God and the Kingdome to that end as petitioning the supream Magistrate the King or any other way if any other way can be imagined not I say intrenching upon the law of God For were an abolition hereof absolutely necessary conducing to the generall peace of the Kingdom as it is upon good grounds believed rather altogether distructive thereunto will you buy a temporall peace upon such unequal termes as to hazard your soul eternally unlesse the mercy of God interpose by wilfull perjury in the purchase and gain an eating curse to your Posterity by Sacriledge Besides it is against the Principles of all Governments the Law of God and the Land to enforce an alteration by bloody force as I have already shewed Nay you doe not onely hereby make your selves guilty of perjury treason bloud and sacriledge but you endeavour to compell His Majesty to the breach of His Oath taken at His Coronation wherein He swore to Defend the Bishops their priviledges and Churches under their government Again were the Presbyterian government absolutely good so out of necessity the Episcopal must be removed as it is not yet a bloudy eradication is proculdubio unlawfull for we must not do evill that good may come thereof we must not like mad Mariners desperately steer our course amongst Rocks hoping to arrive at a rich freight lest we shipwrack our selves here and lose the end of our voyage our hopes hereafter therefore let all men take heed of pretending a necessity of keeping this one Article of extirpation because they have so Covenanted unlesse they will make good also a necessity of breaking all Gods Commandements which is an high degree of Blasphemy to maintain for that is impia promissio quae sine scelere impleri non potest nonque obligat no Law obligeth in opposition to the Gods Law if it doth binde it is to a repentance only Therefore Recollect your thoughts now for your owne Experience cannot but acquainte you that a violent deprivation of the Kings Regall power was at first the contrivers designe and now plainly appeareth to be the Result of the Warre on their part and reflect upon the almost six years means made use of or rather sinnes committed to effect the accomplishment thereof as Envy Hatred Malice Hypocrisie publick pretences of Reformation private intentions of Eradication and Deformation revilings of His Majesties Royall Person and Government Scandalizing of the English Nationall Church abominable Lying contempt of Superiors forceing of mens Consciences Disloyalty Perjury Theft Bloodshedding nay all imaginable Sinnes with renewing of old Heresies and raising of all manner of Schismes Now if you love your selves and your soules and would not contract the guilt of all these sinnes upon your owne heads and as it were set your Seal of confirmation and approbation to the Sinnes of others thus heaping up wrath against the day of wrath be perswaded to desert these Plotters and their Designes persist not contrary to Reason and Religion in a rigid and sinfull keeping of that extirpating Article Now seeing the day-star appeareth and every one who formerly were wraped up in the night of mistakes and misapprehensions or blinded with the silken veile of a good Opinion of the Contrivers because outwardly they appeared in Angelicall habits may without spectacles read that their pretences were only to usher in the intention therefore the plea of ignorance and good meaning as formerly can no longer be used but be perswaded to come out from among these progressive ROOTERS lest continuing with them in Sinne you also with them partake of punishment For God is just as well as mercifull Superstition Covenant Heresie Schisme and Profanesse c. For the residue of this second Article having already written something which also may aptly be applyed to these when I handled the word Popery I shall only turne it into a Prayer yet because Schisme is joyned with the rest if it were a time in these sad times to jest I should make it good Rationally that your Contriving Presbyterians have in that Sworn against their owne Practice for although the Protestant Church like the Spouse in the Canticles is black that is not appearing genuina gloria by reason of stormy weather yet still she is Comly still in her doctrine and discipline unaltered remaining firme upon its old established foundation notwithstanding the violent Endeavours of their changing times nor was their Presbyterian Government then extant and as yet but an infant for want of the Royall assent being neither able to stand goe or speak they themselves also very well knew what the word Schisme in an Ecclesiasticall sense meaneth how that ille Schismaticus qui a ritu Ecclesiae petulanter ambitionis studio discedit that Separateth himselfe upon a proud Pharisaicall conceit of holinesse from the Communion of the Church in the performance of Religions acts But I passe that by Praying that God the searcher of all hearts would be pleased to root out of all our hearts and mindes the destroying blindnesse of Superstition the spreading Leprosie of Heresie the peace-Eating Gangren of Schisme the tainting Corrupt humours of Profanesse and all other things displeasing unto him and contrary to His word that we enjoy a blessed harmonious consent in Truth and Godlinesse expressing the power thereof in our lives and conversations and that the Lord may be One and his name One in these three Kingdomes We shall with the same sincerity c. 3 Article Covenant Endeavour to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament These are freedome of expressing mens judgements if taken in a comprehensive compleate sense King Lords and Commons power to repeal old and Establish new Lawes to which every Subject is bound to yeild obedience Only thus much let me adde that no Priviledges of one or both Houses can Patronize Treason Murder Vide Lex terrae J. Jenkens or breach of the Peace by their own confession nor is it indeed consonant to reason that they whose first institution was ordained for preservation should themselves practice or
command desolation whose Consultations should tend to the prevention of Treasonable and Rebellious excursions their concatenated effects dissolution of the band of a nationall Peace effusion of bloud by imposing to that purpose penalties punishments upon the offenders should amidst such consultations be practically guilty themselves of the same Crimes they should be guiltless that condemne the guilty Quae culpare soles ea tu ne feceris ipse Turpe est doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum Preserve the Liberties of the Kingdomes That is as Kingdomes having liberties by the Law and Custome thereof distinct one from the other Covenant to preserve each of them free from any usurping power and unlawfull intrenching one upon the Other And in this respect it were to be wished that our Northern friends had kept close in their practice and that England for the future would take care to defend its particular Interests Liberties of the Kingdomes not Libertinisme in a Kingdome But Liberties that is the Liberty of each man therein which as Natives or otherwise belong unto them according to the fundamentall Constitution and Law of each respective Nation now this Liberty must necessarily have a respect to all degrees of men therein Pray then let us not exclude the head of all the King as I have touched in my observation upon the preamble especially having sworn in the next Clause to Preserve and Defend the Kings Majesties Person Covenant c. That is Not to hazard His Person by opposing Armies in the field where the ignorant Bullet cannot distinguish persons Nor by administring the least occasion of heart-grieving melancholy sadnesse the slie yet certain impairers of health menacers of the bodies ruine nor by and actions or speeches derogatory to the honour of a King and not becomming the duty of a Subject for you all know what greived David most and who it was that said At quod tu facis hoc mihi dolet Subjects insurrections against and insolent abuses of their King like the apprehension of an injury received from an intimate friend non tam cito tangit quam penetrat like an arrow pierceth the very heart upon an instant therefore this is not the way to preserve the Kings person And Authority Now Covenant Vide more to make this good backward what that is I have already shewed how that to Him belongeth the power of making and repealing Lawes War or Peace c. In the preservation of the true Religion Liberties of the Kingdom Covenant This upon Rationall grounds must necessarily imply Religion and Liberties in esse not posse or velle as I have already observed Now both this Religion in esse by Law established and the Kingdomes Liberties His Majesty hath preserved stil doth even with the losse of his own Defence the Kingdomes true Liberties And for His Religion I attest His very Enemies confession to make good His constant Perseverance therein and preservation thereof my self in this particular esteeming it melius silere quam pauca dicere admiration supplying the place of Expression O therefore that the world may bear witnesse with your Consciences of your Loyalty that is Covenant faithfull obedience to your Soveraigne notwithstanding former aberrations through ignorance and that you for your parts had no thoughts or intents to diminish that just power and greatnesse which belongeth unto him by the Law Use your best endeavours to free Him from this unparallel'd and unjust restraint and restore Him to His Regall power and possession of His Royall prerogative Thus you will be instrumentall restorers of Englands Honour Peace and Glory and doe not content your selves as too many doe that you have only sworn to maintaine the Kings Just Rights when as your actions Endeavour the contrary or endeavour not at all the maintenance of them contrary unto this Clause of your Covenant We shall also with all faithfullnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants 4. Article Covenant orevill Instruments by hindring the Reformation of Religion c. Who hindreth Reformation and a reduction of Religion to the purity of practice but those who hitherto have countenanced and still connive at a Toleration of all Erroneous practices Schisme c. contrary to the second Article of this Covenant hereby making themselves guilty for Qui non vetat peccare cum potest Jubet Dividing the King from His people Are not they such dividers who have taken up armes only to deprive His Majesty of His Regall Power Declared him not in a condition to governe Covenant Answers to Scots Papers Novemb. 1647. Dec. Answer to Scots Papers 13 March 1647. band by imprisoment of Him disabled Him from performing His duty as a King by protecting His Subjects and by Proclamations enjoyning their Obedience to the established Lawes Who have divided the Kingdome from the King but such as by their actions Negat Oath Oathes and Declarations have endeavoured to frame Rem publicam in Regno Supreamacy in the people never heard of nor ever practised in this Nation before in opposition to His Majesties justly Supream power going about to transforme this Kingdome into a body with two heads which is monstrous and contrary to nature and to contrive two shining Suns in Englands Hemisphear which was ever ominous and Prognosticatours of Destruction O Deus bone in quae tempora reservasti Preserve us good God from confusion and suddaine ruine Who divide one Kingdom from another making factions among the people and causing fractions in their duties and affections but they that invite the assisting invasion of neighbour Nations maintaining Armies within its one bowells to effect an alteration of Government by force Who divide one Kingdome from another but they that neglect nay deny timely supplies whereby Ireland might have been reduced in Obedience to His Majesty and the Law of the Land the want whereof disabled the Protestant party there and enableth the Irish Papists to divide themselves from the Crown of England and Ireland endangering also the ruine of our own Nation and all these contrary to the common rules of Humanity much more Christianity and in opposition also to the Law of the Land and this League and Covenant thus rightly Rationally and Religiously expounded That they Covenant that is Incendiaries Malignants c. may be brought to publick triall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their Offences shall require For this part of the Article I have nothing to write but this Secundum Leges fiat Justitia may Justice take place running down like a stream yet because non sanguinis homo Misericordia praevaleat opto may they all finde pardon for their Treason and Rebellion against our Soveraign Lord the King the Laws in this world mercy forgiveness for all their sins against the God of Heaven in the world to come To this purpose it were to be wished
then to pardon and forgive injuries when it is in his power to be revenged Thus let us win all unto us and being won lock their affections and judgements by such Christian-like examples and like true followers of Christ pray for all men first for our Soveraigne Lord King Charls to this purpose O Thou Lord of Hosts pitch thou thy tent hourely round about Him be a shield to defend Him from all violent attempts against His Royall Person from cunning insinuations against His Honour Crowne and Dignity be thou good God His comforter in this His day of Tribulation permit not the waters of affliction to overwhelme His soul with sadnesse but continually supply Him with patience proportionable to His sufferings hasten hasten good Father His deliverance Restore Him unto His Regall Power and just Rights settle Him settle Him fast in His Throne place the Crown upon His head and suffer it not by the hands of Treason or Rebellion to be shaked or removed from Him or any of His Royall off-spring untill Shiloh come Blesse His Majesties Royall Consort our most gracious Queen Mary cause Her with Mary in the Gospel to choose that better part which never can be taken from Her Blesse protect and defend our Noble Prince Charls with the rest of His Majesties Princely Progeny Blesse these Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland and all degrees of men therein from the highest to the lowest Forgive the iniquity of the people turne us O Lord from our sins and we shall be turned take away the heavy judgement of the sword from us Restore our Peace renew and continue our Plenty comfort us according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted us according to the years that we have seen evil Take away all bitternesse of spirit revenge hatred and give us unity brotherly love and concord Blesse the famuos City of London grant the Inhabitants a serious consideration of their former wayes repentance and pardon for all their offences turne them turne them O Lord into thy paths Let thy word be a Light unto their feet and thy testimonies a guide unto their step Restore unto them their ancient Government and to that end give them Governours Magistrates and all other Officers according to thy own will Religious not Rebellious faithfull not factious carefull to discharge that trust which God and His Scared Majesty shal intrust them with propounding thy Law for their imitation the knowne Laws of the Land for their direction studying onely the glory of thee our God the Honour of our Royall Soveraigne and His Posterity The peace and plenty wealth and weale prosperity and happinesse of all their fellow Citizens from the greatest to the least and meanest Preserve them and the whole City from the boundlesse rage of devouring fire from Plague pestilentiall diseases fâ—mine defend it from the ravenous violence of maliciously ambitious men from being tyrannized over oppressed by the insulting sword let not O let not the wealth and glory thereof nor any of the Inhabitants be exposed a prey to the unsatiable fury of avaricious revengefull blood-thirsty men purge it from all heresie schisme profanenesse and whatsoever is contrary to thy word and Commandments and to this purpose bestow upon them faithful dispensers of thy Word feeing their flocks with wholsome food not leading them unto Rockie Mountaines to famish nor leaving them amongst Wolves killing heresies to be destroyed not giving the children of thy family either for fear or hope stones instead of bread Serpents in place of Fishes not Preaching themselves but the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in truth and sincerity O Let not my Lord be angry and I will speak but this once Be thou O Almighty Omnipotent God a strong tower of defence to all the particular Citizens Members of that Honourable Corporation with all the rest of the people within His Majesties Realms and Dominions high and low rich and poor young and old even from our Soveraigne Lord the King to the tender infant newly stept into the world out of the darke prison of the wombe and together with them all others belonging to His Royall * Eng. Scot. Irel. Family and household wheresoever dispersed Take thou every one of them into thy all-securing protection give them blessings proportionable to their severall degrees conditions and necessities showre downe thy blessings upon all men from one end of the earth to the other Let the sun-shine of thy Gospel breake forth in all dark corners of the world dispelling the black clouds of Judaisme Turcisme Paganisme and all other Errours whatsoever Accomplish the number of thy Elect and then come Lord Jesus come quickly Grant these Petitions O thou Father of all mercies and God of all consolations for the sake of thy Son our Saviour to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit be ascribed all Honour and Glory now and for evermore Amen Amen Amen Soli Deo gloria Si quid novisti rectius istis Imperti si non his utere mecuâ—â— FINIS