A DISCOURSE OF THE RELIGION OF ENGLAND ASSERTING That REFORMED CHRISTIANITY setled in its Due Latitude is the Stability and Advancement of this KINGDOM LONDON Printed in the Year M. DC LX. VII THE PREFACE REligion being deeply imprinted in Humane Nature and having a great Power over it and being more notably displayed in the present Age is become the Grand Interest of States and almost of all men though not after the same manner nor upon the same Grounds and Motives For this cause whether it comes in Truth or in Shew only it is found to rule and turn about the great Affairs of the World And though many things of different nature may have great influence on the State of this Kingdom yet Religion and Matters of Conscience evidently appear to have the greatest The distinguishing of Persons for the favour or disfavour of the Times yea the very Names of Discrimination pass upon the account of Religious Differences The Active part of all sorts and ranks of men is hereby chiefly swayed in their Motions and their Affections move more importunately in this One then in all their other Concernments Wherefore if a Settlement may be found out which may accommodate all those Parties or Perswasions in which the Peace of the Nation is bound up it will prove the undoubted Interest of this State And if such a Settlement be likewise found to be the true and sound state of Religion it must needs be acceptable to the faithful Servants of Christ and the true Lovers of their Country Now the Adventure of this Discourse is to Assert That Reformed Christianity rightly stated and setled in its due Latitude is the Stability and Advancement of the Kingdom of England Nothing is here suggested for Politick Ends to corrupt the Purity or enervate the Power of Religion or to lessen Charity but the Fatherly Compassion of Rulers and the mutual Brotherly Condescention of all Christians required by the Law of Christ and some Connivence in case of insuperable Necessities and that for the Truth 's sake is here propounded Episcopacy is not undermined nor any other Form of Government here insinuated only a Relaxation of the Prescribed Uniformity and some Indulgence to Dissenters of Sound Faith and Good Life is submissively offered to the Consideration of our Superiors All Pragmatical Arrogance presuming to give Rules to Governours and to teach them what to do is carefully avoided only the Possibility Expediency and Necessity of Moderation is represented And it is humbly desired That this Honest Intention in pursuance of Peace may find a favourable Reception The Contents SEct. 1. The Religion of this Realm and Three different parties of most important consideration The Protestants of the Church of England the Protestant Nonconformists and the Papists Sect. 2. The Behaviour and Pretension of the Popish Party in these times Sect. 3. That Popery disposeth Subjects to Rebellion Sect. 4. That it persecutes all other Religions within its reach Sect. 5. That where soever it finds Encouragement it is restless till it bears down all before it or hath put all in disorder Sect. 6. The Papists Pretension of Loyalty and Merit in the Kings Cause examined Sect. 7. The result of the whole Discourse touching the Popish Party Sect. 8. That the Reformed Religion makes good Christians and good Subjects Sect. 9. The Reformed Religion is the permanent Interest of this Kingdom Sect. 10. It is for the behoof of Religion and true Piety and for the Interest of this State That Reformed Christianity be setled in its full Extent Sect. 11. How momentous in the Ballance of the Nation those Protestants are that dissent from the present Ecclesiastical Polity Sect. 12. The Extirpation of the Dissenters is both difficult anaunprofitable Sect. 13. The Representation of this Difficulty is no threatning to Rulers or intimation of Rebellion Sect. 14. The setling of the Nation by an Established Order a Toleration and a Connivence Sect. 15. Of the Established Order in Religion and the Moderation therein required Sect. 16. Whether the Dissenters are capable of being brought into such a Comprehension Sect. 17. Acquiescence in the widened Establishment is the safety of Religion Sect. 18. Of Toleration and Connivence Sect. 19. Dissenters of narrow and rigid Principles advised to Moderation Sect. 20. This comprehensive state of Religion further considered with respect to Three Important Interests First To that of the King Sect. 21. Secondly To the Interest of the Church and Clergy Sect. 22. Thirdly To the Interest of the Nobility and Gentry Sect. 23. The general Security that comes by this Latitude ERRATA Page 9. line 2. read in King James his time p. 5. l. 18. r. Arts of Rome p. 31. l. 31. r. exacted A DISCOURSE OF THE RELIGION of ENGLAND SECT I. The Religion of this Realm and three different Parties of most important consideration The Protestants of the Church of England the Protestant Nonconformists and the Papists THE Religion of England considered not only as established by Law but as rooted in the Nation and generally embraced is that which is called Protestant and is no other then Christianity recovered out of the Antichristian Apostacy and reformed from the Corruptions of later Ages after the Primitive Purity receiving the holy Scriptures as the perfect Rule of Christian Faith and Life How beit in this Realm there be three different Parties of most important consideration The first consists of those Protestants that zealously adhere to the English Ecclesiastical Polity and call themselves the Church of England The second sort is of those Protestants that receive the Doctrine of Faith contained in the Articles of Religion but are dissatisfied in the form of Ecclesiastical Polity These by their Adversaries have been usually called Puritans The third is of those that utterly reject the Reformation and remain united to the Pope as their Spiritual Head and call themselves Roman-Catholicks Hereupon an impartial serious Observer respecting the Common Good may be induced to make inquiry How agreeable or dis-harmonious each of these Three are to the Publick Weal as also What proportion they bear to each other and whether those under the Legal Establishment or the Dissenters preponderate in the Ballance of the Nation or whether the Established preponderate in that degree which is requisite in true reason of Government SECT II. The Behaviour and Pretensions of the POPISH Party in these Times THE Roman-Catholicks in England considered not barely in their Number but in their Rank and Quality being Rich and Powerful and Strong in Alliances are very momentous and seem to be capable of great Designs especially in conjunction with Foreign Interests In these times they have taken much Liberty and Boldness with an undisturbed Security and lately have been observed to be more then ordinarily active jocund and confident of the effect of their Mutual Correspondencies and manifold passages of dangerous appearance have been every where spoken of in so much that the Nation hath taken an Alarm and
the Stabbing and Poysoning of Princes that stood in their way which the Jesuits teach their Disciples SECT IX The Reformed Religion is the permanent Interest of this Kingdom AS the Protestant or Reformed Religion is the true Primitive Christianity so it is the stable and permanent Interest of England and the sure Foundation of its Prosperity The King of England is the most Mighty Prince of this Profession and becomes the more Potent over Christendom by being the Head and Chief of the whole Protestant Party And it is well known That by the Support and Defence of this Cause the Nation hath encreased in Honour and Wealth and Power The Peoples rooted Aversness from Popery is most apparent and their Jealousies work upon any more then usual Insolence or Confidence of the Papists The Royallists as well as others have been Allarm'd and manifested their Zeal against it And His Majesties Aversness from it is so fully declared by His Constancy amidst Temptations in the time of His Exile and now since His Return that for His Honours sake it is made very penal for any to suggest that He would introduce it the Law presuming That such suggestion must needs proceed from an evil mind And what Prince that hath cast off the Popes yoke would willingly come under it again A Foreign Statesman of the Roman Profession hath observed it as a Barr against the projected Reconciliation between England and Rome That it could not be effected without Concessions on both sides contrary to the Maxims of both parties This Realm saith he is perversly addicted to maintain its own resolute Opinion of Excluding the Popes Authority And the Court of Rome is more sollicitous to remove whatsoever is contrary to its Temporal Grandure then to extirpate such Heresies as this Realm is infected with To instance in that one point of the Approbation or Toleration of the Oath of Allegiance though some Catholick Doctors had with their Tongues and Pens maintained the lawfulness of that Oath yet thereby and by opening some other points of high consequence they had so displeased the Pope that could they have been catch't they were sure to have been burn'd or strangled for it But what allurement is there to dispose the Monarchs of the Earth to subject themselves to the Sacerdotal Empire of Rome or to endeavour an Accommodation with it Hath Popery its advantages to dispose Subjects to security and blind obedience So it hath its advantages to loosen the Bonds of Allegiance and foment Rebellion in Subjects when Protestancy seasons them with principles of unstained Loyalty A people nuzled in ignorance and superstition are more easily seduced from their obedience to Magistrates and carried headlong by those that have dominion over their Consciences But Understanding and Knowledg makes men considerate and more easily manageable by a just and prudent Government As for the Clergy's Interest though the Protestant Religion doth not affect that excessive Pomp and Splendor of Church-men which the Popish doth yet it is taken for granted That neither Conscience nor Interest will permit the Bishops and Clergy of England to unite to the See of Rome Their Doctrine is too pure and their Judgment too clear for a full compliance with Popery And they know what it is to come under the Papal Yoke to divest themselves and receive new Orders from Rome and to be displaced and set behind the Veteran Soldiers of the Roman Camp whose turns must be first served SECT X. It is for the behoof of Religion and true Piety and for the Interest of this State That Reformed Christianity be setled in its full Extent IF it be resolved That Protestancy is the truth of Christianity and also the stability of England it follows That this Profession must not be streightned and lessened but inlarged and cherished according to its true Extent and the Rule and Square of the Ecclesiastical State must be commensurate thereunto It should be the measure of all mens Zeal and Activity in Rites and Opinions whatsoever is necessary to its support and advancement is constantly to be asserted and about things impertinent thereunto contention should utterly cease This is to advance the Kingdom of God among men and to encrease the Church's glory upon earth But by needless Schisms and Factions to weaken the common Interest of Reformed Christianity is to dissipate the Church of God and to defeat the great Ends of the Christian Religion which are Sound and strong Faith in Christ and his Promises unfeigned devotion purity of heart innocence and integrity of life common charity brotherly love humility mutual forbearance and condescention unshaken peace and concord As this Latitude promotes the great Designs of Christs Gospel so it settles this Nation and is for matter of Religion its right and sure Basis. Every good Foundation lyes adequate to the Building to be laid thereon So any Polity Civil or Ecclesiastical should be proportionate to the people to be governed thereby The people that are of moment in the Ballance of this Nation are though not universally yet more generally rooted in Protestantism as it is taken in its due latitude and not as unduly restrained by the passions and interests of men For in this they are one though divided about lesser things There hath been much discord between men of several Perswasions that throughly accord with each other in the same common Faith as almost to expunge one another out of the List of Protestants Surely this is a great error and a disadvantage on all hands as well to those that stand on the Vantage-ground as to others For they that carry it after this sort do weaken the Common Interest of true Religion and strengthen the Common Adversary that is irreconcilable and disparage themselves as a narrow Party or Faction That all those who heartily embrace the English Reformation established by Law are Protestants will not be questioned by men of temperate spirits And concerning the residue let the sober-minded judge Whether they that assent to the Doctrine of Faith contained in the Articles of the Church of England and do worship God according to that Faith have right to be esteemed Protestants Now if Protestancy taken in its due Extent doth sway the Nation and is able to settle its Peace against the Competition of any Rival should it not be encompassed according to that Extent as much as is possible in the Polity of this State SECT XI How momentous in the Ballance of the Nation those Protestants are that dissent from the present Ecclesiastical Polity VVHether cogent Reason speaks for this Latitude be it now considered How momentous in the Ballance of this Nation those Protestants are which are dissatisfied in the present Ecclesiastical Polity They are every where spred through City and Countrey they make no small part of all ranks and sorts of men by Relations and Commerce they are so woven into the Nations Interest that it is not easie to sever them without unravelling the whole
of violence evidently destroys their Interest which stands in maintaining such works and providing such things as are profitable to the Commonwealth that it may be known that the publike good consists by them as much as by others To abide in their stations to have patience under grievances to sweeten their Governors by humility and modesty is their best security who stand or fall together with the true Interest of the Nation Nevertheless though a peoples discomposure doth not forespeak Warrs and Tumults yet it may denounce Woe and Misery Can nothing undo a Kingdom but Rebellion and Treason Was there ever a greater Separation from the Church of England then now is Was there ever less satisfaction among Multitudes every where tâ—at do yet frequent her Assemblies A State that is free from violent Convulsive motions may fall into a Paralytick or Hectick Distemper or an Atrophy The Current of Vital Blood may be stopt in its Veins There be sullen Mutinies that make no noise but may loosen all the Joynts and Ligaments of Policy SECT XIV The Setling of the Nation by an Established Order a Toleration and a Connivence IF the Interest both of Reformed Christianity and of this Kingdom require a more comprehensive state of Religion the true Extent of that State will be no impertinent or unmeet Inquiry Such is the complicated condition of Humane Affairs that it is exceeding difficult to devise a Rule or Model that shall provide for all whom Equity will plead for Therefore the Prudent and Sober will acquiesce in any Constitution that is in some good sor proportionable to the Ends of Government All that are thought fit to abide with security in any state may be reduced to Three sorts First Those that are of the Established and Approved Order 2. Such as may be Tolerated under certain Restrictions 3. Such as may be only connived at And accordingly the Setling of a Nation may be made up of an Establishment a Limited Toleration and a Discreet Connivence To be comprehended within the Establishment it is requisite not only to be of importance in the Publick Interest but also of Principles congruous to such stated Order in the Church as the stability of the Commonwealth requires As for the two later Toleration and Connivence they must be regulated with respect not only to common Charity but also to the Safety of the Established Order SECT XV. Of the Established Order in RELIGION and the Moderation therein required AS for the Established Order we presume not here to intermeddle with the Form or Species of Church-Government but only to consider the prescribed Uniformity of Judgment and Practice Evident reason speaks That this be not narrow but as broad and comprehensive as it is possible that of it self by its own force it may be chief in sway and controle all dissenting parties On the other hand it must not be loose and incoherent but well compacted that it may attain the Ends of Discipline which are to promote sound Doctrine and godly life and to keep out Idolatry Superstition and all wicked Error and Practice that tends to the defeating of the Power of Christian Verity Now these Ends do not require a Constitution of narrower bounds then things necessary to Christian Faith and Life and godly Order in the Church These things must be maintained and clearly stated but whatsoever is more then these may be matter of good intention and devotion to some but an occasion of stumbling to others If it be said Who shall judg what things are necessary This doubt might soon be resolved if passion and prejudice and private ends were vanquished But however let it be put to the Reason and Conscience of the Church of England Why should not the great things of Christianity in the hands of wise Builders be a sufficient Foundation of Church-Unity and Concord What need hath the Church to enjoyn more then what is necessary to Faith and Order Is not Moderation and Charity far more excellent then glorying in Opinions Formalities and petty matters to the regret of many Consciences What if those that question her Injunctions should be weak nice and captious It is about matters of Divine Worship wherein God hath proclaimed his Jealousie and therefore if they being over-jealous do erre they deserve pity Our Eccleasiastical Superiors are here earnestly besought Calmly and seriously to review the prescribed Uniformity and to consider how some parts thereof which at the best are but things indifferent have been long disputed and by what manner of men and what hath been argued for and against them and how this Difference hath held and still encreased from Bishop Hooper in King Edward's time to the present Non-conformists and then to judg whether a rational and conscientious man may not possibly dissent from some of these things or at least doubt of their Lawfulness and in case of such dissenting or doubting what he should do seeing the Apostle saith in the case of Meats He that doubts is damned if he eat because he eateth not of faith Can a man by Subscription and Practice allow those things which his Conscience rationally doubts to be sinful It is Honour and Power enough for the Church to be enabled by her Authority to inforce Gods Commandments She is observed and honoured as a Mother indeed when by her Wisdom and Care her Children walk orderly according to the Christian Institution and it may suffice her to chastise those of them that walk contrary to Christ. Though she be of venerable Authority yet she doth not claim an Infalâ—ibility and therefore she cannot settle the Conscience by her sole Warrant but still leaves room for doubting And in prescribed Forms and Rites of Religion the Conscience that doth its office will inevitably interpose and concern it self and it being unsatisfied â—arrs and râ—nts will follow Woful Experience cryes unâ—â— us No more of such Injunctions then needs must The indisputable Truths of Faith and the indispensable Duties of Life are the main object of Church-Discipline therefore an ill choice is made when the vigor of Discipline is exercised about lesser and more dispensable things of meer Humane Determination The Sons of the Church of England commend the Moderation used in the Articles of Religion being formed in words of that extent that men of different Perswasions about the Doctrines of Predestination Divine Grace and Free-will did alike subscribe them Nevertheless the present Orders and Ceremonies inexorably imposed have been as much disputed among the Godly Learned as those different Opinions about the Doctrines aforesaid and yet who can think they are of as much importance to the Substance of Religion Moreover men might more easily agree in the use of these little things or of some of them were their Internal Judgments spared and Subscriptions not injoyned They may bear with others in the practice of some things which themselves cannot practice They may submit to some things which they cannot approve and that not for
invincibly possess the Judgment in that case Christian Humility and Charity as well as Discretion adviseth such persons to acquiesce in their private Security and Freedom and not to reach after that Liberty that may unsettle the Publick Order and undermine the Common Safety SECT XX. This Comprehensive State of Religion further considered with respect to Three important Interests â—irst to that of the KING FOR the removing of all conâ—â—â—ved Prejudices let this desired Latitude of Religion be considered with respect to the several Interests of the King of the Church and Clergy and of the Nobility and Gentry First let it be examined in reference to the Interest of Regal Majesty The Non-conformists and other inclinable to their way are by some charged with such Principles as detract much from Kingly Power and Dignity and tend to advance Popular Faction It is confessed they have been eager Assertors of Legal Liberties yet herein they were not singular but in almost all PARLIAMENTS have had the concurrence of many good Patriots that were not touch'd with the least tincture of Puritanism They profess much affection to MONARCHY and the Royal Family and think they have made it appear by their hazardous declaring against the designed Death of our late Soveraign and their vigorous Actings for the Restitution of His Majesty that now is They are so well satisfied as none more in the Ancient Fundamental Constitution of this Kingdom This Arraignment of their supposed Principles about Government may haply proceed upon Mistake There is reason enough to think That the many late Disputes about Prerogative and Liberty are Controversiae ortae non primae that they had their rise from something else which lyes at the bottom Both former and present time do shew That the Anti-Puritan Interest when occasion serves and the urgency of Affairs requires can contest with Princes and pretend Conscience too in crossing their Designs Inclinations and Interests more then Speculative Opinions will be found to have born the sway and caused those active motions on the one hand and the other These Dogmata or Problemes about Obedience and Government do but little where mens Affections and Concernments do not give them spirit and vigor The practical Judgment of Inferiors hath a bias in this case according to their Superiors Benignity or Asperity towards them High strains of speech may easily proceed from such as flatter their Governors or know not themselves but they are worthy of credit that speak credible things The wise man saith He that repeateth a matter separateth very friends A looking back to former discords marrs the most hopeful Redintegration Acts of Indempnity are Acts of Oblivion also and must be so observed Let not the way of Peace be barr'd by the framing of such Tests as may perplex the minds of men but add no real security to the Higher Powers For as some set their wits a work in framing so do others in evading the designs of such Engagements And of those that devise how to evade them some may deal seriously and others perhaps may trifle with Conscience but the internal Judgments of both remain what they were before The common Evasions or Violations of such bonds among all parties in our times do shew That they are not the way to root out inveterate Opinions But there is a surer way to obviate the evil tendency of such Opinions and to render them ineffectual For it is not this or that narrow conception or notion but some greater thing that rules the actions of humane life The condition of the dissatisfied may without damage or just scandal to any be made such That their far greater number shall not long for changes but gladly embrace present things and then the implacably evil-minded would want matter to work upon and rest without hope of disturbing the Publick Peace Moreover all Loyal Principles are not inclosed in some Positions in which may be much variety and uncertainty of opinion and in which both Theological and Political Casuists and they great Assertors of Monarchical Government have written doubtfully Men of different apprehensions in such things may be indued with the same prudence soberness common charity love of Publick Tranquility reverence of Regal Majesty conscience of Allegiance and an awful regard of Divine and Humane Laws Men of nicer Judgments may have as loyal hearts as those of greater latitude And why should the judgments of such men be rack'd and their spirits vexed with curious scrutinies The ancient Sacred Bonds of Fidelity are not questioned and if they do not what others can oblige and awe the Conscience The extent of Prerogatives Royal of the Priviledges of PARLIAMENTS and of the Peoples Immunities is not matter fit for common disquisition but requires to be kept among the Secrets of Government It might have been far better if these points had been more gently and warily handled on all sides The English in general are an ingenuous and open-hearted people and if unlucky accidents discompose them not they are of themselves disposed to have their Kings in great veneration and doubtless their satisfaction and good estate is their Soveraigns true repose SECT XXI Secondly To the Interest of the Church and Clergy IN the next place let this Comprehensive state be examined with respect to the Interest of the Church of England The Doctrine of Faith and Sacraments by Law established is heartily received by the Non-conformists and it is like to be the Basis of their standing in England as long as Protestant Religion stands How far they approve Episcopacy and Liturgy hath been above declared Their dissent is in some parts of Divine Worship as they say not appointed of God but devised by men also in the frame of the English Hierarchy as it differs from the Ancient Episcopacy and they avow they are under no obligation to extirpate or impeach that ancient Form The Ministers of this Perswasion are Godly and Learned able and apt to teach the people and no small part of the Congregations in England feel the loss of them Doth the Lord of the Harvest command that such Labourers be thrust out of his Service And will the chief Shepherd at his appearing justifie this usage of his faithful Servants The Bishops and dignified Clergy and those of their Perswasion have the advantage of Law and Power But can they believe that the Church of God in these Nations is terminated in them alone It is hoped that Christ hath a larger Interest in these Realms Shall it be said of the English Prelacy That it cannot stand without the ejection of Thousands of Orthodox Pious Ministers Or that it dreads a general diffusion of knowledg in the people Or that this is a Maxime thereof No Ceremony no Bishop as if the Bishop's work were at an end and his office of no force if Ceremonies were left indifferent Is an Ecclesiastical Government that pleads Apostolical Institution and Universal reception so weak and feeble that godly and peaceable men
the succesful execution thereof is received at Rome with joy and triumph as the Murtherers in the Parisian Massacre were highly extolled by the Pope and rewarded with such spiritual Graces as his Holiness useth to bestow SECT V. That wheresoever it finds Encouragement it is restless till it bears down all before it or hath put all in disorder MAy we judg by these things how a Party devoted to the See of Rome are to be trusted and cherished in a Protestant Nation who mind the securing of themselves and their posterity from the sharpest Persecutions especially considering the Third Branch of the Charge That in any State where they find advantage or fit matter to work upon they are restless till they bear down all or put all in disorder Popery hath its formed Combinations and seâ—led Correspondencies over all Christendom under the Supreme Direction and Government of the Congregation at Rome for the propagation of the Faith which sent over swarms of Seminary Priests Jesuits and Fryars of all sorts who made their Hives in England The several PARLIAMENTS of the later times of King James represented to the King how the Popish Recusants had dangerously increased their Numbers and Insolencies having great expectation from the Treaties with Spain and the interposing of Foreign Princes for Indulgence to them how they openly and usually resorted to the Churches and Chappels of Foreign Ambassadors their more then usual concourse to the City and their frequent Conventicles and Conferences there how their children were educated in many Foreign Seminaries appropriated to the English Fugitives what swarms of Priests and Jesuits came into the Land many Popish and Seditious Books licentiously printed and dispersed From which Causes as from bitter Roots most dangerous Effects both to Church and State would follow For the Popish Religion is incompatible with ours it draws with it an unavoidable dependance upon Foreign Princes it opens a wide gap for popularity in any who shall draw too great a party it hath a restless spirit and will strive by these gradations If it once get connivance it will press for Toleration if that should be obtained it must have an Equality from thence it will aspire to a Superiority and never rest till it hath wrought the subversion of true Religion In the several PARLIAMENTS of King Charles the First not one Publick Grievance was more insisted on then the Growth of POPERY In the Third PARLIAMENT of that King at a Conference between the Lords and Commons about Popish Recusants one of the Principal Secretaries of State spake thus Give me leave to tell you what I know That These now both vaunt at home and write to their Friends abroad they hope all will be well and doubt not to prevail and win ground upon us And a little to awaken the Care and Zeal of our Learned and Grave Fathers it is fit that they take notice of that Hierarchy which is already Established in competition with their Lordships For they have already a Bishop consecrated by the Pope This Bishop hath his subalternate Officers of all kinds as Vicars General Arch-Deacons Rural Deans Apparitors and such like neither are these nominal and titular Officers alone but they all execute their Jurisdiction and make their ordinary Visitation throughout the Kingdom keep Courts and determine Ecclesiastical Causes and which is an argument of more consequence they keep ordinary intelligence by their Agents at Rome and hold correspondencies with the Nuncio's and Cardinals both at Bruxels and in France Neither are the Seculars alone grown to this height but the Regulars are more active and dangerous and have taken deep root They have already planted their Societies and Colledges of both Sexes They have setled Revenues Houses Libraries Vestments and all other necessary provisions to travel or stay at home nay even at this time they intend to hold a concurrent Assembly with this Parliament In Ireland a Popish Clergy far more numerous then the Protestant was in full exercise of all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction by Arch-Bishops Bishops Vicars General Officiats and a Vicar Apostolical And they had a special Cardinal at Rome for their Protector Among other Projects a Consultation and Overture of reconciling England and Rome was set on foot Some of Eminency in the Church of England gave advantage to the Project by declaring That only the Puritans among the Protestants and the Jesuits among the Papists obstructed the Peace of Christendom Some prime Agent of the Pope made a solemn offer of a Cardinalship to Bishop Laud at the time of his translation to the See of Canterbury Sancta Clara presumed to dedicate his Book to the King wherein the Articles of the Church of England were examined by the Roman Standard and distorted to the sense of the Council of Trent The Pope had Three Nuncio's Panzani Con and Roseti successively residing in England to work upon this State by advantage of the Project of Reconciliation This Faction had many Irons in the Fire and many strings to their Bow They had their Agents in Court City and Country They had their Spyes in the Houses of great men and such as kept continual watch over them that had the chief sway of Publick Affairs Their work was to raise and foster Jealousies between the King and His People to cast things into the hurry of Faction Prejudice and confused Motion And whether the Court or Popular Faction prevailed they thought it equally advantagious to their Designs which was to unsettle the present State and work Mutations Such Incendiaries are the Factors of Rome and such busie Engineers in the Confusions of Christendom Can any that considers the foregoing passages doubt of the powerful and special Agency of the Court of Rome in the Commotions that followed A Venetian Agent in England intimate with Nuncio Panzani and privy to all his Negotiations made this Observation If one may make judgment of things future by things past this Realm so divided into many Factions in matter of Religion and that of the Catholick increasing daily will in time be troubled and torn with Civil Warrs SECT VI. The PAPISTS pretension of Loyalty and Merit in the King's Cause Examined THE great Plea and boasting of the Romanists is Their pretension of Merit in the King's Cause The truth is the Papists knew that the PARLIAMENT was fully bent and deeply engaged against them and therefore despaired of any good to themselves by a direct and open compliance with them whatever undiscerned influence they might have on their Counsels So that Necessity made them to serve the King in that Warr. And they brought neither Success nor Reputation to His Majesties Affairs nor did He care to own their Assistance more then as justified by the present necessity And they have little reason to upbraid the Protestants with the scandal of that Warr for whatsoever was alledged in defence thereof by the PARLIAMENT and their Adherents as much hath been written by very Eminent School-men and Doctors
unworthy Ends but for Conscience sake and chuse rather to acquiesce in a Tolerable State which for the main is sound and good rather then to endeavour a total Change which may be mischievous and at best is full of hazard Wise men know That by hasty Changes they do not come to rest and quietness but only change their Old Grievances for New ones If Practice sufficiently uniform that is to say without any scandalous difference may be obtained from men of different Perswasions Why should Uniformity of Judgment be exalted and men tempted in doubtful points to set their Consciences on the Rack If any number of Dissenters were willing to do their uttermost towards Compliance why should needless Choak-pears which they could not swallow be forc'd upon them If the Church's Authority be had in reverence if Order and Peace be kept what matter is it from what speculative Principles such observance proceeds Though a man so complying be not of the same mind with his Superiors yet he may have this honest Catholick Principle To promote the common Interest of Reformed Christianity and to dread the weakning and shattering of it by needless Schisms As for a narrow-bounded Uniformity both in Opinions and petty Observations it is no more necessary in the Church then Uniformity of Complexions and Visages in the same Civil State and is indeed no more attainable where a generous Freedom of Judgment is allowed SECT XVI Whether the Dissenters are capable of being brought into such a Comprehension VVHilst Reason is urged on their behalf that are left without the lines of the present Establishment some haply may ask Will they themselves hearken to reason Be it supposed that some among them seem not reducible to a due publick Order but another sort there are and those of chiefest moment whose principles are fit for Government the stability whereof hath been experimented in those Countreys where they have had the effectual concurrence of the Civil Powers Their Way never yet obtained in England nor were they ever favoured with the Magistrates vigorous aid so much as for an Accommodation with the Established Polity But their difficulties have still encreased and how streight soever the Terms imposed on them were in times before the after-times have still made them streighter Wherefore if they have been too much addicted to their own Opinions or have committed some errors in the management of their Affairs it is no marvel It was not easie for them being destitute of the Magistrates influence and lying under great discouragement and disadvantage always to keep stable and sure footing in such a slippery place as Church-Discipline The asserting of their Discipline is not here intended but the Inquiry is Whether they be of a Judgment and Temper that makes them capable of being brought under the Magistrates Paternal Care and Conduct to such a stated Order as will comport with this Church and Kingdom This is no undertaking Discourse it presumes only to offer its Reason to equal and impartial Readers When a Divine of great fame and of much esteem with the chiefest of the English Clergy was taxed by the Jesuit his Adversary for being no Protestant as refusing to subscribe the Nine and thirty Articles he judged it a sufficient Answer to testifie his belief That the Doctrine of this Church was so pure and holy that whosoever lived according to it should undoubtedly be saved that there was nothing in it that might give just cause to any to forsake the Communion or disturb the Peace thereof Who or what is there almost that this or the like Latitude would not encompass when hearty endeavours are put forth to gain men The same Catholick Spirit may dwell both in larger and stricter judgments One that cannot subscribe to all things contained in a Volume of Doctrines and Rules compiled by men subject to error may be ready to joyn with any Church not depraved in the substance of Religion that doth not impose upon his belief or practice things unsound or doubtful as the terms of her Communion The Presbyterians generally hold the Church of England to be a true Church though defective in its Order and Discipline and frequent the Worship of God in the publike Assemblies And many of those that press earnestly after further Reformation do yet communicate as well in the Sacraments as the Word Preached and Prayer And a way might be opened for many more to do as much by a safe and easie condescention of those in Authority The Ministers of the Presbyterian Perswasion in their Proposals presented to His Majesty declare That they do not nor ever did renounce the true Ancient Primitive Episcopacy or Presidency as it was ballanced or managed by a due commixtion of Presbyters therewith That they are satisfied in their judgments concerning the Lawfulness of a Liturgy or Form of Worship and they Petition His Majesty That for the setling of the Church in Unity and Peace some Learned Godly and Moderate Divines indifferently chosen may be employed to compile a Form as much as may be in Scripture-words or at least to Revise and effectually Reform the Old Concerning Ceremonies they profess to hold themselves obliged in every part of Divine Worship to do all things decently and in order and to be willing therein to be determined by Authority in such things as being meerly circumstantial are common to humane actions and are to be ordered by the Light of Nature and Humane Prudence according to the general Rules of Gods Word But as for divers Ceremonies formerly retained in the Church of England in as much as they contribute nothing to the necessary decency which the Apostle required and draw too near the significancy and moral efficacy of Sacraments and have been rejected together with Popery by many of the Reformed Churches abroad and ever since the Reformation have been matter of endless Dispute in this Church and an occasion of great seperation and are at the best indifferent and in their own nature mutable they desire they be not imposed and they heartily acknowledg his Majesty to be Supreme Governour over all Persons and over all Things and Causes in these his Dominions Upon these Proposals His Majesty in His Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs hath thus graciously expressed himself We must for the Honour of all those of either Perswasion with whom We have conferred declare That the Professions and Desires for the advancement of true Piety and Godliness are the same their professions of Zeal for the Peace of the Church the same of Affection and Duty to Us the same They all approve Episcopacy they all approve a set-form of Liturgy and they all disapprove and dislike the sin of Sacriledg and Alienation of the Revenues of the Church And if upon these Excellent Foundations in submission to which there is such a harmony of Affections any Superstructure should be raised to the shaking of these Foundations or the contracting and lessening of the blessed gift of
Charity which is a vital part of Christian Religion We shall think our selves very unfortunate and even suspect that We are defective in that Administration of Government with which God hath intrusted Us. After these things the Ministers commissioned for the Review of the Liturgy in their account of that Business thus address themselves to His Majesty Though the Reverend Bishops have not had time to consider of our Additions to the Liturgy and of our Reply We humbly crave that it may be considered before a Determination be made Though we seem to have laboured in vain we shall lay this Work of Reconciliation at Your Majesties feet We must believe that when Your Majesty took our Consent to a Liturgy to be a Foundation that would infer our Concord You meant not that we should have no Concord but by consenting to this Liturgy without any considerable Alterations And when Your Majesty commanded us by Letters Patents to meet about such Alterations as were needful or expedient to give satisfaction to tender Consciences and the restoring and continuing of Peace and Unity We rest assured it was not Your Majesties sense that those tender Consciences should be forced to practice all which they judg unlawful or not so much as a Ceremony should be abated them or that our Treaty was only to convert either party to the Opinion of another and that all our hopes of Liberty and Concord consisted only in disputing the Bishops into Non-conformity or coming in every Ceremony to their mind This is the Church's misery That when any particular Interest grows in Prosperity and Power and can carry all before it Condescention presently ceaseth on that side And so the disagreeing parties in the several vicissitudes of Publick Affairs tread down one another and justifie themselves by the like miscarriages of their Opposites when time was By this means the Church's distempers and breaches are perpetuated and Religion in general suffers much damage and scorn But it would be the glory of that party that stands on the Vantage-ground to give a leading Example of unconstrained Moderation SECT XVII Acquiescence in the Widened Establishment is the Safety of Religion IF it be said That a little yeelding doth but make way for further Incroachments we suppose that Governors know how far to trust and what it is fit to grant if subjects know not what is fit for them to ask Persons allowed in the Publick Service may easily be kept in that dependance on the State which shall prevent the danger of an Anti-Clergy We suppose likewise that a sound Church-Government is not so weak and tottering that the Abatement of some Rigors in things at best but indifferent will hazard its overturning The wiser sort of Dissenters whose Conformity were they gained would most avail are weary of these strifes and consider what is passable in the state of England and might settle this Church They dread the Consequents of Changes the hurrying into other Extreams and the wild excursions of some spirits They would not be left again to the late uncertainty and continual Vacillations in Government and they have long since seen the manifold Errors committed in the Policy of the late times They know that such unfixed Liberty would not secure them And therefore it may well be thought they would accept reasonable terms and rest satisfied therein But this Consideration is taken by the wrong Handle if this sober and steddy part of the Non-conformists be slighted and judged the less considerable because they are cast into one condition as to the Law with others that are of more unmanageable and unstable Principles For who can tell how time may work out things and frame the Spirits of the unsober to a greater soberness and dispose them to a better consistency among themselves But howsoever can it make for the Publick Weal That the more discreet and moderate sort that might easily be brought in should be inforced to continue the chief reputation and strength of a divided Party SECT XVIII Of Toleration and Connivence LET Impartial Reason judg Whether a swaying or at least a momentous part of those that close not with the present state Ecclesiastical may not be incompassed in an Establishment of such a latitude as may happily settle this Church and consequently promote the Peace Wealth and Honour of the Civil State As for others that are of sound Belief and good Life yet have taken in some Principles of Church-Government less congruous to National Settlement I would never be a means of exposing them to Oppression Contempt and Hatred but would admit their Plea as far as it will go For if God hath received them why should their fellow-servants reject or afflict them causlesly Every true Christian should be tender of all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity Nevertheless their Liberty pleaded for is not to be inordinate but measured and limited by the safety of true Religion in general and of the publick Established Order which is not unpracticable For the world wants not an Experiment of the safety of a Toleration or Indulgence so regulated SECT XIX Dissenters of Narrow and Rigid Principles advised to Moderation AS Authority may be too prone to err in the Severity of Imposing so Subjects may be too wilful in refusing to obey As an explicit Assent and Approbation may by Superiors be too rigidly exacted in doubtful things so the unreasonable stiffness and harshness of Inferiors may keep them from that compliance in practice which their Conscience becalm'd from Passion and Prejudice would not gainsay A servile fawning temporizing Spirit is vile enough but that which is sedate castigate and subdued to Reason is not only pleasing to Governours but also of great avail for Publick Peace Every Christian should be deeply sensible of the common Interest of Reformed Christianity which is incomparably more valuable then those private Opinions and little narrow Models which may have much of his fancy and affection Well-minded persons may easily be deceived touching their private Sentiments in Religion They may think they are under the uncontrolable Sway of Conscience when indeed they are but bound up by Custom Education Complexion or some other kind of Prejudice For ones own sake one would gladly be rid of such Confinements and walk more at liberty But much more should one strive to be as comprehensive as may be for the common safety and advancement of true Religion which cannot stand by such uncertainty and multiplicity of petty forms but requires an ample and well-setled state to defend and propagate it against the amplitude and potency of the Romish Interest The prudent and sober should not easily settle upon such Opinions in Church-Order as will never settle the Nation but tend rather to infinite perplexity and discomposure Howsoever I will not bear too hard upon any thing that may fairly pretend to Conscience which though erroneous should not be harshly dealt with Nevertheless if when all is said some dissatisfaction doth
of the Roman Church for the Interest of the people and the Consent of the Cities and the Peers in Defensive Arms. Which they have written over and above their peculiar Principle of the Popes Universal Power of Deposing Kings that are unfit for Government As for the woful Catastrophe of those Commotions it hath been manifested to the world by such as undertook to justifie it when Authority should require That the year before the Kings death a select number of Jesuits being sent from their whole Party in England consulted both the Faculty of Sorbon and the Conclave at Rome touching the Lawfulness and Expediency of promoting the Change of Government by making away the King whom they despaired to turn from his Heresie It was debated and concluded in both places That for the Advancement of the Catholick Cause it was Lawful and Expedient to carry on that Alteration of State This Determination was effectually pursued by many Jesuits that came over and acted their parts in several Disguises After that execrable Fact was perpetrated on the Person of our Soveraign if we may believe most credible reports there were many Witnesses of the great joy among the English Convents and Seminaries and other companies of Papists beyond Sea as having overcome their great Enemy and done their main work Many of their Chief ones sought the favour of the Usurpers with offers of doing them service One of great note among them in a Book entituled Grounds of Obedience and Government undertook the solution of the Grand Case of those Times That if a People be dissolved into the State of Anarchy their Promise made to their expelled Governour binds no more they are remitted to the force of Nature to provide for themselves That the old Magistrates Right stands upon the Common Peace and that is transferred to his Rival by the Title of Quiet Possession Conformably to these Principles they address their Petition To the Supream Authority the PARLIAMENT of the Commonwealth of England They affirmed They had generally taken and punctually kept the Engagement and promised That if they might enjoy their Religion they would be the most quiet and useful Subjects Of their Actings since His Majesties Restauration and the Jealousies and Rumours about them let men judg as they find by the Evidences that are given SECT VII The Result of the whole Discourse touching the Popish Party AND now let it be duly weighed Whether the Papists of these Dominions have in later times changed their former Principles and Interests or have only taken another method of greater Artifice and Subtilty as the change of times hath given them direction and advantage The scope of the whole preceding Discourse is to call in question those high pretensions of theirs and to cross their Aims at great Power and Trust But it is not directed against the Security of their Persons or Fortunes or any meet Indulgence or Clemency towards them Let them have their Faith to themselves without being vexed with snares or any afflicted the State always providing to obviate the forementioned Principles and Practices of Disloyalty and the diffusing of the leaven of their Superstition The Inference of the whole is this That they be not admitted to a capacity of evil and dangerous influence upon the Affairs of the Kingdom or of interrupting and perplexing the course of things that concern the publike SECT VIII That the Reformed Religion makes good Christians and good Subjects AS true Religion is the most Noble End so it is the best Foundation of all Political Government And it is the felicity of the State of England to rest upon this Basis even Reformed Christianity or the Primitive and Apostolick Religion recovered out of the Apostacy of the later times and severed from that new kind of Paganism or Pagano-Christianism under which it lay much oppressed and overwhelmed but not extinguished It s wholsome Doctrine contained in its publick Confessions makes good Christians and good Subjects It teacheth obedience to Civil Magistrates without the controle of any Superior or Collateral Power Nor is it concerned if dangerous Positions fall from the Pens of some Writers And notwithstanding the Adversaries Cavils the Divines of Authority and solid Reputation in the Protestant Churches do with a general Consent maintain the Rights of Princes and Soveraign Powers against all Disobedience If any aberration in Practice hath been found in its Professors it is not to be charged therewith because it condemns it but the general practice in this point hath been conformable to the Doctrine The Reformation in England for its Legality and Orderliness is unquestionable In Germany it was setled and defended by Princes and free Cities that governed their own Signiories and Territories paying only a respect of Homage to the Emperor In Helvetia it began by the Senates of the Cantons It was received in Geneva by that Republick after the Civil Government had been reformed by strong Papists In the Provinces of the Netherlands it was spread many years before the Union against the Spaniard which Union was not made upon the score of Religion but of State The manner of its beginning in Scotland is by some attributed to a National Disposition the asperity and vehemency thereof is said to be greater in times of Popery and to be much mitigated by the Reformation For France we may take the Testimony of King JAMES who was jealous enough for the Power of Kings He said That he never knew yet that the French Protestants took Arms against their King In the first Troubles they stood only upon their Defence before they took Arms they were burned and Massacred every where The first Quarrel did not begin for Religion but because when King Francis the Second was under Age they had been the refuge of the Princes of the Blood expelled from the Court who knew not else where to take Sanctuary and that it shall not be found that they made any other Warr. It is not for this Discourse to intermeddle with all the Actions of Protestant Subjects towards their Princes that have happened in Christendom Let them stand or fall by the Laws and Polity under which they live Whensoever they have been disloyal they have swerved from the known and received Rules of their Profession Through the corruption of Mankind Subjects of whatsoever perswasion are prone to Murmurings and Mutinies Sometimes Oppression makes them mad Sometimes a Jealousie of Incroachments upon their Legal Rights and Liberties raiseth Distempers and Contests And sometimes an unbridled wanton affecting of inordinate Liberty makes them insolent and licentious But over and above these common Sources of Rebellion Popery hath a peculiar one and that of the greatest Force the Conscience of Religious Obligations and the Zeal of the Catholick Faith Protestants have never disowned their King for difference in Religion as the most of the Roman Catholieks of France dealt with Henry the Fourth by the Popes instigation And in their greatest Enormities they have never attempted