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A29318 Brethren in iniquity, or, The confederacy of Papists with sectaries, for the destroying of the true religion, as by law establish'd, plainly detected wherein is shewed a farther account of the Romish snares and intrigues for the destroying the true reformed religion, as professed in the Church of England, and established by law, and for the introducing of popery or atheism among us : clearly shewing from very authentick writers and testimonies, that the principal ways and methods whereby the papists have sought the ruine of our religion and church, from the beginning of our Reformation, to the present times, and by which they are still in hopes of compassing it, are by promoting of toleration, or pretended liberty of conscience, and that for above these sixscore years the papists have so craftily influenced our dissenters, as to make them the unhappy instruments of effecting their most pernicious designs, which they contrived for, the subverting our church and state. 1690 (1690) Wing B4382; ESTC R6507 50,245 71

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33. c. saith Liberty of Conscience falsly so called may in good time improve it self into Liberty of Estates Liberty of Houses and Liberty of Wives and in a word Liberty of Perdition of Souls and Bodies This only would I know of you are Idolaters Hereticks Blasphemers and Seducers Evil-doers If so then look to your charge Rom. 13.4 Rulers must be a terrour to Evil-doers unless you mean to bear the Sword in vain And if you will God will not and if God take the Sword into his own hand once he will smite to purpose and execute vengeance throughly both upon the Evil-doers and upon you that have not been a terrour to them Oh therefore up and be doing that you may deliver the Kingdom out of the hand of the Lord for it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the Living God O let not your Patience be interpreted a Connivence and your Connivence be taken for a Toleration it may be the Kingdom 's ruine but it will be your Sin Also in his Sermon before the Commons February 19. 1645. pag. 25. he thus addresseth to them Fathers and Brethren how will you call this keeping of Covenant with God had we a Parliament of Apostate Julians of whom it is reported that at what time he opened the Temples of the Heathenish Gods he set open the Christian Churches called home all the Christians that were banished both Orthodox and Heretick and gave them as we call it Liberty of Conscience but as Austin more truly phraseth it Libertatem perditionis Liberty to destroy themselves for that was his policy and end namely by Liberty of all Religions to destroy the true and the Professours of it too If we had a Parliament of careless Gallio's we should not wonder c. Mr. George Hughes late Minister of Plymouth in his Sermon before the Commons May 26. 1647. p. 34 preached thus I must say that Toleration must be a destructive Principle to the State or Church where-ever it be allowed experience hath shew'd us no less in Kingdoms and Churches called by God's name Ye Servants of Christ take heed of yielding to the pretences of Conscience The Devil and not Christ hath his throne there and no stronger hold for him than Conscience if he once takeit Christ will not suffer him to shelter there therefore you may not so much as in you lieth Object Do not other States and some of the united Provinces tolerate all these Heresies and protect them and yet they prosper who more Answ I desire not to meddle with other States unless I might do them good But 1. Can any Man say that Prosperity is a sign peculiar to Truth then let Rome come in and speak more than any for outward Prosperity 2. Are not spiritual Wickednesses as odious to God as carnal and are not these Heresies such which God condemns as works of the Flesh inconsistent with Christ's Kingdom 3. Hath God made an end of visiting Nations for the Sins of them when God hath done judging were a better time to urge this Example than now I pray God the evil day may not overtake these States the good God cause the cup of trembling to pass by them and purge their inquities peaceably but I am pressed in Spirit to say God hath not spared such State polities which have sought their own rise by the ruine of God's Truth Witness Jeroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin and as Seneca saith Qui non vetat peccare cum potest jubet he bids sin that doth not hinder it when he can God's Truth my beloved and not Man's example must be the Rule If Heresies yet must be let us mourn for what we cannot help It is a miserable Necessity when not allowed It will be rejoicing in Iniquity either for Church or State wilfully to tolerate Mr. Edmund Calamy in his Sermon before the Lord Mayor January 14. 1645. pag. 3. makes this Lamentation The Churches of Christ lie desolate Church-reformation is obstructed Church-discipline unsetled and Church-divisions increased The famous City of London is become an Amsterdam Separation from our Churches is countenanc'd Toleration is cried up Authority lieth asleep And pag. 4. Divisions whether they be Ecclesiastical or Political in Kingdoms Cities or Families are infallible causes of ruine to them See Mark 3.24 25. Again pag. 14. Hereby the hearts of people are mightily distracted many are hindred from Conversion and even the Godly themselves have lost much of the power of Godliness in their lives I say the hearts of people are mightily disturbed while one Minister preacheth one thing as a Truth of the Gospel and another Minister preacheth the quite contrary with as much considence as the former Pag. 17. If Divisions be so destructive to Kingdoms Cities and Families this reproveth those that are the Authors and Fomenters of these Divisions that are now among us These are the Iincendiaries of England If he that sets one house a fire deserveth hanging much more they that set a whole Kingdom on fire If he that murders one Man must be put to death much more he that murders three Kingdoms mark them saith the Apostle Rom. 16.17 that cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them avoid them as the greatest enemies of England these are like the Salamander that cannot live but in the fire of Contention These are of a Jesuitical Spirit and no doubt the heads and hands of the Jesuits are in all our Divisions Pag. 33. Take heed of the Land-destroying opinion of those that plead for an unlimited Toleration of all Religions even of Turcism Judaism c. the Lord keep us from being poison'd with such an Errour Our Saviour's saying in Matth. 12.25 riseth up against it Every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation for it will divide Kingdoms against it self it will rend it in a thousand pieces it is a Doctrine that overthroweth all Church-Government bringeth in confusion and openeth a wide door unto all Irreligion and Atheism For at the same door that all false Religions came in the true Religion-will quickly get out and if it be as good for a Man to live where nothing is lawful as where all things are lawful surely it is every way as uncomfortable to live where there are all Religions as where there is no Religion at all Pag. 37. It is your Duty right Honourable whom God hath intrusted with great Power to suppress these Divisions and Differences in Religion by your Civil Authority as far as you are able least you are accessary unto them For God hath made you Custodes utriusque Tabulae Keepers not of the Second Table only as some fondly imagine but of the First Table also and not only Keepers but Vindices utriusque Tabulae Punishers also of those that transgress against either of them For you are the Ministers of God for good and Revengers to execute wrath upon him that doth
Brethren in Iniquity OR THE CONFEDERACY OF PAPISTS with SECTARIES For the Destroying of the True Religion as by Law Establish'd plainly detected WHEREIN Is shewed a farther Account of the Romish Snares and Intrigues for the Destroying the True Reformed Religion as Professed in the Church of England and Established by Law and for the Introducing of Popery or Atheism among us clearly shewing from very Authentick Writers and Testimonies That the principal Ways and Methods whereby the Papists have sought the Ruine of our Religion and Church from the Beginning of our Reformation to the present Times and by which they are still in hopes of compassing it are by promoting of Toleration or pretended Liberty of Conscience and that for above these Sixscore Years the Papists have so craftily Influenced our Dissenters as to make them the unhappy Instruments of effecting their most pernitious Designs which they contrived for the Subverting our Church and State Every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation and every City or House divided against it self cannot stand Matth. xij 25. Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them For they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. xvi 17.18 These be they which separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit Jude i. 19. LONDON Printed and are to be sold by Randal Taylor near Stationers-Hall MDCXC THE CONTENTS TWO very remarkable Letters the one from Sir Will. Boswell the other from Archbishop Bramhall shewing how much the Sectaries were Influenc'd by Papists to take off the Life of King Charles I. and to Embroil the Church c. pag. 1 3. Dr. Peter du Moulin's Narrative which confirms the Papists contriving the Death of King Charles and their putting Phanaticks upon the Execution pag. 6 Part of Father Sibthorp's a Jesuit Letter shewing their Intrigues with the Sectaries for the raising of Broils in Church and State pag. 12 Mr. Richard Baxter's Discovery and Confession of the Papists insinuating themselves among the Sectaries for the restoring of Popery pag. 14 Several material Collections to the same purpose out of the Writings of the Learned Dr. Stillingfleet now the Right Reverend Bishop of W. pag. 17 Archbishop Whitgift's Opinion That the Papist's befriend the Puritans pag. 19 Archbishop Grindall's fear of Popery and Atheism being promoted by them pag. 20 Campanella's and Father Young's Advice of bringing in Popery by means of Toleration and help of Phanaticks pag. 22 Coleman's and the Lord Viscount Stafford's Confession of bringing in Popery by Toleration and the Phanaticks help pag. 23 Bishop Saunderson's Opinion how and in what Phanaticks befriend Papists pag. 26 Some Verses to the same purpose ibid. The Judgment of Nine Learned Presbyterian Divines of Toleration pag. 31 The Votes and Reasons of the House of Commons in 1662. against it pag. 43 The Letter of the Presbyterian Ministers to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster against Toleration pag. 46 Sir Francis Walsingham's Letter concerning Severities used against Papists pag. 53 Lord Keeper Puckering's Speech to the Parliament concerning the Puritans preparing the way to the Spanish Invasion 1588. pag. 59 What good Effects the Penal Laws wronght and the Acts of Vniformity in bringing People to Church when duly executed pag. 60 Bishop Burnet's Reason why the Penal Law 's wrought no more good in making People generally conformable to the Church pag. 62 Arshbishop Whitgift's Character of the Puritans turbulent Spirits ibid. King Charles I. his Memorial of the great Numbers of Papists in the Parliaments Army and of the Papists and Phanaticks Confederating pag. 63 An Ingenuous and very true Account of the Dissenters combining with the Popish Party in the late Reign of King James II. against the Church of England pag. 64 Brethren in Iniquity OR The Confederacy of Papists with Sectaries for the destroying of the True Religion as by Law Established plainly detected A Letter from Sir William Boswell to the most Reverend William Laud late Arch-bishop of Canterbury remaining with Sir Robert Cotton's choice Papers Most Reverend AS I am here employed by our Soveraign Lord the King your Grace can testifie that I have left no stone unturned for his Majesty's Advancement neither can I omit whenever I meet with Treacheries or Conspiracies against the Church and State of England the sending your Grace an account in General I fear Matters will not answer your Expectations if your Grace do but seriously weigh them with deliberation For be you assured the Romish Clergy have gull'd the misled party of our English Nation and that under a Puritanical Dress for which the several Fraternities of that Church have lately received Indulgence from the See of Rome and Council of Cardinals or to Educate several of the young Friars of the Church of Rome who be Natives of His Majesty's Realms and Dominions and instruct them in all manner of Principles and Tenents contrary to the Episcopacy of the Church of England There be in the Town of Hague to my certain knowledge two dangerous Impostors of whom I have given notice to the Prince of Orange who have large Indulgences granted them and known to be of the Church of Rome although they seem Puritans and do converse with several of our English Factors The one James Murray a Scotch-man and the other John Napper a York-shire Blade The main drift of these Intentions is to pull down the English Episcopacy as being the chief Support of the Imperial Crown of our Nation for which purpose above sixty Romish Clergy-men are gone within these two Years out of the Monesteries of the French King's Dominions to Preach up the Scotch Covenant and Mr. Knox his Discipline and Rules within that Kirk and to spread the same about the Northern Coasts of England Let therefore His Majesty have an inkling of these Crotchets that he might be perswaded whenever Matters of the Church come before you to reserr them to your Grace and the Episcopal Party of the Realm for there be great Preparations making ready against the Liturgy and Ceremonies of the Church of England And all evil Contrivances here and in France and in other Protestant Holdings to make your Grace and the Episcopacy odious to all Reformed Protestants abroad it has wrought so much on divers of the Foreign Ministers of the Protestants that they esteem our Clergy little better than Papists The main things that they hit in our Teeth are our Bishops being called Lords the Service of the Church the Cross in Baptism Confirmation Bowing at the Name of Jesus the Communion-Table placed Altar-ways our manner of Consecrations and several other Matters which be of late buzz'd into the Heads of the Foreign Clergy to make your Grievances the less regarded in case of a change which is aimed at if not speedily prevented Your Grace's Letter is carefully
5. It seems utterly impossible if such a Toleration should be granted that the Lord should be one and his name one in the three Kingdoms Art 2. 6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion Inevitably divide one Kingdom from another and unhappily make Factions and Parties among the people contrary to this League and Covenant of which evil offices whosoever shall be found guilty are reputed in the words of the Covenant Incendiaries Malignants or evil Instruments to be discovered that they may be brought to publick Trial and receive condign Punishment Art 4. and 5. These are some of the many considerations which make deep impression upon our Spirits against that great Diana of Independents and all the Sectaries so much cried up by them in these distracted times viz. A Toleration A Toleration And however none should have more rejoiced than our selves in the establishment of a brotherly peaceable and Christian Accommodation yet this being utterly rejected them we cannot dissemble how upon the forementioned grounds we detest and abhor the much endeavoured Toleration Our bowels our bowels are stirred within us and we could even drown our selves in tears when we call to mind how long and sharp a travel this Kingdom hath been in for many years together to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation and now at last after all our pangs and dolours and expectations this real and thorough Reformation is in danger of being strangled in the birth by a lawless Toleration that strives to be brought forth before it Wherefore Reverend and beloved Brethren we could not satisfie our selves till we had made some discovery of our thoughts unto you about this matter not that we can harbour the least jealousie of your zeal fidelity or industry in the opposing and extirpating of such a root of gall and bitterness as Toleration is and will be both in present and future ages but that we may what lies in us endeavour mutually to strengthen one anothers resolutions against the present growing evils and that our Consciences may not smite us another day for sinful silence or sluggish deficiency in any point of duty tending to the Glory of Christ Honour of the Truth Peace of the Church Perfection of Reformation Performance of our Covenant and benefit of present and succeeding Generations From Sion Coll. London Decemb. 18. 1645. Subscribed by us your affectionate Brethren and Fellow-labourers in the work of the Ministery to whom Truth and Peace is very precious Sir Fr. Walsingham's Letter to Monsieur Critoy concerning the Queen's Proceedings against both Papists and Puritans SIR WHereas you desire to be advertiz'd touching the proceedings here in Ecclesiastical Causes because you seem to note in them some Inconstancy and Variation as if we inclined sometimes to one side and sometimes to another and as if that Clemency and Lenity were not used of late that was us'd in the beginning All which you imputed to your own superficial Vnderstanding of the Affairs of this State having notwithstanding Her Majesty's doing in singular Reverence as the real Pledges which she hath given unto the World of her Sincerity in Religion and of the Wisdom in Government well meriteth I am glad of this occasion to import that little I know in that Matter unto you both for your own Satisfaction and to the end you may make use thereof towards any that shall not be so modestly and reasonably minded as you are I find Her Majesty's Proceedings to have been grounded upon two Principles The one That Consciences are not to be forced but to be won and reduced by force of Truth with did of Time and use of good means of Instructions and Perswasion The other That Causes of Consciences when they exceed their bounds and grow to be matter of Faction lose their Nature and that Sovereign Princes ought distinctly to punish their Practices and Contempt though coloured with the pretences of Conscience and Religion According to these Principles Her Majesty coming to the Crown utterly disliking the Tyranny of Rome which had used by Terrour and Rigour to settle Commandments of Mens Faith and Consciences tho' as a Princess of great Wisdom and Magnanimity She suffered but the Exercise of one Religion yet her Proceedings towards the Papists was with great Lenity expecting the good Effects which Time might work in them and therefore Her Majesty revived not the Laws made in the 28th and 35th of her Father's Reign whereby the Oath of Supremacy might have been offered at the King's pleasure to any Subject so he kept his Conscience never so modestly to himself and the refusal to take the same Oath without further Circumstances was made Treason But contrariwise Her Majesty not liking to make Windows into Mens Hearts and secret Thoughts except the abundance of them did over-flow into overt and express Acts or Affirmations tempered Her Law so as it restraineth every manifest Disobedience in impugning and impeaching advisedly and maliciously Her Majesty's Supream Power maintaining and extolling a Foreign Jurisdiction And as for the Oath it was altered by Her Majesty into a more grateful Form The hardness of the Name and Appellation of Supream Head was removed and the Penalty of the refusal thereof turned only to disablement to take any Promotion or to exercise any Charge and yet of Liberty to be reinvested therein if any Man should accept thereof during his Life But after when Pius Quintus Excommanicated Her Majesty and the Bulls of Excommunication were published in London whereby Her Majesty was in a sort proscribed and that thereupon as upon a principal motive or preparative followed the Rebellion in the North yet because the ill Humours of the Realm were by that Rebellion partly purged and that she feared at that time no foreign Invasion and much less the attempt of any within the Realm not back'd by some potent Power and Succour from without She contented her self to make a Law against that special Case of bringing in and publishing any Bulls or the like Instruments whereunto was added a Prohibition upon pain not of Treason but of an inferiour degree of punishment against the bringing of the Agnus Dei's and such other Merchandice of Rome as are all known not to be any essential part of the Romanists Religion but only to be used in practice as Love-tokens to inchant and bewitch the Peoples Affections from their Allegiance to their natural Soveraign In all other Points Her Majesty continued her former Lenity But when about the Twentieth Year of Her Reign She had discovered in the King of Spain an intention to invade Her Dominions and that a principal part of the Plot was to prepare a Party within the Realm that might adhere to the Foreigner and that the Seminaries began to blossom and to send forth daily Priests and professed Men who should by Vow taken at Shrift reconcile her Subjects from their Obedience yea and bind many of them to attempt against Her Majesty's Sacred