Gods Spirit in the hearts of many glorious pillars of our Church reverend Bishops and other pious and learned Divines stood like a rock unshaken their tongues preaching their pens maintaining their bloods confirming the irresistable prevailing truth thereof against Turke Jew Jesuite and all other hereticall and schismaticall opponents whatsoever Thus much I am confident all neighbouring Protestant Churches will condescend unto therefore I shall proceed Covenant In Doctrine and Worship That is all erroneous tenents and practices whether Papisticall Schismaticall or others of those qui ambulant post spiritum suum against whom the Prophet denounceth a woe Ezek. 13.3 who being departed from the * 1 Tim. 4.1 faith which they once professed are guided by the spirit of error leading silly women and unstable mindes captive by the whistling of every breath of their windy doctrine being clad in sheeps cloathing Mat. 7.15 but inwardly ravenous Wolves Examples of which nature too too many offer them themselves in these unhappy times wherein almost all things are countenanced or at least connived at as lawful but lawful things therefore let us pray That the God of Peace and Truth would bring into the way of Truth and Peace all such as have erred and been deceived by seditious Schismatical guids and erronious directions and prosper thou oh Lord all their endeavours tending to such a Reformation Amen Discipline Government according to the Word of God Covenant and the best Reformed Churches Now the question will be which cometh nearest to the Word of God That Episcopacy claimeth the nearest alliance truly entituling it self to be of Apostolical Institution is a truth that hath been made good in all ages That for 1500 years continuance of Christianity there is no example of the Church Governed otherwise An Argument sufficient to suspect Novelties in opposition unto it That it hath been approved of by most of the Protestant Divines beyond the Seas Vide Ecclesiast Historiâ—â— who are rather induced by necessity to the practise of Presbytery there wanting means to maintain or abilities lawfully to compass Episcopal Government them wills and desires to enjoy the same A strong Argument perswading that our Church is the best Reformed is also an apparent truth That in all disputes especially this latter Doctor Hall against 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11 SMECTYMNVVS Since the War of the reverend and learned Remonstrancer against that odd Combination of * Letters Episcopacy hath stood the field triumphing in Reason and Religion which have only perswaded my judgment to an inclination thereunto and an approbation thereof and I presume any one not obstinately prejudicate in their judgments will soon be satisfied thereof and agree with me herein by the perusal of that learned Bishops writings or by any whose learning and judgments are able to inform them therein But to write truth whether Episcopacy or Presbytery come nearest to the Word of God never was nor at present is the dispute between His Majesty and the two Houses but quis regnabit Where the supream power in Causes Ecclesiasticall and Civil shall practically remain for the future either in Prince or people Nor indeed was it the end that these Covenant-Contrivers did aim at Witness their second Article wherein before tryal and examination whereby truth or falshood is made evident they contrary to reason pass sentence of condemnation upon it therein positively swearing without respect of persons a strange expression whereas the King is the first moving wheel of a new Law to extirpate the Government it self that indeed being a Marble pillar which first must be removed by them before they can introduce their bloody-colour'd post of Presbytery endeavouring in that Article to ingage the common peoples Consciences though I shall by and by make good that no mans Conscience is thereby ingaged to assist them I mean the Plotters to attain that which they had a pre-resolution to effect si non Precibus tunc vi armisque Since that plainly appearing as I have already shewed However that my deceived Countrymen may see how they have been abused into a belief of enjoying I know not how much happiness under the term of Reformation in Church now generally re-baptized Presbytery I shall present to your veiw a short Paralel collected out of the writings of a pious learned and conscientious Divine of these two Governments Episcopal and Presbyterian Doctor Fearne For as for that illegitimate thing that new-born brat Independency it hath such variety of shapes and each of them also so monstrous that I shall not need to meddle with it at all being Confident that it will soon be hissed out of the Kingdom by a Universal Consent or like Jonah's gourd vanish away unthought of in a moment And here I cannot but insert my admiration to perceive so many men still so firmly in their affections and Judgments adhering to the present conclusive determinations of that changeable-coloured thing nay that word Parliament when as it is that which hath so much abused even these first affecting persons the City of London in general their mis-lead supporters Witness in particular the present continuing imprisonment of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and that strange and uncivil expulsion out of the Leiutenan cy of the Tower that deserving Gentleman Col. Francis West without the least pretended cause even in the very middest of his expressed courtesies and feasting favours cofenr'd upon their great Don and his followers although he formerly was chosen by the general Vote nay acclamation of the whole City approved of by themselves and indeed beloved by all Only to make way for that unflâ—dg'd Titmouse of Manhood and Wit that Imp of Independency Tichbourn fitter by far mimically again in his Fathers Chamber to act a wanton girles part in a Commedy then to have so great a part of trust and commanding power as he now hath conferred upon him Oh Lord open the eyes of poor deceived England especially the City of London and suffer them no longer to walk in darkness and in the shadow of a senceless stupidity thus like blind men groping for the path of peace and truth even at noon day But I proceed to the Paralel of these Ecclesiastical Governments And in the first place take their definitions in general Episcopacy in it self considered is a prelacy or superiority of one above all the Presbyters within such a precinct or diocess which one is appointed to have care of all the Churches within that compass and furnished with Power and Authority for Ordination and Jurisdiction that Authority not being Arbitrary but bounded by Laws and administred or exercised with advice and assistance of certâ—in choyce Presbyters to the intent that all Churches or Congregations under him may be provided of able Pastors and that both these inferior Pastors and people may perform the duties required of them Pressbytery is such a form of Church-Government Doctor Fearn in his book of Episcopacy Presbytery considered as
and Constitutions nor publish and put in uâ—e 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 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 Covenant That the Discipline of the Church of God is most Consonant to the word of God 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 Covenant This limitation is approved by the Parliament as behind fol. 53. That we shall in like manner 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 Causes 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 Royall off-spring
now horresco scribere a restrained Prisoner to his royall Prerogative and Rights by the Law of the Land justly and undoubtedly manifested to be his his Subjects singulatim and their fellow Subjects to their ancient Liberties Proprieties and Immunities by the same Law really theirs and in the conjunction of such loyall affections and really performed actions the three Kingdoms to an entire Peace and undeniable Truth according to the truest construction of their own solemn League and Covenant which being by their contributed assistance forwarded to a perfect consummation we shall return thanks to God for his exceeding bountifull expressions of such a mercy and gratification to them as Instruments conducing thereunto hoping that we shall not need to put them in mind that our hopes onely are that such kind of auxiliary affections will proceed meerly out of loyall affections to his Majesty and love to us their Brethren and not from an intent commandingly to incorporate themselves into Englands Priviledges Freedoms Honours and Wealth therefore at present shall have no occasion to acquaint them that Englands birth-right will not be sold upon unequall terms to this purpose O thou God of all Spirits grant to them and us thy assisting grace that we may obey thee O Lord who art the King of heaven and earth in all things for thy own sake according to thine own rule and King Charles our Soveraign thy substitute upon earth for thy sake that so all of us guided by one Law of truth thy will reveiled in thy Word governed by him our King according to the truth of Law established and all our multiplied sinnes against thee being pardoned treason and rebellion against his Majesty buried in an unrepealable Act of oblivion we may for the future live in piety and godlinesse towards thee our God in obedience and loyalty to his Majesty in unity peace and concord like Brethren one among another Amem Amen Amen But I return to England which still remaineth passive under a tyrannically wasting fire and like a Ship still tossed to and fro by raging tempestuous windes it 's true Religion by Law established it 's really fundamentall Lawes respecting both Prince and People his just Rights and the Subjects most certain and generally contenting Liberties approaching neer to a dissolutiō though not a destruction for magna veritas prevalebit the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against truth being ready to sink into an Aristocraticall boundlesse or Anarchicall bottomles Sea Therefore my dear Country-men that I might not appear like an uncharitable Travellour passing thorow a Town contracted by fire into one flame without observation pitty or according to my present poor ability some assistance or that I may not seem carelesse to sail by a distressed Vessell lost almost in the deep by the violent beatings of seditiously conspiring waves I have here contributed some buckets of water towards the asswaging of this devouring fire sent some assisting necessaries aboard the Kingdoms sinking Ship In doing whereof if my zeal to the Protestant Religion loyalty to my Soveraign love and fidelity to my native Country affection and approbation of the well composed Lawes thereof compassion and pitty to all my misguided misinformed and seduced Country-men shall expose me to censure condemnation nay death it self I am resolved by the help of God in whom alone is my confidence with the Apostle into whatsoever condition I shall be cast therewith to remain content esteeming it dulce decorum pro Religione Rege Patria legibusque Angliae mori Now because it concerneth all who raise buildings not so much to catch the eyes-observance with insubstantiall shadowes as to remain lastingly serviceable to lay a sure foundation least that declining or by opposing force enforced to a removall each particuler superstructure meet with the same ruine and suddenly sinking-fate my intent therefore not being for procuration of popular ayery applause but information and reduction of those into the good old way of the Christian Protestant Religion Reason Law and Loyalty who through ignorance and misinformation have been made pedes instrumentales the feet by which the Machiavilians of these times have walked on towards the end of their designs manus complicantes the hands with which Politicians have framed their Engines for an enforced alteration of Englands government without whose assistāce their plots would have proved but like statues without motion or abortive Births dead in the very womb those I mean whose intentions at first never aimed at a totall change of Government by a diminishing though in a petitionary much lesse a bloody compulsive way his Majesties royall Prerogative and just Regall power but having been abused through specious pretences of Reformation have been ignorant instruments of Englands unhappinesse As for the Initiatours Contrivers Plotters of this rooting design who begin at the end thereof and accordingly have in England per fasque nefas endeavoured the attaining their ends levelling all ancient bounds of Regall Prerogative just Parliamentary Priviledges private mens proprieties and liberties digging so deep in quest of the fundamentall Lawes that they have arrived at the Antipodes and yet after six yeers endeavours are as far from finding that fundamentall vein as they were when their bloody designs opened the first vein in the Kingdoms body I cannot expect a smooth face from them expressing favour to these lines or remain satisfied with what is written therefore I shall onely pray for them that the God of heaven would open their eyes causing them to see how with Jeroboam they have not onely sinned themselves but caused many thousands in England to sin and grant them repentance and pardon for all their accumulative offences before they go down to the grave and be seen no more I shall therefore fundamina ponere leaving discourses of the necessity of a Nationall government the antiquity rationality and precedency of Monarchy beyond any other form the comparative excellency of the English Government in respect of others practized and bearing the same title the Presse having been already fruitfull in Writings of that nature lay down some undeniable positions and truths ab omnibusque concessa First in respect of a Government already lawfully setled Secondly in regard of those ligamenta fidelitatis promissory oaths by which religious engagements we oblige our selves to an acknowledgement of some rights due to the supream Governour by the generally received and practized custome of a Nation as also to maintain such rights against all violent opposition hindering any compelled diminution or alteration of the same by any persons whomsoever Hoping that in the result of all nemo Christianus contra Religionem nemo Anglicina contra leges Angliae nemo sobrius contra rationem nemo fidelis contra Regem nemo Pacificus contra pacem durabilem contendet that all true Protestants rational men faithfull Subjects lovers of their Religion King Country and Peace will condescend to what hereafter they shall find propounded Therefore
by the way first let me request all such whose thoughts cannot but speak themselves interested 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 hinder 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 perswasions 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 potiùs malè currendo crimina criminibus addere quà m errorem confi teri recurrendo veritatemque veritatis causa propugnare being rather willing to continue slayes 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 erronious paths to expose themselves to a possible ruine here and destruction hereafter Besides the whole current of the Scriptures every where speaketh mercy and pardon to the penitent an argument in my judgement sufficient to induce all thereunto against contrary suggestions of the world and the Devil nay Ezek. 18.21 to the end the very end of Christs Birth Death Resurrection and Ascention onely proclaim an invitation of sinners to come unto him promising them pardon and salvation 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 Scripture Zech. 1.4 5 6. prove not an evidence against their obstinacy 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 not Behold therefore your habitation shall be left desolate From which heavy judgement O thou 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 contrary to the fundamentall customes and constitutions of every respective Nation First if it receive its original from the supream Magistrate and pressed upon the people hath alwayes been branded with the names of tyranny and oppession nor have such sins although the Word of God permit not Subjects by armes to rebel against him passed unpunished oftentimes here in this world however without repentance cannot escape in the world to come Secondly if violently streaming from the seditious compulsive combination of the people without and against the supream Magistrates consent hath ever been stigmatized with those odious titles of Rebellion and Treason whose just rewards are death here with a successive never dying infamy and unlesse the mercy of Heaven interpose 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 consequently those punishments which tanquam undae 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 tantùm 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 per 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 his 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 conjunctìm if a body can properly be termed a body without an head or any particular members divisìm 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 resist 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 Matth. 26.51 Matth. 9.54 55 56. Mat. 16.23 Book of Martyrs
God the searcher of all hearts is my witnesse not to revile any Divines of the Presbyterian Party whom I honour as Ambassadours from Heaven when they dispense the truth of of God's Word but they must give me leave to acquaint them that unlesse they can shew any better grounds then I have hitherto read or heard from any of them since these unnaturall Wars for the making good the lawfulnesse of introducing this their meer alteration of Government by blood contrary to the Kings consent and the warrant of the Law of the Land and having not the least ground for it in the Word of God No errours formerly in Government being unreformed by his Majesty no lawfull means by a Synoy legally called and elected for redresse of what possibly could be found either unnecessary or burdensome in the Church to really tender consciences being by him also denied the Poynt of Government being then onely and still is the difference between his Majesty and the two Houses Therefore although the Protestants and they mutually agree in the fundamentals ef faith and many other necessary truthes yet I say I cannot but certifie them that neither my self nor any Protestant of ENGLAND have reason to beleeve that they have kept so close to the rule of God's Word Reason and the Law as they should have done Malachi 2.7 or perhaps may prend Therefore If they have any Arguments now in this juncture of time besides that of meerly ignorant persons professions of their good intentiōs good meaning which they know will not excuse a toto though in some things in may a tanto It being a common excuse of many in these times though they still persist in their irregularly first begun courses they may perform a Christian like and wise duty to themselves for their owne vindication and to others for their information to divulge them to the world or if they cannot produce any that then they would be perswaded even for Christ Jesus sake the Bishop of our soules to returne and doe their first workes least God come against them and us and remove our Candlestick out of its place But I proceed Because the introduction of the Presbyterian government in the Church and a proportionable alteration of the Civill Government in the State is by some Ministers of that Party cryed up as the unum necessarium tending to their preintended Reformation and the fulfilling of their solemne League and Covenant I shall endeavour although the Designers intents probably were to lock fast the Common Peoples Consciences thereby unto them to make good according to the rule of Reason Religion and Law that nothing lesse is comprehended and contained therein so that none stand ingaged unlesse they wilfully will persist in sin by their further assistance to endeavour a compleating of their Innovasion To this purpose I shall desire all a little to reflect backe upon what I have already promised how that seeing the irregular faction of the two Houses alwayes applyed themselves to the Common People as assertours and maintainors of the Law Religion and the Kings just rights towards which the assistance of many have been desired and accordingly yeelded they themselves having deferted their own Principles acted in opposition to the Law and their owne Oathes and Covenant as I have made good they are not in theis owne sence though for my part I deny that they were ever at first in a lawfull sence ingaged to take notice of their Ordinances and Commands But rather to use all possible lawfull meanes for the Restoring of his Majestie to his just Rights The established Religion both in Doctrine and Discipline to its former purity in practice according to Law the Parliament of England to its ancient genuine freedome and regular Priviledges and the resetling of Peace truth in Church and State And to this effect because some peradventure may apprehend themselves conscienciously ingaged by the solemne League and Covenant to continue their aydes in firmly setling the Presbyterian Government I shall for the removing of such obliging apprehensions passing by the unlawfulnesse of contriving imposing and indeed unwarrantablenesse of entring into it at first in which regard I acknowledge it contrary to the Lawes of the Land and authority of Scriptures give a truely Christian and lawfull construction thereof as it did at first literally and still doth onely appeare to the takers thereof who at first were not Concatenated Designers and therefore for the better clearing of Mens judgements herein shall first propound some necessary Qualifications and Limitations of Promissary Oathes being bold to affirme that if any afterwards shall obstinately persist in remaining Instrumentally Active for this Innovasion that I cannot see how they can free themselves from being wilfully guilty of opposing Reason Religion and Law as also rending in peeces all holy and obligatory Oathes and Covenants That all Promissory lawfull Oaths being religious bonds must be taken in a literall and Gramaticall sense and all lawfull endeavours used for the performance of each clause contained therein as they plainly appear not admitting of alteration afterwards or a contradiction by the mentall Reservations of the Imposers at the time of taking thereof to the judgment and understanding of him that sweareth otherwise a man cannot sweare in Judgement That if any clause shall be inserted into any Oath directly opposite to the Word of God or if any part of an Oath cannot be observed and performed without intrenching upon the breach of Gods Lawes the one ipso facto is void for Rei illicitae nulla obligatio and the other ingageth to a * Impia poenitenda promissi◠non perficiend◠repentance only and not to endeavours of performance for per juramentum non tenemur nisi ad bonum legale by Oaths men are bound to nothing but what is lawfull and good either in respect of the end to which Oaths have a respect or meanes conducing to that end therefore in all such kind of Oaths their generall conditions should be inserted however are necessarily implied if I can if it shall please God if lawfully I may for nemo tenetur ad impossibile and nil possimus quod non de Jure possimus both possible and things lawfull must be the substance of Oaths otherwise we cannot sweare in righteousnesse That no particular sentence in a secondary Oath destructive unto or different from any former lawfull ingagement ought to be kept therefore any Oath imposed by the irregular factions of the two Houses must not receive a construction or actions accordingly used in opposition to the Affirmatively and Negatively Genuine and commonly received and practised sense of the former Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy both lawfull in themselves and still according to Law resting established least we adde sinnes of Omission to sinnes of Commission but what is lawfull in any second Oath we must performe what is not we must forbear That in all clauses in Oaths 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 Solemne League and Covenant We Noble-men Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses 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 Covenant Having before our eyes the glory of God 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 Mat. 5.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.16 Now his Precepts will appear in part 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 the Lords sake whether
3. vol. Hom. Church Engl. Artic. 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 punishment of a Nation should set over us a tyrannicall King secundam voluntatem 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 Pet. 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 interposing many ayery suppositions distinctions Homily Chur. Engl. Sacred royall Prerogative of christian Kings printed Anno 1644. 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 ancient and modern refuted and made to appear but groundlesse quickly vanishing into ayre Beside his royall Majesty since the beginning of this unnaturall War having commanded 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 arising 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 of his own life losse of his Revenues with many thousands of his loyall Subjects nay almost all the comforts which felicitates a mans life upon 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 consider 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 Vide all Acts of Parliament confessing the 1. Jac. cap. 1. 9. Edw. 4 fol. 8 That our Soveraign Lord CHARLES 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 Ecclesiastical 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 Propositions Anno 1642. 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 fiuem 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 premises considered answer