is administred by preaching and Lay Elders joyntly with equal voice and power in the several Judicatories of their Parochial Sessions of their Classical or greater Consistories of their Pâ—ovincial Synods Page 3 and National Assemblies Now by this if I mistake not you may perceive that they both agree in ipso regimine Ecclesiastico in the Government it self considered as it referreth to the Church that is all Members therein that are to be governed though not in the manner number or qualification of the persons governing both parties confessing that the power of Ordination and of Judicature so far forth as the keys left by Christ in his Church do extend is of Divine Institution and that this power must be excecised or administred in his Church by some so that I say the difference is whether the exercise or ministration of that power be restrained to certain choice men or indifferently left to all Presbyters and their assisting Lay Elders For none will accuse themselves guilty of so much ignorance and folly as to affirm that the decent Ceremonies and innocent Vestmâ—â—â—s of the Church as Cross in Baptism Surpless Cope the like were practised imposed as essential and inseparably necessary adjuncts to the Government it self All which rather then contention for them should have extended to blood might nay would have been by the condescention of His Majesty quietly layd aside needing not the peremptoriness of the sword to silence them I. Under episcopal there is in every Parish a preaching Minister with Churchwardens and in some Deacons or Curates by these offenders are noted and admonished and the offences presented to the Ecclesiastical Courts or Confistories where they may be heard and censured the Minister having power in some cases of notorious scandal to restrain from the Communion untill the offence may be heard and judged in the Court and the party so offending by the censure of the Church brought to give publike satisfaction Under the Presbyterian Government there is in every Parish a Minister with a competent number of Lay Elders and Deacons according to the largeness of the Parish These make the Parochial Session and have power to censure scandalous livers contentious persons and the like to enjoyn publike penance and impose upon the penitent before he be received into the Church a fine to be imployed on pious uses II. Under Episcopal in every diocess there are several divisions the lesser and the greater these being called Deanries there is Arch-Deconries in those the Arch-Presbyters in these the Arch-Deacons have power to call the Parochial Ministers together to enquire of doctrine and manners and see to the redressing of smaller abuses In the Mother City is the Bishop residing with his Presbyters having the power of Ordination of judging and determining of all matter of doctrine or scandal reserevd to his hearing by his Arch-Deacons and of rejudging what was judged amiss by them This he doth either in his Consistory which he holdeth in his City assisted by his Presbyters or in his Vsitiations going through his diocess and causing his Clergy personally to appear or in his diocesan Synod which is made up of the City Presbyters Dean and Chapter the Arch-Deacons and other choice Presbyters under the presidency of the Bishop Under the Presbyterian in every County there are also several divisions or Classes containing such a number of Parochiall Ministers who have their set meetings for conference and in the City or more eminent Town is the great Presbyterian Consistory commonly called the Presbytery made up of all the Parochiall Ministers within its precincts and of Lay Elders from each Parish one in this is the power of Ordination of censuring crimes of the higher strain with the greater Excommunication of hearing appeals from the Parochial Sessions and rejudging what was there judged amiss III. Under Episcopal Government are held Provincial Synods consisting of all the Bishops Deans Arch-Deacons and of certain choice Presbyters from every diocess within the Province these have power to order all matters concerning the whole Province to hear appeals from every Diocess to re-judg what is done amiss that could not be well determined in a Diâ—cesan Synod Under the Presbyterian also are held Provincial Synods made up of Commissioners that is certain preaching and Lay Elders from every Individual Presbytery or Presbyterian Consistory within the Province These judg and determine matters pertaining to the whole Province Also all difficult cases that could not well be determined within the Presbytery they receive appeals also from the Presbyters and examine what was there thought to be done amiss IIII. Under Episcopal Government are also held National Councels consisting of the like Members as do the Provincial these are of greatest auâ—hority they examine and judg any thing done amiss any in Province they consider and determine matters of Doctrine and Discipline inorder to the whole Nationall Church Under the Presbyterian likewise are held National Assemblies consisting of Commissioners from all the Presbyteries in the Kingdom each of them sending two preaching and one Lay Elder also from every Burrough one and he a Lay man and from every University one and for the most part a Ley man too In these is the supream and finall determination of all complaints and controversies and unto the decrees that issue thence all must obey under pain of Excommunication Now these premises impartially considered which of these two Governments have the more effectual means to procure the end of Church Government the preservation of truth and peace the suppression of Heresie and Schism let any rational unbyass'd-minded man judg For my part I ingenuously confess that it is contrary to common reason in my apprehension that Lay-men from whose education no knowledg extraordinary beyond their trades and such like affairs can be expected although it is true that many are furnished with knowing parts yet as true that the most in a Nation are altogether defective therein can be as fit instruments for such kind of imployments as grave and learned Divines whose only business it is to tread the path of all arts both humane and divine so that if this continue in England what I once read alledged against the Papal Consistory that they did potius numerare suffragia quam argumenta pondirare number rather their Votes then weigh the solidity of their Arguments will I fear be our deserved censure From which justly meriting accusation Good Lord deliver this Nation Again consider further Bishops assume not the exercise of any power within any Princes Dominions or use it over his subjects but by permission and authority from him and that according to just Laws and Rules made by soveraign Authority for the manner of external Ministration thereof so that when the Episcopal power cometh to the holding of Courts and calling Assemblies it wholy depends on the soveraign power 25 Hen. 8.19 without whose Assent signified by his writ they cannot assemble for the making of Canons
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
of themselves to which even the knowledge of the meanest judgement if he know any thing cannot but assent as reall truth Presupposed the King not the King in his minority although it is as true then for there is his tacite supream power implied his Protectour â— Jenk Remonstr Febr. 21. 1647. Vide Recordi Whether ever in this Kingdom any new Law was enjoyned or new Oath imposed upon the people in opposition to the Law established by the two houses conjunctim or by either of them seperatim without nay against the King's consent and if none as none can be produced by what power have they contrived Ordinances and imposed them with a Vow and Covenant solemn League and Covenant contrary to established Law and his Majesties Proclamation Whether or no turbulent violent and irregular transaction in former Parliaments wherein Kings have been deposed or necessitated to unlawfull condescentions through force or fear have not been by succeeding Parliaments made null and those Parliaments themselves esteemed but as traiterous Assemblies and so as cannot be denied Res pares cum paribus comparemus And let us all pray that England may enjoy the happinesse of a free lawfully acting Christian like peaceable unbyased no private self ends respecting but the truly publike and generall good cordially affecting and really effecting Parliament To which let all true English men with my self say Amen Amen Whether ever formerly the Lords and Commons conjunctim or either of them divisim had the disposing of the Militia of the Kingdom did create Magistrates had power over life and death to whom highest and last appeal were made did make a great Seal acting by vertue thereof by any Law of the Land established without nay against the King's consent And if there be no Law extant interesting them in such a power but on the contrary it must necessarily be confessed that all these things by the letter of the Law and the continuall practice thereof which is optimus leges interpres do belong to the King's Majesty his Heirs and Successors their own Propositions of the second of June 1642. confessing no lesse First Book Col. Ordnan 307. for then they petitioned him for a resignation of all these insignia regalia for the removing of fears and jealousies between him and his people which must necessarily imply a tacite confession that his Majesty is solely interested in the disposing of them for to what end should they petition for those things which without his consent they may claim as their own and if so let every mans judgement speak Quis reus Whether or no there be any Law remaining established or any clause reserved in the Law by vertue whereof the Lords and Commons or either of them are authorized in any case whatsoever reall much lesse upon a pretence of any case to remove Counsellours from his Majesty by force to imprison his sacred Person to use the regall Power to alter the Lawes established to impose new Lawes without his consent upon his Subjects and the like by force All which and more then these have been put in practice since these unhappy times began and if they cannot produce any Law or the least resemblance of a Law nay of Christian reason to warrant such like actions Judge Jenkins Lex tâ—rrae Remonffr Frb. 1647. they must give us leave to ask the question Who are guilty of Treason seeing all these particulars thus usurped are by the Law declared no lesse And here by the way let me put them in mind of the different judgement of former Ages in Bishop Cranmer a glorious Martyr for our Religion from such kind of positions or practices He would not admit of the Popes authority in England because he was pre-engaged to the King by Oath Book Martyrs according to the Law of the Land affirming that the Popes authority was against the Crown Custome and Lawes of the Kingdom Now unlesse there be a Law authorizing the People under what notion soever to do that which was unlawfull in the Pope to do the offence being one and the same committed only by differing persons I know not what to write more but that Pope and People begin both with one letter praying God to deliver us from the Pope and Papistical false Doctrines As for that old stalking-horse the fundamental Law which hath so often and so long been pretended as an undeniable warrant authorizing their beginnings and proceedings in opposition to his Majesty Truly loyall English hearts and rationall men will no sooner credit that there is such a Law because of their meer declarative affirmation then that there is such an one as Atlas really supporting the Heavens with his shoulders because Poets have delivered so much to succeeding Ages in their feigned writings There indeed not any such Law warranting these kind of actions for none hitherto hath appeared in view it being a maxime that quod non apparet jure non est therefore shall be bold to put them in mind of part of Master Pym's speech at the beginning of this Parliament leaving the application to their consideration The Law is that which putteth a difference between good and evill between just and unjust if you take away the Law all things will fall into a confusion every man will become a Law to himself which in the depraved condition of humane nature must needs produce many great enormities Lust will become a Law Envy will become a Law Ambition will become a Law and what dictates and decisions such Lawes will produce may easily be discerned Thus far Master Pym. Now that these things may not come to passe in its height however and perfection in these our dayes Let us pray that the Lord would grant us all grace to tread constant steps in the path of his Law giving us loyall hearts to the King and causing us to expresse a reall not verball obedience to the Law of the Land Further because humanum est errare and omnis perfectio nostra est imperfectio all of us being full of originall sin by reason of which the suggestion of Satan and the enticing pleasures and profits of this life we are alas quamvis Christiani though stiled Christians yet ready to commit sin with greedinesse against the God of heaven as also too too apt to prefer our own private advantage and interest before the publike good and benefit not minding the peoples happinesse in practising piety and enjoying Peace the mother of plenty but oftentimes spurred on by avaritious and ambitiously aspiring thoughts we neglect rendring to God his and all other degrees of men from the Prince to the meanest of the people their respective dues which often occasioneth that confusion like a fierce torrent overfloweth and ruine like a boisterous storme suddenly shipwracks a well governed Kingdom Therefore are Oathes tanquam Clavi religiosi framed to keepe this building of Government more firme and close together To this end the Oathes of Alleagiance and
Justification as if because Christ dyed to save Sinners we must therefore wilfully sinne if we will be saved you have many running so farre from the Papists meritorious hope of gaining heaven by good Workes that they expect in haste to post thither by a barren Faith arguing nay esteeming good Workes as altogether unnecessary when as indeed they must both be concomitants for such a Faith without Workes will prove but a lame Sacrifice and Workes without Faith will be but a blinde Offering never finde the way to heaven You may see London an envyed City declined in the affections of all abroad By assessements Contributions Excise c. because they were blinded in their affections by these deceivers at home who by degrees have eaten out the very heart of her Honour Wealth and Reputation You have seen many of her Citizens tossed too and fro with every winde of Doctrine steering their course with the current of each prevailing Faction rather yeelding to a destruction then endeavouring a preservation of the Cities honour and wealth You have seen her well proportioned and admirable Government dashed in pieces the wisdom of some of her wise men degenerated into a self-contriving Interest and Advantage neglecting the Cities good in generall You have seen her grand Counsell turned into a Counsell of War combining with the unruly Sword to disturb nay to destroy the Inhabitants with her civill Government many sacrificing their fellow-Citizens to the disposall of domineering Faction spirits who eat the bread of extortion Prov. 4.17 and drink the wine of violence You have seen the Cities peace formerly even to the envy of their Neighbours dwelling onely within her walls whilest blood want and poverty ran like a devouring Lyon up and down each Country interrupted by those who had most reason to preserve it in peace You have seen Sword-men strangers unto you if you consider your selves as Citizens of that famous Metropolis by some stiled your servants because entertained and paid you but howsoever I say not servants to the City but more truely servants to the factious vipers within the City even glorying in dying the stones of your streets with your own childrens blood Nay consider I appeal to the whole City what practicall Law have you almost left now in use but the Law of imprisonment whereby some men first being made preâ—endly guilty of that old ayery bugbear crime ill affection or if you will that beldam fault malignancy that is that will not swim in the same current of such hainous sins with the faction are to use their own word secured or others by reason of their long continuing distractions being disabled so fully and speedily to satisfie some griping Creditors their debts are the sooner hastened by additionall necessity want and grief to a satisfaction of the last debt they owe to nature in a loathsom prison Or else that in it self excellent but as it is now used bloody lettered Law for suppressing and punishing pretended mutinies which only like a Gyâ—nt standeth armed at the door that so each successive Faction may the more freely ruine within in the mean time denying the entrance either of justice mercy peace or truth You have long since seen the Pulpit from whence nothing but the sincerity of truth religious admonitions holy advice perswasively tending to the practice of godlinesse and true righteousnesse should issue forth turned into a sophisticall Desk to distract the brains of men with strange distinctions of Government new fangled Doctrine perswading their Auditors persons and Estates to an assisting compliance in the late Wars You have heard bitter expressions there against the established Government of the Kingdom some envying like mad more more then rationall men much lesse Christians against Episcopacy as Antichristian and the book of Common Prayer as unlawfull and erronious their best arguments being but invective railings although one hath stood the shock unmoved of the most fiery opponents and the other a perfect pattern of true Piety both of them receiving approbation and applause from all other Protestant Churches beyond the Seas being onely disgraced and defamed though without just cause at home by children of her owne womb You have heard the Ceremonies of the Church stiled limbs of Antichrist and others perswaded that they were imposed on tender consciences as necessaries whenas indeed their own consciences could not but inform them the contrary and that they were onely ordained for order and decency sake Besides His Majesties Answer to the Kingdoms Remonstrance Decemb. 1641. if any one seemed offensive to tender consciences his Majesty long before the Sword was unsheathed graciously promised an exemption from observance of them and therefore needed not to have been made Arguments perswading to blood You have seen learned Divines Doctor Featly that brazen wall of our Religion who unrazed hath maintained his hold retorting the Jesuites arrowes into their own brests with shamefull wounds Doctor Holsworth a lively pattern of Piety with many other religious and learned Divines imprisoned and disgraced And my dear Country-men ad quem finem haec omnia to what end think you did all these things tend Pray consider you may see the result of all quickly in what concerneth you to whom I write I meane you misled instruments for I intend not as I have already written the contrivers hereof no further then as I am a Christian to pray for their repentance conversion and forgivenesse You have been pleased like children in lieu of things substantiall with toyes as pulling down of May-poles destruction of senselesse stony crosses Reformation of Tavern signs by fantasticall cringers inserted instead of Angels pictured I think least the sight of such shadowes should put the misled people in minde of those reall Angels in heaven and thereby fright or invite them into a too soon repentance You have had as fruits of your endeavoured Reformation ignorant painted glasse windowes broken the Communion-table removed the Font locally changed though as by Baptisme we are visibly initiated into the Christian Congregation it more significantly became the entrance into then the body of the materiall Church yet neither of them so absolutely and meerly necessary as to counterpoize blood Heu pro quantillo pacem perdidimus You have had a new Directory a piece made like wax apted for any impression easily squeezed into any form by active brains You have had a Catechisme in a large Character the issue of above six yeers labour which ever since King Edward the sixt's dayes you might have furnished your selves with in a smaller print at an easie rate And to knit all these together you have the Presbyterian Government practized in place and opposition to the Episcopall and what have you purchased by this onely an intermixture of Lay-men with the Clergy as afterward I shall plainly make appear for the managing of Ecclesiasticall affairs both concerning Doctrine and Discipline Heu pro quà m parvis tantum sanguinis effudimus Thus much I write
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
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