of a civill Warre many dissentions and emulations upon true or misapprehended grounds would fall out amongst the orders and ranks of men to disturb and overthrow the degrees and dependencies each on other according to their severall and respective Qualities all begetting and Fomenting an universall distraction throughout the Kingdom not easily to be allayed in the heat and preparations to a Warre untill a deliberate and true examining the misunderstandings which the fury of a War begun would scarce endure should set it aright XXI that if new and sub-divisions should fall out amongst themselves in matters of judgement or opinion and thence contentions grow the prevailing party would be to seek how to deale with those who formerly had been their friends and heretofore assisted them in their greatest wants but since by reason of new dissentions have discontinued their affections acting and labouring against their proceedings whether in point of Gratitude they should forbear to punish them as their adversaries or in point of Safeâ—y take such a course as may best defend and secure them and themselves also from the common enemy XXII That a VVarre the longer it continues the more cruel and desperate it would grow for that when as one party hath prevailed and afterwards the victory comes againe to be disputed the successe grow doubtfull the prevailing power must and with good reason would punish their adversaries with a severer hand the adversaries out of foresight thereof would be the more sedulous to prevent the more active to provide against such severity so the contention between them would become the more extream XXIII That in the summe of all a VVarre although of a short continuance would produce more mischiefs more Sects and Schisms more disorder and disturbances in a commonwealth than a Peace restored againe although of many years growth would recover to its former temper So many anxieties so much evill incident to a civill war could not but keep wise men from harbouring the least thoughts of Leavying one yea to say more on the Parliaments behalfe and Their desires of peace after the war was waged and to prevent the effusion of more blood Their offering and accepting Treaties have manifested the same that when in Theiâ— Battails fought They were at the highest Tyde of successe They did not refuse to Treat nor when at the lowest Ebbe forbeare to Fight These prudentiall Reasons incident to and consequent on a Warre and to wise men obvious to have been foreseen could not but induce Them to decline a Warre yea deter Them from levying one These might withall together with many more which might be added hereunto and put into the Ballance with the Objections offered by the Kings Party to prove the Parliaments designe of overthrowing Monarchy which they could not doe but by a Warre will outweigh the objections and imprint in all men who shall impartially look into the beginnings and progress of this War an undoubted knowledge of the Parliaments just actings and these Reasons of foresight together with what hath past might satisfie all knowing and discerning men that if the Parliament did intend to levy a War against the Kings evill Councellours the Kingdomes e Pests and Vipers rather then They should be borne down in Their just defence They did not intend to levy one against the King who had as many friends to adhere unto as the Parliament had enemies of many sorts Offendors Interested and Obnoxious Persons to confront and oppose Them in their proceedings The Reasons being now set forth which might give assured satisfaction to the Reader of the Parliaments aversenesse from a War of their desires for Peace it is to be equally considered what may be brought in by way of opposition against the applying them rather to the Parliaments Interest than to the Kings If it be retorted as an Objection against the Parliament and Their Friends that the Kings Party being discerning and prudent men might have made use of the self same Reasons for their declining a Warre also being of the like prudence and foresight 'T is answered they being invested with a ful and ample power of the King and his adherents it might breed in them a greater confidence of prevailing and so were not to be conceived to apprehend so many doubts and fears in their undertaking a War as the Court of Parliament did The chief matter of Objection which their enemies give out whether published in Print or discoursed onely is that three or four Gentlemen of quality of popular note as they render them before the beginning of this Warre chosen Members of the House of Commons together with a Baron of the Realme a Peer of the House of Lords dwelling in neighbouring Counties each to other and sojourning before the beginning of these troubles with a f Gentleman a Neighbour and Friend of theirs did there conspire or contrive the overthrow of Monarchy to alter the frame of Government with intent to act against the Power and Person of the King If neither of these contrivances or intents appeared by any Discourse Letters or other Acts of theirs the Objectors shew more spleen against those Gentlemen then reason in drawing a prejudicial conclusion against the Parliament from their owne feigned or mis-conceived premises Many the like objection may be devised and whispered on purpose to traduce the Cause and Persons now opposed but unless the Truth were proved and the Inference better framed the Objections are of little use Did not the Parliament suffer more through Divisions within Themselves then by such Arguments and Inferences used by Their adversaries such like Calumnies could not hurt Them for that They have now got the upper hand They seem notwithstanding to divide anew with apparance and approach of danger to both the divided Parties the one leaning on a Covenant which party supposeth it to enjoyn and hold a Presbyterian Form of Government the other contending for a kinde of Independency as 't is called yet it is to be presumed that neither the Independent which seems a privative nor the Presbyterian a positive Forme can as yet during these Distractions be firmly and throughly established such Contentions may unhappily beget a Quarrel to the overthrow of both upon their Conquering which will be held rather an event of the Conquerours good successe than from any self-wilfull humour many on either side being sober and discerning Gentlemen which division if it should continue what may be guessed to be the event thereof that for the sake of a few dissenting in opinion we should fall out within our selves or that a Neighbouring Nation of late our friends and fellow-sufferers g whose aid and union might have been of mutuall security and use to Us both should fall out with Us or We with Them and so imbroil two Kingdoms at the least in an irreconcileable War about differences in opinion about termes meerly notionall about opinions strange and unknown to them In the first War they knew for
to be in it self Illusory as to the latter part of it by a precedent act of Parliament to bind and frustrate a future whenas a supreme and absolute power cannot conclude it self neither that which is in nature revocable be made fixed no more then if a men should appoint or declare by his Will that if he made any latter Will it should be void the quality of the Statute it self being considered as to the Imprisoning Fining some of the Kings Party for adhering unto for taking part with him against the knowne and fundamentall Lawes seem to be of no use to the present Quarrell betwixt the late King and the People that objected Statute seeming Temporary only whereupon the aforesaid Writer concludes with this Aphorisme that things that do not bind may satisfie for the timâ— But to returne to the occasion of this Warre how unhappily continued how easily the terms of dissention now in being are reconcileable how petty a difference there is betwixt the two Tenents of Independent Presbyterian is easy for any man to know who shal enquire into the quality of either of what growth settlement and extent they are the one the Presbyterian not ripe enough as yet to be established neither the times now fit to entertaine a fixt or established forme of Government to bind all sorts of men many having been left at liberty whether they have or will take the Covenant many who have taken it thinking themselves not obliged forthwith and in all parts to keep it having for some cause discovered since their taking set it aside The other the Independent a seeming rather then a certain abdication or totall renouncing all Government or for ever the Lord General and his army called Independents but why let them that call them so answer for it have solemnly p declared against such disorder and non-Government There are t is to be believed some adhering to the Parliament other of the same sort belonging to or having been of the Army that desire an independent and unlimited Power which neither derives its beginning nor receives its bounds from the Magistrate which kind of humour the Parliament neither q approveth nor admitteth of There are some besides styled Independents and many of them may haply desire to shake off that heavy yoake of Government which growne through the corruption of manners and indulgency of times into abuse exorbitancy and oppressings doth gall and heavily presse their Fellow Subjects necks not by an easy or ordinary course to be taken off yet the granting these proves not that the Parl. maintains or which is lesse allowes Disorder or Nonâ—Government in a Commonwealth the Division between them two Presbyterian and Independent was handsomely hatched and as cunningly carried on by the Common Enemy on purpose by Dividing to overcome them both or as is before observed it befell through their pride of Conquering The main and originall difference first in dispute between the Kings party and the Parliament's arose from matter of Fact which brought in this dispute or question amongst other things unto whose charge the Deluge of blood spilt in this Warre is to be laid The Parliament hath declared That it is to be lâ—iâ— at the King and his Parties doores For instance sake The bloud-guilty and horrid act of hindring the relief of Ireland whereby thousands of his Protestant Subiects have been slain which holds the three heretofore united Kingdomes in a languishing and sad estate even at this day the one divided against the other and many of the People of all three despairing to enjoy their former Pâ—ace the Parliament instancing First in his sparingly anâ— too late proclaming their Enemies Rebells when the Rebellion first broke out By signing Commissions to the chief Actors in the Rebellion r the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland sending unto him a serious Admonition to that purpose and charging him therein to be guilty of the shedaing the â—loud of many thousands of his best Subiects The Parliament of England their Commissioners at the Å¿ Treaty at Uxbridge urging as to the Warre in Ireland his disapproving the subscriptions of the Adventurers and Officers of the Army imployed for the relief of his Protestant Subjects there by meanes whereof the course intended was then diverted his making a Cessation with the Rebells which had it not been in the time of their greatest want and the Forces imployed against them not drawn off they might in all probability have been ere this subdued and the War even finished Instead thereof it is protracted That Kingdome having been by the prowesse of his t Predecessours kept entire united unto and a u Member of this State of England is by his and his Party's abetting it put into a Condition and even invited to invade and conquer This And what was wanting to be further acted by himself and his Councell is now set on and continued by his Party hindring the supplyes and forces sent over by the Parliament to reduce the Rebels raising and fomenting a new Warre between Us and the Scots to divert the Forces intended for the relief of Ireland that by a Warre with Scotland the English may be lesse enabled to prosecutâ— their design in Ireland That the Commissioners sent by the two Houses of Parliament for the better supply and encouragement of the Army in that Kingdome were discountenanced and commanded from the Councell there where the prosecution of the War was to be managed The Houses of Lords and Commons in the debate with the King about the Affairs of Ireland sent him word that his Message then sent to Them wherein He chargeth them with false pretences and a purpose in Them to divert large sums of money collected from the English from the proper use to which it was intended was an high breach of the Privilege of Parliament and upon that occasion They declare many particulars of their care for the reliese of Iâ—eland and the Kings hindring it Those particulars there expressed are as followeth They declare that this bloody Rebellion was first raised by the same Counsell that had before brought two great Armies within the bowells of this Kingdome and two Protestant Nations ready to welter in each others blood which were both defrayed a long time at the charge of the poor Commons in England and quietly at last disbanded by Gods blessing on the Parliaments endeavours That this designe failing the same wicked Counsel who had caused that impious Warre raised this barbarous Rebellion in Ireland and recommended the suppressing thereof for the better colour to the Parliaments care who out of a fellow-feeling of the unspeakable miseries of their Protestant Brethren there not suspecting this horrid Plot now too apparent did cheerfully undertake thâ—t great worke and doe really intend and endeavour to settle the Protestant Religion and a permanent Peace in that Realm to the glory of God the honour and profit of his Majesty and security of his three Kingdomes
But how they have been discouraged retarded and diverted in and from this pious and glorious worke by those traiterous Counsells about his Maiesty will appear by these particulars They there mention the sending over at the first of twenty thousand pounds by the Parliament and that good way found out to reduce Ireland by the Adventure of private men without charging the Subiect in generall which would probably have brought in a million of money had the King continued in or near London and not by leaving his Parliament and making War upon it so intimidated and discouraged the Adventurers and Others who would have adventured that that good Bill is rendered in a manner ineffectuall They mention that when at the sole charge of the Adventurers five thousand Foot and five hundred Horse were designed for the relief of Munster under the Command of an English w Lord and nothing was wanting but a Commission to enable him for the service such was the power of wicked Counsell that no Commission could be obtained from the King by reason whereof Lymrick was wholly lost and the Province of Munster since in very great distresse That when well-affected Persons at their own charges by way of Adventure had prepared divers Ships and Pinnaces with a thousand Land Forces for the service of Ireland desiring nothing but a Commission from his Maiesty that Commission after twice sending to York for it and the Ships lying ready to set saile three weeks together at the charge of neer three hundred pounds a day was likewise denyed and those Adventurers rather than to lose their Expedition were constrained to goe by vertue of an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament That although the Lords Iustices of Ireland earnestly desired to have some pieces of Battery sent over as necessary for that service â—et such Command was given to the Officers of the Tower that nâ—ne of the Kings Ordnance must be sent to save his Kingdome That a prime Engineer and Quarteâ— master Generall of the Army in Ireland and in actuall imployment there against the Rebells was called away from that important service by expresse command from the King That a Captaine Comptroller of the Artillery a man in pay and principally imployed and trusted here by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for providing and ordering the Train of Artillery which was to be sent to Dublin and who had received great sums of money for that purpose was Commanded from that Employment and Trust to serve the King in this unnaturall War against his Parliament and when the Parliament had provided many hundred suits of Cloaths and sent them towards Chester the Waggoners that undertook the Carriage of them were assaulted by the Kings Souldiers lying about COVENTRY who took away the Clothes That three hundred suits of Clothes sent likewise by the Parliament for Ireland towards Chester were all taken away by the Kings Troopers under their Captain allowing it As likewise that a great number of Draught-Horses prepared by the Parliament for the Artillery and Baggage for the Irish Army and sent to Chester for that purpose being there attending a Passage were then required by the King for his present service in England whose Forces were so quartâ—râ—d about the Roads to Ireland that no Provision could pass thither by Land with any safety That two other Captains the the Admirall and Vice-Admiral of the ships appointed to lie upon the Coast of Ireland to annoy the Rebels and to prevent the bringing Ammunition and Relief from Forreign Parts were both called away from that employment by the Kings Command and by reason of their departure from the Coast of Munster to which they were designed the Rebels there have received Powder Ammunition and other Relief from Forreign Parts By which z particulars say they it may seem that those Rebells were countenanced there to assist the Enemies of the Parliament here especially considering that those confident Rebels have presumed very lately to send a Petition to the King entituling themselves his Majesties Catholique Subjects of Ireland complaining of the Puritan Parliament of England and desiring that since his Majesty comes not over thither according to their expectation they may come into England to his Maiâ—sty These are the Charges whereof both Houses of Parliament have in these very words accused the King and cannot look back to retract their Charge And what at the beginning of this Warre was imputed to the Kings evill Counsell as their crime in seducing him to an arbitrary and tyrannicall way of Government to the countenancing if not the promoting this Rebellion of the Irish even now mentioned to the refusing to signe the Proposition tendered to him by the two Houses of Parliament as the onely and necessary means for setling a firm and well-grounded Peace with other of the like kinde which might be instanced in the Houses out of tendernesse to his honour would have remitted as to him being willing to abstract and sever his personall Acts from the Acts of such his Counsell yet he refuseth not to excuse his Counsell nor positively or seriously denieth those Charges as to himself only jestingly declines the particular presumptions wherewith he was charged of his privily countenancing that Rebellion in Ireland as not worth the answering Withall whereas the Kings party argue to have the King himself excused his Counsell blamed for his mis-government they must as well distinguish betwixt his Counsell before the Warre and his Counsel since the War began and limit it to whom of that his Counsel were his Seducers so the distinguishing before the War began between the Kings own Acts and those of his evill Counsell seems to be of no value whereby to excuse the King and wholly and in a generall way to charge his Counsell indefinitely named his Evill Counsell ignoâ—ely spoken who they were neither assigning or setting forth as the Arguers in the particulars should for the better compleating their Apology for the King who the Super-intendent and President of that Counsell was Besides the King contending on the one hand to rescue and protect whom the Parliament on the other did contend to punish it was a matter of no small difficulty to discern and judge by the understanding how an abstract and separation might be had betwixt the King and that his Counsell they mutually and strenuously contending to assist and defend one another The Question therefore by way of Argument betwixt the Kings party and the Parliaments as between the Commissioners imployed on either side to Treat admits now no verball or written Answer to or Denying it is to be determined by no other Umpire then the Sword and what the two opposite Parties have a long time strove for the one defending their Cause in their Books and Writings by vehemency and height of Wit the other theirs by solid and substantiall Prudence seems to be left to the Conquerour to determine What the odds is betwixt their Writings because controverted by either side
England to be bound by any Coronation Oath in a blind and brutish formality and that the King reckons himselfe accomptable to none but God which the Parliament objecteth as a maxime and ground for any Tyranny the enacting Lawes are of no value as to the King and then the Question is how far swearing Allegiance is to the Subject as the Oath was therefore and then imposed which is next to be discussed To the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance obje Books seditiously printed and privately dispersed abroad to discountenance and depresse the Parliaments cause to extoll and magnifie their own obtruding their writings on such Authors as they please all to affect the Reader sometimes on the adverse part to render them the more dâ—spicable and ridiculous sometimes on their own Friends to make them the more applauded and famous for their Actions or sufferings as by that one more remarkeably for the King in his name it may appeare of which it may be said as it was of Sampson that it did his Enemies more hurt upon and by the occasion of his death then he could doe when he was alive namely and to instance in one of his parties acts amongst the rest their publishing the Posthume Book called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} by some men reputed to be his though unlikely since by the Parliaments Declarations and Proofes convicting him of severall crimes it is made appeare unto those who shall impartially read and judge the transactions mutually passed betwixt him and his accusers either that the Book and those applauded Tracts and Meditations in it are none of his or that his party by setting forth that Book in his name would have him act the part of an exquisite hypocrite in representing such devotions as most of all should consist and be wholly taken up in a serious and reall sincerity so that the Tytle of that Book might be both literally and morally as to the King himselfe or to him who personates such conceptions in his name be entituled the Image and Pourtraiture of a Counterfeit rather than the Pourtraiture of a King the falshood and imposture resting on them alone who thus dresse and sets him forth Whosoever shall read the Parliaments often Declarations and Charges against the King set forth since the beginning of this War not denyed or answered by any of his Party saving in a recriminatory and scoffing way calling the Parliament and their Acherents Rebells or who shall read the n History of the Parliament of England summarily reciting what the Lords and Commons have accused the King of his countenancing and giving way to the Rebellion in IRELAND setting downe at large the strong presumptions against him for his countenancing it although eloquently excused and in a fine and pious Language denyed by the Author of the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} his averseness from calling Parliaments cannot but acknowledg that Book o whatsoever the fair and plausible flourishes in it do pretend of the Kings inclining to and desiring Parliaments to be falsly and injuriously charged on him few or none so indulgent to his Cause as to beleeve the whole Booke both for matter and forme to be of his owne penning however they may thinke some part of it to be his Falsly because they cannot but know how p unwillingly and seldome he called any how q oft he did dissolve or attempt to dissolve them when they were called notwithstanding the great Necessity of that Court for the propagation and maintenance of Justice that it drew on a r Law yet in force to call a Parliament every year in that through the discontinuance of them through the often dissolving them in the time of his Reigne and his Declarations published against some of the Members of either House the Historian reports The deiected People were forced to read with Patience and to allow against their own Reason Whence the Reader may observe an Answer to an Objection which the Kings Party makes r That the Parliaments party did begin the Preparations for a War before the Kings The People 't is true were discontented and greived at the Exactions and Oppressions practised in the time of his Reign they held themselves destitute of any means of redresse and therefore might harbour Heart burnings and thoughts of Rising but could not devise or thinke of any course towards the Preparations for a War the Power of the County being in every Sheriff of the severall Shires and Lords Lieutenants and their Deputies many other suborâ—inate Officers of the Kings upon the first Summons given from him to them in a readinesse to suppresse and check the People in case they should but move or stir up Commotions to the likenesse of a War neither could they build upon the strength of any Power to levy War on their behalf a Parliaments strength they sadly and long since observed was of too frail and uncertain a fabrick for them to trust unto as being awed and dissolved at pleasure so that if they had no thoughts of levying a War wanting the opportunities means of Prevailing if they had entertained such thoughts the first offering of Hostile attempts and acts will lye upon the Kings Parties accompt his aversenesse to call Parliaments his awing and dissolving them when called often and long before any preparations could be thought of for a War may satisfie the Objection when as to adde to the probability of some of his parties hostile and warlike preparations it hath been observed that some of his Friends knowing themselves obnoxious and questionable for their Tenents Demeanours when time should serve have long since before this Parliament was called fortified and furnished their Houses in divers parts of the Klngdome with Armes and Ammuniâ—ion no other notice taken til of late then of adorning them for strength and splendour which with some small addition became strong Garrisons for him the Parliaments Friends had none or not so many Holds so soon or suddenly to be fortified for their defeâ—ce The most wise and happy of Å¿ Kings could tell us by his own practiced Policy That it is not the first Blow that makes the War Invasive for that no wise Power would stay for nor the Voting a War to be Defensive as the t Scots have theirs which makes it so but the first Provocation or at least the first Preparations towards a War Injuriously charged on the King in that the Author and Reader also if a friend to Him and would have the Book reputed his doe unawares and as it were against their Will wound his honour and render the manner of his death the more unchristian then otherwise it might be judged when whilst the life is mortall they make the Vices of Dissembling and Uncharitablenesse to be surviving and immortall moâ—ions The reporting it to be the Kings seems besides to blemish the credit of those penitentiall expressions therein derogating from the serious
of Arms in the defence of the Laws and Liberties was judged by the one side to bee Lawfull and Necessary condemned on the other to be Trayterous and Rebellious the same act could not be Lawfull and Trayterous too the Difference onely is as a long time it hath been concerning the severall objects and matters in dispute as how Peace hath been forfeited how lost now on what terms and by what means to regain and secure it when regained The Kings party say the more moderate from a reluctancy of heart and unwillingness to be Conquered others of a fiercer spirit to be Avenged on their Adversaries the surest and next way to Peace is in the Prince his enjoying what his Father had faintly believing that he will be avenged only on those who were the Authors Contrivers of his Fathers death that he will passe by with a generall Act of Oblivion all other of the People by a light Fining or putting them to Compound for their Estates The Parliament having in their wisdome and experience discerned and foreseen the danger which the Common wealth They and Their Friends are thereby subject to are of a contrary minde to what the Kings party doe give out They doe foresee and know that it concerns them to provide against that the Prince will not onely rest there to be avenged for his Fathers death he will remember his owne being kept out and as it were exiled from out the Kingdome whereunto he aspires and hath engaged so many against this The Scots in maintenance of the Kings Party's judgement contend to aid his Sonne the Prince but whether for tho Covenant as their Motto's doe professe or against through a mis-understanding it or through willfull blindness their Actions doe declare and are here expressed They give out that they have brought the Prince to repentance for his Faâ—hers sinnes and for the sinnes of his Family but that their Prince doth threaten not many moneths before requiring aid to be avenged for his Fathers death and yet to repent and to be humbled for his Fathers sinnes seems inconsistent But doe they mean the Prince in his Person only or his Party they should withall have brought to repentance all the King his Fathers party else their Covenanting to prevent and oppose seems to be of little use the meaning of preventing and opposing carries with it a further progress of motion then to intend onely the person of the King then living the Repentance which they speak of if it should prove feigned and dissembled the Heart is desperately evil who can know it and thereby the safety of many thousands engaged in this Quarrell swallowed up the too late his Partyes construction as to offend Whosoever shal look on in a conflict betwixt two opposite Parties his affections questionlesse incline whatsoever his Actions are more to the one party then to the other So Neutrals such as have not acted for the King being already by his Party adjudged Guilty are subject to the censure may be brought in within the compasse of the Prince his meaning for if upon the late King his Parties good successe in some victories obtained when they kept Garrison at Oxford they in the high tide of triumph construing their fellow Subjects demeanour in relation to the King spared not to bring in all Neutralls if the Prince shall come in Conquerour what shall be judged and who reputed Principalls who Accessaries which is all one if it were Treason to his fathers death when as the Charge of taking away his life Forraigners and strangers beyond Sea reckon to be a Nationall and the Peoples Act because the Parliament is the Representative of the people for they not knowing the reason and exigency of matters here account it not an Act only of the Iudges Advocates and Officers deputed for his Tryall but include the whole English driven on first by the Scotish Nation the English more manifestly in that divers of their Friends and Agents being employed beyond Sea for making good the Amity and correspondence betwixt Them and other States and Nations have been barbarously and inhumanely murdered by the enemies party severall affronts and indignities offered them all to disgrace lessen and discourage the Parliament and their Actings So that it concernes both Nations the English and the Scots rightly to apprehend and rather to have continued in their mutuall League then be led away as the Scots have manifested themselves to be by the power and ambition of the greater ones to engage one against the other The English have sufficiently expressed their averseness from a Warre with the Scots their readynesse to afford them ayd in their greatest wants and cannot now be thought forward unlesse provoked to invade their Country or if they do to be gayners by it what the Scots may by invading This all men know who know the condition of Theirs and Ours how sterile the one how fruitfull the other Country is the setting Us and Them at variance the differences and dissentions between Us now flowÌ„ frow one common Source to wit the Enemy his wiles and subtilty who wants no stratagem to bring this contest betwixt him and Us into a fresh debate both by secret and covert acts at home to promote sedition and division amongst those whom he would overcome as by open Acts and solicitings abroad to pursue his attempting to bring in any forraign force how wild or barbarous soever they be how hard to get them out againe out of this plentifull Nation yeelding them all provisions all habiliments of Warre to strengthen themselves in this as to provide for their next attempt elsewhere after they have destroyed and harrased this not knowing how to distinguish between Presbyterian Independent and Royall Party and this to be driven on by him and his accomplices in an hazardous and uncertaine way out of revenge and thirst to regaine unto himselfe his power againe long since forfeited through his mistaken loyalty certainely through disaffection to his native Brethren of the same Nation or without considering which wise men should the price of peace which cannot be had without a War Mony being the sinewes and support thereof the Country-man grudgeth not to pay for seed expecting a plentifull harvest nor the Tenant to contract with his Landlord to disburse great summes for an estate in Reversion for his posterity yet the laying out mony by either of them for that without which the Countrymans harvest nor the Tenants Estate can fall out joyously is irksome to them both The frequent exception which the People make by way of comparison between the payment of Ship-money in the late Kings time and the Impositions and Taxes now required comes fitly to be answered Better say they that the payment of Ship-money should have continued and the like illegall Taxes demanded beyond and above the power of Law easier to be born then so much Bloud spilt then such vast summes of money spent in the maintenance of this War
Hominum for no other reason than that the People of the one are subject and obedient to the Will and Arbitrary Government of theirs the People of England pay a known and limited obedience by the Lawes which the King is alike sworn to keep by his practice in his own Person and by his power to maintaine it towards others as the People to obey The Lawes Customes and Constitutions of England as a b Noble Prince and Peer of France observes are of another Forme of Government differing from all other Nations some being Free-States others simply and absolutely Monarchies having Power and as they think also Right to inforce and conform all under them to slavery and vassallage XIIII That if the Parliament notwithstanding these attempts and practices against Their Power should prevail They would and must to keep up Their Power lay Taxes and Payments on the People who when the War did seem or was neer an end their complaint would be and that with repining and murmuring The War is ended the Taxes and Payments yet continued not considering that it is of as great concernment to keep as to gaine a Victory nor sensible of the quiet and safety which through the counsel and vigilancy of the higher Powers they doe enjoy and other Countries infested with the like Civil Wars doe want when as the Parliament in case of Their prevailing were to weigh withall the doubts and dangers attending Them the care jealousie and fears which no men but would avoid the troubles of and such as They must be subject to untill the Conquest be fully made the cares against the surprizall of their Enemy the Jealousie of friends proving false or falling off the feares of losing what They should gaine all these being passive more serious and anxious than the hopes of the adverse part Feares more deeply seizing and disquieting the Conquerours spirits especially whilest their Victory is accompanied with study and thoughts of mercy towards the Conquered hopes in the vanquished being more bold and active raising thoughts working still how to recover what they have lost XV Again They could not but consider that in a War with Them the King Their Enemy would have some of his Party fit and able to inveigh and declaim against Them as being Rebels for contending with him wherefore in case of the Parliaments prevailing untill a full Conquest made They being subject to the charge of Rebellion Treason and accused thereof as by several Edicts and Declarations published it hath fallen out and that the King with the help of his c Chronicler hath in a continued tone named Them the Rebells at Westminster Perjured and nothing since of pardon to assoil them from such guilt to repeale such censure could not but expect to be dealt with by their Enemies thirsting after Revenge and Conquest with Vices of as sharp an edge to revenge and wound as with Dissembling Treachery Falshood Perjury whilst the Parliament and their friends are in the state of Traytors as the Kings party counteth Them and nothing done by him to clear Them from such guilt t is held but just to recompence Treason with Treachery Forswearing with Forswearing and all held honest means in order to the chastising Rebells and good enough to be practiced against the Power of Traytors casting and scattering the seeds of those Vices even amongst the Parliaments own Friends to divide Them within Themselves to cut asunder the Tyes and Ligaments which should strengthen their Accord that being weakned they may be overcome at last So the Dissembling Fraud and Art which the Loser practiseth as his means of recovering his loss may teach the Winner as his means to keep what he hath got XVI That all disasters and evils whether Sicknesse Dearth or what Calamities soever happening through and by reason of such numerous bodies as an Army consists of what Enormities and Errors committed or suffered either in Church or State an Army can by their strength defend and justifie none daring to question them so all the evils and injuries done to be laid to the charge of the present power which Governs and Rules no better in the peoples account thence reckoning all the disasters of the war to flow not looking on the first occasion and Authors of the war Neither doth the peoples Regreet and Iealousie cease in this surmise for that moreover there are to be Agents and Officers belonging to and providing for an Army Receivers Expenditors Treasurers others too many to be here recited who in troubled waters will bring in to their private banke what is to be raised for the publique use and that the Warre and Calamities thereof are protracted through their corruption and privy gainings XVII That in a Battle fought which side soever should prevaile there would fall ouâ— enough to disturbe and divide the thoughts of either side the Conquered and Conquerour fears and doubtings in the Conquered whether they should wholly yeeld unto the Conquerour or entertaine hopes of recovering their losse againe Pride and Insolence in the Conquerours dividing them likewise into variety of opinions what course were fittest to be taken for their next atchievement the distractions thereof have sometimes overthrown an Army the Commander in chief being not at al times present nor his judgment at any time infallibly certain to direct and when a d victory shall be gained which naturally is proud and by Pride comes contentions emulations and variances in actions as well as in opinions the Conquerors strength would be thereby weakned and thence in danger to be lost XVIII That untill a compleat and full conquest made which could not be without much pressure and heavy sufferings on the vanquished without charge and payments layd on all Enemies Friends Enemies in being fined for their Delinquency Friends burthened by reason of their expence and charge in the publique service of providing for the common peace for the maintenance of the Souldiery and the like an Army was to be continued and maintained to prevent Insurrections here at home inroads and invasions from abroad that the Army was to consist of multitudes of Souldiers those multitudes would have their severall humours and opinions tending to divisions consequently to the destruction and ruine of the whole that without an extraordinary care to please and satisfie them in their demands there would be mutinying revolting and inconstancy in the private Souldiery for want of judgment to discern for what they fought XIX That if the Conquerours power should at any time abate before a full and totall conquest made he would be put to it what course to take to encrease it againe Forcing and Impressing men to fight in a cause so intricate as unto some it seemed then and for a long time controverted as this hath been would prove harsh and irksom and would meet with resistance in a people made and born free unlesse their pay and reward be answerable to yea beyond their meritings XX That in the confusion
into an equall condition with it and this Parliament coâ—vâ—ned according to the known and fundamentall Lawes of the Kingdome the continuance whereof is established by a Law consented unto by your Majesty is in effect denied to be a Parliament the scope and intention of that Letter being to make provision how all the Members as it is pretended of both Houses may securely meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament whereof no other conclusion can be made but that this present Parliament is not a full and free Convention of Parliament that to make it a full free Convention of Parliament the presence of those is Necessary who notwithstanding that they have deserted that great Trust and doe levy War against the Parliament are pretended to be Members of the two Houses of Parliament And hereupon we think our selves bound to let your Majesty know that seeing the continuance of this Parliament is setled by a Law which as all other Lawâ—s of your Kingdoms your Majesty hath sworn to maintain as wee are sworn to our All giance to your Majesty those obligations being reciprocall we must in duty and accordingly are resolved with our Lives and Fortunes to defend preserve the Just Rights and full power of this Parliament And doe beseech your Majesty to be assured That your Majesties Royall and hearty concurrence with us herein will be the most effectuall and ready means of procuring a firm and lasting peace in all your Majesties Dominions and of begetting a perfect understanding between your Majesty and your People withâ—ut which your Majesties most earnest Professions and our reall Intentions concernign the same must necessarily be frustrated And in case your Majesties three Kingdomes should by reason thereof remain in this sad and bleeding condition tending by the continuance of this unnaturall Warre to their Ruine your Majesty cannot be the least nor last sufferer God in his goodnesse incline your Royall breast out of pitty and compassion to thâ—se deep sufferings of your Innocent People to put a speedy and happy issue to these desperate Evills by the joint advice of both your Kingdoms now happily united in this Cause by their late Solemn League and Covenant Which as it will prove the surest remedy so is it the earnest Prayer of your Majesties loyall Subjects the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England Westminster the 9th day of March 1643. Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore William Lenthall Speaker of the Commons-House in PARLIAMENT The Kings parties Apprehension and Comment on the Letter in these words Whosoever considers that this should be a Letter from Subjects might well think it very unbeseeming language in them to call his Majesties earnest endeavours for peace but Professions and their own feigned pretences most reall Intentions but much more wonder at that menacing language that his Majesty cannot be the least nor the last sufferer which expressions from Subjects in Arms to their Soveraign what dangerous construction they may admit we are unwilling to mention Thus much for the Kings parties Comment on the Letter One other intercourse of Messages between both Parties of a latter time The Summons sent by the Committee of both Kingdoms to the Governour of Newarke for surrendring that Towne and Fort The h Summons expressing perswasive and valid reasons to surrender it the Governour rather his Secretaries Answer full of good Language courage and strength of wit wherein mentioning the Kings Letter sent the 23 of March 1644. unto both Houses of Parliament he urges the Kings granting Graecious Conditions and proves it in that he would Disband his Forces Dismantle his Garrisons c. he who penned the Answer recites not all the Kings Proposalls as that he would have withall his Friends pardoned the Sequestration taken from off their Estates and the like either he saw not the Kings whole Letter being he recites but one part only or else he smiles in his sleeve thinking by his reserved Comment on the Letter to satisfie the Committee there and the whole Kingdom besides of the Kings gracious inclination in that Letter whereof the Answerer reciteth but one part the offering those promises which he mentions and commends the King for seems like Sathans contracting with our Saviour in the Gospell who tells him of large gifts to give him all the Kingdomes of the Earth and the glory of them but on what condition On such as Christ his purity and immunity from all sin could not accept viz. to fall downe and worship him The Kings Letter was easily to be understood by any who shall read it collectively and all together but not a part only as of disbanding his Forces dismantling his Garrisons with other the like gracious proffers made but on what condition are they made to have his friends pardoned and their Sequestraâ—iâ—ns wholy taken off Such manner of collective speaking being conditionall the one is not expected to be done on the one side if the rest be not performed on the other The Answerer 's mentioning so much of the Letter as may serve the turn in reciting the Kings gracious promise leaves out on what condition the promise is made the condition annexed to the promise frustrates the vertue of the promise for that which the answerer calls gracious in the Kings Letter of Disbanding his forces if nothing else were to be expected are in every mans Iudgement as in the Answerers gracious indeed but that the Kings expects to have his Friends pardoned the Sequestrations wholly taken off from their Estates were by the Parliaments giving way to the revoking their own Iudgments to accuse themselves of Injustice-doing to put them whom they accounted Offenders and their enemies into as good or better condition then their own friends the Answerer if knowing the Kings whole letter and would contract it into parts reciting only that which serves his turne the Committee being presumed solid and understanding Gentlemen would questionlesse follow the dictates of their own Iudgment without replying to the Answerer For an handsome Dialect and height of wit which haply may delight some Readers but cures not the distempers and calamities of a Civil war nor satisfies the serious expectation of unbiassed spectators or Actors in these Tragedies it is confessed that the Assembly at Oxford and their Party in their Quarters there having the more facete and nimble wits with the help influence of the Youth and Schollers there not ripe enough nor versed in the Laws policies of a State may seem to exceed the Parliament and those whom the Parliament imployes in their expressions but let the Books on either side be examined by the test of Reason and Prudence the Reader will soon discern the difference and these foure remarkeable Messages instanced in may decide the contest none other of all their conflicts of that kind being more opposite each to other nor any of their Messages reciprocally sent more disdainfully rejected on
themselves yet if there be a greater price at stake and the chief Governour be false to his Trust in Government that thereby the safety of many hundred thousands be in jeapordy that his design be probably such as to make his way through the shedding the bloud of many thousands for compassing it and rather than fail engage the Kingdoms each against the other to the destruction of all three It cannot be thought a breach of the Covenant in the Covenanters to remove the Governour when as the more principall matters to be secured are in danger to be destroyed The Resemblance may be fitted in a case of a narrower orbe if souldiers in a Town of Garrison for the better security of the Town shall enter into a League and Covenant to preserve the Magazine thereof to keep withoâ—t making away or suffering to be made away the Arms and Ammunition belonging to the Garrison to defend the Governour thereof if notwithstanding this their Oath and League they shall suspect Revolting in the Governour a Failer of his Trust whereby to turne the Arms and Ammunition against the Garrison and the Inhabitants to the detriment and destruction of the Town so that upon good causes of suspition of their Governours breach of Trust they remove the Magazine and Arms they withstand and resist the Governour it is no violation of their Oath for what they swore was in order and relation to the most considerable part of what they were to maintain viz. The defence of the Town and Garrison without staying untill they had too late made a perfect and full discovery of the Governours Revolt and Falshood If the King hath given cause of suspition of maintaining Å¿ Popery Prelacy or of disturbing the Peace of any of these his Kingdomes it is no breach of the whole Covenant to provide against the endangering of what they have Covenanted more principally to secure The Question is not of the King his enjoyning his immediate and actuall bringing in of Popery for then his own Protestant Party would have failed him in the maintenance of his Cause and Quarrell nor of his upholding and adhering unto Prelacy which the t Scots have so much withstood and laboured to extirpate but if he had not by his Power Favour or other personall relation working strongly on his affections given Cause of just suspition of maintaining the one viz. Popery of his taking part and favouring the other Prelacy if he had shewne any dislike he had of Prelacy any condiscending or propension to the abolishing it according to the u Covenant which he hath beene often implored to take inhibiting it If he had not had a great influence on the Archbishops and Bishops and if the Author of that Book be to be credited they Protection and Incouragement from him One of them avowing these Contentions and the Warre to be Bellum Episcopale as hath been given out That the Warre was intended and waged against Bishops and the Hierarchicall Government and had they not had tuition support from his exercising a more powerfull Authority then their ordinary and meaner friends could have supplyed them with there had not so much bloud been spilt in this Quarrell So the substance and drift of the Covenant one part of the Article being to defend the Kings Person and Authority is not crossed by taking the Engagement of late enjoyned if duely weighed Admit that the Letter of the Preamble to the Covenant did in the Covenantâ—rs sense comprehend the Kings Heirs and Successors yet still the maine and principall parts of the Covenant are to be observed in order to the preservation of the Protestant Religion the Subjects Liberty the Peace Union and Safety of the three Kingdoms So that if his Heirs and Successors shall be discovered and known to tread in their Predecessour's steps he having given cause of suspition of his endeavouring to overthrow them all the Covenanters could not both maintain the Honour of his Heirs and Successours and yet in the common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms withstand as they w protested they would all opposition to bee made against the same and what they could not of themselves suppresse they would doe their best to prevent and remove The Scots our Covenant-Brethren cannot but confess that the words Preventing and Opposing in the Covenanter with his large expression of bending his whole force and power carry an universall and greater latitude then to take away the present power of the Fathers Person or that the Covenant should continue only for his life time seven years and the term of life being by common repute in men's commerce equivalent each with other the Covenant neere half so many years in framing no doubt was made and entred into to remain for longer then for so soon an expiring term as a mans life to provide against his future and successive power To take the paines of removing Danger out of the Fathers reach and leave it in the Sonne or any of his Successours being of the Fathers temper and laying His Cause to heart could not be thought a Task worthy of so solemn a LEAGUE and COVENANT or the Industry which both Kingdomes have taken to settle their Peace and Liberties As to that part of the Covenant that they had then no intention to diminish the Kings just power and greatnesse they might intend no lesse untill they saw they could not overcome him by humble applications and dutifull addresses by their Reasons Declarations and Messages setting forth the wrongs and injustices acted by his Ministers of Iustice the mischiefs and dangers whereunto his Kingdomes were exposed unlesse he returned and hearkned to their Councels and joyne in redresse of such Grievances yet notwithstanding those faithful humble expressions that they could not discerne any conâ—iscending to such Peâ—tions any acknowledgment of his former errours any placable or propitious heart towards his Parliament and People any purpose in him to signe those Propositions as the only and necessary means for setling a safe peace long since tendred to him joyntly and unanimously by the Parliament then sitting whether Presbyterians or Independents as they are called yet not concluding or providing what was to be done in cased he did refuse but instead of sorrowing for what he had done his refusing to signe those Propositions and contrary to the x Articles of the large Treaty agreed upon gracing and preferring to his nearest secrecy and trust a person proclamed guilty of High Treâ—son charging still and banding against the Parl. one of the Supremest and Greatest Councells for weight and number in all Europe Retorting on them and highly and with a scornfull vanity demanding in lieu of the Propositions sent to him counter-Propositions of his Parties devising to be sent to them contending to lay the deluge of blood spilt in this Warre at Their doors and theirs alone ever seeking by a covert and restlesse ill-will one way against the y
and the People thereby impoverish'd The Parliament confesses and allowes as much that of two Evils the lesser is to be chosen where of necessâ—y one must happen as in case of inevitable necessity that Wisdom and Industry cannot prevent if otherwise Necessitas non excusat quae potuit esse non necessitas as a learned * Writer of the Church acutely argues when that a King his Treasure or Revenue sufficeth not for the Common good as when the Realm is invaded or any notable Rebellion of the Subjects shall happen such an Invasion or Rebellion as is not procurata not simulata but verae gravis manens the King then by the common opinion of the CIVILIANS may impose new Taxes in requiring aid although out of a Parliamentary and common way The Answer to this Exception is made good resembling it to one of the same kinde it were better that a man should receive a wound from a stronger then himself and afterwards be assaulted and affronted a second or third time yea even untill he be maimed then although in his own defence be killed for so it may happen upon his resistance-making It had bin better for him to have endured those and many more affronts and wounds as the lesser Evill of the Two then by striving repulsing them to lose his life But where the one might have been avoided no necessity of the other to have hapned the Exception seems invalid Again if a man having an estate in Fee in Land or otherwise free from any Charges Taxes Tallages Annuities or the like and a firm and undoubted Title to the same rather then he will suffer a rent-charge although of a smaller value to be unjustly and wrongfully paid out of it through the oppression of an Adversary stronger then himself demanding such a rent wil doe his best to defend yea peradventure at a greater expence of money then the rent-charge may amount unto Nor is his failing to maintain his Title an impeachment to the credit of it no more then it is an advantage to his Adversaries right being of ability to oppress his Tenant weaker then himself There was no necessity of levying Shipmoney when it was required first from the Maritime places and Countries which when they did submit unto was generally paid throughout the whole Land and for divers years continued and wherefore when the English had Commerce Trade and Correspondency with all other Nations without Interruption or Hostility Wherefore the for standing out longest against his his Fathers power the Presbyterian next for his opposing contending with it at first the Neutral for his double minded and ambidextrous carriage and upon an inquiry had who have subscribed the late Engagement which the greater and more considerable part of the whole Nation have to punish the Subscribers or put them all to their sute for Pardons At what rate That the price of purchasing shall both gratifie his friends Forraigne and Domestick and defray the charges of the Warre that not all but seize and become Lord of the peoples Estates and Lives by way of policy and prudence to keep and prevent them from committing the like Rebellion as t is â—armed that they may not have wherewithall hereafter to leavy a Warre for the maintenance of Treasons that the same may not be said of them as the Kings party in their indignation said at the beginning of this Warre of the City of London Their wealth was the occasion of this War by consequence of the ruine of this Nation Lastly this may be seen in the summe of all that if the prevailing party in any division shall divide according to their varying judgments then subdivide after subdivide againe there will be no end of such dividings untill their number and their friends bee reduced into few or none and shattered in pieces as their Enemies would have it even as dust before the Wind for instance sake the Kingdome did at first divide into a Party for the King another for the Parliament the Parliaments Party upon their Conquest did divide into two sorts the one called Presbyterians the other Independents the Presbyterians if they shall prevail may divide into a Scotish rigid Presbyterian and an English Presbyterian of a milder Test and to be new molded to the Conquerours fashion If the Independent shall prevail they may rend into new Sects and Divisions and the prevailing Party in such Sects may divide again so there will be no end of Dividing till all be scattered and lost The Emulations Part-takings and Dissentions now on foot and spreading farre give to the Enemy's indefatigable restless malice new hopes of recovering his Power again that through these conflicts the deciding this Quarrel may come again to be debated the Cards new shuffled be taking advantage of the Presbyterian'sâ—iscontent and making use of his Power mingleth Interests ' is to be seared as the State Kirk of Scotland have likewise done to promote the design in hand joyning with him in this particular against subscribing the Engagement where the Kings Party may seem to have the better colour to Quarrell with the Subscription because that thereby the Kingly Power and Office are excluded their task is therefore to Disswade to Argue against Subscribing whether they doe subscribe or no themselves on purpose to keep in the Fuell of Emulation and Contention in these distracted times yet 't is to be believed that many of themselves subscribe whether against their Will and to avoid the penalty of not Subscribing and so the more active and eminent sort of their Party may peradventure be privily dispenced with for their Subscribing in case they come at any time after to be questioned for it knowing then how to excuse themselves by one common Plea of submitting rather unto then to be undone by their Enemies and the Kings But how justly do they plead thus when as the Parliament judgeth it in most of them to be an outward onely and feigned conformity to Their present Government an enforced submission to the Engagement and so passe it by without punishing any for refusing They knowing withall that the Engagement is so commonly received so easily swallowed by the Enemy and his Party that many of that Party are nothing the worse thought of by them for refusing nor many other the better for their taking it their affections little knowne or measured by either taking or refusing But why the Presbyterian so much against Subscribing in opposition to the Party which he calls Independents or in favour to the late King or to the Prince his Son and his surviving Party The Author of the * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in the Kings name remembers and observes the demeanour of them both That the Presbyterian did hunt for that which the Independent caught in hunting viz. the overthrow of the King in Person or in his Monarchicall Estate and the Prince in his Messages before recited remembers how they
rests upon the issue of these Questions Whether from Irelaâ—d so erroneously misled and malevâ—lently affected towards England by a two-fold Antipathy both of Nation and Religion and so impetuously set on by three severall parties the Royall Popish and Prelaticall there be not an evident approach of perill to England in case the English be not some way cemented and untâ—ed as the Engagement now in question aymeth at and with a joynt vigour to subdue them and to keep them under when subdued Whether through and by reason of these distractions England be not in danger of losing their ancient Rights and Claims their credit and privilege of Commerce and Traffique which heretofore they have had with other Nations Whether Scotland not remaining in the same condition of Amity and Brotherhood as in their League and Covenant with England they at first United in but rather revolting from it it be not necessary to make up that breach by a closer union amongst our selves and against them when as it appears without recounting the particular actions falling out betwixt the Parliament and Army betwixt divers and private Members and Officers of Both as what this or that particular person by himselfe or by the instigation of some few hath done contrary and against the directions or command of his superiours That the Scots have in the maine broke with us For instance sake in the Article of the large * Treaty betwixt us and them granted and confirmed by the late King and wherein amongst the rest they having covenanted and Declared against Popery and Prelacy which the King and his party hath countenanced and favoured and now endeavouring to helâ— his Sonne into his Fathers power that then he may make good his favour towards Papists and Prelates would excuse themselves and Quarrell to assigne the breach of Covenant to us but how justly let the Reader judge Their insisting on a pretended Loyalty clears them not in the judgment of any who since the beginning of these troubles have observed their Motions their Demands and Treaties neither doth their literall leaning on the words in that Article of the Covenant to defend the Kings Person and Authority excuse their guilt the Kings Person and Authority being but one and an halfe part of that Article the sense and drift of it makes it up which the English according to the End and Meaning do pursue in the preservation of the true Protestant Religion the Liberties and Peace of the three Kingdome c. Now that they give out and threaten to come in an hostile manner into England under their Apologeticall and specious pretence of fighting against the Sectaries thereof of repressing Schisms and Heresies when as they have nothing to do with our Doctrine and Discipline Ecclesiasticall or Civill when as our own Divines can do better service by their Tongues and Pens for the suppressing Schismes and Heresies then can be expected from the Scots their Swords and Arms which if we may speak by experience are by the continuing this Warre more like to increase them both in number and power then to suppresse or lessen them in either and for the English Laity none or a very few and inconsiderable number of them doe tolerate Heresies and Sects as is elswhere set forth in this discourse Moreover when the English have shewn their Aversenesse from a VVarre with Them q their tender and compassionate thoughts towards them when they were at the lowest ebbe and they expecting the like measure of friendship and Brotherhood from the Scots according to their motto and profession to deal as they would be dealt with have assisted them before and even at the beginning of these troubles when they suffered most when by their applying themselves to the King for redress they could have none the English was their only ayd and best support The last Question then falls out Whether whilst these matters be in dispute we may rest secure from an Hostile invasion from them or other Forraigners whether by these unnecessary disputes and dissentions here at home the Commonwealth be not in danger to lose that in a short time which hath cost so much Treasure Industry and Blood For the powers that be once shaken and becomming weake will soon fall most men being apt to lay hold on the r Politicians advice Not to leane on a weak and toâ—tering Wall The judgment and knowledge of deciding these Questions rests in the Prudence and Experience of the State who after a long time casting and consulting what was fittest to be done what the safest course to be taken for the strengthning and support of a firme and present Government have resolved upon an universall Engagement in such manner and forme as to their wisdomes seems most expedient and they have accordingly Declared and Ordained that they knowing the justnesse of their Cause ought in relation to the present security and maintenance of their power to the preservation of a firme and lasting Peace to use all Expedient and Lawfull means against the violence and restlesse opposition of their Enemies none they judge so safe as by an Engagement and Subscription thereunto which if throughly weighed crosseth no former Vow either of Protestation Covenant Oath of Allegiance or Supremacy the subscriber only promising to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth as it is now Established without King or House of Lords not the Oath of Allegiance or Supremacy as is before observed if you look into the Reason and End of enjoyning the said Oaâ—kes Nor the Proâ—estation taken 1641. for the maintenance of the Kings Honour Person and Estate Nor the Covenant taken 1643 for the preserving his just Power and Greatnesse where his Honour and Power are transitory and personall capacities during life dying with his Person without further respect had unto his successors So the taking the Engagement commencing since the time of the King his death is no breach either of Covenant or Protestation taken for him in the time of his life nor by the words Now Established without a King or House of Lords are the Nobility excluded for ever from their Privileges as to succeeding Parliaments if the Wisdome of the State shall so admit and these continued Divisions beget not an universall ruine taking away the succession of Parliaments all Order and Government to be hereafter had nor from an Envy or Neglect had by the House of Commons to degrade the Lords or lay their Honours in the dust as hath been of late seditiously given out for so the Gentry of which the Parliament themselves consists being in the next ranke to the Nobility may fear their turn is next to be thrown from their station also al become Levelled Such suggestions questionlesse are infused by the Enemy's Factours into the Gentry's ears to draw away the affections of them also as well as of the Nobility to set on those ancient ranks of men against the Parliament and their proceedings endeavouring indeed to turn the
what they fought about a form of Government which hath not nor can take root until the Warre which confounds and overthrows all Government be ended The direct and certain issue in the tryall of the first Contention betwixt the King and Parliament was Whether the King having by his Creatures actually invaded the Subjects Liberties the other differences in Church and State are collaterall accidentally emergent out of the grand Difference about the first and more principall viz. the Subjects Liberty The Court of Parliament should sit as Scepticks to look on onely without purposing or endeavouring to redresse the same or to be so confined in Their Consultations and Resolutions as their Enemies should prescribe or the extreamest of all be so driven to new Councels to extraordinary high and severe proceedings to courses seldome practised the passages and quality of the persons with with whom they had to deal being weighed withall as where the disease is imminently dangerous the mischief desperate the Cure must be answerable or the whole Body perish for want of a timely and prudent remedy to be applyed The Parliaments actions if therefore rigid and severe as to their Enemies if variable and uncertaine as to their selves may in these streights and exigencies whereunto they are driven and forced for safety be dispenced with It seems to fare with them as with Seafaring men in a boysterous Storme who are fain to steer their vessell which way they may best secure their Fraught and Charge sometimes Northerly sometimes plain North sometimes Northwest sometimes Northeast sometimes plain South sometimes North againe so from one cross point unto another having still the Harbour and End of their Voyage in their eye so with Them encountring with such uncertainty and variety of oppositions from their Enemyes yet all meeting in one Center to the subversion of their power and strength such Non-conformity dissention even amongst themselvs friends that They cannot yet Act within a direct certain and constant compasse to please all lookers on Their ayme and end notwithstanding may be one and the same the defence of the Lawes the peoples liberties and the maintenance of the supremest Law the Peoples safety yea Their Edicts Orders and Ordinances devised and made in jealous and troubled times cannot well be free from all exception Many of their adversaries being knowing and prudent men if their animosity and height of Spirit would give way to the exercise of their knowledge upon their consulting and conferring their observations to what they have known and read can no doubt frame exceptions against the Parliaments proceedings as the acute and more witty sort can deride and make sport at Them in their looser jests and Poems Neither will any man imagin that in the fiercenes and heat of preparations for a War when their chief thoughts of providing to assaile and to defend were most attentive and wholly taken up that then They could devise so punctually exact and perfeâ—t Laws and Ordinances as perpetually to bind or such as no specious Objections might be urged against the consonancy of some of Their late Ordinances to former and wholsome Lawes yet whilst their endeavours are to maintaine and defend the main Principles viz. God's Honour the Subjects liberty the one in danger to be born downe the other by severall arbitrary actâ— of power invaded and the Laws and Ordinances for maintenance of both by the same power made in-effectuall and neglected when the Parliament in defence thereof saw how They were interrupted in Their proceedings how compassed about with a potent Enemy surrounded with many advantages of power and policy to bend his forces against Them under the calumny of being Rebellious Subjects They were to provide alike how to preserve and secure by all possible means what he did attempt to overthrow wherein they could not tread so even and precise a way in making all their Acts and Ordinances as to be free from being quarrelled with that no Reasons might be framed and arguments raised by such as were likely to prove their adversaries against some of such Their Ordinances yet the intent and ultimate end of Their undertaking may be one and the same the preservation of the Lawes the maintenance of the chief and supremest Law the Peoples h safety wherein if They shall faile or not be able to make it good we know by some late years since experience how barbarously and cruelly their enemy's malice did shew it self against Them as being reputed Rebells in case he shall recover his power againe how a desperate Revenge added to will second his first and furious cruelty and to Crown his glory as for the better exalting his pretence he shall impute it unto Gods justice saying It is the Lord's doing it may be his suffering it through their divisions and it is marvelous in our eyes that he hath wrested the Sword out of our enemies hands and put it into ours for no man he will say can think that Rebellion as he takes it shall for ever passe unpunished thâ—n when he hath regained his Power he will not want Arguments from his own nor from a neutrall party siding with him upon his conquering to bring whom he pleaseth within the compasse of Treason and Rebellion to make the Parliament mens Persons and Acts his i sport and scorne those Proclamations of his lately accusing and proscribing many of both Houses of Parliament as guilty of High Treason with other Edicts of his to be revived those sentences and judgments seriously denounced against Them and Their proceedings the scoffs and flouts jestingly pass'd on the Parliament and Their friends and by the wiâ— and power of Their adversaries made good against Them whey They have lost Their Power which Power is visible yet Their strength not shortned the great difficulties the fierce conflicts which They have wrestled with the Revolting of Their Friends the multiformity of Opinions amongst Themselves might have have abated Their successe and weakned Their strength had not an Almighty hand supported Them amongst those difficulties never so many stratagems policies and falshoods practised by an Enemy to impaire the Parliaments strength to advance his own but that the God of Truth hath discomfited and dispelled them all in which whither â—he hath done it in favour to the justice of Their Cause or in his fore-knowledge of Their Enemy's malice to be avenged if he could have got the upper hand I leave to the judgment of the cryed up k Author who hath more fitly observed That Gods wise providence often permits what his revealed Word approves not then he hath suited his resembling of the Parliaments successes to prosperous winds filling the Sailes of Pyrates to iustifie their Pyracy when as the giving or denying victory and courage in the day of Battle is a more immediate and effectuall work of God's Almighty Power acting and taking an especiall care in the affairs of War The Reasons l offered against the Covenant
Directory and Negative Oath are learnedly penned if as appositely applyed To the two first let the Scots maintain what they were the first contrivers of themselves yet thus much may be said on their and our part joyntly that the signification of the termes Tyrant and King being opposite although in m Homers time the word Tyrant was taken in the better part the one the desolation the other the n foundation of a people both Nations declaring and accusing the King of Tyranny neither of them could think that the frequent Petitions in the Common Prayer book for and in the King's behalfe were to be used by his people himself being in open arms against them The Common Prayer book was confirmed by a Statute Law in a Princes time who at the beginning of her Reigne having redeemed the protestant Religion out of the bondage of Popery and superstition did by her piety and prowesse keep her people in peace and plenty and therefore might deserve their prayers when and as often as the Liturgy prescribes The Ordinance for laying aside the Service book for enjoying the Directory is an act of their present Iudgment who have done it as the arguing against the Directory from Oxford is an act of theirs which they so represent as if their after-Iudgement and second thoughts might admit what for the present they have reasoned against who with a cautious modesty have argued and styled it their present Iudgment If positive Lawes be subject to alteration and repeale Ordinances which bind only for the present may likewise be so then a set form of prayer may be resumed and used according to the Orthodox and true Church discipline admitting also the most principall and necessary parts of divine service prescribed in the Liturgy So the Negative Oath That none shall assist the King against the Parliament and his People c. where a thing is commanded or forbidden by any Powers the withstanding and doing contrary to the command of such Powers is a transgression punishable at their pleasure and discretion whether it be by Fining Imprisoning according to the degree of the offence wherefore the urging Cap. 11. Hen. 7. seems not applyable to the condition of this present Quarrell for admit that neither of the three viz. The Covenant the Directory the Negative Oath be in the judgement of the Convocation at Oxford and of many others free from being excepted against as that neither the Covenant nor Negative Oath are to be imposed upon the Subjects yet the distinction being made between the times of Peace and these of Warre takes off from the value of the exceptions where two Parties are extremely opposite each Party striving to make good their Interest if the one may impose what Oathes they please as the Kings party did at Oxford to enjoyn all within their power whether satisfied in their Consciences of the truth therof or no to swear that he was a Just Pious and Protestant Prince the present Powers may enjoyne what they think fit in their prudence and knowledge of him to abrogate this latter Oath and to forbid the assisting him In the Convocation House at Oxford their examining the Ordinance for enjoyning all the Three particulars forementioned they should as wel have examined the Reasons of the Ordaining them they should have premised and stated the occasion the beginning of the Warre how it came to be waged by whose means on which side the Offensive on which the Defensive was For to measure the thing enjoyned by the particular events by the subsequent and emergent actings as what hath since fallen out what hath been done what required to be done is no good or adequate rule had the matter occasioned been more suitable to the occasion their exceptions against those Ordinances had more availed their Cause The urging the transgression of a known Law viz. the 11 of Hen 7. 18. That none that shall attend upon the King do him true service shall be attainted or forfeit any thing fitteth not this present case neither do they who urge the same rightly examine the occasion and ground of enacting it the Parliaments imprisoning fining their Enemies is no transgression of that Law if rightly and formally understood and wherefore t was made The reason of enacting that Law is to be weighed It was not with the late King as with Henry the seventh the late King had no forraigne or domestique VVarres none stood in Rivalship with him for his Crowne he came in Peace and by a lineall succession to it when that Law was made in the eleventh of Henry the seventh his Raigne and after his conquest made many the like Lawes were made in severall Parliaments from his first comming to the Crown in relation to the security and attendance upon his person meeting with a Rebellion in the Kingdom of Ireland mutinous and male-contented Subjects in the Kingdom here ready to bid battell to him the Parliament called when that Law was made therefore styled by a learned o Writer a Parliament of Warre being indeed in substance a Declaration only of a War against two potent Kings Charls the eighth of France Iames the fourth of Scotland two Neighbouring Enemies of Henry the seventh and then enacted with some Statutes conducing thereunto as the severe punishing mortpayes and keeping back Souldiers wages by their Captaines the like severity for the departure of Souldiers without Licence strengthning of the Common-Law in favour of protections for those that were in the Kings service and setting the gate open and wide for men to sell and morgage their Lands without Fines for alienation to furnish themselves with money for the War and lastly the voyding all Scottish men out of England So the reader may observe wherefore that Statute so much urged against this present Parliament and on the Kings behalfe was enacted which also the aforesaid Writer judgeth to be more just then legall more magnanimous than prudent his reason was That it was both agreeable to reason of State that the Subiects then should not enquire of the Iustice of the Kings Title or Quarrell as also to good Conscience that whatsoever the fruits of War were the Subiects should not suffer for their obedience besides it did the better take away the occasion for the people to busie themselves to pry into the Kings Tytle or Quarrell for that however it fell their safety was already provided for withall it could not but greatly draw unto him the love and hearts of his people because he seemed more carefull for them then for himself the Writer excellently disputes the quality of that Statute setting forth the reason for the inconvenience against the making it observing also that it did take off from his party that great tye and spurre of necessity to go Victours out of the field coâ—sidering their lives and fortunes were put in safety and protected whether they stood to it or ranne away concluding the force and obligation of the Law