SECT. I. Of Bigotism, or Religious Madness.

A Bigot? What's that? 'Tis a Spiritual Narcissus; a Self-conceited Religious Coxcomb, that falling in love with the shadows and Whimses, Opinions and Imaginations of his own dear Crazy Skull, in mat­ters of Religion; Espouses them to that height of Dotage, that he will Bustle and fight like mad, and in the Quarrel wilingly dye a silly Martyr too; at least, will freely venture Life and Limb, Goods and Lands (though he had Kingdoms to stake) yet nei­ther knowing why nor wherefore.

For this Spiritual Bankrupt takes up all his stock of Religion upon Trust, and at all adventures, without ground or reason, other then Education, or some wilder chance, and therefore believes a Lye as eagerly and firmly as the greatest Truth, and had been a Mahometan, if born in Turky; a Papist, Moor or Jew, if born in Portugal, and an Infidel in China.

If this Spiritual Lunatick wants Power and Authority, he plays his Religious Pranks and Freaques only in apish Tricks and devout Mimickry, skiping perhaps from the Shop board to the Pulpit, where the mad Ape makes such Faces and Grimaces, quoting of Holy Scripture, and Commenting thereupon, as Frenzically, impertinently and Fanatically, as Olivers Porter in Bedlam; and if a stranger (that is not us'd to it) should spy him there, he might Swear, and safely too (in the words of Hosea) The Prophet is a fool, and the Spiritual man is mad, [Page 2]or (more properly and according to the original) The man of the Spirit is mad; and being craz'd with a notion (like Archimedes) runs skiping about, Crying, Eureka, Eureka, I have it, I have found it; when nothing is found but the soft place in his head.

But if Magistracy and Authority shall happen at any time to be possest with this mad spirit of Superstitious Lunacy: Then for Propagation nothing less will serve then to encrease and multiply this spurious Issue (and Bastard Minerva of their Priest-ridden Brayns) amongst all their Inferiours and Depen­dants; Imposing Creed and Faith, as Magisterially as great Athanasius himself, making believers and Faith by Statute-Law, Cannon-Law; which they must and shall believe in spight of their hearts, or else by Penal Laws take what follows, Cur­ses and Anathema, Fire and Faggot, as least, Hell and Dam­nation, Fines and Imprisonments; but, Put up thy dagger, Bigot!

Does not Antichrist thus set up the Abomination of Desolati­on in the holy place (the Chymera's of his Noddle in the Tem­ple of God) where he sits, commanding Faith and Consciences,) as Peremtorily and Infallibly as if he were God; breathing Vengeance, and spitting Fire at all that oppose him, and like a distracted Indian Bigot, runing a Mack at all Mankind, till he kill (or be kill'd by) all that stand in his way.

Thus the Bigotted Spaniard converted the Indies with a long Tuck; and thus the hair-brain'd French in Bloody Devo­tion to Popedom (of Two Millions of Hereticks) Confuted and Extirpated Two hundred Thousand of them, and made Eigh­teen Hundred Thousand new Converts, with Troops of Dra­goons.

Possest with this Evil Spirit of Bigotisme and devout Phren­zy, King Manassah Sacrific'd his Son to Moloch in the Flames; And King Phillip of Spain gave up his Son to be Murthered in the Bloody Inquesition, upon suspition of Lutheranism: And [Page 3] what Spirit possest our Neighbour Nation, when no man was Suffer'd to buy or sell, or give meat or drink or other Comfort to any whom holy Church had Excommunicated? Nay, at home here—How now? No more; Hold there: Come not near.

It is as safe to Kennel with a mad Bull-dog, or with the Ly­ons in the Tower, or cohabit with a Mad-man in Bedlam, as with a Zealous and Furious Bigot; there is no living with him or near him, except he be muzled, fetter'd or chain'd; for if he break loose, all the sober part of mankind are concern'd to joyn hands in their own defence; and in Self-Preservation to tye him up.

And if I have here made a Whip of small Cords to lash this Tom of Bedlam out of the Church where he has made such havock and disturbance with his magot; it is but in order to his cure, by gentle stripes to bring him (if possible) to his wits again, and to reason.

Reason (I say) which is the Souls best Centinel, which should carefully examine every thing before it enter, strictly challenging (not who but) what comes there.

Nothing is more frequently inculcated in Scripture, than Examine your selves, prove your own selves, try the Spirits whether they are of God: but for want of this, Popery, Priest­craft, and Bigotism has been the Inveterate and Old Disease of Christendom; for Popery and Priestcraft always preacht up Ignorance, as the only Mother (and so it is) of Bigotism and silly Devotion: Samson must first have his Eyes put out, before he can be managed to make sport.

I am sensible, that I treat of a Subject that is seldom or ne­ver handled in this method, and of a Distemper, that will make the mad-men rage the more; there is witchcrast in this frenzy, they are so bewitcht as to be in love with their Dis­ease and will, like other Lunaticks (to choose) fall upon the Physitian, above all others, if he attempt to cure them.

But is it not a Lunacy beyond the wild fury of Bedlam, that Protestants should now think of new farbushing and whetting the Penal Laws against Dissenters to their Placet's, arbitrary and wilfull Impositions in doubtful and trivial matters, Lana caprina, and Bar them out of the Church and State (their Birth-rights as Men and Christians) with Tests (design'd at first only against the irreconcileable Enemies of our Religion) and (when the Oath of Supremacy alone will do the feat) straitning the Church of England to a few, (is it that they alone may monopolize all the Preferments in Church and State) when all the Wisdom, Piety and Policy in the World cries aloud to widen the Churches Pale and enlarge her Interest, now, now especially, when the Common Enemy has drawn a Sword never to be sheath'd but in our Throats? Shall Abraham and Lot, Gen. 13.7. be at strife between themselves about trifles, when the Canaanite and Perizzite is ready to Land? Is it not yet time to loose the hands of wickedness, to undo the heavy bur­dens, to let the Oppressed go free, and to break every (Inso­lent and Bigotted) Yoak? Isai. 58.6. Read seriously Rom. 14. the whole Chapter is an approved Cure, for Dogmatical and Pragmatical Bigotism. We read in Scripture, that all Christians should endeavour to keep the Ʋnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace; but where do we read that any Chri­stians did, or ought to Compel Ʋniformity, as the Bond of Peace?

But, Hold—may some say, and have a care; whilst you speak against Bigotted Impositions, do you not transgress the 39 Articles of the Church of England; that says, The Church has Power to Impose Rites and Ceremonies?

I answer, That it is time enough to answer that, when you have read what is said concerning the same here, in the se­cond and Third Section; and also when any good Body (that can tell) will tell what, and who is this same Church of England? Who is the Head of it this day? And what Lan­guage [Page 5]does a Head speak, when it is separated from, and not United with, nor of the same Complexion, Nutriment, and Constitution with the Body?

Ay! But grant that what you say here be Truth, yet a grave Author says, That all Truths are not to be spoken at all times.

And (Grave Author might to as wise purpose add) there­fore all Truths are not to be spoken at any time, when you touch the sore place: No, no, they will always (then) kick; you'l please them at no time.

Thus Gypsees cant, and would gravely perswade us to shut our Eyes and not discover their jugling Tricks, wink till ours, or our Friends Pockets be pickt; and then we shall have a License to discover the Naked Truth; Ay, Ay! (Dear Gra­vity) but then it is too late.

Thus the old Gentleman that was resolved to dye a Batche­lor, silenc'd his Friends when they propos'd a Match for him in his Youth; Oh no, quoth he, It is not seasonable, it is too soon to marry; but, when they reiterated the same Pro­posal to him in his decrepit age, answers, Now you speak too late; so that what men like not, is at no time seasonable; they'l always quarrel with the time.

Are not things now, just now, upon the Hinge? Is not this time like the third and last time of Publishing the Banes of Matrimony? Either now Speak, or else forever hereafter hold your Peace.

Reason (mans chiefest Light) shines bright enough in many mad men on one side of the skull, when it is benighted on the other side of the Pericranium, and craz'd with a notion on that side the head: Many mad-men in Bedlam will talk rationally enough, on any subject, except that which first beclouded their Reason; but then, when you touch upon that sore place, they rave:

Thus, it is reported of a mad-man that would talk most sensiby in all matters, except when he saw or discourst of a [Page 6] Ship (for he was craz'd by loosing his Estate by Ship-wrack) fancying that all mens Ships that came laden and well-fraught into the Port, were his own; and was as really overjoy'd, when the Rich Cargoes came home, as if they had truly been his own.

His dear Friends, (pitying his distraction) got him cured, whether he would or no: Whereupon coming to his Right Mind, he thus thanked his Friends for their love to him— Pol me Periistis, amici! you have undone me, Dear Friends! and beggar'd me; yet he lost nothing but his Wild Fancy; surely, he was madder for saying so, than he was before.

But, to apply it; If any Church-of-England man, puffed up with Bigotism and mad-conceit of the Purity of what some call Church-of-England, both in Doctrine and Discipline; and (like the whimsical Church of Laodicea) fancying that she is Rich, and encreased in Goods, and hath need of nothing; and I (amongst others) like a true Friend, endeavour to cure him of this Wild Fancy, and dispel the Cloud that shadowed Right Reason, giving him to understand, beyond all contra­diction, and as clear as day, how and wherein, both in Do­ctrine and Discipline, she is wretched, and miserable, poor, and blind, and naked.

That so, she may betake her self to wise Councels, and get Gold tryed in the Fire (that her Hay and Stubble being burnt up, (for she must pass through Purgatory here, and through the Furnace,) that she may be rich; and White Rayment to cover the shame of her nakedness, that it may no longer appear; and anoynt the Eyes of our dim Mother, with Eye-salve that she may see the better: Will any (in their wits) blame a true Son of the Church for his love and kindness to his pur-blind Mother; which is his Duty? And say, in her name—Pol me Peristi mi Fili: Verily, verily, you have undone me, dear Son! Surely, such a mad and unrea­sonable exclamation would speak her to be incurable, and would aggravate the Distraction.

SECT. II. Of TESTS, and the Present Test in Particular.

A Test! what's that? 'Tis a Touch-stone to try what Metal any thing is of; and is as necessary for every Man, every House-keeper, every Body-Politick, every Church or State, as is a Touch-stone to a Goldsmith, there's no li­ving well without it.

A Test is of absolute necessity for every man always to carry about him, to try himself and others; to try both his own and other mens Opinions, Words, Works and Ways, whether they be right; since all is not Gold that glisters.

A Test is necessary for every House-keeper that wants a Servant, a Guest, an Apprentice, a Journey-man, a Bayliff, a Steward, a Friend, or the like; for though such a Person is recommended, as is in all things fit for his turn, except only that he is a Papist; (who is obliged to hold (or else he is no Papist) that the Decrees of Pope and General Council conjoyn'd are infallible, and particularly, that Bloody De­cree of the Council of Constance, that (nulla fides servant cum hereticis) no faith is to be kept with a Heretick, that is, no Faith, Oath, or Promise is binding, if it be made to one that is no Papist.

For Papists (like the Jews,) (the basest and most inhospi­table People under Heaven (except Papists) look upon all that are not of their Religion, as Dogs; nay, the worst of Dogs, good for nothing, but to be proselyted, or knockt i'th' head; either to be turned to their Religion, or turned out of the World; not that every Papist thinks so, but by their Religi­on they are obliged so to believe. For which Cause Tacitus calls the Jews, erudelissima & vilissima servientium pars, the [Page 8] bloodiest and basest Slaves in all the Roman Empire: There­fore the Jews Test is, Is be a Jew? And the Papists Test (as at this day in Ireland and France) is shortly this only, Is he a Papist? If it be answered (when closeted) No, no; then turn him out; let him not be trusted, either with Arms, a Red coat, or any Office of Trust, or Benefit; bar the Door, exclude him, shut him out, or perhaps kill him, where they are strong, and not afraid of their own Throats; for if they be the weaker Party (as in some Cantons in Switzerland) there they are for liberty of Conscience; but go but over the next Hills (the Alps) into Piedment, where the Papist is ten to one, then, the word is, (Peter!) kill and eat.

This makes the World joyn hands against the Jew and Pa­pist, either they totally keep them out with Tests made for that purpose, or confine them to a certain habit, or to a certain Street, or Place (as Dukes-place) to inhabit; (as we deal with the Feracious and Bloody Tigers and Lyons in the Tower) keep them (we do, but) in a grate; keep them fast, and have a watchful eye over them, as you love your lives; for they are inhospitable, and Common Enemies to man­kind; stand upon your guard then, keep off, and out of their Claws, except you pare their Nails.

For this Cause there was so many Penal-Laws and Tests made against Papists, in the Reigns of the four last Kings; (which (by the way) has sinely been turn'd against Prote­stant-dissenters, who were out of these Statutes, because out of the meaning of those Statutes) oh! the dexterity of a Jesuit! when in conjunction with one of his own complexion and face, saving that this Latter looks not altogether so San­guine, because a Protestant-Persecutor!

But, will some say, this present Test (of making all men take the Sacrament, and certifie the same, has done notable ser­vice against the Papists, in these times; and therefore though some Dissenters be kept out for Company, it is no great mat­ter.

But is it lawful then to do Evil, that Good may come there­by? Is not this that wicked Principle, that with one mind and one mouth we decry and blame in the Jesuit? Or is it lawful to maintain our Religion or Church by prophane-means, and by mocking of God? Who would not hate a Religion and Church, that cannot be kept up without blasphemy, and sin­ful methods?

But, will some say, God forbid! We never did, nor ever will keep up a Church by such ungodliness: Then listen, what we have done already in imposing this said Present Test, of making an Earthly Door, or Political Door-bar of the Holy, Spiritual, and Heavenly Sacrament of the Lord Jesus.

The Present Test is the more suspiciously Profane, and to be abominated by all true Christians, because it is said to be the Project of a Polititian, that was always reckon'd to have more wit than grace; more of Machiavel than of Christ: And who made Religion and the blessed Sacraments Politick-tools, and that was all, at least the chief use he made of Religion, and said (if he be not belied, that) That was all that Religi­on was good for; well said Machiavel!

A more undoubted instance of his Profaness cannot Well be given, than in this present Test; Is it not profane, and most abominable, if the Learned and Pious Gr [...]tus and Dr. Ham­mond, and other Interpreters of greatest vogue amongst us, do give us the true, genuine, rational and pious meaning there­of, in their Comments upon, 1 Cor. 11.29. saying, That to eat and drink unworthily (anaxios) is to eat and drink un­sutably or unmeetly to the end, design and Institution of the Blessed Sacrament; (so we are commanded to walk worthy (axios) of the Gospel, that is sutably to the Gospel;) Then he that eateth and drinketh unmeetly, namely, to the end and Institution of the Sacrament (not that he may get Christ, but a Gown, a Sword, a Place or Preferment, making a Test of the Blessed Sacrament, making Christ (who is the only [Page 10] Door and the only Way to High-places in Heaven, the only Door to High-places on Earth, making the Bread of Life, the only way to fill the lean Bellies of a Man and his Family with Bakers Bread; He that Eateth and Drinketh thus unmeet­ly, Eateth and Drinketh his own Damnation.

A sad Choice, to Starve here, or be Damn'd hereafter; nay, some that have often taken it worthily or meetly, are not always fit in Three Months to take it Worthily, then take your choice to Starve or be Damn'd: What a Temptation is here to damn even a Conformist? What a Temptation to Blas­phemy, Atheism, and mocking of God? Is not this as bold a Stinting the Grace of God, to come within three Months time? Just like the Canon that enjoyns the Sacrament— However at Easter? What fit or unfit? What right or wrong? Yes, starve in a Goal, or Eat and Drink your own Damna­tion: Oh! Abomination in a Church of Christians! Nay a Church of Protestants, and a Protestant Nation! Have we not still (as we formerly had) some (Quid pro quo's, amongst us) Papists in Masquerade? Papists with a Protestant Vizor, and Church of England's Vizor on? Turn up his Masque, let us see. But God will not (long) be mocked with Political Tricks? It is dangerous Playing our Politick Pranks with Edge-Tools: And is there no way to bar the Earthly Doors, but with Heavenly Edge-Tools? Have a care of cutting thy Fingers, Machiavel! Must the Laws made against Popish Recusants al­ways be made of use against Protestant Recusants, who are out of the Reason of them?

But can any Nation subsist without a Test, a Fence, and a Barr'd Door to keep out the common Enemy thereof?

No, I answer, No; There's none but Fools will neglect their Fence: But the Oath of Supremacy (a long-try'd and ap­prov'd Test, and making the Declaration against Transub­stantiation, enjoyned 25 Car. 2. c 2. & 30 Car. 2. c. 2.) has and will do that Feat.

Oh! But Protestant Dissenters then will come in; and [Page 11]get their Birth-Rights in Church and State as well as we: Surely there is a way to bar the Door against our Enemies, and yet let in our Friends; except we think the House will not hold us all, or (rather) not feed us all. Ay! Is that it? If it pinch there, Zeal against Popery is but a Sconce, and a Vizard drawn over the ugly Face of Covetousness and Self-ends. When Boys are scrambling in a Room for Nuts and Apples, those that are in Possession, and upon the Place, and got in, will be sure to Bar the Doors and keep out others, especially such as are active and nimbler than themselves; Ay, they are the Wiser, you'll say.

But where's the Honesty all this while? Where's the Pie­ty? Nay, where's the Wisdom? And where's the Policy?

For if the lucky Scramblers be beset, or set upon, with bloody High-way-men, as they carry away their Booty; would they not be glad that those they barr'd out, should assist them? Yes surely, for who ever denied a Dissenter the Peril, the Hazard and the Pains, so that we go away with the Gains? But is there any Equity or Conscience in all this? Has not a certain Nation (in our Time) been hazarded a Third Time, by Patriots that have been Priest-ridden; Bi­gotted and Nuzled to maintain Priest-Craft, and Compulsi­on to Ʋniformity in Religion? Who dislikes it? But how? VVhat upon Compulsion? Uniformity by force of Arms? It has been found an Idle, Vain, VVicked, Bloody, Bigotted Popish, Antichristian, and Impossible Attempt, in all Ages, in all Nations. The old Rule was, In Necessariis Ʋnitas, in Adi­aphoris Libertas, in Ʋtrijsque Charitas; Unity in things Ne­cessary, Liberty in Indifferent Things, in Both Charity.

For 'till all men be of one size, one feature, one complexion and face, 'tis impossible they should be Ʋniform; nay, God and Nature seem to delight in Variety: But vain man, mad with self-love, Opinionatry and Bigotism, would compel all men to be of his own Dimensions and Attainments, whereas there [Page 12]are scarce two Men to be found in the VVorld alike.

This Folly proceeds from a Vulgar Error that [...]ops have Espous'd, namely, that there can be no Ʋnity without Ʋni­formity; and when they pray to God, (as they ought) to make us all of one Mind, and one Mouth; if by one Mouth, they mean their own Mouth, then they are Bigotted with an Opinion of their own Infallibity, and are no Church-of-En­gland-Men in that particular.

Alas, alas, we are commanded to keep the Ʋnity of the Spi­rit in the Bond of Peace, but that may be done without Ʋni­formity; there is scarcely two Brethren in the World alike and Ʋniform, yet they may live in Ʋnity, and love like Bre­thren.

Can men be wise that value the keeping of their Trinckets above their Lives, and above the Peace and Welfare of the Church and Protestant Religion? And why should not a Protestant Church be as large and wide as to hold all Pro­t [...]stants.

Come, come; let them have a Care that they do not hold up the Price of their Trinckets at too dear a rate; lest they slip their Market, and be glad to part with them e'er long, for an Old Song; and seriously read Isa. 14. from Verse 4. to Verse 15. Bless us! Cannot men live and let live, (even) let those live that have not so many Brains, nor so good Eyes as themselves? Though they are not one Mouth with you, nor so wide a Mouth and Swallow, they are as God made them as well as you; and though they see not so well as they should, they see as well as they can; to their own Master they stand and fall.

What Rational Man in the World (if his Reason be Judge, and not Dethron'd and Depos'd; Benighted and Eclipsed with Passion, Self-interest, Self-conceit, and the like) but must say. That it is very meet that we should do to others, as we would that others in like Circumstances should do to us?

'Tis possible (for what has been may be again) that the Old Test may be (many Ages hence) Renewed, (which bar'd the Church Doors, and the Doors of Preserment in Church and State, Excluding all from being Church-men, Judges, Ju­stices, Mayors, Aldermen, &c. that would not leave worship­ing of God according to the Common-Prayer-Book; wouldst not thou (thou Weapon'd-Ʋniformity Bigot!) Exclaim (at least grumble) at such a Test?

But with what reason canst thou grumble? Except thou conclude, that Church of England is infallible, (in spight of her own 39 Articles to the contrary) or, except thou art not content to take such measure as now thou metest to o­thers, that are as Pious and Learned as thy self: Where is the Justice of such Grumbling? Thou art for Uniformity, one Mind and one Mouth, so are all Rational Men; but thou art also for Weapon'd Uniformity, that's unreasonable and unscriptural, and unapostolical; and also because of ano­ther little thing (called) Impossibility: It is not to be done by Sword or Gun, Tests or Penal Laws. Have we not been trying Conclusions and Experiments about it in the Body Politick, ma­ny years, even to the Consumption of the Body Politicks? And who has got any thing by it, saving a few Priests? But we must always be tampering with ungodly, unreasonable and Antichristian Physick, only to enrich the Physitian, and keep up his Practice, and his Hand in Ure; Do we de claim against Arbitrary Power and Tyranny, and yet suffer such Tests to take away our Birth-rights? Queen Maries Fives consum'd the Heats between Con and Noncon! when in Prison together, they shook Hands and were Friends.

Ay, says Bigot, most true; therefore we would have them like us. Ʋniform and of one Mouth, meaning, that every Mouth should be alike, and one with his Wide Mouth.

But suppose that Little Mouth (let that be his Name) stretches, and stretches his Mouth, that so it may be Ʋniform, and like to Great Mouth, and cannot do it for his Heart and [Page 14]Blood: (by Scripture-Rule, He that is strong should stoop, and bear the Infirmities of the weak, and condescend (and to keep my Allegory) Wide Mouth should meet Little Mouth half way, contracting his large Gape and Swallow, that so they may be of one Mouth) But what cares some Men for Scripture?

If that will not do, what do you say to Reason? Is it rea­sonable, that if Little Mouth should happen to get into the Saddle, and get the Staff in his Hand, (and thou be dismoun­ted for Arbitrary Government, wilful, and un-scriptural, and unreasonable Impositions and Oppressions, wouldst thou think it reasonable) that he should pare and cut, and pinch thy Wade Mouth, to the scantling of his Narrow Chaps?

If not, then out of thine own (Wide) mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked Servant! Shouldst not thou have Compassion on thy Fellow-servant, (like thy self, erroneous) as thou wouldst have him, or Almighty God, have Pity on thee? To our Comfort God seeth; and he that is higher than the Highest, regardeth, and there are Higher than they, Eccles. 5.8.

But will some say, though it be a Test suspiciously Pro­phane, (if any Holy thing in the World can be prophan'd) by making Religion and the Sacraments (the most Venerable and Sacred of all the Parts or Offices in Religion) Tools and Tricks of State; yet this Test has done good Service against the Common Enemy, the irreconcileable Enemies of our Re­ligion: It has kept out the Papist from Offices in Church and State, Navy and Army.

Never, (I answer) it never did keep out any Papist, nor any but Dissenters; yet if all this should be as true, as it is evidently false, yet this Test is not justifiable, because we may not lay an evident Temptation of stumbling in our Brothers way, to make him fall; nor do Evil that good may come thereon; (as aforesaid) nor thus keep up Gods Church? What is the bringing the Abomination of Desolation into the Holy Place, but making Holy things, and the Lord Jesus Christ, [Page 15]a Drudge and Slave to Machiavel? (O Prophanation abomi­nable!) Must the blessed Sacrament of Divine Love, his In­stitution (made on purpose to Incorporate us with him, and one with another in Divine Love) be the only Entrance and means to let us in to a Body Politick or Corporation, or into the Door of Preferment? Sacra Sacris, & Sacri Sacris, was the Old Rule.

Wickedness may make a man unfit to be employed in the State; but is it not prophane to make the blessed Sacra­ment a Political Engine or Qualification, to let a Man into Money and Mammon; but we cannot thus serve two Masters, (God and Mammon.)

Besides, I deny, that this Test of the Sacrament did any good at any time, in keeping so much as one Papist out of any Office, Employment or Preferment, either in Church or State.

And if this be true, then Hatred against Popery is but a Colour wherewith Hypocrisie paints the ugly Face and Defor­mity of Hatred and Malice against Dissenters, (that have not so wide a Swallow as themselves) with the pretence of Ʋni­formity and Zeal against Popery.

Otherwise, why did this Test-Bill pass so readily, and the Exclusion-Bill thrown out without a Conference, which is not usual? There may be many good Reasons, which I will not now inquire into. But was it Loyalty and a Religious Awe, to hurt no man in his Goods and Birth right upon the score of Religion? That's impossible to be a Reason that prevailed with those Lords and Gentlemen that stood to their Arms and Power, till the King was divested of both, which are His Birth-Right now (at this day) as much, nay, more than at the time of the Exclusion-Bill: (for no man that spoke best, and most a­gainst the Exclusion-Bill, did touch upon that String, namely, that the King and Parliament cannot dispose of the Crown of England; (for fear (I supose) of the Penalty mentioned in the Statute of Queen Elizabeth to that purpose;) And to [Page 16]repeat the words of that most Excellent Speaker in the House of Commons; If there were a Lyon in the Lobby, shall it be still a Question amongst Wise men, Whether it were better to keep him out, (now he is out,) or to open the Door and let him in, and then bind him?

Some wise men chose the latter, and if God had not been miraculously kind to us (to show his Grace and Finger) when some thought we had neglected the means, if the Lion had prov'd a Rampant Lion, or had had a Lion's Heart, and the Cruelty of a Lion, there might have been Scratching Work; and Thousands had (e'er this) followed those (otherwise) Incomparable Patriots, Essex, Russel, Sidney, and Cornish, &c. for who has not had a Hand upon his Hilt, to Fight the King's Guards, (his Irish Souldiers) when the word was, They are a coming? VVhereas the Lord Russel was condemn'd for being only in the Room, where there was some discourse of Surpri­zing the Kings Guards. But we must leave these things to him that judgeth Righteously; The Iniquity of the Amorites was not then full: Popery was not drunk enough with Blood. The Papists have for a hundred years last past, been kept out of the Government, and have been Exluded all Offices Ecclesiastical, Civil and Military, by that Ancient and Honest Test, (namely, in Renouncing the Pope and all his Evil Works, by the Oath of Supremacy, which our present King (King James II.) by his Dispensing Power vacated, in the first place, as being a Long-approved and sufficient Bar and Bulwark to keep out Popery in the four last preceding Reigns. It is also as true, that as he left no stone unturn'd that lay in the way of bringing in Popery, so he was necessitatid there­fore (also) to set aside and disponce with this New Test, which did inflict grievous Penalties upon them that durst or did ven­ture in, without taking it: But, they had all been kept out to this day, and were kept out an hundred years before, and could not therefore need his Dispensing Power, until he let them in [Page 17](two years before) by Dispensing with the Oath of Suprema­cy, A Test, that perhaps had been still thought sufficient, if this Test had not jumpt right with some men's Malice, that hated Protestant Dissenters as much, if not more than Pa­pists.

Indeed I grant, That the King by that Gracious Indul­gence, gain'd the Dissenters, and thereby lost the Love of High-Church-men, who were as quiet and gentle as Lambs, and Loyal as Heart could wish, when he dispenc'd with that great and approved Test, the Oath of Supremacy, (for two long years together) whilst he permitted them, and maintain'd them and their Penal Laws against Dissenters.

But when he put out his Declaration for Liberty of Consci­ence, (the Magna Charta that God (the only King of Con­sciences) has given to all Mankind) would some Men so much as read the Indulgence, which His Majesty (the best Act that ever he did in his Life) both in Piety, (and Policy too; for it has been the Life of Trade in Holland, and the Penal Laws (or Inquisition,) their Dis-peopling, and Destruction of Trade and Riches in Flanders,) as God's Deputy Re-in­forc'd and Ordain'd? No, no! Though expresly enjoyn'd in the Rubrick of the Common-Prayer-Books! What Combina­tion? What Bandying against it? And perhaps for good Reasons: But have they scrupled to read (and make Pray­ers for) worse things (that I say not) Impostures? Or, was it because it was Evil, as to the Matter? None had the Face to say so: But, Evil as to the Form of Dispensing, because not done in Form of Law; namely, not Repealed by the same Pow­er that Enacted it; which Reason, perhaps is a good Reason, but how could it be more a Reason now in this Case, then it was when he Dispenc'd with the Oath of Supremacy? Which was as much against Law as this Dispensation; and yet, whilst he maintain'd the Church of England to Prosecute Dissenters with their Excommunications, Capias's, Fines [Page 18]and Imprisonments; they were hush'd, and Serene, and as loyal as could be, Preaching up Passive Obedience, (Prayers and Tears) as the only Weapons of a Christian, Groaning under the Oppression of Superiours, during all the long time that they were uppermost, and felt no Smart.

The Patriarch of Constantinople is as great an Enemy to Popery, as any Prelate or Lay-man amongst us; yet he holds more ridiculous and unaccountable Errors than the Pa­pists, and enslaves the poor Greeks as tyrannically, as the Pope does enslave his Italian Papists? What are the poor Greeks the better for this Bulwark against the Pope and Po­pery? The Patriarch scornes to kiss the Pope's Toe, and to be Tenant at will to the Pope, or to hold his Patriarchate of him, or under him, and Preaches and Writes against Popish Errors, but holds the poor Greeks to as bad Errors: And is not the Pope on the other side the Water, as Fierce, Dogmati­cal, and Pragmatical a Bigot, in forcing the poor Greeks to believe as he believes, and to be as Ʋniformable and Confor­mable to his Trinckets and Ceremonies, as the Pope (with his Inquisition) in Italy? What good does Graecia get by such a Bulwark against Popery, when Pope and Popery cannot possibly make their Condition much worse then it is? A true Christian Protestant should protest against, and abominate Popery of the New, as well as of the Old Edition; and should keep close to the Apostolical and Primitive Rule of Charity, in ease of Nonconformity.

There were Dissenters in the Church of Philippi, (as now amongst us) so many Men, to many different Minds; so many Men, so many different Features, perhaps in doubtful Matters of Faith; and some had better Eyes and Brains, Hearts and Legs, than others; and therefore had different Apprehensi­ons, Opinions and Attainments: Now, What shall be done in this Case, was the Question? All prest forward towards the Mark of the Prize of the High-Calling of God in Christ Jesus: [Page 19]Phil. 3.14. But some lagg'd behind, as is usual in a Race; (to which the Apostle aludes Ver. 13.) Now the Question is, VVhat should be done with these that lagg'd behind, and cannot come up so near the Mark as we? Burn them, Consume them with Fire from Heaven or Earth, (says zealous James and John) and the Papists; Or, shall we spur them up with Penal Laws, or Excommunicate them, and then Goal them? No; Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of, saith Christ: And St. Paul in the 15th verse of that 3d Chapter of the Phi­lippians; If any Man be otherwise minded, (or be a Dissenter, of another Opinion, then make use, of what Remedy? Of your VVrath? Your Passion? Your Penal Laws and Tests? No, no; wait God's Leisure; make use of your Charity, rather than Wrath; of your Patience, rather than Passion; leave him to the King, to whom alone Conscience belongs; for if any man be a Nonconformist, or otherwise minded) God shall Reveal even this unto him: He did not bid them (do, as some spiritual Watchmen now do,) call the Corporal, call the Constable.

So that indeed, Antichristian weapons and Christ's weapons are vastly different, quite of another Shape, Form, and Fa­shion, and made of quite contrary Stuff and Matter.

Christ and his Holy Apostles converted the World, not with Earthly, Carnal, and Political Tests and Penal Laws; and are we Wiser than they? Did they borrow any of the Magistrates Weapons, or Weapons (like Mabomet) from the Arms of Flesh? No, they are purely Spiritual, Heavenly and Divine.

God did forbid (in the Old Law) the wearing of Lindsey-Wolsey; or the yoaking of an Ox and an Ass together, not with­out a Mystery: Almighty God and Christ (under the Gospel especially) hating the Chaos of mingling Heaven and Earth to­gether, jumbling carnal and spiritual Tools in Hodge-podge; they will not mingle will, they cannot possibly Incorporate, nor carry on one main End, and one onely Design.

For, if ye have bitter Envying and Strife in your Hearts (stri­ving with carnal Tools, carnal VVeapons, carnal Laws, and carnal Tests,) this VVisdom descendeth not from above, but is (fetch'd from Hell, and is therefore) Earthly, Sensual, De­vilish.

But the Wisdom that is from above, is first pure, (so should the Holy Sacraments be pure, and unmix'd with carnal Po­lices) then Peaceable, Gentle, and easie to be intreated, &c. (binding men to the Peace and good Behaviour, not permit­ting them to stickle with carnal VVeapons against Men of different Opinions in matters of meer Religion) but comman­ding us, if possible, and as much as lieth in us, to live peaceably with all men; surely it is possible, nay easie in this Case, most easie.

All? Yes; if they be Men, our Brethren (as being Sons of Adam) though not of our Religion, nor of our size and pitch, nor of our Features and Complexion, though of different Re­ligion, or of no Religion, yet they are Men; (and where God makes no Exception, how dare we make Exceptions?) Since we are obliged to have a Charity as Ʋniversal as Mankind, and to live peaceably with all men?

If this be Gospel, what becomes of our Tests and Penal Laws? All our Lawyers are agreed, that all Statutes are Null and Ipso facto, void in themselves, if they be contrary to the Laws of God, and Laws of Nature, or Right Reason.

And this present Test (though Enacted by ten thousand Parliaments) is never the more justifiable, because it is a pro­phane Temptation even to Conformists, (sometimes,) and to Nonconformists at all times, to take their choice, (chuse them whether,) either to starve here, or (at least) be kept out of their Birth-rights as men and Christians; or else, to Eat and Drink it unmeetly, to the Holy End, Design, and Institution of that blessed Sacrament; (which was not Political, Carnal, and Worldly, but Pure, Spiritual, Heavenly and Divine; and therefore to Eat and Drink, for a Political Test, and State-Policy, [Page 21]is to Eat and Drink it Ʋnworthily and Ʋnmeetly; and therefore Men so Eating and Drinking it, Eat and Drink their own Damnation. Away with it for Shame! Let it not be such a Scandal to our Holy Protestant Religion.

SECT. III. Of Penal Laws in Matters of meer Religion.

MAny people cry up the Church of England, and drink healths to the Prosperity of the Church of England! And yet neither know what makes a true Church of Christ, nor who are this same thing (of some mens making or mar­ring) called the Church.

What constitutes a true Church but true Doctrine, and true Sa [...]raments, according to plain Scriptures? The Discipline is left to discretion. For, I suppose we are all agreed, that this or that form of Church Government, is not Jure Divino. King Charles I. (a great Episcopal-man) yet denied that Bi­shops (as we have them) are Jure Divino, (other than as Priests, or Presbyters and Bishops, are one and the same thing, and undistinguished in many places of Scripture; but yet that wise King held them, not to be contra jus Divinum, not contrary to Gods Law, that is (I suppose) when they feed the Flocks, not Lording it over God's Heritage, as if they had Domini­on over our Faith (which even the Apostles renounc'd) im­posing what they believe, and their attainments, upon us to believe, whether we can or no, or else Anathematize, Goal, and Imprison them, and lot them lye there till they starve and dye: What comfort is it with so much strugling to keep out an Italian Bishop, Romish cruelty, Fire and Faggot (that soon dispatches men out of their pain,) and still to keep something like it: Nay, a worse, if to lye in Prison (after Ex­communication) and there to starve and dye a lingring death, [Page 22](like Crucifixion) feeling a thousand deaths, he and his Fa­mily; and all this for not paying the Register, or taking the Church-wardens Oath, or the Holy Sacrament at Easter; neither of which the persons durst do for fear of Damnati­on: Then take your choice, Death or Damnation, a lingring Death, Crucifying them, and making them and their poor Families feel many deaths; And is this amendment? I hope our Bishops will now recant these violent and carnal wea­pons, since several of them have done it already, promising to be willing to come to a temper (in their Petition to the King) And thereby confessing that they had been too hot and distempered before; and yet even, at this day I am afraid, that some men are only against Carnal Weapons, Prophane-Tests and Penal Laws; not because they like them not, but because they see they cannot hold them; the Genius of the Nation being universally against such a Wild-fire Church.

St. Paul defind all carnal Weapons in his Spiritual War­fare: The Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal but Spiri­tual.

Indeed he stood up stoutly in defence of the Priviledge of his Birth-Right, when that was invaded by Arbitrary Go­vernment, Tyranny and Oppression; and therefore, for Re­medy, St. Paul sent for an honest General and his Army, to come to his Rescue; and his Excellency, Claudius Lycias (after St. Paul had given him to understand that he was a Ro­man, and wrong'd of his Birth-right) came with an Army and delivered him out of the hands of his Oppressors, having un­derstood the matter of wrong. Act. 23.27. Act. 22.29.

Then good night, Church of England, if the Jaylor do not help it, will some say; and so say I, good night! And hap­piness to her and long life; for the Gates of Hell (Hadou, of the Grave) shall never prevail against the true Church; that is, the Church shall never have a Grave, it shall never dye, but to the Worlds end, there shall be some always that believe in, and confess the Lord Jesus, Son of the living God.

The Doctrine of the Church of England (which is Confirm'd by Act of Parliament) is contained in the Comman Prayer-Book, and also in the 39 Articles, and in the Homilies that are set out, or shall be set out by Authority.

This last is a deep one, He must have a wide Swallow that has an implicit Faith and believes as the Church believes; when that same Church in whom he doth believe, confesseth the truth, namely, that she may Err, or teach what is not truth? Now would I in all Humility and Modesty put this sober Query,

Query 1. How can a Man subscribe to the Doctrine in Homilies that shall be put out (except he have a Popish Implicit Faith, to believe as the Church believes) before he knows what Doctrinal Homilies Authority will put forth? And such Authority that has perhaps Err'd in Doctrinal points already put forth by Authority, or by their own Confession, may Err. as well as the Church of Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem, &c. that have Err'd already, as the 39 Articles ingeniously and modestly confess?

Query 2. It is worth a modest Inquiry, and now most sea­sonable to Inquire (now I say, when things are come to a full stop, and in the fairest and most probable way to settle upon a lasting Foundation) Is it now high time modestly to Inquire, who is the Judge of matters of Faith which all Christian Protestants (a new Name only for the old Apostolical and Primitive Christian) ought to obey in pain of the Jayle h [...]re, and Damnation hereafter, if he persist in his Diss [...]nt and Non­conformity thereunto; though some Bigots call it a wicked Error.

This is a sawcy Question, will some say: But (I Answer) that he that says so, is an Impudent Blasphemer against the holy Ghost: whom, I only Eccho, for the holy Ghost, by the holy Apostle (St. Paul) puts this very Question, Rom. 14.4. Who art thou that Judgest another Man's Servant? To his own Master he standeth or falleth: Yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.

Then from that 4th Verse, the Apostle proceeds to state some cases, wherein Christians were not Ʋniform, neither needed to be Uniform, as being therein a Royal Priesthood, and Pri­viledged Kings, exempt from humane Punishment, Judgment, Impositions, Correction, or Condemnation, as being accountable for their Opinions finally to God only, Rom. 14.11.

Whence he Concludes with this Apostolical Canon (that to all intents and purposes, repeals, makes void, and disanulls all humane Canons, Impositions or Acts of Uniformity in mat­ters of Faith, or in Imposing their own Attainments and Creeds upon all others) saying, Let us not therefore Judge one ano­ther any more, but judge rather that no man put a Stumbling-Block (Scandal) or occasion to fall in his Brothers way.

Rom. 15.1. But let the Strong bear the Infirmities of the Weak, and not please themselves; with their own Bigoted Notions, lay­ing heavy burdens, and grievous to be born, which they them­selves (in their Sins of Commission without Rule, Wilfull, Idle and unaccountable Ceremonies) will not touch with one of their Fingers: But is there any Conscience that the Weak should bear the Infirmities of the strong? In Defiance and Ran­counter to that said Text, Rom. 15.1.

From all which Premises does it not clearly follow, and may we not Conclude.

Conclusion I. 1. That God is the only King of Consciences, as King Charles I. of Pious Memory concludes, saying, Who am I, (Eik. Basil.) that I should Invade God's Throne, the only King of Consciences?

Wherefore did Lucifer become a Devil? He aspir'd to God's Throne, and would be like him.

Wherefore is that Wicked Wretch (in 2 Thess. 2.) that must and shall fall) called the Man of Sin? But because he at­tempts God's Throne, sitting in the Temple of God, imposing his own Faith, Opinions, Creeds and Canons, (tail'd with a Fire-brand, an Anathema, a Curse) against all Noncon­formists, when he himself also is the greatest Nonconformist; [Page 25]but keep most unjustly and unsufferably, both false Weights, and false Measures, one to buy by, and another to s [...]ll by as shall be shewn unanswerably by and by.

May we not therefore without any the least Suspition of Sawciness put this sober Question again, Who art thou that judgest another Man's Servant? What is thy Name? Is it Lucifer? Is it Antichrist or Man of Sin? Is that thy Name? Thou that like another God, sittest there Domineering over Men's Faith, Lording it over God's Heritage; God's Domi­nion, who is the only Kardiagnostos, or Searcher of Hearts & Con­sciences, where thou canst take no Cognizance, if thou wouldst judge?

Who art thou, I say? Art thou a God, commanding the Waves, and saying, Hitherto shalt thou go, and no further, and here shall thy Proud Waves be stay'd? Art thou the Hercules-Pillars, or Hercules with his Club? Art thou the Ne Plus ultra in Religion?

In Nomine Domini, What art thou? And where is thy Commission, thy Authority? And who gave thee this Autho­rity to do these Things?

Our blessed Saviour commands us to call no Man Father, no Man Master upon Earth; that is, not implicitely jurare in Verba Magistri, to believe just as our Masters, (our Fa­thers) believe, because Faith is not the Gift of a Synod, of a Convocation, of a Council, but is the Gift of God: And never was there Peace in the Christian Church, since Coun­cils, and Synods, and Bishops, and Parliaments and Kings took upon them to make Acts of Ʋniformity, Impositions of Faith and Creeds, Cursing and Imprisoning, and sometimes Burn­ing and Starving all Gain sayers; but by what Commission?

Is not this as irrational as that Cannon, and Decree of the Egyptian Priests, commanding all men on Pain of Fine and Imprisonment, to Believe that their two Gods (Isis and Osy­ris) never had been Men, when all the Countrey knew to the contrary? And some of them well remembred them [Page 26]and had Eat and Drank with them? Most Excellent Bigo­tism!

The first general Council of Nice had shamefully err'd but for Paphnutius, a poor Dissenter, a One-ey'd Man that saw more than they all, and fet them to rights; and brought all the Bishops to a better Sight and Understanding.

The greatest General Council that ever was in the Christian World, was call'd and convocated at Ariminum; seven hun­dred and odd Bishops, twice as many Laun-sleeves as was at Constantine's first great Council: And they all unanimously concluded against the Divinity of the second Person of the Holy Trinity! Goodly Sleeves for a Man to pin his Faith upon!

Athanasins that was such a Stickler with his Creed, (that now bears his Name in the Common-Prayer-Book) Begin­ing and Ending with an Anathema, to all that do not be­lieve just as he does; what got he by this Dogmatical Impo­sition of his Faith upon all other Christians? A Nick-name, the Age he liv'd in (very ungratefully some say) called him Sathanasius.

Is it not enough for us to believe as our blessed Saviour says, that his Father is greater than he, and yet that he is one with his Father, God in Christ, and Christ in God, and Christ in Believers, that they also may be one with both?

But where do we read in Scripture, that Christ is God of God, very God of very God? What language is this? The Fa­ther Ʋncreate, the Son Ʋncreate, the Holy Ghost Ʋncreate, and yet they are not Three Ʋncreate, but One Ʋncreate: We are not Arrians, but surely the Holy Ghost in Scripture, has found sufficient Words, and the Holy Scripture and Apostles Creed, is a sufficient Rule of Faith; and surely was sufficient to carry a man to Heaven three hundred years before Atha­nasius was born, and three hundred years before the Nicene and Constantinopolitan-Creed was invented; and 1400 years before that Packt Convention at Trent, patch'd up with No­minal [Page 27]Lord Bishops, that were Shepherds without a Flock, yet had as good a Vote as the best: Is it not sad that men must starve and die, because they obey not such frothy Men (like Froth and Scum) because uppermost? Is it not a La­mentation, and shall be for a Lamentation, that all Christian Men must be forc'd to see with other men's Eyes, and to be­lieve by Proxy, and obey Blindfold, and also swallow (like Cramm'd Capons) all that is put down their Throats?

Is not this Mahomet-like, who carried his Bible (his Al­coran) in one Hand, and his Sword in the other, saying, if the first will not do, the other shall?

We are all as good Church-of-England-Men as the upper­most Men, we hope; Is it not enough for us (Church-of-England Men) to be Humble Seekers, and confess, with the 39 Articles, that we mar err; and consequently, it is unac­countable to impose our Errors on others, and then back our Errors with Penal Laws; or to impose Creeds in other Words than the Holy Ghosts Words, Scripture Words, which if Ambiguous, let us leave men to their own Master to stand or fall; to their own Judgments to Consent or Dissent, and never make these Impositions of Creeds an occasion of Scan­dal, or a Stumbling-Block in our Brothers way, to make him fall.

Will men still urge an Act of Ʋniformity, which they themselves keep not; made by a King, that this present King has published (whatsoever he was in his Life) a Papist at his Death, and made by a Parliament, distinguished by (a Name Eternally Infamous) the Pensioners Parliament, from the multitude of Judas's that sold their, and their King and Countreys Consciences, betray'd their Master by cheating His Exchequer, going S [...]ips with him in his Revenue, and like Ambo-Dexter-Lawyers, took Fees on both sides, took Mo­ney of the Countrey to be faithful to their Interest, and then rook'd or robb'd the Exchequer, to betray the Countrey that en­trusted them? O abominable Perfidy! Never to be for­gotten [Page 28]nor forgiven, till a Brand be set upon them to mark them out to all Posterity, for an Example of Treachery; and till they truly repent, which cannot be without Restitution.

Shall a fellow be hang'd for taking a Purse of Five Pounds value by the High-way? And shall they go Ʋnpunish'd, that do not only betray their Trust; but rob the King and the Countrey too? Learned Lawyers have found Treason in it?

If they had not been Purified by the House of Peers, and well Poiz'd by the honest Patriots in the House of Commons, what mischief might they not have done?

Sometimes we read of the Church of Philippi, Ephesus, Galatia, Thessalonia, &c. There a National, there a City-Church, and sometimes we read of the Church in thy House; all true Churches, both the greater and the lesser. So that the Church of England, are all the Faithful Christians in England, and ought not to be Ʋn-Church'd, though they differ in smaller Ceremonies or greater Matters; for in the Church of Corinth, some denied the greatest Fundamental in Divinity, 1 Cor. 15.12, 13, 14, 15. without which all Preaching, Praying, Sacraments, &c. are Null, Vold, and of no Effect, viz. The Resurrection of the Dead; and yet they were in the Church, and no Apostolical Decree to Excommunicate them, or Cast them out.

How Unjustifiable then is it to Excommunicate a Believer, because he Refuses to Take the Church-Wardens Oath or Sacrament; or, for not Conforming to some Im­position of Trivial Concern?

Are not they that thus Excommunicate, the Schismaticks, by laying a Scandal in their Brothers way, to make him fall, Rom. 15.13. and then by an Unchristian Capias; to Imprison him, till Iris Purse help him out?

And a Protestants Absolution (after all) costs Ten times more Money, then is de­manded by the Popish-Priests, in their Authentick and Printed Table of Fees, for Adultery or Incest, &c.

So that what Ease is it to a Protestant that lies starving in a Goal (after he has stood Excommunicated 40 days) that it is not the Common Enemy has undone him, but a Protestant-Friend? Not the Brishop of Rome, but one at home: If my Purse, my Liberty, or my Goods be taken from me, 'tis a Cold Comfort to ease my Heart with this Melancholy Contemplation, that my Country-man, a Protestant did it, and not an Italian Priest; or, to escape the Romish-Fire and Faggot, or Bloody M [...]ss [...]cres, (that soon puts us out of Pain) and yet be Crucified alive in a J [...]yle, a Man and his House? Never do we read in Holy Scripture of a Convocation of Clergy-men, that took upon themselves an Authority to make Canons, and lay Impositions upon the L [...]ity, (no, not when even all the Chief Apostles were met in Synod, (at that only Sy­nod that holy Scripture speaks of) at Jerusalem) without the consent of the Lay-Bro­thers: Acts 15.23.

And even (there) were not an innumerable company of Impositions and Canons.; Not so much as one Imposition of Creeds to be believed: Nor any one Anathema, or Curse, or Penal Law denounced against Dissenters. Yet they had the presence of the Infallable Spirit of Truth, (which the Church of England does not in the least pre­tend [Page 29]to) and even then also enjoyned only a few necessary things. Act [...] 15.28.

And if either Church of Rome, or Church of England had not a Bigoted and Priest­ridden Arm of Flesh, wherewith to Fight Non-conformity; and would be content with such Weapons as Christ and his holy Apostles thought sufficient; they might Anatha­mize, and Curse, till their Hearts should ake, before any Wise and Rational Christian would believe as they believe, only because they believed it: Who gave them Domi­nion over our Faith and Consciences? What Authority have they to Lord it over Gods Heritage, (the Layity? There, 1 Pet. 5.3. called Gods Clergy) especially since, as shall be shown hereafter, they have Erred already, both in Doctrine and Discipline. That late Doctrine of Passive Obedience they now Smile at, and some of them, toge­ther with all English Protestants, have Actually Recanted, Repented of, and Forsaken; or else we had sin'd against the great Law of Nature, Self-Preservation! Must we Pray against Arbitrary Government and Oppression, and not use the means? May we not pay men in their own Coyn, and give them as good as they bring? May we not repell vim vi? Force with Force?

This Doctrine of Passive Obedience is poyut-blanck against the 39 Articles of the Church of England; which Curses all that dares deny, That it is Lawful to serve in the Wars? And if any War be Lawful, a Defensive War (in defending Ours, or our Neighbours Lives, Houses Goods, or Rights, as Men and Christians) is (by all agreed to be) the most Lawful War, because it is of absolute necessity. For what has God and Nature furnished Men with Eyes, and Couragious Hearts, and strong Arms? To keep our Arms in our Pockets till our Throats be Cut? We beg your Pardon. Mr. Passiv [...] Obedience! Or if you will not give us Pardon, sell it to us, as you do other Absolutions.

SECT. IV. Of the Necessity of Changing and Recanting our Opi­nions in Religion.

IF any man (Pope or Mahomet) say he has no Sin, he is a Liar, and the Truth is not in him; (saith St. John) Then how is it possible for a Man to go to Heaven, except he Recant and R [...]pent; for Heaven is fill'd with [...]0 glorified Saints, except R [...]canters.

No Book in the World is Faultless and Infallible (except the Holy Bible) for ei­ther Matter or Manner of Expression, or du [...] Taming the thing, or some other Circumstance; it has some Errors or Faults in it.

And if this be true, then every Author that writes a Book, ought to Recant the same, if he be a true Christian; I mean, the Errors committed therein; for I never heard of any Christian Man (as yet) that ever was so like the Father of Lies, as [...] desire that any Body would Recant the Truth's contained in his Ways, Books, or Works; The Truth will shift for its self (in spight of all Opposition) at long run; but the Errours (of which no Man nor Book is free) ought to be Re [...]nted, and pub­lickly too, (if required) yea, as publickly as the Books that have been Publick.

St. Augustine has a large Recantation, and a Heavenly one, in Print, called, His Books of Confessions; so the Learned and Excellent B [...]z [...] and a Man (worth them all) St. Paul. Confessing and Recanting his Persecuting Spirit.

It is not in any Mortal Man's Power, to be free from Sin or Error; Homo sum & Humanum a me nibil alienum puto, at Humanum est Errare; was an old and too true a Proverb; If we be Mortals, we are subject to [...]; and then if we be Christians, or hope for Mercy, we must Recant: For though we may Err, (the Frail [...]y of our Ʋaderstandings) yet we need not be guilty of Heresie or Obstinacy in B [...]ro [...], (the fault of our Wills.)

Thus the Church of England makes us all Recant publickly in the Church twice a Day, in sober sadness, if we do not Dissemble, saying. We have left undone these things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no Health in us.

The most Learned and Elaborate Authors in our Age need no other Confutation of their humane Frailties and Errors, than their own Contradicting-Books; his pretty to show, (if it more worth the while) how the Dean gives the Parson the Lie; and the Arch-Deacon, the Bishop; and how desperately they stabb themselves, and are Felones de se, (in some sence;) if a Lie deserves a stab, they need, to other Dag­ger than their own, which is enough to abate the Hussing Pride of the greatest S [...]hol­lars, and Noblest Souls amongst us, as well as to Mortifie the Bigot, that is so full, and puffe up with his present Notion.

Nay, Parliaments, Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and House of Commons, have Recanted, publickly bewailing, begging Pardon, and asking forgiveness of the Popes Nuntio (Cardinal Pool) on bended Knees; (when frighted with the Apprehensions of Queen Maries Smithfield-F [...]res) and which is worst of all, did for fear also Re­cant God's Truth; at least, they Recanted what the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and House of Commons had about six years before, by Statute-Law, Declared to be Gods Truth; 2 & 3 Edw. 6. c. 1. and made by the Aid of the Holy Ghost; (surely you'll say then, that must be the Bible which they recanted! And so one would think indeed; but it was a far Inferiour Business, viz. only) the Common Prayer-Book, saying, 1, and 2. Phil and Mar. c. 8. Seeing by the goodness of God our own Errors, have knowledged the same to the said most Reverend Father, (Cardinal Pool, the Popes Legate) Therefore, We the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons Assembled in this present Parliament, Representing the whole Body of the Realm of ENGLAND, &c. Do Declare our selves very sorry, and Rep [...]ntant (Poor Hearts!) of the Schism and Disobedience, &c. against the See Apostolick, &c.

And all this Recantation, the Bishops and Parliament, (when the times turn'd) Re [...]ant again about five years after, in 1 Elig. 1. Resuming again this same Com­mon-Peayer-Book, and setting up a High-Commission-Court, &c. which was for Cruelties and Oppressions, Condemn'd by (17 Car. 1.2.)

And when the King and Parliament were offended, because Bishops were too busie, or too much busied in Temporal Employments, Powers and Authorities; they were Disabled by (17 Car. 1.27.) but made Capable again, by (13 Car. 2.2.

What Variation of the Compass is here? What Turnings and Windings, and Re­turnings again? Then Facing about as you were; (of which I might give many hun­dreds of Instances) let this suffice for England.

And if we cross the Seas, and make a Progress to Rome to the Infallible Chair, we shall find that even that too, stands as unsteady, or more unsteady than any other; In proof whereof, I'll have no other Vouchers than Papists and Cardinals; and for Cleanliness sake give but a small Touch at the dirty Work.

Was not the Bones of Pope Formosus digged up by the Pope his Successor, his De­crees Rescinded, and the poor Dead Pope thrown into Tyber for a Heretick, not worthy of Christian Burial, &c? Platina, Theodore. 197. and John 10.897. tells us. That Pope Theodore II. made Null and Void the Decrees of Romanus. And did not Pope John X. do as much for him? I care not which was in the Right; it sufficeth my present purpose to shew, That one of the Infallible Don's did Err, and was Fallible.

And does not Cardinal Baronius (ad an. 900) on this Score, cry out, Alas! For Shame and Sorrow, that so many Monsters (a horrible thing to see) should mount that Chair, which deserves (Sir) Reverence of Angels?

Was not Pope Bennet IX. made Pope at twelve years of Age, by the means of his Father the Marquess of Tuseta, and could not so much as read Mass? And after­wards skill'd in nothing but the Black Art, by which the Letcher (as Cardinal Benno affirms,) enticed pretty Wenches into the Woods, and there Debanch'd them: Well might Cardinal Barronius (ad An. 1033.) call him, The Shame of the Romish Church, Ecclesiae Opprobrium.

Does not Luithrand (lib. 2. c. 3.) tell us, That the Council of Lateran did De­pose Pope John XII? First, for Ordaining Deacons in a Stable: Secondly, For making Boys (but ten years of Age) Bishops. Thirdly, For Praying to the Devil to help him (when he was at Dice) to a lucky Throw. Fourthly, For making his House (the L [...]teran-Palace) a Common Stews. Fifthly, For lying with Stephana, his own Fathers Whore. Sixthly, For Drinking a Health to the Devil.

Does not Platina (Silvest. 2. An. 998.) tell us. That Pope Sylvester II. made a Bargain with the Devil, to give him Body and Soul, upon two Conditions; First, That the Devil would help him into the Infallible Chair: Secondly, That he should never die but in Hierusalem; whither he was resolved never to come. The Contract thus made, the Devil helpt him to the Popedom; Pontificatum, ad­jurante Diabolo consecutus est, hâc tamen lege, ut post Mortem totus illius esset. But the Devil was as crafty as a Jesuice, for he cheated, with an Equivocation, the Pope himself, who Died horribly, (C. Malmesbur. 2.10.) whilst he was saying Mass in Rome, in the Church, called Jerusalem.

I might fill Volumns with these Instances, to shew that even Popes ought to change and Recant, if ever they hope to be Saved; for there are no good Men here on Earth, nor Glorified Saints in Heaven. except Recanters! Honest Par­liaments have Recanted, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Augustine, Beza, and all Honest Men, have Recanted: And must not all good Protestants then come into the Fashion of all good Men in Heaven and Earth?

SECT. V. Of the Restraint of the PRINTING-PRESS.

PRinting, though reckon'd amongst the New Inventions, is now become an Old Trade in London, and has begot one or two more Trades; the Book-sellor and Stationer, which are all Incorporated into a Body-Politick; called, The Company of Stationers; no despicable nor mean Company (or Hall) in this splendid City; one Stationer was enough for a City, before Printing came up; and of Book-sellers there were none, but Scriveners.

But, now they are become the Numerous Issue of the Press; and enabled to make By-Laws for the Regulating their Trade; which is their Lively-hood: And the Que­stion is, Whether it be reasonable and lawful to hinder them of their Lively-hood, of their Trade, under pretence of Publique-good, by shutting up the Press, and stopping their Trade, by excluding all that have not a Passe, (and some say you may with as much reason Exclude all men from the Kings-High-Way, the Birth-light of every En­glisk-man, or stop their Mouths and starve them) except they bring a Passe Sign'd by Sir Roger, the Bishops Chaplain, or the like; to permit them to Earn their Livings?

There's an Act of Parliament for it you'll say; and for that Trick. I say, I'll de­termine nothing positively against it.

But, Acts of Parliament are not like the Laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be alter'd. The Aegyptian Priests told Herodotus that the Sun had chang'd it's course four times within the last Preceding Eleven thousand and odd years; an Aera, as long before Adam, as since.

But, if the Sun change it's course sometimes, and the Moon often times, and Par­liaments change their Acts sometimes twice in Ten Years, as afore-said; then surely this Act for Restraint of the Press (without the License of the Bishops Chaplain or Sir Roger, &c.) is not immutable.

The Arguments to keep the Press-doors shut, center all in this. That a Liberty thereof, without the Pass of a License, may prove pernicious not only to private men, but to the Publique, to the Church, to the State.

Libels will fly about to wound mens Reputations; and, which is a consideration of greater weight. The Church and State may thus be shot at and mounded, and yet like shooting with White Powder, the Wound is felt, but none knows whence the Bullets came.

This is an Inconvenience; but, if this be all, the Argument is fallacious: For, as in other Trades, things that are rare, dear and hard to come by, are the readiest Com­modity; so also in the Book-sellers Trade, no Books vend so nimbly, as those that are sold (by Stealth as it were) and want Imprimaturs.

This Restraint by Licensers will not prevent the flying Pamphlets and Reputation-Wounders; we may well say, it will not, because by Experience 'tis found it never did.

But, if the By-Law already made by the Stationers Company, were Enacted by Par­liament, with some additions, all the Inconveniencies of Restraining the Press from Printing the best Books, (because it is perh [...]ps against the Diana of Mr. Licenser, or the Craft by which he gets his Wealth) will be prevented; and all the Reputation-Wounders will be discovered, and without further Proof, brought to Cendign Pu­nishment: Namely, A Law, that every Author's and Printer's Name, and their se­veral places of Residence, and the mans Name for whom they were Printed, and who Publishes and Vends them, be Printed in the Title-Page of every Book or Pamphlet; And that such Printed Names shall be a sufficient Evidence, as if under their own Hand-Writting; provided it be proved by Witnesses and Writing, that the Author gave order for it (and that the Printer (there named) did really Print the same:) And that it shall be Felony, (or some Crime or Punishment) to Print any Book or Pamphlet in other manner; or to Print false Names: Or with what other Proviso's the Wisdom of a Parliament shall think meet.

The Pope indeed has some Reason to Restrain all Printing, without his Approbation License, or Instruction; because it is very meet and right so to do; granting his In­fallibility, An Index Expurgatorius is a necessary and just Consequence thereof.

But, Church of England, that disclaims all such Impudent pretence; what Reason can she give to be the only Door-keeper to the Press, except she could also get an Act of Parliament that it shall not be Lawful hereafter for God Almighty to open any mans Understanding clearer, nor to give him better Eyes then the Licenser.

For, How many Excellent Books, both in Divinity and Humanity, are Suppress'd, because they are excellent, and too good to get an Imprimatur?

This made the Great Duke of Buckingham say, That the Clergy have but one Vote; for the Inseriour Clergy generally think themselves notably sharp-sighted in Affairs, if they can but look up to the Top of the Church-Steeple, and see how the Cock stands; and as the Wind blows, many of them sometimes Conform themselves.

Thus Haggards listen to the Huntsmans Halloo and Horn, but seldome put their Noses to the Ground to examine the Scent; For which the Huntsman Whips them smartly sometimes, yet 'tis all one.

No men are greater Vassals then small Clergy-men, or at least more Oppress'd with unreasonable Assents and Consents, in spight of Mathematicks, and illegal Procura­tions, Synodals, &c. even when there is no Synod, no Visitation, &c. yet (poor Hearts) they out with their Purse, and pay the Bishops Silver, and the Rich Arch-Deacons Silver, though some of them Pawa the Pewter-Dish for it; and yet for all this V [...]ssallage, some of them does not so much as Whimper, Groan, nor Complain, nor Vote otherwise then (as the Word is Ecchoed amongst them) though at such a time as this, when a Parliament can help us.

Thus have I seen a Step-Mother Whip the Child till it Roar again, and then take it up again and Whip it for Roaring; and then make it go down on its Knees, ask Forgiveness, Kiss the Rod; threatning to give it twice as much if it tell it's Father: But come on't what will, I will say—God help, the while.

Has any man in the World any other or better Commission to Preach, then what Christ gave his Disciples? (Mat. 28.19.) namely, To go and teach, and make all Nations Disciples by Baptizing them; and he will be with such to the end of the World; not with those Individual Apostles (who are dead) but their Successours (Lawfully ordain'd) to [...]ue end of the World.

Let any man show me a Reason if he can, why a Presbyter Lawfully ordain'd, and therefore Commissionated by Christ to Teach all Nations, &c. should need any other License? And is not teaching in Print from the Press, the same or better, and of more general and universal benefit to all-men, and all Nations, then the narrow Pulpit, though it stand aloft?

And dare any Christian prefer the Worth of an Act of Parliament, before the Words of God and our Lord Jesus, who has commanded all Men to let their Light so shine before Men, that they may see their good Works, (in Print, the most Excel­lent, Universal, and Charitable Good Works in the World, if they be agreeable to Holy Scripture, and right Reason) and glorifie their Father which is in Heaven, without leave or License?

Does not our Law-Books say, That all Statutes are Ipso facto, Void, if against the Common Law, (viz. the Light of Reason, or Law of Nature) or against the Law of God?

But it is against the Common Law to take away, or Obstruct any Mans Trade or Birthright, (as Printing is to many Men) when the Publick, the State and the Church, and every private Man's Reputation, may be better and sufficiently Ensured by other Ways?

Is there not a Positive Law of Christ to all Christians; not to hide their T [...]l [...] in a Napkin, (though the Licensers for Self-Interest, will not give us an Imprimatur to improve it?)

Is there not a Plain-Law of Christ, That we should not put our Light under a Bushel, but on a Candlestick, that all that come in may see the Light? The Liberty of the Pulpit, Bench or Press, are the Golden Candlesticks; the Self-ended Imprima­tur's very Wooden Ones, (God knows) if this little Treatise cannot be Gain-said nor Confuted, but by the Goaler?

Is there not a Positive Law of Christ; Not to quench the Spirit? And shall any Ʋnchristian Law quench it, for Self-ends, and because they are so mad as to shut their Eyes, and scorn to amend, or be cured by a charitable Hand, that is willing to do it for God's sake, and not for any other Fee?

Since then there is a Positive Law of Christ to let our Light so shine before men, that they may see our Good and Charitable Works, (in Print to chuse) that Pater Noster (which is in Heaven) may be Glorified; Then let us give to Caesar the things that are Caesars; but let us not rob God, to give unto Caesar the things that are Gods Peculiars and Property.

And what Honest Protestant would not think it much more Honour to be God's Advocate, (in such a Book as this, (as little as it is,) Pseading Gods Cause, his Right and Bole Dominion over Consciences, than by Invading Liberty of Consci­ence (Gods Throne) to arrive to the highest Preserments, (the Effect of Favour (many times) or some wilder Chance?)

And now have I done with the Five Chapters which are all Uniform and of a P [...]ece; there went but the Sacars (or Sections) between them, for Methods sake.