§. 1. Of Toleration.

(A) A Toleration is against the Nature of Reformation; a Reformation and a Toleration are diametrically opposite. The Apologists in Petitioning for a Toleration, have not only broken the Covenant themselves, but they endeavour by all their Wit and Art to bring the Parliament and Kingdom into so great a guilt as the breach of This Solemn Covenant. Edwards Antapalogia, Pag. 241. A Toleration of men in their Errours, this pretended Liberty of Conscience, is against the Judgement of the greatest Lights in the Church, both ancient and modern, Pag. 242.

(B) Doth it indeed belong to you only to look to the Civil Peace, and to let Religion, and Truth, and the Worship of God stand or fall, to their own Master? Fight God, Fight Devil; Fight Christ, Fight Anti-Christ; Catch that Catch can; you have nothing to do but to stand by, and look on. Say so then; Speak, out, publish it in your Declarations to the World, and let the People of England know, that it is the Right and Liberty to which the Subjects of England are born; that every man hold what he please, and publish and Preach what he holds: That it is the Birth-Right (as some would have it) of the Free-born-People of England, every man to worship God according to his own Conscience; and to be of what Religion his own Conscience shall Dictate: Do so, and see (Fathers and Brethren) how long your Civil Peace will secure you, when Religion is destroy'd; how long it will be ere your Civil Peace be turned into Civil War! For no doubt, if this be once granted them, but they may in good time come to know also, (there be them that are instructing them even in these Principles too) that it is their Birth-Right to be freed from the Power of Parliaments, and from the Power of Kings; and to take up Arms against Both, when they shall not Vote and Act according to their Humours. Liberty of Conscience falsly so call'd may in good time emprove it self into Liberty of Estates, and Liberty of Houses, and Liberty of Wives; and in a word, Liberty of Perdition, of Souls, and Bodies.

I hold it a Truer Point in Divinity, that Errans Conscientia LIGANDA, then LIGAT; but certainly the Devil in the Conscience may be, nay, must be bound. Lightfoot Serm. to Com. Aug. 26. 1645. Pag. 30.

Ye Servants of Christ, take heed of yielding to the Pretenses of Conscience; the Devil, not Christ, has his Throne There. Hugh's Serm. to the Com. May 26. 1647. Pag. 34.

(C) What? when we have so much appear'd against Popery and Superstition, shall we now begin to think of Indifferency and Toleration? Certainly it is but a sorry exchange of a Bad Religion for None. Horton Serm. to the Lords, Dec. 30. 1646. Pa. 38.

(D) Would These men that so highly defend Toleration, grant that Toleration (if they had power in their hands) to others, which they desire for themselves? I doubt it. The Arrians did sometimes seem as earnest Enemies to Persecution, as these men; yet when they had Authority on their side, they raised a Persecution against the Orthodox, more terrible then the Heathen Emperours against the Christians. Cranfords Serm. before the Lord Mayor, Feb. 1. 1645. Pa. 11.

(E) O let the Ministers therefore Oppose Toleration (as being that by which the Devil would at once lay a Foundation of his Kingdom to all Generations) witnesse against it in all places; possesse the Magistrate of the Evil of it; yea, and the People too; shewing them how, if a Toleration were granted, they should never have Peace in their Families more; or ever after, have Command of Wives, Children, Servants, &c. Let's therefore fill all Presses, cause all Pulpits to ring, and so possess Parliament, City, and the whole Kingdom against the Sects, and of the Evil of Schism and Toleration; that we may no more hear of a Toleration, nor of Separated Churches, being Hateful Names in the Church of God. Amen, Amen, Ibid. Edwards Gangraena, Part. 1. Pag. 84.

(F) We are bold to hint unto you these ensuing Reasons against the Toleration of Independency in this Church.

First, No such Toleration hath hitherto been established (so far as we know) in any Christian State, by the Civil Magistrate.

Secondly, Because some of them have solemnly profess'd, that they cannot suffer Presbytery: And answerable hereunto is their Practice in those places where Independency prevails.

(G) Thirdly, To grant to Them, and not to Other Sectaries, who are Free-born as well as They, and have done as good Service as they to the Publique (as they use to pleade) will be counted Injustice, and great Partiality: But to grant it unto all, will scarce be cleared from great Impiety.

(H) Fourthly, Independency is a Schism, &c. Now we judge, that no Schism is to be Tolerated in the Church. 1 Cor. 1.10. 1 Cor. 10.25. Rom. 6.17. with 1 Cor. 3.3. Gal. 5.20. Presbyt. Minist. Letter from Sion College, to the Assembly of Divines, Dec. 18. 1645.

(I) Many Mischiefs will inevitably follow upon this Toleration, and that both to Church and Common-wealth.

First, To the Church: As 1. Causlesse and Unjust Revolts from our Ministry, and Congregations. 2. Our Peoples mindes will be troubled, and in danger to be subverted, as Acts 15.24.3. Bitter heart-burning among Brethren will be fomented and perpetuated to posterity. 4. The Godly, Painful, Orthodox Ministers will be discouraged, and despised. 5. The life and power of Godliness will be eaten out by frivolous Disputes, and vain Janglings. 6. The whole Course of Religion in private Families will be Interrupted and Undermined. 7. Reciprocal duties between persons of nearest and dearest Relation will be extremely violated. 8. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdom will be encourag'd to endeavour the like Toleration, and shelter themselves under the wings of Independency. 9. And the whole Church of England, in short time, will be swallow'd up with Destruction and Confusion.

(K) Secondly, To the Common-wealth; for it is much to be doubted lest the Power of the Magistrate should not only be weaken'd, but even utterly overthrown, considering the Principles and Practises of Independents, together with their Compliance with Other Sectaries sufficiently known to be Anti-Magistratical, Ibid.

(L) It would lay the Foundation of Strife and Division in the Kingdom, to have Two ways of Church-Government. Epistolary Discourse, p. 21. Printed by Order, 1644.

The Cities Humble Remonstrance and Petition of May 26. 1646. presses to have some speedy course taken for the suppressing of all private and Separated Congregations.

§. 2. The Fruits of a Toleration.

(A) THis is that Diabolical Liberty (says Beza. Confess. Fid. Eccl. l. 5. de sect. 44.) which hath filled Polonia, and Transilvania with so many Plagues of Opinions.

Reader, that thou mayst discern the mischief of Ecclesiastical Anarchy, the monstrousness of the much-affected Toleration, and be warned to be wise to Sobriety, and fear, and suspect the pretended New Lights; I approve that this Treatise, discovering the Gangrene of so many strange Opinions, should be Imprinted. James Cranfords License to the First Part of Edward's Gangrena.

(B) You have, most Noble Senators, done worthily against Papists, Prelates and Scandalous Ministers; in casting down Images, Altars, Crucifixes; throwing out Ceremonies, &c. but what have you done against other kindes of growing Evils; Heresie, Schism, Disorder; against Seekers, Anabaptists, Antinomians, Brownists, Libertines, and other Sects? You have destroy'd Baal and his Priests; but have you been zealous against Golden Calves, and the Priests of the Lowest of the People?—You have put down the Book of Common-Prayer, and there are many among Us that put down the Scriptures; slighting, yea, blaspheming them. You have broken down Images of the Trinity; Christ; Virgin Mary, Apostles; And we have those who overthrow the Doctrine of the Trinity: oppose the Divinity of Christ, speak evil of the Virgin Mary, slight the Apostles. You have cast out the Bishops, and their Officers; and we have many that cast down to the ground all Ministers in all the Reformed Churches. You have cast out Ceremonies in the Sacraments, as the Crosse, Kneeling at the Lords Supper; and we have many cast out the Sacraments, Baptisme and the Lords Supper.— The Sects have been growing upon us ever since the first year of your sitting, and have every year encreased more and more; things have been bad a great while, but this last year they are grown Intolerable. And if Schism, Heresie &c. be let alone, and rise proportionably for one year longer, we shall need no Cavaliers, nor Enemies, from without, to destroy us. Ib. Epist. Ded. to the Lords and Commons.

(C) The Independent Churches, like Africa, do breed and bring forth the Monsters of Anabaptism, Antinomianism, Familism, Nay that huge Monster, and old flying Serpent of the Mortality of the Soul, Antapologia. P. 262.

(D) As John Baptist wore a Leathern Girdle, So the Doctrine that he preach'd was Leathern Doctrine. Saltmarsh's Serm. at the Bath.

(E) The Saints are those that are now stiled Anabaptists, Familists Antinonians, Independents, Sectaries, &c.—The First party that rose against you, namely the Prophane ones of the Land, are fallen under you; and now there is another Party, Formalists, and Carnal Gospellers rising up against you, &c. Del's Serm. to the General and Officers June 7. 1646.

(F) Shall the Presbyterians, Orthodox, Godly Ministers be so cold, as to let Anabaptism, Brownism, Antinomianism, Libertinism, Independency, come in upon us, and sleep in a whole skin? Gangren. Par. 1.91.

(G) When Cartwright, Hildersham, Travers, and many other gracious Divines, by the blessing of God upon their Great diligence, had undermined and well near overthrown the Episcopal Sees, and all the Cathedral Ceremonies; Incontinent the Generation of the Separatists did start up &c. [Bayly's Disswasive Pag. 12.]

(H) The famous City of London is become an Amsterdam; Separation from our Churches is Countenanc'd; Toleration is cry'd up; Authority lyeth asleep, &c. Calamy's Serm. to the Lord Mayor, Jan. 14. 1645. Pag. 3. Divisions, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Political, in Kingdoms, Cityes or Familyes are Infallible Causes of Ruine to Kingdoms, Cities and Families. Serm. to the Lords, Dec. 25. 1642.

(I) Diversity of Religion, disjoynts and distracts the Minds of men, and is the Seminary of Perpetual Hatreds, Jealousies, Seditions, Wars, if any thing in the world be; and in a little time, either a Schism in the State begets a Schism in the Church, or a Schism in the Church begets a Schism in the State. &c. Once for all, it is the Preservation and Reservation of Religion which you have Covenanted to endeavour; and not a Liberty of Opinion, which will consist with neither. Newcomen. Serm. to Parl. Sept. 12. 1644.

(K) Independents the most Pharisaical, proud, envious, and malicious Sect that ever sprung up: (Bastwicks Independency not Gods Ordinance) Wild-geese, Old-geese, sticklers against Parliaments, and Presbytery; Fighters against God; Violaters of all the Laws of God and Nature; a company of Rats among Joyn'd-stools; not worthy to give guts to a Bear; Moon-calves, &c. Id. Postscr. Pa. 12.32, 34, 36. &c.

(L) The Errours and Innovations under which we so much groan'd of Latter years, were but Tolerabiles Ineptiae, tolerable Trifles, Childrens-Play, compar'd with these Damnable Doctrines, Doctrines of Devils, as the Apostle calls them: Polygamy, Arbitrary Divorce, Mortality of the Soul, No Ministry; no Churches; no Ordinances: no Scripture. Yea the very Divinity of Christ, and the Holy Ghost question'd by some; denyed by Others; and the very Foundation of all these layd in such a Schism of boundless Liberty of Conscience, &c. Serm. before the Commons, Aug. 22. 1645. Pag. 29.

(M) The Scriptures deny'd to be the word of God—Only of Human Authority—Insufficient, and Uncertain. Edward's Gangrena. Pag. 15.—God has a hand in, and is the Authour of the Sinfulness of his People. P. 16.—The Soul dies with the Body.— In the Unity of God there is not a Trinity of Persons.—Nor Three distinct Persons in the Divine Essence; but only Three Offices. Pag. 17.—That Christs human Nature is de • led with Original Sin.— That no man shall perish or go to Hell, for any Sin but Unbelief only. Pag. 18.—That men may be saved without Christ.—That there is no Original Sin in us; only Adams first sin was Original Sin. Pag. 20.—That the Doctrine of Repentance is a Soul-destroying Doctrine. Pag. 21. &c.

(N) A Minister in Hertfordshire bringing a place of Scripture against an Anabaptist which he could not Answer; said, It was the Weakness of the Apostle, and there he wanted the Spirit, Pag. 33. Part. 1. —Some of the Sectaryes Plead Miracles, Revelations, Visions, as Christs appearing to an Anabaptist, and forbidding her to baptize her Child, Pag. 58. And their dressing up a Cat, like a Childe, Ibid.

(O) One Cozens of Rochester in Kent, sayd, that Jesus Christ was a Bastard; and that if he were upon the earth again, he would be asham'd of many things he then did. Ibid. Pag. 105.

Oh Lord! Thine Honour is now at stake; for now, O Lord, Antichrist hath drawn his sword against thy Christ; and if our Enemies prevail, thou wilt lose thine Honour. Strickland at Southampton, Jun. 9. 1643.

If thou dost not finish the good Work which thou hast begun, in the Reformation of the Church, thou wilt shew thy self to be the God of Confusion: and such a one, as by Cunning Stratagem hast contrived the Destruction of thine own Children. [Crosse at St. Mildreds in the Counter, July 6.]

O God, O God! Many are the hands lift up against us; But there is one God: It is Thou thy self, O Father, who doest us more Mischief then them all. [Robinson at Southhampt. Aug. 25.]

O Lord! when wilt thou take a Chair, and sit amongst the House of Peers? When, O God; When (I say) wilt thou Vote amongst the Honourable Commons? Thine own Commons, who are so Zealous for thine Honour? [Evans of St. Clemens.]

I say, This is Gods Cause; and if our God hath any Cause, This is It. And if This be not Gods Cause, then God is no God for me; but the Devil is Got up into Heaven. [Bond, at the Savoy.]

As I am a Faithfull Sinner, Neighbours, This is my mornings draught. Here's to you all. [Isaack Massy at Vppingham in Rutl. giving the Communion on Easter-day, 1644. drinking off the whole Cup.] See A short View of the Late Troubles in England, Chap 43.

§. 3. The Dissenters Harmony among themselves. Pres.

THe Sectaries agree with Julian the Apostate, [Gangr. P. 54.] The Sectaries are Libertines and Atheists, [P. 185.] Vnclean, Incestuous, [Pa. 187.] Drunkards, [P. 190.] Sabbath-Breakers, Deceivers, [Pa. 191.] Guilty of gross Lying, Slandering, Juggling, falsifying their words and promises; guilty of excessive Pride and Bousting, [Pa. 192. Of insufferable Insolences, horrible Affronts to Authority; and of strange Outrages, [Pa. 194.] There never was a more Hypocritical, false, dissembling Generation in England, then many of the Grandees of our Sectaries. They encourage, protect, and cry up for Saints, Sons of Belial, and the vilest of men. [P. 240. Gang. 2. pa. 1646.]

Ind.

Presbytery is Babylon, Aegypt, a Limb of Antichrist, a Tyrannical Lordly Government; a worse Bondage then that under the bishops [Martin Eccho] [and Burtons Conformity Deformity] worse then either Aegypt, or Babylon. The Spirit (1645.) of that Ten-horned Beast is now making War with the Lamb — whose Word is Reformation, and this under a fair Colour of a COVENANT, &c. The Mystery of Iniquity, the Mother of all Mischief, the Cause of all our present Calamities, &c. Epist. Ded. to the Lord-Mayor of London.

Pre.

The Northamptonshire Addressers to Richard Cromwell desire he would shew Tendernesse toward the name of God, against the Bold Blasphemers of his Magistracy, Defamers of his Sacred Ordinances, Seducers from Truth, Corrupters of his Worship; and then, that he would Exercise Just Severity against Despisers of Dignityes, and Revilers of Authority; whose Vnhallow'd Tongues set on fire from Hell, spare not to flash out their Insolent Reproaches, and Impious Execrations against his FATHERS SEPULCHER, and his OWN THRONE.

Ind.

The Lord Liveth, who hath brought us from the Romish Papacy, which is Spiritually, Aegypt, by a mighty Deliverance, and manifold Preservations &c. Out of the Scotch Tyranny, and Scotch Presbytery, which came like a Tempest from the NORTH, &c. From this bloudy Design of the Aegyptian Papacy; from the black Plots, and bloudy Powers of the Northern Presbytery. Sterry Serm. before the Parliament. Nov. 5. 1651. Pag. 7.

Pr.

O how like is John Lilburn to John a Leyden; as if he had been spit out of his mouth! Dell to Tho. Muncer.—O how like are our Sectaryes to the old Anabaptists in Germany! Gangraen. Part. 3. Pag. 262.

Ind.

The Covenant's Impossible to be kept, and the makers of it have run into Wilfull Perjury. This makebate, Persecuting, Soul-destroying, England-Dividing, and Vndoing Covenant. [Lillburns England's Birthright]— To violate an Abominable and accursed Oath out of Conscience unto God; (Says I. Goodwyn 12 Cautions P. 4. Speaking of the Covenant) is a Holy, and a Blessed Perjury.

Pr.

A putredinous Vermin of bold Schismaticks and frantick Sectaryes, &c. forsaking our Assemblyes as Babylonish, Antichristian. Burgesse Serm. to the Commons. Nov. 5. 1641. Pag. 60.

Ind.

The Three-formed Presbytery consisting of three Kinds, Pastors, Teachers, and Elders, is not Gods Ordinance; but Antichristian. Smiths Differences, Pag. 4.

Pr.

These detestable Sectaryes! the Plague of Heresies among us; and we have no power to keep the Sick from the Whole. The Wolves that were wont to ly in the Woods are come into our sheep-folds, and Roar in the Holy Congregations. Paget's Heresiography, P. 37. Printed 1648.

Ind.

The Assembly is Antichristian, Romish, Bloudy, the Plagues and Pests of the Kingdom, Baals Priests, Diviners, Southsayers, with Two Horns like a Lamb, but a Mouth like a Dragon. [Gangraena 3. Part Pag. 230.] — Insatiable Hirelings, Gehazi's Cheaters, Pulpited Divines, Distributers of Sundays Doles, Simonious, Decimating Clergy, Common Incendiaryes. [Lond. Minist. Seas. Exhort. P. 21.1660.]

Pres.

Since the Suspension of our Church-Government every one that listeth turneth Preacher. As Shoomakers, Coblers, Button-makers, Hostlers, &c. [Paget Heres. Epist. Ded.]

Ind.

The National Covenant is a double fac'd Covenant, the greatest Makebate, and snare that ever the Devil, and the Clergy his Agents, cast in amongst honest men in England, in our Age. [Londons Liberty in Chains. P. 42.

Pr.

Was there ever in our times, a Generation of greater Self-seekers, Boasters, proud Blasphemers, Covenant-breakers, Vnthankfull, Makebates, Heady, Despisers of those who are good, Mockers and Scoffers, Walking after their own ungodly Lusts, Despisers of Dominions, and speakers evil of Dignityes, having a Form of Godlynesse, but denying the Power thereof, (and so in the rest) then our Sectaryes? Gangrena. Part. 3.257.

Ind.

The Seed of God in This Nation has had Two Capital Enemies, the Romish Papacy, and the Scottish Presbytery. [Sterry's England's Deliverance, Pag. 7.] The Black-bird Divines, The Assembly Swinherds [A Ballad called, The Prophesie of the Swinherds Destruction, To the Tune of The Merry Soldier, Or, The Jovial Tinker.

§. 4. The Dissenters behaviour toward the Government, and First, the Clergy.

ARchbishops and Bishops, are Unlawful, Unnatural, False, and Bastardly Governours of the Church, and the Ordinances of the Devil, petty Popes, petty Anti-christs; like Incarnate Devils, Cogging Couzening Knaves; they will lye like Dogs. Proud, Popish, Presumptuous, Prophane, Paultry, Pestilent, Pernicious Prelates and Ursurpers; Impudent shameless, wain scor-fac'd; Butchers, Horse-leeches, Robbers, Wolves, Simoniacks, Persecutors, Sowers of Sedition; Their Antichristian Courts are the Synagogue of Satan. The Beelzebub of Canterbury, the Canterbury Caiaphas, Esau, a monstrous Antichristian Pope, &c. Most of the Ministers are Popish Priests, Monks, Fryars, Alehouse-haunters, Drunkards & Dolts, Hogs, Dogs, Wolves, Foxes, Simoniachs, Usurers, Proctors of Antichrists Inventions; Popish Chapmen, halting Neutrals, desperate and forlorn Athiests; a Cursed, Uncircumcised, and Murthering Generation; a Troop of bloudy Soul-Murtherers, and Sacrilegious Church Robbers. AntiChrists Rags shall make him a Priest, be he never such a Dolt, or a Villain. See Bancrofts dangerous Positions, Lib. 2. Cap. 12. & 13. with the Authorities.

The Kings Clergy were Croaking Frogs that came out of the Mouth of the Dragon, out of the Mouth of the Beast, and the False Prophet: The Spirits of Devils which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth, to gather them to battle. Wilsons Serm. to Parl. Sept. 28. 1642 Printed by Order.

The Cathedrals are a Nest and Cage of all Unclean Birds, a Harbour of dumb dogs, a Crew of Ale-swilling Singing-Men, offering daily near the Holy Table the blinde Whelps of an Ignorant Devotion, &c.—the Prelatical Hog-sty. Bridges.

Idol, Idle Shepherds, Dumb Dogs, that cannot bark (unless it were at the Flock of Christ;) and so they learned of their Masters both to bark and bite too. Greedy Dogs that could never have enough; that did tear out the Loyns and Bowels of their own people for Gain. Swearing, Drunken, Unclean Priests, that taught nothing but Rebellion in Israel, and caused people to abhor the Sacrifice of the Lord: Arminian, Popish, Idolatrius, Vile Wretches; Such, as had Job been alive, he would not have set with the Dogs of his Flock Who I say brought in These? Did not Prolacy? A Generation of men they were that never had a Vote for Jesus Christ. Yea, what hath poyson'd and adulterated Religion in all these branches; and hath let in Popery, and Prophaneness upon the Kingdom like a Floud, for the raising of their own Pomp and Greatness, but Prelacy? Look into their Families, and they were for the most part the vilese in the Diocese; a very Nest of Vnclean Birds. In their Courts and Consistories, you would have thought you had been in Caiaphas-Hall, where no other Trade was driven, but the Crucifying of Christ in his Members. Cases Serm. at Milk-street, Sept. 30. 1643. Pag. 45, 46, 47.

How the Presence of the Preaching of Christ did soorch and blast th • se Cathedral Priests, that Unhallow'd Generation of Scribes and Pharisees; and perfected their Rebellion into that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. [Case on Ezra 10.2, 3. P. 33.

The Plastering or palliating of these Rotten Members [Bishops] will be a greater dishonour to the Nation and Church, then their cutting off; and the Personal Acts of these Sons of Belial, being conniv'd at, become National sins. [Smectymnuus Red. 1660. P. 58.

These Ecclesiastical Officers, Ceremonies, and Discipline, are set up by the Pope, and are an Appendix or Tayl of Antichrist. [Dr. Holms Serm.. 1641. P. 33.]

This Prelacy in the Article; this many-headed Monster of ArchBishops, Bishops, Chancellors, Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy; This is the Beast wherewith we fight in this Covenant, — Thy Mother Papacy shall be made Childeless among Harlots, your Diocesses Bishopless, and your Sees Lordless, and your places shall know you no more, Case ubi supra. Pa. 50.51.

Prelacy (that whelp) hath learned this Policy of its Mother Papacy (that Lioness) &c. Ibid. P. 64.

We lack a right Government of the Church; Instead of the Ordinance of God in the Government of his Church, the merchandize of shameless Babylon is maintain'd. The Government now used by Archbishops, Bishops, &c. is both Antichristian and devilish. Rome is come home to her Gates; Antichrist reigneth amongst us. The Established Government of the Church is Traiterous against the Majesty of Jesus Christ. It confirmeth the Popes Supremacy; It is accursed; It is an Unlawful, a False, a Bastardly Government. They must needs be not only Traitors to God and his Word, but also Enemies unto her Majesty and the Land, that defend the Establish'd Government of the Church to be Lawful. [Dangerous Pos. Lib. 2. Cap. 4. See the References.

Christ's Religion is fondly patcht with the Popes; The Communion-Book is an imperfect Book, cull'd and pick'd out of that Popish dunghil the Portuyse and Mass-book. The Sacraments are wickedly mangled and profan'd. They eat not the Lords Supper, but play a Pageant of their own, to blind the people. Their Pomps, Rites, Laws and Traditions, are Antichristian, Carnal, Beggarly, Popish Fooleries; Romish Reliques, and Rags of Antichrist, Dregs and Remnants of Transform'd Popery. Pharisaical outward Faces and Vizzards, Remnants of Romish Antichrist, known Liveries of Antichrist; a cursed Leaven of a cursed, blasphemous Priesthood; Cursed Patches of Popery and Idolatry; they are worse then Lousy, &c. [Dan. Pos. L. 2. cap. 9.]

The Dagon of the Bishops Service-book brake its Neck before this Ark of the Covenant, [Ibid. P. 66.]

Notes on § 4.

LEt the Reader lay his hand upin his Heart here, and ask himself. Is this pretended Tenderness of Christianity the stile of the Gospel, or no? Is it the Language of the Disciples of Jesus Christ? Can these People really have an Evangelical Compassion for their Brethren, and at the same time fly thus in the face of Dignities, and treat their Superiors at this outrageous rate? Have we so learn'd Christ, as to make Scurrility and Railing the Badge of our Profession? They would be thought to supplicate all this while for Gentleness and Compassion: And is this the way to obtain it, by a Practice, that is almost sufficient to turn Mercy it self into Indignation? But alas! their business is not to procure Favour from the Government, but to expose it to Reproach. And all this clutter about the Clergy is only to render them Odious and Contemptible to the People. Pray'e take notice once again. The stress of their Charge upon the Church is only to move the multitude against it, as a Frame of Constitution that is Antichristian and Popish: And yet, pray mark it, they do in the same breath; offer Proposals of being Vnited into that Ecclesiastical Popish State; Which brings the matter unavoidably to this Issue; either that they do, against their Consciences, cast that scandal upon the Church for the Advancement of some Other Designe; or else, by desiring this Vnion, they do acknowledge themselves willing to be Incorporate into a Popish Constitution. But this Bustle about the Church, you shall fee, has a furthlr Prospect: For these People have the Faculty of handling Religious Matters, in order to Political as well as of hooking in Temporal Matters, in order to Spirituals.

§. 5. The Dissenters Behaviour towards the Civil Government.

(A) THe King, the Nobles, and the Prelates, are sure the Murtherers of Christ—O People, I will be silent! Speak People, and tell me what good the King has done since his Home coming. [M. Welsh at Sanchil in Carrit at a Conventicle.] And at another Conventicle, thus. I am confident, that God will yet assert the Cause of Pentland-hills, in spite of the Curates, and their Masters, the Prelates; and in spite of the Prelates, and their Master the King; and in spite of the King, and his Master the Devil. [Ravillac Redivivus, Pa. 45.

(B) Her Majesty and State do maim and deform the Body of Christ, and so bid God to battel against them, &c. By the same authority that the Queen appoints the apparel noe appointed to the Ministers, she may command any piece of Popery, so she name it Policy, &c.— The Servants of God are persecuted under her—That Excommunication should not be exercis'd against Princes, I utterly dislike. [Danger. Pos. L. 2. C. 3. Cartwrights Reply, Par. 2.

(C) The State sheweth it self not upright, alledge the Parliament what it will—It shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment, then for such a Court.— There shall not be a man of their seed that shall prosper, be a Parliament-man, or bear Rule in England any more—None ever defended this Hierarchy of Bishops to be lawful, but Papists, and such as were infected with Popish Errors—All the Newgates and Oldgates, yea, and all the Tyburns in England are too little for such rash and presumptuous Heads, that will not give God leave to Rule, but will take the Sceptre out of his hands.—I do fear that many of the forwardest Enemies of Reformation are not the backwardest Friends that the King of Spain has in England at this day. [Dan. Pos. L. 2. C 6.]

(D) As long as you maintain these cursed Acts of 1584 the Tyranny of Bishops, &c. you are a Persecutor. [Dan. Pos. l 1. cap. 6.]

(E) The Magistracy and Ministry walk hand in hand, in the contempt of True Religion— The Laws maintaining the Archbishops are no more to be accounted of then the Laws maintaining the Stews— Impiety is suffer'd to bear sway against the Majesty of God, and that by Law and Authority.—As great Indignities offer'd to Jesus Christ in committing his Church unto the Government of the Common Law, as can be by mean Hirelings unto a King. [Ibid. l. 2. cap. 8.]

Come hither, ye Malignant Athiests, come hither; gnash your teeth, and let their eyes rot in their holes. [Bond to the Commons, Oct. 8. 1645 Pa. 5.

(F) The Kings of the Earth have given their power to Antichrist: How have they earn'd their Titles; Eldest Son of the Church; the Catholique, and most Christian King; DEFENDER OF THE FAITH— Do not the Kings of all these Nations stand up in the room of their Progenitors, with the same implacable Enmity to the Power of the Gospel? [Dr. Owen Fast Serm. Apr. 19. 1649. Pa. 22.

There was Corruption both in Church and Common-wealth. Idols were set up in Dan and Bethel, i.e. in the places of Judgment, and in the House of God, [Burroughs on Isa. 66. v. 10. Pa. 37.

The greatest blow that ever was given to Antichristian Government, is that which Now it hath had. Babylon is so fallen, as it shall never rise again. [Burroughs on Isa. 66.10. Pa. 44.

G. O Worm! Darst thou be so Impudent to put thy self in Gods Stead; to meddle with Mens Consciences, and Lord it in Religious Concerns? [Gods Loud Call, Pag. 17.1661.]

H. What hope that the Reformed Religion will be protected and maintained by the Son, which was so irreligiously betray'd by the Father? [Plain English, 1660. Pag. 2.]

I. C. S. the Son of that Murtherer, is proclaimed King of England; whose Throne of Iniquity is built on the Blood of pretious Saints and Martyrs. [Door of Hope, Pag. 1.1660.]

— The Murtherers of our Saviour were less Guilty than That Prince. [Case of King Charles, 1648.]

K. Let Justice and Reason blush, and Traytors and Murtherers, Parricides and Patricides, put on White Garments, and rejoyce as Innocent Ones, if This Man (the Late King) should escape the Hands of Justice and Punishment. [English Translation of the Scottish Declaration, Pag. 12.1650.]

L. Charles the Second, The Son of a Bloody Father; Heir to an Entail'd Curse, more certain than to his Kingdom; Train'd up in Blood; and One that never suck'd in any other Principles but Prerogative, and Tyranny. [Ibid. Pag. 23.]

M. Charles the First rather chose to submit to the Justice of an Ax in a Hangman's Hand, than to sway a Scepter with Equity. [None-such Charles, Pag. 167.]

Sect. 6. The Presbyterians Opinion of the Covenant.

1. BE astonished, O Heavens! and tremble, O Earth! Let the Sun it self be cloath'd in Blackness at this so horrid an Impiety! What! Abjure such a Covenant? A Covenant so solemnly taken! A Covenant, for the Matter of it, so Religious! so Holy! &c. — And must This Covenant be Abjur'd now? This Covenant! Is not God's Own Word, and God Himself too after a sort Abjured in That Act, whoever are guilty of it? &c. — The Highest of all Crimes imaginable, a Crime that murthers Conscience, that murthers Souls, that murthers Religion it self; a Crime against the First Table! most immediately against the Sovereign God; and the greatest of that Nature that Men can be guilty of. [Speeches of the three Regicides, Pag. 5. and 6.

The Cause (says Bark stead) lies in the Bosom of Christ, and as sure as Christ rose, the Cause will rise again. [Ibid. Pag. 16.]

I die cleaving to all those Oaths, vows, and Protestations that were imposed by the Two Houses of Parliament; as owning them, and dying with my Judgment for them. [Love's Tryal, Printed Aug. 1652.]

The convincing Demonstration, that [there lies no Obligation on me, or any other Person, from the Oath commonly call'd The Solemn League and Covenant] is a Knot cut by the Sword of Authority, while it cannot be loosed by Religious Reason. [Short Survey of the Grand Case, Pag. 23.1663.]

O the Burning of the Covenant in England, and the Causes of Wrath in Scotland, shall certainly be follow'd with such a Fine, and Fierceness of Indignation, as shall make Authors, Actors, Abetters, and Rejoycers thereat, know what it is to give such an open defiance to the Almighty. A Covenant Burnt; and Burnt by Authority; in the sight of Heaven, with such Hell-black Solemnities, where the great God is altera pars contrabens, for Reformation of Religion according to his Word; and Righteousness in walking before him; is such a Sin, as may make every Soul to tremble at the forethoughts of what God will do; for vindicating his Glory from that Contempt thereby cast upon him.— I wish that the Burning of that City into Ashes where that Covenant was Burnt, together with that None-such Plague and War, may make them take warning ere it be too late, who did this Wickedness.—O England, England; I fear, I fear thy Woe hasteneth; the Wrath of God is upon the Wing against thee, both for breach of Covenant, and wiping thy mouth as if thou hadst done nothing amiss! Thou hast stood, and seen thy Brothers Day; Alas, for thy Day, when Others shall stand aloof from thee, for fear of sharing in thy Judgments! [Poor Mans Cup, &c. Pag. 19.]

We shall not, nor cannot enter upon the particular Declaration of that Grace, Constancy and Courage, by which the Lords Faithful Witnesses were sustein'd, and did bear Testimony to the Word of his Truth, the Holy Covenant, and the Cause and Work of God. [Napthali, Pag. 162.]

I bear my Witness unto the National Covenant of Scotland, and Solemn League and Covenant betwixt the Three Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. These Sacred, Solemn, Publique Oaths of God, I believe, can be loosed nor dispensed with by no Person or Power upon Earth. [Napthali, Pag. 207.]

I bear my Witness and Testimony to the Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland, by Kirk-Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assemblies. Popery and Prelacy, and all the Trumpery of Service and Ceremonies that wait upon them, I do abhor. I do bear my Witness unto the National Covenant of Scotland, and Solemn League and Covenant, &c. [The Testimony of James Guthrie, Minister, at his Death at Edinbourgh, June 1. 1661. — And so of every Man of the Party that Dy'd for the Rebellion in Scotland.

Sect. 7. Dissenters Liberty of Conscience.

THe Scots did not only resolve to take the Covenant themselves, but enjoyn'd it throughout the whole Kingdom. Sir Henry Vane's Speech at a Common Hall, Octob. 27. 1643. Page 4.] — They enjoyned it upon the Penalties, that those that should not take it, or should defer it, should be esteem'd Enemies to Religion, to his Majesties Honor, and to the good of the Two Kingdoms; that they should have all their Rents and Profits Confiscate: That they should brook nor enjoy any Office, or Benefit in that Kingdom; that they should be cited to the next Parliament, to Answer the not taking of it; and to be proceeded with there as Enemies to the State, and to Religion; and to receive such farther Punishment, as by the King and Parliament should be put upon them [Ibid. Page 5.] —And that particular account shall be taken by the several Presbyteryes, of all who shall refuse, or shift to swear, and subscribe; and that they be proceeded against with the Censures of the Church, as enemies to the Preservation and Propagation of Religion. [S. Marshall, Ib. Page 11.]

We give now Publick Warning to all Neuters, to rest no longer upon their Neutrality, but that they address themselves speedily to take the Covenant, and joyn with all their power in the Defence of This Cause against the Common Enemy, &c. Otherwise we do declare them to be publick Enemies, to their Religion and Country; and that they are to be censur'd and punish'd as professed Adversaries, and Malignants. [Declaration of England and Scotland, Jan. 30. 1643.]

If any Person or Persons whatsoever shall at any time or times hereafter, use or cause the aforesaid Book of Common Prayer, to be used in any Church, Chappel, or Publick Place of Worship, or in any private place or Family within the Kingdom of England, or the Dominion of Wales, or Port and Town of Berwick; every such Person so offending therein shall, for the First Offence, pay the sum of Five Pounds of Lawful English Mony. For the Second Offence Ten Pounds; and for the Third shall suffer one whole years Imprisonment, without Bail or Mainprize. [Ordinance of Parliament, Aug. 23. 1645. for putting the Directory in Execution.]

Resolved upon the Question, by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that all Persons that have, or shall come and reside in the Parliaments Quarters, shall take the National League and Covenant, and the Negative Oath, notwithstanding any Articles that have been or shall be made by the Souldiery. [June 2. 1646.]

What Person soever, having taken the Solemn League and Covenant, shall go into the Enemies Quarters without Drum, Trumpet, or Pass, shall Dye without Mercy. [An Article of War.]

Notes on Sect. 7.

LEt any Man that has but Eyes in his head, compare Cases now. Here's a Rebellious Oath of Conspiracy, opposed to an Authoritative Oath of Canonical Obedience, and Allegiance: Here's a pretended scruple of Perjury, in breaking a Treasonous Oath; and no bones made of the Perjurious violation of a Legal One: Here's a Nullity against an Act of State; and this is not the worst on't neither. Those very Men that forced a Rebellious Oath upon all people without Exception, to the utmost Extremity of Tyranny and Rigour, Contrary to Law; are now complaining of persecution, under the Common Rule of a Legal Provision: Declaring at the same time, that they are still determin'd to persue the ends of their aforesaid Covenant, which were manifestly the subversion of the Government.

You see likewise, how Unmercifully they dealt with People, in the Case of the Common Prayer: And yet who but these Men to Mutiny for Liberty, in the very point, wherein most injuriously they made all their Fellow-Subjects, Slaves?

Sect. 8. The Power of the Kirk.

(A.) THe Assembly is Independent, either from King or Parliament, in matters Ecclesiastical.

(B.) It is lawful for Subjects to make a Covenant, and Combination, without the King, and to enter into a Bond of Mutual Defence against the King, and all persons whatsoever.

(C.) Subjects may appeal from the King and Council to the next General Assembly, and Parliament; and in the mean time, before their Appeals are heard and discussed, they may disobey the King and Council.

(D.) An Assembly may abrogate Acts of Parliament; and discharge Subjects of their Obedience to them, if they any way reflect on the business of the Church.

(E.) The Protestation of Subjects against Laws establish'd, whether it be made coram Judice, or non Judice (before the Judges, or the People) doth voyd all Obedience to those Laws, and dischargeth the Protesters from any Obligation to live under them.

(F.) A number of Men, being the Greater part of the Kingdom, may do anything which they themselves conceive conducing to the Glory of God, and the good of the Church, notwithstanding any Laws standing in force to the contrary. [Kings Large Declaration, Fol. 407. & deincep.]

(G.) The Rights and Priviledges of Parliaments, and the Liberties of the Kingdom, are the Suburbs of the Gospel; and an Inheritance bequeathed by God to Nations and Kingdoms, and under That Notion, Holy— These be the Outworks of Religion, the Lines of Communication (as I may so say) for the defence of This City. [Case's Covenant Renew'd, 1643. P. 52.]

(H.) Such a height of Opposition to the Lords Anointed, as never since Man was upon the Earth was there such a Supremacy framed into a Law; whereby Name and Thing of all Kingly Power is plainly and explicitly taken from, and extorted out of the hand of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ; and given unto and setled upon the King: (O dangerous, and Unsetling Settlement!) Now the Incommunicable Prerogative of Him, who is King in Sion, and whose Right it is to give Laws to Rule his own Church, and House, is alienate and appendent to the Imperial Crown of the Nation; — The most manifest, unmasked, high, and horrid Usurpation of the Throne of Christ, that ever the World saw — But its Impossible he can sit long, who sets himself upon the Mediators Throne. For the Arm of Jehovah shall snatch and hurry him thence. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings, &c. is a necessary caution here. [Poor Mans Cup, Page 21.]

(H.) The Presbytery may forbid Unjust Suits of Law, and so doth the Scripture, as scandalous to Christians— Our General Assembly is no other then Christs Court (Acts 15.) made up of Pastors, Doctors, and Brethren, or Elders — They hold (I believe with warrant of Gods Word) if the King refuse to Reform Religion, the Inferior Judges, and Godly Pastors, and other Church Officers may Reform; If the King will not Kiss the Sun, and do his Duty, in purging the House of the Lord, may not Eliah and the People do Their Duty, and cast out Baals Priests? — They may Swear, or Covenant, Without the King, if he Refuse, and build the Lords House Themselves; [2 Chron. 15.9.] and Relieve, and Defend one another when they are oppressed — They Depos'd the Queen for her Tyranny, but Crown'd her Son. All This is vindicated in the following Treatise. — This Assembly is to judge what Doctrine is Treasonable. — It is true, Glasgow Assembly (1637.) Voted down the High Commission, because it was not consented to by the Church; and yet was a Church-Judicature, which took upon them to judge of the Doctrine of Ministers, and deprive them, and did encroach upon the establish'd lawful Church-Judicatures. [Rutherfords Preface to Lex Rex.]

Notes on Sect. 8.

DO These People talk of the Lordlyness of Prelates; when His Holyness Himself never claim'd so much, Bare-fac'd, as these Papal Protestants do both Challenge and Practice? And it is not the Slavery, but the Masters, that we ought to be most asham'd of. Nor will the Impatient, and Imperious Humour wait for the season of their Power; but while they are yet in shackles Themselves, they are Imposing upon their Sovereign. And methinks it is very Vnequal for Men, that give no Quarter to Loyal Subjects, to stand expostulating for Privileges to Revolters.

Here's King and Parliament gone at First Dash (A) A Confederacy Authoriz'd at Next; (B) A Papal Dispensation from Obedience (C) The King and Three Estates swallowed up in the Assembly. (D) Subjects set above the Law. (E) The Sovereignty vested in the Multitude. (F) Parliaments subordinated to the Kirk. (G) The King Himself Arraign'd, and Judgments denounced against him. (H) The Judges Degraded; Courts of Justice silenc'd; the Rabble passing Sentence on the Supreme Magistrate. Deposing of Princes Justify'd (I.) This is all Plain enough, without Exposition; But we are Now about to be yet a little Plainer.

Sect. 9. Principles and Positions.

(A) THe Two Houses have Legal Power to Levy Monys, Arms, Horse, Ammunition, upon the Subjects, even without, or against the Kings Consent; and to put into safe hands such Forts, Ports, Magazines, Ships, and Power of the Militia, as are intended, or likely to be intended, to introduce a Tyranny; not only when Arms are actually raised against them, but when they discern, and accordingly declare a Preparation made towards it. Political Catechism. Page 7.1679.

(B) A King abusing his Power, to the Overthrow of Religion, Laws, and Liberties, may be controll'd and oppos'd: And if he set himself to overthrow all these by Arms, then they who have Power, as the Estates of a Land, may and ought to Resist by Arms; because he doth by That Opposition break the very Bonds, and overthrow all the Essentials of this Contract and Covenant. This may serve to justifie the Proceedings of This Kingdom against the late King, who in a Hostile way set himself to overthrow Religion, Parliaments, Laws, and Liberties. Douglase's Coronation Serm. Page 10.1951.

(C) The Lords and Commons are as the Master of the House. [Calamy's Sermon, Decemb. 25. 1644. Page 22.] — The Parliament whom the People Chuse are the great and only Conservators of the Peoples Liberties. Ibid.

(D) The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England without the King, 1651. were the Supreme Authority of this Nation, Jenkins's Petition. Octob. 15. 1651.

(E) The Sovereignty here among Us is in King, Lords and Commons. (Baxter's Holy Commonwealths, Page 72.1659.)

(F) The Government of England is a Mixt Monarchy, and govern'd by the Major part of the Three Estates assembled in Parliament. [Parliament Physick for a sin-sick Nation. Page 111.

(G) The Houses are not only requisite to the acting of the Power of making Laws; but Co-ordinate with His Majesty in the very power of Acting. Ahabs Fall. Page 42.)

(H) Resolved, That in case of Extream Danger, and of His Majesties Refusal, the Ordinance agreed on by both Houses for the Militia, doth oblige the People, and ought to be obeyed by the Fundamental Laws of This Kingdom. (Vote of both Houses, March 15. 164 • . Ex. Col. 112.)

(I) Resolved, That when the Lords and Commons in Parliament (which is the Supreme Court of Judicature in the Kingdom) shall declare what the Law of the Land is; to have This not only question'd and controverted, but contradicted, and a Command that it should not be obey'd, is a high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament. (Ex. Col. 114. March 16. 1641.)

(K) The Lords and Commons in Parliament do declare, That it is against the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, that any of the Subjects thereof should be commanded by the King to attend Him at His Pleasure; but such as are bound thereto by special Service. (Ex. Col. 193. May 17. 1642)

(L) The Towns, Forts, Treasure, Magazine, Offices, and the People of the Kingdom, and the whole Kingdom it self is entrusted unto the King, for the Good and Safety, and best advantage thereof; and as This Trust is for the Use of the Kingdom, so ought it to be menag'd by the Advice of the Houses of Parliament, whom the Kingdom hath Trusted for That purpose. (Third Remonstrance, May 26. 1642. Ex. Col. 266.)

(M) A Parliament may dispose of any thing wherein His Majesty or His Subjects hath a Right, in such a way as that the Kingdom may not be expos'd to hazard or danger thereby. (Ibid. 267)

(N) The Votes of the Lords and Commons in Parliament being the great Council of the Kingdom, are the REASON of the King, and of the Kingdom. (Ibid. 278.)

(O) Supreme Head and Governour over all Persons in all Causes, as it is meant of singular Persons rather than of Courts, or of the Collective Body of the whole Kingdom, &c. And to speak properly, it is only in His high Court of Parliament, wherein and wherewith His Majesty hath absolutely the Supreme Power, and consequently is absolutely Supreme Head and Governour, from whence there is no Appeal. (Remonstrance, May 26. 1642. Ex. Col. 703.)

(P) The Kings of This Realm ought to be very tender in denying both Houses of Parliament any thing that concerns the Publick Government, and good of the Kingdom; and they ought to deny themselves and their own Understandings very far, before they Deny Them; and that upon this ground, because they lie under the Obligation of an Oath to pass such Laws, if they be Just and Good, for the Kingdom. And it must Then be a Tender Point for a Prince to judge otherwise of those Laws that are Represented unto Him as such, by the Representative Body of the whole Kingdom. (Ibid. Pag. 715.)

No Presidents can be Bounds to the Proceedings of the Parliament. (Ibid. Pag. 726)

(Q) A Parliament may dispose of any thing wherein the King, or any Subject hath a Right, in such a way that the Kingdom may not be endanger'd thereby. And if the King, being humbly sought unto by His Parliament, shall refuse to joyn with them; In such Cases, the Representative Body of the Kingdom is not to sit still, and see the Kingdom perish before their Eyes; and of this danger THEY are Judges, and Judges Superiour to all others that Legally have any Power of Judicature in This Kingdom. (Ibid.) No Member of either House ought to be medled withal for Treason, Felony, or any other Crime; without the Cause first brought before Them, that they may judge of the Fact, and Their leave obteined to proceed. (Ibid.)

The Sovereign Power doth reside in the King and both Houses of Parliament: And His Majesties Negative Voice doth not import a Liberty for His Majesty to deny any thing as He pleaseth, though never so requisite and necessary for the Kingdom. (Ibid. 727.)

(R) When there is certain appearance, or grounded suspicion that the Letter of the Law shall be improv'd against the Equity of it; (that is, the Publique Good, whether of the Body Real, or Representative) then the Commander going against its Equity, gives Liberty to the Commanded, to refuse Obedience to the Letter. (Ex. Col.. Pag. 152.)

(S) The Clause wherein we Swear the Preservation and Defence of the Kings Person, and Authority, doth lye under some restreint, by That limitation [In the Preservation and Defence of the True Religion and Liberties of the Kingdom.] To which we Reply, It maintains him as far as he is a King: He may be a Man, but sure no King, without the Lists and Verge of Religion and Laws; it being Religion and Laws that make Him a King. Case's Covenant Renew'd, Page 54.

(T) Princes for just Causes may be Depos'd. If they be Tyrants against God and his Truth, their Subjects are Freed from their Oaths of Obedience — The People have the same Power over the King, that the King hath over any one Man. — The making of Laws doth belong to the People; and Kings are but as Masters of the Rolls. —[Dan. Pos. Lib. 1. Cap. 4.

(U) He that resisteth the King commanding in the Lord, resisteth the Ordinance of God; but he who resisteth the King commanding that which is against God, resisteth no Ordinance of God, but an Ordinance of Sin and Satan. (Lex Rex, Pag. 267.1644.)

(W) Convention of the Subjects in a Tumultuary way for a Seditious End, to make War without Warrant of Law, is forbidden; but not when Religion, Laws, Liberties, Invasion of Foreign Enemies necessitate the Subjects to Convene; tho' the King and Ordinary Judicatures going a corrupt way to pervert Judgment shall refuse to consent to their Conventions. (Rutherford's Lex Rex, Pag. 464.)

(X) Our Fundamentals were not made by our Representatives, but by the People Themselves; and our Representatives themselves Limited by Them; which it were good that Parliaments as well as People would observe, and be faithful to: For no Derivative Power can Nul what Their Primitive Power has established. The Englishman, Page 11.1670.

(Y) The Priviledges and Lawful Prerogatives of the Sovereign, must veil, in cases of necessity, unto this high and supreme Law, The Safety of the People. Then no less must the Priviledges of a Parliament yield unto This. (Lex Rex, Pag. 159.)

If we be sworn to maintain the Kings Person and Authority, in the Defence of the Liberties of the Subject, then whoever prefers the Liberties of the Subject to his Person or Authority, are not Traytors, or Rebels. (Ibid. Pag. 251.)

(Z) Noblemen ought to Reform Religion, if the King will not. The Commonalty concurring with the Nobility, may compel the Bishops to cease from their Tyranny; and by their Power Bridle the cruel Beasts. — They may lawfully require of their King to have True Preachers; and if he be negligent, they justly may themselves provide them, maintain them, defend them against all that do persecute them, and may retein the Profits of the Church Livings from the other sort — The Nobility and Commonalty ought to Reform Religion; and may remove from Honors, and punish whom God hath condemned. [Deut. 12.] of what Estate or Condition soever.— The Punishment of such Crimes as touch the Majesty of God doth not appertain to Kings and Chief Rulers only, but also to the whole Body of the People; and to every Member of the same; as Occasion, Vocation, or ability shall serve, to revenge the Injury done against God. [Dan. Pos. Lib. 1. Cap. 4.

If the Magistrates shall refuse to put Mass-mongers and False Preachers to death; the People (in seeing it perform'd) do shew that zeal of God which was commended in Phineas, destroying the Adulterers; and in the Israelites against the Benjamites.—Dan. Pos. Lib. 2. Cap. 1.

(a) Judges ought by the Law of God to summon Princes before them for their Crimes: And to proceed against them as against all other Offenders — Evil Princes ought by the Law of God to be Depos'd; and Inferior Magistrates ought chiefly to do it. — When Magistrates do cease to do their Duties, the People are as it were without Officers. And then God giveth the Sword into Their hands, and he himself is become immediately Their Head: For to the Multitude a Portion of the Sword of Justice is committed: From the which no Person, King, Queen, or Emperor, being an Idolater, is excepted; they must Dye the Death, &c.—God will send to the People which are willing to do their Duty, but are not able, some Moses, or Othoniel. If they know any Jonathan, they must go unto him to be their Captain, and he ought not to refuse them. By the word of God a Private Man, by some Special Inward Motive, may Kill a Tyrant; as Moses did the Aegyptian: as Phineas did the Lecherous; and Ebud did King Eglon, &c.—It is lawful to kill wicked Kings and Tyrants; and both by Gods Law, and Mans Law, Queen Mary ought to have been put to death as being a Tyrant, a Monster, a Cruel Death, &c. The Subjects did kill the Queen's Highness Athalia; Jebu killed the Queen's Majesty Jezebel; Elias, being no Magistrate, killed the Queen's Majesties Chaplains, Baal's Priests. These Examples are left for our Instruction. Where this Justice is not executed, the State is most Corrupt. [Dan. Pos. Lib. 2. Cap. 1.

(b) Whensoever a King, or other Superior Authority creates an Inferior, they invest it with a Legitimacy of Magistratical Power, to punish Themselves also, in case they prove Evil Doers. (Right and Might well met, Page 7.1648.

Princes derive their Power and Prerogative from the People; and have their Investitures meerly for the Peoples Benefit. (Jus Populi, Page 1.1644.)

If the Prince fail in his Promise, the People are exempt from their Obedience; the Contract is made void, and the Right of Obligation is of no force. It is therefore permitted to the Officers of a Kingdom, either all, or some good number of them, to suppress a Tyrant. (Vindiciae contra Tyrannos, Pag. 120, 121, 1648.)

It is lawful for any who have the Power to call to account a Tyrant or wicked King, and after due Conviction to depose and put him to death, if the ordinary Magistrate hath neglected, or deny'd to do it. (The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates, 1649.)

Sect. 10. Tumults Encourag'd; and chiefly, by the [Able, Holy, Faithful, Laborious, and Truly Peaceable Preachers of the Gospel.] (Petition for Peace, Pag. 4.)

(A) THe Land is sore Troubled; there's no place, nor being for a faithful Minister of the Word. Our Blood cryeth for Vengeance against the Bishops. — If This Persecution be not provided for, 'tis the Case of many a Thousand in England; great Troubles will come of it. [Dan. Pos. L. 2. Cap. 10.]

It astonishes us to foresee what Doleful Effects our Divisions would produce. [Proposals, Pag. 12.1661.]

(B) The Act for suppressing Conventicles is a Law dishonourable to God, destructive to the Gospel, and pernicious to most of the sober People of the Nation. [Quaeries upon the Proclamation for enforcing the Laws against Conventicles, &c. Pag. 12.] Qu. Whether the Saints ought not to continue the assemblies of their Worship of God, without or against the Consent of their Magistrates, they being commanded so to do? [Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. Heb. 10.25. &c. Pag. 14.]

(C) When the Ark of God is taken, the Ministers of Christ are driven into Corners; the Souls of our Wives and Children are in danger to miscarry. [Calamy's Serm. Dec. 28. 1662. Pag. 8] Where are our Moseses, our Eliah's? Where are those that lay to heart the danger of the Ark of God? [Pag. 10.] —It is not your Wicked Ministers that can settle the Ark; It is not your Prophane, Drunken Ministers; No, it must be your Godly, Sober, Pious, and Religious Ministers. [Pag. 17, 18.]

(D) That Truth for Owning of which you are put to suffer the loss of all things, is that very Truth for which Christ himself suffer'd as a Martyr: viz. That He was a King.— Yea he is a King, and will be a King when You are gone; and will prove himself higher than the Kings of the Earth, by rescinding of Your Supremacy, that Idol of his Indignation, and Object of his Revenge.— Of a Truth, Lord, against thy Holy Child JESUS whom thou hast annointed, are all these gathered together; and it is for our owning of Him as. Thy Annointed, and refusing to be on that Conspiracy, that we are thus used. [The Poor Mans Cup of Cold Water Minister'd to the Saints and Sufferers for Christ, in Scotland, Pag. 13.1678.]

(E) We saw the Blood of these Blessed Saints and Martyrs (the Scotch Rebels) of Jesus shed: We saw the Frame of our Government Dissolv'd, and Overturn'd: We saw an Act. Recissory, the Wickedness whereof reached Heaven: We saw Abominable and Abjured Episcopacy, re-establish'd by Law, and the Faithful Ministers of Christ driven from their Flocks: Thus we saw Jericho Rebuilt; and so the Nation became a Curse; being so deeply, and so deliberately involved into the Guilt of Open, Owned, Avouched, and by Law established Perjury: Now what did we in the mean time? Alas, we had not the Spirit of the Day in its Day, &c. [Poor Mans Cup, Pag. 20.]

(F) Beloved Brethren, Albeit God hath put and ordained distinction betwixt King and Subjects; yet in hope of the Life to come he hath made all equal: And therefore I say that it doth no less appertain to You to be assured that your Faith and Religion be grounded, and established upon the True and Undoubted Word of God, than to your Princes or Rulers.— And to You it doth no less appertain, than to your King or Princes, to provide that Christ Jesus be truly Preach'd amongst you. [Jus Populi, Pag. 215.]

(G) They Deifie a Creature, and renounce their Homage to the King of Kings; and so provoke him to destroy both Them and their King by their Apostacy, and wicked Defection; and that openly before Men and Angels, as David hanged up the Sons of Saul before the Sun: And then they need not fear either Dag or Dagger, Pistol or Poyson'd Ponyard. [Ibid. Pag. 414.]

(H) Come, my Brethren, I say, and fear not to take this Agag (Prelacy I mean, not the Prelates;) and hew it to pieces before the Lord. [Case's Covenant Renew'd, Pag. 51.]

(I) Down with Baal's Altars, down with Baal's Priests, &c. [Salwey's Sermon to the Commons, Octob. 25. 1643. Pag. 19.]

(K) I may truly say as the Martyr did, That if I had as many Lives as Hairs on my Head, I would be willing to sacrifice all those Lives in this Cause. [Mr. Calamy's Speech at Guildhal, Octob. 6. 1643.]

(L) Let no Law hinder you; Si jus violandum, &c. And if Law be to be broken, it is for a Crown, and therefore for Religion. [Simpson on Prov. 8.15.16. Pag. 23.] — You are set over Kingdoms, to root out, pull down, destroy, and throw down; do it quickly, do it throughly. [Ibid. Pag. 24.]

(M) Who were they but the poorer and meaner sort of People that at the first joyn'd with the Ministers to raise the Building of Reformation? [Marshal's Serm. June 15. 1643. Pag. 15.]

(N) Here is an extraordinary appearance of so many Ministers to encourage you in This Cause, that you may see how real the Godly Ministry in England is unto This Cause. [Calamy's Speech at Guild-hall, Octob. 6. 1643.]

(O) To You of the Honourable House, Up, for the Matter belongs to You; We, even all the Godly Ministers of the Country, will be with You. [Faircloth to the Commons on Josh. 7.25. Pag. 29.] Let not the Pretence of Peace and Unity cool your Fervour, or make you spare to oppose your selves unto those idle and Idolized Ceremonies against which we dispute. (Dispute against English-Popish Ceremonies, Pag. 11.)

(P) A Word to the People: Are Magistrates your Servants? Then learn to be Wise, and know your Priviledges for time to come; and be not frighted out of your Right and Reason at once, by those Traytors and Rebels who would make you believe that it is Treason and Rebellion to call Them to account for the Treason and Rebellion they are Guilty of. (Mene Tekel, Pag. 41.) Parliaments are the Peoples Servants.— The King, Judges, Justices, Mayors, Constables, and all other Magistrates or Officers, are our Servants, to protect us, and secure us from Violence and Oppression; If they break their Trust, and Oppress us, the Law of God and Nature allows us to call our Servants to account, punish them according to their Deserts, and turn them out of our Service. (Ibid.) Alas, poor England! thy Shepherds are become Robbers; thy Princes within thee are Roaring Lions; thy Judges are Ravening Wolves, &c. (Pag. 46.) — What Authority had a Parliament to give away our Birth-Rights? to enslave the Corporations and Counties that sent them up to assert their Freedoms; and to expose us to the Lusts of Wicked Oppressors; to give away the Militia of the Land to the King? &c. (Pag. 50.) — The Parliaments giving away our Birth-Rights to the King, is just of as much force as if the Convocation of Prelates, or Council of Bishops should give our Souls to the Devil: They have as much Power to do the latter, as the Parliament have to do the former. (Pag. 51.)

(Q) Some Persons may be stirr'd up to do some things that are not in themselves so justifiable, or seemingly warrantable, (at least in all Circumstances) which yet the Over-ruling Hand of God may be in; as in Moses killing the Egyptian; Phineas slaying Zimri and Cosbi, Numb. 25.7, 8. (Sufferers Catechism, Pag. 32.1664.)

(R) It is remarkable that this single act of Phineas in killing two Persons is so much rewarded, and taken notice of by the Lord; yea, more than the many who were killed by the Judges. (Jus Populi, P. 416.) — Now sure I am this Fact of Phineas was according to the Law, and to the express mind of God; and why then might it not be imitated in the like case? What Warrant, Command, or Commission had Phineas, which we cannot now expect? (Ibid. Pag. 419.)

Notes on Sect. 10.

HEre's a Complaint of a Persecution (A) by the greatest of Persecutors, and the most Mercyless of Men; as you have it out of their own Mouths. The Law vilify'd, (B) and Authority affronted, in the very Instant while they pretend to Supplicate for Relief. What can be more Inflaming, Scandalous and Pharisaical then the Clause, (C?) or more Seditious then (D. E. F. and G?) More Incentive to the People then (H. I. K. and L.) And who were the Eminent Incendiaries (M. N. and O.) but the very Principals of the Dissenting Ministers? What horrible Affronts upon the King, Parliament and Government in (P?) What Instigations are there to any execrable Practice upon the Sacred Person of His Majesty in (Q. and R?) View their Principles; Compare my Citations with their Writings; turn your Eye from Thence to their Practices; and if you find I have done them any wrong in the Report, let me bear the Burthen of the Scandal. But if the matter be truly represented, let the Reader judge of the Rest.

Sect. 11. The War against the King Justify'd.

(A) OUr War has been proved over and over to unbyass'd Consciences, to be Just. (Caryl to the Commons, April 23. 1644. Page 35.

(B) The Scots were necessitated to take up Arms for their Just Defence; and against Antichrist, and the Popish Priests, Ward, before the Lords, on Deut. 33.16. Page 16.

(C) If I had taken up Arms against the Parliament in that Wa • , my Conscience tells me I had been a Traytor, and guilty of Resisting the highest Powers. [Baxters Holy Common-wealth, Pag. 433. — and I cannot see that I was mistaken in the Mayn Cause; nor dare I repent of it, nor forbear the same, if it were to do again in the same state of Things. [Ibid, Page 486.]

(D) Some say the Terms are dubious, if not false; it being indefinitely asserted, It is not lawful to take Arms against the King, on any pretense whatsoever. Although our King is, and we hope ever will be so qualify'd, that in reference to Him, it may be true; yet it is not impossible for a King, Regis Personam exuere; in a Natural or Moral Madness, or Phrensy, to turn Tyrant, yea Beast, &c. —In This case, Men think Nature doth dictate it, and Scripture doth justifie a Man se defendendo vim vi repellere, &c. [A short Survey of the Grand Case, Page 12.1663.]

(E) Their Rising (The Rebels at Pentland-hills) was supposed against Lawful Authority; whereas it was rather a Rising for Lawful Authority; while against Persons abusing their Authority, and not walking in the right Line of Subordination unto the Supreme Magistrate and Governor of Heaven and Earth; but Rebelling against Him, in making Laws Contrary to His Laws, and executing them contrary to His Will and Command. 2. That their Rising was in Rebellion; whereas it was rather in Loyalty to God, and the Country, against such as had erected a Standard of Rebellion against the High and Mighty Prince Jesus Christ our Lord, and Supreme Governor, and in Loyalty to that Supreme Law, The safety of the People: defending themselves against manifest, and intolerable Tyranny. [Jus Populi, 1669. Preface.] — We may safely say, that these Valiant Worthies were basely and barbarously Murther'd, and that there was no just cause to take their Lives. [Ib. Preface.

(F) When strong and inevitable Necessity urgeth, in order to Necessary and Just Ends; people may have their own Convocations, even against Authority, and de jure, be guilty of the breach of no standing Law against the same; seeing all know that Salus Populi est Suprema Lex; and that no Law, or Act, when the strict observation thereof tendeth to the Detriment of the Republick (for the good of which all Laws are made) is of force. [Jus Populi, Page 18.]—Resistance may be us'd against the Person of, or the Man who is, the Magistrate; without the least contempt, or wrong done unto the Holy Ordinance of God —The Peoples Safety is such a Royal thing, that the King Himself, and all his Prerogatives, yea and Municipal Laws too; must vail the Cap unto it, themselves being Judges. [Ibid. Pag. 25.] —The Late War carryed on by the Parliament of Scotland against the King, was Lawful, both in point of Law and Conscience; and if That was Lawful (as it was, and shall be found to be) when He and all His Complices have done their Utmost, with all their Lying Cavils, false Calumnies, Reproaches, and what not, that Hell can hatch to disprove, and condemn the same) a War raised by the Subjects in their own sinless self-defence, without the conduct of their Representative, cannot in every case be condemned, particularly not in our Case Now. Jus Populi, Page 31.

(G) The Generation of the Prelatical, and Malignant Faction, did not cease to Chant after the Determinations of the Cruel, and Bloody Council; and cry out upon Those Noble and Worthy Patriots (whose Memory shall be in Everlasting Remembrance) as Traytors and Rebells, Justly Condemned and Executed.

Sect. 12. Reformation by Blood.

(A) YOu cannot Preach, nor Pray them down directly and immediately; —Well! that which the Word cannot do, the Sword shall. (Reyner to the Commons, Aug. 28. 1644. Pag. 12.

(B) Episcopacy must not only be pull'd up, but the Bishops must be hang'd up before the Lord; and the Bloodiest and Sharpest War to be endur'd, rather then the least Error in Doctrine, or in Discipline. (A Scottish Sermon, Kings large Scotch Declaration, fol. 404.

(C) Those mine Enemies that would not have me Reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me. Those Men that rise up in cursed Practises to change Religion, to bring in Idolatry, and False Worship; to Depose Christ from his Throne, and set up Anti-Christ in his Place: — Noble Sirs; in your Execution of Judgment upon Delinquents, Imitate God, and be Merciful to none that have sinn'd of Malicious wickedness: Let not your Eye pity any who in This bloody Quarrel have laid the Foundation of their Rebellion and Massacres in Irreconcileable Hatred to Religion and the Government of Jesus Christ. Case's Sermon to the Court Martial, Aug. 17. 1644.

(D) As Josiah put to death those that follow'd Baal, so may the Parliament those that will not return, and leave Antichristianism. Marshalls Serm. March 26. 1645. —That Anti-Christianism that was sworn in the Covenant to be rooted out. Pag. 45.

(E) I will confidently affirm, that our days now are better then they were seven years ago, because it is better to see the Lord Executing Judgment, then to see Men working Wickedness; and to behold a People lye Wallowing in their Blood, rathen Apostatizing from God, and embracing Idolatry and Superstition, and banishing the Lord Jesus from amongst them. (S. Marshall to Both Houses, &c. Jan. 18. 1643. Pag. 18)—Carry on the Work still; leave not a Rag that belongs to Popery; lay not a bit of the Lords Building with any thing that belongs to Anti-Christ; but away with it, Root and Branch, Head and Tayl; till you can say, Now is Christ set upon his Throne. (Ibid. Page 21.

(F) The Cause you manage is the Cause of God; the Glory of God is embarkt in the same Ship in which This Cause is. (E. Calamy's, Sermon to the Peers; June 15. 1643. Page 53. —He that dyes fighting the Lords Battle, dyes a Martyr. Ibid. Page 57.)

(G) Cursed be he that withholdeth his Sword from Blood; that Spares, when God saith Strike; that suffers those to escape, whom God has appointed to Destruction. (Case on Dan. 11.32. Page. 24. To the Commons.

(H) The Execution of Judgment is the Lords Work; and they shall be Cursed, that do it negligently: And Cursed shall they be, that keep back their Sword from Blood, in This Cause. (Strickland, Nov. 5. 1644. Page 26.

(I) The Lord is pursuing you if you execute not Vengeance on them betimes. (Faircloth on Josh. 7.25. Page 48. Why should Life be further granted to Them, whose very Life brings Death to all about them! Ibid.

(K) Though as Little Ones they call for Pitty, yet as Babylonish they call for Justice, even to Blood. (Bridges on Rev. 4.8. Page. 11.

(L) Let us not out of any worldly respects of Estate, Wives, Children, Honour, good Nature, Justice, Compassion, Care of Trade, of Laws, grow slack and lazy in our Undertakings; upon the Success of which the Eyes of Christendom are fix'd:—But let us proceed to shed the Blood of the Vngodly. (L— Dec. 19. 1642.

(M) It is Commendable to fight for Peace and Reformation, AGAINST the Kings Command. (Calamy's Sermon, Decem. 25. 1644. Pag. 29.

(N) Do Justice to the greatest: Saul's Sons are not Spar'd, no nor may Agag, nor Benhadad, though themselves KINGS. Zimri and Cosbi, though Princes of the People, must be persn'd into their Tents. This is the way to Consecrate your selves to God. (Herle Sermon to the Commons, Nov. 5. 1644. Pag. 16 — In vain are the high Praises of God in your Mouths, without a Two-edged Sword in your hands. Ibid. Jan. 15. 1643. Page 31.

(O) If you would have a Peace with Popery, a Peace with Slavery; if you would have a Judas Peace, or a Joab's Peace; (you know the Story, he kiss'd Amasa, and then Kill'd him) If you would have a Peace that will bring a Massacre with it; a French Peace: It may be had easily. But if you would have a Peace that may continue the Gospel among you, and bring in a Reformation, &c. Such a Peace cannot be had without Contribution toward the bringing in of the Scots. (Calamy's Speech at Guild-Hall, Octob. 6. 1643.

Sect. 13. The Murther of the Late King Encouraged, and Justify'd.

(A) WE propound that That Capital, and Grand Author of our Troubles, the Person of the King may be speedily brought to Justice, for the Treason, Blood, and Mischief he is guilty of. (Armyes Remonstrance, Nov. 16 1648. P. 62.

(B) Have you not sins enow of your own, but will you wrap your selves up in the Treachery, Murther, Blood, Cruelty and Tyranny of others? (Tho. Brooks Sermon before the Commons, Decemb. 26. 1648. Pag. 17.) (Prep • ration to the Kings Murther)— Set some of those Grand Malefactors a Mourning, (that have caused the Kingdom to Mourn so many years, in Garments Rolled in Blood) by the Execution of IVSTICE, &c. (Ibid. Pag. 19.)

(C) The King of Syria came against Israel, and by the mighty power of God, he and his Army were overthrown, and the King was taken Prisoner. Now the Mind of G •• was (which he then discover'd only by that present Providence) that Justice should have been executed upon him; but it was not. Whereupon, the Prophet comes with Ashes upon his Face, and waited for the King of Israel, in the way where he should return, (1 Kings 20.42.) and as the King passed by, he Cry'd unto him, Thus saith the Lord, because thou hast let go a Man whom I appointed for Destruction, therefore Thy Life shall go for his Life. Now see how the King of Syria, after this, answers Ahab's Love: About Three years after, Israel and Syria engaged in a New War: Benhadad's Life was once in Ahab's hand, and he ventur'd Gods displeasure to let him go. But see how Benhadad rewards him for it: Fight neither against small nor great, but against the King of Israel. Honourable and Worthy, If God do not lead you to do Justice upon those that have been the great Actors in shedding Innocent Blood, never think to gain their favour by sparing of them, &c. (G. Cockaine's Sermon to the Commons, Novemb. 29. 1648.)

(D) When Kings command unrighteous things, and People suit them with willing complyance, none doubts but the Destruction of them both is Just and Righteous. (Dr. Owen, a Fast-Sermon, Jan. 31. 1648. Pag. 5.) — A Great, Mighty Potentate, that had caused Terrour in the Land of the Living, and laid his Sword under his Head, brought to punishment for Blood. (Ibid. a Thanksgiving-Sermon, Octob. 24. 1651. Page 6.)

(E) Praised be God who hath delivered us from the Imposition of Prelatical Innovations, Altar-Genu-flexions and Cringings; with Crossings, and all that Popish Trash and Trumpery. And truly I speak no more than what I have often thought and said, [The Removal of those Insupportable Burthens countervails for the Blood and Treasure shed and spent in these late Distractions, &c.] W. Jenkins before the Parliament, (as they call'd it) Sept. 24. 1656. Pag. 23.

(F) Corbet says, That he was now fully satisfi'd in his own mind of the Lawfulness of the Fact, as well as of the Power by which it was done; and that it was his Duty no longer to stand out, but to joyn with his Brethren, as an Actor in it; or else he might become guilty of Unfaithfulness to the Cause of God, and his Country, &c. (Three Regicides Speeches 1662. Pag. 57.) — And as for that Necessary and Publique Act of Justice, he did never repent at all, that he had a hand in it; Nor, after all the Searchings of Heart about it, did see cause so to do, when at any time he had the most serious, and calm Reflections upon it. (Pag 58.)

(G) The Parliament having wisely chang'd the Government to a Commonwealth, and cut off that Hereditary Usurpation of Monarchy, which was never either justly begun, or continu'd. (The False Brother, Pag. 34.1651.)

Notes on Sect. 13.

IN (A) we have only Men of Blood, pressing for Blood; and nothing less than the Blood of a Tender, a Religious, a Protestant, and their Native Prince, will content them. The War is now transferr'd from Popery to Tyranny: The Masque is taken off; and it is downright Treason, and Blood that is Charged upon him by the Army. And what was it, but the Dissenting Pulpits that put these Diabolical Thoughts into their Hearts; These Bloody Words into their Mouths; and the very Swords into their Hands? Who but the Godly, Peaceable Ministers, the Zealous Protestants, (as They make bold to call themselves) and just such Protestants, as Ministers, to a Scruple. Murther, Blood, Cruelty, Tyranny, says Brooks, (B) and see then how this Parricidal Evangelist bellows for the Execution of Justice; which was, in English, the King's Murther. In (C) you have another of the Stamp, pressing the same Point, and upon the same Foundation too; (for shedding Innocent Blood) with an Insinuation of no less than the Mind of God for their warrant. In (D) you have one of our Re-reformers bestriding two Kings at a Step. And in (E) another of the same Tribe, with the Rights of the Church in one Scale, the Blood and Treasure of His Sacred Majesty, and so many Thousands of his Loyal Subjects, in the other, and all too little to weigh against a Cross, and an Altar. (F) Is only a Defence of the Execution, by a Regicide: And in (G) the Change of Government approved by a Republican.

To wind up all now in a word. The Presbyterians (you see) hold Toleration to be the Source of all Heresies; utterly Unlawful, Insufferable, Impious, and Destructive, both of Church and State. The Independent qualifies it, with some Restrictions, to their own advantage; but Episcopacy and Presbytery find no Quarter. They are at War among themselves, upon an Inconsistency of Principles; and openly profess their reciprocal Animosities to be matter of Conscience. The Civ • l Government passes with them for Tyrannical, and the Ecclesiastical for Antichristian. They stick to their Covenant to the Death; and the Roman Papacy it self, even in their own accounts of it, is not more bloodily Rigorous in Impositions upon Conscience, than the Papal Presbytery, according to the Testimony of their Words and Actions. The Imperial Authority of the Crown is wholly swallow'd up in the Transcendent Usurpations of the Kirk. Their Positions are not only Ruinous to the Peace of This Government, but to the very Being also of Government it self. Their very Assembly of Divines, did not only Animate the Sedition, and Encourage the bringing of the Late King to the Block; but several eminent Members of it pass'd an approbation of that Vnspeakable Villany, after the Fact was committed; and frighted the People, in their Pulpits, out of their Christianity and Allegiance, into an Enthusiastick Rage, after Confusion and Blood.

Sum up all This now; and try if you can Reconcile These People, in their Practices and Opinions, even to their very Selves.