The good old Cause drest in it's primitive Lustre, &c.
The Preface. When it is, that changes evenes in States.
THe changes, and revolutions in States and Commonwealths, as they have by degrees issued out of the corruption, and male-Administration of Governments, so have they usually been accompanyed with most remarkeable Providences; And by how much the more spiritual the designs of God are in the wombe of such productions, by so much the more visibly doe's He let out the signal Testimonies of his Presence and Glory. When States are at the worst; when vitious, and pe [...] cant humours are every where predominant; when the prevalency of evil Counsells doe's take place to the introducing of new, and Arbitrary impositions, contrary to the established Constitutions; They must then either necessarily sinke under their own weight, and crumble into disorder, Anarchy and ruine; Or else there will follow some notable alterations: And the distempers being so great, and enormous, that they cannot possibly admit of a redress, and healing, and conserve still their old frame, Things must unavoydeably wheele about, and fix themselves upon another Basis. In such a Mappe as this, may we view the more than ordinary transactions of our later times; which, though they were small in their beginnings, yet have they by severall steps, and progressions been advanced to a considerable height: And I may say, there have been such interweavings of stupendious Providences; such diversifications in the manner of proceeds; such glorious exertings of power, and goodness, such astonishing successes, and such legible characters of divine ownings, That we are now bigg with just hopes of arriving in the end unto some eminent establishment, even above the magnificence of all those forms, which meerely have the worldly stamp upon them.
Sect. I. The true Sources of our late Revolutions.
IF we suffer not our selves to be misguided with prejudices, bu [...] impartially trace things into their beginnings, we may easily discover t [...] [Page 3]inlet of all our mischiefs, and the naturall sp [...]ing of our late alterations. The hinges upon which they gradually turned, were the prelaticall Tyranny of the Bishops, innovating in things of Religious concernment, and laying insupportable burdens upon the consciences of tender Christians: And the secret, and politick insinuations of evil Councellours, and Favourites, invading all rights, subverting the fundamentall constitutions, and forcibly sway [...]ng all things unto an absolute Domination. Both these joyned hand in hand together, and mutually conspired to accomplish the same design; The tendency whereof was in the issue to trample upon all Lawes, to inthrall us at pleasure, and to subject us under the iron yoke of an absolu [...]e disposall. The Episcopal Jurisdiction was in it's day very fierce, and lofty: witness those severe sentencings to imprisonments, to wh ppings, to Pillories, and to stigmatizing [...], which were then frequen [...]ly thundred against many honest innocent persons; in whom there was found nothing criminall, but that they worship't God in purity of spirit, and durst not conform to their superstitious in junctions What a rabble of exotick ceremonies, & unwarrantable traditions were then brought in, and imposed, All that consult with the naked history of that generation, may easily take notice of: And as if a prophane and profligate spirit were the fittest to swallow down, and without scruple to live under such superstitious rites, and observances; They decryed and discountenanced Preaching, they pleaded publiquely for, and with the face of Authority tolerated sports, and pastimes on the Sabbath dayes. Hence was it, that these two being thus twisted, and married together, there sprung up a monstrous brood of all disorders, and usurpations; And the generality having thereby their reason darkned, and besotted, as well as their consciences, were in a pliant temper to receive the impressions of slavery, and unjust encroachments. In this juncture the precious people of God, who were at once made the object both of their scorn, and fury, were trampled upon by the foot of pride, and insolency: They were driven into corners; They were made to serve with rigour, and hard bondage; Their ruine▪ and extirpation was designed; Many of them being haled to their illegall Courts, endured cruelties as barbarous, as are acted in the Inquisition: And others being willing to preserve peace wi [...]hin, and to free themselves from their mixtures, and defilements, were enforced to exile themselves from their native comforts, and relations here, and to wander desolate in forrain deserts. At the same time, and confederate with this Exorbitant power, did the evill Councill [...] of the [Page 4]Nation, in things also of civill cogn [...]zance, hurry all things head long into one absolute Grandeur. The great Master-piece of their design was if (possibly) to elude all Parliaments, knowing, that those one [...]y stood in the way to hinder, and d [...]sappoint their intendments. And the better to strengthen themselves herein, They starred many projects, and inventions, hoping either by their Monopolies, or by [...]heir Knighthood, or by their shipp- [...]onies, or by some such obsolete quillet to have preserved their Treasures full, and entire; And they cea [...]ed not to screw up, and distort▪ as well their own wi [...]s [...], as our rights, by endeavouring to make those devices of their's to appear with the face and colour of a Law. Things being thus postured, there wanted but very little of effecting what they so strenuously sought after, to be the absolute Masters of our lives, liberties and estates at their own pleasure: The whole current of the Administration of Justice being out cou [...]se; the Judges of the Land, that should be the directours of what is Law and Right, either corruptly opposing, or else not daring to declare the truth; And those that did speak their judgements freely, and honestly, being upon that very account immediately displaced, and put out of Office.
Sect. II. The dawning of the day of Reformation.
WHen the thickest darkness of the night had thus overshadowed us, and the declining of the Sun towards its Biuniall solstice had sufficiently assured us, that it was a sharpe and rigorous winter; B [...]hold all on a sudden the day began to dawn, and the return of the long absent Sun gave us the unexpected hopes of an approaching Summer. The grievances of the Nation were become insufferable; Arbitrariness, and Lordly Domination was risen up to the height, all things were stretch't out to their utmost length; and the whole frame of affairs was so deplorable, that we were as hopeless of having redress, as we were certain, that we were plunged under ruin. Yet even then did the light breake forth, and that very dismall season, when it was at the blackest, prov'd the vertical point, which at once put a stop to the further carreer of our designed miseries, and brought backe the glorious displayings of our revived comforts. When reason was p [...]sled, and could not discern the least probability of succour; when our enemies triumphed that their mountain stood strong, and that they had so firmly seated themselves, as that it was impossible for them to be removed; the Divine power, and goodness, which befool's the [Page 5]wisdome of the wise, & works contrary to humane appearances, overth [...]ew their confidences as in a moment; And wo [...]king wonders for his people, exalted them from the dunghill unto a condit [...]on of em [...]nency, and enlargement. It is a delight to consider, what a lively, generous active spirit was poured out in those daies upon those good hearts, which befo e had suffered hard things: who being awakened by the ar [...]sing of the glory of the Lord upon them, did pray, believe, and act vigorously to reduce this disordered, shattered Naton unto a posture of a sixt and happy settlement. The eminent Worthies then assembled in Paliament did sweat and toil, and thought no hardship's too much to be undergone, no difficulties too great to be encountred with, to promote, and accomplish a perfect Reformation. How much do succeeding generations owe to them for all their diligence, and sedulity, for all their watchings, and pains-taking for all the affronts, and scorns, which they endured? The fruit and success whereof we are at this day reaping, and enjoying It cannot be thought, but that so great a work, undertaken in such a distempered dreggy juncture of time, should meet with strong oppositions, and that many great Mountains should then stand in the way, as hard to be removed, as they were powerfull to darken, and overshadow those small beginnings. Hence was it, that all sober, and good men, knowing themselves deeply concerned in those concernments, and that all that was dear to them, was wrapt up in the happy and uninterrupted proceedings of the Parliament; they did to their utmost capacities endeavour to strengthen their hands, and did bring in several materials to advance so excellent a structure. The Parliament is no other, than the high and supream Court of Judicature, entrusted with the rights, and liberties of the Nation; and they acting singly for the good, and advantage of those whom they represent, and to redress all oppressions, and grievances lying upon them, They ought to challenge all their endeavours, their counsels, and their abillities to assist, and support them in that work. It would be a prodigie in the constitution, if the Parliament should betray, and sacrifice the Native freedomes of their Country unto the exorbitant will, and lust of any person, or Authority: And it would be as g eat a senslesness, and stupour in the people, if by deserting the Paliament they suffer them to sinke, and be ruined, whilst they are contending with any Malevolent power, that rises up to inslave them. There was in these virgin daies such a mutuall, strict, and lovely harmony and agreement as this between the Parliament, and the honest unbiass [...]d peop [...]e of the Nation; whe [...]eby it came to pass that the management [Page 6]of the affairs then in their hands, though intricate, and perplexed enough, and forcibly resisted, yet made so succesfull a progress. It was the great aim of those worthy Reformers, to take away every thing, that had the impress of usurpation upon it; And as prophaneness and superstition had their birth, and rise together, and availed mutually to rivet, and establish each other in the Commonwealth; so was their extirpation and downfall together. All that will-worship, All those supe [...]st [...]tious rites and observations of daies, and places; All those exactions, that had been prest upon the consciences of tender Christians; all Innovations whatsoever not warranted by a Divine rule, all prophane rioting, disorders and excesses, and all sports, and pastimes, the bane of youth, and the poyson of good manners, not consistent to a well-guided Commonwealth: These and whatsoever else was contrary to sound Doctrine, to an holy conversation, and was an offence to good men, were removed, and taken out of the way. And [...]hey did not onely cleanse the outside, and pare off some superficiall excrescencies, but they pierced into the very heart and marrow, and by mak [...]ng the vitals sound they endeavou [...]ed to prevent the return of such destruct [...]ve maladies. That great Tree which had spread it self not onely to the hurt of [...]he Nation, but even to the terrour of all gracious spirits, had not onely some of it's lofty boughs lopt off, but was even pluckt up by the very roots: They w [...]ll knowing, that superstition, and rigour would in time have pullulated, and budded forth afresh, had any of that Episcopall stemme been left remaining. This was a great atchievement, very unfeis [...]ble in the eye of reason; but God who levells Mountains, and m [...]kes rough things smooth, put it in the hearts of the Nobles to effect it, and the people were willing unto the work. And as it was an inlet, and a necessary precedency to their great mutations, that were to follow, so it could not be compast without a dreadfull noise; such unexpected, and unusuall shakings being ever accompanyed wi [...]h the fury and displeasure of the mighty ones: Nor did they terminate onely here, contenting themselves to take away those things, and that Jurisdict [...]n out of which, as out of a corrupt Fountain, those disorders had issu [...]d; But they proceeded also to call into question those persons, who by their evil counsells had been the Author of al [...] our m [...]chiefs. There is no greater Plague to a Commonweal [...]h, than the swarm of Sycophants, and evill Counsellours, who are still exciti [...]g [...]he Prince, or chief Magistrate, to tread upon all Lawes, and to incroach upon the peoples rights; who being, it may be, in some things obnoxious [Page 7]themselves to the censures of the Law, can never think themselves safe, but by walking in irregular & extraordinary paths, and by diverting the stream of all things into the channel of Absoluteness. It was therefore the wisdom of our Worthies in Parliament, not onely to degrade, and remove such from their places, and imployment, but to bring the most notorious offenders in that kind unto condigne punishment: That as they had publiquely offended, so they might publiquely answer it at the barre of Justice; under the stroke of which some of them fell, though not without a mighty crackling, and payd the punishments due to so great enormities; Whereby, there was as well publique satisfaction given to the Nation for the past in juryes it had sustained, as a terrour, and discouragement left to such as should succeed from attempting the like practises for the future.
Sect. III. The Cause in its first rise and production.
IN the pursuit after a thorow Reformation, as a regard was had to the great interests and concernements of the people of God, that their Consciences should not be under Snares and Yoaks, by reason of rigid impositions, nor their persons subjected to the Tyranny of any insulting Jurisdiction; So the just Liberties of the Nation in things of a civill respect were industriously contested for and asserted. This being an indubitable Principle, That the civill Liberties, do in their true and genuine intention, conserve the interests of the people of God, and the interests of the people of God do reciprocally uphold and give a blessing to the civill Liberties: So that they cannot, they ought not in reason to be divided; But to make up a flourishing Common-Wealth, they should twine and intimately embrace each other in an union never to be dissolved. It was therefore necessary to enquire into the antient and fundamentall Constitutions, which being established by a grand Charter, and so often renued, and attested by the Petition of Right, it was not lawfull for any Power whatsoever to alter & invade. Hereupon the prison doores were opened, and such as had been cast into Durance, and confinement by an high hand, and by an Arbitrary Lawless Act of supreme will, were released, and set at liberty. The illegall oppressive Courts, which had been ejected meerely to serve the lust of one man, and to gratifie the insatiable humours of corrupt spirits, and Interests, were at once condemned, and exploded: And all things that were miserably blended, and put out of order, were made to revert again into the known and warrantable course, and [Page 8]proceedings of Law, and equity. In the progress of this inquiry into our undoubted rights, and immunities, It was found that the chief Magistrate had usurped a Prerogative, which was never rightly inherent in him to dissolve Parliaments at hs pleasure; When as by the an [...]ent foundation they were to continue, as long as any grievance was unremoved, or any Petit on was unanswered. It was also found, that he had not power to defer the assembling of Parliaments at his own Arbitrement, as was generally practised, and believed; but according to the ancient constitution, He was to call them once a year, or oftner, as occasion should require: Which were to be for the better Goverment of the people of God, and to g [...]ve redress to such injuries, as any had sustained by the means of the King, Queen, and Prince, or by the misgovernment of any person whatsoever. It was found likewise, that He had injuriously usurped the power of a Negative voice, either to assent unto, or dissent from those Acts, which the Parliament brought unto him, according as he pleased; when as He was obliged by the inviolable bond of his oath to confirme, and ratifie all such Laws, as the people, by their Representatives in Parliament, should make choice of. It was further made evident, that the power of the Militia, which He would have graspt into his own hands, was solely and intrinsecally residing in the Parliament: It being not consistent with reason, nor with the Maximes of Nature, that any should have the power of declaring, and making war, but the Representatives of the people, whose blood and treasure was necessarily to be spent, and ingaged therein. It was also evident, that the Revenue of the Nation was not to be imbesled, and squandred away by the will of any, but that the Parliament had onely, and absolutely the disposall thereof: And that no tax, or imposition, either by way of Loan, or fine, or by any other project: or invention, upon any pretence whatsoever, was to be levyed upon the people without the consent of their Representatives in Parliament, These are without doubt the naturall, fundamentall, and essentiall Principles constituting this Commonwealth; which at once both propagates our Liberties, and distinguish us from Brutes and Slaves; Which cannot be infringed much less parted with to any be the Government in what mode and form soever without manifest, and open violation of our indubitable rights, And in this channell glide along the stream of the spirits of our renowned Patriots, never to be mentioned without respect and honour; Who wearied, and wasted themselves with indefatigable paines; who encountred with ravenous, and Lion-like tempers, and contested unto blood, that they might both vindicate us, and all [Page 9]that is of nearest concern unto us, from under the paw of Tyrannycal encroachments. Whilst these things were on the stage, there were many various occurrences, and providentiall appearances, evidently witnessing to the truth, and righteousness of such undertakings. There were about two years spent in endeavouring to bring them to an happy birth, but they proved succesless; so great an influence had the Malignant aspects of the evill Counsellours, to hinder the Nation of such high advantages. And though some faint concessions were made in order thereunto, yet it was with the reserve of such an unlimited power, that would in time have blasted all the rest, and have certainly subjected us again, under the thraldome of our ancient grievances. The contests and differences hereupon did swell to an irreconcileable height; a civil war brake forth, the flame being so fierce, and violent, that it could not be quenched, till the sword had given a decision, on what part the righteousness of the quarrell lay. It is undeniably evident, that the whole series of those proceedings were distastfull, and against the hair; But that which was in view, and openly declared to be the point they brake on; was the Negative voice, and the power of the Militia: Wherein every one that is not of a perverse cavilling spirit, may receive full and pregnant satisfaction, by having recourse to the naked story, and passages of those times. It was upon this account, that both parties joyned issue, that they entred into the field, and fought so many fierce, and bloody Battels. In the prosecution whereof, knowing, that our lives, liberties, and estates, and all our spiritual, as well as civil endearments were involved in it, we did make so many solemne, and serious appeals unto the righteous God, and whereunto He was pleased reciprocally to return so many glorious pregnant proofs of his power, and goodness. Hence it is, that we call it by way of Eminency, our Cause, our first, and virgin-Cause, never to be receded from, nor blotted out of memory; since God has stampt upon it so many golden characters, and pledges of his incomparable Presence. And as it was a blemish in any of the people of England in those daies to desert the Parliaments Interest, and to joyne with that power, that would have inslaved them: So it will strike posterity with astonishment, If after we have broken that rod, that did oppress and smite us; after we have rescued our liberties out of the very fire, we should again resign the bucklers, and prostitute them, and our selves, to the will, mercy, [Page 10]and courtesie of any: This being a safe prudentiall Maxime, that it is easier for the people to keep what they have rightly gotten, than by intrusting it to others, upon apprehension of their ingenuity, and candour, to fetch it back again out of their encroachments
Sect. IV. The provident all uniting of the honest party in a victorious Army.
THis Warre being undertaken, the successe was for a long time various, the issue doubtfull; It seemed to bechecquered with d fferent & uncertain appearances; The victory sometimes inclined to the one, sometimes to the other party: There was much blood spilt, much treasure exhausted, and yet a desired and happy end thereof was to the eye of reason, as remote and far distant as ever. But in a good and beautifull season, well known to the wisdome and love of our God, to whom we had silently committed our selves and our cause, There was on a sudden, the breaking forth of a mighty presence, the displayings of an invinsible spirit to decide the Controversie: And when men failed, some deserting and proving treacherous, some designing the ruin of the Instruments engaged in the worke, and almost all contemning them as uncapable to carry it on; Even then did the Lord exalt himself, and accompanying those poor despised ones, even to wonders, blessed them with uninterrupted successes. It was then when the Providence of God, contrary to all humane appearances, and beyond their intentions, had modelled and brought together his own people, and imbodied them in an Army, to effect his great designes. It was by these that he thrash'd the Mountains, that he hew'd downe the towring Okes, that he brake the insulting tyranicall powers; And whom he particularly singled out from amongst all others, to accomplish the great Affaires then on the Wheel; As if he distinctly pointed out thus much, that he had reserved for them the honour of the day; that it was peculiarly for their sakes that he had brought about those unexpected Revolutions; That as they had been the chiefest sufferers, and been trampled upon by the haughtinesse of those insufferable Oppressors, so they should be the chiefest and most eminent, that should at once both worke those deliverances, and enjoy the fruits of them. And though they were of different apprehensions and judgements, in some things pertaining to the Conscience, yet they were all indifferently made use of, and in the bonds of [Page 11]strictest love united in the carrying on of that common Cause. And there was not the least inconsistency but that they might still have mutually joyed in the Advantages arising from thence, without jarrings and discords, untill the day should dawn, that by the revelation of Truth in its clearest appearances, expelling all mists and mistakes, they might firmly fix, and center in one heart and in one mind.
Sect. 5. The interposall of a jurisdiction as destructive as the former.
AFter that this righteous Cause had been so triumphantly owned, and witnessed unto, even beyond the face of a deniall; After that the name of God had been so lifted up, and magnified in the vindication of it, that all the adverse Forces were scattered and broken, with all their Complices and Adherents; After that we had risen up to full grown expectations, that we should undoubtedly reape the blessings of our long and difficult contests, and of the expence of all our toll, treasure, and blood; There presently brake forth, a furious fiery party which endeavoured to erect a Dominion as rigid and as destructive to the Peace and Liberties of the people of God, as ever that Power was which had been formerly extirpated; who breathing out threatnings, and being of fierce spirits, twisted severe rods for our backes, and layd impositions upon our consciences, as heavy, and grievous to be born, as those were, under which the former generation had miserably groaned. It is well known, to what an height the Presbyterian jurisdiction did all on a sudden Mount; how ruggedly they dealt with many precious tender hearts, that could not in all things conform to their prescriptions: And as if they had set themselves, not onely to equall, but even to outvy the Episcopall Tyranny, they cast into prisons such as did encourage, and frequent Christian meetings in private houses, Wherein they did very little differ from their Predecessours, the Bishops, who branded the spirituall communion of the Saints in those daies with the name, and crime of Conventicles. They exacted Tythes without remorse; they arrogated to impose Articl [...] of Faith, to be necessarily owned, and believed, suitable to the narrow limits of their darke understandings. They condemned for blasphemy, errour, heresie, and sectarism, all such opinions, as did in the least differ from their over-weening conceits, and apprehensions: and assuming as it were an infallibility to their dictates, and interpretations, They prosecuted all [Page 12]dissenters with fire, and sword, and suited for them respective punishments, according as their Arbitrary, and enraged wills did hurry them. They ambitiously aspired to seat themselves in the chaire; and like the Episcopal Grandeur, they encroach't over the civill power, setting their foot upon it, and wieling it, at once both to serve their own Interests, & to execute the severity of their injunctions. They grasp't after a Lordliness to inslave the Nation under their girdle; and as their pride, inconsiderate zeal, and hot tempers did sway them, they laid the foundation of a most bloody, and insupportable persecution. It was strange to see, how all our hopes were dasht on a sudden, how the heavens were overcast, and the serenity, which we rejoyc'd in for a season, was obscured with the interposall of a thick dark cloud. What a poor, and barbarous requitall was it to the Army, and to those good Hearts, that had borne the burden of the day, that had willingly hazarded themselves in the vindication of the just liberties of the Nation, to be put to this streight for their conscience sake, either to imbrace a prison, or else to chose an exilement from their native comforts, relations and into remote and forraign countries? How dissonant was it, not onely to all Ingenuity, but even to the very ends, and intrinsick intendments of their ingaging at first in that quarrell, to have the name only changed, but to be really under as great yokes, pressures, and burdens, to have arbitrarinesse, oppression, unrighteousnesse, and slavery perpetuated under as strong enforcements, as they were, before the beginning of these differences? Yet surely, if we will not betray, and forfeit our understandings we must needes say, that the power, which then had risen up with a new shape, as dreadfull, and dangerous, as that former was, which had been abandoned, and subdued.
Sect. VI. The cause in it's second appearance, explained and enlarged.
BUt in this difficult perplexed juncture, the Lord of glory, who had great discoveries of Love, and goodnesse to dispence forth, did not then desert his people, nor their cause; He was pleased to take that advantage to advance their's, and the Nations concernes to an higher, and more flourishing State, than at first was in the eye, I had almost said in the wishes of our Reformers. The Army therefore groaning under those unjust provocations; Having bleeding [Page 13]hearts for the enthralments, and sufferings of their fellow-bretheren; being excited, and awakened by the Lord; being assisted with the united prayers, and counsells, and strength of his people; they did seasonably interpose; And, according to the duty incumbent on them, and to the opportunity offered them, They did endeavour, as well to remove the miseries then impending, and threatned, as to carry on the work, so happily begun, to its utmost period. It cannot be denied, but that there brake forth then a most righteous majestick spirit: And as they took in the whole compass, and latitude of the cause, as it was first stated, and declared; so they did explain it, and annex some additionall enlargements, most necessary to bring it to a perfection. Neither did they make herein some faint overtures, and essayes, but as the exigency of the juncture did require, They did bind themselves under most inviolable promises, and ingagements unto the Nation, to contend for them with all earnestness, untill they were effected. It was too just, and universall a complaint, That all things were out of course, that Tyranny, oppression, and injustice had mingled themselves every where; whereupon it was publiquely asserted, that all expedients should be enterprised to remove all burdens, and exactions, that so righteousness might diffuse it self, and run down, like a mighty stream, throughout all the Nation. And because that the management of things in the hands of unrigh [...]eous men was the great reason of such disorders, and miscarriages, It was declared, that it should be their Principle, to imploy the honestest, and most upright persons in all places of power, trust, and advantage. It was the wounding of the hearts of all good men, that impositions should be put upon the understanding, and upon the faith of another, a cruelty more rigorous, than ever the Aegyptian Task-masters exercised; That any should be ensnared for his conscience sake; and because he differs in some principles, and apprehensions, that he should be prosecuted as an heretique, sectary, blasphemer; It was therefore resolutely contested for, That there should be an universall liberty, and toleration held forth, and that no coaction, nor compulsion should be layd upon any in matters of belief, and worship. It was very grievous to consider, That the prisons should be fill'd with the free subjects upon any smal pretensions whatsoever; either upon mistakes, conjectures, or suspicions, which had not the least ground of beliefs, but onely in the jealous head of some great Statist; Or, because the opinions of some do not in every [Page 14]thing suite with anothers understanding; or because the rich being exasperated against some poor men, who were indebted to them, would forthwith cast them into durance, not so much to gain their own, as to gratifie their revenge: or else, because men of estates, having a purpose to defraud their Creditors, were resolved to convert a prison into their habitation; It was therefore resolved on, that all prisons should be opened to such, against whom there was nothing obj [...]cted, but that they dissented from others in some points, and principles of religion, pertaining either to doctrine, or worship; That the poor, who had nothing to pay their debts with, should be freed from the bondage of a perpetuall confinement, and permitted to follow their respective vocations for their subsistence; that none should take a lease of a prison for his life, but that all such illegall prisons should be inspected into, and for the future regulated: And that the Imprisoned, either meerly upon suspicions, or otherwise, should be brought in some convenient time to their Trialls, that either they might be acquitted, or else, being found guilty, might receive punishments due to their Offences. Moreover the groans and complaints of poor Consciencious men, who upon just scruples durst not pay Tithes, and yet were vexed, imprisoned' and ruined about it, moving and exciting Bowells of compassion; It was earnesty desired, That all tendernesse might be had to such in that particular, and that some way of ease and redresse (if possible) might be found therein. Further upon due consideration had, That the corruption and abuses, which in tract of time, had crept into the practice of the Lawes, were unjustifyable as well as insufferable; that the management of suits at Law was so tedious, expensive, and delatory, that they were become at once both the shame and impoverishment of the Nation: It was therefore expresly determined, That some expedients should forthwith be made practicable for the regulating of the Courts for the mittigating of the Fees, and for the freeing of the Nation from so horrid a cheat; It being not reasonable, that a generall good and advantage, should be subjected under the emoluments of a particular party. Upon the whole, It was solemnely declared and professed, that they would not imitate the unnecessary worldly formes of Power and Greatness, neither would they graspe after empty Titles, and a Lordly Domination; But as there was a change of Persons and Things, so there should be also of Principles and Practise; and that they should alwayes rejoyce to be found walking in those even and uncrooked [Page 15]paths of Truth, Honesty, Humility and Moderation. Surely these were the good things at first engaged for, and promised; which were again and again avowed as emergencies did arise; Which were contested for unto Blood; and which were sealed, and witnessed unto by wonderfull and glorious Victories and Successes. In the endeavours after those things, that the Nation might at length reap the blessed fruit of them, it was very clearly manifested, that so excellent a Superstruction could not be erected upon a rotten decrepit foundation. For, the single Person, the Lords, and the corrupt Interests, which were necessary to be shaken and abridged in their illegall usurpations, if such things as those were once reduced in practise, did unanimously combine together to retard and slugg their motions, and if possible to disappoint them. After many contests, after many vain attempts used to reconcile things upon their old bottome, Divine Providence, by degrees, did point out the necessity of the change of Government; and Kingship being laid aside as unnecessary, chargeable and dangerous, it was divolved into a Commonwealth: This being a certain Rule, That corrupt and degenerate States cannot be perfectly healed, and regulated, but by stepping in to those formes, which are the farthest distant from those wherein they were corrupted. And withall, such as the Principles are such must the form of Government be; Those principles, that are pure, and refined, that more specially regard the interests of the People, cannot be attained to, and made practicable, but in the current of a Popular State. The tendency then of our late occurences having been to staine the pride of all glory: to bring down the loftinesse of all fleshly excellencys; to serve the Liberties of the people of God; and to set the Nation free from all Yoaks, and slavery; It will be a vain thing to imagine that those can be otherwise propagated and upheld, than in the most unblended, and unblemished interests of a Commonwealth. But I advisedly put a stop here, And draw a Curtain over what remains: and since it is night, since the day is eclipsed and darkened, I think it most proper to be covered with Sables, and to wander solitary in shades and obscurity.
The Conclusion, God with us, the establishment of the Commonwealth.
TO conclude, Behold then here as in a Christall Mirrour, the good old Cause purg'd from those dreggs and defilements, which in time it had contracted: You that scost at it, you that have started from it, you that have mix'd it, may herein clearly veiw as in a Summary and Compendium, The Cause in its first rise and management, and as it was seconded, and re-inforced with its circumstantiall explanationss: It hath been the price of Blood, if you desert it now, and basely betray it in [...]o the power of any, it will either argue, that the blood spilt therein has been innocent, and causeless, or else convince you of stupour and sorrishness, that you know not the value of that which you have so dearly purchased. It hath been confirmed by your many and solemne Covenants and Engagements, if you are not conscientious to fullfill them, you will leave on your names to all Posterity, the stain and blem sh of Falshood and Unfaithfullness. It hath been signally owned by God, having had the impresse of his Name and Presence upon it; If you shall court the worldy Powers, Advantages, and Grandures, which he hath blasted and forsaken, you may indeed embrace a shadow, but you will lose the substance; you may indeed have the empty shinings of mans favour, but you will therein be depried of the face of God. It will certainly be our safety, it will be our honour to preserve these two in an inseparable union, and conjunction, and to have them alwayes ingraven together, as it were in letters of Gold upon burnisht brass, GOD WITH US, THE COMMON-WEALTH OF ENGLAND.