When the angry windes begin to vent their ſpleen, and the paſſive ſurges which not long before were united into one only unfurrowed face, like ſlaves forced to a degeneration, are compelled by thoſe powerfully Commanding Maſters, into high ſwelling frowns, and deep-furrowed wrinkles, thereby menacing ruine to all floating travellers in that uncertain watery region; Will not then all obliged, and reſolved guides, Vela moderantes per aequoris undas, unleſſe ſome who with too much eaſe can change ingagements of publike preſervation, into permiſſive if not active reſolutions of deſolation, or others whoſe winding limbs embarqued on gainfull private hopes, or aguiſh loſing fears can comply with every rouling wave, thereby in vain expecting in a Fly-boat of neutralitie to ſwim ſafely to a ſelf-ſecuring ſhore; will not all except ſuch, conſult a prevention of ſuch a univerſally-threaten'd deſtruction?

My deareſt Country-men, England hoc momento temporis (O that Fame could give my Pen the lye! but alas, alas, experience already hath and ſtill doth afford us too too certain grounds evidencing its truth) is at this very day become a ſad paralell of theſe preceding lines; England not long ſince famous abroad, happy at home, even beyond (ſi foelicitatem noverit) deſire of additionall happineſſe, for its united domeſtick ſtructures; I mean its Monarchicall government compacted into ſo ſweetly agreeing,King, Lord and Common in Parliamen • diſproportion • d proportion, that ſetting aſide thoſe Concomitantes Regnorum devaſtatores, thoſe deſtroyers of men and Kingdomes, Ambition, Envy, and Sedition, which blind the judgements ſight, enforcing it to a partiall (if not an envious) conſtruction of the beſt things) the moſt prying eye could not diſcern thePooreſt men. humbleſt ſtone remedileſly preſs'd by an oppreſſingRich perſons. Superiour, or higheſt advanced pinacle proudly ſcorning inferiour ſubjected materialls without a check from the maſter builder, I mean the eſtabliſhed law, whoſe enlivener fonſ que origo, is our Soveraigne Lord, King Charles, &c. Sine quo nulla nova fuit eſt Angliâ lex que erit.

Jeremiah, 9. chap. 1. v.This England quis non talia ſcribendo lachrymarum flumina mittet? who can forbeare wiſhing with the Prophet, That his head were full of water, and his eyes a fountain of tears to weep for his Native Country? by the beginning Sparcks of an unfortunate Northern fire-brand (ſtrange it is, that ſo cold, and almoſt benumming a climate ſhould yield ſuch nimbly-devouring fire) intermixing in its conſuming progreſſe with unnaturally connaturalizing materialls, by degrees grown almoſt into one entire flame.

This winged Veſſell truly ſtyled Europ's Soveraigne, whoſe ſwelling ſayles not long ſince were filled even to envy, and admiration of all round about her, by long continuing, uninterrupted ſuccesfull gales; At laſt by the enforcement of rigid neceſſitie, juſtly ſteering its powerfully commanding courſe for its command proceeded from aCommiſſion from his Majeſtie. Juſt power, neere theScotland. Calidonian waters, met with ſome ſurly oppoſing gufts, high-working ambitious and rebellious waves, which not wanting a concurring aſſiſtance, and incouragement from other mutinous ſpirits (ſtrange it is that children of the ſame wombe ſhould rend the very bowels of their naturall parent upon the unreaſonable invitation of aliens) accompanying the ſame Fleet with this Royall Pilot, denyed to ſtrike ſayle, or expreſſe obedience to his lawfull commands: Which ſtrange and unnaturall oppoſition increaſing like ſnow roul'd from place to place, even to a monſtrous heap (by the ſenſleſly aſſiſting and furiouſly active hands of ſuch perſons) was ſoon, howſoever diſſolved by the favourable breath, and gracious condeſcentions beyond expectation of the Royall Cōmander; himſelf, as it ſeemed, having a breſt more affected with the loſſe of any under his command, however in their obedience repugnant, although I cannot but confeſſe, that many of that Nation were, and by their loyall words and deeds then did expreſſe themſelves repugnant to ſuch a repugnancy, than with the loſſe of part of his Commanding power. Soon after which theſe two unequall oppoſites met in mutuall embraces, and a pacification; and becauſe their reciprocall agreement was confirmed by the agreeing ſuffrages of the ſupreameſt Court, I will here ſilentium tenere, reſtrain my pen from being further inquiſitive, Whether or no it was an act lawfull, and that warranted alſo by religion, reaſon and law in them, not only to deny obedience unto, but oppoſe the commands of their lawfull (for now my expreſſions ſhall be plain to the apprehenſions of every one) and Native Soveraigne; or Whether it were not an action abſolutely neceſſary in their Prince, both in reſpect of religions, reaſons, lawes, and his honours vindication to demand a reaſon thereof, and that not proving ſatisfactory, to oppoſe ſuch an oppoſition.

However I ſhall be bold to adde thus much, that if amidſt the troubled waters of another Nation, England then labouring with the almoſt unavoydable effects of a long continuing peace (a ſupine ſecuritie) with its adjuncts; as erroneous practices, overſights, miſcarriages in ſome particular Miniſters of State, as what Nation can plead a totall freedom from ſome intervening corruptions and Juſtice-perverting inſtruments? If by the additional aggravations of theſe Errours and miſtakes by the Ambition & faction of ſome, who the better to facilitate a progreſſe in their own deſ • gnes, loudly ſpake to the undiſtinguiſhing multitude, that ſuch deviations from particular lawes, were but intentions (but upon what rationall ground I know not) of ſubverting the whole frame of the Law. If ſuch like ſtormes in England proved furthering inſtruments to purchaſe them a Calme, and a Serene Kingdome; If they beyond a probability of former hopes in this very opportunitie of opportunitie, obtained their owne deſires from the unparalell'd favour of their Soveraigne; It were to be wiſhed that they then had rather remained ſatisfied with the poſſeſſion of ſo much happineſſe, returning to God, the fountain of all bleſſings, thankfulneſſe for ſo great a mercy, ſtudying expreſſive gratitude by obedientiall and loyall actions to their Prince, for ſuch gracious manifeſtations, than like phanatick people, who havving miraculouſly quenched fire begun in their own houſes, and thereby prevented a menaced ruine; Not ſatisfied therewith (as if the miſery of others could adde perpetuitie to their procured happineſſe;) caſt fire-balls ſo long into their Neighbours dwellings, untill in it its furiouſly-devouring race it returne where it firſt began; Which, if God for ingratitude, and other concomitant ſins, as he is juſt without reſpect of perſons, ſhould in the revolution of future time permit; what mercy (although his mercy is above his juſtice) can they with confidence hope from him, who with ſo much neglect, I had almoſt written, impudence, have ſlighted his favours? Or what pittying aſſiſtance can they expect others ſhould ſhew unto them, who never ſuppoſed themſelves contentedly happy in their own particular intereſts, untill they had endeavoured, nay effected the generall unhappineſs of others?

Further, all things conſidered, rather than expoſe themſelves to future hazards, it might have been, and ſtill may be a conſideration worthy their thoughts, a little praevidere, Whether or no in after ages, when hot fiery diſputing paſſions ſhall be lull'd aſleep, when mens imbittered ſpirits ſhall by well poyzed impartiall judgements be ſtopp'd from irregular verball excurſions, when private intereſts ſhall freely and unanimouſly reſolve themſelves into the generally reall good of the publike, Whether or no then their Succeſſours reflecting upon ſuch paſt actions, and their Circumſtantiall means alſo made uſe of, probably may not both in their private diſcourſes eſteeme, and in publike generall Counſells cenſure, their favours,Examples to this effect, our Nation hath many, and it is believed theirs is not without ſome few preſidents. or if they wil reformation, or rather alteration in government (Now freely theirs by the voluntary and graciouſly Confirming grant of his Majeſty) to bee but the enforced iſſue of griping neceſſitie, and the purchaſe of a menacing brandiſhed Sword, and becauſe ſo enforced, reſolve them as Null; and therefore for the Prevention hereof, that in the judicious ballances of after times they may not (to their laſting diſhonour) be found too light. It had been, and as yet may be a well becomming policie in them to be fruitfull in ſucceeding actions of loyall thankfulneſſe; Eſtote prudentes praeſtat, eſſe Promethium quam Epimethium; Too late penitentiall experience is but a ſadning miſtris.

Therefore to this purpoſe before the houre-glaſſe of ſuch an opportunity is irrecoverably paſt, and its ſands quite ſpent; It were a ſeaſonable wiſh that they would take into their ſerious conſiderations, even their own loving Compellation and title of Brethren, and indeed wee are no leſſe, having one politicall Father the King, who is amborum pater regnorum, to whom we owe obedience by the law of God, and the lands, which being undoubtedly true;

That they would make good that title by affectionate fraternall actions expreſſing themſelves brethren, Affectione reali activa que non titulari ſolummodo que profeſſione.

That their deeds ſpeaking the language of enemies, like Cain's dealing with Abel, may no longer contradict their tongues expreſſion, Ceremoniouſly, if not treacherouſly tearming us brethren, that they Sub ſpecie fraterni nominis, as hitherto wee have had grounds to ſuſpect, may with more facilitie deceive the credulous, and the rather now becauſe it is murmured abroad, that Englands preſent miſeries, by their fighting and Covenanting aſſiſtance have received much addition; It concerneth them, non verba ſolummodo, ſed facta dicere, for non proſunt verba quum contraeria facta videmus; Therefore it were to bee deſired, that they would obey the command of Chriſt, to differ no longer, nor fall into new fractions, or further factions, becauſe we are brethren. And to this purpoſe it is expected as well for their own vindication (I mean not the whole Nation, for many thouſands therein have made good their conſtant loyalty to their King really, not verbally, but all ſuch in that Nation whoſe conſciences cannot but whiſper themſelves neceſſarily concerned in ſuch a vindication, as requeſted, for their Brethrens aſſiſtance, that they would really and poſitively not with intermixed, uncertain diſtinctions, doubtfull expreſſions, ambiguous tearms, which like wax from the Seal, may be apted to any conſtruction, thereby owning the Jeſuit (whom they ſeem ſo much to deteſt) for their Parent; but on the contrary, that plene plane que ſine equivocatione, without mental reſervation or premiſed evaſion declare: and becauſe mera declaratio ſine actu inutilis & otioſa, words in ſuch a caſe are ayery nothings, accordingly to act, for the reſtoration of our Proteſtant Religion to its generally practicall purity, unity and uniformity; his royall Majeſty, their and our dread Soveraign, now (horreſco ſcribere! a reſtrained Priſoner) to his royall Prerogative and Rights by the Law of the Land, juſtly and undoubtedly manifeſted to be his: his Subjects, ſingulatim, and their fellow Subjects, to their ancient Liberties, Proprieties and Immunities, by the ſame Law really theirs; and in the conjunction of ſuch loyall affections, and really performed actions, the three Kingdoms to an entire Peace and undeniable Truth, according to the trueſt conſtruction of their own ſolemn League and Covenant, which being by their contributed aſſiſtance forwarded to a perfect conſummation, we ſhall return thanks to God for his exceeding bountifull expreſſions of ſuch a mercy and gratification to them, as Inſtruments conducing thereunto; hoping that we ſhall not need to put them in mind, that our hopes onely are, that ſuch kind of auxiliary affections will proceed meerly out of loyall affections to his Majeſty, and love to us their Brethren, and not from an intent commandingly to incorporate themſelves into Englands Priviledges, Freedoms, Honours and Wealth; therefore at preſent ſhall have no occaſion to acquaint them, that Englands birth-right will not be ſold upon unequall terms, to this purpoſe.

O thou God of all Spirits, grant to them and us thy aſſiſting grace, that we may obey thee O Lord, who art the King of heaven and earth, in all things, for thy own ſake, according to thine own rule, and King Charles our Soveraign, thy ſubſtitute upon earth, for thy ſake, that ſo all of us guided by one Law of truth, thy will reveiled in thy Word, governed by him our King according to the truth of Law eſtabliſhed, and all our multiplied ſinnes againſt thee being pardoned, treaſon and rebellion againſt his Majeſty buried in an unrepealable Act of oblivion, we may for the future live in piety and godlineſſe towards thee our God, in obedience and loyalty to his Majeſty, in unity, peace and concord (like Brethren) one among another, Amem, Amen, Amen.

But I return to England, which ſtill remaineth paſſive under a tyrannically waſting fire, and like a Ship ſtill toſſed to and fro by raging tempeſtuous windes; it's true Religion by Law eſtabliſhed, it's really fundamentall Lawes, reſpecting both Prince and People, his juſt Rights, and the Subjects moſt certain and generally contenting Liberties approaching neer to a diſſolutiō, though not a deſtruction, (for magna veritas & prevalebit, the gates of hell ſhall never be able to prevail againſt truth) being ready to ſink into an Aristocraticall boundleſſe, or Anarchicall bottomles Sea: Therefore (my dear Country-men) that I might not appear like an uncharitable Travellour, paſſing thorow a Town contracted by fire into one flame, without obſervation, pitty, or according to my preſent poor ability, ſome aſſiſtance; or that I may not ſeem careleſſe to ſail by a diſtreſſed Veſſell, loſt almoſt in the deep, by the violent beatings of ſeditiouſly conſpiring waves: I have here contributed ſome buckets of water towards the aſſwaging of this devouring fire; ſent ſome aſſiſting neceſſaries aboard the Kingdoms ſinking Ship: In doing whereof, if my zeal to the Proteſtant Religion, loyalty to my Soveraign, love and fidelity to my native Country, affection and approbation of the well compoſed Lawes thereof, compaſſion and pitty to all my miſguided, miſinformed and ſeduced Country-men, ſhall expoſe me to cenſure, condemnation, nay death it ſelf, I am reſolved, by the help of God, in whom alone is my confidence, with the Apoſtle, into whatſoever condition I ſhall be caſt, therewith to remain content, eſteeming it dulce & decorum pro Religione, Rege Patria legibuſque Angliae mori.

Now becauſe it concerneth all who raiſe buildings, not ſo much to catch the eyes-obſervance with inſubſtantiall ſhadowes, as to remain laſtingly ſerviceable, to lay a ſure foundation, leaſt that declining or by oppoſing force, enforced to a removall, each particuler ſuperſtructure meet with the ſame ruine, and ſuddenly ſinking-fate: my intent therefore not being for procuration of popular ayery applauſe, but information and reduction of thoſe into the good old way of the Chriſtian Proteſtant Religion, Reaſon, Law and Loyalty, who through ignorance and miſinformation have been made pedes inſtrumentales, the feet by which the Machiavilians of theſe times have walked on towards the end of their deſigns; manus complicantes, the hands with which Politicians have framed their Engines for an enforced alteration of Englands government; without whoſe aſſiſtāce their plots would have proved but like ſtatues without motion, or abortive Births, dead in the very womb: thoſe I mean whoſe intentions at firſt never aimed at a totall change of Government, by a diminiſhing, though in a petitionary, much leſſe a bloody compulſive way, his Majeſties royall Prerogative and juſt Regall power; but having been abuſed through ſpecious pretences of Reformation, have been ignorant inſtruments of Englands unhappineſſe.

As for the Initiatours, Contrivers, Plotters of this rooting deſign, who begin at the end thereof, and accordingly have in England, per faſque nefas, endeavoured the attaining their ends, levelling all ancient bounds of Regall Prerogative, juſt Parliamentary Priviledges, private mens proprieties and liberties, digging ſo deep in queſt of the fundamentall Lawes, that they have arrived at the Antipodes, and yet after ſix yeers endeavours, are as far from finding that fundamentall vein, as they were when their bloody deſigns opened the firſt vein in the Kingdoms body: I cannot expect a ſmooth face from them expreſſing favour to theſe lines, or remain ſatisfied with what is written, therefore I ſhall onely pray for them, that the God of heaven would open their eyes, cauſing them to ſee, how with Jeroboam, they have not onely ſinned themſelves, but cauſed many thouſands in England to ſin, and grant them repentance and pardon for all their accumulative offences, before they go down to the grave and be ſeen no more.

I ſhall therefore fundamina ponere, leaving diſcourſes of the neceſſity of a Nationall government, the antiquity, rationality and precedency of Monarchy, beyond any other form, the comparative excellency of the Engliſh Government, in reſpect of others, practized and bearing the ſame title, the Preſſe having been already fruitfull in Writings of that nature: lay down ſome undeniable poſitions and truths, ab omnibuſque conceſſa.

Firſt, in reſpect of a Government already lawfully ſetled.

Secondly, in regard of thoſe ligamenta fidelitatis, promiſſory oaths, by which religious engagements we oblige our ſelves to an acknowledgement of ſome rights due to the ſupream Governour, by the generally received and practized cuſtome of a Nation; as alſo to maintain ſuch rights againſt all violent oppoſition, hindering any compelled diminution or alteration of the ſame, by any perſons whomſoever.

Hoping that in the reſult of all, nemo Chriſtianus contra Religionem, nemo Anglicina contra leges Angliae, nemo ſobrius contra rationem, nemo fidelis contra Regem, nemo Pacificus contra pacem durabilem contendet, that all true Proteſtants, rational men, faithfull Subjects, lovers of their Religion, King, Country and Peace, will condeſcend to what hereafter they ſhall find propounded.

Therefore by the way, firſt, let me requeſt all ſuch, whoſe thoughts cannot but ſpeak themſelves intereſted in theſe lines, to lay aſide all prejudicate opinions, both of my ſelf and others, hitherto practically different from them, prejudice being like a partition-wall, which will hinder the judgements yeelding to what is propoſed and really made good to be Reaſon, Religion and Law.

Secondly, that they would baniſh from their breſts that Rebel to Religion and Reaſon, a too confident tenaciouſneſſe of their own opinions, not becauſe in their appearance they ſtill continue undoubted truths to their approving judgements; but becauſe the paſt inſinuating Declarations of ſome cunning, Polititians, and rhetoricall Jeſuitized perſwaſions of others, have conſonant to their particular erronious maximes, and pre-reſolved upon deſignes urged them to a former practice of unjuſt and unlawfull actions.

Thirdly, therefore that they would caſt away that deſperately ruining reſolution of potiùs malè currendo crimina criminibus addere, quàm errorem confi teri recurrendo, veritatemque veritatis cauſa propugnare, being rather willing to continue ſlayes to the commiſſion of additionall ſins, then by repentance become triumphing Champions, for the ſincerity of truth; when as it is far greater and better policy humane and divine, by repentance to return into the way of truth, then by a continuing progreſſe in erronious paths, to expoſe themſelves to a poſſible ruine here, and deſtruction hereafter: Beſides, the whole current of the Scriptures every where ſpeaketh mercy and pardon to the penitent (an argument in my judgement ſufficient to induce all thereunto againſt contrary ſuggeſtions of the world and the Devil; nay,Ezek. 18.21. to the end. the very end of Chriſts Birth, Death, Reſurrection and Aſcention onely proclaim an invitation of ſinners to come unto him, promiſing them pardon and ſalvation: Now therefore if that any one in this reſpect ſhall turn away his ear, neglecting to hearken to the Charmer, charm he never ſo well, let them take heed that that place of Scripture, Zech. 1.4, 5, 6. prove not an evidence againſt their obſtinacy, and the complaint and threats of our Saviour in Mat. 23.37, 38. concern not them; O Hieruſalem, Hieruſalem, which haſt killed the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them which are ſent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thee together, as a hen gathereth her chickens, and you would not: Behold therefore your habitation ſhall be left deſolate.

From which heavy judgement, O thou preſerver of men, keep and defend us all.

But I proceed to lay down my firſt fundamentall poſitions, in reſpect of a Government already eſtabliſhed.

That all violent and irregular alteration of Government, contrary to the fundamentall cuſtomes and conſtitutions of every reſpective Nation: Firſt, if it receive its original from the ſupream Magiſtrate, and preſſed upon the people, hath alwayes been branded with the names of tyranny and oppeſſion; nor have ſuch ſins, (although the Word of God permit not Subjects by armes to rebel againſt him) paſſed unpuniſhed oftentimes here in this world; however, without repentance, cannot eſcape in the world to come.

Secondly, if violently ſtreaming from the ſeditious, compulſive combination of the people, without and againſt the ſupream Magiſtrates conſent, hath ever been ſtigmatized with thoſe odious titles of Rebellion and Treaſon; whoſe juſt rewards are death here, with a ſucceſſive never dying infamy, and unleſſe the mercy of Heaven interpoſe, the eternity of death hereafter.

Therefore for the avoyding of Tyranny and Oppreſſion on the one ſide, preventing of Treaſon and Rebellion on the other, with all thoſe bloody iſſues and ruinous effects flowing from thence, tanquam a fonte ſanguinolento, and conſequently thoſe puniſhments which tanquam undae ſequuntur undas, tread on the very heels of ſuch offences.

It muſt neceſſarily be granted an undeniable truth, that obedience indiſpenſable is due from every Subject of what degree ſoever, according to the qualification of the perſons, unto all Lawes (not oppoſite to the Law & Word of God) made & confirmed by the ſupream power of any Nation; and that theſe Lawes, according to reaſon, ought and muſt remain in full force and vertue, untill the ſame lawfull power, which firſt gave them the power of a commanding law, ſhall repeal and nullifie them: That all Chriſtian Subjects do or ſhould yeeld obedience to Kings perſonall, and the Law his vertuall commands, if not derogatory to the Law of God; not onely becauſe the King, quatenus Rex, or the Law, quatenus Lex tantùm, commandeth the ſame, but becauſe in his Word he hath laid a precept upon us, both in the fourth Commandement, and in Rom. 13.1, 2, 3. where he enjoyneth every ſoul to be ſubject to the higher Powers, &c. and 1 Pet. 2.14, 15, 17. where he commandeth us by his Apoſtle, to ſubmit our ſelves to every ordinance of man for the Lords ſake; whether it be unto the King, as unto the ſupream, &c. ſo that if we deny active obedience to his legall commands, we deny it not to the King, and oppoſe the Law therein alone, but to God himſelf, per quem Reges regnant, Prov. 9.15, 16 acting contrary to his will revealed in his Word, and the practice of Chriſt himſelf, who gave Caeſar his due.

But becauſe peradventure a demonſtration of my own judgement about paſſive obedience (active to Kings, having already been diſcuſſed of) may be expected, therefore that I might not leave my ſelf to the uncertain interpretation of any:

I profeſſe my ſelf an Engliſh Proteſtant, and therefore in the trueſt ſenſe, ſhall not refuſe the ſtile of an Engliſh Catholike; diſavowing all hereticall, idolatrous and ſuperſtitious Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome, and all other Opinions different from, and contradictory unto the Doctrine of the Church of England, eſtabliſhed in the thirty nine Articles: not becauſe it is eſtabliſhed onely, but becauſe it is conſonant and agreeable to the Word of God; the truth whereof hath been, is, and hereafter will be made good againſt all hereticall and ſchiſmaticall Opponents whomſoever.

In particular reference to a lawfull King, and the continuance of his government in peace and piety.

I deteſt and proteſt againſt all Jeſuiticall diſtinctions, Vide King James premonition to chriſtian Princes, and his Apology for the Oath of Alleagiance, pag. 50 51, 108, 109. alibique. deſtructive tenents to all Religion and Government, of power reſerved in Pope or people, of what degree or number ſoever, whether they be a body repreſentative conjunctìm (if a body can properly be termed a body without an head) or any particular members diviſìm, under any pretence or intention whatſoever, by force to diſpoſe of, and change the Lawes of a Kingdom, depoſe Kings, diveſt them of their lawful power, diſpenſe with Oaths, by which their Subjects ſtand as well religiouſly as naturally obliged, reſiſt their lawfull commands by the ſword, perſwading Subjects to follow their example.

I acknowledge according to the truth of the Word of God,2 Theſ. 1.4. Matth. 26.51. Matth. 9.54, 55, 56. Mat. 16.23. Book of Martyrs, 3. vol. Hom. Church Engl. & Artic. the practice and precept of Chriſt himſelf, the examples of the Prophets and Apoſtles, the pattern of all the Martyrs, the generally concurring Doctrine of the Catholike Church, now in profeſſion continued in the Church of England.

That active obedience is to be yeelded to the King as ſupream in omnibus licitis, in things lawfull; but if God for the puniſhment of a Nation ſhould ſet over us a tyrannicall King, ſecundam voluntatem pravam non rationem rectam regentem, governing by his depraved will againſt reaſon, and commanding things contrary to the Word of God, we muſt not by force of arms rebel againſt him, but rather then ſo (if not prevailing by Petition unto him, or eſcaping by flight from him) patiently ſubmit to the loſſe of our lives & eſtates; agreeing with the ancient Chriſtians, that preces & lachrymae ſunt arma eccleſiae, that the pen rather then the ſword, patience, prayers and tears, then actively ſhedding blood beſt becommeth Chriſtians: Herein committing my ſoul into the hands of my faithfull Creator and mercifull Redeemer,Revel. 2.10. Mat. 5.10, 11, 12. 1 Pet. 3.14, 17. 1 Tim. 2.9. who have pronounced them bleſſed that ſuffer for righteouſneſſe ſake, and the teſtimony of a good conſcience.

But I know the Jeſuite and others (too neer him in opinion, though remote from him in name) will contract their browes into a frown at this (though Chriſtian like) aſſeveration and reſolution, interpoſing many ayery ſuppoſitions, diſtinctions,Homily Chur. Engl. Sacred royall Prerogative of chriſtian Kings, printed Anno 1644. and I know not what frivolous queſtions; all which I ſhall at preſent forbear to inſert, much more to anſwer; becauſe they have ſufficiently been (in the religious and rationall works of many learned Writers, both ancient and modern, refuted and made to appear but groundleſſe, quickly vaniſhing into ayre.

Beſide, his royall Majeſty, ſince the beginning of this unnaturall War, having commanded nor demanded any thing (as in the ſequell will appear) contrary to eſtabliſhed Law, nor performed any action, which any other Prince as ſupream might not lawfully have done, ſe, ſobolem, leges, Regnaque defendendo: It would be a needleſſe, and a labour in vain in me (although in my conſcience I approve the ſame) to ſpend paper in vindication of a Chriſtians paſſive obedience, it being a queſtion not ariſing from the paſt or preſent practice of our Soveraign Lord the King; therefore without all queſtion, at preſent ſtandeth not in need either of mine, or any other his Majeſties Subjects defence: For he hath been, and is ſo far from commanding any unjuſt things, contrary to the Law of God and the Land, that he hath patiently ſuffered reproaches againſt his royall perſon, deprivation of his noble Conſort, diſperſion of his Princely Son, hazard of his own life, loſſe of his Revenues, with many thouſands of his loyall Subjects, nay, almoſt all the comforts which felicitates a mans life upon earth, being at laſt after all theſe a reſtrained priſoner: O happy, thrice-bleſſed wals conteyning ſuch a King, pattern of true Piety, preſident of religious conſtancy, example of an unparalelled Patience! O unnaturall men! Rebels to the King, Reaſon, Religion and Law, whoſe trayterous commands thus turns Princes Pallaces into a royall Priſon: And all this he undergoeth, becauſe he would govern onely by Law, and preſerve a power in himſelf, whereby he may be enabled to preſerve the Law.

But I proceed, paſſing by the generall power of a King in Divinity, and in that reſpect what he may do, and conſider him onely as he is King of England, in a well ſetled Government, and therefore to this purpoſe ſhall lay down ſome more fundamentall poſitions, and unqueſtionable truths.

Vide all Acts of Parliament confeſſing the 1. Jac. cap. 1. 9. Edw. 4 fol. 8That our Soveraign Lord CHARLES, by the grace of God, is lawfull King of England, and of all other his Majeſties Dominions and Countries, that he is ſupream Governour over all perſons and in all cauſes, whether Eccleſiaſtical or Civil.

That is, There is (by the Law of the Land eſtabliſhed, in which he is vertually preſent) no commanding power above him, without him, much leſſe againſt him; nor can, ought or muſt any conjunctim or diviſim, exerciſe any governing power within his Majeſties Dominions, nor muſt any willingly expreſſe ſubjection or obedience to ſuch an unjuſt and uſurped power, ſtanding in oppoſition to his lawfull power.

That there are regales columnae, to ſupport this Monarchicall Fabrick from ſinking or ſuffering any injury from any perſons whomſoever, as ſummoning and diſmiſſing of generall Counſels, whether Eccleſiaſtical or Civil, making or anulling of Laws, that is, his affirmative or negative voyce in Parliament; without which, the Building were rather a painted, then ſubſtantiall Edifice.

Secondly, making of War or Peace, that is, diſpoſing of the Militia, of arming his Subjects to prevent forraign Invaſions, or ſuppreſſe domeſtick, rebellious Inſurrections; without which it would alſo ſoon fall by ſeditious and ambitious underminers: nor could the King without this power be able to defend himſelf from wrong, or his Subjects from oppreſſion.

Thirdly, creating and diſpoſing of Magiſtrates, power over life and death, higheſt and laſt appeal; without which his title of Supremacy would be a title of ſupream mockery, the ſtile ofSchool boys know that Rex is but a derivative of Rego, which ſignifies to Govern. King a meer contradiction; nay, if he had not theſe additionals, whereby he is onely abled, Regis agere partem, he were rather Rex titularis quàm realis; and if ſo, rather regulatus; and therefore in the beſt ſenſe, but a ſupream Subject then Rex regens, by vertue of his ſupream power governing his Subjects: were he deprived of theſe neceſſary adjuncts to a regall power, he then may (as his Majeſty hath well obſerved himſelf) be waited upon bare-headed, have his hand kiſſed,His Anſwer to the nineteen Propoſitions, Anno 1642. his Authority declared by his Subjects; have Swords and Maces carried before him, and pleaſe himſelf with the ſight of a Crown and Scepter: but as to true and reall power, he ſhould remain but the out ſide, picture and ſign of a King.

Now that all theſe, with many more attributes of power requiſite for a King to have, do appertain (by the eſtabliſhed Law of this Land) to our Soveraign Lord King CHARLES his Heirs and Succeſſors; I will not trouble the margin with quotations from the Fountain,Lex terrae A-1647. a principio ad fiuem. Remonſt. Feb. 21. 1647. alibique ſcriptis. to make good, but refer the Reader to thoſe pure ſtreams flowing from thence, thoſe brief Collections of that Reverend Lawyer Judge Jenkins, who therein Atlas like, hath ſupported the true fundamentall Lawes of England, and like a faithfull Expoſitor, given the moſt religious, rationall and lawfull practiced ſenſe of them.

But for the cleering hereof, I ſhall propound ſome queries to all rationall men, which will (the premiſes conſidered) anſwer of themſelves, to which even the knowledge of the meaneſt judgement, if he know any thing, cannot but aſſent as reall truth.

Preſuppoſed the King not the King in his minority, although it is as true then, for there is his tacite ſupream power implied his Protectour. • Jenk. Remonſtr. Febr. 21. 1647. Vide Recordi. Whether ever in this Kingdom any new Law was enjoyned or new Oath impoſed upon the people in oppoſition to the Law eſtabliſhed; by the two houſes conjunctim, or by either of them ſeperatim, without, nay, againſt the King's conſent; and if none, as none can be produced, by what power have they contrived Ordinances, and impoſed them with a Vow and Covenant, ſolemn League and Covenant, contrary to eſtabliſhed Law, and his Majeſties Proclamation?

Whether or no, turbulent, violent and irregular tranſaction in former Parliaments, wherein Kings have been depoſed or neceſſitated to unlawfull condeſcentions, through force or fear have not been by ſucceeding Parliaments made null, and thoſe Parliaments themſelves eſteemed but as traiterous Aſſemblies: and ſo, as cannot be denied, Res pares cum paribus comparemus; And let us all pray, that England may enjoy the happineſſe of a free, lawfully acting, Chriſtian like, peaceable, unbyaſed, no private ſelf ends reſpecting, but the truly publike and generall good, cordially affecting, and really effecting Parliament, To which let all true Engliſh men, with my ſelf ſay, Amen, Amen.

Whether ever formerly the Lords and Commons conjunctim, or either of them diviſim, had the diſpoſing of the Militia of the Kingdom, did create Magiſtrates, had power over life and death, to whom higheſt and laſt appeal were made, did make a great Seal, acting by vertue thereof, by any Law of the Land eſtabliſhed, without, nay againſt the King's conſent? And if there be no Law extant, intereſting them in ſuch a power, but on the contrary, it muſt neceſſarily be confeſſed, that all theſe things (by the letter of the Law, and the continuall practice thereof, which is optimus leges interpres) do belong to the King's Majeſty, his Heirs and Succeſſors: their own Propoſitions of the ſecond of June, 1642. confeſſing no leſſe;Firſt Book Col. Ordnan. 307. for then they petitioned him for a reſignation of all theſe inſignia regalia, for the removing of fears and jealouſies between him and his people; which muſt neceſſarily imply a tacite confeſſion, that his Majeſty is ſolely intereſted in the diſpoſing of them; for to what end ſhould they petition for thoſe things, which without his conſent they may claim as their own: and if ſo, let every mans judgement ſpeak, Quis reus?

Whether or no there be any Law remaining eſtabliſhed, or any clauſe reſerved in the Law, by vertue whereof the Lords and Commons, or either of them are authorized in any caſe whatſoever reall, much leſſe upon a pretence of any caſe, to remove Counſellours from his Majeſty by force, to impriſon his ſacred Perſon, to uſe the regall Power, to alter the Lawes eſtabliſhed, to impoſe new Lawes without his conſent upon his Subjects, and the like, by force: All which, and more then theſe, have been put in practice ſince theſe unhappy times began; and if they cannot produce any Law, or the leaſt reſemblance of a Law, nay, of Chriſtian reaſon, to warrant ſuch like actions,Judge Jenkins Lex t • rrae Remonffr. Frb. 1647. they muſt give us leave to ask the queſtion, Who are guilty of Treaſon? ſeeing all theſe particulars thus uſurped, are by the Law declared no leſſe.

And here by the way, let me put them in mind of the different judgement of former Ages, in Biſhop Cranmer, a glorious Martyr for our Religion, from ſuch kind of poſitions or practices.

He would not admit of the Popes authority in England, becauſe he was pre-engaged to the King by Oath,Book Martyrs according to the Law of the Land; affirming, that the Popes authority was againſt the Crown, Cuſtome, and Lawes of the Kingdom: Now unleſſe there be a Law authorizing the People, under what notion ſoever, to do that which was unlawfull in the Pope to do (the offence being one and the ſame, committed only by differing perſons) I know not what to write more, but that Pope and People begin both with one letter; praying God to deliver us from the Pope and Papiſtical falſe Doctrines.

As for that old ſtalking-horſe, the fundamental Law, which hath ſo often and ſo long been pretended, as an undeniable warrant, authorizing their beginnings and proceedings in oppoſition to his Majeſty: Truly loyall Engliſh hearts and rationall men will no ſooner credit that there is ſuch a Law, becauſe of their meer declarative affirmation, then that there is ſuch an one as Atlas, really ſupporting the Heavens with his ſhoulders, becauſe Poets have delivered ſo much to ſucceeding Ages, in their feigned writings.

There indeed not any ſuch Law, warranting theſe kind of actions, for none hitherto hath appeared in view; it being a maxime, that quod non apparet jure non eſt; therefore ſhall be bold to put them in mind of part of Maſter Pym's ſpeech at the beginning of this Parliament, leaving the application to their conſideration.

The Law is that which putteth a difference between good and evill, between juſt and unjuſt; if you take away the Law all things will fall into a confuſion, every man will become a Law to himſelf; which in the depraved condition of humane nature, muſt needs produce many great enormities: Luſt will become a Law, Envy will become a Law, Ambition will become a Law; and what dictates and deciſions ſuch Lawes will produce, may eaſily be diſcerned. Thus far Maſter Pym.

Now that theſe things may not come to paſſe in its height however, and perfection in theſe our dayes: Let us pray, that the Lord would grant us all grace to tread conſtant ſteps in the path of his Law, giving us loyall hearts to the King, and cauſing us to expreſſe a reall, not verball obedience to the Law of the Land.

Further, becauſe humanum eſt errare, and omnis perfectio noſtra eſt imperfectio; all of us being full of originall ſin; by reaſon of which, the ſuggeſtion of Satan, and the enticing pleaſures and profits of this life, we are alas (quamvis Christiani, though ſtiled Chriſtians) yet ready to commit ſin with greedineſſe againſt the God of heaven; as alſo, too too apt to prefer our own private advantage and intereſt before the publike good and benefit, not minding the peoples happineſſe in practiſing piety, and enjoying Peace the mother of plenty, but oftentimes, ſpurred on by avaritious and ambitiouſly aſpiring thoughts; we neglect rendring to God his, and all other degrees of men, from the Prince to the meaneſt of the people, their reſpective dues, which often occaſioneth that confuſion, like a fierce torrent overfloweth, and ruine like a boiſterous ſtorme, ſuddenly ſhipwracks a well governed Kingdom.

Therefore are Oathes tanquam Clavi religioſi, framed to keepe this building of Government more firme and cloſe together: To this end the Oathes of Alleagiance and Supremacy are by the Law of the Land injoyned to be taken by all Perſons capable thereof, eſpecially men imployed in any publicke Office, but more particularly the Houſe of Commons in Parliament, ſine quo non eſt talis. 5. Eliz. cap. 1.

In which they ſweare without Equivocation or mentall reſervation, to beare Faith and true alleagiance to his Majeſtie his Heires and Succeſſours, to defend him and them againſt all Conſpiracies and attempts whatſoever againſt their Perſons, Crown and Dignitie.

Now let all reaſonable Men conſider, and within their owne judgements reſolve theſe queſtions themſelves.Coll. Ordn. firſt book, 93. Is it maintenance of his Majeſties crown and dignity, and defence againſt all attempts, &c.

To force the Militia inſeperably belonging to the Crown from him, under pretence of groundleſſe feares and jealouſies.

Is it maintenance of his Crowne and Dignitie,Firſt book Coll. Par. Ordn. pag. 309, 310. June 1642. I meane his regall Crowne of Government to demand, as they did, in their nineteen Propoſitions, all governing Kingly power from him; plainly then ſpeaking, that their intent was not to maintaine (notwithſtanding their glorious pretences) the Law, nor reſolution ad errores reformandum, but regimen Angliae mutandum. For had they really intended as they verbally often pretended in their Ordinances and Declarations,Coll. Ordn- 130. alibique. Preſervation of the Law of the Land, his Majeſties royall perſon,Fo. 15. Coll. Ordn. Decemb. 1641. honour and Eſtate, juſt Prerogative and Soveraignty; they ſhould have provided (having alſo declared in that grand Remonſtrance to the Kingdome, that their intent was to reſtore the ancient honour, greatneſſe and ſecurity of the Crowne.) More wals of Braſſe, if it were poſſible to invent (which I muſt confeſſe paſſeth my beleefe) more, and a more excellent one, for preventing any more ſhaking of the Law eſtabliſhed, by intrenching upon the Kings juſt Prerogative and the Subjects Liberty, then the Trienniall Parliament, which they confeſſe themſelves to be a perpetuall Spring of remedies for the future. And not on the firſt Onſet, Magis Poſtulare quam Petere, totally require rather then deſire the Kings royall Power;Nineteen Propoſ. for that end breaking all hedges of publicke and generall liberty to preſerve or advantage ſome few private peeces of incloſed grounds.

Oath of Alleagiance and Supremacy.Is it faith and alleagiance, and a Declaration in your Conſciences, that none hath power to diſcharge Subjects from their Alleagiance and Obedience to his Majeſty?

To frame Oathes wherein you ingage your fellow Subjects,Coll. Ordn. 93, 138. even in a manner to proteſt againſt their alleagiance and obedience to his Majeſtie; by Covenanting to aſſiſt the Forces raiſed and continued by both Houſes, who are but Subjects (elſe why doe they Petition to his Majeſty in thoſe ſubmiſſive ſtiles, Of his Majeſties moſt humble and loyall Subjects) againſt the Forces raiſed by the King; and that they ſhall nor directly nor indirectly aſſiſt the Forces raiſed by the King, without the conſent of both Houſes; witneſſe their Vow and Covenant, Ordered die Sabbathi 1643. and and their latter compoſed Negative Oath, much to the ſame effect.

Oath of Supremacy.Is it a Declaration in your Conſcience, that the Kings highneſſe is the onely ſupreame Governour of this Realme, and all other his Majeſties Dominions. To deprive him of his Negative voyce in Parliament, to create Magiſtrates, to exerciſe a power over the life and death of his Subjects, nay to doe any thing, but what Subjects ought to doe, and Oaths oblige unto?

Is it a defence of all Juriſdictions and Priviledges, Preheminences and Authorities belonging to the Kings highneſſe, his heirs and Succeſſours, and annexed to the imperiall crown of this Realm?

To declare that the King is not in a condition to govern,Anſwer to the Scots Declaration, Novemb. 28. 1647. to impriſon him, to affirm that they will make no more addreſſes unto him, that they will ſettle the government of the Kingdom without and againſt him?

Theſe conſidered, I appeal to all: hear O heaven, judge O earth, with yee Inhabitants of England, Scotland and Ireland; who are guilty of perjury? I am ſure none but will confeſſe that the Oaths of Alleagiance and Supremacy are lawfull in themſelves, commanded by a compleatly lawfull authority, remaining enjoyned & confirmed by act of Parliament, therefore ought to be taken by all, according to the literall ſenſe thereof, and endeavours uſed to perform the ſame, according to each mans uttermoſt ability.

As for that exception ſavouring more of a Turkiſh or Jeſuiticall, then of a Chriſtian Proteſtant's affirmative judgement; nay, it is contrary to common reaſon, and altogether vain.

For any one to apprehend, that ſingular perſons one by one, are obliged to the obſervation of theſe Oaths, but a body repreſentative is one; as if one man alone could be perjured, and yet that the multiplication of that unite (equally engaged both in the keeping and the breach thereof) to four hundred, gave a diſpenſation from the guiltineſſe of the ſin, as if an offender were an offender, becauſe quatenus homo unicus per ſe peccans, ſinning as one man alone; and not becauſe the offence committed was a deviation from the Law of God, Reaſon or the Law; when as it is far more correſpondent to reaſon, to affirm that the more the Offenders are, the more guilty, becauſe more ſpreading; and the greater the Offenders are, as repreſentitave bodies, or Magiſtrates abuſing a conferred power are more dangerous, becauſe exemplary, for citius ducti per exempla quàm praecepta, we are too apt to follow ſin in a multitude, eſpecially if they be great perſons of repute, pretending aſſertours and reformers, though they prove deſertours and deformers of Religion, Lawes and Liberties. Beſides, God in the Scriptures commandeth us not to follow a multitude to do evil, which implieth that a multitude may do evil; and what is a repreſentitative body but a multitude, in a grammaticall ſenſe, and therefore if they do evil, they muſt not be followed: Nay, the whole current of Gods Word runs with variety of judgements threatned againſt all that are in authority, if they recede from his Commandements. The Prophet Micah, with others, are full in this reſpect,You may ſee many more among the reſt of the Prophets. Micah 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Amos 6.11, 12, 13, 14. Hoſea 5.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. O come therefore for the prevention of ſuch like judgements, and the removing from us what we already lye under, let us by a timely repentance, return unto the God of heaven, humbly entreating him that he would forgive us all our ſins; more particularly that he would not lay this hainous ſin of Perjury to Englands charge, but give us grace to mourn and weep for that, and all others which have occaſioned our Land to mourn in miſery, and weep in blood.

Now to contract the premiſed ſeverals into a narrower compaſſe, thereby to make this rooting deſign appear plainly to all.

I ſhall deſire all rationall men to take notice, that the Lords and Commons in that grand Remonſtrance to the Kingdom, in December 1641. and their Petitions to his Majeſtie, Declarations and Ordinances, Preambles to their Proteſtation, Vow and Covenant, ſolemn League and Covenant, which were but as ſo many applications to the people, for their information and procuration of their approbations aſſiſtance and affections; alwayes pretended a preſervation of the Kings Honour, Rights and Authority, the Law of the Land, the Proteſtant Religion, the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject. To this purpoſe you ſhall find many expreſſions.

In the grand Remonſtrance they complain of the Jeſuited Papiſts, &c. and a malignant Party,Col. Ordnan. fo 3. pernicious deſigns to ſubvert the fundamentall Lawes and principles of Government, on which the Religion and juſtice of this Kingdom is eſtabliſhed.

They confeſſe the King to be truſted with the Eccleſiaſtical law, as well as temporall,Coll. Ordn. fo. 19. that next under God the people owe obedience unto him.

They profeſſe, their intent was not to aboliſh all government, and leave every man to his own fancy, for the ſervice and worſhip of God, but to reduce within bounds the exorbitant power which ſome Prelates had aſſumed to themſelves, contrary to the Word of God, and law of the land.

Where by the way takes notice, that then there was no mention made of extirpating Epiſcopall Government, ſince that, as much as in them lyeth, by their ſolemn League and Covenant, and Ordinances effected.

They profeſſe to maintain the true Proteſtant Religion,Coll. Ordn. 281. the Kings juſt Prerogative, the lawes and liberties of the Land, and the priviledges of Parliament.

Reſolved upon the Queſtion,12. July 1642 fo. 457. That an Army ſhall be forthwith raiſed for the ſafety of the Kings perſon, preſerving of the true Religion, Lawes, Liberties and Peace of the Kingdom.

There they expreſſe fears,Fo. 461. that the true Proteſtant Religion and Lawes will be extinguiſhed, &c.

That they will maintain and ſupport his Majeſties royall Honour and greatneſſe.Fo. 466.

But I will trouble the Reader with no more expreſſions of this nature; the firſt Book of collection of Ordinances, if he pleaſe, will afford him variety.

Take a brief view of their Preambles to all their Oaths, which they pretend as motives and grounds occaſioning their framing and impoſing them.

Thus you may perceive how in all their applications to the common people, they ſtill urge intentions of preſerving the King's juſt Prerogative and royall Rights, true Proteſtant Religion, the Lawes and Liberties of the Land: Now this muſt neceſſarily, according to common ſenſe, be conſtrued by the common people (whatſoever private reſerved reſolutions to the contrary, the framers of the Oathes and Ordenances had to themſelves) a preſervation and defence of Religion, Prerogatives, Rights, Lawes and Liberties, which are eſtabliſhed and in being; for according to that old adage, ex nihilo nil fit.

But alas, theſe ſpecious pretences were but Decoyes ſent abroad to catch the plain hearted people, and the leſſe adviſed multitude into a complying aſſiſtance; their hands and tongues muſt help toward the demolition of England's ancient and well compacted Monarchical Fabrick; their breathleſſe bodies muſt be inſtrumentall piles, to mount theſe Deſigners into the chair of a new modelized, pre-intended Government.

To this purpoſe therefore (contrary to all their Paper intelligencers,Nineteen Propoſitions. daily diiſperſed among the people) they in their firſt Propoſitions to his Majeſty (as I have already obſerved) lay the foundation, though cunningly, of this generall alteration in Church and State, wherein they had left nothing more to demand of him, but that (as a King, he had nothing more to grant.)

Which deſign of theirs hath appeared in more legible, additionall demands in their ſucceeding Treaties and Propoſitions, from that time unto this very day, wherein they have violently deprived his Majeſty of his regall power; he at preſent being ſo far from commanding as a * King,Being kept as a Priſoner in the Iſle of Wight. that his power in commanding is far below the commanding power of ſome of his meaneſt Subjects: Proh dolor! uſque quo domine uſque quò; how long, Lord, how long, holy and true, wilt thou ſuffer the Rod of the wicked to remain upon the back of the righteous? how long ſhall the workers of iniquity triumph, ſpeaking fiercely, ſmiting down thy people and troubling thy Heritage? Deliver our Soveraign thy ſervant King CHARLES from cruell men, who imagine evil things in their heart, making war continually; whoſe tongues are ſharper then a Serpent, and under whoſe lips lye the poyſon of Adders, Amen.

Again, to make theſe Rooters deſign appear plainer and plainer to every eye, the Treaties at Oxford, and ſince at Ʋxbridge, (at which time nothing was left ungranted by his Majeſty, whereby his people might be ſatisfied) but that he would have ſomething left, I ſay, as King, to give; will evidence it to any impartiall judgement.

At Oxford, Anno 1643. the maine diſpute betweene his Majeſtie and the two Houſes Commiſſioners was, who ſhould have the Power of Nomination and Election of State-Officers. The Right to both belonged to his Majeſtie; how ever, ſo deſirous was he of Peace and a Reconciliation (his heart bleeding in tenderneſſe within, for the loſſe of ſo much of his Subjects blood) did readily and willingly condeſcend that the Power of Nomination ſhould be theirs, reſerving choice of them to himſelfe.

Now let us weigh the inequality, in reference to the prevention of the effuſion of more blood. It may be ſuppoſed upon grounds of reaſon, that if I have the Power of Nomination, I will not name any one in whom I cannot confidently repoſe my truſt, and of whom I have not a good opinion; therefore, if it be onely Peace and a mutuall agreement betweene two differing Parties, where it is ſometimes fitting that both ſhould abate of the rigour of their demands, what need I care who chooſeth, or upon whom the election falleth, ſeeing they are all equall in my eſteeme: But this would not doe; they muſt have the Kings Supremacy, Election too, all, or as yet no peace; otherwiſe indeed the Civill Government cannot be altered from a Monarchy into an Ariſtocracy; and ſo by degrees ſubdivide it ſelfe into a Democracy. The Eccleſiaſticall cannot be changed from Epiſcopacy into Presbytery, and ſo againe into Independency or confuſion; viſibly at this day ſo appearing. Whereas if theſe men pre-intended not theſe things, but had really intended Peace, or reſented the then bleeding condition and ruining Kingdome of England, they would not ſurely have ſtood upon ſuch unneceſſary punctilioes, not any way abſolutely availeable to the generall good of the Nation; though abſolutely neceſſary Rights belonging to his Majeſty, with which he could neither in Honour, Juſtice, or Conſcience voluntarily part. O Lord forgive them, forgive them ſuch their unreaſonable and unſeaſonable Demands, and lay not to their charge thoſe ſeverall bloudy iſſues which (ſince that time) have guſh'd out in many places of this Kingdome, Amen.

Againe, let us take notice of the further progreſſe, for nemo repente fit turpiſſimus, of theſe deſtructive Engeneers.

Hath not his Majeſtie reſigned all his regall Power, ſince that, unto the two Houſes during his life, being onely deſirous that his royall Children may receive no prejudice by his too gracious condiſcentions, freely offering a generall Pardon, and an Act of Oblivion to every one. Yet this will not ſatisfie them; they muſt have him forfeit his Honour and Reaſon, by acknowledging himſelfe the Fountaine and originall cauſe of their unnaturally ſhedding of his Subjects blood; (ſtrange action, that the gulty Offenders muſt be juſtified, and the Offended guiltleſſe deſired unjuſtly to condemne themſelves) and wound his Conſcience by pulling upon himſelfe and Poſterity that eating ſinne of Sacriledge, by aſſenting unto an utter Extirpation of Epiſcopall government, and a devaſtation of the Churches patrimony, contrary to his Oath taken at his Coronation.

Thus ſtill you ſee the Deſigne of theſe Rooters at firſt, was to alter the Government of this Kingdome; and to that end have to deprive his Majeſtie of his regall Power,Fo. 20, 34, 30, 33. which ſince hath been openly avowed in their Declaration concerning the Scots Papers 13. Mar. 1647.

But peradventure, ſome will ſay that they are zealous ſupporters of the Subjects Liberties, and quellers of wicked actions, as Swearing, immoderate drinking, breaking of the Sabboth, and the like.

To which I returne an anſwer in generall, that nothing can be more deſired, either for the ſuppreſſing or puniſhing of all ſinfull words and deeds, and all ſuch viciouſly guilty Perſons; or conducing to the liberty of the Subjuct; if men deſire onely to enjoy liberty under a Law, and not live as libertines without a Government than what was eſtabliſhed and confirmed by Act of Parliament, before ever they expoſed their grand Remonſtrance, that ſeede Plott of — to the view of the World;Decemb. 1641 witneſſe that Declaration it ſelfe, which recounteth ſeverall Acts of favour condeſcended unto by his Majeſtie for the Subjects benefit; which with that laſting Bulwarke of preventing or remedying Errours, the Trienniall Parliament, were enough to ſatisfie any but ſeditious and ambitiouſly aſpiring thoughts. To make this appeare, It is worthy obſervation, that after the iſſuing out of that Remonſtrance, not one Propoſition was ever tendered to his Majeſtie, really tending to the generall good and liberty of every Subject; but whatſoever were preſented unto him under the title of Propoſitions, contained nothing but Demands, in ordine ad Cauſam, in order to this Deſigne of alteration and change of Government. Now at this very day (as every one not prepoſſeſſed with prejudice, cannot but grant) the viſible purchaſe of Hypocriſie, Perjury, blood and oppreſſion; an ill foundation, and the worſt lime to erect a building with, and which moſt commonly is followed with ſucceeding heavy judgements;Micah 3.9, 10, 11, 12. From which good Lord deliver us.

To this purpoſe further; you have already ſeene Ordinances framed, Oathes contrived for the Eradication of Epiſcopall government; and leaſt it ſhould by degrees, like a Flower preſſed downe by the violence of a falling ſhowre, riſe againe in future times, when more favourable ſunny dayes appear, they have expoſed to Sale its Lands, the Churches patrimony.

You have ſeen the Presbyterian Government alſo digeſted into Ordinances, the preaching of it into approbation, the practice of it in ſeverall Churcher in London, and other adjacent parts, the peoples obedience preſſed thereunto by Divines of the preſent Synod.

You have ſeen the civill Government alſo changed, Ordinances of one or both houſes ſupplying the place of Acts of Parliament, without the Royall aſſent; Demands of a totall reſignation of his Majeſties regall Power; and becauſe not in every reſpect condeſcended unto (as what father will be ſo unjuſt to his Poſterity, though he may be uncharitable to himſelf, as to deprive them of their Inheritance, contrary to the Law of Nature, Religion and Law) the King therefore detained a Priſoner.

Thus you may ſee the Deſigners riding triumphantly in the bloody Chariot of their compaſſed Ends, Revelling it at the Helmes of the Church and State, whileſt their Royall injured Maſter is forced to a ſad Cabbin under decks.

O that my abuſed Country-Men would ſeriouſly conſider of the Premiſes, and that they would at length deſert theſe Impoſtors, who by their glorious pretences of Reformation, have deceived them into a Ruining aſſiſtance of themſelves and others; not thinking it a ſhame to confeſſe an errour, and return when their Judgements are informed, that their former Judgements and practiſes have been erronious.

Againe, you have ſeene the meanes uſed by them to effect their ends; by Perjury, infringing their Oathes of Alleagiance, Supremacy, and their owne famed Proteſtation, by the effuſion of Blood. And here I cannot chooſe but adde my feares, that ſome tall and gloriouſly ſpreading Cedars of Church and State, have rather beene hewen downe, becauſe they hindered the Proſpect of others, or prejudiced the riſing growth of ſome Neighbour ſhrubs than fallen becauſe rotten, uſeleſſe or cumberſome to the grounds; which if true, (as ſome in the world beſt know) we had all need to pray that the Lord would even in the blood of Chriſt Jeſus waſh this Nation, eſpecially from ſuch kinde of blood-guiltineſſe.

You may read the ſad effects of theſe Deſignes, A wronged King in diſtreſſe; A diſcontented Nobilitie; A diſconſolate and diſperſed Gentry; A diſgraced diſparaged and defamed Orthodox Cleargy; A murmuring and repining Communalty; An impoveriſhed Countrey; A ſelfe-diſhonouring Nation, Diviſion, Ambition, Sedition and Security, the forerunners of a generall ruine and deſolation.

Helpe O Lord leaſt we periſh; And it be ſaid of us, What is become of that glory of Nations, England? formerly feared and beloved by all, yet not for feare expreſſing love to any, leaſt what was omce ſpoken of Troy, be affirmed true of our Kingdome Jam ſeges eſt ubi Anglia fuit.

You may every where ſee God diſhonoured, the Church of God unfrequented; Schiſmes and Prophaneneſſe every where abounded, and Hereſies of all ſorts, even to the denying of the Deity of Chriſt, the holy Scriptures, the immortality of the ſoule, and all theſe if not publiquely maintained, yet connived at by thoſe who pretend otherwiſe; you may ſee all Religion contracted into tongue diſcourſe, Sanctification ſwallowed up by Juſtification; as if becauſe Chriſt dyed to ſave Sinners, we muſt therefore wilfully ſinne if we will be ſaved; you have many running ſo farre from the Papiſts meritorious hope of gaining heaven by good Workes, that they expect in haſte to poſt thither by a barren Faith; arguing, nay eſteeming good Workes as altogether unneceſſary; when as indeed they muſt both be concomitants; for ſuch a Faith without Workes will prove but a lame Sacrifice; and Workes without Faith will be but a blinde Offering, never finde the way to heaven.

You may ſee London, an envyed City, declined in the affections of all abroad,By aſſeſſements, Contributions, Exciſe, &c. becauſe they were blinded in their affections by theſe deceivers at home, who by degrees have eaten out the very heart of her Honour, Wealth and Reputation.

You have ſeen many of her Citizens toſſed too and fro with every winde of Doctrine, ſteering their courſe with the current of each prevailing Faction, rather yeelding to a deſtruction, then endeavouring a preſervation of the Cities honour and wealth.

You have ſeen her well proportioned and admirable Government daſhed in pieces, the wiſdom of ſome of her wiſe men degenerated into a ſelf-contriving Intereſt and Advantage, neglecting the Cities good in generall.

You have ſeen her grand Counſell turned into a Counſell of War, combining with the unruly Sword, to diſturb, nay to deſtroy the Inhabitants with her civill Government; many ſacrificing their fellow-Citizens, to the diſpoſall of domineering Faction: ſpirits who eat the bread of extortion,Prov. 4.17. and drink the wine of violence.

You have ſeen the Cities peace, (formerly even to the envy of their Neighbours, dwelling onely within her walls) whileſt blood, want and poverty ran like a devouring Lyon up and down each Country) interrupted by thoſe who had moſt reaſon to preſerve it in peace.

You have ſeen Sword-men, ſtrangers unto you (if you conſider your ſelves as Citizens of that famous Metropolis) by ſome ſtiled your ſervants, becauſe entertained and paid you; but howſoever, I ſay, not ſervants to the City, but more truely ſervants to the factious vipers within the City, even glorying in dying the ſtones of your ſtreets with your own childrens blood.

Nay conſider, I appeal to the whole City, what practicall Law have you almoſt left now in uſe, but the Law of impriſonment, whereby ſome men (firſt being made pre • endly guilty of that old ayery bugbear crime, ill affection, or if you will, that beldam fault malignancy, that is, that will not ſwim in the ſame current of ſuch hainous ſins with the faction) are (to uſe their own word) ſecured; or others by reaſon of their long continuing diſtractions, being diſabled ſo fully and ſpeedily to ſatisfie ſome griping Creditors their debts, are the ſooner haſtened by additionall neceſſity, want and grief, to a ſatisfaction of the laſt debt they owe to nature in a loathſom priſon.

Or elſe, that (in it ſelf excellent) but (as it is now uſed) bloody lettered Law, for ſuppreſſing and puniſhing pretended mutinies, which only like a Gy • nt, ſtandeth armed at the door, that ſo each ſucceſſive Faction may the more freely ruine within; in the mean time, denying the entrance either of juſtice, mercy, peace or truth.

You have long ſince ſeen the Pulpit from whence nothing but the ſincerity of truth, religious admonitions, holy advice, perſwaſively tending to the practice of godlineſſe and true righteouſneſſe ſhould iſſue forth, turned into a ſophiſticall Desk, to diſtract the brains of men with ſtrange diſtinctions of Government, new fangled Doctrine, perſwading their Auditors perſons and Eſtates to an aſſiſting compliance in the late Wars.

You have heard bitter expreſſions there againſt the eſtabliſhed Government of the Kingdom, ſome envying like mad, more more then rationall men, much leſſe Chriſtians againſt Epiſcopacy as Antichriſtian, and the book of Common Prayer as unlawfull and erronious, their beſt arguments being but invective railings; although one hath ſtood the ſhock unmoved of the moſt fiery opponents, and the other a perfect pattern of true Piety, both of them receiving approbation and applauſe from all other Proteſtant Churches beyond the Seas, being onely diſgraced and defamed, though without juſt cauſe, at home, by children of her owne womb.

You have heard the Ceremonies of the Church ſtiled limbs of Antichriſt, and others perſwaded that they were impoſed on tender conſciences as neceſſaries; whenas indeed their own conſciences could not but inform them the contrary, and that they were onely ordained for order and decency ſake.

Beſides,His Majeſties Anſwer to the Kingdoms Remonſtrance Decemb. 1641. if any one ſeemed offenſive to tender conſciences, his Majeſty (long before the Sword was unſheathed) graciouſly promiſed an exemption from obſervance of them, and therefore needed not to have been made Arguments perſwading to blood.

You have ſeen learned Divines, Doctor Featly, that brazen wall of our Religion, who unrazed, hath maintained his hold, retorting the Jeſuites arrowes into their own breſts with ſhamefull wounds: Doctor Holſworth, a lively pattern of Piety: with many other religious and learned Divines, impriſoned and diſgraced.

And my dear Country-men, ad quem finem haec omnia, to what end think you did all theſe things tend? Pray conſider, you may ſee the reſult of all quickly, in what concerneth you to whom I write, I meane you miſled inſtruments, for I intend not (as I have already written) the contrivers hereof no further then as I am a Chriſtian to pray for their repentance, converſion and forgiveneſſe.

You have been pleaſed, like children, in lieu of things ſubſtantiall, with toyes, as pulling down of May-poles, deſtruction of ſenſeleſſe ſtony croſſes, Reformation of Tavern ſigns by fantaſticall cringers inſerted inſtead of Angels pictured; I think leaſt the ſight of ſuch ſhadowes ſhould put the miſled people in minde of thoſe reall Angels in heaven, and thereby fright or invite them into a too ſoon repentance.

You have had as fruits of your endeavoured Reformation, ignorant painted glaſſe windowes broken, the Communion-table removed, the Font locally changed, though as by Baptiſme we are viſibly initiated into the Chriſtian Congregation, it more ſignificantly became the entrance into, then the body of the materiall Church, yet neither of them ſo abſolutely and meerly neceſſary, as to counterpoize blood.

You have had a new Directory, a piece made like wax, apted for any impreſſion, eaſily ſqueezed into any form by active brains.

You have had a Catechiſme in a large Character, the iſſue of above ſix yeers labour; which ever ſince King Edward the ſixt's dayes, you might have furniſhed your ſelves with, in a ſmaller print, at an eaſie rate.

And to knit all theſe together, you have the Presbyterian Government practized in place and oppoſition to the Epiſcopall, and what have you purchaſed by this? onely an intermixture of Lay-men with the Clergy (as afterward I ſhall plainly make appear) for the managing of Eccleſiaſticall affairs, both concerning Doctrine and Diſcipline.

Thus much I write (God the ſearcher of all hearts is my witneſſe) not to revile any Divines of the Presbyterian Party, whom I honour as Ambaſſadours from Heaven, when they diſpenſe the truth of of God's Word: but they muſt give me leave to acquaint them, that unleſſe they can ſhew any better grounds then I have hitherto read or heard from any of them ſince theſe unnaturall Wars, for the making good the lawfulneſſe of introducing this their meer alteration of Government by blood, contrary to the Kings conſent, and the warrant of the Law of the Land, and having not the leaſt ground for it in the Word of God: No errours formerly in Government being unreformed by his Majeſty, no lawfull means by a Synoy legally called and elected for redreſſe of what poſſibly could be found either unneceſſary or burdenſome in the Church to really tender conſciences, being by him alſo denied; the Poynt of Government being then onely, and ſtill is the difference between his Majeſty and the two Houſes; Therefore although the Proteſtants and they mutually agree in the fundamentals ef faith, and many other neceſſary truthes; yet I ſay, I cannot but certifie them, that neither my ſelf, nor any Proteſtant of ENGLAND have reaſon to beleeve that they have kept ſo cloſe to the rule of God's Word, Reaſon and the Law, as they ſhould have done,Malachi 2.7. or perhaps may prend. Therefore,

If they have any Arguments now in this juncture of time, beſides that of meerly ignorant perſons profeſſions of their good intentiōs, & good meaning, which they know will not excuſe a toto, though in ſome things in may a tanto. It being a common excuſe of many in theſe times, though they ſtill perſiſt in their irregularly, firſt begun courſes, they may perform a Chriſtian like and wiſe duty to themſelves for their owne vindication, and to others, for their information, to divulge them to the world; or if they cannot produce any, that then they would be perſwaded even for Chriſt Jeſus ſake, the Biſhop of our ſoules, to returne and doe their firſt workes, leaſt God come againſt them and us, and remove our Candleſtick out of its place. But I proceed:

Becauſe the introduction of the Presbyterian government in the Church, and a proportionable alteration of the Civill Government in the State is by ſome Miniſters of that Party cryed up as the unum neceſſarium, tending to their preintended Reformation, and the fulfilling of their ſolemne League and Covenant; I ſhall endeavour (although the Deſigners intents probably were to lock faſt the Common Peoples Conſciences thereby unto them) to make good, according to the rule of Reaſon, Religion and Law, that nothing leſſe is comprehended and contained therein; ſo that none ſtand ingaged, unleſſe they wilfully will perſiſt in ſin, by their further aſſiſtance to endeavour a compleating of their Innovaſion.

To this purpoſe I ſhall deſire all a little to reflect backe upon what I have already promiſed; how that ſeeing the irregular faction of the two Houſes alwayes applyed themſelves to the Common People as aſſertours and maintainors of the Law, Religion and the Kings juſt rights: towards which the aſſiſtance of many have been deſired, and accordingly yeelded; they themſelves having deferted their own Principles acted, in oppoſition to the Law and their owne Oathes and Covenant, as I have made good they are not in theis owne ſence (though for my part I deny that they were ever at firſt in a lawfull ſence ingaged) to take notice of their Ordinances and Commands: But rather to uſe all poſſible lawfull meanes for the Reſtoring of his Majeſtie to his juſt Rights, The eſtabliſhed Religion both in Doctrine and Diſcipline, to its former purity in practice, according to Law, the Parliament of England to its ancient genuine freedome, and regular Priviledges, and the reſetling of Peace & truth in Church and State.

And to this effect, becauſe ſome peradventure may apprehend themſelves conſcienciouſly ingaged by the ſolemne League and Covenant to continue their aydes in firmly ſetling the Presbyterian Government; I ſhall for the removing of ſuch obliging apprehenſions (paſſing by the unlawfulneſſe of contriving, impoſing, and indeed unwarrantableneſſe of entring into it at firſt; in which regard I acknowledge it contrary to the Lawes of the Land and authority of Scriptures) give a truely Chriſtian and lawfull conſtruction thereof, as it did at firſt literally, and ſtill doth onely appeare to the takers thereof, who at firſt were not Concatenated Deſigners, and therefore for the better clearing of Mens judgements herein, ſhall firſt propound ſome neceſſary Qualifications and Limitations of Promiſſary Oathes; being bold to affirme, that if any afterwards ſhall obſtinately perſiſt in remaining Inſtrumentally Active for this Innovaſion; that I cannot ſee how they can free themſelves from being wilfully guilty of oppoſing Reaſon, Religion and Law, as alſo rending in peeces all holy and obligatory Oathes and Covenants.

That all Promiſſory lawfull Oaths being religious bonds, muſt be taken in a literall and Gramaticall ſenſe, and all lawfull endeavours uſed for the performance of each clauſe contained therein, as they plainly appear (not admitting of alteration afterwards, or a contradiction by the mentall Reſervations of the Impoſers) at the time of taking thereof to the judgment and underſtanding of him that ſweareth, otherwiſe a man cannot ſweare in Judgement.

That if any clauſe ſhall be inſerted into any Oath directly oppoſite to the Word of God, or if any part of an Oath cannot be obſerved and performed without intrenching upon the breach of Gods Lawes, the one ipſo facto is void, for Rei illicitae nulla obligatio, and the other ingageth to aImpia poenitenda promiſſi • , non perficiend • . repentance only, and not to endeavours of performance; for per juramentum non tenemur niſi ad bonum & legale, by Oaths men are bound to nothing, but what is lawfull and good, either in reſpect of the end to which Oaths have a reſpect, or meanes conducing to that end; therefore in all ſuch kind of Oaths, their generall conditions ſhould be inſerted, however are neceſſarily implied, (if I can, if it ſhall pleaſe God, if lawfully I may) for nemo tenetur ad impoſſibile, and nil poſſimus quod non de Jure poſſimus; both poſſible and things lawfull muſt be the ſubſtance of Oaths, otherwiſe we cannot ſweare in righteouſneſſe.

That no particular ſentence in a ſecondary Oath deſtructive unto, or different from any former lawfull ingagement, ought to be kept; therefore any Oath impoſed by the irregular factions of the two Houſes muſt not receive a conſtruction, or actions accordingly uſed in oppoſition to the Affirmatively and Negatively Genuine, and commonly received and practiſed ſenſe of the former Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, both lawfull in themſelves, and ſtill according to Law reſting eſtabliſhed, leaſt we adde ſinnes of Omiſſion to ſinnes of Commiſſion; but what is lawfull in any ſecond Oath we muſt performe, what is not, we muſt forbear.

That in all clauſes in Oaths concerning Reformation, preſervation or defence of any thing, that thing neceſſarily muſt be extant, muſt have a being, otherwiſe we obliging our ſelves (if we can properly be ſaid to be ingaged to nothing) to nothing, atteſt God as witneſſe thereunto, thereby mocking him, and taking his holy Name in vaine, and in ſo doing erre againſt his third Commandement; therefore the Presbyterian Government not being particularly mentioned in the Covenant, nor at the firſt taking thereof, now about foure years and an halfe ſince digeſted in England into any form, much leſſe obedience thereunto commanded, cannot be intended as a fulfilling of the Covenant; but the words Reforme, preſerve, and defend, muſt have a regard to the Doctrine, Diſcipline, and Government eſtabliſhed: as for that evaſion (that the then takers of the Covenant diſpenſed with reſolutions and actions of preſervation, &c. untill the ſame ſhould afterwards be ſetled) it is altogether unlawfull and vaine; nor can any one by ſo doing obſerve the Prophets counſell in Oaths, which muſt be taken in Righteouſneſſe, Judgement and Truth.

Theſe things premiſed, I proceed to the Oath it ſelf,—only by the way, let me put you in mind of your firſt Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy, with your Proteſtation, an Epitome of the former in theſe words, I promiſe, vow and proteſt to maintaine ſo far as lawfully I may, his Majeſties Royall Perſon, Honor, and Eſtate; the true Reformed Proteſtant Religion, expreſſed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, &c. For explanation whereof I referre you to what already hath been ſaid concerning the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy, adviſing every one to conſider ſeriouſly that place in 30. Numb. 2. Ver. If a man vow a Vow unto the Lord, or ſweare an Oath to bind his ſoule with a bond, he ſhall not breake his word, he ſhall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Solemne League and Covenant. We Noble-men, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgeſſes, Miniſters of the Goſpell, and Commons of all ſorts in the Kingdom of England &c. by the providence of God living under one King. Vnder one King, that according to common ſenſe and reaſon, muſt imply obedience and ſubjection in us unto him as a King enabled with power to governe, and that obedience muſt preſuppoſe a rule of reaſon, and law, (now what that Law is, I have already handled) to ſquare our actions of obedience by.

O that the people of England, &c. would in in this reſpect obey the Precept of Chriſt,—Give unto Caeſar what belongs unto Caeſar; His Majeſtie never expected more then what the Law manifeſteth to be juſtly his,Witneſſe all his Declarations. why then ſhould we give him leſſe? Nay, endeavour to deprive him altogether of what we have neither reaſon, nor juſt power to attempt?

And being of one reformed Religion. The Covenant.—This muſt neceſſarily intend our Religion eſtabliſhed, a Religion that is, not that ſhall be, which Religion commandeth obedience to all His Majeſties lawfull commands, denieth the Subjects Liberty to take up armes againſt their lawfull Soveraigne, acknowledgeth him to be Supreme in all cauſes, and over all perſons, Vide homilies, & 37. Artic. Church Engl. as well Eccleſiaſticall as Civill, &c. that to him properly and wholly belongeth the government of all Eſtates of this Realme, therefore without and againſt his conſent, no different Government can be introduced.Covenant.

Having before our eyes the glory of God.—God is never more glorified then when we expreſſe a willing obedience to his commands two whereof emphatically enjoyne obedience to Superiors, and forbid wrong and prejudice to be offered by any to any one whomſoever.—

Firſt, Honour thy Father and Mother, that is, all thoſe that have authority over us, as all Expoſitors upon good grounds render the meaning of it.

Secondly, Thou ſhalt not covet thy Neighbours houſe, &c. nor any thing that is his;—that is, thou ſhalt not wiſh thy Neighbours hinderance in any thing, much leſſe deprive him of the leaſt thing properly belonging unto him,Vide the Margent of the Bible. or you ſhall not offer any wrong to any man whomſoever, whereby he may ſuffer damage in perſon, eſtate, reputation, or otherwiſe; for the word neighbour, muſt be taken in a more extenſive ſignification in the Commandement, then we commonly uſe it. O that every man with one eye fixed upon theſe two Commandements would with the other view what by the Law is juſtly due to his Majeſtie, and Poſterity, and then conſider, &c. Beſides theſe you have the Prophets and Apopoſtles,Pro. 27.29.30. ſpeaking the ſame truth as Ambaſſadours from heaven; Solomon adviſeth us not to with-hold the goods from the owners thereof, though there be power in thy hand to do it,Prov. 3.27, 29, 30. nor to intend hurt againſt our neighbour, ſeeing he doth dwell by us without Feare, that is, putteth truſt in us. Pro. 24.21. Eccleſ. 8.3, 4. Vide margent in the Bible. Covenant. feare, not to ſtrive with a man cauſleſſe, ſeeing he hath done no harme, My ſonne fear the Lord and the King, and meddle not with thoſe that are given to change, ſaith the ſame wiſeman.

Take heed to the mouth of the King, and to the Word of the Oath of God, ſaith the Preacher,— that is, obey the King, and keep the Oath that thou had made for the ſame cauſe.

The advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Savior Jeſus Chriſt.

His Kingdome is never more advanced then when we obey his Precepts, and imitate his practice.

Mat. 5.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.16.Now his Precepts will appear in part, if we conſider that in his Sermon upon the Mount, after he had pronounced bleſſedneſſe to the poore in ſpirit, to thoſe that mourne, to the meeke, to thoſe which hunger and thirſt for righteouſneſſe, to the pure in heart, to peace-makers, to thoſe which ſuffer for righteouſneſſe ſake, to thoſe that are falſly reviled and perſecuted; he addeth this Exhortation to his Apoſtles,— Let your light ſo ſhine, that is, let theſe things for which men ſhall be bleſſed, practically appeare in your lives and converſations, that ſo they may ſee your good workes, that is, others by your example of holineſſe may be brought home to the fold of Chriſt, and glorifie his Father which is in heaven.

And for his practiſe you may read it in reſpect of his paying tribute, Matth. 22.21. as alſo how that being brought before Rulers whom (though cauſeleſly reviling of him) hee reviled not againe, being led as a ſheep to the ſlaughter, and obedient unto death, that thereby hee might be a patterne for our imitation, to which purpoſe he invites us, Follow me for I am lowly and meeke, &c. and in our imitation we muſt follow him, in obeying his Meſſengers the Apoſtles counſells, for they are ſent from him, and what their counſell was, you may peruſe, Rom. 13. ſubmit your ſelves unto the higher Powers, &c. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 17. be obedient to every Ordinance of man, for the Lords ſake, whether unto the King as ſupreme, &c.

Now what is this but to advance the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt?

The honour and happineſſe of the King, that is,Covenant. honour him as a King of England by a cheerfull obedience unto his Lawes, in which conſiſts his greateſt happineſſe: honour him by your aſſiſtance as Subjects, ſupporting and ſuſtaining him by your ſupplies according to his important occaſions calling for the ſame: For, as Chriſt adviſed his Apoſtles to expreſſe their affections by keeping of his Commandements, if you love me (ſaith he) keep my Commandements, as if he ſhould have ſaid, if you love me you will keep my Commandements, and if you doe keep my Commandements, you then evidence that you love me; ſo in this reſpect obedience to and aſſiſtance of His Majeſtie are but expreſſions of honour, if you honour the King you will obey and aſſiſt him, if you obey and aſſiſt him, you make it appeare to the world that you do really honour him.

And Royall Poſterity, that is,Covenant. what Honour and Rights were juſtly due to the Father, render to his Children, deprive not them of any part of their inheritance, their regall honour and power.

The publike liberty, ſafety and peace of the Kingdome. Covenant.

That muſt needs imply theMagna Charta. Law; for, by that we are diſtinguiſhed from ſlaves; and in that we have ſecurity and ſafety with peace, the fruit of the obſervation of the Law.

Wherein every ones private condition is included. Covenant.

That is, Prince as well as people: O Lord bleſſe the Kings Majeſty and royall Poſterity, reſtore our Lawes to their vigor, and this poore Kingdome to a laſting peace.

Calling to mind the conſpiracies and practices of the enemies of God, Covenant. againſt the true Religion and profeſſors thereof.

That is, againſt the doctrinall part of our Religion,Vide the qualification of an oath behind. expreſſed in the 39. Articles of the Church of England: for common reaſon and your Proteſtation affirmeth it neceſſarily meant of our Religion eſtabliſhed, and againſt the maintainers, thereof.

Covenant. Calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots againſt the Law of the Kingdome,— that is, plots by ſuch waies and meanes, as the deplorable eſtate of Ireland long ſince was a ſad witneſſe of, whoſe rebellious and trayterors courſes againſt His Majeſties Royall Perſon, Crowne of England and Ireland, ſufficiently then ſpake their intentions to ſubvert both Religion and Law.

Covenant. We have now at laſt for preſervation of our ſelves and Religion from utter ruine and deſtruction— That againe, I ſay, according to reaſon, muſt have a reſpect to a Religion and Law that is eſtabliſhed; for it is improper and abſurd to ſay, much more vaine to ſweare, that I will preſerve that from ruine and deſtruction which is not in being, ruine preſuppoſing ſomthing that is to be deſtroyed; and preſervation ſomthing that otherwiſe will be ruined.

Thus you have the ground of this Covenant, (without mentall reſervation and equivocation, which if the contrivers had any, as ſince it appears they had, non ad vos pertinet, it ſavoureth too much of the Jeſuite, ipſi viderint, let them look to it, it concerneth not you to whom I write) according to the literall and Gramaticall ſenſe and conſonant to the Rules of Religion, Reaſon and Law explained; I proceed to the Covenant it ſelfe, wherein I ſhall obſerve the ſame religious, rationall and lawfull method.

i Art. Covenant. That we ſhall ſincerely, really and conſtantly (through the grace of God) endeavour in our ſeverall places and callings.

That is, according to the ſtation wherein God hath placed us, the King in his regall Power, Magiſtrates as derivatives from him in their places, Miniſters in theirs, private ſubordinate perſons according to their ſeverall degrees in theirs, none exceeding the rules proper to their peculiar Vocation; where by the way take notice, that although Superiours may and often do at one and the ſelf-ſame time performe both their owne duties and alſo actions proper to Inferiours, yet it is unlawfull for Inferiours to take upon them without lawfull Commiſſion the duty of Superiours; Lay private men muſt not in • ermeddle with what concerneth the proper duty of a Miniſter, nor muſt Divines wilfully intrench upon the bounds of the Civill Magiſtrates, nor they upon the Royall Fuction of the King; for this were to authorize confuſion, whereas God is the God of Order.Covenant:

Endeavour (That clauſe muſt be implied though not inſerted. Beſides it is alſo confeſſed as needfull in the exhortation for taking the Covenant, Ordered by the Houſe of Commons, Die Veneris Feb. 1643. Covenant. ſo far as lawfully I may) the preſervation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine.

That is, if their Reformed Religion be not contrary to the Word of God: this I adde, becauſe few in England know what it is in its Doctrinall part, but by an implicite faith; and I adde it the rather, becauſe the practice of the prevailing party there ſince theſe ſtormes firſt begun, ſo contrary to profeſſions, may occaſion ſuſpition of their doctrines ſincere truth, witneſſe their Declarations, and therein Proteſtations to maintaine the Kings Rights, &c. contradicted by aſſiſting endeavours to deprive him of his Rights.

In worſhip, diſcipline and government. That is, that Government which was eſtabliſhed, and ſo remained at the compiling of the Covenant, grant it the Presbyterian, by the lawfull and ſupreme power of that Kingdome, untill that government ſhall be altered by virtue of the ſelf-ſame power.

Againſt our common enemies. That is,Covenant. all who by unlawfull meanes, contrary to the Word of God, the Lawes and cuſtomes of that Nation, and the conſent of his Royall Majeſty, ſhall indeavour an inforced alteration thereof. And here by the way, as well for vindication of my ſelf and many others in England, as alſo ſeeing they eſteem the Presbyterian Government there ſo rich a purchaſed jewell, for their future ſecurity; I ſhall add thus much, that ſince they enjoyed that government ſo confirmed as they have by the Royall aſſ • nt, we never would have diſturbed them in their deſired poſſeſſion of their Church-government; as they have viſited (for I love mildneſſe in expreſſions in what concerneth my Countries intereſt) us by oaths and armes for an extirpation of Epiſcopacy, and for the future ſhall never intermeddle contrary to Reaſon, Religion or Law.

Covenant. The reformation of religion in the Kingdome of England and Ireland, &c. in Doctrine, Worſhip, Diſcipline and Government. according to the Word of God, and the example of the beſt reformed Churches.

As for the doctrine of the Church of England expreſſed in theThe doctrine of the Proteſtant Church in Ireland agreeable to them. 39. Articles, being grounded on a ſure foundation, the holy Scriptures (which are onely able to make us wiſe unto ſalvation) hath even to this very day, by the aſſiſtance, protection and efficaciouſly working of Gods Spirit in the hearts of many glorious pillars of our Church (reverend Biſhops and other pious and learned Divines) ſtood like a rock unſhaken, their tongues preaching, their pens maintaining, their bloods confirming the irreſiſtable prevailing truth thereof, againſt Turke, Jew, Jeſuite, and all other hereticall and ſchiſmaticall opponents whatſoever.

Thus much I am confident all neighbouring Proteſtant Churches will condeſcend unto: therefore I ſhall proceed.

Covenant. In Doctrine and Worſhip.

That is, all erroneous tenents and practices (whether Papiſticall, Schiſmaticall, or others) of thoſe qui ambulant poſt ſpiritum ſuum, againſt whom the Prophet denounceth a woe,Ezek. 13.3. who being departed from the1 Tim. 4.1. faith which they once profeſſed, are guided by the ſpirit of error, leading ſilly women, and unſtable mindes captive, by the whiſtling of every breath of their windy doctrine, being clad in ſheeps cloathing,Mat. 7.15. but inwardly ravenous Wolves: Examples of which nature, too too many offer them- themſelves in theſe unhappy times; wherein almoſt all things are countenanced, or at leaſt connived at as lawful, but lawful things; therefore let us pray, That the God of Peace and Truth would bring into the way of Truth and Peace all ſuch as have erred and been deceived, by ſeditious Schiſmatical guids, and erronious directions, and proſper thou, oh Lord, all their endeavours tending to ſuch a Reformation. Amen.

Diſcipline, Government according to the Word of God, Covenant. and the beſt Reformed Churches. —

Now the queſtion will be, which cometh neareſt to the Word of God.

That Epiſcopacy claimeth the neareſt alliance, truly entituling it ſelf to be of Apoſtolical Inſtitution, is a truth that hath been made good in all ages.

That for 1500 years continuance of Chriſtianity, there is no example of the Church Governed otherwiſe: An Argument ſufficient to ſuſpect Novelties in oppoſition unto it.

That it hath been approved of by moſt of the Proteſtant Divines beyond the Seas,Vide Eccleſiaſt Hiſtori •• . (who are rather induced by neceſſity to the practiſe of Presbytery, there wanting means to maintain, or abilities lawfully to compaſs Epiſcopal Government, them wills and deſires to enjoy the ſame: A ſtrong Argument, perſwading that our Church is the beſt Reformed:) is alſo an apparent truth.

That in all diſputes, eſpecially this latter,Doctor Hall againſt 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11. SMECTYMNVVS Since the War of the reverend and learned Remonſtrancer, againſt that odd Combination of * Letters, Epiſcopacy hath ſtood the field, triumphing in Reaſon and Religion, which have only perſwaded my judgment to an inclination thereunto, and an approbation thereof; and I preſume any one, not obſtinately prejudicate in their judgments, will ſoon be ſatisfied thereof, and agree with me herein; by the peruſal of that learned Biſhops writings, or by any, whoſe learning and judgments are able to inform them therein.

But to write truth, whether Epiſcopacy or Presbytery come neareſt to the Word of God, never was, nor at preſent is, the diſpute between His Majeſty and the two Houſes; but quis regnabit? Where the ſupream power, in Cauſes Eccleſiaſticall and Civil ſhall practically remain for the future, either in Prince or people: Nor indeed was it the end, that theſe Covenant-Contrivers did aim at. Witneſs their ſecond Article, wherein before tryal and examination (whereby truth or falſhood is made evident,) they, contrary to reaſon, paſs ſentence of condemnation upon it; therein poſitively ſwearing, without reſpect of perſons, (a ſtrange expreſſion, whereas the King is the firſt moving wheel of a new Law) to extirpate the Government it ſelf, that indeed being a Marble pillar, which firſt muſt be removed by them, before they can introduce their bloody-colour'd poſt of Presbytery; endeavouring in that Article to ingage the common peoples Conſciences, (though I ſhall by and by make good, that no mans Conſcience is thereby ingaged) to aſſiſt them, I mean the Plotters, to attain that which they had a pre-reſolution to effect, ſi non Precibus tunc vi, armiſque: —Since that plainly appearing as I have already ſhewed.

However that my deceived Countrymen may ſee how they have been abuſed into a belief of enjoying I know not how much happineſs under the term of Reformation in Church, now generally re-baptized Presbytery; I ſhall preſent to your veiw a ſhort Paralel, collected out of the writings of a pious, learned and conſcientious Divine, of theſe two Governments, Epiſcopal and Presbyterian.Doctor Fearne For, as for that illegitimate thing, that newborn brat Independency, it hath ſuch variety of ſhapes, and each of them alſo ſo monſtrous, that I ſhall not need to meddle with it at all, being Confident that it will ſoon be hiſſed out of the Kingdom by a Univerſal Conſent, or like Jonah's gourd vaniſh away, unthought of, in a moment. And here I cannot but inſert my admiration, to perceive ſo many men ſtill ſo firmly in their affections and Judgments, adhering to the preſent concluſive determinations of that changeable-coloured thing, nay, that word Parliament; when as it is that which hath ſo much abuſed even theſe firſt affecting perſons, the City of London in general, their miſ-lead ſupporters: Witneſs in particular, the preſent continuing impriſonment of the Lord Mayor, and Aldermen, and that ſtrange and uncivil expulſion out of the Leiutenan, cy of the Tower, that deſerving Gentleman Col. Francis Weſt without the leaſt pretended cauſe, even in the very middeſt of his expreſſed courteſies, and feaſting favours cofenr'd upon their great Don, and his followers; although he formerly was choſen by the general Vote, nay, acclamation of the whole City, approved of by themſelves, and indeed beloved by all; Only to make way for that unfl • dg'd Titmouſe of Manhood and Wit; that Imp of Independency Tichbourn, fitter, by far, mimically, again in his Fathers Chamber, to act a wanton girles part in a Commedy, then to have ſo great a part of truſt and commanding power, as he now hath conferred upon him. Oh Lord open the eyes of poor deceived England, eſpecially the City of London, and ſuffer them no longer to walk in darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of a ſenceleſs ſtupidity, thus like blind men, groping for the path of peace and truth, even at noon day.

But I proceed to the Paralel of theſe Eccleſiaſtical Governments. And in the firſt place, take their definitions in general.

Epiſcopacy, in it ſelf conſidered, is a prelacy or ſuperiority of one above all the Presbyters, within ſuch a precinct or dioceſs, which one is appointed to have care of all the Churches within that compaſs, and furniſhed with Power and Authority for Ordination and Juriſdiction (that Authority not being Arbitrary, but bounded by Laws, and adminiſtred or exerciſed with advice and aſſiſtance of cert • in choyce Presbyters;) to the intent, that all Churches or Congregations under him may be provided of able Paſtors, and that both theſe inferior Paſtors and people may perform the duties required of them. Preſsbytery is ſuch a form of Church-Government,Doctor Fearn in his book of Epiſcopacy & Presbytery conſidered. as is adminiſtred by preaching, and Lay Elders joyntly, with equal voice and power in the ſeveral Judicatories of their Parochial Seſſions, of their Claſſical or greater Conſiſtories, of their P • ovincial Synods,Page 3 and National Aſſemblies.

Now by this, if I miſtake not, you may perceive that they both agree in ipſo regimine Eccleſiaſtico, —in the Government it ſelf, conſidered as it referreth to the Church, that is, all Members therein that are to be governed, though not in the manner, number or qualification of the perſons governing; both parties confeſſing, that the power of Ordination, and of Judicature, (ſo far forth as the keys left by Chriſt in his Church do extend) is of Divine Inſtitution, and that this power muſt be exceciſed or adminiſtred in his Church by ſome; ſo that, I ſay, the difference is, whether the exerciſe or miniſtration of that power be reſtrained to certain choice men, or indifferently left to all Preſbyters, and their aſſiſting Lay Elders: — For none will accuſe themſelves guilty of ſo much ignorance and folly, as to affirm, that the decent Ceremonies, and innocent Veſtm ••• s of the Church, as Croſs in Baptiſm, Surpleſs, Cope &, the like, were practiſed & impoſed, as eſſential, and inſeparably neceſſary adjuncts to the Government it ſelf: All which, rather then contention for them, ſhould have extended to blood, might, nay would have been, by the condeſcention of His Majeſty, quietly layd aſide, needing not the peremptorineſs of the ſword to ſilence them.

I. Under epiſcopal there is in every Pariſh a preaching Miniſter, with Churchwardens; and in ſome Deacons or Curates, by theſe offenders are noted and admoniſhed, and the offences preſented to the Eccleſiaſtical Courts or Confiſtories, where they may be heard and cenſured the Miniſter having power in ſome caſes of notorious ſcandal, to reſtrain from the Communion, untill the offence may be heard and judged in the Court and the party ſo offending, by the cenſure of the Church brought to give publike ſatisfaction. Under the Presbyterian Government there is in every Pariſh a Miniſter, with a competent number of Lay Elders and Deacons; according to the largeneſs of the Pariſh: Theſe make the Parochial Seſſion, and have power to cenſure ſcandalous livers, contentious perſons, and the like, to enjoyn publike penance, and impoſe upon the penitent, before he be received into the Church, a fine to be imployed on pious uſes. II. Under Epiſcopal, in every dioceſs, there are ſeveral diviſions, the leſſer and the greater, theſe being called Deanries, there is Arch-Deconries, in thoſe the Arch-Presbyters, in theſe the Arch-Deacons have power to call the Parochial Miniſters together to enquire of doctrine and manners, and ſee to the redreſſing of ſmaller abuſes. In the Mother City is the Biſhop reſiding with his Presbyters, having the power of Ordination of judging and determining of all matter of doctrine or ſcandal, reſerevd to his hearing by his Arch-Deacons, and of rejudging what was judged amiſs by them: This he doth, either in his Conſiſtory, which he holdeth in his City, aſſiſted by his Presbyters; or in his Vſitiations, going through his dioceſs, and cauſing his Clergy perſonally to appear, or in his dioceſan Synod, which is made up of the City Presbyters, Dean and Chapter, the Arch-Deacons, and other choice Presbyters under the preſidency of the Biſhop. Under the Presbyterian in every County, there are alſo ſeveral diviſions or Claſſes, containing ſuch a number of Parochiall Miniſters, who have their ſet meetings for conference; and in the City, or more eminent Town, is the great Presbyterian Conſiſtory, commonly called the Presbytery, made up of all the Parochiall Miniſters within its precincts; and of Lay Elders, from each Pariſh one; in this is the power of Ordination, of cenſuring crimes of the higher ſtrain, with the greater Excommunication of hearing appeals from the Parochial Seſſions, and rejudging what was there judged amiſs. III. Under Epiſcopal Government are held Provincial Synods, conſiſting of all the Biſhops, Deans, Arch-Deacons, and of certain choice Presbyters from every dioceſs within the Province; theſe have power to order all matters concerning the whole Province, to hear appeals from every Dioceſs, to rejudg what is done amiſs, that could not be well determined in a Di • ceſan Synod. Under the Presbyterian alſo are held Provincial Synods, made up of Commiſſioners, that is, certain preaching, and Lay Elders from every Individual Presbytery, or Presbyterian Conſiſtory, within the Province: Theſe judg and determine matters pertaining to the whole Province: Alſo, all difficult caſes, that could not well be determined within the Presbytery, they receive appeals alſo from the Presbyters, and examine what was there thought to be done amiſs. IIII. Under Epiſcopal Government are alſo held National Councels, conſiſting of the like Members as do the Provincial, theſe are of greateſt au • hority: they examine and judg any thing done amiſs any in Province: they conſider and determine matters of Doctrine and Diſcipline inorder to the whole Nationall Church. Under the Presbyterian, likewiſe, are held National Aſſemblies, conſiſting of Commiſſioners from all the Presbyteries in the Kingdom, each of them ſending two preaching, and one Lay Elder; alſo from every Burrough one, and he a Lay man; and from every Univerſity one, and for the moſt part a Ley man too: In theſe is the ſupream and finall determination of all complaints and controverſies, and unto the decrees that iſſue thence, all muſt obey under pain of Excommunication.

Now theſe premiſes impartially conſidered, which of theſe two Governments have the more effectual means to procure the end of Church Government, the preſervation of truth and peace, the ſuppreſſion of Hereſie and Schiſm, let any rational unbyaſs'd-minded man judg; For my part, I ingenuouſly confeſs that it is contrary to common reaſon, in my apprehenſion, that Lay-men, from whoſe education no knowledg extraordinary beyond their trades and ſuch like affairs can be expected, (although it is true that many are furniſhed with knowing parts, yet as true that the moſt in a Nation are altogether defective therein) can be as fit inſtruments for ſuch kind of imployments as grave and learned Divines, whoſe only buſineſs it is to tread the path of all arts both humane and divine; ſo that if this continue in England, what I once read alledged againſt the Papal Conſiſtory, that they did potius numerare ſuffragia quam argumenta pondirare; number rather their Votes, then weigh the ſolidity of their Arguments; will, I fear, be our deſerved cenſure.

Again conſider further, Biſhops aſſume not the exerciſe of any power within any Princes Dominions, or uſe it over his ſubjects but by permiſſion and authority from him, and that according to juſt Laws and Rules made by ſoveraign Authority for the manner of external Miniſtration thereof, ſo that when the Epiſcopal power cometh to the holding of Courts and calling Aſſemblies, it wholy depends on the ſoveraign power;25 Hen. 8.19. without whoſe Aſſent, ſignified by his writ, they cannot aſſemble for the making of Canons and Conſtitutions, nor publiſh and put in u • e any of them being made.

Now Presbyterians take upon them to ſet up their Diſcipline in a Kingdom (therein indeed ſhaking hands with Jeſuited Papiſts,) maugre all oppoſition; It is true for external peace ſake they hold it fit to crave leave firſt and beg the aſſiſtance of the Civil Power, but if denyed, will proceed without it, aſſembling together and making their own Laws without regulations from the Civil Power, for the manner and form of exerciſing their Diſcipline, allowing only the Prince, Potestatem Cumulativam (as they ſpeak) a power to add more ſtrength and vigour, not Privativam, to interpoſe or hinder their aſſemblies or decrees. And in this reſpect it were to be wiſhed that England had never proved exemplary, as now in theſe latter times it doth by ſuch kind of proceedings; The fountain from whence hath iſſued too ny bloody ſtreams.

And here it will not be amiſs to preſent the Reader with the grounds and reaſons enforcing his Majeſty with his loyal Subjects aſſiſtance to defenſive Arms, and in that a Declaration of my own in particular and many thouſand Engliſh Proteſtant Judgments more, whoſe pens, tongues and hands only endeavored a reſtoration of his Royal Majeſty to his juſt regal honor and authority.

Themſelves and their fellow-ſubjects unto their due liberties both Parliamentary and private.

The preſervation of the Proteſtant Religion in the Doctrine and Profeſſion of the Church of England againſt all Papiſts and Sectaries.

The maintenance of the Government of the Church of England, as it ſtandeth ſtill by Law eſtabliſhed until the Law of the Land ſhall make alteration thereof; not ſo peremptorily maintaining the continuance of Epiſcopal Government, as to enforce the remaining of its general practice in England, by force of Arms in oppoſition and againſt his Majeſties (ſuppoſe that the King could or would diſpence with his Coronation Oath) will and conſent to that purpoſe cheerfully and voluntarily ratified; (not by the preſſing violence of almoſt unavoydable neceſſity or tyrannizing power of the prevailing Sword) but freely confirmed and declared by Act of Parliament, although peradventure they may mourn the alteration and abrogation of ſo ancient and apoſtolical a Government.

But becauſe my Judgment pleadeth for Epiſcopacy, and it hath been an argument much urged againſt the Biſhops, and in them the Government it ſelf defamed — That

That formerly they ſilenced ſeverall godly Miniſters, prohibiting them and others the exerciſe of holy duties; becauſe they did only exerciſe duties that were holy; I ſhal write my thoughts freely herein; For, far be it from me to ſpeak againſt, or any to forbid the Exerciſe of holy duties, as hearing, praying, reading, living ſtrictly, Endeavouring to have a Conſcience void of offence towards God, and towards Men: No, no, the practice of them in ſincerity is the high way to Heaven, for without holineſſe none ſhall ſee God; but in the mean time, take heed what you hear, beware of ſwallowing poyſon wrapped up in Leaves of gold; take heed of theſe who have a forme of Godlineſſe, a forme in Practice onely; that under pretence of long Prayers and outſide piety, devour Widdows houſes, that deny the truth of the word of God, the holy Scriptures; by their falſe Doctrines ſeducing many into erronious Opinions, the parents of worſe ſucceeding actions.

For my part, if any did ſo forbid performance of holy duties, as I am altogether ignorant of any ſuch; nor can eaſily be induced to believe it, howſoever were I aſſured of its truth, I would not minima defendere peccata, plead an excuſe for them.

But if then they did (as I believe they did) onely by ſuſpenſions endeavour to prevent the ſowing of the ſeeds of ſedition, ſchiſme and hereſie, or the growth thereof to any ſtrength, either in publick or in private, (as it was there) and is the duty of all Eccleſiaſticall Governours, they did no more then what the law of God and the land gave them a warrant for; therefore let every one as well take heed of calling good, evill; as tearming evill to be good: for in all probability, had ſuch preventing-remedies as theſe been timely applied, when ſedition, ſchiſme and hereſie firſt opened their black mouths, we never had arrived at this high degree (as at this preſent we are) of variety of Errours and pernicious deſtructive Opinions— O Lord have mercy upon us.

But grant that ſome of them ſtretched the exerciſe of power beyond its lawfull bounds, and in that reſpect were guilty, deſerving puniſhment.

What, is the fault of one or more Biſhops to the Government it ſelf? could not the errours of particular perſons be reformed, or puniſhed but by an extirpation of the whole Government? durus eſt hic ſermo, it is hard indeed, if God for the ſin of two, Adam and Eve, nay of many thouſands more, ſhould have therefore denied mercy and reconciliation to all mankind. How everlaſtingly unhappy would the reſidue of the world have been! Deliver us good God from the cruell dealings of men, and if affliction muſt be our portion, let us fall into thy hands, O Lord, for thy mercy endureth for ever.

As for the remaining clauſes in the firſt Article, viz. Of bringing the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the neareſt uniformity, &c. theſe things conſidered:

Covenant. That the Diſcipline of the Church of God is most Conſonant to the word of God, approved of, and deſired by forraigne Divines, and therefore the beſt reformed; not intrenching with the Papiſts upon the Civill power, nor with them, denying the Kings ſupremacy in cauſes Eccleſiaſticall, agreeing beſt with Monarchy, confirmed by the Law of the Land. Other Churches therefore (according to the rule of reaſon and religion) within His Majeſties Dominions, ſhould rather conform to ours, then the uniformity of ours in Religion, Government, and Worſhip admit a change, or be transformed into any other form: To this purpoſe, O Lord, inſpire the univerſal Church with the ſpirit of truth, unity, and concord, and grant that all that do Confeſſe thy holy name may live in peace and godly love one with another. Amen.

Covenant. This limitation is approved by the Parliament, as behind, fol. 53. That we ſhall in like manner; that is, in a lawfull manner according to the word of God, endevour the extirpation of Popery, — that is, their tenents of tranſubſtantiation, worſhipping of Images, praying to Saints, Preaching good works as meritorious to everlaſting life and ſalvation, that Kings for diverſe reſpects may be Depoſed by the people, that then Subjects Oaths of Alleagiance may be diſpenſed with, King James Apol. Oath Alleg. with their deniall of the Kings Supremacy in all Cauſes as well Eccleſiaſticall and Civill, and the like; Endeavour extirpation of theſe by execution of good Laws already eſtabliſhed againſt their Errours and Profeſſours thereof, by that meanes preventing their further growth, hindring their ſeducing of ignorant and unwary people, and in caſe of Conſpiracy and Treaſon againſt the Kings Majeſty, His Queen, or Royall off-ſpring, the diſturbance of the Peace of Church and State, by complaining of their attempts and deeds to the Magiſtrate, leaving them to the juſtice of the Law: and laſtly, by recovering them by ſtrength of holy arguments (as with ſtrong phiſick) from that infection of their judgment and conſciences, and their ſoul-poyſoning hereſies, praying continually in the fervency of the ſpirit for their converſion.

But before I proceed to the next words (Extirpation of Church-Government by Biſhops, &c.) I muſt deſire the Reader to reflect back upon what I have already written concerning the Limitations of an Oath, briefly thus, That no unlawfull Oath bindeth, Vide fol. 46. nor muſt unlawfull means be uſed for the compaſſing for effecting any thing in it ſelf lawfull, &c.

Extirpation of Government by Arch-biſhops, Biſhops, Covenant. their Chancellors, &c. That is, by uſing all lawfull means warrantable by the law of God and the Kingdome, to that end, as petitioning the ſupream Magiſtrate the King, or any other way if any other way can be imagined, not I ſay, intrenching upon the law of God.

For, were an abolition hereof abſolutely neceſſary, conducing to the generall peace of the Kingdom, as it is upon good grounds, believed, rather altogether diſtructive thereunto; will you buy a temporall peace upon ſuch unequal termes, as to hazard your ſoul eternally (unleſſe the mercy of God interpoſe) by wilfull perjury in the purchaſe, and gain an eating curſe to your Poſterity by Sacriledge? Beſides, it is againſt the Principles of all Governments, the Law of God, and the Land, to enforce an alteration by bloody force, as I have already ſhewed.

Nay, you doe not onely hereby make your ſelves guilty of perjury, treaſon, bloud and ſacriledge, but you endeavour to compell His Majeſty to the breach of His Oath taken at His Coronation, wherein He ſwore to Defend the Biſhops, their priviledges, and Churches under their government.

Again, were the Preſbyterian government abſolutely good, & ſo out of neceſſity the Epiſcopal muſt be removed, as it is not, yet a bloudy eradication is proculdubio, unlawfull, for we muſt not do evill, that good may come thereof; we muſt not like mad Mariners deſperately ſteer our courſe amongſt Rocks, hoping to arrive at a rich freight, leſt we ſhipwrack our ſelves here, and loſe the end of our voyage, our hopes hereafter; therefore let all men, take heed of pretending a neceſſity of keeping this one Article of extirpation, becauſe they have ſo Covenanted; unleſſe they will make good alſo a neceſſity of breaking all Gods Commandements; which is an high degree of Blaſphemy to maintain, for that is, impia promiſſio quae ſine ſcelere impleri non poteſt, non que obligat; no Law obligeth in oppoſition to the Gods Law; if it doth binde, it is to a repentance only; Therefore Recollect your thoughts now, for your owne Experience cannot but acquainte you, that a violent deprivation of the Kings Regall power was at firſt the contrivers deſigne; and now plainly appeareth to be the Reſult of the Warre on their part; and reflect upon the almoſt ſix years means made uſe of; or rather ſinnes committed to effect the accompliſhment thereof; as Envy, Hatred, Malice, Hypocriſie, publick pretences of Reformation, private intentions of Eradication, and Deformation, revilings of His Majeſties Royall Perſon and Government, Scandalizing of the Engliſh Nationall Church, abominable Lying, contempt of Superiors, forceing of mens Conſciences, Diſloyalty, Perjury, Theft, Bloodſhedding, nay, all imaginable Sinnes, with renewing of old Hereſies, and raiſing of all manner of Schiſmes. Now if you love your ſelves and your ſoules, and would not contract the guilt of all theſe ſinnes upon your owne heads; and as it were ſet your Seal of confirmation and approbation to the Sinnes of others; thus heaping up wrath againſt the day of wrath, be perſwaded to deſert theſe Plotters, and their Deſignes perſiſt not; (contrary to Reaſon and Religion) in a rigid and ſinfull keeping of that extirpating Article. Now ſeeing the day-ſtar appeareth, and every one (who formerly were wraped up in the night of miſtakes and miſapprehenſions, or blinded with the ſilken veile of a good Opinion of the Contrivers, (becauſe outwardly they appeared in Angelicall habits) may without ſpectacles read that their pretences were only to uſher in the intention; therefore the plea of ignorance and good meaning as formerly, can no longer be uſed, but be perſwaded to come out from among theſe progreſſive ROOTERS, leſt continuing with them in Sinne; you alſo with them partake of puniſhment. For God is juſt, as well as mercifull.

Covenant. Superſtition, Hereſie, Schiſme, and Profaneſſe, &c. For the reſidue of this ſecond Article having already written ſomething (which alſo may aptly be applyed to theſe) when I handled the word Popery, I ſhall only turne it into a Prayer; yet becauſe Schiſme is joyned with the reſt; if it were a time in theſe ſad times, to jeſt, I ſhould make it good, Rationally that your Contriving Presbyterians have in that, Sworn againſt their owne Practice; for although the Proteſtant Church, like the Spouſe in the Canticles is black; that is, not appearing genuina gloria, by reaſon of ſtormy weather; yet ſtill ſhe is Comly; ſtill in her doctrine and diſcipline unaltered, remaining firme upon its old eſtabliſhed foundation, notwithſtanding the violent Endeavours of their changing times; nor was their Presbyterian Government then extant, and as yet but an infant, for want of the Royall aſſent, being neither able to ſtand, goe, or ſpeak; they themſelves alſo very well knew, what the word Schiſme in an Eccleſiaſticall ſenſe meaneth; how that ille Schiſmaticus qui a ritu Eccleſiae petulanter, & ambitionis ſtudio diſcedit; that Separateth himſelfe upon a proud Phariſaicall conceit of holineſſe from the Communion of the Church, in the performance of Religious acts. But I paſſe that by, Praying that God, the ſearcher of all hearts, would be pleaſed to root out of all our hearts and mindes the deſtroying blindneſſe of Superſtition, the ſpreading Leproſie of Hereſie, the peace-Eating Gangren of Schiſme, the tainting Corrupt humours of Profaneſſe, and all other things diſpleaſing unto him, and contrary to His word, that we enjoy a bleſſed harmonious conſent in Truth and Godlineſſe, expreſſing the power thereof in our lives and converſations, and that the Lord may be One, and his name One in theſe three Kingdomes.

We ſhall with the ſame ſincerity, 3 Article. Covenant. &c. Endeavour to preſerve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament: Theſe are — freedome of expreſſing mens judgements, & if taken in a comprehenſive compleate ſenſe, (King, Lords and Commons) power to repeal old, and Eſtabliſh new Lawes; to which every Subject is bound to yeild obedience: Only thus much let me adde, that no Priviledges of one or both Houſes can Patronize Treaſon, Murder,Vide Lex terrae. J. Jenkens. or breach of the Peace, by their own confeſſion; nor is it indeed conſonant to reaſon; that they, whoſe firſt inſtitution was ordained for preſervation; ſhould themſelves practice or command deſolation; whoſe Conſultations ſhould tend to the prevention of Treaſonable and Rebellious excurſions; & their concatenated effects, diſſolution of the band of a nationall Peace, effuſion of bloud; by impoſing (to that purpoſe) penalties & puniſhments upon the offenders; ſhould amidſt ſuch conſultations be practically guilty themſelves of the ſame Crimes; they ſhould be guiltleſs that condemne the guilty.

Preſerve the Liberties of the Kingdomes, That is, as Kingdomes having liberties by the Law and Cuſtome thereof diſtinct one from the other;Covenant. to preſerve each of them, free from any uſurping power and unlawfull intrenching one upon the Other. And in this reſpect it were to be wiſhed, that our Northern friends had kept cloſe in their practice: and that England for the future, would take care to defend its particular Intereſts.

Liberties of the Kingdomes, not Libertiniſme in a Kingdome. But Liberties, that is, the Liberty of each man therein, which as Natives, or otherwiſe belong unto them according to the fundamentall Conſtitution and Law of each reſpective Nation: now this Liberty muſt neceſſarily have a reſpect to all degrees of men therein. Pray then let us not exclude the head of all, the King, as I have touched in my obſervation upon the preamble, eſpecially having ſworn in the next Clauſe to Preſerve and Defend the Kings Majeſties Perſon, Covenant. &c. That is, Not to hazard His Perſon by oppoſing Armies in the field, where the ignorant Bullet cannot diſtinguiſh perſons; Nor by adminiſtring the leaſt occaſion of heart-grieving & melancholy ſadneſſe; the ſlie, yet certain impairers of health, & menacers of the bodies ruine; nor by, and actions or ſpeeches derogatory to the honour of a King, and not becomming the duty of a Subject; for you all know what greived David moſt; and who it was that ſaid, At quod tu facis, hoc mihi dolet — Subjects inſurrections againſt, and inſolent abuſes of their King, (like the apprehenſion of an injury received from an intimate friend) non tam cito tangit quam penetrat, like an arrow pierceth the very heart, upon an inſtant, therefore this is not the way to preſerve the Kings perſon.

Covenant. Vide more to make this good backward. And Authority — Now, what that is I have already ſhewed, how that to Him belongeth the power of making and repealing Lawes, War or Peace, &c.

In the preſervation of the true Religion & Liberties of the Kingdom. Covenant.

This, upon Rationall grounds muſt neceſſarily imply Religion and Liberties, in eſſe, not poſſe or velle, as I have already obſerved; Now both this Religion in eſſe by Law eſtabliſhed, and the Kingdomes Liberties: His Majeſty hath preſerved, & ſtil doth, even with the loſſe of his own Defence, the Kingdomes true Liberties. And for His Religion I atteſt His very Enemies confeſſion, to make good His conſtant Perſeverance therein, and preſervation thereof: my ſelf in this particular eſteeming it, melius ſilere quam pauca dicere, admiration ſupplying the place of Expreſſion.

O therefore, that the world may bear witneſſe with your Conſciences of your Loyalty, that is,Covenant. faithfull obedience to your Soveraigne, (notwithſtanding former aberrations through ignorance) and that you, for your parts had no thoughts or intents to diminiſh that juſt power and greatneſſe which belongeth unto him by the Law: Uſe your beſt endeavours to free Him from this unparallel'd and unjuſt reſtraint, and reſtore Him to His Regall power and poſſeſſion of His Royall prerogative. Thus you will be inſtrumentall reſtorers, of Englands Honour, Peace, and Glory; and doe not content your ſelves, (as too many doe) that you have only ſworn to maintaine the Kings Juſt Rights, when as your actions Endeavour the contrary, or endeavour not at all the maintenance of them, contrary unto this Clauſe of your Covenant.

We ſhall alſo with all faithfullneſſe endeavour the diſcovery of all ſuch as have been, or ſhall be Incendiaries, Malignants, 4. Article. Covenant. or evill Inſtruments by hindring the Reformation of Religion, &c. Who hindreth Reformation, and a reduction of Religion to the purity of practice, but thoſe who hitherto have countenanced and ſtill connive at a Toleration of all Erroneous practices, Schiſme, &c. contrary to the ſecond Article of this Covenant, hereby making themſelves guilty; for Qui non vetat peccare cum poteſt, Jubet.

Dividing the King from His people — Are not they ſuch dividers who have taken up armes only to deprive His Majeſty of His Regall Power? Declared him not in a condition to governe;Covenant. Anſwers to Scots Papers, Novemb. 1647. Dec. Anſwer to Scots Papers, 13 March 1647. and by impriſonment of Him, diſabled Him from performing His duty as a King, by protecting His Subjects; and by Proclamations enjoyning their Obedience to the eſtabliſhed Lawes? Who have divided the Kingdome from the King! but ſuch, as by their actions,Negat. Oath. Oathes and Declarations have endeavoured to frame Rem publicam in Regno; Supreamacy in the people never heard of, nor ever practiſed in this Nation before, in oppoſition to His Majeſties juſtly Supream power; going about to transforme this Kingdome into a body with two heads, which is monſtrous and contrary to nature, and to contrive two ſhining Suns in Englands Hemiſphear, which was ever ominous, and Prognoſticatours of Deſtruction.

Who divide one Kingdom from another, making factions among the people, and cauſing fractions in their duties and affections, but they that invite the aſſiſting invaſion of neighbour Nations, maintaining Armies within its one bowells, to effect an alteration of Government by force? Who divide one Kingdome from another, but they that neglect, nay, deny timely ſupplies, whereby Ireland might have been reduced, in Obedience to His Majeſty, and the Law of the Land; the want whereof diſabled the Proteſtant party there, and enableth the Iriſh Papiſts to divide themſelves from the Crown of England and Ireland, endangering alſo the ruine of our own Nation; and all theſe contrary to the common rules of Humanity, much more Chriſtianity? and in oppoſition alſo, to the Law of the Land and this League and Covenant, thus rightly, Rationally and Religiouſly expounded.

Covenant. That they, that is, Incendiaries, Malignants, &c. may be brought to publick triall, and receive condigne puniſhment as the degree of their Offences ſhall require.

For this part of the Article I have nothing to write but this Secundum Leges fiat Juſtitia, may Juſtice take place, running down like a ſtream; yet becauſe non ſanguinis homo; Miſericordia praevaleat opto, may they all finde pardon for their Treaſon and Rebellion againſt our Soveraign Lord the King, & the Laws in this world, mercy & forgiveneſs for all their ſins againſt the God of Heaven in the world to come. To this purpoſe it were to be wiſhed they would follow the often reiterated advice of Reverend Judge Jenkens, to reſtore His Majeſty to His Throne, and procure a gracious Pardon from Him, with an all-burying Act of Oblivion.

O that men would in this their day, perceive thoſe wayes wich do lead to Peace and Truth, and walk therein before they be hidden from their eyes.

And whereas the happineſſe of a bleſſed Peace between theſe Kingdomes, that is, 5. Article Covenant. by the union of the three Kingdomes under One King, profeſſing the truth of Religion, governing by His eſtabliſhed Law; denyed in former times to our Progenitours, is by the providence of God granted unto us, &c. —

So that, now we are no more Aliens, nay Neighbours, but Brethren; not envying one anothers happineſſe and proſperity, being not infeſted with offenſive or defenſive Acts of hoſtility upon either of our borders, but reciprocally endeavouring one anothers peace and welfare, mutually joying in the enjoyment of one anothers happineſſe; Let each of us endeavour that the Kingdomes may remaine in ſuch a firme peace and union, that is, by our mutuall obedience to our Soveraigne, and the Laws of each reſpective Nation, and in brotherly love one towards another.

Amen, O heavenly Father. Give us to this end powerfull endeavours to make good our Covenant accordingly. —

And may Juſtice be done to the wilfull oppoſers in manner expreſſed in the precedent Article.

We ſhall alſo according to our places in this common cauſe of Religion, Liberty, and peace of the Kingdomes, 6. Article. Covenant. aſſiſt and defend by all lawfull meanes all thoſe that enter into this League and Covenant, &c. nor ſhall we make defection to the contrary part, but ſhall oppoſe and hinder —

That is, all ſuch who envying our bleſſed union thus religiouſly lawfully cemented, ſhal oppoſe us and it, endeavouring by heretical erroneous divulged poſitions to diſhonour God and robbe him of his glory; by ſeditious doctrines; to infuſe into the people a diſloyal ſpirit of Treaſon and Rebellion againſt the Kings Majeſty His heires and ſucceſſours; of diſobedience to Him and His lawfull Commands; whereby His honour is deſpiſed, the generall good of the Kingdomes not onely neglected, • ut much endangered: all which we ſhall do as in the ſight of God.

And becauſe theſe Kingdomes are guilty of many ſins againſt God and his Son Chriſt Jeſus as by our preſent diſtractions & dangers too manifeſtly appeareth. Let us all pray that the God of heaven and earth would give us his grace of humiliation for our own particular, & the general ſins of this Nation, eſpecially that we have not valued the ineſtimable benefit of the Goſpel, nor received Chriſt into our hearts: conforming our lives and actions to his practice and precept; but rather have made uſe of the liberty and freedome which we had by Chriſt from the rigorous exaction and condemning power of the Law,Gal. 5.13. as an occaſion to neglect and altogether to deny our obedience to the Law as the rule of direction. Notwithſtanding that thou who art truth it ſelf, haſt told us that the end of thy comming was to fulfill and not to deſtroy the Law;5 Mat. 17. Nevertheleſſe we deſpiſe it, running madly into ſin as an horſe ruſheth into the battaile. Let us further pray that God would beſtow upon us his grace of aſſiſtance, whereby we may be enabled to amend our lives; to performe all holy actions required by himſelfe, to himſelf, according to his revealed will, all our duties towards Men according to their ſeverall degrees and places, Honour and obedience to the King as Supreame, to whom they primarily belong; to all ſubordinate Magiſtrates as rivelets ſtreaming from him the Spring; Forgiving all our enemies, perſecutors and ſlanderers, praying God (who hath the hearts of all men at command, winding them which way he pleaſe as he doth the Rivers of water) to pardon their ſins and turne their hearts, and cauſe us to live in love, peace and charity one with another. Thus let us ſhew an example of a reall reformation, that the Lord may turne away his wrath and heavy indignation, and reſtore truth and peace to theſe Churches and Kingdoms, which God out of his infinite mercy grant. Amen. Amen.

To draw to a concluſion, I ſhall (by way of a briefe recollection) propound ſome few queſtions to my poor deceived Country-men which their owne knowledge can anſwer.

Had the irregular faction of the two Houſes intended as they only pretended a reformation of ſome errours, which perhaps like Cobwebs in an uninhabited houſe, were growne through too much ſecurity a crime incident to an uninterrupted peace in Kingdomes, they might have been ſwep't downe with the milde beeſome of Inſtruction, and care taken to prevent the like for future, and needed not to have pull'd downe the building to take them away.

Did ever His Majeſty in all His tranſaction by His Meſſages and Declarations ſince theſe unhappy times, propoſe any new thing for the inlargement of His owne Prerogative, or derogatory to the Law of the Land, and more particularly that part thereof which concerneth the Subjects Liberty?

Did the King Patronize any Inſtruments who ranne formerly beyond the juſt bounds of the Law from condigne puniſhment? Did He ever practice Popery truely ſo called, or propoſe any thing that to the moſt jealous and ſuſpicious thoughts might in after-times have occaſioned the introduction thereof?

Or did he ever adminiſter the leaſt ground to fear his recidivation from the Proteſtant Religion, but rather hath evidenced the contrary by His Practice, Proclamations, Declarations and Commands?

Did not His Majeſty ever firſt ſend Meſſages of Peace and reconciliation;Vid. all His Meſſages. Col. Parl. Ordin. Wooing His Subjects to the enjoyment of their owne Tranquility and happineſſe?

On the contrary, have not the irregular faction of the two Houſes, notwithſtanding their pretences of Religion and Law; ſubverted the ancient Law and Liberty of our Nation, and defamed the Religion eſtabliſhed abrogating its formes of Worſhip?

This will appear if you conſider

That in all their addreſſes though pretending Peace they never endeavoured a reconciliation between His Majeſty and themſelves in ſuch a manner, whereby a mutuall ſatisfaction and ſecurity might have been given and received as it is requiſite, between two differing parties, but they muſt have all; giving His Majeſty no ſatisction at all?

Did they ever command the practice of the Religion and formes of worſhip eſtabliſhed (notwithſtanding their pretended maintenance thereof?) or did they ever ſo much as conſult about preſervation thereof, but on the contrary have ſuffered hereſies, Schiſmaticall opinions openly to be Preached and Printed, contrary to the ſame Government?

Did not His Majeſty yeild to the ſetling of the Preſbyterian Government for three years in a Legall manner, as flowing from the power of the Crowne? But this would not ſatisfie. — They like ſtrange gameſters, fling at all, they muſt have totaliter totum. —

Therefore conſider hereof, you have againe the reſult of the deſigne Epitomized. — Nolunt hunc regnare. — Their Writings, Actions, paſt, preſent, (although ſpiced over with never ſo many plauſible pretences) affirme no leſſe.

O Engliſh-men let me expoſtulate with you; Did all of you, nay did any of you ſix years paſt by your firſt aſſiſtance, intend what you now ſee brought to paſſe? — The frame of your Government altered. — Your King your Soveraigne a Priſoner. I am confident that few or none of you, (you I meane to whom I write, contributers of your aſſiſtance, not knowing wilfull contrivers) had then no ſuch intentions; Why then by ſilence will you ſuffer the guilt of theſe bloody deſigners to be originally pinn'd upon your back?

Take notice that ſin-guilty men are of a nature much like the Plague, they love to have company in infection, avoid the one therefore as you would flie from the other, follow the common Proverbe, Set the ſaddle upon the right horſe.

Weigh in your thoughts paſt and preſent actions; have they not ſufficiently abuſed you, you deceived, miſlead, Londoners I meane?

Could you ever ſome years paſt, have ſuppoſed that an Army, formerly ſtiling themſelves your protecting friends, • July 1647. ſhould by an oppoſing march come againſt you; ſlaying even at your City wals ſome ingaged for your and its defence? that the Cannons mouth ſhould by them be turned againſt your dwellings; that your defenſive meanes of preſervation within your wals, your Chaines I meane, by the prevalency of that faction, ſhould be knock'd off?

Could you then expect or fear to be thus domineered over by ſuch bucklers, and the Lording ſwords? I am certaine ſuch thoughts could not then poſſeſſe you. Now, all this being true, why will you by your too too paſſiveneſſe be continuers of your owne Miſeries?

Conſider further, do you all expect Clavum regni tenere? doe you all hope to be Kings? to governe? none obey? you cannot entertaine ſuch vaine conceipts.

Do you expect that liberty ſhould be granted in Civill affaires? Vitam ſine lege vivere to live without a Law. — No no: deceive not your ſelves — your cunning Maſters that have hitherto blindfolded you and led you by the noſe; will, when they have gained the full command of the reines, make you paſſive in any thing that their ambition, malice, and covetouſneſſe ſhall (though falſely) ſuggeſt as neceſſary and convenient. — Therefore be perſwaded to a deſertion of them and their deſignes. What though you have got a ſcratch or two in your reputation, by your former erroneous actions; would you rather have it feſter through neglect, and ſo indanger the loſſe of a member, then apply this ſalve of a penitentiall returne, which will heale you in a moment? Non eſt pernicioſum in praelio vulnerari, ſed poſt vulnus acceptum vulneri medicamentum non applicare; It is more madneſſe to refuſe a cure, then diſhonour to receive a wound.

Is it not a far better, happier Government, and freer from oppreſſion to live under our Soveraigne Lord the King, Ruling His Subjects by a written Law, and reſigning the Miniſters of that Law (if they neglect executing Juſtice and Judgement according to the direction thereof) to the ſtrictly ſearching examination of a Parliament, (one of their proper workes) and according to their merit by them to receive Puniſhment, then under a company of Tyrannicall perſons (quibus voluntates ſolummodo leges) governing according to their owne wils, and from whom there is no appeale?

Once more therefore, let me earneſtly deſire all my abuſed and deceived Country-men, to returne to the God of heaven by a true and unfeigned repentance to their Soveraigne in Loyall affections, and obedienciall actions, to their Country in a true hearted fidelity.

And here although I have not the leaſt cauſe (knowing the principles of Religion on which they ſtand, to doubt their contrary practice) yet for the further advancement of His Majeſties Honour, their owne reputations as Engliſh Proteſtants, Vindication of the Kings ſo juſt a Cauſe, and ſtopping the mouthes of envious men, who watch for reviling opportunities, let me adde this requeſt, to all thoſe who by the aſſiſting and directing power of the Almighty God have ever ſince theſe diſmall dayes of bloody diſloyalty, been kept in the ſtraight path of obedience to His Majeſty, That they would invite all former wanderers out of that way, unto a returne, by perſwaſive arguments of reaſon, ſound principles of Religion, alluring expreſſions of affection, laying aſide all bitterneſſe of ſpirit, revenge and hatred, the bane of Peace and reconciliation, forgetting all former deviations; putting a difference between the efficient and inſtrumentall cauſe, I meane the contrivers of this Rooting deſigne and the Inſtruments, who were abuſed into unlawfull actions by ſpecious pretences, and know not the end to which theſe beginnings did tend; conſidering that though Nature hath equally beſtowed eyes upon all birds, yet ſhe hath not given to all, eyes alike qualified with the Eagles; therefore let us all rather endeavour to cleare their ſight, then muffle them with the vailes of ſcornefull and reproachfull words; Nay let us even to the moſt wilfull perſiſters and invenomed ſpirits imitate the example of bleſſed S. Steven, whoſe heart, hands, eyes, and tongue then begg'd mercy and forgiveneſſe of the God of heaven, for his hard hearted adverſaries, when they were knocking him downe to the earth with ſtones. And when in after times the wheel ſhall turne, placing their expectations in the chaire of power with a nunc fruimur votis, forget not to uſe the reines of command with Moderation; ſtill remembring that the irregular deeds of State affaires, and Princes imployed inſtruments, reflect alwayes upon their Royall Maſter; the Kings honour being then wounded when they do but ſlip into the practice of unwarrantable, unjuſt oppreſſing actions, remembring alſo that many thouſands in England have almoſt for ſeaven years time, been bred up like wilde Colts, by their Riders, unto ſtubborneſſe and diſobedience, and therefore in probability, may ſooner be ſtroked then whipp'd into a condeſcending compliance; for oftentimes we know, that the ſence of an immoderately beating hand, forceth a penitentiall, (though formerly prodigall child) to a backſliding, and re-excurſions, unto more deſperate undertakings.

Although England hath been long troubled almoſt with a general phrenzie, yet the Iron rod, Bread and Water are not properly to be given them as food, whom Time the mother of Truth, and Inſtruction the Judgements Informer, hath like Phyſick recovered from that diſtemper.

Remember that England hath been long ſick of a Conſumption, even to a fear'd diſſolution of the whole body, like a Patient (by the loſſe of much blood) brought into an extreame weakeneſſe; and all know, that knowing Phyſitians (although probably there may ſtill remaine ſome bad humour) adminiſter not ſtrong Purges, but comforting Cordials then, when there is as it were an interregnum inter mortem vitam que , not knowing which will be the Conquerour, life or death; ſtill having in your thoughts that it is the onely glorious property of mercy, for a man then to pardon and forgive injuries when it is in his power to be revenged. Thus let us win all unto us, and being won, lock their affections and judgements by ſuch Chriſtian-like examples, and like true followers of Chriſt pray for all men, firſt for our Soveraigne Lord King Charls to this purpoſe.

O Thou Lord of Hoſts, pitch thou thy tent hourely round about Him; be a ſhield to defend Him from all violent attempts againſt His Royall Perſon, from cunning inſinuations againſt His Honour, Crowne and Dignity, be thou good God His comforter in this His day of Tribulation; permit not the waters of affliction to overwhelme His ſoul with ſadneſſe, but continually ſupply Him with patience proportionable to His ſufferings: haſten, haſten good Father His deliverance. Reſtore Him unto His Regall Power and juſt Rights, ſettle Him, ſettle Him faſt in His Throne; place the Crown upon His head, and ſuffer it not by the hands of Treaſon or Rebellion to be ſhaked, or removed from Him, or any of His Royall off-ſpring untill Shiloh come; Bleſſe His Majeſties Royall Conſort, our moſt gracious Queen Mary, cauſe Her with Mary in the Goſpel to chooſe that better part which never can be taken from Her. Bleſſe, protect and defend our Noble Prince Charls, with the reſt of His Majeſties Princely Progeny: Bleſſe theſe Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and all degrees of men therein, from the higheſt to the loweſt: Forgive the iniquity of the people, turne us O Lord, from our ſins, and we ſhall be turned, take away the heavy judgement of the ſword from us, Reſtore our Peace, renew and continue our Plenty, comfort us according to the dayes wherein thou haſt afflicted us, according to the years that we have ſeen evil; Take away all bitterneſſe of ſpirit, revenge, hatred, and give us unity, brotherly love, and concord.

Bleſſe the famuos City of London; grant the Inhabitants a ſerious conſideration of their former wayes, repentance and pardon for all their offences; turne them, turne them O Lord into thy paths, Let thy word be a Light unto their feet, and thy teſtimonies a guide unto their ſtep. Reſtore unto them their ancient Government, and to that end give them Governours, Magiſtrates, and all other Officers according to thy own will; Religious, not Rebellious, faithfull, not factious, carefull to diſcharge that truſt which God and His Scared Majeſty ſhal intruſt them with, propounding thy Law for their imitation; the knowne Laws of the Land for their direction, ſtudying onely the glory of thee our God, the Honour of our Royall Soveraigne and His Poſterity, The peace and plenty, wealth and weale, proſperity and happineſſe of all their fellow Citizens, from the greateſt to the leaſt and meaneſt. Preſerve them and the whole City from the boundleſſe rage of devouring fire, from Plague, peſtilentiall diſeaſes & famine, defend it from the ravenous violence of maliciouſly ambitious men, from being tyrannized over & oppreſſed by the inſulting ſword: let not, O let not the wealth and glory thereof, nor any of the Inhabitants be expoſed a prey to the unſatiable fury of avaricious, revengefull, blood-thirſty men: purge it from all hereſie, ſchiſme, profaneneſſe, and whatſoever is contrary to thy word and Commandments; and to this purpoſe beſtow upon them faithful diſpenſers of thy Word, feeing their flocks with wholſome food; not leading them unto Rockie Mountaines to famiſh, nor leaving them amongſt Wolves, killing hereſies, to be deſtroyed, not giving the children of thy family either for fear or hope, ſtones inſtead of bread, Serpents in place of Fiſhes; not Preaching themſelves but the Goſpel of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, in truth and ſincerity. O Let not my Lord be angry and I will ſpeak but this once; Be thou, (O Almighty, Omnipotent God) a ſtrong tower of defence to all the particular Citizens, Members of that Honourable Corporation, with all the reſt of the people within His Majeſties Realms and Dominions, high and low, rich and poor, young and old, even from our Soveraigne Lord the King, to the tender infant newly ſtept into the world out of the darke priſon of the wombe, and together with them all others belonging to His RoyallEng. Scot. Irel. Family and houſehold whereſoever diſperſed; Take thou every one of them into thy all-ſecuring protection, give them bleſſings proportionable to their ſeverall degrees, conditions and neceſſities, ſhowre downe thy bleſſings upon all men from one end of the earth to the other; Let the ſun-ſhine of thy Goſpel breake forth in all dark corners of the world, diſpelling the black clouds of Judaiſme, Turciſme, Paganiſme, and all other Errours whatſoever: Accompliſh the number of thy Elect, and then come Lord Jeſus, come quickly. Grant theſe Petitions O thou Father of all mercies and God of all conſolations, for the ſake of thy Son our Saviour, to whom with thee and thy holy Spirit, be aſcribed all Honour and Glory, now and for evermore. Amen. Amen. Amen.