Bishop of Worcester from a Libell of Mr. Bagshaw's And This now under my Hand carries the Necessity of it along with it So that Thus far my Pen has only been Defensive either of the King the Church or in the last place of My own Honour My Memento it 's Truth is a Mixt Dâ—scourse and the Greater part of it Effectually rather a Paraphrase upon Sir Francis Bacon then my Proper Text. It is written with more Honesty then skill and it has the Common Fate of other Things Friends and Enemies He that understands it as I meant it shall do Mee no hurt and he that takes it otherwise is the more likely of the Two to miss my Meaning Such Venemous Natures there may be as to Blast All they Touch Draw Poyson from the Holy Writ and Turn the very Decalogue into a Libel If it Displeases Such the matter is not great for it was beside my Purpose to Oblige Them I shall now be as good as my word concerning Defamers of the Government c. Since the Burning of the Covenant was Publish'd a Book Entitul'd A PHAENIX or The Soleâ—n LEAGUE and COVENANT Pretended to be Printed at Edenburgh and Dated In the year of COVENANT-BREAKING The Drift of the Whole is to Justifie the last War to disaffect the People to his Majesty now in Being and to Enforce the Obligation of the Covenant out of an old Sermon of Mr. Edm. Calamie's call'd The Great Danger of COVENANT-REFUSING and COVENANT-BREAKING This Book being brought to my Hand I procur'd a Warrant to search for it and Retriv'd about 120 Copies which I seiz'd together with the Printer Disperser and One Stationer of the Three that were Partners in the Impression I Brought These People to His Majesties Principal Secretary Sir Edward Nicholaâ— by whose Order the Printer and Stationer were Committed and the Disperser being Poor to Extremity was upon certain Conditions left at Liberty Concerning the Printer it appear'd that he acted rather upon Necessity then Malice but for Two of the Three Stationers to wit Giles Calvert who was Apprehended and Livewell Chapman who was now fled No men whatever of their Profession have more Constantly and Malitiously prosecuted the Destruction of the Royal Family The Third Stationer's Name is Thomas Brewster who absented himself for a while and is since return'd Francis-Tyton was one of the Puâ—lisâ—ers as Right as any of the Rest At the same Time I Seiz'd the first Two sheets of the Book of Prodigies then newly put to the Press and for the same Booksellers Giles Calvert did not only come off for This but during his Imprisonment which contâ—nued till the Adjournment of the Parliament his Wife went on with the Prodigies upon Proof whereof She was likewise Commâ—tted and is come off too See now the Temper and Design of These Pamphlets A King abusing his Power to the overthrow of Religion Phoenix Pag. 52. Laws and Liberties which are the very Fundamentals of this Contract and Covenant may â—e Controlled and Opposed and if he set himself to overthrow all These by Armes then they who have power as the Estates of a Land may and ought to resist by Arms Because he dâ—th â—y that opposition break the very â—onds and overthrow the essentials of this Contract and Covenant This may serve to justifie the proceedings of this Kingdom against the late King ☜ who in an Hostile way set himself to overthrow Religion Parliaments Laws and Liberties Among the Hâ—llish rout of Prophane and Ungodly men Praeface to the Prâ—digies let especiâ—lly the Oppressours and Persecutours of the True Church look to themselves when the hand of the Lord in the strange Signs and Wonders is lifted among them for then let them know assuredly that the day of their Calamity is at hand and the things that shall come upon them make haste Deut. 32.35 The retale and final overthrow of Pharaoh and the Egyptians those cruel Task-Masters and Oppressours of the Israelites did bear date not long after the Wonderful and the Prodigious Signs which the Lord had shewn in the midst of them ☞ Prodigies Pa. 1. Two Suns seen neâ—r Hertford c. The like in the Beginning of Queen Mary and about the Time of the Persecution in Germany It portends aâ—sâ— the Fall of Great men from their Power Ibid. Pag. 11. 12. Armies were seen in Sussex c. This happened a while before the King of Swede routed the Imperial Army and here in England in 1640. A Terrible Tempest and Raging Tides This in the Low-Countries Pag. 42. a little before they threw off the Yoak of the King of Spain A River dry'd up c. This portends a Revolt and Division of the People Ibid. Pag. 53. Let what I have said serve to satisfie Mr. Bagsâ—aâ— that Defamers of the Governmenâ— and the Publishers of Treâ—son may câ—me off and better too then their Accusers for I am expos'd to dayly Menaces Libels Violences only for Asserting the Kings Interest and Discovering his Enemies It 's time now to draw to a Conclusion and I cannot end better then with giving the World a Particular View of some few of Those Many Treasonous Seditious and Schismatical Pieces which have been Published Since his Sacred Majestie 's Return and with That I shall wind up my Justification Wherein I shall observe in Order how they Treat the Church and the King's Cause and his Authority Upon the Restoring of the King Mr. Manton Publishes Smectymnuus The Smectymâ—â—â—ns and in his Preface to the Reader I suppose sayes he the Reverend Authors were willing to lye hid under this ONOMASTICK partly that their work might not be recâ—ived with prejudice the Faction against which they dealt arrogaâ—ing to themselves a Monopoly of Learning and condemning all others as Ignorants and Novices not worthy to be heard c. Now see the Judgment of his Reverend Authours and what Stuffe Mr. Manton Publishes for the Reception of His Majesty he himself calling the Episcopal Party a Faction Do we not know the Drunkenness Profaneness Superstition Popishness of the English Clergy rings at Rome already Smectym Pag. 58. Yes undoubtedly and there is no way to vindicate the Honour of our Nation Ministry Parliaments Sovereign Religion God but by Causing the Punishment to ring as far as the sin hath done that our Aâ—versaries that have triumphâ—d in their sin may be confounded at their Punishment Note Do not your Honours know that the plastring or palliating of these rotten Members will be a greater dishonour to the Nation and Church then their cutting off and that the personal acts of these Sons of Belial being connived at become National sins Here 's Episcopacy Root and Branch with all Circumstances Suitable to a Presbyterian Modesty Publish'd by a Pardon'd Non-conformist for the Welcome of Hâ—s Sacred Majesty How comâ—s it to pass that in England there is such increase of Popery Superstition Arminianism Ibid. Pag. 66.
speak This to the End that the Reader may Distinguish the Sheep from the Goat My Adversary has now perfected his Defence and proved himself as he would persuade the world a Dutyful Son of the Church and a Loyal Subject to his Majesty I 'am still of opinion that he is a great Enemy to Both that his Condemnation is written with his own hand and that Mr. Bagshaw pronounces Sentence upon Himself In his Second Part of Things Indifferent c. Pag. 20. he does acknowledg that his Majesties Pious Memorandum and Unequalled Declaration hath already indulged as much Liberty as any Sober-minded Christian can pretend to So that if He takes more Liberty then That Declaration Indulges him he is by his own Confession no Sober-minded Christian We are very glad to find says his Majesty that all with whom we have conferred The Kings Decl. Eccl. Afâ— Pag. 14. do in their Judgement approve a Liturgy or Set-form of Publique Worship to be Lawful which in Our Judgment for the preservation of Unity and Uniformity we conceive to be very Necessary Now hear Mr. Bagsâ—aw in opposition to This. E. B. Great Question Pa. 2. Bowing at the Name of Jesus the Crosse in Baptism Pictures in Churches Surplices in Preaching Kneeling at the Sacrament Set-forms of Prayer and the like I hold it utterly unlawful for any Christian Magistrate to impose the use of them Every National Church with the Approbation and Consent of the Sovereign Power The King Ibid. Pag. 15. may and hath always introduced such particular Ceremonies as in â—hat conjuncture of time are thought most proper for edificatioâ— and the necessary improvement of Piety and Devotion in the People though the necessary practice thereof cannot be deduced from Scripture Ibid. That which before was and in it self is indifferent ceases to be Indifferent after it is once established by Law Ibid. Pag. 17. For the use of the Surplice We are contented that all men be left to their Liberty c. Provided that This Liberty do not extend to Our own Chappel Cathedral or Collegiate Churches or to any College in either of Our Universities c. We see here his Majesties Opinion of the Use and End of Ceremonies The Power of Imposing them That Indifferent Things when Established by a Law Cease to be Indifferent We find likewise the use of the Surplice positively Enjoyn'd by his Majesty in his own Chappel c. Observe now with what Reverence Mr. Bagshaw treats the King in point of Judgment Authority and Practice E. B. Great Question Pa. 5. When once Humane Inventions â—ecome Impositions and lay a Necessity upon that which God hath left Free then may we lawfully reject them as Plants of Mans setting and not of Gods owning Is not This a flat Contradiction upon his Majesty and a Seditious Doctrine to the People So long as a thing is left Indifferent Ibid. Pag. 9. though there be some suspition of Superstition in it we may lawfully practise it as Paul did Circumcision but when any shall take upon them to make it Necessary then the thing so imposed presently loses not its Liberty only buâ— likewise iâ—â— Lawfulness and we may not without Breach of the Apostles Precept suâ—mit unto it because we thereby do own that those whose Injunctions we obey had a Power to Impose and so by assenting we become Aâ—etters and promoters of their Usurpation Here he makes the King an Usurper and Preaches Damnation upon Obedience The smaller the thing imposed is Ibid. Pag. 1â— the more is our Christian Liberty invaded and consequently the more injurious and sinful is its Imposition The Ceremonies in question E. B. Pref. to theSecond Part of the Great Question are by many thought to be as contrary to the Law of God as they had reason to think the Covenant was to the Law of the Land The Magistrate hath no power to impose things doubtful and disputable upon the practise of any in the Service of God Part. 2. Pag. 3. and therefore it cannot be lawful for any to obey him when he so imposes God has not committed unto Christian Magistrates Ibid. Pag. 8. but unto his Son the Government of his Church and that in the Outward Polity as well as in the Inward Purity of it God is sole Lord of the Conscience and his Honour is Then given to another Ibid. when by submitting to them Magistrates we seem in Part at least to acknowledge that they have Power to Impose That the Magistrate either hath power to prescribe Religious Rites or that if he doth prescribe Ibid. Pag. 12. we ought to submit to him neither That Rom. 13. nor any other Text of Scripture doth evince When a Ceremony comes to be urged and pressed beyond the bounds of things Indifferent Ibid. Pag. 1â— here though no Doctrine be mentioned yet there is a Doctrine couched under it and that is this which I have been all this while speaking against That the Magistrate hath power to impose in Religious Worship So that when things doubtful come upon that score to be obtruded we must resolutely refuse to do them lest we should seem to own and assent unto the Doctrine The Cloggs of Pretended Decency but indeed Antichristian Tyranny Ibid. Pag. 20. Satan â—rought in Superstition Will-worship and Idle-Ceremonies E. B. Necessity and Use of Heresies Pag. 8. E. B. Animad upon the Bish. of Worst Letter Pag. 8. E. B. Signes of the Times Pag. 21. under pretence of Christian Decency and Order We may Lawfully refuse to submit unto such Impositions as God hath no where commanded This Precept against Idolatry is broken not only when Images are erected and Divine Honour given to them â—ut also when we have Inventions and devices of our own to adorn as we think but indeed to adulterate the Wâ—rsâ—ip of God Iâ—id Pag. 22. God does so much disdeyn to have his Worship squared by mens Models that he will root up all such Impious Pretenders who by giving way to their own Imaginations do secretly tax the Goodness of God as if he were not Holy and Wise enough in his own Appointments For let men say and use what fine distinctions they please it will at last be found that all such self-devised Forms though they are not so gross and palpable yet have every whit as much of the Nature and Spirit of Idolatry in them as the open Adoration of Images What use Mr. Bagsâ—aw has made here of the King's Mercy let any flesh that has but Common Sense determine Consider now the Scope the Limit and express Condition of his Sacred Majesties Indulgence Our Preâ—ent Consideration and work is to gratifie the Private Consciences of those who are grieved with the use of some Ceremonies Decl. Eccl. Aff. Pag. 15. 16. by Indulging to and Dispensing with their Omitting those Ceremonies not utterly to abolish any which are Establish'd â—y Law which
his Style I refer the Reader to Pages 34 35 36. But the Story of his Life and Manners I 'll keep for a Reserve for I am loth to overlay him at once This is a quick and Homely Methode to Say and Prove all in a Breath and I ask no further Credit to This Paper then is due to the Evidence which goes along with it So that hereafter no man that is not a Professed Enemy to the King the Church Nay Government it self Truth Modesty and Discretion must ever own himself a Friend to Mr. Bagshaw Yet after all never were Cause and Advocate better Suited When I have laid his Imposture as Naked as Truth it self I do intend so far to Oblige him as to shew the World in a further Discovery of Seditious Persons and Papers that Mr. Bagshaw is not the only Enemy the King has I do expect that he shall thank me too for sparing him in his Character which even read at the Bar would make a Judge Blush upon the Bench and shake the Faith of a Good Christian to see a Person of That Marque in the Pulpit But this is to Proclaim Day-light and tell the World what every Body knows already In fine Excesses and Revilings are Familiar with Him and He that wonders to see Mr. Bagshaw for or against Any thing may as well take the Changes of the Moon for Miracles To the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Clarendon Lord High Chancellor of England c. Right Honourable I Am so much a Stranger to your Lordship that I believe the subscribing my Name will but little benefit your Lordships knowledge of me EDWARD BAGSHAW Pag. 1. and the cause about which I write being meerly the cleariâ—g of my self is of so pâ—tty concernment that I am afraid in stead of procuring your Lordships good opinion it may expose me to your Censure and though I purge my self from all other my supposed Crimes Which he neither does nor caâ— yet the very undertaking to trouble your Lordship with a matter so much below you may render me guilty of a very transcendent presumption But my Lord since none who is made so considerable as to be repuâ—ed dangerous can be too mean to appear in his own just defence and since your Lordship hath already suffered your Goodness so much to be wrought upon as in a manner to condemâ— me unheard and seem to conceive of me as I have been lately represented for a direct enemy unto the Church and but meanly affected to the State I thought it necessary if for no other respect yet for the sake of â—ruth which always suffers in the Oppression of any one of her followers to remove your Lordships mistakes and by making a kind of Publick confession of my Faith to vindicate my self from those suspicions which if well grounded would render mee not only incapable of Preferment the want of which I shall never complain of but likewise unworthy of any Protection TRUTH and LOYALTY c. BEhold the Prologue to Mr. Bagshaw's Pretended Vindication who it seems R. L'S has been lately Represented to my Lord Chancellour for an Enemy both of Church and State 'T is a great Truth and L'Estrange is the Person that has so Represented him and This Paper is to make good That Charge I am not Ignorant that in laying him Open I do but crush a Punaise and raise a Stink to avoid an Importunity yet since that beastly work is for once necessary in order to my Quiet I shall first for my Credits sake shew the World by what unlucky Chance we came acquainted In Jan. last was Printed a Discourse Entit'led The Bishop of Worcester's Letter to a Friend for Vindication of himself from Mr. Baxter 's Calumny The Right Reverend Bishop having by undeniable Proofs and unanswerable Arguments put the Case past all possibility of a Rational Reply was soon after assaulted by a Libel bearing for Title Animadversions on the Bishop of Worcester's Letter It was Dated Jan. 21. and Subscrib'd D. E. In This Pamphlet finding not only the Person of the Bishop ill-Treated but the King's Authority tacitly Disclaim'd and That of the Church more directly Vilify'd I thought it my duty to endeavour something in their Defence which I did and while my Papers were yet in in the Press D. E. casts out a Second Libel Animadversions still but with This Addition With an Answer to all that L'S intends to write It was as foul as Malice and Forgery could make it and in fine though it pass'd without contradiction abroad that D. E. and Edward Bagshaw were one and the same Person yet would it not sink into My Thought that it was possible for a Minister of the Gospel to be Guilty of so great a Scandal to Christianity or for one that calls himself a Chaplain to a Privy-Counsellour to become an Advocate for Sedition Till at length I retrived the Printer one Hayes in Woodstreet who ingenuously confess'd upon Examination that they were done by the Order and direction of Mr. Bagshaw and that he delivered five hundred Copies of each into Mr. Bagshaw's own hand in the house of the Earl of Anglesy This Discovery was it that gave me the first Knowledge of Mr. Bagshaw and That too but of his Humour for to this hour I cannot say I have ever seen his Person Having in the first place asserted the Publique I thought it some Right to my own Particular to make some search into the Character of my rude Adversary Some of his Soberest Excesses I took notice of in my Memento but the Gentleman finding it Easier to Calumniate L'Estrange then to Defend Bagshaw without returning a Syllable to the Particulars there Charg'd upon him and under pretext meerly of clearing himself throws out his Vomit against Mee and with a Sawciness suited to his Rage and Folly he Dedicates the Unsavory Pamphlet to my Lord Chancellour His Preamble we have had already and now follows his Vindication [B] TO begin therefore with that which makes the loudest noyse in the World and that is a supposal that I am no friend to Bishops E. B. Pag. 2. 3. De Presbyteâ—iâ— Episcopis Pref. to the Great Question c. I need say no more in justification of my self than what I have already asserâ—ed not only in my Latine Dissertation upon that Subject but likewise in the Preface to that very Book which first begat the suspicion I then said that I was a strict obseâ—ver of the Doctrine of the Church of Englaâ—d as it was contained in the thirty nine Articles as my several Treatises against * Discourse about Jesus and the Resurrection Atheism †Dissertationes Anti-Socinianae Socinianism * Treatise of God's Dâ—câ—ees Arminianism and †Treatise against the Pope's infallibility The Reverend and Learned Bishop Brownrigge on Nov 3. An. 1659. Popery do witness and for that which is the prime branch of Discipline viz. Episcopacy or the
subordination between Bishops and Presbyters I do own it to be of Apostolical Institution that is as I understand it Jure Divino at least I think I am able to say as much for the Order of Bishops in the Church as any can for the Baptizing of Infants for the change of the Sabbath for Tithes or for any thing else which hath no particular Divine Precept but only Primitive practice and example to warrant it And therefore in conformity to this Principle of mine when the Bishops were sunk lowest not only for Pomp but likewise for Reputation and when no temptation either of profit or convenience but rather the contrary could work upon me I then chose to be Ordained by one of them which is sufficient Argument of my reality and stedfastness This my Lord was my Judgement then and bating the words Jure Divino which unless they be taken in a limited and restrained sense are more than the Cause will hear because there is no mention of Bishops as a distinct order in Scripture is my judgement still for though I know that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or an ambitious affectation of Primacy and all manner of Lordliness is to be avoided by Church-officers yet I could never see any reason why there might not as well be different places and degrees for the Rulers of the Church as it is eâ—ident there is difference of gifts and great disparity of endowments So that for the Order of Bishops as chosen by and â—uling with â—heir Presbyters and by consent acting in an eminent way of Power I acknowledge it to be a Primitive usage and accordingly I have been and am likely always to prove an Assâ—râ—er of them Having thus cleared my self from that which because of your Lordships great Devotion to the Church of England in its present Constitution was most likely to prejudice me in your Lordships thoughts c. ALl This is but Edward against Bagsâ—aw and Both against Episcopacy R. L'S The man is a Friend it seems to Bisâ—ops but an Enemy to Praelates Hee is against an Amâ—itious Affectation of Primacy he says and so are Wee but not against the Modest Exercise of it Hee is for a Bishop chosen by and ruling with his Presbyters But Wee are for a Bishop ruling his very Presbyters In short here 's the whole Difference Mr. Bagshaw is for a Titular Wee are for an Authoritative Hee for a Presbyterian Bishop and the Church of England for an Apostolical Yet has This Gentleman the Face to talk as if he had Clear'd himself to the Church of England in its present Constitution when yet in the same Page he has Declar'd himself point-blank against it Marque now his Preface to the Great Question c. and how he Shuffles in his Appeal to Himself He writes himself a strict Oâ—server of the Doctrine c. What 's This to Discipline or Things Indifferent which are the Subject Matter of his Discourse Nay for the Prime Branch of Discipline viz. Episcopacy which in Truth is rather the Root of it he does own a Subordination between Bishops and Presbyters to be Jure Divino c. But when he comes to Limit and Restreyn his Juâ— Divinum and bring down his Subordination to a Consocial Power What 's the Result of his Pretence but either a Presbyterian Episcopacy or an Episcopal Presbytery He pleads further for Himself that he was Ordeyn'd by a Bishop even when Bishops were at Lowest both for Pomp and Reputation and when no Temptation either of Profit or Convenience could work upon him First Mr. Bagshaw's Sayings are no Articles of Faith and from a man so exceedingly addicted to speak more then he can Prove This blank Affirmation is but a very slender Evidence that he was ever Ordeyn'd at all But suppose he was and by Bishop Brownrigge on Nov. 3. An. 1659. Were Bishops then at Lowest when the whole Nation was in a Flame for the Restoring of the Antient Government Oliver was now Dead Richard laid aside The Honourable my Lord BRADSHAW Mr. B's adored Patron newly Departed and the Duke of Albemarle then General Monck was already advanced into England with his Army to oppose the Faction Why does he not urge his Dedication to Bradshaw and his Dissertation De Monarchiâ Aâ—solutâ Both in 1659. too as Arguments also of his good Inclination to the Civil Government Upon the Matter if he was Ordeyn'd it was Manifestly his Interest and not any Affection to the Church that Led him to it as may appear from several Irreverent Expressions in the same Preface against both the Authority and Constitutions of it A greater Argument says he of my Reality Preface to the Great Question and Stedfastness in Judgement then most of Those who now signalize themselves by distinctive Habits can pretend to since such may reasonably be presumed to wear them either because they are the Fasâ—ion or else the way to Preferment And a little Lower Ceremonies are so very Trifles Ibid. that they would vanish of Themselves but that sâ—me men's Pride Others want of Merit make them so sollicitous to continue them Mr. B. must be understood here either of the Imposers of These Distinctive Habits and Ceremonies or of the Conformers to Those Impositions If of the Former he Derides the Authority if of the Latter he reproaches their Obedience Decl. Eccles. Aff. pag. 15. The King Himself is pleas'd to own a high Esteem and Reverence for Ceremonies Nay and Expressly to Enjoyne the use of the Surplice in his Chappel-Royal Cathedral or Collegiate Churches and in the Colleges of either University I hope This is not Pride or want of Merit in his Majesty But Mr. Bagshaw tells us That none can Impose what our Saviour in his Infinite Wisdom did not think Necessary Pref. to the Great Question and therefore left Free That is the King in This Injunction has done more then he can Justifie Now see his Kindness to the Civill Government [C] E. B. Pag. 3. I Shall next give an Account of my inclination to the Civil Government and though I can make it appear that during our late Confusions I passed my Life with so much innocence and so little compliance to the then usurping Powers that not one Publick Action I did but is capable of a fair and Equitable Plea yet since an Act of Indempnity and Oblivion is already passed I think it my Duty so far to comply with his Majestiâ—s intention in granting that Act as not to mention any thing how defensible soever which he hath commanded should be utterly forgotten R. L'S SInce Mr. B. is so Frank as to proclaim the Equity of his Past Actions wee 'll take a Freedom to Examine some of them and this may be done without any Violence to the Act of Oblivion So far as they are warrantable there 's no danger in the Enquiry and where they are Other his Justifying Now what he did Then is a New Crime
So that I fear this Gentleman will find he has overshot himself in affirming that not One Publique Action he has done during our Late Confusions but is Capable of a Fair and Equitable Plea [D] E. B. Pag. 3. 4. TO give therefore my preâ—ent sense I can sincerely profess that I have not only a Loyal but a most Affectionate esteem for his Majesties Person and Government for since besides the general obligation of a Subject I am bound by my Religion to prize Gratitude above all things I could not be just should I not most earnestly desire the happiness of that Prince ☞ unto whose single endeavours I owe both my Civil and Religious Liberty for he must needs be a very great stranger in this our Israel who doth not acâ—nowledge that his Majesties Personal and passionate interposing did confirm our Indempnity and his most pious and unequalled Declaration hath sufficiently evidenced that he is not unwilling â—o indulge the utmost extent of sober and Christian Liberty which are expressions of so much goodness in the midst of so great Power and after so many provocations that he hath not the heart of a Man much less of a Christian who doth not always preserve a thankful remembrance of them I am sure they are so deeply impressed upon me that if in any writing of mine there be so much as a word which can be wrested to the lessening of his Majesties JUST Authority I intreat your Lordship to take notice that I do hereby utterly disown it ☜ as being directly contrary to my Professed Principles which lead me to no one point of outward practise more strictly than an exact and punctual obedience unto his Majesties Commands MR. Bagshaw's Confession of his Majestie 's Mercy R. L'S does but aggravate the Sin of his Abusing it which that he has done to the height of Ingratitude and Disloyalty shall be made good against him by the Testimony of his own hand And yet if in any Writing of His there â—e so much as a Word which can be wrested to the Lessening of his Majesties JUST Authority he utterly disowns it as â—eing directly contrary to his Professed Principles His Majesties JUST Authority is but a Covenant-Salvâ— and in His accompt so small that it can scarce be Lessen'd But if it shall appear that he not only Lessens but totally Rejects it will his Disowning serve his Turn May not a Thief make the same Plea at the Gallowes Have not I Profess'd my self to be an Honest man and Stealing is contrary to my Profess'd Principles Did not the Murtherers of the Late King plead Duty and Religion In short if Mr. Bagshaw will disown every thing that iâ— Contrary to his Profession having Profess'd for and against every thing he must own nothing [E] I Must coâ—fess that ever since I became a Christian which stile I do not own either to my Birth or Education E. B. Pag 4 5. having then sensibly experimented the great difficulty of believing I alwayes doubted whether the Magistâ—ates Power did properly extend to things of a Religious Concâ—rnment and accordingly I handled that point while it was Res Intâ—gra and before ever there was any â—ear of Imposing But since the Parliament 〈◊〉 have decided that Controversie and put the matter out of Question I think my self not only discharged from medling with it but likewise concluded by what I have already declared which was in these very words That though for the present I make use of that Indulgence which His Majesty hath been pleased to allow unto Tender Consciences Preface to the Great Question c. that is to all Rational and Sober Christians the continuance of which I dare not so much wrong His Majesties Goodness as once to question yet should his Mâ—jesty be prevailed upon for some Reason of State to enjoyn outward Conformity I am resolved by the help of God either to submit with chearfulness or else to suffer with silence For as there is an Active Disobedience which is to Resist so there is a Passive Disobedience and that is to Repine neither of which I can by any means approve of since whatever I cannot conscienciously do I think my self obliged to suffer for with as much joy and with as little resistance as if any other Act of Obedience were called for from me I may perhaps be too partial to my self but certainly in general I may pronounce that whoever preserves this Temper let his Judgment be what it will in reference to Ceremonies yet he cannot be supposed incompatiâ—le with wayes of Publick safety since he that quietly suffers the Penalty of any Law I mean where it is a Law meeâ—ly of outward Order doth as really fulfil the intent of it as he that actually performs all its Injunctions for such kind of Obedience doth argue a more than ordinary degree of Love and that in the Apostles sense is the fulfilling of the Law And without speaking any thing in my own Commendation my silence under my Illegal exclusion from my place in Christs-Church and my late voluntary forsaking a Living I was possessed of that I might prevent any possibility of seeming to disobey Publick Authority doâ—h sufficiently proclaim the peaceaâ—leness of my Temper WHereas Mr. Bagsâ—aw affirms that there was no fear of Imposing when he wrote against it R. L'S I say that at That time Decl. Eccles. Aff. Pag. 14. his Majesty had already declared an Uniformity Necessary he had Proposed Promised and Resolv'd upon it Whereas in his Preface to the Great Question he pretends only to make use of his Majesties Indulgence I say that in the same Discourse he does Notoriously and Seditiously aâ—use it which shall be Cleer'd when we come to compare the Liberties he takes with his Sacred Majesties Concessions where we shall prove likewise that Mr. Bagshaws Opinions are utterly Incompatible with wayes of Publique Safety Touching his Illegal Exclusion from Christ-Church which in the Preface to his Necessity and Use of Heresies he tells us was for no Reason at all that he knew of unless for the Impartial and unbyassed Discovery of his Judgement about Indifferent or rather Doubtful things in Religious Worship Observe his Ingenuity He writes Student of christ-Christ-Church and yet confesses himself thrown out of the College But he knows not Why he sayes unless for his Judgment about Indifferent things Whereas he does know Why and that he was Outed according to the usual custom Two Mistakes having a Benefice of a value too great to consist with his Student's place and the customary indulgence of a year of grace was granted him and expired long before his Ejectment There were in Truth Other Ungratious and sufficient Provocations to his Exclusion but the Inconsistence of his Student's place with his Living was the Main This Edward Bagshaw has a Brother indeed who at This present is a Student of Christ-Church and by Report an Ingenious Loyal and Deserving Person I
would be unjust and of ill example In this Concession his Majesty only suspends the Strictness of the Law and Mr. Bagshaw peremptorily concludes against the Equity and Authority of it The King gives Mr. Bagshaw leave to forbear Ceremonies and Mr. Bagshaw denyes the King leave to Impose them The End of This Indulgence was for the Relief and Quiet of Tender Consciences and Mr. Bagshaw Imployes it to the perplexing and ensnaring of them In fine his Majesty applyes This Dispensation but to the Omitting of Ceremonies and Mr. Bagshaw extends it to the Damning and Forbidding of them See now the Condition of his Majesties Grace and Mercy in This Declaration exhibited We hope and Expect that all men will hence-forward forbear to bent any such Doctrine in the Pulpit Decl. Eccl. Asf. Pag. 19. or to endeavour to work in such maner upon the Affections of the People as may dispose them to an ill opinion of Us and the Government and to disturbe the Peace of the Kingdom c. No man shall be Disquieted or call'd in question for Differences of Opinion in matters of Religion Ibid. Pag. 5. which do not disturbe the Peace of the Kingdom c. Does it not dispose the People to think Ill of his Majesty and Government for Mr. Bagshaw to deny his Authority Royall in denying the Magistrates Power of Imposing To reproach him as an Impious pretender and to presage that â—e sâ—all be rooted up To charge him with Idolatry and Usurpation c. Can any Opinions be more hazzardous to the Publique Peace then Those that dissolve the very Order and Relation of Governmâ—nt teaching that the mere Command of a thing in it self Lawful renders the Magistrate Criminal and the Obedience Sinfull If the Publishing and Inculcating of Theâ—e Doctrines be not Dangerous I have no more to say But if it bee I am to seek for Mr. Bagshaw's Interest in the King 's Declaration which yet by his own Confession hâ—â— Indulged as much Liberty as any Sober-minded Christian can pretended to A little of his Kindness now to the Order of Bishops Letter of Animadversions Pag. 2. Ibid. Pag. 5. Mr. B. calls the Praelation of Bishops an Undue and as some think Antichristian Dignity A Bishop is but one Minister and ought not to silence his Fellow-Minister If by Arguments he can 't is well but not by Authority That is the Bishop of Wor'ster ought not to have Silenc'd the Bishop of Kidderminster Mr. Baxter Would it not hold thus The King is but one Man and ought not to Impose upon his Fellow-man This we shall shew by and by to be his Position as to the Civil Government I perceive Mr. B. has but mean thoughts of Prelates and Ceremonies What 's his Opinion of Churches When the Publique Duties are ended the Place is as Common I mean as to any Special Holyness as That Mount was when the Trumpet ceased from sounding E. B. Brief Treatise c. Pag. 23. Exod. 19.13 He thinks to save himself now with his Parenthesis but there 's no Comment upon his Oracles like his own Explication of himself This Gentleman being Catechist-Reader in Oxford reads his Lectures in the Church with his Hat on and being admonish'd of it as a thing very unusual and disallow'd he reads his next Lecture Uncovered and gives This Reason for what he had done before That he did not Idolise Fabriques ☞ but thought himself free to use any Posture in the Church which he might in his Chamber That is the Posture of a Tumbler or a Jack-Pudding for every man is Free to chuse his Posture Were it not a Spectacle to move Devotion to see a full Congregation and every man making a several Face in a several Posture Methinks That 's a strange Religion that can better digest an Antique in the Church then a Ceremony But Mr. Bagshaw is of so singular a Caprice that by Fits hee 'll talk a little odly even of God himself As we set Traps to catch Vermin E. B. Necessity and Use of Herefies Pag. 8. so God appoints Heresies to ensnare arrogant and sâ—lf-presuming or Viticus and Self-defiling men I suppose it sufficiently Prov'd that the Church of England has a sure Friend of Edward Bagshaw Student of Christ-church We are now to see what he sayes to the Civill Power No man more satisfy'd with the Present Government Pref. to the Great Quest. or that hath a more Loyal and Affectionate esteem for his Majesties Person and Prudence And in his Animadversions A Passionate Lover both of the Kings Person and Government Pag. 2. In his late Letter to my Lord Chancellour he professes to have not only a Loyal Pag. 3. but a most Affectionate esteem for his Majesties Person and Government Nay Ibid. so Innocently has he behav'd himself during our late Confusions that he has not done any one Publique Action which is not Capable of a fair and equitable Plea If Mr. Bagshaw can do as he sayes Mr. Bagshawes Loyalty let him shew a fair and equitâ—ble Plea for Affirming that there is no Monarchy but what is Unchristian That the Universality of the People may depose the Prince and for stating the Supreme Authority of England to be in the People All which is done in his Dissertatio Politica De Monarchiâ Absolutâ Printed in 1659. and Apply'd to the Republican Juncto as a Hint for a Common-wealth when all Honest men were endeavouring the Recovery of the King Monarchia Aâ—soluta est Christiano Illicita sayes he An Aâ—solute Monarchy is not a Government for Christians De Mon. Abs. Pag. 6. Ibid. Pag. 16. and for a Mixt Monarchy he sayes that there never either was or can be any such thing nec fuisse unquam aut esse pâ—sse by which Dilemma his Sacred Majesty is render'd either no King or no Christian. Now for a Pretty Position Ibid. P. 6. 7. Coercenda est omnis Impotens Dominatio quod in Imagine Dei Infimus quisque non minus ac ipse Princeps sit Creatus easdem secum in Pectore gestet Divinitatis Notas i. e. All Unruly ☞ and Domineering Power ought to be Curb'd for the Beggar bears the Image of God as well as the Prince Mr. Bagshaw should be Instructed to distinguish betwixt a Divine Impression Common without Distinction to Reasonable Nature and the Partâ—cular Dispensations of Providence in the Order and Regiment of Humane Societies Mr. Bagshaw may pretend to be made after God's Image but I can hardly take him for God's Vicegerent and here 's the Difference betwixt Infimus and Princeps In another place Ibid. Pag 9. Qui Potestate summâ praediti sunt impios poenis coercere Bonos Praemiis afficere debent quod nisi praestent non amplius Dei Ministri sunt sed sui nec digni retinere diutius istud Imperium quod tam male administrant Detrahere autem Indigno Magistratum etsi