to publish the same the â—ext Sunday after tendred to them I think it too large to expose them all in Print but I think it convenient to Print the last of them and I shall mention Particulars of their Resolves in the former with some Observations thereon and then lâ—ave iâ— to the Moderate to judg But before I go on with this it coming to my mind what the Author of the Letter saith viz. It is not â—o long since as to be forgottâ—n that the Maxim was That it is impossible for a Diâ—senâ—er not to be a Rebâ—l I may give a few Words in Answer hereunto It seems this to be the Maxim of the Church of England I sâ—ppose none questions but that the Bishop Justices and Grand â—ury oâ— the County of Devon were Church of England Men. And in their Preâ—ace to the â—irst Order of the tenth of Ianuary 1681. they thus express themselves viz. Forasmuch as Religion is the Foundation of Civil Government and while Faction and Schism is allowed and permitted in the Church we can never expect Peace and Quiet in the State and observing at this time as we have by sad Experience heretofore that those that dissent from us in our Established Religion of what Perswasion soever tho at seeming Variance and Difference among themselves yet they agree in their wicked attemps upon the Government and their traiterous Plots and Designs against the Kings sacred Person And therefore do unanimously resolve effectually to put the Laws in Execution against all Dissenters whether Papists or Sectaries And so by this its manifest that its their Maxim and â—o you may see what Quarter the Dissenters are like to have from the Church of England And in their Order of the second of October 1683. they thus express themselves We have been so abundantly convinc'd of the Seditious and Rebellious Practises of the Sectaries and Phanaticks who through the course of an Hundred Years since we were first infected with 'em have scarce afforded this unhappy Kingdom any interval of rest from their Horrid Treasons as that we must esteem 'em not only the open Enemies of our established Government but to all the common Principles of Society and Humanity it self wherefore that we may prevent their horrid Conspiracies for time to come we resolve to put the severest of the Laws which we find too Easie and Gentle unless enlivened by a vigorous Execution in force against ' em Now observe O how horrible Zealous and Charitable are these Church Men of England it seems nothing but a vigorous Execution of those Laws will serve their turn and what these Laws are may be seen in a Book lately put forth called Draconica which one whereof at least is Death without Conformity Are these the old Friends that the Author of the Letter talks of We may well say From such Friends Good Lord dâ—liver us far better venture to cast our selves on the new May we not justly reason aâ— the foâ—r Leperous Men did that were without the Gate of Samaria 2. Kings 7.3 4. That if they staid there they must Dye and the like if they went into the City and then resolved to fall into the Hoste of the Assyrians c. And what is our case better in relation to â—ur old Friends for by these Lawes here is nothing but loss of all visible Enjoyments for the Conventicle Act will soon fetch all that away and the Thirty fifth of Elizabeth takes Life and all aâ—d no Ransoâ— to be accepted but the Shipwrack of a good Conscience and so everlasting Life a dear purchase indeed And as for the former Wars in this Land may not the ground of them in a great measure be imputed to the violent Persecution of Church of England Men against People for their Consciences and as for the late Rebellion were none ingaged therein but such as these Men call Sectaries and Phanaticks It s well known to the contrary Was not Monmouth a Church of England Man And the Lord Gray a Church of England Man And other eminent Men who suffered and the most part of those that were coâ—demned on that account were such as did frequent the fervice of the Church of England so that the Church of England Men are â—ot the only Men free of thâ—t which is charged upon Dissenters And in their Order of the Tenth of Ianuary 1681 they say We order and agree that all Church-Wardens and Overseers for the Poor that shall give and allow any Relief to any that are able of Body and do not repair every Sunday to their Parish Church and there abide Soberly and Orderly during the whole time of Divine Service no such contribution in the passing their Act shall be allowed What Law there is for this I know not some wise Church Men of some eminency have declared their opinion otherwise but it seems by this Devenshire Law the Poor must come to Church or Starve and the Bishop highly appâ—oves this Order and saith They that signed it which were Twenty eight Justices of the Peace Have approved themselves good Subjects to his Majesty true Sons of the Church of England and good Patriâ—ts of their Country The Lord will have Mercy and not Sacrifice but these Men will have Sacrifice without Mercy And in their Order of the Twenty fifth of April 1682. they say Tâ—at no Person shall be permitted to keep Ale-Houses but such as repair to Church and produce a Certificate that they have at least twice in the Year last past received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper according to the usage of the Church to England Observe it seems right or wrong they must receiâ—e it or not sell Ale tho they Eat and Drink their own Damnation it s the usage of the Church of England but I find no such usage in the Church of Christ and now consider here is Sacrifice required but no Mercy to Body nor Soul. And in the same Order they say And we would have all those Schismatical Factious People who upbraid us with the countenancing Debauchery Ludeness to look back upon the late times and they will find it was their Schism and Rebellion and which was prologued with such an entry as this too which at first weakened and at last brake down the Banks of Government and let in upon us a deluge of Proâ—ainness and Irreligion These Men would seem greatly to be againsâ— Profainness and Irreligion and Zealous for Worshâ—ps and Services Have they forgot that within the memory of some yet alive how there was a Book for Recreation to be used on the Sunday for Dancing and other Sports was this to suppress or incourage Profainness and Irreligion and by whom was that Book set forth and ordered to be read in all Parish Churches in the Kingdom and several Ministers suspended for refusing to râ—ad it and when the Church of England after a time of interruption came again into her Seat what a Flood of Wickedness followed so that the King
THE PLEA OF THE Harmless Oppressed Against the Cruel Oppressor With Allowance THis Kingdom having suffered great Miseries and Calamities for several Ages and Generations past and of late have been in a shaking unstable State and Condition by reason of the great Animosities and Divisions amongst the Inhabitants â—hereof and especially touching matters meerly concerning the Worship of God which alone belongs to the Great God to appoint and order whose Prerogative alone it is to rule in the Consciences of Men for whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and the Scriptures â—aâ—th Let every one be fully perswaded in his own mind And now such is the dark depraved state of Man-kind that tho his understanding be so darkned and his mind thus blinded by the Prince of Darkness who rules in the Hearts of the Children of Men that he is always aspiring and meddling with those matters that God hath reserved alone to himself viz. to prescribe Rules and make Orders for the Worship of God tho the Lord hath threatned that because their fear to him is taught by Mens Precepts he will proceed to do a marvellous work and a wonder for the wisdom of their wise men shall Perish c. Jer. 29.13 14. Notwithstanding tho men generally in this Kingdom profess Scripture to be their Rule yet with what Violence and Cruelty hath the contrary been practised what Laws have been made under severe Penalties to force People to this or that Religion whether they have Faith in it or no or whether it be the true Religion or no for tho some that have been violent in forcing yet concludes there is no infallibility and so as some have been thus wicked in forcing others weak in conforming having been thus put on the Rack either to suffer the loss of all that 's near and dear to them in this World or make Shipwrack of Faith or a good Conscience and of everlasting Life in the World to come but others have been so stedfast and resolved so as not to Wound or Dâ—file their Conscience what Sufferings both in Prisons and spoyling of Goods have such undergone this present Generation may afford pregnant and plentiful Examples And now on serious consideration of those violent Practices in forcing in matters of Religion and generally by Men of no true Religion the forcing of many contrary to their Consciences to preserve their outward Interest and ruining others who chose rather to lose their outward Concerns to preserve their Conscience whether this hath not been one of the greatest causes of those great Revolutions Devastations and Overturnings that have happened in these latter Days let the wise in Heart judg And then what can better tend to the Stability Peace and Union of the Kingdom then the removing the causes aforesaid viz. those Laws by which many conscientious People have been Destroyed and others divided in their Hearts one from another and set one against another and indeed even the worse of Men let loose to serve the Devil conscientious People prohibited to serve God in the way they were fully perswaded God required of them And the Lord having now put it into the Heart of our King to relieve many under those great Oppressions and to propose a way for a future Settlement as by his Princely Dâ—claration is exprest in which he hath exceeded all his Ancestors that went before him of what wâ—ight is it for all his Loyal Subjâ—cts to joyn Heaâ—t and Hand with him in this Blessed Work so much tending to the Glory of Almighty God the Honour of the King and the Peace and Tranquility of this Kingdom And now there being a Generation of Men that appears greatly in opposition to this Work so happily begun contrary to the expectations of many which as the Heart of the King is upright before the Lord the Everlasting God will stand by him therein and frustrate all the Councels of those that oppose him which generally are such whose Interest is greatly concerned therein who may greatly pretend Worship as sometimes Demetrius the Silver-Smith did when his Crast was in danger And now there being several able Pens that have writ on this Subject to assert the Rights of Liberty of Conscience and Answer the great Objection to the contrary viz. Thaâ— if these Laws and Tests be taken away the great danger that may ensue thereby even the flowing in of Popery like a Flood Which Objection tho it have been suâ—â—iciently answered yet it was before me to cast in my Mite and offer a few Lines on this account having taken notice of a certain Pamphlet entitâ—led A Letter to a Diâ—senter and some Passages therein it s not my purpose to answer Particulars it being sufficiently done by other Hands The drift of that Paper seems to shew the daâ—ger of Repealing the Tests as if there weâ—e no other way to keep out Popery whose Principles and Practice have been so Dangerous and Cruel insinuating as if all the promises of free Liberty in the Kings Declaration were but pretences to bring in a greater Bondage and that those Addressâ—s to him were â—irst drawn for that purpose and indeed as if tâ—e King in his Dâ—claration were not Sincere but Falacious also intimating how safe it may be for the Church of England to be continued in Power what Indulgence she may give saying p. 5. If you had to do with thosâ— ridged Prelates who made it a matter of Conâ—ience to give you the least Indulgence c. but kept you at an uncharitable Distance and evâ—n â—o your more reasonable Scruples continued â—â—iff and inexorable For answer What kept out Popery before the Test was made it being but about â—ifteen Years old and whether it may not be kept out for the future without the Test as well as before it seems to me that ways sufficient have been proposed And as for the Kings sincerity in his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience what could he have done more then he hath done to assure his Subjects of his reallity therein and that they may confide in him accordingly but these Fears seems to arise from groundless Jealousies rather the just cause and evil Suspition usually proceeding from an evil Disposition that would uphold its own Interest more then the publick Good and would have a Liberty to keep others in Bondage And as to what the Church of England may do to give Indulgence and that if you had to do with those ridged Prelates c. some of their former Practices and Resolves may sufficiently manifest whereof some Instances may be given I may give two first the Orders of the Quarter Sessions in the County of Devon three of them in Print coming to my Hand the first the tenth of Ianuary 1681. the second the twenty fifth of April 1682. and the third the second of October 1683. to all of them is annexed the great Appâ—obation and Commendation of the Bishop of Exon with his order for all the Clergy in his Diocess
such disappointments are come upon them so that they are ready to fret curse their God and their King Isa. 8.21 And nothing will satisfie such but â—uch Libâ—rty to themselves by which they may keep others in Bondage I say unto such Take heed how you meddle with Gods Prerogative his Rule in the Consciences of People he haâ—h long born with you on that account and your time is now to Râ—pent of what you have done and not strive â—o keep up that Power which God will destroy and be content to enjoy equal Liberty with your fellow Suâ—jeâ—ts and let â—hose Lâ—ws and Teâ—ts by which People hath beâ—n thus long eâ—slaved be taken awaâ— and that such a Magna Charta may be made so that iâ— may never be iâ— the Power of any Person or Persons whatsoever to Tyranize or bear Rule over the Conscience of any or Ruin or Oppress them in their Persons or Estates on that account but let every one walk in the way of his God and Worship him as God shall perswade him in his Conscience and then sit down quietly under his own Vine Micah 4.4 But it s the great Artifice of that Spirit that would usurp Authority over the Conscience to perswade People That if the Test be taken away then Popery will come in The Test is but about fifteen Years old and what hath kept it out before the Test as is said before Our God is a God of Justice and Mercy and he requires it of Men and let it be done to all and trust God with the event do not People thus reasoning manifest their forgetfulness of God as indeed they have in making and severely excecuting those Laws to the Ruin of many Conscientious People And now I cannot well omit to observe the Spirit and Temper of the Author of the Lettâ—r to Dissenters What Insinuations he uses sometimes as if the Church of England were blamed for Compliance and accounted Trimmers for enduring Dissenters and then how safe is it to keep to them and many Insinuations against the King as his dispencing Power tho to save many of his Subjects from Ruin and as if all he did were to advance his own Prerogative with many Insinuations tending to alienate the Hearts of his Subjects from him and then with a Spirit of high Arrogancy speaks proudly saying What-ever may be told you at this very hour and in the heat and glare of your present Sun-shine the Church of England can in a moment bring Clouds again and turn the Royal Thunder upon your Heads blow you off the Stage with a Breath if She would give but a Smile or a kind Word the least glimps of Her Compliance would throw you back into the state of Sufferings c. Now indeed if we measure the Church of England by this Letter and the Devonshire Order and Resolves we were of all People most Miserable however we are not affrighted at high Words Psa. 12.3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering Lips and the Tongue that speaks proud things But he farther saith the Church of England with all her Faults chuses rather to bear the weight of Power thenly under the burthen of hâ—r being Criminal It seems she would be accounted Innocent with all the voiolence and Cruelty Ruin and Spoyl she and her Purjured Informers and envious Priests hath done upon many honest consciencious Men but the just God will reckon with her for all and I cannot yet believe that she is so formidable that the King or we have need of her smiles or fear the want of them what vertue they may be of to us we know not the Informers and such like have had them as yet and indeed there must be a great change in her or us if ever they fall to our lot however we have lived under her cruel frowns and are yet alive tho she fâ—owns at that too when God shall fulfil that which he hath spoken by the Mouth of the Prophet Isâ— 33.1 Then let such beware and therefore its good for them not to be high minded but fear The Author sâith It cannot be said that she is unprovoked Books and Letters comes out every Day It seems it is but by Books and Letters c. It is not by Goals and spoyling of Goods and ruining of Widdows and Fatherless as she hath provoked God and many of his People and will she now be offended that she can do so no longer Why should she not be contented to enjoy equal Liberty with others God forbid that any of us should do to her as she hath done to us and that for our Consciences towards God but if the Lord will do it who or what can hinder it but her timely and unfained Repentance And now my dear Country-Men that are Dissenters by those Papers before mentioned you may see what is the minde of those Church Men and therefore as the Lord puts an oppertunity into your hands for future Liberty be diligent to inprove it and use the best endeavors for the removing those Laws and Tests by which so many have cruelly suffered and trust God who will bring to pass his great Work and if he have raised up and preserved the King for that purpass and endued him with Wisdom and Courage for that end le ts trust him also in his Gracious Declaration and often repeated Resolutions for that purpose and pray unto God for the prosperity of this Work in his Hands and not believe the vain insinuations of such who profess much Loyalty to him while he is serving their ends but in the disappointments thereof becomes his secret Enemies And if any inquire who and whaâ— I am they may assure themselves that I am a Dissenteâ— from the Church of England and have so been mâ—râ— then Forty Years and be assured also that I am not a Roman Cathâ—lick but oâ—e â—hat desires the Good of all Men and that none may â—uffer for Conscience sake and do pray for the King and 〈◊〉 haâ— are in Authority under him that we all may lead ouâ—â—ives in aâ—l Godliness â—nd Honesty and that as the Lord hath begun this greaâ— Work by him so he may live to see the same peâ—fected and that he may have his Reward from God accordingly and we all a peaceable Government under him that God may have the Glory of all for ever I am of the pure Religion which is to visit Fatherless and Widdows in their Affliction and keep unspotted of the World. Devon ss Ad General Quarterial Session Pacis Dom. Regis tent apud Castr. Exon. in pro Comitat. praed Secundo die Octobris Anno Regni Dom. nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Regis Fidei Defensor c. Tricessimo quinto Annoque Dom. 1683. WE have been so abundantly convinced of the Seditious and Rebellious Practices of the Sactaries and Phanaticks who through the Course of above One hundred years since we were first infeâ—ted with 'em