and pull down but not to build up They do not hang in the air bur build upon a firm ground they have setled principles consistent with the rules of stable policy Contrariwise Fanaticks truly and not abusively so called do build castles in the air and are fit instruments to disturb and destroy and root out but never to compose and plant and settle for which cause their Kingdom could never hold long in any time or place of the world Upon this ground Presbytery not sectarian Anarchy hath been assaulted with greatest violence by the more observing Prelatists against this they have raised their main batteries this appeared formidable for it is stable and uniform and like to hold if once setled in good earnest This party do not run so fast but they know where to stop they are a number of men so fixed and constant as none more and a Prince or State shall know where to find them They do not strain so high but they consider withal what the Kingdoms of the world will bear and are willing to bring things to the capacity of political Government They can have no pleasure in commotions and alterations for order and regular unity is their way and therefore stability of Government and publick tranquility is their interest It is most unreasonable to object that the late wilde postures extravagancies and incongruities in Government were the work of Presbytery or Presbyterians The Nation had never proof of Presbytery for it was never setled but rather decryed and exposed to prejudice by those that were in sway and that in the more early times of the late Wars The truth of this matter is cleared by a passage of our late Soveraign in a Letter to his Majesty that now is All the lesser Factions were at first officious Servants to Presbytery their great Master till time and Military Success discovering to each their particular advantages invited them to part stakes and leaving the joynt stock of uniform Religion pretended each to drive for their party the trade of profits and preferments to the breaking and undoing not only of the Church and State but of Presbytery it self Thus the joynt stock of uniform Religion was left and Presbytery neglected before the first War was ended Yea and those that stedsastly adhered to it were maligned and reviled by the exorbitant party for opposing their new models or agreements of the people Section XVII Neither can Sects or Schisms with any truth or justice be reckoned the Off-spring of Presbytery Consider the French Dutch Helvetian Churches how intire they keep themselves in Orthodox Vnity from the Gangreen of Sects and Schisms A wide Breach was once made in the Netherlands by Arminius and his Followers but after some years conflict it was healed by the Synod of Dort The Church of Scotland is inferiour to none in the unity of Doctrine and Church-Communion and their form of Ecclesiastical Policy and method of Discipline is very effectual to prevent the broaching of Errour King James in discourse with an English Bishop is reported to have rendred this account why so few Heresies and Errours of Doctrine are united and prosecuted to the publick disturbance of that Church Every Parish hath their Pastor ever present with them and watching over them and he with his Elders and Deacons hath a weekly meeting for censure of manners by which he perfectly knows his Flock and every abberation of them in doctrine practise and lest any heresie might seize upon the Pastor they have their Presbyters which meet together once also every week in the next chief Town or City and there they have their exercise of prophesying after which the Moderator asks the judgement of all the Pastors concerning the doctrine then delivered or of any other doubtful point then propounded and if the Presbytery be divided in their opinions the question is under an injoyned silence put over 〈◊〉 the next Synod which is held twice a 〈…〉 which the Pastors of that quarter or province do duly resort accompanied with their Elders and any question of doubt is either decided by that Assembly or with charge of silence reserved to a national Synod which they hold every year once whither come not the Pastors onely but the King himself or his Commissioners and some of all orders and degrees sufficiently authorized for determining of any controversie that shall arise among them Could the Bishops in former times procure a greater unity in the Church of England Whence therefore should this charge arise peradventure some Presbyterians have turned Sectaries Surely it would be taken for a weak arguing to say That Prelacy is the way to Popery because some Prelatists have turned Papists The truth is Sectarianism grew up in a Mystery of Iniquity and State policy and it was not well discerned till it became almost triumphant by Military successes But after that its growth and strength did manifestly appear Presbytery began to struggle with it and so continued until by the power of the Army it was inforced to sit down but never to comply Whereupon the tongues and pens of Sectaries were imployed against none more then the Presbyterians And I should be glad to hear of such bitter Invectives of the Papists against the Prelatists not that I rejoyce in the sin of the one or the suffering of the other but that the Protestant friends of Prelacy might more incline to their Protestant Presbyterian Brethren Surely the way to prevent the growth of the two utmost extreams is for the two middle parties to draw up and close together But however the world goes the Presbyterians shall ever keep as good a distance from the Sectaries or Fanaticks as the Prelatists shall from Papists And verily there is no greater bar against Fanaticism then the right Presbyterian principles as not to sever but joyn the written word and spirit for direction the spirit and use of Ordinances for Edification to erect a stated Church-Order and Discipline to allow to the Church a directive and to every Christian a discretive judgment to insist only upon Divine Scripture Warrant and to wave humane authority in matters of Religion For such is the temperament of these Maximes that they commend and require a distinct knowledge and illumination in the mind and in the affections lively motions and stirrings against Formality and blind Devotion and so do satisfie the minds of those who conceive that in true Religion there is spiritual light and life and power and also they shew the necessity of the written Word of constant publick Ordinances and private Exercises of Religion and of the direction and discipline of the Church all which do serve to settle the mind against dilusive impulses and wild fancies and raptures Section XVIII But of all the prejudices and scandals taken against this way there is none greater then this that it is represented as tyrannical and domineering and that those who live under it must like Issachar crouch under the burdens In
its adequate Foundation That whilst the two forenamed Parties remain divided both the Protestant Religion and the Kingdom of England is divided against it self That the Presbyterians cannot be rooted out nor their Interest swallowed up whilest the State of England remaineth Protestant That their subversion if it be possible to be accomplished will be very pernicious to the Protestant Religion and the Kingdom of England That the Coalition of both Parties into one may be effected by an equal accommodation without repugnancy to their conscientious Principles on either side in so much that nothing justifiable by Religion or sound Reason can put a bar to this desirable Union Now for as much as political matters are involved in difficulties and perplexities by variety of complicated concernments all which should be thorowly seen and diligently examined and compared and because the minds of men are commonly pre-ingaged or at least much byassed in these matters and thereupon are not easily removed from their pre-conceived opinions I could not rest satisfied as having done my part in this healing Work unless besides a firm and clear proof of things in general I endeavour a deeper impression and more effectual perswasion by searching on e-every side by pressing up close to those closest concernments and most obstinate prejudices that oppose themselves and by opening the passages and making the way plain to this desired Pacification Section II. It is a grave and weighty saying of the Duke of Rohan Princes command the people and Interest commands the Princes The knowledge of this Interest is as much more raised above that of Princes Actions as they themselves are above the People A Prince may deceive himself the Councel may be corrupt but the Interest alone never faileth according as it is well or ill understood it maketh States to live or dye According to this saying it is matter of life and death political to the Kingdom of England as it doth well or ill understand its own Interest In this deliberation two Interests exceeding great and precious offer themselves unto us They are distinct yet not divided but they embrace each other and they both apparently belong to us and are undoubtedly to be owned by us The one is Religious the other Civil The former is that of the Protestant Religion and the latter is that of this Kingdom Wherefore in this Inquiry the main and fundamental point of knowledge lies in discerning the true state of both Now the true state of any Society lies in the Universality or the whole Body not in any contracting or sub-dividing part thereof And the Interest lies in the conversation and advancement of the Universality Section III. Hereupon this question ariseth which is the great Case and Question of the present times Whether we should assert the contracted and dividing Interest of one Party before the general Interest of Protestantism and of the whole Kingdom of England in which the Episcopal and Presbyterian Parties may be happily United Be it here observed That such is the joynt stock of both Parties in things of greatest moment that by declining extreams on both hands the Protestant Religion may be strengthened with Unity in Doctrine Worship and Discipline among all its professors and the Kingdom of England by an inviolable Union between these comprehensive Parties may flourish in peace and plenty for those discords that divide the members and distract the whole body will cease and those common concernments which tend to uphold and encrease the Universality will be acknowledged and pursued Section IV. To turn aside from this common Interest of the whole body to those inferiour partial ones is to set up the trade of Monopolizers which inevitably brings this mischief that a few grow rich by impoverishing the Common-wealth and this inconvenience also to them that follow the trade that they grow rich upon the sudden but are not secure because many are oppressed and more excluded from sharing in the benefit In the present case if the one Party be the only exalted Ones and the other trodden under foot the damage will redound to the Protestant cause and to the Church and Kingdom of England For whatsoever some men think this Church and Kingdom is concerned in the one as well as in the other Party In the same case though one side should rise suddenly to a great height yet their Estate would be more secure and lasting if they held the way open and secure to those of the other side seeing they are willing to close upon terms just and reasonable Section V. Moreover those Kingdoms and Common-wealths and Societies of all kinds which are of the largest Foundation are of the greatest potency Now a comprehensive Interest that takes in vast multitudes is indeed a large Foundation and a Society that builds upon it shall become great and mighty but a contracted Interest that draws all to a fewer number is a narrow Foundation and if it exclude many that should be taken in it is too narrow for the Fabrick that should rest upon it As a large house cannot be built upon a narrow foundation so a great Kingdom such as is the Kingdom of England and an ample Society such as is that of the Protestant Religion cannot be built upon a narrow Interest Let it be considered that the adverse Kingdom to wit the Papacy is ample and powerfull Should not the Protestant Religion and the Church of England aim at enlargement and lengthen their cords to take within their line all those that are intirely affected to them Then might they send forth much more numerous Forces of able Champions against the Armies of Antichrist So should this National Church become terrible as an Army with Banners Section VI. Besides those reasons for Unity which concern all Kingdoms and Nations in the like case there is one reason peculiar to this Kingdom or rather to this Island of Great Brittain which is a little world apart It is a notable saying which hath been taken up That England is a mighty Animal that cannot dye except it destroy it self God hath so seated and placed this Island that nothing but division within it self can hurt it If envie and faction do not make us to forget our dear Country and destroy our selves the hope of Forreign Enemies will be for ever cut off Wherefore it must needs be the wisdom of this State to smother all dividing Factions and to abolish all partial Interests that the common Interest of England may be alone exalted Section VII I am not ignorant that designs of Pacification between disagreeing Parties are liable to much suspition misconstruction and hard censure that the attempts of Reconcilers have commonly proved fruitless and sometimes matter of disreputation to themselves and no marvel that such cross effects should commonly follow such attempts for sometimes they are made to reconcile light and darkness the Temple of God and Idols This was the way of a Great One even a Prince in Learnings Empire who
glistering furniture thereof in the secular dignities and jurisdictions of the higher rank of Ecclesiasticks in the implicite faith of the Laicks and in a formal uniformity in the outside of Religion Or in the powerful preaching of the Gospel by able Ministers of the New Testament in the lively and spiritual manner of prayer in the dispensation of Sacraments after a manner most effectual to the increase of knowledge faith and virtue in the exercise of discipline to correct all contumacious disobedience against the known laws of Christ our King and Law-giver and all performed in a comely order with a grave and sober decency Let all unprejudiced minds give judgement which of these two different states of Religion doth most express the Gospel-ministration which is called the ministration of the Spirit and is incomparably more glorious and powerful then the Mosaical dispensation with all its outward and visible splendor Let them also judge which of these two is most conformable to the state of the primitive times wherein the Christian Church not by an arm of flesh and the wisdom of this world but by weapons mighty through God as the Evangelical doctrine and discipline the holiness of believers the constancy of Martyrs overturned the Kingdom of Satan and advanced the Kingdom of Christ where Satans Throne was in opposition to the power of the Roman Empire the wisedom of the learned Heathens the counsels of Polititians the potency of ancient Customs the inveterate prejudice of all sorts of people and lastly in opposition to the Devil reigning and raging in them all Wherefore let us mind the true way of restoring the Christian Religion to its primitive power and glory Section LI. It is a happy frame and order when things are setled for general satisfaction that none or very few of the serious people desire an alteration but all or most of them dread it as also when things are setled for stability that none who have a will to it can encompass an alteration It is a happy thing to light upon the way that leads to this satisfaction and to this stability In religion the way of general satisfaction is not to gratifie the humour and appetite of one or more parties but to secure the consciences of the judicious and sober minded in general For such on all sides will sway most for continuance and if they be satisfied intemperate and unquiet spirits would quickly be out of breath in their rash attempts Likewise the way of stability that none may succesfully project a change is to prevent mens running into extreams on either hand For when one extream prevaileth a change easily followeth In this case it fares with the Church as with civil States A principality heightened into Tyranny tumbles down into Anarchy and a Republick too much cherishing popular extravagancies lifts up a tyranny Now the way to prevent extreams is either to chuse moderate spirits or else a ballancing number of the opposite parties to the managing of publick affairs In which election a Prince doth not appear as a Neuter but as a moderator and true Governour that hath the command of all interests Section LII And now having pursued Peace to the utmost of my small ability in these pacifick Discourses I hope this diligent search after the knowledg of good and evil in this kind will not be judged an eating of the forbidden fruit an ambitious and bold inquiry into things not to be made known For it is not a curious or presumptuous intruding into the Counsels of Princes and secrets of Government but a modest and sober deliberation upon things open and manifest and of publick inquisition and discourse Besides it is an extraordinary time wherein there are great thoughts yea great searchings of heart in men of all degrees and all perswasions It is true that this Nation is not erecting a new Kingdom nor laying new foundations of Government yet it is no less true that this restauration is as it were life from the dead and we are in some sort beginning the world anew It is a notable Epocha or period of time giving opportunity to cut off excesses to make up defects and to make crooked things straight before we be fixed and ingaged in particular wayes from which though never so incenvenient we may not be able to draw back or turn aside It is affirmed by one of piercing knowledge in affairs of this nature that it is a profitable order in a Commonwealth for any one to propose what is for the publick good Surely the Kingdom cannot suffer by the proposals of the meanest persons when they touch not upon the fundamental Constitution nor disturb publick peace and order This Discourse offers no disturbance to such Forms and Orders as have attained a quiet stated posture in these times The Lawes have made some alteration in things of former use and practice as the Act for abolishing the high Commission The times have made more alterations in mens minds and wayes and his Majesty hath observed a necessity or at least expediency of some alterations whereby the minds of men may be composed and the peace of the Church established declaring That he hath not the least doubt but the present Bishops will think that the Concessions made by him to allay the present Distempers are very just and reasonable Lastly The scope of this Treatise doth justifie and defend it self whereof the bare narration is a full Vindication For the sum of the whole matter is to perswade a turning from the advancement of a partial Interest and a turning to the obvious and easie way of giving general satisfaction to all those that acknowledge the Church of England to be a true Church and are willing to abide in her Communion FINIS An Advertisment to the Reader THere are lately Printed twenty one Sermons Preached upon severall occasions By Edward Reynolds D. in Divinity and Bishop of Norwich in quarto None of which are contained in his large Volume And are to be sold at the Rose and Crown in St. Pauls Church-yard 1661.
and hope of Order And by his able Conduct of Affairs he became less hated and more feared then at the first yet not beloved His chiefest Grandees in Council and Army he made nothing to cashiere when they appeared to take check at his Proceedings and so he seemed to have made a fair progress in the establishing of his new Dominion But the truth is that Party and those means by which he obtained the Power would in no wise permit him to make it sure His Army was not like that of Caesar who had no other aim than to make their General Lord of the Roman World and to share in his fortunes But it was acted by working Spirits zealous of peculiar Notions touching things both Religious and Civil utterly repugnant to the way of generall Satisfaction and National Settlement And not onely those of the standing Army but the whole body of that irregular Party throughout the Nation did generally oppose the Kingship of this Person who was their head and Chief conceiving that the best insuring of their Interest was not by way of legal Stability but Sword-security This old Leaven their chief Commander could not purge out and this Veterane Party could not with safety be abandoned or neglected until a larger tract of time might beget a better confidence between him and the sober part of the people But in this unsetled posture being taken off by death he leaves all to a Successor depending rather upon the Courtesie of the present Grandees and the peoples peaceable inclination than any potent abilities or interest of his own After a while the wild spirit of the Army before manacled brake loose and instantly dissolved the whole frame of that new Model Forthwith they run into inextricable Errours and Mazes through unstable and head-long Counsels they do and undo build up and pull down the samethings and are always reeling upon the brink of a Precipice And at last to hasten an inevitable ruine the Army and Party combined with it is divided against it self the bonds of Union are broken and things brought into extream disorder by a spirit of Ambition Giddiness Perversness Fury Section II. The Nation grows impatient of these confusions and conceives just indignation at the disgrace and scorn cast upon it by such ridiculous changes and absurd motions in Government Considerate men saw plainly that the state of England was grown poor and feeble and must needs langush more and more till it hath no strength left to resist any Invader or to subsist under its own charge and burthen The thoughts of men in general fix upon the exiled Royal Family as alone sacred to Soveraignty and alone able by reason of its extensive and grounded Interest to hold and manage it In this juncture of time the unruly motions and projects of the prevailing part of the Army received some check by a Chieftain of High Trust yet not of the Army-spirit Presently the three Kingdoms gaze upon him musing what is the design and what may be the issue of his single opposition Being a Person deliberate reserved and resolute by ambiguous expressions and winding Traverses he amuzes all parties and feels his way step by step till he finds when to declare and where to fix himself At length a full Tide of concurring accidents carries him to a closure with the sober part of the Parliamentary party who from first to last intended only a Reformation and due regulation of things in Church and State but abhorred the thought of destroying the King or changing the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom Whereupon the doors were set open to the Re-admission of the Secluded Members which necessarily drew after it the restoring of King Lords and Commons according to the ancient constitution Nor was it possible in that state of things that any other party could peaceably bring about this much desired and long expected end For the Souldiery however changed and much qualified were not so manageable as to have indured the stirring of those who were then called Royalists but in any such appearance they were in all reason likely to have deserted their General and from that rooted principle of self-preservation to have taken such ways and counsels as might put things to a stand if not to the utmost hazard But those prudent and sober-minded Patriots being re-assembled after so long Exclusion to put a Period to those disorders did not only prevent the aforesaid mischief but also beget a good measure of quietness and confidence in the minds of that party which conscientiously adhered to them in the first Cause asserted by both Houses of Parliament in as much as these longed for nothing more then the securing of the true Reformed Protestant Religion and their Civil Rights and Liberties upon the ancient Foundations and esteemed the legal settlement of the Kingdom to be that regular way wherein they might expect that God should meet them and bless them and give them peace and wherein whatever happens they should finde security and satisfaction to their own Consciences Thus the Divine Providence having first prepared the way brings back King Charles the Second drawn in the swiftest Chariots even the affections of his willing people and amidst their triumphant acclamations peaceably sets him upon the Throne of his Royal Progenitors And there let him long sit and reign and let his House and Kingdom be established throughout all Ages And verily in this great turning time it is of the highest importance to inquire and search how the King and Kingdom who in so wonderful manner have been restored to each other may be put into a stable possession of peace happiness and security unto all mutual complacency and satisfaction Section III. After a dreadful Earthquake shaking all the Powers of the Kingdom and overturning the very Foundations and after a new frame of things erected standing for divers years and seemingly stated for perpetuity the Regal Family and Government is raised up again not by the power or policy of that party who fought under the Banner of his late Majesty in the Wars between Him and both Houses of Parliament But by the restless desire of the Nation and the vigorous actings of the City of London with the concurrence of the Secluded Members of the Long Parliament in conjunction with that Renowned Person who then held the power of the Sword Which it pleased the King to take notice of according to His Princely Condescention in His Gracious Speech to the House of Peers for hastening the Act of Indempnity My Lords if you do not joyn with Me in extinguishing those fears which keep mens hearts awake and apprehensive of safety and security you keep Me from performing my promise which if I had not made I am perswaded that neither I nor you had been now here I pray you let Us not deceive those who brought Us or permitted Us to come together His Majesty thus brought back to a willing and free-spirited people by their own Act
every Town and Parish and almost in all mixed companies and occasional Meetings But let the propounded Accommodation be accepted and established and the former mutual injuries will pass into forgetfulness and persons formerly engaged against each other will be able to look one another in the face without provocation and new quarrels Where is our Charity and regard to publick tranquility if we reject the sure and only means of Concord Section XXIII Uniformity in Religion is beautiful and amiable but we ought to consider not only what is desirable but what is attainable There have been are and always will be such points as the Apostle tearms doubtful disputations When the severity of Laws and Canons inforce external Uniformity in things of this nature it exerciseth a tyranny over mens judgments and holds them in a servile condition that they are not free but captivated to the Authority of men or suppressed from making a due search into matters of Religion yea this thraldom will inevitably reach to things of an higher nature even the vital parts of Christianity That servile Principle which hath the heart of Popery in it must be introduced to wit that the Laity should not search the Scriptures nor try the Doctrines delivered but acquiesce in what their Teachers say without the Exercise of their own reason or judgment of discretion Hereupon will follow gross ignorance and supine carelesness in the things of God and in those that any whit mind Religion which is the best of the matter a blind devotion And a people rude and servile in Religion will be rude and dissolute in Conversation as we see in Popish Countries and in all places where spiritual tyranny prevaileth This is so great an evil that it cannot be countervailed by all the imaginable benefit of Uniformity And the truth is all profitable Uniformity is mingled with sobriety and stands not in an indivisible point but admits a latitude and by a little variety in matters of lesser moment becomes more graceful because it is more unstrained and unaffected Section XXIV It is a chief point of knowledge in those whose work it is to mould and manage a Nation according to any order of things to undrestand what is the temper of the people what Principles possess and govern them or considerable Parties of them and to what pass things are already brought among them Those who duly observe and regard the disposition and present State of England and the principles and affections of the several considerable Parties will be able to give the best advice for a happy settlement For such a course as is wisely and succesfully taken in one Nation may in the like business prove unfortunate in another Nation or in the same at another time A State may probably root out such opinions as it conceives to be heterodox and inconvenient by using great severity in the beginning when the opinions are but newly sowed in mens minds and the people are of such a nature as to abhor dangers and aim to live securely and when the Nation in general is devoted to the ancient customs of their fore-fathers But the same course may not be taken when the opinions have been deeply rooted and far spread by long continuance in a Nation of a free spirit and zealous and the generality of those that in a Law sence are called Cives do not detest them At this day England affords a multitude of Episcopal Zealots and a multitude of Presbyterian Zealots balancing the former and between these two there lye a more indifferent sort of people whereof a great number care for none of these things but others are more intelligent and considerate and these seem to approve some things and again to disapprove some things on either side As far as I have observed the indifferent sort of men do accord with the Episcopal way in affecting the Common-Prayer-Book and those among them that are of any reckoning for worth or honesty do also according to the Presbyterian way affect the constant preaching of the Word and the residency of Ministers in their Parochial Charges and disaffect plurality of Benefices Knowledge hath so increased that the people in general will more observe their Teachers Doctrine and conversation and the impertinencies of the one and the irregularities of the other shall not pass without noting The insufficient idle and scandalous will fall into contempt and be slighted by the common people The profanation of the Lords Day by open sports and pastimes is by the Civil part of the Nation accounted scandalous Furthermore the present Age being more discerning all sorts affect a greater liberty of Judgment and Discourse then hath been used in former times Whereupon the State of this Kingdom requires a temper or medium between two extreams to wit medium abnegationis in those unnecessary things wherein no accord can be expected between the Parties by abolishing or not injoyning them and medium participationis in things necessary to Order and Government wherein the moderate of both Parties do easily comply with each other When the State like a prudent Mother not led by the passions of her angry Children shall not engage in their quarrels on this or that side but settle such a temperament for their common good love and peace may ensue between the Parties though difference of judgment still remains When the Nation shall not espouse to it self the Interest of a party but intirely reserve it self for the good of the Universality those hot disputes and contests will of themselves fall to the ground and men of different judgments will be less fond of their own opinions when they observe that the State doth not judge its happiness to rest upon any of them and that the welfare of the Church and Kingdom consists without them Section XXV This Kingdom after the removing of foundations is by a marvellous turn re-established upon its ancient basis And verily that which hath wrought the change will settle it that which hath brought such things to pass will keep them where they are if we do not overlook and sleight it And what was it but the consent of the universality the Vote of all England This did produce an universal motion exceeding vehement but not violent For it was not against but according to nature All things having been out of place and held in a state preternatural when the force was taken off moved to their center and place of rest to wit the ancient fundamental constitution And for this cause the change was not terrible but calm kindly and unbloody Now as that natural inclination which carries things to their resting place will keep them there untill by violence they are forced thence so this consent of the universality which produced a kindly motion of all things to settle in their own place and order upon the right foundation will keep them there until such external force shall come as can break and dissipate the universality Wherefore seeing this great revolution
even for meer formalities In the late distempered times the Sectaries and masked Jesuites had a free rainge and all possible advantages yet it is manifest that towards the later end errour was rather in the wane then in the encrease which we are bold to attribute to the liberty of constant practical preaching Wherefore settle discipline incourage true Watchmen restrain seducers expel the Jesuites and the Church through Gods blessing will be kept in peace and order Section XXIX If these things are so whence proceeds the present vehemence and importunity of so many of the Episcopal party to carry things to the height of their way without the least abatement of the ancient rigour Some of that way as wise and learned and pious as many among them did offer terms in the time of their distraction and distress and in those times it was a common thing among the friends of Prelacy to condemn the violence of some of the late Prelates Have present advantages made them of another minde If they answer by retortion Why did not the Presbyterians make a more early offer of agreement and close when time was with the overtures of some Bishops Truely we are willing to argue the case and have many things to reply And first it is freely acknowledged that we ought to have had a more tender respect to each other to have better considered the state of England and to have studied moderation Yet let not one side bear all the blame when both are faulty Impetuous actings on both sides suddenly brought us to extremities and a War brake forth and then both Prelatists and Presbyterians were ingaged with such partakers that the more moderate on both sides must needs be overacted And as the War was prolonged the breach was widened Statesmen and Swordmen and particular subdividing interests having their peculiar and hidden designs Moreover when the Regal Power and the House of Peers were suppressed and most of the House of Commons secluded the Presbyterians had only an interest of liberty but not of power and authority and favour You cannot impute to them the want of unity which was not possible for them to encompass But they were heartily weary of those confusions and longed for unity and order and had much regard to Bishop Ushers reduction then reprinted desiring to take it for a ground-work or beginning of accommodation among all sober Protestants that we might not be spoiled of all Religion but what Papists and Sectaries would by their leaves allow us So that not of constraint but of choice and a ready mind they pursue peace and concord Howbeit in those times some Prelatists of the higher strain would condescend in nothing but gloried in calling themselves the unchangeable Sons of the Church of England that is in their sence the unalterable Asserters of the Opinions and practices of the late English Hieratchy There were also many more moderate Episcopal Divines that were formerly reckoned half Puritans and upon that account kept from preferment till about the beginning of the Long Parliament some of them were made Bishops for the support of Episcopacy These being exasperated by the late Wars and the issue thereof violent changes in Government and their own sufferings which happened beyond our first expectations were set at a greater distance from us Let both sides acknowledge their errour in departing unto such a distance from one another The truth is men ingaged in War aim at victory and having peculiar interests draw to extreams But now we settle upon a common bottom and prudence should guide us to aim at common satisfaction It is known that some Episcopal and Presbyterian Divines have joyned hand in hand and why should not all those of either party do the like that are both for Christ Indeed a calamity may befall sound and good Christians to refuse unity in Church-order when the terms mutually required seem to one or both parties unlawfull But in the present case when nothing is desired in contradiction to Divine Right Primitive practice order and decency but a forbearance or indulgence in things not of themselves necessary yet scrupled as unlawful and it will not be accepted surely either secular interest or the everlasting enmity is the root of this dissention And certainly with those that bear so hard upon mens consciences conformity to Church government Rites and Ceremonies is not sufficient to procure their amity We well remember how heretofore the conforming Puritanes were as great an eye-sore to some Prelates as the non-conformists But in good earnest shall such precious things as the peace and edification of the Church the needful service of so many able and godly Ministers and the quiet and comfort of so many sober-minded Christians be all sacrificed to the Hierarchy and Ceremonies Will not Episcopal Protestant Divines regard the weakning of the Protestant Cause in Christendom by treading the Presbyterians under foot The more ancient Bishops in England were of another minde as Bishop Robert Abbot by name witness this passage of his Sermon preached when he was Doctor of the Chair in Oxford That men under pretence of truth and preaching against the Puritans strike at the heart and root of Faith and Religion now establisted amongst us that this preaching against Puritans was but the practice of Parsons and Campians counsel when they came into England to seduce young Students and when many of them were afraid to lose their places if they should professedly be thus the counsel they then gave them was that they should speak freely against Puritans and that should suffice Let our Episcopal brethren as Divines as Protestants as Christians consider these things O let it not be said of this Generation in the time to come that the way of peace we have not known From the Discourse aforegoing I inferr this pacifick and healing conclusion That the Party called Presbyterian may be protected and incouraged and the Episcopal not deserted nor disobliged His Majesties wisedom and authority will draw both Sides to submit to reason The third Inquiry having connexion with the two former now follows to close up the whole matter Quest. III. Whether the upholding of both Parties by a just and equal accommodation be not in it self more desirable and more agreeable to the State of England than the absolute exalting of one Party and the total subversion of the other Section XXX That state of Prelacy which cannot stand without the subversion of the Presbyterians and that stands in opposition to regulated Episcopacy will become a mystery of a meer carnal and worldly state under a sacred title and venerable name of our Mother the Church For in such opposition of what will it be made up but of Lordly revenue dignity splendor and jurisdiction with outward ease and pleasure What will its design be from age to age but to uphold and advance its own pomp and potency Read the Ecclesiastical Histories and you shall finde the great business of the Hierarchy hath been
to contest with Princes and Nobles and all ranks and degrees about their Immunities Priviledges Pre-eminencies to multiply Constitutions and Ceremonies for props to their own Greatness but not to promote the Spiritual Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in the hearts of people according to the life and power of Christianity The above-named Venetian Gentleman in his Narrative of the Popes Nuncio delivers this Maxime That the Court of Rome in perpetual pursuance of its old pretences is more sollicitous and laborious to reverse and destroy the Oath of Allegiance because it seems contrary to its temporall grandeur then to extirpate such Heresies as the Realm of England is infected with Even so such an Hierarchy will be more industrious and careful to establish and enlarge their own Power Dignity then to maintain and propagate Christs true Religion What are the weapons of the Warfare by which this Mystical State prevails Not such as are mighty through God working upon the conscience but pecuniary Mulcts and greater temporal penalties not to the wounding of the spirit but to the breaking of the outward estate By what wayes and methods must it be advanced The constant and practical preaching of the Word must be discountenanced Snares must be laid for the most zealous Ministers Sports and pastimes on the Sabbath dayes must be held forth with allowance and approbation Men of strict lives and serious in Religion must be reproached for Fanaticks By these means a people being first enthralled to ignorance superstition and profaness will be disposed unto blinde obedience and perfect spiritual bondage For in very deed the State here described will never stand safely among a people that are free serious searching and discerning in matters of Religion For this cause an Hierarchy of this nature hath a strong bias towards Popery Nay it must for its own safety approach as near it as the Nation can well bear The Reformed Religion doth not glory in the vast riches outward pomp and splendour of Ecclesiastical persons Wherefore when the grandeur of Prelates and pomp of Ceremonies is affected and admired the Church of Rome is sure to finde favour in the eyes of the Clergy The said Venetian reports That the Universities Bishops and Divines of this Realm dayly imbrace Catholick Opinions though they profess them not with open mouth for fear of the Puritans In this matter let them stand or fall by the evidence of their own writings Let it be well observed that the designes of suppressing Puritans and complying with Papists in this Nation had their beginning both at once and proceeded in equal paces And it hath appeared that the moderate Cassandrian Grotian Popery was no abomination to many Prelatists The Conciliators of our age have judged Papists and moderate Protestants as they call them very reconcileable but have cast the Calvinists or Puritans without the limits of the pacification Wherefore we cannot conceive that the excessive height of Prelacy I say not this of regulated Episcopacy to be the strongest Bulwark against Popery unless by Popery is meant no more then what the Trent Fathers except the Italians generally opposed to wit the stupendious exorbitant power of the Pope who pretends to be not only Supream but in effect sole Bishop of the Universe as reputing all other Bishops his meer subjects and delegates We confess Popery in this new and strict notion might be controlled by the height of Prelacy But according to a vulgar sence we take Popery in the height thereof for the Heresies and Idolatries and in the lower degree thereof for the gross errors and superstitions of the Church of Rome Section XXXII Moreover pure necessity in that state will constrain the Hierarchy to negotiate with Rome if they subvert and ruine the Presbyterians If in such a case they intend to uphold a Protestant State they understand not their own concernment The Bishops must either retreat to a moderate compliance with Presbyteriaus or advance to a reconciliation with Papists If they had a design to extirpate the Presbyterians and could accomplish it are they able afterwards alone and by themselves to bear up against the main force and to withstand all the wiles and methods of the popish Faction at home and abroad They mistake themselves if they think their unalterable adherents are so numerous and powerful In case they dissipate that other party which hath been always found most active vigorous and vigilant against Romish Encroachments what remains besides themselves and their zealots but a common dronish multitude that will do little for any religion or men of loose principles that would easily embrace Popery as a flesh-pleasing Religion When the common people are left to ignorance and prophaness for servile ends and purposes they are thoroughly prepared for Popery which is a gross sensual formal pompous way agreeable to the multitude whereas Fanaticism the other extreme takes but with a few in comparison because it hath something of pretended illuminations spiritual notions and raptures to which the common multitude is not propense If you ask how hath Prelacy held it out hitherto against Popery even from the first Reformation take notice that the Episcopal Clergy did not go about to exterminate the Puritans before their latter times and then he that had half an eye could discern the notable advance and the confident expectations of the Popish faction Section XXXIII Do any persons conceive a Reconciliation with Rome hopeful or possible upon moderate tearms as they suppose namely the permission of the marriage of Priests the Popes Dispensation for the Oaths of Allegiance and Supermacy so far as it concerns the Kings temporal power the administring of the Communion in both kinds and the Liturgy officiated in the English Tongue Let them observe that Panzani the Popes Nuncio in England declared privately to his intimate friend that the Pope would never admit any man to govern here as Bishop meaning over the Catholicks that should favour the Oath of Allegiance And the reason hereof is evident because it is a thing contrary to the maxims of Rome Moreover in that little History of the said Nuncio there is a passage which being well considered doth evince that the Courts of England and Rome are irreconcileable unless England become intirely papal That Author saith That this Realm is so perversly addicted to maintain its own resolute opinion of excluding the Popes authority that this hath been the cause why the Catholicks who for the first twelve years conformed themselves unto the Politie introduced into the Church of England have since separated from it and to testifie their uniting to the Pope have refused to frequent the Protestant Churches and have therby framed one party in that State Let a fair accord in the general be supposed yet the sole point of the Popes Supremacy shal dash the whole agreement We know that Jesuitism is the predominant humour in the Papacy and nothing can be done without their influence and therefore we cannot
changes it may be concluded that they will not easily run the hazard of abetting any Parties in contradiction to Him But this is happily or unhappily suggested as it is turned to a good or a bad use Though evil Counsels may turn it to a bad use yet it yields unspeakable advantage to the wholesome Counsels both of King and People for the good of both The people knowing that acquiescence in present things is their best security will not be given to change and the King knowing the peoples indisposition to abet a change will have little occasion of jealousie And their mutuall confidence which is the strongest bond of peace will lead them without rub or let into a setled mutuall happiness But it is not good advice to neglect a peoples interest or to use them with less regard because they are willing to hug their own peace in any tolerable condition The Soveraigns greatness and the peoples freedom are but one fabrick resting upon the same fundamental constitution If you shake the one you shake the other also I detest and abhorre the tumults and insurrections of the people and the resisting of the Soveraign power Let wickedness proceed from the wicked But let none that seek a righteous end tread in unrighteous ways let no wel-minded person be drawn into such a snare of reproach and ruine I am perswaded that the generality of the Presbyterian denomination would indure extremities before they would revenge or defend themselves by unlawfull means as rebelling against their lawfull Soveraign As I finde my own heart so do I judge of others Nevertheless let a wise Prince consider that the divine providence can by ways without number change the face and state of things when a dissatisfied conscientious party shall not stir one foot to indeavour a change Wherefore let Counsels of safety and stability take place that a Princes interest may stand firm against all assaults of unexpected accidents Section XXXVIII It hath been judged a Maxime in Policy that to head faction is agreeable to one aspiring to soveraignty but not to one possessed of it Also that to uphold division is the way to subdue a people but not to hold them in firm obedience when subbu'd Machiavel shews the inconvenience that ariseth to a Prince by holding a people under his Government divided into factions because he will be inclined as all by nature are to take part in any thing that is divided and to be pleased more with this then with that party whereupon the other is discontented And he brings in a pertinent story That in the year 1501. a Gentleman sent by the King of France into Italy to cause restitution of certain lost Towns to the Florentines finding in every one of those Fortresses men who when they came to visit him said that they were of such a faction much blamed their division saying that in France if one of the Kings subjects should say he were of the Kings party he should be punished because such a speech would signifie no less then that there were in the Country people enemies to the King whereas the King willeth that all those Towns be his friends and united within themselves Let me rehearse the Counsell of our late Soveraign to His Majesty that now is Take heed of abetting any Faction or applying to any publick discriminations in matters of Religion contrary to what is in your own judgement and the Churches well settled Your partial adhering as head to any one side gains you not so great advantages in some mens hearts who are prone to be of their Kings Religion as it loseth you in others who think themselves and their profession first despised then persecuted by you Take such a course as may either with calmnesse and charity quite remove the seeming differences and offences by impartiality or so order affairs in point of power that you need not to fear or flatter any Faction Now if the case were such that one party were the Kings onely Confidents and that the other cannot be faithful to him upon immutable grounds and reasons then policy would advise him so to order things in point of power that he need not fear nor flatter the adverse party But it is evident that the Presbyterians love the King and Kingly Government and account themselves happy in His Majesties clemency allowing them a just and inoffensive liberty in certain matters of Conscience It is also evident to all impartial Judgements that his Majesties calmness and charity may remove the seeming differencies and offences on their part They are ready to comply with Episcopacy regulated and Liturgy corrected and they preferre union by accommodation before Toleration with Division Section XXXIX If it be obiected that the King by carrying an even hand between both parties will insure neither for both will remain dissatisfied I reply this argument were of force if the differences must remain uncompounded and the parties publickly divided into two opposite societies but we lay this for a ground-work that these twain are to be made one as to publick communion in divine worship and to an agreement in one common interest relating both to the Protestant Religion and to this Kingdom which His Majesties wisedom may accomplish by a prudent disposing of those things which indifferently belong to both and wherein they both agree and in divers things that are peculiar to this or that side he may gratifie the one and the other with moderation as when the favours vouchsafed to the one are not injurious to the others peace In which case indeed here may remain men of different perswasions but not of divided parties and interests Besides if some on either hand should become turbulent and cry we will have all or none yet the greater number yea the main body of either side may be found of calmer judgments and affections who together with a multitude of wise and well minded persons that are indifferent between both perswasions would cause the violent ones to keep within bounds And as many of those passionate men as have any judgment will discern that they are without hope of prevailing and disadvantage themselves by opposing the common interest and quiet of the Nation Section XL. His Majesty is a great King he is King indeed and reigns in great power over a willing people He hath in his hands the joynt stock or common interest of the whole Nation Neither of these grand parties can subsist without him and this gives him assurance that they are and must be both his It is manifest that his interest hath gotten the preheminence over all partial interests as indeed it ought For if the Prince be not in this regard transscendent he is ready to be laid low Wise men inform us that a Prince by adhering to one Faction may in time lift it up above his own Imperial interest which will be forced to give way to it as the lesser to the greater And the prime leaders of the potent
Faction will sway more then the Prince himself They will become arrogant unthankfull and boundless in their ambitious designes It is observed of Henry the Third of France that he would be taken into the League with the Princes of his own Kingdome to root out the Protestants and after awhile the same League was turned against him A Prince may be so intangled that he shall not know how to winde out of those wayes wherein he hath so far ingaged himself neither shall he be able to turn himself to the necessity of his own affairs as new accidents arise Then is a Prince truely potent when he hath all particular Factions lying at his feet and can compel them to live in peace with one another This is the potency of our Soveraign Lord this day For he is alone and there is none besides him on whom the Nation can have any stable dependance Wherefore let His Majesties high concernments be the primam mobile to carry about all the inferiour Orbs in our political world Section XLI His Majesty hath gained his peoples hearts and is glorious in their eyes and by his continued clemency he will not fail to hold them fast to himself He desires to govern well and they desire to be well governed and seek no greater liberty In some tender points of Conscience they wait upon his indulgence and are willing to close with uniformity not in rigour but in some convenient latitude and relaxation There is an yielding that is no way abject but generous and advantageous a Princely condescention whereby a King becomes more absolute and may have what he will from his loving subjects And they will no less fear him then love him as knowing both his goodness and his greatness For he is great indeed to whom the hearts of three Nations are linked and it is morally impossible that so vast a people should at once be lost to a King who continues to deserve well of them and to make them his favourites And then what person or party shal dare to sleight his Government whose interest and influence is of so large extent XLII There is a saying which by many hath been taken up for a proverb No Bishop no King I do not well understand the rise of this saying and therefore dare not speak in derogation of their judgments who were the Authors of it But upon the matter it self I crave leave to make this modest Animadversion And first it is some degrading to the transcendent interest of Soveraignty to affix unto it a necessity of any one partial interest for its support for independency and self-substence without leaning upon any Party is a Prince his strength and glory Also it makes that Party over-confident and its opposite too despondent Such sayings as import a Princes necessary dependence on any particular Party may in the mouths of subjects be too presumptuous and in the mouth of a Prince too unwary But of this particular I dare not so speak in as much as I know not its rise and reason Only this I humbly conceive that the coalition of Episcopacy and Presbytery sets forth a Bishop in conjunction with Presbyters of no less dependence on the soveraign and of more influence on the people then a Bishop having sole jurisdiction can have in the present age Section XLIII As concerning the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom who for the greater part are said to favour Prelacy They cannot in reason be offended at such a regulated Episcopacy when they shall behold its order and harmony and tendency to a general peace It seems agreeable to their Nobleness to affect a comely and venerable Order in the Church for the honour of Religion And let them judge whether the Worship of God be more holy and reverend for those many Gesticulations and various postures enterchangeably used in parts of divine Service that are of the same kinde and require equall Reverence Whether a grave habit of civil decency for a Minister is less decent in sacred Administrations then certain other Vestments which some scruple as conceiving that holiness is placed in them Whether a Church setled by limited Episcopacy cannot attain to its due veneration without the Hierarchical dominion and splendor The reduction of absolute Prelacy to Episcopal presidency here desired may concern the Nobility and Gentry as well as others For as others may be oppressed so these may be overtopped Excessive power is commonly exercised beyond their intentions that are eager to set it up And they that thought onely of crushing a party offensive to them may at length finde themselves obnoxious or at least neglected and undervalued On the other side they have little cause to fear that which is commonly so much dreaded namely the excessive rigour of discipline from a president Bishop and grave Presbyters joyntly governing For it is supposed that no act of Discipline shall be exercised against or besides the Lawes of the Land which cannot be made without consent of the Nobles and Commons in Parliament Section XLIV Let the Episcopal Clergy admit an address to themselves touching their own concernments Peradventure they either suspect or disdain the counsel of one that may seem an adversary but whatever they apprehend it is the counsel of one who with his whole heart desires that they may not miscarry who accounts them too precious to belost to their brethren if they will permit themselves upon any reasonable tearms to be gained who would gladly walk with them by the same Rule in things received in common which are sufficient for Christian concord and should be so acknowledged by all that mind the things of Christ more then their own things Were I a true hater of that Party or a right Phanatick I should wish for their violent irruption upon the Presbyterians even as vehemently as now I pursue the design of peace and I verily think my reasoning however it takes with them will convince them of my good intention if they decline moderate counsels and resolve to run high they may attain to a lofty standing howbeit they will always stand on a pinacle In a little time they have greatly inlarged their borders and lengthened their cords it were good that now they should strengthen their stakes and make good their ground By moderation only can they be established Some may say in their hearts The bricks are fallen downe but we will build with hewen stones the Sycomores are cut down but we will change them into Cedars Indeed their advantage is well known nevertheless let them consider their constant strength and accordingly limit their hopes for this is an high point of wisedom Let them that have gotten a victory use it wisely and take care that they lose it not in hope of a greater The issue of things oft times hath proved unfortunate to those that have waxed insolent and unreasonable upon unexpected successes There is not a greater errour then to refuse tearms of Agreement that are profered by a