by wicked Counsells intends to make War against the Parliament c. 2. That whensoever the King maketh War upon the Parliament it is a Breach of the Trust reposed in him by his People Contrary to his Oath and tending to the Dissolution of This Government 3. That whosoever shall serve or Assist him in such Wars are Traytors by the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdome and have been so Adjudg'd by Two Acts of Parliaments and ought to suffer as Traytors c. Ri. Your Majesties most humble and Faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament c. Ib. Jun. 2. 1642. Pa. 307. Mo. This was the Petition that Accompanied the Nineteen Propositions demanding from the King the discharge of all his Ministers and Embassadors and none to be taken into their Places but what the Parliament shall approve That all matters of State may be transacted only in Parliament the Privy Counsell to be by Them approved from time to time and supply'd All Great Officers to bâ Chosen by their Approbation They to have the Education of the Kings Children and the Choyce of their Servants No Maâch to be treated of without them A Reformation of Church-Government and Liturgy to be contrived by their Advice The Militia to be settled in them till settled by a Bill and all Proclamations against it to be recalled New Oaths for Privy Councellors and Iudges All Iudges and Officers to hold their Places Quamdiâ se bene Gesserint Parliament-Iustice upon all Delinquents An Amnestry with such exceptions as the Parliament shall advise All Forts and Castles under Gouernours approved by Parliament All Forces to be Disbanded and a Prohibition of any Peers hereaftââ to be made from Sitting or Voting in Parliament without the Consent of Both Houses Are not these the Propositions think ye of Most Humble and Faithful Subjects Ri. Yo ur Majesties Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament Ibid. Sept. 24. 1642. Pa. 617. Mo. His Majesties Loyal Subjects had now sent the Earl of Essex to fall upon the Kings Army and desired his Majesty to leave them and come to his Parliament And they Petition'd his Majesty to the same Purpose again Pa. 630. And so as the Humour took them to the very Treaty at the Isle of Wight But whether These were the Actions of Rebells or Loyall Subjects be you your self the Judge Ri. Well But what say ye to the Stile of We your Humble and Loyal Subjects of both Kingdomes Appendix to Husbands Ex. Coll. 2 d. Part. Fol. 22. Jan. 13. 1645. Mo. These were the Humble and Loyal Subjects that in the same Paper Refused his Majestys Proffer of a Personal Treaââ with Them at Westminster Your Majesty say they desires ãâã Engagement not only of the Parliament but of the Lord Mayor Aldermân Common-Councill and Militia of the City of London ãâã Chief Commanders of Sir Tho. Fairfaxes Army and Those of the Scots Army which is against the Privileges and Honour of the Pââliamenâ those being Ioyn'd with them who are Subject and Subordinate to their Authority At the same rate they Proceeded in Their Professions They desire only to Lay a Foundation of Honour Safety and Happiness to the Kings Person and Throne Ex. Coll. dec 14. 1641. The Greatnesse and Prosperity of his Majesty and his Royal Posterity Ib. Dec. 15. Pa. 2. His Majestys greatnesse and Honour âb Mar. 1.41 Pa. 94. Honour and greatnâsse Mar. 2. P. 102. Honour Safety and Prosperity of your Majesty Mar. 16. P. 118. We seek nothing but your Majesties Honour Mar. 15. P. 123. The Safety of his Majesties Person and his Royal Posterity May 5. 42. Pa. 173. Our most Dutyfull care for the Safety of your Royal Person May 9. P. 180. For the Preserving and Mayntaining the Royal Honour Greatness and Safety of your Majesty and Posterity Jan. 2. 42. P. 310. And then see their Remarkable Protestation of Octob. 22. 1642. We the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled do in the Presence of Almighty God for the Satisfaction of our Consâiânces and the Discharge of That Great Trust which lyes upon us make this Protestation and Declaration to The Kingdome and Nation and to the whole World That no Private Passion or Respect no Evill Intention to his Majestys Person no design to the Prejudice of his Iust Honour and Authority Engaged us to rayse Forces and take up Arms against the Authours of This War wherewith the Kingdome is now Enflamed Ibid. Pa. 663. Without any Intention or desire as we do here professe before the Ever-living God to hurt or Injure his Majesty Either in his Person or Iust Power b. P. 666. I could give you Instances of this kind without End and as many of the gross and Unquestionable violations of These Professions For every Order they past and every âistol that they Fired was a poynt-blank Contradiction to their Pretensions Beside that in the same Breath they Usurped all the Regalities of the Crown and yet Wrote Themselves His Majesties most Obedient SUBJECTS So that This Stile of Loyalty was at the same time a Blind to the Well-meaning Multitude and a Note of Confederacy among Themselves a Loyal Subject according to the Covenant Importing in plain Terms a Traytor in the eye of the Law And yet the Cause and the Obligation of this Covenant and the Proceedings upon it are openly Asserted at This very day Ba. Yes yes There 's The Counterminer the Popish Dialogue and many others that continue lowdly to Accuse us and make men believe that we are Plotting a new War and that our Principles are Rebellious c. Non Conf. Plea 2d Part. Pref. Mo. What do ye think of maintaining that Whatsoever the Twâ Houses declare for Law must pass for Law without Controul both upon King and People Ex. Coll. 297. That they may do whatever they please Ibid. That the Major Part of Both Houses are the absolute Masters of the Lives and Liberties of the Subject Ibid. That no member of the House of Commâns be medled with for Treason Felony c. Without Leave of the House Ibid. That thâ Sâvâreignty resides in the two Houses and that the King has no Negâtivâ Voice Ibid. That there lyes no Treason against the Person of the King Ibid. That the Two Houses may Depose the King and not be blameâ for so doing Ibid. Now in calling Those people that did all This The Bell Governors in the World as in the Preface to your Holy Common-Wealth And in Vindicating That Book from any Principles of Disloyalty toward the Person of the King as you do toward the close of your Preface as to the 2 d. Part of the Non-conformists Pleâ Apri 16. 1680. What is This but the Asserting of Rebellioââ Principles And the Preaching of the old Doctrine to the people over again What Is it but the Preface to another War Ba. What have we done
had wrought his Majestiss Restauration But I find upââ Perusall of it âhat you are just as kind to the Church in this Piece of 1660. as you were a litle before to his Majesty in your Holy Common Wealth of 1659. That is to say you are begging arguing and Casing of it all that is in you to keep them both out and truly This Particular piece of yours makes almost as bold with the King himself as with the Episcopal Clergy as you shall hear by and by Was it not enough for you to Adjure the Commons into an Opposition oâ That Order in the Church which as he tâlls you is as Antient as the Monarchy of This Island An Order that you and your Confederates most Unduâifully destroy'd But could you now have the Confidence to demand the spoyls again which you first ravish'd from the Church and the Independents afterward took from you as the Reward of your Sedition and Schism And could you yet have the greater Confidence in case of a Disappointment to break out into this most Unchristian Exclâmation on the behalf of the People Oh What happy times did we onââ see That is to say when the Kingdome was Laid in Blâod and Ashes all that was Sacred trampled under Foot And all this Confusion only to heave the Presbyter into the Saddle Ri. I have described the Iudgment of such Non-conformists ãâã I have Conversed with not undertaking for every odd person whââ I know not I do desire those that seek our Bloud and Ruine by the false Accusation of Rebellious Principles to tell me if they can whât Bodies or Party of men on Earth have more sound and Loyaââ Principles of Government and Obedience 2d Part. Non-Coâ Plea Pref. Our Accusations are 1. That we are Presbyteriaâs and Phanatiques 2. That we began the War in 1641. and 16ââ 3. That we destroy'd the King 4. That our Principles are Dislââal 5. That we are Ploâting a Rebellion Ibid. But what is a Prââbyterian Mo. A Presbyterian is a Member of a State Faction under a Religious denomination For by that ãâã we do not understand such as are really of That Clâssâcal and Whymsical Profession but a sort of People thaâ drive on a Political design under the Colour of an Ecclesiastical Scruple of perswasion And in as extensive a Latitude do you take the Word your selves For all the Sects are Presbyterians or Dissenting Protestants as you call them when you have need of them in Conââederacy against the Government though the Presbyâterians spews all the rest up again as they did in 1647. when they had done thâir work But pray what say ye to the Bâginning oâ the War Ri. In 1642. the Lamentable Civil War ââokâ out At which time as far as âver we could lâarn by Aâquâintance with sâmâ of them and Report of others excepting an Inâonsidârable number the Houses of Lords and Commons consisted of Those that had still lived in Conâormity to the Church of England and the Episcopaâl Government c. 1 Part. Non-Conform Plea p. 126. The Lord Liâutenants whom the Parliament chosâ were almost all Episâopal Conformists Ibid. The âar Greater Part of the Geneâall Officers Colonells Liâutenant-Colonells and Majors of the Earl oâ Essex his Army And of the Sea-Capâaiâs and of the Mâjor-Gânerals of Brigades and Counties about the Land bid The Assembly of Divines at Westminster also were mân that had livââ in Conformity except about 8. or 9. and the Scots p. 12â Mo. You do well Richard to say that âhey HAD Lived in Conformity for the Complying humour was now going off apace Insomuch that a profeât opposition to the Orders of the Church became qââckly a distinguishing mark of the disloyal Party And all those Parliament men Oââicers and Assembly-Divânes Contributed Unanimously in their several Sâatâânâ toward the Common Ruine On Frydây Dâc 1â 1640. A Petition was brought into the ãâ¦ã Allâderman Pennington from the Citizens of Lonâân in ãâã name of 15000. Complaining of the Church ãâã in having Arch-Bishops Bâshops c. Usinâ the Crâsse in Baptisme Kneeling at the Communion-Table ãâã unlawfull in the Protestant Church Diurnal Occurrences Pa. 12. Ian 13. Petition against the Government of Bishops from Several Counties P. 16. Ian. 13. The Remonstrance with 700. hands against the Bishops and their Prelacy was read P. 33. March 7. A Bill against Episcopacy read in the House of Commons c. Pa. 47. Mar. 10. 1640. Bishops Votes in Parliament taken away Pa. 49. in Novem. 1641. several Tumults against Bishops and Dec. 11 12. Bishops accused of High-Treason The Bishops in the mean time Petitioning his Majesty and entring a Protest of their Priviledges and against Tumults Apr. 2. 1642. A due and necessary Reformation of the Government and Liturgy of the Church pretended Ex. Col. P. 135. It is to be hoped that all These violences upon the Ecclesiastical State and the Persons of the Bishops were not acted by Conformists And it will not be deny'd I suppose that after the Posting and Proscribing of the Greater part of the Clergiâs Friends as well as the Kings The Schismatical Intârest was carry'd on by the Major vote of the Remâining Fragment and all This was before the Eruption of the War the Earl of Essex not receiving his Commission till Iuly 12. 1642. Unless you 'le say that Episâopal men themselves were for the Extirpation oâ Bishops Ri. When the Parliaments Armys were worsted and weakned by the King and they found themsâlves in dangâr of being Ovârcome thây intreatâd help from the âcots 't is true who taking advantage of theiâ streights brought in the Covenant as the Condition of their help Non-Conf 1 part p. 27. And âor the Assembly 1 I think I have not read of mâny Assemblies oâ Worthier men since the Apostles days Answ. to Dr. Stillingfleât p 84. The Covenant ââd Vow was taken by the Parliament and by their Garisons ând Soldiers that would voluntarily take it as a Test whom they migââ Trust Non-Conf Plea p. 128. The Assembly never endeavoured to turn the Independents out of the Parish-Churches and Benefices nor to Silence them forbidding them Publick Preaching as you do us c. Answ. to Dr. Stillingf p. 14. They Imposed no Liturgy no one Ceremony no Practice on them contrary to their Conscience p. 85. The Presbytery being only a Tolerated or Intended thing without any Imposition that âver we knew of Mo. It is very well known what pains your Celebrated Assembly took to make the City bleed for That Scottish expidition and we have the Guild hall Harangues on That Occasion still upon Record But I shall rather mind you of some Proceedings which you would be thought to have forgotten to the Immortal Honour of your Confederates Only half a dozen Words in the way to it It is no wonder for men that have so low an Esteem for Generall Counsells as both You Sir and Mr.
very Order of Aug. 10. 1643. For the Assembly-Divines to ãâã the People to rise for their Defence There is another person also who is engaged iâ This present Controversy to whom I would gladly Recommend a due Consideration of this following Extract When Kings Command Unrighteous things and people suit them with willing Commplyance none doubts but the destruction of them both is Just and Righteous A Fast Sermon to the House of Commons Ian. 31. 1648. Pa. 5. He that is Entrusted with the Sword and dares not do Justice on every one that dares do Jnjustice is affraid of the Creature but makes very bold with the Creator Pa. 15. The Kings of the Eaâth have given their Power to Anti Christ. How have they earn'd their Titles Eldest Son of the Chuach The Catholick and most Christian King Defender of the Faith and the Like Hath it not been by the Bloud of Saints is there not in every corner of These Kingdomes the Slain and the Banish'd ones of Christ to Answer for A Fast Sermon of Apr. 19. 1649. Pa. 22. Do not the Kings of all these Nations stand up in the Room of their Progenitors with the same Implacable Enmity to the Power of the Gospel Pa. 22. There are Great and Mighty Works in hand in this Nation Tyrants are punish'd the Jaws of Oppressors are broken bloudy Revengefull people in Wars disappointed A Thanksgiving Sermon for the Scots defeat at Worcester Octo 24. 1651. P. 2. What is This Prelacy A meer Antichristian Encroachment upon the Inheritance of Christ Pa. 5. A Monarchy of some hundred years continuance allways affecting and at length wholly degenerated into Tyranny destroy'd pull'd down Swallow'd up a great mighty Potentate that had caused terrour in the Land of the Living and laid his Sword under his head brought to Punishment for Blood P. 6. If any persons in the World had cause to sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb We have this day The Bondage prepared for us was both in Spirituals and Temporalls about a Tyrant full of Revenge and a Discipline full of Persecution hath been our Contest whether the Yoke of the One and the Other should by the Sword and Violence be put upon our Necks and Consciences is our Controversy Pa. 7. Is it not a Prodigious boldness for such Spirits as These to obtrude themselves either upon the Government or the People as men of Scruple and the most competent Agents for the Promoting of Vnity and Peace And you your self Mr. Baxter have not been out neither at this great work of Reforming Confusion as your own Confessions in some measure but your Conversation and Writings do Abundantly bear Witness Mr. Richard here I must confess furnishes you with a Salvo that Ignatious Loyola himself would have blush'd at You were ever True to the King you say but you did not know Who was King Some would have him to be where he was NOT and Others would not allow him to be where he WAS. Sir This doctrine might have done well enough in a Pulpit at Coventry when you were helping the Lord against the Mighty but from such a Restauration Sermon the Lord deliver us There is first not one word of Restoring the King in 't though it was a Fast that had a Particular Regard to That Debate 2. It Asserts the Loyalty of the Presbyterians and yet at the same time supposes the Supreme Power in the Two Houses which in few words makes the Late King both a Subject and with Reverence a Rebell 3. The Setling of the Presbytery for that 's allways the English of their SOUND DOCTRINE and CHURCH GOVERNMENT Pa. 46. is violently prest as the first thing to be done Give FIRST to God the Things that are Gods 43. with a Pharisaical Ostentation of the Conscionable Prudent Godly People of the Land Pa. 46. in opposition to the Prophane You could not do any thing in the world more to obstruct his Majestys Return and yet you are pleased to make this Sermon an Instance of your Zeal to advance it Ri· The Parliament did not raise War against the Person or Authority of the King nor did I ever serve them on any such Account but to defend themselves against the Kings Mis-guided will Holy Common-Wealth Pa. 476. Their Commissions all that ever I saw were for King and Parliament We had Two Protestations and a Solemn League and Covenant Impos'd upon the Nation to be for King and Parliament And if Dâclaâations Professions Commissions and National Oaths and Covenants will not tell us what the cause of the War was thân there is no Discovery Ibid. Pa. 477. Mo. These Commissions Oathes and Covenants tell you the Pretext of the War but you must go to their Proceedings and Practices to find the Cause of it The Two Houses Seize the Kings Towns Magazins Forts and Shipping They violently take the Militia into their own hands Vote an Ordinance of Both Houses as binding as an Act of Parliament Declare his Majestys Commissions Voyd Issue out Orders for Securing the Kingdome Vote the Maintaining of a War and the Seizing of his Majestys Magazins Sequester the Church and Crown Revenues and justify all these Injuries as done in pursuance of their Protestations and Covenants and This is your way now of being FOR the King Suppose that any man had beaten you and Plundred ye and Imprison'd ye and abus'd your Friends for your sake and a body should tell you all this while that this man was FOR Mr. Baxter If you were really for the King why would not For the King according to the Oath of Allegiance do the businesse as well as For the King according to the Covenant Or how came you to Alienate your self from his Majesties Iurisdictino and to turh Subject to the Two Houses Who Absolv'd you from the One Oath or who Authoris'd you in the Other or when you found that the King in the Covenant clash'd with the King in the Oath of Allegeance why did you not rather comply with the Law then with the Usurpation For it is Impossible to be True to both Interests under so manifest an Opposition You see the Colour of the War and I shall not need to tell you that the Cause of it was Ambition of Dominion which was exercised to the highest degree of Tyranny Ri. If a People that by Oath and Duty are obliged to a Sovereign shall sinfully dispossess him and contrary to their Covenants chuse and Covenant with Another they may be obliged by their Latter Covenants notwithstanding the Former Holy-Common-Wealth Pag. 188. Ba. That cannot be my Friend for we hold it Impious and Papal to pretend to absolve Subjects from their Oaths to their Sovereign Holy Com. Pa. 359. It is not in Subjects Power by Vows to with-draw themselves from Obedience to Authority Non-Confor Plea P. 213. Mo. But why can ye not now
Folly by Following Accideâts that were then unknown for me to Judge of the Former Cause That which Is Calamitous in the Event is not allways sinfull in the Enterprize Should the Change of Times make me forget the State that we were formerly in and Change my Judgment by losing the sense of what then conduced to it's Enformation This Folly and forgetfullnesse would be the way to a sinfull and not an Obedient Repentance Nor can I be so Unthankful as to say for all the sins and Miscarriages of Men since that we have not received much mercy from the Lord Holy Common-wealth Pa. 487. When Godlynesse was the Common Scorn the Prejudice and shame most lamenâably prevail'd to kâep men from it and so encouraged them in Wickednesse But through the great mercy of God many Thousands have been converted to a Holy upright Life proportionably more then were before since the Reproach did cease and the Prejudice was removed and Faithfull Preachers took the Place of Scandalous ones or Ignorant Readers When I look upon the Place where I live and see that the Families of the Ungodly are here one and there one in a street as the Families of the Godly were heretofore though my own Endeavours have been too weak and cold it âorceth me to set up the stone of Remembrance and to say HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US Ibid. Oh the sad and Heart-piercing Spectacles that mine Eyes have seen in four years space This was Jan. 15. 1649. In this Fight a dear Friend falls down by me From another a Pretious Christian bâought home wounded or dead Scarce a month scarce a week without the sight or Noise of Bloud Saints Rest P. 139. Mo. Here 's first a most Evangelicall accompt of the blessed Effects of a Civill War The Propagation of Holynesse And Then a most Remarkable Calculation of the date of your Calamities which commences precisely from the Armies getting the Ascendent of the Two Houses without any respect to the Outrages both upon the Church and State while the Presbyterians Govern'd Ri. Pray'e will ye patiently read over the Representation âr Letter of the London Ministers to the Lord Generall Jan. 18. 1648. Mo. Very well and since you are pleas'd to cast the Cause and the Integrity of your Party upon That Issue wee 'l see what they say It is allready sufficiently known besides all former Miscarriages what Attempts of late have been put in Practice against Lawfull Authority Letter P. 3. This Lawfull Authority was a Faction of the Two Houses Especially by the Late Remonstrance and Declaration published in Opposition to the Proceedings in Parliament Hâre's the Crimen lesae Majestatis As also by seizing and Imprisoning the Kings Person without the Knowledge and Consent of Parliament Ibid. Here 's only a plain Seizure of the Kings Person without the Parliaments Privity or Leave No Condâmnation of the Thing it self furthâr then as it was done without his Masters Consent Nor was the King more a Prisoner in the hands of the Army then he had been at Newcastle in the hands of the Presbyterians But now they come to That late Vnparall'd violence offer'd to the Members of it forcibly hindâing above one hundred of them if we mistake not the Number from sitting in Parliament Imprisoning many of their Persons though many of them are known to us to be men of Eminent worth and Integrity and who have given most Ample Testimony of their Real Affection to the good of the Kingdome Ibid. Pray'e take notice that it was upon the Members an Unparallel'd violence upon the King no more then a Simple Seizure and methinks they might have bestowed some kind Epithete upon his Majesty as well as upon the Eminent and Worthy Members But 't is only the bare King and That 's All. And besides All This There is an Intent of Framing and contriving a New Model as well of the Laws and Government of the Kingdom as of the Constitution of a new kind of Representative All which Practices we cannot but Judge to be manifestly opposite to the Lawfull Authority of those Majestrates which God hath set over us and to the Duty and Obedience which by the Laws of God and man and by our manifold Oaths and Covenants we stand obliged to render to them Ibid. You are not aware Mr. Richard that to Justify the Doctrine of these Letters falls very little short of Justifying downright Treason unlesse you can shew a Law that places the Supreme Power in the Two Houses The Fear of God therefore whose Ordinance is violated when Magistracy is opposed makes us affraid of medling with Those who without any Colour of Legal Authority meerly upon the Presumption of strength shall attempt such Changes as these are And we âannot but be deeply Affected with Grief and Astonishment to see that an Army raised by Authority of Parliament for the Preservation of the Priviledges thereof and of our Religion Laws and Liberties should contrary to their Trust and many engagements do That which tends to the Manifest subversion of them All. P. 4. Pray'e where was the Fear of Cod when the King was opposed what Legal Authority had the Two Houses over his Majesty more thân the Army had over the Two Houses Or by what Law did That Parliament raise That Army We have not forgotten those Declared Grounds and Principles upon which the Parliament first took up Arms and upon which we were induced to joyn with them from which we have not hitherto declared and we trust through Gods Grace we NEVER SHALL Pa. 5. We have here in few words the Judgment and the Resolution of the Presbyterian Divines and the standard of their Loyalty from the Lips of the very Oracle of the Party I would fain know now which waâ the fouler breach of Trust That of the Two Houses toward his Majesty to whom both by Law and Conscience they were obliged besides so many Gratious Concessioâs or that of the Army to the Two Houses The one being like the Robbing of an Honest man and the other the Pillaging of That Thief Over and above that the Army was Trayn'd up in the Trade of turning out their Masters And moreover although the PARLIAMENT thus tooâ up Arms for the defence of their Persons Priviledges and the Preservation of Religion Laws and Liberties yet was it not their Intention thereby to do violence to the Person of the King or divest him of âis Regal Authority and what of Right belongeth to him Pa. 7. Do but shew me now any one Essential of Sovereignty which those people left hiâ if they could take it away and I will be answerable to forfeiâ my head for 't But still it is but what of Righâ bâlongeth to him and That 's a Salvo for all the Violences Imaginable We disclam detest and abhor the Wicked and bloudy Teâents and Practices of Iesuits the whrst of Papists
Instrument of Approbation and all that are Tolerated an Instrument of Toleration and let no man be a chuser or a Ruler that holdeth not Communion with an Approved or Tolerated Church and is not signify'd under the Pastors hand to be a Member thereof Thes. 219. Mo. A most excellent Invention to advance the Empire of Presbytery and enslave all other degrees and Perswasions of men whatsoever Ba. The Humble Petition and Advice determineth that under the Penalty of a Thousand pounds and Imprisonment till it be paid no person be Elected and sit in Parliament but Such as are persons of known Integrity fear God and of Good Conversation They are sworn also for Fidelity to the Protector c. A more excellent Act hath not been made for the happynesse of England concerning Parliaments at least since the Reformation Ho. Com. 257.258 Mo. But what is it that you mean by this Known Integrity or who are to be the Iudges of it I take That man that Publickly Sacrifices his Life his Fortune his Family and his Freedome to the service of his Prince and Countrey according to the Law to be a man of Known Integrity and him that Acts in opposition to the Law and to his duty to be clearly the contrary I take the Publican that smites his breast and crys Lord be merciful unto me a sinner to have more of the Fear of God in him then the Pharisee that Prays in the Market Place and thanks God that he is not as Other men are And I take him to be of as Good a Conversation that submits quietly to the Rules of the Government Reverences Authority and contents himself with his Lawful Lot As he is that values himself upon Out-braving Publique Order Reviling his Betters Living upon the spoil and devouring the Bread of the Oppressed What would you say now to the turning of the Tables and setting up of your Qualifications on the other side and to the Kings excluding of the Non-Conformists by an Oath of Fidelity to himself as your Richard excluded delinquents in the late Eections Ho. Com. P. 244. So that the People durst not go according otheir Inclinations Ibid. But why do I argue from your Practises when your Positions do naturally leade to the same undutyfull Ends Ba. My dull Brain could never find out any one point of difference in Theology about the Power of Kings and the Duty of Obedience in the People between the Divines called Presbyterians and Episcopal If you know any name them me and tell me your Proofs R. B's Letter to Mr. Hinckly Pa. 26. Ri. 'T is a Confounding of your Metaphysicks methinks with your Politiques to talk of Points of Theology in matters of Civil Power and Obedience without distinguishing between our Credenda and Agenda Notion and Practice Supernaturall Truths and Moral Duties And why The Divines CALLED Presbyterians and not rather the Presbyterian Divines For they are not ALL Presbyterians that are so CALLED and there 's a great deal of difference betwixt the Principles of Presbyterian Divines as Presbyterian and the ãâã of those very Presbyterians as they are rangeâ undâr âhe Bânner of a Civil Interest But over and above all Thiâ you have carry'd it a great deal âoo far to say that the Episcopal and the Presbyterian Divines hold the same Principles in the Point of King and Subject You shâuld rather have acknowledg'd the disagreements and maintain'd the Pâiâciple We hold 1. Thât the Parliament by the Constitution have part of the Sovereâââtâ Ho. Com. Pa. 457. 2. That the Sovereignty is joyntly iâ Kââg Lords and Commons as Three Estates 465. 3. The Parliaâent have a Power of Enacting Laws as well as of âroposing them Pa. 462. Whereas The Episcopal Party pronoââce the Sovereignty to be only in the King 2. They assert the Kings sole Supremacy in all Causes and over all Persons whatsoever as well Ecclesiastical as Civill and 3. That the two Houses have no share at all in the Sanction We hold likewise that It was Treason to resist the Parliament as the Enemy did apparently in Order to their Subversion Ho. Com. 478. That the Parliament was the highest Interpreter of Laws that was then Existent in the Division Ibid. And so we find that every step of the Parliamentary War was Iustify'd by the Assembly and the whole Current of the Presbyterian-Divines The Episcopal Clergy Vnanimously declaring themselves to the contrary Who but the Assembly July 19. 43. in the Names of Themselves and Others to call for the Execution of Iustice on All delinquents Husband 2d Vol. of Collections 241. And who again Aug. 10. 1643. but The Divines of the Assembly that are Reâiants of the Associated Counties and now Attending the Assembly are desired to go down into their several Counties to stir up the people in Those severall Counties to rise for their Defence Ibid. 285. So that in the Main we differ upon the very Constitution of the Government the Power of the Prince the Duty of the Subject and upon every point of the Parliamentary War And we are no lesse divided upon the Scheme of Forms and Ceremonies Ba. Prove that I or any of my Acquaintance ever practised Ejecting Silencing ruining men for things Unnecessary yea or for Greater things Whom did we ever forbid to Preach the Truth Whom did we cast out of all Church-Maintenance Whom did we Imprison R. R's Answ. to Dr. Stillingfleet Pa. 97. Ri. You forget your self Brother and I am for speaking the Truth though I shame the Devill Pray look into Mercurius Rusticus his Accompt of the London Clergy that were Ejected Silenced and Ruin'd by Order of Parliament See his Querela Cantabrigiensis for the Heads Fellows and Students of Colledges that were There Ejected Plunder'd Imprison'd or Banish'd for their Affections to the King and the Establish'd Religion Consider thââ You your self took the liberty to Graze upon another mans Pastâre And all these Violence were carry'd on by your Encouragement Influenced by your Approbation and the Principal directors of theâ extold to the Skyes as the Best Governours for Wisdome aâd Holynesse Ho. Com. Pref. under the Cope of Heaven Ba. But however Either they must prove that we hold Rebellious Principles or they shew that they do but in Plot accuse us I know very well that The Transproser Rehearsed Pa. 48. saith Mr. Baxter in his Holy Common-wealth mayntainteth that he the King may be called to Account by any Single Peer Must we say nothing to such bloudly slanders Never such a Thought was in my mind nor word spoken or Written by me But all is a meer False-Fiction Nay in all the times of Usurpation and Since I said and Wrote that the Kings Person is Inviolable and to be Judg'd by none either Peer or Parliament and that it is none but Subjects that they may call to accompt and Judge and Punish and
other Places And then the boldnesse and Importunity of the Dividers encrease the necessity of the Injunction If you have forgotten the Common Votes and Addresse of Feb 25. 1662. upon This Subject Pray let me remember you of them Resolved c. Nemine Contradicente That the humble Thanks of This House be returned to his Majesty for his Resolution to maintain the Act of Vniformity Resolved c. That it be presented to the Kings Majesty as the humble Advise of the House that no Indulgence be granted to the dissentââ from the Act of Vniformity For these Reasons 1. It will establish Schisme by a Law amd make the ãâã Government of the Church Precaeious and the Censures of it of no moment or Consideration at all 2. It will no way become the Gravity or Wisdome of a Parliâment to passe a Law at One Session for Vniformity and ãâã the next Session the Reasons of Vniformity continuing still the Same to passe Another Law to frustrate or Weaken the Execution of it 3. It will expose your Majesty to the Restlesse Importunity of every Sect or Opinion and of every single person also who shal presume to Dissent from the Church of England 4. It will be a cause of encreasing Sects and Sectaries ãâã Numbers will weaken the true Protestant Religion so far thât it will at least be difficult for it to defend it self against theâ And which is yet further Considerable those Numbers which by being Troublesome to the Government find they can arrive to ãâã Indulgence will as their Numbers encrease be yet more Troubââsome that so at length they may arrive to a General Toleration which your Majesty hath declar'd against and in time some preââlent Sect will at last contend for an Establishment which for ãâã can be fore-seen may end in Popery 5. It is a thing altogether without Precedent and will take away all means of Convicting Recusants and be inconsistent with the Method and Proceedings of the Laws of England Lastly It is humbly conceived that the Indulgence Proposed will be so far from tending to the Peace of the Kingdome that it is rather likely to Occasion great Disturbance And on the Contrary that the Asserting of the Laws and the Religion Established according to the Act of Uniformity is the most probable means to produce a settled Peace and Obedience throughout your Kingdome Because the Variety of Professions in Religion when openly divulged doth directly distinguish men into Parties and withall gives them opportunity to count Their Numbers which considering the Animosities that out of a Religious Pride will be kept on foot by the severall Factions doth tend directly and Inevitably to open disturbance Nor can your Majesty have any security that the Doctrine or Worship of the severall Factions which are all govern'd by a severall Rule shall be Consistent with the Peace of your Kingdome And if any Persons shall presume to disturb the Peace of the Kingdome We do in all Humility dâclare that we will for ever and in all Occasions be ready with our utmost Endeavours and Assistance to adhere to and serve your Majesty according to our bounden Duty and Allegiance Only one Word more and That must be to tax you with Infinite Ingratitude in saying that Parliaments for ought you know never did any thing for your Relief or Ease what do ye think of the Act of Indemnity I beseech ye Was it Nothing to give you your Lives Liberties and Estates again when all was Forfeited Nay and it is come to that Point now too that those very Instruments that were forgiven by the King for the Ruin of the Church and Three Kingdoms will not at this day forgive his Majesty for Endeavouring according to the Advice of his Parliament to Re-establish and Preserve them Ri. If you would understand us aright you must repair to our Declarations Professions Commissions National Oaths and Covenants and the Like Ho Com. Pag. 477. And pray Observe the Tenor of our Stile Addresse Protestations and other Proceedings Your Majesties most Humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons Dec. 14. 1641. Most Humble and Faithfâââ Subjects Dec. 15. Most Humble and Obedient Subjects Exact Collections âa 2. Mo. And now put That Libellous Remonstrance of Dec. 15. in the Scale against Three or Four Words of Course of the same date Ri. The Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons your Faithful and Loyall Subjects c. Ibid. Pa 44. Dec. 31. 1641. Mo. This was a Message to his Majesty for a Guard which the King most graciously offer'd them but One of his Chusing it seems would not do the Businesse Ri. Your most faithful and Obedient Subjects the Lords and Commons in this Present Parliament c. Ibid. Pa. 65. Jan. 29. Mo. They Petition'd to have the Tower of London and all oeher Forts and the whole Militia of the Kingdom to be FORTHWITH put into the hands of such Persons as both Houses should Recommend c Ex. Coll. Jan. 29. 1641. And what did his Majesty now get by the Complement Ri. Your Humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ibid. Feb. 22. 1641. Pa. 80. Mo. His Majesties Humble and Loyal Subjects are pleas'd to declare in this Petition that if the King does not Instantly grant them their Petition about the Militia they are bound by the Laws of God and man to take the Militia into their own hands Ri. Your Majesties most Loyal and Obedient Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ib. Mar. 1. 1641. Pa. 92. Mo. In this Petition they threaten to dispose of the Militia by the Authority of the Two Houses They Order his Majesty where to dispose of his Person and absolutely deny the Kings Powââ of the Militia but by Authority and consent of Parliament Ri. Your most Dutyful and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ib. 138. Apr. 1642. Your Majesties most Loyal and Faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons c. Ib. Apr. 8. 1642. Pa. 141. Mo. Very Good And the Former of These was for Leave to remove the Magazin at Hull to the Tower of London And the Other was to divert the King from going into Ireland to supptesse the Irish Rebellion which had certainly been done and to tell him that if he went contrary to the Advice of his Parliament They were resolved in his Absence not to submit to any Commissioners he should appoint but to preserve and Govern the Kingdome by the Counsell and Advice of Parliament c. Ri. Your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in his Parliament Ibid. 258. May 1642. Mo. Here His Majesties Loyal Subjects presse the King to disband his Troops at York or otherwise they 'le take the Quiet of the Kingdome into their own Care And passe These following Votes Resolved upon the Question 1. That it appears that the King seduced
Uniformiây made Episcopacy and Common-pâayer unlawfâll 'T is the Law that Silences anâ not the Bishops Non-Conformists silence themselves Berter particulars suffer then ãâã Order oâââvernment be dissolved Richard agâees with Dr Reynolds ãâã conform'd Richard pleads altogether for Love Baâters way of eâpressing âichard against rash âânsuring ãâ¦ã Baxter agâinst Richârd Mr Baâters Chaâity to the Clergy and discipâine of âhe Chuâch His brotherly Love Church ann State arraign d. Richard and Baxter of two quite different spirits The persecuted are the perssecutors Be sure first of what spirit âhe Non-Confoâmists are The spirit of the Non-Conformists His Late Majesties Judgement Experience upon it The spirit that Richard plâads âor Richards âoleration Who are the Judges the Government or the People Modest Dissenters deserve pity The Dispute is not Scruple but Power Plain dealing Richard puts the Case of a Saint and a Schismatick Baxters Saints Baxter sully resolved to go to them that dy'd in Rebellion He joys to think what Company he shall have Baxter says that Professors will rail and lye c. But that neither Perjury drunkennesse Incest Concubines nor Idols can make them dotoriously ungodly The Saints that are cast out for hereticks Either Tolerate All or None but upon a Penalty No men must be Tolerated if no Errour Baxter shews the Inconveniences of Toleration Pride makes one mans Religion Faction anotheâs Which ends in bloud And yet passââ for doing God good service And the motion of the spirit Enthusiastick zeaâ Dotageââaâen foâ Reâelations Scripture the Ruâe But who must expound it One mans Faith must not Impose upon anotâers Mistake will not justifie the Errour nor exâuse a Disobedience Men will be zealous even in Errour More zeal then understanding is not good None so fierce and bold as âhe Ignorant Even Teachers themselves are false Guides Mâ Baxter himself has been mistaken Ill luck with his Aphorisms How Richard was wheedled in i. e. he was reconci ' d to the Church Richards best Christians found to âe Schismaticks Great mân misled and why not ãâ¦ã Believe not every spirit Tâe Dissenters Cause is still Gods cause Their false Prophets Tâe Kings death directed by a Revelation Sedgwicks day of Judgment Vavasâr Poweâs Prophecy of no more Kings or Taxeâ Rather the Law of the Land then the Humour of the people A Fear of sinning ought to be cherished even in a mistake Dangerous trusting to scruples Who would have thought it Thâ Episcopal Clergy Simeon and Levi. O the force of a misguided Conâcience The very Case of the seduced muââiâude The Name of Libeâty does moâe ââen âhe consideâatioâ ãâã Heaven it self Baxtâr against Liberty And Toleration Liberty the way to set up Popery Mr. Richard an Improper Advocate for Toleration Richard is a Conformist Mr. Baxters Sermon that brought the King in Presbytery for the Lords sake Oh the happy times when Presbyterians rul'd Have a care of scandalous Inventions The Ignorant Church-Tyrants Richard not absolutely against the Cross. âaxters a Loyallist Errour is no eâcuse for disobedience The Preâeoce of Natuâe and true Reason avoids âll Law A Popuâar Fallacy The Presbyâeriân way of bâinâing in âhe King Richards challenge In justification oâ the Non-Conformisâs The Non-Conformists charge A Presbyterian defin'd Presbyterians swallow ap all otheâ Sectâ at âirst and tâen spâw theâ up agâin Richard sayâ that the Episcâpal mân bâgan âhe war Tâe two Housâs Lord âieuâeâânâs Oââicâr Civil and Miâiââây Assembây ãâã Divineâ aâmâst all Episcopâl mân The Kings ââgag'd Enemââââere all ãâã ãâ¦ã The Parliament bâought in the Scots Few worthier Assemblies since the Apostles days Their good naâuâe toward the Independents The Guild-Hall haâângueâ ãâã brought in the Scots His Majesties Proclamation against the Assembly of Divines Jun 22. 1643. Painful Able Laborious Ministers The Loyall Presbyterians The ãâ¦ã Kings Proclamation A Dutiful Proposition The Worthy ãâã The ãâ¦ã An Abuse put upon the Nation An Extract of Parâiament Proceedings 1643. The Assembly stir up the people to rise Prov'd to he a Presbyterian War Richard says the War began about Religion Baxter says it began about matter of Law Richard says 't was about the Militia Baxter says the War was made for Reformation A lewd scandal upon the late Kings Government Râcâard will not allow of war âot Religion Baxter iâ for a Reâigious Wer. They are fools that think âther ãâã In caââ oâ pârâsecutiââ we fighââor our own and our posâeriâââââalâation The late Kings sâffeâings forgot en among gâeater ãâ¦ã Pryn Burton and Bastwick lamented but not a word âf the Royal Marâyr Presbytery not setled sayâ Richârd Baxter contradicts hiâ And coâfoââs himselâ with comparing ãâã day of Richard Pâotector wiâh Charle â Ten ãâã Hypocrites Now ãâã One ãâã Baxters Compâeâenâ to the Sons of the ãâã 1659 Richard Cromwells faitâfull Subiects Mr. Baxters Political Aphorismes composed expresly to keep out the King Poor Râchard like ãâ¦ã and prâying againât the Scots The spirit of Malignity has taken ãâã the Army The Presbyterians Perâecuted The Presbyterians Journey-men the Army seâ up for themselves Somewhat of an accomoda-Generosiây in the Independents The poor Presbyterians persecuted by the Army for not joyning against the Scots Oh the persecution oâ forcing men against their Conscienâes But so long as âhey do not suffer as evil-doers No persecution to oppresse the Church and all that love it Mr. Baxtâr places the Crown upon the wrong Head The King destroy'd by Presbyterians as Presbyterians The Loyalty of âaxters Orthodox sober Ministers Richard subject to the Higher power but not resolv'd which it is An Even score of Orthodox sober Divines The last Kings bloud not valu'd at a Ceremony â The Kings Murther justify'd the day after it was committed All Christian Kings Anti-Christianiz'd â A Reflection upon âis Majesây aââer his Deâeât at Woâcester Prelacy Anti-Christian A Pedant triumphing over Charles the II. and Monarchy it self And calling the King Tyrant Are These Fit Agents for Unity and Peace Richard True to the King but he mistook the King Baxters Reâstauration Sermon Asserts the Presbyterian Loyalty Makes the King a Subject and worse Pleads for Presbytery without a word of restoring the King The War raisâd for King and Parâiaâent Their Oaths Covenants were fast and loose at pleasure The pretext of the War Religion the Cause Ambition The Loyal Presbyteâians usurp Sovereign Power The Two Houses were the King in the Covenant No Reconciling of the Covenant King the Legal Richard holds Oaths to Princes to be Dispensable Baxter holds Oaths of Allegiance to be Indispensable Richard will hate the Covenant binding as it is a Vow The League and Covenant and Vow and Covenant The League and Covenant Impos d. Baxter is his own onâessor ând bsolves himseâf The Covenanâ for the King qualify'd for Reâigion If the King be against Religion the Covenant is against him Richard lays the Death of the King to Oliver The Baxterians attack'd the King And they foughâ to kill
Baxtârs Unfeigneâ Repenâance Mr. Baxter consulted the Word of God about Opposing the King Mr Baxter would be the same man if another King were to be Depos'd and Murthered Mr. Baxter very cautious of Treason against the two Houses Baxter fails foul upon Richard The Moderator interposes Baxter vindicates Oliver A prudent pious Faithful Prince Baxter prays that Richard Cromwell may Inherit the Piety of his Father The Presbyterians Disarm'd the King and the Independents Kill'd him Baxter repenâs and then âepents of his Repentance Baxter thanks God for his Blessings upon this Nation in consequence of the Rebellion The Blessed Difference betwixt the Government of the Late King of Cromwell Baxters Comfortable Effects of a Civill War The Blessed Times we had till the Army got the better of the Two Houses London-Ministeâs Letter to the Lord-General Ian 18. 1648. The Armies Crime waâ the opposing of the Parliament and Imprisoning tâe King without Leave Only a Sâizure of the Kings Person But an Vnparallâl'd Violenâe upon tâe Members of the House Being men of Eminent Worth and Inâegâity A Factious Reânant thâ Magistraâes which God hâtâ set oveâ us The London· Ministers Mediation little lesse then Treason Gods Ordinance violated when Magistrâcy is oppos'd The Divines fear ull of opposing God in an Ordinance of the Two Houses None of these scruples in the case of the King Thâ Presbyterians ârue to the Faction from the beginnâng The Standard of the Presbyteâian Loyalty why not as tender of a breach of Trust according to Law as against it There was no Intent to divest the King of hiâ Legal Right But he had a Righâ to nothing then for tâeââook all away The Presbyterians âell us they are no Jesâitâ Not one word for the King in the whole Letter The Army in Gods way wâile they joyn'd with the Presbyâerians Sworn to preserve his Majesties· Persoâ and Priviledges of Parliament Wâo absolv'd the Presbyteriâns of their former Oaths If Baxtâr had serv'd the king he had been a Traytor Baxters Holy Com. wealth to âe taken as Non-Scriptus A shâft not a Recantation For the Aphoâisms âere âeâel'd directly against the King Baâteââ Recantation A Repentance that will passe neither upon God nor Man Baxter Reâsons why his Repenâance is not Particular Mr. Baxters Piâ Fraus A Jesuitism For fear of too Much or too Little Mr. Baâter confesses just nothing at all Mr. Baxter proceeds in âis repentance He ever opposeth what he sometimes encouraged A Baxterism â's very Repentances are Calumnies He Repents and Relapses in the same breath Prophanness in Habit and in Conspiracy A Covenanting Prophannesse worse then a Personal He repents that he did not advise with Lawyers An Invidious Refleâion upon Hooker Jesuitical Dodging Why could not Hooker set him Right to the Church as well as wrong to the State Hookers popular poâer nothing to Co-ordination Baxters Writings aâe a direct Satyr upon Government B's quarrel to the Visible Church The Reasons of B's Unkindness to the Visible Church He makes Dissenters the Invisible Church and Conformists the Visibââ Presbyterians began the War A State Faction as well as a Schisme B's Implicite Repentance B's account soon cast up A General Particular Repentance Rebellion and Peevishnesse B. Repents of being too mealy-mouth'd A Repentance wiâhout a Confession And an abuse upon Both Parties Mr. Baxter's Test. Mr Baxter's Challenge Richard takes him up and proves him guilty as âo the Kings Person An Opposer of the Kings Power And the Fundamental Constitution He acknowlâdgeth the Protectors Soveraignty And blesseth the Providences that brought Richard to the Government Richard had his Principles from Baxter Baxter makeâ the Protectârs Title as good as the Kings Baxters Addresses to Richard Protector Baâters Resolution in ââree Cases expresly to keep out the King Baxters Incapaciâies for Government Dominion is founded in Grace Want of Power deposes a Prince A Case against his Majesties âestauration Cases of Forfeiture Baxter asserts Obedience at all hazzards Baxter against the King though the Parliament had been in the wrong â does nââ love to rub old sores Neutrality a sin and Treachery âo servâ the King Tâe praying Rebels against the Loyall Damme's A just way of Deposing a King imply'd A Parliament may betray their Trust 100. Tho a Prince be injur'd the people may joyn with his Enemies No Obedience due to an Usurper Usurpr rsmust be oppos'd They have no true power Who are Usurpers The people to be Judges The people may mis-judge Baxt. laments the losse of the late Ruleâs Sworn and sworn to King Lords ând Commons The Lords Commons rule alone and âhe Government not changed Baxter charg'd wiâh conâradiction The Higher Poâers ãâã the Goveânorâ in possession 'T is not thâ Nâme thât makes the King The peopâe Judges of the King and oâ the Law Seize the Kings Revenue and âe is no longer a King Inferiour Magistrâtes still Subjeââs Richard eâer True to tâe Crown The Law of Natuâe iâ above the Law of the Land Modest Subjects study their own Duty not tâe Kings Sovereign Power not to be reâtrâined by tâe people The Multitude no Judges of Government The Secluâed Members and the âwo Crâmwells tâe beât Governors Rebellion to oppose the sâpreme Rulers The Parâiameââ toâd us our danger And we weâe bâund to ãâã with Their Eyes TheKing himselâ opposed and Baxteâ âeâoâved to jusâify it A Fundamental deâtroy'd Baxter defends it Parliaments may be corrupt Instances of Parliamentary Coâruptions Votes may be cârried by Faction Aâ appeârs to our cost The major part of Electors are ill meâ And will chuse others like themsâlves Baxter's model for Regâlation of Elections The Peoples Right of Election taken away by partial qualifications A Faction packt under he name of a Parliament The People are disoblig'd and not trusted with chusing their own Representative The peoâle sick of their Representative The Pastors to approve of the Electors The Empire of Presbytery The Petition and Advice concerning Elections Baxters admirable Expedient â His qualifications accepted The Pharisee and the Publican What if the King should take upon him so Baxtâr fââdes Presbyterian and Episcopal Loyalty the same Baxter confounds hisMâtaphsiycks with his Poliâicks Presbyterian Positions Episcopal Positions Presbyt Posit Episc. Posit The Assembly crys out for bloud And stir up the people Mr. âaxter never wrong'd any man Richard refreshes his memory Mr. Baxters Governours A Plot upon the Presbyteâians A bloudy slander Alas the Ho. Com. a most Innocent Book Mr. Baxter lies under horrid Accusations Mr. Baxter transported Any Government but the Right A King is a name of Respect not Power The Kings Authority made precarious And under several Incapacities Baxters Horrid Accusation His Character of ouâ Church-men Baxters damnable Cases of Conscience Baxt. dreams of a Plot upon him The Cart before the Horse Votes for Uniformity Reasons against Toâeration â Mr Baxters Ingratitude How to understand the Presbyterians Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practises Words Practisâs The War charg'd upon the King Treason to serve the King Words The 19. Deposing Propositions Words Practises Words Practâses Their Professions In the presence of the Almighty A Rebellion in tâeName of the everlasting God Covenant Loyalty Slanders upon âhe haâm esâ Presbyterians Presbyteâiâns Positions Mr. Baxters best Goâernors in the world The Innocent Non-Conformists The principles of the Late Rebellion revived Mr. âaxters Odd persons He Himselâ One. Mr. Baxter his oân King and Popâ Baxters Agument against Ceââmonies The Câse wâll Resolved
Baxter professe to have in several of your Writings to entertain yet very Reverend Thoughts of the Pybald Assembly His Late Majesty had quite another Opinion of them See his Proclamation Inhibiting the Assembly of Divines anâ others Summoned to Westminster by an Ordinance of Both Houses of Parliament Bibliotheca Regia P. 328. Iun. 22. 1643. Whereas there hath been a long time a desperate and Seditious design amongst diverse Factious persons to alter the whole Frame Constitution and Government of this Church so long and so happily Established within this Kingdome in pursuance whereof they have discountenanceed and in a manner suppressed the Book of Common Prayer settled by Law driven away Imprisoned Removed very many Learned Orthodox Godly Divines and Ministers from their Cures for discharging their duty and Conscience in Preaching and in their places without the least colour or shadow of Lawfull Authority have Instituted or Deputed mean Factious Persons Unqualify'd with Learning or Virtue to corrupt and poyson the minds of our Good Subjects with Principles of reason and Rebellion and have seized the Rents and Revenues of our Bishops Deans and Chapters for their own private Lucre or Benefit and for the Maintenance of the Army in Rebellion against us Pray Observe my Friends that this was before the Scots were call'd in and the work of men too in Opposition to the Church I come now to your Apostolical Assembly Since These bloudy distempers and when so many Armies are on Foot in several parts of the Kingdom a Bill hath been presented to us for the Calling of an Assembly of such Divines as are mentioned in the said Bill the far greater part whereof are men of no Reputation or Learning and eminently disaffected to the Government of the Church of England and very many of them are persons who have openly prâached Rebellion and incited the People to take up Armes against us and so are not like to be proper Instruments of Peace in Church or State which Bill having many Clausâs in it very derogatory to our Honour and Iust Rights and very Scandalous to the Reformed Protestant Religion not so much as any part being left to Us either in the Choice of the Persons or in Adjoârning or Dissolving the Assembly Bib. Regia Pa. 329. What do you think now of the Worthy Assembly your Men of sound and Loyall Principles of Government and Obedience These are the Men that you declare your selves Resolved to stand or fall by and out of your own mouths a Man may warrant This Assertion that you are no better Friends to This King then that Parliament and that Assembly were to the Laââ Methinks This Testimony of his Late Majesty against your designes and Proceedings should move your Consciences and stare you in the Faces as if it were his Ghost You would have the world believe that the Covenant was never Imposed but that people might take it or let it alone as they pleased That the Assembly silenced no body forced nothing and that Presbytery was only as a Tolerated or Intended thing c. Now how great an Abuse this is upon That part of the Nation that does not know the story will appear out of the Memorials of These Times under the Authority of the Faction it self The Lords and Commons took the Vow and Covenant Iun. 6. 1643. Husbands Collections Fol. 203. and thought fit to have it taken by the Arâieâ and Kingdome Ibid. Arch-Bishop of Canterbuââââ Temporal Livings Dignities and Ecclesiâstââââ Pââmotions Sequestered Iune 10. 1143. ãâ¦ã for calling an Assembly of Learned ãâ¦ã Thirty of the Layety in the Commission Iune 24. 208. An Order for Ministers upon the Fast-day to pray for a blessing on this Assembly Iune 27.43 The Assembly Petitions Both Houses for a Fast and the removing of Blind Guides and Scandalous Ministers destroying Monuments of Idolatry c. Iuly 10. 19â3 Fol. 240. An Order for Divines that attend the Assembly to go into the Country to stir up the people to rise for their Defense Aug. 10. 1643. Fol. 285. An Ordinance for taking away of Superstitious Monuments Aug. 28. 1643. Fol. 307. An Ordinance to examine Witnesses against Scandalous Ministers Sep. 6. 164â Fol. 311. Souldiers to take the Covenant Octob. 10 Fol. 359. An Order for the Assembly of Divines to treat of a Discipline and Government the present to be aboâished and to prepare a Directory Octo. 1â 16ââ ãâ¦ã An Order for returning the Names of such as take not the Covenant to the House of Commons Nov. 30. 1643. Fol. 390. An Order for diverse persons to take the Covenant at Margarets Westminster Dec. 12. 1643. Fol. 399. An Ordinance disabling any person within the City of London from any place of Trust that shall not take the Covenant Dec. 20. 1643. Fol. 404. An exhortation for taking the Covenant c. Feb. 9. 1644. Fol. 422. An Order for taking it throughout the Kingdomes of England and Scotland with Instructions Feb. 9. 1644. Fol. 420. A Second Order for demolishing Superstitious Monuments May 9. 1644. Fol. 487. An Order for none to Preach but Ordained Ministers except allowed by Both Houses of Parliament May 6. 1645. Fol. 646. An Order for putting the Directory in Execution Aug. 11. 1645. Fol. 715. Severall Votes for choice of Elders throughout all England and Wales Feb. 20. 1646. Fol. 809. An Order for taking the Negative Oath and National Covenant Iun. 2. 1646. Fol. 889. An Order for putting the Orders of Church-Government in execution Iun. 9. 1646. Fol. 889. An Order for dividing the County of Lancashire into 9. Classes Octob. 2. 1646 Fol. 919. An Order for Abolishing Arch-Bishops and Bishops and settling their Lands upon Trustees for the use of the Common-Wealth Octob. 9. 1646. Fol. 992. An Order for the speedy dividing and settling of several Counties of This Kingdome into distinct Classical Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships Ian. 19. 1647. Scobells Acts 139. The Form of Church-Government to be used in the Church of England and Ireland agreed upon by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament after Advice had with the Assembly of Divines Aug. 29. 1648. Fol. 165. By this time I hope you are satisfy'd that it was a Presbyterian War according to the very Letter Or if the Nonconformists did not begin the War pray'e who bid Ri. Our Calamities began in Differences about Religion and still That 's the wound that most needs Closing c R. B's Fast Sermon 1660. p. 41. Ba. Do not you know that write about the Cause that the War was not founded in Theologicall differences but in Law differences R. B's Letter to Mr. Hiâckly p. 25. Ri. The first open beginning was the Militia Non. Conf. Plea p. 126. Ba. I know how unsatisfy'd many are concerning the Lawfullnesse of the War I cannot yet perceive by any thing which they object but that we undertook our Defence upon warrantable
the Republican Faction in England pay them their wages and call them their Dear Brethren for their pains And then the Presbyterian war was denounc'd in the Pulpiâ and in the Parliament-house too long before the Republican broke out openly in the Field What if the first Publick Sticklers were not at that time Declar'd Presbyterians They were yet in the Conspiracy against Bishops though under another Notion and quickly after they Listed themselves under That very Profession as the best cover in nature for their purpose for That Schisme was never without a State-faction in the Belly on 't But nothing is more Notorious then the Intelligence that was held from the Beginning betwixt the Republican Caball and the Presbyterian Divines The one drew the Bellowes and the Other Play'd the Tune And take notice likewise That Presbyterian was a mark of the Faction rather then a note of the Religion and used in Contradistinction to Royallist But Pray'e finish your Repentance Ba. For All the rest of my Sins in this business which I know not of Particularly I do Implicitly and generally Repeââ of and ask of God to give me a particular Conversion c. Ibid 53. Mo. If you have told all the Particulars you know of yoââ Account Mr. Baxter is soon cast up You begin with a Genârall Supposition All that ever I Thouâââ Said c. without any One Instance or Acknowledgement If you had sayd I have committed many Sins of This kinde and ãâã That it had been something Your Second Branch of Repentance is for no more discouragiââ Peevishnesse toward Superiours and Then sometimes too ãâã Encouraging it by being too Sharp your self against what yoâ took to be Church Corruptions Why Sorry for no MORE discouraging when you were so far from discouraging at all thââ on the Contrary you Repent in the same Period for too ãâã Encouraging This is at the best but a Lame and a Geneâââ Particular Repentance That which you make no more of thââ the Spirit of Peevish Quarrelling as if the people had only ãâã upon a Nettle you should have spoken out and call'd it the Spirit of Contumacy and Rebellion And what is it that yoâ charge upon your self here more then that you were a little too Mealy-mouth'd But wher 's your Vindication of the Chârââ-Orders you mention where 's your Determination which ãâã the Right Superiours Why do ye not tell the People that yoâ were mistaken in the Opinion of our Church-Corruptions and Instruct them in their Duties of Obedience to God and the King Without so doing That which you call Repentance is oâlâ a Snare to the Multitude and a Scandal to the Government Your next Pang of Repentance is for not Consulting tâe best Lawyers that were against the Parliament more Impartially and dilligently then you did Is This the Repentance Mr. Baxter of a Confessor A Râpentance without a Confession an arrant peice of Artifice aâd Design to put on the Disguise of a Recantation and withoââ any charge or discharge of Conscience to keep in with Boâh Parties The Sin does not Ly in your not Advising with Lawyers concerning the State of the Controversy but in Plungiâg your self and Others into Bloud hand over head contrary to the Laws of God and man without so much as consulting the grounds of the Quarrell To the Royallists it looks like an excuse of your Disloyalty to the King as who should say 'T is true I was to blame It was a Poynt of Law and I should have taken better Advise upon 't And if the Other Side accuse you as a desertor of the Cause you can acquit your self There too that you have not Repented of any one Poynt to their Prejudice If it be not as I say and that you mean Good Faith do but publish your Loyalty to the World in the manner or to the effect Following and I 'le ask your Pardon I Do Declare that the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament are still the Kings Subjects and that it is not Lawfull for them to exercise any Act of Sovereign Power without or Against the Kings Command or Consent I do lâkewise declare that the War Raised by the pretended Authority of the Lords and Commons in 1642. with all their Orders Ordinances and Impositions in pursuance thereof were also unlawfull And that All Acts of Hostility done by Them or their Order against the King or the Party Commssioned by hâm during the Command of the Earl of Essex were Acts of disloyalty and Rebellion If you be really the man that you would be thought to be you 'le never Boggle at This Test But if This will not down with ye let me tell you Sir that to my knowledge worse then this has you will make me think of the Lady in the Proverbs that Eateth and wipeth her Mouth and saith I have done no Wicâednesse Ba. You Reflect in These Reproaches either upon my Particular Principles or upon the Principles of the Party or upon Both. As to my self If any man can prove that I was Guilty of hurt to the Person or destruction of the Power of the King or of Changing the Fundamental Constitution of the Common-Wealth c. Holy Com. Pa. 489.490 I will never gain-sây him if he call me a most persidious Rebell and tell me that I am Guilty of far greater Sin then Murther Whoredome Drunkenesse or such like Ibid. Or if they can solidly Confute my Grounds I will thaââ them and Confesse my Sin to all the World Ibid. Ri. Nay Brother Baxter you must give Me leave to put in â Word now and first to your Practice then to your Grounds Diâ not you animate the Party that was in Arms against the King ãâã much as any man and was That no hurt to his Person Rememââ say you to the Army how far I have gone with you in the Wââ And shall I be affraid of my Old most Intimate Friends c. Holy Com. Pref. Will you have it now that This Army your Oââ and intimate Friends did no Hurt to his Majesties Person Aââ now bethink your self of your Challenge in the Preface to your Hoââ Common wealth Prove that the King was the Highest Powââ in the time of Divisions and that he had Power to make ãâã War which he made and I will offer my Head to Iustice as a ââbell Is not This Destructive of the Kings Power And is not ãâã a Change of the Fundamental Constitution of the Common-weaâââ ãâã say that the Members of Parliament considered disjunctly ãâ¦ã Subjects but that Conjunctly as a House or Body they ãâã the Sovereignty Holy Com. Pa. 433. And again pa. 462. Teââ the Parliament hath a part of the Legislative Power eveâ ãâã ENACTING and not only of Proposing is undoubted Ba. Nay if you go to That Richard I shall call You to Aâcompt for your Practises and Propositions too Do not you