Mr. PRYN'S Good Old Cause Stated and Stunted 10. years ago Or A most dangerous DESIGNE In Mistating the GOOD By Mistaking the BAD Old Cause Clearly Extricated and offered to the Parliament the General Council of Officer's the Good People's and Army's immediate Consideration Prov. 1.17 Surely in vain the Net is spread in the sight of any bird Hebr. begnene Col bagnal Canaph in the eyes of every Winged one or Vulg. Lat. ante oculos pennatorum before them that have Wings LONDON Printed by J. C. for L. Chapman 1659. Mr. Prin's Good Old Cause Stated and Stunted 10 year ago MR. PRINS Parts I much respect for Learning I love as my life yet his Principles and Spirit I must reject which render him {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} â—sh rib litigious It is a true Rule iâ— Nature that omne invalidum est Natura querulum a thing weak and unsound is ever quarrelsome yet for that a little mâ—tter as things now are even a Wisp of Straw may kindle a great Conflagration I would lend my hand without any need I hope of other Art or Engine to put out THIS if it mâ—y but be accepted What Silenus once said of an evil man I may as fitly apply to this evil mâ—tter of Mr. PRINS PAMPHLET That it had been best of all to have never been born or next to that not to live at all or to dye as soon as may be and I suppose the Gentleman if he be not like the Bustard in a Fallow that cannot raise it self sine Viturbinis without the help of a Whirlwind will be contented to let his SHEET pass for a WINDING-SHEET seeing it is so well stitched and seamed along the side and knotted at the head with the flourishing Title of The Good Old Cause stated c. although the matter contained therein is but the Ghost or unsavory Corps of that Cause which hath been sentenced to death and buried long ago but is now anew conjured up to haunt us we hope not to hurt us with The Preface out of Dâ— Bensons Serm. in 4o on Hos. 7 7· p. 84 where it is better applyed is the Proper Face of them who do use the uâ—most of their Black Art in the Nation to raise up those evil Spirits once more if the Lord prevent not which have before put us into the highest Broyls But for all thiâ— his new-facing of the Old Garment Rotten as durt rejected long agone for a Thread-bare Base and beggerly Thing that would not hide our Nakedness much less honour our Nation or satisfie the best affected and â—oundest Integrals of it I say for all this it doth appear that they are wily Gibâ—onitâ—s who by their wonted Stratagems in City and Country in Parliament and People had now anew laid the Plot apparently to beguile the Commonwealth and our Israel in it yea that they might the better effect it they have brought out their mouldy Bread Filthy Nasty Musty Food in their late Books and Pamphlets yea their Old Shooes and Garments too to delude the poor plain people with in the sinister and Sophisticated Reports which they make of the Good Old Cause prepared for those palats that like that bread best that is most mouldy and worm-eaten but if Mr. PRIN will yet maintain his Preface as his fancy applies it let him but remember with it that the Gibeonites were for peace came in peace and submitted themselves chearfully to Jehovah and his Joshuâ— in the Government of the Commonwealth as God's Institution and then the Stone that he hath thrown at our Roch which is not as their Rock Deut. 32.31 will certainly Rebound upon his own Pate and pain him more then us But to the matter The Project or Design that is on foot to conjure up those Malignant Spirits again in the Nation that have been so long and by the good hand of Jehovah so wonderfully and happily allayed shews it self in six several parts by this one Paper dispersed abroad in Mr. Prin's Name I. His first designe is to insinuate to the world that our English Commonwealth-Government is but a Conspiracy hatched and egged by the Jesuites and Romish Gibeonites to use his own words in several places in that one Pamphlet 〈◊〉 p. 1. This policy has for many years past bâ—en pursued by Jesuites and other Gibeonites of Rome Whether this be not the present stratagem of some Instruments or Fraternity under the disguise of their maintaining the Good Old Cause which in the margin he banks up with these words If they mean by this Good Old Cause their new Commonwealth it was begotten but in March 1648. No Rational Man can question what he means The present Outcry for the Good Old Cause i. e. the Commonwealth-Government declared and proclaimed in March 1648. he impeaches as the project of Jesuitick Instruments Romish Gibeonites or of that Fraternity which he undertakes to demonstrate in the subsequence of his discourse So p. 7 8. It is the old way which wicked men the old Gunpowder Traytors have formerly troden or finally because at first set on foot and promoted by certain crept in unawares into the Army and Nation from Jesuiticall Seminaries Now what can be said more to render the Common-wealth most contemptible odious and Worthy of utter destruction And that this Seed is not sown onely by Mr. Prin in the Nation to male-content ranâ—le â—nd incense the people and Rank the Well-affected with the Jesuites and Papists as their Pupils that the people might beat out their Brains in the streets see another Champion for this ill Old Cause mounted bravely and more eminent in the Nation for the Ministry one who not only England but other Lands may be apt to credit or take upon trust the Report that he makes he has inlarged what is here asserted in his Book called a Key for Catholicks viz. Mr. Baxter of Kederminster wherein he takes great pains to traduce and asperse the Common-wealth and the most renowned Patriots of the Nation it is a second Gangrena worse then Edward hiâ— Chap. 45. in the 36. detection of Papists which being too large to transcribe I must referre to as in p. 321 322. To vindicate saies he the Protestants opâ—nly before all the world and to all posterity from that fact i. e. the ODIUM of KINGKILLING in England which he saith was the JESUITES PLOT it is most publickly known that both houses of Parliament in their Protestation ingaged themselves and the Nation to be true to the King 2. Managed the War for K. and Parl. 3. Took the Covenant to be true to the King So in p. 322. In that it was known that the Army was quite altered not only by a new-modeling but by an intestine Jesuiticall corrupting of multitudes of the Soldiery before this odious fact of King-killing could be done 7. And it is known the Iesuited part that afterwards so many of them turn'd Levellers drew into them the Anabaptists Libertines and other sects
upon a Conjunction of Interests and by many sly pretences especially tying all together by the predicated Liberty for all Religions c. Who can read it without blushing and amazement that such a Man as Mr. Baxter whom I have ever valued should so little value himself or his Calling Was there no war waged since that for K and Parliament no Cause afoot for the People of God or hath the Army and all been Jesuited since the New Model and was that Act of Justiâ—â— such an odious Fact in Mr. Baxter's eyes why then did he hide it all this while But he will pay it now it seems for in p. 323. I do therefore leave it here to Posterity that it was utterly against the Mind and Thoughts of Protestants and of those they called Puritans to put the King to death and 12. evidences forementioned are undeniable Arguments that it was the work of Papists Libertines Vanists and Anabaptists So p. 355 356. Really if you take either Vanists or Levellers who were the chief Agents for Protestants you may as well say Papists are Protestants Wiâ—h abundance more of such abominable stuffe as makes it not onely a Scandalum Magnum but a SCANDALUM MAGNATUM very unsavory and unsufferable for a Minister that should be a Teacher of others to abuse the dearest and highest WORTHIES of our Nation so seeing it is written Exod. 22.28 Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the Rulers of the people and this to the great Reproach of the Common-wealth the Army the Parliament and well-affected People or of all that are against the Bad Old Cause and for the Good Can a higher spirit of Malignity appear in men or is it probable they would presume so if their expectations were not high and with what confidence or credulity can this man affirm that no Protestant had a hand in that Act of Justice Was there not a Protestant of them all above six score appointed to sit upon him or if he means no Presbyterian and accounts none else for Protestants yet it is a most strange indiscretion and thick emotion of passion that impedes his eye from seeing the most of that judgement and of the largest size and Character too that fate in that Court Or what proof can he produce to make good the charge of King-killing much lesse I presume that it was of the Iesuites laying or if he cannot how will he expiate and compensate for the injury obloquâ— and publick Infamy Could common sense or civility take this Liberty but upon some design or other presupposed able to indemnifie for all Seeing the Parliaments Act was in open justice but Jesuiâ—es Act in Plots and Clandestinely yea they indeed murther but the Parliament executed judgemenâ— they do it by inferiour hands but the Parliament by superiour they sneakingly and perfidiously but the Parl. honourably and after Conquest they do it for confusion and disorder but the Parliament did it for peace and publick safety They to destroy but the Parliament to keep the good and ends of Government So that with what forehead can any man or malice it self suggest that this was a thing laid by the Iesuites but with an intent to write indeed after their copy in as bloudy Characters if he can at least let us suspect iâ— seeing Mr. Baxter saies p. 341. I confesse I think an ingenuous open Papist should have a great deal more gentle dealing from our Magistrates then these For my own part I must confesse I feel a great deal of charity in my heart for a conscientious plain dealing Papist and I would never be guilty oâ— cruelty or rigour to them Thus far have these two Champions 〈◊〉 opâ—n faced in this first Design of Fatheringâ—he higheâ—â—Acts of the Commonweal upon the Jesuites and that Fraternity but let the sâ—bâ—â— judge and the Lord decide who judgeth righteously Psal. II. The second Design is to pâ—ssesse if the People will but take a new edition of it with this that the Government by King Lords and Commons is the Very Contignation and â—rue State of the Good Old Cause and that the Common-wealth Government is but a new Oglio Toads-stool and not worth the naming the Good Old Cause in Pamphlet pag. 1 2 3 4 5. c. for this he quotes the Votes Orders Ordinances Remonstrances and Declararations of Lords and Commons in Parâ—iament and because he will not hear or own the Cause of Parliaments since I shall deal with him out of them all the Commissions of the Lord Generals of the Armies and the Scotish Covenant but miserably misapplying them with Fallacious consequences and conclusions upon them both as to the ORIGINAL and MERIT of the Cause 1. He is very Remote from an Honest Ingenuous and Right stating the true Good Old Cause in its ORIGINAL when he sayes p. 2. the first Original was the Kings coming into the Parliament Jan. 4. 1641. to demand the five Members and that upon this breach of priviledge the Houses required the power of the Militia True this might iniâ—iate that part of the quarrel with the King for breach of Parliament-Priviledges but was this all or all the Cause With his leave we finde even in his own Book of Coll. the Good Old Cause for substance asserted before that and by both Houses of Parliament which he might have seen wiâ—hout Spectacles had it pleased him For depriving the Bishops of Votes in Parliament For abridging their usurped power For the taking away all oppressions in matters of Religion For tendernesse to weak consciences For the due excuting those good Laws made for the securing the LIBERTY of the subject So on that fifteenth d. in the Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom Against Bishops High-Commission-Courts Prerogatives forced Loans of Money Injustice and further p. 20. for the better preservation of the Laws and LIBERTIES of the Kingdom that all Illegal grievances and exactions be presented and punished c. Also that the Good Old Cause for our Liberties Civil and Religious was asserted before this Breach of Parliament-priviledge may be seen by the King 's own Reply too Sayes he The fears and jealousies which may make some impression in the mindes of our people we will suppose may be of two sorts Either for Religion or Liberty and their Civil Interest c. Now This may easily obviate Mr. Prin's fallaciam {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} first for that this breach of Parliament-priviledge by demanding the five Members was not the onely Cause of the Contest or of requiring the Militia much lesse of the Warre between King and Parliament which he saith ended in the mutual destruction of each other pag. 2. l. 13 14. But it is our mercy that it is no such matter and that the Parliament did and doth survive do what they can that would not have it so but withall the Salui Populi the Safety and Liberty of the people both in Spirituals and Civils was the Cause of the
Contest 2. That breach of Parliament was not the first Original neither of the differences betwixt the King and Parliament which we find were very Wide and High before that And all indeed upon the account of the Good Old Cause as to substance though indeed but an Embryo unformed substance to what it arose up to after But Mr. Prin gives the Go-by to all this and puts in at another Port or indeed part and that mistakenly too for the WHOLE besides 3rd even in that Declaration he refers us to pag. 38 39 40. the Parliament for the Vindication of their worthy Members do assert the Liberties and Rights of the people before mentioned as much as the Priviledges of Parliament 3. In the Matter or Merit of the Cause by the Declarations of the Lords and Commons Jun. 10 1648. he thinks to Win all at one throw because the raising of the Militia and after that an Army by the Propositions for Money Plate Horse Arms and men was for King and Parliament and for the suppressing of the Traiterous designe of his wicked and Malignant Counsellors and to maintain the Protestant Religion the Kings Authority and person in Royal Dignity the free course of Justice and Laws of the LAND Peacâ— of the Kingdome and Priviledges of Parliament and here saith he you have the Good Old Cause truely clearly and fully stated by both Houses of Parliament in every particular branch thereof But let us a little unravel and Exâ—ricate the matter and ground of the quarrel between us and the King from his Fallacies Extra Dictionem as well as in Dictione we do not deny but here the Good Old Cause appeared Yet not so fully truely and every Branch thereof stated as Mr. Prin affirms or as it grew up unto afterward both in Parliâ—ment Army and Nation yet in a sense or secundum quid it did appear thus 1. For King and Parliament together as the Supream Counsel of the Nation And yet at the same time too AGAINST the King so fâ—rre as he was inseparable from his Evil and wicked Malignant Counsellours the reason is this because the Majestas Realis or Tutilariâ— the Protecting Real Authority and Majesty of the King was with the Parliament all along though the titularis was with his own person and evil Counsellors So that they must needs carry on All in the Name and Authority too of King and Parliament so long aâ— Kingship lasted Therefore when the King in person entred the Parliament and demanded the five Members the Parliament declared Jan. 17. 1641. the same was a Traiterous Designe against King and Parliament For indeed they were both in the Authority and Majesty Real so long as the King adhered to his Evil Counsel They fought not against his Real Majestie but denied that he had it with his Evil Counsellors whom they engaged against and so against all that could not be separated therefrom See the Declaration of Lords and Commons for I must meddle with no other to Mr. Prin's Cause they close it thus So that it rests onely that the FREE-BORN English do consider whether they Will adhere to the King and his Parliament by which they have so long enjoyed all that is dear to them Or to the King seduced by Jesuitical Counsel and Cavaliers who have designed all to slavery and confusion which by Gods blâ—ssing and our joynt endeavours may be timely prevented 2. To maintain Religion the Kings Person and Authority Both Houses of Parliament the Laws and Liberties of the people i. e. so farre as they could consist or be kept together was the CAUSE but when that was impossible and could not be effected no not by all the Remonstrances Intreaties Messages Treaties or Means used day and night for that purpose Thâ—n their Work was to maintain what they could of it viz. the Liberties of the people and their Representatives and this was the GOOD OLD CAUSE To saâ—isfie Mr. Prin if it may be by the Resolves of Parliament when both Houses sat 20 May 1642. Resolved That whensoever the King maketh Warre upon the Parliament it is a breach of the trust Reposâ—d in him by his people contrary to his Oath and tendeth to the dissolution of this Government i. e. Kiâ—gly Government and Was not this the Good Old Cause I pray Even in Mr. Prin's own account Anno 1642. though it be not now The Consequent of the Argument is obvious to every eye If the King made the Warre upon the Parliament it tended to the Dissolution of his Kingly Government But the King made the Warre upon the Parliament by Mr. Prins and Mr. Baxter's own Concession who say the Parliament wâ—re on the Defensive and by their own Argument it must be then the Good Old Cause which stands upon the dissolution of that old Government viz. King Lords and Commons and which maintains now in sensu Composito all the Rights and Liberties of People and Parliament though the Kingly Government be lost and dissolved by his own Wars 3. And although there be a truth yet it is not all the truth that Mr. Prin sayes but with fallâ—ciâ Accidentis and improperly seeing the predicated Liberty and Rights of the People require neither a House of Lords nor Court I mean of King to the Essence of them This form of Government by King Lords and Commons being laid in the thick of Popery by King Henry 1. for the Popes Interest as well as his own Mr. Prin cannot deny which merits the denomination of his Good Old Cause This indeed was hatch'd and laid by the Romish Gibeonites but not ours of the Commonwealth And the truth is if we desire to be reduced to dark Popery and stark Slavery Mr. Prin's Good Old Cause is then the best But will he weigh the Grounds upon which the most Honourable Parliament that ever went before it declared the House of Lords dissolved as well as Kingship March 19. 1648. The Commons of England Assembled in Parliament finding by too long experience the House of Lords is uselesse and dangerous to the People of England So upon March 17. 1648. Whereas by the Abolition of the Kingly Office a most happy Way is made for this Nation if God see it good to return to its just and Antient Right of being Governed by its own Represâ—ntatives National Meetings in Council from time to time c. This was all upon the account of the Good Old Cause and is indeed the True Old Cause first contended for in the more inform substance of it now in a better excrescence of Beauty and Perfection above what before appeared And if Mr. Prin or Mr. Baxter can make it appear this was plotted by the Jesuits as we can theirs by Papists I shall become their Proselyte in the state of the Case but if that yet he will maintain the House of Lords in the foundation of them I must desire him to reconcile himself to himself or his present Argument with
to the glory of God Renown of this Nation Terror and dread of â—ll our Enemies at home and abroad who like Bores were wâ—etting their Tusks in their own foame Corruptio optimi â—essima est 2. Hath not experience taught it all along that nothing is more obnoxious to Parliament-Priviledges or ready to invade them then a Kingly Prerogative and a Negative Voyce in himself and his supercilious scowling Lords was not Mr. Prin of this opinion at the Kings demanding the five Members and if the Sword be kept in its proper place for the service of the Commonwealth it will be far from over-awing the Freedom of Parliament or enervating of their just Authority in the Nation 3. But the truth is if the Commonwealth were Mr. Prin's Client or took his Counsel it would quickly come to that As the Fable sayes Whiles Actaeon had his own and proper shape he had all his Currs at his own Command but when he did degenerate or turn into a Beast he was made a prey to his own Dogs and so would the Commonwealth to heâ— veriest Enemies and we should soon see a Trowt to be deerer then an OX But to prove that it is so p 4. l. 1. he affirms that the blindest eyes may most cleerly discern it and I think so too the truth is he had need to deal with such as have had their right ears cut off with Malchus or their right eyes put out He puts me in minde of a Man who was much taken with a Horse both for make and colour and after he had bought him asked the fault of him which he should have done before but the Courser told him for his incouragement he had no fault but this that he was a DARK Grey and so he was a Grey bâ—t as blinde as a Beetle dark indeed it is but a folly to like the COLOUR that he puts upon his Cause if the blindest Man may best discern it 5. Grand DESIGN is to revive the Memory of the late King's Death with such circumstances as may set it out for the most Odious Act that ever was done in England thereby the more highly incensing the Commonwealth's Enemies and colour their cruelty to the Commonwealth's friends if ever they fall into their fingers or if they may sit but as Coroners upon it Mr. Baxter of the Two is most open-faced for p. 317.318 of 's Key for Catholicks he first forges a story or unlocks a Cabinet full of Dilemma's to finde out the Plot which he calls the Jesuiâ—es Plot that they might bring upon this Nation the Odium of King-killing and p. 321 322. by twelve undeniable Arguments as he calls them he is pleased to say the Fact to be so odious as that no Protestants had a hand in it and the World sayes he knowes they the Army were fain to Master London the Parliament to imprison and cast out the Members before they could accomplish it here he refers to Mr. Prin and sayes It is well known to All England that before and since the doing of it the thing is disowned and detested by the main Body of the English Nation Nobility Gentlemen Ministers and People And that the Protestant Ministers so opposed the Kings Death that they drew upon them the Odium of the Corrupted part of the Army And that the London-Ministers unanimously concurr'd in an Addresse to prevent it printed their Abhorrence of it to the World and many of them were imprisoned Mr. Love beheaded and many others put to death about it And that the Kingdom of Scotland as he calls it disowned it from first to last c. Now what means all this ranâ—acking in the Tombs of the Dead but to raise up evil Spirits for if they had done it but like Alexander when he had opened Cyrus's Tomb to set a Crown upon his Hearse and so as silently have shut it up again it had been tolerable and theâ— had left room for more Charity at least to think that excessive Love to their Persons gave the vent of these Passions but as they handle the matter it makes us doubt whether Love to them or hatred to others did help most in the Obstetrication of this hurtfull matter and unworthy Accusation which the Lord convince them of and humble them for Mr. Prin p. 6. mentions the Declaration of the Army for settling his Majesty in his just Rights the Parliament in their just Priviledges and the Subject in their Liberties and Freedome All which was effected for his Majestas Tutilaris realis had its just right in the Parliament and in our obedience thereto and his Majestas Titularis personalis say they had his right too with his evil Counsellors in the Commonwealth also the Parliament have their just Priviledges which they are deprived of in and by the Kingly Government and the People have their due and just Liberties Civil and Religions and is not this the Good Old Cause but without doubt the Design is to make the Dead Body bleed afresh by Sympathy if they can and then to condemn the Worthiest Assertors of our Free State for Murtherers and King-killers the Lord shew them more mercy we see what quarter they will give us if they catch us far be it from me to aggravate their evil and much more to excite any in Power or Army against them whom I have had a very worthy esteem of but in this matter and truly I hope I would rather me potius periturum quam perditurum die then destroy onely I must be faithful â—o warn of the Danger What need we wonder now that the Exchange was so full of the Lists of them lately that sat in the high Court of Justice as if the Popes Taxa Camerae had been sent over with the rates of all sins Venial and Mortal Sure then 't is time to look about us lest SHEBA be too forward for us Who 2 Sam. 20.1 blew the trumpet and said We have no part in David neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse every man to his Tents O Israel 6. DESIGN that Mr. Prin and his Brethren seem to have is to disaffâ—ct People with that Parliâ—ment if they can as being the most terrible of any to the Enemies of the Common-wealth thâ—t fixed the Government in or the Balance of a Free-State afâ—er the Dissolution of Kingship and House of Lords and to possesse the Nation with this that there is no visible Authority in it but the meer power and force of the Sword the onely Good Old Cause now sayes Mr. Prin p. 6. cryed up The truth iâ— that Parliament was interrupted we do not say dissolved by a sudden recoil we say not a total or intentional alienation of the Militia yet so as their Seats it seems in Parliament could neither fit suit with nor hold any other man in them to this very day after many an Essay which is observable And so as that the Army are made the more sensible of those