Heedlesness of the Common-Souldier contributed in a High Measure to the General Fate Nay that his Late Majesty was oppress'd even by those that thought they fought for him before they understood what they did But yet let me Commend to your Observation that these relenting Intervals in the Heads of the Army did manifestly Vary according to the Pulse of their Affairs Which evinces that it was a Deliberation upon the matter of Convenience rather then upon a Point of Conscience But thus far however we are agreed That many of the Non-Conformists were engaged Whether upon Ignorance Interest or Faction take your Choice That is to say upon Which of These Three you will found the Merits of your Party We are next to Enquire How far your Principles and Actions will comport with the Duties of Society and the Ends of Government SECT IX The Non-Conformists Plea for Toleration from the Innocence and Modesty of their OPINIONS and PRACTISES C. IN the Question of Government and Obedience there are many Points wherein the Non-Conformists agree Many more wherein they differ and not a few wherein they are altogether Fluctuant and Uncertain We have Nothing to do in this Place with their Disagreements or Uncertainties save only in those Matters wherein they are United by Common Consent And to Determine what Those are will be a New Difficulty Unless you tell Us before-hand What Authorities we may depend upon Your Principles must be Known or they cannot be Examined Wherefore Pray'e Direct us Where we may find them N. C. Why truly in the History of the Reformation for This Controversie has been on foot from the very beginning of it to this Day C. If you speak of the Reformation beyond the Seas I do not find any thing there that comes neer our Purpose Here is first Pretended a Reformation of a Reformation Secondly A Conjunction of Several Parties and Perswasions at utter Enmity One with Another in a Confederacy against the Order of the Government Whereas in the Great Turn of Affairs Abroad I see little more then a Defection from the Church of Rome and People setling themselves in some other way as well as they could Muncer's Party in Germany had I confess some Resemblance of the Tumults here in England that usher'd in the late War both for the Medly and for the Rabble In Scotland indeed there was a Contest for the Reforming of a Reformation and it went high But it was only a Struggle for the Geneva-Discipline Which Humour was brought over to us too and driven on for a while under Q Elizabeth with much Contumacy and Bitterness But our Case in short was never known in the Christian World till the late Troubles and thither it is that we must resort for satisfaction to our present Enquiry Now whether you 'l be tried by the Declarations Votes Orders and Ordinances of that Pretended Parliament that carry'd on the Quarrel Or by the Undeniable Doctrines and Positions of your own Divines and those the very Idols of your Party is left at your Election N. C. As for the Parliament let them answer for themselves We had no hand in their Proceedings And for our Ministers They were but Men and may have their Failings as well as other People If you would know our Principles We are for Worshipping according to the Light of Our Consciences for Obeying God rather then Man and for yielding all due Obedience to the Civil Magistrate C. All This comes to Nothing For you may make that Light what you please and Qualifie that due Obedience as you list What does all this Evasion and Obscurity signifie but that there is somewhat in the bottom more then you are willing to own There are a sort of People that tell us The War raised in 41 in the Name of King and Parliament was Lawful And That the Soveraignty was lodg'd in the Two Houses Nay in the People in Case of Necessity That Kings are but the Peoples Trustees Their Power Fiduciary and the Duty of Subjects only Conditional That Princes may be Depos'd Nay and put to Death in Case of Tyranny And That their Persons may be Resisted but not their Authority That the King is Singulis Major Universis Minor And that the People may Enter into Covenant for the Reformation of Religion without the Consent of the Chief Magistrate nay against his Authority and Propagate Religion by the Sword They make their Appeals from the Literal Construction of Law to the Equitable from the Law Written to the Law of Nature and Necessity A Man might ply You with fresh Instances upon this Subject till to morrow morning But here we 'l stop And pray'e speak your Opinion now of Granting a Toleration to a Party that Professes and Teaches These Principles and Acts accordingly N. C. What is all This to the Non-Conformists Who are already come to an Agreement that In the Question of Toleration The Foundation of Faith Good Life and Government is to be Secured C. Very Good So that what Party soever shall be found Guilty of the Positions aforesaid and of Actions answerable thereunto cannot reasonably pretend to a Toleration from the Innocency of their Opinions and Practises Now to Particulars The POSITIONS of Divers Eminent Non-Conformists I. The War raised by the TWO HOUSES in the Name of King and Parliament 1641. was Lawful I cannot see that I was mistaken in the main Cause Nor dare I repent of it Nor forbear the same if it were to do again in the same State of Things And my Iudgment tells me That if I should do otherwise I should be guilty of Treason Or Disloyalty against the Soveraign Power of the Land Pag. 486. A King abusing his Power to the Overthrow of Religion Laws and Liberties may be Controuled and Opposed This may serve to justifie the Proceedings of this Kingdom against the Late King who in a Hostile way set himself to overthrow Religion Parliaments Laws and Liberties P. 10. The Righteousness of the Parliament's Cause is as clear as the Sun at Noon-day And like the Law of God it self in These Excellent Qualifications of it That It is Holy Just and Good P. 6. II. The Lords and Commons are the Supreme Power Nay the People in Case of Necessity Parliaments may judge of Publique Necessity without the King If deserted by the King and are to be accompted by Virtue of Representation as the Whole Body of the State P. 45. Whensoever a King or other Superior Authority creates an Inferior They Invest it with a Legitimacy of Magistratical Power to Punish Themselves also in Case they prove Evil-doers P. 7. England is a mixt Monarchy and Governed by the Major Part of the Three Estates Assembled in Parliament P. 111. The Houses are not only requisite to the Acting of the Power of making Laws but Co-ordinate with his Majesty in the very Power of Acting P. 42. When as a Part of the Legislative Power resides in
Wicked Governour But that the Universality of the People may Lawfully do it I think no Body questions Fixum Ratúmque habeatur Populi semper esse debere Supremam Majestatem P. 9. VII The People may enter into a Covenant for Reformation without the Consent of the Chief Magistrate There is much Sin in making a Covenant on Sinful Grounds and there is more Sin in Keeping it But when the Preservation of true Religion and the Vindication of Just Liberties meet in the Ground Ye may Swear and not Repent Yea if Ye Swear Ye must not Repent P. 18. Not only is That Covenant which God hath made with Us founded in the Blood of Christ but That also which We make with God P. 33. The Breach of the National Covenant is a Greater Sin then a Sin against a Commandment or against an Ordinance 158. A Sin of so high a Nature that God cannot in Honour but be avenged upon 't 159. VIII RELIGION may be Propagated by the SWORD The Question in England is Whether Christ or Anti-Christ shall be Lord or King Go on therefore Couragiously Never can ye lay out your Blood in such a Quarrel Christ shed all his Blood to save You from Hell Venture All Yours to set Him upon his Throne P. 23. Cursed be he that withholdeth his Sword from Blood that spares when God saith Strike that suffers those to escape whom God has appointed to Destruction P. 24. In the 10 of Numbers you shall read that there were Two Silver Trumpets and as there were Priests appointed for the Convocation of their Assemblies so there were Priests to sound the Silver Trumpets to Proclaim the War And likewise in the 20 of Deuteronomy you shall find there that when the Children of Israel would go out to War the Sons of Levi one of the Priests was to make a Speech to Encourage them And certainly if this were the Way of God in the Old Testament certainly much more in such a Cause as This in which Cause Religion is so entwin'd and indeed so enterlac'd that Religion and This Cause are like Hippocrates his Twins they must live and dye together You have vowed in This Covenant to Assist the Forces raised by the Parliament according to your Power and Vocation and not to Assist the Forces raised by the King neither Directly nor Indirectly P. 45. Now let me exhort you not only to chuse to serve God and to serve his Church and his Cause in this most Iust Defensive War c. 46. In vain shall you in your Fasts with Josua ly on your Faces unless you lay your Achans on their Backs In vain are the High Praises of God in your Mouthes without a Two-edged Sword in your Hands P. 31. The Execution of Iudgment is the Lords Work and they shall be Cursed that do it Negligently and Cursed shall they be that keep back their Sword from Blood in this Cause You know the Story of Gods Message unto Ahab for letting Benhadad go upon Composition P. 26. Whensoever you shall behold the hand of God in the Fall of Babylon say â—…rue Here is a Babylonish Priest crying out Alas Alas My Living I have Wife and Children to Maintein I but all this is to perform the Iudgment of the Lord. P. 30. Though as Little Ones they call for Pitty yet as Babylonish they call for Iustice even to Blood IX There lies an Appeal from the Letter of the Law to the EQUITY of it And from the Law Written to the Law of NATURE The Commander going against the EQUITY of the Law gives Liberty to the Commanded to refuse Obedience to the Letter of it There is a Court of Necessity no less then a Court of Justice and the Fundamental Laws must then speak and it is with a People in this Extremity as if they had no Ruler P. 113. The People have given the Politique Power to the King and the NATURAL Power they Reserve to Themselves 151. All Humane Laws and Constitutions are made with Knees to bend to the Law of NATURE and NECESSITY P. 85. Here is more then enough said already and to go on as far as the Matter would carry us there would be no End on 't You are now at â—…berty either to deny These to be the Positions of the Non-Conâ—… or to justifie the Positions themselves or to lay down your Plea for Toleration upon the Innocency of their Principles N. C. I am no Friend to These Positions Neither can I yet quit my Claiâ—… unless you make it out that These are the Principles of the Party which I take to be only the Errours of Individuals C. Shew me the Party and let me alone to prove These to be Their Principles But if you will not acknowledge a Party they are as you say but the Errours of Individuals though all the Non-Conformists in the Three Kingdoms should own them under their Hands You call your selves Non-Confermists and so were they that both began and carried on the Late War Great Apprehensions they had of the Designs of the Popish Party So have you Mightily offended they were at the Immoderate Power of the Bishops You again Petitioners for the taking away such Oppressions in Religion Church Government and Discipline as had been brought in and Fomented by them Your very Picture still And for Uniting all such together as joyn in the same Fundamental Truths against the Papists â—…hy removing some Oppressions and Unnecessary Ceremonies by which Divers weak Consciences have been scrupled and seem to be divided from the rest The very Platform of your Comprehension Thus far You march Hand in Hand I need not tell you what followed upon 't but Your Parts are so much alike that it looks as if We were now again upon the first Seene of the same Tragedy For a Conclusion Conformity or In-Conformity seem'd at first to be the Sum of the Question and the Discipline of the Church was made the Ground of the Quarrel The Ruâ—…ing Party in the Pretended Parliament were Non-Conformists The Army Non-Conformists The Preâ—…ended Assembly of Divines were Non Conformists The City-Ministers and Lecturers Non-Conformists And by the Solâ—…mn League and Covenant every Man that took it was to be a Non-Conformist upon pain of Damnation Now take Your Choice since Non-Conformists you are Whether you 'l Range your selves under the Parliament Your Army Your Assembly Your City-Ministers Or Your Solemn League and Covenant And let me bear the Blame if I make it not as clear as the Day That the Principles charg'd upon You are the Principles of Your Party As to your PRACTISES They haue been suitable to your POSITIONS and All those Violences have been Exercised upon the Government that were first Dictated in the Pulpit The Lawfulness of Popular Insurrections Of Deposing and Putting Kings to Death under the Cloak of Reformation has been vented as the Doctrine of Iesus Christ even
Churches by it self or More of them in Combination I will never open my Mouth after it in a Plea for the Independents Presb. It were a hard matter indeed to fasten any thing upon the Principles â—…f a Party that professes to have no Principles but still refers it self to the Guidance of a Further Light Indep And yet you can blame us for our Principles though by your own Confession you know not What they are Now for the Reserve of Acting according to a Further Light It is exprest in the Ordinary Form of our Church Covenant that it is to be reach'd unto us out of the Word which most assuredly will not lead us into any Evil. If this be all you have to say against the Independents I would gladly hear what Defence you are able to make for the Presbyterians Either Simply and in Themselves or else Comparatively with any other sort of People Nay I should not much care if you took the Iesuits Themselves for your Foil Presb. How can you say This Considering that Thundring of Excommunication which has sounded in all Ages since the beginning of the Papal Reign against Kings Emperours c. And These Practises Iustified by their Decretals and Canons Divines of greatest Authority and some of their Councils Ascribing to the Pope a Power of Deposing Princes that are Hereticalâ—… or Favourers of Heretiques The Iesuits Doctrine of KING-KILLING hath made them Odious c. Indep Do you tell us of PAPALEXCOMMUNICATIONS justified by Canons Divines Councils DEPOSING of Kings for Heresie and the Iesuits Doctrine of KING-KILLING c The Disciple should speak Reverently of his Master for I assure you a Iesuits Cloak sits exceedingly well upon the Shoulders of a Presbyterian To Discipline must all the States within the Realm be Subject as well the Rulers aâ—… the Ruled According to the Discipline of the Kirk of Scotland Printed in London 1647. The Person of the Magistrate ought to be Subject to the Kirk Spiritually and in ECCLESIASTICAL GOVERNMENT Submitting himself to the Discipline of the Kirk if he Transgress in Matters of Conscience and Religion Beza Buchanan and in truth the whole Brotherhood are for the Excommunication of Princes So that there 's Presbyterial EXCOMMUNICATION you see as well as Papal And in Case of Superstition and Idolatry the Presbyter can DEPOSE too as well as the Pope in Case of Heresie Was not the Queen-Regent in Scotland 1559. Deposed upon the Encouragement and with the Approbation of Willock Knox and their Fellows As not doing her Duty to the Subjects and as a vehement Mainteiner of Superstition and Idolatry Did not the Commissioners of the Kirk in 1596. threaten an Open Protestation against King Iames and his Council in Case of either Pardoning or Restoring the Popish Lords that were at that time under Banishment As to the Iesuits Doctrine of KING-KILLING We are able not only to Match but to Out-doe it out of the School of the Consistory There is no doubt but the Iesuits are Guilty of Delivering Doctrine that naturally leads to King-Killing Conclusions But do ye find that ever they said in plain Terms It is Lawful for Subjects to take up Arms against their Sovereign in Case of Religion Or that ever they Publiquely Applauded the Murther of a Prince after the Fact was Committed Certainly in this Particular the Consistorian Copy goes beyond the Papal Original Upon a dangerous Uproar that was raised by the Ministers in Edinburgh 1596. The King by Proclamation discharged all Iudicatories from Sitting there Whereupon the Ministers prest a Bond of Association upon the Noblemen and Barons and sent a Letter drawn by Robert Bruce and Walter Balcanquel to the Lord Hamilton to Head them For by the Motion of God's Spirit and animated by the Word the People had gone to Arms in Defence of the Church c. Not to trouble you with a Rabble of Unnecessary Instances In the Ninth Section there has been said more than enough upon this Subject already You shall now see the Veneration they have for the PERSONS of Princes Gibson in the Pulpit denounced that Curse against King Iames that fell upon Ieroboam that he should die Childless and be the last of the Race An. 1585. which words by the Assembly with much a do and after declining the Question were found to be Scandalous David Blake preached that all Kings were the Devils Barns and His Majesty had detected the Treachery of his Heart For which he was cited before King and Council and appeal'd to the Presbytery who by their Commissioners moved his Majesty for a Surcease of the Process with a charge in case of refusal to Protest against the Proceedings of the Counsel Quasi Pulpita sayes Cambden a Regum Authoritate essent Exempta As if Pulpits were priviledged from the Authority of Princes Iohn Welch at the High Church in Edinburgh preached that the King was possest with a Devil and that the People might Rise Lawfully and take the Sword out of his hand But what is all this in comparison with the License of the late times here at Home when the Two Houses and Assembly were daily entertained with Sermons and Pamphlets of this Quality for which the Authors had their Thanks and Imprimanturs But I shall rather confine my self now to the Arbitrary excesses of the Scottish Presbytery as the Model of the Covenanted and blessed Reformation To come now to their Usurpation upon the Civil Power King Iames was surpriz'd at Ruthuen 1582. under pretext of Religion and kept 5 months a Prisoner This Act was publiquely justified by the Assembly at Edinburgh as done for the Preservation of the Kings Person and Religion In the Case of Andrew Melvil It was insisted upon that Treason in the Pulpit fell under the Cognition of the Presbytery and that neither King nor Counsel Primâ Instantiâ ought to meddle with it But it is a much easier matter to find what a Prince may not do under the Inspection of a Presbytery then what he may He must not receive an Embassader nor pardon an Offender without the Approbation of the Kirk Nor so much as chuse his own Guards Court-Officers or Counsellers nor Issue out any Proclamations or Decrees They are to direct him what Forfeitures to take and how to dispose of them when to Arme and whom to Trust. If the King has a a mind to Feast an Embassader they presenly indict a Fast and Curse the Magistrates almost to Excommunication for not observing it Nay so little Power had King Iames with these people that when his Mother was under a Sentence of Death he could not get them so much as to Pray for her That God would Illuminate her with the Light of his Truth and save her from the Apparent danger she was in On the other side they claim to themselves the Power of Warr and Peace of Calling and Dissolving
cast out in England and are like in England Scotland and Ireland to be cast out if the Old Conformity be still urged Ours is not a Wicked Prophane Drunken Ministry C. That is by Interpretation God We thank Thee that We are not as other Men are Nor even as these Publicans But to the Matter These People that you speak of are set aside for not Obeying the Law But What do you think of those that were turn'd out of their Livings because they would not Oppose it And they were dispossest too by some of the present Complainants themselves Who first came in at the Window and now are turn'd out at the Door No less then a Hundred and fifteen were Ejected here in London within the Bills of Mortality besides Paul's and Westminster And the rest of the Kingdom throughout was purged after that Proportion Nor was it thought enough to Sequester unless they starv'd them too for they were not allow'd to take the Employment either of School-Masters or Chaplains but under Heavy Penalties In South Wales the Gospel was as well Persecuted as the Ministry The Churches shut up and the People let loose to the Lusts and Corruptions of Unbridled Nature The Only Pretence of Iustification that the Reformers had was That Unchristian and Unmanly Libel WHITE' 's CENTURIES of Scandalous Ministers wherein without any Respect either to Truth or Modesty They have Exposed so many Reverend Names to Infamy and Dishonour for the better Colour of their own Sacrilegious Usurpations But take This along with you that Loyalty in those Days past for a Punishable and Notorious Scandal N. C. These were Acts of Policy and let Statesmen answer for them But to have Men cast out of the Church because they will not Subscribe and Declare contrary to their Consciences is doubtless a most Unconscionable Severity C. And What is it in the Subsciption I beseech you that you stumble at As to the Acknowledgment of his Majesties Supremacy I suppose you would not be thought to stick at That And in Matters of Doctrine you make Profession to joyn with us So that about the Lawfulness of using the Book of Common-Prayer and your own Submission to the Use of it is the Only Question Your Exceptions likewise to the Declarations seem to be very weakly grounded unless you make a Scruple of Declaring your selves for the Uniformity of the Church Or for the Peace of the Civil Government In which Cases you cannot fairly pretend to be trusted in Either But not to Extravagate You are against the Imposing of Subscriptions and Declarations you say N. C. I am against the very Imposition it self upon any Terms But when They are prest upon Grievous Penalties They are utterly Intolerable C. And yet when the Common-Prayer was abolish't There was a PENALTY of Five Pound for the first Offence Ten for the Second And a Years Imprisonment without Bail or Mainprize for the Third Offence upon any Man that should use it So that Here was an Interdiction of Our Way of Worship upon a PENALTY and No notice taken of Invading the Liberty of Our Consciences By the same Ordinance of August 23. 1645. was also commanded the Exercise and Order of the Directory and That upon a FORFEITURE too With a PENALTY from Five Pound to Fifty upon any Man that should Preach Write or Print any thing to the Derogation of it Now Here was Rigor you see on Both Sides But no Clamor upon the Matter of Conscience in This Case neither How many of Our Ministers were Poyson'd in Peter-House And Other Prisons either for Worshipping according to their Consciences or refusing to Act against Them No Man was admitted to his Composition without SWEARING No Man to live in the Parliaments Quarters without SWEARING Neither were We only debarr'd the Common Rights of Subjects and the Benefits of Society But the Comforts of Religion were denied Us And an Anathema pronounced upon Us for Our Fidelity The General Assembly in Scotland Ordain'd That known Compliers with the Rebells and such as Procured Protections from the Enemy or kept Correspondence or Intelligence with Him should be Suspended from the Loâ—…d's Supper till they manifested their Repentance before the Congregation â—…illespy's Useful Cases of Conscience Pag. 19 20. His late Majesty in his Large Declaration of the Affairs of Scotland Pag. 199. tells you That Men were beaten turn'd out of their Livings Reviled Excommunicated Process'd for NOT SUBSCRIBING the Covenant And again Pa. 202. That there was an OATH given at a Communion at Fâ—…fe Not to take the King's Covenant Nor any other but their own Now hear the Commissioners of the General Assembly Iuly 25. 1648. His Majestie 's Concessions and Offers from the Isle of Wight are to be by the Parliament Declared Unsatisfactory Unless his Majesty give Assurance by SOLEMN OATH under his Hand and Seal for Settling Religion according to the Covenant before his Râ—…stitution to his Royal Power But that I am loth to overcharge you I could give you the History of the Spiritting several Persons of Honour for Slaves The Sale of Three or Four Score Gentlemen to the Barbadoes beside Plunders Decimations and infinite other Outrages both Publique and Private Give me leave to mind you now a littleâ—… of some few of Your General Provisions for the Destruction of the King's Party and the Extirpation of that Family and Government to which Providence has once again Subjected you An Ordinance for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates Delinquents Disabled to bear any Office or have any Vote in Election of any Major c. Here 's Estate and Legal Freedom gone already Now follows Banishment from One Place and Confinement to Another Delinquents must be removed from London and Westminster and Confined within five Mâ—…es of their own Dwelling Correspondency with Charles Stuart or his Parâ—…y prohibited under Pain of High Treason and Death to any Man that shall attempt the Revival of his Glaim or that shall be Aiding Assisting Comforting or Abetting unto any Person endeavouring to set up the Title of Any of the Issueâ—… of the Late King Where were the ABLE HOLY FAITHFUL LABORIOUS and TRULY PEACEABLE Preachers of the Gospel with the Tender Consciences you talk of when These Things were a Doing Truly Neither Better nor Worse then up to the very Ears a great many of them in the Main Action Some Preaching up the Conscience of the War Others Wheedling the City out of their Money to Maintain it and Calling for more Blood in Prosecution of it Till in the Conclusion The King and the Government fell in the Quarrel And the Pulpits all this while at hand to Patronize the Reformation N. C. This Ripping up of Old Stories does but widen the Breach without doing any Good at all C. If you would not hear of these things again you should not do them again N. C. Then it seems the Whole must suffer for some Particulars C. No not so But neither
Free Liberty which you willingly afforded us to have of the use of our Own Chaplains makes us at this time not only to Acknowledge your Former Civilities but c. So that His Majesties Condition appears to have been somewhat more easie at Hampton-Court then before it was at Holdenby Nay most certain it is that the Presbyterians even at That very Time did the Deadly Thing that brought the King to the Seaffold Presb. How could That be when the Two Houses by Purging and Modelling were Subjected Absolutely to the Devotion of the Army Indep Thus they did it His Majesty was at That time upon fair Terms with Cromwel and Ireton and not without large hopes of a Final Accommodation The Author of The History of Independency Pa. 35. is positive as to their Treating with the King While This was in Agitation the Presbyterians were at work on the other hand to break the King's Confidence in the Army by Imputations of Treachery and Levity to divert his Majesty to the Seeking of Relief elswhere with particular Undertakings of great Matters from Scotland and the City of London This way of Tampering might very well put the King to a stand which Cromwel no sooner perceived but he Immediately betook himself to a Course of Extremity Irritated over and above as is credibly affirmed by an Advise foom Argyle in confirmation of his Jealousie His Majesties next Remove was to the Isle of Wight Where for Ceremonies sake he was presented with Four Bills and upon his Refusal to pass them followed the Vote of NON-ADDRESSES In Passing these Bills His Majesty had not only divested Himself and His Successors of all Sovereignty but Subjected his People to the Basest and most Absolute Tyranny that ever was Excrcis'd upon Mortals Presb. You will not call This the Act of the Presbyterians I hope Indep No I will not But yet I must tell you that the Presbyterians upon this Juncture did every jote as much as this Amounts to So soon as the Parliament of Scotland was thoroughly Inform'd of the Distress and Danger of the King's Condition the Matter was presently Debated and a Resolution taken to Raise an Army for his Majesties Relief In which Proceeding they were violently opposed by the Genral Assembly without any regard at all to the King's Life at that time in Qâ—…estion See The Humble Desires of the Commissioners of the General Assembly to the Parliament Pag. 13. We desire that his Majesties late Concessions and Offers concerning Religion as they have been by the Church so may be by the Parliament declared UNSATISFACTORY March 22. 1648. And afterward Ian. 10. 1648. That his Majesties late Concessions and Offers concerning Religion may by your Lordships DIRECTLY and POSITIVELY be Declared UNSATISFACTORY to this present Parliament And that there shall be no Engagement for Restoring his Majesty to one of his Houses with Honour Freedom and Safety before Security and Assurance be had from his Majesty by his Solemn OATH under his HAND and SEAL that â—…e shall for HIMSELF and his SUCCESSORS Consent and Agree to Acts of Parliament enjoyning the League and Covenant and fully Establishing Presbyterian Government Directory of Worship and Confession of Faith in all his Majesties Dominions and that his Majesty shall never make Opposition to any of these or endeavour any Change thereof This is Rivetted with a Mischief And pray'e shew me now the Material Difference between Precluding His Majesty by a Vote of NO ADDRESS or by a Resolution of NO AGREEMENT His Honour and Conscience being equally at Stake on either side To give you the Sum of all in short The Presbyterians began the War Pursu'd it made the King a Prisoner Sold him and in the Depth of his Calamity presented him with Templation instead of Comfort No Composition would be heard of but the Forfeiture of his SOUL for the Saving of his LIFE Presb. But the Independents however Crown'd the Wickedness with his Blood Indep Suppose it so They did only Execute the Sentence but the Presbyterians Pronounc'd it Neither did they Execute it as Independents or under colour of any Impulse of Religion or Conscience but upon Civil and Political Pretexts He was adjudged to be put to Death as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and Publique Enemy Not for Refusing to Enter into a Church-Covenant or Establish Liberty of Conscience but upon a Pestilent Motive of Diabolical Policy and State Whereas the Presbyterians persecuted him as PRESBYTERIANS and depriv'd him of his Royal Support Dignity Friends Freedom in Effect Life and all because he would not renounce his Reason and Conscience in favour of their Government And I am verily perswaded that you will have as little to say for your Principles as for your Actions SECT XXVI What Party soever DEMANDS a Toleration and yet Mainteins that It is Destructive both of Church and State to GRANT one Is an ENEMY to BOTH Indep AS to the Point in Question It lies Naturally before us to speak first to the Thing in it self and we may afterward consider it in the Consequences In the Desire of a Toleration the Independents ask no more then they would be ready to Allow I wish the Presbyterians could say the like Presb. In the large sense of Allowing all sorts of Libertines and Heretiques as the late Independent Government did I do confess you have out-done the Presbyterians Indep And yet Those very Libertines and Heretiques were Your White-Boys and Favourites so long as they serv'd Your Ends. They had none of this Language from you when they Tumulted against Bishops and Common-Prayer Ceremonies and Popish Lords While they were the Instruments of Your Ambition they were the Godly Well-affected Party So that Heretiques it seems will down well enough with your Politiques though not with your Consciences Provided they will content themselves to be Damn'd and let the Presbyterians alone to Govern Presb. The Independents made sweet work in Holland did they not And where was your Spirit of Toleration and Forbearance I beseech you in New-England Indep You cannot say that we gave any Trouble in Holland to the State or that we fell foul there upon Different Iudgments In New-England 't is true we excluded the Gortonists Familists Seekers Antinomians Anabaptists and Subjected them to the Censure of the Civil Power as People of Dangerous Principles in Respect both of Good Life and Government Which Proceeding of ourâ—… methinks might serve to disabuse those that call Independency the Genus Generalissimum of all Errours Heresies Blasphemies and Schisms and take the Church way of New-England for that sort of Independency They did also exclude Papacy and Prelacy The Latter perchance more out of Regard to a Temporary Convenience then upon any rooted Principle of Implacable Severity And I perswade my self the Episcopal Party will witness thus much on our Behalfs that as to the Freedom of their Meetings and way of Worship in the late Revolutions they had much better Quarter from the Independents
â—…he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nce of â—…'s â—…ce 〈◊〉 Goodâ—… 〈◊〉 Poliâ—… of P. inâ—… Lex Rex Mr. War'â—… Analysis of the Covenant English Translation Lex Rex De Monarchin Absolutâ Mr. Caryâ—… at Taking the Covenant 1643. The Phaenix E. C. Marshall's Sacred Panegyâ—…ique Mr. Case before the Commons 1644. Mr. Calaâ—…'s spâ—…ech at Guild-hall 1643. Mr. Calaâ—…y's Nâ—…bleman's Pâ—… 1643. Mr. Herle before the House of Lords 1643. Mr. Strickland on a Thanksgiving 1644. M. Bridges on Revel 4. 8. Ex. Coll. p. 150. An. 1642. Lex Râ—…x Ibid. Right and Might Ex. Coll. Pa 2. Ibid. Iâ—…d Scobell Actâ—… c. a Part 2. p. 3. b P. 7. c P. 51. d P. 65. e P. 178. f P. 293. a Scobell Acts c. p. 41. b P. 60. c P. 73. d P. 75. e P. 128. f P. 8. Pat 2. g P. 149. h P. 153. i P. 400. k P. 42. l P. 53. m P. 75. n P. 99. o P. 101. p P. 128. q Part 2. P. 16. Disc. of Relig. Title pag. Ex. Coll. p. 135. Disc. of Relig. Par. 1. p. 28. Disc. of Relig. Par. 1. p. 38. Disc. of Relig. Par. 2. p. 22. Dâ—…sc of Relig. Par. 2. p. 45. Disc. of Relig Par. 2. p. 45. Disc. of Relig. Par. 2. p. 38. Ibid. a Disc. of Relig. Pars 2. b Peace Offering c Indulg Toler d Disc. of Relig. Pars 1. e Peace Offering f Indul. Toler Disc of Râ—…lig Pars 2. Disc. of Relig. Pars 1. Ibid. Disc. of Relig. Paâ—…s 1. Disc. of Relig. Pars 1. De Conscientiâ lib. 〈◊〉 4. cap. 15. Disc. of Relig. Pars 1. * Indulg Toler p. 7. Spâ—…swoods Hist. Scotl. p 320 322. Petition to the Queen p. 15. Gilby King 's large Declar p. 66. Ex. Coll. 〈◊〉 p. 498. a Two Papers of Proposals pa. 5. b Petition for Peace p. 20. c Dâ—…sc of Relig. Preface Ex. Col. 19. Disc. of Relig. Indulg Toler p. 31. Ex. Coll. Pa 3. Ibid. 21. Inâ—…ulg Tolr Disc. of Relig. Sâ—…otswoods Hâ—…st Scotl. P. 327. a Petition to her Majesty p. 25. b Second Admonâ—… p. 37. Ibid. p. 25. First Admonit p. 2. Second Admonit P 59. Ex. Câ—…ll P. 3. Indulg Tolerat Disc. of Relig. Pars 1. Large Declaration P. 53. Ibid. p 41 42. Ibid. p. 52. Ex Coll. p. 8. Ibid. p 9. Matth. 23. v. 23 24. Disc. of Relig. Acts 5. 38. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 207. London Ministers Letter to the Assembly Ian. 1 1645. Harmony of the Lancashire Ministers p. 12. Mr. Faircloth on Iosh. 7. 2â—… Rutherford's Free Disp. p. 360. Bayly's Disswâ—…sive Epist Ded. 1645. Sion-house to the Assembly 1645. Anti-Toleration p. 16. ☞ The Kiâ—…ks Testimony against Toleration p. 10. Acts and Ordinances Part 1. p 97. Ibid. 165. Ibid. 171. Pa. 30 31. ☞ Petition for Peace p. 4. 1661 Mr. Calamy Of the Ark p. 21. a Scob. Acts Pars 1. p 37. b P. 135. c Pars 2. p. 10. d P. 175. e P. 372. Disc. of Relig. Pars 1. Liberty of Consc. p. 58. Disc. of Relig Par. 1. p. 40. Dise of Relig. Par. 1. p. 41. Indulg Toler p. 24 Liberty of Consc. p. â—…8 〈◊〉 Liberty of Conscience p. 58. Cambden ' s Eliz. 1591. Cambden ' s Eliz. 1591. Ibid. Dâ—…sc of Relig. Par. 1. p. 24. Annâ—… 1577 King 's large Dec. p. 73. Large Declar p. 77. Ib. p. 137. * The Liturgy Ex. Coll. p. 604. P. 13. Apol. Conf. p. 137. De Reform advers Eccles p. 95. Beza cont Sarav p. 116. View of the Government p. 5. Ibid. p. 6. Ibid. p. 122. Ibid. p. 125 Ibid. 138. Ibid. 140. Ibid. 146. Ibid. 118. Petition for Peace p. 5. The Old Non-Con formist p. 21. Cap 27. Cap. 15. Art 32. Art 32. Art 15. Art 20. Cap. 14. View of the Government p. 5. Ibid. p. 24. 25. Ep. Bullingero fol. 98 Baxter's Five Disputations disp 5. cap. 2. sect 40. View of the Government p. 41. View of the Gover. p. 63. Ibid. p. 73. Ibid. p. 90. Ibid. p. 92. Ibid. 64. Ib. 69 72. * Scripta Anglican p. 455. Hooker's Eccles. Pol. Preface Two Papers of Proposals p. 7 8. Institut lib. 4. ca. 9. sect 14. Spotswoods Hist. Scotl. p. 540. Mr. Durells View of the Government p. 173. The late Kingslarge Declarat p. 75. Calv. Inst. li. 3. ca. 19. sect 15. Ibid. lib 4. ca. 10. sect 27. Petit. for Peace p. 79. Hooker's Eccl. Pol. li. 2. sect 8. Ibid. Ibid. Calv. Inst. ca. 9. sect 7 Tryal of the Engl. Liturgy p. 4. Ibid. p. 5. Page 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 127. Proposals to His Majesty p. 22. Ibid. p. 23. a Rom. 2. 22. b By the Familists c By the Antinomians Chillingworths Safe Way p. 57 Rom. 7. 23. Chillingworth's Safe way c. p. 104. a Rutâ—…erford's Due Right of Presbyt p. 356. b Ibid. p. 352. c Ibid. p. 407. d Ibid. p. 415. Rutherf Free Disp. p. 36. Ibid. p. 27. Scobel's Acts Part 1. p. 340. Essay of Atheism Psalm 73. v. 12. Essay of Unity of Religion Numb 24 16. Numb 16. 1. Vers. 3. Verse 32. Verse 35. Verse 41. Verse 49. Disc. of Relig. p 25 Chillingworth's Safe way c. p. 186. Rom. 10. 8 Ex. Coll. p. 737. Ex Coll. p. 532. Interest of Engl. p. 44. Ex. Coll. p. 307. Scobel's Acts Part 2. pa. 7. Answer to the Vote of Sept. 24. 1646. ☞ ☞ Ibid. p. 60. Old Non-Conf p. 41. Petit. for Peace p. 20. Par. 1. p. 6. Gangraena Part 3. p. 282. Ibid. 303. ☞ Rutherf Free Disp. p. 267. Gangraena p. 293. Free Disp. p. 98. Cotton's Way p. 11. Burton's Vind. p. 18 Disc of Relig. Part 1. p 3. Ibid. p. 4. Scotch Discipline p. 59. Ibid. p. 78. P. 79. Hist. of Reform Printed 1644. p. 195. Spotsw Hist. p. 418 Ibid. p. 431. ☞ Spotsw Hist. pa. 343. Ibid. 367. Ibid. 419 Ibid. 423 Ibid. 430. Ibid. 322. Ibid. 330. a Ibid. 324. b 398. c 419. d 405. e 334. f 354. King 's large Declaration p. 415. a Ibid. 87. b 98. c Pag. 416. Scotch Discipline p. 79. Ibid. p. 79. Ibid. p 97. Ibid. p. 91. Ibid. 61. Ibid. 44. ad Book of Disc. p. 92. 2d Book of Disc. p. 〈◊〉 Sâ—…tsw Hist. p. 418. Ib. p. 398 Kings large Declaration p. 416. Declar. of the Commission p 55. and 56. Spotsw Hist. p. 345. Page 79. Presbytery Display'd p. 4. Ibid. p 39. Book of Discipline p. 56. Ibid. p 57. Spotsw Hist. p. 436. Unchristian Rigor Excess in Eating censurable Apparel Vain words Suspicion of Pride Spotsw History p. 395. Ibid. 460. Book of Discipline p. 61 Boâ—…k of Discipl p. 97. Book of Discipl p. 29. Ibid. p. 29. Spotsw Hist. pâ—… 393. Ibid. 394. P. 10. Book of Disc. p. 98. Book of Discipl p. 34. Ibid. 61. Ibid. P. 35 Ibid. p. 32. Ibid. p. 44. Presb. Display'd p. 9. Pig to Field 1586. Ed. Brow to Field Walker to Field Cholm to Field Dangerous Positions p. 104. Book of Discipl p. 28. Ibid. 60. Kings large Declaration p. 315. ☞