Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	government_n	kingdom_n	3,695	5	5.8013	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76368	The Engagement vindicated; from all the objections, cavils, scruples, that wilfull opposers, or doubtfull, unresolved judgements may cast upon it. Wherein, all such objections are answered; the government proved; the Engagement it self both lawful, and necessary, from clearest principles of conscience and reason. To the satisfaction of all such as are doubting. / By T.B.	T. B.	1650 (1650)	Wing B182; Thomason E589_3; ESTC R206305	10,093	15

And therefore one compared the alteration yea but the succession of Princes to the removing of the world from one shoulder of Atlas to the other in which time it is not imaginable but the Earth must suffer a kind of Epilepsie an Ague-fit as it were but much more when the strain of a Government is quite changed I have said enough to the lawfulnesse of it in the former Conclusions and chiefly now look upon the gaps in it the escapes not yet mended and compare them with what we enjoy and consider the Apologies may be made for what is wanting with which we will begin And those we find chiefly to proceed from the Three great Challengers of an Interest in the Kingdome to be opposed 1. Those wholly addicted to Monarchy against whom though there hath been little need as yet of Medicinal physick yet much of Prophylactick I say to prevent the designs of those whose judgments are wholly devote to Monarchy and its utmost exactions are wholly for the Prerogative-Royal and the hard yoke so much groan'd under by others is to them like an ornament who think the little finger of this Government thicker then the loins of the former the grievances of the former whips the lashes of the latter scorpions Now from such judgments what can be expected but suitable practises and plots to return things to the ancient Model and they have this to encourage them in their hopes which cals for the greatest prudence of the present Authority The votes of all other Monarchs whose interests must needs joyn with the full glory of Monarchy though probably other inferior ends may a little rebate the edge of their desires this way But who would not fear such a storm and can this be any other then a remora to the full and free establishment of affaires 2. The Party in the Kingdom who would moderate but not destroy Monarchy they were for the Government but not the extravagancy nor full cariere of it and I must ingeniously confesse it seems a very excellent Form as might be made out if it were seasonable onely thus excepted It was not approved of by the Supreme Power of the Nation Now the satisfying in some things and restraining in others this Party cannot but have some time impeded a full settlement for the care that must eye every appearance of danger could not but a while attend this which had not only a Chymera of fear in it considering that not onely a great part of the Kingdom yea and of the best part too the Ministery who have the advantage of the Pulpit many of the Nobility who have great trains of dependents yea most of the Gentry and the whole Kingdom of Scotland are engaged as partisans in it and very probably the whole body of Royalists complying at least with the opportunity of their action 3. That Hydra of confusion the motley hundred-headed Faction of the Levellers like a Torrent threatning to carry all before them who created two troubles this last yeare to the Government on foot On which a very diligent eye and a strait bit is necessary for it being an attempt that is entertained in the dregges of the people and basest sort of men and deriv'd to them from some that have the power of the sword and others the knack of committing powder-plots to paper baited with very plausible insinuations is like to carry high if once well on motion and though it hath had some discouragements yet doubtlesse takes up the most serious thoughts of our Senators lest it prevaile above them For of all that I have yet nam'd I confesse in my thoughts this bids fairest for a Supremacy I wish I may be so well deceived for though I believe it is look'd upon as a meere bubble or trifle that must needs be its owne ruine yet if well scann'd it will prove a very politick Constitution though a most Atheisticall one 'T is true the hang-byes of it I meane the furious Vulgar conceive of it as a thing of such a nature that would never endure yet as it is contriv'd and plotted by the great Engineers and movers of it is farre another thing I le adde 4. The prosecution of the warre in Ireland a necessary Expedition for the English safety hath stood in the way of other dispatches A service which hath been hitherto prosperous to amazement and may well justifie the care of it by its successe wherewith the undertakers and abetters of it are sufficiently rewarded besides the safety and security hath smil'd on England by the removall of that danger and hath shut up the way against the invading feare of Invasion Now all these laid together may apologize for greater defects than we can object against the present Government as will appeare if we look upon them 1. I le begin with the greatest first and that is The not effectual settlement of Learning and Religion for Learning is the Onely ordinary means for the promotion of Religion And here O ye Worthies let me speak in the behalfe of this great pillar of States without which they crumble into confusion and sinke into Barbarisme Religion leaves that Kingdome suddenly that is not pav'd and adorn'd with Learning Tell me what hath reduc'd this face of thing into so excellent a forme that mean Proficients now excell many great Names that were on the wing in former times but Learning shou'd we remember the Popery and Superstition of former times let us remember the want of Learning And can we hope that Religion should stand firme when this is discountenanc'd Lord let us never see the result of such a departure Religion is still unsetled and 't were worth our most earnest prayers that we might see it composed and the Government of the Church strongly confirm'd And what more effectuall meanes then the setling of a competent meanes for the Ministry and Universities of the Kingdome those springs that make glad the City of God But let us consider in comparison with this the Essentials of both these yet maintain'd and upheld and the gracious offertures for the promotion of them in the circumstantials and I wish the further prosecution of it may be the serious care of those that sit at the Helme Government is necessary to Religion and Religion essentiall to good Governments and therefore all States have joyn'd these in die cementing themselves and uniting all into a body 2. The Taxes and burdensome Impositions that so pinch mens shoulders are great arguments and complaints against this Government But let us consider the necessity of them Can an Army be maintain'd without these can the great charges and expences be defrayed without them and can the state of things be held up in any tolerable condition without the help of Armies Did we not cry out upon former Taxations and Subsidies and will we not be content with temporary exactions to be freed from standing ones But what say some is become of those great sums that Royal Lands and Spiritual Manours have brought in I answer Shall we put in trust our selves and status and not relye upon the faithfulnesse of the intrusted We may with more equity if we consider all things wonder at the fewnesse and lightnesse of such exactions then quarrel at the superfluity 3. The perpetuity of the Parliament and too long Power of the Representatives But let us consider whether it be for our security that in this flux of things and the storm that is in the world the Great Balasters of it should give up their hold and leave affairs to that forlorn hope that necessarily will ensue upon such an inter-regnum as it were These things are to be done by degrees and insensibly when businesses are nearer a full and happy accommodation Rather let us blesse our selves in that Order and Hope we sit under by the protection and prudence of those faithful Steerers that have stood up for our safety that have ventur'd and hazarded their all for us and who are daily consulting a further settlement and assurance of our hopes And thus far I dare promise my self that every day will give us greater encouragements till our desires arrive to a kinde of non ultra I have now performed the task I set my self if it may gain its end I shall think my self well rewarded However it cannot but remove prejudice except wilfully and causelessely retain'd FINIS

who have cut their way to the Throne by the sword whom the next opportunity may as lawfully dethrone and dis-impower Three objections impugne these Premises 1. We read of no such power in Scripture instituted on the people of Israel but rather the contrary To omit some footsteps that may be found of it we will concede but yet the case is farre different for we read of God's speciall acting in the promotion of those to the Throne which we can no otherwise ghesse of now than by the hand of Providence which permits of many things it doth not approve of Obj. 2. God attributes to himselfe in speciall the dealing with and ordering of Kings setting them up turning their hearts entitling himselfe King of Kings I answer we may find as many eminent expressions of others meaner Officers as of them But let that be granted God herein condescends as in many other places to the customes of men amongst whom Princes are look'd upon generally as the most absolute and supreme so it is argumentum à majori if God swayes their Scepters and hath them at his direction much the more sublunary men of the world that move in a lower sphere He must be a great King that is King of Kings who disposes of the Kings and Kingdomes of the world Thirdly They object the Example of primitive Times who found neck for any yoak and back for any sufferings that they might not prejudice the Royal Prerogative or prove in the least commotioners of States But I answer let it first be pro'vd that there were such competent numbers of Christians as might make up and be orderly chosen the Representatives of a Kingdome and then we have yet a reserve and a full answer to their objection viz. In those times the providence of God so directing it the sufferings of the Christians were improv'd to the advantage of the Church according to that receiv'd Axiome Sanguis martirum fuit semen Ecclesiae The Churches harvest was rooted in the Martyrs blood And so eager were men on propagating the Church this way that many doubt whether they were not honestly and with good intentions profuse and prodigal of themselves by their over-liberal sufferings I come now to speak of the third proposal for Inquiry 3. Concering this Subscription and first briefly as I promised of the nature of Engagements Engagements are of an order inferior to Oaths not attesting God not immediately eyeing Religion and Conscience but obligatory by the law of mutual Faith and Honesty the Pillar of humane Converse So that a man may with lesse regret give up himself to such a tye and the Magistrate with greater authority exact it Not that I would hereby prejudice the Civil-world by introducing an unobliging principle to the Faith promised and oblig'd by Engagement or open a back-door and evasion to dishonesty for though some promises imply conditions yet I conceive Engagements and Promises of this nature as strict in this respect as Oaths that a man is to eye all inconveniences and not after the submission to the Engagement make inquiry but their Obligation differs in regard of the witnesse of our Engagement God being concern'd immediately in one man immediately in the other and in regard of the principle engag'd in one Conscience and Religion in the other Moral Honesty and Faith so that the latter bears not the face of dominion over Conscience as the other doth and so with more right may be impos'd by the Civil Magistrate But particularly This Engagement is of the same nature justly impos'd by the Civil Magistrate justly may the neglect of it be punish'd by him according to his arbitrement because the refusal cannot consist with the good of the Common-wealth The rest of the time will be well spent in the removal of Objections And first 1. It is opposite and contradictory to Oaths Engagements of a higher nature yea to a Solemn Covenant For the first we grant it is so But we answer the Obligation of those Oaths is already ceas'd for the formality of the Obligation is null'd As we were bound to the maintaining of the King and his Heirs but they being wholly annihilate the Obligation must of necessity cease as we prov'd heretofore They were Kings by the common consent of the People which hath dethron'd them so that we are wholly disengaged and free For the Covenant I answer it is not contrary to that contending onely for that Government which is suitable to the law of God and Reason with both which this Law is exactly correspondent which we have pro'vd before 2. It contradicts the former agreeances of themselves the Agreement of the People and the like an Argument much prest in a publique auditory though something unsuitable to an exercise proper to practical Divinity That which was concluded by some Pieces or Parts of the Kingdom doth not reflect on the whole or was it concluded by the Body or Representatives of it yet it was not matur'd nor ratified and so not engaging to non-alteration Besides I do not conceive of this Government as a thing unalterable nor this Engagement as such as for ever to disoblige us to any other but onely thus far it binds to restrain the irregular motions or insurrections of any not lawfully called to it and obliging to the confirmation of this till altered by due course of law So that if the Representatives and Pillars of this Government should now on the sudden face about and revive the ancient Monarchy we were not at all bound to the support of this by this Engagement for so long I account any Government unlawful whether introduced by Policy or Conquest and a meer Usurpation till it be confirmed by the Representatives of a Kingdom and those Factions and Rebellions that comply not with the motions of these here onely excepting any such Constitution is a real destructive of Christian Religion which is not the case now in hand 3. It is not imposed by a lawfull Magistrate Which leades me to the fourth inquiry concerning this Government which is composed of the Representatives or Choise of the Kingdom voting together in consultation and determination of businesses of State and having an influence upon all Officers Courts of Iudicature without the assistance of King or Lords Against which it is objected by some that it is no Government To which I answer in the essential requisites it is though it cannot but be confest by the distractions and parties that yet keep up these severall factions by the infancy of it in this Kingdome it is not in all points so composed as time and continued peace may order it For we know that of all the things imaginable nothing meets with more difficulty then the re-setling a Kingdome that hath suffered some great mutation 'T is no small paines that must reduce every Notion to its right channel silence all the clamours and complaints of men refute the bold pretences and intrusions of others into Government