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	worship_n	3,428	5	7.3798	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96470	Plain truth vvithout feare or flattery: or a true discovery of the unlawfulnes of the Presbyterian government, it being inconsistent with monarchy, and the peoples liberties; and contrary both to the Protestation and Covenant. The end of establishing the militia of London in such hands as it is now put into by the new ordinance. The betraying votes, and destructive practises, of a trayterous party in the House of Commons, concerning certain pettions [sic] for liberty and justice. Also a vindication of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax concerning certain scurrulous words uttered by some of the said faction. VVith the meanes and wayes that must be used to obtain reliefe against the said tyrannous usurpers; and for reducing the Parliament to its due rights, power and priviledges, in the preservation of the kingdomes lawes and liberties / VVritten by Amon VVilbee.	Wilbee, Amon.; Lilburne, John, 1614?-1657.	1647 (1647)	Wing W2112; Thomason E516_7; ESTC R204095	30,871	22

the lives and money of the People without the Peoples consent make Judges create Lord Keepers or Chancellours and yet the King in presence for they cannot now pretend a necessity by his absence and making use of his name to violate all Law oppress the People and to commit all injustice in a word to destroy our liberties and to execute their own Arbitrary wills They speake of having the Kings power with them virtually but wee can neither see nor find any of its proper vertue either among them or from them for his Majesties Regall power is just and mercifull regulated by Law preservative and corrective and not unjust cruell irregular and illegall defacing and destructive as the effects have been of the power which the Parliament hath exercised And concerning the Kings estate and revennues no question but it is accumulated and that they have it in banke for they have been very parcimonious Stewards they can hardly spare either the master money for his necessities or his Servants any for wages He like a Ward or Pupill is at their set allowance and content with the pittance his late Tutors and Guardians will allow him I doubt not but it will prove that some of them have made better allowance to themselves both our of his estate and the Republiques also Second how by reason of the predominancy and power of this tyrannous Party in both Houses whose malignant pernicious influence hath been and still is diffusive throughout all the Parliaments actions all those which have taken this Vow and Protestation are and have been defended in pursuance of the same it is sufficiently manifest For who but they that endeavour to maintain the true reformed Protestant Religion according to the doctrine professed in the Church of England in the power and purity of it are hated illegally prosecuted and persecuted vilifyed and reviled and he is most favoured and soonest preferred that can shew himselfe most virulent and violent against them And if you do but sken or looke like a Hare on the one side at the Kings Crown and dignity you presently incurre through the powerfull Votes of this Party the Parliaments high dislike and displeasure and it is a sufficient badge that you are an enemy because you are so to Traytors to the State witnes the high dislike of the Armies wise and just demand of his Majesties royall assent to an Act of indempnity and truly if they take a bare Parliament Ordinance without the Royall assent I will not give them one farthing for their security and it will be found that their Judges Chancellours Excise men and Sequestrators are in the same case as the Souldiers And to endeavour or petition for liberty according to the Protestation is as much as to beg a Prison to sue for justice is to be accounted seditious in a word to be sincere and honest is to be adjudged worthy of no trust imployment or preserment But to make the truth and the wicked practises and purposes of this destroying Party in both Houses yet more plain and open these cunning contrivers of our intended Vassalage and thraldome frame a combination and confederacy by covenant with the Scots and by power and subtilty surprize and insnare therein the whole Parliament and Kingdome the which I pray read and observe In their feigned profession of sorrow they acknowledge that their not prizing the Gospell nor labouring to receive Christ into their hearts and they say truly hath been the cause of all other fames amongst us And therefore with their hands lifted up to the most high God they do solemnly sware sincerely to endeavour a reformation of Religion in the three Kingdomes in doctrine worship discipline and government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches now what meanes this juggle and to the example of the best reformed churches above they sweare to endeavour a reformation and what sincerity is here to make mens impure inventions equivalent to the infallible rule of Gods word to make dogma presbyteri the opinion of the Priest adaquate to the unalterable last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ only here by this Foyst these deceitfull Spirits endeavour to bring in something of their own that with their claw-back Priests they may seem to have something to do with Christ in his Church government and to sit cheeke by joule with him in his throne and thus they do still dis-esteem the inestimable benefit of the Gospell and oppose it in the power and purity of it even as their Fathers did so do they harden their hearts against the Lord. If the word of God be a sufficient rule to reform and govern the Church by what need then of any other pattern or platforme The best reformed Churches which are this day in Europe need reformation yea the pure Church of Scotland notwithstanding all their pretences For if you observe our bretherens various double dealings turnings and windings self-seeking and advantage-making in every busines they transact or negotiate with us farre unbeseeming men pretending so great conscientiousnes in all things and so highly professing the power of Religion in purenes of life and conversation At first they were against the King then while he was with them they speake and write highly for him and now they have made the most they can of him they are again become adversaries to him one while they press one part of their deceitfull Covenant as at first The Scors have made more of the King then Judas did of the King of heaven they did that part for bringing evill instruments unto condigne punishment whilst that Delinquents troubled them Afterwards when by craft they had gotten the King among them hoping thereby to have had him established their Presbyterian Church-government within this Kingdome they were very zealous for that part of the Covenant which concernes the preservation and defence of his Majesties person and authority Now both the former are forgotten and they are at this instant extreame urgent and importune for that part of the Covenant which concernes the reformation of Religion in the three Kingdomes in doctrine worship discipline and government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches by which words the example of c. they would have it granted that their Kirke of Scotland is the best reformed in all the world and therefore we are bound by this clause of the Covenant they conceive to reforme by their pattern and to make their government our example as if they blind Beetles had attained the very Summum gradum of the government of the Church of Christ comprehended in the Gospell thus using the Covenant as a Waterman doth his Saile to turne every way and hereby they justify the Scripture which saith a double minded man is unstable in all his wayes Jam. 1. 8. but not one word do they speake for justice or liberty of the Subject though they see all oppression and

PLAIN TRVTH VVithout FEARE or FLATTERY Or a true DISCOVERY OF The unlawfulnes of the Presbyterian government it being inconsistent with Monarchy and the Peoples Liberties and contrary both to the Protestation and Covenant The end of establishing the Militia of London in such hands as it is now put into by the new Ordinance The betraying Votes and destructive practises of a trayterous Party in the House of Commons concerning certain Pettions for Liberty and Justice ALSO A Vindication of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX concerning certain scurrulous words uttered by some of the said Faction VVITH The meanes and ways that must be used to obtain reliefe against the said tyrannous Usurpers and for reducing the Parliament to its due Rights Power and Priviledges in the preservation of the Kingdomes Lawes and Liberties VVritten by AMON VVILBEE Isaiah 3 12 13 14. Children are extortioners of my People and women have rule over them O my People they that lead thee cause thee to erre and destroy the way of thy paths The Lord shall enter into judgement with the Ancients of his People and the Princes thereof for yee have eaten up the Vinyard the spoyle of the poore is in your houses What have yee to do that yee beat my People to pieces and grinde the faces of the poore saith the Lord even the Lord of Hosts Woe be to the wicked it shall be evill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Printed and published for the information advice and benefit of the poore oppressed betrayed and almost destroyed Commons of England 1647. PLAIN TRVTH VVithout Feare or Flattery IN the 28. Psalm Verse 6. the Spirit of God speaking there of Judges and Rulers saith they are Gods and all of them children of the most high but he telleth them they shall dye like men and fall as one of the Princes We unhappy men of England have at this time a generation of ambitious imperious men some of both Houses of Parliament whose names ye may elsewhere find who by their power and subtill practises do frame and assume to themselves a supreame power over us and would faine be taken for Gods and sonnes of the most high by us yet they neither rule us like Gods nor demeane themselves amongst us as children of the most high but rule us like Tyrants a degenerate kind which God never made nor owned and demean themselves more like children of disobedience serving their own base lusts and pleasures then children of the most high for were they such they would seeke the will of their Father in heaven and good of his People But the Spirit saith they shall dye like men the which it may be doubted these men believe not but rather with the Athiesticall Epicure thinke they shall dye like Beasts and that the soule aswell as the body returnes to the primam materiam and so if they can but escape the stroake of justice here they dreame not of hearing of their wicked deeds hereafter and therefore they have resolved it appeares for the accomplishment of their own unrighteous ends after the manner of all Athiesticall Statesmen who cast the feare of God and consideration of death and judgement behind them to assay all wayes and meanes of wickednes as to vow and not pay to promise and not performe sweare and forsweare covenant and breake to feign flatter and play the hypocrite I had almost said the devill to betray destroy rob spoyle oppress and violate all law and rule of government infringe all rights and liberties imprison persecute deceive their trust requite evill for good and do all manner of mischiefe and injustice even whatsoever Sathan and their wicked hearts shall prompt them unto insomuch that whatsoever they say or make shew of their evil doings declare that they believe not an immortallity and judgement they profess themselves Christians but if yee observe and consider their actions you must say and if you were a stranger you would sware they were heathens yea they do worse then heathens for did ever heathens take the name of their insensible Gods of wood and stone so frequently and solemnly into their mouthes by way of oath and covenant as these men have done and had it so little in reverence and so little respect to what they have sworne as these men have had the name of the great and terrible God of heaven and of their oathes made unto him read all Stories and search all Centuries of Ages and if there be any such example of perjury and swearing falsly by their God equivalent to the example of these men of this generation I will freely offer my selfe for a sacrafice to expiare my offence against their holines and yet they are ready with Agurs Harlot Pro. 30. 20. to wipe their mouthes and say we have done no wickednes But that the truth may be made apparent and expatiated let us heare their promises vowes and speeches and compare their deeds and practises First they do in the Protestation promise vow and protest in the presence of Almighty God whom sure they thinke is like the God of Baals Priests that could neither heare nor see to maintain and defend with their lives powers and estates the true reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish innovations within this Realme contrary to the same doctrine c. Yet they are now setting up and have set up so farre as in them lyeth a Religion never before heard of within this Realme and quite contrary to the professed doctrine of the Church of England it being wholly opposite unto Christ and a meere Popish innovation brought out of Scotland and violently imposed upon us And thus it comes to pass by the confederacy of a haughty trayterous Party in the Houses of Parliament of which are the Earles of Manchester and Stamford Sir Phillip Stapleton M. Hollis and others with the proud covetous Priests for the advancement of their designe of usurpation and lordlines both over his Majesty and us vow and protest in like manner to maintain and defend the Kings royall person honour and estate and the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject and every one that should make the said Protestation in pursuance of the same and that they will not for hope feare or other respect relinquish this promise vow and protestation And do they not accordingly maintain and defend the Kings royall person honour and estate His person with a company of Commissioners of their own stamp and temper and with a guard of able Horsmen and Souldiers debauched Graves his Regiment as if they were affraid to intrust any of the honest Commanders about him as if he were rather a Prince of Theeves then a Prince of three Kingdomes or of a free People and his honour and estate they defend with all the power and might they can taking the Supream power upon themselves to grant Pardons sell the Lands purchased with

seeke out what the good will of the Lord is concerning his Church and worship what order and rule he hath prescribed and left us by his owne Sonne in the Gospell Doth not God the Father say This is my beloved Sonne heare * not the Scots nor the Priests him Marke 9. 7. And is it not written And Moses truly said unto the Fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you like unto me him shall ye heare in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you * marke tremble all yee Priests Presbyterians and it shall come to pass that every soule which shall not heare that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people Acts 3. 22 23. And doubtless Christ who was a Sonne was not less faithfull in Gods house then Moses who was a servant And againe Yee have a sure word saith the Apostle unto which yee doe well to take heed 2 Pet. 1. 19. Yet doe these presumptuous men despise this command of God and neglect this sure word hearken to their owne corrupt humours take heed to their owne ambitious covetuous desires and so proceed in dispight of God and his Christ to erect a government after their owne inventions But they will tell you that the Assembly have searched the Scriptures and had respect to the word in framing this government I beleeve they have but as the Devill did to make use of them for his owne ends against Christ for they did not search to find what government it was the Gospell did hold out and warrant and propound and promote that But they first resolve upon and propound such a government as will serve their purpose and then they apply themselves to make it good by Scriptures or to enforce the Scriptures for a warrant thus have they made their forme of Church-government the rule of Gods word and not Gods word a rule to their forme of government having done no otherwise then many Atournies and Clearkes doe who often draw Declarations and writings by another mans president or patterne without examining or consulting the Law in the case which is just as if a Taylor should first make a Suit and then make use of his measure And grant that this Presbyteriall government be according to the word of God is it so in toto Is it so absolute that there is no degree of Reformation above it if so then the Scots have exceedeed that grand planter of Churches Saint Paul for he told the Corinthians That he would yet shew them a more excellent way Cor. 12. 31. And that wee know but in part and prophecy but in part but when that which is perfect is come that which is imperfect shall be abolished 1 Cor. 13. 9 10. And Saint Peter and the Prophets spake of a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Of such a beautifull and perfect Reformation and change as if it was a new world 2 Peter 3. 13. and Esay 64. 17. I hope no proud Priest or Presbyterian dare affirme that there is yet any such Reformation or change in Scotland righteousness dwelleth not there I am sure and I would it was not almost banished out of England For as much then as there is a Reformation more true and excellent then theirs or else theirs is none at all why may not the Independants so called or some others approach neerer to it then they without controversie there appeares more of God and of Christ in the Independants order and waies then doth in the waies of the Presbyterians unless the Presbyterians will affirm themselves the only wise and that the Spirit of the most high God dwels only in them but then they must give me leave to aske them Saint Pauls question 1 Cor. 14. 36. Came the word of God out from you Or came it unto you only Or did the Bishops seale unto the Presbyterian Priests the holy Spirit when they sealed unto them their Ordination and so they have kept it ever since close up in a box to be brought forth in these times Truly my friends as learned Rabbies as they are they erre not knowing the Scriptures To the Law therefore and to the Testimony if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isay 8. 20. The Devill preached truer doctrine when he said that Jesus was the Sonne of God Mat. 8. 29. then these Priests when they say that the Presbyterian government is jus divinum the law and government of Jesus Christ but this is as true as that the Church of Rome is a true Church the which they doe now * Mr. Seymour one of the Assembly affirmes it in a dispute affirme to prove their antichristian standing true And now here by the way I will occasionally put a few queries First Whether in case a forme of Church-government and worship contrary to the word of God be by force put upon us against our consciences by the Parliament and Presbyterian Assembly It be not by the same reason as lawfull for us to refuse and resist it Viet armis by force * And the rather because it is enforced by another Nation and without the Kings approbation as it was for the Scots in like manner to reject and resist the forme of Church-government and worship put violently upon them against their consciences by the King and Bishops Secondly whether the Scots ought or have any more authority or right to prescribe or endeavour an imposition of Church-government and worship upon the People of England then the People of England have to prescribe and endeavour the imposition of the like upon the People of Scotland Thirdly If not Whether the Scots goe not beyond their Last Doe not move out of their sphere and intermedle with what they ought not And now seeing there is as cannot be denyed a more high pitch of Reformation in religion and holy worship then is yet attained or discovered I hope it is no offence nor transgression against the State for any true Christian or servant of Jesus Christ to press hard after it and not to conforme himselfe to fixed formes bounds and limits thereby to confine Gods holy Spirit Yee stiffe necked and rebellious Priests of uncircumcised hearts and eares ye have alwaies resisted the Holy Ghost as your Fathers the Bishops did so doe yee Acts 7. 51. I have insisted the more upon this particular that the truth herein might be cleare be cause of the great delusion put upon the People by many of our pretending Reformers through their grand Oaths and pretexts of expelling all popery and popish innovations even whatsoever should be contrary to sound doctrine for so I understand those words in the Protestation contrary to the same doctrine and to reforme Religion according to the word of God and to establish it in the power and purity of it and yet notwithstanding apply all their interest and power to support an * If the