for the subversion of the true Protestant Religion and the Liberty of the Subject And that in pursuance thereof c. This is the first Credendum set foorth to usher in our Jurandum this we must believe therefore thus and thus we must sweare But why must we believe this because the Lords and Common have Declared it I ow the Lords and Commons my obedience in a subordinate way next and immediatly under my King but I do not yet know that I owe them my Faith in that supreme way as to believe whatsoever they declare Nay I know the contrary and therfore I will be bold to examine the truth of this credendum so far as I am able before I give up my faith unto it That there hath been in this Kingdome a Popish and trayterous plot for the subversion of the true Protestant Reformed Religion is recorded to us and to our posterities with an Act of Parliament for an Anniversary commemoration of our deliverance from the same And I doubt not but there have beene many other plots since to the same purpose by the same faction though God of his mercy hath disappointed them ere they came to any visible maturity Neither will I altogether free the late potent Faction from intending some such mischiefe Nay further I am not very slow of heart to beleeve that there is now at this present in this Kingdome a traiterous plot for the same purpose which may as well be called a Popish as an Anabaptisticall Brownisticall or Separatisticall plot the Papists as well as the Anabaptists Brownists and other Separatists contriving and contributing what they can thereunto and all meeting and consenting in the same positions and doctrines for the effecting thereof For what Luther said of the Anabaptists and Papists we find by wofull experience true of them all Fratres sunt caudis conjuncta sunt vulpes sed capitibus diversa singunt sese foris magnos hostes esse cum tamen intus vere idem sentiant deceant ac defendant they are all brethren and they are crafty foxes linked together by the tales though their heads looke divers waies they outwardly feigne themselves to be great enemies each to other but inwardly they doe verily think teach and maintaine one and the same thing And all these though they pretend too much the liberty of the Subject yet the truth iâ— they intend only to inlarge their owne liberty and licentiousnesse and to destroy the just liberty and property as well as the duty and loyalty of all Subjects whatsoever Thus farre it is no difficult matter to beleeve that there hath been and now is a plot for the subversion of the true reformed Protestant Religion and the liberty of the Subject and to the lawfull defence of the same thus plotted against I conceive my selfe already sufficiently bound not only by my duty as I am a Protestant and a Subject but also by my late Oath or Protestation as I am thereby a new sworne Protestant and Subject And therefore if that be the true cause why I should take an oath I have very lately for the same cause already taken one and I humbly conceive that having made the former oath so lately for their satisfaction who require this they ought to rest satisfied with the former without urging any other it being a ruled case in Law Date jurejarundâ— non aliud quaritur quam an juratum sit remissa quastiom an debentur quast fatis probatum sit jurejurandâ— when once an oath is given no further question is to be made then whether the oath be taken or not all other questions of the proofe of what is controverted are to be remitted as being proved sufficiently by the very making oath thereof and you well know what the Apostles rule in that case is Heb. 6.16 an oath for confirmation is at least ought to be to them to those who require the oath an end of all strife And the multiplying of oaths is perillous as well to the imposers as to the takers But to goe on with the first reason That in pursuance of such oâ— such a Popish plot c. a Popish army hath been raised and is now on foot in divers parts of this Kingdome here my faith so staggers that I cannot possibly keep it up to this assertion and that for these Reasons First because that an Army cannot truly be called a Popish Army wherein not five of an hundred are Papists unlesse we take Papists in that latitude as to involve all those that imbrace adhere to and maintain the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England And if five of an hundred in an Army being Papists may give the name of Popish to that Army what name can we thinke of for that Army wherein there are besides Papists Anabaptists Brownists Familists and other Sectaries an hundred for five true Reformed Protestants T is not denied but that there are now in the Kings Army too many that are Papists and yet there are no more Papists in that army then ought to be there for being Subjects as well as Papists they are bound both by the Lawes of God and of this Nation to assist their King in his warres both against forreign enemies and against native rebels and usurpers and the King is bound to protect them against spoile rapine and other oppression aswell as his other Subjects It is I solemnly professe a sore greefee to my soul and so I am confident t is to all really religious Protestant souls besides that ever our King who hath beene so long and still is so eminent a Defender of the true Protestant Religion should neede the assistance of Papists to defend his Royall person honour and estate as t is a shame to our Religion it self that Papists should shew their Loyalty and Allegiance to their King in such a defence when so many that would be reputed the onely true Protestants either take up or maintaine the taking up armes against him This scandall to the Protestant Religion would scarce ever bee wiped of were there not blessed bee God for it forty Protestants to one Papist that cheerefully and valiantly assist the King in these present warres with their lives and estates Secondly if the army raised by his Majesty and now on foot in divers parts of this Kingdome bee a popish army it were worth the knowing when it became so or when at least it became to be so reputed For that magnanimous and royall army which hath ever attended his sacred person I find severall Declarations of both Houses of Parliament wherein they who levied those forces and they that were levied have beene called ill affected persons Cavaleers Delinquents Malignants and the like but scarce the name of Papists was for a long time mentioned in any of them Since that I finde Papists a Jesuiticall faction prelaticall Clergy and discontented persons added to the former and all called Assistants in and to the Forces prepared but as yet
imputed to the dulnesse and weaknesse of our ey-sight or to our want of that light whereby some are able to discover things that never were but to say there is such an army on foot and yet no more footsteps of it to be found is to tell us little lesse then a miracle and but of little more credit then those late miracles which some of our new apostles have boasted of Well but let us indulge them that name seeing they who can call any things or persons what they please are pleased so to phrase it The army in the North whereof not above foure or five of an hundred are papists is a popish army But why then must it be beleeved that there is a popish army raised and on foot in divers parts of this Kingdome Is it because there are divers parts of the North wherein that army is as York Taacaster Pomfret Wakefield c. and all these are parts of this Kingdome an excellent topicall argument to puzle a Fresh-man with or is it because they would have the poore long deceived people to beleeve that forasmuch as the one part of the Kings army in the North is somewhat Popish therefore all the Kings army that is now in severall parts of this Kingdome as Oxfordshire Dorsetshire Sommersetshire Devonshire Cornwell Staffordshire and Worcestershire c. consists most of Papists certainly it is in this latter sense that they desire the phrase Popish army may be understood or else it would prove but of very litle force to perswade the common people who blessed be God do generally abominate Popery either to conceive so much evil of the Kings army as they would possesse them withall or else to beleeve that there is from them any cause of fearing the subversion of the true reformed Protestant Religion and so of entring into an oath or covenant to doe such and such things as the new Oath requires And by this time I hope you will excuse me if I doe not beleeve that there is a popish army raised and on foot in divers parts of this Kingdome Thirdly I abhor to let it enter into my thoughts that any army is raised by the King as is affirmed for the subversion of the true Protestant Religion The Preacher commands me in Gods name whatsoever some preachers teach their people in their owne and their Masters not to curse the King no not in my thoughts Eccles 10.20 but should I thinke that the King intends by His Army now on foot or by any other way or meanes to subvert the true Protestant Reformed Religion though I should not for all that curse Him no not in my thoughts yet I must needs think Him the most accursed King that ever breathed He having made so many solemne oaths vows and protestations with most deep imprecations annexed both to live and dye in the true Reformed Protestant Religion himselfe and to maintaine and defend it in His Subjects I will minde you only of that one in the head of His Army Septem 19. 164◠I promise in the presence of Almighty God and as I hope for his blessing and protection that I will to the utmost of my power defend and maintaine the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in the Church of England and by the Grace of God in the same will live and dye c. And for the liberty of the Subject together with the just priviledges and freedome of parliament He did both at that time and sundry other with the like solemnly vow and sweare their defence and maintainance 〈◊〉 Now can it bee thought by any but such whose thoughts are thoughts of iniquity Esay 59.7 that such a constant and faithfull Defender of the true Protestant Religion for so many yeares against so many plots and attempts intimated by this very Declaration and after so many and so solemne oaths vows and protestations should now raise an Army to subvert that Religion and when it was raised to promise againe in the very head of that Army His best and utmost defence of the same calling God to witnesse with Him and desiring neither blessing nor protection from Him but according as He resolved to make good that promise and protestation doubtlesse there is very nigh as much faith in Infidels and as much charity in the damned spirits as there is in these men that can beleeve such a slander or entertain such a suspition In the Declaration of the Lords and Commons to the Kingdome and to the World Octob. 22. 1642. they account the professing of any thing in the sight of God the strongest obligation that any Christian and the most solemne publike faith that any such state as a Parliament can give They then that will not credit the like profession made by a King must neither thinke him a Christian nor esteem him a King Besides were there any so wickedly uncharitable and disloyall as to imagine that the King had an intention to subvert the true Reformed Protestant Religion Yet how can they think both him and his evill counsellors together with the Popish party about him as every pamphlet takes the liberty most traiterously to pourtray him and his royall attendants to be all so weak and simple as to rayse an army for the pursuance of that intent just at that time when greater forces of Protestants as they would be thought were either actually raysed or ready to rise then he or they could by the eye of flesh see any possibility of levying and when he wanted both money and armes for those few that he might hope to levie without doubt if there had beene any such purpose that time of all other would not have been chosen for the opportunity These reasons are of such force with me that the first reason alleadged for the taking this Oath seemes to mee to say the least of it altogther unreasonable Proceed wee on to the second it may be that is more ingaging The Lords and Commons have further in a solemne manner declared vowed and covenanted that in order to the security and preservation of the true Protestant Religion and liberty of the Subject they will not consent to the laying downe armes so long as the Papists now in open warre against the Parliament shall by force of armes be protected from the justice thereof Before this reason will downe with me for a perswading reason to the taking this Oath I must bee satisfied if possible in these Quaeres 1. Quaer What doe the Lords and Commons meane by that clause In order to the security and preservation of the true Protestant Religion c. Doe they meane that they will never consent to the laying downe armes c. No not for the security and preservation of the true Protestant Religion or that because they conceive that the true Protestant Religion cannot bee secured and preserved so long as the Papists now in open warre shall c. That therefore they will not consent to the laying downe armes so long
attainted of open deed by people of their condition I believe when the established Law of this Land comes to be in force againe it will puzzle all the Lawyers of this Kingdome to assoile us of that guilt by the subtillest interpretations they can invent And truly I doe not yet value eyther soule or body at so low a rate as to venture eyther upon such an hazard But suppose that it should not be found high treason yet I have another Quaere to put concerning this oath that will make many looke before they leap into it lest they thereby leap out of a great part of their estates and that is this 6. Quar. Whether the taking this part of this oath and practising accordingly do not expose as many as have Offices Fees Annuities Honours Lordships Castles Mannors Lands Tenements and other possessions and hereditaments of the Kings gifts and grants which are throughout this Kingdome a considerable number to an inavoydable forfeiture thereof whenas by those two statutes viz. 11. Hen. 7. cap. 18. 19. Hen. 7. cap. 1. it is enacted That every person or persons within the Realme of England or Wales that have any such offices fees annuities c. and doth not in person attend upon the King being in person in warres against his enemies and rebells within the same Realme or without for repressing and subduing of them and their mischievovs purpose shall forfeit all his offices fees annuities c and that all the Kings gifts grants and letters patents wherby they enjoy them shall be utterly annulled void of none effect and at the Kings pleasure unlesse it be such as have speciall licence under the Kings signe manuall or signet or else have such unseigned sickenesse letting or disease that he may not in his person come to doe that attendance The same Statutes as they require such attendance upon the Kings person in his warres more especially from such men as have any promotion from the King so they declare also that every Subject by the duty of his Allegiance is bounden to serve and assist his Prince and sovereigne Lord at all seasons when need shall require and what he shall be adjudged worthy to forfeit or suffer that shall fail of that duty any knowing Lawyer will soon informe you 7. Quaer How can any man sweare in Righteousnesse that he will assist the forces raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament against the forces raised by the King when by the Lawes of the Land it is enacted that no manner of person or persons whatsoever he or they be that attend upon the King and sovereigne Lord of this Land for the time being in his person c. or be in other places by his commandment in his warres within this Land or without shall for the same be either convict or attaint of high Treason or any other offences either by act of Parliament or otherwise by any processe of Law whereby to suffer any losse or damage but for that deed and service to be utterly discharged for any vexation trouble or losse and if any act or acts or other processe after the time of that act shall happen to be made contrary to that act that then that act or acts or other processe of the Law whatsoever shall stand and be utterly void 11. Hen. 7. cap. 1. It is no wonder then if in this new covenant when we swear to assist the forces raised and continued by the two Houses of Parliament against the forces raised by the King that necessary restriction or limitation so carefully inserted in the late Protestation viz. As far as lawfully I may be here in this oath wholy omitted when as the established Laws of the Land are in so many things so fully contrary to all such assistance that if we had sworne only to assist the Parliaments forces against the Kings forces as farre as lawfully we may we had sworne not to assist them at all but to our utmost to resist and represse them And whereas t is further intimated in this part of this oath and in that which followeth by way of aggravation against the Kings forces that they were raised without the consent of both Houses of Parliament I would willingly bend an eare either to Priâ— himselfe that great pretender to Law and Parliaments though a Traitor to both as well as to his King or to any other that shall please to tell me of any one act of Parliament of any other established Law of this Land that doth allow the two Houses of Parliament in any case whatsoever to raise any forces without the consent of the King much lesse against the Kings consent and against the Kings forces or which is a bold chalenge of one that is no Lawyer that doth expresly binde the King in no case whatsoever no not for His owne safety and preservation nor for the safety and preservation of His Kingdome of the true Religion of the Lawes of the Land and liberties of the Subject c. to raise any forces without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament And if in any case the King may raise forces without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament then surely much more in the present case when not only all possibility of consent from the two Houses was impossibilitated but the two Houses themselves had actually raised forces without the Kings consent and had seised upon the Kings Castles and Armes and held them against Him But I have stayed too long amongst Acts and Statutes the proper Authenticks of Lawyers I returne to the Divine of whom I desire to favour most and with his leave and likeing I passe to the next clause of the oath and that is yet more desperate if more desperate can be for having sworne only in this last clause That we will according to our power c. assist the publick open forces raised and continued by the two Houses of Parliament against the forces raised by the King we are required in the next clause to sweare That we will according to our power also assist all private and close conspirators in whatsoever they shall attempt or doe either against the Kings forces or against the King Himselfe His Queen the Prince or any other so that what they attempt or doe be but for the advantage of both Houses and their forces now on foot the words import no lesse he that runs may read it And will likewise assist all other persons that shall take this oath in what they shall doe in pursuance thereof c. This is a hard saying who can beare it nay that is too too gentle a saying for it This is a most terrible saying what Christian but will tremble at it For first What if the Turke Pope or Spaniard shall by their agents or instruments do ought in the pursuance of this businesse as I verily beleeve some of them have done too much if those agents or instruments will but take this oath as
THE ANTI-COVENANT Or a sad COMPLAINT Concerning The new Oath or Covenant Presented in a Letter to a dear and intimate Friend with earnest request for his advice and Prayers By a true loyall Subject and lover of the Parliament OXFORD Printed by Leonard Lychfield Printer to the University 1643. The Anti-Covenant Or A sad complaint concerning the new Oath c. DEare Friend and Brother it is not unknowne to the world as well as to those sober and pious Christians that are of our society and acquaintance what an honourable and reverend esteem the very name of Parliament hath alwayes carried with us two and how observant wee have beene of their commands without disputing their power or integrity When the Protestation was enjoyned we willingly and cheerfully tooke it hoping therby to give sufficient testimony both to the King and Parliament and to all others that should otherwise scruple it of our love and zeale to the true established Protestant Religion of our loyalty and obedience to our gracious Sovereigne of our honour and esteeme of both Houses of Parliament and their just power and priviledges and of our sense and care of the rights and liberties of the subject and this solemne Oath we have endeavoured to observe and keepe When the Poll-money and great Subsidy were granted both by King and Parliament we most readily paid both When the distressed condition of Ireland was recommended to us we cheerefully contributed Nay when the Propositions were made to us for plate money and horse to fetch our good King from his evill Counsellours it being declared to us by some of the Members of the House of Commons and others of their Commissioners that his Majesty was desirous to come from them and that those about him would flie from him upon the appearance of the Parliaments forces without striking one stroke wee were perswaded to lend liberally upon the Publike Faith towards that service And since that upon severall new suggestions we have given such credit to some Members of both Houses speeches and to some Preachers whom they have countenanced if not sent amongst us that we have not with-holden from the Parliament what we have beene able to spare Neither did we stop heere though our speed was by this time well taken off but often and often since partly out of feare and partly out of hope feare of being after all this reputed Malignants a name more odious then Turke Pagan or Papist and hope at last of an Accommodation a mercy too great for this sinfull Nation as yet to pertake of we have by our wives kindred or friends more then once subministred to the pressing necessities of the Parliaments forces But now deare Brother what shall we doe When all that we have done hitherto will keepe neither our houses from plundering nor our persons from imprisonment nor our names from being Malignant nor our wives and children from beggery and misery unlesse wee will wound our consciences and hazard our soules by horrid and palpable perjury Oh that we had but foreseen this imposing upon our soules and consciences when first the opening of our purses was called for but it was Gods just judgement upon us for our sinnes first to blinde us so long till we had made a rod for our selves and then to awe us with that rod till our severe masters have brought uâ— to that undoubted triall whether we feare God or them whether wee love our soules or our estates and liberties most But what is the matter Why read and the Lord give you understanding Whereas the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament have declared That there hath beene and now is a Popish and traiterous plot c. as it followeth in the Introduction and Covenant to be taken by the Armies and Kingdome With one clause more added in the Lords and Commons Oath for their not laying downe Armes This is the new vow and covenant taken by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament and voted by them to be taken by the Armies and Kingdome together with the Introduction declaring the grounds and reasons inducing them thereunto I know it is not fit for private men to be too inquisitive into much lesse censorious of the decrees and ordinances of publike States unlesse it be where such decrees and ordinances concerne the soules and consciences of men and there every man is bound both diligently to examine and discreetly to judge whatsoever is injoyned him before he submit himselfe thereunto as also to counsell and advise his brethren Be pleased then deare Brother for so I have ever called and esteemed you to give me leave to acquaint you with my thoughts both of this Oath and its Introduction and wherein I erre as who is infallible not the Composers themselves much lesse any private man and least of all my selfe the weakest of ten thousand I beseech you be my gentle corrector and friendly instructor And first I begin with the Introduction The reasons and grounds of imposing and taking this new Oath heere alleadged are principally these three 1. For that the Lords and Commons have declared that there hath beene and now is a Popish and traiterous plot for the subversion of the true Protestant Reformed Religion and the liberty of the Subject and that in pursuance thereof a Popish army hath been raised and is now on foot in divers parts of this Kingdome 2. That the Lords and Commons have further in a solemne maner declared vowed and covenanted That in order to the security and preservation of the true Protestant Religion and liberty of the Subject they will not consent to the laying downe of Arms so long as the Papists now in open warre against the Parliament shall by force of armes be protected against the justice thereof 3. For that the Lords and Commons have declared that there hath been a traiterous and horrid designe lately discovered by the great blessing and especiall providence of God of divers persons to joyne themselves with the Armies raised by the King and to destroy the Forces raised by the Lords and Commons in Parliament to surprise the Cities of London and Westminster with the Suburbs and by Armes to force the Parliament all which reasons are amplified with an assertion That the said Lords and Commons doe finde by constant experience That many wayes of force and treachery are continually attempted to bring to utter ruine and destruction the Parliament and Kingdome and that which is dearest the true Protestant Religion And then followes the inference or conclusion that for the preventing and withstanding the same they have thought fit that all c. should binde themselves each to other in a sacred Vow and Covenant in manner and forme as followeth I A.B. In humility and reverence c. The grounds and reasons in their order First we are told That the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament have declared that there hath been and now is a popish and traiterous plot
they were not called a Popish Army and it seemes there was not the least cause why they should be so stiled for that no sooner was the Name of Papists or Jesuiticall faction mentioned by them as having ought to doe in that service for the King but presently his Sacred Majesty caused a Proclamation to issue forth given at his Court at Yorke August 10. 1642. expresly commanding that no person or persons whatsoever being Popish Recusants should come to His Court contrary to the Law in that case provided or take any office or place or list himselfe as a souldier in His Service And though the King at the time of that terrible batâ—ell at Edgehill had admitted some few Papists of eminent abilities in command and conduct into His Service yet He is graciously pleased to yeeld such a faire and reasonable account thereof in His Declaration to all His loving Subjects after His late victory against the Rebells on Sunday 23 of October 1642. as must needs be to all that will credit the word of a King most abundantly satisfactory And since that battell that maske of fighting for the King being then blowne off with their owne priming powder t is not to be endured in point of Honour by any Protestant that regards the honour of his Religion that any should say the Papists have so outstript the Protestants in loyalty as to win the denomination of the Kings Army to be Popish from their super increasing therein And blessed be the Lord for it they have not the least cause so to brag for what cause soever others have been pleased so to declare Then for the Kings Army in the West so long under the command of that valiant and successefull religious and pious Sir Ralph Hopton I doe not remember that amongst all the lyes and slanders all the calumnies and reproaches that have been preached or printed any have yet been so wickedly impudent as to call that Popish or to affirme that any knowne Papists are listed in it I am sure both Houses of Parliament in their Ordinances made against Sir Ralph and his Forces viz. that in June 27. 1642. for the prevention of a most horrid wicked and unnaturall designe pursued by Sir Ralph Hopton and his adherents c. and that made the same day for the assessing of Malignants in the Counâ—y of Sommerset c. never call any of those that have assisted him or joyned with him Papists but only Rebells and Traitors So that we are forced to looke into the Northerne parts to finde out this Popish Army and for the Army in those parts though I finde some Diurnals and other such like lying and slanderous pamphlets wherein that Army was called Popish even at its first advancing into Yorkeshire yet I observed that the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament did not themselves stile it so no not in their Declaration for the suppressing of divers Papists and other malignant persons in the Counties of Yorke Northumberland Westmerland Cumberland Lancashire Cheshire c. Novemb. 23. 1642. They therein declare that the Papists and other malignants and ill affected persons in those Counties had entred into an association and caused great Forces both of horse and foot to be raised to aid and assist the Popish and malignant party in those parts but for all this they doe not yet brand them with the name of a popish Army afterwards indeed when they had found that the name of popish army spread abroad as I but now said by Diurnalls and other lying and scandalous pamphlets the constant pressures to prepare the way for more auâ—hentick Declarations had somewhat startled and amazed the poore Country people then we heare the stile of an Army of Papists under the command of the Earle of New-castle made use of as in that Declaration of the House of Commons Decemb. 15. 1642. the Declaration of the Lords and Commons still retaining their former stile But passe by the originall of that army Did that army as yet ever merit the name of Popish That there were and are more Papists in that army then in all the Kings armies throughout the Kingdome I do verily beleeve those Counties out of which it was raised abounding with Papists more then other counties by far And yet we have been assured from such as deserve our credit that all the Papists in that army are not a handfull in comparison of the whole body not above one of fifty and in all not so many as to make up two Regiments But why five times so many Papists if there were so many in this Kingdome should not be admitted to take up armes for the defence of their Sovereigne and rights and libertie of the Subject I never yet heard any argument worth answering nay how the papists or any for them could answer their not taking up armes in such a case without incurring the guilt of high Treason is past my resolving And for the Protestant Religion which they so much hate and the power and priviledge of Parliament which they so much maligne whereas it is objected that it cannot be thought that they should fight for the defence of either of them I doe conceive that if they might be let alone quiet and secure without intermedling their love to either is not so great as to inflame their spirits to such a hazard of their lives for their sakes but the pressing necessities of the present times ingaging them in a War and they finding the quarrell to be betwixt the safety of the Kings person honour and estate and the ambitious seditious and rebellious designes and attempts of some of His Subjects betwixt Protestants and some Anabaptists Brownists and other Sectaries betwixt the enjoying the just power and priviledges of Parliament together with their owne lives goods and estates and the being spoyled robbed and deprived of all or the most of these by the arbitrary power and priviledges of a few Lords and Commons t is no wonder to see them to offer themselves willingly to defend and maintain the former rather then to endure suffer the latter Besides when the Protestants in a Kingdome are imbroyled in a civill war amongst themselves or with any factious and schismaticall persons it would not be wisdome in them to suffer the papists to sit quiet and still if they should desire it lest when they have weakned each other the papists prove too strong for both But for further satisfaction in this point I refer you to the Earle of New-castle his excellent Declaration to that purpose and to that witty and solid lettter of a Worthy whosoever it was to his friend in Leceistershire Now these things premised thus cleared I cannot but wonder what is meant by the popish army which hath been raised and is now on foot in divers parts of this Kingdome had we been told that there is such an army flying in divers parts of this Kingdome if we could not have seen it it might happily have been
keep tâ—â—m from the guilt of their blood not take them up and cast them forth into the sea but shut them up and keepe them safe till they see whether a just and legall triall so often demanded will judge them worthy to be cast forth or not and if it appear they so deserve I hope it is neither traiterous nor horrid to say it were better that milstones were hanged about their necks and they cast into the bottome of the sea then that the whole Kingdome for their sakes should be cast away and perish And thus we have viewed the three maine pillars upon which the structure of this new oath is built Now fearing lest all three might prove too weake to raise such a weighty building upon there is a buttresse or by-arch joyned to them all for their better underpropping plaistred over with these words And the said Lords and Commons finding by constant experience that many wayes of force and treachery are continually attempted to bring to utter ruine and destruction the Parliament and Kingdom and that which is dearest the true Protestant Religion This Arch is made up of the same materialls with the three maine pillars and so it is not materiall whether any other examination bee made of it or not for they stand and fall together only we may observe if you please that whereas we were told but of one Popish and traiterous plot that hath been and now is for the subversion of the true Protestant Reformed Religion c. as also but of one treacherous and horrid designe and that lately discovered to destroy c. here we are invited if not commanded to beleeve that many wayes of force and treachery are continually attempted for the same ends It seems these many wayes of force and treachery that have been found by constant experience to be continually attempted to bring to utter ruine and destruction the Parliament and Kingdome and the true Protestant Religion were such as were not worthy of the name of plots or designes at least not Popish plots or horrid designes or else they were very unworthy who having found them out would not to this day discover what they were for besides the bringing up of the Northerne Army and the King going once more then ordinarily attended to surprise the five Members which must needs be included in the Popish and traiterous plot first mentioned and hath been againe and againe answered by His sacred Majesty we never heard till now this traiterous and horrid designe was discovered of any one way of force or treachery that ever was assayed to compasse any of the ends here declared But something must bee said to scare the people fit be possible quite out of their wits loyalty Religion and all or else this grand plot of plots and designe of designes the taking of this new Oath will hardly take effect These premises being laid this conclusion is inforced That for the preventing and withstanding the same they have thought fit that all who are true hearted and lovers of their Country should binde themselves each to other in a sacred Vow and Covenant c. Now although as you know the premises being false the conclusion alwayes falls of it selfe yet because there is more crowded into this conclusion then can be inferred from the premises and we are like to be forced to hold to the conclusion whatsoever the premises are it will not be amisse to speake a word or two of that also First it is declared that for the preventing c. The Lords and Commons have thought fit c. Here are very gentle termes is though the Contrivers of this oath desired only to intimate their opinion of the conveniency of taking it would compell none to it but leave it to the liberty of every conscience whether they would take it or not when as t is to be feared a few dayes experience will assuâ—eâ—uâ— that it is â—â—teâ—ded is the Shibboleth of this Nation and either take this oath and be perjured if not worse or take it not and be plundred imprisoned if not banished from house and County will be all tâ—e liberty our oppressed consciences shall obtaine But not to prejudge or prophesie Take the expression as it is They have thought fit such a Vow or Covenant should be made by all that are c. and t is not fit that any that are such should scruple it Well but if the taking this solemne oath or making this sacred Vow and Covâ—nant be but a thing fitting and convenient and not of exâ—raoâ—dinary much lesse of extream necessity it hath ever been a ruled case in Divinity that a solemne oath sacred vow or covenant ought not in such a case to be required or made Besides which I must againe and againe put you in minde of if all that is declared in the introduction to this oath were true knowne to us all so to â—e We have lately so solemnly protested and sworne in that protestation or oath recommended unto us from the House of Commons That to our power and as far as lawfully we may we will oppose and by all good wayes and meanes endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall either by force plots conspiracies or otherwise doe any thing contrary to the true reformed Protestant Religion established so far especially as that is opposite to Popery or Popish innovations or against His Majesties royall Person Honour and Estate or against the power and priviledges of Parliament or against the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject or against any person that made that protestation in whatsoever he should doe in the lawfull pursuance of the same that if there be no more aimed at in the imposing this oath then what is lawfull just and faire in any or all those pretended grounds or reasons alledged in the introduction for that purpose we have already as deeply and firmly ingaged and bound our selves thereunto as any Christian can possibly require us They have but little charity who after an oath made of such and such things so lately shall now againe require another oath to be taken for the confirmation of the same things Furthermore when the King in his going against the Scots did at York cause an oath to be tendred to the Lords and others then attending His sacred Person it was answered by the Lords and that answer accepted and rested in by His Majesty that they humbly conceived that no oath ought to be tendred either to them or to any other His Majesties Subjects but what Himselfe and the Lords and Commons assembled in Parlia had first consented unto And which cannot be so soone forgotten at the beginning of this Parliament that unhappy oath composed by that unfortunate Convocation and assented unto by the King was by the House of Commons and by the House of Lords too if I much mistake not utterly damned as the expression then was and the Members of the Convocation judged guilty of
little lesse then a premunire for that it was by them decreed to be tendred to the Subject without any act passed in Parliament for the same We beseech them therefore that that which was thought reason and Law then may not be so soone not only thought none but the flat contrary thought fit and practised by the same persons It followes in the inference That all that are true hearted and lovers of their Country should binde themselves c These are conjuring words to the Country people and of very large compasse had they declared that all that are true hearted and lovers of the true Protestant Reformed Religion should binde themselves c. it might have made Papists Anabaptists Brownists and such like to have startled at it whereas this calling upon all that are true hearted and lovers of their Country may chance to fetch them and all in and the truth is let each part of this oath bee throughly scanned there will be very little or nothing found in it but what all Papists Anabaptists and Brownists that thinke themselves in their owne sense true hearted and lovers of their Country and have not taken the oath of Allegiance Supremancy and the last Protestation may more safely sweare vow or covenant then they that are true hearted Protestants and reall lovers of the Reformed Protestant Religion established in the Church of England All that I can see which may cause them to scruple it is this They must sweare that they do in their consciences beleeve That the forces raised and continued by the two Houses of Parliament are raised and continued for the defence of the true Protestant Religion c. and that they will assist those forces against the forces raised by the King And I beseech you why may not Papists Anabaptists and Brownists both beleeve this in their consciences and yeeld this assistance as well or better then any true hearted Protestant that loves the true Reformed Protestant Religion established And it must needs be thought very fit that such a sacred vow and covenant be made and taken by us true hearted Subjects and lovers of the true Protestant Religion for the defence of our Religion and Liberties which such professed enemies to our Religion and Liberties may with more safety of conscience make or take then we But not to dwell any longer upon the Introduction In the last place it will not be amisse to observe under what Names this new Oath is recommended unto us viz Under the names of a sacred vow and covenant I doe not use to boggle at Names but these are the times of Jealousies and Feares and it cannot bee expected but some will be fearefull and jealous of the Declarations and Actions of the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament as well as they have beene and still are of others and therefore I trust it is a pardonable sinne if any to say I like this Oath somwhat the worse for its appearing to us under that borrowed name of sacred vow and covenant and not under its owne proper name An Oath I ever suspected the shifting of Names and I would faine know some reason if it might be imparted to such a one as I am why it should not being an attestation or calling God to witnes for the confirmation of what is asserted or promised which is as full compleate and formall an Oath as can be taken be tendred unto us under the name of an oath rather then under the name of a sacred vow and covenant Is it to facilitate the taking of it there being many thousands of the ordinary sort of people that feare the taking of an oath especially a solemne publike oath having beene often taught the perill of it who will never startle at the making a vow or covenant being lesse instructed if not altogether ignorant of the nature of it Or are not these borrowed names used to hold the people more fully and firmly to this oath when t is once taken So that if the people after this oath taken should begin to doubt whether it bee not flatly contrary to their oath of Allegiance to their oath of Supremacy and to their late Protestation as without doubt it is and thereupon either thinke this oath absolutely void or question whether this or the former oathes were the more obliging it would be an advantage which the Time-serving-Preachers would not let slip to tell the people That this their last oath is to be held to before all their former because it is not only an oath as they were but also a sacred vow and covenant I am sure lesse advantages have beene made use of by those new Teachers But no more of the Name wishing from my soule that it had never beene named amongst Christians Come we to the Oath it selfe Concerning which for the satisfying of my owne conscience and the consciences of as many as you shall please to acquaint therewith I desire that one rule for the right taking of an oath may be throughly considered and each part of this present Oath examined according to that Rule The Rule is that of Gods own prescribing by his Prophet Jeremiah 4.2 Thou shalt sweare The Lord liveth in Truth in Iudgement and in Righteousnesse that is in few words Thou shalt sweare to nothing calling God who liveth for ever as a witnesse thereunto but what is True and what thou knowest and art sure of and what is just and righteous These three qualifications ought to bee the boundaries and limits of every oath and hee sinneth highly against the expresse Command of God and so hazards his Soule in a most perillous maner that fayleth in any one of these According unto these then let us in the Name of God examine the severall parts of this new Oath First every man that taketh this Oath is required to declare and that in reverence and humility to the Divine Majesty and as t is in the close of the oath in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts as he will answer at the great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed his hearty sorrow for his owne sinnes and the sinnes of this Nation c. and that his true intention is by Gods grace to endevour the amendment of his owne wayes Concerning which I propound these two Quaeres 1. Quaer How thousands and ten thousands in this Nation can swear this in Truth when as poore souls if all should take this oath that are by this Ordinance required t is to be feared there would be no fewer whose very hearts would give their mouthes the lie and whose very immediat actions would testifie against them to the contrary for alas how few are there who attaine to that height of grace and goodnes as to be heartily sorry either for their owne sins or the sinnes of the Nation Oh that there were such an heart in them sayd God once of Israel when they all promised that they would heare whatsoever
certainly they may with no small advantage to their Masters must I vow and covenant to assist them 2. What if any Jesuits or Jesuited Papists shall joyne in the pursuance of the Cause Must I sweare to assist them Why then is there in the Introduction to this oath such a loud complaint made of a Popish Army now on foot c. It seems that it is not their being Popish that troubles them but their being an Army against their design for it appears by this clause of this oath That if an army of Papists would assist them against the Kings Forces and take but this oath they should have their oaths and the oaths of as many as they can prevaile with to swear that they will assist them in whatsoever they shall doe in that way I will not question their assisting of Anabaptists Brownists and other Sectaries they are so deep in their protection and assistance already that there needs no swearing to assist them But what thinke you in the third place what if Monopolizers Patentees Projectors scandalous Ministers c. which not long since were rendred the very bane of the Kingdome and unworthy to live nay what if notorious Rogues Theeves Plunderers Robbers Murderers incestuous persons perjured persons Traitors and Assasinates shall to former impieties adde the taking of this oath am I not likewise required by this clause to swear to assist them and every of them to leave persons and come to things perhaps the things wherein I must sweare to assist all persons that shall take this oath will prove such as that I may lawfully sweare to assist any persons in be they otherwise never so lewd and wicked Well suppose that though as God abhorres wicked mens sacrifices so where I know them to be such I like not to be their assistants or companions in their most specious undertakings yet let us examine what things they are that we must sweare to assist them in why the oath it selfe tells us plainly and without any limitation that we must assist them in what they shall doe in the pursuance thereof that is as far as I am able to construe it in whatsoever they shall doe for the assistance or advantage of the forces raised by the two Horses against the forces raised by the King and here ariseth a fourth Quaere quiet it that can What if any person or persons shall in the pursuance of this businesse rob spoyle or plunder any of the Kings Subjects What if he or they shall betray abuse or murder their owne fathers brothers masters or friends What if they shall preach or print horrid lies and blaâ—â—hemies besides old rotten ends of long since condemned Heresies mixt with new Sedition Treason and Rebellion Nay what if any person of persons shall in that pursuance mentioned attempt the deposing of our Sovereigne Lord the King or which is somewhat more to be trembled at in the very naming the killing of Him His royall Consort and all His hopefull Children Doe not as many as take this oath sweare to assist them and every of them that shall commit these and all these detestable execrable wickednesses when they swear that they will assist every one that shall take this oath without exception in whatsoever he shall doe in the pursuance of that their Cause without restriction Yes doubtlesse unlesse they sweare with some mentall reservation which is Jesuiticall or with some reservation orall as t is said some of the Lords tooke the whole oath which in effect made it no oath but a mock-oath And therefore that forenamed limitation As far as lawfully I may might well have been here also inserted had it seemed good to the Contrivers of this oath But t is likely they have some cause to the contrary or whether they did or not I am sure we have just cause from hence to suspect that this oath aimes at more then yet the Contrivers of it dare discover And let them now ascend never so high or dig never so deep be it to dare Heaven with an attempt or to ransacke Hell for one this clause of this oath once taken will assure them of companions There is but one piece more of this new oath besides the close and seale of all that remaines to be opened viz. And will directly or indirectly adhere unto nor shall willingly assist the forces raised by the King without the consent of both Houses of Parliament and that hath beene already examined in the unveyling the preceding parts thereof All therefore that I shall superadde concerning it shall be wrapt up in this one Question Quest What if God in his infinite mercy to this Nation shall please so to open the eyes of the blinded misled people thereof or so to â—â—â—lop their dull and heavy ears and so to molisie and humble their hard rebellious hearts that yet once againe they shall see with their eyes heare with their eares and understand with their hearts those things that belong to their peace and happinesse and to that purpose both see and hear and understand that their Sovereign Lord the King is in the right and the Lords and Commons in Parliament are in an error that t is he that hath raised forces or rather God most miraculously by Him for the safety of His owne Person and for the defence of the true Protestant Religion the Laws of the Land the just priviledges of Parliament and the liberties of the Subject when others raised tumults commotions and rebellion to the inexpressible perill of the utter ruining and subverting of all those our Nations greatest blessings what I say if God of his unspeakable mercy to this Nation and just vindication of Truth shall make us to see and acknowledge this Shall we before hand so swear our selves out of all mercy by this last clause of this oath that either we will not dare to acknowledge it when God shall manifest it or if we do acknowledge it we cannot either directly or indirectly make peace with or subminister helpe and assistance unto those forces of our most gracious King raised up by God for his owne Glory our Sovereignes safety and our own and our posterities preservation and comfort without being perjured Lord keep thou our feet out of this snare Thus have I at last gotten through each part of this Covenant except only that which I but now called the seale thereof in these words And this vow and covenant I make in the presence of God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to performe the same as I shall answer it at the great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed Had this vow and covenant been made only of such things as are true and just and known so to be unto all that are required to enter into it the setting of this Seal had been requisite and necessary but the Vow and Covenant it selfe being such as it appears to be by the searching into it that no one intire clause of it can be taken at least not of the promissory part without transgressing fouly against one or more of those three inseparable conditions of a justifiable oath in my apprehension the requiring us to set to this Seale should be enough to terrifie all men that know what the affixing to such a seal meaneth from daring to enter into the place where this Covenant is token much more from entring into this Covenant it selfe and setting this soul-scarring Seale thereunto For how shall I may every such man say how shall I make such a Covenant as this in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts when he that searcheth my heart knoweth that some parts of it I understand not what they mean some parts I doubt of whether they be true some parts I know to be illegall and unjust and to some parts I have already once twice or oftner sworne the just contrary calling the same Almighty God the searcher of all hearts to witnesse thereunto and to be avenged on me if I made it not good And how shall I pawne all the mercy which I hope for at that great and terrible day of the Lord to all the wrath and judgement that shall be revealed upon the truth of my intention of performing this Covenant when either my heart already tells me or may soone tell me that I intend no such thing or to be sure it will be told me in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed that no such thing ought to have been so much as intended much lesse sworne by me Thus have you most intimate of friends both my judgement of this new Oath and my earnest request for yours seconded with your prayers If you should chance to have rashly taken this oath your selfe ere these Quares come to your hands as who in these tempting turning times can be confident of any mans constancy yet I hope through Gods blessing upon them they may so work upon you as to cause you to reflect upon what you have done with sorrow and to resolve against the doing what you have thereby inconsiderately promised with spirit and courage knowing that it is a resolved case in point of conscience That in rash and unlawfull Oathes Qui non mutat dupliciter peccat quia injuste juravit quia facit quid non debet He that alters not his resolution doubleth his sinne because he both sweareth unjustly and then doeth that which hee ought not to do And holy David did exceedingly blesse both God the advice of a woman and the woman her selfe that gave it for keeping him off from performing a rash and unjust Vow that he had made 1. Sam. 25. You have seene my fidelity let me see yours and whatsoever answer you returne direct it to my Brother of Christ Church who is as I my selfe am Your faithfull friend and Brother in the Lord Christ