particular discontinued 4. The Ministery discountenanced 5. Zealous Professors derided 6. Learning undervalued 7. Christian Liberty set upon the Rack to usher in a world of Errors 8. And Liberty of Conscience walking up and downe and running into manifold extravagances Exurgat Deus Let God arise (v) Psal 68. 1. It is time for the Lord to work for they have made void thy Law (w) Psal 119. 126. But now where shall we lay the blame what directly on the Power I cannot but say that there hath been some failings in the Power but other Emergent businesses have so taken them up as of necessity they were forced to attend to other matters But indeed the fault is principally in the people who should have acted in their places according to the Ordinances of the Power The fault I say is principally in the people and that in these two regards 1. The first is the vanity and instability of the minds of the people who fall into strange miscarriages they being infected with the poison of ungrounded Tenets which they uphold with a strong hand and will not be controlled And they take advantage and encouragement in this Juncture of time wherein the power is and hath been in a manner wholly taken up with urgent and emergent occurrences Namely 1 First the securing of the New moulded Common-wealth in this time of so many distractions and distempers Some being wholly for Monarchy others for Anarchy some for one thing some for another 2. Again the reducing of Ireland which is of great concernment to the security of the State This meeteth with strong opposition and therefore cannot but it must needs take up much time 3. Lastly to hold a Brotherly correspondency both with our fellow Covenanteers of the Scottish Nation and with other States and Churches abroad And what retarding the New fallen difference between the Scots and our selves may occasion I cannot foretell The second is the want of obedience to former Ordinances of the Power For had the Prebyteriall Government set forth by Ordinances of the Power found its wished entertainment and with that ready compliance as was expected a blessed effect for suppressing both Errors and enormities had seconded those Ordinances long ere this Therefore if we search into the causes of these our confusions and distempers wee shall finde them to flow principally from these two Springs 1. First the vanities of mens mindes being neither zealous for nor constant to the Truth 2. Again a lawlesse Liberty which many take to themselves whereby they have rejected a Tendered Government And this later is 1. Partly from the ignorance of those that neither know nor will own the excellency of a Presbytery Both for restraining the extravagancies of the exorbitant and for the encouragement of the godly party 2. Partly from the dislike of those that are scandalous who are as we say Tooth and Nail against all means of restraint which would have been urgent and effectuall under that kind of Government 3. And partly from the madnesse and malice of those that are infected with Antinomian Anabaptisticall and other erroneous principles These cry up I know not what kinde of Lawlesse Liberty and are not willing to bee brought under any limitting and restraining Government Put all these together and ye have the true cause And now to fly upon the face of the Power this is a fallacy that is when that that is not the cause is put for the cause And to speake plain English It is a trick of the Devill to hold men the faster in their Ignorance Errours and Extravagancies And because there is so much grumbling at the present state of the Church and Commonwealth in respect of the Covenant I shall therefore take Liberty to take the Covenant in peeces and to take a view of all the particulars in it And so it will plainly appear that while these men insist so much upon one clause in the Covenant they neglect all the rest of it The particular heads or branches of the Covenant are these six as they follow now in order 1. The first is Reformation of Religion in Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches c. But the most and they that grumble most cry all Reformation they extoll Prelacy they would have their old Service their old Ceremonies 2. Secondly the extirpation of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Scism Prophanenesse and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse c. But who almost regardeth sound Doctrine and the power of godlinesse I am sure that Schism and Prophanenesse abound more now then in former times 3. The third is with Realty Sincerity and Constancy with our Lives and Estates mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament the Liberties of the Kingdom And to preserve the Kings Majesty Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdome c. But the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament are in no grace for they that grumble most do contemne the Parliament and condemne all Parliamentary proceedings Their proceedings against the late King filleth their hearts with madnesse and their tongues with clamour 4. Fourthly with all faithfulnesse to endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill Instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or making any faction or parties among the people c. I appeal to all men I for my part have found it so if many of those that cavill most be not of the same hair and if they would not be glad of any opportunity 1. To make a faction
were not many proffers made to him of increase of honor and revenue And yet all would not prevaile Obj. But did not the Parliament or their Forces or the Parliament by their Forces seek his life R. Yes the preservation not the destruction of it For justification whereof consider 1. The Protestation 2. All Declarations 3. The Nationall Covenant Shew me any thing in any one of them that soundeth that way by any construction that can be made of them or any of them and then I am convinced Ob. But did they not detain his revenue from him who so detaineth that which should preserve life do they not in effect what in them lieth to take away the life it self I am sure it is within the compasse of the Sixt Commandement R. It was not simply detained from him but rather reserved for him lest it should be employed contrary to the originall uses or uses for which it was conferred upon him For that vast maintenance was at first annexed to the Crowne both for the Honour of the King and for the welfare of the Kingdome And the Parliament did declare to be responsall for it whensoever the King should be pleased to return to his place and duty In the mean time it was reserved lest the enemies of King and Kingdome should have been enabled therewith to manage their cruell and destructive ends Obj. But you said that Religion was in danger Did not the King in his manifold Declarations and that with deepest Protestations and bitter Execrations on himselfe and his Declare for the Protestant Religion what would men have had more A. I confesse I saw those Declarations and stood amazed when I considered withall 1. A Proclamation in Popish parts for the advancement of the Catholick Religion in England 2. The Irish Rebells professed Papists invited and called to his assistance 3. A Popes Nuncio entertained here 4. Papists licensed to arm themselves and admitted into his Armies 5. A Bull from Rome 6. And Letters that were intercepted for an Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy to be confirmed by the Pope There was some poison under this Plantain But the Parliament declared for more then the Generall Name of Protestancy And I would fain know whether 1. Be better in it self 2. Or more be desired the Protestant Religion in generall or the perfection of it by Reformation Obj. But where is your Glorious Reformation Is not all turned to confusion under pretence of Reformation R. The Reformation hath so far proceeded as to out the Pope and Popery and to free us from Prelaticall Impositions Inquisitions Innovations This is more then could have been expected if the other party had prevailed Yet it grieveth my heart that it sticketh there the cause I know not I dare not judg yet in my Prayers I shall not be a wanting to the cause of Religion Obj. But you said that the Parliament or their Forces did not seek the Kings life how cometh it then to passe that they took away his life R. He is dead and that by the hand of Violence a violent death but not without the hand of Justice And for my part I doe often lament over him as David did over Abner Died Abner as a fool (l) 2 Sam. 3. 33. There is a Prince a great man fallen in Israel (m) 2 Sam. 3. 38. And as David did over Saul and over Jonathan his son How are the mighty overthrown (n) 2 Sam. 1. 19. How were the mighty slain (o) 2 Sam. 1. 25. The beauty of Israel is slain (p.) 2 Sam. 1. 19. And for the death of the King I have already answered so far as concernneth Declarations Protestation Covenant at which time I am confident there was no such intent what ever others conceit to the contrary How the case altered I know not unlesse his 1. Willfull adhering to the adverse party 2. His not complying for the good of the Kingdome 3. His rejecting all tenders and addresses made to him did render him liable to further suspicion as not to bee confided in any longer but to be stripped of his honour which hee had prostituted to others base designes And therefore by the fundamentall Laws of the Kingdome wherewith I am not acquainted to be deprived of his life as well as his Honor and Livelyhood And therefore I leave it to be further answered by those that are versed in the Fundamental Law and are able to give an account of all their proceedings against him and his Obj. And what say you to Davids words Touch not mine Anointed (q) Ps 105. 15. R. I answer that text speaketh to Kings not of Kings It was a restraint to Kings to warn them not to oppresse nor resist Gods people who are called Gods anointed ones because they have an unction from the Holy one (r) 1 Joh. 2. 20. This appeareth to be so by the context He reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine Anointed 1. This did literally concern the Israelites in their progress to the promised land 2. And it reflecteth upon Christians in all the time of their pilgrimage towards the Heavenly Canaan Jerusalem above which is the Mother of us all (s) Gal. 4. 26. The Israelites were not to be hindred in their journey nor Christians to be discouraged in their Christian course Obj. But what say you to Davids Example 1. His heart smote him when he had cut off Sauls skirt (t) 1 Sam. 24. 5. 2. He stayed his servants from doing any hurt to Sauls person (u) 1 Sam. 24. 7. 3. He excused his innocency in not taking away Sauls life For said he He is the Lords anointed (w) 1 Sam. 24. 10. 4. And when the Amalekite accused himself as guilty of the death of Saul he answered Wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand against the Lords Anointed (x) 2 Sam. 1. 14. King Charles was the Lords anointed and yet the Parliament was not afraid to resist affront attach condemn and to put him to death A. The answer hereunto hath divers particulars 1. First that David was a private person for though hee was anointed to be King yet he was not to succeed till the Lord had made Sauls place void This appeareth by Davids words to Abishai As the Lord liveth 1. The Lord shall smite him 2. Or his daies shall come to die 3. Or he shall descend into battell and perish The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lords anointed (y) 2 Sam. 26. 10. By which it appeareth that David was an ordinary subject though he was anointed and therefore resolved to be faithfull to Saul all the days that Saul should live 2. Again Saul was nominated by God and actually anointed at Gods command (z) 1 Sam. 9. 17. 10. 1. Therefore he was to reign till God did take him away But Kings now are not named by God nor actually anointed They are only said so to bee in a
like is said of Jeroboam Hee gat the Kingdome of Israel by a faction (d) 1 King 12. 19. yet the Lord saith he exalted him and made him prince over the people Israel (e) 1 Kin. 14. 7. And Zimri conspired against Ela the son of Baasha and reigned in his stead (f) 1 King 16. 10. of whom it is said that he destroyed al the house of Baasha according to the word of the Lord (g) 1 King 16. Ob. Some may happily say that I am no friend to Kingly Government R. I am a friend and will be a friend to Government to what Government so ever the Lord is and shall bee pleased to set up 1. If he set up Kingly Government again as I have been so I shall be subject to it 2. And now that he hath set up another Government I dare not make resistance The visible power for the present is that which I shall eie with reverence and respect 1. If good then have I cause to joy with the people of God 2. If bad I must reflect upon the cause which is sin However therefore Paul in my text biddeth me be subject And what I have now spoken as in mine owne person I doe entreat all Subjects to apply it to themselves because my text saith Let every Soule be subject to the Higher Powers I had thought here to have made an end but I am necessitated to enlarge my selfe to free my self from imputations which might be cast upon mee for some things which I delivered in the beginning of our unhappy Distractions viz. Concerning the Hostility the Arms which were taken up by the Parliament for the security of the State And then I said and so I say still That Armes were first taken up by the counsell and advice of an adverse disaffected party 1. To deprive the Kingdome of its undoubted rights 2. To invade Religion 3. And to suppresse all Parliamentary power for the time to come Notwithstanding the many humble addresses and large proffers of both Houses then sitting of augmentation of Honour and Revenew And therefore Armes were reassumed by the best affected for the Kingdomes safety and to defend what the Law of Natures and the Laws of this Nation had made our owne And what He by whom Kings reign had given unto us To clear this we must remember that Arms were first taken up by the instigation of a discontented party 1. To force conditions upon the Parliament and thereby to bring the Kingdome into a miserable slavery under Prerogatives lawlesse and unlimitted power 2. And to protect and keep notorious incendiaries from the hand of Justice And consider withall 1. Both what Proclamations were procured to render the Parliament and Parliamentary proceedings odious to the people 2. And what attempts were made to Quash Quell Suppresse the present Parliament notwithstanding its establishment by a Law to which his Majesty then was a party and thereby to deprive the Kingdom of all hope of benefit by Parliaments for the time to come Let all indifferent men judge if the Parliament had not cause to stand up in the Kingdomes and its own defence And if the Kingdome was not concerned as the case then stood to stand up with and for the Parliament the Kingdomes Trustees and to Covenant with them in the presence of the King of Kings 1. The Laws were violated 2. The State distracted and distempered by factious Spirits 3. Religion the joy of our lives the very life of our souls was in danger 4. The Subjects Priviledges and Proprieties were invaded 5. Notorious Delinquents stood up and were protected from Law against all Law 1. The Cause was common 2. The Faction great 3. Their violence insufferable 4. And every ones Interest was concerned in it By which means the Kingdom lay bleeding and weltering in its bloud Consider these things and judge righteously For Armes were not taken up against the King directly but against his and the Kingdomes enemies Against those that had set the Nations in Combustion Ob. But that was the Kings party And was it the part of Subjects to take up Arms against him in his party R. The Kings party was two wayes to be considered 1. Either as his person was engaged by meere sur prizall onely 2. Or as he might engage himselfe by voluntary consent whereby hee may bee said to bee surprised in his judgement also 1. For the first the case is clear that Armes might bee taken up to disingage his person howsoever or by whomsoever it might be in danger of surprizing or if it had been actually surprized To this purpose we have the example of Abishai his reskuing Davids person from Ishbi-Benob when slaughter or surprizall was justly to be feared (h) 2 Sam. 21. 16. and Abrahams example in reskuing of Lot is (i) Gen. 14. 16. not altogether impertinent And if none can be be excused if he help not the innocent when hee is in danger as Solomon saith If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death and those that are ready to be slaine c. (k) Pro. 24. 11. Then much lesse can Subjects bee excused if they see their King in apparent danger and withdraw from him 2. For the second grant it was so yet where his voluntary consent was not regulated in the judgement of the Grand Councell of the Kingdome which ought to be Iudge next under God and his word of all State Queries and in this case Armes might bee taken up by the advice and Authority of that Grand Councell rather then the whole should wrack and come to ruine And this maketh the case clear that Armes were not taken up 1. Against the person of the late King 2. Nor against his Politick power 3. Nor against a Legall party But against a discontented a perfidious party to their country that had Captivated his Majesties person or his judgment or both by force or flattery for their own pernicious ends Thus was King Charles abused and made resolute to the ruine of himselfe and of his Posterity Besides the King in one of his Messages to the Parliament or in one of his Declarations confessed that the Parliament had power sufficient to take up Armes 1. In their just defence 2. For the Kingdomes safety 3. And to bring Delinquents unto Justice Which is an unanswerable argument to prove the Legality of the Defensive Warre it being concluded directly from his grants Obj. Some say that hee was driven from the Parliament R. I demand Who drove him Not the Parliament for they used no force nor any thing that might terrifie and affright him If it were clamours of discontented people I dare say if he would been pleased to stay they would have provided for his safety before their own The truth is he was drawn away by the adverse party for Destructive ends But let me demand Did not many petitions follow him from place to place To Newmarket and almost if not altogether to York
of all Civill Engagements for unlimitted obedience is due to God only as is shewed before p. 27 28. Obj. But it will be said that this Engagement doth crosse and contradict 1. Both the Protestation made in Anno 1641. 2. And the Covenant made in Anno 1643. 3. And a Declaration of the House of Commons made in Anno 1646. 1. In the first we did Protest according to our duty of allegiance to maintain and defend his Majesties Royall person honour and estate Where was a full stop as not relating to any conditions 2. In the second we did covenant to preserve the Kings Majesties person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdome That the world may bear witnesse with our consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts and intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatnesse 3. In the last it was declared by the House of Commons which Declaration was published in every Church and was commanded to be fastned up in every Church and is to be seen still in many Churches that their intentions were not to alter the Government by King Lords and Commons These things being protested covenanted and declared now to subscribe a Government without a King or House of Lords This is that which sticketh most and with many that are very moderate and truly conscientious R. This is thought to bee hard to bee answered But let us consider how things then stood And distinguish of the times 1. As things then stood all was really intended 2. But the Kings non-compliance and some miscarriage in the House of Lords have been the cause of the alteration of things both really intended Solemnly protested and Publikely declared 2. And though the Protestation was larger then the Covenant there being a full stop as not relating to any Conditions as I said before 2. Now his late Majesty continuing wilfully in his wayes which threatned ruine by his Forces to Religion and to Liberties Therefore the Covenant was upon second thoughts framed which was an addition to and an exposition of that clause of Defence as to his Majesties Person and Authority Shewing 1. Both wherein 2. And how far we should manage that Defence namely to the good of Religion and to the safety of the Commonwealth with all its just Rights and Priviledges and not to the prejudice of either So long as the King did shew himself a Father a foster Father of the Church and State the Kingdome was bound by its manifold engagements to defend his Person and his Power And had the King done his part timely and effectually it had been somewhat But consider 1. What Petitions were presented to him 2. What large proffers were made to him 3. What Delayes that I say nothing of Denyals were made by him 4. What Sinister Successes the many Addresses had from him 5. How fruitlesse all the Treaties have been since those engagements 6. What under-hand Dealings by his Party and not without his Privity there have been even during the times of those Treaties Whosoever shall but read that Declaration which setteth forth the reasons of the Resolves of both Houses then sitting for no more Addresses to be made to him shall see enough to make his heart relent in him even in both regards viz. of Religion and of Liberties I speak the truth in Christ Jesus I lie not my Conscience bearing mee witnesse in the Holy Ghost (r) Rom. 9. 1. That I cannot read it but my very Soul resolveth into teares at many things therein Declared which were of dangerous consequence both to Church and State And I hope no man can justly brand that Declaration with the imputation 1. Either of flattery on the one side 2. Or of falshood on the other If so it were ten thousand pities it is not published for generall satisfaction What passed in the Isle of Wight I cannot fully relate but somewhat there was which savoured not well as to security of Religion or Liberties which was the main cord of Obligation in all the Solemn Engagements both by Protestation and by Covenant 1. If any Commissions were then given underhand 2. If any Plottings by the Royall Party by vertue of any new or old Commissions to make that Treaty fruitlesse and Invalid even during the time of that Treaty 3. If any Combinations by the Royalists to attempt their owne ends by making Factions and Parties As who for King who for Parliament Of which the best affected had great Jealousies and not without just cause and many fears Then consider how farre that clause of Defence did oblige The ends being despaired of for to which those Engagements did relate Ob. Now some say that the whole Kingdome hath broken Covenant in not rising but sitting still till the King was put to death R. No the Covenant it self is not broken because the ends could not be secured And besides private men by private authority may not manage a rising against Authority The power of the Commons is in their trustees to them it belongs to Legitimate all publick Force Hee that taketh the Sword shall perish with the Sword saith Christ to Peter (s) Mat. 26. 52. that is he that taketh the sword of private revenge shall perish by the Sword of Publike Justice Well dead he is and not without the disposing hand of God It cannot be denyed but he was a personage of Rare and Royall parts And had he not been seduced by evil Counsels to his own ruine as Ahaziah was of whom it is said his Counsellors were the cause of his destruction (t) 2 Chron. 22. 4. Hee might still have been 1. A Glorious King 2. Over a most faithfull people 3. In a most flourishing Island But he is translated though by an untimely death to a more glorious company And now sits in a more glorious estate then ever he did on earth It was his Destiny laid on him by God and therefore while we lament as reflecting on his sad fate here let us rejoice in contemplation of his Glory in Heaven among the blessed Saints and Angels And now let us cast our eyes upon the Power now in being and since God hath set it up it is not in man to pull it down Subjection to the power is commanded by the Apostle And for my part since God hath set up this power and by it the Government I shall Subscribe freely resolving to be subject to the present Power because it is of God Ob. Here again some take offence Do you not see say they what a Confusion is crept in amongst us 1. All things 2. And almost all persons out of order Call you this a Reformation according to the Covenant R. I doe both see and mourn And it much dejects the hearts of many precious Saints to see 1. The Churches almost empty and the People running into Corners 2. The Publike Worship neglected 3. The Sacraments that of the Supper in