envaigâ—â—â— against the Army notwithstanding for the proof therefore of this you may please to bestow the paines of reading the Exhortation of the Assembly of Divines to the taking of 〈◊〉 Solemn League and Covenant ordered to be printed by the House of Commons Febr. 9. 1643. you shall find these words nor hath this Doctrine or practice viz. of entering into a Covâ—nant without yea against the consent of the King 〈◊〉 â—â—med seditious or unwarrantable by the Princes that have saâ—e upon the English Throne but justified and defended by Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory with the expence of much treasure and noble blood observe what instance is brought in the united Provinces of the Netherlands combined not only without but against the unjust violence of Philip of Spain King James followed her steps so farre as to approve their union and to enter into league with them as free States which is continued by his Majestie now reigning unto this day speaking of King Charles who both by his expedition for the reliefâ— of Rochel in France and his strict confederaâ—y with the Prince of Orange the States Generall notwithstanding all the importunity of Spain to the contrary hath set to his Seâ—â— that all thâ—â— hath been done by his Royall Ancestors in maintenance of those who had so engaged and combined themselves was just and warrantable And what had become of the Religion lawes and liberties of 〈◊〉 ster Nation of Scotland had they not entered into such a 〈◊〉 League and Covenant at the beginning of the late troubles there which course however it was at first by the Popish and Frelatiâ—â—â— projectors represented to his Majestie as an offence of his the highest nature justly deserving chastisement by the fury of a puissant Army yet when the matters came to be debated first by Commissioners of both Kingdomes and then in open Parliament here it was found adjudged and declared by the King in Parliament that ouâ— deaâ— Brethren of Scotland had done nothing but what became loyaâ—â— and obedieâ—â— Subjects and more thereupon by act of Parliament publiquely righted in all the Churches of this Kingdome where they had been defamed To this may be added the late undertakings of our Brethren of Scotland who contrary to the Parliament and Estates and the established Law of the Land did without any shadow colour or pretence of warrant from the State raise Forces under Arguile against the Forces raised by the authority of Parliament under Hamilâ—on who were assisted by the authority of the Parliament of England and many of the godly Ministers of London did both seeke unto God for their successe and blessed the Lord for granting the same Here are three notorious examples of the same actings though not with so great an Authority as our Armies were why doe you not cry out in your Pulpits against the rebellious Netherlands and the rebellious Scots as well as the rebellious Armie and with what face can you plead the Covenant against the Army for rebellion which very Covenant was founded according to your malignant interpretation speaking in your sence in rebellion it selfe either answer these instances or for shame speake no more of the Covenant By all this it appeares that the Army hath not broken Covenant and we were not tyed by the Covenant against bringing the King to condigne punishment but to defend true Religion and true Religion and many of the true professors thereof would have the persons of Kings to suffer punishment as well as other offendors if they deserve it and if so wâ—â— are bound by Covenant to preserve the Kings Person no further then in the preservation of true Religion If so be the saving of the Kings person being a Murtherer c. be the destruction of the command of true Religion that the Murtherer shall surely be put to death we must by the obligation that lies upon us from the Solemn League and Covenant cut off the Kings head for the preservation of true Religion Fourthly We are obliged by the Solemn League and Covenant to preserve and defend the Kings person in the preservation and liberties of the Kingdomes so that the Kings Authority true religion the liberties of the Kingdomes are still to be defended and preserved before and above the Kings person and the Kings person in subordination only unto these the Kingâ— authority true religion command that if the Kings person did commit murther or was guilty of blood 〈◊〉 these ver Ministers at least many of them together with the Ministers of the Church of Scotland did confesse that his Person should be executed which neglected the liberties of the Kingdome could never be secured for it is righteousnesse and justice that maketh a Land to flourish besides though these Ministers of Jesus Christ are pleased to say page 15. of their serious and faithfull representation of their judgements that the Parliament when the Army seiz'd some of the Members thereof was acting viz. in the businesse of the Treaty with the King and their voteâ— to settle the Kingdome upon his concessions what was Covenanted for and if we mistake not say they what was agreed upon long before by the Parliaments of both Kingdomes intimating thereby as if the liberties of the Kingdomes were sufficiently provided for and secured in the said Treaty yet there are other Ministers of Jesus Christ viz. The Ministers of the Church of Scotland not so apt to mistake as our subscribing Ministers are in England nor yet so apt to be seduced and drawne aside by Malignants shufling and shifting preaching and printing backward and forward for and against as these are that concerning the Treaty in the Isle of Wight speak seriously and faithfully in their late necessary and seasonable testimony against tolleration in page 12. after this manner And doubtlesse the Lord is highly displeased with their proceedings in the Treaty at Newport in reference to Religion and Covenanâ— concerning which they accepted of such concessions from his Majestie as being acquiesced in were dangerous and destructive to both It seemes these Ministers of Jesus Christ in London I meane these Subscribers could acquiesce in such concessions from the King which being acquiesced in the Ministers of Jesus Christ in Scotland doe professe were dangerous and destructive both to Religion and Covenant Here are Ministers of Jesus Christ of the Province of London and Ministers of Jesus Christ of the Church of Scotland both pretending an Embassie from the same Lord and yet as contrary one to the other as salvation is to destruction surely contradictionâ— cannot be truth the Ministers of Jesus Christ in London plead Covenant for the Parliaments acquiescing in the concessions of the King at Newport which by the testimony of the whole Ministery of Scotland acquiesced in would destroy both Religion and Covenant if the keeping the Covenant destroyeâ— the Covenant in Ministers of Londonâ— opinions the breaking of Covenanâ— preserves the Covenant in the Ministers of Scotlands judgement Iâ— not
Standard against you then you stirre up the people from another Article of the Covenant engaging the discovery of all such as have beene or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill instruments by hindering thereformation of Religion and those pasâ—ges obliging the preservation of the rights and priviledges of Parâ—ament c. If the Parliament stand in your way and joyning â—ith the contrary party may hopefully help you slye to thaâ—â—rt and article of the Covenant engaging for the preservation 〈◊〉 defence of the Kings Majesties person and Authority c. As 〈◊〉 the Scripture in the severall veinâ—s thereof and the Solemne â—ague and Covenant in all the Articles thereof intended â—othing else but Presbyterie and as if Presbyterie were noâ—â—hing else but the lifting you up into an absolute indepenâ—ent uncontroulable Supremacy in all Ecclesiasticall dignity â—nd glory and by your example are all contrary paties taught 〈◊〉 plead the Covenant those that you call Sectaries Schismaâ—eks c. plead the Covenant engaging each to goâ— before other 〈◊〉 matters of Reformation The Presbyterian pleads Coveâ—â—nt-engaging conformity as they urge with the Church of â—â—â—tland The Parliamenteer pleads Covenant engaging to â—â—serve the rights and privledges of Parliament The Royallist â—â—â—ads Covenant engaging to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority The Armists plead Covenant â—â—gaging to preserve the liberties of the Kingdome c. So that you have made the Covenant a meere contradictions thing like unto one of the Diabolicall Oracles of the Heathens speaâ—â—ng nothing certaine but ambiguitieâ— but let us a little examine how pertinently you bring iâ— in in this place to shew the Parliament and Armie their wickednesse in going about to â—ring the late King to his Tryall for his vitious bloody and tyrannicall Government you put them in minde of their Solemn League and Covenant to preserve defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of 〈◊〉 Religion and Liberties of the kingdomes that the world may 〈◊〉 witnesse with our Consciences of our loyalty and that wee have 〈◊〉 thoughts or intentiens to diminish his Majâ—sties just power and greatnesse First We were bound to preserve and defend his Person when we first took this Covenant and at that time you know very well you stirred up the people to sight against his Army though his Person was the Leader thereof which presumeâ— first that either you perswaded the people against the 〈◊〉 of your owne consciences or secondly that you conceived that though his Person should be smitten into the chambers of Death by those that did fight against his Army yet they did not break the Covenant If so then there is a case wherein the KINGS Person may be â—ut off without breach of Covenant Secondly The oligation is for the preservation of his Person AVTHORITY not for his Person simply but his Person and Authority If both come in competition then the greater is to be prefer'd before the lesser that is his Authoririty before his Person If his Authority that is that by which the execution of all just lawes of the Kingdome is legally performed enjoynes the cutting off of Murtherers and Traitors by death if his Person be found to be a Murtherer or Traitor then either his authority or person must dye If his Authority dies then no Murtherers and Traitors or any other Delinquents must die or suffer for what reason can be given thâ—t the greatest Traitor or Murtherer should be spared and not others The nearer relations are the greater is the sinne of the violation thereof the King is the Father the Husband of his Countrey if he shall murther his Children his Spouse he deserves a sorer death then common murtherers doeâ— Treason is the betraying of just trusts the greater the trust the greater the treason the worse the Traitor the Covenant then engageth to preserve his Authority rather then his Parson for though his Person may be engaged against his people yet his authority cannot withstand his people no Prince having authority to destroy kill and murther his people it is true he may have potentiam but not potestatem an opportunity but not an authority might but not right hereunto If his person riseth up against his authority and his authority against his person if one of these must perish the Solemne League and Covenant obligeth us to preserve his authority though with the destruction of his person Thirdly The Covenant binds us to preserve his person in the preservation and defence of the true Religion true Religion doth not command to punish the poore and spare the rich true Religion doth not say if the Subject doe kill and murther rob and steale he shall be so and so punished but if the King doth these things a thousand times over he must not be medled withall by any but God alone true Religion saith he that sheds mans blood by man shall his blood be shed the murtherer shall surely be put to death the revenger of blood shall stay the murtherer c. If then the King be a murtherer true Religion commanâ—â— that he be put to death true Religion as to matter of right or wrong maketh no difference nor hath respect of persone it doth not justifie the wicked though hee be never so great and whereas you may urge that the meaning of those Scriptures have a speciall reference to the Authority by which the murtherer must be put to death by man shall his blood be shed that is by man invested with lawfull authority not by every man or any man and that Court by which the King was condemned and executed was no more a lawfull Authority then the doing thereof by a private person having not the least colour of the law of the Laâ—d for it Saith that profound Lawyer Mr. Love only as solemn a piece of mockery as ever was acted upon the stage of this world and so thin that every eye may pierce it and the solemnity thereof excepted the same with John of Leyden Saith another grave and judicious Divine Mr. Jenkin His life being taken away unjustly and his blood drawn by unrighteousnesse Saith another meek Minister of the Gospel Mr. Cauton an imbrâ—ing of their hands with the blood of their Soveraign Saith another pathetick and compassionate messenger of Jesus Christ M. Case a staining our Land with innocent blood and notorious scandâ—lizing the Protestant Religion say many of the Subscriâ—â—â— but to answer First This serious and faithfull representation of the judgement of Ministers of the Gospel within the Province of London doe not so much as intimate that the life of a King is in any case to be taken away but rather that the Lords Anointed at no hand must be touched and the truth is it is to be feared that this Doctrine preached by men of this Tribe was one of the great causes both of the Kings wicked and tyranniâ—ll government and so by consequence of his death and destruction so that if
of thousands â—f poore innocent persons and Protestant people for the satisâ—action of their meere filthy lusts and wickednesse Againe was it not an ingenuous candid and brotherly 〈◊〉 â—n you because Mr. Peters did Christianly advise you to forbear â—o stirre up the people to sedition for so you have endeavoured if â—here can be any such thing in Pâ—lpits least Souldiers should doe â—ou a mischiefe and you may thanke your selves assuring you that if a third Warre be stirr'd up they will give no quarter c. to â—print him to the World as if he threatned the people and was the great man of their trouble and distemper that if it was possible he might not walke the streets in safety Againe was it not yet more of your ingenuity and candor to assert severall notorious falsities and untruths and to give your Readers a cluster of these bitter grapes together as to instance page 6. of your Vindicationiin the margin Page 6. of your Vindication where you say that the agreement of the people was the same for substance with an agreement of some in the Army declared against by the Parliament in December 1647. There is one untruth that because that therefore this being the same in substance with that at least in the matter of it was then declared against by both Houses and condemned heretofore by the Generall and his Councell of Warre there is one untruth within another Again You say that one of the souldiers was shot to death for promoting it this is first a most notorious untruth and secondly a most injurious charging the Army with the blood of that man the man that was shot to death was not as all so much aâ— questioned for promoting that agreement or as some of the Souldiers affirme did at all promote that agreement but being sent with his Company by the Generall to Newcastle did with others make a mutiny resisted and beate their Officers tooke away the Colours from their Ensigne beate him with his owne Colours for which this fellow that was shot to death being found most guilty was condemned and executed and yet you have the boldnesse and confidence you would call it in us the face and impudence to assert it as a truth to the very teeth of those that know the contrary and all this in the profession of superlative ingenâ—ity and candor even such as becomes the Ministers of the Gospel and Embassadors of Jesus Christ Were these things subscribed and asserted by some of you whose tongues are famous for slander as Mr. Cranford who once either did or should have sate in the stoole of repentance even at the Exchange for his slanderous forgeries or Mr. Cauton who makes it but a small thing to veâ—t his viprous language of Traitors Rebels generation of Vipers murtherers c. against those with whom hee is not worthy to be nâ—med for piety and prudence it was not much to be wondâ—ed at but that Mr. Gataker Mr. Fuller Mr. Blackewell Mr. Haviland Mr. Manton should subscribe such notorious falsities argues that indeed the best of men are but men at best and that the wisest are sometimes weake where iâ— the wisdome of the wise and the understanding of the aged Is not this the high way to prejudice your Ministery and provoke unto contempt and scorn Again For there is scarce a lease in your Letter wherein your ingenuity and câ—ndor doe not appearâ— in the like colours you assert another grosse untruth to call it a mistake weâ—e to mistake its name in the beginning and threshold of your Letter which you make the occasion thereof and that is that sevâ—rall applicationâ— by writing and verball messages were made unto you to meete with the Officers and some of the Army in their consultations about matters of Religion which after you say was onâ—ly to contribute your assistance in prosecution of what they had undertaken before informing your â—eaders as if you were sent meerly to confirme and ratifie assist and further that which they had wickedly begun before and not at all to debate and consult about the lawfulnesse of any of their wayes to give or receive satisfaction therein and you that know the truth of â—he whole matter are not youâ— consciences smitten within â—ou for mis-informing your Brethren and drawing them in â—o subscribe such grosse untruthâ— Can you face such a Scripâ—ure as you quote when you say you are commâ—nded to cry aloud 〈◊〉 life up your voyees as trumpets to shew the pâ—oplâ— their transgressiâ—â—â— and the house of Jacob their sinnes Were not you solicited â—nd invited to come unto them and that with expressions to â—his purpose that all honest interests might be satisfied and â—ot yours neglected were not your severall objections answered why you denied to come again and again did not some of you urge this aâ— one reason against your comming that they had agreed upon their way and were resolved hereupon say you what you could and therefore lest you should be looked upon as concurring with them you denied to goe and were not you answered to this purpose that whatsoever was done if you could shew satisfactory â—easonâ— against the same all that was done should be as if nothing at all had been done speake your consciâ—nces are not these things soâ— why then doe you staine the profession and function of preaching the Gospel with such notoâ—ious falshoods Are you noâ— herein like unto Kings and Princes that prosecute the greatest designes against Religion and Liberty under the colour of the preatest professions and â—rotestations of promotâ—â— the 〈◊〉 and the other Is this your Christian ingenuity and 〈…〉 this your abstaining from all appearance of evill and your having no fellowship with the unfruitfull works of darkenesse but rather reproving them were there ever so many untruths so subscribed before The true reason of your refusing to come unto them you somewhat tenderly but clearly declare viz. their noâ— observation of that which you seeme to conceive to bee theâ— true distance from you they came not propounding their 〈◊〉 unto you in such a way as was suitable for private persâ—ns 〈◊〉 have propounded and for Ministers of the Gospel to have resolved Oh high strain of ingenuity and candor becomming the Ministerâ— of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Is this to take hold of all occasions of doing good Is this to preach the Word in season and out of season Is this like Jesus Christ Did hee give commission to his Disciples to goe no where but unto such as should enquâ—â—â— after them in a regular way Is this that humility sweetneâ—â— ingenuity and candor becomming Ministers Once more yet concerning your ingenuity and candor in the title of your Letter you say it is a representation of Ministers of the Gospel 〈…〉 Province of London And among your subscriptions I finde 〈◊〉 Joshuah Kerby Minister of the Word but I pray of what place in what Parish is he either Pastor Minister or Preacher within the
the King be murthered the Clergy of this Kingdome have murthered him one part of them being the cause of his sin filling and furnishing him with principles of tyranny and another party of them stirring up the people and conjuring them in the name of Christ to rise up against him and to oppose him even unto death Affirming that men guilty of blood must not be at peace with untill it be avenged page as Mr. Love in his Sermon at Vâ—bridge did If so be that true religion which we have Covenanted to preserve doth teach this Doctrine these Subscribers in their serious and faithfull representation of their judgements may doe well to declare it Secondly If so be they will grant that Kings and Rulers are not to be suffered to live as they list to murther kill and destroy their Subjects to burne their Houses and ruine their Families at pleasure and never be accomptable for the same to their people over whom they were set but ought to be brought to punishment as many even of the Presbyterianâ— and Protestant Divines have held as shall be declared then if Kings may be dealt withall in a judiciary way why are they so angry that the late King was brought to condâ—gne punishment if they say they had no authority to judge him I demand who had authority to doe it If they say no Court by the lawes of the Land had any authority hereunto then it would be worth our enquiring whether every man even to the last man left was not bound to lay his hands upon him for the murtherer must not be suffered to live but must surely be put to death the Land must not be defiled and polluted with blood If you say the Lords and Commons should have done it and not the Commons alone it is demanded what if the Lords refused to joyne with them and put them off by an adjournment of their House c. If it be replyed that then the whole Representative should doe it and above halfe of them were violently kept out of the House and detained prisoners making themselves thereby an unparliamentary Junto as Mr. Prinne called them it is replyed that those that were so detained voted a Treaty with the King after the Houses when they were free had resolved voted and declared upon paiâ— of Treason that there should be no further Addresse unto him nor any Message be carried from him both Kingdomes having declared against any Treaty with the King untill satisfaction for blood already spilâ— and security for the peace of the Kingdome endeavoured a peace with him and thereby to contract the guilt of the blood of the three Kingdomes upon the Land which those that had power and assistance to prevent ought not to suffer that true religion which wee had covenanted to preserve and defend requires satisfaction for blood And this is considerable that the commands of God to doe Judgement and Justice to put to death the Murtherer is given and delivered in the same phrase and manner of speech aâ— all the rest of the commands of God Thou shalt not kill thou shalt not steale c. So the lawes of punishing murtherers were given to the children of Israel and not to Moses â—â—ly or the Judges and Princes In Israel Nâ—mb 35. 10. And the Congregation was to judge betweene the slayer and the revenger of blood vers 24. Whether it was done wittingly and of purpose or by accident and it is said vers 31. YEE shall take no satisfaction for the life of a Murtherer c. And what is more common in Scripture then this that if the King doe popular wickednesse the people suffer because the King cannot doe such wickednesse but by the people and the people ought noâ— to suffer the King so to doe And if the people doe wickedly the King not punishing them the King suffers because did he execute judgement and justice the people would not doe wickedly and God hath not exposed either the King to suffer by the people or the people by the King without controul or just punishment proportionable unto their mutuall demerits and that the people should not suffer their Kings Rulers to doe wickedly but ought to punish them according to their demerits hath been the declared judgement of many Protestant Divinee I shall begin with one of these Subscribers not that I think he deserves the honour of priority but that his ownâ— mistake may be the more obvious unto observation It is Mr. Christopher Love Pastor of Anne Aldersgate in his Sermon preached at Vxbridge and printed having spoken before of the blood-guiltinesse of the King yea intimated unnaturall and horrible blood-guiltinesse in him as if he had been guilty of K. James his death and Prince Henrie's death the blood of the Protestants in Râ—â—hel and the Rebellion of Ireland and all the Protestant blood shed there pag 23. of the said Sermon stiled Englands Distemper and thereby made him the troubler of England as Achan was of Israel hath these words page 32. It was the Lord that troubled Achan because bee troubled Israel Oh that in this our State Physicians would resemble God to cut off those from the Land who have distemperd it Melius est 〈◊〉 pereaâ— unus quamunitas Immedicabile vulnur Ense recidendum est ne pars sincer a trabatur But yet more plaine page 37. Speaking of those with whom we should not admit of a peace hath this intire sentence Thirdly Men who he under the guilt of much innocent blood are not meet persons to be at peace with till all the guilt of blood be expiated and avenged either by THE SWORD OF THE LAW OR LAW OF THE SWORD else a Peace can neither be safe nor just Mr. Love will not say that the King was not guilty of much innocent blood lest he should contradict himselfe neither will he say that blood-guiltinesse can be expiated but by blood lest he should contradict the Scriptures neither can he say but the King was cut off either by the sword of the Law OR LAW OF THE SWORD without which he hath already said that a Peace can neither be safe nor just Again Mr. John Knox the Scottish Reformer a man of known Religion and Learning of the Presbyterian judgment in his 78. page of his Book called the appellation of John Knox having declaimed against the establishment of Idolatrous and persecuting Kings and Rulers by the people hath these words Neither can oath or promise binde any such people to obey and maintaine Tyrants against God and his truth knowne but if rashly they viz. the people have promoted any manifest wicked person or yes ignorantly have chosen such an one as after declareth himselfe unworthy of Regiment over the people of God and such be all Idolatrous and cruell persecuters MOST JVLTLY MAY THE SAME MEN DEPOSE AND PVNISH HIM that unadvisedly before they did nominate appoint and elect Againe Doctor John Ponnet a Protestant Divine in his Bookâ— called Ashore
of Jesus Christ and his truth and Gospâ—ll be it Presbytery or whatsoever else then your selves have been and you may thus contend all your dayes but you will never thrive and prosper in the settlement of Religion and Reformation untill a more meeke quiet forbearing spirit be more predominant in you then as yet doth appear which if it once be made manifest in you your parts gifts and abilities would be serviceable unto God and your faces would shine in the sight of honest men Having repeated the Protestation Vow and Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant as if your very calling men Covenant-breakers had sufficiently proved them so you presently flye into the faces of the Army with all those Scriptures that make mention of Gods displeasure against Covenant-breaking and that without once giving any argument proving that they are Couenant-breakers but what have been answered over and over again and again though you have gotten the art not to take notice thereof then you tell them page 8. of your serious and faithfull representation with what a jealous eye and severe hand the Lord avenged the quarrell of 〈◊〉 Covenant made by Zedekiah King of Babylon then wee heare of Godâ— avenging the quarrell of his Covenant of despising 〈◊〉 Oath by breaking his Covenant of lifting up the hand to the high God of the despising Dominions and speaking evill of Dignities of Gods judgements against Corah Dathan and Abâ—ram for their mutinous rebellion and levelling design against Magistrâ—â—y and Ministery in the persons of Moses and Aaron 〈◊〉 But may not others upon better grounds summon up all those Scriptures that speake of the miscarriages of false Prophetâ— that prophecie lies in the name of the Lord that pretend to a vision from God which hee did never shew and to 〈◊〉 messages which he did never send c. and dash them all into your faces then you can those Scriptures that speakâ— of Covenant-breaking despising Magistracy and Ministery into the faces of the Army you tell them of Gods judgments against Saul for violating the Covenant which was made with the Gibeâ—nites but may not that as well be reâ—orted upon you for violating the Covenant which you made with the Parliament not to make defection to the contrary party to assist the Forces raised and continued by authority of Parliament to bring Delinquents to condign punishment c. which is a positive not conditionall Article of the Covenant as that 〈◊〉 the preservation of the person of the King was yea one of the great ends of the whole warre and when the Lord Generall and Councell of Waried â—once yeeld unto Articles of quarter for life upon very weighty grounds and reasons so voted by the Parliament themselves to some capitall Maligâ—ant at the rendâ—tion of Oxford what a clamour and noise was heard against them though we hear as great an exclamation for their contrary proceedings at this time Againe Did the Covenant made with thâ— Gibeonites give them a dispensation to doe what they could against the Israelites and they must not so much as be questioned for it by vertue of a Covenant made before If not your instance is nothing for no such Covenant was made with the King that doe he what he would or could to ruine and destroy religion and liberty and all godly men that yet we bound our selves to preserve his Person and you know that when wee entered into this Covenant it was pâ—esumed that not the King but his evill councell was the cause of our Warres and miseriâ—â— though since wee have found that not his councell but himselfe was the chiefe cause thereof and your own consciences do tell you so or else you have wrong'd him Page 9. of your Letter you tell them while they kept Covenant they had your hearts your helpe and your prayers that they have broken their Covenant is your slanderous aspersion and how your hearts your help and your prayers have been towards them is all mens observation that the very scope and drift of many of your prayers and preaching especially the last Summer and about 18. months since was to rend and teare the Army to pieces and like Bâ—laâ—m's prayers for the hosts of Israel though blessed be God with the like successe may be proved by many heaps of witnesses and yet the Armies successe in all their proceedings must still be appropriated to your prayers that were bent against them though indeed in some sence it cannot be denyed for it is usuâ— I with God to turne mens curses against his people into blessingâ— upon their head Having sufficiently insisted upon the Solemn League and Covenant by way of anticipation you answer their objection by telling them First That they must not be too confident from former sucâ—esses shewing them that God suffers men sometimes to prosper in wicked courses that there be just men unto whom it happens according to the worke of the wicked and that there be wicked men unto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the righteous Page 12. of your Letter But to reply in the first place why may not they conclude from successes as well as you how often have we heard you attribute the successes of the Army from time to time to your prayers and morning meetings and Lectures though made use of both by prayer and preaching to render them odiâ—â—â— in the sight of God and man if it was possible but 2ly Though successes are not alwayes the infallible testimonies of the goodnesse of the cause on which side they fallâ— yet successes with their circumstances doe sometimes 〈…〉 evidently vindicate the minde of God in a questionable 〈◊〉 as First when both parties have appealed solemnly 〈◊〉 God in a doubtfull case or at least so appearing 〈◊〉 him to blesse or blast make to prosper or to perish that 〈◊〉 that is not righteous in his eyes As for instance when the false Prophets commanded to goe up to Ramoth Giliad and prosper and the Prophet of the Lord told them that if they went up they should perish and both parties pretended to the message of the Lord herein Certainly the succeâ—se in this case argueth the minde and will of God touching thâ—â—â— going or not going to Ramoâ—h Giliad when some of 〈◊〉 did â—id the City goe out against the Army when they came towards the City telling them you had a command from God to this purpose assuring them that if they did let the Army come in 1646. they would plunder the City ruine and destroy them And others of the Ministers of Jesus Christ preâ—ending to the same name and authority aâ— you did required them in the name of the Lord not to goe out to fight against â—he Army assuring that if the Army did come not a haiâ—â— of â—heir heads should perish Doubtlesse the successe in this case was very argumentative touching the will of God So 〈◊〉 the Scots came the last yeare into this Kingdome pretending â—he quarrell of the Covenant for
or to that purpose and advised you moreover to forbeare your provoking language in your Pulpits lest the common souldiers should doe you a mischiese and you may thanke your selves This was the sum of that discourse and now let any man judge whether he did you any wrong in all this or where lies the unbrotherlinesse and unworthinesse of these passages or whether your Christi in ingenuity and candor becomming the Ministers of the Gospell of Jesus Christ doth not gloriously appear in printing Mr. Peters unto the world at you have done And now let heaven and earth judg whether that the whole series of your former proceedings doe not speake plainely and not in parables that as the Popes of old did command men to subject unto Magistracy as Gods Ordinance and unto Kings and Rulers as unto those that were set over them by the Lord for their good while these Kings and Rulers did subject themselves unto them casting downe their Crownes at their feet Then they shall have titles of honour confer'd upon them as Most Christian King Catholique King Defender of the Faith c. and to allure them to permit that Romish Harlot to reigne over the Kings of the earth Revel 17. 18. that shee might fit 〈◊〉 Queene Shee would chant them with her alluring tongue her lips dropping as an honey-comb Prov. 5. 4. and her mouth smoother then eyl and bewitching them with her guilded language during their obedience to the holy chaire they should be called the frinds of Jesus Christ sonnes to St. Peter obedient children to their mother Church assuring them that God would be mercifull unto them when he came with St. Peter to judge the world they should have Indulgences and pardons for all their sinnes they should have their Holinesses benedictions and the prayers of the Church to prosper them in their wars expeditions for their successe in the advance of the Catholique cause yea for a time untill their turns be served they shall have an acknowledgment that such and such things are proper unto them which afterward it shall be no lesse then sacriledg to proclaim viz. The calling of generall Councels appointing and ordering the elections of Popes and the investitures of Bishops yea sometimes to court Princes spared not to present them with the treasures of the Church as Pope Gregory did Charles of France when he sent him the keyes of the holy Sepulchre and S. Peters chains and other things all which at other times when they were sixt in their chair of pestilence they stifly affirmed to be irrelative to them and for claiming of which pronounced them guilty of Simony and excommunicated them And when at any time these threw off the papall yoke the very same Popes did issue out their Buls against them and did absolve the people from any further subjection unto them even so doe not you I still speake not of all but some of you when that authority stears by your compasse then all goes right then we blesse you in the name of the Lord then you can bid them God-speed then they shall be called the repairers of Israel and of the breaches of Zion and ages to come shall call them blessed then gâ—â— on and prosper then they are the Zerubbabels the Davids the Solomons the Worthies of Israel these are the blessed times of Reformation If any in place of authority doe withstand and oppose though it be the King himselfe and severall of the Rulers with him as the late King and many Lords and Commons did then how did you allarm the people conjuring them in the name of the Lord to goe out against them to fight the Lords battles then curse yee Meroz curse yee bitterly the inhabitants thereof because they went not out to help the Lord against the mighty And as for those Magistrates or others that drive on in a hopefull advance of your interest then my heart is towards the Governours of Israel that gave themselves willingly c. And to encourage the people you tell them that Kings and Princes and all authority and power must stoop unto Jesus Christ and he will breakâ— them in pieces like a potters vessell Your severall Sermons in print will witnesse this He will bind their Kings in chaines and their Nobles in fetters of iron And this honour shall all the Saints have Then goe out and feare not the battle is the Lords and he will teach your hands to warre and your fingers to fight and cover your heads in the day of battle Then you tell them if they be not valiant and quit themselves like men their eares shall be boared and themselves their wives and children shall be everlasting slaves and vassals then their eyes shall be put out as were Sampsons and they must be the sport and scorn of their enemies and grind in their mills all their dayes then you cry how will your children and your childrens children curse your cowardize and bewaile your treacherous betraying their peace and liberties therefore you stir up the people to assist with moneyes horse plate and persons If any doubts doe arise concerning resisting Kings and Rulers especially in case of Oaths Vows or Covenants touching preservation of the person of the King as there did from the Solemn League and Covenat then you are ready to give satisfaction and to tell the people that that clause in the Covenant is to be understood not simply but relatively that iâ— iâ— not a single but a complex engagement noâ— an absolute but a conditional clause with many such distinctionâ— tâ—is for the Kings Person in the preservation of our Religion and Liberties * Many of you have made such answers to them that did scruple the Covenant being to go to wars or fight as occasion should be offered because of that clause conclâ—ing the person of the King And though the King should be destroyed by you you have notwithstanding keps your Covenant and that mens spirits may be free without regret You tell the people that the King in a man of blood taking hold of all whispering hear-sayes and probabilities of his wickednesse to mâ—ke him odious to the people then the death of King James of Prince Henery the betraying of Rochell Mr. Love in his Sermon at Vxbridg the contriving the promoting of the Iriâ—â— rebellion the blood of England Scotland Ireland is laid upon him then the wickednesse idolatry profanesse luxury and all kinds of impiety of the licentious Court loose Nobles and lewd Gentry are set forth then God is comming to avenge the injury and wrong and to make inquisition for the blood of his people Let Mr. Love speak if there are not many old Conventiclers as they are called that can witnesse this Then you pray Lord either convâ—â—â— the King or confound him Lord let the prayers of thy people fall upon his heart or upon his head either in shewres of grace upon his soule or judgements otherwayes upon him If
high Court of Justice and to sheath each neighbors sword in his brothers bowels yet you think your selves wrong'd to be called Incendiaries Have you endeavored to preserve the union and peace between the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland How is it then that some of you even in Pulpits have prayed for the good successe of those Scots that invaded this Kingdome with an Armie of wicked and prophane men the last yeare breaking all Leagues Covenants Compacts between the two Nations and so voted by this Kingdome Have you neither for hope feare nor other respect relinquished this promise Vow and Protestation how is it then that you are so shoffling changing and uncertaine for the King and against the King for the Parliament and against the Parliament for the Army and against the Army for Justice and against Justice mâ—king your vicissitudes and turnings up and downe the subject-matter of scorne contempt and derision both of your persons and Function Again Whereas you mention the Vow and Covenant you might have indeed shewed your ingenuity and candor beeâ—mming the Ministers of the Gospell of Jesus Christ to have taken notice of that which was the maine end of that Vow and Covenant contained in these words That I will according to my power and vocation assist the Forces raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament against the Forces raised by the King without their consent Have you perform'd this Vow and Covenant made and taken in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as you shall answer at the great day when the secrets of all heaâ—ts shall be disclosed What meanes then your lowing and bleating in the cares of the people from day to day stirring up the City and Countrey if it be possible to break the Forces raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament requiring them in the name of the Lord to rise up as one man against that rebellious Army assuring them that God hath given it unto you that they shall not prosper but be broken in pieces comming against London as once that Army was which came against Jerusalem and venturing the credite of your Function upon your passionat tongue affirming that if this comes not to passe the Lord hath not spoken by you as one of you affirmed and if deliverance comes not by you speaking to your Auditors God will bring it in some other way and since that God hath given most ample testimony against you by blessing that Army which you have cursed from Pulpâ—â— to Pulpit in the name of the Lord against whom you begg'd and prayed and went and rais'd up the 〈…〉 groanes of your women-audience by your pathetick investivâ—â— while they happily have been fighting in blood and many of them expiring and breathing out their lives to save you from apparent ruine and destruction making some of your owne party more Christian and ingentious then your selves to blesse God for them acknowledging their own mistakes and weaknesses in their former opposing them yea and the whole Church of Scotland to acknowledg the same and to give a candid and thankfull testimonie of them and since that time have not some of you prayed God to forgive the cowardice of the City that they did not take hold of the opportunity of rising up against the Army admonishing them to be humbled for it As Mr. Jenkin before the Lord Major and Aldermen February 4. at Mercers Chappell especially that they did neglect the opportunity for feare of Reformation fearing that a rigid Presbytery would be set up they chose rather to 〈◊〉 still urging that because they neglected the government of Jesus Christ in the Church they shall have no government 〈◊〉 the State yet stroaking that party that was hopefully firme to them acknowledging that there were some that did keepâ— the Covenant of their God and were loyall to their late Soveraign and zealous for the government of Jesus Christ insinuating that the Parliament and Army and Court of Justice were guilty of the blood of the King of breaking the hedge of Government of levelling mens estates of sedition treason and rebellion c. Is this your keeping the Vow and Covenant which you here make mention of Is this your assâ—sting the Forces raised and continued by both Houses of Parliament against the Forces raised by the King Were there ever such enemies to the Parliaments Army in all the Kingdome as your selves Did not your very Sermons and prayers tend to little else all the last Summer then to breake the Forces raised up by the Parliament But the truth is your folly is made known unto all men and you shall proceed no further your Pâ—â—pit language of this nature is of 〈◊〉 use except it be to the powring forth contempt upon your own heads But the maine thing you insist upon is the solemn Leaguâ— and Covenant this indeed serves you at every turne when all things else when Scripture and reason civility justice and honesty leave you you make the Solemn League and Covenant to goe along with you using it as you doe the holy Scriptures themselves dispossessing them of their true naturall and genuine meaning and as Satan once assumed Samuels body to deceive you spirit them with your own opinion Hence it is that when you were for the Parl. against the K. his Forces you stirr'd up the people with Scriptures Cursâ—yee Meroz c. When your interest your great Commander bids you facâ— about or makes peace with your Adversary and it may be lists you under his Colours then like mercenary souldiers that sights for money on either side you engage against your quondam party and run to the Magazine of the Scriptures to furnish your selves with weapons making them like those Conâ—treyes that indifferently sell arms to their friends or foes then you cry out feare thou God and the King Let every soulâ— he subject c. When the Prelaticall party stood in your way then you summon'd up all the Scriptures that you could come at relating to the wickednesse of superstition Idolatry and of Prophets that tell lies in the name of the Lord if on the other hand the Prelates removed you sit not in their seats under a new notion then you summon up the other straine of Scriptures relating to the sins of the people in contemning the Prophets of the Lord that despise his Messengers c. Just so you deale with the Covenant when the Prelaticall party opposeth you then you run to that Article of the Solemne League and Covenant which engageth against Popery Preleâ—y Arch-Bishops Bishops c. When a contrary party stands in your way and doe not conform to your Discipline and bow down to your sheafe then you pay them with another Article engaging our endeavours for preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in doctrine worship discipline and government c. If the Kings party lifts up a