have both behaved themselves The Presbyterians being against Subscribing is not in respect to the House of Lords nothing in the Covenant to deter them from Subscribing as touching the leaving out or holding in the Lords whom no part or Article of the Covenant includes or comprehends Briefly to understand the Reason of Enjoyning Taking or Refusing it which is now become a disputable Theame the exception against the taking is either in the manner the formall reason the scope and intention of those who enjoyned it or the matter enjoyned as to the first the reason of enjoyning it seems no other Bond and yet then what the Parliament their friends did about 8 years since of entring into a Covenant for the better strengâ—hening and 〈◊〉 fiâ—mly binding all men together in a Religious and Civill Union that seeing Dividings in Opinion and Dissentings in practice are fatall to the Conquerour Union and Accord to the Conquered the Parliament contends to bring all men into one form of Civill Government to one unanimous judgment whereby after the p Uniting of their Minds a Restraint of Hands and ceasing from further Contentions might ensue to the begetting a firme and lasting peace Opposition in Affections begets the like in Actings and Endeavourings especially in a Civill Warre where men of eminent and active spirits zealous for and fond of their own Opinions anâ— bold to vent them when subdued by Arms and convinced by Reason shall resolve into Revenge and Fury and become restlesse in their attempts even to the hinderance of an ensuing Peace untill they and their Party may gaine what they have lost The Engagement now enjoyned and tendred seemes more easy to be observed more uniforme then the Covenant the * Covenanters protesting in one place That they will desend the Kings Person and Authority in the preservation of the true Religion and Peace of the three Kingdoms in other places That they will really sincerely and constantly without respect of persons endeavour to bring unto condigne punishment all such as shall oppose and disturbe such Peace If a King shall sweare to governe according to the Lawes of the Land as the late King did the Oath is no longer to be understood an Oath then the Lawes have being To govern taking it without an addition is an indefinite and indeterminate act To governe according to the Lawe a qualified and limited one in the termination of his Oath The termination in the Covenant for the preservation of the true Religion Liberties and Peace is the reason and formality of that and of other Articles of the Covenant A Covenant or Promise to preserve the Kings person without setting down wherefore or to what end is a short and indeterminate promise unlesse the intent or finall Cause of such promise be expressed Wherefore if the King as the Lords and Commons have often charged him be guilty of the blood spilt in these his Kingdoms the Covenanters could not both defend his Person and Authority * and yet bring to publique Triall thâ—â—uthors of the effusion of that Blood and to bring them to that condigne punishment as the degree of their offences should require or deserve as is elsewhere mentioned As to the matter of the Engagement to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth as it is now established without a King or House of Lords what is the exception against the subscribing this The King being dead and least the Prince his Sonne or any other of his Family shall pursue what he hath threatned the revenge of his Fathers death the Parliament hath thought it fit yea necessary to exclude him as a King from the Supremacy of this Government the Competition being betwixt a Monarchicall forme of Government a Government by a King and a mixt of Aristocraticall and Oligarchicall or of a Common-wealth without a King If the former be admitted viz. a Monarchicall the power of Government then descends unto the Prince the late Kings Sonne and Heire So the Presbyterian having entred into a Covenant chiefly and principally for the defence of the Protestant Religion the Subjects Liberties seems to waine those parts of the Covenant entred into for defending them if now that the Father is taken away they admit the Sonne treading in his Fathers steps unlesse the making and taking it were inâ—ended onely to inure and remaine in force for the term of one mans life Wherefore the Powers that be have good cause to be jealous of such as reject the latter Form embracing a Monarchicall one as complyers with the late King and Prince and weary of submitting and adhering unto them Wherefore the States enjoyning the Engagement is no matter of chance as a thing which may be required to be done or let alone of none or a slight concernment devised or instituted to little or no purpose when conducing as far as at the present they judged it might avail to the discovery of mens affections it conduceth likewise to the settlement of a Peace and Union for whilst the mindes and judgments are no more unanimous the contentions in this War will hardly cease The choice of Taking and Refusing should likewise be of a judicious and sober inquiry as who doth enjoyn and to what purpose t is enjoyned not that therefore we should so refuse because we have suddenly and rashly resolved so to doe a fault incident to yong wits hot and fiery spirits or because we see learned and eminent men in other kindes of knowledge able indeed to lead weak and unstable spirits Captive unto theirs do refuse but on good deliberation and well weighing wherefore the State hath required it They in their enjoyning the Engagement insist not nor is there cause they should so much on the value and efficacy of polite Learning and knowledge take it either in Languages Arts or Academick faculties or â—n the judgment and discretion of such Men as have read a multiplicity of Authors or are as Mâ—ses was skilfull in all the Learning of the Aegyptians as on a sober studied and well grounded Prudence ballasted with Observation and Experience all which the Learned may likewise have governing and guiding the safest way to a selfe-preservation and welfare of a Common-wealth Besides the Novity the Unexpectednesse of the Engagement now enjoyned other discontents and heart-burnings are whispered and cherished by the common Enemy insinuating and seditiously giving out That the Nobility are unthankefully and indignely dealt withall as being detruded from their Rights and Privileges of sitting in the House of Parliament as Peers to joyne with the Commons in the debate and handling the affairs of the Commonwealth withall that those Lords who have been active and assistant both in their Estates and Countenance to promote the good of it during these distractions may think themselves neglected and ill rewarded if now debard from their ancient and Native Liberty of Voting in the House The reason of the Parliaments enjoyning of the Peoples subscribing to this Engagement
Directory and Negative Oath are learnedly penned if as appositely applyed To the two first let the Scots maintain what they were the first contrivers of themselves yet thus much may be said on their and our part joyntly that the signification of the termes Tyrant and King being opposite although in m Homers time the word Tyrant was taken in the better part the one the desolation the other the n foundation of a people both Nations declaring and accusing the King of Tyranny neither of them could think that the frequent Petitions in the Common Prayer book for and in the King's behalfe were to be used by his people himself being in open arms against them The Common Prayer book was confirmed by a Statute Law in a Princes time who at the beginning of her Reigne having redeemed the protestant Religion out of the bondage of Popery and superstition did by her piety and prowesse keep her people in peace and plenty and therefore might deserve their prayers when and as often as the Liturgy prescribes The Ordinance for laying aside the Service book for enjoying the Directory is an act of their present Iudgment who have done it as the arguing against the Directory from Oxford is an act of theirs which they so represent as if their after-Iudgement and second thoughts might admit what for the present they have reasoned against who with a cautious modesty have argued and styled it their present Iudgment If positive Lawes be subject to alteration and repeale Ordinances which bind only for the present may likewise be so then a set form of prayer may be resumed and used according to the Orthodox and true Church discipline admitting also the most principall and necessary parts of divine service prescribed in the Liturgy So the Negative Oath That none shall assist the King against the Parliament and his People c. where a thing is commanded or forbidden by any Powers the withstanding and doing contrary to the command of such Powers is a transgression punishable at their pleasure and discretion whether it be by Fining Imprisoning according to the degree of the offence wherefore the urging Cap. 11. Hen. 7. seems not applyable to the condition of this present Quarrell for admit that neither of the three viz. The Covenant the Directory the Negative Oath be in the judgement of the Convocation at Oxford and of many others free from being excepted against as that neither the Covenant nor Negative Oath are to be imposed upon the Subjects yet the distinction being made between the times of Peace and these of Warre takes off from the value of the exceptions where two Parties are extremely opposite each Party striving to make good their Interest if the one may impose what Oathes they please as the Kings party did at Oxford to enjoyn all within their power whether satisfied in their Consciences of the truth therof or no to swear that he was a Just Pious and Protestant Prince the present Powers may enjoyne what they think fit in their prudence and knowledge of him to abrogate this latter Oath and to forbid the assisting him In the Convocation House at Oxford their examining the Ordinance for enjoyning all the Three particulars forementioned they should as wel have examined the Reasons of the Ordaining them they should have premised and stated the occasion the beginning of the Warre how it came to be waged by whose means on which side the Offensive on which the Defensive was For to measure the thing enjoyned by the particular events by the subsequent and emergent actings as what hath since fallen out what hath been done what required to be done is no good or adequate rule had the matter occasioned been more suitable to the occasion their exceptions against those Ordinances had more availed their Cause The urging the transgression of a known Law viz. the 11 of Hen 7. 18. That none that shall attend upon the King do him true service shall be attainted or forfeit any thing fitteth not this present case neither do they who urge the same rightly examine the occasion and ground of enacting it the Parliaments imprisoning fining their Enemies is no transgression of that Law if rightly and formally understood and wherefore t was made The reason of enacting that Law is to be weighed It was not with the late King as with Henry the seventh the late King had no forraigne or domestique VVarres none stood in Rivalship with him for his Crowne he came in Peace and by a lineall succession to it when that Law was made in the eleventh of Henry the seventh his Raigne and after his conquest made many the like Lawes were made in severall Parliaments from his first comming to the Crown in relation to the security and attendance upon his person meeting with a Rebellion in the Kingdom of Ireland mutinous and male-contented Subjects in the Kingdom here ready to bid battell to him the Parliament called when that Law was made therefore styled by a learned o Writer a Parliament of Warre being indeed in substance a Declaration only of a War against two potent Kings Charls the eighth of France Iames the fourth of Scotland two Neighbouring Enemies of Henry the seventh and then enacted with some Statutes conducing thereunto as the severe punishing mortpayes and keeping back Souldiers wages by their Captaines the like severity for the departure of Souldiers without Licence strengthning of the Common-Law in favour of protections for those that were in the Kings service and setting the gate open and wide for men to sell and morgage their Lands without Fines for alienation to furnish themselves with money for the War and lastly the voyding all Scottish men out of England So the reader may observe wherefore that Statute so much urged against this present Parliament and on the Kings behalfe was enacted which also the aforesaid Writer judgeth to be more just then legall more magnanimous than prudent his reason was That it was both agreeable to reason of State that the Subiects then should not enquire of the Iustice of the Kings Title or Quarrell as also to good Conscience that whatsoever the fruits of War were the Subiects should not suffer for their obedience besides it did the better take away the occasion for the people to busie themselves to pry into the Kings Tytle or Quarrell for that however it fell their safety was already provided for withall it could not but greatly draw unto him the love and hearts of his people because he seemed more carefull for them then for himself the Writer excellently disputes the quality of that Statute setting forth the reason for the inconvenience against the making it observing also that it did take off from his party that great tye and spurre of necessity to go Victours out of the field coâ—sidering their lives and fortunes were put in safety and protected whether they stood to it or ranne away concluding the force and obligation of the Law
body consisting of many Ruling and all consenting in the maine which is the Major part or which is to be obeyed unlesse that Major part will do the work themselves without the help of those whom they do employ that part rather it should seem most fit to be obeyed which acts and endeavours without respect had to the Majority in the more prudent watchfull and safe way so t is no disobedience or affront offered by their Army where obedience may be dangerous to the obeyers to the Parliament Party of what kind soever and Their adherents The Quarrell is not between a power of a momentary and slight concernment on the one side and a vanishing and light obedience on the other but a long and throughly controverted contention between two Powers upon the issue whereof the safety and welfare of the two Kingdoms doth rest and besides that on which the Correspondencies Observations and Commerce between Them and most Forreigners throughout the Christian World looking on the passages of our Affairs and giving Judgment thereupon depends It may seem as the design is driven on a Contention tripartite handsomely devised and with a great dexterity of wit carried on by the common Enemy in that some of the Kings Party prefer the Presbyterian before the Independent some the Independent before the Presbyterian k haâ—ing both yet they give good words unto and comply with the more discontented and weaker party untill by their cunning Artifice they overcome them also so in this Leger de main and sleight of wit blow the coals of Dissention betwixt them both those of the Presbyterian can look for no other then Polyphemus his courtesie to be of those last to be devoured The Presbyterian out of zeal for the maintenance of his Cause not foreseeing what danger might befall by his Dividing fondly conceives that either the War is ended therefore he may now safely Divide from those with whom he heretofore hath joyned or that his Cause for the Covenant sake is so good that to maintaine his Tenent he sticks not at the endangering himself and his Friends nor that the Enemy having his Friends and instruments up and down in all Corners of the Realm will and can keep those two partyes now in difference at that distance that they shall not be able to joyn their Forces again to conquer him where it is not meant to involve all Presbyterians in the same Tenents or Intents Counsells and Affections for 't is to be believed there are a considerable party amongst them who rightly apprehend the true state of the Controversie between Us and the Scots and cannot but foresee that a compliance with the Scots as matters now stand would prove pernicious to the English Nation as well to themselves as to the Independents so termed for notwithstanding any pretended difference betweene them they cannot well avoid the danger of joyntly suffering if by their Dividing the publique and common safety be deserted Besides as to the major and minor part of Members sitting in the House or secluded or voluntarily absenting themselves from the House so that the greater number are absent as the Presbyterian reckoneth he must take heed of that Objection least he open an old wound long since salved up through Gods blessing on their successe and that Objection be made use of against them all of both Houses and against that Authority whereby they have at any time acted since the Contention first began betwixt the Kings Party's claim to their Parliament at Oxford and the Parliament Party's claim to theirs at Westminster For if the Kings Party did rightly calculate their Numbers which were in both Houses of Lords and Commons l 258. either personally sitting or absent upon imployment for the King that number exceeded that of those sitting at Westminster so that the Argument for the maior part of the number of Members Presbyterially affected and that way Covenanted against which viz. the Covenant the King friends have learnedly as yet unansweredly m argued is no safe or prudent Argument at this time to be used however the Covenant and the Reasons for keeping it are abetted and seconded in an elaborately written Letter by the London Ministers least they helpe their first and common Enemy to rowse an Objection which hath a long time slept for the maintaining their Parliament at Oxford For by the way had those Ministers employed their pains in answering that Book first which indeed was worthy of and required an Answer to have cleared the Question their Letter might have been better credited and more universally received which Book had it come sooner to the publique view and before the universall entring into the Covenant many had been drawn for the reasons therein expressed from taking the Covenant The Ministers in that their Letter much insist on the Protestation taken May 1641. wherein the Protesting is for the maintenance of the Kings Honour Person and Estate yet the End at which all matters of weight doe aime is the Preservation of Religion Lawes and Liberties The maintenance of the Kings Honour c. is but a piece of the Protestation the sum full sense and scope thereof the Preservation of Religion and Lawes The Principles which were first engaged upon and protested for if rightly cast up but two in Chief the securing the Protestant Religion the Primum quaerite the preservation of the Laws and Peace the * chiefest Law the Peoples safety the other Principles are subservient onely and fall in by way of complication and dependency upon those two as the Means unto the End The well weighing the Protestation might have confined and setled the unresolved and doubtfull thoughts of man in what the End and Aime of the Protestation was a Promise to fullfill as much as in us lies the Commandements of the first and second Table of the Law directing our duty towards God and Man the severall parts in the Protestation tending in the sum to the maintenance of Gods Honour the Kings the Subiects Right and Liberty no one part thereof if rightly applyed and understood crossing another and therefore how comes it to passe that the Protestation being one and the same the course of mens affections should be thus divided into Factions and Part-takings or that some should be of opinion That To maintaine the Kings Honour Person and Estate is to adhere unto him in this present Warre in what he shall command even because they doe not equally weigh each part of the Protestation viz. The defence of the Protestant Religion the Power and Privileges of Parliament the Subiects Right and Liberty for by the Protester's observing all the King is best observed and truliest his Honour and Promises being engaged to maintaine the latter three when as every one who took the Protestation did in his thoughts endeavour and intend according to his power to make him a Soveraign Lord of a free and flourishing People the Kings Protestations concurring with and tending to
themselves yet if there be a greater price at stake and the chief Governour be false to his Trust in Government that thereby the safety of many hundred thousands be in jeapordy that his design be probably such as to make his way through the shedding the bloud of many thousands for compassing it and rather than fail engage the Kingdoms each against the other to the destruction of all three It cannot be thought a breach of the Covenant in the Covenanters to remove the Governour when as the more principall matters to be secured are in danger to be destroyed The Resemblance may be fitted in a case of a narrower orbe if souldiers in a Town of Garrison for the better security of the Town shall enter into a League and Covenant to preserve the Magazine thereof to keep withoâ—t making away or suffering to be made away the Arms and Ammunition belonging to the Garrison to defend the Governour thereof if notwithstanding this their Oath and League they shall suspect Revolting in the Governour a Failer of his Trust whereby to turne the Arms and Ammunition against the Garrison and the Inhabitants to the detriment and destruction of the Town so that upon good causes of suspition of their Governours breach of Trust they remove the Magazine and Arms they withstand and resist the Governour it is no violation of their Oath for what they swore was in order and relation to the most considerable part of what they were to maintain viz. The defence of the Town and Garrison without staying untill they had too late made a perfect and full discovery of the Governours Revolt and Falshood If the King hath given cause of suspition of maintaining Å¿ Popery Prelacy or of disturbing the Peace of any of these his Kingdomes it is no breach of the whole Covenant to provide against the endangering of what they have Covenanted more principally to secure The Question is not of the King his enjoyning his immediate and actuall bringing in of Popery for then his own Protestant Party would have failed him in the maintenance of his Cause and Quarrell nor of his upholding and adhering unto Prelacy which the t Scots have so much withstood and laboured to extirpate but if he had not by his Power Favour or other personall relation working strongly on his affections given Cause of just suspition of maintaining the one viz. Popery of his taking part and favouring the other Prelacy if he had shewne any dislike he had of Prelacy any condiscending or propension to the abolishing it according to the u Covenant which he hath beene often implored to take inhibiting it If he had not had a great influence on the Archbishops and Bishops and if the Author of that Book be to be credited they Protection and Incouragement from him One of them avowing these Contentions and the Warre to be Bellum Episcopale as hath been given out That the Warre was intended and waged against Bishops and the Hierarchicall Government and had they not had tuition support from his exercising a more powerfull Authority then their ordinary and meaner friends could have supplyed them with there had not so much bloud been spilt in this Quarrell So the substance and drift of the Covenant one part of the Article being to defend the Kings Person and Authority is not crossed by taking the Engagement of late enjoyned if duely weighed Admit that the Letter of the Preamble to the Covenant did in the Covenantâ—rs sense comprehend the Kings Heirs and Successors yet still the maine and principall parts of the Covenant are to be observed in order to the preservation of the Protestant Religion the Subjects Liberty the Peace Union and Safety of the three Kingdoms So that if his Heirs and Successors shall be discovered and known to tread in their Predecessour's steps he having given cause of suspition of his endeavouring to overthrow them all the Covenanters could not both maintain the Honour of his Heirs and Successours and yet in the common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms withstand as they w protested they would all opposition to bee made against the same and what they could not of themselves suppresse they would doe their best to prevent and remove The Scots our Covenant-Brethren cannot but confess that the words Preventing and Opposing in the Covenanter with his large expression of bending his whole force and power carry an universall and greater latitude then to take away the present power of the Fathers Person or that the Covenant should continue only for his life time seven years and the term of life being by common repute in men's commerce equivalent each with other the Covenant neere half so many years in framing no doubt was made and entred into to remain for longer then for so soon an expiring term as a mans life to provide against his future and successive power To take the paines of removing Danger out of the Fathers reach and leave it in the Sonne or any of his Successours being of the Fathers temper and laying His Cause to heart could not be thought a Task worthy of so solemn a LEAGUE and COVENANT or the Industry which both Kingdomes have taken to settle their Peace and Liberties As to that part of the Covenant that they had then no intention to diminish the Kings just power and greatnesse they might intend no lesse untill they saw they could not overcome him by humble applications and dutifull addresses by their Reasons Declarations and Messages setting forth the wrongs and injustices acted by his Ministers of Iustice the mischiefs and dangers whereunto his Kingdomes were exposed unlesse he returned and hearkned to their Councels and joyne in redresse of such Grievances yet notwithstanding those faithful humble expressions that they could not discerne any conâ—iscending to such Peâ—tions any acknowledgment of his former errours any placable or propitious heart towards his Parliament and People any purpose in him to signe those Propositions as the only and necessary means for setling a safe peace long since tendred to him joyntly and unanimously by the Parliament then sitting whether Presbyterians or Independents as they are called yet not concluding or providing what was to be done in cased he did refuse but instead of sorrowing for what he had done his refusing to signe those Propositions and contrary to the x Articles of the large Treaty agreed upon gracing and preferring to his nearest secrecy and trust a person proclamed guilty of High Treâ—son charging still and banding against the Parl. one of the Supremest and Greatest Councells for weight and number in all Europe Retorting on them and highly and with a scornfull vanity demanding in lieu of the Propositions sent to him counter-Propositions of his Parties devising to be sent to them contending to lay the deluge of blood spilt in this Warre at Their doors and theirs alone ever seeking by a covert and restlesse ill-will one way against the y
that end so the Protestation taken all together is best observed and kept To the Protestation for the Defence of the Protestant Religion every one who takes it is not immediately and specially bound by vertue of his Vow to n extirpate and remove all Papists or to offer violence to their persons that is above the Power and Liberty of every common Person neither is wishing well alone and sitting still a sufficient discharge of the Protesters duty of vowing to endeavour Endeavouring is a progressive motion and the Protesters neglecting and supine failing to endeavour can be no better reckoned of in these divided and subtile times then the * Historian did of those Souldiers who dreamed of their enemies Votis Sedenâ—o debellari posse or what the * Prophet doth of the Aegyptians that their strength was sitâ—ing still A perfunctory and neutrall slackness in the Protester satisfies not the precept which God himself enjoynes When thou vowest a vow unto the Lord thou shalt not bee slack to pay it and wherein many have not only deserted this their vow but endeavoured against the same others contemplatively onely and remisse as not endeavouring at all but with close and cautiouâ— Reservations keep off their Endeavourings thence become wiser in their owne eyes then their fellow Subjects their abstruse and close demeanour being like Caius Cotta his observed by the * Oratour who to carry on his Ambition and private Interests did outwardly comply with all sides concealing and reserving the affections of his heart to his best advantage The passive and faint observing of the Vow and Protestation in some the Acting contrary to it in others is a sinne which GOD is justly angry for the neglect of which vow as wee may justly feare to use the very words of the o Divines open one Flood Gate the more to let in all these calamities upon the Kingdom Wherefore if he who hath taken this protestation and shall solemnly observe the same shall foresee or hath cause of suspition to believe that the Protestant Religion is or was when he took the same in danger of declining and that the Papist was then p connived at and countenanced by higher powers for the Question is not about the certaine and actuall bringing in of Popery but touching the pregancy of suspition if the Protestor adhereth to that party which promiseth to defend the Protestant and opposeth that which countenanceth the Popish his Protestation is then truliest kept a promise or vow the more pursued the more fulfilled in like manner to the other part of the same Protestation viz. The maintenance of the Kings honour every one who takes the same is not thereby bound to comply assent unto and obey the King in whatsoever he may command whether unlawfull or unjust or to think all his attempts and actions Iustifiable throughout This were indeed in the highest degree and seemingly to honour him but in a more serious and as truly a loyall way of his being honoured by his Subjects is when they or those who are put in Place and Auhority over them shall enquire into and provide against all things incident to his Dishonour when they shall endeavour to suppresse all Astronts which may be offered to his Dignity This though a more remote and lesse flattering yet a more stableand certain discharge of duty in honoring him To the COVENANT the q Preamble prefixed thereto points at the sense thereof in these words VVHereas a Covenant for reformation and preservation of Religion the maintenance and defence of Lawes and Liberties hath been thought a fit and excellent means to acquire the favour of Almighty God towards the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and likewise to unite and by uniting to strengthen and fortifie them against the common Enemy of the true reformed Religion peace and prosperity of these Kingdoms And in the Covenant it selfe wherein the Noblemen Barons Knights Burgesses Ministers of the Gospell and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland do swear That they shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in their severall Places and Callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion Secondly That they shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy c. Thirdly That they shall with the same reality and constancy in their severall vocations endeavour with their Estates and Lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the Kingdoms and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes Fourthly That they shall with all faithfullnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shal be Incendiaries Malignants or Evill instruments by hindering the reformation of Religion dividing the King from his People or one of the Kingdoms from another and them to bring to publick tryall Fifthly That Iustice may be done upon the willfull opposers of the firme Peace and Union betwixt the Kingdoms Sixthly That they shall in this common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms assist and defend all those that take the Covenant and shall not suffer themselves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided or with-drawn from this Union or Conjunction The Objection which some men make that the late Engagement doth crosse the Covenant at least one Article thereof of defending the Kings Person and Authority It seems not so if we go further to what his Person and Authority is to be defended and observe the whole Article the current of the Covenant being for the preservation of Religion the Liberties the Peace and Union betwixt the three Kingdoms against Papists Prelates Disturbers and Opposers of such Peace r In divers cases it canot be denyed but the obligation of an Oath or Covenant doth cease As when we swear Homage and Fealty to our Lord and Superiour who afterward ceaseth to be our Lord and Superiour then the formal cause of the Oath is taken away and therefore the Obligation Sublato relato tollitur Correlatum Admit that the three Kingdoms had been in imminent danger of Invasion from a Forrein Enemy and the Subjects should for the defence thereof enter into a Solemn League in these words Whereas a League and Covenant for strengthning the three Kingdomes is thought a safe and necessary means conducing thereunto That they will resist prevent and bring to publique Tryall all wilfull Opposers of the safety of the said Kingdomes with sowe other subordinate clauses and branches in the Covenant as namely That they will maintain the Chief Governour of them in his just Power c. let it be the King himself or some other supreme Power equal to the King although the King were to be valued as King David's People did value him at the price of ten thousand of
they pretend the Authority of the Word and whatsoever conceipt is begotten in their heads the Spirit of God to be presently the Author of it when as learned and judicious men in whom the Lord hath put wisdome and understanding to know how to worke all manner of worke for the service of the Sanctuary like Bezaleel and Aholiab refuse much of the stuffe which is offered them Scripture is given to all to learne to teach to interpret only to a few It is the voice of God confessed by all that the sense is Scripture not the words it cannot be therefore avoyded but that he that wilfully strives to fasten some sense of his owne other then the nature of the place will beare must needs take upon him the person of God himselfe and to be an indicter of Scripture No Scripture is of private interpretation There can be but two certaine and infallible Interpreters of it either it selfe or the holy Ghost the Author of it it selfe doth then expound it encouragement to the Study and Increase thereof by their favour and respect shewn unto the Universities and Colledges where it is most properly to be acquired and had for which they were instituted at first and are renowned equally to the best Seminaries of Learning throughout all EUROPE the Parliament having for the c most part exempted them from any Charge or Tax for raising mony towards this War by giving way unto and placing painful and sober Governours in the severall Societies of the Universities to reduce them to their former temper of acquiring Learning and good Manners that what the fury and fiercenesse of the War was likely to demolish and destroy is yet recoverable by the care and industry of their Governours that whereas there is a Disproportion and Antipathy between Science a soft milde and tender habit and a War a privative and destroying judgement there is yet by Gods blessing left a possibility and meanes of a regresse from a Warre and Garrison of Souldiers in * one of them to an acquisition of Sciences and Learning Neither doth the Parliament for ought we see neglect or disesteem the Universities or other Seminaries of Learning or take away the Endowments of Colledgeâ— as their Enemies give out in that some of the most learned of the Schollers there are dispossessed of part of their Estates for their disaffection or because that able men of the Universities and elsewhere are sequestred for a time by reason of their constant prejudice and ill will against the Parliament and their Proceedings the Parliament knowing such to be Interested and not long since seasoned by the Enemy Garrisoning in one of the Vniversities and devising yet to contrive their overthrow to let in the King's Power againe They could not be ignorant of the discontent and envy borne towards Them by divers of the more ripe and learned of the Clergy to see the Church Preferments and Dignities which they aimed at to be taken away how apt withall to engage the younger sort of Schollers in this their Cause by seasoning them with the same leaven of Discontent without considâ—ring that what was bestowed and instituted at first by Pious d Founders for the encouragement of Learning study and good uses many of them did betray to Luxury and Ease which the Parliament not knowing how otherwise to correct or moderate and foreseeing such Corruption to be so incorporate into their Prelaticall and Caâ—hedrall Calling that amidst these oppositions and distractions threatning the ruine of Three Kingdomes occasioned chiefly by reason of a corrupt and Prelaticall Clergy as the e Estates of 2 of the said Kingdoms have observed They knew no other remedy to be applyed then to alienate those Endowments to dispose of them to other uses The work of Reformation being in hand and Preaching the Gospell the instrumentall means thereof no man will judge such an emulation or ill-will to be in a prudent Laity intending to Reform towards a learned Clergy the means of Reforming that the one should discountenance or bring down the other the Clergy such as the Apostle would have them be Blamelesse have h Remonstrated and Protested for the contrary Rather the Kings Party with the Presbyterians most adhering unto him now seem to give way to many practises tending to Irreligion although not directly and immediately unless by those of the Popish Faction yet remotely and consequently whilst they so earnestly contend against the opposite Party called Independents that they would rather submit unto a Turk or Jew then to be mastered by that Party for the Presbyterians weakning them and themselves also by striving each with other help the Enemy into a Power to subvert that which some of the Kings Party have heretofore aimed at and hath been the first object of this Quarrell Religion The Emulation and Discontent of which Parties the Kings and those of Presbyterian grows out of a fear to be overcome Adversaries convinced are prone to Revenge and Envy and that appears from the judgement and censure the Kings Party have passed against the Parliaments in the punishment had the Kings prevailed they would have condemned them to for of the moderate sort of the Parliament and their Friends they hold them unskillfull i vulgar spirited weak and seduced men for siding with the People as they term it and their Multitudes the more eminent active sort Traitors Periured All yea the Neutralls too for not offering to defend the King according to the Oath of Allegiance the Parliament Party having a more moderate and milde judgment of the King's knowing many of them restlesse and implacable as yet judging others mistaken onely misapprehending the Cause in hand or to have been led away through ambition aspiring thoughts to adhere unto the King whereupon they have accordingly passed by the Errors and Transgressions of the Kings by an easy mulcting them giving way unto their enjoying their Estates and Fortunes so that if the judgment at the first had been no worse no more rashly and erroneously passed against the one then it was against the other Party the War had soon been ended and a Peace restored By the Kings Parties large extenâ—ion of which Oath in not offering to defend the King they may bring many within the compasse of Perjury the King holding himselfe bound to maintaine the Lawes by his Supreme power to tâ—ke vengeance on evill doers without which he may think he bears the Sword in 〈◊〉 as the Subjects are to their Allegiance the obligation is reciprocall as the two Houses of Parliament when allowed to be and styled by the King himselfe a Parliament with an unanimous consent observed in their Message sent unto him else-where recited in this discourse if the King may dispence with his Oath from which the Author of the k {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} presumes to discharge him as that the Author is so far from thinking the Maiesty of the Crown of
rests upon the issue of these Questions Whether from Irelaâ—d so erroneously misled and malevâ—lently affected towards England by a two-fold Antipathy both of Nation and Religion and so impetuously set on by three severall parties the Royall Popish and Prelaticall there be not an evident approach of perill to England in case the English be not some way cemented and untâ—ed as the Engagement now in question aymeth at and with a joynt vigour to subdue them and to keep them under when subdued Whether through and by reason of these distractions England be not in danger of losing their ancient Rights and Claims their credit and privilege of Commerce and Traffique which heretofore they have had with other Nations Whether Scotland not remaining in the same condition of Amity and Brotherhood as in their League and Covenant with England they at first United in but rather revolting from it it be not necessary to make up that breach by a closer union amongst our selves and against them when as it appears without recounting the particular actions falling out betwixt the Parliament and Army betwixt divers and private Members and Officers of Both as what this or that particular person by himselfe or by the instigation of some few hath done contrary and against the directions or command of his superiours That the Scots have in the maine broke with us For instance sake in the Article of the large * Treaty betwixt us and them granted and confirmed by the late King and wherein amongst the rest they having covenanted and Declared against Popery and Prelacy which the King and his party hath countenanced and favoured and now endeavouring to helâ— his Sonne into his Fathers power that then he may make good his favour towards Papists and Prelates would excuse themselves and Quarrell to assigne the breach of Covenant to us but how justly let the Reader judge Their insisting on a pretended Loyalty clears them not in the judgment of any who since the beginning of these troubles have observed their Motions their Demands and Treaties neither doth their literall leaning on the words in that Article of the Covenant to defend the Kings Person and Authority excuse their guilt the Kings Person and Authority being but one and an halfe part of that Article the sense and drift of it makes it up which the English according to the End and Meaning do pursue in the preservation of the true Protestant Religion the Liberties and Peace of the three Kingdome c. Now that they give out and threaten to come in an hostile manner into England under their Apologeticall and specious pretence of fighting against the Sectaries thereof of repressing Schisms and Heresies when as they have nothing to do with our Doctrine and Discipline Ecclesiasticall or Civill when as our own Divines can do better service by their Tongues and Pens for the suppressing Schismes and Heresies then can be expected from the Scots their Swords and Arms which if we may speak by experience are by the continuing this Warre more like to increase them both in number and power then to suppresse or lessen them in either and for the English Laity none or a very few and inconsiderable number of them doe tolerate Heresies and Sects as is elswhere set forth in this discourse Moreover when the English have shewn their Aversenesse from a VVarre with Them q their tender and compassionate thoughts towards them when they were at the lowest ebbe and they expecting the like measure of friendship and Brotherhood from the Scots according to their motto and profession to deal as they would be dealt with have assisted them before and even at the beginning of these troubles when they suffered most when by their applying themselves to the King for redress they could have none the English was their only ayd and best support The last Question then falls out Whether whilst these matters be in dispute we may rest secure from an Hostile invasion from them or other Forraigners whether by these unnecessary disputes and dissentions here at home the Commonwealth be not in danger to lose that in a short time which hath cost so much Treasure Industry and Blood For the powers that be once shaken and becomming weake will soon fall most men being apt to lay hold on the r Politicians advice Not to leane on a weak and toâ—tering Wall The judgment and knowledge of deciding these Questions rests in the Prudence and Experience of the State who after a long time casting and consulting what was fittest to be done what the safest course to be taken for the strengthning and support of a firme and present Government have resolved upon an universall Engagement in such manner and forme as to their wisdomes seems most expedient and they have accordingly Declared and Ordained that they knowing the justnesse of their Cause ought in relation to the present security and maintenance of their power to the preservation of a firme and lasting Peace to use all Expedient and Lawfull means against the violence and restlesse opposition of their Enemies none they judge so safe as by an Engagement and Subscription thereunto which if throughly weighed crosseth no former Vow either of Protestation Covenant Oath of Allegiance or Supremacy the subscriber only promising to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth as it is now Established without King or House of Lords not the Oath of Allegiance or Supremacy as is before observed if you look into the Reason and End of enjoyning the said Oaâ—kes Nor the Proâ—estation taken 1641. for the maintenance of the Kings Honour Person and Estate Nor the Covenant taken 1643 for the preserving his just Power and Greatnesse where his Honour and Power are transitory and personall capacities during life dying with his Person without further respect had unto his successors So the taking the Engagement commencing since the time of the King his death is no breach either of Covenant or Protestation taken for him in the time of his life nor by the words Now Established without a King or House of Lords are the Nobility excluded for ever from their Privileges as to succeeding Parliaments if the Wisdome of the State shall so admit and these continued Divisions beget not an universall ruine taking away the succession of Parliaments all Order and Government to be hereafter had nor from an Envy or Neglect had by the House of Commons to degrade the Lords or lay their Honours in the dust as hath been of late seditiously given out for so the Gentry of which the Parliament themselves consists being in the next ranke to the Nobility may fear their turn is next to be thrown from their station also al become Levelled Such suggestions questionlesse are infused by the Enemy's Factours into the Gentry's ears to draw away the affections of them also as well as of the Nobility to set on those ancient ranks of men against the Parliament and their proceedings endeavouring indeed to turn the