Torments if they did it not they set nought by his threats and made themselves ready to suffer The Governor when he had assay'd them with all kind of Torments last of all set them on the Gridiron and caused fire to be made under and broiled them to death who nobly said If thou long O Amachius after broiled meat Their Zeal at their death turn up the other side of us least in the eating we seem raw unto thee and the blood run about thy Teeth Iulian dyes Jovianus succeeds Julian being dead Jovianus succeeds who being proclaimed Emperor refused the Crown and being compelled thereto by loud Speeches expressed himself in that he was a Christian he would not be Emperor where Ethnicks should be his Subjects but when they cryed with one Voice and confessed themselves Christians he yeilded and was crowned Emperor and now peace came again to the Church but it was no sooner come The Christians have peace again but the Sedition began again among the Christians and now the Emperor sticking fast to the Faith of one Substance the Bishops who had been exiled for the same Faith he also restored the Pagans Temple he shut up Jovianus puts a stop to Idollatry and ceased their worshipping Devils which Julian gave way to and which they had their fill in in his raign Now went on the old work of tearing and rending one another among the Christians Chap. 21. The Christians fall into Contention again the Macedonians make a supplication unto the Emperor that such as avouch the unlikeness and dissimilitude between the Son and the Father should be banished the Church and themselves substituted in their Rooms the Emperor gave them no answer at all but with these words sent them away I tell you truly The Emperor is troubled at it I cannot away with Contention but such as embrace Unity and Concord I do both honour and reverence them which cooled the firy Contention of others The Acacians also signed a Supplication to the Emperor acknowlidging the Faith of one Substance the Emperor told them he would not molest any what Faith and Religion soever they professed but above all others that he would honour and reverence such as shewed themselves Peace-makers and went about to maintain the bond of unity and concord And Athanasius being dead Anno. 375. after he had been Bishop forty and six years Peter was left behind to succeed him the Emperor Jovianus being also dead Cha. 16. and the Arians coming in favour Lucius the Arian was settled in Alexandria whereupon great Persecution followed in Egypt He dies and Lucius succeeds Persecution began again wherein some were Imprisoned some Tormented others Exiled Peter the Bishop of Alexandria was Imprisoned and not long after an Edict was proclaimed by vertue of which the Religious Houses in the Desart were spoiled thrown down and cruelly beaten to the Ground for the armed Souldiers setting upon those accounted silly and unarmed Souls who would not streach out the hand in their own defence were miserably slain the manner of which Slaughter was so lamentable saith the Record that it cannot sufficiently be Manifest to the World and throughout Alexandria and Egypt there was great Persecutions to them that maintained the Faith of one Substance they were brought before the Bar they were put in Prison they were diversly Tormented and vexed with sundry Punishments set at nought Cap. 19. Scourged spoiled of their Rayment fettered in Prison crushed with Stones beheaded with bloody Swords shut up in the Desart covered with Sheep and Goat Skins destitute of aid and succour greivously afflicted whom the World was not worthy to enjoy nor the Earth to bear so holy a burthen saith the Historian Rufinus who is said to be an eye witness and pertaker with them in the same Calamity many wandered saith he in many and dangerous wayes The Extremities they were put to they hid themselves in Mountains and Caves and Dens and hollow Rocks all which when Lucius had accomplished he perswaded the Captain to banish the Fathers and Ring-leaders of them In those dayes these sufferings brought the Christians into a lowly frame and State leading a self denying life in Desarts and other retired places Cap. 29. the Historian mentions one of them They were humbled by it by which may be seen what Principles was amongst the rest There was saith he one Moses who led in the Desert a Solitary or retired kind of life and is said for his Zeal to Religion and constant Faith to be famous among them this Moses was taken from the Wilderness and sent to Alexandria with intent to be made Bishop and being come to be made Bishop he refused to receive orders from Lucius and after this sort reasons with him I think my self unworthy of the Priestly order yet if it be for the profit of the Common wealth that I be called unto the Function truely thou Lucius shalt never lay hand upon my head for thy right hand is imbrewed in slaughter and bloodshed when Lucius said again that it became not him so contumeliously to revile him but rather to learn of him the precepts of Christian Religion Moses answered I am not come to reason of matters of Religion but sure I am of this that thy horrible practice against the Brethren prove thee to be utterly void of the true Principles of Christian Religion for the true Christians striketh no man revileth no man fighteth with no man for the Servant of God should be no Fighter but thy deeds in Exiling of some throwing others to wild Beasts burning of some others do cry out against thee yet are we surer of the things we see with our eyes then of those we hear with our ears So Moses was brought to a Mountain and made Priest by such 〈◊〉 were exiled for now the Wars ceased and the Persecuted found some comfort But now the Affairs of the Church being quiet from Persecution Anno. 383. Socrat lib. 4. Cap. 29. they began to jangle about their Creeds and to difference they go again and falling together by the ears when a little outward peace from the Emperor sprang in among them which was occasioned by forcing their Faith one upon another this was the division among themselves when there was no division made of them by the Roman Governments and this was the trade among the Christians striving and contending for each others Bishopricks worse then some of the Emperors Lib 5. Cap. 19. who were willing many times to leave things free as to matters of Religion the manner of the Bishops at the general Councils and Synods being to cleave hairs as they use to say at Arguments and they that were most curious and subtil therein were accounted the best Masters of Faith and so carryed the matter not according to the Revelation of Truth but the subtilty of man through which came all this ado and trouble in the World and that
in their Breast wrought upon their Habit in memorial of the Star that did appear at the time that Christ was born at Bethlchem There was saith the History so many Sects of Monks Fryars and Nuns Balaus in appendice at this time upon a suddain started up in England that the Common-wealth was so oppressed and exhausted by them that it was not able to satisfie their exorbitant and greedy desires The Monks years since Christ 1170 called Praemonstratenses descended down from Heaven as they themselves brag in the Bishopwrick of Lodan at a place which they call Praemonstratum Bruscius Polidor the Author of this order was Northbertus a Priest born in Lorrain who patcht up an order or rule for his New-begotten Monks out of Augustines rule which was afterwards approved and confirmed by Pope Calixtus the second they wear a long white Cloath Coat open before and a Lynnen Surplice over and over that along white Cloak a Corner Cap or Hat when they go abroad of the same colour and underneath all Dublets Breeches Linnen-Shirts Shoes and white Stokins these Monks have Lands and Revenues to maintain themselves and are Rich wheresoever they live this Sect began about the year 1170. and had Abbyes in England but at this time I hope there is not one English man of that Sect. About this time appeared first in England the Order of Crutched-Fryars years since Christ 2244 this order is more Antient then all the former Orders if the Reader will believe them for they say that Clitus Peters Disciple and the third Bishop of Rome after him was warned by an Angel to build for him an House to entertain all those that fled thither for the Christian Religion sake which he with all speed performed so that in a short time many godly men repaired thither and were entertained who for many years after bare a Cross in their hands in memorial of the Death of Christ A thing unlike to be true that Clitus should be warned by a Angel to build an House for a company of lazy Fryars to entertain all those that fled to Rome for the Christian Religion sake whereas the very names of Monks or Fryars was not then or many hundred years after either known or heard of in the Church of God and withal the Persecution was then so great in Rome that the Saints themselves were constrained to forsake the City Matth. West Monast Balaus and therefore it is not creditable that Christians should fly thither for relief Pope Pius commanded these Fryars to wear a Sky-coloured Habit but now this Order wears a Cross of red Cloath or Scarlet fixed to their Habit on their Breast and wear black these Fryars do likewise live by their Lands and Revenues they had a Monastery heretofore at Tower-hill which is now put to a better use being built up into Tenements In the time of Pope Innocent the third the Trinitarian Fryars began to shew themselves to the World one Johannes Matta and one Felix Anchorita who lived a Solitary life in France were warned in their sleep as they report to repair to Rome to the Pope and to seek for a place of him to build a Cloister and this Pope as they say was warned in a Vision to entertain them which he did and ordained that they should wear a white Habit with a red and Sky-coloured Cross wrought on their Breast in the same their charge was to go and gather Money to redeem Christians that were Captives under the Turks and were called Monks of the Redemption of Captives but instead of Redeeming Captives they purchased Lands with the Money they gathered so that the Captives if they had no reward from Christ for suffering for his sake they were like to have no Redemption from these Fryars Bridget of Sweethland being a Widdow did institute an Order of Fryars and Nuns and coming her self to Rome Sebellicus Enne 9. l. 4. Polydor l 7. c. 4. obtained of Pope Urban the fifth a Confirmation of the same Order or Institution that both Sex should live together in one Cloister having a Wall between them and that the Nuns should lie in the uppermost Chambers and the Fryars underneath them The next is the Minorite Fryars they wear a morish-coloured Habit and never eat Flesh Butter or Cheese but feed on the best Fish and Oyle the finest Bread and purest Wine the best Spices Fruit Herbs and Roots that they can buy for their Money they had a Cloister built for them at Barkhamsted in England in the Year 1257. The Mendicant or Begging Fryars do wear a long white Coat of Cloath down to their heels all loose with a Cowle or Hood of the same when they are in their Cloisters but when they go abroad they wear another black Coat over the other with another Cowle both their Coats are then bound close to their Bodies with a broad leather Girdle or Belt which Girdle is a very holy thing if they may be believed for they call it Saint Austins Girdle and many Lame people do wear it for pure devotion sake looking upon it to have some singular Virtue in it this leather Belt is given to none but those that are special good Benefactors and such as pay dearly for it which brings them in no small benefit The next is the Carmelite Fryars their first appearance in the word was in the year 1270. that is Fryars of the Order of the blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel at first they were ordained to wear a party-coloured Habit white and red made in the form of a man the which they then dreamed to be like unto that which Elias did use to wear but afterwards Pope Honorius forbid them to wear that Habit as being not well befitting their Profession and therefore a black long habit and a Cowle was given them and over that a long white Robe or Cloak as best agreeing with Virginity Another sort is the Franciscan or Gray Fryars of whom it is said They would not touch any Money and made a show as if they abstained from all Flesh and did eat nothing but raw Herbs and Roots and did wear Wooden Clogs instead of Shoes railing against other Fryars who Possessed Money and eat Meat wore Shoes and Stokings c. But these did not long persevere in this Austere life but their delight was to fare delitiously and to cram their Guts with the best Dainties There is a sort of these Franciscans called Penitentiarian these wear no Linnen as they say neither Doublet Breeches nor Hose but only a little pair of Linnen Drawers to save their skin from their course habit instead of Shoes they wear wooden Clogs which are under their Feet bound over with Leather Straps their habit is made of a very course Cloath and close before reaching down to their heels with a Cowle close to their head made of the same and also a gray Rope made of hair full of knots instead of a Girdle about
constancy and so embracing the Fire she sweetly slept in the Lord. Thus near the space of three hundred years was the Church of Christ assaulted on every side had small rest no joy nor outward safety in this present World but in much bitterness of Heart in continual tears and mourning under the Cross passed over their days being spoiled imprisoned contemned reviled famished tormented and martyred every where by night assembling to sing Praises to God in all which their dreadful dangers and sorrowful afflictions notwithstanding the goodness of the Lord left them not desolate but the more their outward Tribulations did increase the more their inward Consolations did abound and the farther off they seemed from the joyes of this Life the more present was the Lord with them with Gracâ— and fortitude to confirm and rejoyce their Souls and though their possessions and riches in this World were lost and spoiled yet were they inriched with heavenly Gifts and Treasures from above an hundredfold then was true Religion truely felt in the Heart then was Christianity not in outward appearance shewed only but in inward affection received then was the Name and Fear of God true in Heart not in Lips alone dwelling Faith then was fervent Zeal ardent Prayer not swiming in the Lips but groaned out to God from the bottom of the Spirit then was no Pride in the Church nor leisure to seek riches nor time to keep them contention for Trifles was then so far from Christians that well were they when they could meet to pray together against the Devil the author of all dissention But after this the Christians coming to be in favour with the Emperours and riches and worldly wealth crept into the Clergy and the Devil poured his venom into the Church so that true humility began to decay and Pride to set in his Foot and after the Church through favour of the Emperours was indued with Lands Donations Possessions and Patrimonies and the Bishops feeling the smack of Wealth ease and prosperity began to swell in pomp and pride and the more they flourished in this World the more Gods holy Spirit forsook them till at last the Bishops who were for a long time kept low and persecuted as before is related now of persecuted People began to be Persecutors of others and through their pride and riches were wholy degenerated from the true Religion and became Adversaties to God and persecuted and destroyed his living Witnesses and Members as any were raised up from time to time to bear a Testimony against their Apostacy as in this following History will appear Part III Containing an Account of the grievous Sufferings Persecutions and Martyrdom of the Servants of the Lord inflicted on them by the Papists after the Apostacy from the antient Primitive Gospel of Truth preached by Christ and his Apostles IOhn saw there would be an Apostacy from the blessed Faith in his daies Rev. 13. for he saw a Beast rise out of the Sea and the Dragon gave him his Power and his Seat and great Authority and all the World wondered after the Beast and they worshipped the Dragon which gave Power unto the Beast and they worshipped the Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast Who is aâ—le to make War with him And he opened his Mouth in Blasphemy against God to Blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven and it was given unto him to make War with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all Kindreds Tongues and Nations and all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him whose Names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World After this great Darkness had spread over Nations and People for some years the Lord raised up some from time to time to bare Testimony according to their measures of light and knowledge they had received against the blindness and ignorance that the World was under as in the following instances the Reader may observe Robert Grosthead living in the year 1240 wrot sharply to the Pope especially for the evils he committed in England that he was opposite to Christ a Murderer of Souls and an Heretick and complained on his death-bed of the corruptions which were sprung up in the Church and inveighed bitterly against the manifold abominations of the Church and Court of Rome saying well may these verses be applied to them The whole World cannot suffice their greedy covetous mind Nor all their drabs and naughty pack their filthy lusting kind For his thundring against the Romish Church and for his publick reproving of the covetousness pride and manifold Tyrannies of the Pope he was excommunicated to the pit of Hell by Innocent the fourth and cited to come to his bloody Court but he appealed from the Popes Tyranny to the Eternal Tribunal of Jesus Christ and shortly after died Yea before this there were some found in England who testified against the corruptions of the Church of Rome and suffered for the same for in the year 884. John Patrick Erigena wrot a Book about the Lords Supper which was afterwards condemned by the Pope and he martyred for it In the year 960. some were braned in the Face at Oxford and banished for saying That the Church of Rome was the Whore of Babilon Monkery a stinking Carion their Vows nurses of sodomy Purgatory and Masses c. inventions of the Devil In the year 1126. there was one Arnold an English Preacher was cruelly butchered for preaching against Prelates pride and Priest wicked lives About the year 1160. about thirty Waldenses came into England one Gerrard being their Minister these People labouring to win Disciples to Christ were quickly smelt out by the Popish Clergy and great complaints were made against them to the King being Henry the Second who caused them to be brought before an Assembly of Bishops at Oxford where Gerrard speaking for them said to this effect we are Christians holding the Doctrine of the Apostles in their Examinations they would not admit of Salt Spittle and Exorcisms in Baptism and the Eucharist nor of binding with the stool in Marriage and being admonished to repent and return to the unity of the Church they despised that counsel and scorned threats saying Blessed are they which Suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Then did the Bishops excomunicate them and so delivered them over to be corporally Punished by the King who caused them to be burnt as Hereticks in the forehead and to be whipt through Oxford they singing all the while Blessed are ye when men hate you and dispitefully use you and the King further commanded that none should persume to receive them to house nor to cherish them with any comfort whereby they miserably perished with hunger and cold none affording any comfort to them These Wâ—ldenses are repâ—ted the first Reformers after the darkness of Popery had overspread the
King for Reformation in Religion and he was the great Instrument in overthrowing Abbies Monasteries and Friaries which were a little before by Act of Parliament given into the Kings hands Whereupon not only their Houses were rased but their Possessions were divided amongst the Nobility insomuch that all Friars Monks Cannons Nuns and other such Sects were so rooted out of this Land from the Foundation that there seemed to be no room left for such Weeds to grow here any more But as this Thomas Cromwell was raised up for good and being so greatly in favour with the King used all means he could to perswade him to reform the enormities in the Church on the other hand Satan raised up his Instrument which was Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester who used all wilds and subtill means he could to perswade the King against the same casting upon the Professors of Truth the name of Hereticks Sectaries Anabaptists and Sacramentaries and so far prevailed with the King that by the Kings Authority certain Injunctions were published prohibiting the publishing any Books in English written by the Sectaries and Sacramentaries under the pain of the forfeiture of all their goods and Chattels and their Bodies to be Imprisoned during the Kings pleasure And further this Stephen Gardner instigated the King not only against the Queen who was a favourer of Religion and Reformation but also against this Thomas Lord Cromwell who no doubt had brought the encrease of true Religion according to his understanding to more prefection had not this Gardner and other Malignant Opposers thereof set themselves against it to hinder the prosperity thereof but now through the said Gardners evill advise the King who before had raised the said Thomas Cromwell for his worth and integrity now for his pleasure took him off and suffered him to be Beheaded After his death Religion and the Reformation more and more decayed whereby the Reader may see how variable the State of things stood in reference to Religion at this time and with what difficulty any thing of Light and Truth came forth how often things changed even as the King was ruled and gave ear sometimes it went a little forward and then backward again according as the persons prevailed that were about the King And now the King being led through Gardners suggestions began to withdraw shewing any favour to the Reformation in Religion concluding so to do was most for his safety both at home and abroad having so much displeased the Pope and other Popish Princes in what he had already done and though he had rejected the Popes Authority he would declare himself nevertheless to be a good Catholick Son of the Mother Church and a withstander of new Heresies and then calling a new Parliament and Convocation of Prelates there was six Articles decreed concerning Religion which was afterwards commonly called a whip with six Srings it was pretended for the Unity of the Church but what Unity followed the groaning hearts of many that suffered death by the same both in this Kings time and in Queen Maries time may declare The Six Articles of the Bishops Condemning all to be burnt as Hereticks that should hold First That the Body of Christ was not really present in the Sacrament after Consecration Secondly That the Sacrament might not truely be administred under one Kind Thirdly That Priests entred into holy Orders might Marry Fourthly That Vows of Chastity entred into upon mature deliberation were not to be kept Fifthly That private Masses were not to be used Sixthly That Auricular Confession was not to be used in the Church Before these Articles were published Bishop Gardener having obtained his desire with the King he and the rest of the Prelates began again fresh to persecute the Protestants the first they stretched forth their Hands against was John Lambert a Norfolk man and one zealous for the Spreading of the Truth according to the Manifestation of it then broke forth and to that end was conversant with Tindal and Frith at Antweep until by the Instigation of Sr. Thomas Moor he was apprehended and brought to London where he was first brought to Examination at Lambeth and then at the Bishops House at Oxford before Worham Arch-bishop of Canterbury and others where fourty five Articles were objected against him to all which he answered in writing very fully and wisely both according to the Scriptures and Reason the Articles and his Answers may be read at large in Foxe's Acts and Monuments The Bishop of Canterbury shortly after dying whereby Lambort for that time was delivered out of Prison and coming to London it was not long before he fell into trouble again for having a private Conference with one Doctor Tayler what past between them in their dispute in private grew at last a publick and common talk which coming to the Arch-bishops Ear he sent for Lambort and forced him to defend his Cause openly in that Disputation Lambort appealed to the King from the Bishops Upon this appeal Bishop Gardener goes to the King and privately possesses him that now he had an opportunity to quiet the minds of the people who were offended with him for abolishing the Bishop of Rome's Authority and subverting of Monasteries and Abbies c. he might now remedy these troubles if he would manifestly appear in this matter against Lambort and shew himself stoutly to resist the Hereticks the King immediately received this wicked Counsel of the Bishop and forth with sent out a general Commission commanding all the Bishops and Nobles of the Land to come with all speed to London to assist the King against Hereticks these preparations being made a day was set upon which Lambort should appear before the King and the rest assembled with him to be Tryed and Judged The day being come the King ascended his Throne clothed all in white he lookt upon the Prisoner with a sterne Countenance as if his mind was full of Indignation and then called forth the Bishop of Chichester and commanded him to declare to the People the Causes of that Assembly the Substance of the Bishops Speech tended to this That the King would have none to conceive that whereas the Authority and Name of the Bishop of Rome being utterly abolished he would also extinguish all Religion or give Liberty to Hereticks to trouble the Churches of England without punishment the Bishop having ended his Speech the chief thing that the King prest Lambort to declare was what Opinion he held touching the Sacrament of the Altar to which he answered fully and the Dispute held chiefly concerning that point for some hours until the King and Bishops enraged against him forced him to silence at last The King being minded to end the Dispute said to Lambort What sayest thou after all these Labours and Reasons of these learned Men Art thou yet satisfied Wilt thou live or die thou hast yet free choice Lambort answered I yield and submit my self wholly unto the will of your Majesty
to sin in yielding a Conformity contrary to their own Faith for whatsoever is not of a mans own Faith is sin 12. Because that Imposition and Force wrestles with flesh and blood and carnal Weapons which are contrary to the Apostles Doctrine who said Our Weapons are not Carnal but Spiritual and Mighty through God and we wrestle not with Flesh and Blood 13. Because there is but One Judge Law giver and King in and over the Conscience as the Saints have testified in the Scriptures of Truth and whosoever would intrude so as to be Judge and Lawgiver over the Conscience intrencheth upon the Perogative of Christ Isa 33. 22. James 4.12 14. Because it is prophesied in Isa 11. The Woâ—lf shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid and there shall be no Destroyer in all the Holy Mountain And therefore no Imposition upon mens Consciences 15. Because to impose upon mens Consciences for differences in Faith is contrary to the Advice of the Apostle who directs People to wait upon God to be satisfied and not to the Magistrates or others to be forced who saith Whereunto we have attained let us walk and wherein any man is otherwise minded God shall reveal even that unto him 16. Because to force mens Consciences and to lay Yoaks upon them is to make void the Bloodshed and Sufferings of Christ who fits upon the Throne of the Conscience and gives liberty there and commands us to stand fast in that liberty and not to be entangled through the Impositions of men or Yoke of bondage â—alat 5.6 17. Because in all Nations the different Professions and Perswasions of Religion are either Friends or Enemies to the Governors if Friends then obliged by that bond if Enemies then Christ's Command is to take place who saith Love your Enemies which if observed Persecution for Conscience will be avoided 18. Because Toleration of different Perswasions in Religion was allowed in the Jewish State as not inconsistant with their Safety and that in things contrary each to other as the Sadduces Pharisees Esaeans Herodians with others 19. Because the true Religion cannot be preached up by force of ARMES and the primitive Christians detested that Form of Proceedings 20. Because no man hath such power by outward compulsion over the Souls and Consciences of other men as to lay a necessity on them to believe that which they do not believe or not to believe what they do believe true Faith being the Gift of God 21. Because If the Magistrate imposeth upon the Conscience he must either do it as a Magistrate or as a Christian Not as a Magistrate for then Heathens being Magistrates have the same power to impose and so by Revolutions and Conquests may come to give Laws to Christians and compel them to Idolatry 2. Not as Christians for that contradicts Christ's saying The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them but it shall not be so among you for all ye are Erethren 22. Because by the same Rule and Reason that the Magistrates of one Nation ought to impose upon and persecute for Conscience the Magistrates in all other Nations ought to do the same and so the greatest part of Mankind may come to be destroyed there being more that Dissent then are at Unity in Metters of Faith and Religion 23. Because the strength of Truth and its Conquest over Falsity and Deceit is best discovered by letting both have their Liberty from outward Compulsion For no doubt had outward Force been less used the prevalency of Truth had been more manifest and that wise Saying truly experienced in the World viz. That which is of God will stand and that which is not will come to nothing 24. Because the Disciples of Christ are rebuked by him for desiring the Destruction of those that were contrary to him and would not receive Him which zeal is sharply reproved in his Saying They knew not what Spirit they were of 25. Because to impose upon mens Consciences and to destroy their Persons for difference in Religion is contrary to the end of Christ's coming who saith He came not to Destroy mens Lives but to save them 26. Because People of divers Religions in one Nation if not tolerated must some of them be destroyed or removed by banishment If destroyed the Constancy and Patience of the Sufferers for their Faith moving Pity and Commiseration makes men more ready to own then to reject their Faith and so rather multiplies then lessens the number of its Professors if banished this renders the Banished as so many Enemies abroad ready upon all occasions to disturb the Peace and Tranquillity of their own native Country There is therefore in order to the outward welfare of all Nations a kind of necessity for a Toleration in them of all Religions 27. Because to impose upon mens Consciences begets a hatred against the Imposers in those who are imposed upon and forced thereby to violate their Consciences towards God in matters of Worship 28. Because men are commanded to be subject to the Powers that are for Conscience sake and therefore such Powers ought not to persecute men for Conscience sake being that is prescribed for the Rule of Obedience the Scriptures saying Be ye subject not only for Wrath but for Conscience sake SECT IX Several Sayings collected from the Speeches and Writings of King Charles the First ANd we find asserted by King Charles the â—â—rst in his Book known by the Name of ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ as followeth Pag. 67. In his Prayer to God he said Thou seeft how much Cruelty among Christians is acted under the colour of Religion as if we could not be Christians unless we crucific one another Pag. 28. Make them at length seriously to consider that nothing violent and injurious can be religious Pag. 70. Nor is it so proper to hew out religious Reformations by the Sword as to pollish them by fair and equal Disputations among those that are most concerned in the Differences whom not Force but Reason ought to convince Sure in Matters of Religion those Truths gain most upon mens Judgments and Consciences which are least urg'd with Secular Violence which weakens Truth with Perjudices Pag. 115. It being an Office not only of Humanity rather to use Reason then Force but also of Christianity to seek Peace and ensue it Pag. 91 92 In point of true conscientious tenderness I have often declared how little I desire my Laws and Scepter should intrench on God's Soveraignty which is the only King of mens Consciences Pag. 123. Nor do I desire any man should be further subject unto me then all of us may be subject unto God Concerning Oaths P. 76. The injoyning of Oaths upon People must needs in things doubtful be Dangerous as in things unlawful Damnable Some words of Advice from CHARLES the First to the then Prince of Wales now King of England c. Pag. 165. My Counsel and Charge to you is That you seriously