of without accusing our selves also II. Secondly We may be asham'd to remember any of them but if one why not all why not the Covenant Protestations and at last the Oath of Allegiance for in all the name of God was called upon There is an oath for the King and his Posterity an Engagement and Declaration against him 't will be of little use to enquire whether an Oath required by a settled Government and voluntarily sworn to for an Ordinance of God instituted in plain Scriptures both of old and new Testament for so Kingly Government is I say whether such an Oath Or an Engagement injoyn'd by a broken Power or a Declaration of an Army that never challenged any lawful Power against an institution upon an interpretation of a dark prophesie of the Revelation whether of these two be most binding 'T will help you and us little to resolve it III. Thirdly This is most considerable how far the letter of Oaths binde which may be in some doubtful in others contradictory and how far the equity and spirit of them binde and then to enquire what is the pith and substance of all our Protestations and Covenants which when sifted out let them have their just and righteous consideration And then 't were good to consider which of them this present Government be against whether it be not against those Oaths and Covenants made for the Right of the King and if so how came we to be acquitted from those former Oathes or whether it be against the Engagements made against Monarchy it seems to me to be another thing set up besides rather than against that Engagement being of another nature from that which we engaged against as we shall see hereafter But alas these Questions do not heal nor help us onely they may serve as dust to put in our mouthes to silence us that we upbraid not nor accuse one another We have taken notice of the chief things in the Preface of your Paper we shall now proceed to consider the Articles of Accusation themselves which speak out plainly what it is that troubles you YOur first Witness or Article is against Apostasie which you express in a Parallel 'twixt this Nation and the old Israelites in their deliverance out of Egypt saying They and we have soon forgot God our Savior c. We have not set our hearts right c. but have gone back and deals treacherously and turn'd aside like a deceitful bowe c. have provoked the Lord to anger by our inventions This first is more honest and ingenuous than any thing that follows it There is a serious truth in it and 't is soberly and humbly exprest if you do indeed mean what you have written For you say WE have soon forgoâ—ten God c. WE have not c. If you are true in this WE you have taken your share of the guilt and shame with your brethren and the whole Nation and have own'd a union with them in this head sin or root-sin of Back sliding which is but just if it was a slip 't was an honest and a loving one be perswaded to own it and to number your selves with us sinners and to bear your part of guilt and punishment also if it comes Sin is general so will Judgement be 't is therefore safer for you to lie down under Self-condemnation and either trust to mercy or seek to avert calamity than to justifie your selves as innocent persons and witnesses I take no pleasure in speaking of it but I fear what you write is too true that there is a general Apostasie amongst us it may be they that are in great place and so liable to great temptations are more guilty than others or else their guilt is more manifest but sure there is a general declining in the visible Professors of Religion and as you say Our hearts have not been right nor our spirits stedfast to God but we have turn'd aside like a deceitful bowe 'T is most manifest in these particulars I. First We are in Religion divided into several opinions forms names words and ways of worshipping God in which we walk in enmity to our brethren of different judgements which shews we have turn'd aside from God who is one and his name one whose Law is exceeding large who is love he saves all comprehends all under his wings And that which is purely of God and his word 't is sweet easie and delightful to all that are godly but that which leads men into divided paths and into opposition whereby we grieve afflict and offend godly ones there is in all those things some inventions of our own something of carnal reason Therefore in all divisions that are amongst us how ever we commend our own way as pure and would impose it upon others and not admit him to a share of the salvation that God hath wrought for all his people that denies it yet there is in every one mixtures of our own which while we zealously prosecute we turn aside from God and his law of Love II. Secondly We do as Israel abound in performances religious exercises in new moons solemn assemblies where we offer rivers of oyl the beasts of a thousand mountains expressions enlargements notions scriptures duties yet Israel departed from God and turn'd aside into themselves in these things therefore are they call'd theirs own ways and not that which God delighted in Isa 66.3 4. Alas how grosly are our preachings prayings assemblings churchings polluted with pride vain glory worldly ends is it not apparent that we deal treacherously with God while we seem to exalt his kingdom we do indeed seek our own honor and advantage and the exaltation of our own gifts party and ministery For when we ingage the strength and might of our hearts in these things and neglect to serve the Lord with our souls in a soul humbling and soul-cleansing work wherein the power of godlinese lies and when by these things we life up our selves above others and as Lords over others do we not as a deceitful bowe while we seem to shoot at Gods enemy we shoot at our own enemies and while we seem to aim at his honor aim at our own III. Thirdly We once were meek and lowly contented with mean things in the world so we might but enjoy Christ in his own Ordinances Now how we imploy our Gifts our Light our Zeal our Way to get uppermost Diotrephes-like to have the preeminence what contending for dominion envying plotting laboring either to maintain or got Greatness and Power imploying our light and gifts to pull down and destroy not to save and that which would destroy would rise it self and get into place If there be amongst us these three or any of them there is departing from God enmity self or pride the constant companions of Apostacy If we have departed from God and the majesty and largeness of his salvation into destroying enmity into perverse self into tyrannical pride 't is no
wonder you complain that 't is a day of rebuke of trouble and blasphemy And what kinde of blasphemy not from Rabshakeh sent from the King of Assyria but from prophets and ministers which say they are sent from God and should bring tidings of peace this must needs be rebuke both to them that administer it and to them against whom 't is administred it must needs be pitiful and sad work to blaspheme or speak evil of our brethren that profess the Name of the Lord when every word wounds our friends and the Name of God it must also wound our selves when if what we say be true 't is woful and sad when the best of it is that what is said is false and a mistaken passion You say further in the words of Hezekâ—ah The children are come to the birth and there is not strength to bring forth Did you say it with his spirit and faith you would do as he did rend not your own clothes nor others honors but your hearts and put on sackcloth and mourn before the Lord Did you believe that the children were come to the birth that deliverance were near you would not be so angry or did you travel with childe your selves you would retire into the chambers of your own Souls and not be quarreling in the streets or stirring up people to strife and contention Or did you think our Governors or any with them were in travel and wanted strength to bring forth you would not by contention weaken them as you do Let it be suppos'd then there is indeed a great turning aside from God our Savior c. into enmity self and pride what can you think to be the way to recover us Will the pulling down a Protector and his party with Accusations Wrath and Violence and setting up your selves or any other party in a way of Parliament Will this bring us back to God in love self denial humility and true holiness We cannot believe that you think it will but that you must think with us that love instruction and forgiveness administred in the grace and spirit of Christ to melt and break mens hearts these are the proper Remedies to recover a back-sliding people Now I have gloss'd upon the sense of the Subscribers I shall give you a more naked account of my own thoughts concerning this thing in these Animadversions I. First We are escaped from an outward Egypt but are still in that great City Which is spiriâ—ually called Sodom and Egypt Rev. 11.8 We and our consciences are free from men but our souls and consciences are in bondage to darkness to fleshly lusts to wrath pride and self love while we were under the power of outward enemies these durst not look forth but being now free from fear of others our own naughtiness begins to appear II. Secondly These noisom lusts of envy evil surmises pride and self-exaltation are of the same kinde and spirit with that tyranny that men exercis'd over us which being in and amongst our selves do pierce and wound us more than when they were over us in others III. Thirdly We have gotten a greater outward liberty and dominion than we have wisdom and strength of grace to manage which is a dangerous evil to be over loaded with greatness prosperity and honor more than is proportionable to our spirits 'T was a wise desire of Agur Neither poverty nor riches but food convenie it for me A little grace that shin'd clearly in a mean condition may be smother'd and choak'd with worldly Greatness when I see how little of the majesty of the spirit of God there is and how carnal mens mindes are I fear we rose too soon and are come forth into Power before we are fit for it or it fit for us and if it be so we may fear we shall lie down agaâ—n in our old Egyptian graves or a worse hell till by some sharp suffering our spirits be more refin'd we do hang over a dangerous pit of confusion and wrath by a meer thred of Gods good providence therefore it concerns all especially our Governors to be very humble very meek and patient tender and subject to what light shall come forth from God for if God should be provoked but to cut this thred or to take off his hand from protecting of us we are like to be the most miserable dishonorable and abominated people in the earth IV. Fourthly Our corruptions which before lay hid and in this time of freedom break forth are more than we expected are noisom and foul offensive to our selves and visible to others and they come in as a flood upon us in all places in all things in outward and inward things in civil and Church affairs so much that we know not how to resist them neither is there visibly appearing in any sort of people a remedy for these evils or a spirit able to deal with the huge Armies of Lusts that overspread Religion and men professing godliness This is a great disappointment we looked for Peace Righteousness Truth and Glory to flourish but behold Folly Enmity Distraction Iniquity and Shame covers our faces This doth vex and grieve mens hearts and every man complains of this and that and most with the Subscribers fall upon them that are in power because they do not cure these maladies and lead us into a better state generally it causes wrath bitterness and rage against these evils in others not in our selves not considering who it is that says Isaiah 43.28 I have profaned the Princes of the sanctuary and have given Jacob to the curse and Israel to reproaches not that the reason of this great displeasure of God lies at home in every mans heart if they did consider this is a divine hand and the ground of it is in our selves and in the very state in which we are being much in the flesh and carnal we should at least be still and silent and not increase our evils by open and shameful Quarrels but rather heal and hide them by Love and Repentance V. Fifthly We in the outward things as matters of Government are yet intangled in the maners and customs of Egypt and ignorant of the Judgements and Statutes of the Lord or of our own land for a way or form of Government of our own that is proper for a godly people we have not yet discover'd to us therefore every one lays hold of some broken pieces of Egypt The Instrument patches up one and a Council and the Old Law and Parliament the Subscribers seem to be for a Parliament onely But all these things about which we contend are parts of the Old Babel and the Subscribers themselves as much in it as any as we may see hereafter Now these things must needs vex our spirits having not yet found out a way suitable and sit for us Though few know what we ayl or what will cure us onely our feet are in the stocks and our mindes uneasie and unsatisfied we kick
Well-wishers to your Souls everlasting Happiness though we must with equal Pity and Detestation Declare against your Designs and Way A WORD for GOD. THe wise God that teacheth the fowls of Heaven to know their appointed times who directs his peoples work in Truth hath we hope Ier. 8.7 directed us after a long time of silence and carnest seeking the Lord to express and declare what we sinde in our consciences touching the transaction of this season and though some may think as we our selves have been tempted to think That this is a time wherein the prudent should hold his peace it being such an evil time that men are made Offenders yea Traytors for Words yet considring how the Lords Remembrancers should not keep silence Ier. 20.9 and fearing that if we should altogether hold our peace at such a time as this as Mordecai said to Hester Deliverance would come another way Isa 62.6 and we could expect no share in the inlargement of Gods people or safety in the day of trouble Hest 4.14 Withal sinding how Self would prompt us like Issachar to see that rest is good and outward prosperity pleasant Gen. 49. â—5 and how the same temptations which we sinde and fear many of our dear Brethren to be under have set upon some of us as to have mens persons in admiration because of advantage and by good words fair speeches and promises to be deceived and drawn away in simplicity Inde 16 especially by the example of some eminent in en like Peter insomuch that many Barnaba's are carried away with their dissimulation Rom. 16 18. and aswel Ministers as Military men willing to serve the King for his work and wages 2 Sam. 15.7 However seeing every man must give an accompt unto God for himself we have examined what particular duty was incumbent upon us Gal. 2.13 and how in faithfulness towards God and meekness towards Men 2 Chron 4.23 we should perform the same Moreover considering how the Saints did formerly bear their testimony not loving their lives unto the death and by the blood of the Lamb and their testimony did overcome Rom. 14.12 and how God did heretofore stir up some of his people both in England and Scotland to bear witness to the Truth and ways of God Rev. 12 7. against the ways and wickedness of Men as a Forlorn-hope though they were in comparison but a few Numb 14.6 7 8 9. like Joshua and Caleb two of twelve or li the two Witnesses a small yet suffcient number Observing also That there are present Truths and every work being beautiful in its season Rev. 11 3. as in the begining of the late Wars was the witnessing against the Book of Common Prayer Surplice Cross in Baptism 2 Pet. 1 12. and other Ceremonies being Superstitious things imposed by the Bishops and against Ship-Money Monopolies c Civil things imposed formerly by the King All which were afterwards declared protested and covenanted against which Protestation and Covenant are fresh in the memories and pressing the Consciences of some of us even unto this day besides the Engagement and the several Acts of Parliament made against Monarchy or Kingly Government All which now seem to be forgotten or neglected And those that spake or writ in defence of such things as the Parliament Army and the Godly people in the three Nations approved asserted and purchased at a dear rate are now accounted Fanatick Fools Disturbers of Civil State and Intermedlers in things that concern them not under which notion many suffer Imprisonment and other tryals as Evil-doers from those men who now build what they did once destroy and justifie what they did once condemn Aug. 1. 1650. p. 11 12 Witness their own Writings particularly The Declaratio of the Officers and Soldiers of the English Army whereof the Lord Cromwel was General The words whereof are as followeth We are perswaded in our Consciences That the late King and His Monarchy was one of the ten Horns of the Beast spoken of Rev. 17.13 c. And that we were called forth by the Lord to be instrumental to bring about that which was our continual prayer unto God viz. The destruction of Antichrist and the deliverance of his Church and people And upon this single accompt we ingaged not knowing the deep Policies of worldly States-men and have ever since hazarded our lives in the high places of the field where we have seen many wonders of the Lord against all the Opposers of the work of Iesus Christ whom we have all along seen going with us and making our way plain before us And having these things singly in our eye namely The destruction of Antichrist The advancement of the Kingdom of Christ The deliverance of his Church and the establishment thereof in the use of his Ordinances in Purity according to his Word and the just Civil Liberties of English mem These with many other expressions both in the Declaration and several other Papers of the Army Letters of the General cited both in the Declaration of the Members of several Churches and Petitions of the three Colonels Sanders Okey Allured besides several other Papers which might be instanced in which we leave to all unbyassed men to consider and compare with actions done by the sarne men since that time But in pursuance of our duty to God our fellow Members and Countrey-men as we are Christians having a right to the things of Christ and as we are men having a right to our Native Priviledges We do Declare our real Apprehensions and Consciences which to the great grief of some of us we have so long concealed waiting if God might by his providence alter our mindes I. That the Sins and present condition of this Nation holds paralel in many things with the old Israelites after the mighty wonders of God shewed unto them in their great deliverance out of Egypt For instance Psal 106.13 They and we have soon forgot God our Savior and the great works which he did we have not set our hearts aright and our Spirits have not been stedfast with God but have gone back and dealt treacherously Psa 78.9.10 and turned aside like a deceitful Bowe and not trusting to his salvation have provoked the Lord to anger with our invention Ps 106.28 29. so that men have dominion over our bodies and over our cattel at their pleasure 〈…〉 37. And we are in great distress for this is a day of trouble and of blasphemy for the children are come to the birth and there is not strength to bring forth II. That blessed Cause and those noble Principles propounded and prosecuted by the old Parliament and the Good people of this Nation in the maintaining of which God did miraculously appear are now altogether laid aside and lost and another Cause and Interest quite contrary as we conceive espoused and maintained for then the Advancement of
Christs Kingdom the Extirpation of Popery and Popish Innovations the Priviledges of Parliament the Liberty of the Subjects and an equal Distribution of Justice were declared and fought for and Tyranny Oppression Injustice Arbitrariness Destroying the Priviledges of Parliaments we declared and engaged against But how far some men have now receded from and acted contrarily to the dishonor of God Scandal of Religion great grief of many faithful men and the strengthning of the wicked in their principles and justifying their practices we leave to the consideration of all those that are sober and wise III. Moreover the unadvised and unwarrantable changing of the Government and a swearing thereunto doth as we judge put a Necessity upon the chief Undertaker thereof to overthrow the very foundation of a Commonwealth and to maintain the things comprized in the said Instrument whether right or wrong And to turn the very edge and dint of his Sword against the faces and bowels of such as should or shall declare their Consciences contrary thereunto IV. As a consequence and fruit of this Forbidden Tree many of the choice Servants of God and Faithful of the Nation some Gentlemen Ministers of the Gospel Soldiers c. are imprisoned without knowing their Accusers or having so much as was granted by the Heathens to the Apostles or the benefit of a fair and publick trial according to the Fundamental Laws of this Nation V. Under pretence of Necessity still to continue the heavy Burthens of Taxes Art 27. â—â— 30. Customs Excize c. upon the Nation without yea contrary to the consent of the People represented in Parliament and contrary to their own Instrument VI. Notwithstanding all the fair pretences and promises of Reformation yet what abominable and horrible Impieties Injustice and Oppression are there couched and covered under this new Form from the head to the tail as the Prophet saith treading in the footsteps of their predecessors witness the receiving of the Honors Profits Customs Benefits Tenths and First-fruits coming in formerly to the Crown the Exalting of Sons Servants Friends and Favorites though some of them known to be wicked men to the highest places and greatest preferments which the good Rulers of old as Gideon Nehemiah and others did not do because of the fear of the Lord the bondage which was heavy upon the people Witness also the Unreasonableness of the Army to have so many Officers which might easily be reduced to a lesser number and both Officers and Soldiers for many years to receive their pay even in a time of Peace when the poor Peasants or Tenants who pay but Ten shillings Rent per Annum do pay out of their Penury to maintain them in their Pomp and Luxury VII We cannot without grief mention the sad eftects of the secret Design of Hispaniola to the loss of so many mens Lives Expence of so much Blood and Treasure and the indangering of this Commonwealth by Invasion as also thereby rendring us a scorn and a snuff to all the Nations round about Lastly We do Declare and publish to all from our very hearts and souls That those of us that hand any hand in joyning with the Parliament and Army heretofore had no other Designs against the late King or his party save as they were Enemies to the Lord Christ his Kingdom and people hinderers of his work and Oppressors of the Nation and that it never came into our hearts to think or intend the pulling down of one Person to set up another or one Unrighteous Power to permit another but as we aymed primarily at the Glory of God so likewise at the general good of the Nation and particular benefit and just Liberty of every man And it grieves us that any just cause is given them to stumble at Professors or complain that they are deprived of their Freedom and several ways more oppressed than in the days of the wickedst Kings We do also believe in our hearts That though the wors t things are not without Gods permission and providence yet that this Government is not of Gods Approbation or taken up by his counsel or according to his Word and therefore we do utterly disclaim having any hand or heart in it And for the Contrivers and Undertakers thereof we suspect and judge them to be great Transgressors therein and so much the more because they are Professors of Religion Declarers Engagers and Fighters against the very things they now practice And it is most evident to us that they thereby build again what before they did destroy and in so doing they render Themselves the Cause Religion Name and People of God abominable to Heathens Papists and profane Enemies which is a grief to our souls to consider We do also detest the practices of these men in imprisoning the Saints of God for their Consciences and Testimony and just men who stand for Moral and just Principles and the Freedom of the Nation and people and their breaking of Parliaments to effect their own Designs We do also from our souls witness against their new Modeling of Ministers as Antichristian and keeping up of Parishes and Tythes as Popish Innovations and we disclaim all Adherents to owning of or joyning with these men in their ways and do withdraw 2 Tim. 3. and desire all the Lords people to withdraw from these men as those that are guilty of the Sins of the Latter days Matth. 24. and that have left following the Lord and that Gods people should avoid their sin lest they partake with them in their plagues Thus concluding our Testimony we subscribe our Names hereunto William Jones John Morgan John Thomas Evan Jones John Philips Thomas Jones John Beevan Thomas Lewis Gabriel Lewis Howel Thomas Thomas Philips Willliam Howels William Waters Howel John John Price Meredith Philips William Jenkins Thomas Prosser Jenkin Grissith Howel Williams Thomas Williams Richard Howel Watkin Price William Powel Thomas Powel Lewis Williams Lewis Reece Reece John Howel Reece Richard John Richard Price John David David Morgan Morgan William Morgan Robert John William Lewis David Thomas Edwards Reece John Jenkin Jones William Jones Ienkin Rosser Rice Rosser Nicholas Griffiths Lewelin Beevan Iames Powel Mirick Morgan Evan Meredith William Jones Meredith Rees William Edward Richard Roberts Lewis David Morgan Iohn Richard Thomas Meredith William Wilkin Rice William watkin Reece David Watkin David David William William Philips Iohn Williams Henry Thomas Iohn Iones Iohn Farmer Henry Meredith Trehern Morgan Richard David Evan Iohn Edward Evan. Thomas Evan. David Evan. Howel Waters Ienkin Waters Iohn Howel Philip David Rice Richard Edward Matthews Watkin Richard Thomas Evan. Lewelin Ienkin. Ienkin William Thomas William Evan Lewelin Iohn Lewis William waters Morgan David Iohn David David Walter Reece Iones Philip Iones Iervice Iones Edward Ienkins Watkin Ienkins David Thomas Rice Iones Evan Iohn David William Henry Williams Iohn Bedward Thomas Tunman Robert Tunman Roger Grissith Thomas Morgan William Price David Davies David
and spurn against those that are next us But if the Subscribers or any others do think that it is the design of the Protector Himself or Himself and Council to carry us back again into Egypt into a Land of tyranny and oppression or persecution and to make himself and posterity Lords over us there I will not perswade your charity to think otherwise There is it may be so great a breach and we have conceiv'd such dismal apprehensions one of another that there is no talking of love But we may suppose that we have not quite lost our reason though we have our faith and love do then but use your reason and you cannot think that the Protector can be so weak as to attempt such a design or so strong as to effect it if he should aim at it For if he would carry us back to Egypt his way were to heal Egypt and to restore the old malignants as the proper Supporters of Royalty and Greatness and instruments of suppressing us and our principles of Liberty One while all the cry of jealousie was He favor'd Malignants that Malignants got up again but His late acts against them take away this doubt and tell us the breach 'twixt them and him can never be heal'd neither can we in reason think that ever they should trust him or he them For though they do love outward pomp and tyranny and persecution the companions of it yet they could not but hate it in him who is as they think a Destroyer and Persecutor of them and their way neither can he expect any thing from them but all the revenge an inraged enemy can plot or act therefore if he looks back to Egypt he meets with a Red sea which lately devour'd Pharaoh and his host the same sea of blood waits to receive him if he return If his way to Egypt be block'd up so that he must resolve to cleave to Israel as his onely hopes Can he think then that Israel will turn Egyptians Or do we think that he can debauch the honest party so as to blot out of their souls all principles of Religion and Liberty and to make them slaves to his lusts of Pride and Tyranny Can he think to lull asleep all those lively awakenings of Courage and Zeal for Liberty which move so highly amongst us or to perswade that Day of Light that hath overspread mens mindes as to outward Freedom to retire again and to lie down in darkness that he might tyrannize over us unseen and unfelt can he or you think that besides Dissenters that hate the appearance and shew of Tyranny there are not thousands that abhor to bear the Yoke of Slavery from any much less from him a Brother and if they did not see and feel or hope for at least an honesty and uprightness in him would both desert and oppose him If he should meet with some few weak hearted Mungrels that would flatter his Greatness and fall before it yet should he but discover a Heart to depart from principles of Liberty to Tyranny not onely Passion and Discontent but the very heart life and spirit of Truth and Honesty in the whole party would with scorn reject him Therefore be is ingaged and hedg'd in that if he should have a lust after Ambition he knows not which way to have it or how to compass it without apparent ruine to his very standing and being which is upon the Foundation of honest men and honest things take him off from that bottom he is the nakedest poorest wretch in the world and the most subject to scorn and contempt and this so evident that he cannot but see it Neither can I think it hardly possible for the Protector and they that joyn with him knowingly and wilfully to desert that Religion and Cause that hath been laid into their hearts by a deep work upon their Souls long before these times in which they have been bred born and form'd by a continual work of God upon them for which they have often adventured their Lives Names Estates and all that they had A Cause and Work that is as natural to them as their lives yea now their very life and being they having been brought forth with it to what they are having no other hopes of subsistance in the earth but in it and with it They may stagger and wander in much darkness shortness and insufficiency they may have passions and temptations but that they should of a sudden raze out of their souls all impressions made by God upon them and the deep ingagements of their spirits to this work and in a sit forsake all and espouse another interest cannot without much prejudice be received Or should I conclude mans heart so deceitful and false as to do this yet I must then doubt that the very Religion and the state in which we are when the eminentest and strongest pillars fail is not what we have thought it but that it likewise will corrupt and turn to rottenness and all these appearings of Light and operations of God will be utterly lost in Apostasie and that we shall run back into Darkness and Profaneness or Confusion I confess I cannot in reason admit the one without sad apprehensions of the other But then I consider also that this Work begun amongst us is not so much carried on by an inward Spring of Grace but upon the Wheels of Providence drawing or driving men on into ways and paths that their own light neither did nor could direct them into and therefore it depends not upon the stedfastness and truth of mens spirits they having the least share in it but they and the Work have been carried on upon Engines of Providence so far beyond mens knowledge that if their hearts should fail they know not which way to go back they are caught in such a net and so involved in and with the Work that they must live and die in it and cannot think how or where to live out of it which might help to ease us of the pain of jealousie which troubles us and unite all our hearts and spirits to do the utmost we can to maintain what we have got for we are gone too far to retreat we must think of going forward but backward we cannot go Your second Witness or Article begins thus That blessed Cause and those noble Principles propounded and prosecuted by the old Parliament c. are now wholly laid aside c. and another quite contrary espoused c. I confess I cannot but wonder why you should bless the old Parliament except it be to ourse our new Government and why you should bless them and ourse these I do as much wonder when I know they were much more opposite to your way than these are Neither did the old Parliament ever propound or prosecute the destroying of Parishes taking away Tythes or overthrowing of Ministers which are your Cause now against the present Government as you express in the close of
but manacled and fetter'd by an Instrument Laws Parliaments be they good or bad wise or foolish this was unadvised And for him who was as a natural Head and Father to the honest people in their Military state to go and impose himself upon the whole Nation undesired unchosen 't was unwarrantable And he being the Right of the Honest party who were brought forth by him to this state and he brought forth by their Prayers Hearts and Courage to what he was for him to go and dispose of himself without their consent in a thing of so great concernment it could not but be an offence to their spirits and was unwarrantable And to bring all their Labors and Adventures all their expence of Blood and Treasure all the Victories and Success that were one common Stock and Treasury to expend them and dispose them to a final issue and settlement without their knowledge and consent and that those things that were won by the Sword should be presently worn by the Robe and that were gotten by the Faith Prayer Spirits and Lives of Honest hearts should be presently spent upon Law and Policy 't is unwarrantable 'T is true he might have given the Charter of the Laws the common Protection that he did to the Charter of London or to the Charters of the Vniversities being necessary to preserve Property 'twixt man and man 't was but just and rational to uphold them as subordinate to him in their present work for the administration of Justice but to incorporate with them to swear to them to become subject to them they being so great strangers and enemies to him and us in that way in which we now are was both unadvised and unwarrantable Now we are declaring our judgements let us speak our thoughts of the Swearing to this Instrument I think with the Subscribers 't was unadvised and unwarrantable but not of such dangerous consequence as they imagine I would not encourage men in breaking Oathes though rashly made 't were to adde sin to sin but yet I le tell you my thouâ—hts that this Oath is likely to follow the former Protestations and Covenants being much of the same nature for if the matter or subject of an Oath cease and die the Oath also ceases A woman is bound to her husband no longer than he lives therefore if we Swear to dying and perishing things their death doth discharge us Besides the People to whom the Protector hath sworn will not accept of him nor his Government but have refus'd him in open Parliament and why he should be bound to them that will not ingage with him I know no reason It was not intended that this new Obligation should dissolve the former Standing and Relation that being more natural and substantial this New one but a circumstance and form and an addition to the other Therefore let him wear it as a garment for ornament or state as long as 't will last 't will wear out as a vestment when the life and body his Military power will endure He may therefore essay it as David did Sauls armor but when he feels it burthensom he 'l say He can't skill of it and cast it off These wit hs and new cords will not binde Samson next time danger is upon him I imagine he will break them in pieces and leave his new Subjects that refuse him for his old Friends that love him or else keep them in a state of subjection as Servants and these in a state of favor as Brethren them as a Concubine and these as a Wife Thus do your thoughts and my thoughts freely pass their judgements upon the Protector and his Actions what pretty chequer-work our thoughts make how we do ring the changes we agree and we differ and it matters not much whether we agree or differ You say and I say this Instrument and Oath was unadvised and unwarrantable you judge That it necessitates the Protector to destroy the Foundation of a Common-wealth I judge That it necessitates him to uphold the Foundation of an old decay'd Commonwealth You think his new government will destroy the Foundation of a Conmonwealth he thinks your new Monarchy will destroy the Foundation of a Commonwealth It may be I think both parties would do it and would not do it that both of you would uphold the old and you would have a new but know not well how to do either These are our thoughts shot at rovers it may be they hit it may be they miss the mark Indeed the thoughts of man are very vain things and know very little of that divine Wisdom that moves and carries on the spirits of men in these great revolutions and therefore neither you nor I shall be so foolish I hope as to insist upon them or make much account of them it 's enough we have freedom to give them vent If they may do any good so If they be vain let them die and perish But for us to think a State bound to steer their course by our judgements is a little too much if they should contrary judgements would keep them in perpetual instability therefore Governors as they should not refuse any light so they should not be swayed by opinions and parties for interest but follow faithfully steddily and uprightly righteousness and truth as it manifests it self to their own souls Now we have taken the liberty of expressing our thoughts which are various and uncertain let us consider if there be not something more serious and certain to be our guide in point of Government a more sure Word of Prophecy or Scripture to which we should do well to take heed and in that sure Word we shall finde these two things in Rom. 13.1 The Powers that be are ordained of God The Emperors of Rome that then were the powers had usurp'd the ancient Rights of the Senate and People of Rome and Nero then Emperor was a notorious beast he got this power by his mothers poysoning the former Emperor and kept it by his poysoning the son the true heir and yet this power that then was in being was ordained of God The word signifies an ordering or disposing things in their place and that by Institution or Command Be the powers good or bad he that knows how to manage ill things to good ends in wisdom orders them and commands obedience to them whence follow these Observations I. First That God doth himself wisely order and dispose of power it being his own he gives it to whom he pleases pulls down one and sets up another as he hath use of them II. Secondly He can and doth ordain power according to his minde in wisdom and purity through and by not onely unadvised and unwarrantable but wicked and abominable means and to wicked persons III. Thirdly Christians should look through the mist of weakness yea through the thickest vail of wickedness to the brightness of Gods hand in setting up of power and ought willingly to acknowledge the