Some considerations about union among Protestants, and the preservation of the interest of the Protestant religion in this nation
         Owen, John, 1616-1683.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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             Some considerations about union among Protestants, and the preservation of the interest of the Protestant religion in this nation
             Owen, John, 1616-1683.
          
           [2], 13 p.
           
             Printed by T.S.,
             London :
             1680.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Protestants -- England.
           Church and state -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           SOME
           CONSIDERATIONS
           ABOUT
           UNION
           AMONG
           PROTESTANTS
           ,
           AND
           THE
           Preservation
           of
           the
           Interest
           OF
           THE
           Protestant
           Religion
           In
           this
           Nation
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             T.S.
             An.
             Dom.
          
           1680.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           SOME
           CONSIDERATIONS
           ABOUT
           UNION
           AMONG
           Protestants
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           THE
           
             Prostestant
             Religion
             ,
          
           introduced
           into
           this
           Nation
           ,
           by
           the
           Apostolical
           way
           and
           means
           of
           the
           Holiness
           and
           laborious
           Preaching
           of
           its
           Professors
           ,
           confirmed
           with
           the
           Martyrdom
           of
           multitudes
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           being
           now
           throughly
           fixed
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           unto
           them
           by
           Laws
           and
           Oaths
           ,
           is
           become
           the
           principal
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           shaken
           or
           overthrown
           ,
           without
           the
           Ruine
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           Destruction
           of
           the
           People
           .
           Nothing
           therefore
           less
           being
           included
           in
           the
           Attempts
           of
           the
           Papists
           ,
           with
           all
           their
           Interest
           in
           
             Europe
             ,
          
           for
           the
           reintroducing
           of
           their
           Religion
           amongst
           us
           ,
           the
           Nation
           hath
           been
           constantly
           filled
           for
           an
           hundred
           years
           with
           fears
           ,
           jealousies
           ,
           and
           apprehensions
           of
           dangers
           ,
           to
           the
           
           great
           disturbance
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           disquietment
           of
           the
           Subjects
           ;
           nor
           can
           it
           be
           otherwise
           whil'st
           they
           know
           that
           there
           is
           a
           pregnant
           Design
           for
           their
           total
           subversion
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Ruine
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           which
           would
           have
           ensued
           thereon
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           Religion
           so
           received
           and
           approved
           by
           the
           People
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           true
           way
           to
           salvation
           ,
           (
           accompanied
           with
           an
           Abhorrency
           of
           the
           superstition
           ,
           Idolatry
           and
           Heresies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           partly
           on
           the
           general
           account
           of
           their
           own
           nature
           ,
           and
           partly
           on
           particular
           Reasons
           and
           Provocations
           from
           the
           Attempts
           of
           those
           that
           belong
           unto
           that
           Church
           ,
           for
           the
           Ruine
           of
           them
           and
           their
           Religion
           )
           and
           joyntly
           professed
           in
           the
           same
           confession
           of
           Faith
           ,
           hath
           been
           preserved
           by
           the
           means
           of
           a
           Faithful
           laborious
           Ministry
           ,
           under
           the
           care
           ,
           protection
           and
           outward
           Government
           of
           the
           Supreme
           
             Power
             ,
          
           as
           the
           greatest
           Bullwark
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           in
           
             Europe
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           only
           
             Weakness
          
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           (
           before
           it
           was
           infested
           with
           Novel
           Opinions
           )
           was
           the
           differences
           that
           have
           been
           amongst
           many
           of
           the
           Professors
           of
           it
           ,
           from
           the
           very
           first
           beginning
           of
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           continued
           unto
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           These
           differences
           though
           consisting
           now
           in
           many
           Particulars
           of
           less
           moment
           ,
           arose
           originally
           ,
           solely
           from
           the
           Constitution
           of
           an
           
             Authoritative
             National
             Church
             State.
          
           For
           some
           would
           have
           it
           to
           be
           of
           one
           sort
           namely
           ,
           
             Episcopal
             ,
          
           some
           of
           another
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             Presbyterian
          
           ;
           some
           would
           have
           it
           of
           a
           divine
           Original
           ,
           others
           of
           an
           Humane
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           who
           know
           it
           to
           be
           what
           they
           have
           made
           it
           ,
           and
           nothing
           else
           ;
           and
           some
           judge
           it
           a
           meer
           Usurpation
           on
           the
           
             Power
          
           of
           the
           Civil
           Government
           ,
           and
           
             the
             Liberties
          
           of
           the
           People
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           It
           is
           therefore
           acknowledged
           that
           the
           Body
           of
           Christian
           People
           in
           this
           Nation
           professing
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           with
           a
           Detestation
           of
           Popery
           ;
           having
           the
           Gospel
           preached
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Sacraments
           duely
           administred
           ,
           under
           the
           Rule
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           are
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           But
           as
           unto
           an
           
             Authoritative
             National
             Church
             ,
          
           consisting
           solely
           in
           the
           Power
           and
           Interest
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           wherein
           the
           People
           ,
           either
           as
           Christians
           ,
           Protestants
           or
           Subjects
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           are
           not
           concerned
           ;
           such
           as
           is
           at
           present
           established
           ,
           farther
           enquiry
           may
           be
           made
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           There
           is
           a
           
             threefold
             Form
          
           of
           such
           a
           Church
           ,
           at
           present
           contended
           for
           .
           The
           first
           is
           
             Papal
             ,
          
           the
           second
           
             Episcopal
             ,
          
           and
           the
           third
           
             Presbyterian
             .
          
        
         
           7.
           
           The
           first
           Form
           of
           an
           Authoritative
           National
           Church-State
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           was
           
             Papal
          
           :
           And
           the
           sole
           use
           of
           it
           here
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           was
           to
           embroyl
           ,
           our
           Kings
           in
           their
           Government
           ,
           to
           oppress
           the
           People
           in
           their
           Souls
           ,
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           Estates
           ,
           and
           to
           fell
           us
           all
           ,
           as
           branded
           slaves
           ,
           unto
           
             Rome
             .
          
           These
           things
           have
           been
           sufficiently
           manifested
           .
           But
           in
           other
           places
           especially
           in
           
             Germany
             ,
          
           whil'st
           otherwise
           they
           were
           all
           of
           one
           Religion
           ,
           in
           Doctrine
           and
           Worship
           ,
           all
           conform
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
          
           ;
           yet
           in
           bloody
           contests
           meerly
           about
           this
           Authoritative
           Church
           State
           ,
           many
           Emperours
           were
           ruined
           ,
           and
           an
           hundred
           set
           Battels
           fought
           in
           the
           Field
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           At
           the
           
             Reformation
          
           this
           Church
           State
           ,
           was
           accommodated
           ,
           (
           as
           was
           supposed
           )
           unto
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           to
           obviate
           the
           evils
           suffered
           from
           it
           ,
           under
           the
           
             other
             Form
             ,
          
           and
           render
           it
           of
           use
           unto
           the
           Religion
           established
           .
           Yet
           experience
           manifests
           that
           ,
           partly
           from
           its
           Constitution
           ,
           partly
           from
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           them
           by
           whom
           it
           is
           managed
           ,
           other
           evils
           have
           accompanied
           or
           followed
           it
           ,
           which
           until
           they
           are
           removed
           ,
           
             the
             weakness
             of
             the
          
           Protestant
           Interest
           through
           mutual
           Divisions
           ,
           
           will
           remain
           among
           us
           .
           And
           among
           others
           ,
           they
           are
           these
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           An
           Encroachment
           on
           the
           Civil
           Rights
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Courts
             and
             Jurisdictions
          
           pretended
           to
           belong
           or
           to
           be
           annexed
           unto
           this
           Church
           State
           over
           the
           Persons
           ,
           Goods
           ,
           and
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Subiects
           ,
           (
           yea
           in
           some
           cases
           their
           Lives
           .
           )
           It
           is
           the
           undoubted
           Right
           and
           Liberty
           of
           the
           People
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           that
           no
           actual
           Jurisdiction
           should
           be
           exercised
           over
           their
           Persons
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           or
           Liberties
           ,
           in
           a
           way
           collateral
           unto
           ,
           and
           independent
           on
           the
           Publicks
           Administration
           of
           Justice
           unto
           all
           ,
           derived
           from
           the
           Sovereign
           Power
           ,
           and
           executed
           by
           known
           Officers
           ,
           Rules
           and
           Orders
           ,
           according
           unto
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Realm
           .
           If
           this
           be
           taken
           from
           them
           ,
           all
           other
           Pretences
           of
           securing
           the
           Liberty
           and
           Property
           of
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           are
           of
           no
           advantage
           unto
           them
           .
           For
           whil'st
           they
           have
           Justice
           in
           legal
           publick
           Courts
           ,
           duely
           administred
           unto
           them
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           oppressed
           and
           ruined
           (
           as
           many
           are
           so
           every
           day
           )
           by
           this
           pretended
           
             Collateral
             irregular
             Power
          
           and
           Jurisdiction
           over
           their
           Persons
           ,
           Good
           and
           Liberties
           ;
           from
           which
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           Parliament
           to
           deliver
           them
           .
           And
           it
           is
           the
           Right
           of
           the
           Kings
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           that
           no
           external
           Power
           over
           the
           Subjects
           be
           exercised
           but
           in
           their
           name
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           their
           Commission
           ,
           to
           be
           granted
           and
           executed
           according
           unto
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land.
           This
           Right
           of
           Kings
           ,
           and
           this
           Liberty
           of
           Subjects
           also
           ,
           are
           so
           sacred
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           entrenched
           on
           by
           any
           pretence
           of
           Church
           or
           Religion
           .
           For
           what
           is
           of
           God's
           own
           appointment
           will
           touch
           neither
           of
           them
           .
           But
           the
           administration
           of
           this
           Jurisdiction
           as
           it
           is
           exercised
           with
           a
           
             side
             wind
             Power
             ,
          
           distinct
           ,
           different
           from
           and
           in
           some
           things
           contrary
           unto
           the
           publick
           Justice
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           (
           wherein
           all
           the
           Subjects
           have
           an
           equal
           Interest
           )
           and
           by
           the
           Rules
           of
           a
           law
           forraign
           unto
           that
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           is
           a
           great
           cause
           of
           the
           continuation
           of
           Divisions
           among
           Protestants
           ,
           unto
           the
           weakning
           of
           the
           Interest
           of
           Religion
           itself
           .
        
         
         
           2
           It
           is
           accompanied
           with
           
             the
             Prosecution
          
           and
           troubling
           of
           
             Peaceable
             Subjects
             ,
          
           in
           their
           Liberties
           and
           Estates
           ;
           not
           for
           any
           error
           in
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           not
           for
           any
           Declension
           from
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           or
           compliance
           with
           Popery
           ,
           not
           for
           any
           Immoralities
           ,
           but
           meerly
           and
           solely
           for
           their
           non-compliance
           with
           ,
           and
           submission
           unto
           those
           things
           which
           are
           supposed
           necessary
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           their
           Church
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           itself
           altogether
           unnecessary
           .
           For
           the
           whole
           complex
           of
           the
           imposed
           conformity
           in
           
             Canonical
             Obedience
             ,
          
           Ceremonies
           ,
           Rites
           and
           Modes
           of
           Worship
           ,
           hath
           no
           other
           end
           but
           the
           sustentation
           and
           preservation
           thereof
           ;
           being
           things
           otherwise
           ,
           that
           belong
           not
           to
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           This
           began
           ,
           this
           will
           perpetuate
           our
           Divisions
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           be
           healed
           whil'st
           it
           is
           continued
           .
           And
           whil'st
           the
           two
           Parties
           of
           Papists
           and
           Protestants
           ,
           are
           at
           this
           day
           contending
           as
           it
           were
           for
           life
           ,
           soul
           ,
           and
           being
           ,
           (
           the
           long
           continued
           Design
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           under
           various
           pretences
           ,
           and
           by
           great
           variety
           of
           Attempts
           ,
           being
           come
           unto
           its
           fatal
           Tryal
           ,
           as
           unto
           its
           Issue
           :
           )
           It
           will
           not
           be
           thought
           meet
           by
           wise
           men
           ,
           whose
           entire
           Interest
           in
           Religion
           and
           the
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Nation
           are
           concerned
           ,
           in
           this
           contest
           to
           continue
           the
           Body
           of
           Protestants
           in
           Divisions
           ,
           with
           mutual
           Animosities
           ,
           and
           the
           distrust
           of
           Multitudes
           ,
           on
           such
           unnecessary
           Occasions
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Whereas
           by
           vertue
           of
           this
           State
           and
           Constitution
           ,
           sundry
           Persons
           are
           interested
           in
           Honours
           ,
           Dignities
           ,
           Power
           and
           wealth
           ,
           in
           all
           which
           they
           have
           an
           immediate
           ,
           (
           and
           not
           meerly
           legal
           )
           Dependance
           on
           the
           King
           ,
           since
           their
           Separation
           from
           the
           Pope
           ;
           they
           have
           constantly
           made
           it
           their
           business
           to
           promote
           absolute
           Monarchical
           Power
           ,
           without
           respect
           unto
           the
           true
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           which
           in
           sundry
           Instances
           hath
           been
           disadvantageous
           to
           Kings
           themselves
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           an
           Incumbrance
           to
           the
           People
           in
           Parliament
           .
           For
           although
           their
           Constitution
           doth
           really
           entrench
           upon
           the
           
             Kings
             legal
             Power
             ,
          
           in
           the
           Administration
           of
           their
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           yet
           to
           secure
           their
           own
           
           Interests
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           a
           seeming
           compensation
           for
           that
           Encroachment
           ,
           many
           of
           them
           have
           contended
           for
           that
           absolute
           Power
           in
           the
           King
           ,
           which
           he
           never
           owned
           ,
           nor
           assumed
           unto
           himself
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           The
           Evils
           and
           Inconveniencies
           of
           this
           Constitution
           ,
           of
           an
           
             Authoritative
             National
             Church
             State
             ,
          
           have
           been
           greatly
           encreased
           and
           propagated
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           as
           unto
           the
           heightening
           of
           Divisions
           among
           Protestants
           ,
           by
           the
           endeavours
           that
           have
           been
           to
           confirm
           and
           continue
           this
           State
           in
           an
           extraordinary
           way
           ;
           such
           were
           the
           Oath
           called
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           and
           the
           late
           Oath
           at
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           whereon
           many
           ●ober
           peaceable
           Protestant
           Ministers
           have
           been
           troubled
           ,
           and
           some
           utterly
           ruined
           ;
           which
           hath
           much
           provoked
           the
           Indignation
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           against
           those
           who
           occasioned
           that
           Law
           ,
           and
           for
           whose
           sake
           it
           was
           enacted
           ;
           and
           encreased
           the
           suspition
           that
           those
           who
           manage
           these
           things
           ,
           would
           have
           men
           believe
           ,
           that
           their
           State
           and
           Rule
           ,
           is
           as
           sacred
           as
           the
           Crown
           ,
           or
           Religion
           itself
           ,
           unto
           the
           great
           disparagement
           of
           them
           both
           ;
           which
           things
           are
           effectual
           engines
           to
           expell
           all
           Peace
           and
           Union
           among
           Protestants
           .
        
         
           10
           ▪
           Those
           who
           are
           for
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Form
          
           of
           an
           Authoritative
           National
           Church
           State
           ,
           do
           indeed
           cut
           off
           ,
           and
           cast
           away
           most
           of
           those
           things
           which
           are
           the
           matter
           of
           contest
           between
           the
           present
           dissenting
           Parties
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           a
           nearer
           approach
           towards
           a
           firm
           Union
           among
           all
           Protestants
           than
           the
           other
           do
           ;
           yet
           such
           an
           
             Authoritative
             Church
             State
          
           in
           that
           form
           ,
           is
           neither
           proper
           for
           ,
           nor
           possible
           unto
           this
           Nation
           ,
           nor
           consistent
           with
           that
           Preheminence
           of
           the
           Crown
           ,
           that
           Liberty
           of
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           freedom
           of
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Christians
           ,
           which
           are
           their
           due
           .
           But
           this
           being
           not
           much
           among
           us
           pretended
           unto
           ,
           it
           need
           not
           further
           be
           spoken
           of
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           It
           is
           evident
           therefore
           that
           whil'st
           the
           Evils
           enumerated
           ,
           
           are
           not
           separated
           from
           the
           present
           
             Authoritative
             National
             Church
             Constitution
             ,
          
           but
           the
           powers
           of
           it
           are
           put
           in
           execution
           ,
           and
           the
           ends
           of
           it
           pursued
           ,
           it
           is
           altogether
           vain
           to
           expect
           Peace
           and
           Union
           among
           Protestants
           in
           
             England
          
           ;
           it
           neither
           hath
           been
           so
           ,
           nor
           ever
           will
           be
           so
           ,
           fire
           and
           faggot
           will
           not
           be
           able
           to
           effect
           it
           .
           Who
           shall
           reconcile
           the
           endless
           differences
           that
           are
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           about
           the
           Power
           ,
           Courts
           ,
           and
           Jurisdictions
           of
           this
           Church
           State
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           agreeable
           unto
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           of
           the
           Subjects
           .
           The
           fixed
           Judgement
           of
           many
           that
           they
           have
           no
           legal
           Authority
           at
           present
           ,
           nor
           any
           Power
           given
           them
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           whereon
           they
           dare
           not
           submit
           unto
           them
           ,
           is
           no
           less
           chargeable
           ,
           dangerous
           and
           pernicious
           unto
           them
           ,
           than
           are
           their
           uncouth
           Vexations
           and
           illegal
           Proceedings
           unto
           them
           who
           are
           unwillingly
           forced
           to
           submit
           unto
           them
           .
           And
           whatever
           may
           be
           expected
           ,
           the
           People
           of
           this
           Nation
           will
           never
           be
           contented
           that
           their
           Persons
           ,
           Goods
           ,
           or
           Liberties
           ,
           shall
           be
           made
           Subject
           unto
           any
           Law
           ,
           but
           the
           Publick
           Royal
           Law
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           administred
           in
           legal
           Courts
           of
           Justice
           .
           Who
           shall
           undertake
           that
           all
           Christians
           or
           Protestants
           in
           this
           Nation
           shall
           ever
           submit
           their
           consciences
           and
           practices
           ,
           to
           a
           multitude
           of
           Impositions
           no
           way
           warranted
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ?
           Or
           how
           any
           of
           the
           other
           evils
           that
           are
           the
           causes
           of
           all
           our
           Divisions
           shall
           be
           removed
           ,
           cannot
           easily
           be
           declared
           .
        
         
           12.
           
           If
           it
           shall
           be
           said
           that
           if
           this
           
             Authoritative
             National
             Church
             State
          
           should
           be
           removed
           ,
           and
           no
           other
           of
           another
           form
           ,
           set
           up
           in
           the
           room
           of
           it
           ;
           or
           be
           divested
           of
           the
           Powers
           claimed
           at
           present
           by
           it
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           impossible
           to
           preserve
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           amongst
           us
           ,
           to
           keep
           Uniformity
           in
           the
           Profession
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           Agreement
           amongst
           its
           Professors
           ;
           It
           is
           answered
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           Nothing
           ought
           to
           be
           removed
           but
           what
           is
           a
           real
           Cause
           ,
           or
           unnecessary
           Occasion
           at
           least
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           difformity
           and
           disorder
           that
           is
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           is
           likely
           so
           to
           continue
           ▪
           (
           2
           )
           That
           whil'st
           we
           have
           a
           Protestant
           
             King
             ,
          
           and
           a
           Protestant
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           
           Protestant
           
             Magistrates
          
           and
           Protestant
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           with
           the
           due
           care
           of
           the
           Nation
           that
           they
           may
           so
           continue
           ,
           and
           a
           Protestant
           
             confession
             of
             Faith
          
           duely
           adhered
           unto
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           ,
           under
           the
           blessing
           of
           the
           Holy
           Providence
           ,
           fear
           the
           Preservation
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           and
           Interest
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           without
           any
           recourse
           unto
           such
           a
           Church
           Power
           ,
           as
           fills
           all
           with
           Divisions
           .
           This
           I
           say
           is
           that
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           which
           is
           the
           principal
           
             Bullwark
          
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           and
           Interest
           in
           
             Europe
          
           ;
           namely
           ,
           a
           Protestant
           King
           ,
           a
           Protestant
           Parliament
           ,
           Protestant
           Magistrates
           ,
           Protestant
           Ministers
           ,
           a
           Protestant
           confession
           of
           faith
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           with
           the
           cordial
           agreement
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           People
           in
           all
           these
           things
           ;
           esteeming
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           and
           its
           Profession
           their
           chief
           Interest
           in
           this
           world
           .
           To
           suppose
           that
           a
           few
           men
           ,
           having
           obtained
           Honours
           ,
           Dignities
           ,
           and
           Revenues
           unto
           themselves
           ,
           exercising
           a
           Power
           and
           Authority
           (
           highly
           questionable
           whether
           legal
           or
           no
           )
           unto
           their
           own
           advantage
           ,
           oppressive
           unto
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           means
           perpetuating
           Differences
           among
           Protestants
           ,
           are
           that
           
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           which
           is
           justly
           esteemed
           the
           
             Bullwark
          
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           is
           an
           high
           and
           palpable
           mistake
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           as
           unto
           its
           National
           Interest
           in
           the
           Preservation
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           separable
           from
           it
           ,
           but
           weakned
           by
           it
           .
           Yea
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           such
           a
           National
           Constitution
           ,
           as
           in
           its
           own
           nature
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           secular
           advantages
           which
           it
           supplies
           men
           withal
           ,
           enclines
           them
           to
           prefer
           their
           own
           Interest
           above
           that
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           in
           general
           ,
           it
           will
           always
           endanger
           that
           Religion
           in
           any
           Nation
           .
           For
           hereon
           they
           will
           judge
           when
           they
           are
           pressed
           ,
           on
           any
           occasion
           or
           circumstance
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           better
           to
           preserve
           their
           own
           Interest
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           some
           Dispensations
           securing
           unto
           them
           their
           Power
           and
           secular
           advantages
           ,
           than
           to
           venture
           all
           by
           a
           rigid
           contest
           for
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           it
           morally
           possible
           that
           ever
           
             Popery
          
           should
           return
           into
           
           this
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           Nation
           ,
           but
           under
           the
           Conduct
           of
           such
           a
           Church
           Constitution
           ;
           without
           this
           it
           hath
           no
           prevalent
           engine
           ,
           but
           meer
           force
           ,
           war
           and
           oppression
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Interest
           of
           Popery
           can
           possess
           this
           
             Church-State
             ,
          
           either
           by
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           them
           or
           the
           greater
           number
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           the
           management
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           by
           their
           Dependance
           ,
           as
           unto
           their
           Interest
           ,
           on
           the
           supream
           Authority
           ,
           if
           that
           happen
           in
           any
           age
           to
           give
           countenance
           thereunto
           ,
           the
           whole
           Nation
           will
           quickly
           be
           insensibly
           influenced
           ,
           and
           betrayed
           into
           Popery
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           they
           know
           not
           how
           .
           Hence
           have
           been
           such
           National
           Conversions
           to
           and
           fro
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           as
           have
           been
           in
           no
           other
           places
           or
           Countries
           in
           the
           World.
           For
           the
           Care
           of
           the
           publicks
           Preservation
           of
           Religion
           ,
           being
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           supposed
           ,
           entrusted
           in
           this
           Church-State
           and
           the
           Managers
           of
           it
           ,
           if
           by
           any
           means
           it
           be
           possessed
           by
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           or
           influenced
           by
           a
           
             Popish
             Prince
             ,
          
           the
           Religion
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           will
           be
           lost
           immediately
           .
        
         
           For
           as
           unto
           all
           other
           Ministers
           who
           have
           the
           immediate
           Guidance
           of
           the
           People
           they
           will
           suppose
           that
           they
           can
           do
           nothing
           of
           themselves
           in
           this
           mattter
           .
           but
           are
           only
           obliged
           unto
           the
           conduct
           of
           the
           Church-State
           itself
           .
           And
           having
           their
           station
           therein
           alone
           ,
           and
           depending
           thereon
           ,
           they
           may
           easily
           be
           either
           seduced
           by
           their
           Interest
           ,
           or
           excluded
           from
           their
           Duty
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           that
           Church
           State
           whereunto
           they
           are
           Subject
           .
           By
           this
           means
           the
           whole
           Interest
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           in
           this
           Nation
           as
           unto
           its
           Preservation
           ▪
           depends
           on
           such
           a
           State
           as
           being
           the
           concernment
           of
           a
           few
           ,
           and
           those
           such
           as
           have
           an
           especial
           Interest
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           distinct
           from
           that
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           in
           General
           ,
           may
           be
           easily
           possessed
           by
           Popery
           ,
           and
           probably
           would
           be
           so
           ,
           if
           they
           should
           have
           a
           
             Popish
             Prince
          
           to
           influence
           them
           .
        
         
         
           But
           whereas
           the
           
             People
          
           are
           now
           possessed
           and
           fully
           persuaded
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           no
           publick
           
             Machine
          
           or
           Engines
           insensibly
           to
           turn
           about
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           be
           dealt
           withal
           
             individually
          
           or
           
             parochially
             ,
          
           it
           will
           ,
           as
           was
           said
           ,
           be
           morally
           impossible
           ,
           that
           ever
           Popery
           should
           become
           the
           Religion
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           any
           other
           way
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Destruction
           or
           Killing
           of
           the
           present
           Inhabitants
           .
        
         
           Allow
           that
           the
           Church-State
           supposed
           ,
           may
           in
           those
           who
           have
           the
           Trust
           ,
           and
           Power
           of
           it
           ,
           be
           seduced
           ,
           corrupted
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           induced
           or
           disposed
           unto
           the
           Interest
           of
           Popery
           ,
           as
           it
           may
           be
           ;
           It
           is
           possible
           some
           
             individual
             Persons
          
           may
           be
           found
           ,
           that
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Truth
           ,
           will
           expose
           their
           
             Lives
             to
             the
             stake
          
           or
           otherwise
           .
           So
           did
           many
           in
           the
           days
           of
           
             Queen
             Mary
             ,
          
           though
           now
           esteemed
           by
           not
           a
           few
           ,
           foolish
           Zealots
           for
           their
           pains
           .
           But
           the
           body
           of
           the
           People
           through
           their
           various
           legal
           Relations
           unto
           this
           Church-State
           ,
           deserting
           the
           care
           of
           their
           own
           Preservation
           ,
           by
           their
           Trust
           in
           the
           conduct
           thereof
           ,
           whereunto
           they
           are
           unavoidably
           compelled
           ,
           will
           quickly
           be
           inveagled
           so
           as
           not
           to
           be
           able
           to
           extricate
           themselves
           .
           But
           set
           them
           at
           Liberty
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           every
           Parliament
           ,
           every
           Magistrate
           ,
           every
           Minister
           ,
           every
           good
           Christian
           ,
           may
           judge
           that
           that
           the
           Preservation
           of
           their
           Religion
           is
           their
           own
           Duty
           in
           all
           their
           capacities
           ,
           and
           Popery
           with
           all
           its
           Arts
           will
           know
           neither
           how
           to
           begin
           ,
           nor
           how
           to
           proceed
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           there
           were
           no
           such
           Church
           State
           as
           being
           in
           the
           Management
           of
           a
           few
           ,
           is
           seduceable
           ,
           and
           not
           difficult
           to
           be
           possessed
           by
           the
           Interest
           of
           Popery
           ,
           whereby
           the
           whole
           Nation
           would
           be
           at
           once
           betrayed
           ;
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           is
           now
           so
           firmly
           seated
           in
           the
           Minds
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           so
           countenanced
           by
           Law
           ,
           so
           esteemed
           by
           all
           to
           be
           the
           Principal
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           that
           the
           wit
           of
           all
           the
           Jesuits
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           knows
           
           not
           how
           to
           attaque
           it
           ,
           much
           less
           endanger
           it
           ;
           which
           if
           there
           be
           need
           ,
           shall
           be
           further
           demonstrated
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           Nor
           is
           it
           a
           Matter
           of
           Art
           or
           difficulty
           to
           declare
           a
           way
           for
           the
           security
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           with
           the
           Rights
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           with
           the
           due
           Freedom
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           without
           any
           such
           Church-State
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           what
           the
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           common
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           the
           honest
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           do
           direct
           unto
           ;
           as
           to
           instance
           in
           the
           things
           that
           are
           most
           material
           unto
           that
           end
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Let
           a
           solemn
           
             Renunciation
             of
             Popery
             ,
          
           suited
           unto
           the
           General
           Principles
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           be
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           to
           be
           made
           publickly
           by
           every
           Person
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           partake
           of
           the
           Rights
           and
           Priviledges
           already
           confirmed
           unto
           that
           Religion
           ,
           or
           which
           afterwards
           shall
           be
           so
           ;
           to
           be
           renewed
           as
           occasion
           shall
           require
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Let
           there
           be
           one
           solemn
           stated
           
             Confession
             of
             the
          
           Christian
           Protestant
           Faith
           ,
           such
           as
           is
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           especially
           as
           explained
           in
           the
           publick
           authorized
           writings
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           the
           Days
           of
           
             Queen
             Elizabeth
             and
             King
             James
             ,
          
           before
           the
           Inroad
           of
           Novel
           Opinions
           among
           us
           ;
           to
           be
           subscribed
           by
           all
           enjoying
           a
           publick
           Ministry
        
         
           3.
           
           Let
           the
           
             Magistrate
          
           assume
           unto
           himself
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           just
           Power
           ,
           in
           the
           Preservation
           of
           the
           publick
           Peace
           in
           all
           Instances
           ;
           in
           the
           Encouragement
           and
           Protection
           of
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ;
           in
           securing
           unto
           all
           men
           their
           Legal
           Rights
           ,
           already
           granted
           unto
           them
           ,
           in
           their
           several
           places
           and
           stations
           ,
           in
           the
           Punishment
           of
           all
           Crimes
           cognoscible
           by
           humane
           Judgement
           ;
           in
           deposing
           of
           men
           from
           their
           
           Enjoyments
           or
           Priviledges
           ,
           which
           they
           hold
           on
           any
           condition
           ,
           as
           suppose
           their
           Orthodox
           Profession
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           if
           they
           fail
           in
           ,
           or
           fall
           from
           the
           Performance
           of
           it
           ;
           leaving
           only
           things
           purely
           Spiritual
           and
           Evangelical
           to
           the
           care
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           and
           all
           litigious
           causes
           of
           what
           sort
           soever
           ,
           with
           the
           infliction
           of
           all
           outward
           Penalties
           ,
           unto
           the
           Determination
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           Progress
           will
           be
           made
           towards
           Order
           and
           Peace
           amongst
           us
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Yea
           these
           few
           things
           in
           general
           are
           only
           needful
           thereunto
           ;
           (
           1
           )
           Let
           the
           
             King
             and
             Parliament
          
           secure
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           as
           it
           is
           the
           publick
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           against
           all
           Attempts
           of
           the
           Papacy
           for
           its
           Destruction
           ,
           with
           proper
           Laws
           ,
           and
           their
           due
           execution
           .
           (
           2
           )
           Let
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           Nation
           in
           the
           Supream
           and
           Subordinate
           Magistrates
           be
           exerted
           ,
           in
           the
           rule
           of
           all
           Persons
           and
           Causes
           ,
           Civil
           and
           Criminal
           ,
           by
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Law
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           in
           a
           Complyance
           wherewith
           the
           Allegiance
           of
           the
           Subject
           unto
           the
           King
           doth
           consist
           ;
           without
           which
           ,
           Government
           will
           never
           be
           well
           fixed
           on
           its
           proper
           and
           immoveable
           Basis.
           (
           3
           )
           That
           Provision
           be
           made
           for
           the
           sedulous
           Preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           all
           Parts
           and
           Places
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           or
           all
           
             Parochial
          
           Churches
           ,
           the
           care
           whereof
           is
           incumbent
           on
           the
           Magistrates
           .
           (
           4
           )
           Let
           the
           Church
           be
           protected
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           its
           Spiritual
           Power
           ,
           by
           Spiritual
           means
           only
           ,
           as
           Preaching
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           Administration
           of
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           whatever
           is
           farther
           pretended
           ,
           as
           necessary
           unto
           any
           of
           the
           ends
           of
           true
           Religion
           or
           its
           preservation
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           is
           but
           a
           Cover
           for
           the
           Negligence
           ,
           Idleness
           ,
           and
           Insufficiency
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           a●
           outward
           apearance
           of
           effecting
           that
           by
           external
           force
           ,
           which
           themselves
           by
           diligent
           Prayer
           ,
           sedulous
           Preaching
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           an
           exemplary
           Conversation
           ,
           ought
           to
           labour
           for
           in
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men.
           
        
         
         
           5.
           
           It
           is
           evident
           that
           hereon
           all
           causes
           of
           Jealousies
           ,
           animosities
           and
           strifes
           among
           the
           Protestants
           would
           be
           taken
           away
           ;
           all
           Complaints
           of
           oppression
           by
           Courts
           and
           Jurisdictions
           ,
           not
           owned
           by
           the
           People
           ,
           be
           prevented
           ;
           all
           Encroachments
           on
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           ,
           (
           which
           are
           and
           will
           be
           an
           endless
           and
           irreconcileable
           cause
           of
           Difference
           among
           us
           )
           be
           obviated
           ;
           all
           ability
           to
           controul
           or
           disturb
           the
           Power
           and
           Priviledge
           of
           Kings
           in
           their
           Persons
           or
           Rule
           ;
           and
           all
           Temptations
           to
           exalt
           their
           Power
           in
           Absoluteness
           above
           the
           Law
           ,
           will
           be
           removed
           ;
           so
           as
           that
           by
           the
           Blessing
           of
           God
           ,
           Peace
           and
           Love
           may
           be
           preserved
           among
           all
           true
           Protestants
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           there
           do
           ensue
           hereon
           some
           Variety
           in
           outward
           Rites
           and
           Observations
           ,
           as
           there
           was
           in
           all
           the
           Primitive
           Churches
           ,
           who
           pleaded
           that
           the
           Unity
           of
           Faith
           was
           commended
           and
           not
           at
           all
           impeached
           by
           such
           varieties
           ;
           yet
           whil'st
           the
           same
           Doctrine
           of
           Truth
           is
           preached
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           the
           same
           Sacraments
           only
           administred
           ,
           wherein
           every
           Protestant
           Subject
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           will
           be
           at
           Liberty
           to
           joyn
           in
           Protestant
           Christian
           Worship
           ,
           and
           to
           partake
           of
           all
           Church
           Ordinances
           ,
           in
           the
           outward
           way
           and
           according
           unto
           the
           outward
           Rites
           of
           his
           own
           choosing
           ,
           without
           the
           Authoritative
           examination
           or
           Prohibition
           of
           any
           pretended
           Church
           Power
           ,
           but
           what
           in
           his
           own
           Judgement
           he
           doth
           embrace
           ,
           no
           Inconvenience
           will
           follow
           hereon
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           judged
           such
           ,
           that
           the
           Protestant
           Roligion
           ,
           the
           Liberty
           of
           the
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           the
           due
           Freedom
           of
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           sober
           and
           peaceable
           ,
           will
           be
           all
           preserved
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .