At that sinne brought this division , so this division ( sharpned with mutuall Jealousies ) brought in the Sword .

When the Lyon r●●res who trembles not ? And when Judgement 〈◊〉 , who is not troubled ?

Among the rest , I ( who brought some Faggors to this Combustion ) stood astonisht , and amazed ; to whom the mischiefe was farre more manifest then the Remedy : At last , I laid my hand upon my heart , and concluded , It was the hand of God : Where being plundered in my understanding , I began to make a scrutinie , where the first Breach was made , that let in all these Miseries .

I found the whole Kingdome now contructed into a Parliament , which consisted of three Estates ; A King , a House of Peeres , and a House of Commons ; by the Wisdome and Unitie whereof , all things conducible to the Weale-publique were to be advised upon , presented , and established .

I found this Unitie dis-joynted , and growne to variance even to Blood : The King and his Adherents on the one party ; and his two Houses and their Adherents on the other .

The presence of this division , was the true Protestant Religion , which both protested to maintaine ; the Libertie of the Subject , which both protested to preserve ; the priviledges of Parliament , which both promise to protect : Yet neverthelesse , the first never more profaned ; the second never more interrupted ; the third never more violated .

Standing amazed at this Riddle , I turned , mine eyes upon his Majesty ; and there I viewed the Lords Annointed , sworne to maintaine the established Lawes of this Kingdome : I turned mine eyes upon the two Houses ; and in them I beheld the Interest of my Countrey sworne to obey his Majestie as their supreme Governour .

I heard a Romanstranoe cryed from the two Houses I read it ; I approved it ; I inclined unto it : A Declaration from his Majesty ; I read it ; I applauded it ; I adhered to the justnesse of it : The Parliaments Answer : I turned to the Parliament : His Majesties Reply ; I returned to his Majestie .

Thus tost and turned as a Weatherc●●k to my own weaknesse , I resolved it impossible to serve two Masters .

I fled to Reason ; Reason could not satisfie me : I fled to Policies Policie could not resolve me : at length , finding no Councellour , but that which first I should have sought ; I hyed me to the Book of God as the Great Oracle , and ushering my Inquest with Prayor & Humiliation , I opened the sacred leaves , which ( not by chance ) presented to my first eye the 20 of the Proverbs , v. 2. The fear of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon , & who so provoketh him to Anger , sinneth against his own soule .

Now I began to search , and found as many places to that purpose , as would swell this Sheet into a Volume ; so that in a very short space , I was so furnished with such strict Precopts , backt with such strong Examples , that my Judgement was enlightned , and my wavering Conscience so throughly convinced , that by the Grace of that Power which directed me , neither feare , nor any By-respects shall ever hereafter remove me , unlesse some cleaner light direct me .

But , above all the Rest , a Precept and an Example out of the Old Testament ( strongly confirmed by a Precept and an Example out of the New ) setled my opinion and established my Resolution .

The first Precept out of the Old , Jeremy , 27. v. 6. Where it pleased God to owne Nebuchadnezzar his servant , ( although a a known Pagan , a profest Idolater , and a fierce Porsecuter of all Gods Children ) concerning whom he saith , v. 8. They that serve not the King of Babylon , and that will not put their necks under his Yoak , I will punish them with the Sword , Pamine , and the Pestilence , till I have consumed them . v. 9. Therefore hearken not to your Diviners and Prophets , that say unto you , You shall not serve the King of Babylon , for they prophosio a lye unto you , v. 10. But the nations that shall serve the King of Babylon , and bring their necks under his Yoak , those will I let remain in their own land , ( saith the Lord ) and they shall till it , and dwell therein .

Can there be a stricter Precept ? or could there be a more impious Prince ? And yet this Precept , and yet this Prince must be obeyed nay , sub paena too ; Upon the paine of Gods high wrath , fully exprest in Famine , Sword and Pestilence , not onely upon the People , but upon the Priests also , that shall perswade them unto disobedience .

The second Precept is enjoyned us out of the New Testament , Rom. 13. 1. Let every soule be subject to the higher Powers , for there is no power but of God ; the Powers that be , are ordained of God : whosoever therefore r●sisteth the Power , resisteth the Ordinance of God , & they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation . This Power , ( this King ) to whom S. Paul commandeth this subjection , was Nero , the bloody persecutor of all that honoured the blessed Name of Jesus Christ .

Gods Command should be a sufficient Argument , {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is enough : But when he adds a Reason too , he answers all Objections : But when he threatens a punishment ( no lesse then damnation ) upon the resistance thereof , he hath used all means to perswade a necessitie of obedience .

Let every soule be subject . )

Not equall , much lesse superiour . And what is taking up of Armes , but an implyed supposition of at least equalitie ? What are the hopes of conquest but an Ambition of Superioritie ? What is condemning , judging , or deposing , but Supremacie ? For it is against the nature of an Inferiour to condemne , judge , or depose a Superiour .

And , lest the Rebellious should confine his obedience to a good Prince , the next words reply .

For there is no Power but of God .

Power in it selfe is neither good nor evill , but as it is in subjecto , the person ; If an evill King an evill Power , if a good King , a good Power : God sends the one in Mercy ; and we must be subject ; the other in Judgement , and we must be subject : in things lawfull , actively ; in things unlawfull , passively : If a good King , he must have our praise and our plyance ; If an evill King , he must have our Prayers , and our Patience .

He that resisteth the Power ( whether good or evill , for all power is of God ) resists an Ordinance of God ( Ordinances of men are not resisted without ruine ) and whosoever resisteth , shall receive , but what ? {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , damnation to themselves .

Now compare this place with th●t 1. Cor. 11. 29. He that shall eat this Bread , & drink this cup of the Lord unworthily , eateth and drinketh , What ? {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , damnation to himself . If then there be proportion betwixt the Sin and the Punishment , you may hereby gather the heynousnesse of disobedience , the punishment whereof is the very same with his that is guilty of the Body & blood of our Lord ; to the one for not discerning the Lords Body , to the other for not discerning the Lords Annoynted .

The Lords Annoynted ? And who is he ? None but the regenerate : Christ is not Christ to any , to whom Jesus is not Jesus .

Gods Word answers your silly Objection , not I : was not Saul Gods Annoynted ? Was not Cyrus Gods Annoynted , and many more whom God acknowledges so & yet wicked Kings ?

Cyrus is mine Annointed yet he hath not known me .

The first example for our Obedience the Old Testament proposeth to our imitation , Dan. 3. 16. Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon sets up a golden Image , Shadrach , Meshach , and Abednego , were commanded to fall down & worship it .

The King a knowne Pagan commands grosse Idolatry , did these men conspire ? Or ( being Rulers of the Province of Babel ) did they invite the Jewes into a Rebellion ? did these to strengthen their own Faction , blast their Soveraignes Name with Tyranny and Faganisme ? Did they endeavour by Scandals and impious Aspersions to render him odious to his people ? Did they encourage their Provinces to take up Arms for the defence of their Liberties or Religion ? Did they seize upon or stop his Revenues ? or annihilate his Power ? did they estrange themselves from his Presence ? Murther his Messengers . Or would they have slighted his gracious Offers ? No , being called by their Prince , they came ; & being commanded to give actuall obedience to his unlawfull commands , observe the modestie of their first answer ; We are not carefull to answer thee in this matter ; and being urged , ma●ke their pious Resolution in the second : Be it knowne , O King , we will not serve thy Gods , nor worship the golden Image which thou hast set up .

The King threatens the Fornace , they yeeld their bodies to the Fornane & say , God whom we serve wil deliver us out of thy hands , and not , he will deliver Thee into our hands . They expect deliverance rather in their passive Obedience , then in their actuall resistance .

But they were few in number , and their Forces not considerable .

Admit that , which all Histories deny . Was not God as able to subdue Him with so few , as to deliver them from so many ? Had their weaknesse lesse Reason ( for the Cause of Gods apparent dishonour ) to expect a miraculous assistance in those daies of frequent miracles , then we after so long a cessation of Miacles ? Gods glory will not be vindicated by unlawfull means , or unwarrantable proceedings .

I , but we take up Armes , not against the King , but against his evill Counsellours .

Adherents ye meane . A rare distinction ! And , tell me ; whose power have his Adherents ? The Kings : By which appeares , ye take up Armes against the Kings power ; He that resisteth the power ( it is not said the Prince ) shall receive damation . Againe , Where the word of a King is , there is power . God joyned the King and his power , and who dare separate them ? They that take up Armes against the Parliaments power ( you say ) take up Armes against the Parliament ; doe not they then that take up Armes against the Kings power , by the same reason , take up Armes against the King ? Now , look back upon your intricate distinction , and blush .

But , if the King betray the Trust reposed in him by his Subjects , they may suspend their obedience and resist him .

Kings are Gods Vicegerents , & cannot be compelled to give an accompt to any , but to God . Against thee , against thee only have I sinned : That is to thee , to thee only must I give an accompt . Though I have sinned against ●riah , by my Act ; and against my people , by my Example , yet against Thee have I only sinned . You cannot deprive , or limit them in what you never gave them . God gave them , their Power , and who are thou that darest resist it ? By me Kings Raigne .

But , his Crown was set upon his Head by his Subjects upon such and such conditions .

Why was the penaltie , upon the faile , not expressed them ? Coronation is but a humane Ceremonie . And was he not Proclaimed before he was crowned ? Proclaimed ? But what ? A King ? And did not you at the same instant by relative consequence , proclaime your selves Subjects ? And shall Subjects condition with their King , or will Kings bind themselves to their Subjects , upon the sorfeiture of their power , after they have received their Regall Authoritie ?

But the King hath , by Writ , given his power to his Parliament , and therefore what they doe , they doe by vertue of his Power .

The King , by his Writ , gives not away his power , but communicates it . By the vertue of which Writ , they are called ad tractandum & consulendum de arduis Regni , to treat and advise concerning the difficulties of the Kingdome : Here is all the power the Writ gives them , and where they exceed , they usurp the Kings power , being both against the Law of God , and the constitutions of the Kingdome .

Well , but in case of necessitie , when Religion and Libertie lye at the stake , the Constitutions of the Kingdome ( for the preservation of the Kingdome ) may suffer a Dispensation .

Admit that : But what necessitie may dispense with the violation of the Law of God ? the deviation where from is evil , and Thou shalt doe no evill that good may come thereon .

But , we take not Armes against the King , but only to bring Delinquents to condigne punishment .

And , who are they ? even those that take up Armes for the King ; which an unrepealed Statute , 11. Hen. 7. acquits . But , admit Statutes may be broken , and you seeke to punish them ; Who gave you the power so to doe ? The Law : And what Law denyes the King power to pardon Delinquents ? God that hath put power into the hand of Majestie , hath likewise planted mercie in the heart of Soveraigntie : And , will ye take away both his birth-right and his Blessing also ? Take heed , you doe not slight that , which one day may prove your Sanctuarie .

But , the King , being a M●●r Monarch , is bound to his owne Lawes .

There be two sorts of Lawes , directive and coercive : As to the first , he is onely bound to make his accompt to God ; so to the second , he is onely lyable to the hand of God : who shall say unto him , what dost thou ?

But Kings now adayes have not so absolute a power , as the Kings mentioned in the Scripture .

Who limited it ? God or man ? Man could not limit the Power he never gave : if God , shew me where ; till then , this objection is frivolous .

But , when Kings and their assistance make an offensive , and a destructive warre against their Parliament , may they not then take up defensive Armes ?

It is no offensive Warre for a King to endeavour the Recoverie of his surrepted right ; however , are not the Members of a Parliament Subjects to their Soveraigne ? If not , who are they ? If Subjects , ought they not to be subject ? Gods people , the Jewes , that were to be destroyed by the Kings Command , neither did not durst make a defensive Warre against his abused power , untill they first obtained the Kings Consent .

But admit it lawfull , ( though neither granted nor warranted ) that subjects may upon such tearmes make a defensive Warre ; does it not quite crosse the nature of a defensive Warre , to Assayle , pursue , and dis-possesse ?

When you shot five peeces of Ordnance , before one was returned at Edge-hill , was that defensive ? When you besieged Redding , which you after slighted , was that defensive ? When you affronted Basing-house , was that defensive ?

The warrantable weapons against an angry King , are Exhortation , Disswasion , wise reprenfe ( by such as are nearest to him ) Petition , Prayer , and Flight . All other weapons will at last wound them that use them .

The second Example was left us out of the New Testament , by Him that is the true president of all holy obedience , our blessed Saviour ; whose humilitie and sufferance was set before us as a Copie for all generations to practise by .

The temporall kingdome of the Jewes , successively usurpt by those two heathen Princes , Augustus & Tiberius , two Contemporaries , was his natural Birth-right , descended from his Type , and Auncestor King David . Had not he as great an Interest in that Crown , as we have in this Common-wealth ? Was not He as tender-eyed towards his own naturall people , as we to one another ?

Was not the Truth as deare to Him , ( who was the verie Truth ) and the way to it as direct to Him ( that was the only Way ) as to us ?

Was not He the great Reformer ?

Had the Sword been a necessary stickler in Reformation , how happened it that he mistook his weapon so ? In stead of a trumpet , he lifted up his Voice .

Were Plots , Policies , Propositions , Prophanations , Plunderings , Militatie Proparations , his way to Reformation ? Were they not his owne words , He that taketh up the Sword , shall perish by the Sword ? Nor was it want of strength , that he reformed not in a Martiall way : Could not he command more then twelve legions of Angels ?

Or had he pleased to use the Arme of flesh ; could not he that raysed the dead , rayse a considerable Army ? Sure , S. John the Baptist would have ventured his head upon a fairer Quarrell , and S. Peter drawn his sword to a bloodier end ; No question , but S. Paul , the twelve Apostles and Disciples would have proved as tough Colonels as your associated Essex Priests did Captaines ; and doubtlesse S. Peter , who converted 3000 in one day , would have raysed a strong Army in six .

Our blessed Saviour well knew , that Caesar came not thither without divine permission ; In respect whereof , He became obedient to the very shadow of a King ; and whom he actively resisted not , he passively obeyed .

I , but there was a necessity of his obedience , & subjection , to make him capable of a shamefull death .

No , his obedience , as well as death , was voluntarie ; which makes you guiltie of a shamefull argument .

But , He was a single person ; We a representative body : what is unexpedient in the one , is lawfull in the other .

Worse and worse ! If our blessed Saviour be not Representative , Tell me where of art thou a Member ? woe be to that Body politick , which endeavours not to be conformed according to the Head Mysticall .

He preacht Peace ; Your Martiall Ministers ( by what authoritie they best know ) proclaime Warre : He , Obedience ; They , Sedition : He , Truth ; They , Lyes : He , Order ; They , Confusion : He , Blessednesse to the Peace-makers ; They , courage to the Persecutors : He , Blessednesse to the persecuted ; They brand them with Malignitie that call them blessed .

God was not heard in the whirlewind , but in the still voice .

But , his thoughts are not as our thoughts , neither are our wayes like his wayes .

But , whence proceeds all this ? even from a viperous Generation ( which hath long nested in this unhappie Island ) and those encreased multitudes of simple soules , seduced by their sceming sanctitie , who taking advantage of our late too great abuse of Ceremonies , are turn'd desperate enemies to all Order and Discipline , being out of charity with the very Lords Prayer , because it comes within the Popish Liturgie .

How many of these have lately chalenged the name of sanctified Vessels , for containing the poyson of unnaturall Sedition ? How many of these have usurpt the stile of well-affected , for dis-affecting Peace ? How many of these have counterfeited the honour of good Patriots , for largely contributing towards the Ruines of their Country ? How many does this Army consist of ? How for their sakes is Blasphemy connived at ! Sacriledge permitted ! How , for their encouragement , are Lyes and brasse-brow'd Impudencies invented , nay publisht ( nay published in their very Pulpits ) and tolerated ( if not commanded ) even by them , who ( pe●chance , were this quarrell ended ) would throw the first stone at them ! How many of our Learned , Religious , and Orthodox Divines ( who by their able Tongues , and Pens , have defended and maintained the true ancient and Catholique Faith and vindicated the Reformed Religion from the aspersions of her potent Adversaries ) are now plundred in their Goods , sequestred in their Livings , imprison'd in their Persons , ( if not forced in their Consciences ) whilest their Wives and poore Children begging their Bread , are left to the mercy of these , 〈◊〉 mercifull times ; even for the encouragement of them , whose pedantick learning durst never shew her ridiculous face before an easie School-man , whose livelyhoods they unworthily usurp , not dispensing the bread of life but the darnell of giddy-headed fancie and sedition , abhorring the way to peace , and maligning those that ensue it .

I , but we desire Peace , so we may have Truth too .

What meane ye by having Truth ? The preservation of the old Truth , or the Institution of a New ?

If ye feare the alteration of the Old , ( having your Soveraigns Oath , which you dare not beleeve ) what other assurance can you have ?

The Blood you shed , is certaine ; the change you feare , is uncertaine : It is no wisedome to apply a desperate Remedy to a suspected disease .

If the enjoyment of Peace depends upon a full assurance of Truth , our discords may beare an everlasting date : God hath threatned to remove his Candlestick and our wickednesse justly feares it ; And so long as we feare it , shall we abjure Peace , the blessed meanes to prevent it ? He that seekes to settle Truth by the sword , distracts it .

Or , is it a Truth ye want ? If so , Is it of Doctrine , or of Discipline ? If of doctrine , Actum est de nostra Religione , Farewell our Religion . Or , is it of Discipline ? Discipline is but a Ceremony . And did the Lord of the Sabbath dispence with a morall Law , for the preservation of an Oxes life , or an Asses ? and shall we , to alter some few indifferent Ceremonies ( allowed by the Parliaments of three pious and wise Princes , and the practise of many holy Martyrs , who sealed the true Protestant Religion with their Blood ) cry down Peace , and shed the blood of many thousand Christians ?

Our seduced Protestants will have no set Forms of Prayer but what proceed immediatly from their owne Fancies . This is their Truth .

Our Semi-separatists wil heare our Sermons ( if they like the Teacher ) but no Divine Service . This is their Truth .

Our Separatists will not communicate in our Churches , nor joyne in our Congregations . That is their Truth .

Our Anabaptists will not baptize till yeares of discretion , and re-baptize . That is their Truth .

Our Antinomians will have no Repentance . This is their truth .

Our Independents will have an universall Paritie ; This their Truth .

Good God , when shall we have Peace , if not till all these Truths meet !

But , Christ sayes , I come not to bring Peace , but the Sword : therefore , for the propagation of Peace , it is lawfull to use the Sword .

So , He is tearmed a stumbling block , and does that warrant us to stumble ? So , He sayes , All you shall be offended because of me ; and does this patronize our Offences ? The Law is good and just : Because then we had not knowne sinne but by the Law , is it therefore lawfull for us to sinne ? God forbid .

Our Saviour brings the Sword among us , as wholesome meat brings sicknesse to a weakely sick stomack , or physick to a body abounding with Humours ; not intentionally , but occasionally .

Thus , by your erroneous and weake mistakes , you make the Prince of Peace the Patron of your unnaturall Warre ; and the God of Truth , the president of your unexamined errors .

But , Almightie God , the Champion of his owne Truth , and maintainer of his own Cause , hath ( to mere then common admiration ) appeared in this great enterprize .

He that delivered Israels handfull from the hand of Pharoahs Host , hath shewed himselfe in the ( almost incredible ) proceedings of this heaven-displeasing Warre ; the brief relation whereof may move those hearts , that are not seated , or stone , to melt into a thankfull acknowledgement of his Power , and remaine as Monuments of his Mercy , that children ( yet unborne ) may say hereafter , God was here : viz.

The two Houses of Parliament made first a generall seizure of all the Armes , Ammunition , Castles , Forts , Magazines , and Ships , ( being the whole visible strength of this unhappie Kingdome ) to whom ( having now setled the Militia , both by Sea and Land , in their own hands ) tides of Proposition-gold came in upon the Publique Faith ; Money ( like blood from the Liver , conveighed through all the veines ) issued to make a large supply , and where it stopt a while , mountains of massie Plate , from the vast Goblet to the slender Thimble , this Faith removed into their safe possession : And when the great Milch-Cow began to slake , they prest her nipples , and by hard streyning renew'd the stream . As Physicians evacuate the Body , sometimes by Vomit , sometimes by Purge , sometimes by Phlebotomie , sometimes by sweating , sometimes fluxing , sometimes diuretically , yet purge but the same peccant humour ; So did they , first by Proposition , then by way of Contribution , now by way of Loan , then by way of Subsidie ( no lesse then 50 at one time ) here by way of Assessement , there by way of Twentieth part , then by way of Excise , one while by way of Sequestration , then by way of Plunder , but still the issue , MONY : And to work the better upon the Affections of the Multitude , all this for the behoof of King and Parliament , for the pretended defence of ( God knowes what ) Religion ; insomuch , that men came in like Swarmes to the next Tree , or rather like treacherous Decoys , with their innocent multitude , into the Net , and Horses without number .

Thus were they supplyed with all necessaries which the Arme of flesh could provide for the waging of an unconquerable War , whereon the Money alreadie expended , makes no lesse figures then 17. Millions Ster. besides the Revenues of the King Queen , Prince , Duke of Yorke , and the whole Estates of all such as take up Armes against them , besides free Quarter , and Souldiers yet unpayd . His Majestie on the other side , driven away with a few Attendants , not having among them so many Swords and Pistols as these had Cannons , wanting both Money , Horses and Ammution , onely what he received from the pietie of some beleeving Subjects , ( whose eares were Pamphlet-proofe against all defamations , and scandals cast upon sacred Maiestie ) finding slender Provision in his own Dominions ; and that stopt or seized , which came from forreigne parts . No Shipping , but what he purchast with the precious and extreame hazard of his few ( but valiant ) Subjects : No Armes , but what he gained by the couragious venture of his owne neglected life , the subject of our cortinuall Prayers . Yet , hath God covered his head in the day of battaile , and blest him with such successe , that He is ( by the Divine Providence ) become a great Master of the Field , and almost able to maintaine fight with his owne Ships at Sea .

The God of Heaven blesse him , and prosper him , and make his dayes as the dayes of Heaven , that being here the Faiths defender , he may still be defended by the object of that Faith .

Nor is the providentiall hand of God more visible in prospering him then in punishing his Enemies , whose ruines may remaine as Sea-markes to us , and Pyramids of Gods Power , whereof a touch .

Sir John Hotham , then Governour of Hull , who first defyed and dared his Soveraigne to his face , what is become of him ? How stands he a Marke betwixt two dangers , having nothing left him but guile enough to make him capable of a desperate Fortune ?

Master Hampden , that first waged Law & then War against his own naturall Prince hath not he ( since these unhappy troubles began ) bin first punished with the losse of children , nay visited to the third Generation , to the weakning ( if not ●●ining ) of his Family , & then with the losse of his own life , in the same place where he first tooke up armes against his gracious Soveraigne ? was it not remarkable that the Lord Brook who so often excepted against that clause in the Lyturgie , ( From sudden death good Lord deliver us ) was slaine so suddenly ? who was so severe an enemy against Peace should perish in the same Warre , ●e so encouraged ? Who , so bitterly inveighed against Episcopall Government , should be so shot dead out of a Cathedrall Church ? who labouring to put out the left eye of establisht Government , his left eye , and life were both put out together ?

How is Duke Ham●l●on ( scarce warme in his new honour ) taken in his owne ●●re , having entangled his Lord and Master in so many inconveniences ?

How is Holland , whose livelyhood was created by his Soveraigns favours , branded with a double treachery , and like a Shittlecock fallen at the first returne , and scarce able to raise himselfe by a sorry Declaration ?