A discourse of the religion of England asserting, that reformed Christianity setled in its due latitude, is the stability and advancement of this kingdom.
         Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
      
       
         
           1667
        
      
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             A discourse of the religion of England asserting, that reformed Christianity setled in its due latitude, is the stability and advancement of this kingdom.
             Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
          
           [8], 48 p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             1667.
          
           
             Attributed to John Corbet. Cf. McAlpin Coll.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Catholic Church -- England.
           Church and state -- England.
           Dissenters, Religious -- England.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           THE
           RELIGION
           OF
           ENGLAND
           .
           ASSERTING
           ,
           That
           REFORMED
           CHRISTIANITY
           setled
           in
           its
           Due
           Latitude
           ,
           is
           the
           Stability
           and
           Advancement
           of
           this
           KINGDOM
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           M.
           DC
           .
           LX.
           VII
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
        
         
           REligion
           being
           deeply
           imprinted
           in
           Humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           having
           a
           great
           Power
           over
           it
           ,
           and
           being
           more
           notably
           displayed
           in
           the
           present
           Age
           ,
           is
           become
           the
           Grand
           Interest
           of
           States
           ,
           and
           almost
           of
           all
           men
           ,
           though
           not
           after
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           nor
           upon
           the
           same
           Grounds
           and
           Motives
           .
           For
           this
           cause
           ,
           whether
           it
           comes
           in
           Truth
           ,
           or
           in
           Shew
           only
           ,
           it
           is
           found
           to
           rule
           and
           turn
           about
           the
           great
           Affairs
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           though
           many
           things
           of
           different
           nature
           ,
           may
           have
           great
           influence
           on
           the
           State
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           yet
           Religion
           and
           
             Matters
             of
             Conscience
          
           evidently
           
           appear
           to
           have
           the
           greatest
           .
           The
           distinguishing
           of
           Persons
           for
           the
           favour
           or
           disfavour
           of
           the
           Times
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           very
           Names
           of
           Discrimination
           pass
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           
             Religious
             Differences
          
           .
           The
           Active
           part
           of
           all
           sorts
           and
           ranks
           of
           men
           ,
           is
           hereby
           chiefly
           swayed
           in
           their
           Motions
           ;
           and
           their
           Affections
           move
           more
           importunately
           in
           this
           One
           ,
           then
           in
           all
           their
           other
           Concernments
           .
           Wherefore
           if
           a
           Settlement
           may
           be
           found
           out
           ,
           which
           may
           accommodate
           all
           those
           Parties
           or
           Perswasions
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Nation
           is
           bound
           up
           ,
           it
           will
           prove
           the
           undoubted
           Interest
           of
           this
           State.
           And
           if
           such
           a
           Settlement
           be
           likewise
           found
           to
           be
           the
           true
           and
           sound
           state
           of
           Religion
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           acceptable
           to
           the
           faithful
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           Lovers
           of
           their
           Country
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Adventure
           of
           this
           Discourse
           
           is
           to
           Assert
           ,
           
             That
             Reformed
             Christianity
             rightly
             stated
             ,
             and
             setled
             in
             its
             due
             Latitude
             ,
             is
             the
             Stability
             and
             Advancement
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
          
           England
           .
           Nothing
           is
           here
           suggested
           for
           Politick
           Ends
           ,
           to
           corrupt
           the
           Purity
           ,
           or
           enervate
           the
           Power
           of
           Religion
           ,
           or
           to
           lessen
           Charity
           ;
           but
           the
           Fatherly
           Compassion
           of
           Rulers
           ,
           and
           the
           mutual
           Brotherly
           Condescention
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           some
           Connivence
           in
           case
           of
           insuperable
           Necessities
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           the
           Truth
           's
           sake
           ,
           is
           here
           propounded
           .
           Episcopacy
           is
           not
           undermined
           ,
           nor
           any
           other
           Form
           of
           Government
           here
           insinuated
           ;
           only
           a
           Relaxation
           of
           the
           Prescribed
           Uniformity
           ,
           and
           some
           Indulgence
           to
           Dissenters
           of
           Sound
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Good
           Life
           ,
           is
           submissively
           offered
           to
           the
           Consideration
           of
           our
           Superiors
           .
           All
           Pragmatical
           Arrogance
           ,
           presuming
           to
           give
           Rules
           to
           Governours
           ,
           
           and
           to
           teach
           them
           what
           to
           do
           ,
           is
           carefully
           avoided
           ;
           only
           the
           Possibility
           ,
           Expediency
           ,
           and
           Necessity
           of
           Moderation
           ,
           is
           represented
           .
           And
           it
           is
           humbly
           desired
           ,
           That
           this
           Honest
           Intention
           in
           pursuance
           of
           Peace
           ,
           may
           find
           a
           favourable
           Reception
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Contents
           .
        
         
           
             
               SEct.
               1.
            
             
             The
             Religion
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             and
             Three
             different
             parties
             of
             most
             important
             consideration
             ,
             The
             Protestants
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             the
             
               Protestant
               Nonconformists
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Papists
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               2.
            
             
             The
             Behaviour
             and
             Pretension
             of
             the
             Popish
             Party
             in
             these
             times
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               3.
            
             
             That
             Popery
             disposeth
             Subjects
             to
             Rebellion
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               4.
            
             
             That
             it
             persecutes
             all
             other
             Religions
             within
             its
             reach
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               5.
            
             
             That
             where
             soever
             it
             finds
             Encouragement
             ,
             it
             is
             restless
             ,
             till
             it
             bears
             down
             all
             before
             it
             ,
             or
             hath
             put
             all
             in
             disorder
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               6.
            
             
             The
             Papists
             Pretension
             of
             Loyalty
             and
             Merit
             in
             the
             Kings
             Cause
             ,
             examined
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               7.
            
             
             The
             result
             of
             the
             whole
             Discourse
             touching
             the
             Popish
             Party
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               8.
            
             
             That
             the
             Reformed
             Religion
             makes
             good
             Christians
             ,
             and
             good
             Subjects
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               9.
            
             
             The
             Reformed
             Religion
             is
             the
             permanent
             Interest
             of
             this
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               10.
            
             
             It
             is
             for
             the
             behoof
             of
             Religion
             and
             true
             Piety
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             Interest
             of
             this
             State
             ,
             That
             Reformed
             Christianity
             be
             setled
             in
             its
             full
             Extent
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               11.
            
             
             How
             momentous
             in
             the
             Ballance
             of
             the
             Nation
             those
             Protestants
             are
             ,
             that
             dissent
             from
             the
             present
             Ecclesiastical
             Polity
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               12.
            
             
             The
             Extirpation
             of
             the
             Dissenters
             is
             both
             difficult
             anaunprofitable
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               13.
            
             
             The
             Representation
             of
             this
             Difficulty
             is
             no
             threatning
             to
             Rulers
             ,
             or
             intimation
             of
             Rebellion
             .
          
           
             
             
               Sect.
               14.
            
             
             The
             setling
             of
             the
             Nation
             by
             an
             Established
             Order
             ,
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             and
             a
             Connivence
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               15.
            
             
             Of
             the
             Established
             Order
             in
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Moderation
             therein
             required
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               16.
            
             
             Whether
             the
             Dissenters
             are
             capable
             of
             being
             brought
             into
             such
             a
             Comprehension
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               17.
            
             
             Acquiescence
             in
             the
             widened
             Establishment
             ,
             is
             the
             safety
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               18.
            
             
             Of
             Toleration
             and
             Connivence
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               19.
            
             
             Dissenters
             of
             narrow
             and
             rigid
             Principles
             ,
             advised
             to
             Moderation
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               20.
            
             
             This
             comprehensive
             state
             of
             Religion
             ,
             further
             considered
             ,
             with
             respect
             to
             Three
             Important
             Interests
             :
             First
             ,
             To
             that
             of
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             
               Sect.
               21.
            
             
             Secondly
             ,
             To
             the
             Interest
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             Clergy
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               22.
            
             
             Thirdly
             ,
             To
             the
             Interest
             of
             the
             Nobility
             and
             Gentry
             .
          
           
             
               Sect.
               23.
            
             
             The
             general
             Security
             that
             comes
             by
             this
             Latitude
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           Page
           9.
           line
           2.
           read
           
             in
             King
          
           James
           
             his
             time
          
           .
           p.
           5.
           l.
           18.
           r.
           
             Arts
             of
             Rome
          
           .
           p.
           31.
           l.
           31.
           r.
           exacted
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         A
         DISCOURSE
         OF
         THE
         RELIGION
         of
         ENGLAND
         .
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
          
           The
           Religion
           of
           this
           Realm
           ,
           and
           three
           different
           Parties
           of
           most
           important
           consideration
           ;
           The
           Protestants
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           the
           
             Protestant
             Nonconformists
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Papists
           .
        
         
           THE
           Religion
           of
           England
           considered
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           but
           as
           rooted
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           generally
           embraced
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           is
           called
           Protestant
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           other
           then
           Christianity
           recovered
           out
           of
           the
           Antichristian
           Apostacy
           ,
           and
           reformed
           from
           the
           Corruptions
           of
           later
           Ages
           ,
           after
           the
           Primitive
           Purity
           ;
           receiving
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           as
           the
           perfect
           Rule
           of
           Christian
           Faith
           and
           Life
           .
        
         
           How
           beit
           ,
           in
           this
           Realm
           there
           be
           three
           different
           Parties
           of
           most
           important
           consideration
           :
           The
           first
           consists
           of
           those
           Protestants
           that
           zealously
           adhere
           to
           the
           English
           Ecclesiastical
           Polity
           ,
           and
           call
           themselves
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           .
           The
           
           second
           sort
           is
           of
           those
           Protestants
           that
           receive
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Faith
           contained
           in
           the
           Articles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           are
           dissatisfied
           in
           the
           form
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           Polity
           .
           These
           by
           their
           Adversaries
           have
           been
           usually
           called
           Puritans
           .
           The
           third
           is
           of
           those
           that
           utterly
           reject
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           remain
           united
           to
           the
           Pope
           as
           their
           Spiritual
           Head
           ,
           and
           call
           themselves
           Roman-Catholicks
           .
        
         
           Hereupon
           an
           impartial
           serious
           Observer
           ,
           respecting
           the
           Common
           Good
           ,
           may
           be
           induced
           to
           make
           inquiry
           ,
           How
           agreeable
           or
           dis-harmonious
           each
           of
           these
           Three
           are
           to
           the
           Publick
           Weal
           ;
           as
           also
           ,
           What
           proportion
           they
           bear
           to
           each
           other
           ;
           and
           whether
           those
           under
           the
           Legal
           Establishment
           ,
           or
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           preponderate
           in
           the
           Ballance
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           or
           whether
           the
           Established
           preponderate
           in
           that
           degree
           which
           is
           requisite
           in
           true
           reason
           of
           Government
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
          
           The
           Behaviour
           and
           Pretensions
           of
           the
           POPISH
           Party
           in
           these
           Times
           .
        
         
           THE
           Roman-Catholicks
           in
           England
           ,
           considered
           not
           barely
           in
           their
           Number
           ,
           but
           in
           their
           Rank
           and
           Quality
           ,
           being
           Rich
           and
           Powerful
           ,
           and
           Strong
           in
           Alliances
           ,
           are
           very
           momentous
           ,
           and
           seem
           to
           be
           capable
           of
           great
           Designs
           ,
           especially
           in
           conjunction
           with
           Foreign
           Interests
           .
        
         
           In
           these
           times
           they
           have
           taken
           much
           Liberty
           and
           Boldness
           ,
           with
           an
           undisturbed
           Security
           ,
           and
           lately
           have
           been
           observed
           to
           be
           more
           then
           ordinarily
           active
           ,
           jocund
           and
           confident
           of
           the
           effect
           of
           their
           Mutual
           Correspondencies
           ;
           and
           manifold
           passages
           of
           dangerous
           appearance
           have
           been
           every
           where
           spoken
           of
           ;
           in
           so
           much
           that
           the
           Nation
           hath
           taken
           an
           Alarm
           ,
           and
           the
           PARLIAMENT
           judged
           the
           Matter
           worthy
           of
           their
           Search
           ,
           and
           appointed
           a
           Committee
           to
           receive
           Informations
           .
        
         
         
           This
           Party
           hath
           high
           pretensions
           of
           Merit
           towards
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           called
           Royallists
           ;
           and
           they
           seek
           apparently
           more
           then
           Indulgence
           and
           Safety
           ,
           even
           High
           Power
           and
           Trust
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           the
           true
           and
           sure
           Confidents
           of
           this
           State.
           Such
           Claims
           as
           these
           ,
           challenge
           a
           serious
           Debate
           .
           For
           a
           Charge
           of
           a
           high
           nature
           (
           as
           themselves
           have
           taken
           notice
           )
           hath
           been
           of
           a
           long
           time
           prosecuted
           against
           Popery
           ,
           viz.
           
             That
             it
             disposeth
             Subjects
             to
             Rebellion
             .
             That
             it
             persecutes
             all
             other
             Religions
             within
             its
             reach
             .
             That
             wheresoever
             it
             finds
             incouragement
             ,
             it
             is
             restless
             ,
             till
             it
             bear
             down
             all
             ,
             or
             hath
             put
             all
             in
             Disorder
             .
          
           Till
           they
           make
           a
           better
           Defence
           then
           the
           world
           hath
           yet
           seen
           ,
           we
           take
           the
           just
           liberty
           of
           insisting
           upon
           this
           Charge
           ,
           and
           examining
           first
           ,
           How
           benign
           or
           safe
           the
           influence
           of
           Popery
           is
           upon
           any
           State
           or
           Kingdom
           whatsoever
           ;
           and
           then
           how
           it
           doth
           comport
           with
           the
           State
           of
           England
           ,
           whose
           Basis
           is
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           setled
           by
           Law
           ,
           and
           by
           length
           of
           time
           generally
           spred
           ,
           and
           deeply
           rooted
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           and
           constantly
           avowed
           by
           Prince
           and
           People
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             III.
          
           That
           POPERY
           disposeth
           Subjects
           to
           Rebellion
           .
        
         
           VVHat
           hath
           been
           the
           constant
           practice
           of
           the
           Popes
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Roman
           Faith
           ,
           the
           Universal
           consent
           of
           History
           bears
           record
           .
           What
           continual
           thundering
           of
           Excommunications
           hath
           sounded
           throughout
           the
           Christian
           world
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           since
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Papal
           Reign
           ,
           against
           Kings
           ,
           Emperors
           ,
           and
           other
           Princes
           and
           States
           that
           presumed
           to
           dispute
           their
           Dictates
           ,
           or
           cross
           their
           Designs
           ,
           to
           the
           loosing
           of
           Subjects
           from
           the
           Bonds
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           and
           the
           deposing
           of
           Soveraigns
           ?
           What
           unexampled
           Abasements
           hath
           the
           Imperial
           Majesty
           suffered
           in
           the
           Persons
           of
           sundry
           Emperors
           ,
           by
           prodigious
           
           instances
           of
           Papal
           Pride
           ;
           which
           ,
           though
           enough
           to
           stir
           up
           the
           indignation
           of
           mankind
           ,
           are
           applauded
           by
           famous
           Writers
           ,
           Champions
           of
           the
           Court
           of
           Rome
           ?
           The
           Popes
           Temporal
           Dominions
           began
           and
           grew
           up
           in
           Rebellion
           and
           Usurpation
           ,
           for
           which
           cause
           they
           have
           nourished
           Factions
           ,
           and
           filled
           the
           world
           with
           Warrs
           and
           Tumults
           ,
           and
           maintained
           most
           outragious
           and
           tedious
           Conflicts
           with
           many
           Emperors
           ,
           even
           till
           they
           had
           crippled
           and
           broke
           the
           back
           of
           the
           Empire
           it self
           .
        
         
           And
           these
           practices
           are
           justified
           by
           their
           Decretals
           and
           Canons
           ,
           and
           Divines
           of
           greatest
           Authority
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           their
           Councils
           ,
           ascribing
           to
           the
           Pope
           a
           Power
           of
           Deposing
           Princes
           that
           are
           Heretical
           ,
           or
           favourers
           of
           Hereticks
           .
           The
           Jesuits
           Doctrine
           of
           KING-KILLING
           ,
           hath
           made
           them
           odious
           ;
           and
           if
           some
           passages
           can
           be
           alledged
           out
           of
           their
           Writings
           against
           taking
           away
           the
           Lives
           of
           Princes
           ,
           their
           declared
           meaning
           is
           ,
           That
           a
           King
           deposed
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           becomes
           
             Tirannus
             titulo
          
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           more
           a
           Lawful
           King
           ,
           and
           then
           what
           follows
           ,
           is
           easily
           understood
           .
           Those
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           that
           disavow
           these
           things
           ,
           should
           mind
           their
           contradiction
           to
           the
           Faith
           they
           own
           ,
           in
           leaving
           their
           Popes
           ,
           Divines
           and
           Canonists
           in
           a
           point
           of
           such
           importance
           .
           But
           how
           potent
           the
           influence
           of
           the
           Court
           of
           Rome
           ,
           and
           the
           Agency
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           is
           for
           the
           diffusing
           of
           those
           Principles
           into
           the
           most
           and
           chiefest
           of
           the
           Roman-Catholicks
           ,
           is
           not
           unknown
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           undisturbed
           Government
           of
           the
           Emperor
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Spain
           in
           later
           times
           ,
           be
           brought
           forth
           as
           an
           instance
           of
           the
           Loyalty
           of
           Popish
           Subjects
           ,
           or
           an
           argument
           of
           the
           soundness
           of
           Popish
           Principles
           ;
           it
           must
           be
           considered
           ,
           That
           the
           House
           of
           Austria
           have
           made
           their
           devotion
           to
           the
           See
           of
           Rome
           ,
           their
           grand
           and
           appropriate
           Interest
           ,
           and
           that
           See
           hath
           a
           main
           dependance
           on
           those
           Princes
           ;
           and
           both
           it
           and
           they
           have
           the
           same
           active
           Votaries
           
           throughout
           Christendom
           ,
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           their
           Adherents
           .
           As
           for
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           France
           ,
           the
           State
           of
           Venice
           ,
           and
           others
           acknowledging
           the
           Popes
           Headship
           ,
           they
           have
           had
           enough
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           they
           would
           have
           more
           ,
           if
           either
           themselves
           were
           weak
           ,
           and
           less
           formidable
           to
           the
           Pope
           ,
           or
           the
           Popes
           lightning
           and
           thunder
           were
           now
           as
           dreadful
           as
           in
           former
           Ages
           .
           Even
           in
           Popish
           Countreys
           the
           abuses
           of
           Papal
           Power
           ,
           and
           the
           Intrigues
           and
           Interests
           of
           the
           Court
           of
           Rome
           are
           a
           little
           better
           discerned
           ;
           therefore
           those
           Princes
           and
           States
           can
           make
           the
           better
           terms
           for
           themselves
           ;
           yet
           if
           either
           the
           former
           degree
           of
           ignorance
           and
           stupid
           devotion
           to
           that
           See
           ,
           shall
           return
           upon
           their
           people
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           occasions
           of
           embroiling
           or
           breaking
           States
           ,
           shall
           revive
           ,
           they
           must
           accept
           the
           Popes
           conditions
           ,
           and
           submit
           to
           the
           former
           yoke
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Princes
           of
           that
           Profession
           can
           in
           this
           our
           more
           knowing
           Age
           ,
           with
           much
           ado
           hold
           their
           Subjects
           in
           obedience
           ,
           against
           the
           Acts
           of
           Rome
           ;
           yet
           the
           question
           concerning
           England
           remains
           intire
           ,
           Whether
           a
           Protestant
           Prince
           can
           with
           good
           reason
           confide
           or
           repose
           himself
           in
           the
           Loyalty
           of
           his
           Popish
           Subjects
           ?
           and
           more
           especially
           ,
           Whether
           the
           fore-mentioned
           Popish
           Claims
           do
           in
           any
           wise
           comport
           with
           the
           State
           of
           England
           ,
           whose
           Basis
           is
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ?
        
         
           No
           other
           Religion
           gives
           the
           Priests
           such
           an
           Empire
           over
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           as
           the
           Popish
           doth
           .
           The
           Principles
           of
           that
           Belief
           ,
           and
           the
           Order
           and
           Frame
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           are
           directed
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           and
           the
           people
           are
           miserably
           inthralled
           to
           the
           will
           of
           their
           Clergy
           .
           By
           Auricular
           Confession
           the
           Priests
           have
           a
           constant
           inlet
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           by
           injoyning
           Penances
           and
           works
           of
           Devotion
           ,
           they
           exercise
           a
           spiritual
           Dominion
           over
           them
           .
           Hereby
           they
           have
           dayly
           opportunity
           ,
           and
           advantage
           enough
           to
           excite
           them
           to
           any
           notable
           Exploits
           for
           the
           Catholick
           Cause
           ;
           unto
           which
           kind
           
           of
           services
           they
           fix
           an
           Opinion
           of
           the
           highest
           Merit
           ,
           either
           for
           discharge
           from
           the
           pains
           of
           Purgatory
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           acquest
           of
           a
           greater
           Reward
           in
           Glory
           :
           Yea
           ,
           dissolute
           persons
           may
           be
           easily
           drawn
           to
           such
           Attempts
           ,
           in
           hope
           of
           making
           compensation
           for
           a
           loose
           and
           lewd
           life
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           suffer
           for
           Sedition
           or
           Treason
           ,
           they
           are
           held
           to
           acquire
           the
           glory
           of
           Martyrs
           and
           Confessors
           .
           Add
           hereunto
           their
           Belluine
           hatred
           of
           Hereticks
           ,
           and
           vile
           esteem
           of
           their
           persons
           :
           And
           in
           all
           this
           ,
           their
           Church's
           supposed
           Infallibility
           warrants
           this
           blind
           obedience
           ,
           and
           brutish
           confidence
           .
           And
           to
           make
           void
           all
           the
           security
           that
           can
           be
           given
           between
           Prince
           and
           people
           ,
           the
           Pope
           under
           pretence
           of
           Equity
           and
           Necessity
           ,
           undertakes
           to
           dispence
           with
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           Laws
           both
           Civil
           and
           Divine
           .
           Besides
           all
           this
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           Jesuits
           peculiar
           Discipline
           ,
           most
           exquisite
           for
           blind
           obedience
           and
           resolution
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           for
           any
           great
           and
           strange
           Attempts
           .
        
         
           Things
           past
           may
           afford
           prognosticks
           of
           thing
           to
           come
           .
           May
           Englands
           constant
           Experience
           be
           taken
           for
           Evidence
           in
           the
           case
           *
           .
           The
           Reign
           of
           Queen
           Elizabeth
           ,
           after
           the
           Protestant
           Reformation
           had
           gotten
           the
           stated
           possession
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           was
           infested
           with
           a
           continued
           succession
           and
           series
           of
           Treasons
           ,
           for
           the
           re-introducing
           of
           Popery
           ,
           carried
           on
           by
           the
           English
           Papists
           with
           an
           indefatigable
           and
           implacable
           Spirit
           ,
           proceedings
           from
           Causes
           peculiar
           to
           that
           Religion
           .
        
         
           During
           the
           first
           ten
           years
           ,
           they
           conformed
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           but
           afterwards
           ,
           to
           testifie
           their
           union
           with
           the
           Pope
           ,
           they
           became
           a
           divided
           party
           in
           this
           State.
           For
           them
           the
           Queen
           being
           found
           unmoveable
           ,
           the
           Pope
           published
           his
           Declaratory
           Sentence
           against
           Her
           ,
           by
           which
           all
           Her
           Subjects
           were
           absolved
           from
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allengiance
           ,
           and
           
           an
           Anathema
           denounced
           against
           those
           that
           thence
           forth
           obey
           Her.
           The
           Popish
           Rebellion
           in
           the
           North
           breaks
           out
           .
           Many
           horrid
           attempts
           of
           Violence
           upon
           Her
           Majesties
           Person
           ,
           were
           plotted
           one
           after
           another
           for
           many
           years
           together
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           Dr.
           Story
           ,
           of
           Parry
           ,
           of
           Arden
           and
           Somervile
           ,
           of
           Throgmorton
           ,
           of
           Babington
           and
           his
           Complices
           ,
           besides
           the
           concurrent
           Commotion
           in
           Ireland
           *
           .
           In
           these
           several
           Treasons
           ,
           many
           of
           the
           Seminary
           Priests
           were
           forward
           and
           active
           .
           The
           great
           and
           setled
           Design
           ,
           was
           the
           advancing
           of
           the
           Queen
           of
           Scots
           ,
           to
           the
           Crown
           of
           England
           ;
           wherein
           were
           ingaged
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           Spaniard
           ,
           and
           French
           King
           ,
           and
           Duke
           of
           Guise
           ,
           in
           conjunction
           with
           the
           
             English
             Papists
          
           ,
           making
           use
           of
           her
           Title
           to
           set
           on
           foot
           those
           many
           desperate
           Enterprises
           against
           the
           Queen
           .
        
         
           After
           the
           death
           of
           the
           Queen
           of
           Scots
           ,
           they
           raised
           a
           new
           Title
           to
           the
           Crown
           in
           the
           House
           of
           Spain
           .
           The
           memory
           of
           Eighty
           Eight
           ,
           will
           be
           an
           everlasting
           Monument
           of
           Papistical
           Cruelty
           and
           Treason
           .
           Cardinal
           Allen
           the
           first
           founder
           or
           procurer
           of
           the
           Foreign
           Seminaries
           ,
           a
           person
           admired
           as
           well
           by
           the
           Secular
           Priests
           ,
           as
           Jesuits
           ,
           penned
           a
           Treatise
           with
           all
           the
           Rhetorick
           he
           had
           ,
           to
           excite
           the
           English
           Catholicks
           to
           joyn
           with
           the
           Spaniards
           .
           Among
           the
           Forces
           in
           the
           Low-Countries
           prepared
           for
           this
           Invasion
           ,
           were
           seven
           hundred
           English
           Fugitives
           .
           After
           the
           Spanish
           Armado
           was
           dissipated
           ,
           the
           Jesuits
           had
           not
           done
           .
           They
           would
           have
           stirred
           up
           the
           Earl
           of
           Derby
           to
           assume
           the
           Title
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           they
           plotted
           the
           poysoning
           of
           the
           Queen
           by
           Lopez
           her
           Physician
           ;
           they
           excited
           Villains
           to
           dispatch
           her
           by
           bloody
           hands
           ,
           and
           they
           never
           left
           soliciting
           the
           King
           of
           Spain
           ,
           till
           he
           twice
           attempted
           another
           Invasion
           .
           In
           those
           
           times
           Parsons
           his
           Book
           of
           Titles
           was
           famous
           ,
           wherein
           he
           set
           up
           divers
           Competitors
           for
           the
           Crown
           ,
           preferring
           the
           Infanta
           before
           all
           others
           ,
           and
           slighting
           King
           James
           his
           Title
           ,
           as
           having
           but
           few
           Favourers
           ,
           and
           little
           accounted
           by
           Catholicks
           .
        
         
           The
           Roman
           party
           could
           be
           provoked
           to
           these
           mischiefs
           by
           no
           other
           impulse
           then
           the
           impetuous
           zeal
           of
           their
           Superstition
           .
           Some
           of
           their
           own
           did
           then
           publsh
           to
           the
           world
           their
           important
           Considerations
           ,
           to
           move
           all
           true
           Catholicks
           to
           acknowledg
           ,
           That
           the
           proceedings
           of
           Her
           Majesty
           and
           the
           State
           ,
           with
           them
           ,
           since
           the
           beginning
           of
           Her
           Reign
           ,
           had
           been
           mild
           and
           merciful
           .
           In
           the
           several
           times
           of
           those
           mischievous
           designments
           ,
           though
           some
           priests
           were
           executed
           ,
           yet
           those
           that
           were
           found
           moderate
           in
           their
           Examinations
           ,
           obtained
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           number
           of
           them
           that
           by
           Law
           were
           obnoxious
           to
           death
           ,
           were
           spared
           from
           that
           extremity
           ,
           and
           only
           banished
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           certain
           Secular
           priests
           did
           impute
           all
           those
           Treasons
           to
           the
           Jesuits
           and
           their
           Adherents
           ,
           and
           fully
           charged
           them
           with
           all
           the
           aforefaid
           matters
           of
           Fact
           ,
           in
           terms
           of
           highest
           aggravation
           ,
           acquitting
           all
           other
           Catholicks
           .
           But
           it
           must
           be
           noted
           ,
           that
           the
           Jesuits
           were
           in
           greatest
           reputation
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           predominant
           influence
           upon
           the
           
             English
             Papists
          
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           (
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           Seculars
           loud
           Complaints
           )
           had
           such
           a
           power
           of
           disposing
           the
           Alms
           collected
           for
           their
           prisoners
           ,
           and
           other
           sufferers
           ,
           that
           such
           as
           complied
           not
           with
           their
           purposes
           ,
           were
           debarr'd
           of
           relief
           ,
           and
           pined
           for
           want
           .
           And
           by
           their
           counsels
           ,
           the
           Foreign
           Seminaries
           ,
           those
           Nurseries
           of
           Disloyalty
           were
           wholly
           swayed
           .
           And
           't
           is
           observable
           ,
           That
           the
           agrieved
           Seculars
           never
           published
           their
           pretended
           abhorrency
           of
           these
           Treasons
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           over-past
           ,
           and
           themselves
           ,
           being
           driven
           to
           despair
           by
           the
           Jesuits
           potency
           ,
           were
           forced
           to
           take
           shelter
           under
           a
           great
           Prelate
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
        
         
         
           The
           same
           Spirit
           of
           Disloyalty
           was
           as
           active
           and
           vigorous
           in
           that
           Kings
           time
           ,
           who
           at
           his
           first
           entrance
           ,
           found
           himself
           excluded
           from
           Title
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           by
           two
           Papal
           Breves
           ,
           the
           ground-work
           of
           that
           Infernal
           Plot
           of
           matchless
           Villany
           and
           Cruelty
           ,
           the
           GUNPOWDER-TREASON
           .
           After
           the
           defeat
           of
           which
           horrid
           Conspiracy
           ,
           the
           Projects
           of
           Rome
           proceeded
           not
           in
           such
           down-right
           Rebellions
           ,
           which
           always
           miscarried
           ;
           but
           in
           ways
           more
           secretly
           undermining
           Religion
           ,
           and
           as
           truly
           destructive
           to
           the
           Interest
           of
           King
           and
           Kingdom
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             IV.
          
           That
           it
           Persecutes
           all
           other
           Religions
           within
           its
           reach
           .
        
         
           THE
           second
           Branch
           of
           the
           Charge
           against
           Popery
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             That
             it
             persecutes
             all
             other
             Religions
             within
             its
             reach
             .
          
           In
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           for
           many
           by-past
           Ages
           ,
           the
           Meekness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Dove-like
           nature
           of
           his
           Spouse
           hath
           not
           appeared
           ,
           but
           the
           Cruelty
           of
           that
           great
           Whore
           that
           was
           drunken
           with
           the
           Blood
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Martyrs
           of
           Jesus
           .
           All
           that
           cast
           off
           her
           yoke
           ,
           and
           disown
           her
           pretended
           Infallibility
           ,
           are
           with
           her
           no
           better
           then
           Hereticks
           ,
           though
           they
           intirely
           own
           all
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           received
           by
           the
           ancient
           Church
           .
           And
           Hereticks
           are
           esteemed
           more
           vile
           then
           dogs
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           held
           meritorious
           to
           abuse
           and
           torment
           them
           .
           Her
           Laws
           have
           made
           their
           punishment
           to
           be
           the
           sharpest
           kind
           of
           death
           ,
           Burning
           alive
           inexorably
           inflicted
           .
           By
           this
           Romish
           Wrath
           and
           Fury
           were
           Three
           hundred
           Martyrs
           sacrificed
           in
           Queen
           Maries
           time
           ,
           for
           not
           believing
           the
           Sacramental
           Bread
           to
           be
           turned
           into
           the
           Substance
           of
           Christs
           Body
           ,
           against
           the
           most
           clear
           and
           distinct
           perception
           and
           reason
           of
           all
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           But
           can
           humane
           Nature
           hear
           ,
           without
           horror
           ,
           the
           report
           of
           that
           direful
           Consistory
           ,
           called
           the
           
             Holy
             Inquisition
          
           ,
           established
           
           in
           those
           Countries
           where
           Popery
           is
           in
           full
           sway
           .
           Doubtless
           that
           Church
           whose
           Religious
           Orders
           in
           a
           solemn
           and
           Sacred
           Judicatory
           ,
           shall
           commit
           such
           horrid
           Outrages
           as
           are
           indeed
           acted
           by
           those
           Infernal
           Judges
           ,
           upon
           pretence
           of
           Justice
           and
           Piety
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           School
           of
           Universal
           Cruelty
           for
           all
           her
           Adherents
           .
        
         
           The
           Popish
           hath
           outgone
           the
           
             Pagan
             Cruelty
          
           .
           What
           Treachery
           and
           Villany
           hath
           been
           acted
           !
           What
           barbarous
           Indignities
           have
           been
           offered
           in
           ways
           as
           immodest
           and
           shameless
           ,
           as
           outragious
           and
           merciless
           ,
           upon
           pretence
           of
           zeal
           against
           Hereticks
           !
           What
           varieties
           of
           strangely-devised
           Torments
           have
           been
           inflicted
           upon
           the
           Servants
           of
           Christ
           ,
           without
           sparing
           Age
           ,
           Sex
           ,
           or
           Condition
           !
           Nor
           hath
           such
           work
           been
           done
           onely
           in
           our
           Age
           or
           Country
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           Ages
           successively
           ,
           and
           Countries
           universally
           ,
           that
           were
           imbued
           with
           Romish
           Principles
           :
           Witness
           the
           huge
           slaughters
           of
           the
           Waldenses
           ,
           the
           persecutions
           of
           the
           Bohemian
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           of
           many
           others
           throughout
           Christendom
           in
           the
           former
           Ages
           :
           And
           since
           Protestant-Reformation
           ,
           how
           have
           the
           
             Romish
             Zealots
          
           filled
           Europe
           with
           the
           slaughters
           of
           Christians
           within
           their
           reach
           ,
           in
           
             France
             ,
             Germany
             ,
             Spain
             ,
             Italy
             ,
             England
             ,
             Scotland
             ,
          
           the
           Netherlands
           .
           In
           
             Ireland
             ,
             Piedmont
          
           and
           Poland
           ,
           their
           Cruelty
           is
           fresh
           in
           memory
           .
           And
           the
           slain
           cannot
           be
           numbred
           for
           multitude
           ;
           they
           were
           killed
           by
           Thousands
           ,
           Ten
           thousands
           ,
           Hundred
           thousands
           ,
           at
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Persecution
           .
           And
           the
           Tragedies
           have
           been
           acted
           where
           the
           Name
           of
           Protestant
           was
           well
           known
           ,
           yea
           ,
           where
           Protestants
           were
           under
           the
           shelter
           of
           the
           Law.
           For
           the
           Jesuits
           uncessantly
           stir
           up
           the
           Princes
           to
           fall
           upon
           their
           people
           against
           Law
           ,
           and
           without
           provocation
           given
           ,
           and
           after
           things
           have
           been
           setled
           ,
           to
           break
           their
           Agreements
           with
           them
           .
           And
           the
           Pope
           himself
           is
           the
           Contriver
           or
           Applauder
           of
           these
           Mischiefs
           ,
           and
           the
           succesful
           execution
           thereof
           ,
           is
           received
           at
           Rome
           with
           joy
           and
           triumph
           ,
           as
           the
           Murtherers
           
           in
           the
           Parisian
           Massacre
           were
           highly
           extolled
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           rewarded
           with
           such
           spiritual
           Graces
           as
           his
           Holiness
           useth
           to
           bestow
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             V.
          
           That
           wheresoever
           it
           finds
           Encouragement
           ,
           it
           is
           restless
           ,
           till
           it
           bears
           down
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           or
           hath
           put
           all
           in
           disorder
           .
        
         
           MAy
           we
           judg
           by
           these
           things
           ,
           how
           a
           Party
           devoted
           to
           the
           See
           of
           Rome
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           trusted
           and
           cherished
           in
           a
           Protestant
           Nation
           ,
           who
           mind
           the
           securing
           of
           themselves
           and
           their
           posterity
           ,
           from
           the
           sharpest
           Persecutions
           ;
           especially
           considering
           the
           Third
           Branch
           of
           the
           Charge
           ,
           
             That
             in
             any
             State
             ,
             where
             they
             find
             advantage
             ,
             or
             fit
             matter
             to
             work
             upon
             ,
             they
             are
             restless
             ,
             till
             they
             bear
             down
             all
             ,
             or
             put
             all
             in
             disorder
             .
          
        
         
           Popery
           hath
           its
           formed
           Combinations
           ,
           and
           se●led
           Correspondencies
           over
           all
           Christendom
           ,
           under
           the
           Supreme
           Direction
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Congregation
           at
           Rome
           ,
           for
           the
           propagation
           of
           the
           Faith
           ;
           which
           sent
           over
           swarms
           of
           
             Seminary
             Priests
             ,
             Jesuits
          
           ,
           and
           Fryars
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           who
           made
           their
           Hives
           in
           England
           .
        
         
           The
           several
           PARLIAMENTS
           of
           the
           later
           times
           of
           King
           James
           ,
           represented
           to
           the
           King
           how
           the
           
             Popish
             Recusants
          
           had
           dangerously
           increased
           their
           Numbers
           and
           Insolencies
           ,
           having
           great
           expectation
           from
           the
           Treaties
           with
           Spain
           ,
           and
           the
           interposing
           of
           
             Foreign
             Princes
          
           for
           Indulgence
           to
           them
           ;
           how
           they
           openly
           and
           usually
           resorted
           to
           the
           Churches
           and
           Chappels
           of
           
             Foreign
             Ambassadors
          
           ,
           their
           more
           then
           usual
           concourse
           to
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           their
           frequent
           Conventicles
           and
           Conferences
           there
           ;
           how
           their
           children
           were
           educated
           in
           many
           Foreign
           Seminaries
           appropriated
           to
           the
           English
           Fugitives
           ;
           what
           swarms
           of
           Priests
           and
           Jesuits
           came
           into
           the
           Land
           ;
           many
           Popish
           and
           Seditious
           Books
           licentiously
           
           printed
           and
           dispersed
           .
           From
           which
           Causes
           ,
           as
           from
           bitter
           Roots
           ,
           most
           dangerous
           Effects
           both
           to
           Church
           and
           State
           would
           follow
           .
           For
           the
           Popish
           Religion
           is
           incompatible
           with
           ours
           ;
           it
           draws
           with
           it
           an
           unavoidable
           dependance
           upon
           Foreign
           Princes
           ;
           it
           opens
           a
           wide
           gap
           for
           popularity
           in
           any
           who
           shall
           draw
           too
           great
           a
           party
           ;
           it
           hath
           a
           restless
           spirit
           ,
           and
           will
           strive
           by
           these
           gradations
           .
           If
           it
           once
           get
           connivance
           ,
           it
           will
           press
           for
           Toleration
           ;
           if
           that
           should
           be
           obtained
           ,
           it
           must
           have
           an
           Equality
           ;
           from
           thence
           it
           will
           aspire
           to
           a
           Superiority
           ,
           and
           never
           rest
           till
           it
           hath
           wrought
           the
           subversion
           of
           true
           Religion
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           several
           PARLIAMENTS
           of
           King
           Charles
           the
           First
           ,
           not
           one
           
             Publick
             Grievance
          
           was
           more
           insisted
           on
           ,
           then
           the
           
             Growth
             of
             POPERY
          
           .
           In
           the
           Third
           PARLIAMENT
           of
           that
           King
           ,
           at
           a
           Conference
           between
           the
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           about
           
             Popish
             Recusants
          
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           Principal
           Secretaries
           of
           State
           spake
           thus
           :
           
             Give
             me
             leave
             to
             tell
             you
             what
             I
             know
             ,
             That
             These
             now
             both
             vaunt
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             write
             to
             their
             Friends
             abroad
             ,
             they
             hope
             all
             will
             be
             well
             ,
             and
             doubt
             not
             to
             prevail
             ,
             and
             win
             ground
             upon
             us
             :
             And
             a
             little
             to
             awaken
             the
             Care
             and
             Zeal
             of
             our
             Learned
             and
             Grave
             Fathers
             ,
             it
             is
             fit
             that
             they
             take
             notice
             of
             that
             Hierarchy
             ,
             which
             is
             already
             Established
             in
             competition
             with
             their
             Lordships
             :
             For
             they
             have
             already
             a
             Bishop
             consecrated
             by
             the
             Pope
             .
             This
             Bishop
             hath
             his
             subalternate
             Officers
             of
             all
             kinds
             ,
             as
             
               Vicars
               General
               ,
               Arch-Deacons
               ,
               Rural
               Deans
               ,
               Apparitors
               ,
            
             and
             such
             like
             ;
             neither
             are
             these
             nominal
             and
             titular
             Officers
             alone
             ,
             but
             they
             all
             execute
             their
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             and
             make
             their
             ordinary
             Visitation
             throughout
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             keep
             Courts
             ,
             and
             determine
             Ecclesiastical
             Causes
             ;
             and
             ,
             which
             is
             an
             argument
             of
             more
             consequence
             ,
             they
             keep
             ordinary
             intelligence
             by
             their
             Agents
             at
             Rome
             ,
             and
             hold
             correspondencies
             with
             the
             Nuncio's
             and
             Cardinals
             both
             at
             Bruxels
             ,
             and
             in
             
             France
             .
             Neither
             are
             the
             Seculars
             alone
             grown
             to
             this
             height
             ,
             but
             the
             Regulars
             are
             more
             active
             and
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             have
             taken
             deep
             root
             .
             They
             have
             already
             planted
             their
             Societies
             and
             Colledges
             of
             both
             Sexes
             .
             They
             have
             setled
             Revenues
             ,
             Houses
             ,
             Libraries
             ,
             Vestments
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             necessary
             provisions
             to
             travel
             ,
             or
             stay
             at
             home
             ;
             nay
             ,
             even
             at
             this
             time
             they
             intend
             to
             hold
             a
             concurrent
             Assembly
             with
             this
             Parliament
             .
          
        
         
           In
           Ireland
           a
           
             Popish
             Clergy
          
           far
           more
           numerous
           then
           the
           Protestant
           ,
           was
           in
           full
           exercise
           of
           all
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Jurisdiction
          
           ,
           by
           
             Arch-Bishops
             ,
             Bishops
             ,
             Vicars
             ,
             General
             Officiats
             ,
          
           and
           a
           
             Vicar
             Apostolical
          
           .
           And
           they
           had
           a
           special
           Cardinal
           at
           Rome
           for
           their
           Protector
           .
        
         
           Among
           other
           Projects
           ,
           a
           Consultation
           and
           Overture
           of
           reconciling
           England
           and
           Rome
           ,
           was
           set
           on
           foot
           .
           Some
           of
           Eminency
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           gave
           advantage
           to
           the
           Project
           ,
           by
           declaring
           ,
           That
           only
           the
           Puritans
           among
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           the
           Jesuits
           among
           the
           Papists
           ,
           obstructed
           the
           Peace
           of
           Christendom
           .
           Some
           prime
           Agent
           of
           the
           Pope
           ,
           made
           a
           solemn
           offer
           of
           a
           Cardinalship
           to
           Bishop
           Laud
           ,
           at
           the
           time
           of
           his
           translation
           to
           the
           See
           of
           
             Canterbury
             .
             Sancta
             Clara
          
           presumed
           to
           dedicate
           his
           Book
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           were
           examined
           by
           the
           
             Roman
             Standard
          
           ,
           and
           distorted
           to
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           Trent
           .
           The
           Pope
           had
           Three
           Nuncio's
           ,
           
             Panzani
             ,
             Con
          
           ,
           and
           Roseti
           ,
           successively
           residing
           in
           England
           ,
           to
           work
           upon
           this
           State
           by
           advantage
           of
           the
           Project
           of
           Reconciliation
           .
        
         
           This
           Faction
           had
           many
           Irons
           in
           the
           Fire
           ,
           and
           many
           strings
           to
           their
           Bow.
           They
           had
           their
           Agents
           in
           Court
           ,
           City
           and
           Country
           .
           They
           had
           their
           Spyes
           in
           the
           Houses
           of
           great
           men
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           kept
           continual
           watch
           over
           them
           that
           had
           the
           chief
           sway
           of
           Publick
           Affairs
           .
           Their
           work
           was
           to
           raise
           and
           foster
           Jealousies
           between
           the
           King
           and
           His
           People
           ,
           
           to
           cast
           things
           into
           the
           hurry
           of
           Faction
           ,
           Prejudice
           and
           confused
           Motion
           .
           And
           whether
           the
           Court
           or
           Popular
           Faction
           prevailed
           ,
           they
           thought
           it
           equally
           advantagious
           to
           their
           Designs
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           unsettle
           the
           present
           State
           ,
           and
           work
           Mutations
           .
           Such
           Incendiaries
           are
           the
           Factors
           of
           Rome
           ,
           and
           such
           busie
           Engineers
           in
           the
           Confusions
           of
           Christendom
           .
           Can
           any
           that
           considers
           the
           foregoing
           passages
           ,
           doubt
           of
           the
           powerful
           and
           special
           Agency
           of
           the
           Court
           of
           Rome
           ,
           in
           the
           Commotions
           that
           followed
           .
           A
           Venetian
           Agent
           in
           England
           ,
           intimate
           with
           Nuncio
           Panzani
           ,
           and
           privy
           to
           all
           his
           Negotiations
           ,
           made
           this
           Observation
           ;
           
             If
             one
             may
             make
             judgment
             of
             things
             future
             ,
             by
             things
             past
             ,
             this
             Realm
             so
             divided
             into
             many
             Factions
             in
             matter
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             that
             of
             the
             Catholick
             increasing
             daily
             ,
             will
             in
             time
             be
             troubled
             and
             torn
             with
             Civil
             Warrs
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VI.
          
           The
           PAPISTS
           pretension
           of
           Loyalty
           and
           Merit
           in
           the
           King's
           Cause
           ,
           Examined
           .
        
         
           THE
           great
           Plea
           and
           boasting
           of
           the
           Romanists
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             Their
             pretension
             of
             Merit
             in
             the
             King's
             Cause
             .
          
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           the
           Papists
           knew
           that
           the
           PARLIAMENT
           was
           fully
           bent
           ,
           and
           deeply
           engaged
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           therefore
           despaired
           of
           any
           good
           to
           themselves
           by
           a
           direct
           and
           open
           compliance
           with
           them
           ,
           whatever
           undiscerned
           influence
           they
           might
           have
           on
           their
           Counsels
           :
           So
           that
           Necessity
           made
           them
           to
           serve
           the
           King
           in
           that
           Warr.
           And
           they
           brought
           neither
           Success
           nor
           Reputation
           to
           His
           Majesties
           Affairs
           ;
           nor
           did
           He
           care
           to
           own
           their
           Assistance
           more
           then
           as
           justified
           by
           the
           present
           necessity
           .
           And
           they
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           upbraid
           the
           Protestants
           with
           the
           scandal
           of
           that
           Warr
           ;
           for
           whatsoever
           was
           alledged
           in
           defence
           thereof
           ,
           by
           the
           PARLIAMENT
           and
           their
           Adherents
           ,
           as
           much
           
           hath
           been
           written
           by
           very
           Eminent
           School-men
           and
           Doctors
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           for
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           the
           Consent
           of
           the
           Cities
           and
           the
           Peers
           in
           Defensive
           Arms.
           Which
           they
           have
           written
           over
           and
           above
           their
           peculiar
           Principle
           of
           the
           Popes
           Universal
           Power
           of
           Deposing
           Kings
           that
           are
           unfit
           for
           Government
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           woful
           Catastrophe
           of
           those
           Commotions
           ,
           it
           hath
           been
           manifested
           to
           the
           world
           by
           such
           as
           undertook
           to
           justifie
           it
           ,
           when
           Authority
           should
           require
           :
           
             That
             the
             year
             before
             the
             Kings
             death
             ,
             a
             select
             number
             of
             Jesuits
             being
             sent
             from
             their
             whole
             Party
             in
          
           England
           ,
           
             consulted
             both
             the
          
           Faculty
           of
           Sorbon
           ,
           
             and
             the
          
           Conclave
           at
           Rome
           ,
           
             touching
             the
             Lawfulness
             and
             Expediency
             of
             promoting
             the
          
           Change
           of
           Government
           ,
           by
           making
           away
           the
           King
           ,
           
             whom
             they
             despaired
             to
             turn
             from
             his
             Heresie
             :
             It
             was
             debated
             and
             concluded
             in
             both
             places
             ,
             That
             for
             the
             Advancement
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Cause
             ,
             it
             was
             Lawful
             and
             Expedient
             to
             carry
             on
             that
             Alteration
             of
             State.
          
           This
           Determination
           was
           effectually
           pursued
           by
           many
           Jesuits
           that
           came
           over
           ,
           and
           acted
           their
           parts
           in
           several
           Disguises
           .
           After
           that
           execrable
           Fact
           was
           perpetrated
           on
           the
           Person
           of
           our
           Soveraign
           ,
           if
           we
           may
           believe
           most
           credible
           reports
           ,
           there
           were
           many
           Witnesses
           of
           the
           great
           joy
           among
           the
           
             English
             Convents
          
           and
           Seminaries
           ,
           and
           other
           companies
           of
           Papists
           beyond
           Sea
           ,
           as
           having
           overcome
           their
           great
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           done
           their
           main
           work
           .
        
         
           Many
           of
           their
           Chief
           ones
           sought
           the
           favour
           of
           the
           Usurpers
           ,
           with
           offers
           of
           doing
           them
           service
           .
           One
           of
           great
           note
           among
           them
           ,
           in
           a
           Book
           entituled
           ,
           
             Grounds
             of
             Obedience
             and
             Government
          
           ,
           undertook
           the
           solution
           of
           the
           Grand
           Case
           of
           those
           Times
           :
           
             That
             if
             a
             People
             be
             dissolved
             into
             the
             State
             of
          
           Anarchy
           ,
           
             their
             Promise
             made
             to
             their
             expelled
             Governour
             ,
             binds
             no
             more
             ;
             they
             are
             remitted
             to
             the
             force
             of
             Nature
             to
             provide
             for
             themselves
             .
             That
             the
             old
             Magistrates
          
           
           
             Right
             ,
             stands
             upon
             the
             Common
             Peace
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             transferred
             to
             his
             Rival
             ,
             by
             the
             Title
             of
             Quiet
             Possession
             .
          
           Conformably
           to
           these
           Principles
           ,
           they
           address
           their
           Petition
           ,
           
             To
             the
             Supream
             Authority
             ,
             the
             PARLIAMENT
             of
             the
             Commonwealth
             of
          
           England
           .
           They
           affirmed
           ,
           
             They
             had
             generally
             taken
             ,
             and
             punctually
             kept
             the
          
           Engagement
           ;
           and
           promised
           ,
           
             That
             if
             they
             might
             enjoy
             their
             Religion
             ,
             they
             would
             be
             the
             most
             quiet
             and
             useful
             Subjects
             .
          
        
         
           Of
           their
           Actings
           since
           His
           Majesties
           Restauration
           ,
           and
           the
           Jealousies
           and
           Rumours
           about
           them
           ,
           let
           men
           judg
           as
           they
           find
           by
           the
           Evidences
           that
           are
           given
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VII
          
           .
           The
           Result
           of
           the
           whole
           Discourse
           touching
           the
           Popish
           Party
           .
        
         
           AND
           now
           let
           it
           be
           duly
           weighed
           ,
           Whether
           the
           Papists
           of
           these
           Dominions
           have
           in
           later
           times
           changed
           their
           former
           Principles
           and
           Interests
           ,
           or
           have
           only
           taken
           another
           method
           of
           greater
           Artifice
           and
           Subtilty
           ,
           as
           the
           change
           of
           times
           hath
           given
           them
           direction
           and
           advantage
           .
           The
           scope
           of
           the
           whole
           preceding
           Discourse
           ,
           is
           to
           call
           in
           question
           those
           high
           pretensions
           of
           theirs
           ,
           and
           to
           cross
           their
           Aims
           at
           great
           Power
           and
           Trust
           :
           But
           it
           is
           not
           directed
           against
           the
           Security
           of
           their
           Persons
           or
           Fortunes
           ,
           or
           any
           meet
           Indulgence
           or
           Clemency
           towards
           them
           .
           Let
           them
           have
           their
           Faith
           to
           themselves
           ,
           without
           being
           vexed
           with
           snares
           ,
           or
           any
           afflicted
           ;
           the
           State
           always
           providing
           to
           obviate
           the
           forementioned
           Principles
           and
           Practices
           of
           Disloyalty
           ,
           and
           the
           diffusing
           of
           the
           leaven
           of
           their
           Superstition
           .
           The
           Inference
           of
           the
           whole
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           they
           be
           not
           admitted
           to
           a
           capacity
           of
           evil
           and
           dangerous
           influence
           upon
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           or
           of
           interrupting
           and
           perplexing
           the
           course
           of
           things
           that
           concern
           the
           publike
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VIII
          
           .
           That
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           makes
           good
           Christians
           ,
           and
           good
           Subjects
           .
        
         
           AS
           true
           Religion
           is
           the
           most
           Noble
           End
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           the
           best
           Foundation
           of
           all
           Political
           Government
           .
           And
           it
           is
           the
           felicity
           of
           the
           State
           of
           England
           ,
           to
           rest
           upon
           this
           Basis
           ,
           even
           Reformed
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           the
           Primitive
           and
           Apostolick
           Religion
           recovered
           out
           of
           the
           Apostacy
           of
           the
           later
           times
           ,
           and
           severed
           from
           that
           new
           kind
           of
           Paganism
           ,
           or
           Pagano-Christianism
           ,
           under
           which
           it
           lay
           much
           oppressed
           and
           overwhelmed
           ,
           but
           not
           extinguished
           .
           It
           s
           wholsome
           Doctrine
           contained
           in
           its
           publick
           Confessions
           ,
           makes
           
             good
             Christians
          
           ,
           and
           
             good
             Subjects
          
           .
           It
           teacheth
           obedience
           to
           Civil
           Magistrates
           ,
           without
           the
           controle
           of
           any
           Superior
           or
           Collateral
           Power
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           concerned
           ,
           if
           dangerous
           Positions
           fall
           from
           the
           Pens
           of
           some
           Writers
           .
           And
           notwithstanding
           the
           Adversaries
           Cavils
           ,
           the
           Divines
           of
           Authority
           and
           solid
           Reputation
           in
           the
           Protestant
           Churches
           ,
           do
           with
           a
           general
           Consent
           maintain
           the
           Rights
           of
           Princes
           and
           Soveraign
           Powers
           ,
           against
           all
           Disobedience
           .
           If
           any
           aberration
           in
           Practice
           ,
           hath
           been
           found
           in
           its
           Professors
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           charged
           therewith
           ,
           because
           it
           condemns
           it
           ;
           but
           the
           general
           practice
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           hath
           been
           conformable
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
           The
           Reformation
           in
           England
           ,
           for
           its
           Legality
           and
           Orderliness
           ,
           is
           unquestionable
           .
           In
           Germany
           it
           was
           setled
           and
           defended
           by
           Princes
           and
           free
           Cities
           ,
           that
           governed
           their
           own
           Signiories
           and
           Territories
           ,
           paying
           only
           a
           respect
           of
           Homage
           to
           the
           Emperor
           .
           In
           Helvetia
           it
           began
           by
           the
           Senates
           of
           the
           Cantons
           .
           It
           was
           received
           in
           Geneva
           by
           that
           Republick
           ,
           after
           the
           Civil
           Government
           had
           been
           reformed
           by
           strong
           Papists
           .
           In
           the
           Provinces
           of
           the
           Netherlands
           it
           
           was
           spread
           many
           years
           before
           the
           Union
           against
           the
           Spaniard
           ;
           which
           Union
           was
           not
           made
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           of
           State.
           The
           manner
           of
           its
           beginning
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           is
           by
           some
           attributed
           to
           a
           National
           Disposition
           ,
           the
           asperity
           and
           vehemency
           thereof
           ,
           is
           said
           to
           be
           greater
           in
           times
           of
           Popery
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           much
           mitigated
           by
           the
           Reformation
           .
           For
           France
           ,
           we
           may
           take
           the
           Testimony
           of
           King
           JAMES
           ,
           who
           was
           jealous
           enough
           for
           the
           Power
           of
           Kings
           .
           He
           said
           ,
           That
           
             he
             never
             knew
             yet
             ,
             that
             the
          
           French
           Protestants
           
             took
             Arms
             against
             their
             King.
          
           In
           the
           first
           Troubles
           ,
           they
           stood
           only
           upon
           their
           Defence
           ;
           before
           they
           took
           Arms
           ,
           they
           were
           burned
           and
           Massacred
           every
           where
           .
           The
           first
           Quarrel
           did
           not
           begin
           for
           Religion
           ,
           but
           because
           when
           King
           Francis
           the
           Second
           was
           under
           Age
           ,
           they
           had
           been
           the
           refuge
           of
           the
           Princes
           of
           the
           Blood
           expelled
           from
           the
           Court
           ,
           who
           knew
           not
           else
           where
           to
           take
           Sanctuary
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           shall
           not
           be
           found
           that
           they
           made
           any
           other
           Warr.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           not
           for
           this
           Discourse
           to
           intermeddle
           with
           all
           the
           Actions
           of
           Protestant
           Subjects
           towards
           their
           Princes
           ,
           that
           have
           happened
           in
           Christendom
           :
           Let
           them
           stand
           or
           fall
           by
           the
           Laws
           and
           Polity
           under
           which
           they
           live
           .
           Whensoever
           they
           have
           been
           disloyal
           ,
           they
           have
           swerved
           from
           the
           known
           and
           received
           Rules
           of
           their
           Profession
           .
           Through
           the
           corruption
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           Subjects
           of
           whatsoever
           perswasion
           ,
           are
           prone
           to
           Murmurings
           and
           Mutinies
           .
           Sometimes
           Oppression
           makes
           them
           mad
           .
           Sometimes
           a
           Jealousie
           of
           Incroachments
           upon
           their
           Legal
           Rights
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           raiseth
           Distempers
           and
           Contests
           .
           And
           sometimes
           an
           unbridled
           ,
           wanton
           affecting
           of
           inordinate
           Liberty
           ,
           makes
           them
           insolent
           and
           licentious
           .
           But
           over
           and
           above
           these
           common
           Sources
           of
           Rebellion
           ,
           Popery
           hath
           a
           peculiar
           one
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           the
           greatest
           Force
           ,
           the
           Conscience
           of
           Religious
           Obligations
           ,
           and
           the
           Zeal
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Faith.
           Protestants
           have
           never
           disowned
           their
           King
           for
           difference
           
           in
           Religion
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           of
           the
           
             Roman
             Catholieks
          
           of
           France
           dealt
           with
           Henry
           the
           Fourth
           ,
           by
           the
           Popes
           instigation
           .
           And
           in
           their
           greatest
           Enormities
           ,
           they
           have
           never
           attempted
           the
           Stabbing
           and
           Poysoning
           of
           Princes
           that
           stood
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           which
           the
           Jesuits
           teach
           their
           Disciples
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             IX
          
           .
           The
           Reformed
           Religion
           is
           the
           permanent
           Interest
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           AS
           the
           Protestant
           or
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           is
           the
           true
           Primitive
           Christianity
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           the
           stable
           and
           permanent
           Interest
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           the
           sure
           Foundation
           of
           its
           Prosperity
           .
           The
           King
           of
           England
           is
           the
           most
           Mighty
           Prince
           of
           this
           Profession
           ,
           and
           becomes
           the
           more
           Potent
           over
           Christendom
           ,
           by
           being
           the
           Head
           and
           Chief
           of
           the
           whole
           Protestant
           Party
           :
           And
           it
           is
           well
           known
           ,
           That
           by
           the
           Support
           and
           Defence
           of
           this
           Cause
           ,
           the
           Nation
           hath
           encreased
           in
           Honour
           ,
           and
           Wealth
           ,
           and
           Power
           .
        
         
           The
           Peoples
           rooted
           Aversness
           from
           Popery
           ,
           is
           most
           apparent
           ,
           and
           their
           Jealousies
           work
           upon
           any
           more
           then
           usual
           Insolence
           or
           Confidence
           of
           the
           Papists
           .
           The
           Royallists
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           have
           been
           Allarm'd
           ,
           and
           manifested
           their
           Zeal
           against
           it
           .
           And
           His
           Majesties
           Aversness
           from
           it
           ,
           is
           so
           fully
           declared
           by
           His
           Constancy
           amidst
           Temptations
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           His
           Exile
           ,
           and
           now
           since
           His
           Return
           ,
           that
           for
           His
           Honours
           sake
           ,
           it
           is
           made
           very
           penal
           for
           any
           to
           suggest
           that
           He
           would
           introduce
           it
           ;
           the
           Law
           presuming
           ,
           That
           such
           suggestion
           must
           needs
           proceed
           from
           an
           evil
           mind
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           Prince
           that
           hath
           cast
           off
           the
           Popes
           yoke
           ,
           would
           willingly
           come
           under
           it
           again
           ?
           A
           Foreign
           Statesman
           of
           the
           Roman
           Profession
           ,
           hath
           observed
           it
           as
           a
           Barr
           
           against
           the
           projected
           Reconciliation
           between
           England
           and
           Rome
           ,
           That
           it
           could
           not
           be
           effected
           without
           Concessions
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Maxims
           of
           both
           parties
           .
           
             This
             Realm
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             is
             perversly
             addicted
             to
             maintain
             its
             own
             resolute
             Opinion
             of
             Excluding
             the
             Popes
             Authority
             .
             And
             the
             Court
             of
          
           Rome
           
             is
             more
             sollicitous
             to
             remove
             whatsoever
             is
             contrary
             to
             its
             Temporal
             Grandure
             ,
             then
             to
             extirpate
             such
             Heresies
             as
             this
             Realm
             is
             infected
             with
             .
          
           To
           instance
           in
           that
           one
           point
           of
           the
           Approbation
           or
           Toleration
           of
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           ;
           though
           some
           Catholick
           Doctors
           had
           with
           their
           Tongues
           and
           Pens
           maintained
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           that
           Oath
           ;
           yet
           thereby
           ,
           and
           by
           opening
           some
           other
           points
           of
           high
           consequence
           ,
           they
           had
           so
           displeased
           the
           Pope
           ,
           that
           could
           they
           have
           been
           catch't
           ,
           they
           were
           sure
           to
           have
           been
           burn'd
           or
           strangled
           for
           it
           .
           But
           what
           allurement
           is
           there
           to
           dispose
           the
           Monarchs
           of
           the
           Earth
           to
           subject
           themselves
           to
           the
           Sacerdotal
           Empire
           of
           Rome
           ,
           or
           to
           endeavour
           an
           Accommodation
           with
           it
           ?
           Hath
           Popery
           its
           advantages
           to
           dispose
           Subjects
           to
           security
           and
           blind
           obedience
           ?
           So
           it
           hath
           its
           advantages
           to
           loosen
           the
           Bonds
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           and
           foment
           Rebellion
           in
           Subjects
           ;
           when
           Protestancy
           seasons
           them
           with
           principles
           of
           unstained
           Loyalty
           .
           A
           people
           nuzled
           in
           ignorance
           and
           superstition
           ,
           are
           more
           easily
           seduced
           from
           their
           obedience
           to
           Magistrates
           ,
           and
           carried
           headlong
           by
           those
           that
           have
           dominion
           over
           their
           Consciences
           .
           But
           Understanding
           and
           Knowledg
           makes
           men
           considerate
           ,
           and
           more
           easily
           manageable
           by
           a
           just
           and
           prudent
           Government
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Clergy's
           Interest
           ,
           though
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           doth
           not
           affect
           that
           excessive
           Pomp
           and
           Splendor
           of
           Church-men
           ,
           which
           the
           Popish
           doth
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           taken
           for
           granted
           ,
           That
           neither
           Conscience
           nor
           Interest
           will
           permit
           the
           Bishops
           and
           Clergy
           of
           England
           ,
           to
           unite
           to
           the
           See
           of
           Rome
           .
           Their
           Doctrine
           is
           too
           pure
           ,
           and
           their
           Judgment
           too
           
           clear
           for
           a
           full
           compliance
           with
           Popery
           :
           And
           they
           know
           what
           it
           is
           to
           come
           under
           the
           Papal
           Yoke
           ,
           to
           divest
           themselves
           ,
           and
           receive
           new
           Orders
           from
           Rome
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           displaced
           and
           set
           behind
           the
           Veteran
           Soldiers
           of
           the
           Roman
           Camp
           ,
           whose
           turns
           must
           be
           first
           served
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             X.
          
           It
           is
           for
           the
           behoof
           of
           Religion
           and
           true
           Piety
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Interest
           of
           this
           State
           ,
           That
           Reformed
           Christianity
           be
           setled
           in
           its
           full
           Extent
           .
        
         
           IF
           it
           be
           resolved
           ,
           
             That
             Protestancy
             is
             the
             truth
             of
             Christianity
             ,
          
           and
           also
           ,
           
             the
             stability
             of
             England
          
           ;
           it
           follows
           ,
           That
           this
           Profession
           must
           not
           be
           streightned
           and
           lessened
           ,
           but
           inlarged
           and
           cherished
           ,
           according
           to
           its
           true
           Extent
           ;
           and
           the
           Rule
           and
           Square
           of
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           State
           ,
           must
           be
           commensurate
           thereunto
           .
           It
           should
           be
           the
           measure
           of
           all
           mens
           Zeal
           and
           Activity
           in
           Rites
           and
           Opinions
           ,
           whatsoever
           is
           necessary
           to
           its
           support
           and
           advancement
           ,
           is
           constantly
           to
           be
           asserted
           ;
           and
           about
           things
           impertinent
           thereunto
           ,
           contention
           should
           utterly
           cease
           .
           This
           is
           to
           advance
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           among
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           encrease
           the
           Church's
           glory
           upon
           earth
           .
           But
           by
           needless
           Schisms
           and
           Factions
           ,
           to
           weaken
           the
           common
           Interest
           of
           Reformed
           Christianity
           ,
           is
           to
           dissipate
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           defeat
           the
           great
           Ends
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           which
           are
           ,
           Sound
           and
           strong
           Faith
           in
           Christ
           and
           his
           Promises
           ,
           unfeigned
           devotion
           ,
           purity
           of
           heart
           ,
           innocence
           and
           integrity
           of
           life
           ,
           common
           charity
           ,
           brotherly
           love
           ,
           humility
           ,
           mutual
           forbearance
           ,
           and
           condescention
           ,
           unshaken
           peace
           and
           concord
           .
        
         
           As
           this
           Latitude
           promotes
           the
           great
           Designs
           of
           Christs
           Gospel
           ,
           so
           it
           settles
           this
           Nation
           ,
           and
           is
           ,
           for
           matter
           of
           Religion
           ,
           its
           right
           and
           sure
           Basis.
           Every
           good
           Foundation
           ,
           lyes
           adequate
           to
           the
           Building
           to
           be
           laid
           thereon
           :
           So
           any
           Polity
           
           Civil
           or
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           should
           be
           proportionate
           to
           the
           people
           to
           be
           governed
           thereby
           .
           The
           people
           that
           are
           of
           moment
           in
           the
           Ballance
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           are
           ,
           though
           not
           universally
           ,
           yet
           more
           generally
           rooted
           in
           Protestantism
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           taken
           in
           its
           due
           latitude
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           unduly
           restrained
           by
           the
           passions
           and
           interests
           of
           men
           :
           For
           in
           this
           they
           are
           one
           ,
           though
           divided
           about
           lesser
           things
           .
        
         
           There
           hath
           been
           much
           discord
           between
           men
           of
           several
           Perswasions
           ,
           that
           throughly
           accord
           with
           each
           other
           in
           the
           same
           common
           Faith
           ,
           as
           almost
           to
           expunge
           one
           another
           out
           of
           the
           List
           of
           Protestants
           .
           Surely
           this
           is
           a
           great
           error
           and
           a
           disadvantage
           on
           all
           hands
           ,
           as
           well
           to
           those
           that
           stand
           on
           the
           Vantage-ground
           ,
           as
           to
           others
           :
           For
           they
           that
           carry
           it
           after
           this
           sort
           ,
           do
           weaken
           the
           Common
           Interest
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           strengthen
           the
           Common
           Adversary
           that
           is
           irreconcilable
           ,
           and
           disparage
           themselves
           as
           a
           narrow
           Party
           or
           Faction
           .
           That
           all
           those
           who
           heartily
           embrace
           the
           
             English
             Reformation
          
           established
           by
           Law
           ,
           are
           Protestants
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           questioned
           by
           men
           of
           temperate
           spirits
           .
           And
           concerning
           the
           residue
           ,
           let
           the
           sober-minded
           judge
           ,
           Whether
           they
           that
           assent
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Faith
           contained
           in
           the
           Articles
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           and
           do
           worship
           God
           according
           to
           that
           Faith
           ,
           have
           right
           to
           be
           esteemed
           Protestants
           .
           Now
           if
           Protestancy
           taken
           in
           its
           due
           Extent
           ,
           doth
           sway
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           is
           able
           to
           settle
           its
           Peace
           against
           the
           Competition
           of
           any
           Rival
           ;
           should
           it
           not
           be
           encompassed
           according
           to
           that
           Extent
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           is
           possible
           ,
           in
           the
           Polity
           of
           this
           State
           ?
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XI
          
           .
           How
           momentous
           in
           the
           Ballance
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           those
           Protestants
           are
           ,
           that
           dissent
           from
           the
           present
           Ecclesiastical
           Polity
           .
        
         
           VVHether
           cogent
           Reason
           speaks
           for
           this
           Latitude
           ,
           be
           it
           now
           considered
           ,
           
             How
             momentous
             in
             the
             Ballance
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             those
             Protestants
             are
             ,
             which
             are
             dissatisfied
             in
             the
             present
             Ecclesiastical
             Polity
             .
          
           They
           are
           every
           where
           spred
           through
           City
           and
           Countrey
           ;
           they
           make
           no
           small
           part
           of
           all
           ranks
           and
           sorts
           of
           men
           ;
           by
           Relations
           and
           Commerce
           they
           are
           so
           woven
           into
           the
           Nations
           Interest
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           sever
           them
           ,
           without
           unravelling
           the
           whole
           .
           They
           are
           not
           excluded
           from
           among
           the
           Nobility
           ,
           among
           the
           Gentry
           they
           are
           not
           a
           few
           ;
           but
           none
           are
           of
           more
           importance
           then
           they
           in
           the
           Trading
           part
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           live
           by
           Industry
           ,
           upon
           whose
           hands
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           Nation
           lyes
           much
           .
           It
           hath
           been
           noted
           ,
           that
           some
           who
           bear
           them
           no
           good
           will
           ,
           have
           said
           ,
           
             That
             the
             very
             Air
             of
             Corporations
             is
             infected
             with
             their
             Contagion
             .
          
           And
           in
           whatsoever
           degree
           they
           are
           ,
           high
           or
           low
           ,
           ordinarily
           for
           good
           understanding
           ,
           steddiness
           and
           soberness
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           inferior
           to
           others
           of
           the
           same
           Rank
           and
           Quality
           ;
           neither
           do
           they
           want
           the
           Rational
           Courage
           of
           English
           Men.
           
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Ministers
           of
           this
           Perswasion
           ,
           some
           have
           called
           them
           Fools
           for
           their
           Inconformity
           ;
           others
           are
           reported
           to
           have
           said
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Church
             should
             not
             so
             easily
             be
             rid
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             if
             their
             Conformity
             had
             been
             dreaded
             by
             them
             .
          
           Some
           have
           pitied
           them
           ,
           wishing
           
             that
             they
             would
             Conform
          
           ;
           and
           others
           revile
           them
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Conform
             ,
             or
             not
             Conform
             ,
             never
             trust
             them
             .
          
           Howbeit
           ,
           they
           make
           Solemn
           Appeals
           to
           the
           Most
           High
           God
           ,
           
             That
             they
             dare
             not
             Conform
             ,
             for
          
           
           
             Conscience
             sake
          
           ;
           and
           
             that
             it
             is
             not
             in
             the
             power
             of
             their
             own
             wills
             to
             relieve
             them
             .
          
           And
           whatsoever
           their
           grounds
           of
           dissent
           be
           ,
           they
           hold
           it
           out
           against
           all
           hopes
           of
           Indulgence
           ,
           whilst
           many
           of
           them
           live
           in
           Necessities
           ,
           and
           most
           of
           them
           upon
           the
           kindness
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           now
           about
           Five
           years
           since
           a
           Full
           and
           Vigorous
           
             Act
             of
             Uniformity
          
           .
           at
           once
           cleared
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           supposed
           Enemies
           of
           her
           Polity
           .
           All
           Corporations
           have
           been
           New-model'd
           and
           changed
           as
           to
           the
           Principles
           and
           Tempers
           of
           persons
           ,
           for
           the
           better
           securing
           of
           the
           Government
           in
           Church
           and
           State.
           The
           Private
           Meetings
           for
           Religious
           Worship
           (
           termed
           Conventicles
           )
           are
           strictly
           prohibited
           ,
           Deportation
           being
           the
           Penalty
           upon
           the
           Third
           Conviction
           .
           And
           for
           the
           breaking
           and
           dissipating
           of
           the
           whole
           Party
           ,
           it
           is
           provided
           by
           another
           Law
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Non-conforming
             Ministers
             be
             removed
             five
             miles
             distant
             from
             the
             places
             of
             their
             usual
             supports
             and
             influences
             .
          
           Such
           care
           is
           taken
           ,
           and
           such
           is
           the
           advantage
           both
           of
           Law
           and
           Power
           ,
           to
           strengthen
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           restrain
           Dissenters
           ▪
           Nevertheless
           ,
           the
           State
           Ecclesiastical
           hath
           advanced
           little
           in
           the
           esteem
           ,
           acceptance
           ,
           or
           acquiescence
           of
           people
           .
           The
           Dissenters
           are
           still
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           are
           rather
           strengthned
           in
           their
           aversness
           .
           And
           those
           of
           them
           that
           repair
           to
           the
           publick
           Assemblies
           ,
           retain
           their
           Principles
           of
           Reformation
           (
           as
           they
           speak
           )
           without
           seperation
           .
           The
           Indifferent
           sort
           of
           men
           are
           still
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           have
           some
           kindness
           for
           the
           depressed
           Party
           ,
           and
           pity
           them
           in
           their
           Sufferings
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XII
          
           .
           The
           Extirpation
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           is
           both
           difficult
           and
           unprofitable
           .
        
         
           PEradventure
           some
           think
           their
           total
           Extirpation
           to
           be
           the
           surest
           way
           to
           publick
           Security
           and
           Peace
           ;
           and
           that
           great
           Severities
           will
           do
           the
           work
           .
           But
           Violent
           compulsion
           and
           Terror
           ,
           comports
           not
           with
           the
           nature
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           
             Rational
             Service
          
           ,
           and
           seeks
           a
           
             willing
             people
          
           ;
           and
           is
           not
           at
           all
           in
           truth
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           not
           received
           with
           judgment
           and
           
             free
             choice
          
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           the
           success
           of
           such
           a
           course
           may
           be
           doubted
           of
           ,
           since
           the
           Protestant
           spirit
           is
           not
           like
           the
           Popish
           ,
           Cruel
           and
           outragious
           ;
           and
           the
           nature
           of
           English
           men
           is
           not
           bloody
           ,
           but
           generously
           compassionate
           .
           Wherefore
           in
           this
           Land
           to
           execute
           Extremity
           upon
           an
           intelligent
           ,
           sober
           and
           peaceable
           sort
           of
           men
           ,
           so
           numerous
           among
           all
           ranks
           ,
           may
           prove
           exceeding
           difficult
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           executed
           by
           such
           Instruments
           as
           may
           strike
           terror
           into
           the
           whole
           Nation
           .
           The
           Civil
           Officers
           in
           general
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           found
           so
           forward
           to
           afflict
           their
           quiet
           and
           harmless
           neighbours
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           if
           severity
           used
           once
           for
           all
           ,
           could
           extinguish
           an
           opposite
           party
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           some
           plea
           of
           Policy
           ;
           but
           when
           Severity
           must
           still
           be
           justified
           with
           more
           Severity
           ,
           without
           an
           end
           ,
           it
           is
           like
           to
           prove
           unlucky
           to
           the
           undertakers
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           the
           Nation
           like
           to
           grow
           the
           better
           by
           the
           subversion
           of
           this
           sort
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           effected
           .
           For
           in
           them
           no
           small
           part
           of
           the
           Nations
           Sobriety
           ,
           Frugality
           ,
           and
           Industry
           doth
           reside
           .
           They
           are
           not
           the
           
             Great
             Wasters
          
           ,
           but
           mostly
           in
           the
           number
           of
           Getters
           .
           In
           most
           places
           the
           displaceing
           of
           them
           hath
           not
           encreased
           Civility
           and
           good
           Conversation
           among
           men
           ;
           and
           it
           makes
           not
           for
           their
           dishonour
           ,
           that
           many
           will
           swear
           and
           be
           drunk
           ,
           to
           declare
           they
           are
           none
           of
           them
           .
        
         
         
           There
           is
           something
           of
           more
           importance
           .
           To
           purge
           the
           Nation
           of
           this
           people
           ,
           may
           be
           to
           purge
           out
           more
           of
           its
           Vitals
           then
           the
           strength
           of
           this
           State
           can
           bear
           .
           To
           suppress
           those
           that
           are
           reckoned
           among
           the
           chief
           in
           Trading
           ,
           and
           whose
           Commerce
           is
           so
           general
           ,
           may
           beget
           a
           general
           diffidence
           and
           insecurity
           in
           Traders
           ,
           and
           may
           help
           to
           drive
           away
           Trade
           it self
           ,
           and
           send
           it
           to
           an
           emulous
           and
           encroaching
           Nation
           .
           May
           we
           mind
           ,
           without
           offence
           ,
           the
           event
           of
           things
           among
           us
           ?
           The
           business
           of
           the
           Nation
           hath
           not
           proceeded
           with
           the
           current
           and
           free
           passage
           expected
           ;
           nor
           doth
           its
           Wealth
           and
           Glory
           encrease
           .
           Trade
           languisheth
           ,
           and
           Traders
           fail
           in
           great
           Numbers
           ;
           the
           Rents
           of
           Lands
           fall
           ;
           there
           is
           scarcity
           of
           Money
           in
           City
           and
           Country
           ;
           the
           Necessities
           and
           Difficulties
           of
           private
           Estates
           are
           common
           ,
           and
           Complainings
           are
           general
           .
           And
           after
           a
           continued
           decay
           ,
           things
           are
           at
           last
           fallen
           and
           funk
           much
           lower
           in
           the
           Ruins
           of
           the
           City
           of
           LONDON
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           Nations
           happiness
           to
           be
           re-established
           upon
           the
           Ancient
           ,
           Legal
           Foundations
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           the
           right
           stating
           and
           pursuing
           of
           its
           true
           Interest
           ,
           by
           which
           it
           comes
           to
           a
           firm
           consistency
           ,
           and
           proportionable
           growth
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           sort
           of
           men
           are
           inquisitive
           ,
           and
           therefore
           troublesome
           to
           Rulers
           ,
           to
           whom
           Obedience
           without
           disputing
           ,
           is
           most
           acceptable
           .
           It
           is
           fit
           indeed
           they
           be
           as
           humble
           and
           modest
           ,
           as
           inquisitive
           .
           Yet
           these
           inquiring
           men
           stand
           much
           by
           that
           main
           Principle
           of
           Protestantism
           ,
           the
           
             Judgment
             of
             Discretion
          
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           the
           Churches
           Infallibility
           ,
           and
           the
           peoples
           implicite
           Faith
           ,
           may
           help
           against
           all
           Disputes
           :
           but
           it
           cannot
           be
           so
           in
           England
           ,
           whilst
           the
           people
           read
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           the
           established
           Doctrine
           of
           Faith
           remains
           with
           us
           :
           And
           if
           no
           greater
           latitude
           can
           be
           allowed
           ,
           then
           is
           at
           present
           ,
           a
           Race
           of
           Non-conformists
           is
           like
           to
           run
           parallel
           with
           the
           Conformists
           to
           the
           worlds
           end
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XIII
          
           .
           The
           representation
           of
           this
           Difficulty
           ,
           is
           no
           Threatning
           to
           Rulers
           ,
           or
           Intimation
           of
           Rebellion
           .
        
         
           SUch
           as
           take
           this
           Representation
           for
           a
           Challenge
           to
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           ,
           and
           a
           Demand
           of
           LIBERTY
           ,
           and
           a
           Threatning
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           granted
           ,
           are
           too
           far
           transported
           with
           Passion
           .
           What
           can
           be
           of
           greater
           concernment
           to
           Governors
           ,
           then
           to
           discern
           and
           consider
           the
           state
           of
           their
           people
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           indeed
           ?
           And
           why
           may
           it
           not
           be
           minded
           by
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           spoken
           of
           without
           any
           hint
           or
           thought
           of
           Rebellion
           ?
           If
           Subjects
           use
           Arguments
           of
           Equity
           and
           Safety
           to
           Princes
           ,
           it
           doth
           not
           presently
           speak
           a
           Demand
           :
           And
           it
           is
           no
           Threatning
           to
           say
           ,
           
             That
             Rulers
             themselves
             must
             be
             ruled
             by
             Reason
             ,
             or
             do
             worse
             .
          
        
         
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           should
           they
           whose
           Case
           is
           here
           argued
           ,
           upon
           this
           score
           meditate
           Rebellion
           and
           Warr
           ,
           they
           were
           abandoned
           of
           their
           own
           Reason
           ,
           and
           would
           hurry
           themselves
           into
           a
           precipice
           of
           manifest
           Ruin.
           To
           rush
           into
           ways
           of
           violence
           ,
           evidently
           destroys
           their
           Interest
           ,
           which
           stands
           in
           maintaining
           such
           works
           ,
           and
           providing
           such
           things
           as
           are
           profitable
           to
           the
           Commonwealth
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           known
           that
           the
           publike
           good
           consists
           by
           them
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           by
           others
           .
           To
           abide
           in
           their
           stations
           ,
           to
           have
           patience
           under
           grievances
           ,
           to
           sweeten
           their
           Governors
           by
           humility
           and
           modesty
           ,
           is
           their
           best
           security
           ,
           who
           stand
           or
           fall
           together
           with
           the
           true
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           .
        
         
           Nevertheless
           ,
           though
           a
           peoples
           discomposure
           doth
           not
           forespeak
           Warrs
           and
           Tumults
           ,
           yet
           it
           may
           denounce
           Woe
           and
           Misery
           .
           Can
           nothing
           undo
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           Rebellion
           and
           Treason
           ?
           Was
           there
           ever
           a
           greater
           Separation
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           then
           now
           is
           ?
           Was
           there
           ever
           less
           satisfaction
           among
           Multitudes
           every
           where
           ,
           t●at
           
           do
           yet
           frequent
           her
           Assemblies
           ?
           A
           State
           ,
           that
           is
           free
           from
           violent
           Convulsive
           motions
           ,
           may
           fall
           into
           a
           Paralytick
           ,
           or
           Hectick
           Distemper
           ,
           or
           an
           Atrophy
           .
           The
           Current
           of
           Vital
           Blood
           may
           be
           stopt
           in
           its
           Veins
           .
           There
           be
           sullen
           Mutinies
           ,
           that
           make
           no
           noise
           ,
           but
           may
           loosen
           all
           the
           Joynts
           and
           Ligaments
           of
           Policy
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XIV
          
           .
           The
           Setling
           of
           the
           Nation
           by
           an
           Established
           Order
           ,
           a
           Toleration
           ,
           and
           a
           Connivence
           .
        
         
           IF
           the
           Interest
           both
           of
           Reformed
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           require
           a
           more
           comprehensive
           state
           of
           Religion
           ,
           the
           true
           Extent
           of
           that
           State
           will
           be
           no
           impertinent
           or
           unmeet
           Inquiry
           .
           Such
           is
           the
           complicated
           condition
           of
           Humane
           Affairs
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           exceeding
           difficult
           to
           devise
           a
           Rule
           or
           Model
           that
           shall
           provide
           for
           all
           whom
           Equity
           will
           plead
           for
           .
           Therefore
           the
           Prudent
           and
           Sober
           will
           acquiesce
           in
           any
           Constitution
           that
           is
           in
           some
           good
           sor
           ▪
           proportionable
           to
           the
           Ends
           of
           Government
           .
           All
           that
           are
           thought
           fit
           to
           abide
           with
           security
           in
           any
           state
           ,
           may
           be
           reduced
           to
           Three
           sorts
           :
           First
           ,
           Those
           that
           are
           of
           the
           Established
           and
           Approved
           Order
           .
           2.
           
           Such
           as
           may
           be
           Tolerated
           under
           certain
           Restrictions
           .
           3.
           
           Such
           as
           may
           be
           only
           connived
           at
           .
           And
           accordingly
           the
           Setling
           of
           a
           Nation
           may
           be
           made
           up
           of
           an
           Establishment
           ,
           a
           
             Limited
             Toleration
          
           ,
           and
           a
           
             Discreet
             Connivence
          
           .
           To
           be
           comprehended
           within
           the
           Establishment
           ,
           it
           is
           requisite
           not
           only
           to
           be
           of
           importance
           in
           the
           Publick
           Interest
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           Principles
           congruous
           to
           such
           stated
           Order
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           stability
           of
           the
           Commonwealth
           requires
           .
           As
           for
           the
           two
           later
           ,
           Toleration
           and
           Connivence
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           regulated
           with
           respect
           not
           only
           to
           common
           Charity
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           the
           Safety
           of
           the
           Established
           Order
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XV.
          
           Of
           the
           Established
           Order
           in
           RELIGION
           ,
           and
           the
           Moderation
           therein
           required
           .
        
         
           AS
           for
           the
           
             Established
             Order
          
           ,
           we
           presume
           not
           here
           to
           intermeddle
           with
           the
           Form
           or
           Species
           of
           Church-Government
           ;
           but
           only
           to
           consider
           the
           prescribed
           Uniformity
           of
           Judgment
           and
           Practice
           .
           Evident
           reason
           speaks
           ,
           That
           this
           be
           not
           narrow
           ,
           but
           as
           broad
           and
           comprehensive
           as
           it
           is
           possible
           ,
           that
           of
           it self
           ,
           by
           its
           own
           force
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           chief
           in
           sway
           ,
           and
           controle
           all
           dissenting
           parties
           .
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           it
           must
           not
           be
           loose
           and
           incoherent
           ,
           but
           well
           compacted
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           attain
           the
           Ends
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           which
           are
           to
           promote
           sound
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           godly
           life
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           out
           Idolatry
           ,
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           all
           wicked
           Error
           and
           Practice
           that
           tends
           to
           the
           defeating
           of
           the
           Power
           of
           Christian
           Verity
           ,
           Now
           these
           Ends
           do
           not
           require
           a
           Constitution
           of
           narrower
           bounds
           ,
           then
           things
           necessary
           to
           Christian
           Faith
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           godly
           Order
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           These
           things
           must
           be
           maintained
           ,
           and
           clearly
           stated
           ;
           but
           whatsoever
           is
           more
           then
           these
           ,
           may
           be
           matter
           of
           good
           intention
           and
           devotion
           to
           some
           ,
           but
           an
           occasion
           of
           stumbling
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           
             Who
             shall
             judg
             what
             things
             are
             necessary
             ?
          
           This
           doubt
           might
           soon
           be
           resolved
           ,
           if
           passion
           ,
           and
           prejudice
           ,
           and
           private
           ends
           were
           vanquished
           .
           But
           however
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           put
           to
           the
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           :
           Why
           should
           not
           the
           great
           things
           of
           Christianity
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           wise
           Builders
           ,
           be
           a
           sufficient
           Foundation
           of
           Church-Unity
           and
           Concord
           ?
           What
           need
           hath
           the
           Church
           to
           enjoyn
           more
           then
           what
           is
           necessary
           to
           Faith
           and
           Order
           ?
           Is
           not
           Moderation
           and
           Charity
           far
           more
           excellent
           ,
           then
           glorying
           in
           Opinions
           ,
           Formalities
           ,
           and
           petty
           matters
           ,
           to
           the
           regret
           of
           many
           Consciences
           ?
           What
           if
           those
           that
           question
           
           her
           Injunctions
           ,
           should
           be
           weak
           ,
           nice
           and
           captious
           ?
           It
           is
           about
           matters
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           wherein
           God
           hath
           proclaimed
           his
           Jealousie
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           they
           being
           over-jealous
           ,
           do
           erre
           ,
           they
           deserve
           pity
           .
        
         
           Our
           Eccleasiastical
           Superiors
           are
           here
           earnestly
           besought
           ,
           Calmly
           and
           seriously
           to
           review
           the
           prescribed
           Uniformity
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           how
           some
           parts
           thereof
           ,
           which
           at
           the
           best
           are
           but
           things
           indifferent
           ,
           have
           been
           long
           disputed
           ,
           and
           by
           what
           manner
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           what
           hath
           been
           argued
           for
           and
           against
           them
           ;
           and
           how
           this
           Difference
           hath
           held
           ,
           and
           still
           encreased
           ,
           from
           Bishop
           Hooper
           in
           King
           Edward's
           time
           ,
           to
           the
           present
           Non-conformists
           ;
           and
           then
           to
           judg
           whether
           a
           rational
           and
           conscientious
           man
           may
           not
           possibly
           dissent
           from
           some
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           doubt
           of
           their
           Lawfulness
           ;
           and
           in
           case
           of
           such
           dissenting
           or
           doubting
           ,
           what
           he
           should
           do
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Meats
           ,
           
             He
             that
             doubts
             ,
             is
             damned
             if
             he
             eat
             ,
             because
             he
             eateth
             not
             of
             faith
             .
          
           Can
           a
           man
           by
           Subscription
           and
           Practice
           ,
           allow
           those
           things
           which
           his
           Conscience
           rationally
           doubts
           to
           be
           sinful
           ?
        
         
           It
           is
           Honour
           and
           Power
           enough
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           enabled
           by
           her
           Authority
           to
           inforce
           Gods
           Commandments
           .
           She
           is
           observed
           and
           honoured
           as
           a
           Mother
           indeed
           ,
           when
           by
           her
           Wisdom
           and
           Care
           ,
           her
           Children
           walk
           orderly
           according
           to
           the
           Christian
           Institution
           ;
           and
           it
           may
           suffice
           her
           to
           chastise
           those
           of
           them
           that
           walk
           contrary
           to
           Christ.
           Though
           she
           be
           of
           
             venerable
             Authority
          
           ,
           yet
           she
           doth
           not
           claim
           an
           Infal●ibility
           ;
           and
           therefore
           she
           cannot
           settle
           the
           Conscience
           by
           her
           sole
           Warrant
           ,
           but
           still
           leaves
           room
           for
           doubting
           .
           And
           in
           prescribed
           Forms
           and
           Rites
           of
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Conscience
           that
           doth
           its
           office
           ,
           will
           inevitably
           interpose
           and
           concern
           it self
           ;
           and
           it
           being
           unsatisfied
           ,
           ●arrs
           and
           r●nts
           will
           follow
           .
           Woful
           Experience
           cryes
           un●●
           us
           ▪
           
             No
             more
             of
             such
             Injunctions
             then
             needs
             must
             .
          
           
           The
           indisputable
           Truths
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           indispensable
           Duties
           of
           Life
           ,
           are
           the
           main
           object
           of
           Church-Discipline
           ;
           therefore
           an
           ill
           choice
           is
           made
           when
           the
           vigor
           of
           Discipline
           is
           exercised
           about
           lesser
           and
           more
           dispensable
           things
           of
           meer
           Humane
           Determination
           .
        
         
           The
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           commend
           the
           Moderation
           used
           in
           the
           Articles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           being
           formed
           in
           words
           of
           that
           extent
           ,
           that
           men
           of
           different
           Perswasions
           about
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           
             Predestination
             ,
             Divine
             Grace
          
           ,
           and
           Free-will
           ,
           did
           alike
           subscribe
           them
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           the
           present
           Orders
           and
           Ceremonies
           inexorably
           imposed
           ,
           have
           been
           as
           much
           disputed
           among
           the
           Godly
           Learned
           ,
           as
           those
           different
           Opinions
           about
           the
           Doctrines
           aforesaid
           ;
           and
           yet
           who
           can
           think
           they
           are
           of
           as
           much
           importance
           to
           the
           Substance
           of
           Religion
           ?
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           men
           might
           more
           easily
           agree
           in
           the
           use
           of
           these
           little
           things
           ,
           or
           of
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           were
           their
           Internal
           Judgments
           spared
           ,
           and
           Subscriptions
           not
           injoyned
           .
           They
           may
           bear
           with
           others
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           some
           things
           ,
           which
           themselves
           cannot
           practice
           .
           They
           may
           submit
           to
           some
           things
           ,
           which
           they
           cannot
           approve
           ;
           and
           that
           not
           for
           unworthy
           Ends
           ,
           but
           for
           Conscience
           sake
           ;
           and
           chuse
           rather
           to
           acquiesce
           in
           a
           
             Tolerable
             State
          
           ,
           which
           for
           the
           main
           is
           sound
           and
           good
           ,
           rather
           then
           to
           endeavour
           a
           total
           Change
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           mischievous
           ,
           and
           at
           best
           is
           full
           of
           hazard
           .
           Wise
           men
           know
           ,
           That
           by
           hasty
           Changes
           they
           do
           not
           come
           to
           rest
           and
           quietness
           ,
           but
           only
           change
           their
           Old
           Grievances
           for
           New
           ones
           .
           If
           Practice
           sufficiently
           uniform
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           without
           any
           scandalous
           difference
           ,
           may
           be
           obtained
           from
           men
           of
           different
           Perswasions
           ,
           Why
           should
           Uniformity
           of
           Judgment
           be
           exalted
           ,
           and
           men
           tempted
           in
           doubtful
           points
           ,
           to
           set
           their
           Consciences
           on
           the
           Rack
           ?
           If
           any
           number
           of
           Dissenters
           were
           willing
           to
           do
           their
           uttermost
           towards
           Compliance
           ,
           why
           should
           
           needless
           Choak-pears
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           not
           swallow
           ,
           be
           forc'd
           upon
           them
           ?
           If
           the
           Church's
           Authority
           be
           had
           in
           reverence
           ,
           if
           Order
           and
           Peace
           be
           kept
           ,
           what
           matter
           is
           it
           from
           what
           speculative
           Principles
           such
           observance
           proceeds
           ?
           Though
           a
           man
           so
           complying
           ,
           be
           not
           of
           the
           same
           mind
           with
           his
           Superiors
           ,
           yet
           he
           may
           have
           this
           honest
           Catholick
           Principle
           ,
           To
           promote
           the
           common
           Interest
           of
           Reformed
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           to
           dread
           the
           weakning
           and
           shattering
           of
           it
           by
           needless
           Schisms
           .
           As
           for
           a
           narrow-bounded
           Uniformity
           both
           in
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           petty
           Observations
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           more
           necessary
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           then
           Uniformity
           of
           Complexions
           and
           Visages
           in
           the
           same
           Civil
           State
           ;
           and
           is
           indeed
           no
           more
           attainable
           ,
           where
           a
           generous
           Freedom
           of
           Judgment
           is
           allowed
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             ▪
             XVI
          
           .
           Whether
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           brought
           into
           such
           a
           Comprehension
           .
        
         
           VVHilst
           Reason
           is
           urged
           on
           their
           behalf
           that
           are
           left
           without
           the
           lines
           of
           the
           present
           Establishment
           ,
           some
           haply
           may
           ask
           ,
           
             Will
             they
             themselves
             hearken
             to
             reason
             ?
          
           Be
           it
           supposed
           that
           some
           among
           them
           seem
           not
           reducible
           to
           a
           due
           publick
           Order
           ;
           but
           another
           sort
           there
           are
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           chiefest
           moment
           ,
           whose
           principles
           are
           fit
           for
           Government
           ;
           the
           stability
           whereof
           hath
           been
           experimented
           in
           those
           Countreys
           where
           they
           have
           had
           the
           effectual
           concurrence
           of
           the
           Civil
           Powers
           .
           Their
           Way
           never
           yet
           obtained
           in
           England
           ,
           nor
           were
           they
           ever
           favoured
           with
           the
           Magistrates
           vigorous
           aid
           ,
           so
           much
           as
           for
           an
           Accommodation
           with
           the
           Established
           Polity
           :
           But
           their
           difficulties
           have
           still
           encreased
           ;
           and
           how
           streight
           soever
           the
           Terms
           imposed
           on
           them
           ,
           were
           in
           times
           before
           ,
           the
           after-times
           have
           still
           made
           them
           streighter
           .
           Wherefore
           
           if
           they
           have
           been
           too
           much
           addicted
           to
           their
           own
           Opinions
           ,
           or
           have
           committed
           some
           errors
           in
           the
           management
           of
           their
           Affairs
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           marvel
           .
           It
           was
           not
           easie
           for
           them
           ,
           being
           destitute
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           influence
           ,
           and
           lying
           under
           great
           discouragement
           and
           disadvantage
           ,
           always
           to
           keep
           stable
           and
           sure
           footing
           in
           such
           a
           slippery
           place
           as
           Church-Discipline
           .
           The
           asserting
           of
           their
           Discipline
           ,
           is
           not
           here
           intended
           ;
           but
           the
           Inquiry
           is
           ,
           
             Whether
             they
             be
             of
             a
             Judgment
             and
             Temper
             that
             makes
             them
             capable
             of
             being
             brought
             under
             the
             Magistrates
             Paternal
             Care
             and
             Conduct
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             stated
             Order
             as
             will
             comport
             with
             this
             Church
             and
             Kingdom
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           is
           no
           undertaking
           Discourse
           ,
           it
           presumes
           only
           to
           offer
           its
           Reason
           to
           equal
           and
           impartial
           Readers
           .
           When
           a
           Divine
           of
           great
           fame
           ,
           and
           of
           much
           esteem
           ▪
           with
           the
           chiefest
           of
           the
           English
           Clergy
           ,
           was
           taxed
           by
           the
           Jesuit
           his
           Adversary
           ,
           for
           being
           no
           Protestant
           ,
           as
           refusing
           to
           subscribe
           the
           Nine
           and
           thirty
           Articles
           ;
           he
           judged
           it
           a
           sufficient
           Answer
           to
           testifie
           his
           belief
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             this
             Church
             was
             so
             pure
             and
             holy
             ,
             that
             whosoever
             lived
             according
             to
             it
             ,
             should
             undoubtedly
             be
             saved
             ;
             &
             that
             there
             was
             nothing
             in
             it
             that
             might
             give
             just
             cause
             to
             any
             to
             forsake
             the
             Communion
             ,
             or
             disturb
             the
             Peace
             thereof
             .
          
           Who
           ,
           or
           what
           is
           there
           almost
           ,
           that
           this
           or
           the
           like
           Latitude
           would
           not
           encompass
           ,
           when
           hearty
           endeavours
           are
           put
           forth
           to
           gain
           men
           ?
           The
           same
           Catholick
           Spirit
           may
           dwell
           both
           in
           larger
           and
           stricter
           judgments
           .
           One
           that
           cannot
           subscribe
           to
           all
           things
           contained
           in
           a
           Volume
           of
           Doctrines
           and
           Rules
           compiled
           by
           men
           subject
           to
           error
           ,
           may
           be
           ready
           to
           joyn
           with
           any
           Church
           not
           depraved
           in
           the
           substance
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           doth
           not
           impose
           upon
           his
           belief
           or
           practice
           ,
           things
           unsound
           or
           doubtful
           ,
           as
           the
           terms
           of
           her
           Communion
           .
        
         
           The
           Presbyterians
           generally
           hold
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           to
           be
           a
           true
           Church
           ,
           though
           defective
           in
           its
           Order
           and
           Discipline
           ;
           and
           frequent
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           in
           the
           publike
           
           Assemblies
           .
           And
           many
           of
           those
           that
           press
           earnestly
           after
           further
           Reformation
           ,
           do
           yet
           communicate
           as
           well
           in
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           as
           the
           Word
           Preached
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           .
           And
           a
           way
           might
           be
           opened
           for
           many
           more
           to
           do
           as
           much
           ,
           by
           a
           safe
           and
           easie
           condescention
           of
           those
           in
           Authority
           .
        
         
           The
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Presbyterian
           Perswasion
           ,
           in
           their
           Proposals
           presented
           to
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           declare
           ,
           That
           they
           do
           not
           ,
           nor
           ever
           did
           renounce
           the
           true
           Ancient
           Primitive
           Episcopacy
           ,
           or
           Presidency
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           ballanced
           or
           managed
           by
           a
           due
           commixtion
           of
           Presbyters
           therewith
           .
           That
           they
           are
           satisfied
           in
           their
           judgments
           concerning
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           a
           Liturgy
           or
           Form
           of
           Worship
           ;
           and
           they
           Petition
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           That
           for
           the
           setling
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           ,
           some
           Learned
           ,
           Godly
           ,
           and
           Moderate
           Divines
           ,
           indifferently
           chosen
           ,
           may
           be
           employed
           to
           compile
           a
           Form
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           in
           Scripture-words
           ;
           or
           at
           least
           to
           Revise
           ,
           and
           effectually
           Reform
           the
           Old.
           Concerning
           Ceremonies
           ,
           they
           profess
           to
           hold
           themselves
           obliged
           in
           every
           part
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           to
           do
           all
           things
           decently
           and
           in
           order
           ;
           and
           to
           be
           willing
           therein
           to
           be
           determined
           by
           Authority
           ,
           in
           such
           things
           as
           being
           meerly
           circumstantial
           ,
           are
           common
           to
           humane
           actions
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           ordered
           by
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           Humane
           Prudence
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           general
           Rules
           of
           Gods
           Word
           .
           But
           as
           for
           divers
           Ceremonies
           formerly
           retained
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           as
           they
           contribute
           nothing
           to
           the
           necessary
           decency
           which
           the
           Apostle
           required
           ,
           and
           draw
           too
           near
           the
           significancy
           and
           moral
           efficacy
           of
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           rejected
           together
           with
           Popery
           ,
           by
           many
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           abroad
           ,
           and
           ever
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           have
           been
           matter
           of
           endless
           Dispute
           in
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           an
           occasion
           of
           great
           seperation
           ,
           and
           are
           at
           the
           best
           ,
           indifferent
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           mutable
           ,
           they
           desire
           they
           be
           not
           imposed
           ;
           and
           they
           heartily
           acknowledg
           his
           Majesty
           
           to
           be
           Supreme
           Governour
           over
           all
           Persons
           ,
           and
           over
           all
           Things
           and
           Causes
           in
           these
           his
           Dominions
           .
        
         
           Upon
           these
           Proposals
           ,
           His
           Majesty
           in
           His
           Declaration
           concerning
           Ecclesiastical
           Affairs
           ,
           hath
           thus
           graciously
           expressed
           himself
           :
           
             We
             must
             for
             the
             Honour
             of
             all
             those
             of
             either
             Perswasion
             ,
             with
             whom
             We
             have
             conferred
             ,
             declare
             ,
             That
             the
             Professions
             and
             Desires
             for
             the
             advancement
             of
             true
             Piety
             and
             Godliness
             ,
             are
             the
             same
             ;
             their
             professions
             of
             Zeal
             for
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             same
             ;
             of
             Affection
             and
             Duty
             to
             Us
             ,
             the
             same
             .
             They
             all
             approve
             Episcopacy
             ;
             they
             all
             approve
             a
             set-form
             of
             Liturgy
             ;
             and
             they
             all
             disapprove
             and
             dislike
             the
             sin
             of
             Sacriledg
             and
             Alienation
             of
             the
             Revenues
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             And
             if
             upon
             these
             Excellent
             Foundations
             ,
             in
             submission
             to
             which
             there
             is
             such
             a
             harmony
             of
             Affections
             ,
             any
             Superstructure
             should
             be
             raised
             to
             the
             shaking
             of
             these
             Foundations
             ,
             or
             the
             contracting
             and
             lessening
             of
             the
             blessed
             gift
             of
             Charity
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             vital
             part
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             We
             shall
             think
             our selves
             very
             unfortunate
             ,
             and
             even
             suspect
             that
             We
             are
             defective
             in
             that
             Administration
             of
             Government
             with
             which
             God
             hath
             intrusted
             Us.
             
          
        
         
           After
           these
           things
           ,
           the
           Ministers
           commissioned
           for
           the
           Review
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           in
           their
           account
           of
           that
           Business
           ,
           thus
           address
           themselves
           to
           His
           Majesty
           :
           
             Though
             the
             Reverend
             Bishops
             have
             not
             had
             time
             to
             consider
             of
             our
             Additions
             to
             the
             Liturgy
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             Reply
             ;
             We
             humbly
             crave
             that
             it
             may
             be
             considered
             before
             a
             Determination
             be
             made
             .
             Though
             we
             seem
             to
             have
             laboured
             in
             vain
             ,
             we
             shall
             lay
             this
             Work
             of
             Reconciliation
             at
             Your
             Majesties
             feet
             .
             We
             must
             believe
             ,
             that
             when
             Your
             Majesty
             took
             our
             Consent
             to
             a
             Liturgy
             to
             be
             a
             Foundation
             ,
             that
             would
             infer
             our
             Concord
             ;
             You
             meant
             not
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             have
             no
             Concord
             ,
             but
             by
             consenting
             to
             this
             
             Liturgy
             without
             any
             considerable
             Alterations
             .
             And
             when
             Your
             Majesty
             commanded
             us
             by
             Letters
             Patents
             ,
             to
             meet
             about
             such
             Alterations
             as
             were
             needful
             ,
             or
             expedient
             to
             give
             satisfaction
             to
             tender
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             the
             restoring
             and
             continuing
             of
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             ;
             We
             rest
             assured
             it
             was
             not
             Your
             Majesties
             sense
             that
             those
             tender
             Consciences
             should
             be
             forced
             to
             practice
             all
             which
             they
             judg
             unlawful
             ,
             or
             not
             so
             much
             as
             a
             Ceremony
             should
             be
             abated
             them
             ;
             or
             that
             our
             Treaty
             was
             only
             to
             convert
             either
             party
             to
             the
             Opinion
             of
             another
             ;
             and
             that
             all
             our
             hopes
             of
             Liberty
             and
             Concord
             ,
             consisted
             only
             in
             disputing
             the
             Bishops
             into
             Non-conformity
             ,
             or
             coming
             in
             every
             Ceremony
             to
             their
             mind
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           Church's
           misery
           ,
           That
           when
           any
           particular
           Interest
           grows
           in
           Prosperity
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           can
           carry
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           Condescention
           presently
           ceaseth
           on
           that
           side
           .
           And
           so
           the
           disagreeing
           parties
           in
           the
           several
           vicissitudes
           of
           Publick
           Affairs
           ,
           tread
           down
           one
           another
           ▪
           and
           justifie
           themselves
           by
           the
           like
           miscarriages
           of
           their
           Opposites
           when
           time
           was
           .
           By
           this
           means
           the
           Church's
           distempers
           and
           breaches
           are
           perpetuated
           ,
           and
           Religion
           in
           general
           suffers
           much
           damage
           and
           scorn
           .
           But
           it
           would
           be
           the
           glory
           of
           that
           party
           that
           stands
           on
           the
           Vantage-ground
           ,
           to
           give
           a
           leading
           Example
           of
           unconstrained
           Moderation
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XVII
          
           .
           Acquiescence
           in
           the
           Widened
           Establishment
           ,
           is
           the
           Safety
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           IF
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           That
           a
           little
           yeelding
           doth
           but
           make
           way
           for
           further
           Incroachments
           ;
           we
           suppose
           that
           Governors
           know
           how
           far
           to
           trust
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           is
           fit
           to
           grant
           ,
           if
           subjects
           know
           not
           what
           is
           fit
           for
           them
           to
           ask
           .
           Persons
           allowed
           in
           the
           Publick
           Service
           ,
           may
           easily
           be
           kept
           in
           
           that
           dependance
           on
           the
           State
           ,
           which
           shall
           prevent
           the
           danger
           of
           an
           Anti-Clergy
           .
           We
           suppose
           likewise
           ,
           that
           a
           sound
           Church-Government
           is
           not
           so
           weak
           and
           tottering
           ,
           that
           the
           Abatement
           of
           some
           Rigors
           in
           things
           at
           best
           but
           indifferent
           ,
           will
           hazard
           its
           overturning
           .
        
         
           The
           wiser
           sort
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           whose
           Conformity
           ,
           were
           they
           gained
           ,
           would
           most
           avail
           ,
           are
           weary
           of
           these
           strifes
           ,
           and
           consider
           what
           is
           passable
           in
           the
           state
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           might
           settle
           this
           Church
           .
           They
           dread
           the
           Consequents
           of
           Changes
           ,
           the
           hurrying
           into
           other
           Extreams
           ,
           and
           the
           wild
           excursions
           of
           some
           spirits
           .
           They
           would
           not
           be
           left
           again
           to
           the
           late
           uncertainty
           ,
           and
           continual
           Vacillations
           in
           Government
           ;
           and
           they
           have
           long
           since
           seen
           the
           manifold
           Errors
           committed
           in
           the
           Policy
           of
           the
           late
           times
           .
           They
           know
           that
           such
           unfixed
           Liberty
           would
           not
           secure
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           may
           well
           be
           thought
           ,
           they
           would
           accept
           reasonable
           terms
           ,
           and
           rest
           satisfied
           therein
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           Consideration
           is
           taken
           by
           the
           wrong
           Handle
           ,
           if
           this
           sober
           and
           steddy
           part
           of
           the
           Non-conformists
           be
           slighted
           and
           judged
           the
           less
           considerable
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           cast
           into
           one
           condition
           as
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           with
           others
           that
           are
           of
           more
           unmanageable
           and
           unstable
           Principles
           .
           For
           who
           can
           tell
           how
           time
           may
           work
           out
           things
           ,
           and
           frame
           the
           Spirits
           of
           the
           unsober
           to
           a
           greater
           soberness
           ,
           and
           dispose
           them
           to
           a
           better
           consistency
           among
           themselves
           ?
           But
           howsoever
           ,
           can
           it
           make
           for
           the
           Publick
           Weal
           ,
           That
           the
           more
           discreet
           and
           moderate
           sort
           ,
           that
           might
           easily
           be
           brought
           in
           ,
           should
           be
           inforced
           to
           continue
           the
           chief
           reputation
           and
           strength
           of
           a
           divided
           Party
           ?
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XVIII
          
           .
           Of
           Toleration
           and
           Connivence
           .
        
         
           LET
           Impartial
           Reason
           judg
           ,
           Whether
           a
           swaying
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           a
           momentous
           part
           of
           those
           that
           close
           not
           with
           the
           present
           state
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           incompassed
           in
           an
           Establishment
           of
           such
           a
           latitude
           ,
           as
           may
           happily
           settle
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           consequently
           promote
           the
           Peace
           ,
           Wealth
           and
           Honour
           of
           the
           Civil
           State.
           
        
         
           As
           for
           others
           that
           are
           of
           sound
           Belief
           ,
           and
           good
           Life
           ,
           yet
           have
           taken
           in
           some
           Principles
           of
           Church-Government
           less
           congruous
           to
           National
           Settlement
           ,
           I
           would
           never
           be
           a
           means
           of
           exposing
           them
           to
           Oppression
           ,
           Contempt
           and
           Hatred
           ,
           but
           would
           admit
           their
           Plea
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           it
           will
           go
           .
           For
           if
           God
           hath
           received
           them
           ,
           why
           should
           their
           fellow-servants
           reject
           or
           afflict
           them
           causlesly
           ?
           Every
           true
           Christian
           should
           be
           tender
           of
           all
           that
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           in
           sincerity
           .
        
         
           Nevertheless
           ,
           their
           Liberty
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           be
           inordinate
           ,
           but
           measured
           and
           limited
           by
           the
           safety
           of
           true
           Religion
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           publick
           Established
           Order
           ;
           which
           is
           not
           unpracticable
           :
           For
           the
           world
           wants
           not
           an
           Experiment
           of
           the
           safety
           of
           a
           Toleration
           or
           Indulgence
           so
           regulated
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XIX
          
           .
           Dissenters
           of
           Narrow
           and
           Rigid
           Principles
           ,
           advised
           to
           Moderation
           .
        
         
           AS
           Authority
           may
           be
           too
           prone
           to
           err
           in
           the
           Severity
           of
           Imposing
           ;
           so
           Subjects
           may
           be
           too
           wilful
           in
           refusing
           to
           obey
           .
           As
           an
           explicit
           Assent
           and
           Approbation
           ,
           may
           by
           Superiors
           be
           too
           rigidly
           exacted
           in
           doubtful
           
           things
           ;
           so
           the
           unreasonable
           stiffness
           and
           harshness
           of
           Inferiors
           ,
           may
           keep
           them
           from
           that
           compliance
           in
           practice
           ,
           which
           their
           Conscience
           (
           becalm'd
           from
           Passion
           and
           Prejudice
           )
           would
           not
           gainsay
           .
           A
           servile
           ,
           fawning
           ,
           temporizing
           Spirit
           ,
           is
           vile
           enough
           ;
           but
           that
           which
           is
           sedate
           ,
           castigate
           ,
           and
           subdued
           to
           Reason
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           pleasing
           to
           Governours
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           great
           avail
           for
           Publick
           Peace
           .
        
         
           Every
           Christian
           should
           be
           deeply
           sensible
           of
           the
           common
           Interest
           of
           Reformed
           Christianity
           ,
           which
           is
           incomparably
           more
           valuable
           then
           those
           private
           Opinions
           ;
           and
           little
           narrow
           Models
           ,
           which
           may
           have
           much
           of
           his
           fancy
           and
           affection
           .
           Well-minded
           persons
           may
           easily
           be
           deceived
           touching
           their
           private
           Sentiments
           in
           Religion
           .
           They
           may
           think
           they
           are
           under
           the
           uncontrolable
           Sway
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           when
           indeed
           they
           are
           but
           bound
           up
           by
           Custom
           ,
           Education
           ,
           Complexion
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           kind
           of
           Prejudice
           .
           For
           ones
           own
           sake
           ,
           one
           would
           gladly
           be
           rid
           of
           such
           Confinements
           ,
           and
           walk
           more
           at
           liberty
           :
           But
           much
           more
           should
           one
           strive
           to
           be
           as
           comprehensive
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           for
           the
           common
           safety
           ,
           and
           advancement
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           which
           cannot
           stand
           by
           such
           uncertainty
           and
           multiplicity
           of
           petty
           forms
           ,
           but
           requires
           an
           ample
           and
           well-setled
           state
           ,
           to
           defend
           and
           propagate
           it
           against
           the
           amplitude
           and
           potency
           of
           the
           Romish
           Interest
           .
           The
           prudent
           and
           sober
           should
           not
           easily
           settle
           upon
           such
           Opinions
           in
           Church-Order
           ,
           as
           will
           never
           settle
           the
           Nation
           ,
           but
           tend
           rather
           to
           infinite
           perplexity
           and
           discomposure
           .
        
         
           Howsoever
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           bear
           too
           hard
           upon
           any
           thing
           that
           may
           fairly
           pretend
           to
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           ,
           though
           erroneous
           ,
           should
           not
           be
           harshly
           dealt
           with
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           if
           (
           when
           all
           is
           said
           )
           some
           dissatisfaction
           doth
           invincibly
           possess
           the
           Judgment
           ,
           in
           that
           case
           Christian
           Humility
           and
           Charity
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Discretion
           ,
           adviseth
           such
           persons
           to
           acquiesce
           in
           their
           private
           Security
           and
           Freedom
           ,
           and
           not
           
           to
           reach
           after
           that
           Liberty
           that
           may
           unsettle
           the
           Publick
           Order
           ,
           and
           undermine
           the
           Common
           Safety
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XX.
          
           This
           Comprehensive
           State
           of
           Religion
           further
           considered
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           Three
           important
           Interests
           ;
           ●irst
           to
           that
           of
           the
           KING
           .
        
         
           FOR
           the
           removing
           of
           all
           con●●●ved
           Prejudices
           ,
           let
           this
           desired
           Latitude
           of
           Religion
           ▪
           be
           considered
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           several
           Interests
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           .
           First
           let
           it
           be
           examined
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Interest
           of
           Regal
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           The
           Non-conformists
           ,
           and
           other
           inclinable
           to
           their
           way
           ,
           are
           by
           some
           charged
           with
           such
           Principles
           as
           detract
           much
           from
           Kingly
           Power
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           and
           tend
           to
           advance
           Popular
           Faction
           .
           It
           is
           confessed
           ,
           they
           have
           been
           eager
           Assertors
           of
           Legal
           Liberties
           ;
           yet
           herein
           they
           were
           not
           singular
           ,
           but
           in
           almost
           all
           PARLIAMENTS
           have
           had
           the
           concurrence
           of
           many
           good
           Patriots
           that
           were
           not
           touch'd
           with
           the
           least
           tincture
           of
           Puritanism
           .
           They
           profess
           much
           affection
           to
           MONARCHY
           ,
           and
           the
           Royal
           Family
           ;
           and
           think
           they
           have
           made
           it
           appear
           by
           their
           hazardous
           declaring
           against
           the
           designed
           Death
           of
           our
           late
           Soveraign
           ,
           and
           their
           vigorous
           Actings
           for
           the
           Restitution
           of
           His
           Majesty
           that
           now
           is
           .
           They
           are
           so
           well
           satisfied
           ,
           as
           none
           more
           ,
           in
           the
           Ancient
           Fundamental
           Constitution
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           This
           Arraignment
           of
           their
           supposed
           Principles
           about
           Government
           ,
           may
           haply
           proceed
           upon
           Mistake
           .
           There
           is
           reason
           enough
           to
           think
           ,
           That
           the
           many
           late
           Disputes
           about
           Prerogative
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           are
           
             Controversiae
             ortae
             non
             primae
          
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           their
           rise
           from
           something
           else
           ,
           which
           lyes
           at
           the
           bottom
           .
           Both
           former
           and
           present
           time
           ▪
           
           do
           shew
           ,
           That
           the
           Anti-Puritan
           Interest
           ,
           when
           occasion
           serves
           ,
           and
           the
           urgency
           of
           Affairs
           requires
           ,
           can
           contest
           with
           Princes
           ,
           and
           pretend
           Conscience
           too
           ,
           in
           crossing
           their
           Designs
           .
           Inclinations
           and
           Interests
           ,
           more
           then
           Speculative
           Opinions
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           to
           have
           born
           the
           sway
           ,
           and
           caused
           those
           active
           motions
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           .
           These
           Dogmata
           or
           Problemes
           about
           Obedience
           and
           Government
           ,
           do
           but
           little
           ,
           where
           mens
           Affections
           and
           Concernments
           do
           not
           give
           them
           spirit
           and
           vigor
           .
           The
           practical
           Judgment
           of
           Inferiors
           ,
           hath
           a
           bias
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           Superiors
           Benignity
           or
           Asperity
           towards
           them
           .
           High
           strains
           of
           speech
           may
           easily
           proceed
           from
           such
           as
           flatter
           their
           Governors
           ,
           or
           know
           not
           themselves
           ;
           but
           they
           are
           worthy
           of
           credit
           ,
           that
           speak
           credible
           things
           .
        
         
           The
           wise
           man
           saith
           ,
           
             He
             that
             repeateth
             a
             matter
             ,
             separateth
             very
             friends
             .
          
           A
           looking
           back
           to
           former
           discords
           ,
           marrs
           the
           most
           hopeful
           Redintegration
           .
           Acts
           of
           Indempnity
           ,
           are
           Acts
           of
           Oblivion
           also
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           so
           observed
           .
           Let
           not
           the
           way
           of
           Peace
           be
           barr'd
           by
           the
           framing
           of
           such
           Tests
           as
           may
           perplex
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           but
           add
           no
           real
           security
           to
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           .
           For
           as
           some
           set
           their
           wits
           a
           work
           in
           framing
           ,
           so
           do
           others
           in
           evading
           the
           designs
           of
           such
           Engagements
           .
           And
           of
           those
           that
           devise
           how
           to
           evade
           them
           ,
           some
           may
           deal
           seriously
           ,
           and
           others
           perhaps
           may
           trifle
           with
           Conscience
           ;
           but
           the
           internal
           Judgments
           of
           both
           remain
           what
           they
           were
           before
           .
           The
           common
           Evasions
           or
           Violations
           of
           such
           bonds
           among
           all
           parties
           in
           our
           times
           ,
           do
           shew
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           not
           the
           way
           to
           root
           out
           inveterate
           Opinions
           .
           But
           there
           is
           a
           surer
           way
           to
           obviate
           the
           evil
           tendency
           of
           such
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           to
           render
           them
           ineffectual
           .
           For
           it
           is
           not
           this
           or
           that
           narrow
           conception
           or
           notion
           ,
           but
           some
           greater
           thing
           ,
           that
           rules
           the
           actions
           of
           humane
           life
           .
           The
           condition
           of
           the
           dissatisfied
           ,
           may
           without
           damage
           ,
           or
           just
           scandal
           to
           any
           ,
           be
           made
           such
           ,
           That
           their
           far
           greater
           
           number
           shall
           not
           long
           for
           changes
           ,
           but
           gladly
           embrace
           present
           things
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           implacably
           evil-minded
           would
           want
           matter
           to
           work
           upon
           ,
           and
           rest
           without
           hope
           of
           disturbing
           the
           Publick
           Peace
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           all
           Loyal
           Principles
           are
           not
           inclosed
           in
           some
           Positions
           ,
           in
           which
           may
           be
           much
           variety
           and
           uncertainty
           of
           opinion
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           both
           Theological
           and
           Political
           Casuists
           (
           and
           they
           great
           Assertors
           of
           Monarchical
           Government
           )
           have
           written
           doubtfully
           .
           Men
           of
           different
           apprehensions
           in
           such
           things
           ,
           may
           be
           indued
           with
           the
           same
           prudence
           ,
           soberness
           ,
           common
           charity
           ,
           love
           of
           Publick
           Tranquility
           ,
           reverence
           of
           Regal
           Majesty
           ,
           conscience
           of
           Allegiance
           ,
           and
           an
           awful
           regard
           of
           Divine
           and
           Humane
           Laws
           .
           Men
           of
           nicer
           Judgments
           ,
           may
           have
           as
           loyal
           hearts
           as
           those
           of
           greater
           latitude
           .
           And
           why
           should
           the
           judgments
           of
           such
           men
           be
           rack'd
           ,
           and
           their
           spirits
           vexed
           with
           curious
           scrutinies
           ?
           The
           ancient
           Sacred
           Bonds
           of
           Fidelity
           ,
           are
           not
           questioned
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           do
           not
           ,
           what
           others
           can
           oblige
           and
           awe
           the
           Conscience
           ?
        
         
           The
           extent
           of
           Prerogatives
           Royal
           ,
           of
           the
           Priviledges
           of
           PARLIAMENTS
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Peoples
           Immunities
           ,
           is
           not
           matter
           fit
           for
           common
           disquisition
           ,
           but
           requires
           to
           be
           kept
           among
           the
           Secrets
           of
           Government
           .
           It
           might
           have
           been
           far
           better
           ,
           if
           these
           points
           had
           been
           more
           gently
           and
           warily
           handled
           on
           all
           sides
           .
           The
           English
           (
           in
           general
           )
           are
           an
           ingenuous
           and
           open-hearted
           people
           ;
           and
           if
           unlucky
           accidents
           discompose
           them
           not
           ,
           they
           are
           of
           themselves
           disposed
           to
           have
           their
           Kings
           in
           great
           veneration
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           their
           satisfaction
           and
           good
           estate
           ,
           is
           their
           Soveraigns
           true
           repose
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XXI
             .
             Secondly
          
           ,
           To
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           Clergy
           .
        
         
           IN
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           let
           this
           Comprehensive
           state
           be
           examined
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           .
           The
           Doctrine
           of
           Faith
           and
           Sacraments
           by
           Law
           established
           ,
           is
           heartily
           received
           by
           the
           Non-conformists
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           like
           to
           be
           the
           Basis
           of
           their
           standing
           in
           England
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           Protestant
           Religion
           stands
           .
           How
           far
           they
           approve
           Episcopacy
           and
           Liturgy
           ,
           hath
           been
           above
           declared
           .
           Their
           dissent
           is
           in
           some
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           (
           as
           they
           say
           )
           not
           appointed
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           devised
           by
           men
           ;
           also
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           
             English
             Hierarchy
          
           ,
           as
           it
           differs
           from
           the
           Ancient
           Episcopacy
           ;
           and
           they
           avow
           they
           are
           under
           no
           obligation
           to
           extirpate
           or
           impeach
           that
           ancient
           Form.
           The
           Ministers
           of
           this
           Perswasion
           are
           Godly
           and
           Learned
           ,
           able
           and
           apt
           to
           teach
           the
           people
           ;
           and
           no
           small
           part
           of
           the
           Congregations
           in
           England
           feel
           the
           loss
           of
           them
           .
           Doth
           the
           Lord
           of
           the
           Harvest
           command
           that
           such
           Labourers
           be
           thrust
           out
           of
           his
           Service
           ?
           And
           will
           the
           chief
           Shepherd
           at
           his
           appearing
           justifie
           this
           usage
           of
           his
           faithful
           Servants
           ?
        
         
           The
           Bishops
           and
           dignified
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           their
           Perswasion
           ,
           have
           the
           advantage
           of
           Law
           and
           Power
           .
           But
           can
           they
           believe
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           these
           Nations
           ,
           is
           terminated
           in
           them
           alone
           ?
           It
           is
           hoped
           that
           Christ
           hath
           a
           larger
           Interest
           in
           these
           Realms
           .
           Shall
           it
           be
           said
           of
           the
           
             English
             Prelacy
          
           ,
           That
           it
           cannot
           stand
           without
           the
           ejection
           of
           Thousands
           of
           Orthodox
           ,
           Pious
           Ministers
           ?
           Or
           that
           it
           dreads
           a
           general
           diffusion
           of
           knowledg
           in
           the
           people
           ?
           Or
           that
           this
           is
           a
           Maxime
           thereof
           ,
           
             No
             Ceremony
             ,
             no
             Bishop
          
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           Bishop's
           work
           were
           at
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           his
           office
           of
           no
           force
           ,
           if
           Ceremonies
           were
           left
           indifferent
           ?
           Is
           an
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           ,
           that
           pleads
           Apostolical
           Institution
           ,
           
           and
           Universal
           reception
           ,
           so
           weak
           and
           feeble
           ,
           that
           godly
           and
           peaceable
           men
           ,
           preaching
           only
           the
           indubitable
           truths
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           would
           undermine
           it
           ?
           If
           any
           should
           preach
           what
           is
           Schismatical
           and
           Seditious
           ,
           they
           are
           liable
           to
           Restraints
           and
           Censures
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           demerits
           .
           Why
           will
           the
           established
           Clergy
           refuse
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           set
           them
           at
           such
           a
           distance
           ?
           Is
           it
           their
           honour
           ,
           strength
           ,
           or
           safety
           ,
           that
           such
           men
           should
           be
           numbred
           among
           their
           opposites
           ?
        
         
           The
           intrinsick
           and
           permanent
           State
           of
           Prelacy
           ,
           is
           not
           advanced
           by
           these
           present
           Rigors
           .
           It
           is
           not
           more
           rooted
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           people
           ,
           nor
           are
           many
           gained
           over
           that
           would
           stick
           close
           to
           it
           in
           a
           time
           of
           tryal
           .
           The
           dread
           ,
           that
           is
           of
           its
           Censures
           ,
           ariseth
           from
           the
           subsequent
           temporal
           Penalties
           .
           And
           however
           it
           be
           ,
           its
           Chariot
           drives
           but
           heavily
           .
           It
           cannot
           measure
           its
           strength
           by
           the
           number
           of
           Conformists
           ,
           among
           whom
           there
           are
           many
           that
           are
           a
           reproach
           unto
           it
           ,
           and
           many
           that
           are
           very
           indifferent
           men
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           the
           Latitudinarians
           ,
           that
           are
           accounted
           but
           luke-warm
           Conformists
           ;
           and
           many
           that
           submit
           ,
           may
           not
           like
           the
           imposing
           ;
           and
           men
           may
           think
           divers
           Injunctions
           (
           that
           are
           not
           simply
           unlawful
           )
           to
           be
           burdensome
           and
           inconvenient
           ,
           and
           would
           be
           glad
           to
           shake
           off
           the
           yoke
           .
           A
           great
           Prelate
           before
           the
           late
           Warrs
           ,
           is
           reported
           to
           say
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Conforming
             Puritan
             was
             the
             Devil
             of
             the
             Times
             .
          
           And
           of
           those
           that
           zealously
           affect
           the
           established
           Order
           ,
           there
           are
           not
           a
           few
           that
           disgust
           the
           behaviour
           of
           Church-men
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           upbraid
           them
           with
           the
           known
           moderation
           of
           many
           whom
           they
           have
           ejected
           ;
           yea
           ,
           the
           more
           considerate
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           do
           observe
           and
           bewail
           such
           dangerous
           miscarriages
           by
           
             Simony
             ,
             Pluralities
             ,
             Non-residency
          
           ,
           and
           Profaneness
           ,
           as
           threaten
           a
           second
           downfall
           .
           The
           world
           takes
           notice
           what
           men
           are
           cast
           out
           ;
           and
           what
           is
           the
           condition
           of
           multitudes
           that
           are
           retained
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           
           There
           are
           a
           sort
           of
           men
           of
           great
           Worth
           and
           Reputation
           in
           the
           several
           Orders
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           that
           indeed
           affect
           Episcopacy
           ,
           but
           see
           the
           inconvenience
           and
           danger
           of
           this
           Severity
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           things
           carried
           with
           Discretion
           and
           Equity
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           do
           good
           offices
           for
           the
           depressed
           Party
           .
           If
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Commonwealth
           should
           go
           backwards
           ,
           can
           the
           Clergy
           alone
           be
           at
           rest
           in
           their
           Honour
           ,
           Power
           and
           Wealth
           ?
           Though
           of
           later
           times
           it
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           
             No
             Bishop
             ,
             no
             King
          
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           evident
           ,
           That
           the
           present
           frame
           of
           Prelacy
           hath
           an
           immutable
           Interest
           in
           the
           Regal
           Name
           and
           Power
           .
        
         
           The
           Religion
           of
           any
           State
           will
           sink
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           held
           up
           in
           its
           venerable
           Estimation
           among
           the
           people
           ;
           and
           it
           cannot
           be
           long
           held
           in
           reverence
           ,
           if
           it
           hath
           neither
           the
           reality
           ,
           nor
           appearance
           of
           Devotion
           and
           Sanctity
           .
           That
           which
           is
           divested
           of
           the
           Disguises
           and
           Impostures
           of
           Romish
           Superstition
           ,
           had
           need
           to
           be
           spirited
           with
           Life
           and
           Power
           .
           Minds
           touch'd
           with
           Devotion
           ,
           will
           look
           either
           to
           the
           way
           of
           true
           and
           real
           Godliness
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           Popish
           Bodily
           Exercise
           .
           It
           is
           here
           sincerely
           wish't
           ,
           That
           the
           Clergy
           may
           hold
           their
           state
           in
           safety
           and
           honour
           ;
           That
           they
           may
           never
           be
           laid
           low
           for
           want
           of
           meet
           Revenue
           or
           Dignity
           ;
           That
           they
           may
           always
           preserve
           a
           reverend
           esteem
           of
           their
           Persons
           and
           Office.
           But
           then
           the
           Bishops
           must
           not
           be
           the
           Head
           of
           such
           Ministers
           ,
           as
           for
           ignorance
           and
           lewdness
           are
           a
           scandal
           and
           scorn
           to
           their
           Neighbours
           ;
           nor
           of
           such
           as
           incourage
           profaneness
           ,
           and
           deprave
           seriousness
           and
           diligence
           in
           Religion
           and
           strictness
           of
           life
           ,
           under
           the
           scandal
           of
           
             Puritanism
             ,
             Fanaticism
          
           ,
           or
           such
           like
           names
           of
           reproach
           .
           They
           must
           so
           manage
           their
           Government
           ,
           that
           under
           it
           the
           sound
           knowledg
           of
           God
           may
           encrease
           through
           the
           Land
           ;
           that
           holiness
           and
           righteousness
           may
           flourish
           ;
           that
           their
           influence
           may
           dispose
           men
           to
           do
           those
           things
           that
           are
           honest
           ,
           and
           pure
           ,
           and
           comely
           ,
           and
           vertuous
           ,
           and
           praise-worthy
           .
           To
           this
           may
           be
           added
           the
           setling
           
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           a
           due
           extent
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           incompass
           so
           much
           as
           may
           enable
           it
           to
           vanquish
           whatsoever
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           it
           ;
           and
           to
           keep
           within
           compass
           whatsoever
           may
           be
           tollerated
           under
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           danger
           and
           damage
           which
           may
           be
           dreaded
           to
           ensue
           this
           moderation
           ,
           (
           which
           nevertheless
           may
           possibly
           not
           ensue
           it
           )
           is
           but
           the
           cutting
           off
           some
           Luxuriances
           from
           some
           in
           the
           Highest
           Order
           ;
           or
           the
           sharing
           among
           many
           what
           was
           ingrossed
           by
           a
           few
           .
           And
           the
           Church
           doth
           not
           change
           for
           the
           worse
           ,
           if
           some
           diminution
           of
           greatness
           in
           a
           very
           few
           persons
           makes
           way
           for
           a
           more
           general
           amplitude
           ,
           stability
           and
           peace
           ;
           and
           the
           Clergy
           enjoy
           an
           Estate
           of
           Power
           ,
           Plenty
           and
           Honour
           ,
           with
           less
           envy
           and
           hazard
           of
           undermining
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XXII
             .
             Thirdly
          
           ,
           To
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           .
        
         
           THere
           is
           another
           Interest
           ,
           that
           of
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           ,
           which
           is
           worthy
           of
           regard
           in
           this
           Inquiry
           .
           The
           Latitude
           and
           Liberty
           here
           discoursed
           ,
           is
           thought
           to
           give
           too
           great
           advantage
           to
           the
           Citizens
           and
           the
           Commonalty
           ;
           as
           also
           to
           make
           all
           sorts
           more
           knowing
           ,
           and
           less
           servile
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           less
           obsequious
           to
           the
           wills
           of
           great
           men
           .
           And
           the
           doubt
           is
           ,
           whether
           the
           Nobles
           and
           Gentlemen
           of
           England
           can
           maintain
           their
           Authority
           and
           Splendor
           ,
           with
           the
           Freedom
           of
           Citizens
           and
           the
           common
           people
           .
           Surely
           in
           the
           times
           of
           their
           Ancestors
           they
           were
           in
           as
           much
           splendor
           and
           power
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           been
           in
           the
           memory
           of
           this
           Age
           ;
           and
           yet
           in
           those
           times
           both
           Citizens
           and
           Yeomanry
           were
           rich
           and
           free
           ,
           brave
           and
           worthy
           in
           their
           own
           rank
           .
           And
           it
           may
           be
           the
           higher
           Degrees
           in
           England
           would
           never
           be
           so
           advanced
           ,
           as
           some
           have
           conceited
           ,
           if
           the
           meaner
           sort
           were
           reduced
           to
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           French
           Peasantry
           .
           For
           there
           is
           another
           Spirit
           in
           the
           English
           People
           ,
           which
           peradventure
           
           may
           not
           be
           vanquished
           at
           less
           charges
           then
           dissipation
           of
           the
           strength
           and
           riches
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           glory
           of
           this
           Land
           ▪
           Besides
           ,
           Trade
           which
           is
           the
           Life
           of
           England
           ,
           must
           be
           managed
           by
           a
           people
           not
           of
           a
           slavish
           and
           sordid
           condition
           .
           And
           in
           a
           Trading
           Nation
           ,
           things
           do
           so
           pass
           to
           and
           fro
           ,
           and
           run
           from
           one
           hand
           to
           another
           ,
           that
           New
           Men
           by
           their
           Wealth
           will
           be
           always
           getting
           up
           into
           the
           rank
           of
           Gentlemen
           ,
           and
           former
           Gentile
           Families
           will
           be
           decaying
           .
           There
           is
           a
           Liberty
           for
           every
           Native
           to
           purchase
           Lands
           ;
           and
           though
           some
           of
           our
           Tenures
           began
           in
           the
           Vassalage
           of
           meaner
           men
           to
           great
           ones
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           now
           by
           custom
           of
           later
           Ages
           ,
           become
           so
           far
           free
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           fit
           for
           any
           ingenuous
           persons
           to
           take
           them
           up
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           the
           English
           Gentry
           are
           Commons
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           main
           frame
           of
           this
           Polity
           ;
           and
           that
           great
           Convention
           where
           they
           meet
           in
           their
           chiefest
           Power
           ,
           is
           the
           
             Commons
             House
             of
             Parliament
          
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           represent
           the
           universality
           of
           the
           Commons
           of
           all
           Counties
           ,
           and
           Cities
           ,
           and
           Burroughs
           :
           And
           therefore
           the
           free
           Estate
           of
           the
           Commons
           ,
           is
           the
           true
           Interest
           of
           Gentlemen
           .
           And
           how
           groundless
           and
           fruitless
           is
           all
           evil
           emulation
           between
           the
           Gentry
           and
           Citizens
           ,
           or
           Traders
           !
           For
           they
           mutually
           uphold
           each
           other
           ,
           or
           both
           must
           fall
           to
           the
           ground
           .
           Many
           Gentile
           Families
           are
           the
           Off-spring
           of
           former
           Citizens
           ;
           and
           many
           Citizens
           are
           the
           sons
           of
           Gentlemen
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Estates
           of
           ancient
           Gentry
           are
           sinking
           ,
           their
           Marriage
           with
           Citizens
           is
           an
           ordinary
           means
           of
           underpropping
           them
           .
           And
           if
           Traders
           fail
           ,
           the
           Revenue
           of
           the
           Gentry
           must
           fail
           also
           ;
           whose
           Lands
           did
           never
           bear
           that
           Price
           ,
           nor
           yeeld
           that
           Annual
           Rent
           that
           of
           late
           they
           have
           done
           ,
           till
           the
           Nation
           became
           great
           in
           Foreign
           Trade
           .
           If
           emulation
           of
           Gallantry
           be
           any
           matter
           of
           grudg
           between
           them
           ,
           the
           Citizens
           may
           leave
           the
           Gentry
           to
           their
           own
           Garbs
           ,
           and
           retain
           a
           grave
           habit
           to
           themselves
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           may
           sufficiently
           express
           their
           Wealth
           ,
           as
           their
           Predecessors
           did
           before
           them
           .
           For
           it
           is
           
           generous
           so
           to
           do
           .
           And
           as
           for
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           ,
           their
           Honour
           lyes
           in
           upholding
           their
           Families
           ,
           and
           bearing
           sway
           in
           their
           Countries
           ;
           and
           they
           do
           the
           one
           by
           discreet
           and
           liberal
           Frugality
           ;
           and
           the
           other
           by
           having
           and
           using
           greater
           Abilities
           then
           the
           vulgar
           ,
           for
           their
           Countries
           Service
           .
        
      
       
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XXIII
          
           .
           The
           general
           Security
           that
           comes
           by
           this
           Latitude
           .
        
         
           THE
           chief
           Prejudices
           have
           been
           considered
           ;
           and
           these
           three
           Important
           Interests
           being
           known
           aright
           ,
           are
           found
           not
           to
           oppose
           ,
           but
           to
           require
           this
           Latitude
           of
           Religion
           .
           Furthermore
           ,
           our
           common
           Security
           and
           Freedom
           ,
           earnestly
           perswades
           it
           :
           For
           the
           Severities
           of
           Law
           against
           Dissenters
           ,
           may
           at
           length
           come
           home
           to
           them
           or
           theirs
           ,
           who
           take
           themselves
           to
           be
           far
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           thereof
           .
           And
           the
           inforcing
           of
           those
           Penalties
           may
           need
           such
           ways
           and
           means
           ,
           as
           may
           trouble
           them
           who
           are
           tender
           of
           the
           Lawful
           Rights
           and
           Liberties
           of
           
           English-men
           .
           But
           the
           Common
           Peace
           being
           once
           firmly
           setled
           in
           this
           Comprehensive
           state
           ,
           all
           Necessity
           of
           Powers
           and
           Proceedings
           extraordinary
           ,
           will
           disappear
           ,
           and
           vanish
           away
           .
        
         
           Finally
           ,
           The
           more
           Pacifick
           we
           are
           at
           home
           ,
           the
           more
           Powerful
           and
           Formidable
           shall
           we
           be
           abroad
           .
           But
           our
           Breaches
           are
           too
           well
           known
           ,
           and
           make
           little
           for
           our
           Reputation
           or
           Advantage
           in
           Foreign
           parts
           .
           What
           can
           it
           avail
           ,
           to
           disturb
           a
           People
           that
           would
           settle
           in
           peace
           ,
           and
           whose
           Peace
           is
           accommodated
           to
           the
           Publick
           Weal
           ,
           and
           bound
           up
           together
           with
           it
           ?
           It
           must
           needs
           be
           fruitless
           and
           unfortunate
           ,
           and
           cause
           perplexities
           and
           miscarriages
           in
           the
           chiefest
           Affairs
           of
           State.
           It
           is
           a
           saying
           of
           the
           wisest
           of
           Kings
           ,
           
             He
             that
             troubles
             his
             own
             House
             ,
             shall
             inherit
             the
             wind
             .
          
        
      
       
         FINIS
         .
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A34533-e1060
           
             *
             In
             the
             Reign
             of
             Edward
             the
             sixth
             ▪
             a
             formidab'e
             Rebellion
             was
             raised
             for
             recovery
             of
             the
             Mass.
             
          
           
             *
             Dr.
             Parry
             confessed
             ,
             that
             having
             promised
             at
             Rome
             to
             kill
             the
             Queen
             ,
             he
             was
             troubled
             in
             Conscience
             about
             it
             ,
             till
             he
             had
             read
             Dr.
             
             Allen's
             Book
             ,
             which
             taught
             ,
             That
             Princes
             excommunicate
             for
             Heresie
             ,
             were
             to
             be
             deprived
             of
             Kingdom
             and
             Life
             ;
             which
             Book
             ,
             he
             said
             ,
             did
             vehemently
             excite
             him
             to
             prosecute
             his
             Enterprise
             .