A letter from a clergy-man in the country, to a minister in the city, concerning ministers intermedling with state-affairs in their sermons & discourse
         Clergy-man in the country.
      
       
         
           1689
        
      
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             A letter from a clergy-man in the country, to a minister in the city, concerning ministers intermedling with state-affairs in their sermons & discourse
             Clergy-man in the country.
          
           [2], 18 p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             1689.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church and state -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           FROM
           A
           CLERGY-MAN
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           TO
           A
           MINISTER
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           Concerning
           MINISTERS
           Intermedling
           with
           State-Affairs
           IN
           THEIR
           SERMONS
           &
           DISCOVRSE
           .
        
         
           London
           :
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           1689.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           LETTER
           FROM
           A
           CLERGY-MAN
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           TO
           A
           MINISTER
           in
           the
           City
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           YOU
           have
           desired
           to
           know
           of
           me
           the
           Reasons
           why
           I
           make
           it
           a
           scruple
           of
           Conscience
           to
           do
           as
           others
           on
           all
           sides
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           still
           continue
           to
           do
           ,
           viz.
           to
           intermeddle
           with
           matters
           of
           State
           in
           my
           Sermons
           and
           Discourse
           .
           I
           shall
           briefly
           let
           you
           know
           the
           grounds
           of
           my
           Scruple
           concerning
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           leaving
           them
           to
           your
           serious
           consideration
           ,
           suggest
           some
           impartial
           thoughts
           ,
           which
           perhaps
           may
           ease
           you
           of
           the
           scruples
           which
           you
           have
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ;
           for
           which
           you
           think
           it
           either
           unlawful
           for
           you
           ,
           or
           unexpedient
           for
           your
           Auditory
           ,
           to
           leave
           intermedling
           in
           those
           matters
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           first
           agree
           what
           we
           mean
           by
           matters
           of
           State.
           
        
         
           As
           for
           my self
           ,
           I
           conceive
           State-matters
           to
           be
           all
           manner
           of
           Councels
           ,
           Designes
           ,
           Endeavours
           and
           Actings
           which
           
           are
           undertaken
           or
           prosecuted
           by
           those
           that
           manage
           with
           Power
           and
           Authority
           ,
           publick
           Affairs
           ,
           relating
           to
           the
           outward
           Possessions
           ,
           Rights
           ,
           Freedoms
           ,
           Priviledges
           ,
           Prerogatives
           ,
           and
           Persons
           of
           Men
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           Members
           of
           an
           outward
           Commonwealth
           or
           worldly
           Kingdom
           .
           Concerning
           which
           matters
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           not
           at
           all
           lawful
           for
           me
           to
           interpose
           my
           Iudgment
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           or
           to
           intermeddle
           towards
           the
           People
           ,
           farther
           than
           the
           Apostle
           hath
           commanded
           ,
           Rom.
           13.
           ver
           .
           1.
           to
           the
           8
           ,
           and
           1
           Tim.
           2.
           2.
           and
           Tit.
           3.
           1.
           
           And
           the
           Reasons
           why
           I
           conceive
           it
           not
           lawful
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           are
           these
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           Law
           either
           of
           God
           or
           Man
           ,
           obliging
           me
           to
           meddle
           with
           such
           matters
           ,
           by
           interposing
           my
           Judgment
           concerning
           them
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           :
           and
           if
           no
           Law
           either
           expresly
           commanding
           ,
           or
           by
           a
           good
           inference
           warranting
           this
           intermedling
           can
           be
           shewed
           ,
           I
           understand
           not
           how
           it
           can
           be
           counted
           lawful
           for
           us
           so
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           find
           a
           Law
           both
           of
           God
           and
           Man
           forbidding
           me
           to
           judge
           of
           matters
           which
           belong
           not
           unto
           me
           ,
           or
           which
           particularly
           concern
           other
           men
           .
        
         
           The
           Law
           of
           God
           is
           this
           :
           
             Be
             not
             busie
             in
             other
             mens
             affairs
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           4.
           15.
           
           
             And
             what
             have
             I
             to
             do
             to
             judge
             them
             that
             are
             without
             ?
          
           1
           Cor.
           5.
           12.
           
           
             And
             who
             art
             thou
             that
             judgest
             another
             mans
             servant
             ?
             to
             his
             own
             Master
             he
             standeth
             or
             falleth
             ,
          
           Rom.
           14.
           4.
           
           
             And
             judge
             not
             ,
             that
             ye
             be
             not
             judged
             ,
          
           Mat.
           7.
           1.
           
           Now
           when
           I
           reflect
           upon
           my self
           in
           reference
           unto
           these
           Laws
           ,
           my
           Conscience
           doth
           tell
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           not
           called
           to
           manage
           the
           Affairs
           of
           State
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           belong
           to
           other
           men
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           I
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           busie
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           trouble
           my self
           about
           them
           .
           And
           if
           I
           judge
           the
           Magistrates
           Employment
           (
           as
           a
           Civil
           Magistrate
           )
           to
           be
           without
           the
           Church
           ,
           I
           have
           scarce
           so
           much
           ,
           (
           sure
           I
           am
           )
           no
           more
           right
           than
           St.
           Paul
           had
           to
           judge
           of
           them
           ,
           now
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           no-nothing
           
           to
           do
           to
           judge
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           judgment
           of
           those
           that
           are
           without
           the
           Church
           ,
           God
           hath
           reserved
           unto
           himself
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           5.
           13.
           therefore
           it
           doth
           not
           appertain
           to
           me
           to
           meddle
           with
           them
           .
           But
           if
           as
           a
           Christian
           Magistrate
           ,
           I
           take
           him
           to
           be
           within
           the
           Church
           ,
           yet
           his
           Employment
           ,
           quatenus
           a
           Magistrate
           ,
           is
           not
           mine
           ,
           nor
           is
           he
           therein
           my
           servant
           ,
           but
           Christ's
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           other
           Rule
           doth
           take
           place
           ,
           
             Who
             art
             thou
             that
             judgest
             another
             mans
             servant
             ?
          
           Now
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           undoubtedly
           Gods
           servant
           ,
           Rom.
           13.
           4.
           therefore
           I
           must
           let
           him
           stand
           or
           fall
           to
           his
           own
           Master
           ,
           in
           matters
           of
           outward
           government
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           intrusted
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           me
           withal
           .
           And
           in
           case
           I
           do
           look
           upon
           him
           as
           a
           Brother
           ,
           and
           his
           Actions
           or
           Designs
           as
           the
           Affairs
           of
           a
           private
           man
           ,
           then
           still
           the
           former
           Rules
           do
           hold
           ;
           and
           Christ
           doth
           forbid
           me
           to
           judge
           him
           in
           publick
           ,
           or
           to
           lay
           his
           faults
           open
           to
           any
           ,
           till
           I
           have
           dealt
           with
           him
           in
           private
           ,
           and
           by
           degrees
           brought
           him
           to
           the
           Judicature
           of
           those
           who
           are
           his
           competent
           Judges
           ,
           Mat.
           18.
           15.
           
           &c.
           It
           is
           not
           lawful
           therefore
           for
           me
           ,
           in
           my
           private
           way
           to
           condemn
           him
           ,
           whether
           I
           look
           upon
           him
           as
           a
           Brother
           ,
           or
           not
           ;
           and
           far
           less
           is
           it
           lawful
           to
           judge
           him
           in
           publick
           ,
           and
           make
           my self
           an
           Informer
           against
           him
           towards
           the
           Multitude
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           his
           competent
           Judges
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           in
           the
           fifth
           Commandment
           is
           ,
           
             Honour
             thy
             father
             and
             mother
             ,
             that
             thy
             days
             may
             be
             long
             in
             the
             land
             ,
             which
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             giveth
             thee
             .
          
           All
           Divines
           have
           understood
           this
           ,
           as
           well
           of
           the
           Respect
           due
           unto
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           as
           to
           natural
           Parents
           .
           Now
           to
           take
           upon
           us
           to
           judge
           and
           censure
           their
           actions
           ,
           or
           to
           blast
           and
           blame
           their
           proceedings
           in
           publick
           before
           the
           Multitude
           ,
           directly
           or
           indirectly
           ,
           is
           manifestly
           to
           dishonour
           them
           ;
           and
           if
           this
           is
           unlawful
           in
           a
           Son
           to
           deal
           so
           with
           his
           Parents
           ,
           it
           is
           also
           unlawful
           in
           a
           Subject
           to
           deal
           so
           with
           his
           Magistrates
           .
        
         
         
           As
           for
           the
           Laws
           of
           men
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           mention
           any
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           evident
           in
           all
           Nations
           ,
           that
           to
           controul
           the
           actions
           of
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           to
           traduce
           him
           in
           his
           proceedings
           ,
           is
           a
           Crime
           punishable
           in
           Subjects
           by
           those
           that
           have
           power
           and
           are
           in
           Authority
           over
           them
           ,
           with
           death
           ,
           imprisonment
           ,
           fines
           or
           banishment
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           Fact
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           Supream
           Authority
           doth
           judge
           fit
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           nature
           of
           the
           Gospel
           whereunto
           I
           am
           appointed
           a
           Minister
           by
           Christ
           ,
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           care
           of
           those
           things
           wherewith
           I
           must
           intermeddle
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           take
           upon
           me
           to
           judge
           of
           them
           .
           For
           the
           Gospel
           is
           the
           Testimony
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           to
           reveal
           him
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           invite
           all
           men
           from
           the
           Cares
           and
           Lusts
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           enter
           into
           his
           Kingdom
           and
           Rest
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           Kingdom
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           whereof
           the
           Kingdoms
           are
           but
           lyes
           and
           restless
           vanities
           .
           If
           then
           I
           account
           my self
           appointed
           to
           this
           Employment
           by
           Christ
           ,
           to
           mind
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           his
           Truth
           ;
           
             and
             that
             wisdom
             which
             is
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             none
             of
             the
             Princes
             of
             this
             World
             know
             ,
             or
             as
             Princes
             of
             this
             World
             care
             for
          
           ;
           I
           ought
           not
           to
           apply
           my self
           to
           intermeddle
           in
           their
           Affairs
           :
           and
           if
           I
           ought
           not
           to
           do
           this
           ,
           I
           conceive
           it
           is
           not
           lawful
           for
           me
           to
           judge
           of
           their
           Affairs
           in
           publick
           ,
           either
           to
           commend
           or
           condemn
           them
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           .
           For
           Christ
           being
           intreated
           to
           employ
           his
           Authority
           ,
           
             to
             cause
             one
             Brother
             to
             divide
             the
             inheritance
             with
             the
             other
             ,
          
           did
           refuse
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           upon
           this
           ground
           ,
           because
           God
           had
           not
           appointed
           him
           a
           Judge
           ,
           or
           a
           Divider
           over
           men
           in
           temporal
           matters
           :
           the
           Disciple
           is
           not
           above
           the
           Master
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Master
           had
           no
           right
           to
           meddle
           in
           small
           matters
           between
           man
           and
           man
           ,
           what
           right
           have
           I
           to
           meddle
           in
           the
           greatest
           between
           State
           and
           State
           ,
           or
           Rulers
           and
           Subjects
           ?
           When
           Christ
           called
           one
           of
           his
           Disciples
           to
           follow
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           desired
           
           leave
           ,
           
             first
             to
             go
             and
             bury
             his
             Father
             ,
          
           Christ
           bid
           him
           ,
           
             let
             the
             dead
             bury
             their
             dead
             ;
             but
             go
             thou
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             and
             preach
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God.
          
           If
           then
           those
           that
           are
           called
           to
           preach
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           ought
           to
           free
           their
           minds
           from
           the
           cares
           which
           through
           natural
           Affection
           ,
           and
           a
           kind
           of
           Civil
           Duty
           ,
           so
           neerly
           concern
           themselves
           and
           their
           Kindred
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           ought
           they
           to
           be
           disinteressed
           in
           matters
           of
           State
           ,
           which
           at
           all
           do
           not
           concern
           them
           ?
        
         
           The
           Cares
           of
           a
           quite
           contrary
           nature
           cannot
           be
           at
           once
           rightly
           entertained
           in
           the
           same
           mind
           ,
           they
           are
           like
           two
           opposite
           Masters
           whom
           none
           can
           serve
           at
           the
           same
           time
           acceptably
           ,
           nor
           at
           different
           times
           faithfully
           ;
           therefore
           he
           that
           will
           be
           Christ's
           Servant
           ,
           and
           a
           faithful
           Soldier
           in
           his
           Warfare
           ,
           must
           not
           be
           intangled
           in
           the
           Affairs
           of
           this
           Life
           ;
           otherwise
           he
           will
           not
           be
           able
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           who
           hath
           chosen
           him
           to
           be
           a
           Soldier
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           2.
           4.
           
           Now
           all
           the
           Affairs
           of
           State
           concern
           only
           this
           Life
           ,
           and
           nothing
           else
           directly
           and
           principally
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           intermedling
           with
           State-matters
           in
           Sermons
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           the
           Rule
           of
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           true
           aim
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           maintained
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           that
           Duty
           .
        
         
           The
           Rule
           of
           Preaching
           is
           ,
           
             If
             any
             man
             speak
             ,
             let
             him
             speak
             as
             the
             Oracles
             of
             God
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           4.
           11.
           
           We
           are
           warranted
           to
           speak
           nothing
           ,
           (
           if
           we
           speak
           in
           God's
           Name
           )
           but
           that
           which
           is
           undeniably
           his
           Word
           ;
           nothing
           can
           beget
           Faith
           ,
           and
           build
           up
           the
           Soul
           unto
           godliness
           ,
           but
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           :
           if
           we
           speak
           other
           matters
           which
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           earthly
           men
           ,
           or
           our
           own
           Imagination
           or
           Passions
           dictate
           ,
           we
           profane
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           destroy
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           Hearers
           .
           
             What
             is
             the
             chaff
             to
             the
             wheat
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ?
          
           by
           the
           Prophet
           Jeremiah
           .
           Our
           own
           words
           and
           dreams
           about
           temporal
           concernments
           ,
           are
           less
           worth
           than
           
           Chaff
           ;
           and
           the
           Faith
           of
           Professors
           cannot
           stand
           in
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           Men
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           God.
           And
           because
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           ,
           therefore
           in
           our
           preaching
           ,
           we
           should
           
             determine
             to
             know
             nothing
             amongst
             our
             hearers
             ,
             but
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             him
             crucified
             .
          
        
         
           The
           aim
           to
           be
           maintained
           in
           preaching
           ,
           is
           to
           perswade
           God
           only
           and
           not
           men
           ;
           and
           not
           to
           please
           men
           ,
           or
           become
           their
           servants
           ,
           but
           God's
           alone
           ,
           Gal.
           1.
           10.
           for
           
             he
             that
             intendeth
             to
             please
             men
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             the
             servant
             of
             Christ.
          
           Now
           when
           men
           set
           themselves
           to
           speak
           of
           State-matters
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           their
           aim
           is
           either
           to
           please
           the
           Magistrates
           by
           commending
           them
           to
           the
           people
           ,
           or
           to
           shew
           their
           dislike
           against
           their
           proceedings
           by
           reproving
           the
           same
           ,
           which
           doth
           tend
           to
           make
           the
           People
           displeased
           with
           their
           Magistrates
           :
           Now
           whether
           the
           design
           be
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           ,
           it
           is
           altogether
           unworthy
           of
           the
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           a
           man
           cannot
           possibly
           mention
           the
           Affairs
           of
           State
           in
           publick
           ,
           but
           it
           must
           be
           either
           way
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           ought
           neither
           way
           to
           do
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           whatsoever
           a
           mans
           aim
           may
           be
           in
           medling
           thus
           with
           State
           matters
           ,
           as
           he
           doth
           no
           service
           to
           God
           in
           it
           ,
           so
           he
           perverts
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           Hearers
           from
           the
           integrety
           and
           simplicity
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           reflect
           upon
           and
           affect
           (
           with
           reference
           to
           worldly
           Wisdom
           )
           the
           ways
           of
           a
           Party
           :
           for
           all
           State-matters
           are
           continually
           carried
           by
           some
           Plots
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           one
           Party
           or
           other
           ;
           and
           whosoever
           doth
           meddle
           with
           them
           ,
           either
           to
           commend
           or
           discommend
           the
           proceedings
           ,
           must
           be
           the
           servant
           of
           a
           Party
           ,
           and
           so
           forsakes
           the
           spiritual
           liberty
           and
           unpartiality
           wherein
           he
           ought
           to
           stand
           ,
           and
           whereunto
           he
           ought
           to
           bring
           the
           minds
           of
           his
           Hearers
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           willing
           to
           serve
           all
           men
           in
           love
           ,
           for
           their
           spiritual
           edification
           ,
           without
           prejudice
           for
           Christ's
           sake
           .
           The
           interest
           of
           
           States-Men
           and
           matters
           ,
           change
           according
           to
           circumstances
           by
           which
           those
           that
           manage
           publick
           Affairs
           find
           their
           advantages
           ;
           if
           the
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           will
           oblige
           himself
           to
           meddle
           with
           these
           matters
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           constrained
           either
           to
           say
           and
           un-say
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           if
           he
           follow
           State
           Principles
           (
           which
           is
           to
           discredit
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           for
           when
           men
           are
           sway'd
           with
           carnal
           Considerations
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           make
           the
           same
           thing
           in
           their
           Preaching
           ,
           yea
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           nay
           ,
           nay
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           have
           found
           many
           do
           of
           late
           )
           or
           if
           he
           will
           be
           inflexible
           and
           not
           change
           his
           note
           with
           the
           times
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           engaged
           into
           occasions
           of
           strife
           and
           controversies
           with
           others
           for
           worldly
           matters
           as
           oft
           as
           they
           change
           ,
           which
           how
           inconvenient
           it
           is
           for
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           how
           prejudicial
           it
           is
           unto
           his
           Profession
           ,
           I
           leave
           you
           to
           judge
           .
        
         
           The
           scandals
           which
           are
           given
           against
           the
           Gospel
           to
           those
           that
           are
           discerning
           ,
           and
           perceive
           mens
           drifts
           in
           Preaching
           for
           Interests
           ,
           are
           very
           hanious
           and
           hurful
           to
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Ministry
           thereof
           to
           discredit
           it
           :
           for
           by
           this
           means
           natural
           men
           become
           Atheists
           ,
           for
           thereupon
           they
           count
           all
           Religion
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           cloke
           of
           Hypocrisie
           :
           these
           practises
           stagger
           the
           weak
           also
           who
           are
           led
           with
           blind
           zeal
           to
           be
           engaged
           into
           Faction
           against
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           to
           maintain
           divisions
           ,
           which
           overthrow
           the
           Churches
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           ,
           and
           thereby
           subtil
           States-Men
           take
           advantages
           to
           lay
           snares
           before
           unwary
           Ministers
           who
           have
           more
           zeale
           then
           prudence
           ,
           to
           entrap
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           use
           of
           them
           for
           their
           own
           ends
           ,
           and
           then
           when
           they
           have
           made
           them
           their
           hackneys
           ,
           and
           serv'd
           their
           turns
           with
           them
           ,
           they
           turn
           them
           away
           with
           neglect
           and
           contempt
           at
           the
           journeys
           end
           ,
           because
           they
           deserve
           no
           better
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           I
           knowing
           these
           things
           to
           be
           the
           natural
           consequents
           of
           Ministers
           intermedling
           with
           State-matters
           ,
           cannot
           think
           it
           lawful
           for
           me
           to
           come
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           these
           snares
           ,
           and
           therefore
           must
           avoid
           the
           occasions
           thereof
           ,
           and
           am
           willing
           to
           warn
           you
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           whereof
           we
           see
           many
           examples
           before
           our
           eyes
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           chief
           heads
           of
           Reasons
           which
           have
           made
           me
           abstain
           from
           that
           way
           of
           Preaching
           which
           some
           have
           followed
           ,
           and
           ,
           as
           I
           conceive
           ,
           these
           grounds
           which
           justifie
           my
           way
           to
           be
           unanswerable
           ,
           so
           I
           never
           could
           find
           any
           solidity
           in
           those
           pretences
           which
           are
           alledged
           for
           the
           contrary
           practice
           .
        
         
           For
           that
           which
           is
           pretended
           from
           Ezech.
           3.
           17
           
             to
             the
          
           22
           ,
           and
           33.
           ver
           .
           7.
           
           That
           Ministers
           are
           made
           Watchmen
           ,
           to
           give
           warning
           to
           the
           wicked
           ,
           to
           warn
           them
           from
           their
           wicked
           way
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           Righteous
           also
           ,
           that
           they
           turn
           not
           from
           their
           Righteousness
           ,
           is
           not
           otherwise
           to
           be
           understood
           but
           in
           cleer
           cases
           ,
           wherein
           Gods
           Commandment
           is
           manifestly
           transgressed
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           directed
           immediately
           towards
           the
           persons
           themselves
           ,
           who
           are
           transgressors
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           sensible
           of
           the
           guilt
           and
           danger
           under
           which
           they
           stand
           .
           But
           in
           doubtful
           cases
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           no
           clear
           word
           from
           Gods
           Mouth
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Magistrates
           actions
           may
           be
           mis-interpreted
           ;
           wherein
           he
           pretends
           to
           walk
           by
           a
           just
           Rule
           ;
           wherein
           his
           secret
           aim
           and
           intension
           ,
           by
           a
           jealousie
           of
           State
           ,
           is
           rather
           condemn'd
           than
           his
           Fact
           ,
           and
           wherein
           he
           is
           not
           expresly
           dealt
           withal
           himself
           to
           convict
           his
           Conscience
           concerning
           the
           Iniquity
           of
           his
           Proceedings
           to
           rectifie
           it
           ,
           but
           is
           cryed
           out
           upon
           before
           others
           ,
           and
           censured
           before
           the
           multitude
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           his
           competent
           Judges
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           the
           practice
           of
           those
           that
           in
           the
           Pulpits
           have
           medled
           and
           do
           meddle
           with
           State-matters
           )
           :
           I
           say
           in
           such
           cases
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           a
           way
           of
           proceeding
           ,
           no
           colour
           can
           be
           taken
           
           from
           the
           Watch-Office
           of
           Ezechiel
           ,
           to
           warrant
           it
           :
           for
           look
           upon
           the
           Charge
           which
           he
           doth
           receive
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           how
           he
           is
           to
           discharge
           it
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           see
           that
           your
           practice
           is
           nothing
           like
           it
           .
           The
           Charge
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           
             Watch-man
             should
             hear
             the
             word
             at
             Gods
             mouth
             ,
             and
             give
             the
             house
             of
             Israel
             warning
             from
             God
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           17.
           
           This
           imports
           an
           express
           Commandment
           ,
           and
           a
           clear
           transgression
           of
           the
           Commandment
           ,
           in
           those
           that
           are
           to
           be
           warned
           ,
           and
           a
           peculiar
           Mission
           from
           God
           to
           give
           the
           warning
           :
           The
           way
           how
           this
           warning
           is
           to
           be
           given
           to
           the
           Wicked
           and
           to
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           is
           by
           a
           particular
           Address
           ,
           which
           the
           Watch-man
           was
           to
           make
           as
           from
           God
           unto
           themselves
           immediately
           .
           If
           the
           Ministers
           that
           meddle
           with
           State-matters
           will
           observe
           these
           Rules
           ,
           far
           be
           it
           from
           me
           to
           condemn
           them
           ;
           but
           if
           their
           arguing
           against
           the
           proceedings
           of
           those
           that
           are
           in
           places
           of
           Authority
           ,
           hath
           nothing
           in
           it
           approaching
           unto
           this
           way
           ,
           then
           I
           must
           be
           dispensed
           from
           following
           it
           ;
           and
           I
           think
           it
           my
           duty
           to
           discover
           the
           irregularity
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           testifying
           against
           it
           .
           If
           men
           will
           make
           themselves
           ,
           through
           State-jealousies
           and
           evil
           Surmises
           against
           those
           that
           manage
           publick
           Affairs
           ,
           Watchmen
           over
           their
           Rulers
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           divided
           among
           themselves
           for
           State-interests
           ,
           for
           the
           advantage
           of
           one
           Party
           ,
           to
           blast
           and
           discredit
           another
           ,
           and
           then
           pretend
           that
           they
           discharge
           the
           Watch-Office
           which
           is
           committed
           unto
           them
           ,
           I
           shall
           leave
           them
           to
           answer
           it
           to
           the
           chief
           Shepherd
           of
           the
           Flock
           ;
           for
           it
           becometh
           not
           me
           to
           judge
           another
           mans
           Servants
           ,
           farther
           than
           by
           putting
           them
           in
           mind
           of
           the
           Commands
           of
           their
           Master
           ,
           which
           are
           undeniably
           his
           known
           Will.
           
        
         
           But
           from
           the
           Contemplation
           of
           the
           Watch-mans
           Office
           over
           the
           Souls
           of
           the
           Flock
           ,
           and
           their
           obligation
           to
           give
           an
           account
           thereof
           unto
           God
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           Objection
           and
           Doubt
           which
           may
           be
           raised
           ,
           thus
           :
           But
           what
           if
           I
           see
           my
           
           Flock
           like
           to
           be
           led
           away
           (
           by
           the
           example
           of
           those
           that
           are
           in
           Authority
           ,
           or
           the
           instigation
           of
           those
           that
           have
           Power
           )
           unto
           wicked
           and
           unjust
           courses
           ,
           which
           are
           destructive
           to
           the
           true
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           State
           ;
           shall
           I
           not
           warn
           them
           of
           the
           danger
           in
           this
           case
           ?
           I
           answer
           ,
           Yes
           ,
           you
           are
           bound
           to
           forewarn
           them
           of
           the
           danger
           which
           you
           think
           they
           are
           like
           to
           fall
           into
           ,
           if
           the
           thing
           be
           evident
           and
           clearly
           a
           transgression
           of
           God's
           will
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           you
           are
           bound
           to
           forewarn
           as
           well
           those
           that
           by
           their
           authority
           and
           power
           led
           others
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           are
           led
           by
           them
           .
           Thus
           in
           cases
           of
           Idolatry
           and
           Oppression
           ,
           the
           Prophets
           did
           address
           themselves
           directly
           to
           the
           Rulers
           of
           the
           people
           ?
           they
           shewed
           them
           the
           undoubted
           Commandment
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           their
           undeniable
           Practice
           opposite
           unto
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           case
           which
           evidently
           doth
           pervert
           the
           truth
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           endanger
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           State
           ;
           the
           Fact
           it self
           ,
           and
           the
           unrighteousness
           thereof
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           laid
           open
           before
           all
           ,
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           all
           are
           to
           be
           warned
           of
           the
           dangerous
           consequences
           thereof
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           done
           in
           Thesi
           ,
           leaving
           the
           Hpothesis
           and
           particular
           application
           to
           every
           mans
           judgment
           ,
           to
           discharge
           his
           Conscience
           towards
           God
           therein
           ;
           but
           now
           we
           have
           seen
           men
           that
           accuse
           those
           whom
           they
           would
           discredit
           before
           the
           Multitude
           ,
           not
           to
           meddle
           with
           the
           matter
           in
           Thesi
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           Hypothesis
           of
           their
           own
           coyning
           ,
           upon
           conjectural
           appearances
           ,
           charging
           Faults
           suspiciously
           ,
           and
           by
           way
           of
           insinuation
           ,
           whereupon
           a
           strict
           examination
           none
           were
           to
           be
           found
           .
           He
           that
           insists
           upon
           the
           Hypothesis
           of
           a
           matter
           ,
           to
           charge
           some
           body
           with
           the
           guilt
           thereof
           ,
           doth
           evidently
           shew
           that
           his
           aim
           is
           is
           not
           so
           much
           to
           rectifie
           the
           fault
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           him
           odious
           ,
           whom
           he
           chargeth
           with
           it
           ;
           but
           he
           that
           handleth
           the
           Thesis
           of
           a
           matter
           ,
           doth
           it
           to
           instruct
           and
           warn
           all
           Men
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           look
           to
           their
           ways
           .
        
         
         
           They
           that
           were
           used
           to
           Preach
           of
           late
           at
           Court
           ,
           for
           the
           generality
           calculate
           their
           Sermons
           for
           the
           Humour
           of
           the
           Prince
           ,
           and
           lie
           digging
           for
           Texts
           in
           Holy
           Writ
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           uphold
           some
           State-Interest
           ;
           which
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           certainly
           alledged
           ,
           the
           
             Sacred
             Author
          
           never
           had
           so
           much
           as
           in
           his
           thoughts
           :
           and
           all
           this
           meerly
           for
           Church-Preferment
           .
           And
           such
           a
           one
           was
           that
           Parson
           ,
           who
           to
           please
           the
           Humour
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           undertaking
           to
           prove
           the
           Excellency
           of
           Monarchy
           ,
           took
           his
           Text
           out
           of
           Judges
           17.
           vers
           .
           6.
           
           
             In
             those
             days
             there
             was
             no
             King
             in
             Israel
             .
          
           And
           by
           this
           means
           they
           make
           themselves
           ridiculous
           :
           For
           there
           is
           always
           such
           an
           unlucky
           Fate
           attends
           that
           sort
           of
           People
           which
           are
           called
           Busie-bodies
           ,
           and
           Medlers
           with
           other
           Concerns
           than
           their
           own
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           despicable
           even
           in
           common
           Conversation
           ,
           much
           more
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           another
           pretence
           taken
           to
           colour
           this
           practice
           ,
           from
           the
           Commandments
           which
           the
           Apostle
           doth
           give
           to
           Timothy
           and
           
             Titus
             :
             Them
             that
             sin
             ,
             rebuke
             before
             all
             ,
          
           1
           Tim.
           5.
           20.
           
           
             Be
             instant
             in
             season
             ,
             out
             of
             season
             ,
             reprove
             ,
             rebuke
             ,
             exhort
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           2
           Tim.
           4.
           2.
           
           And
           ,
           
             Rebuke
             them
             sharply
          
           ,
           &c.
           Titus
           1.
           13.
           and
           such-like
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           I
           conceive
           ,
           that
           all
           these
           Directions
           are
           given
           to
           Pastors
           ,
           only
           in
           reference
           to
           those
           that
           are
           immediately
           under
           the
           Pastoral
           Charge
           in
           clear
           Cases
           ,
           wherein
           they
           are
           to
           deal
           with
           the
           Parties
           themselves
           immediately
           :
           it
           is
           therefore
           a
           great
           mistake
           ,
           to
           apply
           them
           unto
           other
           persons
           who
           are
           not
           under
           their
           Pastoral
           charge
           ,
           and
           in
           eases
           which
           are
           Mysteries
           of
           State
           ,
           and
           not
           obvious
           to
           the
           cognizance
           of
           every
           one
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           handled
           ,
           not
           before
           the
           parties
           themselves
           ,
           but
           before
           others
           who
           are
           not
           capable
           to
           judge
           thereof
           ,
           as
           the
           common
           people
           are
           .
           If
           we
           look
           to
           that
           which
           Christ
           did
           in
           this
           way
           of
           reproof
           towards
           the
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           ,
           Mat.
           23.
           we
           shall
           see
           how
           these
           reproofs
           ought
           to
           be
           managed
           .
           First
           ,
           
           it
           may
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           Christ
           came
           not
           to
           this
           sharpness
           with
           them
           till
           towards
           the
           latter
           end
           of
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           after
           that
           he
           had
           in
           all
           probability
           dealt
           many
           times
           with
           them
           in
           a
           milder
           way
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           sensible
           of
           their
           Duty
           :
           For
           it
           is
           said
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           break
           the
           bruised
           Reed
           ,
           nor
           quench
           the
           smoaking
           Flax
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           strive
           ,
           nor
           caused
           his
           voice
           to
           be
           heard
           in
           the
           streets
           ,
           Mat.
           12.
           19
           ,
           20.
           whence
           we
           must
           conclude
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           at
           first
           dealt
           with
           any
           man
           sharply
           ,
           but
           gently
           always
           ,
           but
           when
           he
           found
           these
           Scribes
           and
           Pharisees
           incorrigible
           ,
           then
           lest
           the
           people
           might
           be
           seduced
           by
           their
           practiees
           ,
           he
           doth
           give
           them
           a
           necessary
           warning
           to
           preserve
           them
           from
           being
           perverted
           by
           the
           example
           of
           their
           Leaders
           ,
           and
           reproves
           the
           open
           faults
           of
           their
           Leaders
           ,
           in
           clear
           Cases
           convincingly
           before
           them
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           he
           doth
           it
           in
           such
           a
           way
           which
           is
           without
           all
           exception
           .
           For
           he
           doth
           not
           intend
           to
           discredit
           them
           in
           their
           places
           ,
           or
           blast
           their
           Authority
           towards
           the
           people
           ,
           but
           establisheth
           it
           ,
           commanding
           the
           People
           to
           hearken
           to
           them
           as
           they
           sit
           in
           Moses
           seat
           ,
           ver
           .
           2
           ,
           3.
           then
           he
           reproves
           them
           not
           behind
           their
           back
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           but
           to
           their
           faces
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           People
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           he
           insists
           upon
           particular
           matters
           of
           Fact
           ,
           which
           were
           undeniable
           ,
           wherein
           he
           not
           only
           discovers
           their
           Hypocrisie
           ,
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           shews
           them
           the
           Duty
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           done
           ;
           and
           warns
           them
           of
           the
           Judgment
           which
           is
           to
           come
           upon
           them
           if
           they
           neglect
           it
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           Ministers
           that
           meddle
           with
           State-affairs
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           would
           observe
           this
           way
           and
           method
           ;
           their
           practice
           would
           be
           free
           from
           all
           exceptions
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           can
           deal
           with
           those
           that
           manage
           publick
           Affairs
           ,
           to
           rectifie
           that
           which
           they
           find
           opposite
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           amiss
           in
           them
           ,
           first
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           Counsel
           in
           private
           ;
           and
           if
           afterward
           finding
           that
           private
           Admonitions
           profit
           
           not
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           persevere
           in
           a
           course
           of
           State-hypocrisie
           ,
           to
           endanger
           the
           salvation
           of
           others
           ,
           whom
           they
           may
           seduce
           by
           their
           example
           from
           the
           sincerity
           of
           the
           Holy
           Profession
           :
           if
           (
           I
           say
           )
           in
           such
           a
           case
           without
           prejudice
           to
           their
           just
           Authority
           ,
           they
           can
           deal
           roundly
           and
           openly
           with
           them
           ,
           to
           convince
           of
           the
           perversness
           of
           their
           way
           ,
           and
           to
           reclaim
           them
           from
           the
           errours
           thereof
           ,
           this
           would
           not
           only
           be
           warrantable
           ,
           but
           commendable
           :
           but
           how
           far
           this
           is
           intended
           by
           any
           ,
           I
           leave
           to
           you
           to
           judge
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           conscience
           of
           those
           that
           handle
           State-matters
           in
           their
           Sermons
           to
           determine
           between
           God
           and
           themselves
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           that
           which
           some
           say
           ,
           that
           Men
           must
           not
           be
           luke-warm
           Neutralists
           ,
           but
           zealous
           in
           the
           Cause
           of
           God
           and
           for
           the
           Publick
           good
           .
           I
           answer
           it
           is
           so
           ;
           but
           we
           must
           also
           take
           heed
           ,
           that
           we
           mistake
           not
           the
           Cause
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           make
           not
           our
           own
           partial
           Aims
           and
           private
           Interests
           ,
           that
           which
           we
           call
           God's
           Cause
           :
           let
           God's
           Cause
           be
           stated
           as
           it
           relates
           to
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           handled
           in
           
             Thesi
             &
             Antithesi
          
           ,
           as
           it
           reflects
           upon
           the
           Conscience
           of
           all
           Men
           by
           the
           manifestation
           of
           the
           Truth
           ;
           and
           let
           no
           personal
           Reproches
           ,
           Insinuations
           ,
           Reflexions
           ,
           and
           particular
           Worldly
           matters
           ,
           to
           asperse
           any
           body
           ,
           be
           mixed
           with
           it
           ;
           and
           let
           it
           be
           held
           forth
           with
           all
           Spiritual
           Fervency
           from
           the
           Word
           ;
           and
           so
           let
           it
           be
           recommended
           to
           Gods
           Blessing
           upon
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Hearers
           ;
           but
           let
           us
           not
           call
           our
           own
           contrivements
           Gods
           Cause
           ,
           nor
           humane
           Passions
           raised
           upon
           Jealousies
           or
           Discontents
           ,
           Zeal
           .
           Do
           we
           not
           see
           evidently
           that
           no
           party
           doth
           count
           any
           thing
           a
           publick
           good
           ,
           but
           that
           which
           is
           for
           its
           own
           way
           :
           and
           that
           all
           its
           Zeal
           and
           Strength
           is
           spent
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           to
           advance
           the
           Interest
           ,
           as
           to
           set
           up
           it self
           over
           the
           adverse
           Party
           and
           to
           cast
           down
           every
           thing
           which
           is
           not
           for
           its
           own
           Interest
           :
           This
           is
           evidently
           all
           the
           Zeal
           of
           these
           times
           ,
           
           viz.
           to
           strive
           for
           power
           over
           others
           ;
           and
           then
           to
           act
           by
           meer
           will
           according
           to
           power
           ,
           against
           all
           that
           are
           found
           or
           suspected
           to
           be
           opposites
           .
           And
           if
           not
           to
           be
           active
           in
           this
           way
           of
           partiality
           ,
           or
           puft
           up
           for
           the
           Interest
           of
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           to
           have
           the
           Rule
           ,
           be
           counted
           to
           be
           a
           luke-warm
           Neutralist
           ,
           I
           shall
           confess
           my self
           to
           be
           one
           of
           these
           ,
           and
           yet
           I
           hope
           I
           shall
           never
           be
           found
           a
           Neutralist
           before
           God
           in
           his
           Cause
           ,
           nor
           luke-warm
           toward
           the
           way
           of
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           ,
           which
           is
           without
           Partiality
           and
           without
           Hypocrisie
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           it
           ill
           becomes
           the
           Ministry
           to
           talk
           like
           Polititians
           and
           States-men
           in
           their
           Pulpits
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           a
           thing
           altogether
           as
           undecent
           ,
           to
           see
           so
           many
           Preachers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           haunting
           and
           crowding
           the
           Parliament-Lobbies
           ,
           and
           Anti-Chambers
           of
           publick
           Lay-Assemblies
           ,
           whispering
           here
           ,
           and
           buzzing
           there
           ,
           and
           as
           busie
           as
           Bees
           .
           As
           if
           the
           Publick
           Affairs
           of
           the
           Nation
           could
           not
           be
           managed
           ,
           without
           their
           having
           an
           Oar
           in
           the
           Boat.
           And
           yet
           no
           Rational
           Man
           can
           give
           any
           good
           Reason
           ,
           why
           those
           Ecclesiasticks
           should
           be
           so
           busie
           and
           active
           in
           such
           places
           as
           those
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           to
           side
           with
           ,
           or
           make
           Parties
           ,
           and
           to
           bespeak
           Friends
           for
           the
           carrying
           on
           such
           or
           such
           an
           Interest
           :
           which
           how
           ill
           it
           becomes
           them
           ,
           they
           themselves
           well
           know
           ,
           only
           they
           follow
           the
           Deteriora
           .
           It
           would
           be
           a
           piece
           of
           Ill
           Manners
           ,
           for
           them
           to
           believe
           that
           the
           Lords
           and
           Gentlemen
           now
           convened
           together
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           as
           careful
           of
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           ,
           as
           they
           can
           be
           :
           Nor
           can
           they
           be
           thought
           to
           want
           their
           Directions
           .
           But
           if
           they
           hover
           and
           brood
           over
           their
           own
           worldly
           Interests
           and
           Advantages
           ,
           't
           is
           an
           unseasonable
           Piece
           of
           double
           Diligence
           ;
           as
           if
           they
           could
           not
           confide
           in
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           those
           Persons
           whom
           the
           Nation
           has
           made
           choice
           of
           in
           this
           Exigence
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           without
           their
           Intermedling
           and
           Disturbing
           their
           Debates
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Clergy
           of
           England
           cannot
           but
           be
           deeply
           sensible
           ,
           how
           wide
           a
           Gash
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           lately
           received
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           how
           that
           both
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           are
           now
           met
           to
           soader
           up
           the
           Wound
           ;
           what
           will
           the
           World
           then
           think
           ,
           when
           they
           shall
           be
           the
           first
           that
           give
           the
           Interruption
           to
           so
           good
           a
           Work
           ?
           The
           Church-of
           -
           
           England-men
           had
           most
           reason
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           to
           be
           sensible
           of
           the
           Invasions
           made
           upon
           their
           Priviledges
           and
           Properties
           ,
           by
           their
           being
           turn'd
           out
           of
           their
           Colledges
           ,
           while
           Popery
           began
           to
           sit
           triumphant
           in
           the
           very
           UNIVERSITIES
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           and
           they
           themselves
           commanded
           to
           read
           a
           Declaration
           ,
           to
           the
           Violation
           of
           their
           Consciences
           .
           And
           is
           it
           fair
           for
           them
           to
           be
           the
           first
           that
           Quarrel
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           first
           who
           receive
           the
           Benefit
           of
           the
           Application
           ?
           Or
           are
           they
           willing
           to
           undergo
           the
           same
           Severities
           again
           ,
           till
           at
           length
           they
           are
           Outed
           out
           of
           All
           ?
        
         
           The
           Clergy
           have
           the
           greatest
           Advantage
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           happen
           to
           be
           disgusted
           at
           any
           thing
           ,
           they
           presently
           get
           up
           into
           their
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           State-Sermon
           ring
           the
           Bells
           backward
           ,
           and
           then
           their
           Party
           come
           in
           .
           But
           at
           such
           an
           unseasonable
           time
           as
           this
           ,
           when
           Ireland
           lies
           a
           bleeding
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           never
           more
           need
           of
           Union
           ,
           when
           the
           last
           Efforts
           of
           a
           strugling
           Enemy
           require
           our
           utmost
           Opposition
           ,
           it
           looks
           as
           if
           they
           had
           no
           sence
           of
           the
           Danger
           ;
           that
           they
           from
           whom
           it
           was
           least
           expected
           ,
           should
           be
           the
           first
           Obstructors
           of
           all
           that
           is
           offered
           to
           secure
           both
           them
           and
           us
           :
           or
           at
           least
           ,
           that
           Popery
           and
           Slavery
           are
           no
           such
           formidable
           things
           to
           some
           ,
           who
           are
           now
           under
           another
           Profession
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           and
           ever
           will
           be
           to
           such
           Protestants
           as
           are
           endued
           with
           a
           perfect
           love
           of
           Truth
           .
           Certain
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Gentlemen
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           are
           not
           so
           bigotted
           to
           their
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           can
           lay
           it
           aside
           ,
           in
           a
           Concern
           
           that
           touches
           their
           own
           Copyhold
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           by
           their
           Refusal
           to
           read
           the
           
             Declaration
             for
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           ;
           which
           makes
           it
           the
           less
           consistent
           with
           any
           Reason
           ,
           why
           they
           should
           be
           so
           squeamish
           in
           the
           
             Grand
             Affair
          
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           .
           For
           where
           the
           Religion
           of
           a
           Nation
           lies
           at
           stake
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           transmitted
           to
           Posterity
           as
           a
           very
           unkind
           Contention
           ,
           to
           trouble
           the
           Progress
           of
           National
           Settlement
           with
           Disputes
           about
           the
           significations
           of
           Words
           .
           Good
           Authority
           has
           laid
           this
           down
           for
           a
           Maxim
           ,
           
             That
             Princes
             ,
             from
             the
             time
             that
             they
             begin
             to
             break
             the
             Laws
             ,
             and
             those
             ancient
             Manners
             and
             Customs
             ,
             under
             which
             the
             People
             have
             been
             long
             govern'd
             ,
             begin
             to
             lose
             their
             Soveraignty
             .
          
        
         
           Strada
           
             speaking
             of
             the
             Revolt
             of
             the
          
           Low
           Countries
           
             from
             the
             King
             of
          
           Spain
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           to
           be
           questioned
           ,
           
             says
             he
          
           ,
           but
           that
           same
           Liberty
           to
           which
           the
           People
           has
           been
           for
           a
           long
           time
           accustomed
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           Attempt
           to
           alter
           or
           diminish
           it
           ,
           occasions
           fatal
           Commotions
           .
           
             And
             Sir
          
           Thomas
           Smith
           
             tells
             us
          
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           the
           Parliament
           which
           gives
           Form
           of
           Succession
           to
           the
           Crown
           .
           
             Besides
             ,
             that
             the
             words
             of
          
           Henry
           
             the
             Forth
             ,
             King
             of
          
           France
           ,
           in
           Thuanus
           ,
           
             were
             these
          
           :
           Legis
           non
           Regis
           esse
           de
           regni
           Successione
           decernere
           .
        
         
           These
           therefore
           being
           the
           Maxims
           of
           Secular
           Politicks
           ,
           conformable
           to
           the
           Laws
           and
           Statutes
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           the
           Concessions
           of
           great
           Princes
           themselves
           ,
           and
           such
           things
           wherein
           the
           Clergy
           have
           nothing
           to
           do
           to
           meddle
           ,
           it
           is
           so
           much
           the
           more
           to
           be
           wondered
           at
           ,
           that
           any
           Contest
           among
           them
           should
           be
           set
           on
           foot
           to
           interrupt
           the
           intended
           Provisions
           for
           the
           future
           Security
           of
           the
           Nation
           .
        
         
           True
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           a
           general
           Refreshment
           ,
           and
           universally
           revived
           the
           drooping
           Spirits
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           constant
           Firmness
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           Gentlemen
           in
           their
           Refusal
           to
           read
           the
           King's
           Declaration
           ,
           
           and
           their
           stedfast
           adhering
           to
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           those
           worthy
           Suffragans
           ,
           who
           led
           them
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           them
           by
           their
           noble
           Example
           .
           Never
           were
           persons
           in
           their
           eminent
           station
           ,
           so
           generally
           bewayl'd
           upon
           their
           Commitment
           ,
           nor
           ever
           caressed
           with
           louder
           Acclamations
           ,
           or
           a
           more
           universal
           Joy
           for
           their
           Acquittal
           .
           Story
           will
           immortalize
           the
           Glory
           of
           that
           Action
           to
           all
           Posterity
           .
           For
           indeed
           they
           may
           be
           said
           to
           have
           given
           the
           first
           Check
           to
           the
           Insulting
           Power
           of
           Popery
           at
           White-hall
           .
        
         
           Of
           these
           Honours
           it
           cannot
           be
           said
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Ministry
           that
           mov'd
           in
           a
           lower
           Orb
           ,
           had
           gain'd
           a
           great
           share
           ;
           and
           it
           was
           hoped
           that
           they
           would
           have
           continu'd
           under
           the
           same
           Conduct
           that
           inspir'd
           them
           with
           their
           first
           Resolutions
           .
           But
           it
           was
           not
           without
           the
           sorrow
           and
           perplexity
           of
           many
           ,
           to
           observe
           that
           Harmony
           of
           Temper
           ,
           and
           Agreement
           of
           Resolution
           ,
           tending
           so
           much
           to
           the
           Good
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           disturb'd
           by
           the
           moody
           discontent
           of
           some
           men
           that
           seem'd
           to
           study
           more
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Common
           Enemy
           ,
           than
           the
           Publick
           Welfare
           .
           There
           is
           no
           question
           to
           be
           made
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           Enemies
           of
           our
           Religion
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           would
           be
           the
           most
           joyful
           People
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           see
           that
           there
           were
           among
           our selves
           any
           People
           so
           much
           their
           kind
           Friends
           ,
           as
           to
           kindle
           Divisions
           among
           those
           Worthy
           Patriots
           who
           are
           now
           consulting
           the
           Settlement
           of
           the
           Nation
           upon
           the
           lasting
           Foundations
           of
           Peace
           and
           Safety
           .
           But
           it
           would
           ill
           become
           those
           who
           have
           acted
           hitherto
           so
           much
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           first
           that
           should
           save
           our
           Enemies
           the
           labour
           ,
           and
           blow
           up
           those
           Flames
           that
           should
           put
           us
           into
           new
           Conflagrations
           ,
           and
           disturb
           that
           Great
           Work
           which
           is
           now
           carrying
           on
           to
           Restore
           this
           Nation
           to
           its
           ancient
           Luster
           and
           Grandeur
           .
           All
           men
           know
           that
           Relapses
           are
           worse
           than
           the
           Diseases
           themselves
           .
           
           But
           for
           those
           that
           should
           be
           the
           Samaritans
           that
           should
           pour
           Balsam
           into
           our
           Wounds
           ,
           to
           fester
           the
           mending
           Scars
           with
           new
           Corrosives
           ,
           is
           so
           far
           from
           savouring
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           that
           Morality
           would
           be
           ashamed
           of
           it
           .
           Besides
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           a
           Presumption
           in
           acting
           as
           it
           were
           against
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           going
           about
           to
           disturb
           what
           Providence
           has
           hitherto
           so
           fairly
           brought
           about
           ;
           which
           certainly
           could
           never
           happen
           from
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           kept
           within
           the
           bounds
           of
           their
           Function
           ,
           and
           not
           deviate
           from
           the
           Precepts
           of
           their
           Lord
           and
           Master
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .