Some considerations about union among Protestants, and the preservation of the interest of the Protestant religion in this nation Owen, John, 1616-1683. 1680 Approx. 24 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A53728 Wing O807A ESTC R20887 12610788 ocm 12610788 64364 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A53728) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 64364) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 771:1) Some considerations about union among Protestants, and the preservation of the interest of the Protestant religion in this nation Owen, John, 1616-1683. [2], 13 p. Printed by T.S., London : 1680. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Protestants -- England. Church and state -- England. 2005-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-06 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-07 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2005-07 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion SOME CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT UNION AMONG PROTESTANTS , AND THE Preservation of the Interest OF THE Protestant Religion In this Nation . LONDON , Printed by T.S. An. Dom. 1680. SOME CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT UNION AMONG Protestants , &c. 1. THE Prostestant Religion , introduced into this Nation , by the Apostolical way and means of the Holiness and laborious Preaching of its Professors , confirmed with the Martyrdom of multitudes of all sorts , being now throughly fixed in the Minds of the Body of the People , and confirmed unto them by Laws and Oaths , is become the principal Interest of the Nation , which cannot be shaken or overthrown , without the Ruine of the Government , and Destruction of the People . Nothing therefore less being included in the Attempts of the Papists , with all their Interest in Europe , for the reintroducing of their Religion amongst us , the Nation hath been constantly filled for an hundred years with fears , jealousies , and apprehensions of dangers , to the great disturbance of the Government , and disquietment of the Subjects ; nor can it be otherwise whil'st they know that there is a pregnant Design for their total subversion , together with the Ruine of the Protestant Religion in other places , which would have ensued thereon . But , 2. This Religion so received and approved by the People , as the only true way to salvation , ( accompanied with an Abhorrency of the superstition , Idolatry and Heresies of the Church of Rome , partly on the general account of their own nature , and partly on particular Reasons and Provocations from the Attempts of those that belong unto that Church , for the Ruine of them and their Religion ) and joyntly professed in the same confession of Faith , hath been preserved by the means of a Faithful laborious Ministry , under the care , protection and outward Government of the Supreme Power , as the greatest Bullwark of the Protestant Religion in Europe . 3. The only Weakness in it , as the Interest of the Nation , ( before it was infested with Novel Opinions ) was the differences that have been amongst many of the Professors of it , from the very first beginning of the Reformation , and which are continued unto this day . 4. These differences though consisting now in many Particulars of less moment , arose originally , solely from the Constitution of an Authoritative National Church State. For some would have it to be of one sort namely , Episcopal , some of another , namely , Presbyterian ; some would have it of a divine Original , others of an Humane , which must be the Judgment of the King and Parliament , who know it to be what they have made it , and nothing else ; and some judge it a meer Usurpation on the Power of the Civil Government , and the Liberties of the People . 5. It is therefore acknowledged that the Body of Christian People in this Nation professing the Protestant Religion , with a Detestation of Popery ; having the Gospel preached unto them , and the Sacraments duely administred , under the Rule of the King , are the Church of England . But as unto an Authoritative National Church , consisting solely in the Power and Interest of the Clergy , wherein the People , either as Christians , Protestants or Subjects of the Kingdom are not concerned ; such as is at present established , farther enquiry may be made about it . 6. There is a threefold Form of such a Church , at present contended for . The first is Papal , the second Episcopal , and the third Presbyterian . 7. The first Form of an Authoritative National Church-State amongst us , as in other places , was Papal : And the sole use of it here in England , was to embroyl , our Kings in their Government , to oppress the People in their Souls , Bodies , and Estates , and to fell us all , as branded slaves , unto Rome . These things have been sufficiently manifested . But in other places especially in Germany , whil'st otherwise they were all of one Religion , in Doctrine and Worship , all conform to the Church of Rome ; yet in bloody contests meerly about this Authoritative Church State , many Emperours were ruined , and an hundred set Battels fought in the Field . 8. At the Reformation this Church State , was accommodated , ( as was supposed ) unto the Interest of the Nation , to obviate the evils suffered from it , under the other Form , and render it of use unto the Religion established . Yet experience manifests that , partly from its Constitution , partly from the Inclinations of them by whom it is managed , other evils have accompanied or followed it , which until they are removed , the weakness of the Protestant Interest through mutual Divisions , will remain among us . And among others , they are these . 1. An Encroachment on the Civil Rights and Government of the Nation , in the Courts and Jurisdictions pretended to belong or to be annexed unto this Church State over the Persons , Goods , and Liberties of the Subiects , ( yea in some cases their Lives . ) It is the undoubted Right and Liberty of the People of this Nation , that no actual Jurisdiction should be exercised over their Persons , Estates , or Liberties , in a way collateral unto , and independent on the Publicks Administration of Justice unto all , derived from the Sovereign Power , and executed by known Officers , Rules and Orders , according unto the Laws of the Realm . If this be taken from them , all other Pretences of securing the Liberty and Property of the Subjects , are of no advantage unto them . For whil'st they have Justice in legal publick Courts , duely administred unto them , they may be oppressed and ruined ( as many are so every day ) by this pretended Collateral irregular Power and Jurisdiction over their Persons , Good and Liberties ; from which it seems to be the Duty of the Parliament to deliver them . And it is the Right of the Kings of this Nation , that no external Power over the Subjects be exercised but in their name , by vertue of their Commission , to be granted and executed according unto the Laws of the Land. This Right of Kings , and this Liberty of Subjects also , are so sacred , as that they ought not to be entrenched on by any pretence of Church or Religion . For what is of God's own appointment will touch neither of them . But the administration of this Jurisdiction as it is exercised with a side wind Power , distinct , different from and in some things contrary unto the publick Justice of the Nation , ( wherein all the Subjects have an equal Interest ) and by the Rules of a law forraign unto that of the Kingdom , is a great cause of the continuation of Divisions among Protestants , unto the weakning of the Interest of Religion itself . 2 It is accompanied with the Prosecution and troubling of Peaceable Subjects , in their Liberties and Estates ; not for any error in the Christian Faith , not for any Declension from the Protestant Religion or compliance with Popery , not for any Immoralities , but meerly and solely for their non-compliance with , and submission unto those things which are supposed necessary for the preservation of their Church State , which is of itself altogether unnecessary . For the whole complex of the imposed conformity in Canonical Obedience , Ceremonies , Rites and Modes of Worship , hath no other end but the sustentation and preservation thereof ; being things otherwise , that belong not to Christian Religion . This began , this will perpetuate our Divisions , which will not be healed whil'st it is continued . And whil'st the two Parties of Papists and Protestants , are at this day contending as it were for life , soul , and being , ( the long continued Design of the former , under various pretences , and by great variety of Attempts , being come unto its fatal Tryal , as unto its Issue : ) It will not be thought meet by wise men , whose entire Interest in Religion and the Liberties of the Nation are concerned , in this contest to continue the Body of Protestants in Divisions , with mutual Animosities , and the distrust of Multitudes , on such unnecessary Occasions . 3. Whereas by vertue of this State and Constitution , sundry Persons are interested in Honours , Dignities , Power and wealth , in all which they have an immediate , ( and not meerly legal ) Dependance on the King , since their Separation from the Pope ; they have constantly made it their business to promote absolute Monarchical Power , without respect unto the true Constitution of the Government of this Nation , which in sundry Instances hath been disadvantageous to Kings themselves , as well as an Incumbrance to the People in Parliament . For although their Constitution doth really entrench upon the Kings legal Power , in the Administration of their Jurisdiction , yet to secure their own Interests , and to make a seeming compensation for that Encroachment , many of them have contended for that absolute Power in the King , which he never owned , nor assumed unto himself . 9. The Evils and Inconveniencies of this Constitution , of an Authoritative National Church State , have been greatly encreased and propagated in this Nation , as unto the heightening of Divisions among Protestants , by the endeavours that have been to confirm and continue this State in an extraordinary way ; such were the Oath called , &c. and the late Oath at Oxford , whereon many ●ober peaceable Protestant Ministers have been troubled , and some utterly ruined ; which hath much provoked the Indignation of the People , against those who occasioned that Law , and for whose sake it was enacted ; and encreased the suspition that those who manage these things , would have men believe , that their State and Rule , is as sacred as the Crown , or Religion itself , unto the great disparagement of them both ; which things are effectual engines to expell all Peace and Union among Protestants . 10 ▪ Those who are for the Presbyterian Form of an Authoritative National Church State , do indeed cut off , and cast away most of those things which are the matter of contest between the present dissenting Parties , and so make a nearer approach towards a firm Union among all Protestants than the other do ; yet such an Authoritative Church State in that form , is neither proper for , nor possible unto this Nation , nor consistent with that Preheminence of the Crown , that Liberty of the Subjects , and freedom of the Consciences of Christians , which are their due . But this being not much among us pretended unto , it need not further be spoken of . 11. It is evident therefore that whil'st the Evils enumerated , are not separated from the present Authoritative National Church Constitution , but the powers of it are put in execution , and the ends of it pursued , it is altogether vain to expect Peace and Union among Protestants in England ; it neither hath been so , nor ever will be so , fire and faggot will not be able to effect it . Who shall reconcile the endless differences that are , and have been about the Power , Courts , and Jurisdictions of this Church State , whether they be agreeable unto the Laws of the Land , and Liberty of the Subjects . The fixed Judgement of many that they have no legal Authority at present , nor any Power given them by the Law of the Land , whereon they dare not submit unto them , is no less chargeable , dangerous and pernicious unto them , than are their uncouth Vexations and illegal Proceedings unto them who are unwillingly forced to submit unto them . And whatever may be expected , the People of this Nation will never be contented that their Persons , Goods , or Liberties , shall be made Subject unto any Law , but the Publick Royal Law of the Kingdom administred in legal Courts of Justice . Who shall undertake that all Christians or Protestants in this Nation shall ever submit their consciences and practices , to a multitude of Impositions no way warranted in the Scriptures ? Or how any of the other evils that are the causes of all our Divisions shall be removed , cannot easily be declared . 12. If it shall be said that if this Authoritative National Church State should be removed , and no other of another form , set up in the room of it ; or be divested of the Powers claimed at present by it , it will be impossible to preserve the Protestant Religion amongst us , to keep Uniformity in the Profession of it , and Agreement amongst its Professors ; It is answered , ( 1 ) Nothing ought to be removed but what is a real Cause , or unnecessary Occasion at least , of all the difformity and disorder that is amongst us , and is likely so to continue ▪ ( 2 ) That whil'st we have a Protestant King , and a Protestant Parliament , Protestant Magistrates and Protestant Ministers , with the due care of the Nation that they may so continue , and a Protestant confession of Faith duely adhered unto , I shall not , under the blessing of the Holy Providence , fear the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and Interest in England , without any recourse unto such a Church Power , as fills all with Divisions . This I say is that Church of England which is the principal Bullwark of the Protestant Religion and Interest in Europe ; namely , a Protestant King , a Protestant Parliament , Protestant Magistrates , Protestant Ministers , a Protestant confession of faith established by Law , with the cordial agreement of the Body of the People in all these things ; esteeming the Protestant Religion and its Profession their chief Interest in this world . To suppose that a few men , having obtained Honours , Dignities , and Revenues unto themselves , exercising a Power and Authority ( highly questionable whether legal or no ) unto their own advantage , oppressive unto the People , and by all means perpetuating Differences among Protestants , are that Church of England , which is justly esteemed the Bullwark of the Protestant Religion , is an high and palpable mistake . The Church of England as unto its National Interest in the Preservation of the Protestant Religion , is not only separable from it , but weakned by it . Yea , if there be such a National Constitution , as in its own nature , and by the secular advantages which it supplies men withal , enclines them to prefer their own Interest above that of the Protestant Religion in general , it will always endanger that Religion in any Nation . For hereon they will judge when they are pressed , on any occasion or circumstance of Affairs , that it is better to preserve their own Interest , by vertue of some Dispensations securing unto them their Power and secular advantages , than to venture all by a rigid contest for the Protestant Religion . Nor is it morally possible that ever Popery should return into this , or any other Nation , but under the Conduct of such a Church Constitution ; without this it hath no prevalent engine , but meer force , war and oppression . But if the Interest of Popery can possess this Church-State , either by the Inclinations of them or the greater number of them , who have the management of it , or by their Dependance , as unto their Interest , on the supream Authority , if that happen in any age to give countenance thereunto , the whole Nation will quickly be insensibly influenced , and betrayed into Popery as it were , they know not how . Hence have been such National Conversions to and fro in England , as have been in no other places or Countries in the World. For the Care of the publicks Preservation of Religion , being , as it is supposed , entrusted in this Church-State and the Managers of it , if by any means it be possessed by Popery , or influenced by a Popish Prince , the Religion of the whole Nation will be lost immediately . For as unto all other Ministers who have the immediate Guidance of the People they will suppose that they can do nothing of themselves in this mattter . but are only obliged unto the conduct of the Church-State itself . And having their station therein alone , and depending thereon , they may easily be either seduced by their Interest , or excluded from their Duty by the Power of that Church State whereunto they are Subject . By this means the whole Interest of the Protestant Religion in this Nation as unto its Preservation ▪ depends on such a State as being the concernment of a few , and those such as have an especial Interest of their own , distinct from that of the Protestant Religion in General , may be easily possessed by Popery , and probably would be so , if they should have a Popish Prince to influence them . But whereas the People are now possessed and fully persuaded of the Truth of Protestant Religion , if there be no publick Machine or Engines insensibly to turn about the whole Body of them , but they must be dealt withal individually or parochially , it will , as was said , be morally impossible , that ever Popery should become the Religion of this Nation , any other way , but by the Destruction or Killing of the present Inhabitants . Allow that the Church-State supposed , may in those who have the Trust , and Power of it , be seduced , corrupted , or any way induced or disposed unto the Interest of Popery , as it may be ; It is possible some individual Persons may be found , that for the sake of Truth , will expose their Lives to the stake or otherwise . So did many in the days of Queen Mary , though now esteemed by not a few , foolish Zealots for their pains . But the body of the People through their various legal Relations unto this Church-State , deserting the care of their own Preservation , by their Trust in the conduct thereof , whereunto they are unavoidably compelled , will quickly be inveagled so as not to be able to extricate themselves . But set them at Liberty , so as that every Parliament , every Magistrate , every Minister , every good Christian , may judge that that the Preservation of their Religion is their own Duty in all their capacities , and Popery with all its Arts will know neither how to begin , nor how to proceed with them . If then there were no such Church State as being in the Management of a few , is seduceable , and not difficult to be possessed by the Interest of Popery , whereby the whole Nation would be at once betrayed ; the Protestant Religion is now so firmly seated in the Minds of the People , so countenanced by Law , so esteemed by all to be the Principal Interest of the Nation , that the wit of all the Jesuits of the world , knows not how to attaque it , much less endanger it ; which if there be need , shall be further demonstrated . 13. Nor is it a Matter of Art or difficulty to declare a way for the security of the Protestant Religion , with the Rights of the Government , and Liberties of the Subjects , with the due Freedom of Conscience , without any such Church-State ; but it is what the Principles of Religion , common Prudence , and the honest Interest of the Nation do direct unto ; as to instance in the things that are most material unto that end . 1. Let a solemn Renunciation of Popery , suited unto the General Principles of the Protestant Religion , be established by Law , to be made publickly by every Person , that is to partake of the Rights and Priviledges already confirmed unto that Religion , or which afterwards shall be so ; to be renewed as occasion shall require . 2. Let there be one solemn stated Confession of the Christian Protestant Faith , such as is the Doctrine of the Articles of the Church of England , especially as explained in the publick authorized writings of the Church in the Days of Queen Elizabeth and King James , before the Inroad of Novel Opinions among us ; to be subscribed by all enjoying a publick Ministry 3. Let the Magistrate assume unto himself the exercise of his just Power , in the Preservation of the publick Peace in all Instances ; in the Encouragement and Protection of the Professors of the Protestant Religion ; in securing unto all men their Legal Rights , already granted unto them , in their several places and stations , in the Punishment of all Crimes cognoscible by humane Judgement ; in deposing of men from their Enjoyments or Priviledges , which they hold on any condition , as suppose their Orthodox Profession of the Protestant Religion , if they fail in , or fall from the Performance of it ; leaving only things purely Spiritual and Evangelical to the care and Power of the Churches , and all litigious causes of what sort soever , with the infliction of all outward Penalties , unto the Determination of the Laws , of the Land , and a great Progress will be made towards Order and Peace amongst us . 4. Yea these few things in general are only needful thereunto ; ( 1 ) Let the King and Parliament secure the Protestant Religion as it is the publick Interest of the Nation against all Attempts of the Papacy for its Destruction , with proper Laws , and their due execution . ( 2 ) Let the Wisdom and Power of the Nation in the Supream and Subordinate Magistrates be exerted , in the rule of all Persons and Causes , Civil and Criminal , by one and the same Law of the Land , in a Complyance wherewith the Allegiance of the Subject unto the King doth consist ; without which , Government will never be well fixed on its proper and immoveable Basis. ( 3 ) That Provision be made for the sedulous Preaching of the Gospel in all Parts and Places of the Land , or all Parochial Churches , the care whereof is incumbent on the Magistrates . ( 4 ) Let the Church be protected in the exercise of its Spiritual Power , by Spiritual means only , as Preaching of the Word , Administration of the Sacraments , and the like ; whatever is farther pretended , as necessary unto any of the ends of true Religion or its preservation in the Nation , is but a Cover for the Negligence , Idleness , and Insufficiency of some of the Clergy , who would have a● outward apearance of effecting that by external force , which themselves by diligent Prayer , sedulous Preaching of the Word , and an exemplary Conversation , ought to labour for in the Hearts of Men. 5. It is evident that hereon all causes of Jealousies , animosities and strifes among the Protestants would be taken away ; all Complaints of oppression by Courts and Jurisdictions , not owned by the People , be prevented ; all Encroachments on the Consciences of men , ( which are and will be an endless and irreconcileable cause of Difference among us ) be obviated ; all ability to controul or disturb the Power and Priviledge of Kings in their Persons or Rule ; and all Temptations to exalt their Power in Absoluteness above the Law , will be removed ; so as that by the Blessing of God , Peace and Love may be preserved among all true Protestants . And if there do ensue hereon some Variety in outward Rites and Observations , as there was in all the Primitive Churches , who pleaded that the Unity of Faith was commended and not at all impeached by such varieties ; yet whil'st the same Doctrine of Truth is preached in all places , the same Sacraments only administred , wherein every Protestant Subject of the Nation , will be at Liberty to joyn in Protestant Christian Worship , and to partake of all Church Ordinances , in the outward way and according unto the outward Rites of his own choosing , without the Authoritative examination or Prohibition of any pretended Church Power , but what in his own Judgement he doth embrace , no Inconvenience will follow hereon , unless it be judged such , that the Protestant Roligion , the Liberty of the Subjects , and the due Freedom of the Consciences of men sober and peaceable , will be all preserved . FINIS .