Certaine necessary resolutions of the most considerable scruples now possessing the mindes of the major part of this kingdome, now obstructing the intended obedience which ought to be rendered to whatever supreame authoritie is instantly or shall futurely be ordained over us wherein is likewise manifested and maintained the necessity of our submission thereunto, as to the ordinance of God, against all the sophisticall reservations and alterations of the Devill, or humane policy : directed to the due consideration of all who have, or may have, any affection to the tranquility hoped for in our languishing kingdome / by an earnest endeavourer for peace and truth. Earnest endeavourer for peace and truth. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A31497 of text R12034 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing C1710). 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A31497) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 98952) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 450:1) Certaine necessary resolutions of the most considerable scruples now possessing the mindes of the major part of this kingdome, now obstructing the intended obedience which ought to be rendered to whatever supreame authoritie is instantly or shall futurely be ordained over us wherein is likewise manifested and maintained the necessity of our submission thereunto, as to the ordinance of God, against all the sophisticall reservations and alterations of the Devill, or humane policy : directed to the due consideration of all who have, or may have, any affection to the tranquility hoped for in our languishing kingdome / by an earnest endeavourer for peace and truth. Earnest endeavourer for peace and truth. [2], 10 p. Ptinted [sic] for W. M., London : 1649. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. eng Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Sources. A31497 R12034 (Wing C1710). civilwar no Certaine necessary resolutions of the most considerable scruples now possessing the mindes of the major part of this kingdome, now obstructi Earnest endeavourer for peace and truth 1649 3279 11 0 0 0 0 0 34 C The rate of 34 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2006-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-12 Celeste Ng Sampled and proofread 2006-12 Celeste Ng Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Certaine necessary RESOLUTIONS OF The most considerable Scruples now possessing the mindes of the major part of this Kingdome , now obstructing the intended obedience which ought to be rendred to whatever Supreame Authoritie Is instantly or shall futurely be ordained over us . Wherein is likewise manifested and maintained the necessity of our submission thereunto , as to the Ordinance of God , against all the Sophisticall Reservations and alterations of the Devill , or humane policy . Directed to the due consideration of all who have ( or may have ) any affection to the tranquility hoped for in our languishing KINGDOME . By an earnest endeavourer for Peace and Truth . London , Printed for W. M. 1649. Certaine necessary Resolutions of the most considerable Scruples now possessing the mindes of the Major part of this Kingdome . Deare Countrymen : I Conceive that all of you , who are worthily intituled Christians , do sadly sympathize in the Anxious calamities that our Nation hath so long groaned under ; but the agravation of our miseries continue springing from a corrupt Fountaine of depraved zeale , contrary to and ignorant of the manifold workings of God , instant and past providence in an evident , yet miraculous manner , over us , and amongst us ▪ it being impossible that even the calmest tempers can avoid distraction in times of unwonted mutation ( though from evill to good ) where judgements are wretchedly prejudiced , even against the most manifest demonstration of the Mighties working powerfully for us . The heart of man is deceitfull above all things , and proves oftentimes desperately wicked , even in those determinations where consci●nce unseriously examined , seemes to render them good and holy ▪ to a remisse understanding ; We are new in times of tryall , and if the Almighty weigh our fore-esteemed Gold in the Ballance of his sacred justice , proving it altogether lighter then vanity shall man repine to have his drosse ( though even forcibly refined in the Furnace of his afflictions ? it may well be conceived ( and justly the Peoples eruptine discontents daily confirming it ) that most of us had rather returne to the flesh pots and onions of Egypt , into stupid captivity ; then magnanimously attempt our promised and apparent deliverance through the difficult Wildernesse of opposition : But wee may justly feare that thus tempting God by our pusillanimity , when he so visibly appeares before us , may justly provoke him to bury us in the sands of our confusion before we attaine the promised estate of sanctified tranquility . No reasonable man is ignorant how difficult it is to unprinciple even the most evill resolutions of selfe interressers ; yet when the Mighty by Catagoricall argument , writ even in Characters of Judgement , leadg●able to the whole Nation , doth convince them of depravation and folly ; it were worse then madnesse for any to resist , even where sense declares , they kick against the pricks : Commune with your owne hearts therefore more seriously , and ponder all the sayings of Gods providence , delivered in so many direfull judgements against the enemies of , and extraordinary mercies to the fellow Labourers for our quietnesse ; and if this sacred Volume will not afford you precedent for , and exhortation to the imbracing of those things that really belong to your peace , when maturely and conscientiously applyed ; yet you may happily live to see with your eyes what hereafter , as now , God will justly blinde you who not understand and partake of in your affections , viz : even the prosperous condition of this now disturbed Nation , wrested forth of so much bitternesse and violent oyposition , as it is inthralled under at this day . But in respect so many consciences pretend themselves to be yet unresolved ( or rather irreasonable ) some being wretchedly , some obstinately ignorant ; and frequently pretend scruples , concerning the possible lawfulnesse of becomming obedient to and affectionately for the intended future Government , in regard that most by their Oath of Allegiance , many others by the bonds of their Covenant , stand ingaged , to their thinking , with their lives and fortunes to abet and maintaine Monarchy , and utterly and forcibly to exclude , reject , and extirpate all other Methods for common safety or Government , although they truly appeare , even in some of their owne understandings , both laudable , lawfull , and most advantagious for any other Common-wealth , ( so slily doth the Devill suggest that for Divinity , which will prove very Machiavilianisme in fitting those scruples for firebrands of future dissention ) It will therefore be most requisite to consider , wherein chiefly we have just cause of scruple in case of such urgent necessity where God so powerfully effecteth his owne will , and then to examine whether resistance in the same case , be not absolutely against the Ordinance of God , which will inevitably render damnation to the opposers in the event . And herein I would not be mistaken for partiall , or private in affection to this course of Gods working in and upon our Nation ; for I ingeniously confesse , I have ever held Monarchy to be the most absolute consistent with , and best forme of Government for any People to whom God seales not his remarkable evidences of unwillingnesse for it ; but when a People ( as wee have done ) shall turne such an excellent grace of God into wantonnesse , when our slavish insinuating flattery shall cry non vox hominum sonat , to the destructive dictates of a Prince , forced by our wretched acclamations to overswell with ambition above the bounds of paternall duty to his People , well may that King be tooke away in Gods displeasure from a People , that dishonour the giver in Idolizing so rich a gift . But to the purpose , and in pursuance of the first consideration , viz. wherein we have just cause of scruple , ( in respect of Oath or Covenant made or taken ) in case of such urgent necessity , where God so powerfully demonstrateth and effecteth his owne Will in change of our Government ? In relation whereunto , this Quaere will requisitely be resolved , Whether Kings , as being Gods annoynted , have not a perpetuall priviledge by their originall institution , to stand as the onely allowed Vicegerents , and ( under God ) Supreame of their People ? To which we grant , That Moses was instituted and appointed King in Jesurum , Saul and David over Israel ; but if we inquire whether Gods respect , chiefly to his People , or of these particular Kings were intended by their Ordination , the story of Israels afflictions in Egypt cleeres it , that properly for their good of generall deliverance , and not for benefit of fingular Majestie or Supremacy to Moses , was he called of God to that great worke ; from whence we may plainy argue , that the good of a People is in supreme esteeme with God , and not the Majestike advancement of Princes over them ; and doubtlesse , ( for the holy Spirit in the whole course of that and the like Storie● e●plaines it ) God more cleerely shewed supreme respect to the Peoples publique deliverance , then to M●se● his Calling , in regard he was but to serve God and his People in the mighty worke ; Now were there such an irresistable force in the Supreme Priviledge of this primary institution , that it were not lawfull for God ( proceeding from this Ordinance ) by man , or man from God , to alter the manner of a Peoples Government , seeing all Governors are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the People how comes it that this Royall Ordinance was so speedily changed in the time of the same Peoples Government by Judges : None dares affirme without blasphemy but that their Government by Judges was approved and confirmed by the same God that before gave them a King . And if so , how inconsistent with the good of any Nation will it prove , to urge for that as Supreme , which God hath and will put under their feet : Saul and David were after this elected Kings , ( at the Peoples importunity for that Government ) by God himselfe , but how displeasing the manner of their desires were the Story evidences . And you may reade how short a succession of totall Government in Israel was assigned both to Saul and Davids Posterity ; might not Israel in their revolt from Reboboam have scruplized as much to have discerted him , and change ( though not their Government ) their Governors ; but we finde the Spirit records it to have been the will of God , which if Reboboam had resisted , even himselfe had perished . Nor from hence it cannot be supposed that Israel in their act of Revolt proved opposers of , but operating Instruments for the then effecting of the revealed will of God , whether to judgement upon themselves for former transgressions or not , is not here necessarily disputable ; but most certainly , God intended , and did thus mightily manifest his owne liberty to alter the Government of his people , even by subordinate instruments , which evidence both himself and Israel disobliged from an irrevocable continuance of that originall institution of Davids House to be Kings over all Israel ; And if so , questionlesse a people so experienced in Gods powerfull workings for a change over and amongst us , as we are , and wherein his will by his works ( and our continued offences appeare so manifestly for it , ) need not ( when we are thus forcibly by the power of God in man , dis-ingaged of all bonds to what is of present existence ) though formerly according to his will , startle to become obedient even with all willingnesse of minde to that present or future Government which doubtlesse will be established ; and according to his will , as we hope in mercy , although we have just cause of doubt in regard of our transgressions . Nor will this case of conscience prove so rigidly resolvable with you whose luke-warmnesse or fearefulnesse hath from the beginning of our troubles detained you in Neutrality ; for it is far easier for him who hath nor made it a sinne to his owne conscience in conceiving it so ) to have had either hand or heart in degrading that Authority which you conceive unquestionably good , ( but hath not dared to contend for ) to resolve obedience to , and imbrace that good which is tender●d you without sweating for or against , than for any other whose depraved judgements have desperately hurried them through an boast of sound reasons to strike at the very head of such an establishment , and whose violent motions still speake their implacable hatred to it . But you will say , all this proves not the necessity of a present alteration amongst us or the lawfulnesse of it by any power which you conceive subordinate , in regard the Apostle so expresly chargeth obedience upon every soule unto the higher powers which both by Oath of Allegiance and Covenant you have inclusively sworne to remaine properly in the King . For solution of which ( in relation onely to those who have not ingaged in contest for any alteration , the rest being supposed satisfied in their owne mindes alreadie ) we mnst consider that such Oathes oblige subjection no further then to extant your Authority ; And although conscience , from the tenure of such Oathes , may justly urge obedience to be given to an essentiall remaining power ; yet they binde not any to obey what really is not , nor to resist what inevitably must be ; and as the power that is extinct was ordained of God , so that power that will be confirmed by him , upon safe and in certaine powers , will prove it selfe to be immediately by the same will from the same God , whether in mercy or judgement towards us , the event according to our faith or diffidence in him will evidence . Now wherein any further scruple concerning present or future conformity remaines , I am ignorant and the rather confident that there is justly none , in respect that it is manifest that God in divers ages , and to divers Nations , hath granted other formes of Government besides Monarchy , even with ●pprobation , the certainty whereof remaines upon Record , both divine and humane , ( as is well knowne to all that have been any thing studious in either ) and if divine providence signe a remarkable change amongst us , with his approbation of it by so many wonderfull works , both of his mercy for , and judgement against the proceedings of the present Authoritie , that as none under it must necessarily leade us to examine whether resistance mentall or active in this case will not prove it selfe to be against the Ordinance of God . St. Paul tels us indefinitely , That the Powers that are are ordained of God ; then if an overweening affection to the past power ( though admitted it selfe to be principally the best ) shall not onely hinder our conformity to a present Ordinance of God , but move us to resolve upon mentall reservations for resistance thereof , it being so cleerely evidenced that is is the will of God so to constitute such a power as we are in all likelihood to fall under , without doubt such opposition will be verily and immediately against the Ordinance of God , which must needs precipitate the resisters into that consequent gulphe of condemnation mentioned in the same Text . But Countrymen , I hope better things of you all , let not selfe interests therefore or obstinacies decei●e the expectations of the peacefully minded amongst us , for your Christian correspondence and conjunction with them in unanimous obedience ; our innumerable divisions already raging amongst us , are more then enough to provoke the God of peace , even yet for a long season to suspend us that heavenly blessing ▪ and it may be justly feared , that our refusall of it upon tearmes so apparently consonant with his immediate will , will provoke him even utterly to expose us to a generall destruction . We are not unmindfull that the Silver Smithes of Ephesus may urgently and politiquely argue for the worship of Diana , even against the Apostles of Christ in a tumultuous manner , the almost publiquely private interests of many thousand families in respect of subsistence and livelihood , being properly and solely supported by a Regall Government , may pleade much for it . But notwithstanding , although these may more justly call for confideration of provision for , then the case of the Ephesians ( no one interest amongst them in it selfe absolutely depending upon suppression of the Gospell ) yet the publike peace of a Nation instantly and futurely to be established , cannot reasonably or religiously be held obstructable because many continuing dis-affected to it , may happily perish by it ; yet doubtlesse God will in his good providence by his Instruments in present Authority over us , so provide for those whose obstinacy towards , and diffidence in them , are not the just occasions of their punishment by want and beggery ) that even the extreamest downcast amongst us by that meanes may at least have abundance in content . If we would reflect upon our Saviours example ( who was obedient even to an usurper , and yet knew himselfe to be the absolute King of Judi successively legitimate according to the flesh ) We could not but condemne that zeale for extreame preposterous , which animates any private man upon any specious pretences whatsoever to resist , or not became obedient unto that present Authoritie we live under . Doubtlesse had it been of Divine allowance , that way to have disturbed the present peace our Saviour was not so stupedly bent to let Caesar remaine impunable for his usurpation , but his exemplary subjection , ( though the King clearely intimates how precious a Kingdomes concord ought to be much more unto us ; which who endeavours to disturbe , upon any pretence ; will finde it culpable in the highest nature , and justly meriting condigne punishment ; a sad example whereof we are shortly to have delivered us in the eminentest of Instruments , But you will say , a man may be actually quiet , and outwardly subject to the present Government , and yet in conscience reserve internall obedience , even for his memory to , and hopes of regall Government to be restored . But I conceive such halfe obedience can never prove an acceptable sacrifice , gither to God or thy Countries peace , for the stench of reserved sedition for every provocation thereunto , will render it abominable both to God and thy Country . If halting betweene two opinions would bring a man to heaven , who would not prize hypocrisie as a Jewell ! or if temporizing would render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 honest upon all trials , what need were there of 〈◊〉 of integrity ? he that is not with our Saviour it against him ; if therefore any man resolve upon non-conformity yet as the least his condemnation will be the lesse that seemes no friend to what he really abhors : Therefore if any such be , it will best became them ( though passively ) to possesse their soules in patience , knowing that all clandestine endeavours of humane policy , however flourished over with sophistry , cannot alter the imutable decree of the Almighty in any thing , much lesse in a matter of so ponderous 〈◊〉 , as the Government of a Nation ; the event of the highest humane attempt in this nature , having ever amongst all Nations rendred them rashly evill and manifestly both fruitlesse , and severely punishable , our own sad and decre bought experience in the whole progresse of our late miserably protracted Warre , sufficiently of it self instanting it to every ingenious capacitie . But in respect conscience seems with so many to be ingaged to indeavour by forcible meanes to establish truth amonst our people according to their owne method ( Religion having been ever made a deale for all insurrections ) I earnestly desire to be resolved how it is possible for any people to professe and indeavour for a forme of godlinesse , and not deny the power of it in disturbing publique peace to establish it , since the fruits of the spirit are defined to be , love peace , gentlenesse , &c. subjection to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake ( either actively or passively with patience and long suffering ) being an absolute necessary concomitant .