A BRIEF DISCOVERY OF THE THREE NATURES; viz. 

Humane. The roots or originals of the Politic States of. Caesar.  
Divine. The roots or originals of the Politic States of. Christ.  
Devilish. The roots or originals of the Politic States of. Antichrist.    
●●…clation 〈◊〉 a former Treatise, discovering the said three States, and withal farther clearing the ●●●…nesse thereof.  
●●ereby also is laid op●n to humane reason, the im●●●●●bility of compulsive Ecclesiastical Govern●●●● to be of Divine Institution.  
〈◊〉 that Liberty of 〈◊〉 is to be allowed by 〈◊〉 unto all, holding the bounds of Civility.  
〈◊〉 confirmed by principles in Nature and Holy Scripture: Humbly presented to the serious consideration of the High Court of Parliament.  
By Michael Quintine.  Gen. 3.15. 
I will put enmity between thee and the 〈◊〉 and thy seed and her seed.  jam. 2.12. 
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall 〈◊〉 by the Law of Liberty.  
London Printed. 1642.   

TO THE HIGH COURT Of Parliament now assembled within his Majesty's Realm of England, be all rightness of spirit, the root of irreproveable designs, and prosperous correspondent success, in all matters pertaining to godliness, State, & Commonwealth in every respect.  
I Formerly committed to the consideration of this most Honourable Assembly, a Treatise containing a brief discovery of the Civil, true Ecclesiastical, and false Ecclesiastical States, in the essential and main circumstantial parts of each body or state, being the most exact way to discover and rectify grievances in any State of Policy, whereby God and Caesar may have their due; for the accomplishment whereof, and further clearing the usefulness of what is therein contained, I do humbly beg your impartial Examination of the ensuing passages, evidently manifesting from whence these said several Policies do spring or arise; and confirming withal what is already proved by the said Treatise touching the great abuses done to the Church of Christ and Civil State, by the false Ecclesiastical State or Kingdom of Antichrist.  
All things have their beginning and ending from God as the Primary cause of them, Rom. 11.36.  
Also all things have their being through Secondary, Natural or instrumental causes, Matth. 7.16, 17, 18.19, 20.  
The root and ground of Policy is Nature Divine, Humane, or Devilish, it is properly of use to none but such creatures as participate of an immortal spiritual substance. All things under the degree of humane nature are uncapable thereof, and all other immortal spirits are invisible, witness the whole Creation in all ages past, present, and to come.  
Mankind, or humane nature in the condition she now standeth, under the curse, being thereby made liable through mercy of redemption unto salvation, and through wrath of reprobation unto damnation, is subject unto a threefold Politic Government, (viz.)  
1. Humane or Civil Government, or the Policy of Magistracy, which concerns men in ordering of their bodies and estates, which ariseth from the Law of the nature of man, in man, towards man in the state of Innocency.  
2. True Ecclesiastical State or Kingdom of the Gospel, the visible government of Jesus Christ, who sitteth upon the Throne of David in Divine Policy, which issueth from the Law of the divine nature, which is perfect love, as is testified in the Son of Love, the salvation of Mankind.  
3. And false Ecclesiastical State or Kingdom of Antichrist, devilesh or visible Government of the son of pride, which in spiritual politic jurisdiction exalteth himself above all that is called God, or said to be of God, in matter of policy, sitting in the Temple of God (which is conscience) as God, & subjecting, or ruling over the same by compulsion the portion, of fools and unreasonable men, for it loves opposite, and preventeth any course of nature, which floweth from the Law of the spirit of envy, the nature of the devil, the father of lies all mischief and confusion.  
These three States of Policy of which I have formerly treated more at large, the holy Scripture and common or humane reason show forth in a lively manner, issuing from the three natures; namely, Humane, Divine, and Devilish.  
To the true and substantial discovery of the which three natures the roots of Policy, and how they are jointly consisting in man without intermixion and interposition of contraries; I shall in this Treatise most chiefly and briefly address myself.  
Humane nature, or the nature of man's body, his elementary or fleshly part of his essence (which essence consisteth of flesh and spirit, Rom. 7.22.23.)  
Thou art considerable, and likewise the whole man, in a twofold State and condition. As created, or redeemed; as fallen, and under the curse.  
The nature of the spiritual part of man's essence will be discovered in setting forth the divine, and divillish nature, spirit, or disposition.  
The nature of man's humane part in the created state, as the Moral Law of God, and the person of Christ do witness, was without sin, made righteous according to the Image of God, Gen. 1.17. And according to the disposition or nature then in man, towards man, out of the law thereof (which is the ordinary means through God's favour and mercy of the general preservation of mankind) springeth civil Government or Magistracy, Rom. 13.  
But ever since Adam and Eve were snared with an ambitious temptation, and would be wise without allowance, they drew a curse upon their humane nature themselves, and throughout all their posterity, even to the end of the world, and ever since they tasted of the tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which was forbidden, they and theirs in the humane part have always loved evil more than good, which is an infallible testimony of a cursed change in the nature of humanity.  
Therefore Humane nature, Take notice that thou art now since thy fall in thy Elimentary constitution cursed, mischievous, and averse to any good, inclining to the nature of the Angels, who left their first estate, and art become pleased in nothing more than the exercise of pride, deceit and envy; an Humorist, seeking thyself, although to the destruction of thyself, and all that have or may have any relation unto thee; thus much hath the whole race of mankind (except the Son of God himself) manifested, plainly expressing an undeniable effect of the curse, the unruly and exceeding predomination of one element or other in the said nature, this is the nature of the humane or bodily part of man, no civil calling but redemption exempted any man in any measure, common experience is witness enough, besides holy Scriptures confirmeth the truth thereof, Rom. 3.10. to ver. 19 Psal. 51.5. Rom. 7.18. Notable proof also hereof is the Scripture discovering the throne of affections, the principle part in the body of man, and may well be taken for the whole man, Gen. 6.5. Jer. 17.9. Matth. 15.19. had not God out of his love in general to man given the State of Magistracy, which was for restraint of the unruliness of man's humane nature. Rom. 13.3.4.1. Tim. 1.9.10. what difference would there appear between earth and hell, only in case of eternity, of evil and misery; the humane nature being thus subjected under the power of justice, God is free in the compassion of his love, to bestow his Spirit and redemption, where he please, and in his wrath and displeasure to reject and cast away whom he will; who, and what shall contend with his Maker. Rom. 9.20, 21.  
The nature of the spiritual substance, the immortal soul, the formal part of the essence of man, it issueth from God or the devil, and is one of the said two Fathers or Fountains of Spirits, and it will be sufficiently set forth in the discovery of their natures.  
But that the soul of man receives his being, and participateth in nature, as aforesaid; take a few proofs from principles in Nature, and Positive truth of Divine Writ.  
Man begets a Son in his own likeness in the nature of his material substance, but the often contrariety in the spirits of parents and children, as godly parents, and wicked children, wicked parents and godly children, the unlikeness in that part proveth them no soul Parents.  
Likewise in case Parents should beget souls, when as often times the father and mother are contrary in nature of spirit what shall be their Offspring in that respect?  
The Scripture showeth plainly that the children of God in respect of their souls, and the nature of them are said to be borne of God, Joh. 1.13. Joh. 3.6. God is called the Father of them in respect of that part of their essence, Matth. 5.16. and ver. 48. Luke 12.32. Christ cleareth this point to the full, discovering the Fountain or Father of the spirit of the Jews, who went about to kill him, Joh. 8.42. and 44. and in Heb. 12.9. the Holy Ghost terms our natural parents Fathers of our flesh, and God the Father of Spirits.  
The divine nature, spirit, quality, or disposition of God (which most specially of any part of his essence sets him forth to be what he is, the only and absolute good, Matth. 19.17.) is infinite love, every part of the whole creation doth testify the truth thereof, which he made not to supply his own want; the continual supply of the sundry wants of the whole earth doth the same, the great mountainous work of love never to be forgotten by the sons of men, the giving of the price of Redemption, his only begotten son, his express Image, who laid down his life for his people, fulfilling the will of his Father, joh. 3.16, 17. A testimony without exception, proving the nature of God to be infinite, and matchless love, Rom. 5.8. The nature and quality of all things is the most eminent part of their essence, and so it is the most pernicious part by which God is made known to the sons of men, for his nature or spirits sake, which is love, he is called love, 1 joh. 4.16. for a testimony hereof always to stop the mouths of liars, and their father (whose envy would cloud all the favour of God towards poor men) besides the state of humane Policy, God hath from Adam unto this day from time to time instituted a state of Divine policy, in public testimony and visible acknowledgement of the fellowship which he hath with his redeemed one's; and now according to the fullness of time, manifesting the fullness of his love in paying down the full price of Redemption, the perfection and full accomplishment of the work of salvation; of his divine Nature which is perfect love and goodness, he hath instituted a visible state of divine Policy, for the son of his Love, the Captain of salvation, and his people of Love here upon earth, which is composed of love; not only for matter and form, but also in respect of state and platform, and the Laws and Ordinances thereof; upon what can man think or look, and not see the tender mercies of God over all his works? Psal, 145.9.  
And that the Nature, Spirit, or disposition of the whole Host of God, both men and Angels is Love, the Word of God cleareth it experimentally by the ministering of the Angels, and by the Moral Law of God, both Tables written in the hearts of men which are made partakers of the divine nature, for by love is the same fulfilled, Rom. 10.13.  
The nature, Spirit, or disposition of the Devil, (from whom every base spirit deriveth his measure of unnatural lewdness, both men and Angels of the devilish brood) is infinite envy, Loves opposite, the first Act that ever the devil did unto mankind, proveth the truth thereof, for in his hopeless desperate fallen estate, without any expectation of relief to himself, he treacherously deceived man in the time of his innocence, and by delusion and flattery through rebellion against his Maker drew him into the thraldom of sin and misery, notwithstanding it could be no abatement to his own, Gen. 3. and ever since man hath subsisted in an hope of redemption from time to time, and in sundry ways, hath the nature of the devil been largely expressed to be envy herself, which is always so ready to work mischief that she pines at the good of any; witness the case of Adam, Abel and job, yea all of note for uprightness upon record in Scripture from age to age, farther testimony hereof is, 1 Chron. 21.1, 1 Pet. 5.8.  
The several states of Policy which God did opportunely institute in the world for the good and comfort of men, the upright in special, against which none but the nature of the devil, boundless envy could except, or vilify them; yet the chiefest of them hath she undervalved, and by delusion hath drawn the chief of the earth in the state of civility, and the greatest part of temporising subjects thereof, likewise to tread the same under foot, and all that apparently incline thereunto; and hath caused the earth, the great ones, & greatest part thereof to set up, countenance, and support a state of Tyranny in matters of conscience, wherein is disorderly forced together with violence divine and civil things, to the confusion of both the service he willeth and delighteth in, even the utter undoing of the whole earth: In the time of the state of the Jews which God ordained as a great light to show the world that he had visible fellowship with such as fear him, and to preserve them in holiness: then and therein how did the envy of the devil, and his crew shelter such oppression, and gross abuse of God's holy things, which grew to such an height of hypocrisy that they were not ashamed without Law or Reason, yea contrary to both, to put to death equity, yea Love himself, the very Son of God, whom none could convince of sin, which effected the confusion of their house, Matth. 23. and since the desolation thereof, and God's election of the Kingdom of his Son, in the state of love, composed of matter and form of love, Subjects won by love, Volunteers, worshippers in spirit and truth, Joh. 4.23, 24. How hath matchless envy been palpably manifested to be the nature of the devil, who to confound mankind in all ways, by his deluding feats and wiles hath brought in fashion in all parts of the earth, violent and compulsive government of conscience, knowing, whilst that continueth, humane race, especially the most upright and innocent must to wrack, for who in conscience can govern or be governed by humane power, but for civilities sake, except such men as can, to gain the world, and present welfare of their flesh, subject conscience to any thing, excusing themselves upon the unjust demanded charge of others, who, for all their great take upon them; have as much to do in that respect to give account for themselves as they; the truth of this discovery is plain enough by experience, that the nature of the devil is infinite envy, if men would look into it: but what shall I say, if our first Parents in the time of innocence were short sighted, well may their posterity conceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity be blind.  
And that the nature, spirit, and disposition of the hellish rabble, the whole company of devilish men and Angels is envy, the same with the devils, their spiritual Father, See joh. 8.44. 1 joh. 3.10, 11, 12.  
That the essence of man consisteth of a twofold substance, is formerly proved, the nature of his humane part, and the nature of his spiritual substance (being derived from God or the devil) together with the nature of them also, is likewise set forth, which three natures are also discovered to be the ground and root of Policy: The next thing intended and promised in this Treatise is, to lay open how two natures are consisting in man without intermixtion and interposition of contraries, which in any height of measure is the means of confusion in any creature.  
By the way it falleth to my hand to speak of the excellency of the constitution of humane nature in the first creation, which was without sin, and whereunto all the creatures besides were made subject and inferior, both in the nature of their constitutions, government, and use, which humane constitution also was made serviceable (being the subject part of man) to the right spirit which God breathed into him, whereby man became that complete creature in both parts, the description of whose nature in both respects is the Moral Law of God, whose lively, or rather living Image was the only begotten Son of God, that quickening spirit, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of what was lost in and by man, in, and for all the Elect and chosen seed of Adam, but for brevity sake, I shall omit to speak any more of it, and according to my purpose, endeavour to show how the essence of man consisteth of a twofold substance without interposition of contrary natures.  
Man considered as formerly, created, and fallen, redeemed, and under the curse, the Law of Justice holds him liable to love and wrath, salvation and reprobation, and to be made a vessel of honour and dishonour without any wrong and injustice at all.  
The consideration of man as created in righteousness, & as redeemed from all iniquity, Tit. 2.14. whereby righteousness is imputed, and man becomes as made without sin, is both one, if any difference be in case of privilege; redemption affords the greater, making stronger the union by the means of reconciliation, wherein the redeemed are endeared unto God, Rom. 5. from vers. 6. to 11. Rom. 8.32. etc. And God is the like unto them, 1 Pet. 1. from 13. to 20. The case standing thus between God and man by redemption, whereby the humane part of man is made or become as at first, a subject or material vessel for a divine, reasonable, or living soul; and although full of frailty and infirmity as all elementary and mortal bodies, as also as earth and dross itself in comparison of any divine spiritual substance, which as it is in itself, is void of any divin use, yet such as God in his wisdom is pleased to make part of the essence of man, which setteth forth the glory of redemption, and the power of Christ in the work of salvation, 2 Cor. 12.9. & so man in his consistence of soul and body, flesh & spirit, is imputed as in first creation without sin, and said to be born of God, & not to commit sin, as God accounts of his children through redemption, 1 Joh. 3.9, 10. And thus the two Natures, Divine and Humane are consisting in man, without intermixion of contraries; though through infirmity of the flesh, subject to natural corruption, temptation of the devil, and abuse of the men of the world, against which they war, until the perfection of the redemption of the body do appear, even until Mortality hath put on Immortality.  
Man considered fallen, and under the curse, is a correspondent subject for the devil, being both inclineable to confusion, and the way of destruction, as is set forth in their several natures; these are the enemy's Tares which he sowed amongst the good seed, these grow together in the world until the harvest of God; I need not stand to relate the means of their union, nor the testimonies thereof, the world in all parts, every day yields plenty thereof; what doth God reprobate, but the devils own; the union itself of the nature of man, and of the spiritual substance which he receiveth from the devil, as the father thereof, is all one by way of infusion, with that of God and man, differing only in nature and substance, and the end thereof: Thus contrary to the twofold consistence of the essence of the redeemed is this of the cursed, without contrariety in nature of both parts, but not without man's confusion, because in this case the poor creature Man, is made a slave unto the worst of creatures, whereby his being and end becomes more vile and miserable than the most inferior creature which God form out of the earth.  
This once more, with my heart in my hand, in the sight and discovery of natures, the fountains of Policy for the truth's sake, which is the way of all man's real happiness; Must I speak unto this high Court, which guideth the Rains of the power of all the State of this Land; If the strength of the devils envy through delusion was too hard for you Parents in the time of Innocency in their nature, and hath since their fall prevailed against divers of their posterity, both by deceit and violence, to the confusion of them in respect of matters spiritual and temporal; Consider ye civil powers, and yet children of Adam and Eve, yea, and since the curse are ye not as liable to be corrupted in your policy, which is but the image of their nature, both in the nature, use, and service thereof; may not ye subscribe to devilish advice, reaching after more and higher dominions than God hath given you, and make what is your own, an instrument of confusion, in employing it out of bounds, to the destruction of innocent bodies, which is worshipping the devil, and an effect of the curse upon mankind; such practice hath been the lot of many Nations and particular persons, witness your own experience; Why do ye as parents of souls and spirits meddle in the command of conscience, and support such as do, with sword and maintenance; is it typical, as in the time and state of the Jews, or as if Christ were not risen from the dead, or do you think God accepts of more than he requires at your hands, or will you make an intermixion, one head of two bodies, or two heads of one body, which cannot be otherwise, if Church and Commonwealth be all one, or being as two under one head, which nature and policy both deny, in Scripture and common reason; will ye work your own confusion, in taking God's work upon you, in making worshippers in spirit and truth, for such only God requires, joh. 4.21, 22, 23, 24. which by compulsion you must do, or make hypocrites; can ye draw men to Christ in Spirit or Policy, which is not in your power, joh. 6.44, 45, 46. or will ye who should provide for the strength of the Law of humanity, break the Law of Charity belonging to conscience, Rom. 14. This great spiritual State of jurisdiction now in fashion, or any that is like to be of the constitution of compulsion (which jumbleth and tumbleth together the finest natures, and soulest worship, God's Divine and holy Ordinances with foulest and profanest natures (which will one day cost confusion of souls and blood enough) were it not for the great temporal revenues entailed upon her, she would not in humane reason and common equity be so much stood upon, and contended for, for those that go about to yoke others consciences, would not be served so themselves, except they be devils incarnate, and will become any thing in Religion to serve covetous ends; Bondage of conscience is the grossest slavery, and most devilish captivity upon earth, from whence springeth the greatest treachery, and most dangerous rebellion which the earth can afford, ye may believe it when ye see it; All liberty within bounds of civility encourage industry, and begets a rich Nation, hindereth not prevention of dotage, and underhand conveyance of estate to foreign Belly-gods, who by flattery, rob people stronger in zeal then knowledge, of their bodily means of safeguard, and load their souls with an increase of unnatural slavery, even to their destruction. So hoping of the true effect of upright dealing with God and Man, the sight of that liberty of truth which bringeth peace, strength and safety to all Lands and people of Innocency: I remain Gods and Yours, in all due service to my power.  
M. Q.   

Now follows the Reasons and Motives that set me upon this Worke.  
NOt long since I commended to your Highness, and the Parliament, one Treatise containing an essential discovery of the States of Policy as they are distinct one from another. And another since of the Natures likewise from whence they spring; both which in effect bind both your Sovereignty, and your chiefest Court of Council to cast about for the preservation and defence of your Kingdoms, and every subject thereof in the liberty of conscience, keeping the bonds of civility and humanity; but (although at a fare distance) I perceive the old course is still on foot, making sides of Religion, and yokes for conscience on all sides, wherein hath a world of blood been spilt already, and much more will be if the same continue; Covetousness, pride, and delusion must bring forth their fruits where they grow, as do all other things; for any hurt which befalls mankind, let the pretence be what it will, floweth from thence, not from Christian Religion; for neither Christ himself, or any of his Disciples upon Record in the New Testament, Apostles, or Evangelists, or others, did in a warlike way, either offend or defend themselves for their Religion's sake.  
From former passages expressed in both the said Treatises, I have manifested sufficient ground of boldness, for speaking to you Gods of the earth, which to rehearse or enlarge is not improper; and for these causes following I am constrained yet further to move your greatness, and being reasonable therein, if ye being as gods despise me, I shall notwithstanding fulfil the will of the Lord of Lords in discovering the spirits of error, though I perish in the Work with the strength of his encouragement, Mat. 10.32.  
The first cause is this, I being by the Law of Humanity, or the nature of man, as deeply engaged in the joy of the welfare, and sorrow of the misery thereof, though a nothing, as having any interest in the power of enlargeing or preventing either, am bound by the Law of the Spirit of Humanity and Christianity to discover any thing or course tending to the accomplishment of both, wherein is fulfilled the duty of innocence and uprightness without fear (the root of slavery and flattery) according to Mark 4.22. and Mat. 10.27, 28.  
The second cause is, for that there are and shall be many false Christ's, false prophets, and false Teachers, as there be many Antichrists, and false Churches, according to the prophecies of the New Testament, Matth. 24.4, 5. also vers. 24. 2 Pet. 2.1. 1 Joh. 2.18. These are all one in spirit, and in that respect are of the devil, or as the devil himself working the misery and confusion of mankind, in the greatest measure that may be (the being of the world reserved) and that according to the working of Satan also, as in the beginning, Serpentlike, and as in the full strength of his Reign, Dragon and Lion-like, as is set forth, 2 Thes. 2.9, 10. The Revelation sets forth at large the spirit of Antichrist, or false Church in his full portraiture in every part and member of the said body, from the sixth Chapter to the latter end of the same book; Now, although not in any measure invested in any power of suppressing any course of evil, and lifting up or inlivening any of good; yet as fully bound to discover both, by Christian and natural bonds as any, if all sanctity and salvation both of soul and body be of the Spirit of God, Christ, and the Church or Kingdom of Christ, then of necessity is all mischief of sin and misery touching man of the spirit of the devil, Antichrist and his Kingdom; and in short, consider each Kingdom is to be discerned by the Doctrine and Learning, and the Discipline, or Government of the Spirit thereof; and so the Doctrine of the Gospel teacheth touching matters of the soul (whose welfare is accomplished and enlarged by the freedom and peace of conscience) Christians to bear one with another, and the stronger to suffer for the weaker; knowing that none is master of his own light or another's, and in case of greatest gainsaying, or persecution for conscience sake, to suffer without resistance, to do good to all, even our enemies: in respect of that part of our well being, the discipline thereof is a government without Master or Lordship, as hath been formerly set forth, agreeable to the Scriptures; as touching men in their persons and estates, both teach and govern according to honesty and sobriety to be just and peaceable with all men, to suffer wrong in all, in case it be put upon them, the Doctrine and Discipline of the Spirit of God, his Son and his Kingdom, or visible Government tends all to the life of Justice, Peace, and Love, which is the way of salvation or preservation, and perfection of happiness, wherein lived Christ and his disciples upon Record in all long suffering, as the New Testament at large witnesseth without reaching after worldly pomp, riches, and great command.  
Whatsoever professeth to be Christ's, and is contrary in spirit, is of the devil, and is false Christ, or Antichrist, whether a person or state and members thereof, and if so visible as holding forth Doctrine and Discipline under the profession of Christ, or being for him, in pretence, and teaching universal salvation to all of all Nations, with Nationall worship without Christ's exception, joh. 4.23, 24, Acts 10.34, 35. Teaching also for necessary Doctrine, commandments of men, outward conformity in matters of Ceremony, abstinence from meats, and marriages, which God hath allowed; these be delusions, and Doctrines of devils, Mocksoules, snares, and enemies to the peace and liberty of conscience, and to the welfare thereof. As touching men's persons and estates, teaching to sacrifice the things belonging thereto for sin and trespasses, it is making Merchandise of men, no salvation but penance, a doctrine issuing from envy the mother of covetousness, the root of all evil, and is falsely called Christ's, but properly is of Antichrist.  
Likewise Discipline and Government called Christ's, in Nature, Masterfull, Lordly, and compulsive, and enforcing the practice of such doctrine as aforesaid, or the effect of any other by any external violence, it is none of Christ's, but Antichrists, interrupting, yea by contrariety outing the obedience of faith which worketh by love, which only is Christ's, and only acceptable to God, and most acceptable with men, this is devilish and snaring the world, setting all together by the ears, that have more will to use violence to gain the Mastership of their own conscience (to whom it is most due next to God) then to be a slave to others therein, or to suffer as Christ, and his disciples, keeping (though others break them) the Laws of civility, hence cometh contention the daughter of pride, who maketh men forget their maker and their fellows wherein they should be preserved.  
The third cause is, that the generality of all or any Nation may not be nursed up any longer in their wilful delusion of being justified and saved in believing and worshipping as the Rulers believe and worship; wherein they discharge themselves of any error, and lay the blame of it upon their governor's, who also out of their aspiring pride to be as God and Christ; indeed (Adam like) are willing of it, yea they will have it so, clean contrary to the doctrine of Christ and his Spirit, Mar. 16.16. Rom. 14.12. and v. 22, 23. wherein also is is practically contradicted with positive affirmation and reason, Christ & his Disciples it is apparent in Scripture, learned men to live by their own faith, and to be able to give a reason thereof; it was their own practice also, and not to use any Religion which was or should be in fashion amongst the great ones; there is no sin but it is again God, and every one shall give account to him, Rom. 14.10.11, 12. the King as he is King, and the subject, as a subject in matters of conscience in point of Religion, all are as one with God, in that he respects no man's person, as is evident by Scripture, when pride and covetousness be well unmasked, the common people will have but small encouragement to be so ready to destroy one another for that which Christ would have them saved, even for the faithful and free use of their consciences; but this is the effect of following great ones, who give their power to him who teacheth to kill men for conscience sake, Christ's and man's enemies both; is it not sufficient and faithful allegiance, for subjects to lay down their lives and all that they have in defence of their Prince, for his preservation in the freedom of his own conscience, and maintenance of civility, but that they must needs hazard themselves contrary to civility and Christianity to kill their fellows because they will not be slaves in that respect, wherein God accounts of them, and styles them by the name of Kings and Priests, through the mediation of Christ, Rev. 1.5, 6. but woe to the inhabitants of the earth, when Princes are led by those that make a pray upon them and theirs. I mean the false Prophets who appear in sheep's clothing but are inwardly wolves, ravening after the world, and devouring souls and bodies for worldly ends, of which Christ gave fair warning, Mat. 7.15, 16. to make fair pretences for the Lord, and to speak much in his name and for him, and to set the world on fire with the heat of wars, to the unspeakable ruin of mankind for religion, showeth such to be none of Christ's Prophets, Acts 7.21. but rather to be the false teachers of pernicious ways as they are rendered, 2 Pet. 2.1, 2, 3. etc.  
The fourth cause is, that King and Magistrates may be remembered, that they are not exempted from error of any nature incident to mankind, and therefore their Laws for Religion are no sufficient bonds for conscience, but in their own particulars; Christ's only are sufficient in that case. Secondly, that ye may be _____ remembered, although, as it were in Paradise for plenty and command of all things, yet as unapt, ye more than A- (by reason of the curse) to be content with your allowance dam, who in his devilish reach to be as his maker, poisoned all the happiness which he had with allowance.  
3. That ye may be put in mind that God hath not laid upon you a charge impossible for you to undergo, such as the keeping of all your subjects in the upright use of conscience, being impossible for you to alter the same, being good or evil, or to account to God for them in the errors thereof, yea altogether unable to answer God for one of a thousand in your own, but that you preserve and defend them, ordering their persons and estates in civil demeanour, in the liberty and freedom of their conscience, in which respect God only will take account of them, which ye might happily perform, if ye would leave God's office to himself.  
4. That although (as aforesaid) in Paradise void and not much sensible of afflicton, which learned David to keep God's Law, (but rather fitted for the pleasures of this life) ye may be remembered, that ye are the more subject to be tempted by the devil and his instruments, who are led by his spirit of delusion, and devouring, together with your own lusts, to be drawn through flattery, and undue elevation, to oppression in all respects, both inward and outward, and therefore have the more cause to be careful to keep yourselves to the Laws of modesty, justice, and mercy, the best ornament for God's Vicegerents, his special officers or ministers of Justice in humane affairs, wherein you shall comply with the King of Kings, and having him on your side, you will be strong enough for all the world, in the way of defence for his and yours.  
In relation to these causes, and former passages, Most Noble King and high Court of Parliament, for the prosperity and peace of the service and worship of God, in all good conscience, and for the same of man in all humanity; I can do no less than move you always to put an end to quarrels for conscience sake, in granting all liberty within bounds of civility, for the Tenent of going all together 〈◊〉 the ears in that case, is suggested upon false grounds; for did not men spoil each other for conscience sake, 〈◊〉 they have no law for from Christianity, but from the spirit of the bottomless pit; with what peace of conscience, or colour of manhood, but in breach of civil peace, could they offer wrong to each other, which civil Laws could not right without bloodshed, but in case of murder or the like, double and triple the strength of civil Laws, which are the life and glory of all Kingdoms, and cast away the image of Egypt in both respects, temporal and spiritual bondage, for God hath branded it with evil for both, and let the lives of innocent men be free, according to the end of your Ordinance, and the Laws thereof, as God hath appointed. 1 Tim. 9.10.  
Agree O ye powers of this Land, differ not for matters of this life, a little worldly honour or; maintenance; and if you will needs fall out and fight for your Religion, take notice in such practice you cross the doctrine and actual carriage of Christ and his Disciples, Mat. 26.52. Rev. 13.10. If ye will be killing by way of offence or defence for Religion's sake, take notice how ye disobey the Law of the Spirit of God and Christ, Mat. 5.44. Luke 6.35, 36. Luke 23.34. Acts 7.60. Uncivil and inhuman actions, their correction belongs to the civil Authority, and until that taken innocency, her part; conscience then must satisfy thyself with the measure of Christ, and preceding Saints, if thou wilt actually and really as verbally in profession follow Christ, and such as are and were led by his Spirit; So leaving these passages with former to Royal and all right consideration, I remain in all loyal subjection for the service of God and man.  
M. Q.