REFLECTIONS UPON A FORM of PRAYER, Lately set forth for the JACOBITES OF THE CHURCH of ENGLAND. AND Of an ABHORRENCE tendered by the Late King, to some of our Dissenting Bishops, upon His present Majesty's Landing. LONDON: Printed for Richard Baldwin, in the Old-Bayly. MDCXC. PREFACE. THose Treasonable Prayers which have occasioned my Reflections, having been conveyed into many Hands, with apparent purpose to raise Rebellion for God's Sake, against those Powers which himself has ordained; I thought it requisite to Publish the most venomous Parts of them, with an Antidote, which I hope may be sufficient for them who will not seek the knowledge of Man's Law from the Priest's Lips. And those well-meaning Men, who have been misled into a dangerous Faction, by an Alarum cunningly promoted for the Monarchy, and the Church; will I hope, now at last, understand what Monarchy, and what Church, that cry has served; and if they are not yet sensible of this, I despair that they ever should be, till the late King, through their Encouragement, should return with a French and Irish Army, to Establish Popery by a Parliament, packed by Surrenderers of Charters, and composed of Zealots for their Church and Monarchy; and then English Dragoons might be as famous as ever the French; or their own Judges, Juries, and gownsmen, have been. Then such might reap the Blessing of Perfidiousness to their Country, and would learn too late, h●w much better it would have been to have submitted to the Justice of a forgiving People, than to be swallowed up in the common Desolation, for diverting some merciful Punishments against some of their Party, who had been eminent enough to deserve to be made Examples. Tho I cannot pretend to the Accomplishment of a Traveller; yet I once was as far as Holland, where I must own that I met with great Civilities from one of our Dissenting Bishops, to whom I shall be glad to pay any Service consistent with my Duty to my Country. Being at Amsterdam, it may well be believed, that next, at least, to the curiosity of seeing the Long-Cellar, I would desire to see the Stadt-house, deservedly esteemed one of the Wonders of the World; from thence we might discern Utrecht, which as I remember, gave occasion to the English Merchant, who was with us, to observe, That the French Army, having in the time of D' Wits Ministry, advanced as far as Utrecht; the Senate at Amsterdam repaired to that House, to consult what was best to be done in that Emergency; the greatest part of them seemed inclined to make a Present of their Keys, preventing a demand of them; but the Schute or Sheriff, being a Man of Mettle, threatened to communicate this Counsel to the People, who were waiting without, expecting the issue, and sufficiently disposed to have prevented their treacherous giving them up to the perfidious Enemy. This Honesty of the Sheriff, changed the Counsels, made them resolve upon a Vigorous Defence, and the Army withdrew, being surprised at the Disappointment of their warm Expectation. And thus one brave Man, in effect, saved the City. I forbear to make Application, but leave it to their thoughts whom it most concerns. REFLECTIONS UPON A FORM of PRAYER, &c. THis is an Age of Wonders; was the beginning of some of the wisest and honestest Observations, Vid. The Appeal from the private Cabal to the Parliament, supposed to have been written by Secretary Trevor. which saw the Light in the Reign of King Charles II. But what would that Judicious Observer have said, if he had survived our late Revolution, to have seen those who condemn it, to pretend to be the only Men of Merit under it; and that they who believe King James to be their Rightful King, are the best Supporters of the Monarchy under King WILLIAM and Queen MARY? These Men may, in their sense, honestly promise to maintain the Government, as 'tis established under King William and Queen Mary. For as they would therein make no Declaration of their Right, they leave a Scope for their serving that which they think the only established Government, which with them is King James's, while King William bears only the Name of King. A Form of Prayer and Humiliation for Gods Blessings upon His M●jesty, and his Dominions, and for removing and averting of Gods Judgments from this Church and State, Ed. An. 1690. p. 39. If any M●n doubts of this, I would entreat him to turn to the 39th page. of that Form of Prayer, which some of the New Separation have lately Published, where they may find these words. Restore to us again the public Worship of thy Name, the reverend Administration of thy Sacraments: raise up the former Government both in Church and State, that we may be no longer without King, without Priest, without God in the World: But may once more enter into thy Courts with Praise, and serve thee with that Reverence, that unity and Order, as may be acceptable in thy sight, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This makes it plain beyond Contradiction, That they think we can have no Government without King James, or else they grossly mock God Almighty. These Men would be thought not to be in the least dangerous to the present Government, which they not only disown, but pray against; and certainly, if they pray against it as an unlawful Usurpation, they will think themselves obliged by all means possible to restore the other. At least, no Man that reads the following Form, can doubt of this. O Most Powerful and ever Blessed Lord God, who art Glorious in Holiness, P. 59. Fearful in Praises, doing Wonders; we humbly beseech thee to look Compassionately on this Persecuted part of thy Church, now driven from thy public Altars into Corners and secret closerts: that thy protection may be over us wherever we shall be scattered, and a remnant Preserved amongst us, by whom thy Name may be glorified, thy Sacraments administered, P. 60. and the Souls of thy Servants kept upright in the midst of a Corrupting and a Corrupted Generation. We Pray thee to be Gracious to our Prince, who for the Sins both of Priests and People is now kept out, and that in thy due time thou wouldest deal with him according to the Justice of his Cause; Comfort him O Lord in the sadness of his Spirit; Guide him in the Perplexity of his Mind, and support him in the Striegths and Necessities of his Fortunes. Raise him Friends abroad Convert or confounded the Hearts of his Enemies at home. Do some Mighty thing for him, which we in particular know not how to Pray for; And by the secret windings and powerful workings of thy Providence, make the ston which these Foolish Builders have rejected, the head-stone of the Corner. And O that it may Please thee to deal Graciously with that remnant of the Lo●al Nobility, and all others of the Ruined Side, who have chosen rather to suffer in thy Cause, than to Participate with the Sins of a more Successful Party? 1. I would gladly know of these zealous Gentlemen, what they think of those of their own Party, who by taking the Oath of Allegiance by Law required, tho' not in the Legal sense, have qualified themselves to Preach Sedition against King William and Queen Mary? 2. Whether the Sacraments may not be duly administered by those Ministers of the Church of England, who have Sworn in the sincerity of their Hearts? Indeed they may seem to have set aside this question in their Prayer, that they may be no longer without Priests: which perhaps relates to the want of an Head of the Church, according to which the Late Kings Abdication was a virtual Suspension of all the Clergy. 3. Whether that part of the Clergy which continue in Possession of the Profits, or they who make profit of Preaching in public, without comforming to this Government, are within the Provision of this Prayer? And by what Authority some of them now Preach without their Head, and against the express words of an Act of Parliament? 4. Whether those of the Dissen●ing Bishops and others, who invited His Present Majesty to take the Administration upon Him, immediately upon the Late King's withdrawing from London, may not in their sense be said, to participate with the Sins of a more successful Party? 5. Whether they can think to impose upon God Almighty with falshoods, as they have done and yet do upon many well meaning men? and who of their Loyal Nobility has s●ffer'd and been oppressed, P. 60. P. 25. P. 60. and ruined, for Righteousness and for Conscience sake, as they suggest? 'tis certain they who red this Form of Prayer, will understand how well they have deserved the lenity of that Government which they disown, and which they now seem to think themselves enabled to cast off; and they who still would argue us into an insensibility of their Proceedings, would do well to observe the next Prayer. Hear the Groans and Cry of all that are Afflicted, either outwardly or inwardly; P. 6. in Body or Soul: Especially such who being oppressed for Conscience sake, have no place to fly unto and no man careth for their Souls Listen Compassionately to the deep sighing of the Prisoners, And by thy Mighty Power deliver such, who for Obeying thee and a good Conscience are, or shall be designed to Death or ruin. Soften the Hearts of all unrighteous Judges, who have the Power over us; and make them know with Trembling, That there is a judge higher than they. sand forth thy Light and thy Truth, and let them Preserve us. Protect and Defend our Sovereign Lord the King. O prepare thy Loving Mercy and Faithfulness, That they may Preserve him Strengthen his Hands and the hands of all that are put in Authority under him, with Iudgment and Iustice to cut off all such workers of Iniquity, as turn Religion into Rebellion, and Faith into Faction; That they may never prevail against us, or Triumph in the ruin of thy Church amongst us. To this end defend the King; and the whole Royal Family from all Treasons and Conspiracies. Bind up his Soul in the bundle of Life, and let no Weapon formed against him prosper. Be unto him a Helmet of Salvation and a strong Tower of Defence against the Face of his Enemies. Let his Reign be Prosperous, and his Days many. Make him glad now according to the time wherein thou hast afflicted him, and for the years wherein he hath suffered Adversity. Give him the necks of his Enemies; and also every day more and more the Hearts of his Subjects. As for those that are implacab e cloath them with shane: but upon himself and his Posterity let the Crown for ever flourish. Into thy hands, O God, we entirely surrender and give up both him and ourselves, and whatever concerns us, &c. Here 'tis observable, 1. That as it is not to be presumed, that any of the Prisoners for whom they pray are or will be designed to death, unless they have committed, or shall commit Treason against their present Majesties, these peaceable men encourage Treason against that Power which God has set over them; and will have Treason, and traitorous Conspiracies to be in Obedience to God, and a good Conscience. 2. That they threaten with Gods Judgments, those Judges who shall pronounce Sentence against such, according to Law. 3. They either suppose, That they who have Offices under Their present Majesties, act with King James's Authority, or that some of them have Dormant Commissions from him, under which they may act with judgement and Justice. 4. They suppose the Interest of God's Church to be bound up with a Popish King; and that the prevalence of them that are Loyal to Their present Majesties, would be to the ruin of God's Church. 5. They pray that God would defend their King, and the whole Royal Family from all Treason and Conspiracies. Wherein they pray, that God Almighty would work a Miracle, and make them true and faithful to King James, and King William at the same time; forgetting the Text which themselves apply, viz. No Man can s●rve two Masters. Nay, they would have contradictory Propositions, to be true at the same time, and in the same respect; and they pray God to defend all the Royal Family from Treasons and Conspiracies, when their very Prayer is a Conspiracy against one, if not two of the Royal Family, whose Reign they call Tyranny, from which they pray that this Nation may be relieved, as appears by what follows. O most mighty God, the Lord of Hosts, Form of Prayer, p. 57. the Governor of all Creatures, the only giver of all Victories, which alone art able to strengthen the Weak against the Mighty, and to vanquish infinite Multitudes of thine Enemies, page. 57. with the Countenance of a few of thy Servants calling upon thy Name, and trusting in thee. Defend, O Lord, thy Servant, and our Governor under thee, our Sovereign Lord the King, and all thy People committed to his Charge. O Lord, withstand the Cruelty of all those which be common Enemies, as well to the Truth of thy Eternal Word, as to their own Natural Prince and Country, and manifestly to this Crown and Realm of England, which thou hast assigned in these our days, to the Government of thy Servant, our Sovereign and Gracious King. O most merciful Father( if it be thy holy will) make soft and tender the stony Hearts of all those that exalt themselves against thy Truth, and seek either to trouble the quiet of this Realm of England, or to oppress the Crown of the same, and convert them to the knowledge of thy Son, the only Saviour of the World, Iesus Christ, that we and they may jointly glorify thy Mercies. Lighten, we beseech thee, their ignorant Hearts to embrace the Truth of thy Word, or else so abate their Cruelty, ( O most mighty Lord) that this our Christian Realm, with others that confess thy Holy Gospel, may obtain by thy Aid and Strength, surety from all Enemies, without shedding of Christian Blood, whereby all they which be oppressed with their Tyranny, may be relieved, and they which be in fear of their Cruelty, may be comforted; and finally, that all Christian Realms, and especially this Realm of England, may by thy Defence and Protection, continue in the Truth of thy Gospel, and enjoy perfect Peace, Quietness, and Security. And that we for these thy Mercies, jointly all together with one consonant Heart and Voice, may thankfully render to thee all Laud and Praise; that we, knit in one Godly Concord and Unity amongst ourselves, page. 58. may continually magnify thy Glorious Name, who with thy Son our Saviour Iesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, art one Eternal, Almighty, and most merciful God; To whom be all Laud and Praise, World without end. Amen. This Prayer renders it somewhat doubtful, whether the Composer or Composers were of the Protestant, or of the Popish Religion. If of the Protestant, he or they, at least, was or were for making Friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness; and for fear of disobliging their supposed Sovereign, and the French King, will not call this a [ Protestant] but a [ Christian] Nation, which Denomination comprehends their catholic Brethren: and certain it is, the Prayer discovers a Charity suitable to those of the Romish Creed; when it before God Almighty represents those who are of a side opposite to them, not only as Cruel men, and the Government which protects them, as Tyrannical; but censures Prince and People, as Enemies to the Truth of God's eternal word, and Strangers to the knowledge of his Son. mere Infidels and Heathens, yet this may be in some measure excusable, since they own even themselves in the Absence of their King, page. 39. to be without Priests, without God in the World. This I must confess, was at first a little surprising to me, Vid. Dr. Sherlock, Of the Union and Communion with the Blessed Jesus. till I recollected Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Union and Communion between Christ and Believers, which he contends to be only a Political Union; and that all Promises to Believers are made to them, as considered in a Church-State, united under the Polity of his appointment. If therefore, that Head of the Church which they suppose, that God has assigned in these our days, be gone; according to that Notion, we may be thought to be, as without God in the World, shut out of the Pale of the Church, and left abroad among Publicans and other Sinners. But I would gladly know, 1. Whether the Crown and Realm of England, is not more manifestly assigned by God in these our days to the Government of King William, than of King James? 2. Whether he is not our Natural Prince, in a truer Sense than King James was, even before the Abdication? 3. Whether, if the Law of Nature, common to us and Bruits, is to determine the Right, and not Reason, the Foundation of Civil Societies and Laws; any Man can be a Natural Prince, who cannot prove his Title by Proximity of Blood from Adam? 4. As they pray to God to make soft and tender the stony Hearts of them, who seek to trouble the quiet of this Realm; They ought seriously to reflect upon what they themselves are doing, and how they could answer for that Desolation which the grant of their Prayers must inevitably bring upon this Land, and themselves too, if they are Protestants. According to that of the equally religious Heathen Poet: Juv. Sat. 10. Evertêre Domos, totas optantibus ipsis, Dii faciles. ' The easy Gods have Families destroyed, ' Which but th' effects of their own Prayers enjoyed. These Gentlemen would have done much better, considering what Calamities such Prayers might plunge them and us into, to have profited by the latter part of his admirable satire. nile ergo optabunt homines? Si consilium vis, Permittes ipsis expendere Numinibus, quid Conveniat nobis, rebusque sit utile nostris: Nam pro jucundis, aptissima quaeque dabunt Dii. Carior est illis homo quam sibi. ' Shall we then pray for nothing? I advice, ' Leave all to the indulgent Deities; 'To them yourselves and your affairs commit, ' Instead of what may please, they'l give what's fit. ' Man is to them, than to himself more dear. 5. It may deserve consideration, whether their mention of them who in their thoughts, oppress the Crown of this Realm of England, does not sufficiently explain what some Men mean in their Clamour against Republican Principles? As they believe, that we are now without King; according to them, they who are for King William, upon that very account are for a Commonwealth, tho they are never so hearty for supporting the Monarchy under Him. But if the foregoing Prayer is not a sufficient Indication, of the Charity of him or them that made it; the comparing the two following at distance one from the other, may show the length of such warm Fits. page. 25. Let not our Lord be angry, and we will speak but this once, and that in Obedience to thy Command, for our Enemies, Slanderers, and Oppressors; especially those that have caused or increased the public Distraction. Lord restrain their Malice, and open their Eyes and Hearts, that they may see the crookedness of their own ways, and return into the strait Path of Meekness and Charity, that we may live together in Peace here, and reign together in thy Glory hereafter. And then, having prayed for those that are in Misery, page. 39. and that God would hear the Groans and Cries of all that are afflicted outwardly or inwardly, in Body or Mind; especially such, who suffer in a Righteous Cause, whose Loyalty have been more dear to them than their Fortunes. Soon after follows, Convert and Soften the hard Hearts of their Implacable Enemies, and assuage their Thirst of Blood which still cries more and more; or if thou otherwise hast decreed to bring any more of us through the Red-Sea into the Land of Promise, prepare us for this Passage, and Guide us by thy Blessed Spirit through the Shadows of Death Continue our Christian Courage and Constancy to the utmost; strengthen our Faith confirm our Hope, and let our Charity overflow, even to the forgiveness of them by whose unjust Sentence we perish. Here one may observe, 1. That it seems as if nothing but God's Command, could induce them to Pray for those that are of a Side opposite to them. They charge them wi●h being their Slanderers, Opp●essors, and Enemies, and that Implacable, and Thirsting after Blood; wherein they seem to have imbibed the Spirit and Phrase of the Gentle Author of the last part of the Magistracy and Government Vindicated, who calls them that would have Criminals brought to Justice, bloodhound. 2. They lay at the doors of them who would not have Criminals go unpunished the causing or increasing the public Distractions; as if the unjust Verdicts and Judgments of former times; the Dispensing with Acts of Parliament, the surrendering, and taking away of Charters, the Abhorring, and slighting, Petitions from the Greatest Bodies, did not in the least cause those Distractions, nor the justifying all these things, at this day, in the least increase them. 3. They insinuate before God Almighty, as if some of their Party in England have gone through a Red-Sea, by unjust Sentences; but I do not know that any of them have yet been executed for Treason against this Government, though they formerly triumphed at the unjust Executions of the best Friends to them and their Country, for pretended Treasons. Indeed with them there may be Treason which the Law never made or declared to be Treason, and that which the Law declares to be Treason is no Treason. For information in this particular, we may observe this Prayer. P. 30. O Almighty God, the Blessed and only Potentate, we offer up our humble supplications and prayers to thy Divine Goodness, beseeching thee in this time of Danger, to save and protect our most gracious King; Give thy Holy Angels charge over Him; Preserve His Royal Person in Health and Safety; Inspire Him with Wisdom and Iustice in all His Counsels; Prosper all His undertakings, for thy Honour and Service, with good success; Fill His Princely heart with a Fatherly care of all His people; and give all His Subjects Grace, always to bear Faith and true Allegiance to His Majesty, that both King and People joining together to promote thy Glory, and conscientiously discharging their Duties in their several stations may all give thee thanks and praise for thy most Mighty Protection, and for all other thy great Mercies vouchsafed to us, through Iesus Christ thy Son, our Saviour. It can be no dispute, but their King, is he, who as one of the Prayers before observed has it, P. 60. for the sins of priests and people is now kept out. Here they Pray to God to give all his Subjects Grace a●ways to bear Faith and true Allegiance to him; whereas the Law says, that no Allegiance is due to him that is kept out: for if Allegiance is due to him, Treason may be committed against him, contra legiantiae debitum: But the Lord cook and Sir Matthew Hale show, 3 Inst. c. 1. f, 7. Hales Pleas of the Crown P. 12. that Treason cannot be committed against one, even tho he should have had right to the Crown, while he is out of possession. In this they have all Antiquity on their side; and whatever scruples some unthinking men may have had, Allegiance has generally been Sworn and Paid to Kings in possession by a true National consent, 11 H. 7. c. 1. as long as they have maintained their Characters. And the S●a●ute 11 H. 7. has settled this beyond Dispute. This being so, it shows the rashness of that part of another Prayer, which charges them who have Sworn Allegiance to King William and queen Mary, having formerly Sworn to King James, with Perjury, even after the Late King ceased to be King in the Eye of the Law. Pardon, say they, the many great offences of us thy Servants, and the crying Sins of the whole Nation: Deliver us from the Guilt of Rebellion, P. 38. Blood, and Perjury, especially that of careless breaches of Oaths made to our Sovereign; forgetting that such are the Oaths of God; and that thou thyself in a more especial manner art a strict avenger of them. &c. I would entreat these Pious Gentlemen to inform me, Whether this is Perjury by God's Law or mans Law? If they say, by God's Law; then surely they usurp his Tribunal, and enter into mens hearts, upon which they pronounce, that none have Sworn Allegiance to King William and Queen Mary in the sincerity of their Hearts; but if they have Sworn in sincerity, as believing that they are lawfully discharged of their Allegiance to the late King, I am sure it cannot be said, that such are perjured in God's account. Indeed as to them that have Sworn to be Faithful, and bear True Allegiance to King William and Queen Mary, though at the same time they believed that the obligation of Allegiance to their supposed King of right, remained, I must leave them to answer for themselves. If they will have this to be Perjury by Man's Law, I think I may very well say, Where there is no Law there is no Transgression; and till they can show, that Law which requires the English Subjects to pay Allegiance to King James, I believe 'twill be very difficult for them to prove, that God's Law requires it; for I cannot think that God's Law requires in this particular, what is contrary to Man's. God's Law forbids Theft, but man's shows wherein it lies, as it fixes and limits property: and in all such cases, I think no man, having consulted Lawyers in the point, need scruple to enter upon the common Offices of Life, till he has received Episcopal Confirmation, nor be frighted with the most Solemn Denunciation of God's Judgments, by men of false Religions and Persuasions; especially when he considers that the Jews to this very day, Curse the Christians in their Standing Church-Service. Though God may be said to Mock at some men's Calamities, which they bring upon themselves; yet far be it from us to make sport with things so serious, as some of these Prayers; which may have proceeded from real belief and heated Imaginations: yet I well know how some of our new Separatists would have ridiculed the like expressions in Dissenters from the Church of England, merely for Ceremonies; H's Ravilliac Redivivus. one of the Subscribers to the Late Bishop of Chichester's Paper, would have Imputed them to an enchanted staff; and Dr. S. to too bold Familiarity with God Almighty. I am sure they are very bold with that Power which God has set over them, as has appeared in some of the Forms before observed. To which we may add this, Father of Mercies, and Lover of Souls, page. 63. who art kind unto the unthankful and to the evil, and hast commanded us also to extend our Charity, even to those that hate us and despitefully use us; We beseech thee as to accept our Prayers, which we have this day offered up unto thee in behalf of all that are Faithful and Loyal in the Land; so also enlarge thy Mercy and Pity, even to those that are our Enemies. O Most Wise and Powerful Lord God, in whose hands are the hearts of all Men, as the Rivers of water, to turn them whither soever thou wilt: Work mightily upon the minds of all Parties among us. Turn the hearts of the Children to the father, and the disobedient to the Wisdom of the Just; and so make them a● ready people prepared for the Lord. Thou that sittest between the Cherubim, be the Earth never so unquiet; Thou that stillest the raging of the Sea, and the noise of his Waves, and the madness of the People; stir up thy strength and come and help us. Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end: Take away his ungodliness, and thou shalt find none. Let the fierceness of Man turn to thy praise; and the remainder of wrath do thou restrain. To this end take from them all their prejudices, and all their passions; their confident Mistakes, their carnal ends, and their secular interests; open the blind eyes that they may see( at least in this their day) the things which belong to their peace; and wisely considering, may hear and fear, and do no more wickedly. Soften the most obdurate Hearts into a meek, and humble, and docible temper, that they may no longer resist the Tru●h. Bow down the stiff neck, and the Iron sinew, to the gentle and easy yoke of thy most Holy Law. Take away the Brow of Brass, and Whores Forehead, and make their Faces ashamed, that they may seek thy name. Sweeten( if it may be) the gull of bitterness; and loose the Bands of Iniquity; and guide their Feet into the way of Peace: And so, O Lord, redouble our joys upon us, that we may not only( in thy due time) triumph in the disappointment of their wicked imaginations; but with thy Holy Angels in Heaven, rejoice for their Conver●ion. Which great Blessing, with the most ardent affection of our Souls, we beg of thee, for thy tender Mercies sake, through the Merits and Mediation of Iesus Christ, thy blessed Son, our only Saviour. I Appeal to all unbiass d Men, whether it is not likely that the Composers, and the greatest part of them, who may join in this Pra●er, would not c●y out of this, as abominable Cant in another sort of Separatists; and I think the word Cant has been not improperly applied to Mens bold Applications of Scripture Phrases, to every thing that warms their Fancies. Scripture Phrases do not hallow every Prayer; they may in some be used profanely and Uncharitably: not have Christians any Warrant to apply to M●n, differing from them, what was in the original use designed against the Enemies of God's Church, or proceeded from a prophetical Spirit. As the former Prayers show, who they mean by the Loyal in the Land, and whom by their Enemies, i● can be no great Question, but in praying that God would turn the Hearts of the Children to the Father, and the Disobedint to the Wisdom of the Just; They would have King William and Queen Mary wrought upon, to bring in James the Just, and would set the Paternal Power above the Regal, which such Men did not use to do, any otherwise than as they are used to make their Doctrines serve their occasions. But, what a sweet Character is here of the Disloyal in their Eyes? Men of Ungodliness, Fierceness, Wrath, Confident Mistakes, Carnal Ends, Secular Interests, Obdurate Hearts, Resisters of the Truths, Stiff Necks, Iron-Sinews, Brows of Brass, Whores Foreheads. Well may they pray for the Conversion of these, and that they may be softened into a decible Temper. And yet all the Conversion and Docibility prayed for, is, that the Nation instead of Protestant, Vid. Sup. page. 9. may be Christian at large, and be brought under Subjection to a Popish King, and Submission to such Spiritual Guides; nor is there so much as one short Ejaculation for converting him their most Gracious King, P. 30. P. 36. and Sovereign Lord( where they leave room for King James's Name, to be supplied at the reading) from the Errors of his ways, and that false and idolatrous Worship, in which he is engaged; P. 6. but they in effect, pray to God to keep and strengthen him in it; and surely they, who take such a Liberty in adding to the Liturgy, might have altered that part of the Litany, which was composed for a Sovereign Prince, for whom it was proper to pray, that God would keep and strengthen Him in the true worshipping of him. Having prayed, That God would keep and strengthen him in that way of Worship which he uses; there is no wonder, that they should pray to God to preserve and prosper him in all his ways, P. 25. and give him success in all his Undertakings and Actions, that he may be always a Religious Defender of God's Holy Faith and Church among us, P. 36. and gracious Governor unto all his Subjects, a glorious Conqueror over all his Enemies, a mighty Protector of the People committed to his Charge,( that is, the Irish Papists against the Protestants) and a happy Father of a numerous Posterity, to Rule these Nations after him by Succession, in all Ages and Generations. I suppose, effectually to set aside our King and Queen, and Princess and, unless their Hearts so far turn to their Father, as to deliver up to him whatever trust they, or either of them have from the People, because of the Cloud upon the Prince of Wales, they would have the management of the next Birth themselves: it must be understood that this had no Credit; for the Bishops were then in the Tower. Whatever is the matter, whether that the Head of the Church is away, or a Metrop●litan deprived; the Church it seems now lies under a fatal Sentence, and is very Disconsolate, according to this Prayer. O Thou great God of recompenses, P. 55. who turnest a Fruitful Land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein; thou hast most justly ex●cuted that fatal Sentence upon this Church, which having once been the Perfection of Beauty, the joy of the whole Earth, They make it so. is now become a scorn and derision to them that are round about her. O Lord, what could be done to thy Vineyard that thou hast not done in it? And since it hath brought forth nothing but wild Grapes, P. 56. it is perfectly just with Thee to take away the Hedge thereof, and let it be eaten up. But, O Lord, though our Iniquities testify against us, yet do thou it for thy name sake: for our backslidings are many, we have sinned against Thee: O the hope of I●rael, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble; why shouldst Thou be as a stranger in the Land, as a way-faring Man th●t turneth aside to tarry for a Night? Wh● shouldst, Thou be as a M●n astonied? Yet Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy Name, leave us not. Deprive us of what outward Enjoyment thou pleasest; take from us the opportunities of our Luxury, and it may be a mercy; but, O take not from us the means of our Reformation, That is, remove not the Candlesticks for that is the most direful Expression of thy Wrath. And though we have hated the Light, because our Deeds were evil; yet, O Lord, do not by withdrawing it, condemn us to walk on still in darkness, but let it continue to shine till it have guided our feet into the way of Peace. O Lord, arise, stir up thy strength, and come and help us, and deliver not the Soul of thy Turtle Dove( this disconsol●te Church) unto the multitude of the Enemy; but bless her, O Lord, and that right early. But if, O Lord, our Rebellions have so provoked thee, that the Ark must wander in the Wilderness till all this murmuring Generation be consumed, The Ark of the Lord, the Ark of the Lord! Popery, or King James? yet let not that perish with us, but bring it at last into a Canaan, and let our more innocent Posterity see that which in thy just judgement thou deni●st to us. In the mean time, let us not cease to bewail that Desolation our sins have brought; to think upon the Stones of Sion and pity to see her in the dust, nor ever be ashamed, or afraid to own her in her lowest, and most persecuted condition; but esteem the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures of Egypt, and so approve our Constancy to this our afflicted Mother, that her blessed Lord, and Head, may own us with mercy, when he shall come in the Glory of thee his Father, with the Holy Angels. Grant this merciful Lord, for the same Iesus Christ his sake. This Prayer seems to make it appear, that the Fo●mulary, was a contribution from several hands; the Composer of this I doubt is but a young Trader in Scripture Allegories. But according to this, they of the New Separation are Gods peculiar People, or Vineyard; his Church, his Ark, with them had been the perfection of Beauty, till the fatal Sentence was Executed; which, 'tis to be presusumed, was that which deprived some of them of their Ecclesiastical Preferments and Offices. But if we take the Church in this sense, then it can hardly be understood to what end This disconsolate Church should Pray for Constancy to the Afflicted Mother; except this be the Daughter of the Romish. If it be said that they make not themselves the Church, but of the Church; what Church are they of? If of the Church of England, that has no fatal Sentence Executed upon it, nor does it travail in the Wilderness, but enjoys the fat of the Land. But to apply the Allegory of the Ark, If it must wander in the Wilderness, till all this murmuring Generation be consumed, as 'tis plain from the sacred Story, that the Murmurers were they which travelled with the Ark; who can tell but these Murmurers herein, draw their own Fate and Character? Vid. Dr. is Grounds of the Contempt of the Clergy. They in their Prayer say, the Church became a scorn and derision. A Clergy-man some years since shew'd many grounds for it, in the ridiculousness of the expressions of many of his Brethren; their actions since have been as fit a subject of satire, and some of them can never make the Church amends; for making it a common prostitute to serve every turn, or an Asylum for the greatest Malefactors. There are no small grounds to believe, that Thousands of these Prayer-Books have been Printed and dispersed at a charge more than Private: In all probability they were calculated for the expected descent of the Highlanders, with their Officers from England, and Ireland. God Almighty has disappointed them in that, and it is to be hoped will still appear for his Cause, and Church. Had it not been for the Sanguine expectations, which such Conjunctions as I could name, raised in these men, they could no more have thought themselves obliged to publish this now, than they did a Twelvemonth since; Their Zeal increased with their prospect of Success. This put them upon standing upon the narrow bottom of the Nonswearers, and Condemning as Guilty of Perjury, even all of their own Party, who have taken the Oaths to this King, and yet intended to be True and Faithful to the last; which might bring their Prudence, in question, as much as their general Censures do their Charity. But I must confess, in this their Imprudence, they are not singular; I have seen others, who that they might inhanse their own worth upon some small matters, wherein they and their opposites have happened to agree, tho upon different grounds, have cried down the most of their own Party, till they set up another which became too powerful for them, upon the Credit which themselves gave; and thus some to secure their footing, have thought themselves obliged shamefully to shift their Sides, whereby men who might have ever been considerable at the head of their Friends, have rendered themselves very insignificant. This was the Natural consequence of making a Test of Merit common to the Enemies as well as Friends to the excellent Constitution of the English-Monarchy: In which Man-hunters, Surrenderers of Charters, and Confiners of Elections to a few picked men, might have been as stiff and staunch, as the greatest sufferers for their Country. Such is the Mutability of human Nature, and the weakness of their Judgments, that men know not their own Minds, nor can foresee what they are likely to think upon any change of Circumstances; no ma●, at least, would have expected, that so many of our Bishops should have been Dissenters from this Government, who had observed what opposi●ion some of the same men gave to King James; what Proposals they made to him when his Fears came upon him; how they refused to disown their inviting His Present Majesty before his Landing; and in what terms they soon after entreated him to take the Government upon him: That Form of an Abhorrence, which the Late King pressed them to sign, and which they refused to do, may be a suffi●ient Evidence of this. The Form of an Abhorrence tendered the Bishops by the Late King. WHereas the Prince of Orange hath, with an Armed Force of foreigners and Strangers, in a Hostile manner actually invaded this Kingdom; and to amuse and deceive the Subjects, has set forth his Declaration, and therein hath asserted, That he has been earnestly solicited and invited by a great many of the Lords Spiritual of this Kingdom. We the Archbishop and Bishops, whose Names are hereunto subscribed, as an indispensible Duty incumbent upon us, Do for ourselves severally and respectively Declare, That we never did either by Word or Writing, give him the least, or any Encouragement or solicitation thereto. And do, on behalf of ourselves, according to the avowed and untainted Principles of the Church of England, with the Consent of the King's most Excellent Majesty, hereby Publish and Declare to all our Fellow-Subjects, our Abhorrence and Detestation of the said Invasion, or of any Rebellion, or other Disturbance of the Government, under what pretence, and upon what ground soever. And do hereby direct and admonish all our Clergy within our several and respective dioceses( and doubt not but our several Brethren the Bishops, who are not present at the Signing hereof, but they respectively will speedily do the like for themselves, and within their several and respective dioceses) to excite and stir up their several Auditors, and all Persons within their respective Cures, to stand firm and steadfast in their Duty and Obedience to the King's Majesty, in the opposition thereof, as being a Duty incumbent upon them by the Laws of God and Man, and from which they may expect the Blessing of God in such their undertaking. To which, and for which they shall not want our fervent Prayers to God on their behalves. Given under our H●nds this 〈◇〉 day of 〈◇〉 Anno Dom. 1688. What could be the reason of refusing to Sign this, but either that some of them at least, were Conscious that they had invited the Prince over; or if they had not, yet they thought, either that they were in Conscience discharged of Allegiance to one who had ceased to Govern as an English King, or that they were bound not to oppose a Deliverance which God seemed ready to work for them: take it either way, I am sure no man can with consistency to such opinions promote, or join in the Prayers lately Published. As most of these new Forms would pass for Cant in their own eyes, if used by others; to some they may seem brought to subjects so slight and ridiculous, as if they were designed to burlesque the sacred Scripture; but then if they apply to any man, what the Scripture has appropriated to either of the Persons in the Blessed Trinity, 'twill be difficult to avoid the Imputation of Blasphemy; upon which it is to be feared that they border too nigh, when, speaking of their Prince now kept out, they pray God to make the ston which these foolish Builders have rejected, the head ston of the Corner. Blasphemy, I know, like Schism, is often used as an Ecclesiastical scare-crow; agreeably to which, an Eminent Divine once thought fit to caution men against ridiculing absolute submission, or obedience without reserve, lest they blaspheme the Holy One. Wherefore to proceed to my more proper Province, that I may leave a just detestation of this Formulary in the minds of all who have any love for the Religion and Liberties of this Protestant Nation, I think it proper to conclude with this Observation, That in that Prayer which is the most particular for the Restoration of their Prince, who, they say, for the sins both of Priests and people, is now kept out( as it should seem not in the least for his own) they pray that God would raise him friends abroad, Vid. sup. p. 3. in the printed Form, p. 60. and convert or confounded the hearts of his enemies. All his foreign Friends at present are the French and Irish; and if the Confederates against France and him, will not be converted to his side, they would have them confounded, together with those who, in their eyes, are his Rebellious Subjects. By these his Friends abroad, the French Dragoons and Irish Cut-throats, P. 56. they would have this Nation converted, to advance the Church and Monarchy; Ib. to approve our Constancy to this our afflicted Mother. thus they may have the means of Reformation left them, and may be rewarded for constancy to Mother Church, and the mischief of a Common-wealth may be prevented in all the Three Kingdoms, by making them Provinces to the French Monarchy. I have heard that many of the more prudent Papists have lamented the Bigotry of King James, which must immediately draw this upon us, if he have success; but we have a sort of men among us, who under the mask of a more Reformed Religion, and purer Church, have carried on Designs against their Country, which even Papists and honest Heathens would abhor. Nothing was in more esteem with the Heathens, than love to their country; nor was ever any man Great in their Opinions, who acted against, or betrayed i●: while a catiline, or a Cethegus, stand blemished to Posterity with indelible marks of Infamy, the Constancy of Cato to the public Cause, and Eloquence of Cicero, never employed in hunting innocent men to death, but in defending Citizens, or saving his Country, will be always remembered with praise. What would they have thought, or what will after Ages think, when the Clouds are taken away from mens understandings, of them who will not suffer a State to subsist, unless it will truckle to a Faction, and be governed by a Name? Had the flamens at Rome had as great Authority, Vid. Caes. come. as the Druids had here in the time of Julius Caesar, in all probability we should have visited them, instead of receiving an unwelcome visit from thence. While Rome was Mistress of the Universe, Lay-men were at Helm, and whatever power it now obtains in the Courts of Princes, may be owing to the influence of Church-men in most of them. The Pilgrims Staff and shoes sent those of them that would be Statesmen in Holland, perhaps has not been the least cause of that Government's being easy, notwithstanding the great number of Papists amongst them. Prayers and Tears, and the Spiritual Sword of Excommunication, or of Curses, are set up with us against the Temporal Sword, and Law of the Land: The Church had other Weapons in K James's time; and they who now engross the Church to themselves, and that to the fewest of their own Party, the Non-swearers, encourage the use of other Weapons against King William and Queen Mary. But 'tis to be hoped, that neither the Spiritual nor Temporal Weapons formed against them, shall prosper; nor is it likely that they will forget how fatal it was to Saul to spare Agag, and the richest of the Flocks and Herds, that the question may not be asked in earnest, What meaneth the bleating of the sheep, and the lowing of the oxen? FINIS. Books Printed for Richard Baldwin. THE History of the Most Illustrious, William, Prince of Orange: deduced from the first Founders of the Ancient House of Nassau: Together with the most considerable Actions of this present Prince. The Second Edition. A Collection of Fourteen Papers, relating to the Affairs of Church and State, in the Reign of the late King James. The Character of a Trimmer. His Opinion of I. The Laws and government. II. Protestant Religion. III. The Papists. IV. Foreign Affairs. By the Honourable Sir. W. Coventry. The Third Edition carefully Corrected, and cleared from the Errors of the First Impression. An Impartial Relation of the Illegal Proceedings against St. Mary Magdalen college in Oxon, in the Year of our Lord 1687. Containing only Matters of Fact as they occurred. The Second Edition. To which is added the most Remarkable Passages, omitted in the former. Collected by a Fellow of the said college. The Absolute Necessity of standing vigorously by the present Government: Or, A View of what both Church-men and Dissenters must expect, if by their unhappy Divisions, Popery and Tyranny should return again. The Justice of the Parliament, in inflicting of Punishments subsequent to Offences, vindicated; and the Lawfulness of the Present Government asserted. An Account of Mr. Parkinson's Expulsion from the University o● Oxford, in the late Times; in vindication of him from the false Aspersions cast upon him, in a late Pamphlet, entitled, The History of Passive Obedience. The way to Peace among all Protestants; being a Letter of Reconciliation, sent by Bp. Ridley to Bp. Hooper, By Mr. Samuel Johnson. Purgatory proved by Miracles: Collected out of Roman-Catholick Amthors: With some Remarkable Histories relating to British, English, and Irish Saints. With a Preface concerning their Miracles. by Mr. Samuel Johnson. A Seasonable Discourse, showing the Unreasonableness and Mischiefs of Impositions in Matters of Religion: Recommended to serious Consideration. By Mr. Andrew marvel, late Member of Parliament. The Revolter. A Tragi-Comedy, acted between the Hind and Panther, and Religio Laici. A Collection of Poems, Satyrs, and Songs, against Popery and Tyranny. In Four Parts. An Answer to the Bishop of Rochester's first and second Letters, &c. A short View of the Methods made use of in Ireland, for the Subversion and Destruction of the Protestant Religion and Interest in that Kingdom; from the beginning of the Reign of the Late King James, to this Time; and of the Suffering of the Protestants all along. The intrigues of the French King at Constantinople to embroil Christendom; discovered in several Dispatches past between him and the late Grand signor, Grand Viz●er, and Count Teckley; all of them found among that Count's Papers. With some Reflection● upon them. Plain English: In Relation to the real and pretended Friends to the English Monarchy. Humbly offered to the Consideration of His Majesty, and his Great Council, the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled. The Second Edition: With a short Preface, and an Appendix, concerning the Coronation Oath administered to King James the Second. The New Nonconformist: Or, Dr. Sherlock's Case in Preaching after a Deprivation, incurred by the Express Words of a Statute: Fairly Stated and Examined. With short Reflections upon Mr. Cook's Sermon, February the 2d, 1689/ 90. which was licenced by the Arch Bishop's Chaplain. The Fate of France: A Discourse wherein, after having Answered the groundless Exceptions that are made against the Lawful Conduct of the English, in securing themselves from Popish Tyranny, &c. it is shewed, That by the Happy Revolution in England, all the Designs of the French King for the Universal Monarchy, are disappointed; and the Rational Grounds to believe his downfall near. In three Dialogues betwixt Father Petre, Father La Chaize, and two Protestant Gentlemen. The Anatomy of a Jacobite-Tory: In a Dialogue between Whig and Tory, Occasioned by the Act for enterprising King William and Queen Mary. The Great Bastard Protector of the Little One. Done out of French. And for which the French King put forth a Proclamation, with a Reward of Five thousand Louis-d'Or●, to discover the Author. A True Narrative of the murders, Cruelties and Oppressions, Perpretrated on the Protestants in Ireland, by the Late King James's Agents, since his Arrival there. Published for the Information of the Jacobites, that endeavour his Return again.