THE Sworne Confederacy Between The Convocation at OXFORD, And the Tower of LONDON.  
LONDON, Printed in the year, 1647.  
JUNE the 5th   

The sworn Confederacy between the Convocation at Oxford, and the Tower of LONDON.  
My Lords and Gentlemen;  
YOu are desired to hear what's the best news in the middle Region. I had lately the honour to meet with one of the Secretaries of Art and Nature, who assured me that there was pretty sport at Oxford. There are some Right Worthy Doctors who are sick of the king's-evil, but dare not go to Holdenby to be cured; for though they say the King's hand works more Miracles since this Truce, than it did all the time of the wars; yet he cures none but such as are willing to be cured. It is observed by some, that there is most spiritual wickedness in All-souls at Oxford. Upon the 26. of May, divers subtlle Doctors had a meeting very late at night at Dr. Sheldens' Lodging, to try whether they could out-plot those, whom they could not outpray upon the 26. of May, being our monthly Fast. On Thursday the 27. they met at Dr. Fell's house the pretended vicechancellor, or Deputy of marquess Hertford; and on Friday the 28. of May, being the last Friday of the month, the Malignants common fastingday, (a day strictly observed as I hear at Christ-Church in Oxford, by the Dean, sub-dean, and Canons) they ealled a vestry, that they might choose out some bold Delegates to oppose the Visitors (who are to meet June the 4th.) and hinder a Reformation. But it seems they could not work Miracles upon that fastingday; and therefore they adjourned to the 31. of May, an happy season, for than they unanimously agreed to call a Convocation, which they did upon the first of June; and being assembled, Dr. Fell made a Speech without fear or Wit, in which he called those that took the Covenant, perfidious persons & Traitors. Upon a sad debate it was agreed, that certain Reasons, (called just Scruples) should be tendered to justify such as refuse to take the national Covenant, and the Negative Oath.  
These Reasons were not communicated then, for they were not so much as read in the Convocation House; but they were received with an implicit faith; and if any man would question the fidelity or wisdom of Dr. Shelden, and the rest, he was to have satisfaction in his private College; and yet (as I am informed) in their private Colleges the heads do only use it for the strengthening and arming of their own party against the Covenant, & corrupting of some Youths, that are not able to distinguish between Pretences and Arguments; For at Trinity College, Mr. Vnet Fellow of the House could not obtain a sight of the reasons. Hannibal (P.) was not so great an enemy to Rome, as to divulge the secrets of the Conclave to Mr. Vnet, a known friend to the Parliament.  
The grand design is to unite the whole University in a body that they may join together as one man, to oppose a Reformation, and then they hope all to escape by a general mutiny, The ringleaders as well as their Followers: but if the Parliament allow them the benefit of their Clergy, the Law of Decimation may behead some Colleges, and make a perfect cure.  
The mystery of iniquity. works highest in Dr. Shelden, who is the eldest Son of Prince Lucifer, and who holds correspondence with honest Judge jenkin's (in the Tower) who lent him money, when he run away into Wales in the year 1642, for fear of pursuivants, as Mr. Jones observed; the Scouts to convey Letters or Intimations are Dr. Morley, who lies Lieger at London (as some whisper here in the City) Dr. Stutville, who pretends to be in France; ●. the Printer is suspected also, and so is our good friend and neighbour Lambert Osbolston, (the Malignant earwig to the Nobles) who plays fault and loose, elects scholars at Westminster, as if he were a friend to the Parl. intercedes for Malignants, and carries Messages in stead of Letters for fear of being searched, whereby it is evident that he is an enemy to the Parl. and therefore it is fit that he should be sent once more beyond Canterbury.  
You may take notice that the first scruple (in the New Scruple-House erected at Oxford, June 1) is this, Whether the House of Commons should be owned and acknowledged as a Parliamentary House? the reason whispered is, because there are so many new Members chosen in by virtue of the new great-seal without his majesty's coment.  
This design is smoothly carried, yet sufficiently discovered, and almost confessed by that deliberate and advised omission in their Preface to their other Just Scruples; the words run thus.  
Whereas by an Ordinance of the Lords assembled 
Observe that have a no mention of the Commons.  in Parliament for the Visitation and Reformation of the University of Oxford lately published, Power is given to certain Persons therein named, to inquire concerning those of the said University, that neglect to take the solemn League and Covenant, and the Negative Oath, being tendered unto them, and likewise concerning those that oppose the execution of the Ordinances of Parliament concerning the Discipline and Directory, or shall not promote or cause the same to be put in execution according to their several places and callings. We the Masters, scholars, and other Officers of the said University (not to judge the Consciences of others, but) to clear ourselves before God and the World, from all suspicion of obstinacy, whilst we discharge our own, present to consideration the true reasons of our present judgement concerning the said Covenant, Oath and Ordinances, expecting so much Justice, and hoping for so much Charity, as either not to be pressed to conform to what is required in any of the premises, farther than our present Judgement will warrant us, or not condemned for the refusing so to do, without clear and real satisfaction given to our just Scruples.  
This is just Judge jenkin's, the House of Commons must not be acknowledged for one of the Houses of Parliament, so that the learned Dr. Shelden and Judge jenkin's are entered into a Confederacy against the House of Commons, the Directory, and the Discipline established by Both Houses of Parliament; and therefore it is a Confederacy against the Lords also. They insist not much upon the Introductory Preface to the Covenant; they pretend that they are not able to say, that the rage, power, and presumption of the Enemies of God (in the sense therein intended) is at this time increased, whereas their present confederacy against the House of Commons makes it most clear and evident: never did the Enemies of God rage more furiously in Oxford, then now they do.  
Nay, they are so high and gallant, that they profess that they will not be satisfied, although the Covenant should not be imposed upon them at all, for if it be but only recommended to them and then left to their choice, yet being subjects they cannot of their own freewill enter into any Covenant wherein his Majesty is concerned without his consent, it being in his power by the equity of the Law, Nugmb. 30. to annul such a League as soon as he pleaseth.  
Besides, it is contrary to the Proclamation the 9 of October 19 carol, and they are obliged by their natural Allegiance to obey all commands of his majesty, which are not in their apprehensions repugnant to the will of God, or the positive laws of the kingdom: From whence it will follow, that one Proclamation of the Kings is ground sufficient for them to oppose all Orders and Ordinances of Parliament; whereas I was such a fool to conceive, that upon the surrender of Oxford they did agree to submit to all Orders and Ordinances of Parliament, or leave the kingdom within 6 months: they may be fully assured that the Parliament will not permit them to stay here, only to rebel.  

Concerning the first Article of the Covenant.  
THey are not satisfied how they can in judgement swear to endeavour to preserve the Religion of another kingdom. 1. Whereof they have little knowledge. 2. A Religion in respect of Worship, Discipline, and Government, much worse, and in Doctrine not at all better (say they) than our own, which we are in the next passage of the Article required to reform. 3. Wherein they do already find something to their thinking tending towards Superstition and schism (viz. in accounting Bishops Antichristian, and indifferent Ceremonies unlawful) that it seems to us more reasonable that we should call upon them to reform the same, then that they should call upon us to preserve it, considering that they make their Discipline and Government (as they that are most prelatical esteem Prelacy) a mark of the true Church, and the setting up thereof the erecting of the Throne of Christ. Finally they all do tacitly accuse Both Houses of Parliament of endeavouring to violate the Oath of Supremacy: the whole pover of spiritual jurisdiction for the Visitation and Reformation of the ecclesiastical state, and persons, belonging to the King's highness the only Supreme governor of this Realm.   

Concerning the second Article.  
THey are much offended, that it should be so much as intimated, that Prelacy is contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of godliness: And therefore they have invented this Mock Article, intended as a libel against the city of London and the Government thereof, their words are these:  we desire it may be considered, in case a Covenant of the like form should be tendered to the Citizens of London, wherein they should be required to swear, they would sincerely, really, and constantly, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Treason, the city-government by a Lord Major, Alderm●n, Sheriffs, Common. Council, and other Officers depending thereon, murder, Adultery, Theft, Cozenage, and whatsoever shall be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness, lest they should partake in other men's sins: whether such a tendry could be looked upon by any Citizen that had the least spirit of freedom in him, as an Act of justice, meekness, and Reason? 
They think that they have reason to believe, That Prelacy (they must understand it of such a Prelacy as we would have rooted out of England) was established in the Churches by the Apostles according to the mind, and after the example of their Master Jesus Christ; and that by virtue of their ordinary Power (and authority derived from him) as deputed by him governors of his Church.  
Or at least, That episcopal Aristocracy hath a fairer pretention, and may lay a juster title and claim to a Divine Institution, than any of the other forms of Church-Government can do, all which yet do pretend thereunto, viz. that of the papal Monarchy, that of the Presbyterian Democracy (Aristrocracy they should have said) and that of the Independents by particular Congregations, or gathered Churches.  
Moreover, They are assured by the undoubted testimony of ancient Records and latter Histories, that Prelacy hath been continued with such an universal, Uninterrupted, Unquestioned Succession of all the Churches of God, and in all kingdoms that have been called Christian throughout the whole world for 1500 years together, that there never was any considerable opposition made there against. What they may prove by latter Histories I know not, but sure I am, it is a folly to cite late Histories, to prove what was done 1500 years ago, and I am most sure, that all the Prelates and their adherents in England, can never prove, that such a Prelacy as we desire to extirpate, hath been for 1500 years established in all the Churches of Christ.  
But their truest reason and saddest scruple, is this that follows:  we do (say they) Some of us hold our livelihood, either in whole or in part, by those Titles of Deans, Deans and Chapters, &c. mentioned in the Articles, being members of some Collegiate and cathedral Churches. 
If they had put this foremost I should have been sooner satisfied, but I must break off being called to other service; you may have more hereafter if opportunity permit: In the mean time, take notice how much the House of Commons is slighted, as if not worthy to be named, in their Preface: 2. How grossly they abuse the Church of Scotland, and city of London: 3. How they combine against all Presbyterians and Independents, that is, against all the friends of the Parliament: 4. How they declare all that have taken the Covenant, Lords and Commons, to be perjured persons, men that have shaken off their Allegiance, and renownced the King's Supremacy: 5. (They say) what I cannot omit; That if we receive not prelacy upon the grounds they offer, the judgement and practice of the universal Church, we shall be at a loss in sundry points both of faith and manners at this day firmly believed, and securely practised by us, when by the Socinians, Anabaptiss and other Sectaries, we are called upon for our proofs: as namely, sundry orthodoxal Explications concerning the trinity and coequalitie of the persons in the Godhead, against the Ari●ns and other heretics, the number, use, and efficacy of Sacraments, the baptising of Infants, national Churches, the observation of the Lord's Day, and even the Canon of Scripture itself.  
But stay, may not the Scripture be sufficiently known by its own majesty, light and glory, by the testimony of the Spirit, speaking in the Word to our hearts and conferences? And are not the Scriptures perfect, and therefore sufficient for reproof and correction without ecclesiastical Traditions? And are not all those Reverend Divines, and other Learned men who have taken the Covenant, able to refute Socinians, Papists, Arminians, Anabaptiss, without the help of the prelatical party? If they be not, we will send to Doctor Shelden and Judge Jenkin for their assistance. So much for the Oxonian jenkinism.   
FINIS.