THE INTEREST OF ENGLAND HOW IT CONSISTS IN Unity of the Protestant RELIGION. With Expedients moderate and effectual to establish it by the extirpation of the papacy. By a Member of the House of Commons. Modi Entis sunt quinque, Vnum, verum, bonum, aliquid, Res. Magi. Enchir. Metap. Cap. 2. LONDON, Printed by E. Griffin, for Laurence Blaicklocke, and are to be sold at his shop at the Sugar-loaf in Fleetstreet next Temple-Bar. 1642. To the Reader. ZEale to the service of my King and Country throngs these apprehensions to the public, rough, and unpolisht, that they may be Timous. The novelty of the matter, and my known dulness, would have prejudged a bare motion, and buried it in the womb: therefore rather than a subject so considerable should perish, unballanced, I have exposed my sense (yet Diogeticè, not dogmaticè, by way of inquisition not Doctrine) to be at leisure pondered, and by it, myself censured. Troth 'tis, ability I pretend to none but this, to know, that I have little; A sufficiency perhaps not unseasonable: However innocent and fair endeavours are not discountenanced, but by ignorance, or humour, which as they traduce giddily, I despise; to such whose steady judgements, first apprehend, then deliberate, lastly judge, I submisly veil, and from them I expect either ripening of what is here, like myself, green; or but a gentle reprehension thus; 'tis his error, and that's to be a Man; I had not thus apologized, but to usher in a modest opportunity to express, that in this wanton age when the Press riots, this as lawful issue is acknowledged by, William Constantine. E societ. Medii Templi, 8. Augusti 1642. THE Interest of England, etc. THat mysterious order the society of jesuits diligence not only their Priestly office, The design of the society of Jesuits. but upon emergents the embroylment of a State, To effect which, they are trained up in exact principles, as of Sophistry to ammuse a disputant, so of Politics to subvert Interests. Their supreme design is to reduce the whole Christian Laity under one King and that of Spain, the Spirituality under one Pope, as they are both under one God: the Spaniard cherishes this project with special countenance to that society, to preserve which in constant growth, he charges himself to erect and supply several * St. Omers Va●edo●id, Leig Douai, Brussels, etc. Colleges, beyond the Seas, to entertain the English, and he stages instruments where there is the chiefest concourse, to insinuate and decoy thither our ripest wits: which instruments qualifyed with the quintessence of sleight, have so wrought upon the penury of some, upon the giddiness of others, upon the ungroundedness of the rest, upon all with flattery and fair promises, that they stoop multitudes to their Lure. Now this bounty of their great Patron, these fugitives are obliged to gratify with the Ruin or at least distraction of their own country; which (being assayed to be industrious, and dismissed ●hither) they labour, and negotiate stoutly, by close and undermining practices, Divide & impera. Match. whereof it is their principal, to suggest Jealousies and foment misapprehensions between King and people. In which act, their subtlety it is, not to be visible, nay they contrive those resolutions which seem most opposite to be their Engines; for they are possessed that they sinne not, nay that they merit, though they dissemble, slander, feign apparitions, miracles, etc. any thing to promote the cause; But Delos circuitu non tollitur. 11 Rep. 74. By these divisions Spain (though it cost deep,) acquires an admirable purchase, for while England struggles in selfe-plundring, its power is disunited, and so disabled to apprehend the advantage of the necessities, and uncompactednes of the Spanish Forces, whereby it is diverted from some exploits of bravery to relieve confederates, reinstate alliances, partake the Indies, etc. The Rebellion in Ireland how, etc. why fomented by the Jesuits. Even now when this Kingdom more rifely began to rouse and chase its own interest, and was almost instated in condition to propose overtures for the honour of the King and Nation, its providence and vigour is diverted by a rebellion in Ireland, blown up (doubtless) by an influence from the aforesaid principle of the jesuites, flattering the unstedy people to their own confusion, by fond promises of supply and countenance; Not that they hoped to enforce conditions by that more cumbersome than powerful war, but that England toylling to reduce its own Rebels may exhaust itself, and not press at this precious instant upon the interests of Spain, that so fensing us off this busy year, he may provide more firmly in the next to obviate our achievements. The Spaniard further to secure this principle, imprints and publishes to all Romanists a reputation of his Fast zeal to the Papacy; whereby he has acquired that boundless title of King * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Vniversalis item perpetuus. Philo. de Vita M. lib. 3. Catholic; and in pursuance employed that cruel spy the Inquisition, by which as he has invincibly entailed the slavery of ignorance upon his own subjects, so he, worries out all exercise of the reformation in his dominions, which other Romish states are induced to connive at, some to tolerate; nay in most treaties he negotiates (as a seeming-prime article) the indemnity of Romanists, as their indulgent Patron; under which vizard he insinuates into the affections of some blind zealots (such as fathom not to the depth of interest) in all states, whose fond devotion hurries them upon all occasions, to second His as they would God's cause. Section. 1. NOw (doubtless) there is no state wisdom that can more engrandize the royal Majesty of this Kingdom then to mate and countermine the aforesaid principles of Spain; The true interest of England, is zeal to the Reformation. Let England purchase to itself a serious, fixed and constant reputation of zeal to the reformed Church, such as Spain has to the Papacy, and as it shall conduce to God's glory in the purity of his worship, so shall it erect a puissance selfe-dependant in this Crown, not inferior to that of France or Spain: For this Kingdom being then unanimous in design will be most powerful of all protestants, and being admirably opportune for situation, shall be courted and applied to with confidence by all parties of the Reformation as there grand protector, by whose trusty correspondency and Unity of religious interest, it shall attain some glorious influence and power in all states of Christendom. That blessed Union of the two Crowns, with that of Jreland, — Divisos orbe Britannos virg. has enthroned his royal Majesty in dominions, glorious, independent, close-jointed, As free and resolute, as they are populous and rich; and opportunes him (in the trust and strength of his own subjects) to become as the envy so the terror of his foreign adversaries; yet if in one bosom we foster two professions, that brave puissance will spend in self-wasting; Eras. Adag. idem. Penelope's telam texere, to do and undo. we shall Militare cum Erasinide, exploit nothing, but our own distractions; for what enterprise soever we undertake it thwarts the interest of one Religion, which so thwarted will retard, and stumble the expedition with as much slight, and zeal as the other presses onward; or be it by both Religions condescended to, (hardly possible unless against the infidels) difference of opinion among the undertakers will daily administer occasion of debate, which begets offence, that reluctancy of spirit, and thence foreslowing, if not dissertion of the whole design. Section 3. 1. Some means proposed to establish the Reformation, more perfect. TO prevent such mischief is to pursue our maxim; and to that end tis first requisite, that his Majesty be pleased to transact his close-counsels, and great affairs, with the advice of such persons whose relations are truly only English; such whose tenderness in conscience to the purity of Christ's Gospel, is most conspicuous and precise; for these as they are most averse to a reconcilement with the Church of Rome, so will they most diligence confusion to the designs of jesuits; who (if it be feasible) will ferret into our State-counsells, (as to them most dangerous, and suspected) To effect which they are accommodated, as with that mighty Patron before rehearsed, so with a frolic purse; against the assaults of which, there can be no engagement of such security as conscience in Religion, Ex Diametro, oppugnant. Section 4. 2. Colleges to entertain converts. NExt let some College in either University be endowed to entertain such Priests as shall convert, over which by discreet providence, let such Divines be elected Governors, as are most zealous, conscientious, and profound; For the raw Priest being huddled into orders is at the instant manacled by three vows, of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and this is the buttress which supports the Papacy; for by these the silly priest is obliged to blind observance of what ever his superior shall enjoin, and likewise driven to abandon all other dependence, but the Pope the public father; From whose service he may not be diverted by engagement to wife, or child; He must forsake alliances, desert promotions, solely he must hackney to support the reputation of his lose superiors; Being thus deprived of all other relations, if upon the illumination of God's Spirit, he shall stagger in opinion, and gins to savour the true sense of his imposed drudgery; as he shall be pursued with all violence ad ravim usque by his awful Hierarkist (for that sly-chain without which the Papacy cannot subsist, is now linked in this Kingdom) so is there none of the reformed party to whom with confidence he dares apply, for relief or Counsel; It being so sharply penal by our Laws to have commerce with Priests; whereby every man endeavours rather to betray then comfort and compose his distracted fancy: Now were there a College as aforesaid, where (unindangered) there hesitations might be settled, their souls consolated, their bodies cherished, and protected, many like the stray sheep might have opportunity, to underceive themselves, and encouragement to retire to the true fold, and prove rare instruments as to unmask their own seducements so to preserve others from the like sorceries; urge I need not, how mightily the repute of such (and I doubt not such) conversions would conduce to the advantage of the Reformation, and the disabusing many a dark soul, precious in the sight of God. Summa ratio est qua pro religione facit. Then 'tis requisite to forelay the number of Recusants, 3 An apt Church-discipline necessary to produce a Unity. to win such as are possessed (if possible) to conformity, however to crop the increase; To work upon the conscience is indeed spiritual, and totally to unsoule the error, requires an Expedient also that is spiritual, and so proportionable to the work, that is an exact Church-discipline, a fence suitable to the Vine; A Discipline as apt, well accommodated, and as natural to cherish knowledge, the drift of the Gospel, as the Romish discipline is to conceal and smother it: A Discipline adequate, sifting, and close-rivited, to restrain libertinism in life as well as in opinion, awful to casual each-hower extravagancies in sin or schism, as well as such as are censurable and mulctuary; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, overseeing, not coactè but libenter, 1 Pet. 5.2. not lucri gratia but prompto animo, not for gain but conscience, not Lording it over 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cleris, all Christians, God's heritage, Revel. 1.7. but as ensamples to the Flock whereof they are Episcopi overseers. Acts 20.17. & 28. That there be not two separate Jurisdictions in one Kingdom Regal and Papal, which ever clash and bandy, but that all may be equally, in the same sort subservient to the Crown; such as may beget confidence in foreign parties, as of our utter abolition of the Papacy, and its dependants, so of our fast adherence to the reformation. The Result of this I expect with all patience and humility, from the sage debate of such learned persons as shall be by authority thereto assigned, to whose wisdoms and moderation I commend it Mercurio dextro with all good speed. Suffice it that the subject of this discourse is the inquiry what furtherance to this Unity may be attained by Laws civil, executed in the ordinary Courts of Justice. And 'tis true; should we trace the Spaniard in his vigorous Inquisition, we may not be aspersed with cruelty without reflection upon his own practice; but for that the inhumanity of one justifyes not the same in others, and for that the tender conscience is rather to be mildly thawed, then enforced or violenced; for that, obedience that is uncordiall, savours not as a pleasing sacrifice; Lastly for that their error seems neither malice or obstinacy, * Iniquum non est praesumendum 4. Rep 72. Et stabilitur praesumptum donec probetur in contrarium 5. Rep. 7.6 Rep. 73. but misapprehension and ignorance, as in charity we may presume; Therefore it seems reasonable to reject such barbarismes, and to labour unity, by courses more civil, ingenuous, and gospellary, and in process of time no less effectual. That which to this effect, I shall with all humility propose, is the rough model of a statute, abridged, and reasoned as it follows. First, it seems not unworthy a debate whether it were not requisite to be enacted. 1. Clause. To repeal all former statutes so fare as they concern Recusants for recusancy. THat so much of all and every the Statutes now in force against Recusants, and all the penalties, forfeitures, disabilities, etc. imposed by them for the same, may be repealed. The Statutes in force intricate & many. 1. The Statutes against Recusants as they are * 26. H. 8. 3. many, so they are confused, voluminous, and intricate, for being enacted in several ages according to the emergency of things and times, some are supposed, as now not so seasonable so to enterfere with the rest, 2 Ed. 6.20. 1 Eli. 1.2. 23 Eli. 1. 27 Eli. 2. 29 Eli. 6. 35. Eli. 1.2. 1 Ja. 4. 3 Ja. 4.5. 7 Ja. 7. 3 Ch. 2. which difficulty so scruples the unstudied Magistrate, that he grows tender in the execution of any, as willing rather to transgress in non-fesance, than injustice; Therefore to explain the ambiguities, to satisfy the scrupulous, and to quicken such as are most material to an execution, it will be necessary to compendiate the now most useful Clauses of all those Statutes into one. * 6. Rep. 42. Misera est servitus ubijus est vagum. 2. The nature of the Laws in force seem rather to intent the easing them of their revenue, then us of their religion; for paying † 29. Eli. 6. 3 Ja. 4. The true state and condition of Recusants under the Laws in force. 2 parts of their annual profits or twenty pound per mensem, the practice of their service is in a manner continued; Or indeed, it seems to expose them to a necessity of absolute compliance to the lose pleasure of such informers to whom their forfeitures shall be assigned, for if they shall submit they attain by Court-slight (notwithstanding his Majesty's best providence, to the contrary) a dispensation, or slender composition, if they expostulate, they shall then be with rigour harassed by the Laws; Either they must servire scaenae contribute to such what ever overtures the projectors shall propose, or they shall be legally liable to their spoil and rapine; so that should such as have the Prince's Ear at Court incline to policy more than to religion (which 'tis possible some future age may evidence) it might seem State wisdom rather to increase by dispensation, then suppress by execution the number of Recusants. Farther it has been the wisdom of all States either totally and impartially to eradicate such parties as they suppose dangerous, or to allot them such conditions as they may tolerably undergo; * Livy. lib. 5. The Privernates rebelled, and being almost re-subdued to the vassalage of Rome, they address by their Ambassadors for terms of peace; The Senate sternly ask them, what new peace they could expect, that had so insolently infrindged the old; 'Twas answered stoutly, we must now take such peace as you please to give; If it be moderate, you shall find it faithful; If too heavy it will be continued only till an opportunity to avoid it; The bravery and strong sense of this expression induced that wise Senate to assign them their own demands; I instance this to insinuate, that if we admit recusants a subsistence, we urdge them not with such sufferances, as irritate and embitter, perhaps make desperate; for a Terent. in Phorm. Cum ad restem res rediit, when persons are exposed to a continance of vexation, subjected to be plunderd by such inferiors who design their own profit not their conversions, without peradventure they will b Virg. Aeneid. lib. 5. maria omnia caelo— miscere, assay all diligences to work themselves into a more tolerable condition; they will comply with all such malignant parties as shall foment distractions, and contrive an alteration of the established royal government; such as are perditi homines, men of lost fortunes, or others that are exorbitant in their profession and fear to be reduced, such who c Cicer. in cattle. Orat. prima. Honours quos quieta Republica desperent perturbata se consequi posse arbitrantur. These and the like, like Crobyli jugum will unite in confusion their common interest: Though their heads like d judge 15.4. Sampsons' Foxes look several ways, yet they are hampered in the Tails with firebrands and agree in this like hot incendiaries to set the whole Kingdom in combustion, that so either they may continue their swollen greatness, shuffle into better fortunes, enforce a moderation in religion, or else out of malice in revenge consume the whole body with themselves: Tacit. Not disadvantageous to the King to repeal the statutes. Quid valuit homicida, etc. How little prized the murderer, to inflame the whole World, since he saw his own ruin inevitably destined. As to that diminution which by repeal of these Statutes will incurdge to the King's revenue, 'tis sensible, that as those receipts are inconsiderable, so were those forfeitures never to that end designed; or were they; doubtless the King will condescend to desert such perquisites, as are evidenced prejudicial to the public; Nor can his Crown be impaired thereby, since as it is the duty, so is it the safety of the people legally to replenish his Exchequer, for if that be empty, how can his Majesty with a bare counsel e Rex ad tutelam legis corporumet bonorum est erectus. Forts: de legib. Angl. cap. 13. Stanf. Pl. Ca 99 Bract. lib. 2. protect, or provide against emergencies wherewith he is entrusted; f Concesso aliquo id concessu videtur fine quo concessum consistere non potest, Inst. Inflit. lib. 1. fo. 21. 11. Rep. 52. A trust to protect, etc. implies accommodations to perform the trust; and indeed without supplies must the lustre of his Court grow dim, which dishonour reflects not so much upon his person as the Nation, the Majesty of which is compendiously and gloriously represented in his royalties and State; suffice it; let the subject be endear, inspirited, and plentiful, Rex caput est & salus reipublicae & a capite bona valetudo transit ad omnes. 4. Rep. 124. and he cannot be so churlish to his own interests, as not to endeavour by all just means the gratification of his Prince, by whose vigilance he enjoys solace, by whose magnificence he acquires honour, for as jealousy of oppression moulds people lumplish, desperate. and stubborn, so indulgency engenders courage, generosity, and love. 3. Lastly, if Reason of State gives Recusants a subsistence upon some (though hard) terms, why then (they performing according to those terms) enact we some other Laws that charge their conscience, * The penalty for the first refusal of the Oath of allegiance is a praemunire and close imprisonment. For the second Treason. 5. Eli. 1. 3. Jac. 4. Aut deprime aut ne preme. Tac. under so severe a penalty, etc. to which (if they have Religion such (though erroneous) as they profess) they cannot cordially submit; or if through weakness they should submit against conscience, those Laws which overawed them seem coadjuting instruments of their damnation, for an outward and not cordial conformity aggravates the crime, as hypocrisy is more sinful than mere ignorance, perhaps invincible. Either therefore admit we them no recidence within this Kingdom upon any terms of penalty (which seems hard at this time to enforce for that equally with us by the Laws in esse, they are now borne to the freedom of the Nation) or give such as are so borne and conscientiously possessed, such reasonable conditions of subsistence, as their conscience be not violenced, nor themselves hurried in despair and fury to embroil the Kingdom; which tenderness as it may insinuate and win into their souls by that Gospellary way of gentleness and persuasion, Vid. Fol. ult. so it will conduce to continue the like piety, and pity to the Protestants beyond the Seas; provided that we sufficiently fore cast to secure their allegiance to the Crown; (of which see the last Clause) and disable them from a further growth; To which effect it seems reasonable that we enact. 2 Clause. To disable all such as are now under the age of ten years, to inherit or purchase, etc. unless they shall conform at their age of twenty one. THat all persons now under the age of ten years, who shall not within one year after they attain to the age of one and twenty, repair and frequent the Church, and three times in the same year receive the holy Sacrament, and also take the Oath of Supremacy before the Minister and Church wardens of such Parish where they shall inhabit openly in the Church, after Evening Prayers in some Lord's Day, which taking the Minister and Churchwardens shall register in some Book to be kept for the same purpose, or shall after such conformity, discontinue the Church, or refuse the said Oath being lawfully tendered, shall be held, reputed and adjudged Popish Recusants, and shall be disabled to take by descent or purchase in Fee, or Tail, etc. to his own use, or in trust for others, any Lands, Tenements or hereditaments, etc. in England or Wales; But all such Lands which such Recusant shall be so seized of or any other to his use or, Vid. a precedent for forfeitures in this sort, in the Statute of Mortmain. 7 Ed. 1. etc. shall descend and come to such Recusants next heir, that shall be of the age of one and twenty and conformable as aforesaid; If such next heir shall not enter Bona fide within six months, after such nonconformity or refusal, That then his second heir that is of the age of one and twenty and conformable shall enter, and be thereof seized to his own use, in such estate as such recusant had, or enjoyed, etc. If such second heir shall not enter Bona fide, within a second six months, then shall it escheat or remain to the Lord of the fee, or to him in remainder, as if such Recusant were dead; If he shall neglect his entry six months then shall his estate be disposed of by the next Parliament to the public use. The like for Leases, Terms, Copyholds or other Interests that he may become in the same condition as an Alienamee. 'tis evident that some Clause to this sense maturely ripened, A moderate and effectual expedient to extirpate the Papacy. being not possible to be evaded or dispensed with will in one age unground all popish Families: 'tis their store of Lands and thence of tenants, that makes them formidable to the state, of which being deprived, as it will discourage them to settle here, so will it disable such as are settled to engross dependants. Nor is it penal more than ordinary for that the now Law's necessitate Recusants to breed their children under licensed a 23. Eli. 1. 1 Jac. 4. Schoolmasters, for that none else ought to teach in private or in public; If their education be beyond the Seas an b 3. Jac. 5. act in force disables them to inherit or take by gift, conveyance, or devise, or otherwise, until they shall conform; Now if we shall enliven some quicker Statute for their education, me seems as it is not altogether natural to rend and force a child from the vigilance, and nurture of his proper parents, so will it not probably produce the effect, both by reason that it is obvious to a multitude of Evasions, and for that stomach which will swell in the issue upon the Father's reluction. Be it therefore at the Father's peril, that his child be educated in the Doctrines of our Church, or if his conscience be so scrupulous, as to derive to his issue his own errors, he has fair leisure during life to dispose of his Estate, and transplant his offspring into a foreign soil, where the principles of his profession are not so destructive to that policy of government. If notwithstanding this reasonable admonition, disherison shall accrue to his posterity, it may not be traduced injurious, since the private of all men must submit to the public reason of State, ᶜ 39 H. 6. 39 Mirror. cap. 3. §. Jura publica ex privatis promiscuè decidi non debent. This Clause is only to be avoided by the defect of an expedient to scrutinye into the true sense of men; For experience daily justifyes, that such whom we suspect to be Recusants and lately so professed, glibly swallow those Oaths of Allegiance and supremacy, resort to Church, nay and communicate, whereby either that act of * 3. jac. 4. Discovery becomes fruitless, or really they are what they now profess, Converts. Truth is, nor dispensation, nor dread, nor hope, nor malice can mould a conscience though erroneous, that is Religious, to Hypocrisy; but such as are lose or but formerly conscientious will scruple no assay, they have volaticum jusjurandum, and to provide a Test for the discovery of such, Non idem sunt Scriptura & Cricaeus. Eras. Adag. were to make a garment for the moon; Notwithstanding for more rank conviction of such dissimulation (if it be such) it may be requisite to insert into the Oath of Supremacy, the first Clause of the Protestation; viz. To defend with life, power; and estate, the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish innovations, etc. or rather to compose the several Oaths that concern religion into one, less equivocable, and more searching, as not only to maintain the Protestant Religion, but to renounce the Romish. 3 Clause. To raise a present supply of moneys. THat all such as have not usually frequented Church the first year of this present Parliament, and have not taken in the same year the Holy Communion, or shall refuse the Oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy and Protestation, being tendered by the Commissioners, shall forfeit the— part of their last year's revenue in Lands or goods, to be assessest upon their estates as they lie in the several Counties by the Commissioners nominated in the last Act of 400000. After the same sort as is expressed in the same Act, and to be returned accordingly, etc. This charge will probably be with alacrity disbursed by reason of the ease that Recusants have from the penalty of former Statutes, and the rapine of Projectors; And this way of levying as it will be most speedy, so most certain, for that those Commissioners upon experience of the former taxes, are well acquainted with those which they doubly charged in their several Counties; Nor can such a supply be unwelcome to the present necessities of the Kingdom. 4 Clause. ALl Recusants not conforming as aforesaid shall for ever till they shall conform, pay— to all Rates, Taxes, A constant charge to be imposed upon Recusants. Charges & Payments, incident to their several Parishes, in proportion with the recidue of their Parishioners, as Church, Poor, Bridges, Highways, Composition, Goal-money, etc. This charge be it double or triple, etc. being assessest by the neighbourhood, and conducing to their easement, will be imposed without possibility of evasion, as well on goods, as Lands; and will be effectual to incline especially the inferior sort to conformity, who I suppose are Papists, rather of custom, than reason; faith being grounded upon knowledge, which they abandon: Our Laws in force scarce inflict any penalty on them, or such as is so inconsiderable as never levied; but being physickt with some frequency by this potion, something proportionable to their several abilities, 'twill assay whether the decease be heart-setled, or no deeper than the stomach: if so, they'll soon vomit it. 5. Clause. THat no Recusant shall come where the King's Majesty, To forbear the Court. or any of his Royal issue shall be, unless he be commanded by the King's Majesty so to do, his heirs and successors, or by warrant in writing under the hand of six of his Majesty's Privy Counsel; and then and there only so long to remain, as may suffice to dispatch such present business for which he is admitted, upon pain of 100 l. whereof the moiety to the informer, the other moiety to be disposed of by the next Parliament. 3. jac. 5. This Clause seems in force; only doubtful, whether such licence inables the Recusant to make abode at Court, as his habitation; worthy to be explained; Those other Clauses for their departure from the City, and confinement within five mile's compass, 35. Eli. 2.3. la. 5. are usually deluded; while we suspect their contrivements, 'tis prudence to scatter them what we may, from conventing. The assemblies of such being most probably in Towns or Cities, 'ttwere reasonable to authorize the chief Magistrates of such places to disperse them; and none to have residence there, 11. Rep. 6. but such as have a licence from them upon assurance of quiet conversation, Abundans cautela non nocet. 6. Clause. To be disabled in public functions, and Offices. THat no Recusants shall give Vote, or proxey in the House of Peers, nor shall practise the Common Law, as a Councillor's Clerk, Attorney, or Solicitor in the same, nor shall practise the Civil Law, as advocate, Proctor, nor Physic, or the Trade of an Appothecary, nor shall be judge, Minister, Clarke, or Steward of or in any Court, nor keep any Court, nor shall be Register, or Town-clerk or other Minister, or Officer in any Court, nor shall bear any Office or charge, as Captain, Leiutenant, or other Office in Camp, or Company of Soldiers, nor shall be Captain, Master, Governor, or bear any Office or charge of or in any Ship, Castle, or Fortress of the King's Majesty, his heirs, or successors, but be utterly disabled for the same; Nor that any Recusant or any having a wife being a Recusant shall exercise any Office or charge in the Commonwealth, ●. la●. 5. 11. Rep. Chanc. de Oxford's case. wealth, but shall be utterly disabled to exercise the same by himself, or his deputy (except such husband shall bring up his children in the true Religion, etc.) nor shall such Recusants present to a Benefice or Grant an advowson, or Collate or nominate to any Free-school, Hospital, or Donative whatsoever; but that the Chancellor, and Scholars of either the Universities respectively present as formerly; Nor be Executor or Administrator, or Guardian in Chivalry, Socage or Nurture, or to have the wardship or custody of any infant, idiot or lunatic. This is the Act express; only that of the Vote of Peores. 3. ja. 5. And surely such whose Religion biaces them to an interest divers from the public, are prudentially presumed, Recusants to give no proxies in the House of Peers. not willing to promote Counsels so destructive to their Interests. And the same ground seems appliable to exclude their proxies: For all that are Protestants in form, are not alike zealous in heart; Now since it is one maxim to manage all counsels by such as are precisest in the reformation, it suits not wisdom to arm such as are but lukewarm with more accommodations, which they in all probability shall attain, if Recusants be enabled to dispose their Proxies; by which engagement beneficial Laws may be obstructed though His Majesty with His Commons shall diligence to enliven them. By privilege of Parliament, their blood confers as much right to give Vote, as bestow proxyes; and that reason of state which disables them in the one, is of the same strength and not more injurious to disable them in the other; nor can it be more injury to a Peer, 5. El. 1. 3. jac. 4. than it has been to the Commons who must receive, and pronounce the Oaths of allegiance and Supremacy in testimony of conformity, before they can give vote in Parliament, or fit as members, though never so sufficiently elected: That which discharged the Temporal Lords of the Oath in the Act of 5ᵒ. was impliedly the great power which they then held in the House of Peers, Explicitly because the Queen was otherwise sufficiently assured of their faith and loyalty, Now faith we have often found is not entailed upon succession. Nor can prejudice ensue unto the public by paucity of votes since His Majesty may please to enlarge the number by his Patents of persons fitly qualified; No prejudice by their exclusion. yet of old that house was not so thronged when only such were Peers as were called by writ, our Ancestors being unacquainted with other titles than Comites & Barones. a Created 10. Ed. 3 An. Domi. 1336 Casus princip. 8. Rep. Edward the black Prince was our first Duke and that of Cornwall; b Created 6. Ri 2. An D. 1384. Robert de vere was our first marquis and that of Dublin; and c Created 23. H. 6 An. D. 1444. Dominus de Bello monte was by Henry the sixth created our first Viscount: Now the first Baron we read of to be created by the King's patents was d Created 1. Ri. 2. An. D. 1387. Some Physicians now in practice to be forborn. John Beuchamp of Holt, Baron of Kedermister. Something might be offered to tolerate some physicians now in practice, lest in disabling them, we smart ourselves; whose bodies perhaps are inurd to the nature of their prescriptions, having successfully employed their learned experience; But to continue them in succession appears mischievous, by reason of those oft and fair opportunities which as they have abilities, so doubtless they have wills to contrive to a by-use upon their patients in extremis. 7 Clause. Some Priests that shall have testimonial not to abjure the Realm, and why? THat it shall not be lawful to and for any jesuite, Seminary Priest, or other such Priest, Deacon, Religious or Ecclesiastical person whatsoever being borne within this Realm or any other His Majesty's Dominions, made, ordained or professed by any authority or jurisdiction derived, challenged, or pretended from the Sea of Rome, by or of what name, title or degree soever the same shall be called or known, to come into, be or remain in any part of this Realm or any * 27. Eli. 1. other His Majesty's Dominions; without the testimonial licence, or approvement of the judges or any three of them, whereof the Lord chief justice shall be one, before had, and obtained; And if any Priest, etc. having such licence as aforesaid, shall be seen abroad, without such known habit of his Order whereby he may be distinguished, and avoided, Or if any jesuite, Priest, etc. unlicenc'd, shall come, be and remain within the said Dominions, shall be adjudged a Traitor, and shall suffer, lose and forfeit as in case of High-treason; And every person, which shall wittingly, and willingly receive, relieve, comfort, aid, or maintain any such jesuite, Priest, etc. that is not licenc'd as aforesaid, * Vid. stat. de 5. El. 1. being at liberty, and out of hold, shall for such Offence be adjudged a fellow without benefit of Clergy and suffer death, lose and forfeit as in case of one attainted of Felony. This exception implying admission of some Priests, though it be with qualifications, by such as are more curious, then deliberate, may be scandaled; For vindication I shall apprehend this opportunity to represent my sense of the Romish Church, and so drive on those reasons that induce the intimation. A Digression Historically reasoning the degreeing usurpations of the Romish Prelacies. I Decry that Church as a grand Impostor, buttre'st by sophistry in Doctrine, and policy in Discipline, erroneous in the one, and machiavellian in the other; The source whereof were those ministerial * Cor. 12.28. 4 Eph. 11. Officers mentioned by the Apostle to be Pastors and Teachers, who by degreeing insolence have appropriated the titles a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 frango sorte datus, sort electus, ut unus sit in orbe terrarum clerus i. e. Ecclesia, quod Deus sibi illum populum veluti portionem quandam a reliquis ●●paratam selegisset. 1. Pet. 5.4. Appellatio Cleri aut ex errore aut prava affectione nata, etc. Calv. Insti. lib. 4. cap. 4. Sect. 9 Clergy as if all God's people were not his lot, and the b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 evocativus coetus qui veram Christi Religionem profitentur, a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voco. 1 Cor. 1.2. Church as if men not in orders were not of it, or that were not a Church which was in c Rom. 16.1. & 5. 2 Cor. 11.28. Priscillas' house: Recommending ignorance to the unclean (so they style it) laity as the mother of devotion, thereby engrossing knowledge as a d Monopolium dicitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, cum unus solus universum emit, precium ad suum libitum statuens. 11. Rep. 68 monopoly to their own profession, By which powerful advantage as they imposed what sufferance they pleased upon the dull Laity who like the e ●●n. 49.14. Ass of Issachar couched to every burden, so they usurped dignities and revenues under the mask of piety to support their own pride, pomp, and avarice: For demonstration. That charge (which was by Christ committed with a f Ma. 18.17. Cal. Inst. lib. 4. cap. 4. Tr. Conf. Art. 30 Dic Ecclesiae, to the whole Church (whereof persons not in Orders are a part) and so executed upon the incestuous person, if we refer the (ye) in the fifth Chapter in the fi●st to the Corinth. ver. 4. to the (All) in the first Chapter verse. 2) became by the less diverted diligence of the Ministry executed, and so in time appropriated to themselves. Church-assemblies were usually in g Acts 15. ●6. Act. 20.7. Cities, as most populous and civil, and to this service choice men were elected from the vulgar to represent them, and for this use were Elders ordained by h Titus 1.5. Titus in every City. for though all the ministry were i 1 Pet. 5.1. Elders, yet all that were k 1 Tim. 5.17. Elders were not of the ministry, but helps in government; 1 Cor. 12.28. In such assemblies were persons most eminently grave elected to precede, to state questions, collect the sense, declare the sentence, etc. So l Acts 1.15. Peter when 'twas lotted for Mathias; m Acts 15.13. james at Jerusalem, and n Gal. 2.7. Paul the chief Apostle of the Gentiles. Where such person had the primacy of Order, not dignity or power. o Mat. 23.8. Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your master even Christ, and all ye are brethren. Ful. Annot. Tit. 1. Sect. 2. In process of time this precedent, or primus ordine being reverenced for his gravity, and especially applied to for his constant presence, and dispatch upon the negligence of his assistance assumes a Sovereignty in jurisdiction, and usurps it with the stile Episcopus superintendent, by us sometimes Englisht a 1 Tim. 3.2. 1 Tit 7. Bishop, sometimes b Acts 20.28. 3. Rep. D. & cha. & Norwich. overseer, This Bishop for his more repute associates a consistory, by the name of Chapter, or prebend's quia praeberent auxilium Episcopo, who resenting it as matter more of toil, than honour or profit, (which solely accrued to the Bishop) are soon out-diligenced, and to this day they retain only (and that pro * 25 H. 8. 20 Magdeb. Cent: 11. c. 7. Quum vero luc Euágelii in una civitate accensa &c forma) his election, and confirmation of his grants. From these Cities (where was the Cathedra of the Bishop) the Pagi or lesser Towns adjacent were enlightened: and the devotion of pious Christians there erecting and endowing Churches, those Churches were supplied as Colonies from the City, and acknowledged such City whence they had their light, the mother Church, and consulted with the officers thereof in controversies and causes Ecclesiastical. This assistance the Bishop with his consistory or counsel condescends to at first Ex charitate & aedificandi study, from a holy desire to edify, but continuance of such addresses swells the Bishop with ambition, and Imperii gratia, he substitutes all those villages which so resorted to him to be His Diocese, and this about * A D. 325. three hundred years after the Passion, towed into a canon at the * Aen. Sil. Epi. 301. Nicen council. The Bishop thus being soted above his Presbytery, an emulation springs among the Bishops. * Confirm. in council. Co●stanti. Can. 2. As the same council the whole Church is divided into four precincts over which were appointed four patriarchs R●me; Al●xandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem; But for that Rome was the * Concil. Calce. Can. 28. Imperial and chief City, and endowed with amplest privileges, it had allotted to it the primacy of order. Rome acquiest with this dignity till the year 606, A. D. 606. Buchol. when Phocas having slain Mauritius the Emperor, his Master, by the assistance of * Bonif. 3d. Onuph. Beda. Boniface the Roman Bishop gets the diadem, & gratifyes his confederate with the stile of Universal; which was re-confirmed by King Pipin to Pope Zachary, who upon complaint that Childerie King of France (solo regis titulo contentus etiosam vitam degeret) reigned laciviously; deposed him, and contributed to enthrone the Conspirator, that he might, Plat. Fr. Ann. Officiis precium rependere, countenance by power his selfe-Incroachments. These Church-ambitions St. a Bas Epist. 10: Bi. Usher de Eccl. such & statu cap. 1. Pag. 23. Basil styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 occidentale supercilium, the western pride, with an odifastum illius Ecclesiae, and they occasioned the b Gerson part 4. serm. de pac. & Vnit. Grae. c. 6. Greek Patriarches to desert Communion with the Roman, inveighing thus, c Carlton. juris. cap 5. Magnitudinem tuam scimus▪ etc. Thy haughtiness we know, thy avarice we cannot satisfy, thy usurpations we will no longer abide, Tecum vivito. And when Zozimus in the year 417, urged a Canon in the Nicen Council for his supremacy, The whole d Conc. Afri●. Ca●. 105. African Council explode him for ambition, and that forgery with an objurgation, Ne fumesum typhum saeculi in Ecclesiam Christi induceret, etc. e Greg. reg. 166. 4. lib. 8. Ep 38. Gregory the Great, after Pope, brands the stile of Universal as scelestum nomen, nomen singularitatis, and that he that owns it is the forerunner of Antichrist; Nay he prophesies that the King of pride is at hand, and (which is most grievous) an host of Priests are prepared for him. Now though this mystery of iniquity, f 2 Thess. 4.7. that sits as God in gods Temple, began to work in the age of the Apostles; yet he that then did let, did withhold till he was taken out of the way; probably, the power of the Roman Empire, which so awed the insolence of the Cl rgy, that it dared not so notoriously reveal itself; But about the year 1000 when g Rev. 20.7.8. Satan as 'twas prophesied should be loosed, h Plat. Bery. Onup. Hadrian the third first presumes upon some notable advantage to exclude the imperial authority its prerogative in the Creation and investiture of the Romish Bishop, and then broaches the donation of Constantine, that had been tuned up about six hundred years without vent, which occasioned a deluge of schism in that chair of pestilence, by mutual murders, poison, excommunications, etc. Nullum seculum indoctius, aut infaelicius, so i Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 4. c. 11. Bellarmine; scelestum sui asperitate, & boni sterilitate ferreum, etc. So k Tom. 10. A. 900. Baronius, In the space of 150 years, were fifty Popes, most of which came violently to their graves; At length by deep sleights, in the fullness of time, l A. D. 1076. Hildebrand by the name Gregory the seventh mounts the Popedom, when it seems that Antichrist was full grown, and that was then the Universal sense of men: he (saith m Avent. Ann. li. 7. Aventine) was the first that under the gloss of Religion, Antichristi imperii fundamentum jecit, laid the groundwork of the Pope's Empire; By him saith n Onup. in vit. Greg. 7. Col. 27. Onuphrius their favourite, was that chair endowed with Wealth, Pomp, & profanaditione, worldly jurisdiction: Res ante ea saecula inaudita. Hoc nefandum primus auspicatus est quod p●r success●res bùc usque c●●i●uatur, &c A●e●t. An. Be●●. 1●. 7. Now the instruments extraordinary that this Pope managed beyond his predecessors, were the establishing certain Head-assertions, of which no dispute was to be tolerated, probant, & non probantur; These to be the touchstone, to assay whether a man be for or against them: and he that without hesitation consents to these may have connivance in any other disgustment, he that doubts, is anathematised as an Heretic; some of those Decretals I shall release out of a Onup. in vit. Greg. 7. Col. 248. Onuphrius. That the Bishop of Rome only is de jure Universal. That he alone may for the necessity establish new Laws. That he alone may depose Princes. That he alone may absolve Subjects from their allegiance. That his sentence may not be retracted by any man, all men's by his. That the Church of Rome never did err, nor can. That no Council without him, can be general. That an appeal lies from all powers to the Apostolic Sea. That he alone can admit by indulgence, or exclude by excommunication whom he please from Heaven, etc. Then he forbids Marriage and commands abstinence from meats, for so it was b 1 Tim. 4.1▪ ●. prophesied he should. By these principles that Sea is entitled to a Monarchy jure Divino over the whole World; nor is it improvident to build upon, and fortify what it hath thus founded; For these principles are become the very rules whereby they square out the Canons of Faith; c Tertul. Caedem Scripturarum faciunt ad materiam suam; Both Discipline and Doctrine they so fashion as it may best comply to this Interest; For having reduced men to a sufficiency of ignorance, commended, as the Mother of Devotion, they obtrude upon the silly people, what they please to be believed by an implicit Faith. 1. To this effect must Divine Service be officiated in a tongue unknown, that the vulgar may the more admire at what he understands not, and apply with reverence to the Prelate for his information, which tiel quiel he must swallow as Divine. 2 All that are in orders must live single, and adhere thereby and depend solely upon the Pope; Had they house, wife, or child their affections might more reflect upon their Patrons, which indulgence as it would distract them from a total service, so might it induce them to consent to some prejudices of the Romish Church, which in the present state they are they endeavour mightily to advance, since under the Pope's protection they secure themselves vast exemptions, and prerogatives above the temporalty; and by going Friars r●ther are discharged of the toils, then debarred the solaces of this life, enjoying the opportunities as of ease so of all sorts of Luxury at the charge of others; nor is it impossible but that their ripe fortune, or notorious diligence may commend them gradatim, to the highest dignity. 3. Certain meats must be prohibited at set times, to enure people to obedience, or occasion to purchase dispensations, But the reformation of this as also the chalice in the Sacrament had been granted in the Trent Council, at the instance of the Germans, but that it would have opened a gap to demand an abrogation of all positive constitutions, by which only the Pope's prerogative is preserved, Card. Pio de Carpi dis. con. Trid. pag, 460. for by those which are de jure Divino no profit doth arise, but that which is spiritual. 4. Confession must be enjoined with this enforcement, that if any sin were pretermitted, the total was ineffectual; whereby there is a daily discovery of the very thoughts of men, and present prevention if any thing be projected that's mischievous to their cause, and this opportunity they aptly use to persuade their penitents, to ransom their sins by consecrating their goods unto the Church, as also to excite the multitude to sedition and tumult, with annexing such conditions to their absolution, as best conduce to the designs they aim at. 5. The Doctrine of merits must be enforced, that there may be a treasury in the Church full of their works who supererrogate, the dispensation whereof is committed to the Pope, who when he gives indulgences recompenses the debt of the sinner by assigning so much in value out of the treasury: and lest this treasure might be deficient, the Merits of Christ are added which are infinite; A.D. 1100. vib. 2. Hist. Con. Trent. lib. 1. The grant of these was first practised by Pope Vrban, to all such who made War to regain the holy Land, after, to such as maintained a Soldier in those wars; In progress of time the like indulgence was granted to such as rebelled against their own Princes if Excommunicate, or refractory to the Church of Rome; But by Leo decimus, and so since, it's granted to whosoever will give money, extending it to the dead; No sooner shall the money be disbursed, but the party pro quo is freed from the pains of purgatory; And who will be sparing of his revenue, to secure himself or friend of Heaven? Deus bone, quot hoe commentum de purgatorio misere afflixit; silly people are dared, and squeezed by this figment as a Lark by a Hobby. So Lavatar. Lavat. Part. 1. cap. 16. Sir Ed. Sands his spec. Europe. Christionagraphy. U. ꝑ. tout. 6. By pretenced power of dispensation, they interpose in Prince's marriages, and legitimate illegal issues▪ whereby it is as necessary for some princes to support this nfinite authority of the Pope as to continue the honour of their birth, or title to their Crowns: They intermeddle also in all treaties, for if any Prince be involved in hard conditions, and falsely desires a freedom, The Pope's Almighty power can dispense, and justifyes the unholiness of the act by the holiness of his authority; Id. Pag. 43. By which the prince's protestant are irreparably prejudiced, and brought to a continuance of incertainty in their weightiest resolutions, there being a warrant dormant for all men to break league, or oath with them; Their Church having long since declared Nulla fides cum haereticis. That leagues with them are more holy in their breaking, than their making. 7. When the corruptions of the Clergy like the sons of Ely, made men abhor the offering of the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.17. and misdoubt the Doctrines of their Priests, whose practice gave themselves the lie, and when that which should be Veneranda raritate venerabilis, was prostitute for tithe, and Testament, (the profitable jurisdiction whereof they had encroached, A.D. 1200. Mr. Seld. Hist. Tyths. cap. 14. &. pag. 488. and became thereby as Judges of their own titles so sharers with all executors) then began the natural censure of the Church, excommunication, to be contemned: Those whose hair bristled, whose flesh trembled at the sentence which ejects them, God's providence and the * 1 Cor. 5. company of all good men now disvalue it, apprehending none less holy, than those that most denounced it, and that in cause● where their own interest was engaged; The Clergy then to preserve their unnatural Courts, and credit in some warmth, sue for saecular fomentations, to force that with the Sword, which would not open to the Keys: and by such monstrous assistance, as fines, imprisonments, tortures, nay and death (for they had once power in the writ de a 2 H. 4. 15. Fitz. N. B. 269. d Br. Heresy 1. 10. H. 7. so. 17. Haeretico comburendo) they worry the body to conform to their lavish pleasures, leaving the soul to fester and repine, to cleanse which was the drift of Christ by gentle admonition, meekness, etc. in Church-Discipline. 8. Now the prime Engine that keeps this politic Fabric in continued motion, is the unfathomed power of their Hierarchy, whereby the inferior vows canonical obedience to his superior, and so upwards till it determine in the sense of one man, who designing any thing of import and interest disperses it into the several Dioceses, from thence it is diffused into the several parishes where the Church Chaplain their avowed Creature, Sermons, and by it poisons his dull auditors, having that mighty advantage to discourse often in an attentive audience, Dani. in Ed. 2. 2 K. 24. and that without interruption or reply; such was that at Oxford by the Bishop of Hereford upon the Text my head aches, my head, by which he most undivinely concludes that an aching, and sick head of a Kingdom must of necessity be taken off, and that of Doctor Shaw at Paul's Cross who out of the Text Bastard slips shall never prosper, Wise. 4. seconded by Friar Picket upon Woe to the Realm where a child is King, invey'd against the undoubted right of the fift Edward; These with some like confederate preachments so cozened the blind credulity of the people that the second * An. reg. 20. 1327. An. reg 1. 1483. Edward was suffered to be deposed, and the * An. reg. 20. 1327. An. reg 1. 1483. fift a tender innocent murdered in the Tower. The power of this mysterious Church-chaine was oft checked at by our Princes, but never mated till our eight a 21 H. 8. 13. 1 Ed. 6. 12. Henry listening to his great counsel, first unscaled the eyes of his dark subjects and enabled all to s●arch Scriptures b Acts 17 11. whether the thing were so whereby the Clergy became copies, no farther than they agreed with the Original, which was so evident (for I suppose the holy spirit more able than any man or counsel to dictate in expressions most easy to be apprehended) that the sense of every man convinced those aforesaid spurious and rebellious inferences. Then he unhatched the links of this Hierarchy from its dependence on the Pope, and affixed it more immediately to his Crown with the stile of c 24 H. 8. 12. 25 H 8. 20 19 35 H 8. 1. Supremum caput Ecclesiae anglicanae which was his d Cambrics case 5. Rep. de. jure regis Eccl. Dan 26. H. 8. 1. 11. H. 4. 37. ancient right. Surely that sage Parliament as it expressed deep prudence to unward the Kingdom of a foreign servitude▪ so expressed it mighty confidence in their Prince to the scale of whose prerogative it added the wait which was formerly its balance; An additament (being to the person) perhaps no less cumbersome to prerogative then quarreled at by the prelacy; For shall not the Prince by wholesome and steady providence, temper and qualify the headiness and fiery suggestions of his Clergy? they (swollen aloft from an inferior rank) are soon inflated with ambitions, and under the false gloss of service to their master design their own interest, and in the end his rifling; for could they by a higher power check the curb of Law, they would soon degree into their ancient separation and privileges so mortal to monarchy, which the Hierarchy being now e Perfectum est cujus nihil est extra accipere. Arist. 2. cael. Tex. 23. Et appetitus materiae non estnisi motus ad formam. 1. Phys. Aris. imperfect cannot but as naturally Covet as it is to be ambitious; The attempt of which perhaps may expose even Majesty (quod avertet deus) to much sufferance, and burry the people, (impatient of Church-pride) to combustions; certain it is, Variety of preferments tempts men to hanker after their enjoyment, and distracts from that diligence of superintendency intended by the Gospel: whereby the people become libertines, and they like * Acts 18.17. Gallio careless of those things. Thus those competencies which our Ancestors by the name of Tithes dedicated to preserve knowledge in the Laity, are diverted to erect a greatness in the Clergy, and holy orders are undertaken as a beneficial office, not of conscience, but to acquire honour and revenue: as if Religion were as Machiavelli designs only a Mach. de Princip. fallere civitates, b Tacit. 1. Ann. & regere vulgi animos; Sat alight dextro, blest be the age when each Church shall be reindowed with a full competence, that each incumbent may contentedly acquiesce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superintendere to oversee his single charge: that so some ministers might not be necessitated to hackney out their age in penury and scorn, while the rest perhaps less worthy, not more Divine, deboyst and scandal their profession in the riot of superfluity and excess: endevoring in the interrim to patch up their own deficiencies by ammusing, & entertaining the gazing senses of their dull parish with perfumes, pictures, chantings, gorgeous and solemn services, etc. now here, then there, now low, then aloft, now Priest, than people, than clerk, than choir, by which sportive varieties some weak souls are possessed that God's Service is more sensual than cordial, or that their is a deep mystery in the mere form of worship, and industring to keep conformity with the several changes become disabled to settle and compose themselves to a steadiness of devotion; stifling indeed the pith of true religion in the bark, which like a simple Infant is so straitened in the prison of his garment, that it scarce has liberty to vent breath. Lo all this is to the high impairing of that which is indeed the miracle of Christianity: To observe the supposed son of a a Mark. 6.3. Carpenter, b Isay 53.3. Mat 9.9. Mal. 4.18.21. john 11.2. Mal. 26.7. A man of sorrows, to inspire only a few unknowing publicans, men in rags, silly women, To waive the assistance of Kings and Princes (whom his deity might have stooped) to neglect the slights of eloquence c Cor. 2.4. 1 Cor. 1.17. etc. the enticing speech of man's wisdom, the enchanting symphonies of Music pomp or sumptuousness, only with naked simplicity, innocence, meekness, temperance and humility, those celestial graces d 1 Cor. 2.1. etc. ver. 4. in plain evidence of the spirit, and of power to assault powers, principalities, ambitions, lusts, to force men from the riot of their appetites, level their high thoughts with the Earth, and to reduce the disobedient only with the spirit of gentleness, and admonition, or at most, e Mal. 10.14. 1 Cor. 5.13. 1 Tim. 1.20. dissertion, by these low accommodations to disperse his doctrines, argues in deed a Divinity in the author and a purity in the ordinance; Whereas to have sown his Religion and preserved it by the aid of power, pomp, violence, inquisitions, burn, fines, imprisonments, etc. had evidenced nothing of a miracle, for by such politic principles Mahomet and the heathen have infused and fortified their Idolatries; It is the badge and Emblem of a Christian (not Pomp, not Palaces, not Pictures, Altars, Fire, etc.) but humility and devotion in the heart, which argument as it alone convinces all controversy in opinion, so does it orthodox Christianity to be Divine; Then does the Church of Christ most flourish when people are religious and good, not when the Clergy are aloft, and proud; perhaps of this Diana to much, a Acts 19.28. By whose craft, etc. Observe we from the premises, as the novelty of the Romish Church, so the difficulty to reconcile it to us; Our Doctrines are affirmative and derived from all authority, such as neither the Romish-Church nor any considerable body of Christians ever disaffirmed; Those positions which they add, and we explode, they either father upon dark tradition, or squeeze obscurely from the Text; to what is demonstrated, or evidently employed by the Scripture, we subscribe; Their superfortations as we cannot pedigree their divine original, so we justly suspect to be introduced by design: and good cause; for their is scarce one doctrine wherein we vary, but it contributes (a capite ad calcem) as the sense of it at lest is now diverted, to uphold some or all the aforesaid lavish usurpations of their Clergy; Now were their Hierarchy, and those superiors levelled to their primitive humility (Learn of me, for I am humble and in heart lowly) and diligence (woe is me if I preach not) those after births would of themselves moulder off as useless and ungospellary. Mat. 20.26. Mat. 18.4. 1 Cor. 9.16. But 'tis so sensual to tyrannize in a separate Dominion, to riot uncontrollably in excess and sloth, that their selfe-conviction can no more probably be expected, then that Belzebub should cast out Devils, Mat. 9 34. Mar. 3.22. and their devout lay-votarist is so awed by their authority, and so sifted by confession, that he dares not unhood his understanding so much as to resent the mystery; Indeed they have been so provident during their universal sway over Christendom, as to suffer few Ancient wrighting to be derived unto posterity to convince their gross incrochments; Some Fathers, they have fathered, others they have purged, the rest confounded, Books as well as persons, so that to argue by antiquity seems to be an impar congressus, as to join issue where the power of one party has purloined the evidence, nay has sat judge; The Scripture only we receive as an impartial standard in its naked purity, which by its primitive dispersion, and Divine providence, is uncorrupted, though the jesuits (being thereby too evidently convinced) begrudth us that and bespatter it, therein hellishly striking at the root of all Christianity. 2 Thess. 2.10.11. Now because men will not receive the truth that they may be saved, God sends them strong delusion that they believe a lie: and certainly the Inferior Priest by his rash vow of blind obedience is so muffled, that he mostly appehends not the aforesaid mysteries of the papacy; but simply in some sort of innocence is precipitated to uncouth enterprises; and the credit of his hot zeal and boldness bears up the reputation of the Romish cause; In which actions though I totally explode his presumption in the defiance of our Laws, yet I pity that the zeal (if it be so) of so much ingenuity should be misguided: and since he that professes with the truth but formally, loosely, and not of conscience, is supposed in darker plight, than he that professes conscientiously opinions that are untrue, Rom. 10.1.2. if not blasphemous, Therefore as Paul of Israel (my hearts desire and prayer to God is, that they may be saved, for they have the zeal of God, but not according to knowledge) so 'tis my charity, as not to force Romanists that are now possessed from the means of truer knowledge, so not totally to disable them the practice of Christanity; It can be no attractive to our religion, to instate them in condition to be of none; either permit we Recusants not subsistence in this Kingdom, or admit them to be no Atheists. 'tis prophesied that in the fullness of time a Rev. 18.2. Babylon (that b Rev. 17.9. City seated upon seven hills, drunk with the blood of c Rev. 17.6. saints, that has made d Rev. 18.13. merchandise of the souls of men, and has inebriated all Nations with the cups of her fornication) must fall; e 2 Thess. 2.10. Him God will consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming; And certainly where the Gospel is preached in its true purity, liberty, and power, that black darkness vanishes as a mist before the Sun; Ponder we in this Land, where it gains settlement, i● it be not either where there is but dark instruction, or where the pride, ignorance or looseness of a Minister scandals his profession; Adapt we our Church-Discipline, that it may engage our Ministry to diligence more than interest, that people be so superintended, as to become neither sottish nor libertines, that there be a vigilant and handy-a●e over sin as well as schism, the Romish Empire which covets darkness will be soon confounded, maugre the utmost endeavour of her instruments. In the interim some gentlelesse to such adversaries as are now possessed in conscience, as it will argue confidence of our own cause, and brotherly longing for their fellowship, so may it insinuate and court them into a kindly approbation of our happiness in the liberty of Divine knowledge; which knowledge will soon unveil even to such as are ingenuous Priests the project of their imposed drudgery, To the lay-votarist, of confession and ignorance, which they cannot but resent with indignation, and improve to undeceave themselves, apprehending how their estates, strengths, and zeal are employed implicitly as Dromedaryes to support the insolence, state and riot of their superior Clergy. Religionis suae abusus, quastus sacrificum est in causa, so Postellus: Nor can they be deterred by our present fractions, since both ours, Lib. 1. de orb. Concord. cap. 7. and the variance which is in most of the reformed Churches is nothing dangerous because not doctrinal; 'tis only in discipline charged to be overgrown or introduct for politic designs, or in Ceremonies which by some are thought indifferent, by others absolutely unlawful, by none essential to salvation; These doubtless the difference being interest not divinity, and consisting in the garment not the body, time and ripe providence will temper to a reconcilement. But if some Priests according to the proposition may not be admitted upon the grounds of charity, and confidence; let it be argued upon the grounds of humane reason. The profession of a Romanist so necessitates him to the personal employment of his confessor, that unless we suppose him totally * N●mo prae●umitur ●ss● imme●●or ae●e●●ae▪ sa●utis. heathenish and unchristian, we may assure ourselves that he commerses with his Priest; And well may the rigour of our Law enforce Priests to privacy and disguisement, but never to a total abjuration; for absolutely to dissert their party, were to infringe their vow of obedience, to renounce their orders, of which (some presume) they make conscience, or they would not subject themselves to so much sufferance: restraint rather quickens their inventions to evade, than flats their resolutions to adventure, since the difficulty of the action instiles it as to them, meritorious; Perhaps to that deboistness which in foreign parts among Priests is so notorious upon such relaxation would here display itself in its proper colours, whereby the seduced people would be no longer cozened by their gloss of sanctity, and the looseness of our own ministry, not so much discourage us, as if unparaleld. Gasp. Contar. De Rep. Ven. Now the sage Venetians fathoming that dependence which the whole Clergy have upon the Sea of Rome, forbidden all Priests their Counsels with a Fora y Preti by the voice of common Criers, but jesuits they experience to be so slyly officious in State contrivements, that they banished that order their Dominions upon pain of death; Nor is it memorised that any have violated that Law, for that neither conscience nor vow obliges them to so desperate a service since their Priestly office as it relates to God may be dispatched by others; This ground only is that which will disburden us of jesuits, and those superfluous swarms of Priests which now cloy and pester us: permit we upon good testimony and security of quiet conversation some few saeculars such as are borne free-English to enjoy their birthrights; Let their number be so straitened as they have no leisure from their function to be tampering in the State, let them be enjoined a difference in habit, whereby they may be distinguished, and avoided, As conscience would not Egg on the recidue to attempt hither with such peril (of unavoidable death if apprehended) where they are not necessary in their calling, so much mischief might chance to be prevented which they now project under the mask of Gallantry and disguise. Nor can such a prudential act be instilled a toleration of Idolatry, since we charge that Religion with so many present disabilities, etc. as are elsewhere expressed, as also with a drift in time of * Vid. Claus. 2. total extirpation: Not to execute the utmost severity of punishment, is not an allowance to the crime; Of two evils upon which we are necessarily enforced, 'tis wisdom to choose the least; as we rather suffer mischiefs, than an inconv 〈…〉; Therefore prohibit we not mass in the houses of Ambassadors, nor punish we usury though the a 13. Eli, 8. Statute votes it to be forbidden by th● Law of God, a sin, and detestable; b 4 Rep. 20. Multa conceduntur per obliquum, quae non conceduntur de directo. Thus I have exposed my sense, vindicated I hope sufficiently from favour to their cause, though perhaps not without pity and some tenderness to misguided zeal, and persons; All which I submit as ingeniously to better reason as is expected unto mine. 8. Clause. THat all persons that shall practise to absolve, Withdrawing from allegiance or Religion. persuade or withdraw any of the Subjects of the King's Majesty, &c from their natural obedience to His Majesty, his heirs or successors, or to reconcile them to the Pope or Sea of Rome, or to move them or any of them to promise obedience to any pretended authority of the Sea of Rome, or to any other Prince, state, or Potentate, * Saying mass in open and known places. or shall openly say or cause mass or any other idolatrous service to be said in open and notorious places, whereby any Protestant may have liberty, and be permitted to enter, by the will and free consent of such person so saying, or causing it to be said, That then all such persons, their procurers, counsellors, aiders and maintainers, knowing and consenting to the same, shall be to all intents adjudged, etc. Ut ante. 3 jac. 4. The former part of this clause is express in 3. Jac. 4. the latter may obviate a mischief which is too frequent, scandalous, and temptatious, at the peril of such as have best opportunity to avoid it. 9 Clause. Delivery of the arms of a Recusant. THat if any Popish Recusant shall not before the _____ day of _____ and so from time to time voluntarily deliver up all his Armour, or Ammunition, etc. or shall knowingly keep or detain either to his own use, or to the use of any other, any such Armour, Ammunition, etc. other than such quantity as he shall be allowed to retain for the necessary defence of himself, his House, and family, such Recusant being thereof convicted upon reiw of two justices, or other testimony, shall abjure the Realm, if he shall return he shall be adjudged a Traitor, &c 1 jac. 4. 3 ja. 4. Formerly such concealments have been practised, that the Laws enjoining justices to search become fruitless, or if upon diligent inquiry Arms, Ammunition, etc. were discovered, the only penalty was removal, and the offendor becomes instructed how more closely to conceal a new supply; But a clause to this sense, imposing the delivery and retainer upon the peril of the possessor, wherein if he proves faulty, he undergoes so deep a censure, will doubtless be more effectual to disarm them. 10. Clause. To discharge the estate of a Recusant of encumbrances by Statutes, etc. THat it shall be lawful for all Recusants seized of estates in Fee, or Tail, to dispose of them by sale or otherwise according to the due ceremonies of Law, acquitted of all former forfeitures, and penalties incurred by reason of any former statute, composition, or agreement merely for Recusancy. A Recusants' Land is so encumbered and charged by several Statutes in duties to the Crown, that without some clause to this sense, few will adventure to purchase upon their Titles; And it seems reasonable if we disable their issue to inherit, to enable them to sell for their best advantage; provided that if they transplant their families, their money be returned by way of exchange, and not transported. 11. Clause. THat all men whatsoever, An Oath of allegiance to the King, and fidelity to the Kingdom to be taken necessarily by all. that do or shall inhabit in the Kingdom of England, or Dominion of Wales, being of the age of one and twenty years, shall within one year next ensuing or within one year next after they shall attain to the age of one and twenty, become of sound mind, out of prison, or returned into the Land, etc. take the Oath hereafter mentioned before the Minister and Churchwardens of every such Parish where they shall inhabit, openly in the Church after Evening Service in some Lord's Day, which taking, together with the name of the party, the Minister and Churchwardens shall register in some book to be kept for the same purpose, and for such their entry shall have _____. And if any person shall neglect or not tender himself to take the same Oath in manner and form aforesaid, the said Minister and Churchwardens shall certify the name of such person to the next general sessions, and he shall incur being thereof convicted, the dangers, penalties, and forfeitures ordained and provided by the Statute of provision and praemunire, made in the sixteenth year of the reign of King Richard the second, etc. I suppose the Oath to this effect. 3 jac. 4. An Oath of allegiance to be tak●n by all persons, etc. 1. I, A. B. do truly and sincerely acknowledge, testify and declare in my conscience before God and the world, that our Sovereign Lord King Charles is lawful and rightful King of this Realm, and of other His Majesty's Dominions and Countries. 3 ja. 4: 2. And I swear from my heart, that notwithstanding any declaration, or sentence of Excommunication or deprivation made or granted, or to be made or granted by the Pope or his successors, or by any authority derived, or pretended to be derived from him or his Sea against the said King, his Heirs or Successors, or any absolution of the ●ai● Subjects from their obedience; I will bear faith and true allegiance to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and him and them will defend to the utmost of my power, against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever which shall be made against his, or their persons, their Crown and Dignity, by colour of any such Sentence and Declaration, or otherwise. 3. jac. 4. 3, And I will make known unto His Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, all treasons, and traitorous conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them. 1. Eli. 1. 4. I do also promise, and vow that to my power I shall assist and defend all jurisdictions, privileges, preeminences and authorities, granted or belonging to His Majesty, His heirs and successors, or united and annexed to the imperial Crown of this Realm. Protestation. 5. I shall also maintain and defend as far as lawfully I may, the power and privileges of Parliament, the lawful rights and liberties of the Subject, and every person that takes this Oath in whatsoever he shall do in the lawful pursuance of the same. Protestation. 6. And to my power, and as far as lawfully I may I will oppose, and by all good ways and means endeavour to bring to condign punishment all such as shall either by force practice, coonsels, plots, conspiracies, or otherwise, do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Oath contained. 2. jac. 4. 7. And these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and sw●are according to these express words by me spoken, and according to the plain sense and common understanding of the said words, without any equivocation, or mental evasion, or secret reservation whatsoever; and I do, and will renounce all pardons, dispensations, or absolutions whatsoever to the contrary. 8. And I make this recognition and Oath hearty, 3 jac. 4. willingly and truly, upon the true faith of a Christian. So help me God. He that deliberately, praecogitate, shall refuse such an Oath, ut videtur, has designs of Treason to the King, or State; He that maliciously, praecogitate, shall infringe it, implies he is no Christian; As Divinity confounds the one, so Jus gentium, the Law of Nations, explodes the other. Rerum progressus ostendunt multa quae in initio non povidentur. 6. Rep. 40. The Drift. May Glory be to God in the liberty, purity, power of his worship; Honour to my King, in the might of his dominions; Prosperity to my Country, England, in the Unity of its Interest; And May some moderate Overture be here hinted as may contribute to staunch the gore of Ireland. Faxit Dem. FINIS. Errata. FOr reluction p. 15. l. 21. r. reluctancy; p. 16. in the margin for Cricaeus r. Li●c●eus. p. 23. l. 11. for towed, r. towered. p. 24 l. 1. r. that for Forgery. id. l. 34. for in●ndita. r. inauditae. p. 25. l. 4. for release. r Rehearse. p. id. l. 30. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. p 31. l. 20. for superfortation. r. supersaetations. ib. l. 34. inandita. ●●ead inunditae.