PRO-QVIRITATIO ΠΑΡΑΙΝΕΤΙΚΗ OR, A PETITION TO The People: For a Christian and unbloody Decision of Cases of Conscience, in the point of Obedience unto the Deputed of the Lord; as disturb the Peace, and threaten the ruin of this Church and State.  
Humbly directed unto the whole One English and Welsh Nation.  REVELATION. 13.9. 
If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into Captivity, shall go into Captivity, He that killeth with the Sword, must be killed with the Sword. Here is the Patience, and the Faith of the Saints.  
— Omnibus, hostes  
Reddite nos Populis, civile avertite bellum,  Lucan. 
Nec ullum satis validum Imperium erat, coercendis Seditionibus Populi, flagitia hominum, vt Ceremonias Deum protegentis,  Tac: An: Lib. 3. 
Printed for Richard Royston. Anno Dom. 1642.  
Sep: 1642 this was ●ratt ed up and down London the 14:& 15& suppressed by an order 16th bred 〈◇〉 a L diurnal   

TO ALL truly CHRISTIAN ENGLISH AND WELSH, Truth And Peace. From the Author of both, the Lord Iesus.  
dear Countrymen, and no less dear( because most faithful) Britaines.)  
There is no want of misery, where sin abounds. There is no reconciling comfort to us, where Division is the sin. There is no Degree wanting unto the wretchedness and sinfulness of the sin of Division; where the Division is between the th● Head and the Members. There is no want of venom, in the temper and hight of the Degree; Where Christ and Religion are made the Dividers between the Head and the Body. It being most desperately, both scandalous and wicked; That Rebellion should be in religion as a disease: much more that Religion should bee in Rebellion as an incendiary.  
So that both for the Species and the Gradus. The Kind, and the Degree of the kind, the calamity and the sun of the aims are not unmatchable. Which the Attending discourse( I presume) will Demonstrate: And that there can be no Union with the Invisible H●ad, the Lord Christ; when we divide ourselves from those Visible Heads, whom the Lord hath styled his Christs.  
D●●●●nion( though but amongst equals) being a thing that villifieth and nulleth, the most glorious gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost: as the Apostle sheweth, 1 Cor. 13. much more Disunion with those whom God hath set in his place over us.  
It was prudently observed by a knowing Man of this Age, that the violations in this kind, ●re worse suffered than corruption of Manners. Inasmuch( saith he) as Soluti●n of Continuity( to wit the breaking of a bone, 
St. Albons ●●●… ayes.  or the cutting off of a member) is more dangerous than a corrupt humour: And yet the arm may be cut off, and the man may live. But the Solution of the Continuity between the Head and the Members is the destruction of the whole.  
In the bowels of C●rist Iesus, you are besought by your most humble Petitioner( whose amazed bleeding soul presumeth not, that it can find language sufficient to bewail the misery and guilt wee are involved in.) That you would bee pleased, as one Man from Our Dan to Bersheba; from Saint Michaells Mount to berwick; from the Isle of Anglesey to Norwich; which Sober, Humble, Modest Expression( as becometh those who are redeemed by the Blood of the lamb Christ Iesus) to Petition both his most Sacred majesty and his most Honourable Great council; That the Determinations of the Great Law-giver, may both by the one, and the other heedefully bee attended. 
Acts 25.16.  And that to this end A national Synod( such as we may justify before God and man) may with all convenient speed be Assembled, for an Holy Decision of such Cases of Conscience, as more concern our poor souls, 
D●fleo equidem filium meum, semperque deflebo said neque Reum prohibeo quo minus cuncta proferat quibus innocentia eiu● sublevari; aut siqua fuit iniquitas Germanici coárgui possie; Vosque Oro ne quia dolori meo c●usa connexa est, obiecta crimina pro approbatis accipiatis▪ Si quos propinquus sanguis ●ut fides sua Pationos dedit, quantum quisque eloquentia& cura valet Iuvate pericilitantem &c▪ Tiberius apud▪ Taci. An. 3.  than the preservation of our momentary lives and temporary fortunes; from the threatening outrage of fire and sword.  
Tha● in the mean time( until the necessities of State may give way to such an Assembly) it may bee lawful( as a preparative thereunto) to publish such Christian and grave Tractates or Arguments( without the imputation of Enmity to the State) a● may tend to the Discovery of Truth( the onely Foundation of Godly long-lived Peace) and the snatching of such( if any such there be) out of the fire; whom zeal not according to knowledge hath diverted into dangerous By-paths. And that, Inasmuch as none may reap more benefit by them, than they who( as yet) are most direct against them, Especially if the Divisions of these daies against Our Moses and Aron shall prove of that High nature, as to be the very sin of Corah, Dathen and Abiram Especially, if the intrusion into sacred place and office, of those whom the Church hath not sent; be the very wickedness of the Priests of jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.  
They are Principles which no man can be ignorant of. That He that judgeth Corah and jeroboam is the same unchangeable Lord for ever and ever. That his punishments if deferred, are increased. That Christianity shall smart sorer than judaism for offences of this condition.  
Vouchsafe then Christian English and Welsh; In this great Cause of the Lord, In this desperate praecipice of the People of the Lord: In this double danger of the Priests of the Lord( since herein, even for them to bee silent, is to be traitorous) unanimously to beseech those who are( ●s yet) on the other hand engaged; to permit( since Pagan justice hath ( a) constantly afforded it) nay, to encourage( since Pagan blood thirsty( b) Tyrants; and that in their own cause, have done so much) th● affirming Party to spare noe pains; To leave nothing unsaid, in this point of so great conc●rnment: That ink, rather then blood may be spilled; That Paper rather than souls may perish. That the undertakers may have public thankes for their good wills, should( we be so happy that) they fail of their endeavou●s; At least wise that they may have the Liberty of the Subject, to pled the Cause of the Lord, and the Lords anointed. And likewise, that if any man in this controversy shall publish any thing by way of Reply; He be enjoined to print with his Answer the whole tract he intended to ref●te. That upright dealing may be had, and the world may readi●y compare the moments of both. And that Christian abearance for Truth not Vectory be commended, and the violators thereof, may be severely punished.  
That whereas the supreme Law of God ought to command and regula●e all the laws of man: And what privileges in the New Testament are acknowledged due to Heathen P●inces: and what Prerogatives the Spirit of God hath in the Old Testament, warranted unto the jewish Kings: And what the universal Law of Nature( as old as mankind) hath established upon them all; appertain all of them by unquestionable right unto his most Sacred Majesty. And whereas his Majesty( out of his most incomparable goodness) insisteth not upon these; but vouchsafeth to accept of that moiety, which the undoubted laws of this Land( which how they were obtained, the English Historian knoweth) afford unto him. That universal thankes( and those not verbal but real) may be forthwith( throughout this whole kingdom and Principality solemnly tendered to him and God Almighty for him. Who might justly, we may truly say it, if wee look● home) in stead of this Cedar, have given us a bramble; n●● on●● to scratch and te●●e our flesh but to set us all on fire. Since we have red that He h●th Authority to give us a King in his displeasure; but never ●ead our authority to di●obey him at our pleasure. Oh then let the hideousnesse of our ingratitude unto God and Him be considered; let due compensation be made; and let us not in stead thereof so Array ourselves against the Prerogative of God, as if we could cast his yoke off. So against the Prerogative of his Anointed, as if wee have already done it; which we manifest in our desires of lessening the Princes power, as not daring to trust God( upon his asseveration) with regulating the heart of the King; as if we could do it better than he hath, either in his deeds performed, or in his Word directed: Casting all the fault from ourselves, and in v●ry dead fastening it upon Him; who is able to account for the Acts of his pheasants, but unwilling to be thus reproached by sinners.  
That for the honour due unto the Law of God, and in respect of the interest which every man created after the Image of God, hath in the laws of God and Nature: That no deliberation be thought too long( in case either of blood, or estate.) Concerning those who either in Church or Common-wealth( as is pretended against the particular laws of this Land) have asserted unto His Majesty those Honours and emoluments, which the institutes of God and Nature have invested him with, until such time as the Cause of God be fully pleaded.  
That we do not suffer ourselves to be outstripped by our Brethren of the Scottish-Nation in the Christian civility of giving credit unto His Sacred Majesties Protestations( too many too high, too often repeated to be forgotten or neglected by him that but conceiteth an heaven or Hell. Concerning the uprightness of his most Blessed soul; for his resolution▪ for perseverance in, and maintenance of the Religion Established.  
That for the future, the most Honourable Court of Parliament be humbly Petitioned not to conceive that his majesty so little respecteth either his conscience or his credit; as to forfeit with God his royal word; and with man that faire Repute which his Integrity, no less than his Patience and pains have spread as far as his Name is red or heard of; By making offensive war upon his Parliament; further than the vindication of that part of sovereignty which is so Gods, that without profaneness he cannot quit, and the prosecution of those sins which he must repress or suffer for, shall necessitate him. That chargeable Jealousies being put away: And the power of the sword being acknowledged to be where God hath left it; not onely this exhausted kingdom may find some refreshment from its importable taxes; But also distressed Ireland may be relieved with part of that which our costly difference, bestoweth on the purchase of the wrath of God, and the dishonour of our holy Profession.  
That for the avoiding of the shane of our Religion, Age, and Nation, in foreign parts and future times, it be publicky avowed, what Petitions have been by the Generality or mayor part of men throughout the several Counties, directed unto the most High and honourable Court of Parliament, and what have been by unworthy practise( as being forged or extorted) preferred and published in the Common name whereby the Parliament may seem to have been misinformed; as having been possessed with the venerable name of the generality, there represented from a few noughty malignants; in stead of the desires of the many Conscientious, Sober, Learned, Generus Spirits; with whom God hath liberally blessed and honoured the Religion, left us by his Son: and derived unto us by the Holy Apostles and Fathers of the ancient Primitive times: And that the offenders shane if not punishment may be called for by the public voice.  
That not onely in obedience unto the God of peace, but also for the preventing of the like or worse hereafter; Those Routers and Pamphleteers may be sought out and duly punished, who with their licentious carriages have not onely, wearied the Righteous Soul of him whom God hath made and set so like and near unto himself; B●t with their outrages have driven him from his Parliament, and his glorious City of London, to the great impeachment, if not undoing thereof.  
That you will be pleased from out of all parts to supply this scantling with what either the riches of your charitable wisdom, or the straights of your Christian sufferings shall suggest unto you; befiting the consideration of his Majesty and his great council, either concerning the great and general want of ecclesiastical Discipline, whereby offences multiply, and offenders grow shameless; since the impeachment of the power of Excommunication: which being established from on high; no men, 
Mat. 18.17, 18.  or times might or have deprived the Church of, nor can they make frustrate the sentence thereof. Or concerning the Restitution of the Churches Governours as of old? whereby the growth of schisms and Sects might be restrained. Or concerning the now despised House and Service of God; wherein and whereby we chiefly Hallow his Name as it is done in Heaven. That part of his worship( now in great danger) being the most angelical Office, which is or can by man be performed unto the God of Heaven; until we come unto him in his Heavenly Temple;& into the same choir with those blessed Spirits. At least-wise it were to be wished, since it is dedicated unto God and ever since that, by our Godly Predecessors, it hath been hewed out of the Rock of Primitive Devotions, have stood faire and impregnable; as never yet having been so much as soiled by one Argument which a Catechist could not reach and wipe off: That the Mound which man hath set about it might be upheld and maintained in the execution of the Statute Printed before it. And it is more than need that the annexed prudent Proclamation of our late( and for ever to be renowned) Solomon, King James of glorious memory, were thoroughly pondered and intended. That in our Zijon God being religiously served by us; he out of His, might fatherly bless us: and raise us up, able men, restorers of this breach.  
When popular Absalom had drawn the whole Kingdom against David( his godly indulgent Father) one Amasa was able to do thus much: For he bowed the hearts of all the men of judah( where bowing indeed ought to be) as the heart of one man, 
2 Sam. 19.14▪  and they sent this word unto the King, Return thou▪ and all thy servants; So the King returned and came to Jordan: And Judah( even Shimei himself whom David pardonned) came to meet the King, and to conduct him over Jordan.  
For such a day, let all hearts atd hands be lifeed up to god on high, unfeignedly and un●essantly: which to do the petitioner will not fail▪  
Nor 
 To adventure to the world such Demonstrative Arguments( for the assertion of the premises) as he trusteth he hath received from the Oracles of God. And is not in this cause a fraid either to fall, or fall alone. But he had rather for Gods and other mens sakes fide publicâ dicer●t, be for his zeal unto the public good, publicly protected, lest others seeing his sufferings( though the contrary fell out in the primit●ue t●m●s( should be diverted from avowing Gods Truth unto the world But otherwise should he be universally deserted, he is resolved both with Godly modesty and Christian fortitude, to come o●t of his too safe obscurity, as having red▪ a●d relished that of Hester, If I perish I perish. And( mean though be in the eyes of the world, and of himself) as aspi●ing( through Christian fervour) to come as near as his poor frailties, 
〈◇〉. 16  can by Gods Spirit and is endeavous be drawn unto that high pitch of Sainst Paules most ho●y prodiga●ity.  

Ro●. ●. ●. ●.  I could wish that J were separated from Christ, for my Brethren, &c.  

Concerning the Synod, he humbly presenteth and submitteth his ensuing desires  
Whereas there must he a resurrection of words as well as for men, and the most eminent things shall have the most eminent Judgement. And whereas an account is due both unto the present and succeeding World, of actions of this consequence.  
THat therefore, in the first place, God may with all solemnity and sincerity of public and private, internal and external humiliations be atoned unto us And man may be abjured to lay down all acts and thoughts, which he shall fear to meet at the last day.  
That the Election may be free. The Convention and prosecution may be secured from Canvasses, fraud, and violence. But that it may be convened and transacted( as near as may bee) according to the godly Rules and Christian examples of the seven Primitive general councils; at least wise of the four first, ever sacred by the universal consent of whole christendom; and particular●y to us by particular Statutes. And that it be not like unto that Popish council of Trent, which had Interlopers sent in, when suff●ages were wanting, for any thing that was aimed at, and which was g●nerally either over awed with terrors, or over ba●lanced with magisterial Mandat●s, sent from Rome, to the shane of their Religion, and the Disport of the unengaged World.  
Tha● at length to sa●isfie the impetuous clamours and many challengers of our Romish Abversaries amassed together in their Protestants Plea Printed 1621. Safe conduct Fide publiâ not like unto that of the Popish Counceell of Constance, but such as bes●emeth the honor of our Christian Religion) may be openly proclaimed, and unviolably observed; for, and towards all sorts of Disputants▪ and that all their Names and Arguments. to a word may be entred into the public Acts; that the World( so long as it shall endure) may see not only what was done, but why it was done.  
That not so much to satisfy our Romish Churches; as for its own sake, The Synod may bee held in one of our Universities: that it may not onely make use of the Reverend dead( which are the best and most impartial Iudges) councillors, and witnesses; but also that it may have the benefit of the Ability, Activity, Strength, and labours of young men, which in any other place it would want.  
That to the intent the Synod may proceed with the great Authority and clearness: It may bee desired to call to its assistance the professors of the Holy tongue of both Universities, and others of known abilities from other Collegiate places and elsewhere. As also the professors of the greek tongue: In which languages the Spirit of God indicted both the Old and New Testament,( the most unpartial Judge of controversies) and in which are wrapped up, divers mysteries which unlearned men are uncapable of. And that it may end with greater Expedition and approbation: there may out of each Shi e of England and Wales, be chosen unto Assessors, of the best, versed in the languages, Fathers and ecclesiastical story; who may not onely by intercourse of Letters employ, and make use of the Abilities, of such worthy men; who for the discharge of their places, must be left in their Counties; but also, bee at hand to give an account unto the Synod, both of the Desires and Distempers of the same. And further( as occasion shall requi●e) may be ready to prepare for, and assist in the solemn disputations before the Synod.  
That first, Authority may be established, to reckon with offenders; And then offences debated: And this according to the prescript of the great Law-giver, who in the Epitome of the Law of Nature; In the first Table, first enacted his own Dominion, And then Thou shalt not commit Idolatry, Thou shalt not commit sacrilege; In the Second; first, Honour thy Father and Mother; and then, Thou shalt not kill, &c. To teach us that Obedience is to be preferred before life and all its Emoluments; And that they are the worst of men, who are the most refractory to Governours.  
And that therefore.  
Cases of public Conscience, in the particular,( which the council of Trent did either dread and bogle at; else with fraud and might corrupt) may be first cleared.  
Secondly, That points of particular abearance may be decreed.  
Thirdly, That intestine Controversies may be decided.  
Fourthly, That external quarrels with the Adversaries on both hands may be discussed, and that the Synod be not dismissed, before this also be performed. That so the God of peace being served by us in Truth and Unity; He may have Glory, we refreshment, and Posterity benefit, even from these our Distractions.  
Be pleased then to take due notice, of His most pious Majesties just complaint; That( in this great Cause, and in these distressed times( men want Conscience, Courage, or at least encouragement, for the discovery of the Truth;( without which, Peace is but a Civill combination;) and unanimously to make way( what shall seem best unto your unnatural thoughts) for the display thereof. As sensible of the dishono●r of our Christia● Religion; which since it came down from Heaven, never yet taught Rebellion against the worst of Heathenish Tyrants.  
As considering.  
The kingdom and Prerogative of God over you, who made you of nothing; hath power to take you in pieces, and resolve you into your former nothing; but will judge you according to that, which you have made yourselves.  
The general favour of God Almighty towards mankind; in that he doth not rule you by his immediate dreadful might, nor teach you by His All-confounding voice: But( not only for the benefit, but also for the honour of the whole human nature) hath advanced in his own most sacred place, of your own flesh and blood; such as might more calmly execute his Dominion over you.  
The particular favour which he hath vouchsafed unto this froward Nation, in giving us a King of such exemplary and Saint-like virtues: who, if he had been bad had in all probability been better used.  
The sinfulness of Rebellion, and schism.  
The wofulnesse of Civill War, Pillage and Rapine.  
The unhappy sedulity of a few Pragmaticals( wiser in their generation than the children of light) misled by an covert Sect of Teachers, prevailing upon the credulity of divers; and getting gr●und through the mannerly silence of the best and most, abusing the Parliament with the specious pretext of generality▪ there represented, and therefore esteemed most considerable.  
The weight of the Dictates of God Almighty; which ought to have influence into all the consultations of human Judicatories.  
The necessities of the right informing of your understandings, and the disburdening of your Consciences in the point of obedience; the freeing you from the impossible service of many, and the regulating of you for the homage of one Master; ●he securing your Estates, which might be better employed, then for the maintenance of most accursedly sinful Civill War.  
The extraordinary blessings wherewith God hath a long time most eminently honoured the Doctrine, Diseipline, and worship of the Lord, established in this kingdom: The improvement whereof, you might well expect, under that man after his own Heart, whom He hath placed over us.  
The unspeakable Glory of the kingdom to be revealed; wherein( being freed from infirmity, sin, and all possibility thereof) you shall then be governed by his immediate presence in bliss; but to be enjoyed onely by the obedient Probationers thereof, in this World, ordered by his Providence, but administered by his Deputies.  
The accomplishment whereof, the Petitioner will sincerely pray for, with the utmost his poor abilities will promote; And with all lowliness supplicate for your AMEN.    
FINIS.