A Scandalous, Libellous, and Seditious PAMPHLET Entitled, The Valley of Baca: OR, The Army's Interest pleaded, the Purchasers seconded, the danger of the Nation demonstrated in 34 QUERIES, ANSWERED. And the present state of Affairs briefly vindicated.  
By a True Lover to the Peace and Welfare of his Country.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1660.   

THE Valley of BACA Answered.  
1. Whether seeing it was the Parliaments Army that brought in his Majesty when his own Party and Armies could not do it, They deserve not all due respect and tenderness? And whether proportionable encouragement ought not to be given t● such, who shall be found to merit it, according to his Majesty's late Declarations?  
Answ His Majesty's esty hath given assurance to confer a Character of Favour upon those Person▪ of the Army who were Instrumental in his Restauration; and in order thereunto, there is Care taken, that those Lands purchased by them, or Received for Service, in their possession, to be secured to ●hem and their Posterity.  
2. Whether it can be called tenderness, or encouragement, to turn out so many of the old Officers ●nd Soldiers of the Army, and Garrisons, contrary to the known Laws Martial, and contrary to his Ma esties Royal Promise and Engagement, not paying ●heir Arrears before disbanding nor letting them know any cause for which they are Outed, only to make way for such who have been known Enemies to Parliament and Army, not having left above one Comm●ssioned-Officer in many Regiments? And whether the rest of the Army, who engaged for the Parliament, are not like speedily to follow, if not prevented? And whether the Nations are not insensibly brought hereby to ruin and slavery, before they see it.  
Answ. To the Second, Let the Querist inform himself aright, and he shall find tho●e only of the old Army divested of their Employments, that have been Instruments actively or passively under all Changes, and are person, tempered fit for the swallowing down of any Change whatsoever: And those Continued, are either Persons that have given Testimony of their dislike of those Grand Inconveniencies that were daily practised upon these Nations, by a Giddy, Unconstant, Proud, Insolent, Ignorant, and unprincipled Generation: Or else such who were wearied out with the often Changes, abhorred to be Instruments longer in using their Arms to defend Faction, and therefore they did readily adhere to that Noble Northern Conductor. The Querist in these words, viz. Turning out many of the Officers of the Army, to make way for known Enemies, discovereth his spirit to be turbulent and factious, to keep up distinctions of Parties: A thing Dangerous and Unprofitable, and not permitted by any Wise Princes or States. But as the Case now standeth, it is the most wise and adviseable course that can be taken, to put Arms in the Hands of such Persons of both Parties, as really desire Settlement. If the Arms of the Nation were not so disposed of, there would be new Matter for Jealousy: which is endeavoured to be fomented by the Author of these Queries.  
3. Whether the Justice of the Long Parliaments Cause, hath not been sufficiently owned by the late King, his concessions at the Isle of Wight; And by the Solemn Covenant and Declaration of this King, made and taken at his Coronation in Scotland?  
Answ. No doubt, but ●hat Public or Sacred Act or Thing was done either by his late Majesty, or his now Majesty, due respect will be had thereunto: However, the Scene of Affairs are altered, his late Majesty was under Restraint, and a powerful Army in being; his Majesty present had a Crown offered him upon Terms, it is not to be believed or supposed (otherwise then Enviously) that what His Father did, or what He did Himself, will be by Him disowned; although peradventure not in the sense of the Author of these Queries. His Majesty now was called in out of a perfect necessity to bring the Nation to some kind of Settlement; and the security the Nation hath, is his own Interest; that is, it is his Interest to do all or more than what justly or legally could have been expected by the Undertakers of the late War: It is evident, for that by any thing his Majesty hath already done; and will be led by his Principles of just preserving Policy, his deep Judgement and Skill in Government, that he will be a King of Virtue, a Rectifier of Abuses, a Balance to Justice, a Prevention of Exorbitancies in Ministers of State and Justice, an Expeller of bad and grievous Laws, a Discountenancer of Debauchery and Vice, an Encourager of those that do well; by which he will find Favour of God and Man.  
4. Whether this Convention now sitting, are not like to endanger the Cause of the Long Parliament, our Religion and Liberties, by bringing the guilt of the blood shed in the late War, upon their heads, and all who adhered to them, if the bold and saucy encroachments of Prelatical and other intruders, be not timely prevented?  
Answ. I shall answer this Quaere with another, whether that the Long Parliament did not suffer their Cause to be overthrown by Cromwell the Usurper and his Acomplices, in the secluding of Members, putting to Death of the King, and other Actions that made the Nation to loathe them, and weeded them out of an Interest to back them in carrying on of what they undertaken.  
5. Whether the Old Parliament may not yet have another Resurrection, seeing they could not be dissolved without the joint consent of both Houses, which hitherto hath not been done according to the Legal intent of the Act for that purpose?  
Answ. To the first part I answer yes, 19000 years hence, if the Doctrine of that Philosopher be true, that once in 19000 years all Beings shall Act the same part over again, they have already Acted hereupon Earth: In this Age it is not likely they shall have a Resurrection, in regard they preserved not their Authority, free from those Violations and Alterations that passed upon them. To the other or last part of this Quaere, I answer, As the Sailor cannot Sail by the Compass in a Storm; and that it is convenient to restrain the Sick from Food, and to give him Physic, Laws that are made to respect such and such Reasons of State are in force as long as the occasion lasteth. Affairs have changed themselves into many forms and shapes, since insomuch that that Act will not at all fit or sort with Affairs now; it is become Null and Void of itself. If they had continued without those Vicissitudes and Changes, and the same Reasons of State on foot, and the same Interest able to support itself, in that Case the Act had been pleadable. Bracton, Fleta, Horn, and Littleton agree, That if the Lord shall fail to protect his Vassal, the Vassal's Oath's dissolved, for that the Law intendeth a Condition, and the Law freeth him from his Obedience: Even so is it, that Parliament seized to be a Parliament, by being not able to protect the People from those frequent Violations & Outrages, Irregularities and Disorders that were daily committed upon the Sub●ect; and as the Vassals service in the aforementioned Case, and the like Cases might be atturned and assigned to another Lord; So doubtless the Subject may be atturned and assigned to sit under the Council and determination of another Parliament.  
6. Whether seeing there is like to be so great a difference in the Complexion of Parliaments, one being ready to give away that, which the other hath obtained by Conquest: and the next succeeding ready to condemn the former for so doing, it be not most safe for his Majesty and this Convention, to grant and confirm his Father's Concessions in the Isle of Wight?  
Answ. To this let the Author look back, and he shall find that Parliaments speak the language of the Interest of State that is most Predominate at the time of their Sitting; If the Factions of the People be Predominate, it speaketh loudest in their behalf; and so of the Prince, the like of the Nobility or Clergy. So that if it were necessary for the beginning of the Long Parliament to adhere to the People, it is now more necessary for this Parliament to adhere to his Majesty, to balance the extremity of the Humour of State that did swell itself up to Inconsistency on the behalf of the People, insomuch that nothing but Ruin and Confusion could have been expected. Who is it that doth not see that if this Parliament should out of their Affections to his Majesty's esty, give away all the People Righ●s? Tha● hi● Majesty himself out of his Wisdom, and Justness, and Nobleness of mind will be a good allay, he knowing like a good Physician of State, that it is necessary in the constitution of a Body to keep the Hun o'er equal by proportion, that one do not predominate over the other, which produceth a healthy Constitution; the contrary, Diseases: as for high granting of the Concessions of the Isle of Wight, as the Case now standeth, it would not be safe to Posterity to insist upon that, but rather as is said before, to account it sufficient to receive no other security than what his Majesty's Interest will produce, the which by the operations of time, will reduce all other Interests to a condition of Security.  
7. Whether any thing done by this Convention, can be obleiging to the Nation, seeing they have not the right Constitution of a Parliament; according to the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom: And whether any Parliament can be so called for the future, till the Long Parliament, consisting of Lords and Commons, be actually dissolved by ●oint consent?  
Answ. That which they do, is obliging to the Nation. If the Nation submit to it, a part discontented in the Nation, i● not to be taken for the Nation; but the Interest that is uppermost is to be taken for the Nation: So it i● where there is Factions in States, as in Italy, the Gulses, and Gibeleons. If one State should have two Factions in it, another State sendeth Embassage, they send to the uppermost, who are able to give Laws; and not to that which must receive Laws. Beside, what this Parliament doth, must needs oblige, because what they do, suiteth and agreeth with the Minds of most of the Nation. And as Sir Edward Cook saith, Part 4. Instit. Chap. of High Co●r●s of Parliament, That in some Cases the Members may answer, That they must go and consult with their Counties for which they serve. The Original of all Law; and Power rise from the People Actively or Passively; let them be just, or Unjust. A good Prince that is absolute, respects what will best Suit, Secure, and Content the People: A Tyrant Consults what he may (having opportunity) enforce upon them. If these three Nations should be Consulted, there would, no doubt, be three to one to give their Approbation of what is done; therefore it must be oldging to the Nation. In such Times, Rule by Mode and Figure cannot be observed. You cannot sail by the Compass in a storm, as is laid before. For Dissolution of the Long Parliament by Joint Consent, that need not to be, unless that the Long Parliament had kept their Interest & themselves in the same form without alteration, & power to be able to give Lawe● together with the King, as they did at the time of passing that Act. If that Parliament at the time of sitting down of this, had undertaken to deal in the Government as formerly, I pray what obedience would the Nation have given to them? So that the Act in that case became void of itself. There be many Acts of Parliament that become void by time, and need no other repealing, then that which they provide against, growing up to use. As for Example, There is an Act yet unrepealed, that no Ho s shall be Brewed in Beer; & another, That no Sea-Coal shall be burned in London. Is there any need of Repealing these Acts? None surely. The Case is the same in the Matter in hand: for there is now no Interest that is able to strengthen is, to be observed: nor is there need to repeal it; for that it is Repealed by several Concurring accidents and affairs of State that are Considerable in opposition of that, able to render it useless and void, as it is.  
8. Whether if the King by his power, can make this a Legal Parliament, before such a Dissolution of the other, his Father could not do the like? And whether the Mongrel Parliament which he chose at Oxford, was not as ust and Legal as this?  
Answ. This Parliament had a Legal Being and Power from the People, as is before expressed: Their Election demonstrated the People's Consent and Approbation; which is a sufficient stamp of Authority. His majesty's Consent being added thereunto, maketh it unquestionable. If the King by his Arms, and if that Parliament at Oxford by their Counsel had prevailed, their Success had given it a sufficient Sanction for its Legality.  
9 Whether by the late Vo●e passed by his Convention, to dispossess all Soldiers and Purchasers, of their Interests in Crown-La●d, when they m ght by long Leases, have secured his Ma estly sitle, incre sell his Revenue beyond his Predecessors; and have also satisfied thousands of Family's tha● are now undone, it doth not evidently appear, that they have designed and resolved to ruin and destroy all those that ever served, and adhered to the Interest of the Long-Parliament?  
Answ. If the Counsel, Arms, o● Interest of the Possessors of these Lands had been able to have held them, their Title had been made good by the same means they held it by, so long it lasted: but that sailing, their Title is void; and now it must be in his majesty's Royal Breast what he will do in that case: No doubt but he will be moderate, because he will not leave too great an Impression of Discontent upon so Considerable a part of the Nation. Other than this, the Purchasers of those Lands cannot in Justice expect, as the case standeth.  
10. Whether it be not therefore the best way for his Majesty speedily to dissolve this Convention, and not confirm any thing they shall enact; But rather, forthwith to recall the old Members to settle the Nations?  
Answ. Whether that be not as much as to say, Let there be a foundation laid for a New Warr. Whether is it convenient to do any thing that should give cause of Jealousy to his Majesty of his State and Dignity, if he should meet with opposition, it would but put a necessity upon him to fortify himself by such Reasons of State, as would be remote from the good of the Public: Whereas otherwise, he meeting with no opposition, will be led by Natural Consequences, to do all that may be obliging: His Majesty by his long deprivation, hath learned the temper of the English Nation, well observed by Sir John Suckling, in his Letter to the Lord Jermyn, 1640. saith, The King may preserve his power, by giving it away: for the people of England have ever been like wantoness, which pull and tug as long as the Kings have pulled with them, as you may see in Edw. 3. King John, and Edw. 2. and indeed by all the Troublesome and Unfortunate Reigns: but those Kings as have let it go to oblige the People, the People have put it into their hands again with addition, as you may see by Queen Elizabeth, and others, Kings of this Realm. Those have been most powerful abroad and at home in their own Dominions, who obliged their People most: That this is the Disposition of His present Majesty, is certain; and Envy itself cannot truly say otherwise.  
11. Whether it be not as dangerous for his Majesty to cast aside his old Parliament, to follow the Council of these young Conventioners, who can neither secure, him, themselves, nor the People; As it was for Rehoboam, in a parallel case, seeing the Spirit of the Nation is ragingly discontented?  
Answ. Whether that if his Majesty should do such a thing, it would not discontent the Nation much more than it is at present, as the Author supposeth, or then can be imagined by the Author: It is to be admired, that the Parliament, whom he maliciously calleth a Convention, are not more severe; it is an argument that they are deliberate and grave. If it were so, as he wickedly suggesteth, His majesty's unexpressible Temper and Inclination to Moderation, will be a good allay, as is said before. Indeed, it hath been usual in such Vicissitudes, that when one part of a Nation hath made War upon another, That the predominate party have been Tainted with Revenge: But this present Parliament make no other use of their Power then becometh them, and demonstrateth their Undertaking to be the Effect of Council, and not of Arms. Besides, His Majesty is endowed with a spirit of discerning, not to Incline to such Counsels as shall tend to the Detriment of the Public. Which is our greatest happiness and security.  
12. Whether if our Religion and Liberties, contended for by the Long-Parliament, with the expense of so much Blood and Treasure, should be now lost, we are not like to be brought to the French mode of Government: and all Persons deterred ever to appear for a Parliament in futuro?  
Answ. This need not be feared at all: Philip de Comenius observeth well of the English Nation, that they cannot endure too much slavery, or too much liberty; This hi● Majesty well knoweth, and that if it were at his majesty's Choice to be King of England as the King of France is King of France, he would rather choose to be King of England upon the terms his Predecessors were Kings of England, for that it is more honourable for to be King of Princes or Freemen, than to be King of Slaves and Peasants: He who ruleth a Free People is much more powerful, for that his Arm and Treasure he can employ against a Common Enemy, and be able to give Laws to Foreign Princes, either by Council or Arms, whereas if he Ruleth Slaves, his Council and Arm are always Employed in his own defence against his own People whom he should defend and pro●ect.  
13. Whether, seeing the Design is now visible to debauch the Army, by casting out the Parliament's Friends, thereby to intrude their Enemies, by which means contentions and discords may arise, seeing the greatest part of the Army and others who are engaged for the Parliament are still in being, who cannot but retain affections to their old Principles and Ma●●ers, It be not therefore most safe speedily to disband the Army, seeing also it was the Expectation of the Nation upon the Return of his Majesty to his Government; The Militia being sufficient to secure the peace of the Kingdom.  
Answ. For the Answer to this, you are referred to the Answer to the second Quaere, only to the last part of this Quaere, viz. The disbanding of the Army, and trusting to the Militia: If that were effected, immediately the Author would arrive to his Arm and End, which would be dangerous; for if the Militia should be settled in the hand of one party, it would be cause of jealously in the other, if you should settle the Militra in the Hands of all Parties, it would be useless: So that it is better to wave trusting to the Militia, until that the mind▪ of all are more quiet and settled, and to keep up a considerable part of the Army, which being Conducted, as is expressed in the Answer to the second Quaere, will be in his majesty's Hands an equal Arbitrator of Differences, and of much more use and less Charge to the Nation than the Militia will be, for that he who payeth 5. s. per annum to the Assessments for the Army, will be at 20 s. per annum Charges at the lest in finding Arms and other Expenses and loss of time, by attending at Muster, & infinitely much more in case of Se. vice, the like of his I state proportionably, that shall by the Act for the Militia find Horse and Arm, and pay to a Rider: The Militia will be of use when the minds of People are united into One, which (no doubt) will be by the Endeavours of his Majesty and with the blessing of God in a short time, if not anticipated by the wicked practices of the Jesuits, and the ungratefulness of unquiet Spirit.  
14. Whether it be s●fe for his Majesty to enforce a superstitious form of Worship when covenanted against, and whether, if according to the Covenant, the Nation should appear against it, it may not be of dangerous consequence to his Majesty's Government?  
Answ. For the Answer to this, you are referred to the Answer to the 19th. and 27th. Queries.  
15. Whether National sins will bring down National Judgements, and whether the sins of Blood and Idolatry, no only at present seemingly committed, but promoted by this Convention, are not like to become Nationall sins if his Majesty prevent not?  
Answ. To this I shall say little, in regard the Author hath referred the prevention of his fears to his Majesty, who is a merciful ●nd wise Prince, who will do that which shall not be ●ustly sensurable by hi● worst of Enemies; that he may be so, we must pray to the Almighty to lead him by the hand of Providence, and still watch over him for good to these Nations.  
16. Whether those who opposed his Majesty's coming in upon conditions, have not showed themselves unfrienaly both to their King and Country; and when her they who should have been the People's refuge have not proved their ruin, by not asserting the old Parliament's Cause to be just and lawful, as their Brethren did in Sco●land?  
Answ. It is very certain, as before alleged, That it is better that his Majesty came in without Terms, than with Tearns; for if that he had come in upon Terms, those Terms must have been made with one Party or Interest, or with all the Parties and Interests; if with one of the Party, that had been to the prejudice of the rest: if it had been with all the Parties, that could hardly have been effected: The Differences were so irreconcilable, that without an Umpire, it would have produced another War, and unto which of the Parties Success might have happened is uncertain, so that all had run an equal danger; therefore it is much better that his Majesty came in as an equal Arbitrator of all our Differences. Moreover, at that time when his Majesty was invited into the Nation, Lambert was forming a new War, which would have been safe for no Party, whose Principles were nothing but Ambition, who, as he hath said himself, did Interrupt the then sitting Parliament the 13 of October, 1659. upon no more than half an hours consideration, being led thereto by a violent Impulse of the Spirit; such a person as shall attempt such a thing upon the face of Authority without more deliberation, Let it be Legal or Illegal, is not at all to be trusted. So that it is evident, that there was a necessity of his Majesty's coming in at that time, & that it will be for the better to the Nation that he came in without Terms: For as he is King of all, so he now must equally respect all, and Frame all his Reasons of State to that End: by which, he will lay a sure Foundation to his Sovereignty.  
17. Whether, seeing there is above four hundred Thousand Families engaged to that old Parliament's Cause, by way of purchase in this Nation, who are like to lose their Purchases, It be not only dangerous at present to inflame the Spirits of these mea; But whether it be not a ground to espouse a quarrel to their posterities, if their Estates should not be confirmed?  
Answ. See the Answer to the 9th Quaery. Moreover, the Interest of the Purchasers was not able to buy itself up to make Terms, nor support that Interest that sold the Lands unto them: Therefore His Majesty is not bound to make good those Sales, farther than his Royal Word shall oblige him, or his Interest lead him unto: Which no doubt will be Honourable.  
18. Whether any confidence can be put in a giddy multitude, who crying Hosanna to day, are ready to cry Crucify to Morrow, especially of the English Nation, who are ever fluctuating?  
Answ. His Majesty knoweth full well, That no Confidence is to be put in the Multitude: but that he must put Confidence in Actions of Justice and Honour, which will Establish His Throne, Adorn his Crown, and strengthen him to display his Sceptre to the satisfaction of all Interests.  
19 Whether, seeing Prelacy was a main Ingredient into the late Wars, (they having intruded so many English Popish Ceremonies into the Church,) and his Majesty's esty is bound by Covenant and Declaration to root it up in his Dominions, it can therefore be safe to re-establish it; And whether Mr. Douglas his Sermon was not a spiritual Prediction of some speedy Judgement to follow, if such a horrid violation of the Covenant be tolerated?  
Answ. His Majesty's proceed in that particular are just and honourable; He intendeth a Synod to reconcile those differences in the Church: It is as reasonable for the Presbyterians to abate of what they would have, as for the Episcopal to abate of what they desire; for that as to Government or Ceremonies in the Church, neither of their Forms are absolutely necessary to Salvation: So that his Majesty, by the advice of a learned and wise Synod to moderate things between them that they may unite and agree, will, as He is Head of these Nations, do a Good Office, and answer the Ends of the Covenant, which seemeth to drive principally at a Government according to the Word of God: and not ab olutely this, or that, Government, farther than in opposition to that of Popery, etc.  
20. Whether it be not the duty of the Ministry to prevent the Apostasy of their People from the Covenant, by their Preaching and Doctrines, now we are running ●nto another extreme, as well as they did lately when in a former extreme, especially, when the Wolf is already amongst their flocks; And whether it be not the duty of all Cities and Counties, to follow the Examples given from Wiltshire and Dorsetshire, by petitioning to settle Religion according to the Covenant?  
Answ. The Author soundeth the Trumpet of Sedition in this Quaery but he will be prevented by his Majesty's care in that particular in his Reconciling the two grand and considerable Interests of these Nations.  
21. Whether the turning out near three thousand learned and godly Ministers, to intrude such who neither know how to pray or preach, will not increase discontent in all their Congregations, when they shall see how their Souls are like to be starved and cheated?  
Answ. That there hath not been any as yet turned out because Presbytenrians, but because in others Rights; if they cannot pray and preach, doubtless upon due proof thereof Remedy may be had against them in that case; for his Majesty hath declared that he will maintain a godly Ministry; And no Prince yet that ever lived upon the Earth hath ever accounted his Word more sacred than he doth.  
22. Whether it will not renown his Majesty in the hearts of his People, to hasten a full Indempaity to all his Subjects in his Dominions, as an Act of Council, till the old Parliament sits, and to expunge all Prouisoes which may any way invalidate the operation of the Act, and to do the like by an Act for Sales?  
Answ. How often hath his Majesty out of his own grace urged the passing of the Act of Indemnity, with as much earnestness as the party themselves that are concerned can in modesty desire.  
23. Whether the making of Dr. Reynolds, Mr. Calamy, and Mr. Baxter, Chaplains at Court, be not a Prelatical design, either to draw them by preferme to that party, or to lull the Presbyterians asleep, till they are all turned out o their places, as many are served already?  
Ans. The 3 Persons here mentioned are not such to be warped to any thing that is evil, in hope of Preferment: Nor is it his Majesty's design, other than to be truly informed by them of the best and moderate ways to Reconciliation, which will be much better than for his Majesty to adhere to one party or to the other party; for that his adhering to one party would not be safe, also the keeping them in equal hopes and favour is not safe, for that the keeping up of Factions in Church will produce Factions in State: therefore the way his Majesty is now taking, is the best to please God, secure himself, and for handing forth peace to his People.  
24. Whether two National constitutions can stand together, and therefore whether the settling of the Prelatical Hierarchy doth not naturally predict the fall an● extirpation of Presbytery?  
Answ. That 'tis true as before, the countenancing and encouragement of the one is a detriment to the other; therefore, the extremes of both patries being lopped off, they may be united and become one, which will much renown the Church of England, and render it more formidable against the Church of Rome, whose practice it is to foment differences; therefore it is the duty of every one to study and practise Reconciliation.  
25. Whether such Prelates who have been viewing the Altars of Damascus are like to have a peaceable entertainment here, in their superstitious Popish fopperies, when a new Generation of Youths are started up since their extirpation, who never yet bowed the knee to Baal.  
Answ. That although the Presbyterian Interest be considerable, yet the Episcopal are not inconsiderable, if not as considerable; and since that their difference, in respect of Church-Government, is not irreconcilable, Union is to be endeavoured: It is not my work here to prescribe a way, I leave it to those whose work it is to do that, my Task is to detect the Sophistry of the Author.  
26. Whether seeing his Majesty's esty hath Declared, He will countenance godly Ministers, it could be therefore intended when he made Dr. 〈◊〉 Dean of Westminster, That the said Doctor should turn out all the Orthodox Ministers within the liberties of the said ●eana●y, as he is endeavouring to do? And whether the Prelatical party do not abase his Majesty's cars, by telling him they displace none but Phamticks?  
Answ. I know not whether it be true or false, that the Dean of Westminster hath done any su●h thing; peradventure all the Incu●bents of those Live are alive, or that some of them were not ordained by Bishops or Presbyters, in that case the Dean's Actions are legal.  
27. Whether there be not of the Presbyterian way, a hundred good Preachers for one of the Prelatical; and whether that Government be not best for the Nation, that hath most and best Preachers?  
Answ. There are godly and painful Preacher; of bo●h sorts; that Government assuredly is best for the Nation that may reconcile these two grand Persuasions, much better than that which shall keep up the Distinctions and consequently the Factions.  
28. Whether the reinstating of the Prelatical Hierarchy, with the Appurtenances, doth not in the consequence of it make null and void, all Ordinations, Sacraments, and Marriages, practised since their extirpation; and whether the Nation hereby will not be brought into a strange and horrid Confusion?  
Answ. Those Persons that were ordained by Presbyters, and are not upon those Live whereof the Incumbents are living, do still remain, and are not, nor are likely to be turned out, but their Ordination is deemed good: As for Marriages, it is a public Act, and it receiveth its Being and Essence from the consent of the parties, it cannot be made void by … ing administered by an improper Agent, if it were, all Judgements and Determinations in Law since these times would be made void: It was the Opinion of the Judges in Henry the VII. his time, that the Judgements and proceed in Law in Richard the III. his time were good, although they were passed in the Usurper's time, by whose Authority none could administer Justice; but the necessity of doing Justice was such, that the illegal Administration of it was dispensed with. So, the necessity of Marriage was such, that the unusual performing of it doth not make it void, because that the consent of the Parties maketh the Marriage, the other is but the Solemnity of it; and since there is a public Record thereof, it is therefore legal.  
29. Whether the best way therefore to set●le the Church, and consequently the Nations, and to prevent clamours to his Majesty's esty, were not speedily to summon a Synod, consisting of two Ministers out of each County, to be chosen by the Presbytery of Ministers, calling in the help of the best and most sober of the Episcopal but not Prelatical party which deligate from Scotland, and other Protestant Churches, giving due liberty to the soberly conscientious?  
Answ. These, or much better Rules, are intended by his Majesty to be pursued.  
30. Whether the pressing of the Oath of Supremacy be not of dangerous consequence, to ensnare many thousands of Protestants, who do conscientiously scruple it, and generally all the Pray byterians of the three Nations. And seeing the true intention of that Oath was to renounce the Pope's Supremacy, whether it be not more consonant to a Protestant conscience, to press an Oath upon all par●ies, directly tending hereunto instead thereof?  
31. Whether pressing the Oath of Supremacy, as it now stands, doth not make null and void ●he solemn League and Covenant; and whether it be not dangerous to enforce the Nations to forswear themselves, seeing in the one they have directly covenanted and sworn against Prelates; and in the other they swear to maintain all the Privileges and Customs, that ei●her now do or heretofore have appertained to the Crown; Of which, creating Bishops is one. And whether the Convention taking such an Oath, were not preobliged, not only to establish Prelacy; but also to turn out all Soldiers and Purchasers, in any such Lands belonging to the Crown; yea, most unnaturally forcing men to swear so to do; and consequently to starve their own Children?  
Answ. The Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy is not at all against the Solemn League and Covenant, although it doth oblige those that take the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance to defend and maintain his Majesty's Rights and Prerogative; as in the creating of Bishops. Suppose that his Majesty's esty should settle the Government of the Church without Bishops, by some o●her Super-intendence, ●o the content of the Episcopal and Presbyterian party's, because that is one of the Privileges of the Crown, it doth not oblige the party to contend for that which his Majesty's esty dischargeth him of by a public ●ct of State: As for example, if a Lord shall, upon condition from his Tenant or Vassal, take his Oath for performance of several Services in Homage and Fealty, if the Lord shall discharge the Tenant of part or all, the Tenant is so much, or wholly discharged of his Oaths as the Lord shall dischage, notwithstanding the Oath was peremptory: In thi● case, as also in that of Lands, he th●t shall suggest, to beget ●ealousies and fears of any thing, but that his Majesty will de●l honourably justly, and well with all his Subjects, i● an Enemy to the peace and welfare of the People.  
32. Whether it be for the safety of the Nations, to permit the Popish Lords to sit in the House before they have taken such an Oath?  
33. Whether his Majesty's esty, this City and Kingdoms be not in da●ger of bloody Massacre by the confluence of those bloody Irish Papists, to the number of many thousands about City and Court, who withstanding his majesty late Proclamation to the contrary, who had a hand in the horrid massacre in Ireland and Savoy? And whether countenance and respect from the Courtiers, be not not a great Inducement to draw over many thousands more if not timely prevented?  
34. Whether his Majesty; person at Court, can be safe from danger when all places about are bought and sold?  
Whether the Querist be not a Friend and Servant to his God, his King and Country.  
Answ. I shall say nothing to these Queries, I suppose they are malitiou, scandalous, and false. Only thus much to the last Clause, That the Querist is no Friend to God, his King, or Country, in regard that he in a clandestine way, hath published such a wicked Paper tending to beget and foment Fears and Jealousies in His majesty's Subjects, by Reflecting upon Public, Actions, to put all in a flame and disturbance, out of which the Nations, through the goodness of God, lately have been delivered. It had been his duty, as well as it is all others duty, to study healing and moderation, uniting and composing of Differences: He that doth otherwise, Either by Action, Word, or Writing, let him be of what Party soever he will, is no other than an Enemy to God, the King, and his Country.  
FINIS.