Peace, Peace, and we shall be quiet.  
OR, monarchy asserted, THE Kings right vindicated, AND The present Government of the Church proved to be one and the same with that in the Primitive Times.  
All which Assertions are composed for the regulating of distracted minds, and satisfying of tender consciences, or misled in their Opinions.  
By J. T. Gent.  
LONDON, Printed for William lay. 1647.   

war) is hateful, and of all iceland war a civill or domestic war in England and Scotland is the most dangerous and most to be detested: Experience and lamentable proofs have often manifested this to be true in former times, but if we will believe our own eyes and ears, if we have any sense or feeling of our miseries, if we would collect our memories, and calculate our calamities, comparing them with the unnatural civill distractions of any former times in this Land, then may we soon perceive, that as our iniquities have filled up the measure of transgressions, which our fathers left three quarters empty, so the dreadful wrath of the Almighty hath been justly powred upon us in showers and innumerations of blood, beyond all parallels and example of precedent Ages.  
For what person or party in this kingdom is there, that may not truly say, that( by these six years dissension) they( he or she) have not lost a father, a son, a husband, a kinsman, or friend by untimely death, either through murder, slaughter, captivity or famine; Martiall rage hath exceeded manly courage, and men have so far forgot to be men, that( in their barbarous abusing maids, wives, widows of allsorts and age) they have not remembered that they were born of women. From whence this impetuous storm and raging tempest comes,( which threatens our total shipwreck) is easily found, if we would or could change our pride and avarice for humility and charity, by which means they may( by the grace and favour of God) purchase so much blessed balm of Gillead, as may cure our wounds, and clear our eye-sights, that we may see and say, every one of us, as Jonas did in the tempest, It is I.  
God is the God of order, but we are in such a confusion, that the Heathen may say of English-man, Where is their God? God is the God of peace, but the peace of God is not amongst us: the world is not now as God made it, nor is man in that integrity as his Creator did create him, but both the world and men are as the devil, and men have marred both; and what can or could be expected but a great harvest of judgement for so many seeds of sin?  
Christ is the Prince of peace, Esa. 9. his Word the gospel of peace, Ephes. 6.17. his Ministers the preachers of peace, Esa. 52.7. the Anglles proclaimed peace to the shepherds at the birth of Christ, Luk. 2.( at which time there was an universal peace over the universal world) our Saviour pronounced a blessing upon the peace-makers, Mat. 5. the Apostles salutations and prayers( to and for the people) were grace, mercy and peace: Christ( at his going out of the world) bequeathed peace as a blessed legacy to his servants, Joh. 14.27, If it be possible have peace with all men: Keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, Ephes. 4.3. these are all good councils and instructions from the best and all-knowing most mighty counsellor the Prince of Peace; and it is to be lamented that such saving counsel from so loving and gracious a counsellor is so gracelesly slighted, and unreverently neglected, with-stood, and contradicted, it was and is most heavenly admonition, if we had the grace to follow it, and it was wisely said of a Heathen, that there was no peace so bad but it was better then a Civill War. What hope can there be of a settled peace in any country or kingdom where most men would rule, and few or none obey? where Government is despised, Authority contemned, Law trampled underfooot, mischief daubed and vernished over with a show of good? where too many Sectaries do use, or abuse Gods Word as Witches and Sorcerers do, to deceive and entangle the simplo under the vail of devotion? These are those that profess they know not well what, having an itching desire of change, a mighty mind to alteration, and a fiery zeal for a Toleration of new fangled Religions, they know not how.  
error and malice have been the causes of the greatest mistakings and jealousies in all times, places and Ages; it so blinded the Scribes and Pharisees, the wisest Doctors and Lawyers, that either ignorantly or enviously they misconstrued our Saviours divine precepts and actions, for if he spake of Reformation of the Church, they said he would destroy the Temple, if he discoursed of the grace of God, they said he blasphemed Gods Law; if he declared the true way to the kingdom of heaven, 'twas against the Majesty of Caesar; if he wrought miracles, it was said to be by the devil; if he alleged Scriptures, they said he was but a Carpenters son; and lastly, they were so mad in their mischievous and malicious mistakings, that they choose Barrabas( a murderous devise) and refused Christ Jesus the blessed messiah, the onely Son of God and Saviour of the world.  
The Apostle S. Paul saith, that the Galatians would have plucked out their eyes to have given them him, Gal. 4.14. yet were they so unconstant, that( after his Doctrine and person had been with such mighty applausefull expression by them received) they quickly forsook and rejected him, and whereas before they received him as an angel of God, yea as Jesus Christ, yet shortly after they termed him a trifler and a babbler: So the Jews cried Hezanna aloud, with shouts and acclamations, and the next day they made a louder noise with dispightfull exclamations, crying crucify, crucify him. By these examples of old( which were written for our learning) we may perceive the slippery trust that is in the multitude in general, and also hereby may be considered what fickleness of trust and brittleness of confidence we are assured of( in particular) one with another.  
We are all bound by the bond and tie of nature and Nation, to serve and seek for the Church, the King, the kingdoms and our own peace: the Church wee see, is lamentably rent and torn with Sects and Heresies,( the Protestant Church I mean) whose Doctrine the most part and greatest number of people living in England were baptized in, and is believed to be the most pure, sincere, and most Orthodox agreeing with the infallible holy Scriptures; this Doctrine is as old as since the passion of our blessed Saviour, it is the same that was written by the sanctified and all-sanctifying Spirit of God, by the Pens of the Evangelists, it is the same that was written and preached by the Apostles and Disciples, it is the same that was confirmed by mighty and many miracles, it is the same which S. Paul so highly commends the faith of the romans for, when he wrote to them Rom. 1.8. that their faith was published, or famous through the whole world, it is the same that the romans and Rome are long since fallen from, it is the same which in all Ages and Generations hath been practised, professed, persecuted and sealed with the bloods and lives of most of the Prophets, Apostles, and noble Army of Martyrs; it is the same which this kingdom of England was many Centuries of years deprived of; it is the same that was happily through Gods great mercy, restored to us again; it is the same which hath been here professed, defended and maintained here these ninety years, since the restauration of it; it is the same which we ought to live and die in and for, and it is the same which hath glorified God the giver of it, the good Kings who have defended it are thereby renowned, by it this kingdom hath flourished, our Nation honoured, and our matchless Government admired through all the Bounds, Empires kingdoms, and Regions of the inhabited world; in those daies Religion and subjection were relatives.  
This Church the Gun-powder Jesuited Papist hath attempted to blow up, and the mad zealous Anabaptist with the hairebrain'd Brownist would pull her down: The one would with a blast or a puff turn her into smoke, cinders, and ashes, and the other would tread and trample her in the mire; the one would be above all authority and the other would obey none: But our confidence is, that our Church needs not to fear their force, regard their malice, nor respect their love. The Church of God is the sanctified souls of all the true believers, in all and every Nation, Tongue and Language of the world: mistake me not Reader, I do not mean the Church to be those erected stately Houses or Temples, which were founded, built, repaired, and continued by our pious devout Ancestors, which were made for the Servants of God to assemble and Congregate, which fabrics and stately structures were dedicated onely for Gods service, and no other profane use, to which places the people might and ought to come to pray and praise their Creator and Redeemer, to participate the heavenly Manna, the blessed Word and two Sacraments: in which houses the Congregations were defended from the injury of wind and weather; which buildings are, or should be in that reverend regard, that no Christian can but grieve at the small esteem and great spoil within these few yeares made to too many of them. The Church of God, as I said, is not made with mans hands, but it is the souls or soul of every true believer.  
This Church hath a love of her own, who is able and willing, and will defend her, as in that sweet song of the Canticles it is most graciously expressed, where she affirms twice that she loves him with her soul, twice he calls her fairest amongst women, the word beloved passeth seventeen times between them, eighteen times the words faire and love he gives her, she calls him rose of the field, and lilley of the vaileyes, and he calls her his veneyard, his undefiled twice, his sister twice, his dove four times, his beautiful and his spouse four times.  
And as he hath honoured her with these superexcellent titles and gracious expressions of his abundant love and favour, so to manifest his transcendent and most supreme love,( beyond all love most inestimable and infinite) he laid down his life for her redemption and sanctification, and took it up again for her preservation here, and her eternal glorification hereafter; so that in spite of all the accursed crew of hell and hell-hounds, she is surely guarded and protected.  
Christ Jesus is the onely supreme head and governor of this Church, he who was hoped for by the patriarches, who was preached after by the Prophets, who was served by the Angels, who was acknowledged by Stars, who was obeied by seas, winds, and tempests, by diseases, death and Devils: upon whom the Holy Ghost visibly descended at his baptism, at which time the Almighty Father proclaimed his well-beloved Son, and commanded all men to hear him. He knew the thoughts of men, and the secrets of heaven; the true confession of him to be the Son of God is the only way to open heaven, to prevail against hell, and to obtain the fruition of eternal happiness.  
Next( and immediate) Moderater and governor( for the defence, dignity, honour, and safety of the Church Militant here) under God and his Christ, is our sovereign Lord King Charles, and in these his Majesties Dominions, he onely is Gods Vicegerent and lieutenant here over us; to him is given the sword of Power, Justice, and Majesty; this sword is not given to Kings to be born in vain by them, Rom. 13. the King hath his power and this sword from God, and it cannot be wrested from the King by the hands of men, without the hazard or assurance of the greatest danger: God saith, By me Kings reign, which all Christian Kings, Princes, and Potentates do aclowledge in all their Titles, Writings, coins and Inscriptions, and our Kings chiefest flower in his crown is, Charles by the grace of God.  
There is no Government so absolutely perfect that it can please all, there are some things always that will deserve to be blamed; though Kings are Gods on earth, they are but Gods of earth, or earthen Gods. To honour and obey as I ought, and am commanded to do, is to serve God, and yet my just obedience and honour to the King doth not make the King to be my idol. god doth give a good King to a Nation as a blessing, and a bad one as a scourge; men may tell a King his fault, but not shane him or vilify him, and a King may be praised and Commended without flattery, and it is worthy to be remembered that though a Kings crown is pure gold, inchased and adorned with most precious Jewels of inestimable value, yet that glorious Diadem is lined in the inside with thorns, and pricking perturbations, cares and troubles, which( though they are not to be seen) are painfully selt by the royal head that wears it.  
As Kings are supreme or sovereign Rulers over good men, who obey for conscience and love, so Kings are subject to bad men, who serve onely for fear or reward, so are they also in dangers of perfidious assassinations and intoxicate poisonings they cannot be secure without a guard, or walk abroad or sleep in safety; they seldom eat or drink without a taster, nor scarce trust any man because most men flatter, and few there be who are so honest to will and dare to speak the truth. A Princes actions are weighed in the unequal balances of every mans various opinion and censure: for, if he be just, he shall be said to be cruel; if he be pitiful, he shall be despised; if he be liberal, he shall be termed prodigal; if he be sparing, he shall be accounted covetous; if he be peaceful, he shall be held a coward; if he be valiant, he will be thought ambitious; if he be grave and reserved, he shall be reputed proud; if he be affable, he shall be deemed to be simplo; if he be sollitarie, people will esteem him to be an hypocrite; if he be merry, report will call him dissolute. These are the miseries which wait upon majesty, these are the slaveries which Royalty undergoes: every mans eyes and ears are upon the words and actions of a King; Pompey the great must not scratch his head, and Scipio must not sleep, but some critics will be carping either out of ignorance or envy, and the good and best intentions of good Kings have ben taken as mere pretexts and pretences, by the malevolent mouth of prejudicate misconstruction. For, 
Princes are blamed, not only for what's ill,  
But for not doing all that all men will.   
Our gracious K. Charles( by the Almighties inspiration although) with the virtues of patience and fortitude into his royal heart, by which virtues he hath proved himself to be Trouble-proof,( but not trouble-free) wee may perceive that afflictions have been as Touch-stones, which show him to be no counterfeit. In these his tribulations he commads his passions,( which is more then to conquer Nations) yet, all this being granted, we must conclude him to be a man, and all men have errors, for it is human to err; it is divine to repent, and it is devilish to be obstinate; of which three parts he doth with with grief aclowledge human frailty, and humbly practise divine contrition; as concerning obstinacy, his Majesty is not so wedded to his own judgement, but that he knows that good reasons ought to yield to better, and better should be ruled by the best.  
He knows Majesty consists in inward virtues, and not in outward vestments, and he knows that a good King should be like to the lightning, which never doth any hurt, but to such hard things and places, which oppose with strong obduracie and resistance. Of all Governments, monarchy is the best on earth, because it is an emblem of the government in heaven, one God, one King. Of Monarchies there have been nine several forms and sorts: some by gift, as juba, being taken prisoner by Octavius Augustus, was by Octavius set at liberty again, and had the kingdom of Numidia or Barbarie, given him. And William the conqueror had this kingdom of England given to him, by King Edward the Confessor.  
Some Monarchies have been by custom, as France, who by their Law salic, thhereby the females are excluded from that crown our Kings of Englands just wheritance hath been thereby too much entrenched upon, or usurped by the French Kings. Some kingdoms have been by adoption, as Iulius Caesar adopted Augustus. So were many other Emperours and Kings by adoption. Some Monarchies and Principalities have been gotten by policy, as Pisistratus changed the Government of Athens from a popular State to a kingdom. Some kingdoms are by Election, as the kingdom of Poland, and the German Empire, Bohemia and others. Some Monarchies have by chance or lot been gotten, as Darius had the Empire of Persia, because his Horse neighed first. Some by conquest, as the King of spain got Portugal, Naples, Navarre, Sicilia, &c. and Charles the fifth got the kingdom of Tunis, and the great turk almost half christendom. Some Kingdoms have been gotten by strength and might of body, so was Maximinus, and so was Heliogabalus made Emperour for his faire feature and comely stature, not for his good conditions.  
But that kingdom or Monarchy which is hereditary, and by the right of succession, it descends to the next of the royal posterity, or kindred; for the delays in Elections is often dangerous, and breeds disorders and mischievous commotions( as hath been too much proved) therefore a Kingly government is most agreeable to the holding and keeping of peace and unity amongst men, because it hath a representation of the Divinity; for as the world hath one God, so should a kingdom be governed by one King, as Gods Substitute; amongst the lights( innumerable) in the firmament one Sun is greatest in the day, and one moon in the night. Amongst the Angels there are distinctions, as Principalities, Powers, Thrones, Dominions, and Michael an Archangel. The very Pagans honoured love as chief of their ungodly gods. The fowles have an Eagle for their King, the beasts a Lion; amongst all things created, there is more worth in the worthiest, and most respect to the best and greatest, as amongst grain, the wheat is in highest esteem: Amongst drinks the wine, amongst metals the gold, amongst the Elements the fire, one head governs all the Members, the soul rules the body, and reason should command appetite: the bees have a master. So, amongst men, the Kingly government is best, and the most best is that sovereignty which is hereditary, lineal, and by succession, as by just right, our King Charles is invested in the regalities, possessions, and inheritances of his most famous predecessors: which long may he live, and reign in, to the glory of God, by whom he holds his crown, to the blessed recovery and settling of his, his Peoples lost peace and happiness: This is the humble and hearty desire of all true Patriots and loyal Subjects.  
FINIS.