A Mild and Just Defense of Certain Arguments, Tract
A DEFENCE OF THE ARGVMENTES Lately directed to the High Court of Parliament for the Miniſters ſilenced ect, againſt the anſwer unto them by M. Gabriel Powell.
All though the late anſwer of M. Powell to the Arguments in the title mentioned, for moment of matter be not ſuch, that either any diſgrace of the ſayd Arguments or of the cauſe it ſelfe, with any wiſe and judicious reader, neede to be feared thereby; or that therefore the ſaid anſwer ſhould hauehave reply thereunto: yet for their ſake that are not ſo judicious; and that neither the anſwerer himſelfe, neither any other by our ſilence may hauehave any cauſe to inſult and triumph, as having wonne ſome great field, and gotten ſome worthy victory, I hauehave preſumed to take upon me the replying thereunto, inſteed of the author himſelfe.
Heerein (notwithſtanding the anſwerer his ſcoffing at our triobular Pamphlets) I will labour as much as I may for brevity, that ſo the Chriſtian reader may the leſſe behindred from his other waighty affayres. For this cauſe I nether will reply to the whole anſwer, neither will cauſe the ſayd anſwer to be wholly reprinted, but will onelyonly moſt breifly collect ſuch things, as may moſt ſeeme to requyre reply; but yet with ſuch faithfullnes, that the anſwerer ſhall hauehave no juſt cauſe to complayne of the ſayd collections, as unjuſt, or not agreeyng to his owne words. The marginall notes I will reply unto by themſelues, and that according to the letters prefixed unto them: and the reſt that he writeth, in that order they are by himſelfe ſet downe.
But before I proceede any further, let me admoniſh M. Powel of one fault in him, and common to many other of that ſide; that is to attribute that to all of vsus which is done by any one. I meane in things which they thinke to be blameable. Theſe Arguments were written by one alone, yet whatſoever he can by hooke or crooke gather as worthy of rebuke or ſhew of rebuke, that he imputeth to all that craue any favour? In good thīgs they deale not ſo, but that which is well ſayd or done by one is imputed to one onelyonly, ſo that the reſt fare not the better thereby. My humble deſire therfore is, that howſoever thes men deale with vsus, yet that other would deale otherwiſe. viz. That if there be any thing blamable in the Arguments, or in any other one mans writing of our ſide, it may be taken as the fault onelyonly of one, and not imputed to all. Eſpecially let this be conſidered, when there is no fault at all, but onelyonly by ſurmiſe, and upon uncharitable miſconſtruyng & wreſting of a mans words. It was the fault of Saule, for the ſuppoſed offence of Abimelech, to kill both him, and alſo all the reſt of the Lords Preiſts. It was the ſinne of Haman, for the ſuſpected pride of Mordecai in not bowyng unto him, to hate him & all the Iewes, and to plot and contriue the ruine of them all. So the Apoſtle noteth it as a fault of the heathen, that knew not God, and were given over to a reprobate mind, to take all things in the evill part. Rom. 1.24. Let this therefore be the ſinne of ſuch wicked men, but let all true Chriſtians that louelove and feare the Lord, be free therof. Now to proceed, I will beginne with the preface.
TOuching the preface there being not much therein which is not afterward mentioned in the reſt of the booke, I may the more curſorily paſſe and rune it over.
The firſt poynt here to be obſerved, as alſo in the place of ſcripture ſubſcribed to the title Gen. 13.8. Is that he calleth vsus brethren, as if he did ſo account and regard us. Notwithſtandidg whether he doe any otherwiſe, or with any other minde ſo call us, then only as Ioab called Amaſae his brother with his mouth, and yet at the ſame inſtant killed him with his hand. 2 Sam. 20 9. I leaue it to be judged by his oppoſition to our petition, by his moſt unchriſtian, & vncharitable raylings, revilyngs, reproches & ſcoffs, as alſo by his moſt unjuſt collections; as directly contrary to the words, & much more to the meaning of the author of the ſaid Arguments, ſo likwiſe to all reaſon, & common ſenſe. Sharpnes & bitternes are the common weapons and principall armour of that ſide, which is an evidence of the badnes of their cauſe, and no leſſe teſtimony of the goodnes of ours. For truth and righteouſnes can ſupport themſelues without any ſuch meanes. Notwithſtanding in this kind, this anſwerer hath farre exceeded many other, yea, he may well be acknowledged to hauehave wonne the ſpurres from many other. They commonly object this fault unto us, and it may be ſome one of his private motion and diſpoſition, doth a litle ſomtyme offend this way, to the greife of the reſt that favor the cauſe. But if all ſpeeches of that kind that hauehave ever been uſed by any of our ſide, were gathered into one (truely and without any wreſting) they would not a mount to the number proportionably, that is apparant and evident in this anſwer.
The which fault is ſo much the greater, becauſe the arguments are propounded with all temperance, & without any juſt occaſion to provoke him, except it be as a weake ſtomake is ſicke with the beſt and moſt wholſome meate. Notwithſtandyng I do the leſſe marveile hereat, becauſe as the more extreame the louelove of Amnon was towardes Tamar at the firſt, and the more extreame alſo his hatred againſt her afterward, 2. Sam. 13.15. So this is often to be obſerved, that ſuch as ſometime hauehave been moſt hott in diſlike of the corruptions of our Church, they changing their minds and for preferment conformyng themſelues, hauehave become more bitter and heavie adverſaryes, then any of thoſe that were never other thē conformable men. But was M. Powel at any time of ſuch a minde? Yea certainly within theſe few yeares he was ſo over ſtrong, that he called the Communion booke a Maſſ booke. At another time likewiſe being at a Church, and hearing the Latiny, he roſe up ſaying, come let us goe, what, ſhall we now heare conjuring? So likewiſe the time hath been when ſome other (now very conformable) hauehave publikly in pulpit (I will not ſay in my hearing) to the diſgrace of the Biſhops ſayd, If ever the Biſhops doe good in the Parliament houſe let me be damned. Many other the like inſtances might be named, But I regard brevity. Theſe things wilbe juſtified. Did any of vsus ever ſo be hauehave our ſelues? If we had, we might be juſtly blamed in that behalfe. But I will preſſe this poynt no further. I hauehave the rather reported this, for the better anſwer of the matter of giddines afterward by him objected unto us.
2 The next poynt in the preface, is, that he chargeth us with emulation of forreyne novelty.
Anſ. Neither noveltie, nor forreyne. We deſire nothing, wherein we hauehave not proved our deſires by ſuch Arguments of Gods word (the beſt antiquitie, and beſides which, the more auncient any thing is, the more rotten is the ſame) ſuch arguments (I ſay) as never hauehave been yet ſufficiently anſwered. Touchinge the word forreyne, though indeed the thinges deſired by us are in all Churches of other Countryes fully reformed in doctrine with ours, yet thoſe Churches being all the ſame houſhould of faith that we are, they are not aptly called forreyne. As Engliſhmen travelyng in other Countryes and livyng after Engliſh faſhion, are not therfore Forreyners in reſpect of England whiles they ſo travell, but ſtill to be accounted of the ſame country, ſo all Churches and all members of the Church, in what Country ſo ever they be, are not to be accounted Forreyners one to another, becauſe they are all Citizens of heaven, and we make all one family or body.
Beſides, the thinges in controverſie which we deſire to be removed, may much more juſtly be called both Noviltie & Forreyne, becauſe they were not of Apoſtolicall inſtitution, neyther heard of in the Apoſtles time, yea, condemned by generall arguments in the writinges of the Apoſtles, as hath been ſhewed in divers other bookes written one our ſide, not yet anſwered: eſpecially in the A bridgment made by the Miniſters of Lincolne Dioceſſe, the Demaunds, and in the 12 Arguments: as alſo becauſe they are in uſe in more Forreyne Popiſh Synagogues, then there are reformed Churches in all Europe. Laſtly, although Communion with the Churches of Chriſt in what country ſoever, be much more to be reſpected, then fellowſhip with the ſinagogues of Antichriſt, yet we do not therefore deſire that which we doe, becauſe it is in other Churches, but becauſe the word requyreth the ſame.
G. PowelThey refuſe to conforme them ſelues.
Anſwer.None of vsus hauehave ever had the booke of Common prayer authorized by Act of Parliament 1 Eliz. And ſome of vsus hauehave never had the book now vrged by the Biſhops provided for us, or tendred unto us: How then hauehave wee refuſed to conforme our ſelues? Yet we are deprived. By what right and equity I know not.
The auncient approved Diſcipline & Ceremonyes of our Church.
Not auncient, becauſe they hauehave not warrant from God. Neither ever ſo approved, but that from the firſt Preachyng of the Goſpell in this kingdome, they hauehave been by divers godly and learned men oppugned.
His Highnes ſought to reclaime them by ſome correction of their obſtinacy, as by ſilencyng etc.
That which his Majeſtie permitted on that behalfe, was qualified with gracious proviſors; 1. To proceede no otherwiſe therein then accordyng to the lawes of God and the land. 2 To execute even that with all mildnes & moderation. And thirdly, to endeavore to perſwade by all arguments, rather thē by cenſures: which things becauſe they hauehave not been done, but that in many reſpectes the Biſhops and other Prelats hauehave exceeded their commisſion, we doubt not but that if it might pleaſe ſome attending upon his Highnes and in grace with him, in all humble manner to informe him, we doubt not (I ſay) but that his Majeſtie, accordyng to his moſt chriſtian diſpoſition, would graciouſly reſpect the humble deſires of his ſubjects therein. Touchyng the other parte of M. Powels ſpeech, it is no ſmall abuſe of his Majeſtie to impute unto him the ſeveritie of the Biſhops againſt us: whereas in truth whatſoever his Majeſtie doth therī, is only through their importunity, and by their accuſing us of ſchiſme, diſorder, ſedition etc.
The moderat ſeverity of the Biſhops,Gab. Powel is unfitly and unduetifully termed oppreſſion, and cruelty.
Is it moderate ſeveritie to turne ſo many Miniſters as are now ſilenced, out of their livyngs? Yea,Anſw. to provide alſo, that they ſhall hauehave no other way or meanes whereby to liue, that ſo they, their wiues and children may goe abegging, to the diſgrace of the goſpell, the diſhonor of the land, the greife of the godly, and the joye of the wicked? Eſpecially, is it moderate ſeverity ſo to doe for ſuch cauſes? Did they ever read in any antiquity, ſo many of ſuch quality, & whoſe labours God had ſo bleſſed, to be thruſt and caſt out as unſavory ſalt in the time of the goſpell, in a kingdome whereof both King and people doe profeſſe the goſpell, and in an age, in reſpect of the ſinnes thereof, requyering ten tymes as many preachers more then their are, if they could be gotten? If theſe be the mercyes of the Biſhops, what would be their crueltyes? If this be their moderat ſeverity, what would be their extremity if they might be ſuffered?
If a Father ſhould caſt his ſonne out of houſe & home, & utterly diſinherit him, becauſe he would eat no cheeſe, were this moderat ſeverity? What then may be ſayd of them that caſt out other from the inheritāce of the Lord, whoſe labours God hath bleſſed to the joye of many an elect ſoule, & that only for not doyng that, againſt which they can yeeld a farre better reaſon from God his will revealed in his word, then any man can doe for his not eating of cheeſe or for any other the like action, from the ſecret inſtinct of nature?
G. PowelThe author of theſe arguments, is not afrayd; to perſwade & provoke your Honorable Court (theſe are his owne words) to intercede with his Majeſtie, that he would compell the Reverend Prelats to ſurceaſe their rigorous and cruell dealing.
The Apoſtle biddeth vsus to provoke one another to louelove & to good works. Heb. 10.24. Therefore why might not the author of theſe arguments uſe this word unto the Parliament for ſo good a worke, as in all the ſaid arguments is intended. But for the latter words of M. Powel, to compell the Reverend Prelats to ſurceaſe their rigorous and cruell dealing etc. Where doth the author uſe them? The drifte of all the arguments inſinuateth ſo much. If it be but inſinuation, then all the words before ſet downe, are not the expreſſe owne words of the author, as M. Powell hath ſaid. 2 It may be taken for granted, that the ſayd Prelats are ſo reſolute for mainteyning of their Hierarchie, Diſcipline, Ceremonyes, and other conformity, that they will not yeeld one inche, yea not to his Majeſtie, exceept they be compelled.
Gab. PowelThe Prelats hauehave ſoberly and temperatly caryed themſelues in their proceedings.
Anſw.We will all with one accord moſt thankfully acknowledg this, when we ſhall find it. In the meane tyme, we do acknowledge it comparatiuly true, in reſpect of their wils and deſires. For by this anſwer written by their authority and by divers other tokens, it is apparant that they would gladly provoke us to giuegive them further advantage againſt vsus, and alſo that for theſe cauſes they would doe more thē they doe (yet I ſpeake not of all, I doe unfainedly confeſſ that their is great difference of affections amongſt them it reſpect of us) they would I ſay doe more then they doe If they feared not the people? No, but if his Majeſtie, his moſt Honorable counſell would giuegive them leaue: and if they feared not as much indignation from his Highnes as now they ſeeme to be in grace with him; and as much oppoſition by the honorable Counſell, as now perhaps they ſeeme to hauehave furtherance by ſome of them that do not ſo well underſtand the cauſe.
G. PowelTheir obſtinat ſuperſtion hath worthely made them ſubject to the proceedings of the Biſhops.
What? Superſtition? And obſtinate ſuperſtition?Anſw. We were never before (to my remembrance) charged with ſuperſtition, much leſſe with obſtinat ſuperſtition: but hauehave alwayes been accounted great adverſaryes to ſuperſtitiō. Yea, we hate it with a perfect hatred, yea our ſoules abhorre and deteſt the leaſt ſuperſtition, much more obſtinat ſuperſtition, as much as the beſt of them doe hate it: yea, much more then ſome of them: it is one of our reaſons againſt ſome poynts of conformitie, that we judge them ſuperſtitious. How then may we be charged with ſuperſtition? Yea with obſtinat ſuperſtition? But what if we were ſuperſtitious? May we therfore be puniſhed cō trary to law, or aboue that that the law requyreth? Were not this to ad tranſgresſion to tranſgresſion, and to puniſh ſinne with ſinne? We may not doe evill, that good may come thereof.
G. PowelThe author cryeth out, as if the goſpell by ſuch proceedings were baniſhed, Gods worſhip prophanely adulterated, to the eternall perill of many thouſand ſoules.
Where is this outcry? It is very low and ſoft,Anſwer. in ſome ſecret corner, or written in very ſmall letters, that no man can ſee or heare of it. The author might well cry out, that the goſpell is in part baniſhed, by the ſuppresſion of ſo many able, godly, faithfull & paynefull miniſters; that Gods worſhip is in part corrupted, both in the doctrine, eſpecially ſithens this late vehement ſtrivyng by our Prelats for conformitie (as ſhalbe afterwards touched) and alſo in the other publike exerciſes of religion by mixture of humane inventions, Ceremonyes and Traditions. Yea, and that heerby we are in danger to hauehave the candleſticke removed, and the kingdome of Heaven taken from us, and given to a Nation more worthy then we, except by repentance & doing our firſt works Revel. 2.5. Yea, making our laſt works more then our firſt verſ. 19. We doe in time prevent this judgment.
G. PowelThe Parliament is able to convince him heerin of malepart Sycophancy, and manifeſt untruth.
Anſwer.I would ſuch accuſers (notwithſtanding their ſuch threats of the Parliaments kindnes) would ſtand with vsus, & that we might be admitted to ſtand with them at the barre of the Parliament for triall of this accuſation, and whether the author of thoſe Arguments, or this anſwerer hauehave abuſed that moſt worthy Senat.
G. PowelThis author feareth no rebuke of ſhame, for his vnconſcionable dealyng.
Anſwer.Let this unſconſcionable dealing be ſhewed in the author: or elſe let this anſwerer be aſhamed.
G. PowelThis man ſpeaketh frō Cimmerian darknes, by concealing his nāe.
Anſwer.Then alſo by the ſame reaſon many books of the ſcripture, the writers whereof hauehave concealed their names, were written from Cimmerian darknes. The like may be ſayd of many other moſt worthy Theologicall bookes, without name of any writer. Much more may the ſame be ſayd of the booke intitled SCOTTISH GENEVATING & ENGLISH SCOTIZING, and many other ſuch diſgracefull and ſcornefull books publiſhed without name of any author, againſt the deſired reformation, and all the favorers thereof. It is alſo the ſeveritie of the Prelats that maketh vsus the rather to conceale our names. If we had as much liberty to publiſh our books for our ſelues, as every rayler hath to put forth any thing againſt us: Yea, as there is for Printing of many profane, filthy, ſcurrilous, laſcivious, & ungodly bookes authoriſed by ſome of them, you ſhould quickly ſee our names.
The author is bold to offer his writing even to your Honors,Gab. Powel to provoke you to ſupplicat to his excellent Majeſtie, in behalfe of their cauſe, or elſe to determine it of your ſelues.
Anſw.The author never deſired this determynation you ſpeake of by the Parliament, as though that would or might be authenticall without his Majeſties Royall aſſēt, but onelyonly that his Majeſty thereby ſeeing the equity of the cauſe, and the affection of his people therunto, might alſo be the more eaſily perſwaded to vouchſafe his princly favour towards them therein.
G. PowelI was cōmaunded by ſome in authority to peruſe and breifely to refute theſe Arguments, which at the firſt I was unwillyng to take vponupon me.
If you be ſo ready to be commaunded to write againſt ſuch a cauſe, take heed you be not found a ſervant of men. Anſwer.But if any in authority hauehave cōmaunded you this worke, did they alſo commaund you to rayle and revile your antagoniſt (as you call him) in ſuch manner as you doe? It is lamentable that any in authority in ſuch a Chriſtian Church, ſhould either commaund any ſuch thing, or allowe of it being done. But it is more lamentable to obey. The time was when you did well employ your ſelfe againſt the Common adverſaryes. You did then runne well. What letted you that you did not hold on in that courſe? What hath provoked you to turn your pen from them, and to whet it now the ſecond time againſt thoſe, whom you call and ſhould in truth acknowledg your brethren? Doe you feare any violence from the Papiſts by holding on againſt them, becauſe perhaps of ſome former experience? Indeede, you may well feare ſuch violence from them, and be ſecure touchyng all danger from us, becauſe you hauehave learned from the Apothegme (after mentioned) of D. Elmer late Bishop of London, and much more from all experiēce, that you may juſtly feare your life and cuttyng of your throat in the company of one Papiſt, but that no ſuch thing is ever to be feared amongſt ten thowſand of (thoſe whom it pleaſed him to call) preſciſians.
G. PowelIn divers reſpects I feared to plead in ſo high a Court, before ſuch judges etc. Yet the equity and holines of the cauſe moved me etc.
Anſwer.Why ſhould you feare, being commaunded? Would not your comnaunders beare you out? It may be they will before men, but who ſhall plead for you before God, except you repent? Take heed you commend not that to be equall and holy, which agreeth not with the wayes of God.
G. PowelI preſently reſolued to ſtand in the gap and breach, between our brethren and vsus.
Anſwer.This reſolution upon bare commaundement of a man, (it may be alſo contrary to the likyng of ſome to whom you are more bound) was too preſent to be ſound. How hauehave you ſtod in the gap & breach? By treading it down to make it lower that wild beaſts, or at the leaſt ſtrang cattell may the more eaſily break in to devoure the Lords vine, and to eate up the Lords people as it were bread.
G. PowelAlbeit I knew my brethrens affections to be ſomewhat unkind, and their pens foule and ſhamefull.
Anſwer.Whereby knew you their unkindnes and foulnes towards you? Indeed they hauehave ſeene and dayly doe ſee your unkindnes towards them: yea towards the Lord, in opposſing your ſelfe to the Lords cauſe, and to them in ſeeking therof, and that in this bitter manner: yea for the foulnes of your pen you might juſtly feare the like meaſure from them againe to you. But God forbid that for that we ſhould ſinne againſt God, and ceaſe praying for you.
G. PowelSeeing it lyeth not in our powers to make them modeſt & peacable, and that we are called to ſerue God and his Church, which we are bound to doe in good and evill report.
Anſwer.You ſhould firſt hauehave proved us immodeſt and unpeaceable, before you had uſed theſe wordes. God giuegive thoſe graces to you and us. The ſerving of God and of his Church, is not in rayling & reprochfull ſpeaches, in ſharpnes and bitternes, in untrue and unjuſt collections directly contrary to the words of our brethren. But what meāe you by good and evell report? If as patients, it is well: if as agents it is not ſo. But though by your booke I hauehave little cauſe, yet I will take you in the better ſence.
G. PowelI pray our heavenly Father to forgiue them any injury etc.
Anſwer.Before prayers you ſhould lay aſide all wrath of heart, and bitternes of word. Math. 5.22. 1 Tim. 2.8. Pray alſo ſor the forgivnes of the wrongs you doe to vsus, both in this booke, and alſo in your latine treatiſe De adiaphoris.
I hauehave not with drawne my ſelfe from this worke,Gab. Powel no not for the eſtimatiō & reverence I hauehave of the graue judgments of your honors.
If you had duely reverenced their Honors,Anſw. you would hauehave feared the offering vntounto them ſuch a preſent of raylings, vnjuſt collections etc. As if they had been voyd of judgement, not able to diſcerne of ſuch accuſations.
G. PowelI mayntaine here the glory of God, and honor of our Prelats.
Anſwer.As our Saviour ſaid, They ſhall excommunicate you, yea, the time ſhall come, that whoſoever killeth you, ſhall thinke that he doth God ſervice. Ioh. 16.2. So this anſwerer thinketh that he glorifieth God by rayling on his cauſe & ſervāts. As for the Honor of our Prelats, you ſhould firſt hauehave been on a ſure ground for the lawfulnes thereof, before you had taken upon you (like a champion) the defence thereof. 2. Even a good cauſe is rather overthrowne then vpheld by ſuch meanes of ſcoffing and rayling, as in this this booke you hauehave vſed. Thus much for the anſwer to the Preface of M. Powels.