Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times, Part 2 · Section 10 · Floating text 10
His Majesty's Declaration to all his loving Subjects of his Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs.
HOW much the Peace of the State is concerned in the Peace of the Church, and how difficult a thing it is to preserve Order and Government in Civil, whilst there is no Order and Government in Ecclesiastical Affairs, is evident to the World; and this little part of the World, our own Dominions hath had so late Experience of it, that we may very well acquiesce in the Conclusion, without enlarging our self in discourse upon it, it being a Subject we have had frequent occasion to contemplate upon, and to lament abroad, as well as at home.
In our Letter to the Speaker of the H. of Commons from Breda, we declared how much we desired the Advancement and Propagation of the Protestant Religion: That neither the Unkindness of those of the same Faith towards us, nor the Civilities and Obligations from those of a contrary Profession (of both which we have had abundant Evidence) could in the least degree startle us, or make us swerve from it, and that nothing can be proposed to manifest our Zeal and Affection for it, to which we will not readily consent. And we said then, That we did hope in due time our self to propose somewhat for the propagation of it, that will satisfie the World that we have always made it both our Care and our Study, and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it. And the truth is, we do think our self the more competent to propose, and with God's assistance to determine many Things now in difference, from the time we have spent, and the Experience we have had in most of the Reformed Churches abroad; in France, in the Low Conntreys, and in Germany, where we have had frequent Conferences with the most Learned Men, who have unanimously lamented the great Reproach the Protestant Religion undergoes, from the Distempers and too notorious Schisms in Matters of Religion in England. And as the most Learned amongst them, have always with great Submission and Reverence, acknowledged and magnified the Established Government of the Church of England, and the great countenance and shelter the Protestant Religion received from it, before these unhappy times; so many of them have with great ingenuity and sorrow confessed, That they were too easily mislead by misinformation and prejudice, into some disesteem of it, as if it had too much complyed with the Church of Rome; whereas they now acknowledge it to be the best fence God hath yet raised against Popery in the World: And we are perswaded they do with great Zeal wish it restored to its old Dignity and Veneration.
When we were in Holland, we were attended by many Grave and Learned Ministers from hence, who were looked upon as the most able and principal Assertors of the Presbyterian Opinions, with whom we had as much Conference as the multitude of Affairs, which were then upon us, would permit us to have: and to our great Satisfaction and Comfort, found them Persons full of Affection to us, of Zeal for the Peace of the Church and State; and neither Enemies (as they have been given out to be) of Episcopacy or Liturgy; but modestly to desire such Alterations in either, as without shaking Foundations, might best allay the present Distempers, which the Indisposition of the Times, and the Tenderness of some Mens Consciences had contracted. For the better doing whereof, we intended upon our first Arrival in this Kingdom, to call a Synod of Divines, as the most proper Expedient to provide a proper Remedy for all those Differences and Dissatisfactions which had or should arise in Matters of Religion: and in the mean time we published in our Declaration from Breda, A Liberty to tender Consciences, and that no man should be disquieted or called in question for differences of Opinion in Matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament as shall upon mature deliberation be offered to us, for the full granting that Indulgence.
Whilst we continued in this Temper of Mind and Resolution, and have so far complyed with the Perswasion of particular Persons, and the Distemper of the Time, as to be contented with the Exercise of our Religion in our own Chappel, according to the constant Practice and Laws established, without enjoyning that Practice, and the Observation of those Laws in the Churches of the Kingdom, in which we have undergone the Censure of many, as if we were without that Zeal for the Church which we ought to have, and which by God's Grace we shall always retain; we have found our self not so candidly dealt with as we have deserved, and that there are unquiet and restless Spirits, who without abating any of their own Distempers in recompence of the Moderation they find in us, continue their bitterness against the Church, and endeavour to raise Jealousies of us, and to lessen our Reputation by their Reproaches; as if we were not true to the Professions we have made. And in order thereunto they have very unseasonably caused to be printed, published, and dispersed throughout the Kingdom, a Declaration heretofore printed in our Name, during the time of our being in Scotland; of which we shall say no more than that the Circumstances by which we were enforced to Sign that Declaration are enough known to the World: That we did from the moment it passed our Hand, askt God forgiveness for our part in it, which we hope, he will never lay to our Charge; and that the worthiest and greatest part of that Nation did even then detest and abhor the ill usage of us, in that particular, when the same Tyranny was exercised there, by the power of a few ill Men, which at that time had spread it self over this Kingdom: and therefore we had no reason to expect, that we should at this season, when we are doing all we can to wipe out the Memory of all that hath been done amiss by other Men, and we thank God, have wiped it out of our own remembrance, have been our self assaulted with those Reproaches, which we will likewise forget.
Since the printing of this Declaration, several Seditious Pamphlets and Queries have been published and scattered abroad, to infuse Dislike and Jealousies into the Hearts of the People, and of the Army; and some who ought rather to have repented their former Mischief they have wrought, than to have endeavoured to improve it, have had the hardiness to publish, That the Doctrine of the Church, against which no Man with whom we have conferred hath Excepted, ought to be reformed as well as the Discipline.
This over-passionate and turbulent way of Proceeding, and the Impatience we find in many for some speedy Determination in these Matters, whereby the Minds of Men may be composed, and the Peace of the Church established, hath prevailed with us to invert the Method we had proposed to our self, and even in order to the better Calling and Composing of a Synod (which the present Jealousies will hardly agree upon) by the assistance of God's blessed Spirit, which we daily invoke and supplicate, to give some determination our self to the Matters in difference, until such a Synod may be called, as may without passion or prejudice, give us such a further assistance towards a perfect Union of Affections, as well as Submission to Authority, as is necessary. And we are the rather induced to take this upon us, by finding upon the full Conference we have had with the Learned Men of several Perswasions, that the Mischiefs under which both the Church and State do at present suffer, do not result from any formed Doctrine or Conclusion which either Party maintains or avows; but from the Passion and Appetite and Interest of particular Persons, who contract greater Prejudice to each other from those Affections, than would naturally arise from their Opinions; and those Distempers must be in some degree allayed, before the Meeting in a Synod can be attended with better Success, than their Meeting in other places, and their Discourses in Pulpits have hitherto been: and till all thoughts of Victory are laid aside, the humble and necessary Thoughts for the vindication of Truth cannot be enough entertained.
We must for the Honour of all those of either Perswasion, with whom we have conferred, declare, That the Professions and Desires of all for the Advancement of Piety, and true Godliness, are the same: their Professions of Zeal for the Peace of the Church, the same; of Affection and Duty to us, the same: They all approve Episcopacy: They all approve a Set-From of Liturgy: And they disapprove and dislike the Sin of Sacriledge, and the Alienation of the Revenue of the Church: And if upon these excellent Foundations, in Submission to which there is such a Harmony of Affections, any Super-structures should be raised to the shaking those Foundations, and to the contracting and lessening the blessed Gift of Charity, which is a Vital part of Christian Religion, we shall think our self very unfortunate, and even suspect that we are defective in that Administration of Government, with which God hath intrusted us.
We need not profess the high Affection and Esteem we have for the Church of England, as it is established by Law; the Reverence to which hath supported us, with Gods Blessing, against many Temptations! Nor do we think that Reverence in the least degree diminished by our Condescensions, not peremptorily to insist upon some Particulars of Ceremony, which however introduced, by the Piety and Devotion and Order of former Times, may not be so agreeable to the present; but may even lessen that Piety and Devotion, for the improvement whereof they might happily be first introduced, and consequently may well be dispensed with. And we hope this Charitable compliance of ours, will dispose the Minds of all Men to a chearful Submission to that Authority, the preservation whereof is so necessary for the Unity and Peace of the Church; and that they will acknowledge the Support of the Episcopal Authority, to be the best Support of Religion; by being the best means to contain the Minds of Men within the Rules of Government. And they who would restrain the Exercise of that holy Function, within the Rules which were observed in the Primitive Times, must remember and consider, that the Ecclesiastical Power being in those blessed Times always subordinate and subject to the Civil, it was likewise proportioned to such an Extent of Jurisdiction as was agreeable to that: And as the Sanctity and Simplicity and Resignation of that Age, did then refer many things to the Bishops, which the Policy of succeeding Ages would not admit, at least did otherwise provide for; so it can be no Reproach to Primitive Episcopacy, if where there have been great Alterations in the Civil Government from what was then, there have been likewise some Difference and Alteration in the Ecclesiastical, the Essence and Foundation being still preserved: And upon this Ground, without out taking upon us to Censure the Government of the Church in other Countries, where the Government of the State, is different from what it is here, or enlarging our self upon the Reasons why, whilst there was an Imagination of Erecting a Democratical Government here in the State, they should not be willing to continue an Aristocratical Government in the Church, it shall suffice to say, That since by the wonderful Blessing of God, the Hearts of this whole Nation are returned to an Obedience to Monarchique Government in the State, it must be very reasonable to Support that Government in the Church, which is established by Law; and which with the Monarchy hath flourished through so many Ages; and which is in truth as ancient in this Island, as the Christian Monarchy thereof: and which hath always in some respects or degrees been enlarged or restrained, as hath been thought most conducing to the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom: and therefore we have not the least doubt but the present Bishops will think the present Concessions now made by us, to allay the present Distempers very just and reasonable, and will very chearfully Conform themselves thereunto.
1. We do in the first place declare, That as the present Bishops are known to be Men of Great and Exemplary Piety in their Lives, which they have manifested in their notorious and unexampled Sufferings, during these late Distempers; and of great and known Sufficiency of Learning; so we shall take special Care by the Assistance of God, to prefer no Men to that Office and Charge; but Men of Learning, Vertue, and Piety, who may be themselves the best Examples to those who are to be Governed by them: and we shall expect and provide the best we can, that the Bishops be frequent Preachers, and that they do very often preach themselves in some Church of their Diocess, except they be hindered by Sickness, or other bodily Infirmities, or some other justifiable occasion, which shall not be thought justifiable if it be frequent.
2. If any Diocess shall be thought of too large an Extent, we will appoint Suffragan Bishops for their Assistance.
3. No Bishop shall Ordain or Exercise any part of Jurisdiction which appertains to the Censures of the Church, without the Advice of the Presbyters, and no Chancellour shall exercise any Act of Spiritual Jurisdiction.
4. As the Dean and Chapters are the most proper Council and Assistants of the Bishop both in Ordination, and for the other Offices mentioned before; so we shall take care that those Preferments be given to the most Learned and Pious Presbyters of the Diocess, that thereby they may be always at hand and ready to advise and assist the Bishop: And moreover, That some other of the most Learned, Pious, and Discreet Presbyters of the same Diocess (as namely the Rural Deans, or others, or so many of either as shall be thought fit, and are nearest) be called by the Bishop to be present and assistant together with those of the Chapter, at all Ordinations, and at all other Solemn and Important Actions in the Exercise of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, especially wherein any of the Ministers are concerned. And our Will is, that the great Work of Ordination be constantly and solemnly performed by the Bishop in the Presence, and with the Advice and Assistance of his aforesaid Presbytery at the four set Times and Seasons appointed by the Church for that purpose.
5. We will take care that Confirmation be rightly and solemnly performed by the Information and with the Advice of the Minister of the Place, and as great diligence used for the Instruction and Reformation of notorious and scandalous Offenders as is possible; towards which the Rubrick before the Communion hath prescribed very wholesom Rules.
6. No Bishop shall Exercise any Arbitrary Power, or do or impose any thing upon the Clergy or the People, but what is according to the known Laws of the Land.
7. We are very glad to find that all with whom we have conferred do in their Judgments approve a Liturgy, or Set-Form of Publick Worship to be lawful; which in our Judgment for the preservation of Unity and Uniformity, we conceive to be very necessary; And though we do esteem the Liturgy of the Church of England, contained in the Book of Common Prayer, and by Law established, to be the best we have seen, and we believe that we have seen all that are extant and used in this part of the World, and well know what Reverence most of the Reformed Churches, or at least the most Learned Men in those Churches have for it; Yet since we find some Exceptions made to many absolete words, and other Expressions used therein, which upon the Reformation and Improvement of the English Language may-well be altered, we will appoint some Learned Divines of different Perswasions to review the same, and to make such Alterations as shall be thought most necessary, and some such Additional Prayers as shall be thought fit for emergent Occasions, and the improvement of Devotion; the using of which may be left to the Discretion of the Ministers: In the mean time, and till this be done, we do heartily wish and desire, that the Ministers in their several Churches, because they dislike some Clauses and Expressions, would not totally lay aside the use of the Book of Common Prayer, but read those Parts against which there can be no Exception, which would be the best Instance of declining those Marks of Distinction, which we so much labour and desire to remove.
8. Lastly, Concerning Ceremonies… which have administred so much Matter of Difference and Contention, and which have been introduced by the Wisdom and Authority of the Church, for Edification and the Improvement of Piety; we shall say no more, but that we have the more Esteem of all, and Reverence for many of them, by having been present in many of those Churches where they are most abolished or discountenanced, and where we have observed so great and scandalous Indecency, and to our Understanding so much absence of Devotion, that we heartily wish that those pious Men who think the Church of England overburthened with Ceremonies, had some little Experience, and made some Observation in those Churches abroad which are most without them.
And we cannot but observe, That those Pious and Learned Men with whom we have conferred upon this Argument, and who are most solicitous for Indulgence of this kind, are earnest for the same out of Compassion to the Weakness and Tenderness of the Conscience of their Brethren, not that themselves who are very zealous for Order and Decency, do in their Judgments believe the Practice of those particular Ceremonies which they except against, to be in it self unlawful; and it cannot be doubted, but that as the Universal Church cannot introduce one Ceremony in the Worship of God that is contrary to God's Word expressed in the Scripture; so every National Church (with the approbation and consent of the Soveraign Power) may and hath always introduced such particular Ceremonies, as in that Conjuncture of Time, are thought most proper for Edification, and the necessary improvement of Piety and Devotion in the People; though the necessary Practice thereof cannot be deduced from Scripture, and that which before was, and in it self is indifferent, ceases to be indifferent after it is once established by Law: And therefore our present Consideration and Work is, to gratifie the private Consciences of those that are grieved with the use of some Ceremonies, by indulging to, and dispensing with their omitting those Ceremonies, not utterly to abolish any which are established by Law (if any are practised contrary to Law, the same shall cease) which would be unjust, and of ill Example, and to impose upon the Conscience of some, and we believe much Superiour in Number and Quality, for the Satisfaction of the Conscience of others, which is otherwise provided for; as it would not be reasonable that Men should expect, that we should our self decline or enjoyn others to do so, to receive the Blessed Sacrament upon our Knees, which in our Conscience is the most humble, most devout, and most agreeable Posture for the holy Duty, because some other Men, upon Reasons best, if not only known to themselves, choose rather to do it Sitting or Standing: We shall leave all Decisions and Determinations of that kind, if they shall be thought necessary for a perfect and entire Unity and Uniformity throughout the Nation, to the Advice of a National Synod, which shall be duly called after a little time, and a mutual Conversation between Persons of different Perswasions, hath mollified those Distempers, abated those Sharpnesses, and extinguished those Jealousies which make Men unfit for those Consultations: and upon such Advice, we shall use our best endeavour that such Laws might be established as may best provide for the Peace of the Church and State.
1. In the mean time, out of Compassion and Compliance towards those who would forbear the Cross in Baptism, we are content that no Man shall be compelled to use the same, or suffer for not doing it; But if any Parent desire to have his Child Christned according to the Form used, and the Minister will not use the Sign, it shall be lawful for the Parent to procure another …Minister to do it; And if the proper Minister shall refuse to omit that Ceremony of the Cross, it shall be lawful for the Parent who would not have his Child so Baptized, to procure another Minister to do it, who will do it according to his Desire.
2. No Man shall be compelled to bow at the Name of Jesus, or suffer in any degree for not doing it, without reproaching those who out of their Devotion continue that Ancient Ceremony of the Church.
3. For the use of the Surplice, which hath for so many Ages been thought a most decent Ornament for the Clergy in the Administration of Divine Service; and is in truth of a different fashion in the Church of England, from what is used in the Church of Rome; we are contented that Men be left to their Liberty to do as they shall think sit, without suffering in the least degree for the wearing or not wearing it; provided that this Liberty do not extend to our own Chappel, Cathedral, or Collegiate Churches, or to any Colledge in either of our Universities; where we would have the several Statutes and Customs observed, which have been formerly.
And because some Men (otherwise Pious and Learned) say they cannot conform to the Subscription required by the Canon at the time of their Institution and Admission into Benefices, we are content (so they take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy) that they shall receive Institution and Induction, and shall be permitted to exercise their Function, and to enjoy the Profits of their Livings, without any other Subscription, until it shall be otherwise determined by a Synod called and confirmed by our Authority.
In a word, we do again renew what we have formerly said in our Declaration from Breda, for the Liberty of tender Consciences, that no Man shall be disquieted or called in question for Difference of Opinions in Matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; and if any have been disturbed in that kind since our Arrival here, it hath not proceeded from any Direction of ours.
To conclude, and in this place to explain what we mentioned before, and said in our Letter to the House of Commons from Breda, that we hoped in due time our self to propose somewhat for the propagation of the Protestant Religion, that will satisfie the World that we have always made it both our Care and our study and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it: we do conjure all our Loving Subjects to acquiesce in, and submit to this our Declaration, concerning those differences which have so much disquieted the Nation at home, and given such Offence to the Protestant Churches abroad, and brought such reproach upon the Protestant Religion in general from the Enemies thereof, as if upon obscure Notions of Faith and Fancy, it did admit the Practice of Christian Duties and Obedience to be discountenanced and suspended, and introduce a License in Opinions and Manners to the prejudice of the Christian Faith: And let us all endeavour, and emulate each other in those Endeavours, to countenance and advance the Protestant Religion abroad, which will be best done by supporting the Dignity and Reverence due to the best Reformed Protestant Church at home; and which being once freed from the Calamities and Reproaches it hath undergone from these late ill times, will be the best shelter for those abroad, which will by that Countenance, both be the better protected against their Enemies, and be the more easily induced to compose the Differences amongst themselves, which give their Enemies more advantage against them. And we hope and expect that all Men will henceforward forbear to vent any such Doctrine in the Pulpit, or to endeavour to work in such manner upon the Affections of the People, as may dispose them to an ill Opinion of us and the Government, and to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; which if all Men will in their several Vocations endeavour to preserve with the same Affection and Zeal we our self will do, all our Good Subjects will by God's Blessing upon us enjoy as great a measure of Felicity, as this Nation hath ever done, and which we shall constantly labour to procure for them, as the greatest blessing God can bestow upon us in this World.
Note, That the two Papers which the King's Declaration publisheth his Offence against, were 1. A Declaration which the Scots drew the King to publish when they Crowned him in Scotland, disclaiming his Father's Wars and Actions, in Language so little tender of his Father's Honour, that it was no wonder that the King was hardly drawn to it then, nor that Cromwell derided their Doings as Hypocritical, nor that the King was angry with those rash People whoever they were, who now reprinted it.
2. A Book of Dr. Cornelius Burges, who (though he was for a moderate Episcopacy) had written to prove the Necessity of a Reformatation in Doctrine, Discipline and Worship: whereas in all our Treaty we had never medled with the Doctrine of the Church: Because, though the most part of the Bishops were taken to be Arminians (as they are called) yet the Articles of Religion we took to be sound and moderate, however Men do variously interpret them.
§ 106. When we had received this Copy of the Declaration, we saw that it would not serve to heal our Differences; Therefore we told the Lord Chancellour (with whom we were to do all our Business still before it came as from us to the King) that our Endeavours as to Concord would all be frustrate, if much were not altered in the Declaration (I pass over all our Conferences with him, both now and at other times): In conclusion, we were to draw up our Thoughts of it in writing; which the Brethren imposed on me to do. My judgment was, That all the Fruit of this our Treaty (besides a little Reprival from intended Ejection) would be but the Satisfying our Consciences and Posterity that we had done our Duty, and that it was not our Fault that we came not to the desired Concord or Coalition, and therefore seeing we had no (considerable) higher hopes, we should speak as plainly as Honesty and Conscience did require us. But when Mr. Calamy and Dr. Reignolds had read my Paper, they were troubled at the plainness of it, and thought it would never be endured, and therefore desired some Alteration; especially that I might leave out 1. The Prediction of the Evils which would follow our Non-Agreement, which the Court would interpret as a Threatning. 2. The mentioning the Aggravations of Covenant-breaking and Perjury.… I gave them my Reasons for passing it as it was. To bring this to pass more effectually they told the Earl of Manchester (with whom as our sure Friend we still consulted, and whom the Court used, to Communicate to us what they desired): And he called the Earl of Anglesey and the Lord Hollis to the Consultation as our Friends: And these three Lords, with Mr. Calamy and Dr. Reignolds, perused all the Writing, and all with earnestness perswaded me to the said Alterations. I confess I thought those two Points material which they excepted against, and would not have had them left out, and thereby made them think me too plain and unpleasing, as never used to the Language or Converse of a Court: But it was not my unskilfulness in a more pleasing Language, but my Reason and Conscience (upon foresight of the Issue) which was the Cause. But when they told me that it would not so much as be received, and that I must go with it my self, for no body else would, I yielded to such an Alteration as here followeth. It was only in the Preface that the Alteration was desired. I shall therefore, that you may see what it was, give it you as first drawn up, and afterwards alter'd.