A Useful Case of Conscience, Section 1
AN USEFULL Case of CONSCIENCE, Learnedly and Accuratly Discussed and Resolved.
Concerning Associations and Confederacies with Idolaters, Infidels, Hereticks, Malignants, or any other knoun Enemies of Truth and Godlinesse.
BY Mr. HUGH BINNING, Sometime Professor of Philosophie in the Universitie of Glasgow, &thereafter Minister of Gods Word at Goven.
Usefull for these times: And therefore published for the benefit of all those, who desire to know or retain the sworn to Principles of the sometimes famous Church of Christ in SCOTLAND.
Printed in the Year M.DCXCIII.
That the Present Publick RESOLUTIONS And Proceedings, do Import a Conjunction with the MALIGNANT PARTY In the Kingdome, and of the Sin, Danger and Scandal of that way.
Sect. 1. That there is a Malignant Party still in the Kingdom.
IN the Entry to this businesse, the Importunity of not a few makes it needfull to speak somwhat to a Question which unto this time hath been unquestioned, as beyond all exception, That is. Whether there be yet in Scotland a Malignant Partie? Or, Whether there be at this time any Partie who may and ought in Reason and Christian prudence be reputed and looked upon as Malignants and disaffected to the Covenanted Cause of God? It seems the more needfull to speak somwhat of this. First, Because some Ministers are become slack and silent in this point, as if now there were no need of Watchfullness and Warning against any such partie. 2. Because the expressions of many of the people of the Land run that way, that there are now no Malignants in Scotland, and that it is but a few Factious Ministers that will still keep up these names, that they may more easily with, others of their oun stamp weaken and divide the Kingdome for carrying on of their oun ends. 3. Because the Inclinations and Resolutions of the Publick Judicatories in reference to most of the Party who carryed that name, doth clearly import that they do think they are no more to be looked upon as Malignants, as appears from severall of their papers; especially the Letter written for satisfaction to the Presbytery of Sterling. And therfore this must be laid down as the Foundation of what follows. That there is still in the Land, not only a few persons; but a Party considerable for Number, Power and Policy, who are Malignant and dissaffected to the Covenant and Cause of God. We would joyn heartily in the desire of many, that these and other such like Odious names of different parties and factions were taken away; But we cannot joyn in the Reasons of this desire which are ordinarly given. We wish the name Malignant were Obsolete and antiquate, if so be the thing it self, which is such a root of bitternesse, were extirpated out of the Church; yea though the thing it self remained, if men would hate it for it self, and account it more odious and hatefull than the name imports, we would be glad it were no more heard of: Because we find this prejudice by all such Appropriated Names, that People generally Looks upon that which goes under that name as the only sin: and as if there were not that root of bitterness in all which it grows out of in any; and so conceive themselves good Christians if they fall not under that hatefull Appellation of Malignants. But seing this bitter fruit of Enmity against Godliness and the Godly, comes to more ripeness and maturity in many of this Generation than in others, who yet are unconverted: And seing it hath been the Custome of the Church of God in all Generations, to discriminate many more Ungodly and knoun haters of Godliness and his people from the common sort of naturall people, and to comprehend them under these names, of Wicked, of Malignant, of Enemies, as may appear in the old Testament, especially in the Psalms. And more especially in our days, that name hath been appropriated to such who have declared themselves in their words or Actions to be haters of Godlinesse and the power thereof, and his People. Or have arisen to the height of Actuall Opposition against these; we cannot be blamed for using such a name still, for distinctions sake. We proceed to some Reasons.
(1.) The constant and Continued Proceedings of the Generall Assembly and their Commissioners for many years past unto this day.
There is not almost any of their Warnings, Declarations or Remonstrances, which doth not Assert this, and warn against it, and that not only before the Kings home coming and taking of the Covenant; but also since that time, as is evident by the Declaration emitted by the Commission in Iuly Last, the Declaration of the Assembly it self a litle after, by the Declaration emitted at Sterling since the defeat at Dumbar, the Causes of the Fast upon that defeat, the Remonstrance to the King at Perth after his escape, together with the Remonstrance given in by them to the Parliament: All which doe clearly hold forth this Truth.
(2.) Take Christs Rule, By their fruits ye shall know them. There is a great Party in the Land that adhere to Malignant Principles, bring forth Malignant fruits, and tread Malignant Paths. As may appear in these instances. (1.) A great many of these who have been formerly engadged in such Courses, and under Church Censures, did lately Conjoyne together and rise in Arms, and drew away the King from the Publick Counsels of the Kingdom, and refused to Lay down Arms till they got Conditions agreeable to their mind, which Course of theirs was justly declared by the Commission to carry upon it the stamp of Malignancie in an Eminent way. (2.) The seeking to promove and Establish an Arbitrarie Power in the Person of the King, as it hath been still the Endeavour of the Malignant Party, so it hath been alwayes taken by the Kirk of Scotland as one of their Characters, and that there is a Party now in Scotland, who still hold that Principle and drive this Designe of Arbitrary Power is evident. First, Because these same men who were Lately in Arms, did not only take up Arms upon the Kings simple Warrant, and without the Knowledge and contrare to the mind of the Committee of Estates; But also received the Act of Indemnity, and laid down Arms, in obedience to the Kings Majesty, without so much as mentioning or Acknowledging the Committee of Estates, as it is to be seen in a Paper Subscrived by them, and in the Remonstrance of the Commission of the Generall Assembly dated at Perth Novr. 29. 1650. The words whereof are these. Your Lordships would Likewise Consider, Whether it doth not Encroach upon the present Constitution of Goverment of this Kingdom, and will not Involve your Lordships in the Guilt of these mens Sin, if You shall accept upon their Laying doun of Arms, Meerly upon the Profession of Obedience to the Kings Command, without any expression of their respect and obedience to the Committee of Estates, or any Acknowledgment of their sin and Offence: which we hope you will look upon as a most Unnaturall and unseasonable rending of the Kingdom, in the tyme of this heavy Oppression by a common Enemy, and exposing the Kingdom to all misery and ruine. 2. It may be remembred that in the first Modell of the Aggreement which was made at Bredah, that clause which doth concern the determining of Civil matters in the Intervall of Parliament, by such as are Authorized by Parliament for that effect, and the Kings Majesty hearkening to their Advice, was wholly left out. And any who are aquainted with expressions and Inclinations of sundry Great Ones in the Land, are not ignorant of their dislyke of a Committee of Estates, and their desire to have the Administration of Matters in the Intervall of Parliament wholly devolved upon the Kings Councell. And the same spirit that would draw businesse from the Committee to a Cabinet Councell, would at last draw them from the Parliament it self: Because that is also, if not more crossing to private Interests and designes than a Committee of Estates. 3 Instance. There is a Party in the Land who as in their hearts they do envy, and in their tongues doe Traduce men that have been stedfast and faithfull in the Covenant and Cause of God; so do they Endeavour to the utmost of their power, to bring them into Disgrace and Contempt, and to get them removed from Power and Trust; And upon the other side study with no lesse diligence to get places of Power and Trust in the Army and elswhere filled with such as either have been open enemies or secret underminers. 4 Instance. Be there not many who oppose the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and Work of Reformation? not only by holding up that old Calumny of Malignants, concerning the seditious and factious humor of Ministers, and their stretching of themselves beyond their lyne, and by mocking all faithfull and free preaching of the Word, and by bearing down the power of Godlinesse, deriding and hating all the lovers and followers thereof, by being impatient of the discipline and Censures of the Church; But also looking upon the Government of the Church with ane evil eye: And strongly enclyning, some of them, that Church Government be put in the hands of a few Prelates; most of them that it may be wholly devolved upon the Civil Government. 5. Instance. There is still a party in the Land that endeavour to have the state of the Question altered, and to have Religion left out of the same; That it being stated upon Civil Interest, they may take to themselves a greater Latitude in their way of carrying on business. This was holden forth to be the designe of the Malignant Party in the year 1648. as appears in the Declaration of the Commission that year in March: and there was a Necessary and Seasonable Warning given against it by the Commission in their Declaration of the date July 1650.
(3.) Reason. Besides these who are Excommunicated, there be yet in the Land a Considerable number of persons of Chief note, who do still ly under Censures of the Church, some because of their Accession to the late Unlaufull Engadgment, others because of their Accession to the late Course of Rebellion about the time of the Kings escape from Perth; beside many others of less Note.
(4.) We suppose that it is most certain and unquestionable, that there was lately a Malignant Party and faction in the Land very numerous and powerfull. How many men of blood, Murderers of their brethren, as unnaturall and barbarous as the Irishes they once joyned with against their Countrey? How many have watched all opportunities for troubling the peace of the Kingdom, and rejoyced in the day of its Calamity? How many were the Oppressors of these who Called on the Lords Name in the time of the Engadgment? What multitudes of profane and Ungodly mockers of all Godlinesse and Haters and Persecuters of the Godly, suarming every where? If this be of truth, as it is indeed; We may say, who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such a thing? Shall a Nation be born at once? And have they so soon Learned to doe well, who have been so accustomed to doe evil? When did this Catholick Conversion fall out? and by what means? Hath the act of Indemnity and Pardon such Influence, to Justify these men from all their Butcheries and Barbarous Cruelties? The adding of three Thousand to the Church in one day, was miraculous in the days of miracles. But Behold a greater miracle than that, in the days when miracles are ceased! many Thousands added to the Church of the friends of the Cause of God in one day, and that not by preaching, which is the power of God unto Savation; Not by spirituall weapons which are mighty through God: But by the Carnall weapon of ane Act of Indemnity, and the example of one Man, the Kings Conjunction in the Cause, which at the best hath not such evidence of reality as to convince any, and change their mind. Sad experience, and the Constant Testimony of the Church of Scotland proves, that Malignancy is a weed that hath deeper and stronger roots than to be plucked up so easily; and that though there be some, yet they be but few in the Land who have been once engadged in that way, that have really and indeed abandoned and come off the same.
The point shall more appear by taking off objections that are made to the Contrary. It is objected. 1. That these who were formerly esteemed Malignants, did oppose the work of God because they could not be perswaded in Conscience, That the Covenant and Cause were Contrived and Carryed on in a Warrantable way, those who were most instrumentall in it, seeming to them not only to act without Authority, but against Authority. But so it is, that the King hath now joined in the Covenant and added his Authority to it, and therfore it needs not be feared that these men will any more oppose it; Nay it may be expected, they will no lesse Zealously promove the ends thereof than they did formerly oppose the same.
Answer. This Argument supposeth some things that are false, some things at best doubtfull, and some things dangerous. It supposeth Tuo falsities. 1. That it was a ground and principle of Conscience and respect to the Kings Authority that made these men to oppose the Covenant and … of Reformation. If it was the Conscience and Conviction of the Unwarrantablness of it for the want of Authority, that stirred them up to oppose the Covenant and Cause; Then why did they subscrive it and joyn in the defence of the same against the King? 2. It supposeth that the only ground, why they did oppose and undermine the same, was, because the King was of a Contrary mind and refused to joyn in the Covenant, and Ratify the same by his Authority, which also is false; for there were severall other Grounds and Causes of so doing besides this. We shall name a few, leaving the rest to a further scrutinie. 1. The Naturall enmity that is in the hearts of all men against the Lord and his Anointed, his work and his people, and the power of Godlinesse, which doth effectually work in the Children of disobedience. 2. An Enmity against the Power of Parliament and Laws. 3. An Enmity against the Union of the Kingdoms. 4. An Enmity against the Power of Presbyteries and the Discipline of the Church. To which are opposed, A sinfull desire of breaking the bonds, and casting away the Cords of the Lord and his Anoynte; A desire to establish an Arbitrary Power and unlimited Monarchy; A desire to Establish a Lordly Prelaticall power in the Persons of a few, or to have the Government of the Church wholly dependent on the Civil Power; A desire to dissolve the Union of the Kingdoms, that they may be thereby weakned and less able to resist Malignant Designs against Religion and Liberties; A desire to live loosly without bands in regard of personall Reformation.
2. It supposeth somthing that is at best doubtfull, to wit, That the King hath really joyned unto the Cause of God, there being small Evidences of it, and many presumptions to the Contrary. Especially. 1. His bringing home with him into the Kingdom a number of eminent, wicked and known Malignants. His countenancing of, and familiar conversing with such in this Nation since his coming, and Correspondence with others of them abroad. His deserting of the Publick Counsells of the Kingdome, to joyn to a Partie of bloody and wicked men raised in Arms with his Knowledge and by his warrand. 2. His not being convinced of any guilt in his Father, because of his opposition to the Cause and Covenant, notwithstanding of all the blood of the Lords people shed by him in that opposition. For verifying wherof, we appeal to the Knowledge of some Noblemen and Ministers who have occasion to know his mind, and to be serious with him in this thing.
3. It supposeth somthing that is of very dangerous Consequence 1. That these mens Zeal to the Cause or against it, doth ebb and flow according to the Kings being against it or for it. Since they follow the Cause, not for it self but for the King, will they not desert it when the King forsakes it? Can they be accounted reall friends of the Cause who are knoun to favour it only ad nutum Principis? As the Comaedian ait, aio, negat, nego. Is it not all one to follow the Cause for the King and for a mans oun Interest and advantage? both are alike Extrinsick and Adventitious to the Cause, both are alike Changable. Eccebulus under Constantius was a precise Christian, under Iulian a persecuting Apostate, and then again under the next Christian Emperor became a Christian: And it is like if he had outlived that Emperour till a Heathen succeeded, he should have Paganized the second time. 2. That very principle that is pretended to unite them to the Cause is in the self most dangerous, both to the Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of people, and to our Religion beside. Their principle of opposition was, They conceived the way followed could not be warrantable without the Kings Consent and warrant. That people might not vindicate their oun just Rights and Liberties, and their Religion, without the Kings Concurrence, or against Him. Now then, the principle of their conjunction to the cause must be this, Because it is now cloathed with Authoritie which it had not before, and which now makes it warrantable. This principle therefore includes in the bosome of it, the establishing of Illimited and Absolute Power in Kings, the Unlawfulness of defensive wars against Tyrannie and Oppression, the Kings Negative voyce, and the dependent Power of Parliaments upon his Pleasure: All which are principles destructive of the Cause and our Liberties, and the very characters of our Enemies from the beginning. Thus they have changed their way but not their principles, and are now the more dangerous that they may not be looked upon as Enemies, but as friends. Seing it is manifest, that it is not the love of the cause that constrains them, and they know, it was not that principle that persuaded the King, but meer Necessity, contrare to his oun inclination. May we not certainly expect, that according to their principles they will labour to set at freedom the King whom they conceive Imprisoned and captivated by the power of necessity within the limits and bounds of a regulated Monarchie, and to loose from him all these chains of Involuntary Treaties and Agreements, and rigid Laws and Parliaments, that he may then act in freedom and Honour according to his oun inclination and theirs both. And then farewell Religion and Liberties.
Objection 2. The most part of these who were formerlie Malignant, have now repented of that sin, and make profession of their resolution to adhere to the Covenant and Cause of God, and to bestow their lives and Estates in defence thereof: Therefore they are not now to be esteemed Malignants.
Answer. We would wish from our hearts that we had no answer to this Argument, then should we yeeld the point in hand, and yeeld it cheerfully, that there is no Malignant party now in Scotland. But, alas! that we have so much evidence convincing our consciences and persuading them to deny what is objected. We acknowledge some have indeed repented, and such we desire to embrace and receive with all tenderness & love, as Godly Christians, worthy to be entrusted: But yet the most part of them do still bring forth the same Malignant fruits. Their ungodly and wicked practises testify to their face that they have nothing to do to take his Covenant in their mouth, seing they hate to be Reformed. The late rising in Arms, contrare to their solemne and particular engadgments; Their bearing down and reproaching the Godly, and such as are of known Integrity; Their studying to fill places of Trust with men formerly Enemies or Underminers; Their continuing in their profane and loose walking. All these are more convincing evidences of their retaining their Old principles, than any extorted confessions or professions, for sinister respects and ends, can be probable signs of their repentance and change.
We desire these things to be remembred. That the Engadgment was Carryed on, not by Open and professed Enemies; but such as had made publick profession of their repentance, and were therupon admitted to trust. 2. That upon consideration of the hypocrisy and instability of these men appearing in that and other particulars, the Kirk and Kingdom of Scotland did take upon themselves strait Bonds and Engadgments to exclude such from Trust, untill such time as they had given reall evidences of the reality of their Repentance, and of abandoning their former Principles and wayes; of which this Kirk was to judge Impartialie as in Gods sight. 3. That it hath been confessed and preached by manie Godly Ministers, and was given in by sundry in the time of the search of the Lords Controversy against the Land, in Novr. last at Perth, and hath been bemoaned and regrated by many of the people who feared God; That there is a great deal of sin and Guilt Lying on the Kirk of Scotland, for the sudden receiving of Scandalous persons, especially Malignants, to the publick profession of Repentance before there was in them any reall evidence of their forsaking their former Principles and wayes.
Objection 3. None are now to be esteemed Malignants, in reference to Employment and Trust, but such as stand Judiciallie Debarred by Kirk and State to be so: for certainly, men are not to ly under the burden of so great a reproach, upon the privat whisperings and Common reports of others; otherways, honest men may be wronged, and there shall be no end of confusion, or terminating this Controversie, there being no certain Rule to walk by in it.
Answer. We Acknowledge that surmisings, whisperings and reports of others are not sufficient, but that a Rule is needfull. All the Question will be, what is that Rule? And though the Judiciall debarring of Judicatories be not all, but it must be Ruled by another Rule, yet are we willing to take it for so much: for even that will prove there is yet a Malignant Party in Scotland: Because many are standing under Church Censures. These involved in the Late Rebellion, are standing under a sentance of the Commission, declaring them to be following their old Malignant designes, few of them are yet admitted to profession of Repentance. We desire it may be Considered, that the Rule holden forth by the Kirk of Scotland, 1648. for admitting of Persons to Trust, is of larger extent than Judiciall sentence or Censure. To wit, that they be such against whom there is no just cause of exception nor jealousy. 2. Albeit a Judiciall tryall or Censure be indeed necessary, for inflicting punishment or Censure upon men: Yet it is not necessary for avoyding Association with them, or debarring them from Trust. 3. If none were to be accounted Malignants, but they who are Judicially▪ declared to be such, what needed the Kirk of Scotland have frequently taken so much pains, to give Characters to know them by; there being so clear and Compendious a way besyde? Hath there not been alwayes in the Land secret underminers as well as open Enemies? And hath not faithfull men avoyded the one as well as the other? 4. The Generall Assembly 1648. Declared the taking in of these who followed Iame Grahame to be Association with Malignants, though most part of them were then Released from Church Censures.