Manifest Truth, Title page – Preface
Manifest Truth, OR AN INVERSION OF Truths Manifest.
Containing a NARRATION of the Proceedings of the Scottish Army, and a Vindication of the Parliament and Kingdome of England from the false and injurious aspersions cast on them by the Author of the said Manifest.
PROV. 18. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just, but his neighbour commeth and searcheth him.
Published by Authoritie.
LONDON Printed by M. S. for Henry Overton in Popes-head-Alley, and Giles Calvert, at the Spread Eagle at West end of Pauls, 1646.
THE PREFACE.
THough all possible care shall be taken, that this ensuing Discourse may need no Apology, yet the misconstruction it is lyable to in this quarrelsome age, may require a Preface; in which I shall not, as the Author of Truths Manifest, goe about to quicken the appetite of my Reader, by a self-commendation, but (if I regarded the praise of men) should much rather choose to be commended by another, in the end of my worke, then by my selfe in the beginning. But out of a great, and just tendernesse of doing, or being thought to doe any thing, which might tend to any alienation betwixt these happily united Kingdomes, I thought fit to declare, as followeth.
First, that a hearty union betwixt the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland, as it is most agreeable to Religion, and the solemne Covenant, so it is eminently requisite to their mutuall preservation, both from the illegall intrenchments of their owne King, and from the attempts of forreigne Princes or States; for by such an inviolate conjunction▪ they shall be kept from being instrumentall to each others ruine, which hath lately been designed upon both successively by their owne King, that he might become absolute Lord of them both, to the prejudice, if not ruine, of Religion and Liberty. As also, Strangers, especially the French, shall be prevented in their wonted designe, which hath been to raise, and foment differences betwixt these Kingdomes, and have been forward to assist Scotland against England, not for love to Scotland, but hatred or feare of England, which they have looked upon as a dangerous Neighbour. And let me adde further, that the continuation and confirmation of this Union, will not prove onelyonly an Ornament to the Protestant Religion, but a great advantage to the propagating of it, and will also make us more capable of righting our selves, Confederates, and Allyes against any injuries or usurpations, that are or shall be offered. And I hope these apprehensions shall over-awe my pen, that it walke very circumspectly in the ensuing discourse.
Secondly, give me leave to say, that this Union doth not necessarily inferre a confusion or mixture: but may as well, and it may be better stand, with a full reservation to each of their peculiar Lawes, Priviledges, Governments, and possessions.
It is hard, if not impossible, to find two persons, that shall concurre to an universall compliance in their friendship, but are glad to find a correspondence in some things, and content to yield a mutuall sorbearance in others. This is more difficult to be found in States, who have besides their diversities of Lawes and Government, more differences of generall and particular Interests, then private persōs are capable of. And though through Gods mercy, these two Kingdomes are more happy then other Confederates, who like bodies exactly sphericall touch but in a point, as they have occasion, by their Ambassadours, yet the nature of affaires, and men permits not they should meet, as two bodies exactly plaine in every point. For, though their Interests be the same, sc▪ the conservation of their Liberties against Tyranny, and Religion the choycest fruite of their Liberty, against any thing destructive to it, yet the customes and constitutions of the Kingdoms, and the dispositions of the people may be so different (besides other incident disadvantages) that an universall close is rather to be desired then expected and something must be left to time, and more to him, who alone challenges the Prerogative of fashioning mens hearts alike.
And it may be added, that such an union is not onelyonly not possible, but not necessary; for Conjunction, being but a meanes to some further end, is no further requisite, then it conduces to that end of mutuall preservation.
There is indeed, beside the benefit, a native beauty in unity: but to be violent in pressing of it, is to scratch the face that it may be beautifull, and when accomplishd (as it is thought) it will be found rather to be a paint, then a naturall complexion: I shall onelyonly take Liberty to adde further, that the pressing an exact uniformity in Church, or a union of mixture in State, (the nature of persons and things not admitting it) may hinder a union of conjunction in those things, which are possible and necessary: And I pray God, it be not the Designe of some under the pretence of union, in things presently impossible, to promote a difference in that which is necessary.
Thirdly, as this discourse springs not from any principle of disaffection to the Scottish Nation, so I hope none will force any such conclusions from it, beyond my meaning, though without my guilt. For my part, I freely professe, that I think it may in its owne nature, as well as its intent, tend more to the preservation of union, then the occasioning of distraction. Upon this ground, we have patiently received and read two Manifests, to which the Questionist from St. Andrewes hath added something, not a little reflecting upon the Parliament, and Kingdome of England; the first untouch'd produced a second, this second may bring forth, and in the close of it intimates a third, and possibly a worse, till under pretence of justification of our brethren, the charges against our selves may grow intolerable, and occasion greater inconveniences.
Fourthly, I hope the distance of time intervening, betwixt the booke and the Answer, cannot afford an objection against it. First, I staid to see, if somebody that was more able, or more concerned, would undertake it. Secondly, it is a businesse of great tendernesse and importance, and occasioned many thoughts of heart, which did long delay it, but could not prevaile against it. For I am able truly to say, with the Author of Truths Manifest, that not so much the love and honour of my own Nation, which yet I hope shall be alwayes deare to me, as Covenant, and conscience, and consideration of the good of both Kingdomes, have put me upon this worke, and carried me through it, for it is found, that unequall complyances, especially with natures not so good, doe but make way for greater disadvantages, which cannot alwayes be borne. And though it be alwayes better to suffer wrong then doe it, and sometimes better to receive wrong, then require right, yet the most beaten path to peace and justice, which I thinke now it becomes me, and others to walk in, is neither to doe wrong, nor to suffer it. For though a man may part with his owne Right for publick advantage, yet I know no Rule of parting with other mens right for my owne advantage. And therefore though not without sense, yet without feare of any danger that may spring from men, impatient and mindfull of oppositions, I enter upon the worke, in which I shall observe this method. First, to give a true and short Narrative of the proceedings of the Scotch Army since they came into England, wherein I shall endeavour to doe them all possible right. And secondly, make some Animadversions upon divers passages in Truths Manifest, wherein though something may be said against the Manifest, yet nothing against the Truth, for we can doe nothing against the Truth.