A Discourse of the Religion of England, Section 8 – Section 11
SECT. VIII. That the Reformed Religion makes good Christians, and good Subjects.
AS true Religion is the most Noble End, so it is the best Foundation of all Political Government. And it is the felicity of the State of England, to rest upon this Basis, even Reformed Christianity, or the Primitive and Apostolick Religion recovered out of the Apostacy of the later times, and severed from that new kind of Paganism, or Pagano-Christianism, under which it lay much oppressed and overwhelmed, but not extinguished. Its wholsome Doctrine contained in its publick Confessions, makes good Christians, and good Subjects. It teacheth obedience to Civil Magistrates, without the controle of any Superior or Collateral Power. Nor is it concerned, if dangerous Positions fall from the Pens of some Writers. And notwithstanding the Adversaries Cavils, the Divines of Authority and solid Reputation in the Protestant Churches, do with a general Consent maintain the Rights of Princes and Soveraign Powers, against all Disobedience. If any aberration in Practice, hath been found in its Professors, it is not to be charged therewith, because it condemns it; but the general practice in this point, hath been conformable to the Doctrine.
The Reformation in England, for its Legality and Orderliness, is unquestionable. In Germany it was setled and defended by Princes and free Cities, that governed their own Signiories and Territories, paying only a respect of Homage to the Emperor. In Helvetia it began by the Senates of the Cantons. It was received in Geneva by that Republick, after the Civil Government had been reformed by strong Papists. In the Provinces of the Netherlands it was spread many years before the Union against the Spaniard; which Union was not made upon the score of Religion, but of State. The manner of its beginning in Scotland, is by some attributed to a National Disposition, the asperity and vehemency thereof, is said to be greater in times of Popery, and to be much mitigated by the Reformation. For France, we may take the Testimony of King JAMES, who was jealous enough for the Power of Kings. He said, That he never knew yet, that the French Protestants took Arms against their King. In the first Troubles, they stood only upon their Defence; before they took Arms, they were burned and Massacred every where. The first Quarrel did not begin for Religion, but because when King Francis the Second was under Age, they had been the refuge of the Princes of the Blood expelled from the Court, who knew not else where to take Sanctuary; and that it shall not be found that they made any other Warr.
It is not for this Discourse to intermeddle with all the Actions of Protestant Subjects towards their Princes, that have happened in Christendom: Let them stand or fall by the Laws and Polity under which they live. Whensoever they have been disloyal, they have swerved from the known and received Rules of their Profession. Through the corruption of Mankind, Subjects of whatsoever perswasion, are prone to Murmurings and Mutinies. Sometimes Oppression makes them mad. Sometimes a Jealousie of Incroachments upon their Legal Rights and Liberties, raiseth Distempers and Contests. And sometimes an unbridled, wanton affecting of inordinate Liberty, makes them insolent and licentious. But over and above these common Sources of Rebellion, Popery hath a peculiar one, and that of the greatest Force, the Conscience of Religious Obligations, and the Zeal of the Catholick Faith. Protestants have never disowned their King for difference in Religion, as the most of the Roman Catholieks of France dealt with Henry the Fourth, by the Popes instigation. And in their greatest Enormities, they have never attempted the Stabbing and Poysoning of Princes that stood in their way, which the Jesuits teach their Disciples.
SECT. IX. The Reformed Religion is the permanent Interest of this Kingdom.
AS the Protestant or Reformed Religion, is the true Primitive Christianity, so it is the stable and permanent Interest of England, and the sure Foundation of its Prosperity. The King of England is the most Mighty Prince of this Profession, and becomes the more Potent over Christendom, by being the Head and Chief of the whole Protestant Party: And it is well known, That by the Support and Defence of this Cause, the Nation hath encreased in Honour, and Wealth, and Power.
The Peoples rooted Aversness from Popery, is most apparent, and their Jealousies work upon any more then usual Insolence or Confidence of the Papists. The Royallists as well as others, have been Allarm'd, and manifested their Zeal against it. And His Majesties Aversness from it, is so fully declared by His Constancy amidst Temptations, in the time of His Exile, and now since His Return, that for His Honours sake, it is made very penal for any to suggest that He would introduce it; the Law presuming, That such suggestion must needs proceed from an evil mind.
And what Prince that hath cast off the Popes yoke, would willingly come under it again? A Foreign Statesman of the Roman Profession, hath observed it as a Barr against the projected Reconciliation between England and Rome, That it could not be effected without Concessions on both sides, contrary to the Maxims of both parties. This Realm (saith he) is perversly addicted to maintain its own resolute Opinion of Excluding the Popes Authority. And the Court of Rome is more sollicitous to remove whatsoever is contrary to its Temporal Grandure, then to extirpate such Heresies as this Realm is infected with. To instance in that one point of the Approbation or Toleration of the Oath of Allegiance; though some Catholick Doctors had with their Tongues and Pens maintained the lawfulness of that Oath; yet thereby, and by opening some other points of high consequence, they had so displeased the Pope, that could they have been catch't, they were sure to have been burn'd or strangled for it. But what allurement is there to dispose the Monarchs of the Earth to subject themselves to the Sacerdotal Empire of Rome, or to endeavour an Accommodation with it? Hath Popery its advantages to dispose Subjects to security and blind obedience? So it hath its advantages to loosen the Bonds of Allegiance, and foment Rebellion in Subjects; when Protestancy seasons them with principles of unstained Loyalty. A people nuzled in ignorance and superstition, are more easily seduced from their obedience to Magistrates, and carried headlong by those that have dominion over their Consciences. But Understanding and Knowledg makes men considerate, and more easily manageable by a just and prudent Government.
As for the Clergy's Interest, though the Protestant Religion doth not affect that excessive Pomp and Splendor of Church-men, which the Popish doth; yet it is taken for granted, That neither Conscience nor Interest will permit the Bishops and Clergy of England, to unite to the See of Rome. Their Doctrine is too pure, and their Judgment too clear for a full compliance with Popery: And they know what it is to come under the Papal Yoke, to divest themselves, and receive new Orders from Rome, and to be displaced and set behind the Veteran Soldiers of the Roman Camp, whose turns must be first served.
SECT. X. It is for the behoof of Religion and true Piety, and for the Interest of this State, That Reformed Christianity be setled in its full Extent.
IF it be resolved, That Protestancy is the truth of Christianity, and also, the stability of England; it follows, That this Profession must not be streightned and lessened, but inlarged and cherished, according to its true Extent; and the Rule and Square of the Ecclesiastical State, must be commensurate thereunto. It should be the measure of all mens Zeal and Activity in Rites and Opinions, whatsoever is necessary to its support and advancement, is constantly to be asserted; and about things impertinent thereunto, contention should utterly cease. This is to advance the Kingdom of God among men, and to encrease the Church's glory upon earth. But by needless Schisms and Factions, to weaken the common Interest of Reformed Christianity, is to dissipate the Church of God, and to defeat the great Ends of the Christian Religion, which are, Sound and strong Faith in Christ and his Promises, unfeigned devotion, purity of heart, innocence and integrity of life, common charity, brotherly love, humility, mutual forbearance, and condescention, unshaken peace and concord.
As this Latitude promotes the great Designs of Christs Gospel, so it settles this Nation, and is, for matter of Religion, its right and sure Basis. Every good Foundation, lyes adequate to the Building to be laid thereon: So any Polity Civil or Ecclesiastical, should be proportionate to the people to be governed thereby. The people that are of moment in the Ballance of this Nation, are, though not universally, yet more generally rooted in Protestantism, as it is taken in its due latitude, and not as unduly restrained by the passions and interests of men: For in this they are one, though divided about lesser things.
There hath been much discord between men of several Perswasions, that throughly accord with each other in the same common Faith, as almost to expunge one another out of the List of Protestants. Surely this is a great error and a disadvantage on all hands, as well to those that stand on the Vantage-ground, as to others: For they that carry it after this sort, do weaken the Common Interest of true Religion, and strengthen the Common Adversary that is irreconcilable, and disparage themselves as a narrow Party or Faction. That all those who heartily embrace the English Reformation established by Law, are Protestants, will not be questioned by men of temperate spirits. And concerning the residue, let the sober-minded judge, Whether they that assent to the Doctrine of Faith contained in the Articles of the Church of England, and do worship God according to that Faith, have right to be esteemed Protestants. Now if Protestancy taken in its due Extent, doth sway the Nation, and is able to settle its Peace against the Competition of any Rival; should it not be encompassed according to that Extent, as much as is possible, in the Polity of this State?
SECT. XI. How momentous in the Ballance of the Nation, those Protestants are, that dissent from the present Ecclesiastical Polity.
VVHether cogent Reason speaks for this Latitude, be it now considered, How momentous in the Ballance of this Nation, those Protestants are, which are dissatisfied in the present Ecclesiastical Polity. They are every where spred through City and Countrey; they make no small part of all ranks and sorts of men; by Relations and Commerce they are so woven into the Nations Interest, that it is not easie to sever them, without unravelling the whole. They are not excluded from among the Nobility, among the Gentry they are not a few; but none are of more importance then they in the Trading part of the people, and those that live by Industry, upon whose hands the Business of the Nation lyes much. It hath been noted, that some who bear them no good will, have said, That the very Air of Corporations is infected with their Contagion. And in whatsoever degree they are, high or low, ordinarily for good understanding, steddiness and soberness, they are not inferior to others of the same Rank and Quality; neither do they want the Rational Courage of English Men.
As for the Ministers of this Perswasion, some have called them Fools for their Inconformity; others are reported to have said, That the Church should not so easily be rid of them, as if their Conformity had been dreaded by them. Some have pitied them, wishing that they would Conform; and others revile them, saying, Conform, or not Conform, never trust them. Howbeit, they make Solemn Appeals to the Most High God, That they dare not Conform, for Conscience sake; and that it is not in the power of their own wills to relieve them. And whatsoever their grounds of dissent be, they hold it out against all hopes of Indulgence, whilst many of them live in Necessities, and most of them upon the kindness of others.
It is now about Five years since a Full and Vigorous Act of Uniformity. at once cleared the Church of the supposed Enemies of her Polity. All Corporations have been New-model'd and changed as to the Principles and Tempers of persons, for the better securing of the Government in Church and State. The Private Meetings for Religious Worship (termed Conventicles) are strictly prohibited, Deportation being the Penalty upon the Third Conviction. And for the breaking and dissipating of the whole Party, it is provided by another Law, That the Non-conforming Ministers be removed five miles distant from the places of their usual supports and influences. Such care is taken, and such is the advantage both of Law and Power, to strengthen the State, and restrain Dissenters▪ Nevertheless, the State Ecclesiastical hath advanced little in the esteem, acceptance, or acquiescence of people. The Dissenters are still the same, and are rather strengthned in their aversness. And those of them that repair to the publick Assemblies, retain their Principles of Reformation (as they speak) without seperation. The Indifferent sort of men are still indifferent, and it may be have some kindness for the depressed Party, and pity them in their Sufferings.