The Interest of England in the Matter of Religion, Essays 1 · Section 13
Section XIII.
There goes a voice, that the Presbyterians are Antimonarchical; But are their Principles inconsistent with Monarchy, or any impeachment to the same? These are contained in the character above-written; let any of them be called into question, and let Sentence be past upon them, if they be found guilty; but if no particular be herewith charged, the reproach must pass for calumniation, not accusation. Peradventure the exact Presbytery, that is, the parity of degree and authority in all Ministers, is that against which this charge is directed: although this parity is not insisted upon, or urged to the breach of peace, neither is it essential to Presbytery; yet what reason can be rendred why this may not comport with Kingly Government? Or would this sort of men have no King to reign over them? Doth a Re-publique better please them? Did the English or Scottish Presbyters ever go about to dissolve Monarchy, and to erect some other kind of Government? In no wise: for in the Solemn League and Covenant they bound themselves to endeavour the preservation of the Kings person and Authority, and declared they had no intent to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness. After the violent change of Government, they came slowest and entred latest into those new Engagements imposed by the usurp'd Powers, and some utterly refused, even to the forfeiture of their preferments, and the hazard of their livelihoods, when the Nation in general submitted to the yoke; and many of those who thus object against them, did in temporizing run with the foremost. The truth is, the generality of Conscientious Presbyterians never ran with the current of those times. Some more eminent among them, Ministers and others, hazarded their lives, and others lost their lives in combining to bring our Soveraign, that now is, to the rightful possession of this His Kingdom. And those in Scotland adventured no more then all to uphold him; and when He lost the day, they lost their Liberty, and when He fell, it was said by the Adversary, Presbytery was fallen. I have known when keeping company with the chief Presbyterian Ministers hath been objected by the Republican Council of State for a crime causing Imprisonment. Lastly, the Presbyterians by their influence first divided, and then dissipated the Sectarian party, and so made way for his Majesties Return in peace. And it is acknowledged by some eminent on the Episcopal side, that the sence of the Covenant hath lately quickned many mens Consciences in their Allegiance to the King, so as to bring him with David home in infinite joy and triumph. All which do shew plainly, that they are not averse from Regal Government, or the Royal Family, but they desire to dwell under the shadow of our dread Soveraign, hoping to renive as the Corn, and to grow as the Vine under his gracious influence. Peradventure it is said, they would enervate Monarchy, and render it too impotent. Surely I cannot finde the rise of this Objection, unless from hence, that they were not willing to come under any yoke but that of the Laws of the Realm, or to pay arbitrary Taxes levied without consent of Parliament. I confess there are none that more reverence their Liberties, and value the native happiness of the free born Subjects of England. And verily their true knowledge and sense of the nature of Christian Religion makes a due freedom exceeding precious: For this Religion is not variable according to the will of man, but grounded upon an unchangeable and eternall truth, and doth indispensibly binde every Soul high and low to one divine law and rule perpetual and unalterable. And therefore it doth strongly plead the expedience of a due civil liberty on the behalf of its Professors; yet such a liberty as will not infeeble Monarchy, nor the legal power of the Kings of England And without controversie, a King ruling a free people hath a power much more noble and more free, then he that ruleth over perfect Vassals, that hath no Propriety. The power is more noble, because it hath a more noble subject of Government; it is more honourable to rule men then beasts, and Free men then Slaves. Likewise the power is more free: For whatsoever Prince hath not his power limited by his peoples legal freedom, he will be bound up some other way, either by the potency of subordinate Princes and great Lords within the Realm, or by a veterane Army, as the Turkish Emperour by his Janizaries, and the Roman Caesars by the Pretorian Bands and the Legions. Upon which account, to be a powerful Monarch over a free people, is the freedom and glory of our Soveraign Lord, above all the Potentates on earth.