The Interest of England in the Matter of Religion, Essays 1 · Section 2 – Section 4
Section II.
The Nation grows impatient of these confusions, and conceives just indignation at the disgrace and scorn cast upon it by such ridiculous changes and absurd motions in Government. Considerate men saw plainly, that the state of England was grown poor and feeble, and must needs langush more and more till it hath no strength left to resist any Invader, or to subsist under its own charge and burthen. The thoughts of men in general fix upon the exiled Royal Family, as alone sacred to Soveraignty, and alone able by reason of its extensive and grounded Interest to hold and manage it. In this juncture of time the unruly motions and projects of the prevailing part of the Army received some check by a Chieftain of High Trust, yet not of the Army-spirit. Presently the three Kingdoms gaze upon him, musing what is the design, and what may be the issue of his single opposition. Being a Person deliberate, reserved and resolute; by ambiguous expressions and winding Traverses he amuzes all parties, and feels his way step by step, till he finds when to declare and where to fix himself. At length a full Tide of concurring accidents carries him to a closure with the sober part of the Parliamentary party, who from first to last intended only a Reformation, and due regulation of things in Church and State, but abhorred the thought of destroying the King, or changing the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom. Whereupon the doors were set open to the Re-admission of the Secluded Members, which necessarily drew after it the restoring of King, Lords and Commons, according to the ancient constitution. Nor was it possible in that state of things, that any other party could peaceably bring about this much desired and long expected end: For the Souldiery however changed and much qualified were not so manageable as to have indured the stirring of those, who were then called Royalists, but in any such appearance they were in all reason likely to have deserted their General, and from that rooted principle of self-preservation to have taken such ways and counsels, as might put things to a stand, if not to the utmost hazard. But those prudent and sober-minded Patriots being re-assembled after so long Exclusion, to put a Period to those disorders, did not only prevent the aforesaid mischief, but also beget a good measure of quietness and confidence in the minds of that party which conscientiously adhered to them in the first Cause asserted by both Houses of Parliament, in as much as these longed for nothing more, then the securing of the true Reformed Protestant Religion, and their Civil Rights and Liberties upon the ancient Foundations, and esteemed the legal settlement of the Kingdom, to be that regular way wherein they might expect that God should meet them, and bless them, and give them peace, and wherein (whatever happens) they should finde security and satisfaction to their own Consciences.
Thus the Divine Providence having first prepared the way, brings back King Charles the Second, drawn in the swiftest Chariots, even the affections of his willing people, and amidst their triumphant acclamations peaceably sets him upon the Throne of his Royal Progenitors. And there let him long sit and reign, and let his House and Kingdom be established throughout all Ages. And verily in this great turning time it is of the highest importance to inquire and search how the King and Kingdom, who in so wonderful manner have been restored to each other, may be put into a stable possession of peace, happiness, and security unto all mutual complacency and satisfaction.
Section III.
After a dreadful Earthquake shaking all the Powers of the Kingdom, and overturning the very Foundations, and after a new frame of things erected standing for divers years, and seemingly stated for perpetuity, the Regal Family and Government is raised up again, not by the power or policy of that party who fought under the Banner of his late Majesty in the Wars, between Him and both Houses of Parliament; But by the restless desire of the Nation, and the vigorous actings of the City of London, with the concurrence of the Secluded Members of the Long Parliament, in conjunction with that Renowned Person who then held the power of the Sword: Which it pleased the King to take notice of according to His Princely Condescention in His Gracious Speech to the House of Peers for hastening the Act of Indempnity. [My Lords, if you do not joyn with Me in extinguishing those fears which keep mens hearts awake, and apprehensive of safety and security, you keep Me from performing my promise, which if I had not made, I am perswaded that neither I nor you had been now here: I pray you let Us not deceive those who brought Us, or permitted Us to come together.]
His Majesty thus brought back to a willing and free-spirited people by their own Act, beholds his undoubted Interest set forth to his hand, and made plain before him, which is no other, then a well tempered and composed state of Affairs both Religious and Civil in all his Dominions, by the abolishing of former differences, and the reconciling of all reconcileable Parties; and especially of those grand Parties, which (if made one) do upon the matter carry the whole Nation. And this His Majesties Wisdom hath already observed in that excellent Proclamation against vitious, debauched, and profane persons in these words [That the Reconciliation and Union of hearts and affections can only with Gods blessing make us rejoyce in each other, and keep our Enemies from rejoycing.] And this is the earnest expectation and hope of the Religious, and well affected to publick Tranquility, That the King, our Supream Head and Governour, whose gracious Disposition doth not suffer him to cleave to any divided part of his Subjects, and to reject others that are alike Loyal, will as a Common Father, protect and cherish all those that are found capable and worthy, and become our great Moderator by his Authority and Wisdom, to lessen differencies, and allay Animosities between dissenting brethren, which already agree in the main Points of Religion. What was it that brought home His Majesty with such impetuous affection, & impatience of delay, even in those as well as others, who must needs know that an abatement of their particular interest would follow? What was it (I say) but a clear knowledge and foresight, that all would run to rack and ruin, unless the Publike State did settle speedily upon a national bottom, which could not be any other then the ancient Royal Family? Wherefore let our hearts reioyce that our Dread Soveraign proceeds to build his Designs, not upon the interest of any one Party, though numerous and powerfull, but upon the common Tranquility and Security of the Nation: So by the blessing of God he will continue a happy and mighty King over a happy and contented people, who will esteem him their Wealth and Strength and Stability, because they know, that none but He under God, can make them happy, and that they can Center and Bottom on none but Him.
Section IV.
Among the various dis-agreeing Parties within this Kingdom, which seem to render it an indigested Masse of people; two main ones appear above the rest, of so large an interest, that if by any means they might become no more twain, but one; they would take in, and carry along the whole stream & strength of the Nation. And these two are the Episcopal and Presbyterian Parties, each of them highly laying claim to the Protestant Religion. And undoubtedly whilest these two remain divided, the Kingdom of England, and the Protestant Religion is divided against it self. This dis-union is removed either by the Abolition of one Party, or by the Coalition of both into one. The former if supposed possible, cannot be accomplished but by violent and perillous ways and means. The latter is brought to pass by Accommodation or mutual yielding. Moreover there is a third way imaginable, Toleration indulged to the weaker side. In which of these waies lies the true Interest of the King and Kingdom is the great Case of the time, and the Subject of this Discourse, which presumes not to informe his Majesty; but in subordination unto his declared moderation and condescention, endeavours, by shewing things as they are, to convince and perswade Interessed persons, that the Pacification begun for this Interim may be intire and perfect and fully setled for perpetual unity. The whole matter rests upon three main Enquiries.
I Qu. Whether in Justice or reason of State the Presbyterian Party should be Rejected and Depressed, or Protected and Incouraged.
II Qu. Whether the Presbyterian Party may be Protected and Incouraged, and the Episcopal not Deserted nor Dis-obliged.
III Q. Whether the Upholding of both Parties by a just and equal accommodation be not in it self more desirable and more agreeable to the State of England, than the absolute Exalting of the one Party, and the total Subversion of the other.
And here let none prejudge the matter by reason of the name Presbyterian, which with some is rendred odious; but let the Character hereafter given be heedfully observed. Let none take offence at the name of Prelate or Prelatist, which is not used for envy but for distinctions sake. Moreover the reasons why the first Inquiry is propounded on the Presbyterians behalf, are, because Episcopacy now stands on the rising ground, and seems to have no need of an Advocate. Also the Presbyterians aim not at an ample, splendid and potent State; but at Liberty and Security in their lower Orbe; and chiefly because they are by some mis-represented, and by many mis-apprehended, and pre-condemned as inconsistent with publick tranquility in Church or State.