A Second Parcel of Objections Answered, Treatise · Letter 2
The second Letter.
Reverend Sir!
I Return you manie thanks, for your pains and patience, in seeking to give satisfaction to the doubts propounded, in the paper I directed to you, I acquainted som of my godlie friends with it, who, though they bee yet unsatisfied touching the main question; yet most of them are fully satisfied touching your own candor and integritie, and do now think, that which you did by your writings, was don upon conscientious grounds, or not to serv the times. I will not bee so uncivil or unthankful, as to trouble you now with anie tedious replie, (though much might bee said) but onelyonly acquaint you with som scruples, as still do pinch som pious minds, who would bee glad, if they could meet with anie help for the right clearing of them.
First, they do not fully apprehend what you mean, by that known dutie which you often urge; if it bee, that wee engage to live quietly & make no disturbance this hath been often offered, but will not satisfie. If it bee to submit to the higher powers, becaus they are of God: you know a thing may bee said to bee of God two waies, namely, either in regard of his providence, or of his precept. Now the difficult is, whether providence alone may bee the rule of own actions, or approbation of other men's: if it may, then wee may approve of Absolon's incest, becaus God saith hee did it, 2 Sam. 12. 12. And so all evil actions of evil men are guided by his providence: If precept bee needful, they cannot see how the present higher powers are of God: becaus they were not called of God; but have chosen and set up themselvs in these places; for however som of them were at first chosen for other purposes (as to contribute their help in making Laws, and seeing the Laws well executed) yet they were never chosen to bee the supreme power of the Nation So that this new Government beeing neither grounded upon the old Law of the Nation, nor anie new agreement of their representations (the greatest part of them beeing either by violence withheld, or deterred from coming) this make's it difficult to discern how the higher powers may bee said to bee of God.
Secondly, they think that Oaths to God do oblige not onelyonly for the present, but for the future, according to the sens wherein they were both imposed and taken: but it was neither the intention of the imposers, nor their's when they took them, that kinglie Government should bee taken away, or that the present King and his posteritie should bee deprived of it, but the quite contrarie; for they did swear that they would bee drawn by no power on earth from their allegiance to them. Neither will the King's miscarriage bee a sufficient ground to absolv them, from their Oath of Allegiance to him and his; becaus the Oath was absolute, not conditional. Besides, look how God command's obedience. So they did swear obedience; but all the commands of obedience to higher powers, both in Rom. 13. and in other places, are absolute, and not upon condition of their good carriage. In like manner, as hee command's servants to bee subject to their masters: not onelyonly to those who were good and gentle, but to those who were froward, and who did them wrong, 1 Pet. 2. 18. Neither would there bee anie place left for suffering, either by Subjects or servants, if obedience were onelyonly conditional.
Thirdly, They think that though they bee not competent judges of State matters, yet they are competent judges of their own actions (for which they must give an account to God, and they know, whatever they shall do doubtfully, they do sinfully (for whatever is not of faith is sin) and the owning of the present power as of God is doubtful to them, (at least) upon the grounds before mentioned. Besides, by subscribing, they do not onelyonly own the present power, but also the imposing of the Engagement (if not directly, yet indirectly) which they cannot see how it agree's with the rule that require's higher powers, should bee a terror to the evil, not to the good, as by this means they are.
Fourthly, for matter of offence, they think those whom the Apostle bid's us take heed not to offend, are the weak brethren, now hee is a weak brother who think's a thing to bee a thing unlawful (suppose it bee lawful) becaus it seem's to bee against som rule of the word (as this Engagement seem's to bee against the rule, touching oaths and promises, that they should bee kept though to our own hindrance. And thus the refusers onelyonly, not the imposers, or those who have already taken it, are to bee accounted weak Brethren.
Fifthly, for the judgment of the Church of Scotland, or other Divines, they think, that in clear evident truths, anie humane judgment dissenting, is not much to bee regarded, but that in difficult, doubtful things the spirits of the Prophets ought to bee subject to the Prophets, els wee shall overthrow all use of Synods, and follow the tract of Enthusiasts, and such as think themselvs guided by an infallible spirit. Thus I have been bold to open the doubts of som good men unto you, hoping you will entertein them with som secrecie, and the like spirit of love and meekness as before, and at your convenient leisure you will not refuse to yield them a little further help. Our good God guid us so in all our thoughts and actions, that wee may neither do, nor think anie thing that may bee displeasing to him.
Yours in the best bond. March this 25. 1650.