A Second Parcel of Objections Answered, Treatise · Letter 3
The third Letter.
Reverend and worthie Sir!
I Must still return you manie thanks, and acknowledg my self much obliged to you, that you are readie to bestow such unwearied pains, in performing an office of love to your weak brethren: you needed not to have spoken anie thing touching the long staie of your Letter; for I had reason to wonder rather it came so soon, considering you had taken such pains in it; mine had been returnned sooner to you, but that I desired som friends might first have a sight of yours, that I might know their thoughts about it: for my self I may truly saie, that I have caus to bless God for your labors, and from that light which I have received from them; som of my good friends are now satisfied in the business; others, who are truly godlie still stick fast in their former doubts, and cannot see their waie cleer before them. I finde it to bee true which you mentioned, namely, that it is not in the power of man, but a priviledg belonging to God alone, to bee able to satisfie the scruples of a tender conscience: It is hee that sit's (as it were) at the stern of everie man's understanding, and can steer it which waie hee pleaseth; so as that argument which seem's to bee verie weightie to one man, to another seem's to have little strength in it: that distinction which seem's to one verie fit for cleering of knottie scruples, doth seem to another to have little soliditie in it: so that if wee will not violate the rule of love, wee must have the patience to permit others to bee of a differing judgment from us in doubtful things, and yet like them never the wors, when their liking stand's as strongly to the best things as our own. Give mee leav therefore to commend it to you, as a principal office of Christian charitie, to do what lie's in you to take off the thoughts of such as are in place (whom you have anie interest in) from that uncharitable apprehension, that such who refuse the ingagement, do it not out of weakness, but wilfulness: for such a pervers principle as this put on the Prelates in times past, to the violent persecuting of pious Non-conformists becaus (they having said much in defence of superstitious ceremonies) they took it as granted, that such as still stumbled at them must needs do it out of obstinacie, and peevishness, and not out of true tenderness; and when anie shall have throughly digested this dangerous principle, they may easily bee carried forward to the exercise of much violence, against the dear servants of God, whom they ought to cherish as their own children. Give mee leav briefly to tell you what it is, that som godlie men stick at.
First, It beeing taken as granted, that King and Lords, and all the Privileges of Parlament must bee subordinate to the publick safetie, yet who must bee judges? what make's most for the publick safetie, but the major part of our representatives, who were chosen for that purpose, who when the Hous was full and free, (as before I told you) declared it to bee most for the publick safetie, to agree with the King upon the best terms they could, and that there should bee still a continuance both of him, and the Hous of Lords.
Secondly, It is objected, that none are thought now competent judges of those actions, which have been don by such who are in power, but themselvs, who are the autors of them, which crosseth the usual rule, (vid. that no man is a competent judg of his own actions) and also their former practice; for heretofore, both King and Parlament, in manie of their Declarations, did appeal to the judgment of the people, to determine whether of their proceedings did most agree to the preservation of Religion, and the libertie of the Subject, and accordingly to side with them, or against them; and now the whole Kingdom, Nobilitie, Gentrie, Divines, Lawyers, and men of all ranks and orders, must bee bound up to yield a blinde obedience to a few men, that have gotten the Government into their hands, without their consent, and do exercise it in a far more arbitrarie waie, then ever the King himself did.
Thirdly, It make's them much doubt, whether those in power will bee real for Religion or not, becaus they suffer such abominable blasphemies to break forth in divers parts of the Kingdom, and no condign punishment is exercised against the autors of them; there beeing a generation of men risen up in manie places, who openly profess themselvs to bee deified; and therefore that the most hideous cursing and swearing, beastlie drunkenness, or foul uncleanness are things not evil in them, becaus they are the actions of God: of whom they might bee as easily informed, and take notice (if they pleased) as they are of such who refuse the Engagement.
Fourthly, They still stick at Romans 13. as not to bee understood of usurped powers, on these grounds; First, if higher powers bee of God onelyonly, by a common providence, though without a rule, this will make ill for the autoritie and credit of Magistracie; for then Magistrates should bee no more of God, then plagues, famins, and other common calamities, all which com in a providential waie.
Secondly, the powers here spoken of, are such as must not bee resisted, but usurpers may bee resisted as Athaliah was; these must bee maintained by paying of tribute; usurpers not so.
Thirdly, these are said to bee ordained of God; but lawful power onelyonly is God's Ordinance, not usurped power. Lawful Magistrates are, not onelyonly ordained by a secret providence, (as ungodlie men are ordained to condemnation) but by his written word and sanction. The sons of Aaron had another manner of Ordination, then Korah and his companie, though they took upon them to exercise the Priestlie office.
Fourthly, The Magistrate here spoken of, is the Minister of God, Ergò called of God to that service, as Ministers are to their work; hee is the Minister of God for the welfare of the people, usurpers not so; hee is to take vengeance on evil doers, and execute wrath for God, Ergò, not by providence onelyonly (as thievs, robbers, and forreign invaders) but by place and calling.
Fifthly, by this reason, if Malignants, Levellers, Papists, or anie others should get to bee the strongest partie, wee must yield obedience to them, as to the powers that are of God.
Sir, I dare not desire you to clear these scruples, lest I should put you to more pains: but if your leasure will permit to do it, I shall bee thankful, and leav you to take what leasure you pleas. I am sorrie to hear that anie good men should refuse so fair, and rational a waie of accommodation, as you tendred to them; yet I dare not censure them, becaus I am ignorant of their grounds: but (I suppose) if you had made the like motion to Mr N. N. Mr N. N. or som other of their temper, it would have been lovingly enterteined. Sir, I hope you shall not repent of your pains, if still you exercise more patience in seeking, how such a business may bee brought about: and I know you have often made use of that promise, wherein blessedness is pronounced to Peace-makers. Thus desiring our good God still to enlarge you with affections, and abilities fit for making up these great breaches, that are still amongst us; I resign you to his merciemercy.
Yours most obliged in the best bond of love. this 29th. of April 1650.