The Interest of These United Provinces, Section 4
Sect. 4: Objections from the danger of loſing our Religion under England; from the Kings being a Papiſt, deſigning to ſet up Popery; the increaſe, countenance, and tolleration of Papiſts, as alſo from his joyning with France againſt us, and Church Governement by Biſhops, all anſwered.
But now on the other hand it is by ſome objected againſt the Engliſh.
1. That the King is a Papiſt in heart, and deſignes to ſet up the Popiſh Religion.
Firſt what the King is in his heart, and what he deſignes, is onelyonly knowne to God Almighty, who is the ſearcher of hearts. That he is a profeſt proteſtant, is well knowne. And allthough I will not ſweare for him nor any man alive, that he will not change his Religion; yet to me it ſeems very improbable, upon the following grounds.
1. He that would not in his minority, when under his Mothers education in France, K. Charles I. Letters.but followed his Fathers inſtructions, of being obedient to her in all things, excepting the matter of her Religion; I cannot thinke will now in his maturity.
2. His withſtanding ſo many temptations wherewith he was environed ſo long a time together, during thoſe many years of his exile; wherein neither the friendſhip of Papiſts, nor unkindneſs and hard meaſure he met withal from Proteſtants could move him;Militiere's Victory of the Truth, and Bp. Bramhalls Anſwer. makes me think him much more immovable, now he is free from thoſe. Who that knows thoſe times, knows not what deſigns the Papiſts had upon him? What Perſwaſions and Arguments they uſed both by word and writing? What Promiſes they made him of aſſiſtance to recover his Kingdoms? What Arguments of Intereſt they preſt him with, which are uſually more prevalent with Princes, than the intrinſick Arguments of Religion? And if he ſtood unſhaken in all thoſe boyſterous blaſts, ſhall we thinke he will fall in a calme?
3. His reſcuing his youngeſt Brother the Duke of Gloceſter out of his Mothers hands, when her deſignes appeared for perverting him in his Religion; is an evident proofe of the realty of his Profeſſion. If any one ſay it was his Intereſt for regaining his Kingdoms. I ſay.
4. And is it not his Intereſt alſo for keeping them? Did he gaine them ſo quickly, or are his three Kingdoms ſo little worth, that he ſhould eaſily hazard them? Kings are wiſer then to venture their Crownes upon every idle Prieſts pratles. If there were any ſtronger Arguments now then formerly, either for the Popiſh Religion, or from his Intereſt; we had ſome reaſon to be jealous that he might change.
But 5. It is apparently againſt his Intereſt, not onelyonly in regard of the danger he might incur of loſing his Crownes, but the great loſs which would inevitably accrew to him by this change.
The danger we cannot imagine to be ſmall, if we rightly conſider thoſe Kingdoms. I have had an accompt (having been a little curious in thoſe enquiries) of 1100000 of his Subjects, that by Intereſt and Inclination were carried counter to the Court. Under theſe five Heads.
1. The Purchaſers of Crowne and Church Lands that are now reſtored, and they outed.
2. Soldiers and Seamen, that had fought againſt him by Sea and Land.
3. Magiſtrates and Miniſters, that were removed and turned out of their places.
4. Commonwealths Men that were Anti-monarchicall in their judgments.
5. Fanaticks properly ſo called, as Anabaptiſts, Fifth Monarchy Men, Quakers, &c. And though I could perhaps give as good a gueſs as another, at the reſt of the Subſtantiall Proteſtants that are of the Epiſcopall perſwaſion, yet that needs not now. Theſe you muſt thinke, however divided in their Intereſts, Judgments, and Affections; and many of them, no doubt very Loyal to his Majeſty; yet without all doubt would joyne againſt Popery, and never willingly ſubmit themſelves to that yoke of bondage. Nay, ſome perhaps would be glad of ſuch an Argument, and Plea to the people, and the Demagogues gaine thereby no ſmall number of Proſelytes to their Party, if his Majeſty was once a declared Papiſt.
And as his danger, you ſee is great, ſo his loſs I am ſure could not be ſmall.
1. Of his Honour, not onelyonly in changing that Religion he hath now ſo long profeſt, and blurring the faire copy which his Father hath ſet him; but in admitting the Popes Supremacy: which hath beene ſo Injurious to the dignities of Emperors, Kings, and Princes; that their complaints how they have beene plagued by the Popes are infinite.
2. Of his profit and revenues,Vid. Bodin de Rep. l. 1: c. 9. in regard that the Peter-pence or Tenths of Livings, and other Contributions paid formerly to the Pope, are by Law annexed to the Crowne, and paid accordingly, to the King.
3. Of his Subjects affections, wherein his ſafety eſpecially conſiſts. For a Prince that hath the hearts of his people, hath their purſes and perſons at his ſervice; and raignes more happily by their love, then all his owne power though never ſo great. If we therefore conſider his education in, and his long profeſſion of the proteſtant Religion, his honour and intreſt ingaging him to perſevere therein: I ſhould thinke no man need feare his changing it for the Popiſh, the fopperies whereof he hath ſo fully both ſeen and knowne.
I might ad to theſe, that which further ſatisfies me, that having been at Bruxels, Colen, and moſt of thoſe places, where his Majeſty during his exile did reſide; I can ſay bona fide that in all the variety of companies and converſe I was ever in, I never heard any probable grounds, from any one intelligent perſon, that toucht, much les ſtain'd his Majeſties reputation in this particular. But I will not impoſe this upon others, though it moves me to ſay the more, becauſe I am not willing to annex my name to what I have written. Not that I am aſhamed to owne what I conceive to be the reall truth, which I have publiſhed in this treatiſe to the world, and can make good much more largely: but becauſe I know who I am, and that my name can ad no eſtimation to this politicall diſcourſe; but rather perhaps prejudice ſome who knowes me not, and are uſed to judge of writings by their authors; whereas thoſe that will impartially ſearch after truth, muſt have regard to things, not perſons and to what is written, and not the writers thereof.
As for his ſetting up popery, I neither thinke that he will, for the foregoing reaſons; nor if he would, that he can, for theſe following eſpecially.
1. The Proteſtant Religion is ſetled in all his Kingdomes by their fundamentall lawes, which the King cannot repeale. It is true he hath the executive power of the lawes, and ſo can ſuſpend the execution of penalties; but cannot reſcind any one law, much leſſe make new ones, without the conſent of Parliament in his reſpective Kingdomes. And abſolute Soveraingty is not there in uſe. For power paramount to all lawes, carries too great a top-ſaile for an Engliſh bottom; wherein the Subjects liberties are ſhipt, as well as Coeſar and his fortunes.
2. The lands and revenues formerly ſupporting the Romiſh Religion, which are many and great, are in the poſſeſſion of the nobility and gentry for the moſt part; and have beene bought by them of the Crowne at the diſſolution of Abbies, Monaſteries, &c. And the purchaſes confirmed by law. And can we thinke that they will be ever induced to part with them againe? or enact any ſuch lawes as ſhall tend to their owne ruine, and the utter undoing of their families? If there was ſo much danger and difficulty to wreſt them out of the hands of the poore Votaries, (as the Hiſtories of thoſe times tell us) What will there be to recover them from the powerfull Nobility and Gentry? who legally poſſeſſing them will doubtleſs defend them, ſo that none ſhall deprive them thereof, that have not better courage and ſharper Swords then they.
3. The great diſparity in the number of Proteſtants and Papiſts. There being not one family of a hundred in England and Scotland Popiſh, and in many and great Pariſhes not a Papiſt. Now what greater madneſs can we imagine, than that his Majeſty ſhould adventure to rely upon the Papiſts alone, againſt all the Proteſtants of the three Nations. Though their numbers are greater then formerly, yet are they comparatively ſmall (as we have ſaid) to thoſe that profes the Reformed Religion. So that it can never enter into my braine, that ſuch folly ſhould enter into any Princes breſt, much les one who hath ſuffered ſo much, by the former diviſions of his Kingdoms.
4. The vaſt difference between a people enlightned by the Goſpel, and well grounded in their Religion, and an ignorant and unprincipled people. For the generality of the common people brought up in ignorance, (as they uſually are under Popery) are more ſubject to receive impreſſions from their Teachers, and ſo by degrees change their Profeſſion. Whereas thoſe who are aſſured from the Word of God, that they are in the right; will by no means be induced to the ſame. And uſually the more force is uſed, the more obſtinate they are. For a ſetled Conſcience deſpiſes dainger, and defies all the terrors and torments, that their cruelleſt adverſaries can invent. If in leſſer differences of Church-government, the King hath found it ſo difficult, that after all the coercive Lawes, and other meanes he hath uſed, he tells the world, 'tis evident by the ſad experience of twelve yeares, that there is very little fruit of all thoſe forceable courſes; Declar. March 15. 1672.what ſhall we think he is likely to gain in the greater and eſſential differences of Religion ſhould he attempt any change therein? Surely not much from the Pious and ſober party of Proteſtants; for I neither matter nor mention the ruder ſort, and ignorant rable. Nay univerſall experience hath taught the World, that where any kind of Religion is powerfull, all force againſt it is weake and contemptible: and much more againſt the true Reformed Religion; as that wiſe and excellent Hiſtorian Thuanus ſhewes in the Preface to his Hiſtory,The other two are Calv. to his Inſtit. & Cauſa… to Polybius. which is one of thoſe three admirable Dedications, to the Crown of France, that are worthy to be read by all the Kings and Princes of Europe.
I might add to theſe, the genious of the Engliſh Nation, which I know to be zealous in what way of Religion ſoever they take, as hath been obſerved by ſeverall Authors. In times of Popery ſo addicted thereto, that they had given moſt of their means to the Church,Anno 7 Edv. 1.18 Edv. 3.15 Rich. 2. if the Statute of Mortmaine had not prohibited them. In the times of Libertiniſme when a Republick, the Fanaticks were ſo intoxicated, that it was not enough for them to puſh down the Pope, but they would break off all Government, for being his hornes,Polydor. Virgil. l. 17. and make every thing Antichriſtian that was not to their humor. When the King return'd and Epiſcopacy with him, that Party would not abate the three controverted Ceremonies (as a wiſe and moderate Biſhop both foretold and lamented) for the univerſal Peace of the three Kingdoms.Surplice, Cros, and kneeling at St. Brownrig. Nay the very common rable would overflow both in drinke and devotion; kneel at a pillar, and reele at a Poſt. Though I know there are as pious, ſober, and ſerious Chriſtians of ſeverall perſwaſions (Epiſcopall Presbyterial and Independants) as any are in the Chriſtian Worid: but I ſay this to ſhew, that what way ſoever they take, they are not eaſily diverted.
But as groundleſs jealouſie, is both uncharitableneſs and folly; ſo where there is juſt ground; not to be jealous is ſtupidity. It may therefore not be amiſs for our further ſatisfaction, to enquire into theſe Objectors grounds. And they are theſe,
1. The increaſe of Papiſts, at Court eſpecially.
2. The Kings countenancing and intruſting them with power.
3. His tollerating their Religion.
4. Joyning with France againſt us.
For the 1 and 2d I can ſay little of my own knowledge, it being many yeares ſince I ſaw either England or France. But I ſhall take reports u…on the publique faith of England and Holland for this once, though it be none of the beſt ſecurity. 1. Therefore that Papiſts increaſe, through the Queens Court, the extraordinary correſpondence with France, the diſſentions of the Proteſtants, the Atheiſme and irreligion of the Age, and other wayes and meanes which might be mentioned, is not to be wondred at; but rather that there are no more. Allthough I am well aſſured, that their number is comparatively ſmall, and their Intreſt in England and Scotland inconſiderable to effect any change. And were they more, this will not infer the King is one.
2. And much les his countenancing and intruſting them. For who ever concluded that the French Kings for their kindnes to Proteſtants, (who have ſerved them moſt faithfully heretofore in their wars) were Proteſtants? Or the States Papiſts, for employing the French and others in their Armies? A Papiſt may be a loyall ſubject, a wiſe Stateſman, a fit Embaſſador, a good Soldjer, and merit his Princes favor, though of a different Religion.
3. Nor will the Kings indulgence of liberty to thoſe of that Religion conclude more againſt our aſſertion, then for the States of Hollands being of all the Religions they tollerate, or for Amſterdam's being Jewes. There may be reaſons of State, ſometimes to connive, and ſometimes to tollerate that, which we neither approve, nor would willingly allow; even as Moſes did divorce to the Jewes. Or there may be Articles, promiſes and other engagements upon us, whereby we are forced to do that, which we would not if free: as Joſhua to the Gibeonites; and our Anceſtors to Papiſts, Anabaptiſts, &c. who aſſiſted them in the defence of the Countrey againſt Spaine.
There are two things doe wonders in the world, and are the ordinary pretexts and beſt apologies for the greateſt …a…bitances, viz:v. grot. An Jure bel. & pac. l. 1. c. 4. §. 7. l. 2. c. 2. § 6. danger and neceſſity. And yet where theſe are reall and not feigned, they are conſidered both by God and good men. Nature dictates, that we ſhould hazard the hand rather then the head, and loſe a part, rather then venture the whole. I have for above 20 years obſerved, both where I have lived, and where I have travelled; that Moderation is rather a ſpeculative notion, than matter of practiſe: like a vertuous and beautifull poor Lady, that all will commend, but none will marry. Parties that are under, call for it eagerly; but when they are upmoſt, neglect it ſhamefully. Seeing then the paſſions of men, and iniquities of the age are ſo great, that I exſpect nothing in Religion, but either an inquiſition or tolleration; I am more for the latter, and would rather reſide at Amſterdam or Conſtantinople then at Rome or Madrid.
But to come cloſer to the particular caſe. If his Majeſty therefore had no obligation upon him to do this, or were it a liberty to Papiſts only, or a liberty for their worſhip in publick; I ſhould grant the objection was very weighty; but it is the quite contrary. For he tells the world he was obliged in point of gratitude to the Papiſts for their ſervice to his Father; and to the Presbyterians (who had been ſo inſtrumentall in his reſtoration) in point of promiſe allſo, ſeverall wayes made to them both before and after his returne to his Crowne; ſeverall times declaring that he would grant indulgence to them and others of tender conſciences And we know that if his Majeſty had followed his own inclinations, they had been better performed. And now that he gives a conceſſion of liberty, it is neither ſoly nor principally to thoſe of the Romiſh Religion, but to all others as well as they, and that with this manifeſt difference, that it is to the Proteſtants publiquely, and to Papiſts in their private houſes onelyonly, and this revocable at pleaſure.Declar. March 15. 1672. All though ſome wiſe men are of opinion, that the King and Rulers will not onelyonly find ſuch eaſe and ſafety therein; but ſuch eminent advantages many wayes, and the people generally ſuch content, that it will ſcarce be revoked.
4. His joyning with France againſt us, is matter of Intreſt, and not Religion. And if we judge impartially, will no more conclude him a Papiſt, then the Emperor and King of Spaine Proteſtants becauſe they joyne with us. Herein let us eye and owne the Providence of God, who changes times and ſeaſons and makes friends become enimies, and enim…es Friends. Would not this have been thought incredible to our Anceſtors, that France and England who raiſed us, ſhould endeavour our ruine? And that Spaine and Auſtria who ſought our deſtruction, ſhould ever ſeek our preſervation? And all this out of Intreſt, (as I ſhall ſhew hereafter) thoſe formerly to ballance Spaine's, and theſe now France's greatnes; and neither Religion or affection. For whoſoever thinkes that Spaine and Auſtria have any kindneſs for us more than themſelves, hath a faith far larger than my fancy.
There is another Objection againſt our cloſing with England for Religions-ſake, from their Epiſcopall Church-Government; which if it were not mentioned by ſome to the prejudice of my aſſertion, I ſhould have paſſed over as inconſiderable. For.
1. This is onelyonly an accidentall difference in the ſame Religion, and not a different kinde of Religion, as Popery is. And a difference in the externall forme of Government onelyonly; not in the ſubſtantialls and vitalls of Religion. For we both agree in the ſame Confeſſion of Faith, and in all the eſſentialls of the Reformed Religion.
2. A very great part of the King of England's Subjects are Presbyterians, as is well knowne.
3. Although Epiſcopacy be the Church Government, ſetled by Law in the three Kingdoms, yet his-Majeſty indulges publique liberty to Presbyterians, and other Non-conformiſts. So that we need not doubt but he will much more to us, that Church Government which is ſetled amongſt us.
4. New-England, and ſeveral other Plantations belonging to his Majeſty of great Brittaine, have allwayes enjoyed, and ſtill do their own Church-Governement freely; and therefore we need not feare that ours ſhould be denied us.
5. Allthough the Church Governement of theſe Provinces be Presbyterian, yet as to its vitall power and adminiſtration in ſeverall places, it hath for ſundry yeares laſt paſt rather been Eraſtian. The Magiſtrates frequently aſſuming that power here, which the Biſhops do there. In ſo much that I queſtion whether the Presbyterians may not have more hopes, that their diſcipline ſhould be raiſed; then feares that it ſhould be ruined under England. Gralloe, contra Apollodium 1646. Lucti Antiſtii de Jure Eccleſiaſticor. l. 1665. Politike diſcourſen. l. 4. over Kerkelike Sacken.What crying up the Magiſtrates power circa ſacra, and what decrying the Miniſters, both by word and writing. Antiſtius tells us in the frontiſpece of his booke, that whatever right divine or humane is attributed to the Miniſters or they aſſume to themſelves, is either falſely and impiouſly aſcribed to them, or is onelyonly from the Rulers of the Republique or city where they are ſetled. What applauding of Hobs's Leviathan, now tranſlated into Latin and Dutch. What frequent interpoſing in Eccleſiaſticall affaires, and how miſerably the honeſt Miniſter in the Hague was handled, may be ſeen in Aitzma. Many were afraid of a ſtorme falling upon the. Miniſters, if our enemies had not faln upon us. What croſſing the Churches in the Election of their Paſtors, and exerciſe of their Governement hath been at Rotterdam, and other places, is too well knowne, and being reformed, I wiſh whats paſt might be buried in oblivion. And thus I have vindicated my firſt Argument from Religion, and ſhall endeavour to compenſate my prolixity heerein, with more brevity in the reſt. Concluding, that if we cannot defend the true reformed Religion we profes, nor will not ſecure it the beſt we can, we may call our Country Ichabod, for the glory is departed from theſe Netherlands.