A Beam of Light, Section 5
SECT. V. A brief Recapitulation of some passages; for the better stating the Controversie betwixt the Covenanters and the Sectaries. The Covenant differently interpreted. The Scotish Spirit, in English men, blows the coals of Division. The Sectaries not willing to be under the power of Presbytery. The Classical Cause stated in 7. Heads. The honest Sectaries engrave the Name of Christ upon the forehead of their Cause, in seven distinct Propositions: but feigned friends desert it.
THere was a very fair Gloss put upon the Solemn League and Covenant at the beginning, Some Sectaries took the Covenant in simplicity, not then knowing the grand Design.and many dear Servants of Christ took it in the simplicity of their hearts, because it seemed to set up the word of God as Umpire in the Dispute of Reformation: the principal Clause that satisfied their Spirits, was, a Covenanting to reform in Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches. Which General terms left it under suspence, It's Disputed which are the best reformed Churches.and undetermined, which of the Reformed Churches had attained the highest degree of Reformation: the Scots and their friends judged the Kirk of Scotland the best reformed; the Dissenting Brethren approved the Reformation in New-England to be the more excellent: but in the common calamity and danger, they did not at the first so openly and particularly assert each of them their opinions and perswasions, but kept their faith to themselves; and when upon several emergent occasions, some smoaking firebrands were cast in amongst them, (by weak or subtle Instruments) to set all in a flame, they were presently quenched by the prudence and authority of some principal men, (Friends to the Common Cause) as foreseeing the Common Enemy by such Division, would be in a Capacity to destroy them both; and so to triumph over the Covenanters, as well as over the Sectaries, as being inraged against them all. But it is to be remembred also, that the Prebyterians (a little before, and) after the trial and Death of Charles Steward the Father, discovering themselves as passionate well-wishers to Kingship or Monarchy, for their own Interest, The Covenanters very zealous for the King after his death.as the Cavaliers (and afterward ventured their lives many of them, for the bringing in young Charles) and looking upon themselves, as the elder Brothers to the Sectaries, hoped the inheritance should have been theirs; and therefore, did state and illustrate the Cause of Common right and Liberty, with a very full and favourable aspect upon their own Classical concernments, expecting at the Kings return and compliance, the greatest portion (if not all) of the blessings of Liberty and Government both in Church and State, to fall to their share: The Sectaries Joynt-purchasers with the Presbytersalthough all was purchased, at as great a proportion of bloud and Treasure, issuing out of the veins and purses of the Sectaries (consideratis considerandis) as they themselves had parted with, toward the purchase, as aforesaid.
The Sectaries perceiving the tendency of such Principles and Designs, as now began to appear and operate more openly, then at the beginning, did for some space of time before the Kings death, prepare to distinguish betwixt Cause and Cause, betwixt Interest and Interest; and came to this result, that the well-beloved interest and Cause which the Covenant did intend to set up and stand by, was plainly, a worldly, carnal, selfish Cause and Interest; and accordingly resolved to undermine and supplant it all they could in a lawful way, without disturbance of that little breathing, now vouchsafed, upon the death of the late King.
The Cause (that is, the Cause Ecclesiastical) stated and owned by the Classical Ministers and their Friends, appears to be this.
In stead of having the King head of the Church of England, as he was by Law before the war, they would have the King, but a Member of the Church, as it was in Scotland, or at the most, but a chief, ruling Lay-Elder.
In stead of the old Service-book, Ordination of Priests and Deacons, Marriages, Visitation of the Sick, &c. A new invented Directory must be fram'd, to teach the Clergy how to Preach, Pray, Marry, & visit the sick, according to their vain Inventions.
3. And whereas heretofore the King, as being head of the Church of England, did use to censure any Church-officer and Minister in the Land, in his High Commission Court: now for the Advancement of the Classical Cause, it is very meet, he himself should be obnoxious to the stool of repentance, and any other Censure of the Kirk, as any other Member.
Again, whereas Church-Government before, was by Diocesses, Provinces, Convocations Episcopal; now there must be a Government of the Church of England, by Classes, Provincial Synods, and General Assemblies: both on the backside of the Bible.
Moreover, instead of the Title of Lord Bishops to Govern the Church of England in state, now turned out of their Chairs, by these supplanters, they will be content with the Honour of Knighthood: Sir John Presbyter shall serve the turn, instead of my Lord Bishop. We mean, the outward, worldly honour of High-Presbytery must be a Degree below that honour which the late Lords spiritual did possesse: a Knight spiritual is to be accounted to stand one step lower, then a Lord spiritual, in all National Churches, where such worldly honour doth prevail.
Instead of the Bishops Lands, which were sold for the further carrying on the Common-Cause against the Prelates and the King, as the head of them, to the prejudice of Presbytery, they will be content with the Deans and Chapters Lands, (if they could have gotten them) as sufficient to bear up that Port and Grandeur, that will appertain to their new Dignity and Jurisdiction; but to sell those Lands away from the new Church-Governours, will be horrible Sacrilege, and very destructive to the cause of high Presbytery.
And seventhly, for a Close in stating this new Interest, the Parish Churches, Parish Dues, Tithes, duplicate page duplicate page Obventions and Oblations, Easter Books, and other Perquisites, shall be as they were in the dayes of the Lord Bishops their Predecessors; with this consideration added, that every one, who will be Parson, Vicar, or Curate from this time forth, shall submit to the new Ordination; which shall be as good, to all Interests and purposes, for making them capable of spiritual promotions, as that which was conferred by any Lord Bishop, or Archbishop of them all. Let the Churchwarden, Clark, &c. continue as of old. Funeral Sermons and Marriages, and all the Parish-Fees must not be diminished; and the Parish-Church, and not go astray under pain of Church-censure, to be inflicted according to the new Classical Institutions.
I apprehend this to be the summe and Quintessence of the Covenanters Cause, which they desired to promote in both Nations, in opposition to the Lord Bishops, on one hand, and the poor Sectaries on the other. Esteeming Prelacy the Centre of Superstition, calling Independency the sink of Schisne; but their own Model must be the Mirror of Reformation. Now whether it be not stated aright, and (if it be,) whether it doth not appear to the seeing eye of equal Judges, a poor, low, carnal Cause, let any man that will, freely declare his minde.
But however, we may be mistaken in stating and judging of it; many of the Choice followers of the Lamb, found cause to disown Scotish Presbytery, as well as English Prelacy, especially in the particulars before mentioned; and therefore a little before, and after the Kings death, the name of the Lord Jesus is Ingraven upon the forehead of that Cause, which from about that time, began to be, and to appear, as distinct from that of the Presbytery, as that of Presbytery, from the Cause and interest of Lordly prelacy: witness the Spirit, which in some few from the beginning of the war, lifted up it self, in the strength of Christ, against the King with his party, as against a desperate enemy to the Lord Jesus his true seed and Kingdom, and a great friend to Antichrist and the carnal and persecuting Church, in all his Kingdoms.
And, because we would now Demonstrate (for now it is time) that the Cause promoted in the Army was utterly another Cause, from that carried on by the Kirk of Scotland and its friends in England, we shall endeavour to state and plead it so, as that the Army, the separated Congregations and their Friends, shall know where to finde it in the midst of all these shakings and turnings of things upside down, which have come to pass in these daies; provided, they seek for it, with their whole heart, and inquire after it, with their whole desire.
First, The under-Officers and Souldiers, The Sectaries Cause stated from the Armies Papers.give us light towards the stating of this glorious Cause, in that their best Declaration at Muscleborough, August 1. 1650. when the light of the Lord seemed to shine upon their tabernacles, with greatest splendor: Declaring in one place, They were abundantly satisfied in their Judgements and Consciences, that they were called forth by the Lord to be Instrumental to bring about that which was their continual prayer to God, viz. the Destruction of Antichrist, and the Deliverance of his Church and People; and they call this, the work of Jesus Christ. They go on to tell us, that they had singly in their eye the Destruction of Antichrist, and the Advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, &c. And they are so far from resting satisfied in the Solemn League and Covenant, as any way useful to these ends, as that they intimate their fears, that the Interest of Jesus Christ, is only pretended to, and the Interests of this world, yea of Antichrist himself, was carried on, under a Vizard. Nay, more then this, they declare, they were perswaded in their consciences, that he and his Monarchy was one of the ten Horns of the Beast spoken of Rev. 17.12, 13, 14, 15. and that he had shed much of the innocent bloud of the Saints in supporting the Beast; and therefore desired Justice, upon extraordinary Impulses from the Lord, &c. So that it is plain, that the under-Officers were sensible (if they spake the truth from their hearts unto their Neighbours) of a Cause vastly differing from what Mr. Prynne hath lately stated, and the Kirk of Scotland in any of their Papers: stating it (in their Declaration before mentioned) so high and full, as if they were Fifth-Kingdom-men at the highest rate, with this superaddition, in so many words, viz. We have not only proclaimed Jesus Christ, the King of Saints, to be our King by profession, but desire to submit to him upon his own terms, and admit him to the exercise of his Royal Authority in our hearts, sutable thereunto, and to follow him whithersoever he goeth, &c. Exceeding good words! we wait to see Actions proportioned to those words. If it be asked, whether the General and the great Commanders did own this excellent Declaration of his under-Officers; From General Cromwel's Letter.our Answer is ready: For Oliver Cromwell Esq; the Captain General, in a Letter of his, tels the Scots, that
the under-Officers & Souldiers in the English Army, had desired him to send to them this their Declaration: and to prove that he both read and approved this choice Paper, he tels the Scots, It is not a crafty politick one, but a plain, simple, spiritual one, such as it is, God knoweth, and God also will in due time make manifest. And do we multiply these words as mens? Or do we them for the Lord Christ and his peoples sake? &c. Concluding,
Your humble Servant, O. Cromwell.
Thus far he: the History of whose Life and Death, since the Victory at Worcester, September 3. 1651. to the 3. of September, 1658. if described in lively colours, would exceedingly commend this glorious Cause, and justly condemn the Infamous Apostacy of this day: but however, he was one with this Paper, at that day, as is well known. And, as for the great Commanders, From a Paper sent by the gteat Officers to their friends to pray for them.there is a paper printed by them likewise, before their March to Scotland, (though almost forgotten) which will help to state the Cause, as the most noble Cause under Heaven; and that in such variety of good and full expressions, as may also answer the Fifth Kingdom-mens largest principles and Expectations.From the Generals Speech to the little Assembly.
Beside these two Papers from the Army, From the prayers and other exercises of the Messengers of several Churches meeting at Black-Fryers, London; and before them at Alhallows.there are several passages in the Speech made to the little Assembly, by the late General: and there was a noble witness in the same Assembly, which will countenance the Cause stated and asserted by the people aforesaid: not forgetting that testimony which was given to it from several separated Congregations, and their Messengers in and about this City, for several years together, before the interruption (as it's now called) of the Long Parliament. From all which premised Considerations, and Survey of the Cause from the beginning of the War, we may safely conclude, that it is to be taken for granted, among the Inhabitants of these Nations,
First, That Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the Glory of God the Father: that is, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ was exalted, to sit upon the throne of his Father David, at his Ascension into Heaven, and is now at Gods right hand, invested with all power in Heaven and Earth.
Secondly, That in all Ages since his Ascension, he hath had a Cause of his own to Assert, Plead, and Defend against all opposition, on the behalf of himself and people, in distinction from all other Causes, concernments and interests in the world.
Thirdly, His Cause is the most glorious under Heaven, being also of a very vast extent, and branching forth its self into many distinct Heads, answerable to the particular truths of the Gospel (or the New Covenant) to be pleaded and promoted, in every Age, according to the Counsel of his own will.
Fourthly, This Cause (or any part of it, so glorious in it self, and in the eyes, both of the holy Angels, and of his true, illuminated Disciples) is not owned, entertained, or understood in the least, by the whole world that lieth in wickedness: the Jews, Turks, and Heathen, have no knowledge of it.
Fifthly, the Papists, and their Church-officers, have been all along, enemies to that Cause or Interest of Christ and his people, which we have been promoting of late years, calling it Honourable, Blessed, and Glorious. The Hereticks Cause is none of their Cause; and their Cause, is not our Cause.
Sixthly, It is very improbable, if not impossible, that this glorious Cause should be rightly understood and esteemed by those Protestants, which are so far from walking worthy of the Gospel, the Cause and the Interest of our dear Lord, as that they are filled with all unrighteousness and ungodliness, and scoffers at the Cause, and the people that assert it.
Seventhly, So that this precious cause of Christ, with all its native Beauty, and superadded Ornaments, must be apprehended to be esteemed and received among THOSE ONLY who are one Spirit with the Lord Jesus Christ in this day, having the Spirit & principle of it in the power of God, and not of man (& his teachings, or example): they alone, are able, & have been enabled all along, not only to understand and beleeve it, but to suffer for its sake. And all others who, in good Expressions, by tongue or pen, have been forward to assert it when it was in Reputation, Feigned friends to the Best Cause, are its worst Enemies,and yet have not written or spoken for it in true light and love, but with secret respects to worldly Advantages, are in danger, at one time or other, not only to decline and turn away; but also, to set up and Adore any other new Interest that will Accommodate the Flesh and the Lusts thereof.Rom. 13. ult.
So that it is no marvel, that the former Language (at the Head-quarters, in the Gathered Churches, in several papers of the Army, in several printed Sermons and other Treatises) which sounded through the three Nations & beyond the Seas, hath been almost forgotten, and lost, for want of use, of exercise and improvement: the Reason is ready and at hand; Many were called (stirred up and gifted) to own the Cause of Christ, Many called, but few chosen to plead the Cause of Christ in perillous times.to plead it, to contend for it, to exemplifie and adorn it; but few were chosen: for in time of temptation, many pretended friends were found to fall away, and embrace the next opportunity of worldly profit, honour, and power, to them and theirs.
But, The Spirit of the true feed will not abate the Army one tittle of their Papers for the Cause.know this for your better Information, Oh all you Leaders of the Army, both great and small, there is an ESCAPED REMNANT, that will not abate you so much as one sentence or phrase, no, not one Iota or tittle, of all those many excellent passages wherewith those your Papers are richly bespangled, as with so many Rays of pure gold: concerning the ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST, the DESTRUCTION OF THE KINGDOM OF THE BEAST, your FOLLOWING OF THE LAMB, your being THE ARMY OF THE LAMB: touching the WORK OF CHRIST, THE INTEREST OF OUR LORD; and whatsoever more there is of that nature: these are the SUBSTANCE and SPIRIT of the Good true Cause of God, of Christ, of his spiritual Church, of the oppressed groaning creation: there is neither sap nor savour, neither juyce nor spirit in all your papers, in comparison, if these and such like choice expressions of your love and good will to this Cause of Christ, were wanting in them. 1 Tim. 2.7.Consider what is written, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.