Might Overcoming Right, Preface
The PREFACE.
THe fouleſt actions alwayes borrow fair pretences. If the Devill did not transforme himſelf into an Angel of light, who would be ſeduced by him? Hence thoſe that would overthrow all, or uſurpe authority themſelves, have alwayes pretended (though ſeldom or never promoted) publike weal or liberty: and dub'd thoſe Magiſtrates Tyrants, whom they meant to oppreſſe, to ſtill their own conſciences, (if they be not arrived at paſt feeling) and to blear the eyes of thoſe, who bear an awfull reſpect to that ordinance of God, Authority. And never were there any pretenders ſo far out of reaſon, but they had ſome Lawyers to juſtifie their proceedings in foro humane, and ſome Divines to plead their warrant from holy writ. For amongſt multitudes either through want of wit or honeſty, there have alwayes been found abettours to a prevailing faction. Of all the exorbitances that ever were committed againſt men in authority, I know to paralell (all circumſtances conſidered) to that late one of the Army towards the Members of the Houſe of Commons, violently ſecluded, or forcibly reſtrained by the intruſted power of a few, from diſcharging their truſt committed to them, by ſeverall whole Shires and Burroughes. And yet behold a Divine of note with much confidence pleading their cauſe, to be ſo equitable, as though it were not to be ſtumbled at by any not profoundly ignorant, either of the evill of oppreſſion, or the unqueſtionable means of ſhaking it off. But confidence in a dubious caſe doth argue either great ſhallowneſſe, or deep prejudice ariſing either from doteing affection, or unworthy intereſt: What hath dazeled the eyes of this Champion of the Army? I know not; But in reading I have obſerved it him, what I have often in other controverſies in others; That men of ſtrong reaſon in maintaining erours, have ſhowed themſelves ſo irrationall, that a man would wonder, that they that are ſo acute, where they preach, or defend truth, ſhould diſcover ſuch weakneſſe in the patronage of errour. But he that gives the gift may well blaſt it, when he ſees it turn'd againſt himſelf. Now that we may not accuſe only (as he hath done the Parliament Members) but make good the errour objected, let us take into conſideration what he hath ſaid to the controverſie in hand.