The Sovereign Power of Parliaments Part 4, Appendix · Part 8 · Floating text 2
The ſentence of Degradation and Deprivation of the Emperour Wenceſlaus King of Romans,Chronico Jacebi Con…ſhanti, & Germaniae Hiſtoricorum. Tom. 2. p. 180, 181, 182. pronounced by the Electors of the Empire in the yeare of our Lord. 1400.
IN the name of God Amen: We John by the grace of God, Archbiſhop of the Church of Mentz, Arch-chancellor of the ſacred Roman Empire throughout Germany, make knowne to all men preſent and to come. What various, manifold, and grievous, as well incommodities as diſcords, have for many yeares ſince beene brought into the holy Church continuing even to this preſent, and daily ſprouting up more abundantly to the moſt grievous convulſion, imminution, and diſſipation of the ſacred Roman Empire, (which ought to be a Garriſon to the Church of God and the Chriſtian world) as they cannot be all written, ſo the miſchiefes daily increaſing do manifeſtly enough teach and confirme. And for this cauſe the Lords Electors of the ſacred Roman Empire, the ardent petitions of the holy Church, Princes, Nobles, Cities, Provinces, and Subjects of the ſacred Empire, intreating, deſiring a prudent Moderator, have long agone very often and ſeriouſly, together with us admoniſhed the moſt illuſtrious Prince Lord Wenceſlaus King of Bohemia, both by their owne and their friends labour, and finally by letters; and have diligently ſet before his eyes, privately and publikely, his unbeſeeming and deteſtable manners and actions in governing, as alſo the defects, incommodities and diſcords of the ſaid Church and Chriſtian world, likewiſe the moſt grievous avulſions and diminutions of the members of the ſacred Empire, hurtfully done, and permitted to be done, againſt the dignity of his name: to wit, that he hath not promoted peace in the Church, although the great neceſſity of the Chriſtian world, as likewiſe his office of Advocate and Defendor of the Church, earneſtly required it, and he hath alſo beene frequently deſired, required, and admoniſhed to doe it: he notwithſtanding perniciouſly mutilated the Empire, and permitted it to be maimed in ſome members. In the number whereof are Millain, and the Province of Lombardy, which were of the right of the ſame Roman Empire, moſt ample emoluments returning thence to the Empire: in which Dominion the Millainer, like a Miniſter, enjoyed it as a part of the Roman Empire; when as He, contrary to that which became his ſublimity and dignity, receiving money, created a Duke of Millain, and an Earle of Papia. Moreover, he hath alienated divers Cities and Lands belonging to the Empire, as well in Germany as in Italy, ſome whereof had returned to the ſame, having little conſideration, that he ought to retaine them with the ſacred Empire.
Moreover, he hath ſold for money to his friends, very many naked and unwritten Parchments, ratified notwithſtanding with the Seale of his Majeſty; wherein it was lawfull both for them and others into whoſe hands theſe Parchments came, to write what things they pleaſed under the royall Seale. Out of which thing, for the hurtfull diminution and diſſipation of the rights and emoluments of the ſacred Roman Empire, great complaints are riſen up. Moreover he never had any care of the controverſies and warres, which (alas for griefe!) have miſerably afflicted and ruined Germany, and other lands of the ſacred Empire. Hence ſpoylings, burnings, and robberies have ſprung up, with ſuch lamentable encreaſes even at this day, that none, neither Clarks nor Laicks, neither hasbandmen nor Merchants, neither men nor women, whether by land or ſea, may converſe in ſafety. Temples, Monaſteries, and religious houſes, which the ſacred Empire ought with its hand to aſſiſt and defend, are expoſed to rapines, and burnings, and reduced to deſtruction. Things are gone to this paſſe, that every one might have handled, and may even now handle another at his pleaſure, againſt the reaſon of right and equity, without any feare of the ſacred, and long deſpiſed Imperiall authority, ſo as even the place of conventing any one, where the defence and patronage of right may be undertaken in the name of the Empire, is altogether unknowne. Finally, which is horrible and dreadfull to be ſpoken, both with his owne hand, and the hand of other wicked inſtruments he hath with him, he hath put to death, drowned in the waters, burned in the fire, miſerably and cruelly deſtroyed, the reverend Biſhops of holy things, Prieſts, and ſpirituall Paſtors, likewiſe many other men of honeſt note, againſt the rule of right, otherwiſe then became the King of Romans. Which mentioned things verily, and many other grievous wickedneſſes and dammages are ſo divulged and openly knowne, that they can be no wayes excuſed or concealed. Therefore we, as we have fore-written, have frequently very earneſtly beſeeched, admoniſhed, and required him, that renouncing this unbeſeeming kind of life, he would take the ſtudy and labour to himſelfe, whereby he might recover to the holy Church, oft-times imploring his aide, as King of Romans, and her Advocate, peace and tranquillity, and to the ſacred Empire, its preſtine honours, Dominions, and finally its emoluments; to the aſſiſtance and conſolation of the Chriſtian world, grievouſly debilitated and oppreſſed in this regard.
Now albeit we have moſt clearely explicated to the foreſaid Lord Wence…aus, and exhibited to him in writing, theſe and other more grievous defects, concerning him as King of Romans, and the Empire; yet having heard his anſwers, and having reiterated our ſerious exhortations, moreover having communicated the buſineſſe to the ſacred Roman Sea, we have never as yet found him, to have amended his manners as became a King of Romans; namely to recover peace to the Church, principally neceſſary to the Chriſtian world; alſo to the ſacred Empire, its dignities, lands, and Dominions: a thing which is moſt notoriouſly knowne throughout all the Provinces of the Empire.
Therefore becauſe we could no longer neither conceale, nor endure the remembred and many other defects, touching the ſacred Church and Empire, with grievous loſſe and mourning; by reaſon of the inſtant petitions of the perſons aforeſaid, but eſpecially by reaſon of the Oath wherewith we are obliged to the ſame, as the next ſuperiour members of the ſacred Empire; therefore as of bounden duty, we were to adviſe and endeavour how the ſacred Empire might be more rightly and wholeſomly provided for, (by whoſe madde and negligent adminiſtration thoſe inconveniences have crept in) to the ſafegard and conſolation of the Chriſtian world. And verily as He in obeying us, had performed an acceptable thing, ſo we have ſufficiently and ſeriouſly called and cited him, ſo as wee have ſignified to him; that unleſſe he ſhould be preſent at the place and day appointed, it would come to paſſe, that both in reſpect of the petitions exhibited to us, as likewiſe in reſpect of our Oath, we ſhould be compelled to take and enter into ſuch counſels, whereby the ſacred Empire might be better ſetled: moſt clearely atteſting it in our letters. For this purpoſe we appeared at the place and time preſcribed, together with our Coelectors ſufficiently ſummoned, alſo with the other Princes and of the ſacred Empire, expecting from day to day, whether the foreſaid Lord Wenceſlaus would appeare, to apply a remedy to the foreſaid diſeaſes, and from thenceforth more rightly to conſult about the affaires of the ſacred Empire. But he neither vouchſafed to appeare, nor yet to ſend any one to us in the name of a Proctor. Wherefore when as by reaſon of ſo many pregnant and pernicious defects, we had admoniſhed and reproved him very often in private and in friendly manner, but after that, when we could doe no good, before the Princes and Nobles, and Cities of the Empire, in divers Aſſemblies, not without great and grievous expences, yet without any fruit; therefore we referred all the fore-mentioned things to the ſacred Roman Sea. But when as neither then, he no whit regarded all thoſe things, we could conjecture nothing elſe from thence, but that he had laid downe the care both of the Church and Chriſtian world, but eſpecially of the ſacred Empire. Therefore reſolving, that this miſchiefe, deſtructive to the whole Chriſtian Republike, was by no meanes to be any longer borne and tolerated, with a minde well confirmed, after many and various debates and conſultations, both betweene our ſelves, as alſo with other Princes and Nobles of the ſacred Empire, ſeriously had, for the ſafety of the Church, the conſolation of the Chriſtian world, the honour and profit of the ſacred Empire, we have thought meet, that the foreſaid Lord Wenceſlaus, ſhould at this time be wholly removed from the Roman ſacred Empire and all its dignity, as one that is negligent and a deſtroyer of the Empire, and unworthy of it.
Therefore we John, Archbiſh. in the name of the foreſaid Lords Coelectors of the ſacred Empire, and our owne, moved both with the commemorated, as alſo with many other notable defects and cauſes, by this our ſentence, which we give and pronounce by this our preſent writing, DEPRIVE and REMOVE the foreſaid Lord Wenceſlaus, a… an unprofitable, negligent waſter, and unworthy Defender of the ſacred Empire, from the foreſaid Roman Empire, and from all his degree, dignity, and Dominions appertaining to the ſame: denouncing to all the Princes, Nobles, Knights, Gentlemen, Cities, Provinces and Subjects of the ſacred Roman Empire, that they are altogether free from all homage and Oath made to the perſon of Wenceſlaus in the name of the Empire: requiring and admoniſhing them under the faith of the Oath, wherewith they are obliged to the ſacred Empire, that they doe not henceforth, obey, and ſubmit to the ſaid Lord Wenceſlaus, as the King of Romans, nor exhibit or ſuffer to be exhibited to him any right, obedience, tribute, rent, or any other revenue, b… what name ſoever it may be called; but reſerve the ſaid duties, for a profitable and idoneous King of Romans, hereafter to be ſubſtituted by Gods gracious aſſiſtance.
In aſſurance and teſtimony of all which things, We John Archbiſhop of Mentz, have cauſed this preſent Inſtrument to be made by the ſubſcribed Notaries, in this patent forme, and our great Seale to be affixed thereunto. This premiſed ſentence was read and pronounced by us John Archbiſhop of Mentz, in our name, and the names of the Lords, Coelectors before remembred, under the Caſtle Lonſtein at the Rhene, in the Dioceſſe of Triers, reaching towards Brubachium, out of a publike Throne, erected for the uſe of a Tribunall, the Lords Coelectors ſitting there in judgement, in the yeare of our Lords Incarnation, 1400. the eight indiction, on Saturday the twentieth day of the month of Auguſt, a little before the time of the Nones; in the eleventh yeare of the Papacy of our moſt holy Father and Lord in Chriſt, Lord Boniface the ninth, Pope, by divine providence; in the preſence of the moſt illuſtrious Princes and Lords, John, ſonne of the moſt illuſtrious Prince and Lord Rupert, Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine of Rheine, Fredericke Burgrave of Norimberge, the Noble Philip Lord of Naſſau, and Sarbrucke, Emichon of Luringen, John of Zigenhaim, Cunrade Burgrave, our Canon of Mentz, Earles: Bernhard of Weſterburg, John of Limpurge, Rinehard of Honowe, Barons: Mr. Nicholas Berwin of the ſacred Page, John of Witenburg, and Nicholas Burgman, of the Decrees; Mr. Herman Preſident of Saint Gerion of Colen, Doctors of the Law likewiſe the valiant Knight Sigfride of Lindow, our Ʋice-Commander in Ringaugia; John Boſſen of Waldeck, our Buggrave Beckelnheim; and our truſty Henry Rulman, of Dadenberg, Gerard of Emerberg, Lord in Lantſcron, Fredericke of Sachenheim, Culman of Coneren, John of Dalburg, Rudolfe of Zeiſſikon, as alſo many other Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, ſpirituall and ſecular▪ ſtanding by in great member, called and requeſted to the things above written.
And I Nicholas Berchtoldi Fridberg, Clerke, publike Notary of the Dioceſſe of Mentz, by Epiſcopall and Emperiall authority, and ſworne Scribe of my foreſaid moſt gracious Lord, Lord John Archbiſhop of Mentz, becauſe at that time I was perſonally preſent when this ſentence which we have fore-writ, was given and pronounced, together with the publike Notaries and witneſſes commemorated, and ſaw and heard all theſe things to be done; therefore at the command and requeſt of my foreſaid moſt gracious Lord of Mentz; have reduced this publike inſtrument faithfully put in writing, into publike forme, and have ſubſigned and ratified it with my accuſtomed ſigne of Notariſhip, having likewiſe annexed the great Seale of my foreſaid Lord of Mentz, in aſſurance and teſtimony of all th… premiſes.
The names of the Notaries are,
Nicholaus Berchtoldi Fridburgenſis.
Joannes Meier junior Gaſterveldenſis.
Conradus a Leiborn, Clericus, Padebornenſis di…ceſis.
Henricus Stalberg Rotenbergenſis.
Tilmannus a Honberg.
Conradus Coler Zuſtenſis, Colonienſis diaeceſis.
Finally, it is evident; that the Nobles, Magiſtrates, Parliament, and repreſentative body of the people, or ſome part of them in default of the reſt, may lawfully take up defenſive armes to reſiſt their Princes, endeavouring to abrogate the Law of God, to waſte the Church, and extirpate the true Religion ſetled among them by the Lawes, and uſher in Idolatry. And, that in ſuch a caſe as this, neighbour Princes and States lawfully may, yea and ought in point of conſcience, to aide the Subjects of other Princes, afflicted for the cauſe of pure Religion profeſſed by them, or oppreſſed by open Tyranny.
Theſe propoſitions are largely and profeſſedly debated by Junius Brutus in his Ʋindiciae contra Tyrannos: quaeſt. 1. 2. & 4. throughout, in the Treatiſe intituled De Jure Magiſtratus in Subditos, ſpent wholly in this Theame. Georgius Obrectus. Diſput. Jurid. de Principiis Belli. Num. 125. to 199. by Ʋaſquius. Contr. Illuſtr. 36. n. 30. and elſewhere, by Albericus Gentilis, and ſundry others forecited: I ſhall onelyonly fortifie the later part thereof, with the obſervation of the *Intereſt of Princes.Duke of Rhoan, who acquaints us; that it is, and hath beene of later yeares the very true intereſt, honour, and greatneſſe of the Kings and Queenes of England, both in point of policy and Religion, to protect… and aſſiſt with armes all Princes of the Reformed Proteſtant Religion, in France, Germany, and other parts; as it is the true intereſt of the Kings of Spaine, to protect and releeve all oppreſſed or grieved Roman Catholicks under the Dominion of other Princes: and that their honour, ſafety, and greatneſſe principally conſiſts in the obſervation and maintenance of this their intereſt: and with the words of Junius Brutus; who thus ſtates and debates the Queſtion.
An Jure poſſint,Vindiciae contr. T…rannes, qu. 4. …. 207. &c. aut debeant Ʋicini Principes auxilium ferre aliorum principum ſubditis, religionis cauſa afflictis, aut manifeſta tyrannide oppreſsis?
In defining this queſtion (ſaith he) there is more need of conſcience, then ſcience, which would be altogether idle, if charity obtained its place in this world. But becauſe as the manners of the times are now, there is nothing more deare or rare among men, then charity it ſelfe, we thinke meete briefely to diſcuſſe it. The Tyrants as well of ſoules as bodies; as well of the Church as Common-wealth of Realme, may be reſtrained, expelled, and puniſhed by the people. Both theſe we have already proved by reaſons. But, becauſe ſuch is the fraud of Tyrants, or ſuch the ſimplicity of ſubjects for the moſt part; that they are ſcarce known before that they have ſpoyled; or theſe ſcarce thinke of their ſafety, till they have almoſt periſhed, and are reduced into thoſe ſtraits, out of which they cannot get out with their owne forces, ſo as they are compelled to implore the aide of other; it is queſtioned, Whether they defending the cauſe of Religion or of the Common-wealth, of the Kingdome of Chriſt, or of their owne Kingdome, other Chriſtian Princes may lawfully aſſiſt them? And truly many, whiles they have hoped to increaſe their wealth by ayding the afflicted, have preſently judged it to be lawfull. For thus the Romans, Alexander the great, and many others, under pretext of ſuppreſſing Tyrants, have frequently enlarged their Dominions: and not long ſince we have ſeen Henry the ſecond, King of France, to have made warre with the Emperour Charles the fifth: and that under pretext of ſuccouring and defending the Princes of the Empire, and of the Proteſtants too; as alſo Henry the eighth, King of England, was ready to aide the Proteſtants in Germany, to make worke for Charles the fifth: But if any danger may be feared from thence, or little gaine may be expected, then verily they muſt heare moſt Princes diſputing, whether it be lawfull or no? And as thoſe under a pretext of piety, did cover either ambition or gaine; ſo theſe pretend juſtice for their ſloathfulneſſe; when as verily neither did piety exhort them, which ſeekes onelyonly the good of others, nor yet juſtice ought to dehort theſe, which looks wholly abroad, and is as it were, caſt out of its owne doores. Therefore, diſcharging both theſe, let us ſee firſt in the cauſe of Religion, what true piety, and what true juſtice may perſwade. Firſt, let it be agreed, that there is but one Church, whoſe head is Chriſt, and whoſe members ſo cohere and agree among themſelves, that none of them; even the ſmalleſt can ſuffer violence or hurt, but the reſt are hurt and ſuffer griefe, as the whole Scripture teacheth. Therefore the Church is compared to a body. Now the body is oft-times affected not onelyonly with the hurt of the arme, or legge, but even of the very the leaſt finger, or periſheth with its wound. Therefore in vaine may any one boaſt, that he is cordially affected with the ſafety of the body, who when he may defend the whole, yet ſuffers it to be torne and mangled limb after limb. It is compared to a building: Now, where mines are made againſt any part of the building, the whole building oft-times fals downe to the ground; and the flame which invades any part thereof endangers the whole. Therefore he ſhould be ridiculous, who becauſe he dwels in the cellar perchance, ſhould delay to drive the flame from the top of the houſe: He ſhould be ſcarce in his wits, who would not prevent mines with countermines, becauſe they are made againſt this wall, not againſt that. It is alſo compared to a Ship: Now the whole Ship is endangered together, the whole periſheth together: Therefore thoſe are equally ſafe who are in the fore part, as thoſe who are in the puppe; thoſe who are in keel, as ſafe as thoſe in the ſhrouds, if the ſtorme rage: when verily even in the common proveb, thoſe who are converſant in the ſame danger, are ſaid to be in the ſame Ship: Theſe things laid downe, verily he who is not moved with its griefe, burning, toſſing, is not of that body, is not accounted of the family of Chriſt, hath no place in the Arke. Yet he who is but a little moved, ought no more to doubt, whether he ought to aide the afflicted members of the Church, then whether he may helpe himſelfe, ſince in the Church all are one; but rather every one is bound in his place to afford his helpe and aſſiſtance to them; and ſo much the more helpe, by how much the more riches he hath received from God, not ſo much to be poſſeſſed, as expended.
This Church as it is but one, ſo likewiſe it is univerſally and intirely committed, commended to all Chriſtian Princes ſeverally: For becauſe it had beene dangerous to commit the whole Church to any one; and to commit the ſeverall parts thereof to particular perſons, had beene clearely contrary to its unity; God hath committed all of it to every of them, and its particular parts to any of them: Nor yet ſo, as that they ſhould onelyonly defend it; but alſo, that they ſhould have a care to propagate it, as much as they are able. Therefore if the Prince of the Countrey, takes care of one part thereof, perchance the German or Engliſh; but yet deſerts and neglects the other oppreſſed part, if he be able to relieve it; he is judged to have deſerted the Church, ſince the ſpouſe of Chriſt verily is but one, which he ought to defend and protect with all his might, leſt it ſhould be violated or corrupted any where. The inſtauration of this univerſall Church as private men are bound to promote with bended knees, ſo Magiſtrates, I ſay, are obliged to doe it with their feet, hands, and all their ſtrength. Neither is the Epheſian Church one, the Coloſſian another, and the reſt; but all theſe particular Churches are parts of the univerſall; now the univerſall is the Kingdome of Chriſt, which all private men ought to deſire; but Kings, Princes, Magiſtrates, are bound to amplifie, dilate, defend, and propagate every where, and againſt all whomſoever. Therefore among the Jewes there was one onelyonly Temple built by Solomon, which repreſented the unity of the Church. Now he ſhould be a ridiculous Churchwarden, and to be puniſhed, who ſhould take care onelyonly to preſerve one part ſafe and ſound, but ſuffer the reſt to fall to decay; likewiſe all Chriſtian Kings when they are inaugurated, receive a ſword, of purpoſe to defend the Catholike or univerſall Church; which taking into their hand, they point out all the quarters of the world, and brandiſh it towards the Eaſt, Weſt, South and North, leſt any part thereof ſhould be thought excepted. Since then they receive the protection of the Church in this manner, without doubt they underſtand the true, not falſe Church. Therefore they ought to doe their endeavour to defend,… Chron. c. 31. and to reſtore intirely, that Church, which they profeſſe to be true and pure. Now that thus it was obſerved by pious Princes, examples may teach us. In the time of Hezekiah King of Judah, the Kingdome of Iſrael was long before enthralled to the King of Aſſyria, to wit, from the time of King Hoſhea: therefore if that Church of God onelyonly which is in the Kingdome of Judah, and not alſo the univerſall, had beene committed to Hezekiah; and if the bounds of the Realmes had been to be kept in defending the Church, in the ſame manner as they are in impoſing tribute; without doubt Hez… kiah, eſpecially at that ſeaſon wherein the Aſſyrians enjoyed the Empire of the world, would have contained himſelfe: But we ſee that he invited by poſts all Iſrael, the ſubjects, I ſay, of the King of Aſſyria, to celebrate the paſſeover in Jeruſalem; and moreover that the godly in Iſrael helped them in pulling downe the high places, even in the territories of Ephraim, Manaſſes, and the reſt. So likewiſe we read that King Joſiah, a moſt godly Prince, purged not onelyonly his owne Kingdome, but the Realme of Iſrael likewiſe,2 King 22. then wholly ſubject to the King of Aſſyria, from the worſhip of Idols.2▪ Chron. 34. 6. 7. & 35. Verily where the glory of God, where the Kingdome of Chriſt are in queſtion, no limits, no bounds, no railes ought to exclude or keepe off the zeale of pious Princes. But if peradventure ſome greater feare hangs over their heads, they may remember by the example of theſe, that thoſe who truly feare the Lord, can feare no man. Theſe examples of pious Princes, ſince the time that the Church, which was firſt circumſcribed in Paleſtina, hath beene ſpread over all the world, many Chriſtian Princes have followed: Conſtantine and Licinius were both Emperours, he of the Eaſt, this of the Weſt: they were likewiſe colleagues endued with equall power: Now it is known, what is commonly ſpoken; That one equall hath no Empire over another equall: Yet notwithſtanding Conſtantine made warre with Licinius: who being vexed, ſlew the Chriſtians, and among them many of the Nobles, either for the cauſe, or for the pretext of Religion; by force obtaines free profeſſion of Religion for the Chriſtians; and finally breaking his faith, and reverting to his priſtine cruelty, he commanded him to be put to death at Theſſalonica. This I ſay did Conſtantine the great, whoſe piety is ſo much celebrated by the Divines of that age, that ſome of them will have that ſpoken of him, written in the Prophet Eſay; That Kings ſhould become nurſing fathers and Paſtors of the Church. He being dead, the Roman Empire was divided between both his ſonnes by equall right, no prerogative being annexed to either of them. Of them, Conſtans foſtered the Orthodox, Conſtantius the elder, the Arrians; and he verily expelled Athanaſius the enemy of the Arrians, out of Alexandria. Truly, if any rules of bounds ought to have beene kept, it ought to have beene betweene brethren: Yet in the meane time Conſtans threatned his brother, if he reſtored not Athanaſius; being ready to doe it by force, unleſſe Conſtantius had ſpeedily reſtored him intirely; Now if ſo be he doubted not to doe this, onelyonly for the reſtoring of one Biſhop, might he not much more juſtly doe it, where ſome part of the people is oppreſſed, when they implore aſſiſtance, when they deſire to defend their Religion by the Nobles approbation?Sozom. l. 7. c. … So likewiſe Theodoſius, by the perſwaſion of Biſhop Atticus undertook a warre againſt Choſroes King of Perſia, that he might releeve the Chriſtians perſecuted for Religion ſake, although they were truly privat men, which ſurely thoſe moſt juſt Princes, who enacted ſo many Lawes, and who had ſo great a care of Law, had never done, if they had imagined, that by this their Act others territories and the Lawes of Nations had beene violated. Yea, to what end were ſo many expeditions of Chriſtian Princes into Syria againſt the Saracens; to what end were thoſe Saladinian Diſmes ſo oft impoſed; to what end ſo many ſociall warres againſt the Turkes, ſo many Croſſadoes indicted againſt them, if it be not lawfull for any Chriſtian Princes, even the moſt remote, to free the Church from Tyranny, and Chriſtian captives from the yoke of bondage? Now with what arguments were they impelled to the warre, with what reaſons were they urged unleſſe theſe, that the Church was one? that Chriſt called all whatſoever from all quarters to this ſervice? that common dangers were to be repulſed with common armes? all which likewiſe doe plainely ſuite with this our cauſe. Now and if this were lawfull for them againſt Mahomet; yea, not onelyonly lawfull, but likewiſe as a reward was appointed to the induſtrious, ſo a puniſhment both to the ſloathfull, and delayers; why not alſo againſt the enemy of Chriſt? If I ſay, againſt the Graecians beſieging our Troy; why not alſo againſt Sinon the incendiary? Finally, if it be a pious act to free Chriſtians from bodily ſervitude, (for the Turkes compell no man to it) is it not much more ſo, to manumit the ſoules of miſerable men, and to reſtore them to liberty? And verily theſe ſo many examples of pious Princes may be inſteed of a Law. But now heare what God himſelfe by the mouth of his Prophets doth every where threaten againſt thoſe, who promote not the inſtauration of the Church, or neglect its affliction. The Gadites, Reubenites, Numb. 32.and halfe Tribe of Manaſſes, deſire of Moſes that their portion might be given to them and their families on this ſide Jordan: Joſh 4. 7 12.and Moſes truly gave it them;Deut. 3. 20. but with this Law and condition; that they ſhould not onelyonly helpe their brethren, the other Iſraelites, in conquering the Land of Canaan, but, becauſe they had firſt obtained their portion, that they ſhould goe before them, and be placed in the forefront of them: Which if they ſhould not doe, he accurſeth them, ſmites them with anathema, and compares them to thoſe who had beene judged Rebels at Cadesbernea: For what? ſaith he, ſhall your brethren goe to warre, and you in the meane time ſit ſtill here? But rather you ſhall paſſe over Jordan, neither ſhall you returne againe hither to your houſes before that God hath expelled his enemies from before his face, and given reſt to your brethren, as he hath given unto you: Then verily you ſhall be innocent before the Lord of Iſrael; verily thoſe on when the great and good God hath beſtowed ſo great a benefit, unleſſe they aſſiſted their Brethren, unleſſe they were companions of their labours, unleſſe they went before them, ſhould without doubt receive moſt grievous puniſhments.
Likewiſe,Judg. 5. when under the conduct of Deborah, thoſe of Nephthali and Zebulon had taken up armes againſt the Tyrant Jabin, and in the meane time the Tribe of Reuben, which ought to be firſt in Armes, delighted themſelves with the Pipes among the Paſtures of the flockes, Dan boaſted of the Empire of the Sea, Aſher finally truſted in the aſperity of Mountaines, all of them are moſt expreſly condemned by the Spirit of God, ſpeaking by the Propheteſſe; Curſe ye Meroz, ſaith the Angel of the Lord, curſe ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof, becauſe they came not to the helpe of the Lord againſt the mighty.2 Sam. 11. 11. But bleſſed above women ſhall Jael the Wife of Heber the Kenite be, who (although ſhe might have pleaded a truce with the heathens) yet notwithſtanding ſhee ſlew Siſera, the Captaine of the enemies Hoaſt. Therefore piouſly ſpake V;riah, The Arke, and Iſrael, and Judah abide in tents, and oft times paſſe the night without ſleepe in the open fields; ſhall I then feaſt with my Wife, eate, drinke, and follow my pleaſures? As the Lord liveth, I will never doe this.Amo… 8. Contrarily the Princes of Iſrael did impiouſly, who truſting in the difficulty of the mountaines of Samaria, and in the munition of Sion, flowed with luxury, feaſted, dranke, ſlept on beds of Ivory, anoynted their heads; but in the meane time wonderfully deſpiſed contrite, cruciated, afflicted Joſeph, neither were any way moved with his affliction. Therefore ſaith the Lord of Hoaſts, I abhorre the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces; I have ſworne by my ſoule that I will deliver up the City; and all that is therein, yea, theſe who ſo greatly rioted ſhall ſoone goe with the firſt into captivity. Impiouſly alſo did the Ephramites, who did not onelyonly not gratulate Gideon and Jephtha, Judg. 8. … 12.attaining the victory and triumphing, but likewiſe envyed them, though yet they deſerted them when they were in danger. Likewiſe the Iſraelites, who when David reigned, cryed out; ſaying: Behold we are thy fleſh and thy bones;2 S…. 5. when he was reduced into ſtraites, ſaid: We have no part in David, nor in the Sonne of Jeſſe. Impiouſly doe all thoſe Chriſtians onelyonly in name, who will communicate in the ſacred feaſts of the Church, and yet will not ſo much as taſte the cup of bitterneſſe with their Brethren, who ſeeke ſalvation in the Church, and yet take no care for ſalvation and ſafety of the Church and of its Members. Finally, they acknowledge one Father, God; one Family, the Church; profeſſe themſelves to be one body in Chriſt; yet neither yeeld any aide to Chriſt afflicted in his Members, or beſtow their wealth on him being poore. What thinke we ſhall be the future puniſhment of their impiety?Numb. 31. Moſes compares the deſerters of their Brethren, to the Rebels at Kadesbarnea: now none of thoſe by Gods owne decree, entred into Canaan. Therefore they can ſeeke no place for themſelves in the coeleſtiall Canaan, who aſſiſt not Chriſt moſt miſerably crucified, and dying a thouſand times every day, and implores as it were their helpe from doore to doore. Chriſt himſelfe condemnes thoſe to eternall fire, who harboured him not when he was a ſtranger, who foſtered him not when he was a cold, who cloathed him not when he was naked,Matth. 25. who relieved him not when he was poore, who freed him not when he was captive. Therefore they ought to know, that eternall fire is prepared for them, who paſſe him by with a deafe eare daily, ſuffering ſuch things, as though in the meane time they may ſeeme to worke great miracles; and therefore verily it ſhall be eaſier for certaine infidels, than for them; For what doe the Jewes, the Scribes and Phariſees properly crucifie Chriſt? Doe the Ethnickes, Turkes, finally ſome Chriſtians, perſecute, crucifie, vex Chriſt in his Members? The Jewes profeſſe and beleeve him an Impoſter; the Ethnickes a malefactor; the Turkes an Infidell; others an Heretique. Therefore if they conſider the minde of them all, from whom we commonly meaſure the crime, they all ſeeme to perſecute noxious, impious men deſerving puniſhment, not properly to ſlay Chriſt; But they onelyonly doe truely proſecute, truely ſlay him, who willingly ſuffer him whom they profeſſe their Me…ſiah, Redeemer, God, to be tortured and crucified in his Members, when they might hinder it. In ſumme; he who delivers him not from death,Auguſt. in Pſal. 82. Ambr. l. 1. de Offic Gratian in Decret. when he may, is equally guilty with him that ſlayes him: For becauſe he would not helpe him, he willed he ſhould be ſlaine; Now in a crime the will it ſelfe ought to be regarded. But certainly, the murther, eſpecially of Chriſtian Princes, who helpe not thoſe who are perſecuted for Religion, is ſo much the more grievous, by how much the more they ſlay, whom they might ſet free, and by how much it is more wicked to ſlay a brother, than any other perſon. A wickedneſſe more horrid than that of the Tyrants themſelves; by how much it is worſe to ſlay a good, juſt, pious, innocent man, than a Theefe, impoſter, ſorcerer, Hereticke; more flagitious to aſſault God, than any man: and finally, by how much perfidiouſneſſe in an equall fact exceeds ignorance.
But whether ſhall it be lawfull to determine the ſame of thoſe, who give no aſſiſtance to thoſe who are oppreſſed with Tyranny, or defend the Republicke againſt Tyranny? ſince a reaſon cannot be given of ſo ſtraite an alliance, of ſo ſtrict a Covenant; when as, I ſay, we doe not here diſcourſe of the Church, which is but one of all men; which being one and univerſall, is committed to every one; But of the Republicke, which may be different from that of others; and being different, is committed ſeverally to others? A Neighbour, ſaith Chriſt, is not a Jew to a Jew onelyonly, but to a Samaritan, and to any man. Now we ought to love our Neighbours as our ſelves. Therefore a Jew, if he would diſcharge his duty, is bound to deliver from a theefe, if he be able, not a Jew onelyonly, but likewiſe every ſtranger, yea likewiſe one unknowne. Neither will any one diſpute, whether it be juſt to defend himſelfe; ſeeing verily it is more juſt to defend another than himſelfe in this reſpect, wherein things are more juſt, which meere charity doth, than thoſe which either anger, or revenge, or other perturbation of the minde doe: and no man holds a meane in revenging his owne injuries; but in other mens, although more grievous,…icero l. 1 & 3. Offic. even the moſt immoderate may hold a meane. But we may learne from the heathens themſelves, what humane ſociety, and what the common nature of all men require of us in this thing. For Cicero ſaith, there is one nature of all men; that even nature it ſelfe preſcribes this, that a man ought to take care of a man, who ever he be, even for this very cauſe, that he is a man. If otherwiſe, all humane conſociation muſt neceſſarily be diſſolved. Therefore, as there are two foundations of juſtice: firſt, that no hurt be done to any; next, that the profit of all, if it may be done, be advanced: So alſo there are two kinds of injuſtice; one of thoſe who offer injury; the other of thoſe who propulſe not wrong from thoſe to whom it is offered, if they be able. For he who doth unjuſtly againſt any one, incited either by anger, or other perturbation, he ſeemes as it were to offer violent hands to his companion; but he who doth not defend, or reſiſt an injury if he can, is as much in fault, as if he deſerted either his Parents, or Friends, or Country. So that what the one doth, anger is judged to doe, which is reputed a ſhort fury; what the other, an evill minde truely, which is a perpetuall tyranny. And however his fury may be excuſed, the others deſtinated counſell can by no meanes be excuſed. Thou wilt ſay, I feare that while I repulſe an injury from him, I ſhould doe an injury to the other. Yea verily, thou wilt cover thine injuſtice with a pretext of Juſtice; Whereas if thou conſulteſt with thy ſelfe, not juſtice moves thee to deſert thy duty, but rather ſome other cauſe. For as he ſaith in another place, either thou wilt not undertake enmities, or labour, or coſt; or elſe thou art ſo hindered with negligence, ſloathfulneſſe, idleneſſe, or with thy ſtudies, or certaine imployments, that thou ſuffereſt thoſe to be deſerted, whom thou oughteſt to protect. But while thou ſayeſt, thou doſt thine owne buſineſſe, leſt thou mighteſt ſeeme to doe wrong to any, thou runneſt into another kinde of injuſtice. For thou deſerteſt the ſociety of life, becauſe thou beſtoweſt on it nothing of thy ſtudy, nothing of thy paines, nothing of thy goods. Theſe things Ethnickes, Philoſophers, and Politicians hold, truely more piouſly than many Chriſtians in this age.…. Sic. …. 2. c. 2. Hence a neighbour is bound by the Lawes of the Romans, to take away a ſervant from a cruell Maſter. But among the Aegyptians, he who had caſually found a man to be beaten by Theeves, or to ſuffer any injury, and had not re…cued him, if he could, was guilty of death: if not, hee was bound to accuſe the Theeves before the Magiſtrate: Which if he had neglected, he was beaten with a certaine number of ſtripes, and puniſhed with a three dayes faſt. Now if this verily be lawfull in one neighbour towards another, yea, lyeth upon him out of duty to aſſiſt every one he meets againſt a Theefe; ſhall it not be much more lawfull to a good Prince, not onelyonly to ayde and patronize ſervants againſt a raging Maſter, or children againſt a furious Father; but a Kingdome againſt a Tyrant, a Republike againſt the private luſt of one man; a people, a Lord, I ſay, againſt a publike ſervant and agent? Yea, verily, if he ſhall neglect it, ſhall not he merit the name and puniſhments of a Tyrant, as the other of a theefe? Hence Thucydides ſaith,Thucyd. …. 2. Not onelyonly thoſe are tyrants who reduce others into ſervitude, but much rather thoſe who when they may repulſe that violence, take no care to doe it: but eſpecially thoſe who will be called the defenders of Greece and the Common Country, but yet helpe not their oppreſſed Country: and rightly; for a Tyrant is in a ſort compelled to retaine violently the Tyranny which he hath violently invaded; becauſe, as Tyberius ſaid, he ſeemeth to hold a Wolfe by the eares, which he cannot retaine without force, nor yet let goe without danger. Therefore that he may extinguiſh one crime with another, hee commits many wickedneſſes, and is compelled to injure others, leſt he ſhould be injurious to himſelfe. But that Prince who idlely beholds the wickedneſſes of a tyrant, and the ruine of the blood of innocents which he may hinder, becauſe he doth as it were take pleaſure in the gladiatory ſport, is by ſo much more criminous than the Tyrant, as he who ſets ſword-players to fight, is guiltier than the man-ſlaying Gladiator; as much as hee who ſlayes a man for pleaſure ſake, is more criminous than he who doth it by conſtraint,Object. or out of feare or neceſſity. If ſome oppoſe; But it is a fault for any to intermeddle with, or thruſt himſelfe into anothers buſineſſe:Anſw. Terentian Chromes may anſwer; I am a man, I thinke no humane thing ſtrange unto me. If others (that they may ſeeke lurking holes for their impiety) object;Pompon de reglur deg. 36. that there are diſtinct limits, diſtinct juriſdictions; now it is not lawfull to thruſt a ſickle into anothers Corne: Neither truely do I adviſe, that by this pretence thou ſhouldeſt invade anothers territories, uſurpe anothers juriſdiction to thy ſelfe, draw thy neighbours corne into thine owne floore, which moſt doe under this pretext.Cic. 2. Offic. I doe not ſay, that by the example of that arbitrator, of whom Cicero, thou thy ſelfe ſhouldeſt judge the thing controverted to thy ſelfe; but rather that thou ſhouldeſt reſtraine a Prince invading the Kingdome of Chriſt, containe a tyrant within his limits, ſtretch out an helping hand to an afflicted people, and a proſtrated Commonweale; But thou muſt do it in ſuch ſort, that thou mayeſt not looke after thine owne profit, but the good of humane ſociety altogether. For ſince Juſtice wholly lookes abroad, injuſtice onelyonly regards it ſelfe, thou ſhalt at laſt doe this juſtly, if thou ſhalt have no regard of thine owne profits. Briefely, if a Prince violently paſſeth over the fixed limits of piety and juſtice, a neighbour may piouſly and juſtly leape over his limits, not that he ſhould invade anothers, but that he ſhould bid him be content with his owne: yea, he ſhall be impious and unjuſt, if he neglect it. If a Prince exerciſe tyranny over the people, he may no leſſe, or leſſe ſlackly aſſiſt them, than him, if the people ſhould move ſedition: yea, he ought to doe it the more readily, by how much it is more miſerable, that many ſuffer, than one. If Porſena reduce Tarquin the proud to Rome, much more juſtly may Conſtantine, ſent for by the people and Senate of Rome, expell Maxentius the Tyrant out of the City. Finally, if a man may become a Wolfe to a man, nothing truely forbids, but that a man may be a God to a man, as it is in the Proverbe. Therefore antiquity hath enrolled Hercules among the number of the gods, becauſe he puniſhed and tamed Procruſtes, Buſyris, and other Tyrants, (the peſts of mankinde,Cic lib. 2. Offic. and monſters of the world) in every place. So alſo the Roman Empire, as long as it ſtood free, was often called, The Patrocinie againſt the Robberies of Tyrants, becauſe the Senate was the haven and refuge of Kings, People, Nations. So Conſtantine ſent for by the Romans againſt Maxentius the Tyrant, had God the Captaine of his Army, whoſe expedition the Univerſall Church exalted with powerfull prayſes; when yet Maxentius had the ſame authority in the Weſt, as Conſtantine in the Eaſt. Likewiſe Charles the Great, undertooke a Warre againſt the Lombardes, being called by the Nobles of Italy to their aide, when as yet the Kingdome of the Lombards was long before eſtabliſhed, and he could claime no right to himſelfe over them. Likewiſe, when Charles the Bald King of France, had by Tyranny taken away the Preſident of that Country,Joan. Avent. in Anal. Boyorum. which lyeth betweene Seine and Liger, Duke Lambert, and Jameſius, and the other Nobles of France had fled to Lewis King of Germany, Charles his Brother by another mother, to crave aide againſt Charles and his mother Judith, a moſt wicked Woman: He in a moſt ample Aſſembly of the Germane Princes, heard theſe ſuppliants, by whoſe unanimous Counſell, a warre was publickely decreed againſt Charles, for to reſtore the exiles. Finally, as there have beene ſome Tyrants in every place, ſo likewiſe among all Hiſtorians there are every where examples extant, of tyranny revenged, and people defended by neighbour Princes; which the Princes now at this day ought to imitate, in curbing the tyrants both of bodies and Soules of the Republicke, and of the Church of Chriſt, unleſſe they themſelves will be named Tyrants, by a moſt deſerved right. And (that we may at laſt conclude this Treatiſe in one word) piety commands the Law of God to be obſerved, and the Church to be defended juſtice, that Tyrants and the ſubverters of Law and the Republike ſhould be curbed; charity, that the oppreſſed ſhould be releeved, and have a helping hand extended. But thoſe who take away theſe things, take away piety, juſtice, charity from among men, and deſire them to be altogether extinguiſhed. So he:
If this then be an irrefragable verity, that forraine States and Princes are ſo farre obliged to aſſiſt and relieve thoſe of the ſame Religion, and all others whoſe liberties, rights, priviledges, are forcibly invaded*See Speed & Cam…dens Hiſtory of Queen Eliz. Metormus and Grimſtons Hiſtories of the Netherlands. The Noble Acts of Prince Maurice of Naſſ…u and the Bils of Subſidies in Qu. Eliz. King James, & King Charles his reigne. (which our Parliament and State by their aſſiſtance, if the Netherlands and other Proteſtant States, both in Quaene Elizabeths, King James, and King Charles his reigne, approved and juſtified both by words, Acts of Parliament, and reall performances) then certainly thoſe of the ſelf-ſame Church, Nation, Kingdom, and fellow Subjects, under the ſelf-ſame Prince, betweene whom there is a farre nearer relation, much ſtricter obligation, and more ſtrong ingagements, ought mutually to aide and aſſiſt each other to the uttermoſt of their abilities, when their Religion, Lawes, Liberties, be violently invaded, their deareſt native Countrey waſted, ſacked, plundered, burned, ruined, in a hoſtile warre-like manner, with open force of Armes, either by the King himſelfe, or a prevailing Malignant Popiſh faction, who have ſurreptitiouſly poſſeſſed themſelves both of his perſon and affections which they have gotten into their owne over-ruling power. How much then it now concernes every reall Proteſtant within this Realme of England, and all other his Majeſties Dominions to unite all their common forces together, unannimouſly to protect, defend, maintaine, and propagate our eſtabliſhed reformed Religion, fundamentall Lawes, Liberties, the very Priviledges of Parliaments, their eſtates, liberties, lives, the peace, welfare, and common good of their deareſt native Countrey, and our three united Realmes againſt all Popiſh Malignant forces now in armes to invade, eclipſe, impaire, ſubvert, ſacke, ruine them; and how monſtrouſly, unnaturally, unchriſtianly, and deteſtably impious, treacherous, perfidious, all thoſe Engliſh, Iriſh, and Scottiſh Proteſtants proclaime themſelves to the preſent and future age, who now trayterouſly joyne their forces with the Malignant Popiſh party, or prove uncordiall, falſe, treacherous, and perfidious to their Religion, Liberties, Countrey, and the Parliment (who have not onelyonly waged, imployed, but confided in them) and contribute their uttermoſt endeavours to betray, enſlave, undermine, and to ſacke, burne, and totally overturne them (as many we finde have done to their eternall infamy) I here referre to every mans judgement and conſcience ſeriouſly to determine. Certainly ſuch unnaturall monſters, ſuch trayterous Judaſſes, ſuch execrable infamous Apoſtates as theſe, can expect no other reall remuneration of this their treachery and perfidiouſneſſe, but the ruine of their credits, the deteſtation of their perſons, memories; the confiſcation of their eſtates, the extirpation of their families, the execrations of all good men, the ſevereſt judgements of God, and utter confuſion with horrors of conſcience tormenting them conſtantly day and night, whiles they continue languiſhing under all theſe miſeries here, and the ſharpeſt torments, the very largeſt dangers, the hotteſt flames in hell for ever hereafter: and thoſe Antichriſtian Papiſts who now are and have beene ſo faithfull, active, zealous, couragious, induſtrious, liberall, bountifull, if not prodigall to proſecute their owne intereſts, deſignes, to maintaine and propagate their falſe, erroneous, deteſtable Religion, ſuperſtitions, idolatries, both in England and Ireland with the effuſion of their bloud, expence, and forfeiture of all their eſtates, and never yet deſerted, or became treacherous to their falſe execrable cauſe or Religion in the leaſt degree, ſhall all joyntly riſe up in judgement againſt them both here and hereafter to their ſempiternall infamy, reproach, and moſt juſt condemnation. O conſider this all yee who now ſo much forget, neglect, betray both your God, your Chriſt, Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Countrey, Parliament, yea your very ſelves, your ſoules, bodies, and poſterities; Conſider with your ſelves the bitter curſe denounced by God himſelfe againſt Meroz, Judg. 5. 23. Conſider the fatall, diſmall end of treacherous Juda…, Matth. 27. 3. 4, 5. Acts 1. 18. 19, 20. Conſider that dreadfull ſpeech of our Saviour Chriſt, Marke 8. 35▪ 36, 37, 38. Whoſoever will ſave his life ſhall loſe it, but whoſoever ſhall loſe his life for my ſake and the Goſpels ſhall ſave it. For what ſhall it profit a man if he ſhall gaine the whole world and loſe his owne ſoule? or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his ſoule? whoſoever therefore ſhall be aſhamed of me and of my word, in this adulterous and ſinfull generation; of him alſo ſhall the ſonne of man be aſhamed when he commeth in the glory of his Father, with the holy Angels. *2 Tim. 2. 12.If we ſuffer with him, we ſhall alſo reigne with him; if we deny him, he will alſo deny us: If we be but fearfull in the cauſe of Chriſt, we ſhall be ſure to have our part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimſtone, Rev. 21. 8. O what then will be our portion, if we be unzealous, negligent, perfidious to it, or profeſſed enemies (eſpecially in open armes) againſt it, when it cries out to us for our neceſſary aſſiſtance every where? If Jeſus Chriſt will render tribulation to them which doe but trouble his people; yea, and ſhall be very ſhortly revealed from Heaven, with his mighty Angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on all them that (onelyonly) know not God, and that obey not the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 2 Theſ. 1. 6. to 10. O where ſhall all thoſe ungodly ſinners, Rebels, and Traytors appeare, who now every where murther, plunder, perſecute, extirpare Gods deareſt Saints; and not onelyonly refuſe to owne, but even deſert, betray the cauſe of God and their Countrey? who refuſe not onelyonly cordially maintaine the very truth of God, the Goſpel of Chriſt, and which themſelves in ſhew not onelyonly pretend to know, but profeſſe; but alſo joyn with Papiſts, and Malignants openly to fight againſt, and totally to ſuppreſſe it? Certainly if judgement ſhall beginne at the houſe of God it ſelfe, as now it doth, and if the righteous who defend the cauſe of God and the Kingdome ſhall ſcarcely be ſaved, what theſe mens dreadfull end, and judgement at laſt ſhall be, tranſcends my thoughts to conceive, my expreſſions to relate; all I can ſay is this, it will be ſuperlatively miſerable and grievous, that eternity of incomprehenſible torments will onelyonly be able to demonſtrate the infinity and execrableneſſe of their ſinne. O then let all of all ſorts conſider ſeriouſly of this, and all the premiſes, and the Lord give them underſtanding and grace to keepe a good conſcience, and diſcharge their ſeverall truſts and bounden duties faithfully, cheerefully to their God, Religion, King, Countrey, and the Parliament in all things, that ſo they may enjoy the honour, comfort, benefit, of all their faithfull endeavours to defend, promote, and propagate Religion, Lawes, liberties, and the publike welfare here; and the Crowne, the full guerdon of them hereafter; and poore bleeding, dying England and Ireland may now at laſt attaine that ſpeedy, holy, laſting, honourable, bleſſed peace and unity, which all good men cordially pray for and endeavour; which doubtleſſe had beene eaſily effected long ere this, had we all beene faithfull, true, reall to the publike cauſe of God and our Countrey in our ſeverall places, and not faithleſſely betrayed, but ſincerely diſcharged the ſeverall truſts repoſed in us to the uttermoſt of our powers: the readieſt meane to re-eſtabliſh and perpetuate our priſtine tranquillity: which I humbly beſeech the God and Prince of peace effectually to accompliſh in his owne due ſeaſon, before our whole three Realmes become a deſolate Wilderneſſe, an Accheldama, a Golgatha, as many places of them are already, and more like to be, if the extraordinary mercy of our ever-gracious God, prevent not the miſchievous long plotted conſpiracies, malice, rage, treachery, of unnaturall, and deceitfull men.
FINIS.
This Oath ſhould have come in the Appendix, page 73. line. 17.
The Oath of CHARLES, King of Navarre at his Coronation, An. 1390. recorded in the generall Hiſtory of Spaine, l. 17. p. 625. 626.
VVE D. CHARLES by the grace of God, King of Navarre, &c. doe ſweare unto our people of Navarre upon the holy Evangeliſts toucht by us, and to the Prelates and rich men of the Cities and good Townes, and to all the people of Navarre, for all your Rights, Lawes, Cuſtomes, Freedomes, Liberties, and Priviledges, that every one of them as they are, ſhall be maintained and kept to you and your ſucceſſors, all the time of Our life without corrupting them; bettering, and not impairing them, in all, or in part: and that the violence and force which hath beene done to your Predeceſſors, whom God pardon, and to you by Ʋs, or Our Officers, We ſhall hereafter command it to ceaſe, and ſatisfaction to be made according unto right as they ſhall be made manifeſt by good men of credit. After which the Deputies of the State ſwore, in their owne names, and for all the Realme; faithfully to guard and defend the Kings perſon, and their Countrey; and to aide him, to keepe, defend, and maintaine the Lawes and Cuſtomes, with all their power.