Against the New Oath and Engagement, Title page
Summary Reaſons againſt the New OATH & ENGAGEMENT.
AND An Admonition to all ſuch as have already Subſcribed it.
WITH A Cautionarie Exhortation to all Honeſt Engliſh Spirits, to avoid the danger of Perjurie by taking of it.
PROVERBS. 24. 21. 22.
My Sonne, feare thou the Lord, and the King: and meddle not with them that are given to change.
For their calamity ſhall riſe ſuddenly, and who knoweth the ruine of them both.
PRINTED in the yeere 1649.
Summary Reaſons againſt the New Oath and Engagement.
YOƲ ſhall Sweare, [or] I Declare and Promiſe, That I will bee True and Faithfull to the Common-wealth of England, as the ſame is now Eſtabliſhed WITHOUT KING OR HOUSE OF LORDS.
FIRST, This Oath and Engagement is impoſed by thoſe who, by the Lawes of God and the Realme, had never any Power (admit them a full and free Houſe of Commons, under no Force, as they are not) to Adminiſter, much leſſe to Make or Impoſe any Oath in any Caſe. Cookes 3. Inſtitut. p. 165. and leſſe Authority then the Biſhops and Clergy in Convocation, who made the &c Oath, not ſo bad as this; adjudged high-Treaſon in Canterburies Caſe, for which hee loſt his head: Canterburies Doome p. 26. 40. though not ſo bad as this.
Secondly, It is contrary to all the antient Oathes of our Judges, Juſtices of Peace, Mayors, Sheriffs, Recorders, Clearkes of Chancery and other courts of Juſtice: To the Oathes of Fealty and Homage, made by all the Kings Tenants: The antient and late Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance; the Vow and Proteſtation; the ſolemne League and Covenant, and Engagement of the whole Kingdome to the King, his Heires Succeſſours, and Poſteritie for ever, to defend their undoubted Right to the Crowne with the laſt drop of their Bloods, conteined in the Statutes of 1. Jacobi cap. 1. 2. and involves the Makers and Takers thereof, in manifold execrable perjuries; to the ſcandall of our Religion,Levit. 19. 12. Nation, [a] Diſhonour and high Diſpleaſure of God, and juſt damnation of their Soules.Deut. 5. 11.
Thirdly,Jer. 5. 2. c 7 9. It is a new Gunpowder-Treaſon, blowing up the King and his Poſteritie,Ezech. 17. 12. to 20. Zech. 5. 3. 4. Mal. 3. 5. Monarchy, the Houſe of Lords, the Conſtitution and Priviledges of our Engliſh Parliaments, our ancient fundamentall Government,Math. 5. 34. Lawes, Liberties, and our three Kingdomes at one crack;Rom. 1. 31 32. 2. Tim. 3. 3. 4. the very ſame and farre worſe then that of the Jeſuites and Papiſts, condemned by the Statutes of 3. Jacobi cap. 1. 2. 4. executing farre more then what they intended, and quite deleting the Infamy and memory of that, and all future celebration of that joyfull day of November 5. never to bee forgotten.
Fourthly, It diſſeiſeth, diſinheriteth, fore-judgeth the King of hisb1. Jac c 1. 2 4. 3. Jacobi. 1. 2. Rightfull Crowne and Revenues, the Houſe of Lords of their Peerage, Priviledges, andcA Plea for the Lords. the undoubted Rights our Engliſh Parliament and Kingdom of their very Liberties and beings; un-Kinging, un-Lording, un-Parliamenting, un-Kingdoming them all at once, without once ſummoning and bringing them to Anſwer by any legall Proceſſe, to heare what they can ſay for themſelves, and without any lawfull Judgement of their Peers according to the Lawe of the Land, contrary to the expreſſe Letter of Magna Charta …. E. 3. c. 9. 25. E, 3. c. 4. 28. E. 3. c. 3. 37, E. 3. c. 18. 42. E. 3. c. 3. and the Petition of Right; yeadVotes of Octob. 11. 22. 1649. debarres theſe Miniſters, Officers, Lawyers, Students, from their Augmentations, Callings, Offices, Preferments and Degrees, who Refuſe or Neglect to Subſcribe it; contrary to all theſe Statutes and the Lawe of the Land, without any hearing or Tryall; the extremitie of Tyranny and Injuſtice; tranſcending that of King, Prelates, Starre-Chamber or High-Commiſſion.
Fiftly, It inevitably involves the Makers, Takers and Subſcribers thereof in manifold High-Treaſons againſt King, Kingdome, Parliament, for ſome of which only in a farre lower Degree, Strafford, Canterbury and many others have loſt their Heads, as you may read in Maſter St. John's Argument againſt Strafford, and Sir Edward Cookes 3. Inſtitutes cap. 1. 2. to the forfeiture of their Lives, Eſtates, Soules; yea, Infamy and Ruine of their Families.
Sixtly, It enjoynes us to bee True and Faithfull to the new Common-wealth of England (the Generall Councell of Officers of the Army; the new created Councell of State, and their Weſtminſter Conclave of Journey-men) as it is now Eſtabliſhed WITHOUT KING OR LORDS (without conſent of Kingdome, People or Parliament) by force of Armes, Treachery, Perjury, that is, to aſſiſt and defend them with our Lives, Councells, Eſtates, and to ſubmit to all their (illegall) Acts and Taxes (to the loſſe of Lives, Liberties, Properties againſt the Kings or Lords juſt Titles; and our owne Lawes, Liberties, Byrth-Rights; which to doe, is not only contrary to Lawe (ſince no Homage or Fealty is due from any Subject, whatſoever, to other Subject, but to the King alone, and with a ſaving of that Faith which hee owes to our Soveraigne Lord the King, and that only where there is a legall Tenure betweene them, as Sir Edward Cooke Reſolves, 1. Inſtitutes f. 64. 65. 67. 68.) but no leſſe then High-Treaſon within the Statute of 25. E. 3. c. 2. as he Reſolves in his 3. Inſtitut. c. 1, and therefore unreaſonable and Treaſonable for ſuch as are True and Faithfull neither to King, Lords, Parliament, Kingdome or People, to exact or expect from any others.
Seventhly, It moſt ingratefully and unworthily obliterates the memoriall of all the good Lawes, Liberties, Franchiſes, Protection, Benefits, Deliverances wee have received, and the Peace, Proſperity, Freedome and Happineſſe, Wee and our Anceſtors have enjoyed under the Reignes of moſt Generous, Valorous, Bountifull, Pious, Religious Kings and Queenes (eſpecially our late renowned King, Edward the ſixt, Queene Elizabeth, King James, and a great part of King Charles his Reigne, which the Parliaments in their Reigns ine15 H 8 c. 12. & all Acts of the Subſi…ies granted by the Laity or Clergy in their reignes ſundry Acts, our own & forreigne Hiſtorians and Writers have ſo highly magnified and bleſſed God for; and our very laſt Parliament remembred and thankfully acknowledged in ſome of theirfExact. Collection… p. 14. 15. 16. …96. Remonſtrances, of which we need no other teſtimony but ourgExact Collection. p 712▪ 713. 714. Kings & Coronation Oath; in extirpating Kings and Monarchy for ever after, for ſome confeſſed extravagancies and Errors of the beheaded King, not halfe ſo grievous, oppreſſive, unjuſt or impious, as thoſe themſelves are guilty of, eſpecially in Repealing as much as in them lies the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance, and the ſolemne League and Covenant (the principall Bullwarks againſt the Pope and Papiſts encroachments) and impoſing this new Oath and Engagement, againſt the very Letter, Scope of theſe and ſundry other juſt and ancient Oathes, and forcing it againſt mens Conſciences, to make them willfully perjuredhPſal 15. 1. … Rom 1 31 32 and damne their Soules.
Eightly; The maine end of this Oath is to extinguiſh, irradicate our Engliſh Monarchy and Kingſhip; though theiPſal 22. 11 Pſal. 47 2. 7. Pſal. 29 10. Government of God himſelfe over the whole World, and of ourkPſal. 1 6 Iſay 9. 7 Luke 1 33. Saviour Jeſus Chriſt over his Church, who have the Titles oflPſal. 10. 16 Pſal. 47 2. Pſal 89 18. Pſ 48 2 Pſ 95 3. Pſ. 149. 2. Pſ 33 17 20 1. Tim. 1 17. King of Kings, &c. ſo frequently given them in Scripture, though themSeldius titles of honor part. 1. c. 1. 2. 3. firſt, antienteſt, univerſalleſt, honourableſt, freeeſt, nAcknowledged by Mr. Pym. himſelfe and the houſe of Commons Canterburie's doome p. 29 Exact Collections p. 696.beſt, happieſt, ſafeſt, peaceableſt, durableſt Government of all others in the World; as the Scripture, Hiſtories, Polititians and Divines accord: That Government under which all the Inhabitants of this Iſle, ſince it was firſt Peopled, have ever lived, flouriſhed; continuing unalterable in all Changes and Succeſſions of thoſe Nations which have invaded, peopled, or Conquered it, as beſt and moſt agreeable and pleaſing to the People: That of which we have ſo long experience, and enjoyed the happieſt, freeſt, peaceableſt and moſt Religious we are ever like to ſee; that which is eſtabliſhed, ratified with ſo many ſacred Oathes, Lawes, Vowes, Acts, Records and Fences of all ſorts that Piety or Policy could invent, that Impiety, Impudence and Treachery it ſelfe might juſtly feare to invade it; and honoured with ſuch ſignall preſervations and deliverances, in the Perſons of Querne Elizabeth and King James, ſpecified in our Annals, ando1 Jac. c. 1. 2 3. Jacobi c. 1. 2. 4. ſome Acts of Parliament, as might daunt all Traytors from attempting its ſubverſion; and all to introduce a Lowe-Country Government, under as many Kings and Tyrants, as there are new Lords, Officers, Souldiers, ſupported by a numerous ſtanding Army, and conſtant Garriſons in all Counties; which muſt bee maintained at the Kingdomes and Peoples charge by a Perpetuall Exciſe ſo pExact Collection. p. 6.much declamed againſt in the King, who did only once ſecretly attempt, (but not impoſe it) great arbitrary Monthly Contributions, renued and augmented at our new Governours meere pleaſures (who both impoſe, receive and diſpoſe thereof as they pleaſe) and levy it by meere force of Armes (reputed Treaſon inqMr. St. Jonns Argument at Law. Strafford's Caſe, and a levying Warre againſt the King and Kingdome) and that accompanied with the undoing peſt ofrCondemned in the Petion of Right 3. Caroli. Free Quarter, upon every March, or pretence of Arreares, or Pay: And what happy free new State and Government this will prove (the very beſt all rationall men muſt expect, being ſupportable only by a perpetuall Army, Garriſons, Exciſe, Contributions, &c. as the Low-Countries are) to juſtle out our ancienteſt Monarchy in the World, under which wee were freed from all Armies, Garriſons, Exciſe, Contributions, Free-Quarter, and feares of Forraigne Invaſions, which now affright us, granting only a Subſidy or two in devers yeares, only by Acts of Parliament, to which all conſented (wherein the Commons never preſumed to Tax the Lords and Clergy at their pleaſure, as they now unjuſtly doe, without their own free conſents) amounting not to one Moneths Exciſe and Contribution in many yeares; let all men judge bebefore they take or ſubſcribe this new Oath and Engagement to aboliſh the one which was ſo eaſy, and erect the other, which muſt of neceſſity prove ſo grievous.
Ninthly, It will really verifiy and make good all the late King's *Exact Collection p. 262. 282 284 to 289. 297. 298. 500. 514. 517. 521. 522. 526. 528. 530 531. 534 550 551. 554 558. 561. 562. A Collection, &c. p. 177 worthy our ſerious conſideration.Declarations and Remonſtrances againſt the proceedings of the late Houſes of Parliament; wherein Hee prophetically and frequently charged them (or rather a few Factious and ambitious diſcontented spirits, that over-ſwayed and ſeduced them, under the ſpecious pretences OF RELIGION and LIBERTY) with a Trayterous RESOLUTION and DESIGNE to alter, destroy, diſſolve, ſhake, and rent in pieces the whole frame and conſtitution of this Kingdome, ſo admirably framed and continued by the bleſſing of God and the wiſedome of our Ancestors to the wonder and envy of all the Neigbouring Kingdomes. To turne the well founded Monarchy into a Democarcy: To ruine Monarchy it ſelfe and Regall Power, never before ſtrucken at, To Depoſe, Murther, and Deſtory both Himſelfe and His Royall Poſterity, and Diſſolve His Government and Authority. To alter and ſubvert the ancient Frame, Conſtitution, and Government of Church, State, Parliament, and Fundamentall Lawes, Liberties of the Kingdome and People▪ To destroy the houſe of Lords▪ and the Priviledges, Rights and Freedome of our Parliaments: To ſubject both King and People, Lawes and Liberties, together with His and his good Subjects Lives and Fortunes, and bring them into perpetuall ſlavery and bondage to their Vaſt, Ʋnlimited, Lawleſſe, Arbitrary, Seditious, Juriſdiction, Tyranny, Power Government, (which would revive that Tragedy Mr. Hooker relates of the Anabaptiſts in Germany) and to deſtroy both Religion and Liberty, King and People; over which they deſigned to make themſelves perpetuall Dictators: And that their Armies were raiſed purpoſely to effect all theſe Deſignes: (all which wee now finde effected, and fully accompliſhed by the treachery of the Army and thoſe now acting) The timely prevention whereof, the King and his Party profeſſed▪ was the only end and Deſigne of taking up Armes againſt them, for the preſervation of Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Monarchy, and prevention of this fore-ſeene Anarchy, Tyranny, and Confuſion, now brought upon us by our new pretended Governours (through perjury, treachery, and violence) againſt the Votes and Remonſtrances of both houſes, who particularly *Exact Collection. p. 695. 696 657 658 A Collection, &c. p. 420. to 428 698 699. 700. 877, 878.Renounced and Proteſted againſt them; And whereof the Weſtminſter Conclave in the 16. and 17. pages of their late Declaration of September laſt (ordered to bee read in Churches) doe ſufficiently acquit both Houſes, and thoſe who adhered to them only out of honeſt and publique Intention; as Deſignes of their owne, not revealed till of late, the timely diſcovery whereof would have deterred all from attempting or adhering to the chiefe Contrivers of them. Now our ſubſcription to this new Oath and Engagement, will poſt factum, make both our ſelves, the late Houſes, and all their adherents apparently guilty of all theſe trayterous horrid Deſignes (to which they were no wales privie nor aſſenting, but ever abjured in their Proteſtation, Vow, Solemne League and Covenant, and abhominated from their ſoules) and thereby not only verifie but juſtifie the Declarations and Proceedings of the King in every particular, as moſt Juſt, Neceſſary and Honourable for the publique Liberty and Safety; but likewiſe canonize (as it were) him with all his ſlaine and ſuffering Party, as Martyrs for the Kingdomes and Peoples Safety, and the Publique Liberty; (for which they loſt their lives and eſtates; as all Preſcribers and Subſcribers of this Oath and Engagement muſt now neceſſarily acknowledge, and all the World will conclude againſt them) and brand our ſelves, our Bretheren of Scotland and all thoſe who have loſt their lives, limbs and eſtates in oppoſition or warres againſt them, with both the late Houſes, for notorious Rebells, Traytors, Conſpirators, Murtherers; on whoſe Heads and Soules the guilt of all the precious blood ſhed in our late and preſent Warres, both in England, Ireland and Scotland, muſt now bee tranſlated from the King and his Party (on whom wee have formerly charged it) and juſtly reſt for the future, to their eternall infamy, condemnation, ruine. Which unavoydable conſequence of our ſubmiſſion and ſubſcription to this Oath and Engagement, with the horrers of Conſcience, and divine Judgements that muſt neceſſarily ſeize upon us, when under the guilt of ſo much Treachery and Blood ſhed, is ſufficient of it ſelfe alone to deterre us from the leaſt aſſent thereto, and to engage our utmoſt power againſt them, without any other arguments; 'ſpecially if compared with the Loyall and Heroicall reſolutions and engagements of our Anceſtors in the Parliament at Lincolne. An. 28. E. 1. (Recorded in Walſingham Hist. Angliae. p. 49. to 56. Cookes 2. Inſtit. p. 97. 98.) 20. H. 3. ch. 9. 40. E. 3. rot. Parl. n. 8. Cookes 4. Inſtit. p. 13. 14. The notable Statute of 16. R. 3. c. 5. of Praemunire. 11. H. 7. c. 18. 19. H. 7. c. 1. 25. H. 8. c. 22. 35. H. 8. c. 1. 1. Mariae. Parl. 2. ch. 1. 1. Eliz. c. 1. 3. 5. Eliz c. 1. 23. Eliz. c. 1. 2. 1. Jacobi ch. 1. 2. 3. Jac. ch. 1. 2. 4. 5. & 7. Jac. ch. 6. which all perjured Judges, Sergeants and Lawyers (…ho have diſhonoured their profeſſions by their late ſubſcriptions, and exceeded Judge Thorpe, Treſilian and his companions, and the Ship-Money Judges, in their Perjuries and Treaſons againſt King, Kingdome, Lords, People, Lawes, Liberties, which they have baſely and wickedly betrayed, againſt their Science and Conſcience) may doe well to chew the cudde upon and on Mr. St. Johns Speech at the Impeachment of the Judges concerning Ship-Money, and Argument at Law at Straffords Attainder (enough to hang and damne them all twenty times over, with all other Impoſers and Subſcribers of this Treaſonable Engagement) doe well to-head other Straffords whoſe crimes were not halfe ſo treaſonable and abhominable as the enforcing or ſubſcribing of this Oath and Engagement, by the meete pretended Authority of thoſe, who never had the leaſt legall power to adminiſter any old lawfull Oath, in any caſe, when a full free and lawfull Commons Houſe; much leſſe to make and impoſe a new treaſonable and illegall Oath of Allegiance to themſelves (who are oblieged by no ſuch reciprocall Oath to preſerve our Lawes, Liberties and free Cuſtomes, as our Kings alwaies were) upon all the Nation, againſt the Lawes and Statutes of the Realme, and above thirty legall Oathes yet in force, which ſundry Officers are oblieged to take before they may or ought to execute their reſpective Offices.
Tenthly, The Scripture is expreſſe, that Monarchicall Government is Gods owne ſpeciall Ordinance, Deut. 17. 14 15. and Prov. 8. 15. 16. Rom. 13. 1. 2. That the enjoyment of Kings and Kingly Government is a great honour, happineſſe and benefit to a Nation and a ſpeciall bleſſing promiſed and given to them by God himſelfe, Gen. 17 6. 16. Jer. 17. 25 c. 22. 4 2. Chron. 9. 8. Ez…ch. 16. 13. And can it then bee a miſerie and Judgment to us? that is a moſt ſevere Judgement of God, and the cauſe of many miſeries, oppreſſions, diſorders and deſtruction to a Nation or Kingdome, to bee without a King, by the Scriptures and Gods owne Reſolution. Judg. 17. 6. c. 18. 1. c. 19. 1. c. 21. 25. Hoſea 1. 4 c. 3. 4 5. c. 10 3. Jer 22. 3. to 13. Hoſea 13. 11. 12. Mich. 4. 9. 10. Am…s 1. 13. 14 15. Zech. 9. 5. And can it bee then any …appineſt and no judgement unto us to bee without a King? That Kings have beene the greateſt Reformers and Promoters of Gods Worſhip and Religion and ſuppreſſors of Idolatry under the Law (is the Bookes of Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Eſter, Nehemiah, Daniel the Pſalmes, Proverbs teſtify) and are ſpecially prophecied and promiſed to bee the chiefe Patriots, Fathers, Promoters, Propagators and Reformers of Religion, Gods Church and Worſhip under the Goſpell, in ſundry texts, as Pſal. 62. 29. Pſ. 72. 10. 11. Pſ. 112. 15. Pſ. 138. 4. 5. Pſ. 148. 11. Iſay 41. 2. c. 45. 1. 2. 5. c. 49. 7. 23. c. 52. 15. c. 60. 3. 10. 11. c. 62 2. Rev. 11. 15. c. 21. 24. which Hiſtories witneſſe to bee experimentally verified, and more eſpecialy in our Iſland (according to that Prophecio Pſal. 72. 10. relating unto Iſlands) which had the fift Chriſtian King sMath. Weſt. An 185. 307. Speed, Godwin, Spelman, Uſher, De Eccleſ. Brit. Primordi…s.Lucius, and firſt moſt renouned Chriſtian Emperor, Conſtantine the Great, borne and Crowned in it; and many pious, devout and religious Princes ſince, of ancient and later times, by whoſe bonnty, care, zeale; religion and learning were advanced, continued and propagated amongſt us, and are now likely to expire with our Monarchy, for want of protection, maintenance, encouragement, and puniſhment of Atheiſme, Hereſy, Blaſphemy and Prophaneneſſ…, and defrauding Miniſters both of their Tythes and promiſed augmentations, eating them out with taxes, & turning them out of their Livings and livelihood, by arbitrary Committees againſt Law and Juſtice, upon the bare ſuggeſtions of every malicious Sectary, or Tythe-declaiming proſecutor. Upon which grounds Chriſtians under the Goſp…ll are in th… firſt place enjoyned to make prayers, interceſſions and thanks-givings for Kings that under them they may live a peaceable life in all Godlineſſe and Honeſty: FOR THIS IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR (therefore to aboliſh Kings is ſinfull and diſpleaſing in his fight, and contrary to his reavealed will) 1. Tim. 2. 1. 2. To ſubmis to Kings as unto the Supreme, and honour them for the Lords ſake; for ſo it is the will of God. 1. Pet. 13. 14▪ 15. 17. To bee ſubject to Principalities and Powers. Tit. 3. 1. Rom. 13. 1. which Scriptures muſt bee raiſed out of the Bible as Apocriphall, if wee will extirpate Kings and Monarchy out of the Realme and Chriſtian World, as ſome now endeavour: the attempting whereof muſt needes bee an high affront to Chriſt himſelfe, which robs him of one of his moſt glorious Goſpell Titles, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. 1 Tim. 6 15. Rev. 17. 14. c. 19 16. Ad to this, that the Scripture relates it a great honour and proſperity to a Nation to become a Kingdom. Ezech. 16. 13. and a great judgement, miſery, and diſhonour to bee un-Kingdomed, or made a baſe, or no Kingdom. Jer. 16. 7 9. c. 22. 4 5 6. &c. Ezech. 29. 14. 15. Dan. 11 9. Hoſea 1 4 Dan. 2. 44. That the Church of Chriſt, the Goſpell, and Heaven it ſelfe are alwaies andtPſal. 145. 11. 13▪ Iſay 9 7 Dan. 4 35. c. 6. 27. Math. 3. 2. c. 5 7. 19 c. 12. 18 c 21. 43. c. 25. 34. c. 26. 25. u. 3. 33. c. 10 11 1. Cor. 6. 9. Col. 1. 13. 1. Tim. 4 1. 18 …. 2. 5. 2. Pe. 1 11. Rav. 12. 10. very frequently ſtiled a Kingdom never a Stat… or Republique (in contradiction to a Kingdome) throughout the Old and New-Teſtament. That the higheſt honour Christ hath purchaſed for us with his moſt precious blood is▪ to make us Kings to God his Father: to admit us into his Kingdome of Grace here, and of Glory hereafter, where we ſhall reigne as Kings for ever. Rev. 1. 5. 6. c. 5. 10 Lu. 1. 13. 1. Theſſ. 2. 12. 2. Tim. 4. 18. And that the Kingdomes only (not States and Republ…q…) of the Earth are Prophecied and Promiſed to become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ. Pſ. 8. 31. 32 Rev. 1. 15. Obad. 21. upon all which conſiderations, we can never ſubſcribe to the extirpation of our Kingly Government, or tranſlating our ancienteſt Kingdome into the punieſt Republiqu… in the World for feare wee loſe Gods protect on of and intereſt, reigne, preſence by his Ordinances in our Kingdome, and be for ever excluded ou… of his Kingdomes of Grace, Glory, and from reigning as Kings in either of them, which the preſcribers and ſubſcribers of this Oath and Engagement (who uſurpe upon Gods ſpeciall prerogative to diſpoſe of the Kingdomes of the Earth at his own pleaſure. Da. 4 32. 17. Je. 18 6. 7. 9.) againſt ſo many Oaths, Covenants, Reaſons, Scriptures, have cauſe to feare and expect.
Eleventhly, Wee are perſwaded in our conſciences, that the change of our rightfull King into many new ſelfe created States, our Kingdome into a Common-Wealth, and ancien… Parliaments of King, Lords and Commons into a new Repreſentative of Commons alone without King or Lords, the principall Deſigne of this new Oath and Engagement, againſt ſo many Oaths, Lawes, and Engagements of former & later times inviolably to preſerve them with our lives, eſtates, & laſt drop of our bloods, and that by the far leſſer part of the Kingdome and Houſe of Commons, againſt the wills and Proteſtations of the Major part who are moſt concerned therein, and without hearing their reaſons and objections to the contrary, or convincing them of the neceſſitie or conveniency thereof by a free hearing and debate thereof, in a full and free Parliament ſpecially convened for that purpoſe; is not only a moſt unjuſt, illegall and tyrannicall act, contrary to the Lawes of God, Nature and the Realme, a great ſcandall to our Religion, and injury and diſhonour to our whol Engliſh Nation, not to be preſidented in any age, eſpecially by ſo great pretenders to publique Liberty; but likewiſe an undertaking of ſuch dangerous conſequence, as none endowed with right Reaſon, the feare of God, or any reall love to their Country, durſt once for to attempt, as is clear to us by theſe particulars.
1. It will involve us in perpetuall Warres and troubles ſo long as there are any of the blood Royall who have title to the Crowne, or any of the Nobility endowed with any ſparkes of honour left alive; who will never deſiſt from attempting the recovery of their loſt Rights and Priviledges.
2. It will ſever the united Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland from, and engage them and all the Kings forraigne friends and Allyes againſt us; and neceſſitate us to mainta…n a perpetuall Army and Garriſons by Land, and Navy by Sea; which will undoe us, with Contribution, Exciſe, Free-Quarter; expoſe us to perpetuall Murthers, Robberie, Outrages, Tumults, Opp…ſſions, Diſcontents; Decreaſe and Decay all Trading, and end in our abſolute Slaverie, Miſerie, Ruine.
3. It will neceſſiate our new Governours, after the ſale of the Kings and Deanes and Chapters Lands, to help eaſe the People (for a time only) and ſupport their Army and Navy, to ſeize and ſell the Lands of all Corporations, Companies, Colledges, Hoſpitalls, Schooles, and Rectories of Churches in the Kingdome (a thing already projected by ſome) and to find out ſome device or other to make new Delinquen…s of purpoſe to Sequeſter and Confiſcate their Eſtates, till the whole Kingdome be Sequeſtred & made Malignants to help pay the Soldiers: one feared Deſigne of this new Oath and Engagement againſt thoſe who out of grounds of conſcience, Law and ſolid prudence, refuſe to ſubſcribe it,
4. It will diſſolve all our ancient Leagues with forraigne Kingdomes and States, made only with our King and Kingdome, and by the Law of Nations give them advantage and occaſion to ſeize our Ships, Merchants, Merchandize without breach of League, in the behalfe of the King and thoſe who ſtand for the Kingdomes continuance, with whom only the Leagues were made and ſtand firme againſt others who oppoſe them.
5. It will loſe our Intereſt, honour and reputation in and withall other Kingdomes or States, who will refuſe to owne or treat with us a State, thus forcibly and treaſonably erected; on elſe treat with us, as the punieſt and meaneſt State in the World, whoſe Agents and publique Miniſters muſt give place to thoſe of all Kings, Princes and other States whatſoever which are ancientes then it, ever by the [u] Law of Nations and reſolution of all Heranlds; vCaſſanae… Catalogue gloriae Mundi Hiſt of the C…w…ll of Trent.which the generoſity of the Engliſh Nation (the anci…ntſt and firſt Chriſtian Kingdome in the Chriſtian WorldxSeld…ns Titles of Hen. part. 2. ch. 11. claiming proceedency of all other Kingdomes in Generall Councells add Aſſemblies heretofore) will hardly brooke.
6. It will null, diſſolve and extinguiſh all the Corporations, Tenures, ancient Cuſtomes, Rents, Services, Courts of Juſtice, ancient Seales, Proceſſe, Writs, Legall Proceedings, Charters, Liberties, Cuſtomes, Forfeitures unpon penall Lawes, Titles of Honou… that are either hereditary or during life, and currant Coynes of the Kingdome; which being derived only the Kings and ancient Parliaments of England for them, their Heires and Succeſſors, or reſerved to them, their Heires and Succeſſors, and none others, and bearing their ſtamp and image on them; muſt all fall, expire and vaniſh together with them, as the Houſe falls all to pieces when the foundation is ſubverted; the Rivers quite faile when the ſprings from whence they flow, the effects ceaſe when the cauſe is deſtroyed, and the deriva…ives expire and vaniſh quite away when the primitives are aboliſhed: And what confuſions and miſchiefes will enſue, let the World judge.
7. If wee ſhall once give way that our Kings, Kingdome, Peers, and Parliaments; ſetled, eſtabliſhed, ſecured and fenced with ſo long Preſcriptions, Lawes, Oathes, Covenants, Engagements and Securities of all ſorts that humane wiſdome can invent, ſhall be thus overturned, deſtroyed, diſſipated, annihilated in a moment, at the wills and luſts of our preſent Uſurpers, againſt all their Solemne Oaths, Covenants and Proteſtations not to doe it; wee cannot but imagine, conceive and believe, that every particular perſons eſtate, goods, life, liberties and enjoyments in the Kingdome not halfe ſo well eſtalibſhed and fenced as they, can be ſecure or exempt from their violence▪ & rapine but ſubject to their lawleſſe wills, courts, acts, ſeizures & diſpoſals, to deprive us of them at their pleaſures; which will render us the miſerableſt & ſlaviſheſt People under Heaven, inſtead of a free Republick; of which the late illegall proceedings in martiall arbitrary Courts and Committees againſt the beheaded King, Lords and others, with their late impoſed arbitrary Taxes, Exciſes, Acts for new Treaſons, and this very Oath and Engagement give us undeniable experiments.
Upon which, and ſundry other weighty conſiderations, we are pere…ptorily reſolved, by the grace and aſſiſtance of our Omnipotent God, rather to endure ten thouſand S…queſtrations, Impriſonments, Deaths; then to betray our King, Kingdomes, Parliaments, Lawes, Liberties, Religion, all our earthly comforts, wound our Conſciences, damnour immortall Souls by our ſubmiſſion or ſubſcription to this irreligious, fl…gitious, pernicous, ſcandalous, illegall, irrationall, unconſcionable, treaſonable New Oath and Engagement; and adhere to the death conſtantly and ſincerely to our former Oathes▪ Covenants and Engagements, which they diametrically oppoſe, maugre any humans powers or forces whatſoever.
To cloſe up all wee heartily wiſh all perjured Preſcribers of this New Oath and Engagement (eſpecially apoſtate Aſſemblymen, D…vines and Lawyers, who contrary to their former Oathes, Covenants, Proteſtations and Subſcriptions) have ſubſcribed this new Oath, Conſcienciouſly and ſadly to conſider and peruſe: Levit. 19. 12. Pſal. 15. 1 2. 4. Ioſh. 9. 18. 19. 20. 2 Sam. 21. 1. & 1 King. 1 29. 30. c. 2. 42. 43 46. 2 Chron. 13. 5. 6 & Neh. 5 12. 13. Ier. 34. 8 to 20. Ezech. 17. 11. to 22. Zech. 5. 1. to 5. Mal. 3 5 Rom. 1▪ 28. 31. 32. 2 Tim▪ 3. 1. to 6. Dr. Beards Theatre or God Judgements L. 1. c. 27. 28. of Perjurers divine puniſhments (eſpecially the example of Rodulph. p. 174. with another of that nature p. 176. and the example of that perj…red Uſu…per of the Cr…w…e, againſt his Oath, King Hera…ld Math. Weſt. An. 1066. p. 430. 438. with the ſad Sto… of Archbiſhop C…nm…rs tortu…s of Conſcience, and Mr. Bilneys for ſubſcribing againſt their Conſciences to ſave their Lives, in Mr. Fox his Mon…ments: And then they will eyther with Peter, after he had abju…ed his Lord and Maſter with an oath, goe forth and …ee… bitterly, if they have any ſparkes of Grace or hopes of Salvaſion remaining in them; or elſe with tr…cherous Iudas, who betrayed his Lord and Maſter to gratifie the High-Prieſts, goe out deſpairing, and hang themſelves to avoid the ſhame of the World, and anguiſh of their tormenting Conſciences.
A Quaere touching an Engliſh Monarchy, and a Low-Country Free-State; which of them is the Freeſt, and moſt to bee deſired.
An Engliſh Monarchie,
Is a moſt Honorable free Government by an hereditary King according to the Lawes of the Kingdoms, ſupplyed only (without any ſtanding Army, Garriſons, Free-Quarter, Exciſe, or Monethly Contributions, by a bare Ordinance of a few Commons) with a Subſidy or two, in divers yeares, freely granted by the Laity and Clergy in full Parliament by diſtinct Acts of Parliament.
A Low-Country Free-State,
Is an Ignoble Servitude under the Militarie Command of many ſelfe-Created new States, erected and ſupported by the meere Power of a ſtanding Army, conſtant Garriſons, Citadels, accompanied with perpetuall Monethly Contributions, Taxes, Exciſes and Free-Quarter impoſed on the Clergy & Laity by theſe new States alone, without common conſent or Act of Parliament, and augmented and diſpoſed of at their owne Will and Pleaſures.
Utrum horum mavis, accipe.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Prynne, Against the New Oath and Engagement (1649)