THE CHARACTER OF A Rigid Presbyter. WITH A Discovery of those dangerous Designes of the English and Scotish Covenanters, as they have tended to the ruine of our Church and State.

TO give you an exact Character of him, is im­possible; he is as changeable as a Proteus: yet if you please to have his Genealogie ab origine, which may be said to resemble a Welch Pe­digree, take it as it was left by one of the best Pens of this Modern Age.

Never was there such a monstrous Babe, as this ru­ling [Page 2]& domineering Presbytery; the Father of it is Re­bellion, the Mother Insurrection, the Midwife Sacri­lege, the Nurse Coverousness, the Milk Schism, the Coats Armour, the Rattles Drums, a bloody Sword the Coral, Money the Babie it delights to play with­al: it grows up to be a stripling, and goes to School to a Council of War; its Lesson is on the Trumpet, its Fescue a Pistol, its play-days the days of Battel, and black-Monday the Day of Judgement: it comes of age, and is married with a Solemn League and Cove­nant; it begets Children like it self, whose blessing upon them, is the power of the Sword; and whose imposition of Hands, are broken Pates. This Mon­ster cries down the antient Catholick and Apostolick power which the Bishops had, and then takes it up a­gain, and exercises it in a higher nature then ever Bi­shop did; even to the deposition of Kings, and the delivering them up to the Executioner.

Should we trace this viperous Brood from their first rise and original, we shall finde their Designes founded on Rebellion, to the ruine and destruction of the Prince and Bishop of Geneva, under whose Do­minions the Faction first pullulated. 'Twould be too prolix, and inconsistent with a Character, to tell you how they have dealt likewise with our Princes here at home, verifying that Maxime, ‘NO BISHOP, NO KING.’

But take a short Epitomy of their Actions in what followeth: And

First of Geneva.

Calvin with his Gladiators having expuls'd the Prince and Bishop of Geneva, erects a Government [Page 3]so losty and unexpected, that the People would have nothing to do, either with him or it; and thereupon banished him: being in exile, he plots and contrives the pacification of the peoples fury, by inventing his new fangle of Lay-Elders, which made them sharers in the Government, and endeared the people to him, so that all parties were agreed.

As for our Princes here at home,

Do but observe the behaviour of Knox and Bucha­nan, and the rest of that Gang, to Mary Queen of Scots, as it is related by King James himself, in his Discourse at Hampton-Court to the Presbytery. These two pre-mentioned, viz. Knox and Buchanan, came to Mary Queen of Scots, telling her, That by right no Pope nor Potentate whatsoever had any su­periority over her, in her own Dominions, either in cases Civil or Ecclesiastical, but that she was Su­preme in both, and constituted by GOD, as the on­ly nursing Mother of his Church within her own Kingdom; and therefore conjured her to have a care of the Evangel of Christ, as she would answer it at the dreadful Day of Judgement: She first gives them her Ear, and at last her Authority; they make use of it in the first place to the pulling down of Bishops, and exalted themselves in their places; and when the Queen expected an absolute Suprema­cie, behold, all that this Rabble would allow her, was not so much as to have one private Chappel for her self, nor one Priest to serve GOD according to her own Conscience. She finding her hopes frustra­ted, and her self so much deluded, endeavours to recal her Authority; she takes up Arms, they oppose her, combat her, beat her out of her Kingdom; she flees [Page 4]into England for refuge; they follow her with Inve­ctives, thrust jealousie into the Queen of England's Bosome concerning her; whereupon she was consi­ned, and after a long and tedious imprisonment, put to death. Thus King James having put a period to his Discourse directed to Dr. Reynolds, Knewstubs, and the rest, turns to the Bishops, and closes his Oration with this Animadversion: Wherefore, my Lords, I thank you for my Supremacie: for if it were at these mens disposals, I am very sensible what would become of it.

If you desire to be satisfi'd concerning their deal­ings with King James, her Son, Father to the Martyr CHARLES the First, of blessed memory, you may finde it in his Basilicon Doron: Crebrae adversus me in Tribunitiis Conscionibus Calumniae spargebantur; non quod ordinem aliquod designassem, sed quia Rex eram, quod om­ni crimine pejus habebatur. Are these men fit to make good Subjects? Did they not convene him, and cate­chize him like a School-boy? Did he not protest un­to his son Henry, that he hated their proud and haugh­ty carriage, ever since he was ten years of age? Did he not say, That Monarchy and Presbytery agreed like GOD and the Devil? And have not we found it so, if we consider the carriage of our new-fangled Presbyterians in England, to CHARLES the First, his Son? But alas! I am mistaken, they fasted and pray'd, preached and writ against it, praying for a diversion of all such black intentions: and yet the Presbyterian took the Scepter out of his hand, in ta­king away the Militia, of which it was an Emblem; cast down his Throne, by depriving him of his Ne­gative Voice; took his Crown, the Fountain of Ho­nour, off his head, by denying those Honour, on [Page 5]whom he had worthily conferred it, without them; took away his Supremacy, signifi'd by the sacred Un­ction, wherewith he was anointed, in denying him the Liberty of his Conscience, in the point of Epis­copacie and Church-government: nor would they treat a minute with their King, till they had made him acknowledge himself guilty (as they say) of all the blood that had been spilt throughout his Domi­nions: and notwithstanding all the Concessions on his part, that could possibly be granted, even to the very grating of his Princely Conscience; when he bid them ask flesh from his bones, and he would not deny it, if it might in any measure redound to the be­nefit of his people, praying that he might keep his Conscience whole, (the Queen Regent of all good mens actions, and he hoped there were none would force this Queen before him in his house, as Ahasuerus said to Haman) yet not withstanding all this, was it voted unsatisfactory so long, till the Independent Army came from Edinborougb, surprized and murder­ed him. He that said, The Presbyterian held him down by the Hair, while the Independents cut off his Head, said true enough. They murdered him as a King, before ever they murdered him as a Man: And when time serves, the Philosopher's Maxime will pass for good and currant Logique at Court, Qui vult media adfinem, vult etiam & ipsum finem; He that wills the means conducing to the end, wills also the end it self: Ergo (will the Royalists say) since the Presby­terian put such courses in practise, as tended to the King's ruine, they certainly intended it, and are as deeply guilty as others. Nay, may not the Inde­pendent say, You took off his Authority, and we took [Page 6]off his Head; you made him no King, and we made him no Body; you made him a Man of Blood, and we treated him accordingly. Therefore at your doors, O ye Presbyterian Hypocrites, his innocent Blood is lay'd: nor is it any other then your Actions have been all along; and those committed by your An­cestors to former Princes and Kings. But sure there is some Excuse remaining; they fought for Religion. I wonder when the Church did change her Wea­pons: Must Prayers and Tears be turn'd into Pike and Musquet? Did GOD refuse to have his Temple built by David, a Man after his own Heart, because onely his hands were bloody? And will he now con­descend to have his Church repair'd, and her Breach­es made up with Skulls and Carcasses? Must Blood be tempered with the Mortar that must binde the Stones of his Temple in Unity? Or are the smitings of Brethrens strokes fit to polish her Stones withal? Hath GOD refused the soft voice, to remain in thun­der? Or hath his Spirit left the gentle posture of de­scending down upon his Apostles, to the approaching of a mighty and rushing winde? To go about the reforming of a Church by humane strength, is quite as opposite to the nature of Reformation, as is the going about the repairing of a Castle-Wall with a Needle and Thred. He that looks to finde such in­estimable goodness within Iron-sides, may as well expect to finde a Pearl in a Lobster. No, no, the Church must not be defended with Helmets, the Re­sisters of blows; but with Miters, which have recei­ved the cleft already; not by broken Pates, but by clo­ven Tongues; not by Men clad in Buff, but by Priests cloathed with Righteousness. Decisions in matters [Page 7]of Faith, must not be determined by Armour of proof; nor did the Sword of the Spirit ever make way to the Conscience by cutting through the Flesh. He therefore who takes up Arms against his Sove­raign with pretences of defending his Religion, doth but take such courses as are condemned by the same Religion he would defend: and indeed, he doth but make Religion his stalking-Horse, to blinde him, whilst he aims at that which he would have least su­spect him; which when he hath effected, he means to get up upon the Horse, and ride him at his plea­sure: they pretend the good of the Church, and in­tend nothing more but the Goods thereof; and like dissembling Lapwings, make a shew of being nearest the Nest, when they are farthest off it.

But they fought for Liberty: These are piaefraudes, & Religiosi doli; pious Frauds, religious Deceits: for pray what Liberties did they fight for? If for Li­berty of Conscience, What do you mean thereby? If by Liberty of Conscience, you mean, That it shall be lawful for every one to make a free choice of his own Religion, or to be of his own Opinion, these are things which we ought not to have, much less to fight for; for then let us not blame every Painim, that bakes his cake to the queen of heaven, or every ignorant Vo­tary, who creeps to his own Image, or makes his own Idol: for in this kind of liberty we do but sacrifice un­to the net wherein we see our selves caught, and burn incense to the drag that hales us to destruction. Chri­stians are not to be at such Liberty: loose Christi­ans are but lost men: true Christians will be conten­ted to be bound up in the Unity of the same Spirit, and with the bond of Peace: if the bond be broken, [Page 8]the Sheaf of Corn is but so many loose Ears, and no way fit to be carried into the Lords Barn: if we be Sons and Daughters, let us belong all to one House; if we be Servants, let us be all of one Family; if we be lively Stones, let us be all of one Building; if we be several Grapes, yet let us be all of one Cluster; if we be several Clusters, let us be all of one Vine; if we be Saints, let us have a Communion: for this is it which is called the Communion of Saints; this is it which is called Religion, which is derived à Religan­do, which signifies, to binde. Wherefore for the Pu­ritan not to think himself bound to those Articles the Church proposes, is to be of no Religion; and [...]o fight for this, is to fight for nothing.

Perhaps the Presbyter may likewise maintain, that he fought for Liberty from Oppression: That is but a weak Excuse, and carries little of Reason or Sence in it: for there is not any Man or Woman, of what Quality or Condition soever he be, that understands what belongs to any such thing; unless it be some few that have liberty to do what they will with all the rest.

But what if they took up Arms for the property of the Subject? Alas! I presume the Subjects had then so altered the property of their Goods, that had they but the old properties restor'd, they would not think it good fighting for a new; their expectations being so much deceiv'd, that instead of fighting for the pro­perty of the Subject, they rather found themselves subject to have all things in common.

If for the Laws of the Land; Whose Laws were they? Were they not the King's? And was it pro­bable that he would not maintain the Foundation of [Page 9]his House from sinking? Would he not maintain his Leggs under him? Were they not Supporters of that Body Politick whereof he was Head? Nay, does he not maintain himself, when he maintains them? for the King and his Laws may, without absurdity, be compared to GOD and his Word, both inseparable: for as GOD is the Word, and the Word is GOD; so the King is the Law, as the Life thereof; and the Law is the King, as the Body of that Soul. Where­fore there needed not any fighting against the King upon this account, except it were by those who were ambitious to be Kings themselves.

As for Priviledges of Parliament, which possibly may come into the number of their pre­tences: I have read of Jack Cade, Speed's Chronicle. in the Reign of Richard the Second, who com­ing up as far as London-Stone, and rest­ing himself thereon, vowed, That within three days, there should be no other Law but what did proceed out of his own Mouth. Now if it stand with the Priviledges of Parliament, to have a few Jack Cades, relying on their London-Stones, to tell them what they must do, and they will have; if it stands with the Priviledges of the Presbyterian Parliament, to have Tumults to drive away their King, Armies to awe themselves, Countries to send up their Inhabitants in Multitudes, with Petitions in their Hats, Cudgels in their Hands, and Threatnings in their Mouths, then they have fought to some purpose.

But admit the Puritano-Parliament fought for all these Particulars, so did the King too: so that the King might safely expostulate with his Parliament, as St. Paul did with the rest of the Apostles: Are ye [Page 10]Fighters for the Protestant Religion? so am I: Are you for the Liberties of the Subject? so am I: Are you for the Laws of the Land? so am I: Are you for the Priviledges of the Parliament? so am I: And in all these things, I have laboured more abundantly then you all.

Where lies the Quarrel then? It must of necessity consist in nothing but this, That they did not believe one another: and in that they both fought for one and the same Thing, the means of Reconciliation is taken away: for, had they differ'd in their Grounds, the Law might have been Judge between them; Rea­son might be Judge, the World might be Judge; but Rebus sic stantibus, instead of having reason to fight, they did but fight against Reason: both contended for the same Power, like the two Women that con­tended for the same Child: Solomon judged the Child to belong to her who would rather part with it all, then have the Child divided: Now the Parliament would have this powerful Child divided, half to the King, and half to themselves; the King rather was contented to lose all. In whom there is most affecti­on and pity, in him is the Right of true Paren­tage.

But because there were no Solomons in that Age, we will go the downright way to work.

The Presbyter fought in defence of the King's Per­son, Crown and Dignity; can you believe him? I'm sure you may believe and be confident the King did. They took up Arms to unite him to his Parliament, and make him a most glorious Monarch, by reviling his sacred Person, and bespattering him with malevo­lent Tongues; did they not then fight upon false [Page 11]Grounds? Did they not give themselves the lye? and shall they be believed still? But instead of being in­structed by Solomons divided Child, they divided their Solomon. But if they had remembred what ill luck the Nation ever had by imprisoning their Kings one­ly, they would have desisted speedily from their hel­lish Enterprize: for when they had imprisoned the old Lion and the young, within their Grates, the third Henry and his Son, did they not make the whole Land shake? Had not the whole Kingdom a shrewd Ague-fit at that very time? Did they not (like fire too close besieg'd with Clouds) sally out in Thunder and Lightning, to the terrour and destruction of all those that stood in the way? What success had the imprisonment of Edward the Second? Upon his Im­prisonment followed his Deposition, and the murder of his Person was the consequent of the deposement of his Dignity. But what became of those that were the occasion of it, and did it? Is there one remain­ing of the Name of Mortimer? Was not that Morti­mer who was the cause of his imprisonment, behead­ed? Were not all those who had a hand in it con­dignly punished? Nay, was not the immediate Heir of this too much Conniver at his Fathers Sufferings, and too ready Accepter of his Fathers Office, impri­soned, deposed and murdered? And pray satisfie me in this likewise, What success had the imprisonment of Richard the Second? It cost the Kingdom whole Ages of miseries, 80 of her Nobility, and 100000 of her Commons, & the disposing of all her Royal Ro­ses in their Buds, before they were half blown, until there was but one of a colour left in the Royal Gar­den of Great Britain; and they being married, made [Page 12]a composure of Red and White, as blushing at the former Mischiefs.

The Presbyter is a Zealous Dragooner, the Holy Man of War, that is ever beating up his Drums a­gainst Loyalty and Nobility: search through the New Testament, and you may learn the Genealogie of our Saviour, by the Names in their Regiments; nor need the Muster-Master use any other List then the first Chapter of St. Matthew; which makes me admire how they could ever object to the King, the bringing in of Forraigners, when they themselves maintain'd such an Army of Hebrews. He is one that rifles Colledges, to promote Learning; and pulls down Churches, for Edification. He had once al­most put out one of the Kingdoms Eyes, by cloud­ing one of the Universities; and if that Scotch mist had farther prevail'd, had extinguish'd the other. 'Twas never a good world, since the name of Church was turn'd into Kirk, and afterwards dwindled into a Conventicle; 'twas a sad time ever since a feeble By my truly did walk the Streets as familiarly among us, as Myn Heer in Holland. But now we have his sa­cred Majesty restored to his right Title, we are con­fident of a better World, Velit nolit Smectymnuus, in spite of the Presbyters Teeth.

He is one that hath as little minde to do the King­dom good, as the Church hath to lap holy-Water. He is a Pulpit Boutefeu, that uses to give the Congre­gation a Scotish Jigg, and so tune his Nose with Hymns and Songs for the destruction of the Nobility of our English Nation; a Butcher that exercis'd his Function, Cum Privilegio, in former times, endeavour­ing to bring Loyalty to the Shambles: one that ne­ver [Page 13]was quiet, till the Creatures of the Prerogative were all turn'd into the Pound together; till the Peers were pickled up with their King, to satisfie his ambitions on his Prince, and to feed on the Carcasses of the People. He is one that thinks it is his Privi­ledge, and would quote Scripture sor't, To binde the Kings and Nobles of the earth in chains: and yet to dress out all for his more devout palate, the name of GOD must be placed in the front of his success, as if he were the onely Darling of the Almighty, or rather, as if he were President in all the Proceedings and Consultations of the Presbyterian Israel. His God is his Money, and therefore will rather make Money of GOD and the Church, then fail of an Inheritance. He did endeavour some few years past, to convert our Times into the Primitive; and made Great CHARLES wear Fig-leave Breeches, like A­dam, by stripping him of his Royal Robes and Re­venues.

As for the Scotish Presbyter, I am sorry I must waste Paper upon him: But being he hath ever en­deavoured tooth and nail, according to his utmost a­bility, to make himself considerable by being trou­blesome, it will not be amiss to sound the depth of their constant Designes: which that I may the better do, give me leave to trace them in their Encroach­ments, from the first to the last, upon our English Nation.

When they first found themselves powerful in their own Country, they became most zealous in as­serting the Presbyterian Discipline against the Epis­copal; by which means they gained the Amity and Friendship of all the pretended Religious Party in [Page 14] England: for they stood seemingly for no sinister ends, but meerly for the purity of Religion, and Liberty of Conscience, against Episcopal Power and Innovati­ons, as they termed the most ancient Doctrine of the Church; as also, for the Laws and Liberties of the Nation, invaded by the Prerogative: for the redress of which Abuses, a Parliament was call'd; who not obtaining such a relief of forged Grievances, as they expected; pretended a constraint of taking up Arms in defence of their Liberties; and the English Zea­lots had recourse to the Scots for their assistance, who immediately condescended thereunto, and thought it but Reason and Equity to joyn with them, without dispute or scruple, (pretty tender-conscienc'd Babes they were, in the interim! that's clear:) But they considering now was the time (if ever) to make their Markets, and their own Interest as much English as might be, came not off so roundly as they expected; wherefore they fell to bartering, like Hucksters, and no Bargain could be made, forsooth, without a Cove­nant: They would not joyn, except they might be (in a manner) all one with us; and this Union must be seal'd with that Solemn League and Covenant: What their meaning was therein, you shall understand by and by, by taking a view of their Actions, which are the most sure Interpreters. Yet even at that time, some men had their eyes in their heads, and many Objections were made at divers Expressions in the Covenant, and many De­sires for Explanations of some Articles more fully. But the Scots standing stiff upon their own Terms, and no Conjunction like to be obtain'd without the Cove­nant, and the English Presbyterians necessities re­quiring no delay, (as they imagin'd) were glad to [Page 15]take it as it was offer'd, without farther question, or demur.

It was no sooner taken here at London, but imme­diately every one began to make his advantages, (through the multitude and ambiguity of Expressi­ons) and by it to promote his several Interest; as if it had been made to engage unto a particular Party, not to unite two Nations in a common Interest. But a­bove all, the Scots, having had the honor of this inven­tion, conceived themselves much injur'd by any that deny'd them the Prerogative of making an Interpre­tation; and in matter of Religion, urged their own Discipline as the only Pattern to reform the Church by; and their Plea had been far better, could they have proved it to be [According to the Word of GOD] which Clause was most luckily inserted. Notwith­standing all the Reasons to the contrary, the Scotish Module was still pressed: The Scot was willing to ride; and having (as he thought) the English fast bridled with a Covenant, he began to switch and spur: The Throne of the Kirk was the stalking-horse to catch Geese; and if that could have been settled, then there had been no denying them whatsoever they could ask; they would have seated themselves finely in this fat soil, and surely too; there would be no removing them out of our Councils, whereof they had then been Members and Partakers. For had the Kirk-Interest been once confirmed among us, then by vertue of that Authority which they use, to con­trole the Civil Power, the Parliament must have been subservient to all their Ends and Purposes; and since the English Puritans had been (as they say) con­strain'd (to make their Party strong, and maintain [Page 16]Correspondencies for their own preservation) to gratifie their Scotish Founders in all their Desires; so that the Scots might easily have translated the Co­venant-Union, to as good as an absolute National-Union, by gaining a Joynt-Interest with us, in our Affairs for ever; and consequently, in all the Profits, great Offices, Councels and Concernments of this Nation.

Now whether this were their Design or not, in the Covenant, ab origine, I shall not now determine; but let it be judged by their insolent behaviour here a­mong us, after they were admitted to our Councils: And therefore in the next place, I shall examine their Proceedings, which most evidently represent them in their intentions.—It sufficed them not af­ter they were come in, that they had an equal Power with the Factions in the Committee at Derby-House, which was allowed them; but driving a powerful Party in both Houses, they took upon them to med­dle with matters relating to the future peace and set­tlement of the Nation, much pretended, but not at all intended; and that dinstinct from their own too; and to provide for an equal Interest with the Presby­tery of England.

The first most notorious Evidence of this (though there had been many before) was discovered at the Uxbridge-Treaty, where the Propositions of both Hou­ses being presented to his Majesty of blessed memo­ry, it was found the Scots had so far provided for themselves by their Party in the Houses, That in time to come, the ordering of the English Militia, the power of making War and Peace, and all other Pre­rogatives of Government, were to be administred by [Page 17]a proportionable number of Scots, as well as Eng­lish: A thing so ridiculous, and an Encroachment so palpable, that his Majesty, in one of his Answers, took notice of it, and said, He was not so much an Ene­my to the English Nation, as to signe those Propositions: or somewhat (I'm confident) to that purpose.

A second Evidence or Discovery of their En­croachments, was made upon the delivering in di­vers papers to the Parliament, at several times, where­in they disputed their claim, and ventured their Lo­gick upon the Letter of the Covenant, to prove an Interest in disposal of matters meerly relating to our welfare (as was thought;) which they re-inforced afterwards, with new recruits of Arguments, when the King came into their Army.

But not knowing how to maintain their Argu­ments, they were contented for that time to quit them, and the King too, upon such Terms as are noto­rious to all the world; who being at length reduced under the power of the Parliament and Army, Pro­positions were sent to him at Hampton-Court, where­in no such Provision being made for the Scotish In­terest, as was in those at Uxbridge, their Commission­ers here protested against them, accused the Parlia­ment of Breach of Covenant, and complained high­ly in one of their Declarations, that they should be so neglected.

This may serve as a third Evidence of their Cove­nant-Design of Encroachment: Whereto may be added one more: When the King, Father of our most gratious Soveraign, was at Carisbrook-Castle, whither the Commissioners of Parliament were no sooner arrived with Propositions again, but the [Page 18]Scots Commissioners were at hand, and for the same reason, pro [...]es [...]ed furiously against them. By which [...]ent Demeanors and Expressions from time to time, and crying up the Covenant for their defence, it is clear enough what their intentions were when they urged it unto the Presbytery of this Nati­on [...]; and notwithstanding all the specious pretences of Brotherly Love, their Designe in it hitherto, hath been onely to screw themselves into an equal Interest with this our Nation.

Having smelt out their Project thus far, give me leave to trace them on to the end, as succinctly as may be.

The Royal Party being supprest, and so no farther occasion to make use of the Scotish Army, the Parlia­ment with some difficulty made a shift to send them home into their own Country; but being defeated of their Aims and Expectations, they could not so rest: Having failed of their Ends by pretending for Parliament, they resolved next to try what they could do upon the Kings Score; and so the Grandees turn'd the Tables, in hope of an after-Game, by closing with Duke Hamilton, upon the Royal Account; not doubt­ing, but if they gain'd the Day this way, to recom­pence their Travels with much more advantage. The Covenant, like a Nose of Wax, apt to be turned any way, served this Enterprize every jot as well as the former; though the Designe were different from what it was, the Great ones not caring much what became of the Kirk-Interest, since they had agreed for the security of their own; which must needs have been very considerable, if they could have re­deemed [Page 19]his Majesty, and restored him into the condi­tion of an absolute Monarch. Therefore the Kirk see­ing themselves left in the lurch, thundered out their Curses amain, upon that hypocritical Engagement, as destructive to the Covenant.

But the Grandees being at a loss likewise, upon Duke Hamilton's Defeat, were glad to cry Peccavi to the Kirk.

Within a while after, a new Door of Hope being opened to them, by the Right of Succession which they knew belonged to his present MAJESTY; they to ingratiate with him, proclaim him their King: and here the Grandees and the Kirk joyning hands a­gain, become Friends, and offer their service for his Restitution upon Terms of the Covenant, which was pretended to be framed at first for the preserva­tion of the Parliament, and the Liberties of the peo­ple, against Regal power; but is, now that the Scots can serve their Design no longer that way, become the ground of their compliance with his MAJESTY; being resolved this way, since they have failed in all the rest, to try whether they could accomplish their profane Projects through the Covenant, by insinua­ting themselves into places of Honour, Profit and Power, that they may domineer in the Possessions, as their Pharisaical Priests would over the Consciences of the English.

Thus having made way, in discovering what the Design of the Scots hath ever been, and is at this in­stant; certainly no Man, that is Master of a true English Spirit, but will abhor the Hypocritical Pre­tences and Encroachments of that persidious Na­tion.

[Page 20]Therefore it being evident that their Designe in urging the Covenant upon the Presbyterian here in England, was only to insinuate themselves into an e­qual Interest with our own Nation; I shall in the next place, discover the great Inconveniencies and Hazards that our Nation must of necessity have undergone, in case it should happen as they ever endeavour'd, to be knit together in a National Union.

A National Union hath been often whispered a­mong them heretofore; and there's no doubt but they would bid high for it, if ever they have occasion; and then it must needs have been a very fine world, when we had been confounded with a miscellany of Scotish and English; when Scots should have been competitors with us in point of priviledge, vie wealth with us in our Possessions, Honours and Dignities; and they would either have impos'd new Laws upon us, or alter'd the old, according as they judg'd it for their advantage; for a Scotch Covenanters stomach will allow no distinction betwixt Presbyter and Inde­pendent, but can digest the Estate of an English Co­venanter, without so much as a scruple of regret or compassion.

But it is a very great wonder, since the stage-play of the Covenant, and the Actors are brought on this side the Curtain, and we know what they are, through all their Disguises, and what they aim at, that yet many of our English Nation should be so stupid as to be led away with their cheats and pretences for a Reformation; since it is evident that their chief Lea­ders and Sticklers gape onely after Profit and Prefer­ment, and (according to the custome of all Forraign­ers in Arms) will make no distinction between [Page 21]Friend and Foe, so they may satisfie their covetous and ambitious ends.

And for a conclusion to the whole, as to their acti­ons, that these particulars may appear more solid then meer insinuation, give me leave to confirm what we have said concerning them, by some Authentick Examples; it being an ordinary case in the World, That Ab istis exercitibus quos defendendi sui cau­sa attraxerunt evertun­tur. Peucer. Auxiliatores ut solet fieri, posteà fiunt Domini. Strigel. 2 Paralip. 28. Com­monwealths and Kingdoms have been often oppress'd by those For­raigners, that came, or were in­vited in, as Friends, to give their assistance; and so would they have done undoubtedly, had their power been suita­ble to their will.

Here before I proceed, let me call to minde a story of the Hedgehog in the Fable, who being almost dead with cold, chanced to light upon a Foxes Ken­nel; where, asking for entertainment, the Fox more compassionate then wise, grants his Request: but the Hedghog, as soon as he recovered warmth, began to bristle and prick the Fox; who complaining of his un­worthy carriage, the Hedghog made answer, That if he found him troublesome, he might leave him, and seek a new Lodging. I shall leave the Application to those that would entertain the Scots as Friends, to consider whe­ther they should finde more courtesie from them, if they had power here, then the Fox did from the Hedghog, or then other Nations have had from the friendly pretences of forraign Auxiliaries.

Concerning this, there are several Presidents.

The Macedonians being invited by the The­bans, Justin. to assist them against the Phocians, made [Page 22]a shift not onely to seat themselves among the Thebans, but under the conduct of King Philip, made way to the Conquest of all Greece.

So the Persians, Xenophon, li. 7. coming as Friends to aid one party in a Civil Division in Caria, sup­press'd both, and depriv'd that Common-wealth of its liberty.

And the Carthaginians in the first Punick War, re­ceived more prejudice from the Celtae, their Confede­rates and Brethren in Covenant, then from the Ro­mans, their Enemies.

The Goths and Vandals, Pezel. par. 4. pag. 613. being invited by the Emperor Theodosius for his assistance, deprived him of Italy and Spain. After­wards, the Longbeards, or Lombards, being called in by Narses, against the Goths, seated themselves for above 200 years in that part of Italy, which from them, was called Lombardy.

A quarrel happening between the two Saracen Sultans of Persia and Babylon, Circa Annum Christi 870. Chytraeus in Apoc. cap. 9. the Persian called in the Turks, under the conduct of their Captain Tangrolipix, out of Scythia, who seated themselves first in a part of his Dominions.

In the time of the Emperour Frederick the Third, the Princes of Italy being in contention, the Pope cal­led in the Spaniard, and several other Princes, to com­pose the Quarrel; In Chron. Phil. li. 5. which being done, a new one arose betwixt the Auxiliary Prin­ces, for the Lordship of Italy; but the Spaniard drave away the rest, and made bold to keep possession himself.

Thus likewise the Spaniards being invited into Sicily [Page 23]and Naples, to free them from the French, did indeed expel the French, but possessed both Kingdoms them­selves.

On the other side, a controversie arising betwixt Lewis, and John Sforza, for the Dutchy of Millain; John called in the Spaniards to his party, and Lewis the French; but the French driving John and the Spa­niards away, made themselves at that time Masters of the Dukedom, and carried their Friend Lewis prisoner into France.

Thus, in old time, our Ancestors, the Saxons, being called in by Vortigern, Sam. Daniel. the British King, to assist him against the In­vasions of the Picts and Scots, turn'd their Arms against the Britains, and driving them into Wales, transmitted the possession of this Island, to us their posterity.

So the Scots likewise (as Bodin affirms) John Bodin. li. 5. cap. 5. being called in to the assistance of the Picts against the Britains, possest them­selves of the best part of that Kingdom, which they hold at this day.

And now I would fain know of the Admirers of the Scotish Nation, what assurance they can have, not­withstanding their fiue Flourishes of pretended Friendship, that they should not serve us, as their Ancestors did the Picts; or as others did other Na­tions, whom they opprest under as glorious pretences, in case they should get the power into their hand; e­specially since of late time they have made so many palpable Discoveries of Encroachment upon the English.

[Page 24]Seeing therefore, that their Covenant-Cause ap­pears a Cause for Intrenchment upon our National Interest, rather then for Religion or Monarchy; I may reasonably conclude, That it concerns all Parties whatsoever (if not for the misery that would follow it, yet out of a detestation of their Designes and En­deavours) to shake them off, and utterly relinquish them.

As for the English Presbytery, whence it was, hath been manifested already; but for what ends brought into England, is not here to be disputed: But if we should grant the intentions of its first Fautors to be pure in the Fountain, (as they would fain maintain, though we are satisfi'd to the contrary) yet it appears polluted in the streams, by the corruption of their Successors: for, as the Primitive Pretences of it were high and glorious, in its infancy; so being grown up to maturity, it hath (after the manner of all other things that participate of worldly mixtures) in time contracted so many Adulterations of worldly Interest, that it hath lost the Beauty which it once ap­peared to have, and serves every Sophister, as a Cloak to cover his ambitious Designes.

But since it is arrived, notwithstanding, to such a height, in the opinion of many, as to be cried up for the onely Pattern of Government under the Gospel, this is to be imputed to the blinde Zeal of those that are misled, and the Deceitfulness of the Leaders, rather then the intention of its Author, Mr. Calvin, as it appears: for he never seem'd to stretch his Mo­dule so far, as the Necessity and Universality of a DIVINE RIGHT; but seems onely to have [Page 25]hewn part of the Building out of the Rock of the Scriptures, and piec'd up the residue by politique Rules, such as he conceiv'd might sound nearest the Text, and serve most conveniently to cement the dis­joynted Members of the then broken and tumultuous Commonwealth of Geneva, into an intire and well-compacted Body.

It was no sooner lick'd into Form there, but (as it is the fate of all things new) it began to be much ex­toll'd and admir'd; and the fame thereof spreading in England, as well as other parts, wrought in many of our Country-men, an itching desire to go thither, and instruct themselves in the Nature and Customs of the Government; where, of Spectators, they soon became Proselytes; and returning home with new affections, look'd with an Eye of Disdain upon the Bishops, as if themselves had indeed found out the Pattern in the Mount, because (forsooth) the words, Presbytery, Elder, Deacon and Assembly, &c. sound more Gospel-like, then Diocess, Church-warden, Arch-deacon, and High-Commission, &c. With these Terms the Maxima pars vulgi capitur Ambagibus. ordinary sort of Religious Persons, not able to see through the Shell of words, into the Kernell or sub­stance of the business, were easily led to a belief of high matters; whereas this new form, like the Trojan Horse, brought an Army of Mischiefs in the belly of it, which have of late years been sufficiently dis­covered.

For immediately after the Episcopal Form was a­bolished here, as corrupt and Antichristian, the chief Sticklers of the Presbyterian Faction began to shew their Teeth; and sitting in an Assembly cheek by [Page 26]jole with the Parliament, intermedled with their Af­fairs, laboured to twist their Church-Discipline with the interest of State; claimed in their open Pleas, Discourses, and their Confession of Faith, a Power in themselves, distinct from the Civil, and demand­ed the voting of this in both Houses, as Jure Divino, that so by degrees they might creep, till they had got to such a height, that none should be sole Lords and Masters, but they and their Confederates.

These, and many other pranks they play'd, in hope to erect their intended Domination: And though (being often required) they were never able to shew their Pedegree from the Apostles, or derive the Linca­ments of their Form from the Body of the Scripture; yet they prest it on still, and wanted not their Party in Parliament, with the assistance of the Scots (whose Interest it was) to second them. But all is blasted, and their specious pretences found out to be nothing but Hypocrisie and Dissimulation.

Yet were there perpetually, when they found their Cause to falter, Presbyterian Juglings in private, Murmurings abroad, and Mutinies in the Pulpit; such well-acted Lamentations for the glory of the Kirk departing, and the loss of their Diana, that eve­ry Prayer was a Stratagem, and most Sermons meer Plots against the Government they lived un­der.

Thus the nature of their Designe being discovered, give me leave in the next place to manifest the vanity of their Hopes, that if men will not forbear for shame of its hypocrisie, they may yet, in considera­tion of the many sad Consequents which may fol­low.

[Page 27]For though they use all possible means to draw in the Royal Party to their own, yet it can never be ef­fected: for the Royalists look upon them still (and that not without apparent reason) as the Authors of their misery; for they reduc'd our most sacred King CHARLES the first, Diminutione Capitis, in the con­dition of a Captive; they spoil'd him as a King, before others executed him as a private Man; they de­priv'd him of his Earthly Crown, and kept him languishing; whereas a reverend Fa­ther of the Church says, See the Irish Bi­shop's Sermon at the Hague, in print. Others were more courteous in sending him to an Hea­venly.

As for the inconveniences which the Presbyterian Designe would bring upon the whole Nation, guess at them by these following Particulars.

Besides the many Mischiefs it would bring upon the Nation in general, the Royalist can no ways be content with it; nor indeed, have they any Reason sort, being absolutely destructive to Regal Digni­ty.

It never was embraced yet, by any one Nation, in a National Form, but by Scotland; this, as See the Case of the King­dom stated. Anno 1647. One observed; was done in the Mi­riority of King James, when the Scotch Lairds and Clergy doing all as they listed, at length parted stakes, (though the Clergy then got, and still hold the better) that when be came to age, he found the Fable of Ixion's Juno moraliz'd upon himself: for, as he embraced a Cloud, in stead of a Goddess; so the King, when he thought to grasp his Scepter, laid hold on a Manacle, [Page 28]which kept his hands so fast, during his abode there, that he could never act but what they pleas'd to let him, according to their own Directory of Church and State. And in process of time, this Heat of Presbytery proved such an Hecti (que) in the Body poli­tick of Scotland, that the substance of Kingly power was utterly consumed (and nothing left) as we see at this day, but the bare Bones, the very Skeleton of Mo­narchy.

But 'tis taken pro confessa, the Presbyterian would have a King; yet such a one as should only bear the Name, a Scare-Crow of Royalty: and he does pre­tend to maintain the Monarchical Form, yet actu­ally destroys the very Fundamentals of Monarchy. Now what prejudice will it be to us, if this Discipline should take? for besides, though this mad Presbyte­rian Form destroys Bishops, and clips the wings of Regality, it will not be so contented, but intrench also upon the Gentry in their own Lordships, by a strange way of Parochial Tyranny, and bring all People into the condition of meer Gally-slaves, while the blinde Priests fit at stern, and their Hackney-Dependents, the Elders, hold an Oar in every Boat.

Now were these Priests seated here ( [...] they are in Scotland) in a sure Succession (as it hath been long since See the Case of the King­dom stated. Ʋt supra. observed in Print) a correspondency being cherished be­tween a Clergy of the same Garb and Humour, in both Countryes; they might finely toss Thunderbolts of Excommunication on both sides, to gratifie each other; and so be able to terrifie all persons that durst be averse in either [Page 29]Nation; and promote such onely to places of Honor and Profit, whose poorer spirits will vassalize their Genius to serve the ends of the Kirk-Domination. And this it was that at first caused so much bauling about the Covenant.

Besides, one Reason more why Presbytery is so much destructive, is, because of the In ordine ad spiritualia. Popish Trick taken up by the Presby­terian Priests, in drawing all secular Af­fairs, within the compass of their spiritual Jurisdicti­on, And this they do, by means of that awe wherein they pretend to hold the Consciences of Magistrate and People; the one being lyable, as well as the o­ther, by Suspensions and Excommunications, to be exploded at pleasure, as scandalous sinners. This appears by that large extent of their Authority, in judging of scandalous sins, which reaches almost to every action of humane life; so that all the people, besides their Favourites, (from the Counseller to the Begger) must at every Turn stoop like Asses, to be ridden by them and their Arbitrary Assemblies.

Now therefore considering what the Nature and Designe of the Presbytery is, and what mischievous inconveniences must unavoidably follow it; I leave it to every reasonable man, whether he thinks he ought not disengage himself from that unreasonable and factions Party.

But I must not leave him thus; I have a VVord or two more for him, like it, or leave it.

He is one whose Loyns are far more fruitful then his Brain, and the Issue of both, alike spurious. He is one of the more serious Rabbies of the time; a [Page 30]Linsey-wolsey Elder of the people, who weaves his home-spun Lectures with News and Divinity, and dresses all his Politicks and Discourses in a Scripture­mode, to make them passe the more currant among his Proselytes; and yet will set both Scripture and Conscience upon the wrack to bring about his own end. He has ever had an ambition to ride a Cock-horse upon Jure Divino: but sure men will have more wit, then to be ridden like Asses, or the foals of Asses, by the Babylonish Jockies, notwithstanding their Jus divium.

He came out of Scotland mounted on a Galloway-Nag, to Westminster at first, and the Houses were fain to furnish him with Provender; therefore it would be but impudence in him to think to pra [...]e and caper as he has done heretofore. He can sing a Hosanna to the Mother-Kirk, and will offer to con­jure up Saint Peter and Saint Paul, with all the rest of the Disciples and Primitive Saints, to bear witness to her Christendome, unlesse it be Timothy and Titus, whom they look upon as Bishops, and so no com­petent witnesses touching the right of Classicall or Congregational Elderships. He will be sure to cry down the Divine Right of Episcopacy, and so be the cause, that like wild Beasts without Bridling, Men wander and range as they please, with all Licen­tiousness in Doctrine and Manners, and run over all the Boundaries of Civil Relations or Propriety, to make way for a Pious Parity and Communion, whereby we may all walk together in pure Familiari­ty, without either respect of Persons or Sexes. He has a Motley Face, and a Medley Conscience; and 'tis a thousand pities but that his Picture should be [Page 31]taken after the fashion of those squint Italian Pieces, which present a Saint on one side, and a Monster on the other.

He's a divine Jocky, that drives as furiously as Jehu; and will run out of his small Wits with switch and spur, for preferment. He could willingly creep into the Vice-Chancellour's Scarlet, or the Deanery of Christ-Church; and if he does at any time, 'tis transla­ted into the name of Mastership; to shew that he ne­ver intended Reformation should reach any farther then to change the prophane names of Bishops and Deans, into Elders and Deacons; who may enjoy the old Possessions under a new Form, without such un­sanctified and superstitions Titles, which are the one­ly stumbling-blocks to the converted Gentiles, in the High-way of Sacriledge.

He's a vile Cobler of Controversie, a dull a-la-mode-Reformer, a Translator of Antiquity, that hath pull'd the Church all to pieces, and knows not how to patch it up again; that hath shaken the very Funda­mentals of Religion, and then endeavours to bungle it with odde fopperies of his own invention: for the ancient Creed of the Church being quite out of fa­shion, he has cut out a Confession of faith, according to the large proportion of his own VVisdom; and wyre-drawn the business above twenty yards in mea­sure beyond the Alcoran or Talmud. He is one that drives a great Trade in the Trafficks of rich Livings, betwixt London and the Country; and so gets a pret­ty Revenue to hold up Usury, and find Candles of Consolation to cherish his Zeal, and leave Portions to the Children of Presbytery.

He is a Stoical Pretender, a Mammonist, an Epicure [Page 32]of the Long Robe, and delights infinitely to bathe himself in the Golden Streams of Sacriledge. He's a bleating Bell-Weather of the General Assembly; and wheresoever there appears any Loyalty, he gives an Alarm to his Lung-pipes immediately; then out comes the Son of the Kirk in array, with all the Bag and Baggage of Use and Application, to bring up the Rear of his Sermon. Nay, rather then fail, An­tichrist and Monarchy shall both be brought together to the Stake, and baited by the mad Dogs of the times, to inflame the Multitude.

But though they have done this over and over, 'tis all to no purpose: for the Bag-pipes draw little or no Company at all now; and are as little regarded as Ballad-singers, that are alwayes in one Tune. Re­formation and Chevy-Chase are much of the same cre­dit and standing. And since the people have seen Covenant and Concupiscence (the two Twins of our Mother-Kirk) walk hand in hand together, they are willing now to part them. He's a holy Bellows­mender of the flea-bitten Synod, that knows how (upon any occasion) to blow the coals of the Altar, to make a Sacrifice of Cities and Kingdomes. Be confident that he acknowledges no Holy-days, be­cause there is superstition in Easter, but none in Usu­ry; and he is not at leasure to minde the Resurrecti­on, or seek those things that are above, having so much to dispatch about Traffick here below; which busi­ness he prosecutes with extreme devotion. But if you see him upon a Fast day, at a Summers Exercise, when he baits his Text, and himself into a Bathe, you would take him in the Pulpit, for Cornelius in his Tub; and if a Cavalier chance to preach on Good-Friday, [Page 33]be confident he's clapt in prison, to shew un­to the world, that their Easter-Devotions are suitable unto their Christmas; and that they care as little for the sufferings, as the birth of our Saviour. For Zeal (forsooth) that fiery Gossip will not permit an Uni­on with the Cavaliers, by any means, unless they will yeild to have their Consciences crampt with the Covenant. He's a Divine Puppit that is trimm'd and trick'd up with the fine Phant'sies of the Directory, and Confession of the New Cut; as also all the Whimsies of the Modish-Garb of reforming. He's a true Boanerges of the Kirk, that can level his Thun­der-bolts against all such as shall presume to be obe­dient to their Civil Governors. Nor are the Gover­nours in any better condition then the people; for they are affronted by every ranting Presbyter, that raves in the Pulpit, like a Conjurer in his Circle; and dares first raise the Devil with false Doctrine, and then deliver up to him all the Peers of the Realm by an Excommunication: from whence there can be no redemption, but at such a rate, as shall cost them the best of their Priviledges, and make them untruss up­on the Close-stool of Antichrist, better known by the name of the Stool of Repentance. He is never well but when he is riding both King GOD bless his Majesty., Lords and Commons at his pleasure, and whipping them on with sharp Censures, that like tame Mules of the Kirk, they may carry all the Bag and Baggage of the Brethren to the promised Land, whi­ther they have ever been journying to fetch that pat­tern out of the Mount, which will make us all weary of our lives, if we ever be so mad as to entertain it when they get it. But if these present times hold, [Page 34]wherein Loyalty flourishes, and Majesty sways the Scepter; the blew Sir Johns may return to their ten pounds per annum, and Sunday-pudding: which is a sad thing to think on, and will sooner break the hearts, then the bellies, of the fat Calves of Refor­mation.

In fine, Mr. John is all Zeal, no Knowledge; all Purity, no Humility; all Simplicity, no Honesty: and if you never trust him, he will never deceive you. Now as for the Northern Fraternity, whose brother­ly Zeal transported them heretofore on this side Jor­dan, to help drive out the Amorite and Hittite, Hea­ven send them the blessing of Encrease and multiply, at home; suffer Presbytery and Bag-pipes to flourish beyond Berwick; and keep them (for the future) from making a Mouse-trap of the Covenant to catch Eng­lishmen; and send them good store of Charity and Success to plant their Discipline where more need is among their Brethren, the sons of Anak, in the High-lands.

To conclude, take this short Description of our Presbyterian-Jehu, as it was formerly penned by di­vers that in other Ages had experience of him.

A Presbyter is an Essence that needs a double De­finition: for he is not what he appears to be. He's a Church-Rebel, or one that would exclude Order, that his Brain might rule. In things but Ceremoni­al, will spurn at the grave authority of the Church; and out of needless nicety, be a Thief to himself of those Benefits that God hath bestowed on him. A Thing of so cross-grain'd a temper, that should the [Page 35]Church enjoyn clean Shirrs, he'd wear such as were lowsie. Shew him a Ring, he runs back like a Bear, and hates square-dealing, as being allyed to Caps: A pair of Organs blow him out of the Parish, and is the onely Glister-pipe to cool him: A Surplice will sooner cure him of the Chin-cough, then the sight of a Bear. He is a diseas'd piece of Apocrypha; bind him to the Bible, and he corrupts the whole Text: Ignorance, and Fat Feed, are his Founders; his Nurse is Railing Rabbies, and Roman Breeches; his life is but a borrow'd blast of wind: for between two Re­ligions, as between two Doors, he is ever whistling. Truly, whose Child he is, is not yet known; for his Faith willingly knows no father. When he makes a Speech, 'tis somewhat ominously with his Neck a­wry, as if Mahomet's Pigeon should come and prompt him in the Ear. He gluts himself with Sacrilege, fearing no surfeit upon the sweet Morsels of the Crown and Cathedrals: He fasts once a moneth, and feasts all the year after, to starve Loyalty quite out of the Kingdom: His tender Conscience can strain at a Gnat, and swallow a Camel: The flame of his Zeal shin'd so brightly, that it once converted all the Or­naments of the Church into Tinder, to furnish his own phansie with new Lights. He turns the Church into a stable, and stables into Churches, that our Saviour might be preach'd where he was born. Reformation is his stalking-horse; and though he be no Roman Catho­lick, yet he is a Parish-Pope; one that knows no sub­jection to Mitre or Scepter: No Jesuite demands more blind and absolute obedience from his Vassals; no Magistrate of the canting society, more slavish subjection from the Members of that travelling state, then the Presbyterian Hypocrite expects from his [Page 36]Lay-Pupil. Nay, they must not onely be obeyed, fed and defended, but admired; and that their Lay-Proselytes do as sincerely, as a shirtless Fellow with a Cudgel under his arm, does a Face-wringing Ballad­singer. 'Tis a demure creature full of Oral sanctiry, and Mental impiety; a fair Object to the Eye, but stark naught to the Understanding. He holds it law­ful to steal, so it be from the wicked Egyptians. He hates no Wore, like the Whore of Babylon. If he meet per accidens with a Tabitha, he can court her with a Hail Sister to be her Incumbent; and perswade her 'tis the pr— of Zeal that moves him forward. He's a snuffling Rabby known by these marks; a long-wasted Conscience that can out-stride a Co­lossus, a Gnomon-Nose, a wrought Cap, a swagge­ring pair of ears, and not an inch of hair.

He is an unlucky Bird that us'd formerly to croak about VVestminster-Abbey; and if this Daw were not often cramm'd, you were sure to hear of it in the next Fast-sermon: then would he beat up all his Drums in the Pulpit, and thunder against the ungodly. He's a pious Thief that did so pill the Roy­alist, that he lookt as bare as a Scotch Laird in sack­cloth, sitting on the stool of Repentance. He has trimm'd the Cavalier worse then the angry Barbers of Grays-Inn use to do a Bayliff of Middlesex. His fiery Zeal keeps him continually costive, which wi­thers him into his own Translation; and till he eat a school-man, he's hide-bound: Give him advice, you run into Traditions; and urge a modest course, he [Page 37]cries out, Councils. He dares not be honest, for that loves order; yet, if he can be brought to ceremony, and made but Master of it, he is converted. He's a gil­ded Pill composed of two vertuous Ingredients, Na­tural Dishonesty, and Artificial Dissimulation. Women and Lawyers are his best Disciples: the one (next fruit) longs for forbidden Doctrine; the other, to maintain forbidden Titles: both which he sows among them; yet he lives religiously according to outward appearance, and will not revel it in a shore­less excess. He can better afford you ten Lyes, then one Oath; and dare commit any sin guilded with a pretence of sanctity. He had rather see Antichrist, then a picture in a Church-Window; and chuseth sooner to be half hang'd, then see a Leg at the Name of JESUS, or an Auditor stand at rehearsing of the Creed. He usually makes moving sermons; for most of the people go out of the Church before he has done. His hums and ha's with the help of salvation, con­sume the best part of the hour; and is of so good dis­course, that he dare challenge the Almighty to talk with him Ex tempore. Besides, he is so sure of his sal­vation, that he will not change places in heaven with the Virgin Mary without boot. He has nick-named all the Prophets and Apostles with his sons, and be­gets none but Vertues for his daughters. He will be sure to thwart the Bishops, though it be accompani­ed with an absurdity: like the Islanders near adjoyn­ing unto China, who salute by putting off their shoes, because the Chineses do it by their hats. 'Tis such a creature as Pliny ne'er wrote of; and the like was not to be seen in Noahs Ark. 'Tis a violent Thing made up of contradiction: if he fast on any set day, 'tis certainly [Page 38]on Sunday; but he will be sure to feast on Friday. His opinion has turned his zeal into madness and di­straction; and out of his blind and uncharitable pride, censures and scorns others as Reprobates; or out of obstinacy fills the world with brawlings about undeterminable Tenents: and being once elated with the pride of his Faction, doth so contemn all others, that he does infringe the Laws of humane society. He's a saint of the new Translation; or if you please, a sainted Salamander, that lives in the flames of Zeal. A stubble-goose, that hath fed high in this Harvest of Reformation: the prime Gandee of the factions flock. An Apocryphal piece of University-Mum­mery: a holy Pick-lock, that can open mens consci­ences, and pick the purse of the City with ease and dexterity. A Gun-powder Politician, that loves to make Fire-works for the destruction of the Loyalist. A Divine Squib-crack. The meek man of God, or the hypocrite in grain. An University-Canker-worm. A grievons Plunderer of the saints in Church-windows. A right Pharisaical Jew; one that will compass sea and land to make a Proselyte. A pious Pulpit-Cuffer. A deadly spit-fire. Such a stub­born lump of sanctified flesh, that you may as soon perswade the Scot to forsake his craft, the Jew his a­varice, or the Pope St. Peters Chair, as the Presbyter to leave off his Fanatick Whimsies. In fine, he is so much Knave, that 'tis nonsence to call him Fool.

I could make it appear, how all seditions almost and rebellions in Scotland, have been set a foot or fo­mented by this Government Presbyterian: how neighborly Feuds have been encreased and entertain­ed: how monies collected for the relief and support [Page 39]of Geneva, were by the chief Gamaliels and Presbyters interverted, employed to raise and pay souldiers to aid and assist the Earl of Bothwel and his complices in Rebellion against the King. I fear I have wearied you already; the subject is everlasting, and I am wea­ry of it.

If I should give account of the late practises and tenets of this late Covenant, it were possible to let you see that it hath far exceeded all the mischiefs ever their forefathers did, although they tread in the same footsteps.

To shut up all, give me leave, in the close, to give the Articles of their Apostatical Creed inconsistent with Monarchy, which they hold as the twelve Arti­cles of the Apostolical Symbole. I will touch one­ly the prime of those; for their other Articles, they are so many, and of so vast an extent abounding in Negatives, that as King James saith well, He that would keep them, is not able to retain them in his brain, but must keep them in a Table-book.

• Their Dog­matical Creed.
  1. THey preach and maintain, that the Church is the house of God, the civil policy and Government are onely the hangings.
• 2. Next they believe, all Ministers are pari consor­tio honoris & potestatis praediti, that there must be a parity in the Church. Joyn these two together, and you have a fair way for Democracy.
• [Page 40]3. They vindicate to themselves and their Consi­story, a soveraign, compleat, universal, independent power in all things spiritual that concern salvation: they have not onely the directive power, but the Le­gislative also; and all temporal things in order to salvation and religion, come within the verge of their Scepter. All soveraign power, wheresoever you fix it, (whether in one, as in a Monarchy; or in few, as in an Aristocracy; or in many or all by vicissitudi­nary turns) have onely the Executive power to do as they command; and is bound to preserve by its pow­er, Laws, and Arms, their sacred and Coelestial pri­viledges and soveraignty.
• 4. Whatsoever Laws civilly enacted by King or Parliament, they conceive to be against the Laws of the Kingdom of Christ; by their native proper in­trinsecal right immediately derived from Christ, they may repeal and make void, discharge the subject to o­bey them. They may decree not onely different Laws of their own from the standing Laws of the Kingdom; but contrary, contradictory and destru­ctive of them. And have withal so much co-active power, that if obedience be denyed to the Laws of this soveraignty, they can destroy the Souls of the sub­jects, by delivering them over to Satan.
• 5. No Minister preaching in Pulpit sedition or treason, or railing at King, Council, the prime Judges, is accountable, or punishable by King, Par­liament, Council, or any Judicatory whatsoever; but from all he may appeal to the Sanhedrim and Consistory as the sole and proper competent Judge.
• 6. What Corroboration or civil Confirmation or Sanction they demand of the King, which he is able [Page 41]to do civilly, (for they will give him no formal inte­rest in any sacred or religious thing) he is bound to grant it, and to obey them as Christs immediate Vicegerents: otherwise they may excommunicate him.
• 7. Reformation and preservation of Religion, e­specially to prescribe the way and orders for reforma­tion, is solely theirs.
• 8. The King is bound to put their orders in execu­tion; but if neither He, nor his Council, nor his Parliament will do it, the inferior Judges, the Nobles, the Commons, nay, every individual man to his ut­most power, at their direction, are bound to do it.
• 9. That they may without warrant of supreme authority, assemble where and when they will, for God and Christs cause, and for the liberty and peace of subject and Kingdom in ordine ad spiritualia; and there they may covenant together, swear and sub­scribe for the glory of God, the advancement of Reli­gion, and conspire and combine in a mutual defence one of another in this holy Cause and League.
• 10. They teach and maintain, that all soveraignty and Majesty in a King, is originally, immediately and properly derived from the Community, and that one­ly by way of a fiduciary trust, so that it is habitually and radically still in the people, and the King hath no greater portion or proportion then he hath by the first popular fundamental constitution: And in case of deficiency, the collective body may supply in Church or State the defects of his Government. For male-administration, the King is censurable; for er­normous errours, he is deposable; and they may dis­inherit his posterity.
• [Page 19]11. That a defensive War is lawful against a bad King, or a weak King seduced by malignant counsel.
• 12. They may oppose and resist all his Officers and Commissioners by force and violence, if they come to execute his illegal commands: and if he will be so obstinate that he will come in arms against these good Christians, they resist not his authority, but his will; not his office, but his person.

Besides, their practise upon these grounds, is to bring all cases, all causes, under their cognition and judgement, sub formalitate scandali, by which the King is robbed of his sacred prerogative, the Judges of their authority, and all subjects of their right and quiet. The rest of their extravagant Maximes in­consistent with Monarchy and the peace of Govern­ment, are reduceable to those heads.

Thus not intending hereby to reproach any person particularly whatsoever, I have writ This, but to lay open to the world how dangerous a Government this is, not onely for Monarchy, but for all Governments whatsoever: and that our eyes being opened, we may chuse rather to endure any torment temporary, then to enter into this treacherous and damnable Cove­nant, destructive to Religion, King, Church, Peace of all, and the liberty of the subject. To swear to these things as established de jure divino, and to put on poor people to act treason and rebellion, making them be­lieve they are Confessors and Martyrs. If this gives the Reader any satisfaction, I have what I desire: If [Page 43]he doubt of the truth of anything, I hope I am able to make all here good by faithful and autnentick Records or Testimony of such as are worthy of r [...]ust.

A short HISTORY Of the ENGLISH REBLLION.