The Protestant's companion, or, An impartial survey and comparison of the Protestant religion as by law established, with the main doctrines of popery wherein is shewn that popery is contrary to scripture, primitive fathers and councils ... / by a true son of the Protestant Church of England as established by law.

Protestant's Loyalty and Popish Rebellion.

King Charles I. in his Excellent Book, entitu∣led '〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 chap. 27. to our late Gracious King (and then Prince of Wales) saith,

The best Profession of Religion, I have ever esteemed that of the Church of England in which you have been educated. 105 In this I charge you to per∣severe, as coming nearest to God's Word for Do∣ctrine, and to the Pri∣mitive Example for Go∣vernment. I tell you, I have tried it, and af∣ter much search, and many disputes, have con∣cluded it to be the best in the World: keeping the middle way between the pomp of Supersti∣tious Tyranny, and the meanness of Fantastick Anarchy.

King Iames I. in His Works, p. 504. saith,

As on one part, many honest Men, seduced with some Errors of Popery, may yet remain good and faithful Sub∣jects; so on the other part, none of those that truly know and believe the whole grounds and School-conclusions of their Doctrines, can ever either prove good Chri∣stians or good Subjects.

Ibid. Scarce any one who hath been a beginner or prosecutor of this late War against the Church, the Laws and Me, was, or is a true Lover, Em∣bracer or Practiser of the Protestant Religion esta∣blished in England.

To which I add (So∣latii ergô) that excellent Expression in His Maje∣sty's first and most Gra∣cious Speech to His Pri∣vy Council: I know the Principles of the Church of England are for Mo∣narchy, and the Mem∣bers of it have shewed themselves good and faithful Subjects, there∣fore shall I always take care to defend and sup∣port it.

King Charles I. in his Solemn Declaration, Octo∣ber 23. 1642. saith,

That there was a grea∣ter number of Papists in the Rebels Army than in His.

To which may be ad∣ded, That then they are guilty of this mortal Sin of Obedience to a Pro∣testant Prince, when they are not strong enough to manage a Rebellion,

Watson's Quodlibets, p. 255.

These words deserve to be written in Letters of Gold; however they are written in large Cha∣racters in good Protestants Hearts.

Notes

• 105

  Yea it was but two days before his death, that he told the Princess Eli∣zabeth, That he should dye for maintaining the true Pro∣testant Religi∣on.