Peace protected, and discontent dis-armed. Wherein the seventeen queries (with the addition of three more, postscript-wise) lately published, partly to allay the discontents of some about the late revolution of government, but more especially to guide every mans feet into the way of peace, as well his own, as the publique, are reinforced with replies unto, and animadversions upon, such answers, which some (it seems) have given unto them, to invalidate their purport and intent. Together with four new queries superadded. By the author of the said seventeen queries.

Query II.

Whether is it any way necessary in point of reason, or conscience, that they, who quietly obey, and sub∣mit unto the present power, or the persons actually invested with Authority over them, should either ju∣stifie, approve, or own the termes, method, way, means, or manner, either of their attaining unto, or their investiture with, this Authority and power? Or did the Apostle Paul justifie, or approve of, the way or means by which Nero obtained the Imperiall Dig∣nity, in submiting and appealing unto him, or unto his Authoritie, yea or in his injoyning all Christians (as we heard) to be subject unto him, and this not only for wrath, but for conscience sake b ? Or do we ever read in the Scriptures, of any person either punished, threatned, or reproved by God, for doing things sim∣ply, and in themselves, lawful, at the command, or in obedience unto, any Magistrate or Person, seated, and setled in Authoritie, how unduly so ever advanced to his seate of power?

To this Query some judg this a sufficient Answer: let the Reader judg between the Query, and the Answer, whether if the one be an Harp, the other be not an Harrow.

We will suppose Paul and Phelimon engaged, the one by War, the other by Faith and Prayer, in the Work of this present gene∣ration. If Phelimon conquer, and take the power, Paul will ex∣pect that Phelimon should so behave himself, both in the taking of the power, and in his using of it, as doth become a Christian, and the promise he is under, and not so as did Nero, or William the Conqueror, or others, who went a warfare for themselves, and did so declare it.

1. The Query doth not at all enquire after what manner, or upon what terms, Phelimon, upon his conquest, taketh the power, nor doth it suppose him to have taken it orderly, as neither on the other hand doth it suppose the contrary; but purposely de∣cl••••••th his question as impertinent to the business, which it (the Qu••ry) desireth to promote.

2. Neither doth it at all query, whether Phelimon useth not the power wel, which he hath taken, there having been little or no opportunity to judg of this, when the Query was drawn up. But,

3. The Query only interrogates, whether Paul may not with a good Conscience, quietly submit and subject himself to that Power, which Phelimon hath taken unto himself, whether he hath taken it orderly and duly, yea, or no. And supposeth, that Paul the Apostle, the true Paul, when he lived, did submit, yea and enjoyn submission unto all Christians, unto such a Power, which was altogether as disorderly and unworthily taken, as Phelimon, with all the assistance of envy or dis-ingenuity, can be imagined to have taken his. But concerning this the Answer is profoundly silent. Yet,

4. Concerning Phelimons, as well taking, as using of the power now vested in him, if we had the true Paul, Paul the A∣postle, Paul the infallible, in stead of a personated Paul, to de∣termine the question, whether Phelimon hath done well and like a Christian, or otherwise, either in taking, or using his power, we should have cause to reverence his decision, yea though Phelimon should fall by it. But in case Paul so called shall arbitrate the case against Phelimon, unless he can satisfie us that he hath ploughed

with the heyfer of Paul truly so called, about the grounds of his arbitration, we are Judgment and Conscience-free from his decisions.

5. Whether Phelimons taking the power was any ways re∣pugnant to any promise he was under, is the consideration of ano∣ther Query following, not at all moved in this.

6. (And lastly) If by the work of this present generation, the Answer meaneth, either such a work which is incumbent by way of duty upon the present generation, or such a work which is be∣neficial or commodious for this generation, (although the former and the latter be materially the same,) I do not yet understand how Paul is engaged, either by Faith, or prayer, about it. If we may estimate the work about which he is engaged, by the tenor and tendency of his actings, it is a work as well of sin, as of sor∣row, to the present generation.

Notes

• Act. 25. 10. 11.
• b

  Rom. 13. 9.
• Answer.
• Reply, or A∣nim adversiō.