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 IV.

Whether is, or ought, the letter of the Law, to be observed in all cases whatsoever? or is not ratio Le∣gis, anima Legis, i. e. the reason, or end of the Law, the soul of the Law, which is in all cases to be preferred before the letter, which is but as the body of it? Yea or hath any Law whatsoever any binding force, further then the execution of it, or sub∣jection unto it, are consistent with the publique safety and good a 1.1? Or are not such men Judges of evil thoughts (as the Scripture speaketh b 1.2) who con∣demn such persons, as violators or transgressors of the Law, who in order to the publique peace and safety, act

besides, or contrary to, the letter of the Law, and in such cases only, wherein the observance of this letter visibly threateneth the said common peace and safety? Or whether are private men, who know little of, converse little with, State transactions and affairs, the more competent judges, when, or in what cases, the observation of the letter of the Law is of a dangerous and threa∣tening import to the publique safety, or such persons, whose dayly residence is in the mount of State-negotiations, and who by the advantage of the ground, where they stand, may very reasonably be conceived to be in a full capacity per∣fectly to discover and understand on what hinge the publique Interest and Safety turneth, and what means and interposures are most promising of their procure∣ment, promotion, and establishment?

The Dis-satisfied, as they are called, are fully satisfied in this, * 1.3 that the reason, or end, of the Law, is to be preferred before the letter: which caused their closing with, and owning the affairs of this nation when as some, which are now in present authority, did turn their backs upon it, and le••t the work, not being able to bear it, because it was contrary to the letter.

It is not the height of a mans Station alone that will inable him to a true discoverie of things, but the singlenesse of his eye, together with the truenesse of that light, in which he walketh. Jeremie knew the means of Israels safety better then the King, and all the Princes.

First, If the Dis-satisfied so called, be onely so called, and * 1.4 not such indeed, though the Querist rejoyceth not (as neither

ought he) in the formalitie of his mistake, yet doth he much re∣••oyce in the matter of it. But if there be none really dis-satisfied, what meaneth then the bleating of the sheep, and the lowing of the oxen? the weak complaints of many simple ones, and the low∣der vociferations of others great in their own eyes, against the pre∣sent Government?

1. If some now in Authoritie, turned their back upon, and left the work of the nation when time was, as not being able to bear it, because it was contrary to the letter of the Law, it is a sign that had they been satisfied, as the Answerer acknowledgeth himself with the rest, called Dis-satisfied, to be, that the reason or end of the Law, is to be preferred before the letter of it, they would not have turned their backs upon it, because of any con∣trariety in it to the said letter. Therefore this turning the back in them, whether in it self just fiable, or not justifiable doth in no degree justifie, or ease the guilt of a like practise in them, who professe themselves satisfied in that, which occasioned that fail∣ing in them. He that turneth his back upon a dut••e, only through a mistake of an unlawfulnesse to perform it, rather con∣demneth, then any way excuseth him that shall neglect it, being perfectly satisfied about the lawfulnesse, and much more the ne∣cessitie of it.

3. Though it be not the advantage of a mans station alone that will inable him to discover things, either near at hand, or further off, yet where there is the same, or a greater, singlenesse of the eye, and with all the same truenesse of light, the advantage of a standing must needs be a proportionable advantage for discoverie. If the Answer could prove that his Paul, either hath a more sin∣gle eye, or walks in a truer light then his Phelimon, I should with∣out much contest grant, that these advantages in this Paul, might very possibly balance Phelimons advantage in point of standing. But the Paul we speak of, is too full of wrath (as is much to be feared) to have a clear or single eye. The common saying is,

Impeditira animum ne possit cernere verum; i. e. * 1.5

And the Scripture it self saith, that The wrath of man worketh

not the righteousnesse of God: the cheif reason whereof is, be∣cause it discerneth not, or apprehendeth not this righteousnesse. Therefore,

4 (And lastly) The reason why Jeremiah knew the means of Israels safetie better then the King and all his Princes, was, be∣cause he was a Prophet immediately & extraordinarily inspired by God. If the Answerer can satisfie us that his Paul plougheth with this heyfer, we will acknowledge him more able to declare the riddle we speak of, then Philemon, and all his Princes. But as in Micah's daies men, walking in the spirit, and falshood, might * 1.6 notwithstanding be Prophets, or Jeremies, unto that people; in like manner, he that will with a zealous confidence prophecie mens minds and desires unto them in these dayes, shall be a Prophet, yea a Jeremie, a great Prophet unto them. Yet if the Answerers Paul be a Jeremiah also, I confesse the Query was not aware of it. For this estimateth the abilities of men for discoveries of a politique nature and import, by the generall presumption of the wisest men amongst us, and (as I suppose) in the world, touching the present state of things in the world, and not by the private supposition of any one person, or a few, as viz. that Jeremy should be risen from the dead, or now alive in England, or that any other person should now be found of a like prophetique anoynting with him. Whosoever now shall undertake to preach for Doctrine, or as the mind or purpose of God, any thing, which he cannot substantial∣ly prove from the Scriptures to be indeed the minde or purpose of God, especially if he shall pretend revelation hereof from God, otherwise then by the Scriptures, we cannot but judge him a blas∣phemer of the blessed fulnesse and sufficiencie of the Scriptures, and very near (at least) unto that curse; If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. Rev. 22. 18.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Omnis lex ord••natur ad communem hominum salu∣tem, & in tantum obtinet vim & rationem Legis: se∣cundum vero quod ab hoc deficit, virtutem obligandi non habet. Ʋnde Juris peritus dicit, Quod nul∣la ratio juris, aut aequitatis benignitas patitur, ut quae salubriter pro salute homi∣num introducuntur, ca nos duriori interpretatione con∣tra ipsorum commodum perducamus ad severita∣tem. Contingit autem mul∣toties, quod al quid obser∣vari communi saluti est u∣tile, ut in pl••ribus, quod tamen aliqu••bus casibus est maxime nocivum Aq••. 12. q. 96. a. 6. Ʋnde si emergat casus, in quo observatio ta∣lis Legis sit damnosa com∣muni saluti, non est obser∣vanda. Ibid. Necessitas dispensationem habet an∣nexam; quia necessitas non subditur legi. Ibid.
• b 1.2

  James 2. 4
• * 1.3

  Answer.
• * 1.4

  Reply and A∣nimadver∣sion.
• * 1.5

  By wrath so hindered is the mind, That truth it cannot see, or find.
• * 1.6

  Mic. 2 11.