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 V.

Whether are such promises, engagements, or pro∣testations, binding upon the Consciences of those, who have made them, yea or lawful for them to ob∣serve or keep, which, by reason of an alteration and

change of those circumstances and terms, under which, and in consideration of which, they were made, cannot be observed or kept, without the imminent danger, or damage, of those, unto whom, and for whose sake, wealth, and safety, they were made c? Or in case, a man having borrowed a sword of his Friend, and promised to deliver it back again into his own hand within a months time, this Friend of his in the interim falling into a delirium or phrenetique distemper, and so continu∣ing till the said month be expired, is this man bound in conscience to perform his promise notwithstāding, by deliver∣ing the sword into his friends hand at the time appointed? Or is not the sad providence befaln his friend in this case, to be interpreted by him, not only, or simply, as a discharge from God in re∣spect of the performance of his said promise, but as an Item, or engagement layd upon him by God, at no hand to perform it? Or hath there not within these few years past, been an alteration or change in the politique terms and circumstances of this State and Com∣monwealth, as considerably great, as well can be imagined?

To this Querie, mis-notioned as an objection, we have this,

said, in stead of an Answer. This Objection is of no force, ex∣cept it had proved that all they were fallen into a delirium, who from the beginning of these divisions in this nation, have been the pursuers o' the publigue liberties thereof; excecting onely those, who have abetted, and doe approve of, this last late change, which as yet appear to be very few, except the base spirited Cle••∣gie, and the oppressing Lawyers, and those that are Baptized in∣to their spirit.

First, This Answer mistakes in the very first words of it, calling that an objection, which is onely a question, propounded to those who are dis-satisfied, for this end, that by bethinking themselves of a reasonable and direct answer unto it, they may be brought to reflect upon the unreasonablenesse of their dis-satisfaction.

2. Whereas it spends it self upon the particular instance of a per∣son calling into a delirium in the case specified, it declines the dint, and plain designe of the Querie. For this supposeeth in the main bod••e of it, that there may many changes of circumstances and termes, besides the falling into a delirium in those, to whom a person, one or more, hath engaged himself so or so, interveen or happen, which may render the performance of a promise or engagement (in the letter of it) very incommodious unto those, to whom they have been made; and consequently, unlawfull. But to this the Answer opposeth nothing at all. The case of a person falling into a delirium, was onely subjoyned in the querie by way of illustration, or exemplification of the said generall Sup∣position.

3 It is a grand mistake to think that the force or strength of the Querie lieth in a supposall, that all the pursuers of the pub∣lique liberties (except the excepted) have fallen into a delerium. For as the Scripture speaketh of a gift, that it blindeth the eyes, not of mad or foolish men, but, of the wise, yea and perverteth the words, not of hypocrites, deceivers, or the like, but, of the richteous a; so may it be said of any corrupt, yea or mis-notioned or mis apprehended, Interest, that th••s also very frequently entan∣gleth the judgements and understandings of men otherwise, and in other cases prudent and politique (it may be, more then) e∣nough, yea and of such, who in re••pect of their ends and actions are not the worst of men. So that the dis-satisfied may very

possibly be mistaken about the naturall and direct tendency of the late change of the government, without being supposed fallen into a delirium. But,

4. If the Answer w••ll needs enforce a necessity upon me, to suppose, either the satisfied, or dis-satisfied partie in the land, to be fallen into a delirium, or any distemper of some affinitie therewith, I must plainely and ingenuously professe, that I should offer much lesse violence to my judgement, to suppose the latter much more obnoxious in this kind, then the former Discontent or dis-satisfaction, especially about the providential interposures of God, argues a much nearer neighbourhood to a delirium then a mind patiently and composedly apaid and satisfied herewith.

5. If by a betting and approving the last late change, the An∣swer meaneth, the abetting it in the travell of it, as viz. by fur∣thering, and assisting the production or bringing it forth; and so, the approving, or justifying of all the wayes, means, or considera∣tions, which contributed toward the production of it, I confess I question whether so many abetted and approved it, as the An∣swer supposeth. For I presume that this, terming the Clergy, base-spirited, and the Lawyers, oppressing, intends these epi∣thites, not as individuall, but as specifical (respectively.) If so, I can hardly think that either the Clergy, or the Lawyers (i. e. all in both of these kinds) ever did abet, or doe approve, of the said change. If by abetting and approving, the answer meaneth, a willing, patient and quiet subject on unto it, approving it so farre, as lawfull to be thus subjected unto, doubtlesse there are far greater numbers, then what the answer speaketh of, who thus and in this sence abe•• and approve of it. The commanders of the ships of this Common-wealth at sea, withall under their com∣mand (respectively) most of (if not all) the Regiments of the Armie on land, as well in Ireland and Scotland, as in England; and so again, very many, if not all, the more considerable Cities and burroughs, and greater towns in England, have declared themselves abettors and ap••rovers (in the sence distinguished) of the change into the present Government.

I confesse that in the proper and usual sence of the word, ap∣prove, viz. as it signifieth, to like well of, to justifie, or com∣mend, I know very few, scarce any (though very possibly there may be many) who have declared themselves approvers of the

said change, viz. so far as this change was the contrivance, procure∣ment, or work of men. Nor do I conceive that, in this sence, it ever was, or will be, pressed upon any mans conscience to approve it. It will serve for all politique, peaceable, and publique ends and pur∣poses, if it be approved by men so farre as God hath had his hand in it, it being more appropriately his work, then mens; according to that of Daniel, He [i. e. God, not man, or men] removeth Kings, and setteth up Kings a, [i. e. changeth and altereth both Governors, and forms of government] I presume all that will be required of the people of the land, is, to approve of the present Government as lawfull to be submitted unto [simply, and in the generall] and as necessarie to be submitted unto by them, whilest God shall please to continue it over, or among, them:

6. The answer yetunder hand, as it falls somewhat unchristianly foul upon the Clergy (so called) in terming them, base-spirited, and so upon the Lawyers, in st••leing them oppressors; so on the other hand it makes them some kind of recompence, though (I presume) at unawares, and as much besides intention, as truth, in numbering them amongst the pursuers of the publique liberties of this Nátion since the beginning of our divisions. I beleeve that the farre greater part of both generations have no conscience of this honour. But though my heart be not with the generality or bulk of either profession, yea I judge the Nation very deploro∣bly miserable in being so dis-furnished, as it is, with men of worth and conscience, in both; yet, 1. I beleeve we have Israel's propor∣tion of good men, in both, one of a City, and two of a Tribeb which consideration mediated (though, it seems, it could not ob∣tain, or prevail) for somewhat better epithites to be bestowed upon the respective members of both professions, the base-spirited upon the one, and oppressing, upon the other. 2. If the persons meant by, the Clergie, have of late times declared against, and re∣jected, the appellation, because of the offensivenesse of it (which, as I remember, they have done) it is not ingenuous to reproach or twit them with it. 3. (and lastly) I beleeve that some of those, whom the Answer stigmatizeth, as base-spirited, have of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God begotten most of the most truly noble and heroique spirits in the land.

Notes

• c

  Ad hoc quod teneatur ••o∣mofacere, quod promisit, re∣quiritur quod omnia immu∣tata permaneant: alioquin, nec fuit mendax in promit∣tendo, quia promisit quod habebat in mente, subintel∣lectis debitis conditionibus. Nec etiam est infidelis non implendo, quod promisit, quia eaedem conditiones non ex∣tant. Senec••. D Benefic. l. 4. c. 34.

  Ad quintum decendum, quod ille qui aliquid pro∣mittit, si habeat animum faciendi quod promittit, non mentitur: quia non loqui∣tur contraid, quod gerit in mente. Si ve••o non faciat quod promisit, viditur 〈…〉〈…〉fi∣d liter agere per hoc, quod animum mutat. Potest ta∣men excusari ex duobus∣Ʋno modo, si promisit id, quod manifeste est illici∣tum, quia promittendo p••••∣cavit, mutando autem pre∣positum, bene facit. Alio modo, si sint mutatae condi∣tiones personaram & nego∣tiorum—Ʋnde & Aposto∣lus non est mentitus, qui non ivit Corinthum, quo se iturum esse promiserat, ut dicitur, 2 Cor. 1. Aqu. 22. q. 110. a. 3.
• Answer
• Reply, & A∣nimadversiō.
• a

  Deut 16. 19.
• a

  Dan. 2. 21.
• b

  Ier. 3. 14.