The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

SECT. X.

Several Promises and Declarations for the Liberty of tender Con∣sciences, taken out of the Speeches of King Charles the Second.

IN the Kings Letter from Bredah, that was sent to the House of Peers, and read in the House, May the first. 1660. and which Letter was ordered by the Lords in Parliament assembled, that it should be forthwith printed and published for the service of the House, and satisfaction of the Kingdoms; it is said in the Book of Col∣lections of the Kings Speeches, Page 8, and 9. And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several Opinions in Reli∣gion, by which men are engaged in Parties and Animosities against each other; which when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of Conversation, will be composed, or better understood. We do declare a liberty to tender Consciences,

and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences in Opinion in matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the King∣dom, and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as upon Mature deliveration, shall be offered to us for the full granting that Indulgence.

And in the Kings Declaration, concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs, which was dated October the 25th, 1660. it is said, In a word we do again renew what we have formerly said in our Declaration from Bredah, for the liberty of tender Consciences, That no man shall be disquieted, or called in question for differences of Opinion in matters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; and if any have been disturbed in that kind, since our arival here, it hath not proceeded from any direction of ours. And it is said, We do in the first place declare, Our Purpose and Re∣solution is, and shall be, to promote the Power of Godliness, and to encourage the Exercise of Religion, both in publique and private. And in the same Declaration it is said, Our present Consideration & work is, To gratifie the private Consciences of those who are grieved with the use of some Ceremo∣nies, by indulging to, and dispensing with the omitting these Ceremonies.

In the Kings Speech to both houses of Parliament, the 8th of July, 1661. It is to put my self in mind, as well as you, That I so often (I think so often as I come to you) mention to you my Declaration from Bredah; And let me put you in mind of another Declaration, published by your selves about the same time, and which I am perswaded made mine the more effectual; An Honest, Generous, and Christian Declaration, signed by the most eminent Per∣sons, who had been the most eminent Sufferers; in which you remounced all for∣mer Animosities, & memory of former Unkindnesses. And my Lords & Gen∣tlemen, let it be in no mans power to charge me, or you, with the breach of our Words or Promises, which can never be a good Ingredient to our future se∣curity.

And in the Chancellors Speech to both Houses, May 8. 1661. It is said, He told you, but now (meaning the King) that he valued himself much, upon keeping his word, upon performing all that he promiseth to his People.

And also in the Kings discourse with Richard Hubberthorn, soon af∣ter he arrived in England, he said, Well, of this you may be assured, That you shall none of you suffer for your Opinions or Religion, so long as you live peaceably, and you have the Word of a King for it; and I also have given forth a Declaration to the same purpose, That none shall Wrong you, or Abuse you.

And further in the Kings Declaration, dated December 26. 1662. wherein he declares, first, his wonderful Restoration without the least blood shed by the Military Sword.

And he expresseth his Clemency, or the Clemency of his Nature.

And he vindicates himself from divers suggestions, of disaffccted Persons, particularly from that, of intending to subject Persons and Estates to revenge or spoil, &c. and from intending to introduce a Mi∣litary or Arbitrary way of Government.

Also he expresses these words, as a malicius Scandal, viz.

That having made use of such solemn Promises from Bredah, and in several Decla∣rations since, of ease and liberty to tender Consciences, instead of per∣forming any part of them, we have added streighter Fetters then ever.

And further adds, viz.

We find it as artificially, as maliciously divulged throughout the whole Kingdom, that at the same time we deny a fitting Liberty to those other Sects of our Subjects, whose Consciences will not allow them to conform to the Religion esta∣blished, we are highly indulgent to Papists, even to such a degree of countenance as may even endanger the Protestants Religion.

These, and such like, in the said Declaration are related as venom∣ous Insinuations, most false and malicious Scandals, wicked and mali∣cious Suggestions, and the Fomenters of them, as the most dangerous Enemies of his Crown and of the Peace & Happ••ness of the Nation.

And these words are further added, (viz.)

It having been always a constant profession of ours, That we do, and shall ever think our royal dignity and greatness much more happily and securely foun∣ded on our own Clemency, and our Subjects Loves, then in their Fears and our Power.

To give our People a Testimony of our founding all our securi∣ty, rather in their affections, then in any Military Power; the sole strength and security, we shall ever confide in, shall be the hearts and affections of our Subjects, indeared and confirmed to us by our Gratious and Steady manner of Government, according to the anti∣ent known Laws of the Land, there being not any one of our Sub∣jects, who doth more from his heart abhor (then we our selves) all sorts of Military and Arbitrary Rule.

As concerning the non-performance of our Promises; we re∣member well the very words of those from Bredah, (viz.) We do declare a liberty to tender Consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted, or called in question for differences of Opinion in mat∣ters of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as upon Mature deliberation shall be offered to us, for the full grant∣ing that Indulgence. We remember well the Confirmations, we have made of them since upon several occasions in Parliament; and as all there things are still fresh in our memory, so are we still firm in the Resolution of performing them to the full.

We do conceive our selves so far engaged, both in honour, and in what we owe to the Peace of our Dominions, which we profess we can never think secure, whilst there shall be a colour left to the disaffected, to inflame the minds of so many Multitudes, upon the scores of Consciences with dispair of ever obtaining any effect of our Promises for their ease.

Such an Act, as in pursuance of our promises the wisdom of our Par∣liament shall think fit to offer unto us for the ease of tender Consci∣ences.

We profess it would be grievous unto us to consent, to the putting a∣ny of our Subjects to death for their Opinions in matter of Religion only.

Our expressing according to Christian Charity Our dislike of Blood-shed for Religion only.

Our Parliament is an Assembly so eminent in their Loyalty and their Zeal, for the Peace and Prosperity of our Kingdoms — can

no wayes be doubted in the performance of all our Promises, and to the effecting all those gracious intentions, which God knows our heart is full of, for the PLENTY, PROSPERITY, and UNIVERSAL SATISFACTION of the NA∣TION.

We think to give them the most important Marks of our care First, In punishing by severe Laws that Licentiousness and Impiety, which we find to our great grief, hath overspread the Nation.

And lastly so to improve the good consequence—to the ad∣vancement of trade, that all our Subjects finding the advantage— in that Prime foundation of plenty, they may all, with minds hap∣pily composed by our clemency and indulgence (instead of taking up thoughts of deserting their professions) apply themselves com∣fortably, and with redoubled industry to their several vocations, &c.

Also in the Votes and Advice of the House of Commons, Febr. 5. 1662. Upon reading the Kings, Declaration and Speech, are these words, (viz.)

And our hearts are further enlarged in these returns of Thanks-giving when we consider your Majesties most Princely; and Heroick professions of relying upon the affections of your People, AND ABHORING ALL SORTS OF MILI∣TARY AND ARBITRARY RULE, &c.

And in the Kings Declaration, March 15th 1671. Pag. 4. But it be∣ing Evident by the sad Experience of twelve years, that there is very little fruit of all those forceable courses.

And in Pag. 8. Its said, we do in the next place declare our will and pleasure to be, that the Execution of all, and all manner of penal Laws in matters Ecclesiastical, against whatsoever sort of Non-con∣formists or Recusants, be immediately suspended, and they are here∣by suspended, &c.