Logoi apologetikoi.: Foure apologicall tracts exhibited to the supreme, self-made authority, now erected in, under the Commons name of England. Wherein is proved, that their unparallel'd acts in beheading the most Christian King, nulling the regall office, disclaiming the knowne heire, Charles the II. and declaring it treason to refell their errours, are diametrically opposite to the Scriptures, the greatest opprobrie to Christianity that ever was in the world; and, without true repentance, will either make England not Christian, or no English nation. / By T.B. a conscientious and orthodox divine.

TRACT. II.

Yee

IN the first verse of the former Chapter, this Epistle is directed to the Elect, that dwell here, and there, as strangers.

Understand thereby the Church-militant. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are those, that be in a strange soile. And such we account the Saints on Earth. They have no continu∣ing Citie here, but seeke one to come. Heb. 13. 14.

Whose conversations are in heaven be pilgrims in this world. So Jacob stiled himself, Gen. 47. 9. and so did David. Psal. 119. 19.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dispersion also suits well with the Church, that is not confined to any certaine place, but scattered over the face of the earth.

Whom Christ congregateth, such are the sonnes of God. Jobn 11. 52. Ab Oriente ad Occidentem, binc & inde colligendi, from the East unto the West, hence, and thence gathered. The dispersed of Israel, Psal. 147. 2. and Isa. 56. 8. are, secundum spiritum, the houshold of the Lord.

They therefore that restraine, ye, to the Jewes onely, in my opinion, mistake the Text.

For though St. Peu•• were the Apostle of the Jewes, and did for the most part 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in J••d••••, yet it cannot be gainsay'd, that he in penning had regard of the whole Church.

And if we observe the tenth verse of this Chapter, or

the third of the fourth, it's apparent that he includeth the converts of the Gentiles.

I blame not thier piety who here point out the Jewes, But doe ye what ye can; all your sophistrie shall never carry you off hence without Rebellion.

The sense being thus generall 'tis evident, Yee, reacheth so farre as, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, every soule Rom. 13. 1.

Every one exempteth none. Jew, and Gentile; Ec∣clesiastike, and Laike; Whosoever ye are, or whatso∣ever ye would be, ye must be subject every one.

'Tis certaine our Saviour, when he said givee to Caesar the things that are Caesars, spake as well of the high Priests, Scribes, Pharises, Patriarch Peters, and the Selfe-made Representatives, as of the people, Jews, and Pagans. Mat. 22. 21. Luke 20. 25.

Wee, for our parts, dedicated by Baptisme; taught in the word, and fed at the Eucharist, have offered our selves living sacrifices to the Lord. Whose Covenanted we are, his observants we ought to be.

Satis praescriptum babemus, saith Tertullian, we Christians have it sufficiently prescribed, in omni nos obsequio esse oportere subditos, that we in all obsequie ought to be subject unto Magistrates, both Princes, and Powers.

Sive Apostolus, sive Evangelista, sive Propheta, sive qusquis tandem fueris: Whosoever thou art, whether Apostle, or Evangelist, or Prophet, thou owest this subjection, so Saint Chrisostome. Saint Augustine, Saint Bernard, &c. con∣cur in this.

Whosever thou art implies Christian ever. If the Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets, or any else were not freed from subjection, how dare ye, who call your selves the Commons of England, render your selves the Su••••••••e Authority. Doth ambition, and covetousnesse m•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 presume? or are ye Apostates, or Atheist•• ye?

Survey Antiquity, and your Independency will no where be found, nor your Democraticall Presbyterie.

S. Paul appealed unto Caesar, Acts 25. 11. The Martyrs, Confessours, and devout Bishops never pleaded immunity from superiours against their persecutours.

Nor can the Bishop of Rome in his usurpation, nor ye, and your Sectaries in yours, quit your selves of Anti∣christianisme.

Nor are ye, whatsoever is pretended, so far, as ye make the simple people beleeve, from Popery herein.

What Bellarmine urgeth for his Holinesse of Rome, ye argue for your selves. If directly ye may not, ye will indi∣rectly be Supreme.

Your Proachers too aspire unto that height all. Tem∣poralis potestas Spirituali meritò subjicitur, 'tis very meet, say they, the Temporall power should stoop unto the Spirituall. Every one therfore contends to be so absolute within his circuite, as the master in his family.

Good God: what a world of Supremacy shall we have? Knoxes pupils governe the people, teach them to regulate the Nobles, and both make the King no∣thing.

Such doctrine as most adverse to the Scriptures, and Lawes of the Kingdome, whosoever vented, be∣fore these times, were found worthy to be rewarded at Tyburne.

Yee, then excludes none. Not the Queene; She hath no such priviledge, no, nor any, save the King, of the Royall Progeny, nor the Nobles, nor Favourites, nor Delagates, much lesse those that are in office by them.

Who come not within the verge of Regality are exterminated the lists of Christianity. Christ hath no Kingdome if he be not King: nor are ye his, and not un∣der his polity.

No sound Christians then that countenanced the peo∣ple, and the meanest of the people too, with foule hands to touch the Lords Annointed. But with those hands,

who beheaded Him, and by their force dis-inherit His, a•••• the high despisers of Christ the Lord.

For no man contemnes, potestatem humanum, the power of man, nisi qui priùs divinam contempsit, who hath not first contemned the power of God.

Because the feare of God, and honour of the King, verse 17. are so united, as not to be separated, and both prime in the two Tables of the Decalogue. Disobedi∣ence to either makes all, that follows after, nothing.

That the Lord is dishonoured when the King is re∣jected is plaine. For the conspiratours with Chorab were in conspiracy against Jehovah. Numbers 27. 3. And the Israelites, that withstood Samuel, withstood the Lord. 1 Sam. 8. 7.

Nor that without a dire judgement. In the follow∣ing verses they are slaves, and plundred to the purpose. verse 11, 12, 13. Who resist Authority acquire to them∣selves damnation, Rom. 13. 2. Either temporall here, or eternall hereafter. v. 4.

Indeed 'tis usuall, and not unholsome for the hands sometimes to rub the head: yet for the feete to spurne at it, is to throw the whole body downe. That is not so much naturall, as this much against Nature.

Were there a parity betwixt every Member in the body of man, what decency, or state would the••e be? That epitome of beauty now could be no other save a lump of rudenesse then.

Can we possibly suppose no superiours, no inferiours, and not imagine every one in his humour, and that the humour of every one would bring all into confusion? God is the God of order, and he will have us orderly, or not have us his.

They are within the compasse of Manicheisme that ad∣mit no Magistrates. Bucananists they, that set up, and pull them down at pleasure. Brownists, that like no subordination, save in female captives to themselves.

Aerians that will not submit unto Bishops. Pa∣pists that subject Kings to the Episcopall See of Rome.

I am astonished, and see not how to decipher Commons and Supreme. To unite them would reconcile contradictories. Humorists they, that loving superiority take it not of God, nor by hu∣mane Ordinance. In an innate pride, expecting the dependency of others, will be without de∣pendency themselves.

Strange Monsters these, and the peace of our Church finds, and feels store of them. Contuma∣cious ye must be obeyed. For ye will; because ye will controul: and your provision shews ye had rather not be, or be no Christians, then be deni∣ed.

Witnesse your unparallel'd Act of Regicide: your other of disclaiming His most Sacred Maje∣stie the King: and your other making it Treason to reprove your errours.

What ye have done must be buried in silence, or the Speaker shall be sent silenc'd into his grave.

God saith, Cry aloud, spare not: lift up thy voyce like a Trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, Isa. 58. 1. Ye say, if thou speak, or stir, a Traitor thou, and shalt die the death.

God may destroy soul, and body; your Omni∣potency cannot. Royalists therfore, according to our Saviours counsel, fearing him, will never be afraid of you.

What Antiquity, and Authority ye, and your Teachers have, for your undoing-doings, I see not: Unlesse ye will misconstrue St Gregories saying of Mauritius the Emperour in an Epistle to Theo∣dore. Deus ei dominari, non solùm militibus, sed eti∣am sacerdotibus, concessit.

Which, without pointing, and not regarding the Fathers sense, may for you be read thus.

God hath not only made the Souldiers, but the Priests also to rule over him.

This is as good for you as any thing I can allow: and if this be heeded, 'tis bad enough. For the truth is, St Gregory there tels, that God hath given the Emperour dominion, not only over the Soul∣diers, but over the Priests also.

If better proof be produced on your side, ye shall gain the victorie, and we will sustein the losse.

I am, that I am, by the grace of God, a knowing Christian, and therfore most strictly tied to the order of Christs Kingdom. For me to hand the bringing in a contra-distinct member of Govern∣ment, viz: Democracy to his Church, were Apo∣stacy from the same.

It cannot stand with the honour of the Lord to applaud the nullifying of his Ordinance for the peoples sake. Your deposing, and beheading of Gods Vicegerent; your arming against his right Heir, and pronouncing it Treason to assist Him, is no authority for me to subscribe your Acts.

Lord! who have hitherto, for thy sake, been constant

to thy expresse command, enable us ever, I humbly be∣seech thee, to be zealous for, and firm to thy truth. Let not any losse, either of goods, libertie, or life, fright us from that obedience, wherein we are disciplined by thy Word. Thy Word may not be lengthened, nor shortned may thy Word be. Whereto we are tied, hold us sure to it. From the sin of taking from, or adding too, Good Lord deliver us.

True Christians do not lengthen, nor dare they shorten the Law. The fifth Precept binds every one of what kind soever, Jew, or Gentile, unto obedience to Superiours. They know, that who transgresse here, never go home with their sub∣mission. If others promise gain by shaking off this yoke, they answer, the principall will be lost. For if he love not God, that hates his neighbour, how can he obey God, that disobeyes his Ruler? On this ground what e're they be, Princes, Lords, or Commons; Judges, or inferiour Officers: Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Priests, or Deacons, each one of every degree meet in one centre of Loyaltie unto Cesar. Nor will any of them go a sinister way to get immunity: nor think themselves in bondage, because they are in obedience. Nay to be alwaies in obedience, that they may never be in bondage, is their wisdom. The Word is true, and they have faith therein: Who resist, receive damnation. Yet not so much the fear of judgement, as the ha∣tred of disloyaltie ties them, Before truth they see

carried the perfection of virtue. Who fail in that look not after this.

Shew ye therfore, and every one, whereto ye tend. If unto peace, be sure to keep the tearms of peace. Let not ambition reign, nor covetonsnesse any longer. Who is your head, for Christianities sake, comply with, in ho∣nour unto him. Murmure not, hate not, envy not. For the Lords sake submit ye.

Notes

• Tertul. de Idol. c. 15.
• Chrys. in Rom. 13. Ser. 23. Aug. in Psal. 118. Ser. 31. Bern. in Fp. 42.
• Bellar. de Pontif. Rom. l. 5. c. 1.
• Lib 3 Ep. 54.