Anti-Machiavell. Or, honesty against poljcy: An answer to that vaine discourse, the case of the kingdome stated, according to the proper interests of the severall parties ingaged. By a lover of truth, peace, and honesty.

Touching the Kings Interest.

THe King (he saith) as the case lately stood with him was a very prisoner. And what is he now? may he goe whether he pleases, if so, then I hope we shall shortly see him at White∣hall; but if not, he hath onely changed his place, not his condi∣dition.

His first worke now is to remit the height of his designe, and sith the spleen of his adversaries hath done that for him which Machi∣avell makes a sure principle toward purchase of Empire; his part is to sit still and blow the fire, &c. This is polliicy indeed, but is this honesty, to blow the fire of contention between his owne? should a Father doe so to his Children though undutifull to him? Is not a King Pater patriae? should he not rather study to quench this flame, prevent sin? hereupon onely taking occasion, to per∣swade them to yeeld him his right, sith there is a blast upon them in their conjunction against him, and so wait upon God to give

in their hearts, not doing evill that good may come thereon? Af∣ter the fire of contention hath burnt so hot, that they must rest in a third: The King is to looke to that party that gives most hope of indulgence to his Prerogative, and greatest probability of favour to his friends; so still selfe, and friends must be the rule of actions, let them be never so blasphemous to God, yet indul∣gent to Monarchy, they must be embrac't; had the King ever worse Counsellors, or greater parasites of Prerogative? But nei∣ther of these can be from the Presbyterian; not indulgence to Prerogative. Why? because he sayes (but without shew of truth,) That Presbyteriall government derogates not only from civill government in generall, but carryes with it a more spe∣ciall enmity to Monarchy, they are incompatible; a grevious ac∣cusation, that needs be backt with good reason, but here is none at all: This is but an Arrow out of Machiavels quiver, Calumni∣are audacter aliquid haerebit, Slaunder audaciously somthing will sticke. Turne O Lord, I pray thee, this counsell of Achitophels into foolishnesse. Next he tells us, Politique Observations in this kinde, should be strengthened out of History, and thence takes occasion of venting all scorn and spight in the highest degree on the way he opposeth, as though he loved all devouring words; There is nothing (saith he) in History touching Presbytery of moment to be observed: Why? First, its an upstart: What new∣er than Independency; nay this is newer light sure, for neither name or thing of Independency is to be found till of late dayes; for all particular Congregations in the Apostles time were depen∣dent on, that is, under the jurisdiction of the Apostles that plan∣ted them, as appears by S^t. Pauls Epistles to Corinth; and before the Apostles died, the Congregations were multiplied in great Cities, yet but one Church, as is made apparant out of Scripture, and so under one common government, which whether of a Presbytery, or Bishop, or both; it casts Independency, and so that can looke no higher then the Anabaptists in Germany. Next it hath but little entertainment in the world, why then it seems its not of the world, as he elsewhere calumniates, but hath it had lesse entertainment then Independency? What con∣siderable part of the Reformed Churches except England and Ireland, but hath entertained Presbytery? and what doth he make of the Princes of Germany, have they little or none of King∣ly

power? Is Kingly power in the Title, or in Soveraignty un∣der whatever Title? How bold and saucie is this bold Pamphle∣ter untruly to debase the Principalities of Noble Princes, to de∣base a way he himselfe hates? But in the Scots Kingdome this Pest is Epidemicall, &c. Here is bitterness in the highest, both in expression, and matter, wherin he affirmes. That in Scotland Presbytery hath turnd the Kings Scepter into a Manacle, and like an Hectique feaver consumed the substance of Kingly power. This I shall leave to the Scots to answer, but if this charge bee true, with what conscience could the Independent engage him∣selfe by Covenant, (as the Major part of them by his confession p. 10. hath) to maintain the Scotch Discipline against the com∣mon Enemies, among whom the King and his party must needs be pars maxima, if not sola, (for the Covenanteers combined by this Covenant against him and his force?) Will interest make an Independent ingage to maintain unjust usurpation upon the power of his owne Soveraigne? Truly such objections discover wit to promote a cause, but little honesty in a party.

Secondly having slandered Presbytery in relation to Monar∣chy, he proceeds to see what he can doe in reference to the Kings party: And here he saith, The Bishops must have neither name nor substance, and the Gentry must be inslaved in their own Lord∣ships. For the first, Presbyterians use the Bishops better then the Independents; for its better not to be, then to be Antichristian, which the Independents make them, and all that are under them. Besides what knowes he but upon accommodation the Presby∣ter may yeeld something to the Episcopall, as they would have done to the Independent, as to keep up Parochiall Presbyteries, and for Appeals have a Presbytery of Ministers in every Shire, whereof one to be president, who may be stiled a Bishop. If the Presbyterian can take his counsell to renounce jus divinum, then undoubtedly he may yeeld to this expedient, and there is proba∣bility enough the Royallist will accept it; and by this the Old form being altered, the Covenant according to the letter will not be infringed: And for the inslaving of the Gentry by Pres∣byterie its false, unlesse this Pamphleteer be of their minds Psal. 2.1, 2, 3. And I would know of this independent,, whether if a Landlord and his tenant be in their Church-way, and the Land∣lord be in question whether the meanest of his Tenants must not

be his Master in Judicature? And whether that be a mystery of iniquity in their new government? Turpe est Doctori, &c. Well, now he concludes, That the Kings Interest is to close with the Independent, for which he gives Reasons. 1. Because they are the only friends to civill government in the world. Credat Ju∣daeus appella, non ego. Are they the best friends to Civill go∣vernment in the world, that with Papists divest it of all power in Church matters, with whom that derogatory voice of the Old Donatists quid Imperatori cum Ecclesia, at least with the Ma∣jor part of them is good Divinity? Doth he thinke this bare Assertion of his will take with his Majesty, that knowes the rise and progresse of his misery cannot be ascribed to any party in this Kingdome, so much as to the Independent party? For had not they disturbed it (If my intelligence faile me not) the Par∣liament had once resolved to have annext 12. grave learned and godly Ministers in every Dioces to the Bishop, that should have so qualified his power, that he should have had no opportunity to Tyrannize, a course if it had bin taken the miseries under which this flourishing Nationlyes in dust and ashes, the dishonours of Religion, and decay of the power of Godlinesse occasioned by the Scandall and Distractions of this unnaturall war, and all the disgraces and calamities of the King and his Royall Houshold had been prevented. For what he alledgeth out of the Acts of the Assembly, it doth confute not confirme his doctrine: For first, Presbyters claime only distinction of powers, not exceptions, as the Independent doth. And saith he, they borrow also from the civill Magistrate power to compell mens consciences, but this is an odious calumny against the just power, that the Pres∣byterians ascribe to the Magistrate denyed by this Independent, seil. to preserve peace, and purity in the Church, to take Order that Blasphemy, heresie be supprest, &c. which power of his he ought to put forth on just occasion, but that this must bee al∣wayes when they advise, or as he maliciously addes, commands, the confession hath no Limit. The Magistrate is Arbiter of his owne actions, and is to proceed in execution according to his owne apprehension. Thus the confession apparantly ascribes power to the civill Magistrate and derogateth not.

Secondly, its easie for the King to mingle interests with the Independent. An Independent then may mingle interests with

socular power, though it be a crime in all other reason.

Thirdly, Because Independency leads them to admit rather of Monarchy, then any other Government: Sure this is but new light; for the Independents, so farre as I have had ac∣quaintance with them, either by bookes or conference, have been most bitter, not onely against the present King, as farre as deposing or execution it selfe; but against Monarchy, eyeing the States Government of the Netherlands, with their toleration, as an imitable forme for themselves to aime at: and his reason is without sense, and against experience, whereby it is plaine; that Monarchy hath nourisht Episcopacy, for its owne greater supportment, who have carried an heavy hand over all that in∣trench upon them, or would have exception from them.

4. 5. Here is a doore of hope for the Bishops, and their Cler∣gy, with all that are for that Liturgy, which cannot be with Presbyterie trusted with the State, The 5. Reason is in effect the same; that the people that will not be satisfied without the externall forme of Diocesan, and Liturgie. The Independents may helpe to instate them in that forme again, upon some visi∣ble assurance, that they themselves will be left at libertie. First its true ridgid Presbytery is incompatible with Episcopacy; but with the Clergy, that lived under them, that were learned and honest not so; why may not they live under Presbitery, and beare a part in it in England; aswell as all learned Ministers do in other reformed Churches? And for Liturgy he cannot make it good, that people will not be satisfied without this Liturgie, so they have a Liturgie; neither is there any incompatiblenesse between a Liturgie, and Presbytery: I know no Presbyterians that hold a Liturgie unlawfull, many that hold it convenient. Liturgie, and Presbitery, have been consistent in all reformed Churches, and may be in ours; neither (if my information faile me not) was Liturgy expulst by the most grave and Learned Presbyterians in the assembly as unlawfull: but onely to gratifie the Independents, whose abuse of their indulgence, now may bring them to repentance, and a Liturgie may be establisht again, at least to be free for those that need it, and desire it. But how the Independent can helpe to instate the people again in it, without doing evill that good may come thereon, is above my capacity. They reject it as unlawfull, and the major part of them

having taken the Covenant, stand ingaged to keep it out; and for them for any politique reason to helpe it in again, is to help to set (in their conceits) a plant not of Gods planting, and that with breach of Covenant, which will argue such levity and dishonesty, so to alter against conscience and Covenant for in∣terest; that will make honest men abhorre, and wisemen afraid to associate with them; lest their interest change, for then no bonds will hold them fast in freindship.

In the 4^th. Reason he dictates to us an everlasting practise of the Clergy to strengthen themselves, which we must beleeve, because he saith so without proofe. But one particular is to mingle interests with the State or Prince, &c. which hath been no meane artifice of the Devill. Yet reason third he per∣swades the Prince to mingle interests with them; so rather then faile, he will use the artifices of the Devill to uphold his Babell Flectere si neque as superos Acheronta movebis?

Last reason is, that the King by closing with the Independent, may so abate the fury of the Presbiterian, that those of his par∣ty excepted from pardon, may at last obtaine the benefit of an Act of oblivion. Is not here brave and palpable jugling now? as though it were onely the fury of the Presbyterians that hin∣dred the Act of oblivion, or generall pardon; who though they be not altogether to be excused, yet how notorious is it, that none were more averse to any favour to the Kings party, then the Independent, and that upon pretence of conscience; because blood must be expiated by blood, till interest mitigates them, which though it should over-rule passions and humours, yet should give way to conscience: Who knowes not that the Scots, the most rigid Presbyterians would have had the pro∣positions lower to gratifie the King? And wherein could they have done that more acceptably, than in favouring his party? which to speak ingeniously he cannot deliver up to suffering in honour, or conscience; but he must asperse the sincerity of his own designes and protestations, wherein they were his assist∣ants. The rest of the Presbyterians therefore may doe well to gratifie the King in this; it may be a meanes to win upon him to gratifie them in matter of Reformation desired, at least to hasten a setled peace, a thing that all (not onely in obedience to the commands of following peace; but from the experience

of the mischievous consequences of war, both civill, and spiri∣tuall) should most earnestly thirst after, no visible inconveni∣ence of an Act of oblivion can over-weigh the misery and dan∣ger of Church and State for want of it; if we can either buy truth or peace by an Act of oblivion, he sees little that sees it not a good bargaine; nor need conscience startle. David in two civill wars, to end the one, to prevent new broyles after the other shed no more blood, then what the fury of battell drew; Therefore we have as good warrant for conscience to yeeld to an Act of oblivion for peace, as our Saviour brought to clear his disciples from sabbath-breaking, Matth. 12. Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry; So have yee not read what David did when he had civill wars to prevent blood? He let blood goe unpunished, and yet the case in Davids warre was unquestionable; whereas whoever shall consider the pra∣ctise in our Kingdome, the oathes of Supremacy and allegiance, The Kings pretences and protestations, must needs acknowledge that if there is not enough to oblige all, yet there was so much shew that might draw well meaning men to his party, that sure should incline much to moderation to his party: and thus this reason would be turned against the Pamphleter. I might after his reason call to him for politick observations out of History, to strengthen his assertions touching Independents according to his own direction pag. 1. But alasse search all the Histories of the Church, and you must returne, a non est inven∣tus, what need had he then to jeere others? I hope by this time its cleare there was no reason so to boast his counsell to the King. Honesty in a few words will give more wholsome coun∣sell; That the King and his partty now brought low, would search and try their wayes, and see what was amisse in his cause or in their carriage? Whether though he thought the demands unrea∣sonable yet as things stood to prevent blood, he should not have condescended lower? Whether there were not many miscarriages in prosecution? And withall to turne from men to God, and see what God hath against them, for abuse of power, eminence, wealth, in oppression, pride, riot; and whether many under him and them did not suffer like things to those which they now suffer, being driven from house and home, their families scattered, and this for conscience, and sometimes without nay

against law: And so with Rehoboam and his Princes acknow∣ledge the righteousnesse of the Lord, humbly before him com∣mit themselves to him; pray, and waite, and God will without any shifts, or violation of conscience, undoubtedly in due time exalt him, and those of his, that doe so improve the heavie strokes of God upon them.

And when God hath set him upon his throne, let him ex∣actly observe all his promises, and protestations, for cleaving to the Lawes, promoting true Religion, Justice in all his dealing to his People, declining all shew of revenge; for so shall he justifie his former proceedings, be great in the thoughts and hearts of his People; and Princes loved for justice, shall never be straited in power.

Notes

• Divide & im∣pera, Divide and rule.
• * The con∣trary is appa∣rant out of the harmony of confessions touching the civill Magi∣strate most of which are from Presbyterians.
• * And for this their own de∣clarations may give some evi∣dence, Aprill 9. 1642.
• See the letter of the Walla∣chrian Classes to the Assem∣bly cited in the view of the Directory pag. 43.
• 2 Sam. 3.20, 21.28.
• 2 Sam. 14.22.23.