Important questions of state, law, justice and prudence both civil and religious upon the late revolutions and present state of these nations

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1

Important (QUESTIONS
Of State, Law, Juftice and Prudence,

Both Civil and Religious,

UPON THE

Late Rey oiiitions

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A N^b

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ok- -x^n-A "\0 y^M ^y^l^\\v:i\WA u\T^NSQ^t

Cofj/ifiere fimul non foffujit Voluntas Imperandi ^ Vfjtmtqs PerJejfdi
Grot. I. de Juri Belle, c. 4. ^.11. * "^^'^^ ^^ *'•'■ .V-'^

Regi in partem non [nam invQlanti vis jufia opponi potcfi : ^itia ea-
tinus Impermm 7wnbahst. Grot. ibm. §• i3" ^

Qutfjuis Imperii Summl ptrtem Jj-thetynon potefi- non jus haher e earn par-
rem tuendi. Quod uhi fit^ potefi Rex etiamfuam Imperii p.rrtem Bel-
li Jure ami! t ere. Grot. ibm.

By Socrates Chrifiianus.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THe Defign of this Paper is'' not what jome
might imagine by the Title ^ to raife Doubts
and Quefiions^ but the contrary^ fo prevent and
refolve them. Certain it is ^ that many 'Difficul-
ties are^ and may be better^ and with more Eafe,
Brevity^ and SatisfaUibn, refolve d meerly by
well fiat ing the Quejiion^ than by long Arguments
and Difcourfes. And the old Socratick vpay of con-
vincing and inftru^ing by Quefiions^ hath been
thought by Jome Wife Men of latter Ages not lefs
ufeful or fatisfa^ory than thai of Syllogifiical
Difputations,

CO

The prejent State of the Nation.

WH E R E S King James the Second, being long fince Se-
duced (rom the Reformed Religion, wherein he was
Educated, to the Superftitions and Abominations of the
Romifh Religion, out of his great Zeal for the fame,
and through the Evil Counfels and Inftigations of the Jefuits, and
of other Perfons'of the fame or the like wicked Principles and Per-
fwafions, hath ever fince with great earneftnefs, and by various
means endea'voured the Re-efiahlijhment tliereof, and the fupprefli-
on and utter extirpation of the genuine Chriltian Religion reform-
ed from the Superltitions and Abominations of theR5w^«,and pub-
licklyprofe fled under the protedion of the Laws in thefe and
divers other Nations, as of a Pernicious Herefie, and under the
Notion and Kame of the Northern Herefie. And for that end,
during the Reign of the late Kivg Charles the Second, held divers
fccret Counfels and Confpiracies, both with notorious Enemies
of the Reformed Religion beyond the Seas, and at home with
Pcrfons notorioufly guilty by the Laws of High Treafon. And
in purfuance of thofe Cotinfels and Confpiracies, is generally be-
lieved to have been a Principal Author and Promoter of Wars,
BloodQied, and other great Mifchiefs among the Profeflibrs of
the Reformed Religion ; that being weakened by their own hands,
they might the more eafily be Deltroyed and Subjug^ed by thofe
of his party.

And whereas the faid King James, fince his accefs to the Throne,
in further profecution of the fame Defigns, Counfels, anl Con-
fpiracies ( not to mention any fecret Practices, which may pofll-
bly be made more manifeft in due time ) hath notorioufly, con-
trary to the true Conftitution of the Government of this Kation,
contrary to divers exprefs Statutes.contrary to iiis own repeated
Word and Solemn Promifes, and contrary to the very form of the
ufual Coronation Oath ( which he is prefumed to have taken )

A 2 alfamcd

afllimed io liimfelf a Tower to Sufiend and Difpenfe with the Laws^
Y which is an Eflcntial part of the Legiflative Authority, which
belongs not to the Ring alone ) and under pretence thcreof,kecping
up a great Army in time of Peace, hath not only Armed great numbers
cfTafiflSj but put and continued in Offices, both in the Ar>r.j andiit
the Na'Vj, mhny Papifts and others Perfons not qualified by Law.

And that the Admimfiration ofjuftice might be alfb in the hands
of Fapills, and fuch as were believed would comply with his
Dehgns, hath in the Counties chofen divers Papilts for Sherijfs, dif-
plac'd, and put out of Office molt of the Proieftant Judiees of the
Pecue, and in their Room hath put and continued pro'felfed Papifts,
and other Perfons not qualified by Law; infomuch that gene-
rally througliout the Nation, in the Ccunttes there is not a legal
JulVice of the Peace to be found in many miles diftance, wiiate-
ver occafion fliould happen : In Corporations hath by his Letters
of Mandamus caufed profelfed Papifrs to be chofen for Mayors,
Aldermen, and SheritTs : And in the Courts of Jufitce at Wefimin-
/er hath placed and difplaccd y«^^<'j till he had furniflied the
fame with fuch as were believed would molt perfe(ftly comply
with his Pleafure, without much regard to the Laws. '

And for the promotion of thofc Oellgns in the Church as well-
as 5f^/-(?, hath granted to divers Perfons, of whofe compliance
therein he was well affured, a Commiifion in the nature of the
High Commijfion ( wlVich with all other of like nature at any t-ime
to be granted, hath by exprefs A<fls of Parliament been utterly
abolifhedand made void J by which he hath caufed theprefent
Lord Biflwp of Lmdon moft unjuftly and contrary to all Law and
Equity to be Sufpended from his Office ; the Prefident of Mag-
dalen Coll edge in Ca7?}hridgej and the Prefident and, 'Fellows c/" Mag-
dalen CcUedgein Oxford, contrary to Law to be put out of
their Free-holds ; and by the fame proceedings might ( as may
reafonably be believed was defigned ) have turned cut all the
Clergy of England^ who would not have complyed with wha:-
' ever he fhould have pleafed to cofnmand.

And for the more diveB refiauration of the Papal Authority and
Kehgion in England(vj\\\(^ to endeavour or attempt is High Treafon
by the Statutes ) hath fent his AmhaJJ'ador to the 'Bifhop of
Rome J and admitted and entertained a Legate from him ; hath
permitted Pc'p//fo 5///;o/)j to be confecrated in E«^/^«^, andtohold
their V^ifitations, a Jefuit to be of his Priiiy-Qomcil^ J^fwt Schools^

and

rriid Ccnvevts for Fryen to be crc(ftcd, and Fopijlj Chapels for Pt!b-
'lick xMafs in divers places ; and hath placed and permitted known
papiftsto hold confidcrablc placcsand Employments in the Church
and in the Univcrfities.

And, that the things thus dcfigned and promoted might have
been coniirmcd with th,e tormaUties of a legal E/.ihhjhmentj iiath
uftd divers indired Means, and imployed divers Agents, to have
fuch Ptrfns only chofevtoftrvem Varliarmnty as i:e could be allured
wouldcomply with his Pleafure therein ; a practice which rtrikes
at the very root of our Government, and tends diredly as the
moil immediate rneans to the fubverfion thereof

And to compleat all, that they mi^iit be fo Eftablifhed and Se-
cured for the future from ^^;7rer of being defeated by a^.Frote/hivt
Succffor, liath by' the arts ofthofc bubrils agents been lo far
tranlported in his Paffion for that Painted Rot-
ten Religion, as to comply witli them in an * Tkugh it b? in
* unnatural intrigue to adopter fet up a Suppc/l- ^^^^^ Unnatural, jer /s
titious ChtUl^s is by m xt Pertbns in the Nation ^"4„",','&(°' J\'l
of all Ranks and Qualities hrm.ly believed,not- wJrjpwewWrole
withftanding the Extrajudicial Dcpofitions In- ebjiimteHeretkfisjanii
rolled and Publifhcd in Prin J for his own Sen /«"' «*-'* Caufe defer-
and the Rightful Friixe of ^We/, though to ---^^i to be difinh-yite.L
the difinheriting of the true heirefs apparent
and his own Children ; that fo he might have a pretended Suc-
celTor, to be Educated in tiie Popifh Religion, and in time taper-
fed the Work he had begun; or ( as is believed by fome ) to
bafBe all hopes of a Proteftant Succeifor for the prefer:', and in
due time to {et up one of his Natural Sons of his own Religion.

And wherea?, when manj Lords, both Spiritual and I'cmpo-
ral» Gentlemen and others of all Ranks ; oblerving thefe things,
and we!^confidering the great and apparent Danger, that thefe
Nations werei^y thj(e means broughL into, liaJ, as tlie only Rs-
wedy under God, craved aid of His Highnefsth^Pr/wceo/ Grange,
^ wliofe intereft and concern in thefe matter?, as wcU as Af-
fedion to.'thefe Nanons and to .the Proteltant Religion, did both
qualitie and oblige him to intcrpofe ) and the Prince thereupon
coming in with a Ccmpetent Army, iiad in a Dedaraiion fet oac
thefe and the like matters as the caufe of his coming,, and refer-
red all to the Determination of a Free. Parliament; the Nobility
ar.d Gentry and others dayly. rcforting to hlra,.and euga^ing i^

aa :

(4) '^-

an x'^fTociation with him for the Defence of the Proteftant Religi-
on, the Anticnt Government, Laws, ■ and Liberties of thefe
Nations, and great parts of the Armly daily revolting to them ;
the (aid King yar?7es was pleafed at firft fo far to comply with
thcfe reafonable Demands, as to order V\' rits for Elections to be
Sealed, and yet not long after ( whether through his Confcience
of the Illegality of his Adtions, not able to endure the Examina-
-tion of thele m'alters, or through the inftigations of his wicked
Counfellours, or bothj caufed moft of the faid Writs to be burnt
conveyed away the great Seal, the Pretended Prince of IVales]
the Queen, and divers of the Conlpirators in that Intrigue and
acceUiories thereunto ; to prevent,asis believed,their crofs Exami-
nation, and further difcovery of the whole Contrivance, and of
the reft of the Perfons concerned in it, and at laft departed him-
lelf beyond the Seas, deserting thefc Kingdoms and the Govern-
ment thereof

All this being not only true, but notorious matter of FaCt, fo
that the Relation of it needs neither Apology nor Proof- there
arife thereupon feveral Q^U E S T I O N S, which may con-
cern the whole Nation and all Perfons therein, who have any re-
gard to the due difcharge of their Duty well to confidcr and in
order thereunto. '

L Quefiio?2s of State, concerning the Conjlitutionof
the Englilh Government,

^' WT'^'^^^^^'^ by ^he Sacred Scriptures, or any Tofttive La^ of
V V God, there be any V articular Form of Gcvernment pre-
fcnbed for the feveral Nations of the \h orJd ? or all be left at
liberty to conftituteany fuch .iuft form of Goverment, as totfiem
fnall feeR] moft convenient? And all Perfons as ftridly obliged to
the iuft and reafonable Obfervance of thofe Publick Pacts and
Conftitutions, whereby their feveral Governments are formed as
or any private Pafts whatfoever? and all again at full Libertv to
ufe all juft and reafonable means tor the prefervatioa thereof •^■'

% Whether by THE CONSTH UTION OF THE GO
VERNMENT OF ENGLAND in Legijlatrnt, or .making of

Laws

Laws xhtJusRegia Totefiatis,oT Regal Power,be more than one t hird
part'' or the Kings Negative Voice comprehend any thing more than
what-each of the Houfes have ? And therefore his afliiming as
liis Prerogative, of what l^elongs to the whole, be not an Inva-
ding of the Rights, both of the Lords, and of the Commons; and
within thcfixth Cafe of Hugo Grotius, l. dejure belli c. 4. ^. 13,
wherein juft force may be ufed againrt the Invador ?

;. Whether by the Conftitution of the Government of ZTw^-
landy for the ordinary Admimfiration of Juftice, there be not ar-
tain Courts and Offices appointed, whofe Auth.ority the King can
neither enlarge nor abridge ; as in each County the Hundred
Courts once injhree Weeks, the County Court once in a Monih,
tlie Courts at Wefimin(ter once in a Q;J<irter or four times in a
Year, the Circuits twice in the Year, ai?d for Extraordinary Mat-
ters,by the Common Lawand Statures yet in force and unrepealed,,
ths Parliament once in-the Yearatleaft ? So that the Re^al Right
in this rcfped extends little farther than firft to the choice of the
Perlbns, and fecondiy, that the CommifHon andall Procefs l^.e
made in his Name, as the Supreme in the Government, and for
the greater Honour and Majefty of the King and Kingdom ?

4. Whether by the Conftitution of the Englijh Government,
in all Ordinary matters between the King and the SubjeBs, the Ordi-
nary Courts of Juftice at Wefiminfier have not Jurifdidion, and
the Judges of tliefe Courts be not the proper Legal Judges ;
who may and ought to judge and determine according to the
Law of the Kings Right, andA(n:ions, andof the Validity there-
of, and to order equal Right to be done to the Subjects, as well
as to the King Himfelf?

^. Whether by the Conftitution of the Government of E;^^-
land, in all Extraordinajy AUttcrs, the High Court of Tarliamcnt be-
not the Supream Judicature ; and may not of themfelves with~
out tl^ King both Jljdge and Correcft the Errors and Mifdemea-
nours of the Judges and great Oflicers of the Nation, and more-
over enquire into the Actions of the King Himfelf, fo far as they
concern the Publick State of the Nation ; and if they fee caufe,
both judge and declare them to be publick Grievances and con-
trary to Law, and alfo demand Redrefs by Petition, and al(b in
cafes of great Importance and NeceiTity, when the Conftituhoa'
and publick State of the Nation is in danger,by Force and Arms I
And whether this Right doth not remain in the Lords and Com-
mons:^

CO

mons of this Nation in fuch Cafe, if the King refufe to call a
Pariiament, there being then no Superiour Authority or other
means to determine the matter between them, when the very
damen'al Laws and ConlHlution arc in Queilion ? '

Indeed it is plain in the Fr?.me and Composure, of the Govern-,
menr it feif, and in tlic Adions of -our molt Antie-nt and Succeed-
ing Farlfaments, and conhnned by the Polititie of thofe People
from whom they did delcend, that our Wife Anceftors in the
Conltitution of this Govtmment did particularly intend and take
care of tii^o things ; The one to give all the Hononr and 'Mciiefly
rhat could be to the King, for the greater Honour and Advan-
tage to the Nation abroad ; The other to retain all the Fov^er that
m'ght be to themfelves, for the greater Sectirity and Benefit of
the Publick at Home. And therefore, when they had limited
and confined his Power as much as was thought convenient, they
inveftcd hrm with the reft, not asa i?i^i6f which he might dif-
pofe of, or ufc as he pleafcd, but as a Trufi, the management
Whereof they would infpeft and confider ; and for that end, as
well as to infpedl the Adions of inferiour Officers, fupply Defeds,
dvf. did think fit to have frequent Conventions or Parliaments.
"60 that his Right hath a great and weighty D«()' ( if not a Con-.
dition in Law, as they call it j elfentially annexed to it; and he
is in eifed only the Supream Officer, and a kind of High Reeve
cf the Nx7tion, as the High Shire-reeve of the County, who in ma-
ny re^'peds doth truly reprefent him. And therefore becaufe
Ibme hav5 in our Age aHcrted fuch an Unaccountablenefs and Irre-
fifiihility'm the King as is inconfiuent with this Conftitution, and
others from fome Claufes and Declarations prefcribed in fbme late
Statutes pajjedfocn after the Return cf the late King Charles the Se^.
cond, may think themfelves bound in Confcience to maintain the'
fame, it may be necelfary to propofe to their ferious confidera-
tion ftjme few

Qjieflmis concermn^thofe CLmjes^ and the Oaths^^and Decla'
rations prefcrihed^ in the Statutes ofiz^ 13, ^.44,.Gh. z,

I. TX rHether they who did take thefe Oaths and declare ac-

V V cordingly, are tliereby ( being only Declarative of their

belief at that time, and not pro7nij]ary for the future ) obliged to

per.

(7)
p^rfift ill the fame belief, and adt accordingly in all cafes which
mxy happen, without further Inquiring or Examination of the
Truth of tha- matter ?

2. Whether all or any of thofe Claufes, or the Oaths prefcri-
bed in the Statutes aforcfaid, being all meerly Declarative, and
not ConfiitHtive, do, or can make any real alteration in the Laws,
and in the very Conftitution of the Government from what they
were before ?

3. Whether f^5W^^r/e«/^ of thofe Claufes, Oaths, and De-
clarations, be not incor30ant with the Natural and Original Right
of Mankind, to defend and maintain their Rights .'* • the fpecial
Conftitution of the Enghjh Government-* the frequent Pradicc of
Evglijh Parliaments ? and known Principles of Law allowed at
this day ? be not contrary to the Sentiments and Prafticf s of moli^
Nations of this part of the World ? to the Judgment and Prasftice
of divers Rcf)rmed Churches upon great deliberation in their
own Cafe ? and of Queen Eliz^jbcth, King Ja?77es, drc, and the
State of £«^//7wi in their Afliitance to o'her People opprefTed by
theirKings and their Minifters? and of dangEmus Confetimnces both
to Prince and People? dilparuig Princes vvith more Liberty to
tranfgrefs the Laws, and expofing innocent Pecp'e, if they believe
it tooppreflion by them ; if not, to Wars and Contention with
them for the maintenance of their Right ? and therefore the
Claufes and Declarations afDrefaid, to be either wholly rejeded as
falfe; or elie accommodated with foms better and more conve-
nient C'sn^e. and Explication ? as that, which no Man will deny.
That neither the Kmg, nor his Mmifers^ a^ing according to Lau\
may he refified upn anjf Pretence whatfoever. And it may defcrve
(bme Confideiations ■ _

4. Whether confidering the T^wf, when thefe Statutes were
made, the ambi^ous Terms in which the Declarations are drawn,
neither reftraining them to Lawful Adions and Commflions, be-
caufe that wouW not ferve the turn, nor exprefly extending to
Unlawful, becaufe that was not likely to pafs ; the A^ivity and
cunning Infinuation of the ■Romijli E-miffaries, and their real Interefi
to Ijave the Government abfolute in one governable Prince, ra-
ther than fubieift to the Counfels and Refolves of an untraceable
Parliament, and the Tricks which they have ilnce impofed upon
us ; it be not likely that in thefe, as well as (bme other Statutes
about and fince that time^, there may not be fome of their Pro-

B iec^s

jetls'crafiily interm'xcJ , and unpercelvcd ia the transport the
Nation was then in ? and the rather if the late late King Charles
the Second, had before that time entrcd into their Communion,
as is now believed ?

And becaufe in thefe things many well-meaning people may
he mpofed upon, not only by ihc Authority of men , whofe Judg-
ments may be by ailed by prolped of Favour and Advantage,
but alfo by Ambiguity of words, as King, Abfolute, Imperial ; it
roay be fit to note that the word King^ doth not necelfarily im-
port more than one having Supreme Executive power to govern
according to Laws , as the King of E«^/^f*^ certainly hath ,
though the Parliament may judge whether he doth fo or no. So
that if any claim more, that is to be prov'd from the fpecial
Conftitution of the Government. So the word Abfolute, when
that is attributed to the Kings of England, it is to be underftood
not in re(pe(fl of Laws, but of.l enure. They hold not of Pope,
Emperor, or any other perfbn or State. And in like manner the
word Imperial, when ufed of the Crown of England, it imports
no more than that it is not held of any other Crown. .

IL ^efiions of Law ^ fuflke and PrUtleHce^ ufontheMAttm
of Fad before related, ,

I. TTTHether the Matter of Faa before related, dollh
VV- not contain divers Very high, deliberate , and re-
fohed Vtolatiom of the Laws, and Conftitution , and tending di-
redly and manifeftly to the Subverfion of the true and ancienP Ga-
vern?»ent of this Nation, and be not good Evidence , and a plaiai •
Declaration, that the faid King James did certainly defign and '
endeavoijr the Subverfion thereof, and to .make k Arbitrary r ;
^ad v/QS iherdove m Enemy to ^t?

1.- Whether all this being done at the iaftigation of- the Pa^
|Hfts, and in favour- of their Religion, ( v/hich obligeth them all,.^
both Prince and People , to uCe their utmoft endeav-o^f foir the
Emrpation ofHeretich, ) be not alfo good Evidence and an open
Beclaration, C not withstanding their pretence of Liberty ofCon=
ICience,; that he was alio an Enemy to the Religion and People
of this Nation, being Proteftants, and by the Pope and his party
r^patcd aod condema?d for Hereticks ^ .

3- Whe-

c 9 ;

5. Whether the faid K\n%Jawes , having affumed to himfclf
a power of Sufpending and dirpcnfingvvith the Laws, and there-
by invaded the Rights of the Lords and Commons , and thereby, and
by many other open hCts declared himfelf an Enemy to the Go-
vernment, Religion and people of this Nation, ( which are things
inconfiftent with the Ends and Being of Government and Civil So-
ciety, ) and all this contrary to his Solemn Coronation Oath,
and through the perfwafion and inftigation of Jefuitsand others,
notorioufly guilty by the Laws of High Treafon, hath not there-
by demonllrated himfelf incapable of the Government of this
Nation, and not to be further intrufted therewith ? and there-
fore,

4. WheihcT the Prince of Orange hu Coming in to preftrve and
maintain the Right of the Princefs and himfelf, and to defend
and proted an Innocent people in the Legal enjoyment of their
Religion, Rights, and Liberties, from Violence, OpprefTion and
Deftrudlion, defigned and prepared ( as is believed ) againft them
contrary to the Laws, as Queen Elizabeth and the people of this
Nation had heretofore donefor his Anceftors and Count rey, be
not juftifiable by the Laws of God and man •*

y. ^^\\t\.\\tT the Lords ^ Gentlemen, and others of this Nation,
who in this cafe , for the prefervation of themfelves and their
Country, invited the Prince to come in , or after his coming en-
tred into the Affociation with him , for the Ends aforefaid, did
any thing therein but what was neceflary , juft, and lawful by
th« Laws of God and Man , the Conftitution of this Govern-
ment, and many precedents in this Kingdom ?

6. Whether thtOjjcers and S<?«/^;er;,whohad indefinitely entred
into the Service of the King, are not to be prcfumed to have
atfted therein as rational men, and to have intended a reafbnable
and legal Service to their King and Country, for the prefervation
of the legal Government, Laws and Liberties tiiereof, and not
a flavifh Service to the will of a Tyrant , and Enemy of their
Courtry ; and therefore in defcrting the King, and revolting to
the Prince and his Afibciatcs , when this came to be difputed,
did not do an acl of grca'er Gtr.erofity , Lryahy, cind ride-
lity to the Governmept ai.d t: e"r Country, than if ihty had con-
tinued in his Service, and brutifhly, or upon a vain and miiVakcn
principle of Honour, afiiftrd to the fubverfion of the (govern-
ment,, the dellrudion of their Country-men, and the fuppreiFinij -

B 2 and

Cio)
gild extirpation of the Religion, which they themfelves do pro-

f efs ?

The common abufe of the tei m Loyalty, to impofe upon the
Nation, makes it neeelTary to explain the genuine Notion of it.
Which is nothing elfe, when attributed to Perlons, but either the
ftate of a Free- man, or Jus dvitath, or a conformity of the
Will and Anions to the Laws- of the Land, and the Government
by Law Eftablifhed. But that ^j.-^Igar notion of Loyalty, whereby
many well meaning Men have by the Sophiftry of Jefuits and ill
defigning Difloyal Men, been impofed upon, taken for an Adlive
Compliance wit h,or at leaft pafTive SubmilTiontothe Will and Plea-
fure of the Prince, whether conformable to the Jliaws and Efta-
blifhed Government,or not, is in thefe defigning men plainly Kna-
very, Sycophantry, and Treachery, againlt both King and Go-
vernment, and hath betrayed a whole race of Kings into great
Mifchiefs and Deftruftions.

7. Whether upon due confideration of the precedent Queftions,
all the re(r of the Proteftants of thefe Nations ought not in ?ru-
dence, Jufiice and Charity to their Country, to unite and join with
the faid Lords, Gentlemen, and others, who have alfociated
for the end aforefaid, and unanimoufly agree tt> commi: the Gcvern-
mtnt, Crown and Dignity thereof to the next undoubted Heir of
the Royal Family, who is duly qualified for the fame ? or, by
mutual agreement of all parties to fuch of the Royal Family as
is beft qualified for the Management thereof in the prefent Cir-
cumftances I left other wife by their unneceftary over-cauti-
ous fcrupulous forbearance they give occafion and incourage-
m!nt to difcontented Pcrfons to involve all in fuch new Troubles,
Factions, Infurredious, and Difturbance of the Publick Peace
and Settlement, as by their more generous Unanimity might eafi-
ly be prevented ?

And becaufe here may arifefome Scruples from-the Oaths of Alle-
giance and Supremacy, thefe things as to that may be confidered.
I, \A''hether the Duty of the Subjed: be not proportionable to
the Right of the King, and extends no further ?

a. Whether the word Heirs ought not to be intended , firft^
of legal and undoubted Heirs ? fecondly, of fuch as are duly
qualified for the Difcharge of fuch a Publick Truft and Office,
and not of any fuch as arc non compos mentis , or, which is worfe,
do mm rmom infanirej and would confound and deftrov all ?

^. Whe-

3. Whether in the cafe of SuccciTion, both the Praftice of An-
tienc Times, aiidan Antient Formality ufed at the Coronation,
be not Evidence of a Right of judging and choice upon a fpeci-
al occalion, of a fit Pcrfon of the Royal Family to fucceed, re-
maining in the Lords and Commons of this Nation ?

8. Whether thcfe Nations profelling th.emfelves Chrifiianj
ought not in Duty to God, and Prudence to thewfehcs, to acknow-
ledge with all Reverence and Devotion, his Admirable, Wife,
powerful, and Gracious Frcvidcnce^ in thefe late extraordinary
Revolutions, and great and (c afonable Deliverance from fo many
and great, both incumbent Evils, and impendent Dangers over
them P and to cxprels ihcirfcnfe thereof, both by Solemn Thanks-
givings, by a fpcedy and c.fedtual Reformation of that Torrent
of Debauchery introduced and dtfigned for their Ruine, and by
all dutiful Concurrence with the Indications of his Will thereby-
intimated to us ?

. 9. Whether it be not reafonable for a Chriftrian Nation to be-
lieve, That the f:Ad King James having Unhappily by the deltv-
fions of the Papilis dtfertedthe true Religiony wherein he was Edu-
cated, and revolted to the Superftitions and falfe Religion which
they profefs, may not by the fpecial Providence and Righteous
Judgment of God for the fame, and other fins, be deferted and
left to the DtJuf.cn alfo of their unfbund and deceitful Policies, and
thereupon to be deferted by lots Teople, and the Army Jn which he
trufted^as was Rebcboam by the ten Tribes ?

10. Whciher the Special Prci'ideTtce of God, fo vifible and appa-
rent in this cafe, may not juftly be looked upon by all ferious
Proteftants,as a Mamidu^ion and Indication of his Will, chat thefc
Nations (hould concur therewith, in a caufe fb jaft and necelfa-
ly^to the Exclufion ofthefatdKing James from the Government there-
cf, and to commit the fame to fome other more proper Perfon
of the Royal Family ? and whether all, who fliall ob(linately refufe
to concur therein, have not fome rcafon to fear that they may al-
fo in fome degree partake of the fame Divine judgments ^

1 1. Whether it be not alfo a Chriftian Duty incumbent upon
thefe Nations, upon this occafion to take " ,to their icrious Con-
^deration all thcfe ether Atlions of the Kmg, ( befideshis revolt ro
the Romifii Superltitions and Abufcs^ which may realbnably be
believed to have cowm^Mfe//, as well through the fudgments-of
God, as by their natural Efficacy^ to the bringing of all this E\il

IH> Mil

^ It J

ttpon him ; and thereupon fpeedily to make all fuch effedual
Provifion, as may be neccflTary for the prevention or removal of
the fame and the like occafions of mifchicf from the Nation it
felf ^

II. And whether among fuch anions may not iuftly be reck-
oned as Notorious, firft , Uncharitable fomenting an(^ promo-
ting of Diflfentions and Diftra^ions between Chriftian Nations
and People. Secondly , Difcountenancing the ferious profeffion
and practice of the Rcform'd Religion, and Irreligious encoura-
ging Trofanenefs and Debauchery ^ both by Example,and by Impunity
and Connivance. Thirdly, \lri]\x\\. Violation of the Laws and efia^
hushed Government ( contrary to the Coronation Oath ) and en-
deavouring to make it arbitrary, by various illegal Pradices
both upon the ordinary Courts of Jafitce , by making the
Judges Patents to be only durante beneflacito ; and then difplacing
fuch as would not , contrary to their Confcience and Duty,
comply with his pleafure and Defigns ; and upon the High Court
of Parliament it felf, by perverting and interrupting the Legal
f reedom of Eledions, both in the Corporations, and in the Coun-
ties ; and tampering with the Members themfelves, d^c. For
which and the like Evils, fpcedy, proper , and cffedual Reme-
dies ought to be provided^

Q;.ic{lIons

( il )

Qjejlions ofT^rudcnce^ Religion, and Hu-
miliation, upon the late Revolutions
and prcfent State of the KING.

1. "^XT Hethn the Kingy having by [ad Experience found the
V V fo trtuch admired Knowledg and Subtiliy of the Je-
CmtS e/^cialij, ai id other Em\i[ar'ics of the Church of Rome, fo per-
mcioujly erroneous and deceitfnl in matters of Policy, hath not jujf:
cauji to fufpect that tt may be fo alfo in matters of Religion , and
thereupon J now at bis Lei fur e^ to retire irjt$ fome convenient place of
Freedom^ and thereto take a farther and impartial Examination j ufhe-
ther it be not fo indeed ?

Thii may pofftbly be done effectually by well weighing but of two
Confiderations, c/" great importance^ and yet of no great Intri-
cacy ; the one concer?ung the Head of their Church, the other con-
cerning the Body of their Religion, and the nature and Tendency of
ity compared with the nature and "Tendency of the Gennrne Chripian
Religim. Fir(t, Whether all that fpccial Authority and Power,
which the Bilhopsof i^tfwa^havc fo long claimed and cxercifcd as-
peculiar to themfelves, andckrived from Clirilt by St. Teter, be
not a groTs Impofture ? As it needs ?}7ufi be , if either no fpecial
Authority was e'Ver either given or promifed by Chyifi to St. Peter,
or exercifcd or claimed by bimy more than what was given byChnfi
to 0llhis Apofilss, John 20. 19^23. Mark 16. 15-. or exercifed b/.,
the/ft y or no fpecial Juthmty was ever conveyed by St. Teter to the"
Church or Btfljops of Rome , TWfre than to any other Church or Bijijop
•which be Founded and InfttPuted. And bejides their defe(^ of Proof,
( which lyeth upon them to male out ) m the one from the Scripture,
and in t^e other' from good Authority , there are two things of great
wei^it agamfi' them. Firlb, Thai the ancient Bijlwps of Romt claimed
no Jps£iai Aftthority peculiar to themfelves; hut d;y'oiht[ and inferiour
Tkkf sndwhat was much lels 't':an they now claim. Secondly,
"That there was very grofs Impofturc and forgery uftdfor the wtrc-
ducing and promoting of this pi-etended Authority. And tf this FtlUt
i^f tbetrCburib fall, ^ the other J their frmnded infaUitnlity , ^ufl by-
am-

eonfef..nce fall with it. And hf th'ts Subject may he Read, Dr. Bar-
tow of the Supremacy, with Dr. Cave of the ancient Government of
the Church. Secondly, WheihCT all that which is properly cal-
tcd Popery be not lucli another Corruption.of r/^5 genuine Chrifiian
Relic-ion, by humane inventions influenced by the (iibtilty ofSatan,
as was that of the Law of Mofes by the Scribes and Pharilees at
-the time of the coming of our Saviour ? and directly tending to
oppose, enervate and aifront-the fame ? This may eajily he percei-
fed by comparing the. ejjential parts of the Chrifiian Religim with the
ofipofite Corruptions cfVopery, and the Tendency of each*. As i. The
Example of the Heads, Chrifiandhis Apo files with that of the Pope
and his Cardinals. 2. The Doctrine. 3- The fForjhip. 4. The Dif-
cipline. 9. The Means of Frapagation, Scc. And to this purpofe may
he read Dr. Moor'^ xVIyftery of Iniquity, and a little Tract caWd the
Myftery of Iniquity Unvailed, Written by Mr. Allen, but Printed
without his Name.

2. Whether, if upon fuch farther Examination, it (hould pleafe
God to open his Eyes, and give him a clear fight of his Errors,
and of the Evils he hath committed, as well as thofe he hath
brought upon himfelf ; it will not be his Duty and his Wifdom im-
mediately thereupon to. apply himfelf to do the part of a true
Penitent indeed ? to humble himfelf, give Glory to God, by
Confeffing and Lamenting Iiis Sins, acknowledging the Jultice of
his Judgment^,;, and accepting his Punifiiment, be content with a
retired. .penitent Life; and thereby as .a part of Rcftitution en-
deavour the peace of. thefe Nations , which he hath fo much
difturbed, not giving any 'ifarthcrdiiturbance himfelf, or encou-
raging any difcontented perfon, but abandoning all Colour and
pretence for any .fuch' Matter .^ This would certainly prove his dire<f1: <
way to Happiriefs hereafter, andpojjibly to greater Happinefs even here^
than he could ever have enjoyed amidlf the Difiraciions of the. Govern- ^
meitt of three Kingdoms. And all real Happinefs I heartily wifh him^
both here and hereafter. ^.. ..>, .. .v. . ^^^v.i *. . u...., ,k j

3. Whether it may not be fit, notwithftanding he may not befur-
ther trufted with the Government of thefe Mations, upon the G<?n- ^
fideration of Humanity, to treat him with Pity, Civility^, andiRc^-^-
fped, and a Competent Annual Allow aiice'\ yet fuch as may not^
by good Husbandry become in time a means of NewDifturbance,
and upon Condition that he do peaceably retire to .fome renroic
parts, as Jtaly^. or .the like, and continue "there, or at that diftance
without further trouble to thefe Nations or himfelf?

F INI S,