Allegiance and prerogative considered in a letter from a gentleman in the country to his friend, upon his being chosen a member of the meeting of states in Scotland.
         Gentleman in the country.
      
       
         
           1689
        
      
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         A26677
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             Allegiance and prerogative considered in a letter from a gentleman in the country to his friend, upon his being chosen a member of the meeting of states in Scotland.
             Gentleman in the country.
          
           17 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [Edinburgh? :
             1689.
          
           
             Place of publication from Wing.
             Reproduction of original in British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Allegiance -- England.
           Prerogative, Royal.
           Scotland -- History -- 1689-1745.
           Great Britain -- History -- William and Mary, 1689-1702.
        
      
    
     
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           ALLEGIANCE
           AND
           PREROGATIVE
           Considered
           in
           a
           Letter
           from
           a
           GENTLEMAN
           In
           the
           Country
           to
           his
           FRIEND
           Upon
           his
           being
           Chosen
           a
           MEMBER
           of
           the
           Meeting
           of
           STATES
           IN
           SCOTLAND
           .
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           MDCLXXXIX
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           ALLEGIANCE
           AND
           PREROGATIVE
           Considered
           in
           a
           Letter
           from
           a
           GENTLEMAN
           In
           the
           Country
           to
           his
           FRIEND
           Upon
           his
           being
           Chosen
           a
           MEMBER
           of
           the
           Meeting
           of
           STATES
           IN
           SCOTLAND
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Received
           Yours
           ,
           wherein
           you
           tell
           me
           you
           are
           chosen
           a
           Me●ber
           of
           the
           Ensueing
           Meeting
           of
           the
           States
           of
           this
           Kingdo●
           ▪
           You
           desire
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           
             What
             should
             be
             their
             behaviour
             towards
          
           K.
           James
           
             the
             7th
             .
             how
             far
             we
             are
             now
             tyed
             by
             our
             Allegiance
             ,
             what
             Limits
             ought
             to
             beset
             to
             the
             Prerogative
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Which
           you
           say
           are
           at
           present
           ,
           the
           great
           Subjects
           of
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           since
           these
           things
           are
           so
           much
           talk't
           of
           by
           every
           Body
           ,
           and
           the
           Itch
           of
           Writing
           is
           so
           Universal
           ,
           but
           you
           will
           see
           several
           things
           on
           these
           Heads
           from
           much
           Abler
           Pens
           :
           And
           from
           such
           
           who
           not
           only
           are
           better
           qualified
           for
           the
           undertaking
           ,
           but
           also
           by
           hearing
           and
           perhaps
           ,
           (
           being
           personally
           present
           ,
           )
           by
           seeing
           the
           practices
           and
           methods
           of
           England
           in
           the
           same
           case
           ,
           are
           better
           furnished
           with
           helps
           for
           the
           performance
           ;
           So
           that
           any
           thing
           I
           can
           say
           to
           you
           will
           be
           superfluous
           .
        
         
           Yet
           in
           obedience
           to
           your
           desire
           ,
           and
           to
           testify
           my
           sincere
           and
           unbiassed
           Affection
           to
           the
           good
           of
           my
           Country
           ,
           and
           withall
           to
           convince
           you
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           from
           any
           fond
           Principle
           of
           
             Bigotted
             Loyalty
          
           ,
           nor
           from
           a
           stupid
           unconcern'dness
           in
           the
           great
           Concerns
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           that
           I
           decline
           coming
           to
           Town
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           when
           as
           you
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           expected
           that
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           Gentry
           will
           be
           present
           during
           this
           
             Assembly
             of
             the
             States
          
           :
           I
           shall
           freely
           give
           you
           my
           rude
           thoughts
           of
           what
           appears
           to
           me
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           proper
           Work
           and
           necessary
           duty
           of
           this
           Meeting
           ,
           in
           the
           present
           extraordinary
           Conjuncture
           ,
           and
           leave
           it
           to
           you
           to
           make
           what
           use
           thereof
           you
           shall
           think
           fit
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           point
           you
           mention
           ,
           tho
           you
           know
           I
           am
           neither
           Divine
           nor
           Casuist
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           say
           that
           I
           think
           't
           is
           very
           evident
           to
           any
           thinking
           man
           ,
           
             That
             Heaven
             it self
             has
             very
             fully
             loos'd
             the
             Nation
             from
             their
             Allegiance
             ,
          
           and
           by
           remarkable
           providences
           granted
           a
           clear
           Dispensation
           from
           their
           Oaths
           to
           K.
           James
           the
           7th
           .
           We
           need
           not
           dispute
           what
           was
           the
           genuine
           sense
           of
           these
           Oaths
           ,
           whether
           they
           allow'd
           this
           implicite
           Reservation
           ,
           That
           if
           the
           King
           should
           subvert
           the
           Foundations
           of
           our
           Government
           ,
           Our
           Laws
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           Liberties
           and
           Properties
           ;
           The
           People
           should
           in
           that
           case
           be
           free
           ,
           to
           assert
           and
           assume
           their
           Native
           Rights
           :
           Neither
           need
           we
           enter
           upon
           the
           Invidious
           task
           of
           Examining
           how
           farr
           the
           King
           advanced
           in
           these
           unjust
           Practices
           and
           Designs
           .
           Heaven
           it self
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           seems
           most
           convincingly
           to
           have
           superseeded
           all
           such
           Debates
           and
           Enquiries
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           laid
           it
           upon
           this
           
             Meeting
             of
             the
             States
          
           to
           settle
           and
           establish
           just
           and
           solid
           Foundations
           for
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Nation
           in
           all
           time
           coming
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           acknowledged
           by
           all
           Christians
           ,
           that
           no
           Oath
           can
           bind
           ,
           when
           either
           
             their
             Superveens
             a
             Physical
             Impossibility
             of
             performing
             it
             ;
             Or
             when
             the
             performance
             becomes
             morally
             unlawful
             .
          
           And
           every
           considering
           Man
           must
           acknowledge
           that
           Providence
           hath
           cast
           both
           these
           Impediments
           in
           the
           way
           of
           this
           Assembly
           ,
           to
           divert
           them
           from
           their
           Allegiance
           to
           
           K.
           James
           .
           For
           now
           England
           has
           Dethron'd
           him
           ,
           and
           their
           Action
           is
           applauded
           ,
           (
           as
           proceeding
           upon
           just
           and
           valid
           grounds
           ,
           most
           of
           which
           are
           common
           to
           us
           with
           them
           )
           by
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           this
           Nation
           ;
           So
           that
           it
           is
           obvious
           to
           every
           one
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           Impossible
           for
           this
           Assembly
           of
           our
           States
           to
           maintain
           and
           support
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           his
           
             Royal
             Dignity
          
           here
           ,
           against
           the
           unquestionable
           Attempts
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           expect
           Englands
           Jealousies
           of
           such
           an
           irritated
           Neighbour
           ,
           would
           provoke
           them
           to
           set
           about
           for
           his
           overthrow
           .
           And
           these
           Attempts
           could
           not
           miss
           of
           Success
           ,
           having
           ,
           as
           unquestionably
           ,
           a
           great
           ,
           If
           not
           the
           far
           greatest
           part
           of
           this
           Nation
           for
           their
           Abettors
           .
           Thus
           what
           a
           Scene
           of
           Blood
           ,
           War
           and
           Confusion
           should
           these
           Nations
           become
           ?
           And
           what
           a
           feeble
           distracted
           Government
           might
           we
           expect
           in
           such
           Circumstances
           ?
        
         
           But
           if
           any
           shall
           plead
           that
           there
           's
           no
           
             Physical
             Impossibility
          
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Histories
           of
           past
           Ages
           teach
           us
           ,
           that
           this
           Nation
           ,
           when
           unanimous
           in
           their
           Allegiance
           may
           maintain
           their
           King
           against
           all
           the
           Efforts
           of
           England
           ;
           Especially
           since
           we
           may
           now
           expect
           more
           Assistance
           then
           ever
           from
           our
           old
           
             Allies
             the
             French.
          
           Yet
           this
           at
           least
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           every
           Protestant
           must
           consess
           is
           moral●y
           unlawfull
           for
           him
           to
           concur
           in
           ;
           Since
           such
           a
           Conjunction
           were
           utterly
           inconsistent
           with
           his
           indispensible
           Moral
           Duty
           of
           preserving
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           doing
           nothing
           that
           evidently
           tends
           to
           the
           ruine
           of
           the
           true
           
             Reformed
             Religion
          
           .
           Now
           any
           man
           that
           is
           capable
           of
           the
           least
           serious
           Reflection
           upon
           the
           present
           state
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           must
           plainly
           see
           that
           the
           Interest
           of
           His
           present
           
             Majesty
             of
             England
          
           and
           his
           party
           ,
           are
           so
           intervoven
           with
           that
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Religion
          
           ,
           that
           the
           one
           cannot
           suffer
           loss
           or
           overthrow
           without
           the
           notable
           dammage
           or
           apparent
           ruine
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           this
           Island
           ,
           but
           all
           Christendom
           over
           .
           He
           must
           also
           see
           no
           less
           clearly
           ,
           that
           it
           were
           a
           meer
           dream
           to
           imagine
           it
           possible
           to
           support
           and
           preserve
           K.
           James
           in
           his
           power
           here
           ,
           without
           wronging
           the
           K.
           of
           England
           and
           his
           Interest
           .
           For
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           either
           of
           them
           would
           imploy
           his
           whole
           Art
           and
           might
           for
           the
           others
           ruine
           ;
           Such
           different
           Interests
           (
           beside
           the
           particular
           quarrels
           of
           the
           late
           Revolution
           )
           being
           now
           altogether
           incompatible
           in
           this
           Island
           .
           Neither
           is
           it
           to
           be
           thought
           that
           K.
           James
           would
           value
           this
           Crown
           further
           then
           that
           he
           might
           thereby
           be
           enabled
           to
           recover
           that
           of
           England
        
         
         
           Thus
           't
           is
           plain
           that
           we
           can
           never
           fancy
           to
           preferve
           K.
           James's
           power
           here
           ,
           without
           resolving
           to
           assist
           and
           second
           him
           in
           his
           attempts
           ;
           to
           the
           great
           prejudice
           ,
           if
           not
           the
           Total
           Ruine
           (
           so
           far
           as
           men
           are
           able
           )
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           over
           all
           Europe
           .
           But
           I
           am
           perswaded
           no
           Protestant
           of
           Common
           Sense
           ,
           can
           ever
           think
           his
           Allegiance
           will
           warrant
           or
           in
           the
           least
           Justify
           him
           in
           any
           such
           practice
           .
           For
           whatever
           has
           been
           said
           to
           Evince
           that
           Allegiance
           did
           bind
           Subjects
           to
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           ,
           tho
           secrued
           to
           the
           highest
           pitch
           :
           Yet
           none
           was
           ever
           so
           impudent
           as
           to
           assert
           that
           it
           oblidg'd
           them
           to
           an
           Active
           concurrence
           with
           their
           King
           ,
           in
           methods
           directly
           tending
           to
           the
           Suppression
           or
           Extirpation
           of
           the
           true
           Religion
           .
           Here
           
             Christians
             of
             all
             Perswasions
          
           will
           own
           .
           
             That
             it
             is
             better
             to
             obey
             God
             then
             Man.
             
          
        
         
           Wherefore
           it
           being
           thus
           Irrefragably
           evident
           that
           God
           in
           his
           wise
           Over
           Ruling
           Providence
           ,
           has
           ordered
           things
           so
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           both
           Impossible
           for
           this
           Meeting
           of
           the
           States
           to
           preserve
           the
           Crown
           to
           K.
           James
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           not
           to
           be
           undertaken
           without
           exposing
           this
           Nation
           to
           all
           the
           lamentable
           evils
           ,
           that
           a
           weak
           ,
           unlettled
           Government
           ,
           constant
           Warrs
           and
           confusions
           can
           bring
           upon
           it
           ;
           And
           that
           it
           is
           also
           unlawful
           for
           us
           Protestants
           ,
           to
           aim
           at
           it
           ;
           since
           he
           cannot
           now
           be
           Re
           established
           but
           upon
           the
           Ruines
           of
           the
           whole
           Reformed
           Interest
           in
           Christendom
           ;
           Let
           all
           therefore
           awfully
           observe
           the
           hand
           of
           GOD
           ;
           and
           chearfully
           submit
           to
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           without
           attempting
           to
           strugle
           against
           Heaven
           ,
           leave
           K.
           James
           to
           the
           disposal
           of
           Providence
           .
           Let
           every
           Man
           in
           his
           Station
           contribute
           ,
           what
           in
           him
           lyes
           ,
           to
           re●reive
           our
           Religion
           and
           Laws
           from
           the
           grievous
           abuses
           they
           have
           suffered
           ,
           and
           to
           secure
           them
           to
           us
           and
           our
           Posterity
           ;
           from
           the
           like
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           from
           falling
           under
           the
           fatal
           Dangers
           from
           which
           GOD
           has
           been
           pleased
           so
           signally
           to
           rescue
           them
           :
           Neither
           let
           this
           Assembly
           of
           Estates
           look
           back
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           under
           any
           tye
           to
           withhold
           them
           from
           advancing
           vigorously
           ,
           in
           setling
           the
           Government
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           now
           under
           Anarchy
           ,
           a
           State
           in
           which
           it
           cannot
           subsist
           .
           Nor
           let
           any
           thoughts
           of
           the
           Right
           of
           Succession
           stop
           their
           procedure
           ,
           For
           besides
           that
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Heir
           to
           a
           living
           Man
           ;
           the
           former
           Arguments
           are
           as
           part
           against
           the
           
             Prince
             of
             Wales
          
           ,
           true
           or
           Supposititious
           as
           against
           
             King
             James
          
           the
           7.
           
           But
           now
           when
           God
           has
           so
           wonderfully
           put
           this
           opportunity
           in
           their
           hands
           ,
           let
           them
           be
           as
           honest
           
           and
           upright
           hearted
           Patriots
           ,
           set
           themselves
           seriously
           to
           consider
           ,
           what
           is
           fit
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           for
           settling
           a
           Government
           in
           this
           Nation
           upon
           just
           and
           solid
           Foundations
           ;
           whereby
           the
           true
           Religion
           and
           publick
           Peace
           may
           be
           established
           and
           secured
           ,
           the
           just
           property
           and
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Subject
           clearly
           asserted
           ,
           and
           the
           
             high-stretched
             Prerogative
          
           of
           the
           Crown
           brought
           to
           an
           equal
           frame
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           as
           it
           is
           the
           Genius
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           the
           Interest
           of
           this
           Nation
           
             to
             have
             a
             Monarchy
             still
             established
             ,
          
           for
           any
           other
           Form
           must
           unavoidably
           evert
           the
           whole
           bulk
           of
           our
           Laws
           and
           Customs
           ,
           which
           might
           be
           of
           fatal
           Consequence
           :
           Nor
           could
           any
           other
           Model
           be
           long
           liv'd
           here
           considering
           the
           natural
           bent
           of
           Scotsmen
           to
           this
           .
           Besides
           since
           experience
           has
           discovered
           to
           us
           the
           worst
           diseases
           ,
           that
           can
           attend
           Monarchy
           ,
           I
           think
           if
           we
           be
           wise
           ,
           we
           may
           now
           apply
           such
           Remedies
           ,
           as
           may
           secure
           us
           ,
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           against
           them
           ;
           And
           so
           we
           may
           be
           safer
           under
           it
           ,
           then
           any
           other
           kind
           of
           Government
           ,
           the
           inconvenieneies
           whereof
           (
           in
           this
           Nation
           at
           least
           )
           we
           can
           only
           discover
           by
           a
           tract
           of
           time
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           choice
           of
           a
           Monarch
           ,
           I
           think
           the
           best
           method
           is
           ,
           
             to
             follow
             the
             example
          
           England
           
             has
             set
             us
          
           .
           For
           besides
           the
           just
           and
           solid
           Reasons
           that
           determined
           their
           choice
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           as
           pregnant
           and
           applicable
           to
           us
           ;
           We
           have
           further
           this
           cogent
           Reason
           ,
           that
           England
           having
           already
           declared
           the
           
             Prince
             of
             Orange
             their
             King
          
           ,
           out
           of
           a
           due
           sense
           of
           the
           Great
           Deliverance
           he
           has
           been
           Instrumental
           in
           working
           for
           them
           ;
           We
           must
           do
           the
           same
           ,
           unless
           we
           will
           declare
           our selves
           the
           most
           ingrate
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           since
           we
           are
           delivered
           from
           a
           far
           greater
           Bondage
           then
           ever
           England
           felt
           :
           And
           unless
           we
           will
           resolve
           to
           break
           with
           England
           and
           their
           King
           ,
           which
           how
           fatal
           it
           might
           soon
           prove
           ,
           every
           Body
           can
           see
           ,
           more
           then
           is
           fit
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           this
           Nation
           to
           express
           .
           This
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           that
           it
           were
           certainly
           very
           unkind
           to
           the
           
             Reformed
             Religion
          
           ,
           to
           divert
           ,
           and
           weaken
           by
           such
           a
           breach
           ,
           the
           K.
           of
           Englands
           hands
           ,
           who
           is
           now
           ,
           under
           GOD
           ,
           the
           chief
           support
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           seeing
           the
           Fondness
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           for
           the
           Restoration
           of
           K.
           
             Charles
             the
             Second
          
           ,
           did
           hurry
           them
           from
           one
           extream
           to
           another
           ;
           from
           having
           abandoned
           the
           King
           and
           Royal
           Family
           ,
           to
           give
           too
           much
           ;
           and
           lay
           the
           Foundations
           of
           an
           unbounded
           Prerogative
           ;
           upon
           
           which
           an
           Aspiring
           Court
           (
           designing
           to
           Copy
           after
           the
           Perfidous
           Cruel
           
             H●ctor
             of
             Europe
          
           )
           finding
           still
           unhappily
           amongst
           this
           poor
           ,
           Proud
           ;
           Self
           seeking
           People
           ,
           fit
           Tools
           for
           their
           service
           ;
           have
           rear'd
           up
           an
           Uncontrolable
           ,
           Despotick
           ,
           Absolute
           Power
           in
           the
           King
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           repeated
           Laws
           ,
           but
           more
           by
           a
           constant
           Series
           of
           
             Arbitrary
             practices
          
           ;
           Whereby
           they
           have
           brought
           us
           into
           
             Absolute
             Bondage
             ,
             and
             laid
             a
             Yoke
             upon
             us
             that
             neither
             we
             nor
             our
             Fathers
             were
             able
             to
             bear
             .
          
        
         
           It
           therefore
           nearly
           concerns
           and
           highly
           becomes
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           States
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           Yea
           it
           is
           their
           Duty
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           whom
           they
           Represent
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           owe
           to
           their
           posterity
           in
           After-Ages
           ;
           before
           they
           give
           the
           Crown
           out
           of
           their
           hands
           ,
           to
           smooth
           and
           purge
           it
           of
           every
           thing
           that
           may
           be
           hard
           and
           grievous
           to
           the
           People
           ;
           And
           to
           leave
           it
           only
           Adorned
           ,
           with
           such
           Jewels
           ,
           as
           can
           only
           be
           firm
           and
           shining
           ,
           when
           by
           Justice
           and
           Mercy
           they
           attract
           the
           Peoples
           hearts
           ;
           but
           will
           prove
           brittle
           and
           dim
           when
           put
           to
           gall
           their
           Necks
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           therefore
           humbly
           offer
           to
           the
           Consideration
           of
           this
           Ensueing
           Meeting
           ,
           some
           things
           ,
           that
           to
           me
           seem
           necessary
           and
           incumbent
           for
           them
           to
           do
           ,
           for
           retrieving
           this
           Nation
           from
           the
           intollerable
           Thraldom
           we
           have
           been
           brought
           under
           ;
           And
           for
           vindicating
           and
           asserting
           the
           Peoples
           Just
           Right
           and
           Freedom
           ,
           without
           robbing
           the
           Crown
           of
           any
           Jewel
           ,
           that
           's
           fit
           for
           the
           Hononr
           of
           a
           King
           ,
           who
           is
           to
           Rule
           by
           Law
           ;
           Or
           without
           diminishing
           any
           part
           of
           the
           
             Kingly
             Power
          
           ,
           that
           is
           necessary
           for
           enabling
           out
           Kings
           ,
           to
           perform
           the
           great
           duties
           of
           their
           High
           Charge
           .
        
         
           Let
           our
           Kings
           be
           Vested
           with
           Power
           to
           be
           
             Nursing
             Fathers
          
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           
             Patres
             Patriae
          
           ,
           vigorous
           Asterters
           and
           Defenders
           of
           the
           Honour
           and
           Well
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           against
           Attempts
           from
           Abroad
           ,
           or
           Seditions
           at
           Home
           ;
           Let
           them
           have
           Power
           to
           be
           
             Terrors
             to
             Evil
             doers
             ,
             and
             Encouragers
             of
             these
             that
             do
             Well
          
           ;
           Let
           them
           have
           Power
           to
           preserve
           to
           all
           their
           Subjects
           ,
           their
           Respective
           Properties
           and
           Liberties
           from
           all
           Insolence
           and
           Injustice
           ;
           to
           see
           all
           our
           Laws
           vigorously
           ,
           Executed
           and
           all
           Transgressors
           impartially
           punished
           .
           These
           are
           the
           only
           true
           Jewels
           of
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           every
           beyond
           this
           ,
           that
           's
           fixed
           to
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           cleansed
           and
           wiped
           off
           ,
           as
           noisom
           dust
           and
           rust
           ,
           that
           will
           throughly
           corrupt
           it
           .
           It
           is
           then
           the
           unquestiouable
           
           Duty
           of
           this
           Meeting
           of
           the
           States
           ,
           to
           cut
           off
           from
           the
           Crown
           ,
           all
           such
           Excressences
           as
           are
           useless
           to
           a
           Just
           King
           ,
           and
           to
           our
           sad
           experience
           ,
           are
           Pernicious
           and
           of
           most
           dangerous
           consequence
           to
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Then
           ,
           it
           has
           been
           often
           Asserted
           and
           maintained
           ,
           
             That
             the
             King
             derives
             his
             Crown
             and
             Dignity
             immediately
             from
             GOD
             ,
             that
             the
             People
             do
             not
             ,
             nor
             cannot
             give
             any
             Right
             or
             Title
             to
             it
             ;
             That
             all
             power
             and
             Authority
             is
             Originally
             and
             Eminently
             Inherent
             in
             the
             Crown
             ,
             and
             that
             therefore
             the
             Parliament
             can
             give
             no
             Prerogative
             to
             the
             King.
          
           This
           has
           been
           long
           
             Currant
             Coyn
             at
             Court
          
           ,
           and
           amongst
           
             Court
             parasites
          
           ,
           and
           of
           late
           has
           had
           the
           boldness
           to
           appear
           Bare-fac'd
           in
           our
           Parliaments
           ,
           where
           it
           seems
           to
           have
           given
           rise
           to
           yea
           dictated
           some
           of
           our
           
             Acts
             about
             the
             prerogative
          
           .
           But
           it
           is
           obvious
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           a
           
             Mother
             Evil
          
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           broody
           of
           all
           the
           mischiefs
           that
           can
           be
           dreaded
           from
           
             Arbitrary
             Power
             or
             Tyranny
          
           ;
           For
           if
           this
           Maxime
           hold
           good
           ,
           what
           security
           for
           our
           Religion
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           Property
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           that
           's
           dear
           to
           Free
           men
           or
           Christians
           ?
           Sure
           none
           ,
           but
           the
           Princes
           pleasure
           .
           Why
           then
           should
           we
           complain
           of
           the
           late
           
             Court
             stile
          
           ,
           which
           makes
           the
           
             Prerogative
             Royal
          
           ,
           and
           a
           
             Supreme
             Absolute
             Power
             to
             be
             obeyed
             without
             Reserve
             ,
          
           to
           signifie
           the
           same
           thing
           !
           Me
           thinks
           the
           Stile
           is
           very
           Just
           and
           Congtuous
           and
           goes
           very
           well
           on
           the
           Foot
           of
           this
           Maxime
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           as
           we
           would
           deliver
           our selves
           and
           our
           Posterity
           from
           the
           evident
           hazard
           of
           
             Absolute
             Slavery
          
           ,
           this
           Pernicious
           Principle
           must
           be
           
             Absolutely
             Eradicated
          
           .
           It
           will
           be
           fit
           the
           States
           seriously
           revise
           all
           our
           Acts
           about
           the
           Prerogative
           ,
           &
           where-ever
           any
           thing
           is
           found
           to
           look
           this
           way
           ,
           it
           must
           either
           be
           explained
           to
           a
           harmless
           meaning
           ,
           or
           if
           it
           will
           not
           bear
           a
           Tolerable
           sense
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           cancelled
           ;
           
             For
             a
             little
             Leven
             may
             soure
             the
             whole
             Lump
             .
          
        
         
           It
           will
           also
           be
           necessary
           ,
           that
           the
           Asserting
           of
           this
           Principle
           by
           Word
           or
           Writ
           ,
           be
           declared
           an
           High-Crime
           ,
           against
           the
           very
           nature
           and
           Constitution
           of
           our
           Government
           ,
           punishable
           as
           Treason
           and
           unpardonable
           ▪
           It
           has
           taken
           deep
           root
           ,
           and
           will
           need
           a
           severe
           steady
           hand
           over
           it
           ,
           to
           keep
           it
           from
           springing
           up
           again
           in
           its
           season
           ,
           
             from
             which
             God
             deliver
             us
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           late
           assumed
           
             Prerngative
             of
             disabling
             ,
             Suspending
             or
             Dispensing
             with
             standing
             Laws
             ,
          
           must
           be
           declared
           Illegal
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           Constitution
           of
           a
           free
           Nation
           .
           I
           need
           not
           insist
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           mischief
           
           of
           such
           a
           power
           ;
           all
           the
           World
           sees
           it
           ,
           and
           even
           some
           of
           those
           who
           asserted
           it
           ,
           
             now
             cry
             shame
             on
             't
          
           ,
           't
           is
           so
           palpably
           a
           Gangrene
           that
           might
           overspread
           ,
           eat
           out
           or
           enervate
           all
           the
           strength
           and
           Life
           of
           our
           whole
           Laws
           .
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           fit
           to
           declare
           that
           all
           Judges
           or
           others
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Execution
           of
           the
           Law
           is
           committed
           ,
           shall
           upon
           their
           highest
           Peril
           be
           obliged
           ,
           to
           put
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Nation
           to
           due
           Execution
           ,
           notwithstanding
           of
           any
           Command
           ,
           Mandate
           ,
           or
           Dispensation
           they
           may
           get
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           from
           any
           person
           or
           persons
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           it
           will
           be
           much
           the
           Nations
           advantage
           ,
           if
           the
           
             Power
             of
             Pardoning
          
           be
           restrained
           ,
           as
           to
           
             Assertors
             or
             Propagators
             of
             any
             Principles
             against
             the
             Freedom
             of
             the
             Nation
             and
             Parliaments
             ,
             in
             favour
             of
             any
             pretended
             Prerogative
             .
          
           As
           also
           ,
           
             as
             to
             all
             Judges
             ,
             Officers
             or
             Ministers
             of
             State
             and
             others
             having
             the
             King's
             Commission
             ,
             for
             Malversing
             in
             their
             respective
             Offices
             .
          
           Because
           if
           ever
           it
           be
           the
           ill-fate
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           to
           come
           under
           a
           Designing
           and
           Aspiring
           Prince
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           he
           has
           the
           Power
           of
           Pardoning
           such
           ,
           he
           will
           never
           want
           Instruments
           to
           set
           up
           and
           establish
           his
           Prerogative
           as
           high
           as
           ever
           :
           Neither
           will
           he
           want
           Judges
           and
           others
           ,
           who
           will
           palpably
           pervert
           Justice
           ,
           wrest
           and
           trample
           on
           our
           Laws
           and
           Freedom
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           their
           Might
           Sacrifice
           them
           and
           us
           to
           his
           Ambition
           ,
           or
           other
           ill
           Designs
           .
           And
           I
           appeal
           to
           every
           Man
           ,
           that
           will
           make
           but
           any
           Reflection
           on
           our
           late
           Government
           ,
           if
           he
           is
           not
           convinc'd
           ,
           that
           many
           who
           serv'd
           it
           ,
           durst
           never
           have
           made
           such
           steps
           as
           they
           did
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           rested
           secure
           on
           that
           Pillow
           ;
           That
           however
           Criminal
           they
           became
           ,
           by
           such
           measures
           ,
           
             They
             being
             for
             the
             Kings
             service
             ,
          
           could
           get
           his
           Remission
           on
           demand
           ;
           Since
           there
           is
           ,
           and
           will
           ever
           be
           a
           perverse
           Crew
           of
           ill
           men
           ,
           whom
           neither
           Honour
           nor
           Conscience
           can
           bind
           ,
           to
           be
           Faithful
           and
           Just
           to
           their
           Country
           ;
           but
           who
           still
           upon
           any
           hopes
           of
           Impunity
           ,
           will
           be
           .
           Animated
           to
           say
           and
           do
           all
           the
           mischief
           they
           can
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           accep●able
           to
           the
           Princc
           .
           Let
           the
           Terror
           of
           severe
           Laws
           be
           set
           before
           them
           ,
           to
           Over-awe
           them
           and
           strip
           them
           of
           all
           hopes
           of
           Impunity
           by
           a
           Princes
           Favour
           .
           Such
           a
           Limitation
           will
           not
           be
           uneasie
           ,
           to
           a
           just
           and
           good
           Prince
           ,
           and
           is
           Absolutely
           necessary
           for
           our
           safety
           under
           an
           ill
           one
           .
        
         
         
           4.
           
           It
           must
           be
           declared
           
             illegal
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             the
             Kings
             power
             ,
             to
             constitute
             any
             Judge
             or
             Judicature
             ,
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
             Civil
             or
             Criminal
             ,
             except
             such
             as
             are
             Authorized
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             the
             Nation
             .
          
           As
           also
           that
           it
           is
           Illegal
           for
           the
           King
           to
           give
           wa●rand
           to
           any
           Judge
           to
           proceed
           otherwise
           in
           Judgement
           ,
           then
           by
           the
           Forms
           and
           Rules
           ;
           the
           Law
           and
           Practice
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           has
           set
           ,
           for
           the
           several
           Judicatures
           and
           Cases
           therein
           cognoscible
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           who
           accept
           and
           proceed
           ,
           conform
           to
           any
           such
           commissions
           or
           Warrands
           shall
           be
           severely
           punished
           .
        
         
           The
           experience
           of
           the
           Grievous
           oppressions
           the
           
             Western
             ,
             Southern
          
           ,
           and
           some
           other
           shires
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           have
           suffered
           ,
           and
           the
           much
           Blood
           that
           hath
           been
           shed
           in
           them
           very
           summarly
           (
           to
           say
           no
           worse
           )
           by
           vertue
           of
           such
           Commissions
           and
           Proceedings
           ,
           will
           I
           am
           confident
           Evince
           the
           necessity
           of
           this
           .
           For
           certainly
           so
           long
           as
           such
           a
           power
           is
           left
           to
           the
           Crown
           no
           Man
           or
           Partie
           can
           reckon
           themselves
           secure
           of
           their
           Liberties
           or
           Estates
           ,
           no
           not
           of
           their
           very
           Lives
           longer
           ,
           then
           they
           escape
           being
           Obnoxious
           to
           the
           Court
           ,
           for
           then
           packt
           Judges
           and
           Arbitrary
           Forms
           and
           Rules
           of
           proceeding
           ,
           may
           make
           sharp
           Work
           ,
           and
           havock
           enough
           ,
           I
           confess
           I
           have
           often
           been
           surprised
           to
           see
           several
           Sober
           and
           Rational
           men
           satisfied
           with
           ,
           and
           Applaud
           such
           methods
           when
           used
           against
           these
           ,
           they
           wished
           to
           see
           undone
           .
           For
           being
           blinded
           with
           a
           Passion
           to
           have
           such
           a
           party
           Ruined
           ,
           they
           did
           not
           consider
           that
           if
           the
           Cannon
           were
           turned
           a●ainst
           themselves
           ,
           they
           might
           soon
           find
           the
           fatal
           Effects
           of
           such
           methods
           ,
           and
           be
           thereby
           summarly
           exposed
           to
           some
           severe
           punishment
           in
           their
           Bodies
           or
           Goods
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           both
           without
           hopes
           of
           Reddress
           .
           So
           it
           is
           every
           Man's
           Interest
           that
           every
           Subject
           have
           a
           Fair
           and
           Legal
           Tryal
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           his
           concerns
           be
           Judged
           by
           the
           ordinary
           Judges
           ;
           and
           conform
           to
           the
           known
           Laws
           and
           Practice
           of
           the
           Realm
           .
           And
           that
           any
           such
           power
           be
           quite
           exploded
           ,
           for
           which
           there
           can
           be
           no
           pretence
           ,
           unless
           you
           will
           grant
           the
           King
           a
           Prerogative
           above
           all
           Laws
           .
        
         
           Perhaps
           it
           will
           be
           alledged
           that
           such
           Commissions
           have
           been
           very
           useful
           in
           our
           
             High-Lands
             and
             Borders
          
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           impossible
           to
           bring
           the
           Theeves
           there
           to
           condign
           punishment
           ,
           or
           prevent
           their
           ruining
           these
           Countries
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           allowed
           that
           they
           be
           Judged
           without
           the
           Ordinary
           Rules
           and
           Forms
           of
           Law.
           I
           humbly
           think
           it
           may
           be
           worth
           the
           serious
           consideration
           of
           our
           first
           Parliament
           to
           
           give
           their
           special
           Orders
           and
           Instructions
           for
           this
           case
           .
           But
           by
           no
           means
           ,
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           ought
           the
           least
           twigg
           of
           any
           such
           
             Transcendant
             Power
          
           above
           the
           Laws
           be
           left
           to
           the
           King.
           For
           if
           it
           should
           be
           allowed
           ,
           That
           the
           King
           by
           an
           
             Inherent
             power
             in
             the
             Crown
          
           may
           by
           his
           Commission
           warrand
           the
           Judging
           of
           Theeves
           ,
           without
           observing
           the
           Ordinary
           Law
           in
           the
           Nation
           :
           Why
           may
           he
           not
           ,
           by
           the
           same
           
             Inberent
             power
          
           ?
           give
           such
           Commissions
           for
           trying
           all
           alledged
           Guilty
           of
           every
           kind
           of
           Treason
           ,
           or
           other
           Crimes
           and
           Transgressions
           of
           any
           
             Penal
             Laws
          
           ?
           Then
           ,
           pray
           ,
           what
           security
           has
           any
           Subject
           of
           a
           Legal
           Tryal
           for
           any
           guilt
           he
           ma●
           be
           charged
           with
           ?
           Or
           what
           availeth
           the
           Laws
           and
           Judicatures
           established
           for
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           Innocent
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Punishment
           of
           the
           Guilty
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           It
           will
           be
           fit
           it
           be
           declared
           ;
           
             That
             all
             the
             Ministers
             of
             State
             ,
             Lords
             of
             Session
             and
             Justiciary
             ,
             and
             other
             Inferiour
             Judges
             ,
             who
             receive
             their
             Commissions
             from
             the
             King
             ,
             shall
             always
             get
             them
             ,
             ad
             Vitam
             aut
             Culpam
             :
          
           and
           not
           
             Durante
             Beneplacito
          
           .
           For
           when
           Men
           hold
           these
           places
           at
           pleasure
           ,
           it
           is
           certainly
           a
           great
           temptation
           to
           them
           who
           are
           not
           of
           a
           very
           firm
           Honesty
           ,
           to
           comply
           with
           any
           Designs
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           humours
           of
           the
           present
           chief
           Favourites
           .
           And
           when
           an
           honest
           Man
           stands
           his
           ground
           ,
           and
           refuses
           such
           a
           Servile
           Complyance
           against
           his
           Honour
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           Then
           (
           as
           we
           have
           seen
           )
           he
           is
           presently
           to
           be
           turned
           out
           and
           some
           plyable
           Tool
           (
           that
           will
           receive
           any
           Impressions
           from
           these
           hands
           )
           put
           in
           his
           place
           ;
           and
           so
           our
           Judicatures
           ,
           filled
           with
           Men
           who
           will
           give
           themselves
           up
           to
           a
           blind
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Dictates
           from
           Court.
           And
           what
           Justice
           can
           the
           Nation
           expect
           from
           such
           Judges
           ?
           I
           do
           not
           say
           ,
           the
           abolishing
           Commissions
           
             Durante
             Beneplacito
          
           will
           ascertain
           us
           of
           Just
           Judges
           :
           But
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           it
           will
           free
           them
           ,
           whom
           we
           shall
           have
           ,
           from
           many
           Temptations
           to
           be
           unjust
           ,
           and
           secure
           to
           us
           more
           firmly
           these
           that
           are
           just
           and
           honest
           :
           So
           it
           is
           well
           worth
           the
           while
           .
           There
           is
           one
           thing
           I
           cannot
           pass
           about
           our
           Judges
           ,
           tho
           it
           be
           not
           
             hujus
             loci
          
           .
           I
           think
           it
           would
           be
           much
           our
           interest
           to
           have
           
             Crimen
             Ambitus
          
           in
           force
           amongst
           us
           ;
           as
           to
           Session
           and
           Justiciarie
           especially
           .
           Many
           wise
           People
           have
           thought
           that
           a
           Man's
           sueing
           and
           Soliciting
           for
           such
           Offices
           ,
           was
           a
           just
           Ground
           to
           make
           him
           Suspected
           ,
           as
           unworthy
           of
           the
           Trust
           .
           This
           is
           certain
           ,
           if
           such
           Methods
           were
           strictly
           discharged
           and
           every
           one
           ,
           at
           his
           admission
           to
           these
           Offices
           ,
           oblidged
           to
           purge
           himself
           
           of
           them
           ;
           we
           might
           justly
           expect
           ,
           they
           should
           go
           more
           by
           Merit
           ,
           then
           they
           can
           do
           while
           men
           are
           allowed
           to
           Brigue
           and
           Intrigue
           for
           them
           .
           For
           commonly
           Cunning
           and
           False
           Men
           are
           most
           Assiduous
           ,
           and
           Dexterous
           at
           Insinuating
           into
           a
           Court.
           
        
         
           6.
           
           
             I
             think
             the
             Kings
             Ecclesiastick
             Supremacy
             ,
             as
             it
             stands
             now
             Asserted
             by
             Acts
             of
             Parliament
             ought
             to
             be
             Abrogated
             .
          
           I
           will
           not
           enter
           on
           the
           debate
           ,
           what
           power
           is
           allowable
           to
           a
           Christian
           Magistrate
           in
           or
           about
           
             Eccl●siastical
             Matters
          
           :
           but
           leaving
           this
           as
           unnecessary
           to
           be
           discussed
           here
           ;
           I
           shall
           prove
           the
           Assertion
           from
           these
           two
           considerations
           ,
           first
           if
           there
           is
           any
           such
           Supremacy
           allowable
           in
           a
           
             Christian
             Nation
          
           to
           any
           Civil
           persons
           or
           Judicature
           ,
           it
           cannot
           with
           safety
           be
           trusted
           but
           where
           the
           
             Legislative
             power
          
           is
           Lodged
           .
           2dly
           .
           It
           appears
           uncharitable
           and
           unchristian
           to
           enact
           ,
           or
           leave
           in
           Force
           any
           Laws
           Declaratorie
           of
           such
           a
           Supremacy
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Then
           consider
           that
           by
           this
           Supremacy
           ,
           the
           King
           has
           Power
           to
           turn
           off
           any
           Churchman
           Summary
           ,
           without
           any
           Process
           ,
           (
           of
           this
           we
           have
           seen
           several
           instances
           )
           he
           hath
           also
           Power
           thereby
           at
           pleasure
           ,
           to
           Crush
           any
           set
           of
           
             Clergy
             or
             Church
             Government
          
           he
           thinks
           uneasie
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           advance
           any
           Party
           or
           Model
           ,
           he
           hopes
           to
           be
           better
           served
           by
           .
           He
           has
           by
           this
           Supremacy
           likewise
           Power
           (
           if
           not
           in
           express
           terms
           ,
           yet
           by
           very
           natural
           Consequence
           ,
           )
           to
           Suppress
           all
           Assemblies
           ,
           Convocations
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           Synods
           ,
           Presbyteries
           ,
           Sessions
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           meetings
           of
           Churchmen
           necessary
           or
           convenient
           ,
           for
           preserving
           Order
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           From
           consideration
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           it
           is
           evident
           and
           clear
           as
           Sun
           shine
           ;
           That
           if
           such
           a
           Supremacie
           be
           allowed
           to
           our
           Kings
           ,
           then
           they
           shall
           have
           Power
           to
           introduce
           Corruptions
           in
           our
           Religion
           by
           a
           Corrupt
           Clergy
           ,
           to
           raise
           constant
           Schisms
           in
           our
           Church
           ,
           to
           nourish
           and
           Foment
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Animositie
           and
           Persecution
           by
           one
           party
           of
           Clergy
           against
           another
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           reproach
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           danger
           of
           our
           State
           (
           as
           past
           experience
           may
           teach
           us
           )
           finally
           they
           shall
           have
           power
           to
           dissolve
           and
           unhing
           our
           Church
           ,
           by
           depriving
           Her
           of
           all
           means
           necessary
           ,
           for
           establishing
           and
           preserving
           of
           Order
           and
           Discipline
           without
           which
           no
           Society
           can
           subsist
           .
           And
           surely
           ,
           these
           things
           cannot
           happen
           in
           a
           
             Christian
             Nation
          
           without
           bringing
           deadly
           Convulsions
           upon
           the
           
             Civil
             State.
          
           Now
           I
           am
           confident
           that
           after
           
           very
           little
           reflection
           on
           the
           whole
           ,
           you
           and
           every
           Rational
           Man
           will
           Anticipate
           me
           in
           the
           Inference
           ,
           and
           conclude
           that
           such
           a
           Supremacy
           is
           of
           the
           last
           Importance
           ,
           both
           to
           the
           Religion
           and
           Civil
           Interest
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           trusted
           to
           any
           ,
           but
           reserved
           to
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ;
           if
           it
           is
           allowable
           to
           any
           Civil
           Power
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           Vncharitable
           ,
           to
           enact
           any
           Laws
           Declaratorie
           of
           such
           a
           Supremacie
           ,
           will
           evidently
           appear
           from
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           gives
           great
           scandal
           to
           good
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           p●aceable
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           wayes
           necessary
           .
           Surely
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           very
           unbecoming
           
             Christian
             Charity
          
           and
           Moderation
           to
           give
           great
           Offence
           ,
           and
           lay
           a
           stumbling
           block
           before
           such
           ,
           Officiously
           and
           Needlesly
           .
           Now
           all
           the
           World
           knows
           this
           Supremacy
           has
           been
           
             a
             st●ne
             of
             stumbling
             both
             to
             Jew
             and
             Gentile
             ,
          
           (
           if
           I
           may
           so
           speak
           )
           for
           not
           only
           the
           Presbyterians
           have
           still
           declaimed
           against
           it
           ,
           as
           an
           
             Antichristian
             inchroachment
             upon
             Christs
             prerogative
          
           ;
           but
           many
           Episcopal
           have
           judged
           it
           an
           Invasion
           and
           Diminution
           of
           the
           
             intrinsick
             power
             ,
             consigned
             by
             CHRIST
             to
             his
             Church
          
           ;
           whereupon
           severall
           minent
           amongst
           that
           Clergy
           resused
           our
           Test
           .
           Thus
           as
           the
           Offensive
           Nature
           of
           such
           Laws
           is
           evident
           ;
           So
           every
           considering
           Man
           must
           acknowledge
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           useless
           ,
           because
           all
           Laws
           about
           
             Church
             Government
          
           should
           only
           be
           founded
           on
           these
           Grounds
           ;
           That
           ,
           
             What
             is
             thereby
             injoyned
             is
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             GOD
             ,
             most
             consonant
             to
             the
             practise
             of
             the
             purest
             Churches
             ,
             and
             most
             proper
             and
             conducing
             for
             the
             Advancement
             of
             Truth
             ,
             Piety
             and
             good
             Order
             in
             this
             Church
             .
          
           Now
           on
           these
           Reasons
           ,
           onely
           let
           every
           thing
           in
           Relation
           to
           the
           P●licy
           of
           the
           Church
           be
           Enacted
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           without
           pretending
           or
           Declaring
           by
           any
           Act
           ,
           what
           power
           they
           have
           in
           such
           Matters
           .
           Thus
           I
           am
           sute
           ,
           King
           and
           Parliament
           may
           do
           their
           Duty
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           from
           time
           to
           time
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           Deal
           ,
           if
           not
           All
           the
           Offense
           would
           be
           removed
           .
           For
           it
           cannot
           be
           denyed
           ,
           That
           ,
           the
           
             Legislative
             power
             being
             in
             them
             ,
             what
             Form
             of
             Government
             they
             apply
             their
             civil
             Sanction
             to
             ,
             it
             becomes
             the
             Legal
             Government
             of
             the
             Nation
          
           ;
           Which
           is
           all
           needs
           be
           claimed
           ,
           and
           their
           medling
           in
           such
           Matters
           cannot
           be
           quarrelled
           ,
           since
           all
           Protestants
           ,
           do
           not
           only
           approve
           ,
           the
           Parliaments
           Ratifying
           of
           our
           very
           
             Confession
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           but
           ordinarly
           plead
           that
           thereby
           we
           have
           greater
           
             priviledges
             and
             right
             for
             defence
          
           of
           it
           ,
           than
           any
           
             principle
             of
             Religion
          
           
           it self
           gives
           us
           .
           The
           only
           hazard
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           Err
           in
           their
           choice
           ,
           but
           I
           know
           no
           Remedy
           for
           this
           ,
           (
           unless
           we
           go
           to
           Rome
           for
           Infallibility
           ,
           and
           I
           fear
           we
           should
           loose
           our
           Labour
           )
           except
           ,
           That
           no
           such
           Laws
           be
           imposed
           Rigorously
           ,
           to
           be
           owned
           by
           all
           ,
           but
           a
           reasonable
           Toleration
           allowed
           to
           
             peaceable
             Dissenters
          
           :
           Seeing
           then
           there
           is
           no
           use
           for
           such
           
             Declaratory
             Laws
          
           of
           an
           
             Ecelesiastick
             Supremacy
          
           ;
           Were
           it
           not
           very
           uncharitable
           to
           keep
           them
           on
           foot
           ,
           for
           a
           snare
           and
           for
           ginn
           to
           so
           many
           of
           our
           
             Christian
             Brethren
          
           of
           the
           same
           Religion
           .
           I
           may
           add
           further
           ,
           it
           were
           very
           Dangerous
           to
           the
           
             publick
             peace
          
           ,
           for
           certainly
           from
           this
           Fountain
           many
           of
           Our
           
             intestine
             commotions
          
           have
           sprung
           ,
           and
           these
           streams
           are
           not
           yet
           dryed
           up
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           Having
           already
           far
           exceeded
           the
           due
           bounds
           of
           a
           Letter
           ,
           and
           the
           brevitie
           I
           designed
           ;
           I
           shall
           Croud
           all
           that
           occures
           to
           me
           further
           about
           the
           Prerogative
           into
           one
           Article
           .
           I
           think
           it
           necessary
           the
           Convention
           take
           to
           their
           serious
           consideration
           ,
           
             The
             Kings
             sole
             power
             of
             Disposal
             of
             Trade
             ,
             his
             power
             of
             setting
             Valuation
             on
             current
             Money
             ,
             his
             power
             of
             the
             Militia
             ,
             of
             Peace
             and
             Warr
             ,
             and
             raising
             the
             Nation
             in
             Arms
          
           ;
           as
           they
           are
           declared
           in
           the
           respective
           Acts
           thereanent
           :
           As
           also
           the
           Practice
           of
           the
           
             Kings
             establishing
             Instructions
             of
             Warr
             ,
             and
             thereby
             exempting
             Souldiers
             from
             the
             ordinary
             Laws
             and
             Judicatures
             .
          
           We
           have
           seen
           and
           felt
           grievous
           abuses
           in
           the
           Nation
           from
           all
           these
           ,
           as
           I
           could
           Instance
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           haste
           to
           a
           close
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           enough
           to
           my
           purpose
           ,
           that
           every
           thinking
           Man
           upon
           a
           very
           little
           reflection
           will
           see
           such
           powers
           may
           be
           the
           Foundation
           of
           Arbitrary
           proceedings
           in
           many
           cases
           of
           high
           Importance
           to
           the
           whole
           Nation
           .
           I
           confess
           I
           do
           not
           think
           it
           adviseable
           or
           safe
           ;
           to
           divest
           the
           King
           wholly
           of
           these
           Powers
           ,
           and
           reserve
           them
           to
           a
           Parliament
           :
           For
           the
           exercise
           of
           all
           or
           most
           of
           them
           may
           be
           very
           necessary
           ,
           much
           oftner
           then
           we
           can
           expect
           or
           desire
           parliaments
           ,
           &
           may
           trvst
           with
           the
           
             reasonable
             intervals
             of
             parliaments
          
           ;
           neither
           do
           I
           think
           it
           possible
           to
           lay
           down
           fixed
           Rules
           ,
           that
           can
           continue
           useful
           for
           any
           time
           ,
           for
           the
           Kings
           managment
           of
           these
           Powers
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           inconstancie
           and
           vicissitude
           of
           humane
           Affairs
           .
           The
           only
           Medium
           I
           can
           think
           on
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           shall
           be
           restricted
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           these
           Powers
           ,
           to
           the
           Advice
           and
           Concurrence
           of
           a
           Council
           ,
           or
           Councils
           to
           be
           named
           by
           the
           Parliament
           out
           of
           the
           
           whole
           States
           :
           This
           Council
           may
           have
           their
           settled
           
             Annual
             Meetings
          
           ,
           or
           more
           frequent
           if
           needful
           ,
           and
           withal
           be
           obliged
           to
           Conveen
           when
           upon
           any
           Emergent
           the
           King
           shall
           call
           them
           But
           as
           for
           the
           Militia
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           palpablie
           useless
           to
           the
           Crown
           and
           Government
           and
           very
           heavy
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           I
           hope
           all
           will
           be
           Unanimous
           to
           have
           it
           totally
           discharged
           .
           As
           for
           exempting
           Souldiers
           from
           the
           ordinary
           Laws
           and
           Judges
           ,
           in
           Causes
           Civil
           or
           Criminal
           betwixt
           them
           and
           other
           Sub●ects
           ,
           least
           at
           it
           is
           of
           dangerous
           Consequence
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           shadow
           of
           Law
           or
           Justice
           for
           it
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           wherefore
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           discharged
           and
           declared
           Illegal
           in
           all
           time
           coming
           .
           I
           doubt
           not
           e're
           you
           come
           this
           length
           ,
           you
           will
           be
           as
           wearie
           in
           reading
           this
           tedious
           and
           indigested
           Letter
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           of
           writing
           it
           .
           So
           I
           shall
           delay
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           the
           troubling
           you
           with
           what
           is
           fit
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           for
           securing
           our
           Crown
           from
           falling
           again
           into
           
             Popish
             hands
          
           ,
           what
           convenient
           amendm●nts
           may
           be
           made
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Constitution
           of
           ,
           and
           Forms
           of
           Procedure
           in
           our
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           expedient
           for
           the
           Redress
           of
           our
           past
           Grievanc●s
           and
           necessary
           for
           the
           providing
           wholesome
           Remedies
           for
           preventing
           the
           like
           hereafter
           .
           The
           slightest
           review
           of
           all
           these
           (
           tho
           desired
           in
           Powers
           )
           would
           swell
           this
           Letter
           into
           the
           Volume
           of
           a
           Treatise
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           no
           thoughts
           of
           writing
           :
           I
           hope
           you
           do
           not
           expect
           it
           ,
           and
           though
           the
           stuff
           is
           course
           ,
           you
           have
           large
           enough
           measure
           already
           ,
           for
           an
           Letter
           .
           B●sides
           what
           is
           here
           omitted
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           prop●r
           work
           of
           a
           Parliament
           when
           the
           Crown
           is
           settled
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           spoke
           of
           ,
           seems
           necessary
           to
           be
           dispatched
           by
           the
           
             Meeting
             of
             States
          
           before
           they
           declare
           the
           Crown
           .
           For
           though
           I
           am
           fully
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           give
           the
           Crown
           to
           the
           King
           of
           England
           with
           as
           Absolute
           ,
           unlimited
           a
           Prerogative
           ,
           as
           ever
           any
           Tyrant
           or
           Sultan
           Usurped
           :
           Yet
           our
           Religion
           and
           Laws
           ,
           and
           every
           Man's
           Liberty
           and
           Property
           ,
           would
           be
           as
           secure
           to
           Us
           ,
           under
           so
           Brave
           ,
           Generous
           ,
           Pious
           and
           Just
           a
           Prince
           ,
           as
           they
           can
           be
           by
           all
           the
           Provisions
           we
           can
           devise
           for
           their
           security
           :
           But
           it
           is
           uncertain
           how
           long
           God
           may
           bless
           us
           with
           him
           ,
           &
           who
           may
           come
           after
           him
           .
           And
           this
           is
           certain
           that
           if
           once
           the
           Crown
           be
           settled
           ,
           and
           a
           set
           of
           Officers
           of
           State
           ,
           and
           Counsellours
           established
           ,
           (
           our
           Nobility
           and
           great
           Ministers
           have
           unhappily
           been
           so
           accustomed
           ,
           to
           carrie
           things
           here
           with
           so
           high
           a
           hand
           ,
           )
           They
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           use
           all
           their
           Interest
           to
           
           frustrate
           all
           Projects
           for
           such
           Limitations
           of
           the
           Prerogative
           ,
           foreseeing
           easily
           that
           thereby
           their
           hands
           will
           be
           more
           bound
           up
           ,
           then
           was
           usual
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           if
           you
           will
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           to
           observe
           it
           ,
           you
           'l
           easily
           perceive
           that
           such
           as
           have
           but
           any
           faint
           hopes
           and
           a
           remote
           prospect
           of
           getting
           any
           share
           of
           the
           Government
           into
           their
           hands
           ,
           will
           already
           be
           shy
           on
           these
           Points
           .
           Wherefore
           it
           nearly
           concerns
           every
           honest
           Sincere
           Scotsman
           ,
           to
           strike
           thee
           Iron
           while
           it
           is
           hot
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           much
           better
           holding
           then
           drawing
           :
           If
           this
           is
           acceptable
           and
           gives
           you
           any
           satisfaction
           ,
           you
           shall
           by
           the
           next
           have
           more
           of
           the
           matters
           now
           omitted
           .
        
         
           
             
               March
               6.
               1689.
               
            
          
           
             I
             am
             Yours
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             POSTSCRIPT
             .
          
           
             
               Sir
               ,
            
          
           
             
               I
               Have
               said
               nothing
               of
               the
            
             Kings
             Negative
             Vote
             in
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             his
             Power
             of
             Adjourning
             and
             Dissolving
             them
             .
             
               Tho
               it
               is
               of
               the
               greatest
               Importance
               ,
               for
               if
               it
               stands
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               now
               Asserted
               ,
               all
               hopes
               of
               Redress
               of
               Griveances
               by
               a
            
             Parliament
             
               are
               cut
               off
               under
               an
               ill
               Government
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               greatest
               need
               of
               it
               .
               Wherefore
               it
               much
               concerns
               this
               Meeting
               to
               adjust
               in
               to
               an
               harmless
               Temper
               .
               Yet
               I
               must
               confess
               .
               I
               can
               hit
               upon
               no
               overture
               for
               this
               that
               pleases
               me
               .
               But
               I
               doubt
               not
               ,
               The
               things
               is
               so
               Obvious
               and
               of
               such
               vast
               Consequence
               ,
               you
               will
               hear
               of
               it
               from
               better
               hands
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .