EVROPE afflicted , mournes , an Age it may be accounted when ruine is from time to time ; but great Brittaine , as the last in the world in reservation of punishment , is assailed with an Inundation of troubles ; a Country found no danger , therefore sought no remedy , as a Province , when a Comet hath no relation to it , feares not ; this caused her make no use of others harmes , as wisedome should have done , when a neighbours house is on fire : therefore either because God chasteneth more the faults of us hee loveth , a signe of good will , or because he punisheth our errors , he is most obliged to pay with revenge ; the s●urce of which Malady , if we take the Elevation from the past , inward or outward causes proceed : First , from our sinnes , which did cast a Epidemicall Lethargy of unthankefulnesse for mercies received , the greatest sicknesse , a conceit of health when most in danger . The second , because there was not heretofore a perfect union twixt England and Scotland , incorpor●ting both into one body and minde , if possible it might have beene ; a reason hath caused Portugall and Catalonia to revolt from the King of Spaine , and Transilvania , Valachia , and Moldavia , under Vayvodes , and not Bashaes , easily elapsed to disobedience ; in these turbulent , and lachrymable times enter the yeare 1639. when two Armies in hostile manner oppose each other , but cured with a pacification , the ulcer not killed , it revived the yeare 1640. inve●…oming the mindes of both Kingdomes , as in a hecticke , or rather a burning feaver , with much corrupt matter ascend●ng : caused a new Parocisme to devour the substance of the King and people , which was prognosticated by divine anger threatned by the Ministers , the Church conspurgated with errors , the Common-wealth loaded with projects , Monopolies , and Impositions , a Tyrannical Government propounded and assaied , Parliamentary wayes denied , the Road , and Highway to justice , the petitions of the people not heard , nor answered , all which chalked out ruine : whereupon finding their lawfull desires made vaine , they doe not so willingly obey the soveraignes edicts and commands , finding the Diadem led with pernitious councells , so that the Feaver of disobedience growing high , the Scots invaded , our souldiers had no will to fight , the subjects no desire to pay to such a warre , whereby the precepts of the head were of no availe over purse and spirit to oppose such invasion , this distemper caused the King summon the Peerary to Yorke to consult and play Physitians to cure the present malady , with a purpose King and Lords , might doe all things without the Commons ; but they out of a sincere minde petitioned his Majesty for a Parliament , because they could not accomplish the businesse without common consent , to set in joynt the factions and fractions of the Kingdome , which appeared by the miserable condition , the face of the Common-wealth was beheld withall , now better by a thousand degrees ( thankes be given to God ) for many wrinckles are worne away , and I hope it will come to be in good health , since the Parliament cannot be dissolved till all things desired be accomplished , of which the Trieuniall Parliament will be the touchstone to try the truth . But finding the Episcopall government , caused divers distempers in the State by introducing new innovations in the Church , as Altars removed for adoration , a new unlawfull oath imposed by the Canons , and not confirmed by the Parliament , without which it was of no validity . Secondly , Service said at the Altar , that the greater part of the people could not heare , and the Pontificall Divines teaching and preaching in bookes , and sermons , that the King might invade our liberties ; this caused a research of the Episcopall power , by whose authority this poyson was infused , that a Bill issued from the Commons to the Lords , and passed their House , in all but one point , which was putting out of the House ; but since some pride from the Bishops and Petitions from some parts of the Kingdome , finding Church and republike impostumated , the House of Commons hath committed a Bil for the eradicating of roote and branch . ( Noble Friend ) to satisfie the appetite of your desires , I will tell you the various opinions of men , some there are haters of Reformation , and pure formes , like those that live in corrupt aire , cannot breath in pure , or used to brackish water , delight not in sweet fountaines ; others there are who adhere to Rome , and would have that forme of Church , which but by a paire of sheeres devides from that Hierarchy , that they might easily in that path goe to the Antichristian way , which if it were hedged up , had no gap to Babylonian errors , for they found none but the Bishops , and their followers brought in the Arminian and Socinian errors , the bridges for Popery . Some they say there are who have sucked in errors at the Vniversity by reading Papisticall bookes , admitted by the Bishops , and allowed by the Archbishop of Canterbury , and are so infected in judgement , that they had need of Spectacles to discerne the truth , or of eye salve to cure and cleere their judgements . Likewise others affirme many great Ladies , because they are esteemed , and flattered of Bishops , would have them in their Pontificalibus , some Protestants whose knowledge is not great , would have them without other reason giving them , because they have beene bred in that way : And further , the Papists whose Religion for the most part is in reverence and devotion , are mightily for them , because by that Hierarchy , they confirme their opinions in Popery , as an antiquity derived from Popish Bishops , who first instituted , inducted , and confirmed them in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths time , so that all our Pontificall Clergy derive the pedegrees of their rites and ceremonies from Rome , so that if they are not in the first institution , there may be a retrogradation to Rome by the same steps , as in a maze goe backe againe the way they came in . The politique sort finding the predominant constellation of their aime and pride are carried with other considerations , that Monarchy had better give a loose to Hierarchy ; for there is nothing Aristocraticall but Parliaments , which consists of Lords Spirituall , Lords Temporall , and Commons , the three last are Aristocraticall : now if one of these three be dissolved , the Monarchy wil shine cleerer , for that none can oppose the Supremacy of the King in great Britaine and Ireland , but the Bishops , who would , if they had occasion , draw the power to themselves from Rome and Peter , and disseize his Majesty ; moreover some of the Lords Spirituall being Temporall Lords , it may be feared there may be Parliaments without the Temporall Peeres , for some of the Bishops are Temporall and Spirituall , so that it is possible that the Lords Temporall may be barred ( which God forbid . ) And further , it is apparent the Commons shall passe nothing , because the Bishops will not , who sway the Lords House much with the Catholique party and proxies , for this cause it were fit the Bishops were hindred of votes . Another Argument is , there is no reason they should take place of their benefactors , which they doe in the Lords House , which will be , if not excluded .

The third reason , the Nobility and Gentry gave land , and were benefactors to Bishops estates , but the erection of Bishops came from the Pope anciently , as appeares by many records , and therefore their erections being Papisticall , they may come to owe more service to the Pope then to the King , which I leave to the consideration of the Parliament .

Now to declare the opinion of Lawyers not Catholicke , there have beene Parliaments say they without Bishops , E. 1. 24. a Parliament held . Excluso Clero . 7. R. 2. cap. 3. 7. R. 2. cap. 12. No Bishops , and many other Parliaments had no Bishops , and therefore it is the opinion , of the best Lawyers at this day , that they ought to be put out of the Lords House .

Lastly , how many upright and sincere men have been put out by them , and silenced .

Now let us touch the antiquity of Bishops , to see whether they have anciently medled with temporalities or no : From Christs time they were only Overseers of Churches in the Apostolicall function and superintendent Pastors of the Church , appointed so by the Holy Ghost , Acts 20 23 who by common consent did assemble together , in which for more orderly proceeding in their charges , they choose one amongst them to be Moderator and President , this is he whom after the fathers called Bishop ; but not meerely from Christ and the Apostles , for the name of all Elders , and Ministers in the beginning was Bishop , which after by the usuall language of the fathers , was appropriated to the Presidentship of the Elders and Ministers , therefore it was Saint Cyprian reproved the Elders for receiving those who were fallen away in time of Persecution ; before the Bishop had advised of it with them and others , because they should make publicke satisfaction ; and therefore I conceive it an error , that they had not power given before in generall Synods , if any should returne to the faith to be restored in the interim to the Church , upon confession and penitency in the congregation before a Synod called , who otherwise might despaire in the meane time , or by ill counsell fall away , so that it is apparent that Bishops did deale in matters of the Church government by the counsell and consent of the Elders and no further ; but it is observed , the Bishops in every succession and in every City caused all orders for to stand as the law , the Prophets , and our Lord did preach , as Hegesippus said , but how many an Apostolicall waies have they introduced contrary to the Scriptures , witnesse the reverence to Altars , kneeling at the Sacrament , and many more ; as silencing Ministers for matters of conscience , for no authority hath power of the confcience but God , and nothing bindes the conscience , semper & ad semper , but the decalogue , so that it was never in the primitive times heard that the Clergy medled with Temporall affaires , as they now doe , which superabundancy of power causeth such corruption , impurity of Religion , and hurt to the Commonwealth : therefore they seeke to crop their power , or that they may have no more then in the first institution , and manage affaires of Church with primitive temper , to the good of the Common-wealth and glory of God , and felicity of the Church , but they have commanded what they list without controule , & are so insolent as of late , Laud Arch-Bishop of Canterburies vices the more visible were by how much hee was more potent in power , and gracious in the Princes eye to perswade the sequestration of zealous and pious in the Church , and the Majesty to be aloofe off in matter of state , from Ministers able and sincere , or else to give the Soveraigne over to such as might lo●se his subjects hearts , and cause them fall into the Malady of disobedience , a thing incident to misguided governments , so he brought in innovations into the Church , making her of a pure Virgin a very Strumpet .

Ship , Coat , and Conduct money , and other sterne impositions he brought in , not according to abilities , but what the Iudges wickedly affirmed to be Law , constraining inferiours to be instruments in execution , for hope of advancement , or over awing them by feare ; for acts that fill Princes coffers with unjust demands of money not due , are ever the ruine of the first founders : times are not bad , but the wicked that live therein make them so , who are the fathers of ill counsell as well as those who are the begetters of bad children , which seasons make the best Ministers oftentimes minister fuell to illegall and wicked desires of great men , wherein Kings themselves passe not blamelesse , who chuse not instruments by the ballance of merit , but with the sailes of will and passionate affection ; for as their mindes are large in respect of potency , so their election is rather to satisfie their various humours then solid judgement , like those who looke for the Philosophers stone , and finde out nothing but fine conceits not worthy the looking for . The Bishop alone manageth the State under the Diadem , chooseth his chiefe instrument Wentworth into office of best trust , and both together weave the web , whose woofe was the mislike of the people ; flocks that love no fleaing the skin , can indure the shearing , this violent deporment bred a great distemper in the hearts of Scotland , and caused the English murmure , and draw to a defection or mutiny , but no power gotten by wickednesse of Ministers is durable , nor to such is any stability betwixt mediocrity and precipitation , which cause doubtfull and ambiguous speeches of the Soveraigne , when the fault ought to be imposed on the Ministers : so dangerous are the wayes of Majesty , that the folly of great ones strive for ruine . Suppose those misconstructions the multitude have of the Diadem force Majesty to seeke advice and helpe from strangers , when he cannot purchase duty at home , what a lamentable consequence may follow , to invite an ancient enemy to the funerall obsequies of her liberties , the cure being worse then the disease ? And such is our state now , that the House of Commons are constrained to be helpers , a Theame most displeasing to Soveraignty , though in a distracted state a rule infallible ; on Wentworth the affection of the Soveraigne was so placed , as his power was boundlesse in Ireland , and here unsufferable , though a Gentleman of transcendent parts , and of the highest ranke under the degree of Barony , yet of a swoulne ambition which no republike can indure , for all preferment passeth by him , and all suits addresse to him , who finding so full a Moone of favour , thought he could not dye for Treason , the price of his life : surely I blame not a Prince for taking a reposefull friend to participate his intimate thoughts , to temper the affaires of state , so as he infects not the effects of his principality , nor sullieth his parentall respect to the subject , by hatred or Tyranny ; but Strafford sicke of the Kings well governing , studied wayes of an arbitrary rule , thinking his high tyde of favor would never come to an ebbe of fortune , but she fooled him at last to the losse of all he held in this life most deare ; Great must be the art of ambition to keepe afloat the streame of a power , seeing sublimity changeth as the spoke of the wheele , or as the hand of the Diall , at the highest 12. comes to one , ●ee affected the honour and service of his Master with the ruine of the subject , beating downe competitors of the worthy Patriotship , and wrought by pride precipitation , when by humility hee might have had a good station , for he should have made it the operation of others , rather then any appetite of his owne to gormondize the property of subjects goods , and swallow their liberty , putting fetters on the Law , that nothing could be accomplished but what he and the Archb●shop pleased . And lastly , they barre from the King alwaies to heare the groanes of his people , and wickednesse of their ministery . This fatall deport of both might have proved Tragicall to the Kingdome , where the ingredience of popular humour is mixed as well with armed forces not to be disbanded without great danger , as with a mighty Schismaticall party , as well Papists , Brownists , Anabaptists , people pleased to fish in troubled waters , and the maleconten●ed Clergy , who have corrupted th● pure fountaines rather then they will be depressed in power ( it is to bee feared ) may all act a busie part in this Tragicke story . In such designes Churchmen are never wanting to adde fuell to popular fires , for though they worke it not with the meanest , they effect it by head and chiefe-causing weaknesses in government , and oppression of people , for it is not the best doctrine a warre with subjects to advance their Hierarchy , no Bishop , no King . When the fi●st Church rose by fasting and praying , therefore they ought not so much teach us rules of loyalty , as to know our owne duties in difficult points of R●ligion , nor ought they make the Soveraigne believe the Parliament only breath out th●ir passions in a time of liberty , and expresse the poverty of their Master to lessen his reputation abroad and credit at home , when then the State is so festred , it is a paine to fetch out the dead flesh without corasives which they are constrained to , to keepe it from gangrening , when that their whole aime next to religion is to looke into the Kings necessities , to discharge the Armies , take away the impeachments of the Common-wealth , and provide for the royall sustentation much weakned by bad Counsells , so that he may be potent at home , and glorious abroad , beginning to set things in order when so great disorder hath chalked the way to amendment , for a mighty expence ever ends in the rapine and spoile of subjects : but now if it please the King to follow the counsell of Machiavill , doe as the time permits , and be not weary of the strict enquiry of the Parliament , he shall accomplish as full a Soveraignity as ever , and greater . This may cause the King with incomparable wisedome to suite himselfe to the necessity of the Time , and expect future good from those mean● it so fervently , and act it so painefully . The King delivered of ill counsells , by this blessed fortune , freed and obeyed , may begin to search the ground of the misery , why that vertue and fortune , which had setled and maintained so long his Ancestors in glory of Empire , seemes to be in a trance at this time , as if the Genious of the State had forsaken her , and found out ( the way ) the reason of this mischiefe , namely a wastfull hand too quicke for the fortunes and persons of his people , the griping avarice of Ministers , lawlesse liberty of Martiall forces , uncivill actions of the Multitude , and affording too much care to greedy and unworthy Ministers , whose counsell was more subtill then solid , seeing moderation , reward and punishment , are the supporters of Crownes , and to be just of word is required of Subjects from Kings themselves , so shall he effect a wondrous change in the State , bringing the three Kingdomes home with wonder to his devotion , and their obedience laying his foundation of government on religion , quietnesse and justice , so that peace and tranquility shall attend a long life though death be let in at last , and fashion to his successors a most royall paterne to follow from his experience , and authority to make him superior to Kings , and as he is the first King of his name in our Empire since the conquest , so shal he be most worthy to be stiled Britaines CHARLEMAINE , and be not only capable to governe these three Realmes , but the whole world , so that the wrongs of fortune sometimes make Princes more then their prosperity both wise and fortunate .