pofe it felf to the prevention of thofe mifchiets, which the variety of thefe hereties, and fects (though fome of them cloaked with the faireft pretences) threaten to this poor Church: It is no boot for me to tell you, that the lefs difunion there is, the more ground of fafety; and that where the holy purposes of Reformation may be effected, with the leaft change, there must needs be the most hope of accordance. The reft to the wife application of the powerfull and judicious; It is enough for me to have thus boldly fhot my bolt amongst you; and to have thus freely discovered my honeft, and wel meant thoughts to fo able judgments; What I want in my poor indevours fhall be fupplyed with my prayers, that God would be pleased to compofe all our miferable diftractions, and to put an happy iffue, to the long and perilous agitations of this wofully tottering and bleeding Church and Kingdome; Which the good God of Heaven vouchsafe to grant for his great mercies fake, and for the fake of the dear Son of his love Jefus Chrift, the Juft. Amen Septemb. 12. Philalethirenæus. Certain Certaine IRREFRAGABLE PROPOSITIONS WORTHY OF SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. By J. H. B. of ExON. I. O man may Iwear, or induce another man to fwear un- 2. is no lawfull Oath that is not attended with Truth, Justice, and Fudgement, Fer. 4. 2. the first whereof requires that the thing fworn be true: the fecond, that it be juft: the third, that it be not undue, and unmeet to be worn and undertaken. A 3. Promiffory Oath which is to the certain prejudice of another mans right, cannot be attended with Juftice. 4. 70 prejudice of another mans right can be fo dangerous and finfull, as that prejudice which is done to the right of publique and Soveraign Authority. He right of Soveraign Authority is highly prejudiced, when private fubjects incroach upon it; and fhall, upon fufpicion of the difavowed intentions, or actions of their Princes, combine, and bind themselves to enact, eftablifh, or alter any matters concerning Religion, without (and therefore much more if against ) the authority of their Lamfull Soveraign. A form. No 6: Man is bound in Confcience to reverfe and disclaim that which he was induced unlawfully to ingage himfelf by Oath to per 7. Oosth is, or can be of force, that is made against a lawfull oath formerly taken ; fo as he that hath fworn Allegeance to his Soveraign, and thereby bound himself to maintain the right, power, and authority of his faid Soveraign, cannot by any fecond oath, be tyed to do ought that may tend to the infringement thereof: and if he have fo tyed himself, the Obligation is, ipfo facto, void and fru ftrate. COROLLARIE. therefore any Sworn Subject fhall by pretenfes and perfwafions, be drawn to bind himself by Oath or Covenant, to determine, establish, or alter any act concerning matter of Religion, without, or against the allowance of Sovereign Authority, the ad is unlawful and unjuft, and the party fo ingaged is bound in confcience to reverse and renounce his faid act: Otherwife (befides the horrible scandal which he fhall draw upon Religion) he doth manifeftly incurr the fin of the breach of the third and fift Commandements, Two, as undoubted Propofitions concerning N I. Oman living, no Hiftory, can fhew any well-allowed and setled Nationall Church in the whole Christian World, that hath been governed otherwife then by Bishops, in a meet and moderate imparity, ever fince the times of Chrift and his Apoftles, untill this prefent Age. No Age. 2. O man living, no record of Hiftory can fhew any Lay-Presbyter that ever was in the whole Chriftian Church, untill this present COROLLARIE. F men would as cafily learne as Chriftian wifdome can teach them, to diftinguish betwixr callings and perfons, betwixt the fubftance of callings, and the not neceffary appendances of them, betwixt the rules of Government, and the errors of Execution, the fe ill-raised quarrels would dye alone. The way of Peace IN THE FIVE BUSY ARTICLES Commonly known by the Name of ARMINIUS. TOUCHING 1. Predeftination. 2. The Extent of Chrifts Death. 4. The manner of our converfion to God. Wherein is laid forth fo fair an Accommodation of the different By J. H. D. of Worcester. LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCLX. |