The Love and Faithfulnes of the Scottiſh Nation The Excellency of the Covenant, The Vnion between England and Scotland, cleared, by Collections, From the Declarations of Parliament, and, Speeches of ſeverall Independent Brethren. By Θεοφιλοσ.
LONDON: Printed by F: Neile for Tho: Ʋnderhill at the Signe of the Bible in Woodſtreet. 1646.
THe times we are fallen into are times of Fear, and therefore had need be times of Prayer: It is the beſt uſe a Chriſtian can make of fears to turn them into Prayers: Never more profeſſion and leſſe practiſe ſince the creation of all things: Confuſion and deſolation is at hand, yet who conſiders it? How are mens tongues and pens employed to work diviſion, not between man and man, Brother and Brother onely; but between Kingdom and Kingdom, and between ſuch Kingdoms as are obliged by the ſtrongeſt bonds, this ſtate of mortalitie is capable of: this is it that heightens our miſery, and without timely prevention will work our ruine: God will (certainly) avenge the quarrell of his Covenant. It is not many dayes ſince a Paper came abroad by a nameleſſe Author, hinting at the Brotherly Reſpects of England to Scotland, with an addition of large Encemions of this Nation for their voluntary and free aſſiſtance, in the times of their progenitors, when they were in great diſtreſſe; ſince which there are two ſeverall Pamphlets, bending their ſtrength againſt the City Remonſtrance; one of which Report ſpeaks Mr. John Goodwin the Author of, the Dialect (at leaſt) one of his Fraternity: both of them concurring to diſparage our Brethrens proceedings, and all of them triumphing at the prize of a Brotherly Confeſſion. I am ignorant of the end, and fully aſſured of the unſeaſonableneſſe and needleſneſſe of ſuch memorandums, which our Brethren ſo frequently have made mention of in their Declarations and Remonſtrances unto this Kingdom; more particularly in their Reaſons for aſſiſting England upon the requeſt of both Houſes of Parliament in the yeer 1643. Ʋnleſſe it be to endeavour a withdrawing of that Brotherly love and reſpect we owe unto them; At the beſt it reflects upon their preſent expedition into England, as if it were but a bare requitall of former kindnes, and this not fully granted; although it be acknowledged by the Honorable Houſes of Parliament, and our Independent Brethren, as a buſines of ſo great concernment, which ſhould oblige England in thankefulneſſe unto them for ever; which doth certainly evidence ſomething more to be in their undertaking in the behalf of England, then is talked of by undiſcerning Spirits, that watch for any thing that may in the leaſt manner reflect upon our Brethren (though of no concernment) to their diſhonour, which they conceiving theſe Papers do lay bold upon them as a fit opportunity to ſlander their reall and cordiall Endeavours for our peace and happineſſe; contrary to our Vow and Covenant, made with them before the Lord (Jehovah) whoſe Name is holy; which is of ſo lowe eſteeme in the words and thoughts of many, as if ſuch obligations were of ſo lowe an allay, that there were no neceſſity of keeping and obſerving them; contrary to the Declarations of Parliament, and the profeſſions of our Independant Brethren; ſome of them having been imployed as Commiſſioners to crave the aſſiſtance of our Brethren of Scotland, and to manage that weightie buſineſſe of entring into a ſolemn League with them, which will more plainly be evidenced by taking a view, of the ſever all Declarations of the Honorable Houſes of Parliament, the Letters and Speeches of our Independant Brethren; an Extract of which, followeth.
June 16. 1646.
The Kingdom of England is to pay in ready money to their Brethren of Scotland — the ſum of 100000 l. ſterling — by way of advance beforehand,Note. which is to be diſcounted back again unto the Kingdom of England by the Kingdom of Scotland upon the firſt monthly allowance which ſhall grow due to the Scottiſh Army, &c.
No Ceſſation,Note. nor any Pacification or agreement for Peace whatſoever ſhall be made by either Kingdom, or the Armies of either Kingdom, without the mutuall advice and conſent of both Kingdoms, or their Committees in that behalf appointed.
If any man ſhall except againſt this my endeavour,Concluſion. I deſire him to remember, the tenour of our Covenant binds me as well as others to uſe all lawfull means, to accompliſh the end of our Covenant, and this I conceive derogates no whit from the rule; nay, it is belowe a Chriſtian not to attempt a matter of publick concernment for fear of being miſ-judged. I ſhall winde up all with thoſe two obſervable paſſages in Mr Burroughs Irenicum. One you ſhall find in p. 11. Truth is the bond, that keeps to Ʋnity, but Errour is wilde, you know not where to find it, nor your ſelves if you give way to it. The other is in pa. 276. Peace it was the chief maſter-piece of Gods work, there is more of the glory of God in this, then in all that God hath done: This is and ſhall be the object of the admiration of Angels and Saints, the matter of their praiſes to all eternity. This being ſo, how neerly doth it concern thoſe that ſhall be heirs of the ſame kingdom, partakers of the ſame glory, Saints in light, to make it their chief ſtudy to keep the Ʋnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Epheſ. 4.3Epheſ. 4.3.
Τελος.
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A88601)
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