But, the Tables in Scotland, and the two Parliaments of England and Scotland, who renewed the Covenant, and entered in Covenant not against the King (as the P. P. saith) but to restore Religion to its ancient Purity, have this express Law from King James and King Charles both, in many Acts of Parliament, that Religion be kept pure. Now as Artaxerxes knew nothing of the Covenant, and was unwilling to subscribe it, and yet gave to Ezra and the Princes a warrant in general, to do all that the God of Heaven required to be done, for the Religion, and house of the God of Heaven, and so a general warrant, for a Covenant without the King; and yet Ezra, and the people, in swearing that Covenant, failed in no duty against their King: to whom, by the fifth Commandment, they were no less subject then we are to our King, just so we are, and so have not failed; but they say, The King hath committed to no Lieutenant and Deputy under him, to do what they please in Religion, without his Royal consent in particular, and the direction of his Clergy, seeing he is of that same Religion with his people; whereas Artaxerxes was of another Religion, then were the Jews, and their Governor. Answ. Nor can our King take on himself, to do what he pleaseth, and what the Prelates (amongst whom these who ruled all, are known before the World and the Sun, to be of another Religion, then we are) pleaseth in particular. But see what Religion and Worship the Lord our God, and the Law of the Land (which is the Kings revealed will) alloweth to us, that we may swear, though the King should not swear it; otherwayes, we are to be of no Religion, but of the Kings, and to swear no Covenant, ⟨p. 251⟩but the Kings, which is to join with Papists against Protestants. 6. The strangers of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon fell out of Israel in abundance to Asa, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him, 2 Chron. 15. 9, 10. And sware that Covenant without their own Kings consent, their own King being against it; If a people may swear a Religious Covenant, without their King, who is averse thereunto, far more may the Nobles, Peers, and Estates of Parliament do it without their King: And here is an example of a practise, which the P. Prelate requireth. 7.
But, the Tables in Scotland, and the two Parliaments of England and Scotland, who renewed the Covenant, and entered in Covenant not against the King (as the P. P. saith) but to restore Religion to its ancient Puritie, have this expresse Law from King James and King Charles both, in many Acts of Parliament, that Religion be kept pure. Now as Artaxerxes knew nothing of the Covenant, and was unwilling to subscribe it, and yet gave to Ezra and the Princes a warrant in generall, to do all that the God of Heaven required to be done, for the Religion, and house of the God of Heaven, and so a generall warrant, for a Covenant without the King; and yet Ezra, and the people, in swearing that Covenant, failed in no dutie against their King: to whom, by the fifth Commandment, they were no lesse subject then we are to our King, just so we are, and so have not failed; but they say, The King hath committed to no Lievtenant and Deputie under him, to do what they please in Religion, without his Royall consent in particular, and the direction of his Clergy, seeing he is of that same Religion with his people; whereas Artaxerxes was of another Religion, then were the Iews, and their Governour. Answ. Nor can our King take on himself, to do what he pleaseth, and what the Prelates (amongst whom these who ruled all, are known before the World and the Sun, to be of another Religion, then we are) pleaseth in particular. But see what Religion and Worship the Lord our God, and the Law of the Land (which is the Kings revealed will) alloweth to us, that we may swear, though the King should not swear it; otherwayes, we are to be of no Religion, but of the Kings, and to swear no Covenant, ⟨p. 251⟩but the Kings, which is to joyn with Papists against Protestants. 6. The strangers of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon fell out of Israel in abundance to Asa, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him, 2 Chron. 15. 9, 10. And sware that Covenant without their own Kings consent, their own King being against it; If a people may swear a Religious Covenant, without their King, who is averse thereunto, far more may the Nobles, Peers, and Estates of Parliament do it without their King: And here is an example of a practise, which the P. Prelate requireth. 7.
