A Declaration to Witness the Gospel of Peace

A Declaration OF JOHN DURIE, A Minister of Jesus Christ to witness the Gospel of Peace.

SEeing there is a heavy woe denounced against those by whom offenses come; therefore it is a duty incumbent upon everyone, to purge himself from the guilt thereof, either by an ingenious confession or a clear vindication of his innocence, if an offense be not given by him, but taken at him. And seeing I have been lately informed, in a friendly manner by some of special credit, who have a particular dependence upon his Majesty, and know the sense of those that are about him; that amongst them there is a report whereunto credit is given; that I have been very opposite unto his Majesty's affairs and interests; and that having quitted the service of the Princes Royal at the Hague, I have been since subservient unto his Majesty's enemies, in these and also in foreign parts; nay that I have approved of the proceedings of those that put his Royal Father to death: all which being odious crimes, and the last being very atrocious: therefore I have thought it necessary by the manifestation of the truth to vindicate mine own innocence from such aspersions, and to secure myself and my reputation in the Churches of Christ from such prejudices and mis-informations, which obstruct the work of Peace, and have none other ground but the mis-understanding and mis-construction of such actions, which (being out of the common road, and free from private ends) have not been rightly discerned by such as have not so much aimed at the means of common edification, as at the furthering of a party. For which cause I am obliged to declare the naked truth of my comportment by a plain discovery of the Principles and of the Rules, of the Method and of the chief circumstances of my actions; as they have answered the design, whereunto by a solemn vow made unto God above twenty years ago, I was bound (and have consecrated my life) to serve Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Truth and Peace; namely That I should without all self ends or respect of Persons and Parties prosecute amongst the Protestants, when and wheresoever God should give me ability and opportunity, the means of Peace and Unity in the Truth, by the reconcilement of their differences and the removal of offenses in a Gospel way Separate from all worldly Interests.

And this Declaration I conceive I am bound ro make at this time and upon this occasion, not only lest my silence should confirm the evil report made of me to his Majesty, or lest I should seem to find myself guilty of that whereof I am accused; whereas in truth I am not to myself conscious of any guiltiness in that kind, (behold before God I lie not) but also lest the credit of my work amongst the Churches, upheld for so many years, should now suffer under this reproach; as if it had been carried on for worldly ends to serve any man's turn; and lest the Gospel way wherein I have walked harmlesly by provoking all different parties and chiefly their leaders in the Churches, to love and to good works towards each other; should become ineffectual, and none should be stirred up anymore by me, to tread this path, and to become a Solicitor of the Counsels of Peace, when I shall have finished my course, for I am not ignorant of Satan's devices by which he endeavors to blast and stop the progress of these proceedings, which now by his Majesty's gracious countenance and Pious inclination may have a full and effectual success; as being more then ever seasonable to be prosecuted for the preservation of the Protestant Cause and Religion; which in his letter to the House of Commons he hath owned with so much real and cordial expressions, that everyone who hath any sense of Piety or good will to the Church of God must needs heartily rejoice thereat.

To pay therefore this debt which I owe to the Truth, to the Churches of God, to the innocence of my Gospel design, work, and way, to mine own conscience, to my safety also as matters now may stand; and to my reputation in after times; I shall declare in singleness of heart: as in the presence of God the Truth concerning the matters which are laid unto my charge.

And first concerning my going from the Court of the Princesse Royal; The main causes which moved me thereunto, and the manner of my removal thence, I hope will clear that action from any Sinister design.

For after that I had been (without any the least thought of mine own) secretly recommended by Sir William Boswell has Majesty's Resident at the Hague, and Sir John Dingly Secretary to the Queen of Bohemia, to be placed as Chaplain with the Princess Royal his Majesty's daughter; I went to the Hague in obedience to his Majesty's commands, and there I performed the duty of my place, in the family without blame carefully; till I found that the duties of attendance requisite at the Court, did eat up all my time, and so became several ways inconsistent with the prosecution of my principal aim; wherein I had vowed to Dedicate my studies unto God, for the procurement of Gospel Peace and Unity in the Churches. This gave me an inclination to alter the course of my employment; but I did nothing to remove myself from it, till I recived a Summons from the Parliament to come to the Assembly of Divines, which then sat at Westminster to give advice to them in Church matters: upon this call to assist in such a work; I confess I was coscionably moved to apply myself to the main scope of my studies; and that I might do it without offense, I wrote to the primat of Ardmagh, who then was with the King at Oxford, and entreated him to obtain leave from his Majesty for me to go to that Assembly; hoping that I might be able to do his Majesty and the public more profitable service there by helping to reconcile differences at home, then I could do at the Hague. This leave his Majesty gave me by a letter which Secretary Nicholas wrote unto Sir Wiliam Boswell, who acquainted me therewith in his Majesty's name; only I was desired first to go to Oxford. Having gotten his Majesty's permission; I did seek in like manner leave of the Prince of Orange, that I might go with his good liking thither, either by being wholly dismissed or for a time: but he was unwilling to grant that which I had obtained of his Majesty, therefore to remove the difficulty which he made to let me go, and which I made to stay; Doctor Rivet and Monsieur Sulichom his chief Secretary of State, were appointed to confer with me; and after several meetings when nothing was agreed upon but delays made, another call was given me, to be Pastor of the English Church at Rotterdam, which then wanted a Minister; I obtained leave to go thither upon a twofold promise made by me to his Highness: 1. that I should stay so long with him, till he could find another Chaplain, who should be able to supply my place, and whom the Dutch Ministers should not except against, but approve as they did me. Secondly, that I should help him to find out such a one. These things I promised to do: and when I had performed them, by bringing Mr. Harris Doctor Harris of Hanwell his Son from Utretch into my place; I went to Rotterdam; and the Prince gave me under his hand and seal a Testimony that I had his good leave to go away, and that I had behaved myself in the discharge of my place whilst I stayed with him dutifully and without offense.

Being then come to Rotterdam; I found that by order from the Parliament the constitution of the Church of that place was altered from that form, whereunto the Archbishop of Canterbury, had put it some time before; which occasioned a division amongst the members of the Society: I therefore intending to unite them in the substance of their Gospel-worship, followed a middle way, neither strictly formal, nor altogether unformall; which did not offend the discreet and sober; but did not answer the expectation of the fiercer sort of either side, who were neither fully displeased nor well pleased, with my moderation: and this I did advisedly as by myself without any pre-consultation with either party; to let them see that the true property of our Gospel-worship consists not in words & formalities but in power: for I conceive that the worship of God in public Assemblies, may consist in set words and forms only so far as these are subservient in an orderly way to beget and maintain in the souls of those that meet to worship God together; the power of Godliness by the unity of the Spirit. Now by the power of Godliness I understand the effectual motions of the Spirit by which our souls drawing near unto God have communion with him: and the soul is said to draw near unto God, when it hath a serious desire and longing for the work of his grace to receive it: and the motions of the Spirit begetting and fomenting this desire are found to be effectual both in the Acts of our worship and in the course of our life and conversation. They are effectual in our life by the works of righteousness, of love and holiness; which God hath ordained that we should walk therein that we may have fellowship with him. For God doth meet him who joyfully worketh righteousness; and remembers him in his ways. And again it is said. He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God; and God in him. And again it is said, be ye holy as I am holy, from whence the Apostle Peter makes this inference; because he who calleth you is holy, therefore be ye holy in all manner of conversation. And this is to walk with God as Enoch did, whom at last God took to himself to an inseparable communion in heaven, herein doth the power of Godliness appear most effectually and infallibly: Yet the motions of the Spirit are effectual also in and by the Acts of worship, and that two ways, both within our own souls, and also outwardly towards others. Within our own souls both in the understanding and in the will and affections; for when the understanding is helped thereby to conceive aright, and the heart by the will and affections is raised strongly to embrace, the truth of the things wherewith the soul is Religiously conversant with God, in the Acts of devotion; whether they be Acts of praying to him, or of praising of him, or of hearing his Word; then the motions of the Spirit are found to be effectul inwardly and these same motions are also outwardly effectual towards others; when our behavior in the Acts of worship is such, as becometh the beauty of Holiness & fitted to edify those with whom we join in those Acts: & they are fitted to edify others, when they appear to be serious & devout; for then they work the same impressions upon the affections of others which they show to be in ourselves. The words then and the forms which are fittest to reach these endos, and to unite therein the Spirits, of those who are assembled to worship God together are fittest to be used in a public assembly; that is, the words and forms which are most intelligible by all and proportioned to their capacities, and answer the subject matter of the action which is to be performed most directly without affectation and superfluity (which seems to put the substance in words and repetitions) I say such words and forms I conceive are most answerable to the ends for which we meet together, to draw near unto God. And by this rule I made use of the Leiturgie at Rotterdam, neither laying it wholly aside in respect of the substance of the prayers; nor binding myself strictly to the whole formality of it: and so I conceive, it may yet be made use of moffensively, according to the capacity of those that meet to edify one another. Thus then I continued till I was again called upon to come into England, to sit in the Assembly of Divines: where to prepare my way that I might sit amongst them without any scruple (because I knew that the National Covenant would be offered unto me when I should come thither) I had already, whilst I was yet at the Hague, sent before hand in writing a Declaration, wherein I explained my sense of the Articles of the Covenant, that it might be understood, that I would not otherwise be engaged to it, then as it was consistent with my former vows and promises made to advance the Gospel work, which I had negotiated amongst the Churches and with the oath of Allegiance which I had taken to the King.

This Declaration was read in the Assembly of Divines, and not contradicted by any; although (as afterward I was told) some did grumble at the reading thereof, because they thought it did not become any to put his own sense and limitations upon the Covenant; and to publish that sense unto the Assembly: so then I went thither; not to foment one party against another, but to do my Gospel work, and therein to serve his Majesty for the Kingdoms welfare; and this I did so as to keep an interest in all parties that I might do good offices between them. And when the personal Treaty was in agitation, because I conceived that it might tend to an agreement between the King and his Parliament I was forward to promote it; and that indeed was the only Civil business wherein I thought fit to intermeddle, because most of all the other public negotiations of State, had a tendency (so far as I could discern) rather to widen, then to heal our breaches. And the true causes for which I did constantly abstain from intermeddling in State matters were chiefly these two. First because I perceived that when Ministers did intermeddle the heats were ordinarily rather increased then allayed. Secondly, because I was bound up by my vow, not to Act in State affairs otherwise, then as they should be subordinate or concurrent with the end of my Spiritual employment, and I found not any who ruled in the State, willing to further my design, without partiality, but only for some interest whereunto I had no mind to become subsurvient.

But at last when the personal Treaty at the Isle of Wight, brought forth the sad and unexpected effect which increased our distractions, by the erecting of a high Court for his Majesty's Trial, then indeed, I made it a serious part of my work, first to prevent the Sentence & secondly the execution of it; in the first to save his reputation, in the second his life. For I did conscionably judge myself bound to do for him, all which I could or should have done for mine own Father if he had been in his case: Therefore I went to one of the Masters of the Chancery, an able man, & an intimate friend of mine; whom I found no less troubled at those proceedings then I was; to consult with him, what could be done for his Majesty to prevent the sentence which was apprehended to be given against him; whereupon he resolved to write down such arguments as he conceived most effectual for his Majesty to use at the High Court, in his own defense: of these arguments I gave one Copy to the Lady Vicountes Ranalaugh, who with my wife furnished the Lady Monmouth therewith; that she by Doctor Juxon his means might convey them to the King; and another Copy thereof I carried myself to the Prince Elector Palatin, that when he should be permitted to go, to visit his Uncle he might give it unto him; which he promised to do. This was to prevent the Sentence by a Legal plea: and then when the Sentence was pronounced; I sat up a whole night and wrote about two sheers of Paper, wherein I did plead against the execution of that sentence; by eight Classes of Arguments, which were inscribed and sent to the President and Judges of the High Court to persuade them to suspend it. These Arguments the Lady Ranalaugh aforesaid and my wife gave to Mistress Sutton, heretofore a School-Mistress at Kensington, to be delivered by her to the President and Judges, and I am sure the President did receive them, for about a year and a half, or three quarters after that time; the President himself did show me that Paper and did ask me if I did know such a hand, whereunto I did answer affirmatively, and looked him in the face steadfastly, whereupon he proceeded no further.

Of this discourse (because I was in great hast to send it, at the time when the Court should sit) I could keep no Copy; yet the heads and substance thereof, I kept in a paper, and still have in my memory; and they were to this effect to show

That it was neither lawful for them of the High Court; nor expedient for the Nation; that their sentence should be put in execution against the King: And that for these Reasons.

1. Because the matter of debate between him and his Parliament was still as doubtful as ever it was: namely which of them had first or most wronged each other, now for a Court, in a doubtful Case, to proceed to the execution of a sentence, de facto, only by power, is no way just or warrantable by any Laws of God or men.

2, Supposing the matter of debate to be out of all doubt between him and the first full Asembly of Parliament, namely that they and not he, were wronged; yet that the Deputies of a party only should take upon them the Authority to be Judges of the Kings person; without any known Law of the Nation; and without any example ever heard of in any Nations cannot be thought Just and Warrantable by any that is rational; and therefore the sentence ought not to be executed.

3. Supposing their Authority, to be Judges of matters of fact, to be unquestionable: yet by the undoubted Law of the Land, the Kings person is not punishable, but the Law takes hold only of his Instruments: therefore the execution of a Sentence against his person is not warrantable, although his actions might be Judged faulty.

4. Supposing that there were no prohibition in the Law of the Land: yet by the Law of Nature and of Nations, it cannot be Warrantable that they who have no authority, nor right to make use of any power but from and by him, should use it to cut him off who gave it unto them. All that Nature will allow in Cases extraordinary, as in Leprosy, or Madness, or in any other the like unfitness to Rule; is a restraint hindering him from doing hurt to others, therefore the execution of the Sentence against his Person is not Warrantable.

5. Supposing this whole Plea, concerning the unlawfulness of executing the Sentence to be in respect of the Judges of the Court, worth nothing; yet the Plea of inexpediency in respect of the Nation; will be many ways so considerable, that it will amount in respect of Conscience amongst Christians, to be equivalent unto that, which is unlawful; because Salus Populi Suprema lex est.

For it is no ways expedient for men of Conscience, but utterly unlawful amongst Christians; to make it a crime worthy of death in any man to defend to the utmost of his power and according to the Custom of all Nations his undoubtedly supposed right; now the King having done on his part nothing, but to maintain with all his might the prerogatives undoubtedly supposed to belong unto him; as descended from his Ancestors and never heretofore questioned: and the Commons, having on the other part upon the like ground of their supposed right; used the same means to maintain their privileges; it is neither Warrantable in Conscience nor to such as pretend to be representatives of a Nation is it expedient; that they should execute a Sentence of death against him for doing that which all Kings have ever done; which all equals do one towards another; which they themselves on their part have done no less then he; and for the doing of which no man was ever yet blamed with reason.

6. But supposing (which no Conscionable man will deny) that there hath been faults on both sides; and supposing also that the Kings party hath been more faulty then the party which hath opposed him; yet in this case, it is extremely unexpedient, if not altogether unlawful to Christians and Conscionable men, to proceed against him without commiseration, and not to respect any human frailties; So that he being misinformed and thereby being led out of the way by evil instruments, should not at all be found excusable; is the utmost rigor of sevrtity; which becomes not Christian Subjects to use to their interiours; far less to their equals, and least of all to their Rulers.

7. It is most unsafe and unexpedient for the Nation; if not altogether unlawful to Christians and men of conscience; to make a quane I once begun to last forever, and become all ogether irreconcilable: it is unsafe every way both to those that have the power in their h • nd now, and to the whole Nation, as well in respect of home bred divisions, as in respect of common enemies, who watch to destroy us: now the execution of this sentence will infallibly bring this to pass; as to men, except God work some miracle for us: therefore in conscience to God; for the safety of the Nation, and for the preservation of themselves and of • heir posterity, they ought to suspend the execution of this sentence.

8. Besides all these considerations the interest of the Gospel, and our profession thereof, and the Protestant Cause will be ruined as to men by the execution of this sentence, an everlasting reproach will be brought upon the Nation and upon the Protestant Religion thereby; not only amongst the enemies of the Truth who will insult and Triumph hereat, but amongst foreign Churches who will abhor and detest us and suffer persecution for our sake; all which will be a heavy guilt before God, upon those who execute the senteece; therefore it ought to be suspended.

These were the summary heads of the Arguments, more at large discoursed upon and dilated warily, without passionate and provoking expressions, in a lamenting phrase and humble tone, for fear of giving offense; and with a Preface and conclusion showing that these things were insinuated in a loving manner, to discharge a Conscionable duty towards the King; towards themselves also in compassion to their souls, towards the whole Nation, and towards our Religion to prevent the evils which might inevitably follow upon the executing of their sentence.

But when this wrought nothing upon them, nor any other means used by other Ministers, nor the interposition of the Hollands Ambassadors, could avail to stop their resolution; I went out of the Town, not to be in the place where so great a mischief was to be acted.

This Act of violence did so highly provoke and inflame the Spirits of most of the Ministers, who were wont formerly in their Sermons to reflect much upon State matters of lesser concernments, that they see med to make it a main design, to incense the people to a trmultuous and inconsiderate rising; whereunto it was observed that the Popish Emissaries also, and the chief of the Levellers, with whom they lay under deck; (who always had opposed the Kings Interest) did concur at this time, to heighten the animosities of the discontented parties to an utter confusion; which could not end, but in the total ruin of that party which was yet affected to the Kings-Interest; if by their rash clamours, they who had all the power of the State in their hand, and could not be resisted, should be provoked, or by tumults necessitated, to fall upon them. Therefore to obviat this danger, which was occasioned by the inconsidetateness of some Ministers; I conceived it answerable to the aim of my employment, and necessary to preserve the moderate party, to bear witness against that way and manner of preaching, which some followed by directing their setmons to meddle with the affairs of the State: to which effect I wrote a discourse, to show that it did not belong to the Ministerial work of the Gospel, to handle State matters in their sermons; or to inform the people concerning the same as they were wont to do: This discourse displeased very many of the Brethren; and some were preparing to make it a Subject of dispute with me: which when I heard; I did enlarge the discourse as a Case of Conscience, to be soberly discussed, in a moderate and regular way to avoid vain jangling and offered the Gantlet to any that would enter the lists to discuss it with me either so as I proposed the method of disquirie; or any other way which we might agree upon to come to a decision of our doubt: But nobody did yet appear to enter with me upon that Subject in a debate: And whether it was any conviction upon the conscience of some; that their way was not suitable to their Gospel-work; or because they found that it could not do the cause any good at all, but only hurt themselves, and weaken, or discover the weakness of their party; by little and little that custom was left off.

But when the Engagement was proposed to be taken, a greater difficulty did arise, in the Spirits of all that were moderate; and a more eminent danger was like to fall more fully, upon the Body of the Nation, and chiefly upon that party in it, which did acknowledge the Kings just Right and Prerogative; and might in due time be a means to restore the same. For certainly it was the design of some, by the Engagement to oblige all by Pole, to exclude at least indirectly the King and Lord's forever from having a hand in the Government, by removing all that would not take the Engagement in terminis from having any safety & protection in the Nation. Yet the words of the Engagement being so laid; that they could not enforce the sense w ^ch was aimed at, but could bear a clear sense, of a duty; w ^ch not being directly opposite to the Royal Interest, was advantageous to the welfare of the Nation; which two things should never be separated (though their aim was to separate them) I was moved to own the Engagement so far as I found it contained a clear duty; upon the consideration whereof I thought it not only lawful for me, but also suitable to the end of my designed employment: to declare in what sense I took it to contain a Duty; namely as it obliged all to be true and faithful to the Nation, notwithstanding the absence of the King and of the House of Lord's from the government. Therefore when I took the Engagement I gave my construction of it in writing to the President of the Council; as a Testimony that I took it in reference to the Nation with a Non obstante, and not otherwise. Which sense although they would not publicly own; yet I never heard any that durst deny it; nor was I refused to take it in that sense, and in my conscience I could not find it lawful for me to refuse the taking of it so, if I should stay in the Nation to prosecute my design; seeing in that sense I did judge it to be a Duty consonant to all other Engagements under which I had put myself; both in reference to my Gospel-work; and in reference to the National Covenant; and to the oath of Allegiance.

this then having been the ground, and the method of my proceeding in this matter; when the words of the Engagement came to be a subject of debate amongst the Ministers (for few else did write in public to scruple at it) I thought others might take it in the sense wherein I had taken it; and that such as would constrite the meaning of it otherwise; as if it did oblige all, to oppose hereafter, the having of a King and House of Lord's in the Nation, were in the wrong; and made a needless scruple to themselves and others; and gave those that sought thereby an advantage against them, an opportunity to put them out of place; and to disable them from doing good offices in due time: for seeing it was apparent enough that the Engagement was laid as a snare to entrap and sift such as were not fierce enough for their turn to go along with them: there was no reason wherefore any who could avoid the Snare with a good conscience should suffer himself to be taken by it, & made useles for the public; & upon this account I did endeavor to quiet the scruples of Conscience which honest men had about the taking of the engagement; wherein I conceived I did no disservice to the Truth; by taking it in the best sense wherein it contained a clear Duty; and not in the worst, which it might bear, wherein it could not be owned; nor did I any disservice to the honest minded party by keeping them from a trap wherein they might be taken.

But because in the disputes which arose about that subject, many matters were objected which did relate one way to the fundamentals of a State; another way to the fundamentals of conscience in respect of Christianity and Equity. And in State matters the constitution of a Nation being reflected upon, sometimes as it is under the Law of Nature, sometimes as it is under positive Laws, and human ordinances which are alterable; and the causes of the alteration of laws & of law making power, being considered under several Notions, sometimes in Thesi, sometimes in Hypothesi: in all which because in the way of debating, many things have been uttered Argumentandi Causa, rather to quiet a scruple of Conscience, then to further any design whereby the right of any might be desined, limited or wronged: I say because such things, under such notions, were so disputed off, and by way of argument according to the freedom of the time raveled into, wherein many things may be unadvisedly uttered, and also construed otherwise then they were intended, by me; I will not stand to a stify them: for though I am no ways comcious to myself of any declining from my former engagements and professed principle of Duty, which I have constantly to the best of my underst • nding followed; yet seeing in many, not only words, but actions also, we are all subject to fail, either by doing too much or too little, or by varying in the manner of performance; therefore that the uprightness of my intentions, whereby I study to serve all in that which is most requisite, and that the usefulness of form • r endeavors in prosecuting those intentions towards all the Churches, may not be bl • stead, for want of true humility and self resignation, to the good and longed for Providence, whereby God hath mercifully turned all our changes to the best; I am not unwilling either to confess a failing herein; or to accept of the gracious favor and pardon which his Royal Ma • esty hath kindly offered in his general Declara ion to all, that shall lay hold thereupon wi hin the time appointed, which by this Declaration thus made public, I intend to do, as well as to give satisfaction to all that are ingenuo s, and can construe either rationally or charitably the actions of a public nature in Christianity, which are undertaken to heal the breaches of men's Spirits who are partial, without partiality.

And because his Majesty doth not only grant a free and general pardon of all such failings, a either actu • lly or interpretatively have been committed by any who returning to the Loyalty • nd obedience of good subjects, are not exce • ted by the Parliament: I think myself bound to offer to his Majesty and this his Parliament, the disposal of the fruits of my thirty years negotiation with all the Protestant Churches, for the advancement of their Peace and Unity; as it becometh a loyal and obedient subject to do; that they may be made use of, when it shall be seasonable for the public good; in order to the fulfilling of that most pious and religious purpose, which his Majesty hath expressed in his Letter to the House of Commons; where he is pleased to say, That nothing can be proposed unto him to manifest his zeal and affection for the Protestant Religion, to which he will not readily consent. As then my whole course for so many years hath been directed to heal the breaches of Protestants amongst themselves, without which their Religion can never be propagated nor preserved; and in all that time, I never yet could sinda Patron to the work except S. T. Rowe, who for the love of the Truth, and out of a sincere affection to Religion without Politick self ends, would undertake the prmoting of it; so I must now in the fear of God take hold of this opportunity which God alone hath created by a most wonderful revolution of Providence; that if my services may be of use to his Churches, I may not • eem defective in my willingness to dedicate the fruits thereof unto the public, rather by his Majesty's direction then under any of his predecessors, in the interval of Government.

And to the end that this may appear unto such as are intelligent, and that the jealousy raised against me for my acting in this work under the Protector Oliver, as if I had been an instrument, sent abroad, and acted by him, to do his work towards foreign States; may be removed; I shall truly relate the motive, and the manner of my proceeding, to act my Gospel design under him.

When he was made Protector, and the Treaty of Peace was drawing towards a conclusion between England and the Low-Countries; and all that were in public places did own him as the chief Magistrate of the Nations; I thought it suitable to the end for which I was come into England; and every way seasonable and fit for me to represent to him and to his Council, some Reasons for which I conceived them obliged in conscience to mind the interest of Religion amongst Protestants, and to give some countenance to the endeavors whereby their differences might be reconciled. These Reasons were communicated also to the Ambassadors of the United Provinces while the Treaty was in agitation, who seemed much to approve of the design. The same reasons were also imparted unto the leading Ministers of the Congregational and Presbyterial Churches in London; who by my solicitation were brought together, and upon this occasion met several times for a special conference held at Black fryers to compose their own differences first, and so to join with me in the design of my negotiation towards the Churches: the chief heads of the Universities also, were made acquainted with the same reasons; which took this effect with them all, that they did approve of the work as very expedient and seasonable to be undertaken: and to enable me to go about it, a Declaration was penned which the heads of both the Universities and the Ministers of London, as well Congregational as Presbyterial did subscribe; authorizing me to Act that business amongst the Churches in their name: and when I had received my Commission and instructions from these, I desired nothing further from the Protector but his countenance and support; that he would only own me, as a Gospel Minister, setting myself a part for the work of Peace and Unity almongst Protestants, I might have a letter of recommendation from him to the Churches of Switzerland, in the Cantons of Zurich, Basel and Geneva; that they might know that I being approved by the chief of the Ministry of England for such a work, and moved of mine own accord to go about it, he could not refuse to recommend it unto them to be taken into consideration, promising also thereunto his own concurrence; for I did of set purpose decline to receive any commission in this business from him; or any instructions to act anything for him in State affairs; because I neither would be, nor would I be looked upon as an Agent of his going abroad to serve any of his ends: therefore I desired (and that in writing as discreetly as I could) that if he had any State affairs to propose to foreigners, he would make use of somebody else for that end: and although I knew that such a desire of mine would gain me little acceptance with him (as appeared in the end at my return) yet I resolved to keep myself free from such a Relation or subordination to him and his designs; lest my true aim, the liberty of my acting, and the nature of my work might suffer prejudice, and be justly blasted thereby when it should be found to have been made a cloak to his worldly advantages: and although I could almost nowhere at my first arrival into the places where I went to negotiate, avoid this kind of thought which both States men and Divines would take up concerning me; yet before I went away, when they found nothing of that nature mixed with my Religious negotiation, nor my private discourses tending to insinuate any particular or personal advantages for him, to recommend him, further then what was in view to all the World: they found themselves always mistaken in me; chiefly when some of them would propose unto me, things of that kind, and I would openly and professedly decline to meddle with them, telling them in plain terms that I neither was nor would be an Agent for the Protector in State or Policy concernments.

And although I could not be ignorant before I went abroad; and found it so effectually, when I was abroad; that this jealousy of State, with the odium and the danger accompanying it, would follow me everywhere; and chiefly perplex my business with those that had any Relation, or affection to the Kings affairs, who would either avoid all dealing with me; or misconstrue all that I should propose; by reason of the forestalement of their thoughts; that I was an emissary of his: and although I also did represent unto myself, that which I found afterward to be true; that my life might be in danger either by Papists in hatred to my work, or by them and others also in hatred to him, whom they would imagine I served; yet because I was assured that I served not man, but Christ; and was conversant in my calling lawfully, and innocently towards, all without any Politik designs; therefore I trusted unto God for Safeguard and Protection; and committed my ways unto him, who also hath delivered me, and prospered me in my way and brought me home in fasety, for which I bless his Name.

It was no difficult matter to conceive; that the whole aim which Oliver might have in countenancing me and my business; was to gain some Reputation amongst the Protestant Churches to be a Zealot for their Interest; and thereby to wipe off the odium of his encroachment of power, as if it tended only to procure their welfare: and truly this he did at first pretend with so much likelihood, that none but the searcher of hearts could certainly know it to be otherwise; for although I could suspect at first some such thing might be possibly, yet I cannot say that I could conclude it probably; but when I was come home, and had shown how all things were laid for a Religious correspondency, and prepared to carry on the work as it relates to the Gospel; then I could see plainly and demonstratively, that his aim was not that which at first he had pretended; because when all was ready to his hand; and the Ministers here in England of different parties were disposed to act further in the work he did not at all mind the business further, than by mere importunity of some honest Soldiers (which I got to set upon him about it) he was forced for shame, to recommend it to further consideration of some Ministers, who met at White-Hall as Commissioners for the approbation of other Ministers: and this he did once superficially, desiring them to give him afterward some account of their advice in the business, but never would call upon them for it, nor countenance or favor me in prosecuting or soliciting of it: yet I have still proceeded in my way so far as God hath given me ability, and opportunity in these manifold and distracting changes; wherein notwithstanding all our shakings and movings, the foundation of a Religious correspondency to prosecute the means of unity and Peace are laid and continued; whereby the endeavors may easily be renewed whensoever the Lord shall move those that are in authority to mind the things of Christ's Kingdom as the main end of their Government over men: and not to make his Kingdom a cloak and pretence to cover other ends and interest; of their own in the world; as hitherto most men whom I have met withal have done; or else have minded the Gospel-work only perfunctorily and in a Secondary place; and I am very confident: that because they have not sought the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness first and before all other things, therefore the other things which they have mainly sought, have not been added unto them: But when judgment shall return unto righteousness, then all that are upright in heart shall follow it: and upon such shall be peace, and upon the Israel of God; to whom I consecrate this and all my other endeavors as it becometh a witness and Solliciter of Truth and Peace.