Unto which I answer, I doe consent that we should do with this Government, as we are done by in Regeneration, in which all old things are to passe away, and all things are to become new, and this we must doe, if we desire a perfect reformation, and growth of our Religion, or good to our civill state. For the whole Fabrick of this building is so rotten and corrupt, from the very foundation of it to the top, that if we pull it not down now, it will fall about the eares of all those that endeavour it, within a very few yeares.

The universall rottennesse, or corruption of this government, will most evidently appeare by a disquisition into these ensuing particulars.

First, let us consider in what soile this root growes. Is it not in the Pope's Paradise? Doe not one and the same principles and grounds maintaine the Papacie, or universall Bishop, as doe our Diocesan or Metropolitan Bishops? All those authorities which have beene brought us out of the Fathers and antiquity, will they not as well, if not better, support the Popedom as the order of our Bishops? So likewise all these arguments for its agreeablenesse to Monarchy, and cure of Schisme, doe they not much more strongly hold for the acknowledgement of the Pope, than for our Bishops? and yet have Monarchies beene ever a whit the more absolute for the Pope's universall Monarchy? or their Kingdomes lesse subject to schismes and seditions? Whatsoever other kingdoms have beene, I am sure our Histories can tell us, this Kingdome hath not: and therefore we have cast him off long since, as hee is forraine, though we have not beene without one in our owne bowels. For the difference between a Metropolitan, or Diocesan, or universall Bishop, is not of kinds, but of degrees; and a Metropolitan or a Diocesan Bishop is as ill able to perform the duty of a Pastor to his Diocesse or Province,

as the Universall Bishop is able to doe it to the whole world. For the one cannot doe but by Deputies, and no more can the other; and therefore since we all confesse the grounds upon which the Papacy stands are rotten, how can we deny but these that maintain our Bishops are so too, since they are one and the same?

In the second place, let us consider by what hand this root of Episcopacy was planted, and how it came into the Church.

It is no difficult matter to finde this out; for is not the very spirit of this order a spirit of pride, exalting itselfe in the Temple of God, over all that is called God? First, exalting itselfe above its fellow Presbiters, under the forme of a Bishop; then over its fellow Bishops, under the title of Archbishops, and so still mounting over those of its own profession, till it come to be Pope, and then it sticks not to tread on the necks of Princes, Kings, and Emperors, and trample them under its feet. Also thus you may trace it from its first rise, and discerne by what spirit this order came into the Church, and by what doore, even by the back-doore of pride and ambition, not by Jesus Christ. It is not a plant which God's right hand hath planted, but is full of rottennesse and corruption; that mystery of iniquity, which hath wrought thus long, and so is fit to be plucked up, and removed out of the way.

Thirdly, let us consider the very nature and quality of this tree or root itselfe, whether it be good or corrupt in its owne nature; we all know where it is said, a good tree cannot bring forth corrupt fruit, nor a corrupt tree good fruit; doe men gather grapes of thornes, or figs of thistles? By its fruit therefore we shall be sure to know it; and according as the fruits of the Government have beene amongst us, either in Church, or Commonwealth, so let it stand, or fall with us.

In the Church. As itselfe came in by the back-doore into the Church, and was brought in by the spirit of Antichrist, so itselfe hath been the back-doore and inlet of all superstition and corruption into the worship and doctrine of this Church, and the meanes of hastening us back againe to Rome. For proofe of this, I appeale to all our knowledges in late yeares past, the memory whereof is so fresh, I need enter into no particulars.

A second fruit of this Government in the Church, hath been the displacing of the most godly and conscientious Ministers; the vexing, punishing, and banishing out of the Kingdome, the most religious of all sorts and conditions, that would not comply with their superstitious inventions and ceremonies; in one word, the turning the edge and power of their Government, against the very life and power of Godlinesse; and the favour and protection of it unto all prophane, scandalous, and superstitious persons, that would uphold their party. Thousands of examples might be given of this, if it were not most notorious.

A third fruit hath beene schisme and fractions within ourselves, and alienation from all the reformed Churches abroad.

And lastly, the prodigious monster of the late Canons, whereby they had designed the whole Nation to a perpetuall slavery and bondage to themselves, and their superstitious Inventions. These are the fruits of the Government in the Church.

Now let us consider these in the Civil State; as,

1. The countenancing all illegall Projects and proceedings, by teaching in their pulpits the lawfullnesse of an arbitrary Power.

2. The overthrowing all processe at Common Law, that reflected never so little, upon their Courts.

3. The kindling a warre betweene these two Nations,

and blowing up the flame, as much as in them lay, by their Counsels, Canons, and Subsidies granted to that end.

4. The plots, practices, and combinations during this Parliament, in all of which they seeme to have beene interested more or lesse.

Thus have they not contented themselves with encroachments upon our spirituall priviledges, but have envied us our civill freedome, desiring to make us grind in their mill, as the Philistines did Sampson, and to put out both our eyes. O let us be avenged of these Philistines for our two eyes!

If then the tree bee to be knowne by its fruits, I hope you see by this time plainly the nature and quality of this tree.

In the last place, give mee leave for a close of all to present to your consideration the mischiefes, which the continuance of this Government doth threaten us with, if by the wisdome of this Committee they be not prevented.

1. The danger our Religion must ever be in, so long as it is in the hands of such Governours, as can stand firmly in nothing more than its ruine; and whose affinity with the Popish Hierarchie makes them more confident of the Papists, than of the professors of the reformed Religion, for their safety and subsistence.

Secondly, the unhappy condition our civill State is in, whilst the Bishops have vote in the Lords house, being there as so many obstructions, in our body Politike, to all good and wholesome Lawes tending to salvation.

Thirdly, the improbability of settling any firme or durable peace, so long as the cause of the war yet continues, and the bellowes that blow up this flame.

Lastly, and that which I will assure you goes nearest to my heart, is the check which we seem to give to

Divine Providence, if we doe not at this time pull downe this Government.

For hath not this Parliament been called, continued, preserved, and secured, by the immediate finger of God, as it were for this work? Had we not else been swallowed up in many inevitable dangers, by the practises and designes of these men and their party? Hath not God left them to themselves, as well in these things, as in the evill administration of their Government, that he might lay them open unto us, and lead us, as it were, by the hand, from the finding them to be the causes of our evill, to discerne that their rooting up must be our onely cure? Let us not then halt any longer between two opinions, but with one heart and resolution give glory to God, in complying with his providence, and with the good safety and peace of this Church and State, which is by passing this bill we are now upon.

No. II.

THE following list comprises all the publications, of which Sir Henry Vane is understood to have been the author.

I. "A brief Answer to a certain Declaration, made of the Intent and Equity of the Order of Court," &c., 1637. Hutchinson's Collection, p. 71.

II. "Speech in the House of Commons " on Episcopacy, 11th of June, 1641.

III. "Speech at Guildhall" concerning the treaty with the King, 8th of November, 1642.