TWELVE QVERIES Humbly presented to the serious Consideration of the High Court of PARLIAMENT. About the two Soule-oppressing yokes of a Forced Maintenance and Ministry, That have more oppressed the Consciences of the Knowing and Godly People of this NATION, then all the Tyranny either of the KING or BISHOPS beside.
FIRST, whether it is warrantable for Magistrates to force all the People in a Nation, City or Town (some of them being godly, others being not, yet discerned to be so) into one way of Church-communion, and to submit unto one and the same Ministry.
2 Secondly, whether it is yea or no the duty of such as feare the Lord in a Parish or Parishes neer adjacent, to joyne themselves together, to walke in Church-communion apart from those that yet appeare ungodly.
3 Thirdly, whether it is the duty of such a People to choose a Minister one or more, such as they are perswaded in their Consciences are faithfull, and able likewise to edifie and build them up, and also to instruct such poore soules as shall come in among them to heare.
4 Fourthly, when a People are at the Charges to maintaine such a Ministry. Whether it is not a great Oppression to force them to maintaine another Parish Minister, whether they judge him worthy or not.
5 Fifthly, whether it is not a sinne in Magistrates to force upon any people a Minister, of whom their Consciences are not satisfied: which if it were an evill in the Bishops (as all our zealous Ministers have said) why then is it not as great a sinne in Magistrates now?
6 Sixthly, whether it is according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, for Magistrates to force from the People a Maintenance for the Ministry; And if so, in what Text of Scripture it is to be found.
7 Seventhly, whether it is a probable way or meanes to advance the Gospel, to force a Maintenance for the Ministry, or whether it is not rather a meanes whereby to foster an Idle, Proud, and sluggish Ministry.
8 Eighthly, which be the most watchfull, Painfull, and Profitable Preachers at this day. Namely those that have nothing but by a voluntary Contribution, or those that usually goe to Law for maintenance.
9 Ninthly, whether it can be expected that such a Ministry will ever worke any effect upon the soules of such as are forced to maintain it against their wills.
10 Tenthly, when a man can take a forc't Maintenance from him or them, on whom his Ministry never wrought so far as to make them willing to give it. VVhether this doth not give just cause to doubt that this man seekes the Fleece rather then the Flock. And whether a wise Man would not suffer hard things, rather then commit his soul, to the care of such a Ministry, or helpe to maintain it.
11 Eleventhly, whether doth the Prophet Micah in his third Chap. and fifth Vers. describe a true Ministry or no, in these words: Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my people to erre, that bite with their teeth, and cry peace, and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare warr against him.
12 Twelfthly, The Premises considered, whether it be not a duty incumbent upon the Magistrates (while the opportunity is in their hands) to breake the neck of those Antichristian Yokes aforesaid, & the only way to glad the hearts of all Gods people, and to be called the Repairers of Israels Breaches.