which Governors they had no cause to complain as by their own confession upon Samuels enquiry appeared Yet notwithstanding They would and did reject God their King and his Deputies the Judges and they preferred obstinately Kings of their own invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and so they changed the form of Government prescribed owned and blessed by God and set up their own inventions against which God opposed with many circumstances arguments threatenings and by miracle from heaven Yet they went on obstinately they would have a King whatsoever it cost what or how great evils soever came thereof And if we consider the very root and branch that leadeth M. Prynn and many other wise men out of the way ariseth from hence Because they depart from Gods wisedom revealed in the holy Scrsptures And in the stead thereof prefer their own inventions M. William Prynn endeavoreth in the whole substance of his Speech to bind the King with new ropes such as the Philistines bound Sampson with and likewise with seven green cords and with new ropes never occupied and yet more he plats his locks as it were and fasteneth them with the thred and pin of the Web and the Woof But all this to little purpose for I would grant M. Prynn some part of his argument which he often rehearseth namely that such contrivances such manacles were not put upon any or scarcely any King for a long season or from the Creation c. Yet all to little purpose for bind Sampson and miss that way or place wherein his strength resteth and he will break all your Cords asunder For in the first place it evidently appeareth That these obligations and ties were sinful if they could have taken effect Secondly They were too weak to hold him under namely the late King Thirdly They failed in regard they reached not the place where his strength lay Fourthly These matters propounded by M. Prynn were not likely to prove to be a means to help the people but rather to trouble them and would have brought upon the people if they had come to effect many and great evils and adversities which the people could no way have shuned as I doubt not but that I shall make it evidently to appear in the following part of this book by the help of God Concerning M. William Prynn I look upon him as a man of far more eminent parts then my self this I speak not out of by-respects but in the presence of that glorious God who I do love and fear I am very fearful to presume above that which is meet Yet this I say That in this matter I believe the Lord hath shewed to me his weakness I am willingly content to be tryed by the word of God in which tryall I desire all such as truly love God and his Truth that without turning to the right or left hand they will judge uprightly First I conceive That this M. Prynne sinned in namely because that he invented and prescribed a way to take away from the King divers rights and priviledges which God allowed to all lawfull and good Kings which all Kings ought to be and recorded in the Scriptures the unerring rule of Truth I say it appeareth plainly that this was sinful because this way prescribed by M. Prynne in the endeavors of his whole speech was not a way prescribed by God but directly forbidden in the whole tenor of the Scriptures by evident testimonies which speak directly of that power or authority which God gave to Governors and to Kings I doubt not but that will evidently appear being duly and throughly tryed that it is as great an evil to deprive any lawful Governor or King of that authority and power which God alloweth to them by deminishing it as it is a sin and error on the other hand to give to them more power then God doth allow them in his Will revealed in his Word And further it will plainly appear upon due examination That both these are very injurious to the peoples good comfort and safety That is to say it will appear that M. Prynnes advise in deminishing that power and authority due to Governors was both a breach of Gods Law and very injurious to the people God saith expresly Deut. 4.1 2. Hearken O Israel unto the Ordinances and laws which I teach you Vers 2. Ye shall put nothing to the word which I command you neither shall ye take ought therefrom We may not do that which seemeth good in our own eyes but all that God commandeth us We sin as well if we turn to the right hand as if we turn to the left hand if we add or deminish to or from Gods commandements Now let us note M. Prynnes own expressions which are often repeated words to the same effect M. Prynne saith fol. 37. The King hath wholy stript himself his heirs and successors for ever of all that power and interest which his Predecessors alwaies injoyed in the Militia Forces Forts and Navy of England Ireland c. First In this observe That the King did not this willingly but by the seeking and consent of M. Prynne Secondly To be stript wholy for ever of all that power which his Predecessors always injoyed was more then God alloweth For observe well this must needs follow That either all the power which the late King or his Predecessors injoyed was unlawful which could not possibly be except they were usurpers and entered not into the sheep-fold aright at the door c. or else it is evident that Mr. Prynne would have taken from the King that power which God and the people gave yeelded and did acknowledg to be due to all lawful and good Shepheards or Governors that entered by the door into the Sheep-fold in all former times This will appear by record of holy Scripture That Governors were allowed by God and the people Government in those matters of and in which M. Prynne prescribed a way to take from him a power very eminent and considerable The Judges of Israel never claimed nor exercised more power over the people whether it were in War or in Peace whether in those things we distinguish under names of Spiritual or Temporal matters then the King did afterwards for in this matter the Kings took more power Now it is evident That the Judges took and the People willingly gave to the Judges and afterwards to the Kings which succeeded that Power and Authority in many cases which lawful Power M. Prynne laboureth to take away and that in an high degree Now consider that it doth expresly appear if we consider what power God offered to Joshua and the people promised him Recorded Jos 1.16 All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee Secondly God gave to Kings and the people gave to Kings as much power of Government and command as unto the Judges in
and appoint such over them Vers 22. And let them judg all small matters so shall it be easier for thee c. We may there note That this distribution of Justice into many hands was not to the intent that many should judg ordinarily in every one case for then it would have brought both a greater burthen upon Moses and upon the people because when the judgment of a cause goeth through many hands these many hands or Judges are with more difficulty brought together and with greater charge greater expences and likewise their judgments not easily reconciled And also such cases in such a manner heard are longer in issuing fewer causes can be heard and likewise the people will be burthened with long waiting and great expences to maintain this châ—rge Therefore there were not more Moses's added not more Governors of equal authority to assist Moses in the hearing such causes as came ordinarily to be judged by him But it is evident That this multiplying Judges was to that end that these Judges or Rulers being chosen might be distributed into the severall Tribes where the People lived to the intent that the People might not travell far but might have their causes tryed and judged near to their own habitations And this did not weaken or lessen nor diminish from Moses his authority there was this still reserved that Moses the chief Judge should still have the sole judgement and determination of the weightiest matters and affaires This further appeareth by the extent of Ioshua his authority Ioshua 1.16 17. Then they answered Ioshua saying all that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go as we obeyed Moses in all things so we will obey thee onely the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Ver. 18. Whosoever shall rebell against thy Commandement and will not obey thy Words in all that thou commandest him let him be put to death c. Here it may be noted that the chiefe judge or governor that was over Gods heritage had power to command and to determine all the weightiest matters that concerned the people of the Lord. If we looke but upon a Family which representeth a little common-wealth wee shall there finde that God appointed one chiefe governor although the woman be in such a relation yet God knew that it was meete to ordaine one to be chiefe governor whose word should be of force This doth avoide much contention where it is willingly consented unto by all in the Family But on the contrary where the wife which is the nearest relation and the most eminent in the Family next to the man doth contend for the guidance of all matters in the Family What sad events do follow in such cases That mutuall love that otherwise would be betweene the Man and the Woman is separated the Family disturbed servants and children grieved neighbours offended and God much dishonored Even so and much more I believe we shall finde the Common-wealth to be disturbed where no one is chiefe Object But is it not said that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety Answ That sheweth that the chiefe governor should not be so proudly lift up in his spirit that he should despise the advice of others in which respect David sheweth an humble frame of heart when he saith that hee will not reject the advice of his servant much more not of those that are in nearer relations It is a precious vertue to be of an humble frame of heart to hear the counsell of others but this doth not destroy the lawful authority of Order in Government Touching Parliaments or Assemblies of the Elders of the people doubtlesse I conceive they may be in diverse cases as in the case of the defect and want of a chiefe Iudge or in case that the chiefe Iudge shall degenerate and decline from the Institutions and Commandements of God they are ordained and approved of by God in such cases and in other cases provided that they do not diminish the power and lawfull authority that God doth allow to such good governors that walke in his wayes This appeareth by that quere that the Prophet Samuel maketh to the People when he demandeth 1 Samuel whose Ox have I taken or whose Asse have taken or whom have J done wrong unto or of whose hands have I taken any bribe to blind my eyes therewith as if he should have said if you could justly lay to my charge these things there might be some just cause wherefore you should come together to demand another governor although neither would this warrant you to change the forme of government for therein you should breake Gods institution This appeareth likewise when the people assembled to depose and punish Athaliah and divers others the reason is plain because God must be honord above al he is the supreme governor ruler of rulers people Doubtlesse that Law of God that bindeth all men without respect of persons to the observation of it must of necessity finde a way and allow a way for the observation of it otherwise it would fall short in the perfection of it but to say that God onely must punish chiefe governors for their offences in another world to me plainly appeareth to be of no validity for God gave the Lawes to Men on Earth to be observed and the breach of his Lawes to be punished upon earth without any respect of persons or limitation and one Law of God bindeth all men But to returne that lawfull power and authority that God giveth and hath beene given and yeelded to all good governors by Gods Church and People must doubtlesse be yeelded to all good governors in like relations and with the like respects therefore I believe this is evident from the whole premised that the principall governor of a Common-wealth must be one and must have neither lesse nor more authority then Moses and Ioshua had in those first and purest times of Gods institutions And because we have the like liberty to punish or to remove such offenders as break the Law of God that they had if we see that such chiefe governors doe evidently act to Gods dishonor and the Peoples ruine which are unseparable companions Gods Laws do helpe the people in case that God give the people hearts to improve them to his glory Do but warily cleave to Gods ordinances to his institutions Let the chiefest governor be subject to the punishment that God prescribeth in such cases for such offences in his sacred Word Secondly let none succeede by succession from Father to Sonne Thirdly take heede that God chuse governors let them be of his sending and this is of more validity then all the ties fetters charters acts and what ever inventions of man to secure Gods glory and the good of us and of our posterity as I believe for our danger and misery ariseth from this roote namely when governors creep in at the windowes and in by-pathes and
are not indeed true Shepherds but Wolves and Foxes and shall we love them so well that we shall take them by succession and not enquire of God who shall be the man thirdly if we are yet more negligent so that when they appeare to be as they too often prove Wolves in sheepes clothing yet do we observe Gods Lawes which layeth such open to punishment The reason seemeth to me to be evident that caused the People from time to time to use such paines and diligence to obtaine from former Kings grants that the Kings should not oppresse or tyrannize over the People or their consents to severall such Acts in Parliament was it not because the Law of God was kept in obscurity the time fore determined by God was not then accomplished who or where was the man that durst or did so far adventure to declare the Law of God in that particular namely that Kings were subject to the Law of God according to the true latitude of it for had the Law of God bin fully plainely and clearely opened the People might easily have seene that they had had lesse neede of such promises because the Law of God is a more strong a more cleare and shining light then all the Lawes of man whatsoever And was not this the very grounds why it came to passe that notwithstanding all the grants that the People could obtaine from former Kings they proved too weake to hold down their loftinesse Witnesse queene Mary did not she and many others breake the Lawes of God and draw the poore people to Idolatry and take away the lives of the poore servants of God notwithstanding all the Charters that the People had obtained in former Ages Was it not because the People were kept partly in feare of their great overtopping power and partly by reason they were kept in ignorance that the Kings and great men of the earth were equally without respect of persons subject to the Law of God and most especially because Gods time fore-determined for the Reformation of government not being fully compleated the People did not see nor cleave stedfastly to Gods prescriptions to the way God in his word appointed for the calling of governors but on the contrary the People were carelesse and negligent in the matter of governors they made too light account of governors not throughly seeing it to be of any great concernment and did not God so withdraw his good Spirit of illumination from the People that he denied them wisdome power or opportunities to punish offending governors Dearely beloved suffer this truth of God to be fully and freely opened and I believe we shall not neede to feare to set up one as chiefe And this likewise will be beneficiall to us for by this means we shall not have so much bloudshed for to obtaine Crownes and Kingdomâ—â— I pray you further to consider that if a people should set up government composed of many heads or many members making or head or chiefe having all equall authority in the steede or for the want of one chiefe governor and if this should be their places their power and actings constantly to judge and determine the affaires of a Common-wealth this must needs be considered that they likewise are subject to erre yea are they not often times more subject to err and to break Gods Lawes Now in such cases of delinquency must not there be left a way open to punish them which must be some other invention and will it not follow thus ad infinitum multiply what numbers you will Consider oâ— the benefit that a People get by having one chiefe governor from this example suppose there were a hundred thousand Men in a Campeâ— and suppose that there were one hundred Generalls over every thousand of Men one Generall and suppose that every one of these Generalls had an equall authority and not any one to command in chiefe Consider would the Campe be in greater security because their Cheiftaines or Generalls were many no one commanding in chiefe above the rest No verily but in much more danger thereby not only in regard of a common enemy but also in danger of emulation and strife amongst themselves And suppose further that these Generalls should agree that no act should be done by any one of these Generalls that should be valid and of force without the consent of the rest would it not follow that the People thereby should be more burdened because when they had a matter they could not have it ended without the consent of the whole would not their matters be longer in agitation and obtained with greater charge and difficulty and it would be a great danger trouble and burden not to be borne to the Generalls themselves let us therefore be exhorted to follow Gods wisdome in this matter I doubt not but that a Parliament or Assemblie of Elders may be of eminent use and benefit to the People especially in such times as these till matters be fully ended and setled and after they may assemble and meete to that end that Gods Commandements may be observed by all and to question and punish any governor for the breach of Gods Lawes because God approveth and blesseth two or three that meete together in his Name to do Gods worke but is not the constant Government of the Common-wealth to be put into the hands of one Man and must not he have so much power as Ioshua had and other good Iudges of Israel the more we strengthen the authority of a good governor the more it is for Gods glory and for our comfort and safety Consider another instance if a Merchant or a great Tradesman had many people to deal with all by reason whereof he hath occasion to imploy 20 or 40 men under him to dispatch businesse these are not to the intent that they shall constantly act in every businesse for then if they had all equall authority no one commanding in chief they would one hinder another and businesse would go more slowly forward Therefore the end why he calleth or taketh more men to helpe him it is to the end that they may at once tend upon and dispatch severall occasions and also these are all of them to be subject to the Masters order and all the rest orderly to be subject one to another Thus did God ordain one Moses chief governor to whom God committed the government which did nearly resemble Gods government in Heaven but through Mans weakenesse not being able to act like God therefore God permitted Moses to ordain other Rulers inferior to himself and those were distributed amongst the People over thousands and hundreds and fifties and tenns Whereby it appeareth that the end was not that all those rulers should act in the judgement of the same causes that Moses acted in Neither were any of those governors much lesse were they all to have equall authority with Moses This did further appear by the authority that all the Iudges of Israel had
of Delinquency the Reason I intend is Because that such eminent persons are usually compassed about with such giant-like assistants that although it be evident in Scripture that the People have right in divers cases to depose and to punish offenders yet they dare not they cannot at their pleasure they may possibly by woful experience come to see they are mistaken in the man and they may cry out by reason of their afflictions but how to remedy them they cannot tell for want of power Woful experience we have now had of this whereby we may easily discern how hard a matter it is to remove a King or Governor though never so apparently a Delinquent let us be warned and enquire of God who shall govern us so shall we be sure we shall not err But to return we may further observe in the same leaf that Mr. Prynne doth acknowledg That this way and these prescriptions were such as he had no warrant for neither from the sacred Scriptures nor from any other president recorded in humane Records Fol. 37. his words are these None of our Ancestors ever demanded or enjoyed the like nor no other Kingdom whatsoever since the Creation c. I will not contradict his Testimony in these his expressions In this I fully agree that the sacred Scriptures the unerring Rule of Truth is so far from retaining such a president as that the Scriptures Testimonies are evident copious and eminent in the direct opposition Consider what Mr Prynne further speaketh in his Speech fol. 39. his words are these These great Officers and Judges having now no dependance at all upon the King who can neither place nor displace any of them And a little further he adds these words As the King hath entrusted you with c. so hath he entrusted you with his Conscience and Courts of Equity too c. This was a rare matter for a King or Supream Judg to entrust another man with his Conscience and more with his Courts of Judicature A little further he addeth fol. 40. That never any Parliament in England claimed or enjoyed such matters as these c. I do verily believe a great part of the former I hear some use very bitter expressions against new opinions and against some that are not so indeed But let the godly Reader unpartially consider That these matters are new Opinions indeed such as neither Scripture nor humane Records can produce by his own confession And further note That these are not new Opinions about circumstantial matters but they do much concern Gods Glory Kings Governors Peoples future security Are not these Opinions Capital If Errors they are great ones I shall but touch one Use I make of this and desire all that are godly to consider namely That it is good to be humble meek and lowly for God saith That he will teach the humble and instruct the meek Jam. 3.17 That Wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated Vers 14. But if there be bitter envying and strife in our hearts rejoyce not for this Wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual and devillish Vers 18. The fruits of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that love Peace Many in these times cry out against Opinions that never knew nor seriously examined their own hearts First It is good to examine our own hearts where we shall easily see much ignorance much pride much evil In many things we sin all Jam. 3.2 Now this benefit we shall have thereby that we shall be the more merciful in censuring others There is a generation aboundeth now that will be wiser then those Governors that God hath set over us And do exclaim against our Governors for their remissness in that they do not at once root out all Errors But consider thou that dost thus may not thy lot fall amongst the number of those Hereticks against whom thou art so fierce Could we wait and perswade our Governors in meekness of wisdom for Reformation of things amiss then we should sooner prevail because God would go along with us Mr Prynne is very hot at some times in censuring and delivering other mens opinions over to the Sword of the Christian Magistrate I could advise him to take heed that he be not too quick-sighted to spy to condemn and persecute other men for their opinions I advise and counsel him and my own heart to be slow to wrath slow to censure others Let us set the staff at our own doors for we know not how soon it may come to our own turn to be in error James 3. That wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable c. Mr Prynne was in a great Error in labouring to take from the King as a King any power rightfully due God helped the Army and the remaining part of the Parliament I do believe to discern the way that God had appointed to remedy those evils in such a way as he himself had appointed Consider we well of two things in this Mr Prynne's Speech First he saith That the King should be deprived of all Right and Power in the nomination of Governors Against this the Scripture is directly in opposition for in the first and purest time Moses had that authority to appoint or at the least to approve of the Officers under or inferior to him Read and observe the place Exod. 18.24 And Moses chose men of courage out of all Israel and made them Heads over the People and they judged the People at all seasons David he appointed the Officers of the Army as namely Joab the Captain of the Host and others and we may read That the Kings placed and displaced many put to death and pardoned many I cannot be large in proving such evident matters I shall have occasion in the Sequel to treat more of these matters Such as will have Kings against Gods will they may here see that verified that Samuel speaketh of namely That they shall cry out by reason of their afflictions but God will not here them It is many years since the days of Samuel and the people have been much corrupted and oppressed by evil Kings which no doubt the people discerned plainly but none durst none could help themselves And had not God stirred up these worthy men men that to posterities to come shall be recorded for their courage and faithfulness in helping the Lord against the mighty in delivering the people out of that Egyptian Bondage Consider a word dear Countrymen under Kings we bestowed time and cost to instruct our children in the ways of godliness Suppose the King then being should dye or some Idolaters poyson or make him away and set up his Son who they see is inclining to Idolatry in his stead what then followeth Answ Then all our labour is lost or else our children shall be persecuted and slain for not forsaking their former principles and this cometh often to be the affliction
between such neer relations between Brethren Therefore she rather parts with her beloved son Jacob and giveth Jacob this reason Genes 27.45 Why should I be deprived of you both in one day I pray you consider that we have suffered much already If any should endeavor to bring new and more dangerous breaches would it not be very grievous Are there not some that by their publike practises have so divided our families and our friends already that one friend dareth hardly trust another Consider I pray you That this present Government are men that seek your honor your good and your peace so far as God sheweth to them that it may be for Gods glory and the good of the Land and would such discontented men forbear such direct and such palpable provocations I beleeve the desires of this Government is to honor and respect the Ministry yet more Consider what will be the issue of such mens endeavors that seek to stir up strife It is not possible to avoyd but that either the Government must fall or such as sow discord must fall These matters cannot long be suffered with the safety of the Land Now therefore consider the Government loveth you and I am verily perswaded would pass by former offences provided that for the future there might be an amendment I do beleeve that you have done what you have done in some measure with zeal I do consider that Peter swerved more then once and likewise that in many things we sin all There is much wickedness committed by too many and likewise there are many unsound Opinions many corrupt Opinions You desire these matters may be amended Then I do beseech you that you will seek to strengthen the hands of the Governors Is it possible that they should work a Reformation if you should divide your selves Did not Moses and Aaron go hand in hand I am sensible of the matters that offend you do but obtain this namely That a Governmont may be established countenanced and obeyed I mean such a Government as God hath prescribed owned and blessed in his holy Word and I dare engage that it is the nearest way to obtain your desires only in that pray earnestly as a matter of concernment Touching the Government by Kings they are gone and past labour not to bring them again for certainly it is evident that that shall neither be according to Gods mind nor for your comfort If men famous in the Congregation withstand Moses it is no wonder that the whole Congregation be out of order Moses must be strengthened and obeyed that so the true Levites may do their duty and be defended from injurious persons but if men famous do withstand Moses to his face yet God will vindicate and defend his cause Moses's true authority shall stand Touching these corruptions and evil opinions do but give Moses his authority and God will give him his Spirit in such a measure that vice will fly away as chaff before the wind Concerning these evil and corrupt opinions that in these troublesom times have evidently appeared consider this That God can make all work together for the good of his Elect they may see thereby the evils with grief and detestation they may see of what great concernment of what benefit of what necessity it is that there should be Governors to defend them from the violence of the wicked to defend them from erronious persons to support Gods Word and his Laws to punish Delinquents and ungodly men that so the fierce anger of God may be turned away from us Pharaohs oppressions and Israels sufferings in Egypt God in his wisdom used them for the instructions of his people afterwards And in the very beginning and next before the delivery of the Law God recorded that to be remembred as being of eminent use and instruction to his people Exod. 20.1 2. God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage This God by Moses and the Prophets afterward used as an effectual argument to invite to and to put the people in mind of their duties Remember thou wast a bondman Pharaoh an oppressor and I delivered you therefore c. Bread or food is most welcom to us when we be most hungry England was wanton and proud and full God now proveth them God I believe is about an eminent and great work of Reformation marvel not therefore if God leave the impression of tyranny and wickedness in a more then ordinary manner to be recorded to posterity Dearly beloved Fathers I pray you suffer me without offence to you to propound this to your consideration namely That forasmuch as there hath been and is such a great and too general falling off from the true ways of God in the practise of godliness sin having so generally over-spread the Land in the open sight of God and men Therefore my humble Request to you is That you will consider whether it be not now a season to gather your Churches such as are not already into good order let the Septer of Christs Authority be advanced openly so that all men may see that you have power of the Keys and Censures and that there may be some outward solemn act the form I leave to your wisdoms only it must be equivalent to a Covenant whereby the people that shall willingly avow or acknowledg God and Jesus Christ to be their God in such a manner that they willingly will submit to him in all the ways of his Worship according as it is revealed and recorded in his holy Word the Scriptures may be orderly gathered into fellowships and all known sinners may be hereby brought to repentance This will be a means that many that now divide and stumble at the prophaneness that is in many places suffered and the disorder and want of power that is conceived to be in many Congregations will give and reach out unto you the right hand of fellowship I would not prescribe the way precisely but so far as you may perceive my meaning This may be a way to curb and cut down much prophaneness and if God give you hearts to stand up and labour diligently to do Gods will herein with courage industry and all your might I hope your labour will not be lost I cannot but with humble hearty and unfeigned thankfulness to God acknowledg his great mercy to us who have highly provoked God by our crooked and froward behaviours in and for that God hath stirred up many godly Ministers and People to reform many things even now in these troublesom times I humbly pray you labour now with all diligence to go on and perfect so much as in you lieth the Work of the Lord. Consider I pray you That Israel repeated or renewed their Covenants upon several occasions None that are godly can take any just cause of offence Paul became all things to all men that by all means he might win
of an humble heart and I doubt not but that peace and truth will meet notwithstanding all other oppositions And on the contrary so long as you carry in your company proud hearts you shall not enjoy and obtain peace and truth the Reason is plain because God resisteth the proud he knoweth the proud afar off What saith Jam. 4.1 From whence are wars and contentions among you are they not hence even from your pleasures that fight in your members Vers 2. Ye lust and have not ye envy and desire immoderately I shall conclude this Exhortation with that Ephes 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Vers 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God Vers 31. Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and evil speaking be put away with all maliciousness Vers 32. Be ye courteous one to another freely forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake freely forgave you There hath been or is stil a great variety distance and difference of opinions amongst too many if I should or could answer to the satisfaction of all a work much beyond my compass yet new opinions springing up I should still have more and continued labour and trouble Yet I shall propound to the consideration of the godly and well-affected that way that God hath prescribed owned and blessed for the composing and ending of all differences that are or shall arise Much labour and travel and pains is and hath been taken to compose differences I pray you that you will consider That God who is wise and knoweth what is in man better then man himself this God brought his Church and chosen People out of Egypt through the Wilderness being a Type and Figure shewing us how we must through the wilderness of this world through many temptations and tryals pass before we arrive at the Land and place of our Rest Many are the sentences recorded by Moses that man of God which shew That God took an especial care of his Church and Chosen and as in other matters so especially in this matter namely That in all cases of difference whether it were in the duties of men appertaining to God in matters of his Worship or in such differences as did arise or should be amongst men which likewise had a reference to the breach of Gods Law in all of these cases God left not the people without order and means to try determine and compose differences for otherwise it had been the peoples great misery but God is the God of Wisdom and Order and not of Confusion Now if we do consider well of it the way that God ordained and owned and blessed to that end to compose differences was by appointing Moses to give Judgment in all cases of difference this plainly appeareth Exod. 18.15 16. by this means all matters of difference were desided And so likewise the Ministers counsel was of great use as appeareth Deut. 17.9 10 11 12. there God doth directly command his people to seek counsel of the Ministers and likewise doth will and command us to hearken to their counsel The Gospel is not against that good order that God in his wisdom prescribed Now Beloved Friends the way to compose differences I beleeve will lie much in this namely That we highly esteem of the counsel of our Governors temporal and spiritual Government is established and strengthened by the Gospel and who can or dare prescribe a better form for the Administration of Justice then God himself hath described and prescribed and never repealed Moses was the first in Gods Ordination and had the preeminence of matters of Judicature and Aaron likewise had his charge and authority very nearly assistant to Moses the Ministers counsel was to be of force By Moses all matters whether they were breaches of the first or second Table whether they were matters more immediately committed against the Majesty of God or whether they were mediately committed against our neighbor all these matters were examined tryed and judged by Moses God appointed him to judg and to put an issue to all matters The Ministers had their place likewise their counsel was of great use I purpose to speak more particularly to these in place afterwards This Use only I commend to the consideration of all who it may concern namely That seeing that God hath given such authority to Governors as it is evident that God hath for this was not cancelled or removed by the coming of our blessed Saviour but contrarily this was confirmed as seasonably I hope will plainly appear Consider of that place 1 Cor. 6.4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to the life set them up which are least esteemed in the Church c. Was not this the way to heal their distempered differences namely by Governors or Judges and rather then they should pretend some excuse he saith Set them up which are the least esteemed c. not that the Apostle intended that they should set up any carelesly but vers 5. he speaks this to shame them This matter being of such great concernment it behoveth us for the good of us and of our posterity to take special care that so far as it may be in our power let us use all circumspect care That we allow of set up and obey such men as may be according to Gods mind there lyeth much weight in it for let our differences be what they will be or shall be or can be yet the Governors will they must they ought to hear try and judg of them This is doubtless Gods own way it hath his Image and Inscription I grant That if any Governors any whatever shall not act for God but against Gods Laws the Body of the People or their Representatives have or ought to have power to depose and punish such for in relation to God and his Laws both the Governors and the governed are and ought to be subjects to Gods Commands But beloved Friends do not so far trust to this your liberty that by reason thereof you neglect to enquire and take counsel of God who shall be your Governors have an especial eye to the Rules contained in his Word about this matter ask counsel of God For consider well of it let the Experiences recorded in Scripture let the Experiences recorded in other Nations let our own Experiments recorded in this k nd teach us That when a Government is once setled it is a difficult matter to remove or alter either the person or the form of Government once established although we should apparently see that they were evil towards God and us We have I believe much cause to be thankful to God That he hath granted unto us more liberty now in these matters then our Fathers obtained from the days of Samuel to this day Those Governors that now we enjoy both in the Parliament and in the Army I believe they
one of his own people 1 Ki. 15.27 Elah slaine in like manner 1 Ki. 16.9 And of Baasha his predecessors progeny God saith 1 Ki. 16.4 he that dieth of Baasha his stock in the City him shall the Dogs eate and he that dieth in the field the Fowles After him Zimri pursued by the People burneth himselfe 1 Ki. 16.18 Jehoram slain by his own people 2 Ki. 9. Ahaziah slaine in like manner 2 Ki. 9.27 Iesabell slaine 2 Ki. 9. Ahab slaine his posterity slaine 2 Ki. 10.6 by the Elders of his own people Ver. 7. Athalia slaine by her own people 2 Ki. 11.3.16 Iehoash slaine by his own servants 2 Ki. 12.20 Shallum slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 15.10.12 Pekahiah slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 15 25. Pekah slaine by his owne people 2 Ki. 15.30 Amon slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 21.23 I know not any one of these but that they are noted to be notorious sinners I doe let passe some others slaine and carried captives only these briefly as the shortnesse of time will permit the Lord give us hearts to understand the meaning of the blessed spirit of God aright Note here that God in his righteous Iudgements suffered and appointed Kings to be punished on earth God did not let them alone to be punished in another World I do believe that all these were not to be approved in the instruments and manner of their slaughters but some of them are approved and all of them are noted to bee taken away by Gods righteous judgements for the breach of his Laws and Commandments Now let the sincere godly hearted unpartially compare this government by Kings with that government by judges in which I pray God to direct you aright Thus have I endeavoured to present to our view the Kings that reigned over Iudah and Israel the Lord give us understanding to consider what bitter fruits the People reaped by changing their forme of Government I shall onely in this matter consider that doubtlesse these Kings many of them or others in their room would have beene much better had the People kept closer to the Rules prescribed and from time to time enquired of God who should have beene the man that should have governed them for we may note that although God promsed David that some of his posterity should governe yet they ought to have made him King whom the Lord should chuse Deut. 17. But we may note that God did so withdraw his good Spirit from the people that I remember not that it is recorded from Solomons time and after that the People did ever solemnly enquire counsell of God Who should governe them I doe believe that if the people had solemnely and seriously sought to God in this matter God would have provided some of Davids posterity from time to time and so have blessed and guided them by his good Spirit that they should have beene much better then they were but I doe believe God suffered them to swerve that we by their examples might learne wisdome whatsoever was written before time was written for our learning Having thus far proceeded in laying downe or describing the Cause or Foundation wherefore or whereupon I endeavour in the feare and love of the great and most high God according to the measure of Grace received to describe such a government Governors together with their entrances and authority as God hath prescribed owned and blessed in all which I doe consider that from the time of the Prophet Samuel to this day there hath beene so great a swerving and declining from that first most pure and cleare Fountaine from those most straight wholesome and good Rules Precepts and Commandments described by that most high and onely Wise God therefore I pray you blame mee not if I decline from humane authorities in all this description I desire to enquire for the old and good wayes of our good God And I consider that Gods Wayes his good Will and Pleasure is most certainely most wisely most apparently made knowne in the Scriptures written by the Prophets and Apostles men that most truly and faithfully made knowne Gods good Will and Pleasure without mixture of their owne or other mens inventions Therefore I shall most chiefly and only in comparison alledge the authority of the Scriptures and the rather because I consider that as the interposition of the Earth between the Sun and Moone darkneth that light and maketh an Eclipse whereby we are hindered from the more apparent and clear light and benefit that otherwise we might receive so I feare it would come to passe if I should follow other inventions I am sure that in this way the true light is most unerring I shall next endeavour to shew what encouragement I finde recorded in the sacred Scripture that do strengthen or encourage me to believe That God now in these latter Dayes and Times will restore and reforme government so that we shall have Judges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning and then wee shall be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City I shall begin to propound to consideration this Scripture Esai 1.24 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts the mighty one of Israel Ah I will ease me of mine adversaries and avenge mee of mine en mies Ver. 25. Then will I turne mine hand upon thee burne out thy drosse till it be pure and take away all thy tinne Ver. 26. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy counsellers as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City From this place I observe That corrupt Governors are the great hinderances of Reformation because the Church shall then be a City of righteousnesse when they have Judges as at the first Secondly I observe That such corrupt Governors and Governments God hath determined shall be put downe this is expressed in these words J will ease me of my enemies and burne out thy Drosse this is plainely implyed in these words I will restore thy Judges as at the first c. Thirdly I observe that at this time when the Prophet Esay wrote this sentence or this precious promise The government that then was in being which was a government by Kings was neither the first government nor the best or pure government but hereby noted to be a corrupt government If this were not the plaine and true meaning of these words I believe God would not have made this to be the way and meanes whereby the Church should become in Gods estimation a City of righteousnesse and a faithfull City and this appeareth if we do consider that the way how and cause why they should become a City of righteousnesse was Because a better government should be to the Church and People of God and that which then was in being should be destroyed but then the government was by Kings Fourthly I observe that this government should be reformed or regulated according to the first
the death of Gods Priests 1 Sam. 22.19 And Nob the City of the Priests smote he with the edg of the sword both man and woman both childe and suckling both Ox and Ass and sheep with the edg of the sword and Davids life which he earnestly sought Witness his unjust molestation of the People whom he forced from their own dwellings to pursue an innocent and good man These were some of the first fruits of their Kings more followed afterwards But thus it was not the practise of these Judges in the first and purest Times But further we may note That this man Moses and his successors to the days of Samuel such as God instituted I do not mean such as crept in at the windows and in by-paths not in the way God instituted but Moses and the rest of his successors to Samuel we read much recorded concerning their vertues their pains and diligence but we do not read that they addicted themselves to gather great Estates to leave to their children and such as they had fleeced from their brethren the People unjustly nor do we read much of their banqueting houses nor of their sumptuous palaces nor of their numerous servants nor of their hunting and hawking nor of their excerable swearing and blaspheming the great and glorious Name of the Lord nor of their Prerogatives Royal to overtop and annihilate Gods Commandments and to seize upon the wracks of poor distressed Merchants and Seamen which suffered shipwrack upon their borders a custom I beleeve hateful and abominable in the eyes of the Lord and directly in opposition to his Commands who commandeth us to help and relieve the oppressed and afflicted and not to strive to add to their afflictions by taking away that little that God had otherwise spared to them I heard of one ship since my arrival that the people seeing themselves in danger forsook the ship yet after this ship was so brought to the shore that much of the loading being rich and of value was saved from the violence of the Sea but not returned to the Owners that I could yet learn I humbly entreat you that are our Governors make diligent enquiry that no more such crying sins be commited lest it bring upon us the fierce wrath of the Lord. But to return Neither are these Judges noted to keep a company about them of swearers or other vicious persons such as I here name not but such as your ears have heard of and such as God abominateth These Judges in these first and purest Times were humble faithful watchful and pious men men whose acts are recorded by Gods direction to all generations that they might be examples to follow O Lord shall we ever live to see those or such as those Governors that were in those first and purest times Hast thou given us hope of such a Reformation Blessed be thy Name I beleeve thou hast promised that we shall have Judges as at the first and Counsellers as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of righteousness a faithful City Having spoken thus much although it be very much less then the scripture recordeth for our learning touching the qualifications virtues of these Judges in these first and purest times wherein God did the most eminently and the most immediatly appoint and prescribe Government and Governors to and for his Church and peculiarly chosen people Israel I shall now endeavor to propound to consideration according to the measure of grace received to draw out of Gods sacred Word what finde there recorded concerning the principal Governors and other Governors distributed in several administrations and also their power and limitations and also the entrance of them into their places I finde That God in his divine wisdom saw it meet for his Church and chosen and peculiar people to ordain institute and appoint one chief Judg and not many Thus it appeareth in the book of Exodus and in the records of Joshua of all the Judges and in the book of the Kings that one chief Judg had the charge for although Judah and Israel were divided it is there to be noted that afterwards they became as two distinct and differenced Governments and also we note that this was not so in those first and purest times wherein God did the most immediately and clearly appoint Government And also we may observe That this division did not strengthen them nor did it turn to their peace and welfare as afterwards appeared and is recorded in the Books of the Kings and Chronicles For although God suffered it to be so yet we may also consider That God suffereth and bringeth upon the people for their sins many tryals and afflictions which yet God knoweth how to make use of for his own glory This people would not keep within the bounds of Gods first institutions therefore God causeth them to see the difference of Government to see the difference between his prescriptions and institutions and their own inventions and also that God might shew the fruits of such irregular proceedings to us that should come in these latter times Whatsoever was written was written for our learning Considering this I dare not turn aside from Gods Commandments in those first and purest times wherein God appointed that there should be one Governor and but one as chief And that this is the best way of Government most for Gods glory and the peoples good these Reasons guide me thereunto First Because God in his wisdom did see meet that it should be so witness the immediate pattern God gave to the people Moses Joshua Gideon Samuel and the rest Secondly Because this is the pattern of that glorious Government in Heaven one God distinguished but not divided in three persons which governeth over all God inviteth us to be like to himself and seteth forth himself for us to imitate Be ye holy for I am holy saith the Lord a place well known From hence I conclude That that Government is best that is most like most conformable to Gods Government in Heaven Thirdly We know that Forces united are strongest and occasion less difference and discord We may see in the Records of our own Nation the many Troubles Wars and Discords that many several Governments brought forth and produced If men should commit the constant Government of a Land into many hands of equal authority call them by what names you will would not this be the issue and fruits thereof First They should turn from the first and most pure way prescribed by God which God forbid And also would not such Governors be themselves over burthened with business and would not the People be worn away wearied and oppressed thereby It was Jethroes counsel to Moses and the Lord allowed or approved of it namely that there is recorded Exo. 18.18 Thou both weariest thy self and this people that is with thee Vers 21. Provide thou among all the people men of courage fearing God men dealing truly and haâ—ing covetousness
as appeareth by the Records of the Chronicles and the bookes of the Kings of Israel and Iuda to which we may add the experiments of all Ages Sixthly Gods Wisdome is most perfect and God is unchangeable Seventhly this Order was never repealed in any Age to this day Eighthly the Promises of God in the Scripture do plainely shew that when God will have mercy upon his beloved People it shall be shewed the most eminently and apparently by restoring Iudges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Ninthly this government by one chiefe as head and governor doth the nearest resemble that Heavenly frame of government Tenthly consider who ever thou art that harbourest such thoughts that such thoughts do arise from unsound Principles I believe not well ballanced considerations Because admit or suppose thou were left at liberty now to prescribe a forme of government what forme of Government couldest thou invent Consider that God witnessed evidently and eminently that when God prescribed government by Judges in such order as Divine records do mention this forme was better then any other Nation had in the whole World No Nation was so blessed by God in those times that had Lawes and Ordinances so righteous by which is meant Governors or Iudges and Lawes to be their Rules as God in those first and purest times did prescribe to his first borne Son And further consider that we are not now a separated People from the true Israel of God we are not strangers to those Lawes which God then in those times gave to them but contrarily we by Faith in Iesus Christ are ingrafted into the true Olive Tree we now are part of Gods houshould and doe subject to all the Lawes of Gods first borne Sonne and though they were our elder brethren yet now also God hath in his rich abundant and not to be sufficiently expressed mercy begotten us also to a lively hope so that we also are their yonger Brethren Therefore for any man to conceive that he could invent a better forme of government then any in the World in those times had and a better forme of government then God himselfe did the most immediately prescribe and own and confirm and blesse such a man if there be any such had neede to consider this matter first very advisedly least wanting wisdom to prescribe and power to uphould and power to blesse and prosper such his inventions he should be found to be an opposer of God himself and likewise exalt his wisdom above the wisdom of God The next matter I conceive it will be meete to propound to consideration other judges or governors that are in order inferior to this chiefe Judge before mentioned Exod. 18.25 And Moses chose Men of courage out of all Israel and made them heads over the People Rulers over thousands Rulers over hundreds Rulers over fifties and Rulers over tens Ver. 26. and they judged the People at all seasons but they brought the hard causes to Moses for they Iudged all small matters themselves The end wherefore judgement or Iudges were thus distributed is to that intent that both the chiefe governor may not be over burdened nor the People over burdened recorded Exod. 18.18 Thou both weariest thy selfe and this People that is with thee greatly the end being duly considered we may more easily distribute the governors Governors are sutable to this proportion to be distributed into the severall Shiers Cities Townes and Places where the People live which plainely appeareth the end being considered for the very affection of a loving Father is so prevalent that love causeth him to seek the comfort of his children and to provide for their comforts and conveniences to this purpose the Apostle saith that he is worse then an Infidell that provideth not for his Family Now consider that the Common-wealth in some respect is the Family of the chiefe Governor It is a lamentable case to consider have not the People bin I could wish it were not so still forced to travell many miles to their great detriment for to get those causes decided and determined that might with much ease have bin ended at or near to their own dwellings Yea moreover have they obtained the determining or ending of their causes without making many or diverse such chargable journies to the undoing of too many Men Widdowes and poore Fatherlesse Children have not many for want of means bin forced to loose their rights and lawfull maintenance Consider of it dear Fathers and now let it be remedied and doubtlesse God will shortly say unto you well done good and faithfull servant thou hast beene faithfull in these things come be ruler over more and better things enter into thy Masters joy But on the contrary consider that oppression is a crying sinne God will certainely hear the cry of the oppressed the cry of old and yong the cry of the Widdowes and of the Orphanes God will certainely hear them God will do it for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Therefore dearly beloved Fathers I humbly beseech you let Governors be distrâ—buted into the severall Shires Cities Townes and Places where the people dwell And keep close to the rules prescribed in these first and purest times namely let the determination of causes be in proportion to these first patterns let not the end be neglected which is that Gods Lawes be observed and the People may be eased I pray you to consider what is recorded concerning Samuel that good and pious Governor he rather then the People should travell far did travell himself to the places where the People dwelt 1 Sam. 7.16 And Samuel went about yeare by yeare to Bethell and Gilgall and Mispeh and judged Israel in all those places No doubt he appointed Judges all over the Land that did judge the people l kewise I pray you to avoide multiplicity of Iudges being of equall authority to judge at one timâ— in one and the same cause I believe it will not be so much for the Peoples comfort not so sutable to the first and most pure institutions and I believe t will be too great a burden to those that should be Governors in such causes in such a manner constantly I do conceive that from that end of the multiplying Governors recorded Exod. 18. which was to ease the People and Moses and that Gods Commandments might not be broken and from the acting and president that Moses left there recorded it appeareth that many governors are needfull in their severall places but not many governors of equal authority constantly to act in one cause and not in the weightiest causes more and most especially My reasons mentioned are gathered from the president and wisdom of God himself Now I shall proceed to describe that way for the calling or entrance of thâ—se governors into their places Being a matter of the highest and greatest consequence to us next under God we cannot possible use too much diligence nor too much intention nor too much
not then let us within some little considerate time before the time be ended which God directeth you to set apart for this work proceed to chuse by lot It is a safe way it is a way God himself prescribed it never erred Will it not be a way to remove all jealousies and subtleties and to compose all differences and to put an end to all strife But dear Fathers I pray you however in some convenient time chuse some one chief Governor eminently known for courage and for piety and give him all the lawful power that God in his wisdome gave unto Joshua and to other lawfull governors This will be a way for Gods glory and for the peoples for us your childrens safety and comforts for Gods Wisdome is infinitely beyond all mans inventions I pray you let us not have a Titular Governor if you shall not think meet to condescend to any of these wayes I know whom I trust and I hope I shall shew my selfe obedient in all lawfull matters to such as God and you shall see meet to appoint and I shall not cease to entreate God so to direct you with his good and blessed Spirit that you may do that which is well pleasing to him Now I conceive it will be meet to speak something touching those Governors inferior to the former which are for the glory of God for the ease of the chiefe Governor and for the Peoples ease and comfort Now again I look upon the most glorious perfect and beautifull frame of Government which the blessed Angells do and the elect children of God shall enjoy to all eternity Where I find one blessed God the governor and the rest all appointed and distributed into their severall places by the power and wisdom of that blessed God This leadeth me to conceive that God proportioneth his Works like unto himself for so God did in the Creation of the World and the creatures therein God made one man governor of all the creatures upon Earth and that man named the Creatures and disposed other matters it had bin mans happinesse provided that Gods glory had bin maintained that the government of the World might have continued in and according to that lovely order Secondly God made that one man in his owne image like to himselfe and I believe we shall finde that God composed or framed the Government of his Church and People in some proportion like to the frame of the Heavenly Government my time will not admit to speake much of that blessed Spirit of God part whereof God did communicate or bestow upon Moses and so let him represent his place so far as might stand with Gods glory that is so far as Moses might be subject to Gods Commandements for therein God reserved to himselfe his own glory in Adam the great Emperor or governor of the World Yet hee was subject to Gods Commandements from these considerations I shall proceede When God in those first and purest times did appoint the distribution of governors recorded thus Exod 18.25 And Moses chose men of courage out of all Israel and made them heads over the people Rulers over thousands Rulers over hundreds Rulers over fifties and Rulers over tens Here I finde that God gave Moses authority to appoint the governors that were to govern the People Which authority I do believe doth undoubtedly belong to all good governors being chiefe governors onely this is to be considered that the People here were neâ—re to Moses so that Moses knew many or all of them Therefore I believe that God that is the God of wisdome and of Order will allow that where People live further off and the chiefe governor may not know all the men whose dwellings are further off from him and therefore cannot so well know the qualifications and fitnesse of men for government in such cases it doth much differ but Moses must I meane the chiefe governor must doubtlesse approve of all governors under him that governe for Gods glory and for the Peoples good ease and comfort There must be no inferior governor that he approveth not for that would be directly against the frame of the Heavenly government and against the expresse letter of these first and purest institutions And Moses must I meane the chiefe governor must chuse immediately if it be possible with convenience the chiefe next to himselfe namely the governors of thousands this most nearely resembles Gods President God chose Moses and Moses chose them under him the words are expresse and I dare not alter them I dare not prefer my wisdome before Gods Wisdome nor dare I add nor diminish to or from Gods Prescriptions the rest of the Rulers of hundreds fifties and tens may be chosen proportionable to this president provided that the chiefe Governor approve of them Now that this way is most for Gods glory and the Peoples good appeareth if we consider that government distributed resembleth or supplieth that defect of man who cannot be every where present nor here all causes for otherwise they all represent but one intire and absolute governor therefore God appointed one chiefe governor namely Moses like to himself but through the occasion of mans weakenesse to supply that defect God suffereth the Government to be distributed Secondly it appeareth that this is the best way that the chiefe governor should appoint or at the least approve the rest because the Wisdome of God saw meete it should be so as is expresly recorded Thrdly consider that it doth strengthen uphold and knit together the whole frame of Government forces united are the strongest Fourthly it doth prevent divisions and may be a meanes to reforme abuses when inferiour governors are offendors thus God when he seeth his Lawes broken doth remove and punish delinquents For if you should admit of governors against the minde and approbation of the chiefe governor it must needs follow that that State so doing must be corrupted divided or sore shaken and endangered in short time for let but Gods Lawes take place and then the governor in chiefe is subject alike with the rest and the rest acting for God have power to punish him because God is their highest governor and they must obey God although it be against the chiefe of men Therefore the danger cannot be great thereby but on the contrary it is for Gods glory and for the peoples good that the chiefe governor should appoint or approve of the rest at the least Fifthly it will appeare to be Gods appointment by the Records in the sacred Scriptures not only in the first institution which is the best and the surest but also in the continued practice of chiefe governors all along from time to time This appeares Ioshua 1.17 As we obeyed Moses in all things so we will obey thee but Moses had the authority to appoint governors therefore Ioshua had so and it appeareth by Ioshua his actings afterwards Thus we may reade that Saul and David did appoint governors recorded in many places