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
but that the Parliament-men would have been so wearied that they would have sought to have relinquish'd this And I do conceive that the People would by this means have been distracted divided and molested with Taxations to bear this great charge besides many other grievances I forbear Fourthly To sum up all Mr Prynnes Endeavors together they hold out thus much First He laboreth to exalt him to the Throne to that honor to be our Shepherd our Governor a man who I beleeve God had appointed to death Secondly He seeketh the setting up and the continuance of a Kingly Government which I beleeve God hath numbred and finished Thirdly He seeketh to destroy or to weaken those which were instrumentally our best friends Fourthly He held it safer for the Common-wealth and more advantageous for to have the constant Government of the Common-wealth to be determined by such a great number of Parliament-men rather then by one as chief and other Officers as Judges distributed unto their several Charges but how far this would have been from the pattern of the will of God revealed in the Scripture and how far this would have burthened the people and put them from their peace and comfort I purpose if God will to shew afterwards in the place thereof more at large All these arise from this root He seeth the Common-wealth to be troubled and out of order and I beleeve he labored painfully to cure and remedy those troubles But God hid from his eyes what was the true cause and thence proceeded his mistakes in the remedy Consider onely this task When Moses sate and the whole People came about him from morning to night it was too great a burthen both to him and them But in case many Moses's many Judges had been appointed to sit and determine every case of the peoples then Causes must needs have been longer in the issuing them and both the Judges and the People should have been more burthened but I forbear in this place It is observable That a disease truly and evidently known it is in a ready and probable way to be cured with more ease more speed less danger and less cost On the contrary Physicians mistaking the disease oft-times administer such potions as do more hurt and do more endanger So it is in this matter the distemper is mistaken My advice therfore is this That we follow the wisdom of God revealed in the sacred Scriptures without turning to the right or to the left hand For I beleeve if we do follow our own inventions in these weighty matters Peace and Truth will hardly meet together If God help us to agree in this weighty point namely That our Governors be such true Shepherds as come in at the true door of Gods revealed will contained in the holy Scriptures Then we need not to doubt but that such will love the sheep and upon such God will bestow his blessed Spirit upon them to guide them Such God will own and the People will finde the benefit by them and will hear their voyce We are not left without hope for God hath promised to restore Judges as the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness Isai 1.26 And by this means we shall again acknowledg the great happiness that it is to have God to raign over us Now let us consider the other part of Mr Prynne his Speech and Endeavors which was to render the Army as enemies to the peace and safety of the Common-wealth as appeareth in the first leaf in the superscription or in the Directory to the Reader that he might thereby point out to the Reader what he intended in the following Treatise or matter of his Writings the words are these viz. The Armies Remonstrance Novemb. 20. is a way to speedy and certain Ruine and a meer Plot of Jesuites to destroy us This if we read and consider the substance of Mr Prynne in his Speech will evidently appear that he labours to render the Army as enemies to the Common-wealth as those that sought to bring another War and more bloodsheding as those that were favorites to and complotters with Papists Jesuites as those that sought the destruction of the Kingdom Let us now consider whether this Charge were true or no and first let us begin at the Root after consider the fruit that groweth upon the Branches Mr Prynne maketh this the Root or Ground That the Army laboured to bring the late King to a just Tryal for the breach of Gods Laws who is the King of Kings he saith That this was plotted by Jesuites to the end they might hinder the re-establishing the late King in his Throne Now when it is uprightly considered of I believe it will appear directly to be contrary to his Propositions even as light is contrary to darkness which appeareth if we consider these two matters 1. That the Officers held no correspondency with Jesuites so known to be nor did they favour the Jesuites so much as other men 2. That if there had been many Iesuites in the Army disguised yet it had been directly contrary to their Principles to their Prosperity to depose those Members of Parliament secluded or restrained and likewise it was more contrary to the Religion and intentions of Iesuites to bring the King to a lawful Tryal First Touching the first It is evident in my apprehension that the Army I mean the principal Leaders of the Army held no correspondency with the Iesuites first because their Tenents their Religion and their Practice was directly in opposition to the Iesuites For if we consider this that the Iesuites maintain the Worship of Idols and they the Iesuites teach and maintain That Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion and to further that they will not suffer the Lay-people to read the Scriptures in their own language the Iesuites will not suffer the Lay-people to dispute religious matters much less to speak to an Assembly of People by way of Prophecy and many other like matters too tedious to rehearse Now if we do consider unpartially the Army both in their profession and practice are directly opposite to these matters And that the Army held no correspondency with the Iesuites appeareth in this because in all this War they used the utmost of their endeavors to pull down or destroy or captivate that party Indeed it is considerable that the Kings party were a great party of either Iesuites or those that highly esteemed Iesuites and by Letters and writing discovered and intercepted it too evidently appeared that they held correspondency with them but I never heard that I remember that the Officers of the Army were tainted with that infection nor that any Writing was discovered or other act done by them that might lead us to have such hard thoughts of them And since that time we may take notice That those Ministers that they appoint or those that they favour are such men that do teach sound doctrine we
if we deminish Object But is there any president or example that warranteth a people to depose and punish their Governors Answ The condition expressed and recorded in the Book of Joshua doth plainly hold out That the whole body of a people or such as represent or are Deputies for the Common-wealth or part of that body may in cases wherein their Governors act not for God but contrary to his revealed Will in such cases I conceive the Word recorded in the Book of Joshua plainly warranteth and teacheth people That they ought to make such exceptions This people that gave Joshua his Answer were a part of the people And although this Covenant or Caveat had not been expressed yet it had been the peoples duty and wisdom to follow him in Gods ways but not other ways If we take notice and consider that place recorded Numb 25.1 The people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab c. The people for this cause were commanded by God to slay those Governors that were guilty in this matter The Lord said to Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the Sun that the fierce wrath of the Lord may be turned from Israel Numb 25.4 Now this sheweth That it is Gods Will that Governors shall by the people be punished in such cases as are notorious breaches of Gods Law for although these Governors were not equal but inferiour to Moses yet they were Governors of the people as for example all Governors are not Emperors nor all Kings nor all Judges of an equal rank yet they are all of one kind Gods Law bindeth and hath the same authority over all But further consider this it is there recorded for our learning Num. 25.6 That one of the children of Israel brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of c. Note That this man was a Prince Vers 14. Vers 7. And when Phineas the son of Aaron saw it he rose up c. and took a spear in his hand and followed the man of Israel into the Tent and thrust them both through c. From this Text it plainly appeareth That in such openly known sins Princes are liable to punishment nay further That God taketh this as a matter that is so acceptable to him that he rewardeth it with an extraordinary commendation and reward Vers 10. Then the Lord spake unto Moses saying Phineas the son of Aaron hath turned mine anger away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake amongst them therefore I have not consumed the children of Israel in my jealousie Vers 12. Wherefore I say unto him Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace Here note That Phineas stood not to search over the Punctilioes of the Common Laws neither was he a Judg nor ordinary Officer to put men to death he stayed not till this man was tryed by his Peers but he considered that God was highly dishonored the case was extraordinary therfore he put his life in his hand and couragiously zealously pursued the transgressor and slew him this is recorded for our learning Rō 15.4 Whatsoever things are written aforetime are writen for our learning It is to be admired That people they should be offended at the Army and at some of the Parliament because they executed Justice upon such an offender as had sinned in the sight of the Sun by setting up Idolatry that had sinned in shedding innocent blood such an offender as was tryed and found guilty to the knowledg of the Land and by the opinion of Lords Commons Army and People witness their Writings in Print and is this so hainous a matter This maketh me call to mind the Prophecy Revel 18.16 17. Alas alas that great City that was clothed in fine linnen and purple and scarlet and guilded with gold and precious stones and pearls For in one hour so great riches are come to desolation And every ship-master and all the people that ocupy ships and whosoever doth trafique on the sea shall stand afar off and cry c. But what saith the Spirit of God Vers 10. O Haeven rejoyce over her and ye holy Apostles for God hath punished her to be revenged on her for your sakes Dear Friends you that are not drunk but in good frames of heart consider that this great Tower of Confusion is fallen the Prophets foretold of these days Isaiah Daniel Hosea Micah and others they tell us plainly That corrupt Governors must down I believe the time is accomplished that God did in his counsel determine these matters therefore hang down your heads no longer but you that wait for the Salvation of Israel lift up your heads I pray you Countrymen note That the Army and the Parliament they being zealous for Gods glory they put their lives in their hands they look all oppositions in the face they executed Justice upon an offender this was Gods work that guarded them with strength this act of theirs was beyond their own abilities I pray you compare this act with that of Phineas is not there the same cause in the offender Is not the zeal of Phineas and their zeal like in the very countenance and of near affinity And hath not God crowned this act of theirs Consider that God hath blessed the fruits of the earth and hath enriched our barns and stores Hath not God blessed us in our fishing abroad not the like for many years before Hath not God blessed us by giving us Victories at Sea and Victories at the Land Whithersoever they turn themselves they are blessed since the death of the late King This maketh me commend to your consideration that blessing that God gave to Joshua and is acknowledged thus There was not a City that God delivered not into his hand nor place was too strong for him Consider it well and apply it If any will be obstinate and blind let them be so I cannot help it But to go on in 2 Kings 11.15 Jehojada the Priest commanded the Captains of the Hundreds that had the rule of the Host Vers 16. And they laid hands on her c. and there she was slain We may here observe That there is a president recorded in Scripture that sheweth That when a principal Governor shall do evil in the sight of the Lord the people did account it to be their duties to punish such great offenders and offences by death thus was Jesabel slain The example of the Israelites likewise is considerable 1 King 12.20 where the ten Tribes by reason that Rehoboam would not hearken to them in easing them of those Taxations that they said were too heavy they therefore deposed or rejected him from being their King for although that Jeroboam forsook Gods Commandments afterwards that was his sin But touching their act in casting off and renouncing all obedience to Rehoboam for his sin of oppression God plainly alloweth that and owneth
are men that prefer Gods glory and the Peoples good much before any private respects to themselves and I do believe if God give us patience we shall see it evidently to appear Let it be our wisdom and care to know and not to exceed the bounds of our lawful Liberties in this matter and the Rule of God forget not I do beseech all you that love God and do desire to do his Will That you will wrestle with God for a blessing in this matter for I believe the time is near that God will restore Judges as at the first and Councellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.26 Touching the great difference that seemeth to be amongst many I have no doubt but that the godly if they obtain a blessing in this matter of Government and study to be quiet shall plainly find a means in Gods own way to compose their differences Dearly Beloved You that are of different opinions and that do unfeignedly desire to do Gods good will and pleasure I would put a great and vast difference between you and those men that manifest by their fruits That the fear of God is not before their eyes that manifest by their fruits That touching Gods Commandments they agree in one opinion which is That they will have little respect to Gods Commandments because concerning these David saith Psal 10.2 The wicked speak with a double heart that is they pretend that they hate diversities of opinions and that they will be comformable to Gods Laws but alas doth it not too evidently appear That they acknowledg not God in all their ways for under pretence of conformity they shelter themselves and so make ready their arrows that they may shoot at them which are upright in heart as David witnesseth Psal 11.2 Job saith of such Job 29.17 I brake also the jaws of the unrighteous man and pluckt the prey out of his teeth And in the next Verse Job saith I was a father unto the poor and when I knew not the cause I sought it out diligently To those that fear the Lord and earnestly desire to do his Wil I say That I believe that by reason that evil Governors have so chased so afflicted and so persecuted you that from the apprehensions of your former miseries you fear all Governors you are very shy of Government But dear Friends let me say this to you Stay a while and look back again God hath promised that he will restore Judges as at the first c. What then then the case will be altered good Governors will love the Flock and defend them from the wicked and ungodly and blood-thirsty men they will feed the Flock God commanded Moses to carry the flock in his bosom neer his heart Numb 11.12 Carry them in thy bosom as a Nurse carrieth her sucking childe unto the Land that I will shew thee Be not afraid therefore for a Nurse that loveth her sucking Childe will love it and not cast it away because of her own trouble nor yet though the child have blemishes and is not so beautiful as some others I pray you be not afraid of Government for if you eye God enquire his counsel who shal govern you fear not follow but the rule prescribed and I doubt not but that God will bless that Government to you the Spirit of God will rest upon them For consider That God is the Author of Government therefore do not fly from Government for this I can tell by experience That I have seen a people that have out of Conscience to my apprehension professedly separated themselves from other Societies in the wilderness and allowed Liberty of Conscience without any disturbance I have seen and noted and experimentally known these people and passages and what have been the fruits of such a boundless monstrous and deformed Liberty They have rent and divided so amongst themselves that it hath come to open hatred one of another and they have even cryed out for to have some Government that men might not speak and do what they list For consider of it That when God doth withdraw his good Spirit from men and let the Devil loose to deceive them it is scarcely credible to beleeve how far such men are drawn away even to blaspheme God and his sacred Word which are unseparable Companions And some may be drawn to beleeve That they may murther their Neighbors and take their Wives Children or Goods Now consider That it is a singular and precious mercy to us that God hath wisely and strongly prescribed Rules and Bounds and Government to these raging waves of the restless Sea beyond which they may not pass Dear Friends Look upon Government as a precious mercy it were not to be expressed the greatness of our misery to be without Governors or to be without the blessed Laws of God to be governed by For consider it well That as the Laws of God are for Gods glory so likewise the Laws of God are for our exceeding great good There is no Law of God but our Good is contained in it and without those Laws we should be miserable The wicked of the world would dishonor God that made us and they would make servants and vassals of us The strong would oppress the weak and would devour another Note well all along from Moses to Samuel and you shall finde That when the condition of the People was in a state of such a Liberty to be without chief Governors then the people committed wickedness and are punished and the way that God delivered them was by raising up good Governors For this take for an assured truth That from good Gouernors and good Laws ariseth blessedness Therefore cleave close to the Laws of God they are a precious treasure And likewise take heed that your Governors be of Gods sending Follow the Rules by God prescribed exactly diligently There are some books written by some that I forbear to name both because the matter seemeth to me to be ended and also because I follow after peace I will not meddle with the Cause they or he pretendeth that moved him to write But this I say They or he have not cause to complain of unkindness from this present Government for he hath just cause to say they were patient and forbearing for I desire those who are guilty to consider in what an high degree they have sinned The Holy Ghost commandeth us That no corrupt communication should proceed out of our mouths and the Apostle Jude sheweth the great evil of those that are hold in their own conceits I desire God to give them repentance if it be possible That the thoughts of their hearts and their transcendent evil may be forgiven to them For consider That let men slatter what they will or can yet there is a glorious God whose eyes are as a flame of fire from his sight such deeds of darkness cannot be hidden and remember That God
God chusing a governor and the peoples chusing a governor therefore he chuseth a governor by lot wherein and whereby God chuseth therefore Gods direction and institution is that God shall chuse This is most for Gods glory and for the peoples greatest safety Lots are Gods own Ordinance as appeareth in many places Josh 7.17 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their Tribes and the Tribe of Judah was taken And he brought the families of Judah and took the family of the Zarhites and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man and Zabdi was taken And he brought his houshold man by man and Achan was taken God could have shewed to Joshua who was the man so well as he shewed to him that there was an offence but he causeth Joshua to enquire his will in such a way as God had prescribed This sheweth that in difficult cases God ordained that people should enquire his minde by lots and this Samuel knew and therefore he enquireth Gods minde by lots in this very case of government this was never repealed to this day for God is not yea and nay God is not contrary or opposite to his own Rules This is certain it is better and safer for people to be directed by God to chuse the man yea although God for our sin should be angry with us yet even in those causes it is better to fall into the hands of God then into the hands of man and this David well considered when he chose to fall into the hands of God and not into the hands of man But further we may observe That this was the usual way namely by lots that the people took to enquire Gods minde in weighty and difficult causes as appeareth Iosh 18.6 I will cast lots for you here before the Lord thus Vers 8 10. read 1 Sam. 14.42 And Saul said casts lots between me and Ionathan my son and Ionathan was taken Here we may see that God appeared and gave a true determination and this was a way to avoyd strife Read 1 Chro. 26.13 And they cast lots both small and great for the house of their fathers Here again we may note That this use of lots was to shew what Gods minde was and to prevent all jealousies or indirect means and to prevent strife Read Nehem. 10.34 We cast lots for the offerings of the wood even the Priests the Levites and the People Read Ionah 1.7 And they said every one to his fellow come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us so they cast lots and the lot fell upon Ionah By this it evidently appeareth that the people in weighty cases did enquire to know Gods minde this way namely by lots Secondly We may observe That God doth answer the people this way Thirdly We may observe That the lot did not err nor fail to shew that which the people sought to God for Read Act. 1.24 And they prayed saying Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these thou hast chosen Vers 26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell on Matthias This sheweth that lots were not abolished but they are now of the same use that they were under the Law this is an example of the Apostles men in an extraordinary measure guided by the good and holy spirit of God and this was written no doubt for our learning this was and is a clear and evident direction in the very case of governors for the Apostles were Gods Embassadors his own Witnesses they were the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures this matter was an eminent and a weighty matter they chose but one of two The Reason is evident because the nature of their cause required no more First Because not any amongst all although holy would serve they must be men that had been the most noted to be eye-witnesses of what Christ had done and suffered and so that they had seen and heard those things themselves Secondly The Apostles were present that had an infallible spirit Thirdly This cause differs from the Governors of a Common-wealth because God in his wisdom ordered the Governors of a Common-wealth to be chosen by God out of all the people and I do conceive with due and humble respect to those that shall see Gods minde more clearly that it is the safest way to follow the most direct and evident Rules prescribed owned and blessed by God in the same cases Now it evidently appeareth that the Prophet Samuel directed immediately by God himself did chuse out of the whole twelve Tribes of Israel by that means God did fully chuse according to Deut. 17. to make him Governor whom the Lord did chuse immediately in this very case of chusing the Governor of a Common-wealth for in this case this president by Samuel was a certain and an approved president in chusing the person that God saw meet to be chief governor This was not about the form of government whether it should be by Iudges or by Kings for of that matter God shewed his minde by Samuel before expresly witnessing against the form of government by Kings but this was a Rule to shew how God is said to chuse the person that he seeth meet to govern I leave it to the consideration of the godly From these places before mentioned first I observe That it plainly and clearly appeareth that lots were ordained by God and that God owned them because God truly appeared and truly gave answer by them and because that God blessed this way of his own devising Secondly I observe That the lot when men cast themselves or referred themselves wholy to or upon God in such cases did never err it always gave a true direction a true determination in all weighty causes Search the Scriptures and it cannot be found that the lot ever erred Let not as fear therefore to chuse our chief governor by lot for let us not doubt God is the same unchangeable God yesterday and to day and the same for ever Will not this way compose all our differences Will it not heal all distempers Will not this way end all our strife Will not this way keep out all Wolves and Foxes and other beasts of prey Shall not we by this way return again to the Lord and by this means God shall be our King his Laws our guide by this means we shall obtain a man from the Lord and we shall be blessed and Peace and Truth shall meet together and so shall we have Iudges in some proportion as at the first and Counsellers as at the beginning and we shall be called a faithful City Thirdly Let us remember the great effusion of blood that hath been shed and the great envies hatred malice that is at this day reigning in the Land Is it not in every Country in every City in every Paâ—ish Nay there are but a few Families comparatively where there are not some breaches
are of Gods precious servants that do truely and unfeignedly endeavour and desire to do Gods Will well then here is a precious opportunity for if you should study all your life to do an act well pleasing to God this is the very act being an act concerning these worldly matters that is acceptable to God namely to follow Gods choisest Rules of direction with all your heart with all diligence in the matter of the form of government and the persons to be governors that so Gods blessed Spirit may rest upon them For consider that if you mistake or turne aside from Gods Commandements and so do mistake in the forme and persons we are undone the glory and splendor of your labours are lost for if the person of our chiefe Governor be not chosen exactly according to the choisest Rules gathered out of the blessed and good Word of our God how shall we the People lie downe and rest in peace without trouble and feare for we know that in by-pathes Wolves and Foxes do come into the Sheepfold which although they should come softly to us as if they meant us no hurt yet our hearts cannot be quiet for Wolves and Foxes meane us no good Nay further if they should come disguised in sheeps clothing so that we know them not by outward appearance yet if any should come in by any indirect means which God forbid in those paths those beasts of prey come in certainly our hearts cannot be securely and contentedly quiet because we shall look back upon former experiences recorded in the Scriptures where we may finde that such men as have attained to the places of chief Governors not in a way of God upon such persons God hath not bestowed his good but an evil spirit and such persons have proved to draw the people to sin and have been a means to bring the fierce wrath of God upon the people Therefore I do seriously confess in the presence of our glorious God that when I do consider the great danger weight and charge of a chief Governors place I see no cause in any worldly respect that is truly real and substantial why any man should covet desire or thirst after it but contrarily considering the great charge of souls the great account they must give to God for to whom much many Talents are given of them much shall be required God is a jealous God of his honor Considering likewise the shortness of our lives being but even comparatively a moment and considering likewise the danger that attendeth men in eminent places they are set in slippery places and considering likewise what diligence God requireth and self-denial in such places To me it plainly appeareth That a quiet or peaceably life with competency is much to be preferred and is truly and solidly better for a mans own comfort Moses and Gideon are recorded in Gods Records for their humility and wisdom and for that they looked upon places of charge Governors places as being very weighty to bear above their own abilities Consider therefore that if any man should attain Government in any by-paths not being sent of God into what a deep miserable and woful case for soul and body should such plunge themselves and so many thousands of Soules for this undoubtedly I shall expect that where any doe attaine governors places not according to Gods Rules that to such God will not give his good Spirit but rather an evill and a deceiving Spirit Note I pray you that although God was offended with the People yet because the People followed Gods counsell in accepting the person that God saw meete to Governe them therefore the Spirit of God came upon Saul all the time that hee rightfully reigned but presently when God had rejected him from governing it is noted and recorded that an evill spirit came upon him though hee retained his place after Therefore I humbly request you lay aside all worldly respects in this case and joyne all your strength diligence and hearts cheerefully and unanimously for Gods glory and the good of us your People and of our and of your posterity Remember dearely beloved how often God doth repeate these instructions namely that his People should diligently take heede to observe and note his Commandements and meditate in them day and night to doe and to observe them how often doth God admonish them to take heede not to add nor diminish to or from his Commandements and not to turne aside to the right nor left hand how many eminent examples hath God recorded of his anger against such as have cast away his Commandements and likewise his blessing upon them that with the greatest intention have followed those wayes that God directed and our Saviour telleth us that those that doe Gods Commandements are like to the wise builder that builded upon a Rocke Consider what great compassion God hath shewed to us that are Gentiles by nature and were Aliens from the Israel of God and Strangers from the Covenant of the Promises now God hath broken downe that partition wall and hath given us hope of salvation and hath made us partakers of those precious promises of Grace that are like to the balme of Gilead God through his blessed Sonne and our Saviour hath freely forgiven us our Offences and hath given unto us an assured hope of salvation Remember then what Christ saith that if wee love him wee should keepe his Commandements And consider wee shall get no benefit by turning from our God if we could obtaine the wings of the Morning and go over the face of the whole Earth yet we sall certainely finde that there is no God like to our God nor no devices or inventions of Men to be compared with those most beautifull and perfect wayes of our God And notwithstanding that Israel knew all this yet how apt were they and how often did they forsake the strong and gracious God and rejected his Commandements And preferred their owne inventions before Gods Commandements and before his Blessed Institutions in so much that GOD complained that the Ox acknowledgeâ— his owner and the Asse his Masters Cribbe but Israel would not obey the Lord their God Consider what could God have spoken or done more unto us hee hath sent his Prophets rising up early hee hath set before us Life and Death Good and Evill Prosperity and Adversity God hath set before us an eternall weight of glory a Crowne of glory God hath given us us unworthy such great and precious favours hope nay sure hope that we shall shortly our glasse runnes apace see God and enjoy him and the company of his blessed Saints and Angells to all eternity who is the Fountaine and perfection of all good beyond what the eye hath seene or the eare heard and beyond what ever entered into the heart of man to conceive Consider I pray you that notwithstanding that Israel knew many of these things yet they forsooke the Fountaine of living waters in so much that God saith of them Esai 48.18 Oh that thou haddest hearkened to my Commandements then had thy prosperity beene as the Flood and thy righteousnesse as the Waves of the Sea thy seede also had beene as the Sand that is numerous and our blessed Saviour saith Mat. 23.27 O Jerusalem Ierusalem which killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy Children together as the Hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and you would not Ver. 38. Therefore behold your habitation shall be left unto you desolate But Dearely beloved Fathers I hope better things of you God hath used you already as instruments of his glory to doe great things God hath by you opened such a door for Reformation as I believe hath not beene since the dayes of Samuel the Prophet Now you have a precious Pearlâ— in your hands now you have an opportunity the Lord give you hearts not to slight it but to improve it for the honour of God and for the good of his Church and People you may I believe if God give you hearts be a meanes that wee may have Iudges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall wee be called a City of righteousnesse and a faithfull City Isa 1.16 And then shall Peace and Truth meete together as Moses mâ—t Aaron in the Mount of God and they kissed each other Exodus 4.27 And then shall wee be a People whose governors and government shall be like in forme like unto the resemblance of that blessed forme and frame of government in Heavenly places amongst the blessed Saints and Angels which they do and the Elect children of God shall enjoy to all Eternity The consideration of that blessed and happy Government in Heaven drew mee to desire that our Government upon Earth might be in some proportion like to it this was the first mover under G d that caused me to write these few Lines and it is the utmost and onely end of My Endeavours FINIS Imprimatur Iohn Downame Decemb. 28. 1649. Errors in Printing discovered to be rectified Pag. 20. line 26. for revive read review P. 29. l. 28. for offered r. afforded P. 39. l. 18. Some words omitted P. 40. l. 14. for task r. case P. 53. l. 3. for second r. first and second Table P. 81. l. 26. for speak r. joyn P. 100. l. 26. for mediately r. immediately P. 113. l. 16. after Abimelech there wants part of a sentence P. 125. l. 37. put out onely P. 141. l. 11. for to r. for P. 157. l. 6. for Lawyers r. Laws
ENDEVORS Aiming at the GLORY OF GOD THAT PEACE TRUTH may meet together Wherein is contained the excellency benefit and necessity of good Government and Governors A loving Reply to Mr William Prynnes Speech made to the House of Commons and afterwards published Some matters are propounded to the Consideration of the Ministry and also to particular and to all Opinions The first purest best and most blessed form and manner of Government prescribed by God and recorded in Gods sacred Word together with the way of entrance or Gods calling of persons to places of chief Government the great consequence thereof Wherein is shewed That Government by Succession from the Father to the Son was none of Gods Institution in the first and purest Times And also the Government by Judges is plainly proved to be the best form of Government being Gods immediate direction most blessed and approved for Gods glory and for a peoples greatest Good Comfort and Safety By JOHN BLACKLEACH Isai 1.26 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 Righteousness and a faithful City Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and observe and do all his Commandments then the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the Nations of the Earth Gen. 49.18 O Lord I have waited for thy Salvation LONDON Printed by John Macock for the Author and are to be sold in Popes-head-Alley 1656. To my dearly beloved Country-men of England and to all of what Country soever namely to all such as love the true onely glorious and blessed God and endeavor unfeignedly to do his Will to such as have obtained like precious faith with us Grace Mercy and Peace be to you through the acknowledging of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Dearly Beloved UPon the serious and often consideration of that happy and blessed condition and unparaleld benefit which the blessed Angels do and the elect Children of God shall enjoy to Eternity in having God for their defence and their exceeding great reward The benefits thereof for number and greatness far exceed what the eye of man hath seen or the ear heard or what the heart of man can conceive Amongst other priviledges and benefits this is not the least That they shall have God to govern them whose wisdom is most absolutely perfect to lead them and to direct them Revel 19.11 John saith I saw heaven open and behold a white horse and he that sate upon him was called faithful and true and he judgeth and fighteth righteously Vers 12. And his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but himself Vers 13. And he was clothed in a garment dipt in blood and his Name was called The Word of God Vers 14. And the hosts which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses c. Vers 15. And out of his mouth went a sharp sword that with it he shall smite the Heathen and rule them c. From this place being full of consolation I shall onely collect this one point of Observation pertinent to the matter by me intended namely That the whole hoast of Heaven the blessed Angels the Saints and Children of God shall have this unmatchable this exceeding great benefit namely They shall be guided ordered and governed by the Word of God All the Hoasts of Heaven followed the Word of God upon white horses Which sheweth That this shall be the happiness of the blessed Angels and Saints to be guided by and subject to the Word of God We may easily discern our own weakness in guiding our selves we all like sheep are apt to go astray and to run into many dangers But God is infinitely wise to direct us he is strong to protect us he is rich in mercy abundant in mercy as the heavens are higher then the earth so is his mercy He likewise is able to fill and to satisfie our Souls with good things with him is the well-spring of life Glorious things are spoken of thee O thou City of God By this means namely by being guided by God we shall not need to fear we may lie down and rest in peace because the Lord is our Keeper read Psal 23. The consideration of this leads me further to consider of Government amongst men here on earth Upon diligent enquiry into the revealed will and minde of God recorded in the sacred Scriptures I finde That on earth it is a matter of the highest concernment to have good Government good Shepherds such as are sent of God Search the Scriptures and you shall find That when the People enjoyed godly wise faithful Governors they were endowed with many other singular and great blessings from God On the contrary when their Governors were corrupt the People were disturbed oppressed and afflicted The Scriptures are so full so copious so evident in the proof of this that I shall spend the less time in quotations Read the story of the Judges the book of Kings and the Chronicles of Israel and that being blessed to you by God will help you clearly to discern the truth of this matter The experience of all Ages will shew That from good and evil Governors proceeded the prosperity and adversity of the Nations Search the Chronicles and Records of the Ages and Times from Moses his time to these days wherein we live and it will evidently appear That from this principle from this root namely from Government arose the prosperity or adversity of the People and Nations If we look but back from the time of King Henry the eight we shall see this State tossed to and fro suitably to those persons that were the principal Governors and that both in religious duties and in other temporal matters The experience the Records of all Ages do abundantly testifie being duly weighed and considered of what great concernment Government is of to render a people blessed or despised of God To the intent that we may the better and more clearly see the singular benefit that it is to have a good Government I shall propound briefly some particulars to consideration For instance look upon the universal works the Creation of God Consider the Sun how it goeth his due course not failing to perform his great journey round about this world in twenty four hours the Sun knoweth his rising and his going down not altering nor failing one minute of time nor failing one foot of ground in all his great and unwearied journeys O how excellent are all thy works O God Consider likewise those excellent vertues and operations with which the Sun is beautified and enriched as namely First Light which sheweth man the way and work he is to perform without light Man is miserable Secondly The Sun heateth the air and comforteth man and all creatures Thirdly The Sun causeth the bud of the herb to
Afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.25 26 27. ch 2.2 3 4. Of this I purpose to speak more afterwards Dearly beloved friends thus much I can and do affirm to you all in the presence of that all-seeing â—od who will bring hidden things deeds of darkness to light even in the presence of that God who I do Love Fear Worship who is my Hope my Joy from whom I received all the Good I have from whom I expect my comfort for the time to come I have not so far as I know my own heart any prejudice nor respect of persons nor any past present or future by or sinister respect in the writing this little Treatise I have never received the value of one penny in recompence of my endeavors and for the time to come I am so far from thoughts that way That I do expect rather that I shall receive injury hereby and that this may be a great hinderance to me in wordly respects only this is my comfort That I know whom I have trusted And this further can I say likewise That at the writing hereof I know not nor did ever see either those truly honourable Generals the Lord Fairfax nor the Lord Cromwel nor any Captain or Souldier amongst them except some few I lately saw in or neer to London as I passed by them nor do I know any one of them if I see them again so far as I conceive It is possible some of my acquaintance may be in the Army but if it be so I know it not And concerning those worthy men for so I esteem them to be that now sit in the Parliament I never saw any one of them to my knowledg except one who I have seen I think three or four times yet I know not certainly whether he be of the Parliament or no only I think he is Whereas I affirm that I know not any of the Army or of the Parliament I intend that I know not the persons of the men but by their fruits I know much concerning them Some may judge this to be superfluous to mention but I shall shew you what moveth me so to do In discoursing with divers men I find to my best apprehension That there is such a crooked and perverse generation of men that imagine mischief that invent base false and slanderous reports against Parliament Generals Army and indeed against the most that truly fear God Blame me not therefore courteous Reader if I labour to prevent slanderous and lying Tongues And this likewise I affirm That with due regard of Gods presence in the fear of God being much sensible of my own weakness seriously considering of how great weight it is to write books and to present them to publique view I am very fearful to presume above what is meet and this I say further that my purpose is to propound the matters and causes I shall principally insist upon in this following Treatise I purpose likewise according to the measure of light grace and opportunity that God shall give me to prove and clear the matters propounded and then having presented the cause I shall earnestly desire of God to stir some persons who are more learned and better able then my self and to enable and direct them so That they may more largely and clearly shew forth to publique view the mind of God in these matters of Government and Governors It is now a long season that the Nations have been so kept under by Corrupt Governors above two thousand years during which time where or who was the man that durst or did punctually discover the Corruption of Governors or of Government 1. This is one reason that moveth me to present the cause to publike view namely because I know not or do not discern that any one writer from Samuels days to this time the pens of the Scriptures excepted that hath punctually written upon this subject 2. This is another moving cause because now being a time of more Liberty and considering that I my children and posterity are concerned in the case of Government I conceive there is reason good why I should present this cause to publike consideration 3. This is another motive I look upon the great effusion of bloud that hath been shed about this matter the cause for ought I know being not yet wholy determined but is still so that I conceive that our godly Governors are ready to prefer Gods glory and the common good before their own interests in those matters that they shall clearly see to be the mind and will of God 4. This is another motive seeing apparently our miserable condition people being divided in judgment and in affection so that our condition is much like a ship in a Tempest Therefore the end of my endeavors shall be so far as God shall assist that I may reconcile differences and that Peace and Truth may meet together as Moses and Aaron met together in the mount of God and kissed each other And as this is the end I propound to my self so likewise I purpose it shall be the Title or Superscription Dearly beloved friends all you that love and fear the Lord all you that have obtained like precious faith I earnestly intreat you to assist me in this work with your prayers with your most best uttermost and strongest abilities Contend for the truth in love but strive not lust not to be contentious Reject not that Truth that Good wholy which is accompanied with some blemishes Men cast not away a good garment because of a little dirt Consider the great differences and troubles about Governors and Government Therefore I humbly request thee to weigh try prove examine search the Scripture cleave to the Truth Seek the favour of God with more then ordinary prayer That the good holy Spirit of God may lead thee into truth For it is evident that many unclean Spirits many false and lying Spirits are permitted to deceive many in these our days This point of Government is of great concernment if God help us to discern the good and right way prescribed practised owned and blessed by God to chuse persons so that God may be said to chuse for us to shut up all windows and by-ways that so Wolves Foxes and beasts of prey may be kept from the Sheep If God help us to discern the way the true and right way and in that way to set open the door that the good and true Shepherds may enter whose fruits will soon discover them to be good and true Shepherds for they will love the flock they will watch over them not for the fleece mostly but to defend them from beasts of prey These good Shepherds will seek the comfort of the Flock they will drive them to the wholesom pastures and to the still waters where they may be refreshed where they may bless the name of the Lord and lie down without fear for true love casteth out fear and
difference in Gods Word between man chusing the man and God chusing the man Samuel had order from God to appoint one of Ishai his sons to the Government and yet nevertheless God would not give Samuel that priviledg to chuse the man God reserved that honor to himself Good it had been for the people had they kept close to God in that particular Beloved Country-men Custom hath worn out Truth but let us enquire for the old and good ways of our gracious God Christ saith It was not so in the beginning Further consider That all Governors high and low they are all subject to Gods Commandments both to do and to suffer For if we should admit that the Chief Governors call them by what Titles you will were to be free from punishment should we not by that means diminish part of Gods Laws which containeth two parts namely for man to do or to suffer Consider further That that Law of God that bindeth all men without respect of persons to the observation of it must of necessity allow a way for the observation of it would it not otherwise shew an imperfection in it Now for men to say That chief Governors are onely accountable to God Consider that God is in Heaven and hath given us his Laws wholy to be observed upon Earth by all men high and low either by doing or suffering therefore we having Gods Laws upon Earth here below must see them observed by all men by doing or suffering Is it not an absurd thing to say That when a man breaketh Gods Laws upon Earth he must be punished onely in Heaven and in the mean time be suffered to run forward to do more mischief There will be another account to be given there and other punishments without Faith and Repentance Consider further That God for the sins of Kings gave commission to men on Earth to put them them to death read 2 King 9.7 And thou shalt smite all the house of Ahab thy master that I may avenge the blood of my servants the Prophets and the blood of all the servants of the Lord For the whole house of Ahab shall be destroyed Now note what followed 2 King 10.30 And the Lord said unto Jehu because thou hast diligently executed that which was right in my eyes and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all things that were in my heart therefore thy sons unto the fourth generation shall sit upon the Throne of Israel Now before this we may note That Jehu had not onely slain Jehoram 2 King 9.24 but also Ahaziah King of Judah vers 27. We may observe That this Ahaziah was noted to do evil in the sight of the Lord Chap. 8.27 And there he is noted for marrying a woman addicted to Idolatry after this God commendeth Jehu This I beleeve That in all parts of the World where Kings are and are lawfully according to Gods will made Kings if I were there present I should labor in all lawful matters to be obedient to them and I beleeve that it is the duty of all men so to do But in any place where ever such Governors shall turn from Gods Commandments and shall draw people from Gods Service and shall in stead of feeding defending and seeking the good of the Flock â—â—ek to devour and destroy the Flock doubtless Gods Laws have force against them in such cases And also if in Gods way I might be free I should chuse it much sooner for servitude is not pleasing But where Governors are called by God in his own way there God will bless them with his good Spirit Therefore I chuse willingly to be obedient to such because that is my greatest comfort under God and is indeed true Liberty My purpose was to have been large in this matter but there is come to my hand a Book written by one Mr John Goodwin called The Defence of the Honorable Sentence passed upon the late King by the High Court of Justice to which Book I refer the Reader for further satisfaction He hath written largely learnedly and faithfully upon that subject so far as I am able to judg I should desire all men to wait patiently upon God and I do undoubtedly beleeve God will further clear these proceedings I do beleeve the time is come that the Government by Kings is finished in our Land To my best understanding the Prophets speak evidently That God will restore Judges as at the first Then shall we be called a faithful City a City of Righteousness Isai 1.26 Now I shall humbly crave leave of the Ministers and Messengers of the Lord that I may without offence to them or to any others for I desire to walk without giving any just cause of offence to any man whatsoever speak a word to them I do perceive divers of the Ministry do or have taken offence at the proceedings of the Army and of the present Government Beloved dearly beloved Fathers you are men whom I love and have in high estimation for your works sake How beautiful are the feet of those that bring the glad tydings of peace and of salvation I desire that I may propound to your consideration some few lines You see that by reason of the late Wars and because the State hath yet had so much business there is not that Reformation of many things amiss as it were to be and is desired I pray you to consider you are conversant in the meditation of Gods Law You I beleeve exhort the people to turn from their evil ways and to be obedient to and observant of Gods Laws I humbly desire you to give a good example to the people they look much upon your actings You study the Word of God I beseech you do not hinder the work of the Lord If you desire Reformation let it be done orderly and then it will prosper Therefore I pray you to strengthen the hands of the present Government which I beleeve do truly endeavor to do Gods will encourage the Army with whom Gods gracious presence is evidently to be seen There are offences too many abroad but woe be to them saith our blessed Saviour by whom offences do come I do beseech you to consider whether or no there would not have been much more Reformation if you had not drawn back and discouraged in a great measure this present Government I humbly beseech you if you know any that do publiquely sow or stir up strife I pray you to perswade them to forbear Consider I pray you you know that a Kingdom divided is dangerous and it cannot stand with safety and comfort I pray you call to minde that motherly and tender respect Rebecca shewed to both her children Esau being offended with Jacob Rebecca doth not seek to make a party although she knew that Jacob was her obedient son and had obtained both the birth-right and the blessing by means whereof Jacob was truly Esau his superior but she considered the dangerous consequences of manifest division
some and the Apostle guided by Gods holy Spirit rejoyced to behold the Order of the Churches of God God is the God of Order And the rather now I put you in mind of it because now you have an opportunity to do it do it therefore circumspectly and speedily because such precious times of Reformation as now you have are not ordinary And the rather now do it because the Government I doubt not is ready to support and strengthen you in this great and excellent work of Reformation One matter more Beloved Fathers I humble desire you to take into consideration If you should discourage this present Government being men that do desire affectionately to do Gods will I am verily perswaded and if you should labour again to bring a Government over us by Kings which God forbid weigh well these two matters I pray you first concerning Kings You are both uncertain of obtaining a King and also unlikely and what effects and fruits such endeavors will produce in the issue who can tell It may occasion much trouble to those that desire to live in peace Can you tell whether the King you desire or labour for if you should do so be wise or foolish whether he be godly or ungodly what experience have we of it Doubtless it is a matter of high and exceeding great concernment who we receive to rule over us But what if he should prove a persecutor both of you and Gods people Is it not very hazardable For in Government by Kings we must take the next of kindred by birth though we should evidently see that he were an evil person or else we must endure another War But suppose we should obtain a good King yet we know that they are set in slippery places he may soon be taken away What then his next of kin or his next successor may be a persecutor We have had many experiences in this kind to teach us and yet I fear we have profited too little King Edward a hopeful King quickly gone the next Queen Mary persecuted his most beloved friends Search the Records of holy Writ and there God plainly sheweth which God plainly foretold the bitter fruits that the people should reap by having Kings We may behold what miserable fruits the people reaped by Kings Solomon heavy Taxations Jeroboam Idolatry It would be too long to reckon up Ahab and others and some in the streets shed the blood of innocents But amongst all the Judges there was not one man but he was blessed of God and was a blessing to the people if he were called and entred into his place by Gods Appointment Indeed when people will not consult with and enquire of God to know who God seeth meet to govern them then God may justly leave them to their own choyce to chuse a King Abimelech that may prove a scourge to them But secondly I pray you consider That this is one motive why you should rather adhere unto and desire a Government by Judges namely because Moses and Aaron were neerer in relation neerer in kindred It was not in vain that God did in the very first Governors that he did in mercy appoint to govern his first born Son his Church and peculiar people order it so that both did spring from one root Moses and Aaron were brethren they were very familiar Such God gave to the people Which holdeth out That God saw such a Government to be most for his Glory and the peoples good namely such as were most neerly related such as were brethren such as came from a low condition But when God was angry with the people God appointed one of another Tribe a mighty man the son of a mighty man in power and in wealth to be their King 1 Sam. 9.1 To my apprehension it is more agreeable to have Judges and Ministers then Ministers and Kings It is observeable That the first King put to death Ahimelech the Priest and all his fathers house the Priests that were in Nob 1 Sam. 22.11 16. And further Vers 19. Nob the City of the Priests Saul smote with the sword Did the Judges any of them such an act And did not the Kings many of them do worse acts Consider of these things I pray you and the Lord give you to see aright Dearly beloved Fathers you that are the Ministers of the Lord of hoasts you are men that I highly esteem of for your works sake therefore be not offended with me I hope in the following part of this little Treatise you wil see cause not to be offended that I labor for Gods glory principally and that Peace and Truth may meet as Moses and Aaron met in the Mount of God and kissed each other nor for that I desire that we may have Judges as at the first for then shall we be called a City of Righteousness And now men and brethren you that are different in judgment or in practice suffer I pray you a word of Exhortation I desire Peace and Truth if your desires be the same I hope we shall more neerly accord I humbly entreat That no man may lust to be contentious It is the Apostles counsel 1 Cor. 11.16 We have no such custom neither the Churches of God But as the Apostle counselleth 1 Thes 4.11 We beseech you brethren that you study to be quiet Remember I pray you That through pride cometh contention Jam. 3. Doth a Fountain send forth sweet water and bitter Ephes 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths When we consider that happy condition in which man was created and consider how far we are degenerated we may justly take up the Prophet Jeremiah's Lamentation O that our eyes might be a fountain of tears that we might weep day and night for our iniquities It is recorded in the Word of God That all mankinde proceeded from one root we have all one Father and one blood runneth through all our veins one Law of God is or ought to be our rule and guide we have one and the same promises of Grace we have one Judg that must judg us all and there is but one way of good hope God telleth us That whatsoever shew of godliness we have or pretend yet that without Love all profiteth us nothing This is that new Commandment that God gave to man namely That we should love one another without this we shall never see God with comfort And yet we see That man that is in honor is like to the beast that perisheth Psa 149.12 20. Which occasions the Prophet to say Isai 29.13 This people come neer to me and honor me with their lips onely Nay may not I say That their condition was far better then ours for we depart far from God too many men do and from his Rules prescribed in his Law and do behave our selves as if there were no God to controul us David gives that as a brand or mark of a wicked man Psal 12. He saith in his heart
will cause the fierce wrath of the Lord to break out against us Consider of it we have had the experience of above two thousand years what the fruits of Kings have been search diligently the Records of the sacred Scriptures from Samuel his time to this present day and the Records of all ages How often have the people been tossed to and fro in Religion in War in bloodshed under the Government of Kings the Father of one Religion the Son of another How much War and contention hath there been for to obtain Crowns and Kingdoms Consider of it Was it so under the Government by Judges prescribed by God Did they perswade the people to Idolatry Or contrarily did they not from time to time perswade the people to the true Worship of God Which of the Judges did strive for the Government But contrarily the very first of the Kings did shed much blood having in aspiring mind to obtain the Crown c. Search the Book of the Judges concerning Abimelech and his fruits Country-men beloved Consider of it I am perswaded That if such experiences such admonitions such warning as God hath given us recorded in the Scriptures and from our own and other Nations if these will not prevail though Abraham should send one to us from the dead it would not prevail One admonition more I desire we may remember God saith to Israel They were full and fat they would not serve the Lord in their own Land in the abundance of all things they would not observe Gods Law and Covenant without addition or diminution they would follow their own inventions Therefore saith the Lord they should serve their Enemies in hunger cold and nakedness in the want of all things and in a strange Land Consider dearly beloved That from the excellency of Government doth arise the happiness and blessedness of the Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven I pray you therefore let us set a high price upon Government Let us proceed warily in matter of Government let us enquire of God let us follow the purest the most clear and evident presidents and prescriptions without turning to the right or left hand let us enquire for the old and good ways prescribed owned and blessed by God himself against this there can be no just exception And it may be God will see and regard us and remember the riches of his own compassion of his own precious promises Isai 1.26 God will restore which argueth they then were not in being Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City I might multiply Testimonies the Scripture is obvious and copious but time bids me forbear Therefore I go on to consider a little more particularly Kings concerning whom the most high and wise God did both see and know what and when the first King should be and how long the continuance of the Government of Kings should continue and when their Kingdoms should be finished of this I doubt not now the end of Kings and all other afflictions work together for the glory of God and the good of Gods Elect and I doubt not but that God would use some Kings as instruments in some particulars to be helpful to his Church and People Object Some and too many use this as an argument That Kings were good for Gods Church and People for say they did not God make Promises to Kings of good things and were not some Kings good instruments in some things to promote Gods glory Did not Solomon build a Temple to the name of the Lord c. Ans One instance consider Adam our great Grandfather after he had broken Gods Commandment and eaten the forbidden fruit after this and presently upon the occasion of what came to pass by reason of his transgression God out of his bounty and goodness maketh a Promise of great worth to Adam and to his posterity namely That the seed of the woman should breaks the serpents head Consider now would it be safe or sound arguing to argue thus Adam did well because God in mercy gave him a precious promise No verily Or would it be safe to say That we some of his posterity may follow his steps in sinning because that he obtained a precious promise No verily because we are first to have respect to Gods Covenant to his Law And also we are to consider That the root from whence this promise sprung was not from or because God was pleased with or approved of Adams transgression but the Promise sprung out of Gods abundant and rich mercy and free grace From the premised respects and considerations I gather and conclude That those gracious promises or acts wherein God used Kings as instruments or actors in some good things these do neither approve of the Government by Kings nor do they prove that the institution of Kings was approved by God and much less do they prove That the Government by Kings was of equal goodness with the Government by Judges in which the Word of God is plain and evident That God prescribed owned and blessed the Government by Judges And contrarily the Word of God is plain evident and copious That God did not allow of the Government by Kings but did expresly disapprove of that form of Government by Kings and to this we may add the experience of the fruits of Kings to this very day Object Some do use this argument to strengthen the continuance of Kings namely That God did fore-tell that Kings should be and some Kings God did himself appoint Ans God did fore-tell that Israel would kick with their feet and slight his Commandments God did fore-tell that the people would reap bitter fruits from Kings This doth not shew that God did allow or approve either of the one or of the other God did appoint some Kings immediately shewing that in this way if the people had kept close to God and have gone no further backward from his Rules and Directions then it should have been better and safer for the People it was too much to alter the forme prescribed by God but it was an addition to and aggravation of this sinne when they slighted God and did not enquire of God who should be the man that should be their King from time to time When they followed the Rule and made him King whom the Lord did chuse it may be noted that God chose Saul immediately by lot wherin we may note that although God were angry yet hee tooke thus much care for the People that God let Saul rightfully raigne no longer as King but so long as hee walked in Gods wayes and during that time God gave Saul some portion of his good Spirit or a spirit which made him sutable in some proportion to govern his People as appeareth 1 Sam. 10.9 God gave Saul another hearts and all those tokens came to passe c. And when Saul departed from God and forsooke his Law wee may
England might now be wise and learn by our own and other mens harms to cleave close to the most pure most immediate and first Institution of Government recorded in the sacred Scriptures so should we secure our selves and posterity and obtain a blessing and protection from the glorious God of our Salvation Oh dearly beloved consider I pray you now there is such an opportunity as I beleeve God never offered to any generation from the days of Samuel to this present time now I pray you seek Gods favour seriously put forth your best and utmost endeavors that we may obtain Judge as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City Isa 1. by this means we shall become good examples to our neighbor Nations and the generations to come shall have cause to praise the Lord for us and the memory of our names recorded in Gods Records shall be eternally blessed Concerning this man Moses being the first president God set to be Governor to his Church and People because Gods Works are most perfect and of most singular use to posterity therefore I judg it necessary to note somewhat touching his qualifications he was a man painful and diligent in his charge he sate to judg the people from morning to night Exod. 18.13 and afterwards in all his life we may note how studious he was and diligent and active in observing Gods Commandments and in exhorting the people to the same matters he was not ambitious to seek great offices and preferments for his own children after his decease which may be noted when Israel the people had highly provoked the Lord so that God threatneth to destroy the people and promiseth Moses that he would so far prefer him that he would make of him that is of his posterity a mighty people Exod. 32.10 Now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them for I will consume them but I will make of thee a mighty people Now Moses preferreth the Glory of God and the Peoples good before any by respects either to himself or to his posterity noted Vers 11.12 13. But Moses prayed unto the Lord his God and said O Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people which thou hast brought out of the Land of Egypt c. Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say He hath brought them out maliciously to slay them in the Mountains c. Turn from thy fierce wrath and change thy mind from this evil towards thy people and remember Abraham Isaac c. Vers 14. Then the Lord changed his mind from the evil which he threatned to do unto his people This is recorded for the learning of succeeding ages to shew of what concernment and what benefit the people get by living under such a Government and Governors as God sendeth such Governors stand in the gap to keep off Gods displeasure and to procure a blessing for the people Many respect not much under what Government they live this was Lots sin who deeply tasted of the cup of Gods displeasure by living under or amongst the ungodly in Sodom But secondly This example of Moses is of singular use an eminent pattern to all Governors succeeding namely this That he sought Gods glory and the Peoples good before his own or his childrens preferment It is to be noted the like of him when God told Moses he should be taken away or dye he doth not request of the Lord to continue the Government to his children but this he doth he loves the people he looketh at Gods glory and the peoples good therefore he remembers the peoples good and maketh earnest prayer recorded for our learning to God entreating God That he would appoint a Governor for the people where note the modesty and humility of his heart his spirit being not lift up above his brethren therefore he expresseth it thus That he may go in and out before the people that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd Where we may note That he stileth himself and successor but under these expressions Num. 27.16 Let the God of the spirits of all flesh appoint a man over the Congregation Vers 17. Who may go in and out before them and lead them out and in that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd Note his expressions A man over the Congregation not only a King or by the name of Commander but only a man and a shepherd he had true respect and understanding of the nature of his charge and office which was to order to provide for to feed love and defend the stock and not to persecute or to suffer Wolves to devour them not to feed upon them himself therefore note his expression Vers 17. that the Congregation of the Lord He remembred and modestly acknowledgeth the people to be Gods heritage He doth not stile them his Subjects or his Vassals and so seek to leave the people as inheritance of Goods Lands Beasts and Cattel to his Children but he esteems the people and so they were of more value then earthly inheritances Gods inheritance and so in express words he calleth them The Congregation of the Lord the Lords Inheritance the Lords People and therefore he doth not lay claim to them as the Inheritance for his Children he knew Gods minde better he speaks no such matter for succession in Government from the Father to the Son came in long many hundreds of years after in more corrupted Times God did not in these first and purest Times in the original order it to be so neither did Moses expect or desire it because he looked after those matters that were truly his own He truly sought Gods Glory and the Peoples good But thus much to shew his opinion and respect that he had of the people in those days Those first Governors owned the people to be their brethren and so they behaved themselves towards the people as brethren Is not the World much altered in these days when many great men will scarce acknowledg the poor people to be any of their kindred afar off much less as brethren Yea this Governor in these first and purest Times did not only use the People as brethren but as children he carryed them in his bosom neer his heart and tenderly too as sucking children and that also by Gods own direction as Moses himself witnesseth and willingly acknowledgeth But when Kings obtained the Government we may observe how soon the case was altered Abimelech he slayeth his brethren that he might obtain the preeminence and Saul he persecuted an innocent and vertuous man fearing lest he might hinder his son from reigning after him yea he pursueth this with such violence that he maketh little account of Gods Commandments if they stand in his way to hinder him to make sure the Government to his son Jonathan blood is not much valued in his sight witness
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
and so did the Governors and the Kings of Israel and Iuda I shall refer these matters to the consideration of the godly and of the learned if any lust to be contentious I strive not to contend but contend to bee quiet and seeke for Peace and Truth And now I conceive it is requisite to speake a word touching the Lawyers Gods Lawes if we observe them well are pithy and short they are contained in a little roome if we substract the Historicall matters or matter which shew Gods actings and mans actings which are not so properly Lawes but rather shew Gods glory and mans conversation from the direct Commandements of God in what a little volume would Gods Lawes be contained which sheweth the purity and excellency of them of Gods Lawes The Lawes of some Countries containe great Bookes or Volumes in comparison of Gods Lawes many Lawyers looke much upon the Letter of the common Lawes I would there were many more looked faithfully to the true meaning of those Lawes contained in the Sacred Word of God We reade but little of other Lawes during the times of the Iudges of Israel I do believe that the multitude of Lawes did originally spring from the iniquity of the Lawyers and from the iniquity of the People scarce any words were sufficient so to expresse the truth but either the Judge or the Lawyer or the People would break through the Law I believe there is just cause of sorrow and of shame to consider it The best way that I know to reforme this is to keepe closest to the true Originall which is the most true perfect and clear rule and is the rule of all rules because all other rules are but derivatives from thence Doubtlesse our Lawes ought to be as few as may be and those Lawes distributed into such severall places where the People dwel such as do concern those People in those parts for the Peoples ease and comfort Secondly the Lawes ought to be in our own language so as the People may reade and observe them because God doth afford that benefit to the People in the giving and publishing his Lawes which are of the most excellency And if we consider the end why Iudges were multiplied as Gods glory was the chiefe so likewise the Peoples ease and comfort is expressed so ought it to be in those Lawes that are branches of Gods Lawes as Gods glory is the highest and true end of them so likewise the Peoples ease and comfort by and from them is to be respected A great helpe both for Gods glory and for the Peoples comfort is to have good and faithfull Iudges for such will not so much seeke themselves which is truely to destroy themselves as they will seeke Gods glory and the Peoples good These things have bin mightily perverted yet God hath not left us without hope but that God will restore Iudges as at the first and counsellers as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City What ever I have written in this little Booke or Treatise I doe and have onely propounded to the consideration of all you that do love honor and feare the true and ever living God who is blessed for ever I doe humbly with all due respect to the godly and to the learned acknowledge I am but a weake fraile man of my self I may erre therefore if any man can and will shew we any error provided that they bring the authority of Gods Sacred Word according to the plain and sincere meaning of the blessed Spirit of God I hope God will give me a heart willingly not constrainedly to acknowledge any error I ever held it as a principle that wee cannot please God better nor bring more true honor and safety to our selves then by hunble unfeigned and willing acknowledgement of any of our errors in some proportion sutable to our offences Receive nothing from me further then you finde it agreeable to Scripture But this I say that in what ever I have here in this Booke written I have set God alwayes in my sight I knowing that I am ever in his sight to whom I must give account for what I have written I account it to be a matter of no small moment to write any Booke neither had I written if I had not believed God called me to it of my selfe I can do no good matter but this J do believe that in this writing contained in this Booke I am strengthened protected and guided by the good and blessed Spirit of the true and ever-living God To whom I desire to acknowledge and give as is Gods due and my duty all praise and service glory and honor and power because God is worthy of it for he hath created all things and for his Wills sake they are and have bin created Rev. 4.11 Now beloved and approved Commanders and Souldiers you that have bin helpers of the Lord against the mighty although I have not made mention of your Names in this little Treatise yet you are in my eye as men of precious esteeme and so I believe you are in Gods accompt precious I meane such as out of godlâ— zeale and true love have acted in these Wars of which sort I bâ—lâ—eve there are many amongst your Army may I not account you amongst Davids worthies yes I believe I may and further I believe I may truly say that many of you Revel 21.27 Are written in the Lambs booke of life and that you Ver. 24. Are of the people that shall be saved and walke in the light of it Ver. 1. That new Heaven Ver. â— That holy City that new Ierusalem God himselfe shall be your God with you Vers 4. And God shall wipe away all teares from your eyes and there shall be no more deathâ— for the first things are passed Cha 22.12 And behold I come shortly saith God and my reward is with me to give to every man as his works shall be Ver. 14. Blessed are they that do his Commandements that their right may be in the Treâ— of life Ver. 11. He that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still Have you been co-acters in fighting Gods battells and should I or my Posterity be forgetfull that you many of you have borne a meanes that we enjoy Gods Word freely preached and that we still enjoy Gods sacred Word in our own Language and that we are not forced to bow down to dumbe Idols to Idolatry and that we are not cast into those darke miserable noysome golgotha's those places which have bin the destruction of thousands where no eye could see or speake to them to pitty them where they have bin murdered out of the view of men I meane those accursed inquisition Houses This comfort only they had which those workers of iniquity could not take from them that there was one open place where the bright and beautifull eye like to the eye of the Morning
forme and in the persons for that Babylon that great City of corruptions is compacted in and by disorder corrupt governors government is the very root of all her abominations And note it well when Gods Church shall become a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City God nameth this as the principall ingredient and cause namely that they shall have Iudges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Observe well that frame of that Heavenly Ierusalem Rev. 21.2 The holy City the new Ierusalem Come downe from God out of Heaven as a bride trimmed for her husband Note well in what a beautifull and perfect order she is proportioned read the Chapter see there what blessings came to the People when good Order commeth Ver. 4. Then God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow Ver. 5. And hee that sate upon the Throne said c. write Ver. 6. It is done I am Alpha and Omega c. Ver 11. Having the glory of God and her shining was like unto a stone most precious c. Note I pray you what a direct opposition there is between the Babylon of confusion and this City ruled and proportioned by the Wisdome of God you know that Babells Tower brought confusion at the first building and from that day to this that great strumpet is corrupted and defiled by forsaking Gods blessed Rules recorded she slighted Gods Wisdome shee would not follow his Prescriptions but turned from God and followed her owne inventions Therefore shee not being trimmed as a Bride prepared for such a glorious God he being jealous of his glory doth give her a Bill of divorce for her adultery let this serve for to warn us to follow Gods Prescriptions his Rules and Presidents recorded in the Word of truth Note it well the maine end of the Creation of Heaven Earth Man and the rest of the Creatures was and is that man may learn to see the difference betweene Gods good government and evill governments betweene Gods Wisdome contained in the sacred Rules of Gods holy Word and between mans seeming better inventions contrived by mans own wisdom Is not this the lesson that God teacheth us from our cradle to ur deat Observe well God letteth us see the difference between his Government recorded and prescribed in his Word of Truth and between the Devils Government who is the Father of lyes Amongst the Nations of the World God suffers evil Governments and Governors It is not because he wanteth wisdom power opportunity or goodness to reform such but God teacheth man to see the benefit and excellency of good Governors and Government by letting them see evil and corrupt Governors We have a long and large experience from Samuel and from Moses to this day recorded for our instruction I pray God that we may now at length learn to profit and to set a high value and price upon good Government proceed exactly let no Governor enter into his place but purely through the door of Gods Word follow those Rules most purely and plainly prescribed by God himself Consider what is the main the very end of Gods actings and mans actings all our prosperity our sufferngs all our afflictions is not this the very moving cause and the highest end To teach us that it is safest and most for our comfort that we should follow those Rules prescribed by God without turning aside to any hand or upon any pretence and especially in this weighty matter of Governors and Government God looketh upon this with a wary and with a jealous eye he knowing of what neer concernment it is for his glory and mans good Therefore when the people went about but to alter the form of government by himself prescribed in what high contempt doth God take this He saith That the people had cast God away from governing and reigning over them in so doing Consider do but take away two things namely good Governors and Gods good Rules of direction contained in his sacred Word and this world the people in it would be turned into a confused Chaos a heap of rubbish of ruinous desolations much worse then that Chaos recorded Gen. 1. When in the beginning the Earth was voyd and without form and in darkness Witness divers Nations that at this day have not Gods Laws his blessed Word to govern them but have evil Governors in such places it is certain and true they do degenerate so much from goodness that the strongest captivateth and oppresseth the weaker and they do devour one another yea they sell mens flesh and womens and childrens flesh as we do buy and sell beef in the shambles Dearly beloved we are the very same by nature were it not that we submit to the Government of a good and blessed God and to his Laws and to his blessed Rules Therefore now I pray you to set a high price upon Government good Government for God loveth to bestow the richest and choycest mercies upon those that value them according to their true worth he will not prostitute such rich jewels such precious favors unto such a people as make light account of them for swine will trample upon pearls of the greatest value but God giveth Grace to the humble and to the thirsty by the hungry food is thankfully and gladly accepted but the full loatheth the hony comb Israel was wanton they slighted Gods form of Government and those good Governors that were the most immediately appointed by God himself therefore God maketh them to see the difference he maketh them servants to serve strangers in a strange Land in hunger and cold and nakedness and oppressed and in the want of all things the Lord reach us instruction Therefore now dearly beloved Fathers joyne all your hearts and endeavours together for Gods glory set aside cast behinde you all comberances all by-respects tread under your feete these sublunary matters in comparison of Gods glory the good of your Nation the good of your selves and of your and our posterity consider that Satan tempted our blessed Saviour with the seeming shew of these empty deceiptefull deadly lying Serpents namely making a shew of that to be found in worldly honors and preferments which is not to be found in them if Satan laboured with Christ much more with his Disciples to perswade that these earthly things are more worth then Gods favour for the shew of these which were not his to give laboured to draw Christ from God Therefore in comparison cast behinde you under your feet these venomous Cockatrices Egges of worldly honors let them not be preferred before Gods commands For these deceiptfull shewes of these momentany vanities do deceitfully worke too much upon our affections to leade us aside out of that good way that leadeth to true blessednesse into that broad path that many great and wordly rich men do walke in which leadeth to certain Destruction I believe amongst you that now govern this Common-wealth there