witnesse doth give a distinct sound It palpably declâ—res and plainly proclaimes our Defection from God and Apostasie from him after we had bound our souls with an oath to the contrare It is not onely because we were not answerable to our Covenant-engagements to studie holinesse in the feare of God and walk like a people dedicat and devoâ—ed to him though such a breach goes alwayes before and the other followes afâ—er Buâ— because we dealt unfaithfully in thar Covenant made for Reformation in his house we beâ—ame lukewarme in the cause so the curse of deteâ—table neâ—trality hath over taken us our solemne acknowledgement of sin and engagements to dueties were forgotten Yea we proceeded from one degree of unfaithfulnesse infixedâ—esse in our Covenant with the most High to another till the whole of that Covenanted-work of Reformation was surrendered and put in their power who have destroyed all and razed and overturned the blessed foundations of that beautiful structure and this was done with such a hast and precipitation as he was looked upon as a peevish Ridicule who would have advised in that day to see previously to the securitie of Religion before these were put in power who were it's known and constant enemies And so what ouâ— worthy Fore-fathers of truely blessed memory by their zeal their wisdome their courage for God their valient contendings for the truth their prayers their witnessings their sufferings had by the good hand of their God upon them wrought out for us and put us in possession of we blindly and basely abandoned all and suffered our selves to be fooled out of the cause and out of our faithfulnesse to Christ with a flourish or small parcel of good words And it is for this iniquitie that the holy and righteous Lord pursues us this day it is for this that he doth punish us by these very hands into whose hands we put power to overturne his work and left them at liberty to do so Now O generation see the word of the Lord. It is not my purpose hereâ— to give an account of the several steps of our defection or to draw the lineaments of it's black visage that is an undertaking above my pen and parts let the Lord with whom is the residuâ— of the spirit finde out and furnish some for it and O that for my interest in the defection and my accession to the cause of Gods contending this day with poor Sâ—otland I may obâ—ain mercy to go mourning to my grave This may be cried out upon as Treason well if the mentioning of the Land 's treacherous dealing with God be called Treason all my Apologie is that that makes the necessitie of doing it double and indispensible dutie let me be a Traitor if that be Treason But I know this may be particularly bogled at and abomâ—nat as if it were the reviving and raking againe out of the ashes wherein they were burnt and by the burners designed for ever to lye buried of the causes of wrath I need say little as to this But that the Causes of wrath need neither my patrociny nor Apologie they carry alongst their own sâ—d aud certain evidence with them and I judge many who did not then see so far as these Seers did who drew them up and mourned before the Lord under the conviction of the guâ—lt therein held forth have since been convinced to their cost that the secret of the Lord was with these his Servants and that they stood in his Counsel and if any of them be â—ot they may be ere all bedone O the burning of the Covenant in England and the Causes of wrath in Scotland shall certainly be followed with a fire and siercenesse of indignation as shall make Authors Actors Abettors and Rejoycers thereat know what it is to give such an open defiance to the Almighty A Covenant burnt and burnt by Authority in the sight of heaven with such hell-black solemnities where the great God is Altera pars Contrahens for Reformation of Religion accordâ—ng to his word and righteounesse in walking before him is such a sin as may make every soul to tremble at the fore-thoughts of what God will do for vindicating his glory from that contempt thereby cast upon him My present businesse is not to addresse my self by way of Testimony or representation to them who have done such horrid things Onely I wish that the burning of that City into ashes where that Covenant was burnt together with that non-such plague and war may make them take warning ere it be too late who did this wickednesse for Alas all that is come will be forgotten when the wrath and vengeance that is yet coming shall be execute and mentioned O England England I feare I feare thy wo hasteneth the wrath of God is upon the wing against thee both for breach of Covenant and wipeing thy mouth as if thou hadst done nothing amisse Thou hast stood and seen thy brothers day Alas for thy day when others shall stand aloof from thee for feare of sharing in thy judgements O how unexamplified must the plagues be wherewith they shall be pursued whose wickednesse hath such a singularitie of hainousnesse in it on the ground of the Righteousness and Veracity of God! The burning of a Covenant made with God is a sin which I believe never had precedent or parallel and I also believe that the terrible tempest of the wrath of God falling from Heaven and following this guilt shall for ever fright men from following their steps who for this shall be made spectacles of his displeasure and documents to the coming of Christ what a dreadful and fearful thing it is for men taken red-hand in this wickednesse to fall into the hands of the living God! And as for burning the Causes of wrath I grant that wickednesse hath a perfect parallel but of a tremenduous consequence in â—ehojakim's practice recorded Jer. 36.23 where that ungodly King of unhappy memory upon his apprehended restitution to freedom and deliverie from the judgemâ—nt of God pursuing him for his wickednesse is so grated with the prophets faithfulnesse as he burnt the causes of wrath Now let it be taken notice of how the anger of the Lord burnt against this bold burner see his burial and Epitaph Ier. 22.18.19 but more particularly see how for this very consumating wickednesse he and his posteritie for ever are deprived from Crown and Scepter Ier. 36.30 2 Chro 36. His bâ—otheâ— Zedekiah it is true was made King for a time but he also continued to do evil in the â—ight of the Lord and broke the Covenant of God though he burnt it not and then the Lord sweeped that race for these rebellions against him together with the throne off the face of the earth thus the burning of the Causes of wrath and the breach of God's Covenant brought down the fire of the wrath of God from heaven which consumed with its flame these who had dared the Almighty after
and grieve your blessed guide onely feare that feareful and great name which these men who would put you in feare have taken in vain feare God and then you need feare nothing else For he even he alone is to be feared You may be bold as lions whose blessednesse is both heightnâ—d and hastened by the worst the world can do unto you because you feare him Let thâ—t blâ—ssed feare of God gaird you against that base feare of man vvhich even bringeth a snare Oh the want of this â—hich hath been amongst us hath rendered us unfit for this holy vvar vvherein vve should have plaid the men for our God and the glorious Concerns of his Crovvn and Kingdom O vvhen vvill our heart some hardie resolute putting â— to our hand to his vvork in the face of the greatest hazard prove that he hath put his feare in our hearts for this feare not onely â—urnisheth with reason against the feare of frail fecklesse man â—ho cannot when he hath done what he can reach his hand beyond the Grave And therefore our blessed Lord Jesus Châ—ist aâ—gueing his Disciples whom he sent out to Preach the Gospel into an holy courage when persecute by the rage of Kings Councels for Preaching which is this day our case O when will he shorten these dayes for the elects sake he doth it by this argument Mat. 10 28. and Luk. 12.4 Bâ— not afraid of them that kill the body and â—fter that have no more that they can doe O blessed be he for that cannot and for this also that these upright ones whom they for this persecute shall have Dominion over their persecuters in the morning But I will forewarne you whom you shall feare fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell Yea I say unto you feare him But as it furnished with reasons it fortifieth also with rich and refreshing supplies For it hath the goodnesse of God asvvel as the greatnesse of his terrible Majesty for its object and hereby is the hart emboldened and the hand strengthened to struggle with whatsoever diâ—â—iculties and danger Now thâ—refore My Friends to make it appeare that God in making you new Creatures hath made you men of other mettal and Spirit then the men of the world and cast you into an other mould whereas their transgressions say plainly vvith in the heart of every man vvho hath not the heart of a beaâ—t that there is no feare of God before their eyes so let your feare of him and your feare because of that to comply vvith their wicked lawes which they have made make it appeare you have set the Lord alwayes before you Let vvhat ever you doe or say vvhen called to a compliance vvith the presenâ— course of iniquitie have this plain import and practical sense how can we doe this great evil and sin against God He is a great God and he is a good God and he is our God and therefore we dare not we canâ—ot we will not offend him to please our persecuters But Deare Friends what have you to feare in following him give it a name if you can that the names of sweetnesse and salvatioâ— which are in him and as his name is so is he answering the name of what ever you have to feare may make it a nothing or if it be any thing such a thing as he changeth its very nature and quality and makes pay the toll and tribute of good to you Do you feare they will lash you with their tongues which are as arrowes shot out and load you with reproaches Remember then whose words these are if you be reproached for the name of Christ hâ—ppie are you you may not onely despise this shame but weare it as your crown and humbly bâ—â—ast of such a cognizance of your love and loyaltie to Christ because the reason adduced by the Holy Ghost doth put the happinesse of such beyond debate for saith he the spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you as the spiâ—it of Satan and of shame rageâ—h in these reproachers sâ— the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you Are you afraid that bâ—sidâ—s â—hese lashings you shall also be put to lose for his sake But why are you affraid of an â—f an impossiâ—ilitie If God hâ—th said it cannot be it shall not be why do you give it a being in your imâ—gination to toâ—ment your selves or why are you not rather afraid to lose the hundred fold in this life even with persecution and then that eternal life and that immortal crown which is â—nsured by the unfailing faithfulnesse of God to such losers â—f I may abuse languâ—ge in calâ—ling so great gainers losers in the other life for if you sâ—ffer with him yâ—u shall reigne with him what will you be frighted out of the way because of â—he manifold temptations and troubles you are exposed unto by keeâ—ing of it No let tâ—is fortifie against that frighting feare that as you are partakers of the suâ—â—ering so shall you be of the conâ—olation you ought rather to feare to rob and deprive your selves in a day when suâ—h favours are a dealing of that ground of rejoycing that a paâ—ticipation of the sufferings of Christ affords O happie and blessed paâ—ticipants of his sufferings for whâ—n his glory shall be revealed you also shall be made glade with exceeding â—oy O how cordial O how corroborating is such an expectation it will mâ—ke the expectant rejoice with â—oy unspeâ—kâ—ble and full of Glory this is heaven in all the heâ—ls of trouble on this side of heaven antidated for this is to be paâ—takers already as the Apostle'â— phrase is of the glory to be revealed Do you feare suâ—â—ering for that very cause which he hâ—â—h noâ— onely so often owned but for owning of which your blessed Lord and Master died as a Mâ—rtyr Or are you not rather afraid I hope you are that when Jesus Chrâ—st shâ—ll come to judgement and sit on the Throne of his Glory and bring forth Scotland's Covenâ—nt made wiâ—h him to be â—ound amongst those whose sentence is sealed under their own hand for their sin is open and gone before hand to judgement O dreadful may the expectâ—tion of the hearts of every man of them be in â—hat day who have had hand in thaâ— hainous wickednesse when the Act rescissorie shall be brought forth and laid besides that Covenant and the question put to these pannels trembling before the Tribunal of Christ is this the performance of â—our Oaths Vowes and Covenant-engagements to me are you not afraid in that day to be classed if but for the least compliance amongst tâ—ose who shall be found guiltie of Lâ—sae-Majestie against the Son of God against him who then shall judge them will there be a soul at that appearance who dare avouch his having had a hand in framing such a mischeâ—fe as our Supremacy into a Law or would it not rather be terrible to you to think that
late Supremacy and sense it and consider if its lowest amount be not this we have no King but Caesar. And to make it emphatickly expressive of this vvhereas other Acts of Supremacy vvherby yet our Lord Iesus Chrest vvas vvronged and his royal prerogative encroached upon did still for shame leave him the title and a supremacy vvas pretended unto under God and his Son Christ and a derivation and conveyance from that fountain vvas in words acknovvledged that the iniquitie of our Supremacy might be supremeâ— an absolute independent arbitraâ—y dominion is attributed to our Kings setled upon them by Law And for the more security this povver is declared to be the iâ—trinsick right and the inherent prerogative of the imperial Crown of the Nation vvhereby al-Church-matâ—ers are subjected to their imperial vvisdom to do in all these as they think fit and the managment of these are so solely in his Majesties povver that vvhereas the Council acts in Civils in a subordination to his Maj. according to the Law of the Land His Maj may make use of what kinde of persons so ever he will passing by Parliament or Council to put all the incontrolable dictats and decrees of his Maj. wisdom and good pleasure concerning Church matters in execution And therefore that we may be no longer in suspense nor soliciâ—ous about the sense of our Supremacy that the Church may henâ—ceforth know acknowledge who is her Lord and undoubted Superior whose it is to give Laws and appoint Officers to put them in execution and that there may be none in heaven or earth to pretend to any part of this power or paritie in this Supremacy the name of God and of his Son Christ is omitted in it and because mentioned in other Supremacies must be conceived to be delet out of ours O! the patience of God that their namesâ— yea that the name of the Nation where such a wickeâ—nesse was decreed is not before this perished from under the heavens It is trueâ— this pleased me best in all that Supremacy because it was plain dealing without all cloak or complement for now Iesus Christ hath neither thing nor name of Kingly power left him but is most explicitly put from the exercise of his royal Government And Church Lawes are no more to passe in the old stile nor are things as formerly to be done there by vertue of the Authoritie of this one Iesus who calleth himself a King But according to the new stile And so hence forth Church Lawes must beare the datum of the Iulian account Now our Rulers having framed this Law for hainousnesse of hatred hâ—ight of opposition to the Lords anointed whom he hath made King in Zion beyond the most supream Supremacies that ever werâ— framed or moulded into lawes since God made man upon the earth or Satan that he might destroy the Church prompted men to compet with the Mediator strive with him for state yâ—a even in its prodigious shape and feature beyond what was arrogat by the Man of sin the Anti-Christ that Son of Perdition â— Our blessed Lord Jesus who hath all his enemies in deâ—ision stirred up the spirit of some of his zealous Ambassadours to goe forth and give a Testimony against the hainousnesse of this usurpation of their Masters Crown and Scâ—pter which will be their crown and which should be now our main question upon which we act and suffer as we expect his pâ—esence and supportings either in doing or suffering and in pursuance of that Commission which they had received from him to preach in â—eason and out of season and to negociat a peace betwixt this great and glorious King and poor guilty sinners whereupon our blessed Lord Jesus Christ though slighted and set at naught by our Rulers boâ—h to signifie his complacency in the zeal of his faithfull servants â—ired into an holy fervoâ— foâ— the Prerogative of their exalted Prince from the observation of the fury whereby they saw he was opposed and to refute till more come O! that is coming which may and certainly would make their souls tremble if thought upon the apprehensions of the righteous revenges he will â—ake for this contempt cast upon him and when he will returne their reproach upon them by speaking unto them in his wrath and vexing them in his sore displeasure the folly and infatuation of that new Pretence to his incommunicable Prerogativeâ— royal framed into a Law and that by an argument easy to be understood by the poorest Lasse and Lad in the Nation he goeth forth conquering and to conquer by the Ministry of these his despised servants and thus he reigns as King in the mâ—dst of his rageing enemies and acts wonderously so that to the conviction of all he holds the hands of his servants upholds them at his work and doth from thaâ— day greater things by them then ever in regaird of many circumstances were done in the Nation he makes such noble and notable in roads upon Satans territories and these darke places of the land where the Prince of darkenesse had an indisturbed dominion as multitudes are made in this day of his power to follow after and fall in love with Ordinances dispensed by his own Oâ—ficers and flock unto the standart of this exalted Prince a proof as great as ever was given of his reigneing and that his people shall be willing in the day of his power though all the powers of the earth were on a conspiracy against him and abused that power to the fainting of his followers and the frâ—ghting of them into a disâ—oyal relinquishing of Iesus Christ which the Adversary perceiving and finding that to no purpose they had cruâ—ified Christ agaâ—ne and put him to open shame by taking his Crown and Scepter from him and buâ—ying his Supremacy in the grave which they had made for it uâ—der the fabrick of their newly erected one and that in vaine they had set a watch to keep the grave fearing withal that this reviving of his work and resurrection of his cause might prove to them a second errour worse by far then the first Theâ—efore that rovers may not be ruers and to fortifie themselves in the posâ—ession of what they had taken by their Law from our Lord Iesus Châ—ist and to prevent his returning to his throne and his reassuming the exercise of his royal Government o let their feare come upon them who feare left Christ should reigne an Host must be gathered on purpose to march into the West as that part of the Nation o happy and honourable cognizance where Iesus Christ had most remarkably rung and which still was looked upon by them as the Kings head-quarters whereupon it is resolved that that poor Countrey shall be invaded the people in the mean time having behaved themselves as peacably as any part of the nation being amazed at the rumour of this rage against them and the resolution taken to pourâ—in upon them such a company of Barbar's as
the source rise and conduct of the Rulers procedour against you and their barbarous câ—uelty give you not onely confidence to pour out your heart befoâ—e him and present your câ—sâ— and cause in this General for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are counted as sheep for the slaughtâ—r But more particularly when you can sist your selves bâ—fore him and sob out your sorrowes in these words of a truth Lord against thy Holy Châ—ld Iâ—sus whom thou hâ—st anoâ—nâ—ed are all thâ—se gathered together and it is for our owning of him as thy anointed and râ—fuseing to be on that conspiracy that we ore thus used I know not vvhat can give ground of gladenesse in a mans life or vvhat can be cause of gloriation in death if resisting unto blood upon such a quarrell and not loving a mans life unto death in such a cause will not give ground for it Beloved Friends and much honourâ—d sufferers for Christ you know since you are taught of God that the way to overcome all trouble here and to carry as becometh Saints under it is to look above it and beyond it above it to the high and supreme hand that sends it and disposeth of it so as it may subserve your great Interest for in despight of the malice and madnesse of all inferior agents all these dire and dreadful things shall together with him who worketh mightily in his people and for them work together for your â—ood and beyond it and above it to the end of it and the recompence of reward following after it This is the way to profite by pressures to be gainers in all losses This is the ground of sweet peace and serenitie of mind amidst all trouble and the solid foundation for patience of Spirit For he is only in a capacitiâ— to possesse his spirit in patience whose spirit hath received these impressions without which the soul will be still disquieted Trouble will still tosse it as a ball in a large place and it will prove unstable as water I suppose since you are Saints and so must have some impressions of the absolute Soveraignitie of God that though in your searchings you could not finde out or fixe upon the cause of his contendiug with you thus yet you would either be silent or say it is the Lord let him doe unto us what seemeth hâ—m good And if he have no pleasure in our liveiâ—g and dwelling in our little huts and houses Bnt will drive us thence the will of the Loâ—d be done But not to insist on this which yet you will grant to be infinitly rational for who hath enjoyned him his wayâ— or who may say unto him what doest thou there is sufficient to keep you and me aâ—d the Christians of this generation from frâ—tingâ— and saying while in the fire and while the rod of the wicked rest upon your lot and these plowers plow upon your back and make their furrowes longer and deeper than all these plowersâ— which went before them did O when will God Loose the plough by cutting asunder the cords of the wicked and confouâ—ding turning them all back that hate you He is the Lord who will hasten it in his time to shew that he is righteous Let us weep for what we have done And wait in hope for what he will do why are we thus Surely a sight of our sin would make us wonder that we are not worse yea admire his goodnesse who will be at all this pains about us to heal us of these mortal diseases whereof our immortal souls are sick even unto death I am sure that the crimson dye of our crying iniquities would curb our impatience and cure us of that evil of quarrelling with him because of our suffâ—rings Consider therefore however you suffer very unjustly from men against whom you have done nothing justly to procure their indignation yet if you look within you and lift up your eyes above you and consider how the cry of your transgâ—essions is come up into his eare you will be constrained not onely to justifie him in this seeming severiâ—ie but to confesse from clearnesse and conviction you are punished lesse then your iniquities desâ—rve And that it is of the Lords mercâ— you are not consumed because his compassions fail not Hence is it thaâ— when the Apostle Peter hath been speaking of the fiery trial 1 Pet. 4â—12 13 14 15 16. which this day in our case and hath been encouraging and comforting them to a paâ—â—ent endâ—reinâ— while schorâ—hed with these flames by many noble arguments yet when he looks upâ—n thes heavie afflictions as coming from God he calls them verâ— 17 judgements intimaâ—ing thereby that his precious and peculiar people how upright and innocent soever as to men yet they are guiltie before God the righteous judge and that they muâ—â— acknowledge when â—hey â—ist thâ—mseâ—ves in his sight that what ever they suffeâ— is the fruit of their own doings and that by their provocations they have procured these things and rewarded all these evils unto their own soul by not walking worthy of him nor befoâ—e him to all pleasing If his people by their multiplied and manifold sins did not extort if I may say so strokes our of his hand he who doth not aâ—â—lict willingly nor grieve the Children of men but hath pleasure in the prosperitie of this people would not so often take the rod in his hand or would soon cast it into the â—ire for he doth not love to lash beyond necessitie and therefore when he hath performed his whole work upon mount zion he casts the rod into the fire and punisheth the fruit of the stout heart of his and his peoples enemies and the glory of their high looks The saints you know Brethren how graciows and grown so ever they are but Children and therefore must be under Chastisment The best of them are given to many Childish toyes and not a few of them in whom the root of the matter may be yea will be found are so far from abideing witâ— God in their callings and from adorning the Doctrine of God the Saviour that so men by seing their good works may glorifie their Father which is in heaven that there is a groffnesse in their way their iniquitie is ofâ—en found upon the skirts of their garmenâ—s and their spots are so unlike the spots of the people of God and Persons made partakers of the divine nature that because of these mouths of enemies are opened to blaspheme the name of God and reproach the blessed Profession But seting thsee aside Alas how doe they who escape such grosse pollutions yet often trifle in the matter of communion with God How formal and luke-warme in their addresses So that he who seeks the heart and will be worshiped in Spirit and Truth misseth their soul in their service How seldome arâ— they in Heaven How little dwelling upon the thoughts of Jesus Christ and the great sâ—lvation purchased by him on purpose
such a manner As the Kingdome of Israel was put to a period and perished because of Hosheah his breach of Covenant so the Throne of Iudah was riding post the last stage to ruine when it came to the breaking of Covenant and burning of the causes of wrath God would beare with them no longer But for adding this evil to all the other evils they had done in his sight he overturned that throne of iniquity and cast them out of his sight for ever But my Friends that which we are called to mind in this day of our visitation is seriously to recollect our thoughts and remember what was our frame in the day when these things were carried on and done before our eyes what were our feares for the work of God what were our cares and solicitousnesse about the preservation of that precious interest I judge you will allow me to say it to you that it might have been expected from the West of Scotland in a particular manner that they would have given some evidences of a peculiar concernednesse in the interest of Christ and for the preservation of our pure and blessed Reformation purged from the plague of usurping Erastianisme and its wretched bratâ— abjured Episcopacy Lâ—r us call ourselves to the remembrance of our carriage in that day were we frighted at the dismal appeaâ—ances of these dangers wherewith the work of God was threâ—tned by iâ—carceâ—ating some of the most eminently faithful and useful Instruments in that work Or were we wakened out of our dreame of halcyon dayes of liberty c. when the blood of these wor hies was shed Where are the evidâ—nces of our love and loyaltie to Jesus Christ are they extant are they uâ—on record can we say in this day wâ—en we are as broken in the place of dragons and coveâ—ed as with the shadow of death that we did neither deal faintly nor falsely in â—iâ— Covenant Alas what can we say what should we say shame and confusion of face belong to uâ—â— a blushing silence will be a fit expression for a stupiditie which we cannot sufficiently lament by words nor make language of we were in that day under such an universal distraction aâ— both did presage and procure the desolations of this day we were fooled into such a frolick as in thâ—se irreligious transports we never remembered there was an Interest of Christ to be seen to or secured in the first place till we saw it was irrecoverably lost And now God is righteous in lâ—shing us by these very hands into which we put power to destroy that which we were bound to have preserved with the loss of all things life it self not excepted O for the spirit of repenâ—ance to be poured out upon all of us that remâ—in for if we were weeping upon him for pardon taking vengeance on our own inventions and wreâ—tling with him by prayer and supplication if we were much upon our knees before him when we are fallen into the hands of these from whom we are no able to rise up our enemies should not stand long upon their feet who now trod under foot his preciouâ— interests and people for a Saint is a Hercules in genu that foot oâ— pâ—ide come against us should soon slip if the slippings of our own feet and backeslidings were mournâ—d over Secondly my deare Friends let me beseech you vvithout being mistaken as if â—t lâ—ed to the griefe of â—hose whom he hath wounded seriously to reflect on your frame and carriage afterward and let us consider whether we walked mournfully before the Lord and endeavoured to make our sorrow swel to a just proportion with the growing desolation of the Sanâ—tuary and the growing defection and grievous Apostasie of the Nation from our Covenant and solemne Engagements to God for of whom and from whom might this have been exspected if not of us We saw the blood of these precious Saints and Martyrs of Jesus shed vve savv the frame of our Government dissolved and overturned vve savv an Act resâ—issory the vvickednesse vvhereof reached heaven vve savv abominable and abjured Episcopacy re-established by Lavv and the faithful Ministers of Christ driven from their flocks thus vve savv Iericho rebuilt and so the Nation became a Curse being so deeply and so deliberatly involved into the guilt of open ovvned avouched and by Lavv established perjurie Novv vvhat did vve in rhe mean time Alas vve had not the spirit of the day in its day vve carried not as knovving the times and vvhat the Israel of God ought to have done But for all that vvas yet acted and done Satan had not driven our Apostasie from God the full length he intended and therefore he still drove on and remembring vvel hovv he had been put to flee often seven vvayes before the flameing zeal and holy fervour of these vvorthies vvho had wrestled that poor Church into a state of freedom from an Exotick hardship and the base bondage of Prelacy and hovv it had come to that amongst us thaâ— Jesus Christ vvas ovvned by all the Authoritie in the Nation as sole and absolute Soveraigne in his own house and hovv his Throneâ— Crovvn and Scepter had been secured unto him and that Prerogative onely competent to the Son of God setled upon him by Lavv vvhich vvas a National Declaration emiâ—ted in the sight of the vvorld of this import let him who built the house beare the glory Let him sit and rule upon his Throne Satan I say envying that blessed settlement vvhich he had found so hurtful to his Kingdom of darknesse and vvhich vvas the Crovvn of that poor Church vvhose Reformation in this vvas beyond all the Churches of Christ I knovv upon the earth though now Alas we may take up this Lamentation over our selves the Crown is fallen â—rom our head wâ—e unto us for we have sinned to the end the mountain of Zion might once for all be desolat and the foxes wiâ—h every beast of prey be at liberty to walk upon it prompted men hâ—ving once set them a going in a course of defection to run to such a height of opposition to the Lord 's anointed as never since man was upâ—n the earth was there such a Supremacy fâ—amed into a Law whereby name and â—hing of all Kâ—ngly power is plainly and explicitly taken from and extoâ—ted out of the hand of ouâ— blessed Loâ—d Jesus Christ and gâ—ven unto and setled upon the King O dangerous and unsetlâ—ng setlement noâ— the incommunicable Prerogative of Him who is King in Sion and whos 's right it is to give Lawes to rulâ— his own Church and House is alieanat and appended to the Imperial â—rown of tâ—e Nation and it is now declared for ever to be its inherent right to dispose of and do in all Church matters as our King in his Royal wisdom shall think fit The most manifest uâ—mâ—sked high and horrid usurpation of tâ—e Throne of Christ that ever the world saw Anâ— thâ— most down righâ— contradiction to
are they who have continued with me in my Tentations I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom judge them who now judge condâ—mne you you are the poor company who were not ashamed to be put to shame for my â—ake therefoâ—e I will not be ashamed of you but I will confesse you before my Father and before his Angels You are they they who have witnessed your love and loyaltie to me your zeal for my crown and Scepter when your Rulers as incensed against me did by their Law Un-king me in persecuting of you crucified me againe come you shall enter into my joy you shâ—ll fit with me upon my throne to the everlasting confusion of these my enemies who would not that I should reigne over them they shall not onely see you crowned but crowned upon the account of what they put you to sufâ—er Yea in the day when they shall be sisted before my tribunal sentenced shut out of my sight for ever â—hey shall have this added to make their shame unspeakeable they shall not onely see you glorified with me when I am set upon the throne of my glory but sitting also as my Assessâ—rs to judge these your proud persecuters saying Amen to the righteousnesse of my sentence All their savage severiâ—ies all your sorrowes sufferings will come in remembrance in that day to be accordingly rewarded Not onely shall you much honoured Gentlemen who in testimony that you dare not concurre in this opposition to Christ give it under your hand to obstruct â—he coming of his Kingdom by subscribing such bonds as Tests of your Loyaltiâ— to men which would bring upon your soul the crime of lesâ—e Majestiâ— and conclude you guilâ—ie of disloyaltie against the Lord's anointed for which noble opposition to that course of iniquâ—tie some of you are shuâ— up in prisonâ— others are denounced not onely shall you have all your losses made up by that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory O the eternal weight and the infinit worth of that glory to which all the sufferings of thiâ— life are not worthy to be compared O how much is the inheritance of the saints in light and that hope laid up for you in heaven above your houses inheritances â—nd lands which you have ventured to lose for him But you Tenants also yea the Poorest Coâ—tar likewise who hath sufferred any thing for him shâ—ll have no lower reward than the Confessors crown that crown of glory that fadeth â—oâ— away He will noâ— onâ—ly take noâ—ice of all the horrid plunderings of all the baâ—barous and inhumane beatings woundings and unheard of insolencis of these savage Saracens who have been made use of against you But of all your sore heaâ—ts of all your smothered sighs for he does not hide his eare at his peoples breathing when the eneâ—y cuts oâ—â— their life in â—he dungeon and casts a stone upon them of all your overwhelming greifs and teares shed not so much becaâ—se that the enemie had entered â—nto your houses and â—aten up your bread as because they had robbâ—d you of the Gospel caused your solemne and sweeeâ— asâ—emblâ—es to cease and did not sufâ—er your bread for your soul to come into the house of the Loâ—d For though the â—oâ—d had given you the bread of adversitie and the water of afâ—liction yet if the â—ospel had been left you if your teachers had not been removed into corners if your eyes had seen these and if you did still heare the joyful found had accesâ—e to be made glade in his house of prayer it would have comforted you over all these things you have suffered But it is for being robbed of the bread of life you weep the desolation of the mountain of Zion makes your eyes dim And will he hold his peace at such teares will he not heare the voice of such weeping nay all your wanderings are marked and all your teares if there were but one that had trickled down from your eye aswell as your blood is regairded Thou tellest my wandering said that persecuted man thou putest my teares the word is my teare to shew that not one drop falls by and that if it were but one it is keeped and well keeped in thy bottle he doth in great tendernesse towards you keep all the teares you weep in his bottle that in due time he may poure them out to you in the wine of strong consolation His eye hath seen who have been made to suffer these things from the enemies of humanitie aswell as Christianitie which I forbeare to mention by their proper names as not knowing if I should how to comfort those who have suffered such things leaving that to him vvho can and vvho vvill He hath taken notice of all the thefts committed amongst you the least brat of old cloths that hath been stollen from you or stript off you hath not escaped his observation this is marked by him and marked on purpose that he may in place thereof cloth you with rich and glorious robs and classe you in that beautiful company Rev. 7. of whom it is said these are they who came out of great tribulation c. You are novv Princes in Pilgâ—ims weeds because under your rags lies hide a tittle to the glorious crown but in that day your rags will be taken away and you vvill appeare illustrious Princes indeed nay the beatings yea outragious boastings and threatenings of the poorest Lad or Lasse shall not be forgotten it had been better for them who gave the orders put them in execution that a milston had been hanged about their neck and they cast into the midst of the Sea than thus to have handled one of his little ones upon such an account nay the weeping of poor little Children for want of food while the mothers milk was dried up or was as poison their pale faces patâ—ly with feare partly with famine shall be remembred as a part of your â—estimonie and that which shall certainly fill up the cup of these Amorites But vvhat should I say Beloved Sufferers right honourable Nobles if any of your names be found in that rol â—d found out of the roll of the Banders for now it is not many noble and the more the shame and pitie but if there be but one oâ— two of that tribe the more noble much honoured and happiâ— Gentlemâ—n who to mâ—kâ— it appeare you have first given your own selves unto the Lord would not prig with him aâ—out your houâ—es your inheritances nor your lands but carried as at a point to parâ— with hâ—s thâ—ng for him which you had received from him as having but little pleasure to be possâ—ssed of any thing after he vvas dispossessed by law of his house heritage o wicked and vain attempt their hands shall not be able to performe their interprise but the counsel
the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge till these calamities be overpast O when there is nothing standing up between God and the soul and God stands up between it and all that would harme it but the man is safe This blessed shield it both beares the man who bears it and it beats back all the blowes of adversaries so as by a rebound their sword enters into their own heart He knew of what use this was to a soul who said I have prayed that thy faith faâ—l noâ— And the peâ—son to whom this was said having got a dangerous fall and having been shamefully foiled through the failing of his faith yet being by grace recovered gives this advice to â—â—eâ—e who â—ould stand when the devil is assaulting them on all hands 1 Pet. 5 8 9. whom râ—sist stedâ—ast in thâ— faith And when he is thus resistedâ— he flees he sees it s in vain to tâ—râ—w his fiery daâ—ts at him who can make use of this shield hold up thy shield and Satan cannoâ— hold up his face but will flee why because as God hath in mercy and love engaged himself to the soulâ— to stand by it and with his omnipotent strength support it in the evil day so faith laies hold on his promise and takes him at his word and thus interposeth an omnipotent God betwixt it and all enemies and then he stretches out his right hand against the wrath of an enâ—aged enemyâ— hence amongst the rest of the great things aâ—cribed to faith Heb. 11. these are not the least v. 33 34. Who through faith subdued Kingdomes stopped the mouths of lions quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword ouâ— of weakenesâ—â— were made strong waxtd vâ—liant in fight turned to flight the Armies of the Aliens in a word he that makes use of thiâ— shield is safe and compleatly sheltered with the saving strength of the right hand of an omnipotent Goâ— and shall be made to sing when all his enemies that compassed him about as bees buzing and burning in their hatred are quenched as the fire of thornes the right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly the right hand of the Lord is exalted the right hand of the Lord hath done valiantly O what a compleat securitie is this shield in an ill day and therefore when the Apostle was solicitous about the Thâ—ssalonians at a time when their Adversaries dealt with them as men of the same Spirit and malice deale with you he saies 1 Thess. 3 5. â—or this cause when I could forâ—eare no longer I sent to know your faith Importing that all would be well and they would be victors if that was well Secondly see well to faith's companion and that is Love this is faiths second or the way how faith engages and goes to actionâ— is by affection O Love is a great Champion It will not be boasted or buâ—â—eâ—â—ed into a base deserting of the beloved by what all the power on the earth in a conjunction with the gates of hell can do It hath said it and sworne it where ever Jesus Christ is there will I be whither in life or in death And Satan is so wise as not to assault a soul in it's warme fits knowing well that many waters of affliction cannot quench that flame but resistance will make love the more fervent and the Lover the more fervid and forward and therefore to the end he may prevaile his methoâ— is how to make souls first luke-warme by stealing away the fewel whereby that holy fire is fed or by his slight turning the current of the affections that they may â—un in another channel than God-ward and Christ-ward and heaven-ward as knowing well hovv poor and pusilanimous creaâ—ures they quickly become vvhen their coal is cooled oâ— quenched and hovv easily they are overcome and foiled when they fall from first love O my Brethren see to get and keep your hearts warme worke hard in gathering fewel for loves fire O how much is it of the concernement of every Saint to have fire burning in his bosome in this day when the fire of fiery tryals is burning abroad and about him when enemies are in rage and hell hot this flame of God this holy Love burning heaven-hot will afford the soul true courage to resist that rage whereby they assault and are acted And to this purpose it is remarkable that the Apostle Iude having written his Epistle for this end alone to excite to an earnest contending â—or the faith In order to a readinesse and resolutnesse to undertake this heavy work of holy contention he onely exhorts to this one for all v. 21. Keep your â—elves saith he in the love of God It is is true he mentioneth faith in the foregoing verse but it is as relating to this love and as that which furnisheth fewel to its fire And he speaks of prayer in the Holy Ghost also as that which blowes away the ashes and blowâ—s up that fire into a holy flame And then he subjoines hope as that which poures oile upon the fire and makes the soul â—horowly candent And this leads me in the Third place to say See to your hope also When ever you get an allarm or are called to the conflict call â—or your helmet and clap it on your hâ—ad and claspe it well and so the head being gairded the heart is much withouâ— feare while love to Châ—ist makes a man venture upon swiming thorow the salt sea in following of him And faith is his skill in svvimeing and the strength of his armes so when the waters goe over his head hope is the Cork that keeps his head above till he swime safe to the other shore and thorow all the seas betwixt him and heaven And therefore the Psalmist perceiving himself ready to sink saith why art thou cast down o my Soul hope thou in God c. O how vvell will this helmet of lively hope guard the head against all the daâ—ts shot from the fury of enraged Adversaries and likevvise against all their fraud and flattery for these are the two deadly enemies hope hath to deale with by raiseing the soul into a contempâ— of what the vvorld can offer from the noble and none such expectation it hath laid up in heaven Nay this Grace is of so much use to the saints as the Apostle saith we are saved by hope Now therefore make use of your hope yea hold fast the reâ—oycing thereof firme unto the end and it shall prove to you a helmet of Salvation indeed It 's exercise is to raise up the desponding soul above all dark and dismal appearances and to strengthen faith and therefore we are said in hope to believe against hope Novv Deare Friends having interjected these few things of many with a necessitat briefnesse and blunt abruptnesse Let me returne to where I left Viz. Resolve for suffering and feare none of these things which you shall or can suffer onely feare to offend your God
soul and shoulder to defeat this desperat designe and in order to the frustrating of the projects of these peruerters of the right wayes of God let union in the Lord amongst his servants and people be studied and endeavoured Let us carry in this day as men of understanding who know the times and how the true Israelits of God ought to behave one towards another while the Adversaries lye in wait to prey upon our divisions and is it sutable while they gnash upon us with their teeth that we should bite and devour one another or is it not more Christian and Christ-like that while we suffer together we smile one upon onother and support one another yea and if it should come to dying die embraceing one another Let therefore all unsuteable and unseasonable striving and unbrotherly and unchristian contending be prevented or exstinguished ere they come to a flame for that is fatal It is well known how small a wedge of the same timber driven by the policy of an enemy especially when in power hath made great and grievous breaches amongst such who once took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in company how frequently in all ages of the Church have they carrried away many first to a connivance then to a compliance for he who is once cheated into a connivanee is easily charmed into a compliance with their designes and so rendered the opposition of the rest who stood and withstood lesse significant Let us therefore be wise Let us take notice of the Adversaries stratagems whose maxime is Devide impera And in this they are so cunning and closs as sometime they can personat a division amongst themselves that they may the more certainly effectuat it amongst us which when it comes to passe it hath ever deplorable and dismal effects For there is ever a sad and certain connexion observed betwixt a dividing time in the Church and a further departure from the truth and a hotter persecution of those who cleave to God and his truth with purpose of heart But becaufe I know the greatest pretenders to what is now pleaded for and persuaded unto are really the greatest enemies to that union and concord intended by the Spirit of God And to the end they themselves may be applauded in their not strivings as becomes for the truth they of all men are most ready to represent such as doe as fire brands and Church renders And therefore let none mistake what love to union amongst all the serious servants of Jesus Christ in such a day hath caused me to drop as if thereby I did intend to plead for or perswade unto an union with a disadvantage to the precious truth of God and the true interest of the Gospel or did insinuat in order to peace and union either an approbation of forbearance of dutie in its proper season or of taking such courses as in regaird of circumstances may be construed a compliance with the men who have made themselves and the Nation guiltie before God of this high transgression to wit of destroying what they once built and building againe what they destroyed what shall we leave any thing undone or shall we do any thing under what speciouâ— pretext soever that may seem to say we have said a confederacy to such who call us to a confederacy after God had instâ—ucted us with a strong hand not to say so since that confederacy will be found a conspiracy against him should we joine again with the persons of these abominations and breake his covenant would he not be angry with us till he had consumed us The woe upon woe and wâ—ath upon wrath which was denounced against Scotland by a great Seer and eminently faithful Master-builder amongst us upon the apprehension of a relapse into a compliance with the haters of the Lord and the work of reformation whereto he preceived a propension and saw the Nation begun already to be leavened with the dreadful leaven of Apostasie is so sadly accomplished upon us that unlesse we be a people devoted to ruine and utter destruction we will learne from what is past to stand aloofâ— and stop our eares at the Syren-songs of those who pipe to us that we may dance a compliance with them in their breach of covenant with the most High and secure them into a quiet possession of all which they have taken from our blessed Lord Jesus Christ for this is the substance and sense of this now pressed Boud and these newly required Lawborroweâ—s O if ever there was a day to be unite in crying uâ—ite our hearts to feare that glorious and fearefull name the Lord our God If ever there was a day to be unite in watching in standing fast in the faith in quiting our selves like men this is that day when these God-provoking courses are carried on and our compliance and concurrence therein required Oâ— now when thâ—re is such a combination against the Christ of God such an onenesse iâ— opposeing his Anointed let us studie an union in abiding with him in owning â—im as King and Supreme let us continue with him in these temptations and contend for him let us contend with one another for that confirms true union to excite to this contention Let us studie and promove onenesse in walking in the good old way without turning aside to the right hand or to the left because of the lion that is in it aâ—d without laying other foundations in whole or in part than what were laid Let us not disorder these foundations nor pick a stone out of that beautiful fabrick and then put our invention upon the raâ—k to forge a consistency betwixt some cessions to the adversary old principles and finde out a way how to go some length with them or how not to oppose them while they with so high a hand overturn the work of God and yet retain our integritie and set off this our novel invention to our Brethren with the embrodeâ—ie and vermilion of uâ—ion and think there is sufficient ground to call all dividers and stigmatize them as such who will not with us gâ—ude about to change their way and lay as much weight upon our notions and darke yea benighting Distâ—ngoes as we do Let us studie an onenesse in promoving the opposed work of God Alas under the pretence of being unite amongst our selves we were charmed and chained into a forbearance of many things in theiâ— proper season which may and ought to send us mourning to our grave and keep a closâ— union between sorrow and our soul till death make a divorce between soul and body let us studie an onâ—nesse in endeavouring some thing â—o signifie our sorrow and shame for the ground which we have lost and the advantage the Adversary by our faintings hath goâ— to tâ—â—mple upon and triumph oveâ— our case An onenesse in seeking of God a right way by fasting and praâ—er not daring â—o listen unto rush upon or receive overtours