dreadfull vengeance through want of concord amongst our selves Let us pray yea contend with God in prayer for the peace of Hierusalem we may know that none shall prosper but they that love her and can we love her and not pray for her For our brethren and companions sake let us say peace be within her walls and because of the house of the Lord our God let us seeke to doe her good Now that we may doe thus we all can tell how that united forces are the strongest and that a three-fold cord is not easily broken Vis unita fortior therefore let us endeavour to keepe the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace If the prayers of one Moses could suppresse the Amalekites O how soone then would a Land of praying Christians penetrate the Heavens and cause our enemies to fall before us Cant. 6.9 why doe we stand still divided let us like Christs Dove become but one that the daughters that see us may powre out their blessing upon us Give me leave to make use of Pauls request to the Church of Corinth and beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that we may once all speake the same thing and that there may be no schismes amongst us but that we may be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement Concordiâ paruae res crescunt concord will cause a growth not onely of strength but of many other good things amongst us Unanimously now let us concurre together let us every man for himselfe and all of us one with another ingage our spirits by promise and oblige our soules by a solemne vow to the Lord of Heaven thus doing we shall establish a blessed communion and this wee cannot doe unlesse in covenant with these repenting Israelites wee adhere unto our brethren our Nobles The Priests and Levites Observat These Priests and Levites were chiefe officers in the Temple they stand not upon their tip-toes pleading immunity from civill authority they apprehend not themselves discharged of The Clergy not exempted from civill authority and exempted from their due allegiance God hath not said by them Princes rule but by him they reigne and decree justice It was but fitting they should expresse submission for as every soule must bee subject to the higher powers so I am sure it is not safe for a Kingdome but dangerous to a state where the Crosiers receive not power from the Regall sword These worthies of Israel having set forth their Ordinance for a covenant with God this Leviticall Clergy like the Romish faction cry not up freedome and forthwith declaime against them they expresse their yeilding by their present obeying they contradict not these you see aswell as others cleave unto their brethren the Nobles Observat A good Clergy a Kingdomes felicity Ministers should be Ring-leaders not to rebellion but submission not to prophanenesse but to conscientious and sincere observance these Priests and Levites are in their due posture they are not Incendiaries to the Land of Iudah they are not fomenters of jealousies in their peoples eares they condescend in their owne persons to prevent suspitious betwixt the Nobles and the Commons for what is jealousie it is as unsatiable as the grave it is the greatest evill to a Common-wealth and the deadliest enemy as to affection so to submissive obedience The Priests in the time of the Law presented oblations 1 Sam. 2.28 and burnt incense before the Lord these considering that obedience is better than sacrifice and that God layes more clayme to the living than to the dead joyne with their worthies observe the Ordinance take the Covenant and in these as a living burnt offering give up themselves to God The Levites expounded the Law displayed the sacred Oracles in things spiritual instructed the congregations secular affairs were not the subject matter of their imployments they studied Theologie not policy the Art of teaching rather than the Art of ruling I am sure that thus it was with these of the Tribe of Levi for they brake not the Covenant Malach. 2.8 They teach holinesse and they practise piety they are not like wolves in sheepes skins palliating cruelty under the habit of meekenesse their doctrine is a light and their lives are a lampe that like wise builders they set up godlinesse and like savoury salt season the hearts of their hearers O Israel it was thy happinesse to have such Levites it hath bin and I feare me in some measure yet is our misery to want such Leaders darknesse discovers no dangers and if the blind lead the blind they both fall into the ditch Application The time was when old Ely heard of evill dealing in the Priesthood how Hophni and Phinehas his sacrificing sonnes made the Lords people to transgresse 1 Sam. 2.23.24 Thus did the watch-men of Iudah in stead of knocking of the fingers Quantum pernitiosa est ad sequentium lapsumuina praepositi in tantum contrà uti le est et salutare cum se Episiopus per firmamentum fiâ—e fratribut inultandum praebet Cyprian Lib 3. Epist 21 Omnium felrum promittunt licentiam et quasi vexillum gerunt ad probandam omnem speciim nequitiâ— Calvin Cur pecâ—ata populi commedere à cuatur nisiquia pecca a delinquenitium soveâ—t Grego Homel 17 Omnino proditorem se esse noverit quicunque est ille qui vitae quae libet in ia hanc domum conatur inducere Bernard strengthen the hands of the wicked when by their owne example crying wee will powre forth wine and fill our selves with strong drinke Esay 56.12 They gave them incouragement in their nefarious courses And was it not because of this that they prophesied in Baal caused Israel to erre committed adultery walkt in lies confirmed men in their hellish practises and not suffering them to returne made them as Sodome and as the Inhabitants of Gomorrah before the Lord. That made Ieremy in a dolefull lamentation give out this expression that his very heart was broken Ier. 23.9.13.14 But these mentioned by Nehemiah are of another temper they doe not eate of the sins of the people by being foster fathers to their filthy vices these doe not build with their doctrine and pull downe by their practise the light of their conversations is now become so fulgent that others may behold them for their imitation they doe not seeke to innovate Religion erect novelties and advance superstitious vanities as sometimes Vrijah the Priest did who built an Altar according to all that Ahaz had sent from Damascus 2 Kings 16.11 nay these resolve too to bid adue to Idolatry to demolish superstition and not to stand any longer guilty of spirituall treason by upholding wickednesse in Gilgall I might have said Bethel the house of the Lord. For as they goe before the people in the covenant affording them their examples for their incouragement so by covenant they bind themselves for
starres they by their godly endeavours bring light to a world of Persons they are excellent for brightnesse and they communicate their graces as desirous of the good of others They are nursing Fathers Labour after reformation and preservation are Symptomes of paternall affection they are ministers of good and therefore it is not sin but sanctity not evill but good that by their practise they preach unto the people They are Leaders and therefore they goe before them by a holy vow guiding them in the way to heaven They are ordainers therefore they prefix order to the multitude and to keep them in order they frame an Ordinance and that Ordinance is a Covenant they are observators they take notice of and give directions for what is to bee done they are Governours or rather skilfull Mariners they sit at the helme in the height of the storme and to keep the ship of their soules from splitting against the rocks of Gods dreadfull justice as a strong Anchor they cast out a vow that if by any meanes the people may be kept alive and not dye in their sins O happy Israel thy Nobles are the pledges of thy rule they confirme and commend the truth and goodnesse contained in thy precepts they direct thee in particulars concurring with thy injunctions though not expressed in them they toll thee on in obedience though not passive yet active thou mayst well keep going when such as these goe before to direct thee Lazy travellers will hold out with good company which beat the path before them Thy great personages are not so taken up with the person for a time put upon them that either in speech looke or carriage they shew that they forget their naturall condition as men or their supernaturall estate as Christian men thy are counsellable by themselves they are not oblivious of those duties that concerne their severed condition in respect of another world What are they have bin thou canst not now say that they are Idolatrous they set not up Idols they depresse Idolatry they are not rebellious and companions of theeves they imbrace communion with Saints they are not ignorant they are wise as Rulers and learned as Iudges of thy Nation they doe not with Diotrephes who loved the preheminence refuse to countenance Gods Messengers they doe not prate against Gods servants with malitious words they forbid not them that would entertaine them neither doe they excommunicate them or shut them out of the Church Thou maist rejoice O Israel in these thy Worthies their deportment shews that they are thy best Counsellors there is squarenesse not partiality or perversnesse in their actions they are wise to preserve thee not crafty to insnare thee they are active not for their owne advancement but for thy advantage they are couragious for thee not fearefull or faint-hearted to defend thee they are religious but not factious secret but not fraudulent they are well read in thy present estate and apprehensive of what may promote thy future felicity and therefore as they have provided a solemne Covenant so they as fellow-brethren joyne with thee in a sacred Oath for ingagement unto God See then in these thy happinesse they are not as crosse winds to keep thee from shore they are as prosperous gales to bring thee in safety to the harbour Bee glad thou daughter of Zion and with shouting expresse thy rejoycing for these thy Nobles Vse 2 O yee Senators of the Land let these Worthies bee your examples parallel these in pious actions then glory and renowne will bee as a Crowne and Diadem set upon your heads It is reported of Agesilaus that in travelling hee alwaies tooke up his lodging in the Temples to the intent that men and Gods might see into his actions All things are naked to the eye of Heaven therefore in all your consultations and untertakings reflect upon Iehovahs presence consult with God and act for God Paul complaines of many who sought themselves but not Christ staine not your proceedings with by-ends let Gods glory be your highest aymes there is no safety in selfe seeking as this argues filthynesse of mind in noblenesse of birth so it is mans debasement before the Lord To ingratiate and inrich your selves let not the skie of Soveraignty be the onely object of your sight nor the sundry revolutions of Princes affections bee the sole heaven of your contemplation Non nobis nati sumus next unto God seeke the publique good weigh your intendments in the fruit as well as the flower consider what they will be to others aswell as your selves be not unthrifts in your places looke that your designes have a publique stamp that in the successe they prove not a disgrace but an honour to your names you must be men of more than private spirits the Kingdomes safety must be your care the Gospells advancement must bee your indeavour and the peoples prosperity is the thing you must strive for Let not your workes at any time be workes of iniquity suffer not an act of violence to be in your hands permit not your feet to run to evill or to make hast to shed innocent bloud why should your thoughts be thoughts of perversenesse why should wasting and destruction bee in any of your pathes A friend is borne for the day of adversity wee doe not looke at you as having virgins faces and vultures talons we take you not to be fained but faithfull friends wee are yet in distractions cease not to help us by your counsells you have hitherto stood for our liberty still stand as pillars of marble Quanto illustriores sunt homines in saeculo scientia it genere tante pluribus suit perditionis exemplura Bernard Epist 109 spare not your paines spare not your bloud for the preservation of our felicity bee not as the children of Ethiopians before the Lord O Let the light of your lives aswell as the light of your Counsells make it apparent that Iehovah judgeth amongst the Gods to advise well and live ill is to build with one hand and pluck downe with an other Scarlet Robes are ornaments to your bodyes but scarlet sins will prove the debasement of your soules it is the transparent christall glasse of your holy life that will shew us the spots upon our garments and your sticking close unto the Covenant for God that is likely to conglutinate our affections more unto your selves and as a leading president give us encouragement for a religious walking before the Lord. Thus qualified our subject shewes you you should be and thus farre you see the example of zealous Peeres prevaild in the daies of old Vse 3 Let us beloved of this Nation take Israels practise into imitation they may well be resembled unto starres Starres are lights they shine as lights in the world endeavouring to be blamelesse and harmlesse the sonnes of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation Philip. 2.15 So soone as the Sunne appeares and breakes
you have brought them to receive a reward according to their deâ—â—â—ts Thus doing in the sincerity of your hearts I doubt not however dangers threaten you but in the end you shall become glorious Conquerours through the power of the Lord Christ I am perswaded in what I have done I shall displease some but as Malis difplicere laudari eft so my pur ose was not to give content to malevolent persons but to approve my selfe to God and his hidden ones for I should be loath to speake or write ought that Christ should disallow he truly is that Master to whom every man stands or falls and one good looke from him is in stead of all acclamations to my selfe The Lord direct you preserve you and knit you firmely unto himselfe So prayeth he who rests Yours in the Lord Christ D. S. The Contents or the particular Observations contained in this booke 1 MVtuall society makes a sweet harmony Page 1 2 The Clergy not exempted from civill Authority pag. 2 3 A good Clergy a Kingdomes felicity page 4 4 Every Christian must be a porter to his owne heart page 9 5 Wee must not hee fickle constancy must crowne our actions page 10 6 Austerity and Magnanimity become the professors of Christianity page 11 7 Sacred Covenants doe not 〈◊〉 be seeme the most cheerefull spirits page 12 8 Worldly affaires must not shoulder out Christian duties Ibid. 9 Washing should procede Covenanting page 13 10 Meannesse of place and calling debarres not any by vowing from binding themselves to Religion page 14 11 Godlinesse in others should be an attractive to our desires Ibid. 12 Other mens sinns must not make us turne our backs upon the pure Ordinances of God page 15 13 Matrimoniall Leagues with Idolaters an inlett to false worship and a strong barre to keepe out the power of godlinesse page 16 14 Covenanting Christians should be couragious Christians Ibid. 15 Women not priviledged from spirituall vowes pag. 18 16 Christians should be politicians page 19 17 None exempted from a sacred Vow page 20 18 Examples of Superiours strong cords to draw on others unto holines pag. 22 19 Pride becomes not noble Spirits page 35 20 Inferiour persons must accept of motions from their Nobles as motions from affectionate Brothers Ibidem 21 Though imprecations and execrations be not usuall yet sometimes t ey are very Lawfull page 36 22 Wee may vow against sin wee may sweare obedience unto God page 38 23 Gods Satutes the Christians way page 42 24 The Law an effect of gods Love Ibid. 25 Our obedience must be universall page 43 26 Sence of misery under sin and sorrow with hope of mercy puts the soule upon Covenants yea sure Covenants for nsicere and exact obedience to the God of Heaven page 45 A pious President to both Kingdomes For a sacred Covenant NEHEMIAH 10.28 29. And the rest of the peop e the Priests the Levites the porters the Singers the Nethinims and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the Land unto the Law of God their wives their Sons and their daughters every one having knowledge and having understanding They clave to their Brethren the Nobles and entred into a curse and into an oath to walke in Gods Law which was given by Moses the servant of God and to observe and doe all the Commandements of the Lord our God his statutes and his judgements IN these Verses you have the Commons of Israel joyning with their Nobles in a firme covenant to the Lord Jehovah wherein you may take notice First of the persons who are described First generally The rest of the people Secondly more particularly 1 The Priest that offered Sacrifice 2 The Levits that instructed the people 3 The porters that kept the doores of the Sanctuary 4 The Singers 5 The Nethinims that drew water for the house of the Lord. 6 All that had separated themselves from the people of the land unto the Law of God their wives their sonnes and their daughters every one having knowledge and understanding Secondly of their actions They clave to their brethren the Nobles They entered into a curse and into an Oath to walke in Gods Law c. And the rest of the people Mutuall society causeth a pleasing and melodious harmony Observation Israels mutual communion they doe not harpe upon the jarring strings of distempered affections their tongues utter their minds their expressions and intentions are not dissonant but consonant one with another they doe not onely like the Iron and the clay in the toes of Nebuchadnezzars Image cleave together but they are fast cemented yea incorporated one into another now as in a bed of spices there is a fragrancy in all their graces their vertues like sweet perfumes upon burning coales are become communicative all that are neare them may receive comfort and refreshing from them they are not every man for himselfe they are all in common they halt not betwixt two opinions they have not a heart and a heart like Ephraine they uphold Christian communion they will not forsake the assembly of the Saints they have all set their heart with their brethren the Nobles to seeke the Lord God of Israell Application Doth not Unity make happy and perpetuate a people this is that precious oyntment that ran downe from Aarons beard to the skirts of his garment this is like the dew of Hermon descending upon the mountaines of Sion for where this is the Lord commandeth his blessing Why doe not we then of this Nation labour to become like Jerusalem as a City at unity within our selves It is civill discord that demolishes and destroyes the very being of a Common-wealth for as he that bleeds inwardly is in the greatest danger so a Kingdome divided against it selfe cannot stand The spirit of Aegypt never failed in the middest of her untill the Egyptians fought against the Egyptians Isi 10 2 3. neither did the Philistims melt like snow against the Sunne untill such time as they sheathed their swords in one anothers bowells O let it not be told in Gath nor published in Askelon that England by civill distention is the cause of her owne ruine But oh my belly my belly I am pained at the very heart I heare the sound of the Trumpet and the Alarme for the warre what shall I not now with mourning and lamenting Ieremy weepe day and night for the slaine of the daughter of Sion O that our rents and divisions were closed that the bloud of Christians religious and well-affected persons might no longer as water that is spilt upon the ground bee shed amongst us O let us yet though it be late for better late thrive then never set upon some course whereby the sluces of wrath may bee let downe the currents of justice may be stopt and the fire of Gods jealousie may be extinguisht amongst us why should wee carry more fewell to the fire and more oyle unto the flame of the Lords