together and came to Samuel saying Make us a king to judge us like other nations the thing 1 Sa. 8. 3. displeased Samuel and was a sin against God Why not simply that they desired a King that was not a sin but because in discontent with revenge against Samuel and his sons they rejected the government that God had set over them therefore the Lord saith They have not rejected thee but they have rejected me Doubtless David should have been their King though they had not Vpon this ground the Army is not justifiable in their disobedience to Ordinance of Parliament c. Rom 12. 19. asked a King their sin was that they would not stay Gods time Private persons may not cast reproaches nor calumniate the office nor persons of the Magistrate nor of the Ministery nor prejudge Counsels nor Actions much less rise in Arms against them but make humble address and pray unto God and wait Gods time for redress of such evils Vengeance is mine saith the Lord and I will repay it c. obedience is better then sacrifice And rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft Although the Magistrate fail in his duty toward the people saith judicious Calvin the people may not transgress in their duty to the Magistrate but pray unto God for his or their amendment and conversion and amend their own faults considering that God often punisheth the sins of a people by corrupt Magistrates It may be some will object that if this be good Divinity we the people of England and Stotland ought not to have taken up arms against the Kings Authority c. I Answer We did it not as private men but by Authority therefore I say with Mr. Calvin There is a time when God will raise 1 Sam 15. 22. Cilv in institut lib. 4. cap. 20 sect 30. up open revengers of the unjust Government of Princes and Magistrates such as he will arm with authority command from himself like as God stirred up Moses and Aaron to deliver Israel from the bondage in Egypt and several deliverers at sundry times to free his people from their several pressures as Ehud Barak Deborah Gideon Sampson Jepththah and others mentioned in the book of Judges and such a deliverance God raised up to his people of England and Scotland when he by his providence established this Parliament at such a time when we thought our selves past hope We know it was contrary to the design of His Majesties Counsel then acting and we know it was not in our power to do it without the King therefore it was of God onely who so ordered the Kings heart and infatuated His evil Counsel that the King did it by His own Act according to the Law of the Kingdom and the Rights of the Subject and in which the King is vertually present though personally absent we know also that His Majesty passed several Acts of grace for which we did and do honor and thank Him but have no reason to thank that evil Counsel who intended thereby onely to sweeten the people and steal away their affections to joyn in a war being so deceived to dissolve the Parliament and Null all that they would But Iob 5. 12. God disappointed the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprize Again divine Calvin the great supporter of Magistracy and the Authority of Princes the most earnest presser to obedience saith thus of Parliaments being once called If they saith he shall wink at Kings wilful raging over and treading down the poor Calv. institut lib. 4. cap. 20. sect 31. Commonalty it is a breach of Faith in them because they deceitfully betray the Liberty of the people whereof they are protectors by the Ordinance of God While Israel lay under the sore pressures and bondage of Pharaohs taskmasters in Egypt they groaned under their heavy burthens as insupportable and cryed unto God God raised up Moses their deliverer but quickly they forgot the bitterness of that bondage and meeting with some momentary hardship in the way through the Wilderness to the Land of rest and peace which way God brought them to humble them to prove them Deut 8. 2 verse 16. and that he might do them good in the latter end they grew impetuous murmured and rebelled against God and against Moses that led them notwithstanding they had been spectators of Gods Almighty power wonders and outstretched arm against the Egyptians for their deliverance and sang praises unto God that had triumphed gloriously and thrown the horse and his rider into Exod. 15. 1. the Red-sea Consider I pray can it be well with us of England and Scotland or with our great City London or mutinous Counties if we shall parallel the Murmurings and Rebellions of rebellious Israel Can you or either of you forget how you have groaned under the pressures of an unlimited Prerogative even whil'st it was but in the infancy of it Can ye forget how your Laws were stretcht upon the tenters of Prerogative till they were thin and weak as spiders webs and served onely as snares and nets to catch small flies through which stinging hornets and hurtful wasps brake at pleasure your Parliaments were broken in pieces disgraced rejected made useless as having no consistence with lawles Prerogative you know how the ill Counsel of those times bought and sold Justice Judges were displaced for doing justly and for refusing to do unjustly They were made to buy their places dear and suffered to sell their service dearer that they might be gainers No Bribe no Justice and the greatest Bribe or best Friend most times prevailed whether just or unjust mens Estates were forced by illegal Taxes Loans Knight-money Forrest-lands Timber Woods Buildings Compositions for Cottages Coat and Conduct-money c. also extream Taxes by Customs Tunnage and Poundage Ship-money and infinite Monopolies of all sorts of Commodities to the overthrow of Trade Commerce and Traffick and ruine of several established Corporations the whole Kingdom as well as London was sensible of the misery and groaned under the burthen What Tradesman in the great City Master or Apprentice in those times cryed not out in a feeling sence that they should be all undone many thousands complained they were deprived of their Livelyhoods and of their Trades for which they served all looking upon those burthens as remediless all Gunpowder and Arms of defence was at that time denyed to the Subject Bands of Soldiers were billeted upon the Kingdom in most of the great Towns and some Villages Horses and their Riders were contracted for and coming from beyond sea What to do but to awe the Kingdom and to enslave Posterity no Forrain was then either envading nor threatning us How many of our gallant fideal Gentlemen were drawn by pretences to the Isle of Ree and to Cardise there lost betrayed and murthered ships lent and sold to serve against the Protestants of France the Town of Rochel and other places
with 2 Thess 5. 13. Mat. 10. 41. Mark 8. 34. tidings of peace Honor them for their Office and for their works sake as those that labor watch for your souls Receive a Prophet in the name of a Prophet and you shall have a Prophets reward Deny thy self take up the cross and follow Christ Happy were it if all that are in Authority would deny themselves in action as in words Deny their profits their self-honor and all self-interests Pro. 13. 10. and seek the publike good by pride comes contention and self-interest causeth quarrels humble your selves before God and 1 Pe. 5. 6. he will exalt you but if you seek honor it will fly from you God will honor them that honor him Consider this promise 1 Sam. 2. 30. If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will 2 Chro. 7. 14. Pro. 16. 7. I hear in heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land when a mans ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him This is the sure never-failing healing Plaister apply it ye Physicians heal the Kingdoms before they be past cure In the next place because there is a Disease that men call The Kings Evil which they say none can heal but the King and because His Majesty hath offered some 〈◊〉 to it let Addresses be made unto Him again and again in the Name of three diseased Kingdoms In the morning saith the Wise man soâ—… thy seed Eccle. 11. 6. and in the evening withhold not thine hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper this or that c. All blessings are from God The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord 〈…〉 Pro. 21. â— soever he will If Kings have a gift to heal Kings being nursing-fathers to their People you that are Physicians that cannot agree upon the cure humbly supplicate to the King for a touch if he shall refuse tell his people to secure just Rights for people chose Kings to defend them to maintain their Rights and to heal their sores not to destroy them or infringe their Liberties nor to hurt them any way against which Parliaments are the peoples security and may not be prejudiced If the King secure the peoples Rights and the people and Aâ—my obey the Parliament the work is ended but sores neglected often ulcer and become incurable Adde hereunto the change of countrey Committees tyrannical as Pharaohs Taskmasters over the people that create Malignants as Pick-pockets make Tumults so long as Oppression is kept up Insurrections and Rebellions cannot be kept down The Wise-man saith For the transgrâ—â—sion of a Land many aâ—e the Princes thereof Pro. 28. 2. Chap. 28. 15. As a roaring Lyon and a raging Hart so is a wicked Ruler over the people Many Rulers is a burthen and one roaring Lyon is fearful case the one and take heed of the other lest we be torn in pieces and there be none to deliver us A Lyon hath roared Amo. 3. 8 who will not fear the Lord God hath spoken who can but prophesie There is a time to kill and a time to heal a time to break down and Eccl. 3. 3. Eccl. 8. 6. a time 〈…〉 And because to every purpose there is a time man not knowing that time â—…isseth it therefore the misery of m Eccele 9 12. n in great upon the earth And the sons of men are snared in an Eccle. 9 12. evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them as fishes that are taken in an evil net and birds that are caught in a snare As men so Monarchies and Kingdoms have their ebbes and flows and their periods too God hath appointed their times of change and the means of their ruine He increaseth the Nations and destroyeth Iob 12. 23. them he inlargeth the Nations and straitneth them again At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation to pull down and to destroy it if that Nation turn from their evil I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them And at what instant I shall Ier. 18. 7. 8 9 10 speak concerning a Nation to build and to plant it if that Nation do evil in my sight and obey not my voyce I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them Yet let not him that putteth on his Armor boast for the battel is not to the strong nor the race to the swift FINIS
ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND UNITED DISJOYNED OR A gentle Corosive and healing Plaister applied to two dying KINGDOMS WITH Some Balsamum for wounded Ireland HUMBLY Presented to both Kingdoms and communicated to all good Subjects that wish Peace and good to the Kingdoms or to either of them Wherein is represented The Grievances of the PEOPLE and their several Murmurings By Ethog Grimes Gent. Read before you judge Read all or read none 2 Sam. 2 16. Then Abner called to Joab and said shall the sword devour for ever Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end How long shall it be then ere thou bid the people returâ— from following their brethren Isa 1 5. Why should ye be smitten any more ye will revolt more and more the whole head is sick and the heart is faint Ier. 8. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead Is there no physician there Why then is not the daughter of my people recovered London Printed for Laurence Chapman and are to be sold at his shâ—p next door to the Fountain Tavern in the Strand near the Savoy 1648. England and Scotland United Disjoyned OR A gentle Corosive and healing Plaister applyed to two dying Kingdoms WITH Some Balsamum for wounded Ireland BY your leave Gentlemen give me leave to step in among you and excuse my boldness I have a little interest with you in the Kingdom as well as you which I would not lose nor do I know how to save deem me not an intruder though I crowd in I truly confess I scarce know where I am things are so promiscously shuffled together men and things are so metamorphosed men know not themselves nor their own the world seems as it were turned round or in confusion Law is changed into Loosness and Liberty into Licentiousness where Order was there is Confusion and Fancy or Will is come in the place of Conscience Conscience is shrank or seared with an hot iron or hath quite suffered shipwrack sacred Truth analized judged misinterpreted eclipsed and comdemned by Humane Reason men and things all out of their places conquering Mars threatens the Islands with new War Jupiter casts ill aspects on men and things love is departed from men and malignity of spirit increaseth horrid Pride Ambition and Covetousness have contracted destructive divisions in Kingdoms Cities Societies and Families The son dishonoreth the Micah 7. 6. father the brother is against the brother c. and a mans enemies are the men of his own house is Christ a Prophet then conclude a Kingdom a City a House so divided cannot stand Mark 3 24. What 's the matter is all the world grown mad the effects shew the cause are not Englands brainsick distempers conceited fancies unparalleld head-strong passions and unreasonable actions the effects of the inflammation of the brain to madness What Bedlam fantacies whimzeys and self-fooling affections are discovered in men raging in all Societies and Families violence overspreads all as if there were new Nimrods on the earth or as if the people were building new Babels Midsummer-moon hath been apparently operative all this year What influence the Moon the Planets or Comets have upon mens bodies or fancies I know not nor did ever regard no more then some old new Prophesies lately discovered which I heed as Necromancers predictions But I cannot tell what to think that Herod and Pilate are made friends and yet love not one another that Mâ—rs should be in conjunction with Venus and Vesta forsake her chastity is honesty a fool Minerva and Pallâ—ce were wise how is it they usurp Menesis and seek their own revenge it's strange to me and is no less then madness or is it a mystery but whether madness or mystery those are symptomes of Mortal-sickness in a Kingdom and at this time predict a period to three kingdoms all lying at this day upon the bed of languishing tortured with the pain of these distempers and the infected members of each are worse then Solomons mad-man Who saith he cast firebrands arrows Prov. 15. 18. and death It is mad-mens pastime to do mischief they care not who they hurt whether themselves or others so they fulfil their phrantick fancies a few such mad-men may destroy all But if all shall be mad who shall prevent destruction it was a curse threatned upon the rebellious Jews and is verified in truth upon England and Scotland The Lord shall smite thee with madness and blindeness and astonishment of heart and thou shalt be mad for Dâ—u 28 â— 2â— 34. the sight of thine eyes that thou shalt see c. Self-pride Ambition Covetousness and extream Oppression have put three Kingdoms into an extream mad condition Oppression saith the Wise man makes a wise man mad the heart of the oppresser is mad in oppressing the sweet of gain hath destroyed his heart though otherwise a wise man and like the horseleech he cryes Give give On the other side the oppressed under the burthen of pressures lying long upon him forgets his wisdom and patience and grows into desperation stark mad throws himself upon any danger counts it the smallest hazard in way of revenge Vid. Sâ—necâ— Clâ—n lib. 1 cap. 12. ult to venture his life in every attempt counting himself deprived of the benefit of it whilest wounded by galling pressures Ill causes we know too often produce worse effects No man is born for himself but for others good as his own not for the hurt of any We ought to do good to every man but much more to seek to do good by laying out our selves for the publick Weal and in cases of necessity to the uttermost of our ability without grudging else were men ingrate to God and betrayers of the Commonweal But when Princes or Magistrates shall extort treasure from a willing and free people and convert their publick moneys to private uses self-purposes to particular ends it cannot be well endured especially when accounts of such moneys are not made to the Kingdom This kindles a fire of jealousie and makes men cry against it as grinding oppression and Robbing the Commonweal It was a reproof against the house of Jacob and the Princes of Israel That they built up Zion with Mic. 3. 10 blood and Jerusalem with iniquity not onely killing by the sword is counted bloody of which England stand guilty but when The ve 11 12. Heads of the people shall judge for reward and the Priests teach for hire the Prophets divine for money yet lean upon the Lord and say Is not the Lord among us none evil can come to us consider what follows Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field and Jerusalem shall become heaps c. likeness in sin brings likeness of judgement You shall see that because the two sons of Samuel that judged Israel were not just in all the ways of their father but turned aside after lucre took bribes and perverted judgement all the Elders of Israel gathered themselves
into particular mens hands whose service and attendance ought to be imployed to publique benefit which if executed by private men reasonable sallery being allowed them who have lost their whole livelihoods by the Enemy for their fidelity to the Parliament would in overplus much benefit the Commonweal have paid poor windows mained Soldiers and much Arrears c. but as the Prophet saith in another case This is a people robbed and spoiled they Isa 42. 22. are all of them snared in holes and they are hid in Prison-houses they are for a prey and none delivereth for a spoil and none saith Restore Besides the people are brought into jealousie of a ruling over-awing Army as it were forcing a Toleration and Liberty to all Sectaries and their just Liberty is infringed c. The Righteous Amos 2. 6. Isa 13. 14 are sold for silver and the poor for a pair of shooes therefore the Lord entreth into Judgement with the Ancients of the people and with the Princes for they have eaten up the vineyard and the spoil of the poor is in their houses These are your allegations all which I cannot excuse for God and men know many things are not as they ought to be nor as they might have been but for what is now under Parliament pressures some necessity may be pleaded and what was by the Kings evil Councellors was Wil and their voluntary act to enslave that would have been for ever this is but momentary 'T is true the Army in all things are not justifiable they are but men and have erred as men in Judgement and practice but have been and are happy instruments under God to save us from destruction faithful and victorious deserving Honor and Recompence let the people forget and the Army repent God will forgive and redress all grievances The causes and cures I shall give you in the proper place First give me leave to tell you a Story In the time of Romulus King of the Romans he made a hundred Councellors of the best and honestest Noblemen these when together were called Senatus to whom there were afterward a greater number added and called Senators these were Patrons Helpers Defendors and Councelors to the People counted then a shame to them to take any Bribe or Reward of the people this caused great love and unity among them the one were Protectors the other were obedient But Romulus growing great and successful began to be Tyrant-like the Senators did nothing but were called a Councel for fashion not for any Advice or Counsel for when assembled they onely heard the Kings pleasure and commandment and so departed This put them upon a desire to have a free State and not to be subject only to the rule of a King shortly after Romulus making Oration to the people at a place without the City the Sun was suddenly darkened and there was terrible Thunder flashings of Lightenings and mighty Winds which seperated the people every way one from another the Senators remaining together in which time Romulus vanisht away Plut. life Romulus was no more seen alive or dead when the Storm was past and the day cleared the people asked for the King the Noblemen wisht them not to enquire after the King but to honor and reverence him for he was taken up into heaven some of the people liked it well others not satisfied accused the Senators of making away the King after much ado and discontent one of the Noblemen of good esteem among the people whom they held for an honest man Arguments and by Oaths affirmed the King was taken up by the gods into Heaven to dwell with them having built that famous City and that Romulus should henceforth be their god so he appeased all the people The people afterwards not contented without a King caused another tumult about choosing a King they being of divers Opinions the Senators also were in suspition one of another but all agreed of a necessity to choose a King and to prevent greater confusion the Senators concluded that every one of them should by turns carry the State of a King six hours in a day and six hours at night the next day another and so in order suspition still grew in the people who said This was a device to get all Government into a few mens hands At length to appease all the people agreed to choose Numa Pompilius a Sabine a man of vertue and wisdom free from tovetousness and vice addicted to divine study and the exercise of Justice Messengers were sent to Numa to entreat him to accept of the Kingdom he answered the change of a mans life was ever dangerous and for him that wanted nothing it was folly to leave a certainty for an uncertainty casting many dangers and perils in being a King with other Allegations of his own unfitness c. The Messengers besought him by many Arguments to accept of it and not give any cause of new trouble among the people seeing all had so freely chosen him to be their King After long perswation Numa accepted of it came to Rome the Senate and people flockt to meet him the women blessed him and sang to his praises Sacrifice was done for him in the Temples of their gods and with great joy he was brought to the Market-place where his Election was Proclaimed and he chosen by the voyce of all the people Having received the Royal Seat he dismissed the guard of Soldiers that was to guard his person saying Plut. in life of Pompil He would not mistrust those that trusted him neither would he be King over people that should mistrust him Then he began to work upon the affections of the people to draw them from violent warlike desires to quiet life civility and meekness in maners and to the service of the gods by which peace was established at home and with all Nations all Numa's days Let men make their own Application onely observe this That Differences and Commotions have been in all Ages and under all Governments whether Monarchical Aristocracy Democracy c. all have been subject to Tyrannical Oppression Injustice and Commotions by Kings by Senates and by the People But certain no Kingdom nor Commonweal in the world had ever any better Government for the constitution of well regulated Laws then England by King Lords and Commons That there are miscarriages in this Government is neglect of Execution arising either from greedy Oppression and Ambition in the superior or from Pride and Disobedience in the inferior both which are the defects of this Age. Now I shall truly shew you the causes of all these Distempers as they are at this day We use to say the disease once known the cure is easie if men will the first cause is the Devil he suggests evil surmises suspitions and jealousies leads men into errors and propounds false ends in designs by this we are divided and confounded the Scriptures term him to be an Adversary a Tempter and a
Murtherer c. he is subtile in tempting therefore called the Old serpent the Red dragon he is a fawning Fox and a devouring Lyon his Government is onely in this world therefore called The god of this world and he ruleth onely over such men 2 Cor. 4. 4. Eph. 2. 2. 1 Iohn 3. 8. Ioh. 1. 44 Ps 52. 3. as are in darkness therefore called The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience and they that willingly commit sin are said to be of the Devil therefore wicked men that are his children like him love evil more then good and delight in lyes more then to speack truth he hath also many baits to ensnare men sometime he propoundeth Honor sometime Riches sometime Praise and Pleasure c. his mouth was full of this when he came to tempt Christ All this will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me or if we will but worship God in his way yea he brings this Scripture too It is written saith he thus and thus When men give way to any temptation of the Devil they forsake the truth and not receiving the truth in the love of it is the 2 Thess 2. 10 11. cause why God sendeth strong delusions to believe lyes and are given over to their own lusts then God saith of a man or a nation as of Israel Lo-ammi Ye are not my people and I will not be your God Hos 1. 9 The second cause of our distempers is our corrupt nature which is prone to rceeive all evil from Satan as the earth the seed cast into it or the tinder at fire every spark the Devil casts in the seed corrupt Nature brings forth increase he strikes the flint and corrupt Nature makes it a flame corrupt Nature is prone to delight in new things Satan always puts fair and specious shews upon every error he casts them by the mould of truth but ever addes or adminisheth and that he brings under the notion of new truths for Satan can be and doubtless is at this day transformed 2 Cor. 11. 14. Mat. 24. 24. into an Angel of light and so works upon mens fancies That if it were possible he should deceive the very Elect. The third cause is evil men Papists Jesuits Jews Libertines prophane Worldlings and all other seduced Schismatical Seducers that hate all Reformation because they love not the truth these are Satans instruments children of darkness hate the children of light they hold counsels against them make conspiracies use diabolical divinations pretend prophesies revelations and miracle some to broach false tenents seeming to be zealous for Christ but are his enemies others to raise discontents disobedience in the people against the powers ordained by God they invent lyes scandal and foment jealousie to make factions divisions both in Church and State have influence into great Councels Societies Families yea into our Victorious Army where by division they have staggered more then any power of the sword could ever have done these are interwoven with us in disguised shapes they are Presbyterians in the extreams and Independents to all loosness of liberty and slighting of duty tell you that you are in Christ if you be as they and cannot sin nor ought to pray for pardon that Christ dyed for all equally for Judas as for Peter that Revelations and the motions of the Spirit not Scripture are your Rule to walk by denying the Morallity of the Law question whether the soul be mortal or immortal that men have free-wil to repent and to be saved that the Christian Sacraments are no way necessary and that rebaptizing is lawful and necessary that the Lords day is no more to be observed then any other day that our godly Ministers are not Ministers of Christ but their calling Antichristian with a hundred more gross errors destructive to the foundation of true Religion all which they have spirits abroad to infuse into men as they finde their natural lusts inclined by which they have brought confusion not onely in Counsels Societies Cities and our Victorious Army but in all families so as we erre and erre exceedingly both in judgement and practice Take it for certain there are many hundred Jesuits at this day among us and have overspread the whole Kingdom of England I will not believe Scotland is free they are in all places like the frogs of Egypt even in the Saints conventicles as some call them and it may be in our common pulpits sometimes these are they that speak evil of Authority and cast reproaches upon the Ministery to bring Law and Gospel into contempt and to set up new lights and new Government in the world they spread the failings of Parliament abroad to the ears of all countreys and belye them grosly make every moleâ—il a mountain seem to divine their intentions and belye the very truth set the kingdom in hurliburly put whole counties to petition in unseemly maner to command Requests and to request things not to be granted without ruine and thereby think to work ruine by the denial all to hinder setlement reformation and peace and to bring in Popery in the crowd among the rest of their old heresies newly revived these like Jannes and Jambres who withstood Moses withstand and resist 2 Tim. 3. 8. the truth being armed with all the power and policy of hell and Rome but their great Master-piece hath been to break the union between England and Scotland as it was Romes endeavors for many years to hold them from conjunction and was no small disheartning to them when they became conjoyned What our brethren will do I know not I will not prejudge a Kingdom they have been true and I hope will be ever but Barwick and Carlisle ought not to be held in Garison our Covenant is with God as well as one with another and the Kirk to their everlasting praise uphold it If it were but a mans covenant yet if it be confirmed no Gal. 3. 15 Lev 26. 25. man disanulleth but God is a just God and will avenge the quarrel of his Covenant on him that transgresseth I would say to England and Scotland as Abraham said to Lot Let there be no Gen. 13. 8. strife between you for you are Brethren so are your Armies tooâ— if you jar to blood you will commit two great evils you will both fight for your enemies that will destroy you both and you or one of you will incur Gods judgements upon your posterities I pray remember what the Lord himself saith I will give the men Ier. 34. 18 19. that have transgressed my Covenant and have not performed the words of the Covenant which they made before me when they cut the calf in twain c. I will even give them into the hands of their enemies and into the hands of them that seek their life and they shall be meat for the fowls and for beasts c. Will you
Kingdoms in Religion Form of Government Directory of Worship c. as shall be found most consonant with Scripture not as it is established in Scotland or any other Reformed Church except in tryal they be found the best and herein the Kingdom of Scotland is to alter as well as England any thing not fully agreeing with Gods Word Now he that hath not endeavored this and doth not still endeavor it hath broken his Covenant but such as have opposed it let their pretence be what it will are guilty of perjury before the high and holy God 2. We have sworn to endeavor to extirpate Popery and Prelacy and Church Government by Prelavical Bishops c. and also to extirpate Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever is contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness Therefore he or they who look back to Popery or that endeavor not to the uttermost to abolish all Popish Superstition and suppress Heresie Schisms and Blasphemy violate their Oath but they that endeavor to support either Popery Prelacy Heresie or Schism are injurious to God to his Truth and to the Kingdom and of such God will surely avenge his Covenant 3. We have sworn to endeavor with our Estates and Lives every one for himself mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdomâ— Consider how many among us may be taxed in this particular for false swearing and for prefidious persons 1. They that endeavor not to assist the Preservation of Parliament Priviledges 2. They that make breaches and joyn with them that do as too many have done of Soldiers Apprentices of City and Countrey 3. The Liberty of the Subject which many for Self-interest infringed this latter we know is involved in the former 4. They that shall or have endeavored to bring His Majesty to the sole rule of the Kingdom till assurance be given to the Parliament of the Preservation of Religion and of the Subjects Liberty for future are Covenant-breakers and may be deemed as enemies to posterity but security once given to the Parliament God forbid that Parliment or people should desire to diminish any thing in His Majesties just power and greatness 4. We swore that we woâ—â—… endeavor that all Incendiaries Malignants evil Instruments that hinder Reformation of Religion divide the King from His People or one of the Kingdoms from another or that make Factions and Parties among the People contrary to the Covenant may be brought to condign punishment c. What shall we say or think of this when any one Kingdom shall not onely not bring to punishment such persons but connive at them and suffer them among them though they are and have been known Enemies and Incendiaries Hinderers of Reformation and Dividers between both Kingdoms to set them together in blood and that make Factions and Parties among the People contrary to the Covenant Is not this a breach of the Covenant and dishonor to the most high God before whom we have sworn 5. We have acknowledged it a great mercy and blessing that the Peace is concluded and settled between the two Kingdoms such as God denyed to our Progenitors and therefore swore to endeavor the two Kingdoms may remain conjoyned in a firm Peace and Union to all Posterities and that Justice may be done upon the wilful opposers thereof if so Who dare break this Union whether Kingdom without perjury can attempt a War or draw a sword against the other except first he were set upon and that no pacification could be made and I hope neither Kingdom will blame me for what I write I have entred into the same Covenant and am bound by my Covenant to endeavor the Peace and Union though it prove my prejudice 't is my duty which to neglect were to incur Gods displeasure and just judgement upon my self 6. We did swear In this common cause of Religion Liberty and peace of the Kingdoms to assist and defend all that entred into this Covenant in pursuance thereof and not to suffer our selves by perswasion or terror to be divided or drawn from this conjunction nor to be neuters in this cause but to continue in it all the days of our lives against all opposition Now let every man and both Kingdoms lay it to heart and consider how base and cowardly they have been I mean not all to own this Covenant and to act according as they have sworn I utter it with grief I know many that have taken it are quite fallen from it some to the left hand some to the right hand all wâ—â—…h God sees and will once exact an accompt of every man For God is not mocked deceive not your selves Gods Honor and Justice is ingaged in it Judgement Hos 10. 3 shall spring up upon them as hemlock in the furrows of the field that have sworn falsly in making a Covenant I finde recorded in the Turkish History a remarkable story That after a long War betwen Vladislaus King of Hungary a Christian but a Papist and Amurath Emperor of Turky Vladislaus made a Peaâ—e with Amurath and entred into a Covenant which was interchangeably given in writing but the King of Hungary was perswaded by Julian a Cardinal to violate that Covenant which he did and at great advantage secretly and speedily prepared a mighty Army and fell upon the Turks territories the Emperor of Turky hearing of it as soon as he could prepared to oppose him they came to a field hatrel and the Turks lost many men so that the Emperor and his whole Army were in danger at last the Emperor seeing a Crucifix in one of the King of Hungaries Banners he pluckt forth of his bosom the Writing and Covenant which he had received from the King of Hungary and holding it up in his hand with his eyes cast up to heaven said these words Behold thou crucified Christ is this the League thy Christians in thy name made with me which they have without cause violated if thou be a God as they say thou art revenge the wrong done unto thy name and to me and shew thy power upon thy perfulious people who in their deeds deny thee their God This said the battel grew fierce on both sides Vladislaus was wholly and totally routed himself slain by a Janizary and great numbers of the Christians slaughtered Consider this example England and Scotland and as Christ said to his Disciples Remember Lots wife So say I Remember Vladislaus Tissaphernes Lieutenant to the King of Persia broke a truce which he made with the Grecians the Grecians sent him thanks by his own Herald saying he had thereby engaged the gods in whose name the truce was sworn to be on their side Cleomenes King of Lacedemonia made a truce with the Argians for seven days but did it with deceitful equivocation meaning to take advantage of the night And so did for the third night when the Argians were secure and asleep he fell upon them and was
afterwards beaten and his Army scattered by the women of the City of Argos in revenge of their husbands that he had treacherously slain and after this Cleomenes kild himself with a knife It would be great happiness if England would enquire as holy David did wheter Gods hand now against us be not for our breach of Covenant though not National for I hope better but as to particular men it is manifest Consider I pray why is it that the common people of England rise up tumultuously against Authority and Priviledges of Parliament contrary to their Covenant is it not a just Judgement from God because Authority have been remiss in their Covenant and many have absolutely broken it with God therefore God suffereth a Covenant-breaking people to break Covenant with them now tumultuously risen against them in ESSEX SVRREY KENT c. that God may destroy the one by the other If it be so it concerns every man to humble himself before God renew his Covenant and in the strength of the Almighty to resolve to keep it to the death or let it be done to the persisters in breaking as to the seven Sons of Saul for if we suffer the Covenant to be broken We cannot prosper nor shall we be delivered Besides consider Ezek. 17. 15. Isa 26. 9. we are not onely reformed Nor have learned righteousness though Gods judgements are in the earth and upon our selves but are grown more impious in finning then before I will Instance in ten particulars for God which is now in controversie with us First Pride pride of the inward man or of the outward man is a sin transcendent to what it hath been witness mens and womens high conceits of themselves boastings of gifts c. Their high looks antick gestures c. Their new invented fashions rich Clothes painted and spotted Faces costly Coaches and empty Purses c. Pride we know is a sin of Sodom God hates it makes war against it He resists the proud therefore saith He Iam. 4. 6. Ier. 13. 9 2 Chro. 32. 25. will mar the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem God saith for the pride of the women the men shall salt by the sword and mighty men in the war the pride of Hezekiahs heare caused wrath upon all Israel Secondly Covetousness This is a sin no less hateful to God then hurtful to men but never more evidently seen to rage in men then at this day Witness men in places of trust in the Common-weal see if as the Prophet saith From the least to the Ier. 6 13 greatest every one be not given to covetousness Covetousness is a sin that excludes men from the Kingdom of Heaven when they dye Eph 5. 15 Ier. 8. 10. 1 Tim. 6. 10. and covetous men are burthens to the earth while they live The love of money causeth men to erre from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows Thirdly Oppression This sin and the fear of God are opposite they dwell not together in one Kingdom Thou shalt not Levit. 25. â—7 oppress but thou shalt fear thy God Where the fear of God is there is no oppression where oppression is there is no fear of God Oppressors are in Scripture set forth by nature and names of cruel Beasts Bulls Bears Wolves Dogs Kine of Bashan c. Now let me appeal to all men if there were ever more beasts of this kinde in this Kingdom Are there not sound amongst us wicked Ier. 6. 26 27 28. men that lay wait as he that setteth snares they set a traps they catch men their houses are full of deceit they are become greats and waxen rich c. Fourthly Robbery is a sin abounding in England open and secret Robberies are committed and connived at many more have been Executed for Robbing then now but never so many Robbers as now they that will crucifie Christ will set Barraâ—â—â— free there are men not onely like the men of Shechem liers in wait in the mountains but those that rob the Kingdom by a kinde of Toleration yea that rob the poor and the fatherless That turn Isa 10. 2. the needy from judgement that widows may be their prey yea they will be found to be robbers of Gods people distressed in Ireland and some will even rob God himself Mal. 3. 8. 5. Murther This is a crying sin it cryed to Heaven against us before our great afflictions came upon us and now it cryes double as much as before it call'd the Sword upon us and the Sword hath increased our guilt God stirred up the Caldeans Syrians Moabites and children of Ammon against Jeboiakim to avenge the blood that Manasseh had shed in his days the blood of Rochel and of Germany still cryes against England and the blood of Ireland will not be satisfied but blood for blood Ireland once bled by Massacre now bleeds by flattery we feed them with words but destroy them by withholding actions the contenders for Self interest and unjust Stewards in England are the slaughtermen of consumed Ireland Not to save is to kill this is not to cleanse the Land of blood but to make it more bloody we would not endure to be so dealt with 6. Excess In eating and drinking to gluttony and drunkenness it hath long been Englands sin but is now greatly aggravated by the circumstance of time God by his great scourge calls us to humiliation To fasting and to weeping but behold feasting and drinking Isa 22. 19. wine in bowls lie upon beds of ivory invent instruments of musick eat the lambs out of the flock and the calves out of the midst of the stall for this cause God said He hated the excellency Amos 6. 4 5 6. Vers 8. of Jacob and abhorred his pallaces and saith Therefore will I deliver up the City and all that is therein God may as justly deal so with us and will if we reform not And lay to heart the afflictions of Joseph and relieve the objects of pity every hour before us who have lost all but they give nothing that have gained much 7. Whoredom A sin punished by death by Gods Law and the sinner shut out from heaven by Christs Gospel but in England neither punished nor excluded from the seat of Justice at this time he is counted gallant company that will whore and boast of it when he hath done remember Zimri and Cosbi that sin cost Num. 25 â— twenty four thousand lives themselves also slain for that sin by Phinehas 8. Prophanation of the Lords day A sin of which this Kingdom hath been much guilty in many parts of it and is at this day by doing the works of our calling using sports and recreations for pleasure idle speaking and omission of holy worship contrary to the precept Thou shalt not do thine own work nor speak Isâ— 58. 13. thine own words but shalt honor God wholly on that day But of late days men