and how many things through the pride and covetousness of some men were quite out of order it not only grieved him but stirr'd him up to endeavour a present Reformation And no doubt that which occasioned him to shew himself so zealously earnest in the work it was in that they had broken the good Government which he himself as a principal man had setled among them but a little before see Neh. 13. If there be a Nehemiah in this Parliament as I hope there are many men that will seek the welfare of England it is not an Apostate Eliashib or a Malignant Tobiah that they will fear nor the Rulers but will contend with them and never cease till the Commonwealth be freed from oppression and slavery setled upon a righteous foundation Reas 4. I am the more encouraged to HOPE that this Parliament will be successful in their undertakings and highly blest by Almighty God Because there are some Army Officers among them who have kept their integrity and have not betrayed the good old Cause for which they ingaged I know it will be matter of much grief unto such men that they must now in a little room be standing up for the publike interest of the Nation which could not be obtain'd till they had past thorow many places in blood Ah honest hearts they little thought when they left their families estates Relations and what else was dear unto them and carried their lives in their hands that they should afterwards sit at Westminster and hear the very same things pleaded for which they had before destroyed For what were the things for which they fought Was it not against Tyrannical and Arbitrary power against prosecution of Court-Principles by corrupt men Was it not to take off all oppressions from the necks of the freemen of England Was it not to remove the long usurped Authority of Lords Civil and Ecclesiastical over the Commons was it not that the supreme Authority should reside originally in the people according to the Law of God light of Nature and right Reason That all persons should own and stand by that Commonwealth-constitution as then established without King and House of Lords And that it should be Treason for any man to be Chief Magistrate of England and Ireland without consent of Parliament was it not against all Negative voices over the free-people of the Common-wealth and against the power of the Militia to be setled and kept in the hands of any single Person Let the enemies themselves be Judges whether these were not the main things contested for against the late King and for the recovery whereof the Nations Trustees in Parliament ingaged themselves and the good People thereof in a long expensive and bloody War which by the good hand of God assisting them ended in the total subduing of their adversaries and capacitating them to execute exemplary Justice upon the principal and his abettors Surely these old Souldiers knowing this to be true have not so far left their former valour and resolution as now to give all up unto men far more inconsiderable then the Royal party was If men should see a company of Boys over their heads throwing down stones upon them I know what they would do in such a case I shall leave the application to the Reader But I hear the Noble Lord Fairfax is chosen for a Parliament-man Surely it was not a personal grudge to the House of the Stuarts nor any particular discontent he had against the ancient Nobility and Gentry of the Nation that he cut them down in all places where he came but rather his love to truth and righteousness Howbeit his silence of late is much wondered at and his friends do now expect that he will appear like himself against the new Court party and our yesterday Nobility and Gentry so far as in point of honour and conscience he is bound and make it evident it was no personal spight against the King and his party that he fought them but love to his Country Reas 5. May not we HOPE now that iniquity shall stop her mouth The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the Earth Gen. 9.2 Though there may be in some a will and de sire that the several burdens grievances of the people should not be taken off nor any thing done to settle and provide for the safety settlement and welfare of the Nation by common consent Nevertheless men of publick Spirits and righteous principles now speaking for the good old cause and declaring against the exercise of Arbitrary power over the lives Liberties and Estates of the people Now declaring against setting up a particular interest tending to the reviving of the Barons-wars by a successive contention between two distinct persons and families for the Soveraignty Now declaring against persons of a degenerate slavish and enslaving spirit encouraging and joyning with the old Malignant and acting and appearing again directly opposite to those good principles and things formerly established When these and such like things shall be spoken what may be expected then A fear and dread what will follow if there should be any contradiction and no marvel the burnt child fears the fire It is too well known how deeply some have suffered already for rash ingaging themselves for a Court-interest against the just rights of the people Job saith When he put on righteousness and brake the jaws of the wicked and pluckt the spoil out of their teeth delivered the poor that cried and caused the widdows heart to sing for joy The young men hid themselves and the aged stood up The Princes refrained talking and laid their hand on their mouth The nobles held their peace and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth Job 29. There hath not been of late time such a time as this is for righteous Jobs especially in Parliament to plead for Justice For rationally no man can think as the case of the Nation stands that any person will have the forehead to speak whatsoever he think against the freedom safety and welfare of the Common-wealth which yet he must do if he speak for the present abuses and Court-corruptions for which the Parliament and Army engaged against the late King Fear not there shall not a man be able to stand before thee Josh 5.1 Reas 6. It is the hope of many and herein I am not without hope under that huge heap of chaff I mean the Army there is some good corn some fire among the abundance of ashes if so it will now appear that is such among them as still love the Good old cause speak high for righteous things and seem to mourn for the great Apostacie of the Army they will close with the present Parliament to have Arbitrary power put down the peoples Birth-rights restored and stand no longer with a corrupt interest against equity Law and conscience Before the Lord destroyed Sodom he brought Lot out of it who
Commonwealth as now established without a King or House of Lords And this Ingagement was generally taken by such as were then counted well-affected Object Though it cannot be denyed but this was a most eminent Shaking yet how is it proved that in the Change of the English-Monarchy to a Commonwealth a Scripture-Prophesie was fulfill'd and particularly Heb. 12.26 27 Answ If it be granted it was a SHAKING and an eminent one too it will easily be proved being in England a Scripture-Prophesie was fulfill'd and particularly Heb. 12. For the Scripture-Prophesies of the last times concern the Churches and people of God and where these are there may we expect will come to pass what things are foretold in the word of God there are many changes and alterations of States and Policies in the world at this time of which nothing in Scripture is foretold nevertheless where Gods people are and Jesus Christ is truly worshipped there cannot be any such shaking I speak according to that light I have in the things of God but in order to the fulfilling of some Prophesie What thou seest write in a Book and send unto the seven Churches in Asia Rev. 1.11 2. If England be one of the ten Kingdoms in Dan. 7.7 and Rev. 17.12 as it is generally held yea the first that constituted it self a free and absolute State when the Romane Empire was broken to peeces then I think it may certainly be concluded that the Holy Ghost in Heb. 12. hath reference to the shaking of which we speak my reason is this What was revealed to Daniel John and Paul was by one Spirit and concerned one thing as to the shaking of the ten Kingdoms 3. That the first shaking was by a VOICE I think there is very much in it as I have hinted before Truly more VOICE then PROMISE My meaning is that many people in their rising against Monarchy and Episcopacy were carried forth beyond their own principles A VOICE there was that is God mightily appear'd in them and by them but no Promise that is they had no Scripture-light for what they did but only followed Providence opportunity victory self-interest Reader mistake me not I do not say there was not Scripture-ground for putting down Monarchy and Episcopacie I beleeve there was but this I say many who had a great hand therein did it not upon that account for there are many at this day and some I know who were as active and forward as any in the thing and gave their Vote against the King the Bishops and House of Lords yet now none more earnest for a King and House of Lords then they yea and for Episcopacie too if it fall in with their Interest 4. Whereas it was Gods voice that shook the first Earth I hope none will be offended neither Independent Presbyterian or Baptiz'd if we say such as account themselves the Lords Embassadours Angels of Churches the Ministers of Jesus Christ c. are the persons by whom the Lord chiefly speaks and his VOICE as John was in the Wilderness This being so by whose voice then was the Earth shaken I answer By no voice so effectually as that voice which came out of the Temple Oh! how did this VOICE ring thorow the Nation calling upon the good people every where in their Sermons and Writings to come forth and help the Lord against the mighty never did this VOICE cease but was still crying in the ears of the Parliament and Army SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE till they had shaken King and Bishops out of the three Nations It is very requisite as we have mentioned the Voice from the Temple so to give some instances how shaking it was to have the late King cut off I will begin with Mr. Burroughs because I suppose what he wrote was the VOICE of all his Independent Brethren in that particular Thus he tels us You must observe That every one is subject to the Higher Powers Mark it is not to man first but it is to the Power Let every soul be subject to the Higher Power where-ever this Power lieth It is not to the will of man that hath Power but it is to the Power of the man Now the Power the Authority is that THAT A MAN HATH IN A LEGAL WAY Again in another place There is saith he no Authority we are subject to now but according to the Laws and Constitutions of the Country where we live When things are brought into a Law and be according to the Agreements and Covenants of the place and Country wherein we live c. then the power of God is in it But we must enquire whether it be a Power On Hos Chap. 1. Lect. 6. p. 157. and Lect. 4. pag. 111. and Lect. 3. pag. 65. Mr. Bridge his Voice shall be next in his answer to Doctor Fern thus Did not Athaliah remain as a conqueress six yeers and who knows not that she was lawfully thrust from the Throne again by a stronger hand then her own Meer conquest being nothing else but an unjust usurpation And if the Conquerer rule the whole Kingdom keep them under by conquest only WHY MAY NOT THE SUBJECT RISE AND TAKE UP ARMS TO DELIVER THEMSELVES FROM THAT SLAVERY Mr. Bridge against Dr. Fern Sect. 4. pag. 42. But one thing is remarkable what searching Books there was and citing the opinion of men Truly I think there was scarce a learned man whether Papist or Protestant if he had written against Usurpers Tyrants violalating the Laws Rights and Liberties of the People but he was brought forth by those who defended the Parliaments cause against the King To omit many how often is Alstedius quoted for saying A Tyr an t without Title who is an Invader every private person may and ought to remove for he is not a King but a private man who doth invade the Country as an Enemy Alsted Cas Con. cap. 16. Reg. 8. p. 341. So Chamier All Citizens or free Subjects have a right or warrant to rise up against Tyrants who by open force possess the Kingdom Tom. 2. Lib. 15. cap. 12. Sect. 19. Again Dr. Willet Where the Kingdom is usurped without any right as by Athaliah or where the land is oppressed by Invaders as in the time of the Macchabees in these Cases there is less question to be made of resistance by the general consent of the States On Rom. 13. pag. 592. Neither is King James left out The publick Laws saith he make it lawful and free for any private person to enterprise against an usurper of the Kingdom Every man saith Tertullian is a Soldier enrolled to bear arms against all Traytors and publick Enemies In his Remonstr pag. 216. I shall not name any more cited by them Touching this Temple-Voice wherein Mr. John Goodwin was louder then most of his fellows there are 5 things to be seen in their writing when they stood with the Parliament against the King as their State Principles 1. That an Usurper hath no
Authority is a meer private person 2. That no obedience is due to an untitled or illegal Power 3. That the sword is peculiar to a Magistrate lawfully called and not else 4. That to the being of a Magistrate is required a lawful calling 5. To the making of a Supreme Magistrate is to go the Vote and consent of the people I do not mention this Voice to asperse it in the least neither do I think they who stood with the Parliament against the King had a bad Cause nor do I condemn any man for the Publick Testimony which he bore against the exorbitancie and arbitrary actions of the late King yet this I may say and none will be offended at it but the guilty 1. It cannot be justified in any man to call that rayling and speaking evil of dignities in another which being done by himself was then according to Scripture Law and Conscience Neither 2. can I judge it otherwise then a fault for any man to write against Tyranny and preach it down in reference to the King and afterward in another allow and justifie the like Tyranny yea greater by many degrees But 3. And this indeed I most mislike viz. that such men whose Voice never ceased against the King and Bishops till their places were no more should be the forwardest to have that Tyranny up again and exercised over the Bodies goods and Consciences of the people for which the King and Bishops were removed Now for the next particular i. e. our Grounds and Reasons why by yet once more the second shaking is meant the shaking of this present State-Apostacie I shall only touch one thing which lies in our way and so hasten to it As under the word Earth in the first shaking not only Kingly-Government is signified but the Hierarchy also called Earth not only because it was interwoven with the other but ascended out of the EARTH was meerly carnal and earthly and had nothing of Heaven in it So I take the matter here Though this State-Apostacie have something in it that pretends to Religion as the business of the Tryers yet this coms under the word Earth so that Heaven afterward said to be shaken is another thing in which the Tryers are not concerned What was said before concerning the Bishops that their Government was earthly carnal c. is as true in the other It is a plant not of Gods planting yet in one thing the Prelates were to be commended to the shame of these men for that party would many times publickly undertake the justification of their calling and would quote Fathers Councils Scripture for what they did but this later earth as it seems by their silence dares not put any thing forth for their justification They know they have no Fathers Councils Presidents or Scripture to warrant their unsanctified place and standing And in John there is a good Reason why these Tryers come not forth to the light For every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved or discovered as hath the Margin Joh. 3.20 Concerning the second shaking of the Earth for of Heaven I shall speak nothing now here I will follow the former order 1. Prove that the present State-Apostacie shall be shaken And 2. in this shaking Scripture-Prophesle fulfilled and particularly Heb. 12. First If the Rights Liberties and Priviledges of the people shall again be restored and the work of Reformation go forward to a good settlement of the Nation then necessarily must this later Earth be shaken for as darkness vanisheth when light breaks forth so all falshood and treacherous designs of men must end and perish when truth and righteousness take place when the Lords time came that Joash should be brought out of the Temple and set upon the Throne it could not be otherwise but Athaliah and her confederates must suffer deeply And this is the reason why some endeavor what they can to uphold unrighteousness and all manner of oppression and cannot endure to hear of good Laws and honest things but hate such persons as would advance them They tremble like Felix to think of righteousness and that there should be such a thing as men call a free-FREE-PARLIAMENT and not under the power of the sword And no marvel for being conscious to what they have done they cannot but expect to be rewarded according to their works But let these know notwithstanding all their crafty counsel and joyning hand in hand the good old Cause which was in the Nation shall rise and prosper but they shall fall and perish Associate your selves O ye people and ye shall be broken in peeces Take counsel together and it shall come to nought Speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isa 8.9 10. I was speaking just now of Joash â—ethinks in him we have something â—at resembles our good old Cause Aâ—aliah doubtless thought she had deâ—royed all the seed Royall of the house of â—udah and there was none left to have â—unished her murder and Treason But â—he was deceived and found it otherâ—ise It is sure enough some thought â—ey had utterly destroyed the Common-â—ealth when they made one man Chief Magistrate but these workers of iniâ—uity will know ere long it was a lie â—nd they wrought a deceitful work â—or the Commonwealth though an Inâ—ant was hid as Joash in the Temple What if you say By the Temple is â—eant the hearts of all the good peoâ—le in the Nation Again though Aâ—haliah cried Treason Treason when â—oash was brought forth yet it was no â—reason in the people to set up their â—awful King and put her to death for 〈◊〉 bloodie Traytor So if the Representatives of the people shall punish Trayâ—ors and Crown the Commonwealth with her just liberties and freedom there will bâ— no Treason in 〈◊〉 though hypocrites anâ— Apostates cry Treason Treason Object There is no question if 〈◊〉 Commonwealth be established with thâ— Rights and Liberties of the people but the Thing now up must and will be shaâ—ken But how doth it appear that thâ— good old Cause like Joash will bâ— brought forth and crown'd with righâ—teousness and truth If you prove noâ— this you say nothing Answ It is very true and I grant it therefore to prove it these Argument and grounds I give 1. This Bitter root shall certainly be pluckt up when those things are done for which the only wise God suffered it to rise And no doubt among many other ends he had it was 1. To discover a multitude of rotteâ— hearts whose hypocrisie before lay hid either under a form of godliness or aâ— pretended zeal against the Tyranny and Idolatry of the King and Bishops and to have Church and State reformed and having made their folly manifest to all men to lead them forth with the â—orkers of iniquity 2. That a Scripture-Prophesie might â—e fulfilled namely the coming in of â—he second Apostacie foretold in 2 Tim. 3.1
Henry Drummond â—lbury Park SURREY A two-fold Shaking Of the EARTH OR An Exposition on Heb. 12.26 27. Wherein is shewed The FIRST SHAKING OF THE EARTH seems to be meant the putting down of the late King and Bishops the later Shaking a change of the present Government And Reasons given for both ALSO How and in what manner this later Earth-Shaking may be according to SCRIPTURE-PROPHESIE Namely by that Earth-quake Rev. 11.13 which is likewise opened Lastly Here are many Reasons given why it may be HOPED that this PRESENT PARLIAMENT will prove to be that EARTH-QUAKE or at least begin the work whereby the GOOD OLD CAUSE will be revived the just Rights of the People restored and the Nation setled upon a lasting and durable Foundation of Truth and Righteousness BY JOHN CANNE Printed for L. Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head Ally 1659. To the Reader Reader THou must be a stranger in our Israel if thou hast not heard of a people call'd Commonwealths-men and Fifth-Monarchy-men and what grievous things are laid to their charge Now I care not who thou art that shalt read this brief Apology for them if thou be not like him who said He would not be convinc'd though he were convinced The great accusation raised up and spread all the Nation over against these men is That they allow not Magiâ—â—â—ates neither would they have the people be un-under Laws and Government I think I may confidently say The Devil who is the father of lyars never brought forth a greater untruth nor had less whereby to palliate and hide his falshood then in this particular For not only do these men approve of Laws Magistrates and Government but there are none in the Nation that do more desire pray for and press after uncorrupt Magistrates good Laws and a righteous Government then they But this is true and the Court-party knows it they are not for Tyrants neither to have an Arbitrary power exercised over the lives Liberties and Consciences of the people but would have the undoubted Rights and Priviledges of the Nation setled upon a lasting and durable foundation of truth and righteousness they would have no violence or oppression done to any man but all men as men enjoy their Birth-right yea and if it were possible to deliver the whole Creation from that bondage and groaning under which it lies into the glorious liberty of the children of God Rom. 8.20 21 22. If a man dislike the standing of weeds in a garden doth it follow he is against the sowing and planting it with herbs and flowers Reader open thine eyes and look up like a man here thou hast the Case truly stated these Commonwealths-men and Fifth-Monarchy-men are not well pleased that the English Garden or Commonwealth should be overspread with the vines of Sodom and the sowr grapes of Gomorrha Isa 1.10 That persons of corrupt interest should impose at their pleasure heavy yokes upon the necks of the free-men of England That the proud are called happy and they that work wickedness are set up That judgment is turned away backward and justice stands afar off That truth is fallen in the streets and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey That such weeds and trash should be in the GARDEN they do dislike it this is true they both speak against it and mourn for it But will any man of reason or sense therfore conclude they are against all Magistracie and Government but rather thus they would have these hurtful weeds pluckt up by the roots that righteous things might be planted in the room of them The next thing that I shall speak a little to is to give the Reader some Reasons of publishing this Treatise 1. After some seeking of God and searching the Scriptures this I humbly conceive that the Lord will begin to revive his Good Old Cause again by the Representatives of the people As he honoured and blest the long Parliament with a good progress in the work of Reformation so I think he will make yet further use of Parliaments for the publick good of the Nation I shall not be absolute what will be done at this time but I have great hope something will be done for the restoration of the Civil Liberties of the people A wise General will hearken to the advice of a mean Souldier I desire no more but what is here set down for publick good may be considered 2. It is a special work of Parliaments to consider the grievances of the people and to be most severe so Parliaments were wont to be against such men who through the greatness of their power and place take occasion to oppress and wrong people the more In this regard I have thought it my duty publickly to declare what injustice and hard measure we have had as to be banished imprisoned cast out of our callings and livelihood but never knew any Reason or Cause why they dealt so cruelly with us It is said of Herod And he sent and beheaded John in prison Mat. 14. after such a manner have our New masters used us sent their Souldiers to our houses pluckt us out of doors thrown us into prison but never told us for what nor brought us to any Tryal It is possible these things may meet with some Parliament-men if it do I shall humbly propound this Whether in point of Law and Conscience those publick oppressions whereof we complain should not be examined and if found true Whether such men be fit to have the chief rule of the Nation any longer Major General Overtons Case will speak loud enough to this Parliament what New Masters are lately started up 3. Howsoever hitherto the sons of Zeruiah have been too hard for us and not only so but of such imperious and high spirits as Pope-like no man might say to them Sir Why do you so There is some hope now a possibility at least that a Parliament may give them a check true it is there hath not been for some late yeers a door open for the oppressed to bring in their complaints against such persons as did them the most wrong So that the publick sore hath run'd still because there was not a coming upto the Cure But it 's hoped this will be a free Parliament out of which diâ—ributive Justice will flow to the great refreshing of the oppressed every where it is to no purpose to cleanse the pipes and leave the fountain dirty to sweep down the cobwebs and leave the spider to make more Never had the long Parliament wrought that Reformation in England and restored the Peoples Liberties in that measure they did had they not fallen upon the SPRING-HEAD and caught the SPIDERS 4. To wipe off that common scandal which by Apostates is cast upon us i. e. that it is only our frowardness and discontents that make us complain otherwise we have nothing against them nor any harm done us Micah thought it a very strange thing in the Danites when they had
taken from him his Priest and Idols then to ask him What he ail'd We cannot take it little better then a scoff when they râ—b'd the people of their goods and freedom and opprest them several ways by an Arbitrary power then to twit them in the teeth with complaining Just like a child who having scratcht his mother then cries as if the wrong had been done to him Thus having scratcht and torn the Mother Commonwealth yea upon the matter murdered her They cry out against the people as being pettish and froward know not what they would have c. whereas it is only themselves that have done the evil But if this Parliament shall sit to judge between the Mother and the Child we are sure the Mother will be quitted and the Child shall have his due payment not only for scratching but for crying too But 5. And indeed this is a main Cause that is to shew that in taking off heavy yokes and executing justice upon oppressours whereby righteousness may be exalted in the Nation here a Scripture-Prophesie will be fulfilled I have not mentioned the Laws and Statutes of the Land because this by others is alreadie done Mr. Pryn in a Book printed this yeer 1658. and to which he sets his name affirms quoting many Acts of Parliament for it That the persons now in power are theeves and robbers yea usurpers and have set up a new usurped power and have committed the highest Treason and act against all Law both of God and the land And for that Parliament which they say gave them power and Authority He saith It was but a pretended Parliament and a mock-Parliament and by the Acts of lawful Parliaments they were all Traytors This is publick and known to the Judges and Lawyers of the Nation and what may we think but by their silence they give consent See his Book Demophilos Appendix Now howsoever the Parliament having Law and equity on their side have ground sufficient to be up and doing yet it cannot be but some encouragement unto them likewise if they understand it is such a work as the word of God in a special manner calls them to it Doubtless it is an honour to be call'd unto such a service but if it be done faithfully not like Jehn for self-ends but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God not only shall their memory be blest but the Lord will remember them for good and reward their work and labour of love I shall say little more Righteousness saith Solomon exalteth a Nation Prov. 14.34 Again The Throne is established by Righteousness Prov. 16.12 Note it is not Ahitophels counsel nor Machiavels Head-piece will do it I say further It is not raising mony and increasing heavier burdens or setling things this way or that way will do it without Righteousness Of a truth God looks for righteousness and judgment from us Isa 5.7 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice Prov. 21.3 This is better then fasting or praying better then a morning Sermon at the Abby or praying before the House sits It is so good that if justice and judgment be not exâ—cuted the Lord abhors all sacrifices see Isa 1.15 16. When Joshua and the rest of the Congregation knew who was the TROUBLER had they only acknowledged that great wickedness and mourned for it and done no more the Lord would have withdrawn himself still from them Josh 7.12 So when it was told David The three years famine was for Saul and his bloody house because he slew the Gibeonites 2 Sam. 21.1 2 c. Had there been no more then confessing the sin and asking pardon the Lord would not have been entreated for the Land So it may be said of our present condition should there be a publick confession made of our late Apostacie Covenant breaking Treason Oppression c. before God Angels and men and solemn days appointed by the Parliament to mourn for it nevertheless except the accursed thing be destroyed from amongst us it may be questioned whether God will be with us any more Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an Enemy are deceitful Prov. 27.6 A Two-fold Shaking OF THE EARTH OR An Exposition on Heb. 12.26 27 c. IT is a common received opinion that Alexander the Great was encouraged in his Persian Wars by the light and information which he had from Jaddus the High-Priest of the Jews who opened unto him the Vision of the Ram and He-Goat in which Daniel had foretold the overthrow of the Medes by the King of Grecia Dan. 8. I know it comes many times to pass howsoever men in their actions fullfil the purpose and design of God yet think not so neither do it to that intent Isa 10.7 Notwithstanding the Lord who is good to all rewards them sometimes largely for the work-sake And so much appears in the Prophet Son of man Nebuchad-rezzar King of Babylon caused his Army to serve a great service against Tyrus every head was made bald and every shoulder was peeled yet had he no wages nor his Army for Tyrus for the service he had served against it Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchad-rezzar King of Babylon he shall take her multitude and take her spoyl and take her prey and it shall be the wages of his Army I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it because they wrought for me saith the Lord God Ezek. 29.18 19 20. Now had he and his Army done that service conscientiously and in obedience unto Gods appointment and therein singly have sought the glory of God and not their own profit and interest would they not much more have pleased him and done a more acceptable service and received a better and far greater reward Hence this may be gathered As there are great things to be done in the last days by the Representatives of the People and by such as shall have the Power of Nations in their hands especially when it is to execute the vengeance of the Lord and the vengeance of his Temple upon any part of Babylon that they have some understanding in the Prophesies of the last days whereby they may know what their work is and that they are call'd of God to it and when and how to move in it For so not only shall they be encouraged to take it in hand but have assurance of good success and a full reward for their service Object But we have not now men of Prophetical spirits to open unto us the dark Prophesies of the Scriptures concerning the last Times Answ 1. Let this be granted yet I humbly conceive a man may take liberty and that very warrantably to declare his opinion of the darkest and difficultest places of Scripture in a sober and modest way and for this he hath a Cloud of witnesses But 2. It will be
will not be mockt by them but one day stop their mouth with a witness For conclusion If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have shewed us all these things Judg. 13.23 We may be confident never would he have drawn out so many heart-groans from his people much less so much bloud from them even heart-blood willingly sacrificed in the high places of the field for the good old Cause had he not intended to crown it with glory and honour in the end 5. And here is a fit place to remind the Reader as the Lord eminently appeared with us in the time of the long Parliament so on the contrary since this OTHER THING came up how visibly and sensibly hath he shewed his signal displeasure against us for our base backsliding laying a curse as it were upon all publick affairs almost as he did on the fig-tree that nothing should prosper which they took in hand I shall not speak of that Golgotha in Hispaniola the field of English skulls and blood nor the many millions of Treasure wasted meerly to satisfie the lusts and will of some men nor what shame and dishonour the Nation lies under being some yeers past a terrour to all Enemies about us Let us come to consider the present condition of the Nation Ask the Souldiers what their Arrears are Then enquire among the Seamen how many months pay is due to them and while you are there cast an eye upon the Navy and see in what a pickle that is and whether there be any provision to set out a Fleet either offensive or defenfive Add unto all this the extream poverty of the people as having neither trade nor mony It is probable there will be in the next sitting some that were Members of the Long Parliament these men do know in what a rising and flourishing condition the Commonwealth was when they were dissolv'd But how are they like to find it now as a poor sheep full of worms the worms are fat and lusty but the sheep lean languishing and ready to perish So they shall see now and not a few persons that are grown fat and full by devouring the flesh of the Commonwealth I mean her Laws Liberties Rights and Priviledges but for the Commonwealth so maugre and lean as it cannot be long liv'd if the Lord raise not up some good shepherds to look after it A man that hath spent much time and labour and been at great cost in a work and no sooner hath done it to his liking but should see it presently broken before his eyes would not this extreamly grieve him such as sate in the Long Parliament and stood faithful to the good Cause do well know before Monarchy was shaken and a Common-wealth established they had hard work and it cost the Nation not a little blood and treasure for such men therefore to see all that they did broken to peeces before their eyes methinks it should much affect them What else they should do I leave it to themselves or rather to divine Providence For God standeth in the congregation of the mighty he judgeth among the Gods Psa 82.1 Saul a little before his end fell into such streights as he knew not what to do I know who have formerly pretended necessity when there was none but now it s fallen upon them to the full for had it not been NECESSITY this Assembly had never been call'd what the issue will be a little time will shew The Scripture saith The wicked is snared in the work of his own hand Psal 9.16 It is very observable that the Lord meets with oppressours and deceitful men one of these two ways that is either they shall take the better way for his people or the worse way for themselves When Herod charged the Wise men to bring him word where the yong child was Mat. 2. here he shewed himself not a subtle serpent not wise in his generation for to have had his bloody design done indeed he should have gone himself or sent some of his guard to have done it But in this way God blinded him and kept it from him that he might take a better way for Christ's preservation So Jezebel had she sent some of her Priests with Souldiers to Elias when she sent only a messenger to tell him what she would do by to morrow that had been a sure way to have dispatched him presently but God would not suffer her to take that way she must chuse another way and a better way for the Prophets life Again Tyrants many times chuse the worse way for themselves thus it was with Pharaoh at the Red Sea he had two ways to chuse either to return the way he came which indeed was the better way or to go forward and follow Israel into the great waters but he will into the Sea now in this he appeared more blind and hardned then before for he might well think the Lord had not made a way thorow the Sea for him but rather had laid a snare for him and his Host I am now waiting to see what will be the carriage of such men who have betrayed their country they have methinks like Pharaoh two ways the one is to RETURN or PUBLICK REPENTANCE that is make a free and ingenuous confession of their former treason oppression Covenant-breaking c. and to give up all their pretended Authority and Power into the hands of the Peoples Representatives Doubtless of the two ways this is the better the other is Pharaoh-like to go forward though they cannot but think that this Great Assembly like the Red-Sea will save the Rights Liberties and good Laws of the Nation and drown Arbitrary Power oppression treason c. If the Power and Majesty of English Parliaments which have been be seriously heeded it would not seem altogether improper to liken them at least some which have been the best and most glorious to the Red-Sea For many proud Pharaohs with their Hosts have been swallowed up in Englands Parliaments Had not I seen so many unworthy Addresses I should not have thought there had been so much base English blood in the Nation men of such mercenary low servile and slavish Spirits so far from following the steps of their Ancestours in standing up for the Freedom and just Liberties of their Country as they have attempted to maintain a private interest against the power of the people and Priviledges of Parliament But it is well that there is a Publick Attestation against them of many thousands Religious and well disposed people who say We testifie and declare against the late flattering Addresses which have been contrived and carried on by interested persons as tending to the preventing the Assembling of a Parliament as also anticipating if not concluding their sence and judgment when assembled And having in them a tendencie to the dividing of the people and consequently raysing a new war if God do not wonderfully prevent Attestat Novemb. 20. 1658. Before I end
Perillous days shall come intimating a power in the Apostacie to act wickedness by a Law in spight of all opposition so long as the Apostacie should continue for had it not been so it could not have been perillous days as the Text holds forth 3. The first Apostacie had its rise in the Church occasioned through the covetousness pride self-seeking Covenant-breaking c. of professors 2 Pet. 2.3 Act. 20.3 So the second present Apostacie had its rise in the Church and among eminent Professors of Religion and the Cause of it the very same mentioned before because they were lovers of themselves covetous proud c. 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. observe then this Apostacie cannot be made by Jews Turks Papists c. It must rise in the Church and among Professors of Religion who have the right worship of God in form at least 4. As they gave to the Head of the first Apostacie all power and to do what he would being above all and to be obeyed of all and not subject to any Council power or Authority on Earth so the Head of the second Apocie was Dominus omnium temporalium Lord of every mans goods he might do what he would supra jus contra jus extra jus above Law against Law and without Law he was allowed to be above the people in their Representatives and to call Parliaments when he pleas'd and to break them as oft as he would 5. Upon the Head of the first Apocie is characterized the number of the Beast Rev. 13.18 VICARIUS DEI GENERALIS IN TERRIS which according to the numeral Letters is 666. The very same number is on the head of the second Apostacie DUX GENERALIS ET PROTECTOR that is 666. Here is wisdom Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred threescore and six Rev. 13.18 The English of the first is Gods General on Earth the other Captain General and Protector 6. It is a wonderful thing to consider when the Heathen Romane Emperors were subdued the Idols of the Gentiles thrown down Persecution taken off from the Church and liberty granted unto tender Consciences in the exercise of Religion that just then the Let should be taken out of the way 2 Thes 2.7 and the first Apostacie rise in the Christian Church Who would have thought when the Kings head was taken off and with it that form of Government When the Bishops were put down with Altars Crosses Service-Book Ceremonies and other Popish-Idols Persecution stopt and liberty given to tender Consciences I say who would have thought that Professors of Religion yea those who had the greatest share and advantage in such mercies would have brought forth instead of grapes the wild-grapes of the second Apostacie as if there had been no time for them till just then to have shewed their hypocrisie falshood pride covetousness treason c. But besides the parallel between the two State-Apostacies that we have the second Apostacie at this time among us appears thus First We see plainly though they left the power of godliness and became self-seekers covetous proud traytors covenant-breakers yet they held fast the form or outside of Religion as men that have sores and ulcers upon their bodies throw not away their clothes but keep them on for covering And here the Reader is to observe that this second Apostacie cannot rightly be applyed to any but to Professors of Religion for such as have neither power nor form of godliness cannot be charged with it they may be among the Apostates and helpers of the Apostaâ—ie but not proper members 2. It must be understood that the men in the Text said to be lovers of themselves covetuos proud c. did formerly seem otherwise and condemned these very vices and corruptions in others for else it could not have been an Apostacie or falling from righteous Principles to a scandalous and corrupt walking Now who more complained against the King and Bishop for their miscarriages whilst they stood then those men whose miscarriages since have been far worse in the very same particulars wherein the others were charged I need not give instances it is possible this Parliament may have occasion to remember the old Court and the new and the old Bishops and the new Bishops If they do there is hope then that the greatest grievances of the Nation will be removed and the Liberties of the people restored 3. In that way which Apostates seek to cover their Apostacie doth the Lord discover both it and them What is the way they take to have their Apostacie hid and not known it is by taking up a form of Godliness And how doth the Lord unmask them and make their Apostacie known by that form of Godliness which they have taken up And the truth is were these men more self-seeking covetous proud c. then they are yet this alone would not prove them to be the later Apostates unless with those vices and sins they had also a form of godliness that is did preach pray fast and made a great noise and shew of the outside of Religion 4. I know no better way for a man to have satisfaction in this thing then first to consider what the sins are set down in 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. foretold should be in the later State-Apostacie and then to look about him and see whether they are not all and every one of them to be seen as visibly and plainly as was the leprosie in Gehazi's forehead If the Reader do desire more to inform himself in this matter I shall refer him to a Treatise intituled The time of the End at pag. 36 c. where all the Characters of the last Apostacie are fully opened Having spoken of the first and second shaking of the Earth I come now to deliver my thoughts concerning the manner of the second shaking for of the first I have spoken and by whom the work will be done And lastly my Reasons wherefore I think the time of this later shaking is nigh The Scripture which I shall a little treat of is in Rev. 11.13 And the same hour was there a great Earth-quake and the tenth part of the Citie fell and in the Earth-quake were slain of men seven thousand and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven I have thought sometimes that this Earth-quake and the powring out of the first vial had contemporized and been all one thing but seriously observing again the places it seems to me that this Earth-quake will be before any vial is powred out and shall be a fore-runner as John Baptist was to Christ that is prepare or make way for the Vials About the time of this Earth-quake in the same hour saith the Text the witnesses ascend up to Heaven in a Cloud If by the witnesses here we understand fifth-Monarchy-men and their work to be about the more pure and spiritual part of
knows but by this Parliament the Lord will deliver his chosen ones in the Army from his wrath he means to pour upon the rest it is no matter though they are few There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few 1 Sam. 14.6 I know some can hardly beleeve that the Lord will so far honour them as to imploy them in his good old Cause again But let no mans eye be evil because God is good he is wiser then man and knows better then he what is to be done Considering therefore what an opportunity is now put into their hands by this Parliament there is hope that our Heavenly Father who is kind to the unkind is tendring mercy to them as he did to Lot Besides there are few in the Army of honest Principles but do very well know if the Parliament do not stand to effect good things for the Nation there will be little safety for them in the Army For the contest begins now between the two old Interests the Court or Commons Round-heads or Cavaleers no halting shortly between two opinions but either back again where we were into the House of Bondage or forward in a free Commonwealth for more Reformation Again It must needs be matter of grief to many Souldiers to consider what sad divisions and rents there are among the people of God about them many tender consciences not being satisfied to have spiritual communion with them because of their supporting an Arbitrary power They may say it is of their weakness in judgment let it be so yet they cannot be without deep sence of these divisions as I hope they are and therefore they will look upon this thing as a great Providence that they shall now come under the Government of the Parliament to serve their Country honestly and not the licentiousness of lawless persons any more And this will greatly tend to union and peace among Christians And whereas Parliaments of late have been overswayed by Sword-men yea often broken to peeces at their pleasure it is hoped now that these Army-men of whom I speak will prevent all such fear and danger by giving up themselves to the obedience of the Parliament and openly declare that they will stand with them to have the Good old Cause up again and the undoubted Rights and Liberties of these Nations fixt upon the right foundation of truth and righteousness Reas 7. When this Parliament shall understand the straits of the Nation and how many ways the well-affected to our freedom and just rights have suffered yea been undone in their persons and estates contrary to Law and Conscience and who have been the cause of all this as we hope they will hear the grievances of the people it is not to be doubted but there will be an Earth-quake with a witness Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed Exod. 10.7 as if they should say The land is wasted the people impoverished and that little which is left us will soon be taken from us if thou send not away this people Thus will be the cry of the Nation to the Parliament if they sit a little while and they will hear it with both ears Sirs Know ye not that England is destroyed our Merchants break dayly all trade fails us many families perish and that little which is left in the land the Court will devour if it be not dismist by your wisdom and care There is one thing and very probably this Parliament will remember and make use of it was the great pretence of some in breaking one Parliament after another that they did it for TRYAL And so this last Government was set up as judged the best and most expedient for publick good The Long Parliament was too slow and the little Parliament was too quick and therefore a new Instrument must be devis'd to save the Nation Now I hope there is no wrong done to the Tryers if this Parliament having found by proof and sad experience that of the three changes the last was the worst I say granting this if they should following the others example lay it aside and take up something else Nay more how can the Parliament as the peoples Trustees be faithful if they shall find that the better Government was laid aside and the worser set up almost to the undoing of the Nation and yet let it stand It is a Maxime in State Religious and Civil When corruptions and abuses do arise to reduce things to their first institution Thus Christ in refuting the Pharisees about plurality of wives mentioneth the first institution of marriage From the beginning it was not so Mat. 19.8 So Paul in seeking to redress the disorders in the Church at Corinth about the Lords Supper sets down the Institution 1 Cor. 11. and this I hope will be the practise of the Parliament in seeking to reform the many grievances of the Nation to bring things to the Original that is when the Government was changed from Monarchy to a Commonwealth Reas 8. I never had of late yeers more hope then now of a good accord among all the Godly of the House under what form or name soever that they will as one man stand up for righteous things Indeed matters of Religion in former Parliaments have greatly obstructed the settlement of the Nation A rock under water is perillous medling with Religion is the more dangerous because it is covered over with specious and fair pretences as if God would not bless Parliaments unless they begin at the House of God and here presently they are at a loss about this House of God what it is and where it is there being so many Lo here and lo there But I shall wave this discourse Whatsoever duty lies upon Parliaments concerning Religion I am sure as the affairs of the Nation now stand there is some other thing to be lookt after and if those who are religious mind it not it is possible the Cavaleer watching his opportunity will deprive both Presbyterians Independents Anabaptists c. of all their Birth-right and freedom here in England and where will they go next for liberty of Conscience There are as I said before but two great Interests in the Nation the Commonwealth and Cavaleer if the Cavaleer get it not there is no fear but all truly fearing God will enjoy much love and peace together Our Chronicles tell us Never had the Saxons and Danes conquered us had it not been for our own divisions If we lose our Commonwealth and with it our Liberties and Lives and the Cavaleers have it and from them Charls Stuart for they play the old game under a new dress I say should such a thing be which God forbid it must be by the subtilty of the Enemy causing division among good men whereby their hands are made weak but I hope better things and speak it for this end As men are godly so they should be wise Thus I have shewed the grounds of my HOPE what the actings and appearances of God will be for this Parliament a little time will shew I know few of them yet this I know never did the condition of England require men of large parts of wisdom integrity of publick and uninterested spirits more then now I wish therefore there be no Boys for Men no time-servers flatterers light careless and vain persons instead of honest faithful vigilant sober solid and wise hearted Their work is great in a manner to save poor England and to bring her off those rocks whereon she is ready to split into a safe Harbor With reverence therefore to the phrase Who is sufficient for these things FINIS