Selected quad for the lemma: law_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
law_n	king_n	lord_n	parliament_n	20,596	5	6.9552	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89518	Vox turturis vel columba alba albionis=The voice of the turtle, or, Englands white dove in the deluge of division, the second time sent forth from Gods Arke, to prsent a peace-offering upon the altar of Jehovah Shalom. Humbly proposing that divine direction, which the God of Peace hath revealed in his word of truth, for determining differences by an holy ordinance of his owne institution, wherein himselfe is the sole judge, ... Shewing how by this divine way of Gods judgement, not onely the great differences here in church and state depending, may speedily and happily be determined with glory to God, honour to the King, and happinesse to the kingdomes, but also all the greatest controversies, both civill and sacred throughout Christendome may be composed, the effusion of blood prevented, many prophecies conducing to an universall peace fulfilled, the happy use of this holy ordinance made knowne, and the name of God thereby manifested, ... even among heathens. / Per E. M. Arm. Christi servorum minimo minorem.	Marbury, Edward, 1581-ca. 1655.	1647 (1647)	Wing M570; Thomason E518_4; ESTC R206163	81,199	64

his peace from this people Jer. 16.5 From the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is no whole part nothing but wound and bruises and putrifying sores Isa 1.4 5 6. We may with griefe of soule heare Englands voyce on high like the voice in Rama● Rachel weeping and that bitterly not to be comforted for her caeildren because they mere not lamenting the invaluable losse of the flower of her Nobility Jer. 4.31 Gentry and Commonalty in their bud of gallantry wallowing and weltring in dust and bloud Thus lofty Lucan Bella per Albinios plusquam civilia Campos Jusque datum sceleri canimus populum potentem In sua victrici conversu● viscera dextra Quis talia fando nefanda Temperat a lacrimis En quô discordia tristem Perduxit populum funestos reddidit agros Vastavitque vias exhausit civibus urbes So that it may be said of England what the faithlesse and therefore fearfull men which were sent to search the Land of Canaan reported thereof to Moyses 't is 〈◊〉 Land that cateth up the Inhabitants thereof Num. 13.33 And that which ought ●ot steightly to escape Christian consideration for the building of this Babell of bitternesse continuing of these Babylonish broyles Num. 14.17 these Contentions carrying us headlong on 〈◊〉 confusion the simple and ignorant multitude as naturall bruits made to bee taken and destroyed not knowing what they did as silly sheep led unto the slaughter Psal 44. they were killed all day long and accounted as sheep appointed to bee slain they were forced on both parts to tread morter made and moystened with their owne bloud What heart not altogether adamantine can doe lesse then take up the Prophet Jeremies lamentation Jer. 14.17 Let mine eyes run down with teares night and day and let them not cease Lam. 1 16.2.1● For the virgin the daughter of Zion is broken with a great breach with a very grievous blow There is no healing of thy bruise thy wound is grievous all that heare the bruit of thee Nahum 3.19 will clap their hands over thee In this sad and deplorable condition have these three Kingdomes now for a long season laine languishing like an Oake cleft in shivers by wedges of its own body like the mad Philistines and as in the dayes of Midian the Lord set every mans sword upon his neighbour Judges 7.22 And the people were as meat to the fire no man spared his brother Judges 7. Isa 9. Isa 9.19 What will ye doe now in the day of visitation and of destruction to whom will ye flee for helpe and where will ye leave your glory to whom will yee seek and of whom will ye take counsell Isa 10.3.4 Gather together on heaps Isa 10. gird your selves ye shall be broken in pieces take counsell together it shall be brought to nought pronounce a decree and it shall not stand Isa 8.10 If ye will be safe Then sanctifie the Lord let him be your feare and let him be your dread Isa 8.9 10. and he shall be as a sanctuary c. Bind up the testimony seale up the Law should not a people inquire at their God to the law and to the testimony if they goe not according to this word there is no light in them Isa 13.14 Is there no balme in Gilead is no Physician there Jer. 8 22. Psal 10.8 9. The way of the Lord is an holy plain way wherein the ignorant cannot erre Isa 35.8.9 A strait way wherein they shall not stumble Ier. 31.9 vid. Deut. 17.8 9.15 If the Lord have in his compleate Treasury of truth revealed a Divine way for curing our Contentions and setling peace among the Mighty God enjoynes strict observation of his ordinances Deut. 5.1.35.4.2.5.6.16.17.7.11.12.11.1.6.17.8 9. to refuse that pious perfect way and rely on our owne humane powers or policies is an argument either of ignorance and blindnesse there is no light in us or of pride or arrogance that wee will not seeke after God Psal 10.4 That we take counsell but not of the Lord and had need beware the woe that waites on all stubborne contemners of Gods counsells Isa 30. Observe the Lords gracious invitations and incouragements by language of love to come and consult with him and he cured by his divine direction and prescription Come unto mee all weary and heavy laden I will ease and refresh you Commit thy cause to the Lord he will bring forth thy judgement as the light Psa 37.5 6 7.33 and thy righteousnesse as the day Cast thy burthen on the Lord c. Aske of me things to come stand in the waies and behold and aske for the old way which is the good way Isa 51. and walke therein and ye shall find rest to your soules Jer. 6.16 There is none to guide thee none to lead thee one of the mire of thy miseries none to take thee by the hand of ad the sonnes that thou hast brought up Mans extremity Gods opportunity Isa 63.5.59.16 Esa 42.10 11 12.15 16 17 18 19.21.23.24.25 Jer. 33.6.9 Esa 40.3.4.5.23.27.41.1.4.5.12.27 This righteous branch may returne this Dove with an Olive Branch of Peace and truth being sent out with a prosperous seed of Peace Zech. 8.12 The day proposed in this Trtatise is a turning seeking to God consulting with inquiring of relying and waiting on God in his owne ordinance all which are both commended c commanded by God in his Word Sors Intermentia divine predestinationis non fortune famula O●gen Homil. 23. in Josh Thy sonnes lye in the heads of the streets 〈◊〉 as wild bull in a net Heare now miserable and dranken not with wine but division Behold I will take the cup of trembling out of thy hand Hearken and give care to me O my people for a law shall proceed from me and I will bring forth my judgement for the light of my people Behold I will give them health and amendment for I will cure them and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth And it shall be to me a name a joy a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth c. Behold the daies come that I will performe the good thing which I have promised I will cause the Branch of righteousnesse to grow and he shall execute judgement and righteousnesse in the Land Jer. 33.14.15 I will raise up a righteous Branch and a King shall reigne and execute judgement and justice in the earth Jer. 23 5 6. The Lord is our judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us Isa 33.22 The Lord will not faile his people nor forsake his Inheritance for judgement shall returne to justice and the upright in heart shall follow after it Psa 94.14 15. He shall not faile till he have set judgement in the earth and the Isles shall waire for his Law Isa 42.1.3.4 And againe Isa 2.4 an universall peace is

Isa 42.10.11 12.44.23.25.29 27. Esa 59. Zech. 7.5 Almighty God at first revealed this holy and happy way to his own people only therefore David after he saith The lott is fallen unto me in a faire ground c. presently addeth I will blesse and praise the Lord who hath given me understanding to know and acknowledge so great mercies Isa 58.2 They seem to seeke me and delight to know my wayes as a Nation that did righteously and forsook not the ordinance of their God they aske of me ordinances of Justice they take delight to approach unto God c. 5 Cautions for Fasts that they be not performed singly and severally each side and party at severall times and for themselves severally and one against the other as hitherto it hath been which it may be feared hath caused God to with-hold his hand of mercy from us in regard we have without charity rather prayed for ruin then reconciliation one to another fasting for strife and debate to smite with the fist of cruelty having our hands defiled with blood God by his Prophet complaines of such fasts as also of the contemners of his Ordinance of Peace and Iustice Isa 58.2 our feet swift to shed bloud not knowing not willing to know the wayes of peace such fasts God hath not chosen with such sacrifices of bloud God is not well pleased Is 1.15 When ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when yee make many prayers I will not heare for your hands are full of bloud Your fasts feasts prayers praises Assemblies oblations sacrinces Sabbaths are all vain not valued but vilified not accepted not respected but rejected as hatefull detestable abominable Is 1.11 But our Fast must be an universall and unanimous Fast throughout the three Kingdomes joyning all in hearty prayer for the forgivenesse of the crying sins of the Kingdomes for the remission of the sins of each place and person therein and with single and sincere hearts forgiving each other forgetting all wrongs and renouncing all revenges even as God for Christs sake shall forgive us being members of one body whereof Christ is the head brethren in Christ God being the Father to whom alone belongeth revenge such sacrifice we may believe will prove acceptable In the second day that the like duties preaching praying and praising of God as on the first be performed religiously but Dove-like mourning and Bear-like roaring cannot well accord before the Lord We roar like Bears and mourne fore like Doves saith the Prophet Is 39.11 We look for judgement but there is none for salvation but it is far off Neither our praying fasting not preaching can prove acceptable in the sight of God the searcher of all hearts and tryer of reins unlesse the madness of our malicious minds be mitigated the hardnesse of our cruell hearts be mollified and the act of violence be out of our hands If we outwardly pretend to appear before God in the forme of Doves with a shew only of simplicity sorrow and innocence but in hearts be ravening Wolves stinging Serpents roaring Beares ready to teare and devour one another What fruit can fasting produce It is said 1 Chr. 10.13 14. of Saul that he died in his transgression which he committed against the Lord and his Word in that he asked not counsell of the Lord therefore he slew him and turned the Kingdome to David To put on the shew of a silly sheep the habit of a harm lesse Lamb yet inwardly to be subtill foxes and greeey wolves ready to supplant to worrey to r●●● to destroy one another cannot but make our fasts or other sacrifices rather detestable then delightfull rather abominable then acceptable this is not the fall that God hath chosen and we may justly feare that the Lord hath protracted our peace making with-held the happiness of union from us only for our Cain like cruelty bloudy-mindednesse to our brethren Our fasts have not found the hoped for fruit our prayers have not prevailed for Peace nor hath our preaching been prosperous in the purposes and thing whereunto it was sent and appointed In the Civill law all appeal is denied from the sentence of a Lott because it is the sentence of the Lord who hath no superiour That after the holy duties religiously performed to prevent revolting from the judgement which God shall give by Lotts and revenging private wrongs passed before between particular parties that all both Prince and people Commanders and Souldiers Pastors and Flocks unanimously joyn in Covenant with Almighty God willingly to submit to that judgement which God shall give by lotts without any repining repugnancy or resistance thereafter and really to remit all wrongs without retaining any malice or mentall reservation of revenge hereafter A judicio sortis appellari non potest Baldus Bartol Jason apud Go. 2. ad Taur Le. 38. Greg. Toloss appel l. 2. Hee shall call the heavens that hee may judge his people Psal 50.5 Call my Saints together unto me those that have made a covenant with me The heavens shall declare his righteousnesse for God is judge himselfe Nehem 10. A pattern for the Covenant Ezra 10.5 Exod. 19.5 6. If ye will keep my Covenant then shall ye be my chiefe treasure above all people and yee shall be unto me also a kingdome of priests and an holy Nation And whereas we have joyned in Covenant and association one side against the other even to the death and destruction one of another Now all make Covenant each with other una voce uno animo uno corde Altogether with heart tongues and hands in thoughts words and deeds to maintain and preserve the glory of God in the true Protestant Religion the honour of the King in his just rights and Prerogatives and the welfare of the State and Kingdome in the Lawes of the Land the Liberty and property of the Subject and priviledges of Parliaments according as Almighty God by this his judgement shall declare and decree to renew our league of brotherly love and Christian amity to live in love endeavouring by all possible meanes to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace all professing protesting and covenanting before Almighty God to defend and with their lives and estates to maintain Gods glory the Kings honour and the Kingdomes peace against revolters Jer. ●1 6 Proclaim all these words in the Cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem saying heare ye the words of this Covenant and do them v. 3. And say thou unto them thus saith the Lord God of Israel cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this Covenant 2 Chron. 15. When Israel had for a long time bin without God without a Priest and without the Law and there was no peace to him that went out or in but great vexations on all the inhabitants of the Countries Nation destoryed of Nation City of City and God did vex them with all adversity Asa their King

were not governed by the word of God and the rules thereby prescribed he did wickedly a●d was therefore justly reproved and also punished And wee may remember what befell Vzza for but irreverently looking into the Arke procul hinc proculite prophani God alowes to Caesar the things that are Caesars but reserveth the things of God for God Gods worke ought to be done in Gods way humane helpes humane might meanes manner in divine matters God expects not respects not Humane Formes Rules Traditions Directions Instruments or Agents not warranted by Gods word in the execution or use of divine and spirituall affaires actions or ordinances are no where commanded no where commended but rather condemned God hath helped you marvellously untill yee are become mighty As David told his Pinces 1 Chro. 22.5 We must build an house for the Lord magn●ficall excellent and of great fame and dignity throughout all Countries and yee are about a mighty worke the worke of Reformation of Christs Church God hath sent his Prophets among you to bring you unto the Lord as he did 2 Chronicles 24 19. to Judah and Jerusalem and they make their protestations among you call heaven and earth ●o witnesse that except yee follow the Lords directions herein yee will transgresse highly and run into an heavy primunire forfeiture of his favour incurring the penalty of his displeasure and so be grievously punished as Vzzah was for medling with the Priests office Christs office the high Priest if I may so say and Pastor of the soules of his Saints who is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech and for usurping his office you will have none honour of the Lord God They tell you the worke of Reformation is most sutable to the Redeemer and a worke not lesse then nor inferiour to that of our Redemption and therefore 't is a worke more fit for the hand of the supreame head of his Church even Christ Jesus then any humane power and to seeke to take that divine worke out of his Almighty hand will prove a transgression of an high nature and so doth the word of truth tell you 2 Sam. 7.14 to deprive him of his honour will be rather prejudiciall then propitious to your proceedings They tell you that David a man after Gods owne heart 1 Chron. 22.8.9 1 Chron. 28.3.6 was not permitted to build a materiall typicall Temple made with hands because his hands had been in blood and yet surely his warres were undertaken for Gods cause by Gods direction and against Gods enemies Thou hast shed much blood and made great battells thou shalt not build an house unto my Name for thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight Behold a sonne is borne to thee 2 Chro. 27.9 which shall be a man of rest for I will give him rest c. therefore his name is Salomon and I will send peace and quietnesse upon Israel in his dayes He shall build an house for my Name Thus said the Lord to David and thus say the Lords Prophets to you as Oded a Prophet of the Lord once said to the Israelites in a case of this nature Behold because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with your brethren of Judah he hath delivered them into your hand and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven And now ye purpose to keepe under the children of Judah and Jerusalem as servants and handmaids unto you but are you not such that sinnes are with you before the Lord your God you have made great Battells against your brethren 1 Chr. 22.5.8 c. and shed much of their blood upon the earth in the fight of the Lord because therefore your hands have been in blood yee shall not build 〈◊〉 house to the Lords Name The worke is great the house is not for man but for the Lord God Yee cannot yee shall not build the Temple of the Lord yee shall not settle Religion in or by blood But divine Salomon the Prince of peace he shall build an house for the Arke of God a Temple for the Lord he is a man of rest God will give him rest and he will give rest to his Church in due time from their Enemies and send peace and quietnesse upon Israel In rest and quietnesse shall they his Israel be saved their strength is to sit still and waite the salvation of God by Christ he is our peace the government of peace is upon him his Church his Saints his servants wait for Reformation of errors and Reconciliation of all differences from his Wisdome Judgement Sentence and Decree and consulting onely with Christ in cases of weighty consequence not fit for flesh and blood to determine pray with divine David Let my sentence come forth from thy presences That mount Zion may heare and be glad Psal 84.11 and the daughters of Judah rejoyce because of thy righteous judgements Psal 97.8 Say among the Heathen that the Lord raigneth the World also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall judge the people righteously How beautifull are the feet of those that bring tydings of Peace that declare and publish salvation saying to Z●●● the Lord raigneth no perfect peace but where the Lord is King and Judge Who will build up Ziou and then appeare in his glory c. Psal 102.15 16. So the Heathen shall feare his Name and the Kings of the earth his glory And now having humbly proposed to you though with much weakness Gods way for advancement of his glory by composing Controversies and setling Peace I shall shut up with the prayer and advice of holy David to his sonne Salomon and ●o the Princes of Israel 1 Chron. 22.12 13. The Lord give you wisdome and understanding and give ye charge over Israel even to keepe the Law of the Lord God Then shall you prosper if you take heed to observe the Statutes and the Judgements which the Lord commended Moyses for Israel And to the Princes of Israel ver 9. Now set your hearts and your soules to seeke the Lord your God and arise and so build the Sanctuary of the Lord God Psa 147.14.19.20 c. He setteth peace in thy borders c. He sheweth his Word his statutes hiss judgements to his chosen Israel he hath not dealt so with every nation neither have they known his judgements And touching the respecting or rejecting of Gods counsells wayes and judgements be pleased to peruse the first and second chapter● of Proverbs prescribed by the Pen of the Goly Ghost in the hand of Salomon I called they refused none regarded they would none of my judgements but set at nought my counsels Therefore shall they eat of the fruits of their owne way and be filled with their owne devises c. But if they will receive my words c. then shall they understand righteousnesse judgement and equity and every good way discretion shall preserve them understanding keepe them and judgement deliver them from every evill way FINIS

place be appointed if the Prince and Parliament shall be so pleased apt and able persons on both sides selected and authorized truly to state and set down all things in difference betwixt the King and Subject Secondly that particular Propositions both concerning his Majesties and the Parliaments desires and demaunds by them be drawne into particular heads whereby what is expected by each from other may more clearly appeare Thirdly that all Propositions may be so stated and set down as that they may tend principally and onely to these ends 1. That the glory of God may be advanced and maintained in matter of Religion and Church-government 2 That his Majesties honour may be preserved in his just Rights and Prerogative 3 That the Peace and happinesse of the Kingdome and Subjects may be produced by establishing of the Lawes of the Land confirmation of the Liberty and property of the Subject and just priviledges of Parliament These are the three principall fundamentall and cardinall grounds out of which all particular Propositions can arise issue or proceed Zech. 8.19 Hos 6.6.1 2 3. Mercy is prepared for the Land if the people prepare to receive it at the Lords hand Ezr. 8.21 Levit. 23.27 28. Exod. 19.10 11 Esth 4.16 That three solemne dayes or set times of Humiliation fasting prayer and praise be published and proclaimed throughout the whole Realme to be set apart and celebrated for our preparation to meet the Lord in this way of his direction that we may seek of him a right way for deliverance from the judgements that do threaten the Land such a Fast as was prescribed by Ezr. 8.21 may be a faire president for this Land to proceed by Also like that Exod. 19.10.11 Moses commanded to sanctifie the people for three dayes and on the third day for on that day the Lord will come downe in the sight of all the people to have them ready prepared to meet the Lord. Queen Esther enjoyned a Fast to be kept when she was to go into the King for the Jewe deliverance Gather together all the Jewes saith she and neither eat nor drinke for three dayes night nor day When Lorts were cast for their destruction but fell for their deliverance whence the Feast of Purim was ordained to be celebrated by them and their posterity to all perpetuity When dissention was arisen between the servants of Isaac Gen. 26.20 21. and the servants of Abimelech touching the Well of water Isaac's servants digged three Wells before the contention was concluded the names of the first and second Wells were Esek and Sitnah signifying Contention and hatred for that they strove together but the third was Shibah signifying an Oath or covenant of reconciliation that was then and there made between them because by Oath or Covenant the contentions between Isaac and Abimelech and their servants were then concluded Thence the City was called Beersh●ba i.e. the Well of the oath or covenant of conclusion Prayer preaching praises to be as peace-offerings for Prince Priest and people to make reconciliation for them Ezek. 45. That on the first day by all of what degree quality or profession soever hearty prayers be sent up by Prince Priest and People to the searcher o● all hearts for his holy and heavenly blessing on the endeavours of those who are on both sides selected for consultation about these great affaires of the Kingdome that God who is wonderfull in counsell and excellent in working would be pleased to be present with them and assist and direct them in the composing of such particular Propositions as conduce to his glory the Kings honour the Kingdomes happinesse and not to any their own particular ends and before purposes and that God would by his remembring Spirit put into their minds whose presence they stand and so make them wise and carefull to consider for what they stand and from whence the sentence and judgement of their demands and desires is to proceed even from the omniscient Lord who tryeth the hearts and reines We know not what to do but our eyes are towards thee 2 Chr. 20.12.13 Said Jehoshaphat al Iudah when they proclaimed a Fast and gathered together to aske counsell and inquire of God 2 Chran 19.6 7. seeth their inmost secretest thoughts is a God of pure eyes and cannot endure iniquity impiety nor injustice and of most perspective sight discerning the most subtill devices and cannot be deceived by any State-stratagems nor deluded by mentall reservations or subtill policies These considerations sadly premeditated will prevent all illegall and unjust Propositions and promote the way of proceeding by faire and cleare particulars Propositions and demands None will dare to make unjust demands if they consider who is the Judge and disposer And as Iehoshaphat to the Judges so give me leave to speak to both sides take heed what ye doe for the tryall is not appointed by the judgement of man but of the Lord and he will be with you in the cause and judgement wherefore now let the feare of the Lord be upon you take heed for there is no partiality with the Lord our God neither respect of persons nor receiving of reward The necessity of the use of Gods Iudgement by divine Lott being so just equall and impartiall As Azariah to Asa and all Judah and Ben●amin 2 Chr. 15.1 2 That the Preachers and Ministers whom God hath made to be stars in the firmament of the Church to lead and guide the feet of the people in the waies of peace declare and unfold to the people the authority happinesse and holinesse of this way of proceeding shewing who was the originall author and the only disposer of lotts for what end God ordered them and what comfort may thence arise to the three Kingdomes Controversies will be concluded peace produced and the further effusion of blood prevented 3 That the Pastors admonish the people to prepare themselves to appeare before the Lord as Moses did at the delivery of the Law Thus will I do unto thee and because I will do so therefore prepare to meet thy God O Israel Isa 57.14.40.3 Is 62.10 Go through go through the gates prepare thou the way of the people Cast up cast up the high-way gather out the stones take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people Lift up a Standard for the people This way is not unlike that way Isa 35.8 prophecied There shall be a path and a way and the way shall be called holy the polluted shall not passe by it c. 4 That praise be rendred to our gracious God for directing us such a divine way of determining these unhappy differences and divisions which continued would bring the Kingdome to desolation and destruction Say among the Nations the Lord reigneth surely the world shall be stable and not move and he shall judge the people in righteousnesse vid. Psa 93.1.94.14.15.96.10 to the end Ps 97.1 2.98.9.99.1.102.13 to the end

despisers of his Divine direction remember the severe punishment that was inflicted by God upon Gorah and his Company And unto this people thou shalt say Thus saith the Lord Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death I call heaven and earth to witnesse I have herein set before you life and good death and evill choose therefore life that the Land may be preserved from Ruine Jer. 21.8 Deut. 30.19 Who is on the Lords side let them come unto the Lord cleave unto the Lord commit their cause to the Judgement sentence and decree of Justice it selfe the great Judge of heaven and earth who will in the first place settle Religion and Church-government in such fort as shall conduce to the glory of God Give to God the things that are Gods Exod. 32.26 and wil give to the King to Caesar the things that are Caesars in his just rights and prerogatives and to the Kingdome Parliament and People what is their just dues in Lawes Liberties Priviledges and properties by this divine holy happy way without effusion of blood or further Contention The Doves expressions and intentions being but sutable to the nature of Doves truly simple and innocent she desires the integrity of her meaning may not be blemished by mis-interpretation she is assured the Lott is a divine way of determining differences and a farre more holy and happy way then any of humane designment which her Author will be humbly ready before the right Honourable the high Court of Parliament or the reverend Assembly of Divines by divine authority to make good but the forme for the use thereof she leaves to the learned and religious to reform if they please Si qd novisti rectius istis Candidus nuperti si non haec temnere noli Having shewed though with much weaknesse how divine Lotts may be used and applyed for composing the present Controversies depending in Church State between his Majesty and his Parliament and the form of making and drawing the Lotts as the Lord was pleased to put into my mind a more pertinent compleat and perfect manner and way then which no doubt the wise and learned may find out It resteth now that somewhat be said touching the lawfulnesse holinesse and happinesse of this way of determing differences and of the Sacred necessity and conveniency of the use thereof in cases of greatest difficulty Civill or Sacred rather then the Sword or any other humane way or meanes not onely here but also throughout Christendome and all parts of the world where God Almighty is acknowledged as the great and just Judge in Heaven and Earth and how the holy use thereof may be an happy fulfilling of divers Prophecies in the book of God contained The lawfulnesse of this Sacred Ordinance I hope and believe no religious or learned man no good and true Christian will presume to oppose or deny especially in cases of such difficulty as by legall meanes cannot otherwise be happily justly and clearly decided and determined First in regard it is an holy Ordinance originally instituted by God himselfe for ending of differences And also an holy Oracle ordained for the discovery of hidden matters by humane indeavours inscrutable and uninvestigable as in the first chapter of this discourse is plentifully proved and confirmed by divine authority ancient and moderne Secondly because not onely the holy word of God doth likewise confirme the lawfulnesse of the use thereof by Gods speciall direction and the practise of the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles but also the opinion of the best Divines both ancient and moderne and the frequent and happy use thereof upon severall occasions both in former later and even in these times doe manifestly attest the same The Apostles use thereof cleares that Prov. 18.18 Isa 5.16 The Lord of Hosts shall be exalted in judgement and the holy God shall be sanctified in justice Isa 48.11 Let Mount Zion rejoyce and the daughters of Judah be glad because of his righteous judgements Psa 50.6 The heavens shall declare his righteousnesse for God is judge himself as in the second chapter appeareth Thirdly this is no Typicall thing or Ceremony of the old Leviticall law which by the comming of Christ vanished or was to be abrogated or abolished but is set downe and prefixed in the firmament of Gods word as most happy and usefull in a Maxime Axiome statute and Rule of morall and so perpetuall divinity among the Proverbs of Salomon which are no lesse Canonicall then any other part of holy Writ being all holy Canons of sound morall divinity as Master Cartwright a religious and learned Expositor of that Booke in his Preface thereunto affirmeth and if any shall object and say 't is there exprest as a prescription not a precept and so may be a matter of meere indifferency for to be used or not used I conceive under favour of the learned that all divine directions in Gods word may be said to amount not onely to instructions but even to Injunctions especially where the direction is given for use of any of Gods Ordinances and the ends of the use and practise thereof tends immediatly to the advancement of Gods glory and the good and happinesse of his Church and people As herein it must needs follow by making God the Judge and Peace-maker betweene his people which divine direction if they shall refuse to make use of amounteth to at least a contempt of this counsells if not a Rebellion against his command as it must be if Gods prescriptions ought to be received as precepts I put these cases if an obstinate Patient refuse the prescription of the learned Physitian all men will confesse he wilfully and deservedly suffereth losse of life The great Physitian of Heaven prescribeth a cure for our contentions if we neglect or reject it who can deny but porditio tua ex te Hos 13.9 ô Albyon will be a proper motto for so obstinate a Nation this destruction is of thy selfe O England but in God is thine helpe Againe in the other case resembling this of ours if a loving Master shall graciously offer himselfe to be Umpire Arbiter or Judge between his divided Servants to determine their differences and they shall ungratefully and ungratiously reject so Fatherly a favour and fall to the Sword what shall we call this but Contumatious disobedience if not Rebellion yea the Lord by his Prophet Isaiah is pleased to pronounce them Rebellious and that with a witnesse too even a woe therunto annexed Woe to the Rebellious that take counsell but not of me that cover with a covering but not by my spirit we ought not to believe but to try the spirits whether they be of God or no 1 Jo. 4.1 who brag so much of the spirit and yet dare take the Sword out of Gods hand and with confidence in the Arme of flesh in a sensuall divellish manner fly in the face of God by defacing his Image

there prophecied to be performed by the Lords Judgement between the Nations Swords to be beaten into mattocks and speares into pruning hookes and no more fighting and in the preceding Prophece●●t it is shewed that God by Christs judgement shall restore the state and government of things to their right use and order What this Dove proposeth and presseth is no other then that the determination of the great differences depending between his Majestie and the Parliament might be referred to the Lords judgement by divine Lott being an holy way originally instituted by God himselfe to that peculiar end of ending Controversies as by Prov. 18.18 and many presidents in holy writ and the authority of Divines both ancient and moderns is plentifully proved Neither is there any other way revealed in Gods word whereby so apparent and immediate a judgement may be said to be given by God as by this way of the divine Lott And howsoever by reason of the ignorance of some who know not and therefore neither conceive nor consider the holinesse and happinesse of this divine way The infidelity of others who either doubting of the truth of Gods word or perhaps distrusting the justice of their owne cause dare not trust the judgement of God in the disposition of the Lott The arrogance and selfe conceited obstinacy of others who preferre their owne wisdomes counsells or wayes before the judgement Oracle and ordinance of God And because of the selfe-seeking ends of others who principally prosecuting those designes which conduce to their owne private purposes profits and preferments and so grow carelesse of promoting Gods glory and the Kingdomes peace but rather protract it Although I say by reason of these Remoraes this sacred Ordinance Judgement and Decree of God may want its due respect among the worldly wise as the best and most divine matters and ordinances which concerns Gods glory and the peoples good usually meet with strangest opposition the Devill and his agents labouring the prevention of all proceedings tending to that purpose yet the harmlesse Dove humbly desires that all true lovers of Gods glory the Kings honour● and the Kingdomes peace and happinesse would be pleased throughly to peruse this Treatise penned and published to no other end then the glory of God and peace of his people and seriously to consider the matters especially those Texts of holy truth therein contained and the happy effects which by the holy use of this sacred Ordinance may be produced and then doubtlesse they will confesse the use hereof in this Kingdomes case to be not onely convenient but necessary and to be prefer●ea before any way or meanes of humans designment in these seven severall respects 1. In respect of the glory of God which will hereby be more advanced not onely by committing of our doubtfull and difficult differences to his divine determination making and taking God for our onely Judge saying with Jehoshaphat and the men of Judah Wee know not what to doe but our eyes hearts and hands 2. Chron. 20.12 are towards thee but also by the just holy and happy Judgement which the Lord will give by his owne way of the divine Lott Whereas if peace be procured by humane powers and policies wee are apt to attribute most to the arme of flesh and sacrifice to our own nets and the Lords glory is too often layd aside as the Lord by his Prophet Jeremy complaines Wherefore say my people Jer. 1.31 we are Lords we will come no more to thee 2. All motters in difference both Sacred and Civill in Church and State will be setled according to the will of Jesus Christ himselfe being Judge which will be more pleasing to God profitable and satisfactory to men 3. The Kings Honour will be preserved and his mind better satisfied being wonn by divine judgement willingly to consent not forcibly by Conquest and compulsion constrained to passe or signe Propositions 4. His Majesty will be more cleerely satisfied touching his just Rights and Prerogatives being assured that the King of Kings who is the primitive of all Principalities by whom and from whom all powers are ordained and derived knowing what is justly due to Princes will give to Caesar the things that are Caesars as to God the things that are Gods And as concerning that party of the Nobility Gentry and Comminalty which adhered to his Majesty in these unhappy warres their punishments both pecuniary and corporall touching their lives liberties and estates Deut. 17.8.9.15 Gods judgement by Lott will take off all aspersion of cruelty and oppression Num. 15.34.35 Levit. 24.12 being left to Divine disposition rather then humane designement will be a way more phasing to God and more mercifull pions and satisfactory in the sight of men To this purpose you may please to peruse the 2 Chron. 28. in a case of the like nature between Judah and Israel where the Prophet Oded presseth for fraternall pitty and mercy to be shewed to the conquered brethren And Num. 25.34 The man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath day and the sonne of the Israelitish woman that blasphemed being convicted of their crimes were not put to death untill Moyses had inquired of God and received commission from the great Judge of the world for their execution 5. All future ●ewdes malice and resolutions of revenge which might remaine among Families in generations to come will be much mitigated if not cleans remitted when the desposition of the Lord shall be discorned in dispatch of the differences 6. All Vowes Covenants and Oathes made by either party in any matter of opposition one against the other may by Gods judgement declaring the illegality of the matter sworns to be performed be made voide and not binding which by no humane Lawes of dispensation could be discharged freed or made disobliging to the 〈◊〉 of the Covenanters c. 7. Division and Effusion of Blood detestable to God damnable among men To the Devill and his disciples onely delightfull will bee prevented and avoided 〈◊〉 mindes touching all doubtfull and difficult differences more cleerly convinced resolved and satisfied by Gods owne immediate judgement against which no honest godly Christian will presume to murmure dispute or oppose And a pious prosperous s●●● firme lasting found and well-grounded Peace with Truth by the Prince of Peace who is our Peace truly and perfectly established Which that the God of Peace by his blessed Sonne on whose shoulders he hath set the government of Peace with the assistance of his blessed Spirit of Peace who is onely able may please speedily to performe heartily prayeth the unworthiest of Gods servants who is humbly Thine also in Christ Jesus E.M. The Contents of the ensuing Treatise CHAPTER I. OF the severall acceptations and derivation of the word Lott of the division and distinctions of the severall sorts of Lots And of the definitions and descriptions of Lotts but especially the Divine Lott which is intended for the Subject of this Discourse CHAP. II.