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cause_n	act_n	king_n	parliament_n	3,554	5	6.8839	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76788	Endevors aiming at the glory of God, that peace & truth may meet together: wherein is contained the excellency, benefit, and necessity of good government and governors: a loving reply to Mr William Prynnes speech made to the House of Commons, and afterwards published. Some matters are propounded to the consideration of the ministry; and also to particular (and to all) opinions. The first, purest, best and most blessed form and manner of government, prescribed by God, (and recorded in Gods sacred word;) together with the way of entrance, or Gods calling of persons to places of chief government, the great consequence thereof. Wherein is shewed, that government by succession, from the father to the son, was none of Gods institution, in the first and purest times. And also the government by Judges is plainly proved to be the best form of government, being Gods immediate direction, most blessed and approved for Gods glory, and for a peoples greatest good, comfort, and safety. / By John Blackleach.	Blackleach, John.	1650 (1650)	Wing B3074; Thomason E590_5; ESTC R206330	147,760	171

Magistracy Supported because I believe God hath not called me to that work I shall leave the consideration of it to those that God hath appointed to judg The Cases that will come to be tryed in this kind or of this nature are many and differ much according to the Objects and Circumstances and cannot wholy be so determined but that much must be left to the wisdom of the Governors Concerning the death of the late deposed King Mr John Goodwin hath learnedly tryed and determined the justness thereof to my best understanding to whom I should refer the Reader only a word or two I conceive may not be impertinently spoken concerning that matter The first thing that I propound to consideration is this namely Whether that at and before his Tryal for his Life his Judgment and Execution he was properly a King or was deposed from being a King so that in that condition may we not look upon him as one that had been King but for such just cause deposed that to the equity thereof both the Houses of Parliament together with the Army and the Common-wealth consented and were actors therein and consented thereto Doth not this evidently appear if we consider that the Parliament formerly many and several times by publique writing declared That the King was so far a Delinquent that they were forced to disclaim his former authority and to take up Arms against him In the prosecution of Justice they subdued the late King and his party Now in this condition the King remained not being restored to his former Kingship which being considered will it not appear That those that gave sentence against him and those that brought him to his Tryal and did cause Justice to be executed upon him did not take away the life of a King but of one that had been King and hoped so to have been again Secondly I do propound to consideration Whether it be not lawful to desert and to depose Kings and to bring them to punishment for the breach of the Laws of the most high God This I believe appeareth plainly if we first consider That both King and People are all Gods Subjects God is the King of Kings God saith That one Law shall be to all Exod. 12.49 It is to be considered what God gave Joshua in charge Iosh 1.8 Let not this Book of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that then mayst observe and do according to all things that is written therein To this very purpose God speaketh the same matter as the duty of Kings Deut. 17.18 And when he shall sit upon the Throne of his Kingdom then shall he write him this Law repeated in a Book Vers 19. And he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God Vers 20. That he may prolong his days in his Kingdom c. From these places it appeareth That both Ioshua and the Kings were to be subject to Gods Law otherwise God would have left them to their liberties but contrarily God doth directly impose upon them the diligent observation of all his Laws 2. We may note That the breach of Gods Laws were punishable in Kings plainly implyed in these words That it may go well that his days in his Kingdom may be prolonged By this we may plainly see That on the contrary if a King do neglect and transgress Gods Commands then his days in his Kingdom may be shortned The end wherefore God doth expresly charge them to regard the Law importeth plainly that it was to that end that it might be their Rule and Bounds And so likewise if by diligent need to Gods Laws the days of Kings may be prolonged then on the contrary for the neglecting and much more for the grievous breach of Gods Laws their days may be shortned To this purpose we may read That although Ioshua were a man that was placed as Governor over Israel by God himself and although he were so eminent a man for piety a man that had long and constantly walked in the ways of God of whose godliness the people had had long experience yet observe what the people answered to Ioshua in point of their obedience recorded Josh 1.16 Then they answered Joshua saying All that thou hast commanded us we will do c. Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Hence we may observe in these words Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses is plainly implyed a conditional subjection in the people as if the people should have said We desire to be excused in case that we do see it appear by those fruits that thou bringest forth that God is departed from thee and that thou forsakest those paths in which God hath commanded us to walk and hath commanded thee to observe in such cases we will be free we do not promise to be obedient to thee This is a plain conditional engagement implyed plainly in those words Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses There is no King Emperor or Governor whatsoever but they are included all of them within the Rule of Gods Law that is to be the Rule and Guide of all their Actions the Bounds thereof they may not pass by turning aside either to the right or to the left hand nor by adding to the Commandments of God nor by taking any thing from Gods Commandments Moses was a notable excellent and eminent Example to Governors he observed Gods Laws willingly and circumspectly so did Joshua and all those Judges that were chosen immediately by God Thus David did endeavor to walk in Gods ways and some of the Kings of Israel although they lay under great temptations being lifted up so high in the opinions of the people these all acknowledged the Law of God to be their Rule their Guide and their Bounds For the breach of this Law old Eli was punished with temporal death although in his own person he were circumspect and obedient yet because that he suffered Gods Laws to be violated by his own sons God is so provoked that he taketh away his sons by the sword and the father by an untimely death an eminent pattern for Governors to look upon Governors are leading men their example is more prevalent then others they do more hurt then others by their evil examples therefore great men shall be greatly tormented God spared not Kings that broke and violated his Law Saul though he was chosen to his place by God immediately and therefore was anointed with oyl after an extraordinary manner yet when he went beyond the Bounds of Gods Commandments though it were in offering Sacrifice a matter good in it self yet because it was more then God commanded God cast him out of his place for it If we add to Gods Will revealed in his Word we sin or

David and some others Answ That proveth not in the least That the Government of the Kings was to be compared to that Government by Judges because this Government by Judges was Gods prescription and direction but that Government by Kings was the prescription of the People the Peoples invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and this was expresly forbidden by God before in Deuteronomy Thou shalt not follow the manner of the Heathen Nations round about And it was expresly against the Counsel of God recorded by Samuel it was against Gods Will for though God did permit Kings to be yet he did not originally appoint them but contrarily God dehorteth the people from having Kings in a vehement manner and taking it in the highest degree to be both the breach of Gods Commands or Institutions and likewise a very forsaking of God recorded by the Prophet Samuel 1 Sam. 8.7 They have not cast thee away but they have cast me away And further note That God out of his tender compassion to the people notwithstanding that they had cast him away in the form of their Government yet God lovingly admonisheth the people God giveth warning to the people what they should get by having a Government by Kings namely 1 Sam. 8.11 This shall be the manner of the King that shall raign over you He shall take your sons and your daughters your fields and your vineyards your servants your cattel and your sheep and ye shall cry out by reason of your oppressions but I will not hear you in that day Further consider That God did permit divorce in sundry cases and did permit the Israelites to have more wives then one this matter to my apprehension hath a better footing and much fairer shew of Gods approbation then the Government by Kings and notwithstanding Christ our Lord saith That this was not originally right God did not in the first and purest Institution ordain this matter yet God did act in many cases and blessed children and married persons in this way In the first being of Kings God did act in this cause as namely God chose Saul and David yet nevertheless God did expresly by the Prophet Samuel in threatning manner admonish and foretel the people That Kings would oppress the people and make them cry out and GOD would not alter the Government by Kings when they would Observe we well That where men do not cleave close to Gods Ordinations to his Institutions and do not prefer the Wisdom of God before their own wisdom it is a righteous thing with God to suffer them to smart and to endure bitter afflictions when we shall not have ability to help our selves We have had experience of Kings from Samuels time to this day and now God hath given such an opportunity as hath not been a long season now we have comfortable hope that God will give and restore Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Oh dearly beloved whosoever thou art hinder not Gods Work of Reformation left thou beest found a fighter against God remember that our forefathers have been a gainsaying people let not us I pray you resist the good Spirit of his grace 2. But further consider That although David and some other Kings were better then the rest God would not suffer the Rod of his Wrath to lie always so heavy as at sometimes yet even David and Solomon and others were not blessed with the like measure of grace that the Judges were blessed with Consider did Moses Joshua Gideon Samuel did they kill innocent Vriah Did they commit Adultery with Bathsheba Did they number the people with David Did they set up Idolatry or suffer Idolatry Did they build sumptuous houses and gardens and orchards as Solomon Did they commit such abominations as many other Kings did Consider of it That this Government by Judges instituted by God himself in these first and purest times was the best Government it was most for Gods glory it was according to his will and it was most for the peoples good 3. Consider That although God commendeth David in the general yet that proved nothing in this particular case namely it neither proveth to them be of Gods first Institution nor any Institution not that place for instance if a master of a family having an hundred servants some of these may be as personable nay they may some of them be beloved of the master and be rulers in the family but this doth not prove That the form of their government being a form of their own invention was or is so good a form as that form of government that the master himself appointed We ought warily to distinguish between those matters that God doth permit and between those matters that God doth institute and ordain Adam our grandfather sinned by eating of the forbidden fruit yet nevertheless God made some of his posterity Instruments of his glory and they were beloved of God yet it doth not thereby follow That Adams condition was so good after as before God saith David was a man after his own heart but it neither followeth thereby That all Kings were men after Gods heart in that sence nor doth it thereby follow That the government by Kings was so good a government as the government by Judges for that is against the express letter of the Scripture and against the experience of all ages to this present Object Doth not God say That Kings shall be thy nursing fathers and Queens thy nursing mothers Answ This sheweth That although the people had deserved that God should make all Kings to be enemies or scourges to the people for rejecting God their King and for their evil and obstinacy in forsaking the first and best form of government by Judges a form prescribed and blessed by God yet this sheweth That God would not always be alike offended he would let some Kings be nursing fathers although many were evil towards God and the people Another instance consider A father having many children employeth or there is employed divers nurses some of his own chusing and some of his childrens chusing the father considering the childrens weakness and offence in chusing other for nurses without his order he doth neither allow of their act in chusing nor of the persons although he may forgive his children part of their offence and promiseth that some of these should prove nurses to them though many should prove crosses this doth neither approve of his childrens act in breaking his way prescribed neither doth this indulgence or mercy in the father encourage or warrant other children to follow that way not prescribed but expresly witnessed against One instance more to open the matter consider Certain men being to go to a place far distant from them there are divers ways that lead to the place the master of the company he sheweth to them the best way but the company are obstinate and will to King and Princes by descent without enquiring Gods counsel

if we deminish Object But is there any president or example that warranteth a people to depose and punish their Governors Answ The condition expressed and recorded in the Book of Joshua doth plainly hold out That the whole body of a people or such as represent or are Deputies for the Common-wealth or part of that body may in cases wherein their Governors act not for God but contrary to his revealed Will in such cases I conceive the Word recorded in the Book of Joshua plainly warranteth and teacheth people That they ought to make such exceptions This people that gave Joshua his Answer were a part of the people And although this Covenant or Caveat had not been expressed yet it had been the peoples duty and wisdom to follow him in Gods ways but not other ways If we take notice and consider that place recorded Numb 25.1 The people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab c. The people for this cause were commanded by God to slay those Governors that were guilty in this matter The Lord said to Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the Sun that the fierce wrath of the Lord may be turned from Israel Numb 25.4 Now this sheweth That it is Gods Will that Governors shall by the people be punished in such cases as are notorious breaches of Gods Law for although these Governors were not equal but inferiour to Moses yet they were Governors of the people as for example all Governors are not Emperors nor all Kings nor all Judges of an equal rank yet they are all of one kind Gods Law bindeth and hath the same authority over all But further consider this it is there recorded for our learning Num. 25.6 That one of the children of Israel brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of c. Note That this man was a Prince Vers 14. Vers 7. And when Phineas the son of Aaron saw it he rose up c. and took a spear in his hand and followed the man of Israel into the Tent and thrust them both through c. From this Text it plainly appeareth That in such openly known sins Princes are liable to punishment nay further That God taketh this as a matter that is so acceptable to him that he rewardeth it with an extraordinary commendation and reward Vers 10. Then the Lord spake unto Moses saying Phineas the son of Aaron hath turned mine anger away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake amongst them therefore I have not consumed the children of Israel in my jealousie Vers 12. Wherefore I say unto him Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace Here note That Phineas stood not to search over the Punctilioes of the Common Laws neither was he a Judg nor ordinary Officer to put men to death he stayed not till this man was tryed by his Peers but he considered that God was highly dishonored the case was extraordinary therfore he put his life in his hand and couragiously zealously pursued the transgressor and slew him this is recorded for our learning Rō 15.4 Whatsoever things are written aforetime are writen for our learning It is to be admired That people they should be offended at the Army and at some of the Parliament because they executed Justice upon such an offender as had sinned in the sight of the Sun by setting up Idolatry that had sinned in shedding innocent blood such an offender as was tryed and found guilty to the knowledg of the Land and by the opinion of Lords Commons Army and People witness their Writings in Print and is this so hainous a matter This maketh me call to mind the Prophecy Revel 18.16 17. Alas alas that great City that was clothed in fine linnen and purple and scarlet and guilded with gold and precious stones and pearls For in one hour so great riches are come to desolation And every ship-master and all the people that ocupy ships and whosoever doth trafique on the sea shall stand afar off and cry c. But what saith the Spirit of God Vers 10. O Haeven rejoyce over her and ye holy Apostles for God hath punished her to be revenged on her for your sakes Dear Friends you that are not drunk but in good frames of heart consider that this great Tower of Confusion is fallen the Prophets foretold of these days Isaiah Daniel Hosea Micah and others they tell us plainly That corrupt Governors must down I believe the time is accomplished that God did in his counsel determine these matters therefore hang down your heads no longer but you that wait for the Salvation of Israel lift up your heads I pray you Countrymen note That the Army and the Parliament they being zealous for Gods glory they put their lives in their hands they look all oppositions in the face they executed Justice upon an offender this was Gods work that guarded them with strength this act of theirs was beyond their own abilities I pray you compare this act with that of Phineas is not there the same cause in the offender Is not the zeal of Phineas and their zeal like in the very countenance and of near affinity And hath not God crowned this act of theirs Consider that God hath blessed the fruits of the earth and hath enriched our barns and stores Hath not God blessed us in our fishing abroad not the like for many years before Hath not God blessed us by giving us Victories at Sea and Victories at the Land Whithersoever they turn themselves they are blessed since the death of the late King This maketh me commend to your consideration that blessing that God gave to Joshua and is acknowledged thus There was not a City that God delivered not into his hand nor place was too strong for him Consider it well and apply it If any will be obstinate and blind let them be so I cannot help it But to go on in 2 Kings 11.15 Jehojada the Priest commanded the Captains of the Hundreds that had the rule of the Host Vers 16. And they laid hands on her c. and there she was slain We may here observe That there is a president recorded in Scripture that sheweth That when a principal Governor shall do evil in the sight of the Lord the people did account it to be their duties to punish such great offenders and offences by death thus was Jesabel slain The example of the Israelites likewise is considerable 1 King 12.20 where the ten Tribes by reason that Rehoboam would not hearken to them in easing them of those Taxations that they said were too heavy they therefore deposed or rejected him from being their King for although that Jeroboam forsook Gods Commandments afterwards that was his sin But touching their act in casting off and renouncing all obedience to Rehoboam for his sin of oppression God plainly alloweth that and owneth

of an humble heart and I doubt not but that peace and truth will meet notwithstanding all other oppositions And on the contrary so long as you carry in your company proud hearts you shall not enjoy and obtain peace and truth the Reason is plain because God resisteth the proud he knoweth the proud afar off What saith Jam. 4.1 From whence are wars and contentions among you are they not hence even from your pleasures that fight in your members Vers 2. Ye lust and have not ye envy and desire immoderately I shall conclude this Exhortation with that Ephes 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Vers 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God Vers 31. Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and evil speaking be put away with all maliciousness Vers 32. Be ye courteous one to another freely forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake freely forgave you There hath been or is stil a great variety distance and difference of opinions amongst too many if I should or could answer to the satisfaction of all a work much beyond my compass yet new opinions springing up I should still have more and continued labour and trouble Yet I shall propound to the consideration of the godly and well-affected that way that God hath prescribed owned and blessed for the composing and ending of all differences that are or shall arise Much labour and travel and pains is and hath been taken to compose differences I pray you that you will consider That God who is wise and knoweth what is in man better then man himself this God brought his Church and chosen People out of Egypt through the Wilderness being a Type and Figure shewing us how we must through the wilderness of this world through many temptations and tryals pass before we arrive at the Land and place of our Rest Many are the sentences recorded by Moses that man of God which shew That God took an especial care of his Church and Chosen and as in other matters so especially in this matter namely That in all cases of difference whether it were in the duties of men appertaining to God in matters of his Worship or in such differences as did arise or should be amongst men which likewise had a reference to the breach of Gods Law in all of these cases God left not the people without order and means to try determine and compose differences for otherwise it had been the peoples great misery but God is the God of Wisdom and Order and not of Confusion Now if we do consider well of it the way that God ordained and owned and blessed to that end to compose differences was by appointing Moses to give Judgment in all cases of difference this plainly appeareth Exod. 18.15 16. by this means all matters of difference were desided And so likewise the Ministers counsel was of great use as appeareth Deut. 17.9 10 11 12. there God doth directly command his people to seek counsel of the Ministers and likewise doth will and command us to hearken to their counsel The Gospel is not against that good order that God in his wisdom prescribed Now Beloved Friends the way to compose differences I beleeve will lie much in this namely That we highly esteem of the counsel of our Governors temporal and spiritual Government is established and strengthened by the Gospel and who can or dare prescribe a better form for the Administration of Justice then God himself hath described and prescribed and never repealed Moses was the first in Gods Ordination and had the preeminence of matters of Judicature and Aaron likewise had his charge and authority very nearly assistant to Moses the Ministers counsel was to be of force By Moses all matters whether they were breaches of the first or second Table whether they were matters more immediately committed against the Majesty of God or whether they were mediately committed against our neighbor all these matters were examined tryed and judged by Moses God appointed him to judg and to put an issue to all matters The Ministers had their place likewise their counsel was of great use I purpose to speak more particularly to these in place afterwards This Use only I commend to the consideration of all who it may concern namely That seeing that God hath given such authority to Governors as it is evident that God hath for this was not cancelled or removed by the coming of our blessed Saviour but contrarily this was confirmed as seasonably I hope will plainly appear Consider of that place 1 Cor. 6.4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to the life set them up which are least esteemed in the Church c. Was not this the way to heal their distempered differences namely by Governors or Judges and rather then they should pretend some excuse he saith Set them up which are the least esteemed c. not that the Apostle intended that they should set up any carelesly but vers 5. he speaks this to shame them This matter being of such great concernment it behoveth us for the good of us and of our posterity to take special care that so far as it may be in our power let us use all circumspect care That we allow of set up and obey such men as may be according to Gods mind there lyeth much weight in it for let our differences be what they will be or shall be or can be yet the Governors will they must they ought to hear try and judg of them This is doubtless Gods own way it hath his Image and Inscription I grant That if any Governors any whatever shall not act for God but against Gods Laws the Body of the People or their Representatives have or ought to have power to depose and punish such for in relation to God and his Laws both the Governors and the governed are and ought to be subjects to Gods Commands But beloved Friends do not so far trust to this your liberty that by reason thereof you neglect to enquire and take counsel of God who shall be your Governors have an especial eye to the Rules contained in his Word about this matter ask counsel of God For consider well of it let the Experiences recorded in Scripture let the Experiences recorded in other Nations let our own Experiments recorded in this k nd teach us That when a Government is once setled it is a difficult matter to remove or alter either the person or the form of Government once established although we should apparently see that they were evil towards God and us We have I believe much cause to be thankful to God That he hath granted unto us more liberty now in these matters then our Fathers obtained from the days of Samuel to this day Those Governors that now we enjoy both in the Parliament and in the Army I believe they

as appeareth by the Records of the Chronicles and the bookes of the Kings of Israel and Iuda to which we may add the experiments of all Ages Sixthly Gods Wisdome is most perfect and God is unchangeable Seventhly this Order was never repealed in any Age to this day Eighthly the Promises of God in the Scripture do plainely shew that when God will have mercy upon his beloved People it shall be shewed the most eminently and apparently by restoring Iudges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Ninthly this government by one chiefe as head and governor doth the nearest resemble that Heavenly frame of government Tenthly consider who ever thou art that harbourest such thoughts that such thoughts do arise from unsound Principles I believe not well ballanced considerations Because admit or suppose thou were left at liberty now to prescribe a forme of government what forme of Government couldest thou invent Consider that God witnessed evidently and eminently that when God prescribed government by Judges in such order as Divine records do mention this forme was better then any other Nation had in the whole World No Nation was so blessed by God in those times that had Lawes and Ordinances so righteous by which is meant Governors or Iudges and Lawes to be their Rules as God in those first and purest times did prescribe to his first borne Son And further consider that we are not now a separated People from the true Israel of God we are not strangers to those Lawes which God then in those times gave to them but contrarily we by Faith in Iesus Christ are ingrafted into the true Olive Tree we now are part of Gods houshould and doe subject to all the Lawes of Gods first borne Sonne and though they were our elder brethren yet now also God hath in his rich abundant and not to be sufficiently expressed mercy begotten us also to a lively hope so that we also are their yonger Brethren Therefore for any man to conceive that he could invent a better forme of government then any in the World in those times had and a better forme of government then God himselfe did the most immediately prescribe and own and confirm and blesse such a man if there be any such had neede to consider this matter first very advisedly least wanting wisdom to prescribe and power to uphould and power to blesse and prosper such his inventions he should be found to be an opposer of God himself and likewise exalt his wisdom above the wisdom of God The next matter I conceive it will be meete to propound to consideration other judges or governors that are in order inferior to this chiefe Judge before mentioned Exod. 18.25 And Moses chose Men of courage out of all Israel and made them heads over the People Rulers over thousands Rulers over hundreds Rulers over fifties and Rulers over tens Ver. 26. and they judged the People at all seasons but they brought the hard causes to Moses for they Iudged all small matters themselves The end wherefore judgement or Iudges were thus distributed is to that intent that both the chiefe governor may not be over burdened nor the People over burdened recorded Exod. 18.18 Thou both weariest thy selfe and this People that is with thee greatly the end being duly considered we may more easily distribute the governors Governors are sutable to this proportion to be distributed into the severall Shiers Cities Townes and Places where the People live which plainely appeareth the end being considered for the very affection of a loving Father is so prevalent that love causeth him to seek the comfort of his children and to provide for their comforts and conveniences to this purpose the Apostle saith that he is worse then an Infidell that provideth not for his Family Now consider that the Common-wealth in some respect is the Family of the chiefe Governor It is a lamentable case to consider have not the People bin I could wish it were not so still forced to travell many miles to their great detriment for to get those causes decided and determined that might with much ease have bin ended at or near to their own dwellings Yea moreover have they obtained the determining or ending of their causes without making many or diverse such chargable journies to the undoing of too many Men Widdowes and poore Fatherlesse Children have not many for want of means bin forced to loose their rights and lawfull maintenance Consider of it dear Fathers and now let it be remedied and doubtlesse God will shortly say unto you well done good and faithfull servant thou hast beene faithfull in these things come be ruler over more and better things enter into thy Masters joy But on the contrary consider that oppression is a crying sinne God will certainely hear the cry of the oppressed the cry of old and yong the cry of the Widdowes and of the Orphanes God will certainely hear them God will do it for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Therefore dearly beloved Fathers I humbly beseech you let Governors be distr●buted into the severall Shires Cities Townes and Places where the people dwell And keep close to the rules prescribed in these first and purest times namely let the determination of causes be in proportion to these first patterns let not the end be neglected which is that Gods Lawes be observed and the People may be eased I pray you to consider what is recorded concerning Samuel that good and pious Governor he rather then the People should travell far did travell himself to the places where the People dwelt 1 Sam. 7.16 And Samuel went about yeare by yeare to Bethell and Gilgall and Mispeh and judged Israel in all those places No doubt he appointed Judges all over the Land that did judge the people l kewise I pray you to avoide multiplicity of Iudges being of equall authority to judge at one tim● in one and the same cause I believe it will not be so much for the Peoples comfort not so sutable to the first and most pure institutions and I believe t will be too great a burden to those that should be Governors in such causes in such a manner constantly I do conceive that from that end of the multiplying Governors recorded Exod. 18. which was to ease the People and Moses and that Gods Commandments might not be broken and from the acting and president that Moses left there recorded it appeareth that many governors are needfull in their severall places but not many governors of equal authority constantly to act in one cause and not in the weightiest causes more and most especially My reasons mentioned are gathered from the president and wisdom of God himself Now I shall proceed to describe that way for the calling or entrance of th●se governors into their places Being a matter of the highest and greatest consequence to us next under God we cannot possible use too much diligence nor too much intention nor too much

forme and in the persons for that Babylon that great City of corruptions is compacted in and by disorder corrupt governors government is the very root of all her abominations And note it well when Gods Church shall become a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City God nameth this as the principall ingredient and cause namely that they shall have Iudges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Observe well that frame of that Heavenly Ierusalem Rev. 21.2 The holy City the new Ierusalem Come downe from God out of Heaven as a bride trimmed for her husband Note well in what a beautifull and perfect order she is proportioned read the Chapter see there what blessings came to the People when good Order commeth Ver. 4. Then God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow Ver. 5. And hee that sate upon the Throne said c. write Ver. 6. It is done I am Alpha and Omega c. Ver 11. Having the glory of God and her shining was like unto a stone most precious c. Note I pray you what a direct opposition there is between the Babylon of confusion and this City ruled and proportioned by the Wisdome of God you know that Babells Tower brought confusion at the first building and from that day to this that great strumpet is corrupted and defiled by forsaking Gods blessed Rules recorded she slighted Gods Wisdome shee would not follow his Prescriptions but turned from God and followed her owne inventions Therefore shee not being trimmed as a Bride prepared for such a glorious God he being jealous of his glory doth give her a Bill of divorce for her adultery let this serve for to warn us to follow Gods Prescriptions his Rules and Presidents recorded in the Word of truth Note it well the maine end of the Creation of Heaven Earth Man and the rest of the Creatures was and is that man may learn to see the difference betweene Gods good government and evill governments betweene Gods Wisdome contained in the sacred Rules of Gods holy Word and between mans seeming better inventions contrived by mans own wisdom Is not this the lesson that God teacheth us from our cradle to ur deat Observe well God letteth us see the difference between his Government recorded and prescribed in his Word of Truth and between the Devils Government who is the Father of lyes Amongst the Nations of the World God suffers evil Governments and Governors It is not because he wanteth wisdom power opportunity or goodness to reform such but God teacheth man to see the benefit and excellency of good Governors and Government by letting them see evil and corrupt Governors We have a long and large experience from Samuel and from Moses to this day recorded for our instruction I pray God that we may now at length learn to profit and to set a high value and price upon good Government proceed exactly let no Governor enter into his place but purely through the door of Gods Word follow those Rules most purely and plainly prescribed by God himself Consider what is the main the very end of Gods actings and mans actings all our prosperity our sufferngs all our afflictions is not this the very moving cause and the highest end To teach us that it is safest and most for our comfort that we should follow those Rules prescribed by God without turning aside to any hand or upon any pretence and especially in this weighty matter of Governors and Government God looketh upon this with a wary and with a jealous eye he knowing of what neer concernment it is for his glory and mans good Therefore when the people went about but to alter the form of government by himself prescribed in what high contempt doth God take this He saith That the people had cast God away from governing and reigning over them in so doing Consider do but take away two things namely good Governors and Gods good Rules of direction contained in his sacred Word and this world the people in it would be turned into a confused Chaos a heap of rubbish of ruinous desolations much worse then that Chaos recorded Gen. 1. When in the beginning the Earth was voyd and without form and in darkness Witness divers Nations that at this day have not Gods Laws his blessed Word to govern them but have evil Governors in such places it is certain and true they do degenerate so much from goodness that the strongest captivateth and oppresseth the weaker and they do devour one another yea they sell mens flesh and womens and childrens flesh as we do buy and sell beef in the shambles Dearly beloved we are the very same by nature were it not that we submit to the Government of a good and blessed God and to his Laws and to his blessed Rules Therefore now I pray you to set a high price upon Government good Government for God loveth to bestow the richest and choycest mercies upon those that value them according to their true worth he will not prostitute such rich jewels such precious favors unto such a people as make light account of them for swine will trample upon pearls of the greatest value but God giveth Grace to the humble and to the thirsty by the hungry food is thankfully and gladly accepted but the full loatheth the hony comb Israel was wanton they slighted Gods form of Government and those good Governors that were the most immediately appointed by God himself therefore God maketh them to see the difference he maketh them servants to serve strangers in a strange Land in hunger and cold and nakedness and oppressed and in the want of all things the Lord reach us instruction Therefore now dearly beloved Fathers joyne all your hearts and endeavours together for Gods glory set aside cast behinde you all comberances all by-respects tread under your feete these sublunary matters in comparison of Gods glory the good of your Nation the good of your selves and of your and our posterity consider that Satan tempted our blessed Saviour with the seeming shew of these empty deceiptefull deadly lying Serpents namely making a shew of that to be found in worldly honors and preferments which is not to be found in them if Satan laboured with Christ much more with his Disciples to perswade that these earthly things are more worth then Gods favour for the shew of these which were not his to give laboured to draw Christ from God Therefore in comparison cast behinde you under your feet these venomous Cockatrices Egges of worldly honors let them not be preferred before Gods commands For these deceiptfull shewes of these momentany vanities do deceitfully worke too much upon our affections to leade us aside out of that good way that leadeth to true blessednesse into that broad path that many great and wordly rich men do walke in which leadeth to certain Destruction I believe amongst you that now govern this Common-wealth there