Afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.25 26 27. ch 2.2 3 4. Of this I purpose to speak more afterwards Dearly beloved friends thus much I can and do affirm to you all in the presence of that all-seeing â—od who will bring hidden things deeds of darkness to light even in the presence of that God who I do Love Fear Worship who is my Hope my Joy from whom I received all the Good I have from whom I expect my comfort for the time to come I have not so far as I know my own heart any prejudice nor respect of persons nor any past present or future by or sinister respect in the writing this little Treatise I have never received the value of one penny in recompence of my endeavors and for the time to come I am so far from thoughts that way That I do expect rather that I shall receive injury hereby and that this may be a great hinderance to me in wordly respects only this is my comfort That I know whom I have trusted And this further can I say likewise That at the writing hereof I know not nor did ever see either those truly honourable Generals the Lord Fairfax nor the Lord Cromwel nor any Captain or Souldier amongst them except some few I lately saw in or neer to London as I passed by them nor do I know any one of them if I see them again so far as I conceive It is possible some of my acquaintance may be in the Army but if it be so I know it not And concerning those worthy men for so I esteem them to be that now sit in the Parliament I never saw any one of them to my knowledg except one who I have seen I think three or four times yet I know not certainly whether he be of the Parliament or no only I think he is Whereas I affirm that I know not any of the Army or of the Parliament I intend that I know not the persons of the men but by their fruits I know much concerning them Some may judge this to be superfluous to mention but I shall shew you what moveth me so to do In discoursing with divers men I find to my best apprehension That there is such a crooked and perverse generation of men that imagine mischief that invent base false and slanderous reports against Parliament Generals Army and indeed against the most that truly fear God Blame me not therefore courteous Reader if I labour to prevent slanderous and lying Tongues And this likewise I affirm That with due regard of Gods presence in the fear of God being much sensible of my own weakness seriously considering of how great weight it is to write books and to present them to publique view I am very fearful to presume above what is meet and this I say further that my purpose is to propound the matters and causes I shall principally insist upon in this following Treatise I purpose likewise according to the measure of light grace and opportunity that God shall give me to prove and clear the matters propounded and then having presented the cause I shall earnestly desire of God to stir some persons who are more learned and better able then my self and to enable and direct them so That they may more largely and clearly shew forth to publique view the mind of God in these matters of Government and Governors It is now a long season that the Nations have been so kept under by Corrupt Governors above two thousand years during which time where or who was the man that durst or did punctually discover the Corruption of Governors or of Government 1. This is one reason that moveth me to present the cause to publike view namely because I know not or do not discern that any one writer from Samuels days to this time the pens of the Scriptures excepted that hath punctually written upon this subject 2. This is another moving cause because now being a time of more Liberty and considering that I my children and posterity are concerned in the case of Government I conceive there is reason good why I should present this cause to publike consideration 3. This is another motive I look upon the great effusion of bloud that hath been shed about this matter the cause for ought I know being not yet wholy determined but is still so that I conceive that our godly Governors are ready to prefer Gods glory and the common good before their own interests in those matters that they shall clearly see to be the mind and will of God 4. This is another motive seeing apparently our miserable condition people being divided in judgment and in affection so that our condition is much like a ship in a Tempest Therefore the end of my endeavors shall be so far as God shall assist that I may reconcile differences and that Peace and Truth may meet together as Moses and Aaron met together in the mount of God and kissed each other And as this is the end I propound to my self so likewise I purpose it shall be the Title or Superscription Dearly beloved friends all you that love and fear the Lord all you that have obtained like precious faith I earnestly intreat you to assist me in this work with your prayers with your most best uttermost and strongest abilities Contend for the truth in love but strive not lust not to be contentious Reject not that Truth that Good wholy which is accompanied with some blemishes Men cast not away a good garment because of a little dirt Consider the great differences and troubles about Governors and Government Therefore I humbly request thee to weigh try prove examine search the Scripture cleave to the Truth Seek the favour of God with more then ordinary prayer That the good holy Spirit of God may lead thee into truth For it is evident that many unclean Spirits many false and lying Spirits are permitted to deceive many in these our days This point of Government is of great concernment if God help us to discern the good and right way prescribed practised owned and blessed by God to chuse persons so that God may be said to chuse for us to shut up all windows and by-ways that so Wolves Foxes and beasts of prey may be kept from the Sheep If God help us to discern the way the true and right way and in that way to set open the door that the good and true Shepherds may enter whose fruits will soon discover them to be good and true Shepherds for they will love the flock they will watch over them not for the fleece mostly but to defend them from beasts of prey These good Shepherds will seek the comfort of the Flock they will drive them to the wholesom pastures and to the still waters where they may be refreshed where they may bless the name of the Lord and lie down without fear for true love casteth out fear and
so rest in peace because a good Shepherd is their watchman Was not this the very foundation and cause that David Ps 23. found such great comfort and refreshment namely from his Shepherd Dear Friends if God help us to obtain good Shepherds good Governors our strife will end our differences will be composed Corrupt Opinions on the one hand and desperate Blasphemy and Profaneness on the other hand will vanish as smoak before the winde The very presence of Moses destroyed the profaneness of Idolatrous Worship Dear Christian Friends if God help us in this matter then shall peace and truth meet together and as Moses and Aaron they shall kiss one another in the Mount of God Then shall we well provide for the comfort of our children and for their posterity Then shall the generations to come have cause to bless us Then shall the Name of the Lord be praised with joyful hearts Then shall the Lord bless us and we shall be blessed I shall endeavor to write in this ensuing Treatise without partiality without turning to the right or to the left hand without respect of persons further then in a way of righteousness accept of this my mite And let those men who have received more abilities and opportunity put more into the Treasury Dear Friends and Country-men I dare not say that for your sakes I could be content to have my name blotted out of the Book of Life Nor with Paul That for this cause I could be content to be a cast-away from the presence of God for ever For the thought of that would be more bitter then death But this I do say That so far as I know my own heart provided that the loss of my temporal life would be the means to procure this happiness to you namely that you might possess Judges as the first and Counsellors as at the beginning I could be content to lay down this temporal life that for a little season I do here enjoy Beloved Friends I considering that there is so great a distance at this time between Opinions but more especially there is a greater difference between the affections of many I shall desire leave of the courteous Reader that without offence I may propound some other matters to consideration My ends therein are that I may extinguish that heat if not wholly yet in some measure that is burning or smothering in the hearts of many For otherwise these will lie as a block or as a bar in the way to hinder that peace and truth should not meet together I remember Jacob his example herein he being intended and desirous to be reconciled to his brother Esau who had determined or threatned his death He labors to prevent and pacifie his brothers anger by sending presents and soft answers good words before him Such gifts as I have I offer to you Silver and Gold I have but little I desire that I may finde the like acceptance that Jacob did The first and great hinderance that I find laid in the way to hinder Peace and Truth from meeting together is the death of the late King the removing of divers Lords and some others from their present Being or acting as Members of that Court and the pretended wilful breach of a former Covenant I am not desirous to call back those things that are done and past I am not desirous to take abroad those imbers in which wherein hath been or may be contained coals of fire that might or may kindle such fâ—â—â—es as are not easily quenched It is better for peace sake to suffer some yea much wrong then to endeavor to right our selves in such a way as may turn to far greater loss Our Saviour counselleth us rather to suffer wrong then to contend in Law and rather to lose our garment then to contend too earnestly for it In those things wherein sin is committed by others and we no actors nor consenters in it we may in some cases especially then when by seeking revenge we may plunge and throw our selves â—â—to greater dangers and temptations in such cases we may wait patiently and commit those cases to God that judgeth righteously Sin shall slay the wicked doer and God will bring down the evil and the deceitful men He that riseth up to right another mans cause must look well to his own calling and abilities Did not these lie as a bar in the way to hinder Peace and Truth from meeting I should be silent and commit the matter to him that judgeth righteously and so I desire to do I shall not use here any carnal weapons onely make some use of Truth so well as I am able that thereby we may find the way to Peace And first touching the late Kings death consider that we cannot recall that What then Are you resolved to set up the eldest Son upon the Throne of his Father Consider well of it Can you tell whether he will prove wise or foolish Can you tell whether he will care for the Flock Can you tell whether he will love or hate the Flock Can you tell whether you should obtain your desires or whether that the pursuance thereof may not be a means to ruine your selves and many others that desire to live in peace Are you nevertheless resolved to have such a Watchman such a Shepherd Will you expect grapes from thorns I have indeed to my sorrow heard this with my ears lately spoken That if a Turk or any other as bad almost should come hither and contend for the Government there would be a great party for him Oh horrible impiety that men should so far be transported beyond the bounds of Reason and Religion Indeed there is a generation too apparent that by their works by their swearing and prophaneness and hatred of those that love and fear the Lord declare evidently that they are Gods enemies It is therefore not to be wondred that God should give them over to strong delusions to believe lies What if Gods Word declare evidently That the Government by Judges be better more agreeable to his mind more useful and more comfortable to us will you nevertheless have a King consider of it Friends Countrymen Beloved I have no prejudice against a King but this I say I honour love worship and desire to cleave to the Precepts and Commandments of him that is the King of Kings of him who gave me life and is able to raise me up to life when this span of time is past when the King of Terrors hath done his utmost spite I was no actor in the Kings death I had taken a great journey above four years before the death of the King and was many hundreds of miles distant from this Land and returned hither very lately I speak therefore the more freely with more liberty I have endeavored with the greatest care I could to weigh mens words and passages in the ballance of the Sanctuary and I find many that speak loosely carelesly and many more prophanely Is
successively I doe but labout to set before you these instances and it is because I am not like so far as I know to have any more opportunity in this World to speak in the cause blame me not therefore if I propound these things to your consideration for I and my posterity are like to be subject to what forme of government you establish and I evidently see that from Government will arise great blessings if it be such government as God approveth if it be such as God hath prescribed then I know that the blessed Spirit of God will rest upon such governors On the contrary I know that if you mistake in government I do expect that great afflictions will follow and Governors not entring into their places according to the Rule of Gods Word I shall not expect that the gracious Presence of God will accompany them And this I evidently see by the records of the Sacred Word of God and by the experience of all Ages recorded that where government is corrupted they are a meanes to draw the People from the sincere worship of God and they are a meanes to bring the Wrath of God upon the People I doubt not but there are amongst you many wise godly and men precious in Gods esteem I pray God double the Spirit of his grace upon you and direct you to see much more of Gods minde however let it not be grievous if I put you in minde of those things which you know and which are plainely recorded in Gods sacred Word Moses put the People in minde of the same things often and so did Ioshua and so did Christ and his Apostles This is all that I can do by all the instances or arguments I can alledge it is but only to perswade or put you in minde of what is already recorded plainly in Gods Word which is a bright shining light all that I can say in comparison of Gods sacred Word is far short of the darkest night compared to the brightest shining light of the day therefore all that draweth me or is any motive to me in this cause is this namely The records of the sacred Scriptures shew such a Government and such Governors God did prescribe in such a manner and they were blessed by God they were a blessing to the People and the holy good and blessed spirit of God was given to such God in his wisdom did so appoint On the contrary I have observed both from the Records of the sacred Scriptures and from the Records of all Ages and from well considered experience that although the inventions of men which swerve from the most approved Rules of Gods Word may have a faire shew in some mens eyes yet he that well noteth such inventions shall in the issue finde Gall and Wormewood bitter fruits and Gods good Spirit doth not accompany such inventions which causeth me to keepe a loofe from Mans inventions especially in such a weighty matter and of so great eminent and high concernment both for Gods glory and for the Peoples blessednesse I conceive we cannot possible be too circumspect nor cleave too close and stedfastly to the most approved and blessed forme of Government and Governors prescribed owned and blessed by God and recorded in the sacred Scriptures for our learning Dearely beloved Fathers I speake freely and willingly and with more liberty of speech to you because I am perswaded that your heartâ— do really seeke Gods glory because I believe that you seeke not your selves and have better learned to tread under foote these trifles these sublunary comforts and do seek for an immortall Crown of glory provided for those that seek Gods glory you beloved know how to value Eternity better then a moment better then this short span of time Therefore I pray you be not offended But further where there are many Iudges of equall authority though Men fearing God and seeking Gods glory yet in many or in some causes and most especially in the most weighty causes do not respects sway much As namely loth to displease one another and lothfully to discover themselves Are not numerous companies having all equall authority subject to emulation to jealousies yea and sometimes to be so divided that doth it not sometimes appeare so violent that it occasioneth civil warres or contentions I pray you to consider mortall man is subject to frailty Therefore seeing the Heavenly frame of government is by one â—od and unto Gods Word the whole Host of Heaven is willingly obedient and considering that that government that God appointed in the first and purest times when God most immediately appointed government to his beloved first borne and peculiar Church and People considering that God appointed this forme of government namely by one Man a chiefe Iudge who had sole power to judge and appoint and to determine the weightiest causes is not this the safest way to avoide confusion and contention and most like to be blessed Herein indeed will lie the great weight of all the matter namely that we cleave close to Gods Rules that so a Wolfe may be prevented for getting into the sheepe fold For let us but seeke God in those wayes he hath appointed seriously and heartily and I doubt not but that we shall obtaine a blessing a Man sent of God And then let us never fear but God will accompany such a man with his blessed Spirit Did ever a People seeke GOD humbly following GODS Rules and heartily and failed I believe no Record of Divine authority will demonstrate such an example in such a cause so prosecuted Object But was not this forme of government peculiar to the state of the Israelites is it not abolished at the comming of Kings Answ I desire every one that doth unfeignedly desire to do Gods Will to be wary of this Objection and consider that it is too much for us to turn aside from Gods Institutions but to deny Gods Institutions this is a sin of a deep impression How often doth GOD bid us beware that we do neither add nor diminish this being duly considered I answer First this Order of government by Iudges in this manner was Gods owne Order God did most immediately appoint this Order Secondly God did prescribe this to his Church and People before the Law was given Moses was appoinâ—ed and had his power and place and the rest of the Judges were orderly distributed before the Law was given at Mount Sinai Thirdly this order of government was continued confirmed and blessed immediately by God himself undâ—r the Law Fourthly this O der was further confirmed by GOD when the People in the Dayes of Samuel desired a Government by Kings which appeareth in that GOD plainely affirmeth that the People cast God off when they altered this forme and further it appeareth that God was the same long after by the expressions of the Prophets Fifthly there was never any Government since to this Day to be compared with this Government nor so blessed by God
spring forth it causeth the Corn to grow whereby man is nourished Now consider whence or how this creature the Sun is so wonderfully and excellently made is it not from the wisdom and excellency of the most high God that made it and governeth it Now let us but consider That if God should but with-hold his hand if God should but withdraw himself his wisdom his power his faithfulness his skill for want of such a Work-master these glorious works of God would be confused and fail This sheweth that there is a necessity for the well-being of matters of great consequence especially such as are the Governments over and amongst men that the Governors be chosen men we cannot be too circumspect what Governors we do receive and that they be men chosen of God c. If we err in this Governor we shall finde that great trouble will follow Consider likewise the Stars of Heaven which although they are to us innumerable yet every Star hath his proper place they go their appointed journeys and courses which they keep without jarring or alteration performing those operations to them appointed Consider likewise the Tydes how they do ebb and flow keeping within the limits of time and proportion Thus far they flow and so return in their due and appointed seasons And doth not this come to pass from the excellency and perfection of that God that created and is the Governor of them Consider likewise amongst men in every great and useful work if the guide and governor of the work be skilful and able doth not the work committed to him prosper proportionably On the contrary if a foolish man a disordered person have the government in chief of such matters are they not likely to fail and be confused Consider likewise in a Ship when the Master is godly wise skilful and able is not the Voyage by him likely to come to good issue But on the contrary if a foolish disordered unjust man be the Master is not the undertaking endangered if not overthrown And is not this matter namely the Government of a Common-wealth to be looked upon with as much regard Ought not men to be very heedful and circumspect who and what manner of persons they accept to govern them Doth not this matter immediately concern Gods glory Doth it not concern the good and comfort of our Souls of our Bodies of our Estates and of our Children Yes certainly the matter is of great concernment And yet are we not to lament this namely That men oft rush upon the chusing of Governors as the horse into the battel with too little fear or wit Men are too much of these tempers First Either they will admit of no Government whence springeth misery confusion and every evil work by this means some say as Pharaoh said to Moses Exod. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should hear his voyce and let Israel go I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel go Thus will it be with many who acknowledg none to be their Rulers And some David speaketh of Psal 12.4 who say in their hearts Our tongues are our own who is Lord over us These men know not what they do they desire that which would assuredly make them miserable But of this in another place if God will Or secondly Others they desire to have Government but they consider not of how great concernment Government is of Hence it comes to pass that like the people in Samuels time men will have a King they will have a Governor not duly weighing and considering what maner of Governor they desire whether he be godly or ungodly whether he be wise or foolish whether he be a man sent of God or a man of their own inordinate desires whether he come in to be the true Shepherd by the door of Gods Word according to the rule there prescribed or whether he come in at the window or creep in some other way by friends beauty riches eloquence fraud flattery Thus lamentable experience teacheth us hath been the practise of the People and Nations from the time of Samuel to this day too often Hence it cometh to pass that so many Wolves enter into the sheep-fold who miserably devour persecute destroy the sheep The consideration of these miseries which arise from and attend upon those people that have wolves in sheeps clothing instead of true Shepherds occasions us to search and enquire what may be the true ground or fountain whence this evil springeth There are two main and principal Causes which occasioned God to suffer Jsrael to be so misled so seduced so deceived so afflicted The one Reason was Because the people slighted dis-esteemed and undervalued this pearl of great price namely to have God to be their King and to have him immediately to choose their Governors for them The second Reason was Because the people did not diligently observe and cleave to the Commandments of God but instead thereof they followed their own inventions And if we shall warily consider what the cause hath been and is why the People and Nations have done and do so miscarry in their Governments it ariseth from these two fore-named Grounds namely the slighting Gods Mercies and departing from prescribed Rules For the first of these read Deut. 6.11 to 16. where God admonisheth them to take heed and to beware lest when they had abundance when they had eaten and were full that they did not then slight disesteem or forget God Reason God gave them in this admonition as namely because vers 12. God brought them out of Egypt out of a low condition vers 15. and because God was a jealous God among them and lest the wrath of God were kindled against them to destroy them Notwithstanding those and many other Exhortations and Cautions which the Lord from time to time laid before them to warn them yet they soon and often turned aside from God the Fountain of living water and digged to themselves broken Cisterns that would not hold good water And touching the second namely their departing from the Rules prescribed Moses did often admonish them as in this Chapter vers 16. Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God c. Vers 17. But you shall keep diligently the Commandments of the Lord your God and his Testimonies and his Ordinances c. Dearly beloved this is very apparent That Government is of very great concernment Therefore it is to be prized at a great value We ought with great diligence to seek and to search the Scriptures that so we may find the right and pure way prescribed owned and blessed by God for the choice of our Governors By this means we shall obtain a blessing from God we shall have true Shepherds we shall discover wolves in sheeps clothing who slily creep in to devour and to destroy If God so often willeth us to take heed to keep all his Commands then certainly this which is of so great concernment is not to be slighted but
others and hate them without just cause it cometh to pass oft-times that God doth turn these slanders and unjust reproaches into blessings Balak sent for Balaam to detest Jacob and to curse Israel But God turned that curse intended into a blessing Numb 23.8 How shall I curse where God hath not cursed Vers 24. Behold the People shall rise up as a Lion he shall not lie down till he eat of the prey and till he drink the blood of the slain c. Numb 24.5 How goodly are thy Tents O Jacob and thy Habitations O Israel Vers 6. As the valleys are they stretched forth as the gardens by the rivers sides as the Aloe-tree which the Lord hath planted as the Cedars besides the waters Vers 9. Blessed be he that blesseth thee c. These things I desire may be well noted and weighed In this matter first Hath not God in the sight of all the world turned this imprecation into a blessing For God hath been so far from destroying that Army that on the contrary God hath destroyed their Enemies and preserved them Note secondly That this imputation was unjustly layd upon this Army namely that they delighted in War For this I do undoubtedly beleeve That the Generals and chief of the Army and many others were so far from delighting in War that it was their grief that they could not finde the way to true Peace without War God is the Searcher of all hearts and he hath shewn and will shew who those blood-thirsty men are there meant by David Thirdly Note That it is evident if we consider the substance of Mr Prynnes speech in the latter part especially that the Officers of the Army were rendred odious by Mr Prynne in the face of the Parliment publiquely in so much that he saith That they sought the destruction of the Common-wealth This could not be hid from the Army Dearly beloved Country-men Do by them as you would be dealt withall had you been in their places judg righteously Consider that this Army hazarded their lives and many lost their Lives amongst them of their dear Friends in defence of the Parliament and Common-wealth There was now but a step between them and death For may not any rational man see plainly That they being at the time being rendered odious and Enemies to the Common-wealth by Mr William Prynne in a publique way What wanted then to bring them to destruction Onely this in a rational way wanted That the King might be made their Head and Governor and by that means who is so blinde that doth not see that the Kings helpers in time of his Troubles should have been exalted and made their Judges The Army themselves were to be disbanded that Mr Prynne seeketh in his speech to effect and without controversie it had been disbanded had not God shewed the Army the danger and the snare that they were in and withall if God had not given to the General and to the Army an undaunted courage and if the blessing of God had not gone along with them they had been destroyed For as touching the Kings party of them of their former mercies or cruelties rather the Army had had experience too much for to trust them upon such slight pretences Consider now deal unpartially would not you if it were your case rather your enemies and Gods enemies and the countries enemies should perish rather then your selves and many others Well had the Army sate still till they had been destroyed we might have lamented over their and our miseries in Davids language 2 Sam. 3.33 Thus dyed Abner as a fool dyeth Vers 34. Thine hands were not bound nor thy feet tyed in fetters of Brasse But here I end with this Scripture hoping that God may one day shew M. Prynn cause to revoke this imprecation In the mean time he may evidently see that it is turned to a blessing Concerning M. Pryns Speech I could answer to the particulars but considering the straitness of present time and likewise considering that if I should be long some of his papers might be read of too many Therefore I observe Davids counsel in another case who desiring to cover Sauls death and Jonathans desired That it might not be told in Gath nor published in the Gates of Askelon least it caused the daughters of the Philistines to rejoyce I shall therefore endeavor to bind up his answer fast together his Speech may be divided into two parts viz. In the first I find many witty and ingenious contrivances fine twined threds or to give them a term more suitable to his intentions let them be taken for such cords as the Philistines used to bind Sampson with Therefore we shall let them pass under this name M. Prynns new inventions to binde the King and secure the Common-wealth to be in a firm lasting peace c. and future felicity The Second part may be considered under this notion M. Prynns endeavour to render the Army odious and enemies to the Common-wealth I do hope and believe that M. Prynne his aims and intendments were real for to obtain Peace and Safety But I believe that he was mistaken and erred from the pattern shew'd in Gods revealed will very far When I looked well upon M. Prynn his Speech with what learning wit and eloquence it is contrived considering his parts It occasioned me to remember Pauls speech 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Thus â—xpressed God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty Vers 28. And vile things of the world and things which are despised and things which are not hath God chosen to bring to naught things that are Our blessed Saviour sheweth us a reason of this Math. 11.25 I give thee thanks O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and men of understanding and hast opened them to babes Vers 26. It is so O Father because thy good pleasure was such In our times it is not to be much marvelled at that wise men come short when we consider of former times the children of Israel were very apt to break sleight and neglect Gods commandements and to prefer their own inventions Was it not strange that they should forsake that Fountain of living Waters that great God Jehovah of whose Faithfulness Wisedome Power Goodness Long-suffering They had had such large experience of Yet search the Scriptures and you may see many instances how they distrusted God how they forsook God murmured complained despised and provoked God from time to time Was it not to be admired that they should forsake God and set up a golden Calf in Moses his absence Was it not to be admired That having had such experience of Gods Providence and Blessing under the Government of those Humble Wise Faithful Judges or Governors being such men as entred into their Offices by the immediate and prescribed will of God from Moses to Samuel Under
but that the Parliament-men would have been so wearied that they would have sought to have relinquish'd this And I do conceive that the People would by this means have been distracted divided and molested with Taxations to bear this great charge besides many other grievances I forbear Fourthly To sum up all Mr Prynnes Endeavors together they hold out thus much First He laboreth to exalt him to the Throne to that honor to be our Shepherd our Governor a man who I beleeve God had appointed to death Secondly He seeketh the setting up and the continuance of a Kingly Government which I beleeve God hath numbred and finished Thirdly He seeketh to destroy or to weaken those which were instrumentally our best friends Fourthly He held it safer for the Common-wealth and more advantageous for to have the constant Government of the Common-wealth to be determined by such a great number of Parliament-men rather then by one as chief and other Officers as Judges distributed unto their several Charges but how far this would have been from the pattern of the will of God revealed in the Scripture and how far this would have burthened the people and put them from their peace and comfort I purpose if God will to shew afterwards in the place thereof more at large All these arise from this root He seeth the Common-wealth to be troubled and out of order and I beleeve he labored painfully to cure and remedy those troubles But God hid from his eyes what was the true cause and thence proceeded his mistakes in the remedy Consider onely this task When Moses sate and the whole People came about him from morning to night it was too great a burthen both to him and them But in case many Moses's many Judges had been appointed to sit and determine every case of the peoples then Causes must needs have been longer in the issuing them and both the Judges and the People should have been more burthened but I forbear in this place It is observable That a disease truly and evidently known it is in a ready and probable way to be cured with more ease more speed less danger and less cost On the contrary Physicians mistaking the disease oft-times administer such potions as do more hurt and do more endanger So it is in this matter the distemper is mistaken My advice therfore is this That we follow the wisdom of God revealed in the sacred Scriptures without turning to the right or to the left hand For I beleeve if we do follow our own inventions in these weighty matters Peace and Truth will hardly meet together If God help us to agree in this weighty point namely That our Governors be such true Shepherds as come in at the true door of Gods revealed will contained in the holy Scriptures Then we need not to doubt but that such will love the sheep and upon such God will bestow his blessed Spirit upon them to guide them Such God will own and the People will finde the benefit by them and will hear their voyce We are not left without hope for God hath promised to restore Judges as the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness Isai 1.26 And by this means we shall again acknowledg the great happiness that it is to have God to raign over us Now let us consider the other part of Mr Prynne his Speech and Endeavors which was to render the Army as enemies to the peace and safety of the Common-wealth as appeareth in the first leaf in the superscription or in the Directory to the Reader that he might thereby point out to the Reader what he intended in the following Treatise or matter of his Writings the words are these viz. The Armies Remonstrance Novemb. 20. is a way to speedy and certain Ruine and a meer Plot of Jesuites to destroy us This if we read and consider the substance of Mr Prynne in his Speech will evidently appear that he labours to render the Army as enemies to the Common-wealth as those that sought to bring another War and more bloodsheding as those that were favorites to and complotters with Papists Jesuites as those that sought the destruction of the Kingdom Let us now consider whether this Charge were true or no and first let us begin at the Root after consider the fruit that groweth upon the Branches Mr Prynne maketh this the Root or Ground That the Army laboured to bring the late King to a just Tryal for the breach of Gods Laws who is the King of Kings he saith That this was plotted by Jesuites to the end they might hinder the re-establishing the late King in his Throne Now when it is uprightly considered of I believe it will appear directly to be contrary to his Propositions even as light is contrary to darkness which appeareth if we consider these two matters 1. That the Officers held no correspondency with Jesuites so known to be nor did they favour the Jesuites so much as other men 2. That if there had been many Iesuites in the Army disguised yet it had been directly contrary to their Principles to their Prosperity to depose those Members of Parliament secluded or restrained and likewise it was more contrary to the Religion and intentions of Iesuites to bring the King to a lawful Tryal First Touching the first It is evident in my apprehension that the Army I mean the principal Leaders of the Army held no correspondency with the Iesuites first because their Tenents their Religion and their Practice was directly in opposition to the Iesuites For if we consider this that the Iesuites maintain the Worship of Idols and they the Iesuites teach and maintain That Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion and to further that they will not suffer the Lay-people to read the Scriptures in their own language the Iesuites will not suffer the Lay-people to dispute religious matters much less to speak to an Assembly of People by way of Prophecy and many other like matters too tedious to rehearse Now if we do consider unpartially the Army both in their profession and practice are directly opposite to these matters And that the Army held no correspondency with the Iesuites appeareth in this because in all this War they used the utmost of their endeavors to pull down or destroy or captivate that party Indeed it is considerable that the Kings party were a great party of either Iesuites or those that highly esteemed Iesuites and by Letters and writing discovered and intercepted it too evidently appeared that they held correspondency with them but I never heard that I remember that the Officers of the Army were tainted with that infection nor that any Writing was discovered or other act done by them that might lead us to have such hard thoughts of them And since that time we may take notice That those Ministers that they appoint or those that they favour are such men that do teach sound doctrine we
that act of the peoples as appeareth 1 Kings 12.24 Thus saith the Lord Ye shall not go up nor fight against your brethren for this thing is done by me The peoples sin lay in another way They enquired not of the Lord who should govern them therein lay their evil From that root sprung up their error and this error was the very cause I do undoubtedly believe that they had so many corrupt Governors that ruled over them It may evidently be seen that men usually run into extreams and all is because they are not circumspect in following Gods Commandments they depart from the Rule Now dearly beloved Countrymen I judg it will be seasonable because such precious liberties are not usual to consider a little what our condition is and what we are and in what relation we do truly stand according to the true Rule of Gods sacred Word the most blessed and unerring Rule of Truth God in great rich and singular mercy undeserved by us hath put a great difference between us and the beasts of the field and between us and these sensless creatures lands houses and such earthly inheritances How cometh it then to pass That when a King dyeth the breath is scarcely out of his body or his body quite cold there is such post-haste such running and riding to proclaim one King in his room what is the matter of such great haste surely there is something in it Do they not take us as young heirs take their fathers inheritance as beasts lands houses This maketh me to consider sometimes the manner and actings of such men of War as do live upon the labours of honest and true men they when they espy a prey presently up top-sail top gallant sails and all the sails it were oft-times better for the true honest and plain-dealing men that they should make less haste observe it well your honest Merchant men make less speed to pursue after others because they mind their own Surely Moses that godly man made no such haste nor did the good Iudges of Israel they stayed till they were called by God Certainly I should note it to be the Character of a good Shepherd or Governor when they do first consider the great weight and concernment for Gods glory and for the peoples good that Government is of certainly if it be heartily and duly considered there is not just cause for so great haste Moses and Gideon and the rest considered the great weight for saith Moses My abilities are but weak and Gideon said he was but mean in his own esteem for such a work it is like they considered That except God did in an extraordinary manner promise to assist them with his blessed Spirit they should be insufficient for so weighty employments Indeed if any look at their own glory and ease and worldly riches it is no marvel then if such make speed but consider that if any want Gods blessed Spirit into what a truly miserable condition do they plunge both themselves and those poor people that must be judged preserved and protected by them I do confess I see no such cause of haste when matters are truly considered of There will or would be less bloodshed and more peace if men were truly consciencious of their duties Crowns would be of less esteem It is well to be noted That in the first and purest times God owned and blessed the people as his proper and peculiar inheritance and so carryed himself to them for Moses had children yet God so honoured and loved the people that he did not leave them the people to the Judges as their inheritance although the Judges were blessed Judges but did keep them as his own inheritance and so provided men whose inward affections he knew and God did immediately appoint Judges himself for them and those God blessed with his good Spirit all of them such did not claim the people as their inheritance and so leave them as beasts lands or houses to their children this continued all the time of the Judges But when the people preferred their own inventions before the wisdom of God and would be governed by a King and so cast off God from raigning over them then a declining people and a forsaking God Not long after God made David a promise That some of his posterity should hold the people as their inheritance in some proportion Government went then by Succession But consider now beloved Countrymen That there is no King upon Earth hath such a promise as David had now the partition wall is broken down God is reconciled if we believe therefore for any King now to claim Government by Succession they must shew some Charter some gift from God for it for my part I have searched the sacred Records of Gods Will revealed and in all the Word of God I can see no such Scripture if they can shew any hidden light let it be shewn that I may see it too but till then I shall conceive that we Believers are Gods inheritance and God by my consent shall be our King and appoint our Governors in his own way and then I am sure this people I and my posterity may rest in secure peace for then God will not fail to bless such Governors with his good and blessed Spirit Beloved Countrymen GOD hath preferred us in honor above beasts or lands and shall we like those asses beasts prostrate our selves to such a servile condition Object But suppose a King can say His forefathers obtained the Kingdom by the Sword by Conquest Answ I look upon that as the worst and meanest title of all For our Indians that know not God can shew such a title for their unjust encroachments upon other mens Lives and Estates And consider That that man that possesseth but the Goods or Lands of another mans by violence shall hold that no longer then till the other man hath power to take them again but we acknowledg a God and his Word must be our guide But further consider That suppose that we should grant to a King as good a title to Government as Moses Joshua Saul had who were men immediately appointed by God which no King I beleeve can shew the like yet these could not rightfully claim the people as inheritance to leave to their Children that is Gods proper right and God is a jealous God Kings must therefore shew such a Promise made to them by God and recorded in Gods Word as David had or else I must desire leave to be excused if I conceive that I and my posterity through the gracious bounty of a good God in Christ do look upon my self as free and not as a bond-man And yet further Could Kings shew as good a promise as David had yet God must chuse the man which should be Governor For Gods Word is express Deut. 17. Thou shalt make him King whom the Lord thy God shall chuse This is a sentence recorded and never repealed to this day There is an apparent
Our tongues are our own What Lord shall controul us It were well or better then it is with too many if they were no worse then the beasts that perish for many now cannot or do not agree so lovingly as the unreasonable beasts that shall perish Do not the wilde Bears agree amongst themselves But to leave the world in the broad way to destruction I entreat you Countrymen you that desire to do Gods will do you seek to be made conformable to that glorious image of God Lev. 11.45 Be ye holy saith God for I am holy Ephes 4.2 16. Follow the Truth in love forbearing one another and forgiving one another Mat. 5.43 44 46. Joh. 13.34 Consider I pray you That that wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable then gentle and easie to be entreated full of mercy Jam. 3.17 Vers 14. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts rejoyce not neither be lyars against the Truth for this wisdom is not from above but is earthly sensual and devilish Dear Friends amongst the many sins of our times I finde or shall rehearse three or four predominate corruptions and notorious sins namely First Contempt of the Ministry Secondly Contempt of those that most truly fear God And thirdly Dividing and separating one from another upon too slender grounds I could reckon up many more but these I onely mention at the present The Devil laboreth to deceive men in those things that are most precious in those things that may be most effectual to draw us from God For the first God saith Do my Prophets no harm 1 Chron. 6.22 And again the Apostle saith That we should have the Ministers of God in high esteem for their works sake And Nahum 1.15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that declareth peace which are the Ministers and Embassadors of the most high God Thus the Prophet Isaiah expresseth his estimation by Gods own direction concerning the Ministers Isai 52.7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that declareth and publisheth peace and good tidings and publisheth Salvation saying unto Sion thy God reigneth Thus Rom. 10.15 How beautiful are the feet of them that bring the glad tidings of peace and tidings of good things Observe here That if the feet of Gods Ministers which is the lowest part of the body and most soiled by dirt be so beautiful of what high estimation ought the person of the Ministers to be of It it an argument That where we see men so abuse and contemn the Ministry that those men are apt to slight the Word of God If one bring us a precious Jewel would it not be a great part of ingratitude to throw dirt and dung in his face that brought it And observe well where you see men so much abuse slight and contemn the Ministry there and then it is more then probable God is withdrawing his gracious presence from those men When Cam once discovered his fathers nakedness was not he neer to a curse And are not Ministers our spiritual Fathers Consider how the Galatians behaved themselves towards Paul their Minister Gal. 4.13 14. And ye know how that through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel unto you Which tryal ye despised not but received me as an Angel of God yea as Christ Jesus In the primitive Times of the Church in the next Times after those great persecutions we may read what estimation and respect both Constantine and the Christians yeelded and gave to the Ministers and shall we decline so far from the Rules of Scriptures and from the Examples of the Churches in the purest Times Friends or Country-men Consider what Jude speaketh Vers 8. Notwithstanding these sleepers despise Government and speak evil of them that are in auâ—hority Vers 9. Yet Michael the Archangel when he strove against the Devil and disputed about the body of Moses durst not blame him with cursed speaking Vers 10. But these speak evil of those things they know not Vers 11. Woe be unto them c. Consider that evil words do corrupt Doth a Fountain send out sweet water and bitter c. Remember I pray you That that wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable Look well first to your own hearts and you shall there finde cause enough to bear more with those things which you conceive to be errors in other men but especially in Ministers The Devil laboreth most to corrupt men in those matters that are of the greatest concernment For consider that the Ministry they perswade men to serve the true God in an eminent way If therefore the Devil can but bring their Ministry into contempt then the people will take but little heed to their Ministry So likewise if he can draw men to disgrace those that fear God and have most respect to Gods Commandments this is a very effectual way to draw others into those ways that are opposite to them that lead to certain destruction Remember Christs caveat Mat. 18. Take heed that you offend not one of these little ones c. And touching the third matter consider that Satan laboreth to sow discord amongst brethren for this weakens both parties and the known Rule is to be noted Divide and Rule and doubtless in such Divisions the Devil he ruleth too often and too apparently Moses commendeth to us an humble frame of spirit and left it in his last Exhortation to the people when he saith Deut. 32.2 My Doctrine shall drop as the rain and my speech shall distill as the dew as the showre upon the herbs and as the great rain upon the grass His speeches were weighty lovely and precious Note I pray you how and in what a beautiful frame and habit he blesseth and commendeth to the people an humble frame of heart and spirit Deut. 33.1 Now this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the Children of Israel Vers 2. The Lord came from Sinai c. Vers 3. Though he love his people yet all the Saints are in thy hands and they are humbled at thy feet to receive thy words Note I pray you to observe and lay it up as a Treasure in your hearts That God accounteth men then fit to profit or receive Gods Word when they are humbled at his feet that is when we lie most low which is plainly shewed in these words At the feet of God which is the lowest part in our apprehensions Consider that this grace is of great esteem in Gods sight Mark upon what terms the glad tydings of Salvation are tendred even to such as were in a low condition to such as were in their blood and no eye pityed them to such as see their own not so much other mens wants to those that are lost in themselves David saith Psal 25. God will teach the humble c. Countrymen Friends Beloved We have many risings of heart amongst us many differences do but obtain and keep and make use
are men that prefer Gods glory and the Peoples good much before any private respects to themselves and I do believe if God give us patience we shall see it evidently to appear Let it be our wisdom and care to know and not to exceed the bounds of our lawful Liberties in this matter and the Rule of God forget not I do beseech all you that love God and do desire to do his Will That you will wrestle with God for a blessing in this matter for I believe the time is near that God will restore Judges as at the first and Councellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.26 Touching the great difference that seemeth to be amongst many I have no doubt but that the godly if they obtain a blessing in this matter of Government and study to be quiet shall plainly find a means in Gods own way to compose their differences Dearly Beloved You that are of different opinions and that do unfeignedly desire to do Gods good will and pleasure I would put a great and vast difference between you and those men that manifest by their fruits That the fear of God is not before their eyes that manifest by their fruits That touching Gods Commandments they agree in one opinion which is That they will have little respect to Gods Commandments because concerning these David saith Psal 10.2 The wicked speak with a double heart that is they pretend that they hate diversities of opinions and that they will be comformable to Gods Laws but alas doth it not too evidently appear That they acknowledg not God in all their ways for under pretence of conformity they shelter themselves and so make ready their arrows that they may shoot at them which are upright in heart as David witnesseth Psal 11.2 Job saith of such Job 29.17 I brake also the jaws of the unrighteous man and pluckt the prey out of his teeth And in the next Verse Job saith I was a father unto the poor and when I knew not the cause I sought it out diligently To those that fear the Lord and earnestly desire to do his Wil I say That I believe that by reason that evil Governors have so chased so afflicted and so persecuted you that from the apprehensions of your former miseries you fear all Governors you are very shy of Government But dear Friends let me say this to you Stay a while and look back again God hath promised that he will restore Judges as at the first c. What then then the case will be altered good Governors will love the Flock and defend them from the wicked and ungodly and blood-thirsty men they will feed the Flock God commanded Moses to carry the flock in his bosom neer his heart Numb 11.12 Carry them in thy bosom as a Nurse carrieth her sucking childe unto the Land that I will shew thee Be not afraid therefore for a Nurse that loveth her sucking Childe will love it and not cast it away because of her own trouble nor yet though the child have blemishes and is not so beautiful as some others I pray you be not afraid of Government for if you eye God enquire his counsel who shal govern you fear not follow but the rule prescribed and I doubt not but that God will bless that Government to you the Spirit of God will rest upon them For consider That God is the Author of Government therefore do not fly from Government for this I can tell by experience That I have seen a people that have out of Conscience to my apprehension professedly separated themselves from other Societies in the wilderness and allowed Liberty of Conscience without any disturbance I have seen and noted and experimentally known these people and passages and what have been the fruits of such a boundless monstrous and deformed Liberty They have rent and divided so amongst themselves that it hath come to open hatred one of another and they have even cryed out for to have some Government that men might not speak and do what they list For consider of it That when God doth withdraw his good Spirit from men and let the Devil loose to deceive them it is scarcely credible to beleeve how far such men are drawn away even to blaspheme God and his sacred Word which are unseparable Companions And some may be drawn to beleeve That they may murther their Neighbors and take their Wives Children or Goods Now consider That it is a singular and precious mercy to us that God hath wisely and strongly prescribed Rules and Bounds and Government to these raging waves of the restless Sea beyond which they may not pass Dear Friends Look upon Government as a precious mercy it were not to be expressed the greatness of our misery to be without Governors or to be without the blessed Laws of God to be governed by For consider it well That as the Laws of God are for Gods glory so likewise the Laws of God are for our exceeding great good There is no Law of God but our Good is contained in it and without those Laws we should be miserable The wicked of the world would dishonor God that made us and they would make servants and vassals of us The strong would oppress the weak and would devour another Note well all along from Moses to Samuel and you shall finde That when the condition of the People was in a state of such a Liberty to be without chief Governors then the people committed wickedness and are punished and the way that God delivered them was by raising up good Governors For this take for an assured truth That from good Gouernors and good Laws ariseth blessedness Therefore cleave close to the Laws of God they are a precious treasure And likewise take heed that your Governors be of Gods sending Follow the Rules by God prescribed exactly diligently There are some books written by some that I forbear to name both because the matter seemeth to me to be ended and also because I follow after peace I will not meddle with the Cause they or he pretendeth that moved him to write But this I say They or he have not cause to complain of unkindness from this present Government for he hath just cause to say they were patient and forbearing for I desire those who are guilty to consider in what an high degree they have sinned The Holy Ghost commandeth us That no corrupt communication should proceed out of our mouths and the Apostle Jude sheweth the great evil of those that are hold in their own conceits I desire God to give them repentance if it be possible That the thoughts of their hearts and their transcendent evil may be forgiven to them For consider That let men slatter what they will or can yet there is a glorious God whose eyes are as a flame of fire from his sight such deeds of darkness cannot be hidden and remember That God
Kings immediately in shewing the People the great evills that they should reape by Kings noted 1 Sam. 8. From Ver. 9. to Ver. 19. Kings will take your Sonnes and your Daughters from you and will appoint them to serve themselves This God doth not say was lawfull for Kings to doe for Gods Law was expresse to the contrary Exod. 22.21 Moreover thou shalt not do injury to a stranger Neither did Gods Lawes permit that they should wrong any man and Samuel useth that as a strong argument to convince them of their evill namely in these words 1 Sam. 12.3 Behold here J am beare record before the Lord of mee whose Ox have I taken or whose Asse have I taken or whom have I done wrong unto or whom have I hurt Ver. 4. Then the People said thou hast done us no wrong nor hast hurt us neither hast thou taken any thing of any Mans hand Hereby appeareth the Peoples great evill and ingratitude and their unrighteousnesse in forsaking that government with which they could find no fault Further this shewed that Kings would prove great evills because they would be great wrongers and great oppressors because they would take by violence their choisest comforts from the People And further this shewed that Kings would rule by the Rules of their owne wills in our dayes called their prerogatives this is shewed in these expressions Kings will take these and these things from you but this they ought not to do for herein Samuel sheweth his integrity we may observe that the Law of God ought to be the guide the Rule and the bounds to all men high and low to King and People this is evident Deut. 17.16 to 20. There God saith that the King should have the Booke of the Law and that hee should reade therein all the dayes of his life that hee may learne to feare the Lord his God and to keepe all the words of this Law and these Ordinances to do them that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren and that hee turne not to the right hand or to the left hand c. From hence we may see that the King is not to do what hee listeth but he is as expresly commanded to observe and do the Law as any other man yea and in some sort more because his example is more prevalent to draw others either to good or evill But further wee may here note the difference betweene Kings and Iudges the Kings they will do thus and thus they will breake the bounds set unto them but the Iudges were humble meeke men this God knew when hee put in that clause so nearely linked to the observation of his Law namely that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren experience hath taught us much of this could we be warned That Kings their hearts will be lifted up Observe I pray you the Iudges they acknowledged the People to be their Brethren but Kings they say their blood and their discent is more Royall more Illustruous more Excellent then those they call the baser sort and the more ignoble It is to be noted that in the first and purest times those men that were truly godly truly vertuous those men that were most precize that were the most observant of the Law of God Those men then were accounted to be the most noble and so we finde they were in Gods esteeme for wee finde Moses taken from keeping the sheepe And Gideon from threshing and David from the Sheepe-fold and made Rulers of the People But the World is now turned upside-downe for what do some men now applaud and worship but the Blood Royall and Noble Blood we have men now that are truly noble and eminent for Piety that sway the government of the Common-wealth but what is the tumult They say they cannot see their Nobility I would speake soberly and forbearingly consider warily and truly is it not because the God of this World hath blinded the eyes of many men But let us further note that this King Saul or a King or the Government by Kings would not onely deprive the People of their Sonnes and Daughters but also Kings would take their seede and their Vinyards 1 Sam. 8.15 Their Men-servants and their Maide-servants and the chiefe of your yong men and your Asses and Sheepe and yee shall be his servants Note I pray you that this People had great liberty and freedome under the government by Iudges could they have improved these with thankfull and contented hearts but they would reject and slight these mercies they would be governed by Kings under which Government they should endure many afflictions but when it commeth to this height that they themselves should be servants then they begin to be more sensible then they cry out but saith God Ver. 18. The Lord will not hear you in the day and time of these afflictions By this evident admonition it plainly appeared that God opposed in threatning manner this government by Kings for note that the cause here was not so much about the person to be made King but it was about the forme of government by Kings Note further how Samuel humbly and patiently doth argue the cause with the People Chap. 12. ver 7. to 13. where Samuel putteth the People in minde how God had not bin wanting to them but from time to time had raised up and appointed good governors for them Which governors God protected guided and blessed to them and made them Saviours and not oppressors nor destroyers to them sometimes for their sinnes and to prove them whether they would cleave to God and to shew them the benefit that it was to have God to appoint good governors and for other ends which God knew to be for his glory and their good God did leave them without chiefe Iudges and then we see the People they run into many by-paths and sinfull courses and then God suffered them to feele afflictions by enemies but note that when the people considered the cause and sought the favour of God and cryed to God to helpe them God never failed but answereth their petitions note in what manner God answered them he raised up Iudges vvhich God made to be blessings and Saviours to the People From this expostulation of Samuel we may observe that God by Samuel reproveth the People for altering that forme of government which God in his wisdome had prescribed and blessed to the People And the People could not deny the truth of this but further note that God to the end that posterity to come might evidently see his displeasure for that cause because the People had altered the forme of government by Iudges and instead thereof had wilfully and obstinately desired a government by Kings Therefore the Lord sheweth the People by an eminent and wonderfull way expressed thus 1 Sam. 12.17 I will call unto the Lord and he shall send Thunder and Raine that yee may perceive and see how that your wickednesse is great which yee
one of his own people 1 Ki. 15.27 Elah slaine in like manner 1 Ki. 16.9 And of Baasha his predecessors progeny God saith 1 Ki. 16.4 he that dieth of Baasha his stock in the City him shall the Dogs eate and he that dieth in the field the Fowles After him Zimri pursued by the People burneth himselfe 1 Ki. 16.18 Jehoram slain by his own people 2 Ki. 9. Ahaziah slaine in like manner 2 Ki. 9.27 Iesabell slaine 2 Ki. 9. Ahab slaine his posterity slaine 2 Ki. 10.6 by the Elders of his own people Ver. 7. Athalia slaine by her own people 2 Ki. 11.3.16 Iehoash slaine by his own servants 2 Ki. 12.20 Shallum slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 15.10.12 Pekahiah slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 15 25. Pekah slaine by his owne people 2 Ki. 15.30 Amon slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 21.23 I know not any one of these but that they are noted to be notorious sinners I doe let passe some others slaine and carried captives only these briefly as the shortnesse of time will permit the Lord give us hearts to understand the meaning of the blessed spirit of God aright Note here that God in his righteous Iudgements suffered and appointed Kings to be punished on earth God did not let them alone to be punished in another World I do believe that all these were not to be approved in the instruments and manner of their slaughters but some of them are approved and all of them are noted to bee taken away by Gods righteous judgements for the breach of his Laws and Commandments Now let the sincere godly hearted unpartially compare this government by Kings with that government by judges in which I pray God to direct you aright Thus have I endeavoured to present to our view the Kings that reigned over Iudah and Israel the Lord give us understanding to consider what bitter fruits the People reaped by changing their forme of Government I shall onely in this matter consider that doubtlesse these Kings many of them or others in their room would have beene much better had the People kept closer to the Rules prescribed and from time to time enquired of God who should have beene the man that should have governed them for we may note that although God promsed David that some of his posterity should governe yet they ought to have made him King whom the Lord should chuse Deut. 17. But we may note that God did so withdraw his good Spirit from the people that I remember not that it is recorded from Solomons time and after that the People did ever solemnly enquire counsell of God Who should governe them I doe believe that if the people had solemnely and seriously sought to God in this matter God would have provided some of Davids posterity from time to time and so have blessed and guided them by his good Spirit that they should have beene much better then they were but I doe believe God suffered them to swerve that we by their examples might learne wisdome whatsoever was written before time was written for our learning Having thus far proceeded in laying downe or describing the Cause or Foundation wherefore or whereupon I endeavour in the feare and love of the great and most high God according to the measure of Grace received to describe such a government Governors together with their entrances and authority as God hath prescribed owned and blessed in all which I doe consider that from the time of the Prophet Samuel to this day there hath beene so great a swerving and declining from that first most pure and cleare Fountaine from those most straight wholesome and good Rules Precepts and Commandments described by that most high and onely Wise God therefore I pray you blame mee not if I decline from humane authorities in all this description I desire to enquire for the old and good wayes of our good God And I consider that Gods Wayes his good Will and Pleasure is most certainely most wisely most apparently made knowne in the Scriptures written by the Prophets and Apostles men that most truly and faithfully made knowne Gods good Will and Pleasure without mixture of their owne or other mens inventions Therefore I shall most chiefly and only in comparison alledge the authority of the Scriptures and the rather because I consider that as the interposition of the Earth between the Sun and Moone darkneth that light and maketh an Eclipse whereby we are hindered from the more apparent and clear light and benefit that otherwise we might receive so I feare it would come to passe if I should follow other inventions I am sure that in this way the true light is most unerring I shall next endeavour to shew what encouragement I finde recorded in the sacred Scripture that do strengthen or encourage me to believe That God now in these latter Dayes and Times will restore and reforme government so that we shall have Judges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning and then wee shall be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City I shall begin to propound to consideration this Scripture Esai 1.24 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts the mighty one of Israel Ah I will ease me of mine adversaries and avenge mee of mine en mies Ver. 25. Then will I turne mine hand upon thee burne out thy drosse till it be pure and take away all thy tinne Ver. 26. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy counsellers as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City From this place I observe That corrupt Governors are the great hinderances of Reformation because the Church shall then be a City of righteousnesse when they have Judges as at the first Secondly I observe That such corrupt Governors and Governments God hath determined shall be put downe this is expressed in these words J will ease me of my enemies and burne out thy Drosse this is plainely implyed in these words I will restore thy Judges as at the first c. Thirdly I observe that at this time when the Prophet Esay wrote this sentence or this precious promise The government that then was in being which was a government by Kings was neither the first government nor the best or pure government but hereby noted to be a corrupt government If this were not the plaine and true meaning of these words I believe God would not have made this to be the way and meanes whereby the Church should become in Gods estimation a City of righteousnesse and a faithfull City and this appeareth if we do consider that the way how and cause why they should become a City of righteousnesse was Because a better government should be to the Church and People of God and that which then was in being should be destroyed but then the government was by Kings Fourthly I observe that this government should be reformed or regulated according to the first
and appoint such over them Vers 22. And let them judg all small matters so shall it be easier for thee c. We may there note That this distribution of Justice into many hands was not to the intent that many should judg ordinarily in every one case for then it would have brought both a greater burthen upon Moses and upon the people because when the judgment of a cause goeth through many hands these many hands or Judges are with more difficulty brought together and with greater charge greater expences and likewise their judgments not easily reconciled And also such cases in such a manner heard are longer in issuing fewer causes can be heard and likewise the people will be burthened with long waiting and great expences to maintain this châ—rge Therefore there were not more Moses's added not more Governors of equal authority to assist Moses in the hearing such causes as came ordinarily to be judged by him But it is evident That this multiplying Judges was to that end that these Judges or Rulers being chosen might be distributed into the severall Tribes where the People lived to the intent that the People might not travell far but might have their causes tryed and judged near to their own habitations And this did not weaken or lessen nor diminish from Moses his authority there was this still reserved that Moses the chief Judge should still have the sole judgement and determination of the weightiest matters and affaires This further appeareth by the extent of Ioshua his authority Ioshua 1.16 17. Then they answered Ioshua saying all that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go as we obeyed Moses in all things so we will obey thee onely the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Ver. 18. Whosoever shall rebell against thy Commandement and will not obey thy Words in all that thou commandest him let him be put to death c. Here it may be noted that the chiefe judge or governor that was over Gods heritage had power to command and to determine all the weightiest matters that concerned the people of the Lord. If we looke but upon a Family which representeth a little common-wealth wee shall there finde that God appointed one chiefe governor although the woman be in such a relation yet God knew that it was meete to ordaine one to be chiefe governor whose word should be of force This doth avoide much contention where it is willingly consented unto by all in the Family But on the contrary where the wife which is the nearest relation and the most eminent in the Family next to the man doth contend for the guidance of all matters in the Family What sad events do follow in such cases That mutuall love that otherwise would be betweene the Man and the Woman is separated the Family disturbed servants and children grieved neighbours offended and God much dishonored Even so and much more I believe we shall finde the Common-wealth to be disturbed where no one is chiefe Object But is it not said that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety Answ That sheweth that the chiefe governor should not be so proudly lift up in his spirit that he should despise the advice of others in which respect David sheweth an humble frame of heart when he saith that hee will not reject the advice of his servant much more not of those that are in nearer relations It is a precious vertue to be of an humble frame of heart to hear the counsell of others but this doth not destroy the lawful authority of Order in Government Touching Parliaments or Assemblies of the Elders of the people doubtlesse I conceive they may be in diverse cases as in the case of the defect and want of a chiefe Iudge or in case that the chiefe Iudge shall degenerate and decline from the Institutions and Commandements of God they are ordained and approved of by God in such cases and in other cases provided that they do not diminish the power and lawfull authority that God doth allow to such good governors that walke in his wayes This appeareth by that quere that the Prophet Samuel maketh to the People when he demandeth 1 Samuel whose Ox have I taken or whose Asse have taken or whom have J done wrong unto or of whose hands have I taken any bribe to blind my eyes therewith as if he should have said if you could justly lay to my charge these things there might be some just cause wherefore you should come together to demand another governor although neither would this warrant you to change the forme of government for therein you should breake Gods institution This appeareth likewise when the people assembled to depose and punish Athaliah and divers others the reason is plain because God must be honord above al he is the supreme governor ruler of rulers people Doubtlesse that Law of God that bindeth all men without respect of persons to the observation of it must of necessity finde a way and allow a way for the observation of it otherwise it would fall short in the perfection of it but to say that God onely must punish chiefe governors for their offences in another world to me plainly appeareth to be of no validity for God gave the Lawes to Men on Earth to be observed and the breach of his Lawes to be punished upon earth without any respect of persons or limitation and one Law of God bindeth all men But to returne that lawfull power and authority that God giveth and hath beene given and yeelded to all good governors by Gods Church and People must doubtlesse be yeelded to all good governors in like relations and with the like respects therefore I believe this is evident from the whole premised that the principall governor of a Common-wealth must be one and must have neither lesse nor more authority then Moses and Ioshua had in those first and purest times of Gods institutions And because we have the like liberty to punish or to remove such offenders as break the Law of God that they had if we see that such chiefe governors doe evidently act to Gods dishonor and the Peoples ruine which are unseparable companions Gods Laws do helpe the people in case that God give the people hearts to improve them to his glory Do but warily cleave to Gods ordinances to his institutions Let the chiefest governor be subject to the punishment that God prescribeth in such cases for such offences in his sacred Word Secondly let none succeede by succession from Father to Sonne Thirdly take heede that God chuse governors let them be of his sending and this is of more validity then all the ties fetters charters acts and what ever inventions of man to secure Gods glory and the good of us and of our posterity as I believe for our danger and misery ariseth from this roote namely when governors creep in at the windowes and in by-pathes and
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 distrâ—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 timâ— 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 thâ—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
God chusing a governor and the peoples chusing a governor therefore he chuseth a governor by lot wherein and whereby God chuseth therefore Gods direction and institution is that God shall chuse This is most for Gods glory and for the peoples greatest safety Lots are Gods own Ordinance as appeareth in many places Josh 7.17 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their Tribes and the Tribe of Judah was taken And he brought the families of Judah and took the family of the Zarhites and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man and Zabdi was taken And he brought his houshold man by man and Achan was taken God could have shewed to Joshua who was the man so well as he shewed to him that there was an offence but he causeth Joshua to enquire his will in such a way as God had prescribed This sheweth that in difficult cases God ordained that people should enquire his minde by lots and this Samuel knew and therefore he enquireth Gods minde by lots in this very case of government this was never repealed to this day for God is not yea and nay God is not contrary or opposite to his own Rules This is certain it is better and safer for people to be directed by God to chuse the man yea although God for our sin should be angry with us yet even in those causes it is better to fall into the hands of God then into the hands of man and this David well considered when he chose to fall into the hands of God and not into the hands of man But further we may observe That this was the usual way namely by lots that the people took to enquire Gods minde in weighty and difficult causes as appeareth Iosh 18.6 I will cast lots for you here before the Lord thus Vers 8 10. read 1 Sam. 14.42 And Saul said casts lots between me and Ionathan my son and Ionathan was taken Here we may see that God appeared and gave a true determination and this was a way to avoyd strife Read 1 Chro. 26.13 And they cast lots both small and great for the house of their fathers Here again we may note That this use of lots was to shew what Gods minde was and to prevent all jealousies or indirect means and to prevent strife Read Nehem. 10.34 We cast lots for the offerings of the wood even the Priests the Levites and the People Read Ionah 1.7 And they said every one to his fellow come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us so they cast lots and the lot fell upon Ionah By this it evidently appeareth that the people in weighty cases did enquire to know Gods minde this way namely by lots Secondly We may observe That God doth answer the people this way Thirdly We may observe That the lot did not err nor fail to shew that which the people sought to God for Read Act. 1.24 And they prayed saying Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these thou hast chosen Vers 26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell on Matthias This sheweth that lots were not abolished but they are now of the same use that they were under the Law this is an example of the Apostles men in an extraordinary measure guided by the good and holy spirit of God and this was written no doubt for our learning this was and is a clear and evident direction in the very case of governors for the Apostles were Gods Embassadors his own Witnesses they were the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures this matter was an eminent and a weighty matter they chose but one of two The Reason is evident because the nature of their cause required no more First Because not any amongst all although holy would serve they must be men that had been the most noted to be eye-witnesses of what Christ had done and suffered and so that they had seen and heard those things themselves Secondly The Apostles were present that had an infallible spirit Thirdly This cause differs from the Governors of a Common-wealth because God in his wisdom ordered the Governors of a Common-wealth to be chosen by God out of all the people and I do conceive with due and humble respect to those that shall see Gods minde more clearly that it is the safest way to follow the most direct and evident Rules prescribed owned and blessed by God in the same cases Now it evidently appeareth that the Prophet Samuel directed immediately by God himself did chuse out of the whole twelve Tribes of Israel by that means God did fully chuse according to Deut. 17. to make him Governor whom the Lord did chuse immediately in this very case of chusing the Governor of a Common-wealth for in this case this president by Samuel was a certain and an approved president in chusing the person that God saw meet to be chief governor This was not about the form of government whether it should be by Iudges or by Kings for of that matter God shewed his minde by Samuel before expresly witnessing against the form of government by Kings but this was a Rule to shew how God is said to chuse the person that he seeth meet to govern I leave it to the consideration of the godly From these places before mentioned first I observe That it plainly and clearly appeareth that lots were ordained by God and that God owned them because God truly appeared and truly gave answer by them and because that God blessed this way of his own devising Secondly I observe That the lot when men cast themselves or referred themselves wholy to or upon God in such cases did never err it always gave a true direction a true determination in all weighty causes Search the Scriptures and it cannot be found that the lot ever erred Let not as fear therefore to chuse our chief governor by lot for let us not doubt God is the same unchangeable God yesterday and to day and the same for ever Will not this way compose all our differences Will it not heal all distempers Will not this way end all our strife Will not this way keep out all Wolves and Foxes and other beasts of prey Shall not we by this way return again to the Lord and by this means God shall be our King his Laws our guide by this means we shall obtain a man from the Lord and we shall be blessed and Peace and Truth shall meet together and so shall we have Iudges in some proportion as at the first and Counsellers as at the beginning and we shall be called a faithful City Thirdly Let us remember the great effusion of blood that hath been shed and the great envies hatred malice that is at this day reigning in the Land Is it not in every Country in every City in every Paâ—ish Nay there are but a few Families comparatively where there are not some breaches
are of Gods precious servants that do truely and unfeignedly endeavour and desire to do Gods Will well then here is a precious opportunity for if you should study all your life to do an act well pleasing to God this is the very act being an act concerning these worldly matters that is acceptable to God namely to follow Gods choisest Rules of direction with all your heart with all diligence in the matter of the form of government and the persons to be governors that so Gods blessed Spirit may rest upon them For consider that if you mistake or turne aside from Gods Commandements and so do mistake in the forme and persons we are undone the glory and splendor of your labours are lost for if the person of our chiefe Governor be not chosen exactly according to the choisest Rules gathered out of the blessed and good Word of our God how shall we the People lie downe and rest in peace without trouble and feare for we know that in by-pathes Wolves and Foxes do come into the Sheepfold which although they should come softly to us as if they meant us no hurt yet our hearts cannot be quiet for Wolves and Foxes meane us no good Nay further if they should come disguised in sheeps clothing so that we know them not by outward appearance yet if any should come in by any indirect means which God forbid in those paths those beasts of prey come in certainly our hearts cannot be securely and contentedly quiet because we shall look back upon former experiences recorded in the Scriptures where we may finde that such men as have attained to the places of chief Governors not in a way of God upon such persons God hath not bestowed his good but an evil spirit and such persons have proved to draw the people to sin and have been a means to bring the fierce wrath of God upon the people Therefore I do seriously confess in the presence of our glorious God that when I do consider the great danger weight and charge of a chief Governors place I see no cause in any worldly respect that is truly real and substantial why any man should covet desire or thirst after it but contrarily considering the great charge of souls the great account they must give to God for to whom much many Talents are given of them much shall be required God is a jealous God of his honor Considering likewise the shortness of our lives being but even comparatively a moment and considering likewise the danger that attendeth men in eminent places they are set in slippery places and considering likewise what diligence God requireth and self-denial in such places To me it plainly appeareth That a quiet or peaceably life with competency is much to be preferred and is truly and solidly better for a mans own comfort Moses and Gideon are recorded in Gods Records for their humility and wisdom and for that they looked upon places of charge Governors places as being very weighty to bear above their own abilities Consider therefore that if any man should attain Government in any by-paths not being sent of God into what a deep miserable and woful case for soul and body should such plunge themselves and so many thousands of Soules for this undoubtedly I shall expect that where any doe attaine governors places not according to Gods Rules that to such God will not give his good Spirit but rather an evill and a deceiving Spirit Note I pray you that although God was offended with the People yet because the People followed Gods counsell in accepting the person that God saw meete to Governe them therefore the Spirit of God came upon Saul all the time that hee rightfully reigned but presently when God had rejected him from governing it is noted and recorded that an evill spirit came upon him though hee retained his place after Therefore I humbly request you lay aside all worldly respects in this case and joyne all your strength diligence and hearts cheerefully and unanimously for Gods glory and the good of us your People and of our and of your posterity Remember dearely beloved how often God doth repeate these instructions namely that his People should diligently take heede to observe and note his Commandements and meditate in them day and night to doe and to observe them how often doth God admonish them to take heede not to add nor diminish to or from his Commandements and not to turne aside to the right nor left hand how many eminent examples hath God recorded of his anger against such as have cast away his Commandements and likewise his blessing upon them that with the greatest intention have followed those wayes that God directed and our Saviour telleth us that those that doe Gods Commandements are like to the wise builder that builded upon a Rocke Consider what great compassion God hath shewed to us that are Gentiles by nature and were Aliens from the Israel of God and Strangers from the Covenant of the Promises now God hath broken downe that partition wall and hath given us hope of salvation and hath made us partakers of those precious promises of Grace that are like to the balme of Gilead God through his blessed Sonne and our Saviour hath freely forgiven us our Offences and hath given unto us an assured hope of salvation Remember then what Christ saith that if wee love him wee should keepe his Commandements And consider wee shall get no benefit by turning from our God if we could obtaine the wings of the Morning and go over the face of the whole Earth yet we sall certainely finde that there is no God like to our God nor no devices or inventions of Men to be compared with those most beautifull and perfect wayes of our God And notwithstanding that Israel knew all this yet how apt were they and how often did they forsake the strong and gracious God and rejected his Commandements And preferred their owne inventions before Gods Commandements and before his Blessed Institutions in so much that GOD complained that the Ox acknowledgeâ— his owner and the Asse his Masters Cribbe but Israel would not obey the Lord their God Consider what could God have spoken or done more unto us hee hath sent his Prophets rising up early hee hath set before us Life and Death Good and Evill Prosperity and Adversity God hath set before us an eternall weight of glory a Crowne of glory God hath given us us unworthy such great and precious favours hope nay sure hope that we shall shortly our glasse runnes apace see God and enjoy him and the company of his blessed Saints and Angells to all eternity who is the Fountaine and perfection of all good beyond what the eye hath seene or the eare heard and beyond what ever entered into the heart of man to conceive Consider I pray you that notwithstanding that Israel knew many of these things yet they forsooke the Fountaine of living waters in so much that God saith of them Esai 48.18 Oh that thou haddest hearkened to my Commandements then had thy prosperity beene as the Flood and thy righteousnesse as the Waves of the Sea thy seede also had beene as the Sand that is numerous and our blessed Saviour saith Mat. 23.27 O Jerusalem Ierusalem which killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy Children together as the Hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and you would not Ver. 38. Therefore behold your habitation shall be left unto you desolate But Dearely beloved Fathers I hope better things of you God hath used you already as instruments of his glory to doe great things God hath by you opened such a door for Reformation as I believe hath not beene since the dayes of Samuel the Prophet Now you have a precious Pearlâ— in your hands now you have an opportunity the Lord give you hearts not to slight it but to improve it for the honour of God and for the good of his Church and People you may I believe if God give you hearts be a meanes that wee may have Iudges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall wee be called a City of righteousnesse and a faithfull City Isa 1.16 And then shall Peace and Truth meete together as Moses mâ—t Aaron in the Mount of God and they kissed each other Exodus 4.27 And then shall wee be a People whose governors and government shall be like in forme like unto the resemblance of that blessed forme and frame of government in Heavenly places amongst the blessed Saints and Angels which they do and the Elect children of God shall enjoy to all Eternity The consideration of that blessed and happy Government in Heaven drew mee to desire that our Government upon Earth might be in some proportion like to it this was the first mover under G d that caused me to write these few Lines and it is the utmost and onely end of My Endeavours FINIS Imprimatur Iohn Downame Decemb. 28. 1649. Errors in Printing discovered to be rectified Pag. 20. line 26. for revive read review P. 29. l. 28. for offered r. afforded P. 39. l. 18. Some words omitted P. 40. l. 14. for task r. case P. 53. l. 3. for second r. first and second Table P. 81. l. 26. for speak r. joyn P. 100. l. 26. for mediately r. immediately P. 113. l. 16. after Abimelech there wants part of a sentence P. 125. l. 37. put out onely P. 141. l. 11. for to r. for P. 157. l. 6. for Lawyers r. Laws