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
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
both of the Father and of the Child Oh that God would open our hearts to be wise Well by my consent these Noble Acts of these worthies of the Lord shall be recorded in Capital Letters that the Posterity following may praise God for them that they have been a means to restore Judges as at the first and Councellors as at the beginning I do not dive much into the Laws of man because as my time will not suffer me so likewise my intent is to have recourse to the Original the Will of God revealed in the Scriptures For this I doubt not but that all other Laws are or ought to be derived from Gods Laws those being both the Root and Fountain from whence they do spring and also the Pattern and Rule to square them by and to try the Equity of them their bounds and limits I labour with the best abilities that God doth afford to me that I may not decline from Gods Laws either to the right or to the left hand and that I may neither add nor deminish from these Rules prescribed by God I see that divers men look so much to other Rules and Inventions that they forget or turn aside from Gods Testimonies Fol. 39. Touching the other part M. Prynne saith That the King hath intrusted others with his Conscience c. I conceive it is one great part of the duty of a superior Judge to have a chief influence and an especial part in the determination of the most weighty matters of the State Therefore I do conceive that where any shall depart with this chief part of his work and trust and put it wholy out of his own power it may truly be said of them That they likewise do part with their conscience too namely with their good conscience It is evident that when Moses for the ease of himself and of the people did appoint other Judges or Officers Yet the most weighty and difficult cases he judged them himself as appeareth in these words Exod. 18.26 But they brought the hard causes to Moses for they judged all small matters themselves This is clear That both the judges and afterwards the Kings did judg the most weighty affaires of the State Therefore it seemeth to me to be evident that it is sinful to take that power from Governors that God alloweth to them And this I conceive is so far from securing the Peoples Peace That contrarily it bringeth heavy burthens and unavoidable inconveniences as God willing shall after be shewed Untempered morter will hardly well and strongly cleave together I shall now proceed to shew in what respects M. Prynnes endeavours were too weak to bind the King had he been restored to his Throne which is the second Thing propounded Solomon saith Prov. 20.2 That the fear of a King is like to the roaring of a Lion That is it is terrible and Prov. 30.31 We may see that even the godly oft-times out of fear do consent to do those things which they ought not to do When David desired to number the People his Officers desired him so far as they durst that he would desist from it 2 Sam. 24.4 Notwithstanding the Kings word prevailed against Joab and against the Captains of the Host c. Consider I pray you That in case that the late King had been restored to his Throne would not many have subjected to his Commands would not many have sought his favour Solomon knew that experimentally Prov. 29.26 Many do seek the face of the Ruler To my apprehension it is very evident That considering how strong a party for number personable men fitted with many outward appearances very likely to prevail and so they must needs have prevailed had God been on their side I say considering what great numbers did appear and attempt with all their strength and skill to the end that they might have raised the King into his Throne by force against the wills and without the consent of the Parliament without the consent and against the force of the Army and of the People without any Articles and Agreement And considering further That these Attempts were then made when the King was in adversity when he had no authority or means to recompence them And considering further That these Attempts were made in such a time as there were some armed Forces in some measure ready to oppose and punish them To my apprehension it is very evident That had the King so far prevailed to have gained his Throne again he was likely to have had many more helpes when he had so many advantages more For many of the Parliament it is more then probable would have taken his party many of the people that before were afraid to help him would now have flocked in to strengthen him many that were fled out of the Land would have returned many that would have helped him for the hope reward Neighbor Nations in all probability would have complyed with him and many more helps which now I cannot reckon of up The Army his opposites they were to be disbanded Who now would or durst have spoken against his proceedings It is more then probable that in short time the godly must have counted that a mercy if they could have fled into a corner yea many of those which then and now were and are so much forward to have restored him to his Authority which formerly he had had even these likewise should have tasted of the cup of his indignation who knoweth not the danger of a reconciled enemy especially against whom they had so many ways offended and more especially when he had had power and they dejected It is likely that the Army those especially as had been most eminent and most faithful to the State should have drunk deep of the cup of his indignation but God helped them to see and to prevent this in which we may see except we will shut our eyes Digitus Dei the very finger of God against all opposition For had they sate still having a lawful power in their hands as I conceive they had to help themselves till they had been destroyed we might have lamented over them Thus dyed Abner as a fool dyeth His feet were not made fast in the stocks neither were his hands bound with fetters of brass Consider these things you that fear God judg righteous judgment might not our children yet unborn have had just cause to have bewailed their fathers folly Do we or can any man endowed with reason think if we will speak and plainly declare our hearts that the King would ever have been so confined as Mr Prynnes Speech importeth No doubtless these bonds were too weak to bind Sampson because they reached not that place wherein his strength lay Consider but this in the next Point which is the third point propounded namely this That these Propositions reached not the seat of his strength the essence or being of his strength lay to my apprehension in these two considerable places
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
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
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
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
which Governors they had no cause to complain as by their own confession upon Samuels enquiry appeared Yet notwithstanding They would and did reject God their King and his Deputies the Judges and they preferred obstinately Kings of their own invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and so they changed the form of Government prescribed owned and blessed by God and set up their own inventions against which God opposed with many circumstances arguments threatenings and by miracle from heaven Yet they went on obstinately they would have a King whatsoever it cost what or how great evils soever came thereof And if we consider the very root and branch that leadeth M. Prynn and many other wise men out of the way ariseth from hence Because they depart from Gods wisedom revealed in the holy Scrsptures And in the stead thereof prefer their own inventions M. William Prynn endeavoreth in the whole substance of his Speech to bind the King with new ropes such as the Philistines bound Sampson with and likewise with seven green cords and with new ropes never occupied and yet more he plats his locks as it were and fasteneth them with the thred and pin of the Web and the Woof But all this to little purpose for I would grant M. Prynn some part of his argument which he often rehearseth namely that such contrivances such manacles were not put upon any or scarcely any King for a long season or from the Creation c. Yet all to little purpose for bind Sampson and miss that way or place wherein his strength resteth and he will break all your Cords asunder For in the first place it evidently appeareth That these obligations and ties were sinful if they could have taken effect Secondly They were too weak to hold him under namely the late King Thirdly They failed in regard they reached not the place where his strength lay Fourthly These matters propounded by M. Prynn were not likely to prove to be a means to help the people but rather to trouble them and would have brought upon the people if they had come to effect many and great evils and adversities which the people could no way have shuned as I doubt not but that I shall make it evidently to appear in the following part of this book by the help of God Concerning M. William Prynn I look upon him as a man of far more eminent parts then my self this I speak not out of by-respects but in the presence of that glorious God who I do love and fear I am very fearful to presume above that which is meet Yet this I say That in this matter I believe the Lord hath shewed to me his weakness I am willingly content to be tryed by the word of God in which tryall I desire all such as truly love God and his Truth that without turning to the right or left hand they will judge uprightly First I conceive That this M. Prynne sinned in namely because that he invented and prescribed a way to take away from the King divers rights and priviledges which God allowed to all lawfull and good Kings which all Kings ought to be and recorded in the Scriptures the unerring rule of Truth I say it appeareth plainly that this was sinful because this way prescribed by M. Prynne in the endeavors of his whole speech was not a way prescribed by God but directly forbidden in the whole tenor of the Scriptures by evident testimonies which speak directly of that power or authority which God gave to Governors and to Kings I doubt not but that will evidently appear being duly and throughly tryed that it is as great an evil to deprive any lawful Governor or King of that authority and power which God alloweth to them by deminishing it as it is a sin and error on the other hand to give to them more power then God doth allow them in his Will revealed in his Word And further it will plainly appear upon due examination That both these are very injurious to the peoples good comfort and safety That is to say it will appear that M. Prynnes advise in deminishing that power and authority due to Governors was both a breach of Gods Law and very injurious to the people God saith expresly Deut. 4.1 2. Hearken O Israel unto the Ordinances and laws which I teach you Vers 2. Ye shall put nothing to the word which I command you neither shall ye take ought therefrom We may not do that which seemeth good in our own eyes but all that God commandeth us We sin as well if we turn to the right hand as if we turn to the left hand if we add or deminish to or from Gods commandements Now let us note M. Prynnes own expressions which are often repeated words to the same effect M. Prynne saith fol. 37. The King hath wholy stript himself his heirs and successors for ever of all that power and interest which his Predecessors alwaies injoyed in the Militia Forces Forts and Navy of England Ireland c. First In this observe That the King did not this willingly but by the seeking and consent of M. Prynne Secondly To be stript wholy for ever of all that power which his Predecessors always injoyed was more then God alloweth For observe well this must needs follow That either all the power which the late King or his Predecessors injoyed was unlawful which could not possibly be except they were usurpers and entered not into the sheep-fold aright at the door c. or else it is evident that Mr. Prynne would have taken from the King that power which God and the people gave yeelded and did acknowledg to be due to all lawful and good Shepheards or Governors that entered by the door into the Sheep-fold in all former times This will appear by record of holy Scripture That Governors were allowed by God and the people Government in those matters of and in which M. Prynne prescribed a way to take from him a power very eminent and considerable The Judges of Israel never claimed nor exercised more power over the people whether it were in War or in Peace whether in those things we distinguish under names of Spiritual or Temporal matters then the King did afterwards for in this matter the Kings took more power Now it is evident That the Judges took and the People willingly gave to the Judges and afterwards to the Kings which succeeded that Power and Authority in many cases which lawful Power M. Prynne laboureth to take away and that in an high degree Now consider that it doth expresly appear if we consider what power God offered to Joshua and the people promised him Recorded Jos 1.16 All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee Secondly God gave to Kings and the people gave to Kings as much power of Government and command as unto the Judges in
namely in his Throne in his Power that by vertue of that place was belonging to him his strength lay in his inward affections there is the second place lay his strength For the first I have spoken already it armed him with sufficient Power to oppose his opposers and to suppress them And touching the second namely his inward affections this was the next security to the People in both these Mr Prynnes Arguments do fail and lose the end propounded namely our security For touching the first his Arguments they tended to bring the King into his Throne where had he been setled we should have found by experience to our cost that Kings are of too great Power to be put into and kept in such fetters long or often And touching the second namely his Heart of that we have had much experience for if we look to the fruits a sure rule to discern the heart where actions are apparent there we may plainly see that his heart was carryed away from us to our adversaries for proof of this I desire that we may look back to his favouring Idolatry and Idolaters and prophane persons and his suppressing and discountenancing the most faithful Ministers and People Was it not for these and such like matters that the whole Kingdom in a manner did forsake and oppose him at the first And did it not evidently appear afterwards during the War all along that his helpers and his Favorites were Papists and I believe many little better then Atheists and most prophane persons insomuch that they distinguished or differenced themselves from them that feared God by titles and carriages suitable to their prophane hearts Have we forgotten the horrible Blasphemies damnable swearing prophane cursing a note which the Holy Ghost giveth as a property of Gods enemies Rom. 3.14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness destruction and calamity are in their ways and the way of peace they have not known the fear of God is not before their eyes c. Have we forgotten their whoring plundering their perfideous dealings their fine designs their bloody cruelties Beloved Friends these sins were not committed in corners in secret but in the sight of the Sun And were not many or most of their principal Leaders leading men to give them patterns in sinning I would advise our Royalists now to take heed what they do for it is very evident that to this day a great part to speak with as much moderation as I may of those that are so bitterly against the Army and Parliament declare too evidently That there is too little fear of God before their eyes but much blasphemous swearing much cursing much hatred against them that fear God I am a witness of this to my sorrow They that party that cry out most especially against the diversity of Opinions but in the mean time many of them agree in one joynt Opinion witness their fruits namely this That they will cast off Gods yoke his Commandments They will be so far from doing the good will of God that they hate him that they perceive hath respect to Gods Laws I hope there are many that fear God that through weakness seem to side with that party but let them beware for if that party could prevail they should finde a strong party against themselves Well if I should be silent and the stones they tread on should hold their peace yet the most high God seeth these things who is a God jealous of his honor and will not hold such wicked guiltless Dear Friends I call God to record That with grief I rehearse these matters neither do I do it out of hatred to that party but aiming at Gods glory their true good and conversion Consider dear Friends Do not those intelligences and correspondences which the King held all along with Papists Idolaters with those bloody Murtherers in Ireland who filled their shoes with the blood of so many thousands in Ireland and that in a time of Peace as if it had been in a time of War Do not these declare That the late King his heart was not right with the Lord Can any man shut his eyes so close to hide these things from his sight Note further what the King granted and Mr Prynne layeth down as a sure foundation to build a sort upon against the revival of Bishops In his Speech he saith That the King consents to put down corrupt Bishops and their appurtenances c. but with this clause That he will still allow of Apostolical Bishops He saith The King contendeth for no other now but their power of Ordination onely Who is so blinde now that doth not see the Kings heart in this lowest time of his dejection Now for us to hope That our power shall prevail more then the King his power in case he had been again received as a King I do conceive our hope should have been built upon the sand Consider we further That suppose that the Kings heart was most cordial for the Papists of which there was just cause of suspition if we consider of all the premisses together then we may easily gather That a Dispensation from the Pope would take away all these bonds Moreover let us but consider That in case the late King had been restored if his heart had not been firm he should not have wanted enough men that would have perswaded him that these ties or cords with which he was bound were forced upon him in his afflictions and that God had afforded to Kings other and more power And that it should be a sin in him not to break such unlawful Covenants forced upon him And like it is That the King would have readily consented Then should they that had been actors in making those acts been accounted vilde and sinners and no doubt but that they should quickly have tasted of the cup of his displeasure 4. Lastly Consider That in case that these obligations could have prevailed yet what comfort or benefit should the Common-wealth have received thereby Ans 1. We should have had the maintenance of a titulary King and his Company to have provided for Secondly We should have had continual emulation and jealousies between the King and the Subject or Parliament who must have kept some armed Force for their defence For can we conceive That the King and his Favorers would ever have taken it well and quietly to have been thus deprived of those things that they would have conceived to have belonged to all his predecessors always and that no Record from the Creation neither divine nor humane could give a president for Thirdly Do we think this would have brooked if the Parliament must in a full Body consisting of Lords and Commons have given their direction and consent to so many State-matters from time to time Then it seemeth to me that it would have unavoydably followed That the Parliament must have sitten continually or at the least very often From which or upon which I do not see
Magistracy Supported because I believe God hath not called me to that work I shall leave the consideration of it to those that God hath appointed to judg The Cases that will come to be tryed in this kind or of this nature are many and differ much according to the Objects and Circumstances and cannot wholy be so determined but that much must be left to the wisdom of the Governors Concerning the death of the late deposed King Mr John Goodwin hath learnedly tryed and determined the justness thereof to my best understanding to whom I should refer the Reader only a word or two I conceive may not be impertinently spoken concerning that matter The first thing that I propound to consideration is this namely Whether that at and before his Tryal for his Life his Judgment and Execution he was properly a King or was deposed from being a King so that in that condition may we not look upon him as one that had been King but for such just cause deposed that to the equity thereof both the Houses of Parliament together with the Army and the Common-wealth consented and were actors therein and consented thereto Doth not this evidently appear if we consider that the Parliament formerly many and several times by publique writing declared That the King was so far a Delinquent that they were forced to disclaim his former authority and to take up Arms against him In the prosecution of Justice they subdued the late King and his party Now in this condition the King remained not being restored to his former Kingship which being considered will it not appear That those that gave sentence against him and those that brought him to his Tryal and did cause Justice to be executed upon him did not take away the life of a King but of one that had been King and hoped so to have been again Secondly I do propound to consideration Whether it be not lawful to desert and to depose Kings and to bring them to punishment for the breach of the Laws of the most high God This I believe appeareth plainly if we first consider That both King and People are all Gods Subjects God is the King of Kings God saith That one Law shall be to all Exod. 12.49 It is to be considered what God gave Joshua in charge Iosh 1.8 Let not this Book of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that then mayst observe and do according to all things that is written therein To this very purpose God speaketh the same matter as the duty of Kings Deut. 17.18 And when he shall sit upon the Throne of his Kingdom then shall he write him this Law repeated in a Book Vers 19. And he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God Vers 20. That he may prolong his days in his Kingdom c. From these places it appeareth That both Ioshua and the Kings were to be subject to Gods Law otherwise God would have left them to their liberties but contrarily God doth directly impose upon them the diligent observation of all his Laws 2. We may note That the breach of Gods Laws were punishable in Kings plainly implyed in these words That it may go well that his days in his Kingdom may be prolonged By this we may plainly see That on the contrary if a King do neglect and transgress Gods Commands then his days in his Kingdom may be shortned The end wherefore God doth expresly charge them to regard the Law importeth plainly that it was to that end that it might be their Rule and Bounds And so likewise if by diligent need to Gods Laws the days of Kings may be prolonged then on the contrary for the neglecting and much more for the grievous breach of Gods Laws their days may be shortned To this purpose we may read That although Ioshua were a man that was placed as Governor over Israel by God himself and although he were so eminent a man for piety a man that had long and constantly walked in the ways of God of whose godliness the people had had long experience yet observe what the people answered to Ioshua in point of their obedience recorded Josh 1.16 Then they answered Joshua saying All that thou hast commanded us we will do c. Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Hence we may observe in these words Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses is plainly implyed a conditional subjection in the people as if the people should have said We desire to be excused in case that we do see it appear by those fruits that thou bringest forth that God is departed from thee and that thou forsakest those paths in which God hath commanded us to walk and hath commanded thee to observe in such cases we will be free we do not promise to be obedient to thee This is a plain conditional engagement implyed plainly in those words Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses There is no King Emperor or Governor whatsoever but they are included all of them within the Rule of Gods Law that is to be the Rule and Guide of all their Actions the Bounds thereof they may not pass by turning aside either to the right or to the left hand nor by adding to the Commandments of God nor by taking any thing from Gods Commandments Moses was a notable excellent and eminent Example to Governors he observed Gods Laws willingly and circumspectly so did Joshua and all those Judges that were chosen immediately by God Thus David did endeavor to walk in Gods ways and some of the Kings of Israel although they lay under great temptations being lifted up so high in the opinions of the people these all acknowledged the Law of God to be their Rule their Guide and their Bounds For the breach of this Law old Eli was punished with temporal death although in his own person he were circumspect and obedient yet because that he suffered Gods Laws to be violated by his own sons God is so provoked that he taketh away his sons by the sword and the father by an untimely death an eminent pattern for Governors to look upon Governors are leading men their example is more prevalent then others they do more hurt then others by their evil examples therefore great men shall be greatly tormented God spared not Kings that broke and violated his Law Saul though he was chosen to his place by God immediately and therefore was anointed with oyl after an extraordinary manner yet when he went beyond the Bounds of Gods Commandments though it were in offering Sacrifice a matter good in it self yet because it was more then God commanded God cast him out of his place for it If we add to Gods Will revealed in his Word we sin or
David and some others Answ That proveth not in the least That the Government of the Kings was to be compared to that Government by Judges because this Government by Judges was Gods prescription and direction but that Government by Kings was the prescription of the People the Peoples invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and this was expresly forbidden by God before in Deuteronomy Thou shalt not follow the manner of the Heathen Nations round about And it was expresly against the Counsel of God recorded by Samuel it was against Gods Will for though God did permit Kings to be yet he did not originally appoint them but contrarily God dehorteth the people from having Kings in a vehement manner and taking it in the highest degree to be both the breach of Gods Commands or Institutions and likewise a very forsaking of God recorded by the Prophet Samuel 1 Sam. 8.7 They have not cast thee away but they have cast me away And further note That God out of his tender compassion to the people notwithstanding that they had cast him away in the form of their Government yet God lovingly admonisheth the people God giveth warning to the people what they should get by having a Government by Kings namely 1 Sam. 8.11 This shall be the manner of the King that shall raign over you He shall take your sons and your daughters your fields and your vineyards your servants your cattel and your sheep and ye shall cry out by reason of your oppressions but I will not hear you in that day Further consider That God did permit divorce in sundry cases and did permit the Israelites to have more wives then one this matter to my apprehension hath a better footing and much fairer shew of Gods approbation then the Government by Kings and notwithstanding Christ our Lord saith That this was not originally right God did not in the first and purest Institution ordain this matter yet God did act in many cases and blessed children and married persons in this way In the first being of Kings God did act in this cause as namely God chose Saul and David yet nevertheless God did expresly by the Prophet Samuel in threatning manner admonish and foretel the people That Kings would oppress the people and make them cry out and GOD would not alter the Government by Kings when they would Observe we well That where men do not cleave close to Gods Ordinations to his Institutions and do not prefer the Wisdom of God before their own wisdom it is a righteous thing with God to suffer them to smart and to endure bitter afflictions when we shall not have ability to help our selves We have had experience of Kings from Samuels time to this day and now God hath given such an opportunity as hath not been a long season now we have comfortable hope that God will give and restore Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Oh dearly beloved whosoever thou art hinder not Gods Work of Reformation left thou beest found a fighter against God remember that our forefathers have been a gainsaying people let not us I pray you resist the good Spirit of his grace 2. But further consider That although David and some other Kings were better then the rest God would not suffer the Rod of his Wrath to lie always so heavy as at sometimes yet even David and Solomon and others were not blessed with the like measure of grace that the Judges were blessed with Consider did Moses Joshua Gideon Samuel did they kill innocent Vriah Did they commit Adultery with Bathsheba Did they number the people with David Did they set up Idolatry or suffer Idolatry Did they build sumptuous houses and gardens and orchards as Solomon Did they commit such abominations as many other Kings did Consider of it That this Government by Judges instituted by God himself in these first and purest times was the best Government it was most for Gods glory it was according to his will and it was most for the peoples good 3. Consider That although God commendeth David in the general yet that proved nothing in this particular case namely it neither proveth to them be of Gods first Institution nor any Institution not that place for instance if a master of a family having an hundred servants some of these may be as personable nay they may some of them be beloved of the master and be rulers in the family but this doth not prove That the form of their government being a form of their own invention was or is so good a form as that form of government that the master himself appointed We ought warily to distinguish between those matters that God doth permit and between those matters that God doth institute and ordain Adam our grandfather sinned by eating of the forbidden fruit yet nevertheless God made some of his posterity Instruments of his glory and they were beloved of God yet it doth not thereby follow That Adams condition was so good after as before God saith David was a man after his own heart but it neither followeth thereby That all Kings were men after Gods heart in that sence nor doth it thereby follow That the government by Kings was so good a government as the government by Judges for that is against the express letter of the Scripture and against the experience of all ages to this present Object Doth not God say That Kings shall be thy nursing fathers and Queens thy nursing mothers Answ This sheweth That although the people had deserved that God should make all Kings to be enemies or scourges to the people for rejecting God their King and for their evil and obstinacy in forsaking the first and best form of government by Judges a form prescribed and blessed by God yet this sheweth That God would not always be alike offended he would let some Kings be nursing fathers although many were evil towards God and the people Another instance consider A father having many children employeth or there is employed divers nurses some of his own chusing and some of his childrens chusing the father considering the childrens weakness and offence in chusing other for nurses without his order he doth neither allow of their act in chusing nor of the persons although he may forgive his children part of their offence and promiseth that some of these should prove nurses to them though many should prove crosses this doth neither approve of his childrens act in breaking his way prescribed neither doth this indulgence or mercy in the father encourage or warrant other children to follow that way not prescribed but expresly witnessed against One instance more to open the matter consider Certain men being to go to a place far distant from them there are divers ways that lead to the place the master of the company he sheweth to them the best way but the company are obstinate and will to King and Princes by descent without enquiring Gods counsel
England might now be wise and learn by our own and other mens harms to cleave close to the most pure most immediate and first Institution of Government recorded in the sacred Scriptures so should we secure our selves and posterity and obtain a blessing and protection from the glorious God of our Salvation Oh dearly beloved consider I pray you now there is such an opportunity as I beleeve God never offered to any generation from the days of Samuel to this present time now I pray you seek Gods favour seriously put forth your best and utmost endeavors that we may obtain Judge as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City Isa 1. by this means we shall become good examples to our neighbor Nations and the generations to come shall have cause to praise the Lord for us and the memory of our names recorded in Gods Records shall be eternally blessed Concerning this man Moses being the first president God set to be Governor to his Church and People because Gods Works are most perfect and of most singular use to posterity therefore I judg it necessary to note somewhat touching his qualifications he was a man painful and diligent in his charge he sate to judg the people from morning to night Exod. 18.13 and afterwards in all his life we may note how studious he was and diligent and active in observing Gods Commandments and in exhorting the people to the same matters he was not ambitious to seek great offices and preferments for his own children after his decease which may be noted when Israel the people had highly provoked the Lord so that God threatneth to destroy the people and promiseth Moses that he would so far prefer him that he would make of him that is of his posterity a mighty people Exod. 32.10 Now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them for I will consume them but I will make of thee a mighty people Now Moses preferreth the Glory of God and the Peoples good before any by respects either to himself or to his posterity noted Vers 11.12 13. But Moses prayed unto the Lord his God and said O Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people which thou hast brought out of the Land of Egypt c. Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say He hath brought them out maliciously to slay them in the Mountains c. Turn from thy fierce wrath and change thy mind from this evil towards thy people and remember Abraham Isaac c. Vers 14. Then the Lord changed his mind from the evil which he threatned to do unto his people This is recorded for the learning of succeeding ages to shew of what concernment and what benefit the people get by living under such a Government and Governors as God sendeth such Governors stand in the gap to keep off Gods displeasure and to procure a blessing for the people Many respect not much under what Government they live this was Lots sin who deeply tasted of the cup of Gods displeasure by living under or amongst the ungodly in Sodom But secondly This example of Moses is of singular use an eminent pattern to all Governors succeeding namely this That he sought Gods glory and the Peoples good before his own or his childrens preferment It is to be noted the like of him when God told Moses he should be taken away or dye he doth not request of the Lord to continue the Government to his children but this he doth he loves the people he looketh at Gods glory and the peoples good therefore he remembers the peoples good and maketh earnest prayer recorded for our learning to God entreating God That he would appoint a Governor for the people where note the modesty and humility of his heart his spirit being not lift up above his brethren therefore he expresseth it thus That he may go in and out before the people that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd Where we may note That he stileth himself and successor but under these expressions Num. 27.16 Let the God of the spirits of all flesh appoint a man over the Congregation Vers 17. Who may go in and out before them and lead them out and in that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd Note his expressions A man over the Congregation not only a King or by the name of Commander but only a man and a shepherd he had true respect and understanding of the nature of his charge and office which was to order to provide for to feed love and defend the stock and not to persecute or to suffer Wolves to devour them not to feed upon them himself therefore note his expression Vers 17. that the Congregation of the Lord He remembred and modestly acknowledgeth the people to be Gods heritage He doth not stile them his Subjects or his Vassals and so seek to leave the people as inheritance of Goods Lands Beasts and Cattel to his Children but he esteems the people and so they were of more value then earthly inheritances Gods inheritance and so in express words he calleth them The Congregation of the Lord the Lords Inheritance the Lords People and therefore he doth not lay claim to them as the Inheritance for his Children he knew Gods minde better he speaks no such matter for succession in Government from the Father to the Son came in long many hundreds of years after in more corrupted Times God did not in these first and purest Times in the original order it to be so neither did Moses expect or desire it because he looked after those matters that were truly his own He truly sought Gods Glory and the Peoples good But thus much to shew his opinion and respect that he had of the people in those days Those first Governors owned the people to be their brethren and so they behaved themselves towards the people as brethren Is not the World much altered in these days when many great men will scarce acknowledg the poor people to be any of their kindred afar off much less as brethren Yea this Governor in these first and purest Times did not only use the People as brethren but as children he carryed them in his bosom neer his heart and tenderly too as sucking children and that also by Gods own direction as Moses himself witnesseth and willingly acknowledgeth But when Kings obtained the Government we may observe how soon the case was altered Abimelech he slayeth his brethren that he might obtain the preeminence and Saul he persecuted an innocent and vertuous man fearing lest he might hinder his son from reigning after him yea he pursueth this with such violence that he maketh little account of Gods Commandments if they stand in his way to hinder him to make sure the Government to his son Jonathan blood is not much valued in his sight witness
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
not then let us within some little considerate time before the time be ended which God directeth you to set apart for this work proceed to chuse by lot It is a safe way it is a way God himself prescribed it never erred Will it not be a way to remove all jealousies and subtleties and to compose all differences and to put an end to all strife But dear Fathers I pray you however in some convenient time chuse some one chief Governor eminently known for courage and for piety and give him all the lawful power that God in his wisdome gave unto Joshua and to other lawfull governors This will be a way for Gods glory and for the peoples for us your childrens safety and comforts for Gods Wisdome is infinitely beyond all mans inventions I pray you let us not have a Titular Governor if you shall not think meet to condescend to any of these wayes I know whom I trust and I hope I shall shew my selfe obedient in all lawfull matters to such as God and you shall see meet to appoint and I shall not cease to entreate God so to direct you with his good and blessed Spirit that you may do that which is well pleasing to him Now I conceive it will be meet to speak something touching those Governors inferior to the former which are for the glory of God for the ease of the chiefe Governor and for the Peoples ease and comfort Now again I look upon the most glorious perfect and beautifull frame of Government which the blessed Angells do and the elect children of God shall enjoy to all eternity Where I find one blessed God the governor and the rest all appointed and distributed into their severall places by the power and wisdom of that blessed God This leadeth me to conceive that God proportioneth his Works like unto himself for so God did in the Creation of the World and the creatures therein God made one man governor of all the creatures upon Earth and that man named the Creatures and disposed other matters it had bin mans happinesse provided that Gods glory had bin maintained that the government of the World might have continued in and according to that lovely order Secondly God made that one man in his owne image like to himselfe and I believe we shall finde that God composed or framed the Government of his Church and People in some proportion like to the frame of the Heavenly Government my time will not admit to speake much of that blessed Spirit of God part whereof God did communicate or bestow upon Moses and so let him represent his place so far as might stand with Gods glory that is so far as Moses might be subject to Gods Commandements for therein God reserved to himselfe his own glory in Adam the great Emperor or governor of the World Yet hee was subject to Gods Commandements from these considerations I shall proceede When God in those first and purest times did appoint the distribution of governors recorded thus 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 Here I finde that God gave Moses authority to appoint the governors that were to govern the People Which authority I do believe doth undoubtedly belong to all good governors being chiefe governors onely this is to be considered that the People here were neâ—re to Moses so that Moses knew many or all of them Therefore I believe that God that is the God of wisdome and of Order will allow that where People live further off and the chiefe governor may not know all the men whose dwellings are further off from him and therefore cannot so well know the qualifications and fitnesse of men for government in such cases it doth much differ but Moses must I meane the chiefe governor must doubtlesse approve of all governors under him that governe for Gods glory and for the Peoples good ease and comfort There must be no inferior governor that he approveth not for that would be directly against the frame of the Heavenly government and against the expresse letter of these first and purest institutions And Moses must I meane the chiefe governor must chuse immediately if it be possible with convenience the chiefe next to himselfe namely the governors of thousands this most nearely resembles Gods President God chose Moses and Moses chose them under him the words are expresse and I dare not alter them I dare not prefer my wisdome before Gods Wisdome nor dare I add nor diminish to or from Gods Prescriptions the rest of the Rulers of hundreds fifties and tens may be chosen proportionable to this president provided that the chiefe Governor approve of them Now that this way is most for Gods glory and the Peoples good appeareth if we consider that government distributed resembleth or supplieth that defect of man who cannot be every where present nor here all causes for otherwise they all represent but one intire and absolute governor therefore God appointed one chiefe governor namely Moses like to himself but through the occasion of mans weakenesse to supply that defect God suffereth the Government to be distributed Secondly it appeareth that this is the best way that the chiefe governor should appoint or at the least approve the rest because the Wisdome of God saw meete it should be so as is expresly recorded Thrdly consider that it doth strengthen uphold and knit together the whole frame of Government forces united are the strongest Fourthly it doth prevent divisions and may be a meanes to reforme abuses when inferiour governors are offendors thus God when he seeth his Lawes broken doth remove and punish delinquents For if you should admit of governors against the minde and approbation of the chiefe governor it must needs follow that that State so doing must be corrupted divided or sore shaken and endangered in short time for let but Gods Lawes take place and then the governor in chiefe is subject alike with the rest and the rest acting for God have power to punish him because God is their highest governor and they must obey God although it be against the chiefe of men Therefore the danger cannot be great thereby but on the contrary it is for Gods glory and for the peoples good that the chiefe governor should appoint or approve of the rest at the least Fifthly it will appeare to be Gods appointment by the Records in the sacred Scriptures not only in the first institution which is the best and the surest but also in the continued practice of chiefe governors all along from time to time This appeares Ioshua 1.17 As we obeyed Moses in all things so we will obey thee but Moses had the authority to appoint governors therefore Ioshua had so and it appeareth by Ioshua his actings afterwards Thus we may reade that Saul and David did appoint governors recorded in many places