that great Law inverted that now Destructio populi suprema Lex Not the safety but the destruction of the people is the great Law Their work and businesse is to slay and burne pluck up and pull down ruine and destroy How many Countries Towns Villages Families and Persons have we known desolate and without inhabitant How many stately Edifices the seats of Noble Families have we seen levelled with the ground and the owners know them no more Behold the justice of an avenging God do not some of the members of the greatest Family that was in our Nation wander like Vagabonds from one Country to another being burdensome where ever they become and enjoy nothing of all that their Ancestors possessed but possessed their wickednesse How many of both sides complain that they are undone some by their enemies others by their friends I know my selfe where a good Gentleman suffered more in one night by some of his own party then some of his neighbours paid in some years Cesses 7. Good Plantations which are the children of the Common-wealth that swarme out from them and hive in a forreigne Country how are they nipt in the bud by Civil wars They are gone from you but so as they cannot live well without you Methinks I hear those many thousands of precious souls in New England complaine that they are forced to goe too like the Natives almost naked and all because they cannot have cloaths from their friends who were wont to send to their refreshment and now they here need what formerly they spared them Harke harke the cry of Virginia Barbados and other places who say God is good to us in giving us Commodities but we have no Market for them your wars obstruct our returns If you will not regard the cry among your selves yet let the cry of many thousands of us so many leagues off ring a peale in your eares Oh for Gods sake for truth sake for yonr enemies sake agree agree Will you at once destroy your selves and kill us at this distance The Lord awaken your hearts and soften them to a speedy setled composure 8. Lastly even the victories of Civil wars are much to be lamented In other victories men use to ride in Triumph but sad sad is the Triumph here whom have you overcome not strangers or forreigners but your Brethren such whom formerly you lived and rejoyced with bought and sold with nay it may be fasted and prayed with and now these you have cut off How little did the Children of Israel Triumph Judg. 21. 6 They repented them for Benjamin their Brother and said There is a Tribe cut off from Israel this day so true is that saying In bellis civilibus nihil miserius quamipsa Victoria In Civil wars nothing more miserable then the Victory it selfe 1. Learne hence to admire the exceeding goodnesse of Gods gracious providence that we who have been so many years under such severe wars are yet a Nation after so many seiges pitched battles daily fightings and skirmishes in one in another County nay almost in all Counties of the Nation and in one Nation after another In Ireland Scotland and England by Sea and by Land that we are yet a live Nation and a Nation enjoying much more Peace Plenty and Liberty too I say more then other Nations liberty of person state and which is most of all of Conscience Oh blessed for ever blessed be our gracious God that although we have had this woful division as yet he hath not given us up to the desolation to a wilderness state as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Math. 12. 25. Erect monuments of his mercy and let your children know how great things God hath done in your dayes for them and you 2. Consider how much you are engaged to those in present power by whose care and counsel as instruments in Gods hand it comes to passe that these wars break not forth again We that live on the Sea Coast observe that though the winde be laid and the storme over yet there is an unquietnesse in the waves for some time after a storme God that rideth on the heavens for our help and in his excellency on the skie hath calmed our storme yet alas how many spirits still boyle unduely how ready are men to renew another Civil war and are we not beholding to their wisdome and power that prevents such sad returns Oh be still be still let not God heare your murmurings and repinings and sad not those whom God makes means of your safety and preservation 3. We should look on some inconveniences as eligible when they be in a way to prevent what is fatally ruinous T is true Excise is heavy and Taxes burdensome but is not Civil war worse It s impossible to conceive the management of publick affairs without publick expense and is it not great weaknesse to grumble at that which is so just and necessary But it may be you complain you are over-cessed dealt unequally withal suppose that but is that so bad as to have all taken and nothing left you I but this was not so in former times nay it is worse now then it was then we grumbled at a little Ship-money at Court and Conduct-money alas that is but a flea-biting to what we feele now But do you not feele enough but would you feele more who brought you into this condition had not your selves the greatest hand in it and will you complain for what your selves have brought on your selves It would refresh the hearts of those in place to finde you in such a condition of safety as that these charges might be spared but till that time come they should not be faithful to you to take them off nor will you doe your selves right except you beare them 4. It should be far from us to begin promote or abet any Civil war It shews the highth of the wickednesse of our quarrelsome spirits that rather then you will not be fighting you will devour one another Saevis inter se convenit Vrsis feirce Beares agree among themselves Far be it from you to make or take up causes of breaches among your selves doubt not you will finde more then enough abroad why will you sad the heart of your friends and rejoyce your enemies Oh tell it not in Gath and publish it not in the streets of Askalon lest those that hate you hear it and rejoyce Surely the divisions of Ruben cause great thoughts of heart How good and pleasant were it for Brethren to dwell together in unity that would be as the precious diffused oyntment a refreshing dew which hath a commanding blessing yea life in it What What evil have good and wholesome Laws done you that you take a course to break them is that the requital for all the provision and protection you have had by them will you pluck up your fences and lay your inclosures common Magistrates as well as Ministers are
wickednesse 4. though Christ be no cause of their badnesse yet he permits it 5. In permitting them he puts forth a righteous judgement 6. He orders their badnesse for good Vse of Instruction 1. that their being Creatures of Christs making stamps Authority on them 2. When we rise against Government we rise against Christ 3. Ascribe the good of Government to Christ 4. Hence take a ground of patience under evil Governours 5. Christ must needs be glorious Vse of Exhortation in sixe passages out of Psal 2. 1. To be wise 2. To be instructed 3. to be in feare 4. To serve him 5. to rejoyce with trembling 6. To kisse the Son CHAP. X. OPens that setting up of Government is for the worlds good as appears 1. In that it is set to keep the world in order 2. Persons so set and kept enjoy propriety 3. Government promotes the increase of good things in our propriety 4. Government protects your Peace 5. Setting up of Government is when God makes some men able and willing to manage Publicke Affairs and draws others to consent and subject 6. This is notably for the good of not some but all ranks of men 7. It s extensive to the whole life of all those men 8. There is honour due to them who are thus set up for Government Vse of Instruction to shew 1. That God is a faithful Creator 2. Rulers had need be of much wisdom and publicknesse of spirit Vse 2 of Exhortation 1. To esteem them highly 2. To make honourable mention of them 3. To speak to God for them 4. To submit to every Ordinance 5. To testifie our thankfulnesse by service in person and in purse CHAP. XI UNfolds that Governours and Governments are apt to change which these six things will further informe you in 1. Governours change by death and in their manners while they live 2. Manners and forms of Government as well as Persons are liable to change 3. People change in their mindes and conditions 4. Change of Governments Governours and People causeth change of Laws 5. they change in their league and trade with Neighbour Nations 6. Jesus Christ King of Kings makes a change on Governours and Governments by sending Plague Sword or Famine on them Vse of Instruction 1. Lesser bodies will change 2. See the creatures vanity Vse of Exhortation to Princes 2. To exalt righteousnesse 2. To be little in their own eyes To All. 1. to raise up your hearts to minde things above 2. to be content in these turnes 3. to contend to have the change for better CHAP. XII SHews that Kings abuse their power for 1. they serve themselves more then others 2. they turn the power which should be for good to the hurt of others 3. Power was set against Christ in his person when he was on Earth 4. It is against Christ and his interest Now. 5. the power of Kings is given up to Christs enemies Vse of Instruction to see 1. the foundation of turns on Kingdoms viz. Departing from the right ends 2. How little Kings deserve the name of Sacred 3. Judge not of men or causes to be good by the greatnesse of them that follow them 4. Vndeceive your selves about the true value of earthly powers 5. that those in power be circumspect CHAP. XIII SHews that abuse of power tends to the breaking of power which is apparent 1. When those in power indulge their own lazinesse 2. When they take no account of under-officers 3. When they rule by will 4. When they look not after the execution of good Laws 5. When they are unjust 6. When they sinfully conform to neighbour Princes 7. When they persecute those who are good 8. When they interpose unduely in the things of God Vse 1. of Instruction to see the cause of great turns among us Vse 2. of Admonition to Princes 1. Take heed of your hearts in lawful things 2. Take heed of coveteous self-love 3. Exalt not your selves unduely 4. Anger and malice misbecome a Prince 5. Forget not the kindnesse of others to you 6. Look that your Courtiers prove not flatterers CHAP. XIV PRinces being wicked people grow wicked too because 1. Wickednesse in men of high place is misrepresented to the people 2. Wicked Princes leave good Laws unexecuted and sin unpunished 3. Then wickednesse comes to be established as by a Law 4. Because of the Priests of the Nation 5. People are migtily led by example Vse 1. To shew how much Rulers have to answer for 2. To shew that examples move much 3. To take notice of the wickedness in us 4. See how just it is to suffer from Princes when we grow sinful by them CHAP. XV. THat abuse of power and wickednesse of people adapt to Civil war How abuse of power works on good mens spirits How wickedness adapts See it thus 1. Pride in Princes produceth pride in people 2. Pride introduceth luxury 3. Luxury introduceth poverty 4. Poverty makes people discontented 5. Discontented people meditate their pressures 6. Pressed people hardly pay for any publick uses 7. People grow weary of their Trades 8. They feare more then they feel 9. There be Incendiaries that augment their fears 10. These incendiaries have many followers Vse 1. To Princes to consider their abuse of power 2. To people who complain of Wars yet are the cause of them 3. To admire Gods goodness that we have no more Civil Wars CHAP. XVI SHews that Civil Wars produce fatal Changes for 1. Then Government is destroyed 2. Equity and Laws are not then to be heard 3. Then Religion and devotion are stifled 4. Learning and Trading fall down dead 5. A rich people is made poor and a strong people weake 6. No safety to any then 7. Plantations are nipt in the bud 8. The victory of Civil Wars is much to be lamented Vse 1. Admire Gods goodnesse that we are a Nation 2. Consider how much we are engaged to those in power by whose care it comes to passe that Wars break not forth 3. Look on some inconveniences as eligible when they prevent what is fatal 4. It should be far from us to promote a Civil War CHAP. XVII NEighbour Princes fall off from us or come forth against us when we are in Civil War which is opened thus 1. God hath bounded and limited all Nations in their Territories 2. Confederacy is as needful for a Nation as a Person 3. It s of great concernment what and with whom confederacy is concluded 4. Islands have more liberty of choice as to their confederates then those that live in a Continent 5. We may have cause to break with those with whom we have been confederate 6. It s possible some may break unjustly from us 7. Those with whom we are in League may be devoured by their adversaries 8. It s possible notwithstanding confederacies abroad we may be disjoynt at home 9. This distraction tempts your friends to shake you off 10. It
laid waste and the posterity that expected succession into the riches and honours of their fore-Fathers are little better then Noble Vagabounds I meddle not with the proceedings in that case but sure I am In all God is just God hath begun in England but he will not end there I dare not presume to set down times measures meanes and modes of things which the Father hath reserved in his own hand onely this I say waite but a while and it may be you shall see The Incestuous house of Austria the Emperour King of Spain France and the rest of the ten Kings of Europe which have given their power to the Beast to come tumbling down and if they fall surely many more will fall with them their Creatures and their Followers their Courtiers and their Flatterers cannot stand but must come down and with them many more I perswade my selfe that those whom God hath set now in power over us do seriously weigh what Christ hath done and will do how he is yesterday and to day the same for ever for ever just and jealous against all wickednesse and ungodlinesse and that this doth and will work upon their hearts and cause them to be humble before God and much in prayer to be watchful over themselves and theirs and others and to study to do the work of Christ put into their hands not negligently but faithfully not to please men but Christ CHAP. XX. Concludes with shewing How the twelve Positions formerly handled instruct us in our Turns and Changes WE have opened twelve Positions and divers things in them I shall conclude with a very breife instruction teaching us what we may learne from every one of those Positions concerning our present Turns Pos 1. All power is in Christ power to raise or depresse Kingdomes and Nations as well as particular persons and its little lesse then blasphemy to exclude him from our Turns If they be for good he is the Author and preserver of them If we have Plenty after scarcity Liberty after bondage Peace after war Oh thank him him I say for those blessed changes But what if we experience the contrary darknesse instead of Light feare instead of Safety evil instead of Good yet in these evils Christ is to be owned Isa 45. 7. I forme light and create darknesse I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things and Amos 3. 6. Shall there be evil in the City and I the Lord have not done it Christ then hath his work in City or National good or evil Pos 2. All the Kings of the earth reigne by Christ Kings are the greatest persons of the earth and cause the greatest Turns and Changes either to good or evil How is our feare and sorrow turned into hope and joy when righteous men are exalted to government and what mourning when wicked ones Prov. 29. 2. How much of the increase of wickednesse is abated by their power care and example and what great cause have Saints to blesse God when he makes Rulers nursing fathers and to rule for him as they rule by him Pos 3. Government is set up for the good of the World and nothing causeth more considerable changes then that doth it reduceth lawlesse ones to a rule ruleth and boundeth excessive desires and actions brings in trade and wealth improvement of creatures and increase of peace Pos 4. Government in the frame of it is apt to change and doth not that reach us Government is a comprehensive word relating to Princes and people and so all change when Governments change Laws Places Offices Rewards Times and Persons all change Pos 5. Kings and Princes have abused their power that is a sad change a change of what should be best to worst of power to abuse of it of Kings to Tyrants of Princes to Oppressors Pos 6. Sins of Princes tend to break their power Here is change upon change Change of Manners by sin and change of Wholnesse and Soundnesse to a breach Power cannot break but many things break with it and many things cannot break but it makes great alteration Pos 7. Princes being wicked people grow wicked too a woful change indeed and much to be lamented Princes that should rule become slaves and that to the worst of masters their own Lusts people that should be under command to become unruly and unruly by them that should better order them Pos 8. Abuse of power and wickednesse of people adapt to Civil War Those in power complain of the people and the people of them in power and we have just cause to complaine of both It s a sad case that turnes the soul to a wearinesse of the good it doth possesse and to a loathing its own peace Pos 9. Civil Wars cause fatal Turnes They turne and overturne all Turnes are in the bowels of that one our many years sad experience hath taught us we were full but soon emptied we were high but brought low we were in safety but soon rapt into feare Oh that our hearts might turne after all these Turnes upon us Pos 10. We fall out one with another and our neighbours fall out with us both How do they laugh at us and seek to raise themselves out of our ruines Is it not hard when those you thought would help you at best are Neuters stand still and look on Truly we may thank our selves for putting them on that temptation Had we kept together Pos 11. They would have been as formerly But now they are in armes their War-ships rigged and manned and now the Seas must be as bloody by a Forreigne War as our Land had been by a Civil Dreadful Turns and Changes when both land and sea are bloody And surely Christ Pos 12. will inquire after all that blood whose blood how much blood for what cause by whom in what manner and when it was shed The Judge of All shall appeare in his righteous judgement and then wo be to the wicked crafty cruel great ones of the World CHAP. XXI Shews the Turns that befal Nations from the consideration and working of Christ as King of Saints in 12. Sections 1. Jesus Christ is King of Saints 2. He hath this honour upon his sufferings 3. He puts forth his power as King of the World for his Saints over whom he is King in a special manner 4. He must have more visible glory in this World 5. All governments will prove bitter that Christ may be embraced as sweet 6. Christ pours out a mighty spirit of prayer on his people which he will answer 7. He shall have a willing people in the day of his power 8. Some of the Kings shall be among that willing people 9. Christ having great works to do will notably stir up the spirits of Princes and people 10. The great work of the last dayes shall be to exalt holinesse and righteousnesse 11. Saints shall have Conquests over their adversaries 12. These Turns shall be by degrees
compleat follow peace and holiness No peace sayth my God to the wicked or with wickednesse Abeat pax illa c. away with that peace which defiles your conscience and breaks your peace with God But follow peace and holinesse holy peace and peaceful holinesse which will render Church and State happy 2. Stand to your Covenants is a second law of Nature in that Author and its a law of grace too I will be your God I will write my Law in their inward parts I will give them an heart of flesh this is Gods Covenant and he remembers his Covenant for his people Psal 106. 45. And to be his people to walk in his wayes and not depart from him That is our Covenant God is faithful in his and it concerns us to be so in our Covenants The Church humbly and holily boasteth of this Psal 44. 17. that although she had met with hard measure yet she had not dealt falsly in the Covenant her heart was not turned backward nor her steps declined from his way We have often made and renewed our Covenants in the dayes of our sorrow and sicknesse our feare and trouble the Lord grant we have not broken as oft as made them We promise to become new men to turne over a new leafe to watch more against the beginnings and occasions of sin to oppose our special corruptions to be more in secret prayer and meditation but how soon do we forget our Covenants and returne to our former mire and vomit proving as bad as ever before as worldly and sensual as ever as uncleane as ever as formal and hypocritical as ever before It s a brand on the strange woman Prov. 2. 17. She forsaketh the guide of her youth and forgeteth the Covenant of her God The Lord grant it be not true in us and that we like men transgress not the Covenant Hos 6. 7. 3. It s a great Law of Nature and grace too that we should be thankful If so to men much more to God Rom. 1. 21. The Heathens glorified not God as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imagination and their foolish heart was darkned God forbid that Christians should become heathenish become unthankful Ingratum si dixeris dixeris omnia you accumulate evil on the head of him whom you call unthankful Those who have the peace of God ruling in their hearts and are called into one body must be thankful Col. 3. 15. But of this I spake before 4. I passe on to the fourth Law which is That we must serve one another and this we finde injoyned by that blessed Apostle Gal. 5. 13. Vse not liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another Saints are creatures framed for Society as well as men and they have Saint-like love and Saint-like service by which they are to build up one another Rom. 15. 2. Those who are strong are to beare with the infirmities of the weak and not to please themselves But let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification Is another burdened he must not beare his burden alone but we must beare a part with him and so fullfil the Law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. A proud and vaunting spirit should be far from us that will make us domineere and not feare we should condescend to low things to a service for the good of another and his necessity of our help should have as it were the force of a command and make us ambitious to bring in our help How sweet are those Corporations and Churches in their Communions that most practice this service Nor is there any cause why men should conceive themselves debased by this way of servitude for you serve another no more then he serves you and you may need him as well as he you 5. The next Law that challengeth our obedience is That we must be merciful and forgive one another That Law takes it for granted that we are liable to misery and to wrong one another and to guide you in these cases commands you mercifulnesse and forgivenesse Luk. 6. 36. Be you merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful a glorious patterne no mercy like that of a fathers no fathers mercy like that of Gods and yet this is that coppy we are to write after to be merciful as he is Col. 3. 12. Put you on as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercy kindness humbleness of minds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Viscerd miseriâ—ordiae bowels that is mercy from an inward disposition and tender affection and such merciful ones are pronounced blessed and are promised mercy Math. 5. 7. And as you must be thus pittying the misery of another so you must be forgiving too Eph. 4. 32. Be ye kinde one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another as God for Christs sake forgave you The same blessed patterne again is proposed for forgivenesse as was to mercifulnesse Another can never offend you as you have offended God we owe him more then ten thousand talents and have nothing to pay and he freely forgives us all and delights to forgive and should not we go and do so also It is inserted by our Saviour in his Doctrine of prayer Math. 6. 12. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors If ever you knew the misery that the debt of sin brings on you you would be full of breathings after forgivenesse and noâ— be quiet till you had it on your bosome Consider well that you oblige your selves to forgive others when you beg forgivenesse for your selves And if you ask how oft you must forgive Math. 18. 12. our Saviour makes answer I say not unto thee until seven times but until seventy times seven 6. The sixth Law takes care about our names and is this Reproach not one another Disgrace is a bitter death it slayes a mans honour and repute The Apostle bids Titus put men in minde Tit. 3. 2. to speak evil of no man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to blaspheme no man Unjust reproach is a kinde of blasphemy it speakes ill of what is good in men and so of what belongs to God in them There be eight wayes by which worthy and reverend writers lay this down four of which respect evil and four respect good 1. Imponens 2. Augens 3. Manifestans 4. In mala vertens 1. When men accuse us falsly then they reproach us This mightily afflicts an honest heart and the reason is because he looks on Christ as intrested in his name and he is really troubled to think Christ should suffer Of this you have the complaint of the sweet Singer of Israel Psal 35. 11. False witnesse did rise up they laid to my charge things I knew not and this you should be far from us 2. When we causlesly disclose a fault that is secret God in his riches of mercy not onely covers our sins in his love when
flattery is it both of dead and living to count their memory blessed who were so crooked and cursed in their courses 3. Judge not of men or causes to be good by the greatnesse of them that own them and follow them When Christ was in the world Joh. 7. 48. the question was Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him any of your great wise men No I warrant you they know better they are more wise then so v. 49. but this people this poor people giddy people nay cursed people that know not the Law Luke 23. 35. The Rulers derided him and Luke 24. 20. Our chiefe Preists and Rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and to be crucified You must not make the great ones of the earth your example for then you will follow wickednesse 4. Undeceive your selves about the true value of earthly powers The Trappings of power are not so good as we count for because power it selfe may be so soon and grossly abused Grace grace is most desirable which is proper and active to correct these abuses and cannot serve to these wicked inversions 5. Lastly is it any undue inference that seeing Kings have abused their power to call upon those who take their places on them to be circumspect very circumspect what hath been may be again what hath been abused may be abused Mistake me not I am far from bespattering those whom I am bound to honour surely Gods great deliverances and his peoples blood are fresh upon their hearts and will raise up a redoubled consideration in them how to honour God and serve their present generation in the management of publick affairs CHAP. XIII Proceeds to the sixth Pos which shews That abuse of power tends to the breaking of power which is apparent 1. When those in power indulge their lazinesse 2. VVhen they take no account of under-Officers 3. VVhen they rule by will 4. VVhen they look not after excâ—â—ution of good Laws 5. But are unjust And 6. Sinfully conformable to neighbour Princes 7. Vndue enterposal in the things of God And 8. Persecute those who are good Vses GOvernments you heard were apt to change yea to change from good to bad and from bad to worse and that brings in a breach Sin and sorrow are inseparable companions if sin goe before sorrow will follow after To be clothed with power is an honour but to abuse power is a sin and such a sin as will make way for ruine desolation and destruction Hence your sixth Position The sins of Princes whereby they abuse power carry a tendency with them to breake their power All their power is from Christ and all sin is against him and surely he will never maintaine his own power in a way against himselfe As Princes have power over other men so they sin in that power they sin as they are men and they sin as they are men in place as Princes Now their Princely sins are those that break their Princely power as thus 1. Indulging of a lazie spirit tends to break their power They gladly accept of the honour revenues and observance of their places but transferre the care to others Corona curarum nidus A Crown is a nest of cares they love the Crown but will not undertake the care They are too nice and delicate they must not misse their meals their naps their sports no not for a publick good No wonder then if God cause that to passe from them which they so put away from themselves and make that over to others in the honour which they long before made over to them in the worke and service 2. When Princes take no account of their Ministers it tends to break power I know its impossible Princes should performe all their duties in their own person They have much lieth upon themselves and they have more to transferre to others Its a wasting sin to put off what is inherent in themselves and t is no lesse to transferre to others and take no account of them They must have their Ministers that 's granted but their Ministers must be accounted with or else all will fall It keeps them in due awe and order to think they must to an audit give account of their stewardship Places and justice will be bought and sold publick treasures exhausted publick negotiations slighted and what care they when they know they shall be let alone How unworthily may men betray their trust dishonour their Prince and wrong the Nation yea do it boldly when they know they shall goe unexamined and so unpunished Princes devest themselves of their highest power by this neglect and its jusâ— they should fall short of the reverence they expâ—ct in the hearts of those who are under them 3. When will is Law then down goes rule Non debet Princeps dominari sed Ratio The Prince that is the Prince in his will should not beare sway but Reason Government hath no such enemy as self-willednesse never do Princes lose so much of their power as when they exalt their will against Law they think they gain but then they lose most 4. Neglect of looking after the execution of good Laws much infeebles their power Kings should be living laws Reges vivae leges their carriage so regular as to command imitation and their care great to see good laws executed Execution makes good Laws alive and good Laws well executed makes Kings live for their power is advanced in their execution and neglect herein is fatal and ruinous to them 5. Injustice tumbles down Chairs of State Prove 16. 12. The Throne is established by righteousnesse but Mic. 7. 3. It s doing evil with both hands when the Prince asketh and the Judge asketh for a reward When that is acted which we read of 1 Sam. 8. 14. when the oppressed cry and are not eased when might overcomes right it s a woful victory and such an one as they shall have no cause to triumph in for Christ will cause them to vomit up all their sweet morsels and to repent of their unjust dealings 6. Sinful conformity to neighbour Nations doth no good It displeased God and his servant Samuel when the people cryed out Make us a King 1 Sam. 8. 6. and the great argument was they would be like other Nations So verse 6. Give us a King to judge us and verse 5. Make us a King to judge us like all the Nations When we conforme to their pride their fashions their excesse their wantonnesse will not this undermine us 7. Undue interposal in the things of God will pull down the powers of men God hath reserved it for his own wisdome power and holinesse to give the Law of his worship His teare is not to be taught by the precepts of men or made good by their powers The patterne of the Tabernacle and Temple is to be fetched from God alone we are not tyed to waite for mens
yet God hath scattered and suppressed them Blessed for ever blessed be his Name Oh! that all high and low Governours and governed would follow after righteousness and judgement That that would be the stability of their rule and peace Fiat justitia ne ruat Mundus Let justice run down like a streame and righteousness like a mighty torrent then shall our peace be abundant and our prosperity be increased Who ever lost by doing well or gained by evil doing Gaine is what remaines to a man omni damno deducto when all his loss is computed Righteousness may suffer for the present but it will greatly advantage in the end CHAP. XVI Opens the ninth Position That Civil VVars cause fatal Turnes which appears in that 1. Government is destroyed 2. Laws are not heard 3. Religion is slaine 4. Learning and Trading are dead 5. A rich people are made poor 6. No safety to any 7. Plantations are nipt in the bud 8. The victory is to be lamented Vses COncord and agreement is the health of a State and when a State is in health their little yea their least things grow and grow prosperously Concordia parvae res cresunt their little number and learning their little estate and traffick yea their religion and good manners all grow But sedition is the sicknesse that infeebles their strength so that no person in his place can well performe his duty it pines away their comfort and convulsions them into an irregular motion sedition doth so much I but Civil War is a sicknesse unto death yea the death it selfe of a Common-wealth Hence your ninth Position Civil Wars produce ruinous fatal Turnes and changes Farewel all publick life activity and comfort when Civil wars prevaile A State may live and live gallantly in a war-faring condition as in Holland l but it is the States of the Vnited Provinces Their arrows must be tyed together among themselves though headed to wound their adversaries A Kingdome divided against it selfe cannot stand See this in these eight passages ensuing 1. Civil war destroyes government That which you heard was set up by Christ and so much for the good of the World is here taken away We may justly take up a bitter lamentation to see the Magistrate and Officers of justice and peace to be despised Lam. 2. 6. In the indignation of his anger he hath despised the King here here is that sad state of Bâ—llum omnium contra omnes a war of all against all as it s spoken of Ishmael Gen. 16. 12. His hand against every man and every mans hand against him so here but most deplorable it is to see those who beare the sword of justice slighted put down abused The honour of Citizens and people is collected into their Magistrates Judges and Justices of the Peace but here in Civil wars it is buried laid in the dust 2. Equity and Laws are not heard in Civil wars Those Laws that guide men to their edification and peace are not regarded Silent leges inter arma The Laws are silent when weapons speak Barbarus Hostis Vt fera plus valeant legibus arma facit The barbarous souldier makes weapons more prevaile then Law Let the law speak never so much reason peace and profit yet they slight it Now will and lust is law lawlesse law We pitty men in Bedlam in their frensy fits deprived of reason acting more like beasts then men In Civil wars insaniunt omnes all men are mad cutting their own throats slaying the life of all their comforts at once Laws are Gods wisdome found and held out by men for our good but how little is God or man their wisdome or our own good regarded here Nothing but oppression and unjustice pillaging and plundering is looked after Terras Astraea reliquit Judgement is turned away backward and justice standeth afar off for truth is fallen in the street and equity cannot enter 3. Civil wars slayes Religion and Devotion Victa jacet pietas You shall meet with oathes cursing raging railing but no prayer they fight and destroy but call not upon God Fugêre pudor verumque fidesque In quorum subiere locum fraudesque dolique Insidiaeque vis Amor sceleratus habendi Modesty truth and faithfulnesse are fled away and cozenage and deceit are come in their place Let the faithful servants of Christ cry aloud and not spare tell them again and again of their sins and transgressions yet who believeth their report Let me allude to that in Lam. 2. 6. They violently take away the Tabernacle and destroy the places of the Assembly and cause the solemne Feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Sion and no remembrance of any thing but of their Abominations 4. Down fall Learning and Trading which maintaine the glory of a Nation alas they are now quite dead Study of Tongues and Arts Philosophy Divinity the Secrets of Nature the Mysteries of the Gospel are now laid aside The Methods of training up Children to be serviceable in Church or State are undervalued How extensive is this evil that reacheth the child unborn who hath cause to curse it in that it shall want good education Men now had rather have bare shops then shops well furnished their shops empty rather then full for an enemy The Husbandman will not plow when he hath not hopes to reape or sow those feilds which he thinkes Horse or Foot will trample or eate up Non ullus aratro Dignus honor squallent abductis arva colonis Et curvae rigidum falces conflantur in ensem There is now no respect to the Plough the feilds lie fallow because the husbandmen are taken away and crooked sickles are turned into cruel swords Merchants are now embargoed they cannot receive their returns because they are surprized by the way and they are unwilling to send forth least they should adde to their surprizers 5. Civil wars make a rich people poor and a strong people weake Divitiae sanguis reipublicae Riches are the blood of the Common-wealth but these wars strick so in that veine that the Common-wealth even bleeds to death Trading being stopped hinders the coming in of wealth and Souldiers will take care to ease you of what you have It s not any good cause but money that many fight for Souldiers of fortune or rather without fortune would not care if both sides were beaten and undone so they might have to swill and pipe to hunt and whore withal Mistake me not I abhor to reflect on honest Commanders or souldiers I believe our Nation can produce the most and best of them in the World and which is a wonder souldiers being used to take away what is precious God hath engaged us to that rank of men for all the precious things we do enjoy But yet we know all are not so and that many Families can speak by sad experience 6. No safety to any in war Nulla salus bello so much is
is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be not angry with me if I wish you so well that I would not have you to think or write above what God hath written in his word or workes There be some things in all Arts that God hides from men as Sympathys and Antipathies in natural Philosophy the returnes of Agues by set fits in Medicinal practice and in your own way the cause of the ebbings and flowings of the Sea You are not infallible in what you think you know you are apt enough to erre as you are men Humanum est errare but how much more apt if you proceed by erroneous principles and doctrines Is it nothing to you that God hath stirred up the spirits and pens of those who are godly and wise to appeare against your way I should much suspect my selfe to be in the way of Balaam when I should meet with so many Angels Ministers Messengers of God coming against me You may mistake and so mispeake as that Divination may easily turn into a lye Isa 44. â—5 and God may blast that reason into madnesse that is so abused and then how sad will your case be when you must be ranked with those who are without whose property is described to be such who love and make a lye Rev. 22. 15. Oh remember how unduely and nnworthily you have perplexed and rejoyced the hearts of people you have put them in feare where no feare was and rejoyced them when you had no good ground for it You have raised up hopes in them like spiders webbs which a little time hath easily swept away and you have driven many to despaire when God gave no cause for such desperation How infectious have your principles and practices been How many have been misled by you Think on your Schollers whom you have trained up to follow your steps if you walke awry how can they walke right Doth it not or may it not pitty your heart to see so many young ingenious hopeful Gentlemen to be corrupted by you It may be God may give you repentance which I heartily wish but they may be hardned in their vanity and never returne and will not that fall sad on you when you shall remember that you have a generation in the pit beneath whom your false teaching and corrupt example hath begotten You cannot be so inobservant in your own way but you doe know that God from heaven doth beare witnesse against your weather-wisdome making that prove faire that you foretel to be foul and foule to be fair Now if you are so much out in that which is lowest in your way may you not much more mistake in higher pretences Surely since you are so confident of things to come which yet God and Nature hath not actually determined you might be more bold to call up things past if you can tell a person what shall befal him you may as well tell what hath befallen him Why doe you not bend your thoughts that way and not this is it not because it would not be so taking with men and withal it would decry your skill Remember and forget not you must give account of your wayes and workes thinke seriously of it Will your proceedings be owned by Christ another day will he say to you Euge bone serve Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful in thy Predictions I will make thee Lord of ten Cities enter into thy Masters joy Will he not rather accuse you for abusing your selves and others for mispending your parts and paines and snarling at those who reproved you Your sins are great but not unpardonable Oh that God would give you repentance unto life like those we read of in Acts 19. 19. Many believed and among those Many that used curious Arts brought their Bookes together and burned them before all men If you will stile your dealings Arts others and rightly too will call them Curious Now there was cause enough to burne their Books then May there not be as much in your Books now I shall adde no more onely leave it to God and your consciences and descend to give a word to your disciples I cannot but from my soul pitty you to see your youth and ingenuity so dangerously intangled Astrological Predictions are fine cobwebs to catch young wits Give eare to a plaine word It s possible you may meet with something that is and may be called Art But is there nothing else is there not something far worse No evil was ever so audacious at first as to appeare unmasked and in its own colours the worst of things sometimes put on the best of names and pretences I should be too impudent in writing against what is Art and so Gods wisdome in the creature and you would be too negligent and grosse if you espouse mens phantasies and wickednesse for Art for Gods wisdome in the creature All men desire to know and those that know something desire to know more Scientiâ— non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem I blame not your desire of knowledge but wish you to goe on in it and that your desires may end in attainment but take heed what and how you know All knowledge of excellent objects innobles the minde Excellens objectum intellectum perficit I beseech you weigh whether such principles as you are taught and have sucked in will make your minde one jot better and not rather much worse I know they insinuate not barely by pretending to augment your knowledge but knowledge in relation to your practice of something to be done by you and that hereafter nay of what God will doe by you and to you and these considerations are taking and snaring To pretend to advance knowledge onely without practice would be vaine speculation to know onely what concerns other men would seeme a busibodinesse to tell you what is past is but to recall what you had some knowledge of before but to tell you what is to come and to come from God this takes much with you But deare hearts be not deceived How came the spirit of God to them that they can reveale so much to you They goe but God sent them not and they declare but what the visions of their own heart I am not ignorant that there is somewhat of singularity by which they ingraciate themselves men affect to be and doe something more then others to be as all men are to know as all men know is but a common being and knowledge but to be of higher straines and extract to be of more accomplisht perfection is that which men strive for and they pretend to bring you unto Bona verba These are good words indeed but looke well to it lest while you aime to be higher then other men you fall not beneath the lowest Christians and while you strive to know what you should not you grow ignorant of what you should The knowledge of God and a mans selfe are the greatest Sciences and they
the ground of the turns upon Kingdomes 2. Kings little deserve the name of Holy 3. Judge no cause by great followers Joh. 7 48 49. 4. Learne the true value of earthly Powers 5. Let those that rule be circumspect Pos 6. Sins of Princes break their Power As 1. A lazy spirit 2. Not accounting with their Ministers 3. When will is Law Greg. in Moral 4. Not executing good Laws 5. Injustice 6. Sinful conformity to neighbour Nations 7. Undue interposal in the things of God 8. Persecution of the good and quiet Use 1. of Instruct See the cause of our turns Use 2. of Admonition 1. Watch the heart in lawful things 2 Tim. 3. 4. 2. Beware of self-love 3. Exalt not your selves unduely 4. Anger misbecomes you 5. Forget not others kindnesse to you 2 Chron. 24. 22. 6. Look that followers prove not flatterers Pos 7. Wicked Prince wicked people Reas 1. Wickednesse in Princes comes in another dresse Reas 2. Good Laâ— are not exâ—cuted Reas 3. Wickedness is established as by a Law Psal 94. 20. Reas 4. Because of National Priests Reas 5. People are led by example Vse 1. Rulers have much to answer for 2. Examples move much 3. Wiâ—kednesse is in â—ur 〈◊〉 4. It s just that we suffer from Princes Pos 8. Abuses in Princes people adapt to Civil War 1. It doth so with good men 2. It s so in bad men 1. Pride in Princes produceth pride in people 2. Pride brings in Luxury 3. Luxury begets poverty 4. Poverty discontent 5. Discontented people meditate on their pressures 6. Then payments for publick use are cryed down 7. People grow weary of their Trades 8. They feele much but feare more 9. There be mauy Incendiaries 10. These Incendiarys have many followers Vse 1. To Princes 2. To people Vse 3. To all to admire God in his goodnesse Pos 9. Civil wars cause ruinous Turnes 1. Government is then destroyed 2. Laws are then silent 3. Religion is slaine 4. Learning and Trading fall 5. It makes a rich people poor 6. No safety to any 7. Plantations are nipt in the bud 8. Victories of civil wars are much to be lamented Vse 1. Admire Gods goodnesse 2. Consider how much we are engaged to those now in power 3. Look on some inconveneinces as eligible 4. Promote not civil war Pos 10. Neighbours fall from or upon us 1. God hath bounded Nations Acts17 26. 2. Confederacy is needful for a Nation 3. It s of great concernment what and with whom confederacy is made 4. Islands have more liberty in choice of their confederacy â— We may 〈◊〉 with 〈…〉 7. Our 〈…〉 adveâ—sariâ—â— 8. 〈…〉 â—e 〈…〉 9. This disjunction tempts your confederates to shake you off 10. It opportunes them to become yâ—ur enemies Vse 1. See how little hope or help in men 2. See the wickednesse incident to Nations 3. An argument against Civil war 4. It s a curious worke to manage publick affairs 5. Admirâ— God in his providences Pos 11. Vnjust dealings cause forreigne wars 1. The pride and lust of ruling men cause unjust dealings 2. Men desire to be great alone 3. Great Leaders obtain many followers 4. Our distraction is their season 5. An oppressed people are very sensible 6. They resolve to retaliate Vse 1. See the spreading nature of sin 2. A Nation is liable to trouble uâ—on trâ—â—b 3. War is an appeale to God 4. See here Gods goodnesse Pos 12. Christ deals in severity with Kings Isa 20 23. Reas 1. They break covenant with their people Reas 2. Christ appears no respecter of persons Reas 3. Christ his wisdome exceeds their king-craft 〈…〉 Reas 4. Christ is to overcome Satan in his own Territories Vse 1. See the sinfulnesse of Kings in Christ his dealing with them Vid. Chap. 10. 11. 2. See his impartial holinesse 3. Learne to what to refer our present providences How the Positions formerly handled conclude about our present Turnes and Changes 1. Jesus Christ is King of Saints 2. He is so upon his sufferings 3. He puts forth his power as King of the World for his people to whom he is King of Saints Rev. 12. 16. Isa 43. 14. 4. Christ shall have more glory in this World 5. All Governments have their bitternesse that Christs Government may be rendred desirable 6. Christ poureth on his people a spirit of prayer Psal 76. 3. 7. Christ shall have a willing people 8. Some Kings shall be among this willing people 9. Christ shall mightily stir up his people to be active 10. Righteousnesse shall be exalted in Kingdoms 11. Saints shall have Conquests over their enemies 12. These things shall be by degrees 1. Vse of Instruction 1. Christs Title 1. By Election 2. By Donation Psal 2. 8. 3. By Birth 4. By Purchase 5. By Conquest 2. Christs qualifications greatest Col. 2. 9. Col. 2. 3. Psal 45. 7. 3. Christs administrations highest Joel 2. 20 21. 4. Christ his communications are largest Properties of Christ's Kingdome 1. It is spiritual 2. It s Vniversal 3. It s Eternal 4. Brings in perfect peace 3. The excellency of Saints 1. They shall be more Saints 2. Saints shall live safely 3. Their enemies shall be ruined 2. Vse of Exhortation 1. To know him 2. To feare him 3. Trust in him 4. Embrace him with love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. We must be like him 6. We must glorifie him Psal 45. 1. V. 3. 4. 7. Christ must be obeyed in his Laws 1. Peace is to be sought 2. Stand to your Covenants 3. You must be thankful 4. We must serve one another 5. We must be merciful and forgive 6. Reproach not one another Which is when men 1. accuse fasly 2. Disclose causlesly 3. Aggravating unduely 4. Blaming the intention We repreach about good 1. When we deny it 2. Hiding the grace of others 3. When we lessen them 4. By coldly commending 7. Law against pride 8. Law to be just 9. Deale well with the means of your peace 10. Enemies must be opposed Joh. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 17. 2 Pet. 1. 4. Eph. 2. 10. Col. 1. 9. Eph. 1. 17. V. 18. Rom. 12. 2. Eph. 3. 19. Eph. 6. 24. Math. 5. 6. Acts 9. 31. Acts 16. 31. Rom. 4. 18 20. Phil. 4. 4. Eph. 4. 29. Eph. 4. 4. Col. 4. 6. Jam. 3. 2. 1. 26 27. Jam. 1. 22. Mat. 16. 24. Tit. 2. 14. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Phil. 2. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 5. 35. Phil. 2. 15. Math. 5. 16. Joh. 15. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Phil. 1. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. Rom. 6. 17. 1 Cor. 10. 31. Col. 3. 17. Col. 3. 22. 23. Levit. 10. 3. Joh. 4. 24. Eph. 6. 18. Eph. 3. 12. Eph. 6. 18. 1. Pet. 2. 1. 2. Act. 17. 11. Luke 8. 15. Heb. 2. 1. Heb. 13. 16. Phil. 1. 29. Jam. 1. 4. Rom. 5. 3. Math. 5. 11. 12. Col. 1. 11. 1 Pet. 4. 16. 1. Stars have a ruling excellency 2. Stars worke alteration in the Aire 3. Stars affect diversly the compound bodies 4. Stars are for Times and Seasons 5. There may be som e present predictions 1. Stars have no power over the Reason or Will 2. Men can not from Stars make Predictions about contingent Arg. 1. It s derogatory to Gods providence Things contingent what Agr. 2. From Gods word Arg. 3. from the nature of the Stars Argu. 4. From the Nature of Art Argu. 5. From that part of Astrology that concerns weather Arg. 6. from the excellent frame of Man Argu. 7. From the nature of Contingent things Obj. What they foretel comes to passe Sol. 1. They have not so many experiences 2. They come not from any causing virtue in the Stars 3. They may have their doubtful termes applied to some events 5. It may come to passe in vengeance Vse 1. To professors of the Mathematicks Vse to those who are learners of Astrology Against figure-casting 1. It s hard to know the momeut of Birth 2. They make an Image of heaven in a table houses for the Stars 3. They pretend to shew in what houses the Stars are 4. To tell you who reigned when you were born 5. What aspect the other planets have 6. Hence pretend to strange Predictions
cum rebus humanis ut meliora placeant plurimis Such is the disposition of humane affairs that the best things ever please fewest W. Gr. The Contents of the Book CHAP. I. SHeweth the occasion and Scope of this Treatise CHAP. II. HHandleth these eight Proposals 1. God delivers his Prophesies in way of a Promise 2. New-Testament Promises are set forth in Old-Testament language 3. Both Prophesies and Promises are to be taken in the largest sense 4. That both Prophesies and Promises admit of divers Degrees Seasons Manners of fullfilling 5. That under one Person or things named a whole Series both of persons and things is to be understood 6. God performes his Promises in these latter Ages in a way of proportion to his former glorious workings 7. The inflicting of judgement on the Adversaries of his Church is subordinate to the performance of his Promises 8. That the time of fullfilliug Prophesies and working great changes is at or before the coming of Christ CHAP. III. SHeweth the Meaning Doctrines and Method of Haggai 2. 6 7 8. CHAP. IV. HAndleth this Doctrine In the great Turnes of Ages God dispenseth himselfe in the way of a Promise 1. This holds out God as a Father 2. Exalts the honour of Christ the Son 3. Honours God in the person of the Spirit 4. Makes notably for the security and improvement of grace 5. Notably confounds the men of the World 6. Greatens our estate Vse 1. of Instruction shewing 1. In great Turnes are great wants 2. It shewes the vanity of the creatures 3. That Gods wayes are in the deeps Vse 2. of Exhortation to search out the Promises of the latter Age. The Motives are six 1. This renders you children of wisdome 2. It s a blessed preservative against the infection of sin 3. It advanceth your faith and love 4. It s proper to conquer difficulties and discouragements 5. It s apt to make you watchful and dutiful 6. It advanceth your heart in praises CHAP. V. SHeweth that when Christ is about to performe his Promises he causeth Changes in Natural bodies How 1. Jesus Christ hath given a being and constant course to Heaven and Earth 2. He maintaines what he hath given 3. The creatures thus made and maintained are at his becke 4. That it is his pleasure they should sometimes step aside from their ordinary constant course 5. Christ governes them in all their turnings aside 6. That these turnes carry the nature of Signes yet favour not Astrological Predictions Why because 1. This is the beginning of taking to himself his great power 2. By this meanes he speaks to all the World 3. By this way of working he minds us that the creatures are not in that state he intends for them 4. By these turns in Natural bodies he knows how to draw forth spiritual actings in his people Vse 1. of Instruction 1. To see Christs excellency 1. In that he causeth these turnes 2. In that he can doe more 2. It s a vain thing to set against Christ 3. It s easie hence to conceive the Promises of this life shall be performed Vse 2. of Exhortation 1. To consider Christ in all these Changes 2. To feare before him 3. To advance your faith 4. To exalt him above man or meanes CHAP. VI. SHeweth the change of Angels and this Doctrine That Jesus Christ in the great turning Providences imployes the ministration of Angels For clearing of which Doctrine take notice of these nine things 1. Jesus Christ God-man is head of Angels 2. Angels are to serve him not in his person alone but in serving of his Saints 3. Angels are to serve Christ and his Saints in the destruction of their enemies 4. Angels are to have more apparent declaration made of their service toward Christ and his world 5. Angels are brought in in the visions and so in the execution of those visions 6. Angels have worke deputed to them concerning Kingdomes and Nations 7. Angels and Saints shall be joyned together hereafter and therefore they are conjoyned in the worke here 8. Christs last dispensations are his greatest wherein he useth Angels 1. In the working of his wisdome 2. When he takes to himselfe his great power 3. Vpon more immediate administration of Saints 4. Shewing forth his unchangablenesse 9. Christ must have his Angels as well as the Dragon his Vse 1. of Instruction 1. To see Christ his excellency who is far above Angels because they are but his servants where Heb. 1. is breifely opened Vse 2. Of Exhortation 1. To behold those glorious works 2. To draw forth your faith and love 3. To provoke you to come forth in the service of these latter dayes to be fellow-servants with the Angels CHAP. VII COntains the shake of Kings for four Reasons because 1. They make the great turnes in the Earth 2. They pretend to be exempt from mans power 3. Dealing with them is a compendious way of dealing with the world 4. They are decked with all worldly power and seem to be the fittest match for Christ Vse of Instruction to see that there is 1. A meanesse in their Majesty 2. That the management of particular places must be reckoned for 3. He will surely account with meaner men 4. It s lawful to appe ale from Princes to Christ 5. Judicial proceedings against Princes is stamped with remarkable Characters of Christ Vse of Exhortation 1. to meditate on these dealings of Christ 2. to give unto Christ the honour due to his Name CHAP. VIII SHewes Pos 1. All power is given to Christ in Heaven and Earth Where observe 1. All power is in Christ 2. All power is his due upon the taking of our nature 3. though it be his due 't is rightly said to be given to him 4. Jesus Christ hath had but little honour of all his power 5 Christ will exalt himselfe in such turnes upon Kings as that they shall honour him in their consciences Vse 1. Of Instruction to teach us 1. the riches of Gods love to Christ 2. that the Father is fully satisfied in the power laid on him 3. the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in Christs hand 4. Christ returnes all his power to the Father Vse 2. of Exhortation 1. To flocke about Christ in love 2. to come with resolvednesse to be at his disposal 3. tremble ye wicked ones though the mighty of the Earth 4. The Lord reigneth let the earth be glad CHAP. IX SHewes that Kings reigne by Christ 1. They are or are not by him 2. He blesseth or blasteth them in the worke of Government 3. What wisdome or power they have they cannot put forth without him 4. the continuation or succession of them is from him 5. Bad Kings as well as good are from him where observe 1. Good men may be bad Kings 2. the badnesse of Kings is not from Christ for 1. It s not by his command 2. It s not by his working 3. He doth not stirre them up to any