of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n there_o have_v be_v sundry_a dove_n come_v over_o some_o of_o who_o have_v return_v with_o olive_n branch_n in_o their_o mouth_n and_o other_o remain_v in_o parliament_n army_z city_n and_o else_o where_o who_o have_v dove_n like_v behave_v themselves_o and_o have_v be_v of_o special_a use_n since_o hither_o they_o come_v viz._n sir_n henry_n vain_a mr._n phoenix_n col._n humphrey_n mr._n wiâ—…_n mr._n peter_n mr._n richard_n huchinson_n janice_n etc._n etc._n who_o i_o hope_v will_v excuse_v i_o for_o mention_v of_o they_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o by_o god_n grace_n and_o assistance_n will_v prove_v blessing_n to_o the_o kingdom_n while_o here_o they_o remain_v and_o as_o for_o new-england_n itself_o though_o too_o many_o legalist_n among_o they_o yet_o to_o my_o knowledge_n there_o be_v divers_a who_o bless_v be_v god_n be_v exceed_o wise_a &_o spiritual_a and_o some_o of_o these_o divers_a year_n since_o have_v often_o prophesy_v of_o these_o time_n frequent_o and_o fervent_o pray_v for_o they_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o will_v bless_v god_n also_o when_o they_o hear_v of_o the_o successful_a victory_n god_n have_v give_v to_o his_o people_n all_o which_o plain_o argue_v their_o harmony_n and_o congruity_n and_o not_o their_o disapprovement_n and_o enmity_n nor_o will_v i_o affirm_v lest_o i_o shall_v mistake_v what_o i_o have_v hear_v that_o eminent_o learn_v and_o pious_a teacher_n mr._n john_n cotten_n express_v but_o this_o i_o remember_v though_o divers_a year_n since_o that_o as_o he_o say_v god_n will_v bring_v a_o sword_n upon_o england_n and_o certain_o pour_v his_o wrath_n upon_o the_o court_n of_o england_n which_o thing_n be_v eminent_o come_v to_o pass_v so_o he_o likewise_o have_v prophesy_v of_o a_o sword_n that_o will_v fall_v upon_o scotland_n i_o pray_v god_n the_o minister_n of_o that_o kingdom_n will_v be_v no_o cause_n of_o it_o and_o though_o i_o judge_v not_o mr._n cotten_n to_o be_v infallable_n yet_o in_o my_o observation_n thing_n have_v general_o succeed_v according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n declare_v by_o he_o and_o it_o be_v much_o desire_v do_v the_o honourable_a parliament_n see_v it_o so_o good_a he_o may_v be_v send_v for_o it_o will_v be_v look_v at_o both_o by_o presbyterian_a and_o independent_a as_o a_o extraordinary_a advantage_n and_o blessing_n to_o the_o kingdom_n but_o what_o if_o all_o new-england_n want_v light_n to_o see_v into_o the_o equity_n and_o necessity_n of_o their_o proceed_n do_v that_o upon_o necessity_n argue_v the_o illegality_n thereof_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o walk_v up_o to_o the_o light_n of_o new-england_n though_o that_o light_n do_v as_o far_o exceed_v the_o presbyterian_a light_n in_o scotland_n as_o they_o do_v the_o popish_a but_o to_o the_o light_n of_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o first_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n object_n 8._o the_o great_a and_o grand_a objection_n be_v that_o this_o parliament_n and_o army_n be_v for_o a_o toleration_n and_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n and_o that_o will_v undo_v all_o answ_n i_o answer_v first_o by_o the_o way_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o sundry_a eminent_a christian_n can_v never_o to_o this_o day_n well_o digest_v viz._n first_o that_o reproachful_a word_n independent_a cast_v upon_o the_o pure_a saint_n the_o truth_n be_v they_o be_v dependent_a depend_v upon_o the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o all_o their_o law_n ordinance_n statute_n and_o institution_n and_o whilst_o they_o walk_v according_a to_o god_n therein_o they_o be_v a_o non-such_a in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o scotch_a enemy_n or_o any_o other_o in_o this_o case_n have_v better_o eat_v fire_n 〈…〉_o the_o second_o be_v the_o covenant_n which_o be_v ever_o fear_v will_v prove_n share_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o kingdom_n the_o three_o be_v a_o toleration_n and_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n which_o i_o 〈◊〉_d because_o of_o their_o affinity_n now_o for_o to_o desire_v a_o toleration_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v corrupt_a whether_o in_o opinion_n or_o practice_n seem_v under_o favour_n to_o be_v but_o a_o corrupt_a desire_n and_o to_o desire_v a_o toleration_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o of_o god_n pure_a worship_n seem_v to_o reflect_v dishonour_n upon_o christ_n for_o the_o truth_n shall_v be_v practise_v and_o god_n pure_o worship_v in_o despite_n of_o all_o gainsayers_a and_o opposer_n whether_o man_n or_o devil_n i_o hope_v i_o need_v not_o desire_v my_o boldness_n to_o be_v excuse_v it_o be_v for_o christ_n and_o as_o for_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n the_o term_n itself_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o wholesome_a word_n but_o if_o it_o may_v pass_v then_o may_v it_o admit_v of_o a_o double_a construction_n viz._n first_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n to_o sin_n which_o imply_v rather_o a_o captivity_n then_o liberty_n for_o man_n to_o profess_v and_o practise_v what_o they_o listen_v if_o this_o be_v desire_v and_o grant_v it_o be_v that_o which_o god_n and_o all_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o he_o abhort_a and_o this_o indeed_o will_v undo_v all_o but_o their_o be_v a_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n in_o pure_a worship_v of_o god_n and_o keep_v close_o to_o his_o law_n and_o truth_n and_o the_o more_o strict_o the_o conscience_n be_v bind_v in_o this_o case_n the_o more_o by_o far_o be_v its_o liberty_n and_o inlargment_n james_n 1.25_o and_o this_o be_v the_o liberty_n that_o i_o hope_v and_o be_o confident_a the_o parliament_n and_o divers_a of_o the_o army_n stand_v for_o that_o so_o the_o godly_a and_o unimbitter_v presbyterian_a with_o the_o sincere_a and_o sound_a heart_a independent_a may_v pure_o worship_n and_o wâ—…_n with_o their_o god_n without_o persecution_n or_o molestation_n and_o this_o liberty_n will_v not_o undo_v and_o destroy_v but_o restore_v and_o preserve_v all_o ah_o when_o will_v these_o day_n be_v hasten_v the_o time_n o_o god_n wherein_o the_o holy_a people_n of_o god_n howsoever_o call_v or_o distinguish_v may_v unanimous_o meet_v together_o sweet_o and_o harmonious_o to_o embrace_v each_o other_o object_n 9_o their_o be_v sundry_a other_o objection_n which_o scarce_o deserve_v the_o mention_v viz._n that_o the_o army_n have_v many_o wicked_a man_n sundry_a jesuit_n and_o 〈◊〉_d their_o astion_n aim_v at_o themselves_o answ_n that_o there_o be_v too_o many_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o army_n i_o fear_v be_v too_o true_a and_o be_v it_o possible_a i_o can_v wish_v there_o be_v none_o but_o that_o theâ—…_n be_v say_v to_o be_v so_o many_o jesuit_n i_o believe_v it_o not_o but_o if_o both_o be_v true_a it_o do_v no_o more_o argue_v the_o army_n dishonesty_n and_o illegallity_n than_o the_o be_v of_o stone_n in_o a_o christian_a man_n heart_n argue_v his_o non-sincerity_n and_o be_v as_o 〈◊〉_d tolerate_v by_o the_o godly_a paâ—…y_n in_o the_o army_n as_o drunkard_n and_o adulterer_n be_v in_o presbyterian_a congregation_n and_o as_o for_o their_o aim_v at_o themselves_o in_o their_o action_n i_o answer_v first_o their_o action_n face_n towards_o a_o general_a good_a and_o we_o be_v not_o to_o become_v judger_n of_o evil_a thought_n nor_o to_o receive_v evil_a jealousy_n where_o there_o be_v contrary_a appearance_n but_o it_o rather_o argue_v too_o much_o self_n and_o iniquity_n in_o ourselves_o that_o we_o will_v not_o have_v these_o who_o be_v instrument_n of_o a_o common_a and_o general_a good_a so_o much_o as_o to_o have_v any_o share_n therein_o who_o indeed_o deserve_v the_o best_a and_o who_o particular_a good_a must_v upon_o necessity_n be_v involve_v in_o the_o general_a now_o then_o i_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n believe_v its_o lawful_a to_o raise_v a_o new_a war_n or_o rise_v in_o rebellion_n against_o this_o parliament_n and_o army_n though_o some_o presbyterian_o prayer_n preach_n printing_n practice_n tend_v thereto_o answ_n the_o sword_n have_v already_o divide_v betwixt_o the_o independent_a and_o malignant_a and_o if_o i_o know_v my_o heart_n can_v free_o sacrifice_v my_o life_n it_o may_v proceed_v no_o further_o but_o if_o it_o must_v likewise_o divide_v betwixt_o the_o presbyterian_a and_o independent_a the_o good_a will_n of_o god_n be_v do_v as_o i_o have_v but_o one_o life_n have_v i_o ten_o time_n ten_o thousand_o and_o as_o many_o soul_n by_o the_o help_n of_o christ_n i_o shall_v free_o adventure_v they_o all_o in_o the_o cause_n as_o be_v confident_a the_o independent_a in_o his_o cause_n will_v first_o or_o last_o prevail_v and_o never_o fall_v more_o for_o i_o find_v in_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o there_o be_v great_a voice_n in_o heaven_n say_v the_o kingdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v become_v the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o his_o christ_n and_o he_o shall_v reign_v
for_o ever_o and_o ever_o rev._n 11.15_o which_o be_v likely_a to_o have_v part_n of_o its_o accomplishment_n in_o the_o next_o prevail_v independent_a battle_n if_o not_o before_o which_o i_o look_v at_o as_o the_o battle_n which_o be_v fight_v in_o heaven_n by_o michael_n and_o his_o angel_n with_o the_o dragon_n and_o he_o but_o the_o latter_a prevail_v not_o neither_o be_v their_o place_n find_v any_o more_o rev._n 12.7,8_o but_o this_o war_n end_v not_o till_o the_o church_n of_o room_n the_o beast_n with_o the_o false_a prophet_n the_o pope_n together_o with_o their_o confederate_n be_v take_v and_o slay_v revel_v 19_o from_o 13._o to_o the_o end_n nevertheless_o sir_n for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a but_o that_o fresh_a tumult_n and_o insurrection_n may_v again_o break_v forth_o let_v i_o humble_o &_o earnest_o request_v you_o to_o stir_v up_o both_o parl._n and_o army_n to_o use_v all_o good_a mean_n to_o prevent_v a_o serpent_n be_v with_o more_o facility_n crush_v in_o the_o shell_n then_o after_o break_v forth_o witness_n kent_n colchester_n &_o the_o scot_n together_o with_o which_o furious_a malignant_a be_v subtlety_n and_o secret_o involve_v a_o most_o dangerous_a and_o fiery_a presbyterian_a serpent_n and_o serpent_n in_o may_n will_v begin_v to_o look_v forth_o sir_n i_o question_v not_o your_o wisdom_n inâ—…g_n with_o these_o i_o neither_o do_v nor_o dare_v prescribe_v a_o way_n themselves_o 〈◊〉_d concern_v independent_n or_o opinionist_n as_o they_o call_v they_o will_v glad_o have_v have_v the_o parliament_n to_o have_v write_v after_o new_a england_n copy_n which_o if_o they_o shall_v then_o will_v these_o man_n be_v banish_v the_o kingdom_n for_o there_o be_v mr._n wheelewright_n a_o man_n approve_v for_o piety_n integrity_n innocency_n and_o humulity_n and_o yet_o banish_v new_a england_n be_v far_o less_o guilty_a than_o these_o man_n if_o at_o all_o which_o in_o conscience_n i_o neither_o 〈◊〉_d nor_o will_v have_v mention_v save_v that_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v and_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o do_v the_o like_a again_o and_o though_o i_o have_v many_o thing_n to_o commend_v new_a england_n for_o as_o apprehend_v they_o to_o be_v the_o best_a govern_a people_n and_o to_o have_v the_o best_a government_n both_o of_o civil_a and_o church_n state_n that_o to_o my_o knowledge_n be_v extant_a in_o the_o world_n yet_o in_o this_o i_o commend_v they_o not_o for_o truth_n shall_v not_o suffer_v with_o error_n and_o falsehood_n nor_o the_o innocent_a with_o the_o guilty_a which_o thing_n i_o humble_o refer_v to_o the_o honourable_a magistrate_n wisdom_n and_o discretion_n the_o three_o and_o last_o sort_n be_v malignant_n so_o call_v divers_a of_o who_o i_o doubt_v not_o have_v be_v civil_o and_o morral_o educate_v and_o sundry_a of_o who_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v may_v pertain_v to_o the_o election_n of_o grace_n yet_o if_o without_o offence_n i_o may_v express_v myself_o concern_v some_o of_o this_o kind_n which_o i_o desire_v to_o do_v with_o compassion_n as_o also_o with_o a_o desire_n of_o their_o conversion_n if_o god_n so_o please_v then_o i_o much_o fear_v that_o too_o many_o of_o this_o kind_n may_v be_v strong_o suspect_v to_o be_v the_o very_a son_n of_o beliall_a and_o of_o abaddonitish_a and_o destructive_a spirit_n direct_o opposite_a to_o both_o the_o other_o especial_o to_o the_o first_o mention_v that_o instead_o of_o be_v divine_o be_v diabolical_o principled_a act_v to_o their_o own_o end_n and_o light_n and_o instead_o of_o fight_v under_o christ_n banner_n and_o appear_v for_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n do_v direct_o fight_v under_o the_o banner_n of_o satan_n and_o plain_o stand_v up_o for_o the_o devil_n and_o antichrist_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n which_o disturb_v the_o earth_n yea_o four_o why_o it_o can_v be_v quiet_a viz._n the_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a bapist_n the_o gross_a and_o profane_a malignant_a the_o carnal_a and_o formal_a presbyterian_a and_o the_o blasphemious_a heretic_n sir_n it_o be_v not_o improbable_a but_o that_o i_o shall_v pass_v under_o many_o censure_n for_o what_o i_o have_v here_o express_v but_o i_o bless_v god_n i_o weigh_v not_o man_n day_n as_o have_v bear_v witness_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o against_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o without_o prejudice_n or_o partiality_n to_o any_o as_o in_o god_n sight_n now_o from_o the_o generation_n of_o superstitious_a papist_n and_o profane_a malignant_n of_o fiery_a presbyterian_o and_o blasphemous_a heretic_n the_o lord_n deliver_v zion_n as_o i_o believe_v he_o will_v and_o will_v also_o dash_v in_o piece_n all_o earthly_a monarch_n &_o power_n that_o do_v oppose_v himself_o and_o saint_n and_o in_o his_o due_a time_n will_v doubtless_o reign_v throughout_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n i_o mean_v not_o personal_o for_o i_o by_o no_o mean_n apprehend_v that_o though_o i_o high_o honour_v some_o that_o be_v think_v so_o to_o conceive_v but_o powerful_o and_o spiritual_o in_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o his_o saint_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o rev._n 20.4.6_o against_o who_o if_o yourself_o the_o army_n or_o parliament_n shall_v act_v against_o who_o you_o will_v implicit_o act_v if_o you_o shall_v not_o as_o much_o as_o in_o you_o lie_v go_v through_o with_o that_o good_a and_o glorious_a work_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v now_o betrust_v you_o with_o yea_o doubtless_o though_o it_o be_v against_o national_a law_n have_v a_o word_n of_o god_n to_o bear_v you_o out_o esther_n 4.16_o 2_o of_o king_n 14.19_o yea_o though_o you_o carry_v it_o all_o along_o by_o violence_n ezra_n 4.3_o 5.2_o nehe._n 4.13.14_o against_o who_o i_o say_v if_o you_o shall_v act_v then_o doubtless_o will_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n blast_v you_o and_o your_o proceed_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a notwithstanding_o the_o uncharitable_a thought_n jealousy_n and_o apprehension_n which_o other_o have_v of_o you_o in_o case_n you_o act_n as_o very_o i_o hope_v through_o grace_n many_o of_o you_o do_v viz._n for_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n the_o prosperity_n of_o zion_n and_o public_a interest_n in_o which_o do_v you_o express_v your_o faithfulness_n to_o god_n to_o the_o saint_n to_o the_o kingdom_n and_o also_o to_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_v the_o city_n of_o shushan_n to_o rejoice_v and_o be_v glad_a ester_n 8.15_o in_o which_o do_v you_o will_v assure_o find_v a_o blessing_n from_o the_o father_n of_o blessing_n and_o give_v the_o generation_n to_o come_v cause_n also_o to_o call_v you_o bless_v which_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o he_o who_o with_o saint_n in_o sincerity_n bless_v god_n for_o you_o the_o army_n and_o parliament_n present_a activity_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v in_o reality_n a_o servant_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n f._n l._n february_n 21._o 1648-49_a imprimatur_fw-la theodore_n jennings_n