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
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
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
as appeareth by the Records of the Chronicles and the bookes of the Kings of Israel and Iuda to which we may add the experiments of all Ages Sixthly Gods Wisdome is most perfect and God is unchangeable Seventhly this Order was never repealed in any Age to this day Eighthly the Promises of God in the Scripture do plainely shew that when God will have mercy upon his beloved People it shall be shewed the most eminently and apparently by restoring Iudges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning Ninthly this government by one chiefe as head and governor doth the nearest resemble that Heavenly frame of government Tenthly consider who ever thou art that harbourest such thoughts that such thoughts do arise from unsound Principles I believe not well ballanced considerations Because admit or suppose thou were left at liberty now to prescribe a forme of government what forme of Government couldest thou invent Consider that God witnessed evidently and eminently that when God prescribed government by Judges in such order as Divine records do mention this forme was better then any other Nation had in the whole World No Nation was so blessed by God in those times that had Lawes and Ordinances so righteous by which is meant Governors or Iudges and Lawes to be their Rules as God in those first and purest times did prescribe to his first borne Son And further consider that we are not now a separated People from the true Israel of God we are not strangers to those Lawes which God then in those times gave to them but contrarily we by Faith in Iesus Christ are ingrafted into the true Olive Tree we now are part of Gods houshould and doe subject to all the Lawes of Gods first borne Sonne and though they were our elder brethren yet now also God hath in his rich abundant and not to be sufficiently expressed mercy begotten us also to a lively hope so that we also are their yonger Brethren Therefore for any man to conceive that he could invent a better forme of government then any in the World in those times had and a better forme of government then God himselfe did the most immediately prescribe and own and confirm and blesse such a man if there be any such had neede to consider this matter first very advisedly least wanting wisdom to prescribe and power to uphould and power to blesse and prosper such his inventions he should be found to be an opposer of God himself and likewise exalt his wisdom above the wisdom of God The next matter I conceive it will be meete to propound to consideration other judges or governors that are in order inferior to this chiefe Judge before mentioned Exod. 18.25 And Moses chose Men of courage out of all Israel and made them heads over the People Rulers over thousands Rulers over hundreds Rulers over fifties and Rulers over tens Ver. 26. and they judged the People at all seasons but they brought the hard causes to Moses for they Iudged all small matters themselves The end wherefore judgement or Iudges were thus distributed is to that intent that both the chiefe governor may not be over burdened nor the People over burdened recorded Exod. 18.18 Thou both weariest thy selfe and this People that is with thee greatly the end being duly considered we may more easily distribute the governors Governors are sutable to this proportion to be distributed into the severall Shiers Cities Townes and Places where the People live which plainely appeareth the end being considered for the very affection of a loving Father is so prevalent that love causeth him to seek the comfort of his children and to provide for their comforts and conveniences to this purpose the Apostle saith that he is worse then an Infidell that provideth not for his Family Now consider that the Common-wealth in some respect is the Family of the chiefe Governor It is a lamentable case to consider have not the People bin I could wish it were not so still forced to travell many miles to their great detriment for to get those causes decided and determined that might with much ease have bin ended at or near to their own dwellings Yea moreover have they obtained the determining or ending of their causes without making many or diverse such chargable journies to the undoing of too many Men Widdowes and poore Fatherlesse Children have not many for want of means bin forced to loose their rights and lawfull maintenance Consider of it dear Fathers and now let it be remedied and doubtlesse God will shortly say unto you well done good and faithfull servant thou hast beene faithfull in these things come be ruler over more and better things enter into thy Masters joy But on the contrary consider that oppression is a crying sinne God will certainely hear the cry of the oppressed the cry of old and yong the cry of the Widdowes and of the Orphanes God will certainely hear them God will do it for the Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Therefore dearly beloved Fathers I humbly beseech you let Governors be distrâ—buted into the severall Shires Cities Townes and Places where the people dwell And keep close to the rules prescribed in these first and purest times namely let the determination of causes be in proportion to these first patterns let not the end be neglected which is that Gods Lawes be observed and the People may be eased I pray you to consider what is recorded concerning Samuel that good and pious Governor he rather then the People should travell far did travell himself to the places where the People dwelt 1 Sam. 7.16 And Samuel went about yeare by yeare to Bethell and Gilgall and Mispeh and judged Israel in all those places No doubt he appointed Judges all over the Land that did judge the people l kewise I pray you to avoide multiplicity of Iudges being of equall authority to judge at one timâ— in one and the same cause I believe it will not be so much for the Peoples comfort not so sutable to the first and most pure institutions and I believe t will be too great a burden to those that should be Governors in such causes in such a manner constantly I do conceive that from that end of the multiplying Governors recorded Exod. 18. which was to ease the People and Moses and that Gods Commandments might not be broken and from the acting and president that Moses left there recorded it appeareth that many governors are needfull in their severall places but not many governors of equal authority constantly to act in one cause and not in the weightiest causes more and most especially My reasons mentioned are gathered from the president and wisdom of God himself Now I shall proceed to describe that way for the calling or entrance of thâ—se governors into their places Being a matter of the highest and greatest consequence to us next under God we cannot possible use too much diligence nor too much intention nor too much
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
are men that prefer Gods glory and the Peoples good much before any private respects to themselves and I do believe if God give us patience we shall see it evidently to appear Let it be our wisdom and care to know and not to exceed the bounds of our lawful Liberties in this matter and the Rule of God forget not I do beseech all you that love God and do desire to do his Will That you will wrestle with God for a blessing in this matter for I believe the time is near that God will restore Judges as at the first and Councellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.26 Touching the great difference that seemeth to be amongst many I have no doubt but that the godly if they obtain a blessing in this matter of Government and study to be quiet shall plainly find a means in Gods own way to compose their differences Dearly Beloved You that are of different opinions and that do unfeignedly desire to do Gods good will and pleasure I would put a great and vast difference between you and those men that manifest by their fruits That the fear of God is not before their eyes that manifest by their fruits That touching Gods Commandments they agree in one opinion which is That they will have little respect to Gods Commandments because concerning these David saith Psal 10.2 The wicked speak with a double heart that is they pretend that they hate diversities of opinions and that they will be comformable to Gods Laws but alas doth it not too evidently appear That they acknowledg not God in all their ways for under pretence of conformity they shelter themselves and so make ready their arrows that they may shoot at them which are upright in heart as David witnesseth Psal 11.2 Job saith of such Job 29.17 I brake also the jaws of the unrighteous man and pluckt the prey out of his teeth And in the next Verse Job saith I was a father unto the poor and when I knew not the cause I sought it out diligently To those that fear the Lord and earnestly desire to do his Wil I say That I believe that by reason that evil Governors have so chased so afflicted and so persecuted you that from the apprehensions of your former miseries you fear all Governors you are very shy of Government But dear Friends let me say this to you Stay a while and look back again God hath promised that he will restore Judges as at the first c. What then then the case will be altered good Governors will love the Flock and defend them from the wicked and ungodly and blood-thirsty men they will feed the Flock God commanded Moses to carry the flock in his bosom neer his heart Numb 11.12 Carry them in thy bosom as a Nurse carrieth her sucking childe unto the Land that I will shew thee Be not afraid therefore for a Nurse that loveth her sucking Childe will love it and not cast it away because of her own trouble nor yet though the child have blemishes and is not so beautiful as some others I pray you be not afraid of Government for if you eye God enquire his counsel who shal govern you fear not follow but the rule prescribed and I doubt not but that God will bless that Government to you the Spirit of God will rest upon them For consider That God is the Author of Government therefore do not fly from Government for this I can tell by experience That I have seen a people that have out of Conscience to my apprehension professedly separated themselves from other Societies in the wilderness and allowed Liberty of Conscience without any disturbance I have seen and noted and experimentally known these people and passages and what have been the fruits of such a boundless monstrous and deformed Liberty They have rent and divided so amongst themselves that it hath come to open hatred one of another and they have even cryed out for to have some Government that men might not speak and do what they list For consider of it That when God doth withdraw his good Spirit from men and let the Devil loose to deceive them it is scarcely credible to beleeve how far such men are drawn away even to blaspheme God and his sacred Word which are unseparable Companions And some may be drawn to beleeve That they may murther their Neighbors and take their Wives Children or Goods Now consider That it is a singular and precious mercy to us that God hath wisely and strongly prescribed Rules and Bounds and Government to these raging waves of the restless Sea beyond which they may not pass Dear Friends Look upon Government as a precious mercy it were not to be expressed the greatness of our misery to be without Governors or to be without the blessed Laws of God to be governed by For consider it well That as the Laws of God are for Gods glory so likewise the Laws of God are for our exceeding great good There is no Law of God but our Good is contained in it and without those Laws we should be miserable The wicked of the world would dishonor God that made us and they would make servants and vassals of us The strong would oppress the weak and would devour another Note well all along from Moses to Samuel and you shall finde That when the condition of the People was in a state of such a Liberty to be without chief Governors then the people committed wickedness and are punished and the way that God delivered them was by raising up good Governors For this take for an assured truth That from good Gouernors and good Laws ariseth blessedness Therefore cleave close to the Laws of God they are a precious treasure And likewise take heed that your Governors be of Gods sending Follow the Rules by God prescribed exactly diligently There are some books written by some that I forbear to name both because the matter seemeth to me to be ended and also because I follow after peace I will not meddle with the Cause they or he pretendeth that moved him to write But this I say They or he have not cause to complain of unkindness from this present Government for he hath just cause to say they were patient and forbearing for I desire those who are guilty to consider in what an high degree they have sinned The Holy Ghost commandeth us That no corrupt communication should proceed out of our mouths and the Apostle Jude sheweth the great evil of those that are hold in their own conceits I desire God to give them repentance if it be possible That the thoughts of their hearts and their transcendent evil may be forgiven to them For consider That let men slatter what they will or can yet there is a glorious God whose eyes are as a flame of fire from his sight such deeds of darkness cannot be hidden and remember That God
Kings immediately in shewing the People the great evills that they should reape by Kings noted 1 Sam. 8. From Ver. 9. to Ver. 19. Kings will take your Sonnes and your Daughters from you and will appoint them to serve themselves This God doth not say was lawfull for Kings to doe for Gods Law was expresse to the contrary Exod. 22.21 Moreover thou shalt not do injury to a stranger Neither did Gods Lawes permit that they should wrong any man and Samuel useth that as a strong argument to convince them of their evill namely in these words 1 Sam. 12.3 Behold here J am beare record before the Lord of mee whose Ox have I taken or whose Asse have I taken or whom have I done wrong unto or whom have I hurt Ver. 4. Then the People said thou hast done us no wrong nor hast hurt us neither hast thou taken any thing of any Mans hand Hereby appeareth the Peoples great evill and ingratitude and their unrighteousnesse in forsaking that government with which they could find no fault Further this shewed that Kings would prove great evills because they would be great wrongers and great oppressors because they would take by violence their choisest comforts from the People And further this shewed that Kings would rule by the Rules of their owne wills in our dayes called their prerogatives this is shewed in these expressions Kings will take these and these things from you but this they ought not to do for herein Samuel sheweth his integrity we may observe that the Law of God ought to be the guide the Rule and the bounds to all men high and low to King and People this is evident Deut. 17.16 to 20. There God saith that the King should have the Booke of the Law and that hee should reade therein all the dayes of his life that hee may learne to feare the Lord his God and to keepe all the words of this Law and these Ordinances to do them that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren and that hee turne not to the right hand or to the left hand c. From hence we may see that the King is not to do what hee listeth but he is as expresly commanded to observe and do the Law as any other man yea and in some sort more because his example is more prevalent to draw others either to good or evill But further wee may here note the difference betweene Kings and Iudges the Kings they will do thus and thus they will breake the bounds set unto them but the Iudges were humble meeke men this God knew when hee put in that clause so nearely linked to the observation of his Law namely that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren experience hath taught us much of this could we be warned That Kings their hearts will be lifted up Observe I pray you the Iudges they acknowledged the People to be their Brethren but Kings they say their blood and their discent is more Royall more Illustruous more Excellent then those they call the baser sort and the more ignoble It is to be noted that in the first and purest times those men that were truly godly truly vertuous those men that were most precize that were the most observant of the Law of God Those men then were accounted to be the most noble and so we finde they were in Gods esteeme for wee finde Moses taken from keeping the sheepe And Gideon from threshing and David from the Sheepe-fold and made Rulers of the People But the World is now turned upside-downe for what do some men now applaud and worship but the Blood Royall and Noble Blood we have men now that are truly noble and eminent for Piety that sway the government of the Common-wealth but what is the tumult They say they cannot see their Nobility I would speake soberly and forbearingly consider warily and truly is it not because the God of this World hath blinded the eyes of many men But let us further note that this King Saul or a King or the Government by Kings would not onely deprive the People of their Sonnes and Daughters but also Kings would take their seede and their Vinyards 1 Sam. 8.15 Their Men-servants and their Maide-servants and the chiefe of your yong men and your Asses and Sheepe and yee shall be his servants Note I pray you that this People had great liberty and freedome under the government by Iudges could they have improved these with thankfull and contented hearts but they would reject and slight these mercies they would be governed by Kings under which Government they should endure many afflictions but when it commeth to this height that they themselves should be servants then they begin to be more sensible then they cry out but saith God Ver. 18. The Lord will not hear you in the day and time of these afflictions By this evident admonition it plainly appeared that God opposed in threatning manner this government by Kings for note that the cause here was not so much about the person to be made King but it was about the forme of government by Kings Note further how Samuel humbly and patiently doth argue the cause with the People Chap. 12. ver 7. to 13. where Samuel putteth the People in minde how God had not bin wanting to them but from time to time had raised up and appointed good governors for them Which governors God protected guided and blessed to them and made them Saviours and not oppressors nor destroyers to them sometimes for their sinnes and to prove them whether they would cleave to God and to shew them the benefit that it was to have God to appoint good governors and for other ends which God knew to be for his glory and their good God did leave them without chiefe Iudges and then we see the People they run into many by-paths and sinfull courses and then God suffered them to feele afflictions by enemies but note that when the people considered the cause and sought the favour of God and cryed to God to helpe them God never failed but answereth their petitions note in what manner God answered them he raised up Iudges vvhich God made to be blessings and Saviours to the People From this expostulation of Samuel we may observe that God by Samuel reproveth the People for altering that forme of government which God in his wisdome had prescribed and blessed to the People And the People could not deny the truth of this but further note that God to the end that posterity to come might evidently see his displeasure for that cause because the People had altered the forme of government by Iudges and instead thereof had wilfully and obstinately desired a government by Kings Therefore the Lord sheweth the People by an eminent and wonderfull way expressed thus 1 Sam. 12.17 I will call unto the Lord and he shall send Thunder and Raine that yee may perceive and see how that your wickednesse is great which yee
one of his own people 1 Ki. 15.27 Elah slaine in like manner 1 Ki. 16.9 And of Baasha his predecessors progeny God saith 1 Ki. 16.4 he that dieth of Baasha his stock in the City him shall the Dogs eate and he that dieth in the field the Fowles After him Zimri pursued by the People burneth himselfe 1 Ki. 16.18 Jehoram slain by his own people 2 Ki. 9. Ahaziah slaine in like manner 2 Ki. 9.27 Iesabell slaine 2 Ki. 9. Ahab slaine his posterity slaine 2 Ki. 10.6 by the Elders of his own people Ver. 7. Athalia slaine by her own people 2 Ki. 11.3.16 Iehoash slaine by his own servants 2 Ki. 12.20 Shallum slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 15.10.12 Pekahiah slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 15 25. Pekah slaine by his owne people 2 Ki. 15.30 Amon slaine by his own people 2 Ki. 21.23 I know not any one of these but that they are noted to be notorious sinners I doe let passe some others slaine and carried captives only these briefly as the shortnesse of time will permit the Lord give us hearts to understand the meaning of the blessed spirit of God aright Note here that God in his righteous Iudgements suffered and appointed Kings to be punished on earth God did not let them alone to be punished in another World I do believe that all these were not to be approved in the instruments and manner of their slaughters but some of them are approved and all of them are noted to bee taken away by Gods righteous judgements for the breach of his Laws and Commandments Now let the sincere godly hearted unpartially compare this government by Kings with that government by judges in which I pray God to direct you aright Thus have I endeavoured to present to our view the Kings that reigned over Iudah and Israel the Lord give us understanding to consider what bitter fruits the People reaped by changing their forme of Government I shall onely in this matter consider that doubtlesse these Kings many of them or others in their room would have beene much better had the People kept closer to the Rules prescribed and from time to time enquired of God who should have beene the man that should have governed them for we may note that although God promsed David that some of his posterity should governe yet they ought to have made him King whom the Lord should chuse Deut. 17. But we may note that God did so withdraw his good Spirit from the people that I remember not that it is recorded from Solomons time and after that the People did ever solemnly enquire counsell of God Who should governe them I doe believe that if the people had solemnely and seriously sought to God in this matter God would have provided some of Davids posterity from time to time and so have blessed and guided them by his good Spirit that they should have beene much better then they were but I doe believe God suffered them to swerve that we by their examples might learne wisdome whatsoever was written before time was written for our learning Having thus far proceeded in laying downe or describing the Cause or Foundation wherefore or whereupon I endeavour in the feare and love of the great and most high God according to the measure of Grace received to describe such a government Governors together with their entrances and authority as God hath prescribed owned and blessed in all which I doe consider that from the time of the Prophet Samuel to this day there hath beene so great a swerving and declining from that first most pure and cleare Fountaine from those most straight wholesome and good Rules Precepts and Commandments described by that most high and onely Wise God therefore I pray you blame mee not if I decline from humane authorities in all this description I desire to enquire for the old and good wayes of our good God And I consider that Gods Wayes his good Will and Pleasure is most certainely most wisely most apparently made knowne in the Scriptures written by the Prophets and Apostles men that most truly and faithfully made knowne Gods good Will and Pleasure without mixture of their owne or other mens inventions Therefore I shall most chiefly and only in comparison alledge the authority of the Scriptures and the rather because I consider that as the interposition of the Earth between the Sun and Moone darkneth that light and maketh an Eclipse whereby we are hindered from the more apparent and clear light and benefit that otherwise we might receive so I feare it would come to passe if I should follow other inventions I am sure that in this way the true light is most unerring I shall next endeavour to shew what encouragement I finde recorded in the sacred Scripture that do strengthen or encourage me to believe That God now in these latter Dayes and Times will restore and reforme government so that we shall have Judges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning and then wee shall be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City I shall begin to propound to consideration this Scripture Esai 1.24 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts the mighty one of Israel Ah I will ease me of mine adversaries and avenge mee of mine en mies Ver. 25. Then will I turne mine hand upon thee burne out thy drosse till it be pure and take away all thy tinne Ver. 26. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy counsellers as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City From this place I observe That corrupt Governors are the great hinderances of Reformation because the Church shall then be a City of righteousnesse when they have Judges as at the first Secondly I observe That such corrupt Governors and Governments God hath determined shall be put downe this is expressed in these words J will ease me of my enemies and burne out thy Drosse this is plainely implyed in these words I will restore thy Judges as at the first c. Thirdly I observe that at this time when the Prophet Esay wrote this sentence or this precious promise The government that then was in being which was a government by Kings was neither the first government nor the best or pure government but hereby noted to be a corrupt government If this were not the plaine and true meaning of these words I believe God would not have made this to be the way and meanes whereby the Church should become in Gods estimation a City of righteousnesse and a faithfull City and this appeareth if we do consider that the way how and cause why they should become a City of righteousnesse was Because a better government should be to the Church and People of God and that which then was in being should be destroyed but then the government was by Kings Fourthly I observe that this government should be reformed or regulated according to the first
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
and appoint such over them Vers 22. And let them judg all small matters so shall it be easier for thee c. We may there note That this distribution of Justice into many hands was not to the intent that many should judg ordinarily in every one case for then it would have brought both a greater burthen upon Moses and upon the people because when the judgment of a cause goeth through many hands these many hands or Judges are with more difficulty brought together and with greater charge greater expences and likewise their judgments not easily reconciled And also such cases in such a manner heard are longer in issuing fewer causes can be heard and likewise the people will be burthened with long waiting and great expences to maintain this châ—rge Therefore there were not more Moses's added not more Governors of equal authority to assist Moses in the hearing such causes as came ordinarily to be judged by him But it is evident That this multiplying Judges was to that end that these Judges or Rulers being chosen might be distributed into the severall Tribes where the People lived to the intent that the People might not travell far but might have their causes tryed and judged near to their own habitations And this did not weaken or lessen nor diminish from Moses his authority there was this still reserved that Moses the chief Judge should still have the sole judgement and determination of the weightiest matters and affaires This further appeareth by the extent of Ioshua his authority Ioshua 1.16 17. Then they answered Ioshua saying all that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go as we obeyed Moses in all things so we will obey thee onely the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Ver. 18. Whosoever shall rebell against thy Commandement and will not obey thy Words in all that thou commandest him let him be put to death c. Here it may be noted that the chiefe judge or governor that was over Gods heritage had power to command and to determine all the weightiest matters that concerned the people of the Lord. If we looke but upon a Family which representeth a little common-wealth wee shall there finde that God appointed one chiefe governor although the woman be in such a relation yet God knew that it was meete to ordaine one to be chiefe governor whose word should be of force This doth avoide much contention where it is willingly consented unto by all in the Family But on the contrary where the wife which is the nearest relation and the most eminent in the Family next to the man doth contend for the guidance of all matters in the Family What sad events do follow in such cases That mutuall love that otherwise would be betweene the Man and the Woman is separated the Family disturbed servants and children grieved neighbours offended and God much dishonored Even so and much more I believe we shall finde the Common-wealth to be disturbed where no one is chiefe Object But is it not said that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety Answ That sheweth that the chiefe governor should not be so proudly lift up in his spirit that he should despise the advice of others in which respect David sheweth an humble frame of heart when he saith that hee will not reject the advice of his servant much more not of those that are in nearer relations It is a precious vertue to be of an humble frame of heart to hear the counsell of others but this doth not destroy the lawful authority of Order in Government Touching Parliaments or Assemblies of the Elders of the people doubtlesse I conceive they may be in diverse cases as in the case of the defect and want of a chiefe Iudge or in case that the chiefe Iudge shall degenerate and decline from the Institutions and Commandements of God they are ordained and approved of by God in such cases and in other cases provided that they do not diminish the power and lawfull authority that God doth allow to such good governors that walke in his wayes This appeareth by that quere that the Prophet Samuel maketh to the People when he demandeth 1 Samuel whose Ox have I taken or whose Asse have taken or whom have J done wrong unto or of whose hands have I taken any bribe to blind my eyes therewith as if he should have said if you could justly lay to my charge these things there might be some just cause wherefore you should come together to demand another governor although neither would this warrant you to change the forme of government for therein you should breake Gods institution This appeareth likewise when the people assembled to depose and punish Athaliah and divers others the reason is plain because God must be honord above al he is the supreme governor ruler of rulers people Doubtlesse that Law of God that bindeth all men without respect of persons to the observation of it must of necessity finde a way and allow a way for the observation of it otherwise it would fall short in the perfection of it but to say that God onely must punish chiefe governors for their offences in another world to me plainly appeareth to be of no validity for God gave the Lawes to Men on Earth to be observed and the breach of his Lawes to be punished upon earth without any respect of persons or limitation and one Law of God bindeth all men But to returne that lawfull power and authority that God giveth and hath beene given and yeelded to all good governors by Gods Church and People must doubtlesse be yeelded to all good governors in like relations and with the like respects therefore I believe this is evident from the whole premised that the principall governor of a Common-wealth must be one and must have neither lesse nor more authority then Moses and Ioshua had in those first and purest times of Gods institutions And because we have the like liberty to punish or to remove such offenders as break the Law of God that they had if we see that such chiefe governors doe evidently act to Gods dishonor and the Peoples ruine which are unseparable companions Gods Laws do helpe the people in case that God give the people hearts to improve them to his glory Do but warily cleave to Gods ordinances to his institutions Let the chiefest governor be subject to the punishment that God prescribeth in such cases for such offences in his sacred Word Secondly let none succeede by succession from Father to Sonne Thirdly take heede that God chuse governors let them be of his sending and this is of more validity then all the ties fetters charters acts and what ever inventions of man to secure Gods glory and the good of us and of our posterity as I believe for our danger and misery ariseth from this roote namely when governors creep in at the windowes and in by-pathes and
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