have done in the sight of the Lord in asking you a King Ver. 18. Then Samuel called unto the Lord and the Lord sent Thunder and Raine the same Day and all the People feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly Ver. 19. The People said wee have sinned in asking us a King besides all our other sins c. Concerning this King we have occasion to note that Gods Presence did remove now and stand at a further distance then before God did not wholy depart from them but remembering the multitude of his mercies he did still favour the People but as the Tabernacle for the sinnes of the People was removed out of the Host Exod. 33.7.8 Yet not wholy out of their sight so here God removed his gracious presence further off from the People The next King was David who was a good and vertuous King God would not afflict the People so much that they should have no good Kings Davids blemishes I forbear though some blemishes he had such as I believe were not to be found amongst the Iudges that were immediately appointed by God to their place after succeeded Solomon how far he declined from the straight Rules of Gods revealed Will are to be found recorded in the Booke of Kings Rehoboam Reigned he had 18. Wives and threescore Concubines and desired many Wives 2 Cro 11 21 23. He forsooke the Law of the Lord and all Israel with him for which cause Shishack came up against Jerusalem and tooke the strong Cities which were of Iuda The People were made servants to Shishack 2 Cro. 12.1 to 9. Further he did evill and prepared not his heart to seeke the Lord. Ver. 14. Ahijam reigneth he walked in all the sinnes which his Father had done before him and his heart was not perfect with the Lord 1 King 15.3 Asa reigned he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord he put down his Mother because she had an Idoll in a Grove 1 King 15. Nadab reigned he did evill in the sight of the Lord and made Israel sinne 1 King 15.26 Baashaw reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord and caused Israel to sinne 1 King 16. Elah he reigned did evill being drunke was slaine 1 King 16. Omri reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord worse then all that were before him 1 King 16. Zimri reigneth was burnt 1 King 16.18 Ahab the sonne of Omri reigneth and did worse then all before him 1 King 16.3 Ahaziah reigneth he did evill he sought helpe of Baallzebub the God of Ecron 2 King 1. Iehoram reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kin. 3.2 Iehosaphat reigneth he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Kings Ioram reigneth he did evill 2 Kin. 8.9 Jehoram sonne of Iehosaphat reigneth he did evill 2 Kin 8.17 Jehu reigneth he regarded not to walke in the Law of the Lord God 2 Ki. 10.31 He is an occasion to cause Israel to sin therefore they are smitten in all the Coasts of Israel Ver. 23. Athalia reigneth did evill is slaine 2 Ki. 11.3.6 Iehoash reigneth he did good in the Eyes of the Lord during the time the Priest taught him 2 Ki. 12.2 But the high places were not taken away he is slaine Ver. 21. Iehoaash sonne of Iehu reigneth did evill in the sight of the Lord and causeth Israel to be delivered into the hands of their enemies 2 Ki. 13.2.3 The Destruction of the People was so great that there was left but 50 Horsemen and 10 Charrets and 10000 Footemen they were destroyed and made like Dust beaten to powder 2 Ki. 13.6 7. Iehoash sonne of Iehoaash reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Ki. 13.10.11 Ieroboam reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Ki. 14.23 24. Amaziah reigneth did uprightly in the Eyes of the Lord but not like David 2 Ki. 14.3 Azariah reigneth did uprightly in the Eyes of the Lord but they burnt Incense in the high places and the Lord smote the King and hee was a Leper to the Day of his Death 2 Ki. 15.3 4 5. Zachariah reigneth hee did evill in the sight of the Lord 2 Ki. 15.8.9 Shallum reigneth is slaine 2 Ki. 15 14. Menahem reigneth did evill 2 Ki. 15.17 18. Pekahiah reigneth He did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Ki. 15.23 24. Pekah reigneth He did evill 2 Ki. 15.28 The People carried away captive Iotham reigneth He did uprightly but the People burnt incense in the high places in his Dayes the Lord sent enemies upon the People 2 Ki. 5.34 37. Ahab reigneth He consecrated his Sonne in the fire he did much evill 2 Ki. 16. Hoshea reigneth Hee did evill in the sight of the Lord he becommeth servant to Salmanasser King of Ashur 2 Ki. 17.2 3. The People besieged and carried captive Ver. 6. Because they kept not Gods commands diligently 37. Hezechiah reigneth He did uprightly according to all that David 2 Ki. 18. Manasseh reigneth Hee did evill in the sight of the Lord after the abomination of the Heathen 2 Ki. 21.2 He did much evill and filled Jerusalem from corner to corner with innocent blood 2 Ki. 21.16 And hee caused Iuda to sinne and to do evill Ver. 16. Ammon reigneth He did much evill in the sight of the Lord 2 Ki. 21.20 Iosiah He reigneth He did uprightly in the sight of the Lord 2 Ki. 22.2 Iehoahaz his Sonne reigneth he did much evill in Gods sight 2 Ki. 23.32 The Land in his Dayes was put under great tribute Ver. 33. Iehojachin reigneth He did evill 2 Ki. 23.37 very much evill Iehojachin his Sonne He reigneth He did much evill 2 Ki. 24.9 The People carried captive in his Dayes very much People Ver. 13.4 Zedechiah He reigneth and He did evill in the sight of the Lord very much 2 Ki. 24.9 20. It is well to be considered of that amongst all the Iudges of Israel that came into their places according to Gods institution there was not one man of them that I know of that was taken away by the Sword of the enemy nor by treachery slaine by their owne People nor came to any untimely Death save one man and that was not for practicall evill of himselfe but for suffering sinne to go without due punishment in his children But contrarily they are noted much for Humility Sincerity and Piety Certainly the Spirit of God doth wisely describe Governors for our learning had we but hearts wisely and diligently to observe them But note contrarily that amongst the Kings how many were taken away by untimely Deaths some by Gods command slaine some by the Sword of the enemy some carried captive and the greater part slaine by the People and the most of them are noted to bee notorious sinners I shall rehearse some of them although I believe not all The first fruits of their King Abimelecke Iudg. 9.6.53 The next was Saul slaine was his owne Executioner 1 Sam. 31.4 Nadab slaine by
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
others from such open provocations of God as swearing whoring false speaking and like sins Presently many are apt to mischieve him it is well for him if he scape with base language as Roundhead Whores-bird Roundhead c. with bitter hatred I have lately seen this and heard it to my sorrow It is said of the wicked That they cast up mire and dirt This I say unto those that fear God Walk humbly circumspectly mourn for these abominations And God will spare you as a man spareth his son in the day of calamity when the wicked shall be destroyed together I pray you that are more sober consider you hear such complaints against the General Officers and Army put these complaints in the ballances of Truth bring them to the Touch-stone You have had experience of the behaviour of both parties on which side did sin prophaneness plundering and such acts of prophaneness most abound Were the Officers and Souldiers of the Malignant Army more holy more harmless then this party of this Army For which side did God witness or do you judg that God seeth not or regards not c. Well seek not evasions do not resolve not to see not to consider not to acknowledg Object But some I believe will find fault with me because I do not name and particularize actions persons times and places more particularly with more evident witnesses c. Answ 1. My time will not suffer me to be so large although I purpose if God will when I come to points wherein I purpose to engage or insist in those things I purpose to be more punctual 2. I answer That men do not use candle-light at noon days when the Sun shines bright but in dark places So are these matters they are not done in corners these matters are accompanied with a cloud of witnesses Your own experiences your own consciences rightly ballanced are more then a thousand witnesses There are extant in some Books many of these particulars where they are more largely handled only I hope it will not be grievous if I put you in minde of those things whereof you have experience already Moreover those miraculous passages of Gods Providence wherein Digitus Dei the finger of God evidently appeared and doth still appear to admiration So that if our hearts be not hardned and our eyes blinded I conceive these are witnesses sufficient But notwithstanding if we shut our eyes if they be not opened I do conceive and answer as Abraham answered to Dives being in torments That if one should arise from the dead you would not believe But let men judg what they please this is the comfort and stay to them whose hearts are right with God namely this That God seeth he regardeth he is a strong God a wise and faithful God he will make bare his arm and mightily work for the good of his chosen and to the confusion of his enemies Object Courteous Reader Christian Friend lest thou shouldst take offence because I kept not more close to the matter propounded Answ I seeing and considering the great bitterness the great heat that evidently appeareth to be in the prejudiced and fore-stalled hearts of many men I endeavored only to qualifie that heat and in part to remove that prejudice otherwise I conceived that there would be no place for Peace and Truth to meet together But to proceed The man that hath most effectually written to my apprehension that yet hath come to my knowledg to hinder Peace and Truth at this time from meeting is Mr William Prynne in his Book called The substance of a Speech made in the House of Commons Touching this man I have no prejudice against him I never saw him to my knowledg I have likewise met with some other of his Labors and upon some consideration of the matters in them contained to my best apprehension this I finde That he hath taken much pains that he is a man endowed with divers good gifts if they be sanctified I do beleeve he is zealously affected and that his intendments are for the glory of God and for the good of the People I love the man and do beleeve that we shall both meet before God and his glorious Angels to both our comforts through the rich mercy and free favor of our God in his dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ I would not cast dirt upon all his Labors but onely I shall endeavor to sift and winnow them and desire him to recollect his thoughts and to revive his Works over again and where he findeth an error I desire him to recall that and to revoke it Who knoweth the errors of his life In many things we sin all This perswasion I have of Mr William Prynne That he is so zealous and so ingenuous that he will not persist in a known error Paul being in an error when he persecuted Christ in his members brought much glory to God great advantage to his Church and left himself as an eminent pattern for others to imitate When and after he saw his error he recanted and repented and repaired his error In the first Scripture alledged I find this place cited out of Mat. 5.9 Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the children of GOD. This place in his intendments pointeth out that which he hoped as I beleeve should be the issue of his Labors in the work following But here I finde that of Solomon verified That the race is not always to the swift nor riches to men of understanding For had this speech of his prevailed it would have been so far from causing peace that I do beleeve both we and the children yet unborn should have had cause to lament it Had his speech there declared in that book prevailed it would have effected much more sorrow and trouble then before The next Scripture is Psal 68.30 Rebuke the company of spear-men scatter thou the people that delight in War Some Translations read it thus Destroy the Company c. This Text here is placed as a leading exhortation to the Reader to perswade them to follow this example This place compared with that which goeth before and with that which followeth after plainly holds out thus much That Mr Prynne did endeavor to render the Army root and branch odious for the Army consisted of the Head and Members which appeareth in the first leafe in the Title or Inscription of his Book in these words namely The Armies Remonstrance Novemb. 20. is a way to speedy and certain ruine and a meer plot of the Jesuites to destroy us This he presents to the whole Kingdom I hope by this time Mr Prynne seeth cause to recall and revoke this For he inviteth the Kingdom with him to pray That God would destroy the Army in the Scripture before cited I say with Steven the Martyr Act. 7.60 Lord lay not this sin to his charge I answer by way of reply to this Scripture That when men do lay unjust slanders and reproaches upon
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
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
sinnes But secondly I desire that we may duly and well consider wherein consisteth whereupon dependeth and from what roote ariseth and what is the cause that God hath granted this precious favour to us that are by nature Gentiles c. that wee shall bee his children of his househould and have brotherly fellowship doth it arise from any inherent righteousnesse in us more then in others Or from any actuall holinesse in us or doth it not arise from a righteousnesse imputed to us we are called Saints not because wee of our selves are more righteous then others but because wee believing the promises of God Christ his righteousnesse is imputed to us this is the roote and cause of our fellowship and brotherhood Thus it is recorded Rom. 3.21 22 23 for there is no difference for all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God ver 24. and are justified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Iesus vers 25 26 27 28. and Rom. 5.4 being justified by Faith wee have peace towards God thorough our Lord Iesus Christ c. Gal 2.16 from this roote wee are said to bee ingrafted and united unto Christ by Faith This is the true cause of our brotherly fellowship Suppose that ten men bee the brethren of one Father it is not a sufficient cause to dissolve their brotherhood because that one wanteth an eye another a hand and another is blemished and not so beautifull But thirdly consider wee all of us how far and in what manner we are polluted and defiled with sinnes our owne selves and by that meanes we shall not so easily separate the bonds of Brotherly fellowship because we see that others are sinners I beseech you that mourne for the breaches that are in the Israel of God use diligence follow after Peace go to other societies and shew that you are desirous to repaire and make up the breaches that have beene and are shew your grievances what they are I am perswaded the Godly Ministers and many people will meete you and be willing to remove any just cause of offence and to doe any lawfull act or acts for the reuniting and for the obtaining of Peace and of Brotherly fellowship but deare friends bee sure before you come pull pride out of your hearts by the rootes and insteed thereof labour to plant and bring love and humility and then I dare undertake a reconciliation I pray you give me leave without offence to propound to your consideration an instance or two which I can be experience witnesse There is a place where the Governor and Ministers were godly they out of zeale did separate wholy and with some few others did joyne together in Covenant or fellowship and did at once refuse to joyne with all other in Gods owne Ordinances as namely in the celebration of the Sacrament and Baptisme c. What followed whereas before the whole place was in my apprehension in a hopefull way of Reformation and turning from evill to good the Ministers were generally beloved and so was the Governour by the most of the inhabitants till this time of their totall separation but afterwards those that saw not light for such a practice first withdrew their affections from the Ministers and from the Governor and still the flame increased till the Governors and Ministers were displaced and worse in regard of godlinesse obtained their places and that place now is become more evill then before and lesse hopefull Might not these godly Ministers and Governor have reformed all the evills as well in a way of Reformation as in a way of rigid and sudden totall separation which if they had orderly proceeded in and so have dealt with such as had been known sinners according to any cleare rule and by just proces have excluded every known Obstinate and unrepentant sinner this I believe would have bin boâ—ne by the People and the Ministers and Governor might I believe have still remained in their places and might still have bin beloved of the People and they might I believe have done the same in effect by a way of Reformation that they endeavored to do in a way of totall separation which brought such sad events I could instance in another People some matters tending to the same effect in both which I have noted with diligence the fruits and I cannot see the gracious presence of God to succeede such proceedings Therefore I desire all who it may concerne warilie to consider the fruits of separation where we may do the same matters in a way of Reformation And further consider that it is a more facile way to separate from other sinners then to separate from the sinnes of our owne hearts God forgiveth us every day our sins and yet how sharply do we proceed against our brethren This matter requireth that much more should be spoken to it but I forbear because I fear to offend any of Christs little ones I have only endeavoured to remove those hinderances which I conceive do chiefly hinder Peace and Truth from meeting and imbracing Now dearely beloved Fathers you into whose hands God hath committed the Government of this Common-wealth and the People and the affaires thereof I humbly desire that you will not be offended that I do propound to your godly consideration the few following lines contained in this little Treatise I pray you do not disdaine to look over and consider what is in them contained because the instrument that offereth them to you is but weake and meane Consider that God sometimes chuseth weake and meane instruments to bring about his owne purposes It was a great Argument that the great men and learned Doctors used in the time of our Saviour to bring his Doctrine and the Doctrine of his Apostles into contempt namely they said is not this the Carpenters Sonne are not these unlearned men poore Fishermen and the like I hope this shall not be a prevalent Argument with you to cause you to despise what I here offer to your consideration despise not altogether the day of small things I have not that rich store of neither do I much seek for those rich garments of the sentences drawn out of many other Writers to cast over and to adorne this little Treatise to make it appeare beautifull I must present it to you in the plaine simplicity of the Gospell The authority I shall alledge is drawn only or chiefly from the Word of God which I shall endeavour to tender to you so far as God shall assist me without addition or diminution not turning to either hand Through much difficult tryalls and temptations I have bin helped I believe by God his good Spirit to obtaine this benefit that I might tender these things to your consideration and as you are more eminently considered in them yet I also and my posterity and many of my friends are likewise trulie concerned in these following lines I confesse they are but as a mite yet I pray you accept
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
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
the windowes and in by-pathes expect bitter fruits GOD hath not promised his holy spirit to such let the experience recorded in Scripture the sure rule of truth teach us this such corrupted governors will be what they truely are and they will alter breake through and evade Gods Lawes much more your agreements Observe we therefore GODS Presidents and Rules cleave fast and close to GOD now observe GOD did first settle government a chiefe Judge before he prescribed Rules for Judges or People Moses was chosen before the Law was given to direct both him and the People therfore do not in the mean time break out preposterously And now to all discontents whether through weakenesse or malice consider you did run well you were co-actors in the late Warrs what hindereth you you complaine of Taxations and at the same instant by your irregularities and gaine-sayings do not you unavoidably pull these charges in a great measure both upon your selves and upon us might not matters be quieted sooner and with lesse charge did not you so crookedly imagine evill matters you complaine of this government in many things both unjustly and unworthily but I am sure we that seeke after peace have true cause to complaine of you foâ— these matters consider will not the issue prove bitter and dangerous to your selves beare the burdens the more willingly because they are the fruits of sin our governors doubtlesse they study how to ease and helpe you and us and shall we be so ungratefull to study evill against them Consider I pray you that God hath divolved and turned the government let us not strive against God we see it is not an arme of flesh it must not be that because you think that is good to have government so and I think it is better thus and a third he conceiveth contrary to us both in all these cases it must not it ought not to be what any of us think meet further then what Gods counsell hath determined which I believe God will guide this present government whose charge and place it is to drect our course and this I believe that their hearts and eares are free and open to heare any regular and loving counsell for David saith he would heare the advice of his servant Dearly beloved Countreymen I pray you study to be quiet we have had experience of the sad events of war I do believe that if we have not profited it is because God hath yet greater afflictions to bring upon us labour to pray for to uphold and to encourage this present government and our selves to walke evenly and humbly with God and I dare affirm it is the nearest the safest way and best pleasing to God and the most for our own comfort how ever I am much greived for many especially for those malevolent inventers of evill things because they provoke wrath against themselves Now dearely beloved Fathers the truely vertuous Generalls the Lord generall Fairfax and the Lord Lieutenant generall Cromwell who though I never saw either of them yet I know them by their godly and gracious actings for the glory of God and for the good of us the people of England and for the good of our posterity cannot but unfeignedly love them how hath God used them as instruments to free us from that miserable bondage to them therefore and to the rest of those worthy and godly men that now govern this Land may not that which is recorded be spoken of you all Numb 24.5 How goodly are thy Tents O Iacob and thine habitations Oh Israel as the Vallies are they stretched forth as Gardens by the River side as the Aloe Trees which the Lord hath planted as the Cedars beside the waters Ver. 8. God brought him out of Aegypt his strength shall be as an Vnicorne he shall eate the Nations his enemies and bruse their bones and shoote them through with his arrowes Ver. 9. Hee coucheth and lyeth downe as a yong Lyon and as a Lyon who shall stir him up blessed be he that blesseth thee and cursed be he that curseth thee Dearely and unfeinedly beloved Fathers suffer me to use a word of exhortation Moses often repeateth the same things knowing how weak and fraile our nature is and how apt we are to forget those most perfect and blessed directions of our good God consider I pray you that as our God is a God abundant in mercy rich in mercy so also he hath made knowne himself to be a God jealous of his glory and will not give his glory to another Exod. 20.5 For I am the Lord thy God a jealous God Exod. 34.14 Because the Lord whose Name is jealous is a jealous God Deut. 4.23 Take heede unto your selves least you forget the Covenant of the Lord your God Ver. 24. For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire a jealous God Chap. 6.9 Jos 24.19 Ioshua said he is an holy God he is a jealous God hee will not pardon your iniquity nor your sinnes if you forsake the Lord. Ver. 24. And the People said unto Ioshua the Lord our God will we serve and his voyce will we obey 1 King 19.10 Eze. 39.25 Rev. 1.13 In the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks one like unto the Sonne of Man clothed with a garment downe to the feete and girded about the paps with a golden girdle Ver. 14. His head and haires were white as white Wooll and as Snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire Revel 2.1 These things saith he that walketh in the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks Ver. 5. Remember thereofre from whence thou art fallen and do thy first works Rev. 22.12 Behold I come shortly and my reward is with mee Ver. 3. J am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end Ver. 14. Blessed are they that do his Commandements Remember that God is jealous of his honor who saith expresly wee shall not doe that which seemeth good in our owne eyes but all that God commandeth Note this Rule well it is Gods own Word and counsell the neglecting this Rule is and hath been the roote and branches of a world of mischiefe Eye the Word of God throughly follow those blessed rules prescribed by God in the first and purest times This is your wisdome and safety no doubt when Israel chose Abimeleck it seemed good in their own eyes when they chose to be governed by Kings it seemed good to them when the people lived without any government that condition seemed good in their own eyes although it brought the fierce wrath of God upon them when they worshipped the Host of Heaven when they worshipped Jdols and other wickednesse no doubt these matters did seeme good in their owne eyes Therefore dearly beloved leane not to your owne wisdome to your owne strength follow the straight rules of Gods sacred Word in the purest manner and times the most plainely described consider that government is of very weighty concernment proceede warily with all diligence in the