witnesse doth give a distinct sound It palpably declâ—res and plainly proclaimes our Defection from God and Apostasie from him after we had bound our souls with an oath to the contrare It is not onely because we were not answerable to our Covenant-engagements to studie holinesse in the feare of God and walk like a people dedicat and devoâ—ed to him though such a breach goes alwayes before and the other followes afâ—er Buâ— because we dealt unfaithfully in thar Covenant made for Reformation in his house we beâ—ame lukewarme in the cause so the curse of deteâ—table neâ—trality hath over taken us our solemne acknowledgement of sin and engagements to dueties were forgotten Yea we proceeded from one degree of unfaithfulnesse infixedâ—esse in our Covenant with the most High to another till the whole of that Covenanted-work of Reformation was surrendered and put in their power who have destroyed all and razed and overturned the blessed foundations of that beautiful structure and this was done with such a hast and precipitation as he was looked upon as a peevish Ridicule who would have advised in that day to see previously to the securitie of Religion before these were put in power who were it's known and constant enemies And so what ouâ— worthy Fore-fathers of truely blessed memory by their zeal their wisdome their courage for God their valient contendings for the truth their prayers their witnessings their sufferings had by the good hand of their God upon them wrought out for us and put us in possession of we blindly and basely abandoned all and suffered our selves to be fooled out of the cause and out of our faithfulnesse to Christ with a flourish or small parcel of good words And it is for this iniquitie that the holy and righteous Lord pursues us this day it is for this that he doth punish us by these very hands into whose hands we put power to overturne his work and left them at liberty to do so Now O generation see the word of the Lord. It is not my purpose hereâ— to give an account of the several steps of our defection or to draw the lineaments of it's black visage that is an undertaking above my pen and parts let the Lord with whom is the residuâ— of the spirit finde out and furnish some for it and O that for my interest in the defection and my accession to the cause of Gods contending this day with poor Sâ—otland I may obâ—ain mercy to go mourning to my grave This may be cried out upon as Treason well if the mentioning of the Land 's treacherous dealing with God be called Treason all my Apologie is that that makes the necessitie of doing it double and indispensible dutie let me be a Traitor if that be Treason But I know this may be particularly bogled at and abomâ—nat as if it were the reviving and raking againe out of the ashes wherein they were burnt and by the burners designed for ever to lye buried of the causes of wrath I need say little as to this But that the Causes of wrath need neither my patrociny nor Apologie they carry alongst their own sâ—d aud certain evidence with them and I judge many who did not then see so far as these Seers did who drew them up and mourned before the Lord under the conviction of the guâ—lt therein held forth have since been convinced to their cost that the secret of the Lord was with these his Servants and that they stood in his Counsel and if any of them be â—ot they may be ere all bedone O the burning of the Covenant in England and the Causes of wrath in Scotland shall certainly be followed with a fire and siercenesse of indignation as shall make Authors Actors Abettors and Rejoycers thereat know what it is to give such an open defiance to the Almighty A Covenant burnt and burnt by Authority in the sight of heaven with such hell-black solemnities where the great God is Altera pars Contrahens for Reformation of Religion accordâ—ng to his word and righteounesse in walking before him is such a sin as may make every soul to tremble at the fore-thoughts of what God will do for vindicating his glory from that contempt thereby cast upon him My present businesse is not to addresse my self by way of Testimony or representation to them who have done such horrid things Onely I wish that the burning of that City into ashes where that Covenant was burnt together with that non-such plague and war may make them take warning ere it be too late who did this wickednesse for Alas all that is come will be forgotten when the wrath and vengeance that is yet coming shall be execute and mentioned O England England I feare I feare thy wo hasteneth the wrath of God is upon the wing against thee both for breach of Covenant and wipeing thy mouth as if thou hadst done nothing amisse Thou hast stood and seen thy brothers day Alas for thy day when others shall stand aloof from thee for feare of sharing in thy judgements O how unexamplified must the plagues be wherewith they shall be pursued whose wickednesse hath such a singularitie of hainousnesse in it on the ground of the Righteousness and Veracity of God! The burning of a Covenant made with God is a sin which I believe never had precedent or parallel and I also believe that the terrible tempest of the wrath of God falling from Heaven and following this guilt shall for ever fright men from following their steps who for this shall be made spectacles of his displeasure and documents to the coming of Christ what a dreadful and fearful thing it is for men taken red-hand in this wickednesse to fall into the hands of the living God! And as for burning the Causes of wrath I grant that wickednesse hath a perfect parallel but of a tremenduous consequence in â—ehojakim's practice recorded Jer. 36.23 where that ungodly King of unhappy memory upon his apprehended restitution to freedom and deliverie from the judgemâ—nt of God pursuing him for his wickednesse is so grated with the prophets faithfulnesse as he burnt the causes of wrath Now let it be taken notice of how the anger of the Lord burnt against this bold burner see his burial and Epitaph Ier. 22.18.19 but more particularly see how for this very consumating wickednesse he and his posteritie for ever are deprived from Crown and Scepter Ier. 36.30 2 Chro 36. His bâ—otheâ— Zedekiah it is true was made King for a time but he also continued to do evil in the â—ight of the Lord and broke the Covenant of God though he burnt it not and then the Lord sweeped that race for these rebellions against him together with the throne off the face of the earth thus the burning of the Causes of wrath and the breach of God's Covenant brought down the fire of the wrath of God from heaven which consumed with its flame these who had dared the Almighty after
purity to posterity to protect these very persons whom they persecute and persecute for persisting in those wayes wherein they themselves have give it under their hand to God they would walk Now we are not to think strange concerning this fiery trial for whosoever would be the Disciple of Christ must take up his crosse daily and follow him it must be such an one as he pleases to lay on and what he wil have it to be he must not fansy to himself a fools Paradise in Christs company nay thâ— crosse is the necessare concomitant of a Christian and sharp conflictiâ—g must goe before the obtaining of the conquerours crown we must not only resolve to meet with such fiery trials as will consume into ashes our darling Idols for there is a necessity that some hand be made use of to pluck out that right eye and cut of that right hand ' which hath caused us to offend` that so we may enter into life but we must and may exspect to meet with â—he saddest trouble and the most unsufferably sharpe trials out of that airth whence we did not feare nor could we rationally foresee the storme should blow these Persons and thingsâ— which should be most comfortable to the people of God do often prove the source of their calamitie and the Instruments Whereby they are afflicted We need not goe to Ionah's gourd nor Iob's Friends we need goe to Zechariah slain betwixt the Porch and the Altar by Ioash whom he was endeavouring to rescue out of the hands of the living God by admonishing him to keep the commandement of the Lord and his Covenant and Coronation-oath 2. Chron. 23 16. compared vvith C. 24.20 seq for though he vvas the Son of Iehojadah vvho had made him King and stain the Usurper yet he not onely for gote that kindenesse buâ— slevv the Son vvho vvas desiring yea vvhile endeavouring to keep that crown upon his head by dissuading him to venture upon God-provoking courses or to enter the list of opposition to God Almighty contrary to all the Objective and Subjective Obligations under vvhich he vvas to him for having set him upon the Throne vvho could as easily and vvonderfully bring him dovvn as he had set him up vvhich his Father had set upon it But God forgote neither his foresaking of the Covenant nor his breach of his Coronation-oath nor his forgetting of Iehojadah's kindenesse but put Ioash in remembrance of all he had forgotten and of all he had done and made him know he had heard the words of dying Zechariah I need neither tell you how nor by what Monitors he brought these things to his remembrance nor how plaâ—n a parallel it is to our case onely Ioash did not kill Iehojadah himseâ—f who had been the Instrument of his setlement in the Government I say we need not search to recoâ—ds of former Generations except it be to finde some of the Saints and some of the Churches of Christ to whom we may turne That we may learn at them and be beholding the end of the Lord know how to carry and acquit ourselves though we may long turne over the records of former times ere we finde a parallel to the iniquitie of ours for examples when these very men with whom we ourselves did once take sweet councel together and with whom we walked to the house of God in company are become such cruel and keen enemies as it is impossible to describe their rage and cruelty for a naked representation of matter of fact would â—ertainly passe with such as were not witnesses to what is done for a meditat and malicious representation of Persons Actions but I need not tell you stories what you finde beyond my tellings yea beyond your own expressings O the crimson iniquitie of our times when such as did but the other day cry Grace Grace unto it are this day throwing down what they had built and are crying raze it raze it even to the foundation When these who not long ago did cry up and commend loyalty to Jesus Christ are now crying Crucifie him let us burst his bonds assundâ—r and Cast away his cords from us Let us casse and rescinde our Covenant made to serve him and be subject to him and let us set up a New Lord and let this be the New Law that who ever will not doe according as we have done and decreed may die But Alas have these men forgotten that this Insurrection against him is recorded in Heaven and that this their rage against his follovvers upon vvhom â—hey run vvith open mouth and against vvhom they prepare themselves vvithout their fault being chargeable vvith no guilt abstracting from obedience to their God is come in remembrance before him and that the cry of these oppressed ones is come up unto the eare of the Lord God of Sabaoâ—h and vvill bring him dovvn to execute judgement for the oppressed but let us not stumble nor start aside for all this for hovv astonishing so ever it may be in it self to upright men yet let the innocent stirr up themselves against those who have dealt thus hypocritically with God and let the righteous still hold on their way and such as have clean hands wax stronger and stronger it is a weaknesse unworthy of saints not to carry as those who have laid their account with the crosse a reckoning which flesh and blood alwayes inculcating that carnal Doctrine spare thy sâ—lf is very unwilling to make We still think there is a way because we would have it so and often make a way where he hath made none to shift these hard sayings and shun these heavy things and yet come at Heaven We fansie a Possiblitie to passe thorow the world with the worlds good will and be religious too But this is to be wise above what is written The Devil must first cease to lie and murther and way-lay them that are going to Heaven and the enmitie between the seed of the woman and the seed of the Serpent must first be done away or changed into perfect amitie which shall never be before that day dawn that the traveller to Heaven needs not lay his reckoning to meet with trouble in the way But passing the general account that the wickeds hatred agâ—inst God is so perfect as they hate his Image and Picture in his Children yea they like not the godlâ—nesse If I may cal it so of a hypocrit but hate it which they doe what ever they pretend not for the evil that is under iâ— but for the good that appeares in it As Lions are said to have so perfect a hatred at man as they wil teare the picture because of the resemblance it hath to a living man neither shall I inâ—ist upon this cause oâ— hatred against the Students of holinesse that there is a light in a Christians life who walks as a Child of light which discovers the spots of the profane world about him and with that light there
that Mr Mitchells death hath done more hurt to it's contrivers and furious drivers than ever his lâ—fe could have done even though he had shot againe and hit that un hallowed marke For now where as he hath died desired they who drove it have in breathing out their crueltie against him brought an indelible infamy upon themselves and entâ—iled upon their posteritie a reproach never to be rolled away yea they have missed their marke so far in hiting him as I suppose the most confident scoffer amongst all those who promised them selves matter of mirth by his death and some thing on which they might breake their jest will be more loath to heare Mr Mitchels death mentioned than the death of any of those worthies that went before him lest concerning themselves it also be remembered how And thus was that prediction fulfilled with a witnesse contrary to the mind of him who in saying so did both mock and menace at once that God did glorifie himself by Mr Mithels death in the grasse market Yea glorifie himself he did and glory to him for having done so Is not this then Brethren heart-comforting and hand strengthening that all who went off the stage thus died under these refreshing manifestations and ravishments of spirit as their enjoyments would be the measure of mens desires for their own soul as they were the measure of the desires of these dying Martyrs for all the people of God For what could they wish more or seek more on the behalfe of these But O that it were with them in all things as it is with us except as to this scaffold which yet to us while under these manifestations is preferable to all the thrones of the Earth and the Pharadises and Pleaâ—ures wherein they live who put us to death Nay so marvellous was the presence of God with these his dying witnesses as I doubt nothing but some of the enemies who looked on and had a hand in sheding that innocent blood have said with themselves since O let me die the death of thâ—se righteous men and let my latter end be like theirs And I much doubt when death shall look the greatest Desperado amongst them in the face and he finds himself ready to be dragged before the judgement seat of Christ if the question were asked him whether he would have his soul now gathered with the souls of these suffereâ—s or with their souls who shall be brought in before the Tribunal with their fingers droping with the blood of those whom they killed upon such an account that he would be at any demurre what to choise Feare not then to follow Deare Brethren since you see how honourably the charges of all that have gone before you have been borne you have the same good God the same Christ the same Spirit the same cause the same covenanted strength have therefore the same confidence and courage as they did so doe you carry as in nothing terrified by your Adversaries which as it was in them so it will be in you an evident token of perdition to your proud and implacable persecuters But to you of salvation and that of God Suffer me ere I close to put one drop more in this cup to make it cooling and never-the-lesse cordial for that Endeavour Deare Friends with a Zealous prudence while you are in this fire of fiery trialls to prevent or exstinguish the wilde fire of unnecessare and hurtfull animosities amongst your selves by the flame of fervent and true love to God and one another this fire will burne out the other you see the enemy thrusts sore at you that you may fall therefore to the end they may misse their marke and you may stand fast in the Lord stand close together I shall not enlarge upon this head onely let me put you in mind of that notable place to this purpose when the Apostle Philip. 1. after what he had said of himself V. 20. O for a company in case to say the like comes to persuade to a carriage such as becometh the Gospel he pitched particularly upon this piece of a Gospel-becomeing conversation and perswads to it That I may heare saith he that ye stand fast in one Spiâ—it with one minde striving together for the faith of the Gospel c.. And knoweing well how much true unitie did strengthen the saints while put to this striving he doth in the following Cap. Viz. c. 2. v. 1 2 3. with a mervellously sweet emphaticknesse inculcat and commend the same thing with such a warme varietie of heart-melting and affection-moving words and arguments as are sufficient or nothing can be to cement and souder into a samenesse the souls and affections of all saints If there be therefore saith he any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies fullfill ye my joy that you be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Now what can be said after this Here you have union nobly qualified and arguments powerfully quickening to pursue after it O fall a striving therefore while put to strive against enemies who shall love God and his precious interests most and one another best who shall be most ready to forbeare and to beare one anothers burdens that so in fulfilling this law of Christ all may the more cheerfully beare the Crosse of Christ have there been amongst you animosities contentions jealousies whisperings evil surmiseings c. the more is the pitieâ— well then now is the time to confirme your love one towards another Now set your selves to provoke one another to love and to good works Now see if you who have discoursed and disputed your selves a sunder can pray your selves together and so meet in that blessed center I little doubt if your heart be heaven-hot in praying together in weeping before God together in wrestleing with him together but you will walk after the Lord together in a sweet zealous singlenesse of frame when your hearts have been warmely poured out together before God a spiritual harmonie and famenesse of soul in working the work of the Lord will follow upon it And if my observation do not fail our contentions never became hot till we were cooled and much taken off from praying together Consider what your enemies are doing driveing and designing Is it not to make you fall asunder that you may not be able when divided amongst your selves to stand before them or to withstand them take that door of them by shuting the door upon them at which you see they designe to enteâ— and that their accesse may be the more easie they will flatter some of you or forbeare some of you while they fall upon others that so they may run down and ruine all and raze foundations at last with ease Set your selves therefore with an onenesse of
zeal for God witnessed by their faithful forwardnesse while with my self and others there was scarce the smoaking of a flaxe Though yet he may graciously condescend even to make our hair grow againe so make use of oâ—r hâ—nds aboâ—t his work and put us in case to shake ourselves as his Servants have done at other times Yet Thirdly to the end the poor People of the Lord may not be frighted nor fainted into a despondency let me adde this That deliverance to the people of God in his own time way and manner which I leave vvholly to Himself and that a great and glorious one shall come And this is no lesse cerâ—ain than that Iâ—hoâ—ah cannot fail to establish the Throne of his Anointed Nay if all the Kings of â—he Earth should agree amongst themselves to set up one Monarch invest him with the power of our Supremacy yet all the povver they could make managed vvith all the Policy in hell or out of â—ell shâ—uld not be able to setle that Crovvn upon the Head of that Mortal But tâ—e Immorâ—al God should with the omnipotent Power of his right arme shake that Usurper out of his seat and setle the Throne of his Anointed upon the ruine of his Adversaries Hath he said it hath he sworne it and shâ—ll not the Zeal of Iehovah performe it Hath Christ bought his Crown aâ—d Scepter with his Blood and hath he such a tittle and right to it And hath he all power in Heaven and in Earth for securing himself in the possession of his purchase And shall any mortal oâ—ter to mount his Throne Shall any mortal offer to stripe him of this Glory pull the Crown from his Head and cloth himâ—elf with the spoils of the Mediator's honour and be able to keep himself in possession of what he hath taken from the Son of God O vain attempt Let them answer these Questions put unto them Psal. 2 vers 1 2. and read â—heâ—r doom Vâ—râ— 4 5. O! the Mediator's Iron rod put in his hand for securing to him his royal Scepter shall make the potsheads of the Earth by dashing them in pieces know whaâ— it is â—o strive with hâ—m for state And here let me adde these things shortly Fiâ—st Aâ— in the way he shall take to aâ—complâ—sh our delivery his holy and hot Indignation againâ—t breach of Covenant with God shall be witnessed to the conviction even of sucâ— who decâ—eâ—d it for the breach oâ— Covenaâ—t with him shall either breack Brittaâ—'s Heart or Head so Secondly It shall be seen to have a most convincingly closs connexion with the vengeanceâ— wherewith our Supâ—â—mâ—cy shall be pursued The Mediators Zeâ—l against this idol of indâ—â—nation shall be written on the revenges he will take for it And in the day when he raiâ—eth up a paâ—tie to state the quarrel upon this Head how despicable and contemptible so ever they may appeare thâ—n it shall appeare he is about rescinding of our Supremacy for rescinded it shall be and if they will not he will Nay because they will not he shall For his Crown must flowrish on his own Head and all his Enemies must be clothed with shame setting that Crown with pure gold upon his Head from whose Head it is taken by our Law And Thirdly Let me adde this and so I have done that as their rage and violence in this late invasion made upon you in pursueance of the designe of a full and final setlement of themselves in the possession of what they have taken from Jesus Christ by the ruine and overthrow of all whose way speakes the least of resistance even to a non-complianceâ— hath been an high transport of rage whereby they have been carried beyond all the Boundaries of Law and Reason So I have as little doubt but God shall make the connexion betwixt his arising to deliver his People their having risen up thus to delete and destroy them at once so closs and so cleare how long so ever he delay it as it shall be no matter of difâ—icultie for any who wisely considers these things to observe what dependance upon connexion with the deliverance of the People of the Lord hath as to it 's visible rise with this their horrid and inhumane violence He is the Lord whâ— will hasten these things in his time Do not therefore beloved Sufferers for Christ suffer your hearts to sink into a despondency The cause is His and he will plead yea thorowly plead that cause which is his own And this shall be your Crown and Comfort to continue contending for him for so the cause that is so purely his becomes the cause of your Soul and if you should fall in this conflict and die suffering Besides that you fall in the bed of honour fall asleep in the blessed expectation of the conquerours Crown this your cause will out live all it's Enemies and have a glorious Resurrection and your wrestlings and witnessings and sufferings as they will be rewarded in Heaven so they shall be recorded on Earth Therefore lift up the hands that hang dovvn and strengthen the freeble knees The sâ—me yea greater afflictions have been accomplished in your Brethren which have been in the World and as the God of all Grace after they had suffered a vvhile made them perfect and put them in possession of that eternal Glory to vvhich they vvere called by Jesus Christâ— so shall he stablish strengthen settle and keep you â—rom falling and after all your sorrovves and sufferings present you faultlesse before the presence of his Glory vvith exceeding joy Pray for Your poor Welwisher and Companion in Tribulation