them And if not we shall put all who will not bow before the Dagon of our new erected Supremacy once for all and for ever out of case to appeare afterward For this end have we gathered our host For this end do we march Fall on red shankes Feare not have not we bid you You are pitched upon as the most qualified Souldiers for this expedition against the Mediator whom we have denied to be a Monarch and proper instruments for our purpose for we know you well to be such as these must be who will do our businâ—ssâ— even men who feare not God nor reguard not men March therefore right trustie and well beloved Saraâ—ens ye who call not upon the Lord and so are onely sit to be at our call and bidding and eat up his People in the West who call upon him as bread Make these the Mediators subjects smart for it and either bring them to binde themselves no more to own Him nor his Ambassadours or leave such monuments of your savage crueltie behinde you as will answer the keenness against Christ of those who send you in this expedition we have secured you against all hazard hell excepted and we know you no more feare that then we doe of future danger or pursuite for what destruction you bring upon these against whom we send you onely destroy Most deare Brethren what miseries you have endured by the barbaritie of these Monsters let loose upon you are the matter of amazement mourning and lamentation to all who in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ ouâ— Lord both theirs and yours to whose eares the report of your sufferings is come But amidst all these calamities and cruelties you are not without comfort O what a cordial may this be to remember and consider both who suffers with you and for whose sake you suffer these thinâ—s You cannot consider this but it will comfort you over your loss when this is laid to heart yeu will not so much be moan the loss of what is robbed from you as you will blesse that ever you had any thing to lose for his sake who savâ—d you when ye were lost You will then wonder at the honour and reâ—oice that you are counted worthy to sufâ—er these things for his sake who for your sake suffered far other things You will take joyfully the spoiling of your goods for him who for your sakes became poor that you through his poverâ—ie might be made rich O what will not be â—asie and sweet to suffer for that sweet names sake which is as an ointment poured forth by the savour vvhereof your dead souls have been quickened and your drouping and desponding spirits revived cheered and comforted Consider then since Christ your King your Captain and Saviour neither did nor does escape the vvorlds malice and persecution and since he vvas hated and handled as the vvorst of men novv again in the vvorst of times is so dealt vvith if it be not reasonable that vve should provide for the like and resolve to go through the many tribulations vvhich may be fall us in his company and for his sake If we intend to follow him to the place of fruition we must go that way which he hath paved before us it cannot be avoided yea how incongruous were it if we could How unsuteable were it That the Lord and Master should meet with so much suffering for the servants sake and rejoyce amidst it all as knowing he should see a seed and have this recompence and satisfaction for all the travel of his soul that the souls of his servants â—hould reap the advantage of what he underwent for them That he shonld be beaten for the servants sake that through his stripes the servants might be healed and the servants to be alwayes favoured and applauded in that world which had put the Master to shame and suffering while he was negociating his servants businesse And as he hid not his face from shame and spiting for their sake so he laid down his life upon their interest Were it seemly that he who bore their burdens should wade and swime thorow â—eas of sorrows and they sail in streames of pleasure That he should be crowned with thornes to purchase them an immortal Crown they crowned with roses That he should be hunâ—ed and had not whereupon to lay his head that he might by being handled so purchase a Kingdome to his followers that he should go thorow death aud such a death and be laid in the grave that he might have accesse to go and prepare a place for them and take possession of the undefiled inheritance as their common Head and Trustee in whom and with whom they now sit in heavenly places and they dwell at ease in their own house Truely to say nothing of the after glory for who can say what it is since it is above apprehensions Onely this is sure that they who suffer with him shall also reigne with him if there were no more then the present sharâ—ing and partaking in his sufferings it were honour enongh O how much above all regal dignite is it And how in comparably beyond the fancied honour of a diademe to be crowned with thornes for Christ's sake There is an inherent glory for suffering in Christ beyond all the ambition of the worldâ— after that painted and putrid glistering bubble with the glanceing whereof vain men are so much taken up If this were keept in the view of the soul what strength would it furnish What support would it supply the spirit of a sufferer for Christ with but deare friends the word of your Testimony and Patience hath somewhat of a precious peculiaritie in it not onely in reguard that it is the presently opposed Truth you are persecuted for and so must be sweet because seasonable but the Word of your Testimony and that Truth for owneing of which yon are put to suâ—â—er the loss of all things is that very Truth for which Christ himself suffered as a Martyr Viz. That Hâ— was a King â— This Question is put to day unto his followers with greater contempt than Pilat put it What and is Iesus a King then O noble cause O who would not rejoyce to enter the lists of Contradiction with these his enemies have once an opportunity to say Yea he is a King and will be a King when you â—re gone and will prove himselâ— higher then the Kings of the earth by rescinding your Supremacy â—hat Idol of his indignation and object of his revenge O what ambition should this raise in the soul of every saint what patience in tribulation should this produce what holy courage what humble boasting what triumphing and rejoyceing to be offerred up a sacrifice upon the Interest of this Kings Crown Can you consider that your present sufferings losses are a seal to that great Truth which Christ sealed with his blood and not blush at the honour and blesse him for ever that now
late Supremacy and sense it and consider if its lowest amount be not this we have no King but Caesar. And to make it emphatickly expressive of this vvhereas other Acts of Supremacy vvherby yet our Lord Iesus Chrest vvas vvronged and his royal prerogative encroached upon did still for shame leave him the title and a supremacy vvas pretended unto under God and his Son Christ and a derivation and conveyance from that fountain vvas in words acknovvledged that the iniquitie of our Supremacy might be supremeâ— an absolute independent arbitraâ—y dominion is attributed to our Kings setled upon them by Law And for the more security this povver is declared to be the iâ—trinsick right and the inherent prerogative of the imperial Crown of the Nation vvhereby al-Church-matâ—ers are subjected to their imperial vvisdom to do in all these as they think fit and the managment of these are so solely in his Majesties povver that vvhereas the Council acts in Civils in a subordination to his Maj. according to the Law of the Land His Maj may make use of what kinde of persons so ever he will passing by Parliament or Council to put all the incontrolable dictats and decrees of his Maj. wisdom and good pleasure concerning Church matters in execution And therefore that we may be no longer in suspense nor soliciâ—ous about the sense of our Supremacy that the Church may henâ—ceforth know acknowledge who is her Lord and undoubted Superior whose it is to give Laws and appoint Officers to put them in execution and that there may be none in heaven or earth to pretend to any part of this power or paritie in this Supremacy the name of God and of his Son Christ is omitted in it and because mentioned in other Supremacies must be conceived to be delet out of ours O! the patience of God that their namesâ— yea that the name of the Nation where such a wickeâ—nesse was decreed is not before this perished from under the heavens It is trueâ— this pleased me best in all that Supremacy because it was plain dealing without all cloak or complement for now Iesus Christ hath neither thing nor name of Kingly power left him but is most explicitly put from the exercise of his royal Government And Church Lawes are no more to passe in the old stile nor are things as formerly to be done there by vertue of the Authoritie of this one Iesus who calleth himself a King But according to the new stile And so hence forth Church Lawes must beare the datum of the Iulian account Now our Rulers having framed this Law for hainousnesse of hatred hâ—ight of opposition to the Lords anointed whom he hath made King in Zion beyond the most supream Supremacies that ever werâ— framed or moulded into lawes since God made man upon the earth or Satan that he might destroy the Church prompted men to compet with the Mediator strive with him for state yâ—a even in its prodigious shape and feature beyond what was arrogat by the Man of sin the Anti-Christ that Son of Perdition â— Our blessed Lord Jesus who hath all his enemies in deâ—ision stirred up the spirit of some of his zealous Ambassadours to goe forth and give a Testimony against the hainousnesse of this usurpation of their Masters Crown and Scâ—pter which will be their crown and which should be now our main question upon which we act and suffer as we expect his pâ—esence and supportings either in doing or suffering and in pursuance of that Commission which they had received from him to preach in â—eason and out of season and to negociat a peace betwixt this great and glorious King and poor guilty sinners whereupon our blessed Lord Jesus Christ though slighted and set at naught by our Rulers boâ—h to signifie his complacency in the zeal of his faithfull servants â—ired into an holy fervoâ— foâ— the Prerogative of their exalted Prince from the observation of the fury whereby they saw he was opposed and to refute till more come O! that is coming which may and certainly would make their souls tremble if thought upon the apprehensions of the righteous revenges he will â—ake for this contempt cast upon him and when he will returne their reproach upon them by speaking unto them in his wrath and vexing them in his sore displeasure the folly and infatuation of that new Pretence to his incommunicable Prerogativeâ— royal framed into a Law and that by an argument easy to be understood by the poorest Lasse and Lad in the Nation he goeth forth conquering and to conquer by the Ministry of these his despised servants and thus he reigns as King in the mâ—dst of his rageing enemies and acts wonderously so that to the conviction of all he holds the hands of his servants upholds them at his work and doth from thaâ— day greater things by them then ever in regaird of many circumstances were done in the Nation he makes such noble and notable in roads upon Satans territories and these darke places of the land where the Prince of darkenesse had an indisturbed dominion as multitudes are made in this day of his power to follow after and fall in love with Ordinances dispensed by his own Oâ—ficers and flock unto the standart of this exalted Prince a proof as great as ever was given of his reigneing and that his people shall be willing in the day of his power though all the powers of the earth were on a conspiracy against him and abused that power to the fainting of his followers and the frâ—ghting of them into a disâ—oyal relinquishing of Iesus Christ which the Adversary perceiving and finding that to no purpose they had cruâ—ified Christ agaâ—ne and put him to open shame by taking his Crown and Scepter from him and buâ—ying his Supremacy in the grave which they had made for it uâ—der the fabrick of their newly erected one and that in vaine they had set a watch to keep the grave fearing withal that this reviving of his work and resurrection of his cause might prove to them a second errour worse by far then the first Theâ—efore that rovers may not be ruers and to fortifie themselves in the posâ—ession of what they had taken by their Law from our Lord Iesus Châ—ist and to prevent his returning to his throne and his reassuming the exercise of his royal Government o let their feare come upon them who feare left Christ should reigne an Host must be gathered on purpose to march into the West as that part of the Nation o happy and honourable cognizance where Iesus Christ had most remarkably rung and which still was looked upon by them as the Kings head-quarters whereupon it is resolved that that poor Countrey shall be invaded the people in the mean time having behaved themselves as peacably as any part of the nation being amazed at the rumour of this rage against them and the resolution taken to pourâ—in upon them such a company of Barbar's as
the source rise and conduct of the Rulers procedour against you and their barbarous câ—uelty give you not onely confidence to pour out your heart befoâ—e him and present your câ—sâ— and cause in this General for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are counted as sheep for the slaughtâ—r But more particularly when you can sist your selves bâ—fore him and sob out your sorrowes in these words of a truth Lord against thy Holy Châ—ld Iâ—sus whom thou hâ—st anoâ—nâ—ed are all thâ—se gathered together and it is for our owning of him as thy anointed and râ—fuseing to be on that conspiracy that we ore thus used I know not vvhat can give ground of gladenesse in a mans life or vvhat can be cause of gloriation in death if resisting unto blood upon such a quarrell and not loving a mans life unto death in such a cause will not give ground for it Beloved Friends and much honourâ—d sufferers for Christ you know since you are taught of God that the way to overcome all trouble here and to carry as becometh Saints under it is to look above it and beyond it above it to the high and supreme hand that sends it and disposeth of it so as it may subserve your great Interest for in despight of the malice and madnesse of all inferior agents all these dire and dreadful things shall together with him who worketh mightily in his people and for them work together for your â—ood and beyond it and above it to the end of it and the recompence of reward following after it This is the way to profite by pressures to be gainers in all losses This is the ground of sweet peace and serenitie of mind amidst all trouble and the solid foundation for patience of Spirit For he is only in a capacitiâ— to possesse his spirit in patience whose spirit hath received these impressions without which the soul will be still disquieted Trouble will still tosse it as a ball in a large place and it will prove unstable as water I suppose since you are Saints and so must have some impressions of the absolute Soveraignitie of God that though in your searchings you could not finde out or fixe upon the cause of his contendiug with you thus yet you would either be silent or say it is the Lord let him doe unto us what seemeth hâ—m good And if he have no pleasure in our liveiâ—g and dwelling in our little huts and houses Bnt will drive us thence the will of the Loâ—d be done But not to insist on this which yet you will grant to be infinitly rational for who hath enjoyned him his wayâ— or who may say unto him what doest thou there is sufficient to keep you and me aâ—d the Christians of this generation from frâ—tingâ— and saying while in the fire and while the rod of the wicked rest upon your lot and these plowers plow upon your back and make their furrowes longer and deeper than all these plowersâ— which went before them did O when will God Loose the plough by cutting asunder the cords of the wicked and confouâ—ding turning them all back that hate you He is the Lord who will hasten it in his time to shew that he is righteous Let us weep for what we have done And wait in hope for what he will do why are we thus Surely a sight of our sin would make us wonder that we are not worse yea admire his goodnesse who will be at all this pains about us to heal us of these mortal diseases whereof our immortal souls are sick even unto death I am sure that the crimson dye of our crying iniquities would curb our impatience and cure us of that evil of quarrelling with him because of our suffâ—rings Consider therefore however you suffer very unjustly from men against whom you have done nothing justly to procure their indignation yet if you look within you and lift up your eyes above you and consider how the cry of your transgâ—essions is come up into his eare you will be constrained not onely to justifie him in this seeming severiâ—ie but to confesse from clearnesse and conviction you are punished lesse then your iniquities desâ—rve And that it is of the Lords mercâ— you are not consumed because his compassions fail not Hence is it thaâ— when the Apostle Peter hath been speaking of the fiery trial 1 Pet. 4â—12 13 14 15 16. which this day in our case and hath been encouraging and comforting them to a paâ—â—ent endâ—reinâ— while schorâ—hed with these flames by many noble arguments yet when he looks upâ—n thes heavie afflictions as coming from God he calls them verâ— 17 judgements intimaâ—ing thereby that his precious and peculiar people how upright and innocent soever as to men yet they are guiltie before God the righteous judge and that they muâ—â— acknowledge when â—hey â—ist thâ—mseâ—ves in his sight that what ever they suffeâ— is the fruit of their own doings and that by their provocations they have procured these things and rewarded all these evils unto their own soul by not walking worthy of him nor befoâ—e him to all pleasing If his people by their multiplied and manifold sins did not extort if I may say so strokes our of his hand he who doth not aâ—â—lict willingly nor grieve the Children of men but hath pleasure in the prosperitie of this people would not so often take the rod in his hand or would soon cast it into the â—ire for he doth not love to lash beyond necessitie and therefore when he hath performed his whole work upon mount zion he casts the rod into the fire and punisheth the fruit of the stout heart of his and his peoples enemies and the glory of their high looks The saints you know Brethren how graciows and grown so ever they are but Children and therefore must be under Chastisment The best of them are given to many Childish toyes and not a few of them in whom the root of the matter may be yea will be found are so far from abideing witâ— God in their callings and from adorning the Doctrine of God the Saviour that so men by seing their good works may glorifie their Father which is in heaven that there is a groffnesse in their way their iniquitie is ofâ—en found upon the skirts of their garmenâ—s and their spots are so unlike the spots of the people of God and Persons made partakers of the divine nature that because of these mouths of enemies are opened to blaspheme the name of God and reproach the blessed Profession But seting thsee aside Alas how doe they who escape such grosse pollutions yet often trifle in the matter of communion with God How formal and luke-warme in their addresses So that he who seeks the heart and will be worshiped in Spirit and Truth misseth their soul in their service How seldome arâ— they in Heaven How little dwelling upon the thoughts of Jesus Christ and the great sâ—lvation purchased by him on purpose
polishing instruments that so they may be made to shine as the sun in the firmament and put in case to see God when made lâ—ke him But besides that his purpose of having them in his company for ever puâ—s him to be at the pains of making them meet even by the â—hâ—ngs that they suffer as the mean which he graciously wisely useth and ordereth for that end to be partakers of the inheritance of the sâ—iâ—ts in light as is cleare comparing Coloss. 1 11. vvith 12. he minds to be familiar vvith them here alâ—o and admit them sometime vvhile in the vvay in the vvildernesse to eat Manna and to feast theiâ— souls in the begun fuitions of God and therefore to commend endeare this life unto them he makes the vvorld mingle a cup of gall vvorm vvood put it in their hand hold it to their head he beats them off from the vvorld that vvould vvrong them in into his ovvn boâ—ome O blessed repose the place indeed vvhere the vvearie finde both rest and refreshing But here I must be abrupt and leave the matter to be dilated and dwelt upon by you in yoâ—â— Meditation Onely let me say that the serious minding of these things would not onely prove a happie diversion and prevent the fretings of your mind by an unprofitable poreing upon your fiery afâ—liction But it would be the certain way to give you meat out of this eaterâ— Your mind would not onely be keep 't from being grangrened into impatience and galled with the load which lies upon your loins But you would be made glade and comforted over all yoâ—r sorrowes sufferings by beholding the end of the Lord the gracious designe he is driveing about you which is to make you up for ever by bâ—ing â—â—us undone And to order these light afflictions which are but for a moment so as thâ—y shall work for you a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory This is that wheel wiâ—hiâ— all â—â—ese wheels this is his purpose towards you the thoughts of whose heart take place in all Generations These things are upon his heart he cannot misse what he aimes at therefore you cannot be miserable amidst all the miseries you suffer from them who cast iniquitie upon you in wrath haâ—e you Nay therefore you cannot misse to be happy amidst all these he hath blessed you you shall be so But deare friends besides this general Consideration of your sin mine which is necessary for our profiting by every touch of his hand suffer me to suggâ—st the necessity of a particuâ—ar enquiry for when ever the Lord doth pursue a Church or a Land wiâ—h such a Church-desolating Land-destroying stroke as we have been under these so many yeers thouâ—h wickednesse violence in this assault upon you is come to such a Prodigious height as it is a surprise matter of astonishment to all who look on nay I am perswaded if noâ— many yeers ago it had been told these who have given the oâ—ders that they would do what now â—hâ—y boâ—h do defend they would have given Hâ—zaels answer he is then particularly pointing at some high and pâ—blick Provocation which his soul hates wherein that Church Nation is involved and whâ—reby thâ—y have made themselves deeply guiltie There is some accursed thing amongst that People Church when he breaks down what he had built gives up the dearely beloved of his soul into the hand of her enâ—mies which is our present condition And when it is thus It is high time to awake out of sleep to consider â—hat this is to enquire and accomplish a diligent search for finding that out for which his anger is fallen upon them lest God both search out the iniquitie of that people till he finde none search out the iniquity of their refusing to search then sweep them away as a generation of his wrath seperat them for evil as those in whom his soul hath no pleasure Nay that which will certainly make a generation a generation of his wrath cause him heap mischâ—ifs upon them spend his arrowes upoâ— them is when after such a fire is kindlâ—d as threatâ—ns the consumption of all with its flame men are not awakened to enquire what meaneth the heat of this great anger O when they are so unfaithful as either to be silent when they see it or are so oraculous in their â—inting at the guilt in stead of acquiting themâ—elves so faithfully to God so affectionatly to the souls of the unconcerned as to point it forth be so plain as thâ—y may thereby cause them to know their abominations as if they designed not to be understood I grant men may mistake in assigning causes and happy is that land which haâ—h these amongst them in such a day to whom the mouâ—h of the Lord hath spoken that they may dâ—clare it for what the land perisheth And yet if we will search the Scriptures and consult the records of the Church in her several periods we will finde that publick Church-desolating judgements had ever the guilt of that people so evidently engraven on them as he who did run might have read iâ— so that the dispensation seemed to cry every one into the consideration of the clearly procuring provocation and say O Generation see the Word of the Lord When he executs the judgement writen then he cloths his word with such a visible Garment as the man of wisdom must read his name of righteousnesse upon his rod and the gâ—â—lt of that people whom he so punisheth All of us therefore are called to a serious consideration of the causâ—s of Gods displeasure drawne out to such a length and arisen to such a height against us What then doeth such a stroke What doth such a Church-ruine after such a blessed reformation I neither feare nor blush to call it blessed notwithstanding of an act rescissory made to bury it and the belchings forth of enemies against it and all the Blashphemings of that great and good work of God by the Adversaries thereof I say what doth it say to us I cannot give the answer in more proper and plaint ermes than in the Prophet Jeremiah his words Chap. 22. where the question is proposed v. 8. by all that passe by wherefore thath the Lâ—rd done this unto this great City The Answer is given v. 9. Because they hâ—â—e foresaken ehe Covenant of the Lord their God Which is â—his upon the matter they had made themselves monsters for sin and God hath made them marvells for judgement and seâ— up a monument to the commendation of his righteousnesse over the ruine of these Covenantâ—breakers what means this sad change that the Lord who rejoyced over us to do us good and to multiply us is now turned against us as if he were rejoyceing over us to destroy us and to bring us to nought Oh! This his anger with such a
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
and grieve your blessed guide onely feare that feareful and great name which these men who would put you in feare have taken in vain feare God and then you need feare nothing else For he even he alone is to be feared You may be bold as lions whose blessednesse is both heightnâ—d and hastened by the worst the world can do unto you because you feare him Let thâ—t blâ—ssed feare of God gaird you against that base feare of man vvhich even bringeth a snare Oh the want of this â—hich hath been amongst us hath rendered us unfit for this holy vvar vvherein vve should have plaid the men for our God and the glorious Concerns of his Crovvn and Kingdom O vvhen vvill our heart some hardie resolute putting â— to our hand to his vvork in the face of the greatest hazard prove that he hath put his feare in our hearts for this feare not onely â—urnisheth with reason against the feare of frail fecklesse man â—ho cannot when he hath done what he can reach his hand beyond the Grave And therefore our blessed Lord Jesus Châ—ist aâ—gueing his Disciples whom he sent out to Preach the Gospel into an holy courage when persecute by the rage of Kings Councels for Preaching which is this day our case O when will he shorten these dayes for the elects sake he doth it by this argument Mat. 10 28. and Luk. 12.4 Bâ— not afraid of them that kill the body and â—fter that have no more that they can doe O blessed be he for that cannot and for this also that these upright ones whom they for this persecute shall have Dominion over their persecuters in the morning But I will forewarne you whom you shall feare fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell Yea I say unto you feare him But as it furnished with reasons it fortifieth also with rich and refreshing supplies For it hath the goodnesse of God asvvel as the greatnesse of his terrible Majesty for its object and hereby is the hart emboldened and the hand strengthened to struggle with whatsoever diâ—â—iculties and danger Now thâ—refore My Friends to make it appeare that God in making you new Creatures hath made you men of other mettal and Spirit then the men of the world and cast you into an other mould whereas their transgressions say plainly vvith in the heart of every man vvho hath not the heart of a beaâ—t that there is no feare of God before their eyes so let your feare of him and your feare because of that to comply vvith their wicked lawes which they have made make it appeare you have set the Lord alwayes before you Let vvhat ever you doe or say vvhen called to a compliance vvith the presenâ— course of iniquitie have this plain import and practical sense how can we doe this great evil and sin against God He is a great God and he is a good God and he is our God and therefore we dare not we canâ—ot we will not offend him to please our persecuters But Deare Friends what have you to feare in following him give it a name if you can that the names of sweetnesse and salvatioâ— which are in him and as his name is so is he answering the name of what ever you have to feare may make it a nothing or if it be any thing such a thing as he changeth its very nature and quality and makes pay the toll and tribute of good to you Do you feare they will lash you with their tongues which are as arrowes shot out and load you with reproaches Remember then whose words these are if you be reproached for the name of Christ hâ—ppie are you you may not onely despise this shame but weare it as your crown and humbly bâ—â—ast of such a cognizance of your love and loyaltie to Christ because the reason adduced by the Holy Ghost doth put the happinesse of such beyond debate for saith he the spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you as the spiâ—it of Satan and of shame rageâ—h in these reproachers sâ— the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you Are you afraid that bâ—sidâ—s â—hese lashings you shall also be put to lose for his sake But why are you affraid of an â—f an impossiâ—ilitie If God hâ—th said it cannot be it shall not be why do you give it a being in your imâ—gination to toâ—ment your selves or why are you not rather afraid to lose the hundred fold in this life even with persecution and then that eternal life and that immortal crown which is â—nsured by the unfailing faithfulnesse of God to such losers â—f I may abuse languâ—ge in calâ—ling so great gainers losers in the other life for if you sâ—ffer with him yâ—u shall reigne with him what will you be frighted out of the way because of â—he manifold temptations and troubles you are exposed unto by keeâ—ing of it No let tâ—is fortifie against that frighting feare that as you are partakers of the suâ—â—ering so shall you be of the conâ—olation you ought rather to feare to rob and deprive your selves in a day when suâ—h favours are a dealing of that ground of rejoycing that a paâ—ticipation of the sufferings of Christ affords O happie and blessed paâ—ticipants of his sufferings for whâ—n his glory shall be revealed you also shall be made glade with exceeding â—oy O how cordial O how corroborating is such an expectation it will mâ—ke the expectant rejoice with â—oy unspeâ—kâ—ble and full of Glory this is heaven in all the heâ—ls of trouble on this side of heaven antidated for this is to be paâ—takers already as the Apostle'â— phrase is of the glory to be revealed Do you feare suâ—â—ering for that very cause which he hâ—â—h noâ— onely so often owned but for owning of which your blessed Lord and Master died as a Mâ—rtyr Or are you not rather afraid I hope you are that when Jesus Chrâ—st shâ—ll come to judgement and sit on the Throne of his Glory and bring forth Scotland's Covenâ—nt made wiâ—h him to be â—ound amongst those whose sentence is sealed under their own hand for their sin is open and gone before hand to judgement O dreadful may the expectâ—tion of the hearts of every man of them be in â—hat day who have had hand in thaâ— hainous wickednesse when the Act rescissorie shall be brought forth and laid besides that Covenant and the question put to these pannels trembling before the Tribunal of Christ is this the performance of â—our Oaths Vowes and Covenant-engagements to me are you not afraid in that day to be classed if but for the least compliance amongst tâ—ose who shall be found guiltie of Lâ—sae-Majestie against the Son of God against him who then shall judge them will there be a soul at that appearance who dare avouch his having had a hand in framing such a mischeâ—fe as our Supremacy into a Law or would it not rather be terrible to you to think that
living in such a time you should not have witnessed agâ—inst these high and hainous wickednesses Would you want the share of the commendation and the glorious reward that shall be given his witnesses What if you should weep yea and die in prisons Besides that there you may enjoy the glorious libertie of the Sons of God and be feasted in your fetters with the fruition of himself and have your darke dungeons hung if I may say so with the very Arras of heaven which is the presence of God that can make these nastie and noisome holes wherein you are as buried alive preferable inâ—ompaâ—ably to all the Palaces of those who persecute you O there is no comparison â—esides this I say which is the hundred fold ten thousand times told out of these your prisons you shall be brought to reigne and have all your teares wiped away and your prison rags taken off and your rich robs wherein for ever you shall reign put on Nay what if you should be slaine for the word of God and put to swime in to eternitie in a sea of your own blood what have you to feare Though I walk thorow the valley of the shadow of death I will feare no ill saith the Psalmist for thou art with me O the presence of God with you in that hour will make it a sweet and short passage would you not rather choise if you durst make a choice to enter eternitie at this passage and go and take up your place amongst the souls of your brethren under the Altar there to cry with them How long O Lord God holy and true c. than to be found in the croud and company of these Kings Captains and Councellours c. who shall be made to cry to the mountains and to the rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him that sitteth upon the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb O the wrath of the Lamb in that day falling upon those his now stated and stout-hearted enemies will make them change their note The haughtie mockers at the prerogative of this exalted Prince Jesus who then shall judge these jesters the menacerâ— of his Subjects and the persecuters of his Saints for not complying with their God-dishonouring Christ-dethroning courses and contrivances shall then know what it is to have lifâ—ed up their head against heaven and their heel against his poor people whom they trod under foot O the yelloch that will be amongst Kings and Captains and Counsellours when he shall speake to them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure for having said and essayed it too let us burst their bâ—nds asunder c. I shall not here trouble you with the observation of the tremenduous â—udgements of God whereby some that have been active in these cursed courses have been hurried out of the world nor with an account of the anguish and agonies under which others of them have died nor yet of the raâ—e Testimonies which some who obtained mercy and grace to repent gave against this wicked course wherein they had concurred and for that cause which they had persecuted though he who regairds not these works of the Lord nor considers these operations of his hand hath and bewrayeth sad symptoms of blindnesse and obduration neither shall I here further then hint to the end you may for your establishment take notieâ— of it how wickednesse hath abounded amongst and had a dominion over those who have broken his Covenant As if all former restraints being taken off he had said henceforth my spirit shall no more strive with them for Alas iniquitie of all sorts haâ—h so aboundedâ— since the Nations enacted revolt from God as the way of the generalitie O that they whose feet go down to death and whose steps take hold on hell may consider it and be reclaimed if the word of the Lord be true that without holinessâ— no man shall see the Lord and that heaven is such a place as there shall in no wise enter therein any thing that defileth neither whosoever worketh abomination c. hath everlasting seclusion from the presence of his glory written on it so that he who would be saved must save himself from this generation who rejoyce to do evil and delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked Since we broke our Covenant made with God binding us to nothing but an abiding with him and walking before him in our respective capacities Satan hath got leave to open very sluce of hell and drown Brittan with such a deludge of profanitie that the multitude yea and they who are chiefe in these rebellions against God are chiefe in all these other provocations are carried down the current swiming and singing in this impure pudle of all impietie against God never considering that this streame will at last sweep them down and swallow them up in the lake of fire and brimston All these put together may make you feare to fall in with their way leâ—t you fall with them in the hands of the living God If they cannot give you securitie against this and that is impossible for the redemption of their own soul must cease for ever if they both cease not to go on and sorrow not for what they have done Feare you not therefore their fear onely feare to forsake God as you would not be forsaken of him Nay let your fortitude in refusing their blâ—ke â—onds whereby as the binder binds himself to an opposition to Christ and the coming of his Kingdâ—me so 〈◊〉 binds over himself to the curse of a broken Covenant either fright them into a forbearance or put them under the dreadful apprehensions of what they may expect for opposing his Christ persecuting the Gospel and using his servants so who dare not in running with them to these excesses of wickednesse run upon the bosses of the Almightie his backler but rather did choise to suffer any thing that they might be found upright and innocent from these great transgressions and so escape that wâ—â—th of the living God whâ—rewith all the contrivers all the pressers of these bonds of iniquitie all the persecuters for not complying with that decreed wickednesse all the pleaders for it all the palâ—iaters of this impietie all the Instruments made use of to help foreward the affliction of his poor people for their refusal all the rejoycers at his peoples calamitie and connivers at these courses yea and all who according to their place station and as they are called do not faithfully witnesse against this course of iniquitie shall be certainly pursued if repentance prevent it not overtaken and so perish eternally there is no Law-borrowes against the written vengeance for the peâ—sons of these practices But that which I would more particularly point at to fortiâ—ie your hearts against the feare of what you may be put to suffer even though it should come to the laying down of your lives is the refreshful and reviving remembrance of his
without consulting God since the concerne is his and communing with our brethren not onely equally concerned but countenanced of God in their endeavouring to hold fast their integritie and hold on in the good old way Let us studiean onenesse in remembring whence we have fallen and in admonishing and being content to be admonished lest we be hardened through tâ—e deceitfulnesse of sin into a deâ—enâ—ce of it Let us be followers of others forsaking them in no case nor under no pretext in as fare as they are followers of Christ Let these be the men whose practice we propose as a patern for imitation whose carriage al alongs whose constancy in the cause whose courage in continuing at the work of the Lord when hazard did attend dutie spoke them to hate the way of them who turne aside And let us not count that the making of a breach to forsake for then we count without God and have noâ— thâ— mind of Christ any or not to fall in with them and follow them in that wherein they forsake the way of God and cease to be what they were and begin to be what once they were not and to do or leave undone what they condemned as deâ—ection or deâ—astable neutralitie It is a great abuse of language to give it the best name to put the name or notion of union upon that which if searched to the bottome would make it appeare that in this the uniters are rather dividers from the Lord than endeavourers to keep the unitie of the spirit in the bond of peace It was not against this union nor inconsistent with it for Paul to withstand Peter to the face when he saw that he walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel and when his way had carried away others into a dissimulation If God have said if any man draw back may soul shall have no pleasure in him Let never our soul enter into their secrets who would seduce us in to a relinquishing of the cause or into a conniveance even at a discovered propension to that in others let us studie the import of the place above adduced to wit a standing fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel striving and standing up together for those things in the faith whereof we professed our selves â—ixed beyond the unfixings of contrary Laws execute with all crueltie nay for the faiâ—h which we our selves delivered to the Saints and for which we should contend with all flesh though for that we should be counted Schismaticks and men of Contention with the whole earth There was an Union amongst the Disciples when they all forsooke him and fled O let us beware and have a care lest while we cry up and commend union amongst our selves that in keeping one another company we leave not Christ Jesus our Lord and master to walk alone Unitie amongst brethren is a very desireable thing and the Lord will require it at his hand who endeavours it not in his way but there is a Iewel of infinit more value onenesse with God and onenesse with and in the truth and if our pursuings of the one be not minded in it's just subordination untoâ— and for the promoving of the other it loses it's intrinsick value and becomes a plague and thus that which should have been for our welfare is made our trap Let union amogst brethren be accounted the ring never to be brokenâ— but let union in the truth and with God be coured the Rubie and Diamond if this be lost our union loseth it'â— name and changeth it's nature and passeth with him for a Conspiracy and so should it do with us This ought to be our first care yea and next care too how to keep him company and to continue stedâ—ast and immoveable abounding in the work of the Lord and if herein our fellovv servants desert us or our brethren be othervvise minded yet vve must go on hoping and praying that God vvill reveal the same things to them and grant them to be like minded vvith us according to Chist Jesus if vve have attained to clearnesse in dutie and hereby the vvay I must say though I hate and abhore rash courses and I hope vvould noâ— stand to condemne in my self as vvell as in others â— runing upon and rushing into untroden paths yet God hath made ouâ— vvay so plaine of old as the vvay-faring man though a fool needs not erâ—e in it these are no novelâ—ies or notions these are no new and darke things we have to contend for Is Covenant keeping with God a disputable point Is it dobtful whether Christ be absolut in his own house or falls it under debate whether he is to be obeyed rather than men And trâ—ely of late the course and carriage of our enemies so directly opposite to â—he wayes of God hath left no place for doubting about dutie if we be but delivered from feare of danger If then I say we have attained unto clearnesse in dutie let us shut our eyes upon all dangers difficulties discouragements arising from the unclearnesse or reluctancy of Brethren yea of Fathers and hold on in our way let us stop our eares and become deafe to insinuations however â—oloured which would foreslow us in following and serving him If we must desert and be deserted of others for doing so O then but the presence of God appearing with and for them who in such circumstances appeare for him as it hath so it will make up to the satisfaction of menâ— souls and senses the want of other company Paul's notwithstanding made all odds even It was no reproach to Athanasius that it was said of him unus Athanasius contra totum mundum But that which hath perpetuat his renown and made his name savourie to all the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ nor shall it be to any who walk in the same Spirit who walk in the same steps And to this union of heart amongst your selves suffer me to append this word Let there be a communion of all good things amongst you also for supplying the wants and necessities of your suffering brethren Ought you in some cases to lay down your lives for the brethrenâ— then I pray such who shut their eyes that they may not open their hands to minister to their necessities to think how they shall answer that question when put to them for put to every one and more particularly to all that have a profession of love to Christ in the Nation it shall be 1 Ioh. 3 17. it may be some of you have much taken from you and so think your self exempted but have you more then what is simply necessare and in this God will be judge who will cut off all your superfluities out of reckoning for the present support of your selves while others have nothing then consider the place 2. Cor. 8 1 2 3. c. for I cannot enlarge nay read that whole Chapter and the next and the
sinceritieâ— and hath strained his wit to put a sufferabâ—e sense upon a â—upremacy whereby our Lord is put again to suffer I say I scruple not to let the world know that this is the Echo of my soul as to him or them O let never my soul enter into the secrets of that man lett him who while he thus seeks to â—ile the eyes of others bewrayeth this secret he is no Seer nay that some finger is put into his eye I â—hall not say whose it is neâ—eâ— be the man of my councel nay let all the â—ervants and all â—he people of God stand aloof fâ—om him and his whispeâ—ings because in stead of being in case to give wholsome advise as one who stands in his masters Couâ—cel he will by his palliatings and perverse mutterings seduce pervert and ensnare his breath will be contagious since his speech must bewray him to have the botâ—h of the Court-Creed running upon him Hence Fourthly I must professe and I desire to say it as in the presence of God and as writing that which I must carry-in in my hand before the Tribunal of Christ what ever prejudice should be taken up against the speaker or the thing spoken that it passâ—th the ken of my poor shallow capacitie after all the discoveries the enemies have made of the desperatnesse of their designe how by all possible means and malicious methods to ruine the work of God and after the Mediators Crown is so formally set upon the head of another and all that is now doneâ— and driven in destroying the remnant is in order to the establishment of that invasion of his Crown and Scepter what addresse is possible to be made to him â—ho is thus set down in the Mediators Chair of State and weares his Crown in our sight without sin except it be to tell we can make none or to beseech to forbeare to persecute the Mediators Ambassadours who must continue to preach the Gospel by vertue of their Commission Yea who dare not think oâ— appearing before Christ withâ—ut having given such a Testiâ—ony of their resentment of the usâ—rpation of thâ—ir Masters â—hroâ—e and Scepter and who dare neâ—er preseâ—t themselves to God without doing the equivalent of spreading that Supremacy before him and praying that he would take unto him his â—reat power and reigneâ— and possesse himself again of his own â—hâ—one and disposseâ—sing these who have usurped it shew his zeal for his Prerogative Royal Andâ— how such a declaration before men and such dealing with Goâ— can consist with addresses tâ—â—â—em in Church matters who have taken to themselves his house in possession and yet be frâ—â— from all compliance with countenancing of and conniveance aâ— that great wickeâ—nessâ— I see not And I hope never to see with his eyes who saithâ— he sees it They have now stated the quâ—rrel clearly for us And as ever we would have Christ to stand be us and stand up to plâ—ad this own cause when we are not able to withstand the power of thâ— enemy let â—s stand by him and stand aloof from them As we have neither hoof nor hâ—â— to part with in this matter so we have nothing to seek from any that siâ—s in our Masters chair of state God forbid that ever we should be seen to bow or beg before tâ—em while they sit there how ever when we are passive we may make use of what libertie is given yet it is our safetie it is our peace it is the interest of the Gospel and for the glory of our exalted Prince to abstaine from seekings anâ— receivings from those who stand in such termes of opposition to him As to the second question What hopes we may entertain of a Delivery from our persecuters First I say there is nothing in my judgement which can deliver me or any who considers the nature of our National revolt in all its God-provoking circumstances and how deeply every one is guiltie from him who sitteth upon the throne to him who grindeth behinde the mill and how this sin is now become the sin of the Nation whereby the whole is made a curse without meditating terrour at tâ—e apprehensions of the â—â—yrcenesâ—e of the wraâ—h of God Almightie against Brittan Lesse thâ—n such a signification of his displeasure that we are the people against whom the Lord will have indignation â—or ever lesse than utter ruine and the perishing of the name of that Nation that Generation and People from under the heavens of the Lord who have so contemned his Covenant and â—aken his name in vain is lesse sure than what our iniquitie gives ground to â—â—are is but hovering over us and ready to fall upon us It is true not a few and blessed be â—e for that â— have found mercy not to go alongs with all these courses But yet let me say even to these it becomes us to be very sober in our expeâ—tations and submissive passeing the example of Ephesus c. let us perswade our own souls into this submission and sobrietie from the example of God's holy procedor wiâ—h Moses Deut. 3.23 24.25 26 oh if but for an unadvised word If but for a little smoak about the fire of his holy and fervent zeal for God he who next to the Mediator wâ— as reckoned faithful in all the house and matâ—ers of God was keept out of Canaan May not that holy peremptorinesse in the just and jealous God whereby he refused to be importuned by such a servant make us in remembrance of what we have unworthily done and left undone very sober in our expectations and silent though he should cause us fall iâ— the wildeâ—nesse and make our death prevent the dawning of that blessed and desirable day O thâ—t we could in the mean time learne at thâ—t holy man to be solicititous how to transmit pure ordinances to the posteritie as we seâ— he was that if we must go off the stage yet we may live and die witnessing how desirous we are that God may be great amongst the posteritie whâ—n we are gone And that an example of witnessing for our wronged Lord and Mâ—stâ—r may be transmited to those who shâ—ll succeed withal warning them that they doe noâ— follow our example wherein we have not contented valiantâ—y for Christ and the interest of his Crown Secondly I cannot forbeare to say that if in the soveraignitie of his Grace he should go out of the common roade of his ordinary providence and make the delivery come in ouâ— dayes Yet I am sure at least I may say it as to my self a sober reflexion upon what we have been and done may make us feare that we shall have no other interests in it but to be Spectators And that if â—e make use of instruments it shall be of such how few soever how base and fecklesse soever before men how weake and witlesse soever as are free of what my self and many are guiltie of And with whom there hath been a fire of