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
spring forth it causeth the Corn to grow whereby man is nourished Now consider whence or how this creature the Sun is so wonderfully and excellently made is it not from the wisdom and excellency of the most high God that made it and governeth it Now let us but consider That if God should but with-hold his hand if God should but withdraw himself his wisdom his power his faithfulness his skill for want of such a Work-master these glorious works of God would be confused and fail This sheweth that there is a necessity for the well-being of matters of great consequence especially such as are the Governments over and amongst men that the Governors be chosen men we cannot be too circumspect what Governors we do receive and that they be men chosen of God c. If we err in this Governor we shall finde that great trouble will follow Consider likewise the Stars of Heaven which although they are to us innumerable yet every Star hath his proper place they go their appointed journeys and courses which they keep without jarring or alteration performing those operations to them appointed Consider likewise the Tydes how they do ebb and flow keeping within the limits of time and proportion Thus far they flow and so return in their due and appointed seasons And doth not this come to pass from the excellency and perfection of that God that created and is the Governor of them Consider likewise amongst men in every great and useful work if the guide and governor of the work be skilful and able doth not the work committed to him prosper proportionably On the contrary if a foolish man a disordered person have the government in chief of such matters are they not likely to fail and be confused Consider likewise in a Ship when the Master is godly wise skilful and able is not the Voyage by him likely to come to good issue But on the contrary if a foolish disordered unjust man be the Master is not the undertaking endangered if not overthrown And is not this matter namely the Government of a Common-wealth to be looked upon with as much regard Ought not men to be very heedful and circumspect who and what manner of persons they accept to govern them Doth not this matter immediately concern Gods glory Doth it not concern the good and comfort of our Souls of our Bodies of our Estates and of our Children Yes certainly the matter is of great concernment And yet are we not to lament this namely That men oft rush upon the chusing of Governors as the horse into the battel with too little fear or wit Men are too much of these tempers First Either they will admit of no Government whence springeth misery confusion and every evil work by this means some say as Pharaoh said to Moses Exod. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should hear his voyce and let Israel go I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel go Thus will it be with many who acknowledg none to be their Rulers And some David speaketh of Psal 12.4 who say in their hearts Our tongues are our own who is Lord over us These men know not what they do they desire that which would assuredly make them miserable But of this in another place if God will Or secondly Others they desire to have Government but they consider not of how great concernment Government is of Hence it comes to pass that like the people in Samuels time men will have a King they will have a Governor not duly weighing and considering what maner of Governor they desire whether he be godly or ungodly whether he be wise or foolish whether he be a man sent of God or a man of their own inordinate desires whether he come in to be the true Shepherd by the door of Gods Word according to the rule there prescribed or whether he come in at the window or creep in some other way by friends beauty riches eloquence fraud flattery Thus lamentable experience teacheth us hath been the practise of the People and Nations from the time of Samuel to this day too often Hence it cometh to pass that so many Wolves enter into the sheep-fold who miserably devour persecute destroy the sheep The consideration of these miseries which arise from and attend upon those people that have wolves in sheeps clothing instead of true Shepherds occasions us to search and enquire what may be the true ground or fountain whence this evil springeth There are two main and principal Causes which occasioned God to suffer Jsrael to be so misled so seduced so deceived so afflicted The one Reason was Because the people slighted dis-esteemed and undervalued this pearl of great price namely to have God to be their King and to have him immediately to choose their Governors for them The second Reason was Because the people did not diligently observe and cleave to the Commandments of God but instead thereof they followed their own inventions And if we shall warily consider what the cause hath been and is why the People and Nations have done and do so miscarry in their Governments it ariseth from these two fore-named Grounds namely the slighting Gods Mercies and departing from prescribed Rules For the first of these read Deut. 6.11 to 16. where God admonisheth them to take heed and to beware lest when they had abundance when they had eaten and were full that they did not then slight disesteem or forget God Reason God gave them in this admonition as namely because vers 12. God brought them out of Egypt out of a low condition vers 15. and because God was a jealous God among them and lest the wrath of God were kindled against them to destroy them Notwithstanding those and many other Exhortations and Cautions which the Lord from time to time laid before them to warn them yet they soon and often turned aside from God the Fountain of living water and digged to themselves broken Cisterns that would not hold good water And touching the second namely their departing from the Rules prescribed Moses did often admonish them as in this Chapter vers 16. Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God c. Vers 17. But you shall keep diligently the Commandments of the Lord your God and his Testimonies and his Ordinances c. Dearly beloved this is very apparent That Government is of very great concernment Therefore it is to be prized at a great value We ought with great diligence to seek and to search the Scriptures that so we may find the right and pure way prescribed owned and blessed by God for the choice of our Governors By this means we shall obtain a blessing from God we shall have true Shepherds we shall discover wolves in sheeps clothing who slily creep in to devour and to destroy If God so often willeth us to take heed to keep all his Commands then certainly this which is of so great concernment is not to be slighted but
God chusing a governor and the peoples chusing a governor therefore he chuseth a governor by lot wherein and whereby God chuseth therefore Gods direction and institution is that God shall chuse This is most for Gods glory and for the peoples greatest safety Lots are Gods own Ordinance as appeareth in many places Josh 7.17 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their Tribes and the Tribe of Judah was taken And he brought the families of Judah and took the family of the Zarhites and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man and Zabdi was taken And he brought his houshold man by man and Achan was taken God could have shewed to Joshua who was the man so well as he shewed to him that there was an offence but he causeth Joshua to enquire his will in such a way as God had prescribed This sheweth that in difficult cases God ordained that people should enquire his minde by lots and this Samuel knew and therefore he enquireth Gods minde by lots in this very case of government this was never repealed to this day for God is not yea and nay God is not contrary or opposite to his own Rules This is certain it is better and safer for people to be directed by God to chuse the man yea although God for our sin should be angry with us yet even in those causes it is better to fall into the hands of God then into the hands of man and this David well considered when he chose to fall into the hands of God and not into the hands of man But further we may observe That this was the usual way namely by lots that the people took to enquire Gods minde in weighty and difficult causes as appeareth Iosh 18.6 I will cast lots for you here before the Lord thus Vers 8 10. read 1 Sam. 14.42 And Saul said casts lots between me and Ionathan my son and Ionathan was taken Here we may see that God appeared and gave a true determination and this was a way to avoyd strife Read 1 Chro. 26.13 And they cast lots both small and great for the house of their fathers Here again we may note That this use of lots was to shew what Gods minde was and to prevent all jealousies or indirect means and to prevent strife Read Nehem. 10.34 We cast lots for the offerings of the wood even the Priests the Levites and the People Read Ionah 1.7 And they said every one to his fellow come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us so they cast lots and the lot fell upon Ionah By this it evidently appeareth that the people in weighty cases did enquire to know Gods minde this way namely by lots Secondly We may observe That God doth answer the people this way Thirdly We may observe That the lot did not err nor fail to shew that which the people sought to God for Read Act. 1.24 And they prayed saying Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these thou hast chosen Vers 26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell on Matthias This sheweth that lots were not abolished but they are now of the same use that they were under the Law this is an example of the Apostles men in an extraordinary measure guided by the good and holy spirit of God and this was written no doubt for our learning this was and is a clear and evident direction in the very case of governors for the Apostles were Gods Embassadors his own Witnesses they were the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures this matter was an eminent and a weighty matter they chose but one of two The Reason is evident because the nature of their cause required no more First Because not any amongst all although holy would serve they must be men that had been the most noted to be eye-witnesses of what Christ had done and suffered and so that they had seen and heard those things themselves Secondly The Apostles were present that had an infallible spirit Thirdly This cause differs from the Governors of a Common-wealth because God in his wisdom ordered the Governors of a Common-wealth to be chosen by God out of all the people and I do conceive with due and humble respect to those that shall see Gods minde more clearly that it is the safest way to follow the most direct and evident Rules prescribed owned and blessed by God in the same cases Now it evidently appeareth that the Prophet Samuel directed immediately by God himself did chuse out of the whole twelve Tribes of Israel by that means God did fully chuse according to Deut. 17. to make him Governor whom the Lord did chuse immediately in this very case of chusing the Governor of a Common-wealth for in this case this president by Samuel was a certain and an approved president in chusing the person that God saw meet to be chief governor This was not about the form of government whether it should be by Iudges or by Kings for of that matter God shewed his minde by Samuel before expresly witnessing against the form of government by Kings but this was a Rule to shew how God is said to chuse the person that he seeth meet to govern I leave it to the consideration of the godly From these places before mentioned first I observe That it plainly and clearly appeareth that lots were ordained by God and that God owned them because God truly appeared and truly gave answer by them and because that God blessed this way of his own devising Secondly I observe That the lot when men cast themselves or referred themselves wholy to or upon God in such cases did never err it always gave a true direction a true determination in all weighty causes Search the Scriptures and it cannot be found that the lot ever erred Let not as fear therefore to chuse our chief governor by lot for let us not doubt God is the same unchangeable God yesterday and to day and the same for ever Will not this way compose all our differences Will it not heal all distempers Will not this way end all our strife Will not this way keep out all Wolves and Foxes and other beasts of prey Shall not we by this way return again to the Lord and by this means God shall be our King his Laws our guide by this means we shall obtain a man from the Lord and we shall be blessed and Peace and Truth shall meet together and so shall we have Iudges in some proportion as at the first and Counsellers as at the beginning and we shall be called a faithful City Thirdly Let us remember the great effusion of blood that hath been shed and the great envies hatred malice that is at this day reigning in the Land Is it not in every Country in every City in every Paâ—ish Nay there are but a few Families comparatively where there are not some breaches
valued at a high price Now to the end that we may more deeply imprint this in our affections and that we may never forget the great good and benefit of good Government it behoves us to consider what should be the Reason that God permitteth such corrupt Governors to be in the world It is not because God wants either Power Wisdom or Will to do us good for as a father pitieth his children so and much more is our Gods favor toward us And as the Heavens are higher then the Earth so is his Mercy c. God is of great bounty abundant in goodness rich in mercy If it be so as it is certainly so then we may learn this That the cause why God suffereth us to err in this matter of Government is for his Glory and for our learning for our good Good things are best seen to be good by their contraries The benefit of light is best discerned when we have been in darkness The absence of the Sun and cold in Winter causeth us to value the benefit of his nearer presence in the Summer The full loatheth the hony-comb but to the hungry bitter things seem sweet When God brought Jsrael out of Egypt he could have brought them to Canaan a nearer way God seeth it meet that we must sow in tears before we reap in joy God placed Adam our Grandfather in happiness he valued an apple at a higher price then Gods favor therefore God made him to know sorrow that seeing the difference he might be more wary afterwards and value better things according to their worth Israel was Gods first born Son and God bestowed this favor not to be enough valued upon them namely this That he did immediately appoint the persons that should govern them But Israel were full and fat they were wanton and slighted Gods mercy in this matter Therefore God suffered them to reap the fruit of their inventions They disliked that form of Government which God had prescribed which God had owned and blessed They would alter that form of Government appointed by God namely that of Judges and they would have a King Against this form of Government by Kings God expresly declared his dislike for here note it was not about the person but about the form of Government the difference lay directly between Government by Judges and Government by Kings They were at the first content that God should choose the person and to make him King who the Lord their God chose But after they fell more grosly they chose Kings themselves without enquiring of God as I purpose if God will to shew afterwards Well consider we of it God gave them a King in his wrath c. Note well what God saith Deut. 28.47 48. Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with a good heart for the abundance of all things Therefore thou shalt serve thy enemies in hunger and in thirst and in nakedness and in need of all things and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck c. Beloved friends Let us not cast away our Reason that noble faculty of our Souls consider that both they and we have had a long and large experience of the difference between Judges and Kings Compare those Judges of Israel before Kings were with those Kings that were after them Consider this That of or amongst those Judges immediately appointed by God from Moses to Samuel there was not one of them but were blessed by God his good Spirit helped them to judg righteously Secondly God made them a blessing to the People they did not addict themselves to voluptuous pleasure nor to build stately Palaces not to idolatrous wives not to many wives not to voluptuous diet or much wine not to multiplicity of attendants not to Plays Pastimes Hawking and Hunting not to Oppression of their Brethren not to idleness not to swearing profaneness They did not nourish and promote and put great Titles of Honor upon men and keep company with such most familiarly which openly and often blasphemed and despised God the most high God by swearing revelling whoring and what not profaneness nor did those blessed Judges neglect the due administration of Justice and Judgment Quest But what did these Judges then What manner of persons were they Ans First Note that God sent them they came into the sheepfold by the door by Gods appointment they did not creep slighly in by beauty friends eloquence mony indiscreet Elections of the people not by any unjust fraud or force Hence it came to pass that God blessed them with a good portion of his good and blessed Spirit God owned them Hence it came to pass likewise That the sheep owned them and willingly obeyed their voyce and followed them in the paths of righteousness These Judges likewise loved the People see how Moses intercedes and pleads with God by prayer and supplication for them Oh it is a precious benefit to people to enjoy godly Governours These Judges were humble meek painfull they did not swell with conceit that their veins were full of Royal bloud For they still acknowledg the people to be their brethren It 's said of Moses when Jethro came to see him that he judged the people from morning to evening And afterwards his burthen or charge was not laid aside by Jethro's counsel only it was eased It is said of Samuel That besides the pains he took where he dwelt in judging the people he likewise went about and judged the people in other places year by year Now dear friends concerning the fruits that came by Kings I appeal to God to his sacred word to the Records to the Chronicles to the experience both of our own and other Nations whether Kings have been to be compared with those Judges have not Kings been addicted to those vices and very empty of such graces as were requisite for men in such eminent places For though some may cavil and object that some Kings were good I shall if God permit and assist answer I hope to satisfaction both this and all other objections that I have yet heard of and can remember that tend to confirm and strengthen the continuance and beings of Kings amongst us Because I judge that from evident grounds plainly laid down in the sacred Scriptures the word of God the most true and the most unerring rule to direct us Kings were neither the first nor the best way of Government Consider likewise those precious promises of God who hath not left us without hope for the word of God seemeth to me plainly to declare and shew that in these last days which days and times I believe to be these verytimes or times very near approaching as by the opinion of many Godly and learned men in which God will destroy corrupt Government and Governors and will exalt his mountain in the top of the Mountains and will give and restore to us Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning
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 and hate them without just cause it cometh to pass oft-times that God doth turn these slanders and unjust reproaches into blessings Balak sent for Balaam to detest Jacob and to curse Israel But God turned that curse intended into a blessing Numb 23.8 How shall I curse where God hath not cursed Vers 24. Behold the People shall rise up as a Lion he shall not lie down till he eat of the prey and till he drink the blood of the slain c. Numb 24.5 How goodly are thy Tents O Jacob and thy Habitations O Israel Vers 6. As the valleys are they stretched forth as the gardens by the rivers sides as the Aloe-tree which the Lord hath planted as the Cedars besides the waters Vers 9. Blessed be he that blesseth thee c. These things I desire may be well noted and weighed In this matter first Hath not God in the sight of all the world turned this imprecation into a blessing For God hath been so far from destroying that Army that on the contrary God hath destroyed their Enemies and preserved them Note secondly That this imputation was unjustly layd upon this Army namely that they delighted in War For this I do undoubtedly beleeve That the Generals and chief of the Army and many others were so far from delighting in War that it was their grief that they could not finde the way to true Peace without War God is the Searcher of all hearts and he hath shewn and will shew who those blood-thirsty men are there meant by David Thirdly Note That it is evident if we consider the substance of Mr Prynnes speech in the latter part especially that the Officers of the Army were rendred odious by Mr Prynne in the face of the Parliment publiquely in so much that he saith That they sought the destruction of the Common-wealth This could not be hid from the Army Dearly beloved Country-men Do by them as you would be dealt withall had you been in their places judg righteously Consider that this Army hazarded their lives and many lost their Lives amongst them of their dear Friends in defence of the Parliament and Common-wealth There was now but a step between them and death For may not any rational man see plainly That they being at the time being rendered odious and Enemies to the Common-wealth by Mr William Prynne in a publique way What wanted then to bring them to destruction Onely this in a rational way wanted That the King might be made their Head and Governor and by that means who is so blinde that doth not see that the Kings helpers in time of his Troubles should have been exalted and made their Judges The Army themselves were to be disbanded that Mr Prynne seeketh in his speech to effect and without controversie it had been disbanded had not God shewed the Army the danger and the snare that they were in and withall if God had not given to the General and to the Army an undaunted courage and if the blessing of God had not gone along with them they had been destroyed For as touching the Kings party of them of their former mercies or cruelties rather the Army had had experience too much for to trust them upon such slight pretences Consider now deal unpartially would not you if it were your case rather your enemies and Gods enemies and the countries enemies should perish rather then your selves and many others Well had the Army sate still till they had been destroyed we might have lamented over their and our miseries in Davids language 2 Sam. 3.33 Thus dyed Abner as a fool dyeth Vers 34. Thine hands were not bound nor thy feet tyed in fetters of Brasse But here I end with this Scripture hoping that God may one day shew M. Prynn cause to revoke this imprecation In the mean time he may evidently see that it is turned to a blessing Concerning M. Pryns Speech I could answer to the particulars but considering the straitness of present time and likewise considering that if I should be long some of his papers might be read of too many Therefore I observe Davids counsel in another case who desiring to cover Sauls death and Jonathans desired That it might not be told in Gath nor published in the Gates of Askelon least it caused the daughters of the Philistines to rejoyce I shall therefore endeavor to bind up his answer fast together his Speech may be divided into two parts viz. In the first I find many witty and ingenious contrivances fine twined threds or to give them a term more suitable to his intentions let them be taken for such cords as the Philistines used to bind Sampson with Therefore we shall let them pass under this name M. Prynns new inventions to binde the King and secure the Common-wealth to be in a firm lasting peace c. and future felicity The Second part may be considered under this notion M. Prynns endeavour to render the Army odious and enemies to the Common-wealth I do hope and believe that M. Prynne his aims and intendments were real for to obtain Peace and Safety But I believe that he was mistaken and erred from the pattern shew'd in Gods revealed will very far When I looked well upon M. Prynn his Speech with what learning wit and eloquence it is contrived considering his parts It occasioned me to remember Pauls speech 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Thus â—xpressed God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty Vers 28. And vile things of the world and things which are despised and things which are not hath God chosen to bring to naught things that are Our blessed Saviour sheweth us a reason of this Math. 11.25 I give thee thanks O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and men of understanding and hast opened them to babes Vers 26. It is so O Father because thy good pleasure was such In our times it is not to be much marvelled at that wise men come short when we consider of former times the children of Israel were very apt to break sleight and neglect Gods commandements and to prefer their own inventions Was it not strange that they should forsake that Fountain of living Waters that great God Jehovah of whose Faithfulness Wisedome Power Goodness Long-suffering They had had such large experience of Yet search the Scriptures and you may see many instances how they distrusted God how they forsook God murmured complained despised and provoked God from time to time Was it not to be admired that they should forsake God and set up a golden Calf in Moses his absence Was it not to be admired That having had such experience of Gods Providence and Blessing under the Government of those Humble Wise Faithful Judges or Governors being such men as entred into their Offices by the immediate and prescribed will of God from Moses to Samuel Under
namely in his Throne in his Power that by vertue of that place was belonging to him his strength lay in his inward affections there is the second place lay his strength For the first I have spoken already it armed him with sufficient Power to oppose his opposers and to suppress them And touching the second namely his inward affections this was the next security to the People in both these Mr Prynnes Arguments do fail and lose the end propounded namely our security For touching the first his Arguments they tended to bring the King into his Throne where had he been setled we should have found by experience to our cost that Kings are of too great Power to be put into and kept in such fetters long or often And touching the second namely his Heart of that we have had much experience for if we look to the fruits a sure rule to discern the heart where actions are apparent there we may plainly see that his heart was carryed away from us to our adversaries for proof of this I desire that we may look back to his favouring Idolatry and Idolaters and prophane persons and his suppressing and discountenancing the most faithful Ministers and People Was it not for these and such like matters that the whole Kingdom in a manner did forsake and oppose him at the first And did it not evidently appear afterwards during the War all along that his helpers and his Favorites were Papists and I believe many little better then Atheists and most prophane persons insomuch that they distinguished or differenced themselves from them that feared God by titles and carriages suitable to their prophane hearts Have we forgotten the horrible Blasphemies damnable swearing prophane cursing a note which the Holy Ghost giveth as a property of Gods enemies Rom. 3.14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness destruction and calamity are in their ways and the way of peace they have not known the fear of God is not before their eyes c. Have we forgotten their whoring plundering their perfideous dealings their fine designs their bloody cruelties Beloved Friends these sins were not committed in corners in secret but in the sight of the Sun And were not many or most of their principal Leaders leading men to give them patterns in sinning I would advise our Royalists now to take heed what they do for it is very evident that to this day a great part to speak with as much moderation as I may of those that are so bitterly against the Army and Parliament declare too evidently That there is too little fear of God before their eyes but much blasphemous swearing much cursing much hatred against them that fear God I am a witness of this to my sorrow They that party that cry out most especially against the diversity of Opinions but in the mean time many of them agree in one joynt Opinion witness their fruits namely this That they will cast off Gods yoke his Commandments They will be so far from doing the good will of God that they hate him that they perceive hath respect to Gods Laws I hope there are many that fear God that through weakness seem to side with that party but let them beware for if that party could prevail they should finde a strong party against themselves Well if I should be silent and the stones they tread on should hold their peace yet the most high God seeth these things who is a God jealous of his honor and will not hold such wicked guiltless Dear Friends I call God to record That with grief I rehearse these matters neither do I do it out of hatred to that party but aiming at Gods glory their true good and conversion Consider dear Friends Do not those intelligences and correspondences which the King held all along with Papists Idolaters with those bloody Murtherers in Ireland who filled their shoes with the blood of so many thousands in Ireland and that in a time of Peace as if it had been in a time of War Do not these declare That the late King his heart was not right with the Lord Can any man shut his eyes so close to hide these things from his sight Note further what the King granted and Mr Prynne layeth down as a sure foundation to build a sort upon against the revival of Bishops In his Speech he saith That the King consents to put down corrupt Bishops and their appurtenances c. but with this clause That he will still allow of Apostolical Bishops He saith The King contendeth for no other now but their power of Ordination onely Who is so blinde now that doth not see the Kings heart in this lowest time of his dejection Now for us to hope That our power shall prevail more then the King his power in case he had been again received as a King I do conceive our hope should have been built upon the sand Consider we further That suppose that the Kings heart was most cordial for the Papists of which there was just cause of suspition if we consider of all the premisses together then we may easily gather That a Dispensation from the Pope would take away all these bonds Moreover let us but consider That in case the late King had been restored if his heart had not been firm he should not have wanted enough men that would have perswaded him that these ties or cords with which he was bound were forced upon him in his afflictions and that God had afforded to Kings other and more power And that it should be a sin in him not to break such unlawful Covenants forced upon him And like it is That the King would have readily consented Then should they that had been actors in making those acts been accounted vilde and sinners and no doubt but that they should quickly have tasted of the cup of his displeasure 4. Lastly Consider That in case that these obligations could have prevailed yet what comfort or benefit should the Common-wealth have received thereby Ans 1. We should have had the maintenance of a titulary King and his Company to have provided for Secondly We should have had continual emulation and jealousies between the King and the Subject or Parliament who must have kept some armed Force for their defence For can we conceive That the King and his Favorers would ever have taken it well and quietly to have been thus deprived of those things that they would have conceived to have belonged to all his predecessors always and that no Record from the Creation neither divine nor humane could give a president for Thirdly Do we think this would have brooked if the Parliament must in a full Body consisting of Lords and Commons have given their direction and consent to so many State-matters from time to time Then it seemeth to me that it would have unavoydably followed That the Parliament must have sitten continually or at the least very often From which or upon which I do not see
Magistracy Supported because I believe God hath not called me to that work I shall leave the consideration of it to those that God hath appointed to judg The Cases that will come to be tryed in this kind or of this nature are many and differ much according to the Objects and Circumstances and cannot wholy be so determined but that much must be left to the wisdom of the Governors Concerning the death of the late deposed King Mr John Goodwin hath learnedly tryed and determined the justness thereof to my best understanding to whom I should refer the Reader only a word or two I conceive may not be impertinently spoken concerning that matter The first thing that I propound to consideration is this namely Whether that at and before his Tryal for his Life his Judgment and Execution he was properly a King or was deposed from being a King so that in that condition may we not look upon him as one that had been King but for such just cause deposed that to the equity thereof both the Houses of Parliament together with the Army and the Common-wealth consented and were actors therein and consented thereto Doth not this evidently appear if we consider that the Parliament formerly many and several times by publique writing declared That the King was so far a Delinquent that they were forced to disclaim his former authority and to take up Arms against him In the prosecution of Justice they subdued the late King and his party Now in this condition the King remained not being restored to his former Kingship which being considered will it not appear That those that gave sentence against him and those that brought him to his Tryal and did cause Justice to be executed upon him did not take away the life of a King but of one that had been King and hoped so to have been again Secondly I do propound to consideration Whether it be not lawful to desert and to depose Kings and to bring them to punishment for the breach of the Laws of the most high God This I believe appeareth plainly if we first consider That both King and People are all Gods Subjects God is the King of Kings God saith That one Law shall be to all Exod. 12.49 It is to be considered what God gave Joshua in charge Iosh 1.8 Let not this Book of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that then mayst observe and do according to all things that is written therein To this very purpose God speaketh the same matter as the duty of Kings Deut. 17.18 And when he shall sit upon the Throne of his Kingdom then shall he write him this Law repeated in a Book Vers 19. And he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God Vers 20. That he may prolong his days in his Kingdom c. From these places it appeareth That both Ioshua and the Kings were to be subject to Gods Law otherwise God would have left them to their liberties but contrarily God doth directly impose upon them the diligent observation of all his Laws 2. We may note That the breach of Gods Laws were punishable in Kings plainly implyed in these words That it may go well that his days in his Kingdom may be prolonged By this we may plainly see That on the contrary if a King do neglect and transgress Gods Commands then his days in his Kingdom may be shortned The end wherefore God doth expresly charge them to regard the Law importeth plainly that it was to that end that it might be their Rule and Bounds And so likewise if by diligent need to Gods Laws the days of Kings may be prolonged then on the contrary for the neglecting and much more for the grievous breach of Gods Laws their days may be shortned To this purpose we may read That although Ioshua were a man that was placed as Governor over Israel by God himself and although he were so eminent a man for piety a man that had long and constantly walked in the ways of God of whose godliness the people had had long experience yet observe what the people answered to Ioshua in point of their obedience recorded Josh 1.16 Then they answered Joshua saying All that thou hast commanded us we will do c. Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Hence we may observe in these words Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses is plainly implyed a conditional subjection in the people as if the people should have said We desire to be excused in case that we do see it appear by those fruits that thou bringest forth that God is departed from thee and that thou forsakest those paths in which God hath commanded us to walk and hath commanded thee to observe in such cases we will be free we do not promise to be obedient to thee This is a plain conditional engagement implyed plainly in those words Only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses There is no King Emperor or Governor whatsoever but they are included all of them within the Rule of Gods Law that is to be the Rule and Guide of all their Actions the Bounds thereof they may not pass by turning aside either to the right or to the left hand nor by adding to the Commandments of God nor by taking any thing from Gods Commandments Moses was a notable excellent and eminent Example to Governors he observed Gods Laws willingly and circumspectly so did Joshua and all those Judges that were chosen immediately by God Thus David did endeavor to walk in Gods ways and some of the Kings of Israel although they lay under great temptations being lifted up so high in the opinions of the people these all acknowledged the Law of God to be their Rule their Guide and their Bounds For the breach of this Law old Eli was punished with temporal death although in his own person he were circumspect and obedient yet because that he suffered Gods Laws to be violated by his own sons God is so provoked that he taketh away his sons by the sword and the father by an untimely death an eminent pattern for Governors to look upon Governors are leading men their example is more prevalent then others they do more hurt then others by their evil examples therefore great men shall be greatly tormented God spared not Kings that broke and violated his Law Saul though he was chosen to his place by God immediately and therefore was anointed with oyl after an extraordinary manner yet when he went beyond the Bounds of Gods Commandments though it were in offering Sacrifice a matter good in it self yet because it was more then God commanded God cast him out of his place for it If we add to Gods Will revealed in his Word we sin or
them and lay them up let them be put into the treasury of your hearts to be considered of Dearly beloved Fathers I pray you accept favorably of these few following lines wherein I have laboured to present to your godly considerations such a platforme or draught of Government as is drawn from or out of the unblemished and most perfect patterne prescribed and revealed in the sacred Scripture those streight and unerring rules of truth in the discription thereof I have endeavoured without adding or diminishing according to the measure of Grace and strength from God received to present it to you with faithfulnesse These reasons following have moved me to present these following lines to your considerations First aiming at Gods Glory having an especiall respect to the accomplishment of those precious promises foretold by the Prophets Secondly because that I my selfe and my posterity are concerned in the cause Thirdly because that such an opportunity I believe hath not beene offered from the dayes of Samuel to this time considering I look upon you as men that aime principally at the glory of God and not so much at any worldly respects yon knowing and seeing the brittlenesse the uncertainty the mutability and vanity that is to be attained in any worldly comforts compared with those true weighty precious treasures provided promised and reserved for all those that love God believe in him and do unfeinedly desire to doe his Will and Commandements Fourthly I do consider that your actings now and the platforme of Government that you are now considering of is such as is like to concerne posterity It will concerne England Ireland Scotland and our Neighbour Nations they will warily look upon it and it will concerne the Islands in the Indies Barmoedas Virginia New England Newfound Land and other places Consider therefore I pray you with the greatest respect that you have an eye to the patterne of the Sanctuary to those rules and warrantable presidents recorded in Gods revealed Will the holy Scriptures I pray you turne not to the right hand nor to the left hand remember what an expresse charge God gave to Ioshua Chap. 1.8 Let not this Booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe and do according to all that is written therein for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then shalt thou have good successe I beseech you deare Fathers consult not too much with flesh and blood follow not the many and uncertaine presidents and inventions of men If you keepe close to Gods Rule you shall not err you shall be safe and then shall I and my posterity some of your little children shroud our selves under the protection of your wing with more peace and comfort conceiving our selves by Gods Providence to be secured from the many Wolves and Beares and Lyons that lie in waite to hurt us I have travelled through many difficulties forsaken Wife Children and some worldly comforts that J might present these following lines to your considerations which I would not mention but to this end That it might take some impression in your hearts and cause you advisedly to read and to consider what is contained in these following lines and that so all my labour may not be lost and these matters cast aside as wast paper to that end I pray you not to looke so much at the Garment as at the substance and not so much at the Order or Forme as at the Truth and true Meaning of what J have tendred to you but whatever my successe shall be I know my dependancy and whom I have trusted Dearely beloved Fathers J meane not to exclude my requests from being presented and are intended by me to be tendered to those two worthy Servants of God Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir Oliver Cromwell being Fathers of this Common-wealth in an eminent manner To them and to the rest of those worthy Governours of this Common-wealth to you all I present my requests and what shall be contained in these following lines Dearely beloved Fathers you have now a great and glorious or precious opportunity put into your hands of Reformation be but Faithfull in this and God will make you Rulers of more and greater Cities of Heavenly places In the meane time till you can settle Government according to your desire I pray you let the administration of Justice come thorough as few hands as with equity you may that so the poore may come at their right with as little difficulty or charge and with as much ease as may be which I do believe you do endeavour I humble request of you likewise that you will take off from the Common-wealth what burdens and taxations you can I pray you be deeply and thoroughly affected with the many sad complaints and sighs of many poore hearts that are under your Government that are of your flock remember what frame of spirit was in that first and godly and eminent patterne of piety namely in holy and humble Moses that blessed man of God he sought the good the ease and the comfort of that people God committed to his government he changed this transitory life and now lives with God and with his blessed Angells to eternity the memory of him is recorded for our learning in Gods Booke of Records and is precious and blessed in all Ages Remember how our blessed Saviour delivered us from those oppressions of sinnes and from Satan and from Death and laid downe his life to redeeme us and all this hee did freely for us when no eye pittied us yea even then when wee were at emnity with him and he was a precious patterne for us to imitate and now hee sitteth in glory and is blessed to all eternity Hee regarded not the momentary trifles of worldly wealth the Foxes had holes and the Birds of the Aire had nests but the Sonne of man had scarcely a place whereon to rest his Head bee mercifull because your Heavenly Father is mercifull I do believe you do earnestly desire and endeavour to take off from the people what burdens you can J do consider that you have very many and great engagements that for the present you cannot avoide Taxations but I hope those occasions will in time convenient be removed so that then I hope you will ease the people what possibly you can I hope God will shew you a way to do it of this I am perswaded that we might be more eased in this matter were it not for the gainsayings and molestations that diverse bring upon us by reason of their irregularities I pray you be mindefull of our Trading and Marchandize to incourage that that so the poore labourer may bee imployed and relieved I cannot but with thankefulnesse acknowledge your great care and charge that you have allready taken in setting out Ships to secure our Marchants at Sea I pray you still continue your watchfulnesse that way because these times are times wherein many ungodly
David and some others Answ That proveth not in the least That the Government of the Kings was to be compared to that Government by Judges because this Government by Judges was Gods prescription and direction but that Government by Kings was the prescription of the People the Peoples invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and this was expresly forbidden by God before in Deuteronomy Thou shalt not follow the manner of the Heathen Nations round about And it was expresly against the Counsel of God recorded by Samuel it was against Gods Will for though God did permit Kings to be yet he did not originally appoint them but contrarily God dehorteth the people from having Kings in a vehement manner and taking it in the highest degree to be both the breach of Gods Commands or Institutions and likewise a very forsaking of God recorded by the Prophet Samuel 1 Sam. 8.7 They have not cast thee away but they have cast me away And further note That God out of his tender compassion to the people notwithstanding that they had cast him away in the form of their Government yet God lovingly admonisheth the people God giveth warning to the people what they should get by having a Government by Kings namely 1 Sam. 8.11 This shall be the manner of the King that shall raign over you He shall take your sons and your daughters your fields and your vineyards your servants your cattel and your sheep and ye shall cry out by reason of your oppressions but I will not hear you in that day Further consider That God did permit divorce in sundry cases and did permit the Israelites to have more wives then one this matter to my apprehension hath a better footing and much fairer shew of Gods approbation then the Government by Kings and notwithstanding Christ our Lord saith That this was not originally right God did not in the first and purest Institution ordain this matter yet God did act in many cases and blessed children and married persons in this way In the first being of Kings God did act in this cause as namely God chose Saul and David yet nevertheless God did expresly by the Prophet Samuel in threatning manner admonish and foretel the people That Kings would oppress the people and make them cry out and GOD would not alter the Government by Kings when they would Observe we well That where men do not cleave close to Gods Ordinations to his Institutions and do not prefer the Wisdom of God before their own wisdom it is a righteous thing with God to suffer them to smart and to endure bitter afflictions when we shall not have ability to help our selves We have had experience of Kings from Samuels time to this day and now God hath given such an opportunity as hath not been a long season now we have comfortable hope that God will give and restore Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Oh dearly beloved whosoever thou art hinder not Gods Work of Reformation left thou beest found a fighter against God remember that our forefathers have been a gainsaying people let not us I pray you resist the good Spirit of his grace 2. But further consider That although David and some other Kings were better then the rest God would not suffer the Rod of his Wrath to lie always so heavy as at sometimes yet even David and Solomon and others were not blessed with the like measure of grace that the Judges were blessed with Consider did Moses Joshua Gideon Samuel did they kill innocent Vriah Did they commit Adultery with Bathsheba Did they number the people with David Did they set up Idolatry or suffer Idolatry Did they build sumptuous houses and gardens and orchards as Solomon Did they commit such abominations as many other Kings did Consider of it That this Government by Judges instituted by God himself in these first and purest times was the best Government it was most for Gods glory it was according to his will and it was most for the peoples good 3. Consider That although God commendeth David in the general yet that proved nothing in this particular case namely it neither proveth to them be of Gods first Institution nor any Institution not that place for instance if a master of a family having an hundred servants some of these may be as personable nay they may some of them be beloved of the master and be rulers in the family but this doth not prove That the form of their government being a form of their own invention was or is so good a form as that form of government that the master himself appointed We ought warily to distinguish between those matters that God doth permit and between those matters that God doth institute and ordain Adam our grandfather sinned by eating of the forbidden fruit yet nevertheless God made some of his posterity Instruments of his glory and they were beloved of God yet it doth not thereby follow That Adams condition was so good after as before God saith David was a man after his own heart but it neither followeth thereby That all Kings were men after Gods heart in that sence nor doth it thereby follow That the government by Kings was so good a government as the government by Judges for that is against the express letter of the Scripture and against the experience of all ages to this present Object Doth not God say That Kings shall be thy nursing fathers and Queens thy nursing mothers Answ This sheweth That although the people had deserved that God should make all Kings to be enemies or scourges to the people for rejecting God their King and for their evil and obstinacy in forsaking the first and best form of government by Judges a form prescribed and blessed by God yet this sheweth That God would not always be alike offended he would let some Kings be nursing fathers although many were evil towards God and the people Another instance consider A father having many children employeth or there is employed divers nurses some of his own chusing and some of his childrens chusing the father considering the childrens weakness and offence in chusing other for nurses without his order he doth neither allow of their act in chusing nor of the persons although he may forgive his children part of their offence and promiseth that some of these should prove nurses to them though many should prove crosses this doth neither approve of his childrens act in breaking his way prescribed neither doth this indulgence or mercy in the father encourage or warrant other children to follow that way not prescribed but expresly witnessed against One instance more to open the matter consider Certain men being to go to a place far distant from them there are divers ways that lead to the place the master of the company he sheweth to them the best way but the company are obstinate and will to King and Princes by descent without enquiring Gods counsel
and so continued in the breach of Covenant and of Gods Law they had not yet restored God to be their King as in the days of old as in the beginning This is plainly expressed in these words Kings not by me Princes and I knew it not As if God should have said I expected they should repent and turn from their evils and have enquired at and taken my counsel who should be the man that should be their chief Governor but they go on and obstinately follow the counsel of their own hearts They have Kings but not by me they have Princes and I knew it not that is They did not come and make me acquainted they did not enquire of me who should govern them therefore the Enemy shall pursue them But to go on They have transgressed my Covenant and broken my Law whence I gather plainly That the Government by Judges together with their entrance into their places it was part of the Law of God God did ordain and appoint that the Government should be by Judges and that God would have that priviledg that preheminency therein that he would be consulted withall who should be the man that should be principal Governor that is to say God and not the people without the express counsel of God known should appoint the man and name the person and the erring from this here God calleth the transgression of his Law and the breach of his Covenant That this is the very true minde of God I beleeve the very words in the Text and their application by God himself do naturally and plainly hold out so much But secondly I gather this to be the meaning here considering the presidents prescribed and practised by God himself God mediately appointed Moses Joshua Gideon Samuel and some others This sheweth that God did ordain and institute not onely the form of Government by Judges but also God did himself immediately appoint the persons in which nomination we may observe That God did not appoint in these first and purest and uncorrupted times that Government should go by Succession from Father to the eldest Son Moses had children and other of the Judges had children yet God in his wisdom saw it to be most for his glory and for the peoples good that the principal Government should not be continued by descent This plainly appeareth by those presidents in which God himself did the most immediately appear in and the most immediately appoint Afterwards in more corrupted times the people chose by descent but this proved not to be compared with that way which God in his heavenly wisdom did appoint in the first and in the purest and best Times I should further note divers things here as their casting God off their punishments being the fruits the people reaped but I forbear and proceed The Lord saith Deut. 4. Vers 2. to 9. That God had taught them Ordinances therefore keep them saith God What Nation is so great that hath Laws so righteous as all this Law Take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently thou and thy sons and thy sons sons Ye shall put nothing to the Word that I command you neither shall you take ought there from This people they were well disciplined by God they had the presence of God so neer to them and God was so tender over them as appeareth Deut. 32.10 God led him about he taught him he kept him as the apple of his eye Vers 11. As an Eagle stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her birds stretcheth out her wings taketh them and carrieth them on her wings Vers 12. So the LORD alone led him and there was no strange god with him Thus did God neerly shew the people his glorious majesty his power his wisdom his Truth his grace goodness bounty mercy his unchangeableness When we consider of it we may say with the Prophet Isaiah Oh that we had harkened to Gods Commandments then should our prosperity have been like the floods and like to the mighty waters But alass this people grew to be full they were at ease they were wanton which God noted Deut. 32.15 He that should have been upright when he waxed fat spurned with his heels that is he esteemed these precious mercies to be of little value Therefore God seeing this saith Deuteronomy 32. Vers 15. Thou art fat thou art laden with fatness thou art gross therefore he forsook God that made him and regarded not the strong God of his Salvation God being most infinitely wise he knoweth which way is best to remedy this distemper namely these surfets in prosperity This therefore God telleth the people admonishing them in the times of their prosperity to take heed to Gods Commandments and not to turn any way aside to the right or left hand nor to add nor diminish But observe we this people would not harken they would not be convinced that the wisdom of God was best and safest for them God had himself immediately prescribed both the form of Government and the persons yet this people preferred the GOVERNMENT by KINGS such as the HEATHENS round about had of which the LORD had said to them Ye shall not follow their Manners nor Customs before the Government by Judges and therefore the Prophet Samuel telleth them that such things would befall them by having Kings but they would not harken to God to the Prophet Therefore the Lord fore-seeing and knowing what would follow he admonished them they will not now be perswaded Take heed for it is no light matter for hereafter you shall cry out by reason of your afflictions but I will not hear you that is to say you shall feel this breach of my Law and Covenant Kings shall be your Oppressors they will slay my Priests set up Idolatry force you to Idolatry they will worship the hoast of Heaven they will fill the streets of Jerusalem with blood they will be the causes that my anger shall be kindled against you they shall be the causes that I will bring an Enemy upon you and deliver you into captivity Hosea 8. Therefore saith the Lord the Enemy shall pursue you that is to say he shall prevail against you This shall come to pass because you have broken my Law and transgressed my Covenant you have set up Kings but not by me and Princes but I knew it not as if God should say I did not acknowledg the way of Kings I knew it not c. and yet you repent not you return not to me c. Samuel faithfully and plainly fore-told this 1 Sam. You shall cry out by reason of your afflictions at that day but I will not hear you you have chosen a form of Government by Kings and Kings you shall have This sheweth That the matter of Governors and Government is no light matter in Gods estimation we may make as light a matter of it as we will but God knoweth that Kings will afflict us and oppress us Kings will draw us to Idolatry they
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
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
and purest times and by Judges which being considered I believe it plainely followeth that from the time of Samuel to this day this prophesie hath not bin fulfilled and accomplished because there hath not from that time to this bin such a Reformation such a Government by Iudges as was in the first and most pure times instituted the most immediately by God himself and is held out in these words As at the first c. Fifthly I observe that there is just ground to hope and believe that such a Reformation God will worke namely that God will restore Iudges as at the first Sixthly I believe there are good grounds from this place compared with the acts and great workes that God is now working and hath wrought to expect that this very time is the time or the beginning of the time God pointed out in this prophesie Because that corrupt government by Kings is put downe in such a way of burning and righteousnesse as hath not bin from that time to this day as I believe and such an earnest seeking and strong endeavours as hath not bin usuall for to set up and restore a government by Iudges as at the first in which endeavours I cannot but acknowledge that I believe it evidently appeareth That many men have affectionately endeavored with the hazard of their lives and of all their worldly comforts to obtaine a government such as might be for the glory of God and according to his Will revealed as at the first Object How commeth it then to passe that sin abounds so much and that wickednesse is not more suppressed Answ We are to consider that great workes are not alwayes finished so soon as they are begun God may suffer some sins now more then ordinary to appear that by that meanes we may see them and see the evâ—ll of them and the danger of them and by seeing them we may see how and where they may be rooted up this government is yet in agitation not fully settled as I conceive they have many occasions their Enemies not wholy subdued We may observe that in those times when God was about to work the greatest deliverances for his Church God worketh by contraries in mans apprehension when Israel was nearest to their deliverance out of Aegyt then God let them taste the most bitterly of he yoke of their oppression although Moses at the same instant was labouring for their deliverance Secondly can we see no reformation consider that the Gospell hath free liberty to be preached many Congregations are much reformed and a free liberty for Reformation to others Idolatry is suppressed the Ministery and People are freed from those troubles in conscience that formerly they would have beene glad to have beene eased of and further consider that in these times there is much more light many things formerly obscured and hid are now appeared and concerning those sins that are a just cause of griefe I believe when government is setled they will be driven away as chaffe before the winde and touching those Burdens and Taxations I believe they are our governors griefe to impose them and I hope God will shew them a meanes to ease them and to take them away in the mean time let us seek God unfainedly and God will answer us graciously Thirdly let us consider which party those that are for or those that are against this present government or Army be most guilty of the sin most reigning I shall speak something what my own experience reacheth and so far as my memory and opportunity hath received from other men Those generally that stand for the Army and Parliament are godly or civill the most of them I know not one other wayes Those that are against them are many of them such as I have heard my self with much grief that have bin swearers most notoriously and have spoken of the secrets of nature of Men and Women in such a manner as if they had never lived where Gods Word had come to their knowledge in such a manner as the very Indians that are civilized are ashamed of or not accustomed to in such a manner as That their mouthes are filled with cursing and bitternesse destruction and calamity are in their wayes the way of Peace they have not knowne I leave them and speak to some other I believe there may be many some I know of whom I am perswaded I may safely affirm That they are the elect of God and yet neverthelesse through weakenesse for so I judge it to be do not favour the Army and the present government I hope God will shew them just cause to see their error and to acknowledge it in this particular But concerning those that stand for the present government and Army I know not nor have I discoursed with nor heard of any one Man that hath cordially favored the proceedings of the Army and this present government but they appeare to be either godly or civill not openly prophain I would not be mistaken I speak not in this particular what the Souldiery may be I mean the common Souldiery may be I know nothing against them but this I can affirm upon my own knowledge upon inquiry in Cornewall and in Devonshire they behave themselves so orderly that I much rejoyced to see their civill and orderly carriage and I did purposely enquire of the Inhabitants and I remember not any one but did acknowledge that they carried themselves orderly To conclude my Answer to this Objection I do acknowledge sin is committed too openly in the sight of the Sun there are many offences Let us all look to it for Christ Jesus the Sonne of the blessed God saith that woe be to him by whom the offence commeth Certainly there is a righteous God that will prove and try all our hearts and workes to whose righteous judgement I willingly refer the Cause I humbly request those that fear God not to be offended for consider that many take liberty to the utmost to detract the Army and present government therefore give me a little liberty I would not exceede the bounds prescribed by God But to return to shew cause why we may now expect Reformation Iudges is at the first this following is the seventh Observation gathered from this prophesie namely because God hath stirred up many godly and learned in these times to put in writing what they have gathered from the prophesies of the Prophets and these joyntly and unanimously do agree so far as I know that near to these times God will doe great things such as have not bin done for a long season in reforming matters in exalting and lifting up his Church out of affliction This is an encouragement to us to hope and expect that we shall have Iudges as at the first and counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be a City of righteousnesse a faithfull City Unto the foresaid Scripture we may add that Esai 2.2 It shall be in the last dayes that the Mountaine of
successively I doe but labout to set before you these instances and it is because I am not like so far as I know to have any more opportunity in this World to speak in the cause blame me not therefore if I propound these things to your consideration for I and my posterity are like to be subject to what forme of government you establish and I evidently see that from Government will arise great blessings if it be such government as God approveth if it be such as God hath prescribed then I know that the blessed Spirit of God will rest upon such governors On the contrary I know that if you mistake in government I do expect that great afflictions will follow and Governors not entring into their places according to the Rule of Gods Word I shall not expect that the gracious Presence of God will accompany them And this I evidently see by the records of the Sacred Word of God and by the experience of all Ages recorded that where government is corrupted they are a meanes to draw the People from the sincere worship of God and they are a meanes to bring the Wrath of God upon the People I doubt not but there are amongst you many wise godly and men precious in Gods esteem I pray God double the Spirit of his grace upon you and direct you to see much more of Gods minde however let it not be grievous if I put you in minde of those things which you know and which are plainely recorded in Gods sacred Word Moses put the People in minde of the same things often and so did Ioshua and so did Christ and his Apostles This is all that I can do by all the instances or arguments I can alledge it is but only to perswade or put you in minde of what is already recorded plainly in Gods Word which is a bright shining light all that I can say in comparison of Gods sacred Word is far short of the darkest night compared to the brightest shining light of the day therefore all that draweth me or is any motive to me in this cause is this namely The records of the sacred Scriptures shew such a Government and such Governors God did prescribe in such a manner and they were blessed by God they were a blessing to the People and the holy good and blessed spirit of God was given to such God in his wisdom did so appoint On the contrary I have observed both from the Records of the sacred Scriptures and from the Records of all Ages and from well considered experience that although the inventions of men which swerve from the most approved Rules of Gods Word may have a faire shew in some mens eyes yet he that well noteth such inventions shall in the issue finde Gall and Wormewood bitter fruits and Gods good Spirit doth not accompany such inventions which causeth me to keepe a loofe from Mans inventions especially in such a weighty matter and of so great eminent and high concernment both for Gods glory and for the Peoples blessednesse I conceive we cannot possible be too circumspect nor cleave too close and stedfastly to the most approved and blessed forme of Government and Governors prescribed owned and blessed by God and recorded in the sacred Scriptures for our learning Dearely beloved Fathers I speake freely and willingly and with more liberty of speech to you because I am perswaded that your heartâ— do really seeke Gods glory because I believe that you seeke not your selves and have better learned to tread under foote these trifles these sublunary comforts and do seek for an immortall Crown of glory provided for those that seek Gods glory you beloved know how to value Eternity better then a moment better then this short span of time Therefore I pray you be not offended But further where there are many Iudges of equall authority though Men fearing God and seeking Gods glory yet in many or in some causes and most especially in the most weighty causes do not respects sway much As namely loth to displease one another and lothfully to discover themselves Are not numerous companies having all equall authority subject to emulation to jealousies yea and sometimes to be so divided that doth it not sometimes appeare so violent that it occasioneth civil warres or contentions I pray you to consider mortall man is subject to frailty Therefore seeing the Heavenly frame of government is by one â—od and unto Gods Word the whole Host of Heaven is willingly obedient and considering that that government that God appointed in the first and purest times when God most immediately appointed government to his beloved first borne and peculiar Church and People considering that God appointed this forme of government namely by one Man a chiefe Iudge who had sole power to judge and appoint and to determine the weightiest causes is not this the safest way to avoide confusion and contention and most like to be blessed Herein indeed will lie the great weight of all the matter namely that we cleave close to Gods Rules that so a Wolfe may be prevented for getting into the sheepe fold For let us but seeke God in those wayes he hath appointed seriously and heartily and I doubt not but that we shall obtaine a blessing a Man sent of God And then let us never fear but God will accompany such a man with his blessed Spirit Did ever a People seeke GOD humbly following GODS Rules and heartily and failed I believe no Record of Divine authority will demonstrate such an example in such a cause so prosecuted Object But was not this forme of government peculiar to the state of the Israelites is it not abolished at the comming of Kings Answ I desire every one that doth unfeignedly desire to do Gods Will to be wary of this Objection and consider that it is too much for us to turn aside from Gods Institutions but to deny Gods Institutions this is a sin of a deep impression How often doth GOD bid us beware that we do neither add nor diminish this being duly considered I answer First this Order of government by Iudges in this manner was Gods owne Order God did most immediately appoint this Order Secondly God did prescribe this to his Church and People before the Law was given Moses was appoinâ—ed and had his power and place and the rest of the Judges were orderly distributed before the Law was given at Mount Sinai Thirdly this order of government was continued confirmed and blessed immediately by God himself undâ—r the Law Fourthly this O der was further confirmed by GOD when the People in the Dayes of Samuel desired a Government by Kings which appeareth in that GOD plainely affirmeth that the People cast God off when they altered this forme and further it appeareth that God was the same long after by the expressions of the Prophets Fifthly there was never any Government since to this Day to be compared with this Government nor so blessed by God