Not to reject or despise any childe of God because of weaknesses whether the infirmities be error of judgment frowardness pride unthankfulness slips in conversation c. Where he directeth likewise unto the duties that are owing to them and that there ought not to be a judging for difference in judgment in Church Controversies nor an estranging in affection nor a neglecting means of reclaiming c. and there prescribing also requisite remedies in this case Vid. ibid. O therefore that such stirring useful inferences from heavenly doctrine by an Interpreter one of a thousand might cause our hearts to burn within us and sway us to vow unto the mighty God of Jacob not to enter into the Tabernacle of our house nor go up unto our beds nor give sleep unto our eyes nor slumber to our eye-lids until such time as some blessed expedient may be found and observed for establishing truth and peace amongst Brethren Now the Lord of peace himself give England and Scotland peace always by all means Grace be with you all Amen Matth. 5. 9. Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God AN APPENDIX Humbly offered and submitted to the most faithful prudent and godly-zealous Patriots of the Honorable House of COMMONS And of the English Nation Tending to vindicate Some late actings and proceedings of the High Court of PARLIAMENT and their puissant Army for the promoting of blessed Iustice and lawful Liberty As also the alteration of set days of Humiliation and appointing of occasional In certain short exemplary Observations and present parallel applicatory Inferences grounded on some select Texts of Scripture 1 Sam. 14. 36 38 39 40 43 44 45 46 47 48. 1 Sam. 15. 2 3 7 8 9 13 14 15 20 21 24 32 33. 2 Sam. 12. 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 13 14. Zech. 7. 3 5. and 8. 19. Rom. 25. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Psal. 119. 133. Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me 1 Sam. 14. 36 38 39 40 43 44 45 46 47 48. Observation I. 1. Paralel inference KIng Saul had a due Soveraign Power and Supream Authority over the Israelites yea over the chief of them that were of the Army or Souldiery and accordingly did exercise the same even as cause and occasion required see Vers. 36 38. THe Parliament of England hath a due Soveraign Power and Supream Authority over the Nation yea over the chief Officers of their army and accordingly doth exercise the same in giving the Army their Commission and Direction c. This is taken for granted as being many ways sufficiently cleered see Master Prynnes Soverain Power of Parliaments II. The people of Israel yea the chief of the Souldiery acknowledged King Sauls due soveveraignty over them and loyally submitted thereunto as indeed it became them so to do see Vers. 36 40. They said once and again unto Saul Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee 2. The People of the English Nation yea even the chief of the Army and Counsel of War do acknowledg the due Soveraignty of the Parliament and also do submit thereunto as doth become them and as indeed they ought to do Thus much may appear to any ingenuous lookers on both by the Armies Declarations and also by their answerable conformity in the variety of incident occasions III. It is to be understood that the dueness of Sauls Soveraign power and the dueness of the submission of the people and 3. The due Soveraign power of the Parliament and the due submission of the people or chief of the Army have their Consistency in the Rules and Directions contained chief of the Army was onely In the Lord and according to the Oath of God and his direction In giving to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods see V. 45. Eccles. 8. 2. Matth. 22. 21. in the sacred Scriptures under this limitation According to the Oath of God and In the Lord. Note Lex inferioris non praejudicat nec derogat legi superioris that is The Law of the inferior is not prejudicial to neither diminisheth any thing from the Law of the Superior Note Reforming and Reformed Christians do not they dare not pretend or claim otherwise Sith they have learned to search the Scriptures and to prove all things and to observe and hold fast onely that which is good see John 5. 39. 1 Thes. 5. 21. Sauls guard did justly refuse to obey his unlawful command see 1 Sam. 22. 17. IV. King Saul transgressed very hainously and odiously in his devoting and sentencing his son Jonathan most unwarrantably and unjustly to capital punishment even to be put to death Sith such sentence tended not onely to the extream damage and prejudice of his son Jonathan and subjects but also the main violation of Gods Law see Vers. 39. 43 44 45. 4. The majority of the Soveraign Parliament in those their Votes asserting the Kings last Concessions to be a ground and foundation of a good safe peace swerved both highly and hainously Sith such his Concessions if rested in were evidently dangerous and destructive as being contrary to the Scripture and to the Solemn Covenant yea and thus deemed not onely by the Scots as hath been formerly declared but also by a great part of prudent and pious Members of the Parliament and the generality of the truly Religious in the whole Nation V. The people or chief 5. Some of the people of chief of Sauls Army having means and opportunity thereunto other meet means being at that time and on that occasion wanting did worthily hinder and restrain Saul on very just grounds though not altogether regularly from such procedure against Jonathan in his resolved way of acting unwarrantably what ever might have been alledged by him against the people speciously or pretended in case of Soveraign Perogative or Priviledg see Vers 45. This course held by Azariah the Priest and eighty Priests being valiant men in their forceable withstanding of King Uzziah in a case of emergent exigency was approved see 2 Chron. 26. 16 17 18. of the Parliament Army having probable power and opportunity thereunto other punctual regular means being then wanting on that occasion did prudently and worthily hinder and restrain some Parliament Members from entring into the House in that juncture when destructive overtures in agitation were in extream danger of too great concurrence thereunto by the plurality of Votes had not such seasonable anticipation given a stop Doth not extream necessity disregard and pass by lesser Priviledges and subservient Rules which otherwise might deservedly claim a sacred inviolableness Let the instance in the Text Ver. 45. be well weighed besides what is cleered by Christ himself Matth. 12. 3 4 5 c. Like as the Souldiers did well to cut off the Ropes of the Boat and let
the foresaid marriages were nullities as incestuous marriages are no marriages by reason of the absolute prohibition of God Thus Master Perkins in his Warning against the Idolatry of these last times meaning the idolatry of Popery as the scope of his Treatise importeth vide Vol. 1. pag. 677 678. 4. The judgment of some sound and much honored English Ministers of the Gospel most of which are now asleep in the Lord yet a few still alive who conferring and humbling themselves frequently in private at such times as overtures were with Spain and shortly after with France about King Charls his mixt marriage The Questionist demanded the same he now represents to Disquisition and the most and best approved for their learning and piety inclined to the affirmative 5. The Solemn League and Covenant 1643. engaging unto an extirpation of Popery in the second Article For the course insisted on in the Qnestion seemeth to have an effectual tendency to the keeping of the said Covenant in that Article of it 6. The Commissioners of the General Assembly of the Kirk in Scotland in the Necessary and Seasonable Testimony against Toleration approved by the Estates of present Parliament who amongst other Texts of Scripture alleaged by them against Toleration have these words Pag. 5. The children of Israel after their return from Babylon made a Covenant and entered into a Curse and into an Oath to walk in Gods Law and to observe and do all the Commandments of the Lord their God Nehem. 10. 28 29 30. Let this Text alleaged be compared with Ezra 10. 2 3 5. And the Reader is desired to take the Bible and to turn to and observe the Texts cited which undoubtedly must needs affect greatly and the rather sith cited by such interested persons and to such purpose IV. The same Texts of Scripture and Scriptural Reasons which do make against the marriages of the people of God with the daughters of a strange god and all that are born of them do seem also by necessary consequence to conclude against the marriages of Protestants with Papists and all that are born of them viz. Because 1. Popery is the Religion of the Roman Antichrist who is the man of sin the son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped So that 〈◊〉 as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God see 2 Thes. 2. 3 4. And who is the king of the Locusts as singularly described Apocal. 9. 3 5 7 8 9 10 11. Yea who is the whore of Babylon on whose forehead was a name written Mystery Babylon The Great The Mother of Harlots And Abominations of the Earth see Apocal. 17. 5. 2. The Antichristian Religion was inspired and promoted by Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish through divine effectual permission see 2 Thes. 2. 9 10 11 12. Even as the Heathenish idolatry is devilish and is therefore in no wise to be communicated with see Deut. 32. 17. 2 Chro. 11. 15. compared with 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. 3. There are the same or the like sacred precepts requiring to come out and separate from the Antichristian Religion and to have no communion therewith lest uttermost peril do overtake see Apocal. 18. 4. as are for the relinquishing of Pagan Idolatry see 2 Cor. 6. 17. Isaiah 52. 11. 4. The idolatries of the Papists being compared with the idolatries of the Heathen they are every jot as gross and vile if not more as are the Heathenish yea they are indeed so odious as is not meet to be once named amongst Saints further then just cause requireth See by way of allusion the Psalmists expression Psal. 16. 4. V. Magistrates in new Testament times ought to hold course against sinful evil in any kinde committed as well as they did in old Testament times see Rom. 13. 3 4. To this end let it be well weighed and application be made accordingly what is asserted by the Commissioners of the General Assembly in the Testimony against Toleration pag. 6 7. in these words For it cannot be shewn that any part of that power which Magistrates had under the old Testament is repealed under the new Neither can any convincing Reason be brought why it should be of narrower extent now nor then May it not seem hence That the Estates and Ministers and Elders of Scotland are of one minde That Popish wives ought to be separated and their children ought to be removed from patrimonial inheriting in a Christian reformed Nation VI. And who knoweth but that as the Question agitated and resolved in King Henry the eighth his case touching the unlawfulness of his incestuous marriage with Queen Katherine portending extream prejudice to the Kingdom in such spurious succession as might be by the Lady Mary as appeareth in the History above cited Acts Mon. Tom. 2. p. 326 327 c. and as indeed most wofully ensued afterwards in the Marian days yet tended through divine providence unto a making way for true Reformed Religion in some degree by his marrying with Anne Bullen mother to Queen Elizabeth So it may please God that the Question represented touching the marriages of Protestants with Papists and touching their children if it shall be duely discussed it may become remarkably occasional unto a safe and wel-grounded establishment of Peace with Holiness even throughout England Ireland and Scotland too The premises being rightly observed according to the Question as it hath been stated and grounded seeming to be for the affirmative Epilogue NOw then forasmuch as the Question hath been fairly plainly submisly and Christianly represented to the General Assembly conveening to discuss and determine arising Questions that are of notable and high concernment Their grave wisdoms are once again beseeched to confider of it To speak their mindes to take advice and give counsel They shall have joy by the Answer of their mouths soundly and impartially uttered And a word spoken in its season how good is it And let the Lord whose the preparations of the heart and answer of the tongue are Prov. 16. 1. be graciously present and propitious in giving understanding in all things Amen Amen A Postscript To the most able and Religiously affectionate Commissioners of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland Tending to Pacification betwixt the two Nations concerning the present State proceedings Mercy unto you and Peace and Love and Truth be multiplyed from the King of Saints and Prince of Salvation who worketh all things after the counsel of his own Will and doth all things well expecting that Wisdom be justified of her children REverend Sirs behold now the proposer of this Question hath taken upon him to interrogate your General Assembly a word in the cause of God and his people even as cause hath seemed to require knowing well how much it behoveth and becometh all those that make mention of
England Why not much more therefore in the case of notorious blood-guiltiness by vertue of the sixth Commandment of the Decalogue VI. Samuel did justice on King Agag being Iudg of Israel to execute the sentence of God pronounced 6. The High Court of Justice erected by the Parliament have justly sentenced the great and hainous Delinquents unto just punishment against Amalek which was neglected by Saul That it might be also a terror to other Kings that they persecute not the people of God see Doctor Willet on 1 Sam. 15. 33. however such proceeding hath not been ordinarily means having been wanting used That this course also may be a terror to the greatest personages that they may not oppress nor raise unjust and unatural war in the Nation 2 Sam. 12. 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 13 14. Observation I. 1. Parallel Inference DAvid the King of Israel having highly and hainously transgressed in the matter of Uriah the Hittite see 1 Kings 15. 5. compared with 2 Sam. 11. 2. He was therefore according to Gods direction to be convinced and reproved of such his capital sin by Nathan the Prophet see Vers. 1. 2 7 8 9. KIngs in all ages and times as well as others falling by occasion into scandalous and capital offences a faithful and impartial course of conviction and reproof ought to be held with them by meet persons as just opportunity may serve thereunto The Law is given to Kings as well as to others and therefore they ought to know it and be convinced by it that their hearts may not be lifted up see Deut. 17. 18 19 20. Hos. 5. 1. II. For the better and more effectual convincing David the King of his odious sin of oppression adultery and murder God directed Nathan to take up a parable in his mouth Sith in such way of expression there was a special 2. It is Gods will that such persons whom it may more specially concern do hold the most effectual course for the detecting and convincing grosse offenders of the vile and odious sins they are tainted with whether oppression tyranny adultery murder c. And in case of effectual course held and efficacious vertue see Ver. 1 2 3 4. see also Jothams Parable in such case Judg. 9. 7. Yea and our Saviours most authoritative course therein Mat. 21. 45. not prevailing whether by similitudes or otherwise the Delinquents shall remain untractable and obstinate they may certainly be left without excuse see Hosea 12. 10. III. King David who had more understanding then all his Teachers see Psal. 119. 99. And who was also a man singularly zealous see Psal. 119. 139. He having now heard and observed a cleer eviction in the case represented in the parable of the implied Delinquent he even as right reason guided gave this just sentence That he was worthy to die see Vers. 5. 3. Hainous capital Transgressors whoever they are whether high or low ought without any respect of persons to be adjudged by the Magistrate sitting on the seat of Justice and bearing the Sword to such corporal punishment as the nature of the offence calleth for in its desert whether death or any other see Rom. 13. 4. Note There ought to be an unresistable force in Right Reason to sway Judges to act according to it see Acts 4. 20. IV. The general and indefinite expression in the parable uttered by Nathan Vers. 1 2 3 4. Moving David on just ground unto such his sentence Vers. 5. is particularly applyed by Nathan to David himself vers 7. So as David saw it did belong unto himself although a King as well as to any other faulty in such kinde see vers 13. 4. The Law and Minde of God touching the capital punishment of the polluting and crying sin of wilful murder whosoever is the committer of it yea though he be a blood-guilty King may not be by the Magistrate looked upon as one to be dispensed withal see Gen. 9. 6. Numb 35. 30 33. Matth. 26. 52. V. Gods sparing David 5. The unsearchable ways of the from death and yet appointing the childe to death see vers 13 14. as it argued Gods absolute soveraignty and indepency in doing what he will yea touching his Laws so it sheweth his just severity against murder see Ibid. 13 14. one onely absolute Lawgiver even the infinite most wise holy and just God ought to be admired and adored see Rom. 11. 33 34. But the people of God ought to walk and act according to his revealed Will in his Word see Deuter. 29. 29. Zechar. 7. 1 2 3 4 5. 8. 19. Observation I. Parallel Inference 1. IT was well understood by the people of God the Jews unto whom one ly in the Old Testament times were committed the Oracles and Ordinances of God as their singular advantage and preferment see Psal. 147. 19 20. Rom. 3. 1 2. yea even by those Jews who lived in the time of the Babylonish captivity and newly after the return thence that the divine Ordinance of Religious and Solemn Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer on just cause and occasion thereunto was very requisite and IT hath been well understood by the Reformed Churches in Europe and particularly by the people of God in England who heretofore lived under the spiritual Babylonish captivity that the sacred Ordinance of Religious Humiliation on just cause and occasion is very requisite in New Testament times as well as it was of old even according to the New Testament doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and accordingly they do exercise themselves therein This may evidently appear to any that observeth the doctrine and practice of the Reformed Churches and particularly and in a special and effectual maner in the English Nation even unto this day as the accordingly did exercise themselves therein see Vers. 3. 5. Dan. 9. 3. Ezr. 8. 21. Nehe. 1. 4. Acts of Parliament for Fasting and Prayer in April 19. and May 17. do bear witness 1649. II. The Jews of those times also knew well what were the kindes and ways of such religious Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer and answerably as the emergency of the cause and opportunity served thereunto they exercised themselves 2. The people of God in England do likewise by the patterns in Scripture know well the approved kindes and ways of religious Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer and answerably as any just occasion and opportunity requireth and serveth they are wont to set themselves thereunto viz. 1. Publikely as publike Authorised Persons ordered Ezra 8. 21. 1. Publikely as Parliament and Rulers do appoint and require 2. Privately as the Governors of Families saw it meet Esth. 4. 16. 2. Privately as Families approve themselves in England above other Nations 3. Secretly and alone as any singular person saw fit Dan. 9. 3. Nehe. 1. 4. 3. Secretly as conscientious persons having ability and opportunity approve themselves to him that seeth in secret III. The Jews had likewise the prudence to discern what were special
causes and occasions that gave calling to such religious Humiliation viz. Greater and more notorious sins and evils to be deprecated and more choice and affecting blessings to be obtained see Vers. 3. and the other Texes already quoted in Daniel Ezra and Esther 3. The Reformed Churches in their doctrine and practice of Fasting are wont also to insist prudentially on the occasions and causes noted in Scripture to be observed in these New testament-Testament-times as way is thereunto and particularly it is thus in England Many yet alive may remember how since the time of Reformation in Queen Elizabeths days Religious Humiliations have been observed on occasion of War Famine and Pestilence invading more or less Since Note The current stream of Orthodox Interpreters comparing Vers. 3. 5. chap 8. 19. with Jere. 5. 2. and 41. do conceive that the special occasions of these four Fasts were 1. The siege laid before Jerusalem in the tenth moneth 2. The taking of Jerusalem in the fourth moneth 3. The burning of the Temple in the fift moneth 4. The murder of Gedaliah in the seventh moneth Now touching these conceits of the godly learned The Observator acknowledgeth that those occurrences were very sad and might well cause deep Humiliation to the Jews yet observeth that there is not the least hint in any Texts of Zechariah or Jeremiah or elsewhere in Bible to fasten such assertion of the mentioned occasions as the cause of such their anniversary monethly Fasting The slaughter of King Josias and captivity in the third yeer of Jehoiakim not long before were most sad occurrences and might justly also as they did occasion great mourning as well as these four in hand So that it is wished that Interpreters would be cautious in their Expressions and not be too bold in their Breachings and Printings in asserting and publishing for current that which the Scripture is wholly silent in Who knoweth not what mischief hath ensued by an easie receiving of Traditions the sitting of the present Parliament there hath been very much occasional Fasting required even as floods of evils have invaded viz. In the behalf of Ireland frequently in regard of unseasonable weather in regard of pernicious Errors and Heresies March 10. 1646 c. Yea the Parliament in their late Act for the Fast that was on April 19. 1649. do acknowledg They have learned from the Word of God and the example of his people in all ages and likewise their own experience the singular advantage of due occasional Fasting And albeit for just cause they have annulled the monethly Fast yet at the same time they enacted a Fast in the behalf of Irish Affairs to be observed on May 17. 1649. next ensuing And blessed be God that hath hither so ordered their hearts and ways for the promoting of the true welfare not onely of England but Ireland also As for the Mourning and Fasting of the Jews frequently in the time of seventy yeers captivity which was so grievous every one that observeth may see there was cause enough see Lamentations Psal. 137. 1.  IV. Howbeit God might approve and accept the Jews in their occasional Humiliation and Fasting so far as the exigencies of the seventy yeers captivity did call thereunto and as sincerity swayed in the manage thereof unto just ends yet nevertheless he seemeth to dislike and reprove the anniversariness or monethliness of their four Fasts as not being commanded nor directed unto by him see vers 5. Sith God required one onely anniversary Fasting and Humiliation on the tenth day of the seventh moneth Levit. 23. 27. and it onely peculiar to old Testament times So that these such their set monethly anniversary Fasts seemed in point of set-time to be a Will-worship and humane Invention reproved in Scripture see Isai. 29. 13. Col. 2. 22 23. And even thus Interpreters do gloss on 4. Howbeit God may have been pleased to accept a course of Fasting and Humiliation in the Reformed Churches and more specially in England in some set times of moneths together and of late for divers yeers together monethly in the behalf of Ireland in as much as much sincerity might be in the ends and manage thereof in great part whatever formality and undue carriage might creep in c. Yet nevertheless the set-time of moneths and yeers may seem to have wanted good ground Orthodox Divines do condemn as otherwise so in a special maner in point of set-time The Lent Fast albeit of great Antiquity and of long use the Ember week Fasts pretended in imitation of these four monethly Fasts of Jews Friday Fasts and Eves of Festivities c. which Reformed Churches have therefore abrogated and in these our Reforming times are totally abrogated in England by Parliamentary Authority The Scots to their high praise above other Churches in the yeer 1560. the first yeer of their Universal Reformation abrogated all anniversary set-times for divine on Zech. 7. 5. The Geneva Note on Text there is That as the Jews were diversly reproved so that such their Fasts for the set-time of them were invented by themselves Learned Junius and Tremellius Annot. Summa redargutionis est Jejunia haec anniversaria vobis non imperavit Deus 1. The sum of the Reproof is God did not com mand you to observe such your yeerly moneth Fasts W. Pemble in his Exposit. on Zechary sets out at large such their Reproof for their set-time of those Fasts Chap. 7. 5. Unto me even to me Such interrogation hath a vehement denial That as otherwise failing was so the time was not com manded by God That which is pretended from these words of Calvin on Zech. 8. 19. Non dicemus haec jejunia temerè aut perperam fuisse ab illis suscepta c. We shall not say That those their Fasts were rashly or vainly undertaken c. If the scope and sense be candidly and ingenuously weighed he pleadeth not in approbation of the set anniversariness of four moneth Fasts in point of set fixt and unmoveable times but of their being duly affected in a mournful deportment expressed by Fasting at the beginning of the captivity It is well known that Calvin was no friend to superstitious set-times for will worship worship save the Lords day which is of divine Institution See Re-examination of Articles enacted at Perth 1618. sundry strong Reasons against observing set-times c. True it is The pretence of the observing a monethly Fast in England onely whilest the Irish troubles should remain is more specious then the superstitious course of Papists and Hierarchical Conformists whose old Leven is not hitherto wholly purged out who set no such bounds but yet the pretence at best can be no other then what the Jews pretended for their set Fasts during the seventy yeers captivity see Zech. 7. 3 5. The Parliament therefore approving and requiring occasional Humiliation in Fasting and Prayer hath done well to enact the annuling of that monethly Fast and in a prudential way to enact occasional Fasting both in the behalf of Ireland and otherwise as in their Religious and Consciencious Wisdoms do judg the meetest V. The Jews sometime after the first return of some of them from the captivity enquire what was meetest to be done in point of their set Humiliation vers 1 2 3. And a satisfying answer is given to them vers 4 5. 5. Many godly zealots returned from spiritual Babylonish captivity having had scruples and made inquiries touching late monethly Fasts who yet have been consciencious in observing occasional Fasts have now good satisfaction by the late Act of Parliament annulling the monethly fasting and yet enacting occasional fasting even as occasion requireth VI. The words of the Text in Zech. 8. 19. prophesying or promising joy and gladness c. instead of monethly fasting do not infer an approbation of the four set monethly fast ing yeers after yeers Sith such just reproof was thereunto chap. 7. 5. But they seem to infer that there should be a change of the state of future times and that such as had mourned unfeignedly in a godly maner that they should be comforted see Psal. 126. 5 6. 6. The people of God of the English Nation having sown in tears divers moneths and yeers walking mournfully before the Lord and exercising Humiliation in their measure as cause and occasion hath required and are still in such wise affected shall finde to their comfort That their course shall not be in vain in the Lord. The valley of Achor is given for a door of hope FINIS Note Note