to be turned in this Kingdome as in the beginning of this Parliament when no one man was removed out of place or favour when the Kings Councell advised him to call a Parliament had they contrived the remedy of so many grievances the making of such Acts and Ordinances the discovery of such deeds of darkenesse the promoving of a Reformation thus far with many other happy births of the present Parliament When they counseld him to come into the House and demand the Honourable Members of it to set up his Standard and levie warre against his own people and to publish such Declarations as have been sent abroad in the world did they purpose the security of the Parliament the alienating of the hearts of the people from their faction the losse of the lives of so many great persons of their owne partie the ingaging of the two Kingdomes in a solemne League and Covenant the provoking and incouraging of the City of London and other associated Counties to unite amongst themselves for their owne safety and the reliefe of others had they plotted these or almost any other consequence of those desperate counsels When Prince Rupert went to York and marched out again to Marston-Moor did he intend the Routing and Ruining of his own Army and those that he had drawne forth to joyne with him that the City of Yorke might be the sooner surrendred and Newcastle reduced and the strength of the King be broken in those Northerne parts for so much advantage to the Parliament Doubtlesse your thoughts cannot but outrun me and prevent me the naming of a world of other things that have happened both in counsell and in warre both within your owne walles and in every corner of the Kingdome which if they be layd by their occasions or by the men and means whereby they have beene done will either be such as they that had to doe about them will bee unwilling to heare of them ashamed to own them or else too great too high to be ascribed to the policy or the power of men Now such occurrences as these are bright beames out of his hand hidings of his power the sparklings and shinings forth of the Majesty of God accommodated to our capacity that by occasion of such unlikely and unlooked for events our eyes may be drawne upwards to take notice of his glory in the governing of the world They are like to wonders and miracles in other Providences and have the same use We may read it Isai. 41. 18 19 20. I will open rivers in high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleys I will make the wildernesse a poole of water c. Rivers use to runne in valleys and springs flow from the hilles It is a rare thing to finde pooles of water or see trees that need much moysture to grow in a dry and sandy desert but I will step out of the common round saith God and doe some things unusuall That they may see and know and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done this and the holy One of Israel hath created it for the more part he goeth by us and we see him not he passeth on but we perceive him not Therefore sometimes he worketh some things extraordinary that we may be convinced of his hand in all that is ordinary Again consider them and the working of them out in reference to the first and highest cause there is such a consent of all things with the will of God revealed in his word both in favour of his Church and wrath against the adversaries such an agreement of them with the rule the prophecies the promises and the threatnings in the Scriptures such a correspondency with the wayes of God of old the paths of mercy and truth wherein he was wont to be seen to walk such an analogy with the Nature and Attributes of the Lord such praeludes and praesages of his judgement to come as though a brutish man will not know nor a fool understand this yet whoso is wise and will observe these things he will fall down and give the glory to God and acknowledge that God is among the gods Verily there is a God that judgeth among them that have any thing to doe in the judgement of the earth Doubtlesse the Lord hath prepared his Throne in the Heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all I will adde but two or three more which are very obvious though we seldome take any notice of them they are these First the concurrence of many causes to one effect There is not any thing done amongst men but if we were so eagle-eyed as to see farre and espye quickly and look steadily about us but we might discern a fore-preparation and praedisposition of things to it a complication and combination of multitudes of men and meanes without any communicating of Counsells working about it but in some things it is more remarkable then others as the bringing of Israel down into Egypt the avenging of the quarrell of Gods covenant upon his own people by carrying them away into Babylon the destruction of that Monarchy the turning of the captivity and in lesse generall matters the chastising of David for the matter of Vriah the rescuing of Mordecai and the people from the bloody plot of Haman what not Now doe but ponder these things advisedly and all the fictions of the Poets and the fables of the Legend may be sooner beleeved then that these things come to passe by accident without the texture of a Divine hand working effectually in the weaving of every web When many persons go out severall wayes no one of them haply privy to anothers thoughts and doe after a while meet together in one place and time about one and the same errand it cannot be otherwise thought but that some one hand had the command over them all and directed the whole businesse Secondly the order and peace that sometimes hath been in the earth and may yet possibly be again Peace is the tranquillity of Order that there should be Order amongst such multitudes of persons is more then a Miracle There are it may be so many millions of men in a Nation all of various opinions affections acting by different principles to self ends most of them ignorant and unskilfull nay wholly regardlesse of all that belongs to policy and order generally disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hatefull and hating one another take them together in their community and society and they are like the waters gathered together in the Seas an unquiet and restlesse Element of it self easily swelling and raging in the waves of it driven with the winde and tossed It is impossible there should be at any time an orderly compliance of these among themselves and consequently quiet and peace unlesse the Father of spirits who looketh down from Heaven the place of his habitation upon all
events and issues of government that the hand of the Lord doth all these things possibly we may finde matter of humiliation upon a diligent enquirie Certainely there is a very generall ignorance and unmindfulnesse of this matter seeing many things but observing not opening the eares but not hearing willing ignorance grosse negligence They will not see they know not neither will they understand but walke on in darkenesse slightnesse of spirit in overly and superficiall inquirie Athenian curiositie hearing and telling of news great contempt of God and his providence The wicked in the pride of his countenance will not seeke after God God is not in all his thoughts thy iudgements are farre above out of his sight Nay unbeliefe even to Atheisme and blasphemie they belie the Lord and say it is not hee It is a manifold sinne and hath its gradations and aggravations a mightie provocation They regard not the worke of the Lord nor consider the operation of his hands therefore they are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge c. It s very brutish foolishnesse not to know nor understand this and who knows but for this very cause God may be so grieved with this geneneration who erre in their hearts and have not known his wayes as to sweare in his wrath that they shall not enter into his rest It is a sore and heavy judgement to have seen the great signes and wonders of God and to want an heart to perceive eyes to see and eares to heare to this day Deut. 29. 4. Let us awake at length and be ashamed and turn aside and see what God doth Come and see come and behold the works of the Lord The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein and truly there is a myne of pleasure and profit too in the contemplation of the works of creation and common providence there is much Divinity to be read in those books of nature the Holy Ghost reades us many Lectures out of them and holy men have not thought even those unworthy their most serious meditation but there is more in the speciall providence of God about men the moderating or ordering of humane affairs by and amongst men Every handy-work of God is glorious but farre more of his glory is shed abroad in these especially if we consider them in their reference to the Church they shew all his glory and the invisible things of God are by them made very visible and very legible in the fairest Character they are his Name in great letters They are an excellent explication of the Law of God copying out the righteousnesse and justice of it in particular instances and examples a cleare Commentarie upon all the Word of God Oh let them not be counted a strange thing a sealed booke especially our own story the wayes of God amongst us some few yeeres last past and unto this day where almost every work of God in judging amongst us is not like a great lettser in a booke with a gaye about it that takes up a great deale of roome but hath nothing more then another in pronounciation but as Hieroglyphicks and emblems and some kindes of Characters full of morall and sense a Booke a volume of marvellous workes wonders repeated and multiplyed The Bible new translated and printed in a letter that best fits the Worlds dull and decayed sight the old stories wrought over againe the Promises fulfilled the Prophecies receiving their accomplishment a revelation of the Revelation which God gave unto Jesus Christ to shew unto his servants things which should come to passe an interpretation of of the visions which were seen of old a Key to open the dark and heard things in former praedictions the unclasping of the sealed Booke that even they that cannot read may yet see and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done all this A praelude or praesage rather of the great day of the Lord and the judgement to come He that stands with the wise man in the windowe of his observation may see God preparing his throne for the judging of the great Whore bringing Babylon into remembrance calling his people out from thence delivering the cup of trembling into the hands of the Nations c. Or as Moses when he was put in the cleff of the Rock may behold the glory of all Gods goodnesse made to passe before him in moderation of judgements patient forbearance unlooked for deliverance suddaine and unexpected rescuing from off the praecipice and Brink of ruine May perceive the rowling and yearnings of his bowels and compassions toward his poor afflicted people that pray May see him triumphing gloriously in the greatnesse of his excellency lifting up himself above his adversaries in the things wherein they deale proudly raising the Trophies of his Glory out of oppositions contradictions and impossibilities May observe the bright shining forth of his manifold wisdome in out-witting cunning men turning crafty counsells into foolishnesse frustrating the tokens of lyars and making diviners mad May take notice of many evident demonstrations of his faithfulnesse in remembring his promises hearing prayers and shewing himself nigh unto his people in all that they call upon him for One may see his eyes running to and fro through the earth to shew himself to the hearts of them whose hearts are towards him with very remarkable testimonies of his justice in judgements and executions done upon his enemies and may receive abundance of instruction and learne much righteousnesse But I forget my self and tyre out your patience Therefore Secondly and more particularly to you Honourable and beloved yet another word of exhortation to iudge for God and as God iudgeth 1. For God There are matters of God as well as matters of the King or Kingdome the care whereof must be upon you as well as upon us His Church his Kingdome his Citty his House his People his Spouse his Children his Body ye as nursing fathers must tender the good and welfare of them that they may find harbour and protection injoy their just Priviledges and Liberties wherewith Christ hath made them free not such licentiousnesse as is abused for a cloake of naughtinesse Ye must see to Order and unity amongst them that there be no rents and Schismes surely our Saviour that ascended into Heaven and gave gifts to men some Apostles c. that we might all meet in the unity of Faith and hath divers times and after sundry manners given that very thing in charge to his ministers would not have the magistrate left at large from providing and endeavouring that speaking or following the truth in love we may grow up making increase by edifying our selves and one another in Love Ye must do that which we are to pray that ye may do viz. Take a course that Christians may live a peaceable and quiet life
ashamed and confounded in the stead of the people and who knows if ye had throughly afflicted you soules in the dayes of humiliation if ye had throughly amended your wayes and your doings if ye had throughly executed judgement and justice but the plague had ceased before this time Secondly in generall judgements where the Phiall in the pouring out bespatters all it may well be supposed that all have sinned and must all together bring the sacrifice Sanctifie ye a Fast call a solemne Assembly gather the Elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God and cry unto the Lord Without question ye are involved in the common calamitie as well as others the rod lasheth you and you feele it the most of you who have any thing in the enemies quarters I beseech you heare the voyce of it and him that brings it Though ye have the priviledge of blowing of the Trumpet for the gathering of the people and give law for time and place yet ye are not thereby priviledged from the fasting the weeping the mourning the crying or praying and the turning with all your hearts together with others lay your hands therefore upon your hearts and let them smite you for your own sins and your fellowship with other mens If the Congregation sinne the Elders must lay their hands upon the head of the sacrifice Thirdly there is something very remarkeable in this present judgement that pulleth by the Eare those among whom he judgeth rather then other men And though all men every where be admonished to repent yet more especially you Honourable and Beloved The Lord seemeth to have purposed it to staine the pride of all Glorie Majesty Authority and Greatnesse and to bring into contempt all the Honourable of the earth for the very foundations are shaken law and order is slighted and violated and all estates disturbed to the dishonour and reproach of them that should bear up the pillars of it the secrets and mysteries of State which all policie hath ever kept vailed to preserve them venerable and reverend are now made common and exposed to every eye the originals and fundamentals of Empire and power are searched into and debated and judged every man takes libertie to talke and write and print of them with all boldnesse and confidence the skirts of Majestie are uncovered and men see the nakednesse of it even Government it selfe hath lost its reverence as well as its pomp and lustre every where men rather doubt and dispute and interpret then obey contempt is poured and dung is cast upon the faces of Princes and Nobles and the Iudges of the earth The childe behaveth himselfe proudly against the ancient and the base against the Honourable Esai 3. 5. And if ye mark the course and rage of the warre it is the sword of the great men which are slains Ezek. 21. 14. the furie of the battell hath fallen much upon the Nobilitie and Gentrie Consider this also the viall hath beene poured out for many yeeres upon Parliments they have been shattered and broken their just priviledges violated their members baffled and imprisoned the loynes of Parliaments have been girded with a girdle and it wanted little but they had been made slaves and bawdes to the lusts and designes of private Iunctoes and Cabinets yea they have been buried under scorne and reproach and it was a crime to wish or make mention of them And even this present Parliament though blessed be God for it in some respects it hath had the advantage of other Parliaments and the Lord hath honoured it above them all by putting into its hand a greater work to doe for himselfe and his Church and opened to it a wider dore and more effectuall though there be many adversaries and crowned it with more admirable successes and providences and brought it on and followed it with more desires and prayers then ever any Parliament had before it yet in some other regards it lieth under a cloud and is more shaken The authoritie of it is questioned quarrelled denied and opposed the power of it straitned and bounded that it cannot reach all the Kingdome through proclaimed Rebels at home deserted by many of your owne and what you suffer abroad God knoweth the wheeles have moved slowly and driven heavily not without disturbance and distraction your Ordinances and Orders are not so chearfully and universally received and obeyed as haply ye thinke I but offer these things under the notion and respect of a judgement of God upon authoritie and those that deale in it that yee may take notice of the hand of the Lord and be awakened to judge your selves and sinne no more lest a worse thing yet befall us for yee cannot but judge this that the cloud being ballanced by the hand of the Lord where the dint of the storme falls most thence arose much of the vapour and there the tempest will be most violent destructive if it be not prevented by timely serious repentance Fourthly and I will adde no more Something may be read to this purpose in the manner way of the bringing on and executing of this judgement if ye have observed it it hath been brewed and wrought and tunned and broached and drawn by the wickednes or the weaknesse of those among whom God iudgeth by the folly or miscarriage of governors and government whether in the Church or State the disorder we complain of was first begotten between the ambition of great men the unfaithfulnes of counsellors of State brought forth by the unrighteousnesse and basenesse of the Iudges nursed up and gotten strength by the pride and flatterie of the Praelacie and Praelaticall Clergie and by the unworthinesse of many of the Nobilitie and Gentry complying and subserving And now it walks abroad through the Land by the same meanes by which it hath come thus far and He that iudgeth among you either hides away wisdome or weakneth your hands or troubleth your Counsells or obstructeth your way so as there is no remedy but the divisions and the mischiefes of them continue and consume and devour us daily Now let God be righteous and every man a sinner it hath been commonly said and there is a truth in it The King can doe no wrong it is not for me to tell you the meaning of it you give us the proverb and the interpretation thereof I beseech you make the application of it also Consider with your selves would the God of order thus tumble all things headlong turn every thing upside down or suffer this confusion if he were not mightily provoked to it It is his strange work he delighteth not in it we have given the cause our destruction is of our selves our own wayes and our doings have procured these things to our selves For certainly what ever may be said of the corrections wherewith the Lord chastiseth a particular man yet it cannot be denied but that a