as if thereby likewise there were a notorious breach of the Solemn League and Covenant Will ye be pleased to weigh and consider what is offered to your view in the short ensuing Answer tending to satisfaction and resolution Answ. 1. Be it known unto the Objecters whether Scots or English that at least some of the prime promoters endevorers and contributers unto the doing of justice and judgment on the capital Delinquent and Delinquents are persons truely fearing God exercising themselves to have always consciences voyd of offence towards God and men partaking in their measure of all the properties and marks of true Church members asserted in Psal. 15. And who have not forgotten God nor delt falsly in his Covenant so that whatever cometh on them they will not they may not suffer their integrity to be taken from them 2. Let all men know whoever they are That Ministers of the Gospel and people professing the Gospel fearing God have not been wont to esteem it nor yet do think it any disparagement at all to be zealous with a perfect zeal against the crying sin of blood-guiltiness Doth not the Moral Law expresly prohibit murther And doth not the Iudicial Law expresly direct unto the satisfactory expiation thereof by putting to death the blood-guilty And is not Gods controversie with a Land defiled with blood 〈◊〉 judgment be executed Blood-guilty King Saul left unto himself and doing execution on himself 1 Sam. 31. 4. Had he been alive when inquisition was made for blood by occasion of a three yeers famine he ought to have been put to death as well as those of his bloody house were because of his sinister zeal in slaying his servile subjects the Gibconites see 2 Sam. 21. 1 2 6. David for his blood-guiltiness in the exposing Uriah to the sword of the Ammonites deserved death his own mouth conscientiously passing sentence however the One absolute Lawgiver who might do what he pleased according to the full Soveraignty of his own Will exchanged his death for his childe 's at that time see 2 Sam. 12. 5 12 13. All this the Objectors do know well enough howbeit they are someway transported to elude herein Non tutum est ludere sacris Cavete 3. It is taken for granted That the contrivers urgers and takers of the Solemn League and Covenant did mean endevor and act according to the sacred conditions of an Oath prescribed in Jerem. 4 2. Thou shalt swear The Lord liveth in Truth in Iudgment and in Righteousness If otherwise it is a taking of Gods Name in vain An Oath may not be vinculum iniquitatis an obligation to sin This plea the defendants have against the plaintiffs 4. In the preamble unto the taking of it it is expressed That the end of the Covenant as a last refuge was the preservation of the takers of it and their Religion from utter ruine and destruction So that the six particular Articles of it were intended and pretended to have a tendency to such an end and not otherwise Now such hath been the end and hereunto have served the means of the defendants in this case Let the adversaries judg if otherwise apparent 5. In the Parliaments Order of Septemb. 25. 1643. about the taking of it It is required That the Ministers who were appointed to tender it should read it and then explain it and then perswade to the taking of it This Order seemeth to imply not onely a necessity of the explaining of it but also a requisitness in so taking of it as explained in its just sense and latitude and end and not otherwise And this also is the plea of the Covenanters honestly and uprightly disposed as all must needs acknowledg 6. Whereas the title prefixed unto the Covenant is A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honor and happiness of the King and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland The explanation must needs be That such Reformation and defence ought to be prosecuted in lawful and just ways and means for the accomplishment thereof and not otherwise And in this sense no doubt the faithful Covenanters have taken it 7. It must needs be understood rationally That the course for the due accomplishing of what is in the title or more full expression of the six Articles of it ought to have their mutual consistency without any prejudice to any of the particulars whether they be absolute or conditional onely whether they be primary or subservient onely Our Lord Christs vindicating of his Disciples touching the keeping of the Sabbath against the calumnies and exceptions of the Pharisees see Matth. 12. 1 2 9. may vindicate the objected against in the case in hand 8. Touching the endevor Covenanted in the first and second Articles it is charitably hoped That all the takers of it have complied therein more or less according to their calling capacity and opportunity thereunto Every one standeth or falleth to his own master howbeit it is most probably conjectured That such Parliamenteers and their adherents who voted against the Concessions of the King in the treaty at Newport in reference to Religion and Covenant as no just ground and foundation for a good Peace argued thereby much faithfulness to the Covenant Ye your selves acknowledg Testim against Tol. pag. 12 That those Concessions if acquiesced in were dangerous and destructive both to Religion and Covenant 9. The third Article of the Covenant in the first branch of it touching Endevor mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments and Liberties of the Kingdoms must be understood of known and just Rights and Priviledges and Liberties otherwise there must needs be a transgression of the Rules prescribed above mentioned see Iere. 4. 2. Answ. 3. 10. Touching the second branch of the third Article viz. To defend and preserve the Kings person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms it is to be taken notice of That this branch is propounded and taken conditionally and with limitation viz. With respects unto the ends specified Supream or subordinate Authority is custos utriusque tabutae the Keeper of both Tables Now as the Governors do act answerably to the just nature of their Offices they ought to be honorably assisted and defended but if they shall act contrarily even tyrannically then it may and ought be said and done unto them as just means and opportunity do serve thereunto as Iehu said to Ioram see 2 Kings 9. 22. 24. What peace so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many And Jehu drew a bowe with his full strength and smote Jchoram between his arms and the arrow went out at his heart and he sunk down in his chair 11. Whether the fourth Article of the Covenant hath not been endevored by our Covenanting Parliament and their adherents for discovering Incendiaries Malignants and evil Instruments whoever
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
they have been for the hindering Reformation of Religion c. contrary to the League and Covenant and for the bringing them to publike tryal and to receive condign punishment as the degree of the offence deserveth Let the lookers on yea and your own consciences judg 12. Whether the fifth and sixth Articles of the Covenant are not likest to be fulfilled if ye shall do and approve as our Parliament hath done and doth Let the Reader understand 13. Lastly Let the Apostolical retorsion be reverently observed and made use of viz. see Rom. 2. 13. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law dishonorest thou God And likewise the expostulation and conviction used by Samuel against King Saul who boasted of his performing Gods Commandment in bringing the Delinquent Amalekites to condign punishment when yet he had spared King Agag alive so as he himself was necessitated to put him to death O that that the mouths of unworthy complainants against miscensured Covenant breakers who yet have not deit falsly in the Covenant however calumniated might hereby be stopped and whereas in truth such bitter complainants themselves taking the Covenant in their mouths are deep in the breach of it c. The premisses duly weighed and considered your faithful Remembrancer observing your worthy and effectual Admonition in your Seasonable Testimony against Toleration to the secluded Members of Parliament pag. 12 13. And he taking noticae how gracious ye are not onely in the eyes of your Estates and Ministers but also in the eyes of very many in our Land taketh encouragement and confidence to stir you up to exhort all those in whose hearts ye are ingratiated both in Scotland and England to repent of miscarriage in any kinde and degree hitherto and to set and prepare their hearts fully to seek God if yet every thing that doth offend may be taken away and that so the grand work of Reformation both in Doctrine and Discipline may be no longer obstructed but that a great door and effectual may be opened there being so many adversaries This is moved the rather because friends do at least a little suspect but enemies do strongly charge the sometimes subscribing and conforming Hierarchical Ministers in both Nations in too great a generality of them that whatsoever pretence may seem to be of their being Covenanters as if they hankered still after Egypts garlick and flesh pots under the deceiving and deluding notion of moderate Episcopacy Sith there is such a tumultuous stir because the Kings destructive Concessions were not accepted nor he spared whose expressions sounded to the last breath Episcopacy Episcopacy But to draw to a conclusion Give your zealous Remembrancor leave to represent in a word unto your affectionate compassionate bowels of love to the brotherhood What if your selves and brethren in Scotland and by your advice the Ministers of London Province together with others in some Counties of this Nation ambitious to tread in your and their steps shall set all your hearts and hands more and more to understand and pursue an holy and just way of brotherly peace to be walked in with those godly brethren that are otherwise minded then your selves in some lesser points of the Discipline till God shall further reveal to them whilst you that are perfect do minde the same thing and do endevor to walk by the same rule of Church-government held forth in Scotland and other Reformed Churches and in our own Church now also Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity see Psal. 133. 1. Beloved Brethren ye cannot be ignorant That the Canaanite and the Perizzite even the Antichristian Papists Prelatical Royalists Malignant Hyppocrites Blasphemous Hereticks Pernicious Sectaries and Prophane Atheists are in these Lands observing and making advantage of the strife betwixt holy Brethren to harden themselves in sinful folly against Gods ways and to consult and take crafty counsel against his people his hidden ones in the Land and to cut them off from being a people that their name may be no more in remembrance O that in this case the children of faithful Abraham would say as he did to his nephew Lot We are Brethren Let there be no strife between us nor between our Pastors Our Lord Jesus Christ the head of his Church and their pattern when he was in the days of his flesh did suffer long and much those his Disciples that followed him in the regeneration albeit he did not indulge them in their infirmities but reproved them sharply on occasion for their dulness in understanding and for their perversness folly and slowness of heart in beleeving yet notwithstanding he did not therefore reject them but exercised wonderful patience towards them instructing them with meekness and all long-suffering and doctrine Yea and he tells them he gave them example that they should do as he did My good Brethren of England and Scotland do not count it grievous to be called on to remember your guides who have spoken to you the Word of God even those good old Non-Conformists to Hierarchy and Superstition who ruled with God and were faithful with the Saints when Prelacy and the generality of the reputed Clergy compassed God with deceit if ye may follow their faith and being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses ye may follow peace with holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. I shall produce for instance two witnesses onely whom for their honors sake I do make mention of viz. Mr. Arthur Hildersam of England and Mr. Alexander Henderson of Scotland both of them of blessed memory The one namely Mr. Alexander Henderson of your own Nation whose praise in the Gospel hath been so great in the Churches abroad and whose love so abounded at home in all knowledg and in all judgment in the worst of times with you and in special his most prudent and unwearied acting in the Assembly of Divines at Westminster in England in a time of need till preproperous death put a period to his days I refer the reflecting of thoughts on him to your selves who abundantly knew the proof of him with what natural love he served you in the Gospel He was a burning and a shining light to walk by Be ye followers of him as he followed Christ in walking in love The other namely Mr. Arthur Hildersam of our English Nation of him I chuse to speak in Mr. John Cotton of Boston his expression in giving testimony of him for his singular worth see Epist. prefixed to Lect. on John 4. He was like one of the chief of Davids Worthies not amongst the thirty but amongst the first three This blessed man of God as otherwise and otherwhere so in special in his Lect. 98. on John 4. August 27. 1611. handleth at large and very effectually not with inticing words of mans wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power the useful lesson for Gods people viz.
her fall off when the Ship men who were the supream Governors of the Ship were about to flee out of the Ship to the utter endangering of the lives of all the Passengers as the Apostle Paul did confidently advertise see Acts â—7 30 31 32. So it may seem the chief of the Parliament Souldiers did well to hinder and restrain at present from entring into the House some of the Members who had they been in the House were of equal Authority Note Events do usually make very cleer and sure discoveries and manifestations of the prudential and faithful manage of important expedient undertakings which in their present enterprisings have seemed very dark to some As it may easily be  discerned by diligent observers of Heroical Actions and of the generally received principle Salus populi suprema Lex in Voting with the rest whereas if they had not been so restrained or secluded it was with most likely probability apprehended that the majority might have swayed by Votes to the extream prejudice both of the Civil State and Church Affairs VI. K. Saul having been justly hindered and restrained in his unworthy and pernicious designe against Jonathan even by the chief of the Souldiers He doth notwithstanding afterwards apply himself to act as became him according to his office in the behalf of the Kingdom and against the enemies of the peace of it see vers 47 48. And such his approved course tended very much to the vexing of the common enemies and the delivery of Israel out of the hands of spoilers see vers 47 48. 6. May it not be inferred hence That such Members of the Parliament as were restrained in that nick of time from the opportunity of acting unworthily then onely ought notwithstanding to have applyed themselves to have returned seasonably and gone on as formerly in the discharge of Parliamentary Authoritative power and weighty employment committed unto them by the Countries and Corporations for which they were the Representatives Verily had they so approved themselves or shall any yet do so in a due way it might much have conduced to the publike good to the peace of their own consciences and obtaining the Spirit of Glory to rest upon them 1 Sam. 15. 2 3 7 8 9 13 14 15 20 21 24 32 33. Observation I. 1. Parallel inference SAul in his reign over Israel the Israelites having earnestly desired a Kingly Government see 1 Sam. 8. 19. And having approved Sauls designment unto it see 1 Sam. 10 â—4 He in process of time had a special Commission and imployment put upon him even to execute Iustice on certain enemies whose Ancestors had raised an unjust and unnatural war against the Israelites about four hundred yeers before see Vers. 2 3. compared with Exod. 17. 8. THe English Parliament long long desired and longed for and now by the good hand of God providentially over-ruling and it happily continuing to sit unto this day did in due time effectually and seasonably engage it self unto a faithful endevor as the cause of God and his people required to restore the Nation to their Just Liberties and to reform Religion which had been withheld and depraved by Tyranny and Antichristian Hierarchy as is to be seen in the English Histories of Civil and Ecclesiastical Occurrences yea and bring notorious Delinquents to Justice as the Parliament Remonstrances do testifie And blessed be the God of England who with such unspeakable merciful goodness hath visited the languishing Nation II. Saul and the people did in good part very vigorously pursue their Commission in engaging and fighting those Amalekitish enemies who had been such grand Delinquents against the Israelites 2. The majority of the English Parliament for some time after their first convening did act strenuously unto the reforming of sundry grieoppressions both in Common-wealth and Church Affairs engaging themselves many ways therunto yet nevertheless afterwards But yet notwithstanding they failed greatly in their not executing impartially according to the commission and trust assigned unto them in that they spared King Agag and the best things see Vers. 7 8 9. they fail'd greatly in unvoting their votings against future addresses when clear and evident discoveries were of unsufferable desperate tyranny yea and at last in voting unworthy Concessions to be a just Foundation of safe Peace which were indeed most dangerous and destructive tending to spare the capital Delinquents and such seeming best things of a flourishing vain condition as in greatest likelihood would in short time have involved into the former deep gulf of misery and ruine and worse then before III. Saul notwithstanding such his rebellious miscarriage against God yet he professeth and protesteth the contrary either justifying or denying or disguising or exousing or extenuating his sinister prevarication howbeit he was again and again effectually convinced thereof by the Prophet Samuel see Vers. 13 14 15 20 21 24. 3. It is very much to be lamented and deplored that many of the Parliament Members after their votings for the Concessions as a Foundation of good Peace and after the remarkable Occurrences which have ensued thereupon even hitherto they do yet notwithstanding justifie disguise excuse or extenuate such their votings whatever conviction is or hath been since that time yea and do hitherto seem to be well pleased in their pretended whole seclusion which was onely pro tempore IV. When Saul the supream Magistrate had bewrayed a very great degree of unfaithfulness in his sparing King Agag from death yet the uprightness justice and 4. When the Majority of the Parliament failed in great degree as hath been hinted already then the faithfulness justice and zeal of the lesser number remaining and sitting in Parliament who yet were a full number of constituting zeal of Samuel the Prophet and Iudg though of inferior Authority then Saul is singularly approved in his bringing King Agag to justice see Vers. 32 33. Members of an undeniable Parliamentary power is highly praise-worthy in their appointing an high Court of Justice for the due bringing of capital Delinquents to just Tryal and Sentence for the executing of condign punishment upon them V. Notwithstanding that Agag was a King yet his Kingship did not priviledg him to be above Law neither did his prerogative exempt him from legal proceeding against him see Vers. 32 33. Joshua Gideon and Jehu were approved in their due executing of Delinquent Kings see Rogers 53. Serm. on Judges 5. It is a weak and unwarrantable plea for Kings if their Might do not overcome Right that their Kingship taketh them off from being subject to Law Note There is one onely absolute and independent Lawgiver who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords see Isai. 33. 22. Jam. 4. 12. 1 Tim. 6. 15. Note All grant that subjects may have the benefit of the Law against the King in case of Goods and Lands by vertue of the legality of the eighth Commandment of the Decalogue And tryals in such case have been very usual in
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