Church in time wise men would weep to see mad men laugh and as much laugh to hear fools rail for their Ministers and they know not what well curse rail jear and do what you will we are still the same yea such as do truly pity and pray for you though you cannot for your selves nor will not so well as you may the Lord Jesus do both for you and open your eyes to see and loath what you love and love what you lâ—ath especially the people of God some of which you would send for if you were to die with speed fetch them fetch them let them come pray well now you have them do not rail that is divilish nor judge them that is presumption or leave your Churches if they should come there to exercise their Gifts they time and your present meanes of grace will too soon be gone if they speak of their experiences they have learned something if they speak of Christ the love and lovelines of Christ Eph. 2. 4. Cant. 5. 16. then it seems they know him and that it life eternall John If they speak of sin the sinfulnesse of that then it seems they loath it if they speak of you and the way to heaven they would save you from the wayes to hell which we are sure you are in if you loath them for their love to God Christ his Word and your souls one of which is more worth than a thousand worlds and although it be your own proper work and the Ministers to minde that yet are we in conscience bound not to suffer sin upon your heads who would not help an ox out of the pit Mat. 12. 11. if like to perish Much more a soul they that this way set theiâ— helping hands can never be your enemies God forbid that these lamps should be so counted though they be not torches lesser lights may be useful so may the gifts graces of the Saints the Spirit speaketh where it listeth John 3. 8. Hear that where ever it be Would a soul in hell say If I were on earth I would not hear the Saints or should a man for heaven say I wil go no further such such are going too ô Friend if you be going to hell or they be going to heaven hear consider before it be too late time wil never come again nor they nor you from the dead to hear one another now you have Moses the Prophets Luk. â—6 31. so are they whom ye despise if they preach to you the same trutâ—s by the same Spirit the Lord make you wise after wit will do no good nor repentance neither one day you may say O that we had the Saints again their prayers light and Counsels when it is too late A certain man where some of these lay prisoners in the late warres thought of them as some of you now do but he being sick to death cryed night and day fetch the Saints again fetch the Saints again but they were gone long before be the Sun-set or near it you are they dead or dying what will good Sun good death or good Saint stay a little longer Any thing avail No no the night comes and none can work John 9. 3. they for you nor you for your selves Let them preach let them speak let them pray while they may if they be against your sins they are for your souls if they be against your customes the old or the new it is for a better may not time before and after Ministers have done be better spent then it is especially the Lords day and the after part of it but you are afraid your Religion will go down take heed that that be not a form rather than a truth many have the form of godlinesse but deny the power 2 Tim. 3. 5. But the bulk of men deny both in England Lord what should be the cause have our Pastors made us so nusling us up in ignorance My people perish for want of knowledge sayeth the Lord Prov. 29. 28. Hos 4 6. And sayeth Christ If the blinde lead the blinde wo be to both Luk. 6. 39. or have you opposed truth and would not see the light because of your deeds John 3 19. Searching light is a saving light if well improved have your Ministers so preached as certainly many have take heed that you refuse not him that speaks from heaven Heb. 12. 25. by their mouths yea and take heed of winking at what you see or may see in guifted Christians they can tell you from experience in their own language the mercies of a God Eph. 3. 18. the heighth depth breadth and length yea to you the worst of sinners if you will accept it but I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. Yea they can tell you of his Loves the length and strength of that in some measure which is better than life so sayeth David Psal 63. 3. This love and mercy God sends to sinners sometimes by poor weak plain and unworthy men without Latine Phrases therefore thousands do refuse it yea Christ the Bread the Tree Rev. 2. 7. the Well of life Psal 36. 9. is the like with all his Loves loveliness and vertues Luk 6. 19 upon the same account O Christ who almost knowes thee Who almost owns thee the chiefest of ten thousand Cant. 5. 10. which art all in all in life death and eternity Col. 3. 11. Well this King Priest and Prophet can the Saints tell the world of yea by the Spirit in the Word they can open as it were his side and heart give them out his blood to set their souls free from sin death hell and eternall burnings yea they can give a taste of the life and joyes to come 1 Pet. 2. 3. one drop thereof is more worth than the treasures of the world if well considered yea they can breath upon you the holy Ghost my meaning is they by the Spirit in them breathing from them conveyes the words of life to poor sinners many times thousands can seal to this no fires ever kindled one another like this hoâ—y fire the Spirit of love the Dove in Noahs Ark Gen. 8. 8. rest it where it will it ever brings an embleme of peace from the God of peace O that men should refuse this love this Dove this peace an embleme of peace speckled with the blood of Christ because it breatheth not where the world listeth but it self Joh. 3. 8. Well be ye not offended I go not to throw down men nor Ministers no the Lord Jesus keep up them that are good and watch for your souls as they that must give account for in the day of judgement Heb. 13. 17. and throw down all yea all besides and what I say for Ministers who are your Seerâ— Isa 13. 10. Prophets Watchmen Jer. 6. 19. Shepherds Jer. 23. 4. which have the main care of your souls commited Acts 20. 28. to them by Christ when as he sends them to you and not a lesser benefice
and let ever some of these true travellers of and for Sion be travelling to one place or another Preaching to and enquiring after Saints and their walkings all along the rode alighting still to visite every sick and afflicted one This will be as a Messenger of a thousand did a brother so come to a Saint sick or dying he would be received as an Angel of God as Paul speaks in another case what a Messenger from the Saints ten twenty or thirty miles to visite me like Sion whom no man regarded Jer. 30. 17. For my poverty or weaknesse surely the Lord alone sent him as Joseph said to his brethren but never take this journy without the State gifted Brethren Saints and as many Christians hands as may conveniently be got of the neighbourhood yea the Ministers if it can be got and half a dozen of honest men going to him may do much if he be a good one else take it not by no means and let this with a godly Justice be by the States order to impower you to command the keyes in any place Church or Chapel now in England in case the Ministers or Church-wardens be malignantly opposite and upon their and the Constables perill let it be if any should be wronged going so forth And this is the main work of all we would be at and not so much preach where there is little need unlesse it be to improve our time and talents yea never where there is an able Minister but a little before he comes and after and yet we would have a care of tyring men too much a six a clock Lector may do well in any mans Church in the Summer mornings John 8. 1 and 2. Psal 63. 2. and perswade the Minister to come or send his servants rather he himself may be busie in his study and let all consider if want be within three or four miles off London some Chappels quite shut up others none but Masse Priests Common-prayer men that can preach and pray no more than a cat to any purpose to supply them what want then must needs be twenty miles round well you see your work we your willingnesse for the work The Lord be with one all and every one of you in your journeys yea the mighty God of Jacob Gen. 19. 24. Make you strong against all oppositions from men or divels yea the beast of Ephesus which Paul fought so often with 1 Cor. 15. 32. harmlesse and wise as serpents in the managing of your gifts and Liberty Mat. 10. 16. successefull as the primitive Saints Acts 2. 46. 47. through the zeal of Paul who became all to all men to gain some 1 Cor. 9. 22. caught and begot many by gile 2 Cor. 12. 16. beged and beseeched them to Christ by the mercy of God Rom. 12. 2. to whose mercies loves armes joyes and blessings gracious presence and assistance we commit you by prayer and let all be sent forth so and let them follow you yea every one of you which are willing to spend and be spent for Christ 2 Cor. 12. 15 which none almost minds besides Phil. 2. 21. O Christ how few owns thee in this Nation called by thy Nam How few lives to thee that profess much sweet Jesus our deerest dear keep them that do from all enemies as in an Ammunition of rocks Isa 3â— 10. Let bread be given to them their work and water never fail Amen Amen Lord Jesus Christ IF any unsatisfied man or men without pride self or passion would seriously read squier Shepherds little book Called the peoples Priviledge and Duty guarded against the Pulpit and Preachers increachment never answer to any purpose but as one Lawyer doth a lost cause who must say something to please his simple cliant who hath fed and feed him all along yea a little balling pleases some when mony and cause is both lost and it may be still some will shoot against the light of the Spirit but take heed of looking too much against this truth or those Arrows which self pride parts or malice may shute upwards at it but read squier Shepherd once or twice soberly over you that are willing to be satisfied in these truths which doth and shall prevail and now though the sea rores Psal 46. 3 4. and makes a noise yet will we be glade there is a river the streams thereof shall refresh the City and Citizens of our God that are now dwelling on mount Sion and not Sinai in Arabia the wildernesse of strife and bondage Gal. 4. 24 25 26. And now if the drift of this be erroneous for a wanton Spirit or against our Lord Jesus whip us at the cart or hang us up in chains till we and our names rot and this is our Petition also to you the high and great Councel of these Nations yea good my Lord do one or the the other for us it is the onely way to get our hearts to purpose why should you loose the choicest thing under heaven next to the heart of God and we the main fruit of all our travell blood and treasure O my Lord the night comes when none can work John 9 4. Remember that ye sleepie virgins of Sion Awake awake for our deliverance O Arm of the Lord Isa 51. 9 10. and let all the Churches now in London yea in England hear what the Spirit sayes to them Rev. 2. 29. in this day of their visitation W. B. A Hint of some Texts we fain would be at Col. 3. 11. HE is all and in you all Christ is all in all in and to himself and in the eye of the Father and working of the Spirit he is all and in all to his Saints the last and present help and hope of siâ—ners he is the light life and gâ—ory of the world the image of the Father the Son Rock Well Water Spring Morning Star light life and comfort of the Saints all in all to them in his Names and Titles sweet Jesus Lord Jesus anointed Christ God-Man Man-God Immanuel with and â—n us Titles King of for and in the Saints to keep save help and deliver all Believers from sin death hell flames men divels dangers grave sting curse and curses Law fears bondage and captivity yea a Priest to pray day and night he interceeds continually when we do and cannot at the Throne of grace if we live die or sin he is still our intercessoâ— a Prophet to us when we pray preach study minde think or meditate that is sweet heaven comes down soul goes up world laid by we dye live and contemplate our God but Christ is all in all in health sicknesse wealth plenty want poverty all cases of all kindes whatsoever yea in life and death Christ is all and he that hath him shall not cannot dye nor lye long in the grave John 11. 26. and it is dead whilst he lives and shall live when he dyes with to and before the throne of God and the Lamb singing glory praise honour and salvation Palmleaves white Robes throng of Angels Rev. 7. 9. Wicked men dying so curse gnaw cry houl tear damn roar with in and among brimstone pitch rosin worm conscience satire scrich owle divels fighting flying teeth gnashing damned souls crying altogether frying for refusing Christ who is all in all little pleasure profit stories vaâ—n glories crownes Kingdomes names fames capps knees bowings melancholly musick joyes toyes moments pleasure earthly treasures sweet meat soure saâ—eâ— What is all to he and and what is he to nothing t'other nothing gets nothing loses all for nothing Oh Christ be my portion what will all avail me when I come to dye or a little thatch he whose goods wife children are all burnt by a fire their welfare thee lesse if thy soul misearry for want of this All. This and these Texts we fain would be at Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1. 29. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Col. 1. 3 4. And when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory Jud. 20 buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich Rev. 3 18. Build up â—re another in your most holy faith what shall it profite a man to gain the world and loose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. I sleep but my heart wakes Cant. 5 2. Bear you one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. Vnlesse a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3. 3. The night comes when none can work John 9. 3. Speak not evill of dignities Jud. 8. Wo be to you when all men speak well of you Luk. 6. 26. Every man seeks his own things but none the things of Christ Phil. 2. 21. Thy loving kindnesse is better then life therefore my lips shall praise thee Psal 63. 3. God is love and they that dwell in God dwell in love 1 John 4 16 I have fought the good slght I have finished my course henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory 2 Tim. 4. 7. If any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. Yet when ye have done all say ye are unprofitable servants Luk. 17. 10. I am come into my garden my sister my spouse Amen even so come Lord Jesus Can. 5. 1. Rev. 22. 20. Thâ—se Texts and no other by the grace of God would we Preach and study but if cursed be the man that doth the destroying work of God negligently Jer. 48. 10. much more he that hinders this wilfully but we are ready not onely to be bound but to dye for Christ at Jerusalem yea welcome all for him Acts 21 13. FINIS
a Preacher It is an ugly thing to belch humm haw or spit to make thy self to be hemmed up the sin of your nothing asses do not be too tedious in Prayer Mat. 6. 7. but pray when you pray and mind what you say Parrats prate Papists pray Protestants cry Lord have mercy upon us Amen say we for they know not what they say many times in the Pew and Pulpit yea good men may strive to speak more then in the sense of Gods love or their own vilenesse and we are resolved if you pull a Sermon from your Pocket we will all run away therefore keep in the desk if you mean to read old notes or new we love to drink from the fountain Take no notice who governes confesse no more for nor against then is needfull be sure ye be not a touchy fool a Pinch-belly or a tyrant over son or servant nor be too lofty neither but read often the 6. of the Ephesians correct most for sinning faults after exhortation and all kind of Passion Mr. Dods rule have a care of controversall points a ripe wit hears objects and sends you home ashamed after Sermon is done Never come in flaunting Cuffes powdred or too long hair although thou beest a gentleman 1 Cor. 11. 14. Expect not a glass of sack nor turn into the vestry that stinks of old Baal and his vestments 2 Kin. 10. 22. but slink away home for fear of being proud some body may flatter have a care of your wifes tongue much more your own foolish jests or laughing 2 Tim. 2. 16. when you hear them It is enough to be guilty of anothers sin a silent or mellancholy look when others laugh is a good reproof Christ never laught at all no more should a Christian scarce and yet rejoice alwayes Isa 53. 3. 1 Thes 5. 16. Yea this is joy indeed and not the girning of fools go by no means to the tipling School but in some great cases what a Parson in an Alehouse more than for a glass it was is and ever will be scandalous dine not too much abroad perswade thy wife to gossop seldome the Ministers wife must take place and she be humble to all never go too fine be free Rom. 12. 13. invite honest neighbours now and then to dinner yea sinners preach Christ to them all that is a Scripture rule Mar. 16. 15. I am sure be not chubbed dogged or of a Melancholy look Psal 149. 3. Do for the worst in the world if thou maist without hurt but especially for the Saints Gal. 6. 10. yea pinch back and belly sometimes for them the feet will go far for the head the head plod much for the belly the eyes looking after all Eph. 4. 25. Speak very kind d'off thy hat to any 1 Pet. 3. 8. perswade thy wife not to be too complementall however love her as Christ loved the Church if she hath a thousand failings Eph. 5. 25. Col. 3. 19. If thou lyest cheatst or cozenest in thy Calling we will hang thee at thy shop Rom. 2. 21. However thou hast done so to thy name and Profession and it stinks do not say thou wilt not give and give sell and sell that 's lying Prov. 20. 14. None will trust what thou saiest light gain makes an heavy purse and the buying of a thing in some cases to a poor man Prov. 15. 27. Minde this griping Citizens go not a stargazing a world gazing needlesse walks and visits time is precious Eph. 5. 16. Lords Ladies Fools and young Gallants yea too many Christians squander that away If the Sunne be setting or the Sand runne then they beg and houl but good Sun good Sand or good death will not hold a minute their immortal souls from going to God Christ joyes Saints Angels Sym Hym flames chaina and devils one or tother all men Think on that in time and be sure to preach it much to the world and let not one neighbour forget another so soon as he hath got his biskets alwayes think upon the soul and where that is when the corpes is given to the wormes yea and preach a few serious points before or after burial single out two or three if it be not convenient to the whole a bodie is dead a soul is gone and the Kite is coming for another Chick the Hen makes more ado then some for a neer relation blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord all the rest go to the devil Rev. 13. 14. Rev. 20. 14. Read no books but Bibles for thy Sermon John 5. 36. Acts 17. 11. We shall find and loath it if it be anothers Do not trust thy memory if thou wilt preach study yea take pains for the gains and joyes of the Spirit It is reward enough to have some Communion before in or after any godly duty Two or three hours close studying in a day will make thee a brave Preacher The best Minister that we have do not alwayes beat their brains about the Scriptures but are sometimes in the Garden the world and governments of the world yea in old Almanacks and Fathers too some times but Timothy like give thee thy self wholly to thest udy of the Bible that is let that be the Sum and substance of thy study and to know Christ crucified in and for thee how to preach him to the best advantage of a soul now suppose thou beest a Tradesman Gentleman or shop-keeper especially the latter consider the day and night consists of twenty four hours you that Preach seven for the bed is enough in conscience one to dresse and undresse two for religious duties if you goe morning night and noon by your selves yet it is enough a brief word of exhortation and a pithy Prayer is better than a tedious long and dry businesse have a care of that in your meetings strive not to speak beyond the breathings of the Spirit Men that have time enough may inlarge better then he whose self and servants is too much tyred many times but Saints should not make their trade a toil and yet be careful too four hours in your shop besides your three hours studying writing Texts and reasing of the Bibles at one corner of the Counter and then thou art as ready for a Customer as if thou wert gazing up and down and so thy temporall meanes comes in as the Ministers spiritual in tending thy particular Calling which is rather better blest and lookt too by this kind of practice Paul could stitch and study too or make Tents Act. 18. 3. And though in the presence of the Lord it be far from our desire for the speciall Ministers of the Gospel so to do yet studying tending of the shop may do well to gather for them that must abide in their Callings and yet we are not out onely improving time like good husbands and Christeans we are bid so to do Eph 5. 16. and in so doing we are like that diligent hand which Solomon sayes makes rich
the same I say for gifted Brethren Saints by calling and Profession the Lord increase their number gift them and give them more favour in your eyes not for their sakes but your own these are neither Watchmen nor Shepherds extraordinary in an outward call yet ar they all inwardly so if gifted bound by God reason and nature to do you all the good they can yea they must preach to you by life and doctrine as Noah and Lot to the old world 2 Pet. 2. 5. yea they are bound to pray for you by night and day 1 Tim. 2. 1. and as they are bound by God and Nature to do this for you so are you by Scripture-bonds and common ingenuity to love their persons and minde their Counsels and wholesome admonitions and wo to he that shall storm against it or Pharisie-like grieve at this kind of doctrine Well take heed ye resist not the holy Ghost Acts 7. 51. nor fight against the mind of God from ignorance of his word much more like Shimei to rail and curse good David 2 Sam. 16. 7. I mean good men for nothing but pointing out the lamb of God in John the Baptists absence John 1. 35. or presence either if it be he they point at as certainly they do look for the objects sake that takes away the sins of the world and that by your looking on him the true brasen Serpent which every man should labour to set-up John 3. 14. A Warning-Message or a Parley with the Ministers OF all good men on earth your godly Ministers are the best that are really so and self denying men the most good they do they are to us as the rivers to the valleys they make us by Gods blessing fruitful in good wayes and works yea they make us through perswasion of the Spirit loath the world and love God yea all of God and all of good they bring down God to us and us to God by Preaching they charm us with the loves of Christ and wooes us by the Spirit to make a match with him who is the chiefest of ten thousand and altogether lovely Cant. 5. 10. They raise us from the death of sin Eph. 2. 1. and yet we die again yea dayly to the world Gal. 6. 13. They lift us up they lay us low yea at the gates of hell by showing us our sins and by a word of faith they raise us again by lifting up the brasen Serpent John 3 yea when we are like the Sallamander in the flames of afflictions they make us sing like the Nightingale by showing the good of them Rom. 8. 28. the loves of God Rev. â— 19. yea with the Spirits assistance they can do any thing for us or with us but without that they can do nothing so that it is God alone that doth all Phil. 2. 13. and yet what he usually doth is by them 1 Cor. 3. 6 instrumenâ—ally he wins saves and comforts souls yea the most lost and afflicted ones and so they are the best of men in one sence and do the most good whilst others harden they soften others lead to the pit and destrâ—ction yea some Ministers be witch men with a form in stead of the substance and that a poor empty one too how many have nothing else but old empty nothing stufe from their Pastors yea scarce moral things Law nor Gospel never heard divided nor can many hundreds distinctly preach either the new birth the new Creator the gifts of God the graces of the Spirit how to comfort or cast down they know no more then the plowman doth the Planets such kind of men we loath not their persons but their sin in taking to themselves this high and holy calling the proper Names of it Christs Ambassadors they are and they know not how to treat about the souls of men and heavenly things who are reconciled and who not never making any distinction in praying or preaching to any purpose these Priests never offerd one sacrifice all their dayes for themselves nor those poor souls upon whom they live and feed their family on yea feed bare if a horse be ridden with a hag he will never thrive some say if a man or a Parrish be the like as too many be in England with such a kind of Priest they and their souls can never thrive no it is impossible those set up will surely look to this before they put down us that are gifted can the fish live without water the beast without food or the souls of men without something and where nothing is nothing can be had empty Preaching praying with a little Popery and Latine pleases poor country men for present but dambs them in the end yea and some in the City too else they would never run to Marybone and Paddington and up and down to many places more in the City where the old saints meet for a lick of Antichrist yea the very tail of him but let us leave these snuffes and old Priests time may put them out for all their present hopes and a little treat with our Fathers the godly Ministers and for them we are not sick unlesse it be for more and yet amongst them fair dealing is not used they would not be intrencht upon as they themselves do upon us and our Liberties yea our fathers do so yet you cry out we have too much we cry out we have too little and not without cause especially now when it is in your thoughts to take what we have from us what means the jerks this way in most of your Sermons if it be not so well rob us if you please get what you can in the mean time know we are for Christian Liberty the exercise of our gifts in the same places before or after you for we say they that have hands must work and they that have gifts must the like again so to do is a great advantage to our souls and others and we are bound to do good to all men in an outward way much more to the souls of one another Gal. 6. 10. we must not receive the grace of God in vain 2 Cor. 6. 1. which we do as to others when we do not improve our gifts and graces again according to what is given will be required of every man Luk. 19. 16 23. Mat. 15. 15 16. 2 Pet. 1. 8. Let every man as he hath received the gift administer the same one to another as good disposers of the manifold graces of God 1 Pet. 4. 10. Weigh these Scriptures well and see if we be to be reproved for what we claim as our Priviledge and duty again consider whether by the Word the people of God are any where reproved for exercising of their gifts or were they ever checkt for it before Antichrist crept into the world the Word holds out that if we have any speciall gifts or parts we must exercise them as may be most for the use of the Church and the Spirit of God it
one to another of the thing for the Lord Jesus sake 't is right in your eyes yea your own practise and we have learned of you and will set it up by the grace of God if you lay it by to look for Arrears and Debenters which when this is done you may Yea marry buy and sell too so ye do not forget the Rock and living unto him who like a River followed you in the Van and Rear three wildernesses together some once or twice over and smote the rock again and again yea your enemies in every place where you or they met Oh that men would praise the Lord may the Armie now say for his mercy endureth for ever yea sing this 136. Psalm as long as you live yea breath and yet we dedicate it to you once again yea to every one of your hearts 't is so paâ—t and full to your condition And pray when you sound your brave triumphing sounds Remember us the last Trumpet and how much of your love and zeal in this particular you have lost Rev. 2. 4 5. And now we come again to you Men and Brethren which we were treating with before we medled with the sword or godly of the Army about the same thing still if you have not dispatched your Summons to all men aind places where the fear of the Lord dwels rich poor hgh low young and old blinde halt and lame yea get them altogether to consult do not stay and say one to another Pray ye Sir do you and Pray ye Sir do you send for old Father Eli and you for young Samuell and you for Zacheus we Christ and his people will all dine there Luk 19. 5. and treat afterwards about restoring every man his own at least especially the Liberty of the Saints and promulgation of the Gospel but let every one yea some in particular go to all as the Messengers of the Churches 2 Cor. 8. 23. and let them charge them in the Name of God to come straight away by the morning light the light of God in them yea charge them by this day and charge them by this night of Gods withdrawing from them they delay no time if they be about a businesse of their own dealing in their Calling let them shut up and bring them straight away if they be about the business of another or medling with the State bring them straight away if they be about their holy Worship and Christian duties bring them straight away yea from the Lords Table to meet the Lords people Men may leave the best of duties upon some occasions in a case of necessity and such a one is this yea the season of the year requires it look else saith Christ to every Saint in England do not you see the eares white Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth labourers into his harvest John 4. 35. Mat. 9 38 Yea pray my Lord Protector so to do or else pray him Oxford and Cambridge will never send enough What do we gazing so after these as once the Angel said Oh ye men of Galilee Acts 1. 11. So say we Ye men of the Army City Town and Countrey why do ye all so gaze and gape after those men that were taken away once so shall they come again yea the very men shall come again though some without their gownes yet their University gifts shall not be wanting the graces of the Spirit the Gifts of Gods People Oh my friends many of these you gape and gaze after are gone and gone in the late warres I hope just the same men are not come again to another much lesse to the same place This we never fought for or looked for unlesse they were taken by their sequestrations up into heaven I mean godly sorrow and Repentance for their former sins popery pride fulnesse of bread ignorance emptinesse drunkennesse and thirst yea for our blood which is precious in the fight of the Lord so saith David Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of all his Saints Psal 116. 15. Well but shall we trust these thirsty wretches with our souls once again rather then a known godly Christian of ten or twenty years standing gifts and abilities Good and godly Tryers do not you do so wickedly and sin against God Gen 19 7. There be of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jewes Rev. 2. 9. Yea they will say so now because ye are uppermost but try them well and you shall find them lyars they guilt themselves it may be by praying for the State and the Lord Protector can they by the Spirit do so or Preach Well we hope ye will not take tinne and lay by silver Isa 1. 22. for all the keyes of David in your hand power to open and shut whom and when you please which should be wholly in the hands of Christ Isa 22. 22. Rev. 3. 7. Two sweet Texts in the eyes and hearts of Saints But to our other friends once again whom we must intreat they are so backward some through the worlds pleasures profits places cannot give a meeting no it may be eâ—â—ry week though it were to be wished they could not because they the Saints more imployed and richer have better gifts theâ— poor but for their own souls and graces sake for a good meeting is better for the good of their souls and strength of their graces than a good bargain or dinner either much more then a little idlenesse some walk abroad others ride some visite Joan hold my staffe t'other day but these rich Saints cannot come to our poor weekly meetings I wish they may to this good work ' it s their good Masters who hath blest them thus Oh but others which have more peace joy and communion far then these them I hope will come but some are so full of cares feares and poverties that they cannot give a meeting unlesse it be the Lords day about five of the cloâ—k Well once a week would do no hurt nor bring the world backward rather thee forward and upward and it is best thriving so having food and rayment let us be content said a good man 1 Tim. 6. 8 for our selves and children it is implyed passions may come soon enough and may be God himself will be one and that is enough saith David Psal 119. 57. In the mean time come you to the Generall Assembly of all Saints and Church of the first born Heb. 12. 23. Yea to the first in the Work of the Lord which will be good so to do at last it is best at first and most honourable God ever mindes the first fruits Exod. 23. 19. and claims the first Male. Christ the first Gospel Minister sets up him above John the Baptist Mat. 11. 11. one Preached Repentance the other Pardon Minde it Presbyterians too many of you set up John the Baptist and set the other by Yea Paul and John the Evangelist both down You know how I mean
differ in nothing in the world but that we would be setting up and converting sinners too thinking it is our duty When thou art converted strengthen thy brother Luk. 22. 32. Oh but from whence then comes your Errours Most from Ministers scandalous not knowing the truth sometimes through falshood and the Ministers fancy they say such a thing and such a thing is abroad and spread them in their Pulpits Errours which the people who are ever heavy in hearing to good and sound truth often catch the badd 't is good in some cases to see and not to see we think it is in this especially not to say we see what we hear from three or four hands every one adding or diminishing through weaknesse or wickednesse but the Errours and erroneous are none of us nor of the settled meeting Christians whose liberty we plead for but rather some giddy headed gadding Christians that runs up and down peeps in here and peeps in there no where out of love but in every place to object and wrangle and make a little way for an old Errour or a whimsie according to the rule of Paul First in love we check him once or twice Tit. 3. 10. if they be not too grosse however they are gone or else ever silent and converted from their sin Yea many times we gain some that are just a going by underpropping them when they lean a little from the truth by neglecting good Ministers hearing bad Our meetings to hear bad Disputes who nor where we neither own nor know nor love these things yea we love nothing but what may tend to the edification of one or another nor will do nothing else in your publick place when we come about a moneth hence some I hope will provide room or matter for us but you shall never come while you breath saith a Formalist one that hath every thing of a Saint but the reall life power gifts joyes and graces and these men will envy this light life and power least other men should expect as much from them because they have past all along under the same names and notions of good and godly men and so we shall be slighted say they and in time loose our esteem for our godlinesse though we have followed them in their very steps truly they that seem to have something and are nothing will in time loose that that is certain To him that hath shall be given and from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which be seemeth to have Mat. 13. 12. But be this far from a good heart so to think be his gifts or graces as small as they will have not the members of the Church their peculiar gifts Are all the Lords people Prophets or have all the gifts of light knowledge grace and power alike No but every one hath as God hath given nor is it requisite it should be so John speakes of babes young men and old 1 John 2. 12 13 14. Every Member need not be an eye nor every Saint a Prophet yet every one is to covet the best gift especially this of Prophesying 1 Cor. 12. 31. or expounding Scripture but he that cannot may be as much humble yea as much usefull in another way therefore let not honest men and humble walking Christians fear the losse of this esteem but subscribe to the Modell Legall men and Pharisees and hypocrites will be offended more than any if every man preach thus It was so in Christs time and after Acts 4. 2. but we stand not for every man but for some able men judged to be so by some that are able so to do What if godly Christians should upon a summons from among themselves or from a Magistrate choose two three or four as the place can afford to be as publick speakers as your Burgesses are chosen one two or three for such a Town and two or three for such a Parish not too many at the first by no meanes better one old speaker then three or four young ones coming on for the present will ye take a fools advice 't is but a hint not a platform or a rule for all that were high presumption Yea to make ones self St. Peter but let me say what we think would do well leave your young speakers coming on to the private we can bear with one anothers weaknesse there and gain â—â— much by one as t'other many times but still for the present able to divide the word batter down sin yea the sinners and raise up the Saints especially the mourners of Sion Isa 40. 1. answer all objections bravely preach bold and humbly put out these first and the other forward as much as may be and hereto we who cannot well tell what to say in this nice point would not be too strait laced in giving leave to any to speak or object a little desiring every mans Light may be held forth most where his life and conversation is known to be good and godly yet we think they may do as Parsons do speak one for another that are well known And what if it were by a kind of Commission we mean the approbation of the Saints thereabouts yea and it would be very good to have as much love leave and liking as may be from others and we hear of many that are free and willing to hear us before or after Sermon every day we hope to gain more and more yea we have gained much already this way And this we add further You that chuse these men improve your Interest with your Minister of the Parish giving him to know who it is what it is when it is and why it is he should speak in the Publick this request of yours his love or liking of the man or mens Spirits may put him himself upon the breaking of the ice and recommending of the work to the people once or twice then the thing is done laughing jeering standing up the Newes and talking of it and all kind of hubbubbs are husht and gone for ever and we have our Liberty without the losse or mischief of an hair to any man living Ministers our hearts hands purses we feast them they sometimes us yea and we will better all their meanes be it Tythes be it what it will be yea we will look to their charge in case of death own them and do for them as our own Brethren yea and a thousand times more in requitall of their love to us and the truth which then they have to purpose manifested to the world round about yea and then every eye shall see that they are not in the least what too many are to prone to think yea and hastily to judge But yet a word more to our setters up in case such a one or more should through weaknesse and the divell which will not be wanting every way to tempt and try fall into any scandalous sin one or more yea or in case he do not but grow proud and
Priests Prophets Samuel Moses Aaron David and Daniel now Peter Paul James and John again yet not without the old Spirit the Spirit of his Son God who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in times past by the fathers the Prophets hath in these last times spoken to us by his Son Heb. 1. 1. You the great Saints of England and glory of the world we would intreat you on the knee again and again yea beseech you in the bowels of love yea the God of love and the mercies of that God Rom. 12. 2 for his own and the honour of his and the poor gifted Saints sake that you would all pull off your Crowns of honour for an hour as once the poor fishers did their great bootes to follow Christ else it would have been but slow And you my Lord Protector What if you should begin in this high and low work and give us in your own Person one short and sweet Sermon now at White-Hall as late you did to your own Family we would say King David were on earth again and put in their murmuring no more at your present greatnesse who did a meaner thing in dancing before the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6. 16. My Lord look to the Canopies above and down again to White-Hall yea your self and what are you though so great a Saint more than a worm gnat nothing Isa 41. 14. Yet may you Nothing this way honour him that is what he is and doth what he pleases in heaven and in earth yea in hell amongst and with Saints Angels men and divels yea every living thing as well things that are not winds Seas storm fire hail ice snow yea day and night for they are all his too Psal 74. 16. This one Being and Being of all Beings may you poor Nothing yet preach and our good Lord Jesus who once becaâ—e nothing to serve and make you and us all Kings Priests and Prophets to our God by his blood Rev. 1. 6. Not that above once or twice we desire this work of honour from and for you to preach this God that every moment rides the circle of the heavens Isa 40. 22. upon the mighty wings and Chariots of the windes that drawes or drives the cloudâ— hither and thither yea the Seas where he wills quite from off the earth and flings them down again upon the Prayers of his people when and where he please as lately now when man and beast was mourning yea every senslesse creature dying yea the earth it self yauning wide as if that and all would dye yea dye they would and dye they must at once but God prevented all for his peoples sake and said live again Oh that men would praise his Name and sing again his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. a Psalm for your soul in secret but a Sermon it is we beg yea one at at least from you my Lord and the Princes among the people yea the Saints of the most high God Dan. 7. 27 shall imitate you all for the honour of the work Nathaniel Pickering Wooslâ—y Sadler and Sir Henry Vane all which and many more could and can pray and Preach bravelie and if all Jacob be but one worm to the God of Jacob 't is no dishonour to these choice bitts of this worm to praise their Maker once or twice at the least in the great Congregations and the Assemblies of the Saints which David hints so often at as his own practice in a soul exalting way of glorie I will praise thee in the Congregation yea in the great Congregation of the people yea among the Gods Psal 111. 1. and 138. 1. I will do it and will not you Gods your selves once at the Prayers of all Saints as Paul speaks in another case God forbid you or any should be ashamed of a good Master and what is it else that some princes stick at Come come it will be an honour one day to come bowing to the Saints and lick the dust of their feet yea the meanest work for Christ and them will be an honour for the greatest Monarchs in the world yea to preach this King of kings that hath this Name written on his thigh The Word of God Rev 19. 13. and 16. Read ye often the sixtie of Isaiah but let us come down from these gods to the people yea to the Saints that may tend it best and most to them we have a word Be as the tree or river in the Paradise of God Rev. 2. 7. Watering and feeding yea feed and water yea that have gifts all the rest yea all the Church of God over which you are made in your own proper places Overseers a high glory so to be Acts 20. 28. but begin at the 17. verse and mark well the whole Chapter The Angels never were but servants to bring newes or carry Saints to their home Heb. 1. 14. and how sweetly did they sing for joy of this glorying in the Work Luk. 29. And what may you say Oh yee dust of Jacob who are all of you together lesse then the least of the mercies of a God Gen. 32. 10. Your God we mean and your work we are at that is to Preach him up sin Satan death and Devils down yea to their own places I mean the sorrowes of the Saints and the works of darknesse all which are to be Preached down and Christ up from the grave of death and hell with the keyes of both in his hand Rev. 1. 18. This Lord and these keyes must you Preach up yea the power now in his hand and in his hand alone over sin Satan curse grave Law men devils Saints and Angels things present and to come yea over all these he is King for ever and hath wholly and solely the power of and over these things souls and consciences of men That is one thing my Brethren you are now called to Preach up by the first born which do call on you from the rising of the light life and love of God now in their souls and therefore do not scruple Oh ye Kings of the East Rev. 16. 12. but come forth as the morning Sun in the glory of your gifts and graces and the Spirit of the Son and Father and Preach up all three the Father in his love Iohn 3. 16. the Son in his merit 1 Tim. 1. 18. yea and the fruits joyes life and power of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. converting and convincing killing saving damning and destroying powers burning up and burning down like devouring fire in and on the soul the world and all the works of flesh flaming up to the heavens the righteousnesse of men much more pride hypocrâ—sie self and the foolishnesse of and in man every whereas he turns from one form to another resting more than he ought therein Well and who is now free fit and sufficient for this thing but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3. 5. And he hath appointed for good men every one to