what GOD denies them a Privative Power to hurt the Church and deprive her of her due Magistrats should be Nursing Fathers to encourage and no Step. Fathers to dwang the Church That Magistrats of all Ranks ought to be Wise and Understanding Men is clear they should be able to discern Good and Evil that they may rightly Time and Circumstantiat their Actions Dâ—ut 1.13 Eccles 8.5 It is threatned as a Judgment when Princes are Children and Babâ—â— in Understanding Isa 3.4 5. David in his Prayer for Solomon sayes Lord give him a persect heart 1 Chrom 29.19 And in his blessing of him Lord give thee wisdom and understanding 2 Chr. 22.12 And when God gave Solomon a Choice what was his desire 1 Kings 3.9 Lord give thy Servant an understanding heart to judge thy people and discern between Good and Bad. There be three Reasons why Magistrats should learn Wisdom 1. Because of the Figure they hear by their Office imported in their Styles namely first they are called Gods and Sons of God Psal 82. 2ly Saviours of the People Judg. 2.16 Who shelter against the Rage and Violence of the Wicked 3ly Fathers to the People and Nursing Fathers to the Church Gâ—n 45.8 Isa 49.23 Importing not only Power and Authority but Tenderness Care and Pity 4ly Heads of the Body Polltick Num. 16. That influence the Body to direct and rule the Members 5ly The â—yes of a State Job 29.15 To oversee the manners of a People 6ly The Servants of God by way of Eminency Jerem. 27.6 To improve their Gifts for the good of the Common Wealth 7ly The Shepherd of the People Numh. 27.17 to Feed Lead Defend and Watch over them 8ly Healers of the People to bind up their wounds Isa 3.7 9ly Pillars Corner-stones Foundations of the Earth Psal 11.3 Psal 75.3 Zâ—ch 10.4 Because they unite and uphold the Building 10ly Shields of the Earth Psal 47. last ver That should protect God's Ordinances and People in their Lives Liberties and Estates 11ly Overseers Prov. 6.7 That are careful that these under them live in Peace and Piety Lastly They are called Coverts and hiding Places Ezek. 28.10 That must refresh and protect People under their shadow All these says Magistrats have need to be Wise Men. A second reason because of Gods severity threatned in time on such in Office as mis-behave for Magistrats are neither above instruction nor without correction if they fall Job 12.21 He pouts contempt upon Princes and weakens the strength of the Mighty psal 110.5 He shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath Psal 76.12 He is terribâ—e to the Kings of the Earth he shall cut off the Spirit of Princes This should instuence Magistrats to seâ—k after Wisdom confâ—â—ering they have to do with him who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 Zions King to whom they are all countable for We must all appear before the Tribunal of Christ 2 Cor. 5.10 And all of you here must appear that day no Mans Honour or Office will procure a Dispensation for absence from that Court where he Judges without respect of Persons 1. Pet. 1.17 He accepts not the Person of Princes he regards not the Rich more than the Poor for they are all the work of his Hands Job 34.19 Take heed therefore and be wise He will not so much aâ—k were you King Duke Marquess Earl Lord Barron Burges as how behaved you in your Station and Trust And these who would Brawl and spit in his Messengers Face will be mute when the Master reckons When the King came in the man was speechless Matt. 22.12 There may be some hearing me this day who will hang their Heads and sing dumb that day A third Reason why Magistrats needs Wisdom is because they are lyable to Difficulties and Dangers great is their Task to know the state of these under them to hear the plaints of the Foor to repress the Insolencles of the Proud to Minister Juâ—â—ice to all Although God exalt them above others yet are they Servants to Subjects in that they watch for their Well and Safetiâ— Rom. 13.1 4. They are the Ministers of God to People for their good many are quick sighted to see their Defects who see neither their Difficulties nor Dangers every curbed Humour by sear of Punishment frets against them it 's impossible for them to please all they are in danger from open Enemies secret Male Contents Fraud and Flattery Hazards them as one said both Solitariness and Society are dangerous to Princes yea sometimes they are not secure amidst their Attendants some have fainted and laid down their Crowns and Honours because of thase things but Plety and Prudence is the best Remedy the more a Magistrat be a seeker of God the more Wisdom he shall find in that Fountain Isa 11.2 The compleat Furniture of a Magistrat begins at the Spirit of the Lord to rest on him and is specified in the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might and closes with the Spirit of the fear of the Lord or true Piety Piety and Prudence will help to exped Difficulties and helps to Moderation in Government which makes it more durable if Rehoboam had hearkened to the moderat Counsel of the Antients belike he had keeped the ten Tribes to the House of David Plety and Prudence helps to Magnanimity and Courage to Graple and Conflict with Evils Enemies Difficulties and Dangers David Graples with Goliath Calth with the Anakims Paul with Bonds and Afflâ—ctions The Righteous is made bold as a Lyon Prov 28.1 His heart is established trusting in the Lord he will not be afraid untill he see his desire upon his Enemies Psal 112.8 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people that beset me round Psal 3.6 I will not be afraid tho an hâ—st encamp against me Psal 27.3 Should such a man as I flâ—t says Nehemiah ch 6.11 It is a Mercy not only to be keeped safe from Danger but quiet from the sear of Evil and this is the Priviledge of the Holy and Wise who hearken to the Lord. Prov. 1.33 You see then that Holy Wisdom is most needful to Magistrats on all these Accounts Appl. I have two words to say to Magistrats and People jointly First It is our wisdom to pray and watch against these things amongst us that are evil tokens and threatens both Church and State with Judgments upon the account whereof many Hearts trembles 1. When men do not loath their own Hearts for their unprofitableness under Ordinances but weary of them as their burden 2ly When men prosessing the fear of the same God are mutually contentions and continue to be so when Brother-hood is broken an idol Shepherd is set up Zeck 11.14 15. 3ly Peoples breaking Vowes to the Lord of cleaving to him in his Ordinances and remaining Impenitent 4ly When Additions are made to the Ordinance of Christ by the inventions of men 5ly When people seek to
Capacity for this they must have Revenues called Egra 4 13. Tâ—ll Tribâ—te and Custom which three Caldea Words imports the Properties of these Revenuâ—s exacted of the People that they should be Moderat according to the Peoples Abllity without Partiality Inveterate or Ancient so sar or so long as the Common state requires and no more for the safety of the King is the safety of the Common-weal the safety of the Common weal is a Law above all Laws such Tributes or Customs call them as you will are as necessary to uphold a State as blood in the veins for conserving the Life We must distinguish between the time of Peace and the time of War especially when Lives Liberties and Religion are at the Stake our hearts must be inlarged without grudge to make a liberal Offering better venture much than lose all But if by Oppression extreme Exactions be Collected or publick money be Dilapidat by Self seeking Men they may resolve to smart for it at the hands of the Lord There have been old and frequent Complaints of mis-managements when publick Money has either been bestowed on men to uphold their debauches to consume it on their Lusts to uphold unlimited Lustâ— and Designs of others especially there has been complaints of Officers of Armies either withholding due paâ—ment from these in Arms or puâ—ting Pay in their Pockets and making a shaw of a Vision at a Muster that disappeared in the day of Battle Honourable worthies I incline not by Panegyricks to offend your modest ears whose praise will be in the Church But we blesâ— God we have such a King and Queâ—â— to rule over us and such a Representative of their Majesties in this Honourable Court and so many noble and worthy Patriots in this Assembly who befriend the interests oâ—our Lord who are other ways minded we pray the Lord reveal it to them but sure were they better acquaint with our Master they would soon change their minde We blesâ— the Lord and we bless you from the Lord with our hearts for what you have done for the house of the Lord and for the hone we have that what remaim to be done shall be done though hope deferred makes the heare sick but when the desire cometh it is a Tree of Life the desire accomplished is sweet to the soul Prov. 13.12 19. There are two things I would desire of this Honourable Court The first 〈◊〉 that what may give a back-set to the thing that is done may be forborn that Truth be not abused by promiseuous Tolleration this were to love our ease more than God and has produced sad Effects and Confusions in some places of the World There being no persecution Threatued Exercised and for ouâ—ht I know neither intended by Church nor State the muttering of such a Tolleration as we â—eard ofâ— is some Surprize which some of the sober Conformists disclaims It is under pretence forsooth of tenderness of Conscience how tender they are God knows and the World may know I fear it is a â—ate â—ncome and distemper which I apprehend from what is implyed in their paper of some â—ntention to introduce some Novelties and Forms in the Worship of God which this Church could never endure nor durst they adventure on in their greatest height and freedom although snme now presume contrare to our Confession of Faith which if I mistake nor owns no other Book for the Rule of Worship but the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament This scruple they express they cannot joyn in the Sacrament of the Supper with these who wants Episcopal Ordination whereas they have for many years joyned with Conformists that were never Re-ordained It 's apprehended by many judicious to be a mystery of iniquity to endanger both Church and State and a shadow under which would shrud vice and error And beyond question would propagat and perpetuat a Schism in this church They had wont to slander Non-consormists as Schismaticks but the reason is not alike for Presbyterians did stand their ground and owned their Principies since the Reformation from Poptry by Presbyters So the Schism first and last is on their side this Tolleration would be buried under the Oak There is another thing that I would beg of this Honourable Court beside the care of ordering and purging the Seminaries of Learning the removal of Paâ—â—onages not that we mean the injuring any in their just Civil Rights and Properties although the first Original was good to defend the Church and her Goods Yet the usurpation over the Church did spring from a bad Fountain and the consequence has been destructive to the Church and a grievous bondage many God provoking sins has followed on it Simoniacal compacts It has been the sourse of a Godless insufficient Ministry we would not have you to prig with God in this matter We hope that 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—tousness on the one hand nor envy on the other shall hinder the removing of this Yoke Two worthy Ministers have written on this Subject Mr. Rule and Mr. Park so as may satisfie and give Light to these that will not shut their Eyes Honourable Worthies what was said to the Princes of Israel 1 Chron. 22.19 I say to you Now set your heart and soul to seek the Lord your God arise therefore and build the sanctuary of the Lord God 1 Cor. 13. last verse Be stedfast immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as ye know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord Reformation ends not in câ—ntemplation but in action Be not slothful in business forget not to do as ye have been taught ye want not your care and troubles But what said David 1 Chron 22.14 Now Behold in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of Gold and a thousand thousand talents of silver and of brass and iron without weight neither waâ— nor any other businesâ— could hinder him from this work Minde the example of the Jews when stirred up to build the Temple Ezra 5.1 2. They say not we must fiâ—st build the Walls of Jerusalem to hold out the enemy but the Text says They began to build the house of God and with them were Prophets of the Lord helping them they were not full four â—ears in building of the Temple and iâ— great Chronoloâ—â—s be not far mistaken the Temple was fiâ—â—shed 83 years before the Walls of Jerusalem weâ—e finished I am far from meaning your Affection should be cooled to the Laws Liberties peace and safety of the Kingdom I woâ—ld only warm your Affections with the zeal of a through Reformation go on and improve whereto ye have already attained and the Lord shall be with you and the blessing of Obed-â—dâ—m and his house shall rest upon you and yours 1 Chron. 13 14. Consider the exient of that Blessing it was a broâ—d Bâ—eâ—ing 1. His person was blest that 's a blessed Religion that brings health to the navel and marrow to the bones 2ly His posterity blessed 1 Chron 26.8 In sour 1. He waâ— blessed with a numerous progeny threescore and two of Obed-edâ—ms Family 2ly They were blâ—ssed with Employment all made Officers in the House of God 3ly Blessed with inablement to discharge that Employment all able men of strength mighty men of valour for the service of the Temple 4. They are blessed with Honour made Rulers and Commanders through the House of their Father 3. His possessions were blessed with preservation increase a comfortable injoying them Obed-edom made his House a Sanctuary for God now God makes it a Sanctuary for him a place of safety 4. His Actions and Undertakings are blessed good success attends him 5. His Friends are blessed they fare the better for him he becomes a favourite of Heaven he can speed Suits and obtain blessings for others I hope there be some who hear me this day who shall share of such blessings and that all of you might share of them is my hearty prayer to God â— dare not charge you but I would advise that none of you turn your back till ye see the Capestone out on the Work and if thus your Heart and Care be towards the House of God he will have a care of yours To his Name be praise FINIS
week Sick and Aged some Women with Child some Criple and many others taken up by the way out of other prisons and pricked up like beasts beside other hard usages in their journey to the Castle of Dunotter where about 168. Men and Women were thrust in one Vault and considering the necessities of Nature having scarcely room to stand What case they were in for some dayes â—â—dge ye Yea at their entry when scorched with thrist denyed water by the Souldiers without Money Many hardships they endured that it cost some of them their Lives And after a long times distress there were driven back to Lothian all save two or three tyed and flightered like Thieves and about eightie of them sent to America If there be any here who ever gave countenance or active concurrence to any of these forementioned sufferings I charge you upon your perril to repent and judge your selves that ye be not judged of the Lord. Some will possibly say as Isaiah 30.10 Minister preach some other things to us but as Micajah said we say what the Lord sayes that we must speak God be thanked we have not an Ahab to deal with But though it were so we behoved to speak our Masters Mind many a time we have preached and distribute the Childrens Bread with the perril of our Lives and theirs and would do so yet if called to it But God forbid that ever it come to that again among us but Lord send no worse Before that second word to Mâ—gistrats and People joyntly Add to what goes before That the consideration of the hundreth part of our Sufferings makes many Judicious who will not approve what others have met with wonder it was no worse considering what was the Spring and Fountain whence these deep and bitter waters did flow and upon whose account and by whose Instigation But far shall it be from Uâ— to entertain thoughts of such Barbarities inhumanirles and Antichristian Usages as We have been Treated with to urge the making or Execution of such severe Laws but rather Compassionat the Miserable 2ly I would say another word to Magistrats and People jointly prove your wisdom by the Fâ—â—its of it and I give you a Proof in the Aposties words which you may think upâ—â— James 3.17 The Wisdom that is from above is first Pure then Peacable Gentle and easie to be intreated jull of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypâ—â—risie I intended to have pressed on the People their dutifull respects to Magistrats Supreme and Subordinat upon the Apostles prounds 1 Pet 2.13.14 c. First for the Lords sake and that Honour and Majestie Christ stamps on them 2ly Because they are in the Lords room to do his work in Punishing ill doers and rewarding these that do well If this Power be abused they must answer to him 3ly Because this is the will of Christ and the way so stop the Mouths of foolish Men. 4ly This is our Libertie and would not be used as a cloak of Licentiousness we owe to them first reverence and that in our Minds not to Curâ—e him in our thoughts Eccles 10 20. In our Words not to rail against him Acts 23 5. The Authoritie of Magistrats is very tender in our gestures the Woman of Tekoah stoops to the ground 2 Sam 14 4. 2ly We owe obedience in the Lord from which Church-Men are not exeemed 1 Pet 2.13 Rom. 13 1. If they Command what is cross to the Lords mind we must serve them with Peters answer we ought to obey God rather than Man Acts 5 29. 3ly We owe them Fidelity both to their persoâ—s and Authority 4ly We owe them aid and help first by saithfull counsel and advice when called for and discovery of secret Enemies and plots 2. By our Estates paving custom Rom 13 7. 3ly By our persons assisting them both against Countrey Rebels and Forraign enemies and when called for to venture our Lives for them in peace and war 2 Sam 21.17 23.16 4ly By our prayers 2 Tim. 2 2. 1 Because they neither stand nor fall to themselves Magistrats especially Soveraigns are the pillara of a Kingdom Let me smite King Saul but once said Abishal and the kingdom shall be thine and the victory thine 1 Sam. 26 8. So said Abithophel let me smite king David and all Israel shall be gathered to thee 2 Sâ—m 17.2 When Alexander died the Arâ—ie was but one Man less than before but yet it was compared by the Wise to the Câ—clops which had its only eye bored out Should we not pray for Magistrates especially the Supreme who carry not only about their own lives but the lives of thousands depends on their safety As it was said to the King Thou shalt not go forth with us any more to battle least thou qâ—ench the light of Israel for thou art worth ten thousand 2 Sam. 18.3 2 Sam. 21.17 We should be earnest to pray Magistrates may be Religious because of the power of their Example to good or evil their vices pass currant for vertues and becomes a fashion when the King of Shechem yeelded to Circumcision a painfull thing the whole City followed Be a Prince never so great for Command he Commands most by Example let not our King and Judges want our Prayers Let me press upon Magistrates that ye Studie Wisdom in God's Mattâ—â—s and Mâ—ns also both are required â—f they be Pious only in God's Matters and not otherwise prudent then are they fitter for the Cloyster than the Court if they be Prudent and Politick only and not Plous then are they fitter to be Kings of Babel where dwelâ— Confusion then of Jerusalem where God's Glory is be carefull that God be honoured in the Nation that abuses and Errours in Religion be reformed Promorers thereof and Seducers discountenanced and punished and that the Purity and Truth of Doctrine he promoted and maintained according to the Example of Godly Kings 2 Chron. 3.4 15 12 17 6. That the word be purely Preached that the good Things taught and established for the precious Oâ—dinances of Christ be defended by Law and done as he hath appoinâ—â—â— 2 Chron. 18 8.11 That the Wicked and Profanâ— be Discountenanced and Punished the wickedness of Subjects does great hurt to Gracious Kings and tends to the shortning of their dayes Then I would press Magistrates to studie a great insight in affairs that concerns Honesty and Equity David had a good Insight in Matters as an Angel of God seeing Good and Evil. â— Sam. 14. Solomon discerned which was the true Mother 1 Kings 3â— Magistrateâ— should provide that People lead a Peaceable and quit Life in all Godliness and Honesty 2 Tim. 2. Then I would press on Magistrates to â—â—udy a good Foresight of Dangers to protect the People prevent or wisely divert them They must endeavour to desend against all Enemies Saul had little Foresight when David sound him secure David had Hushaâ— in Absalom's Court. That Kings may be in better