Selected quad for the lemma: hand_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A38400
|
England's happiness: or, The only way to make a nation truly happy proved from the testimony of the Holy Scriptures. By an English man, who heartily desires the peace and prosperity of the nation.
|
|
1687
(1687)
|
Wing E2978B; ESTC R216765
|
7,137
|
9
|
England's Happiness OR The only way to make a Nation truly Happy Proved from the testimony of the Holy Scriptures By an English-man who heartily Desires the Peace and Prosperity of the Nation HAppiness is the one thing desired by all persons and of this desirable Subject have I now written Of Happiness there is two sorts 1. Temporal Happiness enduring only for this Life 2. Eternal Happiness enduring for ever The first of these I have treated on at this time in this Shoet and this Happiness is either National or Personal The first of these I have made the Subject of my Thoughts and Pens Imployment namely the only means to make a Kingdom or Nation truly happy in this Life which is so desirable that it is sufficient to cause all sorts of Persons that dwell in the land high and low rich and poor to rejoyce together This Jewel if it can be found is of far greater value than the Philosophers Stone for that inricheth but very few because but few obtain it but this may enrich a whole Nation at once and make their Lives truly happy in this life so far as Happiness is here attainable and to enjoy this general Happiness we must do these three things First Find out what it is Secondly How it may be obtained Thirdly Endeavour to obtain it The two first of these I have undertaken to do according to that measure of light and understanding which I have received of God but the third is the work of others as well as my self namely of the whole Nation in general 1. There is not any one Person of understanding to be concerned in any business in the Nation but is or ought to be concerned to get this Jewel that will make the whole Nation happy And this precious and desirable Jewel I understand to be a sincere and hearty Love between the Rulers and the People and between all the People towards each other that so it may run through the Nation from the highest to the lowest and have its fruits and effects in every work that is done this will cause the Rulers to do all that lyeth in them for the Safety Comfort and Prosperity of their Subjects and also the Subjects to do all that lyeth in them alwayes for the Comfort and well being of their Rulers that as in the natural Body the Head is considering and finding out what is most necessary for the whole Body that it may be enjoyed and the Hands and Feet are helping and carrying the Head and all the Members of the Body are ready to help and assist each other in their places So will it be in the body Politick where this true and sincere Love is that we are speaking of in all persons toward each other The Rulers in such a Nation need not fear any hurt or detriment from their Subjects neither need the Subjects fear any wrong from their Rulers nor from each other as St. John saith 1 Joh. 4.18 There is no Fear in Love but perfect Love casteth out Fear Such a state hath a resemblance of the holy Mountain of God spoken of Isa 11.9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain saith the Lord Such a Nation is according to David's Prayer Psal 144.14 15. That there be no complaining in our Streets and then he concludes Happy is the People that is in such a Case It may be said of such a People or Nation as is said of or concerning the Spouse Cant. 1.9 I have compared thee to a company of Horses in Pharaoh's Chariot they are so united together by the bands of Love that they are all labouring together for the good and prosperity of each other as for their own according to that good Exhortation of the Apostle to the Philippians chap. 2. v. 2 4. Having the same Love being of one accord of one mind look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others Thus in any Nation or people where this true and sincere Love is dwelling in every one it causeth every one to have equal Respect to others good as to their own and such Love dwelling and abiding in every one toward each other hath this great Blessing attending it viz. Thore is much of the Presence of God with such a People 1 Joh. 4.16 God is Love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him See what a great measure of the Presence of God such are said to have and this is so needful a Blessing for any People in order to their being happy that Moses when he was the Governour and Leader of Israel saith unto God Exod. 33.15 If thy Presence go not with us carry us not up hence knowing that the Presence of God was so needful for him to teach him to Govern and also to teach his People to be walking orderly under his Government and to bless them with all needful Blessings that it was better for them to be alwayes in the Wilderness with the Presence of God than to go to their Promised Land without it Therefore let none imagine that there can be any true and real Happiness to any People where this true and real Love is wanting for there is no way but this to fill the Nation with Peace and Plenty and where this Love is wanting I may say to such a State as the Apostle saith to the Church Gal. 5.15 If ye bite and devour one another take heed ye be not Consumed one of another Christ hath said Mat. 12.28 Every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to Desolation and sad experience hath made this plain and evident in many Ages by shedding of much blood in several parts of the World as might be instanced if need were but I shall not go so far to fetch Examples in this Case seeing we have had such sad experience at home in our own Nation of the great want of this true and real Love amongst us in this land and in our dayes too which hath caused those sad Calamities amongst us when the Inhabitants of this land have shed the blood of each other as if they were without natural affection to their own Countrey-men And therefore to make this Nation truly happy to prevent those Calamities for the future and to enjoy those great and choice Blessings which this excellent Jewel will bring along with it if it can be obtained let every one of us labour therefore for it as much as in us lyeth for the Nation is made up of particular persons and therefore if every one can but get it in themselves it will be all over the Nation and the Nation in general and every person in particular will find and enjoy the blessed effects thereof 2. And now come we to the second thing Promised to be done viz. To shew the way by which this Jewel may be obtained And First If we would injoy this great Happiness we must all take special heed to the Law