Selected quad for the lemma: judgement_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
judgement_n	according_a	judge_n	sentence_n	1,847	5	8.0412	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89518	Vox turturis vel columba alba albionis=The voice of the turtle, or, Englands white dove in the deluge of division, the second time sent forth from Gods Arke, to prsent a peace-offering upon the altar of Jehovah Shalom. Humbly proposing that divine direction, which the God of Peace hath revealed in his word of truth, for determining differences by an holy ordinance of his owne institution, wherein himselfe is the sole judge, ... Shewing how by this divine way of Gods judgement, not onely the great differences here in church and state depending, may speedily and happily be determined with glory to God, honour to the King, and happinesse to the kingdomes, but also all the greatest controversies, both civill and sacred throughout Christendome may be composed, the effusion of blood prevented, many prophecies conducing to an universall peace fulfilled, the happy use of this holy ordinance made knowne, and the name of God thereby manifested, ... even among heathens. / Per E. M. Arm. Christi servorum minimo minorem.	Marbury, Edward, 1581-ca. 1655.	1647 (1647)	Wing M570; Thomason E518_4; ESTC R206163	81,199	64

wildernesse Have I been as a wildernesse unto Israel or a land of darknesse Jer. 2.31 Wherefore saith my people then Wee are Lords we will come no more to thee Isa 45.19 I said not in vaine unto the seed of Jacob Seeke ye me v. 22. Looke unto me yee shall be saved all the ends of the earth shall be saved Will ye forsake the Fountain of living waters which will never faile ye and dig ye pits broken pits of your owne power and policies which may prove fallacies and will hold no waters of true continuing comfort Truly the hope of the hills is but vaine nor the multitude of the mountains but in the Lord our God is the health of Israel Jer. 3.13 The high look of man shall be humbled and the Lord onely exalted Isa 2 11.12.13.14.15.16.17.19 Isa 51. I even I am he that comfort you Who art thou that fearest man c. and forgettest the Lord thy maker c v. 12.13 No perfect Peace in our case without consulting receiving the resolution of the great Peace-maker Zech. 8.3 A City of truth 1 Cor. 3. ●1 Psa 147.2.14 Quo facilius preceptum eo gravius peccatum not the hills of our haughty ones nor mu●titudes nor mountaines of our Mighties can make us happy All our Powers and policies wealth and Armies without a pious Peace cannot preserve us from ruine And for a firme and well-grounded Peace wee cannot be assured nor ever secured except the Propositions for Peace bee confirmed setled and perfected by the Judgement sentence and decree of the great Peace-maker who is our peace who is more puissant then the Mountaines of prey and in pious Policies more wise then all the wise men of the world combined and conjoyned who will nullifie and disappoint all their counsels even when he pleaseth catch them in their craft and snare them in their own net Jerusalem is builded as a City at unity in it selfe Nisi Dominus Aedificaverit other foundation can no man lay except the Lord whose Tabernacle is at Salem build Bethsalem Jerusalem all humane labour is but lost And in this respect there is a sacred necessity of the use of this holy Ordinance there being no other way of Gods judgement for the perfecting of our peace prescribed in Gods word Zech. 4.10.7.6 Who hath despised the day or way of small things This way of the Lord prescribed by his Word however despicable in the eyes of sinfull mortalls Who art thou ô great mountaine thou shalt be a plaine for neither by an Army nor by strength but by my Spirit by my selfe by the way of my Word shall the work of Peace be finished saith the Lord of hosts vide Isa 2.11 to the end of the chapter In a second respect there is also a sacred necessity of the use of this holy way in respect of the equall and impartiall proceedings for tryall of differences depending betweene King and Parliament 1. In regard the King is under Christ the next and imediate Supreme Governour of these Kingdomes and the Parliament the supreme Court of Judicature in these Kingdomes Now neither Party can appeale to any person or Court superiout to them but Christ and the Court of Heaven And for either party to become Judges in their owne case is hardly consistent with the lawes of God or man And therefore wee must needs conclude Christ under God to be the most equall convenient and just Judge for determining the differences Third●y in respect of the Covenants Vowes or Oathes which have passed on both sides which being made before and to God I conceive under favour cannot by any humane meanes consent compulsion or Authority bee dispensed withall dissolved or disanulled nor the consciences of those men that made It may be seared lest for oathes the Land mourneth in teares of bloud when so many lives have been shed and spilt or tooke such Covenants Vowes or Oathes satisfied or cleered untill they shall be convinced by this or some other Divine way of the Lords judgement concerning the truth or falsity justnesse or unjustnesse of their owne Tenent and demands which they have Covenanted vowed and sworne to defend and maintaine especially when the parties on both sides have Covenanted expresly and directly one against the other to maintaine things diametrically opposite there the one party cannot without breach of his Covenant or violation of his vow or oath yeeld to the other in that particular neither ought by the rules of reason or Religion or any warrant which I find in the word of God to be forced or compelled thereunto An instance hereof in this case concerning Episcopacy which the King hath vowed to maintaine the Parliament Covenanted to eradicate In this case the King cannot yeeld unto the Parliaments demands without violation of his oath neither ought his Majesty as I conceive under favour to be compelled thereunto it being against his oath unlesse the Lord shall so give judgement and thereby declare the Presbyterie or other Government which the King or Parliament shall propose to be I●re divino or fitter to be established in this Kingdome As hereby the Lord will surely and truly shew upon Propositions of severall formes which is most consonant to his Word and will He will give to God the the things that are Gods And surely in all Ecclesiasticall cases of this nature wherein the glory of his Name is so much concerned the judgement of God is more proper and fit then the judgement of man Againe in the case of the Militia the Question being desired to whom of right the same appertaines man by the Sword cannot be so competent a Judge as the Lord by whom all powers are ordained and ordered may be by the Lett in this case or any other concerning God the King or Kingdome He by whom Kings reigne and Princes decree justice He by whom Princes rule and the Nobles and all the Iudges of the earth is the fittest judge Pro. 8.15.16 For where the sword ●●ts as chief justice t●ere might goes away with right There jus potestatis not potestas juris is predominant there we find no power of right but that right which power obtains bears the sway justice is justled out by strength of hand but by the righteous judgement of the Lord the right of the Militia and all other matters in difference wil be justly disposed We know that the judgement of God is according to truth Psa 19.9 Rom. 2.2.6.11 None ought to judge another but by warrant from God in right or title especially where the Judges lay claime to the same thing in question He wil give to Caesar the things that are Caesars Tribute to whom tribute Custome to whom custome to all and every one their proper due In this divine judgement as we cannot faile of right so we need not feare any wrong where the Lord is Judge there is no partiality nor respect of persons Give me leave to aske the Apostles question

there prophecied to be performed by the Lords Judgement between the Nations Swords to be beaten into mattocks and speares into pruning hookes and no more fighting and in the preceding Prophece●●t it is shewed that God by Christs judgement shall restore the state and government of things to their right use and order What this Dove proposeth and presseth is no other then that the determination of the great differences depending between his Majestie and the Parliament might be referred to the Lords judgement by divine Lott being an holy way originally instituted by God himselfe to that peculiar end of ending Controversies as by Prov. 18.18 and many presidents in holy writ and the authority of Divines both ancient and moderns is plentifully proved Neither is there any other way revealed in Gods word whereby so apparent and immediate a judgement may be said to be given by God as by this way of the divine Lott And howsoever by reason of the ignorance of some who know not and therefore neither conceive nor consider the holinesse and happinesse of this divine way The infidelity of others who either doubting of the truth of Gods word or perhaps distrusting the justice of their owne cause dare not trust the judgement of God in the disposition of the Lott The arrogance and selfe conceited obstinacy of others who preferre their owne wisdomes counsells or wayes before the judgement Oracle and ordinance of God And because of the selfe-seeking ends of others who principally prosecuting those designes which conduce to their owne private purposes profits and preferments and so grow carelesse of promoting Gods glory and the Kingdomes peace but rather protract it Although I say by reason of these Remoraes this sacred Ordinance Judgement and Decree of God may want its due respect among the worldly wise as the best and most divine matters and ordinances which concerns Gods glory and the peoples good usually meet with strangest opposition the Devill and his agents labouring the prevention of all proceedings tending to that purpose yet the harmlesse Dove humbly desires that all true lovers of Gods glory the Kings honour● and the Kingdomes peace and happinesse would be pleased throughly to peruse this Treatise penned and published to no other end then the glory of God and peace of his people and seriously to consider the matters especially those Texts of holy truth therein contained and the happy effects which by the holy use of this sacred Ordinance may be produced and then doubtlesse they will confesse the use hereof in this Kingdomes case to be not onely convenient but necessary and to be prefer●ea before any way or meanes of humans designment in these seven severall respects 1. In respect of the glory of God which will hereby be more advanced not onely by committing of our doubtfull and difficult differences to his divine determination making and taking God for our onely Judge saying with Jehoshaphat and the men of Judah Wee know not what to doe but our eyes hearts and hands 2. Chron. 20.12 are towards thee but also by the just holy and happy Judgement which the Lord will give by his owne way of the divine Lott Whereas if peace be procured by humane powers and policies wee are apt to attribute most to the arme of flesh and sacrifice to our own nets and the Lords glory is too often layd aside as the Lord by his Prophet Jeremy complaines Wherefore say my people Jer. 1.31 we are Lords we will come no more to thee 2. All motters in difference both Sacred and Civill in Church and State will be setled according to the will of Jesus Christ himselfe being Judge which will be more pleasing to God profitable and satisfactory to men 3. The Kings Honour will be preserved and his mind better satisfied being wonn by divine judgement willingly to consent not forcibly by Conquest and compulsion constrained to passe or signe Propositions 4. His Majesty will be more cleerely satisfied touching his just Rights and Prerogatives being assured that the King of Kings who is the primitive of all Principalities by whom and from whom all powers are ordained and derived knowing what is justly due to Princes will give to Caesar the things that are Caesars as to God the things that are Gods And as concerning that party of the Nobility Gentry and Comminalty which adhered to his Majesty in these unhappy warres their punishments both pecuniary and corporall touching their lives liberties and estates Deut. 17.8.9.15 Gods judgement by Lott will take off all aspersion of cruelty and oppression Num. 15.34.35 Levit. 24.12 being left to Divine disposition rather then humane designement will be a way more phasing to God and more mercifull pions and satisfactory in the sight of men To this purpose you may please to peruse the 2 Chron. 28. in a case of the like nature between Judah and Israel where the Prophet Oded presseth for fraternall pitty and mercy to be shewed to the conquered brethren And Num. 25.34 The man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath day and the sonne of the Israelitish woman that blasphemed being convicted of their crimes were not put to death untill Moyses had inquired of God and received commission from the great Judge of the world for their execution 5. All future ●ewdes malice and resolutions of revenge which might remaine among Families in generations to come will be much mitigated if not cleans remitted when the desposition of the Lord shall be discorned in dispatch of the differences 6. All Vowes Covenants and Oathes made by either party in any matter of opposition one against the other may by Gods judgement declaring the illegality of the matter sworns to be performed be made voide and not binding which by no humane Lawes of dispensation could be discharged freed or made disobliging to the 〈◊〉 of the Covenanters c. 7. Division and Effusion of Blood detestable to God damnable among men To the Devill and his disciples onely delightfull will bee prevented and avoided 〈◊〉 mindes touching all doubtfull and difficult differences more cleerly convinced resolved and satisfied by Gods owne immediate judgement against which no honest godly Christian will presume to murmure dispute or oppose And a pious prosperous s●●● firme lasting found and well-grounded Peace with Truth by the Prince of Peace who is our Peace truly and perfectly established Which that the God of Peace by his blessed Sonne on whose shoulders he hath set the government of Peace with the assistance of his blessed Spirit of Peace who is onely able may please speedily to performe heartily prayeth the unworthiest of Gods servants who is humbly Thine also in Christ Jesus E.M. The Contents of the ensuing Treatise CHAPTER I. OF the severall acceptations and derivation of the word Lott of the division and distinctions of the severall sorts of Lots And of the definitions and descriptions of Lotts but especially the Divine Lott which is intended for the Subject of this Discourse CHAP. II.

despisers of his Divine direction remember the severe punishment that was inflicted by God upon Gorah and his Company And unto this people thou shalt say Thus saith the Lord Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death I call heaven and earth to witnesse I have herein set before you life and good death and evill choose therefore life that the Land may be preserved from Ruine Jer. 21.8 Deut. 30.19 Who is on the Lords side let them come unto the Lord cleave unto the Lord commit their cause to the Judgement sentence and decree of Justice it selfe the great Judge of heaven and earth who will in the first place settle Religion and Church-government in such fort as shall conduce to the glory of God Give to God the things that are Gods Exod. 32.26 and wil give to the King to Caesar the things that are Caesars in his just rights and prerogatives and to the Kingdome Parliament and People what is their just dues in Lawes Liberties Priviledges and properties by this divine holy happy way without effusion of blood or further Contention The Doves expressions and intentions being but sutable to the nature of Doves truly simple and innocent she desires the integrity of her meaning may not be blemished by mis-interpretation she is assured the Lott is a divine way of determining differences and a farre more holy and happy way then any of humane designment which her Author will be humbly ready before the right Honourable the high Court of Parliament or the reverend Assembly of Divines by divine authority to make good but the forme for the use thereof she leaves to the learned and religious to reform if they please Si qd novisti rectius istis Candidus nuperti si non haec temnere noli Having shewed though with much weaknesse how divine Lotts may be used and applyed for composing the present Controversies depending in Church State between his Majesty and his Parliament and the form of making and drawing the Lotts as the Lord was pleased to put into my mind a more pertinent compleat and perfect manner and way then which no doubt the wise and learned may find out It resteth now that somewhat be said touching the lawfulnesse holinesse and happinesse of this way of determing differences and of the Sacred necessity and conveniency of the use thereof in cases of greatest difficulty Civill or Sacred rather then the Sword or any other humane way or meanes not onely here but also throughout Christendome and all parts of the world where God Almighty is acknowledged as the great and just Judge in Heaven and Earth and how the holy use thereof may be an happy fulfilling of divers Prophecies in the book of God contained The lawfulnesse of this Sacred Ordinance I hope and believe no religious or learned man no good and true Christian will presume to oppose or deny especially in cases of such difficulty as by legall meanes cannot otherwise be happily justly and clearly decided and determined First in regard it is an holy Ordinance originally instituted by God himselfe for ending of differences And also an holy Oracle ordained for the discovery of hidden matters by humane indeavours inscrutable and uninvestigable as in the first chapter of this discourse is plentifully proved and confirmed by divine authority ancient and moderne Secondly because not onely the holy word of God doth likewise confirme the lawfulnesse of the use thereof by Gods speciall direction and the practise of the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles but also the opinion of the best Divines both ancient and moderne and the frequent and happy use thereof upon severall occasions both in former later and even in these times doe manifestly attest the same The Apostles use thereof cleares that Prov. 18.18 Isa 5.16 The Lord of Hosts shall be exalted in judgement and the holy God shall be sanctified in justice Isa 48.11 Let Mount Zion rejoyce and the daughters of Judah be glad because of his righteous judgements Psa 50.6 The heavens shall declare his righteousnesse for God is judge himself as in the second chapter appeareth Thirdly this is no Typicall thing or Ceremony of the old Leviticall law which by the comming of Christ vanished or was to be abrogated or abolished but is set downe and prefixed in the firmament of Gods word as most happy and usefull in a Maxime Axiome statute and Rule of morall and so perpetuall divinity among the Proverbs of Salomon which are no lesse Canonicall then any other part of holy Writ being all holy Canons of sound morall divinity as Master Cartwright a religious and learned Expositor of that Booke in his Preface thereunto affirmeth and if any shall object and say 't is there exprest as a prescription not a precept and so may be a matter of meere indifferency for to be used or not used I conceive under favour of the learned that all divine directions in Gods word may be said to amount not onely to instructions but even to Injunctions especially where the direction is given for use of any of Gods Ordinances and the ends of the use and practise thereof tends immediatly to the advancement of Gods glory and the good and happinesse of his Church and people As herein it must needs follow by making God the Judge and Peace-maker betweene his people which divine direction if they shall refuse to make use of amounteth to at least a contempt of this counsells if not a Rebellion against his command as it must be if Gods prescriptions ought to be received as precepts I put these cases if an obstinate Patient refuse the prescription of the learned Physitian all men will confesse he wilfully and deservedly suffereth losse of life The great Physitian of Heaven prescribeth a cure for our contentions if we neglect or reject it who can deny but porditio tua ex te Hos 13.9 ô Albyon will be a proper motto for so obstinate a Nation this destruction is of thy selfe O England but in God is thine helpe Againe in the other case resembling this of ours if a loving Master shall graciously offer himselfe to be Umpire Arbiter or Judge between his divided Servants to determine their differences and they shall ungratefully and ungratiously reject so Fatherly a favour and fall to the Sword what shall we call this but Contumatious disobedience if not Rebellion yea the Lord by his Prophet Isaiah is pleased to pronounce them Rebellious and that with a witnesse too even a woe therunto annexed Woe to the Rebellious that take counsell but not of me that cover with a covering but not by my spirit we ought not to believe but to try the spirits whether they be of God or no 1 Jo. 4.1 who brag so much of the spirit and yet dare take the Sword out of Gods hand and with confidence in the Arme of flesh in a sensuall divellish manner fly in the face of God by defacing his Image

VOX TURTURIS vel COLUMBA ALBA ALBIONIS THE VOICE OF THE TVRTLE OR ENGLANDS WHITE DOVE In the deluge of Division the second time sent forth from Gods Arke to present a Peace-offering upon the Altar of Jehovah Shalom Humbly proposing that divine direction which the God of Peace hath revealed in his Word of truth for determining Differences by an holy Ordinance of his owne Institution wherein himselfe is the sole Judge Proverbs 16.33 Prov. 18.18 Shewing how by this Divine way of Gods Judgement not onely the great differences here in Church and State depending may speedily and happily be determined with glory to God Honour to the King and happinesse to the Kingdomes but also all the greatest Controversies both Civil and Sacred throughout Christendome may be Composed the Effusion of Blood prevented Many Prophecies conducing to an universall Peace fulfilled the happy use of this holy Ordinance made knowne and the name of God thereby manifested and magnified among all Nations which by Cruelty and bloody Division is Blasphemed even among Heathens Per E.M. Arm. Christi servorum minimo minorem Should not a people enquire at their God to the Law and the Testimony if they speake not according to this word 't is because there is no light in them Isa 8.19 20. Hearken and give eare to me O my people for a Law shall proceed from me and I will bring forth my Judgement for the light of the people Isa 51.4 When I shall take a convenient time I will judge righteously the earth and all the Inhabitants thereof are dissolved but I will establish the pillars Psal 75.2.3 Per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedet Sicut enim Deus per Jethronem consulait ut causis levioribus ab aliis judicibus dijudicatis difficiles Moysis Cognitioni reservaretur Sic Deus instituit ut quae nulla cujusquam ingenii vi perspicientia causa dignosci posset ad se per sortim judicium deferretur Cartw. in Proverbs 16.33 LONDON Printed for T.W. 1647. To the Gentle Judicious religious Reader The humble addresse of the harmlesse Dove THis Dove like that of Noah at the first sending forth found no rest for the sole of her foot no place for her peace-offering as in Mesech and the tents of Kedar whilest the Dove perswades and pleads for peace proposed and pressed an holy and happy way of peace the Serpent prevented and perverted the progresse therof and preparation was made for war She looked and laboured for peace but there was no good and for the time of healing but behold trouble Jer. 14.19 The Land remained like a glassie sea mingled with fire Rev. 15.2 Every field of our Albyon so called quasi Olbyon because happy and pleasant was become like that place called Armagedon 1 craftinesse of destruction as it is interpreted Rev. 16.16 The whole land over-spread with waters of Marah and Meribah of bitter strife bloody division Waters like the fountaines on which the third Angell poured out his Vials and they became blood like the rivers of Egypt which was their first plague all turned into bloud or like that Sea on which the second Angell poured his Vials of wrath so that it became as the bloud of a dead man and every living thing died therein Rev. 16.3.4 So deplorable was this deluge of deadly dissentions Exod. 7.20.21 that the Rod horse and his rider who had power to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another c. Rev. 6.4 may be said to have run a race of ruine through this wretched Land and foure of those seven Angels which stood before God with seven trumpets might seeme to have sounded in these three sorrowfull Kingdomes Rev. 8. that seeming but a prophesie the performance whereof is manifested in our unhappy Calamities at the founding of the first of which Angels trumpet there followed haile and fire mingled with bloud which falling on the earth the third part of the trees and all green grasse was burnt up are not a third part of our trees our strong men our young men our provisions and fruits of the earth consumed The two staves of beauty and bonds are broken mentioned Zech. 11.7.10.11 the Bonds of unity and beauty of orderly government are broken and we may feare the breach of the staffe of bread comes marching towards us like Jehu furiously fearfully At the sounding of the second Angels Trumpet as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the Sea and part of the sea he came bloud and the third part of the living creatures which were in the sea died and the third part of the ships were destroyed In this mare mortuum and dead sea of dissentions 't is to be feared we have suffered shipwracke of at least the third part of our martiall men Munition and mony the three sinews of a State besides the decay of Trading and Merchandizing c. At the sounding of the third Angel there fell a great star from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon a third part of the rivers and fountains of waters and the name of the star was called Wormwood and the third part of the waters became wormwood and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter The Lord having permitted that grand Impostor the divell a dangerous deceiver from the beginning Lucifer in the shape of an Angell of light to mix wormwood with the fountaines of living waters the holy word of God Many men by the wormwood of mis-interpretation and gall of misapplication thereof have so imbittered those sweet and pleasant waters that they are to too many become aquae mortis destructive and deadly which in truth in themselves are the cleere Aquae vitae waters of life quickning and reviving the drooping dying soule At the sounding of the fourth Angel the third part of the Sun was smitten Christ the Sun of righteousnesse obscured by the pride and infidelity of men the third part of the Moon the Church and the third part of the Stars the Ministers and teachers so as the third part of them was darkened and the day was smitten that it shone not for a third part of it and the night likewise the light of the Gospell clouded by the night of blacke ignorance Alas I. om 4.1 2. how is the gold become dim how is the most fine gold changed the stones of the Sanctuary are poured out are scattered in every place in every corner of every street The sons of Zion comparable to fine gold how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers the worke of the hands of the potter The Prince the Peers the Priests all slandered and sleighted derided despised destroyed The whole Land is filled with bitternesse and made drunke with wormwood Lam. 3.15 Isa 51.19 20. The mighty have stumbled against the mighty and both are fallen together The whole body is sicke and the whole heart is heavy The Lord hath taken

Of the Persons places times manner and subject matter by whom where when how and upon what occasions Lotts have been may are or ought to be used CHAP. III. Of the manner how Divine Lotts may be applyed and happily used for determining the great differences depending between His Majesty and the Parliament and also all other dissentions fit to be decided by the Lords judgement by Lott in Church and State not onely in these Kingdomes but also throughout Christendome may be composed and reconciled And of the conveniency equality and necessity of this Divine way of concluding the Contentions of this Kingdome Shewing also how by the reviving of this Sacred way of Peace-making many Prophecies in holy writ may be fulfilled Errata Page 6. line 4. for It read the Feast of Purim Pag. 26. l. 10. read before next after mindes in the 11. line page 35. live 20. for Iizeh read Iireh Some other faults are escaped which the Reader in his discretion may reforme CHAP. I. Of the severall acceptions of the word LOT THE various acception of the word Lot as it hath produced severall observations thereupon so it hath met with many mis-interpretations therof for being in severall Languages diversly taken 't is thereby of many much mistaken Likewise the use of Lets being ancient and sacred hath in all Ages bin frequent among men of all sorts And having been so much in use by mans corrupt and irreligious carriage hath bin subject to much abuse Neither ought that to seem strange seeing there is no creature of Gods nor any ordinance be it civill or Sacred howsoever good and holy in it selfe but receiveth some sully if not a deep tincture from the defiled fingers of the unlawfull and irreverent users thereof from the foule hands of the illiterate ignorant or ungodly and superstitious abusers thereof or from the false and filthy tongues and pens of the cunning contemners and opposers and subtil supplanters of it Among such hath the lot for a long time suffered who for particular designes and ends of their own endeavour the utter abolition of this sacred Ordinance and seek to smother and obstruct the Sacred use thereof They cry down Gods divine way of determining differences to the end they may fish more freely in troubled waters and advance their own covetous and ambitious purposes plotts and destructive devices The Latine word sors signifying in English a Lot is often taken or rather mistaken for Casus fortuna accident Chance fortune accident hazard or the like as sors objecit mihi fortem Horat. And tuers sortem quam fortuna dedit Ovid. But this must needs be in an ignorant heathenish atheisticall sence as the Philistims 1 Sam. 6.9 their Priests and Southsayers when they advise to send away the Acke made them mark which way it went if to Bethshemesh then 't was God that plagued them with destruction by Emerods but if not then it was a Chance that happened unto them The wicked attribute almost all things to Fortune or Chance whereas indeed there is nothing done without Gods providence and decree Quod sapientibus piis singularis Dei providentia est id insipientibus profanis fortuna dicitur Downham in Ram. Dial. l. c. 5. Ignorantia causarum confuxis fortunam Lactant. instit lib. 3. c. 29. Folly error and blindnesse and as also Cicero confesseth in his Acad. quaest l. 5. the ignorance of causes brought in the name of Fortune When the event of the Lot which is onely in Gods disposall is attributed to Fortune which in very truth is it selfe but a mere fiction Sometimes 't is taken for Conjecture Divination Southsaying c. but in a sinfull and superstitious sence as ista vetula scit multa de sorte That old wife or witch seemes to know many things by the conjecture or by the superstitious use of Lots Ovid stiles Lots faticinae sortes And the Diviners Southsayers Fortune-tellers and superstitious abusers of this Oracle are stiled fatidici Darius pro sortibus usus ost hinnitu equi alii aspectu solis exorientis Pet. Mart. So the Lot sometimes is taken for Destiny Fate fatall necessity mysterie To facimus fortuna Deam coeloque locamus Juvenal Sometimes for possession property or right in a thing as Hierusalem fuit in sorte Benjamin Jos 18.28 Mic. 2.5 somtimes for Division and parition of lands by Lot Sometimes for succession of time either from the naturall Condition or Divine disposition there of Cum dies abscesserit noctemque sors reduxerit Sometimes 't is termed capitale the whole sum in a common banke or stock wherein many have part a principall sum of money borrowed or laid out to usury Quicquid accipitur ulira sortem usura est Etiam de sorte nunc venio in dubium Terent. 'T is also taken for a Prize prey booty reward had obtained given or gained 1 For charge office state condition any kind or course of life and for whatsoever befalls a man in any state course or condition of life Isa 17.14 Isa 57.6 The event however casuall in relation to the instrument yet falleth out certainly this or that by Gods wholly disposing the instrument 1 Sam. 14.41 Gratam sortem habemus Ovid We are content with our state or condition Status ex dispositione Dei pendens Sorte tua contentus abito Sorte tori gaudens Ovid. Rejoycing that shee was nobly married for the soboles divinitùs data the issue off-spring fruit of the body Saturni sors ego prima fui Ovid. I was the first child that Saturn had In marriage and children good or bad successe is sometimes said to be a Lot Oftentimes 't is taken for the judgement sentence and decree whereby any thing is adjudged and assigned to any one For the providence of God the answer of God the Oracle of God so Martìnius The vocation of the Elect here and their right to glory hereafter is said to be their Lot Ephes 1.4.5 Col. 1.12 Acts 1.16 Dan. 12.13 Thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot at the end of the dayes St. Augustine calls Predestination a Lot In holy Writ wee find that Almighty God was Consulted with and answers thereupon returned by Lot Thence even the very Heathen had an honourable esteeme of this holy Oracle Per sacras quaerere sortes Ovid Met. lib. 1. Tibull lib. 1. Ille sacras pu●ri sortester sustulit Heathen Poets giving it the name of Sacred shewing more reverence to Gods Ordinance then Christians doe in these times Sometimes Lot is taken for the signum quo sortimur instrumentum whereby the will of God is either lawfully or rashly sought out The Divinatorii calculi the signes notes or instruments by which Lottery is used and executed whether beans stones barks branches gold silver wax clay paper parchment or the like whereof the Lots are made Aret. de sorte and are termed in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sors Lot as Prov. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap c. Sometimes

Isa 42.10.11 12.44.23.25.29 27. Esa 59. Zech. 7.5 Almighty God at first revealed this holy and happy way to his own people only therefore David after he saith The lott is fallen unto me in a faire ground c. presently addeth I will blesse and praise the Lord who hath given me understanding to know and acknowledge so great mercies Isa 58.2 They seem to seeke me and delight to know my wayes as a Nation that did righteously and forsook not the ordinance of their God they aske of me ordinances of Justice they take delight to approach unto God c. 5 Cautions for Fasts that they be not performed singly and severally each side and party at severall times and for themselves severally and one against the other as hitherto it hath been which it may be feared hath caused God to with-hold his hand of mercy from us in regard we have without charity rather prayed for ruin then reconciliation one to another fasting for strife and debate to smite with the fist of cruelty having our hands defiled with blood God by his Prophet complaines of such fasts as also of the contemners of his Ordinance of Peace and Iustice Isa 58.2 our feet swift to shed bloud not knowing not willing to know the wayes of peace such fasts God hath not chosen with such sacrifices of bloud God is not well pleased Is 1.15 When ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when yee make many prayers I will not heare for your hands are full of bloud Your fasts feasts prayers praises Assemblies oblations sacrinces Sabbaths are all vain not valued but vilified not accepted not respected but rejected as hatefull detestable abominable Is 1.11 But our Fast must be an universall and unanimous Fast throughout the three Kingdomes joyning all in hearty prayer for the forgivenesse of the crying sins of the Kingdomes for the remission of the sins of each place and person therein and with single and sincere hearts forgiving each other forgetting all wrongs and renouncing all revenges even as God for Christs sake shall forgive us being members of one body whereof Christ is the head brethren in Christ God being the Father to whom alone belongeth revenge such sacrifice we may believe will prove acceptable In the second day that the like duties preaching praying and praising of God as on the first be performed religiously but Dove-like mourning and Bear-like roaring cannot well accord before the Lord We roar like Bears and mourne fore like Doves saith the Prophet Is 39.11 We look for judgement but there is none for salvation but it is far off Neither our praying fasting not preaching can prove acceptable in the sight of God the searcher of all hearts and tryer of reins unlesse the madness of our malicious minds be mitigated the hardnesse of our cruell hearts be mollified and the act of violence be out of our hands If we outwardly pretend to appear before God in the forme of Doves with a shew only of simplicity sorrow and innocence but in hearts be ravening Wolves stinging Serpents roaring Beares ready to teare and devour one another What fruit can fasting produce It is said 1 Chr. 10.13 14. of Saul that he died in his transgression which he committed against the Lord and his Word in that he asked not counsell of the Lord therefore he slew him and turned the Kingdome to David To put on the shew of a silly sheep the habit of a harm lesse Lamb yet inwardly to be subtill foxes and greeey wolves ready to supplant to worrey to r●●● to destroy one another cannot but make our fasts or other sacrifices rather detestable then delightfull rather abominable then acceptable this is not the fall that God hath chosen and we may justly feare that the Lord hath protracted our peace making with-held the happiness of union from us only for our Cain like cruelty bloudy-mindednesse to our brethren Our fasts have not found the hoped for fruit our prayers have not prevailed for Peace nor hath our preaching been prosperous in the purposes and thing whereunto it was sent and appointed In the Civill law all appeal is denied from the sentence of a Lott because it is the sentence of the Lord who hath no superiour That after the holy duties religiously performed to prevent revolting from the judgement which God shall give by Lotts and revenging private wrongs passed before between particular parties that all both Prince and people Commanders and Souldiers Pastors and Flocks unanimously joyn in Covenant with Almighty God willingly to submit to that judgement which God shall give by lotts without any repining repugnancy or resistance thereafter and really to remit all wrongs without retaining any malice or mentall reservation of revenge hereafter A judicio sortis appellari non potest Baldus Bartol Jason apud Go. 2. ad Taur Le. 38. Greg. Toloss appel l. 2. Hee shall call the heavens that hee may judge his people Psal 50.5 Call my Saints together unto me those that have made a covenant with me The heavens shall declare his righteousnesse for God is judge himselfe Nehem 10. A pattern for the Covenant Ezra 10.5 Exod. 19.5 6. If ye will keep my Covenant then shall ye be my chiefe treasure above all people and yee shall be unto me also a kingdome of priests and an holy Nation And whereas we have joyned in Covenant and association one side against the other even to the death and destruction one of another Now all make Covenant each with other una voce uno animo uno corde Altogether with heart tongues and hands in thoughts words and deeds to maintain and preserve the glory of God in the true Protestant Religion the honour of the King in his just rights and Prerogatives and the welfare of the State and Kingdome in the Lawes of the Land the Liberty and property of the Subject and priviledges of Parliaments according as Almighty God by this his judgement shall declare and decree to renew our league of brotherly love and Christian amity to live in love endeavouring by all possible meanes to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace all professing protesting and covenanting before Almighty God to defend and with their lives and estates to maintain Gods glory the Kings honour and the Kingdomes peace against revolters Jer. ●1 6 Proclaim all these words in the Cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem saying heare ye the words of this Covenant and do them v. 3. And say thou unto them thus saith the Lord God of Israel cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this Covenant 2 Chron. 15. When Israel had for a long time bin without God without a Priest and without the Law and there was no peace to him that went out or in but great vexations on all the inhabitants of the Countries Nation destoryed of Nation City of City and God did vex them with all adversity Asa their King

of the Lord a Judgement Sentence Decree Acts 17. God hath appointed a day in which he will judge c. Jer. 33.14.15 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will perform the good thing which I have promised c. I wil cause the branch of righteousnesse to grow up he shall execute judgement righteousnesse c. At that day a man shall look to his Maker and his eyes to the holy one of Israel and not to the Altar the workes of his hands or fancies of his own braines c. Isa 17.7 Acts 17.31 Jer. 25.15 16. Blood purged out of the mids of Jerusalem as the Lord promised Is 4.4 Isa 43.7 Jer. 31.19 It shall be to me a name a joy a praise and an honour before all the Nations of the earth Statute Law and Ordinance of the Lord wherby Christ Jesus may gaine glory to himselfe from all Nations of the earth by making them one flock under one Shepheard by the way of his owne judgement bringing Jewes and Gentiles Christians and Turks Heathens and Infidels to be of the same sheepfold under his government as by this Prophecy may be intended If Christ shall not faile till he have set Judgement on the earth Psal 94.15 Isa 42.4 viz. set all things in good order The whole earth for the most part especially Christendome being at this time in terrible tumultuous turmoiles combustions and bloody contentions concerning Religion and other matters of civill government Doubtlesse it may be a blessed fulfilling of this Prophecy if all the differences both concerning Church and State being truly stated were referred to the judgement and resolution of the Lord himselfe by this way of his owne prescription By this meanes the barbarous way of warre the heaviest of Gods judgements more fit for heathenish brutish people then Christians would be avoided effusion of bloud prevented and the glory given to the Lord alone to whom it is onely and justly due and for which end God made man and so the name of God being spread ever the face of the earth All Nations might be taught it and brought to the use of this blessed way of Reconciliation To difpise or neglect this way of the Lord and goe the way of cruelty and violence the way of the Sword is to change the Judgements of the Lord into wickednesse and to refuse and contemne the Judgements and Statutes of the Lord as the Lord by his Prophet complaines Ezek 5.5 6 7. Surely the way of Cain like cruelty Bloudy butchering of our Brethren can be no way acceptable but rather detestable to the God of Peace no satisfactory way of Judgement to the consciences of men no sound foundation whereon to settle Reformation or build the Church of Christ The judgement of Christ in this way of divine Lott will appeare more consonant to the Word and will of God more Pious and prosperous among men If we seriously consider these ensuing Prophecies Isa 9.5 6 7. Surely every battell of the warriour is with noise and with tumbling of Garments in blood but this shall be with burning and fuell of fire For unto us a Child is borne a Sonne is given the government is upon his shoulder and be shall call his name wonderfull Counseller c. the Prince of Peace The increase of his Government and Peace shall have none and Hee shall sit upon the Throne and kingdome of David to order and stablish it with Judgement and Iustice. Jer. 23.5 6. Jer. 33.14 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall raigne and prosper and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth In his day Judah shall be saved and Israel dwell safely and this is the Name whereby they shall call him the Lord our righteousnesse In cases of difficulty and difference the Prince of peace the wonderfull Counseller the true King of the Israel of God may well be a more competent and covenient Judge then the bloody Sword which though victorious yet cannot by its Conquest so convince the minds consciences of men as therby to invest the Conquerour with a true right and just title to things therby obtained Peace amity unity how pious how pretious how prosperous among Brethren both Gods Testaments are a plentifull testimony and if no Text to prove it might be produced yet the wofull experience of the want thereof would sufficiently confirme it But if jarres divisions dissentions dangerous doubtfull difficult arise as offences will and doe come why should not the determination thereof be referred to the judgement of Justice it selfe If the rod of Pride bud and spread and cause and raise contentions among the ambitious sonnes of men Then shall the bud of the Lord be beautifull and glorious Isa 11.1 And there shall come a rod out of the stock of Ishai on whom shall rest the Spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisdome and understanding of counsell and strength of knowledge c. And he shall judge but how not after the manner of men after the sight of his eyes or hearing of his eares But with righteousnesse and equity shall he judge the poore and meeke of the earth and hee shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth c. Isa 2.11 to the end The haughtinesse of men shall bee humbled Isa 11.1 the loftinesse of men shall be abased and the Lord onely shall be exalted in that day Cease yee from man whose breath is in his nostrills for wherein is hee to be esteemed Isa 3.13 14. The Lord standeth up to plead yea he standeth up to judge the people The Lord shall enter into judgement with the ancients of his people Isa 4.2 And what shall bee the fruits of his Judgement why Justice being the girdle of his loynes c. The wolfe shall dwell with the lambe the leopard ly down with the kid the calfe the lyon and fat beasts shall rest together and a little child shall lead them c. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all his holy mountaine his Church for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord c. Jer. 31.34 Blessed fruits of a more blessed stocke When the Lord shall wash the fi●●hinesse of the daughters of Zion and purge the bloud of Jerusalem out of the middest thereof by the spirit of judgement Isa 4.4 That Israel may be glad and the daughters of Judah rejoyce because of Gods righteous judgements Jer. 23.5 6. ●3 14.15 So shall the heathen feare when the Lord shall build up Zion and shall appeare in his glory vid. Zech. 4.6.6 12 13.15.8.21 Jer. 33.9 Psa 165.12 cause his power to be knowne to the sonnes of men c. If a bitter root bearing wormwood and gall shall be found among you to whom will ye seeke for health and helpe why in that day the root of Ishai shall stand up for a signe unto the people and the Nations shall seeke

were not governed by the word of God and the rules thereby prescribed he did wickedly a●d was therefore justly reproved and also punished And wee may remember what befell Vzza for but irreverently looking into the Arke procul hinc proculite prophani God alowes to Caesar the things that are Caesars but reserveth the things of God for God Gods worke ought to be done in Gods way humane helpes humane might meanes manner in divine matters God expects not respects not Humane Formes Rules Traditions Directions Instruments or Agents not warranted by Gods word in the execution or use of divine and spirituall affaires actions or ordinances are no where commanded no where commended but rather condemned God hath helped you marvellously untill yee are become mighty As David told his Pinces 1 Chro. 22.5 We must build an house for the Lord magn●ficall excellent and of great fame and dignity throughout all Countries and yee are about a mighty worke the worke of Reformation of Christs Church God hath sent his Prophets among you to bring you unto the Lord as he did 2 Chronicles 24 19. to Judah and Jerusalem and they make their protestations among you call heaven and earth ●o witnesse that except yee follow the Lords directions herein yee will transgresse highly and run into an heavy primunire forfeiture of his favour incurring the penalty of his displeasure and so be grievously punished as Vzzah was for medling with the Priests office Christs office the high Priest if I may so say and Pastor of the soules of his Saints who is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech and for usurping his office you will have none honour of the Lord God They tell you the worke of Reformation is most sutable to the Redeemer and a worke not lesse then nor inferiour to that of our Redemption and therefore 't is a worke more fit for the hand of the supreame head of his Church even Christ Jesus then any humane power and to seeke to take that divine worke out of his Almighty hand will prove a transgression of an high nature and so doth the word of truth tell you 2 Sam. 7.14 to deprive him of his honour will be rather prejudiciall then propitious to your proceedings They tell you that David a man after Gods owne heart 1 Chron. 22.8.9 1 Chron. 28.3.6 was not permitted to build a materiall typicall Temple made with hands because his hands had been in blood and yet surely his warres were undertaken for Gods cause by Gods direction and against Gods enemies Thou hast shed much blood and made great battells thou shalt not build an house unto my Name for thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight Behold a sonne is borne to thee 2 Chro. 27.9 which shall be a man of rest for I will give him rest c. therefore his name is Salomon and I will send peace and quietnesse upon Israel in his dayes He shall build an house for my Name Thus said the Lord to David and thus say the Lords Prophets to you as Oded a Prophet of the Lord once said to the Israelites in a case of this nature Behold because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with your brethren of Judah he hath delivered them into your hand and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven And now ye purpose to keepe under the children of Judah and Jerusalem as servants and handmaids unto you but are you not such that sinnes are with you before the Lord your God you have made great Battells against your brethren 1 Chr. 22.5.8 c. and shed much of their blood upon the earth in the fight of the Lord because therefore your hands have been in blood yee shall not build 〈◊〉 house to the Lords Name The worke is great the house is not for man but for the Lord God Yee cannot yee shall not build the Temple of the Lord yee shall not settle Religion in or by blood But divine Salomon the Prince of peace he shall build an house for the Arke of God a Temple for the Lord he is a man of rest God will give him rest and he will give rest to his Church in due time from their Enemies and send peace and quietnesse upon Israel In rest and quietnesse shall they his Israel be saved their strength is to sit still and waite the salvation of God by Christ he is our peace the government of peace is upon him his Church his Saints his servants wait for Reformation of errors and Reconciliation of all differences from his Wisdome Judgement Sentence and Decree and consulting onely with Christ in cases of weighty consequence not fit for flesh and blood to determine pray with divine David Let my sentence come forth from thy presences That mount Zion may heare and be glad Psal 84.11 and the daughters of Judah rejoyce because of thy righteous judgements Psal 97.8 Say among the Heathen that the Lord raigneth the World also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall judge the people righteously How beautifull are the feet of those that bring tydings of Peace that declare and publish salvation saying to Z●●● the Lord raigneth no perfect peace but where the Lord is King and Judge Who will build up Ziou and then appeare in his glory c. Psal 102.15 16. So the Heathen shall feare his Name and the Kings of the earth his glory And now having humbly proposed to you though with much weakness Gods way for advancement of his glory by composing Controversies and setling Peace I shall shut up with the prayer and advice of holy David to his sonne Salomon and ●o the Princes of Israel 1 Chron. 22.12 13. The Lord give you wisdome and understanding and give ye charge over Israel even to keepe the Law of the Lord God Then shall you prosper if you take heed to observe the Statutes and the Judgements which the Lord commended Moyses for Israel And to the Princes of Israel ver 9. Now set your hearts and your soules to seeke the Lord your God and arise and so build the Sanctuary of the Lord God Psa 147.14.19.20 c. He setteth peace in thy borders c. He sheweth his Word his statutes hiss judgements to his chosen Israel he hath not dealt so with every nation neither have they known his judgements And touching the respecting or rejecting of Gods counsells wayes and judgements be pleased to peruse the first and second chapter● of Proverbs prescribed by the Pen of the Goly Ghost in the hand of Salomon I called they refused none regarded they would none of my judgements but set at nought my counsels Therefore shall they eat of the fruits of their owne way and be filled with their owne devises c. But if they will receive my words c. then shall they understand righteousnesse judgement and equity and every good way discretion shall preserve them understanding keepe them and judgement deliver them from every evill way FINIS