commands to set them in right order again But that remains in a dead letter and it is not faithfully handled nor universally applyed for the Priests have been partial in the Law They have kept back some part of it and have not made known the whole counsel of God unto the People And also according to the marginal reading of Mal. 2. 9. They have accepted Faces by applying it superficially and favourably to the higher sort of People As they have done and do not cease to justifie the Wicked for Reward for some Place or preferment either already bestowed or in hope and expectation to be given And so it comes to pass that Gods faithful Messengers who have appeared in their several Generations as singular are persecuted and prosecuted Now God doth lie still and hide himself to see what the Children of Men will do Though it is the secret continued Prayer of his Elect and Servants Arise O God Judge the Earth for thou shalt inherit all Nations Psal 82. 8. Yet He will not before the appointed time But his Law is given in the mean while and he doth prove the doings of the Children of Men. There hath been a long and continued controversie in the World throughout former Generations and in all Nations and the same continues at this day not only amongst Heathens Mahometans Papists but to our greater shame even in the more pure reformed Churches and at this very instant is in the Land of our own Nativity the Substance whereof is to this following effect Whether the Laws of God or man shall have the superiority and take place Whether his Light is to be extinguished and his Truth stifled which he would send out Psal 43. 3. if it should reprove the Darkness and Wickedness that is in Palaces and great Houses or manifest the Error of their corrupt ways But mention is made vers 1. of an ungodly Nation and a deceitful and unjust Man They would ungod him if they could reach up and pull down the High and Lofty One or lead away captive as hath been done with dumb Idols the living and Almighty God But because that is not in their Power They will do as far as is suffered They act in opposition to the Father of Lights James 1. 17. and do what lieth in them to prevent the rising of the Sun of Righteousness and afterwards stop out the shining Thereof When he that dwelleth between the Cherubims would shine forth Psal 80. 1. They will hinder it what they can But God doth suffer it so far for the next thing is he will stir up his strength vers 2. and then poor Creatures who now provoke the Lord to Jealousie will find that they are not stronger then he in this their short time they will not bear that word which convinces of Sin and Unrighteousness But how then will they endure his Indignation and Punishment which that was to warn them of and put them in a way how they might escape Even thy Truth O my God Psal 71. 22. is called a false and feigned libel if it doth discover their own Falshood and Hypocrisie And it must skulk about in Corners or be conveyed in a secret place though there is stampt upon it the Image and superscription of the Great and Invisible King but they are fearful Rev. 21. 8. to own and confess it before the World for they fear the Displeasure of Men more then the Displeasure of God They would have Gods service be brought down to Mans purposes and be so modelled as to be made consistent with the foolish policy and misapprehended welfare of a Nation These things are strange to mention but themselves know that their inward Thought Pride and Rebellion of Heart is that though they will acknowledge with their Tongue and Lips that the Most high ruleth over the Kingdoms of Men and his Dominion is above and over all yet they would have it so far come under theirs That if Gods Laws are contrary and not agreeable to humane constitutions They must not be spoken of Amos 7. 13. nor laid before our Princes and our Priests our Lords and Counsellers for fear of Punishment and being prosecuted as one against the Government when themselves in this very thing are against the Government of their God Alas How do a small Number of Grashoppers here on the Earth think of and would do towards the great Lord of the World How do men that shall die and must appear before him in judgment demean themselves towards him now they are but a little while in the way Arise O Lord let not man prevail let the Heathen be judged in thy sight Put them in fear O Lord that the Nations may know themselves to be but men Psal 9. 19 20. Again thus much is signified by what is written He ruleth by his Power for ever his Eyes behold the Nations let not the Rebellious exalt themselves Psal 66. 7. And though the Nations be never so angry yet now is the time come that God shall take to himself Psal â—â—â—â— Great Power and Reign A little opening and appearance thereof doth now begin in this place and Nation which will be likewise followed in the Habitable parts of the Earth For the matter of contention is not so much between the two Kings who are both Pot-sherds of the Earth and shall each of them severall be brought down to the bars of the Pit although now they have their Armies and cause their Terrour in the Land of the Living Cease ye from man whose Breath is in his Nostrils for wherein is he to be accounted of We ought utterly to draw off from the Persons of each and not to have them in admiration and not name them more then needs must for by so doing men do forget and lose the knowledge and fear of the Lord and are not so sensible of the Glory of his Majesty and infinite Greatness But the thing which the Lord doth require of our Land is that she do not depart from and for sake his Eternal and Immutable Rules of Judgment and Righteousness and that his People be very couragious to keep and to do all that is written in the Law of Moses that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left Josh 23. 6. So whatever is further commanded in the Book of Psalms the Writings of the Prophets and the Gospel of Christ declared by the Evangelists and Apostles All things are to be done according to his revealed Will now a little before he ariseth to shake terribly the Earth for the Word of the Lord is right and all his Works are done in truth he loveth Righteousness and Judgment Psal 33. 4. 5. Righteousness shall go before him and shall set us in the way of his Steps Psal 85. 13. Gods Work ought to bâ— done in his own prescribed method according to what is written which is so plain and easie to be understood that wayfaring men though Fools
shall not err therein unless they run out of willing and set purpose Whereas heretofore we were disobedient and did not all things according to the Pattern shewed us we are to acknowledge our Iniquity and Transgression and from henceforth sorever we and our Children are to promise unto the Lord and keep it to do according as he hath said and commanded in his Word which we ought in like manner to obey as if we heard his Voice from Heaven As we daily Pray so we are likewise to do lest we be found Mockers and Dissemblers with God and have our portion with Hypocrites and Unbelievers his will on Earth Which again is not to be measured by what is acted on this stage of Sin and Confusion or publickly done in the place where Satan's Seat and Kingdom is but as it is clearly written and manifestly revealed by the Word and Spirit of God which came down from above and knoweth what is God's will And what is done in Heaven the fanie is expected here In the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Word shall be established and we have three holy Men of God who were moved by the holy Ghost and give attestation and confirmation to the same thing He is the Rock his work is perfect for all his ways are Judgment a God of Truth and without Iniquity just and right is be Deut. 32. 4. The Works of his Hands are Verity and Judgment and all his Commandments are sure They stand fast forever and ever and are done in Truth and Vprightness Psal 111. 7 8. By this it appears that our late Revolution is none of God's work in which he is well pleased For I the Lord love Judgment I hate Robbery for burnt Offering and I will direct their work in Truth and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with them Isa 61. 8. So that if People would do the work of God and come to settlement and stability of Times they must only use such means all along as are good true just and lawful and none others These are to be known by God's Law only for as aforesaid that is the supream Rule of Good and Evil Truth and Falshood Right and Wrong And if thence it doth appear that this Nation hath trespassed against their God Isa 58. 2. and have forsaken and resisted his Ordinance by putting down that Power which is asserted Rom. 13. 1. to be of God though it was an Heathen at the very time If this be a Sin and Transgression then there is no hope to avoid the present Displeasure and escape the future Punishment of God otherwise than by making a Covenant with our God and by restoring the King to his right and henceforward to tremble at the Commandments of our God and lâ—t it be done according to his Law Ezra 10. 3. The Laws of God are to be set before People and they are to be exhorted to the Observance of them but still men have their Liberty and full Freedom of Action If they will not do so out of Conscience and Obedience to God they may let it alone Or to speak plainly deliberately and truly in the Gentile dialect choose and be damned according to what they have done and involved themselves in from Rom. 13. 2. It is at their own Peril and Danger The divine Promises and Threatnings are to be used only but no outward force and compulsion for the right Christian Religion doth not allow of any And here is a Threatning as true as Gospel which lies expresly against the Nation and People of England * Which I would not have against my own particular Person for ten thousand Kingdoms or the greatest Places of Honour and Profit and I would more fear it than to dye an hundred Temporal Deaths The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Vnrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Vnrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. It is only revealed and made known here but it is to be executed and felt in another Place So though We are in the true Reformed Religion yet We are not under the aforesaid Penalty to continue and practise any Unrighteousness towards our King who is a Member of a false superstitious and corrupted Church Thou that abborrest Idols dost thou commit Sacriledge So they should not commit any Injustice Wrong Sin or Evil. Thou that makâ—st thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law Dishonourest thou God for the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you In this National Corruption there have been no less than five Laws of the second Table expresly violated as by Dishonouring of and Disobedience to Parents Committing of Murder Theft bearing False Witness Coveting and taking possession of anothers Inheritance who was greater than Naboth and his inferiour did it Again if the solemn Oath hath been despised and the Covenant broken whereof God alone is to judge and determine of both sides then as sure as God is which is as evident as the Heavens He created and we see or that he laid the Foundations of the Earth which we tread on so certainly will He recompence it upon their own Head Unless all this is prevented by true and unfeigned Repentance in order to which it is necessary not only to be sorry or secretly to bewail but further to undo the Fault as much as it can be And as God was dishonoured publickly in like manner to regain his Favour They should publickly acknowledge their Iniquity to their God that they have transgressed against him by forsaking his Ordinance despising his Oath and breaking his Covenant To speak after the manner of men That God should have repair for his hurt Majesty which they offended and despised and also have Glory given unto him by confessing their own shame for we must do as much to reconcile our selves to an offended God as the Great Ones of the Earth require from all that displease them And this is the true design and end of Confession Those Things done in Private may be there acknowledged but in other Things the acknowledgment should be altogether as Publick as the sin was according to Lev. 26. 40. Josh 7. 19. Ezra 10. 2 3 10 11. Mark 1. 5. Acts 19. 18. And where any thing hath been taken away from any man by False Accusation He is to be restored to it again and the very Truth of all Things to be brought out and to be known openly before the World It might be so ordered and consented unto That They have Deputies faithful couragious and learned to implead one another before the Great Council of the Nation and Witnesses examined upon Oath of both sides Which would be a more Christian and Rational way than to lead forth Armies to push at and gore one another like a Multitude of Bulls and Calves of the People Psal 68. 30. Man was born more naked and unarmed than those dull Creatures but they have found Instruments of Death to knock down and butcher
wayes and that Sinners may be converted unto God then the Truth of God is come unto you Though according to the Divine Method it may spring up from an obscure press and compiler and remain for some time hidden and concealed from the World for People are ashamed of such Words in an adulterous and sinful Generation and they hate the Light neither come they to the Light lest their deeds should be reproved The Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1. 5. It doth not see and perceive and also it is afraid and shrinks thereat And also there is the whole Truth spoken out without fear and respect of Persons and without favour of and siding with any Sect or party and also the time is come when they will not endure sound Doctrine for these and such like Reasons only it hath been universally rejected and not received I have all my Life time kept constant Communion with the Church of England and have daily frequented its publike Worship as I have opportunity and do at least thrice in the Year receive the Holy Sacrament according to the appointed Institution I have been also some few times since the Established Liberty at the Congregations of Protestant Dissenters and herein I do act pursuaâ—t to that Truth Manifested in the fifth Chapter of my afore-cited Book under the head of different communions But I did never in the least joyn with the Popish way of Worship nor did ever so much as see it which I have had the curiosity only to incline me so far but I thought even that to be a sin and unlawful because of their Superstition and Image Worship and therefore I did utterly refrain I do desire and would endeavour after a Greater degree of purity and reformation even in our established Church for it should be yet more freed from the Ordinances and Commandments of men Though I do withal consider that the Restorer of Paths to dwell in Isa 58. 12. is only to take away that rubbish and corruption which hath so long laid in them that they may be smooth right and plain as they were at first and they are to remain the very same for we are to come up again to the old Paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. The Wall is in no wise to be removed nor yet the Foundations altered but the old waste places are to be builded and they are to be raised up and the breach is to be repaired and all is to be done in the very same place We would not willingly bring a Scandal or Odium or Dishonour them in the sight of their several Congregations but yet the Sons of Levi are to be purified that they may offer unto the Lord an Offering in Righteousness and that they might be the same as in the dayes of Old and in former Years when they did Teach Jacob thy Judgements and Israel thy Law and the Lord did accept the work of their Hands When they did walk before him in Peace and Equity and did turn many away from Iniquity And now the fault is only in themselves for why should they do those things as to be contemptible and base before the People As their office is to admonish the People of their Sin and Errour so God in his abundant Care and Provision for his Church hath all along instructed and raised up others who were not of the Levitical Priesthood to do the like unto them also It seems to be Ignorance or Interest that People are so over zealous for and confined within a particular Church or such a Congregation whereas we should acknowledge and answer to no other Name than that of a Christian not according to the common notions thereof but as it is written in the Word of God by living according to all the Rules and directions there And then we might all agree to the same manner and meet at the same place of Worship A summary of the proceeding Discourse Both the secret Thought and open accusation of the World are affixed on Me for Publishing such Words unto them This man seeketh not the welfare of this People but the hurt Jer. 38. 4. He that conquers Kingdoms and enlarges Territories is reputed a Great Instrument of Mens Happiness though it is accomplished with the Price of Blood and by unlawful means and the utmost hereof is a shadow only of Good which just passeth by and is gone for ever But they are the only unacceptable Persons to the World who instruct People how they must live and do that they may be saved and lead them into the right way that they may live as Peaceably and comfortably here as can be well desired in this World and at last be Happy and Blessed throughout all eternity Men need not be in the least scrupulous and fearful as to this present time for these Words if understood aright would prevent that further effusion of Blood in our neighbour Nations And one Mans Life if he knew how rightly to esteem it is more valuable to himself than two Kings and their Kingdoms They according as is was long since foretold of them 1 Sam. 8. do turn their Subjects into Servants and make use of the lower sort of People for their Wars but they have not so learned of Christ for of him it is written He shall spare the Poor and needy and shall save the Souls of the needy He shall redeem their Soul from Deceit and Violence and precious shall their Blood be in his sight Psal 72. 13 14. The same eternal Word and Truth would put a stop to the further impoverishment which is likely to fall on our own Nation through continued taxes and charge which would some what take off from the Oppressi-of the Poor and the sighing of the Needy for that is drained out which should carry on Trade and Commerce The Spirit of God doth take notice of such things as may be seen Isa 23. 18. And then the Seas might be set open again that People may follow their lawful Merchandize with less fear and Danger And then again the like Way and Method may be found out to restore unto all Natiâ—ns Vnity Peace and Concord which we pray for as a Blessing so we should likewise endeavour after out of a mind to the publick good That there be no breaking in nor going out That there be no complaining in our Streets Psal 144. 14. Which would be in Deed and in Truth accomplished If as they do already own and profess him so the Kings and Princes and Lords and Counsellers and Pastors and Teachers of all sorts would obey the Lord our God and do according to all his Laws and Statutes If they do not their Sin will find them out severally and as they are joyned together in a community for the time draws near when He will fulfil his Word for the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall Perish Yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted Isa
is the alone Prerogative of God for He knoweth all things and searcheth the Heart that not the least Thing can be hid or concealed from him Whereas we only perceive a little according to the exact Truth but much more in a false and imperfect manner by doubtful Report and mistaken Observation And then we cannot throughly apprehend a thing wherein many are concerned so we can give no perfect Judgment and Determination God hath taken the like method for the exercise and administration of his Kingdom and Dominion over Men as our Kings and Governours over their several Countries And he hath a Book for his Government over all the Nations and Families of the Earth high and low rich and poor together as our Statute and Common Law is for England and their civil canon or municipal Laws for other Nations His Word is given unto Mankind to be a Rule for their Actions and a Law for them to live and be governed by and from that we are allowed and commanded to Reprove all manner of Sin and Transgression as any one now doth Lev. 19. 17. take notice or speak of what is done contrary to the Government and Laws of this Nation which is esteemed no fault but rather commendable and a Duty The same is and ought much more to be in things pertaining to God and so likewise would be if there was amongst us the like Zeal for and Knowledge of him that is invisible who fills Heaven and Earth with his Presence as now there is regard for the Son of Man whom we see to be little and to fade as a Leaf But this is to be understood for the Fear and Instruction of some and for the Comfort of others That God is not confined to the Imaginations and Sayings of Men If some speak smooth things and prophesie Deceits and others too hard Speeches and mistaken Applications The Judge himself will not ratifie what they say but condemns whom man absolves as again acquit whom man condemns For he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth He shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his Truth Psal 96. 13. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged out of those Things which were written in the Books according to their Works Rev. 20. 12. This according to the Decree of the Eternal and unchangeable God is as certain and True as if it were already past and fulfilled As Judges and Justices of Gaol delivery do try Prisoners by the statute Book of this Realm at those Assizes which are holden twice a year so at this general Grave delivery which is to be kept once for all The dead Bodies of all People of every Place and Generation since Man was Created on the Earth shall arise and we shall all be judged by Christ and his Saints according to those Words written in the Bible And this according to the plain and common sence and understanding of the same Words Behold in this they are not just I will answer all mine Accusers and Enemies that God is greater than Man and so much do his Laws exceed theirs Wherefore do I mention that God is greater than Man In comparison of him the Nations are as a drop of a Bucker and are counted as the small dust of the Balance It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the Earth and the Inhabitants thereof are as Grashoppers We shall find and know that He bringeth the Princes to nothing He maketh the Judges of the Earth as Vanity Notwithstanding the People have more regard to them because they are seen and their utmost Power is known then they have to Almighty God who is not seen and whose Punishment is threatned But though God is not seen yet his Works are And how Great must He be who built this vast House of the World and created all things therein What is the Wrath of a Worm of five or six foot long to the * Isa 59. 15. Displeasure of Him who hath Heaven for his Throne and the Earth for his Footstool What is a single Individual or an Assembly of Men who dwell in Houses of Clay that they should when met in Council as yet exalt themselves to do according to their own will notwithstanding Gods Commandment to the contrary If not to speak Exod 9. 17. out because they profess that they know God but in Works deny him yet to think and act Marvellous things against the God of Gods Dan. 11. 36. And in this they are worse then him here spoken of or Pharoah for he knew not who was the Lord that he should obey him What is abomination of Heart they imagine to be bravery of mind that they can and are for doing things otherwise and as it were hinder that his will be not done here on Earth Which argues the exceeding sinfulness of sin with the infinite guilt and demerit thereof and it shall be punished with proportionable Condemnation Misery They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression They speak loftily They set their Mouth against the Heavens their Tongue walketh through the Earth therefore his People return hither and Waters of a full Cup are wring out to them Psal 73. 8 9 10. By the height and breadth and depth of such kind of Transgression we may judge of the length of future Torments Whose Thoughts were thus exalted to Heaven their Souls shall be thrust down to Hell Shall not God search this Luk. 10. 15. out for He knoweth the secrets of the Heart the innermost Thoughts and most hidden Imaginations Even now he looks down from the Habitation of his Holiness and is not far from every one of us for at this very moment He both sees and hears all that we are talking of or doing in our Houses and several places of abode And so He hath done all along of this Generation of Men now living as He did of those before we were born We read of Him in his Word for the Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lords a great God a Mighty and a Terrible which regardeth not Persons nor taketh Reward Deut. 10. 17. We have a sence and aw and dread of Him upon our minds we may know and perceive his Laws written in our Hearts and inward Parts by laying open our Conscience as in his sight and by communing with our own spirit when we are for a little while silent in our Chamber and somewhat freed and separated from the Things of this World All these wayes God doth shew and manifest himself unto Mankind so that they are without excuse This may be thought proper to instruct and convert Heathens or the neighbouring Nations which do grovel in the darkness of Popish ignorance but doth not seem so applicable to our own Countrey where the Scriptures are read and preached in a known
out one single Truth And then opposite to Truth and Reason are Falshood and Imagination We may evidently perceive that all things are Gods and that his Word is perfect and true for that speaks of every thing according to its Nature either in express Words or just Consequence though this is many times hidden and not discernable which belong to mankind from the greatest to the least except what may be known from our selves and the most common observation So all is but vain and deceitful Words which do not spring up nor may be gathered from this ground of Truth This is left as a standing Rule to try the Doctrines whether they be of men or no. And we may further know Truth by the Understanding which is given us for Truth if it be clearly apprehended hath a full conviction over the Heart and Conscience Notwithstanding the shifts and tricks the disputing and crafty eluding â—et there doth remain a firm perswasion in the mind which cannot be â—â—t off When the Spirit of the mind suggests to the man This is the verâ— Truth it is exceeding dangerous to resist or do despite to that to be â—â—â—bborn against or despise it to forget or be willingly Ignorant And hence we may learn to take a judgment and estimation of the Wisdom of man's Words fine Flourishes smooth Language or of notional unnecessary things which may delight a little but perish in the Reading there is nothing in them and it is all blown away as Chaff But more especially are we to take heed of the Leaven of the Pharisees which they mingle amongst and thereby corrupt the Bread of Life viz. their several kind of Glosses Distinctions and their own Inventions meer human Expositions and Traditions Many ignorant People give more regard to the Opinions and Sayings of such a Rabbi or Teacher than to what Christ the Prophets and Apostles speak or even what God himself speaketh by them Indeed there was at first appointed a Peculiar and distinct Office of Men to turn his People away from Iniquity Mal. 2. 6. and to turn them to Righteousness Dan. 12. 3. But instead thereof They strengthen the Hands of Evil-doers that None doth return from his Wickedness Jer. 23. 14. And either conceal or flatter them in Unrighteousness and sooth them up in the committing of those things of which God hath said The Soul that sinneth it shall dye Ezek. 18. 4. They are rather Men-pleasers and yet that is a sad way of pleasing men to lead them blindly on to eternal Misery then the Servants of Christ for as he taxed the Pharisees of old time so do these now reject the Commandment of God that they may keep in favour with the chief Princes of this Nation For Moses said Honour Mâ—rke 7. 10 11 12 13. thy Father and thy Mother and whosoever curseth Father or Mother let him dye the Death But ye will excuse and vindicate and justifie if the Children shall not only take away the Right and Inheritance of the Father but after they have taken Possession they proceed to Kill and Murder as carrying on unjust Wars is intentional Murder all along And this is that they may be profitted though the outward pretence is for the Protestant Religion against Popery Whereas if it were really so yet if ye had a right knowledge of the Glory and Work of the Lord The One is not to be advanced nor the other carried on by sinful means It is a wrong and contrary Method to build up Zion with Blood and Jerusalem with Iniquity Micah 3. 10. But our Priests and Prophets do not exhort them to do Right and Equity to their Father Making the Word of God of none effect through your own Expositions which ye have delivered and many such like things doye God is my Witness whom I serve in â—he Gospel of his Son and as I hope for any Mercy at his Hand I do here declare That what I have already and do now hereâ—â— is also out of a greater Zeal and Emulation for the Truth and â—xcellency of the pure Reformed Religiâ—â— which at this day â—eâ— under much Scandal and Reproach by falsification of an Oath and manifest Unrighteousness This Zeal of mine is according to Knowledge and the certain direction of God's written Word both of the Old and New Testament For we are not to use Oppression nor exercise Robbery nor oppress the Stranger wrongfully Ezek. 22. 29. See the next Verse I will be a swift Witness against the Strangers and against those that Oppress the Fatherless and that turn aside the Stranger from his Right Mal. 3. 5. We ought to give no occasion that the Way of Truth be evil spoken of We are to have our Conversation honest amongst the Gentiles and to walk as the Children of God without rebuke Recompence to no man Evil for Evil Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good Rom. 12. 17. 21. as such is the design of the Law and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles If our Ways and our Doings are contrary God sees it and it displeased him that there was no judgment Isa 59. 15. And some one or more should appear forth publickly to testifie against this National Sin and Corruption What I have done herein was to clear a great point which is to manifest the Most perfect Holiness and Vprightness of God who doth not allow to do Evil that Good may come As God is Righteous in all his Ways and Holy in all his Works so according to his certain promise Judgment shall return unto Righteousness and all the Vpright in Heart shall follow it Psal 94. 15. So that it is not a matter of Indifferency what any one thinks or speaks or doth herein but we are to side with the King Immortal Invisible and only Wise God against this Transitory World the Folly Falshood and Corruption which are seen therein We ought to search and enquire diligently what is written and to speak and do as We that shall be judged by the Law of God in Scripture Not giving so much heed to them whom the Word saith and Experience confirmeth But ye are dâ—parted out of the way ye have caused many to stumble at the Law ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi saith the Lords of Hosts Mal. 2. 8. whose assertion may soâ—â—er be believed than their own Vindication They may be more properly stiled followers of Mahomet than of Moses or Christ for these were faithful in all their House But they according to the Impostors Doctrine will call such a thing an especial Providence and Immediate Deliverance sent by God though the means by which it came to pass are against his express Word and written Revelation But what if some that handle the Law know not God shall this diminish from the Righteousness of God or take away from the Purity and Uprightness of his Law God forbid yea let God be true and every man a Lyar as it is written That thou
likewise he will stir up the Hearts of more for one may be an hundred and to ten may succeed a thousand who will in like manner fully accomplish what is here imperfectly begun for I do only speak out the thoughts of thousands and what the Conscience of all even mine Enemies being Judges doth assent unto And though others by reason of Unbelief and Distrust fear and the distates of fleshly wisdom are Isa 56. 10. quiet and still so that as in the dayes of Elias I do appear alone Rom. 11. 3. and they account me a Fool or a Mad man because I know whom I have believed I can stay on my God as to the present and discern his Promises as to the suture I will go in the Strength of the Lord God I will make mention of thy Righteousness even of thine only Psal 71. 16. And I do here affirm that if I were not hindred by the Devil and his visible Instruments who have already twice cast me into Prison that I might be tryed Rev. 2. 10. God knows only what may be done yet further as to mine own Person but I trust as he sits above and is the Almighty God King of all Kings and Governour of all things whose Power no Creature is able to resist So he will over-rule all and manifest that he is stronger and will prevail And then if his Word hath free Utterance and Passage it will do yet more then Armies and Fleets national Laws and meer humane constitutions For it will Rebuke the Company of Spear-men and scatter the People that delight in War and break their cords and snap their bands asunder And the same Spirit may be again revived who through Faith subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtained Promises stopped the Mouths of Lyons Heb. 11. 33. It is observoble how the Holy Ghost expresseth it here and also Psal 15. 2. Isa 32. 17. Asts. 10. 34. by the phrase of working Righteousness for that implies Labour difficulty and succession of time It must be worked out and way made as we use to say in common speaking And though the Enemy who lets may here again surmise that this is a troublesome spirit which must be taken off in the beginning and utterly extinguished before it speads too far for at this rate we shall never have any Peace or Quiet Yet let them know that here the Heathen do rage and the People imagine a vain thing as quite to suppress it and they think falsly that it will put things out of order He still and know that there is a God above who will continue to send out his Light and his Truth till it over-spreads and prevails over the Face of the whole Earth And whoever in the mean while shall endeavour to quench and stifle it this is direct walking contrary Lev. 26. 21. and striving with their Maker And it â—hall be at length upon them as a consuming Fire to devour its Adversaries and they shall find it is hard to kick against the Pricks The more they oppose Truth it will strike deeper and wound and lay them in a greater condemnation All the World must be subject unto God If People do not provoke him to Anger he will do you no hurt Jer. 25. 6. He is not a terrour to single Persons Families or Nations unless they do that which is evil and transgress his Laws and then by further Restlesness and Provocation they draw a much greater severity of his threatnings and punishment on themselves Wilt thou not be afraid of the Government of God over the World as he doth exercise the same by the still Voice of his Word and Spirit Do that which is good Righteous then thou shalt have the approbation of our God at the present time to which succeeds an eternal reward All People High and Low Rich and Poor or whoever they be had better be Obedient and Submissive under this Almighty Power who sitteth King for ever Psal 29. 10. For they might live as contentedly under him as Subjects under the most Lawful Excellent Prince Children under the most loving just wise Father Servants under the best of Masters Whereas it people be never so impatient and toss to fro it is to no purpose but to gaul themselves yet more Only have a good mind towards God and shew your selves accordingly to his Embassadors who come with the Word of his Truth for no other intent and purpose but that there might be Glory to God in the highest on Earth Peace Good-will towards men Luk. 2. 14. Then Judgment shall dwell in the Wilderness and Righteousness remain in the fruitful Field And the work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the effect of Righteousness quietness and assurence forever And my People shall dwell in a peaceable Habitation and in sure Dwellings and in quiet Resting Places Isa 32. 16 17 18. POSTSCRIPT LEt no Man either in the Transcribing or Reprinting add unto nor diminish nor alter any thing in this Testimony of Truth without my Knowledge or Assent R. S. FINIS