lawful things It is evident That at Joshua's command the people were armed to the war and that they were directed by him without asking leave of other inferior Officers or of the people It is evident likewise that David Saul Solomon c. did many acts of War and Peace without any such manacles I would not multiply Scripture to prove such apparent matters Now if this be not a sin if it be not the direct breach of Gods command in a high and great measure for Mr Prynne to take from the King his lawful priviledges my understanding faileth me This sin hath been punished severely both in the times of the Judges and Kings let the godly wise consider it Beloved Country-men it is no light matter who we make to be or receive to be either King or Governor We had need to pray to God to search the Scriptures we had need to enquire of God who shall govern us For we must give and yeeld unto Gods Stewards and our lawful Governors so much and no less power then God hath afforded to them in the holy Scriptures It is just with God for the looseness wantonness and wickedness of people when they enquire not of God when they attend not to the prescribed Rule of his Word to know who shall guide them but rashly carelesly and slightly follow their own inventions about Governors I say It is just with God that Wolves in sheeps clothing should deceive them And whereas they might lie down by the still waters in peace without fear if they would take counsel of God who should govern them For the want of this watchfulness for want of enquiring of God and keeping close to those patterns those rules appointed by God in his revealed will the sacred and unerring rule of truth the Scriptures it cometh to pass that the People err in their choyce and in accepting of those persons to govern them that are not men appointed by God Hence it cometh to pass the People they are molested persecuted devoured and rest in continual fear and the misery is they see not the cause of their disease God well knew this therefore when he would shew mercy to Israel his first born Son when no strange god was with him then he took especial care to provide good Shepherds which Shepherds he furnished with his blessed Spirit He commanded them to carry the Sheep of his pasture in their bosom God blessed directed strengthened protected such Governors and Government of his own devising Moses a man much in favor with God a man enriched with a great measure of the Spirit of God did well know weigh and consider of what great concernment it was for the peoples good That God and not the People should appoint a man to be the Shepherd of his people No doubt he considered as much the Peoples Liberty as we do and that the People might unwarrantably have chosen themselves a Governor after his decease but he saw much of Gods minde and the Peoples good rested in the choyce of the person Therefore Moses knowing that the people might err in chusing themselves a Leader he therefore seriously and earnestly desireth of God that he would appoint a man Numb 27.16 Let the God of the spirits of all flesh appoint a man over the Congregation Vers 17. Who may go out and in before them that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd Mark how God answereth them that seek for safety and direction to him and trust not in themselves Here we may note two considerable matters First That Moses looked more at Gods glory and the Peoples good then at the preferring his Children to Government A true Note of a true Shepherd Secondly Note That in the Government that in these first and purest times when Israel his strength was as an Vnicorn then when God prescribed Governors in Mercy to his first born Son Government went not by succession from Father to Son in those times from Moses to Samuels time Indeed afterward when the people would slight God and obstinately cast God off from being their King it is considerable likewise That God removed then his gracious presence farther off from them then before though for his own goodness sake he did not wholly depart from them yet he stood at a farther distance from them From that time to this Government hath usually followed by natural generation from Father to the eldest Son I say not that it hath been thus by Gods Commandment for I purpose if God will in time convenient to speak a word to that to try the case Hence it hath come to pass That a good Father begetting an evil Son the People have been miserably afflicted O that People would be wise to learn by their own experiences Well let the world do what they please I purpose seeing God hath promised to restore Judges as at the first that I will not cast away my confidence and hope that God will perform his Word and that we may see it performed Object But why might not the People have chosen themselves a Governor was there any great matter in that Ans The People were so well instructed in Joshua his time that after his time the State being left vacant of a principal Guide they did not count it to be safe for them to chuse themselves therefore they asked counsel of God and attended to Gods direction as appeareth by their actions Judges 1.1 After that Joshua was dead the Children of Israel asked the Lord saying Who shall go up for us c. On the contrary look how it fared when the people chose themselves and by succession recorded Judges 9.6 And all the men of Shechem came and made Abimilech King c. By which choice of the peoples own invention in which they consulted not they enquired not of God who should govern them If we read the place recorded for our learning we may see what great afflictions did befall them which did evidently spring from this root namely their mistaking the man More I purpose concerning this matter afterwards if God will Our Saviour saith If the first fruits be holy so are the branches This was the first president I conceive revealed That the Son of a cheif Judg succeeded in Government next after his Fathers death and I conceive the people liked this so well that during the time of the Judges till they had forgotten this and grew wanton till they rejected God there was not the like example or practise This I insert only as a taste and to prepare your minds to consider of what concernment it is to eye God in chusing Governors for we may not warrantably deprive Governors of those lawful rights priviledges granted them by God Neither is it in the power of the People to remove a King or Governor I would not be mistaken here for where I affirm that it is not in the power of a People to remove depose and punish a Governor in case
ENDEVORS Aiming at the GLORY OF GOD THAT PEACE TRUTH may meet together Wherein is contained the excellency benefit and necessity of good Government and Governors A loving Reply to Mr William Prynnes Speech made to the House of Commons and afterwards published Some matters are propounded to the Consideration of the Ministry and also to particular and to all Opinions The first purest best and most blessed form and manner of Government prescribed by God and recorded in Gods sacred Word together with the way of entrance or Gods calling of persons to places of chief Government the great consequence thereof Wherein is shewed That Government by Succession from the Father to the Son was none of Gods Institution in the first and purest Times And also the Government by Judges is plainly proved to be the best form of Government being Gods immediate direction most blessed and approved for Gods glory and for a peoples greatest Good Comfort and Safety By JOHN BLACKLEACH Isai 1.26 And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellers as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called a City of Righteousness and a faithful City Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and observe and do all his Commandments then the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the Nations of the Earth Gen. 49.18 O Lord I have waited for thy Salvation LONDON Printed by John Macock for the Author and are to be sold in Popes-head-Alley 1656. To my dearly beloved Country-men of England and to all of what Country soever namely to all such as love the true onely glorious and blessed God and endeavor unfeignedly to do his Will to such as have obtained like precious faith with us Grace Mercy and Peace be to you through the acknowledging of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Dearly Beloved UPon the serious and often consideration of that happy and blessed condition and unparaleld benefit which the blessed Angels do and the elect Children of God shall enjoy to Eternity in having God for their defence and their exceeding great reward The benefits thereof for number and greatness far exceed what the eye of man hath seen or the ear heard or what the heart of man can conceive Amongst other priviledges and benefits this is not the least That they shall have God to govern them whose wisdom is most absolutely perfect to lead them and to direct them Revel 19.11 John saith I saw heaven open and behold a white horse and he that sate upon him was called faithful and true and he judgeth and fighteth righteously Vers 12. And his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but himself Vers 13. And he was clothed in a garment dipt in blood and his Name was called The Word of God Vers 14. And the hosts which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses c. Vers 15. And out of his mouth went a sharp sword that with it he shall smite the Heathen and rule them c. From this place being full of consolation I shall onely collect this one point of Observation pertinent to the matter by me intended namely That the whole hoast of Heaven the blessed Angels the Saints and Children of God shall have this unmatchable this exceeding great benefit namely They shall be guided ordered and governed by the Word of God All the Hoasts of Heaven followed the Word of God upon white horses Which sheweth That this shall be the happiness of the blessed Angels and Saints to be guided by and subject to the Word of God We may easily discern our own weakness in guiding our selves we all like sheep are apt to go astray and to run into many dangers But God is infinitely wise to direct us he is strong to protect us he is rich in mercy abundant in mercy as the heavens are higher then the earth so is his mercy He likewise is able to fill and to satisfie our Souls with good things with him is the well-spring of life Glorious things are spoken of thee O thou City of God By this means namely by being guided by God we shall not need to fear we may lie down and rest in peace because the Lord is our Keeper read Psal 23. The consideration of this leads me further to consider of Government amongst men here on earth Upon diligent enquiry into the revealed will and minde of God recorded in the sacred Scriptures I finde That on earth it is a matter of the highest concernment to have good Government good Shepherds such as are sent of God Search the Scriptures and you shall find That when the People enjoyed godly wise faithful Governors they were endowed with many other singular and great blessings from God On the contrary when their Governors were corrupt the People were disturbed oppressed and afflicted The Scriptures are so full so copious so evident in the proof of this that I shall spend the less time in quotations Read the story of the Judges the book of Kings and the Chronicles of Israel and that being blessed to you by God will help you clearly to discern the truth of this matter The experience of all Ages will shew That from good and evil Governors proceeded the prosperity and adversity of the Nations Search the Chronicles and Records of the Ages and Times from Moses his time to these days wherein we live and it will evidently appear That from this principle from this root namely from Government arose the prosperity or adversity of the People and Nations If we look but back from the time of King Henry the eight we shall see this State tossed to and fro suitably to those persons that were the principal Governors and that both in religious duties and in other temporal matters The experience the Records of all Ages do abundantly testifie being duly weighed and considered of what great concernment Government is of to render a people blessed or despised of God To the intent that we may the better and more clearly see the singular benefit that it is to have a good Government I shall propound briefly some particulars to consideration For instance look upon the universal works the Creation of God Consider the Sun how it goeth his due course not failing to perform his great journey round about this world in twenty four hours the Sun knoweth his rising and his going down not altering nor failing one minute of time nor failing one foot of ground in all his great and unwearied journeys O how excellent are all thy works O God Consider likewise those excellent vertues and operations with which the Sun is beautified and enriched as namely First Light which sheweth man the way and work he is to perform without light Man is miserable Secondly The Sun heateth the air and comforteth man and all creatures Thirdly The Sun causeth the bud of the herb to
spring forth it causeth the Corn to grow whereby man is nourished Now consider whence or how this creature the Sun is so wonderfully and excellently made is it not from the wisdom and excellency of the most high God that made it and governeth it Now let us but consider That if God should but with-hold his hand if God should but withdraw himself his wisdom his power his faithfulness his skill for want of such a Work-master these glorious works of God would be confused and fail This sheweth that there is a necessity for the well-being of matters of great consequence especially such as are the Governments over and amongst men that the Governors be chosen men we cannot be too circumspect what Governors we do receive and that they be men chosen of God c. If we err in this Governor we shall finde that great trouble will follow Consider likewise the Stars of Heaven which although they are to us innumerable yet every Star hath his proper place they go their appointed journeys and courses which they keep without jarring or alteration performing those operations to them appointed Consider likewise the Tydes how they do ebb and flow keeping within the limits of time and proportion Thus far they flow and so return in their due and appointed seasons And doth not this come to pass from the excellency and perfection of that God that created and is the Governor of them Consider likewise amongst men in every great and useful work if the guide and governor of the work be skilful and able doth not the work committed to him prosper proportionably On the contrary if a foolish man a disordered person have the government in chief of such matters are they not likely to fail and be confused Consider likewise in a Ship when the Master is godly wise skilful and able is not the Voyage by him likely to come to good issue But on the contrary if a foolish disordered unjust man be the Master is not the undertaking endangered if not overthrown And is not this matter namely the Government of a Common-wealth to be looked upon with as much regard Ought not men to be very heedful and circumspect who and what manner of persons they accept to govern them Doth not this matter immediately concern Gods glory Doth it not concern the good and comfort of our Souls of our Bodies of our Estates and of our Children Yes certainly the matter is of great concernment And yet are we not to lament this namely That men oft rush upon the chusing of Governors as the horse into the battel with too little fear or wit Men are too much of these tempers First Either they will admit of no Government whence springeth misery confusion and every evil work by this means some say as Pharaoh said to Moses Exod. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should hear his voyce and let Israel go I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel go Thus will it be with many who acknowledg none to be their Rulers And some David speaketh of Psal 12.4 who say in their hearts Our tongues are our own who is Lord over us These men know not what they do they desire that which would assuredly make them miserable But of this in another place if God will Or secondly Others they desire to have Government but they consider not of how great concernment Government is of Hence it comes to pass that like the people in Samuels time men will have a King they will have a Governor not duly weighing and considering what maner of Governor they desire whether he be godly or ungodly whether he be wise or foolish whether he be a man sent of God or a man of their own inordinate desires whether he come in to be the true Shepherd by the door of Gods Word according to the rule there prescribed or whether he come in at the window or creep in some other way by friends beauty riches eloquence fraud flattery Thus lamentable experience teacheth us hath been the practise of the People and Nations from the time of Samuel to this day too often Hence it cometh to pass that so many Wolves enter into the sheep-fold who miserably devour persecute destroy the sheep The consideration of these miseries which arise from and attend upon those people that have wolves in sheeps clothing instead of true Shepherds occasions us to search and enquire what may be the true ground or fountain whence this evil springeth There are two main and principal Causes which occasioned God to suffer Jsrael to be so misled so seduced so deceived so afflicted The one Reason was Because the people slighted dis-esteemed and undervalued this pearl of great price namely to have God to be their King and to have him immediately to choose their Governors for them The second Reason was Because the people did not diligently observe and cleave to the Commandments of God but instead thereof they followed their own inventions And if we shall warily consider what the cause hath been and is why the People and Nations have done and do so miscarry in their Governments it ariseth from these two fore-named Grounds namely the slighting Gods Mercies and departing from prescribed Rules For the first of these read Deut. 6.11 to 16. where God admonisheth them to take heed and to beware lest when they had abundance when they had eaten and were full that they did not then slight disesteem or forget God Reason God gave them in this admonition as namely because vers 12. God brought them out of Egypt out of a low condition vers 15. and because God was a jealous God among them and lest the wrath of God were kindled against them to destroy them Notwithstanding those and many other Exhortations and Cautions which the Lord from time to time laid before them to warn them yet they soon and often turned aside from God the Fountain of living water and digged to themselves broken Cisterns that would not hold good water And touching the second namely their departing from the Rules prescribed Moses did often admonish them as in this Chapter vers 16. Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God c. Vers 17. But you shall keep diligently the Commandments of the Lord your God and his Testimonies and his Ordinances c. Dearly beloved this is very apparent That Government is of very great concernment Therefore it is to be prized at a great value We ought with great diligence to seek and to search the Scriptures that so we may find the right and pure way prescribed owned and blessed by God for the choice of our Governors By this means we shall obtain a blessing from God we shall have true Shepherds we shall discover wolves in sheeps clothing who slily creep in to devour and to destroy If God so often willeth us to take heed to keep all his Commands then certainly this which is of so great concernment is not to be slighted but
Government of so little concernment to us that we should rush upon men that must be our Shepherds in whose hands our lives and comforts must be next under God I have heard many Reports touching this person whom many do so labour after consider well what fruits you see from that branch what tokens of godliness is there in him David saith That he loveth those that love the Lord and hateth those that are Gods enemies Read Psal 22.21 to 29. David saith Psal 37. That the end of the just man is peace But the transgressors shall be destroyed together and the end of the wicked shall be cut off Read Psal 37. and consider well of it Now is it not apparent that the person so much desired hath correspondency with Idolaters and prophane persons Doth he not love them and converse most familiarly with many such Do not his Letters and Intelligences import so much Friends You that are so eager do you know what you should gain in case he were made your Guide and Ruler It is not unlike but that those persons which are your enemies should be made your Judges and Governors in case you obtain your desires To further this end there is a Malignant party that hateth those that love and fear the Lord these report That in the Army there are many Jesuites countenanced and that the Parliament and Army prefer and countenance such amongst others they mention one Mr Peters who they say is a Jesuite Let us now as in the presence of that glorious and strong God who will one day destroy the workers of iniquities and those that invent love and sow lyes as the devil soweth the tares to choke the good corn these shall feel the fierce anger of God when they shall desire that the mountains might fall upon them to hide them from the glorious God who loveth the Truth let us impartially weigh these Reports First for Mr Peters I my self have known the man many years and I have often heard him preach I never heard him teach such Doctrines as might give us occasion to suspect him to adhere to the Jesuites his Doctrine was godly and sound he is zealous and active but no way addicted that way and unto this testimony I doubt not but that if need require I can bring the testimony of many thousands But consider unpartial and friendly Reader it is not on him alone that they lay such calumnies but on many others which are eminent for piety and holiness Now let us a little enquire for the rest of those many Jesuites touching the Army upon the best intelligence that I am able to get I am informed that the General is truly devout and godly and that there is not any Jesuite known so to be that is either an Officer or a Preacher in the Army And touching the Parliaments favouring Jesuites this I experimentally see and hear that in this Kingdom those Ministers whom they countenance and allow chiefly are such as teach sound doctrine to my understanding And the Royalists in argument I never heard any but do acknowledg so much and I have purposely discoursed about that matter with divers of them This I see that to my understanding we have just cause to praise God that the Gospel is so freely preached And although some leaven of corrupt doctrine be against their minds as I believe sown here and there Yet it is to be considered that their hands are full of business they cannot yet reform many matters I do undoubtedly believe they will hereafter reform Countrymen and Friends let us consider well of this do not we by our gain-saying by our perverseness by our sins hinder the Government in the work of Reformation And if upon just examination we do find our selves guilty let us repent and amend for God will prove and try all our works In the mean time consider that if the contrary party should prevail can they that truly love and fear the Lord by that means expect especially in such troublesom times that they shall enjoy more liberty to serve God aright Object But many complain of great Taxations and that there are defects in the Administration of Justice many Debts unpayd and the impotent Poor unprovided for Answ I desire every man duly and unpartially to consider That the Times are troublesom many disbursements they have that they cannot avoyd the Army here and in Ireland the great number of Ships of Munition of Provisions former Debts and many other charges which every man is not sensible of all do hinder that they cannot do what otherwise they would I hope and beleeve that it is a great burthen and grief to them that such burthens and taxations should be and I beleeve it is their desire their study and care to ease the People and to take off these Taxations with what expedition they can And I am not without hope that God will shew them a way so to do and give them hearts to make use of it by which these burthens may be taken off and the People comforted And for the other Grievances I desire that we may for the time being bear with some inconveniences I do hope shortly we shall see a greater Reformation In the mean time I desire that we by our distempers do not weaken their proceedings so that they may not effect such Reformation as otherwise they might And likewise I desire that we may not by our gainsaying both hinder those comforts we might enjoy and bring upon our selves more and greater Troubles This I take notice of In the Country sin goeth on and is committed with an high hand swearing and cursing lying and other sins do abound in the sight of the Sun What sin is strange but for those that fear the Lord they are an abomination to the wicked Consider this It is the duty of all men to walk circumspectly and precisely as in the presence of an holy God Therefore I desire that men such as are guilty may no more hate other men for that which is our own duties The consideration of this grievous sin so abounding namely the contempt of them that fear God causeth me to fear that God that is jealous of his Honor will not suffer this sin to go unpunished I fear that a further scourge will pass through the Land without timely and serious repentance But this I believe that God will deliver his Church and People About sixteen or twenty years ago I remember that the prophane distinguished or differenced those that feared the Lord those that walked the more circumspectly and had respect to all Gods Commandments from themselves under this and the like notions they called them that feared God by way of disdain Puritans c. And now I find that in company in many places if a man out of due regard of the truth and fearing to speak that which may provoke Gods displeasure do but argue religiously concerning the truth of the passages of Gods Providences and perswade
if we deminish Object But is there any president or example that warranteth a people to depose and punish their Governors Answ The condition expressed and recorded in the Book of Joshua doth plainly hold out That the whole body of a people or such as represent or are Deputies for the Common-wealth or part of that body may in cases wherein their Governors act not for God but contrary to his revealed Will in such cases I conceive the Word recorded in the Book of Joshua plainly warranteth and teacheth people That they ought to make such exceptions This people that gave Joshua his Answer were a part of the people And although this Covenant or Caveat had not been expressed yet it had been the peoples duty and wisdom to follow him in Gods ways but not other ways If we take notice and consider that place recorded Numb 25.1 The people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab c. The people for this cause were commanded by God to slay those Governors that were guilty in this matter The Lord said to Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the Sun that the fierce wrath of the Lord may be turned from Israel Numb 25.4 Now this sheweth That it is Gods Will that Governors shall by the people be punished in such cases as are notorious breaches of Gods Law for although these Governors were not equal but inferiour to Moses yet they were Governors of the people as for example all Governors are not Emperors nor all Kings nor all Judges of an equal rank yet they are all of one kind Gods Law bindeth and hath the same authority over all But further consider this it is there recorded for our learning Num. 25.6 That one of the children of Israel brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of c. Note That this man was a Prince Vers 14. Vers 7. And when Phineas the son of Aaron saw it he rose up c. and took a spear in his hand and followed the man of Israel into the Tent and thrust them both through c. From this Text it plainly appeareth That in such openly known sins Princes are liable to punishment nay further That God taketh this as a matter that is so acceptable to him that he rewardeth it with an extraordinary commendation and reward Vers 10. Then the Lord spake unto Moses saying Phineas the son of Aaron hath turned mine anger away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake amongst them therefore I have not consumed the children of Israel in my jealousie Vers 12. Wherefore I say unto him Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace Here note That Phineas stood not to search over the Punctilioes of the Common Laws neither was he a Judg nor ordinary Officer to put men to death he stayed not till this man was tryed by his Peers but he considered that God was highly dishonored the case was extraordinary therfore he put his life in his hand and couragiously zealously pursued the transgressor and slew him this is recorded for our learning Rō 15.4 Whatsoever things are written aforetime are writen for our learning It is to be admired That people they should be offended at the Army and at some of the Parliament because they executed Justice upon such an offender as had sinned in the sight of the Sun by setting up Idolatry that had sinned in shedding innocent blood such an offender as was tryed and found guilty to the knowledg of the Land and by the opinion of Lords Commons Army and People witness their Writings in Print and is this so hainous a matter This maketh me call to mind the Prophecy Revel 18.16 17. Alas alas that great City that was clothed in fine linnen and purple and scarlet and guilded with gold and precious stones and pearls For in one hour so great riches are come to desolation And every ship-master and all the people that ocupy ships and whosoever doth trafique on the sea shall stand afar off and cry c. But what saith the Spirit of God Vers 10. O Haeven rejoyce over her and ye holy Apostles for God hath punished her to be revenged on her for your sakes Dear Friends you that are not drunk but in good frames of heart consider that this great Tower of Confusion is fallen the Prophets foretold of these days Isaiah Daniel Hosea Micah and others they tell us plainly That corrupt Governors must down I believe the time is accomplished that God did in his counsel determine these matters therefore hang down your heads no longer but you that wait for the Salvation of Israel lift up your heads I pray you Countrymen note That the Army and the Parliament they being zealous for Gods glory they put their lives in their hands they look all oppositions in the face they executed Justice upon an offender this was Gods work that guarded them with strength this act of theirs was beyond their own abilities I pray you compare this act with that of Phineas is not there the same cause in the offender Is not the zeal of Phineas and their zeal like in the very countenance and of near affinity And hath not God crowned this act of theirs Consider that God hath blessed the fruits of the earth and hath enriched our barns and stores Hath not God blessed us in our fishing abroad not the like for many years before Hath not God blessed us by giving us Victories at Sea and Victories at the Land Whithersoever they turn themselves they are blessed since the death of the late King This maketh me commend to your consideration that blessing that God gave to Joshua and is acknowledged thus There was not a City that God delivered not into his hand nor place was too strong for him Consider it well and apply it If any will be obstinate and blind let them be so I cannot help it But to go on in 2 Kings 11.15 Jehojada the Priest commanded the Captains of the Hundreds that had the rule of the Host Vers 16. And they laid hands on her c. and there she was slain We may here observe That there is a president recorded in Scripture that sheweth That when a principal Governor shall do evil in the sight of the Lord the people did account it to be their duties to punish such great offenders and offences by death thus was Jesabel slain The example of the Israelites likewise is considerable 1 King 12.20 where the ten Tribes by reason that Rehoboam would not hearken to them in easing them of those Taxations that they said were too heavy they therefore deposed or rejected him from being their King for although that Jeroboam forsook Gods Commandments afterwards that was his sin But touching their act in casting off and renouncing all obedience to Rehoboam for his sin of oppression God plainly alloweth that and owneth
forme of government which God did in his wisdom appoint to his beloved first borne Sonne in the first and purest times of government from Moses to Samuel was much better then that government of Kings which succeeded afterwards in more corrupted times when God was angry with the people and was such a government as the people invented in imitation of the Heathens Secondly this government of God was better and the Peoples worse because God blessed his owne Directions and Prescriptions It is to be noted that of all the Iudges that God appointed immediately or in which the people asked counsell of God those governours God blessed them with his good and holy Spirit all of them from Moses to Samuel there was not one of them an evill governour that I can find and they all proved blessings to the people But those governors that the people chose and invented themselves many or most of them God did not so blesse with his good and holy Spirit and they proved curses and crosses to the people and were great afflictions to the people as appeared in Abimeleck in Ieroboam in Ahab and others Next let us consider That this people the children of Israel had the best forme of government from Moses to Samuel which appeareth from the considerations of diverse Scriptures Exod. 5. God there saith yee shall be my chiefe treasure though all the people of the Earth be mine this place sheweth that God preferred this people at this time above all other people therefore it may plainly be gathered that God took more speciall regard to appoint them a better government then other Nations but other Nations had Kings at that time and God prescribed and appointed to them Iudges at that time Therefore government by Iudges in that first and purest times were better then government by Kings Read Exod. 33.16 So shall I and thy people have preheminence above all people that are on the Earth here again the same is repeated to shew that this people had preheminence above all other people and should they be preferred in smaller matters and not in this matter of government being a matter of the greatest concernment Read Levit. 9.23 and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the People from this place it appeared that in this most excellent mercy they were far preferred before other people for did any other People see the glory of the Lord as they did no verily Read Levit. 26.12 Deut. 4.5 Behold J have taught you Ordinances and Lawes as the Lord my God commanded mee that yee should do Ver. 6. keepe them therefore and do them for that is your wisdome and understanding Ver. 7. For what Nation is so great to whom the Gods came so neare unto them as the Lord our God is neare unto us in all c. Ver. 8. And what Nation is so great that hath Lawes so righteous as all this Law that I set before you this day Ver. 9. But take heede to thy selfe and keepe thy soule diligently that thou forget not these things and that they depart not out of thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy sonnes and thy sonnes sonnes Ver. 2. Yee shal put nothing to the Word which I command you neither shall you take ought there from that yee may keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God c. Deare Friends let us well weigh the very expresse and direct force of such a plain downright Rule of God God tells them that they had Lawes and Commandements such as no people on Earth had the like Consider what was meant by Lawes and Precepts and Ordinances This is meant by it the whole frame of their government For Rules and Lawes and Ordinances implyeth most plainly two things the governours and the governed for else to what purpose had God given the lawes if he had not appointed governors to see those lawes executed We see it to be of necessity and most principall concernment that in all combinations or societies wherein many act together there must be Order which is nothing else but government We see likewise that this government being regulated and ordered wisely justly mercifully c. This puts a beauty upon all matters to be acted by Societies This Order in Government it puts a shining luster upon all pieces of worke and upon all Societies Do but withdraw a wise and good government and let either a foole or a negligent person or a disordered Epicure or a Tyrant mannage actions and you shall presently find that Workes or Societies guided by such will either turn into a Chaos or into disorder or at the least in the best cases the lustre and beauties of such societies will be taken away That which I shall then gather from these Scriptures is that no Nation under Heaven had so good a government which is plainly expressed in that none had so righteous Lawes and Ordinances as this people of Jsrael had now in this time of the Judges now in these first and purest times now in this time when God shewed his glory so eminently now in this time when God came so neare unto this people as no Nation upon Earth had such a government such governors which is plainly implied and expressed under these words Lawes and Ordinances This being true then it followeth plainly That this government by Judges was better then the government by Kings for at that time they had Kings in their Heathen governments the Egyptians they had a King a Tyrant an unrighteous oppressor a ripe of the Devill but God saith that at that very time the Ordinances and Lawes the whole-frame of their governors and government was better then all other Nations did enjoy then certainly it was better then the government by Kings We can no way evade or avoid in a plain way of righteousnesse this truth it followeth plainly directly and strongly But further it appeareth clearly that this government was better then that government by Kings because God in his wisdom saw this government to be best for his Church and people God was the Author of this government by Iudges God did prescribe this government and blesse this government And God is not as man his works are not imperfect God seeth and knoweth at once what is best consider then That God is likewise unchangeable Concerning the Government by Kings God was not ignorant of it he saw that but it plainly appeared that he approved not of it because nevertheles God prescribed to the people this way of Government by Judges this was Gods own Ordinance and God saith This Government was the best no Nation had so good a Government take it in what respect you will or can take it Further let us consider That these Ordinances of God these Laws this Government prescribed and blessed by God himself do continue in force to this day they were never changed nor repealed to this very day Object But do we not find that there were some good Kings as
and so continued in the breach of Covenant and of Gods Law they had not yet restored God to be their King as in the days of old as in the beginning This is plainly expressed in these words Kings not by me Princes and I knew it not As if God should have said I expected they should repent and turn from their evils and have enquired at and taken my counsel who should be the man that should be their chief Governor but they go on and obstinately follow the counsel of their own hearts They have Kings but not by me they have Princes and I knew it not that is They did not come and make me acquainted they did not enquire of me who should govern them therefore the Enemy shall pursue them But to go on They have transgressed my Covenant and broken my Law whence I gather plainly That the Government by Judges together with their entrance into their places it was part of the Law of God God did ordain and appoint that the Government should be by Judges and that God would have that priviledg that preheminency therein that he would be consulted withall who should be the man that should be principal Governor that is to say God and not the people without the express counsel of God known should appoint the man and name the person and the erring from this here God calleth the transgression of his Law and the breach of his Covenant That this is the very true minde of God I beleeve the very words in the Text and their application by God himself do naturally and plainly hold out so much But secondly I gather this to be the meaning here considering the presidents prescribed and practised by God himself God mediately appointed Moses Joshua Gideon Samuel and some others This sheweth that God did ordain and institute not onely the form of Government by Judges but also God did himself immediately appoint the persons in which nomination we may observe That God did not appoint in these first and purest and uncorrupted times that Government should go by Succession from Father to the eldest Son Moses had children and other of the Judges had children yet God in his wisdom saw it to be most for his glory and for the peoples good that the principal Government should not be continued by descent This plainly appeareth by those presidents in which God himself did the most immediately appear in and the most immediately appoint Afterwards in more corrupted times the people chose by descent but this proved not to be compared with that way which God in his heavenly wisdom did appoint in the first and in the purest and best Times I should further note divers things here as their casting God off their punishments being the fruits the people reaped but I forbear and proceed The Lord saith Deut. 4. Vers 2. to 9. That God had taught them Ordinances therefore keep them saith God What Nation is so great that hath Laws so righteous as all this Law Take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently thou and thy sons and thy sons sons Ye shall put nothing to the Word that I command you neither shall you take ought there from This people they were well disciplined by God they had the presence of God so neer to them and God was so tender over them as appeareth Deut. 32.10 God led him about he taught him he kept him as the apple of his eye Vers 11. As an Eagle stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her birds stretcheth out her wings taketh them and carrieth them on her wings Vers 12. So the LORD alone led him and there was no strange god with him Thus did God neerly shew the people his glorious majesty his power his wisdom his Truth his grace goodness bounty mercy his unchangeableness When we consider of it we may say with the Prophet Isaiah Oh that we had harkened to Gods Commandments then should our prosperity have been like the floods and like to the mighty waters But alass this people grew to be full they were at ease they were wanton which God noted Deut. 32.15 He that should have been upright when he waxed fat spurned with his heels that is he esteemed these precious mercies to be of little value Therefore God seeing this saith Deuteronomy 32. Vers 15. Thou art fat thou art laden with fatness thou art gross therefore he forsook God that made him and regarded not the strong God of his Salvation God being most infinitely wise he knoweth which way is best to remedy this distemper namely these surfets in prosperity This therefore God telleth the people admonishing them in the times of their prosperity to take heed to Gods Commandments and not to turn any way aside to the right or left hand nor to add nor diminish But observe we this people would not harken they would not be convinced that the wisdom of God was best and safest for them God had himself immediately prescribed both the form of Government and the persons yet this people preferred the GOVERNMENT by KINGS such as the HEATHENS round about had of which the LORD had said to them Ye shall not follow their Manners nor Customs before the Government by Judges and therefore the Prophet Samuel telleth them that such things would befall them by having Kings but they would not harken to God to the Prophet Therefore the Lord fore-seeing and knowing what would follow he admonished them they will not now be perswaded Take heed for it is no light matter for hereafter you shall cry out by reason of your afflictions but I will not hear you that is to say you shall feel this breach of my Law and Covenant Kings shall be your Oppressors they will slay my Priests set up Idolatry force you to Idolatry they will worship the hoast of Heaven they will fill the streets of Jerusalem with blood they will be the causes that my anger shall be kindled against you they shall be the causes that I will bring an Enemy upon you and deliver you into captivity Hosea 8. Therefore saith the Lord the Enemy shall pursue you that is to say he shall prevail against you This shall come to pass because you have broken my Law and transgressed my Covenant you have set up Kings but not by me and Princes but I knew it not as if God should say I did not acknowledg the way of Kings I knew it not c. and yet you repent not you return not to me c. Samuel faithfully and plainly fore-told this 1 Sam. You shall cry out by reason of your afflictions at that day but I will not hear you you have chosen a form of Government by Kings and Kings you shall have This sheweth That the matter of Governors and Government is no light matter in Gods estimation we may make as light a matter of it as we will but God knoweth that Kings will afflict us and oppress us Kings will draw us to Idolatry they
will cause the fierce wrath of the Lord to break out against us Consider of it we have had the experience of above two thousand years what the fruits of Kings have been search diligently the Records of the sacred Scriptures from Samuel his time to this present day and the Records of all ages How often have the people been tossed to and fro in Religion in War in bloodshed under the Government of Kings the Father of one Religion the Son of another How much War and contention hath there been for to obtain Crowns and Kingdoms Consider of it Was it so under the Government by Judges prescribed by God Did they perswade the people to Idolatry Or contrarily did they not from time to time perswade the people to the true Worship of God Which of the Judges did strive for the Government But contrarily the very first of the Kings did shed much blood having in aspiring mind to obtain the Crown c. Search the Book of the Judges concerning Abimelech and his fruits Country-men beloved Consider of it I am perswaded That if such experiences such admonitions such warning as God hath given us recorded in the Scriptures and from our own and other Nations if these will not prevail though Abraham should send one to us from the dead it would not prevail One admonition more I desire we may remember God saith to Israel They were full and fat they would not serve the Lord in their own Land in the abundance of all things they would not observe Gods Law and Covenant without addition or diminution they would follow their own inventions Therefore saith the Lord they should serve their Enemies in hunger cold and nakedness in the want of all things and in a strange Land Consider dearly beloved That from the excellency of Government doth arise the happiness and blessedness of the Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven I pray you therefore let us set a high price upon Government Let us proceed warily in matter of Government let us enquire of God let us follow the purest the most clear and evident presidents and prescriptions without turning to the right or left hand let us enquire for the old and good ways prescribed owned and blessed by God himself against this there can be no just exception And it may be God will see and regard us and remember the riches of his own compassion of his own precious promises Isai 1.26 God will restore which argueth they then were not in being Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness a faithful City I might multiply Testimonies the Scripture is obvious and copious but time bids me forbear Therefore I go on to consider a little more particularly Kings concerning whom the most high and wise God did both see and know what and when the first King should be and how long the continuance of the Government of Kings should continue and when their Kingdoms should be finished of this I doubt not now the end of Kings and all other afflictions work together for the glory of God and the good of Gods Elect and I doubt not but that God would use some Kings as instruments in some particulars to be helpful to his Church and People Object Some and too many use this as an argument That Kings were good for Gods Church and People for say they did not God make Promises to Kings of good things and were not some Kings good instruments in some things to promote Gods glory Did not Solomon build a Temple to the name of the Lord c. Ans One instance consider Adam our great Grandfather after he had broken Gods Commandment and eaten the forbidden fruit after this and presently upon the occasion of what came to pass by reason of his transgression God out of his bounty and goodness maketh a Promise of great worth to Adam and to his posterity namely That the seed of the woman should breaks the serpents head Consider now would it be safe or sound arguing to argue thus Adam did well because God in mercy gave him a precious promise No verily Or would it be safe to say That we some of his posterity may follow his steps in sinning because that he obtained a precious promise No verily because we are first to have respect to Gods Covenant to his Law And also we are to consider That the root from whence this promise sprung was not from or because God was pleased with or approved of Adams transgression but the Promise sprung out of Gods abundant and rich mercy and free grace From the premised respects and considerations I gather and conclude That those gracious promises or acts wherein God used Kings as instruments or actors in some good things these do neither approve of the Government by Kings nor do they prove that the institution of Kings was approved by God and much less do they prove That the Government by Kings was of equal goodness with the Government by Judges in which the Word of God is plain and evident That God prescribed owned and blessed the Government by Judges And contrarily the Word of God is plain evident and copious That God did not allow of the Government by Kings but did expresly disapprove of that form of Government by Kings and to this we may add the experience of the fruits of Kings to this very day Object Some do use this argument to strengthen the continuance of Kings namely That God did fore-tell that Kings should be and some Kings God did himself appoint Ans God did fore-tell that Israel would kick with their feet and slight his Commandments God did fore-tell that the people would reap bitter fruits from Kings This doth not shew that God did allow or approve either of the one or of the other God did appoint some Kings immediately shewing that in this way if the people had kept close to God and have gone no further backward from his Rules and Directions then it should have been better and safer for the People it was too much to alter the forme prescribed by God but it was an addition to and aggravation of this sinne when they slighted God and did not enquire of God who should be the man that should be their King from time to time When they followed the Rule and made him King whom the Lord did chuse it may be noted that God chose Saul immediately by lot wherin we may note that although God were angry yet hee tooke thus much care for the People that God let Saul rightfully raigne no longer as King but so long as hee walked in Gods wayes and during that time God gave Saul some portion of his good Spirit or a spirit which made him sutable in some proportion to govern his People as appeareth 1 Sam. 10.9 God gave Saul another hearts and all those tokens came to passe c. And when Saul departed from God and forsooke his Law wee may
note that God rejected him from being King 1 Sam. 15. ver 26. Thou hast cast away the word of the Lord and the Lord hath cast away thee that thou shalt not be King over Jsrael Ver. 28. Then Samul said unto him the Lord hath rent the Kingdome of Israel from thee this day And note now that when Saul was deposed Chap. 16.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evill spirit sent of the Lord vexed him Wee may note that because the people made David King a man chosen by God and not by the peoples rash proceedings that God gave to David his good and blessed Spirit 1 Sam. 16.13 Then Samuel tooke an horne of Oile and anointed him David in the middest of his Brethren and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward here we may note that it is no vaine thing that God should appoint our governors for us God let the people taste of the difference between Kings and Iudges in that Salomon set up or countenanced Idolatry and laid great taxations upon the people yet it did not extend so far not by very much as afterwards the People felt under the government of other Kings which were set up rashly by the people without such an immediate call and for ought I know not being anointed with Oile by any true Prophet of God This I note the rather because I have respect to God his expresse Command and Direction which was never reversed to this very Day recorded Deut. 17.14 where God saith if thou shalt say I will set a King over mee like as all the Nations that are about mee Ver. 25. Tou shalt make him King over thee whom the Lord thy God shall chuse I shall only at the present observe these two notes from this place first that God doth not hereby either command or allow that the People should set up a Government by Kings for the Lord saith if thou shalt say I will set a King over mee this came to passe in the Dayes of Samuel Then the people they would have a King the People here did not inquire of God first now it doth not follow that because the People said wee will have a King that therefore God doth either approve or allow of this matter but the direct contrary appeareth 1 Sam. 8. in most eminent manner But secondly I do observe that God saith thou shalt if thou wilt be wilfull and have a King yet thou shalt make him King whom the Lord thy God shal chuse here I put a reall difference between a King or governor being chosen by God immediately and betweene the choise that the People make I purpose if God will to speak more of this in place afterwards But this Rule also the People soone forsooke namely they made themselves Kings of their owne chusing wherein I conceive they did not inquire of God who should be the man therefore the Lord saith they had Princes and hee knew it not that is to say they did not according to the Rule inquire of God who should be King Thus much to shew that it was better with the People when they eyed God and kept close to the Rule when God chose the person then it was when they fell more fouly as afterwards they did but this still doth not prove that God did institute that forme of government by Kings or much lesse that this forme of government was as good and as well approved of by God or so blessed as the government by Judges But to go on to speake more punctually or more particularly to the being of Kings I shall endeavour according to the measure of grace received to speak of them in true proportion as God hath spoken of them in the holy and sacred Scriptures The first King that I finde recorded was Abimeleck Iudges 9. it is noted that this Man was no lawfull governor appointed by God but one that usurped the Kingdome because he entred not by and according to the true way wherein and whereby God had prescribed which I believe was principally in regard that the People did not enquire of God who should govern them but contrarily the People chose him out of or for sinister respect because of affinity kindred and also because hee entered by force wee may see what is recorded Iudges 9. By this mans government there were very sad events or fruits that followed or sprung for he was the occasion of much evill and bloodshed this serveth to warne us to take heed that we enquire of God who shall govern us and that we do follow the most cleare and evident Rules and Presidents prescribed and recorded in the sacred Scriptures the sure Rules of Truth our Saviour teacheth that the true Shepherd entereth at the true doore that is according to the revealed will of God And on the contrary those Wolves and Foxes do enter in at the window that is as I conceive by some way that God hath not prescribed as by friends out of by respects or by Fraude Force Mony Beauty Personage Eloquence or such like all of them not in such away as is prescribed in the most unerring Rules of Truth After him arose Saul to be King concerning his person he was truly and rightfully called being chosen by God but concerning the forme of government by Kings this was the Peoples invention in imitation of the Heathen Nations as appeareth 1 Sam. 8.5 The people said make us a King to judge us like all Nations from this place I observe that it was not the Peoples demand to have this or that man in particular to be their King but they desire onely to have a King By which it appeareth that this sinne lay not in regard of the person but it was in respect to the forme of government before they were governed by Iudges which Forme of govermnent God did immediately prescribe and owne it and blesse it but this Forme of government by Kings the people they did invent it in imitation of the Nations round about concerning those Nations God had expresly said that they should not follow the manners and customs of the Nations But secondly against this way of government by Kings God doth I believe expresly evidently and eminently oppose himself in these particulars First God saith that by this meanes or way that the people here lusted after they had cast off God from being their King or reigning over them Which is expressed 1 Sam. 8.7 They have not cast thee away but they have cast mee away that I should not reigne over them this I conceive is plainly implied and expressed that the greatnesse of their sinne lay in regard of the forme and not in regard of the person as if God should have said they have not so much sinned in desiring another Governor although I believe this also was their sinne but they now have rejected the forme of government by me immediately prescribed Further God opposeth this forme of Government by
Kings immediately in shewing the People the great evills that they should reape by Kings noted 1 Sam. 8. From Ver. 9. to Ver. 19. Kings will take your Sonnes and your Daughters from you and will appoint them to serve themselves This God doth not say was lawfull for Kings to doe for Gods Law was expresse to the contrary Exod. 22.21 Moreover thou shalt not do injury to a stranger Neither did Gods Lawes permit that they should wrong any man and Samuel useth that as a strong argument to convince them of their evill namely in these words 1 Sam. 12.3 Behold here J am beare record before the Lord of mee whose Ox have I taken or whose Asse have I taken or whom have I done wrong unto or whom have I hurt Ver. 4. Then the People said thou hast done us no wrong nor hast hurt us neither hast thou taken any thing of any Mans hand Hereby appeareth the Peoples great evill and ingratitude and their unrighteousnesse in forsaking that government with which they could find no fault Further this shewed that Kings would prove great evills because they would be great wrongers and great oppressors because they would take by violence their choisest comforts from the People And further this shewed that Kings would rule by the Rules of their owne wills in our dayes called their prerogatives this is shewed in these expressions Kings will take these and these things from you but this they ought not to do for herein Samuel sheweth his integrity we may observe that the Law of God ought to be the guide the Rule and the bounds to all men high and low to King and People this is evident Deut. 17.16 to 20. There God saith that the King should have the Booke of the Law and that hee should reade therein all the dayes of his life that hee may learne to feare the Lord his God and to keepe all the words of this Law and these Ordinances to do them that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren and that hee turne not to the right hand or to the left hand c. From hence we may see that the King is not to do what hee listeth but he is as expresly commanded to observe and do the Law as any other man yea and in some sort more because his example is more prevalent to draw others either to good or evill But further wee may here note the difference betweene Kings and Iudges the Kings they will do thus and thus they will breake the bounds set unto them but the Iudges were humble meeke men this God knew when hee put in that clause so nearely linked to the observation of his Law namely that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren experience hath taught us much of this could we be warned That Kings their hearts will be lifted up Observe I pray you the Iudges they acknowledged the People to be their Brethren but Kings they say their blood and their discent is more Royall more Illustruous more Excellent then those they call the baser sort and the more ignoble It is to be noted that in the first and purest times those men that were truly godly truly vertuous those men that were most precize that were the most observant of the Law of God Those men then were accounted to be the most noble and so we finde they were in Gods esteeme for wee finde Moses taken from keeping the sheepe And Gideon from threshing and David from the Sheepe-fold and made Rulers of the People But the World is now turned upside-downe for what do some men now applaud and worship but the Blood Royall and Noble Blood we have men now that are truly noble and eminent for Piety that sway the government of the Common-wealth but what is the tumult They say they cannot see their Nobility I would speake soberly and forbearingly consider warily and truly is it not because the God of this World hath blinded the eyes of many men But let us further note that this King Saul or a King or the Government by Kings would not onely deprive the People of their Sonnes and Daughters but also Kings would take their seede and their Vinyards 1 Sam. 8.15 Their Men-servants and their Maide-servants and the chiefe of your yong men and your Asses and Sheepe and yee shall be his servants Note I pray you that this People had great liberty and freedome under the government by Iudges could they have improved these with thankfull and contented hearts but they would reject and slight these mercies they would be governed by Kings under which Government they should endure many afflictions but when it commeth to this height that they themselves should be servants then they begin to be more sensible then they cry out but saith God Ver. 18. The Lord will not hear you in the day and time of these afflictions By this evident admonition it plainly appeared that God opposed in threatning manner this government by Kings for note that the cause here was not so much about the person to be made King but it was about the forme of government by Kings Note further how Samuel humbly and patiently doth argue the cause with the People Chap. 12. ver 7. to 13. where Samuel putteth the People in minde how God had not bin wanting to them but from time to time had raised up and appointed good governors for them Which governors God protected guided and blessed to them and made them Saviours and not oppressors nor destroyers to them sometimes for their sinnes and to prove them whether they would cleave to God and to shew them the benefit that it was to have God to appoint good governors and for other ends which God knew to be for his glory and their good God did leave them without chiefe Iudges and then we see the People they run into many by-paths and sinfull courses and then God suffered them to feele afflictions by enemies but note that when the people considered the cause and sought the favour of God and cryed to God to helpe them God never failed but answereth their petitions note in what manner God answered them he raised up Iudges vvhich God made to be blessings and Saviours to the People From this expostulation of Samuel we may observe that God by Samuel reproveth the People for altering that forme of government which God in his wisdome had prescribed and blessed to the People And the People could not deny the truth of this but further note that God to the end that posterity to come might evidently see his displeasure for that cause because the People had altered the forme of government by Iudges and instead thereof had wilfully and obstinately desired a government by Kings Therefore the Lord sheweth the People by an eminent and wonderfull way expressed thus 1 Sam. 12.17 I will call unto the Lord and he shall send Thunder and Raine that yee may perceive and see how that your wickednesse is great which yee
have done in the sight of the Lord in asking you a King Ver. 18. Then Samuel called unto the Lord and the Lord sent Thunder and Raine the same Day and all the People feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly Ver. 19. The People said wee have sinned in asking us a King besides all our other sins c. Concerning this King we have occasion to note that Gods Presence did remove now and stand at a further distance then before God did not wholy depart from them but remembering the multitude of his mercies he did still favour the People but as the Tabernacle for the sinnes of the People was removed out of the Host Exod. 33.7.8 Yet not wholy out of their sight so here God removed his gracious presence further off from the People The next King was David who was a good and vertuous King God would not afflict the People so much that they should have no good Kings Davids blemishes I forbear though some blemishes he had such as I believe were not to be found amongst the Iudges that were immediately appointed by God to their place after succeeded Solomon how far he declined from the straight Rules of Gods revealed Will are to be found recorded in the Booke of Kings Rehoboam Reigned he had 18. Wives and threescore Concubines and desired many Wives 2 Cro 11 21 23. He forsooke the Law of the Lord and all Israel with him for which cause Shishack came up against Jerusalem and tooke the strong Cities which were of Iuda The People were made servants to Shishack 2 Cro. 12.1 to 9. Further he did evill and prepared not his heart to seeke the Lord. Ver. 14. Ahijam reigneth he walked in all the sinnes which his Father had done before him and his heart was not perfect with the Lord 1 King 15.3 Asa reigned he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord he put down his Mother because she had an Idoll in a Grove 1 King 15. Nadab reigned he did evill in the sight of the Lord and made Israel sinne 1 King 15.26 Baashaw reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord and caused Israel to sinne 1 King 16. Elah he reigned did evill being drunke was slaine 1 King 16. Omri reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord worse then all that were before him 1 King 16. Zimri reigneth was burnt 1 King 16.18 Ahab the sonne of Omri reigneth and did worse then all before him 1 King 16.3 Ahaziah reigneth he did evill he sought helpe of Baallzebub the God of Ecron 2 King 1. Iehoram reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kin. 3.2 Iehosaphat reigneth he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Kings Ioram reigneth he did evill 2 Kin. 8.9 Jehoram sonne of Iehosaphat reigneth he did evill 2 Kin 8.17 Jehu reigneth he regarded not to walke in the Law of the Lord God 2 Ki. 10.31 He is an occasion to cause Israel to sin therefore they are smitten in all the Coasts of Israel Ver. 23. Athalia reigneth did evill is slaine 2 Ki. 11.3.6 Iehoash reigneth he did good in the Eyes of the Lord during the time the Priest taught him 2 Ki. 12.2 But the high places were not taken away he is slaine Ver. 21. Iehoaash sonne of Iehu reigneth did evill in the sight of the Lord and causeth Israel to be delivered into the hands of their enemies 2 Ki. 13.2.3 The Destruction of the People was so great that there was left but 50 Horsemen and 10 Charrets and 10000 Footemen they were destroyed and made like Dust beaten to powder 2 Ki. 13.6 7. Iehoash sonne of Iehoaash reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Ki. 13.10.11 Ieroboam reigneth he did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Ki. 14.23 24. Amaziah reigneth did uprightly in the Eyes of the Lord but not like David 2 Ki. 14.3 Azariah reigneth did uprightly in the Eyes of the Lord but they burnt Incense in the high places and the Lord smote the King and hee was a Leper to the Day of his Death 2 Ki. 15.3 4 5. Zachariah reigneth hee did evill in the sight of the Lord 2 Ki. 15.8.9 Shallum reigneth is slaine 2 Ki. 15 14. Menahem reigneth did evill 2 Ki. 15.17 18. Pekahiah reigneth He did evill in the sight of the Lord. 2 Ki. 15.23 24. Pekah reigneth He did evill 2 Ki. 15.28 The People carried away captive Iotham reigneth He did uprightly but the People burnt incense in the high places in his Dayes the Lord sent enemies upon the People 2 Ki. 5.34 37. Ahab reigneth He consecrated his Sonne in the fire he did much evill 2 Ki. 16. Hoshea reigneth Hee did evill in the sight of the Lord he becommeth servant to Salmanasser King of Ashur 2 Ki. 17.2 3. The People besieged and carried captive Ver. 6. Because they kept not Gods commands diligently 37. Hezechiah reigneth He did uprightly according to all that David 2 Ki. 18. Manasseh reigneth Hee did evill in the sight of the Lord after the abomination of the Heathen 2 Ki. 21.2 He did much evill and filled Jerusalem from corner to corner with innocent blood 2 Ki. 21.16 And hee caused Iuda to sinne and to do evill Ver. 16. Ammon reigneth He did much evill in the sight of the Lord 2 Ki. 21.20 Iosiah He reigneth He did uprightly in the sight of the Lord 2 Ki. 22.2 Iehoahaz his Sonne reigneth he did much evill in Gods sight 2 Ki. 23.32 The Land in his Dayes was put under great tribute Ver. 33. Iehojachin reigneth He did evill 2 Ki. 23.37 very much evill Iehojachin his Sonne He reigneth He did much evill 2 Ki. 24.9 The People carried captive in his Dayes very much People Ver. 13.4 Zedechiah He reigneth and He did evill in the sight of the Lord very much 2 Ki. 24.9 20. It is well to be considered of that amongst all the Iudges of Israel that came into their places according to Gods institution there was not one man of them that I know of that was taken away by the Sword of the enemy nor by treachery slaine by their owne People nor came to any untimely Death save one man and that was not for practicall evill of himselfe but for suffering sinne to go without due punishment in his children But contrarily they are noted much for Humility Sincerity and Piety Certainly the Spirit of God doth wisely describe Governors for our learning had we but hearts wisely and diligently to observe them But note contrarily that amongst the Kings how many were taken away by untimely Deaths some by Gods command slaine some by the Sword of the enemy some carried captive and the greater part slaine by the People and the most of them are noted to bee notorious sinners I shall rehearse some of them although I believe not all The first fruits of their King Abimelecke Iudg. 9.6.53 The next was Saul slaine was his owne Executioner 1 Sam. 31.4 Nadab slaine by
fornication and lived in pleasure note usually that is one note they lived voluptuously with her these words with her imply a near conjunction when they shall see that smoak of that Her burning Vers 10. And shall stand afar off for fear of her torment and why Is it not because it threatned them saying Alas alas that great City Babylon that mighty City is fallen is fallen for in one day thy judgment is come Vers 11. And the Merchants of the earth shall weep and wail over her c. Vers 17. And every ship-master and all that occupy ships and ship-men and whosoever trafique on the sea shall cry Alas alas that great City c. is made desolate But note I pray you what the blessed Servants of God esteem of this fall of Babylon this is noted Vers 20. O Heavens rejoyce over her and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath punished her to be revenged on her for your sakes I pray you consider why the Prophets and Apostles should in such primary and particular manner rejoyce over her Answ Was it not because she ruled by her prerogative by her own will and would not be ruled and guided by the Writings of them the Prophets and Apostles therefore the Prophets and Apostles whose Writings this great Whore had slighted are noted in such a peculiar and eminent manner to rejoyce at her down-fall To conclude if she be falling or fallen I hope God will keep me that I shall not under-prop her to keep her up Thus I beleeve by this Babel of Confusion is plainly held out by the blessed Spirit of God That corrupt Government and corrupt Governors are to be understood thereby which Babel of Corruption must be put down this being the root of confusion must be plucked up by the very roots And further note That the very true way to be beautiful and good order must arise from good Government and good Governors therefore if ever we do become a City of Righteousness and a faithful City let us very circumspectly and with all diligence labour that we may have Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning that is to say as in the first and in those most uncorrupted times when God did the most immediately appoint Government and Governors Let us keep close to Gods Rules and then we shall not err Thus much briefly I have writ to shew some grounds that strengthen me to expect That now in these latter times God will do some eminent matters in the Reformation of Government and to my apprehension these actings of God in these times do hold out such a thing namely That God is exalting his poor afflicted and so much despised Servants and People I leave it to consideration I shall by the assistance of Gods good Spirit which I hope and beleeve I am guided by now proceed to describe Government according as I find it prescribed owned and blessed by God and recorded in the sacred Scriptures and as at the first in the purest times Therefore first I find That God did begin the model or the form or the composition of Government at the head or chief Ruler Moses was the first touching his entrance he was called immediately by God and so were divers others till Samuels time And because Gods presidents and doings are done in such perfect manner with such wisdom and so exactly useful and fit for those employments that God disposeth them unto therefore I conceive it may not be unuseful to commend something to consideration touching this man and first God setteth out or describeth his parentage Exod. 2.1 There went a man of Levi and took to wife a daughter of Levi Vers 2. And the woman conceived and bare a son which was Moses Here God doth not describe any great difference between his parentage and the parentage of the rest of those people that God called him to govern The like is noted in the rest of those Judges which God did immediately call and in the best of Kings David who was a man God did immediately in mercy appoint to govern his people Israel this David the best of the Kings was chosen by God and taken not for his eminent kindred but out of a low condition From hence I observe That God doth not look or chuse Governors out of or by respects as man usually doth Man usually looketh upon the outward man this was Samuels error man looketh at beauty riches kindred rich or great parentage at eloquence and the like which respects usually lead men to chuse those men that prove usually neither any great promoters of Gods Glory nor of the Peoples good God looketh at the inner man at the graces of his own Spirit in their hearts and principally God looketh at his own Institutions when such a man is made Judg as entereth into his office and charge purely according to Gods Institution â—o as God in his Word hath prescribed then God blesseth such with his Spirit It is remarkable that Moses pleaded his insufficiency for that work God appointed him unto recorded for our learning Exod. 4.10.11 Then the Lord said unto him Who hath given the mouth to man or who hath made the dumb or the deaf or him that seeth or the blind have not I the Lord Therefore go now I will be with thee This consideration holds out to us of what high and great concernment it is to observe with carefulness and diligence how our Governors enter in and take their offices and charges in Government we cannot be too circumspect in this matter let us keep close to those first most pure and unblemished directions that God hath most immediately prescribed that are most clearly revealed in his sacred Word for that is our most certain guide and the most sure way to our future safety that possibly we can attain or reach unto It is very observable That of all the Judges that God did immediately chuse I cannot find but that God endowed them all with his good and blessed Spirit and not one of them but proved to seek Gods Glory and the Peoples good from Moses to Samuel which was so long as the people followed Gods Institution in their Government And observe well That so soon as the people were negligent in following those first and pure Institutions most clearly and primarily prescribed by God concerning Government then God did withdraw his gracious presence from them and what misery and affliction folowed to them and to their posterity God in his sacred Wisdom hath left recorded for our learning in the Books of the Chronicles and Kings of Israel and Judah How did these Kings draw the people from God into sin and brought the fierce wrath of God upon the people And did not all this proceed from this root namely from this Because they were negligent in the circumspect observance of Gods Prescriptions and because they leaned to their own understandings and followed their own inventions Oh that we the People of
callings of Governors by God to their places in those first and purest times But this is not so safe and clear a way so far as I understand First Because we read not we cannot find it recorded that I can find and I have searched the Scripture with diligence that God did appoint the people to chuse that way Consider That those acts that the people did are not therefore Gods Commandments and Institutions for then we must follow them in many actions which would be vain to conceive Secondly The People may err and are much subject so to do Thirdly Gods Law is express we may not add nor diminish we may not turn to the right nor to the left hand to or from Gods Commandments Fourthly I believe the promises of God lead us to chuse most exactly according to the purest Institutions noted in Isai 1. I will that is God will restore thy Judges as at the first c. that holdeth out as in the purest times c. Before I make Application of what is mentioned touching the calling of these chief Judges I conceive it will be needful to answer an Objection which is this Object May not the people chuse chief Governors did not the people chuse Jepthtah Answ The exact manner of Jepthtah's choyce is not so plainly described but that for ought I know they might have some further enquiry then is set down much we read not of Jephthahs acts this is to be noted concerning him That he did such an act as no other Judg did that we reâ—d of namely he vowed such an unllimited and unlawful vow as occasioned him to sacrifice his daughter and so he did which was the direct breach of Gods Command in a high degree But secondly consider That it is a safe way in dubious matters especially in such eminent matters as do so immediately concern Gods glory and the peoples good to walk by the plainest by â—he most evident ways that God hath prescribed 3. God saith expresly with many threatnings and many times That we shall neither add nor diminish from his Institutions Now this is evident That God chusing immediately either by voyce by Prophet or by lot is Gods own appointment It is without denyal or question and God foreseeing that the people would corrupt their ways and break his Institutions by desiring to be governed by Kings yet God was so jealous of his honor and tender of the peoples good in the choyce of the chief Governors that he saith expresly Deut. 17. Thou shalt make him King whom the Lord thy God shall chuse Therefore considering that we may neither add nor diminish it is without comparison much safer to chuse by Gods plain Rules For in both the Government by Judges and in the Government by Kings it is to be noted That God did immediately chuse Governors and I cannot see that a people that will follow Gods express Command and President can avoyd but that God and not men must chuse the chief Governor It is expressed and recorded That God raised up Judges and made them Saviours to the people but because the manner how God raised them up is not so plainly expressed therefore I conceive that it is the safest way to follow the plainest and clearest ways by which are plainly declared the manner how God did chuse and wherein God did act own and most eminently bless but where God raiseth up men and maketh them eminent Instruments for his glory and by them worketh deliverance to a people in such a case I dare not oppose it doubtless I believe it is a way nearest to Gods immediate callings and nearest to the plainest Presidents recorded in the sacred Scriptures Fourthly If the people chuse they are subject to err and mistake they see but the outward appearance and they may intend one man and it may be a great number carryeth the choyce to another or they may be mistaken in the man most meet for Government which will appear if we consider that Samuel a wise and holy man was mistaken in chusing but amongst one mans children how much sooner may we be mistaken when we having less understanding then Samuel are to chuse out of a multitude and we may be over-powered by money by friends by kindred by beauty by eloquence by fraud or force or ways we know not of Fifthly Experience may teach us That people do err very often and chuse those men to be their Judges or Governors that prove direct enemies to them and to their posterity witness Abimeleck and a multitude of others recorded for our learning and for our instruction Sixthly God never erreth and he doth bless with his holy Spirit men of his own sending Seventhly God complainenth of this by his Prophets formerly cited saying They had Kings but not by me Princes but I knew it not From the premisses may be gathered three ways whereby Governors were in those first and purest times chosen and ordained two of them are very clear the third I dare not absolutely oppose but leave it to the consideration of the godly-wise-hearted I shall propound to consideration somewhat touching the particulars and then make a general Proposition to consideration touching all the three joyntly as God shall assist First concerning the immediate Call of God by voyce or Prophet or some such way as God shall see meet I know no place of Scripture that doth declare That God will no more appoint Governors as at the first as he did Moses and Joshua Secondly This Prophecy Isai 1. holdeth out much for these words as at the first and as in the beginning may for ought that I know be determined by God to be accomplished in the full latitude namely as in the time of Moses and Joshua That Prophecy Dan. 7.27 in these words And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the holy people of the most High This seemeth to me to import That God intendeth to do great things for his people in these latter times Read Micah 7.17 According to the days of thy coming out of the Land of Egypt I will shew unto him marvellous things This to my apprehension holds out That God will do marvellous things God is not limited within bounds he can do as great things now in these latter times as in the former times Thus in other places Thirdly I believe That with limitation and submission to Gods good will and pleasure we may safely present our humble prayers to God in the Name of his Son our blessed Saviour That he would be pleased to appoint our chief Governor for us The Lord was so far from rejecting the people Judg. 1.1 when they sought his gracious favour in this particular that he graciously granteth their request God doubtless will not be offended when people with the greatest care and diligence cleave closest to him the Apostle willeth us That in every thing our request should be made known unto
God chusing a governor and the peoples chusing a governor therefore he chuseth a governor by lot wherein and whereby God chuseth therefore Gods direction and institution is that God shall chuse This is most for Gods glory and for the peoples greatest safety Lots are Gods own Ordinance as appeareth in many places Josh 7.17 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their Tribes and the Tribe of Judah was taken And he brought the families of Judah and took the family of the Zarhites and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man and Zabdi was taken And he brought his houshold man by man and Achan was taken God could have shewed to Joshua who was the man so well as he shewed to him that there was an offence but he causeth Joshua to enquire his will in such a way as God had prescribed This sheweth that in difficult cases God ordained that people should enquire his minde by lots and this Samuel knew and therefore he enquireth Gods minde by lots in this very case of government this was never repealed to this day for God is not yea and nay God is not contrary or opposite to his own Rules This is certain it is better and safer for people to be directed by God to chuse the man yea although God for our sin should be angry with us yet even in those causes it is better to fall into the hands of God then into the hands of man and this David well considered when he chose to fall into the hands of God and not into the hands of man But further we may observe That this was the usual way namely by lots that the people took to enquire Gods minde in weighty and difficult causes as appeareth Iosh 18.6 I will cast lots for you here before the Lord thus Vers 8 10. read 1 Sam. 14.42 And Saul said casts lots between me and Ionathan my son and Ionathan was taken Here we may see that God appeared and gave a true determination and this was a way to avoyd strife Read 1 Chro. 26.13 And they cast lots both small and great for the house of their fathers Here again we may note That this use of lots was to shew what Gods minde was and to prevent all jealousies or indirect means and to prevent strife Read Nehem. 10.34 We cast lots for the offerings of the wood even the Priests the Levites and the People Read Ionah 1.7 And they said every one to his fellow come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us so they cast lots and the lot fell upon Ionah By this it evidently appeareth that the people in weighty cases did enquire to know Gods minde this way namely by lots Secondly We may observe That God doth answer the people this way Thirdly We may observe That the lot did not err nor fail to shew that which the people sought to God for Read Act. 1.24 And they prayed saying Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these thou hast chosen Vers 26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell on Matthias This sheweth that lots were not abolished but they are now of the same use that they were under the Law this is an example of the Apostles men in an extraordinary measure guided by the good and holy spirit of God and this was written no doubt for our learning this was and is a clear and evident direction in the very case of governors for the Apostles were Gods Embassadors his own Witnesses they were the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures this matter was an eminent and a weighty matter they chose but one of two The Reason is evident because the nature of their cause required no more First Because not any amongst all although holy would serve they must be men that had been the most noted to be eye-witnesses of what Christ had done and suffered and so that they had seen and heard those things themselves Secondly The Apostles were present that had an infallible spirit Thirdly This cause differs from the Governors of a Common-wealth because God in his wisdom ordered the Governors of a Common-wealth to be chosen by God out of all the people and I do conceive with due and humble respect to those that shall see Gods minde more clearly that it is the safest way to follow the most direct and evident Rules prescribed owned and blessed by God in the same cases Now it evidently appeareth that the Prophet Samuel directed immediately by God himself did chuse out of the whole twelve Tribes of Israel by that means God did fully chuse according to Deut. 17. to make him Governor whom the Lord did chuse immediately in this very case of chusing the Governor of a Common-wealth for in this case this president by Samuel was a certain and an approved president in chusing the person that God saw meet to be chief governor This was not about the form of government whether it should be by Iudges or by Kings for of that matter God shewed his minde by Samuel before expresly witnessing against the form of government by Kings but this was a Rule to shew how God is said to chuse the person that he seeth meet to govern I leave it to the consideration of the godly From these places before mentioned first I observe That it plainly and clearly appeareth that lots were ordained by God and that God owned them because God truly appeared and truly gave answer by them and because that God blessed this way of his own devising Secondly I observe That the lot when men cast themselves or referred themselves wholy to or upon God in such cases did never err it always gave a true direction a true determination in all weighty causes Search the Scriptures and it cannot be found that the lot ever erred Let not as fear therefore to chuse our chief governor by lot for let us not doubt God is the same unchangeable God yesterday and to day and the same for ever Will not this way compose all our differences Will it not heal all distempers Will not this way end all our strife Will not this way keep out all Wolves and Foxes and other beasts of prey Shall not we by this way return again to the Lord and by this means God shall be our King his Laws our guide by this means we shall obtain a man from the Lord and we shall be blessed and Peace and Truth shall meet together and so shall we have Iudges in some proportion as at the first and Counsellers as at the beginning and we shall be called a faithful City Thirdly Let us remember the great effusion of blood that hath been shed and the great envies hatred malice that is at this day reigning in the Land Is it not in every Country in every City in every Paâ—ish Nay there are but a few Families comparatively where there are not some breaches
when the glorious and brightest Sun appeareth the eye of the blessed God and their Maker looked clearely upon them and vouchsafed to some of those poore prisoners of hope to looke upon him also have not you godly Souldiers bin a means to redeem us the people of England had we grace to see it to acknowledge and be thankfull for it from that Egyptian bondage a corrupt forme of government wherein we like Lands Beasts and Asses were left as inheritance from the Father to the supposed Sonnes the Father of one Religion the Sonne of another did they not run and ride with fury and all possible speed horse and man from generation to Generation to seize upon us thus entring in at Windowes back-doores and in By-pathes they too often proved inâ— sheepes clothing and the blessed Spirit of God was not given unto them and they kept the People from true Shepherds men of Gods sending upon whom the good and blessed Spirit of God would have rested I should much admire that all men should not joyfully see and acknowledge so great deliverance and salvation were it not that I consider Gods righteous judgements for sinne and also considering how prevalent custome is insomuch that often times it consumeth truth and yet is lean still are not your Carriers horses often very sore loaded and yet being accustomed to beare burdens they are even contented or looke no higher they keepe jogging on loth to go out of their pace nor out of their accustomed way although it sometimes be up to their bellies in mire and dirt where because of times quick motion I must leave them to their content and I and my house will by Gods gracious assistance freely joyfully and with all hearty praise blesse the God of our protection salvation and deliverance for our freedome and better way Have you dearely beloved godly Souldiers bin used by God as instruments to accomplish the precious promises of God recorded concerning Babels fall corrupt government and governors and should I forget you No verily for I believe that the generations to come shall have cause to blesse God for you and your memory shall be blessed times quick motion bids me unwillingly to forbeare and because I conceive I shall never more in this World speake of you or to you in this kinde till I believe wee shall very shortly meete though of our selves unworthy yet through the free and abundant mercy of God in Christ with joyfull hearts before God and his blessed Angells with whom we shall be and never more be separated to eternity this span of time hasteneth and shorteneth our glasse runs apace as swiftly as the Sun runs round the World when our worke is done come Lord Iesus come graciously and quickly Therefore I shall at present conclude my speech to you Revel 12.10 being sorry that I have not opportunity to see the faces of many of you and to rejoyce with you for all the great workes God by youâ— hands Numb 23.23 According to this time it shall be said of Iacob and Israel what hath the Lord wrought Then I heard a loude voyce saying now is salvation and strength the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our Brethren is cast downe Ver. 11. But they overcame him by the bloud of that Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Vers 12. Therefore rejoyce yee Heavens and yee that dwell in them And now beloved Countreymen let me speake a word to you may I not say to many of you with Ieremy O that mine eyes were a Fountaine of teares that I might weepe day and night for the iniquity of the People is it possible that after such cleare evident and wonderfull gracious workes and actings of our good God in these very times that any rationall man should be so far led aside and prejudiced that he should not acknowledge with joy and thankfulnesse to God and to those that God hath used as instruments of so great deliverance it is possible for some they cry out Oh the King the King is gone is so great pompe and riches come to desolation in one houre others they would have all opinions openly manifested to be tolerated under pretence of liberty of conscience others would have their owne opinions and no other to be tolerated that they may lord it over their weake Brethren Others they speake with a double heart as David tooke notice and so make ready their arrowes and bend their bowes that they may shoote at all that are upright in heart Psal 11. For they speake against Government and Governors saying they hate these opinionists they by this meanes shew too evidently by their fruits that this is but a cloake for their owne sinnes for under pretext of conformity they shoote at Government and governors and in truth at those that are the humble true and faithfull servants of our God at all such as are circumspect and fear to offend God I would first say to them that unfeignedly desire to do Gods Will though in some matters some having larger talents then others there be difference in their judgements although in many matters the difference being throughly and truely considered is more in shew then in reall substance would you take the best and safest way Then begin in the right manner and place labour to strengthen and encourage this present government who I believe many of them do humbly cordially and unfeinedly desire to do Gods good Will now stand still and see the salvation of God proceede regularly pray earnestly to God for them that the good Spirit of his grace may leade them into all truth for doubtlesse in their peace your peace and prosperity in a great measure is contained Let government be thoroughly setled according to Gods owne wayes which if we pray earnestly and walke humbly with our God I believe God will direct them to establish government according to Gods minde you would have this issued namely what liberty shall be granted to severall or to all opinions which is a matter unpossible to be done for much must be left to the judgement of authority it cannot be avoided because many opinions doe not yet appear and the Governors do not know their own hearts before hand I know this by well observed experience and could instance in many cases but I forbeare Therefore joyne unanimously in this to seeke and to pray God so to direct our present governors that they may be so directed by God that they may discerne and follow that way for the calling of our Iudges into their places that God hath prescribed owned and blessed for this is the roote from whence our greatest safety under God consisteth Such Governors sent of God I know God will blesse with his holy Spirit and agree upon what you will before hand it will be of little moment because it is not agreeable to Gods proceedings and if governors enter in at
Afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.25 26 27. ch 2.2 3 4. Of this I purpose to speak more afterwards Dearly beloved friends thus much I can and do affirm to you all in the presence of that all-seeing â—od who will bring hidden things deeds of darkness to light even in the presence of that God who I do Love Fear Worship who is my Hope my Joy from whom I received all the Good I have from whom I expect my comfort for the time to come I have not so far as I know my own heart any prejudice nor respect of persons nor any past present or future by or sinister respect in the writing this little Treatise I have never received the value of one penny in recompence of my endeavors and for the time to come I am so far from thoughts that way That I do expect rather that I shall receive injury hereby and that this may be a great hinderance to me in wordly respects only this is my comfort That I know whom I have trusted And this further can I say likewise That at the writing hereof I know not nor did ever see either those truly honourable Generals the Lord Fairfax nor the Lord Cromwel nor any Captain or Souldier amongst them except some few I lately saw in or neer to London as I passed by them nor do I know any one of them if I see them again so far as I conceive It is possible some of my acquaintance may be in the Army but if it be so I know it not And concerning those worthy men for so I esteem them to be that now sit in the Parliament I never saw any one of them to my knowledg except one who I have seen I think three or four times yet I know not certainly whether he be of the Parliament or no only I think he is Whereas I affirm that I know not any of the Army or of the Parliament I intend that I know not the persons of the men but by their fruits I know much concerning them Some may judge this to be superfluous to mention but I shall shew you what moveth me so to do In discoursing with divers men I find to my best apprehension That there is such a crooked and perverse generation of men that imagine mischief that invent base false and slanderous reports against Parliament Generals Army and indeed against the most that truly fear God Blame me not therefore courteous Reader if I labour to prevent slanderous and lying Tongues And this likewise I affirm That with due regard of Gods presence in the fear of God being much sensible of my own weakness seriously considering of how great weight it is to write books and to present them to publique view I am very fearful to presume above what is meet and this I say further that my purpose is to propound the matters and causes I shall principally insist upon in this following Treatise I purpose likewise according to the measure of light grace and opportunity that God shall give me to prove and clear the matters propounded and then having presented the cause I shall earnestly desire of God to stir some persons who are more learned and better able then my self and to enable and direct them so That they may more largely and clearly shew forth to publique view the mind of God in these matters of Government and Governors It is now a long season that the Nations have been so kept under by Corrupt Governors above two thousand years during which time where or who was the man that durst or did punctually discover the Corruption of Governors or of Government 1. This is one reason that moveth me to present the cause to publike view namely because I know not or do not discern that any one writer from Samuels days to this time the pens of the Scriptures excepted that hath punctually written upon this subject 2. This is another moving cause because now being a time of more Liberty and considering that I my children and posterity are concerned in the case of Government I conceive there is reason good why I should present this cause to publike consideration 3. This is another motive I look upon the great effusion of bloud that hath been shed about this matter the cause for ought I know being not yet wholy determined but is still so that I conceive that our godly Governors are ready to prefer Gods glory and the common good before their own interests in those matters that they shall clearly see to be the mind and will of God 4. This is another motive seeing apparently our miserable condition people being divided in judgment and in affection so that our condition is much like a ship in a Tempest Therefore the end of my endeavors shall be so far as God shall assist that I may reconcile differences and that Peace and Truth may meet together as Moses and Aaron met together in the mount of God and kissed each other And as this is the end I propound to my self so likewise I purpose it shall be the Title or Superscription Dearly beloved friends all you that love and fear the Lord all you that have obtained like precious faith I earnestly intreat you to assist me in this work with your prayers with your most best uttermost and strongest abilities Contend for the truth in love but strive not lust not to be contentious Reject not that Truth that Good wholy which is accompanied with some blemishes Men cast not away a good garment because of a little dirt Consider the great differences and troubles about Governors and Government Therefore I humbly request thee to weigh try prove examine search the Scripture cleave to the Truth Seek the favour of God with more then ordinary prayer That the good holy Spirit of God may lead thee into truth For it is evident that many unclean Spirits many false and lying Spirits are permitted to deceive many in these our days This point of Government is of great concernment if God help us to discern the good and right way prescribed practised owned and blessed by God to chuse persons so that God may be said to chuse for us to shut up all windows and by-ways that so Wolves Foxes and beasts of prey may be kept from the Sheep If God help us to discern the way the true and right way and in that way to set open the door that the good and true Shepherds may enter whose fruits will soon discover them to be good and true Shepherds for they will love the flock they will watch over them not for the fleece mostly but to defend them from beasts of prey These good Shepherds will seek the comfort of the Flock they will drive them to the wholesom pastures and to the still waters where they may be refreshed where they may bless the name of the Lord and lie down without fear for true love casteth out fear and
so rest in peace because a good Shepherd is their watchman Was not this the very foundation and cause that David Ps 23. found such great comfort and refreshment namely from his Shepherd Dear Friends if God help us to obtain good Shepherds good Governors our strife will end our differences will be composed Corrupt Opinions on the one hand and desperate Blasphemy and Profaneness on the other hand will vanish as smoak before the winde The very presence of Moses destroyed the profaneness of Idolatrous Worship Dear Christian Friends if God help us in this matter then shall peace and truth meet together and as Moses and Aaron they shall kiss one another in the Mount of God Then shall we well provide for the comfort of our children and for their posterity Then shall the generations to come have cause to bless us Then shall the Name of the Lord be praised with joyful hearts Then shall the Lord bless us and we shall be blessed I shall endeavor to write in this ensuing Treatise without partiality without turning to the right or to the left hand without respect of persons further then in a way of righteousness accept of this my mite And let those men who have received more abilities and opportunity put more into the Treasury Dear Friends and Country-men I dare not say that for your sakes I could be content to have my name blotted out of the Book of Life Nor with Paul That for this cause I could be content to be a cast-away from the presence of God for ever For the thought of that would be more bitter then death But this I do say That so far as I know my own heart provided that the loss of my temporal life would be the means to procure this happiness to you namely that you might possess Judges as the first and Counsellors as at the beginning I could be content to lay down this temporal life that for a little season I do here enjoy Beloved Friends I considering that there is so great a distance at this time between Opinions but more especially there is a greater difference between the affections of many I shall desire leave of the courteous Reader that without offence I may propound some other matters to consideration My ends therein are that I may extinguish that heat if not wholly yet in some measure that is burning or smothering in the hearts of many For otherwise these will lie as a block or as a bar in the way to hinder that peace and truth should not meet together I remember Jacob his example herein he being intended and desirous to be reconciled to his brother Esau who had determined or threatned his death He labors to prevent and pacifie his brothers anger by sending presents and soft answers good words before him Such gifts as I have I offer to you Silver and Gold I have but little I desire that I may finde the like acceptance that Jacob did The first and great hinderance that I find laid in the way to hinder Peace and Truth from meeting together is the death of the late King the removing of divers Lords and some others from their present Being or acting as Members of that Court and the pretended wilful breach of a former Covenant I am not desirous to call back those things that are done and past I am not desirous to take abroad those imbers in which wherein hath been or may be contained coals of fire that might or may kindle such fâ—â—â—es as are not easily quenched It is better for peace sake to suffer some yea much wrong then to endeavor to right our selves in such a way as may turn to far greater loss Our Saviour counselleth us rather to suffer wrong then to contend in Law and rather to lose our garment then to contend too earnestly for it In those things wherein sin is committed by others and we no actors nor consenters in it we may in some cases especially then when by seeking revenge we may plunge and throw our selves â—â—to greater dangers and temptations in such cases we may wait patiently and commit those cases to God that judgeth righteously Sin shall slay the wicked doer and God will bring down the evil and the deceitful men He that riseth up to right another mans cause must look well to his own calling and abilities Did not these lie as a bar in the way to hinder Peace and Truth from meeting I should be silent and commit the matter to him that judgeth righteously and so I desire to do I shall not use here any carnal weapons onely make some use of Truth so well as I am able that thereby we may find the way to Peace And first touching the late Kings death consider that we cannot recall that What then Are you resolved to set up the eldest Son upon the Throne of his Father Consider well of it Can you tell whether he will prove wise or foolish Can you tell whether he will care for the Flock Can you tell whether he will love or hate the Flock Can you tell whether you should obtain your desires or whether that the pursuance thereof may not be a means to ruine your selves and many others that desire to live in peace Are you nevertheless resolved to have such a Watchman such a Shepherd Will you expect grapes from thorns I have indeed to my sorrow heard this with my ears lately spoken That if a Turk or any other as bad almost should come hither and contend for the Government there would be a great party for him Oh horrible impiety that men should so far be transported beyond the bounds of Reason and Religion Indeed there is a generation too apparent that by their works by their swearing and prophaneness and hatred of those that love and fear the Lord declare evidently that they are Gods enemies It is therefore not to be wondred that God should give them over to strong delusions to believe lies What if Gods Word declare evidently That the Government by Judges be better more agreeable to his mind more useful and more comfortable to us will you nevertheless have a King consider of it Friends Countrymen Beloved I have no prejudice against a King but this I say I honour love worship and desire to cleave to the Precepts and Commandments of him that is the King of Kings of him who gave me life and is able to raise me up to life when this span of time is past when the King of Terrors hath done his utmost spite I was no actor in the Kings death I had taken a great journey above four years before the death of the King and was many hundreds of miles distant from this Land and returned hither very lately I speak therefore the more freely with more liberty I have endeavored with the greatest care I could to weigh mens words and passages in the ballance of the Sanctuary and I find many that speak loosely carelesly and many more prophanely Is