of the Lord a Judgement Sentence Decree Acts 17. God hath appointed a day in which he will judge c. Jer. 33.14.15 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will perform the good thing which I have promised c. I wil cause the branch of righteousnesse to grow up he shall execute judgement righteousnesse c. At that day a man shall look to his Maker and his eyes to the holy one of Israel and not to the Altar the workes of his hands or fancies of his own braines c. Isa 17.7 Acts 17.31 Jer. 25.15 16. Blood purged out of the mids of Jerusalem as the Lord promised Is 4.4 Isa 43.7 Jer. 31.19 It shall be to me a name a joy a praise and an honour before all the Nations of the earth Statute Law and Ordinance of the Lord wherby Christ Jesus may gaine glory to himselfe from all Nations of the earth by making them one flock under one Shepheard by the way of his owne judgement bringing Jewes and Gentiles Christians and Turks Heathens and Infidels to be of the same sheepfold under his government as by this Prophecy may be intended If Christ shall not faile till he have set Judgement on the earth Psal 94.15 Isa 42.4 viz. set all things in good order The whole earth for the most part especially Christendome being at this time in terrible tumultuous turmoiles combustions and bloody contentions concerning Religion and other matters of civill government Doubtlesse it may be a blessed fulfilling of this Prophecy if all the differences both concerning Church and State being truly stated were referred to the judgement and resolution of the Lord himselfe by this way of his owne prescription By this meanes the barbarous way of warre the heaviest of Gods judgements more fit for heathenish brutish people then Christians would be avoided effusion of bloud prevented and the glory given to the Lord alone to whom it is onely and justly due and for which end God made man and so the name of God being spread ever the face of the earth All Nations might be taught it and brought to the use of this blessed way of Reconciliation To difpise or neglect this way of the Lord and goe the way of cruelty and violence the way of the Sword is to change the Judgements of the Lord into wickednesse and to refuse and contemne the Judgements and Statutes of the Lord as the Lord by his Prophet complaines Ezek 5.5 6 7. Surely the way of Cain like cruelty Bloudy butchering of our Brethren can be no way acceptable but rather detestable to the God of Peace no satisfactory way of Judgement to the consciences of men no sound foundation whereon to settle Reformation or build the Church of Christ The judgement of Christ in this way of divine Lott will appeare more consonant to the Word and will of God more Pious and prosperous among men If we seriously consider these ensuing Prophecies Isa 9.5 6 7. Surely every battell of the warriour is with noise and with tumbling of Garments in blood but this shall be with burning and fuell of fire For unto us a Child is borne a Sonne is given the government is upon his shoulder and be shall call his name wonderfull Counseller c. the Prince of Peace The increase of his Government and Peace shall have none and Hee shall sit upon the Throne and kingdome of David to order and stablish it with Judgement and Iustice. Jer. 23.5 6. Jer. 33.14 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall raigne and prosper and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth In his day Judah shall be saved and Israel dwell safely and this is the Name whereby they shall call him the Lord our righteousnesse In cases of difficulty and difference the Prince of peace the wonderfull Counseller the true King of the Israel of God may well be a more competent and covenient Judge then the bloody Sword which though victorious yet cannot by its Conquest so convince the minds consciences of men as therby to invest the Conquerour with a true right and just title to things therby obtained Peace amity unity how pious how pretious how prosperous among Brethren both Gods Testaments are a plentifull testimony and if no Text to prove it might be produced yet the wofull experience of the want thereof would sufficiently confirme it But if jarres divisions dissentions dangerous doubtfull difficult arise as offences will and doe come why should not the determination thereof be referred to the judgement of Justice it selfe If the rod of Pride bud and spread and cause and raise contentions among the ambitious sonnes of men Then shall the bud of the Lord be beautifull and glorious Isa 11.1 And there shall come a rod out of the stock of Ishai on whom shall rest the Spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisdome and understanding of counsell and strength of knowledge c. And he shall judge but how not after the manner of men after the sight of his eyes or hearing of his eares But with righteousnesse and equity shall he judge the poore and meeke of the earth and hee shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth c. Isa 2.11 to the end The haughtinesse of men shall bee humbled Isa 11.1 the loftinesse of men shall be abased and the Lord onely shall be exalted in that day Cease yee from man whose breath is in his nostrills for wherein is hee to be esteemed Isa 3.13 14. The Lord standeth up to plead yea he standeth up to judge the people The Lord shall enter into judgement with the ancients of his people Isa 4.2 And what shall bee the fruits of his Judgement why Justice being the girdle of his loynes c. The wolfe shall dwell with the lambe the leopard ly down with the kid the calfe the lyon and fat beasts shall rest together and a little child shall lead them c. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all his holy mountaine his Church for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord c. Jer. 31.34 Blessed fruits of a more blessed stocke When the Lord shall wash the fiâ—â—hinesse of the daughters of Zion and purge the bloud of Jerusalem out of the middest thereof by the spirit of judgement Isa 4.4 That Israel may be glad and the daughters of Judah rejoyce because of Gods righteous judgements Jer. 23.5 6. â—3 14.15 So shall the heathen feare when the Lord shall build up Zion and shall appeare in his glory vid. Zech. 4.6.6 12 13.15.8.21 Jer. 33.9 Psa 165.12 cause his power to be knowne to the sonnes of men c. If a bitter root bearing wormwood and gall shall be found among you to whom will ye seeke for health and helpe why in that day the root of Ishai shall stand up for a signe unto the people and the Nations shall seeke
wildernesse Have I been as a wildernesse unto Israel or a land of darknesse Jer. 2.31 Wherefore saith my people then Wee are Lords we will come no more to thee Isa 45.19 I said not in vaine unto the seed of Jacob Seeke ye me v. 22. Looke unto me yee shall be saved all the ends of the earth shall be saved Will ye forsake the Fountain of living waters which will never faile ye and dig ye pits broken pits of your owne power and policies which may prove fallacies and will hold no waters of true continuing comfort Truly the hope of the hills is but vaine nor the multitude of the mountains but in the Lord our God is the health of Israel Jer. 3.13 The high look of man shall be humbled and the Lord onely exalted Isa 2 11.12.13.14.15.16.17.19 Isa 51. I even I am he that comfort you Who art thou that fearest man c. and forgettest the Lord thy maker c v. 12.13 No perfect Peace in our case without consulting receiving the resolution of the great Peace-maker Zech. 8.3 A City of truth 1 Cor. 3. â—1 Psa 147.2.14 Quo facilius preceptum eo gravius peccatum not the hills of our haughty ones nor muâ—titudes nor mountaines of our Mighties can make us happy All our Powers and policies wealth and Armies without a pious Peace cannot preserve us from ruine And for a firme and well-grounded Peace wee cannot be assured nor ever secured except the Propositions for Peace bee confirmed setled and perfected by the Judgement sentence and decree of the great Peace-maker who is our peace who is more puissant then the Mountaines of prey and in pious Policies more wise then all the wise men of the world combined and conjoyned who will nullifie and disappoint all their counsels even when he pleaseth catch them in their craft and snare them in their own net Jerusalem is builded as a City at unity in it selfe Nisi Dominus Aedificaverit other foundation can no man lay except the Lord whose Tabernacle is at Salem build Bethsalem Jerusalem all humane labour is but lost And in this respect there is a sacred necessity of the use of this holy Ordinance there being no other way of Gods judgement for the perfecting of our peace prescribed in Gods word Zech. 4.10.7.6 Who hath despised the day or way of small things This way of the Lord prescribed by his Word however despicable in the eyes of sinfull mortalls Who art thou ô great mountaine thou shalt be a plaine for neither by an Army nor by strength but by my Spirit by my selfe by the way of my Word shall the work of Peace be finished saith the Lord of hosts vide Isa 2.11 to the end of the chapter In a second respect there is also a sacred necessity of the use of this holy way in respect of the equall and impartiall proceedings for tryall of differences depending betweene King and Parliament 1. In regard the King is under Christ the next and imediate Supreme Governour of these Kingdomes and the Parliament the supreme Court of Judicature in these Kingdomes Now neither Party can appeale to any person or Court superiout to them but Christ and the Court of Heaven And for either party to become Judges in their owne case is hardly consistent with the lawes of God or man And therefore wee must needs conclude Christ under God to be the most equall convenient and just Judge for determining the differences Thirdâ—y in respect of the Covenants Vowes or Oathes which have passed on both sides which being made before and to God I conceive under favour cannot by any humane meanes consent compulsion or Authority bee dispensed withall dissolved or disanulled nor the consciences of those men that made It may be seared lest for oathes the Land mourneth in teares of bloud when so many lives have been shed and spilt or tooke such Covenants Vowes or Oathes satisfied or cleered untill they shall be convinced by this or some other Divine way of the Lords judgement concerning the truth or falsity justnesse or unjustnesse of their owne Tenent and demands which they have Covenanted vowed and sworne to defend and maintaine especially when the parties on both sides have Covenanted expresly and directly one against the other to maintaine things diametrically opposite there the one party cannot without breach of his Covenant or violation of his vow or oath yeeld to the other in that particular neither ought by the rules of reason or Religion or any warrant which I find in the word of God to be forced or compelled thereunto An instance hereof in this case concerning Episcopacy which the King hath vowed to maintaine the Parliament Covenanted to eradicate In this case the King cannot yeeld unto the Parliaments demands without violation of his oath neither ought his Majesty as I conceive under favour to be compelled thereunto it being against his oath unlesse the Lord shall so give judgement and thereby declare the Presbyterie or other Government which the King or Parliament shall propose to be Iâ—re divino or fitter to be established in this Kingdome As hereby the Lord will surely and truly shew upon Propositions of severall formes which is most consonant to his Word and will He will give to God the the things that are Gods And surely in all Ecclesiasticall cases of this nature wherein the glory of his Name is so much concerned the judgement of God is more proper and fit then the judgement of man Againe in the case of the Militia the Question being desired to whom of right the same appertaines man by the Sword cannot be so competent a Judge as the Lord by whom all powers are ordained and ordered may be by the Lett in this case or any other concerning God the King or Kingdome He by whom Kings reigne and Princes decree justice He by whom Princes rule and the Nobles and all the Iudges of the earth is the fittest judge Pro. 8.15.16 For where the sword â—â—ts as chief justice tâ—ere might goes away with right There jus potestatis not potestas juris is predominant there we find no power of right but that right which power obtains bears the sway justice is justled out by strength of hand but by the righteous judgement of the Lord the right of the Militia and all other matters in difference wil be justly disposed We know that the judgement of God is according to truth Psa 19.9 Rom. 2.2.6.11 None ought to judge another but by warrant from God in right or title especially where the Judges lay claime to the same thing in question He wil give to Caesar the things that are Caesars Tribute to whom tribute Custome to whom custome to all and every one their proper due In this divine judgement as we cannot faile of right so we need not feare any wrong where the Lord is Judge there is no partiality nor respect of persons Give me leave to aske the Apostles question
well-grounded peace Wee may observe that ship to be most frequently and furiously tossed and tumbled with waves and tempests that anchors in the mud and slitting flexible yeilding earth Wee may find it so in those ships of state which anchor too terrenely which confide in their own crackt counsells too much in the mud of their own imaginations the durt of their own devises the brittle earthen pitcher of their own policies That Peace is most safe that is grounded on the rock of Christ Jesus his divine counsell judgement and direction upon God the rock of our salvation that state remaines but in a weake and tottering condition that hath not the salvation of the Lord for their walls and bulwarkes But that State or People which dare cast their burthen on the Lord in case of danger division destruction commit their cause to his heavenly disposition and contentedly and confidently say The Lord is our Iudge Isa 33.22 c. per totum the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us they shall dwell on high their defence shall be in the mountaint of the Rocke surely there the mighty Lord will be unto them as a place of floods and broud rivers c. Their eyes shall see the King in his glory Ierusalem a quiet habitation a tabernacle that cannot bee removed Isa 32.16 c. Iudgement shall returne to Iustice and all Nations shall fellow after it Iudgement shall dwell in the desart and justice remain in the fruitfull fields And my people shall dwell in the Tabernacle of Peace and in sure dwellings and in safe resting places And the worke of Iustice shall be peace even the worke of Justice and quietnesse and assurance for ever I shall conclude with these Admonitions exhortations of the Lord by his Prophet Which the Dove humbly directs to the Prince Parliament Clergy and People of the Land Isa 50.10 11. Who is among you that feareth the Lord let him heare the voice of his servant he that walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Behold all you kindle a fire and are compassed about with sparkes walke in the light of your fire and in the sparkes that ye have kindled This shall ye have of mine hand ye shall lie down in sorrow Ezek. 15.7 I will set my face against them they shall go out from one fire and another fire shall devour them Woe to the rebellious that take counsell but not of me c. Isa 30.1 2 3. vide Isa 10 and Isa 29.14 15. Woe unto them that seek deepe to hide their counsell from the Lord c. vid. ver 16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24 Both Prophet and Priest doe wickedly wherfore their way shall be unto them as slippery wayes in darknesse they shall be driven forth fall therein for I wil bring c. Jer. 23.11 12. Woe is me now for my soule fainteth because of the murtherers Jer. 4.31 The conclusion of one warre may be the commencement of another even to confusion And Isa 51.4 Hearken unto me my people and give care unto me ô my people for a law shall proceed from me and I will bring forth my judgement for the light of the people And Isa 45.7 I forme the light and create darknesse I make peace and create evill I the Lord doe all these things v. 11. Aske of me things to come concerning my sons and concerning the workes of mine hands command you mee And Isa 46.8 Remember this and be ashamed bring it to mind O you transgressors Remember the former things of old for I am God c. My counsell shall stand and I will doe whatsoever I will ver 9.10 Heare me ye stubborne-hearted that are far from justice I will bring neere my justice c. ver 12.13 And Isa 47.10 11. Thy wisdome and thy knowledge they have caused thee to rebell and thou hast said in thine heart I am and none else Therefore shall evill come upon thee and thou shalt not know the morning thereof c. And Isa 48 18.19 Thus saith thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit and lead thee by the way that thou shouldest goe O that that thou hadst hearkened to my statutes then had thy peace been as a river c. For mine own sake for mine own sake will J doe it for how should my Name be polluted Surely J will not give my glory to another vr 11. And Jer. 8.7 Even the Storke the Turtle the Crane and the Swallow know their appâ—â—â—ted times but my people know not the judgements of the Lord. How doe ye say we are wise and the law of the Lord is with us The wise men are ashamed they are afraid and taken Lo they have rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdome is in them ver 8.9 Jer. 7.27.23 But thou shalt say unto them this is a Nation that heareth not the voice of the Lord their God nor receiveth discipline truth is perished and is cleane gone out of sheir mouth Thou shalt speake all these words unto them but they will not heare thee c. Jer. 7.27.28 Therefore Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that it shall no more be called Topheth nor the valley of Benhinnow but the valley of slaughter c. ver 30. O that mine head were full of water and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people Oh that I had in the wildernesse a cottage of way faring men that I might leave my people and goe from them for they be all adulterers and an assembly of Rebells Shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord and shall not my soule be avenged on such a Nation as this upon the mountaines will I take a lamentation c. And I will make Jerusalem an heape and a den of dragons c. who is wise to understand this c. why doth the land perish c. And the Lord saith Because of oathes the Land mourneth their course is evill and their force is not right Jer. 23.10 God standeth in the assembly of gods he judgeth among gods Psal 82.1 They know not understand nothing they walke in darknes albeit the foundations of the earth be moved ver 5. because they have forsaken my law which I set befor them And have walked after the counsell and stubbornnesse of their own wicked heart c. Jer. 9 1.2.9.10.11.1â—.13 Woe to the rebellious that take counsell but not of me c. Jer. 11.24 They are all rebellious traytors walking craftily they are brasse and yron they are all destroyers Jer. 6.28 This people hath an unfaithfull and rebellious heart they are departed and gone c. Jer. 5.23 Thou hast stricken them but they have not sorrowed consumed them but they have refused to receive correction they have made
were not governed by the word of God and the rules thereby prescribed he did wickedly aâ—d was therefore justly reproved and also punished And wee may remember what befell Vzza for but irreverently looking into the Arke procul hinc proculite prophani God alowes to Caesar the things that are Caesars but reserveth the things of God for God Gods worke ought to be done in Gods way humane helpes humane might meanes manner in divine matters God expects not respects not Humane Formes Rules Traditions Directions Instruments or Agents not warranted by Gods word in the execution or use of divine and spirituall affaires actions or ordinances are no where commanded no where commended but rather condemned God hath helped you marvellously untill yee are become mighty As David told his Pinces 1 Chro. 22.5 We must build an house for the Lord magnâ—ficall excellent and of great fame and dignity throughout all Countries and yee are about a mighty worke the worke of Reformation of Christs Church God hath sent his Prophets among you to bring you unto the Lord as he did 2 Chronicles 24 19. to Judah and Jerusalem and they make their protestations among you call heaven and earth â—o witnesse that except yee follow the Lords directions herein yee will transgresse highly and run into an heavy primunire forfeiture of his favour incurring the penalty of his displeasure and so be grievously punished as Vzzah was for medling with the Priests office Christs office the high Priest if I may so say and Pastor of the soules of his Saints who is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech and for usurping his office you will have none honour of the Lord God They tell you the worke of Reformation is most sutable to the Redeemer and a worke not lesse then nor inferiour to that of our Redemption and therefore 't is a worke more fit for the hand of the supreame head of his Church even Christ Jesus then any humane power and to seeke to take that divine worke out of his Almighty hand will prove a transgression of an high nature and so doth the word of truth tell you 2 Sam. 7.14 to deprive him of his honour will be rather prejudiciall then propitious to your proceedings They tell you that David a man after Gods owne heart 1 Chron. 22.8.9 1 Chron. 28.3.6 was not permitted to build a materiall typicall Temple made with hands because his hands had been in blood and yet surely his warres were undertaken for Gods cause by Gods direction and against Gods enemies Thou hast shed much blood and made great battells thou shalt not build an house unto my Name for thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight Behold a sonne is borne to thee 2 Chro. 27.9 which shall be a man of rest for I will give him rest c. therefore his name is Salomon and I will send peace and quietnesse upon Israel in his dayes He shall build an house for my Name Thus said the Lord to David and thus say the Lords Prophets to you as Oded a Prophet of the Lord once said to the Israelites in a case of this nature Behold because the Lord God of your fathers was wroth with your brethren of Judah he hath delivered them into your hand and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven And now ye purpose to keepe under the children of Judah and Jerusalem as servants and handmaids unto you but are you not such that sinnes are with you before the Lord your God you have made great Battells against your brethren 1 Chr. 22.5.8 c. and shed much of their blood upon the earth in the fight of the Lord because therefore your hands have been in blood yee shall not build 〈◊〉 house to the Lords Name The worke is great the house is not for man but for the Lord God Yee cannot yee shall not build the Temple of the Lord yee shall not settle Religion in or by blood But divine Salomon the Prince of peace he shall build an house for the Arke of God a Temple for the Lord he is a man of rest God will give him rest and he will give rest to his Church in due time from their Enemies and send peace and quietnesse upon Israel In rest and quietnesse shall they his Israel be saved their strength is to sit still and waite the salvation of God by Christ he is our peace the government of peace is upon him his Church his Saints his servants wait for Reformation of errors and Reconciliation of all differences from his Wisdome Judgement Sentence and Decree and consulting onely with Christ in cases of weighty consequence not fit for flesh and blood to determine pray with divine David Let my sentence come forth from thy presences That mount Zion may heare and be glad Psal 84.11 and the daughters of Judah rejoyce because of thy righteous judgements Psal 97.8 Say among the Heathen that the Lord raigneth the World also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall judge the people righteously How beautifull are the feet of those that bring tydings of Peace that declare and publish salvation saying to Zâ—â—â— the Lord raigneth no perfect peace but where the Lord is King and Judge Who will build up Ziou and then appeare in his glory c. Psal 102.15 16. So the Heathen shall feare his Name and the Kings of the earth his glory And now having humbly proposed to you though with much weakness Gods way for advancement of his glory by composing Controversies and setling Peace I shall shut up with the prayer and advice of holy David to his sonne Salomon and â—o the Princes of Israel 1 Chron. 22.12 13. The Lord give you wisdome and understanding and give ye charge over Israel even to keepe the Law of the Lord God Then shall you prosper if you take heed to observe the Statutes and the Judgements which the Lord commended Moyses for Israel And to the Princes of Israel ver 9. Now set your hearts and your soules to seeke the Lord your God and arise and so build the Sanctuary of the Lord God Psa 147.14.19.20 c. He setteth peace in thy borders c. He sheweth his Word his statutes hiss judgements to his chosen Israel he hath not dealt so with every nation neither have they known his judgements And touching the respecting or rejecting of Gods counsells wayes and judgements be pleased to peruse the first and second chapterâ— of Proverbs prescribed by the Pen of the Goly Ghost in the hand of Salomon I called they refused none regarded they would none of my judgements but set at nought my counsels Therefore shall they eat of the fruits of their owne way and be filled with their owne devises c. But if they will receive my words c. then shall they understand righteousnesse judgement and equity and every good way discretion shall preserve them understanding keepe them and judgement deliver them from every evill way FINIS
his peace from this people Jer. 16.5 From the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is no whole part nothing but wound and bruises and putrifying sores Isa 1.4 5 6. We may with griefe of soule heare Englands voyce on high like the voice in Ramaâ— Rachel weeping and that bitterly not to be comforted for her caeildren because they mere not lamenting the invaluable losse of the flower of her Nobility Jer. 4.31 Gentry and Commonalty in their bud of gallantry wallowing and weltring in dust and bloud Thus lofty Lucan Bella per Albinios plusquam civilia Campos Jusque datum sceleri canimus populum potentem In sua victrici conversuâ— viscera dextra Quis talia fando nefanda Temperat a lacrimis En quô discordia tristem Perduxit populum funestos reddidit agros Vastavitque vias exhausit civibus urbes So that it may be said of England what the faithlesse and therefore fearfull men which were sent to search the Land of Canaan reported thereof to Moyses 't is 〈◊〉 Land that cateth up the Inhabitants thereof Num. 13.33 And that which ought â—ot steightly to escape Christian consideration for the building of this Babell of bitternesse continuing of these Babylonish broyles Num. 14.17 these Contentions carrying us headlong on 〈◊〉 confusion the simple and ignorant multitude as naturall bruits made to bee taken and destroyed not knowing what they did as silly sheep led unto the slaughter Psal 44. they were killed all day long and accounted as sheep appointed to bee slain they were forced on both parts to tread morter made and moystened with their owne bloud What heart not altogether adamantine can doe lesse then take up the Prophet Jeremies lamentation Jer. 14.17 Let mine eyes run down with teares night and day and let them not cease Lam. 1 16.2.1â— For the virgin the daughter of Zion is broken with a great breach with a very grievous blow There is no healing of thy bruise thy wound is grievous all that heare the bruit of thee Nahum 3.19 will clap their hands over thee In this sad and deplorable condition have these three Kingdomes now for a long season laine languishing like an Oake cleft in shivers by wedges of its own body like the mad Philistines and as in the dayes of Midian the Lord set every mans sword upon his neighbour Judges 7.22 And the people were as meat to the fire no man spared his brother Judges 7. Isa 9. Isa 9.19 What will ye doe now in the day of visitation and of destruction to whom will ye flee for helpe and where will ye leave your glory to whom will yee seek and of whom will ye take counsell Isa 10.3.4 Gather together on heaps Isa 10. gird your selves ye shall be broken in pieces take counsell together it shall be brought to nought pronounce a decree and it shall not stand Isa 8.10 If ye will be safe Then sanctifie the Lord let him be your feare and let him be your dread Isa 8.9 10. and he shall be as a sanctuary c. Bind up the testimony seale up the Law should not a people inquire at their God to the law and to the testimony if they goe not according to this word there is no light in them Isa 13.14 Is there no balme in Gilead is no Physician there Jer. 8 22. Psal 10.8 9. The way of the Lord is an holy plain way wherein the ignorant cannot erre Isa 35.8.9 A strait way wherein they shall not stumble Ier. 31.9 vid. Deut. 17.8 9.15 If the Lord have in his compleate Treasury of truth revealed a Divine way for curing our Contentions and setling peace among the Mighty God enjoynes strict observation of his ordinances Deut. 5.1.35.4.2.5.6.16.17.7.11.12.11.1.6.17.8 9. to refuse that pious perfect way and rely on our owne humane powers or policies is an argument either of ignorance and blindnesse there is no light in us or of pride or arrogance that wee will not seeke after God Psal 10.4 That we take counsell but not of the Lord and had need beware the woe that waites on all stubborne contemners of Gods counsells Isa 30. Observe the Lords gracious invitations and incouragements by language of love to come and consult with him and he cured by his divine direction and prescription Come unto mee all weary and heavy laden I will ease and refresh you Commit thy cause to the Lord he will bring forth thy judgement as the light Psa 37.5 6 7.33 and thy righteousnesse as the day Cast thy burthen on the Lord c. Aske of me things to come stand in the waies and behold and aske for the old way which is the good way Isa 51. and walke therein and ye shall find rest to your soules Jer. 6.16 There is none to guide thee none to lead thee one of the mire of thy miseries none to take thee by the hand of ad the sonnes that thou hast brought up Mans extremity Gods opportunity Isa 63.5.59.16 Esa 42.10 11 12.15 16 17 18 19.21.23.24.25 Jer. 33.6.9 Esa 40.3.4.5.23.27.41.1.4.5.12.27 This righteous branch may returne this Dove with an Olive Branch of Peace and truth being sent out with a prosperous seed of Peace Zech. 8.12 The day proposed in this Trtatise is a turning seeking to God consulting with inquiring of relying and waiting on God in his owne ordinance all which are both commended c commanded by God in his Word Sors Intermentia divine predestinationis non fortune famula Oâ—gen Homil. 23. in Josh Thy sonnes lye in the heads of the streets 〈◊〉 as wild bull in a net Heare now miserable and dranken not with wine but division Behold I will take the cup of trembling out of thy hand Hearken and give care to me O my people for a law shall proceed from me and I will bring forth my judgement for the light of my people Behold I will give them health and amendment for I will cure them and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth And it shall be to me a name a joy a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth c. Behold the daies come that I will performe the good thing which I have promised I will cause the Branch of righteousnesse to grow and he shall execute judgement and righteousnesse in the Land Jer. 33.14.15 I will raise up a righteous Branch and a King shall reigne and execute judgement and justice in the earth Jer. 23 5 6. The Lord is our judge the Lord is our Law giver the Lord is our King he will save us Isa 33.22 The Lord will not faile his people nor forsake his Inheritance for judgement shall returne to justice and the upright in heart shall follow after it Psa 94.14 15. He shall not faile till he have set judgement in the earth and the Isles shall waire for his Law Isa 42.1.3.4 And againe Isa 2.4 an universall peace is
place be appointed if the Prince and Parliament shall be so pleased apt and able persons on both sides selected and authorized truly to state and set down all things in difference betwixt the King and Subject Secondly that particular Propositions both concerning his Majesties and the Parliaments desires and demaunds by them be drawne into particular heads whereby what is expected by each from other may more clearly appeare Thirdly that all Propositions may be so stated and set down as that they may tend principally and onely to these ends 1. That the glory of God may be advanced and maintained in matter of Religion and Church-government 2 That his Majesties honour may be preserved in his just Rights and Prerogative 3 That the Peace and happinesse of the Kingdome and Subjects may be produced by establishing of the Lawes of the Land confirmation of the Liberty and property of the Subject and just priviledges of Parliament These are the three principall fundamentall and cardinall grounds out of which all particular Propositions can arise issue or proceed Zech. 8.19 Hos 6.6.1 2 3. Mercy is prepared for the Land if the people prepare to receive it at the Lords hand Ezr. 8.21 Levit. 23.27 28. Exod. 19.10 11 Esth 4.16 That three solemne dayes or set times of Humiliation fasting prayer and praise be published and proclaimed throughout the whole Realme to be set apart and celebrated for our preparation to meet the Lord in this way of his direction that we may seek of him a right way for deliverance from the judgements that do threaten the Land such a Fast as was prescribed by Ezr. 8.21 may be a faire president for this Land to proceed by Also like that Exod. 19.10.11 Moses commanded to sanctifie the people for three dayes and on the third day for on that day the Lord will come downe in the sight of all the people to have them ready prepared to meet the Lord. Queen Esther enjoyned a Fast to be kept when she was to go into the King for the Jewe deliverance Gather together all the Jewes saith she and neither eat nor drinke for three dayes night nor day When Lorts were cast for their destruction but fell for their deliverance whence the Feast of Purim was ordained to be celebrated by them and their posterity to all perpetuity When dissention was arisen between the servants of Isaac Gen. 26.20 21. and the servants of Abimelech touching the Well of water Isaac's servants digged three Wells before the contention was concluded the names of the first and second Wells were Esek and Sitnah signifying Contention and hatred for that they strove together but the third was Shibah signifying an Oath or covenant of reconciliation that was then and there made between them because by Oath or Covenant the contentions between Isaac and Abimelech and their servants were then concluded Thence the City was called Beershâ—ba i.e. the Well of the oath or covenant of conclusion Prayer preaching praises to be as peace-offerings for Prince Priest and people to make reconciliation for them Ezek. 45. That on the first day by all of what degree quality or profession soever hearty prayers be sent up by Prince Priest and People to the searcher oâ— all hearts for his holy and heavenly blessing on the endeavours of those who are on both sides selected for consultation about these great affaires of the Kingdome that God who is wonderfull in counsell and excellent in working would be pleased to be present with them and assist and direct them in the composing of such particular Propositions as conduce to his glory the Kings honour the Kingdomes happinesse and not to any their own particular ends and before purposes and that God would by his remembring Spirit put into their minds whose presence they stand and so make them wise and carefull to consider for what they stand and from whence the sentence and judgement of their demands and desires is to proceed even from the omniscient Lord who tryeth the hearts and reines We know not what to do but our eyes are towards thee 2 Chr. 20.12.13 Said Jehoshaphat al Iudah when they proclaimed a Fast and gathered together to aske counsell and inquire of God 2 Chran 19.6 7. seeth their inmost secretest thoughts is a God of pure eyes and cannot endure iniquity impiety nor injustice and of most perspective sight discerning the most subtill devices and cannot be deceived by any State-stratagems nor deluded by mentall reservations or subtill policies These considerations sadly premeditated will prevent all illegall and unjust Propositions and promote the way of proceeding by faire and cleare particulars Propositions and demands None will dare to make unjust demands if they consider who is the Judge and disposer And as Iehoshaphat to the Judges so give me leave to speak to both sides take heed what ye doe for the tryall is not appointed by the judgement of man but of the Lord and he will be with you in the cause and judgement wherefore now let the feare of the Lord be upon you take heed for there is no partiality with the Lord our God neither respect of persons nor receiving of reward The necessity of the use of Gods Iudgement by divine Lott being so just equall and impartiall As Azariah to Asa and all Judah and Benâ—amin 2 Chr. 15.1 2 That the Preachers and Ministers whom God hath made to be stars in the firmament of the Church to lead and guide the feet of the people in the waies of peace declare and unfold to the people the authority happinesse and holinesse of this way of proceeding shewing who was the originall author and the only disposer of lotts for what end God ordered them and what comfort may thence arise to the three Kingdomes Controversies will be concluded peace produced and the further effusion of blood prevented 3 That the Pastors admonish the people to prepare themselves to appeare before the Lord as Moses did at the delivery of the Law Thus will I do unto thee and because I will do so therefore prepare to meet thy God O Israel Isa 57.14.40.3 Is 62.10 Go through go through the gates prepare thou the way of the people Cast up cast up the high-way gather out the stones take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people Lift up a Standard for the people This way is not unlike that way Isa 35.8 prophecied There shall be a path and a way and the way shall be called holy the polluted shall not passe by it c. 4 That praise be rendred to our gracious God for directing us such a divine way of determining these unhappy differences and divisions which continued would bring the Kingdome to desolation and destruction Say among the Nations the Lord reigneth surely the world shall be stable and not move and he shall judge the people in righteousnesse vid. Psa 93.1.94.14.15.96.10 to the end Ps 97.1 2.98.9.99.1.102.13 to the end
Isa 42.10.11 12.44.23.25.29 27. Esa 59. Zech. 7.5 Almighty God at first revealed this holy and happy way to his own people only therefore David after he saith The lott is fallen unto me in a faire ground c. presently addeth I will blesse and praise the Lord who hath given me understanding to know and acknowledge so great mercies Isa 58.2 They seem to seeke me and delight to know my wayes as a Nation that did righteously and forsook not the ordinance of their God they aske of me ordinances of Justice they take delight to approach unto God c. 5 Cautions for Fasts that they be not performed singly and severally each side and party at severall times and for themselves severally and one against the other as hitherto it hath been which it may be feared hath caused God to with-hold his hand of mercy from us in regard we have without charity rather prayed for ruin then reconciliation one to another fasting for strife and debate to smite with the fist of cruelty having our hands defiled with blood God by his Prophet complaines of such fasts as also of the contemners of his Ordinance of Peace and Iustice Isa 58.2 our feet swift to shed bloud not knowing not willing to know the wayes of peace such fasts God hath not chosen with such sacrifices of bloud God is not well pleased Is 1.15 When ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when yee make many prayers I will not heare for your hands are full of bloud Your fasts feasts prayers praises Assemblies oblations sacrinces Sabbaths are all vain not valued but vilified not accepted not respected but rejected as hatefull detestable abominable Is 1.11 But our Fast must be an universall and unanimous Fast throughout the three Kingdomes joyning all in hearty prayer for the forgivenesse of the crying sins of the Kingdomes for the remission of the sins of each place and person therein and with single and sincere hearts forgiving each other forgetting all wrongs and renouncing all revenges even as God for Christs sake shall forgive us being members of one body whereof Christ is the head brethren in Christ God being the Father to whom alone belongeth revenge such sacrifice we may believe will prove acceptable In the second day that the like duties preaching praying and praising of God as on the first be performed religiously but Dove-like mourning and Bear-like roaring cannot well accord before the Lord We roar like Bears and mourne fore like Doves saith the Prophet Is 39.11 We look for judgement but there is none for salvation but it is far off Neither our praying fasting not preaching can prove acceptable in the sight of God the searcher of all hearts and tryer of reins unlesse the madness of our malicious minds be mitigated the hardnesse of our cruell hearts be mollified and the act of violence be out of our hands If we outwardly pretend to appear before God in the forme of Doves with a shew only of simplicity sorrow and innocence but in hearts be ravening Wolves stinging Serpents roaring Beares ready to teare and devour one another What fruit can fasting produce It is said 1 Chr. 10.13 14. of Saul that he died in his transgression which he committed against the Lord and his Word in that he asked not counsell of the Lord therefore he slew him and turned the Kingdome to David To put on the shew of a silly sheep the habit of a harm lesse Lamb yet inwardly to be subtill foxes and greeey wolves ready to supplant to worrey to râ—â—â— to destroy one another cannot but make our fasts or other sacrifices rather detestable then delightfull rather abominable then acceptable this is not the fall that God hath chosen and we may justly feare that the Lord hath protracted our peace making with-held the happiness of union from us only for our Cain like cruelty bloudy-mindednesse to our brethren Our fasts have not found the hoped for fruit our prayers have not prevailed for Peace nor hath our preaching been prosperous in the purposes and thing whereunto it was sent and appointed In the Civill law all appeal is denied from the sentence of a Lott because it is the sentence of the Lord who hath no superiour That after the holy duties religiously performed to prevent revolting from the judgement which God shall give by Lotts and revenging private wrongs passed before between particular parties that all both Prince and people Commanders and Souldiers Pastors and Flocks unanimously joyn in Covenant with Almighty God willingly to submit to that judgement which God shall give by lotts without any repining repugnancy or resistance thereafter and really to remit all wrongs without retaining any malice or mentall reservation of revenge hereafter A judicio sortis appellari non potest Baldus Bartol Jason apud Go. 2. ad Taur Le. 38. Greg. Toloss appel l. 2. Hee shall call the heavens that hee may judge his people Psal 50.5 Call my Saints together unto me those that have made a covenant with me The heavens shall declare his righteousnesse for God is judge himselfe Nehem 10. A pattern for the Covenant Ezra 10.5 Exod. 19.5 6. If ye will keep my Covenant then shall ye be my chiefe treasure above all people and yee shall be unto me also a kingdome of priests and an holy Nation And whereas we have joyned in Covenant and association one side against the other even to the death and destruction one of another Now all make Covenant each with other una voce uno animo uno corde Altogether with heart tongues and hands in thoughts words and deeds to maintain and preserve the glory of God in the true Protestant Religion the honour of the King in his just rights and Prerogatives and the welfare of the State and Kingdome in the Lawes of the Land the Liberty and property of the Subject and priviledges of Parliaments according as Almighty God by this his judgement shall declare and decree to renew our league of brotherly love and Christian amity to live in love endeavouring by all possible meanes to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace all professing protesting and covenanting before Almighty God to defend and with their lives and estates to maintain Gods glory the Kings honour and the Kingdomes peace against revolters Jer. â—1 6 Proclaim all these words in the Cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem saying heare ye the words of this Covenant and do them v. 3. And say thou unto them thus saith the Lord God of Israel cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this Covenant 2 Chron. 15. When Israel had for a long time bin without God without a Priest and without the Law and there was no peace to him that went out or in but great vexations on all the inhabitants of the Countries Nation destoryed of Nation City of City and God did vex them with all adversity Asa their King
upon the Prophecie and advice of Azariah assembled and gathered togther all Iudah and Benjamin and the stranger out of Ephraim Manasseh and Simeon to Ierusalem in the third month the 15th year of his raign and they sacrificed and entred into a Covenant to seeke the Lord God with all their heart and with all their soule that whosoever would not seeke the Lord should be put to death small or great man or woman and they sware unto the Lord and all Israel rejoyced at the oath for they had sworne with all their heart and sought him with their whole desire and hee was found of them and the Lord gave them rest round about And there was no more war unto the thirty fift yeare of the reigne of Asa Whence may be concluded how much so holy a Covenant conduceth to the peace of a divided Kingdome Let this be like that Covenant Num. 18.19 a Covenant of salt sure stable incorruptible Cautions in this Covenant to beware of mentall resurvations malevolent thoughts and murmurings remembring still in whose presence they stand the presence of that Lord who understandeth their thoughts before they are conceived in their minds who is omniscient omnipotent omnipresent we cannot deceive we cannot resist we cannot evade nor escepe his punishments his judgements his revenging hand We ought with David to acknowledge that Righteous art thou Psal 119.137 Jer. 50.5 O Lord and just are thy judgements And in Psal 119.126 I have sworn and will perform that I will keep thy righteous judgements Jer. 50.5 Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant Now I purpose to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel that he may turne away his wrath from us 1 Cor. 29.10 11. Is 59.21 As for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord c. Esay 61.8 If we shall covenant with God with submission to obey his judgements then the Lord will keep his Covenant with us for remission of our sins release of our miseries and shewing abundance of mercies Hosea 2.18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them c. and I will breake the bow and the sword and the battell out of the earth and I will make them to lie down safely Isa 2.4 Job 5 23. Mic. 4.2 3 4 5. and Hos 2.18 You and performe unto the Lord your God let all that are round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared Psal 76.11 3 That on the third day or time on which the Lotts are to be cast the Sacred act from which we are to expect the declaration of Gods divine will for resolving of ouâ— doubts and dissolving and determining our dangerous and deadly differences the holy duties of praying preaching and praising God as on the two former dayes were prescribed be also now performed That the Min sters in a more speciall manner stir up the people to a most serious and hearty consideration as of the greatnesse so of the goodnesse of God as of the incomprehensible glory so of his incomparable mercy as of the infallible justice of God so of his infinite piety and pitty towards his people giving them to understand that as Almighty God vouchsafeth his testifying presence in an oath so his Majesty is pleased to vouchsafe his determining presence in a more immediate manner in this divine way of his own institution We read not of divine Lotts used by any of Gods servants but in case of greatest consequence and alwayes with most religious reverence exhort the people as David in 95. Psal v. 6. Come let us worship and fall downe c. In the election of Matthias by Lott the Apostles form of proceeding is a perfect president Act. 1.15 The Election is begun with wholsome exhortation Surgens Petrus in nâ—sdio Fratrum dixit c. Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples took a text preached and perswaded the conveniency nay necessity of a new election by lot to make up the number of the twelve Secondly the election proceedeth with devout Prayer and pâ—â—â—â— supplication the persons and lotts being provided v. 24. And they prayed 〈◊〉 sayd c. Thirdly the election was determined by divine revelation v. 26. Bâ—vecidit sors super Matthiam The lott fell on Mutthias which was as Aret. saith Divinae vocis instar splendor quidam divinus as Dionys Per quens oftende batur Mâ—â—thiam in apostolatum esse assumendum He is the Rock his work is perfect for all his waies judgement a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32.4 He whose dwelling is in the highest heavens whom the heaven of heavens is not able to containe will bow the heavens and deigne to come downe not in thunder and lightning as in the giving of the Law with terrour and astonishment to the people but with mercy and comfort sun-shine of favour beames of affection after these terrible stormes of tempestuous troubles will be intreated to dignifie his owne divine ordinance with his gracious presence will humble himselfe so as from the height of his Majesty to behold the depth of our misery descend to weake wormes of the earth and by this divine way of his owne direction and institution decide our distractive differences and determine our deadly dissentions and so deliver us from imminent nay almost inevitable ruine and confusion He that is the King of Kings Rex terrorum terrorum Regum The primitive of principalities He from whom all dominion is derived that standeth in the Congregation of the mighty and judgeth among the Gods He at whose presence the Mountaines of the mighty leap like Rams and the Jesser hills of the haughty skip like Lambs The boysterous waves of waters fled and and the swelling Seas fell backward at whose lookes the earth trembleth and if hee touch the mountaines they smâ—â—ke The Great Creator of heaven and earth will vouchsafe to take the judgement of an earthly cause into his heavenly hands Ps 104.32 with righteousnesse will he judge the world and the people and their matters with equity They know not neither will they understand that they walke on in darknesse who delight in division and desire the Sword for their arbiter umpire or judge All the foundations of the Land are dissolved and disordered it must be the Lord Gods worke to establish the Pillers thereof The Lord is known by executing judgement arise therefore O God and judge thou the earth for thou shalt inherite all Nations Psal 82.8 I will heart what God will speake for he will speake peace unto his people c. he maketh warres to cease in all the earth Psal 76. In Judah is God known c. In Salem is his tabernacle there brake he the arrowes of the bow the shield the sword and the battell Thou art more bright and puissant than the mountaines of prey The stout-hearted 〈◊〉 spoiled and none of the mighty men have found their hands Thou
didst cause thy judgements to be heard from heaven Surely the wrath of man shall turne to thy praise the remainder of their rage shalt thou restrain Awake Aâ—â—se put on thy strength O Albion put on thy garments of beauty O Brâ—ttain trust in God alone by Abrahams example Isa 51. Heare ye that follow righteousnesse looke unto the rocks whence yet are hewen c. hearken unto me for a law shall proceed from me and I will bring forth my judgement for alight of the people v. 4. My righteousnesse is neer I will judge the people the Isles shall wait for me and trust unto me Arise O England be bright O Brittain for thy light is come the glory of the Lord is come Awake as in the ancient dayes as in the generations of old remember and revive that ancient ordinance of the Lords owne institution directed for composing of contentions Remember and bee ashamed bring tâ—againe to mind O ye R unagates remember the former things of old Isa 35.8.9 Ier. 31.9 Via Divina non devia non Diabolica sicut illa Sauguinolenta Zach. 4.6.7 the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee Isa 60.1 Awake awake and stand up O Jerusalem which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling and wrung them out There is none to guide thee among all the sons whom thou hast brought forth neither is there any that taketh thee by the hand of all the sous that thou hast brought up These things are come unto thee destruction desolation and the sword therefore heare this now thou afflicted Thus saith the Lord the Lord and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people Behold I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling c. Isa 5.1.17 18. c. What have I here saith the Lord that my people is taken away for nought and they that rule over them cause them to howle and lament Therefore my people shall know my Name behold therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speaks behold is is I. How beautifull upon the mountaines are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace that saith unto Sion thy God reigneth Isa 52.5.6.7 That giveth to the Lord his due glory by committing their cause and casting their burthen upon the Lord and leaving the determination of their differences to his divine judgement by that holy way that he hath prescribed in his holy Word rather then the destructive way of the bloody Sword if the Lord will please to arise and have mercy upon Sion The Prophet Zachary will shew you how non in exâ—rcitu c. Not by army nor by strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord and they shall bring forth the principall stone with shouting and crying Grace grace unto it That the Ministers doe admonish the people humbly to wait on God in his holy ordinance implore his aid for our reconciliation and rest and rely on his saving sentence he will give a perfect lott and just judgement whereby we shall be delivered from the heaviest of his temporall judgements the Sword The consideration of Gods greatnesse may humble the haughty and hardened hearts of the people The meditation of his mercy may mollifie their malicious and bloody minds to be more tender-hearted one towards another being children of one Father and brethren in Christ Jesus following the precept and pattern of our Saviour Be ye mercifull as your heavenly Fathen is mercifull so their Fast will be more religious their preaching more profitable and their prayer more acceptable whilest they forsake their courses of cruelty and follow the way of love truth peace and unity O this wor unity is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the onely word of comfort that can make us happy Albion can have no hope of recovery till she heare of the sweet names of Peace and Unity which of an Albion she is like to become an Acheldama of an Eden Garden a gastly Golgatha cruelty and division cry her down exinanite exinanite down with her down with her even to the ground cry the bloody brood of cursed Cain and have drawn the line of vanity of cruelty over her God is pleased in mercy to reveale and revive this holy way of reconciliation whereby to recover restore and raise her up again Ier. 29.11 vid. Isa 46.13 and 49.7 8 9 adfinem Their speech bewrayeth them as they say to Peur to be of Ashdod or Egipt that bring into the Church of Christ the way of the Sword to be of the bloody brood of cruell Cain or cursed Corah who preach and teach that the foundation of the Church of Christ Christs church not to be built in or by bloud who is the Prince of Peace should be layd in the blood of the members of his body that pretend or intend to settle and reforme the Christian Religion by the slaughter of Christians the true faithfull servants and Saints of God in whose sight their death is right deare and pretious These new Builders like those of the old world to get them a name upon earth make brick of their own devising and build them a Babel a Tower that they hope may reach up to heaven yet when they have all done they shall have but brick for stone and slime for morter and the end will be confusion So too too many in these times to get them a name and opinion of being more holy then other men touch me not I am of purer mold then thou art to make themselves greater and raise themselves higher make brick of their owne pretended purity seeming sanctity and forme of godlinesse endevouring by cruelty and policy to build them a Tower a Babel of power and supreme Authority that shall gaine them the kingdome of Heaven and kingdomes on Earth and when they have all done it is but the brick and stime of mortall corruption and haughty ambition and vaine frustrated imagination And they can prognosticate to themselves no fairer end then Babels was confusion in conclusion Dissentions are workes of darknesse wrought by the prince of darknesse the Divell Let us cast away the works of darknesse and put on the armour of light Rom. 13.12 1 Cor. 1.10.11.16 thence comes warre And if needs there must be warre and that war be Gods and concerning his cause as 't is or hath been professed in such a warre 't is fit to use such wayes and weapons such rules and orders as the onely wise and invincible Generall the Lord of Hosts directeth and prescribeth In such an holy warre The noble Army of Martyrs the chiefest servants of God alwayes used holy Armes divine Artillery arma ocelefiae they put on the armour of God their loynes girded with verity their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace they had on the brest-plate of righteousnesse but above all they tooke the shield of
he himselfe had annointed Saul to be King yet doubted not to commit the matter unto Lotts as being assured of the infallible justice of that sacred Ordinance wheras another perhaps would have said shall a matter of such weight be put to hazard perhaps the Lotts will fall out otherwise and so will exclude this man from being King as Peter Martyr well observeth Pet. Martyr loc com c. 8. part 1. but his faith was firmly resolved and assured that the Lord was just and holy in all his Oracles his Ordinances his wayes his judgements Moyses in the same manner in his own cause upon the matter of Corah and his company in their Rebellious carriage charging Moses and Aaron with assuming a larger extent of prerogative then the Lord had lent them Num. 16. The rods with the names of each Tribe written thereon were no other then Lotts Num. 17. a gâ—eater Commission then God had given them Yee take too much upon you Moses and Aaron Marke hereupon the meeke demeanour of Moyses you sonnes of Levi said he ye take too much upon you and therefore let each one take his Censer his Lot c. and goe before the Lord and let God be the just Judge whom he hath chosen let God shew by the Censor to whom he hath given the Authority of King Priest c. Is our Religion our lives our estates liberties or what is more deare and pretious to us in Controversie if we distrust not the justice of our cause why should we doubt the Judgement of our God But to proceed to the manner how the differences now depending may be determined by the Lords judgement by Lott When upon a treaty the differences in particular shall be truly stated and for each side and part by the persons appointed for that purpose certainly set down that briefe heads or titles of each particular proposition in difference to be written in severall small papers or Parchments cut into equall proportions and two Lotts written with the severall briefe titles of the severall Propositions And for distinction to discern which is for his Majestle and which for the Parliament two severall Motto's be appointed and nominated to be written with the severall titles of the said Propositions in the said papers or parchments respectively wherein the severall Propositions are inscribed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lea 23.6 The Kings own Motto Dieu mon droit if to his Majestie it shall so seeme meet to denominate his demand or Proposition And Jehovah Tsidkenn The Lord our righteousnesse for the Parliament if to the Parliament it shall so seem good And in respect that both parts professe the maintenance of the same matters and both appeale to God though in a wrong way it may be doubted by the sword to declare who is in the right this divine way may happily not seem unsutable to the present occasion and being the same it pleased God to put into my thoughts I humbly pray it may be without ostence either to my Soveraigne or his Parliament to publish For example in some particulars of composure of the Lotts thus viz. If the proposition in difference be whether Episcopall or Presbyteriall government or the way of Independency as 't is termed a divine way not to be despised be the most right in Gods sight the King maintaining Episcopacy the Parliament Peesbytery His Majesties Lott may be thus Dieu mon drâ—it Episcopall government the Parliaments thus Jehovah Tsidkenu Presbyterian government The Independants thus Jehovah Jizeh Discipline and doctrine according to Gods word In the Controversie touching the proper right of the Militia thus the Kings Lot Dieu mâ—n drâ—it Militia mihi regni The Parliaments thus Militia Regno sic decateris For all other matters in difference two or more Lotts as the case requireth may be composed in the same manner Thus all chiefe Officers of trust for Church Kingdome and State may be elected Lotts for all in competition Blanks for all but one and that to have this inscription Whom God shall choose so the Election being left to the wise and just disposall of God all siding partiality and other differences and deceits will be avoided Thus Delinquents may have their Clergy their lotts for their lives and so their death or life shall be left to the pleasure of the Lord not the humour of revengefull men The like touching pecuniary mulct upon their estates vid. Nunth 15.33 Now of the casting or drawing of Lotts whether into the lap the pot the bagg or urn non refert 'T is meerly matter of indifferency But touching the manner how the Lotts may be cast and drawn upon the present occasion Thus the Lord God hath directed me that after the Celebration of the third solemne day of fasting and prayer in some spacious Church or place which the Lord shall choose Dout. 17.8 9. appointed for that purpose on the Communion table there be set three Chalices and the Lotts one for his Majestie another for the Parliament be provided for every particular difference As 1 Chron. 24.6 Shemaiah the sonne of Nathanael the Scribe of the Levites wrote the Lotts before the King and the Princes and the high Priest and the chiefe Fathers of the Priests and the Levites So that one particular person be appointed or more for making any writing the severall Lotts in the presence of King Parliament and Clergy or other indifferent men on both sides who are to see to the equall composing of them that no outward distinction may be discerned by the party or parties who are selected to draw indifferently between both parties for which purpose some of the chiefe of the Clergy who are esteemed most religious upright and conscionable may happily be most fit of those not above one to each part and these to draw by turn and neither of these to see the Lotts not speak with any concerning them untill they have drawn them out of the Chalice or Cup into which they are put to be drawn That only two Lotts at one time or three Lotts as in some cases occasion may require which concern the same point in difference be cast into the middle Chalice on the Table and then the Lott which is drawn and taken to be put into the Chalice which standeth at the upper end of the Table and the Lott which is left behind in the middle Chalice to be put into the Chalice at the lower end of the Table That the particular Lotts be put into the middle Chalice successively two or three at a time and thence drawn one for each party by one of the two persons appointed for that purpose untill the Lotts be all drawn Then the Lotts in the upper Cup to be opened whereby it may appeare what Lotts are by God given to the King and what to the Parliament thus there will be no feare or danger of the deceit either of Composers or drawers Let murmurers against Gods judgement herein and
unto it and his rest shall be glorious In cases of bitter contentions and bloudy divisions This tree of life whose fruit healeth the Nations hath directed us to appeale to his judgemenâ— for reconciliation he will thereby composâ— our Controversies and make his owne Name glorious by concluding and ceasing controversies among his people and by that meanes bring all Nations to submit to his divine judgement Answerable hereunto is that of the second of Isa 2 3 4 5. where 't is prophesied that in the last dayes the mountaine of the Lord shall be upon the top of the mountaines and all Nations shall flow unto it And he shall judge among the Nations and they shall beat their swords into mattocks and their speares into pruning-hookes and shall fight no more c. vid. Jer. 3.17 18. They shall follow no more the hardnesse of their heart the house of Judah shall walke with the house of Israel and they shall come together out of the land of the north c. Now what judgement is intended by these Prophecies and whether this divine way of Gods judging in cases of difference may not be received within the compasse of these Prophecies I would be glad to learne Seeing there is not that I can find in the whole booke of God any other imediate way of divine judgement whereby differences may be decided particularly provided and ordained by God himself to that end but onely this sacred ordinance In holy Writ I find but two divine Oracles or sacred wayes of consulting with Almighty God in cases of extreme difficultie whereby a certaine plaine visible and immediate response and resolution might be received videlicet Urim and Thummim and the Lott The former was a more mysticall and obscure way this not unlike that way before mentioned Isa 35.8 9. for by Lott a plaine certaine and imediate resolution was alwaies returned prompt and facile to any ordinary capacity That way of Urim and Thummim is abolished but this sacred way of the Lott no lesse Antient and holy then the former as a most usefull holy and happy way of Gods divine judgement ordained for determining of doubtfull difficult and dangerous differences is still retained as by these pacificall Proverbs of the 16.33 and the 18.18 appeares being both Canonicall and Morall Scripture and so perpetuall divinity besides many presidents both Ancient and moderne of the use thereof before herein premised And truly I beleeve this may be justly said of this sacred Ordinance that it was never piously used and performed nay when by irreligious Infidels practised but it ever brought glory to God and good to the users thereof that all men may see and confesse that the Lord is holy in all his wayes and just in all his judgements And doubtlesse this holy way is of especiall happy use for resolving of doubtfull cases discovering of hidden and recondite matters and determining of difficult and mighty differences among mighty persons For where Controversies by humane endevours cannot be decided and the parties on both sides so stout that otherwise they cannot be appeased by this meanes the matters may be composed and the men pacified In cases of this nature those that have the best causes and the clearest consciences will desire to have their differences thus decided For he that is confident of the justice of his Cause needs not doubt the judgement of God and the way of the Lord is strength to the upright man but feare shall be for the workers of iniquity Prov. 10.29 They shall goe into the holes of the rocks c. Isa 2.19 20 21. In cases of this difficult condition when they say unto you Isa 8.19 Enquire at them that have a spirit of divination and at the southsayers which whisper and murmâ—r The divine spirit will tell you that those divinatoâ—y spirits are deceitfull and have no warrant from the divine word of God That both North and Southsayers are more subtile then solid and their words are but wind A dry mind not fit to fan or cleanse Jer. 4.11 That whisperers are lyers and murmurers against Gods divine direction deserve to have their mouthes stopt Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels c. Isa 47.12 13.14 That a woe is pronounced by the Prophet against them that take counsell but not of the Lord that cover with an hypocritis all covering not of his spirit That State poâ—icies are often State fallacies and that divine directions though delivered by a simple Dove are to be preferred before any Machiavilian machinations contrived by subtill Serpents if you would be advised who so wise as the Wonderfull Counseller the Prince of Peace who is wonderfull in counsell and excellent in working Ier. 32.10 he will direct you to him that hath the spirit of wisdome and counsell c. Isa 11.2 Isa 45.11.21.22.23.24 Thus saith the Lord c. Aske of me things to come c. aske after the old way c. Should not a People inquire at their God from the living to the dead will ye deviate from the way of the living Lord to the dead Letter of your owne lawes from the divine law of the Lord to the humane lawes counsells and devises of the crafty Achitophels of the Land will ye deviate from the way of Peace to the way of Warre to the Law of Armes of Harmes God directs you to goe to the Law and to the Testimony to the statute judgement ordinance prescribed by Gods word If they speake not according to his Word it is because there is no light in them He that hateth or indeavoureth to supplant or oppresse his brother abideth in darknesse and he that despiseth Gods Counsell and Ordinance conducing to Peace remaineth in the shadow of death Doe ye esteeme the heavenly wholsome counsell of God in his word of truth or the crafty cruell courses and counsells of men more Isa 50.10.11 If God be God follow him but if Baal be hee If Mars or Machiavel be your Gods the bloudy sword or State stratagems follow them Is it because there is no God in Israel that ye goe to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Eckron Is there no balme in Gilead no Physitian there Is it because the Lord hath prescribed in his Word no holy way of ending Controversies that the cursed way of Cain-like cruelty must make the conclusion How long will it be before ye restraine the people from persecuting and oppressing their brethren know ye not that it will be bitternesse in the end Is there no efficacy in the ordinances of God and yet so much eminency in the ordinances of men Are the judgements of men so righteous and shall not the Judge of the whole world doe right Shall the ordinances of men be commended and commanded and the Ordinance of God contemned and condemned as uselesse or illicite Heare the Lords expostulation with his owne people Have I that brought you out of the land of Egypt and led you through the
Sea that cannot rest whose waves cast up mire and durt Isa 57.19.20 Isa 52.7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that declareth and publisheth peace that declareth good things and publisheth salvation saying unto Zion thy God raigneth Christ is the Prince of peace prime only peace-maker if we refuse to make him our umpire our Iudge we rob him of his honour his office Their course is evill and their force is not right Jer. 23.10 Mal. 1.6.7.8 Mal. 4.4 Jer. 13.15 16.57 Eph. 1.5.6 Jo. 11.4.48 Exod. 9.16 Psa 50.15 Prov. 16.4 of mans life Psa 6.4.5 Psa 9.13.14 and service Psa 101.1 Zach. 7.5 6. Jo. 3.28 29. 't is the royall Robe of his infinite Majesty Psa 104.1 And all meanes furthering the same are available to salvation Psal 50.23 Rom. 4.20.21 Divine providence having made it my Lott who am lesser then the least of the servants of Christ to treat of the sacred Ordinance of divine Lott Let not the Divines and reverend Clergy disdaine if som texts of holy truth be directed to them from the mouth of the Almighty touching this point of glorifying God and teaching the people his lawes and statures and ordinances And now ô ye Priests this commandement is for you If yee will not heare it nor consider it in your heart to give glory unto my Name saith the Lord of Hoasts I will even send a curse upon you and will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye doe not consider it in your heart Behold I will corrupt your seed and cast dung upon your faces c And ye shall know that I have sent this commandement unto you that my Covenant with Levi might stand My Covenant was with him of life and peace Not warre and destruction not a covenant with death and agreement with hell The law of truth was in his mouth and he walked with me in peace and equity and did turne many from iniquity He taught Gods people to know the wayes and walke in the paths of Peace turned their hearts from inclining to strife and debate their heads from imagining mischiefe against their brethren held their hands from smiting with the fist of wickednesse or being defiled with blood stopt their feet from running the race of Ruine shedding innocent bloud For the Priests lips should pleserve knowledge and the people should seeke the law at his mouth For ye are the messengers of the Lord to that purpose But yee are gone out of the way ye have caused many to fall by the Law ye have broken the covenant of Levi of life and peace saith the Lord Therefore have J also made you despised and vile before the people because yee kept not my wayes but have been partiall in the law Have wee not all one Father Hath not one God made us why doe we transgresse every one against his brother and breake the covenant of our Fathers yee have wearied the Lord with your words when ye say c. Where is the God of judgement As God is the God not of confusion but of peace so he meant and sent his Ministers to be Embassadours of peace not contention And if God in his Law his Word have instituted and prescribed a way an ordinance of Peace where shall the people seeke the knowledge of this Law this Ordinance this Statute but at the mouths of his Ministers Is it lawfull for them to goe out of this way to cause the people to fall from this Law to be partiall touching the Law to teach what part thereof they like and neglect what part they dislike Doe ye not weary the Lord with your words and wayes when ye deny or doubt of the way of his divine judgement If a tender Father shall offer his judgement to be Umpire Arbiter judge between dissenting Brethren his children who refuse such a Fatherly favour and fall by the Sword and so fall to the Sword ought not the Priest to tell those contentious brethren of their Rebellious disobedience and shew and direct then the divine way of reconciliation Jf J be a Father where is mine honour if a master where is my feare saith the Lord unto you O priests that despise my name and if ye aske wherein in that ye say the way and ordinance of the Lord is not to bee regarded and ye offer blind and lame and uncleane sacrifice humane deviser in stead of divine directions And 1 Sam. 2 29.30 Marke the Lords expostulation with Eli Wherfore have ye kicked against my sacrifice and mine offering which I commanded in my Tabernacle and honourest thy children above me to make your selves fat of the first fruits of the offering of my people But it shall not be so for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be despised Behold the dayes that I will cut off thine arme and the arme of thy fathers c. May not the Lord say the like to the despisers of his Ordinance wherefore have you preferred the issues of your owne braines before my Instituted Ordinance to make your selves rich and glorious thereby I will cut off your power and authority c. Remember the law of Moses my servant with the statutes Judgements and ordinances wich I commanded c. The Prince Parliament Prophet Priest and People may please to observe and remember those texts touching the Lords glory and his ordinances I shall conclude this point with that of the Prophet Ieremiah Heare ye and give care be not proud for the Lord hath spoken it Give glory to the Lord your God before he bring darknesse and before your feet stumble in the darke mountaines and while yee looke for light he turne it into the stadow of death and make it as darknesse But if yee will not heare this my soule shall weep in secret for your pride vide Psal 10.4.5 The wicked is so proud he seeketh not for God but worldly goods Gods judgements are high above his sight c. Zech. 4.10 Thus saith the Lord Stand in the waies and behold aske for the old way which is the good way and walk therin and ye shall find rest for your soules Jer. 6.16 Jer. 25.5 Turn again now every one from his evill way and from the wickednes of your Inventions c. 'T is a most holy happy and honourable way in respect of the Authority Antiquity ends and use thereof Aske for the old way c. whatsoever things are written afore-time are written for our learning c. Rom. 14.4 'T is a most plaine perfect easie ready way and as full of felicity as facility Quo facilius preceptum eò gravins peccatum Who hath despised the day of small things By how much the divine way precept or direction is more easie by so much the negâ—ect thereof is more heavy more sinfull This judgement of the Lord will be a most firme foundation whereon to build Bethsalem Jerusalem a safe lasting and
their faces harder then a stone and have refused to returne Surely they are poore they are foolish for they know not the way of the Lord nor the judgement of their God I will get me to the great men and will speake unto them for they have known the way of the Lord and the judgement of their God but these have altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds c. Jer. 5.3.4 5. My people is foolish they have not known me they are foolish children and have none understanding The children of men are vanity and the chiefe men are lies Psal 62.9 vide Isa 41.28.29 they are wise to doe evill but to doe good they have no knowledge Jer. 4.22 for they have perverted their way and forgotten the Lord their God They have changed my judgements into wickednesse for they have refused my judgements and statutes and have not walked in them Ezek. 5 6. O yee disobedient children returne and I will heale your rebellions Jer. 3.20 21 22. Thy wayes and thy inventions have procured thee these things c. Jer. 4.18 Therefore thus saith the Lord stand in the wayes and behold and aske for the old way which is the good way and walke therein Isa â—55 6 7. Thy children shall be taught of the Lord much peace shall bee to them Isa 54.13 and yee shall find rest for your soules Jer. 6.16 Aske of me things to come Isa 45.11 Should not a people inquire at their God to the Law and the testimony the Lords judgement the surest testimony of truth Then shall ye goe out with joy and be led forth with peace c. And it shall be to the Lord for a name and for a praise for an everlasting signe that shall not be taken away Isa 55.12 13. This people have J formed for my selfe they shall shew forth my praise Isa 43.21 How happy and honourable a thing were it for England to be the first in reviving this ordinance of the Lord for advancement of his glory I shall pray pardon for my presumption in presenting these texts of truth to the grave and pious consideration of the great Counsell of the Kingdome It will I hope Prov. 1.5.33 prove no hinderance to the happinesse of their proceedings to take along with them the Counsell of the everlasting Counseller nor to aske counsell of that onely wise Counseller who is wonderfull in counsell and excellent in working Where no counsell is the people fall but where many counsellers are there is health Prov. 11.14 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evill but to the counsellers of peace shall be joy Prov. 12.20 Many devises are in the heart of man but the counsell of the Lord that shall stand Prov. 19.20 There is no wisdome neither understanding nor counsell against the Lord Prov. 21.30 The Lord breaketh the counsell of the heathen the politique worlding and bringeth to nought the counsels of the people Psa 33.10.11 Human judgements are often erronious and sinfull Psal 58.1 2. Doe ye indeed spoake righteousnes O congregations doe yee judge uprightly O yee sons of men yea in heart ye work wickednes you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth But the counsell of the Lord shall stand for ever God standeth in the assembly of gods he judgeth among gods How long c. all the foundations of the earth are out of course I have said ye are gods c. but yee shall die like men c. O God arise therefore judge thou the earth for thou shalt inherite all nations Psal 82. vid. Psal 14. The Lord shall sit for ever hee hath prepared his Throne for Judgement The Lord is knowne by executing judgement For hee will judge the world in righteousnesse and the people with equity And they that know thy Name will trust in thee c. Psal 9. Thou hast not failed them that seeke thee The wicked is so proud he seeketh not for God he boasteth of his hearts desire blesseth himselfe in his owne time contemneth the Lord in his ordinances Yet he saith in his heart I shall never be moved nor come into danger God hath forgotten he hideth his face and will never see will not regard Yet thou hast seen it thou beholdest mischiefe and wrong that thou maist take the matter into thine owne hands the poore commiteth himselfe unto thee for thou art the helper of the helplesse Thou preparest thâ—â— heart and bend thine eare to judge the cause that earthly man cause to feare no more Let not man prevaile put them in feare that they may know they are but men Psa 10. The Prophet David also a man after Gods heart adviseth to commit our cause to God to cast our burthen on the Lord prayeth that his sentence may come forth from the Lords presence Isa 28.15 and that the Lord may behold equity shewing that by the holy waies of Gods word he had been kept from the paths of the cruell man of the destroyer Psal 17.2.4 and Psal 16.7 saith I will praise the Lord David never set upoÌ„ weighty matter without consulting with the Lord. who hath given me counsell c. And 't is evident that holy David did most frequently in cases of difficulty consult with the Lord by Lott being assured that the Lord would maintain hiâ— Lott And so did Moses Joshuah Samuel c. Prophets Patriarks Apostles David presumed not to make choice of or settle any person of the sonnes of Aaron the tribe of Levi in any place or office of the Lords service in the Temple of his own will appointment and pleasure but left all both high and low to the Lords owne Election by Lott as before is shewed and likewise appeares 1 Chron 24.25 26. chapters Wee read it recorded of King Uzziah that he did uprightly in the sight of the Lord 2 Chro. 26.4 5. while he sought the Lord in the dayes of Zechariah who understood the visions of God and when he sought the Lord Sudden elevated prosperity an occasion of sudden ruine causeth forget fulnesse of the Author and man to trust in themselves which procureth their perdition God made him to prosper And God did help him marvellously till he was mighty But when he was made strong his heart was lifted up to his destruction ver 15.16 An example well worth your meditation and serious observation while hee consulted with God sought God tooke counsell of God in all his great enterprises God made him to prosper and made him mighty But then marke the occasion of his fall his heart was so lifted up and hee would exceed his commission meddle with matters concerning the Lords service which pertained not to his place It perteyneth not to thee Uzziah though a King to burne Incense to the Lord Goe forth of the Sanctuary for thou hast transgressed and thou shalt have 〈◊〉 honour of the Lord God ver 18. Though his zeale and intention seemed good yet because they