living in such a time you should not have witnessed agâ—inst these high and hainous wickednesses Would you want the share of the commendation and the glorious reward that shall be given his witnesses What if you should weep yea and die in prisons Besides that there you may enjoy the glorious libertie of the Sons of God and be feasted in your fetters with the fruition of himself and have your darke dungeons hung if I may say so with the very Arras of heaven which is the presence of God that can make these nastie and noisome holes wherein you are as buried alive preferable inâ—ompaâ—ably to all the Palaces of those who persecute you O there is no comparison â—esides this I say which is the hundred fold ten thousand times told out of these your prisons you shall be brought to reigne and have all your teares wiped away and your prison rags taken off and your rich robs wherein for ever you shall reign put on Nay what if you should be slaine for the word of God and put to swime in to eternitie in a sea of your own blood what have you to feare Though I walk thorow the valley of the shadow of death I will feare no ill saith the Psalmist for thou art with me O the presence of God with you in that hour will make it a sweet and short passage would you not rather choise if you durst make a choice to enter eternitie at this passage and go and take up your place amongst the souls of your brethren under the Altar there to cry with them How long O Lord God holy and true c. than to be found in the croud and company of these Kings Captains and Councellours c. who shall be made to cry to the mountains and to the rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him that sitteth upon the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb O the wrath of the Lamb in that day falling upon those his now stated and stout-hearted enemies will make them change their note The haughtie mockers at the prerogative of this exalted Prince Jesus who then shall judge these jesters the menacerâ— of his Subjects and the persecuters of his Saints for not complying with their God-dishonouring Christ-dethroning courses and contrivances shall then know what it is to have lifâ—ed up their head against heaven and their heel against his poor people whom they trod under foot O the yelloch that will be amongst Kings and Captains and Counsellours when he shall speake to them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure for having said and essayed it too let us burst their bâ—nds asunder c. I shall not here trouble you with the observation of the tremenduous â—udgements of God whereby some that have been active in these cursed courses have been hurried out of the world nor with an account of the anguish and agonies under which others of them have died nor yet of the raâ—e Testimonies which some who obtained mercy and grace to repent gave against this wicked course wherein they had concurred and for that cause which they had persecuted though he who regairds not these works of the Lord nor considers these operations of his hand hath and bewrayeth sad symptoms of blindnesse and obduration neither shall I here further then hint to the end you may for your establishment take notieâ— of it how wickednesse hath abounded amongst and had a dominion over those who have broken his Covenant As if all former restraints being taken off he had said henceforth my spirit shall no more strive with them for Alas iniquitie of all sorts haâ—h so aboundedâ— since the Nations enacted revolt from God as the way of the generalitie O that they whose feet go down to death and whose steps take hold on hell may consider it and be reclaimed if the word of the Lord be true that without holinessâ— no man shall see the Lord and that heaven is such a place as there shall in no wise enter therein any thing that defileth neither whosoever worketh abomination c. hath everlasting seclusion from the presence of his glory written on it so that he who would be saved must save himself from this generation who rejoyce to do evil and delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked Since we broke our Covenant made with God binding us to nothing but an abiding with him and walking before him in our respective capacities Satan hath got leave to open very sluce of hell and drown Brittan with such a deludge of profanitie that the multitude yea and they who are chiefe in these rebellions against God are chiefe in all these other provocations are carried down the current swiming and singing in this impure pudle of all impietie against God never considering that this streame will at last sweep them down and swallow them up in the lake of fire and brimston All these put together may make you feare to fall in with their way leâ—t you fall with them in the hands of the living God If they cannot give you securitie against this and that is impossible for the redemption of their own soul must cease for ever if they both cease not to go on and sorrow not for what they have done Feare you not therefore their fear onely feare to forsake God as you would not be forsaken of him Nay let your fortitude in refusing their blâ—ke â—onds whereby as the binder binds himself to an opposition to Christ and the coming of his Kingdâ—me so 〈◊〉 binds over himself to the curse of a broken Covenant either fright them into a forbearance or put them under the dreadful apprehensions of what they may expect for opposing his Christ persecuting the Gospel and using his servants so who dare not in running with them to these excesses of wickednesse run upon the bosses of the Almightie his backler but rather did choise to suffer any thing that they might be found upright and innocent from these great transgressions and so escape that wâ—â—th of the living God whâ—rewith all the contrivers all the pressers of these bonds of iniquitie all the persecuters for not complying with that decreed wickednesse all the pleaders for it all the palâ—iaters of this impietie all the Instruments made use of to help foreward the affliction of his poor people for their refusal all the rejoycers at his peoples calamitie and connivers at these courses yea and all who according to their place station and as they are called do not faithfully witnesse against this course of iniquitie shall be certainly pursued if repentance prevent it not overtaken and so perish eternally there is no Law-borrowes against the written vengeance for the peâ—sons of these practices But that which I would more particularly point at to fortiâ—ie your hearts against the feare of what you may be put to suffer even though it should come to the laying down of your lives is the refreshful and reviving remembrance of his
polishing instruments that so they may be made to shine as the sun in the firmament and put in case to see God when made lâ—ke him But besides that his purpose of having them in his company for ever puâ—s him to be at the pains of making them meet even by the â—hâ—ngs that they suffer as the mean which he graciously wisely useth and ordereth for that end to be partakers of the inheritance of the sâ—iâ—ts in light as is cleare comparing Coloss. 1 11. vvith 12. he minds to be familiar vvith them here alâ—o and admit them sometime vvhile in the vvay in the vvildernesse to eat Manna and to feast theiâ— souls in the begun fuitions of God and therefore to commend endeare this life unto them he makes the vvorld mingle a cup of gall vvorm vvood put it in their hand hold it to their head he beats them off from the vvorld that vvould vvrong them in into his ovvn boâ—ome O blessed repose the place indeed vvhere the vvearie finde both rest and refreshing But here I must be abrupt and leave the matter to be dilated and dwelt upon by you in yoâ—â— Meditation Onely let me say that the serious minding of these things would not onely prove a happie diversion and prevent the fretings of your mind by an unprofitable poreing upon your fiery afâ—liction But it would be the certain way to give you meat out of this eaterâ— Your mind would not onely be keep 't from being grangrened into impatience and galled with the load which lies upon your loins But you would be made glade and comforted over all yoâ—r sorrowes sufferings by beholding the end of the Lord the gracious designe he is driveing about you which is to make you up for ever by bâ—ing â—â—us undone And to order these light afflictions which are but for a moment so as thâ—y shall work for you a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory This is that wheel wiâ—hiâ— all â—â—ese wheels this is his purpose towards you the thoughts of whose heart take place in all Generations These things are upon his heart he cannot misse what he aimes at therefore you cannot be miserable amidst all the miseries you suffer from them who cast iniquitie upon you in wrath haâ—e you Nay therefore you cannot misse to be happy amidst all these he hath blessed you you shall be so But deare friends besides this general Consideration of your sin mine which is necessary for our profiting by every touch of his hand suffer me to suggâ—st the necessity of a particuâ—ar enquiry for when ever the Lord doth pursue a Church or a Land wiâ—h such a Church-desolating Land-destroying stroke as we have been under these so many yeers thouâ—h wickednesse violence in this assault upon you is come to such a Prodigious height as it is a surprise matter of astonishment to all who look on nay I am perswaded if noâ— many yeers ago it had been told these who have given the oâ—ders that they would do what now â—hâ—y boâ—h do defend they would have given Hâ—zaels answer he is then particularly pointing at some high and pâ—blick Provocation which his soul hates wherein that Church Nation is involved and whâ—reby thâ—y have made themselves deeply guiltie There is some accursed thing amongst that People Church when he breaks down what he had built gives up the dearely beloved of his soul into the hand of her enâ—mies which is our present condition And when it is thus It is high time to awake out of sleep to consider â—hat this is to enquire and accomplish a diligent search for finding that out for which his anger is fallen upon them lest God both search out the iniquitie of that people till he finde none search out the iniquity of their refusing to search then sweep them away as a generation of his wrath seperat them for evil as those in whom his soul hath no pleasure Nay that which will certainly make a generation a generation of his wrath cause him heap mischâ—ifs upon them spend his arrowes upoâ— them is when after such a fire is kindlâ—d as threatâ—ns the consumption of all with its flame men are not awakened to enquire what meaneth the heat of this great anger O when they are so unfaithful as either to be silent when they see it or are so oraculous in their â—inting at the guilt in stead of acquiting themâ—elves so faithfully to God so affectionatly to the souls of the unconcerned as to point it forth be so plain as thâ—y may thereby cause them to know their abominations as if they designed not to be understood I grant men may mistake in assigning causes and happy is that land which haâ—h these amongst them in such a day to whom the mouâ—h of the Lord hath spoken that they may dâ—clare it for what the land perisheth And yet if we will search the Scriptures and consult the records of the Church in her several periods we will finde that publick Church-desolating judgements had ever the guilt of that people so evidently engraven on them as he who did run might have read iâ— so that the dispensation seemed to cry every one into the consideration of the clearly procuring provocation and say O Generation see the Word of the Lord When he executs the judgement writen then he cloths his word with such a visible Garment as the man of wisdom must read his name of righteousnesse upon his rod and the gâ—â—lt of that people whom he so punisheth All of us therefore are called to a serious consideration of the causâ—s of Gods displeasure drawne out to such a length and arisen to such a height against us What then doeth such a stroke What doth such a Church-ruine after such a blessed reformation I neither feare nor blush to call it blessed notwithstanding of an act rescissory made to bury it and the belchings forth of enemies against it and all the Blashphemings of that great and good work of God by the Adversaries thereof I say what doth it say to us I cannot give the answer in more proper and plaint ermes than in the Prophet Jeremiah his words Chap. 22. where the question is proposed v. 8. by all that passe by wherefore thath the Lâ—rd done this unto this great City The Answer is given v. 9. Because they hâ—â—e foresaken ehe Covenant of the Lord their God Which is â—his upon the matter they had made themselves monsters for sin and God hath made them marvells for judgement and seâ— up a monument to the commendation of his righteousnesse over the ruine of these Covenantâ—breakers what means this sad change that the Lord who rejoyced over us to do us good and to multiply us is now turned against us as if he were rejoyceing over us to destroy us and to bring us to nought Oh! This his anger with such a
The poor Man's Cup of cold Water Ministred To the Saints and Sufferers for Christ. IN SCOTLAND Who are admidst the scorching flames of the fiery Trial. I. JOH III 13. Marvel not my Brethren if the World hate you I. PET. IV 12 13. Behold think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as if some strange thing hapned unto you But rejoice c. II. THESS I 6. Seing it is a righteous thing with God to render tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us c. LUK. XVIII 7 I tel you that he will avenge them speedily PSAL. II 3 4 6 Let us breake their bands asunder He that sitteth in Heavens shall laugh Yet I have set my King upon my holy hill Zion PSAL. CXXXII 18. His Enemies will I clothe with shame But upon himself shall his Crown flourish Printed in the Year 1678. For the now truely honorable and really happy that little Flock and lovely Company in Scotland who are in great tribulation for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Iesus Christ and more particularly for his specially endeared Friends the Sufferers in the West OF SCOTLAND MUch honoured dearly beloved and longed for in our Lord Jesus Christ Grace from the God of all grace mercy from the Father of mercies who is rich in mercy peace from the God of peace whose it is to speake that peace and to give that peace which passeth all understanding together with joy in the Holy Ghost be multiplied upon you Though I am unable to do any thing for you or say any thing to you which can cannot to the equivalency of a releife now when you are overwhelmed with such an inundation and deludge of calamities as every one who looks on yea the very Authors and Instruments of these miseries and mischeifes must say if they speake their soul or sense you are pressed out of measure and beyond strength yet your sufferings are such for kinde and qualitie such for measure and weight such for substance and circumstances as might through a transport of griefe and compassion make the tongue of the dumb if he have bâ—t eyes or eares to break prison and cry out behold O Lord and consider to whom these things are done and for what and for whose sake I dare not Alas say that I fill up the just measure of that sorrow for you and that sympathy with you which is debt upon my part and an indispensible duty in this day of trouble and of treading down and of great perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision yet I desire to be amongst the company of those who doe not who dare not allow themselves to carry as inconcerned now when his precious interests lye a bleeding his poor remnant under their pressures as breathing out their last and such who endeavour to retain their integrity and to hold fall what they have that no man take their crown and to depart fâ—om that inquity which is the inquity of our time a departing from God and an opposition to Jesus Christ in nature and degree in height and hainousnesse of a tincture and elevation beyond and above what the departings from God and oppositions to his Son Jesus Christ have been or were capable of in former times make themselves a prey as is manifest in your case not to be paralleled if weighed in an even ballance I am so much straitned how to give my shallow and confused thoughts a vent while I essay to contribute my poor mite for alleying the bitternesse of your cup and mitigating the greatnesse of your griefe knowing well how little proportion what ever I am able to say keeps to the anguish of your soul because of what you are put to suffer as the sight of this indignation wherewith you are filled puts me to struggle with my inclination and staggers me in my resolution to speake as seeming rather to perswade me because of the heavienesse of his hand upon you to sit alone and keep silence then to open my mouth since the moving of my lips cannot asswage your griefe yet affection which easily procures a pardon when it misseth the marke it aimed to hit hath in the present clamant emergent emboldened me out of my poverty and penury to offer such as I have and besides I hope both from the conviction of duety and knowledge how much the depth of your distresse is beyond the supplies I can contribute for your ease and the supportings of my feeble feeklesse pen to acconnt it m mercy while you are in that Paroxisme agony of misery through the madnesse of such as are incensed against your Lord and Master to cry as I can on your behalfe Arise o Lord and rescue the soul of thy turtle from the rage of these men of cruelty and do not give up the beloved of thâ— soul into the hand of such an enemy whose way thy soul hateth You have often heard my deare and distressed friends and you have professed also to be in the faith of this That men may be more then conquerours when killed all the day long and that there is an hundred fold to be reaped in this life even with persecution Now set your selves when killed and crushed to put the crown upon your Profession now adorne that Doctrine of God the Saviour which you Professe by such a carriage as will witnesse you know in the midst of what flesh can do unto you how to be conforted in God how to endure the worlds hatred and harme as those whom no affliction can make miserable O that he may put you in case to seale from your own experience the sweetnesse of suffering for Christ And to say now we know there is a river that refresheth the whole City of God because he hath made us drink of this river of his pleasure whereof since we drank we have forgotten our Poverty remember our Misery no more now we can affirme from what we finde whereby our souls are fortified that as the sufferings of Christ have abounded in us so our consolation also hath abounded by Christ for whom we have suffered the loss of these things and in that loss are so great gainers as now we know what we have lost is but dung but what is left us or rather what we have found in these begun fruitions of Jesus Christ hath begun our heaven amidst all we suffer Yea I am hopeful it shall be with you in your huntings harassings and hideings as it was with Moses in the mount never so neer God as when at the remotest distance from all creature-converse and comfort And that even while you lye as among the pots and are black with the smoak of that fiery furnace heated seven times beyond what you or your Fathers have found or could have feared if Satan whose element is fire had not set the Instruments of your calamity on fire
is a heat also which scorches and troubles their Conscience and therefore they cannot endure themâ— but take all opportunites to deale with them as Persons come to torment them before the time by their shineing and burning Besides these general and unâ—ailing Considerations which ought to fortify us in a resolution to make ready for the worse the world can doe there is somewhat peculiar in our lot which should make us resolve and determine not onely to suffer but to have a mixture of gall and wormâ—wood in our cup. wherewith Saints are but at some special times exercised There is a must be now for all who will live Godly in Christ Iesus to suffer persecution and it were a madnesse to entertain other thoughts since our time is a time of Defection and shameful Apostasy which hath ever been found a â—ime of hot persecution This hath been ever observed to be the practice of Apostats to hate as hell and to handle as the worst of men such as stand fast fixed in owning that cause of Godâ— which they have relinquished a man who resolves to keep a Conscience void of offence towards God must take his life in his hand and be â—n readinesse to part with it when his lot is to live in a time and place where there is power in their hand who have made shipwrack of Faith and of a good Conscience For as Apostasy is the special sin of Devils and as Satan the great Apostat hates all who set their face heaven â—aâ—d and are Servants of that God and seekers of that blessednesse from which he for his â—postasy is everlastingly banished so whomsoever he withdrawes from the wayes of the Lord and drawes with him into the guilt of Apostasy he drives them on also to the same sin of persecuâ—ing those who hold on their way and who adhere to those precious truths which they have foâ—saken and are followers of God as deare Children and these â—wo have so neer and native a connexion together as he doth not onely drive without any difficultie those over whom for their Apostasie he hath obtained a sole soveraignity and dominion into these desperat and damnable courses of persecuting the truth which they have foresaken and the Professors â—here of who hold faâ—â— his name Bâ—t which is more strange and sad and should alarum every man into a watchfulnesse against the very first and smallest-like degrees oâ— defection from the good old wayes of Godâ—r It is observed that let a man though sound in the main slip from one degree of his zeal ond integrity thougâ— it werâ— but in omission to stand-up for the defence of the Gospel when the assaultings of Adversaries makes it duty much more if there be a doing of any thing which will give the enemies of the work of God the least advantage he forth with slides also ere he be aware into a censuring despising contemning if it stop here and go no further it is well of his Brethren whom he cannot carry alongs with him and becomes frequently more active and indnstrious to draw them whom he hath in so far lâ—ft his length then he is observed to be active in strengthening the things that remaine and are ready to die amongst a people in a declining time Now these things are so plain in our case as it were supeâ—fluous for me to make them more plaine Need I tell you in whose hand the power is or of what spirit and principles these men are after all the desolation they have made amongst you Neither are they yet at an end and therefore you would be preparing for new assaults and laying in provision against the evil day O blessed shall the man be who in this dismal day shall not be offended in him but shall endure to the end Lay your account therefore with the worst that violence and enmity armed with power enflamed to the height of revenge can make you suffer for withstanding this course of iniquity now carried on by all means methods in the Nation This fore-sight providence will be our wisdom for when we have done so we will not be amazed when that comes to passe we had resolved before hand to meet with or put out of our postour when these things do emerge with which we had laid our reckoning But deare Friends for fixing yourselves into a firmenesse of resolution to hold out and hold on though it should come to a resisting unto blood after you are robbed and spoiled of your goods Consider that there is nothing in all these fires and waters you have to passe thorow in all these dangers and deaths which are before you in all these trials in all these hazards nay in all these hells that are betwixt you and heaven whch can prevail with a soul that knowes in whom he hath beleeved or perswade him to cast the blessed bargan or go back from his Master and walke no more with him Whither shall we go from thee for thou hast the words of eternal life was the disciples deliberat and warme answer to that heart-moving question will you also leave me Leave thee Lord Leave thee who will we are for ever tied to an attendance upon thee and continuance with thee both by choice and by the chaine of our own advantage that eternal life which is in thee and is to be had by abiding with thee arrests us with a pleasant violence to wait upon thee while we must foresake all in following â—hee and be foresaken of all But secondly let us exercise spiritual reason and reckon right we will perceive there is much of present real advantage to be found in and reaped from the worlds hatred and the greatest heat of persecution who is he that will harme you if ye be followers of that which is good is a question that puts it out of question they cannot be harmed even when hurt and therefore it is immediatly added 1 Pet. 3 14. But and if ye suffer for righteousnesse sake happy aâ—e ye c. It is true there are none to whom moe injurâ—es are done then to the poor persecuted people of God for as men they are not only borne to trouble but as Christians they are borne againe unto trouble and appointed thereunto But it is as true that there are none who are so little iniured by injuries for they get meat out of the â—ater all these things work together for their good For first hereby the Saints are keept in a right temper towards the world and the things thereof whereas iâ— they meet with kinde usage in it and from it they would take too well with it and sit down short of heaven and forget to say arise let us go hence for this is not the place of our rest there remains an unrenewed part in the saints which would agree too well and comply with the courses and customes of the world and therefore it is their speciall adavntage to be driven off from it
their carriage and cruelty is beyond my describings send some of their number to declare that they were most peacable but to binde themselves to such a compliance with the course of the time that is upon the matter to cooperat with the workers of iniquity and to stâ—p Christs Ambassadours from delivering their message and to hinder the people from meeting together to heare what he would say unto them by such as he hath cloathed with a commission and called to â—â—eake in his name as a thing now no more in their power o let it never be in the power of these abusers of their power for hindering the word of the Lord to have a free course and to be glorified But as to the secureing oâ— themselves against all these groundlesse apprehensions of an insurrection there was no way so proper no way so possible as to suffer the sent servaints of Iesus Christ to preach and perswade the things belonging to the Kingdome of God But this seemed so insufferable and such a plain and practical contradiction to the Supremacy in its new o let it never wax old ovrtâ—rne o Lord overtuâ—ne overturne till he come whose right it is elevation as the same reall and practical reâ—urne was given to it which Pharoah gave to that request Exod 5 1 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel let my people go thaâ— tâ—ey may hold a feast to me in the wildernesse And verse 2. Pharaoh said who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go I know not the Lâ—rd neither will I let Israel go I say the thing sought on the behalfe of that poor people sâ—emes to be of a piece with that of Moses Aaron for it was this upon the matter If you have taken all the houses of God in possession If you have driven Iesus Christ out of all the Cities of the Nation yet will you leave him will you allow him some place in the open feilâ—s to met with his followers will you suffer him and his to hold their Assemblies in the wildernesse in some mosse or Mountain No that may not be heard it hath a haâ—efulnesse in itâ— as implying a proper and peculiar soveraignity still ascribed unto Iesus Christ as King inconsistent with and subversive of our new Supremacy Aâ—d therefore nothing is now heard but muster and march And thus an host is raised with as great solemnity and celerity with as much pomp and parad of Artillery c. to invade that poor peacable company as if the land had been invaded by the most formidable and furious forraigne enemy and impowered withall to do and act at that rate of violence as the actors of all imaginable mischeifs are secured by Law from all feare of future hazard for what ever violence they commit or wickednesse they can perpetrat if â—hey have but the wit to say in their own defence it was done to answer the end of that expedition and for his Maj. service against those who professe subjection to another in soul-concerns Now as there was never an act of Supremacy so explicitly in all points opposit to the kingly power of our Lord Iesus Christ as this late one of ours an act onely defineable by its own wickednesse for this is Supremacy so besides the stupenduous unreasonablenesse of this course without a parallel for a Magistrat to run upon and ruine his own peacable subjects without a provocation on their part or the least ground in law to justifie the crueltie of this procedour on his part besides this I say no man who doth narrowly look into the matter and consider the quarrell but he must see it he must say it that since God made man upon the earth since souldiers were mustered and marched under colours and command never was there an army raised or an host put so formally to march up with displaied banner against Christ as King for this is the summe substance and soul of all that can be said as the genuine import of this expedition Christ Iesus from whom we have taken the Crown by Law is yet like to keep some possessions oâ— the Nation come thâ—refore let us march into the fields And since he calls himself a Kingâ— and will trouble us with Conventicles and feild meetings and since his followers and these who flock unto him affirme him both to be a King and Captain yea that King against whom there is no riseing up because he is the Lord of Hosts let him meet us in the feilds and maintaâ—n his â—itle and vindicaâ— his prerogative for as we have no King but Caesar so this is our quarrel And if he will not draw out and draw up if he will not measure swords with us then as we have taken his house in Possession so we shall fall on and by the strong hand tâ—ke the houses of all into possession who will not renounce their depenâ—ance â—pon him as Soveraigne and Supreme and shut them out either to die in the fields wiâ—h himâ— or â—â—ob or starve tâ—em in their houses who will not applaud our having taken his house inâ—o possession My soul trembles to give the obvious sense of those our Rulers proceedings nor date I give my pen it 's just libertie to unbowel this course and lay open the blasphemies wherewith it is big even â—o a bursting Neither is it necessare for me for every one who doth not shut his own eyes must see that hatred against Christ and the coming of his Kingdome expressed in this expedition which he cannot he dare not without horrour and amazement expresse who can suffer himself to resolve the practice of Rulers who have bound their souls to obedience fidelitie and loyaltie to Christ as King under the penalâ—ie of the forfeiture of their immortal souls into this which is it's native and necessare sense We are now wearied of the government of Jâ—sus Christâ— It is a yoke we cannot beare we will not beare we are resolved once for all to burst these his bonds and cast away these his cords from us We are wearied of this his Church Jurisdiction Let him be gone therefore out of our borders Let his name as King and Soveraigne be no more in remembrance We have set up anoâ—her in his place and have soudered into a samenesse his Crown with the Imperial Crown of the Nation and have setlâ—d that upon the head of our King and whosoever shall succeed him the most dangerous and deadly decree that ever was made for that succession so that now all his old pretenses to a Royal prerogatvie amongst us for the futuâ—e are cut off or if he will clame any interest notwithstanding of this our Law let him now appeare to try the justice of his tittle and preâ—ence by the sword We are now drawn into the fields to maintain what we have done Where is he If his followers meet together to oppose us we have what we would for then we will make a breakfast of
the source rise and conduct of the Rulers procedour against you and their barbarous câ—uelty give you not onely confidence to pour out your heart befoâ—e him and present your câ—sâ— and cause in this General for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are counted as sheep for the slaughtâ—r But more particularly when you can sist your selves bâ—fore him and sob out your sorrowes in these words of a truth Lord against thy Holy Châ—ld Iâ—sus whom thou hâ—st anoâ—nâ—ed are all thâ—se gathered together and it is for our owning of him as thy anointed and râ—fuseing to be on that conspiracy that we ore thus used I know not vvhat can give ground of gladenesse in a mans life or vvhat can be cause of gloriation in death if resisting unto blood upon such a quarrell and not loving a mans life unto death in such a cause will not give ground for it Beloved Friends and much honourâ—d sufferers for Christ you know since you are taught of God that the way to overcome all trouble here and to carry as becometh Saints under it is to look above it and beyond it above it to the high and supreme hand that sends it and disposeth of it so as it may subserve your great Interest for in despight of the malice and madnesse of all inferior agents all these dire and dreadful things shall together with him who worketh mightily in his people and for them work together for your â—ood and beyond it and above it to the end of it and the recompence of reward following after it This is the way to profite by pressures to be gainers in all losses This is the ground of sweet peace and serenitie of mind amidst all trouble and the solid foundation for patience of Spirit For he is only in a capacitiâ— to possesse his spirit in patience whose spirit hath received these impressions without which the soul will be still disquieted Trouble will still tosse it as a ball in a large place and it will prove unstable as water I suppose since you are Saints and so must have some impressions of the absolute Soveraignitie of God that though in your searchings you could not finde out or fixe upon the cause of his contendiug with you thus yet you would either be silent or say it is the Lord let him doe unto us what seemeth hâ—m good And if he have no pleasure in our liveiâ—g and dwelling in our little huts and houses Bnt will drive us thence the will of the Loâ—d be done But not to insist on this which yet you will grant to be infinitly rational for who hath enjoyned him his wayâ— or who may say unto him what doest thou there is sufficient to keep you and me aâ—d the Christians of this generation from frâ—tingâ— and saying while in the fire and while the rod of the wicked rest upon your lot and these plowers plow upon your back and make their furrowes longer and deeper than all these plowersâ— which went before them did O when will God Loose the plough by cutting asunder the cords of the wicked and confouâ—ding turning them all back that hate you He is the Lord who will hasten it in his time to shew that he is righteous Let us weep for what we have done And wait in hope for what he will do why are we thus Surely a sight of our sin would make us wonder that we are not worse yea admire his goodnesse who will be at all this pains about us to heal us of these mortal diseases whereof our immortal souls are sick even unto death I am sure that the crimson dye of our crying iniquities would curb our impatience and cure us of that evil of quarrelling with him because of our suffâ—rings Consider therefore however you suffer very unjustly from men against whom you have done nothing justly to procure their indignation yet if you look within you and lift up your eyes above you and consider how the cry of your transgâ—essions is come up into his eare you will be constrained not onely to justifie him in this seeming severiâ—ie but to confesse from clearnesse and conviction you are punished lesse then your iniquities desâ—rve And that it is of the Lords mercâ— you are not consumed because his compassions fail not Hence is it thaâ— when the Apostle Peter hath been speaking of the fiery trial 1 Pet. 4â—12 13 14 15 16. which this day in our case and hath been encouraging and comforting them to a paâ—â—ent endâ—reinâ— while schorâ—hed with these flames by many noble arguments yet when he looks upâ—n thes heavie afflictions as coming from God he calls them verâ— 17 judgements intimaâ—ing thereby that his precious and peculiar people how upright and innocent soever as to men yet they are guiltie before God the righteous judge and that they muâ—â— acknowledge when â—hey â—ist thâ—mseâ—ves in his sight that what ever they suffeâ— is the fruit of their own doings and that by their provocations they have procured these things and rewarded all these evils unto their own soul by not walking worthy of him nor befoâ—e him to all pleasing If his people by their multiplied and manifold sins did not extort if I may say so strokes our of his hand he who doth not aâ—â—lict willingly nor grieve the Children of men but hath pleasure in the prosperitie of this people would not so often take the rod in his hand or would soon cast it into the â—ire for he doth not love to lash beyond necessitie and therefore when he hath performed his whole work upon mount zion he casts the rod into the fire and punisheth the fruit of the stout heart of his and his peoples enemies and the glory of their high looks The saints you know Brethren how graciows and grown so ever they are but Children and therefore must be under Chastisment The best of them are given to many Childish toyes and not a few of them in whom the root of the matter may be yea will be found are so far from abideing witâ— God in their callings and from adorning the Doctrine of God the Saviour that so men by seing their good works may glorifie their Father which is in heaven that there is a groffnesse in their way their iniquitie is ofâ—en found upon the skirts of their garmenâ—s and their spots are so unlike the spots of the people of God and Persons made partakers of the divine nature that because of these mouths of enemies are opened to blaspheme the name of God and reproach the blessed Profession But seting thsee aside Alas how doe they who escape such grosse pollutions yet often trifle in the matter of communion with God How formal and luke-warme in their addresses So that he who seeks the heart and will be worshiped in Spirit and Truth misseth their soul in their service How seldome arâ— they in Heaven How little dwelling upon the thoughts of Jesus Christ and the great sâ—lvation purchased by him on purpose
witnesse doth give a distinct sound It palpably declâ—res and plainly proclaimes our Defection from God and Apostasie from him after we had bound our souls with an oath to the contrare It is not onely because we were not answerable to our Covenant-engagements to studie holinesse in the feare of God and walk like a people dedicat and devoâ—ed to him though such a breach goes alwayes before and the other followes afâ—er Buâ— because we dealt unfaithfully in thar Covenant made for Reformation in his house we beâ—ame lukewarme in the cause so the curse of deteâ—table neâ—trality hath over taken us our solemne acknowledgement of sin and engagements to dueties were forgotten Yea we proceeded from one degree of unfaithfulnesse infixedâ—esse in our Covenant with the most High to another till the whole of that Covenanted-work of Reformation was surrendered and put in their power who have destroyed all and razed and overturned the blessed foundations of that beautiful structure and this was done with such a hast and precipitation as he was looked upon as a peevish Ridicule who would have advised in that day to see previously to the securitie of Religion before these were put in power who were it's known and constant enemies And so what ouâ— worthy Fore-fathers of truely blessed memory by their zeal their wisdome their courage for God their valient contendings for the truth their prayers their witnessings their sufferings had by the good hand of their God upon them wrought out for us and put us in possession of we blindly and basely abandoned all and suffered our selves to be fooled out of the cause and out of our faithfulnesse to Christ with a flourish or small parcel of good words And it is for this iniquitie that the holy and righteous Lord pursues us this day it is for this that he doth punish us by these very hands into whose hands we put power to overturne his work and left them at liberty to do so Now O generation see the word of the Lord. It is not my purpose hereâ— to give an account of the several steps of our defection or to draw the lineaments of it's black visage that is an undertaking above my pen and parts let the Lord with whom is the residuâ— of the spirit finde out and furnish some for it and O that for my interest in the defection and my accession to the cause of Gods contending this day with poor Sâ—otland I may obâ—ain mercy to go mourning to my grave This may be cried out upon as Treason well if the mentioning of the Land 's treacherous dealing with God be called Treason all my Apologie is that that makes the necessitie of doing it double and indispensible dutie let me be a Traitor if that be Treason But I know this may be particularly bogled at and abomâ—nat as if it were the reviving and raking againe out of the ashes wherein they were burnt and by the burners designed for ever to lye buried of the causes of wrath I need say little as to this But that the Causes of wrath need neither my patrociny nor Apologie they carry alongst their own sâ—d aud certain evidence with them and I judge many who did not then see so far as these Seers did who drew them up and mourned before the Lord under the conviction of the guâ—lt therein held forth have since been convinced to their cost that the secret of the Lord was with these his Servants and that they stood in his Counsel and if any of them be â—ot they may be ere all bedone O the burning of the Covenant in England and the Causes of wrath in Scotland shall certainly be followed with a fire and siercenesse of indignation as shall make Authors Actors Abettors and Rejoycers thereat know what it is to give such an open defiance to the Almighty A Covenant burnt and burnt by Authority in the sight of heaven with such hell-black solemnities where the great God is Altera pars Contrahens for Reformation of Religion accordâ—ng to his word and righteounesse in walking before him is such a sin as may make every soul to tremble at the fore-thoughts of what God will do for vindicating his glory from that contempt thereby cast upon him My present businesse is not to addresse my self by way of Testimony or representation to them who have done such horrid things Onely I wish that the burning of that City into ashes where that Covenant was burnt together with that non-such plague and war may make them take warning ere it be too late who did this wickednesse for Alas all that is come will be forgotten when the wrath and vengeance that is yet coming shall be execute and mentioned O England England I feare I feare thy wo hasteneth the wrath of God is upon the wing against thee both for breach of Covenant and wipeing thy mouth as if thou hadst done nothing amisse Thou hast stood and seen thy brothers day Alas for thy day when others shall stand aloof from thee for feare of sharing in thy judgements O how unexamplified must the plagues be wherewith they shall be pursued whose wickednesse hath such a singularitie of hainousnesse in it on the ground of the Righteousness and Veracity of God! The burning of a Covenant made with God is a sin which I believe never had precedent or parallel and I also believe that the terrible tempest of the wrath of God falling from Heaven and following this guilt shall for ever fright men from following their steps who for this shall be made spectacles of his displeasure and documents to the coming of Christ what a dreadful and fearful thing it is for men taken red-hand in this wickednesse to fall into the hands of the living God! And as for burning the Causes of wrath I grant that wickednesse hath a perfect parallel but of a tremenduous consequence in â—ehojakim's practice recorded Jer. 36.23 where that ungodly King of unhappy memory upon his apprehended restitution to freedom and deliverie from the judgemâ—nt of God pursuing him for his wickednesse is so grated with the prophets faithfulnesse as he burnt the causes of wrath Now let it be taken notice of how the anger of the Lord burnt against this bold burner see his burial and Epitaph Ier. 22.18.19 but more particularly see how for this very consumating wickednesse he and his posteritie for ever are deprived from Crown and Scepter Ier. 36.30 2 Chro 36. His bâ—otheâ— Zedekiah it is true was made King for a time but he also continued to do evil in the â—ight of the Lord and broke the Covenant of God though he burnt it not and then the Lord sweeped that race for these rebellions against him together with the throne off the face of the earth thus the burning of the Causes of wrath and the breach of God's Covenant brought down the fire of the wrath of God from heaven which consumed with its flame these who had dared the Almighty after
of these frowards who will wrestle with him to wring the scepter out of his hand shall be carried head long Hath he said it And will he not doe it hath he purposed it and shall it not come to passe And you Tennants vvho are turned out of all and put in the condition of beggars O rich and to be ambition at beggarie yea you poor Labourers and Servants who have parted with your all and it may be you thought it to little For vvhen love to Christ gives it is so liberal and open handed as it gives all It first gives the heart to him and then the house and goods for him hath a kinde of sorrow it hath no more to give therefore at last to fill up the measure the giver throwes in himself and that with a blush to be made use of in doing and suffering for God and therefore did it vvith a kinde of shâ—me and regrete you had no more to lose for him be assured he vvill not forget this your woâ—k and labour of love shevved for his names sake nay be assured he vvill repay it with an inconceivable over-plus of everlasting advantage Feare not little flock it is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom are the words of your Lord and Master O! hovv great is your revvard in heaven it exceeds both your faith your fansie both your imagination and expectation in the dimensions of infinit goodnesse and eternal endureance O! hovv great is that Goodnesse vvhich he hath laid up for you vvhere theeves cannot break thorow nor steale nay it is above the rage of men or loose handed devils to reach it who now have been helped to give such a proof that he who alone is to be feared is your feare and your dread and which he hath wrought for you who have witnessâ—d before the sons of Men that you can follow him whither soever he goeth and that where the King is there will you be whether in Life or in Death and trust him with all your concerns when exposed to the worst that the violence of the vilest of men can make you suffer What should I say He hath pronounced you blessed who makes you so amidst all your miseries and therefore blessed you must be and shall be so that you have no more to say but be it unto thy suffering servants according to thy word neither have I but Amen and Amen Now Deare Brethren though your not having keep as became you the Word of his Patience hath provoked him not to keep you from this hour of Temptation which is come upon you yet how hath he both multiplied to pardon and magnified his grace even while he punished in keeping you in it And as the observation of your former way occasioned great feares on your behalfe lest there should have been a further defection so when it was seen and pâ—t beyond all debate though no man would suffer himself to believe that ever such a thing which had no colour of reason to cover the barbaritie of it's rage would be put in execution lest an easie credulitie of what was not to be beleeved till rage had quite extinguished reason should have argued a weaknesse unworthie of a man For to have said they are men who Rule though stated enemies to the wayes of God might have secured a person against the feares of such a course that this evil was determined against you wherein Religion and Reason had the defiance at once in the resolution of your ruines I judge there were never moe payers put up to God on the behalfe of a partie in the land then there were for you that you might be keept in this hour of temptation strengthened with all might according to his glorious power helped without fearing the wrath of those whose furie was armed with all the force of the Nation and to be execute by the most formidable and barbarous Instruments to stand it out and to endure as seeing him who is invisible And now in that God hath not turned away these prayers nor his mercy from you But hath stood by you helped you held your hand with held you from that Bond of disloyaltie to Christ strengthened you and keept you from the snare laid for you and this grin of these workers of iniquitie for this gift I say bestowed upon you by the means of mâ—ny persons thanks also are given unto God by many on your behalfe And this aboundance of heart-establishing and hand-strengthening Grace bestowed upon you by the thanksgiveings of many redounds to the Glory of God Deare Breâ—hren you are now in a manner become our joy and crown This eminent exercise of your faith and patience in that while crâ—shed by these cruel men you have carried as not being moved by any of these things which have be fallen you but as knowing you are appointed thereunâ—o hath comforted your Brethren over you in all your aâ—â—liction and distresse And your standâ—ng fast in the Lord hath put many who stood in doubt of you lest the temper by this means should have tempted you and turned you aside to a compliance with the crooked wayes of these workers of iniquitie who shall be led forth with all that â—oine with them to condigne punishment but what that shall be is unutterable hereby I say your friends the favouâ—ers of the dust of Zion are put to a new diâ—â—icultie on your behalfe for his doing for you above what they could ask or think now this is the Echo of their pulse O what thanks can we render again to God for these who haâ—â— been thus helped to glorifie him by standing and withstanding in this evil day and for all the joy where with we joy for their sakes before ouâ— God Yea what gladnesse what glorying is there amongst the saints for your patience and faiâ—hâ— in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure But now Deare Brethren to the end that you may hold on and hold out and so be more than conquerours through him that hath loved you let me put you in mind you have not yet done although you have been helped to doe much by suffering much yet there is a much behinde to be done and suffered Having therefore taken joyfully the spoiling of your goods and carried as knowing in your selves that in heaven you have a better and an enduring substance Now consider that you have yet need of patience for you see that the enemies teeth iâ— hereby set on edge to teare you they are still eager in the pursuite There is need of patience I say therefore that after you have done the will of God which hath been by a suffering of his will in this juncture you may receive the promise Now take unto you the whole armour of God that you may be able having done all these noble things to stand Stand therefore as resolved through grace and in the power of his might to keep your grouâ—d and to