that Mr Mitchells death hath done more hurt to it's contrivers and furious drivers than ever his lâ—fe could have done even though he had shot againe and hit that un hallowed marke For now where as he hath died desired they who drove it have in breathing out their crueltie against him brought an indelible infamy upon themselves and entâ—iled upon their posteritie a reproach never to be rolled away yea they have missed their marke so far in hiting him as I suppose the most confident scoffer amongst all those who promised them selves matter of mirth by his death and some thing on which they might breake their jest will be more loath to heare Mr Mitchels death mentioned than the death of any of those worthies that went before him lest concerning themselves it also be remembered how And thus was that prediction fulfilled with a witnesse contrary to the mind of him who in saying so did both mock and menace at once that God did glorifie himself by Mr Mithels death in the grasse market Yea glorifie himself he did and glory to him for having done so Is not this then Brethren heart-comforting and hand strengthening that all who went off the stage thus died under these refreshing manifestations and ravishments of spirit as their enjoyments would be the measure of mens desires for their own soul as they were the measure of the desires of these dying Martyrs for all the people of God For what could they wish more or seek more on the behalfe of these But O that it were with them in all things as it is with us except as to this scaffold which yet to us while under these manifestations is preferable to all the thrones of the Earth and the Pharadises and Pleaâ—ures wherein they live who put us to death Nay so marvellous was the presence of God with these his dying witnesses as I doubt nothing but some of the enemies who looked on and had a hand in sheding that innocent blood have said with themselves since O let me die the death of thâ—se righteous men and let my latter end be like theirs And I much doubt when death shall look the greatest Desperado amongst them in the face and he finds himself ready to be dragged before the judgement seat of Christ if the question were asked him whether he would have his soul now gathered with the souls of these suffereâ—s or with their souls who shall be brought in before the Tribunal with their fingers droping with the blood of those whom they killed upon such an account that he would be at any demurre what to choise Feare not then to follow Deare Brethren since you see how honourably the charges of all that have gone before you have been borne you have the same good God the same Christ the same Spirit the same cause the same covenanted strength have therefore the same confidence and courage as they did so doe you carry as in nothing terrified by your Adversaries which as it was in them so it will be in you an evident token of perdition to your proud and implacable persecuters But to you of salvation and that of God Suffer me ere I close to put one drop more in this cup to make it cooling and never-the-lesse cordial for that Endeavour Deare Friends with a Zealous prudence while you are in this fire of fiery trialls to prevent or exstinguish the wilde fire of unnecessare and hurtfull animosities amongst your selves by the flame of fervent and true love to God and one another this fire will burne out the other you see the enemy thrusts sore at you that you may fall therefore to the end they may misse their marke and you may stand fast in the Lord stand close together I shall not enlarge upon this head onely let me put you in mind of that notable place to this purpose when the Apostle Philip. 1. after what he had said of himself V. 20. O for a company in case to say the like comes to persuade to a carriage such as becometh the Gospel he pitched particularly upon this piece of a Gospel-becomeing conversation and perswads to it That I may heare saith he that ye stand fast in one Spiâ—it with one minde striving together for the faith of the Gospel c.. And knoweing well how much true unitie did strengthen the saints while put to this striving he doth in the following Cap. Viz. c. 2. v. 1 2 3. with a mervellously sweet emphaticknesse inculcat and commend the same thing with such a warme varietie of heart-melting and affection-moving words and arguments as are sufficient or nothing can be to cement and souder into a samenesse the souls and affections of all saints If there be therefore saith he any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies fullfill ye my joy that you be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Now what can be said after this Here you have union nobly qualified and arguments powerfully quickening to pursue after it O fall a striving therefore while put to strive against enemies who shall love God and his precious interests most and one another best who shall be most ready to forbeare and to beare one anothers burdens that so in fulfilling this law of Christ all may the more cheerfully beare the Crosse of Christ have there been amongst you animosities contentions jealousies whisperings evil surmiseings c. the more is the pitieâ— well then now is the time to confirme your love one towards another Now set your selves to provoke one another to love and to good works Now see if you who have discoursed and disputed your selves a sunder can pray your selves together and so meet in that blessed center I little doubt if your heart be heaven-hot in praying together in weeping before God together in wrestleing with him together but you will walk after the Lord together in a sweet zealous singlenesse of frame when your hearts have been warmely poured out together before God a spiritual harmonie and famenesse of soul in working the work of the Lord will follow upon it And if my observation do not fail our contentions never became hot till we were cooled and much taken off from praying together Consider what your enemies are doing driveing and designing Is it not to make you fall asunder that you may not be able when divided amongst your selves to stand before them or to withstand them take that door of them by shuting the door upon them at which you see they designe to enteâ— and that their accesse may be the more easie they will flatter some of you or forbeare some of you while they fall upon others that so they may run down and ruine all and raze foundations at last with ease Set your selves therefore with an onenesse of
late Supremacy and sense it and consider if its lowest amount be not this we have no King but Caesar. And to make it emphatickly expressive of this vvhereas other Acts of Supremacy vvherby yet our Lord Iesus Chrest vvas vvronged and his royal prerogative encroached upon did still for shame leave him the title and a supremacy vvas pretended unto under God and his Son Christ and a derivation and conveyance from that fountain vvas in words acknovvledged that the iniquitie of our Supremacy might be supremeâ— an absolute independent arbitraâ—y dominion is attributed to our Kings setled upon them by Law And for the more security this povver is declared to be the iâ—trinsick right and the inherent prerogative of the imperial Crown of the Nation vvhereby al-Church-matâ—ers are subjected to their imperial vvisdom to do in all these as they think fit and the managment of these are so solely in his Majesties povver that vvhereas the Council acts in Civils in a subordination to his Maj. according to the Law of the Land His Maj may make use of what kinde of persons so ever he will passing by Parliament or Council to put all the incontrolable dictats and decrees of his Maj. wisdom and good pleasure concerning Church matters in execution And therefore that we may be no longer in suspense nor soliciâ—ous about the sense of our Supremacy that the Church may henâ—ceforth know acknowledge who is her Lord and undoubted Superior whose it is to give Laws and appoint Officers to put them in execution and that there may be none in heaven or earth to pretend to any part of this power or paritie in this Supremacy the name of God and of his Son Christ is omitted in it and because mentioned in other Supremacies must be conceived to be delet out of ours O! the patience of God that their namesâ— yea that the name of the Nation where such a wickeâ—nesse was decreed is not before this perished from under the heavens It is trueâ— this pleased me best in all that Supremacy because it was plain dealing without all cloak or complement for now Iesus Christ hath neither thing nor name of Kingly power left him but is most explicitly put from the exercise of his royal Government And Church Lawes are no more to passe in the old stile nor are things as formerly to be done there by vertue of the Authoritie of this one Iesus who calleth himself a King But according to the new stile And so hence forth Church Lawes must beare the datum of the Iulian account Now our Rulers having framed this Law for hainousnesse of hatred hâ—ight of opposition to the Lords anointed whom he hath made King in Zion beyond the most supream Supremacies that ever werâ— framed or moulded into lawes since God made man upon the earth or Satan that he might destroy the Church prompted men to compet with the Mediator strive with him for state yâ—a even in its prodigious shape and feature beyond what was arrogat by the Man of sin the Anti-Christ that Son of Perdition â— Our blessed Lord Jesus who hath all his enemies in deâ—ision stirred up the spirit of some of his zealous Ambassadours to goe forth and give a Testimony against the hainousnesse of this usurpation of their Masters Crown and Scâ—pter which will be their crown and which should be now our main question upon which we act and suffer as we expect his pâ—esence and supportings either in doing or suffering and in pursuance of that Commission which they had received from him to preach in â—eason and out of season and to negociat a peace betwixt this great and glorious King and poor guilty sinners whereupon our blessed Lord Jesus Christ though slighted and set at naught by our Rulers boâ—h to signifie his complacency in the zeal of his faithfull servants â—ired into an holy fervoâ— foâ— the Prerogative of their exalted Prince from the observation of the fury whereby they saw he was opposed and to refute till more come O! that is coming which may and certainly would make their souls tremble if thought upon the apprehensions of the righteous revenges he will â—ake for this contempt cast upon him and when he will returne their reproach upon them by speaking unto them in his wrath and vexing them in his sore displeasure the folly and infatuation of that new Pretence to his incommunicable Prerogativeâ— royal framed into a Law and that by an argument easy to be understood by the poorest Lasse and Lad in the Nation he goeth forth conquering and to conquer by the Ministry of these his despised servants and thus he reigns as King in the mâ—dst of his rageing enemies and acts wonderously so that to the conviction of all he holds the hands of his servants upholds them at his work and doth from thaâ— day greater things by them then ever in regaird of many circumstances were done in the Nation he makes such noble and notable in roads upon Satans territories and these darke places of the land where the Prince of darkenesse had an indisturbed dominion as multitudes are made in this day of his power to follow after and fall in love with Ordinances dispensed by his own Oâ—ficers and flock unto the standart of this exalted Prince a proof as great as ever was given of his reigneing and that his people shall be willing in the day of his power though all the powers of the earth were on a conspiracy against him and abused that power to the fainting of his followers and the frâ—ghting of them into a disâ—oyal relinquishing of Iesus Christ which the Adversary perceiving and finding that to no purpose they had cruâ—ified Christ agaâ—ne and put him to open shame by taking his Crown and Scepter from him and buâ—ying his Supremacy in the grave which they had made for it uâ—der the fabrick of their newly erected one and that in vaine they had set a watch to keep the grave fearing withal that this reviving of his work and resurrection of his cause might prove to them a second errour worse by far then the first Theâ—efore that rovers may not be ruers and to fortifie themselves in the posâ—ession of what they had taken by their Law from our Lord Iesus Châ—ist and to prevent his returning to his throne and his reassuming the exercise of his royal Government o let their feare come upon them who feare left Christ should reigne an Host must be gathered on purpose to march into the West as that part of the Nation o happy and honourable cognizance where Iesus Christ had most remarkably rung and which still was looked upon by them as the Kings head-quarters whereupon it is resolved that that poor Countrey shall be invaded the people in the mean time having behaved themselves as peacably as any part of the nation being amazed at the rumour of this rage against them and the resolution taken to pourâ—in upon them such a company of Barbar's as
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
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
without consulting God since the concerne is his and communing with our brethren not onely equally concerned but countenanced of God in their endeavouring to hold fast their integritie and hold on in the good old way Let us studiean onenesse in remembring whence we have fallen and in admonishing and being content to be admonished lest we be hardened through tâ—e deceitfulnesse of sin into a deâ—enâ—ce of it Let us be followers of others forsaking them in no case nor under no pretext in as fare as they are followers of Christ Let these be the men whose practice we propose as a patern for imitation whose carriage al alongs whose constancy in the cause whose courage in continuing at the work of the Lord when hazard did attend dutie spoke them to hate the way of them who turne aside And let us not count that the making of a breach to forsake for then we count without God and have noâ— thâ— mind of Christ any or not to fall in with them and follow them in that wherein they forsake the way of God and cease to be what they were and begin to be what once they were not and to do or leave undone what they condemned as deâ—ection or deâ—astable neutralitie It is a great abuse of language to give it the best name to put the name or notion of union upon that which if searched to the bottome would make it appeare that in this the uniters are rather dividers from the Lord than endeavourers to keep the unitie of the spirit in the bond of peace It was not against this union nor inconsistent with it for Paul to withstand Peter to the face when he saw that he walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel and when his way had carried away others into a dissimulation If God have said if any man draw back may soul shall have no pleasure in him Let never our soul enter into their secrets who would seduce us in to a relinquishing of the cause or into a conniveance even at a discovered propension to that in others let us studie the import of the place above adduced to wit a standing fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel striving and standing up together for those things in the faith whereof we professed our selves â—ixed beyond the unfixings of contrary Laws execute with all crueltie nay for the faiâ—h which we our selves delivered to the Saints and for which we should contend with all flesh though for that we should be counted Schismaticks and men of Contention with the whole earth There was an Union amongst the Disciples when they all forsooke him and fled O let us beware and have a care lest while we cry up and commend union amongst our selves that in keeping one another company we leave not Christ Jesus our Lord and master to walk alone Unitie amongst brethren is a very desireable thing and the Lord will require it at his hand who endeavours it not in his way but there is a Iewel of infinit more value onenesse with God and onenesse with and in the truth and if our pursuings of the one be not minded in it's just subordination untoâ— and for the promoving of the other it loses it's intrinsick value and becomes a plague and thus that which should have been for our welfare is made our trap Let union amogst brethren be accounted the ring never to be brokenâ— but let union in the truth and with God be coured the Rubie and Diamond if this be lost our union loseth it'â— name and changeth it's nature and passeth with him for a Conspiracy and so should it do with us This ought to be our first care yea and next care too how to keep him company and to continue stedâ—ast and immoveable abounding in the work of the Lord and if herein our fellovv servants desert us or our brethren be othervvise minded yet vve must go on hoping and praying that God vvill reveal the same things to them and grant them to be like minded vvith us according to Chist Jesus if vve have attained to clearnesse in dutie and hereby the vvay I must say though I hate and abhore rash courses and I hope vvould noâ— stand to condemne in my self as vvell as in others â— runing upon and rushing into untroden paths yet God hath made ouâ— vvay so plaine of old as the vvay-faring man though a fool needs not erâ—e in it these are no novelâ—ies or notions these are no new and darke things we have to contend for Is Covenant keeping with God a disputable point Is it dobtful whether Christ be absolut in his own house or falls it under debate whether he is to be obeyed rather than men And trâ—ely of late the course and carriage of our enemies so directly opposite to â—he wayes of God hath left no place for doubting about dutie if we be but delivered from feare of danger If then I say we have attained unto clearnesse in dutie let us shut our eyes upon all dangers difficulties discouragements arising from the unclearnesse or reluctancy of Brethren yea of Fathers and hold on in our way let us stop our eares and become deafe to insinuations however â—oloured which would foreslow us in following and serving him If we must desert and be deserted of others for doing so O then but the presence of God appearing with and for them who in such circumstances appeare for him as it hath so it will make up to the satisfaction of menâ— souls and senses the want of other company Paul's notwithstanding made all odds even It was no reproach to Athanasius that it was said of him unus Athanasius contra totum mundum But that which hath perpetuat his renown and made his name savourie to all the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ nor shall it be to any who walk in the same Spirit who walk in the same steps And to this union of heart amongst your selves suffer me to append this word Let there be a communion of all good things amongst you also for supplying the wants and necessities of your suffering brethren Ought you in some cases to lay down your lives for the brethrenâ— then I pray such who shut their eyes that they may not open their hands to minister to their necessities to think how they shall answer that question when put to them for put to every one and more particularly to all that have a profession of love to Christ in the Nation it shall be 1 Ioh. 3 17. it may be some of you have much taken from you and so think your self exempted but have you more then what is simply necessare and in this God will be judge who will cut off all your superfluities out of reckoning for the present support of your selves while others have nothing then consider the place 2. Cor. 8 1 2 3. c. for I cannot enlarge nay read that whole Chapter and the next and the
zeal for God witnessed by their faithful forwardnesse while with my self and others there was scarce the smoaking of a flaxe Though yet he may graciously condescend even to make our hair grow againe so make use of oâ—r hâ—nds aboâ—t his work and put us in case to shake ourselves as his Servants have done at other times Yet Thirdly to the end the poor People of the Lord may not be frighted nor fainted into a despondency let me adde this That deliverance to the people of God in his own time way and manner which I leave vvholly to Himself and that a great and glorious one shall come And this is no lesse cerâ—ain than that Iâ—hoâ—ah cannot fail to establish the Throne of his Anointed Nay if all the Kings of â—he Earth should agree amongst themselves to set up one Monarch invest him with the power of our Supremacy yet all the povver they could make managed vvith all the Policy in hell or out of â—ell shâ—uld not be able to setle that Crovvn upon the Head of that Mortal But tâ—e Immorâ—al God should with the omnipotent Power of his right arme shake that Usurper out of his seat and setle the Throne of his Anointed upon the ruine of his Adversaries Hath he said it hath he sworne it and shâ—ll not the Zeal of Iehovah performe it Hath Christ bought his Crown aâ—d Scepter with his Blood and hath he such a tittle and right to it And hath he all power in Heaven and in Earth for securing himself in the possession of his purchase And shall any mortal oâ—ter to mount his Throne Shall any mortal offer to stripe him of this Glory pull the Crown from his Head and cloth himâ—elf with the spoils of the Mediator's honour and be able to keep himself in possession of what he hath taken from the Son of God O vain attempt Let them answer these Questions put unto them Psal. 2 vers 1 2. and read â—heâ—r doom Vâ—râ— 4 5. O! the Mediator's Iron rod put in his hand for securing to him his royal Scepter shall make the potsheads of the Earth by dashing them in pieces know whaâ— it is â—o strive with hâ—m for state And here let me adde these things shortly Fiâ—st Aâ— in the way he shall take to aâ—complâ—sh our delivery his holy and hot Indignation againâ—t breach of Covenant with God shall be witnessed to the conviction even of sucâ— who decâ—eâ—d it for the breach oâ— Covenaâ—t with him shall either breack Brittaâ—'s Heart or Head so Secondly It shall be seen to have a most convincingly closs connexion with the vengeanceâ— wherewith our Supâ—â—mâ—cy shall be pursued The Mediators Zeâ—l against this idol of indâ—â—nation shall be written on the revenges he will take for it And in the day when he raiâ—eth up a paâ—tie to state the quarrel upon this Head how despicable and contemptible so ever they may appeare thâ—n it shall appeare he is about rescinding of our Supremacy for rescinded it shall be and if they will not he will Nay because they will not he shall For his Crown must flowrish on his own Head and all his Enemies must be clothed with shame setting that Crown with pure gold upon his Head from whose Head it is taken by our Law And Thirdly Let me adde this and so I have done that as their rage and violence in this late invasion made upon you in pursueance of the designe of a full and final setlement of themselves in the possession of what they have taken from Jesus Christ by the ruine and overthrow of all whose way speakes the least of resistance even to a non-complianceâ— hath been an high transport of rage whereby they have been carried beyond all the Boundaries of Law and Reason So I have as little doubt but God shall make the connexion betwixt his arising to deliver his People their having risen up thus to delete and destroy them at once so closs and so cleare how long so ever he delay it as it shall be no matter of difâ—icultie for any who wisely considers these things to observe what dependance upon connexion with the deliverance of the People of the Lord hath as to it 's visible rise with this their horrid and inhumane violence He is the Lord whâ— will hasten these things in his time Do not therefore beloved Sufferers for Christ suffer your hearts to sink into a despondency The cause is His and he will plead yea thorowly plead that cause which is his own And this shall be your Crown and Comfort to continue contending for him for so the cause that is so purely his becomes the cause of your Soul and if you should fall in this conflict and die suffering Besides that you fall in the bed of honour fall asleep in the blessed expectation of the conquerours Crown this your cause will out live all it's Enemies and have a glorious Resurrection and your wrestlings and witnessings and sufferings as they will be rewarded in Heaven so they shall be recorded on Earth Therefore lift up the hands that hang dovvn and strengthen the freeble knees The sâ—me yea greater afflictions have been accomplished in your Brethren which have been in the World and as the God of all Grace after they had suffered a vvhile made them perfect and put them in possession of that eternal Glory to vvhich they vvere called by Jesus Christâ— so shall he stablish strengthen settle and keep you â—rom falling and after all your sorrovves and sufferings present you faultlesse before the presence of his Glory vvith exceeding joy Pray for Your poor Welwisher and Companion in Tribulation