them and lay them up let them be put into the treasury of your hearts to be considered of Dearly beloved Fathers I pray you accept favorably of these few following lines wherein I have laboured to present to your godly considerations such a platforme or draught of Government as is drawn from or out of the unblemished and most perfect patterne prescribed and revealed in the sacred Scripture those streight and unerring rules of truth in the discription thereof I have endeavoured without adding or diminishing according to the measure of Grace and strength from God received to present it to you with faithfulnesse These reasons following have moved me to present these following lines to your considerations First aiming at Gods Glory having an especiall respect to the accomplishment of those precious promises foretold by the Prophets Secondly because that I my selfe and my posterity are concerned in the cause Thirdly because that such an opportunity I believe hath not beene offered from the dayes of Samuel to this time considering I look upon you as men that aime principally at the glory of God and not so much at any worldly respects yon knowing and seeing the brittlenesse the uncertainty the mutability and vanity that is to be attained in any worldly comforts compared with those true weighty precious treasures provided promised and reserved for all those that love God believe in him and do unfeinedly desire to doe his Will and Commandements Fourthly I do consider that your actings now and the platforme of Government that you are now considering of is such as is like to concerne posterity It will concerne England Ireland Scotland and our Neighbour Nations they will warily look upon it and it will concerne the Islands in the Indies Barmoedas Virginia New England Newfound Land and other places Consider therefore I pray you with the greatest respect that you have an eye to the patterne of the Sanctuary to those rules and warrantable presidents recorded in Gods revealed Will the holy Scriptures I pray you turne not to the right hand nor to the left hand remember what an expresse charge God gave to Ioshua Chap. 1.8 Let not this Booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe and do according to all that is written therein for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then shalt thou have good successe I beseech you deare Fathers consult not too much with flesh and blood follow not the many and uncertaine presidents and inventions of men If you keepe close to Gods Rule you shall not err you shall be safe and then shall I and my posterity some of your little children shroud our selves under the protection of your wing with more peace and comfort conceiving our selves by Gods Providence to be secured from the many Wolves and Beares and Lyons that lie in waite to hurt us I have travelled through many difficulties forsaken Wife Children and some worldly comforts that J might present these following lines to your considerations which I would not mention but to this end That it might take some impression in your hearts and cause you advisedly to read and to consider what is contained in these following lines and that so all my labour may not be lost and these matters cast aside as wast paper to that end I pray you not to looke so much at the Garment as at the substance and not so much at the Order or Forme as at the Truth and true Meaning of what J have tendred to you but whatever my successe shall be I know my dependancy and whom I have trusted Dearely beloved Fathers J meane not to exclude my requests from being presented and are intended by me to be tendered to those two worthy Servants of God Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir Oliver Cromwell being Fathers of this Common-wealth in an eminent manner To them and to the rest of those worthy Governours of this Common-wealth to you all I present my requests and what shall be contained in these following lines Dearely beloved Fathers you have now a great and glorious or precious opportunity put into your hands of Reformation be but Faithfull in this and God will make you Rulers of more and greater Cities of Heavenly places In the meane time till you can settle Government according to your desire I pray you let the administration of Justice come thorough as few hands as with equity you may that so the poore may come at their right with as little difficulty or charge and with as much ease as may be which I do believe you do endeavour I humble request of you likewise that you will take off from the Common-wealth what burdens and taxations you can I pray you be deeply and thoroughly affected with the many sad complaints and sighs of many poore hearts that are under your Government that are of your flock remember what frame of spirit was in that first and godly and eminent patterne of piety namely in holy and humble Moses that blessed man of God he sought the good the ease and the comfort of that people God committed to his government he changed this transitory life and now lives with God and with his blessed Angells to eternity the memory of him is recorded for our learning in Gods Booke of Records and is precious and blessed in all Ages Remember how our blessed Saviour delivered us from those oppressions of sinnes and from Satan and from Death and laid downe his life to redeeme us and all this hee did freely for us when no eye pittied us yea even then when wee were at emnity with him and he was a precious patterne for us to imitate and now hee sitteth in glory and is blessed to all eternity Hee regarded not the momentary trifles of worldly wealth the Foxes had holes and the Birds of the Aire had nests but the Sonne of man had scarcely a place whereon to rest his Head bee mercifull because your Heavenly Father is mercifull I do believe you do earnestly desire and endeavour to take off from the people what burdens you can J do consider that you have very many and great engagements that for the present you cannot avoide Taxations but I hope those occasions will in time convenient be removed so that then I hope you will ease the people what possibly you can I hope God will shew you a way to do it of this I am perswaded that we might be more eased in this matter were it not for the gainsayings and molestations that diverse bring upon us by reason of their irregularities I pray you be mindefull of our Trading and Marchandize to incourage that that so the poore labourer may bee imployed and relieved I cannot but with thankefulnesse acknowledge your great care and charge that you have allready taken in setting out Ships to secure our Marchants at Sea I pray you still continue your watchfulnesse that way because these times are times wherein many ungodly
ENDEVORS Aiming at the GLORY OF GOD THAT PEACE TRUTH may meet together Wherein is contained the excellency benefit and necessity of good Government and Governors A loving Reply to Mr William Prynnes Speech made to the House of Commons and afterwards published Some matters are propounded to the Consideration of the Ministry and also to particular and to all Opinions The first purest best and most blessed form and manner of Government prescribed by God and recorded in Gods sacred Word together with the way of entrance or Gods calling of persons to places of chief Government the great consequence thereof Wherein is shewed That Government by Succession from the Father to the Son was none of Gods Institution in the first and purest Times And also the Government by Judges is plainly proved to be the best form of Government being Gods immediate direction most blessed and approved for Gods glory and for a peoples greatest Good Comfort and Safety By JOHN BLACKLEACH Isai 1.26 And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellers as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called a City of Righteousness and a faithful City Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and observe and do all his Commandments then the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the Nations of the Earth Gen. 49.18 O Lord I have waited for thy Salvation LONDON Printed by John Macock for the Author and are to be sold in Popes-head-Alley 1656. To my dearly beloved Country-men of England and to all of what Country soever namely to all such as love the true onely glorious and blessed God and endeavor unfeignedly to do his Will to such as have obtained like precious faith with us Grace Mercy and Peace be to you through the acknowledging of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Dearly Beloved UPon the serious and often consideration of that happy and blessed condition and unparaleld benefit which the blessed Angels do and the elect Children of God shall enjoy to Eternity in having God for their defence and their exceeding great reward The benefits thereof for number and greatness far exceed what the eye of man hath seen or the ear heard or what the heart of man can conceive Amongst other priviledges and benefits this is not the least That they shall have God to govern them whose wisdom is most absolutely perfect to lead them and to direct them Revel 19.11 John saith I saw heaven open and behold a white horse and he that sate upon him was called faithful and true and he judgeth and fighteth righteously Vers 12. And his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but himself Vers 13. And he was clothed in a garment dipt in blood and his Name was called The Word of God Vers 14. And the hosts which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses c. Vers 15. And out of his mouth went a sharp sword that with it he shall smite the Heathen and rule them c. From this place being full of consolation I shall onely collect this one point of Observation pertinent to the matter by me intended namely That the whole hoast of Heaven the blessed Angels the Saints and Children of God shall have this unmatchable this exceeding great benefit namely They shall be guided ordered and governed by the Word of God All the Hoasts of Heaven followed the Word of God upon white horses Which sheweth That this shall be the happiness of the blessed Angels and Saints to be guided by and subject to the Word of God We may easily discern our own weakness in guiding our selves we all like sheep are apt to go astray and to run into many dangers But God is infinitely wise to direct us he is strong to protect us he is rich in mercy abundant in mercy as the heavens are higher then the earth so is his mercy He likewise is able to fill and to satisfie our Souls with good things with him is the well-spring of life Glorious things are spoken of thee O thou City of God By this means namely by being guided by God we shall not need to fear we may lie down and rest in peace because the Lord is our Keeper read Psal 23. The consideration of this leads me further to consider of Government amongst men here on earth Upon diligent enquiry into the revealed will and minde of God recorded in the sacred Scriptures I finde That on earth it is a matter of the highest concernment to have good Government good Shepherds such as are sent of God Search the Scriptures and you shall find That when the People enjoyed godly wise faithful Governors they were endowed with many other singular and great blessings from God On the contrary when their Governors were corrupt the People were disturbed oppressed and afflicted The Scriptures are so full so copious so evident in the proof of this that I shall spend the less time in quotations Read the story of the Judges the book of Kings and the Chronicles of Israel and that being blessed to you by God will help you clearly to discern the truth of this matter The experience of all Ages will shew That from good and evil Governors proceeded the prosperity and adversity of the Nations Search the Chronicles and Records of the Ages and Times from Moses his time to these days wherein we live and it will evidently appear That from this principle from this root namely from Government arose the prosperity or adversity of the People and Nations If we look but back from the time of King Henry the eight we shall see this State tossed to and fro suitably to those persons that were the principal Governors and that both in religious duties and in other temporal matters The experience the Records of all Ages do abundantly testifie being duly weighed and considered of what great concernment Government is of to render a people blessed or despised of God To the intent that we may the better and more clearly see the singular benefit that it is to have a good Government I shall propound briefly some particulars to consideration For instance look upon the universal works the Creation of God Consider the Sun how it goeth his due course not failing to perform his great journey round about this world in twenty four hours the Sun knoweth his rising and his going down not altering nor failing one minute of time nor failing one foot of ground in all his great and unwearied journeys O how excellent are all thy works O God Consider likewise those excellent vertues and operations with which the Sun is beautified and enriched as namely First Light which sheweth man the way and work he is to perform without light Man is miserable Secondly The Sun heateth the air and comforteth man and all creatures Thirdly The Sun causeth the bud of the herb to
which Governors they had no cause to complain as by their own confession upon Samuels enquiry appeared Yet notwithstanding They would and did reject God their King and his Deputies the Judges and they preferred obstinately Kings of their own invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and so they changed the form of Government prescribed owned and blessed by God and set up their own inventions against which God opposed with many circumstances arguments threatenings and by miracle from heaven Yet they went on obstinately they would have a King whatsoever it cost what or how great evils soever came thereof And if we consider the very root and branch that leadeth M. Prynn and many other wise men out of the way ariseth from hence Because they depart from Gods wisedom revealed in the holy Scrsptures And in the stead thereof prefer their own inventions M. William Prynn endeavoreth in the whole substance of his Speech to bind the King with new ropes such as the Philistines bound Sampson with and likewise with seven green cords and with new ropes never occupied and yet more he plats his locks as it were and fasteneth them with the thred and pin of the Web and the Woof But all this to little purpose for I would grant M. Prynn some part of his argument which he often rehearseth namely that such contrivances such manacles were not put upon any or scarcely any King for a long season or from the Creation c. Yet all to little purpose for bind Sampson and miss that way or place wherein his strength resteth and he will break all your Cords asunder For in the first place it evidently appeareth That these obligations and ties were sinful if they could have taken effect Secondly They were too weak to hold him under namely the late King Thirdly They failed in regard they reached not the place where his strength lay Fourthly These matters propounded by M. Prynn were not likely to prove to be a means to help the people but rather to trouble them and would have brought upon the people if they had come to effect many and great evils and adversities which the people could no way have shuned as I doubt not but that I shall make it evidently to appear in the following part of this book by the help of God Concerning M. William Prynn I look upon him as a man of far more eminent parts then my self this I speak not out of by-respects but in the presence of that glorious God who I do love and fear I am very fearful to presume above that which is meet Yet this I say That in this matter I believe the Lord hath shewed to me his weakness I am willingly content to be tryed by the word of God in which tryall I desire all such as truly love God and his Truth that without turning to the right or left hand they will judge uprightly First I conceive That this M. Prynne sinned in namely because that he invented and prescribed a way to take away from the King divers rights and priviledges which God allowed to all lawfull and good Kings which all Kings ought to be and recorded in the Scriptures the unerring rule of Truth I say it appeareth plainly that this was sinful because this way prescribed by M. Prynne in the endeavors of his whole speech was not a way prescribed by God but directly forbidden in the whole tenor of the Scriptures by evident testimonies which speak directly of that power or authority which God gave to Governors and to Kings I doubt not but that will evidently appear being duly and throughly tryed that it is as great an evil to deprive any lawful Governor or King of that authority and power which God alloweth to them by deminishing it as it is a sin and error on the other hand to give to them more power then God doth allow them in his Will revealed in his Word And further it will plainly appear upon due examination That both these are very injurious to the peoples good comfort and safety That is to say it will appear that M. Prynnes advise in deminishing that power and authority due to Governors was both a breach of Gods Law and very injurious to the people God saith expresly Deut. 4.1 2. Hearken O Israel unto the Ordinances and laws which I teach you Vers 2. Ye shall put nothing to the word which I command you neither shall ye take ought therefrom We may not do that which seemeth good in our own eyes but all that God commandeth us We sin as well if we turn to the right hand as if we turn to the left hand if we add or deminish to or from Gods commandements Now let us note M. Prynnes own expressions which are often repeated words to the same effect M. Prynne saith fol. 37. The King hath wholy stript himself his heirs and successors for ever of all that power and interest which his Predecessors alwaies injoyed in the Militia Forces Forts and Navy of England Ireland c. First In this observe That the King did not this willingly but by the seeking and consent of M. Prynne Secondly To be stript wholy for ever of all that power which his Predecessors always injoyed was more then God alloweth For observe well this must needs follow That either all the power which the late King or his Predecessors injoyed was unlawful which could not possibly be except they were usurpers and entered not into the sheep-fold aright at the door c. or else it is evident that Mr. Prynne would have taken from the King that power which God and the people gave yeelded and did acknowledg to be due to all lawful and good Shepheards or Governors that entered by the door into the Sheep-fold in all former times This will appear by record of holy Scripture That Governors were allowed by God and the people Government in those matters of and in which M. Prynne prescribed a way to take from him a power very eminent and considerable The Judges of Israel never claimed nor exercised more power over the people whether it were in War or in Peace whether in those things we distinguish under names of Spiritual or Temporal matters then the King did afterwards for in this matter the Kings took more power Now it is evident That the Judges took and the People willingly gave to the Judges and afterwards to the Kings which succeeded that Power and Authority in many cases which lawful Power M. Prynne laboureth to take away and that in an high degree Now consider that it doth expresly appear if we consider what power God offered to Joshua and the people promised him Recorded Jos 1.16 All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee Secondly God gave to Kings and the people gave to Kings as much power of Government and command as unto the Judges in
lawful things It is evident That at Joshua's command the people were armed to the war and that they were directed by him without asking leave of other inferior Officers or of the people It is evident likewise that David Saul Solomon c. did many acts of War and Peace without any such manacles I would not multiply Scripture to prove such apparent matters Now if this be not a sin if it be not the direct breach of Gods command in a high and great measure for Mr Prynne to take from the King his lawful priviledges my understanding faileth me This sin hath been punished severely both in the times of the Judges and Kings let the godly wise consider it Beloved Country-men it is no light matter who we make to be or receive to be either King or Governor We had need to pray to God to search the Scriptures we had need to enquire of God who shall govern us For we must give and yeeld unto Gods Stewards and our lawful Governors so much and no less power then God hath afforded to them in the holy Scriptures It is just with God for the looseness wantonness and wickedness of people when they enquire not of God when they attend not to the prescribed Rule of his Word to know who shall guide them but rashly carelesly and slightly follow their own inventions about Governors I say It is just with God that Wolves in sheeps clothing should deceive them And whereas they might lie down by the still waters in peace without fear if they would take counsel of God who should govern them For the want of this watchfulness for want of enquiring of God and keeping close to those patterns those rules appointed by God in his revealed will the sacred and unerring rule of truth the Scriptures it cometh to pass that the People err in their choyce and in accepting of those persons to govern them that are not men appointed by God Hence it cometh to pass the People they are molested persecuted devoured and rest in continual fear and the misery is they see not the cause of their disease God well knew this therefore when he would shew mercy to Israel his first born Son when no strange god was with him then he took especial care to provide good Shepherds which Shepherds he furnished with his blessed Spirit He commanded them to carry the Sheep of his pasture in their bosom God blessed directed strengthened protected such Governors and Government of his own devising Moses a man much in favor with God a man enriched with a great measure of the Spirit of God did well know weigh and consider of what great concernment it was for the peoples good That God and not the People should appoint a man to be the Shepherd of his people No doubt he considered as much the Peoples Liberty as we do and that the People might unwarrantably have chosen themselves a Governor after his decease but he saw much of Gods minde and the Peoples good rested in the choyce of the person Therefore Moses knowing that the people might err in chusing themselves a Leader he therefore seriously and earnestly desireth of God that he would appoint a man Numb 27.16 Let the God of the spirits of all flesh appoint a man over the Congregation Vers 17. Who may go out and in before them that the Congregation of the Lord be not as sheep without a shepherd Mark how God answereth them that seek for safety and direction to him and trust not in themselves Here we may note two considerable matters First That Moses looked more at Gods glory and the Peoples good then at the preferring his Children to Government A true Note of a true Shepherd Secondly Note That in the Government that in these first and purest times when Israel his strength was as an Vnicorn then when God prescribed Governors in Mercy to his first born Son Government went not by succession from Father to Son in those times from Moses to Samuels time Indeed afterward when the people would slight God and obstinately cast God off from being their King it is considerable likewise That God removed then his gracious presence farther off from them then before though for his own goodness sake he did not wholly depart from them yet he stood at a farther distance from them From that time to this Government hath usually followed by natural generation from Father to the eldest Son I say not that it hath been thus by Gods Commandment for I purpose if God will in time convenient to speak a word to that to try the case Hence it hath come to pass That a good Father begetting an evil Son the People have been miserably afflicted O that People would be wise to learn by their own experiences Well let the world do what they please I purpose seeing God hath promised to restore Judges as at the first that I will not cast away my confidence and hope that God will perform his Word and that we may see it performed Object But why might not the People have chosen themselves a Governor was there any great matter in that Ans The People were so well instructed in Joshua his time that after his time the State being left vacant of a principal Guide they did not count it to be safe for them to chuse themselves therefore they asked counsel of God and attended to Gods direction as appeareth by their actions Judges 1.1 After that Joshua was dead the Children of Israel asked the Lord saying Who shall go up for us c. On the contrary look how it fared when the people chose themselves and by succession recorded Judges 9.6 And all the men of Shechem came and made Abimilech King c. By which choice of the peoples own invention in which they consulted not they enquired not of God who should govern them If we read the place recorded for our learning we may see what great afflictions did befall them which did evidently spring from this root namely their mistaking the man More I purpose concerning this matter afterwards if God will Our Saviour saith If the first fruits be holy so are the branches This was the first president I conceive revealed That the Son of a cheif Judg succeeded in Government next after his Fathers death and I conceive the people liked this so well that during the time of the Judges till they had forgotten this and grew wanton till they rejected God there was not the like example or practise This I insert only as a taste and to prepare your minds to consider of what concernment it is to eye God in chusing Governors for we may not warrantably deprive Governors of those lawful rights priviledges granted them by God Neither is it in the power of the People to remove a King or Governor I would not be mistaken here for where I affirm that it is not in the power of a People to remove depose and punish a Governor in case
of Delinquency the Reason I intend is Because that such eminent persons are usually compassed about with such giant-like assistants that although it be evident in Scripture that the People have right in divers cases to depose and to punish offenders yet they dare not they cannot at their pleasure they may possibly by woful experience come to see they are mistaken in the man and they may cry out by reason of their afflictions but how to remedy them they cannot tell for want of power Woful experience we have now had of this whereby we may easily discern how hard a matter it is to remove a King or Governor though never so apparently a Delinquent let us be warned and enquire of God who shall govern us so shall we be sure we shall not err But to return we may further observe in the same leaf that Mr. Prynne doth acknowledg That this way and these prescriptions were such as he had no warrant for neither from the sacred Scriptures nor from any other president recorded in humane Records Fol. 37. his words are these None of our Ancestors ever demanded or enjoyed the like nor no other Kingdom whatsoever since the Creation c. I will not contradict his Testimony in these his expressions In this I fully agree that the sacred Scriptures the unerring Rule of Truth is so far from retaining such a president as that the Scriptures Testimonies are evident copious and eminent in the direct opposition Consider what Mr Prynne further speaketh in his Speech fol. 39. his words are these These great Officers and Judges having now no dependance at all upon the King who can neither place nor displace any of them And a little further he adds these words As the King hath entrusted you with c. so hath he entrusted you with his Conscience and Courts of Equity too c. This was a rare matter for a King or Supream Judg to entrust another man with his Conscience and more with his Courts of Judicature A little further he addeth fol. 40. That never any Parliament in England claimed or enjoyed such matters as these c. I do verily believe a great part of the former I hear some use very bitter expressions against new opinions and against some that are not so indeed But let the godly Reader unpartially consider That these matters are new Opinions indeed such as neither Scripture nor humane Records can produce by his own confession And further note That these are not new Opinions about circumstantial matters but they do much concern Gods Glory Kings Governors Peoples future security Are not these Opinions Capital If Errors they are great ones I shall but touch one Use I make of this and desire all that are godly to consider namely That it is good to be humble meek and lowly for God saith That he will teach the humble and instruct the meek Jam. 3.17 That Wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated Vers 14. But if there be bitter envying and strife in our hearts rejoyce not for this Wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual and devillish Vers 18. The fruits of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that love Peace Many in these times cry out against Opinions that never knew nor seriously examined their own hearts First It is good to examine our own hearts where we shall easily see much ignorance much pride much evil In many things we sin all Jam. 3.2 Now this benefit we shall have thereby that we shall be the more merciful in censuring others There is a generation aboundeth now that will be wiser then those Governors that God hath set over us And do exclaim against our Governors for their remissness in that they do not at once root out all Errors But consider thou that dost thus may not thy lot fall amongst the number of those Hereticks against whom thou art so fierce Could we wait and perswade our Governors in meekness of wisdom for Reformation of things amiss then we should sooner prevail because God would go along with us Mr Prynne is very hot at some times in censuring and delivering other mens opinions over to the Sword of the Christian Magistrate I could advise him to take heed that he be not too quick-sighted to spy to condemn and persecute other men for their opinions I advise and counsel him and my own heart to be slow to wrath slow to censure others Let us set the staff at our own doors for we know not how soon it may come to our own turn to be in error James 3. That wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable c. Mr Prynne was in a great Error in labouring to take from the King as a King any power rightfully due God helped the Army and the remaining part of the Parliament I do believe to discern the way that God had appointed to remedy those evils in such a way as he himself had appointed Consider we well of two things in this Mr Prynne's Speech First he saith That the King should be deprived of all Right and Power in the nomination of Governors Against this the Scripture is directly in opposition for in the first and purest time Moses had that authority to appoint or at the least to approve of the Officers under or inferior to him Read and observe the place Exod. 18.24 And Moses chose men of courage out of all Israel and made them Heads over the People and they judged the People at all seasons David he appointed the Officers of the Army as namely Joab the Captain of the Host and others and we may read That the Kings placed and displaced many put to death and pardoned many I cannot be large in proving such evident matters I shall have occasion in the Sequel to treat more of these matters Such as will have Kings against Gods will they may here see that verified that Samuel speaketh of namely That they shall cry out by reason of their afflictions but God will not here them It is many years since the days of Samuel and the people have been much corrupted and oppressed by evil Kings which no doubt the people discerned plainly but none durst none could help themselves And had not God stirred up these worthy men men that to posterities to come shall be recorded for their courage and faithfulness in helping the Lord against the mighty in delivering the people out of that Egyptian Bondage Consider a word dear Countrymen under Kings we bestowed time and cost to instruct our children in the ways of godliness Suppose the King then being should dye or some Idolaters poyson or make him away and set up his Son who they see is inclining to Idolatry in his stead what then followeth Answ Then all our labour is lost or else our children shall be persecuted and slain for not forsaking their former principles and this cometh often to be the affliction
if we deminish Object But is there any president or example that warranteth a people to depose and punish their Governors Answ The condition expressed and recorded in the Book of Joshua doth plainly hold out That the whole body of a people or such as represent or are Deputies for the Common-wealth or part of that body may in cases wherein their Governors act not for God but contrary to his revealed Will in such cases I conceive the Word recorded in the Book of Joshua plainly warranteth and teacheth people That they ought to make such exceptions This people that gave Joshua his Answer were a part of the people And although this Covenant or Caveat had not been expressed yet it had been the peoples duty and wisdom to follow him in Gods ways but not other ways If we take notice and consider that place recorded Numb 25.1 The people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab c. The people for this cause were commanded by God to slay those Governors that were guilty in this matter The Lord said to Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the Sun that the fierce wrath of the Lord may be turned from Israel Numb 25.4 Now this sheweth That it is Gods Will that Governors shall by the people be punished in such cases as are notorious breaches of Gods Law for although these Governors were not equal but inferiour to Moses yet they were Governors of the people as for example all Governors are not Emperors nor all Kings nor all Judges of an equal rank yet they are all of one kind Gods Law bindeth and hath the same authority over all But further consider this it is there recorded for our learning Num. 25.6 That one of the children of Israel brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of c. Note That this man was a Prince Vers 14. Vers 7. And when Phineas the son of Aaron saw it he rose up c. and took a spear in his hand and followed the man of Israel into the Tent and thrust them both through c. From this Text it plainly appeareth That in such openly known sins Princes are liable to punishment nay further That God taketh this as a matter that is so acceptable to him that he rewardeth it with an extraordinary commendation and reward Vers 10. Then the Lord spake unto Moses saying Phineas the son of Aaron hath turned mine anger away from the children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake amongst them therefore I have not consumed the children of Israel in my jealousie Vers 12. Wherefore I say unto him Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace Here note That Phineas stood not to search over the Punctilioes of the Common Laws neither was he a Judg nor ordinary Officer to put men to death he stayed not till this man was tryed by his Peers but he considered that God was highly dishonored the case was extraordinary therfore he put his life in his hand and couragiously zealously pursued the transgressor and slew him this is recorded for our learning Rō 15.4 Whatsoever things are written aforetime are writen for our learning It is to be admired That people they should be offended at the Army and at some of the Parliament because they executed Justice upon such an offender as had sinned in the sight of the Sun by setting up Idolatry that had sinned in shedding innocent blood such an offender as was tryed and found guilty to the knowledg of the Land and by the opinion of Lords Commons Army and People witness their Writings in Print and is this so hainous a matter This maketh me call to mind the Prophecy Revel 18.16 17. Alas alas that great City that was clothed in fine linnen and purple and scarlet and guilded with gold and precious stones and pearls For in one hour so great riches are come to desolation And every ship-master and all the people that ocupy ships and whosoever doth trafique on the sea shall stand afar off and cry c. But what saith the Spirit of God Vers 10. O Haeven rejoyce over her and ye holy Apostles for God hath punished her to be revenged on her for your sakes Dear Friends you that are not drunk but in good frames of heart consider that this great Tower of Confusion is fallen the Prophets foretold of these days Isaiah Daniel Hosea Micah and others they tell us plainly That corrupt Governors must down I believe the time is accomplished that God did in his counsel determine these matters therefore hang down your heads no longer but you that wait for the Salvation of Israel lift up your heads I pray you Countrymen note That the Army and the Parliament they being zealous for Gods glory they put their lives in their hands they look all oppositions in the face they executed Justice upon an offender this was Gods work that guarded them with strength this act of theirs was beyond their own abilities I pray you compare this act with that of Phineas is not there the same cause in the offender Is not the zeal of Phineas and their zeal like in the very countenance and of near affinity And hath not God crowned this act of theirs Consider that God hath blessed the fruits of the earth and hath enriched our barns and stores Hath not God blessed us in our fishing abroad not the like for many years before Hath not God blessed us by giving us Victories at Sea and Victories at the Land Whithersoever they turn themselves they are blessed since the death of the late King This maketh me commend to your consideration that blessing that God gave to Joshua and is acknowledged thus There was not a City that God delivered not into his hand nor place was too strong for him Consider it well and apply it If any will be obstinate and blind let them be so I cannot help it But to go on in 2 Kings 11.15 Jehojada the Priest commanded the Captains of the Hundreds that had the rule of the Host Vers 16. And they laid hands on her c. and there she was slain We may here observe That there is a president recorded in Scripture that sheweth That when a principal Governor shall do evil in the sight of the Lord the people did account it to be their duties to punish such great offenders and offences by death thus was Jesabel slain The example of the Israelites likewise is considerable 1 King 12.20 where the ten Tribes by reason that Rehoboam would not hearken to them in easing them of those Taxations that they said were too heavy they therefore deposed or rejected him from being their King for although that Jeroboam forsook Gods Commandments afterwards that was his sin But touching their act in casting off and renouncing all obedience to Rehoboam for his sin of oppression God plainly alloweth that and owneth
is a jealous God There was a great ado a great tumult but I beleeve the greater part know not what they would have done Some cry out against the Government who if they well consider of it they know not their own hearts For this I do beleeve Let them have what Government they desire yet they would still finde some matter to be discontent Beloved Country men A great part of England surfet with pride and wantonness Take heed God hath many ways to abate our pride and to humble us Do we not forget the great mercy of God in giving us his holy and sacred Word in our own Language Do we not forget that other places worship Idols and have their Inquisition houses where many sad hearts do not behold the light of either Sun or Moon I do verily beleeve if some men were in other Countries and should speak but the hundred part of what they say here they should then know the difference of Government But if some do speak what they list as if there were no God yet let us all lay it to heart there is a righteous God And now I desire without offence to propound to them that are separated from the Assemblies namely Whether that now in these times wherein the Government are desirous and do endeavor a Reformation first ought not there to be in all good Christians a readiness and willingness and not a backwardness and unwillingness to joyn in and to help forward this work It is recorded for out Learning Judg. 5.15 That for the Division of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart It is noted That when the Children of Israel for the sin and obstinacy of the Benjamites destroyed their City when the matter was over how did they lament for their Brethren They had no pleasure that a Tribe should be cut off from the Church of Israel Read Judges 21.2 And the People came unto the house of God and abode there till even before God and lift up their voyces and wept with great lamentation Vers 3. And said O Lord God of Israel why is this come to pass in Israel that this day one Tribe of Israel should want We may see here what a loving and godly frame of spirit was in this people They were so far off from rejoycing that there was likely to be a Tribe separated from Israel that they do consult and consider and use means That this Tribe may not wholy be cut off O that I could evidently now in these times of Liberty and opportunities see such a frame of spirit But alass doth it not on the contrary appear That here are now but a few wet eye but little lamentations for the differences that are so great and so many Dear Friends On all hands lay it to heart and be humbled for it That there is no neerer affinity in your affections Do you expect on all hands that you are not to move forwards towards this uniting in brotherly fellowship till you be sent to or till you be drawn to it with strong bands I pray you consider Is not our union by faith in Jesus Christ as neer a relation as any bond or tye that Israel had Is not Christs Precepts and Exhortations and Commands as prevalent and as evident and as strong to perswade us to unity and a closing in brotherly fellowship now under the Gospel as before under the Law Doth not Christ say A new Commandment I give unto you That you love one another Doth not Christ tell us That if we forgive not men their Trespasses neither will our heavenly Father forgive us our Trespasse who was the Samaritans Neighbour was it not hee that bound up his wounds Luke 10.30 Doth not the Apostles tell us That if we had faith to remove Mountaines yet without love it profitteth us nothing The Apostle asketh this question hee that loveth not his Brother that hee hath seene how shall that man love God that he hath not seene I stand not in such knowne truths to particularize Chapters and Verses where can you read the Doctrine of Christ or of his Apostles where these matters are not evident to be seen Beloved friends may I not say with the Apostle that I am afraid of you that your hearts are not right in the presence of God Object But you will say unto me what would you have us to do are there not many lets in the way to hinder us from reaching out the right hand of fellowship to our Brethren or Neighbours for some will not allow of the brotherhood are there not many sinfull practices and much disorder Answ Is there not a wise man amongst you to heale and to make up these breaches Let mee propound this to your consideration doe but remove one poysonous weede out of your hearts and insteed thereof plant two sweete smelling Herbes and meete when you will I should not doubt by Gods assistance but that all other differences may easily be composed so that you may joyne together in brotherly fellowship a great many of you that now stand at distance The poysonous weede to be removed is Pride pluck up that by the roots The graces or herbes to be planted in the steed thereof are Love one to another and Humility be sure these be safely preserved in giving honor go one before another Friends or Countrymen you stumble at some failings but doe you not in the meane time leap over Mountaines and plung your selves into dangerous places It was the very leaven Christ reproved in the Scribes and Pharisces they tithed mint and annise and at the same time were guilty of the breach of the Law of God in weighty matters You are loth to close lest you should hould communion with sinners It may be so but consider well That that heavenly wisdome that is from above is first pure Let us search well our own hearts let us try them well and I doe believe we shall see as many and as great sinnes there as wee doe see in many of those with whom we will not close because they are sinners Remember forget not what condition we were in when Christ layeth downe his life and sheddeth out his precious blood for us were we not then all over from head to heele defiled in our bloud And did then Christ reach out the right hand of his fellowship to us and are wee so shy one of another Christ wisheth us to be mercifull as our heavenly Father is mercifull Dearely beloved Countrey men I must forbeare times quick motion bids mee go on I pray you yet that I may propound to your consideration whether Reformation bee not now more meete and more agreeable to the sacred Scriptures now in this time of liberty and when wee may have the strength of authority to helpe us then separation in such a manner as that wee seeke nor greatly the love fellowship or communion of many more then we now doe I propound it in as easie termes as I can For
callings of Governors by God to their places in those first and purest times But this is not so safe and clear a way so far as I understand First Because we read not we cannot find it recorded that I can find and I have searched the Scripture with diligence that God did appoint the people to chuse that way Consider That those acts that the people did are not therefore Gods Commandments and Institutions for then we must follow them in many actions which would be vain to conceive Secondly The People may err and are much subject so to do Thirdly Gods Law is express we may not add nor diminish we may not turn to the right nor to the left hand to or from Gods Commandments Fourthly I believe the promises of God lead us to chuse most exactly according to the purest Institutions noted in Isai 1. I will that is God will restore thy Judges as at the first c. that holdeth out as in the purest times c. Before I make Application of what is mentioned touching the calling of these chief Judges I conceive it will be needful to answer an Objection which is this Object May not the people chuse chief Governors did not the people chuse Jepthtah Answ The exact manner of Jepthtah's choyce is not so plainly described but that for ought I know they might have some further enquiry then is set down much we read not of Jephthahs acts this is to be noted concerning him That he did such an act as no other Judg did that we reâ—d of namely he vowed such an unllimited and unlawful vow as occasioned him to sacrifice his daughter and so he did which was the direct breach of Gods Command in a high degree But secondly consider That it is a safe way in dubious matters especially in such eminent matters as do so immediately concern Gods glory and the peoples good to walk by the plainest by â—he most evident ways that God hath prescribed 3. God saith expresly with many threatnings and many times That we shall neither add nor diminish from his Institutions Now this is evident That God chusing immediately either by voyce by Prophet or by lot is Gods own appointment It is without denyal or question and God foreseeing that the people would corrupt their ways and break his Institutions by desiring to be governed by Kings yet God was so jealous of his honor and tender of the peoples good in the choyce of the chief Governors that he saith expresly Deut. 17. Thou shalt make him King whom the Lord thy God shall chuse Therefore considering that we may neither add nor diminish it is without comparison much safer to chuse by Gods plain Rules For in both the Government by Judges and in the Government by Kings it is to be noted That God did immediately chuse Governors and I cannot see that a people that will follow Gods express Command and President can avoyd but that God and not men must chuse the chief Governor It is expressed and recorded That God raised up Judges and made them Saviours to the people but because the manner how God raised them up is not so plainly expressed therefore I conceive that it is the safest way to follow the plainest and clearest ways by which are plainly declared the manner how God did chuse and wherein God did act own and most eminently bless but where God raiseth up men and maketh them eminent Instruments for his glory and by them worketh deliverance to a people in such a case I dare not oppose it doubtless I believe it is a way nearest to Gods immediate callings and nearest to the plainest Presidents recorded in the sacred Scriptures Fourthly If the people chuse they are subject to err and mistake they see but the outward appearance and they may intend one man and it may be a great number carryeth the choyce to another or they may be mistaken in the man most meet for Government which will appear if we consider that Samuel a wise and holy man was mistaken in chusing but amongst one mans children how much sooner may we be mistaken when we having less understanding then Samuel are to chuse out of a multitude and we may be over-powered by money by friends by kindred by beauty by eloquence by fraud or force or ways we know not of Fifthly Experience may teach us That people do err very often and chuse those men to be their Judges or Governors that prove direct enemies to them and to their posterity witness Abimeleck and a multitude of others recorded for our learning and for our instruction Sixthly God never erreth and he doth bless with his holy Spirit men of his own sending Seventhly God complainenth of this by his Prophets formerly cited saying They had Kings but not by me Princes but I knew it not From the premisses may be gathered three ways whereby Governors were in those first and purest times chosen and ordained two of them are very clear the third I dare not absolutely oppose but leave it to the consideration of the godly-wise-hearted I shall propound to consideration somewhat touching the particulars and then make a general Proposition to consideration touching all the three joyntly as God shall assist First concerning the immediate Call of God by voyce or Prophet or some such way as God shall see meet I know no place of Scripture that doth declare That God will no more appoint Governors as at the first as he did Moses and Joshua Secondly This Prophecy Isai 1. holdeth out much for these words as at the first and as in the beginning may for ought that I know be determined by God to be accomplished in the full latitude namely as in the time of Moses and Joshua That Prophecy Dan. 7.27 in these words And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the holy people of the most High This seemeth to me to import That God intendeth to do great things for his people in these latter times Read Micah 7.17 According to the days of thy coming out of the Land of Egypt I will shew unto him marvellous things This to my apprehension holds out That God will do marvellous things God is not limited within bounds he can do as great things now in these latter times as in the former times Thus in other places Thirdly I believe That with limitation and submission to Gods good will and pleasure we may safely present our humble prayers to God in the Name of his Son our blessed Saviour That he would be pleased to appoint our chief Governor for us The Lord was so far from rejecting the people Judg. 1.1 when they sought his gracious favour in this particular that he graciously granteth their request God doubtless will not be offended when people with the greatest care and diligence cleave closest to him the Apostle willeth us That in every thing our request should be made known unto
about this matter and what the issue will be the Lord knoweth If therefore there be any bowels of pity if you love Gods glory if you be lovers of peace and truth then fear not to trust in God in this matter God is not changed Do we not trust our Souls with God and shall we not trust God with our Bodies The Lord give us understanding And now I shal speak a word to the third way of chusing Governors it is said in sundry places of Scripture that when the people had forgotten or cast behind them Gods Commandements yet even when they earnestly sought Gods helpe Gods counsell then God stirred or raised them up a Saviour or Deliverer The way being not so plainely described where we may take notice of the peoples negligence in not seeking to God for Governors for at such times when the people committed such wickednesse we shall usually find that the State or Common-wealth was vacant of a chiefe governor Read Judg. 3.7 So the children of Jsrael did wickedly in the sight of the Lord. Ver. 9. And when the children of Israel cryed unto the Lord stirred them up a Saviour and he saved them Ver. 10. and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he judged Israel We may note here that the people were negligent in inquiring of God before their distresse for a chiefe Judge the state was empty And we may note that till they sought the Lord God suffered them to be afflicted but when they cry unto the Lord when they do cleave to the Lord the Lord relieveth them and sheweth to them mercy this way namely by stirring them up a chiefe governor And further we may note that when God putteth his spirit eminently in such a person then he judgeth Israel no doubt but the Spirit of God came upon him in some extraordinary manner Read Jud. 3.12 Then the children of Israel againe committed wickednesse in the sight of the Lord. This was after the death of their former governor Ver. 15. And when the children of Israel cryed unto the Lord the Lord stirred them up a Saviour c. Jud. 4. The children of Israel againe committed wickednesse Ver. 3. And the children of Israel cryed unto the Lord and we may there read how the Lord shewed them favour by stirring up a Saviour Where the Man was nominated that was their leader by the prophetess Debora but Debora at that time judged Israel Ver. 4. And so Debora by Gods appointment I believe judged Israel to the day of her Death The next was Gideon Judges 6. He was immediately called concerning divers Judges it is not so expresly noted after what manner God stirred them up Whether it was by immediate Revelation or by Prophets direction or put his Spirit into their hearts and made them to be notable and eminent deliverers of the people In all such dubious cases the safest way is to follow the most evident and clear Rules Wherein and whereby God doth most evidently prescribe own and blesse Now consider that Gods immediate call is clear without all doubt and chusing Governors by lot is evident and clear to be a way that God himself prescribed and the lot never erred The third way is more dubious yet I dare not oppose it where God raiseth up a man and maketh him an eminent deliver of his Church and people if the people in such a case chuse such a man to govern them God may blese it this way is left recorded in the sacred Scriptures and we find that thus far God blessed this way that hee made such Men so raised up or stirred up by God to become saviours the people were protected and not devoured and the people were blessed with peace in their dayes this is the nearest way next to the former but in any wise take heed not to establish government by succession from Father to Son we have tasted deep of the cup of affliction in this kind The Father a good man the Child otherwise the Father holding one opinion and the children another this plainely appeareth from the Divine Records in the Sacred Scriptures and by the late sad experiences in this kind We may plainely see the bittter fruits the people reaped by Government from Father to Son if we consider and compare the fruits by Iudges with the fruits that the people reaped by Kings which succeeded by succession Note well that the Government had continued from Moses to Samuel which was many hundred years many generations and yet we see God so blessed these Iudges that came not in by succession but were by God appointed where he saw meet Read 1 Sam. 9.8 And the servant answered Saul againe and said behold J have found about me the fourth part of a shekell of silver which was about five pence Read Gen. 23.15 that will I give the man of God to tell us our way note well the plainnesse and godly humility of the Iudges in those times that would accept of five pence Note likewise that in a short time when the Government went by succession from Father to Son the case was altered we may note in three or foure generations the governors built stately houses rich gardens a thousand Wives and Concubines great multitudes of Charets and horses these things were directly against Gods Commandements Deut. 17 In any wise hee shall not prepare him many Horses neither shall hee take him many Wives neither shall he gather him much silver and gold but we may note that Kings quickly overtoped and annihilated Gods Laws This God knew when God put a bit in the mouth of Kings to curb their pride Deut. 17.18 19. namely Gods Lawes that so their hearts should not be lift up but these Lawes would not hould them their hearts were above Gods Laws God warned the People of this the 1 of Samuel but the People would not hear till they cryed out under Rehoboam by reason of their oppression I believe a door-keeper would not now accept five pence Dearely beloved Fathers if you should consent to government by succession it might be just with God to let their hearts be lift up like to Rehoboam that God might make their little finger bigger then the former Kings loynes the Father chastised us with rods but the Son may with scourges I pray you therefore let us have plaine humble blessed Iudges as at the first not chosen by succession but as in the beginning I shall now from these considerations make one general proposition and humbly lay it down at your feet dearly beloved Fathers which is Considering the sad and lamentable envy emulations strife differences that have been and are at this day in the Nation may it not be meet solemnly after an extraordinary manner to humble our selves and to cry unto our God for direction who shall be our governor It may be before the time which you set apart for this occasion bee expired God may reveal his minde in some extraordinary manner but if God appear
God by prayer and supplication Fourthly This way is a way that God did most immediately act appoint and practise and bless from Moses to Samuel and God never repealed or contradicted this immediate way of his God is unchangeable If the people formerly cast off God and therefore God removed from them and hid his face from them they never turning to God to seek his face being much hardned in their sins yet if God now give us hearts to repent and to see the evil of them and of our selves and to turn again and to long and lament with an earnest affection to do Gods will without turning to the right or to the left hand without adding or diminishing and if we do humbly and unfeignedly seek his favour who can tell but God may fully answer our petitions God hath done already so much for us in opening a way to further us in this particular as hath not been from the days of Samuel to these times I believe I may safely affirm it Fifthly Consider what a rich jewel what a precious favour we shall obtain in case that our good God hear our petitions and do immediately appear in the choyce of our chief Governor for then we shall be sure to have a true Shepherd and not a Wolf in sheeps clothing then we shall be certain that the good and blessed Spirit of GOD will rest upon such a man and not an evil and deceitful spirit then the people shall be drawn to God and not caused to forsake God then the people will be blessed of God by the means of such Governors then shall we obtain a man from the Lord then shall we have Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Consider I pray you is not this jewel this precious favour worth the looking after Is it not worthy our most fervent prayers Have we not safe Rules and clear to warrant and to direct us to cry to God in this very case of Government Did not Israel cry to God and enquire of God for Governors Did not God himself prescribe and practise this way to chuse Governors himself most immediately Are we not commanded that in every thing our requests should be made known to God by Prayer and Supplication Did ever a people return empty from God in such seekings of God Nay is it not evident that usually mostly if not always God answered graciously and granted peoples request in this very case of chief Governors Consider further you have endured much trouble war and bloodshed about Government if we should now fall short and mistake in our governors then our labor is lost we are undone But on the contrary if we obtain a man from the Lord we shall have a rich recompence for all our former labors Therefore lâ—t us not lose such a precious favor for want of asking at the hands of the Lord Who can tell but God may immediately answer us in some way of his own prescribing however let us not fear nor doubt our prayers shall not be in vain they shall be kept in Gods good treasury Sixthly Consider that if you should mistake in the form of Government or in the persons which must govern us all such mistakes are very hard and difficult to be amended for when a Government and Governors are established let experience teach us that we may sooner be sensible of our misery which is not ordinarily taken notice of nor truly discerned then know how to be free we may cry out but not be able to help our selves It is a long time since any man durst plainly shew to his familiar friend where his grievance lay if it concerned Government Consider it warily and deeply and throughly for the glory of God for the good of thousands and that your posterity and your selves may remember with joyful hearts how you preferred Gods Prescriptions Gods Rules Gods Presidents and the true good and safely of your Nation before any other momentany light and vanishing deceiving respects whatsoever Seventhly Consider that where people chuse the form of Government and Governors they are most usually mistaken because they can discern no more but the outward appearance and few amongst many can discern that they know not who God knoweth to be meet kindred is a relation that in outward appearance is of great force but by that means Abimelech obtained the way to Government Judg. 9.2 Say I pray you in the audience of all the men of Shechem Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh Vers 3. Then his mothers brethren spake of him in the audience of all the men of Shechem all these words and their hearts were moved to follow Abimelech for said they He is our brother But note what followed Vers 23. But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem There you may read what misery and bloodshed befell the people I would shortly note three things from this Example First That even those that immoderately thirst after Government are usually unmeet men Secondly It usually is a means for the hurt of such Governors and usually a means to shorten their own lives Thirdly That it usually mostly proveth very bitter to those very men that prefer others for by respects and it is very dangerous when people venture to chuse the principal Governor and do not therein seriously enquire of God who shall be the man that shall govern them And as we have many examples in this kinde so on the contrary we shall finde them blessed that let God chuse their Governor in chief But further Remember that Samuel was mistaken in the person amongst Davids brethren fit for Government how much sooner may we be mistaken How many have been lifted to chief Governors places by kindred by unadvised multitudes by fraud by force by eloquence by beauty by hypocritical pretences Therefore I pray you suspect your own hearts lean not to your own wisdoms for although Custom have overshadowed Truth from our view for a long season so that Truth looketh so strangely now we see it that we can hardly beleeve it is Truth yet now I pray you let us own Truth lest if he depart again out of our sight we shall not know him again Therefore I pray you seek after Gods Rules of Truth take his counsel who shall be our chief Governor and this benefit will certainly follow The good and blessed Spirit of God will rest upon that man Next concerning lots this is a way that God himself prescribed though at some more distance as appeareth 1 Sam. God directed Samuel that the people should chuse their chief Governor this way namely by lots by which way the Lord and not the people did appoint their Ruler And Samuel no doubt had respect to Gods prescribed Rule Deut. 17. Thou shalt make him King whom the Lord thy God shall chuse whereby it appeareth evidently that Samuel so understood Gods will in that Scripture that there was a clear difference between
God chusing a governor and the peoples chusing a governor therefore he chuseth a governor by lot wherein and whereby God chuseth therefore Gods direction and institution is that God shall chuse This is most for Gods glory and for the peoples greatest safety Lots are Gods own Ordinance as appeareth in many places Josh 7.17 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel by their Tribes and the Tribe of Judah was taken And he brought the families of Judah and took the family of the Zarhites and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man and Zabdi was taken And he brought his houshold man by man and Achan was taken God could have shewed to Joshua who was the man so well as he shewed to him that there was an offence but he causeth Joshua to enquire his will in such a way as God had prescribed This sheweth that in difficult cases God ordained that people should enquire his minde by lots and this Samuel knew and therefore he enquireth Gods minde by lots in this very case of government this was never repealed to this day for God is not yea and nay God is not contrary or opposite to his own Rules This is certain it is better and safer for people to be directed by God to chuse the man yea although God for our sin should be angry with us yet even in those causes it is better to fall into the hands of God then into the hands of man and this David well considered when he chose to fall into the hands of God and not into the hands of man But further we may observe That this was the usual way namely by lots that the people took to enquire Gods minde in weighty and difficult causes as appeareth Iosh 18.6 I will cast lots for you here before the Lord thus Vers 8 10. read 1 Sam. 14.42 And Saul said casts lots between me and Ionathan my son and Ionathan was taken Here we may see that God appeared and gave a true determination and this was a way to avoyd strife Read 1 Chro. 26.13 And they cast lots both small and great for the house of their fathers Here again we may note That this use of lots was to shew what Gods minde was and to prevent all jealousies or indirect means and to prevent strife Read Nehem. 10.34 We cast lots for the offerings of the wood even the Priests the Levites and the People Read Ionah 1.7 And they said every one to his fellow come and let us cast lots that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us so they cast lots and the lot fell upon Ionah By this it evidently appeareth that the people in weighty cases did enquire to know Gods minde this way namely by lots Secondly We may observe That God doth answer the people this way Thirdly We may observe That the lot did not err nor fail to shew that which the people sought to God for Read Act. 1.24 And they prayed saying Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these thou hast chosen Vers 26. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell on Matthias This sheweth that lots were not abolished but they are now of the same use that they were under the Law this is an example of the Apostles men in an extraordinary measure guided by the good and holy spirit of God and this was written no doubt for our learning this was and is a clear and evident direction in the very case of governors for the Apostles were Gods Embassadors his own Witnesses they were the Pen-men of the holy Scriptures this matter was an eminent and a weighty matter they chose but one of two The Reason is evident because the nature of their cause required no more First Because not any amongst all although holy would serve they must be men that had been the most noted to be eye-witnesses of what Christ had done and suffered and so that they had seen and heard those things themselves Secondly The Apostles were present that had an infallible spirit Thirdly This cause differs from the Governors of a Common-wealth because God in his wisdom ordered the Governors of a Common-wealth to be chosen by God out of all the people and I do conceive with due and humble respect to those that shall see Gods minde more clearly that it is the safest way to follow the most direct and evident Rules prescribed owned and blessed by God in the same cases Now it evidently appeareth that the Prophet Samuel directed immediately by God himself did chuse out of the whole twelve Tribes of Israel by that means God did fully chuse according to Deut. 17. to make him Governor whom the Lord did chuse immediately in this very case of chusing the Governor of a Common-wealth for in this case this president by Samuel was a certain and an approved president in chusing the person that God saw meet to be chief governor This was not about the form of government whether it should be by Iudges or by Kings for of that matter God shewed his minde by Samuel before expresly witnessing against the form of government by Kings but this was a Rule to shew how God is said to chuse the person that he seeth meet to govern I leave it to the consideration of the godly From these places before mentioned first I observe That it plainly and clearly appeareth that lots were ordained by God and that God owned them because God truly appeared and truly gave answer by them and because that God blessed this way of his own devising Secondly I observe That the lot when men cast themselves or referred themselves wholy to or upon God in such cases did never err it always gave a true direction a true determination in all weighty causes Search the Scriptures and it cannot be found that the lot ever erred Let not as fear therefore to chuse our chief governor by lot for let us not doubt God is the same unchangeable God yesterday and to day and the same for ever Will not this way compose all our differences Will it not heal all distempers Will not this way end all our strife Will not this way keep out all Wolves and Foxes and other beasts of prey Shall not we by this way return again to the Lord and by this means God shall be our King his Laws our guide by this means we shall obtain a man from the Lord and we shall be blessed and Peace and Truth shall meet together and so shall we have Iudges in some proportion as at the first and Counsellers as at the beginning and we shall be called a faithful City Thirdly Let us remember the great effusion of blood that hath been shed and the great envies hatred malice that is at this day reigning in the Land Is it not in every Country in every City in every Paâ—ish Nay there are but a few Families comparatively where there are not some breaches