shall not err therein unless they run out of willing and set purpose Whereas heretofore we were disobedient and did not all things according to the Pattern shewed us we are to acknowledge our Iniquity and Transgression and from henceforth sorever we and our Children are to promise unto the Lord and keep it to do according as he hath said and commanded in his Word which we ought in like manner to obey as if we heard his Voice from Heaven As we daily Pray so we are likewise to do lest we be found Mockers and Dissemblers with God and have our portion with Hypocrites and Unbelievers his will on Earth Which again is not to be measured by what is acted on this stage of Sin and Confusion or publickly done in the place where Satan's Seat and Kingdom is but as it is clearly written and manifestly revealed by the Word and Spirit of God which came down from above and knoweth what is God's will And what is done in Heaven the fanie is expected here In the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Word shall be established and we have three holy Men of God who were moved by the holy Ghost and give attestation and confirmation to the same thing He is the Rock his work is perfect for all his ways are Judgment a God of Truth and without Iniquity just and right is be Deut. 32. 4. The Works of his Hands are Verity and Judgment and all his Commandments are sure They stand fast forever and ever and are done in Truth and Vprightness Psal 111. 7 8. By this it appears that our late Revolution is none of God's work in which he is well pleased For I the Lord love Judgment I hate Robbery for burnt Offering and I will direct their work in Truth and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with them Isa 61. 8. So that if People would do the work of God and come to settlement and stability of Times they must only use such means all along as are good true just and lawful and none others These are to be known by God's Law only for as aforesaid that is the supream Rule of Good and Evil Truth and Falshood Right and Wrong And if thence it doth appear that this Nation hath trespassed against their God Isa 58. 2. and have forsaken and resisted his Ordinance by putting down that Power which is asserted Rom. 13. 1. to be of God though it was an Heathen at the very time If this be a Sin and Transgression then there is no hope to avoid the present Displeasure and escape the future Punishment of God otherwise than by making a Covenant with our God and by restoring the King to his right and henceforward to tremble at the Commandments of our God and lâ—t it be done according to his Law Ezra 10. 3. The Laws of God are to be set before People and they are to be exhorted to the Observance of them but still men have their Liberty and full Freedom of Action If they will not do so out of Conscience and Obedience to God they may let it alone Or to speak plainly deliberately and truly in the Gentile dialect choose and be damned according to what they have done and involved themselves in from Rom. 13. 2. It is at their own Peril and Danger The divine Promises and Threatnings are to be used only but no outward force and compulsion for the right Christian Religion doth not allow of any And here is a Threatning as true as Gospel which lies expresly against the Nation and People of England * Which I would not have against my own particular Person for ten thousand Kingdoms or the greatest Places of Honour and Profit and I would more fear it than to dye an hundred Temporal Deaths The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Vnrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Vnrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. It is only revealed and made known here but it is to be executed and felt in another Place So though We are in the true Reformed Religion yet We are not under the aforesaid Penalty to continue and practise any Unrighteousness towards our King who is a Member of a false superstitious and corrupted Church Thou that abborrest Idols dost thou commit Sacriledge So they should not commit any Injustice Wrong Sin or Evil. Thou that makâ—st thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law Dishonourest thou God for the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you In this National Corruption there have been no less than five Laws of the second Table expresly violated as by Dishonouring of and Disobedience to Parents Committing of Murder Theft bearing False Witness Coveting and taking possession of anothers Inheritance who was greater than Naboth and his inferiour did it Again if the solemn Oath hath been despised and the Covenant broken whereof God alone is to judge and determine of both sides then as sure as God is which is as evident as the Heavens He created and we see or that he laid the Foundations of the Earth which we tread on so certainly will He recompence it upon their own Head Unless all this is prevented by true and unfeigned Repentance in order to which it is necessary not only to be sorry or secretly to bewail but further to undo the Fault as much as it can be And as God was dishonoured publickly in like manner to regain his Favour They should publickly acknowledge their Iniquity to their God that they have transgressed against him by forsaking his Ordinance despising his Oath and breaking his Covenant To speak after the manner of men That God should have repair for his hurt Majesty which they offended and despised and also have Glory given unto him by confessing their own shame for we must do as much to reconcile our selves to an offended God as the Great Ones of the Earth require from all that displease them And this is the true design and end of Confession Those Things done in Private may be there acknowledged but in other Things the acknowledgment should be altogether as Publick as the sin was according to Lev. 26. 40. Josh 7. 19. Ezra 10. 2 3 10 11. Mark 1. 5. Acts 19. 18. And where any thing hath been taken away from any man by False Accusation He is to be restored to it again and the very Truth of all Things to be brought out and to be known openly before the World It might be so ordered and consented unto That They have Deputies faithful couragious and learned to implead one another before the Great Council of the Nation and Witnesses examined upon Oath of both sides Which would be a more Christian and Rational way than to lead forth Armies to push at and gore one another like a Multitude of Bulls and Calves of the People Psal 68. 30. Man was born more naked and unarmed than those dull Creatures but they have found Instruments of Death to knock down and butcher
mightest be justified in thy Sayings and overcome when thou art judged We are sure that all Scripture came by Inspiration from God and therefore all is Truth what that saith And whatever the Practices of others are to keep their places or to make a gain of Godliness so called but rather Hypocrisie or procure and retain the favour of the great Ones yet such will be the greatest losers in the end for there is a real Truth and Signification in these Words Blessed are they that keep Judgment and He that doth Righteousness at all times Psal 106. 3. And though at this present short time There is one event to the Righteous and to the Wicked to him that sweareth or he that feareth an Oath Yet it will be certainly better with those who have continued whole and stedfast in the Covenant of their God and have preserved a good Conscience in all things So it will be seen and experienced when of this and every day of our Life after years of discretion we shall be called to Account which will also extend to every Idle and false word that men do now speak The time place circumstances and aggravations of such wilful Sins and deliberate Acts of Disobedience will be manifested as they were day by day committed And then it will be no excuse to have justified the wicked for Reward or for fashion or because they had the greatest number of their side or out of any wrong or indirect Principle They act foolishly and are ignorant who flourish over and vindicate the Violent perverting of Judgment and Justice in a Province for they may now Read and Understand that the Most Highest regardeth the Matter and there is Higher than they who will set things at right again That wo which is now denounced against them who call Evil good and Good evil shall at length terminate in execution and misery It is a sad Thing to consider that any People for profit and advantage for pride and pleasure to get or keep the good will of their superiour fellow Creatures should whilst they live do those things for which after Death they shall suffer punishment And they should be more careful fearful to humor and comply with a parcel of Dying Men whose Gifts perish with them and their Fury vanisheth into nothing then they are to please an Almighty Father and Everliving God Do ye think the Scripture saith in vain Trust in him at all times ye People pour out your Heart before him God is a Refuge for us Selah Surely Men of Low degree are Vanity and Men of High degree are a Lye To be laid in the Ballance they are altogether lighter then Vanity Trust not in Oppression and become not vain in Robbery If Riches increase set not your Heart upon them God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that Power belongeth unto God Also unto thee O Lord belongeth Mercy for thou rendrest to every Man according to his Work Psal 62. 8 9 10 11. God hath wisely established things for a Life of Tryal and an Obedience of Faith and to exercise our Trust on him He hath given us the Law and the Testimony and the Light that is in them to discern and know Good and Evil Truth and Falshood Right and Wrong Substance and Vanity And the Salvation which we expect from our God should always keep us in that stedfast purpose of mind as not to commit any deliberate Sin nor to continue in any known Transgression nor to practice Hypocrisie nor to leave Duty undone for to accomplish present things If men did not talk of it as a Word of Course but do really desire to get to Heaven as now they see the outside and they must certainly go off from this Earth then they must not do those things that lead a contrary way as that Word which reveals the invisible things within and the necessary means to obtain doth expresly declare It is no jesting matter but rather a sad sign that the Curse of God which is a fore-runner of his punishment is fallen upon people when they add Iniquity to their Iniquity and not come into thy Righteousness Psal 69. 27. For the next thing which succeeds is to be blottâ—d out of the Book of the living and not be written with the Righteous Vers 28. and that is ten thousand times worse then to lose their Lives Liberties and Estates And whereas it is further surmised our pure Reformed Religion is more dear and that would be endangered It is here deliberately and advisedly affirmed That the Doctrines and Practices of these corrupt Times are more dangerous and prejudicial to Souls than all the Errors and Superstiâ—ions of Popery for that same Word which instructs in the way of Salvation and makes known what is the pure and undefiled Religion before God doth speak much more against Perjury Lying Unrighteousness Disobedience to Parents Revenge false Accusation Hipocrisie and an Hypocritical Nation and such like then it doth against Idolatry Superstition and false Worship But the Will of God is which we must also do if we would be saved that we abstain from them all Thou declarest upon Oath that the Pope cannot depose Heretical Princes and that neither he nor any Person whatsoever hath Power to absolve thee of this Oath or any part thereof but what if God should judge that Protestant Lay-men cannot absolve subjects from their Oath and Allegiance to a Popish King In Truth neither can one do it nor yet the other The same God who commands that we keep from Idols doth likewise enjoyn that we do no wrong and that we abstain from all appearance of evil It is both folly and Wickedness to run from one unlawful extream to another and God will shew and manifest that there is no necessity to proceed from evil to evil and they know not me saith the Lord Jer. 9. 3. It is impertinent and irk some to explain things so every particularly but People are dull of apprehension fears and jealousies are endless and more especially a consciousness of guilt and wrong is not easily satisfied for it hopes to have this excuse for their Sin a surmise of Danger and they venture upon these doubtful things to make more sure against it for so they call such things which are as evidently a breach of the Law as Adultery and Fornication are against the seventh Commandment and are more certainly Sins then Drunkenness is one as themselves may know for compare their Actions with the Law and their own Thoughts will accuse them When the Soul hath departed from the Law of the most High she seeks out for this or that Imagination to pacifie but it cannot satisfie the grumblings with in at this present time and which she vainly and falsly hopes will save harmless as to the future But notwithstanding all the Deceiveableness of Vnrighteousness strong Delusions and human Allegations Yet Gods Glory is not nor can be advanced by sinful means For The just Lord is
is the alone Prerogative of God for He knoweth all things and searcheth the Heart that not the least Thing can be hid or concealed from him Whereas we only perceive a little according to the exact Truth but much more in a false and imperfect manner by doubtful Report and mistaken Observation And then we cannot throughly apprehend a thing wherein many are concerned so we can give no perfect Judgment and Determination God hath taken the like method for the exercise and administration of his Kingdom and Dominion over Men as our Kings and Governours over their several Countries And he hath a Book for his Government over all the Nations and Families of the Earth high and low rich and poor together as our Statute and Common Law is for England and their civil canon or municipal Laws for other Nations His Word is given unto Mankind to be a Rule for their Actions and a Law for them to live and be governed by and from that we are allowed and commanded to Reprove all manner of Sin and Transgression as any one now doth Lev. 19. 17. take notice or speak of what is done contrary to the Government and Laws of this Nation which is esteemed no fault but rather commendable and a Duty The same is and ought much more to be in things pertaining to God and so likewise would be if there was amongst us the like Zeal for and Knowledge of him that is invisible who fills Heaven and Earth with his Presence as now there is regard for the Son of Man whom we see to be little and to fade as a Leaf But this is to be understood for the Fear and Instruction of some and for the Comfort of others That God is not confined to the Imaginations and Sayings of Men If some speak smooth things and prophesie Deceits and others too hard Speeches and mistaken Applications The Judge himself will not ratifie what they say but condemns whom man absolves as again acquit whom man condemns For he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth He shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his Truth Psal 96. 13. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged out of those Things which were written in the Books according to their Works Rev. 20. 12. This according to the Decree of the Eternal and unchangeable God is as certain and True as if it were already past and fulfilled As Judges and Justices of Gaol delivery do try Prisoners by the statute Book of this Realm at those Assizes which are holden twice a year so at this general Grave delivery which is to be kept once for all The dead Bodies of all People of every Place and Generation since Man was Created on the Earth shall arise and we shall all be judged by Christ and his Saints according to those Words written in the Bible And this according to the plain and common sence and understanding of the same Words Behold in this they are not just I will answer all mine Accusers and Enemies that God is greater than Man and so much do his Laws exceed theirs Wherefore do I mention that God is greater than Man In comparison of him the Nations are as a drop of a Bucker and are counted as the small dust of the Balance It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the Earth and the Inhabitants thereof are as Grashoppers We shall find and know that He bringeth the Princes to nothing He maketh the Judges of the Earth as Vanity Notwithstanding the People have more regard to them because they are seen and their utmost Power is known then they have to Almighty God who is not seen and whose Punishment is threatned But though God is not seen yet his Works are And how Great must He be who built this vast House of the World and created all things therein What is the Wrath of a Worm of five or six foot long to the * Isa 59. 15. Displeasure of Him who hath Heaven for his Throne and the Earth for his Footstool What is a single Individual or an Assembly of Men who dwell in Houses of Clay that they should when met in Council as yet exalt themselves to do according to their own will notwithstanding Gods Commandment to the contrary If not to speak Exod 9. 17. out because they profess that they know God but in Works deny him yet to think and act Marvellous things against the God of Gods Dan. 11. 36. And in this they are worse then him here spoken of or Pharoah for he knew not who was the Lord that he should obey him What is abomination of Heart they imagine to be bravery of mind that they can and are for doing things otherwise and as it were hinder that his will be not done here on Earth Which argues the exceeding sinfulness of sin with the infinite guilt and demerit thereof and it shall be punished with proportionable Condemnation Misery They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression They speak loftily They set their Mouth against the Heavens their Tongue walketh through the Earth therefore his People return hither and Waters of a full Cup are wring out to them Psal 73. 8 9 10. By the height and breadth and depth of such kind of Transgression we may judge of the length of future Torments Whose Thoughts were thus exalted to Heaven their Souls shall be thrust down to Hell Shall not God search this Luk. 10. 15. out for He knoweth the secrets of the Heart the innermost Thoughts and most hidden Imaginations Even now he looks down from the Habitation of his Holiness and is not far from every one of us for at this very moment He both sees and hears all that we are talking of or doing in our Houses and several places of abode And so He hath done all along of this Generation of Men now living as He did of those before we were born We read of Him in his Word for the Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lords a great God a Mighty and a Terrible which regardeth not Persons nor taketh Reward Deut. 10. 17. We have a sence and aw and dread of Him upon our minds we may know and perceive his Laws written in our Hearts and inward Parts by laying open our Conscience as in his sight and by communing with our own spirit when we are for a little while silent in our Chamber and somewhat freed and separated from the Things of this World All these wayes God doth shew and manifest himself unto Mankind so that they are without excuse This may be thought proper to instruct and convert Heathens or the neighbouring Nations which do grovel in the darkness of Popish ignorance but doth not seem so applicable to our own Countrey where the Scriptures are read and preached in a known
Tongue and they boast of their understanding thereof But yet the Prophet saith peremptorily of his time when they had the same priviledges Therefore my Pâ—ople are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge Isa 5. 13. He doth elegantly hint of the sottish ignorance of former his own aâ—â—â—â—ccessive Generations Have ye not krown Have ye not heard Hath it not been 〈◊〉 you from the beginning Have ye not understood from the Foundations of the Earth Isa 40. 21. And then doth as it were point him out in the following verse It is He c. So it is said further down There is no knowledge of God in the Land Hos 4. 1. And what Paul witnesseth of his time Some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame 1 Cor. 15. 34. The same is affirmed at this very day The chief and who call themselves the wise Men of this Nation in this they are found wanting They have not the knowledge of God This is the manner of the People of England that dwell carelesly that say in their Hearts We are and none besides us Here is a secret disowning of God above Or if they acknowledge him by a few acts of outward Worship yet they confine all to that But they have not to do with him in common actions and general course of their Life Here they conclude they are lest to themselves who is Lord over us some others will have respect unto God in little trivial concerns But for those of Greater Moment They do not take counsel of him that walk to go down into Egypt and have not asked at my Mouth Isa 30. 1 2. They have first invaded this Nation which occasioned and raised Wars in the Neighbouring Kingdoms But they did not seek out of the Book of the Lord whether such enterprises at first were just and lawful Why Ramoth in Gilead was ours before 1. Kings 22. 2. and under the subjection of the same King of this Nation And though now it be in danger to fall into the hands of the King of Syria yet they should have done well at the very beginning of all to have enquired at the Word of the Lord. verse 5. and then all this might have been prevented at the very first rise And now the Land is moved and divided and by reason of the sores thereof it shaketh yet it may be made up and healed by our God Now Vrim and Thummim are ceased neither have we Warrant for additional Immediate Revelation But God hath given us his standing Word in the Bible which was confirmed by Signs and Miracles and divers Giffts of the Holy Ghost whereby God himself did bear witness to it and did enact and confirm it as a Law and Direction to our fore-Fathers and to us their Children and to our Posterity for evermore He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and love Mercy Mic. 6. 8. By this way and method of Righteous and prudent accomodation Ireland might be sooner recovered and utterly disentangled from out of the hands of the French King then by all the Multitude of Men and Horses Ships and Carriages the several Instruments of Death and Cruelty all which only make a meer noise and outward shew but there is nothing more in it besides Destruction and Mischief But our Goâ—ernoâ—â—â—ate not Governed by the Law of the most High God and so they do not walk Humbly with him They do not consider that in the Thing wherein they deal Proudly he is above them they do not consult aright for his Glory nor will they obey him so far that he may direct their work in Truth They have set up Kings but not by me They have made Princes but I knew it not Hos 8. 4. which hath been particularly shewed with such Evidence and Demonstration of Divine Truth that the sinners resort only to their old accustomed method of stubbornness despising and bare contradiction but still it remains firm and unanswerable And this hath been already done in two distinct Sessions of Parliament in two short Printed Festimonies of Truth the first entituled a Supplemental Tract of Government c. bearing date Jan. 4. 1689 90. The second Things Plain and Weighty referred to the consideration of both Houses March 25. 1690. That peace and Happiness Truth and Justice Religion and Piety may be established among us for all Generations For themselves 〈◊〉 â—ay in the same words in the place where they are assembled every morning before their solemn consultations and therefore it may seem strange unless an unseen Enemy did blind their Eyes and Hearts or hinder from discerning or turn them aside from the Truth that when God hath shewed them a way in his Word and left the means in their Power yet they did not go the right way to preserve make better and perpetuate the Government nor to Restore Peace nor make Wars to cease all which by the direction of Gods Word will be done to the end of time and to the ends of the Earth when they sball fear the Name of the Lord from the West Isa 59. 19. and other Nations will also do the same as they have from this understanding People a right example And further there is the Promise of God that future Generations shall * Psal 102. 28. â—ct â—2 5. Continue what we have happily begun It is only to order things and to establish them with Judgment and with Justice from hence forth even for ever To observe and do according to those Laws Rules and Directions which the Lord hath shewed and appointed in his Word and then there would be continued peace and firm settlement throughout these three Kingdoms which are united one to another and the like might be successively estaâ—lished throughout the whole Earth Let us â—â—â—e come and fix upon the sure Foundation of Righteousness But otherwise there will be confusion disturbance and unsetledness of Times with the manifold evils and Inconveniences thereof now in this place besides the Wrath of God which hereafter cometh upon the Children of Disobedience If People will go on still in their own Wayes and according to their own Thoughts this is Sin Iniquity and Transgression all which the Lord God of Recompences shall surely requite None calleth for Justice nor any pleadeth for Truth they trust in vanity and speak lies They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity they hath Cockatrice Eggs and See Isa 59. throughout weave the Spiders Web. He that eateth of their Eggs dieth and that which is crashed breaketh out into a Viper What is done by way of Violence Humour and Stubâ—ornness will recoyl with greater force and smart upon themselves notwithstanding they die as other men and we see nothing as yet to befall them Again sometimes it is here seen that what they would suppress doth rise up with greater strength and danger against them Or if with much subtlety and contrivance
They weave the Spiders Web yet these VVebs shall not become Garments neither shall they cover themselves with their VVorks It may just skin a thing over which nevertheless will be seen through And it doth not answer the ends of Government as to give real peace and assured Preservation Indeed it is a little better then nothing for it is somewhat cast over which doth neither hide nakedness nor keep warm And then it is a long time in transacting and making but it is all suddenly swept away and profits nothing at all afterwards We have an example and instance hereof in the late Reign when the King not observing the Rules of Mercy Judgment and Righteousness was not Established in his Isa 16. 5. Throne but hath been since removed It is observable of those arbitrary and illegal Acts which he did That he was two or three years in bringing them to pass but they were undone again in two or three dayes or less than a week And he did offer to do all things for the future as became a Good King God knows the secrets and intents of his Heart and whether it was not more out of apprehension of danger than real Repentance but that might have brought him to a sight of his Sin and Errour and then it would have been real and unfeigned for affliction and fear are such a beginning of Repentance as God will accept of and therefore we may allow the same to one another in things that they have trespassed against us But it was not done according to Righteousness Equity Truth or Christian Forgiveness In the great National Revolution was that fulfilled They proceed from Evil to Evil and they know not me saith the Lord Jer. 9. 3. One unlawful extream doth not excuse and justifie another of despising the Oath of God breaking his Covenant and transgressing the Laws of Righteousness There are many Particulars and Circumstances of Sin and Evil of both sides which no man knoweth nor considereth the utmost Evil and Abomination of But the Lord shall rehearse it when he writeth up his People He hath a Book of all Nations Families and single Persons with an account of the Time and Place they stand here on the Earth As likewise he notes the things that they have already done his all-knowing Spirit will bring out the very truth of all things Though he now keeps silence yet he will reprove the several Persons concerned herein and set the things they have done before their Eyes For there is no respect of Persons with God for as many as have sinned without Law shall also perish without Law and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law Rom 2. 11 12. But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of Persons Col. 3. 25. But alledge as much as you will of this it is Scripture and Cant and is not minded so may a common Thief or Murderer or any Transgressor of man's Laws for a time despise and not regard them yet Justice will at length apprehend and Zech. 1. 6. overcome him In like manner the Words and Statutes of the Lord will take hold of men of every Generation and Country and as to each part of their Life after they are come to the knowledge of good and evil Some do imagine that they shall escape because they have the chief of the People and the Multitude and the fashion and the Course of the World on their side They have Armies and Fleetes and such an one is driven away and oppressed and of declining Years He may be taken captive or Killed or his day come to dye What then We have to do with an Almighty and Everliving God Our selves and all the many Inhabitants of the Earth are but a parcel of dying Men and Women and so take them altogether notwithstanding their number they are all contemptible and of small Power And those who in this time of Tryal will follow a Multitude to do Evil or side with the course of the World in their Transgression and Unrighteousness As sure as God hath given a Law to mankind and his Word is true this is the ready way to be condemned with the World Let men in the mean while make what alterations they will all is but as a company of Worms of the Earth who vainly think to change Times Laws and Ordinances But they are all just like so many Ants which are a long time bringing little Sticks and Straws together which is all suddenly blown away with one single blast of Wind much less will it stand until or at that day when our God shall come and it shall be very tempestuous round about him Psal 50. 3. There can be no such thing as a Law unless it be sounded on Divine Right and Eternal Truth And therefore it was a foolish and wicked Imagination of such who know not God and did conclude it impertinent to bring Scripture to manifest that in the late Revolution of putting down one King and setting up another the Nation of England hath not done Righteousness for how could this be known otherwise than by Scripture the highest Law which God himself hath given to mankind of every Nation Country and Language Every thing is to be tryed and judged by this supream Rule of good and evil truth and falshood right and wrong We are to be accountable to God for â—ll our Actions and must receive according to what we have done It is God who establisheth Kingdoms and Property and his Dominion over us is above all man's Government for this is inferior and ought only to be in subordination under God from whom men receive authority to make National Laws and to exercise their own Rule and Dominion The great Law-giver hath kept this in his own Power for his Word and Commandment is left for Admonition and Reproof that the Kings and Judges of the Earth do only that which is just and lawful but if they do not they are warned to amend otherwise they will be condemned God standeth in the Congregation of the mighty he judgeth among the Gods Psal 82. 1. There is an assertion of his own Government over all Kings and Magistrates unto whom he vouchsafes to give his own Name And then comes in afterwards by way of Reproof How long will ye judge unjustly and accept the Persons of the Wicked selap Vers 2. Then succeeds his Command Defend the Poor and Fatherless To Justice to the Afflicted and Needy Deliver the Poor and Needy rid them out of the Hand of the Wicked Vers 3. 4. And as all Scripture is profitable for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness so in order to that it doth take notice of what is amiss they know not neither will They understand they walk â—â— iâ— darkness all the Foundations of the Earth are out of course vers 5. and throughout Gods Word and Law there are directions and
many But whoever had first appeared to cry aloud and spare not Lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet to shew the People of England their Transgressions and their Sins The same Reproaches and false Suggestions would have been against them also For when People have no mind to receive and obey the Message it is easie to take exceptions at the Post or Officer who brings it But the all-knowing and all-wise God will not be trifled with nor deceived The Great King of all the Earth will find and bring out those his Enemies who would not have him Reign over them but do speak against and evil intreat the Messengers whom he hath sent And now to manifest unto the World that I am sent and to make evident my Câ—mmission I do declare as I will answer it before him who is appointed Judge of the quick and dead that it is contained in the twenty third Chapter of Mathew and the thirty fourth Verse where Christ promises to the several Generations Behold I send Acts 2. 39 unto you Prophets and Wisemen Scribes And I do affirm according to Truth without boasting of my self that I do come under the last denomination of a Scribe I may just observe that the Prophetical Office was chiefly to reprove Sin and Transgression and also they did fore-tell some future events which were not presently fulfilled The first hath been done without Partiality and Respect of Persons and also some things have been spoken of which are yet to come Moreover if there have been any Words of Knowledge and Wisdom delivered let others judge But a Scribe is such an one who is instructed in and reasons out of the Law which is the very same what I have done as to National Affairs For the several things which I have published to the World are an opening and alledging and reasoning out of the Scriptures the Law of the Most high God I have been educated at the School of the Prophets for I was six Years at Magdalen Hall in Oxford and took one degree I was there twice sworn the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy And now it comes to pass that the same Oath which such a vast multitude of Priests and People have despised hath taken hold of me and hath obliged me to act after this manner For I did Swear twice in the Reign of Charles the second Him and them innuendo his Heirs and Successors under which his Brother is comprised will I defend according to the utmost of my Power Now the Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal but Spiritual and no other ought to be used according to the right Christian Religion For these last six Years I have been at several times resident in and about the City of London I was entred into the Society of the Middle Temple and observed the Customs of the House for several successive Terms and I did for a while study the Statute and Common Laws of this Nation So that I came all along in a regular way and was furnished from the Laws of God and Man to have pleaded the Cause of the Oppressed King And for my part being assured only of the Protection of the invisible God and trusting to that Promise His Truth shall be thy Shield and Buckler Psal 91. 4. I was not afraid to speak openly and boldly as I ought to speak Though both Houses of Parliament by reason of contrary Practice as may be understood from Jer. 2. 26. Mark 8. 38. were ashamed to hear such Words which would have reproved and set in order before them their Sin and Transgression in the very same place where it was committed And so they may still if they are willing to run the danger of rising up to everlasting Shame and Contempt and have the Son of man be ashamed of them when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with the holy Angâ—ls saith the Lord And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken to my Words which he shall speak in my Name I will require it of him Deut. 18. 19. Now that Prophet was Christ who hath conveyed down to others the same Authority and Commission He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luke 10. 16. For such would not hear Christ himself if they had lived in the same Generation with him Neither would they be perswaded if Christ should come once again into the World after the same manner as he did But his next coming is unto Judgment Peradventure our Lords and Counsellors did go upon Error and Deceit of their own Heart and did therefore refuse to hear the Law of their God because they might think that if the Word was not proclaimed and spoken out viva voce They might then more safely contemn God's Word and Commandment and have such aâ— excuse for their Sin not considering the God with whom we have to do Who understands our Thoughts afar off Psal 139. 2. and knows that themselves only hindred and would not suffer his Word to be spoken out For I delivered in Printed Cases and also sent a written Petition to the same purpose And when I could not have it delivered in and read I ordered my Petition to be printed and given to the Members severally if perhaps any would move thereon though I knew before this was contrary to Custom and Usage and therefore I was at first unwilling so to do but this kind of necessity and urgency did press me forward For my part I would leave no means undone to discharge my Conscience fully towards God But He knows that I was directed and put in mind long before That this is a rebellious People lying Children Children that will not hear the Law of the Lord Isa 30. 9. And thereupon according to what is said in the foregoing Verse and also I was shewed the same in the Light of God's Spirit Now go and get it printed in a Book which I accordingly did and delivered to the several Members on April 2. 1690. for which I was committed to Custody it being by them called a Seditious Pamphlet and so I remained under confinement for four Weeks and afterwards was with great care sent down into the Country to be remote from London I gave away about an hundred of those stitcht Books and would have more ready if I had been permitted for I ordered a thousand which were more then sufficient for all the Representatives of the whole Nation But however they had sufficient to notifie it unto the residue of the Members and they may yet understand and be instructed aright that the Word which God sends through a contemptible earthen Vessel spoken or written for that longer remains is stedfast and every Transgression and Disobedience shall receive a just recompence of Reward As they do all profess themselves to be Members of the Church of England so they are to be advertised of somewhat out of her
forth the Words of Truth and Soberness though it is hard to express the mad and foolish Actions of mankind to the very Life and Reality and not to be reputed so ones self All those that fear God and those that have known his Testimonies Psal 119. 79. can also judge of these things And though what I have more lately done in opposing the High and Universal Corruption of this present Time hath met with Strife and Contention Sâ—ubbornness and despising all kinds of Reproach and contrary Usage yet the Reason of all is because People are Contentions and do not obey the Truth but obey Vnrighteousness Rom. 2. 8. They have made void God's Law Psal 119. 126. and his Commandments of none effect Therefore the Law is slacked and Judgment doth never go forth for the Wicked doth compass about the Righteous therefore wrong Judgment proceedeth Hab. 1. 4. For they have indeed acted contrary to what the Law commands and requires Nevertheless all knowing People may yet judge of whatever I have here said or in the two forecited Treatises concerning our Great National Sin and Transgression by this certain and infallible Rule of the Prophet That we might turn from our Iniquities and understand thy Truth Dan. 9. 13. Then it will appear unto them as clear and evident as the most plain and simple proposition now doth If People will not do this but go on still with all deceiveableness of Unrighteousness there is no Remedy but they shall perish Because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong Delusions that they should believe a Lye That they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had Pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. All which Words are observable and very terrible To unfold the Mystery of Iniquity a little and somewhat to lay open the working of Satan with all deceiveableness of Vnrighteousness It will be necessary to observe with what kind of words he tempted our Parent in the first Transgression and hath all along and doth yet continually set himself against God's ways to keep up the mist of Ignorance and Unbellef to hold people in their Perplexity and Confusion of Disobedience and Transgression and he doth use all means to hinder men from coming to Repentance and the Knowledge of the Truth And as God would accomplish that by right Words so he doth endeavour to imitate in like things by tempring Mankind to do after their own Thoughts and after the Imaginations of their own Evil and Corrupt Heart And also his Emissaries go about subverting People with false corrupt and deceitful Words which are and may be published with Licence and Authority But the Inhabitants of his Earth are ashamed or afraid to receive the Truth of him who is Lord and Governour of the World who filleth all Places and all Things with his presence Poor Creatures Your Hour will quickly be at an end and the Power of Darkness will be suddenly gone off and then ye shall remember and discern which Master it was better to have served God or the World As the Man of Sin doth so mightily beat off People from the Scriptures because his own Ways and Corruption are so much condemned therein So do others at this day for the very same Reason put an opprobrious term upon the Language of the holy Ghost or it is not so gentile and fashionable nor agreeable with the Humor of the Age. They cry it out for impertinent and foolish yea there are an hundred kind of Surmises and like sayings whereby the Word of the Lord is made a Reproach to me and a Derision daily Jer 20. 8. They reject and will have none of it But what saith the answer of God unto them Hear O Earth Behold I will bring Evil on this People even the Fruit of their own Thoughts because they have not hearkened to my Words nor to my Law but rejected it Jer 6. 19. All their other Religion is vain their Worship and Devotion is to no purpose for it doth not please God Your burnt-Offerings are not acceptable nor your Sacrifices sweet unto me Vers 20. He that turneth away his Ear from hearing the Law even his Prayer shall be abomination Prov. 28. 9. Even at this day and in this Nation The Wise Men are ashamed they are dismayed and taken Lo they have rejected the Word of the Lord and what Wisdom is in them Jer. 8. 9. It would be Nonsence and a Lye to say if one heard a Lawyer cite several express Acts of Parliament according to the very Sence and the plain and common Understanding of the same Words yet such an one did not argue to the Purpose for all is forreign and impertinent besides what is thence alledged And so our Great Lawmakers and Counsellors are very fond of theâ—â— own Constitutions to do all things exactly according to the form and direction thereof But they did not attend how in the late Revolution they did at once strike at all the Statute and common Laws of this Kingdom which are said to be vested in Scrinio Regis and also they did unhinge those very Laws which do give and adjust to themselves their own respective Honours and Estates and establish Property And therefore they should do well to lift the right Door again upon the Hinges This is Truth though is may seem a kind of Human Reasoning but yet doth shew how Judgment is turned away backward and Justice standeth afar off and Equity cannot enter If our Proud Men think themselves too good to be Subjects and Jer. 13. 1â— Servants unto God yet whether they will or not they are his Creatures He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords There is no removing the Government off from his Shoulders nor getting themselves from under it as may and hath been done to the Son of Man And whosoever are so stout as not to mind Scripture God's revealed Law are at this time Transgressors against the same and shall be at the last day condemned by it This would be alike sensible if we had the same knowledge of him that is invisible and consideration of Futurity as we have now regard to our Kings and Governours after the Flesh and take care for the present time for as before intimated the Law of our God is written in a Book and may in like manner be understood as the Laws Customs and Manners of this or that Country we live in There are many Words in the World and none of them is without Signification for they have respect unto Things and what expresses things as they are the very Nature and Connexion of them together That is Truth Now because many of them are hidden afar off unseen and not heard it is the office of Reason to search them out and to bring them near by Probability and Witnesses So there may be many Words and a long course of Reasoning to bring
in the midst of us he will not do Iniquity Zeph. 3. 5. and we ought to suffer himself according to his own Gracious Promise to direct our Work if we sincerely intend it for him or otherwise it is damnable Hypocrisie in Truth Isa 61. 8. If we would indeed ride Prosperously It must be because of Truth and meekress and Righteousness For whosoever doth the Work of the Lord must do it only in the Good and right way which himself doth direct all along and chalk out in his Word And this doth strictly forbid all manner of Sin and falshood They also do no Iniquity they walk in his wayes thy Word is very pure Psal 119. 3. and vers 140. Sanctifie them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth John 17. 17. neither is the least evil to be done for the best end Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him Job 13. 7. and to the same purpose is Rom. 3. 7. 8. Here I have not so much to do with the clamours of the Multitude but I ought to give an account to the Saints that are on the Earth and the true Servants and Worshippers of God who can better understand and judge of these things But ye know that every Scribe instructed in the Kingdom of God if he would be faithful in all his House ought to speak out all that 〈◊〉 is commanded and made known from the whole Scripture according to Deut. 18. 8. Psal 18. 22. Jer. 26. 2. Mat. 23. 20. and so ye ought to receive and give attendance unto all Deut. 27. â—â— Gods Word and to diminish nothing nor lose ought of it And then If ye mark diligently what is here and all along said ye will find that I speak not these Things as a man but both Law and Gospel say the very same I speak nothing of my self nor do I use meer Human Arguments but I make mention of Gods Righteousness even of thine only Psal 71. 16. And therefore I do use according to that disdâ—iâ—fâ—l term of Reproach such a farrago of Scriptures hodge podge as they are tagged together If the same imputation is endeavoured to be fastened on me as was on those Jer. 20. 7. Mat. 27. 63. 2. Cor. 6. 8. My answer is the same for I speak all along out of the Word of Truth and make use of the Armour of Righteousness on the right Hand and on the left Do not blame me but let the Prophet Ezekiel arise forth and answer for himself as one that would bring in Heathenism and destroy the true Worship of God for what he saith so emphatical in his seventeenth Chapter on behalf of the King of Babylon according to humane apprehension but in Truth he speaks for the Oath and Covenant of God In vers 15. the matter of fact is recited particularly which may in like manner be applyed by one who knows the exact series of the affairs of our Time and three Questions are asked in short which imply a strong Negative as it accordingly fell out so that they did not prosper nor yet escape who did such things nor were they delivered There was some mean time between the Prophets speaking this and it being accomplished Nay do ye not accuse him neither least your Murmurings are against the Spirit of God which spake by him Who for further Illustration and Confirmation of this point doth in several other places speak expresly against a false Oath And there was not to be any breach nor absolution from it for outward conveniency or temporal advantage as in case of the Gibeonites Jepthas Vow and what may be gathered from Judges 21. 5 7. concerning the Tribe of Ephraim And then further let People take heed of provoking God to Anger by limiting the Holy One of Israel as if Deliverance was begun already and must be accomplished by such an Instrument only for herein they speak without the Book of the Lord why what saith that Wilt not thou O God which hadst cast us off And thou O God which didst not go out with our Armies Give us help from Trouble for vain is the help of man Psal 60. 10 11. And so likewise false and sinful is our fear or if it were true and reasonable yet vain is the Opposition of Man For if things were done as they indeed ought only according to the Principles of Restitution and Justice the exact rules of Righteousness and Wisdom purely out of Obedience to God and the Word of his Grace we should be all safe under the Divine Providence and Protection so that we may be bold to do Righteous things and trust our God with the event of all Psal 4. 5. This is better and more safe than to venture upon evil and unlawful means and so subject themselves to present confusion and future Punishment for if such an one is restored to his civil Right he may see the Work of the Lord how Judgement is returned to Righteousness and hereby he may be brought over to the pure and uncorrupt Religion to which he may be the sooner won over by the honest dealing of the true and sincere Members thereof But if his Heart be to do Mischief Dan. 11. 27. and to practise Revenge and Cruelty there is a God above who according to his workings and methods of old may suffer his People for a while to be minished and brought low through Oppression Affliction and Sorrow He poureth contempt upon Princes yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction Psal 107. 39 40 41. It is said in the plural number and he may so over-rule it by a clear ordaining Providence pursuant to his revealed Word The Land shall be forsaken of both her Kings Isa 7. 16. And then also will this be found true so that we our selves glory in you in the Churches of God for your Patience and Faith in all your Persecutions and Tribulations that ye endure which is a manifest token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be accounted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer seeing it is a Righteous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you 2. Thes 1. 4 5 6. so that admitting it should be thus Here is the Faith and Patience of the Saints that they will rather choose affliction than to commit Sin and will not refrain from doing Righteous Things though they did know and were assured it would bring suffering on them for such indeed and none else will be accounted Worthy of the Kingdom of God for which they suffer But if Men will trust to the methods of their own Wisdom till they are run out and themselves are confounded and bafled And will either before or afterwards use some unlawful Means to preserve themselves from or get out of Persecution God will proceed to do a marvelous Work amongst this People even a marvelous Work and a Wonder that the Wisdom of these wise Men shall Perish and