they esteem their liberty and in their hearts they are turned back into Aegypâ— they lust to follow their old manners in life and Religion seeding upon garlick and omons and do loath those pure and heavenly dispensations of spiritual truth where with we are sed dayly and call the spiritual food light manna desiring to live in darkness and consusion in their own understandings despising rejecting and persecuting the Lord Iesus in his members and therefore they are spiritually called Sodom and Aegypt where also our Lord was crucified but tho Lord faith unto all such he wil smite them with the pestilence and difinherit them and it may be so because of their great wrath and hatred against the Lords people who are very dâ—â—â— and render unto him * Exo. 4 22. 19.5 Zech 2.8 Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.12 6.17 2.16 ult 1 John 2.27 Psal 105.14.15 They are his first born his pecâ—â—dâ—â—â—-treasure and jewels and who so toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye they are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone they are one body and have one spirit and the mind of Christ having the same annoynting God hath repâ—â—â—ed Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine annainted nor do nay Prophets no harâ—â— And yet some who are their servants act most against them for about five years fince December next a messenger of special trust in the Parliament service going in at the head quarters at Winsor was by a Lievt of Drâ—goons and some of his company then with him in the Parliament service surprized and driveâ— back to Sloâ—gh where the said Lein took the State Letters from him brake them open Communicated them to ethers and kept them together with the messenger in ducance all night Some of the Kings forces then quartering at Maidenhead and the Leiut at Horton near Winsor Most part of the night being spent in Carowsing of healths ribaldry songs and discourses between him and his Souldery Mean while one of his company told the messenger that he knew no reason of the War between the King and the Parliament except it were to exhaust the treasure and strength of a generation of Tub-preachers who at present disturbed all things in the Parliament the Army in London and in the whole Kingdom and he said these Tub-Preachers intended to abolish the book of Common-prayer to put down Organs in the Minsters and did preach in houseâ— persâ—â—uring Gods faithful Ministers with imprisonment and named Doctor Oldsworth and some others And said that when these Tub-men were brought lâ—w he did not doubt but the King the Army and the Parliament would agree in one for they were all of one Religion and would suppress all who were contrary unto them The said messenger procured the said Leiut to be taken into custody the next morning until he should be tryed by a Counsel of War for his said fact He did also faithfully declare the whole business before a Committee oâ— Lords and Commons and the Militia of London at Haberd shers Hall And the last year one who had been very lavish in speaking reproachiully against the Parliament the Kingdom and this their Army taxing them with Heresy and Blasphâ—â—â—y urging it without any distinction in much bietemess against the godly party in general being asked what he thought of divers eminent Preachers together with other Christians who were then nominated unto him being persons unblameable and suitable to the Gospel both for their Doctrine and Conversation He answered that those and all such as they were were the vilest of all men the basest and very worst of all the rest and that they would make them appear to be so unto all men very shortly but God hath disappointed them and some of the chielest of them who had brought up an evil report upon our parliament their Army and the rest of Gods people â—â—rring up the multitude to murmur and practise evil against them have died of the plague before the Lord Num. 14 37. v. 20. even as they did who stirred up Israel to murmur against Gods instruments even Moses and Aaron whereas the Parliament and their Army also are likewise instruments in Gods hand to accomplish his own work Hab. 2 3. even his great work in Gods due time For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lye though it tarry waite for it because it wil surely come it wil not tarry No not so much as one day beyond the appointed time Exod. 12.41 Heb. 10.38 Now the just shal live by faith but if any man draw back though unbelief my soul saith the Lord shal have no pleasure in him But let us not cause to entreat the Lord to forgive the iniquity of this people that according unto the greatness of his mercy the wrath may be removed the nation cured Neighbour Seeing we must now part I pray shew what goods means ought all and each of Gods people to use for the removing of Gods Judgments and the setling of a well grounded peace personal and national Frien. I shal conclude this point with some short observations out of these Scriptures Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a shame to any people Prov. 14.34 Cap. 10.9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his way shal be known These Scriptures concernes the duty of each particular person Righteousness and uprightness go hand in hand and they cannot be severed Righteousness more generally relateth to men of authority who sit at the stern of Government to guide the publick in a right course by executing justice and judgment to every one in an even and just ballance but as righteousness relates to each particular Christian being the subject in whom it is it floweth from an inward principle of the holy Ghost in a sanctified heart and is one of the pillars of Gods Kingdom which consisteth in righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14 17 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men Here is peace passing all understanding and acceptation with God yea this righteousness secureth and comforteth us with joy unspeakable in the holy Ghost so powerfully from within acting that outwardly also which is approved of men who seeing our good works even as a light shining before them do glorifie our Father which is in heaven the righteous have a promise to be kept in the way even in Gods way for * Prov. 11.3.5 6 the integrity of the upright shal guid them yea the righteousness of the perfect shal direct or rectifie his way and shal deliver them such do love God sincerely and have not only a promise of present grace but of a future supply thereof Eph. 6.24 and ver 5 6. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity sincerity puts the heart into a righteous frame and keeps it
THE RIGHT WAY TO PEACE shewing the Art of Over-coming one another by LOVE In a Dialogue between a Friend and his Neighbour Humbly presented to the Right Honourable THE LORDS and COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT AND To the whole Nation by their old and faithfull Servant in the Publick THEODORE JENNINGS London Printed for Giles Calvert 1647 THE Right way to Peace shewing The Art of overcomming one another by Love In a Dialogue between a Friend and his Neighbour Friend WELL overtaken neighbour whither away Neighbour I am going to beare Gods Word preached by a very â—â—lous and powerfull Preacher Friend I pray you shew me wherein his zeale and powerfull preaching consisteth Neigh. He deales very sharply against those that dissent from him telling us that such blasphemous Hereticks will corrupt as who are ignorant and saith that like an ill weed they have over-run all the Land but especially the Army Friend Is this all his zeale and powerfull preaching and wherein doth he say those Hereticks do blaspheme Neigh. No he is learned jealous and powerfull in elegant expressions shewing how Christ died for us upon the Crosse and hath justified us from our sins and that if we will beleeve we shall be saved and accepted by his Mediation and Intercession for us unto God the Father Wherein he sheweth us how the blasphemous Hereticks say moreover that they are led by the spirit and that all men that shall be saved must have the Spirit of God and an inward principle of new â—ight and they say they are carried out no further to do or act any thing to God in Jesus Christ then from what they Receive into them by the Spirit and say they have the mind of Christ and do therby know and understand the things of God which otheâ—â—â—â—ithâ—â— do 〈…〉 know and he 〈…〉 were but zealous and faithfull to God and their owne 〈◊〉 they would suppresse these blasphemous Hereticks Friend There are many now adayes that can story out the Gospell with very elegant expressions to catch the ignorant with the â—nticing words of mans wisdom yet these do persecute Gods faithfull one with 〈◊〉 of spirit stirring up others to joyne with them and are not affraid to bring râ—â—ling accusations against them which the Arch-angell 〈◊〉 not do against the Devill Jude 6. and by this manner of teaching they rob God of his honour and the Gospell of its power And unto such the Apostle Paul saith My speech and my preaching was not with the enticing or perswâ—sible 〈…〉 but in demonstration of the spirit and power 〈◊〉 your faith should not stand in the Wisdom of men 〈◊〉 the power of God And therefore Neighbour I pity you for your ignorance in calling his bitternesse zeale and his elegant expression powerfull preaching and I pray such as he is for 〈…〉 subtilty and cruelty in persecuting the Saints and leave 〈◊〉 to God the righteous Judge of all 〈…〉 will 〈…〉 or rebuke them Neigh. I thank you for your plain 〈…〉 me because of my ignorance I would 〈…〉 the truth I pray you 〈◊〉 me the error of 〈◊〉 Friend The 〈◊〉 is in giving Gods 〈…〉 and not Gospell names as Believers 〈…〉 and Brethren all names shewing forth Gods 〈…〉 in Jesus Christ and their 〈◊〉 towards one another 〈…〉 A second 〈◊〉 is 〈…〉 they are led by the spirit and that all men that shall be saved must have the Spirit of God and an inward principle of new light Whereas the Apostle Paul Rom. 8.14 saith As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God And vers 9 If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Again All Gods people must have an inward principle of new light 2 Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away behold all things are become new And if all things are become new Gods people must have an inward principle of new light Know therefore that what we receive from the first Adam by generation is old and old things are past away Only what we enjoy in the second Adam by â—â—generation is become new So that there is no truth 〈◊〉 from Gods Word then this that all Gods people are to have an inward principle of new light New in Christ If 〈…〉 Christ he is a new creature And not become new in some things but in all things Behold all things are become new behold it with admiration and pry into it believingly Thou art wholly become new thy light is become 〈…〉 all that is in thee is new Thou art born again John 3.36 1 Pet. 2.2 Ephes 4.23 2 Sam. 16.23 Thou art born of the Spirit Thou art new born Thou art renewed in the spirit of thy mind And if not That light which is in thee is 〈◊〉 and then how great accomplishments soever thou 〈◊〉 of humane learning and wisdom though thou speakest as an 〈◊〉 yet with Aâ—â—itophel thou art but miserable And then as our Saviour saith Mat 6.23 c. If therefore that light that is in thee be darknesse how great is that darknesse A third errour is in his taxing such of Heresie as say they are no 〈◊〉 out to believe or act any thing to God in Christ Jesus then from what they receive into them by the Spirit and that they have the mind of Christ and do thereby know and understand the things of God which others neither do nor 〈◊〉 know Whereas this truth also hath appeared in the 〈◊〉 in all ages and is asserted by the Apostâ—e Paul where he saith We leaving the same spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 according as it is 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 believed and therefore I have spoken we also believe and therefore speak Rom. 8.15 and again 〈…〉 received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry 〈◊〉 Father It is the 〈◊〉 priviledg of the Apostle and all the Saints with him weâ—â—ven we are no further carried out to beleeve or act any 〈◊〉 to God in Christ Jesus then from what we receive into 〈…〉 the Spirit 1 Cor. 6.19 20 Again he saith What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost in you which ye 〈◊〉 of God and ye are not your own For ye are bought with 〈◊〉 therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are God Again They that are joyned unto the Lord are one Spirit and therefore they have the mind of Christ and do 〈◊〉 know and understand the thiings of God which 〈◊〉 wether do nor can know this most blessed 〈…〉 truth wil clearly appear in the Saints Union with 〈…〉 He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit and he 〈◊〉 Spirit hath the same mind and therefore hath 〈◊〉 Christâ—t is an impression of the same Spirit that maltâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—â—ness in the Spirit of the Beleever with Jesus Christ 〈…〉 what the Lambs mind is in giving glory to God the 〈◊〉 and hath been the mind of
so such doing all things in singleness of heart as unto Christ and not with eye service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Righteous and just men are obedient unto all lawful and just commands in their several relations and places among men even as all the creatures do readily obey the word of the Lord. It was the Centurions argument unto our Lord Jesus to command and his servant should be healed and he gives an instance not only from his own duty but also from his own command and their integrity that were under his authority saying I am a man under authority Mat 8 8 9. having soldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to mother come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it And therefore he much more beleeveth that our Lord Jesus Christ by his soveraign authority over all the creatures having all power in himself might but give the word of command and he should be obeyed and therefore he saith do but speak the word only and my servant shal be healed and it was so accordingly unto him so then those even all those who are faithful and upright wil obey the word of Command in their several relations wherein God hath placed them both in respect of their duty towards God himself and also towards all men And thus we see that he that walketh uprightly walketh surely such decline neither to the right hand nor to the left but he that perverteth his way shal be known God wil discover him sooner or later if he walketh in hypocrisie but if he fall into open prophaness he discovereth himself and bearing thorns and briers is rejected Heb. 6.8 and is high unto cursing whose end is to be burned Even as the good tree that bringeth forth good fruit doth inherit the blessing his uprightness doth bring forth righteousness also thus righteousness exalteth a Nation that is that Nation or Kingdom that is governed uprightly in righteousness justice and judgment it is exalted and thus the Judges who judged Israel righteously being set up immediatly by God exalted that nation all their days And so did David and Jehoshaphat and all the good Kings of Israel Jehoshaphat set Judges in the Land and said to the Judges 2 Chro. 14.5 6 7. Take heed what ye do for ye judg not far man but for the Lord who is with you in the judgment Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you take beed and do it for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts And they exalted Israel all their days yea righteousnes exalteth each person and their family we see it in Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph Levi Rahab Ruth Mordecay and Hester So that as all unders and governors even so every one of Gods people among us are to shew forth righteousness in their several Relations Callingâ—â— this is the way not only to exaltation but also to have the denomination of righteousness and so it is written He that doth righteousness is righteous 1 Joh. 3.7 This is the way to exale this nation and to settle a wel-grounded peace and to makeall things go wel with us in this and the other Kingdoms â— as it is said unto Shallum the son of Josia Shall thou reigâ—◠〈◊〉 thou closest thy self in Cedar Jer. 22.15 16. Did not thy father 〈◊〉 and drink and do judgment and justice and them 〈◊〉 wel with him He judged the cause of the poor and needy them it was wel with him was not this to know me saith the Lord Yea what doth the Lord require of that Mich. 6.8 but to do justly to love mercy and to walk hambly with thy God Again all those that work righteousness are the Seminaries of peace the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace yea our blessed Savior saith Blessed are the peace makers for they shal be called the children of God Mat. 5.8 That peace that floweth from righteousness is a sure mark of our adoption and consequently of a most blessed 〈◊〉 and lasting peace unto that person or nation O then let us henger and thirst after righteousness and we shal not only be blessed but also filled with it then our righteousnes wil run down as a mighty stream unto all persons in all places and rehations withoutnespect of persont And the work of right â—â—â—sneâ—ss shal he peace and the effect of righteousness â—pâ—ietness and assurâ—â—de for ever â— Isa 32 17. Thus shal righteousness exalt our nation But sin is a shame to any people this is the best fruit of sin to be ashamed of it O therefore take heed that thou art not one of them that have a whoresforehead and refuse so to be ashamed all such shal become a shame and a reproach unto themselves and unto men and angels and before Jesus Christ sin is a shame unto all or to any people personal or national when he or they continued in sin it brought them very low by sin all nations joyntly have been over thrown and destroyed as in Noahs Flood Severally it overthrew Sodom and the Cities about it Personally not only Haman Achitophel Absalom Judas and King Herod but also Achan and his whole family O how often it overthrew and destroy'd Gods own people the nation of the Jews Sin overthrew that mighty monarchy of Babylon and all its glory yea it wil destroy all the world of wicked men and spiritual Babylon shal be quite overthrown by their sin and become a perpetual shame Wherefore come out from among them 2 Cor. 6.17 18 and he yâ— sâ—â—â—â—r ate saith the Lord and touch not the uncleâ—â— thâ—â—g 〈◊〉 is an unclean thing it befits not Gods children who are to be holy as their Father which is in heaven is holy all unrighteousness is sin especially the unrighteousness and cruel soul-murthering sin of that scapleâ— whore who doth also shed the blood of the Saints and is therefore most unclean O let us touch no unclean thing And I wil receive you and wil be a Father unto you and you shal be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloveil lâ—t us cleanse our selves from all filâ—â—â—â—ss of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fâ—â— of God Yea let every one of us in particular shew forth our uprightness in being examples of righteousness unto each other in our entire walking with the Lord in all his wayes in soul and body and spirit in our several places and relations And then our righteous God according as he hath testified unto us will exalt our nation and wil settle unto us a firm and wel-grounded peace Thus righteousness shal exalt our nation for he that walketh uprightly walketh surely Amen Imprimatur Gilb. Mabbot 14º Octobr. 1647. FINIS