Priests Prophets Samuel Moses Aaron David and Daniel now Peter Paul James and John again yet not without the old Spirit the Spirit of his Son God who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in times past by the fathers the Prophets hath in these last times spoken to us by his Son Heb. 1. 1. You the great Saints of England and glory of the world we would intreat you on the knee again and again yea beseech you in the bowels of love yea the God of love and the mercies of that God Rom. 12. 2 for his own and the honour of his and the poor gifted Saints sake that you would all pull off your Crowns of honour for an hour as once the poor fishers did their great bootes to follow Christ else it would have been but slow And you my Lord Protector What if you should begin in this high and low work and give us in your own Person one short and sweet Sermon now at White-Hall as late you did to your own Family we would say King David were on earth again and put in their murmuring no more at your present greatnesse who did a meaner thing in dancing before the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6. 16. My Lord look to the Canopies above and down again to White-Hall yea your self and what are you though so great a Saint more than a worm gnat nothing Isa 41. 14. Yet may you Nothing this way honour him that is what he is and doth what he pleases in heaven and in earth yea in hell amongst and with Saints Angels men and divels yea every living thing as well things that are not winds Seas storm fire hail ice snow yea day and night for they are all his too Psal 74. 16. This one Being and Being of all Beings may you poor Nothing yet preach and our good Lord Jesus who once becaâ—e nothing to serve and make you and us all Kings Priests and Prophets to our God by his blood Rev. 1. 6. Not that above once or twice we desire this work of honour from and for you to preach this God that every moment rides the circle of the heavens Isa 40. 22. upon the mighty wings and Chariots of the windes that drawes or drives the cloudâ— hither and thither yea the Seas where he wills quite from off the earth and flings them down again upon the Prayers of his people when and where he please as lately now when man and beast was mourning yea every senslesse creature dying yea the earth it self yauning wide as if that and all would dye yea dye they would and dye they must at once but God prevented all for his peoples sake and said live again Oh that men would praise his Name and sing again his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. a Psalm for your soul in secret but a Sermon it is we beg yea one at at least from you my Lord and the Princes among the people yea the Saints of the most high God Dan. 7. 27 shall imitate you all for the honour of the work Nathaniel Pickering Wooslâ—y Sadler and Sir Henry Vane all which and many more could and can pray and Preach bravelie and if all Jacob be but one worm to the God of Jacob 't is no dishonour to these choice bitts of this worm to praise their Maker once or twice at the least in the great Congregations and the Assemblies of the Saints which David hints so often at as his own practice in a soul exalting way of glorie I will praise thee in the Congregation yea in the great Congregation of the people yea among the Gods Psal 111. 1. and 138. 1. I will do it and will not you Gods your selves once at the Prayers of all Saints as Paul speaks in another case God forbid you or any should be ashamed of a good Master and what is it else that some princes stick at Come come it will be an honour one day to come bowing to the Saints and lick the dust of their feet yea the meanest work for Christ and them will be an honour for the greatest Monarchs in the world yea to preach this King of kings that hath this Name written on his thigh The Word of God Rev 19. 13. and 16. Read ye often the sixtie of Isaiah but let us come down from these gods to the people yea to the Saints that may tend it best and most to them we have a word Be as the tree or river in the Paradise of God Rev. 2. 7. Watering and feeding yea feed and water yea that have gifts all the rest yea all the Church of God over which you are made in your own proper places Overseers a high glory so to be Acts 20. 28. but begin at the 17. verse and mark well the whole Chapter The Angels never were but servants to bring newes or carry Saints to their home Heb. 1. 14. and how sweetly did they sing for joy of this glorying in the Work Luk. 29. And what may you say Oh yee dust of Jacob who are all of you together lesse then the least of the mercies of a God Gen. 32. 10. Your God we mean and your work we are at that is to Preach him up sin Satan death and Devils down yea to their own places I mean the sorrowes of the Saints and the works of darknesse all which are to be Preached down and Christ up from the grave of death and hell with the keyes of both in his hand Rev. 1. 18. This Lord and these keyes must you Preach up yea the power now in his hand and in his hand alone over sin Satan curse grave Law men devils Saints and Angels things present and to come yea over all these he is King for ever and hath wholly and solely the power of and over these things souls and consciences of men That is one thing my Brethren you are now called to Preach up by the first born which do call on you from the rising of the light life and love of God now in their souls and therefore do not scruple Oh ye Kings of the East Rev. 16. 12. but come forth as the morning Sun in the glory of your gifts and graces and the Spirit of the Son and Father and Preach up all three the Father in his love Iohn 3. 16. the Son in his merit 1 Tim. 1. 18. yea and the fruits joyes life and power of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. converting and convincing killing saving damning and destroying powers burning up and burning down like devouring fire in and on the soul the world and all the works of flesh flaming up to the heavens the righteousnesse of men much more pride hypocrâ—sie self and the foolishnesse of and in man every whereas he turns from one form to another resting more than he ought therein Well and who is now free fit and sufficient for this thing but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3. 5. And he hath appointed for good men every one to
and let ever some of these true travellers of and for Sion be travelling to one place or another Preaching to and enquiring after Saints and their walkings all along the rode alighting still to visite every sick and afflicted one This will be as a Messenger of a thousand did a brother so come to a Saint sick or dying he would be received as an Angel of God as Paul speaks in another case what a Messenger from the Saints ten twenty or thirty miles to visite me like Sion whom no man regarded Jer. 30. 17. For my poverty or weaknesse surely the Lord alone sent him as Joseph said to his brethren but never take this journy without the State gifted Brethren Saints and as many Christians hands as may conveniently be got of the neighbourhood yea the Ministers if it can be got and half a dozen of honest men going to him may do much if he be a good one else take it not by no means and let this with a godly Justice be by the States order to impower you to command the keyes in any place Church or Chapel now in England in case the Ministers or Church-wardens be malignantly opposite and upon their and the Constables perill let it be if any should be wronged going so forth And this is the main work of all we would be at and not so much preach where there is little need unlesse it be to improve our time and talents yea never where there is an able Minister but a little before he comes and after and yet we would have a care of tyring men too much a six a clock Lector may do well in any mans Church in the Summer mornings John 8. 1 and 2. Psal 63. 2. and perswade the Minister to come or send his servants rather he himself may be busie in his study and let all consider if want be within three or four miles off London some Chappels quite shut up others none but Masse Priests Common-prayer men that can preach and pray no more than a cat to any purpose to supply them what want then must needs be twenty miles round well you see your work we your willingnesse for the work The Lord be with one all and every one of you in your journeys yea the mighty God of Jacob Gen. 19. 24. Make you strong against all oppositions from men or divels yea the beast of Ephesus which Paul fought so often with 1 Cor. 15. 32. harmlesse and wise as serpents in the managing of your gifts and Liberty Mat. 10. 16. successefull as the primitive Saints Acts 2. 46. 47. through the zeal of Paul who became all to all men to gain some 1 Cor. 9. 22. caught and begot many by gile 2 Cor. 12. 16. beged and beseeched them to Christ by the mercy of God Rom. 12. 2. to whose mercies loves armes joyes and blessings gracious presence and assistance we commit you by prayer and let all be sent forth so and let them follow you yea every one of you which are willing to spend and be spent for Christ 2 Cor. 12. 15 which none almost minds besides Phil. 2. 21. O Christ how few owns thee in this Nation called by thy Nam How few lives to thee that profess much sweet Jesus our deerest dear keep them that do from all enemies as in an Ammunition of rocks Isa 3â— 10. Let bread be given to them their work and water never fail Amen Amen Lord Jesus Christ IF any unsatisfied man or men without pride self or passion would seriously read squier Shepherds little book Called the peoples Priviledge and Duty guarded against the Pulpit and Preachers increachment never answer to any purpose but as one Lawyer doth a lost cause who must say something to please his simple cliant who hath fed and feed him all along yea a little balling pleases some when mony and cause is both lost and it may be still some will shoot against the light of the Spirit but take heed of looking too much against this truth or those Arrows which self pride parts or malice may shute upwards at it but read squier Shepherd once or twice soberly over you that are willing to be satisfied in these truths which doth and shall prevail and now though the sea rores Psal 46. 3 4. and makes a noise yet will we be glade there is a river the streams thereof shall refresh the City and Citizens of our God that are now dwelling on mount Sion and not Sinai in Arabia the wildernesse of strife and bondage Gal. 4. 24 25 26. And now if the drift of this be erroneous for a wanton Spirit or against our Lord Jesus whip us at the cart or hang us up in chains till we and our names rot and this is our Petition also to you the high and great Councel of these Nations yea good my Lord do one or the the other for us it is the onely way to get our hearts to purpose why should you loose the choicest thing under heaven next to the heart of God and we the main fruit of all our travell blood and treasure O my Lord the night comes when none can work John 9 4. Remember that ye sleepie virgins of Sion Awake awake for our deliverance O Arm of the Lord Isa 51. 9 10. and let all the Churches now in London yea in England hear what the Spirit sayes to them Rev. 2. 29. in this day of their visitation W. B. A Hint of some Texts we fain would be at Col. 3. 11. HE is all and in you all Christ is all in all in and to himself and in the eye of the Father and working of the Spirit he is all and in all to his Saints the last and present help and hope of siâ—ners he is the light life and gâ—ory of the world the image of the Father the Son Rock Well Water Spring Morning Star light life and comfort of the Saints all in all to them in his Names and Titles sweet Jesus Lord Jesus anointed Christ God-Man Man-God Immanuel with and â—n us Titles King of for and in the Saints to keep save help and deliver all Believers from sin death hell flames men divels dangers grave sting curse and curses Law fears bondage and captivity yea a Priest to pray day and night he interceeds continually when we do and cannot at the Throne of grace if we live die or sin he is still our intercessoâ— a Prophet to us when we pray preach study minde think or meditate that is sweet heaven comes down soul goes up world laid by we dye live and contemplate our God but Christ is all in all in health sicknesse wealth plenty want poverty all cases of all kindes whatsoever yea in life and death Christ is all and he that hath him shall not cannot dye nor lye long in the grave John 11. 26. and it is dead whilst he lives and shall live when he dyes with to and before the throne of God and the Lamb singing glory praise honour and salvation Palmleaves white Robes throng of Angels Rev. 7. 9. Wicked men dying so curse gnaw cry houl tear damn roar with in and among brimstone pitch rosin worm conscience satire scrich owle divels fighting flying teeth gnashing damned souls crying altogether frying for refusing Christ who is all in all little pleasure profit stories vaâ—n glories crownes Kingdomes names fames capps knees bowings melancholly musick joyes toyes moments pleasure earthly treasures sweet meat soure saâ—eâ— What is all to he and and what is he to nothing t'other nothing gets nothing loses all for nothing Oh Christ be my portion what will all avail me when I come to dye or a little thatch he whose goods wife children are all burnt by a fire their welfare thee lesse if thy soul misearry for want of this All. This and these Texts we fain would be at Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1. 29. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Col. 1. 3 4. And when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory Jud. 20 buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich Rev. 3 18. Build up â—re another in your most holy faith what shall it profite a man to gain the world and loose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. I sleep but my heart wakes Cant. 5 2. Bear you one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. Vnlesse a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3. 3. The night comes when none can work John 9. 3. Speak not evill of dignities Jud. 8. Wo be to you when all men speak well of you Luk. 6. 26. Every man seeks his own things but none the things of Christ Phil. 2. 21. Thy loving kindnesse is better then life therefore my lips shall praise thee Psal 63. 3. God is love and they that dwell in God dwell in love 1 John 4 16 I have fought the good slght I have finished my course henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory 2 Tim. 4. 7. If any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. Yet when ye have done all say ye are unprofitable servants Luk. 17. 10. I am come into my garden my sister my spouse Amen even so come Lord Jesus Can. 5. 1. Rev. 22. 20. Thâ—se Texts and no other by the grace of God would we Preach and study but if cursed be the man that doth the destroying work of God negligently Jer. 48. 10. much more he that hinders this wilfully but we are ready not onely to be bound but to dye for Christ at Jerusalem yea welcome all for him Acts 21 13. FINIS
Spirit their hearts being warmed with the breath thereof might not they then add a word or two of their experience O how sweet would that be from the sence of Gods love so to do one hour before or after would fit us for or fasten those things which now too soon we loose thus might we prophesie how sweet and lovely would the Assemblies of the people be yea how primitive like then would all our deerest brethren return again never more to separate from us but would be as lamps and pillars in our Assemblies And why may not these Jewels and their Lustre shine as well there as where few resort O my Lord bring them forth that have lyen among the pots they will be as doves whose feathers are covered with yellow gold yea let the world see the gifts and graces of the sonnes of Sion more precious than choice silver say unto them upon whom the glory of the Lord is risen arise and shine for their feet are beautifull and their God will be admired yea then will Satan and his Kingdom fall like lightening before the Spirit of the Lord men will not disdain the Saints nor perish for want of knowledge as now they doe whilst they think they have as much as any not knowing what the Saints through grace doe then will the boules of the Temple be usefull indeed other men have laid them by but bring them you out that every one may drink from their experience the waters of life receive the bread of life for that is that we promise now to break and nothing of self further be it from us ever to broach schism faction treason or rebellion yea any thing more than one thing our Lord Jesus Christ his loves and loveliness yea nothing but faith Christ his righteousnesse healing and practicall points we promise to preach nothing else but these things and the humility of Christ for our example nor will we ever slight those stars that â—ed us first to him no no they that travelled with us and pointed out the Lamb of God before us shall never be forgotten if they will be quiet they are our Fathers and woâ—thâ—â—wel of double honor yea we will ever â—ow to tâ—em as Joseph did to Jacob. And now my Lord our old Friend and good Friend will you hear will you help us your â—â—llow members once again in this â—iâ—k of time why should others have the honour from you try and try us by whom you please yea set up such as may do it and the God of heaven set up you in the hearts of his My Lord we fear not the touch many will be â—â—t though most are not so in any measure leâ— them be unbyassed not all of the Cleargy and try us while they will they will find men enough we desire not to run before so sent by you or they nor then out of our calling to the charge of the Nation but here and there as Providence leads to witnesse for the Truth most in our Parishes where our walking is known O my Lord this were Christian liberty indeed this were to be freed from Antichrist to purpose Men talk as if after all we should go back again far be that from the Israel of God and as far be it from you to withhold your hand from this work of his give us this Jewell long lost make up this breach and give us liberty as in the dayes of old and then we will lift up our heads yea voices and sing together yea we will never more complain but sing the songs of Sion and her deliverance fully come and under God and Christ you shall have the glory yea the glory of all we are or have in this particular Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands so have you but Solomon built the Temple and so have you when these tryed stones are laid in every place yea you have then done more for Christ the Saints the World the Souls of men than all the Christian Kings and Princes that ever was none has had a heart nor none has had a hand for this nor none are in memory of Saints to purpose but you shall be for ever yea let our tongues cleave to the roofe of our mouthes if we forget your labour of love in this particular yea though we or some of us have railed at you yea prayed to blast you in your late Proceedings yet will we â—â—g you in our bosomes and say you are more righteous than thousands To wind up all you know our mindes consult not with â—â—esh and blood nor byassed men The Lord Jesus and his Spirit hold you close to the rule keep you waking night by night on your bed to weigh our Petition and if it be right hear us as ever he should hear you in your heart-sick-dying hour when you and this world must part O my Lord hear us we are his though all of his are not with us yet thousands are and why and how can be against us the Word and Spirit is for us yea God himself My sons and my daughters shall Prophesie be not you against us nâ—d none but you can hinder yea against him who hath been your salvation all along yea and them too which at your command have shed blood and lost blood life limbes and relations yea and all upon this account more than any Israel never fought with Amalek on so low account as pay nor we with our neighbours for vineyards shadows and titles no no let it never be said in Gath nor published in the streets of Askalum here or in other countries we destroyed towns cities fired houses spilt the blood of millions and sent souls to heâ—on so low account one valley ful of sculs and bones are more worth than these besides former vowes would be minded and in this the main is paid death would be minded and for this you may take comfort judgment would be minded and for this you may expect a Crown if for any work under heaven O my Lord to have a Crown from Christ with this saying Weldone and Welcome when Kings and Captains shall run to the rocks hills and mountains This is considerable may such considerations ever well in great ment hearts and flatterers far from all your Councels for if you should miscarry good had it been if you had never been or any thing but what you are The Name of Christ the honour of God the expectation of the Saints the eyes of all the nations round about are more on you than any man on earth the Lord God Almighty and the Prayers of his People lead you and your Councel in all wayes of well-doing LEt us now treat a little with the people of the Nation I mean common Protestants that do confesse Christ and that is all and me thinks we hear most of them rail laugh and jear others judging and condemning us for proud fooles and hypocrites and such as if â—et alone will spoil the
Spirit hath done it And why may not this be a providence or sign this piece of Babels Temple falling when a Sparrow fals not otherwise Mat. 10. 29. which they say hath stood so many hundred yeares it is strange why should it fall now in the rising of the Saints the coming forth of the Spirit or the zealous persecuting of the worshippers but to receive wounds in our names holy worships and Christian prophesying as schismaticks hereticks giddie gaddie headie ignorant factious foolish and blasphemous men opposers of all government and all for our holy worship as we think from God and according to the mind of God yea for all these wounds in the houses of our friends Zech. 13. 6. this wounds our soules double as it were This present Simile and fall may prognosticate something our prayer and prayers shall be that you nor your Temple may never be left to outward judgements much lesse your Sacrifice be loathed or any thing hid from your eyes yea all our eyes that may concern your present much more your future weal and happinesse yea we will ever pray that they that see may say and they that say may see what they doe in the day of their visitation yea temptation to all that dwell on the earth or elsewhere below the true God life light and love of God and those wherein this light life and love is daily manifested which heaven froward men neither doe nor can know or did they ever yet now are fallen not as the Angels to bondage and darknesse God forbid or from the Olive either the love and sweetnesse life joyes and fatnesse once of communion with the Vine our head and husbands presence and embraces which makes and keeps our beds and graces heads gifts hearts joyes and glories lovely green and fruitful yea our bed being so by his rising on in and with us our hearts joyes hopes helps are alwayes near us nor may nor can we then be touchie vain wanton sinful or idle yea men may say what they please doe what they please tempt while they please men and devils all but we charge you doe not awaken our beloved till he please Cant. 2. 7. yea once again we charge you by the Roes and the Hindes the leaping of our hearts the joyes of our souls all which are as in a pleasant field a specious and spacious place of liberty where our souls are sported over hils and dales high and low promises all chased and set home upon us by the Spirit but awake not our beloved untill he pleases Yet let us about and about the mountain of spices Cant 8 14. until the day break and all these shadows of sin temptations accusations and sorrows flie all away which for the present the body bed head and whole soul is filled and laden sometimes by friends who through envie would fain wake our beloved but still our bed is grâ—en and fruitful none of these things can cause uncleannesse unclean things may yea do often come out of mens beds and mouths seemingly green like ours this may and can be must and will be but can an unclean thing or action word or thought much more reproach shame sinful evil surmisings false lies and slanders with bitter invectives the brats of Babell begotten with strife pride ill-will and envie on beds of ignorance seemingly green all bastards by bondage and the bond-womans sonnes But Mount Sion the sonnes of her whose beds are green and really so do nor can bring forth any of these unclean spirits or the evil of them love joy and the fruits of love longings and forbearance without envie or evil for any but good will for all yea and good for evil the best of good we can we wish to our enemies whilest we pray for our friends we forget not our selves t is true nor the worst of them neither the falsenesse of them that kisse and smite us love us as their lives and leave us at an hour But we will run on nor off no more from our brethren onely close up the point you know what you must preach up and what down when you go about the work which the Lord set you forward for and assist you in Christ must be preached up in his Kinglie Office all power in his hands it may be Church keyes and all Isai 22. 22. Yet some are too busie and claim more than Peter ever did lock out and lock in worse many times But self and all of self must be preached down the loves of God the coming of the Spirit the Sonnes Merit and tumbling down of Pauls we mean Gods leaving of the froward heart and worshippers but this latter with abundance of caution not loudly nor angerly or seemingly zealous in carriage or countenance bitterly so I mean but with one hand alwayes on your heart in a begging way of consideration ever presse this point be sure to do it in a love-Dove like winning way yea let this holy Spirit breath in you all and live at rest in you all then you must be quiet with all men Rom. 12. 18. self condition and relation Phil. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 6. 7. rather suffer wrong never do any Ier. 22. 3. You must make peace and follow it with and for all men 1 Pet. 3. 11. If you will Preach the God of peace and our Lord Jesus the Prince of peace Isa 9. 8. hear nor tell no newes that may tend to strife Prov. â—6 20. Say it is not so sure you are mistaken Ah but he was weak or angry be sure you be free from pride and covetousnesse the sin of many Preachers Prov 16. 18. Prov. 29. 23. Luk 12. 25. Heb. 13. 5. 1 Cor. 6. 10. do not flye too high nor lye too low in your Preaching but that I leave till anone be grave and sober 1 Cor 14. 40. Tit. 2. 7. be humble and modest Psal 101. 2. Rom. 12. 13. Be sure you do not Preach humm haw speak little nonsence when you Preach or Pray yea and look to the main chance at home 1 Tâ—m 5. 8. for we will never feed you as a Minister give or lend you sixpence more than another brother it is better to give then to borrow Acts 20. 35. have a care of running into debt Rom. 13. 8. ill comming out these cares and thornes will spoil any Saint or Preacher in the world Luk. 8. 14. Preach sometimes abroad yea be sure to Preach and pray to and with every one that is sick Jam. 5. 14. And this you may have leave to do especially to poor people and poor Saints I am afraid may want and want for all some Perswade all erring Gal. 6. 1. convince all living one time or other if it were possible remember while ye live this saying Wo be to him that all men speak well of Luk. 6. 26. What good thing dost thou Mat. 5. 47. more then another And yet a Teacher a full gut and empty stomack alwayes goes together I am sure in