Church in time wise men would weep to see mad men laugh and as much laugh to hear fools rail for their Ministers and they know not what well curse rail jear and do what you will we are still the same yea such as do truly pity and pray for you though you cannot for your selves nor will not so well as you may the Lord Jesus do both for you and open your eyes to see and loath what you love and love what you lâ—ath especially the people of God some of which you would send for if you were to die with speed fetch them fetch them let them come pray well now you have them do not rail that is divilish nor judge them that is presumption or leave your Churches if they should come there to exercise their Gifts they time and your present meanes of grace will too soon be gone if they speak of their experiences they have learned something if they speak of Christ the love and lovelines of Christ Eph. 2. 4. Cant. 5. 16. then it seems they know him and that it life eternall John If they speak of sin the sinfulnesse of that then it seems they loath it if they speak of you and the way to heaven they would save you from the wayes to hell which we are sure you are in if you loath them for their love to God Christ his Word and your souls one of which is more worth than a thousand worlds and although it be your own proper work and the Ministers to minde that yet are we in conscience bound not to suffer sin upon your heads who would not help an ox out of the pit Mat. 12. 11. if like to perish Much more a soul they that this way set theiâ— helping hands can never be your enemies God forbid that these lamps should be so counted though they be not torches lesser lights may be useful so may the gifts graces of the Saints the Spirit speaketh where it listeth John 3. 8. Hear that where ever it be Would a soul in hell say If I were on earth I would not hear the Saints or should a man for heaven say I wil go no further such such are going too ô Friend if you be going to hell or they be going to heaven hear consider before it be too late time wil never come again nor they nor you from the dead to hear one another now you have Moses the Prophets Luk. â—6 31. so are they whom ye despise if they preach to you the same trutâ—s by the same Spirit the Lord make you wise after wit will do no good nor repentance neither one day you may say O that we had the Saints again their prayers light and Counsels when it is too late A certain man where some of these lay prisoners in the late warres thought of them as some of you now do but he being sick to death cryed night and day fetch the Saints again fetch the Saints again but they were gone long before be the Sun-set or near it you are they dead or dying what will good Sun good death or good Saint stay a little longer Any thing avail No no the night comes and none can work John 9. 3. they for you nor you for your selves Let them preach let them speak let them pray while they may if they be against your sins they are for your souls if they be against your customes the old or the new it is for a better may not time before and after Ministers have done be better spent then it is especially the Lords day and the after part of it but you are afraid your Religion will go down take heed that that be not a form rather than a truth many have the form of godlinesse but deny the power 2 Tim. 3. 5. But the bulk of men deny both in England Lord what should be the cause have our Pastors made us so nusling us up in ignorance My people perish for want of knowledge sayeth the Lord Prov. 29. 28. Hos 4 6. And sayeth Christ If the blinde lead the blinde wo be to both Luk. 6. 39. or have you opposed truth and would not see the light because of your deeds John 3 19. Searching light is a saving light if well improved have your Ministers so preached as certainly many have take heed that you refuse not him that speaks from heaven Heb. 12. 25. by their mouths yea and take heed of winking at what you see or may see in guifted Christians they can tell you from experience in their own language the mercies of a God Eph. 3. 18. the heighth depth breadth and length yea to you the worst of sinners if you will accept it but I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. Yea they can tell you of his Loves the length and strength of that in some measure which is better than life so sayeth David Psal 63. 3. This love and mercy God sends to sinners sometimes by poor weak plain and unworthy men without Latine Phrases therefore thousands do refuse it yea Christ the Bread the Tree Rev. 2. 7. the Well of life Psal 36. 9. is the like with all his Loves loveliness and vertues Luk 6. 19 upon the same account O Christ who almost knowes thee Who almost owns thee the chiefest of ten thousand Cant. 5. 10. which art all in all in life death and eternity Col. 3. 11. Well this King Priest and Prophet can the Saints tell the world of yea by the Spirit in the Word they can open as it were his side and heart give them out his blood to set their souls free from sin death hell and eternall burnings yea they can give a taste of the life and joyes to come 1 Pet. 2. 3. one drop thereof is more worth than the treasures of the world if well considered yea they can breath upon you the holy Ghost my meaning is they by the Spirit in them breathing from them conveyes the words of life to poor sinners many times thousands can seal to this no fires ever kindled one another like this hoâ—y fire the Spirit of love the Dove in Noahs Ark Gen. 8. 8. rest it where it will it ever brings an embleme of peace from the God of peace O that men should refuse this love this Dove this peace an embleme of peace speckled with the blood of Christ because it breatheth not where the world listeth but it self Joh. 3. 8. Well be ye not offended I go not to throw down men nor Ministers no the Lord Jesus keep up them that are good and watch for your souls as they that must give account for in the day of judgement Heb. 13. 17. and throw down all yea all besides and what I say for Ministers who are your Seerâ— Isa 13. 10. Prophets Watchmen Jer. 6. 19. Shepherds Jer. 23. 4. which have the main care of your souls commited Acts 20. 28. to them by Christ when as he sends them to you and not a lesser benefice
Jonathans was with David froward things are sometimes in our mouths yet our hearts can never be divorc'd nor our affections let go you out of our thoughts no no my Lord far be that ingratitude from us who long since have learned better things and as far be it from you to forget us who were once as deer to you almost as Israel was to Paul for whom he even wisht himself accurst jeapordi'd his life a thousand times hunger cold and perils sure the latter you have done more than ever any did that for us a murmuring people against you and your God whose protection with you the Israel of God under your command was your guard rearguard yea your strength victory in all your mighty battels in every nation Oh that we should do so oh that we should be so unworthy so illy to requit so good a God so good a servant it is our sin let never yours be to revenge or yet be angry with a froward people it was Moses sin you know his punishment far be that from you may you see the deliverance of Sion fully wrought and they as in the land of promise all the priveledges of the Gospel yea this may you see in your dayes and say in the end thereof Let me now thy servant depart in peace so mine eyes have seen thy salvation the salvation of Sion and her deliverance fully wrought and oh that your soul with such expressions may leave this world at once this flattering world whose highest glories joyes and pleasures leaves but sadnesse in the soul of man yea they fill that immortall Jewell with nothing else but shame guilt and sorrow but may your Sun never set in such clouds but like a rain-bow in a hopefull day This is our Prayer and now comes our Petition not for our lives nor our liberties commonly so called but our Christian Priviledge yet not granted to us no nor scarce thought on neither My Lord excuse us we cannot but with hearts grief so speak it care is taken for many things we doubt not the poor the fatherlesse the right of the needy the debts Lawes and Liberties of the Nation as far as this juncture of time will give leave yea further the Gospel and the Preaching of the Gospel by godly sound and able men with the discountenance of all vice and unsoundnesse And yet my Lord is this all far be it from you to think so we look we long we hope for more yea for more than all this and never shall be silent till you or your God and ours hear We look we long for liberty in our selves whilst men have it in their thoughts to crush us for owning Christ too much and yet it is too little yea this is the thing we tend the throne of grace for now whilst we petition you and the godly in your Councel for Liberty in our selves for the word is as fire in our bones the Spirit having long since kindled it we cannot longer now be silent but do claime for this as our undoubted Priviledge Namely the exercise of our Gifts in the open Congregations yea this is so much our duty and a Priviledge that we cannot without guilt sin and shame keep one moment longer silent no no it is too long since we have wrong'd our selves our choycest selves this way and grieved the Spirit to purpose yea we have wrong'd thousands as our selves had our candle been as on a hill which is as underneath a bushell how many souls might we ere this day have enlightned some of which unhappily are in hell complaining of their unhappinesse and our unfaithfulnesse My Lord this is the case and it is plain and clear we are guilty we are guilty in the presence of the LORD yea we confesse before heaven earth men and Angels and all the hoste of both we are guilty and what shall we now do but with ropes about our necks guilt shame and sorrow in our souls now about our work and oh that the the time is so far past and we not aware but the night comes on wherein no man can work for God Christ self or others yet that we may at last be doing to purpose yea for all men My Lord we cry for help and cry we will untill deliverance come by you or else some other way Israel was heard we doubt not but we shall be the like our cause is far better we groan not for outward burdens though some do and that justly too but for the glorious liberty of the Sons of God yea to be set into that by you O my Lord Crumwel now under God our Protector if you shall say the time is not yet come and defer us one moment longer God will lay you by and certainly out of the hearts of his deerest ones and raise up deliverance some other way for the time of Sions deliverance is come will come let men and divels say nay yea the set time is come and the watchmen are on her walls there they see it and the Spirit of Prophesie is in their mouths and they will not keep silent longer you are to guard them that is your Title work and Honour the subjection of Nations without the affections of Gods people is a small thing your greatnesse glory and honour is nothing if while you sit at the stern you guide not the ship for the most to Gods glory the good of his people and souls of all men how much will this tend to both yea to the Nations of which we may with sadnesse say millions perish for want of knowledge thousands have words in their mouths abilities with sincerity in their hearts why should they want incouragement or rather protection by a law for that same purpose for that is all they do desire a small thing for you my Lord to deny to them Let them be tryed and tryed again and again for sincerity soundnesse holinesse and ability in some measure the latter will come on apace when we have this Liberty Protection and Commission to speak in all the schooles of the Prophets and Churches of Christ the national ones In all which we promise by the grace of God whose we are to do nothing against the truth but for it waving all disputes and contentions whatsoever nothing in disdain to our Fathers in Christ but in love to our brethren and sisters especially the little ones yea for their sakes plead we thus and the strangers that knowes not God but you will say they are taught already true my Lord and better then we can do it yet we will not rob them nor unteach them but add a word of our experience in convenient seasons sometimes sooner sometimes later This was practised by your Army to the good of thousands in their marches up and down yea the greatest my Lord you know it well enough the publick exercises are as the bellowes of the Almighty on â—â—s people carried on in the
the same I say for gifted Brethren Saints by calling and Profession the Lord increase their number gift them and give them more favour in your eyes not for their sakes but your own these are neither Watchmen nor Shepherds extraordinary in an outward call yet ar they all inwardly so if gifted bound by God reason and nature to do you all the good they can yea they must preach to you by life and doctrine as Noah and Lot to the old world 2 Pet. 2. 5. yea they are bound to pray for you by night and day 1 Tim. 2. 1. and as they are bound by God and Nature to do this for you so are you by Scripture-bonds and common ingenuity to love their persons and minde their Counsels and wholesome admonitions and wo to he that shall storm against it or Pharisie-like grieve at this kind of doctrine Well take heed ye resist not the holy Ghost Acts 7. 51. nor fight against the mind of God from ignorance of his word much more like Shimei to rail and curse good David 2 Sam. 16. 7. I mean good men for nothing but pointing out the lamb of God in John the Baptists absence John 1. 35. or presence either if it be he they point at as certainly they do look for the objects sake that takes away the sins of the world and that by your looking on him the true brasen Serpent which every man should labour to set-up John 3. 14. A Warning-Message or a Parley with the Ministers OF all good men on earth your godly Ministers are the best that are really so and self denying men the most good they do they are to us as the rivers to the valleys they make us by Gods blessing fruitful in good wayes and works yea they make us through perswasion of the Spirit loath the world and love God yea all of God and all of good they bring down God to us and us to God by Preaching they charm us with the loves of Christ and wooes us by the Spirit to make a match with him who is the chiefest of ten thousand and altogether lovely Cant. 5. 10. They raise us from the death of sin Eph. 2. 1. and yet we die again yea dayly to the world Gal. 6. 13. They lift us up they lay us low yea at the gates of hell by showing us our sins and by a word of faith they raise us again by lifting up the brasen Serpent John 3 yea when we are like the Sallamander in the flames of afflictions they make us sing like the Nightingale by showing the good of them Rom. 8. 28. the loves of God Rev. â— 19. yea with the Spirits assistance they can do any thing for us or with us but without that they can do nothing so that it is God alone that doth all Phil. 2. 13. and yet what he usually doth is by them 1 Cor. 3. 6 instrumenâ—ally he wins saves and comforts souls yea the most lost and afflicted ones and so they are the best of men in one sence and do the most good whilst others harden they soften others lead to the pit and destrâ—ction yea some Ministers be witch men with a form in stead of the substance and that a poor empty one too how many have nothing else but old empty nothing stufe from their Pastors yea scarce moral things Law nor Gospel never heard divided nor can many hundreds distinctly preach either the new birth the new Creator the gifts of God the graces of the Spirit how to comfort or cast down they know no more then the plowman doth the Planets such kind of men we loath not their persons but their sin in taking to themselves this high and holy calling the proper Names of it Christs Ambassadors they are and they know not how to treat about the souls of men and heavenly things who are reconciled and who not never making any distinction in praying or preaching to any purpose these Priests never offerd one sacrifice all their dayes for themselves nor those poor souls upon whom they live and feed their family on yea feed bare if a horse be ridden with a hag he will never thrive some say if a man or a Parrish be the like as too many be in England with such a kind of Priest they and their souls can never thrive no it is impossible those set up will surely look to this before they put down us that are gifted can the fish live without water the beast without food or the souls of men without something and where nothing is nothing can be had empty Preaching praying with a little Popery and Latine pleases poor country men for present but dambs them in the end yea and some in the City too else they would never run to Marybone and Paddington and up and down to many places more in the City where the old saints meet for a lick of Antichrist yea the very tail of him but let us leave these snuffes and old Priests time may put them out for all their present hopes and a little treat with our Fathers the godly Ministers and for them we are not sick unlesse it be for more and yet amongst them fair dealing is not used they would not be intrencht upon as they themselves do upon us and our Liberties yea our fathers do so yet you cry out we have too much we cry out we have too little and not without cause especially now when it is in your thoughts to take what we have from us what means the jerks this way in most of your Sermons if it be not so well rob us if you please get what you can in the mean time know we are for Christian Liberty the exercise of our gifts in the same places before or after you for we say they that have hands must work and they that have gifts must the like again so to do is a great advantage to our souls and others and we are bound to do good to all men in an outward way much more to the souls of one another Gal. 6. 10. we must not receive the grace of God in vain 2 Cor. 6. 1. which we do as to others when we do not improve our gifts and graces again according to what is given will be required of every man Luk. 19. 16 23. Mat. 15. 15 16. 2 Pet. 1. 8. Let every man as he hath received the gift administer the same one to another as good disposers of the manifold graces of God 1 Pet. 4. 10. Weigh these Scriptures well and see if we be to be reproved for what we claim as our Priviledge and duty again consider whether by the Word the people of God are any where reproved for exercising of their gifts or were they ever checkt for it before Antichrist crept into the world the Word holds out that if we have any speciall gifts or parts we must exercise them as may be most for the use of the Church and the Spirit of God it
other yea if it be against the Errors of the times which are up and down in every Corner as certainly it is because so contrary to Antichrists doctrine whose Bishope Priests and Clergy could never endure to hear it without spitting at it knowing they must all down yea their gain as Demetrius said if Christ and his Kingdom once get up as undoubtedly it will â—pace Further you this Work which is â—o full of glory and the leading Card to Romes destruction the worlds conversion Jews Turks and â—â—agans much more our neighbour Nations France Spain and others yea this Nation may be as the rising of the Sun to the world the Son of rigteousnesse Mal. 1. 1. who must arise in every place and inherit all Nations let us give him first ours and from hence let him shine gloriously in the gifts and graces of his Spirit yea make the whole â—and an University for the Saints and every Publick place a place to take degrees pray they can already and Preach they would as well might they practise one as well as the other Let the Fountains run freely and from these living ones let the in-dwellings of God flow forth to water dry yea to water empty places which you judge not considerable for the present till Universities be recruited yea filled with the holy Ghost and learning but one of twenty takes not right this way can two universities fill the world at that rate thousands are too little for our own Land what can now and then one doe to supply every barren place and a great one spoil many yea to preach to every Creature Amongst which if but one perish through your withholding labourers that would freely work in the Lords Vineyard you are guilty but if millions perish how and what then Blood will be required here here and the Lord convince you We are not against you all this while nor will we ever be Give us what we do desire for the good of all men yea give us that and we will be your servants upon all occasions be ye sick be ye absent be ye where you will we will preach for you never whilst we live against you in any kind whatsoever For the Lords sake trust and try us once or twice we have the faith of Christians and that we pawn again give us but your help and a little countenance and you shall have all we have heart hand and purse And now we pray again Good Ministers good Fathers for the Lords sake do not slight gifts and graces and the Breathing of the Spirit nor break our hearts with long delay we long to be omnifying Christ magnifying Christ yea to be pouring out his blood to the world yea we would turn him inside out yea we would make the most of Christ and all of Christ all his works in us and all his works without us all his gifts all his graces all his Ordinances as far as we may we would fain be handling ye the love of Christ and the lovelinesse of Christ the sweetnesse of his Person the joyes of his Spirit and greatnesse of his Merit for the worst of sinners that we would be talling yea and our own experiences what of him we know what of him we see feel and enjoy here besides what we hope for 1 Pet. 1. 9. another day when he and we his Members shall meet and appear altogether to give the world one confounding shew we shall never appear till then but then we shall beloved now are we the Sonnes of God but it doth not yet appear what we sha be but when Christ who is our life shal appear we shall appear Col. 3. 4. John 3. 2. with him in glory would we might beg leave to tell the world this and warn them as Noah did we would then save them as Lot was yea we would smite men and save men like Paul and Zacheus strip men and cloath them by the righteousnesse of Christ yea we would perswade men from the wayes of sin by telling them the terrour of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. yea we would fetch men the worst of men from the high waies and hedges and compell them into Christ Luk. 14. 23. Yea dead ones from the grave of sin and make them live again Eph. 2. 1. Yea and as we would raise them up so we would fetch them down from the pinnacle and top of all earthly glories to glory in a crucified Christ like Paul Gal. 6. 14. All this we would do and all this we could do by the grace of God if the Ministers would but let the godly Ministers for the Lords sake stand a little by yea stand away straight or else we will preach you down and pray you down write you down and pull you down headlong by faith and Gods assistance Men Brethren and Fathers hear ye this day what the Spirit saith unto the Churches and harden not your hearts Rev. 2. 7. Heb. 3. 8. Yea if you have an ear hear what Christ saith to the Churches yea to you and your Churches which are neither hot not cold but let us come amongst them or else he and we will spew you all out together Rev. 3. 15 16. Some cry out let us do it straight we have scarce patience for a day but the Spirit waiteth long grieve not yea quench not the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19 20. Mark that Scripture Oh ye Ministers of England London White-Hall and thereabouts but will none hear and see who is with us like the little Cloud with Elisha 1 Kin. 18. 44. Our chariots are as strong as yours yea more and more numberlesse look if ye can by Faith you may see the day for us and the many thousands with us Cannot you see Scripture and Prophesies just a fulfilling Is the world blinde hear ye the striking of the clocks if you be indeed awaked and aware of the dayes coming on the Lords Day yea the Spirits day wherein he will be a swift witnesse against every thing that opposeth yea he will be a fire and burn up all hay stubble and the buildings of men 1 Cor. 3. 11 12. Your sitting and your standing if it be not for him as well as from him yea if you be against the Spirits coming forth this winde shall blow you hither and thither like the chaff yea your very name away from the earth and presence of his people Watchmen watchmen are you all asleep Hear the Travellers of Sion Jer. 50. 5. call and ask you what it is a clock yea they tell you what it is and how the night is far spent and the day just at hand Yea the Lords day a day of rest to his people but disquiet to the inhabitants of the earth Jer. 50. 30. Yea to them who are at ease in Sion Amos 6. 1 7. Isa 32. 9 and never minde her travails Take heed ye Kings Priests and Prophets improperly so called yea and all ye Rulers of the earth especially ye whom we
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