wayes and that Sinners may be converted unto God then the Truth of God is come unto you Though according to the Divine Method it may spring up from an obscure press and compiler and remain for some time hidden and concealed from the World for People are ashamed of such Words in an adulterous and sinful Generation and they hate the Light neither come they to the Light lest their deeds should be reproved The Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1. 5. It doth not see and perceive and also it is afraid and shrinks thereat And also there is the whole Truth spoken out without fear and respect of Persons and without favour of and siding with any Sect or party and also the time is come when they will not endure sound Doctrine for these and such like Reasons only it hath been universally rejected and not received I have all my Life time kept constant Communion with the Church of England and have daily frequented its publike Worship as I have opportunity and do at least thrice in the Year receive the Holy Sacrament according to the appointed Institution I have been also some few times since the Established Liberty at the Congregations of Protestant Dissenters and herein I do act pursuaâ—t to that Truth Manifested in the fifth Chapter of my afore-cited Book under the head of different communions But I did never in the least joyn with the Popish way of Worship nor did ever so much as see it which I have had the curiosity only to incline me so far but I thought even that to be a sin and unlawful because of their Superstition and Image Worship and therefore I did utterly refrain I do desire and would endeavour after a Greater degree of purity and reformation even in our established Church for it should be yet more freed from the Ordinances and Commandments of men Though I do withal consider that the Restorer of Paths to dwell in Isa 58. 12. is only to take away that rubbish and corruption which hath so long laid in them that they may be smooth right and plain as they were at first and they are to remain the very same for we are to come up again to the old Paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. The Wall is in no wise to be removed nor yet the Foundations altered but the old waste places are to be builded and they are to be raised up and the breach is to be repaired and all is to be done in the very same place We would not willingly bring a Scandal or Odium or Dishonour them in the sight of their several Congregations but yet the Sons of Levi are to be purified that they may offer unto the Lord an Offering in Righteousness and that they might be the same as in the dayes of Old and in former Years when they did Teach Jacob thy Judgements and Israel thy Law and the Lord did accept the work of their Hands When they did walk before him in Peace and Equity and did turn many away from Iniquity And now the fault is only in themselves for why should they do those things as to be contemptible and base before the People As their office is to admonish the People of their Sin and Errour so God in his abundant Care and Provision for his Church hath all along instructed and raised up others who were not of the Levitical Priesthood to do the like unto them also It seems to be Ignorance or Interest that People are so over zealous for and confined within a particular Church or such a Congregation whereas we should acknowledge and answer to no other Name than that of a Christian not according to the common notions thereof but as it is written in the Word of God by living according to all the Rules and directions there And then we might all agree to the same manner and meet at the same place of Worship A summary of the proceeding Discourse Both the secret Thought and open accusation of the World are affixed on Me for Publishing such Words unto them This man seeketh not the welfare of this People but the hurt Jer. 38. 4. He that conquers Kingdoms and enlarges Territories is reputed a Great Instrument of Mens Happiness though it is accomplished with the Price of Blood and by unlawful means and the utmost hereof is a shadow only of Good which just passeth by and is gone for ever But they are the only unacceptable Persons to the World who instruct People how they must live and do that they may be saved and lead them into the right way that they may live as Peaceably and comfortably here as can be well desired in this World and at last be Happy and Blessed throughout all eternity Men need not be in the least scrupulous and fearful as to this present time for these Words if understood aright would prevent that further effusion of Blood in our neighbour Nations And one Mans Life if he knew how rightly to esteem it is more valuable to himself than two Kings and their Kingdoms They according as is was long since foretold of them 1 Sam. 8. do turn their Subjects into Servants and make use of the lower sort of People for their Wars but they have not so learned of Christ for of him it is written He shall spare the Poor and needy and shall save the Souls of the needy He shall redeem their Soul from Deceit and Violence and precious shall their Blood be in his sight Psal 72. 13 14. The same eternal Word and Truth would put a stop to the further impoverishment which is likely to fall on our own Nation through continued taxes and charge which would some what take off from the Oppressi-of the Poor and the sighing of the Needy for that is drained out which should carry on Trade and Commerce The Spirit of God doth take notice of such things as may be seen Isa 23. 18. And then the Seas might be set open again that People may follow their lawful Merchandize with less fear and Danger And then again the like Way and Method may be found out to restore unto all Natiâ—ns Vnity Peace and Concord which we pray for as a Blessing so we should likewise endeavour after out of a mind to the publick good That there be no breaking in nor going out That there be no complaining in our Streets Psal 144. 14. Which would be in Deed and in Truth accomplished If as they do already own and profess him so the Kings and Princes and Lords and Counsellers and Pastors and Teachers of all sorts would obey the Lord our God and do according to all his Laws and Statutes If they do not their Sin will find them out severally and as they are joyned together in a community for the time draws near when He will fulfil his Word for the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall Perish Yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted Isa
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
commands to set them in right order again But that remains in a dead letter and it is not faithfully handled nor universally applyed for the Priests have been partial in the Law They have kept back some part of it and have not made known the whole counsel of God unto the People And also according to the marginal reading of Mal. 2. 9. They have accepted Faces by applying it superficially and favourably to the higher sort of People As they have done and do not cease to justifie the Wicked for Reward for some Place or preferment either already bestowed or in hope and expectation to be given And so it comes to pass that Gods faithful Messengers who have appeared in their several Generations as singular are persecuted and prosecuted Now God doth lie still and hide himself to see what the Children of Men will do Though it is the secret continued Prayer of his Elect and Servants Arise O God Judge the Earth for thou shalt inherit all Nations Psal 82. 8. Yet He will not before the appointed time But his Law is given in the mean while and he doth prove the doings of the Children of Men. There hath been a long and continued controversie in the World throughout former Generations and in all Nations and the same continues at this day not only amongst Heathens Mahometans Papists but to our greater shame even in the more pure reformed Churches and at this very instant is in the Land of our own Nativity the Substance whereof is to this following effect Whether the Laws of God or man shall have the superiority and take place Whether his Light is to be extinguished and his Truth stifled which he would send out Psal 43. 3. if it should reprove the Darkness and Wickedness that is in Palaces and great Houses or manifest the Error of their corrupt ways But mention is made vers 1. of an ungodly Nation and a deceitful and unjust Man They would ungod him if they could reach up and pull down the High and Lofty One or lead away captive as hath been done with dumb Idols the living and Almighty God But because that is not in their Power They will do as far as is suffered They act in opposition to the Father of Lights James 1. 17. and do what lieth in them to prevent the rising of the Sun of Righteousness and afterwards stop out the shining Thereof When he that dwelleth between the Cherubims would shine forth Psal 80. 1. They will hinder it what they can But God doth suffer it so far for the next thing is he will stir up his strength vers 2. and then poor Creatures who now provoke the Lord to Jealousie will find that they are not stronger then he in this their short time they will not bear that word which convinces of Sin and Unrighteousness But how then will they endure his Indignation and Punishment which that was to warn them of and put them in a way how they might escape Even thy Truth O my God Psal 71. 22. is called a false and feigned libel if it doth discover their own Falshood and Hypocrisie And it must skulk about in Corners or be conveyed in a secret place though there is stampt upon it the Image and superscription of the Great and Invisible King but they are fearful Rev. 21. 8. to own and confess it before the World for they fear the Displeasure of Men more then the Displeasure of God They would have Gods service be brought down to Mans purposes and be so modelled as to be made consistent with the foolish policy and misapprehended welfare of a Nation These things are strange to mention but themselves know that their inward Thought Pride and Rebellion of Heart is that though they will acknowledge with their Tongue and Lips that the Most high ruleth over the Kingdoms of Men and his Dominion is above and over all yet they would have it so far come under theirs That if Gods Laws are contrary and not agreeable to humane constitutions They must not be spoken of Amos 7. 13. nor laid before our Princes and our Priests our Lords and Counsellers for fear of Punishment and being prosecuted as one against the Government when themselves in this very thing are against the Government of their God Alas How do a small Number of Grashoppers here on the Earth think of and would do towards the great Lord of the World How do men that shall die and must appear before him in judgment demean themselves towards him now they are but a little while in the way Arise O Lord let not man prevail let the Heathen be judged in thy sight Put them in fear O Lord that the Nations may know themselves to be but men Psal 9. 19 20. Again thus much is signified by what is written He ruleth by his Power for ever his Eyes behold the Nations let not the Rebellious exalt themselves Psal 66. 7. And though the Nations be never so angry yet now is the time come that God shall take to himself Psal â—â—â—â— Great Power and Reign A little opening and appearance thereof doth now begin in this place and Nation which will be likewise followed in the Habitable parts of the Earth For the matter of contention is not so much between the two Kings who are both Pot-sherds of the Earth and shall each of them severall be brought down to the bars of the Pit although now they have their Armies and cause their Terrour in the Land of the Living Cease ye from man whose Breath is in his Nostrils for wherein is he to be accounted of We ought utterly to draw off from the Persons of each and not to have them in admiration and not name them more then needs must for by so doing men do forget and lose the knowledge and fear of the Lord and are not so sensible of the Glory of his Majesty and infinite Greatness But the thing which the Lord doth require of our Land is that she do not depart from and for sake his Eternal and Immutable Rules of Judgment and Righteousness and that his People be very couragious to keep and to do all that is written in the Law of Moses that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left Josh 23. 6. So whatever is further commanded in the Book of Psalms the Writings of the Prophets and the Gospel of Christ declared by the Evangelists and Apostles All things are to be done according to his revealed Will now a little before he ariseth to shake terribly the Earth for the Word of the Lord is right and all his Works are done in truth he loveth Righteousness and Judgment Psal 33. 4. 5. Righteousness shall go before him and shall set us in the way of his Steps Psal 85. 13. Gods Work ought to bâ— done in his own prescribed method according to what is written which is so plain and easie to be understood that wayfaring men though Fools
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