Afterwards thou shalt be called a City of righteousness a faithful City Isai 1.25 26 27. ch 2.2 3 4. Of this I purpose to speak more afterwards Dearly beloved friends thus much I can and do affirm to you all in the presence of that all-seeing â—od who will bring hidden things deeds of darkness to light even in the presence of that God who I do Love Fear Worship who is my Hope my Joy from whom I received all the Good I have from whom I expect my comfort for the time to come I have not so far as I know my own heart any prejudice nor respect of persons nor any past present or future by or sinister respect in the writing this little Treatise I have never received the value of one penny in recompence of my endeavors and for the time to come I am so far from thoughts that way That I do expect rather that I shall receive injury hereby and that this may be a great hinderance to me in wordly respects only this is my comfort That I know whom I have trusted And this further can I say likewise That at the writing hereof I know not nor did ever see either those truly honourable Generals the Lord Fairfax nor the Lord Cromwel nor any Captain or Souldier amongst them except some few I lately saw in or neer to London as I passed by them nor do I know any one of them if I see them again so far as I conceive It is possible some of my acquaintance may be in the Army but if it be so I know it not And concerning those worthy men for so I esteem them to be that now sit in the Parliament I never saw any one of them to my knowledg except one who I have seen I think three or four times yet I know not certainly whether he be of the Parliament or no only I think he is Whereas I affirm that I know not any of the Army or of the Parliament I intend that I know not the persons of the men but by their fruits I know much concerning them Some may judge this to be superfluous to mention but I shall shew you what moveth me so to do In discoursing with divers men I find to my best apprehension That there is such a crooked and perverse generation of men that imagine mischief that invent base false and slanderous reports against Parliament Generals Army and indeed against the most that truly fear God Blame me not therefore courteous Reader if I labour to prevent slanderous and lying Tongues And this likewise I affirm That with due regard of Gods presence in the fear of God being much sensible of my own weakness seriously considering of how great weight it is to write books and to present them to publique view I am very fearful to presume above what is meet and this I say further that my purpose is to propound the matters and causes I shall principally insist upon in this following Treatise I purpose likewise according to the measure of light grace and opportunity that God shall give me to prove and clear the matters propounded and then having presented the cause I shall earnestly desire of God to stir some persons who are more learned and better able then my self and to enable and direct them so That they may more largely and clearly shew forth to publique view the mind of God in these matters of Government and Governors It is now a long season that the Nations have been so kept under by Corrupt Governors above two thousand years during which time where or who was the man that durst or did punctually discover the Corruption of Governors or of Government 1. This is one reason that moveth me to present the cause to publike view namely because I know not or do not discern that any one writer from Samuels days to this time the pens of the Scriptures excepted that hath punctually written upon this subject 2. This is another moving cause because now being a time of more Liberty and considering that I my children and posterity are concerned in the case of Government I conceive there is reason good why I should present this cause to publike consideration 3. This is another motive I look upon the great effusion of bloud that hath been shed about this matter the cause for ought I know being not yet wholy determined but is still so that I conceive that our godly Governors are ready to prefer Gods glory and the common good before their own interests in those matters that they shall clearly see to be the mind and will of God 4. This is another motive seeing apparently our miserable condition people being divided in judgment and in affection so that our condition is much like a ship in a Tempest Therefore the end of my endeavors shall be so far as God shall assist that I may reconcile differences and that Peace and Truth may meet together as Moses and Aaron met together in the mount of God and kissed each other And as this is the end I propound to my self so likewise I purpose it shall be the Title or Superscription Dearly beloved friends all you that love and fear the Lord all you that have obtained like precious faith I earnestly intreat you to assist me in this work with your prayers with your most best uttermost and strongest abilities Contend for the truth in love but strive not lust not to be contentious Reject not that Truth that Good wholy which is accompanied with some blemishes Men cast not away a good garment because of a little dirt Consider the great differences and troubles about Governors and Government Therefore I humbly request thee to weigh try prove examine search the Scripture cleave to the Truth Seek the favour of God with more then ordinary prayer That the good holy Spirit of God may lead thee into truth For it is evident that many unclean Spirits many false and lying Spirits are permitted to deceive many in these our days This point of Government is of great concernment if God help us to discern the good and right way prescribed practised owned and blessed by God to chuse persons so that God may be said to chuse for us to shut up all windows and by-ways that so Wolves Foxes and beasts of prey may be kept from the Sheep If God help us to discern the way the true and right way and in that way to set open the door that the good and true Shepherds may enter whose fruits will soon discover them to be good and true Shepherds for they will love the flock they will watch over them not for the fleece mostly but to defend them from beasts of prey These good Shepherds will seek the comfort of the Flock they will drive them to the wholesom pastures and to the still waters where they may be refreshed where they may bless the name of the Lord and lie down without fear for true love casteth out fear and
the windowes and in by-pathes expect bitter fruits GOD hath not promised his holy spirit to such let the experience recorded in Scripture the sure rule of truth teach us this such corrupted governors will be what they truely are and they will alter breake through and evade Gods Lawes much more your agreements Observe we therefore GODS Presidents and Rules cleave fast and close to GOD now observe GOD did first settle government a chiefe Judge before he prescribed Rules for Judges or People Moses was chosen before the Law was given to direct both him and the People therfore do not in the mean time break out preposterously And now to all discontents whether through weakenesse or malice consider you did run well you were co-actors in the late Warrs what hindereth you you complaine of Taxations and at the same instant by your irregularities and gaine-sayings do not you unavoidably pull these charges in a great measure both upon your selves and upon us might not matters be quieted sooner and with lesse charge did not you so crookedly imagine evill matters you complaine of this government in many things both unjustly and unworthily but I am sure we that seeke after peace have true cause to complaine of you foâ— these matters consider will not the issue prove bitter and dangerous to your selves beare the burdens the more willingly because they are the fruits of sin our governors doubtlesse they study how to ease and helpe you and us and shall we be so ungratefull to study evill against them Consider I pray you that God hath divolved and turned the government let us not strive against God we see it is not an arme of flesh it must not be that because you think that is good to have government so and I think it is better thus and a third he conceiveth contrary to us both in all these cases it must not it ought not to be what any of us think meet further then what Gods counsell hath determined which I believe God will guide this present government whose charge and place it is to drect our course and this I believe that their hearts and eares are free and open to heare any regular and loving counsell for David saith he would heare the advice of his servant Dearly beloved Countreymen I pray you study to be quiet we have had experience of the sad events of war I do believe that if we have not profited it is because God hath yet greater afflictions to bring upon us labour to pray for to uphold and to encourage this present government and our selves to walke evenly and humbly with God and I dare affirm it is the nearest the safest way and best pleasing to God and the most for our own comfort how ever I am much greived for many especially for those malevolent inventers of evill things because they provoke wrath against themselves Now dearely beloved Fathers the truely vertuous Generalls the Lord generall Fairfax and the Lord Lieutenant generall Cromwell who though I never saw either of them yet I know them by their godly and gracious actings for the glory of God and for the good of us the people of England and for the good of our posterity cannot but unfeignedly love them how hath God used them as instruments to free us from that miserable bondage to them therefore and to the rest of those worthy and godly men that now govern this Land may not that which is recorded be spoken of you all Numb 24.5 How goodly are thy Tents O Iacob and thine habitations Oh Israel as the Vallies are they stretched forth as Gardens by the River side as the Aloe Trees which the Lord hath planted as the Cedars beside the waters Ver. 8. God brought him out of Aegypt his strength shall be as an Vnicorne he shall eate the Nations his enemies and bruse their bones and shoote them through with his arrowes Ver. 9. Hee coucheth and lyeth downe as a yong Lyon and as a Lyon who shall stir him up blessed be he that blesseth thee and cursed be he that curseth thee Dearely and unfeinedly beloved Fathers suffer me to use a word of exhortation Moses often repeateth the same things knowing how weak and fraile our nature is and how apt we are to forget those most perfect and blessed directions of our good God consider I pray you that as our God is a God abundant in mercy rich in mercy so also he hath made knowne himself to be a God jealous of his glory and will not give his glory to another Exod. 20.5 For I am the Lord thy God a jealous God Exod. 34.14 Because the Lord whose Name is jealous is a jealous God Deut. 4.23 Take heede unto your selves least you forget the Covenant of the Lord your God Ver. 24. For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire a jealous God Chap. 6.9 Jos 24.19 Ioshua said he is an holy God he is a jealous God hee will not pardon your iniquity nor your sinnes if you forsake the Lord. Ver. 24. And the People said unto Ioshua the Lord our God will we serve and his voyce will we obey 1 King 19.10 Eze. 39.25 Rev. 1.13 In the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks one like unto the Sonne of Man clothed with a garment downe to the feete and girded about the paps with a golden girdle Ver. 14. His head and haires were white as white Wooll and as Snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire Revel 2.1 These things saith he that walketh in the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks Ver. 5. Remember thereofre from whence thou art fallen and do thy first works Rev. 22.12 Behold I come shortly and my reward is with mee Ver. 3. J am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end Ver. 14. Blessed are they that do his Commandements Remember that God is jealous of his honor who saith expresly wee shall not doe that which seemeth good in our owne eyes but all that God commandeth Note this Rule well it is Gods own Word and counsell the neglecting this Rule is and hath been the roote and branches of a world of mischiefe Eye the Word of God throughly follow those blessed rules prescribed by God in the first and purest times This is your wisdome and safety no doubt when Israel chose Abimeleck it seemed good in their own eyes when they chose to be governed by Kings it seemed good to them when the people lived without any government that condition seemed good in their own eyes although it brought the fierce wrath of God upon them when they worshipped the Host of Heaven when they worshipped Jdols and other wickednesse no doubt these matters did seeme good in their owne eyes Therefore dearly beloved leane not to your owne wisdome to your owne strength follow the straight rules of Gods sacred Word in the purest manner and times the most plainely described consider that government is of very weighty concernment proceede warily with all diligence in the
ENDEVORS Aiming at the GLORY OF GOD THAT PEACE TRUTH may meet together Wherein is contained the excellency benefit and necessity of good Government and Governors A loving Reply to Mr William Prynnes Speech made to the House of Commons and afterwards published Some matters are propounded to the Consideration of the Ministry and also to particular and to all Opinions The first purest best and most blessed form and manner of Government prescribed by God and recorded in Gods sacred Word together with the way of entrance or Gods calling of persons to places of chief Government the great consequence thereof Wherein is shewed That Government by Succession from the Father to the Son was none of Gods Institution in the first and purest Times And also the Government by Judges is plainly proved to be the best form of Government being Gods immediate direction most blessed and approved for Gods glory and for a peoples greatest Good Comfort and Safety By JOHN BLACKLEACH Isai 1.26 And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellers as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called a City of Righteousness and a faithful City Deut. 28.1 If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and observe and do all his Commandments then the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the Nations of the Earth Gen. 49.18 O Lord I have waited for thy Salvation LONDON Printed by John Macock for the Author and are to be sold in Popes-head-Alley 1656. To my dearly beloved Country-men of England and to all of what Country soever namely to all such as love the true onely glorious and blessed God and endeavor unfeignedly to do his Will to such as have obtained like precious faith with us Grace Mercy and Peace be to you through the acknowledging of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Dearly Beloved UPon the serious and often consideration of that happy and blessed condition and unparaleld benefit which the blessed Angels do and the elect Children of God shall enjoy to Eternity in having God for their defence and their exceeding great reward The benefits thereof for number and greatness far exceed what the eye of man hath seen or the ear heard or what the heart of man can conceive Amongst other priviledges and benefits this is not the least That they shall have God to govern them whose wisdom is most absolutely perfect to lead them and to direct them Revel 19.11 John saith I saw heaven open and behold a white horse and he that sate upon him was called faithful and true and he judgeth and fighteth righteously Vers 12. And his eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but himself Vers 13. And he was clothed in a garment dipt in blood and his Name was called The Word of God Vers 14. And the hosts which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses c. Vers 15. And out of his mouth went a sharp sword that with it he shall smite the Heathen and rule them c. From this place being full of consolation I shall onely collect this one point of Observation pertinent to the matter by me intended namely That the whole hoast of Heaven the blessed Angels the Saints and Children of God shall have this unmatchable this exceeding great benefit namely They shall be guided ordered and governed by the Word of God All the Hoasts of Heaven followed the Word of God upon white horses Which sheweth That this shall be the happiness of the blessed Angels and Saints to be guided by and subject to the Word of God We may easily discern our own weakness in guiding our selves we all like sheep are apt to go astray and to run into many dangers But God is infinitely wise to direct us he is strong to protect us he is rich in mercy abundant in mercy as the heavens are higher then the earth so is his mercy He likewise is able to fill and to satisfie our Souls with good things with him is the well-spring of life Glorious things are spoken of thee O thou City of God By this means namely by being guided by God we shall not need to fear we may lie down and rest in peace because the Lord is our Keeper read Psal 23. The consideration of this leads me further to consider of Government amongst men here on earth Upon diligent enquiry into the revealed will and minde of God recorded in the sacred Scriptures I finde That on earth it is a matter of the highest concernment to have good Government good Shepherds such as are sent of God Search the Scriptures and you shall find That when the People enjoyed godly wise faithful Governors they were endowed with many other singular and great blessings from God On the contrary when their Governors were corrupt the People were disturbed oppressed and afflicted The Scriptures are so full so copious so evident in the proof of this that I shall spend the less time in quotations Read the story of the Judges the book of Kings and the Chronicles of Israel and that being blessed to you by God will help you clearly to discern the truth of this matter The experience of all Ages will shew That from good and evil Governors proceeded the prosperity and adversity of the Nations Search the Chronicles and Records of the Ages and Times from Moses his time to these days wherein we live and it will evidently appear That from this principle from this root namely from Government arose the prosperity or adversity of the People and Nations If we look but back from the time of King Henry the eight we shall see this State tossed to and fro suitably to those persons that were the principal Governors and that both in religious duties and in other temporal matters The experience the Records of all Ages do abundantly testifie being duly weighed and considered of what great concernment Government is of to render a people blessed or despised of God To the intent that we may the better and more clearly see the singular benefit that it is to have a good Government I shall propound briefly some particulars to consideration For instance look upon the universal works the Creation of God Consider the Sun how it goeth his due course not failing to perform his great journey round about this world in twenty four hours the Sun knoweth his rising and his going down not altering nor failing one minute of time nor failing one foot of ground in all his great and unwearied journeys O how excellent are all thy works O God Consider likewise those excellent vertues and operations with which the Sun is beautified and enriched as namely First Light which sheweth man the way and work he is to perform without light Man is miserable Secondly The Sun heateth the air and comforteth man and all creatures Thirdly The Sun causeth the bud of the herb to
which Governors they had no cause to complain as by their own confession upon Samuels enquiry appeared Yet notwithstanding They would and did reject God their King and his Deputies the Judges and they preferred obstinately Kings of their own invention in imitation of the Heathen round about and so they changed the form of Government prescribed owned and blessed by God and set up their own inventions against which God opposed with many circumstances arguments threatenings and by miracle from heaven Yet they went on obstinately they would have a King whatsoever it cost what or how great evils soever came thereof And if we consider the very root and branch that leadeth M. Prynn and many other wise men out of the way ariseth from hence Because they depart from Gods wisedom revealed in the holy Scrsptures And in the stead thereof prefer their own inventions M. William Prynn endeavoreth in the whole substance of his Speech to bind the King with new ropes such as the Philistines bound Sampson with and likewise with seven green cords and with new ropes never occupied and yet more he plats his locks as it were and fasteneth them with the thred and pin of the Web and the Woof But all this to little purpose for I would grant M. Prynn some part of his argument which he often rehearseth namely that such contrivances such manacles were not put upon any or scarcely any King for a long season or from the Creation c. Yet all to little purpose for bind Sampson and miss that way or place wherein his strength resteth and he will break all your Cords asunder For in the first place it evidently appeareth That these obligations and ties were sinful if they could have taken effect Secondly They were too weak to hold him under namely the late King Thirdly They failed in regard they reached not the place where his strength lay Fourthly These matters propounded by M. Prynn were not likely to prove to be a means to help the people but rather to trouble them and would have brought upon the people if they had come to effect many and great evils and adversities which the people could no way have shuned as I doubt not but that I shall make it evidently to appear in the following part of this book by the help of God Concerning M. William Prynn I look upon him as a man of far more eminent parts then my self this I speak not out of by-respects but in the presence of that glorious God who I do love and fear I am very fearful to presume above that which is meet Yet this I say That in this matter I believe the Lord hath shewed to me his weakness I am willingly content to be tryed by the word of God in which tryall I desire all such as truly love God and his Truth that without turning to the right or left hand they will judge uprightly First I conceive That this M. Prynne sinned in namely because that he invented and prescribed a way to take away from the King divers rights and priviledges which God allowed to all lawfull and good Kings which all Kings ought to be and recorded in the Scriptures the unerring rule of Truth I say it appeareth plainly that this was sinful because this way prescribed by M. Prynne in the endeavors of his whole speech was not a way prescribed by God but directly forbidden in the whole tenor of the Scriptures by evident testimonies which speak directly of that power or authority which God gave to Governors and to Kings I doubt not but that will evidently appear being duly and throughly tryed that it is as great an evil to deprive any lawful Governor or King of that authority and power which God alloweth to them by deminishing it as it is a sin and error on the other hand to give to them more power then God doth allow them in his Will revealed in his Word And further it will plainly appear upon due examination That both these are very injurious to the peoples good comfort and safety That is to say it will appear that M. Prynnes advise in deminishing that power and authority due to Governors was both a breach of Gods Law and very injurious to the people God saith expresly Deut. 4.1 2. Hearken O Israel unto the Ordinances and laws which I teach you Vers 2. Ye shall put nothing to the word which I command you neither shall ye take ought therefrom We may not do that which seemeth good in our own eyes but all that God commandeth us We sin as well if we turn to the right hand as if we turn to the left hand if we add or deminish to or from Gods commandements Now let us note M. Prynnes own expressions which are often repeated words to the same effect M. Prynne saith fol. 37. The King hath wholy stript himself his heirs and successors for ever of all that power and interest which his Predecessors alwaies injoyed in the Militia Forces Forts and Navy of England Ireland c. First In this observe That the King did not this willingly but by the seeking and consent of M. Prynne Secondly To be stript wholy for ever of all that power which his Predecessors always injoyed was more then God alloweth For observe well this must needs follow That either all the power which the late King or his Predecessors injoyed was unlawful which could not possibly be except they were usurpers and entered not into the sheep-fold aright at the door c. or else it is evident that Mr. Prynne would have taken from the King that power which God and the people gave yeelded and did acknowledg to be due to all lawful and good Shepheards or Governors that entered by the door into the Sheep-fold in all former times This will appear by record of holy Scripture That Governors were allowed by God and the people Government in those matters of and in which M. Prynne prescribed a way to take from him a power very eminent and considerable The Judges of Israel never claimed nor exercised more power over the people whether it were in War or in Peace whether in those things we distinguish under names of Spiritual or Temporal matters then the King did afterwards for in this matter the Kings took more power Now it is evident That the Judges took and the People willingly gave to the Judges and afterwards to the Kings which succeeded that Power and Authority in many cases which lawful Power M. Prynne laboureth to take away and that in an high degree Now consider that it doth expresly appear if we consider what power God offered to Joshua and the people promised him Recorded Jos 1.16 All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go Vers 17. As we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey thee Secondly God gave to Kings and the people gave to Kings as much power of Government and command as unto the Judges in
of Delinquency the Reason I intend is Because that such eminent persons are usually compassed about with such giant-like assistants that although it be evident in Scripture that the People have right in divers cases to depose and to punish offenders yet they dare not they cannot at their pleasure they may possibly by woful experience come to see they are mistaken in the man and they may cry out by reason of their afflictions but how to remedy them they cannot tell for want of power Woful experience we have now had of this whereby we may easily discern how hard a matter it is to remove a King or Governor though never so apparently a Delinquent let us be warned and enquire of God who shall govern us so shall we be sure we shall not err But to return we may further observe in the same leaf that Mr. Prynne doth acknowledg That this way and these prescriptions were such as he had no warrant for neither from the sacred Scriptures nor from any other president recorded in humane Records Fol. 37. his words are these None of our Ancestors ever demanded or enjoyed the like nor no other Kingdom whatsoever since the Creation c. I will not contradict his Testimony in these his expressions In this I fully agree that the sacred Scriptures the unerring Rule of Truth is so far from retaining such a president as that the Scriptures Testimonies are evident copious and eminent in the direct opposition Consider what Mr Prynne further speaketh in his Speech fol. 39. his words are these These great Officers and Judges having now no dependance at all upon the King who can neither place nor displace any of them And a little further he adds these words As the King hath entrusted you with c. so hath he entrusted you with his Conscience and Courts of Equity too c. This was a rare matter for a King or Supream Judg to entrust another man with his Conscience and more with his Courts of Judicature A little further he addeth fol. 40. That never any Parliament in England claimed or enjoyed such matters as these c. I do verily believe a great part of the former I hear some use very bitter expressions against new opinions and against some that are not so indeed But let the godly Reader unpartially consider That these matters are new Opinions indeed such as neither Scripture nor humane Records can produce by his own confession And further note That these are not new Opinions about circumstantial matters but they do much concern Gods Glory Kings Governors Peoples future security Are not these Opinions Capital If Errors they are great ones I shall but touch one Use I make of this and desire all that are godly to consider namely That it is good to be humble meek and lowly for God saith That he will teach the humble and instruct the meek Jam. 3.17 That Wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be entreated Vers 14. But if there be bitter envying and strife in our hearts rejoyce not for this Wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual and devillish Vers 18. The fruits of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that love Peace Many in these times cry out against Opinions that never knew nor seriously examined their own hearts First It is good to examine our own hearts where we shall easily see much ignorance much pride much evil In many things we sin all Jam. 3.2 Now this benefit we shall have thereby that we shall be the more merciful in censuring others There is a generation aboundeth now that will be wiser then those Governors that God hath set over us And do exclaim against our Governors for their remissness in that they do not at once root out all Errors But consider thou that dost thus may not thy lot fall amongst the number of those Hereticks against whom thou art so fierce Could we wait and perswade our Governors in meekness of wisdom for Reformation of things amiss then we should sooner prevail because God would go along with us Mr Prynne is very hot at some times in censuring and delivering other mens opinions over to the Sword of the Christian Magistrate I could advise him to take heed that he be not too quick-sighted to spy to condemn and persecute other men for their opinions I advise and counsel him and my own heart to be slow to wrath slow to censure others Let us set the staff at our own doors for we know not how soon it may come to our own turn to be in error James 3. That wisdom that is from above is first pure then peaceable c. Mr Prynne was in a great Error in labouring to take from the King as a King any power rightfully due God helped the Army and the remaining part of the Parliament I do believe to discern the way that God had appointed to remedy those evils in such a way as he himself had appointed Consider we well of two things in this Mr Prynne's Speech First he saith That the King should be deprived of all Right and Power in the nomination of Governors Against this the Scripture is directly in opposition for in the first and purest time Moses had that authority to appoint or at the least to approve of the Officers under or inferior to him Read and observe the place Exod. 18.24 And Moses chose men of courage out of all Israel and made them Heads over the People and they judged the People at all seasons David he appointed the Officers of the Army as namely Joab the Captain of the Host and others and we may read That the Kings placed and displaced many put to death and pardoned many I cannot be large in proving such evident matters I shall have occasion in the Sequel to treat more of these matters Such as will have Kings against Gods will they may here see that verified that Samuel speaketh of namely That they shall cry out by reason of their afflictions but God will not here them It is many years since the days of Samuel and the people have been much corrupted and oppressed by evil Kings which no doubt the people discerned plainly but none durst none could help themselves And had not God stirred up these worthy men men that to posterities to come shall be recorded for their courage and faithfulness in helping the Lord against the mighty in delivering the people out of that Egyptian Bondage Consider a word dear Countrymen under Kings we bestowed time and cost to instruct our children in the ways of godliness Suppose the King then being should dye or some Idolaters poyson or make him away and set up his Son who they see is inclining to Idolatry in his stead what then followeth Answ Then all our labour is lost or else our children shall be persecuted and slain for not forsaking their former principles and this cometh often to be the affliction
but that the Parliament-men would have been so wearied that they would have sought to have relinquish'd this And I do conceive that the People would by this means have been distracted divided and molested with Taxations to bear this great charge besides many other grievances I forbear Fourthly To sum up all Mr Prynnes Endeavors together they hold out thus much First He laboreth to exalt him to the Throne to that honor to be our Shepherd our Governor a man who I beleeve God had appointed to death Secondly He seeketh the setting up and the continuance of a Kingly Government which I beleeve God hath numbred and finished Thirdly He seeketh to destroy or to weaken those which were instrumentally our best friends Fourthly He held it safer for the Common-wealth and more advantageous for to have the constant Government of the Common-wealth to be determined by such a great number of Parliament-men rather then by one as chief and other Officers as Judges distributed unto their several Charges but how far this would have been from the pattern of the will of God revealed in the Scripture and how far this would have burthened the people and put them from their peace and comfort I purpose if God will to shew afterwards in the place thereof more at large All these arise from this root He seeth the Common-wealth to be troubled and out of order and I beleeve he labored painfully to cure and remedy those troubles But God hid from his eyes what was the true cause and thence proceeded his mistakes in the remedy Consider onely this task When Moses sate and the whole People came about him from morning to night it was too great a burthen both to him and them But in case many Moses's many Judges had been appointed to sit and determine every case of the peoples then Causes must needs have been longer in the issuing them and both the Judges and the People should have been more burthened but I forbear in this place It is observable That a disease truly and evidently known it is in a ready and probable way to be cured with more ease more speed less danger and less cost On the contrary Physicians mistaking the disease oft-times administer such potions as do more hurt and do more endanger So it is in this matter the distemper is mistaken My advice therfore is this That we follow the wisdom of God revealed in the sacred Scriptures without turning to the right or to the left hand For I beleeve if we do follow our own inventions in these weighty matters Peace and Truth will hardly meet together If God help us to agree in this weighty point namely That our Governors be such true Shepherds as come in at the true door of Gods revealed will contained in the holy Scriptures Then we need not to doubt but that such will love the sheep and upon such God will bestow his blessed Spirit upon them to guide them Such God will own and the People will finde the benefit by them and will hear their voyce We are not left without hope for God hath promised to restore Judges as the first and Counsellors as at the beginning then shall we be called a City of Righteousness Isai 1.26 And by this means we shall again acknowledg the great happiness that it is to have God to raign over us Now let us consider the other part of Mr Prynne his Speech and Endeavors which was to render the Army as enemies to the peace and safety of the Common-wealth as appeareth in the first leaf in the superscription or in the Directory to the Reader that he might thereby point out to the Reader what he intended in the following Treatise or matter of his Writings the words are these viz. The Armies Remonstrance Novemb. 20. is a way to speedy and certain Ruine and a meer Plot of Jesuites to destroy us This if we read and consider the substance of Mr Prynne in his Speech will evidently appear that he labours to render the Army as enemies to the Common-wealth as those that sought to bring another War and more bloodsheding as those that were favorites to and complotters with Papists Jesuites as those that sought the destruction of the Kingdom Let us now consider whether this Charge were true or no and first let us begin at the Root after consider the fruit that groweth upon the Branches Mr Prynne maketh this the Root or Ground That the Army laboured to bring the late King to a just Tryal for the breach of Gods Laws who is the King of Kings he saith That this was plotted by Jesuites to the end they might hinder the re-establishing the late King in his Throne Now when it is uprightly considered of I believe it will appear directly to be contrary to his Propositions even as light is contrary to darkness which appeareth if we consider these two matters 1. That the Officers held no correspondency with Jesuites so known to be nor did they favour the Jesuites so much as other men 2. That if there had been many Iesuites in the Army disguised yet it had been directly contrary to their Principles to their Prosperity to depose those Members of Parliament secluded or restrained and likewise it was more contrary to the Religion and intentions of Iesuites to bring the King to a lawful Tryal First Touching the first It is evident in my apprehension that the Army I mean the principal Leaders of the Army held no correspondency with the Iesuites first because their Tenents their Religion and their Practice was directly in opposition to the Iesuites For if we consider this that the Iesuites maintain the Worship of Idols and they the Iesuites teach and maintain That Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion and to further that they will not suffer the Lay-people to read the Scriptures in their own language the Iesuites will not suffer the Lay-people to dispute religious matters much less to speak to an Assembly of People by way of Prophecy and many other like matters too tedious to rehearse Now if we do consider unpartially the Army both in their profession and practice are directly opposite to these matters And that the Army held no correspondency with the Iesuites appeareth in this because in all this War they used the utmost of their endeavors to pull down or destroy or captivate that party Indeed it is considerable that the Kings party were a great party of either Iesuites or those that highly esteemed Iesuites and by Letters and writing discovered and intercepted it too evidently appeared that they held correspondency with them but I never heard that I remember that the Officers of the Army were tainted with that infection nor that any Writing was discovered or other act done by them that might lead us to have such hard thoughts of them And since that time we may take notice That those Ministers that they appoint or those that they favour are such men that do teach sound doctrine we
in comparison But that such small numbers such weak men upon such unequal terms of disadvantage should prevail against such great numbers of able men in outward appearance so well furnished and armed with so great advantages and encouragements as in outward appearance the Opposites and Enemies of our present Army and Government had I do beleeve the like is not recorded either in the sacred Scriptures or in any humane Records God driveth their Enemies before them as chaff before the wind It is true That if contrarily we look upon this Army and Government as those that love and fear the Lord then we sometimes in Scriptures finde God doing wonderful and miraculous matters exceeding these Victories but not usually for these are transcendent Victories But if we should look upon the Parliament and Army as upon Gods Enemies I doubt not but I may safely affirm That there is no Record neither divine nor humane that sheweth that God did ever do such wonders give such victories upon such unequal terms of disadvantage to the Enemies of his Church and People so many and in so short a space of time as these have been effected The Lord open the eyes of all those that love and fear him Consider further That in all these proceedings we may note That our worthy and dearly beloved Generals have not aspired to any place of Government further then they have been evidently called in all these Wars they have endured many perils much affliction much hardship and when God giveth to them victories they lay down their Conquests and give those places into the hands of the State Consider that we may read of men that had not such opportunities as they have had that have attempted and obtained Crowns and Kingdoms to themselves by violence Consider further That in those Propositions that the Army their Officers propounded to the Common-wealth to settle a Government by men selected through the Land did they name themselves to be chosen into great places No certainly They put it further off into the hands of others who in after-times must have been their Judges And further The choyce of those they committed to others that were strangers to them Whereby it plainly appeareth That according to that measure of Light in that matter that God imparted to them they sought Gods glory and the good of the Common-wealth and not themselves Object There are many other Objections very impertinent or inconsiderate as namely That this State now suffereth many evil Opinions and Practices Answ I could desire every man to take heed first to his own ways for it is the practice of too many to be careless in examining themselves and forget not altogether that many now leap over the offences of the contrary party and bury them in silence or call evil good I do not doubt but that the Government doth labour to suppress all known sin and I believe that as God giveth to them time and opportunity we shall see it appear by their fruits which God grant Something more I judg my self in duty bound to write touching that Book entituled The Sword of Christian Magistracy Supported written by Mr William Prynne From the general consideration of the whole matter as it is there written and the manner thereof Considering likewise what pains he hath taken in the alledging and searching so many Records of humane Authors of Emperors Kings States Magistrates the Consent of Ancient and Modern Writers the Statute Laws of England Considering likewise the great pains time and charge he spent about the other his Labours namely that Speech of his to the House of Commons dated the 4 of Decemb. 1648. Upon the consideration of the whole it causeth me to consider how we are oftentimes mistaken when we too earnestly and with much care and industry endeavor to attain matters which could we accomplish those things that we so affectionately labour after which oftentimes we fall short of yet they would but little avail us and oftentimes turn to our great disadvantage We often travel in those ways that are a great way about when we might go a nearer and safer way and attain the end of our journey with more ease and safety I do not judg That it is unlawful to cite the Testimonies of other Records besides the Testimony of the Word of God but to spend much labour or time in the allegation of other Testimonies besides the Word of God contained in the Scriptures the unerring Rule of Truth I do conceive it ads but little strength to the cause if it be a matter that bindeth the conscience in holy duties For when we alledg the Word of God delivered by the Prophets and Apostles men immediately sent by God this cometh with the Authority and hath the Majesty of God stamped upon it this cometh with power it searcheth tryeth and convinceth the heart and inward affections it is like a two-edged-sword it pierceth speedily unresistibly The Writings of men are not useless but being compared with the Word of God they then are but as a candle compared with the Sun Now for men that would walk by the benefit of the light and desire that others should walk by the same light for such men to spend so much pains to light many candles to shew the way then at noon-day when the Sun shineth in his strength is not to so much purpose The Word of God cometh thus namely Thus saith the Lord c. But when men alledg the Testimonies of other Writers they must come clad in this habit namely He saith 2. It often cometh to pass That when we are so intent so studious and spend so much time in searching examining and alledging so many other Authors besides Gods unerring Word it often cometh to pass that we are too short in our allegations of the Word of God it self the lively and clear Fountain of Living Waters 3. By this means of looking too much upon humane authorities and neglecting or too little taking heed to the Word it self it cometh to pass oft-times that humane Authors varying in their judgments lead us aside into those Errors that they hold 4. From this Root it cometh to pass that the Servants of God are too much slighted and despised for they being conversant and studious chiefly of the Word of God they are but meanly respected because they come adorned and decked chiefly with plainness and simplicity Paul cometh thus apparelled 1 Cor. 2.4 Neither stood my words and my preaching in the intising words of mans wisdom but in plain evidence and power Was not this the cause that Christ Jesus was so much despised Was not this the cause that his Apostles and Disciples were despised Read 1 Cor. 2.11 13. Which things also we teach or speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth 5. Oft-times this being adorned or apparelled so much with the authorities of so many other Writings besides the Word lifts us up in our affections to
presume more then is meet and causeth us to despise many of Gods Saints and little ones that are not thus apparelled with so many humane authorities And I believe it too evidently appeareth that from this very Root is sprung up such a flame of fire that will with much difficulty be quenched God grant it may be quenched 6. My Endeavors are primarily the glory of God and that Peace and Truth may meet and kiss one another To all those that earnestly and heartily desire and endeavor the same namely Gods Glory Peace and Truth I doubt not but that I may safely and boldly say That if they deck themselves inwardly with lowliness of mind let them be but low enough in their own eyes let them but learn of Jesus Christ to be humble and meek a lesson much urged by Moses the Prophets Christ and his Apostles and yet how little do we profit and I doubt not but Gods Name will be much honored many of our brethren will be much edified the weak much strengthned our selves much more approved in the hearts of others and the flame of the fire of hatred and contention will be much abated and thereby we shall possess our own Souls with more peace and Peace and Truth will meet and embrace one another sooner Dear Countrymen and Christian Friends Be not many Masters knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation Jam. 3.1 As if the Apostle should say Consider that by these contentions we shall receive no profit but much loss Now consider whence come our contentions come they not through pride Yea certainly they do witness the Prophets and Apostles consider That God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble and meek Jam. 4. God will teach the humble his ways Psal 2. Oh Brethren Countrymen and Friends That I could prevail with you in this particular That you would forbear one another and instruct one another and build up and edifie one another in love Let every man esteem other better than himself Let there be no root of bitterness amongst us Psal Wait upon God patiently and he shall bring it to pass thine eyes shall see it and thy heart shall be glad And this I doubt not but that I may safely affirm by the sacred Authority of Gods revealed Will in his Word That if ever thou shalt meet Christ Jesus as thy Husband in his Kingdom to thy comfort thou must come to him as a Bride prepared for her Husband in which preparation this is a principal part namely to be inwardly adorned inriched and furnished with lowliness with humility Pretend what faith in Christ thou wilt or canst whosoever thou art if thou hast not this grace in some good measure thou shalt never meet Jesus Christ to thy comfort Excuse me dear friends if I digress or be large though not large enough in this matter for this is a principal preparation to the way where Peace and Truth dwelleth Time bids me forbear To return to the matter of Mr Prynnes Book in the Book entituled The Sword of Christian Magistracy supported I finde therein many precious sentences alledged or taken from of the Word of God out of the Word of God being the very authority the very writings of the Apostles and Prophets These Scriptures come to me with authority I consent unto them whether they were written before the Coming of Jesus Christ in the Flesh by the Prophets or since the Coming of our blessed Saviour by his Apostles I acknowledg them all and rejoyce to consider the splendor beauty excellency and comfort that is contained in those Scriptures For whether such sentences were written before Christs Coming by the Prophets or since his Coming by the Apostles they were all Gods Ministers his Messengers his Embassadors blessed Messengers God sent them his Word is true and faithful unalterable I consider That God that sent those sentences is not as man variable that is to say of several mindes but is the same yesterday to day and for ever Therefore I hope God will not so far leave me as to refuse the authority of his Word for I had rather my tongue should cleave to the roof of my mouth and that my hand should lose its use then that I should refuse or dislike the Word of God the rule or square of Jerusalem and one of Jerusalems chief joys Within that precious Word is contained all those precious streams that refresh and make glad Jerusalem the City of God God hath magnified his Word above all his Name Psal 138.2 I hope none dare presume to speak any thing to cavil against the Word of God Most of the sentences so alledged by Mr Prynne being the Word of God I do acknowledg and to my understanding they are of moral equity and use I do except against none I have not exactly viewed all I do acknowledg likewise That he hath drawn many necessary Observations and Conclusions from the Scriptures such as I do beleeve are agreeable to the Will of God as they are the truths of God Yet I should humbly desire M. Pryn to review his Labors wherin I do beleeve he may if God help him finde cause to revoke certain matters there in that Book contained Two things in my apprehension are very offensive and sinful First The jeering or deriding men under the names of the Saints or the Brethren Secondly For that it seemeth to me that he doth turn the edg of the Sword against many of those that love and fear God and desire to do his Will In the first leaf in his Epistle directed to the House of Commons I finde him use these expressions To M. Dell and his Independent Saints and the like again is used fol. 2. Mr Dell and some of his Saints and in the same leaf again he expresseth himself thus Saint Lilburn and Saint Overtons And a little further thus The Sectaries and Independent Saints Thus in divers places he reproacheth many under these names of the Saints and the Brethren and such like terms To my understanding this is a just cause of offence First Because this name of Saints and of Brethren are not in themselves evil but they are used and approved of in the Scripture phrases as Deut. 33.2 He came with ten thousands of his Saints Psa 31.32 O love the Lord all ye his Saints Dan. 7.18 The Saints of the most high Mat. 27.52 Many bodies of Saints Rom. 1.7 Called to be Saints And so the name of Brethren Deut. 15.7 33.9 Psa 122.8 For my Brethren and Companions Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore Brethren I do beleeve That it is unbeseeming a Christian to call any other Christian or any man Saint by way of reproach We may not play with holy things God giveth this name of Saints and Brethren to his Elect as a Title of honor and respect It cannot be good for any to reproach another with the title or badg or cognizance of his own profession Secondly Because there is
them and lay them up let them be put into the treasury of your hearts to be considered of Dearly beloved Fathers I pray you accept favorably of these few following lines wherein I have laboured to present to your godly considerations such a platforme or draught of Government as is drawn from or out of the unblemished and most perfect patterne prescribed and revealed in the sacred Scripture those streight and unerring rules of truth in the discription thereof I have endeavoured without adding or diminishing according to the measure of Grace and strength from God received to present it to you with faithfulnesse These reasons following have moved me to present these following lines to your considerations First aiming at Gods Glory having an especiall respect to the accomplishment of those precious promises foretold by the Prophets Secondly because that I my selfe and my posterity are concerned in the cause Thirdly because that such an opportunity I believe hath not beene offered from the dayes of Samuel to this time considering I look upon you as men that aime principally at the glory of God and not so much at any worldly respects yon knowing and seeing the brittlenesse the uncertainty the mutability and vanity that is to be attained in any worldly comforts compared with those true weighty precious treasures provided promised and reserved for all those that love God believe in him and do unfeinedly desire to doe his Will and Commandements Fourthly I do consider that your actings now and the platforme of Government that you are now considering of is such as is like to concerne posterity It will concerne England Ireland Scotland and our Neighbour Nations they will warily look upon it and it will concerne the Islands in the Indies Barmoedas Virginia New England Newfound Land and other places Consider therefore I pray you with the greatest respect that you have an eye to the patterne of the Sanctuary to those rules and warrantable presidents recorded in Gods revealed Will the holy Scriptures I pray you turne not to the right hand nor to the left hand remember what an expresse charge God gave to Ioshua Chap. 1.8 Let not this Booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe and do according to all that is written therein for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then shalt thou have good successe I beseech you deare Fathers consult not too much with flesh and blood follow not the many and uncertaine presidents and inventions of men If you keepe close to Gods Rule you shall not err you shall be safe and then shall I and my posterity some of your little children shroud our selves under the protection of your wing with more peace and comfort conceiving our selves by Gods Providence to be secured from the many Wolves and Beares and Lyons that lie in waite to hurt us I have travelled through many difficulties forsaken Wife Children and some worldly comforts that J might present these following lines to your considerations which I would not mention but to this end That it might take some impression in your hearts and cause you advisedly to read and to consider what is contained in these following lines and that so all my labour may not be lost and these matters cast aside as wast paper to that end I pray you not to looke so much at the Garment as at the substance and not so much at the Order or Forme as at the Truth and true Meaning of what J have tendred to you but whatever my successe shall be I know my dependancy and whom I have trusted Dearely beloved Fathers J meane not to exclude my requests from being presented and are intended by me to be tendered to those two worthy Servants of God Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir Oliver Cromwell being Fathers of this Common-wealth in an eminent manner To them and to the rest of those worthy Governours of this Common-wealth to you all I present my requests and what shall be contained in these following lines Dearely beloved Fathers you have now a great and glorious or precious opportunity put into your hands of Reformation be but Faithfull in this and God will make you Rulers of more and greater Cities of Heavenly places In the meane time till you can settle Government according to your desire I pray you let the administration of Justice come thorough as few hands as with equity you may that so the poore may come at their right with as little difficulty or charge and with as much ease as may be which I do believe you do endeavour I humble request of you likewise that you will take off from the Common-wealth what burdens and taxations you can I pray you be deeply and thoroughly affected with the many sad complaints and sighs of many poore hearts that are under your Government that are of your flock remember what frame of spirit was in that first and godly and eminent patterne of piety namely in holy and humble Moses that blessed man of God he sought the good the ease and the comfort of that people God committed to his government he changed this transitory life and now lives with God and with his blessed Angells to eternity the memory of him is recorded for our learning in Gods Booke of Records and is precious and blessed in all Ages Remember how our blessed Saviour delivered us from those oppressions of sinnes and from Satan and from Death and laid downe his life to redeeme us and all this hee did freely for us when no eye pittied us yea even then when wee were at emnity with him and he was a precious patterne for us to imitate and now hee sitteth in glory and is blessed to all eternity Hee regarded not the momentary trifles of worldly wealth the Foxes had holes and the Birds of the Aire had nests but the Sonne of man had scarcely a place whereon to rest his Head bee mercifull because your Heavenly Father is mercifull I do believe you do earnestly desire and endeavour to take off from the people what burdens you can J do consider that you have very many and great engagements that for the present you cannot avoide Taxations but I hope those occasions will in time convenient be removed so that then I hope you will ease the people what possibly you can I hope God will shew you a way to do it of this I am perswaded that we might be more eased in this matter were it not for the gainsayings and molestations that diverse bring upon us by reason of their irregularities I pray you be mindefull of our Trading and Marchandize to incourage that that so the poore labourer may bee imployed and relieved I cannot but with thankefulnesse acknowledge your great care and charge that you have allready taken in setting out Ships to secure our Marchants at Sea I pray you still continue your watchfulnesse that way because these times are times wherein many ungodly
note that God rejected him from being King 1 Sam. 15. ver 26. Thou hast cast away the word of the Lord and the Lord hath cast away thee that thou shalt not be King over Jsrael Ver. 28. Then Samul said unto him the Lord hath rent the Kingdome of Israel from thee this day And note now that when Saul was deposed Chap. 16.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evill spirit sent of the Lord vexed him Wee may note that because the people made David King a man chosen by God and not by the peoples rash proceedings that God gave to David his good and blessed Spirit 1 Sam. 16.13 Then Samuel tooke an horne of Oile and anointed him David in the middest of his Brethren and the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward here we may note that it is no vaine thing that God should appoint our governors for us God let the people taste of the difference between Kings and Iudges in that Salomon set up or countenanced Idolatry and laid great taxations upon the people yet it did not extend so far not by very much as afterwards the People felt under the government of other Kings which were set up rashly by the people without such an immediate call and for ought I know not being anointed with Oile by any true Prophet of God This I note the rather because I have respect to God his expresse Command and Direction which was never reversed to this very Day recorded Deut. 17.14 where God saith if thou shalt say I will set a King over mee like as all the Nations that are about mee Ver. 25. Tou shalt make him King over thee whom the Lord thy God shall chuse I shall only at the present observe these two notes from this place first that God doth not hereby either command or allow that the People should set up a Government by Kings for the Lord saith if thou shalt say I will set a King over mee this came to passe in the Dayes of Samuel Then the people they would have a King the People here did not inquire of God first now it doth not follow that because the People said wee will have a King that therefore God doth either approve or allow of this matter but the direct contrary appeareth 1 Sam. 8. in most eminent manner But secondly I do observe that God saith thou shalt if thou wilt be wilfull and have a King yet thou shalt make him King whom the Lord thy God shal chuse here I put a reall difference between a King or governor being chosen by God immediately and betweene the choise that the People make I purpose if God will to speak more of this in place afterwards But this Rule also the People soone forsooke namely they made themselves Kings of their owne chusing wherein I conceive they did not inquire of God who should be the man therefore the Lord saith they had Princes and hee knew it not that is to say they did not according to the Rule inquire of God who should be King Thus much to shew that it was better with the People when they eyed God and kept close to the Rule when God chose the person then it was when they fell more fouly as afterwards they did but this still doth not prove that God did institute that forme of government by Kings or much lesse that this forme of government was as good and as well approved of by God or so blessed as the government by Judges But to go on to speake more punctually or more particularly to the being of Kings I shall endeavour according to the measure of grace received to speak of them in true proportion as God hath spoken of them in the holy and sacred Scriptures The first King that I finde recorded was Abimeleck Iudges 9. it is noted that this Man was no lawfull governor appointed by God but one that usurped the Kingdome because he entred not by and according to the true way wherein and whereby God had prescribed which I believe was principally in regard that the People did not enquire of God who should govern them but contrarily the People chose him out of or for sinister respect because of affinity kindred and also because hee entered by force wee may see what is recorded Iudges 9. By this mans government there were very sad events or fruits that followed or sprung for he was the occasion of much evill and bloodshed this serveth to warne us to take heed that we enquire of God who shall govern us and that we do follow the most cleare and evident Rules and Presidents prescribed and recorded in the sacred Scriptures the sure Rules of Truth our Saviour teacheth that the true Shepherd entereth at the true doore that is according to the revealed will of God And on the contrary those Wolves and Foxes do enter in at the window that is as I conceive by some way that God hath not prescribed as by friends out of by respects or by Fraude Force Mony Beauty Personage Eloquence or such like all of them not in such away as is prescribed in the most unerring Rules of Truth After him arose Saul to be King concerning his person he was truly and rightfully called being chosen by God but concerning the forme of government by Kings this was the Peoples invention in imitation of the Heathen Nations as appeareth 1 Sam. 8.5 The people said make us a King to judge us like all Nations from this place I observe that it was not the Peoples demand to have this or that man in particular to be their King but they desire onely to have a King By which it appeareth that this sinne lay not in regard of the person but it was in respect to the forme of government before they were governed by Iudges which Forme of govermnent God did immediately prescribe and owne it and blesse it but this Forme of government by Kings the people they did invent it in imitation of the Nations round about concerning those Nations God had expresly said that they should not follow the manners and customs of the Nations But secondly against this way of government by Kings God doth I believe expresly evidently and eminently oppose himself in these particulars First God saith that by this meanes or way that the people here lusted after they had cast off God from being their King or reigning over them Which is expressed 1 Sam. 8.7 They have not cast thee away but they have cast mee away that I should not reigne over them this I conceive is plainly implied and expressed that the greatnesse of their sinne lay in regard of the forme and not in regard of the person as if God should have said they have not so much sinned in desiring another Governor although I believe this also was their sinne but they now have rejected the forme of government by me immediately prescribed Further God opposeth this forme of Government by