A Door of Hope, Treatise 1 · Part 19
The Sixth and laſt obſervable head in our Deliverance, I called PROBABILITIES.
This head doth anſwer ſomewhat to that third Branch of the former ranke, which we named Prevention; becauſe it doth concerne good things (as that did evils) approaching. And by it I doe underſtand all Likelyhoods or Grounds of hope for more good and mercy, then we have yet received, either by continuance of old favours, or by the Additions of new ones.
Queſt. But you may aske me, What meane you by thoſe more good things, and what are the Grounds of our hopes for them?
Anſw. 1. By thoſe [good things] I meane the increaſe of all the five former Branches in more eminent degrees; as more Stoppage, more Removall, more Prevention, yea longer Continuance, and more Additions. But if you would have it in ſhort, I meane a compleate Deliverance and a thorow Reformation.
2. By the Grounds of our hopes, I meane, thoſe topicks or common places of hope, which may be gathered and obſerved for our incouragement, and theſe are three; Some we may gather by obſerving the carriage and condition of the Enemy, others we may gather from the Church, and the third ſort from the Lord himſelfe and his engagements.
1. Common-place or Ground of our hope of a perfect Deliverance and compleate Reformation is gathered, Ground 1 by obſerving the Enemies at this time. And this doth yeeld us divers particulars, as
Firſt, in that the Lord doth Diſcover and Diſgrace the enemies of Deliverance and Reformation. Act 8.9. ver. 10. ver. 12. ve. 21, 22. &c.As Simon Magus was diſcovered by Philips preaching, He had uſed ſorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria for a long time, ſaying that he himſelfe was ſome great one, to whom they all gave heed, but at laſt he is unmasked, and then his time is but ſhort. 2 Tim. 3.9.This alſo is the Argument that Saint Paul giveth to Timothy, for the Probability of cutting off thoſe Heretikes of whom he ſpeaketh, But they ſhall prevaile no further, why? for their folly ſhall be manifeſt to all men: So then, when the folly (that is, the wickedneſſe and witleſneſſe) of the enemies are made knowne; when their hypocriſie, deceipts, malice, &c. doe begin to be diſcovered, then 'tis very probable that they ſhall not proceed any further, their market is marred. And is it not ſo with our Enemies at this time? their vailes, vizards, maskes and periwigs are plucked off, ſo that men ſee them in their colours.
Secondly, they are met withall and croſſed (even by a Divine hand) in all their plots, projects and conſpiracies. As the Prophet Eliſha directed the King of Iſrael to meet with the King of Syria in all his ſtratagems, 2 Kin. 6. v. 8. to ver. 13.Then the King of Syria warred againſt Iſrael and tooke counſell with his ſervants, ſaying, in ſuch a place ſhall be my camp. And the man of God ſent unto the King of Iſrael, ſaying, Beware that thou paſſe not ſuch a place, for thither the Syrians are come downe. And the King of Iſrael ſent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and ſaved himſelfe there, not once nor twiſe: Therefore the heart of the King of Syria was ſore troubled for this thing, and he called his ſervants and ſaid unto them, will ye not ſhew me which of us is for the King of Iſrael? And one of his ſervants ſaid, none my Lord, ô King, but Eliſha the Prophet, that is in Iſrael, telleth the King of Iſrael, the words that thou speakeſt in thy bed-chamber. Now when the bed-chamber counſels of traiterous Enemies doe come abroad, 'tis a ſigno that they are declining apace. Exod. 14.24. ver. 25.The Aegyptians we know were mirrours of incurable ſtubbornneſſe againſt the Lord, and yet even they, when they ſaw that their hoaſt was troubled, and that their Chariot wheeles were taken off, ſo that they drave them heavily, even they do confeſſe, 'tis time to flee from the face of Iſrael, for the Lord fighteth for them againſt the Aegyptians. And ſo 'tis reported of thoſe Spaniards that came againſt England in that Armado in Eighty eight, that ſeeing the windes, and ſeas, and all againſt them, they cryed out that God was turned Lutheran, ô (me thinkes) the preſent factions of Papiſts, Anti-Deliverancers and Anti-Reformiſts, they might as well imagine now, that the Lord God is turned Covenanter and Puritan, I take the word ſo, as thoſe men doe uſually abuſe it. Act.14 14.And for mine owne part, after the way which many perſons doe call Puritaniſme, ſo deſire I to worſhip the Lord God of my Fathers. But this is a ſecond ſigne of their tottering, and of our ſtanding upright.
Thirdly, (which followeth from both the former) they doe grow weaker continually, both in their party, 2 Sam 3. v. 1.and in their ſpirits. 'Tis ſaid, There was long warre betweene the houſe of Saul and the houſe of David: but David waxed ſtronger and ſtronger, and the houſe of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. Yea, and in Sauls owne particular caſe, 1 Sam. 28. v. 15ſee how ſpirit-falne he is, when his deſtruction approacheth. And Samuel ſaid to Saul, why haſt thou diſquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul anſwered, I am ſore distreſſed: for the Philiſtines make warre againſt me, and God is departed from me, and anſwereth me no more, neither by Prophets, nor by dreames: ver. 20.therefore I have called thee that thou mayeſt make knowne unto me what I ſhall doe. And after, hearing his doome from the Divell, Then Saul fell ſtraight way all along on the earth, and was ſore afraid, becauſe of the words of Samuel, and there was no ſtrength in him.
But you will ſay, nay, Ob. rather the Enemies now doe grow more deſperate and couragious.
No, Anſw. there is a vaſt difference betwixt deſperateneſſe and valour, though for the firſt fit they may ſeeme to be alike. There is great oddes betwixt the playing of Fiſhes in the pond, and their frisking in the kettle, though both may ſeeme alike. Deſperate attempts are ſure badges, both of a conquered man, and a coward: for though dead men cannot bite, yet dying perſons doe bite moſt deadly. Theſe are grounds of Probability from the Enemies.
But from the Church and the Reforming party, Ground. 2 we may gather Arguments, quite contrary to all theſe three. For 1. Their Counſells doe proſper, like that of Huſhai againſt Achitophel. And Abſalon and all the men of Iſrael ſaid, 2 Sam. 17. v. 14the counſell of Huſhat the Archite, is better then the counſell of Ahitophel; for the Lord had appointed to defeat the counſell of Ahitophel. And 2. They are now more and more Honourable before all tollerable men, as was Joſeph, Gen. 41. v 39.comming out of priſon, Dan. 6. v. 28.and Daniel out of the den of Lyons. Yea the hand of the Lord is upon them for good, as it was with the ſame Joſeph and Daniel. 3. In ſhort, both their party and their spirits, doe in a comfortable degree, increaſe and grow continuall, as it was with the houſe of David before mentioned.
3. Ground. 3 Probable ground of Deliverance and Reformation, are the Lords Ingagements in this buſineſſe, and theſe are of two ſorts.
Firſt, his Ingagements to the worke it ſelfe, as an helper, Auxiliary or beginner, and theſe ought to ſupport our hopes not a little. It is an Argument with which I find the Saints in Scripture doe much ſtay their hopes, and preſſe the Lord in times of great provocation and perill. As when they had committed that great ſinne in making a Calfe, and the Lord had a kinde of deſire to conſume them; Exod. 32. v. 9. ver. 10, 11, 12yet Moſes uſeth this Argument to appeaſe wrath and to continue preſervation, and doth obtaine his requeſt. 2 Chro. 20.1, 2So when Jehoſhaphat was in triple danger, there were three Nations to one, againſt him: but he giveth himſelfe to prayer, and a maine argument of his prayer is ſet downe to be this. ver. 5, 6, 7.Art not thou our God who didſt drive out the Inhabitants of this land before thy people Iſrael, and gaveſt it to the ſeed of Abraham thy friend for ever? Lo, with how many Relations and Ingagements doth he there preſſe the Lord? His Relations doe lye in theſe wordes, Our God, thy people, and the ſeede of Abraham thy friend: The Ingagements in theſe words, Thou didſt drive out the inhabitants of this land, and gaveſt it to the ſeede of Abraham, &c. Brethren, let us in an humble and edifying way, to the Lords honour, the works promotion, and our encouragement, edifie one another with theſe ſayings, This is the Lords Ingagement to the work as an helper.
2. Is, his Ingagement againſt the Enemies as a Party, or a Principall. And this we may gather if we looke upon the great blaſphemyes of the Enemies, even againſt the Lord himſelfe. 'Tis good newes for the Church when her Enemies are growne rancke in blasphemy, when they are come ſo farre as to deſpight the power of godlineſſe, and to hate holineſſe (quatenus ipſam) as holyneſſe: for then the Lord himſelfe doth take the matter into his owne hand, and will be a principall in the cauſe, and this ought to be our comfort. See a ground for it in Scripture, in the caſe of Hezekiahs diſtreſſe. when Rabſhakeh had rayled againſt the wayes of the Lord [in him,] ſee how God doth take it to himſelfe. And Iſaiah ſaid unto them (that is, Iſa. 37. v. 6.to the ſervants of King Hezekiah.) thus ſhall ye ſay to your Maſter, thus ſaith the Lord, be not afraid of the words which thou haſt heard, wherewith the ſervants of the King of Syria have blasphemed [me.] marke the laſt ſyllable [me.] He goeth on, ver. 7.Behold I will ſend a blaſt upon him, and he ſhall heare a rumour, and returne to his owne land, and J will cauſe him to fall by the ſword in his owne land. Yea, the Lord doth put himſelfe into the quarrell, ver. 23.Whom haſt thou reproached and blaſphemed? and againſt whom haſt thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even againſt the holy one of Iſrael. ver. 24.By thy ſervants haſt thou reproached the Lord, &c. But J know thine abode, and thy going out, and thy comming in, and thy rage againſt [me.] ver. 28. ver. 29.Becauſe thy rage againſt [me.] and thy tumult is come up it to mine eares: therefore I will put my hooke in thy noſe, and my bridle in thy lipps, and I will turne thee backe by the way by which thou camest. Thus, when the Lord is ingaged to a worke as an Auxiliary, Luk 21. v. 28.or againſt the Enemies as a Principall, then let the Adverſaries looke to it: but let the righteous lift up their head, for (in Probability) their redemption draweth nigh.
But although there are all theſe ſeverall grounds of Probabilities, yet let me tell you (to prevent confidence) that there are alſo ſome Improbabilities of the proſperous ſucceſſe of this worke, there are Bitts as well as Spurres, yea many a rough winde and tyde is againſt it: and therefore we ſhould doe well to follow that counſell of the Pſalmiſt. Pſal. 2. v. 11.Serve the Lord with feare, and reioyce with trembling. Rejoyce we may for the Probabilities; but we muſt alſo [tremble] to conſider what Improbabilities there are. Would we heare ſome of them?
1. Then firſt conſider our generall Backwardneſſe and unwillingneſſe to be Reformed. Remember againe that place of Ezekiel, Ezek 24.13.Becauſe I have purged thee and thou waſt not purged, thou ſhalt not be purged from thy filthineſſe any more, till I have cauſed my fury to reſt upon thee. What an univerſall unthankfullneſſe is there now in England for mercies lately received? The Scots are ſtill rayled againſt by ſome, whilſt Straffords memory is favourably reported. The day of Thankeſgiving was generally ſleighted, and there are thoſe which durſt to grumble againſt the Parliaments zeale and diligence Beſides, thoſe Declarations, Orders and Edicts, which tend to purging and puniſhing of wickedneſſe, what neglect of them, what diſputes againſt them doe we heare of, on all ſides? Brethren, theſe things doe not a little ſet backe the ballance of mine hopes.
2. Improbability, may be, the too much dullneſſe, ſelfe-love, and ſelfe-ſeeking of too many Profeſſors even in theſe times. Baſe feare, muddy covetouſneſſe, and Reſerving pride, theſe doe benumme their tongues, ſingers, heads and hearts, ſo that they doe not pleade, ſpend, contrive and pant, for the publique good of Zion. Here I may fitly take up thoſe words of our Saviour, (though ſpoken in another ſence) For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, Iſa. 63. v. 4. ver. 5.and the yeere of my redeemed is come. But how was it entertained? And I looked and there was none to helpe: and I wondred that there was none to uphold. Upon ſuch a ground as this was that exclamation of Ieremiah, ô that I had in the wilderneſſe a lodging place of wayfaring men, Jer. 9. v. 2.that I might leave my people and goe from them. Why? For they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth, ver. 3.they proceed from evill to evill, and they know not me ſaith the Lord. Theſe are Improbabilities.
Seeing then that there is both hope, Queſt. and hazard, perill and poſſibility in the buſineſſe, oh what, and how may we doe for our particulars, to remove our feares, and to attaine our hopes?
I anſwer againe, Anſw. be Active, be Active. I have already ſhewed you [wherein] and I ſhall now adde only to ſhew you [wherefore] or why we muſt be thus Active. My deſire is to ſtirre us up by ſome motives to further the worke begun.
Firſt, conſider the great Peril, the manifold miſchiefes, Motive 1 and Inconveniences of an imperfect Reformation and Deliverance. I ſay againe, the manifold miſchiefes, for they are diverſe. As
1. In reſpect of the Lord himſelfe, who is hereby provoked and offended farre more then if nothing at all had bin done. Halfe-ſervice is as bad, and ſometimes worſe to him then none; and therefore ſuch a remiſſe ſervant is accurſed. Curſed is every one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently. Jer. 48. v. 10. Luk. 10. v. 27.God will have ſervice (as love) with all the heart, mind, ſoule and ſtrength. We know what a brand and blemiſh there is ſet in Scripture, upon the memories of thoſe Kings which did Reforme in part, but not thoroughly: 2 King. 14. v. 4. 2 King. 15. v. 4. ver. 25.becauſe the high places were not taken away. Thus we find a blot upon Amaziah, upon Azariah, upon Iotham, &c. Thus in reſpect of God.
2. Such an halfe-ſtroake in Reformation doth breed an Inconvenience in reſpect of the worke it ſelfe, for that is hereby made farre more difficult, then if it had never bin attempted. A foule cloth that hath bin ſlim'd (as they ſay) in waſhing, ſo that the dirt is ſcalded into it, will require farre more labour to clenſe it, then if it had never bin touched. A wild Colt that hath once caſt his rider, will put him doubly to it, to ſit him the next time.
3. Yea, in reſpect of other after-reformers too, ſuch an halfe doing will be no ſmall diſheartning and prejudice unto them, in caſe they may ſet upon the ſame worke in time to come. What? (will it be ſaid) will theſe men doe more, then, their wiſe predeceſſors could compaſſe? Tuſh, this attempt is an old fancy, a ſtale project: Thus, in ſuch and ſuch a time of old there were ſome of your humour that made a great noyſe of Alterations, and Reformations, they forſooth would needs doe ſtrange buſineſſes, but what was the iſſue? either nothing or a very ſmall matter. Thus the cure is made more difficult to thoſe Phyſitians which ſhall come after, and they by this meanes are diſcouraged from the undertaking.
4. But eſpecially ſuch imperfect attempts and meere beginnings of a Reformation and Deliverance, are moſt miſchievous in regard of the Enemies of thoſe workes, and that more wayes then one: for by this meanes, 1. They doe become more bold, and audacious in their evills, according to that of the Preacher, Eccleſ. 8. v. 11.Becauſe ſentence againſt an evill worke is not executed speedily (I may put in thorowly,) therefore the heart of the ſonnes of men is fully ſet in them to doe evill; or at leaſt the enemies doe hereby grow more ſubtill and cautious (if not more impudent,) As a I ox that hath once broken the ſnare or ginne, it will coſt you double art, paynes, and patience, to get him upon that advantage againe: So if once the Enemies can eſcape ſuch a ſcowring, they will worke more wiſely ever afterward, and tenne to one, if ere you take them ſo fairely upon the hyp in future times. 2. But chiefely ſuch ſhort ſparring (as we ſay) doth make the Enemies more fierce, cruell and malicious, againſt all the Reforming party for ever afterward. When Moſes and Aaron did attempt and begin the Redemption, and Deliverance of Iſrael out of Aegypt, and that they had made but an entrance upon the worke, Exo. 5. v. 1. & 3they had but broken the ice with Pharaoh, concerning letting the people goe: Lo, then for a time it is farre worſe with the poore Hebrewes then ever before; for the tale of their brick is doubled, ſtraw is denyed them, and inſteed thereof, ſtripes are layed upon them. Suppoſe now that thoſe two great Deliverers (Moſes and Aaron) had left the worke in this plight, had they not bin rather enemies, then friends to Iſrael in ſo doing? But once more, Suppoſe that the Aegyptians had recovered the Iſraelites back againe, Exod. 14.when they purſued them to the red-Sea? Oh then, what triple tusks of bricks, with Scorpions inſtead of rodds, would they have layed upon them? To illuſtrate this poynt a little more cleerely: Suppoſe a hunter, or Woodman, in ſhooting of a Stagg, or Wilde-Boare, doth not ſtrike it dead in the place, but onelyonly wounds it: is not then the ſhooter himſelfe in as much danger as the game? is it not time for him preſently to fly for his owne life, for feare leaſt the bleeding beaſt doth fall upon him? Or once more, Suppoſe that a Prieſt or Levite of old, when he had a Bull or Bullock tyed to the hornes of the Altar; ſuppoſe (I ſay) that he had given it ſuch a faint blow upon the head, as might onelyonly have amazed the furious beaſt, and cauſed him to breake the cordes, had it not then bin high time for the man to looke to himſelfe, for feare leaſt the Sacrifice ſhould have offered up the Prieſt? We know that the Philiſtines brought downe Sampſon very low: Judg. 16. ver. 19. ver. 21.for they did ſhave off the locks of his head, and with them his ſtrength, they did put out his Eyes, and bound him with fetters of braſſe, and he did grinde in the priſon houſe. A man would have thought that this enemy of theirs had bin ſufficiently diſabled from hurting them for ever after: but the caſe was otherwiſe, ver. 22.for in time the haire of his head began to grow againe, and at laſt, when they made but a play-game of him, ver. 25. ver. 28. ver. …0.he was at once avenged of them for his two eyes: Yea, he pulled downe that houſe-full of the Philistines at one plucke, ſo that the dead which he ſlew at his death, were more then they which he ſlew in his life. Therefore there is no good truſting of ſhaven, blind, bound and impriſoned Sampſons; their haire may grow againe, and then woe to the other ſide if ever they recover hold faſt in the pillars of the houſe. In ſhort, whoſoever doeth not ſtrike home in caſes of great Reformations, and publike acts of Juſtice, he doth but irritate the enemy, to the extreme perill of himſelfe. I doe here remember that ſpeech of Goliah unto David, and may well allude unto it, Chuſe you out a man for you (ſaith he) and let him come downe to me, if he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, 1 Sam. 17.8, 9.then will we be your ſervants, but if I prevaile againſt him, then ſhall ye be our ſervants and ſerve us. The like words me thinks I heare founding from the mouth of every grand-delinquent, and from each mighty Anti-Reformist amongſt us at this time. If the Reformers be now able to match and vanquiſh us, then we muſt be ſervants for ever: but if our party can at this time prevaile, kill, and conquer them, then all is ours, and they ſhall be our perpetuall ſervants, and ſerve us. And hence (I ſuppoſe) doe ſpring all thoſe divelliſh Treaſons, and helliſh Machinations of the Adverſaries, in all the three Kingdomes ever ſince the beginning of this Parliament, Iriſh, Scottiſh and Engliſh Rebellions, Treaſons and Conſpiraſies. The enemies are buſie (like their father the Divell,) becauſe their time is ſhort: Now or never therefore, let the holy, and loyall ſide beſtirre themſelves too, even in their owne defence. And to ſet on this point yet more cloſely, we may allude in this caſe, unto that ſpeech of our Saviour concerning the re-entry of the uncleane ſpirit. Mat. 12. v. 43.When the uncleane spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh thorough dry places, ver. 44.ſeeking rest, and finding none, then he ſaith, I will returne into my houſe from whence I came out, and when he is come, ver. 45.he findeth it empty, ſwept and garniſhed: Then goeth he and taketh with himſelfe ſeven other spirits more wicked then himſelfe, and they enter in and dwell there, and the laſt ſtate of that man is worſe then the firſt. The States Eccleſiaſticall and Civill, in this Kingdome, were not long ſince peſtered, and in part poſſeſſed, with divers bad members, which were unto us like ſo many uncleane spirits, ſome of theſe have bin lately diſpoſſeſſed; I meane, by flight, impriſonment, death; ſo that at preſent, we doe walke through dry places, that is, in better wayes, ſeeking reſt, and a thorow Reformation; but if now we finde none, then, then, let us be ſure that thoſe (Cacodemons) evill spirits, may returne againe, and take with themſelves many other ſpirits more wicked then themſelves, and (if poſſible) enter in, and dwell here, and the laſt ſtate of this Nation ſhall then be worſe then the firſt. The Lord grant that it be not even ſo unto this Generation. In briefe (my Brethren) let me ſpeake it as effectually, as I doe now faithfully ſay it. The Bleſſed Reformers and their Adherents, doe at this time (as they ſay) hold a Wolfe by the eares. By the Wolfe I doe underſtand, all Papiſts and Delinquents, if they chance to let goe this ravenous beaſt, he may turne againe, and all to rent them; if they hold it there for longer time, this alſo may be perilous. A third way yet remaineth, and that is, to be ſure and ſwift.
5. Finally, Such ſhort-ſhooting may much redound, or at leaſt be objected, to the diſhonour of the attempting Reformers: for will not after ages, yea, the preſent enemies, be bold to put upon them that Proverbe in the Goſpell, concerning weake builders, and ſay, Theſe mend id begin to build, but they were not able to finiſh? Lu. 14.30.So much for a firſt Motive.
A ſecond meanes to ſtirre up Activity may be taken from our common intereſt in this worke. Conſider that thy ſelfe, Motive 2 and all thine, have a deepe ſhare in this deek, I meane, if thou beeſt a true Proteſtant and a good Subject. This was Mordecais firſt Argument to Queene Heſter, Eſt. 4.13.Thinke not with thy ſelfe that thou ſhalt eſcape in the Kings Houſe more then all the Iews: So ſay I to every one that heareth me this day, what Religion doſt thou profeſſe? Art thou a Papiſt or a Proteſtant? If a Proteſtant, then I muſt tell thee. Thinke not with thy ſelfe wherſoever thou art, that thou ſhalt eſcape, more then all the Proteſtants: for the Iriſh-Rebels, the Traitours and Conspiratours in Scotland and England, yea, the whole Anti-Parliamentary guilty party, in all three places, are generally, either Papiſts in tongue or Popiſh in heart.
Queſtion. But thou wilt ſay, I am neither Papiſt nor Puritan, the middle and moderated way is my deſire?
Anſwer. True, wee have both Church-Papists and Maſſe-Proteſtants, yea further (if you will) there are amongſt us, both meere Paſſive Proteſtants, and Active ones, the latter are accounted Puritans, and the former are little better then men indifferent: but to bee ſhort, art thou a Proteſtant indeed, that is, compleatly Orthodox in Doctrine, and firmely conſcientious in practice? Then I tell thee once againe, that thou art no better then an Hereticke, yea a Puritan, in the Definition and account of true Romaniſts. How long therefore halt yee betwixt two wayes and opinions, betwixt Popery and Purity? Be aſſured Brethren, there is no third Tract to be found, and to convince you of this (for wee had need of conviction in this point) conſider ſeriouſly theſe two grounds or reaſons.
1. Firſt, Chriſt himſelfe doth make but two wayes and gates, and two ſorts of Travellers, in, and to them. Enter yee in at the ſtraight Gate: Mat. 7.13.For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to deſtruction, and many there be that goe in thereat; ver. 14.becauſe ſtraight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there bee that finde it. There we have a diviſion of all perſons in the world, into two ranckes, Curſed and Bleſſed, and he gives us two markes of the latter ſort, you may know them by their ſtrictneſſe in practiſe, and pauſity of number. Againe, our Saviour ſaith elſwhere, …. 12.30.He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me ſcattereth abroad; therfore Chriſt himſelfe doth make but two principall ſides now amongſt us.
2. But if the Popiſh, rebellious or Anti-Reforming party ſhould now prevaile (which God forbid) they alſo would paſſe a Dicottomy upon us all, they would make but two parts of all the people in England, either we muſt turne Catholikes (as they call it) or elſe, we ſhall be Heretiks and Puritans in their Kalender: and therefore if there be any perſons, preſent or abſent, which doe dreame of getting ſafety by compounding, and halfe-ſyding, let thoſe Batts know, that their lot in the concluſion, is like to be no better, then was that of the wily Gibeonites which made a crafty lying league with Iſrael. Joſh 9.3. &c.See the iſſue of their compoſition, firſt, they are both accurſed and inthraled, even by thoſe with whom they made their league; Saith Joſhua to them (when he had ſpied their Cap.) Now therefore yee are accurſed, ver. 23.and there ſhall none of you be freed from being bond-men, and hewers of wood and drawers of water, for the Houſe of my God. And afterward King Saul, he doth maſſacre or ſlay them in his zeale to the children of Iſrael and Judah. 2 …am. 21.2.Let all the Engliſh Gibeonites of theſe times looke for the like reward in the latter end, and remember ſtill, that theirs was ſlavery and ſlaughter. In a word, the greateſt favour that ſuch Newters may expect, can be but this, they may finde ſo much favour, as to be eaten laſt, and to be ſerved in for the murtherers ſecond courſe. That is the next Motive.
Thirdly, Motive 3 Conſider that the Lord can and will effect this great worke without us, but then it ſhall be to our greater coſt and damnage. Eſt. 4.14.This was another of Mordecais arguments to Queene Eſther, For if thou altogether holdeſt thy peace at this time, then ſhall their inlargement and Deliverance ariſe to the Jewes from another place, but thou and thy fathers Houſe ſhall be deſtroyed. Let me clap this ſpurr in the ſides of every dull and unactive perſon that heares me this day, the Lord will never be baſſed in his worke, but yet thou and thine may be ruined, for not conferring your help. Our backwardneſſe may hinder our ſelves, though it be not an hinderance to the worke. See an example to this purpoſe, in the cold reward of fearefull Barak, he had a faire propheſie and promiſe, Judg 4.to incourage him to goe againſt Syſera, the Captaine of Jabins army; but he is timerous and durſt not to adventure himſelfe alone, but will have Deborah (a woman) to goe with him, or elſe he will not go: ver. …Now what doth the Lord looſe, ver. 5.or Barak gaine by this fearefullneſſe? Surely, the Lords worke is done nevertheleſſe: ver. 23.For God ſubdued on that day Jabin the King of Canaan: But Baraks wages they are much the leſſe, I will ſurely goe with thee (ſaith Deborah) notwithſtanding the journey which thou takeſt ſhall not be for thine honour, ver. 9.for the Lord ſhall ſell Syſera into the hand of a woman. A juſt and proportionable puniſhment, if Barak will play the woman by his fearefullneſſe, and will needs have a woman to goe with him, moſt juſt it is that a woman ſhould take the honour of the day from him. Sam. 15.….Take but one preſident more to fortifie this Motive, the man is King Saul, he is commanded to deſtroy Amalek utterly; but he doth this work of the Lord negligently, and ſpareth King Agag and the beſt of the ſpoyle. Whats the iſſue? ver. 33. ver. 28.Is Agags life ſaved by this meanes? No, but the ſword of Samuell cuts him off. Or is King Saul a gainer by his remiſſeneſſe? No, but it coſts him his Crowne and Scepter. So our cowardiſe and negligence, about the publicke worke at this time, though it cannot hinder the Lord, yet may it prejudice and undoe, both our ſelves and our poſterityes.
Fourthly, Motive 4.Conſider the opportunity of this ſeaſon, and our honourable priviledge, in being brought forth at ſuch a time. Eſt. 4 14.This is Mordecais laſt argument to Eſther, And who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdome for ſuch a time as this? This Motive (it ſeemes) did ſtrike the ſtroke with Queene Eſther, and carried her thorow all difficulties, ſo that now neither the wrath of a King, nor the late ſad preſident of Queene Vaſthi, no, nor the feare of death it ſelfe could hold her in. When the Lord hath a purpoſe to doe great publike workes of Reformation and Deliverance, and doth ſo farre honour any of his ſervants, as to bring them forth in ſuch a nick, yea, and (perhaps) to call them to that ſervice, it is then their duty, and the Lords expectation, that they would indeavour to raiſe, fit and proportion their ſpirits to the worke that is ſet before them: yea and God himſelfe at ſuch times is ready to be with them in an extraordinary meaſure. Thus, when the Lord would have that firſt Temple builded at Ieruſalem, 2 Sam 11.25. 1 Chr. 22.9, 10 1 Kin. 3.9. 1 Kin. cap 5.what a King did he give unto Iſrael? he was no leſſe then a ledidiah and a Salomon (beloved of the Lord and peaceable) Nay how doth that King indeavour to fit and furniſh himſelfe, both by prayer for wiſdome, and by diligent contrivall for materials? Ezra 5.1, 2.So for the building of the ſecond Temple, what active Prophets and Princes, did the Lord raiſe up, and how doe they rowſe up themſelves for that worke? as Haggai and Zechariah, with couragious Zerubbabell and Jeſhua, beſides Ezra and Nehemiah about the ſame time: Neh 3.1.So in building of the walls of Jeruſalem; what choice and forward ſpirits doe we find, in that third Chapter of Nehemiah, firſt among the Prieſts and afterward from the Princes, and from them it runneth down to the very Tradeſ-men, ver. 8. ver. 32.as Gold-ſmiths, Apothecaries, and Merchants. In like manner, when the Lord had a purpoſe to root out Baal, Iezebell and Ahabs poſterity, what a man for the nonce did he raiſe up, 2 Kin. ca. 9.10.even furious Iehu the ſon of Nimſhi? And ſo in England heretofore, when the time was come for rooting out thoſe Romiſh Baalites, and that Babiloniſh Jezabell did not God raiſe up our Engliſh-Iehu, (King Henry the eighth) a man made for the purpoſe? Brethren, let us lay this to our hearts, we all (of this age and Iſland) are now honoured, to be the Spectatours of a wonderfull worke, yea, and ſome of us (perhaps) are borne to be happy inſtruments thereof in ſome degree; Magn… anmus magna… fortunam decet.ô let us take this gratious opportunity as an honourable bleſſing, let us improve it richly, to the honour of him, who hath ſo highly honoured us. Yea, let every one that can doe any thing (and who cannot holily, and loyally doe ſomething towards this work?) let him or her ſay with themſelves, Who knoweth whether J am come to my preſent place, caſe and condition, for ſuch a time as this?
1. Firſt, let every Magiſtrate and Officer ſay with himſelfe, who can tell, whether I am made a Maior or Juſtice of the Peace, &c. in ſuch an eminent County, City or Borough, for ſuch a time as this? namely, that I may promote and enliven within my Spheare the Declarations and Orders that doe come from Parliament, that I may certifie againſt contemners effectually, and may to my utmoſt apprehend and ſend up all that ſhall let and offend the preſent worke. Nay (me thinks) the very wives of ſuch Magiſtrates, may as well ſay to themſelves, as Mordecai did to Eſther the wife of King Ahaſhuerus, Who knoweth whither we are come to our derived dignity and reflected authority for ſuch times as theſe?
2. In like manner would I have every other inferiour Officer, to commune with his owne heart in his Chamber, and ſay, I am now (ſuppoſe) a Conſtable, and ordinary ſervice is not ſufficient in extraordinary times. I am but a meane man (may another ſay) and have prayed (perhaps) heretofore for an occaſion and opportunity to further the Reformation, Lo, now I am one of the Church-Wardens of my Pariſh, and there is a Declaration for aboliſhing of Crucifixes, &c. now put into my hands and even dropt into my mouth. A third man may tell his owne heart, there is now come downe an Order for ſetting up of Lectures, and I am a wealthy leading man amongſt my Neighbours, Who knowes whether I am come to this Pariſh, to this eſtate for ſuch a time as this?
3. But finally and eſpecially, let this conſideration kindle the ſpirits of all faithfull Miniſters, and make them blaze with holy, loyall flames of zeale and activity. O my Brethren, that we unworthy we, ſhould be made Watch-men and Paſtours, in ſuch hopefull, and yet fearfull times as theſe, wheras ſo many of our better Predeceſſours, have deſired to ſee theſe things, but could not ſee them, me thinkes, this conſideration ſhould melt and raviſh us, yea, it is almoſt enough to make us cut up our fleſh into hearts, and (if it were poſſible) to diſtribute and deale them abroad into the boſomes of our friends to enliven them. To winde up all, let every ſoule that wiſheth well to our Zion and Jeruſalem, to Church and State, caſt himſelfe and his upon the preſent Reformation; Let him (as a good Chriſtian and true Subject) adventure his All in that bottome, 'tis no ſmall hinderance to the publicke good worke, that many thouſands of people doe ſtand (in bivio) wavering in their judgements and affections, they have (as it were) one foot upon the ſhore, and the other in the Ship: ſo that if the Sea doth chance to ſwell and grow rough, they are provided to retire to ſhoare with ſafety; but if the waters prove calme, they will goe off wholly into the Arke amongſt the Reformers, and this diviſion is the rea…y way to caſt away both ſhip and men: Let me ſay therefore to all theſe as Saint Paul ſaid of thoſe ſhipmen, which were about to forſake their veſſell in the ſtorme, Except theſe abide in the Ship yee cannot be ſaved. Act. 27.30, 31.Let us all according to our places leape off wholly with both feet into the publike Arke of Reformation, and now to ſet on this laſt Motive with a paire of ſpurrs at parting, let us in our thoughts and imaginations, repreſent the paſt and future ages as now preſent to encourage and quicken our Activity. Firſt, for Paſt-ages, let us thinke and ſuppoſe with our ſelves, that if our Anceſtors of the laſt generation were now living againe, even thy father, and mine, and his, thy husband, wife, or (perhaps) brother deceaſed (I ſpeak only of ſuch dead friends as wiſhed well unto Zion) ô how would theſe ſpit in the faces of ſome of their children, nephewes or kinſ-men, which are againſt this Reformation? how would they checke and ſpurr up all their midling kindred? but as for all thoſe of their off-ſpring that goe the right way, ô, how would they kiſſe, bleſſe and embrace them? and what ſhewers of fatherly benedictions would they let fall upon their heads? Brethren, let the very aſhes of our Anceſtors put ſome fire into us. But ſecondly, for future ages too, thinke, ô thinke upon your children yet unborne, or not growne up, poore ſoules they are not yet able to ſpeake for themſelves in this buſineſſe, but much of their future happineſſe doth lie at the mercy of our preſent Activity. O let us give them cauſe to bleſſe our memories in the times to come, that ſo when they ſhall hereafter ſit upon our Tombes and Graves, they may there tell their children and childrens children, that they had fathers and grand-fathers once, which did live in a golden age of opportunityes, and by their taking and improvement of thoſe ſeaſons, they did treaſure up unto us theſe bleſſed legacies of Truth and Peace, which we and ours, do now enjoy.
And now, what more can I adde? what golden Text of Scripture can I finde that is ſufficiently emphaticall to tip and cloſe up all this Diſcourſe? Let it be that of Saint Paul to his Corinthians, we will but vary the number, and take it to our ſelves, 1 Cor. 16. ver. 9. A great Doore and effectuall is opened unto us, and there are many adverſaries. The words are a double ſpurr.