Account for Subscribing, Section 3
SECT. III.
Reasons asserting and justifying the faithfulnesse and conscionablenesse of Engagement.
I. REASON.
BEcause such subscribed Engagement is agreeable to the law of nature and Nations revealed in the holy Scriptures, dictated and inspired by the Spirit of the God of Nature and Nations, who is our King and Law-giver, Isai. 33. 22, even the one onelyonly Law-giver, who is able to save and to destroy; see Iam. 4. 12. compared with 2 Tim. 3. 16. Ergo, It may and ought to be subscribed: This Reason shall be evidenced and illustrated according to the foure branches and parts observed in the Forme of Engagement.
1. The condition of the person subscribing, even one who is a Subject under this established present Government of the Common-wealth of England, and receiveth benefit and protection from the same, giveth good evidence and illustration to this first Reason: For it is both lawfull and requisite that any person, who is a Subject under any supreme power whatsoever, of what kind soever the power is, whether it be Monarchicall, Aristocraticall, or Democraticall, and of what Nation soever the person and subject is, it is necessary, I say, that such subject person be true and faithfull to such Supreme Power. This is demonstrable by an Induction of particular instances, viz.
1. Ioseph the son of the Patriark Iacob, an Hebrew fearing God, he by occasion living in Egypt, (having been sold thither) did not onelyonly accept imployment under the Supreme Power there, but also was true and faithfull thereunto, yea, though Egypt was an house of bondage unto the Israelites, see Gen. 41. &c.
2. Mordecai, a truly religious Jew of the children of the captivity, did witnesse his truth and faithfulnesse unto the Persian Monarchy, by his ingenuous discovery of the treasonable and murderous designe of Bigthan and Teresh, two of the Kings Chamberlains against King Ahashuerus, reigning in Persia at that time; see Esther 2. 21, 22.
3. Nehemiah, an eminent servant of God, served Artaxerxes the King of Persia, and was true and faithfull unto the supreme Power, both in submitting unto, and observing of his directions and appointment; see Neh. 2. 6. & cap. 13. 6.
4. Our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in the dayes of his flesh here on earth, declared his mind touching faithfulnesse to Tiberius Caesar, the Romane Emperor, being at that time supreme Commander over the Jewish Nation, so far as did concern that his supreme power, whatever difficulties and confusions the Jewish Nation was involved into in those daies; see Mat. 22. 19, 20, 21.
5. The holy Apostle Paul approving his Apostleship to the Gentiles, as became him, instructeth the Christians at Rome to submit faithfully and conscientiously to the present supreme power there, though the Emperors in those times were monstrous and bloody usurping Emperors; see Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c.
6. The great Apostle Peter saw just cause that the brethren of the dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bythinia, should submit themselves unto the present power they were under in those severall Territories, what ever the power was for its kind; and this for the arguing their faithfulnesse unto those Powers, and their Christian faithfulnesse in so doing; see 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
These instances may beyond all exception, vindicate the person who is an English Subject, and hath his subsistence and livelihood in England, for his ingaging unto the now established Common-wealth of England, the tie of this relation being more naturall and fundamentall then those before mentioned: Hereunto might be added, of how good report it is, (Philip. 4. 8.) that in case any prisoners amongst us have liberty to go abroad, upon their parole, and ingaging themselves to their Goalers and Keepers to faithfulnesse, that they approve themselves unto them therein; how much more in the case in hand?
2. The second branch in the form of Engagement, is the Act of subscribing in its peculiar nature, and it is expressed in these words, [I declare, and promise to be true and faithfull to, &c.] Now this peculiar Act doth afford another ground to argue the reasonablenesse of the Engagement, according to Scripturall Reason: Sith truth and faithfulnesse in any persons in any concernments, doth hear well on all hands, as on the contrary, falshood and trechery doth hear ill. This may be manifested and evinced in these ensuing assertions.
1 God himself is glorified by his Attribute of faithfulnesse, Deut. 7. 9. Psal. 36. 5.
2. Christ stileth himselfe the faithfull and true witnesse, Apocal. 3. 14.
3. Gods gracious respect is unto faithfull ones, Heb. 3. 2. 5. Mat. 25. 21. 23.
4. Faithfulnesse is a character of approved ones: See instances, viz.
1. A faithfull man fearing God above many, Neh. 7. 2.
2. A faithfull Priest, doing according to Gods heart, 1 Sam. 2. 35.
3. Faithfull with the Saints, ruling with God, Hos. 11. …2.
4. A faithfull Ambassador is health, Prov. 13. 17.
5. It is required of Stewards to be found faithfull, 1 Cor. 4. 2.
6. A faithfull and wise servant, Mat. 24. 45.
7. A faithfull Martyr, Apocal. 2. 13. &c.
5. Falshood and unfaithfulnesse is a character of the wicked, Psal. 5. 9. as being,
1. Prohibited, Exod. 23. 7:
2. Reproved, Psal. 1 20. 3.
3. Punishable, Deut. 19. 18, 19. &c.
These particular assertions being duly weighed, are grounds and motives to attract and perswade evermore to act truly and faithfully, as the nature of the object doth also further require, nextly to be insisted on.
3. The object of the Act of subscribing the Engagement, doth give yet further ground of evidence and confirmation of the first Scripturall Reason, viz. [I declare and promise to be true and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England.] Sith the Common wealth of England is the same Common-wealth that it hath been for very many ages and generations successively; as it may appeare divers wayes.
1. It is of the same English language, and native Mother tongue.
2. It is the same Continent, and hath the same borders and bounds.
3. It hath the same great Charter of its Laws [Magna Charta.]
4. It acteth in the doing of Justice and Judgment in the same way of open Courts at Westminster, and in the severall Counties of the Nation at Assizes, and Sessions, and inferior Judicatories; and these transactions are managed by the learned Judges, Justices of Peace, Stewards, Juries, and Witnesses, &c. as hath been antiently accustomed.
5. It professeth and establisheth the true Christian Religion, according to the sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testament.
6. And principally it enacteth Lawes by Parliamentary Power, and it onelyonly, enacting some new Laws, and repealing some old Lawes, (pro re nata) as occasion and cause requireth, and as it hath been wont to do: And herein the very form of the Commonwealth consists.
Yea, and howbeit, there have been and are various conditions of persons, and also of wayes of governing by Britains, Saxons, Danes, and Normans, both in Civill and Ecclesiasticall Affairs unto this day, refining and reforming Laws and Government as need hath required; yet none of these variations may be said to abrogate or disanull the identity of the Common-wealth of England. It is true indeed, that as in some part heretofore, so in the later times very much that was amisse hath been amended not only in the expulsion of Antichrist in the branch in Queen Elizabeths time, but also in the root by this present Parliament; as also, much good hath been by the Parliament, in suppressing of arbitrary power, taking away the High Commission Court, Star-Chamber, Hierarchie, and superstitious monuments of Popish Idolatry, &c. but yet notwithstanding it is the same Common-wealth still, yea, and English blood and spirits are yet remaining amongst us.
It is in great part with us in England, as it was with the Commonwealth of Israel, Chronichled in the Canonicall Scriptures of the Old Testament, viz. They were the same Common-wealth of Israel, from their first establishment to be a National Commonwealth in Sinai, Exod. 19. 1. &c. untill the utter ruine of their Commonwealth, fore-told and prophecied of by our Saviour Christ, Mat. 24. and afterwards effected by Vespasian, the Roman Emperor, as may be seen in these instances:
1. They were all along of the same Hebrew language.
2. They had the same great Charter of Moses Lawes both for Civill and Church Affairs.
3. They had the same borders and bounds still reckoned on, albeit sometimes more or lesse extended or restrained.
4. They reformed amisses both in Church and State (as their condition did admit) as occasion was, and their hearts bent thereto.
5. And although they had also sundry conditions of persons and wayes of governing, namely,
1. In the Wildernesse by the hands of Moses and Aaron; see Psal. 77. 20.
2. In Canaan by Judges 450. years; see Act. 13. 20.
3. By Kings afterwards till the captivity, and these variously obtaining their regality; see Books of Samuel, Kings and Chronocles.
4. By variously conditioned men after the captivity neere 500. years, &c. and yet from Moses to Herod they were the Commonwealth of Israel; see Luke 1. 5. - 68. & cap. 2. 25.
These instances being duly observed, there is just cause that English Patriots in their love and zeal of their native Country, should shew themselves to be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England, in whose hands soever the Government is established; and this the rather, because true Israelites indeed in whose spirits was no guile, (see Iohn 1. 47.) were wont to be faithfull in their dayes to such their Common-wealth. Let some instances of a few such Worthies of the Lords be remembred also herein, who did demean themselves faithfully as present state required.
1. Ioshua and Caleb incouraging the Israelites in the Wildernesse, when many others discouraged them; see Numb. 14. 6, 7.
2. Congregation of Israel, when there was no King in Israel, on occasion of the horrid distemper mentioned, Iudg. 20. 1. &c.
3. David a private man, when Goliah defied the Host f Israel, 1 Sam. 17. 32.
4. Hushai the Archite acting faithfully in the time of Absolons unnaturall rebellion, 2 Sam. 15. 32.
5. Obediah in the time of Iezabels persecuting malignity, 1 King. 18. 3, 4.
6. Iehonadab the son of Rechab adhering to Iehu, 2 Kings 10. 15.
7. Shecaniah stirring up Ezra to act in perplexed times, Ezra 10. 2, 3.
Certainly such examples ought to be presidents unto the people of God in England, to act as such faithfull servants of God did act in their generations.
4. Lastly, the modification and restriction of the object, viz: [The Common-wealth of England, as it is now established without a King and House of Lords,] being compared with such Texts of Scripture, as by just consequence are to be made use of, will strongly argue its establishment to be agreeable to the mind of God the Law-giver; so as therefore there is good reason for subscribing the Engagement: For this purpose let these three assertions implied in this modification of object, be well considered.
1. The Common-wealth of England, as it is now established without a King and House of Lords, is so established by the Parliament.
2. The Parliament that hath declared and setled the Common-wealth of England in a free State without a King and House of Lords, is the Soveraign Power in England.
3. There is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement, because of Common-wealths establishment without a King and House of Lords,
1. Assertion. The first of these Assertions may be manifested by the Parliaments Declaration, March 17. 1648. expressing the grounds of their proceedings, &c. of setling the present Government in the way of a free State: The Parliament Declaration containeth four remarkable Causes of such their proceedings, and setling the Government, to be viewed in a short Synopsis, viz.
1. Cause. The first cause was in respect of Kingly Government, (set up in our Nation by the agreement of the people for their protection and better government, according to such Laws as they consented unto) which is taken away for these Reasons.
1. Reason. Kingly Power was perverted by most of the Trustees, and most notoriously by the late King, who by many degrees exceeded the rest. Such his vile miscarriage is exemplified in the Parliament Declaration, by about fifty undeniable pregnant instances, needlesse to insert. It were good that every English Patriot had the Declaration by him in these confused times to peruse frequently.
2. Reason. The Kings two eldest Sonnes appeared in actuall arms against the Parliament, so as no hope of future security could be expected unto the Nation from them.
3. Reason. There is elder right of supreme power in the people of the Land, then was in the Kings children.
4. Reason. If any Right or Title belonged to the Kings eldest sonne, the same is forfeited by the Fathers treasonable Act; as in other cases, even in offices of Inheritance, it is wont.
5. Reason. The Kings younger children equally forfeited upon the same account.
6. Reason. It is in the same power and authority which at first erected a King for common good, and afterwards findeth him to pervert his Kingship to common evill; it is in their power, whether they will continue his Kingly power, or change it to a better.
7. Reason. God hath specially blessed free States, who formerly were oppressed by tyranny, as is seen in united Netherlands, and others.
8. Reason. There are manifold commodious advantages to people in Free-States: Manifold oppressions and dammages are under Monarchy: Vast expense is wont to be by Court luxury and prodigality. Profuse Donations and pensions for the promoting Tyranny; yea, and the Court (being the nursery of vices, and corrupter of hopeful branches of noble Families) prevented in a Free State. See Declarat.
2. Cause. The second cause of Parliament proceedings touched on in the Declaration, respecteth the taking away of the House of Lords, for just reasons, viz.
1. Reason. The Lords sate in an house by themselves, and did not represent the people, and therefore might be well spared.
2. Reason. They exercised a negative Vote, tending to obstruct much.
3. Reason. They exercised a juridicall power over the persons, and estates of all the Commons, whereof they were not competent Judges.
4. Reason. Their power did specially depend on the absolutenesse of the King.
5. Reason. The Common-Wealth could not well beare their delaies in times of exigency.
6. Liberty is left to such Lords, who have been, and shall be found faithfull, to choose, and to be chosen Representatives, as other competent persons have their right unto. See Declarat.
3. Cause. Thirdly, the Parliament giveth satisfactory answers to the obvious main objections against their proceedings, viz. Anticipat.
1. It was intended, as it was declared April 1646. for governing the Nation by King, Lords and Commons, in a confidence that the King and Peers would have applied themselves, as had been meet; but they wholly and obstinately failing therein, and there being no stipulation on both sides, it could not be esteemed a contract; so that the Commons did most justly after their intentions.
2. Although some Members of the House of Commons had some force on them (it having at any time rarely happened in times of Parliament, but some force more or lesse hath been exercised against them, or some of them, and they esteemed to be Parliament for all this) yet no breach of Priviledge can be charged upon the remaining part in the House, which remaining part did farre exceed such authorized number, who do make an House beyond all exception.
3. The Parliament hath declared that the Fundamentall Laws of the Nation are to be continued, as also Courts of Justice and Judicature in a due way. See Declaration.
Cause. Lastly, the Parliaments Declaration sheweth their just and well-grounded ends in the establishing the Common-wealth, as now it is without King and Lords: Let the Declaration it self be exactly skanned in its full and effectuall expressions, and it may appeare it was not force on some without the Parliament doors, but the force of right reason on the Members within the House, which hath so declared: How forcible are right words? See Iob 6. 25.
II. Assertion. The second Assertion touching the Soveraign Power of the English Parliament is taken for granted, not only by the Parliament themselves, groundedly demonstrated in their Declaration above mentioned in the first Assertion, and likewise in their exercise of supreme power in issuing out Commissions both to subordinate Magistrates for the doing of justice, and to the Souldiery for defensive and offensive warres; but also it is taken for granted by others, rationall men in the Common-wealth, who have acted by their Commissions; and this from year to year of late whilest the King lived, as well as this present year, 1649. yea, and there are many who have published their minds touching this matter: This hath been done by Mr. Prynne (though now an adversary hereunto) in foure voluminous parts of one of his books, with a large Appendix thereunto, intituled, The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments, whither the Reader may be referred: only I doe observe hereabouts, That God the onelyonly Law-giver, and Soveraign King of Kings, and all supreme powers, having been graciously pleased to preserve unto us in England the substance of our Common-wealth hitherto, surely he hath appointed and continued unto us the Law of Nature, contained in the Decalogue to be our rule of life in our severall capacities of inferiority and superiority, whether supreme or subordinate, as well in Civill Government, as in Church and Family; yea, to have a Magistracy to be keepers of both the Tables; see Rom. 13. 4. compared with Exod. 19. 6. & cap. 20. 1. & 12. And therefore our transactions in England touching our Lawes, and the executing of them, areby lawfull commissioned persons of severall sorts (otherwise the Law of Nature feemeth to fail) and so consequently are lawfully administred by them. Oh that all men fearing God amongst us, specially such as have complied with the Parliament, after the King his leaving the House, and withdrawing from it, would consider soberly and seriously hereof, and so take heed of daring to think, or speak, or act against those in Authority, lest they do incurre Gods fierce displeasure: See Numb. 12. cap. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Psal. 2. 12. It is hard for any to kick against the pricks, Acts 9. 5. and to resist the Ordinance of God, Rom. 13. 2.
III. Assertion. The third Assertion, That there is no just cause of refusing to subscribe the Engagement, in regard of the present establishment of the Common-wealth of England, without a King and House of Lords. It may be argued, as otherwise, so from the rule of our own practice, who doe professe our due respects to Parliaments, viz.
1. It was not taken to be prejudiciall, or dangerous to the Priviledges of Parliament, that the Lords spirituall (as they were stiled) were cashiered and expelled out of the House of Lords, albeit they had been called by Writ, and had formerly and very antiently been esteemed and reputed Members of that House.
2. It did not infringe the nature and being of the Parliament, that the King after a time with-drew himself totally from the House.
3. The Parliament did retain its perfect constitution and being when very many, yea, most of the Lords, and when very many of the Commons with-drew themselves, pretending to be a Parliament at Oxford, sith a competent number remained still in the House.
4. It is alledged out of approved Antiquaries, that in case all the Lords after a due Summons should fail to appeare and sit in the House, that their totall absence doth not, nor cannot hinder or nullifie the due Parliamentary proceedings, whereas it is destructive to the being of the Parliament, if a competent number of Commons constituted to make up an House, be absent, sith the Commons are the Representatives of the people; see Prynnes Soveraign Power of Parliament, Part 1. Pag. 43. Edit. 2.
5. It is resolved and declared by the Parliament, that the King had not a negative Vote.
These five particular instances being duely marked, together with that which the Parliament hath declared, March 17. 1648. as above, may abundantly convince, that according to this third Assertion, there is no cause of just refusall to subscribe the Engagement to the Common-wealth of England, as it is now established: And so the first Argument justifying the faithfulnesse and conscionableness of the subscription, is fully concluded.
II. REASON.
Because subscribing the Engagement hath its due consistency and agreement with the main scope and intention of former Oaths, Protestations, and Covenants prae-ingaged in nationally unto the supreme Power of England, approved mostly on all hands; so that as right reason did then require the taking of them in their just sense, so doth the same reason now require to take the Engagement.
For the more effectuall arguing the case by this reason, these Conclusions are to be opened and considered, viz.
1 Conclusion. It is presumed and taken for granted, that the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, the Protestations and solemn Covenants were made of lawfull things lawfully, and in the Lord, according to the sacred and divine Rule, Thou shalt sweare the Lord liveth, in Truth, in Iudgement, and in Righteousnesse, Ier. 4. 2. For otherwise there is an undoubted nullity of them, ipse facto, sith no man ought to perform what is irrationally sworn, and is in it self unrighteous and unlawfull. Of this sinfull nature have been the unlawfull and unrighteous Oaths and Subscriptions of many, many Ministers in this Land in the times of prevailing Episcopacy, and superstitious conformity; for which things sake the Land mourneth, Ier. 23. 10. And therefore the swearers of Canonicall obedience of the &c. Oath, and the Subscribers, willingly (& ex animo) to the Articles by Cannon required to be subscribed unto, have cause to set themselves to sorrow godly, so as they may evidence their repentance not to be repented of, which will produce the effects of godly sorrow mentioned, 2 Cor. 7. 11. for otherwise the, Lord will not hold them guiltlesse that have taken his name in vain, Exod. 20. 7.
2. Conclusion. The main and chief scope and end of the oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance formerly; and of the Protestation and Covenant lately, and likewise of the Engagement at the present was, and is the just safety and preservation of the Common-wealth of England, against illegall and violent usurpations and attempts, whether of Forreiners or Natives, of any sort and condition of persons in what kind or notion soever, as may appear by the Statutes, Acts, Declarations, and orders of those in Supreme Authority, that have required the people of the Land to submit unto the taking and subscribing of them.
3. Conclusion. It is taken for granted that the Parliament Party who ordered the Protestation first, and the Covenant afterwards to be taken, did apprehend and judge that the said Protestation and Covenant, did not contradict the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance; neither yet did the Covenantiers understand any contrarinesse therein (however the Malignant Cavaliers and Royalists might possibly think otherwise) but rather that there was a legall consistency and agreement in their sense and meaning; inasmuch as at the same time, when occasion required, there was a taking of the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, notwithstanding the taking of the Covenant, as it is well known. For it was not the person of Charles Stuart that was sworn unto, but his Kingly legal Office, to be administred by him according to Law for the safety of the people; Because any mans person (and therefore the Kings also) being subject to such occasionall accidents and incident condition, as may justly disfit and disable not only for governing, but also from being preserred alive; there is therefore no just reason of swearing fealty simply & absolutely, but in the Lord only, & according to Law. Now there is the same reason of legall consistency and agreement with the Engagement, and with the Protestation and Covenant, as there was of the consistency and agreement of the Protestation and Covenant; with the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance. And albeit severall sorts of persons exercised the supreme power at severall times, viz. The King before the Parliament was called, The King, Lords and Commons a space together after the first sitting of the Parliament; The Commons alone at the present, yet notwithstanding the safety of the Common-wealth was all along propounded, and to be prosecuted, and still is.
4. Conclusion. Every lawfull Oath, Protestation, Covenant, and Engagement, are undoubtedly sacred Obligations, and ought to be kept and preserved inviolably. For so God 1. Commandeth, Levit. 19. 12. 2. Approveth, Psal. 15. 4. 3. Threatneth otherwise, Exod. 20. 7. 4. Yea and punisheth breaches when it is otherwise, 2 Chron. 36. 13. Ezek. 17. 15. &c. whence it followeth, that Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance; yea, and the Protestation and the Covenant formerly taken, have in the maine scope and end of them, an obligatory force still, even the safety of the Common-wealth, as hath been already declared.
5. Conclusion. Subscribing the Engagement (having it's legall consistency and agreement with former Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and also with the Protestation and Covenant) doth engage to perform and fulfill, what …n the main of the said Oaths, Protestation and Covenant was engaged; even the approving truth and faithfulnesse to the Common-wealth, whereas refusing to subscribe the Engagement argueth a breach, at least a disposition unto the breach of those Oaths, Protestation and Covenant.
These five Conclusions, as they have been laid open, are a sufficient way and means of making good our second reason. Let us have grace whereby we may serve the Lord acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire, Heh. 12. 28, 29.
III. REASON.
Because the profit and advantage of subscribing the Engagement, may most probably by Gods blessing, be much every way. See this in some instances.
1. Prevention of the ruine of the Common-wealth, which may be occasioned and caused through disagreement and distance in point of just and requisite compliances. For when a Kingdome is divided against it self, it is brought to desolation, and every City or house divided against it self shall not stand. See Mat. 12. 25. It is a token of Gods great controversie, when he setteth Egyptians against Egyptians, to fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour, City against City, and Kingdome against Kingdome. See Isa. 19. 2. It was a difficult and perplexed state of times in the Common-wealth of Israel, when civill warres were betwixt David and the house of Saul, 2 Sam. 2. & 3. cap. but bettered & more happy when matters were composed and a league made, 2 Sam. 5. 1, 2, 3. And so it was an exceeding distempered state of times of late in England for some years together, when their just Liberties were endeavoured by the Parliament and their Forces (protesting and covenanting thereunto) that then others of the Nation were up in arms for tyranny, and protested for it. But the most infinitely wise and gracious God, having now been pleased to grant deliverance from Tyranny unto the Nation, by the Parliament and their Forces, why should not people come in and engage together, as did the Israelites above mentioned. 2 Sam. 5. 1, 2, 3. Oh that we of this Nation were affected as David was (most probably on that occasion) to say or sing heartily, Psal. 133. 1. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! &c.
2. Setled peace and prosperity (which religiously affected Common-wealths-men ought to pray and seek for. See Psal. 122. 6, 7, 8.) is likest to be effected and promoted in the Common-wealth (as otherwise, so) by mutuall engaging to be true and faithfull thereunto. For hence good and speciall incouragement may be to the inhabitants to exercise husbandry, trade, merchandize, building, planting, &c. there being in such case oportunity to live quietly and peaceably without any disturbance, and to enjoy the administration of Justice and Judgement, as occasion shall require, even as it fared with the flourishing Common-wealth of Israel, at such times when they had rest in the dayes of the Judges, albeit they then had no King: see Iudg. 3. 11. 30.
3. Welfare of Church state (which consisteth singularly in speciall united combinations of single Congregations in their Presbyteries, and of Presbyteries combined in Synods, lesser or greater; see Acts 2. 47. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Tim. 4. 14. Acts 15. 2. 4. 6. &c.) shall be notably and effectually accomplished by such Engagement: For thereby such as are Church-Officers, and likewise such as are Church-members, shall be disposed in their spirits, and composed in their minds and hearts, to thinke and act humbly and soberly, as becometh members of the mysticall body, whereof Christ Jesus is the head; see Rom. 12. 3, 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 1. 10. whereas when divisions do take place, then unavoidable offences and scandalls are occasioned, to the Churches very great damage, Rom. 16. 17. Alas, alas! how can it be much expected, that Presbytery shal be generally setled throughout England, when so many as do pretend to affect and desire it, are not only contrary minded to their brethren, who should combine together in severall associations, but do also walk contrary to the supreme power, who are the Churches nursing Fathers, and to whom it belongeth to establish and patronize Church Government; see Rom. 13. 4.
4. Silencing the mouthes of ignorant and foolish prophane men (who are corrupt, and forward to be clamorously talkative, and babbling against the waves of God and his people; see Prov. 9. 13. but it is Gods will, that by a due Christian doing their ignorance and folly should be stopped, 1 Pet. 2. 15.) shall be commodiously attained by a unanimous concurrence of brethren to ingage and act for common and publike safety, even unto the vexing, disheartning and daunting of adversaries; see the exemplification hereof in a pregnant instance of the State of the Jewish Common-wealth after their returne from the captivity, and had no King at such time, applying themselves to reforme amisses, and repaire breaches, when grudged at, and opposed greatly; for whereas all sorts set themselves in their standings unto the work, as we have a full Catalogue of their names, and order of their building the wall, Neh. 3. yea, of the Tekoites repairing, though their Nobles put not their neck to the work of the Lord, Neh. 3. 5.) it came to passe, that Sanballat, and Tobiah the Ammonite, were wondrously and strangely exanimated and confounded thereat; see Neh. 4. 1. &c.
5. Rejoycing of the spirits of Christians at home and abroad, both in our own Land, and in neighbour Churches and Countreys, and their glorifying of God in such case, shall be the consequent of such Engagement, which is no small benefit: How Christians at home are taken and affected, when with one accord there is a joyning and continuing together, and what is the fruit thereof, we may see declared Act. 2. 42.—46, 47. yea, and abroad likewise, Act. 15. 31. Gal. 1. 23, 24. That comfortable Prophecy and gracious Promise respecting Gospel-times more specially, made mention of Isaiah 44. 5. viz. One shall say, I am the Lords, and another shall call himselfe by the God of Iacob, and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and sirname himselfe by the name of Israel: And another mentioned, Zach. 8. 23. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, in those dayes it shall come to passe, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the Nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Iew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you: Even these Prophecies and Promises may be alluded unto by way of resemblance, to denote the advantages by Englishmens concurrence unto the publike good and welfare of the Nation.
This fivefold profit insisted on, may well be an attractive to allure, and perswade to seek and follow after it, sith the merchandize thereof is better then the merchandize of silver, and the gaine thereof is better then gold; it is more precious then Rubies, and nothing that can be desired, is to be compared unto it. And thus far of the three Reasons: And a threefold cord is not quickly broken, Eccles. 4. 12.